Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is copyright of it's own respected owners. I am merely a fan.
The Fire within Ice
Chapter 2: Momentary Haven
Sometimes the most simplistic things in life seemed to be the most complicated. Or sometimes you thought they were simple, but the harsh reality hit you in the face. Simplicity was good for it was easy to understand and deal with. He had enough complications in his life, he never enjoyed adding to them. At one time he was the most powerful fighter, but got defeated by Himura the Battousai, once the Oniwaban group seemed invincible, until his best comrades died and...did it matter for him to make a list? For his list was in the past. But she was the present. Misao wasn't a little girl anymore. She wasn't a child no matter how much the images of that little girl ran in the highlights of his memory. He had arrived hoping to tell her the truth in a 'simple' manner. But he had made the simple situation into a complication by not telling her the entire story. And how could he? The truth was not important, it didn't matter, it was foolish... at least he though it so. It didn't matter. He wasn't a man for ideals of marriage. So he wouldn't even bother making Misao choose a husband. Maybe she was like him in that way. He was not one to judge the ideals of marriage anyway. He just didn't understand it. His life was about fighting, sometimes the need to become the best, sometimes the need to rid the world of beings he did not consider worthy to live. There was even a time...even now... were he didn't even care...he killed for his own motives. He had his own sense of honor. So why choose love? Why choose love when one had honor and a sharp blade to clear his path. Love was unnecessary, it was weakness.
The cool night breeze blew his dark bangs, making them slightly dance over his eyes. Looking up at the night sky then back to ground, he decided it was time to go back inside. He needed to rest. At sunrise, he had a new day to start.
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**Six Days Later**
Misao sat in her room wondering about the passing events. Everything was clam and peaceful. Aoshi hadn't said much to her at all. The only conversation that had passed between them was mere greetings. She took his tea to him at the temple everyday. At first she had hesitated, afraid of the situation. For his words still haunted her. And she knew. Something inside her knew there was more to his words than he had said. Yet it seemed in the forgotten. Those words seemed like an obligation, a burden he needed to rid himself of, for he did not mention it again. Day after day, taking him his tea, it was becoming a straight routine. She couldn't help being look forward to the short meeting, knowing she would see him again. It was as if he was addictive. She wasn't sure if he even knew how she felt. Was her blush so obvious when he looked at her with those blue eyes? Could he feel her shiver and burn at the same time when she came near him?
He had mentioned marriage. It almost seemed like she had imagined the whole situation like it was crazy thought that flew by her mind. How could he expect her to marry? How could she marry when her heart belonged to him? But she knew her love was not returned in that way, for he could never love her more than a child. He probably saw himself as her once guardian. So she had no plans of marriage. Even if she couldn't have the heart of the man she loved, she could at least be around him, even if they were short times.
"Aoshi-Sama if only you could love me in return."
Letting out a sigh, she got up from her futon. It was early morning and she needed to get to her training. Stretching out her arms, she quickly bended down and cleaned her sleeping quarters.
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Aoshi walked to the training area, taking every step lightly. In a matter of short time, he saw Misao training. She was awake earlier than usual and training at the same hour as he planned. He watched her as she made a swift movements towards the sky. One kick after another, cutting through the air. He slim figure was a clad in a black ninja outfit, he hair done in a usual braid. She wasn't aware of his presence until he came up closer, making her stop.
She looked at him, he breathing loud from the exhaustion. He cheeked were flushed against, he blue eyes a bit surprised, he lips slightly parted, taking in the air. To him, she looked beautiful. Then again didn't she always?
"Aoshi-sama." She looked up at him, seeing his eyes burning through her again. From his attire she could tell he was here to train as well. "Would you like me to leave, so you can train alone. I usually train later anyways."
"No Misao, it's alright. I was very well amused by watching you anyways." He watched as cheek flushed brighter. He walked a short distance away, putting down his twin swords, he started his training, amusing Misao with every skillful move.
Misao forgot about her surroundings, other than her main focus on the man she adored. He was fast, sharp, and yet delicate. She remembered when she was a little girl watching her Okashira train. His whole figure was like a god to her, giving away an immense power too great for her to comprehend. He was everything to her, and that is what made her seek him out later on. It was as if a part of her had been missing without him. And that's what pushed her to go on, to keep looking for him, to find that part of herself. Because at those times, the sun never seemed bright enough to fully light up her day. He was back now and right before her just like those many years ago she stood like a little girl.
He was having his own thoughts even though his body was on it's own quest. He was trying hard to get her image out of hs head, for it was becoming a distraction. But why did it matter now? Didn't he always have his little Misao in mind? But then he realized it, it wasn't his little Misao raging his mind, it was the young Okashira with the flushed cheeks, parted lips and stubborn attitude. But hadn't he always acknowledged the fact that she was older and a mature woman now? Off course in a way, but the other side of him was in denial for how could he admit his attraction to her. And that attraction was emotional, and at the same time physical.
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"Okina, you know the news shocked me too. I wonder how the two are really doing. I talked to Misao just a few days ago and she seemed her usual self. She always used to listen to Aoshi, but now she took her own charge. Don't you think it-"
Okon was quickly cut off. "I think of many things regarding those two. Most of the time those thoughts manage to confuse me. But i will tell you this, Aoshi has a lot more going on in his heart than we might think. The boy he was had to fade when he was incredibly young just to become a man. He has always been like a lock one could never open."
Okon nodded, her eyes glazing with understanding. "Misao." She whispered.
"For every lock there is a key." Okina poured himself more tea, watching the steam raise from the hot liquid.
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****There's chapter 2. Thank you to everyone who reviewed. The reviews really motivate me to write more, so thanks again. Oh and sorry that I can't except anonymous reviews, but there is nothing I can do it about it now because the settings page on ff.net is disabled during their upgrade, so I have to wait till it's back to adjust it. ~Lia (lostheart)