Chapter 5

A/N: I'm trying to stick to the basic plot of North and South but this is proving to be more difficult than I had imagined. Ah well, I'm still going to try my best to continue this. Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Okina was a patient man. It wasn't just his profession that required it, but it was also a part of his personality. Normally, getting information meant that he could be left waiting for weeks, if not months, for the next piece to come through from one of the Oniwabanshu's many messengers across the country. But he knew the wait was always worth it. However, this day found him pacing around his room in a rather hurried way. He knew that it would take some time to crack through Kanryu's defences and find out what his business was. Kanryu was far too much of a suspicious man to leave alone, especially now that he knew that Kanryu was dealing in drugs apart from just those military weapons back during the war. But it was taking long, far too long to uncover his drug business. Kanryu was being extra careful on this venture - at least that's what it seemed like to Okina.

Finally Kenshin had contacted Okina a few days ago, saying he had some important matters to discuss regarding Kanryu. Okina could only hope that it was something to do with figuring out who was supplying Kanryu with the opium. So far they had checked their sources in the other areas of Japan and even China – but had come up with nothing as to who was Kanryu's aide in this. However it was, the supply must have been coming from inside Japan, not from the outside.

The knock on Okina's door and the low voice of his expected guest stopped Okina in his tracks as he waited for Kenshin to enter.

"Okina-dono." Kenshin bowed respectfully low.

"Ah, Himura-kun. Please sit down. Some tea?"

"No thank you, Okina-dono. I'm afraid I'm short on time, that I am."

"I see. What is it that you wanted to tell me, Himura-kun? Your message seemed quite urgent."

"Yes, I happened to meet Kanryu's woman a few nights ago. I wanted to ask if you had any more information on her."

"Kanryu's woman? Why would you want to know more about her? Most of Kanryu's women happen to be escorts and the like from the very same teahouses he sells his opium to."

"This one seemed…different, that she did."

Okina looked at him for a long moment in contemplation, voicing a concern he never had before about the Battousai.

"Good heavens, Himura-kun. Don't tell me she's caught your fancy and you're trying to take her away from him?"

"That was not my intention, Okina-dono. She…she was trying to kill herself."

"And are you trying to save her?"

"It's not that. She said that she was going to be Japan's ruin. And that she had done things she wished she never had."

"We all have things we wished we had never done, Himura-kun. You should know better than most. But that does not mean what she has done will have any significance to our mission."

"Her name is Takani Megumi, so she said. Does that hold any significance?"

"Takani?" Okina eyebrows drew in together in deep concentration as he thought back on the name. It couldn't be… "Are you sure, Himura-kun?"

"Yes – is it someone you know?"

"The Takani's were one of the most well-known medical practitioners in Kyoto. Their whole family were full of doctors. The last that was heard of them was that the family had died out, leaving only a young daughter behind. A young daughter named Takani Megumi. But she went missing and was assumed dead too. Of course, Takani is quite a common name – but it could very well be that she's the missing Takani daughter, since the name is a perfect match."

"Doctor, you say?"

"Not just doctors. That family was an expert at making medicine a much as administering it. They were the leading makers of many healing ailments until they died out."

"Making medicine…you don't think…?"

Okina simply nodded, deep in thought. "It could very well be that we have found Kanryu's source of opium. But we need to confirm it. Will you be able to?"

"I will try, Okina-dono. But Kanryu keeps her hidden well, so it will take some time."

"That's alright, but the sooner we get this, the quicker we can expose Kanryu."

"Understood, Okina-dono." Kenshin bowed low again and stood up to leave.

"Ah, Himura-kun, I have another matter to discuss with you."

Kenshin hesitated before sitting down again. "Yes, Okina-dono?"

"So, how are you getting along with Kaoru-chan?"

"Wh-what?" Kenshin looked at him with wide eyes, slightly startled at the mention of her name.

"Oh you know, after what you told me. Has she found out about your work at Kanryu's?"

"Oh." The change in Kenshin's face was too quick for Okina to catch before it turned blank again. "She does not like me very much, that she does not."

"…I see. It's a shame really, she's lovely company."

"She is." Okina looked pointedly at Kenshin in surprise of his quick response. "I-I mean, I suppose she would be, I wouldn't know, that I wouldn't."

"Hmm. Well, I wanted to let you know that there's going to be a celebration a week from now at the Aoiya, and you're welcome to attend, of course."

"Celebration?"

"Yes. It seems that Koshijiro has finally managed to get his first student for his kenjutstu school. I thought that was a good excuse to have a party!"

Sometimes it's hard to imagine this lecherous old party-loving man is the head of Japan's most secret ninja organisation. Kenshin sighed. He generally disliked gatherings of the sort the old Okina was so fond of. But this time it might be entertaining if… "Uh, thank you for the invitation Okina-dono. So this gathering is for Kamiya-san?"

"Oh, not only for him. I hear Kaoru-chan has had quite the success in Maekawa's dojo, so I suppose she'll be present too, to celebrate."

"I…see."

"So you'll make it?"

"I shall try my best, that I shall."

"Excellent! I'll let you know about the details later on during the week."

"Very well, Okina-dono. I must take my leave now. Goodbye." Kenshin bowed low and left, strangely anticipating next week's appointment. Okina watched him leave with a sparkle in his eye. Oh dear, it seems that our little samurai has taken a fancy to Kaoru-chan. Okina chuckled to himself. Ah, the party is going to be interesting.

"Kaoru-chan, so tell us – which of the Kyoto boys has caught your fancy?"

"Eh?"

"Yes, yes we want to know!"

"Come on, there's no need to be shy Kaoru-chan!"

Kaoru sighed. What had she gotten herself into? If she had known Misao's sudden insistence to visit the Akabeko would turn into an interrogation about her apparent love life, she wouldn't have agreed to come in the first place. But here she was, surrounded by Misao, Tae and Tsubame, all interested in whether there was some "boy" she liked.

"There's no one."

"Ehhhhhh? There has to be!" Misao squealed.

"There really isn't."

"But Kaoru-chan, you've already been here in Kyoto for more than a month. I see at least 3 attractive men in just Akabeko every night alone. How is it possible that you've not seen even one?" Tae said exasperatedly.

"I suppose I just haven't had the time. I'm always either at Maekawa-san's dojo or at home."

"Oh Kaoru, that's why you must come out more often!"

"I…suppose." Kaoru said non-committedly.

"Well, at least tell us who your ideal man would be? I know mine is Aoshi-sama through and through." Misao said dreamily.

"Ideal man?" Kaoru thought for a moment, "Hmm, I don't think I've really thought about it before."

"Oh! How about someone tall, dark and handsome?"

"Or a someone who can fight, like a samurai?"

"Or what if you like someone like a yellow-haired foreigner?"

At this all the girls burst out giggling.

"I doubt I'd be able to see a foreigner here anyway." Kaoru said. "But I think I'd like someone who could respect me, as a woman and as a swordsman."

"And he'd have to be handsome too, of course, isn't that right Kaoru?" Tae smirked.

"Well, it wouldn't hurt if he was handsome, that's true." Kaoru said mock seriously. The girls started laughing again, so loudly this time that many in the restaurant looked up in surprise.

"Speaking of handsome, I heard Himura-san gave a visit to your house recently. Now, he's as handsome a man as you can get." Tae said cheekily.

"Ah, yes - he came to wish us well for the new house." Kaoru replied, suddenly reminded of scarlet hair and violet eyes.

"Tae I can't believe you find Himura handsome. He's such a girl!" Misao said.

"Misao, you're too blinded by your adoration for Shinomori-san to understand Himura-san's attractiveness. It's true he's slightly feminine in build, but his face could rival any girl's in terms of beauty. And that hair!"

"Eh, I suppose Himura has some nice hair."

"Kaoru-chan, don't you think him handsome?"

"Eh? I-I guess so." Kaoru was a bit flustered. Did she find him handsome? She didn't know. But she knew Himura-san was not an ugly man, by any means. Tae's words of his feminine beauty had some truth in them. "He's alright-looking."

"Oh if the other women heard you say that, they'd believe you were not a woman."

"Other women? What other women?" Kaoru asked.

"Himura-san has been one of Kyoto's most 'eligible bachelors' ever since he came back here, after the war. Even now, there are always propositions by different merchants to marry off their daughters to him."

"Oh…I see." All those merchants lining up their daughters to be married off to the Battousai…Kaoru didn't know how to feel about that.

"I can't believe Himura is so popular," Misao commented, "He's nothing like Aoshi-sama at all!" With this, Misao took a big swig of sake that she had picked off another table.

"Misao! You're going to make me lose customers if you're going to keep stealing off their tables!" Tae reprimanded. Misao simply stuck her tongue out in response.

"Mou don't be such a spoilsport Tae-san - I wish I could be drinking with Aoshi-sama instead."

"You shouldn't be drinking anything as strong as sake at your age, Misao-chan," Tae said.

"Oh I know! How about we have a drinking party? I can be with Aoshi-sama and Kaoru can be with – oh I know – with Himura!" Misao giggled delightfully.

"Misao!" Tae exclaimed.

"Even better, Kaoru can get drunk and then Himura can save her by carrying her all across - "

"Misao!" Kaoru's face was on fire by this point, and frustrated, she decided to leave.

"Aww, Kaoru-chaaan, don't go home yet!"

"Misao-chan, you're drunk – go to sleep. It's time for me to head home anyways, my father will be worried about me if I don't go anytime soon."

"Goodnight Kaoru-chan, I hope we have not repelled your company for the future." Tae said apologetically.

Kaoru smiled at her in assurance, shaking her head to dismiss the idea. "No, it was all good fun – I would like to do this again sometime. Goodnight Tae-san, Misao-chan." She left the Akabeko and headed towards her new dojo, shivering slightly in the evening's chill. As loud as they were, Kaoru liked both the women and was fast considering them to be good friends. I guess Sano's my friend too. Kaoru chuckled to herself at her slowly growing family of those she could trust in this new city. And Himura-san…He wasn't a friend – not yet anyway. Would he ever be? I wonder…While she pondered these thoughts, her feet took her back home.

He watched her from afar as she stepped out of Maekawa's dojo. She seemed tired from her kendo class, but somehow satisfied with her work for the day. She lifted the small bag and bokken and carried it on her back, ready to end the day in a long, hot bath. Should I approach her? Unsure, Kenshin just stood across the dojo not knowing how to proceed. It had already been two days since his talk with Okina, and each day he would manage to unconsciously end up at Maekawa's, hoping to catch a glimpse of the blue-eyed kendo master. Today the Gods were clearly favouring him, as he caught her just in time. But what would he say? Kenshin did not know yet. He didn't even know why he wanted to see her in the first place, for Kami's sake! His agitation suddenly vanished just as Kaoru looked up and met his pale violet eyes in the distance. Kaoru's sapphire orbs widened in clear surprise at his unexpected visit, but otherwise she didn't make a move.

"Himura-san...?"

His forgotten agitation resurfaced ten times stronger, and Kenshin felt his heartbeat quicken in response to her question.

"Ah, Kaoru-dono. I didn't expect you here."

"Really?...but this is Maekawa-sensei's dojo..."

"Oh-oh! Right! It, uh, must have slipped my mind, that it must." Ah, couldn't I think of anything better to say? Kenshin mentally berated himself. She must think me very strange...

"Right..."

Was Himura-san alright? He was acting strangely flustered and unobservant, completely unlike his normal self.

"So...what brings you here, Himura-san?"

"I was just...passing by, that I was."

"Oh..." They fell into awkward silence again. Kaoru looked over him in slight concern, not knowing what to do. This is bad! It's still uncomfortable between us since the evening he came over for tea...Oh right, tea!

"Uh, Himura-san, I need to apologize to you for the last time. I really didn't mean to spill the tea on you - it was an honest mistake. Please accept my deepest apologies." Kaoru bowed low to Kenshin.

"Oh, it's quite alright, Kaoru-dono. Forgive me for being so rude as to refuse your hospitality. It was just that I had to be some place else." Great, now he felt bad for the way he acted. Battousai or not, he found that he didn't mind being laughed at, as long as that kept the smile on her face.

"I hope you will visit us again sometime soon?"

"Would you like me to come?" A soft hope flared inside Kenshin's chest, as he waited for her reply with bated breath.

"…Yes, that would be nice." Kaoru replied softly.

"Oh." Kenshin didn't know how to make sense of the sudden fluttering in his stomach, and neither did he try to make sense of it.

"I just think, Himura-san, that we started off on the wrong foot, and that maybe we should try getting to know each other better – especially after our first meeting." What am I saying! This is so embarrassing! But Kaoru wanted to have a second chance with him, so she asked away, determined. "I guess, what I'm trying to say is, well…"

"Yes, Kaoru-dono?"

"Do you want to be…friends?"

A small silence filled the air. Kaoru waited, panicked by the silence. I can't believe I said it! I'm sure he hates me by now! She kept hoping – hoping for something. Kenshin's face was blank, as if he hadn't been paying attention at all.

"…Friends?"

"I mean I can understand why you may not really like me – actually Himura-san, forget I said - "

"Okay, let's be friends."

"You…you want to?"

"Yes, of course. I would be happy to be Kaoru-dono's friend." Kenshin smiled a soft smile, the first Kaoru had ever seen. It did strange things to her heart, but she didn't want to think about that right now.

"Okay, that's great. We're…friends now." She replied with a small smile o her own.

"Forgive me, Kaoru-dono, but I am not quite familiar with what we do…as friends."

"Oh, I mean, we get to know each – we talk, hmm, and we enjoy each other's company!"

"Ah, I see. Does that mean I will get the pleasure of enjoying your company at Okina-dono's party?"

"Party?"

"Yes, he said he was hosting one in honor of you and your father being successful in opening the family dojo. Ah, I have yet to congratulate you and your father, Kaoru-dono. Forgive me."

"Oh thank you, Himura-san. Will you…be attending the party?"

"I did give Okina-dono my word that I would drop by."

"Oh, right, well – yes, I shall see you there, I suppose."

"Well then, goodbye, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin bowed and left first, not wanting her to see his sudden excitement at the thought of the party. To think such a small thing like being friends made his whole being lighter. That is because you have not had a friend in a very long time, that is all. There is nothing more to it, there is not.

Kaoru watched him leave, feeling very much the same. I suppose he's not so bad after all…