Back to a longer chapter! Quick note: thanks to Szahara again for pointing out the typo in the previous chapter. Yes, "interrupting" should be read as "interpreting." I went and fixed that. Curse my Microsoft Word that likes to automatically spell similar words if I slip on a letter. Guess I should just proof-read better, huh? ;) Oh, also . . . I FINALLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO PUT BREAKS IN USING HTML! I don't even remember what tag I was trying to use. I think I'm gonna go back now and add breaks in all the other chapters. It looks so much nicer. Okay, sorry, I'm just excited about that, on to the story!

Hiko Seijuurou was a master swordsman. He could move at godlike speed, kill faster than the blink of an eye−he could do anything he set his mind to, and do it with finesse. He knew if he took matters into his own hands, any given situation he was involved in would turn out in his favor. Because he was good at what he did; skills came easily to him.

He'd finally discovered something he wasn't good at though. Waiting. And not just waiting: purposeless waiting. Standing idly in Ii Naosuke's dwelling, Hiko felt disabled and useless. He should be doing something, and yet anything he did would undoubtedly make an already bad situation worse. So nothing was all he could do, and it was driving him mad. He wanted to be able to relax, to trust that Naosuke was at least able to get Kenshin out of the castle. But Hiko had always had trouble trusting in other's abilities. Maybe he was even worse at that than waiting.

Hiko let out a breath of frustration and paced the house in tight circles. It felt as if he'd been waiting for hours although more likely a bare hour had passed. He was stretching his ki to the utmost but all he'd felt so far was the half-aware ki of the guards at the castle gates, and the negligible presence of scores of people entering and leaving.

"Damnit Naosuke," Hiko stopped himself from continuing as a ki he knew well collided with his. It was fainter than he was used to, the brilliance more subdued than before, but it was there. He'd half a mind to storm outside but checked himself as he remembered Naosuke's explicit instructions to stay inside and unseen.

Hiko opted to stand by the door instead, staring intently at it as if that would make Naosuke appear faster. It was another ten minutes before Hiko heard a muted voice and noisy footsteps. There was the sound of something dragging across the covered porch outside, and then the door slid silently open. Kenshin stood in the doorway, with Naosuke one step behind him.

Hiko kept his expression placid as he did a surface assessment of his student. Inwardly though his emotions surged. Kenshin was wearing little more than half a hakama, and every exposed part of his body that Hiko could see was either bruised or cut. Dried blood was smeared everywhere although it was unclear exactly where it had all come from. The welts on Kenshin's face and chest looked superficial but his right shoulder was red and swollen, as was his wrist. Both his wrists were braceleted with thick red lines, no doubt from rope tightened far too much, and his legs were crisscrossed by rope burns. The boy was noticeably skinnier, and his chalk-like complexion was only accented by the dark shadows under his eyes and fever-blushed cheeks.

The only words that came to Hiko's mind were wildly inappropriate for civil conversation, so he refrained from saying anything, electing to study his deshi some more. The ki Hiko had been so carefully keeping track of was wavering now and he expected his deshi to fall face-first to the floor. Kenshin opened his mouth instead.

"Shishou . . . you came." Then his ki plummeted and as Kenshin collapsed Hiko knelt swiftly, catching his student across his arm.

"Baka deshi." It was only after he fell that Hiko saw the sickening mess of flayed skin covering Kenshin's back. It looked as if parts of it had once scabbed over but now it was raw and oozing, with fresh blood dripping in several places. Hiko's muscles tightened with anger and he had to restrain himself from accidentally crushing Kenshin in his grip.

"There was no trouble?" He asked through clenched teeth, forcing his eyes away from Kenshin and turning his attention to Naosuke.

"Mostly it went fine. One of the men seemed particularly suspicious but I don't know if he has ties to anyone or if it's just his nature. Either way, we at least have a little time. Everyone there took my word that Arimura Jisaemon is the one behind all this. Keep in mind I didn't mention your name though, so don't think you're walking on friendly ground."

"That's fine. I can deal with that." Hiko was still kneeling, left hand extended with Kenshin draped across it. Despite Jisaemon's mild remark about torture, Hiko hadn't imagined the shougunate would perform such atrocities on a boy. He didn't know what he'd expected but he was honestly unprepared for this. It was almost enough to make him sick, looking at the wounds that covered the small body.

Kenshin's back looked horrendous, and even in his unconscious state his body twitched at a touch. Even if Hiko hadn't promised Naosuke he would stay and protect him, there was no way Kenshin could travel back to Kyoto anytime soon.

"He needs a doctor." Hiko said tersely, running a hand across Kenshin's forehead. As he expected, it was as hot as rocks heated by the summer sun. "Can you bring one here?" Kenshin's ki was considerably weaker than usual, and that worried Hiko more than any wound. Wounds were serious in their own right, but if you lost the will to live . . .

"There's a doctor nearby who I use, I can send someone to get him." Naosuke ran a hand across his hair in a boyish motion. "I'm supposed to have a meeting with the shogun tomorrow." He waited pointedly. When Hiko said nothing, he continued, "Do you have some plan for this Arimura or are you just waiting for him to come after me?"

"Jisaemon's trying to make a point. Once he discovers his bargaining chip is no longer locked away in the castle, he'll come here. And when he does, I'll be waiting. You've nothing to worry about." Hiko stood, lifting his deshi with the same carefulness he would handle his sword. "Do you have a futon he can lay on?"

"Yes, there's one back there." Naosuke nodded towards the hallway, indicating the first room on the left. He looked at Kenshin for several moments, shook his head. "This is one of the things we hope to end. Arresting and torturing small boys without question because someone carrying a sword accuses them of treason, ridiculous. This doesn't happen in the West. We need influences like them." He laughed hollowly. "We're trying at least."

Hiko walked to the other room and rested Kenshin on the futon as Naosuke spoke. "If you could send someone for that doctor, Naosuke-san, I'll wait here."

"Oh, right. I'll have some of my men stay with the boy if you need to leave-"

"Not necessary." Hiko broke in. "Jisaemon wouldn't be above looking for Kenshin out of spite. Your men are nowhere close to beating me, and Jisaemon's skill level is only moderately less than my own. Your men wouldn't stand a chance."

"Most people wouldn't be so blunt about criticizing my guards' skills." Naosuke muttered.

"Most people wouldn't be able to save your life." Hiko's eyes were on Kenshin again. "Is there any salve here?"

"There might be some around the furo," Naosuke waved vaguely. "I'm going to the castle to assess the situation a little more and take care of some business. I'll send one of my men for the doctor on the way." He paused, thinking. "I'll leave one of my guards here in case you need anything. He'll be in the cottage next door. I'll be back later this evening, we can talk more then."

Hiko nodded, already standing to head towards the furo. "Until then."

Naosuke heaved a tired sigh, then left his house for the second time that day.

Hiko spared a last glance at his deshi−still out cold−before making the short trip to the bathhouse. There was indeed a small box of salve on a shelf above the furo, and Hiko wasted no time grabbing it. He wasn't sure how far away the doctor was, or if he would even be able to come that day. It made sense for him to do everything he could and sooner better than later.

Hiko wasn't expecting Kenshin to wake up anytime soon so he was surprised to hear the faint sounds of movement when he reentered Naosuke's house. Gradually the noise morphed into what sounded like frantic shuffling. Then there was a sharp intake of breath and the sound ceased altogether.

"Shishou?" Kenshin's voice was soft and unsure, and for a brief moment Hiko felt an unusual measure of pity for him. His deshi probably thought everything from the past hour had been a product of his fevered imagination.

"Oi, Kenshin," Hiko called from the back of the house, keeping his voice softer than he normally would. He could feel Kenshin's ki stretching out, touched with nervous energy. It relaxed as soon as Hiko spoke.

"Shishou," He sounded relieved. Hiko walked into the room to see Kenshin sitting up on the futon, eyes wide and staring. He still looked like shit, but Hiko thought he was slightly less pale than he had been earlier.

"Turn around," Hiko motioned with his hand, and Kenshin's face suddenly became charged with fear. "What?" Hiko demanded sharply, head snapping around to look behind him. Nothing. Then it hit him why his student looked so terrified, and a rush of anger passed through him. He held up the box of salve he'd retrieved from the furo. "I'm putting this on your back, it'll make it feel better." He counted the time it took for Kenshin's face to relax. Too long.

"Oh," Kenshin's voice was a whisper. He used his good arm to turn himself, but he kept shooting furtive glances at Hiko. Finally, the swordmaster could take it no longer.

"Kenshin, what the hell are you doing?"

"N-nothing. Sorry." Kenshin faced forward then, hanging his head to his chest. Hiko frowned. He didn't know what the boy's problem was. Thirty minutes ago he'd seemed elated that his master had shown up, and now he was acting as if Hiko was the one who'd been inflicting punishment on him for the past week. Hiko supposed unusual reactions were to be expected after what Kenshin had been through so he decided not to worry about it and sat down behind his student, flipping the top of the salve box open so he could quickly study the contents.

The salve was a pale blue and smelled vaguely sweet. Hiko shrugged. It might not be as restorative as something he could concoct, but he supposed it would feel soothing at the very least. The process of rubbing it on a raw back might not be quite as pleasant as the after-effect.

"Try to relax, Kenshin. Your back will feel better after this is on." Kenshin's neck tensed at the words but it was the best consolation Hiko could think to offer. Sighing inwardly, he scooped a large portion of salve onto his fingers. Relax, indeed. This was going to be hell. Gingerly, he brushed his hand across the lower part of Kenshin's back, the one small section that wasn't freshly split open. Kenshin sucked air between his teeth but he didn't move or cry out. Hiko smiled briefly. His deshi had a tough shell. The rest of his back was going to be far worse though.

Hiko scooped some more salve and moved his hand to the middle of Kenshin's back. He'd hardly touched the oozing skin when Kenshin whimpered softly. Still, he didn't move. Hiko tried to go quickly but he had to be careful that he didn't irritate the skin even more.

By the time he'd reached Kenshin's upper back the boy's body was quivering. Hiko reached into the salve box, scooping out the last of the ointment. He waited a moment, letting Kenshin gain some control over himself. This last part was going to be the worst.

"Are you done?" Kenshin asked, turning his head slightly. Hiko saw tears streaking his face.

"Almost." Hiko wasn't looking forward to this. Kenshin's upper back had grooves so deep that Hiko was almost certain he could see muscle. Kami.

Hiko reached forward and placed a hand on Kenshin's crossed legs, seeming to use it as support so could inch to the left. "I've done way too much walking recently. My legs are getting stiff back here." He explained. The hand on Kenshin's leg didn't move though.

It was a horrible lie-when did Hiko Seijuurou's legs ever get tired?-but Kenshin understood. It was one of the rare times that Hiko would offer his deshi physical comfort.

Kenshin jerked at Hiko's touch and the swordmaster knew he must be in agony but Kenshin held out as long as he could, clenching his left fist until his hand turned white. Then his bravery shattered, and he grabbed the arm resting on his leg, burying his face in it as he tried to muffle his sobs.

Hiko let the boy clutch at him, feeling the pressure of Kenshin's grip through his bracers. If he hadn't been wearing the protective gauntlets, no doubt Kenshin's fingernails would have gouged some formidable holes in Hiko's arm.

Thankfully, Hiko only took about twenty seconds to finish rubbing the salve in but it must have seemed like an eternity to Kenshin. By the time Hiko was done, Kenshin's sobs had died down to an exhausted moan, although he still clung to his teacher's arm with a death grip. Against his better judgment, Hiko let him stay like that for a minute. Hopefully Kenshin was so out of it he wouldn't remember this brief slip into compassion.

Gradually, even Kenshin's moans faded into nothingness, and when his grip on Hiko's arm suddenly loosened Hiko glanced down. His deshi was slouched against his chest fast asleep, his breathing deep and even.

Good. He could use a rest before the doctor arrived. That was going to be another less-than-pleasant examination.

Kenshin shifted slightly and Hiko considered laying him on the futon. No point in adding a crick in his neck to his list of injuries. Hiko had hardly tensed his legs to move though when Kenshin's hand curled around his waist. No doubt the action was unconscious but that didn't make it any less awkward for Hiko. He sat there stiffly for several seconds, waiting to see if Kenshin would wake. He didn't.

Hiko relaxed, leaning back slightly. Well, what did it matter if his deshi fell asleep on him? Obviously the boy was deriving some sort of comfort and who was Hiko to deprive him of that? He couldn't help being such a reassuring figure.

Anyway, he'd been traveling almost without pause for nigh on a week now and it was catching up to him. He was tired beyond belief and Kenshin's heavy breathing was infectious. Hiko blinked suddenly heavy eyelids. Naosuke had said one of his guards was out there, and there was no way Jisaemon would be able to know that Hiko had outwitted him this soon. He had time, and he would be stupid not to take it.

With that thought, Hiko left his deshi curled against him and let his eyes fall closed. He was snoring within seconds.

The pounding footsteps quickly nearing his door had Jisaemon jumping from his seat in a panic. Maybe Seijuurou had stupidly tried to approach the castle and gotten his pupil killed. He'd be here for blood then. It had only been that morning that Seijuurou had left, and if he was coming back in such a rush . . . Jisaemon's hand went to his sword, and he moved to the open doorway, holding his weapon in a classic guard position. Maybe he could catch Seijuurou off-guard, before he was actually in the doorway.

The rushing steps were just around the corner now, and with a loud yell Jisaemon threw himself out the door, sword cleaving down at the intruder. His senses almost didn't catch up in time. It was only when his sword was a hairsbreadth away that Jisaemon saw his target wasn't moving but cowering to the ground, hands shielding his face.

In a move that only an extremely skilled swordsman could have pulled off, Jisaemon brought his knee up and knocked his arm off-course. He landed sloppily, almost falling as his sword missed its target by a foot, shearing across an arm instead of a head. Panting, Jisaemon regained his balance and sheathed his sword.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Kunimori, coming here like that?" He raged at the stunned man in front of him. "You're supposed to be keeping an eye on what's going on at the castle!"

Kunimori was staring at his arm, now graced with a fine line of blood. "Arimura-san, my arm-"

"I'll do more than nick your arm if you don't explain your actions!" Jisaemon retorted. "You're supposed to be at the Fujimi keep. Why are you rushing here? Did Seijuurou complete the assassination? Did he try to get into the castle?"

Kunimori looked afraid to speak.

"Damnit man, spit it out! What's happened?"

"Hiko-san hasn't exactly done what you thought." Kunimori managed.

"I gathered that!"

"He-" Kunimori took several steps backward, far enough so that Jisaemon would have to lunge to hit him with his sword, then said in a rush, "Ii Naosuke came in today and demanded that the boy be released. Hiko-san must have talked to him."

Jisaemon blinked. "What? Is this a joke?"

"No." Kunimori held his hands up. "I tried to talk with the tairou, but he wouldn't listen. And then he told everyone there that you were the real enemy."

Jisaemon knew his face was red, he could feel the surge of heat spread across his cheeks. "Really." It wasn't a question. "And why could you not have killed him, then and there? Please, tell me."

Kunimori opened his mouth. "I-I thought-" He dropped his head. "I'm sorry, Arimura-san, I honestly thought you specifically wanted Hiko-san to perform the assassination."

"Of course I did, before I thought he could go behind my back and retrieve his precious student." Jisaemon snarled. He'd half a mind to kill Kunimori. The man looked like a cowering peasant, stuttering like that with his head to his chest. "You would've been just as effective, you moron. If I'd thought you'd ever get close enough to Naosuke to gut him of course I'd tell you to do it! I only want a peasant with no ties to Satsuma, I've said that any number of times. If the shougunate thinks the peasants are revolting over this foreign policy they're cramming down our throats they'll have no choice but to return our land and beg for our help!"

Kunimori's legs were shaking. "Of course, I should've thought of that. What should I do now, sir? Return to my post? Try to locate where Hiko-san is staying?"

Jisaemon looked at Kunimori, disgusted. Try as he might to see otherwise, all he saw before him was a failure. With men like that, it was only fair that Seijuurou got his student back. "I want you to stay here. And maybe you can pray for more common sense in your next life."

Jisaemon's words registered a shade too late for Kunimori. He'd hardly realized what was happening when Jisaemon's sword went through his heart.

Eyes hard, Jisaemon yanked his sword from Kunimori and the man fell to the ground with a soft thunk. So Seijuurou had managed to come up with an alternate plan after all. What an overconfident bastard.

From what his spies had told him, Jisaemon suspected Naosuke was going to disappear off the radar within the next few months, so he had very little time to work with. It was unfortunate, but it looked as if he might have to do things himself. He had no one else skilled enough to turn to. Yoshinobu was dead.

Jisaemon wiped the blade clean and slowly sheathed his sword. Yes, it was up to him now. And he might have to put all of Satsuma on the line, and his chance at ever seeing his land returned, but in the process he was going to do everything he could to destroy Seijuurou. Even if it meant finding that insolent little deshi again and skewering him in front of Seijuurou's eyes.

Brief historical notes: Ii Naosuke initiated the Ansei purge, which took the land and government positions from various daimyo and other high-up bakufu (shougunate) officials. This effectively retired any samurai serving under them. Naosuke also affirmed the signing of the Harris treaty, which broke Japan's years of seclusion by allowing America to trade with them. Ah, politics.

Looks like vengeance is on the near horizon for Kenshin!

Szahara: Yay, new reviewer! Thanks again for bringing that typo to attention! Glad you like Naosuke's good-guy persona. Hiko ass-kicking is coming!

Kaida Ukitake: Waha, that does sound like Hiko! Yeah, he definitely has some reason to be proud now.

ZukoFlame: I did kind of put Kenshin through the wringer, didn't I . . . I couldn't help it! Maybe Hiko will give Kenshin a hug for you . . . hah!

literaryrxn: :)

t42n24t: Thankee! Glad I pulled it off.

CPAnthoni: Another new reviewer, I'm psyched! Thanks for joining in!