Disclaimer: I do NOT own Rurouni Kenshin. How many times do I have to say this?
Author: It is Friday. Oh my. I have written so much... Can't believe it.
Chapter 9. Misplaced thoughts
Yahiko groaned. The sun woke him up. His window was open and so the whole room bathed in sunlight. He drew his blanket higher up, trying to escape the light. He didn't want to wake up yet. When he was asleep, he didn't feel the pain. The training had been harder than ever yesterday. His every single muscle was aching and he was all black and blue.
She had been more serious than before and increased the strength she used. He had learned to fear her cane. Well, his dodging skills had gotten better. He had done almost anything to avoid being hit. She had laughed at him many times. Not because he was pathetic, but because he was afraid to attack her. So much her cane hurt when she countered.
He had been able to hit her couple of times, but she hadn't even flinched. Not even when the tip of his shinai hit her nose so that it bled. She had only whipped the blood away and continued. He had surely paid for those few hits. But he was getting better.
The speed of his improvement wasn't so high anymore, but he did improve all the time. And if beatings like these were the prise, he was ready to pay it.
Training with Kaoru had never been this intense. When he had mentioned this to Mei, she had smiled and said that the fact that it hadn't been was good. Patience had to be learned first. And if Kaoru started with training like this, soon she would have lost all of her students. Especially since she was a woman. Being beaten by a woman was not something men wanted, it hurt their pride.
Yahiko could understand this. At the beginning he had wanted Kenshin to teach him and when he had told him that Kaoru would be his teacher, he had been disappointed. What could a woman teach him?
A lot. Kaoru had taught him Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu. And now another woman taught him to use it. He would never underestimate women again. They were strong. They may not be able to possess the same level of physical strength that men did, but they had their supple strength that shouldn't be forgotten. Mei sure had proven that to him. When he had attacked her yesterday, she had almost always managed to avoid his strike. She had moved to positions he had thought to be impossible. He could hardly believe how her body could be so... flexible. That sure as hell had distracted him. Hey, he was just a man! And Mei was... Well, a woman with a bendy, sexy body.
Yahiko sat up. He knew he couldn't avoid it forever, no matter how much he hoped. His every muscle was tender and he knew that he just couldn't train today. No matter how little time they had, he just couldn't force himself to continue. For the love of God, he could hardly get up!
Gathering all of his strength and biting his lower lip, Yahiko stood up. Every single movement, every single step and he wanted to yell at the pain. He was also very hungry. After their training he had been too tired and too pained to go to get something to eat, but now his stomach made such a noise he could not ignore and so he headed to the kitchen.
The stairs were the hardest, but somehow he managed to survive. He had only taken few steps when he saw Mei. His eyes widened, Mei hardly every left her room and there she was walking to the kitchen.
"Mei-san." he hadn't spoken it very loudly and was just about to repeat it when he saw her turn to him. 'Since I can't see, I have to get the knowledge of the surrounding world in other ways. I smell things and hear better that normal people,---' He should have remembered.
"Ah, Yahiko-chan, up already?" she smiled to him and walked to him.
*Already? It is a freaking noon. It's late. Can't she see that? ...Of course she can't. She can't see a thing.* Again he felt pain, this time in his heart, for her. He didn't pity her, would he have done that, she would have kicked his already aching ass. He just felt sad. But then he looked at her again.
He looked at her smile and somehow he just couldn't stay sad. Instead he found himself smiling back. "It is not that early anymore, Mei-san. I would guess that it is already noon."
Her smile widened. "Yes, it is. I know. But I didn't expect you to be up till dinnertime. You took quite a beating yesterday, Yahiko-chan."
Yahiko could almost swear that only hearing her gentle voice soothed his aching muscles. As if it would be salve to help anyone who listened to her. He walked past her, slowly. She turned and walked beside him "You must be hungry, ne. You didn't eat anything after dinner and you missed the breakfast."
Again Mei surprised him. She sounded different. Sometimes she was like a caged animal, occasionally she sounded like a wild wind blowing trough forests. And then there were times like this when she sounded like a woman. Gently and caring. Young but very wise. A wife and a mother.
That thought stopped him for a moment before he continued walking. Was Mei married? He didn't know. He didn't really know that much of her past, her relatives. She had said that she had left one family behind her. Had she found a new one? He also understood now that he didn't even know why she was in Kyoto. He turned his eyes to her.
She was wearing a dark blue kimono and tied to her waist was black obi. Her black hair was open and it reached her shoulders. The cover that run over her eyes was also black, like her obi. Her mouth was closed, the previous smile had disappeared. She had a strong nose, he could see that even though half of it was under her cover. He had wondered about it before, but he didn't anymore. After seeing what was hidden, he had understood. She used that cover to protect herself and those around her.
They reached the kitchen and Yahiko's thoughts were interrupted as the smells reaching his nose caused his stomach to rumple. He was hungry, no way around it. He was still growing young man. A man... Yes he was already a man. Young one maybe but still. He was 17 years old. As old as Misao had been when she had left for her journey.
Misao had never told anyone where she had went, just promised that she would come back as a stronger person. But till this day, she hadn't returned. The last message they had received was half a year after she had left, 5½ years ago. She had said that she wasn't ready to return yet, but she would be soon. After that they had heard nothing. Yahiko knew that she had been searched, probably every member of oniwabanshu still kept their eyes open in case that she might show up. Since nothing had been heard, they presumed that she had went abroad. But Yahiko disagreed. Everyone just hoped that she would come back, never voicing the possibility that she maybe couldn't. She could be... dead.
*No! I refuse to believe that! But that means that I am just like everyone else. Like them, I don't have the strength to face the possibility.* He looked at Mei and his eyes widened. For a moment he had seen a long braid swinging over her shoulder as she turned to him. Then it was gone. He shook his head. *I am starting to see things.*
"Yahiko-chan. Is something the matter?" She sounded concerned. Yahiko just shook her head.
"No, everything is fine." And he smiled to Mei. He opened the door to the kitchen.
Kuro and Shiro were chopping vegetables and Omasu was cooking. Okon or the helps that had been present earlier were nowhere to be seen. All three of them looked at the pair and stopped their work. More preciously, they stared at Mei. Yahiko almost wanted to scream at them that she was on their side, but managed to hold it down. He had promised to Mei to tell them _after_ she had left, not before. So no matter how much he hated it, he would wait. He would watch by as they mocked her with their eyes.
He clanged quickly at her, but she just stood there, silently. Her mouth was a tight line and when she walked her steps were small. She talked her voice uncaring and unfeeling, but the way she stood almost seemed to challenge them. "We would like to have something to eat."
For a moment everything was still and silent, then Omasu moved triggering Kuro and Shiro who returned to the vegetables. "Go to the dining room. I'll bring you food there." Then she also continued preparing food. The room fell silent. He saw Mei bow before he exited the room.
"Kami-sama. That tension could have been cut with a knife. They sure are suspicious of you. I mean the way the stared at you, man." Yahiko shook his head.
She nodded. "I felt it too. They were willing to fight me there and then." Somehow she seemed sad. Maybe it was her mouth or the air around her, but he sensed that she was indeed sad.
He didn't really know what he was doing, what he tried to achieve, but he just wanted to help her if it was possible. So he turned to her and embraced her.
She was warm. Shorter than he was and she smelled like fresh outside air. He could feel her stiffening at his touch before after a moment of hesitation she relaxed in his embrace and hugged him back. Yahiko was glad. For a short moment he was able to give her something in return for all of her help.
"Arigatou..." Yahiko could hardly hear her voice even though her mouth was close to his right ear. She rose to her toes and gave him a little kiss on his cheek before pulling herself away from him. Automatically Yahiko's left hand rose and touched the same spot she had kissed.
He looked at her a little plush covering his face. She was smiling, happily. "No one has hugged me in a long time. I had already forgotten what it felt like. Thank you for reminding me." He could almost swear that she had a small plush covering her cheeks also. He smiled. To see her like this was rare.
Somehow she had changed during the time he had spent here. At the beginning she had been unruffled, unchanging and she had hardly ever smiled. But now she smiled more and somehow she seemed... Happier. Even though her former allies all looked at her like she was their worst enemy, she seemed happy. There was almost always a little bit of sadness in her, but just a moment ago it had been gone for a moment.
She turned and walked towards the end of the corridor, to the dining room. Yahiko followed her, just now remembering that his muscles were not okay. Every step seemed harder and harder to take. He had really almost forgotten that he was hurting all over, but now it all returned.
He was more than happy to sit down at the table Mei had chosen. He corrected his thought immediately with a groan. Even sitting hurt. He clanged at Mei and noticed that she was smiling at him. "Don't worry. I won't put you through a lot today or tomorrow. Well, today I can promise, but tomorrow..."
She cocked her head, causing Yahiko to wonder what she was thinking. *What about tomorrow?* Then she smiled like a sun and he was blinded by the sight. Also a disturbing thought crossed his head. *I have seen that smile somewhere before...*
"Would you like to come with me to visit Sasha-san? You would also meet my friend Himiko-san and her husband and kids."
Her question surprised him. After she had told him that she would visit Sasha, he had expected that day to be the first day he didn't see her, but now she was offering him a change to get to know her friends. He smiled. "Of course I'll come if it is all right with them."
"I am sure it is. I'll just say that you're the love of my life." she laughed.
It took a moment before Yahiko understood just exactly what she had said. He blushed and went speechless. "Umm..."
Mei didn't seem to notice his discomfort. "Himiko-san dragged me here because she wanted company and because she thinks that I need to find a husband. She is happily married and mother of two wonderful kids, so she naturally wants me to be as happy as she is. That's the problem with all happily married women, they want everyone to be happy and presume that happiness is same with everyone. But it isn't." She sighed.
They both remained silent even when Omasu brought them food. She looked at them strangely before leaving them alone again. They ate in silence, both deep in their own thoughts.
*Happiness isn't the same with everyone. True. So Mei-san, where does you happiness come from or where has it gone? When I look at you I hardly ever see you looking happy. Of course it is hard to tell because your eyes... Gods, how can anyone do something like that? And for what reason? Did your happiness disappear then? Did you lose your happiness with your eyes?*
' I lost more that day that you can ever imagine. ' Her angry words played themselves over and over through his head.
He ate all of the food quickly and then he looked at Mei. She wasn't eating anymore, but she had food left. She was just sitting there, her hands resting in her lap.
"I am finished." somehow it seemed strange to break the silence. Mei only nodded before standing up. Yahiko also stood up swearing his sore muscles to the hell. He walked after Mei up the stairs and he also almost followed her to her room.
A strange smile appeared on Mei's lips. "Are you going to watch as I change?" She sounded amused. Yahiko blushed furiously. "N-No. Of course not." He turned and walked to his room. He could swear that he heard her giggle. But giggling wasn't very fitting for Mei so he must have heard wrong.
************************
Misao shook her head as she opened her obi and dropped it to the floor. Things were getting dangerous. They were getting too close. *If he realizes who I am...* She took of her cover and fell to her knees. Her hands rose to the scars. *He has seen them.* The skin was smooth around the scars. *I don't know what to do.*
Her hands dropped away from them and she rose up. She stripped the kimono of and took her fighting clothes from her bag. *Why did I take them with me? And more importantly, why did I take _these_ with me?* She took her old oniwabanshu uniform out of the bag. Blue, yellow and pink. She couldn't see the colours but she remembered them. She missed the time she had wore this uniform. But then again she had been wearing it when her eyes had been--removed. After that day she hadn't wore this not once. She didn't have the right to.
She pressed the clothing to her chest. It was her last link to oniwabanshu. And she would cut that link. She would leave it here. She stuffed it back to the bag and started to cloth herself with the ones Yoko had made for her. She also took her weapons with her. It was time for her to train also.
Yahiko was so beaten that she knew that he wouldn't be able to continue sparring for some time and so they would only hone their techniques. She also needed to do so in case that yaminobus would attack while she was still here. It had been sometime since she had seriously trained for a combat. It was time to get used to a weapon again.
She was ready. She had tied her hair, but like always, few strands framed her face. They weren't long enough to be tied back. She didn't miss her long hair. It had been impractical and always in her way. Also it had presented her past and somehow cutting it away had been like cutting herself free from the past. It didn't really work that way, but what the heck.
She heard a shy knock from the door and smiled. "Not charging in? That's new, Yahiko-chan." she walked to the door and smiled to him. "I am ready, let's go."
"Where?" he asked even though he was quite sure about the answer anyway.
She smiled to him. "To the training hall, of course."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
She took her battle stance and almost as fast as Aoshi she launched her attack. Speed and supple strength were on her side. She had speeded up from the past remarkably.
Her weapon cut the air and a kick followed it. Then a jump back to avoid possible attack from her shadow-enemy. She opened her fan and run forward. Suddenly without any warning she cut the air with it. The sharp spikes in the half-moon shaped end would slice and dice an enemy easily. A somersault. She was kneeling on the floor. She could feel Yahiko's eyes on her as she stood up and flipped her fan closed.
She hid the fans into her sleeves, Yoko had made a special place for them. She run forward towards the wall. She hoped that she remembered the size of the room correctly. The little sounds her feet made when they touched the floor wouldn't be enough--
Now, the wall!
Little jump and she continued running up the wall and then gathering her strength and jumped to attack. Her fans suddenly in her hands the suns light reflecting from them, she attacked air and prepared herself for the landing. The floor was hard and her left ankle yelled at her that it hadn't yet completely healed. She stood up. No sweat glittered on her skin. She had done nothing yet.
Yahiko watched her eyes as wide. She was better than he had thought. How could she run up the wall? She was blind for Gods sake!
Misao breathed steadily in and out. She was still in a good shape. Training would be easier if she had someone as her pair. Yahiko's style and weapon didn't fit and she would _not_ ask Aoshi to spar with her. He had taught her with Hannya how to fight, he knew her style better anyone. It had changed a lot, but some moves he would be bound to recognize. Also would she use the shurikens hidden in her belt...
It would be the end of her hiding.
"So, when are you going to start, Yahiko-chan? Or are you just going to keep on staring at me? That ain't gonna help you to become stronger." she smiled at him and heard as he started to go through his kata. Her smile disappeared.
She wouldn't be able to help him with it. She sighed and started to go through her stretching exercises. They were very important to her. She had to replace the lack of strength with something else.
After finishing she practised her kenpo. It was a very handy weapon. In the heat of the battle one could lose a weapon or it might break, but as long as one could stand, kenpo was useful. She hit and kicked the air with ease. Her body was a fine-tuned weapon. Every move was like an automatic reflex to counter or to attack. Well, all this was a result of four years of hard training added to the training she had before. She wasn't to be underestimated.
A cruel smile rose to her lips. This was something she liked in her new self. She was strong, way stronger than before. She would be able to challenge Aoshi, maybe even Himura. Her smile widened. She would be able to really fight them, maybe not win but fight and probably hurt. She almost laughed. *And all this just because I happened to become blind.*
She took her fan and opened it. A fine piece of art. Well balanced, not too heavy or big, it was made for her. It was quick to use when you knew how to use it. Otherwise... Well, she remembered her first tries at it.
She closed her fan and opened it again. Practising this was way too important to be ignored. She had to be able to use them in every situation possible. And if her luck had turned sour, she would need this before she left. Had she known about this ridiculous war, she never would have left Suzu. She would have tied herself in a tree or got intentionally sick.
But here she was. In the training hall honing her skills. Was there no ending to the violence? She had had her share. She liked martial arts and fighting, but she didn't like wars where people killed each others just because of orders. She hated it and she hated people like Shimabara. They enjoyed killing and causing pain.
For some time she had thought of nothing but revenge. Then she had realized that it would change nothing. One good thing would come out of all this. If the war really started, she knew that Shimabara would die. And then no one would have to suffer by his hand like she had.
Misao sat down and listened to Yahiko's steps. He moved in a rhythm of the arts. He was good, very good indeed. He had a quick head and body. She had had troubles with him. She was not as superior as he thought. Well, a weapon like her cane wasn't really fit for her, but using her fans would make the fight unbalanced. And she might actually hurt him or break his shinai. She didn't wish for that to happen.
She was teaching him, but at the same time learning from him. He was still very much like he had been before. Of course he had matured, but he hadn't lost himself into all of the changes. Misao smiled. Maybe she would be able to find herself again. It would be nice to return here. She missed everyone so much. Okon, Omasu, Kuro, Shiro, Jiya, Aoshi and of course all her friends from Tokyo. Himura, Kaoru, Sano, Megumi... And Yahiko.
She wanted to tell him who she was, but again she remembered why not. Until she was Misao again, no one was to know who was Takahashi Mei. Until she had regained her happiness she would stay in shadows like a ninja she was.
They spent three and half-hours there. Both of them practising their katas and moves, before returning to their rooms. Misao went to ask for a bath and Yahiko went to sleep. He was tired, but he felt better. His muscles were better now.
Just before he went to sleep for some unknown reason he thought of Misao. He had been thinking of her more and more every day. *Well, I am in Kyoto. I got to know her here so I guess it's only natural. I hope she returns soon. We all miss her.*
End of chapter 9.
TBC in chapter 10.
Author: It is Friday. Oh my. I have written so much... Can't believe it.
Chapter 9. Misplaced thoughts
Yahiko groaned. The sun woke him up. His window was open and so the whole room bathed in sunlight. He drew his blanket higher up, trying to escape the light. He didn't want to wake up yet. When he was asleep, he didn't feel the pain. The training had been harder than ever yesterday. His every single muscle was aching and he was all black and blue.
She had been more serious than before and increased the strength she used. He had learned to fear her cane. Well, his dodging skills had gotten better. He had done almost anything to avoid being hit. She had laughed at him many times. Not because he was pathetic, but because he was afraid to attack her. So much her cane hurt when she countered.
He had been able to hit her couple of times, but she hadn't even flinched. Not even when the tip of his shinai hit her nose so that it bled. She had only whipped the blood away and continued. He had surely paid for those few hits. But he was getting better.
The speed of his improvement wasn't so high anymore, but he did improve all the time. And if beatings like these were the prise, he was ready to pay it.
Training with Kaoru had never been this intense. When he had mentioned this to Mei, she had smiled and said that the fact that it hadn't been was good. Patience had to be learned first. And if Kaoru started with training like this, soon she would have lost all of her students. Especially since she was a woman. Being beaten by a woman was not something men wanted, it hurt their pride.
Yahiko could understand this. At the beginning he had wanted Kenshin to teach him and when he had told him that Kaoru would be his teacher, he had been disappointed. What could a woman teach him?
A lot. Kaoru had taught him Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu. And now another woman taught him to use it. He would never underestimate women again. They were strong. They may not be able to possess the same level of physical strength that men did, but they had their supple strength that shouldn't be forgotten. Mei sure had proven that to him. When he had attacked her yesterday, she had almost always managed to avoid his strike. She had moved to positions he had thought to be impossible. He could hardly believe how her body could be so... flexible. That sure as hell had distracted him. Hey, he was just a man! And Mei was... Well, a woman with a bendy, sexy body.
Yahiko sat up. He knew he couldn't avoid it forever, no matter how much he hoped. His every muscle was tender and he knew that he just couldn't train today. No matter how little time they had, he just couldn't force himself to continue. For the love of God, he could hardly get up!
Gathering all of his strength and biting his lower lip, Yahiko stood up. Every single movement, every single step and he wanted to yell at the pain. He was also very hungry. After their training he had been too tired and too pained to go to get something to eat, but now his stomach made such a noise he could not ignore and so he headed to the kitchen.
The stairs were the hardest, but somehow he managed to survive. He had only taken few steps when he saw Mei. His eyes widened, Mei hardly every left her room and there she was walking to the kitchen.
"Mei-san." he hadn't spoken it very loudly and was just about to repeat it when he saw her turn to him. 'Since I can't see, I have to get the knowledge of the surrounding world in other ways. I smell things and hear better that normal people,---' He should have remembered.
"Ah, Yahiko-chan, up already?" she smiled to him and walked to him.
*Already? It is a freaking noon. It's late. Can't she see that? ...Of course she can't. She can't see a thing.* Again he felt pain, this time in his heart, for her. He didn't pity her, would he have done that, she would have kicked his already aching ass. He just felt sad. But then he looked at her again.
He looked at her smile and somehow he just couldn't stay sad. Instead he found himself smiling back. "It is not that early anymore, Mei-san. I would guess that it is already noon."
Her smile widened. "Yes, it is. I know. But I didn't expect you to be up till dinnertime. You took quite a beating yesterday, Yahiko-chan."
Yahiko could almost swear that only hearing her gentle voice soothed his aching muscles. As if it would be salve to help anyone who listened to her. He walked past her, slowly. She turned and walked beside him "You must be hungry, ne. You didn't eat anything after dinner and you missed the breakfast."
Again Mei surprised him. She sounded different. Sometimes she was like a caged animal, occasionally she sounded like a wild wind blowing trough forests. And then there were times like this when she sounded like a woman. Gently and caring. Young but very wise. A wife and a mother.
That thought stopped him for a moment before he continued walking. Was Mei married? He didn't know. He didn't really know that much of her past, her relatives. She had said that she had left one family behind her. Had she found a new one? He also understood now that he didn't even know why she was in Kyoto. He turned his eyes to her.
She was wearing a dark blue kimono and tied to her waist was black obi. Her black hair was open and it reached her shoulders. The cover that run over her eyes was also black, like her obi. Her mouth was closed, the previous smile had disappeared. She had a strong nose, he could see that even though half of it was under her cover. He had wondered about it before, but he didn't anymore. After seeing what was hidden, he had understood. She used that cover to protect herself and those around her.
They reached the kitchen and Yahiko's thoughts were interrupted as the smells reaching his nose caused his stomach to rumple. He was hungry, no way around it. He was still growing young man. A man... Yes he was already a man. Young one maybe but still. He was 17 years old. As old as Misao had been when she had left for her journey.
Misao had never told anyone where she had went, just promised that she would come back as a stronger person. But till this day, she hadn't returned. The last message they had received was half a year after she had left, 5½ years ago. She had said that she wasn't ready to return yet, but she would be soon. After that they had heard nothing. Yahiko knew that she had been searched, probably every member of oniwabanshu still kept their eyes open in case that she might show up. Since nothing had been heard, they presumed that she had went abroad. But Yahiko disagreed. Everyone just hoped that she would come back, never voicing the possibility that she maybe couldn't. She could be... dead.
*No! I refuse to believe that! But that means that I am just like everyone else. Like them, I don't have the strength to face the possibility.* He looked at Mei and his eyes widened. For a moment he had seen a long braid swinging over her shoulder as she turned to him. Then it was gone. He shook his head. *I am starting to see things.*
"Yahiko-chan. Is something the matter?" She sounded concerned. Yahiko just shook her head.
"No, everything is fine." And he smiled to Mei. He opened the door to the kitchen.
Kuro and Shiro were chopping vegetables and Omasu was cooking. Okon or the helps that had been present earlier were nowhere to be seen. All three of them looked at the pair and stopped their work. More preciously, they stared at Mei. Yahiko almost wanted to scream at them that she was on their side, but managed to hold it down. He had promised to Mei to tell them _after_ she had left, not before. So no matter how much he hated it, he would wait. He would watch by as they mocked her with their eyes.
He clanged quickly at her, but she just stood there, silently. Her mouth was a tight line and when she walked her steps were small. She talked her voice uncaring and unfeeling, but the way she stood almost seemed to challenge them. "We would like to have something to eat."
For a moment everything was still and silent, then Omasu moved triggering Kuro and Shiro who returned to the vegetables. "Go to the dining room. I'll bring you food there." Then she also continued preparing food. The room fell silent. He saw Mei bow before he exited the room.
"Kami-sama. That tension could have been cut with a knife. They sure are suspicious of you. I mean the way the stared at you, man." Yahiko shook his head.
She nodded. "I felt it too. They were willing to fight me there and then." Somehow she seemed sad. Maybe it was her mouth or the air around her, but he sensed that she was indeed sad.
He didn't really know what he was doing, what he tried to achieve, but he just wanted to help her if it was possible. So he turned to her and embraced her.
She was warm. Shorter than he was and she smelled like fresh outside air. He could feel her stiffening at his touch before after a moment of hesitation she relaxed in his embrace and hugged him back. Yahiko was glad. For a short moment he was able to give her something in return for all of her help.
"Arigatou..." Yahiko could hardly hear her voice even though her mouth was close to his right ear. She rose to her toes and gave him a little kiss on his cheek before pulling herself away from him. Automatically Yahiko's left hand rose and touched the same spot she had kissed.
He looked at her a little plush covering his face. She was smiling, happily. "No one has hugged me in a long time. I had already forgotten what it felt like. Thank you for reminding me." He could almost swear that she had a small plush covering her cheeks also. He smiled. To see her like this was rare.
Somehow she had changed during the time he had spent here. At the beginning she had been unruffled, unchanging and she had hardly ever smiled. But now she smiled more and somehow she seemed... Happier. Even though her former allies all looked at her like she was their worst enemy, she seemed happy. There was almost always a little bit of sadness in her, but just a moment ago it had been gone for a moment.
She turned and walked towards the end of the corridor, to the dining room. Yahiko followed her, just now remembering that his muscles were not okay. Every step seemed harder and harder to take. He had really almost forgotten that he was hurting all over, but now it all returned.
He was more than happy to sit down at the table Mei had chosen. He corrected his thought immediately with a groan. Even sitting hurt. He clanged at Mei and noticed that she was smiling at him. "Don't worry. I won't put you through a lot today or tomorrow. Well, today I can promise, but tomorrow..."
She cocked her head, causing Yahiko to wonder what she was thinking. *What about tomorrow?* Then she smiled like a sun and he was blinded by the sight. Also a disturbing thought crossed his head. *I have seen that smile somewhere before...*
"Would you like to come with me to visit Sasha-san? You would also meet my friend Himiko-san and her husband and kids."
Her question surprised him. After she had told him that she would visit Sasha, he had expected that day to be the first day he didn't see her, but now she was offering him a change to get to know her friends. He smiled. "Of course I'll come if it is all right with them."
"I am sure it is. I'll just say that you're the love of my life." she laughed.
It took a moment before Yahiko understood just exactly what she had said. He blushed and went speechless. "Umm..."
Mei didn't seem to notice his discomfort. "Himiko-san dragged me here because she wanted company and because she thinks that I need to find a husband. She is happily married and mother of two wonderful kids, so she naturally wants me to be as happy as she is. That's the problem with all happily married women, they want everyone to be happy and presume that happiness is same with everyone. But it isn't." She sighed.
They both remained silent even when Omasu brought them food. She looked at them strangely before leaving them alone again. They ate in silence, both deep in their own thoughts.
*Happiness isn't the same with everyone. True. So Mei-san, where does you happiness come from or where has it gone? When I look at you I hardly ever see you looking happy. Of course it is hard to tell because your eyes... Gods, how can anyone do something like that? And for what reason? Did your happiness disappear then? Did you lose your happiness with your eyes?*
' I lost more that day that you can ever imagine. ' Her angry words played themselves over and over through his head.
He ate all of the food quickly and then he looked at Mei. She wasn't eating anymore, but she had food left. She was just sitting there, her hands resting in her lap.
"I am finished." somehow it seemed strange to break the silence. Mei only nodded before standing up. Yahiko also stood up swearing his sore muscles to the hell. He walked after Mei up the stairs and he also almost followed her to her room.
A strange smile appeared on Mei's lips. "Are you going to watch as I change?" She sounded amused. Yahiko blushed furiously. "N-No. Of course not." He turned and walked to his room. He could swear that he heard her giggle. But giggling wasn't very fitting for Mei so he must have heard wrong.
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Misao shook her head as she opened her obi and dropped it to the floor. Things were getting dangerous. They were getting too close. *If he realizes who I am...* She took of her cover and fell to her knees. Her hands rose to the scars. *He has seen them.* The skin was smooth around the scars. *I don't know what to do.*
Her hands dropped away from them and she rose up. She stripped the kimono of and took her fighting clothes from her bag. *Why did I take them with me? And more importantly, why did I take _these_ with me?* She took her old oniwabanshu uniform out of the bag. Blue, yellow and pink. She couldn't see the colours but she remembered them. She missed the time she had wore this uniform. But then again she had been wearing it when her eyes had been--removed. After that day she hadn't wore this not once. She didn't have the right to.
She pressed the clothing to her chest. It was her last link to oniwabanshu. And she would cut that link. She would leave it here. She stuffed it back to the bag and started to cloth herself with the ones Yoko had made for her. She also took her weapons with her. It was time for her to train also.
Yahiko was so beaten that she knew that he wouldn't be able to continue sparring for some time and so they would only hone their techniques. She also needed to do so in case that yaminobus would attack while she was still here. It had been sometime since she had seriously trained for a combat. It was time to get used to a weapon again.
She was ready. She had tied her hair, but like always, few strands framed her face. They weren't long enough to be tied back. She didn't miss her long hair. It had been impractical and always in her way. Also it had presented her past and somehow cutting it away had been like cutting herself free from the past. It didn't really work that way, but what the heck.
She heard a shy knock from the door and smiled. "Not charging in? That's new, Yahiko-chan." she walked to the door and smiled to him. "I am ready, let's go."
"Where?" he asked even though he was quite sure about the answer anyway.
She smiled to him. "To the training hall, of course."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
She took her battle stance and almost as fast as Aoshi she launched her attack. Speed and supple strength were on her side. She had speeded up from the past remarkably.
Her weapon cut the air and a kick followed it. Then a jump back to avoid possible attack from her shadow-enemy. She opened her fan and run forward. Suddenly without any warning she cut the air with it. The sharp spikes in the half-moon shaped end would slice and dice an enemy easily. A somersault. She was kneeling on the floor. She could feel Yahiko's eyes on her as she stood up and flipped her fan closed.
She hid the fans into her sleeves, Yoko had made a special place for them. She run forward towards the wall. She hoped that she remembered the size of the room correctly. The little sounds her feet made when they touched the floor wouldn't be enough--
Now, the wall!
Little jump and she continued running up the wall and then gathering her strength and jumped to attack. Her fans suddenly in her hands the suns light reflecting from them, she attacked air and prepared herself for the landing. The floor was hard and her left ankle yelled at her that it hadn't yet completely healed. She stood up. No sweat glittered on her skin. She had done nothing yet.
Yahiko watched her eyes as wide. She was better than he had thought. How could she run up the wall? She was blind for Gods sake!
Misao breathed steadily in and out. She was still in a good shape. Training would be easier if she had someone as her pair. Yahiko's style and weapon didn't fit and she would _not_ ask Aoshi to spar with her. He had taught her with Hannya how to fight, he knew her style better anyone. It had changed a lot, but some moves he would be bound to recognize. Also would she use the shurikens hidden in her belt...
It would be the end of her hiding.
"So, when are you going to start, Yahiko-chan? Or are you just going to keep on staring at me? That ain't gonna help you to become stronger." she smiled at him and heard as he started to go through his kata. Her smile disappeared.
She wouldn't be able to help him with it. She sighed and started to go through her stretching exercises. They were very important to her. She had to replace the lack of strength with something else.
After finishing she practised her kenpo. It was a very handy weapon. In the heat of the battle one could lose a weapon or it might break, but as long as one could stand, kenpo was useful. She hit and kicked the air with ease. Her body was a fine-tuned weapon. Every move was like an automatic reflex to counter or to attack. Well, all this was a result of four years of hard training added to the training she had before. She wasn't to be underestimated.
A cruel smile rose to her lips. This was something she liked in her new self. She was strong, way stronger than before. She would be able to challenge Aoshi, maybe even Himura. Her smile widened. She would be able to really fight them, maybe not win but fight and probably hurt. She almost laughed. *And all this just because I happened to become blind.*
She took her fan and opened it. A fine piece of art. Well balanced, not too heavy or big, it was made for her. It was quick to use when you knew how to use it. Otherwise... Well, she remembered her first tries at it.
She closed her fan and opened it again. Practising this was way too important to be ignored. She had to be able to use them in every situation possible. And if her luck had turned sour, she would need this before she left. Had she known about this ridiculous war, she never would have left Suzu. She would have tied herself in a tree or got intentionally sick.
But here she was. In the training hall honing her skills. Was there no ending to the violence? She had had her share. She liked martial arts and fighting, but she didn't like wars where people killed each others just because of orders. She hated it and she hated people like Shimabara. They enjoyed killing and causing pain.
For some time she had thought of nothing but revenge. Then she had realized that it would change nothing. One good thing would come out of all this. If the war really started, she knew that Shimabara would die. And then no one would have to suffer by his hand like she had.
Misao sat down and listened to Yahiko's steps. He moved in a rhythm of the arts. He was good, very good indeed. He had a quick head and body. She had had troubles with him. She was not as superior as he thought. Well, a weapon like her cane wasn't really fit for her, but using her fans would make the fight unbalanced. And she might actually hurt him or break his shinai. She didn't wish for that to happen.
She was teaching him, but at the same time learning from him. He was still very much like he had been before. Of course he had matured, but he hadn't lost himself into all of the changes. Misao smiled. Maybe she would be able to find herself again. It would be nice to return here. She missed everyone so much. Okon, Omasu, Kuro, Shiro, Jiya, Aoshi and of course all her friends from Tokyo. Himura, Kaoru, Sano, Megumi... And Yahiko.
She wanted to tell him who she was, but again she remembered why not. Until she was Misao again, no one was to know who was Takahashi Mei. Until she had regained her happiness she would stay in shadows like a ninja she was.
They spent three and half-hours there. Both of them practising their katas and moves, before returning to their rooms. Misao went to ask for a bath and Yahiko went to sleep. He was tired, but he felt better. His muscles were better now.
Just before he went to sleep for some unknown reason he thought of Misao. He had been thinking of her more and more every day. *Well, I am in Kyoto. I got to know her here so I guess it's only natural. I hope she returns soon. We all miss her.*
End of chapter 9.
TBC in chapter 10.