Standard disclaimer applies.


Chapter 5: A Better Plan in Disguise?

Soujiro's face was already hurting from smiling too much, but he could not wipe the beaming grin on his face no matter how he tried. He was simply delighted. His plan was already put in motion. This plan included the man sitting in front of him in the carriage. This man was better known as Senor Gremio.

"You seemed awfully young for a Literature Professor," Gremio suddenly commented. He studied the young man in front of him. He was wearing a ridiculous pink gi halfway opened revealing a not-so-developed muscle-toned chest. His beaming eyes and smile only enhanced his youth. Gremio could not help feel envious. He had been old for a long time now…

"I assure you Senor Gremio. I am quite capable of teaching young women the basics of Literature. Poetry is my specialty, in fact."

Gremio nodded, not caring if the youth was capable or not, so long as he could win Okina's affection and Misao's hand in marriage. "Listen, laddie. If you really specialized in poetry, when you tutor Okina's youngest daughter, Miss Misao, shower her with beautiful words about me," he instructed. "I want Miss Misao to fall for me."

Soujiro nodded, another plan forming in his head. "Why of course, Senor Gremio. Not only you found me a job as quickly as possible; but you're also a good-hearted fellow," Soujiro chimed in with fake sincerity. He wanted badly to roll his eyes, but that would blow his cover. "You plan to marry this Miss Misao, I presume?"

"Indeed. She is beautiful, as well as rich," Gremio's eyes were dazed as he registered the money he would be able to acquire upon his marriage to Okina's daughters.

"But she is not the heiress, if she is the youngest," Soujiro stated innocently. He needed to gather as much information as he could from the lecherous old man.

Gremio smirked. "Miss Misao is not the heiress. In fact, her older sister, Megutsune, will get about half of Okina's assets; while the other half is divvied between Miss Misao and Okina's niece, Kaoru Kamiya."

"Is this Megutsune you're talking about not available? If she is, shouldn't you pursue her instead? Or is she that ugly?" Soujiro asked, eventhough he knew the answer to the obvious question. He just wanted to learn of Gremio's whole intention to Misao.

"Megutsune is not ugly. In fact, she is the most beautiful. It is her tongue and actions that are. Addition to that, the woman never submits to a man. She is not fit to be a timid wife."

Soujiro nodded, "I understand. Then I will do my best to speak poetry about Senor Gremio to Miss Misao." Gremio clapped his hand, delighted.

The carriage arrived at Okina's mansion in no time. Gremio announced his arrival, feeling victorious for having achieved his goal in no time. He had easily acquired a tutor for Okina's daughters. In fact it was as if heaven dropped the young professor by his front gate. The young man had asked to see Gremio and inquired if he needed a tutor for his daughter. Gremio's prayer was immediately answered. Beat that, Hortensio! Gremio silently laughed at Hortensio's loss.

"Senor Okina, I present to you Makoto Shishio, a tutor I acquired for your daughters. He would teach them Literature, especially poetry," his exclaimed as he approached Okina.

Soujiro - or rather Makoto Shishio bowed in politeness. "It is an honour, Senor."

Okina studied the young man

So imagine the surprise – or the shock in Gremio's face when a young man announced himself in Okina's presence as a suitable husband for Misao. The rage in Gremio's eyes was not missed.


Kenshin shifted uncomfortably in his new outfit: a powder blue gi and a dark blue hakama, with a close-collared undershirt. He was aware he looked ridiculous; but he had to so it for his companion and friend.

As he followed the servant who would lead him to Okina's presence, he observed the interior of the huge house. Indeed, this Senor Okina was rich. Yet he knew Soujiro was richer and of a higher status. He was led to a hall with expensive and unique furnishings. Senor Okina and the old gentleman from before had their backs turned on him upon his entrance. The 'real' Soujiro beamed when he set eyes on him.

"Master," the servant announced. "I present the gentleman, Senor Seta Soujiro."

Kenshin bowed, immediately placing himself as the son of a nobleman. "I have sent a messenger earlier requesting your presence, Senor Okina."

Okina approached him. "Welcome, Senor Seta. I am most pleased to meet you," he clasped his hand while bowing at the same time. "What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" he inquired, though in his mind he knew the answer.

"I ask for the hand of your youngest daughter, Misao."

A soft grunt was heard coming from the back, directly from an enraged Gremio. Okina nodded his head slightly. The suitors for Misao just kept piling up. "I am most pleased that a gentleman of such calibre and class – for I have heard of the Seta family – would desire to marry my daughter. But I am afraid there is a condition set before I let any man seek the hand of Misao," he informed him.

"Does this condition involve your eldest daughter, Senor?" Kenshin asked, knowingly.

Before Okina could answer, a servant had announced there were more visitors seeking the presence of the master of the house. Okina wrinkled his brows. A tall gentleman entered the room, followed by a spiked-haired kid and a man in a monk's garments. Okina frowned. More suitors for Misao did not suit him at all!

"Senor Shinomori Aoshi, Myojin Yahiko and," the servant paused, as if hesitant to announce the last person's name. "Senor Horty." The said Myojin Yahiko snickered.

"Welcome, gentlemen. What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Okina asked, his speech all too familiar now. Should he really ask, though? He very well knew the answer to his question. They were there to ask for Misao's hand in marriage. Okina even conceded that the young kid was a suitor, as strange as it may sound.

Well, imagine the surprise when a different answer was answered.

"I desire to marry your eldest daughter, Megustsune," the taller man, Shinomori, announced with nonchalance. Senor Horty leaned in to whisper something. "Pardon me, I meant Megumi," Shinomori corrected himself. The name Megutsune became automatic in his head because Hortensio had consistently referred to her that way.

Okina did not mind at the insulting term used. In fact, he hardly registered the words. Marriage and Megumi spoken by a man? Hardly. He blinked.

The tall man was deadpan in seriousness. Okina once more blinked. Was he being fooled? He turned around to inquire from Gremio, somehow curious if he heard the gentleman right. Gremio's mouth was hanging open.

"I also brought with me a music tutor for both your daughter's education. I believe you require of one," Shinomori continued when he received no answer from the master of the house.

Hortensio stepped forward, started playing on his shamisen. He had a goofy smile on his face as he started to hum a simple tune. Yahiko shook his head. Hortensio was trying to be impressive but only making himself a bigger fool.

"Maybe you should play later, in front of the girls," Yahiko whispered sarcastically to him. Hortensio took it the wrong way, thinking the boy was encouraging him to show his talent to the women instead.

Okina cleared his throat, finally able to digest the happiest news in his life. But he was a fair father. Before he could give permission, which he probably would in a few minutes, he would have to know more about the man. "Tell me about yourself, Senor Shinomori."

"I am, what I am," was the answer heard from the man with steel-blue eyes.


A/N: I must admit that lately my interest on Ao/Meg fics was becoming a blur. I just could not find any inspiration at the moment. So I'm on the process of re-reading Taming of the Shrew by Shakey and hopefully I could write this fic a little better.

also, forgive me for using Shishio's name as a identity disguise for Seta... I have a plan why I'm using Shishio's name...

Tell me what you think about it, and if this fic deserves to be continued.

Thanks for those who supported this silly idea… I'd still like to finish it, though!