To Save The Aoiya
Chapter 7: Dancing and Kisses
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Misao sat reading her lines over and over. She mumbled them as she read, trying to implant them in her mind. She took a glance out the window and realized in surprise that it was starting to get dark outside. "Well, shoot! I thought it was still just around noon."
She put her script away and bounded down the stairs to help with dinner. As she entered the kitchen she blushed when she noticed Aoshi coming in from the temple. She managed a quick smile and nodded at him in greeting.
As he passed her he whispered in her ear. "We need to talk. Meet me in my room before dinner."
Misao nodded and went to start preparing the soup. All the while, her mind was busy cranking out possible scenarios. Okay, he's disgusted and the kissing scenes will be deleted. Or he liked what happened and it's going to happen again. Or he'll say it was a mistake and we'll keep the kisses in the play but it will never happen again outside of that.
And on and on went the thoughts until she had worked herself into some sort of frenzy. She stirred at the soup violently, the contents splashing over the rim of the pot at times. And then she attacked the rice, while cleaning it she managed to mash most of it into an unrecognizable blob. When she picked up a knife to cut the meat, Omasu rescued it.
"Misao, stop! What have you done to dinner?!"
Misao's eyes widened as she finally realized what she'd been doing. "I'm so sorry, Omasu. I was thinking about something else and I just didn't pay attention to what I was doing." She grinned sheepishly at the older woman as she glared back.
"Now I have to start all over. This rice is inedible and I doubt the soup is either." She grabbed a ladle and took a taste and then ran to the door to spit it out. "What did you put in there?!"
Misao shrugged her shoulders. "I honestly don't know. Like I said, I wasn't paying attention."
Omasu closed her eyes and pointed at the door. "Go now. I'll get Okon to help with dinner."
Misao began to protest. "But it's my night to cook!"
Omasu just shook her head. "There is no way I'm letting you near the cooking supplies right now. You would've poisoned us all at the rate you were going."
Misao trudged up the stairs. Guess that means it's time to face the music.
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She knocked softly on Aoshi's door, softly enough that he wasn't entirely sure whether someone knocked or his mind was playing tricks on him. He hesitantly called out, quietly so if no one was there he wouldn't seem insane. "Enter."
Misao slid the shoji open, stepping in timidly. "You wanted to talk?"
Aoshi gestured for her to sit on the mat across from him. "I just wanted to apologize for what happened earlier. I didn't want to do anything you didn't approve of."
Misao's jaw dropped slightly. "I helped write the script in the first place. If I or any of us had a problem with kissing, we wouldn't have put it in there."
Aoshi took a deep breath. "Misao, we weren't at a kissing scene when it happened."
Misao's eyes widened the slightest. "Oh." She opened her mouth to ask another question and then shut it again. She tried a second time and Aoshi spoke first.
"I wanted to. I don't know what possessed me at that moment, but I wanted to do it. I don't want you to misinterpret it though. I know I'm attracted to you, but I don't know---I don't think---" He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know what I'm feeling right now aside from that."
Misao smiled softly at him. Poor Aoshi. He's been hiding his emotions for so long that he doesn't know how to deal with them or how to classify them.
"That's fine, Aoshi-sama. I'm not going to push you into something you don't want. Just let me know when you figure this out." Misao stood to leave and Aoshi stood as well, grabbing her arm to stop her.
"Misao, the main reason I was worried about the kiss scene earlier—well, there were two reasons actually. The first was that I didn't want you to blur reality and fiction together when I kissed you. The second was—", he cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I know it's your first kiss. I didn't think it was fair to you for it to be a public thing."
Misao didn't know whether to yell at him for insulting her intelligence with his first reason or to hug him for his very considerate second reason. She settled for a slight bow. "Thank you, Aoshi-sama. I was a little uncomfortable with that, but it has to be done, right? And now that I've had a kiss it's okay."
Aoshi felt terrible suddenly. Damn it. Her first kiss was just a quick peck that I apologized for. What a jerk I am.
"Misao, that wasn't a real kiss." He didn't know what possessed him this time, but he was kissing her again. Although this one was far different from the one earlier during rehearsal. He moved his hand from the back of her neck to the small of her back, lifting her a bit so he didn't have to bend as far. That action however, pressed Misao closer to him and she in response pulled his head closer so their lips were pushed together tightly. Aoshi and Misao both went to deepen the kiss at the same time, emotions flowing through both of them that they never experienced before.
Misao pulled back, regretting that she needed air. Aoshi opened his eyes and gave her a small grin. He set her back on her feet and rested his forehead against hers. "There. I hope that didn't disappoint."
Misao smiled shyly. "It was very nice, Aoshi-sama." She wanted to punch herself in the face. Nice? What the hell am I saying? It was wonderful! "Actually it was better than nice. I just don't know how to describe it."
Aoshi chuckled slightly and stood up straight. Misao straightened her crooked obi and then a ponderous look crossed her face. "Aoshi-sama, that's not how we're supposed to kiss in the play, is it?"
Aoshi shook his head. "No, in the play it's more like this." He gently took her chin and tilted her head up, putting his lips gently on hers and not moving much.
Misao sighed. "That's it?"
Aoshi smirked at her disappointed tone. "I'm afraid so. Anything else would be too much in public."
Misao began to head towards the door. "I better go. I should set the table for dinner. See you later, Aoshi-sama."
Aoshi called out to her. "Misao?"
"Yes?"
"Why don't you drop the 'sama'? Don't you think it's a little too formal now? After all, I'm supposed to play your boyfriend for the next six weeks."
Misao giggled at his teasing. "Okay. Aoshi."
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Misao stood on stage, trying to get her lines straight in her mind. Okina called for everyone to be quiet. "All right! We'll take it from when Cinderella and the prince first meet at the ball."
Misao took her curtsey position and Aoshi slowly walked up to her. He gently tilted her chin up so he could see her face and then they began to spin around dancing.
Misao felt like she was floating on air. Oh my god! I'm dancing with Aoshi! I'm really close to Aoshi! Feel those muscles, baby. Grrr.
As they glided, they spoke their lines until the singing started. Misao almost tripped over herself as Aoshi began to sing. Damn, that's sexy! What a voice! His deep rumble filled the room as he sang the beautiful lyrics he had written.
Ten minutes ago I saw you
I looked up when you came through the door
My head started reeling
You gave me the feeling
The room had no ceiling or floor
Ten minutes ago I met you
And we murmured our 'how-do-you-do's
I wanted to ring out the bells and fling out my arms
And to sing out the news
I have found her she's an angel
With the dust of the stars in her eyes
We are dancing
We are flying
And she's taking me back to the skies
In the arms of my love I'm flying
Over mountain and meadow and glen
And I like it so well that for all I can tell
I may never come down again
I may never come down to earth again
Misao's lyrics were next, but she just couldn't do it. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I just forgot what the words were. I know the song, but your singing just sort of, took me by surprise and my brain shut down." She gave a nervous laugh at her own ramblings. "Anyway, I'm sorry."
Aoshi wanted to grin at her, but
settled for a quirked brow. "Come on,
Misao. We want to hear you sing."
Misao blushed. Is he teasing?! Aoshi-sama—oh---Aoshi is---HE'S TEASING!! Her mind squealed in delight. Her beloved Aoshi being human is exactly what she was wanting. Teasing was definitely a good thing, especially if it was her he was teasing. She was in heaven.
She composed herself and looked at everyone as if they were beneath her, playing the part of a diva. "I'll sing when I feel like it. You can't rush perfection." She winked at Aoshi and he felt himself being drawn to her again.
How does she do it? I feel nothing but family affection for her for years and suddenly I'm putty with a simple smile. She's amazing.
Okina chuckled at Misao's declaration and decided they needed to practice a new scene. Alright, Okina. Time to pull out the stops. He flipped through the script and spoke again. "I think we really need to work on this kiss scene at the ball when they express their feelings to each other."
Misao blushed and Aoshi had to summon a lot of will power to keep his calm. Okina watched with avid interest as they read their lines. Come on you two. Let's have it! The entire group was riveted to the scene, hoping it happened. They were certain it would make Aoshi realize his feelings.
The tension mounted as Aoshi stepped closer to Misao. Closer, closer, he's really close. But then Misao pulled away, saying one of her lines. Okina wanted to vent some frustration by bopping everyone in the head, innocent or not. He calmed down when he realized that was part of the script and kept watching. Then, the world stopped.
All breathing ceased, the crickets went quiet, heartbeats stopped for a few precious seconds. Aoshi tilted Misao's chin up, their eyes met, and then their lips. A brief caress that spoke volumes to the two who were sharing
it. Misao could feel his longing; his love for her that even he didn't know was there. It made her heart soar in bliss. And Aoshi felt her promise of unconditional love, her promise to give everything, her very soul if needed and ask nothing but his love in return. It all changed in that tiny bit of time. Aoshi took a ragged breath when it ended, feeling choked up for the moment.
The room erupted in cheers.
"That was amazing!"
"I forgot to breathe!"
"You guys were so believable!"
"Wonderful de gozaru yo!"
"Woohoo! Go weasel and icicle!"
"Ohohohoh!"
Misao blushed at the praise. Okina signaled for all to be quiet and called an end to rehearsal for the night.
Aoshi glanced at the wall clock and sighed. "It's late. I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Misao."
Misao almost shivered at the way he said her name. "Goodnight, Aoshi."
But, sleep was far from coming. And the night held many more surprises.
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A/N: I surprise myself sometimes! I liked this chapter! I changed a lot from my first draft and I think the results are good. The first draft was rather, blah. Hmm. Just to rest some fears from where you may THINK this is headed, my rating will not change. My last line in no way indicates they'll be---doing stuff---later on. We're not heading into that territory. Maybe someday, when I'm less of a coward. *^__^* (BLUSH) Please review! Hugs & Kisses!
