Disclaimer: RK is not mine.
I can't believe I got this ready this fast. Amazing. I think that thanks belong to the ones that have given me reviews. They truly inspire me to write.
Thank you.
Chapter 3. Learning to live
The carriage stopped before the inn and the driver came to help Misao out of it. Misao stood still, listening to the voices of the city as the driver took her bag. Then he led Misao into the inn, into the Aoiya.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Okon and Omasu were talking about their very often upcoming subject of Hiko Seijuro when they heard talking from outside. A man and a woman?
They turned and walked to the entrance. A good-looking brown-haired man was guiding a woman. The man caught their attention first. He was quite tall, he had brown eyes and a pleasant voice. He would be quite a catch.
Then their attention turned to the woman the man was talking to. She wasn't tall, nor was she short. Quite average in height. She had black hair that reached her shoulders and she was wearing a blue kimono. What was surprising in her, was the clothing that covered her eyes. They blinked. Was she blind?
The man raised his eyes and smiled to them. They backed away as he guided the woman inside.
"We're in now, Mei-san." The man let go of the woman and she nodded to him. "Arigatou gozaimasu." Her voice was very feminine and quite quiet. And also distantly familiar.
Then she turned to look directly at Omasu and Okon. "Excuse me. Are you servants? If you are, do you have a free room? I would like to stay here for a week."
Okon stepped forward and took Misao's hand. "Yes, we are, and yes, we have a room just perfect for you. But it is upstairs. Is that all right with you?"
Misao just nodded, took her hand away from Okon's and turned to the driver. "Did you take my walking cane from the carriage?"
The man smiled uncomfortably. "I forgot. Wait for a moment and I'll get it for you." The man turned and walked outside.
Misao turned to the two women and was about speak, when her sharp ears caught a sound. Someone was coming.
"Hello, pretty lady! Welcome! I am Okina. May I help you?" A small smile rose to Misao's lips. One person had not changed. Okina walked and stopped right before her, but he didn't take her hand like Okon had. *Good, at least he knows that he doesn't have to touch me to let me know of his presence. Being blind doesn't mean being helpless.*
"Yes, you can. I am Takahashi Mei and I will be staying here for a week. Could you guide me to my room? Those two women know which one it is. You two-" she said turning to Okon and Omasu. "-Could you get someone to bring my bag upstairs? And tell my thanks to the driver? Thank you." Then she turned to Okina. "Shall we go?" She raised her hand and Okina took a hold of it. And then they were already walking away.
They were already in the stairs, when Okina remembered to ask what room Misao was going to have. And the answer stopped him for a moment. "The one next to Misao's."
Misao stopped also. *They are still keeping my room? After I have been away for six years? And after hearing nothing from me for the past five?* Sharp pain hit her. *Do they still miss me? Still wait for me to come back here?* She had to know.
They continued to walk up stair by stair. *Since when here were this many stairs here?* At last they reached the second floor and towards the end of the corridor. Okina stopped after a little while. "Here-" he opened the shouji. "-this is your room."
He let go of Misao's hand and stepped away. For a moment Misao hesitated on the doorstep. Then she opened her mouth. "Excuse me, can I ask something?" She didn't turn to Okina when she spoke.
"Yes, of course." he answered.
Misao drew a deep breath. "Who is Misao?"
He stiffened at her question and stayed quiet. Misao stood still, begging silently for him to speak, to tell her who she was.
"My granddaughter." his answer was a silent whisper and she barely heard it.
"So, she lives here? I would like to meet her. If she is anything like her grandfather, she must be a person worth meeting." Misao smiled, but her thoughts weren't happy. *Liar. I am such a liar. And a coward.*
"She lives here yes, but I am afraid meeting her right at the moment is impossible. She ain't here, but she will come back, someday." Okina didn't mean to say more, but when he looked at the woman before her, something made him continue.
"She has been on the road for the past six years. And now you must think that I am nothing but a silly old man wishing for the impossible to happen. You are wrong. Misao will come back, because nothing can stop her from doing so. I have never met a woman with more will power than she has got." his voice was steady and his words convincing. He believed in his words.
"Now if you will excuse me, I'll take my leave." he turned and left, leaving Misao alone.
She stood still, her thought racing, her heart aching. *Why did I come back? Why did I allow Himiko-san to talk me into this? Well, I didn't really have a choice in the matter. But... Did I want to come back? Did I somehow know that they would still miss me? Like I miss them? But I am not the same anymore. I am not Misao they knew. I am Mei. A person very different from the one they knew. I wish... I wish things were different. But wishing never changes anything. Misao was the child with wishes, I am the woman who knows that wishes never come true.* Misao sighed.
Footsteps, someone was coming up the stairs. She turned into the direction, her senses alert. Her body automatically too a battle stance. Then she heard some one speak.
"It must be awful not to be able to see. Think about it, Omasu. No colours or shapes... It must be awful." Okon shook her head.
"You're right." Omasu answered. "I never want to lose my capability to see. How would I then know who is handsome and who is not."
Okon giggled. "Omasu! That awful of you." She smiled at the younger woman.
They reached the end of the stairs in silence and then noticed Misao who was still standing at the doorway.
"Hi, we brought your bag and your cane Mei-san."
*So it is -san and not -chan anymore. I wonder, if they knew who I was, would it be -chan?*
Out aloud Misao asked their names since she had not heard them downstairs. Both women introduced themselves blushing and then guided her to inside her room.
It wasn't a big room, a bit smaller than Misao's own room, but she didn't need anymore space, this was enough for her. There wasn't a much of furniture, just a little wooden drawer for personal stuff. On the floor there was a futon neatly folded and a pillow to sit on.
Misao thanked Okon and Omasu and they understood to leave her be. But not before telling her that food came with the room and that she should just ask.
After the shoji closed after them Misao began to make herself comfortable. She walked around the room making herself familiar with every little thing. Then she sat on the pillow.
*It seems that they didn't recognize me... Humph. Not a surprise. I have changed, a lot. They are waiting for Misao, not me.* Misao sat silently and still.
She didn't know what to do. She was hungry, but getting something to eat meant that she would have to face them again and listen to their pitying voices. She had heard it immediately. Almost every person pitied her and that drove her crazy. Was she that pathetic? Just because she couldn't see?
*Hell no! I am strong. Stronger than ever.*
But they did not know that and she didn't want them to know. It could reveal her.
Misao sighed, she was tired. She really needed to get some sleep. Facing Okina had been harder than she had though. And so had been the journey. Suzu wasn't close to Kyoto (, which was one reason why she lived there).
Misao opened her bag, took out her yukata and changed her clothes. She unfolded the futon and lay down. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep. It was late after all.
*************************
The suns warm rays warmed Misao's skin as she woke up. Fresh air was flowing to the room from open window. Misao sat up her senses alerted. She wasn't at her house. Where was she? It took her a moment to remember that she was back in Kyoto, in the Aoiya.
It had been six years since the last time she had been under this roof. Such a long time. She had missed the atmosphere that had always been in Aoiya, but now it had changed. Because of her.
There was waiting in the air. Misao had felt it last evening. It was as if every single person waited for something to happen. She doubted that no one else could feel it but her. She was more sensitive for things like that now than she had been in the past. It was necessary.
Misao sighed. It pained her to be here. Meeting them again, all the time lying. *I am a coward. I am so afraid of their reactions would they understand who I am. But I can't lock myself here for the whole week, I have to go down and face them, again and again.*
Misao rose and took of her yukata. Her body had become for feminine during the years, but Misao had missed it. She took her kimono, the same she had used yesterday, and put it on, mentally preparing herself to face them again, she walked to the door.
For a moment she considered taking her walking cane with her, but decided against it. She opened the door and entered the corridor. She headed towards the stairs intending to go downstairs.
She walked down the stairs slowly, hands tracing the wall and supporting her in case she would lose her balance. The sounds were clear and so familiar. Yelling orders, thanking visitors, greeting new ones. Distant sounds from kitchen, chopping and making food, which scent in the air caused Misao's stomach to grumble, reminding her that she hadn't eaten dinner yesterday.
Foot steps. Very, very faint. Barely even hear able to her sharp ears. And Misao knew exactly who it was. She knew only one man in Kyoto with this quiet step and who could make her so uneasy by just being near her. Aoshi.
He stopped.
"May I help you?"
His voice was just like she remembered it to be. Soft, yet somehow sharp, masculine, cold... It sent shivers down her spine and her heart pounding. She forced herself calm down and answer to him in a quiet voice.
"Yes, please."
The air flowed from the way as he moved closer to her with his quiet steps. His clothing's fabric made small rustling sounds. And then his warm and strong hand took a hold of her arm. How amazing. During the time she had lived here, he had barely laid a finger on her and now...
"Where to?" his voice still managed to set a faster beat to her heart. She was barely able to answer to him.
"Kitchen or somewhere where I can get something to eat."
The man didn't answer, just tugged from her left arm and guided her slowly down the stairs. Misao walked beside him, trusting his guiding. She could feel the warmth emitting from him on her skin.
She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't notice the alert in his ki and wasn't able to react fast enough as she heard him speak. "Stop."
She continued walking for just a step too much and lost her balance as she stepped on a flower vase. *Not again!* She thought as she fell forward, ready to face the floor, but the hit never came.
Aoshi's hand tightened its grip on her arm and pulled her backwards against him his arm wrapping it around her waist. Misao's head hit his chest and the tightening of her eye cover loosened. It was threatening to fall away.
Misao panicked. *NO! No one may see my eyes! My face! No one!* She tried to rise her both hands, but Aoshi held her left hand and so she could only rely on her right one. And her voice.
"Let go of me!" she could feel Aoshi's surprise and a bit of loosening in his hold. She used her chance and broke free. Her feet hit the vase again and she fell towards the ground, the clothing disappearing from her hand.
Pain hit her as she hit the floor. She let out a whimpering voice, ignored the pain and raised her hands to her eyes, covering them. She heard the vase break as it hit the floor.
"Are you alright?" a hand came to rest on her shoulder, gently urging her to turn to him. Misao just nodded, refusing to turn, and spoke with a weak voice. "My eye cover...?" Her left ankle was hurting like hell and Misao doubted that she had twisted it, but first the cover.
She heard him move first away from her then back. He extended his arm. "Here." And placed it to Misao left hand as she moved it to the direction in which she believed him to be. Her hair was covering her face from his eyes and then she quickly wrapped the clothing back. Feeling safe again, she spoke.
"Excuse me, but I fear I twisted my ankle. Do you have any ice?" she kept her face facing the floor. The man didn't speak. The air moved. *What is he-?*
"Aagh!" she squeaked as she felt strong arms wound themselves around her and lifting her from the ground. She threw her arms around his neck quickly, hitting his cheek in the process. "Ara, gomen nasai." She could feel her cheeks burning.
"I'll take you to the kitchen. They may have ice there. It's better for your ankle if you don't put weight on it." Misao only nodded, blushing furiously.
Aoshi carried her to the kitchen, receiving startled looks from Shiro, Kuro and other workers. He placed Misao sitting on one of the chairs in the room and fetched ice for her ankle as Misao sat still and silent. She could feel their gazes on her skin but didn't let it bother her.
She suppressed a yelp when the ice touched her ankle. Aoshi raised her feet and placed it upon a small chair. "Let the ice stay there for a moment so it won't swallow so much." He rose to his feet. "Shiro, give her something to eat. She is hungry." Then he turned and left, just left. Before Misao had time to thank him.
***
"Okina, take care of Misao. We'll leave tonight."
"He left. With Hannya, Beshimi, Hyottoko and Shikijou... No, wait Misao-chan!"
"I'll find him! I'll find Aoshi-sama!"
***
*But I never did, did I now. I never found you. And I tried so hard... Oh well, it is all in the past. And I live in the now.* Misao sighed and relaxed. *The only reason I am here is Himiko. That stubborn woman.*
"Miss? Miss? Here is food for you." Shiro's voice startled her. She had been so deep in her wandering thoughts that she had completely missed his arrival. His arrival with a bowl of takikomigohan.
"Arigatou." Misao said smiling and extended her hands for him. "It is hot," Shiro warned her as he placed the bowl in her hands. It was indeed quite hot but she didn't let it show. "May I have chopsticks?" not able to see, she missed Shiro's suddenly red face. "Of course. Just a second." Misao heard him leave.
It sure didn't take long before he returned with chopsticks and a glass of water. Misao thanked him and then concentrated on satisfying her stomach. She had indeed been hungry. She had eaten half of her portion when Okon and Omasu came to the kitchen, talking.
"So at what time do you think he'll arrive?" Omasu asked.
"Well, according to the letter he left Tokyo two days ago. Depending on whether he walks or comes with a train, he'll be here tomorrow or the day after that. It's sad that he'll have to come alone, but Himura-san thinks that Kaoru-san shouldn't travel. I can't believe that they are having already third child! I hope it'll be girl this time." Okon handed orders to one of the workers.
"Yes, after two boys a girl would be perfect. And what about Sano-san and Megumi-sensei? I heard from Kaoru-san that after Sano-san returned from travelling, he practically swept Megumi-sensei of her feet. Isn't she now waiting for their first child?" Omasu handed her orders to Shiro.
"Yes. Poor Yahiko-kun. He is surrounded by pregnant women, worried husbands and children. I think that this vacation will be good for him." Okon turned to leave after taking one order from the table.
"It will be good seeing him again. I can't believe that he is already 17! He was ten when he came to Kyoto for the first time, right? He has already grown into a fine young man." Omasu spoke as they left the room leaving Misao to think all that she had just heard.
*Six years is indeed a long time to be gone.*
And she continued eating.
TBC
End of chapter 3.
Ok, first day in the Aoiya done! Six days left.
And yes, Misao _seems_ uneffected by the news of her old friends, but I assure you, it DID affect her.
~Tiian~
I can't believe I got this ready this fast. Amazing. I think that thanks belong to the ones that have given me reviews. They truly inspire me to write.
Thank you.
Chapter 3. Learning to live
The carriage stopped before the inn and the driver came to help Misao out of it. Misao stood still, listening to the voices of the city as the driver took her bag. Then he led Misao into the inn, into the Aoiya.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Okon and Omasu were talking about their very often upcoming subject of Hiko Seijuro when they heard talking from outside. A man and a woman?
They turned and walked to the entrance. A good-looking brown-haired man was guiding a woman. The man caught their attention first. He was quite tall, he had brown eyes and a pleasant voice. He would be quite a catch.
Then their attention turned to the woman the man was talking to. She wasn't tall, nor was she short. Quite average in height. She had black hair that reached her shoulders and she was wearing a blue kimono. What was surprising in her, was the clothing that covered her eyes. They blinked. Was she blind?
The man raised his eyes and smiled to them. They backed away as he guided the woman inside.
"We're in now, Mei-san." The man let go of the woman and she nodded to him. "Arigatou gozaimasu." Her voice was very feminine and quite quiet. And also distantly familiar.
Then she turned to look directly at Omasu and Okon. "Excuse me. Are you servants? If you are, do you have a free room? I would like to stay here for a week."
Okon stepped forward and took Misao's hand. "Yes, we are, and yes, we have a room just perfect for you. But it is upstairs. Is that all right with you?"
Misao just nodded, took her hand away from Okon's and turned to the driver. "Did you take my walking cane from the carriage?"
The man smiled uncomfortably. "I forgot. Wait for a moment and I'll get it for you." The man turned and walked outside.
Misao turned to the two women and was about speak, when her sharp ears caught a sound. Someone was coming.
"Hello, pretty lady! Welcome! I am Okina. May I help you?" A small smile rose to Misao's lips. One person had not changed. Okina walked and stopped right before her, but he didn't take her hand like Okon had. *Good, at least he knows that he doesn't have to touch me to let me know of his presence. Being blind doesn't mean being helpless.*
"Yes, you can. I am Takahashi Mei and I will be staying here for a week. Could you guide me to my room? Those two women know which one it is. You two-" she said turning to Okon and Omasu. "-Could you get someone to bring my bag upstairs? And tell my thanks to the driver? Thank you." Then she turned to Okina. "Shall we go?" She raised her hand and Okina took a hold of it. And then they were already walking away.
They were already in the stairs, when Okina remembered to ask what room Misao was going to have. And the answer stopped him for a moment. "The one next to Misao's."
Misao stopped also. *They are still keeping my room? After I have been away for six years? And after hearing nothing from me for the past five?* Sharp pain hit her. *Do they still miss me? Still wait for me to come back here?* She had to know.
They continued to walk up stair by stair. *Since when here were this many stairs here?* At last they reached the second floor and towards the end of the corridor. Okina stopped after a little while. "Here-" he opened the shouji. "-this is your room."
He let go of Misao's hand and stepped away. For a moment Misao hesitated on the doorstep. Then she opened her mouth. "Excuse me, can I ask something?" She didn't turn to Okina when she spoke.
"Yes, of course." he answered.
Misao drew a deep breath. "Who is Misao?"
He stiffened at her question and stayed quiet. Misao stood still, begging silently for him to speak, to tell her who she was.
"My granddaughter." his answer was a silent whisper and she barely heard it.
"So, she lives here? I would like to meet her. If she is anything like her grandfather, she must be a person worth meeting." Misao smiled, but her thoughts weren't happy. *Liar. I am such a liar. And a coward.*
"She lives here yes, but I am afraid meeting her right at the moment is impossible. She ain't here, but she will come back, someday." Okina didn't mean to say more, but when he looked at the woman before her, something made him continue.
"She has been on the road for the past six years. And now you must think that I am nothing but a silly old man wishing for the impossible to happen. You are wrong. Misao will come back, because nothing can stop her from doing so. I have never met a woman with more will power than she has got." his voice was steady and his words convincing. He believed in his words.
"Now if you will excuse me, I'll take my leave." he turned and left, leaving Misao alone.
She stood still, her thought racing, her heart aching. *Why did I come back? Why did I allow Himiko-san to talk me into this? Well, I didn't really have a choice in the matter. But... Did I want to come back? Did I somehow know that they would still miss me? Like I miss them? But I am not the same anymore. I am not Misao they knew. I am Mei. A person very different from the one they knew. I wish... I wish things were different. But wishing never changes anything. Misao was the child with wishes, I am the woman who knows that wishes never come true.* Misao sighed.
Footsteps, someone was coming up the stairs. She turned into the direction, her senses alert. Her body automatically too a battle stance. Then she heard some one speak.
"It must be awful not to be able to see. Think about it, Omasu. No colours or shapes... It must be awful." Okon shook her head.
"You're right." Omasu answered. "I never want to lose my capability to see. How would I then know who is handsome and who is not."
Okon giggled. "Omasu! That awful of you." She smiled at the younger woman.
They reached the end of the stairs in silence and then noticed Misao who was still standing at the doorway.
"Hi, we brought your bag and your cane Mei-san."
*So it is -san and not -chan anymore. I wonder, if they knew who I was, would it be -chan?*
Out aloud Misao asked their names since she had not heard them downstairs. Both women introduced themselves blushing and then guided her to inside her room.
It wasn't a big room, a bit smaller than Misao's own room, but she didn't need anymore space, this was enough for her. There wasn't a much of furniture, just a little wooden drawer for personal stuff. On the floor there was a futon neatly folded and a pillow to sit on.
Misao thanked Okon and Omasu and they understood to leave her be. But not before telling her that food came with the room and that she should just ask.
After the shoji closed after them Misao began to make herself comfortable. She walked around the room making herself familiar with every little thing. Then she sat on the pillow.
*It seems that they didn't recognize me... Humph. Not a surprise. I have changed, a lot. They are waiting for Misao, not me.* Misao sat silently and still.
She didn't know what to do. She was hungry, but getting something to eat meant that she would have to face them again and listen to their pitying voices. She had heard it immediately. Almost every person pitied her and that drove her crazy. Was she that pathetic? Just because she couldn't see?
*Hell no! I am strong. Stronger than ever.*
But they did not know that and she didn't want them to know. It could reveal her.
Misao sighed, she was tired. She really needed to get some sleep. Facing Okina had been harder than she had though. And so had been the journey. Suzu wasn't close to Kyoto (, which was one reason why she lived there).
Misao opened her bag, took out her yukata and changed her clothes. She unfolded the futon and lay down. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep. It was late after all.
*************************
The suns warm rays warmed Misao's skin as she woke up. Fresh air was flowing to the room from open window. Misao sat up her senses alerted. She wasn't at her house. Where was she? It took her a moment to remember that she was back in Kyoto, in the Aoiya.
It had been six years since the last time she had been under this roof. Such a long time. She had missed the atmosphere that had always been in Aoiya, but now it had changed. Because of her.
There was waiting in the air. Misao had felt it last evening. It was as if every single person waited for something to happen. She doubted that no one else could feel it but her. She was more sensitive for things like that now than she had been in the past. It was necessary.
Misao sighed. It pained her to be here. Meeting them again, all the time lying. *I am a coward. I am so afraid of their reactions would they understand who I am. But I can't lock myself here for the whole week, I have to go down and face them, again and again.*
Misao rose and took of her yukata. Her body had become for feminine during the years, but Misao had missed it. She took her kimono, the same she had used yesterday, and put it on, mentally preparing herself to face them again, she walked to the door.
For a moment she considered taking her walking cane with her, but decided against it. She opened the door and entered the corridor. She headed towards the stairs intending to go downstairs.
She walked down the stairs slowly, hands tracing the wall and supporting her in case she would lose her balance. The sounds were clear and so familiar. Yelling orders, thanking visitors, greeting new ones. Distant sounds from kitchen, chopping and making food, which scent in the air caused Misao's stomach to grumble, reminding her that she hadn't eaten dinner yesterday.
Foot steps. Very, very faint. Barely even hear able to her sharp ears. And Misao knew exactly who it was. She knew only one man in Kyoto with this quiet step and who could make her so uneasy by just being near her. Aoshi.
He stopped.
"May I help you?"
His voice was just like she remembered it to be. Soft, yet somehow sharp, masculine, cold... It sent shivers down her spine and her heart pounding. She forced herself calm down and answer to him in a quiet voice.
"Yes, please."
The air flowed from the way as he moved closer to her with his quiet steps. His clothing's fabric made small rustling sounds. And then his warm and strong hand took a hold of her arm. How amazing. During the time she had lived here, he had barely laid a finger on her and now...
"Where to?" his voice still managed to set a faster beat to her heart. She was barely able to answer to him.
"Kitchen or somewhere where I can get something to eat."
The man didn't answer, just tugged from her left arm and guided her slowly down the stairs. Misao walked beside him, trusting his guiding. She could feel the warmth emitting from him on her skin.
She was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't notice the alert in his ki and wasn't able to react fast enough as she heard him speak. "Stop."
She continued walking for just a step too much and lost her balance as she stepped on a flower vase. *Not again!* She thought as she fell forward, ready to face the floor, but the hit never came.
Aoshi's hand tightened its grip on her arm and pulled her backwards against him his arm wrapping it around her waist. Misao's head hit his chest and the tightening of her eye cover loosened. It was threatening to fall away.
Misao panicked. *NO! No one may see my eyes! My face! No one!* She tried to rise her both hands, but Aoshi held her left hand and so she could only rely on her right one. And her voice.
"Let go of me!" she could feel Aoshi's surprise and a bit of loosening in his hold. She used her chance and broke free. Her feet hit the vase again and she fell towards the ground, the clothing disappearing from her hand.
Pain hit her as she hit the floor. She let out a whimpering voice, ignored the pain and raised her hands to her eyes, covering them. She heard the vase break as it hit the floor.
"Are you alright?" a hand came to rest on her shoulder, gently urging her to turn to him. Misao just nodded, refusing to turn, and spoke with a weak voice. "My eye cover...?" Her left ankle was hurting like hell and Misao doubted that she had twisted it, but first the cover.
She heard him move first away from her then back. He extended his arm. "Here." And placed it to Misao left hand as she moved it to the direction in which she believed him to be. Her hair was covering her face from his eyes and then she quickly wrapped the clothing back. Feeling safe again, she spoke.
"Excuse me, but I fear I twisted my ankle. Do you have any ice?" she kept her face facing the floor. The man didn't speak. The air moved. *What is he-?*
"Aagh!" she squeaked as she felt strong arms wound themselves around her and lifting her from the ground. She threw her arms around his neck quickly, hitting his cheek in the process. "Ara, gomen nasai." She could feel her cheeks burning.
"I'll take you to the kitchen. They may have ice there. It's better for your ankle if you don't put weight on it." Misao only nodded, blushing furiously.
Aoshi carried her to the kitchen, receiving startled looks from Shiro, Kuro and other workers. He placed Misao sitting on one of the chairs in the room and fetched ice for her ankle as Misao sat still and silent. She could feel their gazes on her skin but didn't let it bother her.
She suppressed a yelp when the ice touched her ankle. Aoshi raised her feet and placed it upon a small chair. "Let the ice stay there for a moment so it won't swallow so much." He rose to his feet. "Shiro, give her something to eat. She is hungry." Then he turned and left, just left. Before Misao had time to thank him.
***
"Okina, take care of Misao. We'll leave tonight."
"He left. With Hannya, Beshimi, Hyottoko and Shikijou... No, wait Misao-chan!"
"I'll find him! I'll find Aoshi-sama!"
***
*But I never did, did I now. I never found you. And I tried so hard... Oh well, it is all in the past. And I live in the now.* Misao sighed and relaxed. *The only reason I am here is Himiko. That stubborn woman.*
"Miss? Miss? Here is food for you." Shiro's voice startled her. She had been so deep in her wandering thoughts that she had completely missed his arrival. His arrival with a bowl of takikomigohan.
"Arigatou." Misao said smiling and extended her hands for him. "It is hot," Shiro warned her as he placed the bowl in her hands. It was indeed quite hot but she didn't let it show. "May I have chopsticks?" not able to see, she missed Shiro's suddenly red face. "Of course. Just a second." Misao heard him leave.
It sure didn't take long before he returned with chopsticks and a glass of water. Misao thanked him and then concentrated on satisfying her stomach. She had indeed been hungry. She had eaten half of her portion when Okon and Omasu came to the kitchen, talking.
"So at what time do you think he'll arrive?" Omasu asked.
"Well, according to the letter he left Tokyo two days ago. Depending on whether he walks or comes with a train, he'll be here tomorrow or the day after that. It's sad that he'll have to come alone, but Himura-san thinks that Kaoru-san shouldn't travel. I can't believe that they are having already third child! I hope it'll be girl this time." Okon handed orders to one of the workers.
"Yes, after two boys a girl would be perfect. And what about Sano-san and Megumi-sensei? I heard from Kaoru-san that after Sano-san returned from travelling, he practically swept Megumi-sensei of her feet. Isn't she now waiting for their first child?" Omasu handed her orders to Shiro.
"Yes. Poor Yahiko-kun. He is surrounded by pregnant women, worried husbands and children. I think that this vacation will be good for him." Okon turned to leave after taking one order from the table.
"It will be good seeing him again. I can't believe that he is already 17! He was ten when he came to Kyoto for the first time, right? He has already grown into a fine young man." Omasu spoke as they left the room leaving Misao to think all that she had just heard.
*Six years is indeed a long time to be gone.*
And she continued eating.
TBC
End of chapter 3.
Ok, first day in the Aoiya done! Six days left.
And yes, Misao _seems_ uneffected by the news of her old friends, but I assure you, it DID affect her.
~Tiian~