Author: (gawk) Wow……50 plus reviews…… as an author, I am more than exhilarated! (sweatdrop) (hides away from onslaught of angry readers) Er, I apologize for not updating. I know the excuse of school isn't good enough, but...well… I do realize how horrible writer's block is now…… Anyways, this chapter is both a side-story and not. It is up to you to decide. Alright, Aoshi-sama's past revealed! So, warning, that he will be totally OOC until the end. (I didn't edit nor proofread... pardon mistakes !)
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Thank you for all your patience!
-Charmed Wolf - I am very sorry to keep you waiting T.T ;D hope you like this chappie too!
-Yuki - Well, I am sure you understand so...yeah...
- Becky - YES! We have come to an agreement about school lol
- Kurai Uta - Ah, Shakespeare...it's all Romeo and Juliet in my school (blink)
-Mitsuki - you might need a box of tissu for this one (runs away)
-Da Weasel Girl -can't promise sunny chappies (oops)
-Sou-chan Daisuki - well, I AM a sadistic person '.' Hahahaha (sarcastic laugh) lol
-Yami-neko- i am glad to hear that! Thankies!
-Passerby Strikes Back- er...not realy updating frequently now am I?
-Yuzu orange - (tears sniff) thanks for that compliment! (ego expanded considerably)(sweatdrop) Here's chapter 9, enjoy!
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Disclaimer: Since it's a memory lane(well...), I don't need to say……fine, RK ain't mine.
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Chapter 9 Grave of Ice
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No thunderstorm could ever precede the one rampant, obliterating those insignificant matters so casually, the one currently holding the whole Kyuushuu under siege. It was said that the weather reflected upon the ancient, dormant wyvern's heart; the wyvern feels all the sorrows of bitterness, stabs of betrayals and smoldering hatred of revenge. As the emotions gather, the wyvern would grant the land below the clouds its tears, offering solace, to cleanse those grieving. Lightning is merely its guide for the right path within the darkness, amidst the rain and mists. Thunder is its roar to warn those smothered within chaos and bloodlust. And today, the thunderstorm is especially more vicious, disquieting and distressing, for a particular reason.
Within a fog that kindly welcomes any refugees, a young girl was seen scampering through the forests almost blindly, breathing hitching as if escaping from something. She looked no more than twelve, though her feet and fingers were callused of cruel labor, bruises spreading here and there, not to mention dreadful scars that can be seen through her soaked yukata. Sharp branches slashed at her legs, broken stumps threatened to trip her, but she seemed oblivious to all; she was concerned about was the bundle in her arms, her ragged sleeves covering protectively against the rain and twigs.
Blood was slowly washed away from a vivid gash across her nose, but the diluted drops never made it to the bundle, as she had made certain of. Dark bangs covered her swollen cheeks, her long hair half plastering to her clothes and half sweeping against the wind. While usually it was gentle and soothing, the gales today buffeted her mercilessly, forces so strong that she had to fight to keep on running.
Soon, she came to a clearing; a tattered but still standing hut never looked so welcoming before her. Hastily, she summoned up the last of her strength and tackled the door open with a resounding crash, even more so than the cackling thunder in the distance.
Her knees hit the floor, fatigued with everything, but she strained and hobbled to the thankfully still attached door, and the wind acted like a vacuum, sucking the door shut with a rather frightening slam.
She then tottered up to a torn futon n the floor, setting the bundle down carefully. She shuffled across the damp floor, and managed to light up a fire at the fireplace. The whole place seemed to warm up considerably, and she shuddered in her thin, torn yukata.
The brightly burning flame was reflected upon her beautiful ice blue eyes, which was very unusual for her people. She grunted in a pain when she moved towards the bundle, but she resolutely ignored the screaming protests of her injuries.
Ever so slowly, she lifted the bundle up, quickly exchanging the covering fabric with the dry futon.
She stared down at a quietly sleeping face of a baby, her gaze soft and loving. She hugged him affectionately, but kept in mind not to disturb his sleep.
She glanced outside the window, her eyes filled with dismay and forlorn anguish. She lay down on the only carpet in the hut, doing her best to snuggle comfortably while keeping in mind of her wounds. She shivered again and pulled a large piece of rag over her like a blanket, but the large futon, she made sure, was wrapped around the baby to shield him from the cold.
She whispered softly, "I'll always protect you, my dearest ototou. I won't let them get you, Aoshi."
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"Kouri onee-san! I've got some berries! Please eat, nee-san, or I'll e heavier than you soon!" A laughing boy of three years ran across the grass, his tiny arms holding as many berries as he could. His bright blue eyes shone with childish innocence.
"Mou, Aoshi. You know a growing boy needs his nutrients! Eat as many as you can, and I'll eat the rest, okay?" Kouri crouched down at his head level.
For a girl of fifteen years, Kouri looked so much older than her peers. She had short-cropped hair, with gentle blue eyes and a wide scar across her nose. She wore threadbare kimonos and scars were visible through such thin layer of clothing.
Aoshi pouted lightly, suddening thrusting a beautiful, blossoming flower to his sister's face. Kouri's usually sad expression lit up in surprise and delight.
Aoshi smiled; he knew her sister loved flowers deeply, and would always try to get the most gorgeous one he could ever find. A child he was, it was impossible for him to survive on his own without his sister's help.
They had lived in the shabby hut for three years now; Kouri had single-handedly raised her baby brother, isolated home providing cover for others, the forest fertile enough to fill their growling stomachs. As for necessities like clothing, she would often steal some from merchant carriages at risk, though she had yet been caught.
And today was no different; Aoshi grimaced at the fact that his sister is going away again to get a good futon, of any type of material, good enough for him, specifically, to sleep comfortably at night. He had always despised how she had to steal, for his sake no less; if only he was more endurable, without getting those colds, surely Kouri onee-san can afford to think about herself for a change, not worrying over him all the time.
Kouri smiled gently at her little brother, who sighed sadly and trudged back to their little hut, and hid himself in a cardboard box she made. She was always paranoid that somehow, when she left, they would come and torture her little brother. She trembled in terror at a distant memory, and shook her head to discern such thought and bury it deep.
Quietly, she sped through the dark forest rather expertly, having to force herself t adapt to the environment and raising a baby by herself. Unknowingly to her, to live such a life, Kouri had obtained the skills of an omitsu, and quite a high level at that.
When she reached the main road, she peeked out from under the branches and scrutinized about.
There, in the middle of the road, was an empty carriage. The owners seemed to have taken his horse to a nearby brook for a drink. Strangely, the carriage door wasn't locked and Kouri frowned at that. Was it a trap of some sort? How could it be so unguarded? Deciding on taking a risk, she threw a pebble as high as she could, and the small projectile fell high from the sky, landing in the middle of the roof of that thing.
Kouri strained to hear the echoes from within; they seemed hollow and empty, the way the sound resonated. She took cautious steps forward, and burst into a bolt.
Almost instantly, she was inside. She observed the room warily, and a huge package seemed to crave for her attention. It was a rather beautiful blue scarf; though not exactly what she was looking for, but she seemed to be mesmerized with it.
It was suit Aoshi well, bringing out the color of his eyes…… and it shall keep him warm through the winter too. I… I can't bear it anymore. He barely made through the winter……I really thought I was going to lose him for awhile… I am so sorry, Aoshi, not being a good enough sister for you…
Subconsciously, tears slowly made their way down her cheeks. She snapped out of reverie when the wind around her changed somehow. She ducked promptly and rolled her way out of the carriage. Her first lesson when she was first born to the world was 'never have yourself cornered'.
She flipped and swapped a rather sharp rock into her fists, ready to defend herself she had played this type of scenario many times before; injure her pursuer as much as she could, and lead them away from the forest.
"Hey, you are not bad at all! Are you a shinobi too?" a curious voice came from behind her and Kouri was so startled that she dropped her weapon.
She whirled around and came face to face with a beautiful girl around her age. Regal, dignified was the sensation Kouri felt about this stranger, yet her emerald eyes had a wild, playful look. She had her almost-cerulean hair in a high ponytail, which wagged excitedly as she tilted her head in inquisitiveness. However, the noble-seeming aura ended right there; she wore rather queer clothing, a blue uniform with loose sleeves stopping at her shoulder, short pants stopping at her thighs and a purple obi around her slim waist. She wore some kind of arm guards, and in her right hand, she held something Kouri vaguely recognized: a kunai.
"Hey……why are you crying?" the odd girl whispered.
Kouri gasped inwardly and looked away. She quickly dried her eyes using her patched sleeves and asked quietly, ignoring her question, "Who are you?"
The girl chuckled in amusement, "Who am I? That should be my line, as I am not the one breaking into somebody else's carriage."
Kouri blushed lightly, causing the other to chortle again.
"But, I don't think you harbor any harmful thoughts at your action. You had dodged my ambush rather well; it must be some kind of fate that we meet – very well, I am Makimachi Sayo, a shinobi and an omitsu. And you?"
Kouri was quite taken aback by her friendliness, for one who just had someone trespassing her property. She stammered out a reply, "Kouri desu. Shinomori Kouri desu, Makimachi –san."
Sayo rolled her eyes in mock despair, "Puh-lease! I hate that! Just call me Sayo, ne?"
Kouri smiled back, "Then call me Kouri, if you would."
The two smiled at each other, the feeling mutual; they know that they may have the potential to become good friends. But first thing first.
"SO, Kouri, what are you doing snooping around in my carriage?" Sayo asked playfully.
Kouri gulped and muttered, "Well…I am really sorry about that. It's just that…well, I need some warm fabric for my br……for sleeping at night."
Sayo was about to reply when a commanding but not unkind voice rang out, "Oi, Sayo, look what I found around this forest. This darn kid was rather brave enough to try steal my horse!"
A tall man towered above them, his jade eyes glinted with hilarity. His uniform was rather similar to Sayo's, though he had dark indigo pants instead. What caught Kouri's attention was a struggling figure dangling from the index finger of the man.
Kouri cried out involuntarily, "Aoshi!"
Aoshi noticed her sister and growled deeply, "No! Get away from here, Onee-san! I'll hold them off so run!" He swung his little fists at the man's direction, but his assaults couldn't even reach past the now laughing man's elbow.
The man laughed again, "Haha! You got some spunk, kid. I like the look in your eyes. We don't see those kind of fire these days anymore, eh?"
Sayo glanced at Kouri, quickly understanding the reason Kouri had resolved to stealing. Sayo had always been told perceptive since she was a mere child.
"Put him down, Father. You are scaring him."
After everything has settled, with Kouri standing protectively before Aoshi and the little boy peering in irritation, and the two Makimachis standing casually, making quite a weird sight with their……interesting clothing.
Sayo had passed what she had learned and analyzed to her father, who nodded gravely at the two siblings.
"Sayo had told me of your quite fine ability, Kouri-san. Tell me about yourself then." His voice is so full of authority that Kouri couldn't coax herself to the man's request.
The man grinned pleasantly, "I will introduce myself properly. I am Makimachi Tsuroumaru, Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu."
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A seven-year old Aoshi leapt from tree to tree, confident at his own ability. Okashira had proclaimed him a prodigy in from of the whole Oniwabanshuu. The whole clan! He grinned inwardly at that thought.
It was four years since their coincidental meeting; his original grudge against the tall, good-humored man evaporated almost instantly after Aoshi saw the power of an Okashira. Respect. He truly respected him. Kouri-nee-san and Sayo-nee had became best friends, talking away happily every time the Makimachis came to visit. Aoshi was truly happy for his sister – she can finally talk to a friend around her age, not stuck with the responsibility of taking care of him.
The Oniwabanshuu are very busy almost everyday, with the wars going on. The Okashira had first suggested the Shinomoris to go back to their headquarters in Kyoto, to train properly, but Sayo had commented that it was a lot safer to live and train around their little hut, as the environment is good enough to feed the inhabitants.
It was like a cycle of tutors: Sayo would come with her fiancée Ryuuen and taught Kouri to be a kunoichi, and the Okashira himself would teach him kempo. But his most important teacher is Kashiwazaki Nenji, the only man who had ever come to equal with the okashira in terms of power. Okina is a rather strange fellow; he had distinctive laughs and rather perverted thoughts towards young ladies. That didn't deny his skills of knowledge any less; Aoshi had come to respect him after awhile, but his favorites are still the Okashira, Sayo and Ryuuen-san.
Ryuuen-san is Okina's adoptive son; he was more of a poetic, brilliant man then a man of action. His contradictive calmness stood out against his fiancée's, though Aoshi loved Sayo-nee's bounciness a lot. When Sayo taught Kouri-nee-san the kunai skills, Ryuuen-san would assist them in strategic planning.
The Shinomoris had only traveled to Kyoto twice, and not to mention they were both stunned by what a 'city' is. There, they met many of the oniwabanshuus, and Aoshi somehow fitted in greatly with his charisma. Hannya was another orphan they had adopted; a few years his senior, Hannya was great at combats and Aoshi decided that this must means 'best friends' he had heard about. Some of the Oniwabanshuu had children and four of them were closer to him than others. Okon, Omasu, Shiro and Kuro were what the older members dubbed the Impish Four. The four are mischievous from humorous jokes to eye-boggling pranks, but the Okashira had always laughed and declared them 'great spies'. Indeed, no one had yet catch them in the act.
They were all like a new family to him; of course, Kouri-nee-san was irreplaceable, Ryuuen-san and Hannya-tachi are like new siblings and friends he couldn't comprehend before, and the Okashira was like a father her never knew.
Aoshi never knew his parents, nor did he ever asked his sister. He could feel her raw pain and grief every time he implied the question, and he forced himself to just let it be.
When he reached his hut at last, he was suddenly assaulted by a chilly tingling down his spine. He threw the door open hurriedly, and found his sister unconscious on their ragged futon.
He quickly went to her side, careless of any potential traps, which fortunately, there weren't any. Kouri nee-san seemed fine overall, with no bruises, visible wounds though a bit of blood smeared her lips and her pulses were irregular.
Wasting no time at all, he quickly sent a pigeon to the Oniwabanshuu's closets hideout, and waited.
He bit his lips in worry, hugging his most important family tightly. He couldn't even imagine……no, I mustn't think that. Be patient and have hope, Aoshi repeated that mantra over and over again.
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He couldn't breathe. No, it couldn't be true. He must be deaf to hear such words, or maybe it was just a cruel joke he didn't get. Cold sweat covered his body, and his icy blue eyes widened as if shocked.
The doctor shook his head again gravely and whispered, "I am afraid that she had the tuberculosis, sonnie. I am sincerely sorry."
Aoshi continued to stare at her coughing sister, who was still unconscious. Sayo laid her head against Ryuuen's shoulder, stifling a sob. He patted her soothingly and looked away. The Okashira's eyes were hard when he spoke, "How did this happen? DO you know, doctor? Any reason why she can't catch that…..while living in a wilderness? We are the only ones to visit her, so it was not possible for her to get infected."
The doctor shook his head and glanced sympathetically at the silent young boy, "Iie… when I was examining Kouri-san, I found quite a few disturbing scars all over her body, either forming scabs or welted ridges of flesh. And her lungs are weak… very weak. It made me wonder, had she ever warmed herself properly after being soaked wet in a storm or of some sort? And she doesn't seemed to be getting enough of the right nourishments. She has a very strong will, that I can tell, and that was perhaps helped her survive through all the years. However, it has gone on long enough; she seemed to have hold back this sickness……which only worsens the condition."
Aoshi blinked, and his heart suddenly froze. Of course. Why didn't he think about that? Ever since he had memories, ever since he could walk, Kouri nee-san had always put him ahead of herself. He got the only futon and best food, while her wet sister snuggled pitifully against a piece of thing not even qualified enough to be called a rag. How did her sister manage to raise him healthy? Even after they sort of joined the Oniwabanshuu, and their living condition had changed for the better, Aoshi still failed to notice his sister's quickly declining health. All these times she had excuse herself from the others, and she would also wash her sleeves a lot. Aoshi didn't understand at all, and had dismissed it as some kind of personal habits. It was actually when Kouri went of to someplace alone to cough profusely, and the blood stains on her clothing she did her best to erase as quickly as possible.
The Makimachis stood silently and gazed at the two siblings in a pitying glance. Sayo bit her lips again until she tasted the coppery taste of blood. Is this how you feel, Kou-chan? Every time you discovered blood coming from your own throat? We are so……. useless! How dare I fail to notice your condition? If only…if only we had enough money to help you… but with the wars going on around the headquarters, I……
Okashira coughed softly to get the occupants in the room their attention, and he pointedly stared at Aoshi. They all nodded slightly in understanding and left the room quietly.
Aoshi took no notice as he continued to gaze numbly at his seemingly peaceful sister.
It's all my fault. All my fault. If I hadn't been such a nuisance to take care of…… if only I had never been born…Kouri nee-san would not… you can't do this…nee-san!
He collapsed at the foot of the bath, holding his sister's slightly cold hand in attempts of warming her. They were always saying how brave he was.
But here, alone in this ominous room, he relented to his overwhelmed emotions, and tears leaked out disobediently from his burning eyes.
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It had been three months after when Aoshi made a resolution to earn money, that day. He utilized his skills as an omitsu; he helped spy for people and became a carrier to just get however sens he could get out of the job.
There was a very heavy tension when Kouri woke up and Aoshi confronted her about what they had all learned. She had been reluctant to admit it at first, but she finally whispered the words Aoshi dreaded: she had been coughing ever since she had moved to the hut from wherever they had escaped from.
It pained her greatly to tell Aoshi that, even more so than her illness. She had distanced herself from others ever since, as she was afraid it might be contagious; when she knew she was sick, she did not know it was something as severe as the tuberculosis.
A week ago, Aoshi had conceded to let Kouri to stay at home by herself and went to Kyoto with the Makimachis. Kouri felt somehow relieved by this.
The weaker she became, the more she felt like spilling a dark secret that Aoshi must never find out. Aoshi is just a young kid, and he had a bright future ahead of him. She had no right to burden him with... unecessary matters.
Today, she was just collecting berries in the forest like always, when perilous aura gnawed at her bones and she felt her face turned pale.
This feeling… no, it couldn't be…no……not after so long… why? Why?
She swallowed and turned slowly with her shaking legs. She was met with a pair of azure, feline like eyes that seemed to bore into her skull.
A wicked smile marred his handsome face, husky voice chuckling maliciously, a sound she still dreamt of in her sleep. A sound she both despised and dreaded her so much.
A hulky man stood silently behind him, unusual silver hair gleaming like fangs of a beast.
Kouri whimpered silently, covering her nose scar tentatively.
The handsome man's grin widened,extending his arms in palpable kindness, thoughthe crueltyin his narrow eyes showed otherwise.
"What kind of welcome is this, Kouri? After seven years of evading me, I had finally found you, my worthless daughter."
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The Okashira hurled through the forest, Aoshi following closely behind. The boy glanced at his leader anxiously, for it was the first time he had ever seen the respectable man nervous.
Was something worth enough to worry such a man?
Aoshi found his answers soon enough when a piercing scream tore through the air, and the Okashira swore profoundly.
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"You little bitch. Now that I've finally found you, I will take my time teaching you how to obey, eh? Just like that useless wench," growled Kouri's father darkly, the heel of his shoes digging into her bloody head.
Her thin yukata was already torn open by the whip in her father's hand. New gashes were overlapping her old ones, and Kouri felt that the scar on her nose seemed to throb agonizingly like a reminder, to coax her into submission.
But not anymore. This was why she had run away. After he killed Mother when he was tired of her usefulness for sex, she knew she had to escape.
She spat out blood. How she hated that taste. In sickness, in submission or in torment, she could never flee that savor in her mouth.
"Now, be a good girlie and daddy won't hit you…much. Now tell me, where is the bastard of a runt you took with you, eh? That useless wench gave birth to too many rubbish brats like you. Tell me, where is he?" he bent down and grabbed a fistful of her hair.
She coughed and stammered, "he died…… he was just a baby……I couldn't…… save him……"
He slapped her hard, and though she cringed, she uttered no sound at all, and didn't betray her true emotions.
The man frowned, and grinned madly. "You've outlived your usefulness long ago, daughter, and I will be merciful and put and end to your miserable life."
He tilted his head towards the silver-haired man, who handed him a katana. Kouri's eyes grew wide but no fear flickered through her determined eyes.
He instructed quietly, "Kuroi, bring me anybody who near her body. Report t me promptly."
And he raised the katana above the barely conscious girl, blade thrusting downwards……
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When Aoshi came to the clearing, he gaped in shock. Their hut. It was already burned down. Pitiful singed boards were the only remains of his memories there. Thankfully, he didn't find her sister trapped under the broken pillar. The Okashira took off in another direction immediately, like a hound trailing its prey, but Aoshi sped off in the opposite direction. A voice called out to him, directing………
……… right to his sister's motionless body in a pool of her own blood.
Aoshi could have sworn his heart stopped then.
A blue lily he had especially brought for her dropped sofly to the crimson grass, in a rather resounding crash to his thundering ears.
"Kouri…… nee-san?" he called out tentatively like a scared little toddler, hoping to seek warmth and protection his sister always provided him.
But he didn't protect her in time at all. It just isn't true. It's not supposed to go this way. He had saved up money along with the amount the Okashira is willing to spare, enough to send her to a foreign country to get proper treatment for her tuberculosis. They were just coming back to tell her the good news, yet……
A ki shifted behind him, and Aoshi snapped. The abruptness of his lifestyle and his bitter fury were all pummeled into the silver haired man. He was a rather powerful opponent; but unlike him, Aoshi wasn't hesitant to get injured. He no longer cared, and all he saw was red.
After his crimson vision cleared, he had finally felt the pain from several of his injuries. The silver haired man laid abnormally across a protruding tree stump, which punctured his back and decorated patches of grass in red.
Aoshi limped towards his sister, gasping for breath. His eyes lit up when he heard faint breathing from her. But only temporarily. He scooted close to her side and winced when he saw an impaled wound on her stomach. Yada…… dame…… sonna……onegai... my only wish...
"Ao…shi…," whispered Kouri slurringly, trembling arms searching for his form. Aoshi caught her hand and brought it to his wet face. Kouri smiled. She had a great brother. She doesn't regret anything.
"Who…did this to you?" Aoshi snarled wrathfully, and Kouri would have flinched at his tone had she have energy to spare.
"It… not… impor…tant. Listen…Aoshi… you must live on……mother… would have been so proud of you……"
"Why? Why did you protect me all these years? And I can't even do anything for you…… I can't do anything!"
"Aoshi… don't say that……… you will learn… why must we protect…… as for you…… by being my brother…… that… prevented me…… from giving in to despair so long ago……… all I ask for…… is for you to be happy"
"How can I be happy when you're… you're……" Aoshi choked, unable to continue. This was too much. He loved Kouri nee-san. Why? His only family.
Kouri coughed harshly and breathed, "as long…as you live…… you can… find ways… to be …… happy……… I am sorry……… to be such an irresponsible……… sister……I………..love………… you……my dear…… brother………" her hand clenched in his was now limp, and her head rolled to her side, covering her scarred cheek in dried blood.
Her body soon turned cold. Aoshi didn't know how long he stayed immobile, but he knew his heart froze along with her sister's, a defensive wall formed around his crushed heart.
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Today, the Okashira was overjoyed; it was the most special day in his life, ever. His beloved daughter Sayo, is going to have his very first grand child! Ryuuen paced nervously outside, muttering some prayers every now and then. The impish Four were unusually quiet, and Hannya stood solemnly alongside of Aoshi.
The Okashira's face darkened sadly. The cheerful young man was never the same after his sister's tragic death. The Okashira had chased after a man he was sure was Kouri's killer, but that man had fell off a cliff in attempts of losing the Oniwabanshuu leader. When he got back to Aoshi, it was already too late.
They buried her in front of the remains of their hut, the bloody blue lily decorated the graveforlornly.Aoshi rarely spoke. It was totally reasonable. The young boy never smiled again, and only spoke when necessary, with the fewest amounts of syllables possible. He solely focused on training under either Nenji or himself. Sayo and Ryuuen were devastated, and the okashira remembered how much his daughter cried.
It had been three years after Kouri's death, and Sayo and Ryuuen had been happily married. The okashira shook his head. No, today was a special day and he wasn't going to reminisce such memories. Kouri wouldn't want them to be sad on her best friend's daughter's birth day, would she?
It was dawn when everything had finally settled down. After several hours of screams and mayhem, a child had been born.
The Oniwabanshuu gathered around the exhausted but giddy mother. Omasu and Okon cooed at the giggling baby, and Shiro and Kuro merely looked confused. The Okashira laughed boisterously and whacked a grinning Ryuuen n the back, and everybody congratulated the couple heartily. Okina made some perverted comments which resulted in Ryuuen and the Okashira beating the chuckling man senseless.
Hannya patted the baby on the head, earning another giggle from the energetic newborn. Aoshi stood far away from all that merriment, his usually blank expression almost disdainful at such shameful acts.
Sayo smiled and called him over. Aoshi reluctantly obeyed, and was actually quite astonished when she thrust the baby girl into his fumbling arms.
"Aoshi-kun, I want you to meet Misao-chan!"
Misao. Kouri nee-san had once told him that it was their mother's name. Aoshi's eyes flew up to meet Sayo's, and she winked.
He nodded his head slightly out of gratitude, and gazed at the thrashing bundle in his arms. Turquoise eyes shining innocently at him, and the others gasped when Aoshi smiled lightly the first time since that day.
Misao let a string of gibberish, tugging on his scarf, the scarf Kouri nee-san had attempted stealing from Sayo-san long ago. Aoshi recalled his sister's last words, and he whispered gently down at the beaming baby.
"I'll always protect you, Misao-chan."
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-End of Chapter 9 Grave of Ice-
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Kouri -Ice (which is originall spelled KoOri, but it looked too weird)
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An unexpected chapter, no? Guess who Kuroi really is. And, there are still some things Aoshi didn't know yet about his family, like his b-stard father (excuse me). I felt really horrible about killing Kouri off, but it had to go with the plot, ne? Also, the mysteries aren't really solved, either. They are all interconnected.
This chappie may seem irrelevant to you but I assure it is not. I promise next chappie is back on track.
I thought it'd be nice to explore Aoshi's past a little bit. Why he was so emotionless except with Misao etc. Although, I like the previous chapters more personally... whaddya guys think?
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I WILL try my hardest to update ASAP. Meditate or practice your kunai throws until then. (I am not the target though)lol
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Well, it'd be wrong not to review, ne? (runs away quickly)
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REVIEW (in neon signs)
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-Kaco-(sweatdrop)