When Dreams Come True

But you must be the reason

And just what I need

For every day of the season

Perfection indeed

Chapter eighteen – Now

The way she held his hand, the way she talked to him, and the way she looked at him were all ways he cared so much about her. He always wanted to be with her and gaze at her flawless face forever, and he envied anyone who got to share the privilege of looking at her as well. He was beginning to feel even more human than ever before. Soujiro now understood how he could never really leave in the first place. He had grown far too attached to this girl and he hadn't a care in the world.

He didn't even glance at his closet where his now dusty sword and ex-partner rested.

The euphoria he was now existing in now was far better than the faux happiness he once believed was reality.

"Soujiro…" Misao whispered as he gripped her hand a little tighter, "Aren't the clouds beautiful today?" They were both laying out on a meadow a little more than a mile away from the Aoiya enjoying the beautiful spring day. "That one looks like a boat."

Today was their anniversary.

"And that one looks like a bird…"

Their one month anniversary.

"What about that one Misao?"

So far, no troubles had been brought up. Everyone had left the two alone and respected what they had. And Misao was loving every moment of it.

"YOU!"

"What!"

Aoshi and Minako had left as well. They moved off to Hokkaido to where Minako's family rested. Soujiro had noticed that Misao's demeanor had saddened a little, but her mood quickly changed back into her happy self.

A dark cloud floated overhead as Soujiro squinted a little to avoid the sun's glare, "Do you think it's going to rain soon?"

Misao glanced up, "No way. Look how sunny it is now!"

"But-,"

"Let's head back to the Aoiya now!"

"Ok Misao."

As Misao tugged Soujiro by the hand down the hill, he glanced over his shoulder and saw some more dark clouds from out beyond the distance…

"WE'RE BACK!" Misao yelled as she entered the building with Soujiro not far behind her, who's hands were grasping tighter around hers.

Omasu's head popped out from behind the door, "Soujiro! I need your help!"

Soujiro glanced at Misao before rushing off to help Omasu who was seemingly in some sort of trouble, "Oma-what the?" Sourjio stopped in his tracks as he saw a Okon and Kuro in mid-fight, "Okon! Kuro!"

Neither of them even thought of looking at Soujiro.

"So why'd you tell Jiya that, huh Kuro?"

"I told him because he needed to know! He wanted to know!"

"That isn't reason enough to make him worry like that!"

Misao walked up from out of the kitchen, "What happened?"

They all glanced up and then turned to Okon who had a unfolded piece of parchment in her hands, "We got a letter from Aoshi."

Misao's face lit up, "We did?" She asked exitedly.

"Yeah," Kuro muttered.

Misao looked around the room and managed to make no eye contact with anyone, "Can I see it?" Kuro handed her the letter without letting go easily. As soon as she finally got a hold of it, she read it. As soon as she read it, she dropped the letter and her eyes widened, "We have to go to him NOW."

"Misao," Omasu pleaded, "Jiya is already there, making sure he's alright. He'll send word back and then we can go. We don't want to bombard the family's home."

"But I want to see him!"

Soujiro stepped up to Misao, "What happened?"

Misao turned to Soujiro with tears welled up in her eyes, "Aoshi's sick. He's sick and I have to see him!"

His stomach felt empty even though he had just ate, "Well I could take you, couldn't I?"

"Really? Could he?" She begged Okon who was beyond listening to the conversation.

"What? Oh, sure I guess."

Kuro added, "Just make sure you respect the fact that he's at their house." Misao only could just anxiously nod while Soujiro checked the kitchen where Koukiji made an uneasy flop.

Later that day, Misao and Sourjio were climbing into a carriage that could carry them to where Aoshi lay. Misao waved off as Soujiro made sure she wouldn't topple out of the window like he feared she would.

Usually Soujiro would enjoy any time when he was one on one with Misao. But right now, he couldn't help but stare out the window.

"Soujiro, do you think Aoshi's going to be alright?" Misao asked as the carriage began to move. Soujiro just shrugged as he continued to look out the window nonchalantly. Misao squirmed around trying just to make eye contact with him with no result unfortunately, "Soujiro are you ok?"

Soujiro turned his head but kept hit eyes down to where Misao's hand was. H e thought about it for a second before he decided Misao was finally over Aoshi, "I'm fine," he replied while looking up, "Why?"

Misao didn't answer immediately but smiled back, "No reason, you just looked a little down."

"I'm fine."

Misao took Soujiro's hand that rested on the seat and squeezed it gently. Misao really felt like Soujiro's hand was the one she always wanted to hold. And whenever Soujiro was the one holding hers, it felt like a perfect fit. Just the thought of it made her smile. She sometimes worried if it was alright to feel this good all of the time.

But she still was exited to see Aoshi. And she wondered why she was feeling anxious.

It was probably just because she hadn't seen him in a long time.

It took a few days to actually get to Hokkaido, but when they actually did, they were welcome to open arms. It was a sunny day and Minako was standing outside wearing a smile and a bright blue kimono, "Well hello there you two. So nice to see you again and so soon!"

Misao hopped out of the carriage and stretched contently, "That trip was murder! My poor butt." She added while rubbing her romp. She walked up to Minako and bowed while asking, "So how's Aoshi?"

Soujiro stepped out of the carriage and waved to Minako as she replied, "He's in bed now if you want to see him," Minako pointed over her shoulder as Misao saw Okina behind her. His look was serious yet, there was still a homely feeling about it.

"Jiya!" Misao yelled as she ran up to the elderly man and enveloped him in a hug, "How was your trip here?"

Jiya smiled, "It was alright, but I see you wanted to come as well."

Misao smirked as she ran back to Soujiro, grabbed him by the hand while he was in mid-bow with Minako, and ran back to the grandfather, "We're ready."

Soujiro was glad Misao remembered him.

Okina took them inside and traveled through the great ruby color carpeted halls with elegant lights on the sides that shimmered a golden color. Misao felt as if she were in the presence of kings. Soujiro, on the other hand, just felt like he was back in the mansion that Shishio resided in.

On the second floor, they walked by a gigantic door, "Where does that go?"Misao asked intently.

"Just a storage room probably." Jiya replied as he led them on up another flight of stairs. Soujiro's eyes, however, were transfixed on the door, which he almost had to pried away from.

"Here we are," Okina led as Misao scampered to the door, "Now promise me you'll be quiet. Aoshi has pneumonia."

Misao gasped a little over dramatically as Soujiro walked up behind her and patted her on the back, Don't worry, he'll be fine now that you're here." Misao smiled as she opened the doors and entered the room, leaving Soujiro behind.

As soon as the doors clicked shut, Jiya turned to Soujiro, "So you didn't want to go in?"

Soujiro smiled, "I why would I want to?"

"To pay your respects maybe? To make sure Misao's alright?"

The young man glanced off to the side and smiled, "It's not that I don't respect him, because I do. It's just that he's just one of those kinds of people who I'll never know well enough to feel a connection with. And with Misao, she's a strong enough young woman to handle this on her own. I know this is the way she wants it…"

Okina chuckled and smiled sadly, "You speak a lot of empty words. Kind, yet empty."

The older man walked by Soujiro and patted him on the shoulder before leaving the area. Soujiro stared over his shoulder…did his words really seem that empty? He thought he was describing what he felt but apparently just words sometimes weren't enough. Were emotions really that delicate? They must be…

"Oy, Soujiro!"

Soujiro turned around to see one person he least expected to see, and least wanted to see.

"Kamatari?"

"So you decided to come!" Kamatari bellowed as he trotted down the hall, "I knew you would."

Soujiro's eyebrows curved, "What do you mean I decided?"

Kamatari scratched his head, "Well I gave you that note last time I saw you, right? It said to come here…"

What the…

CRAP. Soujiro dug in his pocket hoping the letter was still in his pocket, which it was, and when he read it, he found these directions:

1. go the biggest house in Hokkaido (It's a government house, you can't miss it)

2. second floor; first floor, second floor. You go up a flight of stairs.

3. BIG, BIG doors, they're huge, like honestly they're gigantic! I thought they'd eat me when I walked in. It was like walking into a giant mouth.

4. Introduce yourself as Tenken, it'll give yourself a name. It'll be all, "BOO! I can kill you so hire me." Hahahaha

Soujiro stared at the note in horror. Not only was Kamatari's letter embarrassing for him but it was also extremely concise.

"So this is where you work Kama-sama?" Kamatari looked very pissed off, "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I told you not to call me that!"

Soujiro stepped back, "Ok! Ok! I'm sorry! But…is this where you work…Ka-chan?"

Kamatari smiled brightly with his hands on his hips, "Sure is! I work for the government but now for Mr. N. I thought you might like him so I offered you a spot for a job. You see he requires special talents."

Soujiro looked up, "What do you mean special talents? And why did you want me to say Tenken when if I was going to introduce myself?"

"When you introduce yourself! When! You're coming with me to go and talk to him! We're going to have a blast together!"

Kamatari held out his hand but Soujiro rejected it, "No! Kamatari! I don't want to join your group thing! Didn't you hear me when I said I didn't want to kill anymore? Can't you respect my wishes?"

The other man held out his hands in defense and closed his eyes, "That sounded kind of corny."

"Kamatari!"

"Ok! But, you're really serious about this never going to kill again thing, aren't you? I mean, I knew you kind of meant it, but not for life…I thought you just wanted to take a break and you were a little overwhelmed because of the whole Shishio thing so you said things you might regret…right?"

Soujiro just stood there, trying not to believe what he just heard. It was amazing! Two people in less then five minutes! Amazing! …Man!

"No Kamatari! …Just no! I can't believe what you're saying! Kamatari!"

"Soujiro calm down! I'm sorry! OK? Geez…"

They stood there in silence for what seemed like ages until Kamatari finally spoke, "Soo, you want in?"

"KAMATARI!"

"Soujiro!" It was Misao from the other side of the door since he was still standing in front of it, "SHH!" Misao demanded as she stuck her pointer finger in front of her lips. She then went back in the room while shutting the door quietly behind her.

Soujiro felt a little bad.

Kamatari glanced over, "Trouble at home?"

"Oh shut up!"

"Look, you're the one who comes here…here out of all places! And you say that you didn't mean to come here? Kid! Stop messing with my brain!"

Soujiro sighed for a moment and glanced off to the side, was this fate?

"Ah Kamatari. This must be your friend Soujiro Seta. Very nice to meet you." Soujiro spun around and met eyes with a tall darkly figure who had jet-black hair and thickly shaped body. He was wearing a dark blue suit and held a black cane in his left hand. His moustache was graying at the sides and his eyes were faded, "I'm Mr. N."

Soujiro stared at the man for some time before actually replying, "Oh, I'm sorry Mr…Mr. N, I can't help you."

Mr. N's eye's became slits in his skin, "Oh really? And why is that?"

"Well," Soujiro was actually afraid of talking to this man, "I just came here with a friend to visit Mr. Shinomori who's sick."

"Ah, Aoshi. Is he doing well. Amazing young man actually. Sad thing he got sick though."

Kamatari set his hands on his hips, "Mr. N, can I talk to you for a moment?"

The bulky man nodded as he walked over to Kamatari.

Soujiro waited there for a moment until Mr. N walked back, "Tenken, I have a job for you."

Soujiro stepped back, "What?"

"I said, I have a job for you."

Kamatari stood behind Mr. N and nodded eagerly and impatiently as he looked over at Mr. N and indicated he "cut-throat" sign, which obviously indicated death.

Soujiro's eyes weren't too happy with the situation anymore.

But he did go along with it, "What is it?"

Soujiro and Kamatari walked out of the building, "Kamatari! I can't believe this! Why are you doing this to me?"

Kamatari held out his hands defensively as he replied, "Hey, hey I just saved your ass so you better be thankful. Anyone who knows about him and what he does gets killed if they don't do at least one thing for him he takes you out! It's a sign of sticking with your word."

"Kamatari, you're the one who gave me this stupid little piece of paper and told him about me," Soujiro yelled as he shook the piece of paper in front of his friend, "I shouldn't even be in this situation!"

"Hey Soujiro, you know what, I just suggest you just do it because there can be a lot more things at stake after he gets you dead."

"Like what," Soujiro asked.

"Well he could knock off Misao and maybe even Aoshi if he really wanted to."

Soujiro stood there in shock before replying, "Why would he kill the fiancée to his daughter? Who is this guy anyways? Does he care about his family?"

Kamatari just rolled his eyes, "Because it's all about connections! Get it through your little naïve, stupid, idiotic head! And no, he doesn't really care about his family."

"Why not?"

"Well between you and me," Kamatari said while leaning in a little closer, "Little miss Minako was a mistake from an unknown mother who left her on the doorstep and since he wanted to show his humanity, he took her in. A likely story."

Soujiro's eyes gaped, "That's a little more information than I wanted to hear."

"No," he whispered, "It's all the information you wanted to hear. All the information you needed to hear."

Soujiro looked to the side and Kamatari walked off, "One o'clock am tonight for our mission. Your one and only though." Soujiro just nodded off back into the building and made sure he stayed far away from the big doors.

He actually made sure he stayed away from anything that had to do with Mr. N. Even Misao still hadn't come out of the room Aoshi was in. What coujld they be talking about?

"Oh excuse me." Soujiro wasn't even paying attention to where he was going.

"So polite Soujiro." Oh fiddle-sticks. It was Minako.

"Hello Ms. Minako."

She didn't reply, she just stood there quietly. But now that Soujiro knew a little bit more about her than he really cared for, he knew why she stood so small.

"Ms. Minako?"

She smiled, "Yes Soujiro?"

"I think you're a good person."

They both stood there in silence until she nodded, "No need to make me feel good for no reason. I see you've met my father as well."

He shrugged, "He's a nice man."

She stared at the ground. It was like a hollow cape of memories overcame her, "I love Aoshi so much."

He smiled, "I can see why."

Minako nodded once more and walked by Soujiro.

Now he knew why she had given that all up. Now he knew why she could leave everything behind for Aoshi.

She didn't really have anything to start with. Now Soujiro finally understood what people meant by money can't buy you happiness. Truthfully and honestly, it hurt Minako.

And it hurt Soujiro now too.

Mr. N was an evil man…

…and now Soujiro was employed by him.

He sighed to himself as he walked to the door where Misao was still in with Aoshi. It only took a few minutes for her to come out.

"Misao, how was your visit with Aoshi?"

She smiled lightly up at him, "It was fine…he doesn't look that well but he's going to get better I know."

Soujiro gazed at Misao as she stared tiredly ahead. He now understood why Mr. N was such an evil man. Taking his anger out on the loved ones of those who opposed him.

He was a little worried about the 'job' he was given tonight too. He just had to bring someone back to the mansion. Blindfolded and tied up though… But as long as Mr. N didn't mention the word 'kidnap,' Soujiro was ok with it. Come on, all he was doing was basically transporting a man from one place to another so he and Mr. N could have a nice conversation and then he'd later go on home and sleep in his warm bed.

Right?

Completely.

"Misao?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think I'm a good person?"

She didn't answer immediately, "Have you already asked me that?"

"I don't know but," he rubbed his head, "do you?"

Misao looked at him through the corner of her eye, "Do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Do you think you're a good person?"

He couldn't answer right away, "I don't know…what makes one?"

Misao brought her hand to her chin and scratched it, "Well, they have to do good things and they should be kind. They'd do things out of their way for the good of the world and mankind, and," she drew out, "they should always try their hardest at everything they do."

Soujiro stared straight ahead, "Does everybody know that?"

"Well, a lot of people have descriptions have what a good person is."

He glanced off to the side, "Then how can you be one if everyone thinks of it differently?"

"Well," she replied, "you just have to do things for a greater good I guess."

"And what's the greater good?"

She looked down, "Well…that's something that everyone finds on their own. It isn't exactly something that someone can describe to you directly."

"Will I know it if I become it?"

Misao smiled, "Probably."

Later that evening, Soujiro took a visit to Aoshi. As he entered the room, he made sure the sleeping man hadn't accidentally woken up.

"Aoshi are you still asleep?"

That probably wasn't the smartest thing to do but he kind of did want to talk to him.

He pulled up a chair and sat down by the bedside.

"How're you doing?"

Soujiro felt that being nice to a person in need was a sign of being a good person.

You could call it karma if you wanted to.

"Well, not much is going on with me. I'm going on a 'mission' tonight. I don't really know what it's about but I have to escort someone back to Mr. N whose Minako's father…you probably already knew that though."

Soujiro also felt that this was a way to get to know Aoshi without getting hurt. Come on, if Soujiro tried to talk to Aoshi when he was awake, bad things would happen.

Probably.

"Minako's worried about you…"

Aoshi stirred slightly in his slumber.

"I'm worried about her as well."

Aoshi's eyes shut tightly together.

"And you've been worried about her for a while now," Soujiro announced amazedly, "haven't you?"

Then his eyes opened, "What are you doing here?"

Soujiro didn't move from where he was sitting, "I came to check up on you."

"I'm fine."

"I don't think you're temperature says your fine."

Aoshi glared slightly at Soujiro as he turned over an grunted softly.

"So you need anything?"

He turned his head and glanced over, "Like I said, I'm fine."

He turned back over and Soujiro sighed and turned to leave before Aoshi spoke up, "You mentioned Minako."

Soujiro stopped and turned around, "Yes, I was just telling you about how she was doing."

"And how's she doing?"

Soujiro didn't really answer right away, but he did eventually, "I'm worried about her."

Aoshi stared at Soujiro for a while and then lowered his gaze and nodded…or at least what looked like a nod. Soujiro smiled downward and quietly left the room so Aoshi could think on his own. Sure their relationship had problems…well problems with Minako's father, but he also had problems with Misao.

And strangely enough, the problems were caused by Mr. N.

It seemed as though this Mr. N was the center of a lot of people's problems. And later during that night, his wrath would spread to yet another victim.

'As long as he'll never touch Misao…' Soujiro thought, 'I won't kill him.'

End.

Yes, yes…hello. This one's really short. LONG TIME NO SEE! And THAT'S what I call a major writer's block. How long has it been? Well I can't say that I'm super fresh of ideas but they're putting along smoothly. Sorry if there are a whole bunch of mistakes.

Um, since I picked this up so much later, I feel like this story is running on a totally different track, but that was why I got kind of bored of the story before. But now it's different! And so is my name! In case you didn't notice. Ah anyways, I don't feel like writing that much, amazingly enough so I'll see you guys later.

RnaiLAUG!