Author's Note: Yeah, yeah…do I have to say anything meaningful here? Well, if you were expecting something, that's just too bad. I am not a very 'wise' person, which means that I have nothing wise to say!!!

Disclaimer: Hmmmm…Let's think for a moment…do I LOOK like I own Rurouni Kenshin? Ahem…forget it…don't answer that…it'll only break my heart…(sighs)

Chapter 5

See what you want to see

But all I see are ripples...

Staring into the cold water, Nakago gazed at his reflection. One lone solitary leaf was tumbled gently about by the wind, floating through the air lazily, until finally, it landed in the water. In doing so, it caused a disturbance in the water, creating ripples. The ripples grew bigger, causing Nakago's reflection to become distorted. And this was how he felt…how everything felt: distorted.

The fact that Aoshi had betrayed him seemed almost impossible. But that was just it. It was almost impossible, not just impossible.

Nakago looked back into the water, staring at the leaf in annoyance. He lifted it up from the water, and crushed it in his fist. That leaf represents the traitor…and that is what will happen to him…the fate of Shinomori…

The word 'traitor' and the name 'Shinomori' did not seem to go well together, so Nakago cursed. Why do I feel like there's something going on that I don't know about? And why do I feel like Shinomori wouldn't betray me?

Most of all…why do I feel like Keiichi is hiding something? He has no reason to turn me against Shinomori…all the men of the Oniwabanshu are all men of honor. None of them would ever…but then…there at least has to be one traitor. And that's either Keiichi or Shinomori.

Nakago shook his head. I'm only confusing myself more. He looked back at the water. Without the leaf, everything was calm and serene. Under the moon, the lake looked like a sheet of glass. And without the leaf, everything was clear.

He carefully dipped his hands into the lake. He would just have to destroy the leaf. As simple as that. The only question was, who is the leaf?

"Whew! I am so FULL! Okon and Omasu are such good cooks, ne?" Misao asked cheerfully, in a valiant attempt to strike up a conversation with Aoshi.

Aoshi nearly winced. Not that it bothered him, but Why is Misao so LOUD?

Misao tried again. "Aoshi-sama? Don't you think that Okon and Omasu are good cooks?"

Aoshi decided that if he didn't answer, Misao would continue to ask the same question over and over again. If she did so, he didn't know if he would be able to bear both the stupidity of the question or the volume of Misao's voice. "Aa…," he answered finally.

His answer caused Misao to swell with joy. He's actually answering me!!

"Do you want anymore? If you do, I could go back to the Aoiya and get you some more, Aoshi-sama!"

"No…I am fine…"

And that was the end of the conversation Misao had bravely tried to start. Really, it was nothing much, but still, at least it was something.

Misao stared at Aoshi, taking in everything she saw before her. His pearly black hair, his muscles, his eyes, his face, everything. Not just his facial features, but also his courage, intelligence, and strength. All of these put together formed what Misao thought was the perfect man.

Since she was a little girl, she had always wanted to run her fingers through Aoshi's silky hair. Why is his hair so beautiful?

She had always wanted to warm those chips of ice that were his eyes. So cold…yet so beautiful…

And his muscles? Ooooohhhhhh yeeeeeaaaaahhhhh…

But something seemed different. Aoshi seemed…worried…

Aoshi blinked wondering exactly why Misao was staring at him with an almost hungry look on her face.

She seemed to snap out of it, because, moments later, her facial expression was back to normal. Or maybe I just imagined it…

"Aoshi-sama?" she began timidly.

"…"

"Is there something wrong? You seem kind of…troubled…"

Aoshi's eyes nearly widened. How does she know? He wanted to tell her, but…he couldn't. He had to protect Misao. "There is nothing wrong…"

Misao sensed his hesitation, but decided to ignore it. If he wants to tell me, he'll tell me.

Without another word, Misao began picking up the plates, and setting them on the tray. "I'll be going now, Aoshi-sama," she said softly, before leaving. She walked out of the temple, closing the doors softly behind her.

Aoshi stared after her for a moment, and then directed his gaze to his hands. Misao…my light…

Okina was worried.

For some reason, I think there's something going on with Aoshi. He seems…troubled…and if I'm able to sense it, then it must be really serious.

I wonder what's wrong?

He remembered that bad feeling he had when he had stared into the sky earlier. It was almost like he knew.

Okina couldn't deny his feelings. Rule number one: Never doubt an old man's suspicion.

And whenever the pink bow on his beard sagged, it meant trouble. Rule number two: Always trust the pink bow.

Keiichi cautiously looked around. No one. He breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't want to face Nakago at the moment.

Something told him that Nakago was getting suspicious.

I can't let that happen…my power rests on both him and Shinomori killing each other. If Nakago finds out now…well…

Keiichi didn't want to think about it.

Think about afterwards, when both Shinomori and Nakago are dead.

Power beckoned.

And Keiichi wanted to answer the call.

Nakago stood up from the edge of the lake, and trudged toward the camp.

He walked past his men, who cowered in his presence, and then into his usual place. Carelessly, he dusted off his clothes, and then turned to one of his men. "What are you doing?"

"N-Nothing…sir…" came the answer.

Nakago smirked. "And what if I don't believe you?"

"I-I…I don't know…sir…" he confessed. The poor man was truly afraid. What had he done to anger Nakago-sama?

"Don't look so scared. I'm not going to kill you," Nakago said, smiling evilly up at the young man.

"Y-Yes…" he stuttered back. I seriously doubt that…

"So, I asked you a question. Well? Answer me!" Nakago was enjoying every minute of this.

"My lord…I am…standing…if that counts…" he said uncertainly. The man was sure that his life was over.

Nakago seemed to be satisfied. "There, you see? That's all you had to say. You are dismissed."

The man stifled a sigh of relief and then hurried off, before Nakago could change his mind.

Nakago looked after the man for a moment and then heaved a sigh. Why is it that I still enjoy intimidating people? I used to do this all the time...and everybody would be scared…except for Shinomori, of course.

Perhaps it had been what his father had said to him before he died. Always keep a tough exterior.

Nakago stared blankly into the starry night. Shinomori…

He didn't know exactly why he had believed Keiichi that day. Why did I believe Keiichi so readily? Did Ao—Shinomori do anything to provoke my trust in him beforehand? Nakago winced. He had nearly called his enemy by his first name. Why?

Keiichi had no reason to lie to me…in fact, Keiichi was actually one of my friends…he was both my friend and Shinomori's friend…but…neither did Shinomori…except for that reason that Keiichi gave me. It does make sense…but it seemed like something that Shinomori wouldn't do. I didn't think that he would sacrifice his friendship just for his position.

But…apparently…I was wrong.

Turmoil. That was what he felt. Utter turmoil.

Nakago couldn't stand just sitting there doing nothing, so he walked back to the lake. He found that the lake was a place where he could find solace, much like how Aoshi found solace in meditation. Meditation was Aoshi's, but the lake was his.

And as for my plans…well…kidnapping a girl for what Shinomori did…well…it isn't honorable.

Nakago did not like involving innocent people.

Maybe I just have to suck it up and do it. If kidnapping the girl is the only way to crack Shinomori's icy exterior, then that's the way I'm going to do it, honorable or not.

Anyways, what he did to me before…it was not honorable. So why should I be honorable toward him?

But a nasty thought kept nagging his mind.

What if Keiichi is the traitor?

But that isn't possible. He wouldn't…but Shinomori wouldn't…It was almost like his mind was having a battle with itself, on half supporting Shinomori, while the other half seemed to support Keiichi.

Which one is the leaf?

Again, Nakago saw a leaf drifting toward the lake. Before it hit the water, Nakago snatched it out of the air. Don't confuse me, traitor. Don't distort the truth.

From that moment on, he hated leaves.

He hated every single one of them, because in his mind, he saw them as traitors.

Author's Note: Well…that was chapter 5!!!! Do ya like it? I guess this one wasn't that eventful, but…I'm trying! Really! I am! I couldn't think of anything good for Nakago in this chapter so I just put in that weird stuff with the water and the leaf. o.O Me and my twisted imagination…not that I HAVE one, but HEY!!! Like I said, I'm trying!!!

Oh yeah, and REVIEW!!!!!!

Thanks to all who reviewed!!!