Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Watsuki-sama does. I'm only borrowing his characters for a while.

Sorry for the extreme lapse. RL has kept me very busy these past months. Thank you for your patience. I now have a little more spare time. I hope it's going to stay this way, because I wish I could update more often.

Now, let's all thank EEevee who kindly took the time to beta-read this chapter.

Chapter 7 – Mistrust

"You want to talk to Masako, now?" slowly replied Yumi, stunned.

From the start, she had been extremely surprised by Tokio's proposition. A girl, who normally had judgement and good sense, could not possibly send her father to his death sentence. Okay, Tokio was not exactly the friendly type, but to go this far...? There are limits one does not normally cross. That's all.

A week had elapsed since they had last mentioned the plan, so Yumi had come to believe that Tokio had changed her mind. That's why she had sent her these little I-knew-that-you-would-back-off smiles lately. Those smiles could have almost been described as victorious, if it hadn't also meant the end of Yumi's foolish dream of having the okiya back.

But now… Now, Tokio was mentioning that strange, irrational, yet so taunting possibility again. This was unexpected. But for once, unexpected things might be very, very pleasant.

"Yes, now." The older replied, decupling Yumi's excitement. Tokio handed her a piece of paper, "This is the list of my father's exact whereabouts for tomorrow. It's our chance."

Yumi picked it up and closely examined it, eyes widening as she realised that it was really true.

"Yes, I think that this should be enough. You already gave us your father's description, so locating him should be easy now."

Yumi folded the note carefully and put it in her obi. She then looked at her nemesis. What could possibly be on her rival's mind right now? Why had she come to such extremes? She didn't really understand, but after all, she didn't really care either. All that matter was that she would be the atatori again and eventually she would have money. And, most of all, she would have Makoto Shishio. Her life was back on track.

"Ready?" Yumi asked eagerly.

"Not quite." Was Tokio's quick reply.

She had stated her intention to go see Masako tonight, but there were still a few details to be taken care of beforehand. She noticed that Yumi was showing signs of impatience.

Hence, she took her time before finally declaring:

"The other day, you said that you don't trust me. The feeling happens to be mutual. You think that I'll give you the okiya without first being assured that my father will be killed as I wish?"

"And you think that we'll do all the dirty work without being assured first that you'll give us the okiya as I wish? As you pointed out, the feeling happens to be mutual…"

Both girls were facing each other and neither of them was ready to make concessions first.

"We do have a problem here…" calmly observed Tokio.

"Yes, I think we do…"

Silence filled the room as they remained pensive. If years ago, they had tried to be friends instead of constantly arguing and fighting, right now, this mistrust wouldn't exist. Maybe that if years ago, they had tried to be friends, they would both be very different people now, and this deal, this revenge in the name of so called righteousness, would never have existed. But the past can never be changed.

"I think that…" slowly started Tokio after a long while.

"Yes…?" urged Yumi.

"We could maybe announce our intention to Masako tonight, but sign the papers only once we receive the confirmation of my father's death tomorrow night or Wednesday morning… What do you think?"

"Yes… It's a possibility. But will it be all right with Masako? I mean… It will give her one or two days to change her mind. Our first intention was to startle her and sign everything before she had the time to think it through…"

"In my opinion, she's just too old to care anymore. Two days more won't make much difference. Don't worry, you'll be the atatori, I'll get what I want and in due time, Shishio will also get what he wants."

"In due time… I just hope that the old lady won't stick around for too long… Being rich and independent sounds fun…"

Tokio and Yumi exchanged a genuine smile. It had taken many years, but finally they could understand each other. It would be their first and their last friendly moment.

Aki was smiling, kneeling alone in her room, staring intently at the wall she shared in common with Tokio. About the only thing they had in common. That wall, the same wall she had came to despise over the years, was now a true blessing.

Listening to other's conversation was impolite they said. But how thrilling and how instructive it was! Besides, she wasn't purposefully listening; she had just happened to be at the right place, at the right moment. Was it her fault if, dismissing her intelligence, Tokio and Yumi never paid attention to her presence?

Everyone thought that she was just an idiot, but she was far from being dumb, and she could perfectly understand the concept of blackmail. And she knew the value of what she had just heard. She just had to think carefully, she couldn't act hastily. She couldn't lose an opportunity like this.

Yes... Maybe she would get something out of this…

Two young geishas were kneeling outside of their elder's room, visibly nervous and impatient. They didn't enjoy waiting. They had hoped to talk to Masako right away, but instead they were stuck there, in this adjacent room. For how long they didn't know, they could just hope that it wouldn't take all night.

So here was their last chance, the last opportunity they had to change their mind. It's like if fate was saying "you can still go back to your rooms without talking to Masako; it's not too late."

And of course, while they were waiting there, growing more and more anxious, they became well aware of that possibility. To say that they hadn't considered it would be a lie. It was a serious option. But they were staying there, immobile.

The truth was that none of them wanted to quit first. They were both proud. Extremely proud. So, instead of openly talking about her sudden doubts, about her possible regrets, Tokio remained silent. Instead of voicing that maybe killing a man was not worth the money, that there would be other ways of getting the okiya back, Yumi remained silent.

That's how the words "let's just forget about all of this", words that both were dying to use, remained unspoken. And so, they were waiting there, anxious, nervous, and impatient as if they were waiting for their execution. But they were still waiting.

Whether it took minutes, hours, days or even weeks before talking to Masako, they wouldn't move and they would stay right there, hiding their feelings to the other. They had a rendezvous with fate and they wouldn't miss it.

For years Makoto Shishio had been fighting against the Shinsengumi backstage. It was his role, his supposedly sole duty. And now, a young geisha was coming to him, offering him an important sum of money to do a job he was already been paid for. Quite ironic, no?

Life can be strange sometimes, you never really know what to expect. But Makoto Shishio wouldn't complain about that.

By accepting to work for Tokio, Makoto Shishio was not respecting his part of the deal with the Ishinshishi. He was supposed to stay in the shadows and wait until they called him. He wasn't supposed to take initiatives. He wasn't supposed to do things that could possibly draw attention on him. To sum up: he wasn't supposed to kill young geishas' fathers. But so what?

Most in his case would have voiced concerns about not being loyal to their employer, let alone concerns about killing, but that was a different story. However, Makoto Shishio was not concerned at all. He was tired of waiting in the shadows. No one seemed to acknowledge the importance of his work and he had enough…

Shishio Makoto was a man who knew his value: he was aware of many dark secrets and had handled so many dirty jobs that his bosses should all be on their knees praising him, recognising all he had done for the restoration. But they weren't… And he knew very well that things would not improve for him with time. There would be no place for a hitokiri like him in the new government. He would be forgotten quickly in the new era, politicians not wanting him around, not wanting this reminder of the past.

So if a young geisha were to come to him, offering him money and the chance to live the life he wanted in the new era, he would not hesitate. In fact, he didn't care much about what his employers might say if they discovered his implication. He certainly was one of the most dangerous men in town, and these days, it meant a lot. Yes, his bosses should definitively be on their knees praising him and not the other way around. Makoto Shishio was like that. He was working for himself, to pursue what seemed to be his best interest. Not his neighbours' best interest, not his bosses' best interest and not the nation's best interest. His interest before anything else.

A young geisha somewhere had understood it and had taken advantage of it. She had understood that money and power were concepts Makoto Shishio enjoyed playing with.

As Tokio entered Masako's room, Yumi on her heels, they both felt much better. They had regained their senses. In fact, Tokio was thinking of how different things were since she had first come here almost fifteen years ago. Back then, Masako had the power and she had been a terrified little girl. Now, she was coming here with a clear goal in mind, and it was one that Masako probably wouldn't oppose.

Masako had lost part of her fire, part of that characteristic spark. She didn't barked and bossed everyone around like she used to. It was like if the whole Shishio incident and the effort she had put to quiet the endless rumours had finally got her. Some said that she already had a foot in the grave. All of her being expressed her tiredness: the way she held her head, always bent as it was too heavy for her, the way her eyes saw without really seeing.

A closer observant would have said that yes indeed the old lady was not getting younger, but that she still have some energy left for a last battle. If there was need, she would fight again, to defend all that was dear to her. But not right now. Now there was no emergency. She was just very tired. It had been a very long day, it was getting late and she just wanted to rest.

That's why, after acknowledging the two girls' presence, she asked without any real interest:

"What brings you both here, again?"

The two girls exchanged a wicked smile, before Tokio announced.

"Just a little something which needs your approval."

"A little something…?" she had the feeling that this something was anything but little.

"Yes, just a formality." added Yumi.

Before Masako could even blink, Tokio leaned forward and said, without any hesitation, "I've changed my mind. I do not want the atatori title. I've talked with Yumi and we've both agreed that Yumi was more apt for the job."

"You talked together and came to an agreement…?" asked Masako, taken aback.

"Well maybe not at first, but in the end, we both understood each other's point of view." Said Yumi, adding a touch of realism to the fairy tale.

"Hum…" said Masako. "But I gave the tile back to Tokio; I don't want you to have it."

"Because of Makoto Shishio?" cut Tokio. "That relation won't cause any problem now."

"No, it won't. Besides, I think that I can manage a house like this one and I really want to, while Tokio just lost interest. I will serve your name better." rapidly added Yumi.

When both girls stopped talking, Masako was feeling a bit dizzy. She knew… She could feel the trap… She could sense their lies, their false pretences. They were being aggressive; they wanted something out of her. But what and why…?

She tried to figure it out, but really, it didn't make any sense. Tokio disliked Yumi very much, and she wouldn't have given her the house under any pretext. Yes, something was very wrong. There was something more, something they were hiding from her.

Normally, she would have scolded them and questioned them right on the spot. But… She just wanted to see them out of this room. It was getting late, and she was tired. She would find out in due time. She would ask a few questions, tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow, there was no hurry.

But… after all… why was it so important to know? If Tokio didn't want the title, she couldn't force her hand. It would all end up as a mess. And if Shishio Makoto was not in the picture anymore… Maybe they were right, maybe it was the best option. Yes, it was simpler this way.

"Fine." She finally conceded.

"Fine?" replied Yumi, to be sure of what she had heard.

"Yes, fine. I've already heard enough. If you both agree, I won't protest. The title goes to Yumi; we'll sign the papers right now."

"Actually," cut Tokio "it would be better if we did it tomorrow night."

"Tonight, tomorrow night…Whatever you want..."

Makoto Shishio was looking sternly at the piece of paper that had just been put into his hand. So the order had finally been issued. Tomorrow would be the day.

Makoto Shishio smiled. He enjoyed killing and he enjoyed the hunt. It was what he had been born for. He was a true hitokiri. He would never have questioned the morality of his actions like his predecessor.

However, this time, the job wouldn't be quite as thrilling as he wished. From what he had learned, the man would be an easy prey. There was no real challenge in killing a heavy drinker who, even sober, had difficulties walking straight. The man's life would be over even before he had realised that it was at stake.

Anyway, as long as he got paid…

So tomorrow night, when the man known as the old Tanaka would come out of the last establishment he habitually visited, he would meet his fate. He would meet Shishio Makoto.

Aki was smiling in the dark. Once again, she had listened through the thin walls. It was becoming a habit. A habit that was serving her right.

They had done it. They had talked with Masako. They had offered her the chance she had been waiting for all of these years. They were not even aware of the trap that was slowly closing on them. They were the dumb ones. Not her.

In a few hours, the world would know that she was no fool. The world would learn that they better not mess with her. Everyone would be aware of her supremacy. Today would be the last day Yumi and Tokio mocked her. Yes, the last one. Tomorrow, they would be on their knees, begging for forgiveness. But she would not forgive. She had enough of this.

To be continued…

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À la prochaine!
Mary-Ann