Disclaimer: This lowly sophomore (who shall die in the coming school year) does not own Rurouni Kenshin.  She just wants to write and dreams to be an author someday (next to owning a big animation company out in space despite the fact I don't like business) and writes fanfiction to practice.

Author's Note: I dedicate this to Animeluverthatiam for letting me see the series, Shojin Takaru for supporting me always, and Sammy-chan who gave me my love for the kawaii little assassin!

Prologue: A Wandering Assassin:

Defeated in a battle with the infamous Hitokiri Battousai, now known as Kenshin Himura, a boy must leave his shambling life to discover his true self… the one lost behind the smile.  With too many questions and not enough answers, he must travel in a world where his only skills are now shunned and illegal in the public's eyes…

"Boku wa boku no basho e yukou (As for me, I shall go to my place.)

Mada, nani mo mienai keredo (And yet, I cannot see anything at all.)

Mou namida nagasu no mo (To the flowing of tears Surely)

Kitto kowaku nai (No more shall I be afraid)

Ano hito ga kureta kotae ja (The answer that man gave me)

Hontou no boku ni narenai ne (Really does not suit my true self)

Nani ga mitsukaru n' darou (Perhaps I shall discover something)
Nani wo mitsukerarenai n' darou (Perhaps there is something that I cannot discover)
Kokoro ni kakushite iota (The piece of me)
Boku no kakera (That has hidden in my heart)
Tada kaze no sasu basho e (Only towards where the winds show me)
Tatta hitori de aruite yukou (I alone shall go)
Mishiranu hontou no boku ni (If somewhere I will find)

Doko ka de aeru no nara (My unknown true self)

Sukoshi hayaku hashiri-sugite (Having run a little too fast)

 Nani mo minakatta ki ga shite 'ru (I feel I missed out on something)

Sou machigaeta koto mo (Even such a mistake)

 Kitto kotae na n' da (Is surely an answer)

Mou ichido boku dake no jikan de (Once more only by my pace)

 Dare ni mo nite inai boku ni naru (I shall become myself, unlike anyone else)

Dare to wakariaeru darou
Dare wo kizutsukete shimau darou (Perhaps I shall meet someone)
Kokoro wa omou you ni wa (Perhaps I shall hurt someone)
Kirenai kara (Only where the road leads)
Tada, michi no yuku mama ni (Shall I try walking)
Hiroi atsumete aruite miyou (I will go, not waiting for the blade)
Yaiba wa matazu ni yuku yo (To catch it with both hands)

 Ryoute de tsukamu tame ni

Nani ga mitsukaru n' darou (Perhaps I shall discover something)
Nani wo mitsukerarenai n' darou (Perhaps there is something that I cannot discover)
Kokoro ni kakushite iota (The piece of me)
Boku no kakera (That has hidden in my heart)
Tada kaze no sasu basho e (Only towards where the winds show me)
Tatta hitori de aruite yukou (I alone shall go)
Mishiranu hontou no boku ni (If somewhere I will find)

Doko ka de aitai kara (My unknown true self)"

-Soujiro's Image Song: 'Journey'

            A lonely boy, with no destination in mind, travels the roads of a modernizing Japan of .  He looked like with black hair and deep blue highlights (or so the author calls it) and black eyes that many do not see as dark blue.  His clothes were of traditional Japan, a light blue gi and darker shade of blue for his hikami, as well as a polo shirt beneath the gi.

            As a rurouni now, he must sort through its past to discover the answers of what the heart desires.  He must decide what he is to leave in his wake in his ten years of traveling… destruction and sorrow like his former guardian, Makoto Shishio?  Or courage and hope like Shishio's predecessor and rival, Kenshin Himura?

Author's Note:  If my series were actually a T. V. show, 'Journey' would have to be the theme song.  It's really sweet!  Hmmm… if I can learn to draw Soujiro real good I might try…  Anyway, I have given my OC a more solid characterization other than the jumbled mess of thoughts.  I hope I personified Soujiro better, and that the story hopefully flows better.  What I would really appreciate are little comments of on how Soujiro's reaction to things should be.  I like to avoid OOC-ness as much as possible.  Please review, any simple review would motivate me a lot.  Thank you to those who will and already have done so!  I really appreciate anything helpful, especially criticism.  PS: As soon as my history homework is done, expect faster chapters up.  Reviews will bring better work!