Author: thanks for all the reviews!
Charmed Wolf – Thanks for the encouragement! You're right, it does help :)
Yuki – Didn't know you know my story -gasp- oh well. Thanks Yuki-chan!
gabyhyatt - thanks! -grins happily-
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-(Again, please pardon any format mistakes. Still trying to figure out how to make it look, well, normal.)
(Any plot changes different from the manga/anime are for the sake of the plot.) You have been warned.
-Disclaimer: I. Do. Not. Own. RK. T-T don't make me repeat it.
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Chapter 1 Crushing News
"Oi, what do you think you're doing?" yelled Sanosuke, trying his best to support Kenshin, while Saito looked at them with narrowed wolf eyes. Saito caught the long sheathe Aoshi threw at him, baffled at the other man's actions, wondering why he gave him, the wolf of Mibu, his precious kodachis.
"………tell my regards to the Oniwabanshuu. I am sorry for everything……the weapon…is not mine to keep……do whatever you will with it……" said Aoshi, turning his back on them, his icy blue eyes staring into nothingness, ready to greet his fate, and reunite with his dead comrades. Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijo, Hannya……I am going to join you, like what I should have done in the first place……instead of going after Battousai and almost killing Okina. I would not greet you with his blood stained on my kodachis, minna……. And, Misao, I……
"Bakayarou! Kenshin's already promised that Weasel he would bring you back! What are you doing, breaking that promise!" hollered Sano angrily, and Saito told him in his trademark calm voice, which irritated Sano endlessly, "Ahou, can't you see the bridge is split in half? Or has idiocy taken your sight as well? There's a gaping hole in the middle, just like the one you obviously have in your brain."
Before Sano could make a retort, an immense explosion went off with the collapsing building in front of their eyes, consumed in a raging inferno, covering the other half of the bridge completely.
"…… ?" Sano could gasp, gawking at the spot Aoshi was standing only a few moments ago. Saito sighed exasperatedly and pulled him towards the escape route.
"Stop lounging about and get moving! You are only going to get blasted too. I am sure Raccoon girl wouldn't want that?" Saito remarked wryly as he dashed through hallways, dragging a dazed Sano and unconscious former-hitokiri with him, as much as he wanted to just leave them there. We should be out in a while, according to this blue imprint of the structure…
Sano had forgotten all about his rage towards the former Shinsengumi third squad leader. Only one thought ran through his mind, the weasel's going to be crushed……Kenshin did not know the promise he worked so hard to keep is all in vain……
"Excuse me? We have arrested the intruders. So you can go to the police hospital now," said a police officer kindly, looking around at the battered members of Oniwabanshuu and Kenshin-gumi, especially at the destroyed remains of the Aoiya.
"Hmm? There really isn't anything wrong with me. See?" Okina replied, lifting his heavily bandaged arm.
The officer smiled nervously, "Well, the others seemed to be injured pretty badly……it is better if they get treatment right away…"
Misao cut him off, defiant, "No way. We are waiting for our friends. We cannot afford to move from this spot until they come back!" She put her hands on her hips, gazing at the officer as if daring him to speak otherwise.
"He will come back. Kenshin's definitely going to come back! Ugh…" groaned Yahiko, lying on his stomach as Kaoru looked at him worriedly. "You shouldn't move, Yahiko! The gash on your back is serious!"
"Well, well, look how faithful my baka-deshi's followers are," commented Hiko Seijuro calmly, taking a sip from his sake bottle.
Misao glared at him, nonplussed, "How can you be so relaxed?"
Hiko glanced at the bristling weasel and replied confidently, "Even if he is a baka-deshi, he is still the apprentice of Hiko Seijuro. There is no way he could die off easily." He turned around to look at Misao, "The same can be said for the guy you are waiting for, right?"
Misao was a little taken aback, but smiled slightly. That's right … Hannya-kun said so… that Aoshi-sama is coming back. Himura promised… Aoshi-sama will return…
"See they're coming," said Hiko, pointing to the three figured walking towards them in a steady pace.
Despite of his injury, Yahiko got up and ran after Kaoru, towards a grinning Sano, supporting a bloody Kenshin. Saito lighted up his cigarette in amusement as he watched the raccoon fussing over them, and Yahiko's excited voice.
Misao ran to them, happy to see that Himura, though wounded, was still breathing steadily. A sudden chill assaulted her body as she got closer, her steps gradually came to a stop. She felt numb, her heart pounding against her broken ribs, making it more painful. Where is Aoshi-sama……?
"We need to get you two fixed immediately!" Kaoru purposely left out Saito, who pretended to look hurt with a mock gesture, putting his hand over his heart. Kaoru ignored the wolf as she continued, "I'll write a letter to Megumi-san right now. Let's go to the Shirobeko for now."
Sano grinned teasingly, "The fox? Are you sure about that, jou-chan?" Kaoru hit him playfully, causing the ex-gangster to grunt in pain.
"Ano……I know you are injured and tired but…where is Aoshi-sama?" asked Misao quietly, her boldness and bounciness disappeared, her tone grave.
Sano looked at the girl uneasily, her large, expectant eyes hurting him more than his wounds. What am I going to tell her? How can anyone say it to her face?
Upon Misao's question, the rest of the Oniwabanshuu crowded around them; even Yahiko and Kaoru turned to look at Sano after putting Kenshin on a stretcher. Saito, crossed his arms, partially amused and partially feeling sorry for the girl he so 'fondly' dubbed weasel. Won't be one anymore after this…..thought Saito as he puffed out a ring of smoke.
The silence continued as Sano lipped his dry lips, attempting to prolong his answer. Misao shifted apprehensively, a growing sense of dread gripping her heart, making it difficult to breathe.
She grabbed Sano's collar, pulling him close and also careful not to hurt him further. "Where, is, Aoshi-sama?" Misao repeated slowly, pronouncing each word as if teaching a toddler new words.
Sano exhaled heavily, diverting his gaze, using his shuddering arm to pry away Misao's clammy fingers. "I……" he swallowed, trying say something. Anything.
Misao couldn't take it anymore; she shouted frantically, "What's with the silence, Rooster-head? Why aren't you saying anything? WHERE IS AOSHI-SAMA?"
"Can't you tell that ahou doesn't want to tell you, Weasel?" Saito stepped closer, casually blocking a frenzy punch from the girl.
He stared down at her, and said with all the amount of pity he had (which wasn't much), "Battousai had defeated Shinomori,waking himup to present as the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu. During the fight with Makoto Shishio, Battousai was out for awhile, and that rooster and I attempted," Saito squeezed disgust at that word, "to buy Battousai sometime. (Although, he was seriously going to bring Shishio down, but they don't have to know that) Naturally, so did Shinomori. Most of the wounds you see on us were inflicted at that time, Shinomori the most. But that was enough for the Battousai to get back on his feet, finishing Shishio off, just as that scum burned all by himself. Apparently, his death was too much for one of his lackey, and he set the whole place up in fire. Shinomori was rather slow at escaping, until he stopped at the bridge connecting the fighting arena to the rest of the hideout. A sudden fire blasted through the middle of the bridge, separating us from him." Saito raised his eyebrow suggestively, and Sano caught his hint to continue.
"Then, he told me……to send his apologies to the Oniwabanshuu, for everything………and…," Sano's voice cracked, his throat constricting painfully as he looked at Misao's deathly white face. Sano swallowed again, getting rid of the lump that clogged his throat. He whispered sadly, "Shinomori Aoshi is dead……the whole place exploded...there was no way he could make it to the other side without that bridge……I am sorry."
Kaoru gasped, along with the other members of the Oniwbanshuu, and they threw sympathizing glances at the quiet ninja girl. No movement, no sound, Misao just stood there, staring blankly at Sano, trying to process the information in her head.
Misao-sama…Misao-sama……Aoshi-sama is going to come back…… please wait for him… wait for him… Hannya had told her that as she almost passed out during the fight with Kamatari the Great Scythe.
Aoshi had not taken to the path of chaos yet, Okina-dono, or you would be in the grave already. I am sure that he, subconsciously, lowered the strength of the Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren. He has not abandon everything yet. I believe in his heart de gozaru. The place for Aoshi's rest is not in death, but right here, in the Aoiya. I will bring Aoshi back. Himura had promised. Himura Kenshin doesn't lie. He had promised.
The same could be said for the guy you are waiting for, right? Hiko Seijuro's words had reassured her. It sounded so convincing, so sure, and had given her hope. The master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu could not be wrong. She had seen his strength. He could not be wrong. Yet…
Shinomori Aoshi is dead…… Shinomori Aoshi is dead……dead…… dead… Sanos' voice echoed in her mind like a broken doll. Aoshi-sama…is dead? The Aoshi-sama?
Suddenly she saw one of the most precious memory she held, one she treasured above all others, flashing tauntingly.
A 10-year-oldMisao bouncing up and down in a 20-year-old Aoshi's lap. He smiled lightly, which meant volumes for his usually expressionless exterior. "Ne? Aoshi-sama? We'll be together forever, ne? Zutto…," grinned the little Misao like a Cheshire cat.
Aoshi ruffed her hair gently, pausing and replied slowly, "Aa…." Misao's face lit up and she jumped, giving a surprised Aoshi the tightest hug she could muster. "Daisuki, Aoshi-sama!" squealed Misao happily, and he hugged her back uncertainly.
Okina stood at the background smiling sadly at the two, and Okon and Omasu were wiping away something on their faces. Whether it was because of tears or fake ones Misao never knew, for she was too happy surrounded by her dearest Aoshi-sama's warmth. Hannya and the others stood to the side, looking guilty and depressed. Misao never saw the dejected look flickered on Aoshi's face. She had only wondered why Jiya looked down.
She knew why the next day. It was the very next day Aoshi-sama and Hannya-tachi left.
She remembered the days she cried and cried, not understanding why Aoshi-sama had broken his promise. She believed in him, and always will. As she grew up, she started to accept his reasons. He cared for his comrades, who she loved dearly too, and left her for their sake, including hers. However, she had not forgotten his broken promise. Why had he promised her if he wasn't going to keep it? Why would anybody make promises without the ability to fulfill it? Why?
You lied, Hannya-kun. You lied, Himura. I trusted you, I believed you. Aoshi-sama isn't coming back…he did not return……you lied…
Misao put her hands on each side of her head, and let out a wail of anguish, echoing in thestifling night. Such wretched sound wasforever engraved in those who knew her. She collapsed, vaguely hearing her friends' concerned voices as darkness took over, giving her a sense of peace and comfort she desperately needed.
It was the last they saw of the weasel girl they knew and loved.Only abroken, bitter shell was left behind.
He opened his eyes and closed them again at the bright light shining down. He felt sore all over, dried blood making an uncomfortable paste on his limbs and torso. He groaned as he sat up sluggishly, putting a hand against his pounding temple. He looked around, finding himself on the shore of a river with clusters of singed debris floating like carcasses.
He wondered why he was here. A sudden terror gripped him as her looked at his hands in dismay.
Who am I?
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End of chapter 1 Crushing News.
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Translations:
Zutto, forever
Kodachi, sword between the length of a katana and a tonto.
Baka deshi, stupid apprentice.
Daisuki, love you or really like you
Minna, everyone
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What do you think of this chapter? Who's the man in the end? -Giving everyone a knowing look- This chapter is basically explaining what had happened, and also Misao's reflections on the 'promises'.
PLEASE REVIEW! sweatdrop
-Kaco-