Life of a rurouni

Disclaimer: we all know that I do not own rurouni kenshin or any other characters from the
tv series. They are all the creations of the great Watsuki Nobuhiro. Hope you enjoy this
story as much I like writing it! Well, got to write this fast…I should be studying for my
exams now….

Happy Reading!!!

Chapter 1: The town call Kuranei

As soon as Soujirou had made his way pass the guards, he noticed that the town was much
bigger then he thought it was. He walked around for awhile, looking for someone, anyone for
that matter, who he can ask for directions to an inn. But to no avail.

Soujirou knew that there were people in this town, but they were all hiding indoors.

'I wonder what or who they're afraid of?' The town didn't seem like it was always like
that. Signs and banners for restaurants and inns could be seen everywhere. It must have
been a very lively place before. Soujirou wandered around town, processing everything
little thing in his mind.At the same time looking around for an inn where he could stay for
the night,or if he was lucky, he might just find a merchant somewhere around here.

After quite a bit of walking, some of the streetlights were turned on. Soujirou, too
caught up in thinking, accidentally walked into a sign.

"Itai!!!" Patting himself, he stood up.

"Blue moon??" He read off the sign.

'Yare yare, its getting dark, maybe I should just ask the owner if I could stay here."
With that, Soujirou slid open the door and walked in.

"Irasshaimase!(1)" greeted a young girl.

"Are?!" Soujirou responded.

"Ah, gomenasai (2) did I scare you?" she said bowing.

"Iie iie, I just didn't expect anyone to be here."

"Oh I see. Well, come in." she said with a rather familiar smile plastered over her face.

With that, Soujirou walked in as she shut the door behind him. He suddenly realized that
there were really people in this town. The room that he had just entered was full of
people, all of them talking and laughing. This puzzled Soujirou even more.

'First, the town was empty, and now this…why don't they want to go outside, not even for a walk for some
fresh…um…not so fresh air?' The girl, who was not any older then he was, sat him down at a
table opposite two men who wore swords at their side.

While waiting for the waitress to return, Soujirou decided to find out who they were.

"What can we do?"

"Maybe we can try looking for someone who can at least wield a sword in battle."

"Do you think I haven't tried it? Ever since we entered town today, I haven't even
spotted a single person who looked like they could survive a battle with a gang of thieves."

Soujirou stopped eaves dropping there, as the waitress had returned with a cup of tea and
the menu. She gently placed the tea down on the table and handed the menu to Soujirou.
Remembering the amount of money he had left only ordered rice, tofu and miso soup.

When the waitress came back, she was carrying food for two. She placed the food on the
table, and smiled again.
"Ano… would you mind if I sat here to eat?" She asked politely.

"No, since I'm alone."

She slowly sat down opposite Soujirou. Both of the sat like that for awhile, one
uncomfortable and the other nervous.

"Itadakimasu!(3)" She said.

"Hai! Itadakimasu…" Soujirou nodded as he picked up his chopsticks to begin eating.

Halfway through the meal, "Oh yes, my name is Mayumi Yuka. May I ask what is yours?" She
asked, breaking the silence.

"Hai, Seta Soujirou. Yoroshiku(4)"

"Ano, Seta-kun? You're not from around here are you?"

"Iie, I'm just passing through town, boku wa rurouni (5)"

"Well then, I hope you will enjoy your stay here in Kuranei."

"Kuranei?" Soujirou asked, looking like a ten-year-old boy who is lost in a crowd.

"Hai, Kuranei is the name of this town." She said, trying very hard to hide her laughter.

"Ano… is it that obvious that I'm not from around here?"

"Very. Firstly, most people don't carry katanas. Secondly, you have this 'I'm lost'
express…" before she could finish the sentence, a man, almost twice Soujirou's size came
out of the kitchen and motioned to tell her to go back.

"Gomen Seta-kun. I have to go now. Oyasumi.(6)"

"Daijoubu.(7) Oyasumi nasai."

Yuka just stood there smiling at Soujirou for awhile. Soujirou, not knowing what to do, did
what he was most used to. He smiled back in his usual innocent boyish smile.



*~@~*



1) Irasshaimase: Welcome

2) Gomenasai: I'm very sorry

3) Itadakimasu: Let's eat

4) Yoroshiku: Nice to meet you

5) Boku wa rurouni: I'm a rurouni

6) Oyasumi: Good night

7) Daijoubu: It's alright


Well that was the first chapter. I know its sounds horrible but please R&R. Arigatou!!