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One and half-miserable days later, The Kenshin-gumi and co. finally reached

New York.The whole experience of it all was too overwhelming to describe in a word, though Sano had in his particular way to come pretty close.

"Daaaammmmnnnn....."

It was if two worlds were smashed into one, both complimenting and contradicting itself all at the same time. The docks weren't a good first impression, in fact it reeked of stale salt and other unidentifiable smells, probably from the huge whale carcasses the whalers were skinning and butchering right there on the docks. (Which wasn't a pretty sight and killed any appetites that they had or in Yahiko's case, to keep anything in their stomach.) It wasn't helped the way the sailors were hooting and gesturing at them lustily ether. (Which didn't last long thanks to Karou's viscous aim with some of the rotten fruit lying around.)

But once out of the docks things improved...or worsen, depending on whom you asked. The architecture wasn't just different, it was awe inspiring....Brownstone and brick buildings that seemed to reach just short of the sky...yet gothic and not very welcoming. Cobblestone streets instead of simple dirt but choked with so many horses and carriages it seemed ridiculous, Karou wondering how they ever got anywhere. And more people of different sizes and races in one place than they'd ever seen in their lives, Black, Irish, Italian, Chinese, English, Jewish....But the noise was so overwhelming they thought they'd go deaf. And most of the people were staring at them in a way that none of them liked. Especially at the women.

Karou unconsciously edged a little closer to Kenshin. In short, The Kenshin-gumi were both impressed and scared witless.

Shuriken, of course, was so comfortable it made everybody a bit envious. Then again, with Soujirou and Jubei flanking her at both sides, (And Megumi on Jubei's left, holding his hand and leaning a little too close for Sano's comfort on his shoulder.) swords in plain view and the death glares they were firing off at anyone glancing her direction, It was pretty obvious why...

"Sorry about the crowds and all," She explained. "But this is pretty slow for a normal day."

Everybody winced at that. "We'll have to stay the night at an inn since it's so late and a long drive to my home in the country. Mom's gonna be thrilled to meet you guys....."

"I hope she isn't as crazy as you...." Yahiko and Jubei muttered simultaneously.

The inn they stopped at was another surprise, and not one they liked. It sure lived up to its name, 'Last chance inn.' Because they sure as hell would've past it up if they had a choice. The place was dimly lit, smoke filled and the patrons hanging around could be mistaken for the rats they saw darting around.

"Welcome to America." Sano snickered as Megumi's and Karou's horrified expressions. Even Tomoe had dropped her ice queen mask for a cute 'Hell no' expression.

"Gomenasi.' Shuriken apologized in embarrassment. "In this part of town, this is the best, AND the safest inn around. The other's much worse."

A gaudy dressed and heavily painted woman in a racy gown walked by and sized the guys up the same way one would a feast. Megumi looped an arm around both Sano and Jubei and yanked them close as she glared 'MINE', Karou doing the same to a blushing Kenshin.

"I can imagine." Tomoe said dryly. And things went downhill quickly from there.....

As Shuriken talked to the manager, one of the men at the bar, a scummy looking specimen with a gold tooth, made a comment and pointed at them. Shuriken didn't like what he said they guessed from her expression and tone as she replied. "Wonder what he said?" Karou asked.

"You don't want to know." Soujirou replied.

"Don't tell me you speak English...."

"Yumi taught me some." A memory flickered across his eyes briefly. "He asked if the girls were the....." Soujirou paused, searching for the right way to say it. "Newest shipment."

"Shipment? What does he mean by that...."

"He means are we Mail order brides." Tomoe said calmly, Kenshin begging her not to go on with a glance behind Karou's back that Tomoe ignored. "The only way some families could take care of their children were to sell them to men here in America." A bitter tone crept into her voice. "No less than whores really...."

Karou's fit at that was rudely interrupted by Shuriken throwing a glass of beer in the man's face. The man sputtering and lunging at her....

And didn't even make it half way.

Soujirou glared at the man, whose arm was pinned in-between the bar top and the now two bladed Katana that Soujirou had stabbed down. The place went instantly quiet.

"That, sir...." Soujirou's voice was a degree warmer than a glacier. "Is no way to treat a lady." He pulled it up and pushed Goldtooth to the floor, who spat on him.

"Outside, boy," he snarled.

"If you insist."

Outside, The man and Soujirou walked out into the road, the man fingering the guns on his hips. Everybody had piled out of the place to watch.

"Soujirou...." Shuriken started, Soujirou just smiled at her and the others before turning to Goldtooth.

"Doncha wanna a gun, kid?" He sneered, "Ain't thinking that pigsticker's gonna stop a bullet, are ya?"

"Maybe." Soujirou replied. Two more men stepped out to stand beside Goldtooth, who grinned wider.

"How about three?"

"That's not fair!" Shuriken yelled, about to leap out when Kenshin grabbed her by the shoulder, shaking his head no. Soujirou grinned wider....turning the handle of the sword....which turned the blades to lie against each other, blunt sides out. Tapped his foot four times.

"Anytime you're ready...." They didn't even wait for him to finish, drawing their guns to fire....Soujirou vanished....Chunks of cobblestone flying in his wake....And reappeared behind them before they'd even finished the draw, sword pressed to the back of Goldtooth's neck as he calmly stood there with a smile.

The two men to Goldtooth's right and left slowly collapsed with a moan, unconscious.

Goldtooth's gun shattered in his hand, the man turning to stare at Soujirou with shock before going to draw his other gun.....And then Soujirou's saya dropped out of the air and slammed into Goldtooth's head hard enough to knock a few teeth out, dropping him like a rock.

The crowd gasped. Soujirou picked up his Saya and sheathed his sword, giving them a short bow before turning to the crowd.

"Anyone else?" He asked with an almost friendly tone that belied the threat within. Everyone backed up and away from the Kenshin-gumi so fast it was insane.

"I see you revised the Shun-Ten-Satsu." Kenshin commented as Soujirou walked up. "Throwing the Saya into the air as you dash in, Ne?"

"Hai, Himura-san. Since the target's will be concentrating on my frontal attack, they won't expect an aerial one till it's too late. I can use my sword as well as the saya if need to be." He turned to Shuriken. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah...Sorry for troubling you....."

"Don't worry about it." He interrupted her with a smile. "Needed the exercise anyway."

"Where'd you get that sword anyway?" Yahiko asked as they went back in to pay for the rooms.

"From this old man I helped while on my travels that used to be a swordsmith, Odd guy.....Reminded me of some body I read in a book...."

He drew the sword. "There's a mechanism in the hilt that allows me to turn the blades' edges to lie together, making it a Sakabatou in a way when I don't want to kill or a Double edged sword if I'm forced to...." Soujirou continued his explanation, no one noticing the snakelike form watching from the window, The smaller of the Daisho twins cackling as he scrabbled up the wall.....

##

Later that night....

Megumi pounded her pillow in frustration, sneezing in the dust that small movement kicked up. She couldn't sleep, no surprise really, from the noise downstairs and the less than sanitary conditions. But also because of something else.

Something that went by the name of Sagara Sanosuke, Jerk, and Chicken-head.Going by the cutting remarks he made before turning in, she was definitely wearing him down with the extra flirting she had been doing with Jubei....and enjoying every minute of it she admitted guil. (Well, not much guilt, anyway.) Sano had particularly looked green around the gills when she walked around with Jubei today and when she 'accidentally' tripped on the stairs and then promised a 'reward' while stroking his cheek while he helped her up. "How much more can that moron take....."

And do you really want him to wise up?

Megumi pretended she didn't hear herself think that.

She got up and stretched, looking out the window at the busy streets.....And saw Silk, walking away from the inn.

*Nani? They're here as well?* She was about to go wake up the others when she remembered one of Sano's more cutting remarks about her probably going to go crying to Jubei if she got a splinter or something next time...

Well....I'll show you, Chicken-head....She growled as she quickly dressed, grabbed a scalpel from her bag and tucked it into her sleeve. (I may not be a fighter like Karou or Kenshin but I know how to use this....) I don't need any help....I'll find out where their hideout is all by myself...

She snuck out her room, thankful for the noise downstairs, and followed Silk into the crowd.

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