Alternate ending
Aoshi's mind spiraled 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 it's pool of 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 gasped, interrupting her own words as she felt something hot and searing embed itself into her side. Her grip on Aoshi loosened and she struggled to hold on.
" Doushite Misao?"
Misao looked down at her side, her heart constricting at the sight of the little knife handle at her side. The blade had completely disappeared into her flesh. She could feel Aoshi's muscles tighten with anxiety.
" Daijoubu Aoshi...it's ok. It doesn't hurt anymore..."
Despite her reassuring tone to Aoshi, her mind was screaming bloody murder.
" Why do you have to do this to me now?! When Aoshi...Aoshi finally needs me. Why Kami-sama...why?"
Aoshi kneeled onto the floor, placing Misao on his lap as he added pressure to the wound with his hand to try to stop the bleeding. The warm liquid never ceased to flow, seeping into the material of his pants.
" Aishiteru Aoshi...I'll wait for you."
Misao began to feel numb and the pain dulled as she began to lose consciousness.
" No...Misao...don't leave me. I need you remember? Aishiteru Misao."
Slightly shocked, Misao smiled, lifting a hand to wipe Aoshi's tears away, caressing his cheek gently.
" You don't know how long I waited to hear those words from you...It means so much to me. Arigato Aoshi...be happy."
With one last smile, the dark blue eyes began to close. He shook her, trying to force her to wake up but to no avail.
" I told you. If I can't have her, no one will."
Aoshi looked up from Misao's prone body to see Yoshimura standing before him.
" Sorry to spoil your romantic moment Shinomori, but no one messes with me without some repentance."
Aoshi gritted his teeth, gently placing Misao onto the floor before facing Yoshimura, kodachi at his side. Now, without Okina's orders, he would rid the Oniwabanshuu of the fiend once and for all. For once, he acted without thinking about the consequences, and now it was time to follow it through.
" You will die today Yoshimura."
" We'll see about that."
Both of them stood several feet away, both eyeing each other for the first unsheathing of the sword. Yoshimura grew impatient and drew first. He started with his left foot running forward as fast as he could to take the first swing.
His body landed with a heavy thud, a multiple slashes across his chest. Aoshi glared at him, picking up Misao's prone body and took out the kunai which had taken her life. Without a second thought, he impaled it into the back of Yoshimura's neck, giving him the final blow to plunge him into hell.
_____
The next days' events were nothing but a blur to him. All he could remember was returning to the Aoiya with blood on his hands. Misao's blood. Everyone had swarmed around him, asking him what happened but who couldn't bring himself to say anything. He had taken one last look at Misao's face, lips blue and skin translucent, closed eyes, before moving away, to the temple where he had stayed ever since. Sitting there in the silence wondering why. Why?
In the silence, there would be no answer. In his mind, he could see nothing but the same scene running over and over, Misao's death, her blood was on his hands. His promise to protect her, he failed.
Revenge wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Killing Yoshimura by his own weapon seemed like nothing. It did nothing to ease the pain, to gain some balance. He glanced at his own kodachi, sitting on a stand before him. He knew it's naked blade was still smeared with blood. He began to feel nauseous, the tangy metallic scent filled the air around him, suffocating him.
" Aoshi-sama...daijoubu?"
The soft female voice, the clinkering of tea cups knocking against each other. It couldn't be. His face was a mask of disappointment as Omasu sat before him. This had been Misao's job. To cheer him up, make him his tea.
" I took it for granted she was here...but it was so monotonous...I thought it would last forever."
He watched the warm green liquid pour into the cup, glinting in the sunlight streaming in from the temple windows.
" I know that this was Misao's job. But I thought maybe it would be best if things just kept on going like the way they used to. I know Misao was mad at you when she left...what happened?"
The Oniwabanshuu had already put the pieces of the puzzle together, after finding Yoshimura's body. Omasu still wanted to understand the situation from Aoshi's perspective. Especially since he looked so pained, this wasn't like their usually expressionless Okashira.
Aoshi didn't really want to talk about it. The years of aloofness would have prevented him from doing so.
" It was my fault."
" No it wasn't. We found the murder weapon...Yoshimura's motives...it wasn't your fault."
" You know I made a promise to protect Misao and I failed."
Aoshi closed his eyes and refused to talk anymore. Omasu could sense it and bowed slightly before leaving Aoshi in peace.
" There is only one way to finish this. With my own death, in Misao's honor. I'll repay my debt."
Aoshi moved forward to grab his kodachi and unsheath it in one swift motion. He held the tip against his stomach, preparing to take his own life.
" Baka Aoshi!"
Aoshi was startled to hear another voice, the kodachi dropped onto the floor with a clatter. He was the only one in the room, he was sure of it, physically. But he could feel another ki's presence. Could it be?
" Misao...?"
He felt a breeze flow in the ruffle his hair and caress his face.
" I told you to be happy didn't I?"
Aoshi got to his knees, out of his sitting position and began to wildly turn around, searching for a glimpse of Misao.
" Where are you?"
" I'm everywhere. I'm dead remember?"
Aoshi slammed his fist onto the temple floor, he hated to be told that. He hated to be confronted with the truth that he had failed.
" Ok. Maybe that wasn't the best way to approach things. Aoshi do you remember what I said?"
Aoshi sank back down, brooding in silence.
" I told you that I was so happy to hear those words from you. I told you to be happy."
" How can I be happy..."
" Killing yourself doesn't equal being happy Aoshi. You're forgetting you have a skill. You owe it to me and my family to pass this on."
" Skill...?"
Aoshi reached for the handle of his long kodachi, looking at the blade.
" Yes. That's right. Promise me."
" I..promise."
Aoshi closed his eyes as he felt a gentle breeze again, sweep by his neck. It felt like Misao was hugging him.
" Aoshi...be happy."
The presence began to disappear.
" Don't leave."
" I won't. I'll always be here, right here waiting. So don't make any rash moves ne? Ja Aoshi...aishiteru."
Silence once more. This time, Aoshi was no longer guilt ridden. He had a purpose now. He would keep his promise, no matter what. He stood, sheathing his kodachi before walking out of the room. He wouldn't have to go to the temple all time the time anymore. He had found what he was looking for, a purpose to keep on living.
______
Years later.
" Okashira...can I take a break please?"
Aoshi looked down at the small boy who had been practicing with a bokken.
" Another round."
Sighing, the boy, no older than 4 began to swing again and again, downwards, forcing a column of air long with each swing. The pair continued to stand there in the courtyard, beneath the tree long after the sun had disappeared over the horizon. When the boy had collapsed from exhaustion, Aoshi was there to catch him, to fling him over the shoulder and prepare him for bed.
" Arigato okashira."
" Oyasumi."
Aoshi closed the door to the room and began to walk down the stairs. On the first landing, Okon stopped him.
" You're too hard on the boy Okashira. Don't push him so hard...he's only 4."
Found abandoned on the streets, so much like himself, his own past. His blue eyes had captivated him.
" He's getting it easier than I was at his age."
Okon smiled at him, and patted him on the shoulder.
" Well you didn't have me to take you out for treats for the matsuri did you?"
Aoshi nodded slightly and began to go down the next flight of stairs.
" It's ok if I take him out tomorrow to the matsuri right?"
" Hai."
Aoshi headed for his own room, Okon called out to him.
" why don't you come along?"
Aoshi stopped in his tracks and turned around.
" Be Happy Aoshi."
Misao's voice flowed through his mind.
" Sure. Why not."
*************
END- Alternate ending 1.
Aoshi's mind spiraled 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 it's pool of 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 gasped, interrupting her own words as she felt something hot and searing embed itself into her side. Her grip on Aoshi loosened and she struggled to hold on.
" Doushite Misao?"
Misao looked down at her side, her heart constricting at the sight of the little knife handle at her side. The blade had completely disappeared into her flesh. She could feel Aoshi's muscles tighten with anxiety.
" Daijoubu Aoshi...it's ok. It doesn't hurt anymore..."
Despite her reassuring tone to Aoshi, her mind was screaming bloody murder.
" Why do you have to do this to me now?! When Aoshi...Aoshi finally needs me. Why Kami-sama...why?"
Aoshi kneeled onto the floor, placing Misao on his lap as he added pressure to the wound with his hand to try to stop the bleeding. The warm liquid never ceased to flow, seeping into the material of his pants.
" Aishiteru Aoshi...I'll wait for you."
Misao began to feel numb and the pain dulled as she began to lose consciousness.
" No...Misao...don't leave me. I need you remember? Aishiteru Misao."
Slightly shocked, Misao smiled, lifting a hand to wipe Aoshi's tears away, caressing his cheek gently.
" You don't know how long I waited to hear those words from you...It means so much to me. Arigato Aoshi...be happy."
With one last smile, the dark blue eyes began to close. He shook her, trying to force her to wake up but to no avail.
" I told you. If I can't have her, no one will."
Aoshi looked up from Misao's prone body to see Yoshimura standing before him.
" Sorry to spoil your romantic moment Shinomori, but no one messes with me without some repentance."
Aoshi gritted his teeth, gently placing Misao onto the floor before facing Yoshimura, kodachi at his side. Now, without Okina's orders, he would rid the Oniwabanshuu of the fiend once and for all. For once, he acted without thinking about the consequences, and now it was time to follow it through.
" You will die today Yoshimura."
" We'll see about that."
Both of them stood several feet away, both eyeing each other for the first unsheathing of the sword. Yoshimura grew impatient and drew first. He started with his left foot running forward as fast as he could to take the first swing.
His body landed with a heavy thud, a multiple slashes across his chest. Aoshi glared at him, picking up Misao's prone body and took out the kunai which had taken her life. Without a second thought, he impaled it into the back of Yoshimura's neck, giving him the final blow to plunge him into hell.
_____
The next days' events were nothing but a blur to him. All he could remember was returning to the Aoiya with blood on his hands. Misao's blood. Everyone had swarmed around him, asking him what happened but who couldn't bring himself to say anything. He had taken one last look at Misao's face, lips blue and skin translucent, closed eyes, before moving away, to the temple where he had stayed ever since. Sitting there in the silence wondering why. Why?
In the silence, there would be no answer. In his mind, he could see nothing but the same scene running over and over, Misao's death, her blood was on his hands. His promise to protect her, he failed.
Revenge wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Killing Yoshimura by his own weapon seemed like nothing. It did nothing to ease the pain, to gain some balance. He glanced at his own kodachi, sitting on a stand before him. He knew it's naked blade was still smeared with blood. He began to feel nauseous, the tangy metallic scent filled the air around him, suffocating him.
" Aoshi-sama...daijoubu?"
The soft female voice, the clinkering of tea cups knocking against each other. It couldn't be. His face was a mask of disappointment as Omasu sat before him. This had been Misao's job. To cheer him up, make him his tea.
" I took it for granted she was here...but it was so monotonous...I thought it would last forever."
He watched the warm green liquid pour into the cup, glinting in the sunlight streaming in from the temple windows.
" I know that this was Misao's job. But I thought maybe it would be best if things just kept on going like the way they used to. I know Misao was mad at you when she left...what happened?"
The Oniwabanshuu had already put the pieces of the puzzle together, after finding Yoshimura's body. Omasu still wanted to understand the situation from Aoshi's perspective. Especially since he looked so pained, this wasn't like their usually expressionless Okashira.
Aoshi didn't really want to talk about it. The years of aloofness would have prevented him from doing so.
" It was my fault."
" No it wasn't. We found the murder weapon...Yoshimura's motives...it wasn't your fault."
" You know I made a promise to protect Misao and I failed."
Aoshi closed his eyes and refused to talk anymore. Omasu could sense it and bowed slightly before leaving Aoshi in peace.
" There is only one way to finish this. With my own death, in Misao's honor. I'll repay my debt."
Aoshi moved forward to grab his kodachi and unsheath it in one swift motion. He held the tip against his stomach, preparing to take his own life.
" Baka Aoshi!"
Aoshi was startled to hear another voice, the kodachi dropped onto the floor with a clatter. He was the only one in the room, he was sure of it, physically. But he could feel another ki's presence. Could it be?
" Misao...?"
He felt a breeze flow in the ruffle his hair and caress his face.
" I told you to be happy didn't I?"
Aoshi got to his knees, out of his sitting position and began to wildly turn around, searching for a glimpse of Misao.
" Where are you?"
" I'm everywhere. I'm dead remember?"
Aoshi slammed his fist onto the temple floor, he hated to be told that. He hated to be confronted with the truth that he had failed.
" Ok. Maybe that wasn't the best way to approach things. Aoshi do you remember what I said?"
Aoshi sank back down, brooding in silence.
" I told you that I was so happy to hear those words from you. I told you to be happy."
" How can I be happy..."
" Killing yourself doesn't equal being happy Aoshi. You're forgetting you have a skill. You owe it to me and my family to pass this on."
" Skill...?"
Aoshi reached for the handle of his long kodachi, looking at the blade.
" Yes. That's right. Promise me."
" I..promise."
Aoshi closed his eyes as he felt a gentle breeze again, sweep by his neck. It felt like Misao was hugging him.
" Aoshi...be happy."
The presence began to disappear.
" Don't leave."
" I won't. I'll always be here, right here waiting. So don't make any rash moves ne? Ja Aoshi...aishiteru."
Silence once more. This time, Aoshi was no longer guilt ridden. He had a purpose now. He would keep his promise, no matter what. He stood, sheathing his kodachi before walking out of the room. He wouldn't have to go to the temple all time the time anymore. He had found what he was looking for, a purpose to keep on living.
______
Years later.
" Okashira...can I take a break please?"
Aoshi looked down at the small boy who had been practicing with a bokken.
" Another round."
Sighing, the boy, no older than 4 began to swing again and again, downwards, forcing a column of air long with each swing. The pair continued to stand there in the courtyard, beneath the tree long after the sun had disappeared over the horizon. When the boy had collapsed from exhaustion, Aoshi was there to catch him, to fling him over the shoulder and prepare him for bed.
" Arigato okashira."
" Oyasumi."
Aoshi closed the door to the room and began to walk down the stairs. On the first landing, Okon stopped him.
" You're too hard on the boy Okashira. Don't push him so hard...he's only 4."
Found abandoned on the streets, so much like himself, his own past. His blue eyes had captivated him.
" He's getting it easier than I was at his age."
Okon smiled at him, and patted him on the shoulder.
" Well you didn't have me to take you out for treats for the matsuri did you?"
Aoshi nodded slightly and began to go down the next flight of stairs.
" It's ok if I take him out tomorrow to the matsuri right?"
" Hai."
Aoshi headed for his own room, Okon called out to him.
" why don't you come along?"
Aoshi stopped in his tracks and turned around.
" Be Happy Aoshi."
Misao's voice flowed through his mind.
" Sure. Why not."
*************
END- Alternate ending 1.