Chapter 7
2 days later...
Misao drew a ragged breath before her legs gave out. Her weary body slid to the ground, her fingers loosening their grip on her kunai. She closed her eyes, lying on her back and struggling to catch her breath as she rested. As tired as she was, she could still hear footsteps approaching her. She smiled graciously as she felt the man lift her head and pour water from a gourd down her throat.
" Hurry up weasel. We still have to keep moving if we want to make it back home."
After the refreshing drink, she sat up, supporting herself on her arms as she stared at the much taller man putting the cap back onto the water gourd.
" Why are you doing this to me?"
" I don't want to see such energy go to waste."
Misao laughed and raised a hand before letting it drop limply back to the ground in demonstration.
" As you can see I don't have much energy left. We've been doing this for the past 3 days. What's the point?"
" Baka. You don't really think I'd make you chase me around the forest if there was no point to you?"
" I dunno Hiko. You do make some pretty pointless things at times...like those pots you call art."
" If that's another hint to make me chase you I'm not buying into it girl."
Misao rubbed the back of her head sheepishly as Hiko seethed before her.
" Alright. Then tell me the point then."
Hiko threw his mantle behind him, a gust of wind blew, making the white material billow behind him. The angry look on his face disappeared, replaced with an expression of dead seriousness.
" I am teaching you a revised version of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu. For Kunai."
Misao's eyes widened, her jaw slackened as it dragged along the floor, her gaping mouth drawing a sharp breath.
Then there was silence, save the sounds of the wind blowing through the nooks and crannies of the forest.
" Really?"
" Hell no. You think I'd teach such a godly technique to someone like you?"
Hiko's bellowing laughter was soon silenced by Misao's attempt to whack him with a nearby tree branch.
" Damn you!"
" Hey calm down for a minute. I am really trying to help you. Really."
" No you're not! You've spent the past 3 days trying to annoy me! I can't believe I actually believed you for even a second when you said you were trying to teach me something. What would you know about Kunai anyway?!"
Misao staggered off, ranting and raving, steam coming out of her ears leaving a laughing Hiko following behind her.
" You know, I used kunai too. I was trying to probe my baka deshi's ken ki back then. But, ki doesn't have to come from just the sword."
Misao ignored him, continuing in her quest to badmouth Hiko in every way possible.
" Weasel girl, you can't honestly say that you don't find it easier to throw kunai faster and more accurately than you did 3 days ago?"
That made Misao stop in her tracks. Pulling out a kunai, it surprisingly felt much lighter in her hand than it did before. Flashbacks of the last 3 days came back to her, and she found that she had in fact been throwing them faster, but not accurately. They never hit their intended target.
" No. Not more accurately. I never succeeded in hurting you!"
" You think you can hit a Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu master with kunai? That's a useless dream. Your running around has made you faster and stronger. And I get my entertainment. So what's the big deal?"
" This! Shin ne!"
Misao pivots sharply, using her body weight to add more force behind the half a dozen kunai she threw at Hiko. Swearing incoherently, she picked up the pace as Hiko once again eluded her.
________
5 days later...
The late afternoon sun glanced off the polished floors of the Aoiya, illuminating the sitting room. Kenshin sat somewhat nervously, looking at the cool and calm man seated before him.
" So...Aoshi-san. What did you want to ask me?"
Kenshin fidgeted as he saw his wife outside glaring at him. For the past week, since his visit to his shishou, Kaoru had been pestering non stop, trying to find out what had happened. Of course, he hadn't said anything.
" Battousai. I received some information about Misao."
Kenshin visibly stiffened under Aoshi's watchful eye.
" Honto...that's good. By the way...please call me Kenshin."
Aoshi sat passively, sipping his tea. Kenshin waited for an answer, his mind racing, trying to figure out what Aoshi might say.
" As you know, the Oniwabanshuu have sent out spies to look for Misao. Yesterday, I received a report that a tall, muscular man with a high capacity for alcohol came down from a mountain from the outskirts of Kyoto to visit a store."
Kenshin stared incredulously at Aoshi, thinking.
" Tall...muscular man. High capacity for alcohol...Shishou! BAKA!"
" I suppose Himura, you know who I am talking about. This man bought a large amount of Sake."
" My Shishou...Hiko Seijuro."
" Yes. My spy found something interesting on his manto."
" what was it?"
" A very long strand of hair."
Kenshin groaned inwardly, his mind screaming bad words at his Shishou for being so careless.
" Himura, you visited your Shishou. Tell me the truth. Is Misao up there?"
Kenshin sighed. He was stuck at a moral crossroad. To keep his word to Misao or lie to Aoshi.
" Why do you want to know?"
Aoshi set his cup down, and glared at Kenshin.
" Yoshimura wants to know about the whereabouts of his fiancée. It is my duty to find her."
" Is that truly the reason? Your family have been telling me that you cared for Misao as a young girl. Do you honestly not care yourself for her wellbeing?"
" ...my family?"
" Yes...the people at the Aoiya. The Oniwabanshuu."
" ...I do care."
Kenshin got up, dusting off his sleeves before heading into the outside hallway to join his wife and son in their playing.
" Aoshi...Go look for Misao. Use your instincts and you'll find her. Before you go, please think about what would happen to Misao dono if you were to bring her back here. Please listen to her."
_______
Aoshi sat stoically, listening to the happy sounds of a family enjoying each others company. Just like he and Misao did all those years ago. Yes. Indeed, he did care, very much so. However, Kenshin had managed not to answer his question. Though Kenshin had not answered, his hesitation had told him all he needed to know. He rose, grabbing his kodachi which had been lying beside him.
" Come out Okina."
Aoshi looked at Okina, who slid open a door on the opposite wall. The old man walked in, holding a scroll.
" You have found Misao?"
" Aaa."
Okina nods, still gripping the handle of the door as he caught Aoshi's eye.
" Bring her back here. For the honour of the Oniwabanshuu...we must keep out promises to the Yoshimura clan."
Aoshi lowered his eyes, giving the older man a slight nod before heading out.
________
Misao lay on the lumpy futon resting her tired limbs. She turned her head to look at the man sitting with his back against the opposite wall, resting one arm on one bent leg.
" You know, no matter how lumpy this futon is, I've never slept on anything more comfortable."
" Speak for yourself. I have to sleep on the floor thanks to you."
" But I'm a girl! That's why I get to sleep on the futon and you get the floor...I'm a girl."
Misao realized the implications of her words. She was a girl...who was avoiding all that a girl should have been in Japan. Obedient, demure and...married. Hiko cocked his head, watching the girl's eyes glaze over with tears.
" Hey girl, don't cry...I'll tell you why I've been doing all this to you."
Misao picked up her pillow and threw it in Hiko's general direction, her teary eyes unable to allow her to focus on her target.
" Makimachi...you know that one day, your family will find you. When that day comes...you have to go back with them, whether you want to or not."
" No way! Can't I stay here with you? Even though we fight a lot it's been ...it's been fun. I want to stay longer...please?"
" ...I can't oppose your family for you. And since my baka deshi is bad at keeping secrets, they should be here any day now. I'm surprised he's held on for a week."
" But I don't want to go. Please?"
A silence fell over the house. Hiko picked up the the pillow which had missed him and threw it back at Misao, letting it hit her square on the head.
" You know, I haven't had this much human company in ages. Certainly not a weasel like you."
" Well this way you can have more human company! We can be like a family or something. Brother and sister."
Hiko's deep laughter resounded in Misao's ears, making her blush at her own rash words.
" Hey weasel...do you know how old I am? I'm more likely to be your father than your brother. The reason I've been pushing you so hard is that you don't stand a chance against that guy, Shinomori. He'll be looking for you."
" Aoshi-sama..."
" You won't be able to beat him. But...this will let you fight longer. Maybe long enough for you to get through to whoever's after you. Convince them that you don't want to go. You can't run forever, you have to confront them. But for just that little while longer, for peace of mind you can run further."
Once again, they lapsed into silence. Misao thought about Hiko's words.
" Maybe I can't beat him...but I can fight for longer. He's right...I'll get caught someday...but I can try to make that day come later. If I train harder...I can delay the inevitable. I'm going to leave...tomorrow morning."
" You're leaving tomorrow morning then?"
Misao's eyes widen at Hiko's insight.
" yes...how did you know?"
" Don't worry about that now. Sleep, you'll need it to get far tomorrow."
" Hiko...thanks for everything. If I get caught...come to my wedding alright? You can see me off into my nightmare."
" Sure weasel girl. I always do anything to help."
Both laughed, despite the seriousness of the situation, both hoping this day would last. For Misao, this meant she could stay in the peace she had experienced within herself for the first time in weeks. She would have to leave her safety zone. For the both of them, they could stay in each other's company. Just like fighting siblings, something Misao could remember herself doing in the depths of her memory, with her own brother all those years ago.
" Oyasumi."
" Oyasumi weasel."
_______
The sounds of twigs snapping and gravel shifting echoed throughout the silent night. Aoshi raced through the streets of Kyoto, heading for the place where he knew he would find the girl he had cared for so long ago...but was it that long ago?
In his mind, his words to Kenshin echoed.
" I do care."
What would he do when he found her...would he take her back against her wishes by order of the Oniwabanshuu? He knew she hadn't wanted to go through with the wedding even before she had run away. If he cared then why would he take away her freedom?
" Don't think about it now. Get there first."
His long legs moved faster, the muscles rippling as each step made an impact onto the stone paved ground of the street. Off in the distance, he could see the tops of the trees. He was halfway there.
" I'll be there by morning."
He stopped adruptly, hearing a twig snap he was sure wasn't his doing. He turned, his eyes scanning his surroundings for a person, a follower.
" Come out."
His ears twitched slightly, his ninja senses coming into play as he listened for the even breathing of a possible spy. After a long time of silence, he gave up in his urgency to reach his destination.
______
Shadows split as a small figure stepped out. His beady eyes watched the tall man run off into the distance.
" I will not fail you Yoshimura-sama. I will follow him. You will not elude me...Shinomori Aoshi. I will find my okashira's fiancée. I must say...Shinomori isn't as good as they say. He couldn't even spot me."
Jyan merged back into the shadows as he raced off, heading after the man that was the former okashira of the Oniwabanshuu.
*********
Author's note: It's getting more interesting ( I hope!). The plots moving forward full speed ahead! Yay! I know some of you think I'm shooting for a Hiko and Misao pairing...that won't happen. At least not in this fic! O_o heh don't worry. It won't happen. I'll probably be redoing this chapter in the near future when I'm not tired and sleepy so bear with me if theres something seriously wrong ok? Thanks for reading! Can't think of much more to say here so until the next chapter!
-Tomoe.
2 days later...
Misao drew a ragged breath before her legs gave out. Her weary body slid to the ground, her fingers loosening their grip on her kunai. She closed her eyes, lying on her back and struggling to catch her breath as she rested. As tired as she was, she could still hear footsteps approaching her. She smiled graciously as she felt the man lift her head and pour water from a gourd down her throat.
" Hurry up weasel. We still have to keep moving if we want to make it back home."
After the refreshing drink, she sat up, supporting herself on her arms as she stared at the much taller man putting the cap back onto the water gourd.
" Why are you doing this to me?"
" I don't want to see such energy go to waste."
Misao laughed and raised a hand before letting it drop limply back to the ground in demonstration.
" As you can see I don't have much energy left. We've been doing this for the past 3 days. What's the point?"
" Baka. You don't really think I'd make you chase me around the forest if there was no point to you?"
" I dunno Hiko. You do make some pretty pointless things at times...like those pots you call art."
" If that's another hint to make me chase you I'm not buying into it girl."
Misao rubbed the back of her head sheepishly as Hiko seethed before her.
" Alright. Then tell me the point then."
Hiko threw his mantle behind him, a gust of wind blew, making the white material billow behind him. The angry look on his face disappeared, replaced with an expression of dead seriousness.
" I am teaching you a revised version of Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu. For Kunai."
Misao's eyes widened, her jaw slackened as it dragged along the floor, her gaping mouth drawing a sharp breath.
Then there was silence, save the sounds of the wind blowing through the nooks and crannies of the forest.
" Really?"
" Hell no. You think I'd teach such a godly technique to someone like you?"
Hiko's bellowing laughter was soon silenced by Misao's attempt to whack him with a nearby tree branch.
" Damn you!"
" Hey calm down for a minute. I am really trying to help you. Really."
" No you're not! You've spent the past 3 days trying to annoy me! I can't believe I actually believed you for even a second when you said you were trying to teach me something. What would you know about Kunai anyway?!"
Misao staggered off, ranting and raving, steam coming out of her ears leaving a laughing Hiko following behind her.
" You know, I used kunai too. I was trying to probe my baka deshi's ken ki back then. But, ki doesn't have to come from just the sword."
Misao ignored him, continuing in her quest to badmouth Hiko in every way possible.
" Weasel girl, you can't honestly say that you don't find it easier to throw kunai faster and more accurately than you did 3 days ago?"
That made Misao stop in her tracks. Pulling out a kunai, it surprisingly felt much lighter in her hand than it did before. Flashbacks of the last 3 days came back to her, and she found that she had in fact been throwing them faster, but not accurately. They never hit their intended target.
" No. Not more accurately. I never succeeded in hurting you!"
" You think you can hit a Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu master with kunai? That's a useless dream. Your running around has made you faster and stronger. And I get my entertainment. So what's the big deal?"
" This! Shin ne!"
Misao pivots sharply, using her body weight to add more force behind the half a dozen kunai she threw at Hiko. Swearing incoherently, she picked up the pace as Hiko once again eluded her.
________
5 days later...
The late afternoon sun glanced off the polished floors of the Aoiya, illuminating the sitting room. Kenshin sat somewhat nervously, looking at the cool and calm man seated before him.
" So...Aoshi-san. What did you want to ask me?"
Kenshin fidgeted as he saw his wife outside glaring at him. For the past week, since his visit to his shishou, Kaoru had been pestering non stop, trying to find out what had happened. Of course, he hadn't said anything.
" Battousai. I received some information about Misao."
Kenshin visibly stiffened under Aoshi's watchful eye.
" Honto...that's good. By the way...please call me Kenshin."
Aoshi sat passively, sipping his tea. Kenshin waited for an answer, his mind racing, trying to figure out what Aoshi might say.
" As you know, the Oniwabanshuu have sent out spies to look for Misao. Yesterday, I received a report that a tall, muscular man with a high capacity for alcohol came down from a mountain from the outskirts of Kyoto to visit a store."
Kenshin stared incredulously at Aoshi, thinking.
" Tall...muscular man. High capacity for alcohol...Shishou! BAKA!"
" I suppose Himura, you know who I am talking about. This man bought a large amount of Sake."
" My Shishou...Hiko Seijuro."
" Yes. My spy found something interesting on his manto."
" what was it?"
" A very long strand of hair."
Kenshin groaned inwardly, his mind screaming bad words at his Shishou for being so careless.
" Himura, you visited your Shishou. Tell me the truth. Is Misao up there?"
Kenshin sighed. He was stuck at a moral crossroad. To keep his word to Misao or lie to Aoshi.
" Why do you want to know?"
Aoshi set his cup down, and glared at Kenshin.
" Yoshimura wants to know about the whereabouts of his fiancée. It is my duty to find her."
" Is that truly the reason? Your family have been telling me that you cared for Misao as a young girl. Do you honestly not care yourself for her wellbeing?"
" ...my family?"
" Yes...the people at the Aoiya. The Oniwabanshuu."
" ...I do care."
Kenshin got up, dusting off his sleeves before heading into the outside hallway to join his wife and son in their playing.
" Aoshi...Go look for Misao. Use your instincts and you'll find her. Before you go, please think about what would happen to Misao dono if you were to bring her back here. Please listen to her."
_______
Aoshi sat stoically, listening to the happy sounds of a family enjoying each others company. Just like he and Misao did all those years ago. Yes. Indeed, he did care, very much so. However, Kenshin had managed not to answer his question. Though Kenshin had not answered, his hesitation had told him all he needed to know. He rose, grabbing his kodachi which had been lying beside him.
" Come out Okina."
Aoshi looked at Okina, who slid open a door on the opposite wall. The old man walked in, holding a scroll.
" You have found Misao?"
" Aaa."
Okina nods, still gripping the handle of the door as he caught Aoshi's eye.
" Bring her back here. For the honour of the Oniwabanshuu...we must keep out promises to the Yoshimura clan."
Aoshi lowered his eyes, giving the older man a slight nod before heading out.
________
Misao lay on the lumpy futon resting her tired limbs. She turned her head to look at the man sitting with his back against the opposite wall, resting one arm on one bent leg.
" You know, no matter how lumpy this futon is, I've never slept on anything more comfortable."
" Speak for yourself. I have to sleep on the floor thanks to you."
" But I'm a girl! That's why I get to sleep on the futon and you get the floor...I'm a girl."
Misao realized the implications of her words. She was a girl...who was avoiding all that a girl should have been in Japan. Obedient, demure and...married. Hiko cocked his head, watching the girl's eyes glaze over with tears.
" Hey girl, don't cry...I'll tell you why I've been doing all this to you."
Misao picked up her pillow and threw it in Hiko's general direction, her teary eyes unable to allow her to focus on her target.
" Makimachi...you know that one day, your family will find you. When that day comes...you have to go back with them, whether you want to or not."
" No way! Can't I stay here with you? Even though we fight a lot it's been ...it's been fun. I want to stay longer...please?"
" ...I can't oppose your family for you. And since my baka deshi is bad at keeping secrets, they should be here any day now. I'm surprised he's held on for a week."
" But I don't want to go. Please?"
A silence fell over the house. Hiko picked up the the pillow which had missed him and threw it back at Misao, letting it hit her square on the head.
" You know, I haven't had this much human company in ages. Certainly not a weasel like you."
" Well this way you can have more human company! We can be like a family or something. Brother and sister."
Hiko's deep laughter resounded in Misao's ears, making her blush at her own rash words.
" Hey weasel...do you know how old I am? I'm more likely to be your father than your brother. The reason I've been pushing you so hard is that you don't stand a chance against that guy, Shinomori. He'll be looking for you."
" Aoshi-sama..."
" You won't be able to beat him. But...this will let you fight longer. Maybe long enough for you to get through to whoever's after you. Convince them that you don't want to go. You can't run forever, you have to confront them. But for just that little while longer, for peace of mind you can run further."
Once again, they lapsed into silence. Misao thought about Hiko's words.
" Maybe I can't beat him...but I can fight for longer. He's right...I'll get caught someday...but I can try to make that day come later. If I train harder...I can delay the inevitable. I'm going to leave...tomorrow morning."
" You're leaving tomorrow morning then?"
Misao's eyes widen at Hiko's insight.
" yes...how did you know?"
" Don't worry about that now. Sleep, you'll need it to get far tomorrow."
" Hiko...thanks for everything. If I get caught...come to my wedding alright? You can see me off into my nightmare."
" Sure weasel girl. I always do anything to help."
Both laughed, despite the seriousness of the situation, both hoping this day would last. For Misao, this meant she could stay in the peace she had experienced within herself for the first time in weeks. She would have to leave her safety zone. For the both of them, they could stay in each other's company. Just like fighting siblings, something Misao could remember herself doing in the depths of her memory, with her own brother all those years ago.
" Oyasumi."
" Oyasumi weasel."
_______
The sounds of twigs snapping and gravel shifting echoed throughout the silent night. Aoshi raced through the streets of Kyoto, heading for the place where he knew he would find the girl he had cared for so long ago...but was it that long ago?
In his mind, his words to Kenshin echoed.
" I do care."
What would he do when he found her...would he take her back against her wishes by order of the Oniwabanshuu? He knew she hadn't wanted to go through with the wedding even before she had run away. If he cared then why would he take away her freedom?
" Don't think about it now. Get there first."
His long legs moved faster, the muscles rippling as each step made an impact onto the stone paved ground of the street. Off in the distance, he could see the tops of the trees. He was halfway there.
" I'll be there by morning."
He stopped adruptly, hearing a twig snap he was sure wasn't his doing. He turned, his eyes scanning his surroundings for a person, a follower.
" Come out."
His ears twitched slightly, his ninja senses coming into play as he listened for the even breathing of a possible spy. After a long time of silence, he gave up in his urgency to reach his destination.
______
Shadows split as a small figure stepped out. His beady eyes watched the tall man run off into the distance.
" I will not fail you Yoshimura-sama. I will follow him. You will not elude me...Shinomori Aoshi. I will find my okashira's fiancée. I must say...Shinomori isn't as good as they say. He couldn't even spot me."
Jyan merged back into the shadows as he raced off, heading after the man that was the former okashira of the Oniwabanshuu.
*********
Author's note: It's getting more interesting ( I hope!). The plots moving forward full speed ahead! Yay! I know some of you think I'm shooting for a Hiko and Misao pairing...that won't happen. At least not in this fic! O_o heh don't worry. It won't happen. I'll probably be redoing this chapter in the near future when I'm not tired and sleepy so bear with me if theres something seriously wrong ok? Thanks for reading! Can't think of much more to say here so until the next chapter!
-Tomoe.