Nikki's Notes: Okay. Thanks for the reviews, but hey, I just don't get it. I meant it when I said I love Soujiro! So I'm not going to be mean to him for the rest of the fic! I respect your opinions, but please, read before you react (and saying that it's so senseless). I accept any kind of criticism as long as it doesn't get too personal. I hope you wont be afraid to give more reviews (yay, I don't bite). Thanks again—and PEACE OUT! I'm also a huge Soujiro fan!
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"Kenshin! You wont believe what Kaoru and I saw."
Yahiko was panting, with Kaoru behind him, clutching a bag of tofu. Kenshin could see the look of disbelief on his face, sweat rolling down his face. "What about it, Yahiko?"
"You remember the boy you told us about? The one whom Shishio brainwashed?"
Kenshin paused, wondering. "Soujiro Seta? What about him?"
"Is he dead?", Sanosuke asked.
"Sano, don't be so mean!", Kaoru said. She went to the kitchen to return the bag of tofu, then came back with worry in her eyes. "He's wanted for the bombing of the Kyoto police station."
"What!", Kenshin gasped, standing up from his position.
"I know he wouldn't do such a thing!", Sano protested. "When we left him, he was a changed person, right, Kenshin?"
"Yes. I believe so.", Kenshin agreed.
Yahiko turned his eyes to Kaoru, who was obviously on Kenshin's side. A look of doubt crossed his face. "But… you cant be so sure, right?"
There was silence in the room for a minute, giving Kenshin a time to think.
"Yahiko's right. But…", Kenshin paused, thinking harder. "I believe that he REALLY is a changed man. He even asked help from me because he doesn't want to be wrong anymore."
"Well,", Sano said. "If what Kenshin said was right, I bet Soujiro can handle himself!"
"Sano, stop being a jerk.", Kaoru hissed. "Kenshin, I think this is a time to help. As far as I know, the punishment for such a crime is…. Public execution." Her face revealed sadness, as if convincing Kenshin to do what is asked.
All the while that her friends were talking, Misao leaned against the wall, listening hardly to everything they say. Soujiro Seta? She had heard his name before, especially when Kenshin returned after defeating Makoto Shishio. Everyday, Kenshin would narrate the battles that he went through, and that's when he mentioned his name. Tenken no Soujiro. The Divine Sword.
Misao was pretty impressed by Kenshin's ability to make his enemies realize how wrong they were. Soujiro Seta's story was probably the most emotional she has ever heard, the reason behind that fake smile, and how he told Kenshin, "Back then, you didn't protect me!". She also knew that Kenshin had defeated him because he showed a lot of emotions, something that he hasn't done for years. That was all she knew about him. His face, his features and the power of his smile is unknown to her.
"If he really is in Aoiya, then we would need someone to track him down.", Kaoru said. "And that someone is…", she paused, then quickly moved the sliding door to her side, revealing an eavesdropping Misao. "…Ms. Makamichi."
"Aha!", Yahiko winked. "How long have you been listening?"
"Well, I keep hearing about the police station.", Misao lied.
"Misao…", Kenshin spoke. "The person who is known to be the culprit needs our help. He was an enemy before buti know this is just one big mistake. I know you have heard this before, Misao."
She eyed Kenshin for a second, then crossed her arms. "Something tells me that this boy is guilty."
"But Misao, Kenshin promised to help him. I think now is the perfect time to do that. If there's someone who knows how to roam the streets of Aoiya, that's you.", Kaoru pleaded.
Misao thought about what her friends had said. Should she really help that stranger? Does a former member of the Juppon Gatana deserve her mercy?
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The streets of Aoiya were like a small garden to Misao. Everyday she would roam them, climbing on top of houses. She almost memorized the daily activities of the people. Today, however, she will roam the streets in search of a bandit. Someone who is not worthy of her time.
If it hasn't been her friendship with Kenshin and the others, she would strongly disapprove of helping that boy, no matter how dramatic his life story may seem. All members of the Juppon Gatana deserve to be executed, if not imprisoned. She tells herself every step she takes, with Kenshin and the others following her from behind.
"Exactly how can we find him if he is wanted?", she asked impatiently, pausing right in the middle of the street. Who is this bastard whom they are seeking?
"Right here, Misao.", Kenshin said. He stood near a wall wit ha poster of a boy with a smiling face. Misao stared at the sketch, scratching her head. Is this Soujiro Seta?
The sketch could be inaccurate, but surely it could be the closest resemblance of the suspect. A small, feminine face with boyish bangs and the curl of his lips so well-defined that she thought he had the most "practiced" smile she had ever seen. The suspect looked no older than herself. "The suspect is a… kid?", she said in disbelief.
"Well—yes! I've seen him myself!"
All of them looked at the man who spoke. He was a small, thin man with unruly hair dressed in a green peasant shirt.
"You've seen him?", Yahiko asked.
"He spent 2 nights in my inn and he just left this morning! I didn't know he was wanted!", the man angrily shouted at himself.
"Mister, did he mentioned where he might be going?", Kaoru asked.
The man shrugged his shoulders angrily. "He looks like a homeless, wandering bastard to me! Damn., that boy made weird sounds last night, I had to shut him up! Bad thing the police released these posters late. I shouldve made lots of money from that bastard!"
"Wait a minute!", Sano protested. "If Soujiro knows he is wanted, why would he still stay in your inn?"
"You mean he doesn't know about his crimes? Stupid kid!", the man hissed.
"Well, with all these posters around., he might have the knowledge that he is wanted…", Kaoru sighed, looking at the dozen of posters against the walls.
Kenshin stood frozen. "Something seems quite wrong about this… though I'm not sure what…", he said.
"Whatever it is, we have no time! Do you want to find that boy or what?", Misao demanded.
To her surprise, her friends were all suspended in deep thoughts, all of them, even the brainless Sanosuke. Misao tried to analyze the problem: Seta does not know he is wanted. How could it be possible if he did a crime? Or… did he do a crime?
"The Kyoto police station was bombed last night, as the news said.", Kenshin said.
"That is correct.", Misao followed.
"The innkeeper said that Soujiro was noisy last night and he had to hush him down. Which means…"
"Soujiro was at the inn last night."
Kenshin's aura began to change. All of them stared at each other's eyes, passing a message that they have all realized.
Soujiro Seta is being framed.