Xx Day 4 xX
The morning had come quickly and I was getting nervous but made my way to the dress shop and found what the elderly woman had created. It was absolutely beautiful and I loved everything about it. I had gotten Megumi and Kaoru to give me all their measurements but didn't tell them what I was doing or where I was going. I picked out the design, something easy but elegant and the elderly woman gave all the instructions to the other two woman who'd have them done in a couple of days as well. I wanted the dresses to be a surprise and they would only receive them on the day of the wedding. The colours had matched perfectly and I hugged the woman thanking her a hundred times! In my joy at receiving something so beautiful I asked her if she wished to come to the wedding but I paled when she said she was already invited. Talk about coincidence. Not only had I known Aoshi grandfather when I was little I also ended up getting Aoshi's grandmother to make my wedding outfit without even knowing it. I hadn't asked her about her name or anything, but now I knew who she was. I was ready to faint but she only knew it was me after her husband, Yama-sama, came home telling her about the day he had at the training hall.
Aoshi's grandmother was most excited about the up coming day but what she didn't know was that Aoshi and I only had a week to know each other. Once I told her the full story she was upset with both her family and mine. I had to agree telling her it was being rushed and it was difficult as well. I thanked her and took my dress with me. No adjustments were needed and she hugged me saying she'll see me in two days for Megumi and Kaoru's dresses.
I noticed a new school uniform and many books sitting on my bed when I got home that afternoon. My parents finally let me stay in school or else I was seriously thinking about missing out on this whole wedding. I want my education and I want to do well and get into university. I was enrolled into the most exquisite private school, which was probably littered with snobby students. I decided to steer clear of them and just study and then come home and go and hang out with Sano. Even though school didn't start for a couple of weeks I ended up trying the uniform on. I scowled angrily when I found it rather daring. The skirt was pretty bloody short but I would wear black stockings and sports briefs. The white shirt was see through so I placed on a tank top underneath and that was much better. There was a stupid black and white tie thing, which looked like a napkin, that hang under the collar and a black jumper with the school emblem on it. That just came to the waist but could be done up during the colder season. I had black sneakers that I could wear instead of the uncomfortable shoes.
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Xx Day 3 xX
It was late afternoon and I was walking to the training hall hoping I could speak to Aoshi. My mother and father kept crapping on about the wedding and plans on decorations, lighting, flowers etc. They tried getting my opinion on everything but soon realised I was never interested in any of it. It was all up to them. I couldn't believe how close the day was coming and Aoshi and I had hardly spoken to each other. I realised he was either at the training hall or at his home, which I had no clue as to where that was.
I arrived at the training hall and walked in to notice nobody was around but the lights were still on. I closed the door and dumped my sling bag on the floor as well as taking off my shoes.
"Hello?" I called out and turned to face the bathroom door, which opened and out walked Aoshi who was dressed in some black pants and a black singlet. His bare skin glistened with sweat and he had a towel wrapped around his neck. I watched as he walked silently to the center of the room not making one sound. He threw the towel across the room and sat on the floor cross-legged.
"What are you doing here?" I flinched at the coldness in his voice but padded over sitting myself in front of him and spoke looking into his blue-green eyes.
"We need to talk." I spoke with more confidence then I thought I had in me. I watched as he absently scratched his bandaged hand and I spoke again looking down at it.
"How is it?"
"Its fine. Dr Takani said you did a pretty good job, he was quite impressed actually. Now why do we need to talk?" I turned my gaze back up to him and spoke annoyingly at him once more.
"We are getting married in like three days or have you forgotten! Don't you have questions you want to ask me or at least want to know something about me?" Silence filled the room and I watched as he closed his eyes for a brief moment and then let out a loud sigh. He snapped them open looking directly at me and spoke placing out his uninjured hand.
"My name is Aoshi Shinomori." I smiled as he was introducing himself as though it was for the first time. Well technically it will be the first time for us. I placed my hand into his shaking it and spoke as well.
"Misao Makimachi." I watched amazed as a small smirk was on his lips. He breathed in again and spoke once more taking his hand away from mine.
"So you want to know about me? I am the second oldest of three in my family, but now I have become the eldest. I am 21 while Kaoru is 18. I have always wanted to leave this city to be on my own but never did because of Kaoru. When she is settled I shall go. My grandfather began teaching me the art ever since I was a young child because he thought I was special and gifted. My parents are workaholics because they always wanted the best for their children. My school life was hell and I snapped one day hurting one of the students and after that no more beatings ever happened to me again. I had disobeyed my grandfather and lost my control for a mere second and nearly killed the poor student. He was very disappointed in me and it took ages for me to get his trust and friendship back. I grew up by myself but was never allowed to venture out on my own; not until I was married, was my parent's rules. After what happened during my high school years I decided to respect their wishes and stay. I taught some basic defense to Kaoru making sure she was able to defend herself from anyone but I guess that's not really needed since Kenshin will be there to protect her. I was accepted into the university here so I decided I'd become an instructor like my grandfather. Life was alright until my parents had told me that I was promised to their friend's daughter. I was outraged about this and I met her when I came to the park to see Sano and the others. I called her a child because I was so pissed off at my parents and yet since that day on I was still not nice to her. It was never her fault in the first place as she was thrust into this just like myself. Sano and the others know as well. I know they will treat you with much respect and give you their friendship as they really do like you very much." I took everything he said in without taking my eyes away from his. I gulped down the lump that formed in my throat and spoke back only softer then usual.
"I am the youngest of four but now there is only three of us. I am the unlucky one as I am the only one left still living with my parents. My brothers have gone away doing their own studies and living their own lives. I grew up with only them as my parents are also workaholics and never had time to raise their last child. They work so much to take their minds away from the real world. The world where everything is not perfect and that they don't live in a perfect and happy family. They have three children who detest them for being so neglected. They wish to try and forget about the tragedy that happened but it can never be erased. Their youngest had caused it so she is forever reminded of what she had done. When her brothers left she was lost and saddened but then remembered she had the best person who promised to make her feel loved and happy. She had Sano. He was always there but then I left and was unable to bring him with me to boarding school. I cried for weeks not being able to see him or to be hugged by him. I finally realised there are other ways of communicating and wished for school to hurry up and end so I could go home and see him. When holidays came I was never at the house but over at Sano's. We'd sit in the trees and watch the stars quietly talking about the best times we had, but I always said it was everything. I can see he really has a thing for Megumi and hope they'll admit it to each other one day. I know I will feel saddened because he'll have his love and it won't be me, but then I remember I have a place in his heart that no one will be able to fill except myself just like he has one in mine. I have made some new friends and I treasure them in my heart dearly as they welcomed me into their small group with open arms. In a matter of two hours that I had arrived home from boarding school I had received the news that I was to be married in a week. I went nuts and ran away going to Sano's where I cried my eyes out. That's when I met the others and I forgot all about getting married. Then I saw you and was literally stunned. You were mean, quite mean actually and it even got worse that day we were at my house. Then I remembered what Sano had said to me and realised there are two sides to every person and the day at the training hall made me realise this was true when you stopped the knife from injuring me. You may not want people to see the real you and yet it comes out sometimes and I feel honored that I was there to witness it. We have been thrust into a marriage beyond our control and we don't know how its going to be but I know one thing is for sure, I want to be your friend and I want to find out about the real you." I closed my eyes and then opened them again to see Aoshi's staring deeply into mine. I bit my lip and looked down and found his injured hand resting on his right knee. I was amazed at how brave I was being and picked it up and placed it in both my hands.
"I'm sorry, I never apologised about this." I spoke quietly without looking up at him. I snorted a little bit and spoke softly once again.
"Misao's scar."
"No…" I heard his small whisper at what I had spoken and shook my head and spoke once again looking up into those blue-green eyes.
"If it wasn't for me this would never have happened. I should not have persisted with the matter of what he did, but I did and you got hurt."
"I didn't have to protect you Misao. I could have easily left you by yourself but something inside of me snapped and I couldn't let you get hurt no matter what." I smiled shyly up at him at hearing him say that to me. Maybe he cares a little about me. I spoke to myself and watched as he took his hand away and got up off the floor. I looked up at him and he spoke once more.
"Have we finished talking now?" I nodded my head silently and he placed his uninjured hand out for me to take so I could get up. I watched as he walked over to his bag and grabbed it ready to leave. I walked to grab my things and walked out into the dully-lit street. I looked at my watch and my eyes widened at how late it was. I flagged down a cab and one finally pulled over and I turned around to find Aoshi putting on a long trench coat.
"I'll see you round." I spoke while smiling and got in the car and waved goodbye. My smile widened when he actually waved back and then turned around to walk in the other direction.
Xxx to be continued xxX
