Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN RUROUNI KENSHIN! Or any of the components. They belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki.
A/N: This is my First EVER Attempt at Fan Fiction, so any comments would be GREATLY appreciated!
EDIT 4/3/08: Since I began this story nearly three years ago, I believe that I have grown as a writer, and in looking back at the previous drafts, it made me cringe. In addition, I have changed the format in the subsequent chapters, and I wanted to go back and make it uniform. There have been wording issues that (hopefully) have been resolved, and it reads a lot smoother now. Chapters 1-6 will be updated. Also, in looking back, I have since changed my pen name from "Misao M. Shinomori" to "Okira Soudai" as well, so the new drafts will hopefully cut down on confusion. Anyway, Enjoy! (Any really wierd spacing/no indication of a scene or time change is because the editing program changed it on me...I'm fustrated with it)
The Art of Meditation
Chapter 1: Beautiful Morning.
The sun rose silently over the grand city of Kyoto. The trees swayed gently while the leaves danced in the slight breeze. Autumn was just about to hit it's peak of glorious color, and the world was bright. People were wandering around, soaking up the beauteous color. One place that they could always find a nice meal was at the Aoiya, which was busier than usual.
Kuro and Shiro were working as fast as they could while Okon and Omasu were busy waiting on tables and desperately trying to keep up with the crowd. Okina was also helping where he could.
'Where is Misao? We could really use her down here' He thought. He wandered up to Okon, who was wiping off a table and getting it ready for the next costumers.
"Where is Misao?" The elderly man said, stoking his white beard.
Okon sighed "She's still sleeping. She was up very late last night working on reports". Okon said, brushing her raven black hair behind her ear.
"We need her down here!" He said, turning toward the house.
Okon started to clean another table. "Just don't mess with her mind too much…she's still adjusting to her position and she has to make tea and lunch for Aoshi."
Okina nodded with a sly look in his eyes. He walked through the door, past the living quarters, and down the hall to Misao's room. He knocked on the door to reveal no answer. He slid the shoji open slightly to find nothing. Her futon was laid out, but not slept in. A worried look grew across his old features as he turned and closed the shoji behind him.
He wandered further down the hallway to the Okashira's office. He decided to forgo the knocking and slid the door open.
Misao had fallen asleep while going over the reports, and had her head in her arms leaning over the desk.
He walked over to her, and shook her gently to wake her. She snapped her head up, picking it off of the desk with a piece of paper stuck to her cheek. He smirked.
"Wha…? What time is it?" Misao asked wearily, rubbing her eyes. She noticed Okina's smirk. "What's so funny?"
Okina reached and grabbed the paper that was stuck to Misao's cheek. "This." he said as he handed the piece of paper to Misao.
"unggg…" Misao groaned.
Okina stared at Misao. "Ya know, I am sure Aoshi can teach you how to juggle the paperwork…" he said slyly. "…as well as other things"
Tink Tink Tink Tink Tink Tink
Misao flung a few of her famous kunai at Okina, pinning him to the wall. "JIYA!" She shirked, standing up from the desk and started to straiten her paperwork.
"MISAO! LET ME DOWN!" He screamed
She glared at him. 'Dirty old man…' She thought. "What are you doing here?"
"We need help with the Aoiya. The beautiful weather has brought in many customers and we're barely keeping up with them…Now, LET ME DOWN!"
Misao sighed, walking over to the wall to free Okina from the ridiculous position that the kunai had entrapped him in. "What time is it?"
"It's about 10:30"
Her sea foam green eyes shot open. "You mean I slept in to the point that I have to rush to get Aoshi's tea and lunch around?!" Usually she cheerfully put together Aoshi's lunch together and made tea. She did it delicately, hoping that he would notice the care that she put in it. She would run to the temple, full of excitement to see her beloved Aoshi-sama. This morning, she had to rush making everything just to get there in time. She rapidly freed Okina from the wall and went running to the bathhouse.
Okina walked back to the Aoiya to return to work, being his charismatic self.
--
Aoshi had arrived at the temple earlier than usual, knowing that it would be a busy day at the Aoiya. He had been at the temple for about 4 hours now, trying to find peace through meditation. Lately, he hadn't been doing well, because the combination of fighting and his comrades sacrificing themselves to save his life was haunting him more than usual. Because of this, the last few days have not been productive.
Before he left that morning, he walked by his old office, and peered into the open door. He attempted to pass it by, knowing that it was part of the past that he was trying to come to terms with. However, a quiet glow of a candle was shining through the doorway. Curiosity had got the best of him, forgoing the thought of passing it by. He quietly slipped into the office. He found Misao slumped over the desk. He sighed silently, and blew the flickering light out. He walked out of the room, with a sense of peace flowing through him. He turned to peer back into the dark office. He could see Misao's sleeping outline, and let himself have a small smile across face. 'She looks so peaceful' he thought. He slid the shoji behind him and walked to the temple.
He sat on the floor of the temple in his usual indian style position, trying to slay his inner demons. However, his mind to wandered to a young woman who was asleep on her desk earlier that morning. Peace freely flowed through his body as he slipped into a stasis that he had rarely felt since he returned from the battle with Kenshin and Shishio.
--
Misao emerged from the bathhouse with her hair wet, her usual braid was wrapped up in a bun. She wore her usual navy blue with light blue outline kimono top, matching shorts, and a red obi tied around her slender waist. She rushed to the kitchen to prepare Aoshi's lunch delicately as she could. Speedily, she put the kettle on for the tea as she put Kuro and Shiro to shame working beside them. Quickly, helping to fill some orders as she put together lunch for Aoshi.
She glanced up at the clock 'Oh No!' she thought "I'm late!" she said as she grabbed the components and placed them into a basket. She normally was on time, so that it would not disturb Aoshi's unspoken routine.
She started off, carefully running towards the temple with the basket hanging off of her arm. She raced up the steps, praying that she would not trip.
When she reached the top step, she tried to catch her breath. She ran swiftly but carefully, that not even a drop of the tea spilled. She gained her composure and slid the shoji open.
The sunlight was shining brilliantly through the windows casting light on Aoshi's motionless body, soaking up the warm rays. There was something in the air, a feeling that she could sense, but couldn't really put her finger on. She thought about it as she walked over to him.
"Aoshi-sama" She said cheerfully "you're lunch is ready!" she exclaimed with a big smile across her face, bubbling with enthusiasm and love.
He didn't move.
Her smile faded. She was excited to see him, but he would at least move when she said that his lunch was ready. She feared the worst.
"I'm sorry I'm late..." she said with a sorrowful tone. "I slept in this morning" She said as she frowned.
He still didn't move.
She walked over to him and sat down in front of him. His head was down, his legs flat against the ground in a semi-indian style with his hands clasped together in his lap. His breathing was deep yet, peaceful. She lowered her head.
'Aoshi-sama must be furious with me' she thought. Tears started to stream down her face as well as waves of worry. Her heart was heavy, yet pounding. Another thought crossed her mind. 'is Aoshi alright? He always acknowledged my presence before. Even if it was a gesture'
He sat still and calm.
Misao's heart was pounding as she reached for his hand. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead as her hand neared his. She closed her eyes 'I hope he doesn't kill me for this' she thought as she dropped her hand on top of his.
What will Aoshi's reaction be? Stay tuned for Chapter 2! Let me know what you think!
