Hi all! It's time for a new story. I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed or read "The Brave Ones". I hope this one turns out as good.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

Me no own.

Better Off Dead

Chapter 1

Kenshin walked down the dusty road. The summer air hung heavy and with each footfall, a small cloud of dust rose. Kenshin wiped the sweat from his brow. Looking ahead, he could just make out the sparkling of the ocean. Sighing, he continued his walk to the small fishing village of Oskara.

A month ago, Kenshin had been enjoying his life in Tokyo. It had been a quiet day when everything changed. He'd been crouched at the tub scrubbing laundry, listening to his newlywed wife and her apprentice training, when the bell at the gate had rung. Answering it, Kenshin was surprised to find a young messenger with an urgent telegram. Taking the envelope, Kenshin had returned to the yard and sat on the engawa to read it. He was soon joined by Kaoru and Yahiko, who'd become curious at the sound of the bell.

As he read the contents of the telegram, Kenshin became concerned. The telegram was sent by Misao. Aoshi had been investigating the mysterious disappearance of fighters from the revolution, when he himself mysteriously disappeared. The Oniwaban group and its contacts could find no sign of him. Misao was frantic with worry as two weeks had already passed with no word from Aoshi and no news of his whereabouts. It was as though he had simply disappeared from the face of the earth. Misao had begged Kenshin for his help as she could think of no one else to turn to.

That had been a month ago. Kenhsin had left Kaoru and Yahiko in Tokyo under Sano's care and he had traveled to Kyoto the day after receiving the telegram. He'd been given all the information they had on the case Aoshi had been working on. Armed with his sakabatou and the knowledge the Oniwaban group had uncovered, Kenshin started out. Everything they'd uncovered pointed to this small, unassuming fishing village.

Aoshi had been investigating the disappearances of men who were fighters during the Revolution. The stories from the victim's families had all been similar. The fighter received an invitation from a man named Tsubara. There was a competition in skill and the fighter was singled out for his abilities. The price was said to be 10,000 yen. A small fortune for these poorer families who were struggling to make ends meet. The fighters had left, never to be seen again. The oldest case was almost two years with the man gone! Many of the families had already given up hope. The Oniwaban group had looked into this Tsubara and found nothing. Whoever this person was, they'd covered their tracks exceptionally well.

Kenshin crested the hill and looked down on the village. It was laid out in a small semi-circle. The road continued down to the shoreline and turned right, heading off through a forested area. To the left, the town was flanked by high sandstone cliffs. Where the road came down to the shore, a pier was visible. It was obvious that thought the village was small, it did a healthy about of business in trade.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Kenshin reveled in the cool sea breeze that came off the water and ruffled his hair. Smiling at the sensation, Kenshin took another step forward and continued on toward the village. Fifteen minutes later, he entered the outskirts. He noted that people would stop what they were doing and watching him pass. For years, he'd been used to his different looks attracting attention, but something didn't feel right. In addition to the strange looks he was getting, Kenshin felt that something was wrong with the village. It felt as though it were poised on the brink of something. Kenshin continually felt tension in the ki of those he would pass.

Reaching the bend in the road by the pier, Kenshin noticed an inn to his right. Stepping up to the gate, he rang the bell. A moment later, an old man shuffled out. Unlatching the gate, he beckoned Kenshin inside. Removing his zori sandals at the doorway, Kenshin followed the innkeeper inside. The man sat behind a desk, waiting for Kenshin to speak.

"I'm looking for a friend," Kenshin began. He noticed the innkeeper's eyebrows furrow.

"Will you be wanting a room? Yes or no?" the innkeeper responded rudely.

Kenshin was taken aback. Before he could answer, he heard another man speak.

"Shuji, you fool, look at him! Of course he wants a room; the heat is stifling out there. Go prepare him a room," the newcomer said, smiling broadly.

The innkeeper looked Kenshin over and grumbled something under his breath. Leaving the room, he closed the door, leaving Kenshin with the man. Looking him over, Kenshin noted the sharpness of his eyes and the smoothness of the man's movements. Though he didn't wear a sword, Kenshin was certain this man was a swordsman.

Turning, the newcomer shook his head. He looked Kenshin over with a large smile on his face.

"You'll have to excuse Shuji; he's a naturally sour person. It's a wonder he stays in business at all," the man said, laughing.

Kenshin watched him closely. When the newcomer stopped laughing, Kenshin addressed him.

"Are you an owner of the inn?" he asked.

The man broke out in a large grin.

"Me? No, I'm merely a guest, one who has been here far longer than planned. My name is Takakiri, most folks just call me Taka," the man said, bowing.

Kenshin returned the bow.

"I am Himura Kenshin," he said. "I am searching for a friend."

Before Taka could respond, the innkeeper slid a door open.

"Your room is ready," he said gruffly.

Kenshin hesitated.

"Go on," Taka said. "We can talk over dinner."

With those words, Taka exited the room in the other direction. Kenshin turned and fell into step behind the innkeeper.

After a refreshing bath, Kenshin changed into a clean gi. Resting in his room for a bit, he rose when he heard the chime announcing dinner. Descending to the dinning room, he spotted Taka waving to him. Walking over, he sat next to the affable man.

The two men exchanged small talk until after the meal was over. Taka regarded Kenshin for a moment. Kenshin found him self uncomfortable at the man's scrutiny.

"Come Kenshin," Taka said. "Let's go out onto the back porch."

Kenshin followed the man as he led the way through the inn's kitchen. Kenshin's eyes narrowed as Taka swiped a jug of sake off the shelf. Before Kenshin could say anything he heard Taka call out to one of the serving girls, telling her to put it on his tab. The two men continued through the kitchen to the back door. Stepping out into the cool night air, Taka lowered himself to the porch and cracked open the jug. He took a large swallow. Kenshin looked around the yard for a moment before sitting next to him.

Taka offered Kenshin the jug and Kenshin shook his head no. Taka shrugged and continued to drink in silence. Kenshin found himself becoming irritated with him. Returning to his original reason for being here, Kenshin again asked about his friend.

"Really? You're looking for a friend," Taka said. "Many come through here with the trade and all. How long ago did he come here?"

"About six weeks ago," Kenshin replied.

Taka took another long draught of sake.

"Hmmm…I'm afraid I can't help you. I've only been here a month. You could ask around, but folks here aren't too friendly," Taka said, smiling again.

The feeling of wrongness that Kenshin had felt upon entering town returned. Watching Taka drink, Kenshin thought about what he'd seen so far. Deciding to make more small talk, Kenshin spoke again.

"How is it you came to be here for a month?" he asked.

Taka laughed bitterly.

"I'm a merchant. There was a storm and our ship became stranded on the rocks near the cliffs. I paid some of the fisherman to help me transport the goods here. I'm storing them in a nearby warehouse. My partner went on ahead to the next town. He was going to secure transport and security for the shipment. Everything here had already been taken. I'm waiting for his return," Taka said.

Kenshin was certain that Taka was lying. Something about his story seemed off, but he couldn't figure out what it was. He was pulled from his thoughts by Taka.

"I could help you ask around about your friend. What did he look like?" Taka offered.

Internally, Kenshin felt his suspicion grow.

"He has short black hair, blue eyes and is far taller than I am. He usually carries two kodachi with him," Kenshin said.

Kenshin felt a momentary spike in Taka's ki. This man knew Aoshi, Kenshin was sure of it!

"He sounds like a unique individual. I'll ask around tomorrow," Taka said, his hand covering his mouth as a yawn began. "If you'll excuse me, I think I should go to bed."

Kenshin nodded and watched Taka return to the inn through the kitchen. He was certain the mystery of what happened to Aoshi was somehow tied to this inn. Senses alert, Kenshin returned to his room. Leaning back against the wall, he propped his sword against his shoulder. He would sleep lightly tonight, his skills at the ready. There was no telling what Kenshin would find in this town.

As the sun crested the horizon, it cast sparkling rays across the water. Within the inn, Kenshin was dozing. Slowly coming awake, he rose and cleaned himself with water from the washbasin. Donning his familiar magenta gi, he stepped out of his room. Walking downstairs to the dining room, he ate his breakfast quickly. He noted there was no sign of Taka. Rising, he walked out to the inn's front room. Kenshin informed the innkeeper, Shuji that he would return later. The innkeeper merely grunted in reply.

Stepping out into the street, Kenshin looked around him. People were just beginning their day. Walking toward what appeared to be a market area, Kenshin prepared to begin asking about Aoshi. Each time he would try to approach someone, they would lower their eyes. Asking if they'd seen someone who fit Aoshi's description brought Kenshin silent stares or polite questions of whether he wanted to buy something. By late afternoon, Kenshin was disheartened and frustrated. Sitting on an empty barrel, he tried to puzzle it out. He was certain from Taka's reaction that Aoshi had been here. He even got the feeling a few times today that people recognized Aoshi's description. But despite his efforts, Kenshin couldn't get anyone to talk about it.

Sighing, Kenshin tried to calm himself. Letting his eyes wander over the crowd, Kenshin noticed something very odd. There were no children anywhere that appeared older than four. Thinking back on what he'd seen since arriving, Kenshin couldn't recall seeing a single child over four or any teenagers. Rising from his seat on the barrel, Kenshin began to roam the village, looking for some sign of children. Everywhere he went he couldn't find a single older child.

Returning to the inn, Kenshin tried to talk to Shuji. When he asked about the absence of children, Shuji told him a disease had killed them all. Kenshin sensed the man was lying. Returning to his room, Kenshin felt like his head was going to explode. Nothing made any sense. Instead of finding answers, all he was turning up were more questions.

When Kenshin came down for dinner, he noticed Taka wasn't alone. Spotting the redhead, Taka called him over. Sitting down beside the smiling man, Kenshin let his eyes wander over Taka's companion. The man had the most unusual eyes-they were green like emeralds. He also had a scar over his left eye. Kenshin felt the stranger give him a once over. Taka broke the silence.

"Kenshin, my friend, this is a wonderful day! Allow me to introduce my partner Hideo. I will finally be leaving this village," Taka said.

"That is good news," Kenshin replied, beginning to eat his meal.

"Yes, I am pleased. That reminds me, did you hear anything of your friend today?" Taka asked, taking a bite of rice.

"No," Kenshin replied. "It was as you said, people seemed unwilling to talk."

"Yes, this town's odd," Taka agreed. "Hideo, perhaps you've seen Kenshin's friend. He's tall, with short black hair and blue eyes. Now what was it…oh yes, he carries two kodachi. Have you seen anyone like that?"

Hideo appeared to think for a moment.

"Does your friend carry his two kodachi in one sheath?" he asked.

"Yes," Kenshin answered, feeling as though this were a trap.

"Hai, I have seen him. We passed each other on the road. I remember thinking the sword sheath on his back seemed odd. If it contained two kodachi, that would explain it," Hideo said.

"My, what a small world!" Taka said, laughing. "Kenshin, since we will be traveling in that direction, why don't you join us? I've heard there are bandits in the area and I've noticed you carry a sword. We can always use another sword!"

Kenshin felt his senses go on alert. Recognizing the trap, he allowed himself to smile.

"I would like that, that I would," he said.

"Wonderful!" Taka cried out. "Then it's settled. You'll depart with us in the morning."

Kenshin nodded his assent. Quickly finishing his meal, he bid his companions a good night. Entering his room, he let his senses spread out. Resuming his sleeping position of the previous night, he began to contemplate what he knew. Aoshi had been here. These two men Taka and Hideo were part of a trap. But what kind of trap? Was the absence of children in the village tied to it somehow. Glancing at the moon, he noted there were only a few hours till dawn. Letting go of his thoughts, Kenshin prepared to allow himself some rest.

'Tomorrow will hopefully bring answers,' he thought, before drifting into a light sleep.

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Originally the first chapter was another 8 pages long, however I'm going to cut it here. My arms are getting tired of typing. Please let me know your thoughts. Oh and if you have a suggestion for the title, please drop me an e-mail.

Till next time!