Ch11

Taro and Kimiko both sat on the back edge of Shozo's hay cart with their feet dangling over the edge. Mostly they were enjoying the ride and talking about what they would do when they reached their destination.

For the first day Kimiko was plagued by worry that her mother would figure everything out and come running down the road after them to drag them both home. But as they stopped for the night and they pulled out their blankets she began to relax. They were now far enough away not to be caught.

They both shared their excitement at spending their first night on the road under the stars. It was summer after all and the nights were warm and calm.

Shozo slept on the hay in his cart since he was only giving them a ride but neither of the two complained. They knew they were lucky to have a ride at all.

Kimiko thought she would never get to sleep but after a while of watching the stars drift by she dozed off .

The next morning they helped Shozo get his cart and horse ready and soon enough they were on the road once again. They had been going for a while when they came upon a small village. There were more people with carts who wanted to join the people Kim and Taro were riding with.

After a short pause in the small village they started out once again on the road. There were now more people on foot and there was a small group of them walking behind the cart Kim and Taro were riding. There was an older woman carrying a bag full of metal pots and tin cups. The two tried not to giggle as she clanked with each step.

"I still can't believe this." Taro said.

"What?"

"That were doing this, on the road searching for your dad."

"Me neither." she laughed suddenly, "I bet by now my mother is having a fit. She's probably got Yahiko and Sanosuke by the ears out looking for us."

"Yeah, I'd hate to be them right now. Lady Kaoru is scary when she's mad. Your friend Doctor Megumi can be scary too."

A loud crash interrupted their conversation. A man wearing a dark cloak and hood had tripped and fallen into the old woman with the pots, and a bunch of them had dropped on the ground.

Without thinking Kimiko was up off of the cart and helping the man off of the ground. Taro was right behind her helping the old woman pick up her pots.

"Th…thank you," the man stammered. Besides the dark hood he wore he also had a pair of filthy glasses that were so large that they obscured most of his face. Kimiko couldn't even see him blink. She was surprised by his iron grip on her arm as she helped him up.

That done she and Taro ran back to the cart, which hadn't stopped, and got back on. The man with the glasses moved up beside their cart. Probably because there weren't any people walking there so he wouldn't bump into anyone else Kimiko thought.

"Megumi? Scary? Not really, at least she isn't scary to me. Now Sanosuke on the other hand is another story."

"Sanosuke? That big guy with the bad symbol on the back of his shirt? You'd think nothing could scare him. He looks like he could take on anyone with his bar hands."

"Nah, Sano's a big baby and a mooch to boot. Besides, he really likes Megumi, he just wont admit it. He and Yahiko practically raised me."

"Mr. Myojin? The sword master of Kamiya Dojo? Wow! You're really lucky to get to see those people all the time. I wish I could learn how to do swordsmanship."

"Really? Well why haven't you?"

"Well, my family are farmers and we don't have much money…"

"Say no more," she interrupted him. She pulled the wooden sword she was wearing from out of her belt and handed it to him.

"Kimiko…what?"

Before she could say anything the man beside the car stumbled once again and fell into the dirt.

Kim got down and helped him up again helping him brush the dirt off.

"Sir? Would you like to sit in my spot for a while? It doesn't look like you've got much grace and you might hurt yourself."

"Heh, heh, ah, no thank you. I'm fine. Just an off day I guess." he patted her shoulder in thanks and resumed walking.

Shaking her head she went back to the cart and Taro.

"Man what's with that guy?"

"Donno. But as I was saying I'll teach you swordsmanship."

"Really? Can you do that?" he asked incredulously.

"Of course I can," she took an angry swipe at him but having known her too well he was ready and ducked. He swung back and caught her arm. Thus begun a punching contest to see who could take it longer. But before either gave up they were both absorbed in laughing and couldn't continue.

"I'm just as good as Yahiko-San. Whenever we duel I win half the time and he's usually winded by the time we're done."

"Whoa, I knew you were good Kim but I didn't know you go up against Mr. Myojin and actually win. That's really cool!"

"Thanks. I'll start teaching you when we get to the city."

"Well, then you'd better get ready for my first lesson because I think we're here." he said looking over his shoulder.

He was right, The city loomed closer and closer as they went on. Kimiko hadn't noticed the passage of time and their arrival was upon them before she had expected it.

They crossed a bridge over a small river just before they entered the city. Kimiko noticed that the clumsy man with the glasses had split from the company and was alking down to the riverbank.

Kimiko motioned to Taro and they both jumped off the cart. They jogged to the front and waved to Shozo.

"Thanks Shozo! We'll see you later!"

Shozo waved at the two and kept on with the rest of the carts.

Kim and Taro stood by the bridge and watched the rest of the people go by. When they were gone the two looked around themselves. The city was before them and the road behind them. The man with the glasses was now sitting on a log watching the river go by.

"Well, why don't we go find something to eat and then come back here? I'll show you some basic moves you can practice to start learning swordsmanship."

"Sure!"

Together they started into the city and the man on the riverbank turned to watch them go.