Real ending.
Aoshi's mind spiralled into confusion. The only thing he could rely on was blind instinct.
" Hanase Aoshi-sama."
Her words made him grip tighter, as if the harder he held on, the more convinced she would be to stay be his side.
" Aoshi-sama. Don't play with my feelings like that...I can't take much more of it."
Gently, Misao pried his fingers away, stepping out of his embrace and stooped to pick up her sack.
" I'm going to leave now. Don't follow me."
She quickly turned his back on him, not wanting him to see how painful it was for her to refuse him.
" Come on...move legs...move."
Slowly, but steadily, she walked away.
____
Aoshi stared after her.
" She's leaving. It's over...she said no...She refused. She said I was the centre of her pain."
But something deep inside urged him on.
He wanted her.
He wanted to hold her and never let her go.
He rushed forward, his legs moving quickly to make up lost ground before he swept her off her feet and crushed her to his chest once more.
" Put me down Aoshi-"
Her words were interrupted by Aoshi's lips covering her own in a rough kiss. Her mind clawed its way back up from bliss before pushing away from Aoshi again.
" I don't need this. YOU don't need this. Leave me be Aoshi-sama."
Aoshi shook his head, shocking her with his words.
" Don't leave...I need..."
" You need what?" Misao asked curtly.
Aoshi mentally slapped himself. At this crucial moment, he failed to come up with the words he wanted.
" I...I need you."
Aoshi gazed directly into her eyes, watching the happiness fill her soul. He had said it. Aoshi half smiled as Misao threw her arms around his neck in happiness. In his joyful state, he failed to see the spy which had followed Misao.
" Aoshi-sama..."
Misao's mind felt hazy, her emotions were churning inside in a mix of joy and disbelief. Her heart tightened as her instincts won over her feelings. In that split second, her mind crystallised, her body moved abruptly to the left, pushing Aoshi over. Aoshi staggered back as she felt something quite sharp fly past her side, cutting into her flesh. Her hands automatically moved to conceal the wound as she looked around for the assassin. When she couldn't see, she closed her eyes, trying to use her hearing and instinct to find the assassin. She lifted her kunai to throw but collapsed onto the floor. She struggled to get up but found her hands slippery with blood.
" Sho." Misao muttered under her breath.
Several more kunai came flying at her, giving away the attacker's position. However, Misao had no means of protecting herself. The kunai came ever closer before several loud clangs of metal against metal reverberated through her ears. Standing in front of her was Aoshi, kodachi's unsheathed, ready for combat.
" Yoshimura."
Aoshi's cold voice called out to the assassin, leaving the man no choice but to come down from his hiding place.
" So you've spotted me. Too bad I didn't get you the first time whore. But I will get you, mark my words."
Yoshimura jumped out of a tree from the edge of the forest, pocketing the remaining kunai and resting his palm on the hilt of his sheathed sword.
" Who you calling whore!?'
Misao struggled to her feet to try and attack her enemy but a large hand stopped her, pushing her, as gently as possible, back onto the floor.
" Stay put."
Misao looked up at Aoshi before he stepped forward, his hands each gripping a weapon. Yoshimura tapped the hild of his sword suggestively before the both moved forward. Yoshimura, despite being a larger man, moved quite quickly. Almost, it seemed, to be on par with Aoshi for the moment. The first contact, a loud scrape of metal, echoed throughout the empty surroundings as the duellers jumped apart, eyeing each other.
Misao watched, entranced by the fight as Aoshi moved gracefully from side to side to avoid Yoshimura's tight swings. When Aoshi got close enough, he quickly put his swords together, using it like a pair of scissors to try and cut off Yoshimura's head. Yoshimura was not okashira for nothing. He quickly snapped his head backward, holding his sword in front of his face and pushed forward, forcing Aoshi backward. Yoshimura's heavy frame gave him a strength advantage, and he wasn't slow either.
" Kaiten Kenbu Roku Ren."
Aoshi quickly recovered his balance, as if he had never lost it, gathering momentum as he raced forward, flipping his swords in his hands as he sliced quickly. He stopped halfway as he realized Yoshimura had jumped over him and was bearing down at him at a fast pace.
" Kodachi nitouryuu, Onmyou hatsushi."
Flipping his swords back to the former grip, he aligned them, pushing forward to meet Yoshimura's air attack. His short sword was easily pushed out of the way by Yoshimura, making it fly over Yoshimura's shoulder. Aoshi grunted with effort as he held his only kodachi against Yoshimura's sword. Suddenly, Aoshi glimpsed the movement of Yoshimura's left hand, moving towards his sheath. He had to move quickly or he would be hit. However, he could not move from the sheer strength of Yoshimura's sword hand. If he didn't win over the clashing of the swords, he would find himself in a very painful and DEAD situation. Aoshi doubled over as the sheath hit him on the side. As Yoshimura was slightly distracted by attacking with his sheath, Aoshi let his sword drop before picking it up again beneath Yoshimura's reach and pulling up, causing a deep cut in his enemy's arm who had just managed to move in time.
Before he could recover, Yoshimura, in rage, raised his shoulder and shoved right into him, forcing him to topple backwards. When he managed to get up again, a horrible scene met his eyes.
" Stay put or she dies."
Yoshimura had grabbed Misao, holding her up in the air by a fistful of her hair, sword placed behind her. He was threatening to run her through.
" What do you want Yoshimura."
" I want you to die. If I can't have her, no one will. And you won't stand in my way any longer."
" Don't hurt her and I'll do anything you want."
Yoshimura's annoying laughted echoed in Misao's ears as he stepped forward, still holding Misao up. Painful as it was, she could barely feel it as her heart raced while she watched Aoshi.
" So the famous all powerful former okashira of the Oniwabanshuu will bend just to save his whore will he?"
" You heard me. Anything."
Yoshimura smiled at this prospect, walking to stand next to Aoshi as he kicked him around. He threw Misao to the floor, smiling evilly as he looked at the bloodstains on her ninja outfit. Dusting off his hands, he lifted his sword from where he had embedded it into the ground, preparing to stab Aoshi. Smiling madly, he let the tip of the sword glide along Aoshi's skin, scratching it.
" Did I forget to tell you Shinomori. You'll be meeting her down in hell."
" I wouldn't be so sure."
Misao, with Aoshi's stray short kodachi in hand, plunged it into Yoshimura's back. Yoshimura turned backward to stare at her with wide disbelief as his mouth filled with blood.
" Didn't think I would do it? Don't underestimate me."
Misao sighed with relief as Yoshimura fell to the ground. His blood pooled onto the ground, mixing with hers which had been dripping from her wound. Aoshi stared at her, surprised at her actions. She smiled faintly, feeling dizzy and sleepy. She found that she could not escape the sleep beckoning to her as she slid out of consciousness.
______
Sunlight poured through the spaces between the tree leaves, the sight which greeted Misao when she awoke.
" Where am I...what am I doing in a forest?"
She sat up, feeling a slash of pain go through her. Quickly, she found the source of the pain, neatly bandaged with her own pink sash. She looked beside her to see Aoshi sitting stoically, leaning against a nearby tree.
" Ano...what happened?"
" Yoshimura."
The hated name echoed in her mind, reminding her of what had happened before.
" How long was I out?"
" A day."
Misao gasped in surprise. There was no doubt that her fellow Oniwabanshuu would have found her note and were out looking for her.
" I lost so much time...I've got to go."
She rose unsteadily, surprised that her wound didn't hurt as much as she thought it would.
" Where are you going?"
" Anywhere. Anywhere that isn't here."
" You can't go now."
Misao clutched her side, moving forward slightly, eyeing her sack which sat next to Aoshi's feet. She moved to get it, holding onto tree trunks for support when her balance deserted her.
" Why not?"
Misao stared defiantly at Aoshi as she moved her hand to pick up her sack.
" Because you're hurt."
Misao had never really listened to reason when she had a goal. She wasn't going to start now. She disregarded Aoshi's advice and began to hike away, trying to fight the urge to look over her shoulder for one last glimpse of him.
" Misao..."
Even in the forest, vegetation crunching under her feet, insects buzzing noisily, she could still hear his deep voice calling her name. She ignored it, not wanting to give in. She had made up her mind to leave.
" So leave then!!!"
She picked up her pace, trying to ignore the voice in her head speaking to her.
" He's only trying to help. Don't be so callous...but if I look at him again...I don't think I'd leave. I don't want that to happen...I want to be happy. Not like this."
" Matte yo Misao."
Misao found Aoshi alongside her, making up the distance she had traveled in several minutes in seconds. She continued walking but found that Aoshi had grabbed her arm. She whirled on him, her eyes flashing with anger and frustration.
" What?! What do you want?"
Aoshi was slightly startled at her words, hiding it well. When Aoshi didn't answer, Misao took off again.
" If you're not going to say anything then fine. I can't take it anymore-"
" Don't leave."
" Why?! Don't play around Aoshi. It hurts...you said you didn't love me. You proved it too. What do you want from me? You don't need me. You'll be fine...you probably won't even notice I'm gone."
Misao's eyes filled with angry tears. Her own words represented the fear in her heart and she knew that she was right. He wouldn't notice.
Aoshi was at a loss for words. He couldn't find the words he wanted to express his feelings, let alone a way to say them. He had been too reclusive for too long. At the moment that mattered most, he couldn't deliver.
" ...I see. You can't say anything. Well then Aoshi...this is goodbye."
Misao took Aoshi's hand off her arm, holding it, savouring the touch of the most important person in her life before dropping his hand listlessly. She urged herself to start walking again. This time, she would not turn back.
Aoshi stood silently, watching her retreating back.
" She can't leave. I won't let her."
He ran forward to cut her off by standing in front of her. With a sudden burst of courage, something which Aoshi lacked in this particular area, he spoke.
" I need you...and I'm never leaving you again."
Misao's eyes widened, frowning for a short moment.
" You don't mean it. And you don't get it either. I'm leaving YOU."
Aoshi shook his head, grabbing her by her shoulders and pulling him close to his chest.
" If you leave...I'll be right here waiting. When you come back...I'll be here."
Misao's smile became plastered to her face as she returned his hug. She knew that this was incredibly hard for him...she would take what she could get.
I wonder how we came to survive
This romance, but in the end just with you
I'll take that chance.
I'll be right here waiting for you
I love you.
Whatever it takes
Whatever you do
Where ever you go
I'm never leaving' you
I'll be right here waiting for you.
_____
A few years later...
Okina stood in the summer breeze, sweeping dirt from the Aoiya's doorway. It was monotonous, a boring job. But he needed something to keep him occupied. He had been doing this every year since his pretty Misao had left him, hoping to catch the first glimpse of her coming home. He clung dearly onto the hope that she would return. And she said she would, in her final message to them, the night before she left. He stared at the floor, looking at the dust swirl around his ankles.
" Jiya...tadaima."
Okina looked up quickly, hoping that the female voice belonged to the person he wanted to see. Her dancing blue eyes remained the same as she smiled at him.
" Misao!"
Okina moved to give her his usual backbreaking hug. Misao stopped him, gesturing for him to look down. Misao's swelled belly was obvious in under her clothing. He took a step back to look at Misao, marvelling at how mature she looked. She was a woman now...carrying a child.
" Surprised Jiya? Can we go inside first? My ankles are hurting."
Okina nodded, slightly disorientated as he walked inside with Misao, helping her sit down on the step.
" So...how have things been at the Aoiya?"
" Well...Okon and Omasu married."
" MISAO!?"
Misao and Okina looked up to see Okon standing in the doorway of the sitting room.
" Ohayo Okon. What's wrong?"
" MINNA! MISAO IS BACK!"
Misao covered her ears as Okon announced her arrival before quickly joining her on the front step, glaring at her belly.
" Okaeri Misao...where have you been for so long."
" Just around I guess."
Misao smiled happily as she hugged everyone one by one as they all crowded around her. Her family.
" How far along are you Misao-chan?"
Omasu and Okon looked at her eagerly.
" 6 months."
" Who's the father? Where'd you meet him? Is he good looking?"
Misao smiled apologetically, thinking that Okon would never change.
" You'll see when he comes."
She placed her hand on her belly, feeling the baby kicking inside as she smiled, glad to be home.
" Ano...Misao. Did you happen to see Aoshi during all this time...he disappeared after you left."
Misao looked up at Shiro. Her face was expressionless as everyone looked anxiously at her. Suddenly the door to the Aoiya opened. Everyone's except Misao, jaw dropped at the sight. Shinomori Aoshi walked in, his hair ruffled and ruffled for a reason. A little boy sat on his shoulder's moving his chubby fingers through Aoshi's hair as he squealed happily.
" ne tou-san! Is this ji-san's home?"
The inhabitants watched as the little boy lifted the former okashira's chin, making Aoshi look directly into his sparkling blue eyes.
" Aah."
Aoshi lifted the little boy off his head, ruffling his son's messy black hair as he placed in back onto the ground.
" Introduce yourself now."
Aoshi pushed his son forward, placing a supportive hand on the boy's back as he faced a roomful of people, almost all of them staring at him with a surprised look.
" Watakushi wa Shinomori Seijuro desu."
Okon moved forward to look more closely, pinching the child's cheeks.
" Aoshi-san...you have a son...?"
" Aaa."
Okon placed her hands on the sides of the child's arms, inspecting him.
" Looks like you."
" Aaa."
"You named him Seijuro?"
" Iie. My wife did."
" Seijuro...after HIKO Seijuro?"
" Aaa."
Everyone turned to look at Misao who had been sitting behind the standing Okon, flanked by Okina and Omasu. She smiled sheepishly.
" What are you all looking at?"
" Misao...did you..."
" Kaa-san!"
Seijuro squealed running towards his mother with outstretched hands. It was confirmed when Misao hugged the little boy to her side. Her belly had made it quite impossible to hug from the front.
" Misao...you had a child...with Aoshi?"
Okina glared at her expectantly. Misao smiled and nodded.
" I'm having another one right now. I thought you knew?" Misao asked teasingly.
There was a dead silence, save Seijuro's attempt at blowing raspberries. A split second later, there was an uproar as the inhabitants of the Aoiya jumped on Misao with questions. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted her husband walk off with their child, leaving her to fend off their overexcited family. Noisy as they were, their boisterous attitude was what truly told her that she was part of the family.
" I'm finally home."
*********
Owari.
********