It was the rain.
It had to be.
Nothing else could put me in a gloomy mood faster then a grey day.
Okon and Omasu had tried cheering me up earlier, to no avail. It was just one of my days. Ever since Aoshi had returned I'd been having days like this. Hot, humid days of nothing but grey sheets of rain.
I used to love the rain, the days Aoshi-sama and the Oniwabanshu would finally rest. Training would be shorted or forgotten. Han'nya would take off his mask, with the protecting walls of the Aoi-ya and play with me. Sometimes I feel that I remember him, and the others. And sometimes they feel like fragments of a dream. Dreams where they are telling me stories about heros and brave ninja fighting off evil. Making me toys out of bamboo. Training with me. They did so much for me. Most of all Aoshi, he would sit on the floor with me. He always asked what I wanted back then. Like my happiness was his only concern. It isn't that way anymore.
I haven't gotten anything I've wanted as of late. I wanted the summer storms to pass, and they only seem to be growing fiercer by the moment. Aoshi doesn't stay inside to be with me anymore. Why would he?
I rolled onto my stomach, shaking my head. It's like a curse, the rain. The small window that overlooks the busy Kyoto street was slightly fogged with the heat and the rain. I could still see a good section of the deserted street, puddles forming around the edges. I push my face into my pillow, and I curled into a ball and tried to block out the sound of rain bouncing on the roof.
The sound seemed to penetrate my mind. The more I tried to block it out the louder in became. Louder, and harder against my very soul. I-
"Misao."
The rain seemed to let up slightly, still present, but much less of a nuisance. The voice seemed to have suddenly soothed my breathing. I felt as if I was floating-
"Misao?"
My eyes snapped open as the shoji screen slid ajar. Aoshi was standing in the hallway, looking very uncomfortable. I sat up slowly, feeling slightly lightheaded.
"Yes, Aoshi-sama?" I asked politely, rubbing at my temples trying to wake up.
"Okina sent me to fetch you for dinner." He mumbled, in his low, calm voice. When I just simply stared at him he continued, "There were no customers because of the rain. Okina decided to have a dinner with everyone together." He explained further.
I nodded, not realizing until that moment that I hadn't eaten all day. I stood up, and suddenly blood rushed to my head and I felt myself grow dizzy.
I closed my eyes and waited for the feeling to pass, pressing my hand against the side of my head. The feeling passed in a few moments and I opened my eyes, somewhat shocked to be staring at Aoshi's big chest, he stared down his nose at me. Making me feel smaller the I already am.
An awkward silence passes and I notice how close he is to me. I can feel his body heat radiating off of him. I can hear his soft breathing. I look down, slightly embarrassed; and see his hand coming towards mine. I see his hand coming, but it doesn't quite register. And when he touches my hand, I feel an instant heat,. It surprises me how I never noticed how cold my own hands were until I was touched by his.
"Are you okay now, Misao?" He questions, his blue eyes seem to soften slightly, and I notice his hand is still hot, locked onto mine.
"I'm okay Aoshi-sama, I just fell asleep is all." I mumbled, slightly hypnotized by his scent flooding my senses. I look up, and his lips were only a few inches away. My mind was racing, should I try to kiss-
He made the decision for me, backing away quickly; his eyes back to their icy cold stare as he leaves. Sliding the shoji door closed as he exits. I breathe normally for the first time in at least two minutes. I can feel my heart beating, it feels like a bird is trapped in my chest.
I fall back onto my bed, still slightly glum, but as the rain pounded even harder above my head; I raised my hand to my cheek. And I could still feel the warmth from his palm.
