Spoilers: Years after the end of Jinchuu Arc.
Disclaimers: Characters used in this fic are not mine. Belongs to their respective
owners. Nobuhiro Watsuke, Shonen Jump, Sony... please don't sue ^_^;;
Baby-sitting
An Aoshi and Misao Fic
By dyosa :)
*****
"Baby-sit?" Aoshi reacted a bit callously, though his face still held an
impassive expression.
"Aa, if it is so kind of you, Aoshi-dono." Kenshin answered as he handed a
two-year-old Kenji in his arms. Aoshi merely accepted the redheaded package
and stared at the child, the latter doing so as well.
"Please forgive us if we ruined your schedule for today. It seems
everybody's missing in the Aioya." Kaoru said sheepishly, still uncertain with the idea
of leaving her son to Aoshi.
Kaoru watched the tall man in anticipation, remembering the
conversation she had with her husband earlier that morning…
"It's not that I distrust him, Kenshin. It's that… anou, Kenji might-" Kaoru
paused, biting her lip. She had every right to worry for it was the first time she
would leave her son to someone else, other than her husband.
"Don't worry, koishii. Kenji will be in safe hands. Besides, I believe
Aoshi-dono won't have any trouble taking care of him. He once took care of Misao
when she was a baby, ne? Then there's no trouble at all." Kenshin assured
lightheartedly.
"If you say so…" Kaoru smiled ruefully.
"Um, Aoshi-san…?" Kaoru asked slowly.
"Aa. We'll be fine." Aoshi finally conceded, switching the boy's weight in
his arms to the other side expertly.
"Ah. Arigato." Kaoru bowed happily, then she turned to her son, "We'll be
back in no time, ne, chibi?"
The beginnings of a cry started to bubble in the little boy's chest, making
his gaze grow wary and teary-eyed, his lips forming into a disagreeable pout.
Kaoru began to worry, and started reaching for Kenji when Aoshi
stopped her, "I think you should go now. It will only get worse if you stay a lot
longer."
"Uh, hai." Both couple turned and left, Kaoru glimpsing at the little boy as
she was lead by Kenshin on the road.
"He'll be fine. Don't worry de gozaru." Aoshi heard Kenshin's murmurs in
the distance.
Aoshi finally closed the gate and went inside, cradling the little boy in his
arms.
"Kaachan?" Kenji finally spoke, his brows knitted in question as he gazed
into Aoshi's eyes.
"They just went away for a while, chibi. They'll be back soon." His tone
suddenly changed, softer, and his eyes showing hints of gentleness.
"Eeh… how soon?" the little one pursued on, and Aoshi noticed he's
beginning to get restless in his arms.
/Now I'm in trouble./ Aoshi sighed.
"I can't believe they let me carry all of these ALONE. How could they?!"
Misao's outburst lasted only a few seconds before her head sagged again as she
continued the long walk home. The baggage she carried grew heavier with every
step, dragging her feet wearily, her heels kicking up a cloud of dust behind her, "An
Okashira shouldn't be treated like this!!"
At last she reached the front gate of the Aioya, looking all sullen and grimy
with sweat and dirt. She carelessly kicked the old oaken gateway, unmindful of its
resentful noise as it creaked open.
"Tadaima!" she yelled upon entering the halls, albeit without enthusiasm.
No one answered.
"Oh, yeah. They're all in the market and sent me home with all of this
junk!" she seethed again.
She passed through the kitchen and hastily dropped all the groceries on
the table; her arms grown numb from their heavy weight.
"I am never gonna buy any groceries again!" she exclaimed to no one.
Thankful for at least having the house all by herself, she took a quick bath
and walked out from the ofuro clean and refreshed, and decided to take a long,
long nap. When she passed by the receiving room, she noticed that the door was
open, as well as the door leading to the yard.
/Someone's here?/ she suddenly felt cautious, but when she caught a
glimpse of a little toy top lying on the tatami floor, she suddenly remembered.
/Of course! The Himuras are here, how can I forget? Misao no baka!/
She entered the room and went out the open door leading to the yard,
looking for any signs of the family.
"Where are they?" she muttered to herself, finding the yard empty. Then
she heard squeals of a child from the back, where Okina's precious garden lay
hidden from strangers' prying eyes. She followed the delightful sound, and froze,
immobile at the sight before her.
"Kenji, you're mother will be very upset if you keep doing that." Aoshi
gently scolded. He was stooping down on the already muddy Kenji from head to
toe, and still, his rebuke was ignored. His vain attempts of preventing the
redheaded boy's messy mischief only caused more trouble, making his clean
russet-colored kimono be stained with small grubby handprints all over his chest
and sleeves, parts reachable by the relentless child.
"'Oshi-niichan, play with Kenji, ne?" the little boy laughed playfully, his
tiny dirty hands splashing on the muddy puddle he was sitting on, a pail lying
already unheeded beside him, with the water all spilled about forming the said
puddle.
"I'm beginning to notice I'm getting rusty with this kind of job." Aoshi
muttered incoherently, as he covered his face from the splashes Kenji was creating.
Misao stayed hidden behind the rows of Okina's orchids; suppressing her
giggles and trying not to be seen as she watched the two without disturbing them.
She looked at Kenji adoringly, and at Aoshi in awe, noticing his barriers down and
his emotions playing in his eyes, despite the stoic face. She would catch a glimpse
of an occasional twist of his lips in submission, a number curved in amusement.
"'Oshi-niichan!!" Kenji suddenly stood up and impulsively jumped toward
Aoshi with a wide grin. The latter's eyes widening as he was caught utterly off
guard.
"Matte--!!" Aoshi reacted too late as the little boy's body weight
unbalancing his already hunched stature, his feet slipping in the slick mud. Not
wanting to get the child hurt, he protectively held him in his arms and both landed
on the muddy ground on Aoshi's behind. The landing, which was rather tough.
"Oh!" Misao was unable to stop herself from crying out in surprise, then her
caged hilarity suddenly burst out. Aoshi looked up, his face turning almost white
upon seeing Misao, behind the orchids, bent over with laughter. Kenji heard the
laughter as well and looked up at her, his grin widening even more.
"M'sao-neechan!!" Kenji waved profusely, as he sat on Aoshi's lap, and
the latter closing his eyes in disgrace.
"Ohayo!" Misao giggled.
"You'd be dead once Kaoru found the two of you like this. You should be
thankful I'm here to save your butt…" Misao snickered at Aoshi as the three entered
the halls, leaving a trail of mud behind, "or maybe I'm too late for that case."
"Aa." Aoshi replied, almost rueful.
Misao looked up at him, still feeling a bit uneasy with this newfound
development between them. Aoshi merely looked back and front again, his mask
in place.
/I wish he'd stop doing that./ Misao sighed.
"I'll start heating the water." Aoshi turned to leave.
"Hai," then she turned towards Kenji, and grinned, "you first, little guy."
Aoshi placed enough wood to last for two baths and went back to the
corridor leading to the ofuro. He could hear Misao and Kenji's mingling laughter
floating down the corridor, almost bringing a reminiscent smile on his face. As he
stopped by the door, he was unable to keep his eyes away from the two,
especially on Misao. Misao sat outside the tub, noticing that she had changed
her clothes into a robe in order not to ruin them, and her braided hair all pinned up
into a bun, wisps of damp strands escaping the bind and framing her face
delicately. Kenji made incessant splashes on the clear water, his red hair already
plastered on his head.
"Why you--!" Misao playfully splashed him on the face, making Kenji
laugh animatedly.
Aoshi couldn't help but notice that the picture in front of him fit so
perfectly, only the redheaded child is misplaced, and rather imagined a child with
black raven hair and sky-blue eyes playing with Misao.
An unknown ache grew within him, and he shifted from his relaxed
stature by the door. Misao sensed his movement and looked up, stunning him to
place.
"We'll be finished in a minute." She announced, and smiled.
"Aa." was all Aoshi could say, then tentatively left the door.
/What I need is a cold shower./ he gruffly thought.
"Ne, Aoshi-sama. How in the world did you end up in that puddle?"
Misao broke the silence in the air, as Aoshi relished himself with a cup of steaming
tea Misao prepared while he was in the ofuro.
Both youngsters watched Kenji as he gape at the spinning top in
amusement, which Misao executed rather effortlessly.
Aoshi paused, then placed his cup back to the tray, "It was… an
accident."
Aoshi felt an unease growing inside him, feeling awkward with such
emotion. /Just because I don't know how to spin the top, I ended up entertaining
the boy with a pail of water. But if I tell her, she'll laugh at me./ he pitied himself,
/Me and my tricks./
He didn't know any games when he was still a child. All he knew was
how to fight. Misao knew all the games that ever existed in her childhood, through
Hannya and the others. Aoshi was the one who made sure that she's protected
from the harsh reality outside the shielding walls he created for her. Safe from the
real world where there were no games, no children to play with, no safe place to
run around. He didn't want her to experience what he had experienced in his
childhood. The pain, the grief, the loneliness, it is not befitting for such a child as
Misao.
"Hm? How so?" Misao pushed on, her curiosity apparent in her blue
gaze.
Aoshi watched the spinning top slowed at its pace and as it toppled on
the floor and rolled about in a stop. Kenji picked it up and insisted Misao on doing
it again, of whom the latter did so willingly. She wrapped the top with the string
she was holding carefully, and stood up and positioned the top on the floor, and
swiftly pulled her hand back holding the string, leaving the top spinning again.
"Waah…sugoi!" Kenji cheered.
Misao chuckled, then looked back at Aoshi. She was taken aback with
the way Aoshi was gazing at her deeply, his stark blue-green eyes probing deep
into hers. She blinked once, and again, but still, his deep gaze never faltered.
"Anou…" Misao stammered as she looked away, not knowing how to
approach the situation. /Baka! This is a good opportunity, how can I mess up
now?/
"M'sao-neechan, where's Kaa-chan?" Misao was suddenly distracted by
two round violet eyes looking at her questioningly, with his little hand tugging at the
hem of her kimono.
"Eeto… eh, well…" Misao didn't know what to say, afraid that the little
boy might start crying.
Aoshi rose up from his seat and approached Kenji, "Why don't we go walk
by the river bend?" then he looked at Misao, "Don't you think it's a good idea?"
/The greatest!!/ "Hai." Misao smiled happily.
Kenji played in the field where butterflies flew around from one flower to
another, while Aoshi and Misao sat beneath the shade of a tree by the river,
basking in the early afternoon breeze.
"I'm glad you thought this up, Aoshi-sama. I was already worried Kenji
might start crying." Misao leaned back on the tree trunk, closing her eyes as she felt
the warm breeze on her face.
"When you were younger, I would always bring you here."
Misao opened her eyes in an instant. Her heart thumped wildly as she
heard those words. Ever since he came back, they never had any decent
conversation. He would always lock himself away from them, preferred to be
alone by himself. Not even Misao's persuasions could move him then.
Until now.
"Honto ni? I don't remember." Misao replied, Aoshi sensing her eagerness
for him to go on as she moved closer to him, her eyes expectant.
"You were still a baby. And I'm the only person your grandfather ever
trusted who could bring you outside the Oniwabanshuu walls."
"Hm… I'm glad." Misao murmured, looking at him thoughtfully.
/I'm too close…/ if he never willed himself to look away from her eyes, he
might drown. But he had no choice anyway, he already lost his strength and his
will has abandoned him. He's already drowning.
"M'sao-neechan!!" Kenji suddenly sprang up from nowhere.
"Hey, Kenji!" Misao was suddenly broken from the trance and veered her
attention to the little boy, "Oh, wow! Are these for me?"
Kenji gave the flowers he had collected to Misao, all the while bubbly
with laughter, "Kirei, ne?"
"Hai, very. Arigato, Kenji." Misao smiled sweetly.
Aoshi was thankful for Kenji, though jealous of him for receiving such a
smile. He suddenly felt foolish and childish for feeling as such. He can almost laugh
at himself.
The afternoon passed unheeded, and the horizon became dimmer, the
hues getting darker as the sun sets from the skies.
Kenji had already dozed off into sleep as he lay cradled in Aoshi's arms.
Misao looked at the little bundle affectionately, then looked back up at Aoshi,
whose eyes were closed as well. She concealed a chuckle, with the way Aoshi
look with the flowers that were adorned upon his head by an incessant child.
Slowly, she plucked the flowers from his head, and as she reached for the one
behind his ear, she cannot help but brush her fingers through his hair.
Aoshi's eyes slowly opened with the caress, and Misao's own widened as
she ended up staring at his blue-green gaze that was now clear from the haze of
sleep.
Aoshi was surprised as well, but his amusement won over his anxiety as he
watched the emotions playing on Misao's blushing face.
She pulled back from her nearness, but enough for their legs to keep in
touch side by side and still facing each other. Trying to find a way to ease the
tension in the atmosphere, she asked nonchalantly, her edginess almost palpable,
"Am I a pain in the butt to you when I was younger then, Aoshi-sama?"
"At times, you were a challenge to my patience," he paused, a slight twist
in his lips, "but you were a child. I learned to accept that it was natural."
"Hm," she mused, but her expression became more serious, and her gaze
lowered, "How-how about now. At this time. Do I still challenge your patience?"
Misao waited for his response, her hands twisting upon her lap. But was
startled when she suddenly felt Aoshi's hand covering hers, and she finally looked up.
Aoshi was smiling.
"Aa, you still do. And I'm afraid I'm losing it."
Misao's face brightened, though still in disbelief, she cannot help the
happiness overflowing within her just by those words that mean everything to her.
Aoshi basked within the smile, knowing that he had made her happy,
and is willing to make her happy for the rest of his life.
"Let's go home." He held her hand in his, and the other supporting the little
red-headed bundle asleep in his arms.
Misao nodded, her smile was all the answered he needed.
"Ooooh… where are those two? I'm really gonna get them this time."
Omasu fumed after cleaning up the muddy hall leading to the ofuro.
"I can't believe they could just leave without even cleaning up their
mess. Hmph, they're in big trouble." Okon announced sternly as she wiped the tea
cups dry.
"I wonder what's keeping them." Kaoru fidgeted with her sash as she sat
beside a calmer Kenshin.
"They must have lost track of time, they'll be here." Kenshin reassured.
"Besides, they are still young. They might be having a great time together.
They can be forgetful." Okina said, after sipping his tea.
"Minna! You will never believe this. Come and see!" Shiro announced
as he suddenly appeared by the door, all goofy-faced.
Everybody raised their brows in question and followed the lad.
"Wouldn't you know…" Kenshin smiled, bringing his arms around Kaoru's
waist, who was smiling reminiscently as well.
"It has started." Okina proclaimed, his eyes almost brimming with happy
tears.
"Yeah, we can breath easy now." Kuro grinned.
"So, do you think you ladies can give the two a break?" Shiro snickered,
but sweat-dropped when he turned to see the two women crying their hearts out.
"Oh, don't they look so good with each other?" Omasu dabbed her tears
with her sash.
"Hai, our Misao is finally a woman." Okon cried, blowing her nose rather
hard.
"I believe that's a yes." Okina laughed at the two.
They were all peering through the window of the Aioya where they could
see Misao and Aoshi walking down the street, hand in hand, and with a sleeping
Kenji in Aoshi's arms.
"You don't know how to spin the top??" Misao asked incredulously.
"Please Misao, don't push the subject any further." Aoshi's dignity already
started to sink, but was rescued with her following words.
"I can teach you, if you let me." She smiled amiably, tightening her grip
on his large hand.
/Among other things…/ she silently added.
/Among other things. / he thought, "Aa."
*** OWARI ***
thanks for reading, tell me what you think, ne? ^_^
ja ne!
Disclaimers: Characters used in this fic are not mine. Belongs to their respective
owners. Nobuhiro Watsuke, Shonen Jump, Sony... please don't sue ^_^;;
Baby-sitting
An Aoshi and Misao Fic
By dyosa :)
*****
"Baby-sit?" Aoshi reacted a bit callously, though his face still held an
impassive expression.
"Aa, if it is so kind of you, Aoshi-dono." Kenshin answered as he handed a
two-year-old Kenji in his arms. Aoshi merely accepted the redheaded package
and stared at the child, the latter doing so as well.
"Please forgive us if we ruined your schedule for today. It seems
everybody's missing in the Aioya." Kaoru said sheepishly, still uncertain with the idea
of leaving her son to Aoshi.
Kaoru watched the tall man in anticipation, remembering the
conversation she had with her husband earlier that morning…
"It's not that I distrust him, Kenshin. It's that… anou, Kenji might-" Kaoru
paused, biting her lip. She had every right to worry for it was the first time she
would leave her son to someone else, other than her husband.
"Don't worry, koishii. Kenji will be in safe hands. Besides, I believe
Aoshi-dono won't have any trouble taking care of him. He once took care of Misao
when she was a baby, ne? Then there's no trouble at all." Kenshin assured
lightheartedly.
"If you say so…" Kaoru smiled ruefully.
"Um, Aoshi-san…?" Kaoru asked slowly.
"Aa. We'll be fine." Aoshi finally conceded, switching the boy's weight in
his arms to the other side expertly.
"Ah. Arigato." Kaoru bowed happily, then she turned to her son, "We'll be
back in no time, ne, chibi?"
The beginnings of a cry started to bubble in the little boy's chest, making
his gaze grow wary and teary-eyed, his lips forming into a disagreeable pout.
Kaoru began to worry, and started reaching for Kenji when Aoshi
stopped her, "I think you should go now. It will only get worse if you stay a lot
longer."
"Uh, hai." Both couple turned and left, Kaoru glimpsing at the little boy as
she was lead by Kenshin on the road.
"He'll be fine. Don't worry de gozaru." Aoshi heard Kenshin's murmurs in
the distance.
Aoshi finally closed the gate and went inside, cradling the little boy in his
arms.
"Kaachan?" Kenji finally spoke, his brows knitted in question as he gazed
into Aoshi's eyes.
"They just went away for a while, chibi. They'll be back soon." His tone
suddenly changed, softer, and his eyes showing hints of gentleness.
"Eeh… how soon?" the little one pursued on, and Aoshi noticed he's
beginning to get restless in his arms.
/Now I'm in trouble./ Aoshi sighed.
"I can't believe they let me carry all of these ALONE. How could they?!"
Misao's outburst lasted only a few seconds before her head sagged again as she
continued the long walk home. The baggage she carried grew heavier with every
step, dragging her feet wearily, her heels kicking up a cloud of dust behind her, "An
Okashira shouldn't be treated like this!!"
At last she reached the front gate of the Aioya, looking all sullen and grimy
with sweat and dirt. She carelessly kicked the old oaken gateway, unmindful of its
resentful noise as it creaked open.
"Tadaima!" she yelled upon entering the halls, albeit without enthusiasm.
No one answered.
"Oh, yeah. They're all in the market and sent me home with all of this
junk!" she seethed again.
She passed through the kitchen and hastily dropped all the groceries on
the table; her arms grown numb from their heavy weight.
"I am never gonna buy any groceries again!" she exclaimed to no one.
Thankful for at least having the house all by herself, she took a quick bath
and walked out from the ofuro clean and refreshed, and decided to take a long,
long nap. When she passed by the receiving room, she noticed that the door was
open, as well as the door leading to the yard.
/Someone's here?/ she suddenly felt cautious, but when she caught a
glimpse of a little toy top lying on the tatami floor, she suddenly remembered.
/Of course! The Himuras are here, how can I forget? Misao no baka!/
She entered the room and went out the open door leading to the yard,
looking for any signs of the family.
"Where are they?" she muttered to herself, finding the yard empty. Then
she heard squeals of a child from the back, where Okina's precious garden lay
hidden from strangers' prying eyes. She followed the delightful sound, and froze,
immobile at the sight before her.
"Kenji, you're mother will be very upset if you keep doing that." Aoshi
gently scolded. He was stooping down on the already muddy Kenji from head to
toe, and still, his rebuke was ignored. His vain attempts of preventing the
redheaded boy's messy mischief only caused more trouble, making his clean
russet-colored kimono be stained with small grubby handprints all over his chest
and sleeves, parts reachable by the relentless child.
"'Oshi-niichan, play with Kenji, ne?" the little boy laughed playfully, his
tiny dirty hands splashing on the muddy puddle he was sitting on, a pail lying
already unheeded beside him, with the water all spilled about forming the said
puddle.
"I'm beginning to notice I'm getting rusty with this kind of job." Aoshi
muttered incoherently, as he covered his face from the splashes Kenji was creating.
Misao stayed hidden behind the rows of Okina's orchids; suppressing her
giggles and trying not to be seen as she watched the two without disturbing them.
She looked at Kenji adoringly, and at Aoshi in awe, noticing his barriers down and
his emotions playing in his eyes, despite the stoic face. She would catch a glimpse
of an occasional twist of his lips in submission, a number curved in amusement.
"'Oshi-niichan!!" Kenji suddenly stood up and impulsively jumped toward
Aoshi with a wide grin. The latter's eyes widening as he was caught utterly off
guard.
"Matte--!!" Aoshi reacted too late as the little boy's body weight
unbalancing his already hunched stature, his feet slipping in the slick mud. Not
wanting to get the child hurt, he protectively held him in his arms and both landed
on the muddy ground on Aoshi's behind. The landing, which was rather tough.
"Oh!" Misao was unable to stop herself from crying out in surprise, then her
caged hilarity suddenly burst out. Aoshi looked up, his face turning almost white
upon seeing Misao, behind the orchids, bent over with laughter. Kenji heard the
laughter as well and looked up at her, his grin widening even more.
"M'sao-neechan!!" Kenji waved profusely, as he sat on Aoshi's lap, and
the latter closing his eyes in disgrace.
"Ohayo!" Misao giggled.
"You'd be dead once Kaoru found the two of you like this. You should be
thankful I'm here to save your butt…" Misao snickered at Aoshi as the three entered
the halls, leaving a trail of mud behind, "or maybe I'm too late for that case."
"Aa." Aoshi replied, almost rueful.
Misao looked up at him, still feeling a bit uneasy with this newfound
development between them. Aoshi merely looked back and front again, his mask
in place.
/I wish he'd stop doing that./ Misao sighed.
"I'll start heating the water." Aoshi turned to leave.
"Hai," then she turned towards Kenji, and grinned, "you first, little guy."
Aoshi placed enough wood to last for two baths and went back to the
corridor leading to the ofuro. He could hear Misao and Kenji's mingling laughter
floating down the corridor, almost bringing a reminiscent smile on his face. As he
stopped by the door, he was unable to keep his eyes away from the two,
especially on Misao. Misao sat outside the tub, noticing that she had changed
her clothes into a robe in order not to ruin them, and her braided hair all pinned up
into a bun, wisps of damp strands escaping the bind and framing her face
delicately. Kenji made incessant splashes on the clear water, his red hair already
plastered on his head.
"Why you--!" Misao playfully splashed him on the face, making Kenji
laugh animatedly.
Aoshi couldn't help but notice that the picture in front of him fit so
perfectly, only the redheaded child is misplaced, and rather imagined a child with
black raven hair and sky-blue eyes playing with Misao.
An unknown ache grew within him, and he shifted from his relaxed
stature by the door. Misao sensed his movement and looked up, stunning him to
place.
"We'll be finished in a minute." She announced, and smiled.
"Aa." was all Aoshi could say, then tentatively left the door.
/What I need is a cold shower./ he gruffly thought.
"Ne, Aoshi-sama. How in the world did you end up in that puddle?"
Misao broke the silence in the air, as Aoshi relished himself with a cup of steaming
tea Misao prepared while he was in the ofuro.
Both youngsters watched Kenji as he gape at the spinning top in
amusement, which Misao executed rather effortlessly.
Aoshi paused, then placed his cup back to the tray, "It was… an
accident."
Aoshi felt an unease growing inside him, feeling awkward with such
emotion. /Just because I don't know how to spin the top, I ended up entertaining
the boy with a pail of water. But if I tell her, she'll laugh at me./ he pitied himself,
/Me and my tricks./
He didn't know any games when he was still a child. All he knew was
how to fight. Misao knew all the games that ever existed in her childhood, through
Hannya and the others. Aoshi was the one who made sure that she's protected
from the harsh reality outside the shielding walls he created for her. Safe from the
real world where there were no games, no children to play with, no safe place to
run around. He didn't want her to experience what he had experienced in his
childhood. The pain, the grief, the loneliness, it is not befitting for such a child as
Misao.
"Hm? How so?" Misao pushed on, her curiosity apparent in her blue
gaze.
Aoshi watched the spinning top slowed at its pace and as it toppled on
the floor and rolled about in a stop. Kenji picked it up and insisted Misao on doing
it again, of whom the latter did so willingly. She wrapped the top with the string
she was holding carefully, and stood up and positioned the top on the floor, and
swiftly pulled her hand back holding the string, leaving the top spinning again.
"Waah…sugoi!" Kenji cheered.
Misao chuckled, then looked back at Aoshi. She was taken aback with
the way Aoshi was gazing at her deeply, his stark blue-green eyes probing deep
into hers. She blinked once, and again, but still, his deep gaze never faltered.
"Anou…" Misao stammered as she looked away, not knowing how to
approach the situation. /Baka! This is a good opportunity, how can I mess up
now?/
"M'sao-neechan, where's Kaa-chan?" Misao was suddenly distracted by
two round violet eyes looking at her questioningly, with his little hand tugging at the
hem of her kimono.
"Eeto… eh, well…" Misao didn't know what to say, afraid that the little
boy might start crying.
Aoshi rose up from his seat and approached Kenji, "Why don't we go walk
by the river bend?" then he looked at Misao, "Don't you think it's a good idea?"
/The greatest!!/ "Hai." Misao smiled happily.
Kenji played in the field where butterflies flew around from one flower to
another, while Aoshi and Misao sat beneath the shade of a tree by the river,
basking in the early afternoon breeze.
"I'm glad you thought this up, Aoshi-sama. I was already worried Kenji
might start crying." Misao leaned back on the tree trunk, closing her eyes as she felt
the warm breeze on her face.
"When you were younger, I would always bring you here."
Misao opened her eyes in an instant. Her heart thumped wildly as she
heard those words. Ever since he came back, they never had any decent
conversation. He would always lock himself away from them, preferred to be
alone by himself. Not even Misao's persuasions could move him then.
Until now.
"Honto ni? I don't remember." Misao replied, Aoshi sensing her eagerness
for him to go on as she moved closer to him, her eyes expectant.
"You were still a baby. And I'm the only person your grandfather ever
trusted who could bring you outside the Oniwabanshuu walls."
"Hm… I'm glad." Misao murmured, looking at him thoughtfully.
/I'm too close…/ if he never willed himself to look away from her eyes, he
might drown. But he had no choice anyway, he already lost his strength and his
will has abandoned him. He's already drowning.
"M'sao-neechan!!" Kenji suddenly sprang up from nowhere.
"Hey, Kenji!" Misao was suddenly broken from the trance and veered her
attention to the little boy, "Oh, wow! Are these for me?"
Kenji gave the flowers he had collected to Misao, all the while bubbly
with laughter, "Kirei, ne?"
"Hai, very. Arigato, Kenji." Misao smiled sweetly.
Aoshi was thankful for Kenji, though jealous of him for receiving such a
smile. He suddenly felt foolish and childish for feeling as such. He can almost laugh
at himself.
The afternoon passed unheeded, and the horizon became dimmer, the
hues getting darker as the sun sets from the skies.
Kenji had already dozed off into sleep as he lay cradled in Aoshi's arms.
Misao looked at the little bundle affectionately, then looked back up at Aoshi,
whose eyes were closed as well. She concealed a chuckle, with the way Aoshi
look with the flowers that were adorned upon his head by an incessant child.
Slowly, she plucked the flowers from his head, and as she reached for the one
behind his ear, she cannot help but brush her fingers through his hair.
Aoshi's eyes slowly opened with the caress, and Misao's own widened as
she ended up staring at his blue-green gaze that was now clear from the haze of
sleep.
Aoshi was surprised as well, but his amusement won over his anxiety as he
watched the emotions playing on Misao's blushing face.
She pulled back from her nearness, but enough for their legs to keep in
touch side by side and still facing each other. Trying to find a way to ease the
tension in the atmosphere, she asked nonchalantly, her edginess almost palpable,
"Am I a pain in the butt to you when I was younger then, Aoshi-sama?"
"At times, you were a challenge to my patience," he paused, a slight twist
in his lips, "but you were a child. I learned to accept that it was natural."
"Hm," she mused, but her expression became more serious, and her gaze
lowered, "How-how about now. At this time. Do I still challenge your patience?"
Misao waited for his response, her hands twisting upon her lap. But was
startled when she suddenly felt Aoshi's hand covering hers, and she finally looked up.
Aoshi was smiling.
"Aa, you still do. And I'm afraid I'm losing it."
Misao's face brightened, though still in disbelief, she cannot help the
happiness overflowing within her just by those words that mean everything to her.
Aoshi basked within the smile, knowing that he had made her happy,
and is willing to make her happy for the rest of his life.
"Let's go home." He held her hand in his, and the other supporting the little
red-headed bundle asleep in his arms.
Misao nodded, her smile was all the answered he needed.
"Ooooh… where are those two? I'm really gonna get them this time."
Omasu fumed after cleaning up the muddy hall leading to the ofuro.
"I can't believe they could just leave without even cleaning up their
mess. Hmph, they're in big trouble." Okon announced sternly as she wiped the tea
cups dry.
"I wonder what's keeping them." Kaoru fidgeted with her sash as she sat
beside a calmer Kenshin.
"They must have lost track of time, they'll be here." Kenshin reassured.
"Besides, they are still young. They might be having a great time together.
They can be forgetful." Okina said, after sipping his tea.
"Minna! You will never believe this. Come and see!" Shiro announced
as he suddenly appeared by the door, all goofy-faced.
Everybody raised their brows in question and followed the lad.
"Wouldn't you know…" Kenshin smiled, bringing his arms around Kaoru's
waist, who was smiling reminiscently as well.
"It has started." Okina proclaimed, his eyes almost brimming with happy
tears.
"Yeah, we can breath easy now." Kuro grinned.
"So, do you think you ladies can give the two a break?" Shiro snickered,
but sweat-dropped when he turned to see the two women crying their hearts out.
"Oh, don't they look so good with each other?" Omasu dabbed her tears
with her sash.
"Hai, our Misao is finally a woman." Okon cried, blowing her nose rather
hard.
"I believe that's a yes." Okina laughed at the two.
They were all peering through the window of the Aioya where they could
see Misao and Aoshi walking down the street, hand in hand, and with a sleeping
Kenji in Aoshi's arms.
"You don't know how to spin the top??" Misao asked incredulously.
"Please Misao, don't push the subject any further." Aoshi's dignity already
started to sink, but was rescued with her following words.
"I can teach you, if you let me." She smiled amiably, tightening her grip
on his large hand.
/Among other things…/ she silently added.
/Among other things. / he thought, "Aa."
*** OWARI ***
thanks for reading, tell me what you think, ne? ^_^
ja ne!