The morning came, and shortly enough, the sound of arguing filled the Kamiya-Kasshin Dojo.

"Aw, Kaoru! Do I really have to go!? I don't care about some stupid girl!" Yahiko protested.

"Yes, Yahiko, you do have to go."

"Why can't we just send Sano?"

"Because, Yahiko, Sano has a bad reputation. That symbol's not on his back for nothing. You and Kenshin are going to be asking people she knows if they know where she is. If they see a Fighter-for-hire asking the whereabouts of a little girl, they'll bit their tongues."

"That still doesn't explain why I have to go."

"Because, Yahiko, people may think you're a friend of hers, and then tell you."

"Then why bother sending kenshin, too, if I'm so obviously well suited to the task?"

"To make sure you stay out of trouble."

"What! Me, in trouble? I've never been in trouble a day in my life. I know how to stay outta trouble."

"Then trouble must not know how to stay away from you."

"WHAT!? SAY THAT AGAIN,UGLY!"

Yahiko hit the ground with a resounding SMACK as Sanosuke aimed a downwards punch at his head and connected.

"Yahiko, just shut up and do what she says. I'm sure that there's at least some part of you that wants to meet this girl. After all, you've not ben so successful with them in the past."

"NOT SUCCESSFUL! I'M A DOWNRIGHT CASANOVA! HELLUVA LOT BETTER THAN YOU OPERATE WITH MEGUMI!"

Sano's next punch was a right hook, that sent Yahiko sprawling about 10 feet from The point of impact.

"So, anyways...." Sano said. "You've talked alot about this girl, Kaoru, but you've never told us her name yet."

"Oh, it's....Maiyo-chan. Yes, that's it, Maiyo-chan." Kaoru responded.

"Hmm, pretty, eh Yahiko."

"Shut up, idiot." Yahiko snapped.

"You want another?" Sanosuke said, flexing his hand.

Yahiko quickly shook his head. "Didn't hurt...." He muttered under his breath.

"Jeez, what's takin' Kenshin so long?"

"I don't know. Here, let me call him." Kaoru said. "Ken-SHIN!"

"Coming, miss Kaoru!" Came the faint response.

After half a minute, Kenshin came out of the Dojo, sword at his side, and holding Yahiko's Shinai.

"You forgot this, Yahiko." Kenshin said, ashe handed it to him.

"Huh? You really think I'll need this?" Asked Yahiko.

"Well, if i understand right, she was learning the sword, and if you have this, they may think that you know her from a class or something." Kenshin replied.

"Oh, well, i guess that makes sense...." Yahiko said.

"Plus, it'll come in handy if you happen to get in trouble."

"YOU, TOO!? I'LL GIVE YA TROUBLE!" Yahiko shouted as he ran at kenshin, fists bared. When he reached him, Kenshin simply just moved to the side, in a nonme-too-hurried manner, and let Yahiko go past him and trip on a rock.

"Relax, Yahiko, I was only joking. Well, we'd better be off." Kenshin said, as he begean to walk. He was cut off when he tripped, as a result of Yahiko grabbing his leg.

"Oroorororoororooooo...."

-----------------------

Moments later, the two were walking down the road into the center of town.

"Where we goin'?" Yahiko inquired.

"Well, the market is usually a good place to begin searching for anything."

"Sounds good. Lead the way"

When Kenshin and yahiko arrived at the market, it was bustling, as usual. They began asking several shopkeepers if perhaps a little girl had asked directions to a Dojo.

"What? No, not that I know of. Sorry." Came one response.

"Listen, buddy, I'm too busy to be talking to you. Yes, ma'am, that peice is genuine leather...." The man trailed off as he talked to a prospective customer.

"Man, at this rate, we'll never find anyone who knows her, let alone seen her." Yahiko Whined.

"I know, it's rough going, but something will turn up soon." Kenshin soothed.

"It better...."

And something DID turn up.

"Little girl, asking for directions to a Dojo? No, not exactly, but could you describe her?" The elderly shopkeeper asked.

"She's about 4 feet tall, brown hair, and has a White Bokan with a rose on it." Kenshin said.

"Why, yes! I know her! Maiyo-chan. She comes by every sunday to buy groceries."

"That's great! Do you know wgere she is?" Kenshin said, leaning forward.

"Well, actually...." The old man said.

Kenshin leaned forward even more in anticipation. The old man let out a huge grin.

"I haven't a clue!" He said.

Kenshin's chin took a sharp smack as he lost his balance and hit the pavement.

"Oroororororoorooo...."

-------------------------------------

Aashiru looked across the table at his students. The three boys, and the girl. They had all worked hard, and gotten better at an exponential rate. They all deserved this day off.

But especially the girl. Especially her.

All his students smiled when the hot beef-pot was brought to the table. The smiles were soo replaced by startled shrieks as the waitress accidentally spilled the dish on Maiyo's lap.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry!" Shouted the waitress.

"Oh, don't worry. It was a simple mistake." Replied Maiyo.

"But....doesn't it hurt? It's scalding hot!" The waitress exclaimed.

"No....should it?"

"Well--"

"That's alright, miss." Aashiru interrupted. "She's fine, and we're not upset. We'll just have another beef-pot, please."

"O-okay...." The waitress said as she scuttled off.

"Aashiru-sensei, are you alright?" Maiyo asked. "You look upset.

"Just concerned for you, my dear." replied Aashiru. Smooth as silk. Yes, just like that. Smooth as silk.

---------------------------------------------

Later that evening, a waitress stepped out of a popular little restaurant.

"Ok! I'll see you later! You too, Tsubame!" The young woman shouted.

"Bye bye!" Came the reply. It sounded like alittle girl's voice.

As the woman walked down the street, Aashiru stalked behind her. he had done this a hundred times. It was almost a....reflex. He smiled at the thought.

As the woman turned the corner, she went onto a street that was less well-lit. This was his chance. he moved to the side street, and claimbed onto a roof. When he got on top, he ran ahead, and waited about 20 feet from the woman. When she was about 5 feet in front of him, he jumped. Normally, He'd go for a chest shot, which would have been easy, but this time he wanted no noise at all. Save mercy for the swift and intelligent. This idiot girl was a waste of breath. Prying into his business, spilling his Beef-pot....the uncoordibated had no right to live alongside the co-ordinated.

As he reached the apex of his jump, he drew his sword, and raised it point-down in his arms. he was right above her....it was a simple matter to just thrust downwards.

It worked as intended. She made no sound. As the blood pumped out of the hole in her head, he felt a small bit of sympathy for her. Then he remembered why he had killed her. He unceremoniously stabbed her in the back several more times, sending more blood spurting.

Then he turned his back, and walked down te street. As he approached the restaurant, he heard muffled voices inside coupled with the soft glow of a candle. Akabeko. Good beef-pots here. He'd have to come back sometime.