I'm sorry to have just left without really saying good-bye. But I know that it would just be so much harder for me to leave. You are all kind people, and it's difficult to think of my life without any of you. I'm very grateful for your patience and hospitality, but most of all, for your friendship.
Okina-san, thank you most especially for being so understanding and accommodating. I will owe you for the rest of my life. Omasu-chan. Thank you for all the times you spent with me. Thank you also for teaching me laundry. I know it's going to be useful. Okon-chan, thank you for all the advice you've give me. You're like an older sister, almost more than Yumi-san ever was. I hope Hiko-san will finally notice your beauty and kindness. Kuro-san, dinner last night was sugoi! You are very talented. Shiro-san, you were very fun to be with. Thank you for being so friendly towards me. I hope you and Omasu-chan don't fight so much anymore. Aoshi-san, thank you for talking to me and teaching me so many things. You may not know it, but what you told me will affect my life greatly. Arigato gozaimasu. Misao-chan, please don't be mad at me. I really am sorry. But I promise you I'll come back. But in the meantime, please remain friendly and cheerful and caring. I hope you and Aoshi-san will have a great life. I left a gift for you, it's in the box in the left corner.
I'm sorry I was only able to get Misao-chan a gift, but I used up all the money I had. I hope you are not offended, but I have spent a lot of time traveling with Misao-chan.
I had meant for this to be a short note, but it has kind of expanded. I guess it's really time to go. If you'll let me, I'll visit you. Please don't forget me, or at least remember that I will be safe and I will take care of myself.
I wish you all well, and I promise you that I'll never forget any of you. Especially you, Misao-chan. Please forgive me. Sayonara.
Soujirou
Omasu heard a sound, it seemed like there was some destruction of some sort. Worried, she pulled Okon, Shiro, Kuro, and even Okina out of their rooms.
"What's the big deal?" Okina grumped.
"We don't wake up this early, Omasu-" Kuro said with a hearty yawn.
"I heard a crash!" Omasu replied. "It came from Soujirou's room!"
"Eh? So what? Misao's probably at his throat again, there's nothing very extraordinary about that," Okon reasoned.
Omasu shook her head. "Let's just check."
They were surprised.
Not because Soujirou wasn't there. Or because Misao was there.
It was because Misao was there, and she was crying.
Serious rage filled her eyes. Not like the gleam they take on whenever she was arguing with Okina, or the playful angered look they had whenever she was bickering with Sano or Yahiko. Misao was furious, and the intense anger that flashed from her eyes was nowhere near playful.
"Misao?" Kuro said quietly.
Misao didn't look up. She put her hand up, a tightly balled-up fist that contained a piece of paper.
Okina and Omasu hugged Misao, as Kuro patted her hand. Shiro walked away while Okina stood, motionless with a neutral expression.
Nobody said anything until Shiro presented Misao with a box. "This was on the left corner."
Misao opened it, to reveal…
// Flashback //
// She remembered just having left Chou, earning some money to blow. She and Soujirou went around town, checking out the stores like two children looking for a game to play.
Then she found a shiny set of kunai, brand new and sharp.
"If only I had the money," she said, ogling at the small weapons.
"I can buy it for you, it's the least I can do-"
"Forget it. Although… Iie! We'll just come back to get it."
"Why? I can buy-"
"Sou-chan!" she whined, cutting him off. "Look, you don't owe me anything, alright? We'll just get more money, 'till I have enough for the Aoiya and these babies!"
"Do you really like them that much?" he asked.
"Y-No!"
"Hmm… but I'm sure you'll get them someday." //
…two sets of kunai.
Oh my hero, so far away now, will I ever see your smile?…
We must part now, my life goes on,
But my heart won't give you up 'Ere I walk away, let me hear you say
I meant as much to you…
So gently, you touched my heart
I will be forever yours, come what may, I won't age a day,
I'll wait for you, always… (5)
author ramblings; Sorry if I overuse the Kyoto Oniwabanshuu… I just thought they deserved more screen time! Okon and Omasu are so funny. ("Hiko-sama!" Hehe.) I gave Kuro and Shiro speaking lines too…
Also, apology for the the OOCness. But it's hard to avoid, as far as Aoshi-sama is concerned. ^_^'
Comments welcome! Flames will only be ignored if they fall far from intelligent and/or helpful. ^_^
notes;
(1) "Iris", Goo Goo Dolls; City of Angels
(2) Translation: Arigato.
(3) Actually, it sounds better than Seta Misao… Oh well… It'll rub off on us, right?
(4) I don't know how. I mean, use your imagination.
(5) "Opera Scene"; FF3 (Japanese) or FF6 (English)