A/N: Hey thanks for the reviews guys! I thought I'd mention this is my first of several fics and basically, this is a test fic to get myself in the feel of misao/soujiro. It's hard since I've never really seen an RK eps with either sou or misao in it. I've only read the manga translations and fanfics. I'd like to thank Kyouhi for pointing out that Soujiro addresses Shishio as -san. I didn't know. And as for why Misao realized she doesn't love Aoshi? I will get to that so don't worry ;D
Disclaimer: I do not own any of RK whatsoever. I do, however, have a wallscroll and Kenshin action figure hanging on my wall ^^;
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Mezamete-yuku Tamashii :: Awakening Spirits
Chapter 2 :: To Become Stronger
----------
Perhaps this was the start of a friendship.
SMACK! "KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!"
"WHAT?! WHAT DID I DO?! I DIDN'T TOUCH YOU!!"
Or not.
----------
Soujiro stared into the thicket. 'I know you're in there..' he thought as he waited in his crouched position, behind a tree.
Then, there was a streak of gray, followed by a bigger streak of blue as Soujiro moved in for the kill.
Misao opened her eyes. She frowned. Sure, adventuring with a rurouni was fun...when you had money. It had been two days and already she was broke. It didn't help that Soujiro was a bum. Now she resorted to sleeping under the trees. It wasn't that bad... No, really. Asside from the stomach ache from eating the wrong mushrooms and asside from nearly sleeping in a patch of poison ivy, she was finnnneee.
Just then, Soujiro came into view, a mess of fur in his hand.
"WHAT is THAT?" Misao asked, disgusted.
Soujiro just grinned. "Breakfast." He replied, tossed the mangled rabbit down. "You want to skin it or me?"
Misao groaned. Today was gonna be one of those days...
----------
Misao poked at the meat on the stick. "I am NOT eating that," she murmured as Soujiro smiled at her brightly.
"But Misao-san, you need to eat!"
"I will eat...when you give me something that looks like it wasn't struck by lightning!"
Soujiro seemed even more amused at her antics. "At least give it a try, Misao-san. You might like it."
Misao scoffed, "I doubt it." However, to Soujiro's pleasure, she slowly bit into the charred bunny meat.
She chewed slowly as Soujiro watched, still smiling.
"At least it tastes edible..."
Later, after chewing through well done rabbit, Soujiro contemplated on what they should do that day.
"We need to earn some money so we don't have to sleep outside tonight. With your clothing you could catch cold, Misao-san."
Misao glared at him. "And what's wrong with my outfit?"
Soujiro continued to smile, as usual. "N-nothing, Misao-san. But it's getting cold at night and you wouldn't want to catch cold, would you?" Soujiro didn't want to remind her of what the thugs had said about her clothing a few days ago.
Misao frowned. "I'll be fine. I AM Oniwabanshuu."
Soujiro nodded. "But it doesn't mean you're invincible, Misao-san."
Misao winced at that. Soujiro noted that. 'Must've hit a sore spot.' "Misao-san?"
Misao shot him a look. "What? Do you think I'm weak? Do you think I can't take care of myself? Is that it, Soujiro-kun?"
Soujiro continued to smile but inside he was thinking "Whoa..?"
"I didn't say that, Misao-san..."
"It's exactly what you said!" Misao yelled and stood up. Before Soujiro could think of a reply she stormed off.
"What was that all about?" He wondered outloud.
----------
Misao stomped down to a nearby river, scowling under her breath. "How could he say that?"
She paused by the water and stared down at her reflection. "How could Aoshi-sama say that?"
**Flashback**
Misao carried the tea tray with little effort, gracing the hallway with her presense. She headed down to the last door, where Okina and Aoshi were having a talk. Just as she was about to knock, she overheard part of their conversation.
She could hear Jiya's voice clearly. "That last fight almost got Misao-chan hurt."
Misao glanced down at her arm. 'It was only a scratch. Jiya's too protective of me...'
"Aa, she's the weakest of us all."
Misao's heart stopped. 'How could Aoshi-sama say that?'
Okina nodded. "She's still young."
Aoshi remained stoic. "Even so, I can't always keep her out of danger. She needs to learn to be able to take care of herself."
Misao felt her heart break. "Is this what Aoshi-sama thinks of me? Some weak child that he has to protect? I know he's always talking about being the strongest but is that how he wants his women, too? Of course it is, Misao. Don't fool yourself..."
Misao felt tears swell up as she turned and hastily walked away from the door. Thus, she failed to hear the last of the conversation.
"You really care for her don't you, Aoshi-kun?"
"Aa."
Misao's doubts flooded her mind, forcing the denial and logical thinking to the back. 'I'm too weak for him. I'm not good enough. I need to be stronger. Strong like Himura. He respects Himura. If I become stronger, he'll respect me. He'll love me...'
And so Misao left. "When I return, Aoshi-sama, I will be strong enough for you."
***
Misao didn't even realize tears were running down her cheeks. 'Soujiro-kun and Aoshi-sama..they think I'm weak..'
She then hardened her expression. "I'll just show them how strong I can be."
----------
Soujiro cleared the area he and Misao had been camping at, making sure all was well. As he worked, he pondered on the events of a few minutes ago.
'Where did she get the idea I said she was weak? Of course she's not that strong, but she can fend for herself in most instances. Maybe she still thinks I live by Shishio-san's teachings. But, I don't. I lost to Himura-san, so in that sense, I am weak. But Himura-san spared me. So I still don't know what I believe. Why does this have to be so hard? Shishio-san saved me from that awful place...but I lost my soul. Himura-san gave me back my soul and spared my life. So is this journey to make myself stronger? Or to find the atonement I need like Himura-san did. I wonder what made him stop wandering and settle down?'
Soujiro finally broke his train of thought and picked up his items. 'I guess I should find Misao-san and head into town.' Taking a moment to replace the mask of smiles on his face, he trodded down the path that Misao ran down and tried to keep his mind off of the thoughts that plagued him.
Soujiro made his way to the river. He casually looked around, expecting to find Misao nearby. Her footprints stopped along the water's edge. 'Well, I doubt she went into the water...' Soujiro mused, recalling the expression of hurt on the ninja-girl's face.
Soujiro barely heard the slight hissing sound as jumped to the side. Behind him, three kunai embedded themselves into the tree. 'Misao-san must REALLY be mad,' He noted. He continued to smile but he couldn't pinpoint Misao's location. 'I guess she wouldn't be a ninja if she couldn't mask her ki'
He didn't hear her softly padded feet but he did sense her presense. Soujiro whirled around and held up his arm just in time as Misao's fist collided against it.
Misao's eyes were wide with anger. And Soujiro's calm smiling expression made it worse. "That. Damned. Smile."
He was able to hide his expressions so easily and it made Misao sick. "For once could you at least be human?!"
Soujiro knew that wasn't what she was upset about and did nothing to change his ever so smiling face. He was glad that Shishio made it a point to teach him the basics of kenpo if he ever be caught without his sword. Of course Shishio would have had his head for being unprepared. However, the only real advantage Soujiro had was his godspeed and rather remarkable strength. Agility and technique were lacking. 'I'm a bit rusty...'
He didn't mind letting Misao get her anger out, but what he did mind was the look in her eyes. Such fierce determination yet those vivid emerald pupils reflected hurt and pain. She was very easy to read. Quite the opposite of the former Tenken.
Even through dodging her usually attacks, he easily saw the tears swelling up. And remembered the lesson Himura taught him about kindness and protection.
Suddenly, Soujiro went offensive and lunged at Misao. Misao, taken aback, widened her eyes as his strong arms wrapped around her tightly, pulling her into a warm embrace. Soujiro felt very uneasy, it was the first time he had ever hugged someone but he just knew this was the right thing to do. He heard her gasp as he pulled her to him, his hands pressing against her back and his chin on her shoulder.
"Misao-san," He murmured, his face burying into her loose strands of hair. "You are very strong-willed. And such a lively spirit. But, Misao-san...I don't like to see you hurting. Please..." Soujiro trailed off, feeling a ting of heat rise to his cheeks. What had possessed him to say that? He barely knew the girl.
He expected Misao to push away, even moreso to yell at him or attack again. He wasn't too good at comforting. However, he felt a slight dampness through his gi and western-style shirt. Misao felt no need to wipe away the tears that fell. She made no effort to return Soujiro's embrace, feeling all her energy disappear. Soujiro didn't mind, not that he had expected her to return it anyway. However he did seem shocked as she spoke up.
"I want to be stronger, Soujiro-kun. Like you. Teach me to be stronger? Onegai?"
Soujiro squeezed tighter as he thought hard. 'Like me? If only she knew...she wouldn't want to be like me. She wouldn't even be around me. However...'
"Alright, Misao-san. If that is what you want."
'If it will get me the love and respect I want...' Misao thought, closing her eyes tightly. "It is..."
Soujiro didn't reply. He just pondered, still embracing the young ninja.
'Perhaps in helping her, I will find the answers I seek...'
Tsuzukeru..
----------
A/N: I know Misao sounds a bit ooc, but after all those years of being sorta rejected by Aoshi, A girl has gotta get fed up eventually, Right? *glares at Kenshin and Aoshi* Men..
So right now Misao is contemplating on whether or not she loves Aoshi because all he seems to do is ignore her.
Sorry this is short..I've got so many fics..naturally I try to do them all, too...Just keep pestering me and I'll make 'em longer. (And to think, most of my multi-chapter stories are uber-long!)
I sorta battle with how I should perceive Soujiro. A lot of us go for the sweet and innocent boy, whereas if you think about it, we dont know WHAT lies behind his mask of smiles. A great perception of the Tenken is a fic called "I am Tenken no Soujiro I am Seta Soujiro" by Kalus. When I read this fic, I was truely touched at the personification of Soujiro. *giggles* it kinda gives him a bad-ass persona but hey, it fits him if you read it and such. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Love to hear 'em! And you know..now that I think about it..this thing ALMOST resembles the outline for a plot. ....Almost.
To the Reviewers:
Chaos: Well I'm glad you like. I've got about 5 Sou/Misao fics lined up to write and post so expect them out before the year ends! (Chocolate and coke are good stuff tho!)
soul: I know! They're the cutest couple! And I'll update as fast as I can!
Rook: Glad you like it! ^____^
X_x: LOL nice facey :D I'm continuing!
Chibi-ken14: I try to add humour to all of my stories, even my angsty ones. I dunno why. Maybe cuz I'm naturally a baka ;D
Kyouhi: Thank you for your comments and help! And I have read Under the Circumstances, not sure about Legacy tho. I'm sure its as good as the first! And I will explain more on Misao's revelations as the fic goes on. Thanks again!
Midaoru: Humour seems to be my trademark for some reason. And to think I used to write only dark fics before i came to ff.net. Rock on!
lilin: More sou-misao at your request!!
red: Glad to give you a laugh! ^__^!
And a thanks to all those who read! ^_^
If you like my works or just Sou/Misao in general, I'd be happy if you checked out my other sou/misao fics. (Expect updates on I am and blanket scenario something before January) I've got a good deal more to post too, including another A/U. Yes, I am obsessed.
Leave a review, please! No flames, but constructive criticism is welcome!
**ignore the grammar, I do**
*bows*
Phoe-chan
Disclaimer: I do not own any of RK whatsoever. I do, however, have a wallscroll and Kenshin action figure hanging on my wall ^^;
----------
Mezamete-yuku Tamashii :: Awakening Spirits
Chapter 2 :: To Become Stronger
----------
Perhaps this was the start of a friendship.
SMACK! "KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!"
"WHAT?! WHAT DID I DO?! I DIDN'T TOUCH YOU!!"
Or not.
----------
Soujiro stared into the thicket. 'I know you're in there..' he thought as he waited in his crouched position, behind a tree.
Then, there was a streak of gray, followed by a bigger streak of blue as Soujiro moved in for the kill.
Misao opened her eyes. She frowned. Sure, adventuring with a rurouni was fun...when you had money. It had been two days and already she was broke. It didn't help that Soujiro was a bum. Now she resorted to sleeping under the trees. It wasn't that bad... No, really. Asside from the stomach ache from eating the wrong mushrooms and asside from nearly sleeping in a patch of poison ivy, she was finnnneee.
Just then, Soujiro came into view, a mess of fur in his hand.
"WHAT is THAT?" Misao asked, disgusted.
Soujiro just grinned. "Breakfast." He replied, tossed the mangled rabbit down. "You want to skin it or me?"
Misao groaned. Today was gonna be one of those days...
----------
Misao poked at the meat on the stick. "I am NOT eating that," she murmured as Soujiro smiled at her brightly.
"But Misao-san, you need to eat!"
"I will eat...when you give me something that looks like it wasn't struck by lightning!"
Soujiro seemed even more amused at her antics. "At least give it a try, Misao-san. You might like it."
Misao scoffed, "I doubt it." However, to Soujiro's pleasure, she slowly bit into the charred bunny meat.
She chewed slowly as Soujiro watched, still smiling.
"At least it tastes edible..."
Later, after chewing through well done rabbit, Soujiro contemplated on what they should do that day.
"We need to earn some money so we don't have to sleep outside tonight. With your clothing you could catch cold, Misao-san."
Misao glared at him. "And what's wrong with my outfit?"
Soujiro continued to smile, as usual. "N-nothing, Misao-san. But it's getting cold at night and you wouldn't want to catch cold, would you?" Soujiro didn't want to remind her of what the thugs had said about her clothing a few days ago.
Misao frowned. "I'll be fine. I AM Oniwabanshuu."
Soujiro nodded. "But it doesn't mean you're invincible, Misao-san."
Misao winced at that. Soujiro noted that. 'Must've hit a sore spot.' "Misao-san?"
Misao shot him a look. "What? Do you think I'm weak? Do you think I can't take care of myself? Is that it, Soujiro-kun?"
Soujiro continued to smile but inside he was thinking "Whoa..?"
"I didn't say that, Misao-san..."
"It's exactly what you said!" Misao yelled and stood up. Before Soujiro could think of a reply she stormed off.
"What was that all about?" He wondered outloud.
----------
Misao stomped down to a nearby river, scowling under her breath. "How could he say that?"
She paused by the water and stared down at her reflection. "How could Aoshi-sama say that?"
**Flashback**
Misao carried the tea tray with little effort, gracing the hallway with her presense. She headed down to the last door, where Okina and Aoshi were having a talk. Just as she was about to knock, she overheard part of their conversation.
She could hear Jiya's voice clearly. "That last fight almost got Misao-chan hurt."
Misao glanced down at her arm. 'It was only a scratch. Jiya's too protective of me...'
"Aa, she's the weakest of us all."
Misao's heart stopped. 'How could Aoshi-sama say that?'
Okina nodded. "She's still young."
Aoshi remained stoic. "Even so, I can't always keep her out of danger. She needs to learn to be able to take care of herself."
Misao felt her heart break. "Is this what Aoshi-sama thinks of me? Some weak child that he has to protect? I know he's always talking about being the strongest but is that how he wants his women, too? Of course it is, Misao. Don't fool yourself..."
Misao felt tears swell up as she turned and hastily walked away from the door. Thus, she failed to hear the last of the conversation.
"You really care for her don't you, Aoshi-kun?"
"Aa."
Misao's doubts flooded her mind, forcing the denial and logical thinking to the back. 'I'm too weak for him. I'm not good enough. I need to be stronger. Strong like Himura. He respects Himura. If I become stronger, he'll respect me. He'll love me...'
And so Misao left. "When I return, Aoshi-sama, I will be strong enough for you."
***
Misao didn't even realize tears were running down her cheeks. 'Soujiro-kun and Aoshi-sama..they think I'm weak..'
She then hardened her expression. "I'll just show them how strong I can be."
----------
Soujiro cleared the area he and Misao had been camping at, making sure all was well. As he worked, he pondered on the events of a few minutes ago.
'Where did she get the idea I said she was weak? Of course she's not that strong, but she can fend for herself in most instances. Maybe she still thinks I live by Shishio-san's teachings. But, I don't. I lost to Himura-san, so in that sense, I am weak. But Himura-san spared me. So I still don't know what I believe. Why does this have to be so hard? Shishio-san saved me from that awful place...but I lost my soul. Himura-san gave me back my soul and spared my life. So is this journey to make myself stronger? Or to find the atonement I need like Himura-san did. I wonder what made him stop wandering and settle down?'
Soujiro finally broke his train of thought and picked up his items. 'I guess I should find Misao-san and head into town.' Taking a moment to replace the mask of smiles on his face, he trodded down the path that Misao ran down and tried to keep his mind off of the thoughts that plagued him.
Soujiro made his way to the river. He casually looked around, expecting to find Misao nearby. Her footprints stopped along the water's edge. 'Well, I doubt she went into the water...' Soujiro mused, recalling the expression of hurt on the ninja-girl's face.
Soujiro barely heard the slight hissing sound as jumped to the side. Behind him, three kunai embedded themselves into the tree. 'Misao-san must REALLY be mad,' He noted. He continued to smile but he couldn't pinpoint Misao's location. 'I guess she wouldn't be a ninja if she couldn't mask her ki'
He didn't hear her softly padded feet but he did sense her presense. Soujiro whirled around and held up his arm just in time as Misao's fist collided against it.
Misao's eyes were wide with anger. And Soujiro's calm smiling expression made it worse. "That. Damned. Smile."
He was able to hide his expressions so easily and it made Misao sick. "For once could you at least be human?!"
Soujiro knew that wasn't what she was upset about and did nothing to change his ever so smiling face. He was glad that Shishio made it a point to teach him the basics of kenpo if he ever be caught without his sword. Of course Shishio would have had his head for being unprepared. However, the only real advantage Soujiro had was his godspeed and rather remarkable strength. Agility and technique were lacking. 'I'm a bit rusty...'
He didn't mind letting Misao get her anger out, but what he did mind was the look in her eyes. Such fierce determination yet those vivid emerald pupils reflected hurt and pain. She was very easy to read. Quite the opposite of the former Tenken.
Even through dodging her usually attacks, he easily saw the tears swelling up. And remembered the lesson Himura taught him about kindness and protection.
Suddenly, Soujiro went offensive and lunged at Misao. Misao, taken aback, widened her eyes as his strong arms wrapped around her tightly, pulling her into a warm embrace. Soujiro felt very uneasy, it was the first time he had ever hugged someone but he just knew this was the right thing to do. He heard her gasp as he pulled her to him, his hands pressing against her back and his chin on her shoulder.
"Misao-san," He murmured, his face burying into her loose strands of hair. "You are very strong-willed. And such a lively spirit. But, Misao-san...I don't like to see you hurting. Please..." Soujiro trailed off, feeling a ting of heat rise to his cheeks. What had possessed him to say that? He barely knew the girl.
He expected Misao to push away, even moreso to yell at him or attack again. He wasn't too good at comforting. However, he felt a slight dampness through his gi and western-style shirt. Misao felt no need to wipe away the tears that fell. She made no effort to return Soujiro's embrace, feeling all her energy disappear. Soujiro didn't mind, not that he had expected her to return it anyway. However he did seem shocked as she spoke up.
"I want to be stronger, Soujiro-kun. Like you. Teach me to be stronger? Onegai?"
Soujiro squeezed tighter as he thought hard. 'Like me? If only she knew...she wouldn't want to be like me. She wouldn't even be around me. However...'
"Alright, Misao-san. If that is what you want."
'If it will get me the love and respect I want...' Misao thought, closing her eyes tightly. "It is..."
Soujiro didn't reply. He just pondered, still embracing the young ninja.
'Perhaps in helping her, I will find the answers I seek...'
Tsuzukeru..
----------
A/N: I know Misao sounds a bit ooc, but after all those years of being sorta rejected by Aoshi, A girl has gotta get fed up eventually, Right? *glares at Kenshin and Aoshi* Men..
So right now Misao is contemplating on whether or not she loves Aoshi because all he seems to do is ignore her.
Sorry this is short..I've got so many fics..naturally I try to do them all, too...Just keep pestering me and I'll make 'em longer. (And to think, most of my multi-chapter stories are uber-long!)
I sorta battle with how I should perceive Soujiro. A lot of us go for the sweet and innocent boy, whereas if you think about it, we dont know WHAT lies behind his mask of smiles. A great perception of the Tenken is a fic called "I am Tenken no Soujiro I am Seta Soujiro" by Kalus. When I read this fic, I was truely touched at the personification of Soujiro. *giggles* it kinda gives him a bad-ass persona but hey, it fits him if you read it and such. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Love to hear 'em! And you know..now that I think about it..this thing ALMOST resembles the outline for a plot. ....Almost.
To the Reviewers:
Chaos: Well I'm glad you like. I've got about 5 Sou/Misao fics lined up to write and post so expect them out before the year ends! (Chocolate and coke are good stuff tho!)
soul: I know! They're the cutest couple! And I'll update as fast as I can!
Rook: Glad you like it! ^____^
X_x: LOL nice facey :D I'm continuing!
Chibi-ken14: I try to add humour to all of my stories, even my angsty ones. I dunno why. Maybe cuz I'm naturally a baka ;D
Kyouhi: Thank you for your comments and help! And I have read Under the Circumstances, not sure about Legacy tho. I'm sure its as good as the first! And I will explain more on Misao's revelations as the fic goes on. Thanks again!
Midaoru: Humour seems to be my trademark for some reason. And to think I used to write only dark fics before i came to ff.net. Rock on!
lilin: More sou-misao at your request!!
red: Glad to give you a laugh! ^__^!
And a thanks to all those who read! ^_^
If you like my works or just Sou/Misao in general, I'd be happy if you checked out my other sou/misao fics. (Expect updates on I am and blanket scenario something before January) I've got a good deal more to post too, including another A/U. Yes, I am obsessed.
Leave a review, please! No flames, but constructive criticism is welcome!
**ignore the grammar, I do**
*bows*
Phoe-chan