Chapter 12a
" Hey weasel, I'm going now."
Misao looked up from her bowl and stared at Hiko as he rose from his place, picking up his jug of sake.
" Why now? It's a little late."
Outside the party, the sun had disappeared over the horizon, the full moon was the only available light. Hiko grunted indignantly, shaking the jug to check its contents. Full.
" I got what I wanted, and that was the sake, I'm not afraid of the dark, not like you."
Misao sighed, looking down at the floor in disappointment.
" When will you grow up Hiko?"
Hiko ground his teeth together as he picked up Misao's upended rice bowl from his head and shook his head clean of bits of rice.
" Me? Grow up? Hmph."
" Maa maa....Shishou. Don't overreact."
Kenshin stepped in between them, anxiously trying to stop the latest battle of the war between Misao and Hiko. He failed to see that it was just a bit of fun between the pair.
" Daijoubu Himura."
" Ne Misao? Honto?"
Misao smiled reassuringly at Kenshin.
" Well I guess now would be a good time to announce our departure."
Misao turned sharply, practically tripping over the skirt of her kimono. She stared at Kaoru in disbelief.
" Why are you all leaving so soon?"
Kaoru set down her cup and replied quite calmly.
" It's about time I opened the Dojo again."
" But-"
Misao was quickly silenced by Kaoru's glance. She remembered the last time she had said something negative about Kaoru's dojo. She had barely come out alive.
" Besides, even if he won't admit it, I'm pretty sure Yahiko misses his girlfriend"
Yahiko quickly sprang up from his place, knocking over his little table and wielded his bokken wildly, screaming bloody murder as he attacked Kaoru. Kenshin gulped and held him back, whispering soothing words as Kenji clapped his hands happily at all the excitement.
" Yahiko nii-chan! Gambatte yo!"
Kaoru picked her son up and out of danger from Yahiko's slicing bokken.
" Misao-chan. We really have to go home. I don't want to leave Megumi with all the housework while we're here. Sanosuke will be back from his trip quite soon. I don't want to leave them alone together for very long either."
Misao sighed, her shoulders drooped. There wasn't much she could say to convince the Himura's to stay for longer. They really were needed back in Tokyo.
" You'll be ok Misao."
She sat dejectedly down, trying to ignore the resumed party festivities going on around her.
" Hey weasel girl. I'm leaving now, why don't you walk me to the gate like a lady should?"
Misao looked up in surprise as Hiko called out to her. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Aoshi moving ever so slightly out of the position he had stayed in virtually all night.
" Sure."
She took a deep breath, letting her lungs fill with fresh air. Her head throbbed from a headache which had developed because of the noise of the party. She was grateful to be outside.
" why do you move so slowly now weasel?"
Misao jumped up to smack him on the head before landing rather unbalanced on her sandals. She clutched onto Hiko's arm for dear life before straightening and resumed to walk.
" Can't even jump properly."
" I'd like to see you try to wear a kimono!"
Misao's mind shaped an image of Hiko in a kimono. Fresh peals of laughter echoed through the night as she doubled over, laughing. Hiko stood there, unamused as he watched the girl laugh hystericaly more or less at him.
" Had enough yet? I'm going."
" Gomen....its just so funny."
Misao muffled her laughter and straightened, still holding onto Hiko's arm as she wobbled the restaurant part of the Aoiya.
" Have you sorted things out with Shinomori yet?"
Misao froze mid step at Hiko's question. She dropped his arm like a hot coal and leaned against the wall for support.
" There...there is nothing more to say between me and Aoshi-sama...no. Between me and Shinomori-san."
They walked into the kitchen of the Aoiya where they could here the clanking of pots and plates as Okon and Omasu bustled about.
" You're too stubborn. You know that Misao? Just don't do anything stupid again ok. Because I won't be there to stop you."
Misao punched him playfully as she walked him to the front entrance to the Aoiya. She didn't mind as Okon and Omasu snatched up each of Hiko's arms as he walked out of the entrance, still managing to hold onto his jug of sake.
" Hey weasel."
Hiko turned to look back at Misao standing at the front entrance of the Aoiya, holding the cloth from the door away from her face. His sharp eyes caught the shadow of a tall figure hovering behind Misao.
" Come by and visit anytime you want. Just remember to bring my sake."
"Kansatsu Tobi kunai!"
The sound of shattering pottery surprised both Okon and Omasu. Liquid spilled all over the ground.
" Next it'll be your life old man. Stop drinking so much sake! Its bad for your health!"
" Who you calling old man!?"
The two glared at each other before Hiko laughed, waving to her before sauntering down the stree with Okon and Omasu at either side.
______
Steam rose to the ceiling, fogging up Misao's vision as she let the warm water drip onto her back. The water felt so good against her skin. She had let her hair loose over the side of the furo and proceeded to ladle water on it. For once, in many weeks, she felt clean and refreshed, both in the mental and physical sense. She let her tired muscles uncoil and relax as she sat motionless, letting the warm water caress her skin. She sighed happily.
" Misao? Are you alright? You've been in there so long I thought you would have drowned!"
Misao groaned, throwing a bucket against the door to the bath house to demonstrate her annoyance towards Omasu disturbing her peace.
" I'll get out in awhile!"
Then there was silence, save the sound of water splashing up against the sides of the furo. Misao hated the silence. Silence meant there was nothing to do but think. All Misao had to think about were problems.
So she didn't have to marry Yoshimura. So there would be no war. But he would surely plot his revenge...
So the marriage thing with Yoshimura didn't work. But she was more than old enough to get married.
" I don't want to go through all that again. If it means all this just to get married...I'd rather not. Too many complications...Don't think about it."
Her mind shifted, memories of the afternoon had floated back. The tense silences, the polite words, the caution that everyone had around her. Her relations with the Oniwabanshuu were at an all time low, and justly so. But Misao knew that her family had had no choice but to oblige to the marriage because of the Oniwabanshuu's future and honour. No. That wasn't it.
" Things will never be the same again Okina."
Her words to her Jiya. Reduced to polite, indifferent words. The rift between her and her beloved Jiya was widening...she hadn't wanted that to happen. The circumstances...she could not help it.
" I was silly to think I was free. I'm simply moving from one problem to another. It will just repeat itself...a never ending cycle."
Misao splashed her fists against the water in frustration, causing some bathwater to spill over the side.
" Mou ii. I've had enough."
She wanted to run away from it all. And this time, she felt no remorse, she didn't want to come back. Not for a long time.
" I want to find myself, I don't want to be someone's puppet. When I do, I'll return. Only then."
Maybe then, the Oniwabanshuu would let her choose for herself. Misao laughed bitterly, knowing that it would never happen.
" Maybe...it'll be better not to come back at all."
5 years ago, Makimachi Misao left on a quest to find her beloved Aoshi-sama.
Now she would leave on a different quest, the purpose different to the first. This time, it was to leave it all behind.
" I'll leave tonight. They would never suspect it to happen so soon."
______
" Ne Kenji...sleep?"
Kenshin sighed, holding his son against his chest, patting his back gently in an attempt to get the child to sleep. He began to hum a lullaby as he walked the halls of the Aoiya. When he reached the end of the hall, he saw a tall figure merging with the shadow of the large tree in the middle of the courtyard. He followed the figure's line of sight, a window on the second floor.
" Aoshi-san. Daijoubu?"
He let his son go, pulling little shoes out from his sleeves to place on his son's feet. He had resigned to the fact that the only way Kenji was to sleep was to tire himself out.
" Aaa."
" You know, staring at her window doesn't compare to talking to her."
Kenshin went to stand next to Aoshi, who said nothing in reply.
" Have you talked to her yet?"
" Iie."
" Do you feel guilty about loving Misao? Afraid it would endanger her and scare her because of what you've done in the past?"
" You are insightful Himura."
Kenshin nods, bending down to hand his son a long stick to play with.
" I was the same as you. A long time ago. I thought that the battousai side of me scared Kaoru, it would endanger her life. I left her to continue on my journey. But she didn't care, she came after me. She told me that she didn't mind, that it was in the past and she wanted to move forward. She was always there for me...just like Misao is for you. She wants to be near you."
" I don't want that to happen. I don't want her to be near me. I want her to be happy."
" But don't you see Aoshi...she won't be happy without you."
Aoshi looked somewhat surprised. Years worth of suppressed feelings threatened to overflow. He wanted so badly to be with her...was this true?
" It...it can't be true. She'll be happier without me."
" Why do you think she went to all the trouble of leaving?"
" She doesn't want to marry Yoshimura.
Kenshin sighed, folding his arms.
"This may be true...But did you think of why she didn't want to marry Yoshimura? Could it be she loved someone else?"
" How would you know?"
" I'm merely speculating. You're exactly right. I don't know. But then you don't either. No one knows but Misao herself. Perhaps you should ask her? Don't lose this chance Aoshi because you won't get another."
" Why does everyone keep telling me that?!
" Because you know deep down inside that its true. When the time comes, you'll regret it."
Aoshi looked up at the window where the light had long since gone out before staring at the grass beneath him.
" Life's not for regrets. Our choice of life, as a warrior does not permit that. It's up to you Aoshi. Oyasumi."
Kenshin walked away, leaving Aoshi standing, underneath the tree. He moved in silence and fluidity as to no disturb his son's slumber. Before he disappeared inside once more, he looked at the glass window for a reflection of the courtyard. Aoshi was gone.
" Tou-san...Bed?"
Kenshin smiled and nodded before climbing the stairs to the guest room.
________
Misao sat on the floor, stuffing the last item inside her sack before slinging it over her shoulder. She tightened the pink bow of her ninja uniform. She picked up the piece of paper, which she had written on, to tell the Oniwabanshuu and her family why she had left. The simple message with her signature.
Gomen Minna. Someday, I hope I can truly say tadaima, I want to call someplace home. When the time comes, I hope you will forgive me for leaving.
-Misao.
Folding the paper, the ink long since dried, she placed it on her pillow before opening her bedroom window, grateful that the lock was now gone. She looked over her shoulder, grateful to no longer see Aoshi's shadow through the rice paper walls of her room. If he had still been guarding her, she would have never been able to slip away. She tensed her legs and tightened her grip on her sack before jumping out the window, managing to land soundlessly on the tiles of the roof. Moving with stealth, she jumped off the fence and onto the street. Her breath came in pants as she ran faster and faster, anxious to get away from the Aoiya. A sense of de a vu hit her when she passed familiar landmarks. This was the exact trail she had taken before, at the beginning of the whole mess, while running to Hiko's hut. She smiled at anticipation of the forest at the edge of town. The wolves would not win this time. Suddenly, the sound of a snapping twig made her stop. She looked down on the floor, nothing but paved walk. How could she possible hear the sound of snapping twigs?
" Stop it Misao. You're just paranoid. Keep running."
Without another thought, Misao picked up the pace again, wanting to see that first glimpse of green. She stopped in her tracks as she spotted a familiar figure, standing at the edge of the forest. 5 metres away from her goal...and he was there to stop her. Misao sank to her knees, letting her sack fall to the dirt ground with a resounding thud, like a door slamming in her face.
" How...how did you know?"
Aoshi answered calmly, never taking his eyes off her.
" I never make the same mistake twice."
Misao got to her feet slowly, pointing an accusing finger at the man before her.
" Why!? Doushite!? Nande?! Why do you have to guard me?! You're order ended. So why?"
There was no answer.
" Are you here to take me back? Well I'm not going. Zetai ni. Never."
She was well aware of Aoshi's hesitant footsteps towards her. Her eyes blazed with determination.
" I...I'm not going to take you back."
" Then...what are you here for?"
" I...I want to follow you."
Misao placed a hand over her mouth in confusion.
" I don't understand...you want to follow me?"
Anger won over confusion.
" I don't want you to follow me! I ran away because I want to leave all my troubles behind. I want to leave all that pain...to leave you behind."
Misao's voice dropped to a dull whisper. Aoshi's calloused hands reached out for her but she quickly slapped his hand away, quickly drying her tears.
" Don't touch me! Stay away from me...I never want to see you again!"
Misao turned away from him, wanting to run off into the night. To her surprise, she found herself being held by Aoshi's arms, crushed against his chest.
For an ending, please choose either 12b(I) or 12b(ii).
" Hey weasel, I'm going now."
Misao looked up from her bowl and stared at Hiko as he rose from his place, picking up his jug of sake.
" Why now? It's a little late."
Outside the party, the sun had disappeared over the horizon, the full moon was the only available light. Hiko grunted indignantly, shaking the jug to check its contents. Full.
" I got what I wanted, and that was the sake, I'm not afraid of the dark, not like you."
Misao sighed, looking down at the floor in disappointment.
" When will you grow up Hiko?"
Hiko ground his teeth together as he picked up Misao's upended rice bowl from his head and shook his head clean of bits of rice.
" Me? Grow up? Hmph."
" Maa maa....Shishou. Don't overreact."
Kenshin stepped in between them, anxiously trying to stop the latest battle of the war between Misao and Hiko. He failed to see that it was just a bit of fun between the pair.
" Daijoubu Himura."
" Ne Misao? Honto?"
Misao smiled reassuringly at Kenshin.
" Well I guess now would be a good time to announce our departure."
Misao turned sharply, practically tripping over the skirt of her kimono. She stared at Kaoru in disbelief.
" Why are you all leaving so soon?"
Kaoru set down her cup and replied quite calmly.
" It's about time I opened the Dojo again."
" But-"
Misao was quickly silenced by Kaoru's glance. She remembered the last time she had said something negative about Kaoru's dojo. She had barely come out alive.
" Besides, even if he won't admit it, I'm pretty sure Yahiko misses his girlfriend"
Yahiko quickly sprang up from his place, knocking over his little table and wielded his bokken wildly, screaming bloody murder as he attacked Kaoru. Kenshin gulped and held him back, whispering soothing words as Kenji clapped his hands happily at all the excitement.
" Yahiko nii-chan! Gambatte yo!"
Kaoru picked her son up and out of danger from Yahiko's slicing bokken.
" Misao-chan. We really have to go home. I don't want to leave Megumi with all the housework while we're here. Sanosuke will be back from his trip quite soon. I don't want to leave them alone together for very long either."
Misao sighed, her shoulders drooped. There wasn't much she could say to convince the Himura's to stay for longer. They really were needed back in Tokyo.
" You'll be ok Misao."
She sat dejectedly down, trying to ignore the resumed party festivities going on around her.
" Hey weasel girl. I'm leaving now, why don't you walk me to the gate like a lady should?"
Misao looked up in surprise as Hiko called out to her. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Aoshi moving ever so slightly out of the position he had stayed in virtually all night.
" Sure."
She took a deep breath, letting her lungs fill with fresh air. Her head throbbed from a headache which had developed because of the noise of the party. She was grateful to be outside.
" why do you move so slowly now weasel?"
Misao jumped up to smack him on the head before landing rather unbalanced on her sandals. She clutched onto Hiko's arm for dear life before straightening and resumed to walk.
" Can't even jump properly."
" I'd like to see you try to wear a kimono!"
Misao's mind shaped an image of Hiko in a kimono. Fresh peals of laughter echoed through the night as she doubled over, laughing. Hiko stood there, unamused as he watched the girl laugh hystericaly more or less at him.
" Had enough yet? I'm going."
" Gomen....its just so funny."
Misao muffled her laughter and straightened, still holding onto Hiko's arm as she wobbled the restaurant part of the Aoiya.
" Have you sorted things out with Shinomori yet?"
Misao froze mid step at Hiko's question. She dropped his arm like a hot coal and leaned against the wall for support.
" There...there is nothing more to say between me and Aoshi-sama...no. Between me and Shinomori-san."
They walked into the kitchen of the Aoiya where they could here the clanking of pots and plates as Okon and Omasu bustled about.
" You're too stubborn. You know that Misao? Just don't do anything stupid again ok. Because I won't be there to stop you."
Misao punched him playfully as she walked him to the front entrance to the Aoiya. She didn't mind as Okon and Omasu snatched up each of Hiko's arms as he walked out of the entrance, still managing to hold onto his jug of sake.
" Hey weasel."
Hiko turned to look back at Misao standing at the front entrance of the Aoiya, holding the cloth from the door away from her face. His sharp eyes caught the shadow of a tall figure hovering behind Misao.
" Come by and visit anytime you want. Just remember to bring my sake."
"Kansatsu Tobi kunai!"
The sound of shattering pottery surprised both Okon and Omasu. Liquid spilled all over the ground.
" Next it'll be your life old man. Stop drinking so much sake! Its bad for your health!"
" Who you calling old man!?"
The two glared at each other before Hiko laughed, waving to her before sauntering down the stree with Okon and Omasu at either side.
______
Steam rose to the ceiling, fogging up Misao's vision as she let the warm water drip onto her back. The water felt so good against her skin. She had let her hair loose over the side of the furo and proceeded to ladle water on it. For once, in many weeks, she felt clean and refreshed, both in the mental and physical sense. She let her tired muscles uncoil and relax as she sat motionless, letting the warm water caress her skin. She sighed happily.
" Misao? Are you alright? You've been in there so long I thought you would have drowned!"
Misao groaned, throwing a bucket against the door to the bath house to demonstrate her annoyance towards Omasu disturbing her peace.
" I'll get out in awhile!"
Then there was silence, save the sound of water splashing up against the sides of the furo. Misao hated the silence. Silence meant there was nothing to do but think. All Misao had to think about were problems.
So she didn't have to marry Yoshimura. So there would be no war. But he would surely plot his revenge...
So the marriage thing with Yoshimura didn't work. But she was more than old enough to get married.
" I don't want to go through all that again. If it means all this just to get married...I'd rather not. Too many complications...Don't think about it."
Her mind shifted, memories of the afternoon had floated back. The tense silences, the polite words, the caution that everyone had around her. Her relations with the Oniwabanshuu were at an all time low, and justly so. But Misao knew that her family had had no choice but to oblige to the marriage because of the Oniwabanshuu's future and honour. No. That wasn't it.
" Things will never be the same again Okina."
Her words to her Jiya. Reduced to polite, indifferent words. The rift between her and her beloved Jiya was widening...she hadn't wanted that to happen. The circumstances...she could not help it.
" I was silly to think I was free. I'm simply moving from one problem to another. It will just repeat itself...a never ending cycle."
Misao splashed her fists against the water in frustration, causing some bathwater to spill over the side.
" Mou ii. I've had enough."
She wanted to run away from it all. And this time, she felt no remorse, she didn't want to come back. Not for a long time.
" I want to find myself, I don't want to be someone's puppet. When I do, I'll return. Only then."
Maybe then, the Oniwabanshuu would let her choose for herself. Misao laughed bitterly, knowing that it would never happen.
" Maybe...it'll be better not to come back at all."
5 years ago, Makimachi Misao left on a quest to find her beloved Aoshi-sama.
Now she would leave on a different quest, the purpose different to the first. This time, it was to leave it all behind.
" I'll leave tonight. They would never suspect it to happen so soon."
______
" Ne Kenji...sleep?"
Kenshin sighed, holding his son against his chest, patting his back gently in an attempt to get the child to sleep. He began to hum a lullaby as he walked the halls of the Aoiya. When he reached the end of the hall, he saw a tall figure merging with the shadow of the large tree in the middle of the courtyard. He followed the figure's line of sight, a window on the second floor.
" Aoshi-san. Daijoubu?"
He let his son go, pulling little shoes out from his sleeves to place on his son's feet. He had resigned to the fact that the only way Kenji was to sleep was to tire himself out.
" Aaa."
" You know, staring at her window doesn't compare to talking to her."
Kenshin went to stand next to Aoshi, who said nothing in reply.
" Have you talked to her yet?"
" Iie."
" Do you feel guilty about loving Misao? Afraid it would endanger her and scare her because of what you've done in the past?"
" You are insightful Himura."
Kenshin nods, bending down to hand his son a long stick to play with.
" I was the same as you. A long time ago. I thought that the battousai side of me scared Kaoru, it would endanger her life. I left her to continue on my journey. But she didn't care, she came after me. She told me that she didn't mind, that it was in the past and she wanted to move forward. She was always there for me...just like Misao is for you. She wants to be near you."
" I don't want that to happen. I don't want her to be near me. I want her to be happy."
" But don't you see Aoshi...she won't be happy without you."
Aoshi looked somewhat surprised. Years worth of suppressed feelings threatened to overflow. He wanted so badly to be with her...was this true?
" It...it can't be true. She'll be happier without me."
" Why do you think she went to all the trouble of leaving?"
" She doesn't want to marry Yoshimura.
Kenshin sighed, folding his arms.
"This may be true...But did you think of why she didn't want to marry Yoshimura? Could it be she loved someone else?"
" How would you know?"
" I'm merely speculating. You're exactly right. I don't know. But then you don't either. No one knows but Misao herself. Perhaps you should ask her? Don't lose this chance Aoshi because you won't get another."
" Why does everyone keep telling me that?!
" Because you know deep down inside that its true. When the time comes, you'll regret it."
Aoshi looked up at the window where the light had long since gone out before staring at the grass beneath him.
" Life's not for regrets. Our choice of life, as a warrior does not permit that. It's up to you Aoshi. Oyasumi."
Kenshin walked away, leaving Aoshi standing, underneath the tree. He moved in silence and fluidity as to no disturb his son's slumber. Before he disappeared inside once more, he looked at the glass window for a reflection of the courtyard. Aoshi was gone.
" Tou-san...Bed?"
Kenshin smiled and nodded before climbing the stairs to the guest room.
________
Misao sat on the floor, stuffing the last item inside her sack before slinging it over her shoulder. She tightened the pink bow of her ninja uniform. She picked up the piece of paper, which she had written on, to tell the Oniwabanshuu and her family why she had left. The simple message with her signature.
Gomen Minna. Someday, I hope I can truly say tadaima, I want to call someplace home. When the time comes, I hope you will forgive me for leaving.
-Misao.
Folding the paper, the ink long since dried, she placed it on her pillow before opening her bedroom window, grateful that the lock was now gone. She looked over her shoulder, grateful to no longer see Aoshi's shadow through the rice paper walls of her room. If he had still been guarding her, she would have never been able to slip away. She tensed her legs and tightened her grip on her sack before jumping out the window, managing to land soundlessly on the tiles of the roof. Moving with stealth, she jumped off the fence and onto the street. Her breath came in pants as she ran faster and faster, anxious to get away from the Aoiya. A sense of de a vu hit her when she passed familiar landmarks. This was the exact trail she had taken before, at the beginning of the whole mess, while running to Hiko's hut. She smiled at anticipation of the forest at the edge of town. The wolves would not win this time. Suddenly, the sound of a snapping twig made her stop. She looked down on the floor, nothing but paved walk. How could she possible hear the sound of snapping twigs?
" Stop it Misao. You're just paranoid. Keep running."
Without another thought, Misao picked up the pace again, wanting to see that first glimpse of green. She stopped in her tracks as she spotted a familiar figure, standing at the edge of the forest. 5 metres away from her goal...and he was there to stop her. Misao sank to her knees, letting her sack fall to the dirt ground with a resounding thud, like a door slamming in her face.
" How...how did you know?"
Aoshi answered calmly, never taking his eyes off her.
" I never make the same mistake twice."
Misao got to her feet slowly, pointing an accusing finger at the man before her.
" Why!? Doushite!? Nande?! Why do you have to guard me?! You're order ended. So why?"
There was no answer.
" Are you here to take me back? Well I'm not going. Zetai ni. Never."
She was well aware of Aoshi's hesitant footsteps towards her. Her eyes blazed with determination.
" I...I'm not going to take you back."
" Then...what are you here for?"
" I...I want to follow you."
Misao placed a hand over her mouth in confusion.
" I don't understand...you want to follow me?"
Anger won over confusion.
" I don't want you to follow me! I ran away because I want to leave all my troubles behind. I want to leave all that pain...to leave you behind."
Misao's voice dropped to a dull whisper. Aoshi's calloused hands reached out for her but she quickly slapped his hand away, quickly drying her tears.
" Don't touch me! Stay away from me...I never want to see you again!"
Misao turned away from him, wanting to run off into the night. To her surprise, she found herself being held by Aoshi's arms, crushed against his chest.
For an ending, please choose either 12b(I) or 12b(ii).