Standard disclaimer applies. I don't own the song 'bridge over troubled waters', it's simon&garfunkel's…
A/N: Also, this chapter is a flashback, as the date indicates.
Happy reading!
Chapter 4: Bridge Over Troubled Waters
1867
The night air was cool upon his skin. The purple scarf wrapped around his neck provided a barrier for the chill. See, it had a use other than a 'fashion mishap' according to Okina. Aoshi smirked. When had he worn anything to conform to fashion? He had more important matters to be concerned with than mere clothing.
Aoshi stretched his arms. He was tired, and his muscles were aching. He looked all around him. It was ironically peaceful despite Japan being on the edge of an erupting war. He wondered how long Edojo would stand as the political centre of the country. He wondered about the future of the family the Oniwabanshuu were assigned to protect. Would the Tokugawa continue their dynasty, or would the rebels of the Ishin Shishi succeed and overthrow them? What would happen to the Oniwabanshuu?
Aoshi hated pondering such thoughts. After all, he was only fourteen years old. Aoshi frowned. He felt unsettled. It is strangely quiet. This may not be Kyoto, still… There is something peculiar in the air, but I cannot put any word to it.
He leaned over the bridge to observe the water beneath it. For such a peaceful night, the river seemed troubled. Then, the water calmed down. Aoshi turned around, alarmed that he felt a strange presence approaching him. The dark figure walked slowly towards Aoshi.
A girl? And she seems to be heading to the entrance of the castle.
"What are you doing outside at this time of the hour?"
The girl who looked no older than him raised a brow. "I should ask you the same question. Are you a son of one of those who protect this castle?"
"No. I protect this castle. It is not my time to patrol. And I should be asking the questions," he folded his arms and gave her a cold stare. "Who are you? You cannot simply enter the Edojo without explaining yourself."
She gave him an embarrassed smile. "I live here. I went out for a walk this afternoon, then lost my way back. It was only now I was able to track down the castle. I thought I could go back inside unnoticed."
Aoshi looked at her suspiciously. "I think you are lying. I know all the occupants of the Edojo, from the Tokugawa family to the servants and the rest of the Oniwabanshuu."
"Then perhaps you know Kashiwazaki Nenji?"
"Aa. He is my guardian."
Her lips formed a letter 'o'. "Your guardian? I was not aware that Nenji-sama has another ward to take care of."
"What are you to Okina?"
"Okina?"
"You are taking too long to answer my questions," his patience wearing thin.
"Gomen nasai. My name is Yamamoto Aiko. I am here in behalf of by Nenji-sama. He knew my father who is a shinobi for the Shinsengumi."
Aoshi believed her statements for she looked sincere, yet one can never be too sure. "Are you here to be trained as a ninja?"
She smiled at him. She leaned over the bridge to stare at the water below, just like what Aoshi had done. The moonlight exposed her youthful features. She turned to look at Aoshi, her back on the bridge wall. "How old are you? You don't seem old enough to patrol for the night."
"I am a capable fourteen-year-old for this task. I have done patrolling many times now. Are you here to be trained as a ninja?" he repeated the question. Kunoichis were an asset to the Oniwabanshuu. Omasu and Okon would certainly be good ninjas. Aoshi regarded the girl standing not more than two feet from him. He was disconcerted for he could not read her ki.
"Fourteen? You are too tall for your age. Your opponent would never think of you a child, unless they observe you keenly. Just like what I did."
Aoshi wanted badly to scratch his head out of frustration. She was not answering his questions. He would not let her leave unless he obtained the information he needed. Then again, she does not look eager to leave either.
"So, what else do you do? You must be assigned other tasks as well. The way you form your phrases and questions, the way your eyes scrutinize me, and the surroundings, I am certain your shinobi skills are not only for patrolling." She pierced his icy-blue eyes with her own dark ones.
Aoshi held them without even a blink. "I do not give information to strangers."
"Oh, but I have introduced myself. And if you are still brooding from your unanswered question, then I say no. My purpose here is not to train as a shinobi. I am a shinobi, trained the moment I could walk and talk. My mother is a former kunoichi, now working as an informant for the Oniwabanshuu."
Aoshi digested the information without even a look of surprise, as if he had been expecting it long before she said. However, he was more than surprised. He was shocked. It all made sense why he could not read any energy surrounding her body. She had long ago learned how to masked it. "A ninja? Yet, you got lost and it took you hours to get back?"
She looked down, long dark tresses falling down her face from a loose bun. "I am ashamed to admit it. I wanted to go out and see Edo for myself. It is my first time here. I am from a village outside Kyoto, but the wrath of battles had affected the peacefulness in our village. I wanted to taste the last remnants of peace Edo had to offer."
"Last remnants," Aoshi muttered in repetition of her comment. She sounded pessimistic. "How old are you?"
She raised a brow. "Are you always this curious? I will be thirteen in two months."
Aoshi's eyes narrowed. She was only a year younger than him. "Then I suggest you should go to bed. It is not advisable for young girls to stay up late." The sarcasm in his tone was not missed.
She sighed out loud. "I am a young girl, am I not? It doesn't feel like it at all. I feel like I have been forced to grow up quickly, though no fault of my parents. I must admit, I do not know what is it to be young. Do you, Shinomori-san?"
Funny, that was his exact sentiment. "I'm afraid I too do not know how to be – how do you know my name?" He could not help widen his eyes at her. She had given him the impression she does not know his identity, yet here she was addressing him by his name.
She stared at the water down below once again, her hands clutching the bridge cement railings. "Look at how unsettled this small pond is… It feels the threat of war. Are you afraid of war, Shinomori-san? We are, after all, only children, ne?"
"I am not afraid of war, for in this war, the Oniwabanshuu will prove to be the strongest," he declared in a small voice yet his tone full of confidence. He was aware she was refusing to answer his question once again. She was truly a ninja by nature and heart.
"The Oniwabanshuu doesn't have to prove anything, Shinomori-san. To be honest with you, I do not like wars, or fighting. It scares me."
"You are still a little girl," he replied coolly. She felt insulted he could tell.
"Little and weak. That is how people see and think of me. I still believe war is not needed for the Oniwabanshuu to show their strength."
"Then what do you suppose the Oniwabanshuu should do to show strength? Stand idly while others fight for what they believe in? Go into hiding while people with swords kill for their ideals? No, the Oniwabanshuu deserve to fight in the war!"
She gave him a sad smile. "What will you do if the Oniwabanshuu will never get the chance to fight, as we are merely spies and guards of this castle?"
He clenched his fists at the thought. "I will do anything to gain the title of the strongest for this clan."
"But you are merely a fourteen-year old child. Plus, you are not the okashira."
He shot daggers at her. "I do not have to be the okashira to achieve this goals. I will do anything for the Oniwabanshuu to have that title, just like the Shinsengumi of Kyoto, or even that despicable battoussai many were talking about."
"Forgive me if I question your goals. I also want the Oniwabanshuu to gain the respect they deserve." There was a touch of sadness in her eyes. She half-whispered, "Though I do not speak like one, I am still a child by heart, Shinomori-san. As a child, I want nothing else but to run wild and free without the thought of danger. I want to go to sleep at night without nightmares of blood and death. I want to spend the day eating sweets and anything my stomach desires. I want to have a future." She closed her eyes as if trying to envision what her statements painted.
Aoshi's expression softened a bit. She, like him, had also dreams of a quiet future. "I suppose you are right. I am also a… child," he stated.
The two children stayed silent until Aiko bid him goodbye. "I wish we met in a better situation, Shinomori-san. Also, I'm sorry if I didn't answer any of your questions. I have known you before we even met. Nenji-sama, or Okina as he asked me to call him, told me many things about you. I simply wanted to find out by myself."
"So, you never really got lost? You only wanted to – find out about me?"
She smiled sheepishly. "Well… I did get lost. So much for being a good ninja, ne?" she bowed to him. "You would be a good candidate for a future okashira. I, for one, would be a loyal follower. Oyasumi nasai."
Aoshi stood aside to finally allow her to enter the castle grounds. He watched her retreating figure, determined to find out more about her from Okina, and even ask Hannya to do a little spying on the side.
A/N:
the bridge I had in mind was the Nijubashi or Double Bridge, entrance to the Edo castle. When I was looking at picture of the Edo-jo, I fell in love with its structure. Then, I saw that it was built in the middle of the Meiji era – so it does not complement with the story. So I chose to make it nameless, contrary to my 1st draft. I just want Aoshi and Aiko to meet there. I think it's a good place for them.
Aoshi way OOC? Well, he's 14. I believe he was diff when he was younger, talking more that is. He changed when he became okashira, that's how I see it.
It's also hard to write an 'adult-ish' conversation b/w 2 14-yr-olds. I see the two as matured than most preteens just because of their position in life – ninjas during the era. so hope ppl would find them ok, esp Aiko as this is my intro to her character.