"Happy birthday Yahiko!" called Ayame and Suzume as they walked up with Dr. Genzai. The two little girls raced through the yard yelling "Party! Party!" at the top of their lungs. Next, came Tsubame and Tae carrying food from the Akabeko.
Tae reached down and hugged him. "How old are you now Yahiko?"
"Well, this is supposedly my birthday so 11 I guess."
Tae saw a look of sadness in his brown eyes, but it disappeared so quickly, she wasn't sure if she was imagining things.
"Come Tsubame, we have to go help Kaoru-San with dinner." Tsubame smiled shyly at Yahiko and followed Tae up the dojo steps.
To herself, Tae was thinking, Why did Yahiko seem sad? She would have to ask Kaoru about that.
Last came ex-gangster Sanoskue,and the foxy doctor Megumi.
"Happy birthday Yahiko," called Megumi.
"Yeah happy birthday Yahiko-Chan," echoed Sano.
"Don't call me Chan!
"Chan, Chan, Chan!"
"Don't call me that!" Yahiko ran down the steps furious with Sano.

Before Yahiko could reach them, Megumi elbowed Sano. "Could you be nice for once? It's his birthday!"
"Ok Fox. Sorry," Sano said almost sheepishly. Sano put his arms up in surrender. "Sorry Kid, won't happen again..." Yahiko looked at him in exasperation, but didn't say anything.

A little while later, everyone sat down to a delicious dinner. Yahiko, after eating, looked up to survey the setting. To his right was Sano with Megumi next to him. On his left was Tsubame and then Kaoru. Across from Kaoru was Kenshin, followed by Suzume, Ayame, Dr. Genzai, and Tae.

"Guess what time it is?" Kaoru exclaimed to the guests! She was met by a blank stare from Yahiko, but a look of understanding from all the others. "Present time!"
"You mean, I get preents?" Yahiko asked in a shaky, unbelieving voice " it's not like I've ever gotten presents before. I doubt Gasuke even knew my birthday let alone celebrate it."
"Of course Yahiko, everyone gets presents on their birthday," said Kaoru. "Now this," she said placing a wrapped bundle on the table,"is from Kenshin, Sano, Megumi, Dr. Genzai, the girls, and me."
Unwrapping the bulky package, an emerald green gi fell out. The first thing you noticed was the silk, but the amazing feature was the dragon stitched on it.
"Thank you," said Yahiko. This must have costed a fortune! How did they ever manage to buy it? Kaoru took a glance at his face and was amazed to find his eyes filled with unshed tears, but then he blinked and they were gone. No one else seemed to have noticed, except Tae who caught Kaoru's eye.
Next came a bag of western food from Tae called chocolate. Sampling a piece, a grin of delight filled Yahiko's entire face. He then, much to the surprise of everyone, offered the bag around. After everyone had taken a piece, the conversation started up. Tsubame leaned toward Yahiko and said," I have a present for you, but to get it, you have to walk to the Akabeko."
"Okay," said Yahiko uncertainly.brbr

While everyone was talking, Tae and Kaoru excused themselves to clear the table. Tsubame rose to help, but the two women told her they had everything under control and for her to enjoy herself.
While rinsing the plates, Kaoru commented," Yahiko sure has been nice. He hasn't started anything! And he's being very considerate."
"Yes," said Tae with a sigh, "But did you notice him at dinner?"
"Yes, he looked like he was going to cry when he got the presents. He must have really liked them!"
"Not that. Did you hear what he said? He said: You mean I get presents? Why would he say something like that? I mean, how long has he been with the Yakuza? He should have gotten presents before that. Exactly how long was he with the Yakuza, Kaoru?"
"I have no idea. He never talks about his past. All I know is that his mother died of disease in the Yakuza care, and Yahiko was earning money pickpocketing to help pay for the care."
" One more thing. When I asked about his birthday, I swear I saw him look sad for a moment. Would you know why?"
"The only reason might be that today is not his real birthday. When he came to the dojo, he didn't know his birthday, so I picked one." The 2 women washed the rest of the dishes in companionable silience.

After awhile, the guests started leaving. First Dr.Genzai left with Suzume and Ayame in tow, who were both almost asleep. Next, went Megumi supporting a very dunk Sano, who was still clutching a bottle of sake he had not yet finished. Tae also accompanied Sano and Megumi since they were all heading in the same direction.
Yawning, Tsubame stood up." I think I'd better head back to the Akabeko."
"Wait! I'll come with you," said Yahiko. Making sure his shinai was with him, the two left the dojo yard. When they reached the Akabeko, Tsubame suddenly turned around.
"Time for your birthday present!" She brought her face close to Yahiko and then gave him a kiss. She was surprised how smooth Yahiko's lips were. After a few seconds they pulled back from each other

"That was nice," said Yahiko gazing into her brown eyes. She smiled with pleasure.
"We should do that more often," Yahiko said with a grin," Good Night Tsubame."
"Good night Yahiko," she replied. She went inside feeling like she was walking on clouds.
Yahiko walked back up the path humming to himself. He was so lost in his thoughts, he failed to notice a figure ahead He was just about to walk past the hidden figure when suddenly it darted out and blocked Yahiko's path.
"Hey! Who are you?" Yahiko yelled at the figure.
"I'm the person sent to get you," was the gruff reply.
"Well I'm not going anywhere, so move out of my way."
"No. I can't do that. I'll just bring you the hard way." He grinned as he pulled out a sword. Yahiko raised his shinai. Moving with the speed of light, the figure ran at Yahiko. Yahiko used his shinai as a shield
"Fine," said the attacker,"I don't have time for this." From his pocket he took out something that looked like a small pebble. He then threw it at Yahiko, and being that is was dark Yahiko did not see it. But all he felt was a little tap.
"Let me get this straight. You think a pebble is going to- ahhh!" Yahiko fell to the ground in pain. "What happened?" he asked starting to feel drowsy.
"Poison dart. We'd better be going now." And then picking up the unconscious Yahiko, he stole away into the night, not noticing the shinai fall from the boy's hands.