Summary: Aoshi and Misao are happily married? That should've been the case, but Misao realizes that she was just deluded by that fantasy. Oh, they were married all right, but not happily. What happened? That's what she is going to figure out. A/M.
Happily Ever After? Hardly.
By Tesuka- chan
Chapter 2
Out Cometh Ye Evil Stepmother
A year passed.
I was blissfully happy. I did my best in everything to please him – cooking, cleaning, hell, even washing the dishes (a chore which I terribly loathed). I even gave up part of my training to be a full- time wife. And I forgot about my self- declaration of okashira, leaving the leadership to him. I did it all for him. And for a time, I thought he was pleased. His lips would quirk up in a ghost of a smile whenever I do something silly, or his crystal eyes would twinkle in contentment. He would still do a lot of contemplating and meditating though, but that's already a given. I guess even though he moved on and married me, the ghosts of our friends still haunted him from time to time. It wasn't really a problem. I understood. And despite of all that, I really, REALLY was blissfully happy.
But that state of blissfulness was my downfall.
I didn't notice anything wrong until the beginning of our second year. Aoshi would be gone for lengths at a time, and I was the worrying wife back at home. First, I calmly reasoned out that he was out on business for the Oniwabanshuu. But then, it didn't make sense… there were few tasks for us those days. So my mind shifted to reason number 2: there's another woman! But then our rather – healthy (*cough*) – lovemaking cancels that out too. As these rendezvous meetings became more and more frequent, my imagination became more and more ridiculous. It came to a point that I believed that demons somehow hypnotized my husband and used him for evil deeds!
Right. And I'm just a character in a show. What are the chances of that?
Being Misao, I couldn't just do nothing and stay idle. My curiosity's killing me. I had to find out what he's doing. After all, I am still practically a ninja spy… I can find it out discreetly. Yeah! He need not know that I know what he knows. Besides, it isn't right that husbands keep secrets from their wives. I just had to know.
It didn't occur to me at that time that I could just ask him instead of going around and around.
But then, come to think of it, I guess if I did ask him at that time, he wouldn't have answered. Or worse, he would've lied. Well, I wouldn't know… ANYWAY.
Back to the story.
So I simply decided one night to follow him.
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Damn. This stupid kimono is slowing me down… and to think that after a year and a half of wearing these things, I should be used to them by now. But noooo… I can hardly move at all!
Well, come to think of it, I don't ever remember wearing a kimono while hopping around in the dark at night, spying at my husband.
Making a decision, I quickly ducked to a dark alley and peeped around the corner. His tall frame is quickly moving away. I had to act fast or I'll lose him. I took out one of my well- used kunais and slashed the bottom of my kimono away. I looked at the result of my action and if I may say so, it isn't half bad. Now it's as short as the shorts that I wore before. I hesitated, seeing how indecent I must look. Then I shook my head, thinking that I won't let anyone see me anyway. I hurriedly covered my head with the slashed cloth and jumped on top of the roof to scan the place.
Luckily, I was still able to glimpse Aoshi vanishing around a curve.
I jumped from one rooftop to another, making sure that the shadows hid my lithe form. I can see him clearly now, and I guess the short kimono helped me move faster and catch up. I smiled in the dark, thinking that I must be short of a genius. Sometimes, people just underestimates the genki, little Misao.
We were moving farther away from the city proper. I transferred from rooftops to treetops. Then quite abruptly, he turned around a corner and followed a beaten path. The way looked familiar to me, but I couldn't place it on my mind. I followed him into the woods and to a clearing. Upon seeing the circular graveyard, I suddenly remembered.
We were in the grave of our friends.
I suddenly felt guilty for being too curious. He obviously went here to think and meditate. I remember that he only brought me here once, before our wedding. I thought it was a goodbye ritual, and I thought that he will never return here again as a symbol of moving on with his life. I guess I was wrong.
The guilt was starting to eat me up. I decided that I will trust Aoshi from now on, and love him more than ever. My mind made up, I turned to go when I suddenly heard a rustle. I stopped and stayed on the branch of the tree, hidden from view. Then I heard a voice. It was not Aoshi.
"Have you told her yet?"
My eyes widened as I recognized the voice.
"No. It's better that she doesn't know."
The person who spoke first came out of the shadows and his frail form can be seen thanks to the moonlight. Even though he's obviously getting quite old, he still stood tall and proud, and he still commanded attention. A bit perverted, perhaps, but still a leader.
Jiya.
He walked over to Aoshi saying, "Are you sure it's better that way? She is a very inquisitive woman, and I'm afraid that she might find out for herself someday and feel betrayed. It's better if it came from you. She can easily be broken, you know."
Aoshi did not turn to him. "That is the reason why I'm not telling her."
I got confused. I guess they're talking about me… but what was it that Aoshi didn't want to tell me? I suddenly had this foreboding feeling that it might better that I don't know, that I should go right now with both my hands covering my ears. But I couldn't move. I was frozen to my spot. I continued listening, helpless against the power of my curiosity. I will soon realize that I should've followed my instincts.
Jiya turned toward the four graves. They were like small shrines. He talked slowly, purposely. "This was my idea, Aoshi. Both of us are getting old. Even my little Misao is all grown up."
So they WERE talking about me. I was hooked now, and no amount of my conscience can force me to leave at this point.
"I wanted you to protect her," Jiya continued. "I needed you to protect her. And in return..." He paused, clearly troubled.
"In return, you offered me power. A chance to be okashira again," Aoshi said coldly. Indifferently.
I stifled my gasp. This was not happening… he loves me! I know he does! He didn't marry me just because Jiya offered him power. He is much more than that! He couldn't have. He didn't.
But the worse was yet to come.
My husband turned towards the old man, his face as stoic as ever. "And you offered me access to your hidden bank accounts in Europe."
Bank accounts in Europe?
For money. He married me for money.
The thought vaguely registered. It was impossible… he's not that low! I felt something drip on my clutched hands. Why am I clutching the tree so hard? I felt something wet on my cheeks and held up my fingers to it. I'm crying? What's happening? There was an overwhelming feeling inside of me, dying to get out. I wanted to scream, to go over there and beg him to tell me that it's all a lie… that all of this is just a dream turning into a nightmare. Maybe this is just a nightmare. Maybe in reality, Aoshi will wake me up and I would see him beside me on our futon…
"I arranged this meeting because of that. Not to hear an old man's psychobabble. I need the money to execute my plans to avenge my comrades. Killing their murderer isn't enough. It will never be enough." The beloved voice spoke so coldly. Harshly. "Where is the key?" For every word, my heart endured a stab from a poisoned blade.
Suddenly, in a burst of barely controlled anger, Jiya said in between clenched teeth, "Do you not love her, Aoshi? Do your thoughts even stray from the thought of power, greed and revenge? And I thought at least that once you two were married, you would finally realize your feelings for her!" He thumped his stick angrily on the ground, the sound reverberating in the night. "Can't you see Aoshi? That's one of the reasons why I arranged this… to push you to see! For once, use your heart, not that brilliant brain of yours!"
I saw him stare down Jiya with glacier eyes. Somehow, I knew what he was thinking; I stopped using my heart years ago.
It really is true then. He married me, of all things, for money.
At this point, I was trembling hysterically, not being able to express my grief vocally. I bit my tongue and the trembling subsided. I had to lean against the tree trunk for support. I don't want this anymore. I don't want to hear one more word. But I was rooted to the spot, like the tree that supported me. This was pure torture.
Through a blurred vision, I saw Jiya take a step backward, obviously daunted by Aoshi's intense gaze. Then he turned away and heaved a defeated sigh. He composed himself and spoke, "Do not worry Aoshi. I still keep my promises."
He took a key from his sleeve and tossed it towards Aoshi, who caught it perfectly. He then turned and walked away. Just before he stepped into the darkness of the forest, I heard him whisper in a sorrowful tone, "and I thought you've changed." One step into the shadows, and he was gone.
The moon shone brightly down on the clearing, at Aoshi's still figure, at the four shrines. I was beyond shock now. I couldn't think properly. My body switched to automatic mode. Unbidden, my legs moved and I jumped down from the tree. I had to get away from here. Where will I go? I didn't know and I didn't care. I leaned against the tree to gather my wits and strength.
"Hey, nice legs… hiccup… ladyyyyy!"
I turned my empty eyes towards the drunken lout who just practically declared my presence. I watched him fall down into a drunken sleep not far from me. Slowly, deliberately, I moved my head towards Aoshi. I didn't care… I didn't care. Let him know I know. It would be fun to see his reaction, I thought cynically.
There he was, looking at me as expected.
As usual, he was no fun. He was as I expected. He wasn't surprised, or astonished, or angry even. He was just there with the unrelenting stoic mask on his face. I wanted to rip it out with my bare fingers.
My clear, empty eyes, stared into glacier orbs.
I didn't know what came over me… I smiled. I damned smiled at the devil. My tears came again, making the world into a blurry oblivion. They fell steadily as I made my way towards him. I was still smiling. Then he was there, with that damned expressionless expression. I raised my hands and fisted it against his coat. Still smiling.
"Why?" I whispered.
I stared up at him and I knew. My mind flashed back to all those times I declared my love for him and he didn't say anything. He couldn't say it because he didn't really love me. He used me. I was just a rung to his ladder of greatness. His silence said it all.
Seeing what I saw, my smile vanished. I let go of his coat, blinked away my tears, and with all my heart, slapped him across his cheek. He didn't budge. For all I know, he was just a statue. A hard shell without a heart, without a soul.
I left him there.
Now I remember. There were no sounds at all that night. No breeze, no insects, no bats or birds – total silence. One could almost hear the moonlight shine. It was as if even the gods were contemplating, praying in sanctity.
I guess he heard it. I wouldn't really know.
My silence screamed it all.
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Author's notes: Okay, before you all cover me with flour and deep fry me in oil, I suggest you hear me out. OF COURSE I have a logical explanation for this. OF COURSE it will be explained. And OF COURSE, as all things, it will come later. :P Patience, m'dears! And thanks for all the readers and following reviewers!!!
Bizcochia U-u: Thanks! I've been writing on a roll lately so I can afford to update early. ^_^ Is this what you imagined? Hahaha! *evil grin*
Kakashi-fan: Your welcome dear! Well, that *points up* was the reason. Well, partly. I'll leave it at that for a while. Heeheehee… :P And I didn't really plan any children for them… but I'll consider that! ^_^
Leila Jenkins: Hot eh? I guess the weather here affects my writing. *wipes sweat* Haha. Thanks! :D
Mia1218: Hoho! You guessed right! *laughs evilly* Glad you liked the wedding. ^_^ And about Kaoru, well, look at it this way – if you put her beside Okon and Omasu here, she IS considered sane. Mwahahaha! Oh, and hello alter ego of Mia1218! *waves*
Silver Miko: OF COURSE Aoshi is a sex machine!!! HARHARHAR! :D Well, I guess this went wrong, hm? Ah, how curiosity kills the cat!
Loyanini: Here's the next chap! And thanks! (",)
Mirune keishiko: I had that in mind all the time (about Aoshi being a thinker). That is one of the reasons he ended up in this mess… he thought too much! And if you're confused, it will be explained later on. :D And seeing this chapter, I guess that reason was reason enough for him, ne? *evil grin*
Oyuki: The conflict cometh! Yep, you're right! :) Thanks! ^_^
Len: Hmmm, I hope this chapter answered your questions, hm? Mwahahahaha! (-- too evil for her own good!) Salamat! :D
Spirit demon: Wow, really? Congrats with the baby! I'm happy you decided to keep it. I think that there are just too many abortions nowadays… ;p And continue making your bf your SLAVE! He deserves it! Mwahahaha! :D Oh, and about the bio… about what? This story? Well, there really isn't much yet for this story, but if you want info about the others, feel free to ask away. I'll email it. ^_^
Luli451: Well, they DID interact in this chapter, ne? Hoho! :D Thanks a bunch! To tell you the truth, I really don't mind flames at all, so flame away if you feel like it! Hahaha! ^_^ updates will be faster, I promise! ;p
Western Ink: Hallo! Thanks for adding me! *gushed* I really am flattered. :D Uneasy feeling, huh? That was the kind of reaction that I was aiming for actually. *winks* And there will definitely be a happy ending, contrary to the title. Hehe… do not fret! The plot is still unraveling! ;p Oh, and I'm afraid that the chapters will all have the same length… makes it easier for me to write. Gomen! *bows*
Well, that's that! Oh, a note of warning: my humor muse showed its funny face when I wrote the next 2 chapters so I hope you don't mind it. But it will definitely go back to the original, dramatic genre. :D Arigatou minna-san! Please read and review! ^_^