Sojiro looked up every now and then, checking to make sure he was on the right path. It was hard to miss the dojo, but he couldn't risk it. Glancing up for the tenth time in five minutes, he finally noticed the trees Kenshin had said would be directly in front of the dojo gate. Just as Kenshin had said, there were small paper lanterns hanging from the lowest branches. He would have to ask about those later and making a mental note he walked to the door.
There stood a small boy, perhaps 14 at most, a medicine chest on his back. Or maybe it was a chest of cloth or some other goods. Sojiro watched from a distance, noting how the boy looked around nervously, adjusting his hat far too often. Perhaps, Sojiro thought wryly, I should help him. Moving closer, still soundlessly, he continued to look at the boy. He was slightly muscular, indicating that he must be trained in some sort of martial arts. Hard labor produced muscles but not as evenly. The boy wore a blue gi, his hakama blue as well though darker. He had no weapons on him, though Sojiro knew how easy it was to conceal weapons.
"Well, hello there. Do you also have business with Miss Kaoru?" Sojiro offered a smile, stifling a laugh as the boy looked at him with wide eyes.
"Ah, hello. Yes, I, ah, was asked to come to repair the roof and the dojo. Apparently Kaoru sensei has been asking for a while, but since it was summer and everyone was busy w- oh, I'm so sorry!" The boy caught himself and looked down as his cheeks turned red. It was hard to see how red as his coloring was darker than most, but he was clearly embarrassed.
"Well it's a good thing you're here I suppose. I'm Sojiro Seta by the way and if you need any help," the sentence didn't have to be completed. The meaning understood.
"I'm Yori Tachibana. And, I hope you can ask the same from me," the boy, no, Yori ducked down in a low bow. Quite impressive with such a big chest on his back. Sojiro returned the bow, though with less vigor.
"I suppose we should let them know of our arrival, shouldn't we?" With a nod of affirmation from the boy, Sojiro lifted the knocker and banged hard twice.
After less than a minute, he could hear voices, though he wasn't sure who they belonged to. It had been quite a while. Not enough to completely forget but enough that memories from back than were blurred.
"Sojiro, hello." Kenshin looked the same, save for his hair which was now cut to his chin. He smiled warmly, opening the gate. "You must be young Yori. Kaoru has been mentioning you all week, that she has." So no more 'miss'? Sojiro thought in amusement but kept that to himself.
"Please come in," Kenshin stepped back, opening the gate wider and Sojiro knew there was nothing left to stop him.
