Author's note: O.o What does this chapter title means? Any guess? Well read on blah blah lol
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)Arashi---Storm(
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- Charmed Wolf - Well, magic or not (which I still thin you are :D), thank you for all your encouragements :D x 7 Look out for unexpected attacks of ':D's in the future muwfufufufu (grins)
-Yuki - oh you. Get over it (sniffs) right, I'll give you time. Tissue?
-Mitsuki- er...maybe? That was my fav song from that anime too. Thanks!
-Da Weasel Girl - grins thanks! squeals in joy under the commentDon't worry, Aoshi-sama is coming!
-hitokiriShinta - Thanks! I personally love that song (top 10 O.o)! Here's chapter 7!
-Yami-neko - I'm glad you like it.The idea of 'Hebigane' just pops in out of nowhere (the miracles of vacation(?))
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Disclaimer: Look at the previous cha…….fine fine. I don't own RK, but the Kageyuki family is MINE. AND the smiling rurouni's companion. Oh, right, I don't own 'Time after Time' either by Mai Kuraki. T T
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Chapter 7 A Smiling Rurouni
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"And then? What happened to Misao nee-chan?" Kayko asked excitedly, not a bit tired even though it was late at night.
Misao smiled faintly, "Are you sure you don't want to sleep? The story still had quite a bit to go."
Kayko shook her head hastily, "Nn. Yada. Kayko is all ears! Misao-nee-chan no kagoi! Suge! Look! Kayko can use Futata no Kinami too!" She did her best to pronounce the difficult name and executed a cute little punch forward.
Misao chuckled, and it was infectious so the whole family laughed, including Kayko. Misao remembered the times when she was young that she tried doing those complex kenpo moves, and blew it; but Hannya-kun was always there to catch her, and under the watchful eyes of Aoshi-sama.
She took a deep breath, "very well…I shall continue. Is that okay with you all?"
The Kageyuki family all nodded, though Kurosuke glanced at Misao, wondering at her identity.
Misao smiled lightly again; sooner or later, she would have to tell them who she was, but not yet. She must finish the last part of her story, as it was most difficult for her.
"Alright then. After wandering around for almost half a year, as Misao had helped an old man…and her life had taken yet another drastic change…"
"Thank you, young man," an old man curtsied to a cloaked figure wearing a large straw hat.
The stranger's face was shadowed by the hat, but a smile was seen beneath.
"May I get you something? Anything? To repay you for getting my money back from that rascal," the old man, whose name was Hachi, was really relieved and grateful. His hard-earned saving had been so casually swiped away by a smoking young punk. He and his gang surrounded the helpless old man, pushing him around and daring him to call the police.
But then, this cloaked figure had appeared out of nowhere, and something shiny flashed under that fabric. Almost instantly, all of the gangsters collapsed. At first, Hachi thought they were dead, but, but no blood, no open wounds were seen; it was merely as though they were sleeping.
"It was fine really, oji-san," the man's voice was rather female-like. Hachi furrowed his brow in confusion. Surely, someone this powerful is a man?
"Then, at least, tell me your name?"
The mysterious man dipped his hat and looked up. Though his hair was cut short like a man's he had a surprisingly pretty face. Iie, Hachi realized, she is actually a beautiful woman! And a strong one too at that. With a headband, one would mistake her for a simply feminine-looking man.
She smiled kindly, "Call me Arashi no Aoi."
An amused chuckle resonated in the shadows. Bright yellow eyes glinted with mild surprise. "Well, that was pleasant. So you ARE the famous Arashi no Aoi, Weasel."
Misao walked through the streets of Sendai, the imagery fairly difficult to be seen under that broad, heavy hat. She was used to the cloak, rather, and the hat was good at covering her face.
Wandering around the northern half of Honshuu for almost half-a year did great help to her persona, as she had almost reverted to her carefree self. She thought about Aoshi-sama from time to time, of course, but now she did it without that weeping type of grief; she thought about him with longing, love, and gratitude, instead .He wouldn't want her to waste her life away, would he? However, going back to either Kyoto or Tokyo was out of question; going back there would be admitting Aoshi-sama is….gone, and she wasn't sure she was quite ready yet to face that inevitable fact. Somehow, just a little, she still clung on to the hope that, perhaps, just maybe, Aoshi-sama is still alive somewhere, and under some special circumstances, he couldn't return to either of the two mentioned cities. Logic was saying otherwise, but she trusts her heart. Until then, she would continue her path of 'salvation', as Anji would have called it.
She was getting quite a bit famous, though; under the alias of 'Arashi no Aoi', her free lend of hand was spread from villages to villages. Some would recognize her, as a him, while others would realize who she was after telling them her alias. Not a lot knew she was a girl, though; most of the time, her cloak and hat were good enough cover for her.
She worked from time to time, as bodyguards, and got a fairly rich sum of money in return. Unless her employer was rich, she wouldn't ask for money from the poor. The money she got occasionally was enough to fill her stomach, with a little bit left for self-spending. One time she saw a headband, the same color as Kamatari's old one, and she got nostalgic, and so she ended up buying it, to tie back her bangs. At other times, she would simply give the poor some money, and asked for a roof to sleep under in return.
However, the helping often led to quarrels and duels with local goons. It was always a cycle like this – she beat them unconscious fast, and she wandered on; then they would follow her and join up with the gangsters of the village she was in, and she would beat them all up again, and the cycle repeats. That is, she got a bigger mob after each time, like now.
Misao sighed almost exasperatedly, glancing blandly at the angry, spitting ruffians before her. Man those thugs never learn, do they? Wonder how they get the money to travel village from village? Steal it, probably.
"You won't get way this time, you so called 'arashi'! Oooo, I am trembling in fear! I ain't afraid of no storms! Let's see how you handle me guns!" roared the typical bad-guy leader type of, well, bad villain.
At the mention of guns, Misao's senses perked up, her left fist clenching with anticipation. With the Hebigane, her left fist's damage of Futae no Kiwami was considerably weaker than her right, which was way too powerful and can kill people heedlessly. Therefore, she often uses her left to create showers of dust to block guns, without having to worry the attack waves to hit those hooligans. Evil as they are, they don't deserve to die.
She rarely uses Futae no kiwami, even though her maximum is four shots; each time, even her left, the technique hurt her too much in risks facing too many enemies with guns.
They leave me with no choice, then, Misao thought grimly, facing the odds of about fifty thugs.
A huge hawk swooped down suddenly, its sharp talons digging into the hands of the leader, causing him to bawl in pain and drop the rifle. A flash of blue dashed in between the ranks of the mob, knocking them down one by one.
The speed was so fast that Misao barely felt him coming, taking her hands and drag her away to safety.
When she snapped back tout of her reverie, she was already in the forest, with a grinning stranger clad in ragged blue gi.
"Are you okay, sir?" the man had a rather boyish voice, his large upside-down-U-shaped eyes and splitting smile was all too familiar to her.
The grinning boy in blue, stood in a battoujutsu stance, his eyes held lack of emotion and he smiled almost tauntingly at Himura Kenshin, both ready to draw their sword……
"Ten…Tenken no Soujiro!" Misao could only stare, sputtering the name out.
The former right-hand of Shishio Makoto froze, eyes widening in alarm. He was still that boyish samurai, though he was slightly taller and his hair hung in a high pony-tail, just like Aoshi-sama's when he was fifteen.
"Ano….do I know you?" Seta Soujiro was confused and half afraid. He had no qualms against repenting his sins in jail, but he would like to find his answers first as a rurouni.
Misao paused. According to Himura, the former Tenken had turned over a new leaf, wandering as a rurouni, seeking answers to his doubts, just as Himura had done after the Bakumatsu. Just like what she herself is doing. SO he doesn't remember me…heck, I bet he thought I am a man the way I am dressed. After all, when I saw him, I was just a nobody standing in the way. He doesn't seem to like the fact I know his name, and he doesn't seem bad at all, that he just 'helped me'. (definitely not 'saved' me) I'll find out, then.
'Tenken no Soujiro, former right-hand man of Shishio Makoto, strongest of the Juppongatana. After the death of the mastermind, Seta Soujiro disappeared without a trace, the only clue of his whereabouts is the fact he became a rurouni in search of his answers. Am I correct, Tenken?" Misao tried to keep her voice as husky as possible, so that she sounded like a guy.
Soujiro tensed, his hand an inch away from his katana. "What if I am…?"
Honestly, Misao didn't think about that. It should be no harm to let him know who I am, is there? Maybe I can get out this alive.
Before she could reply, the same hawk swooped down, taking Misao completely by surprise. The sharp talons tore her headband and she tottered forward, unbalanced. With a loud shriek (much to her shame), Misao lost her fight against gravity, and fell face first onto the ground.
"Ah, yamerou, Takamaru! I think he means no harm, I think. Wait, he?" Soujiro called out to the hawk, and the huge beast of sky landed gracefully on hi shoulder.
He stared into angry blue eyes glaring back at his own. Soujiro was genuinely shocked that he was actually a she, and the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, excluding Yumi nee-san. Sure, this 'most beautiful girl' is covered in dirt, thanks to Takamaru, but she emitted a special aura that was both soothing and peaceful somehow despite of her current anger, a feeling which he desperately sought to help him ease his confused mind, just like the way Yumi nee-san calmed him by stroking his hair.
On the other hand, Misao was fuming inwardly. Screw Tenken. Screw the fact he could probably kill her in a matter of second Hell, he is going to PAY for her favorite headband, which reminded her of Kamatari other than the Hebigane.
"Well? Are you going to pay for it or not?" she growled furiously, and Soujiro indistinctively knew this rather dangerous voice from somewhere.
"If you want to observe, do it publicly, not like filthy little rats hiding behind," Saito Hajime remarked wryly, pulling open the shoji door behind him. Two figures fell out, complainingly loudly. One was a boy from the Shingetsu village; the other one was a girl with a really long braid wearing rather provocative, indecent clothing, her eyes spirited and challenging, her furious voice protesting to the wolf…….
"Er, are you…the girl that followed Himura-san in the Shingetsu village…?" Soujiro scratched the back of his head, slightly nervous at the mention of the word 'paying'. Wandering as a rurouni made him flat broke. How did Himura-san survive for ten years?
Wow, he has good memory, despite the fact I was the so called 'weak' in his dictionary. She stood up proudly, crossing her arms warily, "Yeah, that's right. Name's Makimachi Misao, oka….former Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu, and whether you like it or not, you are PAYING for my headband, got it?"
Soujiro backed away slightly, his hands up defensively. His grin was uneasy now, "Ano…I don't have any money on me…"
Misao growled again, marching up to the very nervous Tenken. With slight disdain, she found herself somewhat shorter than him. This only added to her utter annoyance with him, his stiff smile not doing any help to the matter.
"Your pet got it all messed up for no reason, and you are getting me a new one," her voice was deadly quiet now. And both Soujiro and Takamaru gulped in fear. So this is how it feels to be …terrified? The emotion 'fear' had been locked away for so long that he can only vaguely remembered how it feels.
Upon this situation, Misao was vaguely reminded of how similar it is to the time she first met Himura. She frowned irritably. Does this happen with every rurouni? They break one of your dearest possession and they had no money to pay for it. Then they try to get away with it by smiling….Argh!
"Er, Misao-san…is there anyway to pay you back, not in a materialistic way?"
Misao paused, recalling how effectively fast katana techniques are against guns. She glanced at her kodachis, and an idea formed in her mind.
"I want you to teach me how to use a katana."
It was interesting, how time really does pass quickly when you were training for something. During all this time, Misao got to know Soujiro a little better, and she was no longer suspicious of him.
Although, he still didn't open up to her, of his past, under that façade of his signature grin. Misao was sure that, in time, he would surely do so himself, willingly, because otherwise it would be useless.
To her, Soujiro was like another puzzle for her, just like the puzzle Aoshi-sama was. Aoshi-sama is ice, and Soujiro is like a hollow cave; emotions echoed in the vast cavern, hidden feelings escaped through crevices, wrong steps would cause the structure to collapse, and it might even be a beast's dark lair.
Soujiro didn't mention anything related to his past, or his time with the Juppongatana. The only thing she knew about him was how he used to live by the rule of 'The strong survives, and the weak dies' and now wanted to find the truth, according to Himura.
Takamaru is a very trustworthy companion once you got to know it. Soujiro told her that he first met it as a little chick when he first embarked upon a journey to find his answers. Takamaru, it could be said, was the first weak being he met. The old Soujiro wouldn't even glance at the injured chick squirming on the muddy road; he would have killed it right away, according to the rule of 'The strong survives. The weak dies'. But, as it was, Soujiro had picked the little fledgling up and nursed it back to health. It was the first being he had cared for, defying the rule that had been with him through out his entire life.
Time went by and the chick grew up into a fine hawk, a great helper in battles as Soujiro had trained it. Its ability to observe in the sky often helped him to get 'unlost'. Takamaru had a strong sense of loyalty to the boy that saved its life, and would not hesitate to protect its master at the slightest sign of danger, just like when it assaulted Misao back then, because Soujiro's scent had fear in it.
Soujiro had learned the value of true friendship. Perhaps, I will show him how to cherish a human-comrade friendship, too. Misao thought, and to see the boy underneathe that mask of indifference. To think he was actually the strongest, or probably still is, of the Juppongatana, someone who surpassed Kama-san... She reached her hand out to the hawk, motioning it to come closer. Gotta use this time well...it's a break from training after all.
Soujiro, on the other side of her, was doing a few bit of wondering himself. He was proud to have a nakama like Taka-chan, as it is both gentle and ferocious, caring and stubborn too.
But, no one but me could ever go near Taka-chan. Even the ones it had saved could not do so. So why can SHE even tickle it so intimately, as if she had known it all her life? She was rather peeved at Taka-chan at first, that she was. Huh? I'm even thinking like Himura-san.Soujiro mind worked furiously on his new found discovery, looking at a laughing Misao patting Takamaru, the hawk screeching lightly in delight; had it been a cat, it would be purring.
Misao. She is a mystery. She is so full of life, happiness, anger and sadness all packed in her small frame, sometimes catching him off in surprise, which rarely happens.
Not once had Soujiro smiled genuinely. Sure, anyone lacking in the skill of observation could not see pass his mask, but misao is experienced; after all, she had grown up with an icicle during her childhood. Soujiro, while not an icicle, is just plainnothingness - all of his smiles were empty, and that has sometimes earned him angry Kecho kicks from a frustrated weasel. Soujiro cannot bring himself to do so; he had never been happy, so how could he smile with that emotion if he doesn't know how it feels? As he struggled to find his answers to what is right, he had often seen such feeling between family, friends or just plain strangers with strangers. He helped people from crying kids to fragile elders. Their gratitude made him feel good, but not enough to lay the flames in his confused heart.
But Misao had changed that; with her, he felt peace and content, just to enjoy her presence besides him. He was beginning to grasp how 'joy' is like. Of course, there are a few exceptions, like today.
"Mi-chan. You forgot your proper grip on the hilt again," Soujiro suppressed a groan as he corrected her. How many times had he told her that a katana is NOT a kunai? He had good patience, but weeks of saying the same thing was beginning to irk him.
Misao growled irritably. She had used abokken long ago when sparring with Aoshi-sama, but all these yeaars of fighting with fists and unais had made her fingers a bit stiff. She growled again.Sure, she liked the way he called her Mi-chan, which was a whole new nickname she has ever heard besides anything related to 'weasel'. However, throwing a cute nickname in the midst of concentration and scolding (telling her that something she does is WRONG) is not a smart combination at all. Not good at all.
"I know! How can you expect me to memorize so fast when I had only been using kunais as my weapon through out my entire life, you grinning idiot?" She growled, knowing that her remark would at least bring irritation to the young man's eyes. A change was what she hoped for, different from the normal, monotony 'happy'' mood.
Soujiro felt his eye twitch in annoyance. So, no 'Sou-chan' today, huh. Well, he would get back at her.
He moved behind Misao in his shukuchi speed, and she let out a startled yelp when she felt hands covering hers on the hilt of Aoshi-sama's kodachi. (She's been using it for practice since they are both too poor to buy even a shinai. When the kodachis are in its long sheathe they act like a katana.)
"Now, look at my hand closely. See, how they grip the hilt, Mi-chan?" Soujiro instructed her slowly, patiently, guiding her fingers in the correct position. She has such small fingers. Well, I'll be nice for now and not tickle her. (It was pureply accident that he discovered her being ticklish, and he sure used it to his full advantage whenever the time calls for it)
Misao was only half-listening; his warm breath tickled her neck and she felt herself heat up in his half-embrace, nervous. She was never uncomfortable near a guy, so why now? Her heart pounded fast against her ribs.
"Uh, Sou-chan? Let's take a break, ne? I want to go to the river, to wash my face a bit…it's so hot today!" Misao pat herself on the back inwardly when she managed to mask the tremor in her voice.
Soujiro was completely unaware of what was on her mind; he was only dancing in victory in his mind that Misao had at last held the sword properly and that she had called him Sou-chan again.He agreed and he sat against a tree while Misao left hurriedly to the river.
He was just getting snuggly against his temporary bed when he heard a beautiful voice.
If I had been able to meet you
I wouldn't have let go of you ever again
The hanamidou 1
Tells of the end of spring
One petal from this misty flower...
He blinked, getting up from his comfy spot slowly.
And an old song floats back
Gently, even now, into my heart
Time after time
The miracle of meeting you
In a city where the wind whispered through
We walked a path through the hills hand in hand
And made an unforgettable promise
He followed in the direction of the song, mesmerized.
I can hear your voice in the wind
The thin ice freezes back over 2
Long ago memories
Not knowing to be afraid of hurt, I swore
That someday, we'd meet again
Here, in a season of pale crimson
With smiles on our faces
Time after time
Alone in the city of whirling blossoms
Can't return to when things were fine 3
In this very same place, just like on that day
With my face strewn with tears, I waited for you
There is so much sadness in the voice…quiet but beautiful. Soujiro felt his heart clench in sympathizing grief. Takamaru landed soflt besides him, ruffling his feathers slightly.
Those petals fly in the whirling wind
As if stroking the water's surface
In my anguish, I treasure each and every one...
Everyone says that they're lonely
That they have to keep searching
For someone
But all they end up chasing after
Are the fleeting and fragile
Time after time
If I could have met you in the city of changing hues
I wouldn't need any more promises
More than anyone else
You are so easy to hurt
I want to be with you--this time, forever.
As the song ended, Soujiro arrived at the river bank, where Misao perched over the rock bed, water glistening on her sleek hair. She seemed to be radiating under the sunlight, giving her an ethereal glow.
Breathtaking…… simply beautiful. Soujiro thought in a daze, just content gazing at the ninja girl.
"You have a wonderful voice, Mi-chan," he remarked gently, not to frighten her.
"……You heard it?" She blushed slightly at his comment. She was just thinking about Aoshi-sama, and decided to sing her feelings in a song she had heard during her travels. She didn't realize she had sing it aloud. Only a few people had ever heard her sing before, as she was too embarrassed. That's right, Misao the renowned weasel has stage fright.
"You have the talent, Mi-chan……please, do sing it again," he sat down against a tree and closed his eyes in bliss, smiling.
Misao looked at him, astounded, but she smiled in delight. Sou-chan has finally smiled, for real, too. She felt extremely proud, just like whenever she had managed to make Aoshi-sama smile.
She sat down and leaned against another tree, singing softly, birds chirping in harmony with the tune. The hawk curled up besides her, sleeping, relaxed. For a brief moment, she fancied that she saw the clouds smiling, too.
"Yaada! I did it! How do you like that now, Sou-chan?" Misao flew through the air with her Demon Bird Kick of Joy.
Soujiro sprawled twirly-eyed on the ground, his backside aching.
First time. It was the first time someone ever got him on the back, besides Shishio-sama. Misao is a scary learner; once she knew the proper method, she would hit the nail right away. Though nothing to be compared to shukuchi, her speed is amazingly fast that probably only himself orones like Kenshin could surpass her. It was also amazing to see Anji-san's Futae no Kiwami. Makimachi Misaotruely is a girl full of surprises.
He rubbed his sore back in pain, slightly shocked at how much it hurts to just be hit by the sheathe of a sword. Whenever he was hit, or when he remembered, it was blade, club or punch and kick. He was rather impressed by her strength, seeing it impossible to come from such tiny hands and slim arm.
But looking at her exhilarated glow, Soujiro couldn't help but laugh along with her.
"Congrats, Mi-chan. You've finally mastered the essential katana-use," he shook and gripped her hand hard, a little determined to get revenge for his bending back. Well, at least he thought it must be due to the agony there is.
"Mou, you don't have to add 'finally', Sou-chan!" Misao whacks him on the head playfully. Playfully. That is something Soujiro is trying to get used to as it hadn't occur with him before he met Misao. Soujiro stumbled forward again and almost fell. Well, so much for his revenge.
Misao was way passed the point of pleased; she was hyper. Not only can she use a katana as well as any other samurais ("Too bad, Yahiko," she smirked), she had also gotten her high spirit back, the bouncy, genki self. She is finally the Misao she was.
Soujiro smiled sadly. Now, he had finally repaid her for the long forgotten headband (just like the cloak Kenshin destroyed), she would leave him. And he would be alone again. Losing the sense of peace. Losing his hope. Losing his answer.
"Arigatou, Sou-chan! Hontou! It's all because of you!" She was ecstatic, and she leapt at a very stunned rurouni, and they fell backwards.
Now, if he had known the Misao before she left Kyoto, he wouldn't be surprised, as it was her way to express her joy sometimes. But he is Soujiro; he is clueless, lacking in this kind of department.
He felt his face heat up at her warmth, and he thought his limbs were paralyzed under the shock. A girl hugging me? ME? What do I do? Hugher back? Pat her? Kiss her...BAD THOUGHTS. Object. I can't feel my arms. Hmm, she has such warm and soft chest… BAD BAD BAD perv BAD THOUGHTS SOUJIRO! Where did you get this kind out thoughts? You've been around those geishas too much!I'd have to stay away from them, even though I saved them in the first place...sigh...I am experienceless...Have I ever hugged anyone before? Of course, not. I don't have any one to hug before.Why am I so…'happy' in her hug?
Before he could analyze his feelings, Misao jumped off him a little guiltily. From her perspective, Soujiro looked like he had been poisoned, gagged and cooked. As he had…bad thoughts, Soujiro looked like being tortured. Misao wondered at her friend's sanity.
"Ne, Sou-chan, daijoubu?" Misao asked, Takamaru landing besides her in concern.
He stared into her shining turquoise eyes, and tried to swallow the lump lodged in his throat, "ye…yeah."
She blinked, baffled. She extended her hand, "Ne, Sou-chan, do you wan to travel together? Since we have almost the same goal, you know."
Soujiro was again surprised. He looked at his hand in wonder. Kenshin voice echoed in his head. The true answer comes not by fighting, but by living your life, as you atone for your sins. He looked up at Misao's gentle, serene, happy face. My answers……
He took her hand and she helped him up. He grinned, 'happily'.
"Sure."
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End of Chapter 7 A Smiling Rurouni
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Ta-da! Sou-chan to the scene! Oro? What's this? They seemed to be attracted to each other? WT? As you would say "Isn't this an AM story? WTF?" Well, I would answer , "Why don't you find out by REVIEWING and wait for the next chapter?"(seriously, it'sAM story...why don't you look at the summary of the story)
(OMG a new way to threaten people) (sweatdrop)
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(Sorry about the Aoshi-less action. You'll see.)
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The happiness is at its peak. Just when you start to enjoy the sense of peace, and let your guard down. From a certain point forward, it is going to drop...with a noticeable, heart-stopping thud.(A rather ominous preview…… :)
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-Kaco-