Yeesh. Well, I was out of town all last week. And the two weeks prior to that I had no inclination to write, due to a myriad of life problems that decided to bombard me all at once. So there are the excuses. On a side note, this chapter was hell, and has had ample rewrites. It's not up to par, but in order to avoid shooting my blood pressure any further into space, I have decided to leave it as is. *sigh* Okay, pity party over.
And now . . . how on earth did Hiko lose his saiya? Despite the patches of roughness, I hope this chapter's enjoyable!
Fifteen minutes. That was how long Hiko had been imprisoned by the kago, unable to stretch his legs, unable to feel the gentle spring breeze he could hear whispering against the cloth...
The breeze smelled like rain, he noted. And he thought he could hear thunder several miles in the distance, its threatening growl reminding him that yes, this day could get worse.
Exhaling heavily, Hiko let his hand drift to the hilt of his sword, tapping his fingers against the unadorned wood absently. The curtained sides of the kago rippled softly, almost as if the mild weather outside was taunting him, and Hiko glared in a fleeting moment of pettiness. He should be enjoying this day back on his mountain, possibly toasting the beauty of spring with a saucer of sake and hounding Kenshin on his kata.
The kago swayed gently as its bearers changed direction, and Hiko sighed. It was only March. He wouldn't miss viewing the cherry blossoms at least.
Saké and cherry blossoms left Hiko's mind as quickly as if blown by a strong spring gale when the slow swirl of ki that bordered the kago suddenly multiplied. That, in addition to the increase in general hubbub, alerted Hiko to the fact that they must be approaching the castle. He focused his attention expectantly, searching for a glimmer of anger in the sea of relative calm. Even if Jisaemon could hide his ki, it was unlikely that any men he might come with would have such skill.
Hiko's impatience meter was quickly reaching capacity as Naosuke's retinue continued unimpeded and still he sensed no ki that bespoke hostility; sensed nothing that suggested an attack. He was positive Jisaemon would be here though. Possibly he was just out of range of Hiko's senses but that couldn't last for long. Naosuke had said they were entering by the sakuradamon, the southern gate. Jisaemon wouldn't wait for them to get through. He would make his move before Naosuke could be safely ensconced behind the walls of Edo castle.
The kago's moderate pace continued unchecked, and for a brief second Hiko harbored the thought that he had missed his guess. But in all honesty, the likelihood of that was even lower than the chance that Jisaemon wouldn't attack, so Hiko banished that worm of doubt without hesitation.
Loud voices floated back to him from the front of the escort now, and Hiko could just make out the announcement that they were coming up on the sakuradamon. Still, he sensed nothing. Is he waiting for something? A sign?
And then, as if responding to his unvoiced question, a wave of ki hit him. This was fighting ki. Hiko sat straight in anticipation, the hand that had been light on his sword hilt only seconds before now gripping it firmly as he stretched his senses to the utmost. Jisaemon hadn't elected to do this alone. He had managed to gather a small cadre of men, all samurai judging by their honed fighting ki. Sixteen−no, seventeen of them.
It was another thirty seconds before Naosuke's guards noticed anything amiss, but when they did, the loud shouts that had heralded arrival turned frantic. Hiko could hear the sound of swords being drawn and several courageous yells of protect tairou-sama! He let his senses pass over the horde of agitated ki, searching for one in particular. A smile touched his lips and his eyes gleamed sharply when he found it. Ah . . . being correct was so gratifying. He counted the seconds as the ki began moving his way, drawing inevitably closer.
Four.
Three.
Two.
"Revere the Emperor and expel the barbarians!" The cry rang through his ears and Hiko's hand shot out just as one curtain of the kago lifted. His fingers curled around flesh, choking the end of the cry off, and he squeezed, unashamedly enjoying the feel.
"There's only one barbarian I plan on expelling today," Hiko ripped the curtain aside with his free hand and emerged from the kago. With his cape billowing behind him he looked nothing so much like a dragon emerging from its cave, the power that radiated from him carefully constrained.
Letting his ki crash around him like a waterfall, Hiko stared into the startled black eyes now directly in front of him, keeping his hand clenched tightly around his victim's throat.
"I've been looking forward to seeing you again, Jisaemon." He kept his voice even, free of the venom that was coursing through him.
Jisaemon's face was turning red but he refused to suffer the humiliation of clawing at his throat, keeping his hands clenched at his side instead. "Where's−Naosuke?" He managed to choke dryly.
"Oh, I'm not sure exactly," Hiko drawled. "But I didn't come here to talk about Naosuke-san."
"I've−sent someone−to his house." Jisaemon gasped, face turning purple. "If he's there−he's dead."
Hiko felt a jolt run through him. So Jisaemon had covered all his bases and sent someone to Naosuke's. A good thing he'd thought to move Kenshin elsewhere.
Hiko was sure his face showed nothing of the momentary surprise he felt but somehow Jisaemon must have thought him distracted because he was going for his sword. Hiko wasn't concerned: he could have struck the man down even if he managed to bring his sword to bear. But he needed to let off some steam, and choking the life out of Jisaemon wasn't near enough punishment for what he put Kenshin through. Hiko threw Jisaemon backwards, hard, and the samurai crashed to the ground. He was smiling though.
"I saw that, Seijuurou." He said hoarsely, slowly climbing to his feet and massaging his throat. "I notice Ken-chan isn't here. Maybe you thought to hide him away somewhere close?"
"Kenshin should have nothing to do with any of this." Hiko growled, thoroughly piqued at the casual manner of familiarity Jisaemon assumed with Kenshin's name. "And if you want your death not to last a lifetime you'd do best not to think of him again."
"Trust me Seijuurou, I have nothing against you or your student." Jisaemon paused. "Well, I didn't at least. Even now though it wouldn't matter to me except that−" he shrugged. "Well, you stand between me and my goal."
"You put me between your goal, Jisaemon." Hiko snarled. "After you began your foolish plan I was left with little choice. Did you really think you'd be able to blackmail the greatest swordsmaster of this age?"
"Humble as ever, Seijuurou," Jisaemon snorted. "And yes. Yes, I did. It's not like I was going to kill your student. I only needed you to think that."
"Congratulations, you did a very convincing job." Hiko's hand tightened on his sword. "You had an innocent boy tortured, Jisaemon. Knowingly. Maybe you weren't going to kill him but don't pretend that you didn't think the shougunate would."
"Don't speak like a hypocrite, Seijuurou." Jisaemon stabbed a finger at him. "I've seen the way you act with that pupil of yours, how you treat him. You think your indifferent attitude isn't torture? You're making him a psychological mess, he's only going to fear and despise you."
Hiko's face was dangerously blank. "Don't try to lecture me, you shameless coward. You have no idea what you're talking about."
Jisaemon laughed shortly. "I'm a shameless coward now? And what are you? An apathetic hypocrite, maybe. Your indifference disgusts me. A swordsman is supposed to protect the weak and the innocent, yet you as good as condemn them by refusing to fight against the atrocities of the shougunate! You have an obligation to destroy these oppressors, Seijuurou!"
Being lectured on the concepts of his own school wasn't something that sat well with Hiko. "Clearly you understand nothing of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, and my words seem to be having little effect." Hiko pulled his sword from its sheath, raising it slowly. He was going to enjoy this. Every last second. "Let me show you instead, exactly how I protect those who need it." He let his ki explode outwards in all its fiery wrath, and was pleased to see a glimmer of fear in Jisaemon's eyes.
"Before we begin though, think of this, Jisaemon−you say a swordsman should protect the innocent," Hiko swung his blade towards the ground sharply, sending a blast of air in Jisaemon's direction, "yet you stole my student from me, no doubt mistreated him on the way to Edo, then lied to have him convicted by the shougunate. Who's the hypocrite now?"
"As I said before, we meant no real harm." Jisaemon ground out. "We would have returned him to you."
Hiko's eyes flashed. "Fool! Even if you aren't lying through your teeth that's not the point! But I suppose it was too much to expect you to admit you were wrong."
Both men were prepared to draw their swords, but before they could cross blades their exchange was rudely interrupted by a chorus of shouts coming from behind the kago, where the clash of Mito samurai and castle guards had turned into something of a brawl.
"We found him!"
"Naosuke-sama!"
"Kill the barbarian lover!"
Hiko saw Jisaemon's eyes flick towards the commotion, and he smiled, eyes narrowing. "You have to get through me."
Jisaemon brought his gaze back to Hiko, and almost reverently he raised his sword. "So be it. I'm not afraid to bring justice to this country."
"As you're so aptly demonstrating, justice and the means people use to achieve it frequently conflict." Hiko countered as he readied himself for an attack. Normally he would have given fair warning to his opponent before he lit into them but not today. Not for this man.
Hiko bridged the distance between him and Jisaemon in a blink; anyone watching would only have felt a rush of air as a white blur disappeared in front of their eyes. I'll wound his sword arm first. Let him fight like that. Hiko was mildly surprised by the vehemence that coursed through him. Certainly he was used to the rush of battle, the feeling that he was doing something worthwhile that accompanied it. Then he fought with a hardened detachment, doing what needed to be done for the sake of others.
But this−there was no detachment here, only raw rage that threatened to take over for nobody's sake but his own. No point in denying it to himself: it was well-justified and would serve a greater purpose, but for Hiko this was revenge, pure and simple.
"Ryu sou sen!" Hiko hadn't seen Jisaemon fight in years but he knew immediately that the man hadn't lost any of his skill. Despite the speed of the attack, Jisaemon blocked the first blow solidly, concentration and fear mingled on his face. Hiko knew he wouldn't be able to match the Hiten Mitsurugi speed for long though, and indeed the next two hits in the multi-strike attack drew blood.
Jisaemon stumbled back, the sword that he now held in his left hand automatically going to guard. A rivulet of blood dripped down his arm, staining his tsuba. Hiko knew he had judged the strength of his hits well; the cut on Jisaemon's arm was only deep enough to make wielding a sword incredibly painful but not impossible.
Hiko slashed his sword to the side, throwing droplets of blood to the wind. "Example one," He rested his sword on his shoulder cockily, "intimidate the opponent." Hiko's eyes flicked purposefully towards the Mito samurai. "It gives any subordinates a chance to surrender."
"Not a chance." Jisaemon hissed.
"Ah, well in your case that option has been revoked. So let's move on." Hiko found it enormously gratifying, finally fighting the man who had held his student's life over his head. "Where were we? Example two," He was mentally preparing for dou ryu sen, something that would really put some bruises on Jisaemon, when he caught a spike in Naosuke's ki. He hadn't paid much attention to the man since they'd started out−he was surrounded by guards after all−but this seemed urgent. Hiko shot a glance behind him to see that one of Jisaemon's samurai had managed to hack his way past the guards to stand directly in front of Naosuke. The closest aid was five feet away and scrambling to raise himself from the ground, and seeing that the samurai already had his sword in the air, that wasn't close enough.
There was no time−even using his godlike speed he would get there a shade too late. Inwardly cursing his luck to be fighting with such amateurs, Hiko did the only thing he could. He grabbed his saiya and with all his strength sent it hurtling like a large arrow towards the samurai.
The samurai's blade was an inch from Naosuke's head when Hiko's saiya slammed into it, shoving the sword to the side where it narrowly missed taking Naosuke's arm off. The man who had been pulling himself off the ground was at the tairou's side now, holding the samurai off. Ah well, Hiko wouldn't be able to do a proper battoujutsu but it wasn't really necessary.
As he turned around Hiko felt a burst of energy, and he was moving sideways even as he saw Jisaemon leap at him, sword raised high for what would have been a blow that sliced him in two. As Jisaemon brought his weapon down Hiko spun sharply, deftly flipping his blade just before he slammed his sword into Jisaemon's back. Normally, it would have been a deadly blow. Instead, the blunt edge merely cracked his ribs, sending him sprawling into the dirt.
Hiko shouldered his sword again, looking with distaste at the man who lay gasping on the ground at his feet. "It wasn't what I had planned but I suppose it worked well enough for example two. Ryu kan sen." Jisaemon had staggered to his feet but he was still wheezing for breath, his lips twisted in a strange grimace, so Hiko took the opportunity to look where his saiya had fallen. It should be−ah, there it was. Hiko frowned. One of the castle guards was putting it at his side, glancing around furtively as he did so.
What nerve. Probably thought he was going to sell it for a good price after this. Hiko would disabuse him of that notion. He'd hardly stepped in that direction though when Jisaemon sprang in front of him, his breath back but now looking as if every movement pained him.
"You're fighting me, Seijuurou."
Hiko sighed inwardly. Well, he could track down his saiya afterwards. No doubt the man holding it would be dead before the fight was over.
Hiko assessed the damage Jisaemon had taken. "Tell your men to give up, Jisaemon. They've already lost half their number and you aren't going to fare any better than them. Worse, actually."
"Give up?" Jisaemon gave a short, disbelieving laugh. "They're fighting for their livelihood, Seijuurou, and if they can't win that back, what good is living anyway? They either succeed here, or die here. Those are their options."
"As you say. I won't argue with you." Hiko brought his sword down from his shoulder, looking critically at his opponent. Jisaemon locked eyes with him.
"I was clumsy before. I'd forgotten how good you were. But I'm getting serious now, so don't think you can get away with such light play."
"That's where you and I differ, Jisaemon," Hiko's eyes flashed, and the dust around him spiraled into the air. "Whether or not I use all my strength, I have always fought seriously."
Jisaemon's body took on a faint orange glow. "Good. Then let's get started." They stared at each other for a long moment, waiting for a faint movement, an opening, anything that might show a weakness.
Jisaemon's sword-arm made a miniscule shift and Hiko broke the stalemate. "Dou ryu sen!" Sparks flew as his katana grated against pebble and rock. A cloud of dust rose and billowed outwards, encompassing the entire battlefield. Frenzied shouts were soon replaced by hacking coughs as lungs filled with the spray of dust that Hiko's attack had produced. Hiko used his mantle to shield his nose and mouth from the voluminous cloud, watching with sharp eyes as Jisaemon spun his sword rapidly in an attempt to divert the attack.
Cheh. Impossible. Hiko's scornful thought rang true; Jisaemon managed to keep the dust cloud from immediately enveloping him but he was unable to escape the blast of air from the dou ryu sen. He was flung him backwards, and thin lines of red appeared on his cheeks as he was pummeled by dirt and rock shrapnel. The attack had surely taken a toll on him but Jisaemon regained his balance quickly. The orange glow was gone.
Hiko didn't give him a chance to recover. Sword already pulled back for a strike, he sped towards Jisaemon. Halfway there, he planted a foot into the ground, pushing off and soaring into the air with the grace of a bird. "Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, ryu tsui sen!" Hiko could see Jisaemon squinting as he glanced upwards, the sun blinding him to Hiko's position. Ryu tsui sen was particularly effective in mid-day.
The crushing force behind the blow hammered Jisaemon to the ground, even though he managed to bring his sword up in time to block it. Hiko let his blade slide down Jisaemon's, turning to deliver a strike to the man's now unprotected left side. He expected Jisaemon to dodge, or attempt a block. He wasn't expecting him to leap skywards and jump over his head.
It was a refreshing change of pace at least, if somewhat straightforward. Hiko spun with his sword already raised to counter whatever Jisaemon was coming at him with, realizing as he did so that Jisaemon wasn't actually attacking him. In fact, he was running away . . .
Hiko's sharp eyes flicked towards the sakuradamon. Several of the guards had Naosuke sandwiched between them and were bodily shoving their way to the southern gate as their comrades held off the samurai. Jisaemon was heading straight for the huddle.
It wasn't much of a challenge and Hiko smiled. Nobody could outrun a Hiten Mitsurugi master. He had placed himself between Jisaemon and Naosuke a full second before Jisaemon came within striking distance.
"As I said before, you'll have to get by me." Hiko's sword darted forward, catching Jisaemon square in the chest. Jisaemon managed to jump back before the thrust ran him through, escaping with a red stain spreading across his gi. Hiko allowed himself a moment of satisfaction before stepping towards his adversary, who was now breathing heavily and staring down at his chest, which was bleeding steadily. "You're severely injured and can hardly fight." Hiko assessed unemotionally. "It's time to end this." To his surprise, Jisaemon looked up and a smile curled his lips.
"Yes. It's time to end this."
Hiko frowned at him and lifted his sword for a blow that would leave Jisaemon begging for death. Something about this wasn't right; Jisaemon shouldn't look so overjoyed that he was dying while Naosuke stood very much alive. That was when Hiko caught the distraught flicker of ki, overlaid with a deep pain but also determination. Conflicting feelings surged through him: disbelief, confusion, relief, anger; all vied for supremacy. It was emotional overload for the normally stoic swordmaster and he whirled on Jisaemon, face livid, already moving to lop the man's head off with his sword.
"I wouldn't." The softly spoken words stayed Hiko's hand more effectively than any opposing force, and his sword stopped dead only millimeters from Jisaemon's neck just as a child's scream soared above the sounds of battle. Hiko's blood boiled at the sound. He knew that voice as well as his own. Already dreading what he was going to see, he turned his head slowly, keeping the tip of his sword at Jisaemon's throat.
Of course, Hiko thought with bitter irrelevance. One of Naosuke's guards stood at the edge of the road that led to the sakuradamon. It wasn't the guard so much that concerned him; he was bothered more by the small red-headed figure held tight in the guard's grasp. Kenshin's right arm was twisted behind him and his ghostly white face was wracked with pain, but his eyes shone with relief as he stared at Hiko. Hiko felt his stomach twist and he let his sword arm fall limply at his side. Already he knew it was going to come down to a choice, and one frustrated word echoed in his head, directed at anyone who could answer.
Why?
Well, that explains Hiko's missing saiya! I hope the fight scenes were clear; please let me know if not. CC always appreciated.
Thank you reviewers, you make my day when I see that little alert in my inbox!
HitokiriBattousai214: Welcome aboard! Glad you're enjoying it. Hiko harshness duly noted, I will keep an eye on that. If there are any particular places that jump/ed out at you, feel free to bring them to my attention.
Kaida Ukitake: Well thanks! Sorry the wait was so long this time around.
one-who-loves-sesshy: Well, everything's pretty much laid out now, just needs to be played out! Yeah, Kenshin will probably get it for leaving his sword.
Althea M: Hiko, dead? Never! :) I hope the fight scenes in this chapter were as clear as the previous one, but I have my doubts . . .
Szahara again: Wow . . . 8 times . . . I need to read Les Mis though, I haven't yet! Heh, it would definitely be uncharacteristic of Hiko to mess up. I don't think he could live with himself. Yay, "awesome action scene"! Thanks for that. And yes, I would much prefer if Jinchuu got animated (*cough* not as an under-done OAV) but hey, I'll take whatever gets tossed my way. I'm really gonna cry if they make a movie and ruin it though.
t42n24t: Thanks for bringing your friend aboard! Wahaha, Kenshin should just play dead when Hiko asks him about his sword. In Kenshin's defense though, he is a little out of it right now. Maybe Hiko will cut him some slack? ;)