III

"What the hell is this?" shouted Kaoru. Posted to the front door of her dojo was a large paper sign with black ink. In crude English lettering it announced:

NOW OFFERING ROOM AND BOARD TO FOREIGN VISITORS.

VERY REASONABLE PRICE. INQUIRE INSIDE.

Only one name came to her mind. "Sanosuke Sagara!" Sano, who was in the house, immediately shot his head up. Yahiko pointed to him.

"You must be in trouble. She used both your names." Sano let out a sarcastic laugh and stood up to go confront his greatest adversary.

"Yes?" he said quite innocently as he approached the steaming kettle of a woman.

"Sano, would you please tell me what the hell's going on here?" she politely demanded as she pointed to the sign.

"What? You're always nagging me to start pulling my weight around here. I figured I could make myself useful by getting the dojo some extra money."

"Yes, but did you consult me before going through with this little venture? Do you ever bother to use that thing between your ears?" Kaoru rolled her eyes and sighed in frustration. "I honestly feel like I'm living with fucking children. At least more than just…"

"Excuse me." Kaoru jumped several feet in the air before turning around. A bespectacled man of about thirty was standing in front of her. He wore a uniform consisting of light blue trousers and a dark blue double breasted coat with gold buttons. On his feet were black cavalry boots on either shoulder were gold leaves of some sort that neither Kaoru nor Sano could identify. Upon his head was a slanted cap, much like the one Kaoru had seen French soldiers wearing. "I'm sorry if I scared you ma'am. I'm interested in your room." Before Kaoru could open her mouth to answer in the English she had learned from her husband, Sano took over.

"Right this way sir. Why we go inside and further discuss things?"

"Oh, bully. I suppose I should introduce myself. I'm lieutenant-colonel Will Kiefer, United States Marine Corps."

"Quite nice to meet you Will. I'm Sagara Sanosuke." Sano placed his arm around Will's shoulder into and the pair walked into the house. He had done so at just the right time, for Kaoru hands had stopped but a few inches away from choking him. Again she sighed, and followed the two into the house. She wasn't about to give up.

XXXXXXXX

"Now, Mister Kiefer, what brings you down to our humble little dojo?" asked Sano.

"Well, the Marine Corps allow for officers the option of staying aboard the ship if they wish, but I they want to, they can seek other accommodations while off duty at their own expense. I figured anything would be an improvement after six months aboard that tin-coffin."

"Well, I'm afraid you'll have to seek your accommodations elsewhere, Mister Kiefer." Kaoru had appeared in the doorway. "I'm terribly sorry, but you see, my mentally challenged brother here put up that sign without my knowing. So you see, we have no rooms in fact." Sano's eye twitched. He didn't appreciate the mentally challenged comment, not that anyone would. More so, he didn't appreciated being called her brother.

"Oh, I see. Well if that's the case, then I'm terribly sorry I wasted your time." Will stood and replaced his cap before gathering his carpet-bag and walking towards the door. A small pouch dropped to the ground from a source which neither Kaoru nor Sano could see. Several large gold pieces dropped out. "Oh dear." He gathered the coins slowly, not noticing Kaoru or Sano's expression of disbelief. "Well, I'll just be on my wa…"

"Mr. Kiefer!" In another sudden mood swing, Kaoru became far more cheerful and polite. "I don't know what I was talking about! Of course we have rooms! Please forgive my oversight!" She took him by hand and jerked him away. "Now, let me show you." Sano could offer no words of restraint.