Standard disclaimer applies.

A/N: I'm aware of how ppl tend to view OC's or Mary Sues, and honestly It's quite disheartening. I believe if they're created properly, it's no prob. That's why I'm attempting at one. Pls. Give this a chance.

So, I'd like to warn that this chap is, well, all about the OC. (actually written in OC's POV, except it remains in 3rd person omniscient). I wouldn't advice to skip it if you want to watch the story to progress. Also, I tend to write longer AN's coz I wanna explain myself. sorry bout that.

Chapter 5: The business of the Past

She paced back and forth in the little room her father provided for her at an inn. Her hands were sweaty and her heart was pounding hard. If only it was proper for a woman her age to bite and chew her nails, she would have done it two months ago. She thought she was prepared. She thought she could be calm and relaxed. Well – she thought wrong!

Last night she had a dream, a recurring one. In her dream was a formidable bridge where a young boy stood guarding it. He never once spoke a word except his blue eyes stilled the air around him. He commanded respect, demanded obedience. Yet the way he looked at her, it was different. There was softness in them. Aiko blinked. It was indeed a dream. Only, the dream was replaying a memory from the past she had buried away.

A slight tap was heard on the door. "Aiko-chan? Are you ready?"

Biting her lip, she hesitantly opened the door to face her father. "Do I really have to go?"

Yamamoto Aki shot a questioning look at his daughter. She had been acting quite strange the past few months, ever since they have started a new business deal with an old friend. "Aiko-chan, tell me, don't you want to be in business with Kashiwazaki-san? I had the impression you were quite fond of him, even calling him Okina."

Aiko sighed. She could not possibly tell her father the real reason for her apprehension. The moment she learnt about this new business situation with the former Oniwabanshuu, she wanted to back out from it. It would have been easy to declare she just doesn't want to have anything to do with ninjas. No, that would not be right. After all, she was still a ninja by heart. "Gomen, 'tousan. I was just not feeling very well. Of course, a business partnership with Okina would be wonderful. Where will we meet him again?"

Aki fished through his pocket, producing a piece of paper. He adjusted the glasses on his nose, squirming his eyes, "Ah, it's not going to be a formal meeting. Simply a dinner. He said to meet him at a restaurant called Akabeko." He patted his daughter's back, reassuring her everything will be fine. "We'll do just okay in this business, Aiko. If that is what concerns you. I'll be waiting outside whenever you're ready." With that, he left Aiko deep in thoughts.

Aiko stared hard at the door that had just been closed. Okina had been a good guardian to her when she was training onmitsu girls at the Edo Castle. She was terribly fond of the man she considered her second father. She has no second thoughts doing business with him, sharing her expertise. What she was worried was the 'people' Okina was connected.

She shook her head. It had been a long time ago. The Oniwabanshuu had long dismantled, with members going different directions, pursuing different careers in life. What was the probability of meeting him once again? Aiko brought her hands to feel the heavy beating of her drum-like heart. There was a big probability she would meet him again. For Kami-sama's sake, he was Okina's guardian back then. Surely, the two of them had stayed in touch. What if he was part of this new business? Then again, Okina would have indicated it to her father. Then again, she had not been listening to her father when he was providing information. She was too busy reminiscing of a past best left forgotten.

Aiko tied her long black hair in a simple ponytail. She glanced one last time at the mirror, noting she looked paler than her normal pale self. Her disturbed nerves made her seemed weak, weaker than how people often perceived her to be. With one big intake of a breath, then expelling it loudly, she left the room to meet her father outside.

"It took you earlier than expected, Aiko-chan," he noted with an approving smile on his face. He noticed that though Aiko was wearing a simple blue, plain kimono, his daughter looked nowhere plain. Yet the prettiness of her daughter seemed not enough to attract men. Offer of marriage was scarce, and Aki pouted at the thought. He had never forced Aiko to marry; he gave her freewill to choose whomever she felt fit for her. Aiko found no one, and likely will never find anyone. The thought made him sad: Yamamoto Aki may never be a grandfather after all. "Aiko-chan, remember our names," he reminded her.

"Are we not meeting up with Okina? Then can we not use our real names, 'tousan?"

Aki nodded. "Yes, yes. But it does not hurt to be careful, especially here in Edo," he whispered.

"Tokyo, 'tousan. It's Tokyo now," she corrected her father, who seemed to never grasp the city's new name. Father and daughter had fitted quite nicely to the Meiji era. Both left behind their old ninja ways to pursue careers in the textile industry. Yet, Yamamoto Aki still lived in the old days, never really turning his back on his shinobi roots. "Very well, 'tousan, or should I say Watanabe-san?"

The sun has already set when Aoshi reached the city proper. After he left Mt. Ueno, he stopped by the inn he and Misao were supposed to stay to inform the innkeeper of the cancellation of their stay. Aoshi also made the arrangement for their belongings to be delivered at the Kamiya dojo.

Aoshi walked briskly yet in silence towards his destination. In his hand was a piece of paper indicating the name of the person he will meet. Watanabe Aki. According to Okina, he was a good friend and ally to the Oniwabanshuu back in the Tokugawa period. The man had been in the business ever since the Meiji era started. He was excellent in his craft, actually sending a daughter to Europe to learn more about the textile industry. Okina indicated a successful partnership with Watanabe Aki would help them a great deal. Other than that, Okina left Aoshi to learn about the man upon their first meeting. He told Aoshi Watanabe Aki would be expecting Okina, not Shinomori Aoshi.

Aoshi smirked. Okina had funny ways dealing with business transactions. He'd set up a meeting for himself, only to send Aoshi to the place at the last minute. Aoshi could swear Okina does it on purpose, to make the younger man go out of the Aoiya. It helped him recover, rather than spending all day meditating.

Aoshi arrived at the Akabeko earlier than expected. He greeted the restaurant owner, whom he made acquaintance once or twice due to her friendship with the Himuras; plus she was also the twin sister of the owner of Shirobeko in Kyoto.

"Good evening, Sekhira-san," he bowed. He noticed the Akabeko, like the Shirobeko, had undergone changes. It had expanded to accommodate more customers of both the locals and foreigners.

Sekhira Tae bowed back, "Welcome once again, Shinomori-san."

"This morning I made reservations under the name 'Kashiwazaki' for this evening. I'll be expecting some company. Have they arrived?" Aoshi inquired, finding this 'foreign' system of making restaurant reservations of great advantage.

"Yes, I believe so. A man and a woman indicated they would be waiting for a Kashiwazaki Nenji. Shall I lead you to them?"

"Aa."

The two made their way to a table at the far side corner. Aoshi made sure to specifically have a more secluded and private dinner stall. He still preferred to make things private, just how shinobis liked to do. Aoshi was able to take full notice on the restaurant's interior. It still had some Japanese aspect to it, but the overall feeling was foreign, especially with the presence of those high tables and chairs.

"Shinomori-san, that is the most secluded part of the Akabeko. I decided to give that table to you and your companions. Unfortunately, it is of foreign-made," Tae implied an apology. Based from what she knew of him, or what Kaoru had told her, Shinomori Aoshi was highly traditional. "I hope you would not mind."

"That it is fine, Sekhira-san," he gave her a slight nod. They approached the table where a man and woman were seated across from each other. The woman had her back turned on Aoshi. Tae bid Aoshi her leave.

"Watanabe Aki?" he addressed the man who was about Okina's age. "I'm here in behalf of Kashiwazaki Nenji. Shinomori Aoshi," he bowed, introducing himself.

The elderly man smiled, stood up and bowed. "Hai, that is me. I am familiar with you, Shinomori-san. By the way, this is my daughter, Watanabe Aiko," he indicated to the woman who also stood up and bowed to Aoshi before meeting his eyes.

It took him every inch of control not to let his mouth hang loosely from his face. It took him all his senses not to gasp at the sight of the woman in front of him. He stood frozen, dazed for a few moments.

"I am pleased to make your…" he bowed, upon gathering his old stoic self. "Acquaintance," he straightened up to rest his eyes on the woman. The initial shock on his face was soon gone, yet deep inside was a whole new different story.

"I'm here in behalf of Kashiwazaki Nenji. Shinomori Aoshi."

It took all her strength not to stand up and run away. When she wondered about the probability of meeting him tonight, she was merely amusing herself with the thought. Once again, fate seemed to deny her the satisfaction of being right.

Aiko stood up for courtesy and politeness to the man she once called 'okashira'. She bowed low, as if it would help to mask her face from the prying eyes of the newcomer. The shock in his eyes flashed quickly but was not missed. Despite the years, she still knew the hidden expression his eyes can convey.

"I am pleased to make your…acquaintance."

Yes. Acquaintance. And more. Aiko felt compelled to say something. But what? 'Oi, you cut your hair'; or should she comment, 'You're actually taller than before'? No. She should just stay silent and talk only when addressed by the men.

"Shall we start dinner, Shinomori-san? I didn't want to start without you, or should I say Kashiwazaki-san? I thought that old man would be here," her father chimed in.

"Okina sends his sincere apology. We have some major problems at the Aoiya in Kyoto. He was the best candidate to fix them."

Aki motioned for them to take a seat. "Well, Shinomori-san, I am certain you are the best candidate for this job." He leaned forward and said in a whisper but loud enough for a shinobi to hear, "I am sure the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu is the most excellent to do business with. Isn't that right, Aiko?" his father turned to her. Aki had always preferred to include Aiko in conversations; after all she was also a business partner.

"Hai. We are honoured, Okashira," she replied.

Aoshi only replied with a slight bow of the head. The owner and waitress of the restaurant arrived to obtain their orders. Aiko felt relieved. She had been hungry the moment they stepped inside the Akabeko. There was also her extreme fondness in eating, despite her slim figure. Food for her had always been top priority no matter what calamity she was facing.

"Shinomori-san, you may be wondering as to why I brought my daughter with me. I want to inform you now that she and I are business partners as well. She actually is the expert when it comes to picking out the fabrics and choosing designs for it. She is highly qualified as she was also familiar with the locals' and foreigners' demands," her father spoke proudly of her as he gazed her from across where he sat.

"I am honoured to have her presence and expertise regarding this business," Aoshi said without looking at her. Aiko doesn't know how to interpret his comment. Was it a compliment or a polite reply?

"We will not disappoint, Shinomori-san," Aiko said, dark eyes on him. He nodded but refused to even glimpse at her. The rest of the dinner was spent discussing minor details upon setting up shop. Aiko stayed quiet unless her father asked for an opinion or comment. Aoshi never said a word to her directly. Aiko even questioned if he remembered her completely. He did seem surprised on first glance but that was all the emotion he showed her. She dreaded the day, probably the next morning, when she and Shinomori Aoshi would need to converse. It was bound to happen, for as her father had stated, she was the expert on matters concerning their business.

She sat beside her rolled futon, drawing her knees closer to her body. She could not sleep. How could she? A few hours ago she encountered a person she least expected to see. She munched on a biscuit she managed to sneak up to her room. There was nothing better than a late-night snack when a person could not sleep. If she went to sleep, for sure he would fill her dreams again.

"Nightmares, actually," she mumbled. Well, one would hardly describe Shinomori Aoshi a nightmare, except his enemies. Aiko bit hard on the biscuit, chewing with a greater speed than the fastest train in Japan. She replayed in her mind the dinner at the Akabeko, how he sat there in control and unemotional. Did he even glance at her twice? "Oh, who am I kidding? It has been a long time ago. Hardly young love persist to survive." She talked to herself once again. It calmed her nerves when she voiced her thoughts out loud. Sure she could simply meditate to pacify any chaotic emotions. But why waste time seated in an awkward position when she could talk to herself? Meditating was never her cup of tea.

"Speaking of tea… I wish I could drink one right now. Or even have a bowl of miso soup just to warm my stomach," she said out loud, thoughts of sneaking out to the inn's kitchen forming in her head. Oh Aoshi, why do you have to show up now?

She unfolded the futon and decided to allow herself to sleep. She had a theory that now she and Aoshi finally met once again her dreams of him would cease. Then again, thoughts of him might get dragged up to her dreams. "I should instead think of food. It is the most harmless subject in a person's dreams. Yes, let me dream of food…" with that she shut her eyes tight praying Kami-sama would grant her a food-filled dream.

A/N:

I have now completely introduced Aiko, Ao's childhood sweetie.

Next chapter will have a huge Ao/Meg interaction…it's already been written, just polishing rough edges.

Regarding the dojo, I still call it Kamiya dojo as it was Kaoru's father's dojo. Just thought I'd include it coz I love to pick on small details.

Kitsune-chan: my image of Aiko is the lovely 'Taka' from the movie The Last Samurai. I just think Taka is a very pretty woman. But Aiko is not patterned at Taka's character; well, ok somehow. Aiko's timid but outspoken around ppl she knows very well. She looks frail & weak but actually strong coz she's a ninja. She's pretty but unaware of it. She's sly xcept around men…see where I'm going? She's not Meg's entire opposite but definitely they're not same. Hopefully this fic would stay so I can develop her character more, and maybe convince some people to like her?

Taka from The Last Samurai is played by Koyuki, very very beautiful Japanese actress. She'd make a perfect Kikyou (Inuyasha), eh?

Miss Hyuga: sorry 4got to thank you for your review… I love your story, until the dark as I've stated in my review (ladie shinomori at your service!) your story actually inspired me to write a romance fic, no action or whatsoever. Purely romance. But yours is much better. As for the song, I dunno who originally sang it. I heard a Filipino singer's version and I loved it. thanks once again for the review and will be waiting for your update on the story.

Whiterabbit: I read your bio and I was shocked that we share many ideas/opinions. Glad you like my OC, but I'm aware you're an Aoshi/Kaoru fan or Meg/Sano…so hopefully you can tolerate an Ao/Meg fic!

Click & one-track: I'm also a die-hard Ao/Meg but I have reasons why I included an OC Hopefully you guys wont stop reading just bcoz of one character… well, I actually have an idea for an ending but – I stress the BUT it's still not clear. So patience my friends.