Chapter Three

Disclaimer: (chapter 2 and 3) I do not own RK.

The Answer is Love

Misao stared back at the person who she hit unintentionally. She saw that the person was a boy who seemed to enjoy staring and smiling at her. The guy was good-looking in a cute and innocent sort of way but then Misao didn't seem to care. If Misao had concentrated on knowing who the guy was rather than glaring at him, then maybe she would figure out that it was Soujiro Seta, Makoto Shishio's former number one assassin.

Soujiro looked intently at the girl. She was scowling but that didn't stop her face from looking cute. She had a charmingly murderous look on her face that was just so amusing that Soujiro couldn't help but smile wider. He totally forgot the fact that this girl was with Kenshin when they first met there in the Shingetsu village, the Oniwabanshuu okashira, Misao Makimachi.

The two youths just stared at each other; one glaring and the other smiling.

"Hey, aren't you two getting off the street! I have a freaking delivery to make!" a ramen delivery man bellowed, annoyed by the fact that two annoying teenagers were standing in the way of him and his destination.

Ending their staring contest, Soujiro offered his hand to help Misao get up. Misao frowned even more as she stood up by herself saying, "I can stand by myself, thanks very much" in a tone that was meant to scare the wits out of the ex-Tenken. They moved to the side of the street and heard the delivery man cussing, using words such as "lousy kids", "stupid day" and "messed-up life".

"Good morning to you miss! I'm sorry to have blocked your way." Soujiro said not getting rid of that adorable little smile he has. "Well, it's best to be off now. I have a journey to go to! I hope that we meet again, just not running into each other." He turned to where he was originally going and then he continued walking.

"Hey you there! Yes, I mean you, you smiling idiot! We've got a score to settle" Misao shouted angrily, catching the attention of the surrounding people. No one turns his back on Misao Makimachi, especially a moronic idiot who bumps her on the road!

Soujiro turned back and looked around if the girl was still there. Oh boy, here we go. "Is there something you want, Ms.-"

"The name's Misao Makimachi and you are going to pay for crashing into me there at the road!"

Soujiro grinned. This Misao Makimachi was a very fun and amusing person indeed. He bowed down and introduced himself, "My name is Soujiro Seta and I am a wanderer."

Misao gasped. Soujiro Seta… wasn't he that dangerous guy from the Juppongatana? He's a wanderer now? No, he could be seeking revenge for his fried master!

Misao didn't know what to do. This was a dangerous guy. Being a ninja, she cannot let herself be fooled by the sweet act the Tenken was putting up here. She needed to be vigilant. She will show him that she was going to kick his ass!

Soujiro raised an eyebrow and he waved his hand over Misao's face. "Um, Makimachi-san? Do you still want to talk? If not then I'd better get going." Realizing that he couldn't break the trance, Soujiro walked away again.

"Hey Tenken! I know who you are! I'm not falling for your pathetic sweet talk! Come back here and fight!" Misao proclaimed again, pointing at Soujiro. The townspeople, who were getting annoyed, decided to ignore them, thinking that what they were doing was the modern and noisy way of making friends.

Soujiro's blue eyes widened. She called me Tenken. Should I run away or should I talk to her? Soujiro once again didn't know what to do.

Misao didn't want to give Soujiro any other option. She ran over to him and seized his collar and made him face her. "Listen here, are you going to fight or not? Oh yeah, in case you don't remember, I'm that babe that was with Himura in the Shingetsu village. Does your thick head register any of this?"

Soujiro gave her his most innocent smile before saying, "Yes, I remember now, Makimachi-san. But please, I already told you that I am a wanderer. Wanderers just go around. They don't fight."

Misao raised her brow. "Well, what's the katana for? Those are illegal you know. And don't call me Makimachi-san! It's Misao!"

Soujiro laughed. "Do you want to see my katana, Misao-san?" Without waiting for an answer, he unsheathed his sword. It was a little dull but still brilliantly silver. "My katana is now what I like to call my personal pocketknife. Well, it's not really pocket-sized but it's still sharp enough to cut plants for food and it's still good for cutting hair." He touched his short brown hair for emphasis. He put his katana back in its scabbard and he tied it to his hakama again.

Misao's mouth dropped open. Soujiro was a wanderer and it was no joke. Then it dawned upon her. The idea of the century had just hit Misao. She smiled back at the ex-Tenken, who was inwardly pleased that she did.

"I suppose you wouldn't want the name Tenken now, right? Ok, I'll call you Soujiro." She said happily, and then she wrinkled her nose. "Nah, Soujiro's too long. I'll call you 'Sou' then. Ok, do you mind having breakfast with me at the Shirobeko? Ok we're eating there. Did you get that Sou?"

Soujiro nodded and grinned as wide as he could. He couldn't help it; for the first time within a long period, something felt fun. Misao smiled widely as well, doing the v-shaped peace sign with her fingers.

"Well, let's go then!" Misao urged, pulling Soujiro, who was likewise enthusiastic and excited as Misao was.

After six bowls of noodles and a cup of tea at the Shirobeko…

"Misao-san, do you realize that you've eaten what I could've eaten in three days in just three minutes?" Soujiro asked the person that was sitting across him in a booth in the Shirobeko. He was a little worried about both Misao's stomach and the bill they were going to pay. Mr. Yagami certainly gave a lot of money but he didn't want to spend it all in one go.

Misao pouted and gave him her most innocent look. "But Sou, I'm still hungry… Oh never mind. It's ok, you could leave me here, all hungry and alone…" she said, every word just saying 'pity me' Hehehe, no one ever survives this… Misao thought evilly.

Soujiro sighed in defeat. And then he smiled. "Ok then, Misao-san. Just please make sure that you'll be fine after your seventh bowl." Soujiro turned to the waiter and signaled him over.

"What will be your order, sir?" the waiter asked, poised to write in his order slip.

"Can I please have another order of noodles and another cup of tea?" Soujiro asked politely.

"Will be here in five minutes!" the perky waiter smiled and immediately left to carry out the order.

Soujiro turned to Misao who was just grinning like a little girl who got a new toy.

She looks so happy and innocent. Maybe she is loved. Or maybe she gives out love. I wish I could be like that… Soujiro thought, slowly drifting away from reality.

"Sou, hey Sou. Earth to Sou!"

"Ara! Ah, Misao-san. What do you want?" said Soujiro, quickly breaking away from his thoughts.

Misao raised her eyebrow. "Ara? Do wanderers normally use those words? " Soujiro laughed weakly.

"Anyway, um, since you are a wanderer and all, would you mind accompanying an attractive, smart, strong and beautiful woman in your journey?" Misao asked, batting her long lashes for effect. This was her plan from the beginning. She was going to ask this wanderer to escort her to Hokkaido. As she doesn't know the way, the plan seemed practical and easy to execute. She'd be in Hokkaido in no time.

"And I assume that you are referring to yourself?" Soujiro smiled, raising one of his eyebrows.

"Why, you noticed!" Misao said all her cuteness showing. Winking, she laughed and gave Soujiro (who laughed along) a thumbs-up sign.

Misao stopped laughing and moved her face closer to Soujiro's and whispered something. "No, seriously, I need to get to Hokkaido because I need to save my Aoshi-sama from this pathetic guy actually thinks that he could beat him."

"Shinomori-san?" Soujiro asked a question wherein Misao responded with a nod.

"Hokkaido? Well Misao-san, I don't really know…" Soujiro stuttered. He has never been to Hokkaido and he knows only a limited number of facts regarding the said island.

"You don't understand why I'm going? Well, I'll let you in then." Misao interrupted, leaning back on her seat. "My Aoshi-sama needs my help. Well, technically he doesn't but I just want to be with him when he is in dangerous situations like that. I'm willing to risk even my life for him and I want him to know that."

Soujiro was once again surprised. Risk her life…? That sounds familiar… "Misao-san, do you love Shinomori-san?"

Misao glared at him. "Stupid question, smiley. Well duh, of course I love him! I love him more than life itself! Why the hell would I go if I don't love him!" Misao folded her arms and looked around the restaurant which was very crowded with patrons even at the early morning.

"I'm sorry for asking such a pathetic question, Misao-san." Soujiro said, looking down and ashamed. Just then, the same beaming waiter arrived with one bowl of noodles and one cup of tea.

"Here you go! Enjoy your meal!" he said, carefully putting down their orders on the table. He bowed one last time and then he left.

"Um, Misao-san, your noodles are here. Would you please eat them? And would you please smile again?" Soujiro pleaded, pushing the steaming bowl towards the weasel girl.

Immediately, as if nothing had happened, Misao grinned again and took the gigantic bowl containing those delicious noodles. "Oh come on, Sou! You're so serious! You should know that I wasn't really that offended. That would be stupid!" She proceeded to her food happily.

Soujiro's eyes widened and then he smiled.

Misao-san, you are strange... in an amusingly nice way... I was right, you do love… I can't though. I don't even know what that is… Soujiro took his cup and gulped down his tea.

In a matter of seconds, the once-filled bowl of noodles and the cup of tea were empty. Soujiro called for the bill and the perky waiter said that it would take a while which gave Misao and Soujiro a longer time to talk.

"Ok Sou, it's decided, you'll travel with me. It will be fun, trust me! And don't you think that you'd be lonely traveling alone?" Misao asked honestly.

Soujiro looked down at the floor. Yes, it really did seem lonely… "Yes, Misao-san but…"

Misao put a finger in front of the ex-Tenken's face and waving it as a mother would do to her bratty kid. "Yeah, I know, I'd be a burden. Yeah right! I'd live even if you threw me in a pit of snakes! I just want someone to talk to because it gets boring sometimes. Plus with a wanderer with you, I wouldn't have to ask those idiotic morons for directions."

Soujiro wanted to tell her that he didn't know the way but Misao was getting annoyed. "Look, buddy, if you don't come with me I'll shred you into pieces whether you're the Tenken or not before!" she said angrily holding one of her kunai in front of his face. Despite the playful attempt at his life, Soujiro laughed. Misao gave him a deadly glare.

"What's so funny, you idiot?"

"You just look adorable with the 'I'll shred you to pieces' thing!" he chuckled, covering his mouth with his hand. Misao raised her brow, slowly slumped back in her seat and was now wondering how strange Soujiro was. She appreciated the fact that she was told to be adorable but she was supposed to be a deadly ninja chick!

"Your bill sir!" the waiter had returned with a little paper. Soujiro stopped laughing and he gave a small bow to the waiter with his head. "Thank you." He took and read the paper. "Oh is this it? Can you change these gold coins for more acceptable money?" he said, giving the bag of gold coins that Mr. Yagami had given him. "I don't have anything else, you see."

The waiter remained happy as he took the bag to the main office of the restaurant.

Misao gaped at Soujiro. "How much money do you really have? Gold coins?" This guy's loaded… he just has to come with me!

Soujiro smiled. "Long story." He said simply.

"Hey sir! Here's your money. I must say that you have a lot! Just for your information, we already deducted the amount you needed to pay." The waiter had returned quicker than usual with Soujiro's money. Soujiro stood up and smiled, thanking the waiter for the food and the service there in the Shirobeko. The waiter did likewise, only this time thanking Soujiro for choosing the Shirobeko. Soujiro went to the entrance of the restaurant and he was about to go until something pulled on his arm.

"Do you really think that you'd be leaving without me?" Misao yelled, irked because Soujiro had almost left her in the restaurant.

Soujiro laughed. "No, don't worry Misao-san. I'll help you get on your way. Just please don't kill me!" he joked. Soujiro thought that he may learn what love is from Misao's love for Aoshi and having a companion like Misao would be truly fun and not at all lonely. He still had that issue about how to get to Hokkaido properly but he knew that, somehow, nothing wrong would happen.

Misao laughed along as well, half the reason is because of Soujiro's joke and the other half is because she was going to Hokkaido to meet her Aoshi.

For those reasons, the two youths walked out of the restaurant happily, Misao's hand still on Soujiro's arm.

"My, my. They look like a happy little couple." Said Soujiro and Misao's attending waiter, watching the "happy couple" go out into Kyoto's busy streets.

Ok, this chapter is definitely going to turn you off, mainly for the OOC-ness, the choppiness, the lack of creativity, the ugliness of the story, the author (ouch), and the grammar, also known as the whole chapter. I bet you'd all be thinking how pathetic this chapter was compared to the other two. But anyway, please review and have mercy on the moronic idiot writing the story. She needs all the help she can get.

To all those who reviewed, thanks very much! You've all been very supportive and it really makes me happy! Sorry if I disappointed you with this chapter… (Goes over to wall and bangs head against it).

Moronicus