Author's notes: You all probably forgot about this fic – hell, you probably forgot all about me! – and all apologies in the world will probably be not enough. Sorry for the delay, nonetheless. I had to squeeze whatever writing powers I had out to finish this because I REALLY wanted to! Why? Maybe because I'm not sure if I will be able to write more or continue my other fics in the near future. sigh I hope you'll like this final chapter! It's kinda screwy but I think it will do. Feel free to criticize all you want. ;) Enjoy!
Happily Ever After? Hardly.
By Tesuka- chan
Chapter 9Sunrise
It was a dark and stormy night. No lights shone through any of the windows of the European mansion. He opened the creaking door and stepped inside. The door slammed shut behind him.
And before him was a vision of a long-haired woman all dressed in luminescent blue… calling out to him… wanting him… wanting his blood… white fangs flashed in the darkness –
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!" muffle muffle
"SHHHH!!! Don't be so loud! OW! YOU BIT ME!!"
"Hey you two, shut up!" hiss
"Are?"
"Well, she's the one who shouted!"
"Well, I wonder just WHOSE great idea was it to tell ghost stories in the middle of a MISSION!" bonk
"Ow!! I was getting bored, all right?"
"QUIET!!" sigh "Hey, it's time. Do it, Smiley!"
"Hai!"
whoosh!
A woman screamed. Chaos ensues.
What the hell happened to all of the lights?
I stopped in the middle of the room. Drat, I couldn't see a thing so I can't make my exit. Geesh, this is SO anti-climatic. Drat it all. I fumbled around in the darkness. The people in the room were in near-hysterics (if not already hysterical) panicking and cursing due to the lack of light. I didn't realize that it was already so dark outside –
"I am so ever sorry for this. It's the new lighting system from Germany… I'm afraid it isn't working that well. Please, do calm down minna-san!" Danosuke's voice feebly declared among complaints and chatters. I almost snorted. No one seemed to have heard him.
"Look, a light coming from that door!" push
"Let's go!" shove
"Move it!" push
HEY! If this isn't hysterics, I don't know what is! OW! "Some people are really VERY rude!" I mumbled under my breath as someone elbowed me in the shoulder. Oh, for goodness' sakes! Due to my petite form, I was being pushed further and further away from the entrance. And the dress isn't helping any! Frustrated, I hitched up my skirts and stomped (on a couple of feet, no less) away from the hysterical crowd. Really now, panicking over a bit of a blackout? What sissies! What gaijin-sympathizing sissies!
By this time, my eyes adjusted to the near-darkness. There must be a way out other than that lone door… it is a solarium after all. So I'm guessing that there should be one door leading outside, to the garden. I nodded at the thought (as well as my brilliancy) and proceeded to walk carefully towards a darker shadowy area that I presumed to be windows.
Hum… even if I didn't make a "grand, dramatic exit" per se, at least I'll be able to make an exit. The point is to get away as soon and as quickly as possible. I don't want to see that lying, gaijin-ass-kissing bastard again. I gritted my teeth as I felt my way through the glass. It must be here somewhere!
AHA! A door handle!
Squelching a squeal of success, I easily turned the knob; then I was finally out. I took one glance back at the pushing and shoving mass of bodies, saluted them goodbye, and took a step back to make my way out –
- and into something hard poking my back. I stiffened.
"Well then, this blackout proved to be most convenient for me."
A feeling or dread washed over me. I quickly turned around, moving a couple of steps backward as I did so. It was Danosuke holding a gun. And it was pointed right at me.
I automatically reached for the non-existent kunais on my waist. Drat it… of all the bloody nights to leave them behind!
"I would suggest that you do not move a muscle, Makimachi-san." The click of the gun sounded like an explosion in the echoing darkness. I froze. Am I the only one out here? Silly, of course I am! But where's Aoshi? I bit my tongue at that. Why am I even thinking about that gaijin-loving bastard? To hell with him. He's probably making up other plans to get more money and power. Okay, so. Tactic. Think, Misao!
But for some stupid reason or another, I couldn't think of anything. My brain was dead. I was just too tired of this… too tired of everything. He might as well shoot me now and I wouldn't even try to dodge. I stared at the gun, glinting in the firelight.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" An eerie smile grew on his lips. I curled my hands to keep from doing anything rash. "Oh, it's another one of those brilliant inventions from the east. A semi-automatic gun. It can shoot ten rounds one after another with one press of the trigger, before anyone one of us can blink." Danosuke's face contorted in a hideous sneer. "Nothing can stand against this. Nothing at all. It is MY mini-gatling gun."
He controlled himself and the hideous sneer was gone in an instant, replaced by a calm look. I shuddered, thinking that he looked more dangerous now than a moment ago. Come on brain, work! I need to find a way to stop this man from shooting me… but how?
Well, stalling works all the time. Psycho freaks like him usually love babbling about the full extent of their evilness.
"What are you planning to accomplish, Danosuke?" I asked, looking at him straight on the eyes to show how serious I was.
"I am sorry, Makimachi-san, but I'm afraid I must stop you from leaving. You know too much… and I see how spirited you are, how painfully nationalistic." He walked slowly towards me and shoved the gun on my stomach, making me gasp painfully. "And there is that risk, you see, albeit a small one but a risk on my part nonetheless. You may or may not divulge that little information to the public, but what if you DO divulge it? What will become of my business then? It may crash, and I might be thrown to jail… all that money gone. Tsk tsk tsk… such a pitiful waste." He slid the gun up on my chest, between my breasts, and up until it settled under my chin.
I trembled in anger. My eyes flashed green fire.
"So you see," he whispered, his despicable face leaning close letting me see that madness in his eyes. "I cannot take that risk. Not at all."
"Danosuke, leave her alone. She doesn't know anything." A low voice came from somewhere behind me.
A rough hand shoved me around until I faced the source of the voice – Aoshi. I never felt so relieved and so tensed at the same time. I still don't trust him. But why is he here? How did he get here? Why is he saving me? Is he really saving me? Or is this part of another plan?
She doesn't know anything. Damn right, I say.
Aoshi took a step forward, his hands up in defeat and resignation. I felt the gun poking the small of my back. Argh… I KNEW I should've worn the corset. It would've been at least some sort of protection! I almost smiled cynically. How very ironic. The one thing I hated could've been the one thing that would've saved me. Well, no point in thinking about the "would haves". Oh wait, Aoshi's saying something. Concentrate Makimachi! Life and death situation here!
"… the one you want. You've been suspicious of me from the start Danosuke, and you had every right to be suspicious." He took another step towards us. "You should have trusted your instincts; for I must say, your instincts are very right."
Huh? What's he saying? Is he saying that -?
"Are you saying that you were betraying THEM?" I suddenly blurted out, not being able to keep it in. My eyes were wide with shock. I could've sworn that he was into this whole colonization thing. I mean, he is very capable and he's power-hungry and he loves money – he's got all the elements of someone who would most likely sell off the country!
"Why?"
The icy stare turned to look at me, and I realize that it's not icy at all. For once, I could see everything in those blue eyes. Behind that thin ice of deception, he was a hot spring full of passion and tenderness, of anger and amusement, of hate and… love.
No, not love. I mentally shook my head. I'm just imagining things. This is a tactic, a ploy. He's just saying this because… because…
"I KNEW IT!" Danosuke shrieked, his calm control shattering into pieces of madness. "I knew it all along! You bastard… I knew there was something up that sleeve!" He waved the gun around crazily. He laughed gleefully, like a bully who successfully stole candy from a small child. But I hardly noticed it because I was getting angry again.
"Yes, I was plotting behind your back all this time Danosuke," Aoshi calmly stated, as if this was another one of those boring meetings; oh, just another one of those days. "I was going to win all of your trust and bring down your businesses one by one, or maybe all in one go. Then I was going to hand you over to the government. I know a wolf that would just love to destroy evil like you. Now," he said, eyes narrowing to slits. "Just let her go. You've got me. She isn't worth your time and your bullet now that I've given myself up."
"Just cut the crap, Aoshi!"
Both of them looked at me in surprise.
I steamed. It's another one of those lies. I'm sure of it! A leopard can't change its spots. And he's been a leopard since the beginning. I clenched my fists. "I don't know why you're doing this, but you don't have to tell lies just to save me. I'm sick and tired of them! Just do me a favor Aoshi and let him kill me. Besides," I sneered, looking at him in the eyes, "that's what you really want, isn't it?"
"But I'm not lying," he replied in a low voice. Was that a pleading note I heard? Must've imagined it. "Misao, this isn't the right time for this." He glanced at Danosuke who was obviously amused at the unfolding drama scene in front of him.
"Well, there's no right time, is it?" I unconsciously took a step forward. Oh, this is just too much… finding out that he's in a plot to sell off the country, being threatened by a gaijin- fanatic, and now being told that it's actually a part of a bigger picture to bring the bad guys down? What am I supposed to believe now?
"Believe me when I say that I'm not lying to you this time, Misao." His jaw was clenched hard. Good, he's angry. "You'll have to trust me now."
"Why? Why now? How can I bloody trust you after all you've done to me?" I almost shouted. "You married me for money to fuel your revenge!"
"My, my, Shinomori! You did that?" a sly voice commented. Disconcerted, I blinked and sharply looked towards the source of the voice. It took a couple of seconds for it to register that there's a third party in this scene. How I managed to forget about the gun-wielding, gaijin-fanatic that oh, by the way, wanted to kill us… I have no idea. My highly-strung emotions must've played a big part in that.
A highly amused, thoughtful expression graced Danosuke's face. "For that, I think that you should be punished, don't you agree, Makimachi-san?" He raised the gun, index finger hovering painfully near the trigger.
My eyes widened.
He pulled the trigger.
It was all a huge, black-and-gray haze.
I looked at where Aoshi was… the bullets were coming one after another… he almost didn't jump away safely in time, but he did… painful relief… then seeing the nuzzle of the gun moving towards my direction… endlessly spitting out deadly bullets… I watch in frozen dread and fascination… realization… pushing my feet off the ground for a jump…a heel catching the hem of my dress… that helpless feeling of falling… bullets… impending death… then a hard impact on my waist, throwing my off- course to the grass.
A hollow click. The rain of bullets halted.
I breathed shallowly, lying on the grass behind a bush, out of sight of the cursing lunatic and his mini gatling gun. After blinking a couple of times, I felt something wet oozing on my clothes. I touched it with one hand and held it close to my eyes. Blood.
My breath caught in my throat. I'm bleeding! Oh no… I must stop it! I tried to sit up, then I realized two things: one, there's something heavy on me and I couldn't feel my legs; two, I wasn't feeling excruciating pain like a bullet wound should be able to cause.
The bullets must've somehow torn my legs away and I became numb from shock! But then again, there's a shapeless form on top of me. I shoved it away and I finally knew. It was Aoshi! And he was the one bleeding… it was his blood!
He saved me.
And he's dying.
Tears came unbidden, blurring my eyesight. No… Nonononononononono!! This is NOT happening! He should not have done that. He should've left me alone. I wiped my eyes. "Aoshi… no, Aoshi! Wake up!" I was nudging him at first, but soon I was lightly punching him on his chest. "Wake up… wake up!" I whispered desperately. He's not dead… he's NOT dead! He can't be! I punched him hard on the shoulder.
"Ungh…"
Oh, thank Goodness! "Why did you do that?!" I whispered harshly, punching him again on his shoulder. "You might've died… and now you have a serious injury!" I turned him over into a lying position, trying to mask the relief currently flooding over me. For a moment there I thought… no matter. At least it's only a bloody scratch. The bullet grazed his side. Relief subsided and emotion shifted to anger. I wanted to punch him again! "Why, in kami-sama's name, did you do that?!"
"I did it because I love you, you little fool!" he replied savagely. Maybe it was the pain, or maybe it was the fact that I was physically hurting him further but his voice was as harsh as mine a while ago. And that harshness was the very thing that forced the gravity of what he just said into my brain.
I sat there beside him, unmoving and unbelieving; yet in a sudden clarity… believing too.
"Couldn't you tell?" one corner of his lips quirked up in an attempt of a smirk. "I've always loved you… I still do. I love you so much that it scares me! It scared me to the point of doing all of those stupid things that hurt you. Do you believe me now?" he whispered, his tone laced with a hint of pain. My hand was on his wound, trying to stop the bleeding. I looked at his face. His eyes. This time, I'm sure that he was pleading, pleading me to see and understand. "Will you trust me now?"
I didn't realize that I was crying again until I felt a drop fall on my bloodied hands. I looked away, not wanting him to see me cry over him, or anything to do with him for that matter. I wanted to show him that I became stronger without him for the past year. I wanted to show him that I've grown into a very independent woman. But here I am, crying over him, no less.
Crying over the fact that I was the fool, not he.
I was too stubborn, too ready to believe the worst of him. I admit that I still love him… but for some odd reason, stating that fact only hardened my resolve of not getting involved again. Get away. Run away. Yes, the only thing I was good at. Running away. I was ever such a fool.
I felt a trembling hand cup my cheek, a thumb brushing my tears away. I suddenly felt tired of running away. And simply tired. I leaned my head against his hand. "I… I trust you."
Then he smiled.
For one, brilliant moment, everything fitted… like a glass slipper fitting perfectly on its owner's slender foot. I smiled back.
Loud gun shots shattered the moment.
I ducked, covering Aoshi's body. I vaguely felt his arm tighten around my waist. Behind the bushes, I could hear the screeching, crazed curses and shouts of a man gone mad. He was shooting randomly everywhere. I prayed that he wouldn't see us through the bushes. I prayed that one of his bullets would ricochet back at him – though this was unlikely, but I prayed nonetheless. I couldn't do anything right now besides that.
Then the shooting stopped, but the screaming didn't. Probably ran out of bullets again. Next came the most curious sound I ever heard:
"AAAAAHHHHHHH- thunk"
His scream suddenly stopped followed by a thunk. More than a bit wary now, I glanced down and found Aoshi passed out under me. I carefully set aside his arm around my waist and I raised my body in order to peep a little over the bushes to see what happened... then a shadowy face suddenly popped up from the other side of the bush, a pair of mischievous eyes staring right at me!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The business man will be tried for treason and smuggling illegal arms and opium today. His associates will likewise follow, them being involved in his illegal activities. Detective Saitou Hajime, the man in charge of the whole operation, that the success was partly due to the heroics of a local hero, Shinomori Aoshi and the Oniwabanshuu group for working undercover and taking a minor part in catching the criminals.
Oh please. Minor part?! It was just like Saitou to be so arrogant and taking most of the credit! I smirked and rolled my eyes, putting down the newspaper. The whole thing happened only a few days before and yet it seems like it happened ages ago.
"So tell me again how you got involved in this, SOUJIRO?" I asked the fidgeting smiley-boy beside me outside, sitting on the elevated wooden floor by the garden. I obviously hadn't gotten over the shock of seeing him hovering over us by the bushes… after he knocked Danosuke out of course. There were a few fumbled explanations but none were clear enough. I intend to get the truth out now.
"Well… anou… it was Okon and Omasu, you see… I was harmlessly wandering around when they quite suddenly appeared doing horrible things –"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Aherm, quite right." He continued sheepishly, his face rather comical with the effort he puts in this. I'm enjoying this, I really am. Gloating is probably the right term… ha! After all the pranks… ha! I forced back a grin and tried to hear what he was saying. "Are… well, they forced me into participating into this scheme of getting you and Aoshi back together without both of you knowing. You see, they were really good spies and they knew what both of you have been up to after you split up." He swallowed, looking around. For an escape? Hardly.
I looked at the door. Heads were suddenly pulled away. I stifled a sigh. Oh all right. We just got back at the Aoiya after all and everybody needed a rest. I needed to rest… especially after Jiya almost crushed my bones into splinters. Turns out, he was also part of the plan too, sly old man! But I have to check up on Aoshi. Revenge will wait.
Then again…
I turned to face Seta Soujiro, Sou-chan the prankster, my traveling companion, my friend. I grinned at him and a flicker of surprise from his nervous features. He probably expected to rain kunais. "Thanks Sou-chan, for everything." Before he could react, I gave him a friendly hug.
"Well… ah… your welcome?" He stuttered, uncertain.
I felt an evil grin spread across my face. If he could see my face, I'm sure he would've run away as fast as possible. He never knew his impending doom. I tightened my hold on his shoulders.
"Ermm… Misao-san, you can let go now."
"Well, why don't you stay here a while SOU-CHAN," I said sweetly. I felt him stiffen at that. "I'm sure Okon and Omasu will be GLAD of the company…"
PUSH
"Wha- ARE?!!" He exclaimed in his wimpy way as I shoved him inside to the waiting arms of the two women.
"Sou-chan! I heard you were staying!"
"Anou –"
"Hai… oh, we know this nice girl from the village…"
"Well – "
"We could use that speed of yours…"
"ARE?"
I laughed as I slide the door ominously shut behind me. Revenge is sweet indeed.
I turned, just in time to see Aoshi step out of the shadows.
"Aoshi!" I almost jumped in surprise. Then I ran to him, inspecting his bandaged side. "You shouldn't be up! You're not yet recovered."
"Why? So you can dally around with him?" he said in a low, neutral voice.
I looked up and blinked. What is he talking about? Dally around with… Sou-chan? Then it dawned on me and I laughed. "Oh Aoshi… you're jealous!" I said jokingly.
"Of course I'm jealous." He wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned in. But before our lips met, he whispered. "I'm always jealous of what is mine." Then he kissed me, full of unfulfilled hunger and longing. I placed my arms around him and kissed him back with the same intensity. A few seconds passed before I moved away, resting my head against his chest.
"I love you Misao. Don't ever leave me again." he murmured against the top of my head.
I smiled. He seems to be saying that a lot lately. But there are some things that bothered me, and I guess that one year of traveling did something for me after all. "I just want to make some things clear, Shinomori Aoshi." I looked up at his indigo eyes, now full of emotions. Now full of warmth. "First, I am not a thing to be owned. I am a human being and I am equal to you whether you like it or not. I also need my freedom once in a while. And no secrets; absolutely no secrets!"
I bit my lower lip, thinking of other demands. Then I felt some sort of rumble… Aoshi was laughing! I burrowed my eyebrows. "Hey, I am serious here!"
"All right, Misao, if it will let us live happily ever after, I will respect your wishes."
"But I don't want to live happily ever after."
I saw one eyebrow lift up.
"It's too boring." I said. "Besides, being swept up by a prince charming with the sun setting in the distance is hardly a fitting ending." I mumbled under my breath, remembering those books Okon and Omasu lent me. Ugh.
"Well, do you mind being swept up by your husband and being with him until sunrise?"
I thought about it for a minute, and replied as if making a tough and very serious decision.
"That sounds about just right."
And so, the husband swept up his runaway bride.
And the "fairy godmother"?
Probably being tortured by the evil stepsisters.
OWARI
Author's final notes: Thank you SO MUCH for all the fantastic reviews, minna-san! And oh yeah, this chapter was especially written for the SHINOBI LOVE members!!! Sorry if I'm not that active, but I really do enjoy your works! I love you all! hugs
Please read and review! Arigatou! :D
P.S. If I get inspired, I just might be able to squeeze something out of my brain to continue writing again. hint hint Harhar!