Part four: One must face the pain
Whatever plan Sanosuke have in mind, they couldn't tell. As they went back to dojo, they pretend nothing have happened, to dispel any suspicions from Aoshi. The group has planned to have a few day stay at the household, and the tall lanky youth is determined to find out that the secret Aoshi is hiding. That's the reason they were there the first place, to try helping Misao out. But they can't help her with Aoshi suspiciously re-appearing now and then, trying to seal whatever possible means that Kenshin and the group have in mind. But since it is only Sanosuke to whom she have last confided, and the latter felt it is his responsibility to find it out.
"I think it's not only dignity she has lost." he recalled saying it, whatever made him say that. He have a healthy suspicion, if one has to think like a woman.what is the one thing that can be taken to her so bad that it would leave her so afraid, for it can never be regained.even how strong she is. He don't want to confirm it with Kenshin yet,
"Help me find who did this to me.onegai!!!"
Misao wouldn't plead to be avenged just because someone beaten her up, something ELSE was done to her. In a few previous days, he himself is so absorbed in trying to find a moment to speak to her alone, but as usual he is cornered by Aoshi's presence. Later that day, he nearly forgot to eat his food just because he is into deep thoughts, that Yahiko ate all of it. None of the men tried to tell about Sanosuke's revelation; they don't want to worry the whole group any further.
Later that night, he tried to get much close as she went to the kitchen, she followed her there.excusing himself to use the bathroom. He heard of clatter of noises.
Misao have cut herself badly in both wrists.
It became transparent to him on what she is doing, and tried to wring the bloodied knife off her grip. "This is not the solution, are you crazy?!" he hissed, "You are trying to kill yourself!"
To his surprise, there is a sharp determined look in her green eyes, "There is no other way! I can't live with a lie anymore!"
Aoshi. He is trying to make her lie, and making her act like nothing happened in front of everybody. But she managed to almost confess what really happened to him, and now she is desperate with such small hope left that the only resolution is to kill herself.
"I believed that what happened is not an accident that Aoshi and you.forced to tell to everybody."
"Then what did you think really happened?" she demanded, in a low whisper.so that no one could hear them. She tried to bind her wrists, to stop them from bleeding. And both are kneeling down the counter, so that no one could see them talk.
Sanosuke didn't immediately replied, he is looking straight at her to the eye in a very serious manner. "Who's the bastard who did it to you?"
Misao's facial expression flinched, he didn't bring the conclusion openly but he was right. Sanosuke must be sharper now with his observations. "I-I don't know, I didn't get to see him. Sano, it was very dark." She whispered, shuddering as she recalled the night.
"So why is Aoshi not doing ANYTHING?" he muttered, "he knows what happened, right?"
"HE knows who did it to me."
"WHAT!!" he nearly shouted, that Misao have to hush him down. "Then why.."
"I-I don't know why myself, but something about it makes him very afraid.he made me swore just to forget the whole incident.."
"Why, that son of a bitch!" Sanosuke can't hold himself any longer, he can feel his blood boil and that his jaw clenched so tight that his voice sounded strangled rather than a low whisper. "Misao, I promise to help you on this.but do you have any clue that might have done to you? Any possible enemy that you know?"
Her face lighted up a little, and she slowly crept up. "I remember something, just stay down." Misao slipped outside in a few minutes, and coming back she showed Sanosuke a piece of a torn sleeve, "When he was attacking me, I managed to rip this only evidence from him." Sanosuke took it into a brighter source of light, and noticed it was light bluish sleeve from a top. It was stained by the smell and dirt of the earth. "Many men wore this kind of sleeves, Misao."
"We can find anyone who has the match, anyone with a torn sleeve that might."
"What if he knew better and thrown it away?"
Sanosuke shouldn't have said that, Misao became visibly upset and stood from behind the counter and resume her chores. But it was the truth, finding the one who owned the kimono with that color is impossible and what more finding the torn one? The attacker would be wise to rid of any evidence.
"Okay, I'm sorry.but it is a strong possibility." He apologized; he is still bent underneath the counter so that no one could see him, especially Aoshi. "Misao, is there anything you recall? Any form of identity? It must be painful.but you have to remember."
She recalled the slinging sound, "Sword,"
"What?"
"I said he carries a sword," she said without looking up, "I heard a sound he was carrying something in his left, it is only one sword and it was sheathed."
"You sure?"
She touched a part of her bruised cheek, and the flood of memory made her squirm. "Yes, I'm sure." She murmured, "He used it to knock me down unconscious."
Their short discreet talk lead Sanosuke to an investigation. First, the assailant is someone Aoshi knew, but Misao never heard of. Then this piece of torn evidence came from a light blue kimono, and that he carried one sword. His conclusion is that the attacker must be an enemy of Aoshi who happened to bear a deep grudge that he took it over Misao. He couldn't rack his mind for there are numerous possibilities.
He wants to talk about it further, and told Misao to meet him outside the yard on where he hid from last time. They couldn't be seen by Aoshi above the trees, and they sat there at the long lonely night, trying to figure out who the attacker is and what is that he wants. Misao cried that the attacker knew well both of them, for it mentioned her name before he pawned on her. That it sarcastically implied that Aoshi didn't give him a chance and "nothing would change or bring back what is lost." He sounded young, probably in his 20's, but the way he spoke and attacked her, she can tell that the mad man is a cold blooded murderer.
"Soujiro." Sanosuke blurted out, as he sat up from the fat branch.
"What do you mean about a Soujiro?" she asked,
"Soujiro Seta." Sanosuke shrugged, "I don't know Misao, but this is baffling. Soujiro is the closest thing I could come up with your description." He continued, ".he is around in his 20's he is older than me but he sounded and look very young. I remember he wears a blue kimono, and he carries one sword. He knows of Aoshi, and it was he who convinced him joining Shi-shi-o sometime ago."
Misao look doubtful, ".but he never seen me yet."
"Right. He knows about you, but you have never seen each other." Adding, "BUT.I doubt he would be starting trouble now. Kenshin didn't just let him go for nothing; the guy is in process of reforming now." Misao looked at him, and Sano gave her a stare, "Hello? I WAS there, so I know he positively redempted when Kenshin gave him a second chance."
"I supposed you are right, he will have no use of .." Her voice trailed of, as if suddenly recalling something. She recalled the young ronin she met at the inn around last week. He teased him for being so good looking, and he gallantly defended her from a bunch of low lives with his ONE sword. He moved in such grace like that of a cat, like of a seasoned veteran.
"Sano! Is this Soujiro has indigo eyes?"
"Yeah?"
"Does he have the warm smile plastered on his face? And does he wear something.like protector in his arms?"
"Of course, he is the only loon that keeps a smile for all season, and he wore those protectors for.." He gaped, looking at Misao with full shock. "DON'T tell me you already met him!"
Misao sighed, with a dreamy look in her eyes that it made Sanosuke sit there like petrified stone. "I met him by accident when he took a stop here in Kyoto," she said dreamily, "He seemed rather a change man, and he didn't want to tell his name after he rescued me from the usual day brawl."
"Maybe it's because he learned you are Aoshi's DAUGHTER."
"He didn't know who I was," she said. "He just said he is a ronin in a verge of retiring."
Sanosuke tried to breakdown the information to his brain. There is a strong possibility that Soujiro might be the prime suspect, after all he and Misao met. The indication of the assailant is similar to his, but Misao said that Soujiro didn't know her name. He might have asked information from someone to know her, but when he saw Misao smiled for the first time that whole week.he could tell that the Soujiro she is telling about is a far cry from the merciless attacker they are talking.
"Are you sure Misao, don't you think he is.."
"His arms," she cut off. "Soujiro's arms are covered well and tight.the one who attacked me has bared arms."
"Bared arms.."
"When I tried to claw him and tore of his clothing." Misao shuddered, the moment she starts to recall again reverted her back to her lonesome bitter state. "I managed to claw deep into his right arm; it must have left a mark somehow."
"And our chance of searching for that man is vague," he muttered, ".and our only key to that is Aoshi."
"Yes, Aoshi." She mumbled, she hated Aoshi now.and it grew each and more each day. Why wouldn't he let her know? What is it that held him back?
"Misao, what happened to you must be avenged," Sanosuke replied, jumping off the tree. It is very late at night and probably people the household must be looking for them. He helped her out the tree, "The only way for you is to have to confront Aoshi, make him regret it."
"Are you telling blackmail?" "It is the best thing you could do in a desperate situation," Sanosuke said. "Have any plan in mind?"
A plan in mind,
Misao wait for the household to be asleep. Even with Sanosuke's concern, he still got tired that he sleeps like the dead after chewing down a late night dinner. Aoshi however, sleeps less than the rest of them.and she makes sure he will. She made her steps heard as she crept to her room, and dig on her cabinet to find a small chest, in it she kept the torn clothes that Aoshi have found her in. He was to burn them away, but she hid them afterwards when she learns that he betrayed her of his trust. She can feel the light glide of his shadow, waking from his shallow sleep in his green robe to follow her, and she pretended not to notice it. She went to the kitchen, and grabbed a couple of knives and daggers she could find, and then some old rags. She quickly took a short cut by the outskirts of the nearby woods. This time, Aoshi took a longer route to follow her, and it gives her enough time what she has planned in mind.
"I have to let you see Aoshi-san, see what the madman has done to me. "She swore, then choosing a damp ground with crowded bushes and twigs, with a little much open for at least four people to walk on. She took off her night robe and put on the torn clothing she was found wearing, that has the smell of blood and washed earth in them and almost revealing her nakedness. She bounded her fists with the rags and planted the knives firmly on the ground,
She is going to re-enact the way, how the mysterious assailant had ravished her. And she is going to force Aoshi to see it.
Did she escape? No he didn't think so. Aoshi cursed on leaving the residence in his sleeping clothes on, but he has to follow Misao. She mysteriously took some few items, and ran to the woods. She wouldn't be running away since most of her clothes are still in her room, and what was she doing to the kitchen? He saw her took a couple of knives. Carrying a torch, he went and follows her into the woods.
His thought races on what she is up to, is she going to avenge herself? No, she even didn't have to see her assailant. And nor is she going to run for help, Kenshin and the group are in fact all in the residence and fast asleep. As if the answer to his question, he heard some sound behind him.as if someone echoing his name.
He turned around and lifted his torch to see a clearer view on his path, and what he saw nearly made him drop it on shock and horror. A small cry escaped to his gaunt mouth, and there laid Misao, and she has been banded on the ground with the knives that she got, her fists bounded to it by the rags and she is wearing those clothes that he thought he threw away. He can barely look at her.
"Look at me!!!" she cried, "Look at me, Aoshi-san!!" she said out loud, enough for even the little animals sleeping in the woods to be awaken.
"Yameru, Misao!!.you don't know what you are doing!!" he hissed, he wants to approach her, to unbind her wrists.
"No!! You stand back!!" she spat, "don't get any nearer to me!!"
"You're crazy! Stop that before someone sees you!! " he muttered, facing her but he can't look at her eyes.
"I don't care if they see me! They should know." she said angrily, "and YOU should know!! This is what was done to me, Aoshi!! Isn't enough that I suffer?! "
"In the end we both suffer, Misao." he took a deep breath and approached her, trying to untie her from where she lay.
"Why? Why won't you tell who did this to me? What are you afraid of?! Isn't it enough I paid the price?!" she vent out all of her frustration, what she truly feel. Even if the words are stinging, she has to make her Aoshi-san break. She does not care of the truth anymore, right now she wanted revenge. She tried to wring off her grasp as Aoshi tried to set her free, he is working on her silently, as if not hearing what she is talking about.
"I don't want to be a failure yet again, as your guardian."
He supposedly wants to say, "As your father."
"You can never be my guardian, never like Okina!"
"Just change back to your clothes, and let's leave this place.now." He stretched out his hand, but Misao looked at it with disbelief. She is stubborn and obviously this is not what she planned to turn out, she did not stand up. Seeing he could do nothing about it, Aoshi stood up and leave.
"You already failed me!!" she cried, "The least you could do is telling me.."
"I can't. I'm sorry." He said sadly, and gathered his torch. If he did say the truth, she won't even believe him. Nearly a week ago, Misao is bright and happy telling about the young ronin she met at one of the town's inn that saved her life. He did not know how on earth he would explain that this same ronin snapped and nearly destroyed her. Aside from worrying over Master Okina's and the other people's reaction, his being a neglectful guardian.the above mentioned reason is the gravest of all.
He hastily walked outside the woods, not wanting to hear Misao's weeping as he left her there. With him, he carries the only piece of evidence Misao has: the torn sleeve.
"I'm going to burn it, she must forget everything."
Morning eventually arrived, and no sign of Aoshi. Everyone must have thought that he went to the temple early, which seems to be his routine these days. Misao however was found sleeping by the porch, carrying a wrapped bundle with her, and with an obvious upset expression on her face. When they ask what is in it, she excused herself trying to run away.and that Aoshi caught her and brought her home. But only Sanosuke knows it is something else, he kept Misao's secret safe with him.
Now with Aoshi in his morning routine, he could hang out with her more easily. Yahiko is already teasing him from it, and Megumi commented (with matching laugh and fox ears) that they made a good couple. He countered them by snapping that he is only trying help her as a friend, and that they mind their own business.
"Really, tell me.what is in that bundle?" He inquired, as he followed her by behind the dojo where no one could see them. "I'm sure it's not dirty clothes."
"Very dirty clothes," she muttered, opening the bundle and throwing the contents at the small pile of dry leaves and ashes. She set aside the knives which she "borrowed" at the kitchen, so Sanosuke won't wonder what the heck she is doing that night. Sanosuke gaped, " Those are your old clothes.you are not wearing those kind anymore." his eye stared at the grey- white short ninja like getup, savagely torn in almost all parts and soiled all over.some are patches of dried crusted blood. ".it must have been absolutely terrible, terrible." he whispered, shaking his head.
"Every time I see my old clothes, it just reminded me of that night.that's why I don't want to see it again." She spoke, throwing a match to light the pile of leaves and burning the whole thing in the process. "What happened to me, changed me forever."
"So why did you kept that.mess all along?"
"I have to show it to Aoshi," she said. "But it's useless.he never listen...even when I confronted him last night. "
"So what did you do last night?"
" I believe you don't want to know."
Their conversation is abruptly off when they heard an earsplitting scream from the eastern part of the residence, it is coming from Megumi. She have seen something so horrible, that she have fallen down the ground, dropping the baskets of goods she is carrying.
"Megumi!!" Kenshin said out loud, the rest of the group rushed to her aid. She has stumbled across the nearing end of the woods. When they reached her, trying to ask what happened.she is ghastly white and is staring and pointing at a certain direction, for she can't manage to speak due to shock.
"What is it now, Megumi?" Sanosuke exclaimed, ".see a fox coming out to the woods?"
She shook her head, and her mouth forming a soundless phrase, Kaoru have turned around to see what Megumi is pointing. She saw what seems to be a figure hanging by the tree.when she took a closer look at the figure, she also screamed.
"It couldn't be him!! No!!" she shrieked, turning around and burrowed her face to the arms of the red haired hitokiri. Kenshin looked up, and his face fainted its color.
"N-No, it can't be!!"
The figure is wearing a green robe, and its one lifeless hand holding a piece of torn pale blue cloth.
Misao fainted on the immediate sight of recognition, and Sanosuke wasn't able to contain his own shock.
"Aoshi !!!"
Whatever plan Sanosuke have in mind, they couldn't tell. As they went back to dojo, they pretend nothing have happened, to dispel any suspicions from Aoshi. The group has planned to have a few day stay at the household, and the tall lanky youth is determined to find out that the secret Aoshi is hiding. That's the reason they were there the first place, to try helping Misao out. But they can't help her with Aoshi suspiciously re-appearing now and then, trying to seal whatever possible means that Kenshin and the group have in mind. But since it is only Sanosuke to whom she have last confided, and the latter felt it is his responsibility to find it out.
"I think it's not only dignity she has lost." he recalled saying it, whatever made him say that. He have a healthy suspicion, if one has to think like a woman.what is the one thing that can be taken to her so bad that it would leave her so afraid, for it can never be regained.even how strong she is. He don't want to confirm it with Kenshin yet,
"Help me find who did this to me.onegai!!!"
Misao wouldn't plead to be avenged just because someone beaten her up, something ELSE was done to her. In a few previous days, he himself is so absorbed in trying to find a moment to speak to her alone, but as usual he is cornered by Aoshi's presence. Later that day, he nearly forgot to eat his food just because he is into deep thoughts, that Yahiko ate all of it. None of the men tried to tell about Sanosuke's revelation; they don't want to worry the whole group any further.
Later that night, he tried to get much close as she went to the kitchen, she followed her there.excusing himself to use the bathroom. He heard of clatter of noises.
Misao have cut herself badly in both wrists.
It became transparent to him on what she is doing, and tried to wring the bloodied knife off her grip. "This is not the solution, are you crazy?!" he hissed, "You are trying to kill yourself!"
To his surprise, there is a sharp determined look in her green eyes, "There is no other way! I can't live with a lie anymore!"
Aoshi. He is trying to make her lie, and making her act like nothing happened in front of everybody. But she managed to almost confess what really happened to him, and now she is desperate with such small hope left that the only resolution is to kill herself.
"I believed that what happened is not an accident that Aoshi and you.forced to tell to everybody."
"Then what did you think really happened?" she demanded, in a low whisper.so that no one could hear them. She tried to bind her wrists, to stop them from bleeding. And both are kneeling down the counter, so that no one could see them talk.
Sanosuke didn't immediately replied, he is looking straight at her to the eye in a very serious manner. "Who's the bastard who did it to you?"
Misao's facial expression flinched, he didn't bring the conclusion openly but he was right. Sanosuke must be sharper now with his observations. "I-I don't know, I didn't get to see him. Sano, it was very dark." She whispered, shuddering as she recalled the night.
"So why is Aoshi not doing ANYTHING?" he muttered, "he knows what happened, right?"
"HE knows who did it to me."
"WHAT!!" he nearly shouted, that Misao have to hush him down. "Then why.."
"I-I don't know why myself, but something about it makes him very afraid.he made me swore just to forget the whole incident.."
"Why, that son of a bitch!" Sanosuke can't hold himself any longer, he can feel his blood boil and that his jaw clenched so tight that his voice sounded strangled rather than a low whisper. "Misao, I promise to help you on this.but do you have any clue that might have done to you? Any possible enemy that you know?"
Her face lighted up a little, and she slowly crept up. "I remember something, just stay down." Misao slipped outside in a few minutes, and coming back she showed Sanosuke a piece of a torn sleeve, "When he was attacking me, I managed to rip this only evidence from him." Sanosuke took it into a brighter source of light, and noticed it was light bluish sleeve from a top. It was stained by the smell and dirt of the earth. "Many men wore this kind of sleeves, Misao."
"We can find anyone who has the match, anyone with a torn sleeve that might."
"What if he knew better and thrown it away?"
Sanosuke shouldn't have said that, Misao became visibly upset and stood from behind the counter and resume her chores. But it was the truth, finding the one who owned the kimono with that color is impossible and what more finding the torn one? The attacker would be wise to rid of any evidence.
"Okay, I'm sorry.but it is a strong possibility." He apologized; he is still bent underneath the counter so that no one could see him, especially Aoshi. "Misao, is there anything you recall? Any form of identity? It must be painful.but you have to remember."
She recalled the slinging sound, "Sword,"
"What?"
"I said he carries a sword," she said without looking up, "I heard a sound he was carrying something in his left, it is only one sword and it was sheathed."
"You sure?"
She touched a part of her bruised cheek, and the flood of memory made her squirm. "Yes, I'm sure." She murmured, "He used it to knock me down unconscious."
Their short discreet talk lead Sanosuke to an investigation. First, the assailant is someone Aoshi knew, but Misao never heard of. Then this piece of torn evidence came from a light blue kimono, and that he carried one sword. His conclusion is that the attacker must be an enemy of Aoshi who happened to bear a deep grudge that he took it over Misao. He couldn't rack his mind for there are numerous possibilities.
He wants to talk about it further, and told Misao to meet him outside the yard on where he hid from last time. They couldn't be seen by Aoshi above the trees, and they sat there at the long lonely night, trying to figure out who the attacker is and what is that he wants. Misao cried that the attacker knew well both of them, for it mentioned her name before he pawned on her. That it sarcastically implied that Aoshi didn't give him a chance and "nothing would change or bring back what is lost." He sounded young, probably in his 20's, but the way he spoke and attacked her, she can tell that the mad man is a cold blooded murderer.
"Soujiro." Sanosuke blurted out, as he sat up from the fat branch.
"What do you mean about a Soujiro?" she asked,
"Soujiro Seta." Sanosuke shrugged, "I don't know Misao, but this is baffling. Soujiro is the closest thing I could come up with your description." He continued, ".he is around in his 20's he is older than me but he sounded and look very young. I remember he wears a blue kimono, and he carries one sword. He knows of Aoshi, and it was he who convinced him joining Shi-shi-o sometime ago."
Misao look doubtful, ".but he never seen me yet."
"Right. He knows about you, but you have never seen each other." Adding, "BUT.I doubt he would be starting trouble now. Kenshin didn't just let him go for nothing; the guy is in process of reforming now." Misao looked at him, and Sano gave her a stare, "Hello? I WAS there, so I know he positively redempted when Kenshin gave him a second chance."
"I supposed you are right, he will have no use of .." Her voice trailed of, as if suddenly recalling something. She recalled the young ronin she met at the inn around last week. He teased him for being so good looking, and he gallantly defended her from a bunch of low lives with his ONE sword. He moved in such grace like that of a cat, like of a seasoned veteran.
"Sano! Is this Soujiro has indigo eyes?"
"Yeah?"
"Does he have the warm smile plastered on his face? And does he wear something.like protector in his arms?"
"Of course, he is the only loon that keeps a smile for all season, and he wore those protectors for.." He gaped, looking at Misao with full shock. "DON'T tell me you already met him!"
Misao sighed, with a dreamy look in her eyes that it made Sanosuke sit there like petrified stone. "I met him by accident when he took a stop here in Kyoto," she said dreamily, "He seemed rather a change man, and he didn't want to tell his name after he rescued me from the usual day brawl."
"Maybe it's because he learned you are Aoshi's DAUGHTER."
"He didn't know who I was," she said. "He just said he is a ronin in a verge of retiring."
Sanosuke tried to breakdown the information to his brain. There is a strong possibility that Soujiro might be the prime suspect, after all he and Misao met. The indication of the assailant is similar to his, but Misao said that Soujiro didn't know her name. He might have asked information from someone to know her, but when he saw Misao smiled for the first time that whole week.he could tell that the Soujiro she is telling about is a far cry from the merciless attacker they are talking.
"Are you sure Misao, don't you think he is.."
"His arms," she cut off. "Soujiro's arms are covered well and tight.the one who attacked me has bared arms."
"Bared arms.."
"When I tried to claw him and tore of his clothing." Misao shuddered, the moment she starts to recall again reverted her back to her lonesome bitter state. "I managed to claw deep into his right arm; it must have left a mark somehow."
"And our chance of searching for that man is vague," he muttered, ".and our only key to that is Aoshi."
"Yes, Aoshi." She mumbled, she hated Aoshi now.and it grew each and more each day. Why wouldn't he let her know? What is it that held him back?
"Misao, what happened to you must be avenged," Sanosuke replied, jumping off the tree. It is very late at night and probably people the household must be looking for them. He helped her out the tree, "The only way for you is to have to confront Aoshi, make him regret it."
"Are you telling blackmail?" "It is the best thing you could do in a desperate situation," Sanosuke said. "Have any plan in mind?"
A plan in mind,
Misao wait for the household to be asleep. Even with Sanosuke's concern, he still got tired that he sleeps like the dead after chewing down a late night dinner. Aoshi however, sleeps less than the rest of them.and she makes sure he will. She made her steps heard as she crept to her room, and dig on her cabinet to find a small chest, in it she kept the torn clothes that Aoshi have found her in. He was to burn them away, but she hid them afterwards when she learns that he betrayed her of his trust. She can feel the light glide of his shadow, waking from his shallow sleep in his green robe to follow her, and she pretended not to notice it. She went to the kitchen, and grabbed a couple of knives and daggers she could find, and then some old rags. She quickly took a short cut by the outskirts of the nearby woods. This time, Aoshi took a longer route to follow her, and it gives her enough time what she has planned in mind.
"I have to let you see Aoshi-san, see what the madman has done to me. "She swore, then choosing a damp ground with crowded bushes and twigs, with a little much open for at least four people to walk on. She took off her night robe and put on the torn clothing she was found wearing, that has the smell of blood and washed earth in them and almost revealing her nakedness. She bounded her fists with the rags and planted the knives firmly on the ground,
She is going to re-enact the way, how the mysterious assailant had ravished her. And she is going to force Aoshi to see it.
Did she escape? No he didn't think so. Aoshi cursed on leaving the residence in his sleeping clothes on, but he has to follow Misao. She mysteriously took some few items, and ran to the woods. She wouldn't be running away since most of her clothes are still in her room, and what was she doing to the kitchen? He saw her took a couple of knives. Carrying a torch, he went and follows her into the woods.
His thought races on what she is up to, is she going to avenge herself? No, she even didn't have to see her assailant. And nor is she going to run for help, Kenshin and the group are in fact all in the residence and fast asleep. As if the answer to his question, he heard some sound behind him.as if someone echoing his name.
He turned around and lifted his torch to see a clearer view on his path, and what he saw nearly made him drop it on shock and horror. A small cry escaped to his gaunt mouth, and there laid Misao, and she has been banded on the ground with the knives that she got, her fists bounded to it by the rags and she is wearing those clothes that he thought he threw away. He can barely look at her.
"Look at me!!!" she cried, "Look at me, Aoshi-san!!" she said out loud, enough for even the little animals sleeping in the woods to be awaken.
"Yameru, Misao!!.you don't know what you are doing!!" he hissed, he wants to approach her, to unbind her wrists.
"No!! You stand back!!" she spat, "don't get any nearer to me!!"
"You're crazy! Stop that before someone sees you!! " he muttered, facing her but he can't look at her eyes.
"I don't care if they see me! They should know." she said angrily, "and YOU should know!! This is what was done to me, Aoshi!! Isn't enough that I suffer?! "
"In the end we both suffer, Misao." he took a deep breath and approached her, trying to untie her from where she lay.
"Why? Why won't you tell who did this to me? What are you afraid of?! Isn't it enough I paid the price?!" she vent out all of her frustration, what she truly feel. Even if the words are stinging, she has to make her Aoshi-san break. She does not care of the truth anymore, right now she wanted revenge. She tried to wring off her grasp as Aoshi tried to set her free, he is working on her silently, as if not hearing what she is talking about.
"I don't want to be a failure yet again, as your guardian."
He supposedly wants to say, "As your father."
"You can never be my guardian, never like Okina!"
"Just change back to your clothes, and let's leave this place.now." He stretched out his hand, but Misao looked at it with disbelief. She is stubborn and obviously this is not what she planned to turn out, she did not stand up. Seeing he could do nothing about it, Aoshi stood up and leave.
"You already failed me!!" she cried, "The least you could do is telling me.."
"I can't. I'm sorry." He said sadly, and gathered his torch. If he did say the truth, she won't even believe him. Nearly a week ago, Misao is bright and happy telling about the young ronin she met at one of the town's inn that saved her life. He did not know how on earth he would explain that this same ronin snapped and nearly destroyed her. Aside from worrying over Master Okina's and the other people's reaction, his being a neglectful guardian.the above mentioned reason is the gravest of all.
He hastily walked outside the woods, not wanting to hear Misao's weeping as he left her there. With him, he carries the only piece of evidence Misao has: the torn sleeve.
"I'm going to burn it, she must forget everything."
Morning eventually arrived, and no sign of Aoshi. Everyone must have thought that he went to the temple early, which seems to be his routine these days. Misao however was found sleeping by the porch, carrying a wrapped bundle with her, and with an obvious upset expression on her face. When they ask what is in it, she excused herself trying to run away.and that Aoshi caught her and brought her home. But only Sanosuke knows it is something else, he kept Misao's secret safe with him.
Now with Aoshi in his morning routine, he could hang out with her more easily. Yahiko is already teasing him from it, and Megumi commented (with matching laugh and fox ears) that they made a good couple. He countered them by snapping that he is only trying help her as a friend, and that they mind their own business.
"Really, tell me.what is in that bundle?" He inquired, as he followed her by behind the dojo where no one could see them. "I'm sure it's not dirty clothes."
"Very dirty clothes," she muttered, opening the bundle and throwing the contents at the small pile of dry leaves and ashes. She set aside the knives which she "borrowed" at the kitchen, so Sanosuke won't wonder what the heck she is doing that night. Sanosuke gaped, " Those are your old clothes.you are not wearing those kind anymore." his eye stared at the grey- white short ninja like getup, savagely torn in almost all parts and soiled all over.some are patches of dried crusted blood. ".it must have been absolutely terrible, terrible." he whispered, shaking his head.
"Every time I see my old clothes, it just reminded me of that night.that's why I don't want to see it again." She spoke, throwing a match to light the pile of leaves and burning the whole thing in the process. "What happened to me, changed me forever."
"So why did you kept that.mess all along?"
"I have to show it to Aoshi," she said. "But it's useless.he never listen...even when I confronted him last night. "
"So what did you do last night?"
" I believe you don't want to know."
Their conversation is abruptly off when they heard an earsplitting scream from the eastern part of the residence, it is coming from Megumi. She have seen something so horrible, that she have fallen down the ground, dropping the baskets of goods she is carrying.
"Megumi!!" Kenshin said out loud, the rest of the group rushed to her aid. She has stumbled across the nearing end of the woods. When they reached her, trying to ask what happened.she is ghastly white and is staring and pointing at a certain direction, for she can't manage to speak due to shock.
"What is it now, Megumi?" Sanosuke exclaimed, ".see a fox coming out to the woods?"
She shook her head, and her mouth forming a soundless phrase, Kaoru have turned around to see what Megumi is pointing. She saw what seems to be a figure hanging by the tree.when she took a closer look at the figure, she also screamed.
"It couldn't be him!! No!!" she shrieked, turning around and burrowed her face to the arms of the red haired hitokiri. Kenshin looked up, and his face fainted its color.
"N-No, it can't be!!"
The figure is wearing a green robe, and its one lifeless hand holding a piece of torn pale blue cloth.
Misao fainted on the immediate sight of recognition, and Sanosuke wasn't able to contain his own shock.
"Aoshi !!!"