The Lonely Widow, Not so Lonely Anymore…
(10:05am, the next morning)
Aoshi was standing at Misao's closed front door having been there for about five minutes already. Ever since the night before, he'd been completely angry at placing Misao in such a difficult position. He'd not intended to do anything but his control of steering clear of the beautiful young woman had flown out the window. She ate at his boundary walls like no one else. He wasn't…well he was talkative, but never one to speak what he felt inside…not since he met her at his store. The sheer beauty of her was enough to make him blush and that was just ludicrous for someone like him! Aoshi shook his head of such thoughts and knocked once on the door and took a few deep breaths waiting for Misao to answer.
"You must be Aoshi Shinomori?" Aoshi was staring at an elder man, their heights exactly the same, but he just a bit more skinny. He had strange and slightly narrowed golden eyes staring into his green-grey ones.
"Ah…Hai…" Aoshi spoke trying to get his voice back. He began to sweat on the inside. Was this Misao's boyfriend? Had she said anything about that kiss? Aoshi silently watched as he stepped away from the doorway and gestured for him to enter.
"My sister will be down in a moment." He had replied behind Aoshi as he closed the door and followed him into her lounge room. Aoshi stood near the couch and turned to face the older man, Aoshi's eyes widened slightly once he noticed the man pick up his belongings from the coffee table…a police badge being amongst them.
"You can sit down Shinomori." Aoshi jerked his head slightly staring over at the emotionless man before him. Damn…and Aoshi thought he was one to make people stare silently at him as though trying to pry any piece of hidden information that he'd not show or tell anyone through his expressionless face. But this guy…this guy would win the prize of being the most expressionless and emotionless man in all of Japan if there were ever such a prize. Aoshi couldn't even find a flicker of emotion throughout his entire body, let alone those eyes of his.
"No thank you, I've been sitting down all morning." Aoshi had heard himself reply, his voice not conveying any of the interest he felt within him at wanting to ask this man what his name was. He wouldn't have thought, not in a million years that this guy and Misao would be brother and sister. He was so completely different then her, but then to actually try and picture this man with such a bubbly high spirit like Misao's made Aoshi want to laugh out loud.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting." Aoshi turned his head to face the entranceway heading towards the kitchen, his eyes catching a pair of bare small feet with painted blight blue toenails. Aoshi couldn't help but travel his eyes quickly up her petite but nicely curved form noting the pale yellow dress and the light blue knitted sweater she wore really suited her, but made her look younger then what she actually was. Actually Aoshi estimated she looked about 16, but knew that was not her age. Funny though, he hadn't even asked her how old she was in the first place.
"Oh forgive my rudeness. This is Saitou, my older brother." Misao spoke stepping into the room and walking over to stand next to her brother. And to think they were so different in heights as well! Aoshi could just picture their parents. The father tall like Saitou and the mother short like Misao.
"Its nice to meet you." Aoshi spoke not moving from where he stood. He wasn't too sure of the best way to greet this man and just opted for verbal.
"I must be going Misao-chan, see you later on." Saitou spoke turning away and heading down the passageway. Aoshi watched Misao race after him, her voice carrying back into the lounge room as she scowled her older brother for being rude. Aoshi had tuned out as he faced the far lounge room wall and walked over towards it. He rested his right hand against the texture and drew it across, his eyes closing for a moment, a memory running through his mind.
That is how Misao found him once she came back into the room. Misao stared openly at Aoshi, both his hands flat against the cool wall, his forehead now leaning against it as well. She could see his left eye in between the gaps of his long bangs, but it was closed, his thin lips turning into a small frown as though some sad memory rushed through his mind.
"Aoshi?" Misao asked moving further into the room, but watched him back away from the wall trying to cover up whatever he was thinking by mumbling something about work and he headed into the kitchen not sparing a glance in Misao's direction. Misao followed him and noticed he had already begun to open up the top cupboards and inspecting them in a true professional manner as though he were the only one there. The draws came out easily, Aoshi placing them on the counter for now.
"If you have anything to do Misao, you can trust me in your home. I shall not take anything." Aoshi spoke trying to place a little humour into his speech but it fell flat.
"Aoshi is something wrong?" Misao jerked slightly, her eyes growing wide as she watched him kick one of the cupboard doors, it becoming stubborn and not coming off as he thought it would.
"Aoshi stop!" Misao spoke in a worried tone of voice and observed as he faced her for a moment but turned back towards the offending door and spoke while kicking another one off and watching it skid along the kitchen floor.
"You don't need them anymore and no one will purchase these second hand either. Times have changed and these aren't what people are looking for in colour or style." Misao did not reply to him, but instead followed him with her blue eyes as Aoshi moved around the room as he got out some tools and a large hammer and began smashing the bench top down.
"IF YOUR EMBARRASSED ABOUT THE KISS DON'T BE!" Misao spoke louder trying to get atop the noise and watched as Aoshi stopped, bits of wood sticking in his jet-black hair as pieces had been flying everywhere.
"Did you say something?" Aoshi watched Misao's cheeks turn a little dark and watched as she shook her head negatively and walked out of the kitchen going off to do something else. Aoshi brought out his mobile and searched through the numbers before dialling and placed it to his ear hoping he would pick up. Aoshi finally heard a sleepy voice from the other end and spoke.
"Hey it's me. You remember when you offered to help me if I needed it? Well I guess you could say, I'm in need of help."
* * * *
Misao had been busing herself with cleaning upstairs thinking Aoshi probably needed the space to get on with his work. She had turned to look at the time and noticed he'd been here for nearly two hours and she hadn't even offered him a drink or anything to eat. She felt ashamed of herself and placed down the cloth she was using to dust her furniture with and headed downstairs once again.
Misao was about to voice that she was in the entranceway to the kitchen but stared at Aoshi's back and another man whom was sitting beside him on the preparation bench in the kitchen. Her cheeks flushed bright pink as she stared at two broad and finely muscled bare backs glistening with sweat. Misao rushed out of the entranceway and hid around the corner, the image of two semi-naked men in her home flashed through her mind.
Misao shook her head, trying to get a grip but turned her head around to have another quick look at the both of them. Misao remembered Aoshi introducing her to the spiky brown haired man sitting next to him…his name was Sano. Misao quickly moved away from the archway into the kitchen when she noticed Aoshi turn slightly as though sensing she was nearby or that someone had been watching. After a short period of silence Sano ended up asking Aoshi a question…
"Aoshi, is somethin' wrong man? You don't seem…I don't know, your usual self I guess?" Sano's voice was deep like Aoshi's, but she could hear the concern in it.
"This place has changed so much over the years." Misao heard Aoshi reply…his voice soft, but audible to her and Sano…only just though.
"What do ya mean?" Sano questioned and Aoshi continued, not realising Misao was listening in as well.
"I remember running around this very kitchen when I was younger. I used to live in Kyoto a long time ago, but my family moved away and I ended up loosing contact with my friends. I remember sitting on this counter watching my best friend's grandmother bake us biscuits. She'd do it whenever we asked her too, which happened to be everyday. We'd run off and race around in the backyard only tiring and resting when she said it was time to eat the biscuits. We had so much fun and I hated it when we moved away. We wrote to each other every week, but as the years went on, things changed and contact was lost between each other. I remember when we got caught drawing on the far wall in the lounge room, boy that was not a good day at all."
"So you mean to tell me, Misao's place was like a childhood home to you? Damn that's pretty freaky…" Sano reasoned and Aoshi let out a small grunt akin to a 'yes'.
"If I'm acting different Sano, its because I've just found out that my childhood best friend is dead." Misao placed her hand over her mouth holding in her gasp. It couldn't be could it? Soujiro couldn't be Aoshi's long lost best friend could he? Misao closed her eyes and began praying to the gods that none of it was true, but tears slipped down her cheeks when Aoshi spoke the words she never wanted to hear.
"I rang his grandmother last night and she told me where he was buried and that he'd died in a car accident. She said that he was heading back home, back here, to be with his wife for their anniversary but this other car had a reckless driver behind the wheel and both were killed in the collision. I can't believe he was married…Sou-kun…my best friend had a wife! That's just too strange for him." Misao didn't want to hear anymore and raced back upstairs to her room, tears falling silently down her pale cheeks. She threw herself onto her queen-sized bed and cried into the silk cushions, her tears dampening the purple material.
* * * *
Misao jolted awake hearing loud banging coming from downstairs and looked at the digital clock on the bedside draws and read the time: 5:00pm. Misao got off the bed and headed for the ensuite in her bedroom and washed her face since she thought she looked like a wreck.
* * * *
Misao descended the stairs, straightening her hair and clothes and entered the kitchen looking at the scene in front of her. Sano was lying down on the preparation counter in the middle of the kitchen and what looked like some sort of magazine with a nude woman on the front was draped over his entire face. Misao concluded that he must be asleep. Her eyes travelled over to Aoshi who was standing on a three-step ladder and banging the large hammer over the bottom of the cupboard trying to get it to break off. Misao parted her lips ready to speak but the supposed sleeping man spoke up instead.
"So Aoshi, when do I get to meet this mysterious beauty known as the owner f this house?" Misao blinked at the resting man, her eyebrow rising at Sano's assumption of her.
"Don't get any ideas Sano." Misao's eyes widened in shock at hearing the deadly serious tone in Aoshi's voice at telling Sano to back off.
"What? You mean to tell me you and her ar-"
"NO!" Misao practically jumped when Aoshi slammed the hammer down hard and watched some of the cupboard fall to the ground with a crash. Was Aoshi…mad? Misao listened to Aoshi rave on, his downward hammering getting louder and louder just like his voice was as he offered his personal opinion about Misao's so called 'partner'.
"She's involved with some bastard who doesn't appreciate true beauty when it's staring him right in the fucking face! The prick doesn't even appreciate her at all!" Misao eyes widened in shock at Aoshi's loud confession…even though it was in slight anger and annoyance.
The last sections of the top cupboards fell to the floor with a loud crash and created a dust cloud forming around Aoshi. His dark trousers already had a thin coat of dust covering them and so did his black top which lay tucked in his back pocket. Little did Aoshi know her so-called partner was his best friend.
"Still, no one can resist the charm of a Sagara." Misao couldn't help but giggle at Sano's blunt and egotistical statement. Misao knew there was a serious side that lay within Sano, but he obviously liked to muck around and pretend he was god's gift to all women. She had to admit he was good looking, but something about Aoshi, drew her to him even when her mind told her desperately not to fall for anyone ever again.
The kitchen fell silent; not a sound echoed through the room as Sano took the magazine away from his face and sat up staring over at Misao.
"Umm Hi…" Sano replied weakly and Misao did nothing but wave silently at him as her eyes travelled over to a 'statue' Aoshi who had lowered the hammer, but dared not turn around to face her.
Aoshi could feel his own face heating up in embarrassment. Why the hell had he let emotions block his senses like that? He truly felt like a complete fool right now. He knew she had heard everything he said. What would happen now?
"Its nice to see you again Sano." Misao spoke her smile only widening as his hand moved up to scratch the back of his neck, just like Aoshi did when he was embarrassed or nervous…or even both!
"You two must be quite hungry, I'll order us some takeaway." Misao spoke and left the kitchen heading for the phone in the lounge room. She couldn't help but giggle as Sano began laughing loudly. Misao would have to apologise to Aoshi for not making her presence known to him as she heard his small 'shut up Sagara' reach her ears. Yep, he was definitely embarrassed. Misao picked up her phone and dialled a number.
"Megumi its Misao, your not busy are you?"
"No…why?" Megumi replied on the other end as she was just backing up her files on her laptop and then shut it down for the evening.
"Well…I was wondering if you'd pick up some takeaway for us, but get some extra dishes as well?"
"I suppose I can do that. From the usual place Misao-chan?" Megumi questioned not even thinking to ask what the extra food was for…or WHOM the extra food was for.
"Yes, see you soon." Misao hung up the phone and entered the kitchen watching Sano and Aoshi carry some of the old kitchen cupboards outside and placed them in the alleyway behind her home ready to be picked up by the garbage men during the week.
Misao couldn't help but smile at Aoshi has he couldn't look her in the eye at the moment. She'd have to change that though…
* * * *
A small amount of time had passed Misao looking down at her watch noticing it was twenty minutes and knew Megumi would be here soon. As though she read her thoughts Misao heard a car pull up in her driveway and opened the door watching Megumi get out and holding two shopping bags, one containing takeaway food, while the other had a bottle of wine and a six pack of beer in it.
"Come on in, you won't believe what's in my kitchen." Misao spoke dragging Megumi in and pushing her towards the kitchen.
"Misao what do you mean? Is someone else here?" Megumi spoke her voice faltering slightly at the thought of Aoshi being here as well. She had finally decided that it was best to tell Misao the truth that she and Aoshi were related but hadn't done so yet. Megumi stepped into the kitchen, her heart pounding in her chest as she stared at a tan muscled chest, her dark eyes lifting up to stare into chocolate brown ones.
"YOU!" Both Megumi and Sano had spoken simultaneously. Misao stared between the two of them and opened her mouth to question Megumi but watched Aoshi walk back in, his green-grey eyes moving over to the newest member in the household.
"Oh hey Meg, finally decided to take a night off work did you?"
"O-Ototo-chan…' Megumi uttered in slight surprise.
"This is your sister?" Sano bellowed over at Aoshi whom was picking up some more scrap material of Misao's old kitchen.
"Yeah…so what?" Aoshi replied not knowing what was going on. He turned to stare over at Misao, her eyes wide with shock and then narrowing in anger as she turned them to look accusingly at Megumi.
"You should try this guy, he's really good. He's very popular and liked all over Tokyo. He only just moved here about six months ago and I hear they don't charge the earth either you had said. I can't believe you'd lie to me Megumi. That time at that restaurant as well. You left me there because you saw Aoshi walk in didn't you? And then there was the time in the store as well. I can't believe you'd do that to me…you my own doctor…my own friend Megumi!" Megumi watched, along with Sano and Aoshi as Misao raced out of the kitchen quite upset.
"Good one Ototo-chan!" Megumi snarled at Aoshi and raced after Misao wanting to explain a few things. Aoshi's face held complete confusion and he watched as Sano turned towards him grabbing the cupboard doors from his hands, speaking once and leaving to go and dump them outside.
"I can't believe you never told me that SHE…that sly fox was your sister! Truly unbelievable of you to not tell me…I thought we were pals…"
"Wait a minute… WHAT THE HELL DID I DO? WHY IS EVERYONE ANGRY AT ME FOR?" Aoshi spoke loudly, but no one was there to listen to him. Aoshi moved across the kitchen and grabbed the bag of takeaway food and decided to help himself to it. If no one was going to speak to him, then he'd just have to sit on the preparation table, eat the food and wait for some explanations.
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *
Author's Notes: Minna-san, finally another chapter of a story has been done. So Misao knows along with all of you that Soujiro is Aoshi best friend. What will she do? What will Aoshi do? Does he ever find out about Soujiro and Misao? You'll just have to stay tuned! That felt like a television commercial ne?
Anywho, I know Saitou wasn't in it much, but mark my words:
He'll be back!
Well, I haven't gotten very far in Chapter 32 of UTCT…actually I got stuck…am stuck at the moment…total writers block on that saga. I have to try and make three months pass, but need to express the relationship between Soujiro and Misao is strengthening, the pregnancies as well and the infatuation a character has with Aoshi as well as Misao's will to stay true to Aoshi is slipping away…
When I read through it and try to place in details of everyone in Tokyo and then the characters in Hong Kong its getting hard, but…to be honest this story is nearly finishing…can anyone actually believe that? I can't but when I look at it, I can't write forever on this story and my huge dramatic climax is coming after this chapter or two and after that its 'downhill' heading towards the end…a happy one…well I'm not too sure really…
Ja ne for now minna-san…