It has been updated! Check out Deena's story! But don't neglect mine... ;_;


There are times you drive me, shall we say, bananas?
And your mind is missing, no offense, a screw
But whatever mess I land in
Who was always understandin'? Nobody else but you
Oh your moodiness is now and then bewilderin'
And your values may be, so to speak, askew
But, who deserves a hero's trophy
As we face each catastrophe? Nobody else but you
Nobody else but you
It's just our luck, we're stuck together
Nobody else but you
It's crazy enough to believe we'll come through (1)



Another morning greeted Soujirou's eyes. It was almost too theatrical. He could almost envision butterflies outside the barn, and people bustling through, choreographed and about to dramatically break into a song.

But then the perfect morning sounds would be accompanied by Misao's frequent muttering of, "Aoshi-sama."

Soujirou didn't know why it irritated him so much. He theorized that his irritation was caused by Aoshi's display of emotion - or lack thereof. He simply couldn't understand why or how Aoshi could reject Misao so much that it hurt her. Misao was never sad or depressed, either that or she kept it very well from Soujirou. Strange if it'd turn out that way. In any case, the only time she would give a hint of unhappiness was when she'd get a memory related to her beloved Aoshi.

It was difficult to tell why, but Soujirou always found himself hurt, too.

"More rice cakes!"

. . .

Misao's eyes snapped open. "Unnnhhh… Oi, Sou-chan. Why do you always wake up earlier than me?"

He hesitated. "I have no idea."

After their "grooming" session, which became a ritual between the two, they set out for a new job. They tried every street market, restaurant, you name it. Whatever they would find, no one was interested in hiring them. "Maybe we can convince them if we show them how shiny your katana is…" Misao suggested in dejection.

"Misao-san… okashira…"

"I hate it when you do that."

"Gomen, but it's in my nature to appear innocent yet be manipulative."

"…Whatever you say."

They walked further, exhausted even though it wasn't even lunch time. His stamina was almost completely depleted when he began feeling a certain similarity about the streets he was now venturing. He began to think he was hallucinating, but then he saw a sign written lavishly in kanji… "Setsubo-suru"...

"Misao-san!"

She turned, looking at what Soujirou was adamantly staring at. "Eh? Are you hungry?"

"Iie, iie. I know the people who run this!" He looked at her excitedly. "We can probably work here, at least for today!"

"Cool! Well what're you waiting for?!"

Misao practically shoved Soujirou in the door, never one to supress her unnatural vigor. Inside, she saw a very neat restaurant, many waitresses, and even more customers. And behind the counter was a young girl, long brown hair tied into a ponytail. Her face was shocked, eyes frozen, body stiff.

"Taika-san!" Soujirou had said upon entrance.

The girl didn't move, and Soujirou walked closer towards her. "Taika-san? Don't you remember me?"

"Soujirou-kun…" she finally mumbled. After a breath of nervous silence, she tearily embraced Soujirou. "Soujirou-kun, you came back!"

"H-hai…"

She let him go and turned away. "Sumimasen! Ano… Daijoubu, Soujirou-kun?"

Soujirou sent a smile her way. "Taika-san! I'm great. Where are Ryo-san, Juni-san and Shun-chan?"

"They're in the back…" Taika quietly left, leaving him to stare after her, puzzled.

"Matte," he called.

"Oi, Sou-chan. Is she your friend?" Misao said, appearing from behind him.

"Hai. During my journey, it was Ryo-san, Juni-san, Taika-san and Shun-chan who brought me in during the rain," he explained. "They gave me free food, and even let me stay with them."

"So why'd you leave?!"

He looked at her with his paradoxical combination of a smile and a sad pair of eyes. "I had to go on with my journey."

She bit her lower lip, ashamed of her earlier outburst. She smiled gently, a quiet apology and a way to let him know that she was there for him. During the comfortable silence that lay between them, Taika came back with two happy adults and an even happier little boy. Irrepressible and hyper, he jumped clear across the counter and attached himself to Soujirou's neck.

"So-i-ro-niichan! So-i-ro-niichan!"

"Shun-chan!" Soujirou said, laughing despite the fact that a human being, small as he may be, was hanging from his neck. Misao witnessed a reunion of sorts, and found it adorable - to be able to see her Sou-chan almost as if he was being reunited with his family. Soujirou then introduced them all to Misao.

"So-i-ro-niichan! Is Misao-nesan your sister?" Shun asked.

"Iie, she's my friend."

"Well then Misao-nesan is my friend too!"

"It's a very nice pleasure to meet you, Shun-chan, Taika-chan, Ryo-san, Juni-san." Misao smiled. "And I'd really hate to be blunt, shikashi… Sou-chan and I need help."

"Help?" Juni, the mother, repeated in concern. "Are you two alright? What can we do?"

Soujirou successfully pried the child off, and gently placed Shun on his shoulders. Shun giddily grabbed onto Soujirou's hair. "Actually, Misao and I want to help. We'd like to work for you."

"Work for us? Surely, surely!" Juni said, clapping in a premature celebration.

"Actually," Ryo cut in, "not that we won't appreciate it, but we don't need that much help. We can't really afford it, you see. How about we give you a job for today?"

"'Tousan!" Taika quietly chided.

"Hai, Ryo-san!" Misao said quickly. "We'd greatly appreciate it!"

"Yes, in fact, we were hoping for that kind of arrangement, since we couldn't stay for very long, anyway," Soujirou assured them.

Taika glanced away.

"That's wonderful!" Juni gushed. "Taika, dear, please show Misao to our dressing room and give her a few tips, I'm sure she'd make a delightful waitress!"

Taika bowed her head demurely. "Hai, okaasan."

She lead the way for Misao and the two girls disappeared beyond the curtain behind the counter.

"As for you, Soujirou-kun…" Ryo said, putting a stock hand over Soujirou's slender shoulders, "you can be beside Taika in the cashier, alright?"

Soujirou nodded obediently. "Hai!" He paid attention to the instructions given to him by Ryo and Juni. When he was more or less trained and just as tentatively ready, he took his position behind the counter. He whistled cheerfully as an older man approached the counter. "Konnichiwa! What may I do for you, sir?"

"Oh, hmm… I'll have two bowls of ramen."

"Hai! Please take your seat and we'll have one of our waitresses bring it to you in five minutes."

"Hmmm… on second thought, make that TWO bowls."

"Ano… You did say two bowls."

"Honto ni?! Please ignore that, please do!" the man said, laughing. Soujirou laughed along with him, rubbing the back of his neck. "I actually meant two bowls."

"…Y-yes. Alright. Two."

The man turned but promptly returned. "And, no beef jerky with it please!"

"Yes sir!"

"Ii. And… Oh, can you add one more bowl?"

"Yes, sir, so that's three bowls-"

"Yes, two. Thank you!" With that, the man left.

Giving Soujirou no time to react, Misao let out a happy "Sou-chan!" She grinned as he turned around to see her in a loose dress that stopped where her usual outfit did. "I dunno about this whole waitress-outfit concept, but this job's gonna be easy!"

"Well, just don't take it TOO lightly," Soujirou said, recalling the man who just ordered from him.

"Ryoukai!" Misao said, skipping off with a wink, holding a tray that carried a plate of salmon. "Here ya go, miss!"

"Thank you," the woman said, handing Misao the payment.

"Your kimono… kirei ne!"

"Why, thank you… And, oh, here's your tip."

Misao grinned. "Arigatou gozaimasu!" She trotted off to another table and set down a tray holding two bowls of ramen. "Here you go, sir!"

"Thank you miss. Demo, I ordered four bowls!"

"Four?"

"Yes, one bowl! You gave me one extra!"

"I thought you said you ordered four."

"No, I didn't order ONE, I ordered TWO!"

"… There are two."

Then man stared contemplatively at his food for a while. After giving Misao a leg cramp for standing so long, he glanced up. "Thank you," he said, as he paid for his food.

She smiled forcedly at him and nervously took the money. "Any time!" she said, wasting no time to back away from him. Misao went back to the counter in order to bring more orders. She spied Taika and Soujirou, both reserved and undoubtedly nervous. Taika was as docile and reticent as always, and Soujirou had produced the most placid smile he was capable of. Misao quietly crept to the side of the counter, discreetly pretending to wipe it and inching closer until she could hear the two.

"But, Soujirou-kun, you've been traveling for a year or so now. Don't you deserve a rest?" Taika was saying softly.

"My journey… is my life," he replied sadly.

Taika sighed, her brown eyes flickering in melancholy. "But, you need a break from it too. You can't spend your whole life trying to find all these answers, because… you'll miss out on so many things," she said with a hint of desperation.

"I guess it's just a risk I'm willing to take."

"Wow… If Sou-chan wants something, he really won't stop until he gets it…" Misao thought aloud. 'Kind of like someone I know…' she added mentally.

"It's very, very important to me, Taika-chan," Soujirou continued. "I don't really understand it all yet… but I know, I will someday."

"In that someday, will you come back to me?" Taika whispered.

"O-of course, Taika-chan."

Taika looked up into Soujirou's eyes. "And would you, at long last, stay with me?"

"I… I don't know."

Misao slapped her forehead. "Geez, Sou-chan can flirt just as well as Kaoru-san can cook!"

"Someone offered to let me stay in a certain place," Soujirou explained faintly. "I just hope she won't forget…"

Misao straightened in realization. "Of course I won't forget…" she whispered to herself. She smiled and rolled her eyes then finally took the tray intended for her to deliver. She made her way to table four until a disturbing sound caused the room to reverberate…

"OH! It's the CUTE little BOY!" Misao attempted to bring her shock-induced levitating braid down as she turned to the source of the dreaded sound…

"Minako-san…" Soujirou stammered, clearly frozen on the spot.

"You know this lady, Soujirou-kun?" Taika asked, confused.

"Soujirou-kun? Is that your name?" Minako bounced all the way to the counter and managed to pull Soujirou away. She forced him down a chair and sat across him, batting her eyes ever so sweetly. "Oh, Soujirou-kun, we meet again! I believe it's fate!" she proclaimed.

This looks like a job for Tenken no Soujirou.

"Well, m-m-may I t-take your o-or-o-order?"

(Who, unfortunately, is just as afraid of agressive women.)

"Siddown, Soujirou!" Minako said breathily, grabbing his shoulders and sending his butt straight down the chair again. "Oh, Soujirou-kun, you don't have to be afraid! We're all alone now! Ishiida isn't here…" she put her face two centimeters away from his and seductively whispered. "It's you and me, and it only takes two to tango…"

"Ano…"

She pressed onto him. "We can dance the night away, if you let me lead…"

Soujirou's eyes frantically shot around, his smile quickly getting harder to generate. He caught a sight of Misao with an extremely annoyed expression. "Misao-san! Tasukete kudasai!" he cried wildly.

She shrugged. "Minako! Oi! Let go of Sou-chan! He's… he's… my koibito!"

"KOiBiTo?!" Minako, Taika, and Soujirou all repeated.

"H-hai!" Misao stated. Hesitating at first, she approached Minako and Soujirou, tray still at hand. "Let go of him!"

"Yeah right! How can he fall for an annoying, air-headed, flat-chested, ugly-haired, short, stupid little runt like you?!" Minako retorted. "Whereas I-"

"Ugly-haired, am I?!" With a flip of the wrist, Misao sent noodles onto Minako's hair.

The woman shrieked. "You… jealous little ferret!"

"Ferret?! Who are you, Sanosuke's evil twin? And at least I'm not a hideous, pompous, over-bearing, cheap, dirty, gaudy, hideous old hag with monstrous hair and a snout for a nose like you!" Misao retaliated, drawing outsiders to notice what was going on inside. "And if ever anyone would be jealous, it'd be you, since I'd think anyone can see right through your fake chest!"

Minako gasped. "Fake-! He's mine, you hear?!"

"You wish, grandma!"

"Defeaning brat!"

"Obnoxious freak!"

"Monstrous rodent!"

"Bloated whore!"

"Sniveling tomboy!"

"Corpulent bulk-horde!"

"Irritating little parasite!"

"You're one to talk! Pedophile!"

Aside from trying to keep his hearing intact, Soujirou didn't do a lot sitting between the two incensed girls, and was pretty much immobilized. Well, he certainly wasn't keeping score, but he hoped Misao was winning.

"…right, Sou-chan?" the younger girl asked rather viciously.

"Nani?" he asked nervously.

"No! He ran away because he was nervous at the sight of such a beautiful woman such as myself!" Minako declared.

"Alright, I'm getting REALLY sick of this!" Misao said, aggravated beyond rational thought. Not a very rare occurrence. With an incredible burst of strength, she managed to latch Minako off Soujirou, who immediately leapt towards the counter and hid behind Taika the moment his freedom was again granted to him. Misao then proceeded to kick Minako outside of the restaurant - literally. The audience Misao conjured up outside the restaurant witnessed a Minako-shaped figure fade into the horizon.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, the people both inside and outside the restaurant clapped and cheered as Misao flashed several V signs. "Boy, I got hungry from all that female action…" Soujirou had heard one person say.

"Yeah, let's go in and eat!"

Soon, people were in a crowded line, ordering food. The crowd lured in an even larger one, until it was eventually time to close.

"So, you two aren't really…" Juni began.

"Eh, iie, iie!" Misao said, laughing. "We're just friends!"

They all laughed, despite the day's exhaustion. "Well, I can't thank you enough," Ryo said. "Thanks to you two, a large crowd had been in the restaurant today, even though it was earned through a very peculiar scenario. In any case, word will get out that this restaurant was jam-packed, and then more people will come by!"

"It was our pleasure!" Soujirou said. "Although I don't honestly want to go through that again…"

"Don't worry, we understand," Juni assured him with a giggle. "However, thanks to the crowd we got, we can now offer you both jobs here!"

"Hai! Stay!" Shun piped up from on top of Misao's shoulders.

"Well, that really is a kind offer, and I'd love to, Shun-chan, but…" Misao smiled at them. "I have a responsibility and I must go back to Kyoto, where my family is."

"And I have to go back with her," Soujirou said. "And I have to continue with my journey," he added softly.

Ryo nodded. "I understand. So, please… take his with you."

He handed Soujirou a bundle of money. A large bundle.

"I-I can't accept this, Ryo-san-" began an astonished Soujirou.

"But you must! We earned five times today as much as we do in two days!" Ryo said. He pressed it more firmly onto Soujirou's palm. "It's the least we can do."

Soujirou's gratefulness reflected in his overwhelmed expression. "Arigato!"

"Well, we have to get going," Misao said, a little less cheerful than they were used to. She hoisted Shun off her shoulders and handed him to Juni. "You be a good kid, Shun-chan, and try not to get Taika-chan into too much trouble!"

"Hai, Misao-nechan!" Shun chortled away.

"Sayonara, Misao-chan," said Taika, who had been silent until then. She looked up and gave a slight smile that reminded Misao of Sanjou Tsubame.

"We'll visit, if you don't mind, that is," Misao said.

Taika bowed her head again. "Of course not." She shyly smiled then hugged Misao, and Misao hugged back.

"We'll see you soon, ne? So-i-ro-niichan? Misao-neechan?" Shun said with big puppy-dog eyes that would have melted anyone's heart.

"Of course!" Soujirou and Misao said simultaneously.

A short awkward silence followed, until Juni patted both of them on their heads. "Good luck to both of you. With whatever you need luck with," she added as an afterthought.

Misao nodded and flashed one more V sign for the day. "Ja ne!"

"Arigato, minna-san!" Soujirou added, as he and Misao began to turn.

"Sou-kun!!!" Taika blurted out.

Soujirou turned to smile at her. "Taika-san?"

"I…I'll miss you," she mumbled, fumbling with the awkward words. She blushed.

"I'll miss you too, Taika-san. Minna-san," Soujirou said. He and Misao turned to leave again. When they were beyond the entrance of the restaurant, he gave a final wave of his hand. "'Til we meet again!"

Ryo, Juni, Taika and Shun watched as the two figures faded and blended into the shadows of the moonlight.

"Good luck…" Juni whispered once more after them, letting the wind carry her wish.



She finds him strong and brave, and how she wants him so, so much
So much she knows she needs that touch to lead the way to love
He spies a gentle soul waiting for her to find someone so,
So very sweet and kind to lead the way, the way to love
And now they have their space, they've run their final race
Love's given them a place where love can live
Heaven is where they are, now they are finally home
With love, they have no need to roam, just look at them (2)




notes;
(1) "Nobody Else But You"; Goofy Movie
(2) "Way To Love", Michael Bradley; Robotech