Two day later, Sano and Megumi were on the road, headed for Yokohama.

Things weren't going well.....

"We are not going the wrong way!" Sano growled.

"Yes we are," Megumi countered. "We should have turned right back at the crossroads like the old man said, not left."

"I've traveled the length and breath of this country when I was Zanza," he bragged, "so if anyone knows how to get to Yokohama, it's me."

"Then why haven't we passed the rock that looks like a pagoda yet? The old man said he's been traveling between Yokohama and Tokyo much longer than either of us has been alive, and he always passes a large rock that looks like a pagoda an hour before he reaches the crossroads." She scowled at him, "We've been walking for three, and we have yet to see it."

"And we're not gonna, because we're going a better way," he stated confidently.

"And how is this a better way, exactly? The other way goes passed a trading post. And the roads are guarded."

"And it'll eat up two full days at least because of that stop-over. (The letter said to come soon, right?) As for this road not being guarded..." he flashed a cocky smile back at her, "well, I'm here, aren't I?"

"I guess that thick head of his can be used as a shield if necessary," she muttered to herself.

"What was that?" he asked, his head whipping back.

"Nothing," she said coyly, fox ears popping up on her head.

"THAT MEANS IT WAS SOMETHING!" he shouted, not fooled in the least.

"You're right, it was something. It was me still not believing you about this being a better road," she spat, her coy manner instantly evaporating and leaving only hostility behind. "For starters, we only have enough food to last us maybe one more day after this one. Where are we going to resupply?"

"Obviously at the next town, Vixen," he said, straining not to loose his patience. He looked up to Kami and asked why he was here in the first place?

"You volunteered," she reminded him. "Remember, Bird Head?"

------------------------------------------------------------
(flashback)

It was the day after Megumi told everyone she was needed in Yokohama, and the preparations were nearly complete. Only a few more things to before she set out...

"...And Kenshin, I need you to go to market and get the things on this list I made," Kaoru delegated, thrusting the list at the tired ruroni. He read it for a second before his eyes became as large as carriage wheels.

"This seems like a lot of provisions for just one person to carry with them such a long way, this one thinks."

"Well, duh, it's not all for Megumi," she corrected. "Most of it is for us. Now get going!" She gave him a kick in the pants and he proceeded out the door, heading towards the market. After he left, she thought, "Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have made him get so much at once."

"What's going on here?" Sano asked, suddenly reappearing behind her.

"Ah!" she said, giving a startled cry, "Where were you last night?"

"Out," he said simply. Something in his voice told her that she didn't need to know any more.

"Well, while you're here, help bring Megumi's bags out here."

"Why should I," he asked lazily.

"Because Megumi is at the clinic, get the supplies she'll need for Yokohama," Kaoru said, crossing her arm. "And because I said so, now get going!" She gave him a kick, but to no avail.

As the fighter went to get the bags he though about what the witch had told him the other day. How If he could find the extra time to spend with her, the Vixen, he would have a chance to show her he wasn't just bucking for a fight.

At least according to something the witch called "Hitsuzen".

As he brought the luggage out he saw that the Vixen had returned and was arguing with a man on a waggon.

So that's how she planned on getting to Yokohama, he thought, eyeing the driver.

"Hey Buddy," he shouted at the driver, "get lost!" He slapped the horse and it took off at full gallop, dragging the cart and driver behind it.

"Sano," Megumi shouted at Sanosuke, who was dusting his hands off, "what on earth possessed you to do that? He was the only cart I could find that was going to Yokohama! Now I'll never get there."

"For your information, Vixen, he was never planning to take you there."

"What?"

"He was a con man. He was probably going to take you halfway, then ditch you and sell your stuff in another town." He met her eyes, "With all the medical supplies you were taking he probably could have made a lot of money, had he ever gotten the chance to sell it."

"But how did you know he was conning me?" she asked.

"Trust me, I know the type. Kenshin probably would have seen it too, but he probably would have just scared the guys enough to give you a ride for free."

Megumi slumped to her knees.

"Great, now I don't have a ride; I'll never get there in time."

"Why don't you just take the train? You still have the money, right?"

"I do," she said, "but there isn't a train for miles, and by the time I do find one it'll be to late." She broke out sobbing.

Great, he thought, I'd better fix this.

"I know where one is," he offered, "I could take you there."

"You would?" Megumi asked, wiping tears away from her eyes.

"Why not?" he shrugged. "It's not like there's anything fun happening around here anyways."

(end flashback)
------------------------------------

"Yeah, well, I was drinking then," he retorted.

They walked for a while in silence before Sano said, "Come on, let have dinner."

"But I though we only had a days' worth of food?" Megumi asked.

"That's if we were both eating," he said. "We have more than enough for one person until we reach the train."

"You means you're not eating?" she said, suddenly realizing what he was saying.

"I've gone for much longer than this without eating," he said. "And I'm not drinking the water either, and neither are you. It's better if we wait till tomorrow to drink it."

"Why?"

"Because there's fresh water right here." He pulled back some vines and revealed the entrance to a cave.

"What's in there?" she asked nervously.

"It's an old hideout of mine from my days as Zanza. There's a little stream that runs through, so as long as you have enough food you can stay there forever." He suddenly noticed that she had wandered off a ways, picking up pieces of dried wood. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"Gathering firewood," the Vixen said, "or are we just going to sit in the dark the whole time?"

"Don't worry, I've got something else in mind," he said as he disappeared into the mouth of the cave.

--------------------------------

Oh, this was to perfect.

Not only were neither of them armed, but now they were going into a cave that had no exits.

He knew, he checked.

Now he would finally get revenge against that witch for what she did to him.

The only thing that concerned him was the man she was walking with. There was no doubt that he was Zanza, the infamous fight merchant. However, all the tails he heard about this man said that he always carried a Zanbato with him.

The only thing he was carrying now was the womans' luggage.

With all his training, as well as his secret weapon, this would be over before noon.
------------------------------

Hi there, The Layman...

And Kenshin...

Here again. Say, why don't we start things of with a disclaimer. Kenshin, would you do the honors?

Certainly. The Layman does not own Ruroni Kenishin, or any of the characters.

I do own the mysterious shadow that's following Sano and Megumi around. But I probably won't be developing him that much.

By the way, this one is wondering why you did do a disclaimer last time?

I'm not exactly sure myself. I guess it just didn't cross my mind last time.

Also, you say this story is suppose to be a romance. This one wonders when we will see it. Will it be soon?

Don't worry, it's coming. Just be patient for a few more chapters.

Can you tell us what is happening?

You know I can't do that, it would ruin the surprise. Anyways, I have to get back to another story of mine, so I'll see you next time!

Sayounara!

Now, about that incident with the bucket...

Oro?