Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin so chill. BTW, I'm not sure but the characters may be OOC… I'm not really sure if I've captured their personalities. -x
Icy Heaven – Chapter Nine – By Cherry Chibi
"Why don't you just forget about Misao hm? It'll do you good." With that, Tora stood up and careless dropped the jade bird pendant onto the floor. The pendant skid across the wooden floor and halted beside him. Tora walked slowly towards the door, "It's pitiful that you chose her over me. Not that I care anymore. Lord Shinji is in a coma… and for that…" She sneered at him, "I'll make sure that you'll suffer for however long Lord Shinji sleeps… Misao's soul better pray that Lord Shinji would wake up very, very soon. I'm sure that she wouldn't like having the Tsunami mutate her body piece by piece." With that she stepped out of the room and slammed the shouji door shut.
Darkness shaded over Aoshi's face once more. He glanced down at the pendant with pained eyes. 'Misao…'
- - - -
She could hear the birds chirping and she felt the warmth covering her. 'Where am I?' Misao opened her eyes and quickly shut them again after the light exploded into her eyes. Slowly, taking a few moments, she reopened them. Her pupils adjusting to the intensity of light in the room. 'Aoshi…?' She sat upright and pushed the blanket back.
The room was simple; floorboards, an open window and that was all besides the futon and the blanket she was using. 'What…happened?' She felt confused about what was happening and wasn't sure whether she was safe or not. Shifting a bit more, she winced from the stabbing pains in many points of her body.
"You're finally awake Misao."
"Huh?" Misao twisted her body around slowly. "Tora?" Her fingernails dug into the futon like a bird clawing its prey. 'I can't trust her, even if she is my sister.' She could already tell that something was going on, her sister was up to something, the sly look in her eyes told all and that twisted smile on her lips made Misao feel sick. "What do you want?" She questioned.
Tora chuckled and winked at Misao. "Nothing you should be worried about." The artificial behaviour coming from Tora made Misao put her instincts on alert. "I'll take care of you Misao. I'll protect you from Aoshi." She took a couple of steps closer towards Misao with a sympathetic smile behind the material mask on her face. "I won't let him hurt you anymore." Misao was frozen stiff in her position, she wasn't sure if it was wise to back away or to charge forward.
"What are you saying?" Misao questioned angrily. "You…"
"Haven't you figured it out yet Misao?" Tora asked her, her tone sweet and innocent. "Aoshi is the one who has betrayed you. Not I." She was now seated beside Misao and holding Misao's hand as if they had never been separated in their lives. "I saved you…" She made a sad expression in her eyes, "If it weren't for me… you… you would probably have…" Tears began to fall. Followed by gentle sobs and sniffles.
Misao pulled her hand away and quickly got out of the futon. She backed away from Tora. "I won't believe your lies Tora!" The whole act was getting on Misao's nerves and the environment she was in felt fake and unwelcoming. "My sister died long ago! She was nothing like you! Nothing at all!" She could feel the anger raging storms in Tora's ki and she smirked. "The Tora I knew was honest, kind and loyal…. That was before she became twisted from her jealousy."
"Is that so?" Tora's tone fell serious. "Do you really believe that?" She sighed. "I guess that you are still learning… Aoshi never cared for any of us. So why should things suddenly change now Misao?" She was digging deep into Misao's heart and picking at the deepest fears. "Do you really think Aoshi loves you? He's only protecting you because he was told to."
Misao frowned at the heartless words. "Liar."
"No, it's very, very true, Misao." Tora said as she leaned forward to get closer, "So true you won't believe it."
- - - -
'I've got to get out of here.' Aoshi thought as he tried to find a way to get out of his binds. Every drop of a second was precious. He couldn't afford to just wait around. Who knows what the Tsunami members were doing to Misao. There had to be something that he would be able to cut his binds with. He searched every corner of the room with his eyes. Eventually, he found a loose plank in the floor. It would have to do for now. Using his strength, he broke the edge of the loose plank causing splinters to form at the edge.
Slowly and carefully, he shifted into a position where he would be able to rub the binds against the splintered ends.
- - - -
Misao stumbled a couple of steps and slowly regained her balance. "Do you really think I would believe you?" She questioned coldly. Her narrowed blue eyes darted straight at Tora. It was getting onto her nerves that the woman even dared bad-mouthing Aoshi in front of her. Now she was going to be sorry she even mentioned his name. "I'll kill you for it."
Tora threw her head back and laughed at Misao's words. "Really? Do you really think you can defeat me?" She tilted her head to a side and glowered at Misao. It was so much fun seeing the wretch suffer – for one, without her beloved Aoshi, she was nothing. She was worth nothing more than a bird with an injured wing. However, she sneered when Misao cracked a devious smile and said…
"Yes."
- - - -
The binds where only holding together by a couple of threads, with enough strength, Aoshi was able to pull them apart. Without any hesitation, he undid the binds around his ankles and stood. Stretching his tense muscles, he focused and sensed for other presences. There were more than he desired.
He had to find his kodachis and then find Misao. He picked up the jade pendant necklace and tucked it in his pocket. How would he get out of this place without having to face too many Tsunami members? Looking up, he saw a lose ceiling board… that would be his exit.
- - - -
Misao flinched as her body was giving in. 'What… what's wrong with me…?' She felt drowsy suddenly. Her eyes watered from a stinging sensation, shielding her sight. Just then, she noticed. White smoke was seeping into the room through the cracks in the walls. 'More drugs…?' Was that why Tora was wearing that mask? Just then, Misao felt a smirk creep on her face. "Where's your honour, Tora? Can't you fight without any outside help?"
"This is my ground, therefore you have to accept how it is." Tora then faded into the smoke. Misao heightened her alertness and tried to follow where Tora was moving.
'Right.' She quickly moved into defensive mode but was caught off guard when Tora struck her from in front. Easily, Misao was knocked onto her back with the uppercut. 'What?!'
"Without any resistance to the drug, your body won't be able to function properly. Your sense of direction is completely distorted and therefore, your as harmless as an ant." Misao heard Tora say in a know-it-all tone. She gritted her teeth. "Get up Misao and fight." Defiantly, Misao got onto her knees and swayed onto her feet. As defenceless as an ant… she couldn't lose this fight. There had to be some way to win – to take control.
"I will win." Misao said. Her blurred vision spotted Tora looking at her with amused eyes. "Even if I would have to go down with you." Tora's laugh echoed.
"How can you win… when you aren't in the present?"
"What are you…"
- - -
Cheerful laughter rang in the Aoiya just like the happy songs of the birds. Even though it was a cloudy, autumn day, it felt as though it was spring. "Got you! You're 'it'!" Tora said as she tagged Misao on the arm.
"H-hey!" Misao stumbled a bit before turning around to chase Tora. The adults watched them with smiles on their faces. To see that there was happiness in the Oniwabanshuu during these times was almost like a gift.
- - - -
Misao stumbled back with a twisted expression, "…h-hey…"
- - - -
Another presence entered the hall like room and everyone's attention was caught, except for Tora and Misao's since they didn't detect the ki during their game. "Okashira!"
"Okashira?" Misao and Tora said together as they stopped. They spun around and saw Aoshi stand at the door way with an icy look on his face as usual. Tora smiled brightly and with Misao, they hurried towards Aoshi.
- - - -
Tora grinned as she could see the dazed appearance coming from her opponent. "It ends here, Misao!" She flicked her wrists and her hands grasped onto the handles of her kunai.
- - - -
A small but the most beautiful smile had formed on Aoshi's face.
- - - -
Remembering that, Misao snapped back into concentration. 'What am I thinking?! If I die now, I'll never be able to see Aoshi's smile ever again… and I don't think he'll ever be able to smile…' Surprisingly, she dodged Tora's attacks. 'I can't let that happen!' The smoke wasn't helping, she covered her mouth and nose with the material of her sleeve to help filter the air.
She had no weapons and was being affected by the drug. It was clear that she was at a disadvantage. So what should she do? 'I'll have to make a run for it… and find…' Like a fleeing sparrow, she sprinted towards the shouji door and smashed through the rice paper screens. There was no point fighting just yet, she should get out of there. The burst of fresh air drew out a couple of coughs from her as she rushed blindly through the halls – dodging the piercing kunai and the Tsunami members.
- - - -
Everything was quiet. No presences. Perfect. He slipped in unnoticed from the ceiling and landing with cat like moves. He walked around the dark room carefully, as if not wanting to disturb any particles of dust in the room. There were several weapons stacked up against the walls and he had a feeling that there could be a chance of finding his weapons. Carefully, he searched along the walls.
No luck. They weren't there. Just as he was about to jump back through the opening he noticed a chest that had been tucked away into the shadows in the corner of the room. Hand marks on the dusty surface showed that it had just recently been used. the dusty surface showed that it had just recently been used. Taking the opportunity immediately, Aoshi opened the lid and revealed more weapons.
There, his twin kodachi lay on top of the pile. He picked the single sheathe up and tucked it into its rightful position on his belt. Standing, he saw Misao's kunai… the style they were made showed every sign that they belonged to her. He picked up the pouch containing them and closed the chest. At that moment, he wondered… was she alright? Did they do anything to her?
The possibilities drove him to work faster. He leapt neatly through the opening in the ceiling. 'Misao… whatever is going on… don't give up.' Just then, approaching shadows appeared behind the rice paper screens of the shouji doors. The doors rocked from sudden impact. 'I've been found…'
- - - -
"Dead end." Two mocking, demonic words spoke.
Misao was breathing hard. Her chest rising and falling fast. She watched the Tsunami members gather behind Tora in a semi circle. Each one of them hiding their faces behind their masks. The determined look in her eyes showed that she wasn't going to give up yet. Turning around, she slammed open the shouji doors and entered the room, it was dark. But seeing the shimmers of the metals… it had to be a weapons room. A smaller area to fight in compared to the hall.
"There's nowhere you can run." Tora tormented.
- - - -
After a moment of watching, he knew who was there. He wasted no more time and jumped back down. One of the closer shadows clearly showed that it was Misao. But he saw her close up against the shouji door and blood stained into the screens. His heart stopped. He couldn't be too late… no. He couldn't be!
- - - -
Misao's hands bled in front of her face as they grasped the short blades between the fingers. She could see the surprise in Tora's eyes. "You underestimate me." Swiftly, kunai sliced through the air and punctured their ways into the necks – leaving on Tora standing.
Tora narrowed her eyes into sharp slits. "You bitch."
"Oh? You're scared?" It was now her turn to torment. For too long was she enduring Tora's stupid and harmful torture – the tables were now turned. It was she who would be doing the tormenting from this point on. Eyes locked. Total concentration. Silence.
"Kyahh!!!" Tora suddenly vanished from where she was standing.
Misao dodged Tora's attack, escaping with only minor scratches across her forearm and cheek. She delivered a neat round-the-house kick and drove her foot into Tora's back. "I'm telling you Tora…" A punch to Tora's stomach, "…You're underestimating me." Next an uppercut, followed by a rain of punches and kicks. Tora blocked and tried to avoid Misao's attacks.
'What's the matter with her? She doesn't usually fight like this…' Misao thought, 'How come she can't dodge as well as she use to? She is master of…' Her hand then tore through the skin on Tora's loin and revealed several stitches and tendons that have been sealed together by burns. Narrowing her eyes, she pulled the mask off and stifled a gasp. 'She's…' Misao staggered back a couple of steps, staring at the horrid scars that were wrinkling the skin all over her face.
"What do you do when a mother bird flies away?" It was a simple question that had played a small part in their child hood.
- - - -
"Nee-chan… what do you do when the mother bird flies away?" A young bright eyed Misao asked. She paid her fullest attention.
"You find the nest and wait for her to return in silence." Tora replied.
"Why?"
"Because then you'll know if it really was a mother bird."
- - - -
Tora hissed a reply, "Catch it."
"Wrong! You're not Tora are you?!" Misao shouted, "You…" Then she saw the glimmer in the imposter's eyes. Taking a couple more hesitant steps back. The look… the style she fought… so familiar. Tears swelled. She had expected things to turn out differently… never in this way.
There was a small deep chuckle and Tora's voice changed to horrifying tones. "Indeed." Without realizing, Misao didn't see the thread that the imposter pulled. Activating some sort of trap. She braced herself and saw the blades coming at her.
Strong arms wrapped around her form and pushed her out of range. They crashed and tumbled on the floorboards. Blue eyes gazed down at hers. The name was barely audible when it passed out as a whisper. "We have to get out of here." There was no reply coming from Misao. Her eyes somehow, had turned dull.
Aoshi frowned and picked her up. There was no response from her, she just leaned against him with no emotion. Was it from poison or shock? He couldn't tell. As he ran towards the escape, he could hear Tora's menacingly laughter.
"You won't get very far!!!"
- - - -
And maybe Tora had been right. They were in the forests and walking a long path uncertain of where they were and which way they were going. "Are you hurt anywhere?" Misao asked Aoshi quietly.
"No. You?"
"I'm alright… I think." Misao replied. Nothing much had been spoken as they walked. There was some tense air coming from Misao that Aoshi didn't know how to comprehend.
A realization made it to the surface during the fight. Misao walked with her hands balled into fists. She should have guessed it earlier. The fighting style wasn't the same. The way Tora acted wasn't the same. Nothing of the passed events was like Tora. She should have realised.
"Something happened…" Aoshi said, "… didn't it?"
Powerless against Aoshi's direct question, Misao nodded. "That was Tora back then." She said. "It was an imposter and there was only one person who would fit the evidence that I had figured out." It was a sick feeling inside. Almost as if vomit had found its way into her bloodstream and was clogging up everything. She felt cold. Dry. Weak.
"Who?"
"Shinji." They both stopped walking. Aoshi stared right over to Misao's hunched shoulders. "It was him. I know it." A tear drop landed onto the puddle of mud on the pathway. "He had mutilated his own body… to look like her…" She was beginning to cry, sobs and sniffles were affecting her speech. "If he had taken her form… then where is she? I…"
Aoshi couldn't understand Misao's pain but he could only imagine. He wrapped an arm over her shoulders and she accepted by leaning against the front of his chest. "… Don't blame yourself."
- - - -
AN: Oh my… That was probably one of my worst chapters yet. It was so boring but necessary. I really tried my best with it everyone! I really did! (Damn writer's block!!!!! I hate that disease!!!!) I hope that this horrible chapter didn't discourage you guys from continuing on reading! (If it did… I'M SO SORRY!!!! /CRIES/) I promise that next chapter will be better! It will be!!!! I think I'll make it up for you guys by putting in romance… oh gosh… I'm so depressed now. Until next time!
Cherry Chibi