Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin so chill. ^-^x
Icy Heaven – Chapter Five – By Cherry Chibi
Simmering anger seethed through every fibre of his body. How could he be so reckless to let himself get into the state that he had? If he had kept up his guard, maybe the damned man could've gone to hell. No, it shouldn't matter now. That bastard was going to die.
"Aoshi-sama!" Misao came running. Her uneven and unsteady steps slowed. "What's wrong?" She caught up with him and made an effort to keep walking steady.
"This is not the time." Aoshi flicked his coat back, exposing the hilt of his kodachi. Misao got the message and dropped her jaw to say something but decided against it before the words rolled out of her mouth. Aoshi had a feeling that Misao was going to come with him anyway so he kept quiet while Misao tensed and relaxed her muscles beside him.
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Blood drooled from the entirely bruised body. Cuts had been made quick and neat; none caused a mess of blood. Shinji Udou glared at Aoshi with the same strength as always. "Are you going to answer?" Aoshi questioned coldly. Misao's face looked emotionless but pale. He was surprised that Misao had managed to keep a straight face throughout the whole ordeal.
Misao had been standing so stiff that her muscles were sore. Some were threatening to tear a ligament or even go into spasms. 'He must've really been mad… he tortured the guy for ages… I don't get it… why would Aoshi-sama take that long?' It was already late in the evening.
'Throughout all of this time… I haven't been able to get Aoshi's real smile yet either. It's taking really long, I hope that it won't take years… or worse, never. But if I can't find the smile… why should I be…' She hesitated. Should she ask the question? Yes? No? Maybe? Why not?
"Iie." A smile slowly stretched across his lips. "I won't answer to someone like you. More so, never to someone who doesn't take care of his woman." Aoshi's eyes narrowed. Who had ever said that he had a lover or the sort? It was getting really irritating.
'What does Shinji mean by that?!' Misao though outrageously. 'Aoshi always takes care of the Oniwabanshuu… unless he…' It couldn't be true. Could Aoshi already have someone in his life? Someone who isn't in the Oniwabanshuu? Had another woman taken Aoshi's smile from her? Lost in thought, she had forgotten to keep alert of her surroundings.
"Got you!" A kunai flew through the air and pierced straight through Misao's chest. Eyes wide, Misao felt the blood form a river on the air behind the kunai that had passed through her chest so easily.
"A… a…" Misao staggered. Her hand covered her wound. Only one other person knew her technique. 'But it can't be her! No! No way!' Numbness. Coldness. She held herself against the nearby tree.
"Tora. Show yourself." Aoshi said. Misao had been wounded and he was not going to be able to reach Misao unless he had figured where her older sister is. Tora was a woman who had ran away from the Oniwabanshuu after an attack of one of their enemies and has never been since or heard from until now.
Tora, a woman who wore an outfit that resembled a feline pounced from the trees and landed on the ground beside Misao. A smirk on her face. "Aoshi, my, you're going to let my little sister die?"
"To-ra…" Misao stepped towards her sister. Her body felt like it had been disabled by her sister's strike. Beads of sweat formed and covered her flesh. It was beginning to feel cold. Trembles and shivers flowed up her legs and arms.
"Shut up Misao." Tora growled. "Aoshi, let's make a quick exchange. For Misao, return my Shinji." Her tone was dead serious and a frown on her face. "If you don't decide soon, then Misao is going to die." Her icy blue eyes meeting Aoshi's. A quick moment passed with silence before Tora growled and threw another kunai that opened up a wound on Misao's leg.
Too weak to scream, Misao flinched and dropped onto the ground. She turned her gaze to Aoshi unsure of what he was thinking. 'There is no place for me in his heart ne?' Bit by bit, little by little, Misao felt her hopes turn to stone that is sinking into a sea of emotion. 'What is Tora doing? She doesn't seem to care anymore, but,' Misao felt a hint of warmth from Tora's ki but not for Aoshi, not for Misao but for Shinji.
"Hurry up!" Tora shouted. Her patience was growing thin. She knew that if the change didn't occur soon, Shinji and Misao would both die from blood loss and therefore, she would have to fight Aoshi for revenge.
Aoshi stared icily at the feline woman before stepping. 'The bastard is going to be free again.' Not wanting let the bruised man behind him go, Aoshi didn't say anything. 'But Misao, she's my responsibility and Okina...' Aoshi stepped aside and Tora quickly rushed to Shinji. Aoshi strode to Misao who was paling with numbness. 'I'm sorry Misao.'
'Even though Shinji hates the Oniwabanshuu and Tora had once been one of us, they're together.' Misao thought, 'At least Aoshi had given them a second chance but why would he take so long?' She felt her body lighten onto the air and next, she felt the trecherous wind rush against her as Aoshi sprinted at top speed to get her to a nearby refuge of recovery. 'I'm sleepy...'
The pain in her body faded away and the coldness grew icy. Eyelids were feeling droppy. Muscles too tired to tense, to move. Sweat shining over her skin. 'Is it too late to get a doctor?' This was how it was going to end. Misao felt doubt roam her mind. 'Aoshi doesn't need anyone, Omasu and the others were right... I had wasted my time.'
"Misao, don't sleep." Aoshi said, "Don't sleep."
"But... enough..." Her eyes slid shut and Aoshi stopped by his hiding area that had the appearance of a small temple.
"I said don't sleep!"
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AN: I've finally updated! Thanks everyone! Sorry that I left you all with a shot chapter and a cliffy, I'm so evil. ^-^ Poor Misao... she's always getting hurt.
Tokyo Teen 13: How could Aoshi-sama have the strength to walk? Well, he was drugged, yes, but Misao-chan nursed him and helped rest his body. Of course, she was forced to stop during the process and then Okina and the others helped him. He had quite a long time to rest so he had enough strength to move (gotta also consider that he isn't any normal person...) Well, thanks!! ^o^
Sonia: Thanks! ^-^ I hope that I didn't keep you waiting too long...
Charmed18: Hope this chapter answered your queries! Thanks for your review! ^-^
Nee-chan: Lol. So true! A hyperactive Aoshi would be like the coming of the end of the world! ^o^
Nibi-chan: Thanks for reviewing!
Until next time, (hopefully soon...)
Cherry Chibi.