Reviews:

Gill: You really think so! I didn't spend much time on description…

Mimi: Really! I though she was a little like that too! A regular prankster! You'll have to wait and see!

soujiroteddy: I'll update! But I want to prolong the before meeting part!

Story time! Sorry the chapters so short! Too many exams!

Dual duel

They sat at a wayward Udon stall near a creek. The rain was pouring heavily and lightning appeared in streaks in the sky. It might be old fashioned, but the ramen tasted pretty good…

"So… You're telling me you told them to fight us. And it completely slipped your mind to tell them where and when we were to dual." Bobbing her head he sighed. "You may not know but I lost to Sanosuke once before…"

"Oh. I did find some connections. One thing was interesting though…"

"What?"

"They didn't seem to think this Battosai was bad at all. His aura was peaceful as well… Did you get the wrong person?" He shook his head. Her expression turned distant as she complentated.

Hitokiri Battosai was a warrior who had helped to make way for the Meji era during the Bakumatsu. Why would he unjustly be so horrible to Soujiro enough to banish him? The answer was clear in her mind. He was a cold ruthless killer.

She managed to convince herself that the fact was true. The terms would be sent by arrow or something. That's how Samurai usually did it. Right? So maybe it wasn't sent by arrow… How about a paper plane? That might not be taken seriously though… They could always ask someone close to them to pass it. The small boy also was interesting.

His eyes held a mature look, and showed a fighting spirit. Like some overwhelming strength lay beyond them… A true Samurai… Definitely. She just felt so awed. For his size, it was truly a wonder how he ever got to that level of strength. Maybe he had an early start…

"The kid that burst in had really good eyes…" Banshin grinned cheekily.

"Pedophile huh?" She gave a soft punch to his arm.

"No. There's only one person in my heart." He blinked, and then nodded in recognition.

"Soujiro right?"

"Yup"

"What is it about this guy that you'd search for him all over Japan for?" She sighed.

"He needs me."

The way she moved her mouth as she said those words caused Banshin to wonder. Who was Soujiro to her? Why was he worth looking for? Why did he need her? He had to voice this or else he would burst!

"Why?" He began to regret saying that as her look turned fierce.

"Why should I tell you!" She was being hard on him… But she couldn't help it. This was personal. And he was pushing it.

'Think Banshin!' He told himself. Then he realized he was talking to himself. Damn her!

"Nice weather we're having." He attempted to change the subject.

"It's raining." Her voice dripped with murderous intent. He shivered; if she wanted to she could have probably turned a raging fire into a block of ice.

"I knew that!" she giggled then burst out laughing.

'What's so funny?' he was bewildered.

"Look… Behind you..." She said between laughs.

He did so, and then he saw an obese woman walk over to him.

"Hey commando you interested in a good time?" He blinked twice. 'I swear… This is not my day!'

"Sorry… 'fraid I'm with her." He put an arm around Akiko. She smirked evily.

"You didn't buy me that ring! I hate you!" She slapped his face and spoke to the woman as she left. "You can have him."

"Wait!" His cry went unheard as the still smirking Akiko left in the drizzle. The last she saw them the fat lady had jumped him. That was enough to make her day.

She walked onward to a small creek where small children were spinning around and fishing blissfully. She sighed. Life wasn't fair sometimes… These children get to enjoy life, yet… She couldn't even remember the last time she went out and had fun.

Playing games, rolling in green pastures, playing tag… Things she had never done. Somehow at this moment… It seemed such a shame… She had been spending so much time searching for Soujiro. She forgot about having fun. How old was she? She didn't even know anymore.

Where was home? The last place she called home perished within flames. Like a candle flame infulged a wick. Her house had been surrounded, only she had escaped. Those drunks had sealed their own fate. She wouldn't hold remorse, not now, not ever.

'Training. It'll clear my mind.' She got into a canter like sprint to find herself in a bamboo forest.

'Hmm…' She found herself strutting into the clearing within it.

'It's got good coverage… What's this?' She picked up a broken bit of a bamboo stalk.

'Weird… Bamboo doesn't break like this…' She fingered the stick, many of them lay scattered around her.

'Looks like Chi breaks… But these Chi breaks are smooth, a very controlled type of Chi… Dangerous… Hope I never meet the person who did this!' She stifled a laugh, what were the odds!

'We'll be dueling together against those two… Their chi is well hidden so I can't be sure whether we'll win or not. Hmm… Oh well… What's life without risks!' She grinned.

'Wonder how Banshin's doing…'

------somewhere------

"W-What the! Crazy ass woman stop following me!" Banshin yelled.

"I'm married! Eloping! Engaged! Retarded! Quit it!" He tried a flurry of excuses.

"It doesn't matter so long as we're in love!" Her flab bounced with each step.

"Who's in love!"

----------Back with Akiko-------

"Guess this makes it a dual duel!" She jumped to rest of the balls of her feet.

"Right…" She looked around. "Umm…"

'I'm so lost!'