Watsuki owns them
I just borrow for a while
No harm intended
Thanks for reading and reviewing to Susan, Midori Natari Himura,
and Firuze Khanume
When She Smiles
Chapter 13: The Okashira's Choice
Enishi interrupted his packing for his next trip abroad and called to Oibore to join him.
"Father, please come here, I have some things to show you."
"Here I am, what is it?"
"First, look at this carved teak box. I think it would be perfect for Tomoe's journal. What do you think?"
"I think it's fine. Did you find a source for these? We could probably sell them if you did."
"I'll look into it on this trip. Here, Please give this to Misao on her next visit."
Enishi handed his father a small square box, simply but elegantly wrapped.
"What is it?"
"Merely a token gift for her doting 'adoptive father' to give her. I found it in Shanghai and it reminded me of her."
Oibore thought no more about the gift until Misao came for lunch the following week. After they had shared their most recent shopping experiences and gossiped about the local shopkeepers and innkeepers, Oibore brought out the gift with a fresh pot of tea.
"Misao, please accept this token of friendship from me."
Misao was delighted. She was unused to receiving gifts, but loved them as much as any young lady. She quickly opened the wrappings and took the lid off the box inside. There was a blue stone hanging from a silver chain. She was very pleased with it.
"Oibore, what a lovely gift! I do not own any jewelry to speak of, and I think this is very pretty." She removed it from the box and put it on immediately. She was so busy fussing with the clasp that she did not notice all of the color drain from Oibore's face. By the time she looked up for his approval, he had recovered.
"It looks very pretty on you, Misao. Enishi said it reminded him of you and I can see why. The color exactly matches your eyes." He didn't bother to point out that it was roughly the same size as her eyes. It was clear that Misao was unaware of the value of such a gift. They could afford it, but it was still quite extravagant.
Why had Enishi chosen such a present? The color again left his cheeks when he considered the most likely possibility. Misao was eighteen. Enishi was twenty-five. Had Enishi lapsed totally into madness? Was it possible he didn't know of Shinomori's possessive attitude towards his Okashira?
Misao was constantly referring to Aoshi-sama in their conversations. It was clear she loved him, and Oibore had shared that opinion with Enishi. Enishi had never mentioned Misao or any other woman to Oibore. At this point, he could only hope he was mistaken. The gift had been given. He would have to wait until Enishi returned to ask him about it. Maybe they would be really lucky and Aoshi wouldn't notice it. That seemed unlikely, but Oibore had survived Rakuninmura, he could survive this. Maybe.
A very pleased Misao thanked Oibore again, and wore her new necklace back to the Aoiya. The chain was generous, so the blue stone fell inside her Oniwabanshuu uniform. She wouldn't be able to wear it when she practiced her kunai or other ninja arts, but it was fun to have some jewelry anyway. Oibore was so nice to her, and if Enishi had chosen it, well, that was probably OK, too.
She had planned to have dinner with all of the Oniwabanshuu this evening. This was their weekly time to catch up on any business. She was especially looking forward to this dinner because Aoshi-sama had agreed to come. He rarely took his meals with them, especially if they were likely to be discussing business. But tonight he would be joining them and Misao was very glad of it. Even if he said nothing, at least he would be there with her and not off on his mysterious private business.
The afternoon passed quickly and soon all of the Kyoto Oniwabanshuu gathered in their private dining room to have dinner and enjoy each other's company. Okon, Omasu, Kuro, Shiro, Misao, and Okina were all joking and arguing like families do. Aoshi, ever serious, did not join in their fun, but sat back and watched.
After dinner, Misao began their business discussions by offering everyone more tea and asking each of them if there was any business that needed to be shared. Misao reached across to pour a fresh cup of tea for Okina, when her new necklace fell forward. Okon gasped.
"Where did you get such a lovely necklace, Misao?"
As she sat back, the rest of her family got their first good look at the blue stone. But now there was another focal point, too. By the time Misao noticed Aoshi staring at her, she had already fallen over backwards.
"Aoshi-sama! What is it? Himura knocked me over with his ki once, and it felt just like this. Are we in danger?"
"No, Misao, I'm sorry to have focused on you. I was just about to bring up a new topic for discussion, but I didn't wish to interrupt."
"Well, I think it's safe to say you have everyone's full attention now. What is it?"
"I have decided, Misao. I am ready to resume my position as Okashira."
Chapter 13: The Okashira and the Tiger
The Oniwabanshuu were stunned, but delighted that Aoshi was willing to resume his position as their Okashira. After a brief moment of shocked silence, they all looked at each other, laughed and decided to have a party to celebrate. Aoshi asked Misao and Okina to stay behind for a few minutes.
"Misao, I regret interrupting your meeting with Yukishiro. Your response made me think about resuming this position. Does my decision please you?"
"Are you kidding? I'm thrilled! You know I considered it temporary. Don't you want to come and celebrate with us?"
"I will, Misao, just let me have a moment with Okina."
After Misao left, Okina waited for Aoshi to start. "You recognized it, too, didn't you?"
"Yes, not that I've seen a sapphire that big in a long time."
"Are any of the others, including Misao, likely to know what it is, or what it's worth?"
"No. If they did, we'd know it already."
"Okina, please take care of this, and give me an update next week."
Misao was relieved to have more time to herself now that Aoshi had resumed his position as their Okashira. She didn't see any more of Aoshi, but at least he wasn't always meditating and going off to a shrine. He was going about the business of the Okashira. Well, he was still meditating, but not all the time. Now if she could get him to train with her, maybe there was some hope of resuming a normal life in the Aoiya – or at least normal for ninjas.
She shared her good news with Oibore at their next luncheon. He came to the Aoiya to get her and treated her to lunch at the Shirabeko. She wore her new necklace, to please him. Unfortunately, she found that the length of the chain kept it from showing much, and she didn't put it on if she was going to practice her kunai or do any other training. But it was very pretty and she liked it. If she only wore it when she saw Oibore, that was fine with her.
Oibore noticed it and commented on how well it suited her. He did seem a little more concerned about their surroundings than usual. He seemed to be watching for someone. When Misao questioned him about it, he merely said that he was keeping an eye out for an old friend who had mentioned he might be in town. They usually visited at her Aoiya or his dojo. He seemed a little relieved to take her back home. He had promised to teach her Tai Chi, so they went to the back garden and she followed his moves as he showed her the routine he and Enishi followed. He had been telling her about it for months, so she was very anxious to see what it looked like. After the ninja arts, it seemed too slow and Misao had to admit that she was probably too impatient to enjoy it. But Oibore enjoyed showing her, and it gave them both something to giggle about.
The other members of the Oniwabanshuu enjoyed it a lot more than Misao, but they kept their observance (and their giggles) to themselves, for now. They would find an appropriate time to tease her about it later.
"Enishi is teaching me sword Chi now. After I've learned it maybe I'll try to teach that form to you – at least the sword will keep your attention, Misao."
"Maybe, but I'm already pretty good with blades, or don't you remember?" With that Misao flung several of her kunai in Oibore's direction – all of them hitting the bench beside where he was sitting.
"Misao, I am unlikely to forget your expertise there – I still have the hat you filled with your kunai at the Kamiya dojo!" Both of them laughed together as Misao walked Oibore out to the porch of the Aoiya.
Okina was mysteriously absent. He and Oibore had spoken briefly when he came to get her, but Okina wasn't around now. Misao suspected that Aoshi had given him an assignment.
As she saw Oibore out, it occurred to her that Aoshi had not given her any assignments since he had taken over as Okashira. She shook her head and sighed. First too much to do, now not enough. She would take it up with him very soon. Was this just another example of Aoshi-sama forgetting she was adult?
As she walked to her room, Misao ran into Okina and Aoshi. "Aoshi-sama, may I have a word with you?"
"Can it wait until later, Misao? Okina and I are not finished with our current discussion."
"Of course, Okashira." It felt very odd to address him that way after holding the title herself. But she wanted Aoshi to be her Okashira, and more. The title would fit better with a little practice.
Okina and Aoshi resumed their discussions in the Okashira's private study.
"What have you found, Okina?"
"Oibore approached me today to discuss the sapphire. He knew Misao was unaware of its value, and did not want to place her in any danger should she decide to wear it visibly around Kyoto. He offered to provide her with bodyguard protection, without her knowledge, of course."
"And why didn't he consider this problem before he gave it to her?"
"Ah, the real problem. Oibore didn't know what it was until she opened it. By then she was so delighted, he didn't know what he could do about it. How could he take it back, or even tell her its value? He feels bad, but doesn't know how to fix it. And frankly, neither do I."
"So, it was Enishi's choice."
"Yes. That much is clear. The only good news is that Misao rarely wears it. She doesn't wear it when she practices, and she practices everyday. So far, she has only worn it when she sees Oibore. He didn't notice she had it on until he suggested going to the Shirabeko. I thought he would have a heart attack!"
"Too bad he didn't."
"Aoshi, it would grieve Misao to lose one of her few friends."
"Well, what steps have you taken?"
"I know where she keeps it in her room, which is perfectly safe. If she wears it, I have her followed. I believe this is sufficient for now, and I am hoping that she will wear it a few times with Oibore, and then forget about it."
"Who else knows?"
"All of us. I don't want Okon or the others to ask about it or encourage her to wear it. For now, if she just tires of it, or forgets to put it on, it will be for the best."
"I agree, for now. Please let me know when Enishi returns."
Okina paled, but agreed.
Enishi's return from his latest trip abroad was not what he expected. He had done well, made additional contracts, purchased terrific inventory, and he even had some important reconnaissance to pass along to Hajime. He was expecting his father to be especially pleased with the amount of money he had been able to donate. The better their business did, the more funds were funneled to the orphanages and hospitals they were now virtually supporting.
Oibore was glad that Enishi was home. But didn't even let him catch his breath before he brought up the sapphire.
"Enishi, how could you give Misao such a gift? And how could you ask me to give it to her without telling me what it was?"
"Didn't she like it?"
"Of course she likes it. It's blue. It's pretty. She has probably received very few gifts in her life, and those were probably small tokens – exactly like what I should have given her." Oibore was practically shouting.
"Does she wear it? It exactly matches her eyes, you know. That's why I bought it for her. I knew she'd never accept it from me, but she would from you."
"Yes, she did accept it from me. Although, you realize that she has no idea that it is valuable. Misao has probably never even seen a sapphire. But I assure you that both Okina and Shinomori, at least, will know exactly what it is. You have made matters very complicated with this inappropriate behavior." Now Oibore was shouting. Enishi was a very bright man, so why was he being so thick headed about this present. Couldn't he see the implications?
"All right, Father. Explain it to me. It's clear that I have been really stupid about this. So explain it to me."
"You know that Misao was the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu."
"Was?"
"Don't interrupt me. Just listen." Oibore was frantic to get Enishi's undivided attention. Enishi held up his hands to indicate that there would be no further interruptions.
"She was the Okashira. She is in love with Shinomori Aoshi. Perhaps you remember him? Tall guy, Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu at fifteen, good with swords & information?"
"There's no need for sarcasm, father. You know I know who he is. What is your point?"
"My point is that Shinomori, who has just resumed the Okashira position, is unlikely to be amused by a gift from the Yukishiro family which places Misao in danger if she wears it visibly on the streets of Kyoto. And also, he might not appreciate a gift of that magnitude to a young lady who is under his protection. Are you with me so far?"
Enishi nodded. He looked a little sheepish at this point.
"And it might also interest you to know that if Shinomori returns Misao's feelings he may be very displeased with your thoughtless extravagance. I thought you were trying to make amends to these people!"
"Well, this is quite a welcome home. Should I turn around and hide out on the continent until Shinomori calms down?"
Oibore took a seat and hung his head in his hands. Maybe Enishi wasn't as sane as he had hoped.
"Let me try to explain, father. First of all, it never occurred to me that Misao wouldn't know that the sapphire was a valuable jewel. She is, or was, the Okashira and gave me every indication in our brief meetings that she is a most knowledgeable, if young, lady. Therefore I did not anticipate what I perceive to be your main concern – danger to her person. Second, after the story you told me about your first meeting with Misao, I figured she could take care of herself, with or without, her kunai.
"Now I have a question for you – why didn't you just tell her what it was?"
"She is so young, and she was very pleased with the gift. If I had told her what it was she might have refused it, been angry, or severed her ties with me – or all three!"
"Ah, you were afraid. And her Okina and Shinomori – have they told her?"
"I doubt it. But they are very concerned about it, and I am certain they are furious with you."
"Invite Misao for lunch, father. Tomorrow, if possible. I will tell her myself, take full responsibility and make sure she doesn't hate you."
"I will do that, Enishi, but this matter may be already out of our hands. I do not believe that you understand the gravity of the situation."
"Curiously, I never considered it when I purchased that sapphire. It truly was just a gift I bought on a whim. But I think I do understand your concern now and I will prepare for the unexpected." Unexpected, thought Enishi. That's what caused this in the first place, unexpected thoughts of Misao and her beautiful piercing blue eyes.