~Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or Rurouni Kenshin characters. This story was not written for sale or profit. Don't forget to review.

A/N-Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story.



A Reason for Love



Chapter 10: Edge of Love



~ The tinkling of the wind chimes is a soft and welcome sound. And the sounds of nature can soothe the savage beast. But the soft sound of a loved one, breathing next to your heart, can out surpass any sound imaginable.

Aoshi awoke to the soft breathing of the one he loved. Sometime during the night, Soujiro had made his way to Aoshi's futon, wrapping his body around him, and rested his head on Aoshi's shoulder.

Carefully detangling himself from the young man, Aoshi slipped out of the futon. While getting dressed, he glanced at Soujiro's sleeping form, wishing that he could wake up that way every morning. He hurried to leave the room so he wouldn't miss the morning sun as it showered the sky with its golden rays.

Stepping outside their room, Aoshi quietly closed the shoji.

"Trying to sneak out before someone caught you," Ryochi said, smiling. Patting him on the back, he guided Aoshi down the hall.

"Why are you up so early? I don't recall you being a morning person," Aoshi responded, removing Ryochi's hand.

"I was coming to get you so that we could enjoy early morning tea while watching the sun rise," he said, entering the kitchen. Picking up the tray, he led the way outside to the pond.

Sitting on the porch, waiting for the sunrise, the two men sipped their tea. Aoshi watched as Ryochi sat deep in thought, a trait that signified to Aoshi that his friend had something to tell him.

"Ryo?"

"She was very angry with both of them. I honestly don't think that she will help you in locating the Takara, I know she was planning to get her revenge using it," Ryochi blurted out. Setting his teacup back on the tray, his voice escalated as he continued, "I am not proud of what she has done in the past, but I still love her."

Aoshi sat, waiting for his friend to finish.

"She was very close to her sister and she never forgave Shishio or Youhio. And it was all over that damn Takara. Her sister died protecting that cursed set. Did you know that?"

"No."

"Yes, and now with Shishio dead, and not being able to properly exact her vengeance, plus Youhio still alive and prospering." he said, stopping to take a breath. Returning his voice to normal he added, "I wanted to warn you that she may refuse to give it up."

"I understand," Aoshi answered. Looking over at Ryochi, Aoshi could clearly see the man was in turmoil.

"I'm going for my morning walk now," Ryochi said, getting to his feet.



~Tsuka sat inside the carriage as it rolled down the road toward Shingetsu village. The carriage had left Kyoto early in the morning barely giving her time to get ready, so she wasn't in the best of moods. Her ebony hair was tied high with a dark blue ribbon and she wore no make up to cover the wrinkles that were starting to show on her otherwise flawless face.

The trip had not been a pleasant one to start with but with each passing day it had become progressively worse for her. The rain had been her constant companion trying to coax her into shedding her own tears. Her pride had refused to let her cry, but now as the carriage bounced down the road, she started to cry.

Soon the tears ebbed and she sat up straighter, trying desperately to regain her composure.

"No," she hissed through clenched teeth, her face masked with anger. "I won't cry. I must be strong until I get revenge... for my sister."

Taking several deep breaths, she calmed herself, searching through her handbag for a handkerchief. Finding one, she gently dabbed at her eyes as they sparkled with the rest of her unshed tears.

"I am not going to arrive at home looking like a puffer fish," she screamed as loud as she could.

A head appeared at the top of the carriage door window, looking into the carriage at her with a puzzled look on his face.

"Are you all right?" he asked, bouncing with the carriage.

With her eyes open wide she nodded, yes, bringing the handkerchief up to hide her face. Yes, I will be all right, she thought.

By the time the carriage pulled up to the gate of the mansion, Tsuka had composed herself enough to feel good about being home at last.

Stepping out of the carriage, she was greeted by her husband.

"Its good to have you back," Ryochi said, smiling at his wife.

"Yes, it is good to be home," Tsuka replied, returning her husband's smile.



~The mid day sun was sinking into the western sky when Aoshi started his practice session. The beginning exercises always served their purpose of making him concentrate on something besides what was wrong in his world. Moving into the first attack of his sword style he felt elated as he executed the move. His muscles now cooperated with his body, making it easier to successfully complete the attack.

Each attack, that he completed, raised his level of awareness, honing his skill with the kodachi.

With one more attack to finish, he felt the tingle of someone's eyes watching him. Landing gracefully on one knee, his double kodachi held firmly poised in front of him, he raised his eyes, looking straight into the smiling face of Soujiro.

Clapping his hands, Soujiro smiled and said, "I always enjoy watching when swordsmen practice."

"That could have gotten you killed," Aoshi said, relieved that it was Soujiro. Standing up, he let his arms relax.

"So I have been told."

"Is that why you are here?" he asked, putting his kodachi back in their sheath.

"No, I came to let you know that Tsuka is back and we are invited for dinner," Soujiro replied, walking toward Aoshi. Locking eyes with the former Okashira, Soujiro felt very hot, igniting sparklers throughout his body.

"I would like to watch you practice again someday," Soujiro said, smiling he forced his eyes to close. Without waiting for an answer, he slowly walked away, feeling Aoshi watching him.

Aoshi felt compelled to watch Soujiro until he disappeared in the foliage. He attempted to finish his practice but the distraction had caused him to loose the momentum of his kata. Giving up for the day, he walked back to the mansion.



~Soujiro continued walking, smiling from the sparkly feeling he was getting from Aoshi watching him. It wasn't until after he reached the room that he shared with Aoshi that he could breath properly. Lately, every time the former Okashira looked at him, his body reacted by tingling from head to foot.

These feelings were very strange and foreign to him. And although he liked feeling that way, they always left him with a desire for more. Taking some deep breaths he tried to control the feelings that surged through his body.

A thought crossed his mind, maybe Ryochi could explain them, and after all, he had known Aoshi from before and seemed to be quite worldly.

Opening the shoji, Soujiro came face to face with Aoshi. The sensations that were coursing through his body intensified until Soujiro felt like he would burst.

Looking into Aoshi's startled face, Soujiro reached up with both hands and clasp them behind Aoshi's head, pulling him down until their lips met. It as a very chaste kiss, merely two lips touching before Soujiro let go and then backed up far enough to see Aoshi's face.

Aoshi just stood for a few seconds taking in what had just happened.

"Aoshi," Soujiro breathed, thinking that he had crossed a boundary that shouldn't have been approached.

For an answer, Aoshi reached out with one hand, running his fingers in Soujiro's hair until his hand was behind the younger boys head. Gently pulling him forward, Aoshi tilted his head to the side. His other hand now on the young mans back, applying gently pressure bringing him closer.

As the distance between them closed, Soujiro relaxed into Aoshi's strong arms, feeling totally safe. This kiss was different from the one that Soujiro had initiated.

Aoshi's lips barely touched Soujiro's, teasing him as he gently licked Soujiro's lips from one corner of his mouth to the other. Licking his own, he placed his lips on the younger man's, pressing firmly but gently, eliciting a soft moan from Soujiro.

Pulling back from the kiss, Aoshi stood holding Soujiro in his arms, wishing this moment could last forever.

"Soujiro," Aoshi's voice cut through the fog that surrounded the younger man's mind.

"Nn," Soujiro managed to breath out.

"We need to get ready for dinner," Aoshi softly spoke, "Don't forget why we're here."

Nodding his head in agreement, Soujiro placed both of his hands on Aoshi's chest. Smiling, Soujiro said, "I won't forget, but afterward...?"

"We'll deal with that when the time comes," Aoshi softly replied. Walking over to his travel sack, he started preparing for dinner.

For you I can wait forever, Soujiro thought, as he stood waiting for Aoshi to finish.

Leaving together, they walked to the back room where dinner was to be served.

Ryochi was waiting for them when they entered the room. A moment later, Tsuka joined them.

"Tsuka-san," Soujiro bowed, greeting her when she entered the room.

"It is a surprise to see you again. I though that you had..." she began, stopping when Soujiro lowered his head. "I am sorry, you lost everything that day."

"Don't be sorry. I may have lost a lot but I also gained a lot in the process," Soujiro explained. Looking directly at her, he smiled.

Tsuka raised her eyebrows when she noticed Aoshi standing off to the side of Soujiro. "It is nice to see you once again Shinamori-san," she said, giving him a polite bow.

Aoshi nodded in her direction.

Taking their places at the low table, Ryochi sat next to his wife, while Aoshi and Soujiro sat opposite them.

Dinner was served and the meal was consumed in silence.

It wasn't until after the dishes were cleared and tea served before the silence was broken when Soujiro said, "Tsuka-san, I need to find the Takara."

"You never failed to do what was needed," she said, her face softening with the statement.

"Yes, I took care of everything," Soujiro said, sitting up straighter.

"If you took care of everything, why did that damn mountain burn down? And why were you so loyal to that cursed man," Tsuka asked. Her eyes taunted him as they burned with an uncontrollable fire.

"I am sorry if you don't approve of my loyalty," Soujiro said, putting his smile on for a mask to cover up how he truly felt.

"But your loyalty was misguided by that man," Tsuka countered.

"Maybe, Tsuka-san, but he did train me and provided for me," Soujiro said, feeling the need to defend Shishio.

"Only because you were useful to him, otherwise you would have been easily discarded but even knowing that you still stayed with him. Why," Tsuka said, raising her voice.

"I stayed because I believed in his teachings," Soujiro said again feeling the need to defend the one who had raised him.

"Do you still believe in those teachings?" Tsuka asked, leaning slightly forward.

"People change when they are shown another path and then choose to take it," Soujiro said his voice now calm.

"Have you changed so much?" Tsuka asked.

"Tsuka-san, I didn't come here to talk about how people change or what my life has been like since that day on the mountain. I came to ask you for help in finding the Takara," Soujiro said, sighing.

"Why do you think that I would have and knowledge of where it is?" Tsuka sarcastically asked.

"Don't you? You were there that day and had the opportunity to... Besides Chiko told me that you had Shishio's seal. So why wouldn't you have taken the object that was most important to both of them? You are the one that wanted revenge..."

"Yes, I want revenge, and I will get my revenge," Tsuka snarled, unable to hide her contempt for both men.

Both Ryochi and Aoshi had sat listening to the conversation as Soujiro tried to persuade Tsuka to tell him where the Takara was located.

"Is your revenge more important than someone's life?" Aoshi said, looking directly at Tsuka, his voice demanding her attention.

Tsuka glared at Aoshi before asking, "What do you know about revenge? Your bumbling attempt failed miserably."

Soujiro started to say something but was stayed by Aoshi's hand.

"Yes, I did fail in my attempt but I was also shown another path that could be taken," Aoshi answered, keeping eye contact with the enraged woman.

"A path that I choose not to take. Unlike you my pain has intensified with time. Raising Chiko and watching her become the image of her mother has only added to my pain. And now she has turned against me," Tsuka added, her voice betraying the anger and hurt that she felt.

"Would your sister want you to hold onto that pain?" Aoshi asked, remembering how Misao had constantly told him to let go of his pain.

"Did you think that your dead comrades wanted you to live on or die in getting their revenge? And then after you betrayed your own people, you returned from that mountain and buried yourself in a temple. Was that very brave of you? And then there is always Naoaki." she said her words sharp and pointed and aimed directly at Aoshi.

"That's enough!" Ryochi commanded his voice filling the room. Looking at his wife, "You will stop this fruitless revenge and give up the Takara." Standing, he folded his arms, waiting for his wife to follow his lead. Bowing to the two men, sitting across from him, he said in a softer voice, "You will have your information in the morning."

Tsuka bowed politely to their two guests, and then, looking forward, she followed her husband out of the room, tears streaming down her face.

Soujiro was stunned. Aoshi had tried to help him get the information that he was after but at what cost.



~Time stands still for no one and with enough time all wounds will heal. But when our wounds are on our spiritual being, time can be irrelevant, and instead of healing, the wound can lay dormant forever, causing us grief when we least expect it.

Aoshi sat, hoping that if he didn't move the world would swallow him into a void where he could stop feeling. The pain from Tsuka's harsh words had affected a wound worse than when Himura had used his final attack to defeat him. For Aoshi had no defense against what she said. Her anger had lashed out and forced his wounds to reopen, making him see the stark reality of what he had done. He felt like a defeated man.

Elated that they would have the information in the morning, Soujiro didn't notice the way Aoshi was reacting to Tsuka's accusations.

"Aoshi?" Soujiro asked, barely able to contain his excitement. When he didn't receive an answer, he finished his special tea and then looked over at Aoshi. The fear he felt for the man sitting there gripped his soul.

"Aoshi?"

"Aoshi?" he asked for the third time unable to keep his fear from creeping into his voice. The wall, which Aoshi had hid behind, had started to crumble under Soujiro's constant barrage of questions and fierce fortitude. In the flash of a minute and a mouth full of words, Aoshi had returned to thinking about his past sins against his former clan, refortifying the wall.

Soujiro didn't know what to do. He had to find some way to reach the person inside the former Okashira.

Standing up, he reached down, taking a hold of Aoshi's elbow; he gently prodded the man to stand. Doing as he was bid, Aoshi stood, allowing himself to be led from the room.

Once inside of their room, Soujiro spread out a futon.

Guiding Aoshi, Soujiro helped him to lay down on the futon.

Grabbing a blanket, he covered him then crawled under the blanket holding Aoshi as tight as he could.



To be continued...

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