Scene 3: A Plan in Disguise

Megumi watched Misao paced back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and… "Stop it, Misao!"

The two sisters were cooped up in their library with massive collection of books that only Megumi found interesting. She was reading Aristotle's Poetics for the third time Misao, on the other hand, was there to have a little chitchat with her older sister.

Misao expelled a breath. She pouted her lips at her older sister and scowled. She took a seat facing Megumi who looked keen on ignoring her. "Why does 'tousan never allow me to entertain suitors? I mean, I'm old enough. I'm sixteen for heaven's sake. Does he still see me a child? He said you should get married first before he even let a boy talk to me? When will that happen? When I'm fifty!" she gritted her teeth in annoyance. Then looked sheepishly at her sister. "No offence, sis!"

Megumi rolled her eyes. She did not care if people find it hard to envision her ever marrying. She could not even see it herself, how could others do? Her eyes rested on Misao. Not many people knew of Misao's true nature. Misao was always thought of as the sweet, gentle, kind-hearted soul Megumi was not. Misao was all that; yet there was another side of Misao people were completely clueless about. This was the loud, always-complaining, almost-spoiled, often immature side seen inside their household. Megumi had often wondered if suitors would still file outside after a moment's gaze into the young weasel's life.

But all that made Misao the person Megumi loved; all that was the little sister she cared about no matter how people often compare and contrast them.

"Tell me, imouto. Who do you prefer: The younger-old, ugly guy in Hortensio; or the older-old, ugly guy in Gremio?" Megumi snorted, the sarcasm in her voice thick. Does she have to stress her disgust towards the two men?

Misao thought for a while, an amusing smile on her face. "Honestly, Meg-neesan, I don't like any of the two. I just love how they pay me attention and tell me those sweet words whenever they see me."

"Ugh. Sweet words? What part of 'sweet' do you not get, Misao? They shower you with the most ridiculous phrases any perverted man is capable of saying. You should not feel honoured nor flattered in any way when those two embarrassment in mankind talk to you."

Misao flinched. Despite being close to her sister, Misao often found herself shock of how Megumi talked. "That's why men are so scared of you, Meg-neesan. You talk as if your tongue's a sword. I wonder what kind of man would be best to be your husband. Hmm?"

The atmosphere in the library darkened, as if the two huge windows were not adequate enough to provide sunlight. Marriage, or the word husband, should never be mentioned in front of Megumi. It was like asking for a painful, real tragic death. Misao closed her eyes as she heard a book shut loudly. Any time now, a gigantic image of Megumi would loom over her, inquiring which kind of death would Misao prefer. Misao almost squealed when she opened her eyes and saw Megumi returning the book on its proper location. Her life was spared – for the moment.

"I would only marry if I am not breathing anymore," was the cold reply.

"Why if a man comes along who would not falter or shake in fear when he sees you? How's that?" Misao put it in a joking matter, yet with a hint of seriousness. If she was to choose a man for Megumi's husband, she would choose someone who would not crumble in front of Megumi. If only a man existed…

OOOOOOOOOO-OOOOOOOOOOO

"Now, why do I feel inclined to laugh out loud at your expense?" Yahiko questioned Aoshi as they made their way towards a mansion owned by a man named Okina. He kicked a stone along the dusty pavement, trying his best to keep up with Aoshi. Or rather, trying his best to let Aoshi keep up with him.

The said man was walking in a much slower pace, a dejected look painted on his eyes yet confidence still illuminate his face. Yahiko had gotten to know the said man more in the two years they have known each other. He knew perfectly well what Aoshi was feeling at the moment.

"Look, Aoshi. If you're so against this idea, why go through it? I thought you're someone who don't let others push you around" he turned to Aoshi, who was still a few paces behind him.

Aoshi walked in a cool manner, both hands thrust inside his coat pockets. He did not need to answer to Yahiko's inquiries; yet it was the lad's right as a friend. "I gave Senor Hortensio my word. I shall honour it."

"By going against your belief? Damn. I just don't understand you."

Quite frankly, Aoshi did not understand it himself either. He owed a lot to Hortensio. The man needed the payment at the moment. It was Aoshi's duty to see Hortensio would be paid, even if it meant going against his belief as Yahiko said. "There is nothing wrong in marrying…" he stated, knowing he was being hypocritical at the moment. Yahiko chose not to comment. His expression was all it took for Aoshi to look away.

The presence of a carriage halted their paces. "Shinomori…" a low voice called out to him from inside the carriage. A man with black-rimmed glasses and bushy moustache appeared from the window. He had this goofy smile on his face.

Aoshi raised an eyebrow. "A disguise, Senor Hortensio?" he was not fooled.

The man brought a finger to his lips, looking around if anyone heard. "Ssh, you'll blow my cover. This was the plan, remember? You introduce me to Senor Okina as the music tutor for his daughters," he said in a hushed tone. "Get in, Aoshi. A rich suitor should arrive in a carriage, not by feet."

Yahiko snorted. Knowing Aoshi, he preferred to either walk or simply ride a horse. However, the iceman consented to Hortensio's request. When the two had settled inside the carriage, they were able to digest Hortensio's full disguise. To any passer-by who knew of the rich gentleman, Hortensio was disguised rather well; but Aoshi can never be fooled for he was a trained shinobi, able to see through deceptions. Yahiko was rather impressed, in a very sarcastic way, at Hortensio's appearance.

The older gentleman was uglier and goofier-looking. His black-rimmed glasses made his eyes cross-eyed, and the bushy moustache covered his whole upper lip. His purple robe made him look like a devious monk. If he were trying to win a woman's affection, he sure would succeed in losing it!

"You're supposed to be a music teacher?" Yahiko smirked.

Hortensio nodded, smile widening. He held out a shamisen. "I will sing to the daughters while I play my three-string lute. Trust me, in less than a day, I will capture the youngest daughter's heart," he exclaimed confidently. Aoshi wanted to laugh out loud, but that would be out of his character. He had heard of Hortensio's singing voice. It was better to listen to a mime crack out a few notes! His playing also made Hortensio a bigger fool; but it was not Aoshi's place to state his opinion. He was only obliging to pay off a debt.

"So Aoshi will ask for the hand of Okina's eldest daughter, who you claim is as sweet as a mouse, as beautiful as a the sunrise, and as good-hearted as an angel. Then, why don't you court her yourself?" Yahiko questioned. He does not understand. Hortensio wanted the younger daughter, yet the older one seemed to have more good points. There was something Hortensio was hiding from Aoshi. "You're lying, aren't you? Why would this Misao girl's father demand the older daughter to marry first than the youngest? If this Megumi is as good as you make her out to be, then why doesn't she have any suitors at all?"

Yahiko cracked the secret code in Hortensio's plan! Aoshi was curious as well.

Hortensio sighed out loud, head bent low as it rested on his hand. "Alright, alright. I admit I misled you. Megumi, believe you me, is beautiful. If she were like any other woman out there, I'd say she's the most beautiful. But no man can stand looking at the woman's eyes. We all crumble…" he told them, without looking up, but the fear in his voice was obvious.

"And what makes you think Aoshi would not crumble himself?" Yahiko rolled his eyes; yet he knew the answer to the question. "Oh wait, he is the iceman. Hell would freeze first before he crumbles!" he laughed out loud. Hortensio agreed, finally showing his shameful face.

So the plan was laid out. Aoshi would introduce himself; then ask for Megumi's hands in marriage. He would introduce Hortensio, music tutor in disguise, present him to Okina and his daughters as a gift to win Okina's acceptance. How this would turn out was as blurry as a foggy, chilly night.


Next chapter will feature Soujiro's plan and his partnership with Gremio.

Thanks for all the reviews I got. Really appreciate it. and oh!

FPC, I considered and tried writing Jinei and Raijuta as Gremio and Hortensio respectively but I'm not getting the feel of it…but if all of you feel it's better to use these RK characters feel free to tell me so. Still, I appreciate the suggestion and am still considering it!