Soujiro and his companion made their way back to the village early in the morning after they have eaten breakfast. Although still very weak with her wound, the girl was able to walk along Soujiro as they made their way from the mountains. Soujiro, on the other hand was able to find the fastest way to the village, while the girl silently tagged alongside him. It was for the first time in his journey that someone joined him. He had to admit; he liked the company.

“Hey,” the girl spoke for the first time. “Are we almost there?”

Soujiro nodded and pointed across the path – the huddled roofs of houses in the village were almost visible enough.

“We’ll be there in no time.”

Kenshin and the group bowed to the innkeeper.

“Thank you very much for your services,” Kaoru said, straightening up. “We’ll be on our way now.”

“We thank you as well, honoured guests. We hope that you have enjoyed your stay.”

“I had a great time,” Misao said, stretching her thin arms and yawning. “I hope Jiya and the others are alright back home.”

“It sounds like you’re beginning to get a little homesick, Misao,” Kaoru said as they made their way outside of the inn.

“It’s on the road again, huh?” Yahiko said. “I wish we could’ve stayed for lunch. I still feel unexercised.”

“Don’t you worry, Yahiko. Once we go back home, I’ll be opening the dojo immediately. We’ll be training double-time!”

Yahiko, who doesn’t seem to be happy about this, shrugged. “Give me a break, you ugly woman.”

“What did you say?!”

Kenshin stopped to his tracks and turned on his heel. “Sano,” he called with urgency, making everyone stop and look at the direction of his sight.

Among the number of busy people going about their businesses, a young man with lush dark hair and a faint smile on his face, wearing a blue kimono was approaching their direction. Kenshin, Sanosuke, Misao and Yahiko – those who have seen him in person recognized him immediately. Alongside him was the dancer who entertained them the previous night.

“What is it, Kenshin?” Kaoru asked. She was the only one who has not seen the young man in person.

“It’s Soujiro Seta. Shishio’s former right-hand man.”

Soujiro saw the inn that he has seen the girl dancing at two nights ago while hiding in view. Across it, he felt a heavy range of stares at his direction. They were not easy to miss-out: Kenshin Himura and his comrades were looking at him. He caught their stares, not knowing what he should do. He smiled vividly at them, making sure that they saw it, and then grabbed his companion’s wrist and entered the inn without a word or another glance.

Sanosuke started, “What do you think we should do, Kenshin?”

Kenshin stared at the inn that the two have entered. “Practically nothing,” he replied, looking back at Sanosuke and smiling. “He doesn’t seem to be causing any trouble, so I don’t think that we should disturb him in his doing. It’s best that we should just go home.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“But I think I would like to greet him just for a while,” he said abruptly and before the others could stop him, Kenshin headed for the inn.

He saw the young man and the girl standing inside the room, as if waiting for the walls to close in them.

“Well?” Soujiro asked his companion. “Doesn’t the place bring any memories?”

She considered the place, her eyes darting from the ceiling to the walls and the tables.

“No,” she replied, her head bowing in hopelessness. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t remember anything.”

But before he could say anything else, Soujiro felt the heavy stares yet again. He knew exactly who they belonged to. Looking behind him, he saw the legendary Battousai the Manslayer – the only man to have defeated him in battle… and cracked his brains – standing by the entrance.

Kenshin looked directly in his eyes and smiled. “Hello, Soujiro, we meet again.”

Not knowing what to reply, he scratched his head thoughtfully and replied, “Yeah. I guess.”

His companion looked at Kenshin. “Who is he?” she asked with curiosity.

But Soujiro wasn’t able to reply immediately, upon seeing the man’s comrades appear behind the latter and look at him as well. The girl’s eyes travelled from Soujiro to the group that appeared, sensing something odd.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” smiling at his companion. “This is Kenshin Himura and the group behind him are his comrades.”

Sanosuke peeked at the girl. “Hey isn’t that the entertainer? Why is she with him?”

“I think it’s best if I leave you with them,” he told the girl, who was taken aback.

“What? But I don’t even know them. No, I want to stay with you. You’re the only person I know.”

He blinked at her upon hearing those words. “You sure say strange things.”

He turned to Kenshin, smiling as if they have not met in battle. “Mr. Himura,” he said. “I was wondering whether I could have a word with you. Well, it’s not really just a word. It’s more like a favour.”

“A favour?” Kenshin asked curiously.

The girl slowly looked from Soujiro to Kenshin worriedly, knowing what Soujiro had in mind.