Warmth.In her hand.
Those were the first thoughts that came through Kasumi's head as she woke up to birdsong and sunlight filtering through her window. She opened her eyes and saw a handsome young man who is probably as old as she is,holding her hand, he is sleeping.
"Who are you?"she asked as she took her hand away.
He rubbed the sleep away from his eyes as he looked at her incredulously. She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Watashi wa Shinomori Aoshi. You're awake!You've been sleeping for the past three days!"he said.
"Aoshi?"
"Hai."
"You're the one I'm going to marry?!" she said unbelievingly.
"General Sagara,we have heard that some rebels are planning to attack tonight."Battousai said as the samurais were gathered once more in the tea room.
"Sir, it is best that you hide your daughter in Kyoto. They might take hostage of her here."Shishio said.
"I'll escort her there. I'll make sure that she has the best servants and soldiers with her."Aoshi offered.
"Sugoi. That is a good suggestion Aoshi.But you have to remain in here.The rebels might know who she is is you are with her."General Sagara said.
"As you wish."Aoshi replied.
"Keiko,you take care of my daughter."General Sagara told his daughter's servant as they were about to leave.
"Kasumi,if ever anything happens to me. Your wedding will still push through."
"Toussan,please don't speak like that. Remember always that I love you very much."Kasumi said with tears in her eyes.
"There she is!The only child of the Imperial Army's General!"
"We have to kill her so that the Army will fight us in full force!"
"At my signal we will attack."
"GIVE KASUMI SAGARA NOW TO US!"a voice shouted from the dark.
"NEVER!WE WON'T LET YOU TOUCH HER!"Sakyou yelled,unsheathing his sword.
"FOOL!"
Three minutes later,Kasumi was the only one alive left. She was clutching Keiko's dying form in her arms.
"Gomen nasai Kasumi. But you just have to die."
"IIIEEE!!!!!!!"she screamed as before she felt the cold katana plunge into her heart.
****************************************************************************
"Akira-san.I'm sorry for what happened to your daughter."Ganko Shinomori,Aoshi's mother said after the creamation of Kasumi.
"What about Aoshi?"Akira asked.
"I'm really worried. He rarely goes out of his room and he doesn't want to eat."Ganko said.
Aoshi stood outside his room,staring at the sunset.He heard his parents entertaining guests,it would be,no doubt,another one of their attempts to find him a wife. Feeling sick of pretending to be nice and cordial,he decided to sneak out and have some sake.
"Sumimasen minna,aren't you Aoshi Shinomori?The one who was bethrothed to Kasumi Sagara?"the waitress asked him as he ordered his fourth bottle of sake.
"Hai.I am.If you don't mind,I'd like it of you just leave me alone."Aoshi said curtly.
"Of course sir."