Burning Desire

Hot tears cascaded down Misao's face as she ran into the Aoiya. She had subconsciously kicked off her shoes before entering the living quarters of the Aoiya, but still she ran down the hallway, hiccups escaping her throat as she cried and breathed heavily trying to find the seclusion of the room she first woke up in. She felt ashamed having run away from the man who spared her life, but once she heard that one word 'geisha' all her memories came flooding back when she had been working so hard to forget them.

Misao's passageway was blocked however, when she ran blindly into a hard chest. A screech escaping her lips as she fell backward and landed soundly on her rump. Those teary blue eyes gazed up into a white mask, Hannya having kneeled down on one leg, his gloved hand out ready to offer Misao some help up, but that is not what happened at all. Instead more tears escaped Misao's eyes as she fell into his chest; her lower body crumpled on the wooden floorboards, but her arms where around Aoshi's most trusted subordinate as she cried heavily into his chest.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" Misao kept repeating over and over again as she wept into the strong arms of Hannya. He had done nothing but look down at the short weeping girl, her form curling up within itself even if her upper body was thrust into his lower abdomen. She seemed so small, so innocent and vulnerable and what Hannya could gather at the moment was the fact that Misao, this mysterious young woman who'd been rescued by his leader was hiding more pain within her. He lifted his head when he felt the presence of his Okashira and green-grey eyes gazed upon him and Misao as he stood in the hallway about five metres away from them. Hannya finally knew that something had occurred between the both of them and it had not faired well at all. Misao for one, because she was crying and the fact that Aoshi had actually come after her was a given something was wrong. There was a curt nod from Aoshi and Hannya nodded in return as though information had just been passed from leader to subordinate. So, now they knew what Misao was.

Hannya watched Aoshi turn swiftly around, heading back into the chilled night air as though knowing Hannya would take care of this little "problem" he himself had created for now. Hiccups came from Misao, her tears subsiding, but she gasped lightly in surprise when she felt Hannya's gloved right hand wrap round her and rest atop of her head…silently allowing her to grieve more if she wanted to. His other hand lay comfortably on her shoulder, allowing her the freedom to weep for her own pain.

Footsteps alerted Hannya that someone was coming and he turned his head slightly to watch small feet covered with socks and slippers and then a plain green yukata as the woman headed around the corner trying to locate him obviously.

"Hannya you ne-" Okon stopped dead when she saw the usually aloof ninja embracing Misao like he was, the both of them half laying or sitting on the wooden floorboards in the middle of the hallway. How odd it seemed that this usually quiet ninja was giving Misao the time of day…or night rather. Okon backed away when she had seen Hannya jerk his head slightly, he silently voicing Okon to leave them be for now and find him afterwards. Okon respected his wishes and headed off, but not without worrying about the young girl.

Time seemed to slip by as Misao rested in the arms of Hannya, her shaking gone, as was her full out weeping, but the sniffles still remained. As Misao collected herself, she began to shuffle away from Hannya and felt him drop his hand away from the back of her head. He silently observed as Misao shifted to sit on her shins, her hands reaching up to brush the tear marks away from her face. He observed the change in her cheeks as they grew dark from having cried all over him like a baby would, but as she sat there with the cool breeze caressing her back she had finally felt another person for the first time in a long time and he was,

"Atatakai…" Misao mumbled to herself and then looked up at Hannya, he now standing in front of her, silently bending over with his gloved hand out wanting to help her to her feet like he had done before. Misao took his hand, making sure that once she got to her feet she looked slightly presentable and straightened out the yukata she was wearing.

"Arigatoo Hannya-kun…" Misao spoke softly and bowed before him. If he was surprised you could not tell for the mask hid all emotions.

"Come, I will show you the room you shall occupy since you are staying in the Aoiya with all of us from now on." Misao followed Hannya down the hallway, up the stairs and down yet another hallway only to come face to face with a closed shoji. He slid the shoji silently across its hinges and although the room was much smaller then the other sleeping quarters, this room would benefit someone who craved the sense of peace and solitude during the night.

"Hannya-kun, you and the others are too kind on me. I would be happy with just a futon and that is all. There is no need fo-"

"This was Shinomori-sama's idea."

"Eh?" Misao jerked her head up to look at the side of Hannya's white mask as he stared into the room. There were tatami's on the floor; a futon already laid out for Misao to rest in and a chest of draws situated in the far-left corner of the small room. A polished wooden chair sat near the open shutters of a small window with a table for two near it on Misao's right. Candles sat upon the window seal and table flickering as a soft breeze blew through the room. Misao was shocked at seeing the quality of the room she would be staying in and became even more astounded when her eyes fluttered across a couple of ukiyo-e prints hung on the wooden walls.

"This room has not been in use for many years, not since a young mistress used to stay in here. When you arrived, Shinomori-sama had already decided that this is where you would stay. He may seem a bit cold at first Misao-chan but he cares for the welfare of lost women and children a lot more then you would think." Hannya witnessed Misao flinch slightly and set her eyes upon him at his last words. She jerked forward however, when Hannya placed his hand on her back making her step into the room.

"Oyasumi nasai, I shall see you tomorrow."

"Hannya-kun?" Misao spoke before he could slide the shoji shut. He stood in the same stance just before he walked off, but turned his head to face Misao, observing as she stood on tiptoe and kissed the right cheek of his mask.

"Oyasumi nasai!" Misao quickly shut the shoji afterwards and leaned against it, Hannya's form still very much outlined on the paper.

"Arigatoo Hannya-kun…" Misao mumbled softly and headed for the window and table to blow out the candles and then crawled into the futon facing away from the shoji, her eyes closing in bliss as though being with Hannya made her forget what had occurred in the training hall.

*

(Inside the Training Hall)

Aoshi wielded his kodachi's like a true sword master, making them sway to the dance of death. Even though the nights were still cold, sweat broke from his brow and clung to the tips of his long bangs. One would think he'd be so deep in his own kata's with the way he moved around the dojo, but a mere shimmering in the night from a kunai was deflected in a heartbeat and embedded into the floorboards below.

"Perhaps it is time for the Okashira to get an early nights rest for once." A deep voice responded as Hannya made his way into the dully lit training hall.

"You're still up Hannya." Aoshi retorted to his subordinate and eyed him calmly as he picked up his kunai and deposited it back into its hiding place.

"For I am on night duty leader, it is my turn tonight." A hint of a smirk crossed Aoshi's face as he placed himself into a defensive stance.

"Sou ka…"

"Shall we begin?" Hannya questioned even though he already knew what the answer would be. He bowed formally to his leader before charging towards him as they broke into a training match.

"So now we know what Misao-chan is." Hannya spoke and caught the raised eyebrow as he referred to the young woman like the others did, as though she were to be trusted. He dodged a kenpo strike from Aoshi and let fly a couple of kunai, but observed as his leader dodged them easily, he having actually plucked one from the air and tucked it into the white tie holding his ninja uniform top closed.

"Really Hannya, must we speak when we are training?" Aoshi responded with a question of his own, but his trusted subordinate was soon back with another.

"Surely this is an easy task for the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu?" A swift move from Aoshi saw Hannya deposited onto the floorboards, his own kunai that Aoshi had plucked from the air earlier was now pressed close to his neck.

"Aa, but I prefer silence mainly." Aoshi helped Hannya up and headed for his saya to resheath his weapons. How odd it seemed that he carried two blades within one sheath. Aoshi held a white cloth in his hand, dapping at his brow since the two of them had finished training for the night.

"So she is a geisha then?" Hannya questioned even though he already knew the full answer from having watched her like his commander.

"Seems to be, for when I told her what her skills looked like to me, her running away was evident that I had been correct." Aoshi replied instantly.

"Sou ka, you made Misao-chan cry then?" Hannya observed his leader turn his icy green-grey eyes silently towards him.

"It does not rest well within you does it Shinomori-sama?" Aoshi remained silent at Hannya's question and watched his friend brush some nonexistent dust from his blue ninja uniform and then proceed to head towards the open shoji. He was after all on night patrol.

"She is quite a strange character Shinomori-sama. One minute she will cry her heart out and the next thing you know she is kissing you. Most strange it is."

"She kissed you?"

"Aa, do I detect a hint of jealousy coming from the iceman himself?" Hannya taunted as he spoke to his leader over his shoulder.

"Hannya…" Aoshi responded, one gloved hand fisting as he watched his faithful ninja wave lightly at him and then head out of the training hall to do his usual surveillance work around the outskirts of the Aoiya's grounds.

Aoshi was left alone in the training hall once more and blew out the flames from the lanterns that were situated in the dojo, but took the last one with him as he stepped outside and closed the shoji. His eyes lifted up to the second floor of the Aoiya where everyone would be sleeping, but his eyes focused on an open window, which was facing the training hall and knew Misao would be resting in that very room. His eyes narrowed when Hannya's statement rolled in his mind and he swiftly turned heading for the bathhouse to go about his business.

*

(Aoshi's sleeping quarters)

How ironic that his own sleeping quarters was in fact directly across from where Misao rested, but not that she actually knew this. His room was forbidden to enter unless he saw it fit for someone to come in, which was rare. He sat at his desk writing up the last of the letters that he would get Okon to send via pigeon to all the neighbouring villages and towns near Kyoto where his loyal ninja's lay, but also to his "office" in Edo as well.

He was dressed in a beige yukata much like Misao's white one except it was made for his build. As the light in his lantern began to die down, Aoshi finally thought it best to rest, as there were more matters that needed to be fixed up when a certain dark haired girl woke up in the morning.

*

(The next morning)

Everyone awoke the next morning to go about his or her usual business. None of the other Oniwabanshuu would have ever thought that Misao was an early riser too. Okon and Omasu headed for the kitchen, dressed in plain coloured but expensive kimonos. Both of them stopped at the passageway heading into the kitchen with Kuro and Shiro not too far behind them as they gazed upon the scene being played out in front of them. The newest arrival to the Aoiya was humming softly to some tune she had been taught long ago while preparing tea for everyone. She moved around with ease, knowing exactly where everything was kept, even if it was her first time in the kitchen. Bubbling sounds came from a large pot sitting on an open fire and the wide-eyed household members watched Misao pad towards it and lift the pot off with ease, an apron around her kimono was being used to protect her hands from being burned.

"Mi-Misao-chan daijoubu?" Okon asked as she stepped into the kitchen. Misao was dressed in the green kimono Aoshi had found her in, since Omasu had washed it for her. Her long blue-black hair was pulled back away from her face and placed into a bun with clips holding her short wisps of hair back as well. Misao had found the clips in one of the drawers in the room and thought it would be okay to use them. Ocean blue eyes looked over at her audience and placed on a bright smile as though what occurred last night had never happened.

"Minna-san, ohayoo!" Misao greeted cheerfully, but noticed Okon's concerned eyes on her. Perhaps she knew of her crying last night? Misao shook her head and then lifted the lid off the pot; the smell of fresh miso soup filled the kitchen.

"Would everyone like miso soup and warm tea for breakfast? I wanted to thank everyone again for having me here and so I got up early to make it. That's okay…right?" Misao's wide eyes stared up at Shiro and Kuro, almost pouting at them as not to get into trouble for being in the kitchen without them since they were the cooks and all.

"Hai, hai Misao-chan, we'll have to get you to cook something for us another day as well. Its smells really good."

"That's because I picked fresh herbs form the garden to place in it. There is a big difference between these fresh ones and the grounded ones in the cupboard that's for sure." Misao replied politely but also proudly as she carried bowls and chopsticks into the eating room. Kuro had opted to take the large serving pot for her, Misao smiling her thanks when he did so. Omasu had ended up bringing out the ladle to serve breakfast with.

"Your lucky I saved the herbs in the garden from being overcrowded by all the other plants. At least summer has finally come so more will grow soon enough." She laughed merrily and spoke once more, her finger pointing childishly at the male cooks. She had not even noticed a certain someone standing at the doorway listening to her cheery joking voice.

"I don't think any of you knew there were herbs growing in that garden did you?" Misao laughed lightly again when Shiro and Kuro scratched the back of their heads in slight embarrassment. They were saved however, when,

"Ohayoo Shinomori-sama." An elderly voice broke through and all eyes turned to Okina and Aoshi as they walked into the eating room. Aoshi silently nodded to Okina's greeting and sat at the head of the table, his green-grey eyes flickering over to Misao, he watching as her own eyes quickly diverted away when he had caught her staring.

"Ah, smells wonderful Misao-chan, may I?" The elderly man held out an empty bowl, watching Misao nod her head and then she served him some miso soup. Everyone sat around the low table content to eat the soup Misao had made for the morning. Tea was poured and made continuously available if someone wanted more then one cup, which was very likely.

"Where is Hannya-kun?" Misao questioned as she noticed the masked man was not with the rest of them.

"Asleep." Was her one word answer she received from Aoshi, his eyes looking into the miso soup he had in his bowl. Misao bit her bottom lip when he picked it up and took a sip. There was a thick silence, Misao leaning forward as though wanting to catch any words of what her "saviour" thought of her cooking skills.

"Oishii…" Was a soft mumble she had craned her hearing to receive.

"Yokatta!" Misao spoke a little too loudly, all eyes focusing on her at that very moment.

"Eh…eeto…gomen nasai…" Misao spoke in embarrassment as she ducked her head, trying to hide her deep blush behind her own soup bowl. Aoshi eyes had not left her form and watched as Okina sided up besides her, cackling like the old man he was. He was not able to pinch Misao like he hoped as Aoshi's deep voice broke through his laughter once more.

"Don't even think about it Okina." He had read the old man like an open book. Misao blinked silently and confusedly between the both of them as she wasn't sure what Aoshi's words were for, but finally tilted her head over her left shoulder to see what Okina's hand was nearly touching-her backside…yet again!

"You old lech!" Misao erupted and smacked the elderly man, watching just like the others as he lost his balance and fell to the floor, now covered in miso soup.

"Oh, gomen nasai Okina-san, I didn't mean it honest!" Misao spoke, going back to her 'lady like' manner. Aoshi did nothing but raise an eyebrow as Misao helped him up and raced to the kitchen to get a cloth. The others however did nothing but laugh. She was already beginning to change. As Misao profusely apologised to Okina for hitting him, he in turn just shook his head and wiped himself off of soup.

"I would hope you'd save some of the breakfast you made for Hannya Misao. He would appreciate it considerably." Aoshi spoke as he stood up having finished before the others. Ocean sprayed eyes locked onto semi hidden ones and Misao nodded her head once, her voice following soon afterwards.

"H-Hai Shinomori-sama…" Misao watched the tall man head for the foyer, he actually dressed in a different outfit, one that wasn't like his uniform, but it was still in the same purple colouring. It really did suit him well.

"I shall be out all morning so I will not need lunch this afternoon. I'll be back after the sun sets, but do not wait to have dinner with me."

"Have a pleasant day Shinomori-sama." Aoshi nodded his thanks and left.

"Ne Misao-chan weren't you going to work in the garden today?" Omasu questioned as she began collecting everyone's dishes with the help of Okon. Misao snapped out of her thoughts and stood up, smiling at the two women as she nodded her head affirmatively. She quickly placed aside some soup for Hannya, placing a lid over the top of the bowl and placed a pot of brewed tea onto a tray. She headed upstairs to place it in front of his door, knowing the quarters he slept in was shared amongst himself, Beshimi, Hyotokko and Shikijo.

"Hannya-kun…?" Misao spoke softly and tapped lightly on the closed shoji. There was not a sound in the room, but Misao spoke again and placed the tray on the floor.

"I've got some warm miso soup and tea here for you so eat it up before it goes cold okay?" Again there was no answer from the masked man located inside the room. She trudged back downstairs, leaving it at that and tied the sleeves of her kimono back while doing so. It would not be good to have it caked in mud and dirt like it had been for days on end when she had run away from the geisha hostel.

"I think a small remake of a tsukiyama garden should do the trick." Misao spoke to herself and then fisted her hands mouthing "yosh" once and then she was away moving plants here and there, grabbing stones for this and that and again she was lost in her own little world of creation.

*

Time passed as Misao wiped her brow, she grunting lightly as she tried to move a boulder that was a little two heavy for her own build.

"Would you like me to move that for you Misao-chan?" Misao turned around to smile appreciatingly at Shikijo and pointed to the place of where she wanted it.

"Sugoi, you're really strong Shikijo!" Misao gushed loudly and all he did in return was laugh loudly at her words of praise.

"Can you help me some more Shikijo? Onegai?" Misao looked up at him as he stared down at her contemplating an answer, but how could one say 'no' to the cute pouting face he was receiving from Misao at that very moment?

"Why I am the great powerful Shikijo and of course I shall help you!" Misao laughed heartily at his words and began relaying her plans to him, Shikijo nodding every now and then as their eyes darted around the already half done garden.

*

(Evening - Around 9pm)

As Aoshi entered the side entrance to the Aoiya, he could hear the merry laughter of drunken men coming from the restaurant. The place was alive with customers and doing a wonderful trade this night. Aoshi entered the main foyer of the household and came upon Beshimi coming down the stairs. He held an empty tray which would of had dinner on it and turned to gaze up at his leader.

"How is he fairing?" Aoshi asked while slipping off his shoes and trench coat. He held a leather case in his right hand and swapped it with the empty tray, as Beshimi would take his things up to his office for him.

"Hannya insists he shall see you first thing tomorrow morning. Of course as soon as he said that he was asleep in no time flat."

"Oh?" Aoshi quirked his eyebrow at Beshimi's words, he noticing the glint in his eyes straight away.

"I had Omasu slip him some sleeping powder into his tea so he wouldn't open the wound Okon had taken so long to close. He really is way too hot headed these days, always thinking he can do everything by himself." Aoshi shook his head knowing that was try in some sense. It was as though Hannya was honour bound to do all he could do and more!

"Actually, he reminds me of someone." Beshimi spoke once more, watching his leader's eyes narrow at his words, but instead of elaborating on his statement he took off in a flash and headed up the stairs once more.

"Konbanwa Shinomori-sama." Okon and Omasu spoke simultaneously as they had just entered the kitchen from a side door coming from the restaurant while Aoshi had entered from the household side. He placed the tray on the preparation bench nodding politely at their greetings but was unable to voice anything when footsteps headed for the kitchen and stopped at the doorway.

"Come and have a look, it is finally finished." Aoshi turned towards Hyotokko and watched his other ninja's race out of the kitchen, leaving dishes to simmer as they all took a break and headed for the backyard. He poked his head around the corner, his eyes catching a limping Hannya coming down the stairs, he having heard the ruckus.

"I thought you would be sleeping."

"Hardly Shinomori-sama. I knew the tea was laced with sleeping powder. It smelt different after all and so I threw it out the window instead. This is after all something I wish to see for myself."

"And what is it that we are about to see?" Aoshi muttered as he headed slowly down the hallway keeping in step with his limping ninja. On his surveillance by himself, Hannya had run into six thugs, who didn't seem quite like lowly thugs and were in fact a part of the Fire Bird Clan. Aoshi had not asked for a report just yet as he wished for his subordinate to rest easy for a couple of days and then explain what happened.

"Misao-chan's rendition of a tsukiyama garden." Aoshi eyed Hannya slightly and they both stepped onto the verandah observing as the other members gushed over Misao's design. There were no streams in the yard, but the pond had been the main feature to focus upon, which had large pebbled stones strategically placed around it to give it more of a landscape effect. Sections of the garden had been dug up to look like small creations of hills and were covered with new grass, while other areas of where the grass used to lay was now covered in various flowers and plants. Misao had separated a small section for the herb garden near the porch so it was half in the sunlight and half in the shade and pointedly told the two cooks to use these for making special dishes in the restaurant. The larger shrubs surrounded the cherry and maple trees aligning the garden as they loomed in close to the training hall and the back stone fence. A pebbled pathway made its way from the steps leading down from the verandah of where Aoshi and Hannya stood and headed for the pond and a bench seat which sat nearby so you could bask in the sunset which you'd be able to witness.

"Another one of her talents has been revealed to us Shinomori-sama. The others may not see what she was before, but it seems to me they are actually quite happy you brought her here to stay with us." Aoshi did not say anything to Hannya's words and watched him head towards the others, his hand slapping on Beshimi's back knowing he had something to do with the sleeping powder.

"Omedetto Misao-chan, you've created a masterpiece in our own home."

"Hannya-kun your awake! Yokatta, I thought you'd sleep forever and not come see my garden." Misao responded with a smile on her face.

"Oh so now its your garden eh Misao-chan?" The elder man prattled lightly and chuckled when we watched Misao splutter as though trying to force words from her mouth of what she really meant to say.

"J-Jiya, you're being mean to me! Mou!" Misao hmphed and turned her head away from the elderly man, not even noticing that Aoshi stood on the verandah watching over all of them. He had raised his eyebrow when Misao had opted to call the old man 'Jiya' instead of 'Okina-san'. How odd… He had been merely gone for the entire day and yet so many things had changed already.

"Do I smell something burning?" The small celebration party was shattered by Aoshi's voice as the garden went dead.

"Shimatta the fish!" Yelled Shiro and Kuro at the same time as they headed back into the Aoiya to race for the kitchen.

"Kami-sama the customers!" Okon and Omasu spoke soon afterwards and hurriedly entered the Aoiya. Well as fast as they could dressed in kimonos that is. Hyotokko, Shikijo and Beshimi had slipped away to survey the Aoiya grounds. They had received orders from Aoshi not to go alone for what happened to Hannya might happen to them. Better to air on the side of caution when it was still early days of trying to find out just what the Fire Bird Clan wanted. Hannya on the other hand did not make a hasty retreat, because of his injury mainly, but he ended up patting Misao's shoulder, watching her smile up at him and then her eyes were glancing over at Aoshi, she biting her lip in nervousness. As soon as Hannya made it to the verandah, his shoulder bummed his leaders as though silently edging him to head down to the garden to speak with Misao, whom was now sitting on the bench facing away from him.

Misao held her breath when she could see Aoshi in her eyesight, watching as he slowly moved closer to the garden chair and sat down on the vacant side of it. His eyes were cast over at the pond, Misao's head lifting up to take a look at his defined male physique.

"You have been quite busy I see." Misao's eyes widened slightly at his words. She was glad he spoke first for she wasn't too sure what would rush out of her mouth at this very point in time.

"Yes…" She had answered him plainly.

"It seems a weight has been lifted from you…now that someone knows of what you used to be."

"What I used to be…" Misao muttered to herself, not catching Aoshi's eyes glance down at her for a short moment.

"Now that I know whom you once were, it seems okay for you to finally let yourself be free of your past life and finally be yourself. Am I correct?" Aoshi watched, his eyes widening the slightest as Misao got off the bench, moving around to stand in front of him, only to now kneel before him, her head bowed in apology.

"I'm so sorry Shinomori-sama. I'm sorry I never told you that I…that I was a-a geisha, but I…I just wanted to be free from it for once. That's rather selfish of me isn't it?"

"You want their trust don't you Misao?" She jerked her head up at his words, tears brimming in her eyes as she looked upon him in confusion. Aoshi had cringed on the inside. Why was it he hated to see those tears so much?

"Trust is something you have to earn with everyone Misao. To trust in someone you must be truthful with them, so may I suggest one thing to you?"

"Yes…" Misao spoke, but gasped softly when Aoshi stood up, his hands clasping her shoulders as he pulled her to her feet as well.

"With the people here Misao, honesty is the best policy. Tell them what you once were, as I say again, what you once were, not are now. I shall leave you to think over the rest." Misao watched as the tall man left her alone in the garden. She turned to face the pond, bending slightly to dip her fingers into the water.

"Misao?"

"Hai Shinomori-sama?" Misao responded and faced the man with his back to her. He stood inside the Aoiya, light casting over his lean muscular form as he disappeared down the hallway leaving a smile plastered on Misao's face for what he voiced, which flowed towards her like the breeze.

"The garden…looks good." Misao's hands lay clasped at her heavily beating heart. She still stared at the hallway Aoshi had wondered down and then turned the corner to head upstairs. The warmth that grew in her cheeks, which spread towards the rest of her body and ended up inside her pounding heart, made one word slip from her lips as she could still see the silhouette of the mysterious 'Shinomori-sama'.

"Atatakai…" Misao slapped her hands on her cheeks to snap herself out of her own daze and headed for the bathhouse. She'd wash up, have a goodnight's rest and in the morning she would be truthful to the people that were slowly beginning to feel her heart with love for the first time in her life.

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *