Part two: Truth and consequences; Trust and betrayal
Back in the residence,
It is already getting dark, and still no sign of Misao. She rarely arrives late at home and at that noon she seems to be just lively and happy as usual when she left, Aoshi thought. The peaceful stillness in the house was then disturbed by a crashing of the tea glasses coming from the porch, knocking him out of his deep thoughts.
"Master Aoshi! Let me take care of it."
"No, I'm okay.I'm fine." He was never worried like this before, for Misao. He felt something immensely wrong has happened, he sensed like he heard her scream. His agitation starts to show as he never was clumsy before, he was supposed to reaches for tea but end up crashing the whole thing. He had to phase out to the porch so that no one will notice the disturbed air around him. She is old enough to take care of herself; he said to himself silently.she can look after her own well-being..Misao.
********** Is it because of Soujiro?
"I will never allow it."
It was yesterday night, and it was already starting to pour. Soujiro willed himself to go to Okina's residence and do the impossible; he shall talk to Aoshi.about Misao, his grown adoptive daughter. The rather small talk seems to sound like a confrontation between these two former adversaries.
"Aoshi-san, I risked myself to come in your stronghold." the young ronin pleaded, "All I want is just one chance,"
"It happens once, and I'm not letting happen again. You are trying to convince me with your sweet words."
"That is a long time ago, it was different! I served under an influence of a master; I am not that kind of person anymore."
"How can you tell, Soujiro?" Aoshi spoke, his arms crossed to his chest. His tall frame is almost shadowing that of the youth in front of him. "An old dog can't be taught of new tricks, and an assassin is always being an assassin." He looked at him coldly, with his icy blue glare "And for what you are thinking, you can never have Misao. For she will never like you even if you try. She will never have the man who nearly destroyed her family. Nothing you could do would change or bring back what was lost"
Nothing you could do would change or bring back what was lost..
With that statement that reverberated in his mind, the sounds of clashing thunder greeted in twin with his sudden shock.
Soujiro was rendered speechless for awhile, "Go, before I change my mind." Aoshi said, already beneath his coat is one of his swords, he is threatening for Soujiro to leave immediately. The youth stood there for awhile, with his head bent.and beneath the calm exterior, Soujiro's hands tightened so deep that it reddened the palms and his grip starting to shake.
"Omae no korosu, so leave!"
"I will have her Aoshi, no matter what."
Before Aoshi could take another step, Soujiro walked out and after a considerable distance, he starts to run away.
**********
"There is no such possibility." he said tersely to himself, Soujiro could not do anything about his decision. Surely, he must be so broken hearted that he might have leaved early that day for another town. But still, a nagging voice inside of him told him to look outside.like a strong premonition he feels invisibly drawn among the nearby bushes by the entrance
"It is getting late, Master Aoshi. Don't you think Misao have slept somewhere else already?"
"What did she told you on where was she going?"
"Just hanging by the town," the attendant shrugged,
"Does she look fine when she left?"
"Why yes, Master Aoshi. Same as always."
Aoshi signaled the attendant to leave him alone and he'll take it from there, letting the rest of the household take the well-deserved sleep. It took him hours, and hours of long wait at the entrance before he could see a stumbling shadowed figure in the view.
"Misao?!" he knew that figure, with that long swishing braid. But something alarming caught his eye, she seems to wobble and stumble as she walks. He rushed to see her into a clearer view and what he saw that washed him with absolute horror, Misao's body and face is bruised all over, some parts reddened by deep abrasions and bites. Her clothing and her hair in such a total mess, and look like they're almost torn. Her eye's stared into such lifelessness and void as that of a vegetable, "Sukutte kudasai.aoshi- san..sukuu.." she murmured, mustering all her strength as she reaches out recognizing her beloved adoptive father, like an angel garbed in his long white coat, knowing now she is safe into his arms..She finally collapsed.
"MISAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
He screamed, never in his life would he expect such kind of undesirable act to happen. He caught Misao in his arms, broken and weak like a dying twig. He quickly carried her back into the dojo before anyone would notice what happened. No one is supposed to know what the terror he has seen, not even Okina. The old man has gone for a short trip few days ago, and it will be a total tragedy to see his little angel like this. As he laid her down, Aoshi looked at his hands and noticed a smatter of blood.and it came from between Misao's legs that spread to the small of her back to her lower legs.
Blood.
With his hand's trembling, and he looked down his coat.there is more blood all over it. He cried and threw the coat away and hurriedly washed down his hands. It's not the thought of blood that scared him for he is so used in seeing it in numerous battles; it's the thought WHERE it came from. He pushed the thought away, on what possibly happened. "I could have been there, to save her." he gasped, the numerous instances he fully trusted leaving Misao on her own happens to be a wrong choice right now. "Who did this? WHO DID THIS?"
He quickly gathered some blankets, a basin full of water and some towels..not letting one of the single souls know what is going on, for if they knew they will all go and panic. He is in capable of control still, even if what stands before him is the vilest act ever done to a loved one. He sponged her with the warm water, trying to clean her up and re-vitalized her senses. As he proceeds to try changing her torn clothes, she awakened shrieking and shaking, her fists pounding to his grasp as he quickly took hold on her and quickly wrapped her tight. She then realized that the nightmarish event is over, and what stood before her holding her arms is a very grief-stricken Aoshi. "Daijoubou, everything is going to be okay. I'm here now." He hushed cradling her lightly within his arms, then does she slowly eased down and broke into spontaneous sobs. His blue eyes are filled with strange light, "whoever done this you, he will pay."
Misao tried to speak, but all she could croak is "Akuma" meaning "devil". Aoshi does not want her to say no more, and handed her a glass of water.
"You will need a lot of rest, Misao. You don't have to talk.if you don't feel like doing so."
She shook her head, "n-no, I want to talk." she whispered hoarsely, her mouth still hurting. "Aoshi-san.the one who did this to me.that Akuma." she shuddered, her voice breaking again.
"Don't force yourself."
"He KNEW you, Aoshi-san!" she cried, "He knows my name and he knows you!"
"N-Nani?!" he stuttered, could it be? It can't.
"I recalled." Misao sobbed, "He said..you didn't give him a chance! He told me that nothing you could do would change or bring back what was lost!"
Instead of replying, he stared at her. his face have grew pale and yet it remains expressionless. What have I done, I shouldn't have let him go, he said to himself.those words.is the exact words he told Soujiro before he threaten him to leave. If he hasn't said it, this couldn't have occurred. He doesn't know he is capable of doing this.
"Aoshi-san!!! You knew who could do this to me?! Tell me, please!! "she begged, gripping tightly at his arms. Her eyes are pleading for mercy, and asking to be avenged. Misao almost forgot that she is still clenching tightly to the piece of cloth from her assailant. It's the only damning evidence she got, ".and he wears this!! I tore it off his arm."
It exactly matched the clothing that Soujiro was wearing a day ago.
"Misao, listen to me." Aoshi sighed heavily, holding her firmly in both arms and looking straight to her eyes.
"From now on, forget everything that happened this night."
"A-Aoshi-san?!"
"Nothing happened tonight, Misao. You are NOT to tell anyone else. Do I make myself clear?" his tone then having reverted to its old authoratative coldness. He is hiding something, some secret.
"You wouldn't let him go for what he had just done to me, Aoshi-san!! Would you?!"
"Gomen."
"G-Gomen?! Is that it.why?!"
Aoshi faced away, he didn't reply back.
"I HATE YOU!!!!" she screamed, slapping him across the face and then ran away with her body still weak and aching sore. She spent the rest of the night at the bathroom, washing and scrubbing every pore of her body where the assailant have laid mark on his claim, each kiss each forceful grip that dug to her skin. The part between her legs still hurt that when she tried to wash it she winced at the pain. Turning the water loud enough, it is where she drowned her agony and masking her cries. Why wouldn't Aoshi tell her? Who is he? What is with the madman that has stroke a chord of fear in him, that he let Misao swore the code of silence?
That next morning came, and it was breakfast. The oniwabanshu's questioned about noises and scream last night coming from Aoshi's room, but the latter himself lay prostate at the morning table casually remarking he is treating Misao's wounds. They don't believe a word on what he just said, thinking it's just more than that.
"Do you people doubt my words?" he said irritatingly, "She is hurt from a certain accident, and I tried to help her."
"We are not saying that we doubt you, Master Aoshi." One of them replied, "Master Okina has trusted her in your care while he was away."
"Yes, indeed." He muttered, and Okina will be inconsolable if he learns the truth. The old man can't forgive him if he knows what happened to Misao, and that he would blame for negligence and tactlessness. Tactless for not taking seriously the word from Soujiro, maybe if Okina was there he could have handled such sensitive matters calmly. Negligence, for letting Misao just goes alone early yesterday. He is a failure as a father figure, he was given a second chance to look after her and now he miserably failed. "Why can't I just do things right." he whispered in a barely audible voice for anyone in the room to hear as he took another glass of tea.
Misao entered the room as silent as a ghost, and the all the oni's stare in total curiosity. She is draped in much feminine clothing right now, enough only to see her small hands and feet. There are some patches of bruises near her mouth and cheek, indicating something has indeed happened. Her face shows a certain amount of sadness with it, rather than what they expect that add even more disturbed air around the room. Misao is not the kind who will seat back and hold her feelings; she openly reveals it to everybody in such a warm outspoken way. And what sits with them now is like an unanimated doll, a doppelganger.with the real Misao seeming have gone and taken away from them.
"Ohayo!" One of the female oniwabanshus greeted her, and offers a place beside them at breakfast. Misao did not return the smile. She sat at a corner farthest to Aoshi, and solemnly asked for the food to be passed.
"Why Misao, it's so surprising to see you in such girl-like clothing." another one quipped, trying to engage her in a conversation, trying to lighten the young leader's mood.
"I hated it." She commented, without bothering to look up. The rest of the oniwabanshu's hushed into stillness; Misao is indeed in a very gloomy unpredictable mood, which makes the meal more or less rather like a funeral. Everyone ate in tense silence, and they noticed this is even more obvious with Misao and their Master Aoshi. The latter tried to avoid eye contact at all costs, and is becoming much more absorbed in eating the food in front of her. But yet, Aoshi keep track with a straight gaze, as if anticipating that Misao might incidentally blurt out something.
Even with her body discreetly covered, one of the oni's can't help but noticed the deep reddened scratches at her hands and wrists. "What's with the scratches on your hands? Did you get into a fight or something? "
"Master Aoshi said you got into an accident."
Misao feared that question, and she glanced up. There is an alight of concern that could be seen at faces of these members that have been her family, yet from the farthest end of the table, Aoshi is still looking straight at her.watching each word she will speak.
"Yes, I got into an accident." She replied, her look straight and blank to Aoshi. "Very clumsy of me, I get a little too far in the woods and."
"Tell them Misao, some nasty ruffians managed to nearly get you." He added, in such an imperative tone. Aoshi is going to make her lie, right in front of everybody. It is obvious he didn't want the news to be break to anybody, and that only he alone shall know it. Misao felt a raging bitterness within her, with the only person she dearly cared for betraying her in a moment she needed him the most.
"I get into a brief skirmish with some ruffians." She mumbled about mechanically, the oni's looked on each other. Is it just them or Misao is only repeating what Aoshi is saying, as if instructing her to obey an order? But they knew better than to question Master Aoshi, they tried asking him earlier and he appeared to react in a hostile tacit way.
"At least you managed to over come the obstacle, that what matters and that you arrived safe." Aoshi said, as if formally closing the matter. At the corner of his eye, she is still looking straight at him...but with a much indignant air around her. She persisted continued, "Over comes an obstacle? You don't know what I have been through!!! You don't know what happened to me out there!!" she broke, and now tears streamed copiously from her eyes as if she can't control it anymore.
"M-Misao." one of the oni's gasped, aghast on what they are seeing.
"You listen to me, Misao.." Aoshi stood up, taking up an intimidating ring in his voice.
"No, listen to me!" she continued, "I NEARLY died just to try to reach home, and you've done nothing to help me! You betrayed me and you never even care since before when you left me, you are a failure!!! I abhor you!!! " she screeched, pulling herself away from everyone else and ran away, sending the low table and everything crashing as she marked her leave. After a few minutes having distanced her and possibly reaching the temple, everyone calmed down and looked at Aoshi. As usual his expression is barely readable, but there is hurt look in his blue sharp eyes.
"Master Aoshi, what did really happen? Please tell us." One of them demanded, but he just shook his head and slowly walked away. "Master Aoshi!"
What will he tell? He is a failure as a father, what happened to Misao is indirectly his own doing? He thought he knew better, yes, that Misao could fare on her own. That Soujiro Seta is not the man he thinks will be a rightful mukodono for him, that it is better that he goes off. The boy seem to have good potential in him, it is a total risk to show himself again then and there in front of Aoshi, pleading for one more chance, and he turned it down. And Misao has to pay the price. She was right, the truth is.he wasn't there when she needed him. Others would be horrified by the truth, and Okina.Master Okina.he don't want him to go another suffering because of his deed. It's for the better for the both of them to swear the oath of silence.even if Misao is going to hate him.
"I-I don't know anymore." He murmured,
Back in the residence,
It is already getting dark, and still no sign of Misao. She rarely arrives late at home and at that noon she seems to be just lively and happy as usual when she left, Aoshi thought. The peaceful stillness in the house was then disturbed by a crashing of the tea glasses coming from the porch, knocking him out of his deep thoughts.
"Master Aoshi! Let me take care of it."
"No, I'm okay.I'm fine." He was never worried like this before, for Misao. He felt something immensely wrong has happened, he sensed like he heard her scream. His agitation starts to show as he never was clumsy before, he was supposed to reaches for tea but end up crashing the whole thing. He had to phase out to the porch so that no one will notice the disturbed air around him. She is old enough to take care of herself; he said to himself silently.she can look after her own well-being..Misao.
********** Is it because of Soujiro?
"I will never allow it."
It was yesterday night, and it was already starting to pour. Soujiro willed himself to go to Okina's residence and do the impossible; he shall talk to Aoshi.about Misao, his grown adoptive daughter. The rather small talk seems to sound like a confrontation between these two former adversaries.
"Aoshi-san, I risked myself to come in your stronghold." the young ronin pleaded, "All I want is just one chance,"
"It happens once, and I'm not letting happen again. You are trying to convince me with your sweet words."
"That is a long time ago, it was different! I served under an influence of a master; I am not that kind of person anymore."
"How can you tell, Soujiro?" Aoshi spoke, his arms crossed to his chest. His tall frame is almost shadowing that of the youth in front of him. "An old dog can't be taught of new tricks, and an assassin is always being an assassin." He looked at him coldly, with his icy blue glare "And for what you are thinking, you can never have Misao. For she will never like you even if you try. She will never have the man who nearly destroyed her family. Nothing you could do would change or bring back what was lost"
Nothing you could do would change or bring back what was lost..
With that statement that reverberated in his mind, the sounds of clashing thunder greeted in twin with his sudden shock.
Soujiro was rendered speechless for awhile, "Go, before I change my mind." Aoshi said, already beneath his coat is one of his swords, he is threatening for Soujiro to leave immediately. The youth stood there for awhile, with his head bent.and beneath the calm exterior, Soujiro's hands tightened so deep that it reddened the palms and his grip starting to shake.
"Omae no korosu, so leave!"
"I will have her Aoshi, no matter what."
Before Aoshi could take another step, Soujiro walked out and after a considerable distance, he starts to run away.
**********
"There is no such possibility." he said tersely to himself, Soujiro could not do anything about his decision. Surely, he must be so broken hearted that he might have leaved early that day for another town. But still, a nagging voice inside of him told him to look outside.like a strong premonition he feels invisibly drawn among the nearby bushes by the entrance
"It is getting late, Master Aoshi. Don't you think Misao have slept somewhere else already?"
"What did she told you on where was she going?"
"Just hanging by the town," the attendant shrugged,
"Does she look fine when she left?"
"Why yes, Master Aoshi. Same as always."
Aoshi signaled the attendant to leave him alone and he'll take it from there, letting the rest of the household take the well-deserved sleep. It took him hours, and hours of long wait at the entrance before he could see a stumbling shadowed figure in the view.
"Misao?!" he knew that figure, with that long swishing braid. But something alarming caught his eye, she seems to wobble and stumble as she walks. He rushed to see her into a clearer view and what he saw that washed him with absolute horror, Misao's body and face is bruised all over, some parts reddened by deep abrasions and bites. Her clothing and her hair in such a total mess, and look like they're almost torn. Her eye's stared into such lifelessness and void as that of a vegetable, "Sukutte kudasai.aoshi- san..sukuu.." she murmured, mustering all her strength as she reaches out recognizing her beloved adoptive father, like an angel garbed in his long white coat, knowing now she is safe into his arms..She finally collapsed.
"MISAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
He screamed, never in his life would he expect such kind of undesirable act to happen. He caught Misao in his arms, broken and weak like a dying twig. He quickly carried her back into the dojo before anyone would notice what happened. No one is supposed to know what the terror he has seen, not even Okina. The old man has gone for a short trip few days ago, and it will be a total tragedy to see his little angel like this. As he laid her down, Aoshi looked at his hands and noticed a smatter of blood.and it came from between Misao's legs that spread to the small of her back to her lower legs.
Blood.
With his hand's trembling, and he looked down his coat.there is more blood all over it. He cried and threw the coat away and hurriedly washed down his hands. It's not the thought of blood that scared him for he is so used in seeing it in numerous battles; it's the thought WHERE it came from. He pushed the thought away, on what possibly happened. "I could have been there, to save her." he gasped, the numerous instances he fully trusted leaving Misao on her own happens to be a wrong choice right now. "Who did this? WHO DID THIS?"
He quickly gathered some blankets, a basin full of water and some towels..not letting one of the single souls know what is going on, for if they knew they will all go and panic. He is in capable of control still, even if what stands before him is the vilest act ever done to a loved one. He sponged her with the warm water, trying to clean her up and re-vitalized her senses. As he proceeds to try changing her torn clothes, she awakened shrieking and shaking, her fists pounding to his grasp as he quickly took hold on her and quickly wrapped her tight. She then realized that the nightmarish event is over, and what stood before her holding her arms is a very grief-stricken Aoshi. "Daijoubou, everything is going to be okay. I'm here now." He hushed cradling her lightly within his arms, then does she slowly eased down and broke into spontaneous sobs. His blue eyes are filled with strange light, "whoever done this you, he will pay."
Misao tried to speak, but all she could croak is "Akuma" meaning "devil". Aoshi does not want her to say no more, and handed her a glass of water.
"You will need a lot of rest, Misao. You don't have to talk.if you don't feel like doing so."
She shook her head, "n-no, I want to talk." she whispered hoarsely, her mouth still hurting. "Aoshi-san.the one who did this to me.that Akuma." she shuddered, her voice breaking again.
"Don't force yourself."
"He KNEW you, Aoshi-san!" she cried, "He knows my name and he knows you!"
"N-Nani?!" he stuttered, could it be? It can't.
"I recalled." Misao sobbed, "He said..you didn't give him a chance! He told me that nothing you could do would change or bring back what was lost!"
Instead of replying, he stared at her. his face have grew pale and yet it remains expressionless. What have I done, I shouldn't have let him go, he said to himself.those words.is the exact words he told Soujiro before he threaten him to leave. If he hasn't said it, this couldn't have occurred. He doesn't know he is capable of doing this.
"Aoshi-san!!! You knew who could do this to me?! Tell me, please!! "she begged, gripping tightly at his arms. Her eyes are pleading for mercy, and asking to be avenged. Misao almost forgot that she is still clenching tightly to the piece of cloth from her assailant. It's the only damning evidence she got, ".and he wears this!! I tore it off his arm."
It exactly matched the clothing that Soujiro was wearing a day ago.
"Misao, listen to me." Aoshi sighed heavily, holding her firmly in both arms and looking straight to her eyes.
"From now on, forget everything that happened this night."
"A-Aoshi-san?!"
"Nothing happened tonight, Misao. You are NOT to tell anyone else. Do I make myself clear?" his tone then having reverted to its old authoratative coldness. He is hiding something, some secret.
"You wouldn't let him go for what he had just done to me, Aoshi-san!! Would you?!"
"Gomen."
"G-Gomen?! Is that it.why?!"
Aoshi faced away, he didn't reply back.
"I HATE YOU!!!!" she screamed, slapping him across the face and then ran away with her body still weak and aching sore. She spent the rest of the night at the bathroom, washing and scrubbing every pore of her body where the assailant have laid mark on his claim, each kiss each forceful grip that dug to her skin. The part between her legs still hurt that when she tried to wash it she winced at the pain. Turning the water loud enough, it is where she drowned her agony and masking her cries. Why wouldn't Aoshi tell her? Who is he? What is with the madman that has stroke a chord of fear in him, that he let Misao swore the code of silence?
That next morning came, and it was breakfast. The oniwabanshu's questioned about noises and scream last night coming from Aoshi's room, but the latter himself lay prostate at the morning table casually remarking he is treating Misao's wounds. They don't believe a word on what he just said, thinking it's just more than that.
"Do you people doubt my words?" he said irritatingly, "She is hurt from a certain accident, and I tried to help her."
"We are not saying that we doubt you, Master Aoshi." One of them replied, "Master Okina has trusted her in your care while he was away."
"Yes, indeed." He muttered, and Okina will be inconsolable if he learns the truth. The old man can't forgive him if he knows what happened to Misao, and that he would blame for negligence and tactlessness. Tactless for not taking seriously the word from Soujiro, maybe if Okina was there he could have handled such sensitive matters calmly. Negligence, for letting Misao just goes alone early yesterday. He is a failure as a father figure, he was given a second chance to look after her and now he miserably failed. "Why can't I just do things right." he whispered in a barely audible voice for anyone in the room to hear as he took another glass of tea.
Misao entered the room as silent as a ghost, and the all the oni's stare in total curiosity. She is draped in much feminine clothing right now, enough only to see her small hands and feet. There are some patches of bruises near her mouth and cheek, indicating something has indeed happened. Her face shows a certain amount of sadness with it, rather than what they expect that add even more disturbed air around the room. Misao is not the kind who will seat back and hold her feelings; she openly reveals it to everybody in such a warm outspoken way. And what sits with them now is like an unanimated doll, a doppelganger.with the real Misao seeming have gone and taken away from them.
"Ohayo!" One of the female oniwabanshus greeted her, and offers a place beside them at breakfast. Misao did not return the smile. She sat at a corner farthest to Aoshi, and solemnly asked for the food to be passed.
"Why Misao, it's so surprising to see you in such girl-like clothing." another one quipped, trying to engage her in a conversation, trying to lighten the young leader's mood.
"I hated it." She commented, without bothering to look up. The rest of the oniwabanshu's hushed into stillness; Misao is indeed in a very gloomy unpredictable mood, which makes the meal more or less rather like a funeral. Everyone ate in tense silence, and they noticed this is even more obvious with Misao and their Master Aoshi. The latter tried to avoid eye contact at all costs, and is becoming much more absorbed in eating the food in front of her. But yet, Aoshi keep track with a straight gaze, as if anticipating that Misao might incidentally blurt out something.
Even with her body discreetly covered, one of the oni's can't help but noticed the deep reddened scratches at her hands and wrists. "What's with the scratches on your hands? Did you get into a fight or something? "
"Master Aoshi said you got into an accident."
Misao feared that question, and she glanced up. There is an alight of concern that could be seen at faces of these members that have been her family, yet from the farthest end of the table, Aoshi is still looking straight at her.watching each word she will speak.
"Yes, I got into an accident." She replied, her look straight and blank to Aoshi. "Very clumsy of me, I get a little too far in the woods and."
"Tell them Misao, some nasty ruffians managed to nearly get you." He added, in such an imperative tone. Aoshi is going to make her lie, right in front of everybody. It is obvious he didn't want the news to be break to anybody, and that only he alone shall know it. Misao felt a raging bitterness within her, with the only person she dearly cared for betraying her in a moment she needed him the most.
"I get into a brief skirmish with some ruffians." She mumbled about mechanically, the oni's looked on each other. Is it just them or Misao is only repeating what Aoshi is saying, as if instructing her to obey an order? But they knew better than to question Master Aoshi, they tried asking him earlier and he appeared to react in a hostile tacit way.
"At least you managed to over come the obstacle, that what matters and that you arrived safe." Aoshi said, as if formally closing the matter. At the corner of his eye, she is still looking straight at him...but with a much indignant air around her. She persisted continued, "Over comes an obstacle? You don't know what I have been through!!! You don't know what happened to me out there!!" she broke, and now tears streamed copiously from her eyes as if she can't control it anymore.
"M-Misao." one of the oni's gasped, aghast on what they are seeing.
"You listen to me, Misao.." Aoshi stood up, taking up an intimidating ring in his voice.
"No, listen to me!" she continued, "I NEARLY died just to try to reach home, and you've done nothing to help me! You betrayed me and you never even care since before when you left me, you are a failure!!! I abhor you!!! " she screeched, pulling herself away from everyone else and ran away, sending the low table and everything crashing as she marked her leave. After a few minutes having distanced her and possibly reaching the temple, everyone calmed down and looked at Aoshi. As usual his expression is barely readable, but there is hurt look in his blue sharp eyes.
"Master Aoshi, what did really happen? Please tell us." One of them demanded, but he just shook his head and slowly walked away. "Master Aoshi!"
What will he tell? He is a failure as a father, what happened to Misao is indirectly his own doing? He thought he knew better, yes, that Misao could fare on her own. That Soujiro Seta is not the man he thinks will be a rightful mukodono for him, that it is better that he goes off. The boy seem to have good potential in him, it is a total risk to show himself again then and there in front of Aoshi, pleading for one more chance, and he turned it down. And Misao has to pay the price. She was right, the truth is.he wasn't there when she needed him. Others would be horrified by the truth, and Okina.Master Okina.he don't want him to go another suffering because of his deed. It's for the better for the both of them to swear the oath of silence.even if Misao is going to hate him.
"I-I don't know anymore." He murmured,