JOURNEY

written by: shumiseta

Chapter 1: A New Beginning- The Journey Of A Man Who Fights For Love And Justice

After defeated by Himura Kenshin , Soujiro Seta was determined to leave Makoto Shishio's side and decided to travel all over Japan to understand the true meaning of life. He turned out as a wanderer, as Kenshin told him to and used his fighting abilities to protect the weak, with the use of his new sword, a sakabatou, the reversed edge sword.

While walking in the road to Osaka, Soujiro saw a young woman running towards him. The mysterious woman was chased by 7 swordsmen. Soujiro ran with his lightning speed to save the woman from the swordsmen who were after her.

While the woman was running away from the swordsmen she slip and fell down the ground. "There's no way you can escape now!" one of the swordmen said. "It's better if you give yourself up, if you don't want us to hurt you." When the man was about to tie up the woman, Soujiro ran towards the men and stood infront of them to get their attention.

"Who are you? " one of the swordsmen asked. Soujiro smiled at them and said "It's better if you wouldn't ask the name of the person who will defeat you." "Why you! If you don't want to die young, you better leave." the man said. Soujiro stood quiet and the swordsmen attacked all at once.

When they were about to attack, Soujiro vanished and used his special attack. With a blink of an eye, all of the swordsmen fell on the ground and became unconscious.

Soujiro grabbed one of the men and asked, "Why are you after her?" The man answered, "I'm not gonna tell you anything!". Soujiro took his sword and pointed it towards the man and said, "Talk, if you don't want to die." "Alright! I'll talk .The truth is that we were just ordered to kidnap her, that's all I know." the man said. "Who's your boss?" ,Soujiro asked. "I don't know. Please spare me, I beg you don't kill me!". "Don't worry, I won't kill you.", Soujiro said. The man thanked him, but Soujiro attacked him and the man bacame unconscious.

The woman saw what Soujiro did. Soujiro went near the woman and introduced himself.

The strange woman took off her coat and Soujiro saw how beautiful she was. She was the most beautiful thing that Soujiro had ever seen. The woman was indeed very gracious and polite. The woman introduced herself, "My name is Shumi, Shumi Muto" she said. Shumi took Soujiro's hand and held it high. Soujiro's face turned red and started blushing. "Arigato for saving me, you defeated those men without ever killing them." she said. Shumi smiled at Soujiro, and Souijro smiled back and said "Oh, don't mention it, its my duty to help people."

Their conversation broke when Shumi noticed the unconscious and wounded men. Shumi walked away from Soujiro and went near the men. She took her bag and gave the men some ointment for their wounds and placed some bandages. Soujiro was charmed and amazed of what Shumi did, " There's no doubt she, was healing the very people who were after her, she's very helpful and kind." Soujiro said in his mind.

After curing the men, Soujiro took some ropes, so that they won't be able to escape.

"You won't escape this time…" Soujiro said after tying the men. Soujiro began to remember Shumi. Soujiro looked for Shumi, but no one was there. "Where could she be?" Soujiro asked himself. "Very well then, I must leave now." And Soujiro left to find a place to rest.

When Soujiro left, Shumi was hiding in the bushes. "Ahhh… he's gone…" Shumi said. When Shumi was about to stand up she saw Soujiro, "Hi!" Soujiro said smiling at Shumi. "ahhhh…! Why are you still here, I thought you already left ?" Shumi said while blushing. "I heard a noise from the bushes that's why I checked it out and I saw you, you must be surprised…" Soujiro said. "You have no idea…" Shumi said in her mind.

"Why are you hiding in the bushes? Are you hiding from me?" Soujiro asked. "No, I'm not hiding from you…I'm just…uhhm…uhhmm…" she stopped and ran away from Soujiro. "Wait! Don't run!" Soujiro shouted and followed her.

While Shumi was running, she didn't notice that there was a pit in front of her. When Shumi was about to fall, Soujiro ran with his lightning speed and caught her. Shumi was exhausted and fell conscious while she was in Soujiro's arms.

Soujiro was worried about Shumi. He laid Shumi on the green grass. Soujiro looked at her and asked himself "Why was she running? Is she running away from me?"

Soujiro's stomach growled, "Bbbrrrrkkk…" "You must be hungry huh?" touching his stomach. He stared at Shumi and said "Wait here Shumi I'll look for food okay…"

Soujiro came back bringing a big fish, he picked some twigs and branches to built a fire. While Soujiro was cooking the fish, Shumi smelled it's beautiful aroma and woke up. Soujiro noticed her, "Here, you must be hungry " Soujiro said and he smiled at her.

While eating the fish together… Shumi bowed her head and said "Arigato…Arigato Soujiro-kun for saving my life again. I'm sorry about what happened a while ago". "It's nothing… You better finish up your food or it'll get cold." Soujiro said and smiled.

It was sunset…

"I have to leave now…" Shumi said. "Is that so…" Soujiro said and they both stood quiet. "It's been nice meeting you Shumi" said Soujiro while seriously looking at her. Shumi was shocked and bowed her head and said "Sayonara Soujiro-kun…". Shumi ran and left going into the dark forest.

Soujiro was about to leave, when he saw a beautiful t-crossed necklace. While holding it, he stared at the forest where Shumi went and he left.

Shumi:hope you like it (pretty long ne?)