Disclaimer: === this means that I don't own, have never owned, and probably never will own Rurouni Kenshin.

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Souken no Shibun

Meeting of the Minds

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The cloaked figure passed through the gates, the unassuming aura setting alarms bells off in the heads of the two people watching, though for vastly different reasons.

No one ever came to the Kamiya Dojo without wanting something. However, this traveler appeared to be lost. Sano was immediately suspicious. Ranging from Saito to Tsubame, people always came with a purpose. As Sano watched the hood of the cloak move, as if the person were looking around, he knew something was up. If this person had come here to do some damage, they were gonna find themselves on the wrong end of a Futae no Kiwami.

Kyouki was just naturally suspicious. Due to her small size, loner nature, and the fact that she was female, she was constantly set upon by people who wanted her money. Or other things. It really didn't help her perception of the world all that much. The only person she hadn't distrusted outright was Kenshin. That was only because she was a little preoccupied with being injured and stealing from the unconscious man's pocket. Some people might call her extreme mistrust of strangers a phobia, but Kyouki preferred to see it as simply being careful.

Neither of the two made a sound to announce their presence to the visitor, but their sudden silence seemed enough to bring Kenshin from the kitchen. Kenshin took only a moment to observe the situation, then calmly walked out into the rain to greet the cloaked person, coincidentally placing himself between the visitor and the path leading to the dojo. "Welcome to the Kamiya Dojo. Is there something we can help you with, de gozaru ka?"

"As a matter of fact, there is." The three could hear the smile in the other's voice, a voice seeming to ooze with sincerity and warmth. "Could we get in out of the rain first? I think it's finally beginning to soak through this cloak here." The figure held up the dripping cloak as proof, though no one seemed to bother looking at it.

Sano whispered something Kyouki who nodded and began making her way towards the dojo. The fighter then stood and made his way over to stand beside Kenshin, glaring openly at the newcomer. "Look, we're kind of busy, so if you've got business here, spit it out."

"Oh, is that so? Well, that's too bad." The figure brought the hood of the cloak back, revealing hair braided over one shoulder that appeared a dull gray in the stormy light. The rain had indeed soaked through the cloak, plastering the fringe of bangs to their face. The paleness of the figure's coloring brought out their darker shade of their mahogany eyes, however.

Kenshin blinked while Sano blatantly stared. When he remembered himself, Sano dropped his gaze to his feet, trying to hide his blush. "She's beautiful," he murmured, almost to himself.

Kenshin arched an amused eyebrow at his friend. "It's a guy, Sano..."

Sano frowned and looked over to the visitor for confirmation of this statement. He nodded his head and smiled. Feeling more than a little embarrassed, Sano quietly excused himself and ran after Kyouki.

The man chuckled slightly. Before Kenshin could apologize, the man waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. I get that all the time." He brushed some of the water from his bangs as he continued. "I'm sorry to disturb you if you're busy, but I heard Hisakata-san could be found here."

Kenshin nodded slowly nodded, again alerted to the fact that this was an unexpected stranger. "Yes, Kyouki is staying with us."

The man gaze Kenshin a dazzling smiled. "Oh, that's wonderful! My name's Moriyasu Masatake and I was wondering if I might speak with her."

Kenshin gave Masatake one of his clueless rurouni smiles. "Sessha is afraid that won't be possible. You see, she was injured and we have strict orders from the doctor not to put her under any stress, de gozaru."

Masatake's face fell. "Injured, you say?! That's terrible. I'd hate to make everyone's go against the doctor's orders, but this is really very important. You see, I have news of her mother..."

Kenshin blinked. "Kyouki's mother?"

Masatake nodded. "Yes. Hisakata-sama, who lived in the village of Takayama, in the mountains northeast of here. The poor woman was sick for years and I've been her caretaker. We lost contact with Kyouki about two years ago, though. I'd have gone looking for her, but I was unable to leave Hisakata-sama's side." The man's expression took on a forlorn look. "That is, until recently..."

"So she's passed on, then."

The other nodded. "Yes. I've been looking for Kyouki-san since then. Weeks have gone by and I'd nearly given up. But then, I was eating in this homely little restaurant when I overheard her name in a conversation between some of the employees."

Kenshin gave the man a sympathetic look, hiding his festering doubts. "What restaurant, de gozaru ka? We'll have to thank them for sending you here, Moriyasu-san."

Masatake's face lit up with a hopeful look as he gave Kenshin that brilliant smile again, obviously meant to put the receiver at ease. Kenshin gestured for the young man to walk beside him as the two made for the sitting room. "When did you become Hisakata's caretaker, de gozaru ka?"

The other didn't hesitate the slightest in answering. "About a year before Kyouki-san disappeared. Kyouki-san found me after I'd been attacked by bandits and the two nursed me back to health. In gratitude, I helped them and took care of Hisakata-sama." Masatake sounded completely sincere in his answer and even his tone was utterly respectful of the two women he spoke of. It really made Kenshin want to believe him.

Masatake looked over the house as they entered, wrinkling his nose slightly before he caught himself. "It's... lovely." Kenshin saw it, but decided it was best to put aside the insult to his cleaning abilities for the time being. He lead Masatake to the sitting room and pointed the man inside. "If you'll just make yourself comfortable, sessha will see if Kyouki feels up to talking to you, de gozaru yo."

As he shut the door, Masatake sighed. "There must be some way to stop these defections... maybe some cheery slogans." He looked around, wrinkling his nose again as he fiddled with his braid. "Then again, Jonah could be right. Maybe they just need some more sugar in their tea."

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Aoshi slipped through the building, ever mindful of the people around him. He passed door after door, moving from shadow to shadow so naturally, none knew of his presence. He had completed his assigned task and was now returning to his current residence of his 'employer'. He had wisely used time out on the mission to send word back to the others. And if he knew Misao, she was on her way to Tokyo, just as he had planned.

She had no clue, of course. If he had told Misao, her reactions to everything wouldn't be as natural. With as emotional as the girl could be, replicating her first impression of things was quite difficult sometimes. Another day would pass and Okina would receive another letter. The real one this time, although if he knew the old man, Okina had already guessed the other letter's intentions.

The real letter would explain his need for Misao at the Kamiya dojo and also of their partner's current dealings. All were very important and all were things Misao didn't need to know just yet. The letter did instruct Okina to pass the information along to the other units of the Oniwabanshuu with priority placed on the members in the Tokyo area.

Aoshi stopped at as he passed one of the glass windows, hiding himself behind a curtain as he looked out. The blonde haired man again. Strange, Aoshi had been here for months without seeing any foreigners, but that man had appeared here three times in the past few weeks. There were no new dealings going on that Aoshi knew of, although it wouldn't surprise him if the employer had tried to keep this from him. Still, even with the information he was getting from other places, there was as yet no explanation for this man's presence here. Not to mention, the man always seem to be on his way out when Aoshi was on his way in.

Which made Aoshi think he wasn't supposed to know about the blonde man. This also implied that his cover had been blown to some degree or that these people at least suspected that his loyalties lay elsewhere. It didn't make much difference to the Oniwa's purpose here in the end. After all, Aoshi was only here on reconnaissance, not to tear the place apart. Knowing an enemy's weakness was key to defeating them.

Aoshi watched as the blonde man climbed into a carriage which quickly sped off as soon as the door was closed. Though sorely tempted to trail the carriage, Aoshi had a job to do here. There was one other Oniwa stationed here with Aoshi. In the kitchens, to be more specific. Something about kitchens always seemed to be the best place to put spies. It made Aoshi wonder for a moment how many of the other kitchen staff actually worked for his employers...

He made a note to check on that later. Anyways, Aoshi could probably have the other Oniwa member send a message out to have the carriage followed. Since he was about to pass by there on his way to the western wing of the building, it wouldn't pose a problem. A few quick words and he was on his way, traipsing once again down the halls.

Finally, he stopped before a set of double oak doors, flowing designs carved into the mahogany surface. His trenchcoat whispered through the air behind him as he passed through the doors unnoticed. He quietly closed the doors so as not to disturb the man behind the desk. He watched the other fiddle with the chair he was in, mumbling something about American oddities. The man eventually looked up and started at Aoshi's appearance before him.

"Ah, back already, I see. Good, good." The man pushed around few papers on the desk, an annoyed look passing across his face. "Now where did I put that..." He shuffled a few more things before coming across whatever it was he'd been seeking. Aoshi found he was slightly disgusted with the man's disorganization. The man was terribly inefficient and it made it hard to believe that this was one of he four most powerful men in the underground.

The man snatched up a paper from one of the piles and squinted at it, a victorious smile spreading across his face. "Here it is. Blasted paper. I'd almost think it was trying to hide from me." He passed to Aoshi, making sure to actually hand it to the ninja, not set it back down on the table where it could be lost again. "We've made a deal with this man. However, we're not completely sure of his loyalties, or if he even has any for that matter."

The man muttered something about the lack of honor in the youth these days before continuing. "We've already sent someone along to him as a warning. You are to observe his actions. If they prove counterproductive to our cause, kill him and our informant, as well. We have no further use for her."

Aoshi nodded his head slightly as he pocketed the paper that had been handed to him. This was nothing new. Of course, he didn't kill everyone he was told to. Some were sent to safehouses where they would remain for the time being. Others, such as rebellious yakuza leaders, were of no consequence. Japan was better off without such people tainting it. Soon enough, the time would come for this man to die as well. However that would not be today.

The other smiled warmly at Aoshi, who simply gave the man his usual icy stare. "I think that it's for now." He scratched his head. "I don't remember the other two mentioning anything else that needed to be done."' He shrugged and smiled again. "Oh well. If anything does come up, we'll just send someone to contact you."

Aoshi turned on his heels and headed for the door at his usual pace. He was stopped short, though. "Oh, and Yuki-san? Be a little more careful about those windows." Aoshi said nothing, he simply continued on his way out.

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Misao stormed down the road, just as she'd been doing for the past day since Okina had received Aoshi's letter. Thankfully, she'd done as Okina had asked and stopped to pack. It meant that she didn't need to stop for anything. Even sleep seemed unnecessary in the face of her anger at the moment.

One day some man appears on the Aoiya's doorstep and requests a meeting with Aoshi. It was granted only because the man knew that Aoshi had been the okashira of the Oniwa and that he supposedly had information regarding the Shibun.

The man and Aoshi had gone up to the temple to talk, not returning until late into the night. Aoshi had then simply packed and left, leaving a few instructions with the old pervert, Okina. Nobody had even bothered to wake her to say goodbye to Aoshi. She was told in the morning after the love of her life was long gone. She had only accepted this news and stayed because Aoshi was off on business concerning the Shibun.

Misao knew about the Shibun, of course. She was the current okashira, after all. She had been tempted to offer the return of the position to Aoshi, but he'd made it clear at the time that he wouldn't even consider leading the Oniwa again. Not until he was satisfied with whatever he was seeking within his own heart.

So she hadn't bothered him. Okina and the others helped her with learning the finer points of leading the ninjas and Aoshi agreed to take on some of his former responsibility until Misao could handle it. So really, in a way, it was like the Oniwa had two okashiras now. Misao personally thought she'd come very far in learning how to lead the clan which was why she felt insulted that no one had even woken her up to tell her such important news about the Shibun.

Well, she'd show them. She'd go get Kyouki and the two would clear up the whole mess by themselves. Misao had made friends with the girl some time ago, finding out that she was also after the same goal as the Oniwa. Kyouki hadn't mentioned why, though, now that Misao thought about it. Not that it made any difference to her right now.

Kyouki seemed to have a level enough head and the girl could apparently get anyone to talk, even about things they weren't supposed to. So she'd come in handy in the information department. Misao, of course, would take on the responsibility of actually beating the bad guys. Then everyone would hail them as heroes and perhaps Aoshi would finally respond to her love for him. "Oh, Aoshi-sama..."

Misao stopped to stare at the sky, only just now noticing that it was raining and she was soaking wet. "Wow, when did that happen?" That was when she noticed the drunken laughter. It was nearby and Misao seemed compelled to follow the sound. As she peered through some bushes, she surveyed the scene. Trees, trees, bushes, stream, camp full of drunken bandits, more trees... wait. Bandits? And drunk to boot? Oh, this was too easy.

A few quick flicks of her wrists and the bandits were unknowingly pinned to the ground. She grinned in anticipation as she climbed the nearest tree. Climbing onto the current limb of choice, she ran deftly across the slick branch and jumped into the air, landing a perfect flying kick on the face of the least drunken bandit there.

The others dropped their drinks in surprise, simply staring for a moment before one finally found his tongue. "Who the hell are you?!"

Misao turned to face them, one hand on her hip. "You scum don't deserve to know the name of Makimachi Misao!" The bandits sweatdropped. "Now, hand over all your money!"

"'Wha..? Get lost, you little rat!"

"'She looks like a drowned weasel if you ask me."

"Maybe we could sell her. Surely we could get at least a few yen out of her."

The assumed leader of the group waved hand, silencing the still sitting group of men. "We're not just going to hand our loot over to some helpless little girl because she says so. Just what is it you think you can do?"

Misao grinned. "Helpless am I?" She brought up two handfuls of kunai, light glinting evilly off them as lighting arced across the sky. "Try me."

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Ah, the wonders of being the bad guy. It was just so much fun sometimes. Oh, the suspicious looks Masatake had been getting from everyone were rather obvious, but they hadn't really suspected who he was. Only that he would be troublesome. Not being one to pick a fight though, the Battousai, or rather Kenshin, had played nice and been the good host.

Kyouki had come only as far as the yard in front of the sitting room doors before refusing to go further. Kenshin obviously wasn't going to push her into going farther due to his mistrust of Masatake, but it didn't matter. He'd heard her voice and went out to greet her. The taller man, Sagara Sanosuke, if Masatake remembered correctly, began teasing Kyouki, trying to goad her into some kind of action. Kyouki had told him to be quiet, but the man persisted and the situation dwindled into a raging argument.

Masatake looked on, rather disappointed by the scene. The argument itself was amusing to watch, but it was pathetic to watch her trying to get her way by simply yelling at him. It only helped to prove the rumors. Perhaps they weren't rumors, after all. Two years ago, if she had told the man to be quiet, he would have been. This supposed memory loss was probably the result of the Karada's meddling. If that were the case, then it might not be memory loss... but rather, more like the memories had been sealed away.

If they were sealed, that meant there was a chance of recovering them. It wouldn't be easy, though. Watching Kyouki continue the argument rather than killing Sagara was evidence that Michika had done a little re-programming as well. It was generally said that to be direct was for the best. So that was what he would be. He patted the folds of his cloak to be sure the item he'd brought was still there before clearing his throat.

All three heads turned his direction almost immediately. Kyouki and Kenshin looked on with eyes narrowed, while Sagara quickly averted his gaze when looked upon, a slight embarrassed blush coloring his cheeks. Masatake managed to keep from chuckling. Between this guy and Kyouki, the good guys were doomed by their own members, especially if Michika joined their ranks.

One would normally assume the old Natsuo would as well. The Natsuo Masatake knew now, though, was all about controlling the board, much like Masatake himself. Masatake doubted that Natsuo would swear loyalty to any of the opposing sides. Thus he became an undetermined factor, a wild card no matter what the situation. Sooner or later, someone would kill him, though.

For now, it was best to concentrate on the matter at hand. Kyouki narrowing her eyes at any threatening person was normal. He needed something more than that to prove her lack of memory. Let's try something simple. "Hello, sister." The looks of momentary shock displayed identically on three separate faces as he so blatantly revealed his identity was rather funny. Then Kenshin tensed, Kyouki glared, and Sagara's mouth seemed to come unhinged before he could stop himself.

"Nentou," the girl breathed through clenched teeth.

Officially confirmed, her memories were sealed. Kyouki had never called him by his Shibun name. Damn. Masatake waved a hand reassuringly in their direction, although he doubted they felt all that much better for the gesture. Oh well. "I'm not here to hurt anybody. I was telling the truth when I said I only wanted to talk to Kyouki. And if so desired, I will even give her some news about her mother. I'm afraid the news will be several years old, though, as the poor woman died quite some time ago. I hear poison can do that to some people."

Sano bristled. "You... bastard..."

Masatake took on a hurt expression. "I did not have a hand in the death of Kyou-chan's mother." He looked up at the sky and smiled. "Well, technically." He shrugged. "I admit, I may have leaked to a servant who the woman's family had been before her association with the Souken." The Nentou shook his head. "Who knew the revenge-seekers would come in droves like that? It was rather unsightly." He smiled proudly at Kyouki. "Even untrained, your mother defended well against her attackers." He sighed. "Ah, but a ninja finally got her."

Masatake clasped his hands behind his back and smiled again. Kenshin was still tensed and Kyouki was still glaring. Sagara was the only one that appeared to be very animated. Unless one counted the rain, of course. Funny, the three of them seemed to have forgotten they were standing in it. It certainly wouldn't be his fault if they caught their death of cold. He had, after all, suggested they get in out of the rain earlier. The three appeared soaked to the bone by now, making them look like a comical trio of drowned rats.

He shrugged his thoughts away and returned his attention to doing what he came here to do. "Perhaps, in this case, honesty would be best." It really was hard to keep one's evil, intimidating composure when the people in front of him had little drops of rain hanging from their noses, making them all look so horribly cute. "I only came here to ascertain whether you had truly lost your memories, but also to give you a present."

Masatake pulled a sheathed sword from within his cloak, taking care to hold it so as not to have his intent misunderstood. The saya was pure black, as was the hilt, with a few simple designs done in silver near the hilt. He lightly tossed it to Kyouki, who caught it simply out of reflex.

She glanced down at it, then back up to him confused. "I don't understand."

Masatake pointed a pale finger up at the sword. "It belongs to you. Considering you've been without it for two years, I thought you might be happy to have it returned."

Sano sniffed. "Why give her the weapon she's most comfortable with? She could just turn around and use it on you."

Masatake smirked. "I very much doubt that. I think Michika would've taken away Kyou-chan's desire to kill except in the most desperate of situations. If she hadn't, I'm sure that annoying Karada would've been dead by now." Masatake almost laughed when he saw Kenshin's mouth trying to twitch into a smile. "Besides, I have safeguards against that sort of thing anyways."

Any trace of warmth there had been in Masatake's smile seeped away with his last statement, setting the other three on edge again. What fools. They were still expecting him to attack them. Weren't they going to be surprised? I think rainy days shall henceforth become my favorite days. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, another voice floated across the yard of the dojo.

"Temporarius."

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A/N: Uhh... blargh?

Go Author Lady! Go forth and beta so that mankind may be spared my typos!