A/N: I don't know if readers want any romance in here…NOT Kikari and Soujirou together, but romance in general…?

Chapter 3. "Ignorance is Bliss…"

They sat apart in silence. The dark sky made angry roars and thunder was waiting to strike down to earth and it's inhabitors. The streets were empty of people, no one would dare stay outside where thunder threathened and rain fell cold.

Soujirou looked to Kikari, like a child who broke mother's china sets, "Gomen nasai."

Her face was hidden behind folded arms, and her head was burrowed into her knees, "…For what?" she mumbled.

"For causing you trouble." he said.

"Iie…it's alright." She looked up at him and smiled, "I don't mind."

Being abused and tortured, yet shadowing every emotion felt behind a smile, it reminded Soujirou of much. He wondered why he had to smile like so too.

It was getting cold as evening faded to night. She rubbed her shoulders and hoped for a better weather. "Here." He handed her his blue kimono, "…It'll keep you warm."

Kikari accepted it with a nod and threw it over her shoulders, "You are kind."

"Arigatou." He leaned against the stone wall under the bridge, "Again, I am sorry. Where are you going to go now? I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble…"

"Futami, it's alright. I don't know where, but I'll think of something." She assured him false hope. Now that she made her jisan mad, he'll never take her back, he'd kill her. But somehow, being with Futami made everything better.

"Where ever you're going, may I come with you? I haven't a clue what I'm doing…I don't even know who I am." Soujirou sighed, "But I have a feeling, that I don't want to know who I was…"

"I know I wouldn't want to…In a sense, Futami, you don't know how lucky you are, to forget everything, not having to take painful memories with you."

"Kikari." He called for the first time, "I understand…I know how you feel-"Soujirou paused, "…I…know you feel."

Kikari smiled, "You must've gotten used to it…Not like me. I am weak."

"Hold on, and you'll make it."

"I understand," she turned away, "but sadly…the world doesn't work that way. The weak die easily, but the strong live."

"The weak die easily, but the strong live." He repeated.

"And it isn't going to change anytime soon…" she sighed.

"The weak die…the strong live…" Soujirou closed his eyes, "The strong will live...and the weak must die…"

She glanced at him, "Futami?"

"Yes…?"

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes…it is."

What she had in her hands was a soft cotton and acrylic fabric. It was warm and comfortable so she rubbed her checks against it. The rising sun warmed her back, the birds began to chirp and crickets stopped composing. Kikari awoke to find the running river as calm as it could ever be.

She lifted her head up to see Soujirou staring at the river also, "Oya! Sumimasen I…I didn't mean to lean on you."

"No problem."

Kikari blushed and dusted his kimono. She sheepishly smiled and said, "Saa, It's better if we get going, at least before my jisan wakes up. If he finds us here, then…Saa. Never mind that."

As usual, the bazaar was crowded and stuffy, especially on a hot day like this.

Kikari took the opportunity to commune, "How are you? Feeling better?"

"Sou desu." He smiled.

"I'm glad then."

They walked through together in the thick crowds and bargain hungry sales people. Kikari clutched onto the sleeve of his kimono afraid to get lost. She felt protected although it was a silly thought. She never felt so shy towards a boy before, let alone such a handsome boy.

"The latest news!" a man yelled, "Extra extra! Come get the latest news! The jupongatana's downfall and Makoto Shishio's end!"

"Shishio?" Soujirou stopped dead in his tracks.

"No, I'm sorry Ma'a- I mean, sir. Sumimasen. But we can't repair such a…an uncommon weapon." The blacksmith placed the blade on the counter.

"Sou ka…Well then, Thank you for trying anyway." He took his belongings and left the store, I wonder if I'll ever use it again anyway… He knew he was running into false hope, but not all of him believed it was really over.

"Extra extra! Come get the latest news! The jupongatana's downfall and Makoto Shishio's end!" An advertising man yelled.

Shishio-sama…I'll never forget you.

"May I have one of those? Please?" A boy asked.

Instantly, Honjou turned around to see for himself, if it really was who he heard, "Soujirou-san."

Excuse my procrasination. I was in a rush, I have a project due tomorrow and so I had to rush this chapter before i go to bed.