Disclaimer: I finally made one! I don't own Rurouni Kenshin (obviously).
A/N: It feels like it''s been a long time since I've written. Well, here's the next chapter (yayyy!).


Once Yahiko was done, it was about dinner time. He went to get something to eat when he saw Yutaro eating his meal.

"Well, that's great," Yahiko replied. "You eat without me?"

Yutaro looked up and said, "Whoops! Sorry, almost forgot about you." He handed Yahiko a small bowl of Miso.

"What! That's it!"

"Well, you should be happy! I at least remembered to prepare you a meal."

Yahiko frowned. "That's nothing!"

"If you insist, I'd be happy to eat it for you."

Yahiko got even madder. "No way!" He grapped the bowl and (1)slurped it down. He slammed the bowl onto the table. "Okay. I'm ready."

Yutaro paused. "For what?"

"What! Your joking, right! Is this some kind of trick!"

"Well, if you want a fight, why didn't you say so?" Yutaro stood up and grabbed his shinai.
"On the rooftop."

"Are you crazy! On the roof!"

Yutaro just ignored Yahiko's remark. They both headed up a stairway and onto the roof. Once on top, Yahiko had trouble balancing himself.

"Don't you care that I could even die from this!" Yahiko exclaimed.

"A good swordsman should have good balance," Yutaro simply said. "I'm even sure Kenshin would be able to do that." He got into his fighting stance.

Yahiko did so too. He started running towards Yutaro and was going to attack. Yutaro stepped out of harm's way, and striked Yahiko on his back. Yahiko lost his balance and started to slide off the roof. Before he could actually fall off, Yutaro grabbed his hand.

Yahiko was surprised when this happened. "What are you doing?"

"It wouldn't be fair if my opponent dies, "Yutaro answered. "I haven't officially beaten you."

Back in Tokyo, Japan, Tsubame was sitting down, drinking her tea. Kaoru walked in as Tae greeted her.

"How is she?" Kaoru asked, looking at Tsubame.

"Not any different, " Tae answered. "She barely says a word. All she does is work, and nothing else. Oh, Kaoru, please help her."

Kaoru nodded her head, and headed towards Tsubame. "Tsubame?"

She didn't answer.

"If you want to talk to me, I'd be happy to. I've felt like this before and..." She noticed Tsubame was looking in another direction. "Tsubame, I-"

"No! None of you understand how I feel! Just leave me alone! There's nothing you can do to help!" Tsubame exclaimed as she ran out of the Akabeko, letting her tears fall.


(1) Slurp? Heh. Couldn't think of another word.

A/N: Well, was that short? I can't tell... oh, well (hey, it rhymes!)