Standard disclaimer applies.

Chapter 8: Defence

It was already mid-morning yet the streets of Tokyo were still wet with dew. The sun was hidden yet the sky was strangely clear. Aoshi left the dojo after breakfast to attend yet another business matters. This was the day he would be meeting one-on-one with Aiko.

He only had two hours of sleep, then again that was all he required. He could even last two days without sleep, but felt he needed to prepare for such an encounter. The moment he opened his eyes from such light slumber, he quickly dressed. He wanted to dress in his old purple shinobi outfit; it was his most comfortable clothing. But this day in age, such garb would bring trouble. The ninjas had long faded from the face of the earth, well at least from an exterior sense. Many clans still worked underground, just like the Oniwabanshuu. Part of the reason for setting up business in Tokyo, apart from earning profits, was to establish an undercover headquarters in the country's capital. The logical choice was to enter the textile industry, which was blooming in the era.

Aoshi brought his coat's collar closer to him. Wet morning meant a bit of cold chill in the air. The coat was sufficient enough to provide warmth. Misao had often questioned him about the coat. Why the coat? Aoshi mused over it. He purchased the coat upon leaving the Aoiya to find work for him and the four Oniwabans. He wanted something to mask his identity, like the mask Hannya wore to hide his battered face. The coat was a logical choice. Now, he could not let go of it. The piece of clothing was the daily reminder of those years with his four comrades, the hardships and desolation in finding a place for themselves. It was a constant reminder of how Aoshi lost himself with their deaths, obsessed in gaining an austere title, and battling the demon named revenge. The coat was a part of him. The coat was him.

He glanced at his pocket watch. It was still too early to proceed to the building that would serve as the main 'headquarters' for the 'fabrics' store. The streets were already bustling with people going to and fro the market. He turned in a different direction though, towards the riverside. He would meditate while waiting. Meditation would soothe his nerves.

The river was silent. The currents were still, undisturbed. The grass did not sway. The leaves did not rustle. It was – silence.

Aoshi found a boulder of rock enough to afford him as a seat. He could simply close his eyes to attain a deep concentration without even assuming a meditative position. He was, after all as Misao had said, the master of meditation.

Slowly, thoughts about the Oniwaban's business flooded his mind. He was concerned about its success. He thought about Aiko, her coincidental connection with it and how he would face her in a few hours. The strangest thought though was of Takani Megumi and the casualness of their conversation the previous night. It still boggled his mind how the two transformed from unspeaking captor-captive acquaintances to let's-talk-and-laugh friends. He shook his head as if the mere action would simply erase his thoughts of her. There was just a feeling of discomfort of how comfortable he had been in her presence. It should not be like that, should it be? They were not supposed to interact like friends. Takani Megumi should stay a distance away from him, shouldn't she?

Aoshi stood up, hands in his coat pocket, staring blankly at the still water ahead of him. Well, 'staring blankly' was not entirely true. He could see a woman's face reflected on the water: a woman with a bright smile yet with sadness in her eyes. He closed his eyes. The image of the young doctor disappeared, only for another face to flash before him. "Aiko…" he murmured under a breath.

(1867)

The sun was already shining brightly. Aoshi outstretched his arms, relieving the slight tension in his muscles. He had a long night. If only today he could relax… Oh, if ever such a word existed in his occupation. He smirked to his heart's content. But today, today would be different. Not only was he relieved of his patrolling duties for the night ahead; but also he was relieved of anything. It was his day off, granted to him by Okashira Makimachi. Alas.

He walked around the grounds of Edojo to look for his fellow ninjas. His youthful psyche wanted to parade and gloat that today he would do nothing at all. Yet it was not his characteristic to be egoistic. So he abandoned the idea. Instead he decided to go watch the daily training held for the young and new Oniwabanshuu, especially those of Omasu and Okon. He had grown closer to the two girls ever since they all met. He felt like he was their older brother, despite the constant teasing of others that Aoshi had a crush on the two young kunoichi. He scoffed at the idea.

As soon as he approached the training hall, he heard loud groans and moans, probably coming from Okon. The girl loved to complain when she was getting quite worked up. He stood by the doorway, hands crossed, ready to bark up teasing remarks at the two girls. Instead his mouth dropped open, literally. Inside the training hall was the young girl from the previous night. She was attired in a ninja outfit. She was showing fluid-like movements throwing kunais to Okon and Omasu, and other young ninja girls.

Aoshi was more than surprised when a kunai landed on the wall beside him, inches away from his head. If it were a tad bit closer, his eyes would have been pierced.

"You shouldn't be spying on kunoichis," the girl mumbled without turning her back. Aoshi heard snickers coming from the others. He collected himself, showing a blank expression as if he was never scared of a kunai piercing him. The girl turned to him and bowed. "Perhaps you would like to assist me in showing them how to fight when attacked by a fellow ninja? I need someone to spar with me."

"I do not wish to fight, or spar. This is my duty-free day. I have no wish to tire myself."

"Oh come on, Aoshi-chan. Don't tell me you're afraid of Aiko-chan here," Okon coaxed. "Plus, we really need this training. Okashira Makimachi said it's a must!"

If only he could roll his eyes, he would. He stepped forward, showed his kodachi to Aiko. "I fight with this."

"And I with this," Aiko held out her right hands. In between her fingers was an iron claw-like weapon.

"Neko-te," he stated with nonchalance. He has never experienced, in training, fighting someone with a neko-te. Heck, he has never even sparred with a female ninja before. "Attack," he ordered her.

Aiko shook her head. "No. The purpose of this training is defence. They need to learn how to defend themselves when attacked by boys, especially if they are ninja trained. Swordsmen will be easy. Ninjas, no. So, you should attack first."

Whatever. Aoshi took his stance. In a flash he raced towards the young kunoichi, jumping in the air, intending to attack her from the back. He brought his kodachi down with minimum strength as not to hurt her, with the hope of slightly hitting her on the back. Aiko turned around, meeting his kodachi halfway with her neko-te.

"You scratched the sheath!" Aoshi nearly sounded complaining.

"You should have unsheathed your kodachi first, Shinomori-san," she replied softly, slowly taking away her hand clasping the kodachi. "It's only a scratch. Do not worry, the tips of this neko-te is dull. It wouldn't be enough to scratch a person's skin. Just a sheath."

Aoshi smirked. He took another stance, kodachi still unsheathed, ready to attack. He would use kempo, a fighting technique he was still trying to perfect. He mentally smiled evilly. It's now or never. He fixed his eyes on his target, attempting to submit her to his illusion. Within a few seconds Aoshi was moving fluidly, producing multiple shadow effects. Aiko was looking around, trying hard to catch up with the real Aoshi. He grabbed a hold of her, gripping her lightly at the stomach. "You are now defenceless."

Aiko whirled around, trying to grasp free from his hold. Aoshi released her. "You are good, Shinomori-san. No doubt about it," she said timidly. "But not too good," she waved his kodachi at him. Aoshi's eyes narrowed. He didn't even realize that his weapon has been stolen.

"This is important for defence," she turned her attention to the girls. "One should always think of offence. Now he, the attacker," she pointed the kodachi at him. "Has no weapon. But one should always be careful especially with ninjas. Ninjas, like us, are trained fighting with weapons as well as kempo and physical defence-offence." She handed Aoshi back his kodachi. "Arigatou, Shinomori-san. It is a pleasure to train with you."

"Very well," Aoshi only nodded, still miffed his weapon was taken away from him. He left the group without a word. But before stepping out the training hall, he took a glance at Aiko. She was smiling at him, watching him go. Aoshi somehow felt an unusual feeling in the stomach. It felt like this 'crush-thing' or an admiration towards Aiko. He definitely wanted to know more about her.

(Present day Tokyo)

Her hands were sweaty. She rubbed it on her kimono for Kami-knows how many times now. She was completely nervous was an obvious understatement. She was a nerve-wreck. In a few minutes, Aoshi would appear and the two of them would have to have a conversation. An actual conversation like they used to long, long time ago. She thought about the time when their friendship actually started. It was the day after they first met. She had gathered all her courage to challenge him in a sparring match while training other girls. Aiko had realized Shinomori Aoshi was no ordinary boy. He would grow into a man with formidable strength and intelligence. He was born to be an okashira.

She shook here head. Lately she had been dwelling in the past. She grabbed a piece of biscuit from her desk, munching on it quickly as if someone was about to take it. Where was her father? "Oh right…another business to attend to," she muttered.

She looked around the small room. This would be the main office of the soon-to-be opened store. The fabrics would be arriving soon. The shop should be set up as soon as possible.

Aiko shuffled through some papers containing information about different types of fabrics and cloths. Silk, satin, cotton… These would be explained to Aoshi. She drummed her fingers on the desk. Who would have thought she would be in this kind of business, or any kind of business? Obviously not her. When she was younger, she never expected to be anything other than a kunoichi. She thought she would grow old as a kunoichi, have a family as a kunoichi, and die as a kunoichi. But no! Now she would grow old as a businesswoman, would never have her own family as a businesswoman, and would die as a businesswoman. Yes, a 'happy' life indeed.

Someone knocked, her eyes widened. Was she panicking? She walked to the door and opened it. Go away… "Come in…" should she still call him okashira? They were no longer ninjas. "Shinomori-san."

"Watanabe-san," he nodded to acknowledge her. She stiffened. Should she correct him? No, many people already identify her with the name.

"Please Shinomori-san. Just Aiko-san would be fine." She motioned for him to take a seat in front of the desk. "Would you like some tea?"

"Aa."

He still talked little. "What do you think of the store? My father was the one who chose it, thinking Okina would find it to his liking," she handed him the cup, avoiding eye contact. Before, I could look him to the eye without blinking.

"Aa, but I noticed it needed a few repairs."

"Of course. Also, decorations would do a great deal to attract customers." She took a seat across from him, still avoiding his eyes, if he was even looking at her. "Here are the types of fabrics we would be selling. I have also made sketches regarding kimonos, yukatas, some European shirts, the kind…" she slid the pile of papers to him. "Are we also setting up the sewing shop here? The building is big enough."

Aoshi nodded, eyes on the papers she gave him. "These are good Aiko-ch…san," he frowned at his sudden mistake. Aiko caught it.

The two were engulfed in a deadly silence. Aiko did not know what to say while Aoshi looked intently through the sketches. Aiko was trying to think of what else to be discussed with him. Why won't her brain work?

"How is Okina?"

He looked up. "The old man is fine especially when he's around sake and women."

Aiko nodded with a smile. She was always fond of the old man. This is good. Just ask about the other Oniwabanshuu. "What about Hannya? Does his still work for you?"

Aoshi's fists hardened at the mention of the name. He nearly crumpled the piece of paper he was holding. Aiko noticed the expression on his face turn from unemotional and blank to grave and anger. She bit on her tongue. She knew she said something wrong; well it was apparent the mention of Hannya's name was the catalyst. He pierced her eyes with cold daggers, piercing her heart.

"Hannya is…dead." His tone was a whisper but loud enough. "As well as Beshimi, Hyottoko and Shikijo."

Aiko felt as if someone slammed her to a wall. She knew very well those men. They were Aoshi's most trusted Oniwabanshuu comrades. Unaware of tears welling in her eyes, she asked in a whisper, "How?"

Aoshi stood up, and she feared he would strike her. He turned his back on her, approached the door, and walked out. Before he closed the door behind him he said in the deadliest tone Aiko had ever heard uttered by a man, "I killed them." With that, he was gone.

It was all she needed to hear to submit to her tears, sobbing. To learn your friends were dead was painful enough. Aiko was not sure if she was crying because Aoshi said he killed them, or because he walked away from her, or because of the tone in his voice when he said those words.

Aoshi stopped midway from the doorway. He was angry. What? At her fro bringing it up? It certainly was not her fault. Why does at the moment he was thinking she was so insensitive and uncaring of his feelings? She certainly did not know what had transpired five years ago. Aoshi closed his eyes. Should he go back inside to explain everything to her? Does 'everything' include telling her his whole past, especially his shameful involvement with Takeda and his over-the-edge revenge with Battousai?

Aoshi walked forward. Now is not the time. He would have to explain his disgusting behaviour towards an innocent question to her, sooner rather than later. But at the very moment, Aoshi just needed to get away.

He was not completely healed from the past after all.

A/N: This is prolly the ugliest chapter I've written. I personally hate it myself so feel free to hate it too. I'm being unfair esp bcoz Aiko is here, and coz she's my creation I like her. but… I was writing this chapter when I found out that this fic has been deleted by ffnet.

Then everything went wrong. I would wanna fix it but… there's no sense now. I couldn't even get myself to read it.

Reason it has been deleted… my fault actually but ffnet should've warned me. I should've read all those guidelines before posting that prologue with only the song and that chapter with my whole rambling a' notes.

Other than that, I don't think there was any other reason why it has been deleted. So, hopefully the support for this fic will continue.

Neko-te – weapon female ninjas often use. It's this claw-like blades fastened on a leather band that can be wrapped around the palm, so that each claw-like blade is inserted in between each finger.