Author's note: Please note that I am no expert in Chinese history/Chinese costumes. A lot of help came from Tanuki_Onna and Mu Lan (bows gratefully) but at the end of the day I just thought, what the heck, it's just a fanfic and I'll write what I like in it. It was too troublesome to try and adhere to actual Chinese customs and it might take years before this chapter would be able to come out if I try to do so. Do not come flaming me if you find any discrepancies in my fic with what you know to be accurate, cos I've already warned you: this is not a history lesson. This is a "I'll do as I like" fanfic. Also, please note that all speeches are in Chinese, unless otherwise stated. And speeches in Japanese will be in Bookman Old Style, like this.
Chapter 5: China
Time Frame: 3 months following Chapter 4.
Place: Beijing, capital of China
"…and I have asked them to come back and repair the ceiling next week, but since I will be away on a business trip, you will have to take care of it." A young man, dressed in the traditional Chinese costume of a long shirt with pants underneath concluded to his companion, a young lady wearing a body-hugging Cheongsum. Author's note: I was watching Charlie's Angels yet again and when I saw how gorgeous they looked in the cheongsum, I decided that all my female Chinese characters will wear it even if it's not the norm during that period. I say it is and it is. Just let it be
"Oh? And where will you be going?" asked the lady.
"I'll be going Shanghai. I've heard recently that a erm…. company… of my friend is in some trouble, and I'm worried about my friend." The young man replied.
"Company? What company? And which friend?" asked the lady, arching a skeptical eyebrow, noticing her companion's hesitation.
"Oh just someone I befriended in my travels, you know that Biao Ge used to travel a lot before I took over the family business and I met this Japanese friend of mine who in the end started his own business, with some help from me." Author's note: this means older cousin brother in Chinese.
"I'm surprised you went so far to help him start his business. I thought you always said that a businessman should not spend a cent unless he's certain he can get at least 2 cents back from the cent?" the lady frowned.
"That's the principle of all businessmen in the world. A businessman has to adhere strictly to this principle if he is to survive in this dog-eat-dog world of trade. But this friend is rather special, his ruthlessness and his willingness to do anything to achieve his goals make him rather outstanding, even though he was rather young at that time. He's only a year younger than me and was only 17 when I met him, but even then his sword skills were already quite excellent. I was certain that he would prove to be a good investment and sure enough, I've made a neat profit from it, and although he has returned more than amply what he owed me, we've built a rather close friendship and we still keep in touch now and then. And now that I've heard his erm… company is in a little difficulties I thought I'd better see what's wrong." The man explained.
"I see, and the erm…company is dealing in?" the lady further queried, with narrowed eyes.
After a long moment of silence and some fidgeting on his part, the man finally sighed before replying, in Japanese.
"Kaoru-chan, there's only 2 of us here in the house, and I'm going to speak plainly and in Japanese so that you will understand better, although I know you speak Chinese just as well. You've been here for a few months and although you've picked up the trade quite well, so well in fact that you've become my right-hand er.. woman, you've got to realise that not all dealings of a businessman is always above table. There are some things which are better left unsaid, and it's only polite among businessmen to not probe into such matters. You've joined me in some innocent business dealings, and since you will be with me permanently, or until you marry, you might as well learn the complete truth. There will come a time when you will have to assist me in such..erm, secret dealings."
Author's note: Did it take you so long to realise that it's Kaoru and her cousin we were talking about?!? Note that I haven't given them names as yet because I couldn't quite come up with one.
Seeing how Kaoru's expression has taken one of disdain, the man quickly added, "I know that Uncle has always trained you to be a warrior and you are always a erm.. stickler with what you call a warrior's code of honour, but Kaoru-chan, please remember this is China, I'm a businessman, and the businessmen have their own codes of … erm.."
"Honour?" Kaoru added sarcastically, then quickly apologised. "I'm sorry. You're right, I am no longer a swordswoman in Japan. Since I have to live in this world, I might as well do so graciously, and learn everything about it as fast as I can."
Her cousin heaved a sigh of relief. He is truly fond of his cousin, but she can be such a stiff-neck about morals, principles, honour, code of ethics and God-knows-what-else. He is serious about training her, but he also knows that she can never be a true businesswoman. She's too generous and kind-hearted to survive alone in this ruthless world of business. While not an evil man, in fact one could say that he is a good and kind man, he tends to have unorthodox methods when doing things. He never sees any harm in it, as long as no one is hurt in the process and he gets what he wants, he doesn't see why he couldn't use such methods. His cousin unfortunately tends to question such methods, although she won't really kick a fuss about it. For some reason she has learnt to be more streetwise since he last saw her. Besides, as an assistant, she's invaluable. She's disciplined enough to make sure that things that needed to be done always get done, regardless of how tedious the process might be, and most importantly, she's absolutely trustworthy. It's always a rare gem for a businessman to find someone they can trust, and isn't it lucky for him that he just happens to have a cousin whose integrity is without question, especially if you do not wish to earn a whack from her, he chuckled to himself.
"Well, I'll be leaving now, so please see to the things I've entrusted you with, and lastly, remember, do NOT trust anyone or invite anyone into our house while I'm away. Remember that someone is after the pearl." Her cousin cautioned her, reverting back to Chinese.
"Hai, hai. Mou, you can be such a nag!" pouted Kaoru.
Her cousin laughed and pretended to whack her in mock anger before picking up his luggage and leaving.
Kaoru watched her cousin's departure with a smile. Outwardly he appears as a normal wealthy young businessman, with his silk costumes and gold accessories. Who would ever guess that under all those hides an expert in martial arts? As a disciple of Shaolin, her cousin is an expert in fist fighting as well as weapon fighting. And well he needs it, with all the scraps he always gets into, although he always managed to solve his problems without a fuss. Her cousin has a habit of living a double identity, one a wealthy businessman, and the other a martial pugilist who fights against injustice and help people in need. In fact, his deeds has earned him a nickname "Ye Xia", since he never reveal his true identity, hence the people have given him the nickname to refer him as. Author's note: this means Night Warrior. 'Xia' refers to pugilists who fight against injustice.
Remembering her cousin's cautioning, Kaoru's thoughts returned to her family heirloom. Although her cousin had referred to it as a pearl, it's not entirely an accurate description. It's a piece of jade carved into the shape of a dragon and a phoenix with a pearl in between. It has been handed down from mother to daughter for countless generations and it had came to Kaoru when her mother had died. She had been taught all about it naturally and had known about the curse which follows it. The curse as it is, affects only her since she's the only living female of the family, but still she has no wish to incur it. Hence her flight to China. She wondered how her ancestors had come by it, for the origin of the heirloom seems to be more Chinese than Japanese, and as far as she knows her ancestors on both side are Japanese. "Then again, it's not so surprising if an ancestor had to flee to Japan to avoid those shameless thieves who covet the heirloom. After all, I had to flee to China. Isn't it ironic though, I am forced to flee to China because of the heirloom while an ancestor is forced to leave it because of the same reason?" mused Kaoru.
Shaking her head to clear such thoughts, Kaoru decided to get to work. With the ever-expanding business and her cousin away, there's going to be loads of work to do.
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Kaoru watched her cousin worriedly. He had just came back from his trip and had stormed back into the house without a single word since he had got off the train. And had been pacing about the house since then.
'Biao Ge, what is the matter? You've been pacing for 3 hours and honestly, it's making me giddy just from watching you. Tell me what is wrong, I might be able to help you." Kaoru finally spoke up.
After a long silence, her cousin finally spoke up. "My friend's company has dissolved. In fact, the authorities have them in custody."
Kaoru frowned, "In custody? You mean as in your friend and his subordinates are in jail? Oh well, I guess that is the ultimate risk you face when you are running an illegal business. But why are you concerned? You've told me that your friend has returned what he owed you, so you no longer have an interest in the 'company'. Besides, it's only his fair due if he's in jail for some crime he has committed."
"I wouldn't be so worried if that's the case. You are right in that I have no interest in the 'company'. It was only a means to achieve my friend's goal in the first place and I wouldn't be surprised if he intended to throw it away after he's achieved his goal. In fact, I've heard that he has agreed to let his Second-In-Command take over the entire business once he's achieved his personal goals. It's the fact that both my friend and his Second-In-Command have disappeared that's worrying me. That's how the company were arrested in the first place, because no one was in command and the authorities had no problem arresting them." Her cousin explained, with a worrying frown.
"Can't you find them? Between you business dealings and your comrades in the pugilist world, your network covers the entire country. Not even the government is as well informed as you are," asked Kaoru distractedly, wondering why the story sounds familiar to her.
"What do you think I've been doing this entire 4 months that I'm gone? I've asked everyone I know to help me keep a lookout but no one can come up with anything! I only know that the last anyone saw of him was when he was leaving for Japan to accomplish his goals. I know he intended to return to Japan to accomplish his goals and since he'll be handing the business over, I'm quite certain that he does not intend to return to China after his goals are accomplished. And from this report, it would appear that he's still in Japan." Her cousin concluded.
"So why are you so worried?" asked Kaoru.
"Because the Second-In-Command has also disappeared! He's a sneaky, untrustworthy fellow and considering his vested interest in the company, I want to know why he has disappeared and where to!" exploded her cousin before shamefully apologising. "I'm sorry Biao Mei, I know it's not your fault. It's just that I've been travelling non-stop for 4 months trying to find a clue and not finding it, and I'm just so weary and worried." Author's note: it means younger cousin sister
Kaoru waved his apology aside, "So what do you intend to do next?"
Her cousin frowned at that question and for a long moment, neither spoke. Finally her cousin spoke up, "I'm going to Japan."
Kaoru dropped the antique vase she was inspecting and it fell onto the floor with a crash. "What?"
"I said, I'm going to Japan, and so are you." Her cousin repeated.
"No." Kaoru refused flatly.
Her cousin winced, he had not anticipated this response. But still he continued to persuade her, this time in Japanese.
"Kaoru-chan, there's only the 2 of us here in the house, so I can speak without fear. I've been to Japan many times, but you do realise that my network there is quite non-existent. Only what gossips I can pick up from my business associates. I'm going to need your help there."
"But I don't even have access to any network!" protested Kaoru.
"Not even one?" asked her cousin worriedly.
"Of course not! I was a kenjutsu instructor, not an Okashira of the Oniwabanshu!" retorted Kaoru.
"Oniwabanshu? What's that?" her cousin frowned at the unfamiliar phrase.
"That's the name of a secret ring of ninjas" explained Kaoru distractedly, "But that's besides the point. I won't be of any help there!"
"Ninjas? And how did a kenjutsu instructor get to learn this? Or is it a common name which everyone knows?" her cousin queried.
There was a long silence before Kaoru admitted, very grudgingly. "I kind of made friends with them…"
And her cousin asked, "And your ninja friends don't have a network?"
Kaoru stared stonily at him before snorting in disgust, "Why don't you just go ahead and smirk? I can see the it from here!"
Her cousin gave an innocent smile. "Well, now that the matter is settled…."
"Oh no it isn't! You know that I left immediately after they broke into my dojo to look for the heirloom. I've transferred my dojo to a..to a friend, and although I've informed all my friends that I'm leaving, I left no contact details. In fact, I've done my bloody best to hide my trail from any prying eyes, which includes the enemy, the police and even the Oniwabanshu! I gave it my best shot for it to be the final end to Kamiya Kaoru! I can't just turn up from the blue and ask them to help me search for this friend of yours! How am I going to explain my disappearance?" Kaoru protested vehemently.
"That depends. Are you even certain that they are aware of your disappearance? They might not have discovered it, you know, if they have not tried to find you." Her cousin pointed out.
Kaoru bit her lips, "But what if they did? And what if the enemy finds me when I return? I don't want to invoke the curse. Cousin, you know I've been terrified of the curse ever since I've learnt of it, and although it's been centuries since the curse was last invoked, still…"
Her cousin frowned. That's true, and it's hardly fair to ask his cousin to risk that curse for a friend of his. After all, blood is thicker than water. But it's a common code of ethics among the pugilists to risk even their own lives for a friend, and although that does not include the lives of their families, but he has to do something, right?
"We'll just go as our current identities. I'm a Chinese businessman on a business trip and you're my cousin accompanying me. I have mountains of credentials to back me up, and if anyone notices the similarity between Kamiya Kaoru and Fang Ye Die we'll just shrug it off as coincidence." Author's note: I have finally decided upon a name for Kaoru, which means Night Butterfly.
"But nevertheless, what if the enemy gets suspicious? Cousin…." Kaoru's voice trailed off with fear.
Her cousin sighed, he can understand her fear, which are after all not unfounded. Heck, even he has nightmares about the curse, and to return to Japan when the enemies are there looking for her…
"Tell you what. Why don't you just write me a letter to your friend pleading my cause and I'll go there alone?" suggested her cousin.
"Don't be silly! One main reason why I did not inform my friends on my intentions was because I was afraid the enemies might target them! And although my friends are extremely skilled when it comes to fighting, our enemies are not exactly what you call normal! They might target you if you turn up with a letter from me! And who knows what they're going to do to you? No, it's better if I go with you as Fang Ye Die, and once there, we'll just have to take every step as they come." Kaoru decided firmly, although her hands are shaking visibly.
Touched, her cousin reached forth and gripped her hands tightly, "Don't worry Kaoru-chan. I will die before I let anyone touch you." He promised.
Kaoru gave a small smile, blinked her tears away, and stood up, 'Oh well, I guess I better go and prepare for our journey then. By the way, you have not told me your friend's name yet."
"Didn't I? How thoughtless of me. He's a Japanese man by the name of Yukishiro Enishi, and he's returning to Japan to avenge for the death of his sister." Her cousin informed her.
"What?!?" Kaoru froze to a standstill, not quite believing her ears.
"Yes, it's quite a sad story actually. During the war his sister's fiancee was killed by a hitokiri, and the sister married the hitokiri in order to spy on him. Eventually the hitokiri killed her, and Enishi had hated him since then. In fact he lives only to avenge his sister." her cousin went on. Finally noticing Kaoru's white face and the tears that she could no longer hold back, he stopped and stared at her, with sudden comprehension. "You know him? My God, don't tell me the hitokiri is the Battousai who jilted you?!?" he asked incredulously.
"Not exactly jilted. Kenshin has never loved me. Never….ever….loved me." And Kaoru broke down, sobbing her misery out. For so many months she had forced herself not to think about it, forcing herself to be happy. And now, just when it seems that she can finally get over it and forget the entire matter, Fate is forcing her to confront the truth: that Kenshin does not love her. And, she had to admit to herself, she has never stop loving Kenshin despite it.
Owari
Author's note: Hate me? Well, I can't help it. Please R&R, or if you want hate-mails can be sent to chibibuta@hotmail.com Let me know how you find it. Next chapter Kaoru returns to Japan and……… more clues on the heirloom and the curse.