Um...yeah, hi... I'm going to try and put everyone back in character...I just need to find out a way to do it...So while I'm doing that, enjoy the next chappy!
Chapter three
Misao's whole body ached. She couldn't bring herself to open her eyes, let alone move. Voices surrounded her, but none of them made any sense.
A wet cloth was pressed against her forehead, and she heard one voice stand out clearly from the others. It was deep, comforting, even if what he said was not.
"She has a high fever and a cut on her left arm. It's not life treating, but it is deep and could get infected."
Another voice, high and feminine, joined him. "I'll get a doctor1 I think Takani Megumi and the others are in town!"
They're staying at the Shirobeko, with Sae. I'll come with you!"
Misao heard the shoji door, to the left of her, open and close. Two more people got to their feet.
"I'll make some miso soup for her."
"Yeah, that'll do her some good. I'll check with Okina for you."
"Thank you Shiro."
Misao wondered vaguely how many people were left in the room, and who they were. She was quiet sure she did not know them. Except, maybe one. At last she opened her eyes. The room was empty, except for Aoshi. He was kneeling beside her futon with his kodachis by his side.
"You're awake."
"Where am I?" She tried to stand up, but found she was still too weak.
Aoshi put a hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her back onto the futon. "You need rest. You'll fever'll get worse if you keep pushing yourself."
A woman with long black hair, tied into a bun, ran in, closely fallowed by two women and three men.
"I brought Megumi-san! Is she okay?"
"She's awake now." Aoshi turned look at them. "No need to look so worried Omasu."
"We don't know that yet, Aoshi." Megumi walked to her side and knelt down. "How are you feeling?" she smiled at Misao.
"I'm fine. Please, don't worry about me." She tried to get up again, which only resulted in her cut reopening.
"Okay, don't strain yourself. Let us take a look at your arm, shall we?"
"Aoshi watched for a moment, then got up and left. A man with vibrant red hair and violet eyes turned to fallow.
"Oh! Kenshin-"
"I'll be right back, Kaoru-donno, that I will."
"O-okay."
Aoshi walked into the courtyard with Kenshin fallowing close behind.
"Why did you leave her alone, Aoshi?"
"Does it matter? It's not as though she loves me." Aoshi said.
"You're wrong, Aoshi, that you are." Kenshin said getting in front of him.
"She won't love me if she ever finds out that I am a murderer."
"If you put your past behind you it wouldn't matter."
"I can't do that, Bottosai." Aoshi said, glaring at him. "My enemies are closing in around me."
"So you are putting her in danger for what reason?" Kenshin said angrily. He deeply hated those who put others in danger to better themselves.
"I'm doing this for her father...and grandfather...my former okashira." Aoshi looked over the garden. "It was his last request before he passed away, giving me the role of okashira."
"I see. But surely she means more to you than that?"
"Misao...is special. But I do not Love her." Aoshi looked back at Kenshin. "Not that it is any of your business, Bottosai."
"That it is not." Kenshin smiled.
When Aoshi returned to Misao's room she was fast asleep on her futon. Megumi, Kaoru, and the boy that came in with Kenshin, were seated around her.
"How is she?" Aoshi asked, kneeling beside her.
"Her fever will go down in a day or so, if she gets lots of rest and takes her medicine." Megumi said happily.
"And her arm?"
"It should heal up in about a week."
The boy looked up. "I don't understand why a gloomy guy like you would care about some dumb girl. She's not even pretty. Although she is better looking than Ugly."
There was a loud crash as Kaoru hit him over the head with her shinai. "You need to learn some manners Yahiko!" Kaoru yelled.
"Why should I listen to an ugly girl like you?"
"What was that!?"
"You heard me, Ugly!"
"Stop calling me that!"
"Will the both of you shut up? You'll wake her, and then I'll have to hurt you." Megumi said dangerously.
Omasu stuck her head into the room. "Something wrong?"
"Of course not!" Kaoru quickly hid the shinai behind her back.
"Don't lie, Ugly!"
"Shut up, Yahiko!"
Omasu smiled nervously. "Well, anyway, dinner's ready. If you'll just fallow me."
The other man, whose hair resembled that of a roster, came sliding into view. "Food? I could use some food." He put on a big grin.
Megumi sighed. "Sanosuke, all you think about is that bottomless pit you call a stomach."
"Tell me again. Why did we bring that vixen with us?"
"Why you ungrateful little..." Megumi grabbed Sano's ear and pulled him down the hall.
"Women can be scary sometimes." Said Yahiko, his eye twitching.
"What are you imposing?"
"Maybe," Aoshi said, "you two should go to dinner."
Kaoru stopped trying to strangle Yahiko, and looked at him. "What about you, Aoshi?"
Yahiko had his hands on Kaoru's (she still had not let him go). "Can't...Breath...Let go, Ugly!"
Kaoru turned back to him. "What was that?!"
"Come on now, before Sanosuke-san eats all the food." Omasu smiled and jumped out of the way as Kaoru and Yahiko ran past her.
"No way, Sano!"
"There had better be food for us!"
Omasu turned to Aoshi. "Will you be joining us?"
He shook his head. "I'm going to stay here."
"Is there anything I can get you?"
"Tea would be fine."
She bowed. "I'll send it up with Kuro."
"Arigato."
Aoshi stayed by Misao's side for the rest of the day. As the sun was sinking beyond the horizon, he clenched his kodachis. 'If they try to attack again, I'll be ready.'
Misao wouldn't have gotten hurt if he had been there for her. He could not forgive himself for this. He knew her wounds were not serious, but what if next time...
He forced himself not to think of about that. He would be ready next time. They would never touch her again...
Hitokiri of the Bloodless Moon: So sorry for getting your name wrong! Please don't hate me! I will try to put in more details, I was going to put in some more for chapter two but, well, I don't know what happened. I kindda think that Aoshi is as In character as I could get him for this fic, but I'm getting better at it. I found a way to get Misao back into character. So hopefully, everyone will be back in character by next chapter. I like to think of myself as a unique writer too. Hope you enjoyed this chappy. I'll update A.S.A.P. Promise! (Man was this a long shout out...)
LinearMakimachi: Thanks a bunch for reviewing! Update your stories soon, okay? You're a great writer, don't let those flamers get to you. I'll email you soon.
Now, as said previously, if you see any mistakes please tell me. It's a lot easier to fix problems when I'm told about them. I want to say thanks to my good friend Linear Makimachi for always believing in me and I ask that if your not to busy to please read and review her fanfics. Thanks a bundle for reading my rambling. Now that I've pretty much put you people to sleep I'm going to let you go with the promise that I will update soon. See yeh!