Author's Note: I just had the inspiration to write a couple one shots about the favorite RK couples. However, I've also noticed that the romance seems to happen in the same way with only a few variances. So I'm going to try and refresh the scenes.
Please forgive any technical details.
Not Always Tea
Misao tapped her fingers on the desk. Staring at the innocent piece of rice paper in front of her, she scowled. It had come two days ago with an urgent notice for the Okashira. The branch of intelligence in Tokyo refused to acknowledge Misao Makimachi as the new Oniwaban leader. They were holding to the tradition that the former Okashira must either die and a replacement chosen from the best of the ninja, or that the former Okashira ceremonially hands over the leadership by his own choice. Since Okina failed to kill Aoshi, and Aoshi had not declared himself no longer leader, in their eyes he was the only man they would accept orders from in the name of the Oniwabanshuu. All the chaos of Shishio had been contained in Kyoto. The details of Aoshi's betrayal never left the circle of the Aoiya. Misao had declared herself the new leader, but the rest of the network had apparently rejected her claim.
A light wind from the open window threatened to steal away the message. Misao slapped it down before it could take flight. Tucking the thin paper into her uniform, she unfolded her legs from beneath the desk which had a surface space the size of a large futon. Half of the polished wood was covered in various stacks of documents and reports. More than half of that Misao still had to read through in two days. Paperwork had gotten out of hand with all the reconstruction of the restaurant, reassuring the network that the Oniwaban still existed, and a few scuffles with rival agents. With a sigh, she slid open the door to the office and wandered into the kitchen.
There was the usual hustle and bustle going on as dishes were rapidly cooked up and put in dishes for customers. It was the midday rush, but Okina had excused her from the usual kitchen duties due to the message from Tokyo. Misao artfully dodged the other members of the Oniwaban as she gathered the articles she needed to serve Aoshi. With a smile and nod to the others, she balanced the tray in one hand while slipping her feet into the woven grass sandals waiting on the threshold of the garden. Once outside, she paused and took a deep breath of fresh air. Freedom, at least for a little while, was hers.
A few minutes later she entered the temple. Climbing the dark and cool wooden steps, she sniffed at the familiar scent of sandalwood incense. Politely tapping on the door to the meditation room, she entered. The former Okashira had his back to her, solid and strong in his solitude. Misao's heart sunk slightly. She envied him really, for his ability to at least appear at peace with the world, even though on the inside he still struggled. She had yet to master any appearance. Misao was Misao whether she or anyone else wished otherwise. She shrugged.
Setting out the cup, hot water, and tea powder, she began the tea ceremony. She had done it so many times that she no longer had to concentrate on every little move and gesture, panicked that she would spill the water or add too much tea. Instead, she focused on trying to find the best way to tell Aoshi the news.
"You are distracted."
She nearly dropped the dipper she was using to transfer the hot water from basin to cup. Biting her lip, she gently set it down before raising her eyes to meet his. Holding out the simple red clay cup, she said,
"Aoshi-sama, we received a message two days ago from Tokyo."
He turned his gaze down to the offering. His fingers brushed her own, but she did not let herself read anything into the action.
"Is it something Okina cannot assist with?"
Misao clenched her teeth. This was exactly why the intelligence branch in the new capital wouldn't accept her. Did everyone assume that she couldn't lead the group on her own? Was she always going to be seen as a granddaughter who was merely playing at being leader? It had been four months now. Four months without Aoshi's presence to guide them, even after Himura brought him home and all was well with the organization. What more proof did they need?
She fought down her anger and calmly replied, "Okina cannot help me in this. It concerns the leadership of the Oniwabanshuu." She took out the thin rice paper with its elegant black script.
Again Aoshi's fingers brushed hers as he took the note. For some time they sat in silence as he read. Misao watched the sparrows dart from branch to branch in the nearby tree. He had opened all the screens today, enjoying the summer breeze. It was a small consolation that he hadn't become entirely uncaring of his surroundings. She took advantage of his concentration on the message to look more intently at his silhouette. His brow was even more grooved from meditation now. The severe cut of his nose only emphasized the seriousness of his mouth and narrow face. He hadn't been eating as well as he should lately. She knew this both from the dishes brought back from his room and by the deepened shadows of his eyes. The cold blue of them met her own.
"Do you consider yourself a competent leader of the Oniwabanshuu?"
"I-" Misao shrugged, then immediately cursed herself for such a childish action. "I have done the best I could since you went away."
"You mean since I nearly killed Okina."
She clenched her fists in her lap. "No, since you left with the others. I have been the best Oniwaban member I could without you, and led our people only when necessary. I've walked only in your footsteps."
A light tearing sound made her look up. Aoshi methodically tore the paper into smaller squares which littered his lap. Sifting them through his fingers, he picked up the cup of tea.
"Perhaps it would be best for you to find your own path."
Hurt, Misao began gathering the tea utensils. She felt his eyes on the top of her head but refused to respond.
"You do not approve."
She couldn't answer. If she opened her mouth, she knew nothing but a sob would come out and reveal her weakness. The Okashira could not be weak. The Okashira led by example. She stood and silently moved towards the doorway.
"Misao."
She didn't stop.
Late that night she was two thirds of the way through the piles of paperwork. She had returned to the office and lost herself in the reports and conspiracies for the rest of the day. Refusing any offers of assistance, she was determined to work herself to sleep. Finally Okina knocked on the screen and stuck his bearded and bowed head inside.
"Misao-mine, it won't do any good if you're too tired to even read what you're sorting."
Her concentration broke. Flopping back on the tatami she stared up at the ceiling.
"Gramps, does everyone think I'm just a fake leader?"
He scoffed. "What? Our Misao a fake? That could never be!"
She waved a languid hand in the air where he could see it. "No, not that, it's more like - do they think I can be a leader?"
He heard the slightly hysterical note in her voice and immediately became more serious. "What brought this on?"
"That message from Tokyo. I'm wondering if any of the others think I haven't rightfully earned my position."
"Everyone in the Aoiya believes in you my dear. There is no question in that." He shuffled around behind the desk and drew her back up to a sitting position. "Now why are you so doubtful?"
Tears began stinging her eyes and she buried her head in the old man's chest. "I asked Aoshi-sama about it. He just tore it up and said I should follow my own path. But I know this is my path. The Oniwaban is my home."
Okina smiled and gently stroked her hair. "I know this is your path my dear. I knew it the moment I woke up after my battle with Aoshi. You didn't follow my wishes to disband the Oniwaban, but you took the leadership on your own young shoulders." He tilted her face upwards. "And you've done an amazing job." He pulled her to her feet. "Come now, you need to go to bed. We'll decide what to do in the morning."
By the time morning came, she had already made her decision. Misao put on a simple kimono made from the same dark blue material like her ninja uniform. It was a slight struggle, especially with the stiff obi, but she managed. She unbraided her hair, restraining it with only a blue ribbon, and took a deep breath before leaving her room. By the time she reached the training hall the rest of the group was waiting, with the exception of Aoshi who was most likely at the temple. With a bow, she stood in front of them and announced,
"The reason Okina has called us here is because of a message from Tokyo. There is some dispute over who is the true Okashira."
Omasu and Okon both exclaimed in indignation but Misao pushed on without pause. "I am therefore going to withdraw my claim as leader and return it to Aoshi-sama, with Okina standing in his place as it was before Shishio Makoto." She gave them a small smile. "Thank you for your loyalty and support. You all make me extremely proud to be an Oniwaban and a leader, even for just a little while."
"I wish to oppose your withdrawal."
Shocked, Misao turned to see Aoshi dressed in his formal uniform. His kodachi were securely tucked into his belt. There was a strange new light in his eyes as he stepped into the room. Misao bowed and moved to the side.
The first Okashira deliberately met each member's gaze before beginning to speak.
"I have never formally apologized for my actions in the past. I do so now, and humbly ask for your forgiveness. I am no longer suited to be called Okashira. I let my quest for honor in our name become corrupt. I allowed my thirst for revenge for the men I lost drown my mind. However, there is one here with a pure heart and clear vision for our future."
Aoshi's next words were nearly lost as he did the one thing no one had ever witnessed - he smiled. "Misao Makimachi, daughter of our greatest leader, will lead the Oniwabanshuu into the new Meiji era. I give up my title and hand it to her." With that he bowed again and left everyone standing stunned in the training hall. Only Misao had the wits enough to chase after him.
"Aoshi-sama! Wait!"
He was halfway out the restaurant door with his trench coat hiding his weapons. She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back inside.
"Why?" She asked. "You told me yesterday that you wanted my to find my own path."
That strange new light was still in his eyes as he looked down at her. "Aa, I did."
"Then why have you appointed me as Okashira?"
He pulled her into a partially hidden side booth as noises in the kitchen told them that the others had recovered from their shock and were preparing to open. She knelt on the cushion as he leaned against the partition. Looking up expectantly, she watched as he scanned the still-empty room.
"I wished for you to follow your own path without following in my footsteps. My way has been harsh, and if you were to suffer what I had forced upon myself, it would ruin the Misao we all love. My path was one of war, but then I realized that your path would be one of peace. I do not know how to lead in such a world, but you have a new start." He turned and knelt on one knee in front of her. "Misao, you cannot follow me forever. Let the Aoshi Shinomori you once knew rest alongside Hyottoko, Beshimi, Hannya, and Shikijo."
Her heart burned at that last request. She didn't move when his hand came up and hesitantly brushed her thick bangs out of her eyes before trailing gently down her cheek. The light dimmed in his blue eyes and he closed them before turning away. She grabbed the hem of his coat and held him back.
"Aoshi, how can you ask me to do such a thing?" Tears began choking her. "They are all gone, and will never come back. But you're here, you're alive and we've all forgiven you. How can you turn around and ask me to pretend you died along with them?"
"Misao -"
"You're not dead Aoshi!" She desperately wiped at her eyes while clinging to his coat. "Himura brought you back to me and I'm not letting you go!"
She had just enough time to see Okina pull Shiro and Okon back from the kitchen doorway before Aoshi filled her view. He knelt on both knees and captured her face in his hands. For a moment he hesitated, staring hard at her, searching for any reservation and finding none. He pressed his lips against hers gently, tasting and testing. Misao unconsciously made a noise of pleading in the back of her throat and immediately he answered. His mouth was warm, pulling at her as one arm drew her body up against his. Her head was tilted slightly until it rested against his shoulder and she concentrated solely on what his kiss was doing to the rest of her. All she could feel was a hot tingle running through her veins, magnifying every movement of his mouth, the sound of his breathing, and his gently gliding hands. When he finally released her, she found herself gasping for air. His face was slightly flushed but his eyes were unwavering as they took in her own flustered features. His arm was still tight around her waist while his other hand had curled up behind her shoulder and buried itself in the hair at the back of her neck. His fingers were still gently caressing her there, almost of their own will.
"Misao, I -"
She shook her head sharply. "No, you don't regret this. I'm glad you did. I'd hoped you would."
"Misao, how can the past live with the future? I'm so broken inside." He pressed his face into her kimono. "It was unfair of me to ask you to let me go when it is I who cannot release you."
Misao smiled and let her fingers comb through his fine hair.
"The past doesn't matter to me. You're back now, and I've always loved you."
He drew a deep sigh and loosened his tight hold. "I was going to go to Tokyo and inform them of the passing on of leadership. I had best leave now if I'm to return tomorrow. The train leaves in a half hour."
Misao smiled, happiness bubbling up within her till she was giddy. Pressing a quick kiss to his slightly frowning lips, she said,
"Well I'll be waiting as soon as it returns."
Aoshi returned her smile.
THE END
Author's Note:
There's one bit. I have plans for S/M, K/K, and Y/T in here to, but they'll come when I have more time.
I've always thought that Misao isn't given enough credit for her maturity. Sure she's always happy, but she must have a good bit of brains to take over a ninja clan and hold her own against trained assassins. This gives her a more serious thought process. Hope you enjoyed!