In Reality
By: NonameJane
Disclaimer: I don't own RK but thoroughly wish I did. Maybe then, I wouldn't be so broke….Sigh
Ch2 The Truth Behind it All
It was a tragedy, really. No one saw the effects of age wearing down on his weary head. He wasn't invincible, of course, she knew that. She just never expected it to be so soon. Maybe, she just didn't want to believe that it could happen. Not to this man. Not to the closest thing she has ever had to a grandfather. Not to Okina.
Misao tossed a little on her futon trying to sleep. All of this, was exhausting. The others felt for her, that she knew. Even her friends from Tokyo came to make sure she was okay. But instead of support, it just seemed like blatant ignorance. No. They just don't understand. They offered their apologizes and that was that, back to their happy reality. Misao sighed, only three more days and they would leave. She found it odd that the friends she wanted to have around so badly would annoy her so much. Maybe at 18 she was just growing up or maybe just shouldn't think so cynically. This just wasn't like her.
Lying awake on her futon, Kaoru stirred. " Can you not sleep Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin spoke from Kaoru's right. Kaoru smiled a little at him. " No…" Kenshin's violet eyes locked onto hers with concern. "Is something wrong ?" Nodding a little, Kaoru replied, "It's Misao. I know that after….what happened she is a bit lost. But it's almost as if she doesn't want any of us here." Kenshin reached for her shoulders and squeezed, trying to comfort his wife. " Misao-dono is saddened very much. I know, she doesn't want to act like it but it is there. I think she is confused on how she is reacting." Kaoru frowned. " I know…I, we, just want to make her happy again. Seeing her this way…it really bothers me. We need to help her.:" She turned to him staring hard at his profile. Kenshin gave her a tiny smile. " We may not be able to help her." His wife grimaced," What!" He just calmly squeezed her shoulders once more. " We may not, but there is someone who can."
The strong rays of the morning sun burned brightly against her eyes. It made her smile, sunshine always made her happy. Deciding she was up for the morning, Misao put her gi on. Today, may not be so bad. She walked to the kitchen and was meet by Omasu. " Good Morning, Misao." Misao nodded and returned the greeting . Omasu handed her a bowl of food, "Well, Misao, you should get something to eat. You haven't eaten that much lately…" Then again, this day may be shot to hell. Misao looked at her a bit and smoothed her expression. " Thank you." 'For pointing out the obvious.' Omasu gave her a sweet smile, "I know you have to be hungry." She was right though, Misao thought curtly she was hungry. Misao turned to walk away before Omasu began calling to her. "How are you coping…" She was interrupted. " I have to take tea to Aoshi-sama." And with that she walked away. Omasu frowned, ' I hope she's doing all right…'
In the lotus position, Aoshi meditated deeply in the Shinto temple. A deep frown marking his expression. His mentor, friend, and one time….enemy was dead. No, now was not the time to think about that. Okina's death troubled him but, in a way, he felt peace with it as well. It was old age that killed him. Not someone else. Aoshi had never seen anyone die by natural causes, only the sword. Nature had come for him….
Carefully measured steps broke his thought pattern. He knew who was coming. He heard her pause, as if almost dropping the tray she held. Aoshi allowed himself a small smile, she always was a clumsy girl. "Umm…Aoshi-sama?" She placed the tea tray behind him. " I brought you some cold tea to drink. It's been so hot I thought you might like it better cold." Aoshi nodded his head and took the tea. Misao smiled then it was replaced by a frown. He didn't even thank her. He never did. She worries so much about him and he just pushes her away. No! She thought, he doesn't even do that. He would actually have to do something even to push her away. Neutral, indifferent. That was more like it! She looked at his back angrily and then cooled down. She looked at her hands wrapped up tight by her one and only Aoshi-sama. She decided she couldn't be angry with him. He was just being himself. Then she should be angry at herself, she thought, she was the one not acting normal. "Misao." Again, her thoughts were interrupted. She gave him a smile and answered. " What is it Aoshi-sama?" He turned his head to look at her. " Your quiet." She looked at him for a moment unsure of what he meant. " I thought you liked the quiet Aoshi-sama." He turned his head and lowered it once more. " You are usually talking." Misao looked at him skeptically. "Yea, I guess." Aoshi's eyes closed, and he regained his meditating position. " Something is wrong." That fueled her shock. "What? Umm…no there isn't." Aoshi could see right through her. "You're lying." This was making Misao tense. He shouldn't care! "There isn't anything wrong Aoshi-sama." Again, he repeated himself. "You're lying." Misao couldn't take it anymore. Everyone keeps asking her the same thing. First the others and now he was going to inquisition her? Angrily, Misao responded. " Why do you keep saying that! You know exactly what's wrong, don't you Aoshi-sama! Is it wrong that I'm then only who seems to care about what happened to Jiya! It's like you and the others don't at all…it's like he never was alive in the first place!" "Misao." "No! I should asking what's wrong with you!" Aoshi stood up, as if that would silence her. " Your overreacting Misao." She gave him an odd look. "How can you say that!" He turned himself a little, still not facing her. "It seems you are the one misunderstanding." Misao was upset. How could he be so cruel to her…especially about this? 'What did I expect, anyway?' She thought bitterly. Shaking her head furiously at him, she turned towards the temple door and ran. She needed to get away from him before this went any further.
Aoshi sighed a bit and sat back down. He could've handled that better. And so could she. For a moment he thought about following her but decided against it. That would only make it worse. She needed to be to herself. He would talk with her later.
'Damn him. Damn him. Damn him' Misao mentally repeated as she walked through the streets of Kyoto. She needed to do something to get rid of this frustration. In the interest of safety, she decided walking it off would be best. The streets were crowded with the midmorning bustle. It was rude, she knew. Leaving her guests, and leaving Aoshi-sama the way she did. But, dammit, he deserved it. Rude and childish or not. He went way to far. Yet, it hurt. It hurt to be mad at him, to be mad at the situation. It couldn't be changed. She sighed and took a seat on a nearby bench. Unbearable…Then again, she thought, if she had reached the bottom, she could only climb up from it.
Hopefully.
More Author nonsense-
Here's number two! Again I ask for opinions. Ooooh boy Misao and Aoshi are in the midst of a conflict. Whatever will they do? Anyway I hope I cleared up any confusion from the last chapter. And if Aoshi looked like an ass that'll all be sorted out later. He didn't mean to, Misao just took off before he finished what he had to say.
AND to my lone reviewer Baby-Fire-666: Thanks a bunch!