Changes...
Disclaimer: Ruruouni Kenshin does not belong to me. They belong to
Nobuhiro Watsuki, Shonen Jump, Sony and other companies that were
involved but not mentioned.
It was a nice day in the Aioya. It was the type of day that's not too
cold and not too hot either. The birds were singing and the flowers
are blooming. You would expect it to be quiet... but...
"Wha?! What the...!!" Misao was awaken from her slumber by a loud
crash that shook the whole Aioya. She grabbed her kunai which she
always placed next to her futon just in case. She rushed down the
stairs to the kitchen and found it a mess.
There were vegetables everywhere and... laughing? Misao looked around
to find Omasu, Okon, and Shiro laughing at Kuro who had obviously
tripped and fell on a crate of veggies. Misao relaxed, I thought
something terrible had happened, she said to herself.
"Misao-chan! Ohayo, I see you've been tossing and turning in your
futon again." Omasu said. Everyone present laughed wholeheartedly.
"Well at least I dont snore like you Omasu. Geez, you sounded like a
pig." Misao retorted. The Oniwabanshuu laughed hard. "Omasu, I didn't
know you snore!" Shiro said in between gales of laughter. "Yeah,
we're lucky that we never heard you!" a veggie-showered Kuro
answered. Omasu was as red as a tomato. "Mou!!! Wait 'till I get my
hands on you Misao!" Omasu said heatedly. "Gomen ne Omasu. I got a
little carried away." Misao smiled sheepishly. "Besides, the whole
lot of you woke me up."
"Well, now that we have appologized, let's start cleaning this mess
up or Okina will have our heads." Okon said. "Ok, you guys go ahead.
I'll sleep." Misao said as she was about to leave the kitchen. "Oh no
you don't young lady." Omasu said as she restrained Misao by her
collar. "You will help us clean." "But I don't want to clean up! I'm
your okashira!! Okashiras never clean!" Misao whined. "Oh but this
one does." Okon said as she handed Misao a broom. "Now let's clean
this mess."
After the mess-cleaning, Misao trudged up to her bedroom and sat on
her futon. Now how am I going to say this to Aoshi-sama... she
thought. I must say it to him nice and slow... wait.. what does he
care? She was cut from her thoughts when a sudden idea struck her.
"That's it! I'll tell him during tea!" she exclaimed.
--------------------
How am I gonna tell this to Misao... Aoshi thought. Should I say it
slowly? dramatically?.... I'll tell her when she brings me tea...
That's it.. he thought. You better say it, or else.. another voice in
his mind said. I will... Aoshi said to the voice irritably. He was
cut short by a sudden knock on his door. Aoshi quickly resumed his
lotus position and pretended to meditate when Misao entered his room.
Misao entered the room silently. That's a first... Aoshi thought to
himself. Something's troubling her...
Misao was so busy with her thoughts that she didn't notice that she
was already in Aoshi's room preparing tea. Her actions were as if she
was programed to do so without question.
"Misao..." Aoshi said. Misao snapped out of her reverie. "Huh? Oh!
Ohayo Aoshi-sama!" she greeted with her smile. Now that's the Misao I
know. Misao handed Aoshi his tea. Aoshi deliberately touched Misao's
hand as he recieved his tea. Earning a pretty blush from Misao. Oh
Kami, she's so beautiful..
They drank their tea in silence. Each in deep thought to notice the
other.
Ok.. this is it.. No more turning back... I've got to tell her..
Ok... this is it.. No more turning back... I've go to tell him...
Both sigh at the same time but they hardly noticed. Aoshi opened his
mouth to speak but Misao spoke first. "Aoshi-sama.. ano... I have to
tell you something." Misao started. Aoshi nodded, signaling that he's
listening.
"I... I..... I have found someone Aoshi-sama." she said. "I do not
understand, Misao." he replied in his same old monotonous voice. "I
have found a boyfriend Aoshi-sama" Misao repeated silently.
Her words struck though his heart like a dagger slowly, painfuly
killing him, leading him to his doom. She was the light of his dark
and gloomy soul. She was the purpose of his being. Now she has found
someone to love. You are too late Aoshi.. the voice in his mind said.
She has found someone to love. She grew tired of waiting. You are so
stubborn...
Baka.. Misao thought. "I will never bother you again Aoshi-sama. Now
that I have found someone to love." She said. She picked up her tray
and left his room.
"Misao... why?.." his question fell on deaf ears
as he reached a hand towards the door. He thought of going after her.
But he knew better. She was out of his life forever. He should be
happy not having to say he loved her. But why does he feel so empty?
-----------------
Misao ran all the way down the hall. When she was in the confines of
her room, she broke down and cried. Misao no baka! You should be
happy you let him go! her mind screamed at her. I know... but I just
want to cry for him one last time... And she did.
The next day, Aoshi was walking towards the Aioya when he spotted a
couple from afar. He couldn't make out who they are but he could see
it was a man and a woman. When his vision allowed him to see clearly.
He stopped in his tracks... Misao... with another guy.
He felt a strange sensation build up inside him. He suddenly felt
like going near them and give the guy a good ass kicking. Fortunately
for the guy whose arm was around Misao's waist, Aoshi didn't budge.
In fact, he was holding his breath. When Misao looked Aoshi's way,
she froze."Aoshi-sama!" Misao gasped. The guy looked at Aoshi cooly
and Aoshi did the same. Misao tried to break the heavy fog of
tension. "Aoshi-sama, meet my boyfriend, Ralph. He's from England."
she smiled brightly at Ralph. Aoshi nodded his greeting and went
swiftly away from the couple.
When Aoshi reached the Aioya, he met Omasu at the door. "Konnichiwa
Aoshi-sama!" Omasu said brightly. Aoshi stared at Omasu coldly which
gave her the chills. Aoshi went up the stairs.
Okon appeared just when the whole thing happened. She approached her
friend and asked "What happened?" "I think Aoshi just met Ralph.."
Omasu said sadly. "I pitty him." "Well, it serves him right." Okon
replied. "Misao has been waiting for him but he never budged..." Both
girls sigh in unison before returning to their work.
In his room, Aoshi tried to meditate, but he could never get Misao
out of his mind. She's torturing me.... he thought. I deserved it.
She got tired of waiting... And I regret not letting her know how
much I.... he stopped his train of thought. Let her go.... She
doesn't need you anymore. he said to himself. Oh but you need her...
another voice in his mind said. You need her so badly... Aoshi hung
his head in defeat. He does need her.. He cares for her.. no.. more
than that.. He loves her.. Misao..... Oh Misao.....
-----------------------
During dinner.....
"Well anyways.. I met this guy on the street and he told me that he
hadn't had a bite in days.." Ralph said. "So I bit him!" Everyone
present at the dining table laughed. All except Aoshi.. He kept his
eyes on his food.
"Shinomori-san, hey Shinomori-san." Ralph called to Aoshi.
Aoshi however, pretended not to notice him calling. He
finished his food, and excused himself from the table.
Okina, Okon, Omasu, Shiro and Kuro shared knowing and solemn looks.
Misao on the other hand, was too busy chatting with Ralph to notice.
Everyone present facefaulted at the sight of the two.
After dinner, Misao and Ralph were sitting on the bench in Okina's
garden (I didn't know Okina had weird talents behind his spying..)
Ralph had his arm around Misao's shoulder and was whispering things
in her ear. Little did they know that someone was eavesdropping on
them.
Aoshi was looking out his window when he spotted Misao and Ralph
sitting on a bench. He was already steaming when Ralph wrapped his
arm around Misao edging her closer to him.
He would give anything to turn back time. He would give anything to
be the person holding Misao close to him. He sighs and prepares for
bed.
Misao knew he was watching of course. She could tell. By the way her
spine tingles "especially" when he is near or watching her. She was
dragged back to reality when Ralph whispered "Misao... Aishiteru.."
Misao blushed. "Hai.. I know.." She smiled up at him and kissed him.
Misao broke the kiss, "Oyasumi nasai..." She gave him a kiss in the
lips again, got up and left. Ralph rose from the bench and went out.
All this time he was watching from his window. Anger building up by
each of her movements. She's killing me... I should be the one she's
kissing... Not that arrogant, dimwitted bastard. When she kissed
Ralph he had had enough. He walked away from the window and went to
sleep.
----------
Misao sat down on her futon. She couldn't get Aoshi out of her mind.
Even though she's got a handsome, raven-haired, well-built and polite
boyfriend. Kuso!!! Why can't I get that block-head off of my mind?!
she said to herself irritably. He's been watching me and Ralph ever
since we sat down on that bench... Maybe he does care... "Iie Iie
Iie!!!!!" she muttered. "He can't care.. he doesn't care..." That's
what YOU say to yourself.. Another voice in her mind said. He
cares... if he didn't, he wouldn't have spied on you in the first
place. "Iie!!!! He just has brotherly affection for me, that's all!"
she argued. If he does... and you think he doesn't care.. then why do
you still think about him? Misao widened her eyes. "Masaka.. he
doesn't care!" She put out the light and drifted off into a restless
sleep.
For the following days, Aoshi was rarely seen at the Aioya. He now
spends most of his time at the temple. He even sleeps there
sometimes. He has been given a room by the monks there since they see
him visit the temple everyday.
As for Misao and Ralph, they've been getting closer and closer. So it
wasn't a surprise when they announced their engagement.
Aoshi was shocked when Misao brought him tea at the temple the next
day. "Ohayo Aoshi-sama!" Misao greeted him with a bright smile. Aoshi
returned the greeting with a slight nod of his head. Misao poured him
and herself a cup.
They drank in silence, it was like as if the pattern never wavered.
Misao broke the silence "Ano... Aoshi-sama.. I've been meaning to
tell you this.." She stopped and looked at Aoshi.
Aoshi nodded.
"Ano... I'm getting married next week..." She finished. Aoshi was in
a state of shock. Though his stoic face never revealed any emotion,
he was dying inside.
Misao looked at Aoshi's face to see if he let his mask down. Aoshi
met her gaze, Misao blushed. Why do I still blush even after I said
goodbye?! Could it be that I still care for him? She was torn away
from her thoughts when Aoshi replied "I see... Congratulations Misao.
I hope you will be happy."
She looked into his eyes, oh his ice blue eyes... Huh?! His eyes...
they're different.. she realized. Indeed his eyes were different.
They were sad, almost pleading to call off the marriage and wait for
him. Almost as if he's silently saying that he does care.. that he
does love her.
"I've got to go now.. Goodbye Aoshi." Misao picked up her tray and
left the temple. Then it hit Aoshi like a ton of kunai hitting him.
She called me Aoshi... not Aoshi-sama.... She still does care....
It's too late now... the voice said again. She belongs to someone
else. I know... he replied I know... Misao... Aishiteru.. Aishiteru
Misao....
------------
Aoshi just couldn't get his mind off of Misao. He just loves her too
much. He finally admitted that. But it was too late. Misao was
getting married in 6 days.
The Aioya was really busy in preparations for the wedding. The
Himuras, Sagaras, Yahiko and Tsubame were there too. "Haha!! Finally
the Icicle has melted!" Sanosuke said amazed. "Yeah! Finally he and
Misao are getting married!" Kaoru said happily. "I'm happy for them."
Tsubame said shyly. They reached the Aioya and were greeted by Misao.
"Welcome minna!! How are you?" Misao said cheerfully. "Misao! We
missed you!" Kaoru said hugging her. "Ah so these are our guests
Misao?" someone asked. "Gak... our..??!?!..." Yahiko stammered.
Megumi, Tsubame, Kaoru and Kenshin were wide eyed and pretty silent.
"Nani?!?! Misao! Who's this guy?!?" Sano asked. "Eeto.... Minna..
Meet my husband-to-be, Ralph." Misao said smiling.
The Kenshin-gumi facefaulted... Misao and Ralph could hear a faint
"Ororororo?!?!?" from Kenshin. Sano recovered first.
"YOUMEANYOU'RENOTGETTINGMARRIEDTOTHATOLDICICLEAOSHISHINOMORI?!??!?!"
he asked. Misao sweatdropped. "Ehehe... no, I'm not." Ralph wrapped
his arm around her making her blush. "How about we go inside and get
to know each other ne?" he asked. Sano just stared.... and stared....
and stared... Until he was dragged in by Megumi.
"No.. can't be... Misao.. belongs.. Aoshi...." Sano kept murmuring in
the dining area not bothering to touch his food. Megumi thwacked Sano
on the head. "Baka, stop murmuring nonsense and eat." she whispered
with such venom that you could have sworn the temperature dropped.
"Hehehe.. gomen gomen." Sano said sheepishly and began to eat at
rapid speed.
After dinner, Kenshin and Kaoru decided to spend the rest of the
evening out in Okina's garden.
"I bet Aoshi's broken-hearted." Kenshin said as he sat down with
Kaoru. "Mmm..." Kaoru agreed. She had been told by Kenshin how he
returned to Misao after the battle with the Juppon Gatana. She knew
from the begining that Aoshi loved Misao. Kenshin wrapped his arm
around Kaoru. "I just hope Misao would see that.." he sighed. Kaoru
rested her head on Kenshin's shoulder. "Hai... I'm worried about the
two of them.."
In the temple, Aoshi lied on his futon looking up at the ceiling. He
knew the Himuras and the others arrived, he had been told. He didn't
want to meet them for he might see Misao and Ralph together. It hurt
his heart to see them both so close and... happy. With a sigh he
closed his eyes to a sleep filled with past memories when Misao was
still his. His.. Misao....
-------------
Aoshi woke up to find that it's already morning. Strange.. he
thought. It's already midday.. He usually wakes up at dawn.
Huh? Something's wrong.. He got up from his futon and went to the
Aioya.
At the Aioya....
"Misao was found this morning sobbing." Okina told the Kenshin-gumi.
"Omasu found her in her room. She was clutching a letter."
He gave the letter to Kenshin to read to the rest of the people at
the dining table.
"Misao...
Gomen.. Demo I have to leave you.. Something came up and... I have
to leave as soon as possible. I have to call the marriage off. I'm so
sorry...
Ralph."
"Kuso!! How could that rat do this to Misao?!?!!" Sano cried out
angrily. "He proposed, she accepted! And they were about to get
married then in the middle of the night he leaves her with a dumb
note saying he has to! And on the day of their wedding!!! I'm
going to nail that good for nothing low-life once and for all!"
"Sano..." Megumi put a comforting hand on her husband's shoulder. "We
are upset about this too you know. Right now, Misao is probably very
sad about this thing..."
"I'm going to talk to her.." Kaoru started but was stopped by Aoshi's
hand on her shoulder.
"No.. I'll talk to her.." He went upstairs and down the hall to
Misao's room.
Misao was clearly crying her heart out. How could he..? Doushite?
Ralph.... doushite....
Someone knocked on her door. "Please leave me alone Jiya. I don't
want to talk right now.." She said hoarsely. Misao could hear the
slide of the door and footsteps.
His footsteps..... Masaka... no it's not true... He couldn't be
here... After what I said to him...
He could tell she knew who was comming. "Misao...." He said.
"Daijoubu?.." He came towards her.
"Please leave me alone Aoshi-sama.." Yet Aoshi was persistent. I'm
not letting this chance go Misao...
Misao was startled by the strong arms that was wrapped around her
petite and shaking body. "Misao...." He took a breath.
"Aishiteru...."
Misao was in heaven. She always wondered how it felt like being in
the arms of her Aoshi-sama. Now she knows... it felt good. "Misao..."
Aoshi said. "Aishiteru...." She was startled by his change of
behaviour. Aoshi-sama....
"Did you just say that to make me happy Aoshi-sama?" Misao said
coldly. Aoshi was taken aback at her cold tone. "Iie Misao. I've been
meaning to tell you this ever since I got back from Shishi-.." Aoshi
was stopped by Misao who continued. "Lies... all lies Aoshi-sama.."
She said with such coldness. "You've been lying to me since the very
begining..." Fresh tears come cascading down her face.
"Misao..." Aoshi wiped Misao's tears with his thumb. "I have lied to
you. You're right, I won't deny the truth." Misao was shocked at
Aoshi's confession. "But I'm not lying now. Misao... Aishiteru.. I
tried to tell you before."
"Then why do you hurt me so?"
"Because I love you too much to let you get close to me... I finally
realized that you are persistent. And I finally realized that my love
for you is stronger... I tried to tell you on the day you told me
about Ralph..."
"Aoshi-sama?"
"Yes Misao?"
"Gomen..." Misao said as the tears came again. "I'm so sorry..."
Aoshi cupped her face in his hands, wiping her tears away. "Sorry for
what Misao?" He asked. "For not waiting for you..." She replied
sadly. "Misao... you always waited for me.... I guess it's all my
fault."
Misao's eyes widened. "Why? You never did anything."
"Because I never did anything.." He repeated Misao's sentence.
"Because I was too much of a coward to tell you that I love you so
much..."
"Aoshi-sama...." Misao hugged Aoshi. "Aishiteru... Honto
Aishiteru..." "I love you too Misao.." Aoshi replied.
Aoshi tilted Misao's head upwards with his thumb. And kisses her.
Misao was so happy. She was now in paradise. Aoshi deepened the kiss
and Misao gladly played with his tongue. Aoshi kissed her with such
passion and possessiveness. Aoshi broke the kiss seeing Misao's
cheeks blush.
"Misao.. will you marry me?"
Misao's mind was in a blur. Aoshi finally proposed. And the wedding
is in 5 days. She finally said yes. He finally said he loved her...
"Our Misao-chan is all grown up!" said Omasu while dabbing at her
tearfull eyes with a handkerchief. "I couldn't agree more.." added
Okon proudly. "I'd say we taught her well..."
"You old maids didn't do anything." Shiro said teasingly. "She did it
on her own free will." added Kuro.
"But we taught her the basics." replied Omasu. "Aa.." the two
Oniwabanshuu said. They knew it was no use arguing with the two
ladies. They could get scary at times.
A few days ago..
"Minna!" Misao said at the dinner table. The Kenshin-gumi and the
rest of the Oniwabanshuu turned to look at Misao. Misao flushed a bit
and said, "Aoshi and I are engaged." Sano, Yahiko, and the rest of
the Oniwabanshuu couldn't help but cheer for Misao and Aoshi's
engagement. The rest congratulated them happily.
"So Shinomori when didja propose eh?" Sanosuke asked. "Yesterday."
Aoshi replied. "Oooohh!! Himura could you be our best man?" Misao
asked excitedly. "Kaoru will you be our bride's maid?" Kenshin and
Kaoru looked at each other and nodded, "Hai!" cheerfully.
Back to present... (day of the wedding)
Everyone was there, Kenshin as the best man, Kaoru as the bride's
maid, Yahiko as the ring-bearer and Tsubame as the pretty flower
girl.
Okina accompanied Misao down the aisle towards the altar, where
Aoshi and Kenshin were waiting.
"You look beautiful." Aoshi whispered to Misao when she arrived at
the altar. "You're so pretty de gozaru." Kenshin said to Kaoru. Both
women blushed pretily.
"Ladies and gentlemen.." the priest began. "We are gathered here
today, to whitness the holy matrimony of Shinomori Aoshi, and
Makimachi Misao. If anyone should object to this holy matrimony,
speak now, or forever hold your peace." He paused, looking at the
people present.
Audience: ....
The priest continued. "Do you, Shinomori Aoshi, take Makimachi Misao
as your lawful wedded wife? For rich or for poor, in sickness and in
health 'till death do you part?" Misao slipped the ring on Aoshi's
left ring finger. Aoshi nodded. "I do."
The priest then turned to Misao. "Do you, Makimachi Misao, take
Shinomori Aoshi, as your lawful wedded husband? For rich or for poor,
in sickness and in health 'till death do you part?" Aoshi slipped the
ring on Misao's left ring finger. Misao nodded. "I do."
"I now pronounce you, Husband and Wife." The priest smiled. "You may
now kiss the bride."
"Aishiteru Misao-mine..." Aoshi said kissing her fiercely and
possessively. The couple were oblivious to the rest of the world, who
clapped and cheered. They were in their own world now. Together..
forever.. as one.
Aishiteru Aoshi....
A few years later...
Misao laughed as she played with their new born baby, Misa. "Oh
Misa.. You're gonna grow up to be a very beautiful and genki lady,
just like me... Oooohh, I can see it now... Then you'll have your own
husband!"
"Would that husband be just like me?" Aoshi asked as he joined his
wife on the futon.
Misao giggled. "Hai, anata. I should tell her how I met you.."
"You mean you're going to tell her about your life?"
"Hai!"
"Won't she get bored listening? If she's going to grow up to be just
like you, then I don't think she could stay put for more than a
minute." Aoshi teased.
"She'll be patient." Misao pouted. "I'm patient you know.."
"Aa... I know.." Aoshi replied. He kissed Misao passionately.
I know Misao.. You've waited for me patiently... Aishiteru....
Aishiteru Misao....
Okies!^-^ If you wanna know what happened to my poor old Ralph,
here's the explanation:
Days before their wedding, Ralph was found dead in the gutter not far
from the Aioya. Hmm... Do you know who killed him? NOT SHINOMORI-SAN!
NEVER!! Well.. he was killed by some robbers who wanted money from
him. Hmm.. not much of a fighter is he??
Whelps... That's about it... What am I gonna do next? *shrug* Please C&C! ^^; This is my first ficcie and I'm sorry if it's kinda lame and all.. _ I just uploaded this now.. *groan* Bad bad writer..
migi-chan