A Wedding, A Pairing and A Realisation
By Shin Sankai
I sat on my futon looking at the small letter addressed to Aoshi-sama and myself. I knew the writing immediately. It was Kaoru's. I had not heard from her in a while and was becoming worried. I quickly ripped open the casing it was in and began to read the contents inside.
Dear Misao-chan and Aoshi-san,
It has been such a long time since I wrote last and I apologise. I have been so busy and can finally tell you my happy news. The last you heard was that I was expecting but now we have even more news to tell. Kenshin and I are getting married! Oh Misao-chan I so want you to be in the wedding! Please say you'll come and Kenshin wants Aoshi-san to be with us as well! It is this weekend so you better be on your way as soon as possible, there is a lot we need to speak with you before the special day so please hurry.
Love Kaoru
I jumped up squealing happily and ran from my room downstairs, passed the dining room where everyone was eating breakfast and slipped on my shoes and ran for the temple. I happily giggled and skipped down the path getting wet from the morning shower that occurred. I took the steps two at a time up the temple and brushed my shoes aside and entered the main room to find Aoshi-sama and tell him the wonderful news.
I raced down a long hall and finally made it to the room Aoshi-sama would be meditating in and quickly opened it up and closed it loudly. He was looking out over Kyoto, but not on the balcony sine it was pouring down with rain. He had that same emotionless expression he wore for the past two years but I ran over to him sopping wet and spoke breathlessly.
"Aoshi-sama guess what?" My chest heaved trying to get my breathing under control and I looked up to see him silently staring at me. I watched as he turned around leaving me in the room and walking into another. I bowed my head slightly thinking he didn't wish to see me and that is when I blushed looking down at what I was wearing. I was still in my dark blue sleeping yukata and shorts, which clang to my body at being so drenched. I was so excited I hadn't even thought about changing into my onmitsu outfit. I guess my appearance wasn't really good enough and he was probably disgusted by it and left. I looked out at the balcony view to see everything drenched in rain. I stepped slightly away and backed into another body. I turned my head up looking over my shoulder to see Aoshi-sama had brought out a large towel and opened it up to place over my shoulders. I faintly blushed and smiled my thanks relishing in the fact at being so close to him. I watched his face show nothing to me and he took his hands away and walked back over to the small table.
"You really should change into some dry clothes Misao." I froze in my footsteps at hearing him speak. I looked quizzically at Aoshi-sama and watched as he pointed to the room he was in minutes ago. I turned in the direction and closed the door behind me once I was inside.
This is where Aoshi-sama stayed most of the time. There was a rolled up futon in the darkest corner of the small quarters and a table and chair on the other side. A small chest of draws for his clothes was near the door behind me and a hook on the wall beside it as it held up his western trench coat. The large window was framed with dark blue curtain drapes, which had not been drawn open to let in the morning light. Candles had been lit on the table and the small chest of draws. A forest smell crossed with the smell of rain flowed through the room, as this was Aoshi-sama's favourite incense I presumed. I noticed his kodachi's lying on the table and stepped closer running my hand over the sheath. I remember the smaller one is at the end and silently pull it out looking at the sharpened and very clean blade. The sheath was warn and tattered at travelling so much but he had kept the blades in very good condition. I looked at my reflection in the blade as the candle flickered light over it and the room.
I guess Aoshi-sama would have used them to fend off many enemies. He still carried them with him to this day. I guess it was a reminder to others that he was still experienced and capable of using them, but that was only if needed. I occasionally caught him training in the hall at the Aoiya, but although there were never any fights in this peaceful era, Aoshi-sama vowed not to use them again. Sometimes he'd be so locked away in his thoughts that I'd actually watch him go through his entire kata's without notice. He was still as good as I could remember when I was little but now he was fluent and faster, a real master of his kodachi's. It was then that I realise that although Aoshi-sama wouldn't want to use them again, he would never back down from a fight, especially if someone was trying to hurt him, the Oniwabanshuu and maybe even Kenshin and the others.
My worrying over Aoshi-sama eased a little when he had let go of Hannya, Beshimi, Hyotokko and Shikijo. I was glad he finally let them rest in peace. This happened about a year ago but he still wished to stay in the temple and meditate. I think it truly helps him calm down and not have his usual nightmares of what happened when he first came back. His eyes had seemed so lost when I saw him, almost as though as he looked upon the rest of the Oniwabanshuu he was reminded of his own nightmares because of what happened to Hannya and the others.
Although it has been two years now, Aoshi-sama and I, well our relationship is strange. We are not like brother and sister anymore, nor are we mentor and student. He knows I'd never leave him alone even if he was truly and one hundred percent at peace with himself and he knows I'd always be here willing to listen to him just in case he ever wanted to talk about what went on inside of himself…and while he was away for so long. It still shocked me when he would speak to me just like it did minutes ago telling me I should change into drier clothes. I guess I felt honored he was actually speaking and it was only directed at me; but then again it was only me who he really talked to even if it wasn't much. I always felt a buzzing race through my entire body when he looked at me, spoke and even when he touched me for the smallest amount of time. His actions truly amazed me as one moment he wouldn't acknowledge my existence and then he'll be really sweet and go grab me a blanket or make me tea instead of myself doing it.
Right now, I could now finally admit it to myself, I was in love with Aoshi-sama, and it wasn't my childish infatuation either. He made me feel whole and complete and just everything about him I loved. Sure he had made mistakes in the past but no one ever has a truly perfect life. I was just plain Misao, the 18-year-old and no more a child and he was Aoshi-sama, but not a leader or my guardian just a normal but slightly troubled man and in need of feeling loved and cherished. I want to be that for him and no one was going to stand in my way not even Aoshi-sama! I know Jiya and the others think I am wasting my time and they wish me to find someone else, someone more responsive to me but I could never do that to Aoshi-sama. I would never love the other man like Aoshi-sama and so I wait patiently for him to talk about his fears and his feelings. It may take forever but I am willing to wait for him because no matter what people say or think I know he is the other half of me. I know Aoshi-sama needs me and so I wait. That probably sounds silly but I can feel it and I know it is true. I just hope he realises that I am his other half as well. I placed the blade against my soft cheek and shivered at its coldness. So much like Aoshi-sama, but sometimes not like him at all. I had spoken inside myself. I jolted when I heard a light knock on the door. I quickly sheathed his weapon and abruptly turned away from it looking at the closed door.
"Is everything alright Misao?" My hands shook nervously but I spoke back reassuringly.
"Everything's fine Aoshi-sama." I moved closer to the door placing my hand on it and pressed my ear against it trying to make out the sound of his footsteps as he walked away. It was hard, but I noticed them. I let out a loud sigh and turned my attention to the long sleeved black under shirt and one of his own purple onmitsu yukata tops. There was also some pants folded up and on the chest of draws but I doubted I would be able to wear them.
I finally stripped out of my wet clothes, all of them, as they were all soaked and rather cold and dressed into his undershirt and then placed his onmitsu uniform top over the top to keep me a bit warmer. The sleeves hid my hands as I wasn't big enough and it was rather baggy and fell over my body but stopped half way down my thighs. I placed the pants on but they kept falling down even with the drawstring tied up and I tried walking in them but nearly lost my footing, as they were too long. I guess the tops would have to do. I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks as I was wearing Aoshi-sama's clothing and that fact I had only one piece of clothing on. I took a deep breath of Aoshi-sama's yukata and leaned against the wall for support, as it smelled just like him and incense. I giggled a little at wearing his clothes but stopped and opened the curtains and the window to let in some light and hang my wet clothes on the railing. Hopefully they would dry quickly. I finally realised I had been in here long enough and opened the door to walk back into the main room. I still felt strange walking around like this but Aoshi-sama wouldn't know, or probably care for that matter. I made it over to the small table and sat down. I observed as Aoshi-sama now sat near a window and he was watching the rain with his back to me. I began pouring some tea into the cups for the both of us and left mine at the table and walked towards him and spoke softly while holding out the tea.
"Here Aoshi-sama…" He turned his head but haltered in grabbing the cup and just stared down at me. I was so close I could see those beautiful eyes trail down my body and then back up to my eyes. I felt a not so unpleasant shiver make it's way though my entire body and end up in the pit of my stomach. I bit my lip, placed the teacup on the railing and lowered my head knowing I was slightly blushing but answered his unspoken question.
"Arigatoo for the clothes Aoshi-sama, but the pants are too big for me…" I raised my head noticing he had turned back to stare out the window his elbows leaning on the railing while both of his hands held the cup close to his lips. I sighed loudly and turned around walking back to the small table and kneeled on the floor, my legs curled out to the side of me and I folded my arms on the table laying my head down on them and looking at the steam rising from the cup. Minutes of silence passed by and my eyes began to droop thanks to the sound of the rain. It was so pleasant, so peaceful that it was sending me into a blissful sleep.
xxxxxxx
"Misao…Misao?" I mumbled and opened my eyes to see Aoshi-sama squatting on my right side looking over at me. I jolted up from the small table I had been leaning against and brushed my hands over my face. I completely froze when I found dampness on my cheeks. I brought my fingers out in front of me to have a look and yes it was true, they were damp from me crying in my sleep. Crying…from what though? I don't even remember. I spoke inside myself yet again. I quickly brushed them away fearing Aoshi-sama would have seen them and stood up walking over to grab his cup still sitting on the railing of the window. I felt rather nervous being here now and needed something to do. I could feel his presence right behind me and I held onto the small cup for dear life when his hand cupped my shoulder.
"Misao wha-" I shook my head cutting him off and turned around to look up at him and then lowered my eyes too gaze upon his chest area and spoke quietly to him.
"I don't know…" I walked away from him and walked back into his room and towards my clothes. I found that my shorts were still wet but I placed on my underwear thanking the gods they had dried quickly. I took off Aoshi-sama's shirts and was about to drop his purple ninja top to the ground when I heard his footstep's halt at the opened door. I turned around grabbing his shirt covering my bare breasts and stood staring at him with wide eyes. He was standing in the doorway and I watched as he moved closer diverting his gaze to the other side of the room as he grabbed his kodachi's and his trench coat. My eyes could never leave him and I watched him turn around and walk back over to the door.
"We should be going." I watched as he left the room closing the door behind him. I was frozen in that one spot wanting to know what Aoshi-sama was thinking. I shook my head clearing my thoughts and knew that he would have thought nothing of the situation. I was a mere child to him and nothing else. I bound my breasts, placed on my sleeping yukata and then pulled Aoshi-sama's purple top over me. I folded his black one and placed it back on the drawer.
I stepped out of his room and saw Aoshi-sama standing at the other door waiting for me. Once I got closer he offered me his trench coat, but I bit my lip and shook my head negatively and walked out the door not saying anything else. Yes it was still raining as we reached the main doors but I wanted Aoshi-sama to be nice and warm. I couldn't be selfish. I placed my shoes on and began descending the stairs as the storm had turned into a light shower.
We had been walking for a while now but I didn't know what to say. Usually I had a million things to talk about but now I felt like I couldn't tell him anything. I wrapped my arms around myself and kept walking not taking my eyes off of the path in front of me.
"You never told me about your news." I jolted at hearing his quiet voice and finally spoke but never looked up at him.
"I received a letter from Kaoru today. Her and Himura are getting married this weekend."
"So Batto…err…Himura is finally getting married. Is that all she wrote?" I glanced my eyes up to see he was staring at a far off place and replied to his question.
"They have invited us to join them. They both want us to be there to celebrate their wedding. I'm sure it meant Kaoru and Himura want us to be apart of it too." I bit my lip glancing over at him to see he was still staring off at the far away place only he could see.
"I guess we should be on our way then." I stopped in my walking and Aoshi stopped and stared down at me.
"Well it would be rude to decline and I know how much you want to see all of them again." I smiled and hugged him around the waist on impulse not even thinking about what I was doing. I felt his body tense up and let go immediately. I stepped away knowing I was blushing madly while whispering an apology and kept walking not looking up at him anymore. We finally made it back to the Aoiya and I heard Aoshi-sama's deep voice speak once more and then he walked into the dining room.
"Go freshen up Misao, we'll be leaving shortly." I raced up the stairs packing a small bag and went to the bathroom to clean myself up.
Xx TBC xX
