Disclaimer: Character Do Not Belong To Me. I'm Poor Don't Sue Me! =(
Unravel
I knew she would find me. The young girl that sought out her beloved so bravely on her own.
"Why did you leave, Kaoru?"
Those innocent blue eyes looked back at me as we walked through the forest together. Misao hadn't changed much since the last time I saw her. "You know I couldn't stay there. I had nothing there and I was only a burden to Megumi."
"You worried her though."
I could only nod. I knew I should have said something, but I didn't want to face her accusing eyes. I could imagine her scolding me like a child and telling me how foolish I was like she used to. I couldn't help but laugh at the thought.
"Wounds take time to heal," she said wistfully.
We continued to walk through the vast green forest. I wasn't sure were we were but I know it was somewhere near Sendai. It was extremely cold. What was I thinking? The cloth only covered up to my knees and the hem of the travel kimono was mid-thigh. But it worked out.
"So how is Aoshi?" I could only hope that something was going right at least for one of us.
Misao hid a grin. "He was angry when I left but understood. With the ceremony only a few months away ..." She broke off probably thinking it would lead me to think about my own life and how alone I was. And I did.
"Finally got your Aoshi-sama. I'm so happy for you Misao." I know I didn't sound too ecstatic but I really was. I was happy that she was and I think she knew that I had meant it because she hugged me.
"You'll be happy too, Kaoru. I know it," she whispered. "You'll find it. You most of all deserve it."
I couldn't tell her how wrong she was. That I didn't deserve it. All I could do was smile sadly and hug her in return.
Night fell and we found shelter at an old inn on the side of road. Misao had insisted on paying for the room and the meal. I felt like I was having my last meal on earth when she had ordered the food. We didn't even manage to finish half of it. Silly little itachi.
"So what are you going to do now?"
The question was like it was pulled out of the sky and put before me. "Do what I can."
"You're not Himura."
I smiled sadly at the mention of His name. "No, I'm not. But I hope to be."
She stiffened and her eyes hid something. I had almost forgotten that she was a ninja, a ninja with a lot of knowledge. "I know where he is."
I shake my head. "No, I don't want to know where he is. He is no longer a part of my life."
Misao nodded knowing that I was firm in my decision. What good would it do to see him anyway? To see him happy with that woman. That day too was still fresh in my mind.
"He doesn't know though."
"That's good." And I meant it too. I didn't want him to fret, I didn't want to ruin any chance of happiness he had. He deserved it for all he had done.
Misao smiled sadly at me. "That's my Kaoru-chan. Not wanting worry anyone."
"I just don't want him to bear anymore guilt. I don't blame him anyway but knowing him he would probably go into a fit of depression." Just like I did, but I didn't say that. She didn't need to know about that. This Kaoru was too strange for her as it was.
"But he should know. Damn it, Kaoru, he should know. He shouldn't have left!"
I placed a hand on her to steady her. Everyone was looking at us. I looked around and smiled at them apologetically. "He left because he didn't belong there," I sighed. I really didn't want to talk about it.
"That woman should have stayed where she was. She had no right—"
But I cut her off. "She had every right to. If I were— If I were her I would have done the same."
"Then why don't you?"
No, it was too late for me. "I don't have any right. He made his decision and this is the outcome."
"What? What happened to you and Yahiko's life? This is the outcome?"
She was getting angry and I was getting tired. I really didn't want to talk about it now. "He loved her and she loved him, that's all there is to it."
"But you never told him—"
"It wouldn't have made a difference." That was a lie, maybe it would have. Maybe it's just wishful thinking.
"It should have been you."
I shook my head. "No, it is as it should be." She nodded, I guess finally giving in. "It's getting late we should get to bed. You're leaving early, aren't you?"
I could see the hesitation in her eyes. "I can stay with you. I don't have to go back yet."
My poor sweet Misao. I looked at her and I saw what I was then. "No, Aoshi needs you and I'd hate to keep his little weasel girl away from him for too long. It's a long way back to Kyoto and I'd hate for something to happen to you."
She was about to argue but something in her mind must have clicked because she shut up mouth and nodded.
I only slept a few hours, still haunted by those images of the men I killed and the one I failed to protect. But I put on a straight face and went to see Misao off.
She cried and I was almost in tears as well. I honestly did not want her to leave but she had to, she had her own life to go back to. I wished her luck and all the happiness in the world. She would live a happy life for me and I was happy to know that she was in safe hands.