Hours passed as the wedding party was well into swing and I slipped out hopefully unnoticed. I found my way further into the backyard as the party was in the training hall. It was rather warm inside and I wanted some fresh air. The moon was shining brightly in the sky but the occasional rumble of thunder or quick flash of lightning meant rain was clearly on the way. I sat on the large stone wall looking into the forest. I decided to undo the sash holding the outer kimono closed and let it open up so I could feel the cool breeze caress my warm skin. My right ankle was crossed over my left one and I leaned on my hands to hold myself up. Minutes passed as the clouds rolled in closer but I soon squinted my eyes as I tried to make out the dark figure emerging from the forest. I tilted my head slightly and my eyes widened once I knew who the tall figure was. I gulped down the lump in my throat at feeling nervous but stayed exactly were I was. He moved closer now and was standing right in front of me. He was rather handsome in that outfit and he too had opened up the black top so you could see the white silk shirt underneath. I guess I'm going to have to start the conversation, I spoke inside myself.
"Did you go see them again Aoshi-sama?" I looked up as he nodded his head silently. I soon sat up straighter and placed my hands into my lap and spoke shakily at him while looking down at my bare feet.
"A-Aoshi-sama about w-what happened y-yesterday…I'm sorry, I-I should n-never have been that rude…"
"But it was all true." I lifted my head hearing him say that and watched as he sat down beside me looking off into the forest while speaking again.
"I am a difficult person to be around Misao. I truly am not one for talking much as I don't really know what to say or do. For so long I have cast aside feelings and emotions because I wanted others to see me as an excellent ninja, an excellent fighter and a strong leader. I wan-" I turned to face him as he stopped talking and watched as he knelt down picking up a loose stone. I watched quizzically as he turned around throwing it over to some darkened area near the training hall.
"OW!" My eyes widened when I saw Sano come out of hiding rubbing his head.
"Go annoy the fox, Sagara!" I watched as Sano walked back inside and closed the door actually listening to Aoshi-sama for a change. He sat down again and spoke once more.
"I really wanted to be the best at everything Misao. If I was complimented it made me feel good inside even though I never showed it on the outside. I had my four comrades who I could trust undoubtedly and…and I had sweet little Misao-chan." I looked over at him once he said that and placed my shaky hand over one of his large ones hoping he would continue.
"I watched helplessly as Hannya and the others were gunned down as though they were animals. I completely lost it after that. My four comrades…no my four best friends who'd follow me into hell and back had been slain to protect me. I could do nothing. My stupid reasons for wanting to be the strongest, the best had got them all killed." I frowned as he spoke and Aoshi stood up walking around a bit as though trying to think of what else to say. I stood up as well but never moved from the stone wall and spoke quietly to him.
"Aoshi-sama you know that no matter where you went with them they would have died protecting you under any circumstances. It was their duty to protect you but it was also their loyalty as friends to make sure of your safety. They would have always thought about you being the number one priority." I watched as he turned to look at me with those intense eyes. I bowed my head slightly hoping he would understand and the next words slipped through my lips before I could stop them.
"If I were there and older I would have done the same as them."
"NO!" My eyes widened at hearing the roughness in his voice. His hands held my shoulders tightly as he looked down at me. Those eyes blazed with fear at hearing me say such a thing. I watched as he stepped away turning his back on me once more. Not this time Aoshi-sama! I rushed in front of him and stopped him from walking any further. His head was bowed and those beautiful eyes hidden from view. I fisted my hands and then wrapped my arms around his waist holding him close and spoke quietly into his chest.
"Please don't push me away…" Now I could finally smile as he had held me close to him and placed his chin on top of my head. I could feel the beginning of light rain falling against us but it wasn't hard enough that we needed to race inside. I was enjoying being wrapped in his embrace. He was so warm and I was so comfortable too. I heard the faint sound of the training hall door open and close.
"Aoshi-sama look what I got for you!" My eyes opened wide and I looked up into his eyes as he smiled down at me. We turned our heads to see Suzume-chan running over.
"Déjà vu…" I looked up to see Aoshi-sama staring down at me and my eyes widened when his fingers brushed over my left cheek and over my lips. He soon let go of me and turned around climbing over the wall and squatted to the ground looking at little Suzume. I smiled as she thrust the rose into his face and he soon took it thanking her. He had an admirer already. She placed the small umbrella she brought out over his head and I watched as he picked her up holding her against him with his right arm under her little butt while her left one was around his neck and the right held up the small umbrella. I was curious as to why he stopped walking and he turned around slightly to face me and Suzume-chan spoke.
"Come on Misao-san, let's go inside!" I smiled and climbed over the wall retying my kimono up and had a look of surprise when Aoshi-sama's left hand was out waiting for me to join them. I blushed placing my smaller hand into his as he held it tightly and led me back inside.
xxxxxxx
Many hours past as the guests had finally left. I was sitting on my futon in my underdress and watched Aoshi place his hakama coat on a hook as well as my outer kimono. He was just wearing the loose black pants, which were also silk and the white shirt, which was undone. I couldn't believe how much I controlled my blushing even though I watched his every move. I know he knows I'm watching as well, but he didn't seem to mind this time.
"How's your ribs?" I watched as he looked over at me still standing up.
"Good…Megumi-san gave me some herbs to take to ease the pain. They are just bandaged up so they can mend better." I watched as he nodded his head and I was a little surprised when he brought his futon over and lay down on it close to mine. My heartbeat sped up and I waited for him to speak.
"I remember when you were four and you came running into my room shouting something about ghosts. You wouldn't leave until I came and checked them out." I giggled a little and soon spoke looking down at him.
"It was just the shadow of the trees as the wind blew them around. It always scared me and I never thought about blowing out the candle and then they would disappear." I watched as he nodded his head. Minutes passed as our silence grew and I soon shifted and lay on my left side facing him. I watched as he breathed deeply as his stomach moved up and down.
"Misao?" I jerked my head up meeting his eyes as he was now lying on his side facing me with his head propped up on his right arm.
"I never did thank you for staying with me…and I'm sorry." I tilted my head feeling slightly confused at the sorry part. I was about to speak but Aoshi-sama continued.
"For making you cry…yesterday and all those years in the past." I nodded my head and soon thought of one of my memories that made me laugh.
"What?"
"Do you remember the time when I was 5 and no one could stop me crying not even you? It took Hannya hours to convince me to tell him what was up with me."
"What was it?"
"You."
"Oh…" I shook my head and soon spoke again.
"I had actually been trying to find you the whole day. I had drawn a picture and picked some flowers just for you. I soon found you in the backyard but you weren't alone. Nope you and Okon were hugging each other. Actually I felt betrayed and I think my heart shattered into a million pieces seeing that. I ran away and hid in the forest. I didn't want anyone to find me so I hid under all these roots but Hannya heard my sobbing as he was training nearby."
"I actually saw the dropped flowers when we were walking back into the building and we both freaked out that someone had seen us and we never spoke of it again. So what was the picture you drew?" I smiled but lightly blushed remembering it and closed my eyes.
"It was us actually…well sort of…wasn't really good at drawing at the age of five. Not really my talent." I opened my eyes to stare over at Aoshi-sama. I laughed a little and soon continued with my story.
"I told Hannya I saw you with Okon and the both of you were being all "lovey dovey" and he began laughing thinking it was so funny. I guess it was the way I was acting it out as though it was the most dramatic thing I had ever come across. To me it was though. I felt I had lost my Aoshi-sama to a pretty girl. Hannya began making up a plan of how I could "win" you back. We began plotting all these little nightmares that I'd have every night and I'd come racing into your room fake tears and all and jump into your futon with you. Hannya said that Okon may hug you during the day but at night I had you all to myself and I even got to share your bed and warmth." I heard a small chuckle leave Aoshi-sama's throat and he spoke looking over at me.
"I thought some of the dreams were rather bizarre. I didn't think you could plot all those dreams by yourself. I finally coaxed Hannya in telling me, nearly breaking his arm actually, and he told me you saw Okon and I. I don't think I had ever been so embarrassed in my life. Not even being able to detect one of the most important people to me." My eyes were wide as I sat up hearing him say this and I spoke back in a hesitant voice trying to come up with something to say to that.
"A-Aoshi-sama…" I halted as he too sat up and placed his fingers over my lips. I gazed into his eyes and froze at his next words.
"Please don't Misao. I don't like hearing that title especially when it's coming from your lips." I was about to speak but narrowed my eyes listening to some groaning coming from down the hall.
"Is that Sano?" I spoke out loud. I raised my eyes to Aoshi and soon heard another moan but this was more feminie.
"And Megumi-san? What are they do-" I cut myself off looking at Aoshi's smirk and soon a devilish grin covered my lips as I was trying to come up with some ideas on how to tease them in the morning.
"No Misao." I looked up slightly surprised at Aoshi's serious voice and he spoke again.
"I know that look off by heart so don't even think about plotting ways to embarrass them." I scowled at him for being so frustrating and crossed my arms under my breasts and turned my head away. I soon felt his fingers brush over my cheek and I turned my head looking at him and my eyes widened at seeing him so close. My lips parted as his intense gaze was so focused on my eyes.
"You know Misao I never told you how beautiful you look." I knew a light blush covered my cheeks but I smiled at him and spoke.
"You're not to bad yours-" I could not continue as my gasp was captured against Aoshi's lips. I wrapped my arms around him holding him tight making sure he was unable to leave and a moan escaped me, as he never intended on doing that anyway. I surrendered to the onslaught of his passioned kisses and returned them with my own. I grabbed fistful's of his shirt as his tongue thrust into my mouth claiming me even more. I felt my hands shake when I wrapped them around his neck. I snapped my eyes open when Aoshi pulled away put fell on his back taking me with him as my upper body was pressed against his and I was looking down into his eyes. I felt his fingers brushing over my cheek once more and I pulled it in front of me and kissed the inside of it and placed it back on his chest.
"I'm sorry for making you wait Misao." I shook my head and smiled down at him moving closer and spoke as my lips brushed his lightly.
"You should be thanking me for sticking around. I was rather patient and that's a test within itself." I pressed my lips lightly to his and felt his lips curve into a smile, as he understood what I had said. We soon parted and he spoke quietly back.
"You wouldn't have left anyway because like you said 'I will never be with another because I can't love anyone like I love you.' And besides no one would actually want a tomboy ninja girl like you…" My eyes frowned at hearing him say this and I watched a smile spread over his face and radiate into his eyes as he placed his hand against my cheek once more and spoke.
"Besides me of course…I want you Misao…my tomboy ninja girl…" It wasn't even an "I love you" and I was crying at what he said. I placed my head against his heart wanting to be close to him and closed my eyes smelling his scent. I sighed contently as Aoshi wrapped his arms securely around me keeping me close. I giggled when I heard the moaning in the room down the hall become even louder.
"Poor Yahiko."
"Mmmmmmmm." I felt the rumbling of Aoshi's chest and soon spoke again.
"Do that again."
"Do what again Misao?" I buried myself deeper into his chest, or tried to, at feeling the rumbling of his chest again.
"I love that…" I spoke tiredly and placed a kiss on his scared chest. I felt him shift around a bit and noticed he grabbed the blanket and place it over us. YES! Finally Aoshi…finally we can be together. I sighed once more and spoke against his chest knowing he could hear me.
"I love you Aoshi…" I felt his arms wrap more tightly around me and he placed a feather light kiss against my hair. I knew nothing else except the warmth I was receiving from him.
xxxxxxx
I awoke to some soft mumbling coming from underneath me. I lifted my head realising I was still wrapped in Aoshi's embrace with one arm while his other was placed over his eyes taking away the brightness of the sun shining in. I couldn't understand what he was saying and shifted getting out of his embrace and watched as he turned onto his side falling into a deep sleep once more. I smiled brushing my fingers over his cheek and lightly kissed it. I got up and stripped out of the silk dress and placed on my usual top with long pants and a baggy jacket. Although the sun was out it was pretty cold in the house. I closed the door silently behind me and walked out into the front yard as Kenshin was doing some laundry, Sano was playing with Ayame and Suzume while Kaoru and Megumi sat on the stairs quietly talking.
"Good morning Misao." I waved at Kenshin as he noticed me first and saw Megumi and Kaoru turn around. I was just itching to say something but remembered what Aoshi said last night.
"Well look whose out of bed, about time Misao…" I narrowed my eyes at Megumi and spoke not being able to hold back anymore.
"Well you did keep me up and you obviously annoyed the hell out of Yahiko as he is still dead to the world with all the bloody moaning that occurred last night." I saw Megumi flush embarrassed but her eyes soon flashed as she was thinking of something to say back and she fisted her hand slightly and spoke back.
"Well we didn't hear anything coming from your room so I must think you were too scarred to try anything on Aoshi-san…" I fisted my hand at what she was implying and replied back.
"Excuse me bu-" I faulted in my speaking as I felt Aoshi's hand on my right shoulder and his lips press against the bare skin of my neck. I was pulled back against his chest as his arms wrapped around my waist protectively. Sano had tripped over his own feet falling on his ass at seeing what Aoshi did and Ayame and Suzume-chan took the chance to jump on him. I looked at Kaoru and Megumi in front of us and slightly blushed when they clasped hands together and squealed happily. Kenshin had a smile on his face and nodded his head and returned to doing the laundry.
xxxxxxx
Aoshi and I stood in the front yard saying goodbye to everyone, as it was time to head back home. I had hugged Ayame and Suzume and watched as Aoshi crouched down saying goodbye as well. I smiled as Suzume-chan pouted at Aoshi as he was leaving. She soon pursed her lips thinking of something and spoke looking into his eyes.
"Aoshi-sama can I marry you when I get older?" I heard a small chuckle leave his throat and he patted her head and shook his head negatively at her. A small tear fell from her eyes and Aoshi wiped it away before it could roll onto her chin and she spoke in a small voice.
"Why not?"
"Don't you think that's a little unfair to Misao." My eyes widened at his explanation and I blushed bright red looking around at the surprised stares from the others. I looked down seeing Suzume tilting her head up staring at me and then back to Aoshi and she spoke.
"Hmmm I guess so, just let me be the flower girl!" She quickly placed a kiss on his cheek and ran over to Sano who picked her up. We finally waved goodbye once more and left walking down the path. I fidgeted with my braid thinking about what Aoshi said and glanced up at him then back to the path.
"You are wandering about what I had said moments ago Misao?" I nodded my head and soon stopped walking when he stepped in front of me. His hand lifted up my face so he could gaze into my eyes and he spoke in his low tone of voice so only I could hear this once.
"I did promise you Misao-mine…don't you remember?" My eyes widened at what he had said. I had asked Aoshi years ago if he would marry me when I was older and I made him promise. I smiled up at him nodding my head and closed my eyes as he pressed his lips to mine. SANO! We pulled apart feeling his presence and I stooped down as did Aoshi and we both threw the loose rocks into the same bush.
"OW!" We watched as Sano came out rubbing his head and chest at where the rocks hit him. He smirked at us and walked back over to where the others were standing. I shook my head and began walking once more. Minutes of silence fell between us and I spoke.
"Aoshi, what are we going to tell Okina and the others?" I looked up at him to see he was staring off into space thinking of something and he soon spoke.
"We could always make a whole lot of noise and let them figure it out on their own." I tripped over my own feet but gained my footing as I grabbed Aoshi's arm for support. I blushed red at what he said and swatted his arm looking up at him.
"What?" That's too innocent for you Aoshi! I spoke inside my head. I placed a small smile on my face and wrapped my arms around his neck speaking softly into his ear.
"I'll hold you to that my dear Aoshi." I felt his arms wrap around me and closed my eyes listening to his deep voice as he spoke to me once more.
"Misao do you know what I have realised during this time we have spent together?" I shook my head just loving the feel of being wrapped in his embrace again.
"Where ever I go and whatever I do, I'm never leaving you behind. You are coming with me everywhere because I can't be without you. I love you Makimachi Misao." Tears sparkled in my eyes as I kissed him passionately until we gasped for air. I stepped away from him and began walking once more. About time Aoshi…about time… We halted on the path as we reached the section that gave us the choice of deciding which way we wanted to go back to the Aoiya. Going through the forest took more then a day while taking the path meant you could reach the Aoiya in under a day. Hmmm a large forest with no one but Aoshi and myself or a pathway getting us quickly home. I grabbed Aoshi's hand and soon took the path leading into the forest.
"Misao, it is quicker the other way." I kept my eyes ahead feeling the heat rise in my cheeks and spoke my explanation.
"Yeah well I want you ALL day and ALL night to myself, no interruptions." I felt his hot breath trickle down my neck as he moved closer towards me, his body warmth coming in contact with mine and shivered at his husky whisper.
"As do I Misao, as do I." He soon clasped my hand tighter and we seemed to walk faster making our way into the forest and to our forever happiness at being together.
THE END
