Fate Beckons
Chapter 14: Undeniable
Disclaimers apply. R&R! I do read your reviews, so just speak your hearts, I don't mind constructive criticism.
"It's been some time since we last talked," Kenshin commented, trying to strike up a conversation with the silent Aoshi.
"Ah. But are a few months that long?"
"Long enough for some major changes to take place." Kenshin looked at Aoshi meaningfully. "You and Misao are close to each other, aren't you?"
Aoshi's eyes softened. "Ah."
"It's rather obvious sometimes, the way you look at each other."
"Is that so? I never knew anyone noticed." Aoshi actually smiled slightly!
"When a person changes, one cannot help not noticing. It's good to know that you've pulled yourself together."
Aoshi nodded. "I've learnt to forgive...to let life go on." His eyes softened once more. Thanks to Misao. He suddenly recalled something.
"So, how did you end up as a coach?"
Kenshin's eyes bulged out. Aoshi blinked, wondering if it was just an illusion that the NCO who had tortured him through his Basic Military Training days had actually blushed.
"I used to train there when I was younger and came back to 'groom future talent', as they say. Actually, I enjoy this better." If he had not been right in front of Kenshin, Aoshi would have rolled his eyes. He had heard much of Misao's complaints about the torture her coach was putting her through. I should have guessed...no one in his right mind would put even swimmers through so much torture. Back then we thought he was sadistic but I guess that's an understatement...
"Don't look at me that way. It does them good. Your friend Beshimi toughened up quite a bit." Kenshin realised his mistake as Aoshi's eyes darkened slightly at the mention of Beshimi. Almost expecting his ex-trainee to slip into depression again, he was astonished to see the momentary sadness disappear as suddenly as it had appeared.
"Ah, that's true, he was showing off his newly-formed muscles," Aoshi recalled fondly. "Misao must have improved alot under you."
"I only helped to strengthen her and her stamina. The real credit goes to the person who taught her how to swim. She has nearly flawless strokes."
Aoshi looked away. "Actually, I taught her some of them. Hannya also taught her fly."
"The both of you must have been good teachers."
"No, she's a bright child." Before Aoshi knew it, the words were out of his mouth. "Was, I mean. She's an amazing young lady now," he quickly corrected. If Misao heard that, some part of my body would be hurting like crazy now. Either that or he'd be lying on a hospital bed swathed in bandages ruing the day he called Misao a 'child'.
"Don't be too sure. Sometimes she's a little 'blur' [ditzy, innocent, don't really know how to explain this]." Aoshi almost expected Misao to pop out and hit Kenshin on the head/throw something at him. "But she's a good girl. As you said, she's no longer a child, so cherish her."
"I'll keep that in mind." And Aoshi actually smiled as they walked back through the entrance of the swimming complex.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Misao was surrounded again, not exactly by friends this time, but by her parents and the Shinomoris, among others. She held the gold medal proudly in her hand--the medal she had worked so hard for and truly deserved.
Having so many people suddenly surrounding her made her a little shy, but with Aoshi's ever-comforting hand on her shoulder, she no longer felt as nervous as she had been just a few minutes ago, receiving her medal amid unstoppable camera flashes. Kaoru was winking at her and Mrs. Shinomori and Mrs. Makimachi were exchanging knowing looks, which Misao actually expected. The two of them have something to do with Aoshi and me getting together...
"If it's okay I'd like to take Misao out for a while," Aoshi informed Mrs. Makimachi. The way both the mothers' eyes lighted up was incomparable to anything.
"Sure, sure, go ahead--."
"Just don't come back too late or anything," Mr. Makimachi warned, shooting a look at his wife that stopped her from saying anything more to um...encourage certain things. [I'm a dirty minded person!] Nodding, Aoshi led Misao out of the complex, arm wrapped protectively around her waist.
"Relax, he can be trusted," they heard Mrs. Makimachi tell her husband as all voices behind them faded away.
"You know what? I thought you weren't coming just now," Misao told Aoshi as they settled themselves at a table in the coffee shop. "After what happened on Friday..." Her eyes took on a hurt look. "Why did you change your mind--I mean--" A soft look from Aoshi quietened her. [Oh man, I'm really going OOC here]
"That night...I was lying to you. I thought you would be better off without me. Then Hannya... Shikijou... Beshimi...Hyottoko...they came to me in my dreams and made me realise how much I really love you...and how we need each other." He paused for a moment. "They told me that my happiness lay with you, and I know now that it's true." His eyes took on a serious look. "Somehow I think there was something between us in our previous lives."
Misao's eyes widened in slight surprise. "What makes you think so?"
"Remember the day we first met each other again? You told me about this weird dream you had..."
"And it turned out that we had the same dream," she finished for him. Her determined eyes pierced into his.
"Last night I dreamt about a previous life again...you and me in a garden and flowers suddenly blossoming around us even though it was autumn..."
Misao's eyes glazed over. "I don't know why, but I've dreamt about that place ever since I was little." Almost every time she was particularly upset or felt that there was no hope, that heavenly place had appeared in her dreams, and being there renewed her joy and hope, giving her protection and warmth. It had seemed familiar but she knew she definitely had not been there physically.
It was a little strange that Aoshi had always been in that place with her.
She realised that ever since she had met Aoshi, she had often dreamt about being the same person--a ninja girl--in long ago Meiji Japan. The dreams had all been so vivid and familiar that she often woke up wondering if she actually had a split personality that did all that when she was asleep.
All those dreams were peaceful and happy until one night when she was eight, when she dreamt that 'Aoshi-sama' and his four friends left her. Soon after that, she saw less and less of them.
A more recent dream flooded her mind. The night before, she had been nervous about the competition and wondering if Aoshi would even want to see her again. As she fell asleep, Hannya appeared to her in her dreams and told her not to give up...that he would come back to her...among others, that had been her strongest encouragement to do her best.
Then promise me that you'll marry me in our next life...
If fate allows us to meet again, I will…and
I'll never leave you again...
Just like you promised all those years ago?
Yes. And we'll never be separated again...
She stared, dazed, into Aoshi's mesmerizing eyes that brought back so many memories. "Aoshi-sama..." she murmured absentmindedly.
Grayish blue frozen eyes. She turned away, not bearing to look into them for fear that she would be hurt once more. he wouldn't give up, eyes burning into her face. A cold hand on her chin. He turned her head towards him again...gently, carefully. She stared in wonder as right before her, the ice melted into warmth.
"Misao? Are you okay?" Aoshi asked, concerned. She returned to earth.
"Huh? Oh, yeah I'm fine. Sorry, I was just thinking about something..."
"That place...Hannya said it was where we both found true happiness in our past lives." He looked at her meaningfully. "And he said we would find it again...in this life. I wonder if it's true."
"Hannya never liked to lie," Misao reminded him. "Whenever he comforted me, or encouraged me, whatever he told me always came true. Last night, he told me you would come although I was unsure. And you did."
Aoshi smiled. "Then no matter what happens, we must fight to stay together, if Fate wants this of us. Maybe I shouldn't go overseas to study after all."
Misao was about to ask him if he was joking when she saw the dead serious look on his face. In a split second, she made her decision.
"No! This concerns your future. Aoshi, you must go overseas...just promise me you'll come back. I'll always be here, waiting for you. Whether you like it or not." A courageous smile--Aoshi had never seen her look so mature and wise.
"If fate wants us to end up together, then we will, no matter what happens. I want you to go overseas for further studies." She was so firm, so sure about it that Aoshi just wanted to hug her. He smiled again.
"Most girls want to keep their boyfriends by their sides. You're the first person I've met who wants her boyfriend to go away," he teased good-naturedly. Misao flushed.
"Wha-what I mean is--anou--more opportunities--" she stuttered. Aoshi's finger over her lips shushed her.
" I understand. I'll go...and I promise to return to you, as soon as possible." And then he tilted her face up and kissed her deeply on the lips--the first kiss she ever had.
tbc
Hisashiburi
ne minna san, long time no see. I just couldn't think of what exactly to put in
this chapter. This fic is nearing its end in a few chapters...I've had so much
fun writing this!
Going overseas to study and coming back with a degree,
especially from prestigious universities, does help a big deal in future
careers, especially here, although a recent survey did find out that bosses here
have not much preference for an overseas degree over a local one. It depends on
what one wants to study actually, some courses are not available here. My
teachers did mention that local universities mainly groom doctors, lawyers,
architects...can't seem to imagine Aoshi as any of that! But apart from a
policeman, Okashira or a spy (or even a martial arts teacher) I don't know what
career Aoshi would fit into best.
Of course who could forget that certain people don't come
back? There are more opportunities overseas after all. I'm sure Misao knows
that, but showing the maturity that is blossoming in her, she's realised that
she cannot be selfish for this. It's a big turning point if and when Aoshi
leaves, but somehow we know they'll stay together, although their love can't be
too smooth. Being physically separated by thousands of kilometres is a major
test for their love, and lets hope that they'll pass it!(Of course they will!
What am I thinking?)
I know this fic is rather tame, but I don't want it to turn
into yet another soap opera/ Hong Kong serial (no offence intended). My mind is
dirty enough to write limes and lemons but I don't have the age nor the courage
to write them! Their relationship here is chaste, pure, true and strong.
Btw, to readers of Saiki Kyoko's fics: She wants to tell you guys, "Gomen nasai, I'm really busy so I can't put up any new fics or chapters for a while." Same goes for this author here...
