(Author's note: Takes place be fore Kenshin meets Kaoru)

A tavern in a small town in the countryside.

"You hear this Kazi I herd that Battosai was seen heading towards town."

"Please you say that every week, I'll bet you a month of me paying for your drinks that he doesn't show up."

"Ok fine I'll take that bet because this time I assure you I'm sure he's coming this way."

"Gentlemen please keep your voices down you are not the only one's here today," interjected the barkeep referring to a man on the other side of the tavern. The man had long bright red hair mostly covered by a straw hat. There was just a little bit of a scar showing from under his hat on his left cheek he wore red and white robes and had a sword leaning up against his chair.

"Oh sorry for eavesdropping but really I don't mind how noisy they are, I don't really mind."

"See barkeep he don't mind us."

"Are you sure sir?" asked the barkeep.

"Yes I was just about to leave anyway, for what else does a rurouni do than wander from place to place?"

"All right well since you only had some hot water anyway and you used your own tea I'm not going to charge you anything."

"Hey wait barkeep how come you always charge us?"

"Because you never just have hot water, you always have at least three jars of sake."

"Well good bye then you three," said the rurouni as he walked out of the bar. He walked through the streets on occasion looking to see what a street vender had for sale.

As he was looking at one of the street shops a man with dark hair and red and blue robes walked up to him. The man had a large wood backpack-like thing on his back. It held twelve swords. Four of the hilts pointed up so to grab over the shoulder, two on each shoulder, four more across the back, two hilts pointed to each side, and the last four were on his hips like most swords, two on each side.

"Are you the rurouni know as Kenshin?" asked the man.

"Why yes that is my name."

"I am Juno, and I know all about your past that you wish to forget."

"I am sorry for anything I might have done to you or any pain I might have caused, but if you have any grudge against me please do not attack me in the middle of town where innocent people could get hurt."

"Of course I wouldn't attack here I'm not heartless like you. Meet me in the forest tonight at midnight we will fight there. If you want to survive I'd suggest dressing in all black."