Author's Note: Many thanks to everyone who has nagged me for Part 4, most notably Meiling-sama. Her kind e-mail and words of encouragement got me writing again this long neglected ol' chestnut. I'd also like to thank Eris who has liked this fic so much she's (I think she's a she, if not I apologize 100x) decided to continue it in a spin off fic called "When the Rain Stops." I'm quite flattered! I hope the next part won't take so long!

~*~Part Four: A Day like no Other~*~ 

"...and to make a long story short, that's when I knew Chou-chan was the one for me!"

Chou looked smug as Kamatari simpered and nuzzled his cheek into Chou's hard shoulder.

The supposedly 'short story' had gone on for better than twenty minutes as Kamatari prattled on and on about insignificant details surrounding their courtship as well as Chou's numerous virtues.

Soujirou's smile was stretched across his face like a clothesline and it actually *ached*. His eyes were practically crossed in stunned disbelief. He couldn't believe that it was even *possible* to talk that long about Chou. Who knew he had so many merits? And Kamatari's gushing was only the tip of the katana as the two lovebirds kept touching and giving each other cuddly looks and doing things that one should never do in public or in front of young girls like Misao.

As though seeing ShiShiO kiss Yumi hadn't been enough of a harrowing experience.

Misao looked exactly how Soujirou felt. Her eyes were wide and she was staring in a sort of horrified fascination.

"We're just so happy together," Kamatari cooed, his lips falling over Chou's smirking cheek.

"Yeah alright it's definitely time for us to be getting a move on," Misao announced, making a face. Clearly enough was enough. "Got lots to see and lots to do..." She nudged Soujirou in the ribs hard.

"Yeah we do," the smiling boy piped up, quelling the inclination to rub at his ribs. Misao could hit *hard*.

"You guys better not fuck anything up," Chou warned, eyeing them suspiciously. "Otherwise you'll get shit."

"We know what we're doing," Misao snapped, scowling. "You just stick to your stupid date and leave us alone!"

Kamatari giggled. "I'll just bet you'd like to be left alone." He blinked long lashes at Soujirou. "You're finally all grown up, boy!"

Scarlet heat spilled into Soujirou's face. "Erm..."

"Oh stubble it!" Misao snatched up the bag filled with all the information Chou'd prepared and shot to her feet. "Come on, we're leaving!"

Soujirou hastily stood and took his good-byes. Chou's sneers and Kamatari's sniggers wafted after them.

Blinking in the warm sunlight, Soujirou glanced around. The crazy lady was no where to be seen so he relaxed a bit. "I'm glad to get out of there Misao-san."

"No kidding!" Misao began to plow her way through the morning crowd. "I can't believe those two idiots managed to pair up! It's a darn good thing they'll never be able to reproduce."

Soujirou was shocked. "Misao-san!"

"Well it's true!" She shook her head. "I never thought there'd be anyone *stupid* enough to like Chou. This is seriously the *weirdest* thing I've ever seen in my life!"

Soujirou was inclined to agree. Kamatari and Chou as a couple was simply too peculiar to think about. He still wasn't sure whether his mind had grasped itself around the concept or not. "Well...I guess this is good news. Kamatari's over ShiShiO-san at least."

Misao snorted loudly. "I wouldn't call Chou much of an improvement over ShiShiO."

Soujirou shrugged. "They deserve to be happy. I'm just glad we'll have some money now."

"And I'm just glad we didn't get caught by that damn Wolf cop Saitou." Misao wrinkled her nose. "Imagine if he was lurking around or something. He would've just thrown us into a cell and tossed away the key."

Dark eyes looked around. "So where are we going now? We still have the whole day before us."

Misao shrugged. "Let's go exploring. Exploring's free."

Soujirou agreed and they continued their way down the busy road. Constantly scanning the premises, the young rurouni kept an avid look out for that crazy lady. Even *Chou* hadn't been able to scare off her and that was saying something. Most sane people were scared Chou and if he couldn't contain her wild ways...Soujirou shuddered.

It didn't bear contemplating.

~~*~*~*~~

The day ended up passing by faster then either would have expected. They explored the city in great depth and frequented numerous shops and stalls. There were hawkers and potters and street performers and painters and fishermen to watch. They spent more time than necessary to examine the information contained within the bag Chou had given them and plan their infiltration into Ishiyama Enrou's humble abode. Then, late in the afternoon they'd chanced upon a woman with her five children by the river attempting to do laundry. At Misao's insistence, they'd offered their services and kept watch over the five lively kids. Afterwards, the mother had been kind enough to invite them over for supper as a reward and that had been an act akin to heaven for both broke wanderers.

Now Misao and Soujirou sat beneath an enormous oak just off a main road leading out of the city, watching hosts of fireflies glimmer in the warm night.

"So how much longer should we wait?" Misao fiddled with her braid, anticipation and excitement coursing through her veins. She could barely sit still, so hyped was she. "I wanna go now!"

"We should wait until the moon is above us," Soujirou replied, peering down at the well-creased map for the hundredth time. "We have to make sure the wife is sleeping. We don't want to...see anything." He tugged at the voluminous sleeves of his gi in embarrassment.

"What if she doesn't sleep at all?" Misao suddenly jolted to her feet. "I can't take anymore of this waiting, Soujirou-kun! You can just use your superfast speed to get us in and out before she notices anything!"

Soujirou also rose. "Misao-san, it isn't safe to-"

"Come on, we could use the challenge!" She leaned close to him so that he could see her huge, entreating eyes in the moon's glow. "Please please please, live a little! We're trained warriors! It just isn't possible for us to mess this up!"

Soujirou blushed at her close proximity, glad for the veil darkness. He hastily took a step back. "Well I guess it wouldn't hurt to leave now," he relented, wiping at his warm cheek. "But if she's with someone then we'll stay away."

"Alright!"

With the aid of the map, it only took about ten minutes to reach Ishiyama Enrou's place. It was evident that the owners were rich for the resident was expensive. An ornately carved gate served as the entrance and beyond was a lavish garden complete with a sprawling pond, a meandering stream that curved around the house, hosts of numerous flowers and shrubbery and an artfully arranged rock garden.

They vaulted over the gate and slunk stealthily through the garden before ducking down behind a fructifying apple tree.

"You wait here," Soujirou whispered. "I'll quickly take a look around and see what the wife's doing."

Misao nodded as she took out her Kunai. "Just be careful."

Soujirou nodded, heat spreading throughout him at her casual concern. He took off.

Misao waited for a few minutes before Soujirou returned. "Well?"

"She's with...two men," Soujirou reported, flushing. "But they're just drinking tea I think. I couldn't see very well, she's only lit one candle. They're in the front room so I think it'd be best if we searched while she's occupied."

"How're we gonna get in?"

"There's an open window in the kitchen. The bedroom's just down the hall from there."

"Great!" Misao beamed and flashed a premature victory sign. "This is gonna be a piece of mochi!"

Soujirou's smile widened at Misao's enthusiasm. "Let's go before she decides to use the bedroom."

They crept through the huge garden and around the house until they reached the open kitchen window. Misao climbed through first and cast a quick glance around the kitchen as Soujirou followed.

"Something smells really good," Misao whispered, stepping towards stove.

Soujirou's stomach agreed but now was hardly the time. "Later Misao-san," he admonished. "Once we finish this job we can buy a feast!"

Misao pouted but yielded. "Alright, lead the way."

"They'll be able to see our shadows so I'll use my Shuku-Chi," Soujirou informed her. "It's best to be safe."

Misao nodded. "Fine with me. It's cool!"

Flushing floridly, he took hold of Misao's arm and a scant 1.892 seconds later they were in the bedroom.

Misao blinked hard and shook her head. "Whoa, that's something else!"

Soujirou could still feel her skin beneath his fingertips. She was soft and smooth. He swallowed hard as his smile grew strained. This was stupid, to be thinking of Misao in this manner at a time like this!

"Uh...Soujirou-kun? Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

Soujirou followed Misao's finger to a kimono lying in a crumpled heap in the corner. "Mess?"

"No! Look closer, look at the colors!"

He approached the discarded pile of fabric and stained to see in the darkness. His eyes enlarged as horror began to puddle deep in the pit of his stomach. "This is...this can't be..."

"My night vision is perfect," Misao declared. "And that kimono is orange and blue and the obi is purple and yellow!"

"I'm sure lots of ladies have blue and orange kimonos," Soujirou offered weakly.

"I guess... "

As if on cue, their hopes and wishful thinking was crushed. A voice they were all too familiar drifted from down the hall, increasing in volume.

"OH you're SO STRONG Nagisawa-san," the lady trilled, her footsteps coming closer. "And YOU Yosuke-kun are SO MANLY. I've always WANTED to HAVE TWO men at the SAME time to FEED my WOMANLY PASSIONS!"

Soujirou gasped and the loud lady unknowingly did what hundreds of fierce opponents, including the legendary Hitokiri Battousai, were unable to do; freeze the Tenken. A rush of undiluted fear coursed into Soujirou's veins.

How could *she* be the wife? Why did it have to be like this? Was this the punishment due to him for his murderous ways? Was this God dishing out justice?

Misao snatched hold of his arm and yanked him violently to the closet. "Open the damn door," she hissed. "They're coming into here! Do want that mad loony to catch you?"

No he most certainly did not!

Soujirou seized the key from his pocket and jammed it into the door. It opened with a creak but the whining noise was drowned out by the rapidly approaching voices. Misao shoved Soujirou hard and snapped the door shut behind them, throwing them into pitch darkness. Misao locked the door behind them and pocketed the key.

"I can't see a damn thing," Misao complained in a loud whisper.

Soujirou's heart was slowly returning to normal. "There's stairs here. Come on."

From the bedroom came a lusty squeal followed by a hoarse grunt. Both blushing youths were propelled into action and began the painstaking process of descending in utter darkness.