Authors Notes: *hehehehe* It probably is 'widow' and not 'widower'…arigatoo for pointing that out to me… I guess 'Shinomori Renovator's is pretty funny, but I mean I could just see Sano as a "sparky" (electrician) and that's pretty funny!
I think Ayame and Suzume-chan are so kawaii and that's why I use them so much…especially in my other fanfics. Aoshi and Misao meet in this chapter…first they speak over the phone…then somewhere else (got to read to find out) and then finally when his sly sister (although Misao doesn't know) takes her to his store.
Gomen nasai for taking ages in updating this fanfic. I actually…saved an old version onto the newest version and so it was replaced on my computer. So I had to retype again and I doubt if it will ever be the same again *Grrrrrrrrrr* Oh well no one saw it so I am safe after all. I'm trying to work on many fics at the moment so it does take a lot of time so I hope you wonderful readers/reviews can forgive me for that.
I'm trying to finish up my newest Inu-yasha fanfic at the moment as well as typing up the last chapter of 'Doctors and Oniwabanshuu Orders…' I'm still hanging in there…ripping my hair out with UTCT, but I have ideas way ahead at what's going to happen, but actually need to type it up…and hope it'll all make sense in the end. The same goes for my 'Hiker…' fic too. Too many fics, anybody want to write for me… *hehehe* Anywho that's enough of my blabbering for now so hopefully this is okay…
Ja Ne…
The Lonely Widow, Not so Lonely Anymore
"Shinomori Renovator's…" A deep voice spoke into the mobile phone. He wore a pair of very old and ripped jeans, a pair of steal cap boots and a black slightly tight shirt. A long sleeved checkered shirt was wrapped around his waist with a tool belt hidden underneath. His black hair fell in front of his eyes and was rather dusty from all the construction work being completed around him.
"Hello? Am I speaking to the owner?" Misao spoke hesitantly into the phone never having done anything like this before. When it came to plumbing or electrical work her husband had done this and not Misao.
"You're going to have to speak up! I can't hear you properly!" The man on the mobile spoke loudly trying to get over the racket of the hammering.
"Am I speaking to the owner?" Misao spoke louder.
"You are indeed." Misao sighed happily and spoke once more.
"I'm wanting to renovate my kitchen and bathroom. Could you tell me where your store is so I may come in and wander around? I've got an old business card with your Tokyo address and not a Kyoto one."
"It's in the Yuban Shopping Centre. Do you know where that is?"
"Yes, thank you very much. Goodbye." Misao hung up the phone in her nervousness and sat back in the chair. She had never heard such a deep voice before, well Saitou-niisan's was deep but the man she had spoken too seemed secretive and mysterious as well. Misao shook her head thinking how ridiculous that seemed, but the sound of his voice made her heart flutter and her cheeks turned slightly pink just thinking about it. She had not felt like that since Soujiro was alive. Misao shock it off thinking she was being silly and got up and began cleaning her house up.
* * * *
Misao was softly humming away, a couple of hours passing as she was placing the last of her washing on the clothesline. She sighed in relief her days work over and walked inside grabbing her sling bag and keys and left the house. During this time of day on Friday's Misao would head down the street, buy two lots of flowers and head towards the cemetery her parents and late husband were buried.
* * * *
"I'll take these one's." Misao spoke giving the stall man the right amount of money and began walking once more. She always got two huge bunches, her mother having loved all the colours of flowers while her late husband liked white and yellow. She would always walk past the park she took Ayame and Suzume-chan to if they were good. Misao smiled and waved at the small children she had looked after over the years and spoke softly to their mother's but kept moving on her way.
* * * *
Misao entered one of the smaller cemeteries in the city and began walking towards her parents. The year that Misao had come every Friday to speak to Soujiro she had not seen a single soul. No one came to respect their loved ones but Misao shook her head knowing they probably came on other days. Misao crouched down once she reached her parents gravestones and placed the flowers in the small flower holder between the stones. Misao crouched down, in front of the stones and closed her eyes in silent pray.
A minute passed by and Misao stood up once more going off to find Seta Soujiro's headstone. She made her way through the dozens of other headstones her head bowed knowing exactly where she was going without looking. To Misao's utter surprise a squeal escaped her lips as she bumped into someone else and fell backwards loosing her footing. Quicker then she could blink the tall man turned around grabbing her wrists stopping her from falling but Misao watched as her flowers dropped to the ground.
"I'm sorry!" Misao spoke embarrassed a light blush crossing her cheeks and watched the tall man with shiny jet-black hair crouch down and pick up her flowers. Misao's hand moved out wanting to run her fingers through his hair, but her eyes widened in realisation and she dropped it back down hoping she wasn't blushing to brightly.
"Its alright, I was the one not looking where I was going anyway." Misao blinked a couple of times staring up into semi hidden blue-green eyes. Misao's throat seemed to close up on her as she continued to stare at the rather handsome man in front of her.
"Here you go, they are very pretty flowers." The man spoke handing Misao her flowers. She took them, her fingers brushing lightly over his and they locked eyes again, Misao not being able to respond to what he said. Her heart hammered in her ears, his intense eyes staring endlessly into her blue ones. The man cleared his throat slightly and spoke in a soft voice.
"It must be my lucky day bumping into a lovely looking lady like yourself." The man watched Misao blush at what he said and he smiled down at her speaking once more.
"Well you made my day, but I must get to work." Misao moved out of his way and watched as he walked down the stone path heading towards the street. He seemed like some sort of builder as he wore torn jeans, a black top and a checkered shirt around his waist. Misao looked in the direction he came from noticing a bunch of flowers rested against a gravestone. Misao shook her head knowing she was intrigued, but dare not have a look. It was not her business and so she kept walking. As Misao placed the flowers against Soujiro's gravestone her thoughts turned to the man she accidentally bumped into. He was ruggedly handsome, wearing shabby clothes like that and his voice was soft but powerful. Misao wandered what he'd look like if he wore nicer clothes.
"Snap out of it Misao…" She spoke shaking her head of the image that was rolling through her mind. He was a complete stranger, sure a really handsome stranger, but still she didn't know him and couldn't…wasn't ready for any sort of relationship. Besides, what was the chance of her even running into him again. Misao knew Soujiro would want her to love again, but Misao was too scared, too afraid that if she fell in love again, he too would be taken away from her.
"Soujiro, I decided to renovate the kitchen and bathroom. Remember we talked about it all the time but never did anything? Well I decided I would, just for you…" Misao spoke softly to no one. She placed a brave smile on her lips; her eyes tearing up slightly but Misao blinked them away as she stared up into the cloudy sky wandering if Soujiro was looking down on her. If only Misao could hear his voice again, see his face, that sweet smile and feel his touch she would be content to move on. Just one last time and then she'd move on. Misao bowed her head, her tears spilling down her cheeks knowing that would never happen. Sure she felt his presence around her but he couldn't hug her, take her pain away so instead she cried in front of him, showing how lost she was without him. Misao had the love of her family and her friends but what she truly wanted was someone to love her, to hold her and to comfort her every need. Did she not deserve someone to love her with so much passion? Had she done something wrong? Misao snapped her eyes open, her hand moving to her stomach. That was it, Misao was convinced she was being punished for not keeping their child. She cried softly to herself once more but finally wiped her eyes trying to get her composure back.
Misao looked down at her watch, gasping in surprise knowing Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan would be around soon and she got up dusting her clothes off any dirt or leaves. Misao did feel better after she cried. Somehow it realised her burdens and cleansed her soul just that little bit, even though she desperately wanted to be held and comforted. Misao placed a kiss on the stone and raced out of the cemetery heading back home.
* * * *
Misao walked silently into the yard, closing the front gate soundlessly and saw two small girls bound up the three steps and knock loudly on the front door.
"Auntie Misao? Are you there? We've come to stay for the afternoon!" Said one of the small children. Misao smiled behind them, tapping their little shoulders listening to them shriek in surprise but they turned around full of excitement and wrapped their arms around her legs.
"Ayame-chan, Suzume-chan how has your morning been?" Misao spoke sweetly looking down at the girls, hoping they wouldn't notice her red eyes. She crouched down giving them a light hug and brushed her hands through their brown hair. Misao stood up once more, unlocking the door and watching the small girl's race into the house heading for the kitchen.
"It's better now! We're ready to make cookies today!" The little girls shouted happily from the kitchen waiting for Misao to enter as well. Misao closed her front door and moved into the kitchen bringing two chairs with her so Ayame and Suzume could stand up on them to reach the bench. Misao began getting the ingredients handing them to the girls listening to them copy what she said when she got the ingredients out.
* * * *
"You girls are a mess!" Misao spoke looking at them. The chocolate-chip cookies where made and cooling down on the bench under a cloth. Misao was staring at Suzume-chan and Ayame-chan as they were covered in flour and cookie dough was all over there lips and fingers as they happily licked the bowls and spoons. Misao picked them up placing them back on the ground and waved for them to follow her. A warm bubbled bath was already made up for the two girls, Misao knowing they would get dirty sometime. They pouted cutely up at Misao but she did not weaken and pointed towards the bath watching the now sulking girls undress and jump in washing themselves up.
"You girls wash properly and don't spill any bubbles or water over the floor and you'll be able to wear your dresses today." Misao spoke watching their faces light up in excitement. Misao had been making them a dress each but said they weren't allowed to wear them just yet. It was a huge surprise for the two sisters and Misao finally used it as a small bribe so they would wash properly and behave. A smile spread over Misao's lips as it was working perfectly.
"MISAO! Where are you?" Came Megumi's voice from the front door.
"The bathroom Meg!" Misao shouted back watching the little girls.
"Hi Megumi-san!" Ayame and Suzume shouted happily while waving at her. Megumi waved back and spoke to Misao.
"I was passing by and wanted to know if you wanted a lift to the Yuban Shopping Centre? I thought we could have a look at what this guy has in store. I'll help you pick something out okay? Do you girls want to go on an outing?" Megumi spoke excitedly to Ayame and Suzume.
"Do we still get to wear our dresses Auntie Misao?" Suzume-chan spoke up her brown eyes pouting cutely at Misao. Misao sighed giving in and nodded her head.
"YAY!" The little girls yelled getting out of the bath and Misao walked over wiping them dry and then wrapping them in the towels and taking there hands heading upstairs towards her bedroom. Misao was going through a draw getting out some clothes the little girls had here in case of emergencies. Misao watched as they placed on their underwear and white singlet's and waited impatiently for Misao to bring out their dresses. They were practically jumping up and down on the spot, unable to contain their excitement any longer. Misao opened her wardrobe glancing at her late husband's clothes still hanging up for a brief moment and then brought out two dresses. One was black with bright yellow sunflowers all over it. This was for Ayame-chan, as she loved yellow and sunflowers. Suzume-chan's was light blue, the colour of the sky with daisies all over it. Misao pulled out a black knitted sweater for Ayame-chan and a light blue one for Suzume-chan just in case it got colder. Suzume-chan wore small white sneakers and socks while Ayame-chan wore black sandals. Misao had been placing their shoes on when they stopped her and hugged her around the neck whispering softly into her ears.
"Thank you sooooooooo much Aunt Misao! We love you!" Ayame and Suzume spoke simultaneously.
"Why don't you show Megumi-san what you're wearing." They raced out of the room and downstairs. Misao sat on the edge of the bed her fingers brushing over a photo of Soujiro. Tears glistened in her eyes, his soft sweet voice running through her mind but she was unable to cry as shouting was heard from downstairs telling her to hurry up. Misao picked up her sling bag and keys and placed on her shoes leaving the room and heading downstairs and out the door towards Megumi's BMW.
* * * *
(Yuban Shopping Centre)
"How come you know exactly where you are going Megumi?" Misao spoke curiously while she walked slightly behind Megumi with two very excited girls looking at all the toy stores.
"Um, I'm a doctor…and doctor's know everything Misao." Megumi replied back. Misao narrowed her eyes slightly but bent down hearing the excited squeals of Ayame and Suzume-chan.
"Auntie Misao look at that!" Suzume-can cried excitedly. Misao turned her head to see a merry-go-round ride a few meters away.
"How about we go to the store I'm looking for first and then I take you on a ride and if you're really good I take you to the park."
"YAY!" Ayame and Suzume-chan yelled simultaneously. Their tiny hands clutched onto Misao's as they followed Megumi through the crowd heading for 'Shinomori Renovators'.
The bell dinged softly on the door as Megumi opened it up, Misao, Ayame and Suzume walking through. Ayame and Suzume-chan let go of Misao's hands having a look at all the pretty colours, which happened to be tiles and they raced off to look more closely and deciding on what colour was best.
"You girls behave and don't touch anything." Misao spoke a little louder and receive small "Hai's" from them.
"Can I help you ladies?" A sort man spoke from behind the counter. Misao and Megumi turned around to see a young teenage boy with spiky hair. Misao scanned his nametag and spoke.
"Um, yes Yahiko…I'd like to speak to the owner if it is possible."
"One moment." He went out the back and Misao turned around making sure Ayame and Suzume-chan was behaving. They were standing still, hands pointing at different tiles either saying 'pretty or ohhhhhhhhh that's nice'.
"Can I help you?" A soft but deep voice spoke behind Misao. The hairs on the back of Misao's neck stood up hearing that voice once more. She turned around to face a man wearing a grey pantsuit and a black button shirt underneath the jacket. Misao swallowed the lump in her throat as she stared silently over at him. Her assumption had been correct. He was good looking in torn and old clothes but right now, in clothes like that…he was drop dead gorgeous! Misao shook her head placing a small smile on her lips and was just about to say something when the man interrupted.
"It's got to be my lucky day…having spoken to you twice in one day already." A small smile crossed his lips now watching the young woman blush at what he said.
"Hello again… My friend recommended your business. I wish to renovate my kitchen and so I decided to come and have a look." Misao spoke softly.
"Friend?" Aoshi replied looking around the store not finding anyone. Misao searched he store only finding Ayame and Suzume-chan who took her hands wanting to ride on the merry-go-round now.
"Where did she go?" Misao spoke absently out loud.
"Shall I get my things and come have a look at your kitchen. We can go now or wait a few days if you wish." Aoshi spoke once more grabbing Misao's attention. She shook her head and replied back.
"No, now is fine." Misao watched him head for the back again and grabbing his things before mumbling something to Yahiko, who nodded his head and then walked towards the door opening it for Misao and the two small girls attached to her hands.
"Auntie Misao! What about the merry-go-round?" Ayame-chan whined as they were walking towards the main entrance to leave the shopping center. Aoshi stopped walking when Misao gasped in surprise watching her bend down and speaking softly to the two pouting girls.
"How about I take you to the park after this man has a look at my kitchen?" Aoshi placed a small smirk on his lips looking down at the putting girls. He didn't know how 'Misao' as they called her could stand seeing them pout like this at her. Obviously she was so used to it that it didn't bother her, where as it was having an effect on Aoshi. He bent down beside Misao, looking at the two girls and spoke to Misao.
"I don't mind. I have the afternoon off and if you want to take them for a ride on the merry-go-round its okay with me. I can wait for you." Misao stared at him, her blue eyes blinking widely but watched as Ayame and Suzume-chan raced off towards the merry-go-round and yelling…
"ARIGATOO GOZAIMASU!" Misao stood up, Aoshi following and he spoke once more heading in the direction the girls went.
"Come on…we can wait for them over there." Misao finally got her feet working and stood beside the tall man. Her eyes glanced up at him and she turned towards him as he spoke.
"My name's Aoshi." Misao smiled up at him, her bright sweet face being memorised by Aoshi' eyes as well as her nae when she replied back.
"Misao." Aoshi nodded his head in kind and they both went back to watching the giggling girls. After a long moment of silence Aoshi began a small conversation asking Misao a question.
"So Misao…are you married or seeing anyone?" Misao stared directly over at the merry-go-round not knowing what to say. Her eyes were wide in shock having been asked such a question. Misao began to fidget with the wedding band around her neck… What was she to do?
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *