Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni kenshin. I am just borrowing the
characters from Watsuki Nobuhiro and Sony, for the pleasure of creating my
own fan fiction.
Chapter 4: The letter
As Kaoru stepped aside, Misao began to move her legs though they feel like a ton. She does not know what the others will say. She willed her face to smile and then stopped at the doors.
The room was silent. One could feel tension in the air.
Kaoru was pleased. She could see that everyone was surprised at the transformation of Misao and she could see that everyone is literally tongue tied and open mouthed. Well except for Aoshi that is. He remained calm and composed unlike everyone. It took a while before anyone uttered a word until Kenshin broke the silence.
"Well Misao! You look very nice! I was so surprised!" Kenshin praised gleefully.
Then a barrage of praise and admiration came pouring in as everyone stood up and hugged Misao.
"Oh my pretty Misao!" Okina wailed. "She has all grown up and is a very beautiful lady. Time has passed so quickly"
"Oh don't be so childish Okina." Okon reprimanded. "Everyone goes to that cycle and I know you once too. So grow up!"
"Wow Misao I didn't recognize you at first. But really you look awesome." Yoshi piped in.
"Yoshi's right. Geez weasel for a time there I can't believe that it's you. You look like a real person that is a woman. Hehehe" Sano taunted.
For a moment, Misao was tempted to trash his head off. She already reached in her obi for a kunai but Sano's next remark stopped her.
"I wonder what's icicle's going to say."
Everyone stopped and became silent. Of all of them, Aoshi was the only one who was left sitting down around the table and was utterly silent. He was staring at them and was saying nothing. NO one knew on what to say. Everyone was waiting on who will crack the air first. They were staring at Aoshi as if waiting for his reaction. But as again, Kenshin broke the tension.
"What can you say Aoshi? Does Misao look great?"
Aoshi shifted his attention to MIsao. Misao could literally feel her sweat dripping down her back and was filled with dread on what Aoshi will say.
"You look pretty Misao. and I have a gift for you."
Everyone was holding their breath. They parted like a wave of sea when Aoshi approached Misao. They remained mute and wide-eyed on what Aoshi will do.
Misao meanwhile was also holding her breath. She does not know what Aoshi will give her. She is as perplexed as everyone is. And another thing, it's not like Aoshi is very giving these days.
Aoshi continued his approach and then withdraw a small box from his yukata.
"Here it is Misao. My birthday gift to you." Aoshi then extended the small box to her, letting her open it.
Misao accepted the box and, looked back and forth between the box and Aoshi. She could not believe it that Aoshi has bothered himself to buy her a gift.
Misao slowly opened the box and she was awed of the content. In it lies a lovely barrette with ocean blue stones that matched her eyes. She was so pleased that she can't help the tears forming in her eyes.
"Thank you Aoshi. Thank you"
Aoshi took the barrette out of the box and gently put it on her hair.
"You're welcome Misao. Again you look pretty tonight. Let's go to table and eat, na?"
Everyone sighed with relief and dispensing the tension they have felt since Aoshi stood up. Everyone was relieved, now that the spectacle was over and can start the life of the party which is eating.
Misao remained still frozen in her feet. She could swear that Aoshi smiled at her. Though it was not that a big smile but literally he smiled at her. She could see that his lips smirked to the side. Aoshi smiled tonight? She looked at the retreating form of Aoshi. He smiled.
"Hey weasel!" Sano yelled. "Would you rather stand up there the whole night or allow us to eat?"
MIsao looked at Sano. Leave it all to Sano to ruin a good mood.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The party was in full swing. Everyone was having fun either by eating and drinking sake or by taunting jokes at each other. Sano keeps on teasing Misao while Okina always fills them up with his stories. Shiro and Kuro are gearing themselves for a sake showdown while Yoshi is joking around Kaoru. Keshin acts as a referee while Okon and Omasu kept on sighing over the success of Misao. Of all the people around the table, Aoshi was the most silent. He just quietly sat in his position and drinks tea.
"Oy Aoshi!" Sano bellowed. "Why not you and I have a sake showdown. We can't let Shiro and Kuro have the fun, ne?"
Aoshi looked at Sano blankly. The rooster does not have brains at all. "I don't drink Sake Sano" he said flatly.
"Oh? Does that make you a better man? Oh well, it's your loss! Sake is the best drink in the world! Hahaha.Six-five!"
Aoshi stared at Sano. Sometimes all he has is those knuckles for a brain.
"Aoshi" Kenshin said quietly. He was sitting next to him now. He was tired of acting as a referee between Kaoru and Yoshi. "Did you enjoy the party?"
Aoshi looked at Kenshin. Sometimes, he is perplexed on how tranquil can Kenshin act considering he is the legendary Battousai. But looking at Kenshin's face now, he could see a peaceful man who will soon be married.
"I did Kenshin."
"Then why do I get the impression that you are sad deep inside."
Aoshi looked at Kenshin again. He hated to admit that he is right. But he is not the type who would show his feelings.
"I'm afraid you are mistaken Himura."
"Am I? Sometimes Aoshi it is not good to hide your feelings. It's good at times you show them. And besides I'm not the one who can't read you. I'm like you Aoshi; I can read you very well though we don't see each other often."
Silence. Aoshi was silent. He contemplated on what Kenshin said. At times he wanted to show Misao what he feels. But experience told him that showing his feelings could be very lethal. Lethal; in fact, he is constantly reminded of his failures.
"Himura, it is good you hide your feelings. So that no one can read you."
"But there will be a time when-----"
Kenshin stopped at his words. From afar he could hear a hiss of a sound clearly coming their way. Aoshi too was alerted from this sound. He knew what are they. he is familiar with them. He moved with lightning speed as he made his way to the other side of the room in the direction of Misao.
Misao was surprised when she felt someone grabbed her. When she saw it was Aoshi, she became alert. Aoshi would not act like this if nothing was wrong. But there is now.
Aoshi grabbed her and dragged her from her place to a couple of meters away just in time for Kenshin to turn over the table not minding if the food were thrown away. He then brought Misao behind the table along with the other occupants in the room trying to hide for cover.
The Oni members became alert and then moved as fast as they can. They kick the padded floor which sprang up to act as a shield. A few seconds later, a wave of shiruken flew across the room and hit the make-shift walls.
It was a minute later before they were assured that the barrage of shiruken was done. They lowered the walls and assessed the damage.
Just then the side doors opened and, Shiro and Kuro stepped in.
"Report" Aoshi said curtly.
"We did not get them Aoshi. They were quick and by the time we have located their position, they were gone. They were hiding from the tress beyond the garden."
Aoshi just nodded his head, which signaled that they were dismissed. Sometimes he can't help it by acting as the Okashira, even though that position is Misao's, since it was the life he led. At the mention of Misao, he immediately looked at the bundle he was hugging.
MIsao stared at him. He instantly let go of her. Misao composed herself and looked around. The damage is not that much except that one could see shiruken around especially on the table and the floor padding.
Everyone seems okay. Yoshi was with Sano while Kenshin held a trembling Kaoru. Okon and Omasu were with Okina.
Kenshin has stood up and assessed the damage. It's such a bad luck to have this incident happening on Misao's Birthday, Kenshin thought. Everyone was so happy and had a great time. Just then, kenshin's eyes focused on a white object at the center of the table pinned by a shiruken. He hadn't seen that before. He carefully extracted the paper; his eyes widened when he saw the markings and delivered it to Aoshi.
"Aoshi I think this is for you."
Aoshi accepted the white parchment from Kenshin. He opened the lid of the letter and what he saw stopped his breath.
At the center of the folded paper was a seal; A stamp that he has discreetly hoped that it would not appear ever again.
"Aoshi what is it?" Okina asked.
Aoshi turned his head to Okina. He looked at him straight in the eyes.
"It is the Shijutsu clan. They have come after all."
Author's notes:
Hi minna-san!! Please review and thanks for the continued reading. I would like to extend my thanks to all who have reviewed the last chapter. I am very happy that you like it ^-^!!
I have made up these incidents, and don't know if these occurred with the ONI history. The following chapters will recall history and it will be a trip down memory lane. Also I don't know if these names exist and I am sorry if I have used them without asking your permission.
Chapter 4: The letter
As Kaoru stepped aside, Misao began to move her legs though they feel like a ton. She does not know what the others will say. She willed her face to smile and then stopped at the doors.
The room was silent. One could feel tension in the air.
Kaoru was pleased. She could see that everyone was surprised at the transformation of Misao and she could see that everyone is literally tongue tied and open mouthed. Well except for Aoshi that is. He remained calm and composed unlike everyone. It took a while before anyone uttered a word until Kenshin broke the silence.
"Well Misao! You look very nice! I was so surprised!" Kenshin praised gleefully.
Then a barrage of praise and admiration came pouring in as everyone stood up and hugged Misao.
"Oh my pretty Misao!" Okina wailed. "She has all grown up and is a very beautiful lady. Time has passed so quickly"
"Oh don't be so childish Okina." Okon reprimanded. "Everyone goes to that cycle and I know you once too. So grow up!"
"Wow Misao I didn't recognize you at first. But really you look awesome." Yoshi piped in.
"Yoshi's right. Geez weasel for a time there I can't believe that it's you. You look like a real person that is a woman. Hehehe" Sano taunted.
For a moment, Misao was tempted to trash his head off. She already reached in her obi for a kunai but Sano's next remark stopped her.
"I wonder what's icicle's going to say."
Everyone stopped and became silent. Of all of them, Aoshi was the only one who was left sitting down around the table and was utterly silent. He was staring at them and was saying nothing. NO one knew on what to say. Everyone was waiting on who will crack the air first. They were staring at Aoshi as if waiting for his reaction. But as again, Kenshin broke the tension.
"What can you say Aoshi? Does Misao look great?"
Aoshi shifted his attention to MIsao. Misao could literally feel her sweat dripping down her back and was filled with dread on what Aoshi will say.
"You look pretty Misao. and I have a gift for you."
Everyone was holding their breath. They parted like a wave of sea when Aoshi approached Misao. They remained mute and wide-eyed on what Aoshi will do.
Misao meanwhile was also holding her breath. She does not know what Aoshi will give her. She is as perplexed as everyone is. And another thing, it's not like Aoshi is very giving these days.
Aoshi continued his approach and then withdraw a small box from his yukata.
"Here it is Misao. My birthday gift to you." Aoshi then extended the small box to her, letting her open it.
Misao accepted the box and, looked back and forth between the box and Aoshi. She could not believe it that Aoshi has bothered himself to buy her a gift.
Misao slowly opened the box and she was awed of the content. In it lies a lovely barrette with ocean blue stones that matched her eyes. She was so pleased that she can't help the tears forming in her eyes.
"Thank you Aoshi. Thank you"
Aoshi took the barrette out of the box and gently put it on her hair.
"You're welcome Misao. Again you look pretty tonight. Let's go to table and eat, na?"
Everyone sighed with relief and dispensing the tension they have felt since Aoshi stood up. Everyone was relieved, now that the spectacle was over and can start the life of the party which is eating.
Misao remained still frozen in her feet. She could swear that Aoshi smiled at her. Though it was not that a big smile but literally he smiled at her. She could see that his lips smirked to the side. Aoshi smiled tonight? She looked at the retreating form of Aoshi. He smiled.
"Hey weasel!" Sano yelled. "Would you rather stand up there the whole night or allow us to eat?"
MIsao looked at Sano. Leave it all to Sano to ruin a good mood.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The party was in full swing. Everyone was having fun either by eating and drinking sake or by taunting jokes at each other. Sano keeps on teasing Misao while Okina always fills them up with his stories. Shiro and Kuro are gearing themselves for a sake showdown while Yoshi is joking around Kaoru. Keshin acts as a referee while Okon and Omasu kept on sighing over the success of Misao. Of all the people around the table, Aoshi was the most silent. He just quietly sat in his position and drinks tea.
"Oy Aoshi!" Sano bellowed. "Why not you and I have a sake showdown. We can't let Shiro and Kuro have the fun, ne?"
Aoshi looked at Sano blankly. The rooster does not have brains at all. "I don't drink Sake Sano" he said flatly.
"Oh? Does that make you a better man? Oh well, it's your loss! Sake is the best drink in the world! Hahaha.Six-five!"
Aoshi stared at Sano. Sometimes all he has is those knuckles for a brain.
"Aoshi" Kenshin said quietly. He was sitting next to him now. He was tired of acting as a referee between Kaoru and Yoshi. "Did you enjoy the party?"
Aoshi looked at Kenshin. Sometimes, he is perplexed on how tranquil can Kenshin act considering he is the legendary Battousai. But looking at Kenshin's face now, he could see a peaceful man who will soon be married.
"I did Kenshin."
"Then why do I get the impression that you are sad deep inside."
Aoshi looked at Kenshin again. He hated to admit that he is right. But he is not the type who would show his feelings.
"I'm afraid you are mistaken Himura."
"Am I? Sometimes Aoshi it is not good to hide your feelings. It's good at times you show them. And besides I'm not the one who can't read you. I'm like you Aoshi; I can read you very well though we don't see each other often."
Silence. Aoshi was silent. He contemplated on what Kenshin said. At times he wanted to show Misao what he feels. But experience told him that showing his feelings could be very lethal. Lethal; in fact, he is constantly reminded of his failures.
"Himura, it is good you hide your feelings. So that no one can read you."
"But there will be a time when-----"
Kenshin stopped at his words. From afar he could hear a hiss of a sound clearly coming their way. Aoshi too was alerted from this sound. He knew what are they. he is familiar with them. He moved with lightning speed as he made his way to the other side of the room in the direction of Misao.
Misao was surprised when she felt someone grabbed her. When she saw it was Aoshi, she became alert. Aoshi would not act like this if nothing was wrong. But there is now.
Aoshi grabbed her and dragged her from her place to a couple of meters away just in time for Kenshin to turn over the table not minding if the food were thrown away. He then brought Misao behind the table along with the other occupants in the room trying to hide for cover.
The Oni members became alert and then moved as fast as they can. They kick the padded floor which sprang up to act as a shield. A few seconds later, a wave of shiruken flew across the room and hit the make-shift walls.
It was a minute later before they were assured that the barrage of shiruken was done. They lowered the walls and assessed the damage.
Just then the side doors opened and, Shiro and Kuro stepped in.
"Report" Aoshi said curtly.
"We did not get them Aoshi. They were quick and by the time we have located their position, they were gone. They were hiding from the tress beyond the garden."
Aoshi just nodded his head, which signaled that they were dismissed. Sometimes he can't help it by acting as the Okashira, even though that position is Misao's, since it was the life he led. At the mention of Misao, he immediately looked at the bundle he was hugging.
MIsao stared at him. He instantly let go of her. Misao composed herself and looked around. The damage is not that much except that one could see shiruken around especially on the table and the floor padding.
Everyone seems okay. Yoshi was with Sano while Kenshin held a trembling Kaoru. Okon and Omasu were with Okina.
Kenshin has stood up and assessed the damage. It's such a bad luck to have this incident happening on Misao's Birthday, Kenshin thought. Everyone was so happy and had a great time. Just then, kenshin's eyes focused on a white object at the center of the table pinned by a shiruken. He hadn't seen that before. He carefully extracted the paper; his eyes widened when he saw the markings and delivered it to Aoshi.
"Aoshi I think this is for you."
Aoshi accepted the white parchment from Kenshin. He opened the lid of the letter and what he saw stopped his breath.
At the center of the folded paper was a seal; A stamp that he has discreetly hoped that it would not appear ever again.
"Aoshi what is it?" Okina asked.
Aoshi turned his head to Okina. He looked at him straight in the eyes.
"It is the Shijutsu clan. They have come after all."
Author's notes:
Hi minna-san!! Please review and thanks for the continued reading. I would like to extend my thanks to all who have reviewed the last chapter. I am very happy that you like it ^-^!!
I have made up these incidents, and don't know if these occurred with the ONI history. The following chapters will recall history and it will be a trip down memory lane. Also I don't know if these names exist and I am sorry if I have used them without asking your permission.