Chapter 6: A Faint Emotion Accompanied with a Smile
One day, not too far away from the night I met Tsunan, I met with Tsunan without Aoshi. Aoshi was busy with another task that Kanryu had given him, so I was left to accept the invitation alone. Tsunan met me by a river, where I came appropriately clothed. I had a nice kimono for the day. It was a nice, yet heavy pale pink kimono with an obi sash that was in a maroon-pale white-black pattern. Tsunan showed obvious approval of my appearance today. My hair was in a high ponytail, decorated with a ribbon of a matching shade of pink to my kimono.
"Kaoru-san, you certainly are a woman of many looks. Today, you look cute." he said, and he fingered the ribbon's length before giving it an affectionate, light tug.
I smiled, with a short, polite giggle, and he found himself unable to part with my ribbon. But as he found it appealing, he simply recoiled and let his hands slip into his sleeves.
"Shall we go? I asked to meet Katsura for some drinks. I hope you don't mind." he said with a jovial smile.
"Of course I don't." I replied and faithfully followed behind him.
We walked along the river bank, he telling his stories, and I enjoying them with much interest. It wasn't hard to feign anything with Tsunan, he was already interesting. He talked about one form of inspiration he had when he was drunk. The next day, he found a fat naked man lying down in the corner of his room. I giggled at the animate description, and hushed as I saw Katsura in this distance. It wasn't polite to be a loud woman, I remembered Tomoe say once.
I took heed of her words, and became silent once more. I regarded the elder man. He stood on the bridge over the water, awaiting us patiently. He smiled to us and greeted with a warm welcome.
"My friends, I'm glad you decided to finally come. I was getting rather impatient. If it weren't for my friend with me, I probably would have never stayed so calm." Katsura said with a mock glare.
"Oh, Katsura! You know I'm never on time!" Tsunan said with a wave of his hand, "And who is this friend of yours?"
"Oh, you've met him before. I meet up with him once in a while. He used to be my bodyguard in the days of the revolution."
My eyes widened as I saw a man come up from behind, his amethyst eyes regarding me with vague familiarity.
"Kenshin-san?" I murmured.
I was shocked to see the man, that I had collided with some time ago, with Katsura.
"Aa, so you know my friend?" the politician asked with a smile gracing his face.
"We've met before." Kenshin interjected as I tried to hold my composure and tried to hold my embarrassment in.
I caught this boyish smile tugging at his lips as he saw my cheeks flush. Tsunan looked at me, and raised an eyebrow. He seemed a little bit irritated.
"Is there something you're not telling us, Himura? She seems to be reacting oddly to you." he interrogated.
"Well, I somewhat collided with him one day on my way to the market." I replied with a bit of a stutter.
"Oh?"
I captured Tsunan's interest, and he stared at me, waiting for more details. I fumbled with the words as I continued.
"Well, I-."
"I was being very clumsy, and I wasn't looking where I was going. Eventually I bumped into the poor girl, making her drop all her food." Kenshin cut in.
I shut my mouth as he spoke. I didn't dare prove his story false. I was happy that he had said that. He knew that if a man were to find out that the woman was clumsy, it was an unattractive trait to these higher class men.
"Oh, Himura! For a second there, you had me believing that you and her had a past."
"Oh, heavens no!" I exclaimed and clamped my mouth shut with embarrassment at what I had just said.
My three companions laughed, and Tsunan gave my ribbon another affectionate tug.
"You truly are a very entertaining woman." he said with a husky chuckle at my expense.
"Come now. I'm afraid lunch and sake waits for no man." Katsura said with a smile, and we ventured off the bridge to a nearby restaurant.
In fact, the restaurant we had went to was none other than Akira's.
* * * * * *
The tall, broad-shouldered youth stood outside the door to the room where the young prostitute was kept. Sanosuke wasn't known very much for being a nice guy, nor was he accustomed to patience. But seeing the girl brought an unknown feeling in his gut. Every night since his capture, she had been crying, eating very little, drinking the water as if it were the last she'd have. She slurped it down, droplets would dribble down her chin. Then, as soon as the moon was high in the sky, she would fall asleep again, crying, and wake up the next day, only to resume moping around in the small room.
Once again, he stood outside the door with a tray of miso soup and water. He knew she probably wouldn't consume much of it, but he made sure that it was good just the same. The silence in the room grated at his nerves. He pursed his lips for a minute. He remembered the outburst he had that day with Shishio's right-hand man, Soujirou. The boy-man angered him at great lengths with the orders he was given.
Soujirou had asked for his presence that morning at Shishio's mansion. The entrepreneur was out on some business errands, so he had asked Soujirou to inform him. The bodyguards escorted Sanosuke to a small study in the house and behind a big oak desk, Soujirou sat in a big leather chair.
"Ah, Sagara-san, you have come." he said with a big smile on his face.
"All right, what's going on? When are you going to take the girl away from me?" Sanosuke queried with irritation apparent in his tone.
"Leave us be, gentlemen." Soujirou commanded, dismissing the men behind Sanosuke.
They left, and shut the big oak doors behind him. Sanosuke awaited the orders.
"How is your gang, Sagara-san? Are the Sekihoutai in good spirits this cold winter?"
"Stop dodging my question, Soujirou! I know you did not ask me to come here just to ask about my comrades."
"Aa, always on task, aren't you? Well, I've asked for you to come to tell you that Shishio-sama requests that you keep the girl in your possession at this time."
"Why?"
"Well, Shishio-sama is a very patient man, and he wants to wait out the situation before using her."
"Using her?"
"Of course. She is an important woman to Kanryu's business and to one of his employee's. I'm sure Shishio knows what to do with her. In the meantime, he requests that she is by your side at all times. He doesn't care what you do with her as long as she's still alive and well-taken care of."
"I am not going to keep that weepy weasel in my house!"
"Already giving her a pet name, Sagara-san?"
"Cut the shit, Soujirou!" he said and slammed his fist into the desk.
He removed his hands only to see his knuckles were red and the wood was pounded in. Soujirou's smile was tugging more to one side, and he raised an eyebrow.
"Maa, maa, Sagara-san. Please keep your rage in check. We wouldn't want to be known as temperamental now, would we?" he said, the words meant to taunt Sanosuke.
His anger grew, but he kept himself in check. Sourly, he rubbed his knuckles and glowered at the young-looking man. He caught the sword at Soujirou's side in the corner of his eye. It was sheathed, but a hand was slightly brushing against it, as if ready for attack. Sanosuke tried to calm himself, but his sneer was very evident.
"Of course, if you object, I could tell Shishio-sama, but I'm sure you wouldn't want that. I'm sure Souzou-san wouldn't want it either."
"Leave my gang out of this."
"They did agree to work under Shishio-sama, did they not? You wanted to be apart of the elite, so now you work with the elite."
"Souzou-sama wouldn't have agreed unless he wasn't threatened to have his whole gang killed by all of the other gangs in Kyoto."
"Shishio-sama is a very persuasive man."
"He got you, didn't he?"
"True. You're very perceptive, Sagara-san."
"Right..., so I just keep the girl safe. That's all you want?"
"Yes."
"Fine. But find a purpose for her soon. I can't stand being around women very long."
"It will come in due time. Maybe, you might just find her good company. I know many of Kanryu's men have..."
"I don't take advantage of women, especially whores. They're not my style, so don't ever associate me as someone who's like that."
"Agreed, Sanosuke-san. Good day."
His mind came back to reality as he heard her yawn within the room. She had been up late last night, saying that one man's name. She called him, "Aoshi-sama". He did not question her. It wasn't his place. And besides, he didn't care about the man the little whore was calling for. It was probably some old lover of hers that she missed. He took a deep breath, and ventured into the room, closing the door behind him. The girl shot up from her bed, and stared at him with red, puffy eyes. He set the tray down before her on the bed and walked away as usual.
"Wait!" she yelled.
He stopped at the door, his hand on the door frame, and turned around to see her hand outstretched towards him.
"Yes?" he answered.
"I've been very rude to you. I apologize. Thank you for bringing me this food." she said with a bow of her head.
"Eat it, weasel. I spend too much money on your ass. If you don't eat, I will be forced to shove it down your throat the next time." he muttered, and quickly went exited out of the room.
Even though he had slammed the door shut, Misao smiled. She turned her body to the tray, and for the first time since being in Sanosuke's care, she ate and drink everything that was put out for her.
* * * * * *
A sigh was released into the air.
"I wonder when Shishio-sama will return..." an effeminate voice said longingly.
"Kamatari-san, you're still at that window? Shouldn't you be doing something else besides waiting for our master to return?" Soujirou asked as he entered the room.
The person on the seat by the window turned to Soujirou, revealing a womanly charm. Kamatari was one of Shishio's henchman, second to Soujirou. The one thing that was commonly perceived about Kamatari was that he was a she, but that was very false. Kamatari was indeed a male, just in female clothing. The exterior shouldn't fool anyone though. Kamatari excelled in martial arts, and was once a paid assassin, until he met Shishio. Shishio changed his whole life with a deadly slash. Kamatari had once witness a man trying to attack Shishio. At the time, Soujirou was going to protect his master, but Shishio waved him away. As his right-hand backed off, he slashed the attacker's throat, and put his blade through his head. Kamatari admired Shishio and when asked, he immediately jumped aboard, giving Shishio his heart and soul. His skills with a unique weapon-a combination of a scythe and ball and chain, earned him a position next to Soujirou.
Kamatari's beauty and voice could easily mislead anyone to believe he was a woman. His voice was light, yet velvet thick. The lashes were long brushing against ivory skin taut over high cheek bones. His lips were a pale shade of pink, and his ebony hair was long, but some hairs were cut to be framed to his face. The most appealing feature, in Soujirou's opinion, was the dark blue eyes. It reminded him of the turbulent sea.
"Sou-chan! I miss Shishio-sama! I can't believe he takes that Yumi woman with him everywhere."
"Well, she is his number one seductress. She is a very powerful, manipulative woman."
"Indeed..." Kamatari muttered and pursed his lips.
"Aa! Shishio-sama is finally home!" Soujirou exclaimed.
"Oh, Shishio-sama!"
Kamatari's attention turned back to the carriage outside the mansion, and he quickly ran out of the room, rushing to greet the master's arrival. Soujirou's smile was still on his youthful face as he followed slowly behind Kamatari. By the time he arrived in the foyer, Shishio was at the front with Kamatari and another woman at his side. Soujirou looked at the couple beside Kamatari and took in their appearance. Makoto Shishio was a man many feared just from his appearance alone. His body had been burned from a battle between Kanryu and him years ago. To this day, Shishio still wore bandages over his body, disgusted by the brown, wrinkled skin underneath. Some of the hairs that still grew on his head poked out of the bandages wrapped around his cranium, but only Soujirou and Shishio's mistress knew what lie under the bandages. More distorted skin and just clumps of hair with red eyes to match the hatred he held in his heart. He admired his Shishio-sama though. His determination and skills always got him what he wanted. The only one who stood in his way was his rival, Kanryu.
As Soujirou watched the Kamatari gush over Shishio, the woman beside them smiled to the youthful-looking henchman. He nodded his head, because he was already smiling, and calmly took her in as well. She was known as Shishio's mistress. Her name was Yumi Komagata. She was known throughout all of Japan as a top geisha. Her looks rivaled even Tomoe's sullen beauty. She had soft, long black hair many women envied. And her unique quality was the strange color of her eyes: turquoise. But it wasn't dull, it was the most extraordinary color Soujirou, or any other person, had come upon. Her eyes held a mystery to them, a depth of wisdom and passion locked into the small orbs. She was truly one of the most beautiful women in all of Japan, and to be Shishio's mistress, she was one of the most admired to be living so long.
"Soujirou! Speak with me in the study in a few minutes. In the mean time, I must speak with you, Kamatari, about a new assignment." Shishio said.
Soujirou remained glued at the top of the staircase to see Kamatari and Shishio retreat into the next room, but the door was left open. That's when Soujirou decided to descend the steps and join Yumi at the bottom.
"Can you believe him?" she said with a snort, and a cruel smile widened on her ruby red lips.
"What is it, Yumi-san? Kamatari can't help who he is dedicated to."
"That dumb twit. He thinks that Shishio loves him. Impossible... Why can't he realize that maybe the person who truly cares for him is nearby." Yumi murmured.
"What are you implying, Yumi-san?" Soujirou asked with a wry smile.
"Nothing, of course. You should know by now that I mean what I say. How do you think Shishio-sama knows how I feel about him?"
"You were always the bold one."
"You should be, too."
"Yumi-san, you are truly an odd person. I can never figure out the riddles you speak in."
She giggled and placed a soft, ivory hand on his shoulder.
"Oh, boy, I am deeply fond of you." she said with her husky, feminine voice and ascended the steps.
* * * * * *
When I returned back to my quarters, I had heard only silence. Everyone was out doing errands, doing jobs, or resting for the night to come. In that time, I decided to check on my mentor to see if she was also out. In the times I stayed in the teahouse, I longed for a companion, a friend to be close to. The closest I came to a friend was Tomoe. I longed to converse with her, and found myself walking up to her floor. I arrived at her room, only to see the door was wide open, and Tomoe was staring down into her cup of tea.
"Tomoe-sensei?" I called.
She flinched in surprise, and turned her head to see me. Her face was impassive as I had usually seen her, the smile was absent most of the times. I found it somewhat discomforting to always find her this way.
"Kaoru-san, come in." she said in that soft voice she had attained.
I stepped in and closed the shoji behind me, viewing her at her seat by the small table. I sat across from her as usual, and she offered me tea.
"No, thank you. I've been drinking with some men."
"Not too much sake, I hope. It is not good if you drink too much. Just enough, moderately, and sometimes not at all if your company doesn't agree." she said again.
"No. I kept your advice in mind. Lesson number three: Always drink sparingly with the proper etiquette."
"Good. Sake is bad for the lesser of the sake drinkers. It clouds their judgment."
"Tomoe-san."
"Yes?"
"Have you seen the man who saved me? I never got to thank him."
She paled for a second. I had caught it, but she tried her best to remain calm.
"He knows you're thankful, Kaoru-san."
"So you have seen him!" I exclaimed, my eyes lit up at the news, "I thank you for relaying the message."
"You're welcome."
"Tomoe-sensei?"
"Hm?"
"I was thinking..."
"Yes, go on."
"How long have you-?"
"Tomoe-san?" a voice called.
Tomoe looked shocked, but her lips remained in a thin line. I turned to see where the voice originated from, only to see Akira standing at her doorway.
"Kiyosato-san?" she said ambiguously and cleared her throat as subtly as she could, "What brings you here?"
He smiled at her question, not that his face wasn't jovial before, but the mere query made his smile brighter.
"I came to see Kanryu-san, but he is out. He asked me to have lunch with him, but since he has gone because of a sudden call of urgency, he's asked me to wait until tonight."
"Come in then, and wait with us." she said before taking a sip of her tea.
His eyes drifted to rest upon me, and he stepped forward.
"You're the girl who was involved with those fellows that one night." he acknowledged, and sat on the side of the table.
"Yes. Thank you very much for saving me, even though I'm sure Tomoe has already told you many times." I said with a grateful bow.
"Maa, maa. I didn't do much. I just felt bad about the way the men were treating you. They shouldn't have done so." he said with a wave of his hand.
I smiled and giggled.
"You're very kind, sir!"
"My name is Akira Kiyosato. Please call me by my name."
"Well, Kiyosato-san, my name is Kaoru Sasaki."
"Nice to meet you, Kaoru-san."
"Likewise, Kiyosato-san."
Tomoe smiled at our exchange, but let the faint emotion trait fade as she sipped some more from her tea.
"Oh! I went to your restaurant today." I said with excitement in my tone.
"Did you? How did you like the food?" he asked with a spark of interest in his eyes.
"It was delicious! Now I know why you're considered one of the best restaurants in this region."
"I didn't know my business' reputation had grown to that title."
"Word has spread around very quickly these days. All the people speak of it, even in the teahouse at night."
Akira's eyes darkened, but just like Tomoe, he was good at hiding what he felt.
"But that is a good sign, ne?"
Tomoe's voice was a calming presence to Akira, and as the voice struck him, his tension disappeared with the moment.
"Yes, it is." he replied.
"So Kaoru-san, what region do you come from? You don't sound like you've been in Kyoto long."
"I haven't. I've come from a small town a few ways off from here."
"Aa, I see. Do you like it here in Kyoto?"
"Well, Tomoe-sensei has made it a nice transition for me. She's been kind and welcoming, as I'm sure she's been to you. I heard you are now involved with Kanryu-san as well."
"Yes, I am." he said while swallowing that lump in his throat.
"Then I suppose I'll be seeing you around. Well, I must be off. I must rest up for the night. Tsukioka-san has said he will come to see me tonight." I gushed.
Tomoe smiled softly at my excitement and naivety.
"Well, then you must get your rest if Tsukioka-san is coming." she said in a teasing tone that was very unlike her in my opinion.
I bowed before I retreated from the room, leaving Akira and Tomoe alone. There was a tension in the air, and their silence didn't make the situation any better. No one spoke until I made my way down the stairs only to be greeted by Aoshi, who had the smell of blood on him again. I assumed that Tomoe must have poured Akira some tea as I talked with Aoshi downstairs because as I came to the door.
"So, Tomoe-san, how have you been?" he asked as he toyed with his sleeve while showing an awkward smile.
"Kiyosato-san, you should back out of this deal with Kanryu." she spoke abruptly.
He paled, and let his hands rest in his lap.
"What are you saying? It's too late, Tomoe-san. What's done is done. I need protection from people."
"What have you done? You're just a restaurant owner."
"My establishment has already been attacked by Shishio's men! What was I supposed to do? Wait for Kanryu to attack as well, or use you to bring me down."
Tomoe's face dropped. She was hurt, and Akira knew he had struck a nerve.
"How dare you!" she said and slammed her tea cup on the surface of the table.
"It's true! You are his puppet, a tool, nothing more! He uses you, and you let it go! You stay faithful! I don't understand!"
"And you never will! You don't understand what I've been through! You don't understand the struggles I've had! Don't sit there and judge me when you have no idea who I am!" she stated in a firm, unfaltering tone.
He reared his head to meet her eyes at one point during the raising of her voice, and he had seen actual emotions. For one moment, she was vulnerable, and her emotions lay before him in her slanted eyes. He looked down and felt the tremendous pain in his heart after seeing her pained expression.
"Tomoe-san..."
"Please wait downstairs." she commanded coldly.
He looked up, and she was back to being cool and collected. Her demeanor was cold, impassive as her usual self would have. Akira felt bad about what he said, but knew he couldn't take it back at that moment. She had tried to be kind. She tried to warn him of his fall, and he retorted with the circumstances of their first meeting. Something he knew she wasn't proud of.
"Tomoe-sensei?"
The two turned to see me standing in the hallway, watching the two of them hurt with shock set in my eyes.
"Kaoru-."
"Forgive me." I interrupted my mentor hesitantly, but she didn't seem to mind, "Aoshi-san has told me to inform you both to come to a party tonight. Kanryu-san has a colleague who's throwing a party."
"Th-thank you, Kaoru." Tomoe said in a sort of uneasy stutter.
"He would like your presence there now." I stated.
Tomoe tensed up, and Akira looked down at the ground. So I concluded with a phrase that made both feel a little bit easier.
"And I will join you two for the trip there."
* * * * * *
"Put this on!" Sanosuke bellowed gruffly as he tossed a garment to the girl on the bed.
She propped herself up to see the thick material laying partially on her leg. She brushed her fingers across it and lifted it up to see it better. It was a warm, plain black kimono. He tossed a jade green sash at her after she got a grasp upon the garb. She looked blankly at the man before her. He leaned against the walls with his arms crossed and a toothpick caught between his lips.
"Well, weasel, what are you waiting for?" he asked nonchalantly.
Her lips protruded into a pout, and her eyes narrowed.
"I'm not changing with you in here, you pervert!" she yelled.
"You're a whore. You've been naked in front of guys before. How am I different?"
"You're not paying to see the show." she snapped.
"Oh? Well, I'm sorry, your highness. I'll leave you to what you gotta do there." he said with a smirk and shut the door behind him.
She glanced over at the door and heard him lean against the door frame outside. The boards creaked because of the big thug, but it was good. She knew where he was then.
"So why's a small thing like you so important to ol' Kanryu? He's got that one woman who's said to rival Yumi's beauty." Sanosuke said drolly as he looked up at the ceiling.
Her clothing pooled at her feet as she let the kimono fall off her shoulders. The worn-down slipped from her fingers onto her old kimono.
"I don't know. All I know is that Kanryu has had me for a long time." she replied as she slipped on her new kimono.
She reveled in the warmth of the material as Sanosuke started chewing on the toothpick again. He became impatient and threw the toothpick aside.
"Are you done yet?!" he asked.
"In a second! Be patient, idiot!" she retorted.
"You know, I have a name, too!"
The door creaked open, and she stood in the warm kimono he had given her. He tried to hold his expression, but his jaw dropped open.
"What?!" she huffed with her hands on her hips.
"Nothing, Misao. You just actually look like a girl."
"What do you mean by that?!"
"Just start walking, weasel! We have a lot of ground to cover until we get to my flat." he demanded as he began to walk.
The small prostitute followed behind reluctantly yet obedient to his command.
"Wait! You mean to say that this isn't yours?"
"Hell no! I live on the other side of town. This place is too western for my tastes." he said with a casual roll of his shoulders, then shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Where are we then?"
"We're in a place that Shishio's men reside. Actually, Shishio probably owns this whole streets' property."
"Shishio owns this whole area?! Wow!"
"Pipe down, weasel! I didn't ask for you to get louder in volume."
"Excuse me?!"
"Weren't you ever taught to be a proper lady?"
"I'm not exactly proper, Sagara."
"Aa. So you remember my name?" he asked in a teasing tone while his eyes wandered to look over her face.
"Vaguely." she replied smugly.
"Well, while you're vaguely trying to gather the bits of memory that contain my name, why don't you try and catch up? You're lagging behind way too much."
She fumed and sped her pace up to almost match his big strides. He smirked as they reached the outside of the building and faintly heard the young girl muttering something about his cursed long legs. Maybe the time wouldn't be as bad as he thought it would be. It was fun to pick on her at the time.
* * * * * *
The party at the mansion was filled with politicians, criminals, and entrepreneurs alike. Some geisha were scattered throughout the party, but it was mostly filled with drunk men. Among the party-go-ers was a certain crooked entrepreneur and an influential artist, both discussing one of Kanryu's yearned possessions: myself.
"So you have enjoyed my Kaoru's time? She is a delightful presence at the teahouse." Kanryu slyly inserted.
"Ah, Kanryu-san, I know you value your Tomoe, but I see something in the young woman, Kaoru. She has this unknown sensuality about her, and this animated spirit. It's very appealing. In fact, I have drawn a picture of her from memory, and it sold immediately."
"So you're thinking of taking her as a model?"
"Well, I have drawn your Tomoe before, but something about this girl intrigues me. I think that my memory didn't do her justice. I wish to have her in front of me when I draw her."
"Her time is costly..."
"But I am not a man who concerns himself with cost, am I?"
"No, Tsukioka, you are not."
"I'm sure the price I give you will be quite enough."
"As I am equally sure."
Tsunan raised his glass of cherry-colored liquor to Kanryu, and Kanryu did so in return with a very pleased expression. They both took their appropriate sips when Tomoe, Akira, and I had arrived at the party. Tsunan gave me this sensual smile as I sauntered over as gracefully as Tomoe had taught me. Tomoe was watching me intently, critiquing my every move, while we approached.
"Ah, here is my Tomoe." Kanryu said with delight and obediently, she came to his side, "And my new business associate, Kiyosato Akira."
"Kiyosato?!" Tsunan exclaimed, "Okita's friend?!"
I stood beside an abashed Akira, placing a hand on his arm gingerly.
"Do you know him, Kiyosato-san?" I asked.
"Yes. He's an old drinking buddy of mine in my younger days when I first started the habit." Akira said with a genuine smile to me.
"Yeah, me and Akira go way back." Tsunan added.
Tomoe eyed Akira wrathfully and turned to her master who placed a hand upon her arm. At that moment, I took the time to scoot over towards Tsunan, his eyes were glued on my petite form as I neared, but it turned over to the action near us. Mirroring Tsunan, Akira's eyes were stuck on Kanryu and his siren, my mentor. His crooked mouth edged their way to her ear, and she listened intently, as she always did. Akira read every word, listening to bits and pieces. Tomoe was to lure someone at this party to their death. Akira glued the smile falsely on his face, and Tsunan and I glanced over at the young man. I looked to Tsunan and in his eyes, I knew that he knew it, too. He knew Akira's disapproval. He saw the exact same reaction I saw. That's when Tsunan took me by my hand and led me away.
"Tsukioka-san! What about Kiyosato-san?" I inquired.
He stopped when we were well away from them, and turned to me.
"Akira must fight his own battles tonight. But you and I will leave this party. We will live for the night." he said softly.
I thought those words were very beautiful, though I expected them from an artist. I knew what he was trying to do, lure me away from the conflicts. My first love probably would've been Tsunan, but something held me back from committing my heart and soul to our meetings. That night, he took me to his apartment, and we talked about everything. From my father's desperation for a male heir to Tsunan's mother over-dosing on opium. I found out from Kanryu the following day that Tsunan paid quite a pretty penny for my time that night, but it was chump change to him. That night, before we left his apartment, I will treasure the first kiss I had ever received.
As I put on my shawl and started for the door, he called for me to wait for him. I stopped by the door frame, and he edged closer to me. He placed a hand on the area beside my head, and let a finger from his other hand drift across my lips as if testing the softness of it. Then with a descend of his head, out lips met, briefly brushing, and we parted just like that. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but the feelings in the moment felt passionate enough for a tomboy like me. How I had become so desirable, even to a sensual artist like Tsunan, was shocking. I was not brazen after that, I resumed being restrained because of Tomoe's words.
"Lesson number four: Never seem unruly, and in need of the pursuit. It is not becoming of a seductress. You must make them ache for you and you alone. You must never long for his presence ever."
* * * * * *
After we had left, Kanryu had left Tomoe's side, leaving her to face Akira. She stared at him sourly, and he just smiled to her with that fake expression.
"Well, Kiyosato-san...I must depart." she said with a blank expression.
She bowed politely and began to walk away, but a hand grabbed her wrist. Her eyes widened, and she turned to Kiyosato with a placid expression, trying to calm her heart with the contact he had just made.
"Don't go." he said softly, "Don't..."
She tried to tear herself away from his pleading eyes. She saw the pain that he felt. He didn't anyone to die, but neither did she.
"Forgive me." she uttered before pulling her slim wrist from his grasp.
His hand fell to his side, and he watched her depart into the crowd.
Author's Note: I know that Tsunan probably seems a little OOC, but this is fanfiction, so he will go as I write him so. Bwahahahaha! I am very pleased with my introduction of Sanosuke and Misao though. These characters are also apart of the grand design, if you know what I mean. All the characters are essential characters and have a part. I hope you enjoyed Kamatari, Soujirou, and Yumi's bit, too. They are just as important. Also, I reposted chapter 1 because I noticed a major flaw in a scene where they mentioned Akira's dad as if he were still alive. Forgive me! Well, anyway, I hope you enjoy the story.
Ann – I'm glad that you like the story. Please continue reading even though I was such a tease with your question.
Aokotori no uta – Thank you! I'm glad you love Aoshi and Kaoru! I'm glad that you enjoyed the story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I've been getting so many ideas for this story while I'm all over the place. I'm honored to be the first story to be reviewed. Thank you very much. I appreciate your compliments and your time for reading my story because it was written to be enjoyed.
Haruko – I'm glad that you liked the story. I'll try to make the transition more smooth for you. Kenshin is in the storyline, but he's not really important until the end. But I did put a little Kenshin in for all you Kenshin fans. *Oro?* ^^ Yes, you, my Kenshin...^^ *Eh?* The timeline is in the Meiji era. I think I have dropped hints that it is in the Meiji era like when I said that Akira's father, who was a samurai, was left with almost nothing after the war. But, anyway, thank you for the compliments!
Jen – I'm glad you like the pairing! Thanks for reading!
Sarryn – I hoped you would like the explaination. I'm sure you'll like the explaination at the end. But til then, I'm glad you're reading and cautiously looking out for my mistakes! ^.^
Sailor Panda – Thank you! Arigatou gozaimasu! LOL ^.^
furygrrl – I'm sorry about the KxA interaction-or lack there of. I have a reason as to why this is all playing out. I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter though. Thank you for your compliments! *Michiru blushes profusely*
