Moonlight Spring Ritual

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLY: I ABSOLUTELY DON'T own any of the characters from Rurouni Kenshin. And I DON'T make money out of this. This is for entertainment purposes only.



It took so long *sighs*Busy, busy....enjoy.









Chapter 3 - The Gathering



She could sense it. It will rain soon. Though the darkness of the night shrouded over, the distinguishable dark, fluffy clouds had depicted some clues of its upcoming doing of menace or blessing on the town. Rain will embrace the whole area of Kyoto once again into it clutches.



Aoshi. Suddenly, it came upon her thoughts about her beloved warrior warning him about the impending occurrence of changing weather. Soon it will rain and he will be out there - drenched with his violet shinobi clothes - while meditating at the Makimachi’s Sakura tree garden. He was contemplating with his thoughts - thoughts that Misao was dying to know. He was serenely sitting legs-crossed, straight-body, at a wooden platform separated from the Mansion with a huge Sakura tree behind it which served as a natural sheltering. For the past 6 to 7 months, he had been so aloof from her. Since then, he never made some effort on discussing things, the usual topics about his and his comrades’ Omitsu missions and nature tripping they talked when he was with her on the visit. Never since then did he join and teach her kempo at her trainings at the dojo where the rest of their comrade studying also the arts. She had missed those things dreadfully, for sure. Misao missed him so much. Aoshi had been so occupied with his self-contemplating for whatever that bothered his searching mind or soul. Their line of close friendship had been tattered due to his unexplained detachment from her. By the way, is close friendship the right term for her relationship with him? She could not determine if it was right but she was still grateful that Aoshi was still there for her, though in a different way. She knew for sure that she felt something for him and that was no some silly infatuation of a kid though most of the people around her find it so, but gladly, not Okina. It was something much deeper - more mature.



Standing up from the tatami floor of her room, young Misao was about to search for Aoshi when Okon stopped her from doing so. They were arranging her wide collection of kimonos - some that was given to her, other were inherited from her great ancestors, and the ones she, herself, had bought with the help of her sisters. They were cleaning it up for Misao’s welfare. They were helping her preparing herself for the coming special occasion tonight - her celebration of birth.



“It will rain soon, Misao. You will get sick if you do that wandering outside and that isn’t a good idea.” Okon was folding the second to the last kimono near Misao’s futon while Omasu was smilingly waiting beside her to give the said clothing to pack it away to their youngest sister’s wooden drawers.



Getting sick hadn’t scared her from doing her good deed to Aoshi. Actually, it was her least concern to problem with. Aoshi was far more important to her than to herself. He needed to be warned or else her love will be the one to get sick.



The nimbus clouds were about to settle in which did made Misao alarmed more. What kind of a birthday was she having for this evening? A really wet and ravaging one, she assured.



“Aoshi-sama is still there in the Makimachi Garden. I have to warn him about the approaching rain.” Misao looked at her two older sisters with those pleading blue-greenish eyes.



“I don’t know if it’s right, Misao. You will just disturb him in his meditation.” Omasu tried to persuade Misao as she put the nicely-folded kimono back to Misao’s drawers. Okon smirked and nodded as she heard her statement.



“He will get sick if I don’t.” Still, she finds words to excuse herself.



“Aoshi-san is old enough to know that. And if he does, he’ll leave the garden before it get worse.” Okon gave more support on Omasu’s declaration.



“Aoshi-sama is so pretty-damn preoccupied with his meditation, Okon-neeesan. You know how he does that with full seriousness. He’ll just ignore the rain, stopping at nothing until he feels sufficient at to what he was doing. As far as I remember, most of the times he always intended to forget his meals when he’s doing that.” Misao, with pouting lips and twitching fingers, explained her side and continued. “Poor Aoshi-sama. I don’t want him to attend my special night with such an indigent condition. Please! I won’t be long. I promise!” She waved a cross on her left breast, attaching to her heart to make them assure that she was telling the truth.



Finally succumbing to their youngest sister’s will, Okon and Omasu went close to her and gave the last folded kimono on her sleeping futon to Misao.



“You win but before you do your heroic deed, Misao,” Okon handed her the last kimono she folded earlier for Misao to use/wear for this special night, “wear this and you can do whatever you want to do, okay? We don’t have much time on preparing you more because we have other more important things to attend to. Omasu will lead for the cooking and finishing touches of the food.” Suddenly, she had thought of the busy people who were working at the restaurant to prepare all the dishes to be served on Misao’s birthday night. They really needed some serious help and a reliable leader above that. “About me? Well, I have to arrange the dojo for that, and so for the guests. I hope you would understand, Misao-chan. Our hands are tied from now.” Both older sisters beamed at her with joyous smiles and waited for her response.



Her older sisters, though not genuinely belonging to her blood line, loved her so much which in no words in the world could described. They had been there always with her to support and guide her on her chosen paths. Okon and Omasu had played a very immense part on molding Misao’s life - of what she had become. Their youngest sister had been thankful to the Goddess of Moon for giving her adapted sisters who treated her with such great goodness like what a real sister relationship would be - without the thought that she is the Okashira Kyou’s only princess in the House. Their services were true, true as to be seen into a natural sisterly love.



“Okay, if that pleases you two.” Misao stood up from the tatami mat and took the folded kimono, hiding her embarrassment of the loving attentions from her sisters. “You two talk too much!”



The sisters instantly laughed at each other as soon as young Misao grabbed the pinkish Sakura-embroidered kimono.



“Happy 16th birthday, Okashira Misao.” Both Okon and Omasu had joyously greeted, pinching her pinkish young cheek at each side, after bursting from pure laughter at her.





*******



Tonight was a special night indeed. According to the Oniwabanshuu’s laws, once the next-in-line Okashira reached his/her 16 years of age, he/she is half-entitled with all the powers of a current Okashira until he/she is able to manage, ready to take the job for governing the work of the whole spy network. Since her father, Okashira Kyou Makimachi, had died 2 years ago, she had automatically inherited the whole leadership responsibility as the sole Makimachi in line but young as she was then and inexperienced; Okina took first the profession until she’s ready. It was a big task in fact and young Misao was quite afraid of talking the large obligation on her petite shoulders. She was scared that she could not surpass the expectation and prominence of her well-respected late Okashira father. At the tender age of 16, she will have to leave her teenage thinking and make way to the new Misao Makimachi, the young lady Okashira, for the ruling of the elite Oniwabanshuu.



Misao was having her reverie at that said topic. Now that she’s been held as the new Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu, her confidence on taking the job was swinging on the balance. Though she had the spikiness, charisma and the courage like her late father, she still needed more time, grave training; to mold herself to the person - the leader - they were expecting her to be. And by doing that, only one person came into her mind that will help her achieve such greatness on governing the whole spy group - her beloved Aoshi. Sure. Okina, the one who took the late Okashira’s left responsibility in Misao’s hands for it’s too early for her to govern, had all the right data to be her mentor of being the Okashira but nothing compares to a training built in love and understanding. And that can be only be found and given by her only love, Aoshi.



Smiling, the young Okashira quickly strolled on upon the busy corridors of the Makimachi Mansion, also being called as the Oniwabanshuu’s headquarters, to reach Aoshi warning him about the coming rain then tell him about her decision on making him as her mentor. This will likely to mend their many months of broken communication at each other. Aoshi will be back to his old self who spend lots of time on her, attending her needs of support and friendship. Just like the old times, as she had stated. Hitting two birds in one stone.



“Make way! Make way!” Misao strongly announced, chuckling as she escaped from the group of people, her subordinates, who were deeply occupied on cleaning the corridors of the wooden platform.





*******



Tears of water had finally fallen from the cradle of the dark skies. An unexpected lightning in the sky had sharply stroke once which surprised her a bit. Then cold wind began to waft its rising strength. So this will not be just rain after all, but a storm! What a perfect timing for her 16th birthday - her proclamation of being the new Okashira, she told herself. Upon noticing the natural occurrence, Misao had fastened her paces as she nearly approached the Makimachi Sakura tree garden where her Aoshi resided for his solemn meditation. She just hoped that Aoshi hadn’t been so much occupied with his contemplating to the point that he might forget what special this night was to her.



Almost reaching to the said place, Misao - still in the wooden platform corridors of the Mansion - was about to call the name of her beloved when suddenly her gleeful motions came into a halt. She saw figures in the separate wooden platform in middle of the garden; the image was a blur due to rampant pouring of the rain. Someone was with Aoshi and at first glance, she couldn’t figure out who it was and what they were doing. Like a spying omitsu on a mission, she quietly crept into one of the circular pillars almost near the detached platform but far enough not to be detected, as she perceived them with her keen questioning eyes. So it seemed that Aoshi wasn’t all alone for God knows what reason!



With eyes deciphering like a hawk preying, Misao hid herself while searching for the other person’s identity. The continued pour of rain made it a bit difficult for her know and assume what they were doing. Somehow, her urges to get nearer to his spot was rampaging in her head. She had to know no matter what. She was dying to the death to know the identity of the person. Does jealousy starting to knock on the door of her heart? She rather not entertains it but she can’t help it. For all we know, love had its dark sides and this is one of the many. But do Love also works on that?



Rain was still pouring. Hadn’t they decided to get out from it? Obviously not. They were still under the hallow sheltering of the biggest Sakura tree's branches in the garden - Misao’s most favorite. They were drenched, for God sake! Can’t they see and feel that?



As she stealthily moved closer, still in the boundaries of her mansion, Misao had managed to capture a better view of Aoshi and the person he’s with. A little more of deciphering at their situation, something had hit the young Okashira’s ears - she could hear their talking. She could hear the person’s voice, so as Aoshi.



“I don’t need you here. Go away.” Aoshi muttered to the person he’s with.



Misao’s eyes began to widen as she perceived an unbelievable.







*******





Numerous sweat beads had visibly seen, exuding on her fair-maiden face as she had awakened from her usual nightmare. The nightmare had been constantly appearing to her sleeps during these past few weeks. Each strike had been increasingly intensifying the clearness of the images, even its emotional impacts to her. She had managed somehow to control her reactions to her dark past with him and hopefully lived like a normal person both inside and out for 4 years. But lately, things had been against to her expectations. She knew that she had to put her past behind and move on to enable to stop her nightmares but it was so hard to just forgive the person and more especially to forget. He had hurt her, hit her heart so badly or maybe worse.



"Damn it!" She muttered to herself as she wiped her sweat across her forehead. "Why can't they just leave me be? I'm happy for my life now and the fools can't simply see that." Fool. The word 'fool' had entered to her mind. Who is the real fool in this game, anyway?



Finally awake from her sleep, she stretched her body with her arms soaring high towards the ceilings of her room. She lazily stood up and neatly folded her used sleeping futon, tucking away for the final clean up. She yawned while stretching further her curvy body. A morning ritual needed to be done as her mind silently reminded her. Chores were to be done as if nothing had happened last night with her…and Aoshi, trying to settle her mind that everything was very normal. She went to her cabinet, searching for her bath toiletries but to no avail.



"What the?" she mumbled, cursing herself for leaving her bath toiletries in no where. Suddenly, she remembered where she left it. The memory of Aoshi being with her in the Moonlight Spring intimately had flashed again to her mind which she was trying to forget. Like the first one, it was too difficult to leave it for her memory had etched meticulously the sensual feeling his caressing touch to her exposed body under the bright moon, so open and almost giving herself to him with no hesitations to satisfy her own deep urges that she had long been suppressed in her sub-consciousness. She gruffly sighed, shaking her head rapidly to erase her gained sexual urges for him caused by his very own 'playing' to her last night.



"Why come back and make things difficult again for me to live by, Aoshi? Why do you have to come back tormenting me again? I...I...I..." She was about to say the word 'hate' but her lips can't perform it for her. Was she still in-love with him after long years of great separation?



No more time to waste. The Okashira had to perform her duty no matter what issues hindering her to do it. She had obligations to fill in and pondering such insignificant things will only delay her errands. This had to stop. Without a doubt, after all that had happened, Aoshi had been gone out from her mansion, turning back towards his own assigned station at Edo. So why bother thinking about him anyway?



She took her fresh, clean towel from her drawers, yanking it to her formed shoulder. Having not realized that she was still on her sleeping yukata, she strolled towards the shoji door and left for the Spring.





*******



"Look! I have a paper ball, Suzume!"A dark-brown headed girl happily yelled her delight for her little sister to know. She ran towards her, leaping along the way, as she carefully held the toy on her tiny delicate hands.



"You do?" said the other with great honest surprise. "Mine is a paper crane. And I love it." The little girl's cheeks had instantly reddened and eyelids fluttering.



Both girls were giggling and playing with their own set of paper toys, sharing the same bliss they had newly captured. With the children’s' happiness and smiles, the Makimachi's garden had; once again, glowed into an appealing atmosphere that had long before been vanished after what had happened four year ago. Misao could hear their bubbly voices and laughter and it had eased her, lightened her feeling of bitterness from waking up from her usual nightmare. If it will only completely erase the details of misery on the said spot, Misao will freely stroll to the area with no haunting memories of Aoshi of her past. Still their noises - preferably their music - had enticed Misao to come over for a while and see what they were doing but far enough to be away from the dreaded Sakura tree which was still seen in her garden, and the same reminder of her melancholy.



Their giggles had occupying the early morning's air that had made the surrounding less tedious to bear. Finally arrived in the mansion with her toiletries at hand from the Spring, Misao walked in the corridor platform and ceased at one of its wooden pillar. She saw the two girls playing. Somehow, envy crept over her heart upon seeing them at their true innocence - away from the harshness of reality. If she could only have the same feelings for quite some moments, it will really give her one huge relief. But she knew that that would not be possible in many reasons.



Moments past by, Misao had decided to leave the girls to their playful bliss and start her morning ritual of grooming herself. But as she was about to turn her way against the happy playing children, she had glimpsed one of the paper toys in one of the girls. Paper crane.



Her movements had momentarily stopped as she had perceived the paper crane from little Suzume's hands. The Paper Crane. After seeing it, it had brought another memory from her past with Aoshi. It was not a bad one indeed. It was one of her special memories she will never ever forget as long as she lives. It was the moment where she had seen something exceptional in him while making the paper crane for her when she was at the age of 10. It was the very first time she saw the lonely warrior’s smile and since then, it never departed in her mind that sweet moment with him. Never.



The bliss of seeing innocence right in front of the girls had abruptly faded away, especially after hearing a man's voice which indeed told her senses that it only came from one person she knew almost completely. So, the bastard still hadn't left the mansion after all. Some nerves he got! Instantly like a code red to be followed, she fled away from her spot, getting away from them, from him, as far as she could.



"Be careful, Suzume!" A man's voice roared in the air but in a gentle manner that won't scare the lively little girls.



"Ok!" shouted back by Suzume. Her cheeks were flushed upon seeing her puppy love staring back at her. At such a young age, she felt something special towards him. Her whole attention was to him at that moment, seemingly forgotten her promise to be careful on her playful moves towards her paper crane. While doing that, she had accidentally tripped over in to a nearby tiny embedded stone, landing at the hard grassy soil crashing her paper crane beneath her body weight.



"AHHH!" An instant cry flew in the air as she felt the pain from her right knee. "OUCH!"



Both Aoshi and Ayame, her older sister, had abruptly ceased after seeing the incident. She ran towards her and Aoshi did the same.



Misao heard Suzume's cry and got alarmed. Her head turned towards the source of the ailing sound and instantly left her bath toiletries on the wooden platform corridor. Fears crept over her imagining what made Suzume cried like that. Without any second thoughts or hesitations, she briskly walked back towards the Makimachi's Garden.



"Don't cry Suzume. We are here for you." Soothing words came out from Ayame's young lips to comfort her little sobbing sister.



"You are not paying any attention that's why you tripped." Aoshi scolded her, speaking words of reminder and held the young Suzume at his lap, patting away the dirt that may stain and infect her bruises on her knee. "No need to cry, Suzume-chan. I'm here. We are here."



Words of comfort were heard from Aoshi's lips. It was like heaven upon hearing him saying those special concerning words. On Suzume's part, tears began to lessen as she wiped it all the way. Tiny sobs could still be heard from her but still managed to subdue it. The pain was still there on Suzume and Aoshi had to find a remedy for that.



"Suzume!" Misao shouted the young girl's name, worrying what had happened to her. She rushed over to them, seemingly forgetting that Aoshi was also in the garden, beside Suzume.



Her raven hair had freely flown into the air, cascading, as she ran towards them mindlessly. Her concern was for the hurt little girl and nothing more. Aoshi had looked over his shoulders to see who was yelling and running towards them. He saw an angelic ebony-haired maiden rushing towards them with her slightly-loose yukata which had unintentionally exposed a little bit of her creamy thighs and bulging chest area. He turned away his view from such temptation, fighting away his carnal needs of her. His memory about her in the Spring, all naked and inviting, hunted his dreams last night. He hadn't had a descent rest all because he yearned for her all night. Damn! This had to stop!



"What happened here?" Misao abruptly kneeled to check Suzume, cupping her small face with her worried hands. She searched for the little girl’s injuries and had seen it. Suzume had a bruise on her right knee.



“She accidentally tripped over by that stone, Onee-san.” Ayame pointed her index finger at the cause of Suzume’s misery and looked back at her again. “There’s nothing to worry about, I think. Onii-chan had already calmed her sobs.”



“But not the wound itself, I presume.” Misao’s emotion of disappointment nagged high, pertaining to the guardian who supposed to take care of them.



Aoshi felt it and never rendered words to retort back. Suzume was more important than gaining back his great composure.



“Let me see you, Suzume.” Misao bent even further to check Suzume’s bruises at her knee which had unknowingly agape more the slits of her sleeping yukata to Aoshi’s peripheral vision.



The man could feel her warmth, heating his senses all over again which he strongly suppressing its earlier effect overnight. Last night had been a huge mistake, he thought. He hadn’t been man enough to stop his insanity over her upon seeing her all so inviting in his view, watching her silently behind the shadows of the misty night as she bathed herself like a goddess of temptation. Control was one of his big factors being a great model omitsu among his subordinates and comrades on this organization and it just faded away in an instant after sensing his need of her on the night that should have been his and hers. Damn it! He strongly cursed himself for being so weak on this. Love has no space on him. And loving her is a huge, way high mistake. This carnal need of her was not only bothering him, moreover it was her great change….great improvement of personality that had molded her into someone very supportive, stern and responsible yet lovely and charming as a young enigmatic woman should be – qualities of an Okashira should posses…a woman Okashira that is. Not that Aoshi had no feelings for her before but this was something different that he can’t simply explain by words and he hated it so badly. He had no plans in his life to share his heart for only fools rush over that and that’s the truth. Or was it?



Aoshi deliberately coughed to ease his way out from her tempting position straightening his back, preparing himself to stand up to take the young Suzume inside the mansion for the treatment of her bruises. In a matter of getting out of her way and being distant will surely revive the old Aoshi he had endured during those 4 lonely years. That person had to represent him once more so that he will not be thrown into the abyss they called Love.



“Where are you taking her?” Misao asked, head tilting up to see Aoshi and Suzume. She was still kneeling from the ground without knowing that her luscious bosom was clearly seen by Aoshi.



His eyes had closed and turned on his back. Temptations of her will not be the ruler of his life. Not now. Not even the coming end of his days. He walked back towards the mansion with Suzume hauled up on his protective arms.



“Isn’t it obvious? I’m taking the child for wound treatment. And please, don’t bother to come. We can handle it ourselves. We don’t need you there” His voice had become sterner. A cold treatment will do to make his senses awaken once again to the old Aoshi Shinomori – the one who intensely defied Misao Makimachi’s love four years ago at this very garden.



This had stunned Misao a bit. The one who held her passionately in the Moonlight Spring last night had completely vanished. She no longer sensed the man who had once promised by his caressing touches the ‘heaven’ she yearned for a long time. He was, indeed, back to his old self again. She should be happy about it, right?



“What the?” She had mumbled to herself. “The fool doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.” Aoshi had directly insulted Misao, the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu, with his sharp words.



Ayame had been silent, looking at the two adults who were about to start a heated argument in anytime sooner. Judging her onee-chan’s old behavior, likely sparks will be shown any moment from now. As Misao was about to follow them towards the mansion to have a word with Aoshi about his impolite behavior showing his disrespectful speech to her in front of these girls, someone entered the garden which did made them stopped from their moments after hearing the person speak.



“Well, well, what good sight to see, I strongly say.” A womanly seductive voice aired in the atmosphere. Her long hair was swaying as the wind blew gently on her. Misao had also felt the wind’s touch on her almost exposed body, making her mind knew that the lady’s sudden presence had to do with it. She walked perfectly like a graceful woman should be. With her slim hands, she tucked her long raven hair away from her mature face. She was half way towards the circle of the people in the garden when she looked at Aoshi with eyes glimmering with heat.



“What are you doing here?” Aoshi asked, his eyes were showing no concern of her sudden appearance.



“What a silly question, my dear. Why, I should be the one to ask you that, Aoshi-kun.” The woman moved in, getting more close to Aoshi than anybody else in the crowd. “I’m a doctor of the organization and I have some wounded ninjas to regularly check upon.”



With a hand placed at the side of her curvy waist, she spoke again. “Or maybe, you are here to have ‘another round’ with me just like weeks ago.”



The nerve! As if they had completely isolated themselves in the eyes of the people around them, Misao had become more furious upon disregarding her as their Okashira. The woman didn’t even greet her pleasant morning even she’s the Okashira, the highest official of the organization. But what’s new? The woman had no respect flowing on her anyway so why bother needing one from her. The sight of her had her puked internally.



Finally breaking the warm reunion, Misao spoke to proclaim her presence. “I’m surprise that you still have some decency on showing yourself up in front of me, Takani-san. And we both know that we no longer harboring the wounded patients here in my residence but on the other quarters just at the other side of this grid of town.” She gave her an intent look, sharply enough to pierce through her senses.



Megumi replied with her foxy grin. Whatever the Okashira spoke spike works on her doesn’t matter as long as she still has connection with Aoshi, her lover.



“At least I know what I should wear outside the premises of my bedroom.” She was taunting about Misao leaving her own bedroom with a sleeping yukata still on. “Aoshi, my dearly.” Megumi turned her gaze to him and had finally come very close to his body. Her body’s contact to his made Misao’s eyes fume more but manage to subdue its spilling. Why bother being angry and jealous about to something that wasn’t intended for her in the very beginning? “Like the old times, I presume. Nothing had change. I’m still your love and still willingly waiting to warm more of your bed at nights.”



Such disgusting words should not be heard by a small child, especially this near at his chest. Aoshi gawped at her. “Megumi,”



Megumi’s cheeks reddened upon realizing her inappropriate words after Aoshi giving scorning looks on her. “I’m sorry, love. I just can’t stop my…..you know….when I am this near to you.” She purred like a cat, or better yet, howling like a vixen. Her smile was wide, wide enough to spread outside on her porcelain face.



Suzume reached for her bruised knee, scratching it. And with that, Aoshi had the cue to enter inside the mansion for the little girl’s wound treatment when Megumi halted them. She offered her help. After all, she’s the organization’s doctor surgeon. The young girl at Aoshi’s chest jerked away from Megumi’s checking hands, hugging Aoshi tighter at his strong neck. She didn’t like being touched by that woman. Any woman who displays her likes to Aoshi was an enemy for her. She despised them and that woman is one of them.



“Seems like the little girl doesn’t like to be mended by you. I’ll just have to do it myself.” Aoshi left Megumi and the rest, with Suzume under his protection.



“That’s nonsense! The child was just scared of being treated by her bruises.” Megumi reached out to the dented knee, smoothly checking and trying to be more careful so that the girl’s reaction to her treatment wouldn’t make a great fuss. “It’s perfectly normal, don’t you worry.”



But that didn’t satisfy Aoshi’s thoughts.



Her hand had gently patted the bruises of the child. Megumi’s free hand had deliberately touched Aoshi’s broad chest making the man’s brows twitched. She was feeding him her interest on him once again – even in front of this child. Megumi’s red eyes shined with lust over him and Misao could sense it. She could feel her sexual urges for him, feeling like she shared the same heat. The memory of the Moonlight Spring Ritual had flashed again to her senses. Damn it!



“Can’t wait to have your….stuff! How pathetic! Both of you are made for each other. Do your ‘thing’ somewhere else, not in my mansion. Pigs!” Hard to admit, jealousy had started to reach down her nerves. She snorted as she was about to turn her back towards the place where she left her bath toiletries. Anywhere but here! Far away from those fools. As she turned her body, a taller manly figure stood on her way, bumping her head and body on his sturdy lean-muscled chest. “Ouch!”



“Sorry about that, Misao-chan, I mean Okashira Makimachi.” A wide smile greeted her as she massaged her bumped nose.



“Soujiro-san?” Misao’s eyes had widened in great surprise. “What are you doing in here?”



Seta Soujiro, one of the elite officers of the Oniwabanshuu group, had come to pay a visit to the headquarters in Kyoto. He was one of the Triad commanders of Japan’s elusive spy group. His position was stationed on the south region of Japan; Nagasaki to be exact. And he had men, also omitsu spies, under his dispose and rule. At the very young age of 18 he had already captured one of the highest ranking positions in their organization. He had numerous successful spy missions under his command to be proud of and contributed much of Oniwabanshuu’s future betterment. And with this lad now around 22, grown more mature, he had quite established himself into a fine gentleman and very independent on many ways. Finding women to bed with hadn’t been difficult for him, in which Misao had a hard time to understand his ways towards her same sex. Despite having that dark side of him, many young wenches still wanted to have him…just like someone she knew. His smiles and easy bubbly attitude had been two of the signs left to remind her that he once been the organization’s charming clown. Now that he had made a name of himself based from all the works he did, Misao had only concluded that her childhood best friend had indeed achieved his life goal – to be the man of himself. He holds a special place on Misao’s heart but his was not as close as her special someone had occupied hers. And by that, Soujiro intended to change everything beginning today.



“I’ve missed you so much, Misao-chan!” Soujiro hugged tightly, lifting the woman from the ground with such envious glee on his face. Misao was still surprised on his sudden jovial behavior.



“Hey! Hey! You can put me down now! Soujiro!!!” Misao was trying her best to jerk herself away from his embarrassing embrace in front of these people. Especially Aoshi. But why bother? He’s with his lover, right?

“I said put me down or else!”



“Or else what, Misao-chan?!” He grinned mischievously at her. His eyebrows had etched arch. And seeing it made Misao very nervous. “Why deprive your sweet welcoming embraces to your best friend? We have been doing these since we’re toddlers, right? There’s nothing to be ashamed of, I swear.” He was taunting her.



“I’m a respectable Okashira, remember that. And Superiors don’t address each other like this so put me down and be a Triad officer. I’m not one of your tarts.” Brows frowning, Misao was pushing more of herself away from his strong arms encircling her waist. Why do men such as Aoshi and Soujiro find it hard to respect their Okashira?



Aoshi’s attention turned towards the ‘happy’ couple. It had been his least expected to see Seta-san back on the headquarters for having equip with a lame reason of visiting. Always had been the deceitful one or cunning as they say, Seta-san had something in his sleeves that he didn’t want to be known by the people around him, especially Aoshi. Perfect timing….or almost. Aoshi had not been naive for knowing Soujiro’s special interest towards the lady Okashira. For years he had known that and was accustomed to it. But after seeing the two friends reunited, hugging each other without any hesitation – on Soujiro’s part actually - in fierce emotion had struck him hard. Misao was struggling from his tight embrace, seemingly a bit ashamed of what they were imposing to the eyes of the others. Aoshi had suddenly remembered his embrace to Misao last night in the Moonlight Spring. Moments of seductive caressing and vicious kissing had been free for him to roam over her without any second thoughts until her consciousness overruled her. Her reaction towards his touches had been undeniably equal to his, not like what he was seeing now to the couple. But to think of it, who would want to show your ‘emotions’, your other ‘needs’, in front of these kids? On the other hand, many years had past and surely many did change on the girl he once cared of. He might be misjudging the whole thing happening between Misao and Soujiro. His facial expression had turned sterner.



Megumi could see the fire in his eyes and she didn’t like it. “Aoshi-san,” she purred at him, hugging him along with the child on his arms. “Why don’t we take Suzume inside so that she can have her treatment? Come along now.”



Aoshi didn’t budge from his spot, continuing his scorching stare towards the two. His blue pupils began to shake in an emotion that was so foreign to him.



Soujiro was still embracing her high and Misao was still eager to get down. She could not do more vigorous struggling for it will only cause her sleeping yukata exposing her flesh and that would cause her reputable name go under. She tucked the slits together so that it wouldn’t widely open more, cursing herself for not changing her clothes before leaving her room.



“What a pleasant surprise, Seta-san.” A voice so low was heard at the other side of the garden, not far enough from the happy couple.



Soujiro’s attention turned towards the source of the voice. It was indeed coming from Aoshi, the other high member of the Triad of Oniwabanshuu who stationed in Edo representing for the north region. Misao suddenly stopped from her struggling realizing the tension that was about to rise between the two male Triad officials. In a matter of seconds, gently, Soujiro put down the lady Okashira in his high embrace without his eyes leaving on Aoshi’s stern face.



“Nice knowing too that you are here, Shinomori-san. I also didn’t know that you are in the mansion for a visit. It must be fate that brought us all together.” Soujiro’s tone had been a mocking one but Aoshi cared it less. “All four of us, in the same place as before.”



There was a friction gaining in the atmosphere in the Makimachi garden as two men stared each other with such heat intensity in their eyes. No one would want to be the under of the other. Even they had their dislikes with each other, they still worked as a team; professionals as they may call it. They never put their personal agenda on the front line. Each has invisible rule on not touching each others decision and matters, a thing that might be shattered any moment. The proof was on their instant interlocking of their gazes with each other.



“Please, boys and girls,” Okina had suddenly entered the scene. Since when did he come in the garden, enough to see all of these? “and little girls…Don’t deny the old man to have a peaceful morning of contemplating in the garden since I am about to plan the upcoming festive event.”



Festive event? Since when? Misao hadn’t been that disoriented of not knowing all the things that will be happening to the organization. She scrapped the wrinkles of her sleeping yukata and secured the ties to her waist. Okina had caused another problem to her to bear. It was obvious that he hadn’t had enough of his schemes about her. This probably one of his tactics to make her get close to the one they have chosen – Aoshi – and marry him.



“Old man, if my memory serves me right, my birthday is far way over and I don’t remember anything that would make us do some celebration.” Misao reminded him.



“Yes there is, Okashira. I believe you forgot, well all of you, what occasion we should be celebrating 3 days from now.” The old man’s face had enlightened, giving them hanging clues to be solved.



“Then what is it, Okina?” Soujiro smiled as he took Misao to his shoulders, hugging her once again. He too can’t get enough of Misao.



Aoshi’s eyes saw his treacherous mock against him but didn’t bother to make any further fuss about it. His attention was on Okina’s next revelation.



“Well, it’s my birthday you see. It will be my honor to have you all in my special day of reckoning that once again, I am getting old.” Okina chuckled deep.



“Grandpa! You are going to celebrate your birthday?” Ayame asked the old man as she went close to him with her paper ball still bouncing at her left hand.



The old man nodded at the girl which indeed made her shouted for great joy. “Yipee! I can’t wait to taste cakes and stuff! You hear that Suzume?! Grandpa will have his birthday celebration!”



“Yeah! And I can’t wait too!” Suzume cheered even though her bruises at her knee inflicted her stinging pain. But it showed it didn’t matter to her as long as they will have whole fun 3 days from now.



Okina chuckled along with the gleeful children as the clapped their hands in the air. But the two couples were still shocked from what Okina had just announced.



“Why celebrate it, Okina? We all know you hate birthday parties for it only reminds you your gaining age.” Aoshi said, keeping his stare only to him. He knew that the old man was up to something. All smelled like a rotten fish. He had the hint that all of these had got to do with his convenient marriage to Misao.



“I do hate birthday parties, Aoshi. But somehow, there are things in this world that changes and this is one of them. I would like to try something a bit new for my monotonous life. I haven’t celebrated my birthday for more than 2 decades and I think it’s about time for me to experience once again how warm greetings and good sharing of foods with old friends felt like.” Okina replied as he strolled towards them, stopping between the two couples.



“I miss the things that I usually have in my birthday.” Okina’s cheeks reddened after a snap memory of women surrounding him, with all the teasing and caressing, at his table with plenty of Sake when he was younger, about 30 years of age. “I have already decided that I will have it and you are all welcome with it. The preparation and planning will be starting this afternoon and you all are going to help me with it. That’s mandatory.” Okina grinned, trying not to be so obvious of his winning streak.



“I believe I have the orders around her, Jiya! You can’t just give us that lame excuses.” Misao retorted back. She knew that Okina was playing with her again. Since last night, she vowed that she will have to be more careful this time especially when Okina involves with the process.



“Come now, dear. Will you still be denying my yet-to-be final wishes? I’m an old man who wishes to have a great time, great experiences, and great memories while still living. How can you be so cruel?” Okina was seemingly pleading for mercy or pity, an act he usually does when Misao’s hardness stuck up with him.



“Don’t give that crap, Jiya. I know what you are doing.” Misao retorted to him once again, not accepting the old man’s flimsy pleas.



“Well, if that’s the case…” Okina pretended to be beaten, waiting for someone – from the two little girls – to back up with him. His eyes played of disappointment.



“Why? Why not celebrate his birthday, Onee-chan? It will be full of fun! Everybody will have their chances of fun after all the works of the day and this will be a good opportunity. We all want it, right?” Ayame’s voice had stroke guilt on Misao’s ears. Why deprive the old man’s wishes? If the girls knew the real reason why the old man wanted to have his birthday celebration, maybe the table will turn. But Misao decided not to, especially when the ‘enemies’ are just around, exposed.



It had been a minute since Ayame spoke. Misao had been trying to suppress her feelings and her decision about it. Suddenly, Suzume broke the silence.



“Can we have it or not? I wish to have cakes. It’s been a while since I taste one. Please Onee-san! Please make it true!”



All eyes were at Misao. She was frozen after feeling their touching stare on her, waiting to have her answer. Misao looked at Soujiro and simply received his nod of approval. Then she switched her gaze to Megumi which was not the best act but did receive her approval too anyway though it was like a snort. Lastly, to Aoshi. She stared at him for a moment. Aoshi didn’t give her any implications of his thoughts. He too would like to have an out of this but what can he do? The little girls and the old man’s wishes were hard to disregard.



“Ok. You have my support, old man.” Misao sighed in defeat as her gaze went back to Okina.



“Alright then! Let’s have the planning after lunch.” Okina gleefully celebrated his winning.



“But mind you, Jiya! I don’t want to have any Hocus-Pocus going on to this birthday celebration of yours. And you know what I mean.” Misao gave him a warning that if not carried on as it should be, it will be the last birthday he will ever get.



Okina just laughed, giving them his gratitude for accepting his plea. But as he went back inside the mansion, leaving everything up to them, he spoke again to give his thoughts. “I want you all in my planning, children. This will be the most memorable birthday that I will ever have in my whole life – as of now. Don’t you worry! You all won’t regret.”



He had to make his plan execute properly this time. Everything should fall into its designated place. No matter what!