Yahiko ran frantically through the town. He hadn't seen what had happened after he left and Kenshin stepped in, but he knew that if he didn't act fast, someone would probably get hurt. He wondered why the police had never acted on this whole false public execution thing. Yahiko had never seen one, just heard rumors, but he knew that was what was happening out in the streets that day. Luckily, the police chief trusted Kenshin, so if he mentioned him, there would be help soon. As he ran, he started to run out of breath. Why was the police station so far away?! Well, at least most people were in the crowd at this point.

Keeping the same pace, he darted into the police station. Some officers recognized him, others just seemed confused at his presence. "Police chief!!" he shouted. He kept calling until the the tall man with glasses showed himself. "I...street...crowd...Kenshin...little girl..."

"Myojin-san!" the police chief said, making Yahiko stand to attention. "Calm down and report, please!"

"Right!" he said. "Kenshin and I saw a group of police officers drag a prisoner out onto the street. They had swords out. I think it was one of those public executions!"

"Public execution?" the police chief asked. "Those are very rare. And we certainly don't have one scheduled for today."

"Well, I don't know what you've been told, but they've been pretty common lately. They've been happening since the new police officers joined."

The man was quiet for a moment. "I see. They were recommended to us by a politician. I suppose we were told wrong. But what was this about a little girl?"

"That's the worst part! There was a little girl who talked to the prisoner, and one of the officers kicked her to the side!"

The police chief started rallying the officers standing around. "Lead us to the scene, Myojin-san!"

Yahiko was still trying to catch his breath. The fact that he would have to show them the scene didn't even occur to him. Before he could explain, the police chief picked him up and set him on his shoulders. "Hey! What was that for?! I can walk!"

"Walking won't do much, Myojin-san! This is the fastest way we can get there. Please direct me there!"

"Right!" Yahiko answered. The policemen started running down the street with his direction. He just hoped they could get there before anyone got hurt.

~~~

Kenshin listened patiently and watched as Komizu seemed to get more and more angry as the police officers began harassing the young woman who Sano had called Akiyama. He thought he was beginning to get a handle on him and who he thought he was. He seemed to relate to Kenshin, for obvious reasons, but it seemed he had more in common with him than he thought. He was already on the road to redemption whether Komizu knew it of himself or not. He perked up when Komizu mentioned a friendly fight, though. "I think I would like that."

"Well, that isn't going to happen, because this man is still scheduled to meet his end today!" the officer who had instigated everything shouted. With that, he drew his sword again, but stopped before it came out of the sheath.

Aki said nothing when Komizu had implied that she couldn't defend herself. She was flattered that he stood up for her, though. However, she was glad when the police chief and several other officers arrived on the scene. She really hadn't wanted to take out her own defense mechanisms...especially not in front of police officers, corrupt or otherwise. The chief of police had a young boy on his shoulders with a bokken. Kaoru had mentioned a Kenshin, a Sano, and that would have made this Yahiko.

"There are no executions on the schedule today," the man said matter-of-factly, setting Yahiko onto the ground. "Certainly not one to be performed in public." He narrowed his already narrow eyes when he spotted Komizu. "Ah. Gishi-san, it's you. You may cause trouble, but you're certainly not up for arrest." As his men spread out and started arresting men with their own uniforms on, the police chief un-cuffed Komizu and apologized.

"I am sorry for the trouble these men have caused. I suppose we should look more into screening new recruits and false reports. I had no idea they had been making public executions. Although they would intermittently report missing persons and murders." As he spoke, it seemed like everyone in the crowd started to breathe again. "Please return to your activities. I will make sure these men are rightly taken care of." He turned to Yahiko and bowed. "Thank you, Myojin-san. Your fast actions have likely saved more than one life today." Yahiko puffed up at the praise and smiled up at the man. "And thank you all for intervening as well. The delay was very beneficial for everyone, I think."

Finally, the police chief led his men away with the corrupt officers in chains, their swords and guns confiscated.

As the group walked off, Aki realized she had a bit of explaining to do. But... "'Girly', huh?" she asked, turning to Sano. "That happens sometimes, when one is female. I'll be nice and take that as a compliment." She then sighed and bowed to Kaoru, making sure her burden didn't fall right off her shoulders. "I'm sorry for giving you a false name, Kaoru-san. I've had a rough couple of months. If we could go to the dojo, I can explain everything."

Komizu smiled when Kenshin said that he would like a friendly fight. It somewhat surprised him that the other had agreed to it but he was glad that he had. It had been so long since he had been in a decent fight, friendly or otherwise. It was at that moment that the Police Chief appeared on the scene. Yeah, they knew each other fairly well. Komizu was a troublemaker but he was usually fairly harmless but that was because he knew when and where to not get into serious trouble.

"Yo, Chief." he greeted the other man, smiling widely.

"Of course I cause trouble. Who else is supposed to keep you on your toes?" he added with a chuckle.

He rubbed at his wrists once he was freed from the chains that had previously bound him in place. Komizu then draped an arm around the Chief's shoulders. It was a friendly gesture.

"You really cut it close this time. You trying to give me a heart-attack? I'm still fairly young and that certainly isn't the way I want to go out. My crew would never let me live it down. They would all laugh at my funeral. Heck. I would laugh at my funeral." he told the Chief.

"Anyway, take care of yourself, Chief." he said, removing his arm from around the Chief's shoulders before giving him a light wave as he watched the other lead the rookie Officers away in chains.

He then gazed over at Kenshin and went to place an arm around his shoulders. Komizu could care less about personal space. As a Pirate he rarely had space to himself since he spent most of his time at sea and was almost never alone because of his crew. He just sort of forgot that other people didn't like being so close to others that they didn't really know.

"So, Red. Your name is Kenshin? Have a last name?" he asked.

Komizu really seemed to have taken a liking to Kenshin. Perhaps it was because they were similar to some degree? Komizu saw some of himself in the other man and that drew him to the other. The Pirate also tended to forget his manners and that it was only polite to introduce yourself before asking for someone else's name.

Kaoru smiled as Yahiko came up with the police chief, and was relieved that the situation was finally defused, and they could all relax. She turned to Aki and reached to take her shopping from the woman. "It's alright, Akiyama-san." She assured. She nodded, agreeing that they should all return to the dojo to straighten things out. She then turned to Yahiko. "Good job, Yahiko, you really helped save the day today."

Sano also turned to Aki. "Well, it's not my fault...you don't usually dress like that." He grinned as he held out a hand. "Need a hand with that stuff?" He was sure she could carry it, but he wanted to offer anyway.

Kaoru looked around the assorted group, and smiled. "Well, let's go everyone." She said, turning and heading back toward the dojo, knowing the group would follow soon.

~~~

Kazuki Hiko arrived outside the small dojo. She'd heard this was where Kenshin was staying, and she was excited at the prospect of finally getting to see him again. Listening closely, it seemed that the dojo was currently empty, its inhabitants most likely out for some reason or the other. She didn't want to leave and come back later, for fear of, after coming so close, she'd somehow miss him again.

She was dressed in her male persona, the one she had developed and used during the war, and her katana was hidden within the guise of a bokken strapped at her waist. Still, despite the fact it had been years since she'd seen her friend, she was sure he'd recognize her...eventually. She leaned against a post and waited for someone to come home. Hopefully it would be Kenshin, but if not, they could at least tell her if she had the right dojo.

((She's at the wrong dojo, just to buy everyone some time to settle in before some random new person arrives. xD))

Aki felt a wave of relief as Kaoru explained that she was forgiven. She turned back to Sano, and while she was irritated with him for calling her girly, she was incredibly happy that he wasn't dead. He offered to carry her bags, so she took them off her shoulders, one in each hand, tossing them to them. One of them wasn't heavy, but the other held her smithing tools. "You might as well be useful for something," she said with a chuckle. "But for what it's worth, I'm glad you're not dead."

Kenshin was caught off guard when Komizu threw his arm around his shoulder, and wobbled a bit. "Orororo..." He shook his head, regaining his thoughts. "My name is Kenshin Himura," he said with a smile.

"Kenshin used to be Battousai!" Yahiko announced happily.

"You're hanging around Battousai?!" Aki exclaimed, turning to Sano. She realized how rude that was and tried to amend her statement. "I mean, not that I don't think your actions weren't sincere, it's just a bit surprising."

Kenshin shook his head again. "After the Revolution, I decided to become a wanderer," he explained. "And no offense was taken, Akiyama-dono."

"Oh, no, call me Aki."

~~~

The group arrived at the Kamiya-Kasshin dojo some time later, and Aki took in her new home. "Oh, wow...It's so beautiful! And it looks so peaceful, detached from the rest of the city. Thank you again for letting me stay here, Kaoru-san. It really means a lot."

"Kenshin Himura." he repeat, just to make sure the name was in his memory.

"Nice name. It has an interesting ring to it. My name is Komizu Dai Gishi but my crew calls me 'Kou'. You're free to do so as well. Most people say that my name is quite a mouthful." he told Kenshin, finally taking his arm from around the others shoulders as he walked with them.

He wasn't surprised to hear that Kenshin used to be Battosai. The others eyes gave him away. It was something that Komizu could spot easily. This skill of his allowed him to read movements in battle and tell when someone is lying or bluffing. It was useful when gambling, that was for sure. However, that didn't change the fact that he still wanted to spar with the other man.

"So, Red? What about that little spar I mentioned earlier? I don't really use a blade much any more but you're free to use one, if you wish." he stated.

Sure he now knew Kenshin's name but that didn't mean he would use it. He found that nicknames were easier to remember and quicker to use. "Red" was easier for him to say than "Kenshin" or "Himura" was. Komizu didn't like long words or names very much but he sometimes used them when he felt the time was right for it. He then looked over at Sano.

"Hey, Spikey? You're free to join in, as well. You seem like you would be fun to spar with. You also seem to fight closer to my style, as well. Of course, I could be wrong, as I am going solely on appearance here. Everyone is free to watch, if they wish to do so." he stated.

Sano took the bags from Aki, tossing them over his shoulder before he gave his long-time friend a smile. "It's worth a lot, Aki. And I'm glad you're not dead either." When Yahiko revealed that Kenshin was Battousai, he wasn't surprised by Aki's reaction. "I know," he conceded. "I didn't think I'd be hanging out with him either, but he's not so bad once you get to know him." The group started walking, and the pirate, Kou, invited him to join in on the fight. He raised an eyebrow at the 'Spikey' comment, but let it slide, as the guy seemed to like hair-based nicknames. "Maybe...though two against one isn't usually my style..." He grinned before adding. "...Unless I'm the one."

Kaoru shook her head at the discussion of sparing. She thought sparring was all well and good, but didn't think it would be fair no matter how you looked at it. She'd never really seen Kenshin take part in hand-to-hand, so he could be at a disadvantage without his sword...She was distracted by her thoughts as they arrived home, and Aki commented on the dojo. "Thank you, Aki-san." She smiled at the compliment. "Come on, I can show you to your room. You can put your stuff down, and then we can all settle down for some dinner." It was with that comment a thought occurred to her. "If Kenshin is going to spar with Kou-san, I guess I'm the one fixing dinner tonight."

"Great, I just find out Aki's not dead, and you're going to try to poison her with your terrible cooking." Sano said with a sigh.

Kaoru's eyebrow twitched as she spun to face Sano. "What was that? You know, you really shouldn't complain, it's not like you have to pay for your food!"

((Had a lot to reply to, especially as Sano. Also, couldn't resist the food argument. xD))

~~~

Kazuki had begun to grow quite bored. Honestly, how long could they stay away from home? She began to worry they might have left town for some reason or another, in which case she'd be waiting here forever. She leaned against a post and sighed, deciding to wait a few more minutes before leaving a note and heading to look for an inn. She was staring down at her pack, wondering if she had a way to leave a note, when someone finally approached.

"Excuse me, sir...can I help you?" Kazuki looked up to find a frail old man, with and old woman and a younger man. None of them looked like the person she'd heard Kenshin was staying with.

Recalling she was dressed as a man, hence the 'sir', she deepened her voice, as had become habit over the years, and answered. "Yes, I hope you can. I'm looking for an old friend...a redheaded man, perhaps carrying a sword. I was told he was staying at a dojo here in town."

The old man and the younger man exchanged a confused look, but the old woman brightened. "That sounds like Himura-san!"

Kazuki's eyes brightened, and she almost forgot to use her assumed voice. "Yes, that's him. Can you tell me where to find him?"

The old woman looked hesitant. "You're not here to cause that nice young man trouble, are you?"

Kazuki wasn't sure if the woman would know if she lied or not, but her answer was truth, all the same. "No, Ma'am. I just want to reconnect with an old friend."

She seemed to approve of this answer, and so she nodded. "He's staying at the Kamiya-Kasshin dojo. Take that road there, and go straight. It's a bit away from the busier part of town, but you can't miss it." She smiled. "And have a good evening."

Kazuki snatched up her pack, tossed it over her shoulder, and beamed at the trio, starting off as soon as she heard the directions. "Thank you, and good evening!" She called back, realizing belatedly she had used her natural, very feminine voice. 'Ooops...ah well, can't be helped.' She decided, glancing back quickly to see the confused glances the three were giving one another. She couldn't help the grin that widened on her lips as she walked.

((Kazuki's bit was a bit longer than I intended, but it was fun, even if I'm the only one bothered by it at the moment. xD))