“It’s not a sakabatou, I can’t use it.” He abruptly resheathed and it and placed it infront of his master.

Hiko stared sternly down at him. “Take it, you’ll need it to survive. They have a never ending hate towards us and they will come here to get you and a few broken bones from your sakabatou isn’t going to stop them, they must be killed, that's their only salvation.”

“Shishyo...” Kenshin stared right back into his master’s eyes.

The room was tense and silent, it stayed in this state until Hiko broke the silence.

“I’ve had enough.” He got up onto his feet and headed towards the entrance. “See what I care, get killed, then see who will protect your friends. After they get through with us they plan to kill every human on earth, not just Japan...” Hiko walked out of the dojo and out of the yard, he dug his boots into the ground with each step leaving an imprint into the dirt, his annoyance showed through his actions. His cloak fluttered in the wind and that was the last thing Kenshin saw of his master.

“Kenshin?” Kaoru hesitaently asked from beside him. All of them had followed Hiko to the entrance. “Do you think this whole thing is actually happenning?”

Kenshin took a moment to words to explain this by. “Yes... or at least I think so. It has to be grave matter if Shishyo will come all the way to give me two swords...” Kenshin’s eyes were caught by the scrolls that were left by his master. “... and these scrolls.

He felt his body automatically kneel to pick them up. His hands carefull unwrapped the scroll revealing their contents. They contained the information needed to use the Hitenmitsurugi Nitou-ryu skill.

“Hitenmitsurugi Nitou-ryu.... Shishyo...” Kenshin wrapped the scroll back up and stared into the open sky. “Why?.....”

*Jiiya means ‘Gramps’ what Misao calls Okina*

After that fateful night Misao had been vry paranoid, she wouldn’t go anywhere without Aoshi and she would refuse to be alone. Okina had to take care of all her needs because she was afraid.

“What is it now Misao?” an old man poked his head in from the hallway into the room where Misao was in.

Misao sat by herself in the middle of the room, she had an old torn up book in her hand. In the back corner Aoshi sat quietly with his eyes closed, with his swords resting on his shoulder.

“I need a new book, I already finished this one.” She waved the book in her hand at Okina.

“You called me for that? Why don’t you drag Aoshi with you to the library?” he asked, slightly annoyed.

“Because he’s asleep.” She pointed towards Aoshi who was sound asleep.

“Hm, bodyguarding you must have tired him out, poor boy.”

“What’s that supposed to mean!?” Misao raised her voice angily.

“Quiet, quiet, you’ll wake him up.” Okina said, raising his finger to his lips. “While you’ve been sleeping at night he’s been up watching out for you, that’s why he’s so tired.

“Well, alright. Will you go to the library with me then?” she asked hopefully.

“Of course.” He replied with a smile, and they were off.

“Hey ferret girl, you shouldn’t wander too far away from your nest.” A cold voice attacked Misao from behind, causing her and Okina to jump.

“Who!?” Misao spun around on her heels to face the voice. “Saitou!?”

There stood Saitou Hajime leaning against a fence with a cigarette in his hands. His Sword hung loosesly off his belt of his blue uniform.

“Nice to see you too.” He smirked. He slowly took the cigarette to his mouth and took a puff.

She stuttered. “Your.. your.. your alive!?!?”

*Note: Kenshin and the others don’t know that Saitou Hajime is still alive, they presume that he died at Shishio’s Lair*

“You certainly are the master of observation.” He threw his cigarette to the ground and reached for a new one. “I’m here on a mission so don’t panic too laudly.”

She still couldn’t get over it. “But you’re alive!!!! Aoshi said he saw you go down with Shishio’s Lair!!!!!”

“Well he saw wrong, I survived. So what are you and the old man doin out in the streets> You should be at home worrying abotu your hide.”

“Well,” Okina decided to answer for the panicing Misao. “We were off to the library and I planned to do a little shopping.”

Saitou wiped the smirk off his face and turned serious. “Bad idea old man, who ever threatened her isn’t afraid to kill alot of people, so he wouldn’t be afraid to kill everyone here with you, so I suggest you go home unless you want to take alot of people down with you.”

“I see your point.” Okina had to agree with Saitou. “I still hae some business at the market, would you mind taking Misao home?”

“I do, but I’ll have to as part of my mission.” He let out a low sigh. “Come on ferret girl.” He grabbed her shoulder to lead her home.

“I can walk home by myself thankyouverymuch.” She quickly brushed his hand aside and began to walk home, angry.

“This should be interesting.” Saitou smirked and followed her to Shin-Aoiya.

As soon as they were out of sight Okina headed down towards the market. “I hope they don’t destroy the house by the time I get home.” He thought to himself.