| Part 4: As they were, and would become |
Soujiro felt he is risking himself a little too much, and didn't hesitate to call out.
"Misao! Tell Okina to stop, please I beg of you!"
"Why should I? I can't forgive you on what you did! My first kiss, and it has to come from you!"
"I don't know its your first!" or is it because on who I am? People can hardly forget who he was from the past. It will be forever imbed in their memories, even if he vowed himself to make the changes for those four years. To make matter worse, he fell for a woman he doesn't KNOW was a grand daughter of his former enemy. At the corner of his eye, he noticed a familiar figure in a wide collared trench coat approaching… it is Aoshi. He is speaking to one of the Oniwabanshu's to explain everything that is going on and from a distance Soujiro could tell that Aoshi's reaction is far from tacit, he look well…shocked and furious.
A few meters away, Sanosuke, Yahiko and Kenshin, prepared themselves on what could possibly happen. It's up to Soujiro to speak out his mind, or let there be another furious person helping Okina to bring down the tree.
"Misao! Hear me out!" he called, "When we accidentally bumped to each other's head at Tei's I fall for you! I have been in the road for four years, searching for the truth.. and I still feel this emptiness within me. But when the moment, I see you I don't feel that anymore."
Everyone seems listening, even Okina has stalled in between hacking the trunk. Aoshi moved closer, to listen what Soujiro is trying to say.
" I NEVER even knew you are Okina's grand daughter, or Aoshi's adopted daughter! I don't even know who you are, and what your name is! I didn't know all of this when I kissed you, I don't what this urge on me to even do that. But let me tell you this, when I learned everything from Tei and even so, I risked myself to go here knowing what will happen just to say this apology for you. It's probably crazy now that I'm now sitting up the tree and everyone after my head…but I did this because…I never felt what I'm feeling for you now. Makamachi Misao, I think I love you!"
"That's the sweetest thing I ever heard," one of the oni's sighed. " I think you could forgive him, Master Okina."
Misao was gaping, mute from shock and can't believe what she is hearing, except Aoshi and Okina who both have a hard to tell reaction to their faces, almost everyone there could have agreed to Soujiro.
"Y-You are a crazy man!"
" Yes, I might be crazy. Even now that I knew on who you are, I still won't change how I feel for you even more…just give me a chance to prove who I am! Just one chance! To everything that has happened, I humbly asked for forgiveness!"
He said all things he thought he'll never said and mushy as they seem, he blurted out strange words and terms like, "destiny" and "…rather die that live without." It seems to pacify Okina finally, due to the consistent urging of the Oni's to do so. Sano and Yahiko don't know if they'll laugh or be mortified, and Kenshin seems rather complacent and amused. Then suddenly, Aoshi slowly starts phasing up the tree. It hushed everyone for a while, wondering what the former leader is up to.
" I hope he won't grill him," Yahiko whispered, " Aoshi is very unpredictable!"
Soujiro stopped and watched in silence as Aoshi went nearer and nearer. He can't tell if he is annoyed at his long litany or impressed by it. The branch seems to starting give way to the increasing weight, and in matter of minutes…Aoshi is already few meters in front of him. "I-I'm really sorry about Misao, Aoshi-san."
"That's not it," Aoshi is kneeling at the wavering branch, his right hand is hoisted at the pocket. Soujiro is looking at the hand, thinking Aoshi will pull out something to threaten him…as Aoshi starts to drew out his hand, Soujiro made a risky jump from above. The next thing that happened is shouts and gasps, as Soujiro plummeted from above falling to and breaking one branch to another and bouncing to nearby small green leafy and extended frail branches that could do less to support him when he made a sickening thud down to the bushes and rolled to the ground.
" That must have hurt!! " Sano yelled, "why did he do that?!"
" Aoshi!!" Okina reprimanded, "He is supposed to go down, not throw himself suicidal in the air!"
"I don't what he is thinking, I was supposed to ask him that," Aoshi answered from above.
"Hope he is still in one piece…" Okina mumbled, he probably forgive Soujiro for what happened…having foolishly confessed shamelessly his true motives in front of everyone to hear, wishing now that he is okay from quite a fall. He was supposed to ask Misao if he have forgiven and understands, but she suddenly disappeared from his side.
"I think he'll be okay, let's give them sometime to figure things out. Misao is not a child anymore and so is Soujiro, we will have to see and wait." Aoshi said, as finally came down from the tree. From a distance, a shaken and dazed but still intact Soujiro is being helped out from the mess by Misao. He is badly limping in one foot, but can manage to stand on his own…and unexpectedly she extended her hand to help.
"You are really crazy," Misao smiled. "They said people do crazy things when they are in love…"
**********
"Hearing from you that is the craziest thing I can't imagine YOU could have done!" Kamatari shook his head, "The trace of what I know is the calm and cautious Soujiro has disappeared, falling head over heels… all because of meeting one woman!"
"I am even surprised about myself, Kamatari. When you had this surge of feeling for someone…you just go weak in the knees and everything is just not there…it's like you lost the sense of reason already!"
"Ah, but we do know about love. Mine before is just a blind infatuation... I never felt that even now…you are so damn lucky you seemed to find the right one. Now can you tell me who she is? "
Soujiro still has this pleasant smile on his face, with the expression of I- wont-tell-yet look. "Aw c'mon! You keep on referring she has this whole adopted family that scared you up a tree, then some "familiar" faces showed up…won't you tell me?!"
Not for long, the conversation was cut off when one of the waitress' in Kamatari's bar came calling for Soujiro. "Gomen for interrupting your conversation, Soujiro-san. But there is some tall man in white coat looking for you," the girl panted. "…he said you gave him a hard time tracking you down, and he needs to talk to you regarding personal matters."
"Who is it then?" Kamatari asked, "…I hope this is not another trouble…"
"It's probably Aoshi-san." Soujiro calmly replied, "…I think he is going to ask a favor,"
"WHAT?!" Kamatari screamed, "…when did you get to CONVINCE Aoshi for anything? How did that happen?"
But Soujiro didn't answer his question, and dumbfounded as he was…followed the youth in the bar. There not only stands Aoshi, but the rest of the Oniwabanshus as well.
"She wants you to come back," one of the oni's spoke. "After giving some time to think about it. She eventually learned that she likes you after all…"
"…I think she misses you." Aoshi stoically added, "It's my duty to make her happy, so we have to search in whole Osaka to look for you."
"So are you coming with us?"
Soujiro nodded.
"Then let's keep going then, we don't want to keep Misao waiting." Aoshi finally said, and then he rises up and headed for the exit…with the rest of the Oniwabanshu's in tow. Even with his aloof and somehow cold reception, Aoshi has a hint of care and concern to his adopted daughter. And he can't help but notice that the man with gray hair is staring to him in a very shocked manner as he approached the door.
"Do I know you?"
Kamatari shook his head, "Ummm…no, not really."
Everyone walked out of the bar, and when its Soujiro's turn Kamatari stalled him. "What are you up to right now?!...you can't leave yet!"
"Why not? They need me there in Edo. "
"You are not yet finished with the story yet; you can as well tell me at least what happened."
Soujiro signaled the others to wait for him outside, "okay, I'm going to tell you…although not directly. Like I say, you will be into much surprise."
"Just go on,"
"Well," Soujiro clapped his hands, "…after that incident, I was allowed to stay for a few days because of my injuries. When I finally recuperated, I start to resume my travels…although I found it difficult; leaving me a choice if this is what I really wanted. She told me that she'll think it over and let me decide and it's the best that she let me go."
"That's sad. Did she ever think of giving it a second chance?"
Soujiro beamed, "I think she does." And he fished out from his pocket a wrapped memento. "She gave this to me, something to remember by. If I ever get lonely at the road I look at it." He clasped it into Kamatari's hand, "I'll lend it to you, it happens to be my good luck charm."
"Yeah right, like I need to LOOK for the right woman." He snorted,
"Soujiro, we have to keep going! It's starting to get dark!" One of the oni's called out.
"Matte!!"
"So, I think it's nice finally getting to talk to you all these years." Kamatari puts the wrapped memento to his breast pocket, "…I just hope that whoever that woman is, your story must have a happy ending."
"You can say that," Soujiro shaking his hand to his, saying their goodbyes. "…she sent some of her relatives to pick me up just now, so I think it look eventually promising." Then finally carrying his traveling baggages, he waves and then heads along with Aoshi out to the road. "Ja ne!! Till we meet again!"
"You too, take care of yourself."
As they finally head out and trek down the road, to journey back in Edo, Kamatari went in back to the bar to keep up again with normal business. He forgot to ask Soujiro why Aoshi-san is looking him for some reasons he won't tell, except he heard that weasel girl wants to see him. He chuckled, as the image of Misao came to mind. What will she want with Soujiro anyway? He also left a hanging detail about this woman he met, he never told him her name…and he said something about, the girl wanting him back…and even sends her relatives for him to come back.
Well the only people who seem to have Soujiro now is Aoshi-san, for so who knows why. Then it hits him…THERE is something similar to both the incident today and HIS statement: Aoshi, weasel-girl Misao, "familiar faces, relatives…and sending him back… It couldn't be all a coincidence isn't it?
Quickly, Kamatari reached out to his pocket. Probably the memento will give him a clue and finally confirm his suspicions,
He unwraps the material. There are three tobi kunais in it.
-THE END-
Author's note:
First, the explanation of the title: Yogotte ittemo Utsukushii = Stained yet Beautiful ; ) [ t.y. to Alucard-sama of TDR ml and cosplayers fame for the translation] Deep title ain't it? You can email me why the title…hehehe…and I dunno what possessed me to put Kamatari in the fic :P I think it's an effect because every night I'm trying to think what to put in my Broken Nihontou sequel and in front of my bed is that poster with Kamatari and Soujiro….with the rest of the juppon-gatana. (I just have to get those RK posters without the protagonists on it…ohohoho..). Then, voila before I knew inspiration struck me…took me one week to finish the whole thing (. The whole thing turning Kamatari into a real MAN might be a debated issue right now. But to think of it, if Nuriko (of FY fame) can be a MAN why not the scythe wielding ex-juppon-gatana member ;)? Cross dressers made good looking bishonens indeed.
And with the Broken Nihontou sequel…I'm still brainstorming for part 6, I'm almost done but still there is a part 7…and 8 and 9..and….-_- Misao and Soujiro fics are easy to write…but doing it with prominent yet fictional characters is a challenge. It's so challenging that, I'm planning for a THIRD sequel for it even if how far-fetched it would get O_O;
"Toki ga sugiyuku, to hitobito wa kawaru kedo…jinsei ga tsuzukanakereba naranai"
[Time flies, people change. But life must go on]
-ORI OSCURO-
Soujiro felt he is risking himself a little too much, and didn't hesitate to call out.
"Misao! Tell Okina to stop, please I beg of you!"
"Why should I? I can't forgive you on what you did! My first kiss, and it has to come from you!"
"I don't know its your first!" or is it because on who I am? People can hardly forget who he was from the past. It will be forever imbed in their memories, even if he vowed himself to make the changes for those four years. To make matter worse, he fell for a woman he doesn't KNOW was a grand daughter of his former enemy. At the corner of his eye, he noticed a familiar figure in a wide collared trench coat approaching… it is Aoshi. He is speaking to one of the Oniwabanshu's to explain everything that is going on and from a distance Soujiro could tell that Aoshi's reaction is far from tacit, he look well…shocked and furious.
A few meters away, Sanosuke, Yahiko and Kenshin, prepared themselves on what could possibly happen. It's up to Soujiro to speak out his mind, or let there be another furious person helping Okina to bring down the tree.
"Misao! Hear me out!" he called, "When we accidentally bumped to each other's head at Tei's I fall for you! I have been in the road for four years, searching for the truth.. and I still feel this emptiness within me. But when the moment, I see you I don't feel that anymore."
Everyone seems listening, even Okina has stalled in between hacking the trunk. Aoshi moved closer, to listen what Soujiro is trying to say.
" I NEVER even knew you are Okina's grand daughter, or Aoshi's adopted daughter! I don't even know who you are, and what your name is! I didn't know all of this when I kissed you, I don't what this urge on me to even do that. But let me tell you this, when I learned everything from Tei and even so, I risked myself to go here knowing what will happen just to say this apology for you. It's probably crazy now that I'm now sitting up the tree and everyone after my head…but I did this because…I never felt what I'm feeling for you now. Makamachi Misao, I think I love you!"
"That's the sweetest thing I ever heard," one of the oni's sighed. " I think you could forgive him, Master Okina."
Misao was gaping, mute from shock and can't believe what she is hearing, except Aoshi and Okina who both have a hard to tell reaction to their faces, almost everyone there could have agreed to Soujiro.
"Y-You are a crazy man!"
" Yes, I might be crazy. Even now that I knew on who you are, I still won't change how I feel for you even more…just give me a chance to prove who I am! Just one chance! To everything that has happened, I humbly asked for forgiveness!"
He said all things he thought he'll never said and mushy as they seem, he blurted out strange words and terms like, "destiny" and "…rather die that live without." It seems to pacify Okina finally, due to the consistent urging of the Oni's to do so. Sano and Yahiko don't know if they'll laugh or be mortified, and Kenshin seems rather complacent and amused. Then suddenly, Aoshi slowly starts phasing up the tree. It hushed everyone for a while, wondering what the former leader is up to.
" I hope he won't grill him," Yahiko whispered, " Aoshi is very unpredictable!"
Soujiro stopped and watched in silence as Aoshi went nearer and nearer. He can't tell if he is annoyed at his long litany or impressed by it. The branch seems to starting give way to the increasing weight, and in matter of minutes…Aoshi is already few meters in front of him. "I-I'm really sorry about Misao, Aoshi-san."
"That's not it," Aoshi is kneeling at the wavering branch, his right hand is hoisted at the pocket. Soujiro is looking at the hand, thinking Aoshi will pull out something to threaten him…as Aoshi starts to drew out his hand, Soujiro made a risky jump from above. The next thing that happened is shouts and gasps, as Soujiro plummeted from above falling to and breaking one branch to another and bouncing to nearby small green leafy and extended frail branches that could do less to support him when he made a sickening thud down to the bushes and rolled to the ground.
" That must have hurt!! " Sano yelled, "why did he do that?!"
" Aoshi!!" Okina reprimanded, "He is supposed to go down, not throw himself suicidal in the air!"
"I don't what he is thinking, I was supposed to ask him that," Aoshi answered from above.
"Hope he is still in one piece…" Okina mumbled, he probably forgive Soujiro for what happened…having foolishly confessed shamelessly his true motives in front of everyone to hear, wishing now that he is okay from quite a fall. He was supposed to ask Misao if he have forgiven and understands, but she suddenly disappeared from his side.
"I think he'll be okay, let's give them sometime to figure things out. Misao is not a child anymore and so is Soujiro, we will have to see and wait." Aoshi said, as finally came down from the tree. From a distance, a shaken and dazed but still intact Soujiro is being helped out from the mess by Misao. He is badly limping in one foot, but can manage to stand on his own…and unexpectedly she extended her hand to help.
"You are really crazy," Misao smiled. "They said people do crazy things when they are in love…"
**********
"Hearing from you that is the craziest thing I can't imagine YOU could have done!" Kamatari shook his head, "The trace of what I know is the calm and cautious Soujiro has disappeared, falling head over heels… all because of meeting one woman!"
"I am even surprised about myself, Kamatari. When you had this surge of feeling for someone…you just go weak in the knees and everything is just not there…it's like you lost the sense of reason already!"
"Ah, but we do know about love. Mine before is just a blind infatuation... I never felt that even now…you are so damn lucky you seemed to find the right one. Now can you tell me who she is? "
Soujiro still has this pleasant smile on his face, with the expression of I- wont-tell-yet look. "Aw c'mon! You keep on referring she has this whole adopted family that scared you up a tree, then some "familiar" faces showed up…won't you tell me?!"
Not for long, the conversation was cut off when one of the waitress' in Kamatari's bar came calling for Soujiro. "Gomen for interrupting your conversation, Soujiro-san. But there is some tall man in white coat looking for you," the girl panted. "…he said you gave him a hard time tracking you down, and he needs to talk to you regarding personal matters."
"Who is it then?" Kamatari asked, "…I hope this is not another trouble…"
"It's probably Aoshi-san." Soujiro calmly replied, "…I think he is going to ask a favor,"
"WHAT?!" Kamatari screamed, "…when did you get to CONVINCE Aoshi for anything? How did that happen?"
But Soujiro didn't answer his question, and dumbfounded as he was…followed the youth in the bar. There not only stands Aoshi, but the rest of the Oniwabanshus as well.
"She wants you to come back," one of the oni's spoke. "After giving some time to think about it. She eventually learned that she likes you after all…"
"…I think she misses you." Aoshi stoically added, "It's my duty to make her happy, so we have to search in whole Osaka to look for you."
"So are you coming with us?"
Soujiro nodded.
"Then let's keep going then, we don't want to keep Misao waiting." Aoshi finally said, and then he rises up and headed for the exit…with the rest of the Oniwabanshu's in tow. Even with his aloof and somehow cold reception, Aoshi has a hint of care and concern to his adopted daughter. And he can't help but notice that the man with gray hair is staring to him in a very shocked manner as he approached the door.
"Do I know you?"
Kamatari shook his head, "Ummm…no, not really."
Everyone walked out of the bar, and when its Soujiro's turn Kamatari stalled him. "What are you up to right now?!...you can't leave yet!"
"Why not? They need me there in Edo. "
"You are not yet finished with the story yet; you can as well tell me at least what happened."
Soujiro signaled the others to wait for him outside, "okay, I'm going to tell you…although not directly. Like I say, you will be into much surprise."
"Just go on,"
"Well," Soujiro clapped his hands, "…after that incident, I was allowed to stay for a few days because of my injuries. When I finally recuperated, I start to resume my travels…although I found it difficult; leaving me a choice if this is what I really wanted. She told me that she'll think it over and let me decide and it's the best that she let me go."
"That's sad. Did she ever think of giving it a second chance?"
Soujiro beamed, "I think she does." And he fished out from his pocket a wrapped memento. "She gave this to me, something to remember by. If I ever get lonely at the road I look at it." He clasped it into Kamatari's hand, "I'll lend it to you, it happens to be my good luck charm."
"Yeah right, like I need to LOOK for the right woman." He snorted,
"Soujiro, we have to keep going! It's starting to get dark!" One of the oni's called out.
"Matte!!"
"So, I think it's nice finally getting to talk to you all these years." Kamatari puts the wrapped memento to his breast pocket, "…I just hope that whoever that woman is, your story must have a happy ending."
"You can say that," Soujiro shaking his hand to his, saying their goodbyes. "…she sent some of her relatives to pick me up just now, so I think it look eventually promising." Then finally carrying his traveling baggages, he waves and then heads along with Aoshi out to the road. "Ja ne!! Till we meet again!"
"You too, take care of yourself."
As they finally head out and trek down the road, to journey back in Edo, Kamatari went in back to the bar to keep up again with normal business. He forgot to ask Soujiro why Aoshi-san is looking him for some reasons he won't tell, except he heard that weasel girl wants to see him. He chuckled, as the image of Misao came to mind. What will she want with Soujiro anyway? He also left a hanging detail about this woman he met, he never told him her name…and he said something about, the girl wanting him back…and even sends her relatives for him to come back.
Well the only people who seem to have Soujiro now is Aoshi-san, for so who knows why. Then it hits him…THERE is something similar to both the incident today and HIS statement: Aoshi, weasel-girl Misao, "familiar faces, relatives…and sending him back… It couldn't be all a coincidence isn't it?
Quickly, Kamatari reached out to his pocket. Probably the memento will give him a clue and finally confirm his suspicions,
He unwraps the material. There are three tobi kunais in it.
-THE END-
Author's note:
First, the explanation of the title: Yogotte ittemo Utsukushii = Stained yet Beautiful ; ) [ t.y. to Alucard-sama of TDR ml and cosplayers fame for the translation] Deep title ain't it? You can email me why the title…hehehe…and I dunno what possessed me to put Kamatari in the fic :P I think it's an effect because every night I'm trying to think what to put in my Broken Nihontou sequel and in front of my bed is that poster with Kamatari and Soujiro….with the rest of the juppon-gatana. (I just have to get those RK posters without the protagonists on it…ohohoho..). Then, voila before I knew inspiration struck me…took me one week to finish the whole thing (. The whole thing turning Kamatari into a real MAN might be a debated issue right now. But to think of it, if Nuriko (of FY fame) can be a MAN why not the scythe wielding ex-juppon-gatana member ;)? Cross dressers made good looking bishonens indeed.
And with the Broken Nihontou sequel…I'm still brainstorming for part 6, I'm almost done but still there is a part 7…and 8 and 9..and….-_- Misao and Soujiro fics are easy to write…but doing it with prominent yet fictional characters is a challenge. It's so challenging that, I'm planning for a THIRD sequel for it even if how far-fetched it would get O_O;
"Toki ga sugiyuku, to hitobito wa kawaru kedo…jinsei ga tsuzukanakereba naranai"
[Time flies, people change. But life must go on]
-ORI OSCURO-