Standard disclaimers apply...
Author's Note: I understand, I was very evil to all of you. I haven't updated this fanfic as fast as I have hoped. Well, more of my evilness will be coming up. So be prepared. Muhahahahahaha...
From this point on, this will be a three part chapter. My ideas of bringing back Aoshi came to me is such a LONG inspiration that it can't be cut any shorter than I already did.
Okay...enough of me talking, read on and find out for yourselves...
A Married Life
Chapter 4:
Day of the Festival (Part One)
Misao woke up late in the morning. She was tired from cleaning and re-cleaning their guestrooms, and making preparations for the upcoming festival that was going to be held at night. Nadeshiko was already downstairs in the dining room with Okina when Misao got there. She went down earlier, not to disturb Misao.
"Ohayo Min'na-san," She greeted with a small yawn.
"Ohayo, Ka-san," Nadeshiko greeted back, jumping out of Okina's lap.
"Ohayo Misao" Okina greeted. "Can you help me up?" He asked, stuck sitting in a tiring position, as Nadeshiko had pounced on him earlier.
Misao smiled back at her little girl, as she had always wanted to do that to him when she was younger. "Arigatou," She said, seeing Okon coming out of the kitchen with her breakfast. "Have you eaten yet?" She asked Nadeshiko.
Nadeshiko nodded cheerfully. "I can't wait until tonight!" She exclaimed, jumping around.
"Hai, hai..." Misao responded, patting her on the head.
……………………………
After breakfast, Misao took Nadeshiko and went to her room.
Misao wanted to plan out what to wear for that night so she wouldn't have to decide last minute.
"Nadeshiko-chan, What would you like to wear tonight?" Misao asked, digging through her closet.
Nadeshiko stood there silently thinking.
"How about the kimono Omasu got you for your birthday?" Misao suggested, after seeing Nadeshiko staring with a blank face.
"Hai!" Nadeshiko exclaimed with excitement, wanting to put it on as soon as possible.
Misao pulled out a summer kimono that was light pink with white flowers encrypted onto the cloth with a light green obi to match along with it.
Then Nadeshiko walked over to her bedside and took out one of the hair clips Okon got for her. It was a clip decorated with flowers and frills dangling down. Nadeshiko walked back to her mother, showing Misao the hair pin she wanted to put on.
"I'll help you put it on later." Misao told her, since it was still too early to get dressed.
Misao went back to digging for something else in the closet.
"Ka-chan," Nadeshiko spoke softly.
"Hmmm, What is it, Nadeshiko-chan?" Misao mumbled pulling her head out of the closet.
"What are you looking for?" She asked innocently.
"Something I can wear for tonight." Misao replied, thinking of the last place she had seen her kimono. 'I remember seeing it when I was cleaning my room the other day,' Misao thought.
Nadeshiko stared with curious eyes. She sat on her futon and closed her eyes. Some faded images of her father appeared. 'I want you to know I miss you.' She thought not letting go of the image.
Misao finally found the things she planned on wearing to the festival. She turned around to noticed a sleeping Nadeshiko, laying against the wall, soundly sleep. A small smile appeared on her face, as though she was happy about something.
Misao smiled as she walked closer to Nadeshiko. She pulled the bed covers away and laid Nadeshiko down. Then She tucked her in, allowing her to sleep more comfortably.
'Great!' Misao thought. 'This can give me some extra time to take care of some things.'
Misao left her room and went one of Aoshi's old room. Usually, Nadeshiko had her own room, but ever since Aoshi left, she let Nadeshiko keep her company. Misao had shared a room with Aoshi, using her room, since it was biggest between the two of them.
Misao stepped inside the dim room. Aoshi always liked that room since not much light was able to enter. The desk was cleared with a small pile of books stacked in one corner of it. There was many book shelves filled with books surrounding the room. On the corner, laid a futon that hasn't been used in years.
Misao slowly entered. She didn't know whether she should enter Aoshi's 'sanctuary' or not. After all, it was his own business in there, not hers. After pulling out one of the drawers Misao found a note, with her name written in Aoshi's handwriting.
She read the note to herself.
'Misao- how are you? I don't know when you will read this, or even if you will find it. Please be happy, even without me. Take care of Nadeshiko-chan and remind her that I love the both of you... See you soon. Aoshi.'
Misao's eyes glistened with happiness. "Arigatou Aoshi, Arigatou..." She mumbled grasping onto his note, and holding it close to her heart.
………………………………About three in the afternoon, Misao was in her room with Nadeshiko. There was still another three hours left until the opening ceremonies began. She had decided to go a bit early so she can wander around town for a bit.
"Nadeshiko-chan," Misao called, getting her attention. She was staring at her new kimono, not being able to take her eyes off it. "Let's help wash you up so you can get changed into your beautiful kimono, ne?"
"Hai!" Nadeshiko responded, taking hold of her mother's hands and walking to the bath house.
………………………………
About an hour later, both Misao and Nadeshiko was back into her room. Their hair was still wet and was dripping at the ends.
Misao helped Nadeshiko first, getting her dried up and putting on her new kimono.
"You look pretty, Nadeshiko-chan" Misao commented, taking a good look at her.
Nadeshiko blushed slightly from the comment. "Not as good as you, Ka-san." She replied.
'A modest one, ne?' Misao thought, not bit surprised. 'Just like Aoshi...'
After Nadeshiko's hair was dried, Misao combed through her soft hair. Then she pulled it back, and pinned it, using one of the clips Okon got for her. The clip had matched perfectly with the kimono.
Misao fixed herself up, also wearing another kimono Aoshi gave to her. She tied her hair back into a bun, and leaving the scraps surround her face, by the side. She wore a purple kimono and a blue obi - two of the few colors that represented the Oniwabanshuu.
When the opening ceremonies was drawing closer, Misao decided it was time to leave.
Okina was standing on the bottom of the staircase, so he would be the first to see how stunning the two girls looked.
At his first glimpse, the only thing that came to his mind was 'My pretty Misao-chan and Nadeshiko-chan.' He thought grinning.
When Misao slowly descended down the stairs holding onto Nadeshiko, Okon and Omasu came running from the kitchen, just to take a look at them.
"Misao when did you have such a good selection of kimonos?" Okon asked seeing her wearing one more often these days.
"A-Aoshi got them for me." She replied blushing.
"No wonder..." commented Omasu. "She wouldn't be wearing them if it wasn't for him." She told Okon.
"I hope Hiko-sama will drop by," Okon quickly mentioned, before being dragged back into the kitchen by Shiro and Kuro, calling them from inside.
"Well, you two have fun..." Okina said, as they were about to leave.
"Hai!" both Nadeshiko and Misao replied at the same time, stepping into the streets of Kyoto.
To be Continue...
Author's notes: Arigatou Hikage, one of my beta-readers, for telling me write this chapter. This chapter is written especially for her (and my readers who have been reviewing) because she has been helping me along, commenting on my work and getting me to post them.
I got the kimono descriptions from the anime Cardcaptor Sakura. I just love their costumes. Plus, the name Nadeshiko came from Cardcaptor Sakura, if you haven't noticed already. ;; I get most of my inspirations from watching other anime, even though my fanfictions may have nothing to do with them.
I did say Aoshi was going to come back...right??? Muhahahahahaha... I lied. Though, he will be back soon - within the new few chapters... I promise. -- I'm evil, am I not?
