I was the last one to get ready as I had fallen asleep in the room as everyone else was getting prepared for tonight. I came out of the room Misao and I shared and walked into the main room noticing no one was around. I could hear faint talking coming from outside and slid the door open and then closed it behind me. All eyes turned to me and I felt rather uncomfortable on the inside but stared back at them emotionless as ever.
"You scrub up pretty well for a ninja Shinomori." Sano had spoken. I was wearing black pants and a long sleeved black shirt and coat with a white under shirt that couldn't be seen. I placed my shoes on while speaking back to him.
"As do you for an ex-gangster Sagara." I stood to my normal height being taller then all of them as I looked over at Sano. He was wearing his usual white pants and white open jacket but opted for a plain black under shirt, as it was quite cool. The same went for Kenshin and his outer yukata jacket was deep blue not the usual red he wore. Yahiko was wearing his best clothes as well and Kaoru had on an expensive yellow kimono with a dark red sash tying it up and one in her hair. She had actually let some of it fall loosely down her back for a change.
"Shall we go?" Himura had spoken up and everyone descended the steps walking out of the gates and down the path towards the Akebeko. I was walking silently behind them as they all chatted happily together. I observed as Himura placed his hand on Kaoru's back in between her shoulder blades. She had turned her head, blushing lightly, but smiled up at him, moving a little closer and then kept walking and chatting with him and the others. I noticed Yahiko, Sagara and Misao all had surprised expressions but they disappeared and it was smiles all round as they were generally happy for both of them. It was one small step for Himura but one huge leap of hope for Kaoru.
I came to a sudden halt as I noticed a dirt path leading in another direction and looked down the pitch-black dirt track. I knew that path very well. I closed my eyes seeing my four fallen comrades but am snapped out of my memory by Himura's voice calling me.
"Aoshi? You do not live that life anymore." I turned to face him as he stood in front of the others whom all looked slightly confused, all of them except Sano. He knew as well, he knew about Kanryuu because of Megumi-san.
"It is always a constant memory." I spoke absently and turned back to look down the road. My feet had unconsciously stepped forward as though wanting to go down that path.
"No Aoshi." My eyes turned to Himura's once more and I noticed Misao had stepped forward walking past him and coming over towards me. She didn't know what was happening to me but she placed her small hand in my larger one and coaxed me to walk with her and away from the path. I followed and we all broke into step together, falling into silence. I had clasped Misao's hand and she turned her head upwards smiling gently at me. I raised an eyebrow when she lifted our joined hands towards her and she placed a small kiss on my palm and then whispered looking up at me, her cheeks a little pink.
"Everything will be okay Aoshi-sama…I promise…" I nodded my head down at her and we were soon in front of the Akebeko and Kaoru spoke.
"I'll just go get Megumi-san. I said I'd walk with her to the Akebeko." I had taken my hand away from Misao's and placing it on Kaoru's shoulder stopping her from walking.
"I'll get her." I began walking towards the clinic before anyone could respond but I heard the quietness of Kenshin's voice because of my excellent hearing.
"Don't Kaoru-dono, let him go."
xxxxxxx
I stood in front of the closed door of the clinic and knocked once. I could hear footsteps inside and Megumi's voice soon spoke.
"We are closed."
"I'm here to escort you to the Akebeko." I had spoken. Silence filled the air and I was beginning to think she had killed over knowing it was I. After all we weren't really friends but I still wanted to apologise for the past she had lived. I heard the sliding of the door and she stood frozen in place her dark eyes wide confirming who it was. She wore a dark red kimono with black lining. Her hair was placed in a loose braid and small wisps framed her pale face. Her lips were a dark red just like the kimono. She stood at the doorway and I knew fear ran through her.
"I'm sorry." I spoke straight away. She was knocked out of her shock by those two words and a confused expression crossed over her face now.
"For leaving you with Kanryuu for so long, him forcing you to make the opium and spend nights with him and not helping you to escape and live a better life. One that you did deserve." She bit her lip and nodded her head silently at me.
"I'm making up for my past now, helping others. Kenshin placed me in the right direction to use my skills for good to make up for the sins I committed. If it wasn't for him and Dr Genzai I don't think I would have survived."
"And Sagara?" I spoke looking down at her. A light pink flickered over her cheeks for a few seconds and I watched her dark eyes stare up at me. She folded her arms hiding her true feelings for him and spoke.
"What about Roosterhead?"
"Yo, someone called?" I turned seeing Sagara walking down the path and turned around smiling down at Megumi. Her hands were clasped together in front of her, nervousness taking over in the usually controlled doctor. She was very much a strong and independent woman but when it came to the ex-gangster those two things were thrown out the window and a young woman wanting to be loved was now displayed through her entire being, no matter how much she tried not to show it.
"Hey fox, looking good there." Sagara had spoken and I noticed Megumi's eyes shrink even though her temperature had risen and her heart thumped at hearing him say that about her. Her hands were on her hips, trying not to show her feelings and she soon spoke giving him daggers.
"Like I actually care what you think Rooster!" I frowned and stared down at Sagara. His physique had changed, his shoulders slouching slightly and he placed his hand behind his head to try and hide the hurt in an argument.
"Chill out FOX! I was tryin' to be nice! Why do you alwa-" I cleared my throat making them quiet and Megumi had turned around calling for Dr Genzai and he came walking out, descending the stairs and smiled silently at Sano and began walking not wanting to get involved with the bickering that occurred. An evil smile crossed my face as Megumi closed the door and stepped down one of the stairs. I placed my foot out making her trip and who was there to catch her fall, none other then Sagara. He had stepped forward arms moving around her small waist to steady her and her arms went around his shoulders and neck. They had both blushed but stayed in the embrace as they stared into each other's eyes. I silently walked off leaving them to their little moment and made my way over to Genzai-sensei who had an eyebrow raised at what I did. I gave him a blank stare but stopped walking as two energetic little girls engulfed my legs.
"Ayame-chan! Suzume-chan! Where you hiding on me?" Genzai-sensei had spoken looking down at his grand daughters.
"YEP!" They both spoke at the same time. I squatted down picking them up and they squealed happily at being so high. They wore identical kimonos but had different coloured flowers in there hair.
"Is that pretty Misao with you Shinomori-san?" Genzai-sensei had spoken.
"Yes she is and its Aoshi." His grand daughters giggled happily and began chanting Misao's name. A smirked crossed my lips, just the hint of a close smile and Dr Genzai-sensei laughed.
We made it to the Akebeko and I ushered him to go first. I stepped through the doorway crouching slightly as not to hit the frame of the shoji door and looked around noticing a lot of people were inside. It was clearly a busy night. I arched my eyebrow noticing a guy sliding across the floor, his head crashing into the counter and falling unconscious. He was pulled away and taken out the back door to rest in the alley by some other customers.
"Misao-chan that's not the way a lady should act." I heard Kaoru speaking and Genzai-sensei and myself began walking closer catching more of the conversation.
"When I say no it means no! And if he gropes my butt he'll suffer the consequences!" My eyes had widened the slightest hearing Misao say this. That scum dare touch my Misao! Oh so she's yours is she? A small voice inside of me spoke. My jaw was set and that guy better be thanking the god's that I wasn't here when he did that.
"MISAO-SAN!" I now cringed slightly and placed Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan on the ground as they raced over towards Misao. They had screamed in both my ears. I watched as Misao bent down hugging the girls and she picked them up and placed them at the table. Ayame sat in her grand father's lap while Suzume sat in Misao's. I took a seat and listened to the conversation that broke out.
"That's not fair! How come Misao-chan gets all the hugs?" Kaoru had spoken pretending to be hurt.
"But we see you all the time Kaoru-san and Misao-san lives sooooooooooooooo far away." Everyone laughed at this. It really was an exaggeration but she was just a small child. I cleared my throat; everyone stopped laughing and turned to stare at me as I spoke to Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan.
"What if we kidnap both of you and take you to Kyoto and you can see more of Misao then?"
"Will you be with Misao-san too Aoshi-san?" Suzume-chan spoke. I glanced my eyes to see Misao's deep blue ones looking into mine and I replied back to her question.
"Of course." A smile spread across Misao's lips and then Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan spoke together, clapping their hands and speaking rather loudly too.
"YEAH! KIDNAP US! KIDNAP US AOSHI-SAN!" We received stares from other customers and I chuckled lightly as the others seemed to feel a little embarrassed.
"Aoshi where's Megumi-san? I thought you were bringing her to the Akebeko?" Kaoru had spoken.
"I was but she fell into the arms of another escort."
"Another escort?" Kenshin, Kaoru and Yahiko had spoken at the same time.
"Sano?" I nodded my head at Misao.
"He tripped her up so she fell into Sano's embrace." Genzai-sensei had spoken and sipped at his sake. Four pairs of wide eyes looked over at me.
"What?" I spoke looking at all of them as though nothing was wrong. Silence filled the table and then I felt two hands on my shoulders. I turned my head up noticing it to be Megumi and she was smiling down at me. I smirked as she whispered in my ear, something I could only hear and noticed the curious faces of the others watching. I was a little shocked when she placed a kiss on my cheek.
"Hey fox calm down! Shinomori's not a free man!" Sano plonked himself down in the seat next to Kenshin, pouring himself some sake and Megumi sat next to him speaking out loud to everyone this time.
"I don't see Misao-chan's name written on him nor is she claiming him as hers either." Sake spewed from Sano's mouth at hearing this and she began laughing like she usually did. Everyone else was quiet and I glanced my eyes to see Misao's head slightly bowed as she spoke softly to Suzume-chan as though she never heard what Megumi had said. Her cheeks disobeyed her however as they were pink from embarrassment.
"Are you ready to order?" I looked up seeing the waitress and listened to the others affirmatively agreeing and ordering food for everyone.
xxxxxxx
Hours had passed as I silently walked around in the park. I had left the others for a few moments wanting to walk by myself, needing this bit of peace, but it ended up turning into a couple of hours. Some fireworks had been let off but more were still to come. The night was getting colder but everyone still wanted to watch the rest of the fireworks and then it would be time to head back to the Kamiya Dojo. There was a full moon that shed light over everything, so it was easy to see. I was walking in the darkness and soon stopped making sure I was silhouetted with the tree shadows as I watched the delicate figure walk into the clearing. It was Misao and tucked inside her outer kimono was none other then a sleepy Suzume-chan. I watched as Misao sat in the lush grass and she began humming a soft tune to Suzume-chan. Her long hair fanned out around her, brushing against the grass. I moved away from the shadows slowly walking towards her and I noticed she had closed her eyes and she was leaning on one arm, while the other was holding the untied kimono closed and securely wrapped around Suzume-chan so she didn't fall out. I squatted down beside Misao watching her and listening to her soft voice. She opened her eyes and shrieked softly as not to wake the small girl. I observed as she sat up and swatted my arm with her free one and spoke.
"For once Aoshi-sama can you not be so sneaky! I could have woken up Suzume-chan!" I placed a small smile on my face and my hand came out, my fingers brushing lightly over her cheek. Her blue eyes were wide and her cheeks a light pink. I felt as though I was not in control of myself, this was all on impulse, as though another side of me wanted to do this. I noticed my hand was now lifting Misao's chin up, her lips were coming closer to mine, or was I moving closer to her.
"Aoshi…" It was spoken in a small whisper, her hot breath trickling over my lips because they were so close to mine, but nothing happened as I pulled away hearing a small groan and a little voice speak.
"Did I miss anything?" I stood up looking down at Suzume-chan and Misao spoke back brushing her hand through her hair.
"No Suzume-chan…the fireworks haven't been yet." As if they heard Misao say this, the fireworks began to explode in the sky. I noticed some figures walking towards us talking happily and looking over at the fireworks and noticed it was Kenshin and the others. Suzume-chan was fully awake and wriggled out of Misao's embrace and ran over to her sister and grandfather. I watched as Misao got up retying her kimono and I turned my gaze to the sky looking at the fireworks but I was truly far away locked in my mind.
"Aoshi?"
"Hmm?" I turned noticing Kenshin was standing behind me looking at me concern racing over his violet eyes.
"Is everything alright?" He had spoken and I noticed Kaoru was walking over and she placed her hand on his shoulder indicating to him that I should be left alone.
"I'm fine." I spoke back and they walked off making their way over to where the others where sitting. I could hear footsteps walking closer to me and I knew it was Misao. I glanced to my right seeing her figure beside me as we watched the fireworks in silence. I wander what she's thinking about? A small voice inside of me spoke.
"Aoshi?" I turned looking down at her hearing her call me by my real name. She was chewing on her bottom lip and her eyes stared straight into mine as she asked me her question in a small whisper and a blush covered her cheeks once again.
"Where you…going to kiss me?" I turned my head seeing some more fireworks explode and spoke.
"Maybe…"
"Mou…difficult man…" I heard Misao mumble and turned to see her back was facing me. Her arms were folded in annoyance. My feet stepped closer without my consent and my face was so close I could smell the wonderful fragrance Misao had washed her hair in. I looked down at my hand, which was slightly shaking and moving closer to Misao. My fingers where brushing her silken hair and then I clenched some strands tilting her head back.
"What are you do-" Her voice had been stopped, a small moan escaping her lips as mine where now pressed against hers. She had now twisted around turning her body to mine, her arms lifting up and going around my neck holding me close. Her lips were soft and moist and once she moaned again I kissed her more passionately telling her how much I had longed for this. Her small hands had clenched in my hair and I pulled away from her once I heard Sagara's voice.
"ABOUT TIME SHINOMORI!" There was the inevitable sound of Megumi laughing and I looked down at Misao to see her eyes were sparkling with passion, her lips swollen and red and she was trying to calm her raging heart as her breathing was heavy and quick. She seemed to be frozen not being able to tare her gaze away from mine. She was very surprised at the turn of events. My eyes had widened when silent tears began to fall down her cheeks. My right hand came up wiping some away and I whispered her name.
"Misao…" My body tensed when her arms wrapped around my waist and her head lay against my chest. That was something very new for me. I had not held Misao since she was a small child and the fact she'd curl up in my lap for that matter.
"Oh finally…" I smiled hearing her mumble that and wrapped my arms around her holding her close. I had placed my head down on hers but turned to see the distant figures of the others walking away. They were leaving us to have this moment for ourselves.
Minutes passed by and I let go and Misao stepped away. I watched her shiver when a cool breeze swept through the park. I took off my coat handing it to her and a wonderful smile that made her entire face glow was placed on her lips.
"Let's go."
Xxxxxxx
I stopped at the dirt road that lead to Kanryuu's Mansion once again. I fisted my hands knowing I'd have to face it tomorrow.
"Aoshi, what's down there?" I turned my face seeing Misao looking up at me. I shook my head and began walking again not saying anything.
"I see…more secrets…" I glanced over at Misao and noticed she was walking in front of me and walking rather quickly too. Kuso! I had yelled inside my head at hearing her saddened and rejected voice.
xxxxxxx
"Misao?" I had spoken quietly as I sat up in the futon back at the dojo looking at her back facing me. One candle burned in the room as it sat on the small table shedding light.
"Nani?" I cringed hearing her emotionless voice and I turned away from her looking at the shoji door and spoke in a hushed voice.
"That path…It leads to the place I watched Hannya, Beshimi, Hyotokko and Shijuksho get slaughtered." I felt two arms wrap around my shoulders and Misao's head resting against mine. She was kneeling behind me trying to comfort me in the only way she knew how. Her anger completely forgotten. In some way it helped, it helped me open up to her just a little bit more.
"They died protecting me. I watched it all happen and couldn't do anything. Kanryuu was after me and yet Hannya and the others got in the way, protecting me…" I had bowed my head hearing my own voice yelling out theirs names once again.
"Its part of being Oniwabanshuu Aoshi. I know I wasn't there and I know I don't know what you saw or how you feel but they took an oath. I hate it that they've gone away and I won't see them again, only in my memories and in my dreams, but they saved you. They saved my Aoshi-sama, their leader. Even if they were alive to this day they'd still make sure you were safe, they'd still protect you with their lives. Everyone would have." I turned around hearing Misao say this and she let go, her eyes frowning in sadness.
"Would you?"
"Yes…" Her voice was a slight whisper but she actually meant it. I fisted my hands and spoke looking straight into her eyes.
"Why Misao? I am not the leader anymore. So stop talking such nonsense." My eyes widen as my cheek burned with the slap I had received from Misao and she turned around climbing back into her futon, curling up into a tight ball and sobbing softly telling me to go away. I stood up taking my coat and my kodachi's and left the room.
xxxxxxx
I was sitting outside on one of the bench's. I lifted my head turning it towards the gate and stood up and began walking towards it. I was wearing my sleeping clothes and yet didn't care. I had placed my trench coat on and opened the gate up closing it silently as not to disturb the others. I was walking down the dirt path bare foot, walking towards Kanryuu's. It appears I'll be seeing the place sooner then I thought.
Xx TBC xX
