Author's Note: Sorry for the slow updates everyone, it's exam week. Hooray. I've been answering everyone's review, but that takes like an hour! We have over ten reviews per chapter now, which is really great! I would like some more though. Tell you what; I'll answer some, like if you have a good question. Or if you just want me to comment on it, write it in the review! And since I get bored easy, I'll give shout-outs in my chapters now, by request! Just REVIEW!

I've been having bad problems with flamers, especially Aoshi fans. Dude, get over it! This is my fanfiction. MINE. I like Aoshi fine, but this isn't a fic about him. I was planning on having a nice ending with him, but maybe I should just kill him off. I'm not kidding, flamers suck. Go ahead e-mail me, you know who you are, and I'll tell you EXACTLY what I think of flamers. Until then grow a brain dude. Your screaming isn't going to make me want to listen to your 17 IQ incoherent babbling anymore than I listen to my toast. I HATE toast.

In response to everyone, I know I am a BAD PERSON! But whatever, I love Soujiro too much to let him just leave! And anyway, how can I write 15 chapters about Sou/Misao if he just leaves? Anyway, here's your awesome super long chapter for you!

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There was no reason for me to bother her any more. Misao, you don't need a Tenken in your life.

And with that last thought, Seta Soujiro, the mysterious Tenken no Soujiro, vanished into the night.

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-Soujiro-

I wandered blindly. I was a fool to interfere in the lives of such nice people. I should not have gone with Misao that day. It had been almost a week since the incident at the Aoiya, but I could still remember their faces clearly. Especially the face of a certain weasel girl.

I sighed. Himura was right all along. I thought that killing Aoshi-san would be the normal thing to do, since he did attack me first after all and was a perfectly qualified swordsman who knew exactly who I was. I had learned that the weak were not food for the strong, but I suppose the legendary Tenken could not let go of his warrior ways. My strongest skill had been my lack of emotions, but if stubbornness was considered an emotion, then perhaps I was merely human after all.

This was giving me a headache. I didn't kill Aoshi. He would recover; his wounds weren't that serious. Then why did I feel so guilty?

Ah yes. There was just that little detail of Misao-dono. The hurt I saw on her face that night, her look of absolute betrayal, anguish, loathing, was too much for my newly acquired conscience. I would have to go back, beg for forgiveness. At least apologize to Aoshi-san. And hey, I did leave my only nihontou at the Aoiya. So it looks like I have to go back, ne?

But what if she didn't want to see me? She probably hates me now. Aoshi-san is obviously important to her. Why would she want to even look at me? She'll probably yell at me, or throw those kunais again. And I probably wouldn't have the heart to move out of the way. Perhaps people can't change. Once a Tenken, always a Tenken.

But oh gods, I will try. I don't want to leave this world with the people I've hurt dragging me down to hell.

I clenched my jaw in frustration. I will not walk away and let Misao-dono see me as a monster. With that thought I spun around, back toward the city that holds so many awful memories. Kyoto…

-Misao-

"You know Misao, you could at least say something. It's been a week since he left." I could tell Omasu was worried about me. Everyone at the Aoiya had been making comments like that all week.

I put down the bowl I was drying with a sigh. This had been the hardest week I had ever gone through. "I know Omasu. I just really thought I saw something good in Soujiro… I can't believe such a silly looking rurouni would do something like attack Aoshi-sama."

Omasu quietly patted my back and left to go bring Jiya his morning tea. I washed dishes in silence. This past week had been really slow. Everyone was worried about Aoshi. The doctor said his wounds weren't life threatening, but they were serious enough to keep him down for about a month. Yeah right. Aoshi was up the next day after the… accident. But what worries me most is he's given up meditating in the temple. He's gone all day to sit on the hill outside of town. Everyone is really happy to see him so calm and collective. But I know better. I've known Aoshi-sama almost my entire life, and I can see that he definitely isn't calm. I've never seen him so angry in my entire life. His eyes are so cold and narrow, like shards of ice frosty ice. It scares me more than a little.

After Aoshi-sama was hurt, I seriously thought about chasing down Tenken and making him pay. I even packed a travel bag. Omasu and Okon guessed what I was up to though and stopped me. They said Aoshi would never forgive them if I were hurt. And anyway, Aoshi-sama needs me here, right? Can't he see how much I care for him?

Sometimes I think he sees how I feel. I can see words hiding behind his eyes. But someday I'll make him smile, and he'll be able to tell me: Misao, I care for you. You are important to me. I appreciate you. But ever since I brought Soujiro here he's become farther away from me than I ever. It's all my fault.

I turned to look at the nihontou on the shelf. When Soujiro had left it, I just wanted to leave it buried in the mud. But Jiya says no good blade should be ruined so he brought it in. Why couldn't I stop looking at that stupid sword?

I wonder what I would say to Soujiro if I could see him again. I would tell him he's a bad person, of course! What kind of sicko would screw with anyone's emotions like this? How can he smile like that, after all he's done? Nobody should have to hurt like this! It's all his fault!

CRASH.

I had squeezed the plate I was holding so hard it had broken. Blood dripped from a cut in my hand, but I let it run down my arm. The sound of the drip, drip, dripping of my blood mingled with the sound of my tears descending like spring rain.

"Misao? Misaaoo! You have a visitor…"

-Soujiro-

I can't believe I just waltzed right in to the Aoiya like this! I had staked out the Aoiya all night trying to decide whether or not to come in. I hadn't waited too close, though. The Oniwabanshu is probably out for my blood. And it had helped that Aoshi had left the Aoiya earlier this morning. I have a hunch that my head won't clear until I get this out of the way. I just want to leave this whole mess behind me. Because I never want to see the picture of Misao's sorrowful face in my mind ever, ever again.

Taking I deep breath, I walked right in through the front gate. It seems I was expected, though. A young woman stood with her arms crossed about twenty feet in front of me. She was pretty in a friendly sort of way, and wore a plain kimono with the sleeves tied back. She looked quite plain standing there, but she had a strong ki spirit. Obviously another one of the Oniwabanshu ninjas.

"Hello Seta Soujiro. I wondered if I would be able to meet you. I am Omasu. I'm glad you came back."

I was startled. "Why would you want me back here, Omasu-dono? After what I have done to you."

She smiled at me. "Because Misao saw good in you. And the good thing to do would be to come back, ne?"

"Wait, wait," I cut her off. Rude I know, but cut me some slack here! "Misao saw good… so she's not angry at me?"

Omasu laughed. She had an honest laugh, and it made me smile wider to hear it. "Kami-sama, no. She's furious at you! Come," she grabbed my shoulders forcefully and steered me toward the main house. "Let's go fix this whole messy affair, shall we?"

I let myself be shunted willingly. It doesn't look like I have a say in any of this, anyway.

"Ano, Omasu? Why are you…?"

"Helping you? Because that's what good people do. We help each other." Omasu smiled. "As long as you don't attack anything while you're here."

I pried myself away from her grip gently. "Omasu-dono, I think this was a bad idea. I am the Tenken, and what I did was unforgivable. I should just leave now."

Omasu whipped around haughtily. "Do you think I distrust Misao's judgment? She trusted you and you're just going to let it go! For shame! You were the Tenken, but you are also human. People change, Soujiro. Maybe she won't forgive you, but that's no excuse not to try. I will not stand here and allow you to let her down like this! Now march, Seta!"

I chuckled to myself. Omasu-dono was really a great person.

"Omasu-dono?"

"Yes, Soujiro?"

"Thank you."

"Oh shut up. You really are just a silly looking rurouni."

"Ara!"

-Misao-

A visitor? Could it be… Aoshi-sama?

"She's in the kitchen. Come on, hurry up, and don't keep her waiting. No no, the kitchen's that way."

A visitor, huh? Not Aoshi-sama, then… maybe it's Koaru? Why didn't she send a letter?

That's when Soujiro decided to enter the kitchen and saw me covered in my own blood.

-Soujiro-

I walked in the Aoiya's kitchen more nervous than I'd ever been in my life. Even more edgy than when I had an allergic reaction to those berries and I started attacking leaves. That was freaky weird.

I prepared for her to be furious at me. She'll probably throw stuff, or punch me. But whatever, I just don't want her to think of me as the unfeeling Tenken. I could feel, but maybe I just couldn't show her what I was feeling.

I was not prepared however, to see Misao-dono covered in blood with broken dishes littering the floor.

"Misao-dono! Misao-dono, what happened? Are you all right? How did you cut yourself?"

She motioned to the broken dishes. "I'm sorry, I just dropped a dish. It's no big deal." Her eyes were drooping. I grabbed her arm, tore off my jacket, and began cleaning the cut with water from the sink. The wound wasn't wide, but the thick clay dish had cut deep. And with her small frame, even a little blood loss would hit her hard. She slumped against my shoulder as I worked, and I could feel her warm breath on my neck. It made the hair stand up on my head. How could such a young girl intimidate me so much?

She looked at my face and frowned a confused little pout. "Wait a minute… Tenken?"

I set her down with a thump and backed away. "Ara, Misao-dono… I came back to-"

"Shut up! You stupid little… stupid face! How dare you show your face in here! I'll, I'll…" She got to her feet on stiff legs. I could see her entire body shaking in rage. Rage at seeing me here. I knew this was a bad idea. "Soujiro no Tenken, prepare yourself. I won't let you get away this time, you coward! You will pay for all your crimes! Whaaaaaa! KANSATSU TOBIKUNAI!"

Time seemed to move slowly. I could see every detail of emotion blazing across Misao's eyes, flick flick flick. I saw her tapered hands flying to her weapons and saw the kunais tear through the air towards me. I saw everything happen in less than a second, but it seemed like perpetuity. I could still stop them, could reach out and snatch them from the air. But I kept hearing my voice inside my head, from so many years ago.

But in reality…

Misao's eyes widened as she realized I wasn't going to move.

In reality…

I'm so sorry Misao. Sorry you had to meet such a baka Tenken like me.

Killing people wasn't…

My hands unclenched and dropped to my side.

killing people wasn't…

Why did I have to remember this memory at a time like this?

something that I wanted to do.

That's when the kunai shred through my clothes and ripped into my stomach.

"Wha…? Tenken, what are you doing! Soujiro? SOUJIRO!"

-Misao-

That freakish little twit! That smiley-faced bird-brained thoughtless baka know-nothing excuse for a rurouni! I dropped the rest of my kunais and ran to his side.

"Soujiro? SOUJIRO! What do you think you are doing! You idiot! Didn't you know those things were sharp? I would think that somebody like the Tenken would have enough common sense to know that SHARP THINGS HURT WHEN THROWN!"

Oh god, oh god, oh god. Kami-sama, I've never killed ANYTHING before! Except for that stupid spider, and that was an accident! Soujiro was sinking to the floor. His eyes were half closed. I laid his gently down on my lap. His lips moved softly as he spoke.

"Oh, Yumi-dono… I had the craziest dream. There was this girl… she was so pretty…"

I felt heat rise to my face. Did Soujiro really think I was pretty?

"…she looked like a weasel."

WHAT!

Soujiro's smile wilted slightly as he focused on my face. "Oh Misao-dono, it's you. It's nice to see you again. I just came to say… oh Misao-dono, I'm so, so sorry. I'm the biggest baka rurouni in the whole world. I don't deserve to… oh Misao-dono, why are you crying?"

He brushed a tear softly away with his fingertips. It made me shiver. "Soujiro, you stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid little baka…."

He put his hand to his gut and pulled out the kunai. "Misao-dono, am I dead?"

I checked the kunai. No blood on it…? But how could that be? A quick investigation and I discovered that the kunai I had thrown had become stuck in a thick paper package that had been inside his shirt. When I picked it up flower petal drifted from it all onto Soujiro's chest.

"Oh yes Misao-dono, I brought you flowers."

That dirty little…! I pushed him off of my lap and onto the floor roughly. "What! How dare you? I thought you were dying!"

Soujiro laughed uneasily and put up both his hands in defense. "Maa maa, Misao-dono, so did I!" His smiled softened and he came closer to me, and I tensed. "It's just… I've never had anyone cry for me before."

Oh Soujiro… would you have been different if you hadn't met Shishio like you did, so many years ago?

"Alrighty! I have made my decision."

For once Soujiro looked genuinely confused. "Decision to what?"

I grinned wickedly. "My decision on what to do with you, of course! I'm going to teach you how to be human! That is, to feel emotions like a normal person."

I stressed the word normal. Oh, this would be ever so much fun! "And it will count as an outstanding deed on my Oniwabanshu record! I will be the greatest leader of all time! Hee hee! Imagine, curing the Tenken of his warrior-like ways! I'll be practically famous!"

I conveniently decided to ignore the look of panic on Soujiro's face. He'd better be scared!

-Soujiro-

Holy. Crap.

Holy C-R-A-P.

HOLY CRAP!

Kami-sama, I was terrified! This chick is a psycho! But at least she wasn't angry with me anymore. That was good.

I wonder how exactly she'll teach me how to feel? I've gotten much better on my own. But sometimes I just have trouble expressing myself.

But there was one problem…

"Misao-dono." She stopped dancing around to look at me. Her eyes were so wide in innocent! "I'm afraid I can't stay. There is blood on my hands that will never come off."

She just stared at me for a good whole minute. I raised my eyebrows. Had I killed her or something?

"So take a bath."

"ARA!"

"If you're dirty, take a bath. It's only natural."

"But Misao-dono, I don't think you understand. These tainted hands-"

She cut me off. What a headstrong little weasel! "We have some really good herbal soap gramps likes to use. He's so vain like that. I bet he wouldn't mind if you used it. You don't look dirty to me, though."

Wow, Misao-dono sure wasn't shy. My smile widened slightly. "Ara, Misao-dono," I raised my hands in surrender. "It's alright. But in all seriousness, I really shouldn't stay. I have no right to impose upon all of you like this. I've caused enough trouble."

Instead of getting angry or confused at me, Misao-dono just smiled. "I understand. But Soujiro, you're still just human. Tenken is a title given to you by other human beings exactly like yourself. Don't you think it would be better to change that title for the better? At least just try?"

Oh Misao-dono, you are so kind! How can you bear to look at me? I understood what she meant, but I still wasn't sure if I could believe her. I had seen too much evil in people to suggest that everyone was made the same.

Almost like she could see what I was thinking, Misao-dono put her hand on my arm. She looked so small and sad. "Soujiro, we live in an imperfect world. Unfortunately, this means that there are people that suffer. But I believe that if I can ease this pain, just a little bit, then maybe I'll have accomplished something in my life. Himura believes the same thing, and I think you believe it too. Maybe you're just not sure how to do it."

I closed my eyes and tilted my head toward the ceiling. Wisdom could be found in the simplest of places, even in such a small girl. My smile widened. She was right, she had to be! That's why my heart had been so confused, why I felt so strange around her. I warm feeling rose into my chest and into my throat as I looked into her smiling eyes. Misao-dono really was a beautiful person. For a split second I looked into her eyes and I saw into her heart. It was so bright! I couldn't help but be dazzled by it's purity. Misao-dono was obviously someone who had never known evil. Perhaps she was what I needed to fulfill my promise to Himura-san.

"Misao-dono… can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, Sou. Shoot."

Shoot? Shoot what? I didn't even have a gun! "Uh… okay. Misao-dono… how old are you, exactly?"

"HOW OLD AM I? That's not a question you ask a young lady! But I'll forgive you this time, on account of you have no people skills. Anyway, I'm sixteen. Happy now?"

Sixteen? SIXTEEN? "Are you sure, Misao-dono! You look more like twelve!"

"WHAT!"

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Outside the kitchen, Omasu was laughing her head off. "Stupid teeneagers!"

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Author's Note: Ah, I suck at this. All my chapters feel rushed. Oh well, at least my story will get to the point quickly. I'll try to slow it down, honest! The next chapters I will concentrate on some waff for you! Waff is the luvverlyest!