Standard Disclaimers apply:
Forgive and Forget:
Chapter 6:
Aoshi opened the door to get inside, using one of the keys Saitou gave to him.
"Get in," Aoshi said, pulling the door open for Misao, who was currently keeping an eye out to make sure that no one was around.
Misao jogged up the stairs and took one step through the doors. "SUGOI!" she yelled, stoically, looking up at the ceiling. The light may be turned off, but the chandeliers were still hanging. It may be somewhat dusty, but it was something she has never seen before. 'I wish I can have that,' She thought with a grin. Misao stared straight ahead and saw many doors to both the left and right of her.
Aoshi closed the door and walked ahead of Misao. "Don't touch anything." He warned, as Misao followed him.
"Hai!" Misao replied. 'Who would want to touch anything anyways?' Misao thought, looking at the dusty, old place. 'I bet it looked much brighter when there were people around.'
Misao followed Aoshi slowly behind, taking a look at everything in sight. He walked straight ahead until he saw a staircase in front of him. He turned to the door on his left and walked into another hallway.
Aoshi finally reached the end of the hallway. "What are we doing in here?" Misao questioned, not liking the looks of the place.
"My room," Aoshi responded.
Misao looked up at Aoshi in shock. 'So this is where he stayed, while he worked for that guy.' Misao grinned at the thought of thinking about that devil.
Aoshi opened the door. Everything was still left like it was after all these years. He thought, taking a step inside. 'I see the police didn't search this room,' Aoshi thought looking around and walking behind his desk.
Misao was walking in circles staring into the darkness of the room. 'Aoshi-sama always liked the darkness...' She remembered.
Aoshi reached to one of his drawers and pulled out an envelope. He placed it in his pocket and closed the drawers, leaving everything else as it was.
"Are you ready to leave yet?" Aoshi asked her. "There's still more to this mansion I can show you." He added.
Misao nodded and stepped out of the room waiting for Aoshi to get out.
They went back out to the main hallway and up the stairs, to the second floor.
"What's this room for?" Misao asked.
"A ball room." Aoshi replied, opening the doors for Misao to get in.
Aoshi stepped in, after her. "This is the room where our comrades died." He began telling her.
Misao stared at the room in shock. Tears filled her eyes, though she tried hard to keep them from shedding.
Misao couldn't hold them back so instead walked away from Aoshi, not wanting him to know that she was crying.
'I must stay strong for Aoshi-sama,' Misao told herself, thinking that if he found out, he would only be hurting himself again. 'But yet, I don't think I can find the strength to hold these tears from falling.'
Aoshi noticed that something wasn't right about Misao. She had become quite, but then, who wouldn't. She wasn't able to say good bye or see them for one last time. He walked towards her, who was standing in the middle of the room.
"Misao." Aoshi called softly. "Daijobou desu ka," Aoshi stated placing his hands on her shoulders.
Misao tried to say something, but nothing came out, as if her words were lost in her head.
Aoshi embraced Misao from her back, wanting to comfort her. "Sumanai," Aoshi apologized, whispering in her ears, feeling it's his fault for leaving her.
Misao was shocked from hearing those words coming from Aoshi. "Aoshi-sama," Misao called, finally realizing that Aoshi too, was hurt. She placed her hands on top of his and grabbing it so he would let go, allowing her to turn around.
"Aoshi-sama." Misao called again, placing on of her hands on his face. She brushed his bangs to the side, that covered his eyes.
"I don't blame you." Misao softly told him. "For their deaths... I don't blame you," She rephased. "I never did."
Aoshi nodded and placed a small kiss on Misao's forehead. "I know." Aoshi responded, wiping the tears from her face.
After a few minutes, Misao was back to herself again.
"Do you still want to see the rest of this place?" Aoshi asked, before going in any further.
"Hai!" Misao spoke. 'I've been wanting to see this place for the longest time, so there's no way I want to miss this chance.' Misao reminded herself. "I've always wanted to know what you guys have been through." She commented, looking at Aoshi.
Aoshi gave a slight nod, and took Misao to other places of the mansion.
They spend the rest of the day wondering around until nightfall came.
At nightfall Aoshi locked up the place and left it like the way it was and walked into town.
They spotted another inn where they could stay for the night.
At their hotel room:
Misao was laying on top of the futon thinking about the Oniwabanshuu once again.
Aoshi was meditating by the window until Misao interrupted him.
"Ne... Aoshi-sama, where did you get all the money from to afford this trip?" Misao asked curiously, knowing that staying in places like this would cost a lot. And she was pretty sure that the Aoiya didn't have that kind of money to be spent either.
"Hmn..." Aoshi opened his eyes. "Some of it was from helping Saitou and the police solve their cases." Aoshi answered. "And some were from working with Kanryuu for all those years."
"Naruhoudo" Misao spoke back. 'Well, at least the Aoiya wouldn't have to become poor just because of us going on this trip' Misao thought, relieved from the thought of being poor once returning back to Kyoto.
"I heard you were a thief once," Aoshi stated to Misao.
"Eto..." Misao began, embarrassed of Aoshi knowing such a thing. 'It was between Himura and me.' She growled. 'How am I suppose to explain this to him?'
"Hmn..." Aoshi spoke, wanting an answer.
"NO COMMENTS." Misao replied, trying hard to forget about it. "I don't know what you're talking about." She said sheepishly.
"Aa..." Aoshi responded. "I think you do."
"Humph," Misao mumbled. "If you want to know, then you'll have to pry it out of me." Misao responded stubbornly, testing out his strength.
Aoshi smirked. 'I'll find a way,' he told himself. 'You'll tell me someday.'
"Aoshi-sama... where are we going tomorrow?" Misao questioned, changing the subject.
"So I guess you're not telling." Misao concluded. "It's not like I won't find out or anything." She added getting up and walking to him.
Misao took a seat in back of Aoshi. "Please tell me..." She pouted, as she was so impatient.
"I don't know yet." Aoshi replied.
"Then can we do some shopping in this town then?" Misao suggested, remembering about Okina's presents and wanting to get something for her friends left in Kyoto as well. "Jiya won't like me very much this time." Misao mumbled, grinning.
"Aa" Aoshi agreed.
"Hey, you weren't suppose to agree on that." Misao spoke.
Aoshi smirked.
Misao couldn't help but leaned forward, placing her head against Aoshi's back.
"Aoshi-sama... daisuki des..." Misao reminded him, not wanting him to feel guilty once again.
"Aa" Aoshi responded, as it was the only word that he can think of.
Aoshi turned around and embraced Misao. 'Stay with me a little longer.' Aoshi thought.
'I never imagine Aoshi-sama could open up like this,' Misao thought cheerfully, wrapping her arms around him.
When it was getting late, Aoshi-sama pulled away from Misao.
"You're tired," Aoshi commented.
Misao nodded rubbing her eyes. "Oyasume nesai" She said, heading back to the futon to get some sleep. It had been a long day and she was indeed quite wary.
'Oyasume nesai, Misao.' Aoshi thought before getting some sleep himself.
To Be Continue...
Author's Notes: Well, one more chapter completed. There's still a lot more to come. Seeya! Remember to review…