Warriors Never Cry
Chapter 2
Story by: Cessy Angel
Okina sighed. The lantern he had in front of him's flame was running out, same as for the sun that had set moments earlier. He looked up at Okon and Omasu, the duo had been worrying about Misao's safety and didn't stop telling their opinions towards him.
"Demo, Okina, Misao should have come back home! She has never stayed out this late." Okon protested, indeed, she was worried. Never has Misao left the Aoiya for such a long time, well, not since she came back after her supposed quest around Japan to find Aoshi-sama.
Omasu stood behind Okon, waiting for Okina's answer. She could hear Kuro and Shiro rustling on the other side of the door. Even men could not stand feeling as if they could help as such a moment. Maybe we're overreacting...
"Minna, I'm as worried about Misao as you all are." He wanted to continue, but words failed him, he sighed again, and looked outside. "Another hour. After that, we'll search Kyoto." His voice sounded so far away, so old.
"Hai, Okina." Okon and Omasu
exited the man's study, whispering the news to Kuro and Shiro. Both men
disappeared in the halls, while Omasu whispered another word to Okon. Nodding,
she entered Okina's study, and Omasu walking towards Aoshi's room.
*~*~*~*
A soft knock was hear on the door.
He straitened himself, in his usual manner, cross-legged with both hands on his side. Ever since he had received the news that Misao was maybe missing, he had been unable to concentrate. It wasn't that he was worried about her, she was a grown girl, after all. It was just that the other Oniwabanshuu had been tense, and it disturbed his atmosphere, not like it mattered.
Another knock.
"Aoshi-sama?" A soft voice whispered between the cracks of the door.
Aoshi's eyes snapped open. Dazed for a moment, but then took his normal stance. From what he heard, it must be Omasu at the door, maybe she had good news to give him. "I'm here."
"Can I come in?"
"Hai."
The door gently opened, half-way through. Omasu's head stuck out, as she looked at the sitting man. "Aoshi-san, I just wanted to tell you that in an hour, we'll be going out to look for Misao around Kyoto. Do you want to join us? I mean... maybe-"
"Iie, I'll stay here."
Aoshi's cold voice sent a chill down Omasu's spine. For that moment, that single moment, she wanted to slap him for his inconsiderate answer. Yet she only bowed her head, nodding. After several seconds, she shut the door again and walked down the hall, leaving Aoshi alone in his room.
He bowed hi head, black locks falling over his face. "So Misao still hasn't come back..."
That laugh.
That annoying, bone-chilling laugh.
Misao tried to block it out,
but even if the shadow was upstairs, she could still hear his chuckle from
the basement. Her head lowered, she only then noticed that her kimono,
her mother's kimono, had stains on it. She didn't see them, but more or
less felt them. Blood.
~*Flashback*~
The girl's burned fire, her face flushing crimson in anger. She spat in his face. Even her anger was showing in her voice, a rage that she had felt only once. "I don't know who you are, and I don't care. But no one, no one, uses me to hurt Aoshi-sama in any way."
The shadow groaned angrily while his hand reached to his face to wipe off the sticky substance. His voice was menacing, yet amused. He giggled, then snapped a finger. "You little bitch, you'll learn to treat me in a better manner."
His arm swung and caught Misao's right cheek, hitting it hard. Her head flung against the wall, an unbearable wave of pain rose to her head. Blood trickled down her mouth, while her rasping breathing was broken by the man that approached her. Only his shadow in view, she could already see that he was a trained ninja. His figure stood tall in front of Misao, blocking her sight on the other, but quickly saw him giggling again as he marched up the stairs.
"Give our guest a little welcoming gesture, Kimweri."
"Hai,..." He stopped, not revealing the other's name.
From where she stood, the only thing Misao saw was a long rope of some kind being picked up by the ninja. He came closer to her, letting the rope fall to the floor. She gasped. A whip! He threw it in the air, cracking it near her left arm, missing by inches.
"Why are you doing this?" Misao's body clenched as another crack of the whip came close to hitting her right leg. Her heart dashed as the man known as Kimweri didn't answer her, but stood directly in front of her. She could feel his eyes boring on her face, who are these people?
She opened her mouth to say more, but stopped as she heard the whip slashing into the air, snapping itself over her body. A wave of pain flood through her. A groan escaped her mouth as she felt her body growing numb. The whip came down again, and again, and again...
"Why... ?"
That was the last word she
said before her eyes closed and she passed out.
~*End Flashback*~
Her head bobbed upwards and back downwards. She didn't ant to feel the dampness on her mother's kimono, stained in her blood. She felt so weak. How much time had passed? A day, two days at most. Yet even in the short space of time, she felt as if she had left her Oniwabanshuu friends ages ago, she missed them. A tear spilled on her cheek, warming up a small part of her body, yet it froze again. "I miss you.. Aoshi-sama..."
"What was that comment, little girl?"
Misao's head spun upwards. She didn't even notice him coming in. She grimaced, anger already burning up in her body. The second I get out of these damn shackles, he's gonna go to hell, the painful way...
"Oh, come now, you can talk to me." He cooed, moving his hand to her face. The dim light now showed more of his features. He had strait chin-length hair, his long face revealed that his right and left cheek were uneven, but his eyes were still dark in the shadows. "Would you mind giving me your name? Or do you want to say hello to Kimweri again?" A slight menace in his voice.
She continued glaring at him. The pain she felt, inside and outside, was unbearable. A small shiver came to her spine, just tell him your name, he can't hurt you by knowing your name. God, she hated herself for what she was about to do. "Makimachi Misao..."
He giggled, taking Misao's head in his gloved hand. He spoke to close, that she could feel his hot breath on her chilling body. "Arigato, for giving Kanryu Takeda your name, Misao."
Misao's eyes grew wide. "No..."
Author's note: Aiyee, poor Misao-chan. Now, If I can get the plot of the story to fit in, I'm going to be on a role. Please leave comments! I need to know if this story is actually interesting. ^_^;;