Chapter Two

"Tenken's Memories"

"Dreams are like clouds. You can always see them, but you can touch them If you reach high enough."

HakuChi Takahashi ~

Cho stared down at her sandals, her muddy kimono dragging near her feet. She knew the man that walked steadily by her. She knew him by two names . . . the first name she had herd when her Onee-Chan was murdered . . . The Tenken. The second name, she had not recognized him at first . . . He was older, more handsome and mature, but one she saw him wield his sword she knew that this Sojiro Seta he claimed to be . . . was the same Murder. The Tenken.

Cho looked over at him, blushing a little bit remembering the other night. His kimono almost all the way off, exposing every thing up to his thighs and every thing up from his waist. She was amazed by how fit he looked. His legs very strong and sturdy, his torso also toned and muscular. Yet looking at him now in his Hakama and kimono, he looked like a flimsy Asian kid.

Blushing harder she turned away from his focused face. Finally catching some of her movement he turned to her, stopping his hasty step.

"Um, Miss Okibata? What is the matter?" He asked, smile upon his face.

"Areh . . . Areh . . . Nandemonai . . Nothing at all." She pushed, trying to stop blushing wildly. Sojiro laughed and started walking one more. His sword was drawn and resting on his shoulder, his eyes keeping a sharp look out on the trees and brush.

The sun was starting to rise, the beams of light glimmering through the fresh green leaves of the forest. The air was fresh and and warm, the ground soft and crunchy. It was the perfect picture of summer. Cho distanced herself from Sojiro, letting out a long yawn. She stretched her arms out above her and spread her legs out further with each step.

"I don't think they'll find us for awhile, okay Miss Okibata?"

"Okay . . . Thank, Mr. Seta." Her eyes reflected on his handsome face. He lips quivering. He was a murderer, a murderer of her Onee-Chan. He killed her Hikari.

"So, Miss Okibata, how did you come along with this debt again? You need to repay it as soon as you can, I just don't want you to be enslaved by those men. Note thats the only reason I'm taking you along."

"My mother owned a debt to those men and their fathers. She died in Child birth, so she was never able to pay off her debt, so it moved onto me. It was a huge amount of money, and it has taken most of my life to get it to this point . . . I just need 14,000 more yin." She raised her fist in front of her, her dancing blue eyes falling upon it. "14,000 more. . ."

"I'm sorry, Miss Okibata. I gave you all I had and I-agh! . . ."

"Whats the matter, Mr. Seta!" Cho swirled around to face him. He was standing stiff with a terrified face.

"I-I-I gave you all I had. . ." His face fell into his hands, "I was so stupid. . ." He said in low voice.

"S-Stupid? Why? I'm not sure I'm following." Cho started to panic.

"Mr. Shishio taught me better then this!" he mumbled to himself, "Miss Okibata, I have no money for food . . ." He mused. An embarrassed smile upon his face. He scratched the back of his head as she started at him in disbelief.

"Well, you have your sword, cant you kill and cook something?" She asked bluntly.

"Hm. I guess we could, Miss Okibata." He perked up, letting the tip of his sword meet the ground.

"That will not be needed." A monotone voice came from the trees. Sojiro jumped, grabbing his sword he twisted to find the intruder. Looking between the trees, he found a small girl.

She was very short, her blond hair drooping down around her body and down to her knees. She was dressed in a plain torn Kimono and had a sword by her side. She was not Japanese, nor Asian. She looked British, but she had no apparent accent. She had crystal green eyes that reflected no light it seemed. An emotionless face sat upon her features.

"Why hello there, Who are you?" Cho asked sweetly. Smiling at the young woman.

"My name is Hakuchi Takahashi," She bowed toward Cho, then toward Sojiro. Sojiro, seeing no current threat, lowered his sword and bowed also.

"I will give you two food in exchange for information." She stated, her hand creeping over to her sword.

"What kind of information?" Sojiro asked, eying the young woman.

"Makoto Shishio."

* * *

"Mm!Mm! This is wonderful, Miss Takahashi!" Cho savored the sweet beef that she chewed, enjoying ever bite she slipped in with her chop sticks.

Sojiro was enjoying it also, but was pre occupied with what information Hakuchi wanted. Looking her over he would have never even guess she knew of Shishio.

"So, Seta, When did he die?" She asked, putting her food down. Sojiro looked down at his near empty bowl.

"Two years ago. In a fight with the-"

"-Battousai, I know." Hakuchi interjected.

Cho listened in intently. Putting her empty bowl to the side.

"Then why did you ask?" Sojiro looked suspicious.

"Have you met up with Toshi since Makoto died?" She asked intently, her eyes brewing up some deep thought.

"Toshi? Who is that?"

"So Makoto never told you about Toshi . . . Well, I guess that is for the best. You'll find out sooner or later, forget I mentioned it." Hakuchi smiled.

"Miss Takahashi! You can't go around doing that! Tell us who he is!" Cho argued.

"It's best not to tell you. You'll meet him one day. Just watch out for him." she turned back to Sojiro, "Do you know what Makoto said before his death? Is that Yumi woman and that Hoji still alive?"

Sojiro hesitated, "How do you know all of this?" He snapped.

"I have helped Makoto before. I am a doctor, Sojiro. Dr. Takahashi. I have treated Makoto's burns and injuries. I was very saddened when he died, Sojiro. . . I was on his side."

Cho stood from her chair abruptly, "You're an ally of Makoto Shishio? He tried to burn down my home town!" She yelled.

"And for the good of the government, too. Miss Okibata. Please sit down!" Hakuchi snapped, pointing to the chair, "You are rather mis-behaved for a trained Geisha." Cho gave the woman a sour look.

"I repeat, Sojiro, Do you know what he said before he died? " Hakuchi kept a calm face. She seemed very logical and intelligent, no wonder she was good friends with Shishio.

"No, I wasn't there . . . Please Miss Takashi, I do not want Cho to hear anymore of this." Sojiro whispered to the Doctor. Hakuchi nodded.

Cho gave a sour look at Sojiro, knowing whatever he had whispered was about her. He smiled a little embarrassed.

"Miss Cho . . . Could you excuse us for a moment?" Hakuchi gave her a glare. Cho rose from her seat and bowed, leaving the room.

Hakuchi nodded, a grim look on her face, "He disobayed my orders, didn't he?"

"Most likely . . ." Sojiro nodded, "I bet Miss Yumi tried to stop him. And as far as I know, both Miss Yumi and Mr. Hoji Passed away also."

"Yumi was a sweet girl, her and Makoto went well together. They had a relationship I envied." Hakuchi said, leaning backward.

"Yeah . . . They did indeed love one another." Sojiro chirped, continueing to have a smile upon his lips. Hakuchi frowned.

"You still smile? And for what reason? Didn't you leave to find your own truth, I would have thought Tenken's eternal smile would have faded the day you left, yet since you have arrived here that smile has not left your face." Hakuchi smiled standing to her feet and gathering the dishes.

"I guess it's just my personality!" He laughed, also standing.

"Were you . . . sad. . . when Makoto passed?" Hakuchi asked walking into the kitchen, "Was he like a father to you, Sojiro? He did talk about you when here."

"He did? Well, I wouldn't consider Mr. Shishio a father . . . and yes, I was saddened, yet almost relieved at the same time."

"You felt relieved because now you can reach for your dreams without living by Makoto's rules, right?"

"Something like that. . ." Sojiro grinned.

"Did Makoto do anything that helped you in the long run, do you think?"

"He did help make me stronger." Sojiro frowned, "but even then thats not as important as it used to be."

Hakuchi turned toward the boy, a smile on her childish face, "Sojiro, if I have learned anything in my 35 year old life, it is this; Dreams are like clouds. You can always see them, but you can only touch them if you reach high enough. You have a dream to find your own truth and never let go of that. Your a talented, kid, and that Shukuchi of yours is a forced to be reckoned with. Who knows, maybe you'll find your truth protecting that geisha out there. She seems a little off beat. " Hakuchi winked.

* * *

"Makoto Shishio, huh? That makes it official, Mr. Seta is the Tenken . . . I better watch out. He did kill Onee-chan. Even if it seems he has changed. . ." Cho let her head rest against the gate to the house. She knew now Sojiro was one of Makoto Shishio's minions, if you will. Along with Hakuchi. Cho frowned, "It does appear I will have to take care of Tenken soon . . . To avenge Hikari-Sama. . ."

"Thank you! Miss Takahashi!" Sojiro waved back to the small girl that stood back at the door. Cho slipped on a smile and waved too seeing Sojiro had left with a bag of food.

"Thank you for the food!" Cho smiled as the two left. Hakuchi laughed and waved back.

"Come back and visit, I'm never that busy here. Not allot of people get stranded in the forest!"

"Mm! We will!" Sojiro called back, and the two were off.

Walking for a few minutes, Hakuchi's shrine like house started to dissepear behind them. Cho was silent. Looking up at Sojiro's face she gulped.

"Sojiro . . ." She started. He jumped, not used to her calling him by his given name, "Why do you know so much about Makoto Shishio?" She knew the answer to this, she was just seeing if he hid it.

Frowning he sighed, looking over at Cho. His mind fought if he should tell her or not, He was Tenken, trained by Makoto Shishio. She most likley knew he had some personal relationship with Shishio, So he gave in . . .

"Answer me, Tenken." She stopped, slicing through him with an ice cold glare.

"Cho!" he jumped, "H-How did you know, I-I'm sorry. I ju-"

"I knew because this isn't the first time I have met you. You killed my Onee-Chan, Hikari Momono . . . She was part of the Meji government, and you assassinated her. Tenken."

"W-What?"