Deep Within
By
Jen
How
Could The One I Gave My Heart To, Break My Heart So Bad?
How Could The One Who Made Me Happy, Make Me Feel So Sad?
Wont Somebody Tell Me? So I Can Understand.
- The One I Gave My Heart To Aaliyah
Chapter 2 –Departure: "I Need to Move on. Sayonara… Sayonara."
Mei
looked around disapprovingly at the sleeping bodies of the drunken Oniwabanshuu.
She stepped over their bodies so that she would be able to move to Misao's
room. She moved until she was in front of Misao's door and tried to open it,
but the door wouldn't budge. Something was blocking her from opening the door.
She felt for Misao's chi, and could not find it. Mei tried knocking on the
door to wake Misao. When she did not get a response, Mei began to pound on the
door, trying vainly to knock it down. The commotion awoke the other ninjas in
the room, and they found Mei trying to knock down Misao's door. Mei was
calling Misao's name loudly.
"What's wrong, Mei?"
Okina asked as he tried to calm the hysterical girl down. Mei broke loose from
his arms and tried again to open the door that was separating her from her
friend. Shiro and Kuro helped hold her back as Okina again questioned her.
Mei's face was flushed with fury, worry, and fear.
"Misao. Misao's chi is
missing. I can't feel her chi." Mei tried again to break from their hold and
this time they let her go. Okina tried to reach's Misao's chi and found
nothing also. "Mei is right. I can't feel Misao's chi." Okina, Shiro and Kuro began to help her try to break down the
door. Omasu and Okon rushed to
Aoshi's room to awaken him and Yuri. They knocked on the door frantically
waiting for an answer. "Aoshi-sama! Yuri-san! Wake up!"
Aoshi woke up at the call of
his name, and he felt Yuri stir beside him. They both noted the anxiety in
Omasu's and Okon's voices. They both dressed quickly and opened the door to
find Omasu and Okon both wearing distressed faces.
"Please hurry! It's
Misao-chan. Okina can't feel her chi, and her door won't open! Please
Aoshi-sama!"
But Aoshi was already racing
to Misao's room, leaving the women to follow him. When they arrived, they saw
Misao's door opened. They entered, not sure of what they would find. The scene
that greeted them, was less than encouraging. Mei was weeping in Shiro's arms,
and Kuro was trying to help Okina sit up. Misao's futon was neatly folded in
the corner and on top of it was a long bundle of black hair. And her ninja
uniform.
"She's gone." Aoshi
looked up at the weak tone in Okina's voice. Kuro and Omasu were still trying
to help him, as he stood up. "She's gone. Left. She's never coming back.
It's my entire fault. My angel is never coming back"
Everyone looked startled at
the news, and they finally noticed the letter that he held in his hands. Mei
took the letter from his hands and read it aloud to everyone.
Minna,
By the time you find this letter, I will be long gone. Where? I'm not really sure.
//A young male
walked into a nearby restaurant to rest after a long night of traveling. //
All
I know is that I needed to leave. To get as far away as I can from Kyoto.
// The young man
warily sat down in the corner of the place, hoping to draw as little attention
to himself as possible. //
I
realize that I can no longer stay here. The memories are too painful.
// The waitress
watched the young man as he sat in the corner. He was small in frame and had
dark bluish black hair. She approached him and asked for his order. When he
looked up, she was startled to see such sorrowful blue eyes. The mysterious boy
forced a smile and ordered a bowl of rice and tea. //
// The waitress brought the
male his meal, and quietly observed him from across the room. The male took off
his hat and began to devour the meal quickly. He took his time as he sipped the
tea. She moved to clear away his dishes, but stopped when she saw the blood on
his arms.
"Are you alright, sir? What
happened? Do you need some help?"
The male looked up at her and
shook his head. "I'm okay. The wounds are old. I just need to replace the
bandages." //
I
tried to ignore them. I tried to ignore the pain that I was feeling, but it was
far too great. I started to contemplate death. Soon I began to starve myself and
even cut my wrists. I was always wondering why? Why do I feel this way? I doubt
no one had noticed my unusual behavior, as you were busy with other things.
Silence.
// "Thank you." The boy
smiled at the waitress as he left.
"Matte!" she called out. "What is your name?"
The male seemed to be at a
loss for words, but after a while he answered, "…Ryuuen."
"Ryuuen." The waitress
repeated, suddenly feeling sympathy for the mysterious youth, " Have a safe
journey. Where ever you may be going." //
I spent most of my time
weeping in my room. I do not remember the last time I had actually smiled. The
tears will not come anymore. How I want to cry, but the tears won't come.
// Slowly a smile spread
across, Ryuuen's features. "Thank you."
The waitress thought Ryuuen
had the most wonderful smile and found herself smiling back at him. //
Now I have decided to
leave. To find myself again. I have resolved to never return to Kyoto. Minna,
please do not follow me. I am sorry for any grievances I have caused, but this
is my choice and I wish that you respect it and leave me be. I have turned over
my position as okashira back to Aoshi. I write this letter to bid farewell and
ask of you two favors. Please move on and forget me. Second, please be happy.
For my sake be happy and forget.
// Ryuuen left the comfort of
the restaurant and company of the waitress to face the lonely, hard road ahead
of him. He arrived at a crossroad. The signs pointed to Tokyo and Kyoto. He
chose the road to Tokyo, but soon headed off the road to wander around the
forest. I'm not going to Tokyo just yet.
Knowing everyone, they probably would
follow me there and drag me back with them. //
I need to move on.
Sayonara… Sayonara.
Misao
Mei finished the letter, and
there was nothing. Just silence. Unbearable silence.
Author's Notes: Enough
angst for you? No? Ok. Sorry this chapter was so short. I really couldn't
think of what else to write for it. I probably will come back later and revise
it. I decided to make Mei one of the supporting characters in the story. She is
Misao's childhood friend, whom cares for Misao more than anyone else probably
does.
Ok now for the fun part:
*Feedback* Loved it? Hate it?
Send comments! *Begs* Please? I
really need them. I would take any suggestions on how to make the fic better.
This is my first Aoshi-Misao fic, or rather first ever fic, and I know I could
improve. -_-
