Dreams in the Dark

Part 1 : Embracing the Sword (Chapter 4)

-

"Ohayo, shishou," a small group of boys greeted together. Aoshi
squinted, trying to get a better view from afar. Okina continued
walking in their direction as if nothing had happened and Aoshi had
no choice but to follow the older man along.

"Aoshi, those are the junior members of the Onmitsu
Oniwabanshuu under my training. In the future, you might have to
train with them and share those jobs given out. We are a very
disciplined clan. We have divided our members into small groups and
each of them are required to distribute their chores equally," Okina
started in a low tone and waited for Aoshi's response before
continuing.

"Am I a member of that group?" Aoshi asked curiously and gave a
little gesture with his hand, pointing towards those boys whom they
had seen earlier.

"Yes, temporarily. I must tell you though, this group is
actually a junior group."

Aoshi nodded slightly and placed his arms behind him, his eyes
keeping their stare on those boys. *Ah... Even three year olds are
trained here... The Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu must be very serious with
their jobs...* Aoshi noted and smiled softly. *Even Omasu is
there...* The boy turned his head away quickly in embarrassment when
the girl waved at him enthusiastically. Aoshi peeked up a little,
trying to get another view of her sweet face, his mind already
reeling from the girl's playful looks.

"Eh, Aoshi, why are you daydreaming again?" A hand reached over
and gave his head a little tap. "Are you listening to me?"

"Aa..." Aoshi answered simply and focused his sight on Okina's
thin form. The man folded his arms across his chest and gazed at
Aoshi thoughtfully. "Are you ready to train? As I have told you
before, you will feel like dying when you reach a certain stage,"
Okina told the boy doubtfully. Aoshi rolled up his sleeves to look at
his bare arms before raising one of them, only to show Okina how bony
and pathetically thin it was.

"You have to bulk up, young man," Okina sighed seriously but a
twitch by the side of his mouth gave him away. He stroked his short
goatee and nodded at Aoshi, his eyes looking at the boy's arms.

"Ah, Okina, you are quite thin too," Aoshi retorted playfully
and held back a snicker. "I have seen your arms when you are
sleeping."

"*That* is different, boy," Okina shot back hastily and cleared
his throat. "Alright, let's not talk about muscles. Let's go over to
that bench there."

"Why?"

"You'll see later. I'll teach you one of the most basic stances
in any kenpo." Okina smiled and took Aoshi's hand. "Most of our
Onmitsu arts are based on empty handed fighting and when you reach
higher levels, you *can* incorporate weapons into your basics.
Besides, you really need to have some knowledge in martial arts
before I can teach you any type of budo."

"Okina, you said that merging hand techniques with weapons is
possible. Can you show me how?" Aoshi asked and looked at Okina
pleadingly. "I really want to see."

"No. We are not allowed to do any demonstrations to outsiders."

"Please?"

"No."

"Onegai?"

"Alright, alright, but I'll show you when we are alone with no-
one watching," Okina promised and sighed at that boy. "Your style of
persuading people reminds me of someone I know." When the older man
finished the sentence, Aoshi noticed that he had a faraway look in
his eyes. The young boy smiled. Okina was a good man deep inside him,
it was just that Aoshi couldn't quite understand the fact that he
liked to gaze at young women with that glassy look in his eyes. Okina
looked at him and smiled wryly. "I'll tell you more when you are
older."

"Okina, tell me. Who is it, onegai?" Aoshi asked curiously,
eager to know more about the total stranger who Okina was talking
about.

"She is a tayuu. She is also like you, with all those 'onegai'.
She was a very beautiful woman and I met her in Kyoto about seven
years ago. She is one of the most unforgettable woman I have ever
been with," Okina sighed and shook his head slowly. "It's a pity I
never saw her after that night... I heard she was taken as a secondary
consort by a powerful daimyo when I last searched for
her..."

"What night? What consort?" Aoshi asked curiously, eager to
know more about Okina.

"Eh, young boys aren't supposed to ask so many questions,"
Okina tried to reprimand Aoshi in a stern tone but the merry twinkle
in his eyes gave him away. The boy began to laugh quietly, attracting
Okina's undivided attention.

"What is it, Aoshi? What is so funny?" Okina asked, one of his
eyebrows arching in curiosity.

"Okina, you like to visit tayuu? I mean..." Aoshi paused for a
short while, trying to find a suitable and polite way to place his
words. "I mean... I have never seen an actual tayuu before and you
sound so experienced..."

That question caused a stir in Okina's emotional control for
the second time that morning. Deep down in his heart, he felt an
itch, slowly gnawing at him endlessly. Aoshi's eyes widened in
curiosity when Okina suddenly sported a wide grin and rubbed his
hands together. "Boy, in seven days' time, it will be the 15th of
this month, ne? I'll take you out to a teahouse, since you wanted to
see some women."

"Ah... Okina, I don't mean..." Aoshi began slowly but was
quickly cut off by Okina's words.

"C'mon, let's train properly. No more 'onegai' or 'tayuu'.
Although I told you we must start training tomorrow but I think it
won't hurt just to start a little earlier," Okina interrupted Aoshi's
words quickly and folded his arms.

Aoshi shrugged aimlessly and waited for Okina's orders.

"Aoshi, get on that wooden bench with each of your legs on
either side. After that, stand on the ground and bend your knees!"
Okina commanded and tapped his foot.

"Okina... I..."

"Do it quickly. We don't have much time since you are so
insistent on passing those four levels," Okina tried to persuade the
boy, only to have Aoshi putting his legs reluctantly on each side of
the bench. "Bend your knees, I said."

"Okina, the bench is too wide..." Aoshi complained and
momentarily sat on the wooden structure. "My legs are aching."

"It's normal, Aoshi. I myself trained on that bench when my
father taught me my basics. I was about your age too and I didn't
complain," Okina coaxed the boy. The boy looked at him quizzically
and folded his arms. "What is it now?" Okina questioned him and
sighed softly. "I'm not asking you to sit on a bed of nails."

"Okina, I still don't understand why we have to sit like this.
It's so ugly looking," Aoshi answered him and straightened his knees,
his hands rubbing at his legs as he tried to ease the dull ache
spreading in his muscles. Okina gave him an exasperated look and
cleared his throat.

"Look here, boy," Okina ordered sternly and stood up straight
with his legs close together. Inhaling deeply, he shifted his right
foot and half-sat in mid-air. "Make sure your toes point forward and
keep a balanced stance. Don't slant to one side."

"Why?"

"Come here," Okina instructed the boy and Aoshi took a cautious
step towards Okina. "Push me with all your might."

"Okina..."

"Don't fret. I'll show you how important it is to have a good
posture," Okina explained and gestured to Aoshi.

The boy nodded and tentatively, he gave Okina a slight shove on
the shoulder. Okina didn't budge, instead he glared at Aoshi, making
the young boy shudder. "Did you eat anything? Are you sick or
something?"

"I..."

"Push harder! Don't worry, I won't get hurt!"

Biting his lower lip, Aoshi braced himself and gave Okina a
very hard push on his shoulder.

But the man didn't even budge. Okina looked at him and gave a
small sigh. "Alright, that's enough. Did you notice that I didn't
even move from this basic stance?"

"Okina, why is that so?" the young boy asked.

"When your stance is correct and balanced, your entire body
will be very stable and strong. Even a tsunami won't be able to knock
you down, do you get it?" Okina explained and pulled his left leg
into a standing position. "I'm serious here, Aoshi. Wait here while I
get something."

Aoshi nodded and sat on the bench, his watchful eyes following
Okina's movements. The older man went to the side of the courtyard to
collect a few pieces of bricks and carried them carefully with both
of his hands.

"Go to the bench and do the stance which I have just
demonstrated," Okina commanded as he placed those bricks on the
ground. "Now bend your knees and sit properly."

"Hai." Sucking in the morning air, Aoshi braced himself and
shifted his legs into a more comfortable position. Bending them
halfway, Aoshi gritted his teeth and tried to maintain a still pose.

Okina rolled his eyes and stuck his hands on his waist. "Do you
know how to ride a horse?"

Aoshi shook his head slowly. "I... I have never ridden a horse
before..."

"Makes me wonder how efficient the Matsudaira clan is at
training their youngsters," Okina grumbled under his breath and began
using his foot to bend Aoshi's legs. "Sit like this and don't move!"

"Okina, what are you doing?" Aoshi asked in shock as his
innocent eyes followed the man's agile movements. The young boy
cringed internally when Okina started piling three clay bricks onto
each of Aoshi's thighs. Aoshi gritted his teeth as the small stack on
his left legs began wobbling dangerously.

"Don't let them topple!" Okina added hastily and went behind
Aoshi. Using his shin and both of his hands, Okina grabbed Aoshi's
shoulder and straightened the boy's posture. "Make sure your back's
straight! Clench your fists and put them by the sides of your waist!"

"Okina, the bricks are very heavy!" Aoshi complained through
clenched teeth and held his labored breathing.

"No, they are not. Tomorrow, I'll put a stick of incense
directly underneath you so you won't slouch."

"Okina..."

"Don't complain. I'll be back soon," Okina laughed softly and
walked away, his right hand stroking his short goatee. Seeing Okina
strolling further and further away, Aoshi squeezed his eyes shut and
tried to concentrate on balancing the two piles of bricks which were
lying on his thighs. Breathing in deeply, Aoshi began counting
silently in his heart while trying to maintain his pose.

Time passed and those bricks seemed to weigh more and more.
Even though his leg muscles were already starting to ache, the young
boy forced himself to ignore the painful sensation. Aoshi's eyes
snapped open and he focused his eyesight on the group of young
warriors training across the courtyard.

"The okashira's son is also there..." Aoshi whispered mentally
and strained his eyes. Curiously, the boy scrutinized the young man
from head to toe. Gradually, the other warriors beside the Okashira's
son moved aside and gave the young man a respectful bow. The
Okashira's son dismissed them with a simple wave and the rest
retreated from the courtyard, giving Aoshi a even better view.

*Couldn't be more than twenty years old... Quite good-looking
too, the exact opposite of his father...* Aoshi decided cheekily and
looked again. The young man bent down to pick a long and black
object. *Must be the covering of some sharp weapon...* Aoshi thought
silently, his gaze fixed on the young man's actions. Lifting it up
with his palms, the man threw it high up in mid-air. Aoshi swallowed
in fear once when the man jumped up to catch the long wooden sheath.
Suddenly, he was holding a slender object in each of his hands which
glittered under the sun's rays as he touched the ground.

*Those are swords... Short swords... Strange, why is he using
double kodachi instead of one?* Aoshi thought aimlessly, but
dismissed the notion when the Okashira's son suddenly stood straight
with the double swords crossed over his chest.

Aoshi narrowed his eyes as he tried to get a better view. Step
by step, the man moved forward and his hands began striking in
several directions, one at a time. Aoshi winced slightly as the sharp
reflection of the direct sunlight hit his eyes, but the boy was too
absorbed by the graceful movements of the short weapons manipulated
skillfully by the man. Aoshi squinted again, this time the man was
standing in a still position in front of a tree.

*What is he up...*

Before Aoshi could even finish that silent sentence, the young
man jumped up and shouted, the twin daggers flying out from his
hands aimed directly at a tree branch. In less then a split second, a
crashing sound echoed through the near-empty courtyard, causing Aoshi
to nearly jump out of his skin. Before the young boy could even
stabilize his own stance, another noise sounded beside him. With a
shocked gasp, Aoshi looked down and a few pieces of broken bricks lay
by his feet.

Another pained gasp, Aoshi's legs gave way and his body
collapsed on the hard ground. Picking himself up quickly, Aoshi tried
to command his legs to move but there was only numbness. Using his
hands to rub at his calves, Aoshi gritted his teeth and rubbed at his
legs harder.

"Hoi, what are you doing? Who are you anyway?" a voice shouted
above him and Aoshi gazed up in pure astonishment. The Okashira's son
was already standing in front of him.

"Don't you know you are not supposed to watch?" the young man
began angrily again, his eyes flashing with anger. "Tell me what are
you doing here!"

"I... ah... I..."

"He is my new student," another voice interrupted calmly.

"Okina!" Aoshi shouted and heaved a secret sigh of relief. He
gave the Okashira's son another look and was surprised to see the
young man bowing slightly to Okina.

"Gomen nasai, I thought he was some child beggar. Okina, you
should let him eat more. He's too skinny to be one of our warriors,"
the young man criticized and shook his head slowly.

"Aoshi has only been here since yesterday, so give me some time
to train him up. So, how is the Kodachi Nitou Ryu technique going for
you?" Okina ended with a question and flashed him a small smile.

"It's alright, but I can't seem to grasp the tempo and rhythm
correctly..." the young man answered and sighed dejectedly. "Come
with me, Okina. Let me show you what I mean."

"Aoshi, get up," Okina whispered and lent Aoshi a helping hand.
Gritting his teeth, Aoshi tried to ignore the dull ache in his leg
muscles and stood up wobbly. Seeing that the young boy had already
managed to stand, Okina released his hold on Aoshi's arm and followed
the Okashira's son to the opposite end of the courtyard. Mustering
all of his strength, Aoshi trailed the duo from afar.

"Okina, look at this," the young man began and picked up the
severed end of the tree branch.

Okina shot him a puzzled look and examined the piece of wood.
"Isn't it supposed to be a clean cut? Why is it so uneven?" Seeing
the confused look on Okina's face, Aoshi strained to look at the
branch. Peeking at Okina's facial expression again, Aoshi decided
that there was something abnormal happening.

"That is the main problem. As you can see, the snap is caused
by my raw strength, not by the power by this technique. The Kodachi
Nitou Ryu is a very fast and sharp set of sword techniques and
chichi-ue had taught me how to incorporate the channeling of inner
energy with those body movements, but it seems that the energy won't
go together with the sword. It's like it's being trapped in my
palm..." The young man lamented loudly and folded his arms in
frustration. "I have tried so many times and yet the result is still
the same."

"Shingi, to master this technique will take *years*, not
months. Your father took twenty years to achieve his current
level..." Okina sighed and shook his head.

"Okina, is there any way to improve the situation? Father is
already old and I don't have much time to master the entire set of
the Kodachi Nitou Ryu..." Shingi trailed off dejectedly.

"Yes, every Okashira of the Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu must master
this line properly. Well, have you tried meditation? It will help in
controlling ki," Okina suggested and threw the tree branch aside.

"Meditation... You mean the type in which you sit down and try
to find your peaceful inner self?"

"Yes. In all of our techniques, we tend to incorporate inner
energy with physical movements and your control of ki is very
important. With meditation, you learn how to control it more
efficiently as to prevent yourself from suffering internal injuries.
Besides, I'm sure having a calm mind will help in channeling ki."

"Thank you, Okina," the young man uttered with a low bow and
picked up his weapons which were lying on the ground. "I'll try."

"By the way, has your father arranged your marriage?" Okina
switched the subject of their conversation with a wide grin. "Have
you seen your new wife yet?"

The man flashed a small smile and folded his arms. "Uh, you
mean that girl from another Oniwabanshuu clan?"

"Yes! That pretty girl!" Okina shouted enthusiastically and
gave Shingi a friendly slap on the back. "All of us have talked to
her father and he seems to be rather enthusiastic about the entire
marriage."

"Hm... Father said that we will have the formal ceremony by the
beginning of next year..."

"Congratulations, my boy!" Okina said cheerful. "Ah, it has
been eighteen years since you were born. Ah... Maybe I'm getting old
already..." Okina sighed wistfully and stroked his short goatee.

"No, Okina, you are not so old yet... Members of the younger
generation still need you to help the Onmitsu survive, like me."

"This clan needs new blood, and perhaps Okashira will pass you
the sacred seat after your wedding. I can feel it. Besides, you are
the most suitable candidate at the time being."

"Thank you, Okina, for your encouragement." Bending down, the
young man picked up the sheath of his kodachi and gave Okina a short
bow. Giving Aoshi a small smile, Shingi turned around and departed
from the duo.

Aoshi nodded unconsciously at him and his stare was fixed at
the long black scabbard containing the sharp blades of the twin
swords.

"Okina, why is he using double swords?" Aoshi asked suddenly.

"Boy, this is the secret technique of the Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu
and only the Okashira and his heir are allowed to learn it. In fact,
no-one is supposed to look when the Okashira is practicing it."

"Can I learn how to use the kodachi?"

"Yes, of course. As I have told you before, there are many
different techniques and I can teach you simpler ones, but not the
one you saw Shingi using. That is one of our secret stances and don't
expect me to teach you anything like that soon. I saw those broken
bricks, by the way..."

"Oh, that is why that Shingi man sounded so angry just now..."
Aoshi mumbled softly and winced internally as his leg muscles began
aching with a dull pain.

"Eh, I think it's time for some academic lessons already before
going for the last meal of the day. I believe every onmitsu must be
well educated to perform any mission professionally," Okina said with
a smile and gave Aoshi a friendly pat on the back.

"Let's go for a short rest before doing anything else."

-

Almost after an eternity, a week passed and it was filled with
laughter and tears. The young boy endured through all the pain and
torture, only to find himself nearer to his target of seeking justice
for his parents and family. Day and night, he pushed himself to the
limits, only to feel his young body bending from the stress. He
didn't give up, for it had even strengthened his will to survive, to
succeed.

A small body lay on a straw mattress, the young boy sleeping
peacefully but a small streak of tear gave away the actual truth of
his dreams away. A man stood over him and sighed. He reached out a
finger to dab the rivulet away and shook his head.

Nightmares and bad dreams - all of them were evil elements
which lurk in the innocent mind of the child.

"Aoshi, get up! We are going out now," the man's voice
whispered happily in Aoshi's ear. The sleepy boy gave a small yawn
and ignored the call. Shifting his position, his head rolled to the
other side of his folded arms, trying to get some more sleep.

"I'm tired... My legs still ache from all that running after
breakfast..." Aoshi mumbled softly and yawned sleepily, his vision
still blurry.

"Hey, don't ever disparage running as a good way to train! If
you want to be as fast as the wind, you better not complain anymore.
Anyway, Aoshi, it's already evening. If we want to get a good place
in the kabuki theater, we need to go out now," the voice urged again.
Aoshi rubbed his eye lazily with one hand and peeked up at the
smiling face.

*Kabuki theater?*

That very word woke Aoshi up instantly. Sitting up straight,
Aoshi looked up at Okina strangely. "What kabuki theater?"

Okina gave a small sigh and shook his head. "Haven't I told you
that we will be going out on the 1st and the 15th of every month? You
can train every day without rest, but I can't. We both need some
entertainment, right?"

"Arigato gozaimasu, Okina," Aoshi grinned excitedly and stood
up, his hair tousled. Walking over to the end of the small room, the
young boy selected a white slip and a brown jacket from a small pile
of clothes. Peeling off his simple yukata, Aoshi began putting on
those clothes.

"Hm, you have shown some improvement," Okina began after a
series of rustling sounds filled the room. Aoshi turned around to
look at the man, only to see him picking up pieces of papers from his
low table. "I have always believe that intellectual abilities must go
together with physical training to form a good Oniwabanshuu member.
We don't want any stupid followers going around foiling plans."

Aoshi smiled, his heart bursting with pride from Okina's
praises. "Anou... Okina, please don't joke with me. My writing is
still poor," Aoshi started and looked down humbly. The young boy
smiled happily as Okina nodded approvingly at those neat rows of
calligraphy carefully aligned on white sheets of paper. "Ao...
shi..." Okina mumbled softly and nodded again at the writing.
*Aoshi's a very intelligent boy...*

"Okina?" a girlish voice sang out and Aoshi looked at up in
surprise, his fingers still working on the folds of his clothes. A
cute face peeped into the room and smiled brightly. "Okina? Are we
going now?" The girl gazed at Aoshi and waved a dainty hand at him.
"Ah, Aoshi, you are here too..."

*Omasu?* the young boy noted and flashed her small smile.
"Konnichiwa, Omasu! Long time no see!" he greeted politely, his mind
urging his hands to hurry up. Turning around, he fastened the sash of
his pants around his waist securely.

"Hah, Hyobe's little princess is here already. Aoshi, hurry up!
By the way, Omasu is going with us to the kabuki theater before going
to the teahouse," Okina explained. Aoshi nodded and walked up to
stand behind Okina.

"Omasu going with us?"

"Yes... Besides, I don't think I can stand a certain female's
constant droning about how boring the Aoiya is," Okina retorted and
shot a sharp glance at the little girl.

Omasu giggled softly and trotted over to Aoshi's side, the
sleeves of her small kimono swinging as she walked. "Aoshi, you don't
mind, do you?" Holding the boy's arm, Omasu wrapped her hands around
Aoshi's limb and started towards the door.

"Okina..." Aoshi began helplessly but his pleas were already
drowned out by Okina's amused laughter.

"Let's go."

-

"Quick! Quick! It's already starting!" Omasu screamed excitedly
and began running towards the entrance of the wooden building. Loud
traditional music was already blaring and Aoshi smiled softly. It had
been such a long time since he had last watched a kabuki performance.

"Omasu! Come back here! We don't have any tickets yet!" Okina
shouted. Omasu stopped in her tracks and grinned. "Gomen nasai..."
With light steps, she skipped over to Okina's side. "Okina, do get
the tickets now!"

"Both of you wait here while I go find the ticket man," Okina
said and gave Aoshi a friendly pat on his head. Donning a basket-like
deep hat, Okina flashed Aoshi and Omasu a assuring smile and walked
towards the crowd.

"Aoshi, have you ever watched a kabuki play?" Omasu asked and
smiled smugly. "I have. What about you?"

"Yes, lots of times too," Aoshi answered simply and smiled.
Omasu nodded in acknowledgment and began looking around with her
bright eyes. The duo stood there in silence and he folded his arms,
his ears listening to the loud chatter of the crowd.

He sighed softly.

When he was living in the Matsudaira household, they never had
the need to go out for an evening of entertainment. Perhaps it was
because of the fact that his father was rich enough to invite the
entire troupe of singers to perform within the comfort of his mansion.

Such irony. Haha-ue loved kabuki plays too. Haha-ue always
told him stories of her younger times when she cross-dressed simply
to enter a kabuki theater; and that was the only thing haha-ue told
him about her past.

Aoshi sighed dejectedly. He hadn't thought of his mother for a
long, long time. She was there all along, in his spirit, but he
didn't even take note to dedicate some time to her in private.

Slowly, Aoshi reached up to touch his own face lightly, drawing
his finger across his cheek in one fluid movement. Chichi-ue had
always said that he looked like haha-ue a lot. Those sharp features,
the slender body frame...

The most, his eyes.

The boy reached into fold of his robe and removed a small
copper coin. Attached to a piece of red string, Aoshi played with the
coin and studied it. *One zeni...* Aoshi mumbled subconsciously and
turned the coin around. *Haha-ue...*

It was his mother's most prized possession, and also her last
gift to him. The zeni was the smallest currency value and it was
nearly impossible to buy anything with it; yet it was more valuable
than its weight in gold to his mother. Although she never let him see
her looking at it, Aoshi knew that she would spend hours staring at
it. For long hours through the dim candlelight, his eyes peered at
her hunched form behind the safe folds of his blanket.

She would never know that he had spent time watching her.

*What is so special about this coin?* Aoshi wondered silently.
Haha-ue had even shed tears while looking at it.

Aoshi flipped it around and fingered the small indent by the
side of the coin. Tentatively, he placed a digit on the mark. The
indentation was slightly bigger than the tip of his index finger and
Aoshi looked at it intently, his eyes showing curiosity. It was as if
someone had pressed the zeni so hard that the metal actually sank at
one point. Who could have possessed such great strength?

It was almost... inhuman.

Aoshi swallowed painfully. He was certain that he would never
know the answer. Haha-ue was already dead and no-one would know the
story behind this single zeni...

"Aoshi, are you feeling fine?" a girlish voice asked and a
small hand shook his arm. Aoshi shut out his thoughts and turned his
head to look at Omasu. The young girl looked back at him with worry
written in her eyes.

"Ah, yes," Aoshi answered and smiled. Omasu slowly released his
arms and pointed in the direction of the theater. "Eh? What is it?"
Aoshi asked, his focus following Omasu's finger. Quickly, he stuffed
the zeni back into the bosom of his kimono.

"Aoshi, I think you are blind. Look! Okina's waving at us!"
Omasu exclaimed and took hold of Aoshi's arm again. "Let's go! The
performance has already started!"

"Aa..." Aoshi started but before he could even finish his
sentence, he was already being led by his arm by the active girl.
Threading nimbly through the milling crowds, both Aoshi and Okina
walked towards the waving man. The entire place was very packed and
the duo had difficulty making their way across the street. Turning
sideways, Aoshi tried to squeeze his way out between two adults.

"Ahhhh!" Aoshi exclaimed and stumbled backwards finally
landing onto the bosom of a woman. Getting up quickly, Aoshi mumbled
a word of apology and blushed as Omasu giggled merrily. Suddenly,
Aoshi felt his arm knocking into a fairly hard object.

"Watch it! My basket of eggs!" A loud and shrill voice shouted
in Aoshi's ear, making the boy cringe. He shot a terrified look in
the direction of that yell and a middle-aged woman was glaring at him
angrily. "Look! You crushed my eggs!"

"Gomen nasai..."

"Aoshi, why are you looking so dazed?" another voice asked
gently and Aoshi turned his head to look straight up at Okina's
half-concealed face.

"That woman..."

Okina's eyebrows met in a soft frown and the man stood up, his
sharp eyes looking at the woman. The peasant glared back at and
studied him from head to toe. Her eyes drifted along his waist until
they came to a halt on the double swords which Okina wore in his
girdle.

"Katana... Sa... Samurai? Gomen nasai!" the woman shuddered and
gave Okina a low bow. Okina gave a small nod and his eyes watched in
silent laughter as woman began apologizing. Stepping backwards
carefully, the woman bowed again before hurrying off in another
direction.

"Aoshi, if you are going to become one of us, you had better
train yourself to be less clumsy next time," Okina said and took
Omasu's arm with one hand, his free hand clutching Aoshi's skinny
hand. "After watching the play, I'll take the two of you to the
Yoshiwara district since Aoshi wants to see some women."

"Aoshi wants to see some women?" Omasu shrieked in surprise and
the young girl let out peals of amused laughter.

"Shush, Omasu. Don't tell your chichi-ue, deal?" Okina laughed
softly and folded his arms. "Don't tell Okon too, she can't keep
secrets properly."

"Eh, how I wish Okon was here also..." Omasu pouted and folded
her arms over her chest.

"Who's Okon?" Aoshi asked simply and looked at the girl.

"Okon? She is my distant cousin! Aoshi, trust me, she's a fun
person and she's one year my junior," Omasu explained happily and
wrapped her fingers around the boy's arm. "I'll introduce her to you
when we have the chance."

"Aoshi, you too. Don't go around telling everyone we are going
to the Yoshiwara district when we get back to Aoiya," Okina lectured
sternly but a slight curve by the side of his lips gave him away.
"Besides, it's you who wanted to see female entertainers in the first
place."

"Ano... Okina..." Aoshi began but his voice was already lost
among the loud chatter of the crowd milling around them. Left with no
choice at all, Aoshi finally followed Okina into the theater.

-

"Woo... The ending was so sad..." A girlish voice began loudly
and the sound of a man clearing his throat was heard outside the
near-empty theater. "Aoshi, do you know why that woman had to commit
suicide at the end? I don't really understand but the man there
looked so upset."

"No... I don't..." Aoshi blinked a few times and wiped the
sleeves of his kimono across his eyes, dabbing at them. The young boy
looked quickly in Okina's direction and the older man's eyes made
silent contact with his gaze. Aoshi blinked again; this time, he
noticed that Okina's eyes were watery too.

"Okina, are we true men?" Aoshi asked softly and flashed the
man a small smile, intending to make Okina eat his words.

"True men also have feelings. We are made of flesh and blood
after all," Okina answered simply and strode forward in the direction
of the exit. "Hm, it's not very dark now. Alright, let's go to
Yoshiwara for some entertainment, ne? Aoshi, you wanted to see some
*real* women, right?"

"Aa..." Aoshi mumbled and shot Omasu an exasperated look. The
young girl giggled softly and took his hand. Aoshi looked at Okina
again but the older man simply shrugged and walked forward.

"Aoshi, don't worry... I think it will be fun!" Omasu whispered
into her friend's ear and laughed again when Aoshi heaved a small
sigh. "Okina's already like that... He even tried dragging chichi-ue
to some popular tayuu a few years back, according to haha-ue."

"Eh? Really?" Aoshi asked, raising his left brow curiously.
"Okina really likes women?"

"Oh yes, he does," Omasu answered shortly and ran forward,
pulling Aoshi's arm as she went. "I might even go so far as to say
that Okina's very twisted in a sense," she whispered into the boy's
ear mysteriously and giggled again.

"Really?"

"Eh, you are doubting my words? Never mind, you will see
later."

-

The Yoshiwara was the most famous of all red light districts at
that time. Rows and rows of uneven shop-houses lined each streets,
along with stalls selling various types of local delicacies and
little gold trinkets. Through his pair of young eyes, he looked
happily at the rows of paper lanterns strung across the street.

A soft, cool breeze blew around him as he eyed his surroundings
with full enthusiasm. Couples were walking and milling around slowly
as soft laughter and bashful giggling filled the air.

"Aoshi, it's still early for the teahouses to open fully... Do
you want something to eat first?" asked a manly voice above his head.
Aoshi gazed at Okina thoughtfully and smiled.

"No, no thanks," Aoshi answered at last with a slight shake of
his head. Omasu still held his hand as the trio slowly made their way
down the street. There were hardly any clouds in the dimmed sky and
the sun was starting to set already.

"Omasu, have you ever seen a beautiful sunset before? I mean,
those you can really remember for life," Okina asked cheerfully,
intending to bring up some conversation among them.

Omasu shook her head and pouted. "Chichi-ue is always too busy
to bring me any where... I'm always sitting around Aoiya."

"What about your haha-ue?" Aoshi asked suddenly, his eyebrows
knitted in a puzzled frown.

Omasu stopped walked and held her breath. "Haha-ue... She's
dead for a few years already..." she blurted out and sighed.

"I'm sorry..." Aoshi mumbled softly and looked down. "My haha-
ue's dead too... You still have your chichi-ue right? I lost my
entire family overnight..." After saying those words, Aoshi clenched
his jaw and balled up his fists. *Why wasn't I born earlier? I could
have done something to stop this...* Slowly, a tear ran down the
bridge of his nose and dropped onto the ground below.

"Aoshi, there's no need for you to apologize..." Omasu began
and lifted Aoshi's chin with her fingers. "I guess that's why we are
like old friends now. We do have something in common."

Aoshi looked straight into her watery eyes and sighed. "Yes,
that is what I am thinking too..." Using the sleeve of his kimono, he
dabbed the wet streak away and forced a smile on his face.

"Thank you, Aoshi," Omasu whispered.

"Hoi! Are you two finished with all those angst stories? I
think I'm going to cry if both of you don't stop soon!" Okina's voice
boomed above them, the man himself trying to cheer the duo up. "I
know Aoshi's hungry. Just look at his face!"

Aoshi forced a grin and folded his arms, his stomach clenching
in raw hunger. "Don't worry about me, Okina. I'm not hungry," Aoshi
continued, trying his best to be polite.

"Hn, what do you mean by 'don't worry about me'? You are still
growing and you need lots of food. Omasu, you too, young lady," Okina
grumbled and reached into the folds of his inner kimono to retrieve
his money pouch. Rolling his eyes, he walked towards a stall selling
steamed dumplings and dropped a few coins into the makeshift counter.

"Three, please," Okina requested and looked at the old seller.
White tendrils of steam rose from the boiling clay pot as the old
man fished out three pieces of the dumplings and wrapped them up in
a piece of paper each. Presenting them with both of his hands, the
man handed the food to Okina with a gracious smile.

With a short wave of his hand, Okina gestured Aoshi and Omasu
to go to the opposite side of the street. Pointing to a low stone
curb outside a wooden building, Okina sat down and urged the children
to sit with him.

"Omasu, here's yours and Aoshi, this is your share," Okina gave
them one of the small packages each. "Eat while it's still warm!"

"Arigato gozaimasu!" Aoshi and Omasu chorused together and
began unwrapping the food.

"Still tastes the same..." Okina commented after taking the
first bite. "Still as delicious as it was six years ago..."

"Six years?" the two children chorused together, Omasu's eyes
twinkling. Aoshi snickered softly as he bit into his dumpling.

"Yes, it has already been six years since I last stepped into
this part of Japan... Hasn't changed much, only the streets have
become cleaner. It was sometime during the lunar new year when I
came," sighed Okina wistfully and smiled. "There are lots of
memories of my younger times here."

"Okina, forgive me, but do you frequently visit the teahouses
here?" Aoshi asked, his bright eyes fixing their sharp gaze on
Okina's face.

"Well... Yes..." Okina confessed slowly and a larger smile
broke across his face. "When I was young, I was rash, passion-filled,
handsome, dashing, brave... I was a man that every young woman would
desire..."

"Okina!" the two young children shouted together in
exasperation.

"Alright, alright, I won't talk about myself anyway. If there's
a portrait of me in my heydays, the two of you will believe my
words," Okina grumbled and rolled his eyes. "Omasu, you can ask your
chichi-ue if you want."

"Anyway, Okina... Why did you stop coming here since six years
ago?" Aoshi asked again with his mouth full as he ate the dumpling.

"Well, there are quite a number of reasons... First, it was
because I'm already old..." Okina answered with a soft sigh and
stroked his short goatee. "I'm no longer the young man I want to
be..."

"But you are not that old yet! Besides, your wife is long
dea..." Omasu interrupted but stopped herself as Okina stopped
smiling. The older man stopped eating and swallowed painfully.

"I'm sorry..." Omasu whispered and looked down. "I don't mean
it."

Okina forced a smile and resumed chewing on his dumpling.
"Never mind... What has passed is past. Eh, why am I talking about
all those angst stories tonight? Let me tell the two of you about the
last girl I met here, in Yoshiwara."

"Yes! Please, please do tell us!" Aoshi and Omasu cheered and
clapped their hands.

"Well, she was the most unforgettable woman I ever had..."
Okina began and sighed dreamily. "I think she was a tayuu, from her
way of speech and dressing... I still remember the way she dressed
that night... Okashira and I were here, together with some of the
other senior members of the Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu as we were bent on
celebrating the success of one of our missions. I was never a heavy
drinker as I tend to believe that we should always be alert all the
time, even during sleep."

Okina paused for a moment to see whether Aoshi and Omasu were
listening to him. Convinced that he had their attention, Okina
continued with his rendition.

"So I went to sit outside the restaurant, hoping to get a
breather and some fresh air. Just then, I saw a beautiful woman
standing directly opposite me, her hand was holding a delicate fan.
She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen in my life. I
half-wondered if she was an angel from heaven, but I pushed that
thought away because why would an angel choose a place like this to
descend?"

Aoshi nodded and threw the brownish paper wrapper away. "What
happened next?"

Okina frowned and folded his arms. "Eh, don't interrupt me,
Aoshi. Anyway, as usual, I smiled and waved at her and expected a
reply. The woman didn't smile back, instead she began walking
towards me. I still remember how she walked and how she dressed. She
was a fairy... How can a human look so mystical and mysterious like
her? When she came up to me, she asked me whether I wanted her for
the night, and guess what? She said she wouldn't charge me at all and
she pleaded with me to go with her."

"Did you take her for the night?" Omasu asked excitedly and
began tugging at the hem of Okina's short haori.

"Eh, of course I did. No man under the sun could withstand such
a charm from her," Okina smiled dreamily again and crossed his legs.
"She was a pure woman, the best I ever had in my life. She was
gentle, caring, but I never saw her smile which added to the overall
magical effect she had on me. Her image is still etched in my memory
until this very day. When I tried to find her after that, I only
received the news that she was taken as a concubine by some powerful
daimyo... For all I know, she might be living happily in a big
mansion with dozens of handmaids to serve her now."

"By the way, why didn't she take any payment? I thought tayuu
charge customers for a living?" Omasu questioned Okina and scratched
her head.

"I don't know, but I gave her a zeni as a token of
appreciation..."

"ONE zeni? What for? Did she take it?"

"Eh, that one zeni is one special zeni. Originally, there was a
pair of such coins and they were given to me by a close friend who
worked in an antique shop. They were minted more than 200 years ago
in Osaka, long before the Tokugawa shogun came in power. Since she
was one special woman, I decided to press a dent into one side corner
of the coin and I gave it to her, dangling on a piece of red string,"
explained Okina and dug around in the bosom of his kimono. "I think I
have the other one here somewhere... They are identical."

"Here!" Okina declared proudly and produced a single bronze
coin.

-

Copyright reserved 2000 W. Siew Lee.

All standard Rurouni Kenshin disclaimers apply to this fanfic.

E-mail: Siew Lee [wsiewlee .my]
URL: dreams/
UIN: #14025577

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