Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters in it. If you think I do, please seek mental help immediately.

Author's Note: Reviews and flames are welcome! Thanks to everyone who has left a review, and double thanks to everyone who has left lots of reviews. Ano… for those who don't remember Goheh is the guy who claimed to be the Hitokiri Battousai in the first episode of Kenshin. He appears in this chapter. Thanks again to Lerone and Annie who edit my fic for me! See you next Friday! Enjoy!

Soujirou finally finished the dishes he had been washing in the sink at the restaurant he worked at along the road to Hokkaido. He wiped the sweat off of his brow and let out a deep breath. It was another warm summer day, and the kitchen he worked in had little ventilation, making it unbearably hot. He was just trying to earn a little extra money at an honest job, just enough for him to make it the rest of the way to Hokkaido where he could start a new life. Soujirou walked over to the window, whose blue drapes fluttered in the light breeze which began to pick up. He rested his chin on top of his arms on the window sill and looked out at a green field on the other side of the road and the blue sky. Just the perfect kind of day to lie out in the sun on the grass and take a nap.

Soujirou sighed feeling all alone like he had since he left Kyoto over a year ago, but he still perpetually smiled as he always did. When he was younger he had been alone, his family never caring for him, but when Shishio came along, things had changed. He wasn't alone anymore. But now Shishio-san, Yumi, Houji, everyone… were gone. "Neh, Shishio-san… I wonder what you and Yumi are doing right now," he said into the breeze. The image of Shishio on a throne in hell with Yumi and Houji at his side and the devil packing popped into his mind, and he chuckled to himself. But then the thought passed and the feeling of loneliness returned to him.

Misao ran along a wide dirt road with patches of forest and green fields to either side of it, her braid bouncing behind her with each step. "Neh, it's a nice day out today," she muttered to herself as she brushed her bangs out of her face so she could get a better view of the path ahead. Misao slowed down to a brisk walk and noticed the shabby roadside restaurant in front of her. She had been traveling all over Japan for a month now on foot, trying to find Seta Soujirou at Aoshi's personal request. Soujirou had last been seen traveling north, but the road branched out in many different directions so she was having a hard time finding him. None of the Oniwabanshu around the country had seen him for months, despite the fact that they were all supposed to be on the look out for him. And so Aoshi had given her this special mission, probably just to get her out of his hair, but she was happy that Aoshi had given her the responsibility anyways. Plus, she had traveled around Japan looking for Aoshi, Hannya, and the others many times before when she was younger, so she knew her way around. Her thoughts turned to Hannya, Beshimi, Shikouji, and Hyottoko. How much she missed them. And Aoshi-sama… after it all happened, he remained so distant. And with out them, even though she had Jiya, Okon, and everybody, she felt so alone.

Misao started running towards the restaurant, putting her worries and sadness behind her and started thinking about the task at hand. She would stop to ask for information on Seta Soujirou's whereabouts and if no one new anything, well… at least she might get a late lunch.

The restaurant owner, wrinkled, stingy lady of about sixty, walked into the kitchen and noticed Soujirou daydreaming at the only window in the room. "Hey! What do I pay you for? If your done washing dishes you can clean the floor," she barked loudly at Soujirou, berating him for his laziness. Soujirou turned around and bowed, smiling the gracious smile he always wore. "Gomen nasai, ma'am. I will right away," he said bowing again. The old woman glared at him for a moment and then turned away, satisfied. "And don't let me catch you slacking off again," she griped as she left the kitchen. Soujirou continued to smile, replying, "Hai!" as he bent down and picked up the scrub bucket off of the floor.

Misao walked in the door of the restaurant and noticed that she was the only customer there. It was a little late in the day so she wasn't particularly surprised. A door opened and a tall, elderly woman walked in from the kitchen. She pulled out a cigarette, lighted it, and then finally noticed that Misao was there after she had smoked for a couple of seconds. She glared at Misao and barked, "Can't you read the sign on the door? We're closed, we only serve lunch." Misao's stomach sighed sadly. Misao bowed politely to the woman and asked, "Excuse me, have you seen a man by the name of Seta Soujirou?" The old lady studied Misao for a second while she smoked. "Anyone ever tell you that you look like a weasel?" she asked. Misao's eyebrow twitched in anger. The old woman finally answered, "Never heard of him. A lot of people pass through here you know." Misao bowed again quickly while backing out to leave, wanting to get out of there as fast as possible, "Thanks. If he passes by, please let me know." Misao turned around and walked towards the door. "Ewww… she's so mean and she smokes so much that she could be Saitou Hajime's mother," Misao thought as a shiver ran down her spine.

Misao walked out the door and turned to start back on the road, disappointed that she had once again not found her query. She looked at the ground and kicked a rock in frustration as she walked. She was never going to find him at this rate, and she didn't want to disappoint Aoshi- sama. It would break her heart to see him disappointed in her. But maybe she should go home, maybe someone had spotted him and he was already there. She didn't know what to do, Japan was a big country and who said he was still even there? Misao sighed in resignation. She'd keep looking, she wasn't going to quit. Aoshi-sama was counting on her after all. She had walked down the short, dirt path from the restaurant to the road when she heard the old woman shout out loudly from inside the restaurant behind her, "Hey Houji! Make me some soba when you're done you lazy bum." Misao stopped dead in her tracks and turned around. "Neh? Houji? Wasn't that the name of Shishio's right hand man? But he's dead, Cho said so himself. Hmmmm… what if Seta Soujirou's using his name an alias?" Misao thought to herself. She was probably just being paranoid… but it wouldn't hurt to check and see, but she would have to see that old chain-smoking Saitou woman again. Misao sighed and then started to walk back towards the restaurant. The sooner she got home the sooner she got to see Aoshi-sama again. Her eyes turned starry-eyed as she thought of Aoshi-sama. He was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. Misao was still daydreaming when she got to the front door. She tried to open it, but the old woman must have locked it behind her when she had left because it wouldn't open. Misao cursed under her breath. It was a big door, she could probably break it open, but there was no need to be destructive, not that it usually stopped her. But maybe if she could find an open window…

Misao walked along the wall of the restaurant, her hands placed casually in her pockets as she whistled innocently while looking for a window to break into, looking more guilty by her attempts to look casual. Just before the end of the building, she found a small open window. Misao looked to her left and to her right. No one was around. Misao flattened herself against the wall and then peered in the window from the side, hoping she might catch sight of this 'Houji'. Misao looked in to see a guy on his hands and knees scrubbing the floor. He was about her age with dark brown hair, and the strangest smile like he was either really happy or really insane. "Seta Soujirou, that's where you've been hiding," she thought to herself. She was so elated that she tried to go straight through the window to catch him off guard. Unfortunately it didn't work out to well…

Soujirou got down on his hands and knees and started to clean the floor. The old woman worked him hard and paid him little. He was never going to get to Hokkaido at this rate.

Suddenly, Soujirou heard a sound coming from outside. He looked up at the window from the place he was kneeling and noticed a girl trying to climb through the open window! And what a girl! She had long, wavy black hair tied up in a braid, a slender waist, creamy pale skin, beautiful bright blue eyes, and… she was stuck half in, half out of the window. He wasn't quite sure if she was a thief or just insane, but Soujirou still walked over to the window and offered her his hand. "Need help?" he asked, smiling. The girl looked up at him and blushed, embarrassed. Seeing her face, he recognized her, though he didn't reveal it in his facial features. She was one of Shinomori's allies he believed. "Gomen nasai," she said taking his hand. Soujirou blushed at the touch of her soft hands on his. He took her other hand in his and pulled as she tried to squirm loose out of the window. Suddenly, the window finally let the girl go, causing Soujirou to fall backwards, the girl tumbling on top of him.

Misao opened her eyes and found herself staring at Soujirou, his face just inches away from her own. Startled she immediately sat up, only to find herself now sitting on top of him. He had grown quite handsome the past year or so. He still had those soft eyes and that strange smile. He'd grown taller, not nearly as tall as Aoshi-sama, but at least taller than Himura-san. Misao suddenly noticed that she was staring and blushed, embarrassed by the situation. She then got a hold of herself and quickly grabbed his arms and pinned him to the ground, also being assisted by her own weight sitting on top of his stomach in the process.

Misao looked straight into Soujirou's eyes, trying her best to assume a serious look. "I'm not sure if you remember me. I'm Makimachi Misao with the Oniwabanshu. I am going to take you to Kyoto to see Shinomori Aoshi at his request. If you choose to resist, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you there anyways," she said, trying to sound tough. Anyways, after all, there was no way she was going to go home empty handed to Aoshi-sama. She was so glad that she had found him finally after all. Now she would get to go home and see Aoshi-sama, and he'd be proud of her for bringing back Tenken no Soujirou like he asked. Then he'd give her a big welcome home hug, maybe even smile for her which happened about once or twice a decade, and maybe even kneel down on one knee and ask her to marry him… or at least go out on a date with him.

Suddenly Misao was awakened from her fantasy world by Soujirou sitting up effortlessly, despite Misao's attempts to keep him pinned down. Caught off guard, Misao never saw what was coming next. Soujirou's face began to look more serious for a moment, his smile softening a bit. Then he leaned in unexpectedly, closed his eyes, and kissed her. Misao, surprised, immediately turned bright red, not quite sure what to do. Quickly she jumped up, and took a few steps back from Soujirou. "What was he thinking?" she thought. She had been saving her first kiss her whole life for Aoshi-sama, and now it was all in vain. Distraught, confused, Misao looked down at Soujirou, who was still sitting up, smiling on the floor. "What did you do that for?" she exclaimed. Soujirou continued to smile back, "Because I think you're cute Misao-chan."