Sometimes telling lies is harder than telling the truth.

Okina tried vainly to block out the words that he had just heard. Covering his ears with his wrinkled hands, he slumped to the floor as he watched Omasu try to console the hysterical Okon.

"Okon ...how could...how could you?"

"I loved him!" she screamed, lunging towards him and falling at his feet in sobs. Omasu covered her mouth with shaking hands. Nothing seemed real anymore, nothing seemed right.

"Oh, Kami, I loved Aoshi-san too!" Okon screamed, tears running down her pale skin. "It wasn't fair! Why should he love Misao! Ever since I can remember, its always been Misao! Misao, Misao, Misao! Misao can have anyone else she wants, why can't she choose another one? I loved him, damn it! I did! I did!"

Okina's eyes were hard, and he shied away from her grabbing hands. "So you chose to lie to all of us and in turn hurt the one you claim to love?" His voice grew louder, more desperate. "Kami, Okon, how could you do such a thing!"

Omasu looked up sharply as Shiro entered the kitchen, the tray he held clattering to the floor as he viewed the chaos.

"So..." he murmured, crouching down to try and pick up the jagged pieces. "The truth has come out, has it?"

Okina whirled to face the younger boy, his temper evident in his face. "Do not tell me that you knew as well, Shiro!"

"Of course not," Shiro replied calmly. "But I came to guess that something was wrong. Come, have you seen no evidence at all? She's always sending Aoshi-san on some random and completely pointless quest for some food item that we have four or five of in the pantry. Do you notice who places the tea out in front of Aoshi-san's shoji? Who sometimes sits in front of his room when she thinks that no one is watching?"

Okon screamed, moving to strike the younger boy. "You! You knew!"

Shiro easily avoided being hit, and looked sadly down at the girl's slumped form. " Do you think I enjoy exploring the man's subconscious? Why else would I waste words, explaining to you what Misao and Aoshi-san have?"

"What I could have had!" she shrieked, eyes wild. "What I could have had!"

"Okon, calm yourself!" Okina was appalled. "Tell us- where is she? Where is Misao!"

Okon's eyes were glazed and wild. But her voice was steady. "I'll never tell."

"Okon," Omasu pleaded. "Please! Where is Misao!"

"Yes, Okon."

The room stilled in shock as the icy voice penetrated the room mercilessly. Okon's body seemed to seize convulsively, her sobs quieting in a tense anticipation.

Aoshi stood at the doorway, his eyes unforgiving and cold. Shiro closed his eyes and sighed in resignation. Omasu covered her face with her hands.

"Tell us, Okon," Aoshi continued, his hand tightening into a fist. His whole body seemed to hum with barely contained fury. His voice was deceptively soft. "Where is Misao?"

Okon began to scream.

The tray clicked softly on the stone of the floor as Shiro placed it next to Aoshi. He hesitated, and then joined the swordsman, sitting in a lotus position. The young man briefly wished to return to the Aoiya. It had taken an hour to calm the hysterical Okon, but at least the most she could do to him was punch and kick. He winced as his numerous bruises reminded him of just how strong the ninja girl was. But, still, he mused, that was nothing compared to what Aoshi might do if Shiro was unlucky enough to break his temper. He warily eyed the kodachi that rested only a few inches away.

The meditating man stirred.

"Leave me."

"Aoshi -san," Shiro drew in a deep breath and then let it out in a soft woosh. "I know this is hard, but please do not hate Okon."

Aoshi was silent, his eyes closed to the world.

"She..." Shiro struggled for the right words to say. He watching blindly as the wind made the temple chimes ring gently. "She cared for you, and for Misao. She just..."

"Shiro."

Shiro bowed his head and rose, his eyes sympathetic. "I know."

"Where is she?"

Shiro bit his lip in agitation, his normally calm posture shattered. Aoshi's countenance darkened. He could sense it, Shiro knew.

"Surely Okon has told you?" he questioned, opening his eyes. Shiro nodded dumbly, scrambling for the right way to phrase what no one should ever hear.

Oh, hell.

"Aoshi," the boy blurted out. "Okon says that Misao is getting married."

The wind chime fell from the temple ceiling with a musical crash, the shards raining out over the stone.

Forgive and forget? Impossible. I will never forget you. And for that, I could never forgive you.

Author's Note:

Gomen Nasai! I've been so busy lately, with tests and midterms and APs and SATs... @-@ But now that I'm on vacation, I should be able to get a few updates out. Be on the lookout!