Standard disclaimers apply...
Author's notes: Second chapter is finally updated. Thanks to my beta-readers, I finally got this fanfic going again.
Spirit-demon, Aura Black Chan, MiraiGurl: I've finally updated. Heehee Shrugs
gaby (hyatt: Thanks for your review. If you want to know what happened to Aoshi? Please read on and you will find out. It will be in my third chapter, which will be updated very soon.
Engel Star 13: I do hate it very much. I had a couple names in mind and so I didn't know which to choose from. --!
To those who have reviewed, Arigatou gozaimasu!!!
A Married Life:
Chapter 2:
Two months later:
It was a warm Spring day. The cherry blossoms are now in full bloom. A slight wind blew into the room, waking up the little child sleeping in the corner of Misao's room. Nadeshiko opened her eyes to see that it was already the next day. She got up quickly, as she was over excited about the plans made for her special day.
Misao was already awake and stared out the window, still waiting for Aoshi.
"Ohayo, Ka-san" Nadeshiko greeted, getting out of her bed and walking over to her mother.
"Ohayo, Nadeshiko-chan" Misao greeted back. "Happy Birthday!"
"Arigatou!" Nadeshiko replied, taking a seat on her mother's lap.
"Ohayo" Omasu greeted, knocking on the shoji and slid them open. "Breakfast is ready you two."
"Ohayo, Omasu" Misao greeted back. "We'll be there soon." She got up from her seat and walked towards her closet.
"Nadeshiko-chan, would you like to wear this kimono?" Misao asked pulling out a silk blue kimono with cherry blossoms designs along with a pink obi.
"Sure!!" Nadeshiko responded. "It's so pretty." She commented, walking over to get the kimono from Misao. "I never saw this one before." The little girl looked up at her mother.
"Hai." Misao responded. "Oto-san bought it for both you and I, see?" Misao pulled out another kimono that looked similiar to the one she gave to Nadeshiko. The only difference was the size and the frills on the obi.
"A present was left for me from To-san?" Nadeshiko questioned.
"Hai" Misao responded sofly. "He will never forget about you, even when he's not here.
Nadeshiko smiled at her mother, and got changed into her kimono, as well as Misao getting into hers.
Misao walked down stairs holding onto Nadeshiko. The walked into the dining room to see everyone was waiting.
They ate breakfast and cleared the space. Omasu came out of the kitchen with some tea, followed by Okon, who was holding a large cake.
Shiro and Kuro gather the presents onto one pile while Misao stayed with Nadeshiko, in another room, waiting to be called.
A few minutes later, Okon came out of the dinning room. "We're ready for you." She smiled at the little girl, who was overly excited.
Nadeshiko ran back into the dinning room.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They all screamed out the second the door was opened.
"PHWEE!!" Nadeshiko was scared by the sudden surprise. She looked around to see that the room was decorated with candles to light up the place. Then everyone else was gather in the middle of the room, waiting for her.
Misao and Okon stayed in the back, watching. "I suppose Aoshi-san hasn't come back yet..." She slowly commented.
Misao nodded. "It seems so." She whispered and walked into the room to join the others.
"Nadeshiko-chan, want to open your presents now?" Okina grinned, as he was anxious to see what her reaction would be to his gift.
"Sure!" Nadeshiko screamed, putting down her tea cup.
Everyone gather around the pile of presents.
"This one is from Okon." Okina handed a small box laying near him.
Nadeshiko took it from Okina's hand and unwrapped to see it's contents.
"Arigatou!!" Nadeshiko leaped from her seat to hug Okon who was sitting next to her. "I love these hair pins." She commented, wanting one to be put on.
Okon smiled. "You're welcome" She slowly spoke from the harsh hug that pained her neck. She wasn't aware that Nadeshiko was going to pound her.
Later, Nadeshiko received a few yukatas from Misao, a pink kimono from Omasu, a pack of Origami papers from Shiro, and some money from Kuro, as he didn't know what to get. There were already too many wind chimes laying around.
At last, the only present left was from Okina. It was a box wrapped with many ribbons. She opened the box and some weird clothes in the color of blue and gray, with a pink ribbon.
"Nadeshiko-chan, that's your Oniwabanshuu uniform." Okina explained cheerfully. "I think it's time you learn about your family's past."
Misao's face grew brighter as she knew that she wouldl be able to tell stories about her Aoshi to Nadeshiko.
Okina smiled at Misao. "Misao, I think I will let you two enjoy yourselves." Misao gathered all of Nadeshiko's presents and walked out of the room with her behind.
Back in Misao's room:
"Ka-san" Nadeshiko called to her mother, who was currently putting her things away.
Misao turned around. "What's the Oni-ban-ru???" Nadeshiko asked confusedly, slowly pronouncing out what she had heard from Okina.
"Nadeshiko-chan...it's Oniwabanshuu." Misao corrected her. "Nadeshiko, come here." She called, walking towards the table.
Nadeshiko followed her mom and sat next to her.
"The Oniwabanshuu were a group of skilled ninjas that were set in a time when there was much chaos and confusion." Misao began. "Your father, he became the Okashira at age 15." Misao commented brightly, as she knows in her heart, she will respect him and look up to him just as much as she did since she was a little girl.
"Honto ne??" Nadeshiko asked wanting to know more. "So what did the Oniwabanshuu do then?"
"They were guards, defending Edo Castle. Most worked as spies to gather information from one group to another." Misao continued, remembering the things that Okina had told her when she was younger.
"Sugoi!!" Nadeshiko commented stoically. When did this all happen?" She asked curiously, sitting up and listening carefully to her mother.
"At the very end of the Tokugawa dynasty." Misao responded. "But now, it is the peaceful times, where samurai and ninjas are no longer needed." Misao carefully explained. "We have been granted permission by the Meiji Government stating that we don't have to live by it. It's best that we adapt to this era, but that doesn't mean we won't keep a little of our past selves. It has made up who we are. Don't forget about that...Nadeshiko-chan."
"Hai!" Nadeshiko responded strongly. "I want to be strong like you and To-san." Nadeshiko spoke, wanting her parents to be happy.
Misao nodded. She was impressed by the words coming out of the little girl's mouth.
Soon after, Nadeshiko fell asleep on the table and Misao carried her back to her bed. 'She hasn't gotten her nap yet.' Misao remembered, seeing the her worn out little girl. 'She's not that little anymore.' Misao thought sadly, now noticing that her little girl was indeed growing up fast.
Late that night, Misao continued to sit by the window looking up into the night sky.
"Ka-san" Nadeshiko called sitting up on her futon, getting ready for bed.
Misao walked over to her. "Nani, Nadeshiko-chan?" she asked softly, taking a seat next to her.
"It's ok if to-san couldn't make it here today." Nadeshiko began, "He may still be busy with things." She spoke with a soft smile. "It would be nice if he was home, but I don't want to make you worry too much." Nadeshiko smiled brightly and leaned over to hug her mom.
"Arigatou, Nadeshiko-chan." Misao cheered up.
"I really had fun today," Nadeshiko commented. "I got a lot of great presents. But, I would have to say, the kimono that To-san left for me is my most favorite." She laid back down onto her futon.
Misao placed some blankets on top of her and gave her a good-night kiss on her forehead.
"Ka-san," Nadeshiko called again, before Misao walked away.
"Hmm..." she looked down at her child.
"Can you tell me more stories tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that, and afterwards too?" She asked tiredly. "Onegai..."
"You seem to like those stories," Misao commented.
Nadeshiko nodded. "Hai, I like them a lot."
"I will tell you more stories when the time comes." Misao responded, blowing out some of the candles around Nadeshiko's futon.
Nadeshiko nodded and closed her eyes.
"Sweet dreams..." Misao whispered back before walking back to her futon.
Misao laid down. 'This little one really resembles Aoshi a lot. His presence won't ever be forgotten as long as she's around.' Misao thought as she blew out the last candle and went to sleep.
To Be Continued...
Author's notes: Hiya! Sorry for LONG wait before the update. cry Arigato Min'na-san for reading! Please review…
I had a hard time figuring out the presents Nadeshiko got for her birthday. I'm still trying to decide on a plot, since I have a few in mind. Aoshi will come out soon. I haven't forgotten about him. ;;
I will have my next chapter up really soon. I promise it won't take me more than half the time to update my next chapter. Until next time..
