Disclaimers: Look, if up till now you can actually think I could think of
Rurouni Kenshin, then I suggest you get the hell out of here! What kind of
fan are you? Although I do own Aoshi. ^_^`
A.n. Konnichiwa! Minna-san!! The exams are over!!!! * cough cough * Hehheh I kinda over-partied the last week and fell sick but hey, PARTY!!PARTY!!PARTY!!PARTY!!PARTY!!PARTY!!PARTY!! *coughcoughcoughcough* AnyWAY, ARIGATOOOOOOOOO!!!!! FOR ALL THE REVIEWS!!!!! So please keep reviewing ne?
How shall I love the sin,
Yet keep the sense,
And love the offender,
Yet detest the offense?
* He left me. He left me even after I offered him the title of Okashira? Why doesn't he want it? Isn't he better than I am at being Okashira? More skilled, more experienced. How can I ever be Okashira? Especially after tomorrow. Why does he still leave? Doesn't he know anything? Doesn't he love me the same way I love him? Doesn't he? * Misao thought silently as she ran back to the teahouse, brushing past a pair of monks from the nearby temple.
"Otona?" One of the bald monks asked the other.
"Kodomo?" The other monk asked, facing his companion
"Wasuremashita." They both said, turning to face the fading back of Misao, shaking their heads.
Back at the Aoiya.....
Aoshi packed his bag and started to leave the Aoiya. The four other ninjas watched in silence ever since he returned from his talk with Misao, glaring at him with hatred in their eyes.
* How can that insensitive jerk just leave Misao like that? Especially now when she needs help. * Omasu thought as she narrowed her eyes, her fingers itching to throw a kunai at the man. Aoshi could feel their stares concentrated on his back, and their rising ki they did not bother to hide.
* They really love their okashira. I could always gain their loyalty towards me, I could always earn their respect, but I can never get them to be concern over me the same way Misao does. In that way, Misao is the better okashira, if I leave, she would have to return as their okashira. It's her duty. * Aoshi thought as he finish packing his bag.
"Sayonara minna-san." Aoshi said, picking up his bag and walking out of the Aoiya without looking back. The four ninjas watched in silence as Misao's only hope and love walked out of their lives, perhaps for good.
"Matte Aoshi-kun" A gruff voice said, calling out to the ex-okashira. Aoshi turned, facing Okina who walked out to meet him.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Okina asked, staring deep into Aoshi's eyes. Aoshi nodded, returning Okina a hard stare into his eyes.
"Misao wouldn't like this." Okina stated plainly, checking Aoshi for any fleeting signs of emotions.
"I treat Misao like my own granddaughter." Okina commented to the one-sided conversation, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"And I only have her interests at my heart." Okina said slyly, looking at Aoshi.
"Okina, if you are going to stop..." Aoshi started, only to be cut off by Okina's hand.
"Aoshi, if you want to leave I won't stop you. As I said, I only have Misao's interests at heart, it's obvious that she loves you. If you are too blind to see this, and love her back, then maybe leaving is the best choice. I hate to see her hurt; you are the only one capable of doing that. If you leave, then don't ever return to the Aoiya without her in your heart." Okina said, staring firmly into Aoshi's eyes, making sure Aoshi got the message. Aoshi stared down at the old man who brought him up and taught him the ways of life, before picking up his bag and turning away from the Aoiya, walking away from his past, his origin, his only form of identity.
"Che, bakayarou." Okina cursed, staring at Aoshi's retreating back, before hobbling to the Aoiya.
On the road, by himself...
* You know that what you are doing is stupid right? * The voice said to Aoshi, as he walked past a temple.
* Misao needs to learn how to be more responsible as Okashira. * Aoshi replied grimly, his eyes narrowing as he glared at an annoying drunkard begging for money.
* Oh please, what kind of reason is that? You really think you are doing this for Misao's sake? You have to learn to admit the truth for crying out loud. * The voice said exasperatedly. Suddenly, Aoshi felt himself bang into something. He looked down to see two balding monks, barely reaching his waist.
"Gomen nasai." Aoshi said, jerking back into reality. The monks bowed lowly, keeping their cool even though it was their second time being banged by a stranger. At least this one was polite, not like that girl that almost knocked them down and didn't even apologise. They looked up at the stranger, it was a man in his late twenties.
"You are experiencing some problems, my boy." One of the monks said to Aoshi. Aoshi stared at the monk dumbly, amazed by his observation.
"You are overwhelmed by the troubles of love." The other monk added, nodding at his companion's comment.
"L-love?" Aoshi sputtered, shocked, backing away from both the monks.
"Aa." Both the monks said, nodding their heads in unison.
"Sumimasen, I think you are mistaken." Aoshi said, regaining his composure and carrying on with his journey.
"People remain what they are even when they fall to pieces." The monks said together.
"It's better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you are not." Aoshi replied over his shoulder.
"Sometimes you have to let go of the thing you call salvation in order to gain your freedom." The monks called out, shaking their heads at Aoshi's back.
"Nani?" Aoshi said, turning around to face the monks, only to find an empty alley shrouded in mist.
* Was I dreaming? * Aoshi thought to himself as he headed down the lonely road.
* Are you still leaving Kyoto for Misao to be more responsible as Okashira? Or are you running away from the truth? * The small voice said. For the first time in his life, Aoshi Shinomori did not have an answer.
"Sometimes you have to let go of the thing you call salvation in order to gain your freedom."
At the Teahouse...
There was a knock on the door. Kanjire looked up from his paper work as the man he sent out came in.
"Takuya-san, I followed Misao like you said, she did go and buy a new kimono, however she also stopped at the Aoiya Restaurant around noon and left soon afterwards." The man reported what he saw when he tailed Misao.
"Sou ka?" Kanjire said, staring into the man's eyes, his emerald eyes trying to penetrate the man's soul.
"Hai, Takuya-san." The man said, bowing his head slightly to avoid Kanjire's gaze.
"And may I ask, what did Misao do at the Aoiya Restaurant?" Kanjire said in a silky, dangerous voice, his eyes flashing with an evil gleam.
"Well, I assumed that I need not see her eat her lunch Takuya-san, after all, she did go into a restaurant, I thought I need not see with my own eyes that she was eating lunch." The man said, noting the dangerous look in Kanjire's eyes, fidgeting in discomfort.
"Really? Then what if she went in there to get help from the police or someone else, or reported me? Then what?" Kanjire said, taking out his katana, removing its sheath, revealing the bluish-grey blade. There was an uncomfortable silence as Kanjire stared at the man with his piercing green eyes.
"I-I did not think of that Takuya-san." The man said nervously, bowing low to show his fear of Kanjire.
"Do you see this blade? It's very sharp you know." Kanjire said, leveling the sharp edge of the blade in front of the man's eyes.
"But I don't suppose you need eyes to find out how sharp it is." Kanjire said softly, flicking his wrist, slashing the man's eyes, blood spurting out onto Kanjire's clothes and trickling down the man's face.
" Hush, hush. Don't cry, don't cry." Kanjire said, smiling at the man as he used his fingers to wipe the blood trickling out of the man's eyes, ignoring his yells and screams of pain.
"Once you find the exit, please kindly get out of my sight and don't return." Kanjire said sarcastically, emphasising the "sight" as he sat down at his desk, the man attempting to grope his way out. Kanjire closed his eyes and sighed audibly, hearing the man fumble out of his office, the door closing with a click. He lit a cigarette and inhaled the fumes deeply, he found that it helped him calm his nerves. He heard a knock on his door and cracked an eye open when the door swung open to reveal Misao standing behind the door.
"Ah! Misao-chan, where were you? I was wondering when you would return, you shouldn't make me worry." Kanjire said as he crossed the room, wrapping his arms around her waist as he gave her a light kiss on her cheek. Misao looked at Kanjire, he had offered her words of concern but the tone that he said it in, sent a cold shiver up her spine, his arms around her waist did not add much comfort to it.
"I went to buy a kimono like I said, then I went out for lunch." Misao said dully, avoiding Kanjire's gaze. She was tired, her energy seemed to drain away each time Aoshi hurt her, she was not in the mood to create chaos with Kanjire. Every time she looked into Kanjire's eyes, she saw hell, murderous and hungry for blood. Every day she seemed to be waking into a sadistic dream, the beautiful teahouse was only a cover for the horrible reality of life.
"Only for lunch?" Kanjire said softly, cocking an eyebrow, his grip tightening on Misao's waist, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Misao returned the stare, nodding silently, her eyes widening in fear of being this close to a mad man. Kanjire stared down at her, silently studying her, checking for any hint of pretense, the fury in his eyes seemed to increase as he was unable to find any. Then, his green eyes flickered and clouded over, he stared into her eyes but the intensity had disappeared and he seemed to be preoccupied with something else. Misao squirmed uncomfortably in his arms that were still locked around her waist. However, the movement jerked him back into reality, his gaze hardening, evil returning to his emerald orbs. He smirked cruelly, stroking Misao's cheek with a finger, tracing her jaw line slowly.
"Of course. Now go freshen up and clean your face. Better get ready for tomorrow ne?" Kanjire said as he released her from his hold. Misao stared dumbly at his odd behaviour, before excusing herself.
* I wonder why he was acting so strangely. Does he know where I went today? * Misao thought to herself, her fingers absentmindedly following the trail Kanjire had traced earlier on. She felt a warm liquid on her fingers as she followed the trail. As she pulled her porcelain-coloured fingers away from her face, she noticed them stained with a red liquid. Sniffing the liquid tentatively, she found out it had a coppery stench. The stench of blood.
Back at his office, Kanjire noted that his hands were stained with the blood of the man he had blinded. Smirking, he recalled how the man screamed in pain, pity he didn't beg. Bring his hands close to his mouth, he flicked his tongue out, tasting the coppery liquid, licking every drop of the crimson liquid, relishing every moment.
Japanese Translations:
Otona: Adult
Kodomo: Child
Wasuremashita: I forgot
Sayonara: Good bye
Che: Shit
Bakayarou: Dumb ass
Aa: Yes
Sumimasen: Excuse me
Sou ka: Is that so?
A.n. AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Minna-san! Did you know what my school did? We just finished our exams, so... I mean okay, I can handle the dumb post exams activities where they drag you to some factory to see how bread is made but POST EXAMS LESSONS?????? What were they thinking?? I spent the rest of the days in school having a three hour long maths lecture. No way!!! ARGH!!!! They are just not human!!!! And Misao is just not helping.
Misao: Nani? If it wasn't for me we will lose the bet and you would have to pay.
Blacksakura: Me? Pay? No no no no nooooo. I think you are mistaken, wasn't the bet between you and Sano?
Misao: Well..... hehheh..... I'm kinda low on cash.....
Blacksakura: This is not happening....
Sano: What? Want to back out? Too late.... (smirks evilly)
Blacksakura: Shut up Sano, I need to solve this freakin' maths question.
Sano: Or else you would what? (smirks evilly)
Blacksakura: Oh Saitouuuuuuuuuuuu......
Sano: You can't do that, I'm not committing any crime. (smirks evilly)
Blacksakura: Oh yeah? I'm the authoress.
Sano: But Saitou only takes out evil. (smirks evilly)
Blacksakura: AHHAH!! "Smirking evilly", Saitou where are youuuuuuu?
Sano: Hey that's cheating!!
Blacksakura: I don't see anyone cheating, do you see anyone cheating Misao?
Misao: Oh noooooooo. ^_~
Blacksakura: Saitou!!!
Saitou: Aku. Suko. Zan.
Misao: Hehhehheh... So vote for Aoshi-sama!!!
A.n. Konnichiwa! Minna-san!! The exams are over!!!! * cough cough * Hehheh I kinda over-partied the last week and fell sick but hey, PARTY!!PARTY!!PARTY!!PARTY!!PARTY!!PARTY!!PARTY!! *coughcoughcoughcough* AnyWAY, ARIGATOOOOOOOOO!!!!! FOR ALL THE REVIEWS!!!!! So please keep reviewing ne?
How shall I love the sin,
Yet keep the sense,
And love the offender,
Yet detest the offense?
* He left me. He left me even after I offered him the title of Okashira? Why doesn't he want it? Isn't he better than I am at being Okashira? More skilled, more experienced. How can I ever be Okashira? Especially after tomorrow. Why does he still leave? Doesn't he know anything? Doesn't he love me the same way I love him? Doesn't he? * Misao thought silently as she ran back to the teahouse, brushing past a pair of monks from the nearby temple.
"Otona?" One of the bald monks asked the other.
"Kodomo?" The other monk asked, facing his companion
"Wasuremashita." They both said, turning to face the fading back of Misao, shaking their heads.
Back at the Aoiya.....
Aoshi packed his bag and started to leave the Aoiya. The four other ninjas watched in silence ever since he returned from his talk with Misao, glaring at him with hatred in their eyes.
* How can that insensitive jerk just leave Misao like that? Especially now when she needs help. * Omasu thought as she narrowed her eyes, her fingers itching to throw a kunai at the man. Aoshi could feel their stares concentrated on his back, and their rising ki they did not bother to hide.
* They really love their okashira. I could always gain their loyalty towards me, I could always earn their respect, but I can never get them to be concern over me the same way Misao does. In that way, Misao is the better okashira, if I leave, she would have to return as their okashira. It's her duty. * Aoshi thought as he finish packing his bag.
"Sayonara minna-san." Aoshi said, picking up his bag and walking out of the Aoiya without looking back. The four ninjas watched in silence as Misao's only hope and love walked out of their lives, perhaps for good.
"Matte Aoshi-kun" A gruff voice said, calling out to the ex-okashira. Aoshi turned, facing Okina who walked out to meet him.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Okina asked, staring deep into Aoshi's eyes. Aoshi nodded, returning Okina a hard stare into his eyes.
"Misao wouldn't like this." Okina stated plainly, checking Aoshi for any fleeting signs of emotions.
"I treat Misao like my own granddaughter." Okina commented to the one-sided conversation, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"And I only have her interests at my heart." Okina said slyly, looking at Aoshi.
"Okina, if you are going to stop..." Aoshi started, only to be cut off by Okina's hand.
"Aoshi, if you want to leave I won't stop you. As I said, I only have Misao's interests at heart, it's obvious that she loves you. If you are too blind to see this, and love her back, then maybe leaving is the best choice. I hate to see her hurt; you are the only one capable of doing that. If you leave, then don't ever return to the Aoiya without her in your heart." Okina said, staring firmly into Aoshi's eyes, making sure Aoshi got the message. Aoshi stared down at the old man who brought him up and taught him the ways of life, before picking up his bag and turning away from the Aoiya, walking away from his past, his origin, his only form of identity.
"Che, bakayarou." Okina cursed, staring at Aoshi's retreating back, before hobbling to the Aoiya.
On the road, by himself...
* You know that what you are doing is stupid right? * The voice said to Aoshi, as he walked past a temple.
* Misao needs to learn how to be more responsible as Okashira. * Aoshi replied grimly, his eyes narrowing as he glared at an annoying drunkard begging for money.
* Oh please, what kind of reason is that? You really think you are doing this for Misao's sake? You have to learn to admit the truth for crying out loud. * The voice said exasperatedly. Suddenly, Aoshi felt himself bang into something. He looked down to see two balding monks, barely reaching his waist.
"Gomen nasai." Aoshi said, jerking back into reality. The monks bowed lowly, keeping their cool even though it was their second time being banged by a stranger. At least this one was polite, not like that girl that almost knocked them down and didn't even apologise. They looked up at the stranger, it was a man in his late twenties.
"You are experiencing some problems, my boy." One of the monks said to Aoshi. Aoshi stared at the monk dumbly, amazed by his observation.
"You are overwhelmed by the troubles of love." The other monk added, nodding at his companion's comment.
"L-love?" Aoshi sputtered, shocked, backing away from both the monks.
"Aa." Both the monks said, nodding their heads in unison.
"Sumimasen, I think you are mistaken." Aoshi said, regaining his composure and carrying on with his journey.
"People remain what they are even when they fall to pieces." The monks said together.
"It's better to be hated for what you are, than loved for what you are not." Aoshi replied over his shoulder.
"Sometimes you have to let go of the thing you call salvation in order to gain your freedom." The monks called out, shaking their heads at Aoshi's back.
"Nani?" Aoshi said, turning around to face the monks, only to find an empty alley shrouded in mist.
* Was I dreaming? * Aoshi thought to himself as he headed down the lonely road.
* Are you still leaving Kyoto for Misao to be more responsible as Okashira? Or are you running away from the truth? * The small voice said. For the first time in his life, Aoshi Shinomori did not have an answer.
"Sometimes you have to let go of the thing you call salvation in order to gain your freedom."
At the Teahouse...
There was a knock on the door. Kanjire looked up from his paper work as the man he sent out came in.
"Takuya-san, I followed Misao like you said, she did go and buy a new kimono, however she also stopped at the Aoiya Restaurant around noon and left soon afterwards." The man reported what he saw when he tailed Misao.
"Sou ka?" Kanjire said, staring into the man's eyes, his emerald eyes trying to penetrate the man's soul.
"Hai, Takuya-san." The man said, bowing his head slightly to avoid Kanjire's gaze.
"And may I ask, what did Misao do at the Aoiya Restaurant?" Kanjire said in a silky, dangerous voice, his eyes flashing with an evil gleam.
"Well, I assumed that I need not see her eat her lunch Takuya-san, after all, she did go into a restaurant, I thought I need not see with my own eyes that she was eating lunch." The man said, noting the dangerous look in Kanjire's eyes, fidgeting in discomfort.
"Really? Then what if she went in there to get help from the police or someone else, or reported me? Then what?" Kanjire said, taking out his katana, removing its sheath, revealing the bluish-grey blade. There was an uncomfortable silence as Kanjire stared at the man with his piercing green eyes.
"I-I did not think of that Takuya-san." The man said nervously, bowing low to show his fear of Kanjire.
"Do you see this blade? It's very sharp you know." Kanjire said, leveling the sharp edge of the blade in front of the man's eyes.
"But I don't suppose you need eyes to find out how sharp it is." Kanjire said softly, flicking his wrist, slashing the man's eyes, blood spurting out onto Kanjire's clothes and trickling down the man's face.
" Hush, hush. Don't cry, don't cry." Kanjire said, smiling at the man as he used his fingers to wipe the blood trickling out of the man's eyes, ignoring his yells and screams of pain.
"Once you find the exit, please kindly get out of my sight and don't return." Kanjire said sarcastically, emphasising the "sight" as he sat down at his desk, the man attempting to grope his way out. Kanjire closed his eyes and sighed audibly, hearing the man fumble out of his office, the door closing with a click. He lit a cigarette and inhaled the fumes deeply, he found that it helped him calm his nerves. He heard a knock on his door and cracked an eye open when the door swung open to reveal Misao standing behind the door.
"Ah! Misao-chan, where were you? I was wondering when you would return, you shouldn't make me worry." Kanjire said as he crossed the room, wrapping his arms around her waist as he gave her a light kiss on her cheek. Misao looked at Kanjire, he had offered her words of concern but the tone that he said it in, sent a cold shiver up her spine, his arms around her waist did not add much comfort to it.
"I went to buy a kimono like I said, then I went out for lunch." Misao said dully, avoiding Kanjire's gaze. She was tired, her energy seemed to drain away each time Aoshi hurt her, she was not in the mood to create chaos with Kanjire. Every time she looked into Kanjire's eyes, she saw hell, murderous and hungry for blood. Every day she seemed to be waking into a sadistic dream, the beautiful teahouse was only a cover for the horrible reality of life.
"Only for lunch?" Kanjire said softly, cocking an eyebrow, his grip tightening on Misao's waist, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Misao returned the stare, nodding silently, her eyes widening in fear of being this close to a mad man. Kanjire stared down at her, silently studying her, checking for any hint of pretense, the fury in his eyes seemed to increase as he was unable to find any. Then, his green eyes flickered and clouded over, he stared into her eyes but the intensity had disappeared and he seemed to be preoccupied with something else. Misao squirmed uncomfortably in his arms that were still locked around her waist. However, the movement jerked him back into reality, his gaze hardening, evil returning to his emerald orbs. He smirked cruelly, stroking Misao's cheek with a finger, tracing her jaw line slowly.
"Of course. Now go freshen up and clean your face. Better get ready for tomorrow ne?" Kanjire said as he released her from his hold. Misao stared dumbly at his odd behaviour, before excusing herself.
* I wonder why he was acting so strangely. Does he know where I went today? * Misao thought to herself, her fingers absentmindedly following the trail Kanjire had traced earlier on. She felt a warm liquid on her fingers as she followed the trail. As she pulled her porcelain-coloured fingers away from her face, she noticed them stained with a red liquid. Sniffing the liquid tentatively, she found out it had a coppery stench. The stench of blood.
Back at his office, Kanjire noted that his hands were stained with the blood of the man he had blinded. Smirking, he recalled how the man screamed in pain, pity he didn't beg. Bring his hands close to his mouth, he flicked his tongue out, tasting the coppery liquid, licking every drop of the crimson liquid, relishing every moment.
Japanese Translations:
Otona: Adult
Kodomo: Child
Wasuremashita: I forgot
Sayonara: Good bye
Che: Shit
Bakayarou: Dumb ass
Aa: Yes
Sumimasen: Excuse me
Sou ka: Is that so?
A.n. AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Minna-san! Did you know what my school did? We just finished our exams, so... I mean okay, I can handle the dumb post exams activities where they drag you to some factory to see how bread is made but POST EXAMS LESSONS?????? What were they thinking?? I spent the rest of the days in school having a three hour long maths lecture. No way!!! ARGH!!!! They are just not human!!!! And Misao is just not helping.
Misao: Nani? If it wasn't for me we will lose the bet and you would have to pay.
Blacksakura: Me? Pay? No no no no nooooo. I think you are mistaken, wasn't the bet between you and Sano?
Misao: Well..... hehheh..... I'm kinda low on cash.....
Blacksakura: This is not happening....
Sano: What? Want to back out? Too late.... (smirks evilly)
Blacksakura: Shut up Sano, I need to solve this freakin' maths question.
Sano: Or else you would what? (smirks evilly)
Blacksakura: Oh Saitouuuuuuuuuuuu......
Sano: You can't do that, I'm not committing any crime. (smirks evilly)
Blacksakura: Oh yeah? I'm the authoress.
Sano: But Saitou only takes out evil. (smirks evilly)
Blacksakura: AHHAH!! "Smirking evilly", Saitou where are youuuuuuu?
Sano: Hey that's cheating!!
Blacksakura: I don't see anyone cheating, do you see anyone cheating Misao?
Misao: Oh noooooooo. ^_~
Blacksakura: Saitou!!!
Saitou: Aku. Suko. Zan.
Misao: Hehhehheh... So vote for Aoshi-sama!!!