The clear blue sky brought a pleasant afternoon to the residents of Aoiya. The sun was shining so brightly that even the darkest corners were lit up. Carriages occupied the streets, vendors and restaurant owners filled them with noise. In the middle of the road, Sanosuke and Yahiko walked beneath the hot, bright afternoon sunshine.

"What are we looking for anyway?", Yahiko asked impatiently.

"We got the bean curd, the noodles, the shiitake mushrooms,", Sano said, counting the list of menu. "All we need is beef and we're going home!"

"Alright!", Yahiko said in relief. "What is Misao up to anyways?"

"I think she's going to cook her specialty this lunch. That's why I volunteered to buy these for her!", Sano smiled.

"Oh, yeah I love Misao's cooking!", Yahiko replied. "But isn't it strange that she wanted to cook this lunch? You know, she often tells that she doesn't like cooking that much."

"Ooh, boy, you ask too many questions!", Sano grumbled. "But, yeah, I agree. I wonder what's gotten into her…"

0-0-0-0-0-

Kenshin and Okina sat face to face. The old man continued to sip on his tea as Kenshin discussed his problem to him. Himura was helpful to others all the time, but his situation now is different, especially when he heard the name of the Tenken. Kenshin tried hard to convince him that the boy has renewed of his past and that the government has framed him due to possible reasons. Though Okina believed in him with his entire mind, he could still sense that there is a bigger problem to be solved.

"Okina," Kenshin called, "I know that we're not safe as long as the boy is here. But we're already involved now, so we might as well help him."

Okina sipped on his tea again before replying, "Yes. I know. That kid owes us a lot!"

"Yeah.. But honestly I have no idea what to do with him now.", Kenshin jeered.

Okina rested his hands on the table, thinking. "Well—he could invent his own phony death.. or.."

"Or?"

"… kiss his loved ones goodbye and jump off a cliff."

"Come on, old man.", Kenshin insisted. "I know he can take care of himself but I don't really know if he knows how to stay in control."

"Sincerely, I think this is a tough situation here, even I couldn't think of a better solution.", Okina admitted. "Where is that boy anyways?"

0-0-0-0-0-

"Show me that Reduced Earth you're talking about!"

Soujiro, who was still fresh from his injuries, sat at the pavement, watching Misao fling her arms as she insisted. He already thanked her for the heart breakfast, but it seems that the bubbly ninja wants more gratitude. She continued to tug his clothing and plead him to tell more of his skills with a demo. Maybe if I just keep smiling, she would quit. Just like the old times. Heh heh.

"Soujiro! I wont quit bugging you, silly brat! Show me some moves!"

"Alright, alright.", Soujiro sighed. He stood up, grabbing the wooden pole to assist him. It wasn't such a bother at all, in fact, he wanted to show off what he's got to her.

"Keep an eye on me! You don't have a clue of how fast I am!", he tilted his head cockily. Misao raised an eyebrow.

He prepared for his signature move confidently as Misao watched, waiting to be impressed. Then he almost did it, he switched to his fastest speed when he remembered his slightly broken leg.

He dropped to the ground, clutching his leg like a kid. "Hurts like shit!", he moaned.

She giggled like a maniac as he curled in pain. "I cant believe you're that fast. My—I haven't seen every detail of your fall!", she teased.

Running to him, she offered a hand to help him get up. "You didn't remind me of your leg. Sorry.", she apologized with a smile. "As if you haven't seen it!", Soujiro said, grabbing her hand.

"Sit beside me at the pavement.", he requested. They both sat beside each other, and it took a while before they spoke again.

"Have you toured Aoiya? I mean—all of it?", she asked.

He sighed in frustration. "In case you forgot, Miss, I AM WANTED."

"Before you were wanted!", she repeated her question.

"Not really."

"I see…", she thought out loud. "There's a nearby river that's so pretty, especially during the night. I wanted you to see it, Sou."

"If you really wanted the Meiji guys to execute me, I'll go with you. ", he replied.

"Aaargh!", she groaned, slapping his head softly. "It's so very near here! We could walk at the backyard and reach it in no time! And it's not really visited by people. It's just so scary at night."

"Oh yeah, right. You wanted to take me to scary place."

"Just listen!", she slapped his head one more time. "Most of the residents don't really go there because it's so dark late at night. But what they didn't know is, if they wait a little longer, the fireflies will come and make it such a beautiful scenery."

"…."

" I wanna take you there."

0-00-0-0-0-

That afternoon, the kitchen was unusually noisy. Most if the times, Kaoru was the one working at it (and it is the least visited part of the house, except for Yahiko and Sanosuke). Kaoru was always there, humming a tune to herself while preparing meals. That afternoon, surprisingly, was different. Two ladies worked, each with a ladle in hand.

"I cant believe Sano forgot the shrimp! How could I make tempura wit this?", Misao complained.

"Sincerely, Misao, I don't know why you're preparing like there's going to be a feast or something. What's the occasion?", Kaoru asked.

"Man! That Sanosuke wont eat any of these meals!", Misao growled, ignoring her question.

As the ladies moved around the kitchen busily, Sano and Yahiko eavesdropped behind the thin sliding door. The two have been curious since morning about Misao's sudden change of attitude towards cooking. The last time they pleaded her to cook lunch; they ended up hungry all day. She wasn't eager to even prepare tea for all of them. Today, she was so enthusiastic about food.

"Heh! Seems like you wont be eating today, chicken wuss!", Yahiko teased silently.

"Shut up!", Sano answered back. "When Misao serves your food, I'm going to take it for myself!"

"Did you ask Yahiko to go with him? I told him to buy shrimp, too. Looks like both of them will skip lunch.", Kaoru suddenly said.

"What the--?", Yahiko gasped.

"Ha! So much for you, midget!", Sano stuck out his tongue.

"Idiot!", Yahiko grinned. "That means no food for you too!"

"Ssshh!"

"You know Kaoru,", Misao said, "I wanted to prove to you that I can do what you asked me. You know, show Soujiro some hospitality."

"Aaah.", Kaoru said. "So that's why you're excited to cook today!"

Yahiko and Sanosuke stared at each other with naughty grins.

"I knew it! That boy is the cause of this lunch."

"Too bad we ain't eating nothin' today. But that boy will surely.."

"Surely be served as many plates as he wants! Damn!"

"Hey, Sano, what if we.."

Yahiko whispered something to him, and after he's finished… they exchange naughty grins again.

"You're one mean kid, Yahiko, and I like it!"