Chapter one
"Shinomori-san, this is my daughter, Misao."
"She's beautiful, Makimachi-san. I'll call my son in from training." A man with long black hair walked through the shoji door.
"Have a seat, Misao-chan." Her father gestured for her to sit next to him.
"Why are we here?" Misao asked.
"I Hope to find you a husband." He said simply.
"What?!" Misao made to stand up, but forgot she was wearing a kimono (which she didn't normally wear), and fell back down.
"My dearest Misao," her father placed a hand on her knee, "I only want what's best for you."
Misao began playing with her hair. "Wouldn't it be best if I found my own husband?"
"Misao," he grabbed her hand, "Do this for me, please."
She stopped playing with her hair. "Yes father..."
The shoji door slid open. A young man with ice cold eyes entered and sat across from Misao. She lowered her head in a small bow.
He nodded. "My name is Shinomori Aoshi. You must be the girl my father was talking about."
His voice was deep and held no emotion. Misao kept her head bowed, determined not to fall in love with this man, even though her wished it.
"This is my daughter, Misao." Her father smiled.
"Nice to meet you." Aoshi said.
Misao looked up, out of respect, and said, "The pleasure is all mine."
"I hope you two will spend some time together." Her father seemed very pleased. "I'll leave you two alone for a few minuets while I talk to Shinomori-san." He stood up and fixed his gi.
Misao got up and opened the door for him. He smiled at her and left. She closed the door and took her seat across from Aoshi.
For a while they sat silently, Misao with her eyes cast downward, Aoshi watching her. After some time he spoke.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"Arigato, but no." Misao still wouldn't look at him. Maybe she could convince her father that she shouldn't have to marry him.
"How old are you, Misao-san?" Aoshi asked.
Surprised, Misao looked up. "Fourteen...and you?"
"Twenty-four."
She gasped. "Twenty-four... Is there anything else about you I should know?" She asked timidly, playing with her braid once more.
"I am the okashira of the Oniwabanshu, and master of the twin kodachi style...Can you fight?" Aoshi seemed to doubt her, but maybe he felt that he had to ask.
"My father trained me in martial arts. I study Hikara no Tobi Kunai." Maybe if he knew she could fight he would think her an unfit bride.
"He taught you how to fight...Not many fathers would teach their daughters how to fight." If he was surprised, he did a good job keeping it a secret.
"My mother died in child birth and since my father is always busy, he felt it best I learn how to protect myself." Misao looked into the fire. "He...only wanted...what was best for me..."
Aoshi looked at her. "Is something wrong?"
Misao was silent. Now she felt guilty. He wanted her to get married, but she didn't want it...How was she going to be able to go through with it now?
"Misao?"
"N-nothing's wrong." She stopped playing with her hair. "Forgive me."
Aoshi moved closer. "For what?"
"It's nothing." Misao shook her head.
"Would you like to join me for dinner tomorrow?" Aoshi asked helping her up.
"Arigato, I'd love to." She straightened her navy kimono and bowed. "I must go. Excuse me."
Aoshi opened the door for her. "I'll pick you up at your house, tomorrow."
She nodded. "I'll wait for you then." She walked through the door and began walking home.
She thought it would be best if she left her father alone. Misao really didn't feel like having her father pester her for details on her talk with Aoshi.
Misao sank into the warmth of the bathwater. Her mind was filled with the thoughts of her future fiancé. If she didn't change her father's mind soon, she would have to marry a man she hardly knew, and she didn't like that idea at all.
She pulled her hair out of its braid and let it cascade down her shoulders, into the water. She sank even further into the water, completely surrounding herself. When she came back up, her silky balk hair covered her aquatic green eyes.
After a few more minuets she raised her body from the water and wrapped her black yukata around her. It clung tightly to her body while her hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back.
"Misao?" Her father's voice floated through the shoji door. "Are you in there?" He knocked on the door.
"I'll be out in a moment, father." Misao picked up her kimono and met her father at the door.
"You look just like your mother..." He smiled at her. "She used to wear black kimonos and yukatas all the time. Right before she died, she gave you the name 'Misao'." He whipped a tear from his eye. "I love you so much, my dearest Misao." He threw his arms around her.
"I love you to, father, but-"
He put a finger to her lips. "Can it wait?"
She nodded. "What is it?"
"I'll tell you in the morning. Get some sleep."
Misao watched her father walk into the woods with his katana. He was always going into the forest to train.
She turned and walked into her house. It was quiet, as always. Her father was almost always away training or fighting. So she was always alone.
Misao sank onto her futon and closed her eyes, her mind still filled with thoughts of her suitor. Her last thought was that maybe, just maybe, she'd be able to stop this marriage before it was arranged. And with that she drifted off to sleep.