Hello! It's the second installment of my current project. Did you like my first chapter. Well if you did, you should be reading the next. I already have the next chapter almost finished. Just need a few revisions and other things. Enjoy the fic!

Yahiko's Travels

Chapter 2 - Companion

"Seta Soujiro? That name sounds familiar..."

Yahiko thought about it very deeply. He knew Kenshin told him about someone named Seta Soujiro. But it was a long time ago that he can't remember it.

"I think you should be going back to where you're staying now. How about we continue this chat tomorrow?" interrupted Soujiro.

"Well it is dark. I'm going back to Sumire Inn. Where are you staying?" asked Yahiko.

"Nowhere in particular. I'm also travelling like you do. Can I come with you? I also need to get some rest."

"Ok then. Let's go."

They went back to the inn that night. Soujiro, to save some money, stayed in Yahiko's room. Yahiko was a bit hesitant for Soujiro will be staying for free. Soujiro convinced Yahiko eventually. Yahiko just requested Soujiro to quit giving him that annoying smile of his.

When Yahiko went to bed, his mind is still trying to remember when did Kenshin tell him about someone named Seta Soujiro and who he was. From the skills he saw from Soujiro, Yahiko knew he wasn't any ordinary swordsman. And no one can find a skillful swordsman these days specially in the Meiji era. All this thinking made him fall asleep. Soujiro on the other hand, is thinking to himself.

"What might this mean Himura-san? Should I follow this boy and aid him in his journey? Will I find myself along with him?"

As he thought of this, he couldn't help but smile. He gave one last deep breath before going to sleep.

The next morning, Yahiko woke up late. The sun was already up and it was very noisy outside. Soujiro was helping the innkeeper clean the lobby.

"Ohayo! Yahiko-kun." greeted Soujiro.

"Eh? Why are you cleaning up the lobby?" asked Yahiko.

"Oh, I'm currently short on money so I'm looking for a few jobs. The innkeeper said he'll let me earn a little amount by helping him today. Do you want to help?"

"Heh, I still have some money with me. Just enough for my needs.

Yahiko reaches for his parcel. When he finds out he can't find what he's looking for, he starts to panic. He starts to search his bag and his body but he can't seem to find it.

"I must be here somewhere! I know I left it here yesterday." Yahiko exclaimed.

"What's the matter Yahiko-kun?" wondered Soujiro.

"My wallet is missing! It has all my money in it! What am I going to do?"

"Why don't you look for it? It must be somewhere in your room."

"Well I guess it might help.."

Yahiko proceeded to his room. Soujiro just gave him a smile. After a few minutes...

"Not good... I can't find it anywhere." Yahiko sighed.

"That means you can help me now. You can earn a little by helping around here. Isn't that right Naga-san?"

Soujiro turned to the innkeeper who is currently fixing a few things. The innkeeper then turned to Yahiko.

"Haha, you can start by polishing the hall kid. I want it shining and clean. Better start now to earn more." teased the innkeeper.

"Darn, not again. And I thought I would have a long break from polishing any floors." Yahiko frowned.

"Do you want that earnings or what?" said the innkeeper.

"Ok, ok, I'm starting!! Oh boy.."

Yahiko started working in the hall by polishing the floor. Soujiro did a few errands after cleaning the lobby. The innkeeper was happy that these boys were working hard. Yahiko also helped the innkeeper fix a leak in the storage. Work here and work there. Yahiko had no choice since he needs to earn money. At noon, both boys were asked to do some fishing in a nearby lake outside of town. The innkeeper said that it was for dinner so they better catch big fishes. They went to the lake and started right away. The weather seem to favor them but the lake doesn't a bit. They fished for more than an hour but got nothing.

"Darn this is boring. Caught anything Soujiro?" said Yahiko as he laid down the grass with the fishing pole between his feet.

"Nope, not even a bite." replied Soujiro.

"Ahhhh... We've been fishing here since noon. Not even a catch. The innkeeper's gonna cut my earnings if this continues."

"You mean Naga-san? I don't think he would do that. He's a nice person actually."

"That reminds me, how did you come to know Naga-san?"

"I have a way with people. You should be a bit courteous you know."

"I'm not courteous?"

"Depends on your definition. Ah, I think I caught something."

Soujiro pulled on the rope of the fishing pole. They found out that it was only a branch. Both sighed in disappointment.

"That's 4 branches and a piece of cloth so far." said Soujiro.

"We'll be able to fish out the garbage in this lake if this continues. Are fish in here anyway?"

"Naga-san said so."

"Maybe they're somewhere else."

"They couldn't have gone too far."

"Hmmm......"

Both sighs in boredom. They went silent for a few minutes but it was broken by an interruption from Soujiro.

"Yahiko-kun?"

"Yeah?"

"How was Himura-san as your teacher?"

"Kenshin?" Yahiko paused for a moment. "He is... ...my idol. He taught me most of what I know. He also saved me from being a street rat. Most of all, he taught me how to be strong."

"Oh... It seems Kenshin has been a very important person for you."

"..."

"Kenshin has been a teacher to me too."

"Hmmm?"

"He only taught me one thing. But that one thing has been guiding me since I lost to him."

"What is that?"

"He said life should be valued. I used to believe that the weak must succumb to the strong. The strong ones has the only right to live. I killed without hesitation. When I looked into Himura-san's eyes. He faced me as if he wanted to change me. I didn't believe then his philosophy. I thought it was mere rubbish. But as I traveled, I've learned what he meant. It makes him strong, that belief, of valuing life."

"You was an assassin back then?"

"Yes. But that was after the Tokugawa era. I was a kid back then. I too was saved by someone by a man. He became my teacher. He taught me that only the strong must live and the weak must die. Survival of the fittest... the law of nature..."

"You were like Kenshin then... in a different way."

"..."

"Oh, I have another bite."

"I suppose it's another garbage or something."

"Yahiko-kun, it's pulling! It's big!"

"What!? You've caught something?"

When they looked into the water, a fish was biting in Soujiro's bait. It was a big snapper.

"How did this fish get here?" exclaimed Yahiko.

"I don't know but let's just pull!"

Both pulled on the fish. Luckily, the rope was strong enough and they eventually caught the fish. They fell back on their feet when the fish got out of the water. They found the fish struggling in the ground.

"Alright!!" Yahiko shouted to Soujiro. Both clapped their hands in victory. Soujiro sighed in relief.

"Well I guess this alone would do. It's quite big anyway. Let's go home."

The sun has already set when they came back at the inn. Naga was delighted at the size of the fish.

"This is a big one. You've done well boys. But uhh... is this the only one?" asked Naga.

"I'm afraid it's the only one we caught Naga-san." Soujiro sighed.

"Hmmm? Didn't I tell you to fish by the rocks?"

"You didn't tell us anything Naga-san." Yahiko also sighed.

"Is that so? Well we can't do anything. This fish is big enough for the four of us anyway. Get some rest boys, dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

"Who's the fourth one Soujiro?" Yahiko asked.

"She's Naga-san's daughter, Mariko-chan. Only the two of them run this inn."

"You really have a way around people don't you?" teased Yahiko.

"Well at least I have."

"Hey! What did you mean by that?"

After a few minutes, the four had the snapper they caught for dinner. Yahiko was eating energetically as usual.

"Mmmm.. this food is good. Did you cook this Mariko-chan?"

"Why yes Yahiko-kun. Do you like it?" smiled Mariko.

"Absolutely! Unlike someone's cooking from back my hometown." Yahiko exclaimed.

"Hachi!!" sneezed Kaoru who was with Kenshin in the Kamiya dojo.

"You have a cold Kaoru?" Kenshin asked Kaoru.

"Oh, (sniff) no, my nose just itched." smiled Kaoru.

After dinner, Yahiko and Soujiro still had to help by washing the dishes. After work, they both went for a hot bath. Relaxed and needing for rest, both went to their room afterwards. Yahiko had no trouble falling asleep since he was quite tired. Soujiro still had something on his mind.

"This kid might give me the answer I have been looking for. I hope I find it soon."

Soujiro closed his tiring eyes. Both were sleeping quite soundly. Soujiro was very contented. Another burden has been lifted from him. Yahiko on the other hand, had his saliva coming out of his mouth.

"Hagh, hah, Tsubame.... Tsubame-chan......."

To be continued...

What do you think? I bet Yahiko is really enjoying his dream. Hmmm... what do you think? Should I make a separate lost chapter where Yahiko is dreaming about Tsubame? Give me feedback lemon-lovers. I might make it if you tell me. Also, Soujiro liked Yahiko. Hmmm... another candidate. Sorry, but I don't do Yaoi. What the heck am I writing anyway!? Just watch out for the next chapter: Deep Trouble. Until then! Ja!