This is my first time so, be nice...please?

Chapter 1

Soujirou's feet ached as he walked along Hirano at Yamanashi Prefecture during a long winter night. His sandals were worn out and his tabi and hakama, torn at the edges. The road he was taking seems far from the nearest inn he knew. And because he has not eaten for a week, his hunger was soon taking its toll on him. His sight was getting blurred and fuzzy and his legs were growing weaker and weaker for every step that he made. All he could make out of what was a few inches directly in front of him were blurred shades of red and black.

As he was begining to realize he couldn't hold on much longer, he lost his balance and he could see nothing but darkness. He felt warm, wet hands supporting him as he was, finally, completely succumbed into unconsciousness.

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As Soujirou began to open his eyes, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling directly in front of him. He stretched his hand and reached for his sheathed katana, fearing the worst, it was still there. He turned his head to look around and see where he was. He saw a girl with long blue-black hair wearing long sleeved red coat tied at the waist and a pair of jogging pants to go along with it.

"Konbanwa![good evening]" the girl said in a cheery tone, "Daijoubu desu ka?[are you all right]"

"Hai,[yes]" he responded, "Daijoubu desu.[I'm OK]" he sat up.

Soujirou was rather confused. First of all, he wanted to know what happened to him. Second, he wanted to know who she was, and, finally, he wanted to know where he was. Just then, as if to answer all the questions in his mind, she spoke.

"Hajimemashite watashi wa Yamaokami Karu desu. Douzo Yoroshiku.[How do you do I am Karu Yamaokami. Nice to meet you]" she handed him some warm tea. "You must have fainted of starvation. You're lucky I was there." she paused for a moment as Soujirou supped his tea, "You're at an inn...if you're wondering that is."

A smile curled on Soujirou's lips and bowed his head in gratitude.

"Domo arigato gozaimashita [Thank you very much], Yamaokami-san. Hajimemashite Watashi wa Seta Soujiro desu. Douzo Yoroshiku" he introduced himself.

"Soujirou-san, don't be so formal. Calling me by my first name is not rude at all, you know." she took the empty cup from Soujirou's hands and walked to the table opposite them. Soujirou Seta...Juppon Gatana no Tenken no Soujirou "Your meal will be served shortly. Please satisfy your hunger."

There was a knock on the door and soon their food was brought in. Soujirou had not eaten most of what was served because of his financial problems. Both of them ate heartily. Finally when they were through Soujirou's curiosity got the best of him, and asked a question he was sure was a personal matter.

"Karu-san, sumimasen ga, [excuse me but,]," he asked, "Why are you all alone in a place like this? Isn't it dangerous?"

She was halted by Soujirou's question. She didn't know how to answer because she didn't know how to explain everything so that he wouldn't feel awkaward or confused by her. She bit her lower lip in thought as her hands clenched her pants in nervousness.

Soujirou saw her dilemma and halted her out, "Sumimasen [sorry]," he apologized "I shouldn't have pressured you..."

"Daijoubu desu. I just didn't know how to explain things." she smiled her best to make him stop worry. "I'm not good at explaining events but, I'm good at it at school."

"Kanemochi no desu ka [You're rich]?!" his eyes wide in astonishment for he had never received treatment from one who can be such a brat...or so he thought.

"Iie, chigaimasu [no you're mistaken]! Anou," A long pause lingered between them. Finally, Karu spoke out, "Could I ask you to help me out?"

Soujirou felt he owed her much and obliged, "I would be glad to, but, what is it?"

"Could I come with you? Onegaishimasu [please]." she pleaded.

"Chotto sumimasen, watashi wa rurouni desu, Karu-san [I'm sorry I can't, I'm a jobless wanderer, Karu]." he reasoned out.

"Hontou ni desu ka [really]? Anata wa rurouni desu ka [you're a rurouni]?! I think that's exciting! Besides I have some money with me so if ever we're hungry, I'd treat you."

"You don't understand. Being a rurouni is dangerous and your family might be worried about you."

"Aa, sou desu ka [oh, is that so]? Then sorry to bother you. It's all right I understand. Guess I'll find somewhere else to stay. Guess I'm bothering you, huh?" her eyes was averted from him.

"Gomenasai, I didn't mean that."

"Then, you'll let me stay with you?!" she looked back.

"Are you sure you'll be fine?" he assured her.

"Hai hai hai. Domo arigato gozaimasu!" Karu wanted to hug him in her gratitude but held herself back. "Soujirou-san, I'll be expecting you tomorrow." she stood up and started to walk across the room to the doorway which divided their rooms. And when she turned around to bid him goodnight, she noticed him touching a patch of dry blood on his gi. Did it come from him? He didn't think so.

"Sumimasen, Soujirou-san [sorry, Soujirou]." she apologized, "Anata no chi dewa arimasen...sore wa watashi da [it's not your blood... it's mine]. I'll make it up to you."

"Aa [oh]! It's alright." he noticed some on her left waist. "Daijoubu [are you OK]?"

"Ee [yes], just hurt myself during an encounter with someone...soldiers, that is, to be more specific. Just a little scratch, no biggie." she assured him. "Oyasumi nasai [good night]." she finally bade him.

"Oyasumi [good night]." He gazed at her head to toe. He felt that there was a rougher side of her which was enclosed in a cocoon of a girl which seemed to be so refined in movement and in speech. And with a close of a door behind her, she was gone.

Yarou [(curse)], why does everything have to go wrong in my life. she cursed herself in her room. Well, at least this one won't try to kill me nor would I be... She cut herself off not wanting to remember something as she slumped on her futon and slapped her own forehead. I hope I would get back again I lied to him saying I can handle this, I haven't even experienced it yet. But then again, maybe not.

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The next morning, Soujirou woke up as early as ever. He was ready to go but then he remembered he had to help the girl who saved him. When he opened the door, he saw her right in front of him and they both ate downstairs at Karu's expense. Karu finally realized that her and Soujirou's clothes were stained with blood and that people might think they had killed someone. She remembered some clothes for sale in the inn and went their way there after they ate.

"Karu-san, how about this kimono?" Soujirou suggested as he finished dressing the set of clothes that he picked for himself just as Karu told him -- although he got the same outfit.

"Dame [no good]! I can't move in those things." she complained.

"Sou desu ka [is that so]? How about this American dress? It's easy to move in."

"Dame, dame! It's way too heavy! Besides, those petticotes itch underneath!"

Soujirou pointed out other available outfits that girls at his time wear. Ironically, she turned down every single one of them with different excuses. After a while, she finally decided on na overcoat and a new set of jogging pants with a ribbon to go with. Then she got a pair of hi-cut leather shoes which is much like the kind Enishi wore.

"Dame, dame, dame, Karu-san. Only guys wear that." he pointed out.

"Soujirou-san, it's perfect! I can easily do things with this. And, women can wear what men wear and still look good." she whispered, "Besides, we can just act as brother and sister and I got what I do from you. It wont be suspicious, ne?"

"Yareyare." Soujirou sweat dropped.

As Karu was headed to the dressing room, the innkeeper approached Soujirou.

"You've got a beautiful companion there, but, why doesn't she just wear a kimono like the rest of the regular women in Japan?" he asked looking puzzled

"She wants to move freely." he explained.

In the dressing room, she readied herself to wear the outfits she bought. I hope that these will go together these aren't the times I used to know. she thought. She put on the reddish-brown overcoat and let one side overlap the other so that a little part of her skin below the neck was the only part that was seen. She wound the brown ribbon around her waist several times and tied it tightly. She winced a little at the pain that came from her wound and soon got used to it. She got to the last part which length was several inches longer than her legs. It left some wrinkles dangling at the lower part of her leg. She then wore her shoes and looked in the mirror I told him that girls would also look nice in a guys' outfit. After being satisfied with herself, she got her Speedo sports bag and got out.

Soujirou was quite impressed! She did look good in a guys' clothing although the colors that she picked were really dark.

"Anou [um], Karu. You do look quite nice." he pointed out.

"I told you so, oniisan [brother]." she sneered.

"Ch, you two could really fool people." the innkeeper said in a matter-of-fact way.

"Naze [why]?" Soujirou and Karu chorused.

"You guys act like total strangers while you two are in fact, siblings."

"We just disagree on things often because of our differences. And because of our disagreements, we sometimes treat each other as a stranger so that the fight wont burst out." Karu fibbed.

"Ja [well]! We better get going. Thanks for letting us stay here" he bowed to the innkeeper.

"Hai. Shitsurei shimasu [We'll be leaving now]." she too bowed to the innkeeper.

"Ahem," coughed the innkeeper, "are you forgetting something?"

Both of them looked quizzically at the innkeeper. Floating question marks hovered on their heads. The innkeeper sighed and sweat dropped (SD style).

"OKANE [money]! You need to pay here, you two. For the rooms, the food and the clothes!"

"Oh yeah!" Karu remembered. "I forgot all about that. How much do I owe?"

"¥1000 for two rooms, ¥300 for the food you ate last night and a while ago, and, ¥320 for those clothes. For a total of ¥1620." The innkeeper added.

"Ehehe, do you accept gold I don't think I have cash with me right now." Karu complained.

"Gold! Sure no problem." he smiled that it stretched to his ears. "Wait, that isn't smuggled or fake or anything, right? I mean, you know."

"Of course not! You can check it a hundred fold if you want to. Come on, if you don't believe me. So, convert these to Yen, it costs..." she paused for a while, thinking "One gold chip. That should be more than enough. So you gonna check it or just believe me?"

"I'll just trust you. You wouldn't be saying those things if you're lying. And your eyes aren't averted from me. I'll take them."

"Ja, here you go." she handed him the gold.

They both waved goodbye to the old innkeeper and started on their journey.

Author's notes: So, if you have any comments or suggetions, e-mail me at teruwakaru_kei@lycos.com. 
During 1st encounters, Japanese usually say Hajimemashite (name) Douzo Yoroshiku.
Daijoubu may mean I'm fine, Are you OK (when asking) or It's OK.
Chotto literally means wait and sumimasen means excuse me, but if you want to turn down an offer in Japanese never say no and say chotto 
 sumimasen instead 
-San means MR. but it's kinda awkward so I didn't inclue it in the translation

Chapter 2

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