MindIIBody: I'm glad you find it interesting and I do hope that you will continue to read on.
Royal bluekitsune: Well, Aoshi is a guy…some guys are just dumb once they get stuck in a certain mold they get stuck.
Kintora: Hehehe, that's cool that you are pretty flexible like that. Thanks for the luck, I hope that you will like the story as much as the other one.
Animemistress419: I'm glad you like my update speed, I try. But sometimes as you can see it doesn't work. Yeah, I have seen a number of animes but a few are my favs. Hehehe, well I'll try to keep updates popping up!
------ You're Mine ------
Disclaimers: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or any of their products. This is an AU story but deals with the same timeline as the series also a continuation of my first story, but of course the focus has changed to another troublesome couple.
Song belongs to Jennifer Paige.
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Chapter Three
A week had come and gone, their friends all had returned to their respective homes well minus Hiko he lived in the area so to speak. Hiko still dropped by and Misao knew it was because of Okon. She just didn't know why they couldn't get married and make it all official. But oh well, she had wished her friends off at the train station as Himura family returned to Tokyo and Sagara to Aizu. She sighed as she sat in the kitchen helping Omasu make the lunch for the lunch crowd coming into the restaurant in the coming hour. It had also been a week she had been avoiding Aoshi as he had done the same. They had been avoiding each other since their sparring match, it wasn't going to be much of choice as she and Aoshi would be taking off with Saitou to the port city. Misao sighed deeply and it was not missed by Omasu.
"Misao?"
"Yes?"
"What's bothering you?"
"It's nothing!"
"Misao, I've known you for a long time, you can't fool me…so you might as well tell me what the matter is?"
"Really it's nothing, I'm just nervous is all," Misao said with her smile twitching at the corners of her lips. "Miss Tokio asked me to learn a song for the party."
"Oh," Omasu suddenly interested in the younger than cooking the lunch for the rushing crowd. "I want to hear the song…"
"Well, Miss Tokio has something called a piano, it's something she bought from a western couple…she plays the musical instrument beautifully," Misao said simply. "She told me that when the children are out playing and that damn wolf is off, she had to find something to make her feel better about being home alone."
"But won't Miss Tokio be here in Kyoto," Omasu asked cautiously.
"Yes," Misao nodded. "But there will be someone there to play the song for me that is if the night doesn't get to out of hand."
"It sounds like an adventure," Omasu said. "I didn't realize you could sing…sing me a small portion."
Misao blushed, "NO WAY! I don't even know if I will really sing at the ball…"
"Awww, come on!" Shiro and Kuro cheered as they showed their faces into the kitchen. "You can't lie about it now, we overheard the whole conversation. We're glad it's not Aoshi that is bothering you."
Misao grew angry all of the sudden and tilted her head up and crossed her arms, "Why would that bastard be bothering me?"
"Misao!" Omasu gritted her teeth at the two men, "I think you have been hanging our males way too long for such language to be coming out of your mouth."
"I don't care, he doesn't think I am capable of taking care of myself," Misao said glaring at Omasu. "He is SO infuriating!"
"Who is," a deep voice asked and the four turned to see Aoshi standing there leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. Misao growled and left the kitchen as the others wondered if he had heard the conversation. "Omasu?"
"Yes, Aoshi," Omasu said softly with her warm smile. "What is it that you need?"
"I would like to ask for lunch," Aoshi said stepping into the kitchen.
"Of course, sit down," Omasu said returning to her cooking. "Are you going to finally reconcile with Misao?"
"Pardon," Aoshi arched his eyebrow at the brunette as the other two men quickly left to go help out in the front of the restaurant. Okina came in and sat down next to him, he didn't have to say what he was there for…he was always on time for his meals.
"You and Misao have been avoiding each other for a week, the only time you are within a distance of each other is when you are bringing her home from Miss Tokio's," Omasu said as she served a few bowls of rice to Okina and Aoshi as she got the other dishes ready for them. "You two haven't talked to each other and even then she storms home and locks herself away in her room. What happened between you two? Granted this kind of thing is normal between you two, but it's been a week…usually she gets over it in a day!"
"This is true," Okina added in with a smirk. "Considering you will be leaving with her tonight with Saitou, I do suggest you make peace with her without getting the same position I had found you in the training hall."
"Excuse me," Omasu asked looking darkly at Aoshi. "Did you do something to Misao to cause her to be pissed off?"
"Now, now…Omasu no need to get hasty with Aoshi, after all he didn't do anything with Misao to be just caught in a very interesting position with Misao," Okina said with a wide grin.
"I don't like the sound of it," Omasu stopped as she heard a soft melody of an instrument she didn't quite recognize. It wasn't that far away and with her training she could hear it with ease even with the soft roar of the crowd around them. Okina had heard it even with his age and Aoshi had become curious as did the rest of the group. Okon had arrived to only turn around to follow the sound, Okina then followed as well as Aoshi stood up and Omasu sighed. "I guess lunch will have to wait."
When clouds above you start to pour
And all of your doubts rage like a storm
And you don't know who you are anymore
Let me help you find what you've been searching for
"What a lovely voice," Okina said as he followed the sound as Okon was already ahead of them. So they followed the tall brunette as she weaved her way through the crowd as they made their way to a small foreign shop that had been built. It had several different instruments that were new to them, but what caught Okon by surprise and would have Okina gaping was not what Aoshi had expected.
Someday there's a field and a river
You can let your sould run free
Someday let me be the giver
Let me bring you peace
Somewhere there's a break in the weather
Where your heart and spirit go free
Someday it'll be for the better
Let me bring you peace
Misao stood by a deep wooden instrument that was called a piano, Aoshi had seen it at many different jobs. One with Kanryuu and other locations, but there was Misao standing next to it with her eyes closed and Tokio playing the smooth white and black keys of the piano. Misao looked like a child but her voice was not meant for a child. Aoshi was making his way inside but Okina caught his arm and shook his head.
"Let us listen to the song before you walk in," Okina instructed as he looked at the girl he affectionately thought of as granddaughter.
I know you think no one sees
The weight on your shoulders
But you can't fool me
And aren't you tired of standing so tall
Let me be the one to catch you when you fall
"Who would have thought," Okina said affectionately. "Our little Misao had such a talent…I bet she didn't even know. Miss Tokio sure is a very special woman to bring out such a beautiful gift from our pretty girl."
Okon nodded, "She has grown…but I wonder if this song is meant for someone." Aoshi didn't make a facial expressions but he knew the comment was directed at him.
Someday there's a field and a river
You can let your soul run free
Someday let me be the giver
Let me bring you peace
Somewhere there's a break in the weather
Where your heart and spirit go free
Someday it'll be for the better
Let me bring you peace
Okina walked in to the store and Okon quickly followed but Aoshi thought against it. He hid himself in the shadows outside as he continued to listen to the voice that belonged to Misao, if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes he would have thought it was some angel singing off in the distance but since his mortal eyes saw the physical being letting out the music gave him a shock of reality. Misao was even more special than what he had thought she had been…he was truly not worthy of such a gift.
Let me bring you joy, let me bring you peace
Take the tears that you cry, trust them to me
Let me give you heart and give you hope
Be the one constant love that you've never known
Misao saw Okina and Okon and came to a stop and Tokio just disappointed but she had run into Misao and wanted to see if she had practiced. She stood up as Mina clapped at her mother's performance and Eiji smiled at his mother as did Tsutomu. Tokio took a small bow as Okina and Okon clapped for the two women.
"Our Misao can sing," Okon said as she hugged the smaller girl. Misao gasped in shock and the grip that the older girl had on her.
"Ummm, Okon," Misao gasped for air but as Okon let her go she got squeezed again by Okina.
"Oh my pretty MISAO!"
"Gr…gramps!" Misao tried to breath but of course their onlookers were laughing. Okina let her go and Misao rubbed her waist and snickered at the older pair that almost took the life out of her. Tokio laughed in delight, "You play beautifully Miss Tokio."
"I had a lovely singer," Tokio said with a smile. "I wish you luck, I must take these three monsters home for lunch before they attack their mother."
"HEY!" Tokio laughed at her children as they all either had their hands on their hips or crossed arms over their chests.
"Have a good day," Misao said with a bright smile.
"I heard Mister Shinomori will be accompanying you," Tokio said and Misao nodded but no smile graced her lips. "Well I think he will be most surprised at your performance and the attire you will be wearing. And remember the tips I gave you…" Tokio winked and left with her two children and Misao turned crimson as Okon began prodding her with questions. Okina stayed behind as Aoshi came out of the shadows as Okon left with Misao.
"You take care of her regardless of the reasons you two are ignoring each other," Okina told Aoshi and the younger man nodded. "I hope to find out I will have great grandchildren in future…" Aoshi looked at the older man with question, "If Misao is not married soon you know what will occur…I want to see her taken care of before I pass. She is a precious girl, I hate to see her unhappy."
"I understand," Aoshi said simply.
"I don't think you do," Aoshi stopped and turned to look at the older man. "She loves you, and it's not that brotherly admiration she once held for you…she has grown to truly love you as a woman would love any man, however the question remains what about you Aoshi? Could you stand to see Misao in the arms of another? To kiss another…to make…"
"I suggest you stop before you finish that last phrase…"
"You don't let any man flirt with her at the Aoiya, you chase away several of the suitors that one day hope to have her heart," Okina proceeded cautiously. He knew that Aoshi held feelings for Misao, not for the small girl but the woman she had grown to become. "Sometimes I wonder, allowing you two to become so close while she took the leadership role…and of course the sparring between you two…"
"Okina get to the point."
"You break her heart; you'll have to deal with all of the Oniwaban…" Okina warned as he walked passed the taller man. Aoshi could only watch the retreating back of Okina and he had heard his words loud and clear. He looked down at the ground and sighed, and slowly made his way back to the Aoiya he needed to pack for the evening. He slowly entered the building and heard crying, he slid the door open slightly to catch sight of a crying Misao. His heart torn into pieces seeing her like that, but what was causing her such misery and looked up at the calendar and sighed. It was the anniversary of her parents' death…and he hadn't been very supportive of her, but she never sobbed as she was doing. He entered her room softly and knelt by her side and saw a pool of blood…
"Misao," Aoshi pulled her hand out and Misao looked at him with wide eyes of shock. Her shoulder was bleeding and in her other hand was a kunai…it wasn't hers he could tell by the inscriptions on the other one. He took it in his hands and observed it, "Where is the letter attached to it."
Misao didn't answer but he gathered her up and she struggled but he would not let up. He walked her out of her room and called for Okon and Omasu. The two women quickly rushed at the gasped in the sight before them. "Please hurry and get a doctor and get some wet towels for her wound."
"Understood!"
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"How is she," Okon asked first.
"She is fine, she will be able to travel…" The doctor said standing up, "The wound wasn't deep and missed all of her vitals. The bleeding has stopped, but however I would suggest no stressful motions...especially no lifting heavy objects."
Aoshi nodded as Misao stood up, she was in her Ninja attire as was Aoshi. The two then walked out of the Aoiya together but did not hear the rest of the conversation, "I was able to get most of the poison out of her system, however if she does anything to aggravate it, it could still prove fatal. The girl will not listen to reason about not going on this trip of hers."
"We know," Okina answered…"we must hope that Aoshi will protect her from all harm. He knows the person that threw that at Misao, so we must place all our faith in him."
"The man loves her," the doctor said with a smile as everyone looked at him stunned. "It is obvious that he does, he barely left me alone with her as he I examined her wound. He held her hand when she felt pain while I was cleaning the gash."
"How could you tell?"
"Is it not obvious that actions speak louder than words," the doctor asked with a titled head. "His face might not show it but his eyes deceive him into showing it all and the way he held her hand, that is not of a friend nor of a brother, it was from a man that beats his heart for that one special woman. I've been doing this for a very long time not only with outside people but for the Oniwaban and I can tell the differences."
"Well now only he could realize that," Okon said with a huff as she looked out the window to see Misao walking a bit ahead of Aoshi. "They'll be on the late evening train, so that shouldn't put too much stress on her body."
"She has to be careful emotionally as well, emotions are tied to how a person behaves," the doctor said stiffly. "She might be out of the clear now, but there could be a moment that will cause her to act recklessly."
"That would be our Misao," Omasu said softly. "I just pray for her safety…for I fear the only one that might be able to save her from herself is Aoshi."
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"What took you so long," Saitou asked as he flicked his cigarette butt to the ground. Aoshi and Misao had disembarked from the train and made their way to the place where Saitou was waiting. Misao clung to her shoulder as she felt a sharp pain, "Did Weasel get hurt on the way here?"
"Shut up," Misao said calmly and began walking. "So where is this hotel we will be staying in?"
"What about your group?"
"Wolf, don't piss me off or I'll tell on your wife," Misao taunted with a sweet smile plastered to her face. Saitou grunted, SCORE Misao… "Anyway, isn't the party to be held tomorrow evening?"
"Yea, so?"
"Just saying," Misao said simply. "Miss Tokio said something about me being picked up in carriage?"
Saitou nodded, "I'll be the officer escorting you to the party, well I'll be watching from afar, and it's for the traitors of your group and the westerners along with a few other high Japanese officials. We just need you to look pretty and if one of them asks you to go to a room you seduce then …"
"Knock them out," Misao finished for him. "You better make sure this works, and Lord Aoshi…"
"What is it Misao…"
"I am going to leave the punishment of the members to you," Misao said softly. "Since I am under doctor's orders not to strain myself, besides I am here to show that I am not a child…so that is what they will receive."
"Yes, leader…" Aoshi said simply as a carriage arrived before them. "What's this?"
"A ride to your hotel, we can't have you both seen in those now can we," Saitou said as he motioned for them to board. The two did as instructed, "So I see you have to carry all of the luggage, Shinomori."
"The mission?" Aoshi asked quickly changing the subject.
"Most of it will be on weasel's shoulders," Saitou said stiffly and shrugged. "She has to look like a woman for a change instead of a damn tomboy."
"Fuck yourself," Misao grumbled causing Aoshi and Saitou to look at the girl in surprise at least in the notions of their eyes versus facial expression. "What?"
"Such language for a girl," Saitou taunted. "Didn't Tokio teach you anything?"
"Shut it," Misao warned and her eyes turned cold and Aoshi knew those eyes. She only looked like that the moment she was on a mission but she never really spoke crudely unless she was upset. The betrayal of the members must be harder on her, since their reason was saying that she was child. "I just want to make sure this is done and over with."
"Misao," Aoshi hesitantly rested a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Misao sighed. "Sorry about the outburst."
"Just means you got fangs," Saitou said lighting up another cigarette. "Even if they are little ones, especially for a little weasel girl like you."
"I don't know how your wife puts up with you," Misao said simply glaring at the older man. "She is a goddess compared to you."
"My wife is a very special woman," Saitou said simply and then pointed to her, "I don't see how Shinomori puts up with an immature girl like you…"
"Why yo…" Misao didn't get to finish as their carriage came to a halt.
"Mister Fujita…AHHH!" The three quickly got out of the carriage to see three former Oniwaban members masked and ready to kill. Misao growled and reached for her Kunai and Aoshi had his Kodachis ready to go. Saitou pulled out his sword, "Look what we have here, it's the baby running the Oniwaban…but hey look at those breasts!"
"Excuse me," Misao's eyebrow twitched but what she didn't see or could tell Aoshi was pissed. She threw a Kunai it missed but the second one landed on his shoulder. "I am no baby…but if you boys want to play around and see who the real woman is around here, please be my guest."
"Whoa…" One of the males said at the tone she used, it was deeper for a moment and it caused one of the boys to almost drool. And Misao had purposely lowered herself a bit to show off a bit more cleavage. "Alright, so Leader isn't a baby, but you are still a woman, the first woman leader should have never been!"
"Screw you!" Misao shouted as she lunged for them not caring for her wounds. Aoshi cursed and attacked one as well as Saitou took the last one. Misao was able to fend for herself for the most part. She was until he grabbed her wounded shoulder, "AHHH!"
"I see you received our present," he whispered into her ear. "You know, I was really hoping to see a little girl, but I never expected to see a very beautiful woman. Too bad you are going to die…"
"Not in your life," Misao said as she plunged a Kunai into his throat. The man gasped in shock as he fell backwards and Misao straddled him. She leaned over as he was gasping for air and ran her hands up his chest, "Who is the baby now, baby?" She then plunged the Kunai into his chest and flipped off of him. She threw another one at the other man Aoshi was fighting causing him to drop to the ground. Aoshi then went over to Misao to check her wound as Saitou had already finished his match was smoking another cigarette.
"What took you so long," Saitou said as he took the reigns of the horses for the carriage. "Get in…and Shinomori you might want to check her wound."
Aoshi and Misao quickly climbed into the carriage as Saitou now rode on the upper bench next to the coach driver. However everything could be heard from the protesting Misao to the vein probably popping in Aoshi's forehead. Saitou decided to just smoke his cigarette and ignore feisty weasel and the ice block. Meanwhile inside Aoshi finally got Misao to sit still as he pushed her top off her wounded shoulder to check the bandages, she tried to keep herself covered but he then ripped it as Misao's eyes grew wide.
"I only brought this one," Misao glared up at him and Aoshi pinned her down with one arm and took off the bloody bandage with his free hand.
"You don't need to be wearing such an outfit any longer," Aoshi said flatly as he let her go to get a clean roll of bandage for her shoulder.
"Bastard," Misao murmured and Aoshi just lifted an eyebrow as he finished bandaging her shoulder. Aoshi then stood up as Misao pouted as she tried to make sure she was all covered up, "I can't believe you ripped my outfit!"
"You wouldn't cooperate," Aoshi said flatly and Misao glared at him. "The wound does not seem to be infected thanks to the medication provided by the doctor, however you should keep yourself from fighting until that wound has completely healed."
"Thank you mother," Misao said sarcastically as the carriage came to a halt. She looked outside and they were at the hotel and jumped out with Aoshi behind her with their luggage.
"I hope you two don't mind, but you'll be sharing a room at this western inn," Saitou said from his seat as Misao looked at him over her shoulder as did Aoshi. "So behave until the ball…I think you can last twenty four hours with each other."
"Shut up," Misao said marching inside and Aoshi looked up at him.
"Room number?"
"Forth floor, third door on your left," Saitou said as the coach driver then took off. Aoshi quickly walked in to see an aimless roaming Misao, Aoshi quickly grabbed her arm as other men were giving her looks of lust. He would not have that, not here nor ever. He helped her climb up the stairs of the western style inn as they would soon need to rest their bodies from their travel. Aoshi led them to the room Saitou had prepared for them and entered swiftly to avoid any more lustful glances at Misao. Misao just crossed her arms and noticed that the room was quite elegant.
"Are you sure this is an inn or a room for a wealthy house," Misao asked looking at the decorations that were upon the walls and in the room. "Furniture is nice, but I don't understand why they don't use a futon and use…what is this called again?"
"A mattress," Aoshi informed her and Misao nodded as she jumped on it.
"This is comfortable," Misao closed her eyes and had a huge smile on her lips. "Maybe, I will get one for my room back at the Aoiya…"
"That is if it could fit," Aoshi stated bluntly but it was soft enough for Misao not to hear him. She was already fast asleep on the bed. He sighed as he placed their things on the floor and took the rather large looking couch for a bed, it would have to do since he could not lay in the same bed as Misao, her honor would be tainted and he would not hold for any of that. Aoshi closed his eyes and slowly drifted into sleep not noticing the spirits that were watching over him and Misao.
"They'll never get together at this rate…"
"You're right about that, but he's being too stubborn about the whole thing."
"He'll come around, he had to guard is emotions for so long."
"Well, my grandbaby is not getting any younger she needs to get married…"
"Lord Aoshi is the best choice, considering he's been in love with her since his return to the Aoiya, and I am not talking about that little kiddy stuff either…"
"HEY!"
"Sorry, Lord Makimachi…but you know it is true, our little Misao has grown into a delicate flower that rivals all on this planet."
"Beshimi, I know my granddaughter has blossomed into quite a remarkable looking woman, she looks the very vision of her mother."
"Even now, he still has a soft spot for the Lady…" Hanya bowed before Lord Makimachi and he smirked. "Lady Misao is the one person he missed before he walked down the path of chaos and insanity."
"Hey, if we're dead…then why am I so hungry?"
Makimachi laughed warmly, "You always were the hungry one Hyottoko. I do not understand your appetite even in the great beyond."
"Hpmh, isn't the point of us being here is to make sure Leader gets hitched to the lady," Shikijou asked as he crossed his arms walking over to Misao. "I can't believe she went searching for us all the way to Edo castle…"
"Yes, she is a Makimachi alright," Makimachi said with a smile. "She was attached to all of you, you were her family…you all helped raised her. I wished I could have been there to see her grow."
"Hey, so when do we get to haunt Lord Aoshi," Beshimi asked with a smirk on his lips.
"Soon," Makimachi said as the four followed him. They would have their fun with the living in good enough time. "Soon Misao, you and your soul mate will be forever tied to one another to never part ways."
Misao stirred and slowly opened her eyes as sun danced in the room; she sat up in the bed. She got out of bed and began walking towards the window and sighed, she saw Aoshi sleeping out on the couch that was in the living area of their room. It was a rather expensive looking room and she sighed, she was still in her torn attire. She heard a knock at the door and quickly grabbed a robe to wrap over her body. She raced towards the door and there was an elderly woman in front of her, "How can I help you?"
"I have a dress for you," she handed Misao a box. "This is your accessories," she handed her another box, "It has everything from jewelry, shows, and to the long evening gloves." Misao smiled gratefully, "I bet you will look stunning in that dress. We usually don't do rush orders but Miss Fujita is a dear friend of ours. So I hope you enjoy the dress and this…" Misao got handed another box, "Is for your husband…it's his tuxedo."
"Hus…husband," Misao's eyes nearly fell out of her sockets. The old woman had already left and Misao almost fell to the ground in shock. "She has to be kidding me!"
"No weasel," Misao saw Saitou already in the room smoking his cigarette. She rolled her eyes as she closed the door and placed the boxes on a nearby table. "I had to make up some kind of cover for you and Shinomori while you stay here together in one room."
"YOU!" Misao leapt at him and …
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Well, here is another chapter. I hope to hear from you in the reviews!
