Hi everyone... ::Siew Lee waves weakly:: My brain isn't exactly working now
because I have been feeling sick over the past week. I have decided to
rewrite this thing because somehow, I find some of the details there are
rather shaky. ^^; Anyway, I have added stuff into this chapter and please
do give comments. Flames will be laughed at anyway.
Warnings for this chapter: angst, shota-con
Rating: NC-17
All previous chapters are posted on my page: http://hotohori.uhome.net
Siew Lee
yume@hotohori.uhome.net
http://hotohori.uhome.net
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Dreams in the Dark
Part 1 : Embracing the Sword (Chapter 3)
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He swallowed nervously and cringed a little when a soft gust of
the Okashira's shallow breathing grazed across his cheek.
"Are you afraid of me?" the Okashira whispered and slid a hand
down the boy's chest, feeling his fear through the coarse cloth.
Aoshi edged away instinctively, his eyes blinking with a startled
look. He peeked fearfully into the old man's eyes, but he was unable
to strongly identify the Okashira's thoughts.
"Answer me, boy," the Okashira pressed and moved closer to
Aoshi until his thin lips were almost touching the boy's right cheek.
Stretching out his left hand, he ran his bony fingers through the
boy's silky hair, making Aoshi's pulse race. The boy shrunk back a in
an involuntary reflex, earning himself a sharp look from the old man.
"N... No..." Aoshi lied and gritted his teeth, his limbs
growing wobbly and weak from shock and fear he experienced. He
shifted uncomfortably and swallowed; the old Okashira was caressing
him on his side with a feather-like touch while his warm breath
grazed the boy's delicate skin. Aoshi didn't struggle at all, his
body already numb, unresponsive to his silent plea to move away from
those seeking hands. He sucked in the cool night air and held his
breath, trying to hide the alarm which was growing rapidly in him.
"You are lying! Didn't your haha-ue taught you your moral
values?" the Okashira hissed, making the young boy shudder in fear.
He suddenly grabbed the young boy by his shoulders and looked at him
straight in the eyes, causing Aoshi to avoid his glare immediately.
"I have lived in this world for more than sixty years and I can read
your fears."
"Yes..." Aoshi stumbled and looked away, not wanting to make
contact with those mysterious pools of dark blue in the Okashira's
eyes.
"If you want to be a successful swordsman, you must conquer
your fear. What is your fear?" the old man smiled, stepping back a
step, his eyes remaining at the same level as Aoshi's. With those
piercing eyes, Aoshi felt very uncomfortable as the old man studied
him from head to toe, as if he was seeing very single detail of him.
Aoshi blinked a few times and his lower lip quivered slightly,
showing his uncertainty. His eyebrows met in a frown, trying to
understand the question which was posed to him. He peeked up slowly,
only to see those mysterious eyes looking at him intently, waiting
for his answer.
"I'm scared of blood and rats..." Aoshi replied doubtfully,
trying to maintain eye contact with the Okashira without fear. He
shifted uneasily as a hand sneaked up to stroke his chest in circular
motions. The sensations were not unpleasant, but in fact, it was
rather relaxing under the old man's expert touch. Aoshi shifted
again, his heart beating faster and faster.
"Foolish answer! That is a phobia. You can overcome it easily!
Tell me your greatest fear," the old man spat and cuffed his sleeves,
the fabric making a rustling sound when he flapped them. "Try again."
"The fear of not knowing..." Aoshi whispered softly, his hands
clenching into tight balls, his knuckles turning a pale shade under
the yellowish dim light from the lamps placed strategically.
"Yes," the Okashira nodded and flashed Aoshi a small smile.
The young boy swallowed and blinked once. "You learn quickly, ne?" As
he said that, the Okashira moved closer to the boy until their faces
were only inches apart. Slowly, the old man waved a finger under his
nose. "Do you like this scent?" the Okashira asked and smiled slyly.
The young boy took a cautious sniff and breathed in a tingling aroma.
Slowly, he felt those knotted muscles in his stomach relaxed
themselves and his mind was already in a blissful daze.
"It's sandalwood, specially imported from China," the old man
whispered and drew his lips closer to the boy's until they were
nearly touching. Aoshi tried to maintain his consciousness but the
harder he tried, the harder it was to stay alert.
"Okashira..." Aoshi began slowly and paused for a while. *Haha-
ue told me to get help from him... He shouldn't be a bad person
right?* a small voice whispered deep down in his heart, trying to
convince himself that those perceptions he received were actually a
case of hyper-sensitivity. Slowly but steadily, Aoshi pushed his fear
back into a deep corner of his conscious mind.
"Yes?"
"Do you know what happened to the Matsudaira family?"
Aoshi questioned in turn, his blue-gray eyes looking intently into
the Okashira's dark blue ones. "My... My family?"
"Yes, I do."
"Would you help me to find the murderer?"
Suddenly, the Okashira stood up and began walking back towards
his elevated seat. Aoshi gazed at his retreating form in surprise and
alarm. With beads of cold sweat rolling down his forehead, Aoshi
asked with a timid voice, "Did I say something wrong?"
The old man stopped in his tracks and turned his head sideways
to look at Aoshi through the corner of his eye. "No, you didn't. Your
question is perfectly understandable, excepting the fact that it's a
nonsensical thought from your head," the Okashira breathed out as he
heaved a small sigh. He shook his head and resumed his even pacing.
The Okashira sat down gingerly on his seat and gazed at Aoshi
deeply. "You can't take revenge..." the old man stated firmly and
stroked his wispy beard. "The Oniwabanshuu can't take revenge for you
because we have honor."
Those words hit Aoshi like a brick wall and knocked the air out
of him. He blinked a few times in shock. "Why? They murdered my
family! They murdered my mother!" Aoshi whimpered helplessly,
momentarily losing control of his own emotions. All that he had been
striving for had been lost just because that old man said he was not
allowed to!
"You will understand when you are older..." the Okashira
replied simply and closed his eyes, getting ready for a long round of
meditation. "Young man, you have to find inner peace before anyone
can help you. Understand yourself and you will see through this world
more clearly than before. Take my advice."
"But..."
"You can go now. Okina's waiting outside," interrupted the old
man and waved slightly, gesturing Aoshi to go out.
"Please advise me! Will the Oniwabanshuu help me in other
ways?"
The Okashira opened his eyes slowly and gazed at Aoshi deeply.
"You will face the four levels in our qualifying test which an
outsider has to go through to prove your worthiness to us. Let me
remind you, the test is difficult one, even for an adult. It's your
choice whether to take up this challenge or not," the old man
whispered in a near-inaudible tone. "Remember, you can take control
of your own life. You know what you want in the first place. Make
your own decision and tell me. Now go and have a good night's rest.
I'll give you two years to prepare before I start the first level."
"What test? What four levels?"
"For the meantime, you are still not a member of the
Oniwabanshuu. Ask Okina and he will explain everything to you. Now
go."
Aoshi was still befuddled with the Okashira's words but seeing
the old man's serene expression, he decided against asking for more
details. *Besides, I can always ask Okina, right?* Aoshi whispered
softly in his heart.
Giving a little bow, Aoshi treaded backwards before finally
turning around to exit the small chamber. Carefully, determined not
to make any abrupt noise, Aoshi pulled the sliding door aside and
stepped out. Slowly, the door slid shut again with a soft thud.
The Okashira stared at the door for a long time through half-
closed eyelids, his mind racing through Aoshi's expressions and
determination. It had been a long, long time since he had last seen
that type of light in a person's eyes.
So wild, so enthusiastic, so full of energy and will power.
Aoshi reminded him of someone.
The boy reminded him of himself.
The old man let out a soft chuckle and leaned against a few
cushions placed behind him.
*He will be the Okashira of the Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu in the
future. I can feel it. My own son is not worthy enough.*
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"How is it?" a familiar voice asked. A hand rested on his left
shoulder as Aoshi looked down at his feet. Slowly, he shook his head
and sighed.
"Okina, what are the four levels in the qualifying test?" the
young boy asked, the Okashira's words still repeating themselves in
his mind endlessly. "He told me to ask you..." Aoshi gazed at Okina
intently and waited for him to answer his question.
"Four levels? Yes... The test..." Okina mumbled absentmindedly
and released his gentle hold on Aoshi's shoulder blades. Aoshi took
Okina's hand and looked up at him, his eyes silently pleading for any
form of enlightenment from the older man.
"What is it about?" Aoshi pressed again, his small hand
tightening its grip on Okina's.
"Aoshi, you must understand that you are not a member of the
Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu yet; but there is hope, for Okashira has told
you about this trial. Before you can actually learn our secret
techniques, you must be initiated into the shogun's service," smiled
Okina wryly, his thin lips curving slightly upwards.
The boy scratched his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Why?"
he asked.
"To show us that you are worthy to be one of us," Okina replied
simply and began walking through the secluded garden path. "To enter
the Onmitsu Oniwanbanshuu clan, one of your parents must be an Oniwan
member or else you have to prove yourself worthy to be adopted into
our clan."
"I'm worthy enough. I'm a Matsudaira."
"So what if you are a Matsudaira? The Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu
accepts its members based on their capabilities, not by their social
status. Worthy enough? No, you are not. At least, not yet," Okina
breathed out slowly. Deep in his heart, he knew that Aoshi stood no
chance in the four tests. How could a boy outshine his peers by
crying everyday and thinking of his dearest haha-ue? *He's too weak
physically, too fragile emotionally,* Okina sighed dejectedly. Aoshi
was standing in a no-win situation.
"Okashira gave me two years to prepare myself for the test..."
Aoshi trailed off. He sensed the uncertainty in Okina's voice and his
heart was pounding wildly at the mention of a trial. Was he fit
enough? Aoshi began fidgeting uneasily and he pulled at the collar of
his yukata, suddenly feeling warm as cold sweat broke out. Okina
didn't sound very optimistic about the entire procedure and it was
giving Aoshi jitters.
"It isn't as easy as you think, boy," Okina sighed and stopped
walking. Clutching at Aoshi's shoulders, he stooped down in a half-
kneeling position and looked at Aoshi intently. "Especially
considering the fact that your tears flow too freely..."
"Okina, I have promised you I won't cry ever again; and I
didn't shed a single tear for the entire day..." Aoshi choked back,
the gentle night breeze ruffling his bangs. He looked pleadingly at
Okina, his slender fingers clutching the man's bony ones. "I
promise... I promise I'll train hard too... I won't be lazy, I won't
have afternoon naps... I won't spend my time playing with other
children..."
"Good then, I'll start training you tomorrow. No days off
except for the 1st and 15th of every month. I also can't train you
everyday, ne? Both of us will go out for some entertainment," Okina
smiled, secretly proud of the young boy's determination.
"Really? That means I'll be ready for the four levels in the
test?" Aoshi exclaimed, a wide grin immediately lighting up his face.
"Yes, boy, but I can't guarantee you can pass all four levels.
It all depends on your willpower," Okina replied and flashed the boy
a small grin. "Now go to sleep. You'll need a lot of rest for
tomorrow," Okina urged and gave Aoshi a mild shove on the back of his
neck.
Aoshi nodded happily and ran across the silent garden, leaving
Okina to stand there by himself. Okina sucked in the cool night air,
his eyes following the dark shape of Aoshi's figure through the
isolated garden.
*That boy... He has the potential.*
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"Get up, Aoshi! Boy!" a voice screamed near his head. Aoshi
stirred lazily and pulled his blanket over his head. Suddenly, a hand
reached up and pulled away his bedclothes roughly, making Aoshi open
his eyes at the abrupt burst of daylight.
"The sun is already in the middle of the sky and you are still
sleeping?! Get up now, young man," the voice growled angrily and
proceeded to strip him of his blanket and futon.
"Huh? Okina?" Aoshi whimpered softly, his hands trying to
shield the piercing sunlight from his still-sensitive eyes.
"Listen here, Aoshi. If you don't get yourself dressed in half
a stick of incense time, you are going to miss breakfast," Okina
warned, sticking his hands by his sides. Aoshi rubbed his right eye
with a hand and looked up at Okina, his face still showing pure
confusion.
"Aoshi, we have our breakfast at the first call of the rooster
every morning and everyone's waiting for you! Everyone's there
already except you!" Okina continued and tapped his left foot
impatiently on the floor planks. Aoshi quickly took off his night
yukata and shivered helplessly as the cold air made direct contact
with his bare chest. "I was just thinking of letting you sleeping
for a short while more yet you are too busy dreaming about other
things. Next time, I'll wake you up after I get up in the morning."
"Gomen ne... I... I can't seem to wake up in time..." Aoshi
stumbled as he began to blindly grope around for his clothes. Okina
rolled his eyes and began walking around the tiny room before his
sharp eyesight fell on a heap of cotton fabric lying underneath a low
table.
"Aoshi, are those yours'?" Okina asked, using the tip of his
foot to gesture at the pile on the tatami-covered floor.
"Thank you!" Aoshi nearly screamed in delight and scrambled
quickly with his hands outreached. With deft fingers, he took the top
part of his gi and fastened the ties with a simple knot. Okina looked
at his naked back and sighed. Aoshi began to tie a red string around
his neck and Okina shook his head. *Now, since when did that boy
need to have a piece of string hanging there?* He dismissed the
thought and folded his arms. Aoshi quickly knotted his white sash
around his waist securely and heaved a small sigh of relieve.
"Okina, I'm ready," Aoshi declared with a proud smile. "May we
go now?"
"Yes," Okina answered and strode out of the room. "Next time,
be more punctual."
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Two dozen pairs of eyes stared at him as he entered the huge
room, making Aoshi feel very self-conscious. A long table was set
right in the middle and there were more than twenty individuals
sitting by the table and their chopsticks were placed neatly by the
right side of their food trays. Each of them were kneeling down in
the traditional pose and it was basically very quiet in the wide
space.
"Aoshi, take the nearest seat," Okina urged in a low whisper
and gave him an assuring pat on his shoulder. "And, try to eat as
fast as you can after Okashira strikes the gong." Aoshi looked at him
and nodded. Okina left him alone and strode up to the other end of
the long wooden table before taking his seat beside an old man whom
Aoshi recognized as the Okashira from the night before.
Very self-consciously, Aoshi kneeled down on the unoccupied
tatami mat and looked down at his lap. He noticed everyone else
seated along the table also sported similar positions, including
Okina.
*Strange,* he thought with a mental shrug.
There was total silence in the room.
There was a soft cough from the other end and Aoshi peeked up
with profound curiosity. He saw the Okashira stand and pick up a
small wooden baton from a serviette as he walked over to a huge brass
gong at the side of the room. With a single fluid stroke, he raised
his hand and struck the still object.
*Dong!*
The clear sound of the metal gong being struck rang throughout
the entire enclosed space and very soon, the sound dimmed
considerably. Just as the gong stopped ringing, everyone picked up
their rice bowls instantly and began stuffing food into their mouths
with their chopsticks.
Aoshi looked in astonishment as he picked up his own bowl.
There was so much food laid before him! Aoshi shot a look at a girl
about his own age sitting opposite him. She was too, busy eating and
stuffing food down her throat. Gradually, she looked up, as if
feeling Aoshi's stare.
She smiled at him. "Ohayo..." she greeted him politely.
"Ohayo..." he greeted, smiling back shyly and looked away.
"I'm Omasu... Are you new here? I have never seen you around,"
the girl answered and flashed him a demure smile. Aoshi stole another
look at her. *She has beautiful eyes,* he noted. The girl winked at
him and picked up her chopsticks again.
"I... ah... I'm new here... I'm Matsudaira Aoshi and Okina
brought me here," Aoshi introduced himself and smiled coyly at her.
The girl lowered her eyes and giggled softly. Aoshi felt his cheek
grow hotter and he quickly looked down, avoiding Omasu's gaze.
"C'mon, why are you not eating? We have to be quick because we
will have lots of work to finish before midday," the young girl urged
with a twinkle in her eyes.
Aoshi nodded and picked up his slender pair of chopsticks.
"Hai..." the boy answered and began concentrating on the food set
before him.
He stole another glance at her and the girl looked back at him
playfully, bringing another soft blush on Aoshi's cheeks. The young
boy smiled weakly and started chewing on a small piece of fish.
"Alright everyone. Time to move on," a male voice announced
suddenly. Aoshi looked up and nearly dropped his chopsticks in
surprise. *So fast?!*
"Oh, I forgot to tell you something."
It was Omasu again. Aoshi raised an eyebrow to look at her, his
dark eyes full of questions. The young girl held back a small giggled
again and watched him blush.
"We, as members of the honorable Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu, really
treasure the time we have everyday. Breakfast's already over and you
will have to wait until noon to get your next meal," the girl laughed
and got up from her kneeling position.
Aoshi stared at his own tray of untouched food, his face
showing shock. A pair of feminine fingers began tapping on his
shoulder just as he was about to lifted up a ball of steamed rice to
his mouth.
"Time's up, young man," the woman ordered with a stern look on
her face. "Either you get out now or you do the rest of the
housekeeping today and that includes washing all the dirty clothes
and sweeping the entire Aoiya."
"Gomen..." mumbled Aoshi and got up from his seat, his stomach
rumbling loudly.
"He's new here so he doesn't know the rules, Kasuga. Aoshi,
let's go to the courtyard where you'll meet with other young fellow
members," a voice interrupted behind him and Aoshi looked behind in
pure surprise.
"Okina..."
"Let's go," Okina urged and took the boy's hand, walking out of
the huge dining chamber.
"Demo... De..." Aoshi started but quickly silenced himself
after a warning look from the middle-age man. While trying to keep up
with Okina, he kept rubbing his empty stomach, as if trying to ease
the hunger itself. With quickened steps, he strove to keep up with
Okina's speed.
"Aoshi," Okina said suddenly as he came to a halt as the duo
stood under a shady tree. Turning around to face the boy, he asked,
"Did you manage to eat anything just now?"
"... Yes..." the boy replied after a pregnant silence and felt
his stomach clench pitifully. *Okina already has so much work on his
hands... I shouldn't bother him right?* Aoshi whispered secretly in
his heart and looked down at the pavement leading to the courtyard
unhappily.
Okina heaved a heavy sigh. "I know you didn't get to eat
anything just now judging by your red face... I could even see it
from the end of the table," the man blurted out and shook his head
slowly. "You were too busy talking with that girl... Beautiful and
cute girl, ne? She is the daughter of one of our Onmitsu warriors,"
Okina grinned and reached into the inner folds of his robe.
Extracting a small package, he shoved it towards Aoshi's bare hands.
Aoshi looked up at him with questioning eyes as his fingers
wrapped themselves around the cloth-wrapped bundle.
"Open it..."
Carefully, Aoshi began to unwrap the package with Okina smiling
at him. "Okina, this is..." Aoshi began as a large single steamed
rice ball peeked out from within the folds of the coarse fabric. He
looked at the food quizzically before turning his attention to Okina.
"This..."
"This is for you. I knew you would be too distracted to eat
anything with that brat of Hyobe's sitting nearby," Okina answered
and gave the boy a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Now, eat this up
quickly before anyone sees us."
"Hai!" Aoshi agreed with newfound joy immediately and started
stuffing the food down his throat. Okina looked at him with
amusement, his heart experiencing a warm feeling.
He hadn't experienced such emotions for a long time now...
Since... since Ichiro died. With his eyes gluing themselves to the
Aoshi face, he began reminiscing the past.
*His* past.
Faces of beautiful women and their seductive voices flooded his
mind endlessly, like the water in a river which never stopped
flowing. With days of pleasure and nights of passions, he had lived
to enjoy such luxuries. Okina sighed softly and folded his arms. He
had been very wild and carefree when he was younger and he too had
his fair share of broken hearts, but now... he was concerned about
the future of the Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu. His body ached for a simple
touch from a geisha too often, that he was still visiting teahouses
and pleasure houses a few years back then.
But he wasn't in the mood to go to such red light districts
anymore.
Things were getting difficult nowadays. The Ishin-shishi were
winning battle after battle, the defense of the military regime was
already starting to crumble. As for the Okashira, Okina knew that he
was already too old to handle any missions. The leader never trusted
anyone, including him. The Oniwabanshuu needed new blood. They needed
a young leader, someone who could lead them effectively.
*Ishin-shishi...* Okina's lips twisted into a wry smile.
Perhaps it might be a good change, but his loyalty towards the
Tokugawa shogun was already craved in his soul. Japan must accept
new changes to meet the challenges of the modern world, but the
shogun was too obsessed with beautiful women and kabuki actors to
run the country properly. Treacherous subjects flooded the shogunate,
each wanting to squeeze more money and power thus making the
governmental structure weaker and weaker as days pass by. Deep inside
his heart, Okina knew the Tokugawa shogunate was nearing its final
days. The man quickly blinked away tears as thoughts of seeing the
Edo castle being torched and pulled down by strangers crossed his
mind.
This also meant the Oniwabanshuu were heading for a very
difficult period of time without financial support from the Shogun.
The restaurant which Aoiya was currently running had already proved
itself to be a poor source of income, only capable of supporting
twenty men per month. Without the shogun's financial aid, their
supply of food was getting considerably less and many of their
servants and members had decided to seek new lives, instead of dying
with the Oniwabanshuu.
They chose to leave the Shogun's service. Okina spat angrily.
Such men were useless. No honor, no loyalty.
Okina knew he would never leave the Onmitsu to fend for itself.
He had responsibility to make sure that this clan would continue to
exist in the future. He had sold his life to the Shogun and to the
Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu clan and he would remain loyal to them until his
last breathing second in this world.
To show his loyalty, he had sacrificed many lives. Too many, in
fact.
*Including your own family,* a voice whispered in his head.
Sometimes, Okina doubted it was worthwhile, but it was already a fact
that he had no-one with whom to share his bed.
Okina leaned somberly against the tree trunk behind him. Twenty
years ago, he had a family, a very happy family. He was a proud
father of a five year old, the proud father of Kashiwazaki Ichiro.
He was a good husband to his wife, someone whom she could rely on. In
short, he was a good man.
But he failed them.
He failed them just because he was too loyal.
He looked at Aoshi again, watching the boy chewing on the last
piece of the rice ball. He felt responsibility for the boy.
Maybe he could act as a father to the poor orphan.
Okina smiled wryly at that thought. *Ichiro-chan would be happy
to have a new brother...* a soft voice hinted deep in his heart. He
smiled to the empty air again as he stroked his short goatee,
grinning happily. He saw the potential in the young boy. Aoshi was so
energetic and he had a high level of intelligence for a child his
age; but what Okina really wanted in a person was the willpower one
possessed.
Aoshi had a strong willpower to succeed.
"Okina..." a child's voice called but the man remained still,
his face sporting an idiotic smile as he delved deeper into his
thoughts. Aoshi narrowed his eyes and shoved the older man softly.
Still no response.
"Okina..." Aoshi called again and he began tugging at the lower
panel of Okina's haori. Okina broke out of his simple trance and
looked at Aoshi with narrowed eyes. "What is it?"
"Aren't we heading for the courtyard? I thought you promised to
train me starting today..." Aoshi began and released his grip on
Okina's clothes.
"Yes, yes... Let's go," Okina grinned and gave the boy a gentle
push before walking with the young boy along the garden path.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ohayo Okina!" a loud voice greeted enthusiastically, causing
Aoshi to look up in shock. In the distance, there was a well-built
young man in his early twenties waving frantically at them. After
seeing the man, Aoshi turned his head to gaze at Okina. The older man
only responded with a slight nod of his head and continued walking.
"Who is he?" Aoshi asked curiously.
"Oh, he is our Okashira's only son," Okina answered curtly
and smirked. "He is getting married soon."
"Really?"
"Yes. Don't ask so many questions," Okina sighed and began
walking towards the far end of the wide courtyard.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Okina," another voice greeted politely. This
time, it was a female voice and through Aoshi's eyes, he saw a tall
woman with striking features handling a halberd as she greeted Okina
politely.
"Ohayo, pretty girl," Okina teased playfully and winked at her.
The woman blushed and turned her head around as she began practicing
some elaborate moves with her long weapon. Grinning widely, Okina
proceeded to a deserted corner of the yard. Through his young eyes,
Aoshi saw the interaction between Okina and the woman.
*Strange...* Aoshi thought and continued walking.
"Aoshi, sit down," Okina ordered when they came to a halt.
There were two pieces of granite with flat surfaces embedded on the
ground, one was slightly elevated while the other was considerably
lower. Nodding once, Aoshi took his seat on the lower rock, shivering
a little when the cool surface of the stone made contact with his
body.
Okina smiled and sat in a meditating pose on the higher stone.
"Today, we are not going do any physical training. As I have always
believed, the learning of theories behind a stance is the most
important. Do you understand this point, boy?" Okina spoke and placed
his hands in his lap.
"Why is that so?" Aoshi asked, his blue-gray eyes showing
genuine interest.
"There is no power in throwing a punch when you don't know
where your opponent's weak point is. There is no strength in kicking
an enemy when you can't break through its defense. Last of all, you
will get injured when your judgment isn't accurate," Okina answered,
secretly laughing when he saw the confused look on Aoshi's face.
"I..."
"Don't understand, ne? You will, when we delve deeper into the
circle of martial arts," Okina said and breathed in deeply. "Now,
tell me your purpose in coming to the Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu."
"To seek revenge," came Aoshi's curt and sharp reply.
"No, you are not here for revenge. No man would take revenge
with considering about his own honor, and also the honor of the
Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu. You are here to learn about the ways of
becoming a samurai. You are also here to understand the ways of life
and also, to serve our shogun," the man voiced out evenly and he
sucked in more air before exhaling slowly.
"To learn about the ways of becoming a samurai," Aoshi repeated
softly. Suddenly, memories of himself learning bushido flashed past
his young mind. *A samurai...* Sometimes, Aoshi wished he wasn't born
in a daimyo family. He was forced to learn and memorize the ten basic
honor code of a true samurai, leaving him exposed to all the blood
and gore. Closing his eyes, the young boy recalled those times when
his father labeled him useless after his small hands didn't manage to
lift a sword.
It was different now.
He was now learning bushido for his survival. Okina was kind to
him and that made lessons a lot more enjoyable. Slowly, Aoshi began
to concentrate on Okina's words once again.
"To be a respectable samurai, you must master at least five
budo and understand the ten concepts of bushido," Okina started, this
time breaking out of the short trance which he induced himself into.
"What are the five budo?" asked the boy, eager to learn more
about the ancient military arts of Japan.
"No, you have the wrong idea about five budo. A budo is a way
of martial art. You must know that mastering one isn't easy. There
are many budo available for you to learn, but it is impossible to
master above ten of them. I, myself, only managed to master seven of
them. As for Okashira, he had achieved the highest level for nine
budo," Okina explained slowly as he stroked his short goatee.
"What about the four tests? Are they connected to all this?"
the young boy asked persistently.
"Yes; in a way, yes. The four level test is important in our
clan, each of them will drive you to the very extreme in your
intellectuality, physical strength, judgment power and also, your
endurance. To pass such a level is never easy, as passing each level
is tougher than the one preceding it. At least, for the first three
ones."
"What are the four levels actually?"
"The first level will be an in-depth test of your accuracy and
judgment in very obscure cases. You must understand that the Onmitsu
Oniwabanshuu works for the shogun especially in the field of
espionage. The ability to dissect and solve a problem is very
important to all of us." Okina paused for a moment before continuing.
"The second is on your ability to fight with your bare hands and
also, your physical movements. Most of the Onmitsu Oniwabanshuu clan
members are experts in kenpo, including me. As I have mentioned
before, our main job is to gather information from the shogun's
enemies and to sneak into a heavily guarded castle isn't easy. To
walk on roofs noiselessly and to climb walls without ropes are
special abilities we need to possess. Besides, we are responsible
for the shogun's safety because we do act as bodyguards to him."
"That means, the Oniwabanshuu is a ninja clan?"
"No, we are not a ninja clan, although we do the same type of
work basically. We don't sell our services to anyone except the
shogun. We have pride in our jobs, instead of those hinin who would
die for just ten copper coins!" Okina barked and glared at Aoshi
sharply. "We are a samurai clan. In short, we are servants to the
shogun. Our Okashira is in fact, a high-ranking samurai."
"Gomen..." Aoshi mumbled, his eyes downcast.
"Alright Aoshi, try not to apologize so often. Have confidence
in yourself because you will need it when you get to the third level.
In fact, I would say this level is the toughest of all. You will be
placed in a make-believe mission to steal a concealed scroll in the
Okashira's quarters. In fact, I don't think anyone has managed to
pass this level in our one century of history. Either they come out
dead, or they decided not to continue with it," Okina said and smiled
a little, his heart feeling pity and sympathy for Aoshi's condition.
"I'll be the first one to pass it," Aoshi declared in a
determined tone and looked at Okina seriously. "I'll beat the odds."
"We'll see, child. The fourth level would be the final one, the
level which you have to demonstrate your skill in handling a weapon
of your choice. Although it's better to train with a pre-determined
weapon from the start, I'd recommend that you try out every single
type before deciding on one. See my point, boy?" Okina asked, raising
a brow in anticipation for Aoshi's answer.
"Yes, to find one which I would be the most comfortable with,"
Aoshi replied and nodded.
"I'm not very sure how Okashira is going to grade you in this
level but I promise I'll do my best to help you, ne?"
"Doumo, Okina," Aoshi smiled and gave the man a slight bow.
"Alright, I'll show you your new friends than and I'll take you
to our weapon department tomorrow," Okina suggested and stood up,
with Aoshi following him.
As Aoshi walked behind Okina, he could sense a rush of
adrenaline pulsing through his veins. *Yes, finally a chance to
take a sword with my own hands...* Aoshi whispered deep in his heart,
his mind toying with the thought of gripping the smooth ebony sheath
of a sword before drawing it with a single flowing movement. He
grinned happily; his dream of becoming a successful swordsman was
already materializing.
But there was never an easy path to achieve one's hopes.
Little did he know he was heading to a place where death was
the only way out.
Little did he know he would be forced to grow up too soon.
Little did he know he would grow up to be a man who would never
let his feelings show.
He would be a man wearing a mask hiding his true self.
An invisible mask.
He entered this world of hatred and revenge with a child's
footsteps, but exited with a man's strides. He had finally begun to
embrace the sword.
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Author's notes:
1. During the Tokugawa reign, a person cannot simply be invited into a
clan. Clans are made up of:
a) members by birth right
b) outsiders who are adopted by male members
The 'outsiders' stated here may be from another branch of the same clan or
total strangers. In the pre-meiji era, even adults are 'adopted' freely.
^^; It wasn't until the Meiji Restoration when this practice was stopped.
As for the four members who Aoshi recruited later, that is a different
story. Aoshi has since then stopped the practice other than the fact that
I'm going to kill that insane Okashira later.
(source: some Japanese secondary school social science textbook... ^^;
Gotta ask Kaguya for the title)
2. The way of keeping time in ancient Japan is rather strange and complex.
Each day is divided into 12 periods, each period 2 hours. As for minutes
and seconds, I have no idea. As for the scene where Okina instructed Aoshi
to get dressed in 'half a stick of incense time', I got that idea from some
samurai film I saw years back. ^^; Joss sticks (or incense) are made into
thin long rods and were lit at one end. I'm not sure not about their other
usages though. Maybe for some type of perfume in houses?
3. A teahouses is a disguise for a pleasure house *sometimes*. Prostitutes
do live there and clients can pick them through a *menu*. =)
(source: Susan)
4. I'm really, really sorry... I promised you guys about having more action
in this chapter but it seems that my redrafting has went out of control. I
have to push all those fighting/angst parts into the next chapter. Sorry!
Vocabulary:
doumo: informal form of 'thank you'
haha-ue: mother (pre-meiji era)
haori: a type of tradition Japanese costume. Something like a lab coat but
without collars.
hinin: Non-human. In the pre-meiji era, there are many castes and the
lowest of all is the hinin group. Ninjas are considered to be hinin.
tatami: a type of Japanese straw mat
Copyright reserved 1999 W. Siew Lee
All standard Rurouni Kenshin disclaimers apply to this fanfic.
E-mail: Siew Lee [yume@hotohori.uhome.net]
URL: http://hotohori.uhome.net
UIN: #14025577
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