"Ohayoo, Megumi-chan!" Misao greeted the disgruntled teenager cheerfully, while cooking eggs on the stove.

"Mmm..."

The words Megumi uttered were incoherent and full of sleep-both adults were used to this greeting from their niece and didn't comment on her lack of manners. With a deep breath, Megumi allowed herself to inhale the mouth watering aroma of the sizzling eggs, before plopping down carelessly onto a cushion beside her uncle.

Aoshi set the paper he was reading side, with an air of disapproval. It was long past midnight before she returned and he sat up waiting for her at the request of his anxious wife. Before Megumi was allowed to crawl into her bed, she received a long lecture on how irresponsible she was and she should be better prepared when going about on her own in the future.

Not wanting to incense him further, she refrained from mentioning meeting either the thieves or Soujiro before turning in. Considering the times, Aoshi was a pretty modern man but when it came to her, he was very overprotective. If he knew what happened the previous evening, it was doubtful he would allow her to leave the Aoiya, or Kyoto for that matter.

The sun hadn't risen yet and even though she was still weary, Megumi wanted to set out by sunrise.

“Arigatou, Oba-san.” The salty taste of the egg was pleasing to the palette and a sigh of contentment escaped her lips. "I am going to miss your cooking, that I will."

“Do you plan on leaving this morning?” Misao settled herself across from her husband who was still glaring reproachfully at Megumi.

She waited until she had swallowed the mouthful of food before replying.“Hai, as soon as breakfast is over.”

"Do you have everything you need?"

"Uh... I think so."

Aoshi snorted derisively at her intelligent answer. "Do you have changes of clothes, money, food and a map?"

"I have my sword and a little money." Megumi bit her lower lip anxiously. She had not considered the fact that she would need all those things in order to travel safely. Hiko would have Ryu Tsui Sened Megumi for her foolishness.

"We'll go into town after breakfast and see that you get the necessary supplies." Misao said exasperated with her niece‘s carelessness. The girl was sometimes just as absentminded as her mother. Kaoru at least had the sense to be prepared when she traveled. It made her wonder if Megumi had not received one too many blows to the head from Hiko's sword while training in the mountains.

Megumi's head lowered abashedly and her pale cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Gomen, I do not wish to be such trouble, that I don't."

"Its no trouble at all." Misao assured her patting the girl's hand. "Your parents were our friends and you are like a daughter to us Megumi-chan."

Aoshi rolled his eyes and received a reproving glare from his wife.

"A-Arigatou." Smiling benignly, Megumi stretched her arms over her head, with a wistful sigh. She could not help but think of the strange man she had met the night before. Soujiro claimed to be an acquaintance of her late father's, but she felt there was more to it. The same sadness lingered in his gaze as it had her father's. The man's life had clearly been difficult, if his attitude was anything to judge by. Perhaps, Soujiro fought during the revolution along side her father. 'No, that can't be right. He looks much too young to have been a samurai back then.' Then where could Soujiro and her father have met?

Shirobeko

“Would you care for any more Sake, sir?” The smiling waitress stood before Soujiro waiting expectantly for his answer.

“Iie, Miss. I appreciate your kindness.”

He poured the remainder of Sake into a Sakazuki, and savored the stinging taste of the alcohol as it hit his tongue. The girl from the night before h lurked at the edge of his thoughts all day. Several times he considered going over to the Aoiya and speaking with her, then he would change him mind. Megumi probably already forgot about their encounter. The deadly assassin's daughter greatly resembled him and drew his curiosity. She was equally as beautiful and polite as the late Battousai, but there was a hint of something else below the surface, something more tangible. Soujiro set the Sakazuki back on the table mechanically.

It made him wonder if she were ever to kill someone, would she carry the same sadness the Battousai and he did? Why was she staying with the Oniwaban? The girl was a swordsman and it was not like samurai to sit idly by, even if the Meiji Era was a time of peace-and the use of swords had become obsolete and forbidden. If she was anything like her father she would wander throughout Japan and save people from tyranny and oppression. From their brief meeting, Soujiro gathered the girl was something of a mysterious enigma and one not to be taken lightly despite her friendly ardor.

“Irasshaimase, Misao-san, Megumi-chan.” The sound of the hostess’ cheerful voice penetrated his musings.

Slipping off her sandals in the doorway was the current object of his thoughts, and an older woman with black hair tied in a braid wearing a green kimono.

“Konbanwa, Sae-san. It has been awhile.” The girl's sweet voice chirped happily.

Soujiro could not believe the irony. He had just been thinking of the girl and out of nowhere she appears, as if conjured out of thin air.

“How have you been, Megumi-chan? I trust you have been doing well.”

“Hai, I just got back from visiting my nii-san.” Megumi’s sparkling lilac gaze swept around the bustling and packed restaurant as she entered. “I see business is doing well.”

When her eyes fell on him, Soujiro froze knowing what was soon to follow. A smile of recognition lit her youthful face and she inclined her head, to his everlasting dread. ‘I hope the other woman does not look over here. I recognize her. She traveled with Himura-san for awhile back when I was part of the Juppongatana.’ The woman's name was Misao and she was a member of the Oniwaban. His ever present smile slipped a notch.

Megumi frowned when she saw the cold expression on his face and half-shrugged before turning back to the two other women. Soujiro felt relieved and guilty at the same time. He wished to speak with the girl again but he couldn't or he would end up getting thrown in prison when the Oniwaban woman recognized him. It was obvious he hurt the girl's feelings and he felt bad but there was no other choice for him. When they neared him he stilled, his breathing slowed and he prayed silently to Kami, hoping their attention would not be drawn to him. They passed his table without a sideways glance and he fell back on his cushion with enormous relief. However it was short lived. The hostess directed the two women to the empty table beside his own.

“I’m glad we left our purchases at the Aoiya before we came here, Oba-san , that I am.”

Soujiro could make out the girl’s slender silhouette through the thin rice paper wall that luckily shielded him from their view.

“Megumi-chan, we need to discuss some things before you go off gala-banding about the countryside.” The older woman began and the girl groaned. “I am sure you are aware of the strong resemblance between you and your father.”

“Hai.” Megumi said quietly.

“I want you to be aware there will be a strong possibility that because of the resemblance, your father’s enemies will come after you- thinking you are him.” Soujiro strained to hear when the woman lowered her voice several octaves. “Himura-san’s death was kept quiet for the most. Few of the public know. Refrain from traveling during the evening, it is the time when bandits and thieves come out. When staying in the woods stay close to the fire at all times and don't wander off from your campsite until morning. You do not need to get yourself lost. When you enter a town or village please where one your kimonos we found upstairs. Dressing like the woman you are, will help reduce the threat of people confusing you with your father.”

“Do I have to?” The girl’s voice was sullen. “You know I hate wearing those stupid things, they make me feel like I’m on display.”

“I cannot force you to. You are and adult now, but I would ask that you follow my advice for your own safety.”

“I will Oba-san.” Megumi resigned reluctantly. “Arigatou, for everything.”

“Iie, it was my pleasure. I was a lot like you when I was your age.”

Megumi groaned. “Oba-san, please no stories.”

After listening to most of their conversation, Soujiro decided it was time to leave. He signaled for the waitress and slipped his sword through his obi and handed her the money and Grabbed his sandals he made for the door quickly only stopping to slip them on. With a soft chuckle, he weaved through the crowded street and past venders hawking their wares. The girl was probably departing in the morning. He would guess she would venture northward, the weather was warm there this time of year. Perhaps, he would go north as well. He had not visited Tokyo in the longest time and it would be a welcome change of scenery. He came and did all that he could in Kyoto. Having not found his answer, Soujiro must continue on. Maybe he would bump into Megumi again someday.

Aoiya

“Do you have everything you need?” Aoshi asked gruffly the next morning, standing on the front porch with his wife.

The sun was just peeking over the horizon, the sky was lit with shades of oranges and pinks. A gentle breeze stirred loose tendrils of Megumi’s fiery red hair as she nodded.

“Hai, I am well prepared now.” Her gaze traveled down to the sword resting comfortably at her side and she shifted her belongings on her shoulder, before quickly embraced Aoshi and Misao.

Eyes burning with unshed tears, Misao handed her a neatly wrapped package before rubbing her eyes.

“What are these?” Megumi examined the package curiously.

“Kunai. I taught you how to use them and I thought they may be of use to you.”

Aoshi ruffled her hair and received a scowl in return as Megumi flattened her hair.

To her surprise Aoshi chuckled. “You always were such a petulant child. Your spirit is greatly akin to your father’s. I wish you luck on your journey.”

“I take it Yahiko-san is taking care of the dojo?” Misao asked.

“Hai, Yahiko Oji-san was my Okaa-san’s successor to Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. It was only right to leave him in charge.” Megumi bowed with a sunny smile and straightened. “I will miss you Oji-san and Oba-san. Sayoonara.” When Megumi stepped outside the city a few minutes later she took a shaky breath and closed her eyes. Now would finally be the beginning of a new life for her, as a rurouni.