Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. But I do own this story so don't even think of stealing it.
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Finding You
By: Kayla Thurston
Chapter 10: No Looking Back
Misao trudged through the snow covering the road, making sure to walk in the footprints that were already imprinted in the snow. It would make it more difficult for the others to find her, if they came looking for her. Which she was sure they would. The road that leads to Osaka was a well traveled one, so it wasn't hard to find footprints to follow.
Misao reached the outskirts of Kyoto just as the sun was coming over the horizon. Everyone at the Aoiya would be awake soon and discover that she was gone. She'd have to get off the road soon; if they followed her it wouldn't be long before they found her if she stayed on the road.
She saw a tree branch hanging over the road up ahead. 'Perfect!' She thought to herself. She could jump onto the tree branch and travel through the trees. Then she wouldn't leave a trail leading into the forest for the others to follow. She approached the tree branch and looked up at it. It looked strong enough to support her weight. With the ease, agility and grace of a cat she jumped up onto the tree branch.
Misao took one last look over her shoulder in the direction of Kyoto. Then she looked ahead, a look of determination on her face. And with that she jumped from tree to tree, landing on the outstretched branches with ease, heading deep into the forest. From this point on, there was no looking back. Misao didn't realize the grave danger she was putting herself in.
SOUJIROMISAOSOUJIROMISAO
Omasu awoke as the first rays of the rising sun streamed through her window. She sat up and stretched before getting up. She neatly folded her futon and dressed, preparing for the day ahead. But nothing could have prepared her for what she would soon discover.
Omasu headed down stairs to the kitchen, covering her mouth with her hand to muffle her yawn. She entered the kitchen to be met by Okon, who had already started preparing breakfast.
"Good morning Omasu." Okon greeted cheerfully before returning to stirring the eggs and rice she was cooking.
"Good morning." Omasu replied. Grabbing the tea pot and setting it on the wood stove. Omasu wasn't surprised to see Okon up this early, she was an early riser. The two women began preparing the mornings breakfast in silence. It was the same every morning. Omasu broke the silence.
"Three…Two…One…" she counted down and then they were greeted by what sounded like a herd of elephants coming down the stairs. The women were surprised the stairs hadn't collapsed yet. This caused Omasu and Okon to giggle. Shiro and Kuro were up. The two said men walked into the kitchen, heading straight for the cupboards that contained the dishes.
"Morning guys." Okon greeted. Watching the men grab the dishes and chopsticks for breakfast.
"Morning." They replied in unison before disappearing into the dinning room to set the table. Okon and Omasu giggled again. Then making sure they were out of ear shot before Omasu said.
"They'll make fine house wives one day." She said with a giggle. This caused Okon to burst out laughing, tears coming to her eyes. She imagined Shiro and Kuro in pink kimonos and an apron, watching the kids and doing the cooking and cleaning. She nearly fell on the floor, clutching her sides as she laughed harder. Omasu obviously had imagined the same thing, because she did fall on the floor, clutching her sides as tears came to her eyes. They were pulled from their silly thoughts when Shiro and Kuro reentered the kitchen.
"What's so funny you guys?" Shiro asked, wondering why the women had tears streaming down their faces and why Omasu was on the floor.
"O…oh no…noth…nothing." The women said in unison between laughs. Shiro and Kuro looked at each other with raised eyebrows, wondering if their friends had totally lost it. The women finally composed themselves. Shiro walked over to Omasu and offered his hand, helping her up. She took it.
"Thanks." She said. She headed for the tea pot and picked it up, placing it on the tray. Kuro grabbed the tray, taking it into the dinning room. While Shiro waited for the food to finish so he could take it to the table.
He was getting bored and he was really hungry. He eyed the pot with egg and rice in it, like a predator stalking its prey. He waited for the women to turn their backs, waiting for the right moment to strike. Finally they turned their backs. He grabbed the stirring spoon still in the pot and scooped up the rice and egg.
"Ouch!" he yelped, dropping the spoon back into the pot when Okon hit is hand with another cooking utensil that she held in her hand.
"Shiro you naughty boy, you have to wait for the rest of us." She scolded. This happened almost every morning. She was either fending Shiro or Kuro off from eating all the food. Yesterday it was Kuro and today it was Shiro. It was like they took turns. Seeing who could get away with it first. Shiro mumbled something under his breath, something about violent women and starving to death.
Okon chose to ignore him, stirring the rice and egg one last time before dishing it into a large bowl. She handed it to Shiro and glared at him in warning before he took it into the dinning room.
Okina walked into the kitchen, followed by Aoshi. They never heard them come down the stairs, unlike Shiro and Kuro, who you could hear coming a mile away. Aoshi didn't even acknowledge them as he headed straight for the front door. He never stayed for breakfast. He always headed straight to the temple upon waking and he stayed there most of the day.
"Good morning." Okina greeted as he walked past the women in the kitchen, heading straight for the dinning room.
"Morning Okina." The women said in unison. Omasu looked at Okon and sighed.
"Time to go wake up sleeping beauty." She said, heading for the stairs. Okon giggled before heading into the dining room. Misao was going to come down soaking wet again today, or so she thought. Okon took her seat next to Shiro. Okina pour himself a cup of tea taking a sip, enjoying the warmth and sweetness of the tea as it slid down his throat. Everyone jumped when they heard Omasu scream, Okina spilling the hot liquid down his front.
"SHE'S GONE!" they heard Omasu scream from the top of the stairs.
"WHAT!" everyone yelled in unison. Okina ignored the burning sensation on his chest where he had spilt his tea when Omasu screamed. He jumped up from the table, followed by the others as they all made a mad dash for the stairs. For being an old man, Okina was faster than the others, reaching the stairs first, taking the stairs two at a time. They made it to the top of the stairs where Omasu stood, clutching a letter to her chest.
"It's addressed to you." Omasu said, tears filling her eyes as she handed Okina the letter. Okina took the letter and opened it, the others standing behind him as he began to read the letter out loud.
Dear Gramps and my dear friends,
I'm sorry I left so abruptly without saying goodbye. I just needed to get away for a while. Please don't worry about me. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I will return as soon as I can. I just have some things I need to do. Please don't look for me. Though you guys probably will anyway, because that's just the way you are. I'll be fine; I can take care of myself. If I can, I will send you all a letter as soon as possible. I love you all and I'll be back before you know it.
Love, Misao
Shiro and Kuro had worried looks on their faces, while tears began to stream down the faces of Omasu and Okon. Okina frowned. He knew Misao's real reason for leaving; he could read between the lines. He knew he had felt a presence outside his door last night. He was sure Aoshi had felt it too. Misao had heard everything, well maybe not everything, but a good portion of it. Of that he was certain. Okina was the first to speak.
"She's headed for Osaka." Realization dawned on everyone's faces. Okina and Aoshi had told them about the situation involving the Yakuza in Osaka. They had tried to keep it a secret from Misao, because of the threat they represented. The Shinamagi Yakuza wasn't just any old Yakuza organization. Their members included five highly skilled assassins and the lackeys were no push overs either. One of those assassins they knew could easily go head to head with Kenshin Himura, the former Legendary Battosai the manslayer.
"We have to find her, before she gets herself killed!" Omasu exclaimed, lines of worry creasing her brow as well as the brows of the others around her.
"Okon, go to the temple and inform Aoshi of the situation." Okina ordered, Okon nodded and headed down the stairs. She grabbed her cape off the peg as she exited the restaurant, running in the direction of the temple.
Okina turned to the others. "Everyone else, go look for her. Search every nook and cranny of Kyoto, as well as the outskirts and forest leading to Osaka. I will send Mr. Himura a letter by messenger pigeon. I have a feeling that before this is over; we're going to need his help." Everyone nodded and headed for the door, grabbing their capes on the way out.
'I hope we find her, before they do.' Okina thought as he headed to his room. Okina loved Misao like she was his granddaughter. She was really the granddaughter of the leader before Aoshi. After Misao's grandfather and parents had died, he had adopted Misao as his granddaughter.
Okina sat down and began to write his letter to Mr. Himura. When finished he headed for the cage that held the messenger pigeon. The pigeon perched itself on Okina's arm as he slid the letter into the letter holder attached to its leg. Okina walked to the window and opened it.
"Take this to Mr. Himura in Tokyo." He said as he lifted his arm. The pigeon flapped its wings, taking off into the horizon, to deliver the letter to Mr. Himura in Tokyo. Okina sighed. 'Please god, don't let anything happen to my pretty Misao…'
To be continued...
Author's Note: Yay Chapter 10 is FINISHED! Chapter 11 will be up soon! Please review! Your reviews encourage me to continue!! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far!