Misao was unsure of where she was at, at the moment. She knew she was at Aoshi's castle. She was also aware that she was leaning against something hard, yet soft and warm. She snuggled a bit deeper into the warmth regretting it as she felt a stabbing pain in her side.
Her eyes flew open as she last remembered Megumi cleaning her wound and then she fell into an exhausted sleep, with Aoshi holding her against him. She looked down, a gasp escaping her as she recognized Aoshi's arms wrapped lightly around her. If she moved even an inch she would hit his arm, causing her much pain. Misao could feel the rise and fall of Aoshi's chest as her head laid on it. She turned her head to the left and heard his calm heartbeat.
Misao listened to his heartbeat; it somehow relaxed her into a drowsy state. She sighed and actually placed her arms over Aoshi's. Her eyes drooped closed and she relaxed completely in his embrace. Misao actually felt safe wrapped in his arms, and a restful sleep was what she needed. A groan emanating from Aoshi roused her from her slight sleep state. She kept her eyes closed and stayed relaxed not wanting the moment to leave.
Misao felt Aoshi's arms lift slightly and then pull her close right under her breasts, as he avoided her wound. An almost silent sigh escaped her lips.
Aoshi groaned as he awoke, he was in an odd position and his mind was foggy of how he'd ended up in the position he was now in. He took a deep breath and smelled a flower scent. He lifted his arms and pulled whatever was in them closer, somehow he knew he had to move his arms or something bad would rouse him from his peaceful slumber. Aoshi opened his eyes slowly and let them focus, closing them from the sting of sunlight filtering into the room. He defiantly knew it was his room that he lied in. A slight movement in his arms made him look down his eyes widening. His arms instantly unwrapped from around her.
Misao lifted her shoulders slightly and then hissed in pain as Aoshi quickly removed his arms from her, causing her to pull her arms back, one hitting her wound. Aoshi stiffened at her hiss and looked down, he hadn't realized her arms laid on his.
Misao's eyes opened as she realized what she'd just done. If she wasn't injured she would have bolted from where she was, but risking any more injury to herself would not help her situation. She sat up slowly missing the warmth, radiating from him, already. Misao shook her head slightly to get the thoughts to leave her mind. Misao decided to question him as how they ended up the way they were moments ago.
"Wha…" Misao was unsure how to phrase the question. Aoshi replied before she even finished voicing the question.
"You fell asleep after Megumi finished cleaning your wound. I didn't want to risk injuring you more by moving you so I stayed that way. I must have fallen asleep." Aoshi's deep voice said with a slight roughness to it.
"Oo, nnn" Misao growled as she bent her stomach to get off the bed to stand. Instead of standing she fell back on to Aoshi, his arms catching her instantly. "Ahh," Misao took in deep breaths trying to get rid of the pain. "Nnn," Misao whimpered, turning her head to the right and leaning against Aoshi. Her eyes opened as she realized she was only wearing her wrappings and the bandages around her.
Aoshi watched Misao's face twist in pain as she tried to hold back her whimpers. Aoshi sat up, moving Misao so her back lay over his lap. One of his arms went under her knees and the other he slid under her shoulders. Aoshi lifted her gently, a contained groan coming from Misao's throat.
Aoshi did his best not to cause her any pain and laid her next to him on the bed. He groaned as he twisted his back to place her down. Aoshi stood his legs and back quite stiff from sleeping the way he had. He stretched his arms above his head and cringed as his back popped slightly and his sore muscles stretched.
Misao took deep breath waiting for the pain to leave. Her breathing slowed as the pain slowly dissipated. Misao opened her eyes and blinked. Aoshi's eyes actually looked softer as he glanced at her. "I'll be back to change your bandages in about an hour." Aoshi's voice no longer held the roughness it was his usual tone. Misao nodded.
Aoshi pulled the door open swiftly causing a slight shift to the air, reminding Misao she was topless except for her breast wrappings. Her cheeks colored a bit as she remembered Aoshi had been in the room. Misao shook her head and slowly managed to sit without much pain. She managed to get the blanket out from under her and lied down, her eyes drooping. Instantly Misao remembered the warmth she'd woken up to. The blankets just didn't seem to warm her the same way. Misao fell back into a light sleep.
Aoshi had a light colored garment hanging over his arm as he walked back to his and Misao's room. A servant followed behind Aoshi, holding a tray of food. Aoshi opened the door and looked to the bed his breath catching. Misao was sleeping on her back, her head resting on the pillow. Her face was serene, as the sun shone on her. Aoshi shook his head as he heard the clatter of the tray as the servant walked. 'She is beautiful with that serene look.' Aoshi thought.
"Lord where would you like me to put this tray? The servant asked as he stood in the doorway.
"Place it on the table near the bed." Aoshi responded as he placed the yukata on the other side of the bed. He pulled the bandages off his arm and looked to the table and set the ointment, Megumi had used to clean the wound, down.
"There you are my Lord, did you need anything else today?"
"Not right now, you may leave." Aoshi said out of habit, rather than really thinking about what the servant's words meant.
A scowl adorned the servants face as he'd thought his lord had figured out his ploy. The door shut with a solid thud.
Aoshi looked to Misao once more and sighed. He would have to gain another week for her to recover. She'd lost quite a bit of blood. She'd also lost some on the ride to the village. She would be unable to stand long enough for them to do the marriage ceremony. It would also probably be at least another two weeks after that, before they could consummate the marriage.
Aoshi ran a hand through his hair, it's not that he didn't want an heir; it just happened that he knew their coupling would be put off the longest it could. Most women wanted to marry for love, not just to marry so their clan would no longer be at war with the other. Aoshi looked to Misao as a sigh escaped her lips and she snuggled into the pillow. It was going to be an interesting month or so to say the least.
Misao scowled at the two women fussing around her. She had been almost thrilled when the wedding had been put off for another week, while she was still weak in bed. Another two weeks had gone by as a spy managed to get into the village. He'd announced that he was the brother of the man she'd killed with her kunai. He even had the four blood stained kunai with him. He'd thrown them at Aoshi's feet telling him they would fight a duel.
"Ow, please don't tug so hard, I swear my hair will cooperate with a little water." Misao tried to be nice, she hated being fussed over. Misao sighed as the girl gasped and went to fetch a little pail of water. "I'm not going to have your heads cut off." Misao mumbled.
"Yes well, your fake smile doesn't help matters. That girl is also new, and was told she messes up once more and she'll become a slave in another home." The other, older woman tugged harshly on her hair. "Oof."
"I told you to be gentle, I'm not going to sit here and be treated like I have three heads. I'll be nice to you and respect you if you do the same. Stop acting high and mighty." Misao shoved the girl away, causing her to fall on her butt. "I have no tolerance for your kind. Your probably the head servant of the household and oversee all others. You also probably mainly work with the queen, with your attitude." Misao growled. Hurry and finish or I'll do it myself and send you to go do some menial chore you haven't and wouldn't like to do." Misao sat back in her chair as the woman scramble to her feet and continued to fuss with her hair, more gently.
Misao sighed again. Aoshi had the kunai washed and sanitized and gave them back to her. Unfortunately the man had disappeared after the fight. The man had been wounded, but Aoshi and his men had to go after him. They found him and he was instantly killed. Misao was a little relieved they'd been after Aoshi instead of her, not that she wanted Aoshi dead. That little episode took them two more weeks to straighten out. So that had been done in the month they were supposed to wed. Still another incident had come up and Aoshi was called away once more, this time it turned out to be a month he was gone.
Aoshi returned one night and almost collapsed on her from exhaustion. She had been contemplating weather she should ask to choose her wedding kimono, when he opened the door. Misao recognized his form and stayed still, closing her eyes, waiting for him to change. Misao had reopened her eyes when she heard silence. She looked up and saw Aoshi staring at her, his eyes closed suddenly and he fell forward, Misao rolled out of the way and sat up. She lit a candle and looked at him. He was covered in mud and still wearing his beige coat. Misao had lightly shaken him and he roused slightly, his eyes not focusing.
Misao wasn't sure how, but she managed to strip him of his coat and his black shirt, that was a brownish red color. He lay shirtless halfway on the bed. She'd shaken her head and managed, with great difficultly, to get his legs and feet on the bed. She sighed, as she felt exhausted. She sat her back against the wall and gasped as Aoshi moved and wrapped his arms around her waist laying his head on her lap. A small smile came to her lips. 'He grabs things in his sleep.' Misao thought. She ran her fingers through his hair, finding it to be strangely clean of mud. Aoshi had shifted again, unwrapping his arms and turning on his back, his head still in her lap. Misao shook her head and leaned her head against the wall and slept.
"There you are miss, your hair is done," The older woman seemed to be trying to sound nice. The other maid was now standing in front of her with a tin of something.
"All that's left to do is your makeup." The young girl smiled, which shifted at the scowling Misao.
Aoshi was standing in one of the smaller gardens on his land. Even with an arranged marriage he was nervous. He'd never actually thought about the wedding ceremony, not once. His mind kept replaying back to what had happened once he'd returned from his mission.
He'd come back thoroughly exhausted. He could remember stumbling into the room and seeing Misao in the room, his mind couldn't fathom why she was there. He approached the bed and stared at her, his eyes closing as his body couldn't handle the strain of standing any longer. He hadn't eaten anything in a few days, let alone slept for a week or so. His mind was foggy as he could feel his coat and shirt removed but couldn't open his eyes to see who was doing it. Usually he awoke in his same clothes and washed them later. He'd take a shower when he awoke as well, but when he'd awoken that morning he couldn't believe where he was.
He'd opened his eyes slowly his head aching, from the sleep he still needed. His eyes finally focused and met sea green ones. He'd blinked at the tired look they held.
"You still look exhausted," He heard her say but couldn't figure out how or why he was in her lap. He could remember smelling her scent for the first time in a month and a half. It was so relaxing and to sound odd he'd felt a little protected. He'd grabbed for the smell and relaxed as he relished the scent. "Maybe you should rest some more." He heard her mumbled as she stifled a yawn.
"I have other matters to attend to." He voiced as he sat up too quickly and placed a hand to his head.
"I don't think you'll get anything done until you've slept at least another coupled hours." Misao's voice was at his ear and he stiffened. Her arms wrapped around his waist and her head laid on his shoulder a content sigh escaped her lips. He'd practically been forced to lie down and sleep another few hours. He'd awoken at dusk, a smiling Misao sitting next to him eating dinner. "See you needed the rest." Was all she said, as she continued to eat. She pointed to another plate lying on the table near the bed. Aoshi sat up and ate.
That had been two days ago. He hadn't seen Misao since that night, as he had to go to his father. A smug smile was on his fathers face.
"I had hoped to talk to you sooner, but circumstances have arisen and I have been unable to."
"Yes" Aoshi replied sitting in a chair that was offered him. "I had wondered why your actions were that of a tyrant the other evening." Aoshi commented.
"Hmm, yes…" Tre trailed off. "I was hoping to see how far you'd go," A smug look was on Tre's face.
"How far I'd go to do what?"
"To protect her, she is going to be your wife."
"Yes." Aoshi replied, his eyes meeting his fathers. "I will protect her father. She must produce an heir." Aoshi replied coldly.
"She will also be a confidant for you to confide in if necessary. Your mother may be a spitfire, but I trust her." Tre said angrily. "You are to be wed, you will either become fond of one another or you will come to love her. Which ever is to happen you will do your best to take care of her and your children. Never refer to her as a whore." Tre replied angrily. You are to keep your distance until the marriage ceremony the day after tomorrow."
"Yes father." Aoshi replied in a neutral tone. He got up and left the room.
Aoshi was fully aware he was getting use to her presence. He'd actually missed her flower scent that evening. He'd also overheard one of the servants talking about him and Misao.
"The new young Miss is quite astounding. She always seems to be happy. I also went into retrieve the lords clothing as he'd just returned, and I gasped at the scene I walked in on. The young Miss was leaning against the wall looking down at the lord. The look in her eyes was so soft. The Lords head was in her lap and his face actually looked serene. I snapped out of my shock when the Miss looked at me. She held a smile on her face and beckoned me forward."
"Can you bring me some breakfast?" She'd asked politely all the while her fingers running through the Lords hair. Her smile is so lovely. Of course I'd brought her the breakfast, but first I had to take the Lords coat and shirt down to the laundry, as he'd want his coat for later. When I returned with the breakfast the Lord was fast asleep on his side, facing the young Miss. She ran her fingers over his cheek; it was definitely a new sight. He didn't stir at her touch or even awake when I approached." Aoshi walked around the corner the servants bowing as he walked by them.
Aoshi sighed and then looked toward a servant as he called Aoshi. Aoshi nodded, the wedding was due to start in a few moments. Both Aoshi and Misao were wearing traditional wedding attire, for their wedding. The only difference in the traditional wedding ceremony was for the two to kiss at the end of the ceremony.
Aoshi had gasped slightly as Misao walked toward him. She had a bright smile on her face, her eyes showing the smile as well. In the depths of her eyes Aoshi could see nervousness and fright. She was wearing a very light pink Kimono, with rose petals dancing on it. The obi was a dark blue commenting both the kimono and her eyes. Her hair was pulled back on the sides, while the rest flowed down her back.
Aoshi and Misao went through the ceremony and coming to the end is where he saw shock enter into her eyes.
"A kiss," Misao had squeaked. She looked to Aoshi and blushed. 'I thought all we had to do was say the vows.' Misao was more nervous than ever now.
Aoshi sighed as he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. He'd wanted to make it a peck but her responding to the kiss hadn't even entered his mind. He started to lift his arms but dropped them as he remembered where they were. He pulled back and stared at her his eyes showing surprise. Misao's face was red as she lowered her head. Clapping was heard as the two stood.
Misao refused to look at him the rest of the evening as they greeted each guest that came to greet them. Misao was told how beautiful she looked multiple times, while a few girls tried to snake Aoshi away from his blushing bride, They shot Misao dirty looks as she wrapped her arm around Aoshi's. She leaned her head against his arm and caused Aoshi to look at her each time one tried.
Misao ran the silver brush through her hair as Aoshi was off talking to his father. She sighed once again as she reflected her behavior earlier in the evening. She knew Aoshi was her husband but to do what she did made her think she may actually have feelings for him. She growled and slammed the brush down.
"Is something wrong?" Misao jumped as she heard Aoshi's voice. She turned in the chair she was sitting in.
"No." She mumbled.
"Aaa," Aoshi breathed. He took a deep breath, not wanting to frighten her, but their clan had rules that must be followed. "I ask you join me in bed." He cringed inwardly at the shocked look on her face.
"We have to…tonight?" Misao didn't know what to say. She thought she'd be able to choose the moment. Even if it was a pact she wanted to know him better before they were to couple. A blush stained her cheeks as she tried to rid herself of some thoughts that entered her mind.
"Yes." Aoshi replied reluctantly. He would prefer to get to know her well, but the time for that had long since passed, as he was to become king in a short time. He sighed and sat on the bed.
Misao gulped and stood, her hair falling over her shoulders. She flipped her hair back and approached him slowly. His eyes met hers, and made her turn her head. They were cold as usual, 'Can't he ever show some compassion.' Misao thought as she reached the bed. Aoshi reached his hand out and grabbed Misao's wrist pulling her onto the bed as he slid further back.