O-miai (or how to get her heart and shut up the old perverted man)
Weeew!!! Chapter 4 at least ^^ !
Thanks you everyone for supporting this story!!! I just can't believe the great welcome you gave to that silly fanfic ^^ but still THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
Just to let you know, I'm leaving for holidays in a few days so don't expect me to update this story nor 'For What Matters' until September… Maybe another chapter before I leave, but I can't promise anything – and then you won't hear of me for almost 2 months!
I had a lot of fun writing this part, hopefully you will enjoy reading it ;) ! Let me know, just click the review button ^^ !
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Chapter 4 : Let's go to the Tanabata ! (Hey?! What's this mess?!)
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Misao's POVThe thought of spending time playing chess with Mitsuhiro was the only thing that kept me alive for three days. Three days!! Do you actually believe this?! To be perfectly truthful, I'm not overjoyed about playing chess – the memory of my bitter failure against Aoshi-sama is still very vivid in my mind and I think I'll never be look at a pawn straight in the eyes without a quiver from now on. No, indeed, but I really need to see a friendly face. Gentle eyes. Anyone nice. Someone that isn't staring at me suspiciously with ice-carved eyes, under the seedy cover of helping clean the restaurant room, or making sure that everything is correctly closed around the house, for example. You know what I mean.
Nevertheless, for a while I couldn't help but hear victory bells ringing in my head – the look on Aoshi's face when I told him that I was going to ask to Mitsuhiro to take me to the Tanabata! It was priceless. I felt like floating in a bubbly, ethereal dream: could it happen that Aoshi was jealous?! But then the way back to earth had been tough. Aoshi had shrugged his shoulders and nodded, telling that it wasn't a bad idea but that I should be careful and blah blah blah and guys don't always have the most honest intentions and so on. Who could have guessed that Aoshi could become so talkative when it came to lecturing… Grr, the jerk!
And then I just couldn't even breath without feeling his piercing gaze focusing on me, scrutinizing as if I were some thug fomenting something suspect. As though I were used to acting like some reckless, brainless guttersnipe, really…
Smoothing the deep green kimono Okon actually knotted me in, I'm stepping down from the carriage and, slowly because of the cumbersome outfit, I'm padding in the hallway of Mitsuhiro's house. Alright – everything is going to be alright. I don't care what Aoshi-sama is thinking right now, Mitsuhiro is my friend and we are going to have fun at the Tanabata festival. See, I'm not uncomfortable at all. Makimachi Misao shy about asking a guy out?! Ah! Please let me laugh. Ouch, I nearly hit that expensive Chinese vase… Focus, Misao, focus. What a pity, I'm not used to acting all nice and sweet, especially in such luxurious houses! Argh, someone help me!
But as I am struggling with my own clumsiness, I feel someone patting my shoulder while coughing lightly…
"Iteee?!"
"Err… Misao-chan?! Are you alright?!"
"Huh… yes." Sheepishly, I'm turning to look at Mitsuhiro-kun, who's staring back at me. Staring very undecidedly, I must say. What?
"Misao-chan, are you feeling right?"
"Huh… yes."
"You were talking to that vase."
Err… Was I?! Let's hope I didn't say something well… embarrassing… Oh my, why does all that mess happen to me, among all people on this Earth?!
"I heard you mumbling things about expensive Chinese vase, luxurious and burdensome kimonos, Tanabata festival and bloody Kami-samas."
"Aoshi-samas", I'm correcting thoughtlessly. HELL! Oh no!!! How could I mention Aoshi-sama's name! I was supposed to be at ease with myself, a witty, enthusiast and well-mannered girl, and I was caught rambling about impossible kimonos and Aoshi-samas! Acting like some stupid, lovesick girl!
But I'm catching a glimpse of Mitsuhiro sweat dropping as I must look like some madwoman… Focus, Misao, focus, and try to cool down. Breathing in deeply, I'm smiling my best sheepish, apologizing smile.
"How are you, Mitsuhiro-kun?"
"Fine, and you?"
"Well, I was thinking that you… I mean, you're not obliged to agree! But I was… well wondering if you would like to take me to the Tanabata festival…"
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Aoshi's POV"Jiya, I'm not going to argue with you about this!"
A strange feeling of déjà-vu is overwhelming me. Intrigued about what is making Misao angry, I'm pricking my ears; she and Okina are bickering in the kitchen, as they always do. No, more than they usually do. Misao sounds amazingly annoyed – I mean, she is often annoyed but usually she cools down as quickly as she got angry. Today seems different – even Okina sounds serious, which, in itself, is pretty surprising. Who would think there actually is a brain behind the senile, perverted old man's façade…
"Misao, I told you it's not wise to go to the Tanabata by yourself."
"But!"
Okay, I know that listening on the sly to private conversations is very impolite and deceitful, but I can't help – this sounds really interesting, and after all I am a spy. What does he mean by 'by yourself' ? Wasn't Misao supposed to go to the Tanabata with that Mitsuhiro guy?
"I've already told you that Mitsuhiro-kun can't take me. He's not in town."
"I know, Misao-chan, I know! But you know that many of the boys going to the Tanabata are looking for any naïve girl in order to… well, you see what I mean…"
Were I wry, I would say that this sadly isn't the privilege of boys. For example, I know an old pervert who's also going to the Tanabata chasing after naïve girls. But Misao is replying already :
"I'm strong enough to care about myself, Jiya! And if you're thinking about escorting me to the Tanabata festival, and telling to everyone that I am your lovesick girlfriend like last year, you're mistaking, dirty old man!"
Funny how Misao and I can think alike sometimes.
"Awww Misao-chan how can you say that to meee? Don't deny it: you can't liiiiive without meee!!! Why do you persist so obstinately in hiding our love for each otheeeeeer?!!"
"JIYAAA!!!"
Pfeew. Disgusting. I guess that staying focused for at least five full minutes in order to lecture Misao finished off Okina's last surviving neurons. The dirty old man. Misao, however, paid him back tenfold as the pervert is already lying on the kitchen floor, tied up with Okon's apron while our youngest kunoichi is trying to make him swallow the ridiculous pink ribbon tying his beard.
"Seriously, Misao-cha--!!!"
"Shut up you lecher!!!"
"But – you can't go alone to the festival!"
"That I will!"
"No you won't!"
"Yes I will!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"I will take her to the Tanabata."
Was that I talking?!
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Misao's POVYukata, okay. Make-up, okay. Okon's lacquered hairpin, okay.
Self-confidence, never been so low.
No, no, Misao! Remember: you-are-some-irresistible-goddess-of-beauty-and-love. Checking my appearance in the mirror, I can't help but sigh. As though a mere yukata and a touch of eye-shadow could make Aoshi change his mind about me. Were it so simple, he would have fallen for me for ages!! Though I must say that the result is rather pleasant: the tight, fluid yukata is clinging to my body nicely, and the black and white bamboo-like pattern embroidered on its sleeves and hems makes my eyes stand out. For once, I managed to shut Okon out so she hasn't got a chance to plaster thick layers of make-up on my eyes and cheeks – I opted for simplicity.
Constantly mumbling my mantra – irresistible-goddess-of-beauty-and-love, irresistible-… - I'm nervously picking up a small bottle and opening the cork. A faint but noticeable scent of jasmine, white plums and autumn rain is spreading in my room; I love that scent, it reminds me of the days when I was wandering in the mountains looking for Aoshi-sama, full of hopes and dreams… Cutting my fond thoughts short, I'm applying a few drops of the fragrant liquid on my wrists and neck, and I'm looking my reflection in the mirror for the last time.
Perfect. Well, at least as perfect as Makimachi Misao can be.
Nervous as hell, but trying to look detached and confident, I'm stepping out of my private room to head for the main room, where Aoshi is waiting for me. Actually, I still can't believe that I am going to the Tanabata festival with Aoshi. When he came in the kitchen yesterday telling that he was taking me to the festival, I thought Okina had hit me really, really hard, or that I had suddenly woken up in another dimension where Aoshi-samas were talking and asking weasel-girls out. Okay, he looked perfectly unruffled and immediately pointed out that it was strictly for my own security and that he was coming as my bodyguard, but still! Wait, wait Misao. Try to think with your brain, for a change. You're becoming obsessive.
Catching my breath, I'm pushing the shoji open – and my breath is anyway taken away by the earthshaking sight in front of me.
Aoshi. Sama. In. The. Most. Beautiful. Black. Yukata. I. Have. Ever. Seen.
Oh nooo! It wouldn't do it to die of nosebleed the very day when I'm going out with Aoshi-sama!!! Okay, I could put forward as an excuse that Jiya perverted me with his non-stop nasty thoughts…
Anyway, Aoshi is pretending not noticing my bulging eyes – he can be kind sometimes, or maybe embarrassed, who knows what happens in his thick skull… Slowly, I'm walking near him, and he's throwing me a burning gaze – wait wait Misao, actually this is his usual icy stare, but you're extrapolating… Trying not to shake, I'm taking the arm he's offering me… It feels so good to be near him…
"Good bye everyone!", I'm shouting cheerfully at Okon, who isn't going to the Tanabata 'because Hiko-sama doesn't feel like going to such coarsenesses', and to Shiro, who isn't coming because Okon is staying at home. Ah, lovers…
I'm tripping over my own getas while trying to match Aoshi's quick steps. Trying to establish a semblance of communication between him and me, I'm babbling like a dotty, blushing idiot; and that dumbass who doesn't deign unclench those damn teeth of his! Pushed off from my lovely-starry dream world, I'm starting to feeling anger growing inside of me… This was meant to be a romantic, wonderful evening with Aoshi for myself alone, not a fight to death for a few insipid words! Is he decided to spoil my evening or what then?!
Some crackers are heard; and my patience is running short as we're nearly arrived to the celebration and Aoshi's remaining silent. Therefore my last resort is dropping two words which effect I'm pretty sure of.
"Two days."
Ah! At least Aoshi's gaze is focusing on mine. I can't decipher tough whether he understood what I meant or he is completely clueless and actually doesn't care.
"Two days remaining for the bet. I have only two days to choose my husband."
He's shrugging his shoulders carelessly. "I know", he's letting out with an even voice.
The jerk! The bloody bastard! How dare he look so unruffled and unconcerned when my own insides are twisting uneasily, when I must look so crestfallen by his reaction?! Hatred must be showing through my eyes, and could stares kill, Aoshi would already lie six feet under. Angry and hurt, I'm stepping aside of him. I don't care about what Mister Icicle is intending to do tonight, but as for myself I am going to have a lot of fun, enjoy my evening wholly and, possibly, get drunk.
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Aoshi's POVSet back from the noisy crowd, I'm keeping a sharp eye on the petite girl whirling from a stall to another. She seems to be enjoying herself immensely, which, I must say, I am not. Giggling and smiling, she's dancing with every guy passing near, flushed by sake. I told her that she shouldn't drink so much – but she seemed to be angry with me and retorted me to mind my own business. Women…
Does she think I'm comfortable with this situation?! What was I supposed to say sooner?! 'Oh yes, two days really?! Well, let's see, why don't we get married tomorrow?!' No really, it's ridiculous! And there I am, miserably sitting at the large table of a booth, drinking green tea and eating dango, waiting for my tipsy protégée to grow tired of dancing with strangers under the firecrackers. Wait, she just met one of her suitors, one of the several that she met during that stupid o-miai thing, curse Okina for it. The guy has a lecherous twinkle in his eye that doesn't please me at all. Brushing a long lock of silk-like hair away from her face, Misao is smiling at him, then she's shooting me a piercing stare. As if I cared…
My eyes are narrowing – the guy is wrapping his arm around her shoulders. Damnit, she could at least try to be decent in public places, couldn't she?! They're making such an exhibition… Is she that brainless, doesn't she see that this guy has one single idea in mind?!
Sighing, I'm turning to pay my tea and food to the waitress, a clumsy girl who keeps mistaking the coins; and I'm standing up to catch up with Misao and take her back home – like it or not. Wait a minute – where are they?! They are nowhere in sight, disappeared in a second… Kuso!!! Where did that bastard take my sweet Misao-chan?!
Furious against him and against myself, I'm starting to check the neighborhoods – nobody, nowhere! I am going to kill that bastard, before getting killed by Okina myself! For once, I must say that I'm close to panic. And then my sharp ears are catching a smothered comment bursting forth on my left.
"Really, nowadays, girls are acting like whores! Have you seen how that bitch enticed all the men around there?!"
"No wonder that that guy took her to that wood down the road… She won't complain if she's getting in trouble!"
In a curt move I'm turning about to eye icily at the slanderous gossips – had I enough time, I would rip their guts just to give them a taste of hell. But time is precisely what I am short of. Leaving them shaky because of my killer stare, I'm escaping the dense crowd and running towards the road… The gossips were talking about a wood… Quickly checking my surroundings, I'm catching sight of a dark copse – kuso, just Misao to get in such a jam!
Silent, I'm running to the wood – and as soon as I'm passing the first trees, smothered shouts are clashing in my ears.
"No, really, I don't wan—"
"Sure you do, Misao-chan… Stop playing the prudish girl…"
"Let me g—!"
My mouth is drying as I'm recognizing Misao's voice, slightly distorted by alcohol. Without a second thought, I'm leaping in the clearing, my instinct guiding me. Anger is directing my moves – in less than a second I'm knocking the guy out with a clean kempo strike hitting his neck with full force. Wait, not his neck. The blow meet smooth, fair skin and thin bones – what the hell?!
"OUCH!"
Misao is holding her own hand tight, massaging it to ease the pain.
"Aoshi?! What are you doing he…"
Speechless, I'm just staring at her. She – she and I have just hit the guy at the same moment, using the same move. Even drunk, my Misao can kick their ass to bastards trying to harm her. Of course – I should have known it. I'm not trusting her the way I should, she's not a little girl anymore, and I actually know that she can take her of herself. That just – it feels so good to be the one in charge of protecting her… I nearly managed to fool myself.
But she's blushing softly, head bent, waiting for me to lecture her. Or perhaps that's just because of the sake. She truly scared me, does she know that? Yet I'm feeling so relieved of her being unharmed that I can't even play the moralist. Patting her shoulder kindly, I'm motioning her to follow me, which she's doing sheepishly.
For minutes we have been walking down the road, and no word has been spoken between her and me. The road is deserted, only crossed by mild gusts of wind. She's trying to match my quick pace, not so easily due to the sake and her uncomfortable getas. Her head is kept turned to the ground as if she feared she might meet my eyes. I must admit that I'm not encouraging any attempt at talking as well. Yet suddenly , she's stopping abruptly.
"Aoshi, I'm not feeling well…"
Stopping at my turn, I'm facing her and placing my hands on her shoulders, lowering my head to her level to give her a comforting glance. She's flushed and her eyes are feverish.
"You're drunk Misao, you're having dizzy spells."
Amazing, how my voice sounds soft. Misao's shivering sligthly, her muscles tightening under my hands - but before I can register what is happening, a fierce glow flares up in her eyes and she's hurling herself at me with all her might.
All I can remember then is falling backwards, caught off-guard, and wrapping my arms fierily around her petite waist. My head is hitting the ground, hard, but I don't mind; I can think of anything else than her hips pressed to mine, and her full lips kissing me eagerly…
Kami-sama, curse me for this, but I can't resist her.
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End of Chapter 4…
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Author's notes : Yay it was fun to write, and maybe fun to read ^^ . I love writting in Misao's POV, because I am the one thinking that way, so it feels easy ^^ . As for me I think that she pretty is in character, because she really acts that way at least in the manga. I haven't seen the anime, but I think she cats a bit differently in the anime and in the manga.
Kissing scene! You might have some more details in next part, I just wanted to end this one right here ^^ . Not really a cliffhanger, just suspense ^^ .
Next chapter is the last one! End of this short and silly and psychically very soothing story ^^ !
Now all my thanks to the nice reviewers!!!
nekonomiko: Thanks a lot ^^ ! This actually was meant to be a funny story… It's good to make some fun of Aoshi and Misao from time to time ^^ ! In my mind, Aoshi isn't that much out of character : if you're only cosiderng what he does, he is acting rather like the Aoshi we know… the only rub is that in this fic you're reading what happens in his mind ^^o .
chris: Here is the next chap! Sorry for taking so long!
Noa: *gives a cute smiling Aoshi-plushie to Noa* This is for you ^^ ! I'm glad you like this, keep your wonderful stories up too!
SilverNimbus: Another tribute to your sanity ^^ ! *gives SilverNimbus a chibi Aoshi too* This is for you, to thanks you for making me official hero of Nimbus ^^ !!! I'm so prrroooouuuud ^^ ! *sniffles*
Moonphoenix:Thanks! Hopefully that part made you laugh too ^^
bee: Here is chapter 4 ! Okay, this is just your average funny/romantic story, but it's so damn fun to write ^^
Cat H: Did I torture Aoshi enough for your tastes? ^^ You're right, since he doesn't let show what he might think, let's have fun about the delirious (and perverted?) thoughts he could have ! Still some new developments in next (and last) part ^^ !
Sabbie: I think that your review was cut by silly FF.net. *kicks ff.net* Anyway, thank you!
pratz: Ah! Aoshi as a stalker ^^o … It would've been fun to have him irrupting between Mitsuhiro-kun and Misao too, but I wanted Aoshi to ask Misao out so… Mitsuhiro no more… ^^
Satsukei: Thanks a lot ^^ ! Well let's say that since it is an average romantic story, you might not be really thrilled… but it's still fun and refreshing ^^ . Here is chapter 4, and chapter 5 is coming… ^^
ICEANGEL: Aoshi's torture is nearly over. Nearly. Wait, I still have a chapter to write, I still wanna tease my Aoshi-chan! Sending you Aoshi with hello-kitty wrapper and pink ribbons?! LOL! But no, I'm keeping him for myself ^^ . *sticks out her tongue* And sorry for taking so long ^^o ! I was really, really busy, believe me ^^
eLoQueNCe: Well finally our lovebirds are going to the Festival together… but not the way they seemed, didn't they ^^o ? Hey hey hey… *laughs evily*
Hikaru: I'm glad you're loving this ^^ ! Keep your own stories up too, or I'm afraid I'll have to take my own fics hostages as long as you don't update! *evil laugh* …
Kitten Kisses: Update done! Sorry for taking so long, hopefully you liked this too!
Eternitys End : About the 'pawns' mistakes, I'm really sorryyyy U_U !! In my mother tongue, 'pawns' can be used for the small pieces and for the other figures as well, such as queen and king. I'll correct that! Mitsuhiro is cute, but Misao and him are just good friends. Actually, Misao told him about Aoshi, you should see that in next part if I don't mess up my plans ^^o … Thanks for the nice comments on CHOY, pfffiiiuuu this damn story is finished and I feel very relieved about it ^^ .
FlameSolo: Thanks!!!
starless: Update done ^^ !
Zackire: Let's hope this kept you in suspense ^^ ! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Sana: Wow, thanks a lot ^^ !!! I hope you love this part too ^^ ! Enjoy!
Well, all I can say still is 'Thanks you minna!' !! ^^
*stares fixedly* Click on the review button… You know you want to… *maniacal laugh* ^^o
