It was early afternoon and Misao and I where coming closer to the Aoiya. Misao's clothes had dried during the night but the moisture in the air dampened them once more. She had placed her long pants on but her shirt and coat were too wet to wear. I watched as she had wrapped them up carrying them as a small bundle and wore my shirt. It felt…nice…almost natural…seeing Misao wearing my clothes.
I opened the gate letting Misao walk in first and I watched her take a deep breath as the front shoji door opened and out popped three heads. I watched as Okina, Omasu and Okon came waltzing over ready to give us an ear full but before they could say a word Misao had spoken up.
"I know what you're going to say and we apologise about leaving on such short notice. Aoshi and I needed time to be by ourselves so we could actually get used to the idea of becoming husband and wife soon. Please don't be mad at us." I looked at their shocked faces and raised an eyebrow when Okina spoke up.
"Its quite alright Misao-chan, we were just a little worried." I can't believe they bought that, she is good. I spoke inside myself glancing my eyes at Misao. I watched as Okon and Omasu pulled her forward taking her in the direction of the house, but Misao soon got free running back over and stood up on tiptoes and pressed a kiss to my cheek then ran off towards the bathhouse with Okon and Omasu quickly following. I turned my gaze over to Okina to see a small smile coming from him as he stroked his beard.
"What?" I spoke impassively as ever. I heard a small chuckle leave his lips and watched him walk back into the Aoiya. I shook my head walking over to the training hall and took my shoes off and then walked inside placing my kodachi's on the ground and sat next to them, leaning my back against the wall.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment and opened them up again and saw a little Misao and Hannya training together in front of me. I had stood up as though I were the third person in the hall looking at what they were doing. Misao was laughing happily and trying to use kunai. Hannya was showing her some stances and she was awkwardly trying to do the same. A smile spread over my face when she fell over and giggled at being so clumsy. Three other figures stood in the doorway now, Beshimi, Hyotokko, Shijuksho. I watch as they smiled and clapped as Misao-chan showed them what she had learned. Another figure had entered the hall now…me…and Misao-chan's face lit up in happiness and she was running over, arms spread wide wanting to hug me. My hand reached out as though wanting to touch the memory but my eyes widened when it faded and the room fell into darkness. I turned around hearing evil laughter and my breathing became heavy as I watched Kanryuu gun down Beshimi, Hyotokko and Shijuksho. I watched wide eyed as the gattling gun was pointed my way now and I stepped back thinking this was all real and tripped over my long coat falling heavily to the wooden floor, but never got back on my feet. I watched as Hannya got in the way taking the bullets that were meant for me.
"Aoshi-sama?" He had spoken but I stared wide-eyed not doing anything.
"AOSHI!" I snapped out of the memory and watched the room turn back to normal, no one was in here but myself and Misao who had run over kneeling beside me and looking down at me with concerned eyes. I took in a few deep breaths trying to calm my ragging heart and lay on my back closing my eyes.
"Aoshi are you okay?" I now sat up looking over at Misao and I watched as she moved her hand to my face brushing my hair out of my eyes.
"You're soaked with sweat!" She had spoken concerned and I sat motionless as she wiped my face with her hands getting rid of the sweat. She shed so much concern for me and without even thinking I pulled her into my embrace and placed my forehead on her shoulder. Seconds later Misao wrapped her right arm around my shoulders while her left one pressed softly against my head stroking her fingers through my dark hair, the side of her head resting against mine. My eyes had closed by now, my body relaxing and seeking comfort from her. She smelled like spring flowers having just come from her bath.
"Will you tell me what happened?" Misao spoke softly to me. I took a deep breath and answered her question truthfully.
"Memories…I wanted one to be real and wanted the other to have never happened. You and Hannya were in the hall and he was teaching you some stances and how to use kunai. Beshimi, Hyotokko and Shijuksho came in as well and you were showing them what you could do. Then I walked in and your face lit up in happiness and you were running over to hug me. I wanted to be in this memory again, I wanted to touch it but it changed into complete darkness. Evil laughing could be heard. I saw…I watched as they were all murdered again and it felt so real that I had fallen over feeling afraid, scared that I was going to be killed next, but Hannya got in the way taking all the bullets and then you came in taking the memory away." Misao had tightened her embrace around me listening to this and I felt her lips kiss the skin on the side of my head and she whispered into my ear.
"Gomen Aoshi. I'm sorry you had to go through so much pain, so much heartache." I pulled away slightly and saw her eyes were filled with unshed tears. She had so much love for me. I watched as her teeth bit down on her bottom lip, concern and sadness being replaced by nervousness. My hand came up brushing my fingers down her cheek and I lowered my eyes to her moist pink lips. My fingers traced her bottom lip freeing it and I felt her hot quick breath run across my fingers. I turned my eyes upwards seeing she was still looking up at me, hers wider then normal. I cupped her chin with my thumb and index finger, tilting her head up and brought my lips closer to hers. I smirked as she instinctively licked her lips and I caught her small gasp with my lips as they were now pressed softly against hers. Her small soft hands cupped my cheeks showing me how much she wanted this and how much she wanted to be with me. I couldn't do anything except fall into her passionate kisses and return them. I had moved closer pulling Misao back into my embrace and crushing her form against mine, my tongue tangling passionately with hers. Her arms had wrapped around my neck holding me tight, her heart beating faster then normal as was mine. I soon stopped letting go of her and a frustrated groan escaped her lips but I stood up ignoring her now, walking over towards my kodachi's and leaving Misao on the ground probably feeling rejected.
"Aoshi-sama, Okina asked me to come get you as you need to make your way to the city to be measured for your kimono." I nodded my head at Shiro and he soon left. I turned my gaze towards Misao, who was still sitting on the ground and her cheeks stained a light pink.
"Oh…that's why…" She had spoken in a slight whisper. I moved closer crouching in front of her and placed my hand against her cheek. Misao leaned into the touch smiling softly up at me. I quickly glanced down at her red and swollen lips. I quickly kissed them once more and got up leaving the hall to go into the city.
"Aoshi?" I half turned around looking at Misao and waited for her to speak again.
"I'll save you some dinner." I nodded my head leaving the hall and began walking to the gate. I began walking down the path towards the city when I faintly heard an excited yell and knew it had to be Misao because of what occurred in the hall. After all she had been waiting for a long time. So are you going to tell her how you feel Aoshi? How you have always felt. Only now it is clearer, more certain. Just think about how good it would be to wake up next to someone and not just that, it happens to be Misao, your wife in less then a week! Come on Aoshi you can do it, she deserves that much from you! A small voice inside of me spoke. I nodded my head listening to that small voice and was now walking down the busy street towards the shop.
I haltered in my walking when a young child ran into me, as she wasn't looking where she was going. I watched as her giggling stopped as she looked down at her dropped cotton candy lying in the dirt. I watched her little head bob up and those sad blue eyes looked up at me, her bottom lip sticking out as though she were ready to cry. I squatted down placing my hand on her head brushing my fingers through her dark hair and soon spoke.
"We'll get you another one okay?" I stood up and began walking but looked down as the small girl had grabbed a couple of my fingers wanting to keep close to me. I held her hand softly in my larger one and she smiled up at me and began skipping lightly. We made it to a small stall and I ordered her some more cotton candy. I could hear a woman's voice calling out someone's name and looked down noticing the small girl was looking into the crowd but couldn't find the person she was looking for. I paid the man behind the stall and picked the little girl up.
"Over there! That's mummy!" She spoke pointing to the woman standing on the other side of the street calling out her name. I began weaving my way through the people walking closer to the woman.
"Mummy!" The little one had yelled and I watched all the emotion run through the young woman as she reached out taking her daughter in her arms hugging her tightly.
"Don't you ever do that to me again! Ever!"
"Mummy it's okay, this nice man found me and bought me new candy because I dropped mine." The woman looked up and I noticed she too had blue eyes and long dark hair.
"Thank you so much for finding her." I bowed my head silently and began walking off towards the shop.
"Bye Mister!" I turned waving to the small girl and walked into the shop and the storeowner soon spoke up.
"Shinomori Aoshi?" I nodded my head and he soon spoke once more.
"Come this way please." Here we go… I took a deep breath and followed him into the back of the store.
xxxxxxx
The sun had passed the horizon ages ago as I made my way to the front gate opening it up and then closed it. The Aoiya was pretty much in darkness except the lanterns that flickered in the dining room. I took my shoes off sliding the shoji door open soundlessly but watched Misao's head pop around the doorway to the dining room, as she knew I was home. She smiled silently at me waving me to hurry up and I soon closed the door behind me and walked into the dining room to see she had my dinner already laid out for me to eat. I sat on the opposite side of the small table to her lifting the cover and found steam rising from the food, as it was still hot.
I grabbed the rice bowl and began eating silently while occasionally picking up some meat and vegetables as well. Misao was silently watching me, itching to ask how it went and I stayed silent waiting for her to speak.
"Sooooooooo how'd it go?" She had spoken breaking into a conversation.
"I found a kimono in the store already made. It just needs a few adjustments and that's it. Actually before I reached the store I ran into a small child."
"Did you scare them away Aoshi?" Misao had spoken jokingly and I replied back defending myself.
"Actually it was her fault but no I didn't. I may act cold and emotionless sometimes, but I was always good with children, especially bratty ones like yourself." I began eating once more and glanced up at Misao to see her hands were fisted in anger. Perfect… I spoke inside myself. I picked up some meat ready to eat it but watched as she opened her mouth ready for a retort of some sort but I redirected the chopsticks placing the meat in her mouth instead. Her eyes were wide in surprise, as this was a very intimate move coming from me. Her eyes were fixed on mine as I watched her mouth close as she chewed on the meat silently. I picked up some vegetables and placed them in front of her as well. I watched the tips of the chopsticks disappear into her mouth. We sat in silence as she ate the food I was feeding her.
Minutes passed by as the food was finally finished off by both of us as in between feeding Misao I was feeding myself too. I stood up helping her take the dishes into the kitchen and we washed them in silence. Misao left lighting a candle and turned the lanterns off.
We were now making our way up the stairs and towards my room. I slid the door open silently and walked inside taking my coat off and hanging it on a hook. I lit up some more candles and placed them around the room. I turned around noticing Misao was still standing at the doorway. She seemed nervous and I watched as she hesitantly stepped in but didn't close the door.
"It's late Aoshi, Okon and Omasu have got a busy day planned for me." I looked over at her seeing her form silhouetted in the candlelight. Her eyes glittered with the reflection of the flames in them and I soon stepped forward walking over to my coat and speaking to her.
"Before I forget I bought you something while I was in town." I looked over at her noticing an excited expression cross her face and she smiled brightly at me. She skipped over feeling excited about receiving a gift from me. I placed my hand into the inside pocket grabbing out the small soft pouch and the flower, which had not been damaged. I brought it out properly and placed it out for Misao to take. She had gasped softly clasping her hands together near her heart then unclasped them taking the thornless rose bud and smelling its sweet fragrance.
"Arigatoo Aoshi." She had replied smiling up at me. Her eyes were full of love. Love I so desperately wanted to return but came to a complete mind blank as to how to do that. Maybe, maybe I was already doing it and didn't know.
"That's not all." I had spoken and placed the soft pouch in her hand. I watched as her shaky fingers opened it up turning it upside down and watched a black cord and half a silver heart attached to it fall out. I picked it up tying it around her neck. Her hand moved over it picking it up examining it silently.
"Why only half?" She had spoken confused about the whole thing and I smiled down at her loosening the neck of my shirt showing her I had the other half. Her eyes widened finally understanding everything and she jumped up, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressed her lips to mine. It was quite unexpected and I stumbled back slightly not being totally prepared for it but kissed her back. Misao soon stopped, letting go and blushed at being so straightforward.
"Did you want to stay?" I had blurted out before I could even think. A surprised expression found its way to Misao's face but I watched surprised as she nodded her head silently. I let out a sigh and Misao smiled up at me and then left the room for a moment. While she disappeared I changed into my light brown long pants and seconds passed as Misao opened the shoji door without even signaling she was back. I turned around noticing she was in her deep blue sleeping shirt that fell half way down her thighs. I watched as she walked in closing the door soundlessly behind her and walked further into the room still holding the rose. I placed my yukata on, tying it up and Misao soon spoke.
"That's no fair." I looked over to see her eyes glittering mischievously and I smiled back at her. I moved over to the window opening the shutters to let in the moonlight and blew out the candles. Misao was now silhouetted in moonlight making her glow an eerie silver-blue. I moved to my futon and lay down on one side. I noticed Misao had not moved as though frozen in her spot and I soon turned on my left side, propping my head in my left hand and looked over at her.
"I don't bite Misao, you can come over." I had snapped her out of her daze and she hesitantly moved over and kneeled down on the other side of the futon.
"Lay down Misao." I watched amused as she did, but doing it rather stiffly I might add, her body rather tense at the moment.
"Close your eyes." I shook my head as she closed her eyes her body relaxing slightly and I brushed some hair out of her face and spoke again.
"Misao you've been doing everything I say. If I said strip would you actually do it?" I watched her eyes snap open and she sat up wrapping her arms around her upper body looking down at me. I chuckled lightly and Misao soon narrowed her eyes in annoyance. I watched as she turned her back on me and I sat up placing my hands on her tense shoulders. I pulled her to the futon and lay behind her in a spoon position.
"Misao, I'm not trying anything okay? You do realise we'll have to get used to this." I felt her body relax and watched as she grabbed my right arm pulling it over her slender waist, tucking it under her right arm and holding it to her heart. I pulled my hand away and grabbed the blankets pulling them up to Misao's shoulders and smiled as she grabbed my hand again placing it back were she seemed to think it belonged.
"This is nice…" Misao had mumbled and I spoke whispering into her ear.
"Aa, that it is Misao-mine." I felt her let go and watched as she turned around facing me and she spoke once again.
"D-Do you mean that Aoshi?" I cupped her cheek and bent my head down kissing her lips once and then moved my lips over to her ear and spoke so she could only hear this once.
"Hai Misao-mine…Aishiteru…" I heard a sob escape her throat and pulled her back seeing tears falling down her face. I wiped them away and she spoke wrapping her left arm around my waist holding me close.
"Arigatoo Aoshi. Aishiteru … Aishiteru as well…always and forever…" I closed my eyes holding Misao close. Doesn't it feel better to have told her Aoshi? Like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders? A small voice inside of me spoke. Hai, it does indeed. I soon heard a giggle escape Misao and I pulled back looking down at her and she spoke.
"I can't believe were going to be married soon." I nodded my head now resting my head back on my left arm looking down at her. She was lying on her back the moonlight reflected on her face.
"Aa that we are…Shinomori Misao…" I spoke softly wanting to get a reaction out of her and my assumption was correct when her face changed colour and her heart was beating faster. Her eyes looked up into mine and her hand came up brushing my long bangs away and she whispered a reply.
"Shi-Shinomori Misao…Shinomori Misao…I like that a lot…" I traced my fingers over Misao's cheek and drew my head down placing a soft kiss on her lips. She responded for a short moment and then I stopped and spoke softly placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Good night Misao-mine." I watched her turn over snuggling closer to my warmth and she mumbled a good night falling asleep in an instant. I smiled looking down at my Misao and thanked all the Gods for not letting her give up on me. My precious Misao was going to be with me forever. Through life, death and beyond, Misao was staying by my side. How did I become so lucky? I closed my eyes rubbing Misao's back and heard a low contented sigh escape her lips. I too fell into a blissful sleep, the first one I had had in a long time.
xxxxxxx
"What in Kami's name is going on here?" I snapped my eyes open hearing my shoji door being opened and an angry Okina standing in the doorway, hands on hips. Sunrise was coming, bringing a new day and way too fast for my liking. I groaned slightly as I could hear Okina's loud ranting, probably waking up the others, but couldn't make sense of anything. I looked down noticing an annoyed groan escape Misao as she began speaking to Okina even though her eyes were still closed.
"Jiya will you calm down! You're going to burst a blood vessel! In like two days we'll be married and this is what married couples do! Gee what were you thinking you perverted old man! We were happily sleeping until you came in and disturbed it! Now go away!" I smirked down at Misao as she turned over facing her back to him cuddling up close to me and she threw the blankets over her head shielding out the light that was coming from the opened door and the window. I looked up over at Okina to see his mouth open ready to speak again but watched as a half awake Okon and Omasu dragged him away and closed the door once again. The room fell into silence once more and I sighed placing my head back down on my arm, being the make shift pillow.
"What time is it?" I heard a small murmur come from under the covers.
"Too early." I spoke back and watched a very messy haired Misao throw the covers off her head looking up at me. A beautiful smile crossed her lips and I pressed a kiss to her forehead speaking softly to her.
"You look very cute Misao." I watch a light blush cross her cheeks at hearing me say this and I chuckled lightly and turned over facing the wall.
"HEY!" Misao had yelled and wrapped her arm around my chest and placing the side of her head against mine. I looked down noticing she had thrown her creamy left leg over mine and I felt the contours of her body mould against my back. I closed my eyes liking the feel of this and soon heard her small whisper.
"Are you ignoring me?" I opened my eyes smiling at the wall not saying anything and waited to see what Misao would do. I gasped as I felt cold lips against my warm neck. I soon turned onto my back looking up at Misao as she smiled smugly at me and spoke.
"I finally made you gasp for a change." I placed my hand to where her lips rested seconds ago and smirked sitting up and leered over her. She had moved back feeling slightly uncomfortable and I soon spoke huskily into her ear making sure to receive a reaction.
"I'll make you gasp and moan a thousand times more Misao…you can bet on that…and I'll DEFINITELY win…" As my assumption was correct yet again her body shivered slightly and her small hands clasped my sleeping yukata. I turned my head towards hers and pressed my lips possessively to hers giving her my very own good morning kiss. I pulled away hearing another frustrated moan escape Misao's lips and soon smiled down at her speaking once more.
"You are a greedy little Misao aren't you?" Her mouth parted for a retort but nothing came out and I watched as she nodded her head agreeing to my statement. She pressed her lips quickly to mine and stood up skipping to the door and sliding it open. She stopped at the door and speaking once more and then slid it closed leaving me alone in the room.
"Of course, she has been waiting for a long time otto-chan." I smiled hearing her say that and lay back down on my futon and closing my eyes.
xxxxxxx
I opened my eyes noticing I was still in my room and lying on the futon. I looked to the shoji door, as that's where the rasping noise was coming from. I stayed silent hoping the person would just leave. I turned over facing the wall and threw the covers over my head wanting to sleep more. I could hear the faint sound of the door sliding open and close and light footsteps came closer. I felt the blankets being lifted up and a small body curve around mine, a small hand placed over my heart.
"Are you coming out today? Its lunch time already." I smiled hearing Misao's voice and placed my hand over hers holding it there. Minutes of silence passed between us, as I rather liked this moment of silence and the feeling of Misao curled up behind me.
"What's for lunch?" I finally spoke.
"It speaks!" Misao had spoken and then giggled a little. I closed my eyes loving the fact that Misao was back in the room and in the futon with me.
"Actually…I made your lunch…by myself…" I turned over pulling the blankets down and saw the redness in Misao's cheeks as she cast her eyes away from me. I smiled at her shyness, which was so cute, so precious. I pressed my lips to her forehead and soon spoke looking down at her.
"I suppose I should get up then." I watched a smile replace her shyness and she sat up quickly and leaned down pressing her lips to mine then stood up skipping from the room once again. I shook my head getting up and dressing for the day and left the room walking downstairs and into the dining room.
"Ah Aoshi your awake. Best eat up, we have a long day planned." Okina had spoken and I sat down next to Misao and ate the food savouring the moment, as I knew Misao and I would be separated for the entire day.
Xx TBC xX
