Disclaimer: I do not own PMK or RRK.

Chapter 6: Mountain Shelter

Tomoe waited by the door. Where were the boys? Surely selling medicine by the road will not take this long. Both Suzu and Kenshin rushed in through the gate. Kenshin had blood on his clothes. What have you done now? Tomoe groaned. Then she saw the pathetic bundle he carried in his arms.

"Bandits," Kenshin explained. Tomoe took Saya from him and sent both boys out of the room while she attended to the girl's injuries. Apart from bruises and cuts, she was very traumatized by her experience. There was little they could do. Tomoe asked Kenshin to get some clean clothes and to prepare a warm bath for the girl. Suzu was told to get out the spare futon and blankets.

Before long, Saya was wearing a clean kimono and sitting on a futon. Her eyes were still wide with fear. Suzu reached out to touch her hand. She drew away from him. "Saya, everything's alright. You're safe now, Saya." She only stared back at him in fear. She looked nothing like the cheerful girl he remembered.

Saya was confused. Where is she? Who are these people? She only recognized Suzu, but she had a vague idea that Tetsu and Suzu had fallen out with each other. She was scared. "Saya-chan? You're safe now," Tomoe held the girl close. Saya thought the older girl reminded her of Akesato-nee. She smelt like Akesato-nee. They must be using the same perfume.

Tomoe held Saya until the girl finally fell asleep.

"Her name's Saya, a mute. Works in Shimabara. I don't know why she's out here. Maybe she ran away," Suzu spoke between mouthfuls of the gruel Tomoe had cooked. Himura nodded. If she had run away, they can't really blame her. Some of the establishments in Shimabara did ill-treat their girls. Saya wouldn't be the first to run away. Neither will she be the last.

"She's awake." Tomoe helped Saya up and gave her a bowl of gruel. Then she tried to introduce her companions to the girl. Saya regarded the three of them with uncertainty.

She remembered Suzu well enough. He hadn't changed that much aside from growing a little taller. He still had that very serious expression. The young woman who reminded her of Akesato was called Tomoe. She had a type of melancholic beauty.

The redhead had a scar on his left cheek. His name was Kenshin. He was the one who had killed the bandits. He had frightened her then. Now he appeared terribly young, harmless and kindly as he offered to help Tomoe do the dishes. Suzu made a gagging sound. Kenshin gave him a hard stare. Do that again and die.

Suzu shrugged. Everyone knew Battousai was sweet on Tomoe ever since he brought her back that night. It figures the guy wants a mother to tuck him in at night. Of course no one in their right mind will say it openly to Battousai's face. Holing up in the mountains and watching him make puppy-eyes at Tomoe was making Suzu sick. He murmured something about watering the vegetables and left.

"Saya-chan, do you want to go back to Kyoto?" Tomoe asked gently. Back to Kyoto, back to Tetsu...Saya thought carefully. How can she go back? She shook her head as tears ran down her cheeks. Poor child, Tomoe hugged her. They'll have to care for her until arrangements can be made.

The mountain air seemed to be reviving Tetsu's spirits, Tatsu thought ruefully. Personally, he was beat from just trying to keep up. Yamanami was walking with a spring in his step, as if he had been infected by Tetsu's high spirits.

"Hurry up! I'm sure Saya's just up ahead!" Tetsu was so happy he could almost sing. Last night he had dreamt of Saya waiting for him by the roadside. He was convinced it was a sign that he would meet her soon.

They stopped at an inn around midday. Ichimura Tatsunosuke pondered what business had brought Yamanami out on this trading route. Surely it can't be just about the funds. Tetsu excused himself. He had a tummy ache. Yamanami sought out the inn keeper and engaged him in conversation.

"Good sirs, you asking about the roads ahead? There's only one route for the trade wagons. But I advise against it! Bandits! Bad business. Two days ago there was an attack. It was a massacre. Knew one of them merchants well. Kind chap by the name of Narita..." Yamanami's heart sank. Narita?

"Narita, you say?" The inn keeper nodded sadly. "Saw his body myself. A good man. He had his daughter with him. Junko, I think she's called. Poor mite's mute..." Tatsu looked up. He was beginning to see the real motive of this journey.

"Did you find her?" The man shrugged. "Can't tell. Wild dogs got to some of the bodies before we did."

"Was there a girl about Junko's age among those killed?" Yamanami's tone was more urgent now.

The inn keeper was startled. "Now that you mention it, there was a dead girl about her size. The wild dogs ate off her face...anyhow, the body's been buried." What a dismal turn of events! How are they going to break it to Tetsu? Yamanami closed his eyes while Tatsu buried his face in his hands.

"Tetsu!" Tatsu looked up to see a very pale Tetsu standing at the doorway. The boy had overheard everything...

Author's notes:

Tomoe's playing Nee-san to them, and doing a good job too. White plum brand perfume msut be very popular.Don't you think so?

Poor, poor Tetsu puppy-kun. I'm writing to allay any fears of a SuzuSaya pairing. Just bear with me and Saya. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, you know...Tetsu & Saya will meet up, eventually. Trust me.