I just flew through the eight chapters here and cannot wait for more to come. Thanks for a gripping story.

I love this story :)
It's very fitting and seems almost real.

yay! im so pleased you decided to update! keep it up! great chapter!

good begginning, but i think you had a few things backwards. First, Despite his harsh cynicism, which is always distinctly present, Hiko never wanted Shinta to become Battousai. When you said, "Shinta, the red haired samurai, oh how that would strike fear into the hearts of the samurai…no…Shinta has to go…" It seemed as though Hiko knew that Shinta was to become Battousai, or something similar to Battousai. In actuality, Katsura Kogoro's request for Shinta's presence in the Ishin Shishi's fight for revolution wasn't expected.

secondly, it didn't seem right for you to imply that someone had seen Hiko fight, especially when you said, "'Excuse me, but I heard all this straight from the horses mouth. A traveler I know spotted the swordsman and hid in the woods. He saw the whole thing.'" Hiko supposedly uses something called 'ken-kii.' Ken-kii is a form of kii. Kii, which you might already know, is a way of reading emotions and presence. Ken-kii is heightened ability to read kii, so with his ability even someone hiding up to miles away could definitely be sensed.

So although. you're off to a good start, you may want to brush up on your information a little. There are many, many sites that are easily accessible. Your best bet at this point might to be to google 'hitokiris anonymous.' they have tons of information regarding characters and more.

Ciao, and the best of luck,
Otaku-han

Why, hello there! Stop worrying about the long waits between updates. I can assure you--they're all worth the wait. :) I'm not sure what the plot hole had been, but it looks like you edited the chapter nicely because everything was nicely put together. Commendably done!

I would pay good money to see Hiko as a child! Haha, that would be hilarious, and I definitely think you portrayed him like he would have acted at that age. He would have showed a shadow of his present personality, but at the same time, still had some of that young innocence on the surface. The flashback wasn't terribly long, but with what you presented, Hiko seemed to have matured in a believable way. So you get a nice golden star for that. =D

Also, I would never have guessed Hiko and Ryozo were related! That's sad. It's a shame it had to come to that between them. I don't think I will ever like Ryozo as a character for how he chose to live and act in present time, but I do understand where he's coming from. I definitely feel sympathy towards him and his situation. I would have been bitter too if that had been me, but he just seems like he was never quite able to grow up. It's a shame he wasn't able to able to turn all that anger and determination into something positive. Or, who knows, maybe there's still a chance for him. I have to see what's going to happen next! An epic battle between Hiko and Ryozo? Will Hiko finally be able to get through to Ryozo, or is he too far gone in the past? Dun dun dun! I guess I'll just have to wait and find out.

Until next update--take care! :)

"Letting his eyes wander around the cabin, Hiko’s gaze landed upon a small wooden top that was lying on its side next to Kenshin’s empty futon. His heart gave a painful wrench and his hands balled into fists as he was reminded of his missing deshi once more"

Good moment there - it was both dramatic and evocative of Hiko's sense of loss. I don't know what you found wrong with the flashback the first time around, but what I read was fine, and did a great deal to explain Ryozo's obsession and why he dislikes Hiko/Niitsu.

I could totally see Kenshin sticking up for his master no matter what Ryozo said too.

YAY!! THE TIME IT TOOK FOR YOU TO UPDATE WAS AS LONG! i think the storys coming along really well and i cant wait for some action but the flashback cleared up a lot of things that i did quite understand so i'll keep reading as long as you keep updating! ^_~

Awesome! I love stories about Kenshin's time with Hiko while he was training him, and yours is extremely well-done! Can't wait for the next chapter!

stupid ryozo, just like enishi, not getting the entire picture before throwing their lives away for revenge...
^.^ great chapter! i can't wait for the next one, but what is hiko gonna tell kenshin, how's he gonna explain this one... hm... haha ^.^ once again, great chappie! update soon!

*~tsukiko~*

Woohoo, an update! *happy dance*
I don't mind waiting if it's for such an awesome chapter :D
It's great to see what Ryozo's background is, I really loved it. The flashback was very interesting and Ni'itsu is already so arrogant, but he's a good kid too. It's a very interesting past for the 12th Master, Hiko and Ryozo.
I can't get enough of Hiko's arrogance, you write it so well, all the little overly self-confident moments. :D :D
Another thing I loved was Kenshin's defiance and Ryozo's reaction to it.
I hope you'll have lots of time to write, because I can't wait for the next update. Have a nice summer. :D SzaharaTS

Yay, updates! I really like the flashback scene here, it's a very convincing take on what Hiko's younger days might have been like. Well-written too! One minor thing, you say that Ryozo is 9 near the beginning of the flashback, then say he's 7 after the doctor diagnoses him with consumption.

God! It took you long enough to update. Jezz woman (if you're not a girl, I'm sorry) way to make me wait so long that I had to go back and re-read that last chapter just to be aware of what was going on. (I'm glaring at you right now, even if you dont know it) Can I expect faster updates of this spectacular story in the future? Long flashback though... Maybe too long? Cute, but long.

HI!! tehehe long time no see. dear kenshin never cease to amaze us with the tragedy of his life. i cant wait till he begins to show backbone and he starts to tease his master like in the flashbacks of the manga. right now he is being damsel in distress too much. i wanna see some banter between master and apprentice!!
make up juicy tales from the crypt that kenshin wouldnt want the kenshingumi to see. ohoho like the last time he wet his bed and when he ate the poisonous mushrooms... ah the posibilities.

i hope you are enjoying your summer.

hi! so sorry i took so long in reading. and of course, with my reading comes a review! thankyou for another heartfelt chapter. i just want to pick up mini kenshin and gobble him up!

Aw... it's been two months ans still no update. *has a sad*