One Step At a Time
*Standard Disclaimers Apply
I listened to the night winds outside and tried to listen beyond that. I heard the branches rattling, trying to fight against the winds. The wind howled as if it were in pain, as if it were a lost soul searching for a loved one. I frowned. The sound of silent footsteps fell across the floor. Well, I actually didn't hear them.I sensed them and recognized his presence. His presence.
It's funny though. How I don't blush every time I see him. How my heart doesn't start thumping like crazy every time he's near. I outgrew all that. I outgrew the hoping, the waiting, and the dreaming. But, I didn't outgrow love. I can't outgrow the love I have for him no matter how hard I try. I don't know why. Maybe because it's the fact that he raised me since I was a child. Or because he's the only one who treats me like a Okashira should be treated. Or simply, because I just love him. Everything about him. His icy steel eyes, small smiles, and his concentration.
Curious as to what he was doing, I slowly stood up and wrapped a cloak around myself. I slid open the door and silently started down the dark hallways. Not seeing him anywhere in site, I noticed the back door was slightly ajar. I quietly went through, stepping into the cold winds that whipped at my exposed ankles. I looked around and then I saw him, with his back facing me. The moonlight was shining on his frowning face. He seemed miles away, lost in his own reveries. I silently stepped closer to him. A more gentle wind played in his hair, tossing it about. He shivered and after a moment of hesitation, I took the cloak off my shoulders and draped it around him. His head snapped up towards me, kodachi ready to strike. I gave him a small smile and he relaxed, putting the weaponry down. He nodded towards the seat next to him and I gladly sat, hugging my knees, trying to block out the cold. I guess Aoshi noticed this as he draped the cloak on both our laps.
"Aoshi-sama.?"
"Hai, Misao?" I paused, thinking for the correct words, "What.what were you thinking about. You seemed so deep in thought and well." A silence fell between us. I thought I had done something wrong. Intruded on his private thoughts. As I stood to leave, he spoke quietly.
"I was thinking about something Himura said to me, and I just suddenly realized that there actually is a place I can call home. And people I can call family." I didn't know what to say so I just nodded. Minutes passed as we just stared at the stars. "Aoshi-sama, you know, you'll always have me." I smiled at him as he stared at me and nodded once in satisfaction. "Hai. I guess I will."
Then he surprised me by doing something completely un-Aoshi like. He hugged me. After getting over the shock, I slowly hugged him back. He whispered in my ear, "Thank you Misao. For everything." When he drew back, I saw him smile. Not a big smile, nor a small Aoshi smile. Just.a smile. A genuine one. I whispered goodnight and left him to the rest of his thoughts.
Back in my futon, I beamed. We had taken a step in our friendship. We'll take another step, then another, and then maybe another. taking one step at a time.
*Standard Disclaimers Apply
I listened to the night winds outside and tried to listen beyond that. I heard the branches rattling, trying to fight against the winds. The wind howled as if it were in pain, as if it were a lost soul searching for a loved one. I frowned. The sound of silent footsteps fell across the floor. Well, I actually didn't hear them.I sensed them and recognized his presence. His presence.
It's funny though. How I don't blush every time I see him. How my heart doesn't start thumping like crazy every time he's near. I outgrew all that. I outgrew the hoping, the waiting, and the dreaming. But, I didn't outgrow love. I can't outgrow the love I have for him no matter how hard I try. I don't know why. Maybe because it's the fact that he raised me since I was a child. Or because he's the only one who treats me like a Okashira should be treated. Or simply, because I just love him. Everything about him. His icy steel eyes, small smiles, and his concentration.
Curious as to what he was doing, I slowly stood up and wrapped a cloak around myself. I slid open the door and silently started down the dark hallways. Not seeing him anywhere in site, I noticed the back door was slightly ajar. I quietly went through, stepping into the cold winds that whipped at my exposed ankles. I looked around and then I saw him, with his back facing me. The moonlight was shining on his frowning face. He seemed miles away, lost in his own reveries. I silently stepped closer to him. A more gentle wind played in his hair, tossing it about. He shivered and after a moment of hesitation, I took the cloak off my shoulders and draped it around him. His head snapped up towards me, kodachi ready to strike. I gave him a small smile and he relaxed, putting the weaponry down. He nodded towards the seat next to him and I gladly sat, hugging my knees, trying to block out the cold. I guess Aoshi noticed this as he draped the cloak on both our laps.
"Aoshi-sama.?"
"Hai, Misao?" I paused, thinking for the correct words, "What.what were you thinking about. You seemed so deep in thought and well." A silence fell between us. I thought I had done something wrong. Intruded on his private thoughts. As I stood to leave, he spoke quietly.
"I was thinking about something Himura said to me, and I just suddenly realized that there actually is a place I can call home. And people I can call family." I didn't know what to say so I just nodded. Minutes passed as we just stared at the stars. "Aoshi-sama, you know, you'll always have me." I smiled at him as he stared at me and nodded once in satisfaction. "Hai. I guess I will."
Then he surprised me by doing something completely un-Aoshi like. He hugged me. After getting over the shock, I slowly hugged him back. He whispered in my ear, "Thank you Misao. For everything." When he drew back, I saw him smile. Not a big smile, nor a small Aoshi smile. Just.a smile. A genuine one. I whispered goodnight and left him to the rest of his thoughts.
Back in my futon, I beamed. We had taken a step in our friendship. We'll take another step, then another, and then maybe another. taking one step at a time.