Standard disclaimers apply...
A Married Life
Chapter 6:
Day of the Festival (Part Three)
Aoshi stared into the darkness of the night, as two figures approached him - one smaller than the other. Aoshi stepped out of the darkness, once he realized who those figures were.
"Welcome Back, To-san" Nadeshiko said in a soft voice.
"Tadaima" Aoshi said, stepping closer to his family showing himself.
Nadeshiko was the first to leap into his arms, crying. "Nadeshiko-chan," He called. He knew something like that would happen.
"How are you?" He asked looking tiredly at Misao.
Tears filled Misao's eyes. "Aoshi" She called softly, running closer to him.
Aoshi picked up Nadeshiko with one of his arms and used his other to reach out for Misao.
"Sumanai," He apologized, brushing the tears from Misao. "I was away longer than expected and ended up hurting you again."
Misao quickly responded, shaking her head. "I had hope, that you will return to me safely." She said holding onto him.
Aoshi gently placed a kiss on Misao's face. "You took care of her well," he commented.
Misao blushed. "Iie," She replied modestly.
From the bag Aoshi was holding, he pulled out a cute teddy bear and displayed it in front of Nadeshiko's face. "A late birthday present," He stated holding it out.
Nadeshiko pulled her head from his shoulders and turned around. She extended her short arms and took the stuffed animal to examine it. "Kawaii..." She commented holding tightly onto it.
"I'm sorry I missed your birthday, I hope you like it," Aoshi apologized personally to her.
"All I want is for you to come back..." Nadeshiko responded.
Aoshi displayed a light smile.
Nadeshiko smiled back as Aoshi carried Nadeshiko in his arms. Misao stood next to them, smiling cheerfully, and relieved that her Aoshi was finally back.
"I guess I have a lot to explain," Aoshi assumed.
"I know you're tired, Aoshi, let's enjoy the rest of this festival and think about those things tomorrow." Misao suggested. Aoshi was back and that was all she cared about.
Aoshi nodded and let Misao carry Nadeshiko the other half of the way back to the festival.
They choose a place to eat and sat down.
Not long after dinner, another announcement was made. A kendo tournament was going to be held in about half an hour and the participants should start registering.
"Do you want to watch the tournament or participate in it?" Misao asked, seeing that Aoshi was interested.
Aoshi thought for a bit. "How about I'll join it..." He stated to Misao, looking down at his Nadeshiko beaming with joy.
"You're tired from the journey, Aoshi," Misao spoke.
"Don't worry about me, it's just one or two matches," He told Misao. "I'm sure Nadeshiko-chan would be interested." He said, looking at her.
Misao nodded. "Iiikuso" she said, walking towards the registration desk.
…………………….
The crowd cheered loudly when Aoshi stepped up into the arena. Almost everyone had known that Aoshi was once the leader of a great ninja group and had protected Kyoto.
"To-san must have done great things," Nadeshiko assumed, hearing the cheer from the crowd.
Misao nodded as watched Aoshi fight his opponent, who was Hayato, another swordsman that survived the old age, living in the new.
Every participant was given a bokken instead of swords, to keep it save.
Aoshi easily beat down his opponent, by starting out with his jissen kempo; confusing the guy and then moving onto his Kaiten Kempo, his opponent was quickly thrown off of the arena.
"To-san sugoi!" Nadeshiko cheered jumping enthusiastically up and down her seat.
Even Misao was impressed that even now, his power was just as great as it once was.
At the end of his match, he decided not to fight anymore. He was indeed quite tired and weary from his long journey and he had already gotten his share of the fun.
By now, Nadeshiko, too was already tired and it was getting late. The closing ceremonies were still another hour or so away.
Aoshi decided to sit somewhere peaceful and enjoyed the rest of the time. He found a comfortable place up in a tree along with Misao and from afar, they were able to see the singers perform on the stage and hear the music softly.
"I'm glad your back," Misao commented, leaning back on Aoshi's chest.
"Aa," Aoshi replied leaning his head onto Misao's. Nadeshiko was already asleep in Aoshi's arms. He was to wake her up when the closing ceremonies began.
Misao looked up at Aoshi.
"Aoshi, I still remember the time when I still called you with the sama title." Misao began.
"Don't start..." Aoshi replied. He hated the title, since he felt he didn't deserve such respect.
Misao couldn't help but giggle at how Aoshi looked away from her.
"The closing ceremonies should be starting any moment now." Misao mumbled. "The music has ended."
"Aa," Aoshi responded. "Nadeshiko-chan," he called. "If you don't wake up, you will miss the closing ceremony..."
Nadeshiko struggled but managed to open her eyes. She was still very tired, but she wanted to spend this time with her mom and dad.
Aoshi, Misao, and Nadeshiko stared up into the pitch black sky, watching the fireworks go.
"Kirei na" Nadeshiko rejoiced cheerfully. She pulled away from Aoshi's embrace.
"Aoshi," Misao called to him.
"Nani?" He asked.
"Thank you for being here tonight." Aoshi leaned closer to Misao and they kissed under the night sky of fireworks.
Nadeshiko was still amazed at the colors in the sky. It was her first time seeing it.
When the fireworks ended, Aoshi pulled away from Misao, not wanting Nadeshiko to see too much love going on between them.
A whole of the Sakura no hana floated down. Nadeshiko picked it up and placed it on her bear's head. "I will name you Aoshi." She mumbled, before walking back to her father.
"To-san," Nadeshiko called.
Aoshi looked down at her.
"...carry me..." Nadeshiko slowly said tiredly.
Aoshi kneeled down to Nadeshiko's height. He took the bear from her small hands and had Misao carry it while he carried her.
Slowly, they returned to the Aoiya.
Okina decided to have some fun with them another time.
Okon noticed that Aoshi returned but was busy serving sake to Hiko to bother with
Misao, who just happened to like to hang around at festival times. Omasu was too busy with the large number of guests to notice that Aoshi returned. Shiro and Kuro locked themselves in the kitchen cooking madly to keep their costumers content.
…………………………
Else where in the Aoiya:
Misao was in her room getting out of her kimono and into one of her sleeping yukata. She can still hear the rumbling and partying occurring while being quite far from the dining area. Meanwhile, Aoshi laid Nadeshiko down on her futon. She slept back into her own room, now that Aoshi was able to accompany Misao.
"Oyasume" Aoshi whispered.
Nadeshiko hugged the bear and went to a peaceful sleep.
Aoshi walked back into his room, shared with Misao. He laid down beside Misao.
"Aishite'ru" Misao whispered into his ears and closed her eyes.
"Aishite'ru, Misao-mine." Aoshi whispered back with a kiss.
To be continue...
Author's notes: I know everyone was anxious for Aoshi to be in the story. Well, there he is. What do you think? Please review, drop me off a little feedback since that always help. Ja!
