Chapter 2



Ten years had past since the tragic day, silence still swept over Aoiya. No news was reported on the incident. Oniwabanshuu kept it out to the public eyes and ears. They vowed to seek justice without any help from the authorities, even to the highest officials of the previous government whom they served well. Since then, they never worked for the following government. Their loyalties are only for the previous – Tokugawa administration.

Okina was still in bed, too impassive to the real world. The severe hit on his head leaves the mark of loss memories and disability, now battling on physical, mental and emotional distress. His mind was crushed on knowing that he failed on carrying the last mission that the Okashira commanded him to do, to save his family – especially Misao. He let her die from those wicked hands of Shishio without a good fight. He let his body and soul continues to deteriorate as time passes by. Aoshi sees that everyday he wakes. But what can he do? What should he do to ease his pain? He, too, had his own misery going onto his mind, in his heart, in his soul. His duty was to protect and serve Oniwanbanshuu and yet he disregarded his task at
that time of need. Everyday, he struggles with Okina for Kami-sama knows why. He had to take revenge. Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!

"I'll be going now. See you this afternoon." Aoshi also draws no emotion. His feelings were kept hidden since that dreadful night. It was his own way of punishing himself. He deeply blamed himself for the outcome of his arrogance and lack of responsibility. For him, showing emotions would make him less efficient, less worth of being the new Okashira of Oniwabanshuu. He considered it as a weakness, a hindrance to be an effective leader. Yes, he became the okashira not because of owing to himself as one,
instead, the old Okashira long before proclaimed to him and the others that he will be the next Okashira of the group if he retires or departs from this world. He'll gladly bestow his power upon him, his chosen successor; Oniwanbanshuu's next respected' Okashira.

Okina didn't budge. He's still in bed laying, looking rightup to the ceilings. The symphony of the wind chime helps lessen the tension in the room, both men's mind.

Aoshi commanded one of his subordinates to look after Okina,as he does always.

"Hai, Okashira!" Shirojou replied.

He walked through the gate and closed it. He is now on his way to his work.

"Kokoro-chan! Matte!" A lovely demure woman stepped-out from the restaurant to call someone.

"Nani!" Kokoro stopped running through the neighborhood roofs and replied.

"You forgot to bring your lunch!" She held her lunchbox up in the air. ", so as your uniform in martial arts training!"

"Naruhodo. Gomen, Omasu-chan. It's just that I'm late again. I tend to forget things when I'm in a hurry. Gomen." Kokoro went to Omasu and fetch them.

"Mada desu." Omasu tries to fixed Kokoro's collar and necktie. "You are a beautiful young lady, Kokoro. You have to act like one or else, boys won't get notice you."

"Chigau! What for! Anyway, I'm late so can you just excuse me, I have to go. Mata ne!" She leaped to the neighborhood roofs again. Some closest friends around the neighborhood bid her good morning with their smiling faces. Everyone likes her because of her sweet teen-spirit and super energetic, including extreme annoying.

Kokoro is a sweet boyish high school girl never waits to discover new things in life. She seems to enjoy much of her freedom as the youngest from the two girls in the family. Okon is the eldest and Omasu came second. Both work and manage their own family cybercafe. Okon is believed to be the wisest and most responsible of them all – more motherly figured while Omasu came to be the most elegant and protective of the three and a good cook too. The two sisters are much of a womanly intent while Kokoro likes to be their
exact opposite. She likes to be different – and she really is.

10 minutes before the school clock's ticks – first ring for the first subject of the class. Kokoro was fast nearing to the goal when suddenly; saw a tall good-looking man, walking across the street going to her school's gate. She slipped on one of the bricks of the wall of the neighboring building of the school. She landed on the ground half-hurt.

"Kuso! I hate that wall!" as she massages her behind. "Who is that guy anyway? Oh well…." She ran quickly inside the yard and passed the tall guy. She looked back at him briefly and projected a sweet smile, bidding him a good welcome from this school – her domain. But the man didn't responded.

"What's wrong with him? Hmph." As she opens a door, she bumped up with the school's principal. She cursed again without knowing who she collided with.

"That hurts! You listen hear, you stupid freak! I had a rough day now so could you pls. scatter yourself to elsewhe…where….Ohayo! Hiko-San. Gomen Nasai!" She looked to her watch. ",
Darn, I'm late! See ya!" She stood and rushed-out of the messy scene, very infuriated. She seldom apologizes to people, whether she did something bad or whatever. Kokoro never apologizes. But her school principal covers another case. He holds her future here. She had already committed many disastrous and bothersome problems both in here academic and social life in school. She probably wants to live freely in this world – no much bearings in life and in heart. That's why she doesn't entertain much of her pitiful suitors. As she ran through the corridors to the lockers, she instantly thought of the guy she met a while ago, thinking if he saw her shameful act. She shivered, thinking of why she should be bothered on such
worthless thoughts. She's late and that's a fact. She changed her shoes then bam! – rushes to her classroom.

"One of your favorite students?" The tall man asked while he approaches Hiko-San.

"Perhaps. She's very interesting and talented person yet very troublesome. She needs to be guided especially now that she represents the school for the upcoming single martial arts competition." Hiko-San sighed.

"Her name?"

"Shiawase, Kokoro, 1st year high school student. Better to
discuss things further in my office." Hiko-san walked inside as the
other man nodded and followed him.

"What kept you so long, Kokoro-san?" One of Kokoro's classmates asked her, worrying of the additional tardiness she might adjoin to their teacher's list.

After she closed the door behind her, Kokoro fell on the floor soundly. She took her moments at hand, catching every breath – every air needed for her to take in.

"Good! I'm saved! Haha!" She slowly stood up and greeted her classmates. She went to her seat very gladly. Her teacher always scolded her when she comes late. All teachers do and some really punishes her.

Kokoro has a best friend, sitting next to her. They were been since grade school. Her friend's name is Kamiya Kaoru, comes from one of the rich families in Edo. Both didn't bother on that reality – as long as their friendship is solid.

"There is a rumor running in our campus that we will have a new sensei, a good-looking one." Kaoru said.

"Oh really. Fine, as long as he doesn't messes with my happy life. Heck."

"And he will be your sensei in your upcoming training." She joyfully teased.

"Nani!" Kokoro stood up, shocked to the news Kaoru reported. All of her classmates were frightened to her immediate reactions. "What will happen to my other sensei; Sensei Reijuta?"

"Don't know. Perhaps the new teacher will provide you more interesting stuffs to learn than sensei Reijuta did. Better ask the principal." Kaoru smirked.

The class teacher finally arrived and was very glad that no one was late. She perceived Kokoro's and raised an eyebrow. Kokoro didn't react but instead, kept on thinking why did the principal change her trainer – at what valid reasons.

"Class dismissed!" The class teacher had pronounced the best part of schooling, the long-awaited dismissal of the class. Most already left. Few were subjected to clean each designated rooms, Kokoro was one of them.

A girl student from class B was requested to call Kokoro from her classroom, at what expense or fault, she didn't had any clue or thought to think of. Her classmates seemed not to be very surprised to the present ordeal, they were used to it. It's part of Kokoro's daily life routine. Her day isn't complete without any call
from the principal's office.

"Hai! Coming." Kokoro brushed her bangs away from her face.

She followed her, mumbling. She raised her hand in the air, stretching to loosen some grip from the work she left awhile ago. When they finally arrive in the principal's office, the girl bid her good luck for some unknown reasons. Kokoro startled even more.

"I don't remember anything that might make me in detaining again?" Suddenly, she remembered the incident happened earlier this morning with Hiko-San – the principal. "Blasted! Not that one!" she shrieked.

"Come in Shiawase-chan." Kokoro was surprised as the manly voice ordered her to enter the room. Still wondering.

The principal pointed her to take one of the comfortable seats in his office. Kokoro tries to calm herself from all the berating she's getting in her head then sat. Hiko-san faced the window as he watched the sun gradually sets from the horizontal plains of the town.

"How are your sisters, Shiawase-chan?"

"Fine." She is still wondering while looking at the trophies won by the school from the past years of martial arts competition.

"I have news that might awfully surprise you, Kokoro-chan. It's about your sensei Reijuta. He will be," As he explained the inevitable occurrence, Kokoro suddenly spoke mindlessly.

"Yeah, yeah. I know about the new sensei' thing. Walls could hear, floors could tell. I have a new sensei right?" She crossed her legs and gasped.

The principal didn't respond quickly. He, still, looks on to the magnificent beauty of the sun setting from the sky. Fading rays of the sun kept him a little bit pre-occupied.

"Ohayo Hiko-san! Are you listening?" Kokoro stood up and went nearer to the trophy cabinet.

"You will meet your new sensei tomorrow, after class."

"Is he good enough to be my sensei?" She faced him though only the back of his big chair are seen by her eyes.

"You will be the judge of that if that time comes. Go home now. See you tomorrow." He prompted a low voice.

"You're right. I'll be the judge of that (Sighed)." She turned around, walking to the door to exit the room.

"Kokoro-chan," He suddenly called her and turned his chair around to face her.

"Nan da yo?" without facing him

"Don't be late."

Kokoro abruptly slipped a bit. She bid the principal a nice farewell and went on her way.

The sun continues to sets. Kaoru and Kokoro walked through the busy streets of the city. They've gone to a bookstore to buy a new book, a gift for her younger brother Yahiko.

"Finally I got the damn book. He will be very happy of having this on one of his collections on science fiction." Kaoru held the book near to her chest.

"Hai,hai. I'm very sure he will. You've chosen the best." Kokoro looked at her best friend then giggled.

Both girls were pre-occupied at their topic when something inevitable happened. Kokoro and a strange, slender man bumped at each other accidentally. Kokoro was, again, slammed on the public
floor irritably. Same event, same day. Damn! People around them didn't seem noticed the incident. The man who hit her also never took notice. He continues to walk through, acting as nothing had
happened. Kokoro was very infuriated. She stood and cleaned herself from the dust she got from the pavings. Kaoru helped her and tries to calm her friend down.

"Hey you! Bastard! Are you blind or simply playing dumb? Where did you put your brains, at home! Kuso!" Kokoro fisted.

The man kept walking, minding no one but himself. The pissed girl was about to strike him at his back when he suddenly disappeared, out of the blue. She was very surprised and kept looking for him, for the group of people passing by and to the surrounding stores. She cursed again and went back to Kaoru's side.

"Damn. He's fast." Kokoro brushed her bangs off to her face then stretched outward her slender body, still irritably.

"Forget it Kokoro. It's getting night soon. I have to deliver this to mom before the party gets started. I don't want to miss anything." Kaoru smiled.

"Okay. You made your point." Sighed

"Come on. It's getting late. Mom cooked everything for us."
She grabbed Kokoro's hand and pulled her to the streets. Kokoro still minds the mysterious guy he got bumped to a while ago, searching if he's still there.

Kokoro looked at her friend then smiled.

A private dinner was held at the mansions of Kamiya family. It is Yahiko's 13th birthday and the family invited only two guests - Kokoro, Kaoru's best friend and Tsubame, Yahiko's secret love
interest. They had a great time on feasting and chattering on matters everything under the sun.

"Domo arigatou gozaimasu, Mrs. Kamiya, for letting me share with your bountiful feast with your whole family in your humble huge abode. Happy birthday again Yahiko-chan." She winked to the young lad.

"You are welcome Kokoro in our house every time. You're part of our family, so goes with your sisters. Bring this." Mrs. Kamiya handed her 2 medium-sized brown boxes, each wrapped in a sweet- scented floral designed cloth. She kissed to her rosy chicks and accompanied her to their front door with Kaoru and Yahiko.

"See you tomorrow Kaoru-chan. Pls. do tell your father that I liked his baked chocolate cake."

"Hai. I'll accompany you outside." She moved from the huge door, nearing to Kokoro's side but she was stopped.

"No! I can manage. Don't bother. I can take care of myself. I know my way out in this huge property of yours." She scanned the whole surroundings of the villa and sighed.

"Okay. You sure?"

"Yes. Arigato. I have to go now. Nice dining with you all." She turned and ran off to the main gates guarded by the elite security men hired by the masters of the mansion.

Kokoro had her way out of the villa then walked to the streets of Edo. She shivered from the wind touched on her bare arms. She walked impassively, passing through different people met on the sidewalks. She kept on thinking on the eerie guy - a puzzle to be solved only by her. The smell. She remembered his scent. It was a quick occurrence yet she immediately recognizes it. The scent. Funny
but it seems the cologne his wearing isn't typical for males. It's some kind of an aroma of a woman's perfume. His scent kept her wonder more of him. She looked up to the dark skies of the night,
perceiving more of the coming emblem of rain. A rain drop had fallen to her forehead then another one to her pointy nose. She wiped it with her right hand and searched for a momentary refuge. Some people
in the streets opened their own umbrellas, and some quickly ran through the available shelters. Rain began to pour out from the skies…..again.

"How am I supposed to go home without getting wet?" Kokoro hugged her belongings to keep it safe from rain and sighed.

Suddenly, a man appeared to her sight. No umbrella or whatsoever that would protect him from the harsh pouring. He walked without minding the people from his surroundings. He wears a yellow trench coat. His body was covered yet his head, his face…so impassively, very susceptible to illnesses.

"I – I – It's him." Kokoro widened her vision as her eyes followed him.