Chapter 18 – The Golden Necklace
By: Ochako107
Standard Disclaimers apply
"Every problem has a gift for you in its hands." -Richard Bach
"Ano… Aoshi? Aoshi wake up." Aoshi groaned feeling two small hands shaking him. "Aoshi-chan I need da' go…"
He looked up into the dark green eyes staring down at him while biting her small lip. "Okay, Kag-chan." He got up and led the girl to the bathroom. He helped her up onto the toilet and closed the door.
It had been two years since he'd adopted Makamachi Kagura. He'd found the girl to be quite a sightwhen hemet her attwo years old. She was almost as stolid as Aoshi. Wasn't it unnatural for a young child to be so icy? Her responses were, "Shinomori-san," this or, "Aoshi-san," that.
As he stood outside the bathroom door listening to her hum some kind of children's song Kenshin taught her, he thought back to the day at the orphanage.
Flashback
Saiga lead Aoshi to the small building. "Shinomori, are you sure you want to adopt her?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
Saiga opened the gates and lead Aoshi to the wooden doors. "She's not your average bundle of joy. She never talks much but she does smile a lot. It's a bit offsetting to many people." She watched Aoshi's features and he didn't budge.
"I want to meet her, and then it will be up to her if she'd like to come with me." He turned his head and Saiga automatically looked to the floor blushing. "Thank you for taking me here."
"No…no problem! If you need anything you know where to find me."
"Sure." Saiga waved good bye and walked away. Aoshi felted the cool metal knob beneath his palm as he turned the door, the entrance to his last resort for sanity.
A nun at the desk came around and greeted Aoshi. After he told her of the young girl he was looking for, the nun frowned.
"I don't think she'd like to talk to anymore, sir."
"Let me." The nun obliged with his request and the pair walked around the building. The children ran around playing games with one another. A carefree child hood of the sort. Once they entered a room filled with six twin beds, by the window sat a young two year old, humming to herself. The nun left them alone and Aoshi took quiet steps towards the child.
She looked so fragile, staring out the window, smiling and humming…
"Excuse me…"
"AHHHH!!! SISTER ROSETTA! AHHHHHHHH!!!" She fell off the bed she was sitting on and began crying.
"No, no! Don't cry!" Aoshi found himself at the young girl's side. "Shhh, I only want to talk to you and the sister is right outside." The small child looked up at him with big teary eyes. "Is your name Kagura, girl?" Her face scrunched up at his hard tone of voice and her lip began trembling.
Okay, he had to speak softer.
He pulled out his locket and showed it to her. "A lady told me that you smile but never say anything. Why is that?" His voice was smooth and slightly softer this time.
"…"
"When I was younger, I was very quiet too. Then I met a particular girl who gave me a voice again. She was very nice with bright green eyes and a big smile all the time."
"Y… you did?" She asked frowning while watching the necklace like a pendulum.
"Yes… she helped me be happy. Are you happy?"
"Not until mommy… come back for me…" She whispered. "She makes smile."
"Smile?"
"She… come back and… hold me again." She looked up at him and bit her lip. "No you."
Aoshi didn't know what to say. Her mother was dead… would she be happy with him nevertheless? He placed his hand on his knee letting the necklace dangle from his hand as he thought of the situation at hand.
The orphan averted her eyes but found them still trying to side glace the necklace at hand. She found her hand itching to touch it. Aoshi noticed the young girl's eyes wavering and smirked.
"Do you like it?"
"…It… very pretty." Aoshi crouched a little closer to her and opened the ornament to reveal the picture. She looked up at him as he placed it in her fragile hands. "Mine."
"No, you see this is mine. This lady gave it to me." He explained softly while pointing to Misao holding the baby girl. The orphan scratched her head and groaned. He found her awkwardness pleasant. She was so small and innocent, how could anyone not want her? The small girl shook her head and glared at Aoshi.
"No, MINE! Mommy gave… and she comes back to me!" She ran away from Aoshi and dove into her bed. Aoshi stood up and watched a small ball under the covers. She reappeared and pulled out an identical necklace. "See?"
Aoshi walked over and sat next to her. "Do you miss your mommy?" She nodded and spread her arms wide showing just how much. "So do I."
"Mommy know scary man?" She asked crawling up to Aoshi's side. He was slightly distraught at how much even a child could see he was icy. "Mommy came back?"
"She sent someone to look after you." She looked down and considered the option. Suddenly, she burst out crying.
"No! Mommy will come back! Not you—mommy loves me!" She burst out crying more. Aoshi rubbed her shoulders and 'shh'-ed her. "I want my mommy…"
At this statement, it nearly broke his heart. What was he to tell her? He wasn't heartless; he couldn't come out and say 'she's dead.'
The young girl stopped crying suddenly when she felt something wet drop on her neck. She looked up to see Aoshi taking big breaths while silent tears rolled down his cheeks. "…?"
Aoshi wiped the tears away and faced the small girl. "You're mommy… isn't here right now but I promise to take care of you until you see her one day. I want your mommy to come back too but…" He watched her eyes weld up. "I promise… if you'd like we can miss mommy together."
She looked down at her necklace and put in on. Aoshi watched her climb into his lap and fiddle with the edge of his coat. After a while she asked, "What is your name?"
He raised his head to watch the sunset out of the French door windows. "Shinomori Aoshi. What is yours?"
"…Makamachi Kagura. It is nice to meet you Shinomori-san." With that there was a comforting silence as the young girl fell asleep in Aoshi's arms.
After a moment, the nun came in and tapped on the door. "Is everything all right Shinomori-san?"
"Yes…"
"And Kagura?"
"Fine… I think would like to adopt her."
"Under Shinomori?"
"No…" He hesitantly stroked her black tendrils away from her face. "She still has a mother. Makamachi is fine."
End Flashback
Now at the age of four her personality was changing. She was very intellectual and full of questions. She began opening up to Aoshi and her 'Auntie Kaoru, Aunt Megumi Uncle Sano and Uncle Ken'. She had even got in the habit of calling him, "Aoshi-chan" sometimes. Her hair was as black as Aoshi's except for the tint of a deep violet when the sun hit it correctly and she pulled it into two buns of the side of her head. She was also exceptionally short, thus having to ask Aoshi to help her on the toilet still.
Aoshi rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. "I'm going to have to get you a step stool, Kag-chan."
"Hai!" He heard her flush the toilet and a 'plop' telling him she'd jumped down from the toilet. He walked back in and lifted her up to wash her hands. "Aoshi, did mommy have problems with being short like me?"
Aoshi smirked. "Yes, on occasions she had some."
"What did she look like?"
"You've asked me this before, Kag-chan. Just like you."
"But was she prettier? Mommy must have because you always say I'm pretty."
"Aa. Why don't you get dressed and we'll go over to your aunt and uncle's house for breakfast."
Kagura smiled and hopped away just like Misao. "Okay! I hope Uncle Ken is making pancakes again. He always lets me mix the bowl." Aoshi got up and also dressed for the day.
"Misao…" She was always on his mind when he watched Kagura play and laugh. He'd felt better then he ever had in years. It was like he'd regained his energy after adopting his new way of life.
Later, the two made their way down the block. "Aoshi?"
Another question.
"Yes?"
"How did mommy die?"
"Kagura… can this wait for another day?"
"But why?"
"This isn't something I like to talk about. Maybe when you're a little older."
"I'm old enough! But… okay. I'll listen to you. Aoshi-chan, you loved mommy?"
"Yes chibi." He answered using his pet name for her.
"Did you get married?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Why?"
"We didn't get to."
"If you did, could I call you chichi?"
"I… suppose so."
"Okay, well I say you and mommy did get married, so I can call you chichi!" Aoshi picked up Kagura and put her on his shoulders as they walked in the park. "You see, I think you and mommy got married because you loved each other. You love mommy and I'm positive she loved you because I love you! So you have to be my chichi!"
"Kag-chan… you're crazy."
She played with Aoshi's hair. "But… you don't want to be my daddy?" Aoshi and Kagura had reached Sano and Megumi's front door when he paused.
"Kag-chan it's not that. It's just… complicated. Your mommy was very special and she had you. I'd want to ask your mommy if it's okay first." Kagura thought a moment.
"Grown ups are too hard to understand. I think mommy would want me to call you 'daddy' cause you've taken care of me and I think mommy brought us together! See?" She pulled out Aoshi's locket around his neck and hers which was identical.
"Mommy might not be here to hug me and kiss me good night like you do. Or read me stories or cook me dinner, but you do! So mommy is here with both of us! And she says it's okay because we're a family!" She hugged Aoshi and knocked the door. He didn't know what to say to that.
"You're wise for your age, Kagura."
Just then, Sano opened the door and grabbed Kagura. "There's the little monster!"
"Uncle Sano!" Sano laughed and tossed the girl into the air before catching her.
"Hey Aoshi, why so glum?" Sano asked holding Kagura in one arm and letting Aoshi pass by him.
"Hai, chichi, who so glum?" Kag-chan reiterated. Aoshi looked up at her shining green eyes. She was just as hard headed and playful as her mother.
"Because you like Uncle Sano better then your own chichi."
"That's not true!" Kagura leaped onto Aoshi like a frog and showered him with kisses. "See? Now can I go find Uncle Ken?" Aoshi nodded as she bolted out of the room like a tornado.
Sano hung up their coats. "Hey, I thought you didn't want her to call you 'dad' yet."
"But she insisted." They two men walked into the kitchen to find Kenshin making breakfast and Megumi and Kaoru sitting at the table. "How are you fairing Megumi?"
She rubbed her stomach. "Just fine, but this baby really does want to eat a lot. Just like his father!"
"Oi!"
Kaoru laughed at that and thanked Kenshin for her breakfast. "Oh, how could I forget, come here chibi."
Kagetsu walked over obediently. "What is it, Auntie?"
"Here, I have a present." Kaoru rummaged through her purse. "Can I see your locket?" The young girl let Kaoru borrow it as she slipped in a picture next to the one of her and Misao. "There you go."
She looked down at the new photo of all her aunts and uncles and her dad that was beside the photo of her and her mother. "Wow! Look, chichi! I have the whole family with me now, where ever I go! Look, look!"
Aoshi ruffled her hair. "I see, it's very nice. What do you say, chibi?"
"Thank you so much, Auntie Kaoru!"
"Don't thank me; thank your uncle for the idea."
"Thank you, Uncle Ken!"
"Oro…" Kenshin muttered.
"Oro…" Kagura mimicked.
Megumi laughed. "You know, you'll have a new play mate soon?"
"Yes! Aoshi-chan said I have to be a good older… older girl to the baby."
Aoshi poured himself some tea. "Himura, how was your last mission?"
"Good, but I'm thinking of having a vacation. Kaoru and I would like to get away from work for some time."
"I see. Still have not proposed to her?"
"Oro… not yet, I do not what to force her into anything yet. Also I need to ask…"
The two men continued to talk as did the women as Kagura walked into the yard and played on a merry go round her Uncle Sano made. While playing she began singing to herself.
The young girl was always singing or humming some kind of song or something she made up. Aoshi could always hear her small voice throughout their apartment singing about rain drops and roses or coconuts… some kind of song. He considered taking her to lessons… but he would wait until she was older.
Later, Aoshi came outside to watch his chibi play. She pushed the merry go round with all her might and tried to hop on. She was getting better at it, but couldn't quite make it move as fast as she pleased.
"Chichi? Can you help me?"
"Aa." Aoshi walked over as she climbed onto the merry go round. "Hold tight Kag-chan." He began pushing it around. She squealed with laughter and clapped her hands at the sudden rush of wind blowing at her face.
From inside the house, the group smiled. "Aoshi is really opening up these past years." Sano smirked.
"Yeah, Misao-dono would be proud." Kenshin said.
"She IS proud." Megumi patted her belly.
"Funny. What's going to happen now? I can only imagine." Kaoru commented.
Everyone turned to Kenshin and Kaoru at that moment. Sano and Megumi smiled; the old leaders of the team, Brains and Brawn, what would they think? "What do you two suggest?"
"We should have a place where our children can grow up peacefully. Not that Chicago is a horrible place, but away from the PCW." Kenshin stated. "I would like Megumi to raise her child away from the dangers. But…" Kenshin smiled to Sano, "that is up to you two; this one is only making a suggestion."
Kaoru took a sip of coffee. "And Kagura-chan needs to have room to grow. They do not need to know of violence we once put ourselves though. Aoshi has already given up working at PCW and is now living up north in the more secluded areas with Kagura. He's renting an apartment till he can move but it sounds like a good idea for you all."
Megumi paused to stare out the window at Kag-chan hopping onto Aoshi's back pulling him down to the floor, Aoshi's face looking just a hint in discomfort. "But what about you and Ken-san? Will you two not come with us? As friends, we would want you all to come."
Kenshin smiled and wrapped an arm around Kaoru. "As of today we are no longer your leaders, but simply friends. Our time together was wonderful out on the field, but time changes as does everything. We all need a happy place to raise children and grow. Kaoru and I will follow you all shortly, but we need a word with Shishou."
Kaoru's eyes widened. "We do?"
"Yes, Kaoru-dono. How can you become Himura Kaoru without my Shishou's or I mean your father's consent? The man will surely have my head that he certainly will. Ah but, but of course you have to say you would want this unwo--" Kaoru jumped out of her seat and hugged Kenshin tightly. "Oro?"
"Just shut up and kiss me." She was blushing, but pulled Kenshin to her, savoring their kiss just as breathtaking as their first all those years ago at the hospital.
Megumi and Sano turned away from the couple smirking as they watched Aoshi tap his adopted daughter's nose. "This might sound corny," Sano started, "but it's nice how everything comes back full circle. Like a merry go round, we're blown away as fast as you want to go, but when everything stops…" He looked down at Megumi's growing belly. "Something will always start it up again, ready to take its turn at a spin."
His wife took his hand. "I couldn't have said it better myself, Sanosuke. Seeing Aoshi warming up to that little goof ball is touching. And look at Kenshin and Kaoru…" She took a deep sigh and leaned on her husband's shoulder. "Reminds me when we were in Venice and you proposed to me over the bridge… it was romantic, Sanosuke."
"I thought we were done with this formal stuff, kitsune."
"And I thought we were done with name calling, tori-atama." The both laughed as Megumi felt her baby kick.
Sano kissed her belly and Megumi blushed pink. "I guess we all aren't really done then, are we? This will be something to tell this kid when he starts to understand stuff."
Kenshin and Kaoru stepped apart feeling the rush of blood surging through their cheeks. "Of course I'd marry you, Kenshin! I've been waiting for you to ask!"
Kenshin turned to Megumi who was smashing Sano's cheeks in amusement. "It's true, Ken-san, she has been waiting ever since you kissed her at the hospital. She just can't shut up about it every night. Ohoho!"
"Oro. I suppose this one was a little late then."
"Damn right you were, Kenshin." Sano muttered under his breath. Everyone laughed at that not know of the scene playing outside.
In the yard, Kagura pulled out her locket. "Chichi? Will you be with Kag-chan forever?"
"Yes."
"How about Uncle Ken and Uncle Sano?"
"Yes."
"Aunt Megumi and Auntie Kaoru?"
"Yes…" He stroked her head comfortably while looking up at the sky. "Everyone will stay with you as long as you keep your spirit. Even if they do go away, they'll never really leave, chibi." His thoughts drifted to Misao once again.
He turned his attention back to the young girl. So young but so wise. She didn't even know what her future had in store for her. Ninja skills, questions about her past, teenager life, then collage, boys… marriage—ah better stop at that.
For now, right at this moment, he had his little girl, and wasn't going to let her go. Not for a second.
Breaking from his thoughts he heard her hum…
Humming a song… he had not listened to since he had adopted her.
"Mmmh mhhh… mmm…" She sang while admiring the new photo in her locket.
"Kagura." Aoshi voiced. Where had she learned that song? "What is that song…?"
She closed the locket and smiled up at her adoptive father. "I don't know." She answered simply. "I don't know the words… but someone used to sing it to me… I think." There was a pause as the morning breeze picked up around them and Kagura tried to remember the tune again, humming out some kind of tune.
Little sweet
sweet Butterfly
I hear him crowing faintly…
Suddenly Aoshi wrapped his arms around her tighter while humming along with his child. "Daddy! You know this song too?"
"Yes… it is my favorite…" He whispered. 'This song… is this what it meant? Was Misao telling me to hold on because she had a child? And Kagura knows the tune… my baby girl…'
"I must learn it to make you smile daddy!" She pulled away from him and stuck her fingers in the crook of his lips and turned them up into a smile. "Mommy would want to see you smile! I will make you happy, I promise!"
"Just having you here makes me happy, Kag-chan."
"But I want you to be extra extra happy! Like how Aunt Megumi looks at Uncle Sano when he's always rubbing her belly. If you rub it will it give you good luck? And how Uncle Kenshin always gives Auntie Kaoru funny glances when she's not looking. Why aren't you all smiley like that daddy?"
"Kagura…"
"Please, chichi? I don't want you… sad."
He took her petite hands in his with a soft smile etching his lips. "You are all I need right now, chibi. I am happy knowing that you are here. I am happy that you did not leave me…"
"Like mommy?"
There was a long pause, so she climbed into his lap and found him staring into space with a forlorn gaze. She already knew what he was thinking about.
'Oh mommy, chichi is thinking all sad about you again. I am sorry I can't make him smile… but I WILL make him one day! I won't leave him ever until I see him smile for real! Then you will be really happy in heaven I hope!'
She tugged his coat gently. "Chichi? Aoshi-chan?"
"Yes, Kagura. Like mommy. Like mommy, she will never really leave you."
Kag-chan tilted her head and smiled wide. She placed her small hands on either side of Aoshi's face and shook her head 'no'.
"She'll never leave us, chichi. She'll never leave us…"
Author's note: It's over? IT'S OVER? Well, actually it is…
NOT!
Aha... .; Sorry for such a late update, exams and stuff you know? But I'm glad it's over so yeah. How did I do considering this is the longest story I've done yet? Only one more chapter… and I hope you like the ending. I'm having an issue with letting it go since I put so much effort and time into this. Anyway…
My last Responses!
Keruri1222- Mou… I must say again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Yeay! I hope it was a good one. I'm sorry I couldn't come to your house… my parents were being… GR! If that's such a thing. Nevertheless, I'll get it to you even if I have to walk over there tomorrow. Nothing will stop me, I SWEAR. Thank you for the review! I'm glad that I actually got you hooked on RK once again. Aoshi will have revelations next chapter.
Erica6060- Yes, only one more chapter. Misao's death brought Aoshi and Kagura together though! Yeay for them.
Tintin-chan- Ya, Sano being afraid of cameras was a must, I thought it would be so funny. But now the two are married.
Jahiro19- Yea yea, my life story, everyone's sad about Misao's death get over it. Lol (I'm so sympathetic) And if you can tell me what words have you messed up, I can translate. I mean, I didn't use too many phrases… just a few that I thought weren't too hard to translate, and from context clues you could figure it out. Oh well, have fun on your cruise!
crazedfan- Thank you for loving this story! It was beautiful? Aw, that's so sweet. I hope to see you at the last chapter, thanks for the review!
Jade eyed neko- No… Aoshi doesn't have a new love interest… unless you could count the new child he adopted now. She's so cute! Saiga is not Misao I'm sorry to say. And yea, everyone is all lovey dovy except Aoshi. But he's just happy to have Kagura with him, a piece of Misao. Thank you for the review!
RuRoUnIKeNsHiNFrEaK8o8- (Eep what a long name you have!) No, you don't suck at writing. You can't because if you can come up with a plot and stuff anyone can write! I hope to even see one of your stories one day! And thank you for thinking this story rocks, I just can't believe the end is coming so soon!
Beowulf31486- Man, (or girl… I hope that wasn't an offence!) you are such a nice reviewer! So polite too! Yet, thank you very much for the support, I thought everyone was getting turned off by killing Misao but the way you put it, it is more optimistic! Thanks! Yes, next chapter will be the end of this crazy roller coaster ride, I'm so sad! And you were the only one to point out all the little hints and trail of clues, so I must say thank you again for being so clever and a well rounded reviewer!
Hikari-kawaii- Wow you sure like to laugh a lot ne? Tehehe, thank you for staying with us in B&B, it means so much to me! And see, Aoshi is becoming happy yeay! Thank you for the review!
Anonymus T- Hi again! Well let's see… Aoshi won't be getting together with Saiga. She was just put in as another lead too… Kagura! Yeay! Aoshi is a little happier now! As for Misao's death, well she's dead in this chapter. See you in the last chapter I hope!
Kenshinlover2002- Who's the girl? Um, which girl? Saiga is the girl who took Aoshi to the orphanage. Kagura is Misao's child because remember Misao was selling her body to support her grandpa? Ya, she had a baby. Dun worry… (smiles) it will be explained in the last chapter. I'm sorry you got confused!
DBZ Goddess- Yeah, they did travel and as you can see, they even went as far as getting married! Such a happy couple, now with a baby. And yet again, I have to say it makes me happy that this story makes YOU happy! And you have the whole RK collection? That's way too awesome! I collect the manga, which is getting into the Kyoto arc finally! Yay! And as you can see, I did update before Christmas. So Merry Christmas to you too, Goddess-san! I hope next year treats you well!
Am1289- Hoho, I'm so glad ya like the story! And Misao being dead. YES. In this chapter she is dead! Stay tune to see the final chapter!
Disangel10- Next chapter will answer all those questions. I know, it is sad that Aoshi and Misao never became boyfriend and girlfriend, but well… Aoshi has a bundle of joy now! Feel a little better? Lol sorry.
Clamsofmacabre- Ehehe, yes, sorry Misao is dead in this chapter. But she left Kagura for Aoshi so it's sorta good! And yes, you keep thinking there is still hope for Misao for she lives in her daughter now! Thanks for the review!
Wow people, this all makes me SO pleased. Thanks everyone for the reviews, I REALLY REALLY hope to see you in the final chapter of Brains and Brawn. Happy Holidays and have a great winter break for those in school! Review if you'd like! Peace and joy everyone.