On The Way
Chapter Four
An Aoshi/Misao Fanfic
Disclaimer: All rights and ownership to Nobuo Watsuki and official companies. This is a work of fiction.
…
Before Aoshi or Matsuda could say anything, Misao was dragging the worker off the boat and into the sea of people.
Aoshi paced for a few steps before he noticed. He never paced. Settling himself next to their luggage, Aoshi realized Misao did not take any money. Even if she planned on making the guy drunk and sneaking out, she should have taken some money.
Nervous, Aoshi tried to meditate. He knew she could take care of herself, but she had never had anyone worry about her doing those kinds of things before.
Five minutes later, Misao came back.
"I'm back, Aoshi-sama." Misao sat down and opened her hand to count out the coins she held. "Man, he really wasn't kidding when he said he had no money."
"Misao, what was that?" Aoshi, of course, was referring to her entire display.
"It's called seduction. It works a lot easier than punching him right from the start," Misao held out the money for Aoshi to add to their wallet. "I left him in an alley with some empty sake jars. He'll probably wake up thinking we partied."
She looked away suddenly.
"An alley next to what?" Aoshi pressed her.
"Oh, don't glare," Misao chided him. "Behind an inn. Alright? He was a pedophile. He clearly thought I was younger."
Aoshi's frown intensified. "Where did you learn something like this?"
"Jiiya, isn't it obvious?" Misao rolled her eyes. "He taught me about how to use skills to manipulate people into giving you what you want. People like Jiiya are easily swayed by female attraction. I adapted to the situation. I even saved on money."
Misao settled back into her seat. The interior of the ship was dark. Only a lamp near the door to the rest of the ship illuminated the bulk of the chamber. Misao tried to estimate the distance and angle.
"Misao."
"Yes, Aoshi-sama?"
"Go run laps." Aoshi looked around the dark obstacle course of the cargo hold. "Tell me the dimensions of the room."
Aoshi tested her by making her practice her distance calculations. It was a key aspect for throwing her kunai with better accuracy. They could not actually practice throwing daggers while inside the hold, so they did a variety of other exercises as the ship slowly made their way to Yokohama.
During a break in her training, Misao pondered about the events they were diving into.
"Who would have thought Himura was previously married? I mean, I guess he's a pretty nice guy. But he married when he was a Hitokiri, I can't imagine that," Misao trailed off. But she could. She couldn't picture what his wife would look like, but Misao could understand loving someone even if they killed others. Her eyes flicked up to Aoshi where he was quietly meditating. "Hah! Even that Saitou guy is married. That's way more disturbing."
Misao fell silent, watching Aoshi for a minute.
"No, Misao."
"What, Aoshi-sama? I didn't even ask anything yet."
"No, I am not, nor was I ever, married."
"I didn't ask," Misao mumbled and looked away, silently pleased.
Misao passed the undeterminable time by sleeping and training. Aoshi refused to spar, but did instruct her on her practice forms. Working in the dark helped her focus on how everything felt, since she wasn't expending much effort on her sense of sight.
"Practice your throwing strength," Aoshi instructed her, finding an old scrap of paper and folding it into a throwing star. "Without any air current, you should be able to get it to go far."
He threw it in demonstration down a corridor of boxes. Misao trotted off to fetch it and noted how far Aoshi had gotten it to go. She would need quite a bit of extra strength to have the unweighted paper to go as far as Aoshi threw it, but it proved that it could fly, if thrown properly. She had no excuse for it not working.
"What's funny?"
"You used to make origami things for me all the time, remember?" Misao turned the paper in her fingers, a small smile on her face as she recalled her younger years. She had always sat and stared so intensely while he folded, as if he were performing magic. "I still have the last crane you gave me. I checked after the Aoiya was attacked."
Misao's statement was so simple and light to her, as if it were just simple words. But for Aoshi, it was a hook and line that caught on his as he fought against the reel. Her words held no distinct animosity against him, and yet he couldn't help but wonder if she said those things to attack him.
He watched as Misao repeatedly threw and retrieved the paper star, wondering if she was harboring some deeply sated hatred for his abandonment.
After tiring out both arms, extending the throwing distance, and destroying the paper after a hundred throws, Misao announced she was going to sneak out to the upper decks for information. Aoshi didn't tell her to be careful, but she told him she would be.
"I'll be right back. You won't even know that I was gone," she chirped before bounding off on silent feet.
Sometime later, there was a shudder in the engine and Aoshi felt it.
"Aoshi-sama, bad news," Misao reported as she came back. "Something's messing with the engine. We're putting into port at Fujisawa. We won't make it to Tokyo before the attack on the Dojo. We can take the Tokaidou, but it'll still take two days once we get onto the road."
"When do we make port?"
"Hour and a half. We're limping in. You can feel how much we've slowed down."
"They won't be opening the cargo hold. We need to get off without getting caught."
"The sun will be rising as we get in. I think we can use that to our advantage."
"How far can you jump?"
Misao froze. Memories of crashing through a forest and getting cuts from branches on her arms and legs as she chased Kenshin. A gorge cutting through the greenery.
"Misao?"
She stepped back, closing her eyes and shaking her head. Jumping off the boat wouldn't nearly be the same as the impossible distance she attempted to jump to get information from Kenshin. Aoshi didn't have to know. He would never know the crazy, suicidal action she took mere months before in her desperation to hear news of him.
"With a running start on even surface, easily twenty feet. But to a lower level, almost thirty," Misao pulled herself together and answered.
"Should be plenty. We should leave in the commotion of passengers."
"Right." Misao nodded.
They snuck out of the hold, then seamlessly blended into the crowd. They wouldn't be able to disembark with the crowd because everyone's ticket was being checked at the gangway. With Aoshi's weapon, it would also be tricky to disappear before the ticket check.
"Please, have your ticket ready for inspection. You will all make it to your destination," a worker announced and continued to explain how the passengers would be able to transfer to other available ferries to various ports. It would take almost a full day of standing around if Misao and Aoshi were to go that way. But since they had no legitimate ticket, then chances of getting a ride were not worth the time or money to attempt a second boat trip.
While looking like they were shuffling into line, Aoshi and Misao actually worked their way to a secluded part of the deck.
"It's clear," Misao scouted the dock below.
With a short running start, Misao leapt off the boat and rolled onto the dock. Aoshi swiftly, and annoyingly more quietly, followed after.
"Hurry," Aoshi instructed and ran off.
They ran through the early dawn light before blending into the foot traffic of Fujisawa. Signs pointed them towards the highway and just before they left the city proper, they had a hot meal at an inn.
Consulting her map while she ate her rice ball, Misao timed out their path. When they said they would go by the Tokaidou, they didn't really mean it. They had no time to procure the official permits to travel. The way posts that were stationed at regular intervals for the comfort of travelers would actually be a deterrent for Misao and Aoshi.
"When I came through previously, I had to swing wide here," Misao pointed out on the map. "Since it is summer, it'll be drier near the river, so we won't have to go too far out of the way. And if we travel at night, we can cut through these farms. If it's day, we have to go around."
They packed up their remaining food, paid, and started their unaccounted section of their journey. Unlike the trip to the coast, from Fujisawa there was no river for them to follow. They had to stay close to the road, but avoid any official security checks.
Blasting across the countryside, Aoshi was concerned that Misao was pushing herself too hard. He understood that Misao felt strongly for Kenshin's group, but if she burned out before they got to Tokyo, she wouldn't be helpful at all.
He wouldn't force her to slow down, but no matter what time of day, he would stop her at the hot spring inn he knew was situated at the outskirts of Tokyo. No one, not even him, would deny the power of a trip to the hot spring. Once rejuvenated and with a proper night's sleep, then he would let her charge into whatever crazy revenge scheme Kenshin was facing.
"If we wait here until the sun goes down, we can cut straight across," Misao pointed across the farmland. "The farmers here are hostile to trespassers, but if we cross between dinner and their nighttime check, we'll be good."
"How did you come across this information?"
"Uh," Misao scratched her cheek in embarrassment. "Firsthand experience?"
Aoshi gave her a look.
"What? Fine, okay, so I also maybe snagged a few cucumbers, too. But it was cool with farmers in other areas. These guys are just really stingy." Misao crossed her arms and looked at the sky. Worry was evident in her eyes, even though she tried to hide it in her expression.
"Get some rest, Misao. We'll push through and go as far as we can after it gets dark," Aoshi instructed her as he consulted the map.
Misao didn't fight him. They were off the path and in a natural hole at the base of a tree, so Misao sat and closed her eyes. When she opened them, it was to Aoshi's hand on her wrist.
"Time to go."
Shaking sleep from her head, Misao grabbed up her bag. The moon was up, so they had to hurry. They full out ran across the fields, Misao pushing herself to keep pace with Aoshi for the handful of miles.
Once they slipped into the forest on the other side of the fields, they took a breather and checked their location. It was a small patch of trees and they cut straight through it.
"Misao," Aoshi paused at the edge of the forest. "I want you to throw a kunai."
He showed her a spot on a tree, then walked her a number of yards away. Misao loosened her shoulders, readied a kunai, and waited.
"Throw."
Misao hurtled the blade, straight and true.
"Distance and angle."
"Sixty…five yards. Fifteen degrees up."
"Sixty-four yards, fourteen point three," Aoshi corrected, noting her accuracy to be better than many of his other operatives. "Retrieve it. Let's go."
Misao went and yanked the fully embedded kunai from the designated target before running after Aoshi.
For the hours of the high moon, they continued walking silently. Aoshi turned and saw Misao further behind him than expected.
"Let's stop there," Aoshi suggested, pointed to a large copse of trees.
"Okay, Aoshi-sama."
Thankfully, the next day went without evading officials or angry farmers and they arrived at the onsen, just as Aoshi predicted.
"What are we doing here?" Misao asked as Aoshi led the way up the path.
"Resting."
"Welcome! Oh, you two look exhausted. Come in! We have plenty of space today," the hostess greeted them and shuffled them in without a glance at Aoshi's kodachi or Misao's knees. "You'll be in the Momiji Room. There's yukata here in the drawer. Towels are down at the baths. If you would like us to wash your clothing, it's an extra charge. Dinner will be brought to your room at seven."
The hostess left and Misao looked around. As an employee of an inn, Misao appreciated the condition of the room and service.
"You can probably take a bath before dinner," Aoshi commented as he stashed his luggage in the corner of the room and sat.
"You're right." Misao opened the drawers and removed a yukata for each of them. "If you change, I'll wash your uniform."
"I'll do it myself later. Go." Aoshi didn't have to say aloud that he didn't want to leave their possessions unguarded.
"I'll be back in a jiffy." Misao bounced away, unable to help herself. It was like a vacation. And even if it was for a few hours, she would pretend like it wasn't the end of the world.
Maybe it wasn't a few hours, but it was a little time when Misao cleaned both herself and her clothes. But, by the time she sank into the natural hot spring, her mind was already back to worrying about the others. Only a few months had gone by. Even for her, her rib that was fractured gave a dull ache from their sprint across the countryside. Yahiko was young, but even his wounds were worse than hers. Misao didn't know Sanosuke for long, but she knew his hand was pretty busted. And Himura. Even he must have limits.
"No time to think of that," Misao slapped her face with water and exited the bath.
Refreshed, Misao hummed as she headed back to the room. Her uniform needed to dry and so did her hair. She had actually taken it out of its braid and washed it free of the dirt it accumulated on the road.
"Hey, beautiful. You here alone?"
Misao saw a man lunge into the doorway as she passed.
"You're a cutie, want to play with us?" he jerked a thumb over his shoulder to the group of men drinking alcohol inside the room.
"That's very kind of you to offer, but I'm afraid I have to be heading back," Misao smiled apologetically. It would be no good to cause a scene inside an establishment. At least, not until they ate and Aoshi had a chance to bathe too. After that, maybe Misao would consider kicking a few bums around outside.
"Don't say that. Come on," the man hiccuped. Clearly, they had started drinking early.
"No. Thank you for the offer, but I decline."
"Bitch, I was being nice. Now," he started to reach for her.
A hand shot out and the man winced away, cradling his fingers.
"Where have you been?"
Misao looked up to a disgruntled Aoshi.
"I was trying to come back," Misao sighed and dropped her unneeded attack hand.
"Don't bother my wife," Aoshi barked into the room before sliding the door shut on the drunks.
Misao blinked and followed Aoshi back to their room. She hung up her uniform to dry and started to detangle her hair with her fingers.
Aoshi returned to his seat and resumed his meditation.
"Wife?"
He felt a muscle twitch.
"There were a hundred other words you could have used, Aoshi-sama." Misao fought with a knot of hair. "Why would that be the falsehood you chose?"
"It just came out."
That must be a lie. Aoshi strategized everything. He managed to time their arrival to the onsen with precision. There was no way the idea of pretending Misao was his wife "just came out."
Misao didn't want to dwell on it. If she did, then she would imagine what it would be like to be Aoshi's wife. And she didn't want to go down that path. She was strongly attached to him, yes. But love. Not of the marrying sort. At least, not the "marrying based on their own feelings" sort. If Okina demanded it, Aoshi would accept and Misao would cave. And she didn't think that they would necessarily have a bad marriage, but it also wasn't right for how they were at the moment.
"Ow!"
In her obliviousness, Misao caught a huge clump of hair that nearly snapped her fingers backwards.
"Didn't you bring a brush?"
"No, I never do."
There it was again. That subtle notion that she had gone out on journeys so frequently that she would use words like 'never' or she would know the reactions of farmers in different regions. Aoshi silently moved behind her and took her long strands into his hands like he did so many years before.
"Sit still," he commanded her.
"Yes, Aoshi-sama," Misao replied like she had as a child.
Aoshi divided her hair and slowly worked through it. Misao sighed and relaxed. He gave her a poke and she fixed her slouched posture.
"Excuse me, I've brought your dinner," a hostess announced from the hall.
"Come in," Misao called out and shifted away from Aoshi. When the lady set out their trays, Misao took in the smell of the full meal and sighed. "It smells delightful."
"I can guarantee the taste, too. My husband is a great cook," the hostess smiled as Misao sat down.
"Madam, my wife forgot to bring a comb with her, would you happen to have one we can borrow for a bit?" Aoshi quietly inquired.
"Of course! There's always so many things to remember. Something always slips the mind. I'll be right back. You two should start eating while the food is hot," the lady closed the door and scurried off.
"Stop with the wife thing, Aoshi-sama. It's weird. And unnecessary. No one really needs to know what kind of situation we're in."
Aoshi didn't reply to her, choosing instead, to start eating.
Not knowing what to think, Misao took a bite and nearly melted.
"I've brought a comb."
"Madam!" Misao lunged for the woman's hand as she reentered and presented the item. "You are truly blessed. This meal is divine. Is your husband an angel? A god?"
The woman laughed behind a raised sleeve. "Oh, he'll be pleased to hear such a complement. Though, you shouldn't praise other men so vehemently around your own husband." The hostess dropped to a whisper. "Especially not when you've been so clearly blessed. He's handsome, you lucky girl."
Misao flushed.
"Thank you for lending the comb. Shall I leave it with the trays at the door?" Misao asked.
"That would work perfectly."
Misao returned to her seat and finished eating, refusing to look at Aoshi's lack of reaction. When she finally set down her chopsticks Aoshi spoke to her.
"Give me the comb."
Aoshi plucked the carved piece of wood from Misao and returned to his spot behind her. The long strands pooled to the floor and he carefully worked the tool to smooth out her hair. Misao fell asleep while he worked, the familiarity lulling her into comforting sleep.
…
Author's note: From what I could tell in my research of Meiji Japan, women were not allowed to travel alone, and traveling on the national highways, like Tokaidou, required some sort of permit. I don't know the specifics of it, but I figured, I didn't give them any permit, and Aoshi was carrying a weapon which was outlawed, so they should avoid the roads.
Aoshi… Out of Character? Yea. Yea, he is. Sorry. But maybe he somewhere, deep down, doesn't like drunk men hitting on Misao and he gets really possessive? *shrug.
Btw, when coming long, wet hair, start at the bottom and work your way up. Work in sections. Don't just drag knots into each other by starting at the head and just pulling down.
See you in the next chapter!