12.05.10
A Ninja Girl's Romantic Story
~ Chapter 6 ~
The Okashira and the Oyabun
Kyoto Roads
Inside a sleek car, a man in a black business suit is driving his way home. His eyes are covered with Ray Ban sunglasses and his mouth is fixed in a thin line, one who doesn't know him wouldn't have an idea on what he is thinking. His emotionless face and formal attire gives off an aura that calls for fear and authority.
Even so, the woman sitting on the passenger seat beside him doesn't seem to mind one bit. Both were comfortable with each other like they have known each other for the longest of time, none of the two attempting to break the silence.
The woman staring at the window had a thoughtful look on her face. She knew better than to disturb the man beside her when he is too occupied with his thoughts. She, too, is wearing formal attire and it is only fair to say that she is equally attractive as the man beside her. Although enough familiarity had given her an idea on what the man was thinking, she'd been tired as well and she figured that it'd be better to leave each other on their own thoughts.
It was early morning and the two were looking forward to return home as they have been away for a few days for some business matters. The drive was spent in silence without much change appearing on their faces except for the occasional sunrays entering the car and reflecting on the man's shades.
When the car pulled to a stop in front of a huge house, the woman gave a joyous sigh and the man's posture noticeably looked more relaxed. Both opened their doors at the same time and went on their way, not bothering to park the car inside the garage first.
The woman who happened to have long black hair, which curtained her very slim but curvaceous body, was walking ahead that she didn't notice when the man paused on his tracks. He stopped for a moment to tilt his head and look at the sun, revealing the intensity of his eyes that can be seen through the black shades. His eyes seem to sparkle, even with the covering, and as he removed the sunglasses to cherish the blinding morning light, it indeed revealed two ice-looking orbs that sparkled in the sunlight. His ice blue eyes was a complete opposite of the warm, yellow light that has been basking his surroundings to complete the morning atmosphere.
"Okashira, we should go inside."
The woman who finally noticed decided to wait. The gesture was not necessary, but it was her way of showing respect to the man that have always lead them to an honourable life. With a last look at the morning sun that has reminded him of a certain cheery girl, the man put his sunglasses inside his jacket pocket and resumed walking towards the front door, the woman slightly slowing her footsteps to give the lead to her okashira.
Living Room, Shinomori (Oniwabanshu) Residence
Kyoto
"Usou, that Sakamoto tried to escape!" A muscled man with scars named Shikijo shouted disbelievingly at the morning news.
"Kekekekeke, it doesn't take a genius to know it was Shishio who put him on the hitlist." The short insect-looking man, Beshimi, commented.
"Keh, this news flash lacks information! It would've been good if we were in Tokyo to spy on it firsthand." Shikijo answered too quickly.
"You're so impatient, my big friend. It just happened this morning, give the reporters some time to wait for the investigation reports!" Beshimi stated, a-matter-of-factly.
"True, but a much missed brat is in Tokyo now. I'm sure she's as interested in this news as you guys." Hannya, the calm man with the strange mask spoke for the first time.
The three odd-looking men were too engrossed on the big news coming from the huge flat-screen TV that they didn't notice the two figures approaching them from the hallway.
"Let's call Isa-chan and ask her to take a quick round at the said port. What do you think? Kekeke, a few more details won't hurt." Beshimi said in between chuckles.
Hearing that the conversation was going towards another direction, one of the two figures – the woman with long hair – decided it was time to announce their presence. "Eheeeemmmmmm."
It was then that they noticed the newly arrived pair. "AUGHAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH! OKASHIRA!" Shikijo and Beshimi reacted at the same time. It was only Hannya who remained calm but is now smiling beneath his mask.
"...and you call yourselves ninjas." Okon had to say that.
The okashira opened his mouth to speak and the men were suddenly sitting straight on the living room sofas. "Beshimi, you know Isa is busy with her graduation coming near. She is living the life of a university student in Tokyo and we are not to bother her because of curiosity."
"HA-HAI! Forgive me, okashira!"
"And Shikijo, I know what you're thinking," this gave Shikijo a nervous laugh that sounded more like the rumbling of the Earth's crust. "This may be interesting news to us, but it is still none of our business. We shall not put our noses on this case unless we are hired by the government to look onto it."
"My thoughts exactly, hahahaha! Welcome back, Aoshi-sama, Okon."
While standing behind the okashira, the long-haired woman named Oumime, or simply known as Okon, gave Shikijo a menacing look that says "yeah right".
Then with a voice that doesn't really show any enthusiasm, the okashira answered, "Thank you. I am glad to be back home." Shikijo and Beshimi released the breaths that they didn't realize they were holding.
"Ano... Minna," A new voice spoke and everyone's attention was now onto a man bigger than a sumo wrestler standing by the door leading to the dining area. "...oh hi, okashira. Well, minna-san," Everyone was anticipating his next words when what they heard instead was a loud burping sound coming from the guilty announcer.
Everyone except one (guess who) sweatdropped.
"Ehehe. Breakfast is ready." Yet nobody was moving.
It was the demon mask who broke the silence, "You mean breakfast is already in your 'fire belly'."
Garden, House of Kashiwazaki Family
Kyoto
An old man wearing traditional Japanese clothing sighed at nothingness. He was facing a fairly large koi pond with his back on his henchmen kneeling on the soft grass.
"So he's using her. Our suspicions for the past three years have finally been proven correct."
"Yes boss. It was hard monitoring the Juppongatana Family's actions undetected, but luck has finally come to our side. We saw with our own eyes that the young Oniwaban is involved with Shishio's men."
Another sigh. "I wouldn't call that 'luck'." The Yakuza boss said, more to himself, while thinking of the said girl.
"We have also been informed that the majority of them would be coming to Kyoto... along with the girl who's graduating in a couple of weeks."
"Years ago, I wouldn't have thought that Makoto would go this far." The boss switched to using Shishio's first name. "She must be having a hard time. Makoto's madness must be stopped, he is no longer following the ways and the philosophies of the yakuzas. He will cause danger to all of us, especially to the girl."
"We couldn't agree more... kumicho."
"You've come all the way from Tokyo... You may now get some rest. This old man is too tired to enjoy the beautiful morning."
"Hai." The men said in unison.
With solitude now in his hands, the old man sat on a wide rock and looked down at the fishes swimming in his good old pond. He saw his reflection on the water. He was the image of a tired old man begging for peace. "At times like this, even my pink bow can't lift my spirits."
Room 412
Tokyo
A few days have passed and Isa's mission is still the talk of Japan/the whole world. Whether it is on the radio, television, internet, or inside her classroom, everyone's been talking about it. The media was impressed with the 'clean act' and students of all ages were talking about it as if it was the latest movie. Although she was glad that no witnesses were found (meaning her little 'stunt' with Kamatari worked and none of the men they saw mentioned their presence to the police), she couldn't bare all the assumptions people were making, so she decided to call it a day off.
She will be graduating in less than a month's time. Everything is set and everyone is looking forward for the big day. Even her family in Kyoto is sending her e-mails. Hyottoko is talking his way to allow them to come to her graduation and indulge in a big feast afterwards. As much as she likes the idea, she settled with replies like "thank you" and "sorry" explaining that she'd be busy with her friends and that it'd be better if they can have the feast in Kyoto, where everyone will be present. This is actually true, as she will be attending a graduation party. The whole Oniwabanshu let it drop and figured that they can wait for the reunion when she returns.
Snuggling closer to the dent that she has created in her pillow, she hugged her extra pillow tightly in her front, and rested in a fetus position. The sun was already up and yet she managed to fall asleep again, thinking that a few more hours in bed would be bliss.
She had no idea that one Oniwaban is already planning on disturbing her peaceful slumber, one named Shinomori Aoshi.
The Okashira's Office, Shinomori Residence
Kyoto
Aoshi couldn't point out why the Sakamoto incident was troubling him so much. True, he told his comrades to ignore the intriguing news, but there was just this fact that the crime happened in Tokyo that's making him worried about something or someone else. Maybe it's the Okashira's instincts, maybe it's just his excuse to call, and not e-mail, that person he missed. He couldn't tell. The line between the two was just too blurry and the Okashira hates it when things are unclear. He would have to do something about this uncomfortable feeling. Knowing that he'll be contradicting his earlier decisions, he decided that this assignment should be given to the perfect person.
"Hannya."
The door to his home office opened and the man whose name he just spoke is now standing in front of his desk.
"Okashira, your tone of voice tells me you mean business... but with a hint of worry, I see."
"You know me well and I trust that calling you means that you will not let a word from this office come out."
Hannya didn't have a say to that. He knew his friend and leader's patience, but he also knew that his self-control is a little short when it comes to a young woman. It won't be long before he gives in and sometimes, he just loves to keep his mouth shut and wait for it.
Hearing a soft sigh that is rarely heard from the Okashira's only adds to the confirmation of Hannya's 'theory'. He smiled fully and although Aoshi can't see behind his mask, his resigned stare tells him that he knows so.
"This is not purely business, Hannya. To make things clear, I am giving this to you as an assignment for Oniwabanshu, but we do not know for sure if this should involve us or not. With that smug expression that I can already pick up from your ki, I'm sure you already know... I am worried about her."
"You do not have to enumerate excuses, Okashira. That is very uncharacteristic of you." Hannya said with a grin. "All you have to do is give me the orders."
"Very well. The Sakamoto incident has happened in Tokyo and we don't have to see Isa to know that her curiosity can be as troublesome as Beshimi's or Shikojo's. I just want to make sure that she's keeping herself out of trouble. She's an efficient spy, but I don't want her to playfully prove it to us again by getting herself involved in a case such as this. ...Stop smiling." Hannya didn't even bother to hide his laugh which Aoshi ignored. "So, I am thinking of sending you to Tokyo, but something tells me that we should also look upon this case. I know this is against my earlier word with Beshimi and Shikijo, but the fact that the issue is still unsolved shows that the one responsible for the crime is not an ordinary pet of Shishio's."
"Usually, after hiring guns, Shishio dispose them as well. For something this big, it is not in his character to keep the hired gun alive and subject to get caught by the police. It is like you have pointed out, Aoshi-sama. It is rather suspicious that there are no dead bodies of hired guns found after the incident."
"Aa."
"What are your orders then? If I'm going to Tokyo, I might need to bring someone with me."
"No need for that. For now, I want you to hack the police files in Tokyo and South Korea, as well as the investigation team handling the case. We have to make sure of the details first." Then with a smirk, Aoshi continued, "There is still the possibility that we're just as nosy as Shikijo."
Hannya allowed himself a low chuckle. The idea of Shikijo rubbing off on their okashira was just priceless. Too bad he can't retell this conversation to their comrades. I know what he needs, he needs to see her. Soon. "Is that all, Aoshi-sama?"
"Aa."
"I'll be leaving then. Expect my report tomorrow morning."
After bowing, Hannya walked to the door. He left the okashira to his office, but not before pausing with his hand on the door knob and saying, "Do not hesitate to call her, Aoshi-sama. It is not only you who'll be pleased."
Aoshi was not surprised. Yes, he misses her dearly. It's been more than five years since she went to college and four years since she stopped going to Kyoto during holidays. He never voiced it out loud, but he is dying to see how much his little girl has grown. Funny how I still call her my little girl. She is a young woman now. It is wrong of me to be possessive. Indeed, e-mailed pictures and phone calls weren't enough to satisfy his longing, but at the moment, his fingers resting on his desk won't stop twitching, he figured another phone call won't hurt.
He grabbed the cordless phone and dialled a cellphone number that he knew by heart.
On the phone
Who dared disturb my beauty rest? "Isa desu."
What took her so long? "You sound sleepy."
"Aoshi-sama! Ahehehehe, I guess I am. Nevermind that. I'm glad you called. I miss you soooo much!"
"Aa."
"So did you miss me, too? When was the last time we talked to the phone?"
You have no idea. "We talked a few months ago, when you thanked me for the gift."
"Oh right, right. I was having fun with your gift. I'll take more pictures and send it to you. It'll be like you're here! Err, wait... Aoshi-sama! Can't you say you miss me, too? Come on, I know you do! You were distracting me, you know!"
"You were the one who brought up the topic."
"Aaaaah Aoshi-sama, cut it out, will you? Just say I-miss-you! It's not that long, it won't break your rule of few-words-reply!"
Aoshi just had to let out a secret smile. "Listen, is everything going well?"
UGH. "Haiiiiiiiii."
"Do you want me to go there for your graduation?"
"NO!"
"That was quick."
"I-I mean, my close friends are dying to meet you, but I know you're not fond of social gatherings and and we're going to have a party after. I'm going to be busy finalizing some things... Tokyo's too far... um, um..." I can't believe I just said no to something I want.
She's definitely hiding something. "It's not that far... and I can tolerate an event or two."
Damn you, Aoshi-sama this is not the time to be sweet. "You don't have to be nice, Aoshi-sama. I know you're busy and I've been spoiled enough. The camera, remember? So yeah, really, there's no need."
"If you say so."
"Ano ne, Aoshi-sama, is it ok to have this conversation for so long? I mean, you could've called my apartment's landline number instead of my cellphone."
"You're at home."
"Shit, why did I say that?" I just told him I skipped class! "Ehehehehe. Felt like sleeping today."
"You know money is not an issue."
"Hehehe."
"Isa, this is your last subject, you know I have high expectations..."
He's starting a lecture, better cut him off! "And I'm living up to it! I swear, when I go home you'll be proud of me!"
"I already am."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...Isa?"
"N-nothing! It's just that, I miss you Aoshi-sama."
Why does she sound like she's going to cry? "I did not raise you to be a crybaby."
"Hey! Shinomori Isa does not cry!" You're as strict as ever, but you don't know how much you're making me happy...
"Call me when you're going back. Doesn't matter what time. I'll pick you up personally."
"HONTOU? Arigatooooou!"
"Hontou ni."
Aoshi had to keep the phone away from his ear because of Isa's loud squealing.
"...Isa? Are you there now?"
"Hai!"
"I'm hanging up now... I do miss you."
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep...
It seemed like forever that Isa was clutching the phone to her heart and staring in space. Then without a warning, she let out another squeal that alarmed the whole building.
"AOSHI-SAMA SAID HE MISSED ME!"
All the building's occupants went outside their doors and looked at each other with animated sweatdrops on their foreheads.
"Who's Aoshi-sama?"
Meanwhile, in Kyoto, the said Aoshi-sama is running his hand through his hair and wondering why his ward sounded like she's avoiding something. I hope she's just nervous with her graduation. That girl really worries me sometimes.
The following day
Shinomori Residence
Kyoto
"Okashira, I have some information that will surely interest you."
"Go on."
"Contrary to the news reports, there was evidence found regarding the Sakamoto incident. Aside from Sakamoto Shibumi, a number of men were found dead. All of those, except one, were all working under Sakamoto. The weapon or weapons which caused their death were all long blades, very typical for Shishio's men..."
"And what about the 'exception'?"
"The last man, however, was killed in a different way. It seems that he was only silenced because he has seen the criminal during his escape. The crew member's body was found near the emergency boats and the weapon that killed him was expertly embedded on his throat. The investigation team was worried about giving this info to the public because they couldn't even trace where the weapon was bought. They fear that the case has already received enough meddling from the media. Hence the evidence was kept top-secret. If the hired gun was really a man working for Shishio's, Shishio himself must've taken great measures to keep his identity safe."
"Interesting. Shishio sent one of his special men to kill Sakamoto."
"That's not the alarming part yet, Aoshi-sama."
"Then what is?"
"The weapon... Aoshi-sama, the hired gun used a kunai to kill the innocent crew member."
"...nani?"
"As of the moment, we are not aware of any ninjas or kunai experts from Juppongatana. Could they have possibly made a new alliance? What are your plans now, Aoshi-sama?"
"..."
"Okashira?"
"I'm going to Tokyo."
ano ne - an expression when someone is stalling before saying something
arigatou = thank you
hontou = really
kumicho = yakuza leader
kunai = throwing knives
minna = everyone
okashira = commander
oyabun = family boss
usou = no way (uso means 'lie')