Excerpt from the previous chapter:

After Sano left and Yahiko went to the Akabeko briefly, to get her a meal, Kaoru got up from her futon. She felt a little dizzy at first from being in bed so long, but she managed to change. It was a crazy idea, but she knew it was the only thing that could comfort her; she had to see if she could find Kenshin.

"Kaoru-san, you're awake," Soujiro smiled at her.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have fallen asleep," Kaoru was too embarrassed to look at him.

"It's alright. Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, I think so." Kaoru looked off in the distance, trying to hide her rosy face.

"Do you want me to help you find him? Of course if we find him you'll have to hide me, "Soujiro laughed, trying to cheer her up.

"No, it'll be alright. I'm just tired, tired of chasing him like a puppy chases his master; I'm not like that. No! I am the Rose of Kendo, the very successful teacher who manages all by herself with many soon-to-be students, I don't need another mouth to feed, I have enough with Sano and Yahiko who eat entirely too much, you really should see how much they eat, I mean gosh give your stomach a break-"

"Kaoru-san you're rambling," Soujiro let out a small laugh. He knew she was pushing herself but knew it was good that she wasn't the type to linger. He admired how strong she was, even if she only pretended.

"I guess I am. I should be getting home; Kaoru looked up at the sky and saw a bird fly overhead under the sun which somehow inspired her to be a little daring, "Would you walk me home, I could also feed you once we are there. I don't know about you, but I am hungry," Kaoru smiled. Soujiro was weary about it because he didn't want to confront Kenshin if he had happened to return or his comrades, but her invitation was so attractive that he gave in.

On their way to Kaoru's home they walked along the less commuted paths to avoid confrontation. They conversed, more small talk than anything, but it kept her mind occupied and that's what she needed now. She couldn't imagine how it would be when it was late at night and all she had was herself and her emotions, she shook off the idea and interrupted her thought process when they reached the long bridge which signaled that they were almost to their destined location.

"Wait, let's stop for a second," Kaoru walked to the edge of the bridge and began looking for something in the water.

"What is it? Are you tired?" Soujiro thought she had taken a break to cry or something of that nature because they had been silently walking up until that point. Perhaps she let her thoughts get to her, he thought.

"No, just come over here, look," She pointed to some huge fish that were splashing about right under the bridge; their scales illuminated as water and sun met on their backs.

"Wow, that's very beautiful, I haven't ever seen anything like that before," Soujiro leaned over further to see if he could catch a better glimpse.

"Yeah, I discovered this a while ago, Ken-, someone mentioned it to me."

"It's a very nice show," They both kept their eyes on the water below as the fish began to finish their sun dance.

"Soujiro…can I ask you something?" Kaoru looked at him as he looked down.

"Sure, go ahead," he kept looking down even though the fish swam on.

"How do you fell with yourself? I mean your conscience?" Kaoru heard herself and immediately noticed how incorrect that sounded, "I'm not accusing you, I mean, just how do you feel?" Her voice softened but fell short of pity, she didn't want him to think he needed to be pitied, and after all, he was or might still be a swordsman.

"Well, it's a complicated answer, but simply put: I just keep on going, trying to find something to make me forget, for even just a little while. " Soujiro smiled softly at her and then looked ahead to the setting sun. He knew that her intentions weren't malicious so he didn't get angry at her question.

After a few minutes of peaceful silence Soujiro suggested they move on and so they did. They walked closely together and many times their hands touched but there was never a permanent contact. Kaoru's curiosity grew more and more about his past life. She couldn't help but think how sad his eyes looked when she asked him that question, even though he continued smiling. She wanted to know. She wanted to help him, but she didn't know how, but she wouldn't stop trying as long as they kept seeing each other.

They arrived shortly and Kaoru invited him in, against her instinct.

"I really don't think I should. If the others saw me it would bring unnecessary conflicts into your home. " Soujiro rethought his decision.

"Who cares about those freeloaders, they have no say, come on, " Kaoru grabbed him by the wrist without realizing it and dragged him in. Soujiro could only smile, what a character he thought, after all that she still had the spirit to be bossy.

Kaoru wasn't dumb, she looked cautiously around as she showed Soujiro in. As she walked to the eating area she saw a bokken on the floor. This made her angry, how many times had she told him to his things away after practice? She got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach as she heard Yahiko's voice.

"Oi! Ugly, is that you? I'm hungry and Sano is out!" Phew, at least the biggest loudmouth was out. Kaoru quickly let go of Soujiro and fixed her hair nervously, as she realized she was holding his wrist the whole time.

"W-what do you want," Kaoru looked at Yahiko nervously.

"Um…" Yahiko said rudely as he looked at Soujiro wondering who he was.

"Heh," Soujiro suddenly felt awkward.

"Can he cook better than you? I really don't want you to cook, but I am desperate, " Yahiko pointed at Soujiro. Kaoru and Soujiro almost fell down, after the long suspense there was no climax.

"Yes!" Kaoru cried out nervously, she hadn't realized, Yahiko wouldn't realize who this was by his appearance alone; she had bought some time.

Soujiro played along and made a very tasty meal that they all sat around and enjoyed. Kaoru wondered if she should be a vagabond too, this might improve her cooking skills, after all these rurouni were great at cooking. They kept polite conversation and Kaoru calmed down after a while.

"So, are you some old friend of Kaoru's or something? " Yahiko said in between bites. Thank goodness for childhood innocence Kaoru thought.

"Yes, something like that," Soujiro smiled and looked at Kaoru, regardless of what she said before about not caring, he knew she was very nervous. He didn't want to put her in this situation any longer so he decided to leave.

"Well Kaoru-san, I am afraid I –"

"Oiii what's that smell? I know Jou-chan doesn't cook that well!" Sano walked in the room and suddenly froze when he spotted the infamous Seta Soujiro.

Excerpt from the following chapter:

" 'Think about it, Kenshin was there when someone close to Soujiro died, he might even think Kenshin killed him, why wouldn't he take revenge? Since you are the closest person to Kenshin and the person he most cares about it, it makes just that much easier.' "