For those who want me to update faster…I'm sorry but I will not be able to. - If I wrote or updated any faster then the story wouldn't be any good, trust me. It would sound like a bunch of random things thrown together so I am sorry. I really want this story to be one of the best RK fics out there and you guys are helping me by reviewing and I am greatly thankful for every review that I receive! Blue fire angel the Oniwabanshu will be in my story and it was planed from the beginning.
I hope everyone reviews and enjoys this chapter cause I worked my butt off to type this up and getting it done! .
OOH! Quick note! I made a small mistake! In the first chapter I said Taeya was nineteen but I forgot this is two yrs after the whole incident in Kyoto so she is actually twenty-one. . That makes Sano the same age as her.
Chapter 5
As Taeya walked to Kyoto, numerous thoughts swam freely in her head and many clashed with memories of the past. How was it that everything that was going on, at this very moment, had to do with the countless bits and pieces of the past buried in her mind, in a place so dark and deep, she couldn't find? If she could only remember the little things she couldn't…then maybe the situation she was in would make more since to her.
However, the one thought that kept running through her mind, through and between others, was: 'How does Sanosuke fit into all of this?' It was true, she was sure that Sanosuke wouldn't be on Hitomi and Nukasa's side but…where was he? Was the letter he received the night he left from Nukasa? Why in the world did he leave and not tell her where it was that he was going?'
A strong wind blew her hair around wildly and Taeya noticed that the sun had gone down an hour or so ago. She looked around at her surroundings and found a small clearing a few yards away from where she stood. Taeya gathered a few sticks and leaves that were scattered on the floor as she neared the clearing and started a small and simple fire. She sat on the cold grass next tot he fire she had made and hugged her knees closer to her chest as she saw Sanosuke's image immerge in the dancing flames of the fire.
'It's been two days since I last saw his face, since I last heard his soft, deep voice.' She grabbed her cloak and draped it slowly over her shoulders as she stared intensely at the fire. After a short while she found that her eyes beginning to feel heavy so she curled up on her side next to the fire and wrapped her cloak around her like a blanket to keep warm. The very moment her eyes were shut, she found herself lost in the memories of her past, however, this time the memories were not those of death and meaningless blood…it was that of those she loved.
Taeya ran up to a large restaurant and knocked heavily on the door as the pouring rain continued to soak through her slightly baggy black pants and medium dark blue tank top; the ice cold rain hitting her bare arms like needles. Taeya looked around her slowly as she waited for someone to answer the door, when she turned her head back around she was surprised to see a young black haired man standing in the entrance to the restaurant. He looked down at Taeya with his icy blue eyes and Taeya suddenly felt a chill rush up her spine. She looked up at his leg to find a young girl clinging to him but didn't ask about the girl, instead she said, "Do you happen to have a spare room? I have no money and I really need a place to stay."
The tall young man nodded his head after a short while as he gently pried the little girl from his leg and pushed her lightly inside the restaurant. He soon stepped aside and held the door open so Taeya could walk inside. "Arigato gozamasu," she said shakily as she stepped inside.
Once she was inside the restaurant and away from the harsh rain, Taeya knew why the young man at the door had hesitated in letting her come inside. Everyone in this restaurant…were ninjas. From left to right, she saw woman and men dressed in ninja outfits. A single thought hit her hard and fast as she turned around to face the young man who was at the door, "Is the by any chance…the Oniwabanshu headquarters? Are you…Aoshi Shinamori?"
The little girl that had clung to the young man's face earlier jumped up to her as she shouted, "Wai wai! That's him alright!" the young girl smiled up at Taeya and her sea green eyes sparkled brightly with joy. "Aoshi-sama is the best in the entire world, you mean to tell me you've never meat him before? I am Aoshi-sama's chibi-chan!"
"Hontou desu ka? What's your name chibi-chan?" Taeya asked sweetly as she knelt down to look into the girl's sea green eyes.
"My name's Misao Makimachi! What's yours?"
"My name is Taeya Kasuka. Hashite mashite Misao-chan."
Misao giggled, "Hashite mashite Taeya-san. You look like you could use some sleep…and some nice clean clothes since yours are all wet. Let me see if Aoshi-sama could get you a room next to mine and some clean clothes to sleep in, okay? Oh and then before you go to sleep you can braid my hair and sing me a song!" said Misao as she bounced through the crowd of ninjas to find her beloved Aoshi-sama who had disappeared when Misao started to talk to Taeya. After a short while, Misao came back with Aoshi close behind her carrying some clean clothes and a sleeping yukata.
"Here are your clothes Taeya-san. Your room is next to Misao-chan's, she'll show you where it is at."
"You don't have to call me that you know. Taeya would do just fine," she said as she smiled up at Aoshi who didn't say anything in return. Aoshi bowed slightly and went back the way he had come.
Misao grabbed a hold of Taeya's hand and led her up the stairs to show her room. As they climbed the stairs Taeya looked down at Misao as she said, "Is Aoshi-san always so serious?"
"Aoshi-sama? Yep, but I guess that's why I like him so much." Taeya looked down at the girl as she finished her sentence and smiled. Once inside the spare room, Taeya helped Misao change her clothes and dresses herself in the yukata she was given.
"Oi…Taeya-san, could I braid your long hair?"
"Braid my…hair? I-I guess it's alright…if you let me braid yours."
Misao smiled brightly up at Taeya and sat down on her futon as she took out a comb and jeweled ornament to tie the ends of Taeya's long hair. The two sat on the futon with their legs crossed as Misao braided Taeya's long ebony hair and Taeya did the same to little Misao's hair. "Taeya-san…do you have a sister?"
"No…I don't."
"Do you have a brother?"
"No."
"Do you have an otou-san and okaa-san?" asked Misao questioningly.
"……No."
"I don't have any of them either," said Misao as she held Taeya's hand lightly.
"You mean…you are alone as well?"
"Hai…in a way. I have the Oniwabanshu."
"I see," said Taeya as she nodded her head slightly.
"Taeya-san…could you be my sister?"
"Huh?"
"You are really nice…just like Okan and Omasu…but at the same time you are different from them. You are different because you don't have anybody and…and you understand the way I feel. You…" Misao began to cry softly and Taeya quickly but gently hugged Misao and after a short while began to rock her back and forth slowly. 'Her words were deep…she speaks words beyond her age.'
"Will you always be there for me Taeya-san? Can you at least be my pretend sister, onegai?" Misao asked in a soft and sleepy voice.
"Hai Misao-chan. I promise," said Taeya as Misao's eyes closed and the young girl fell asleep.
A few minutes passed and Taeya slowly rose to her feet and carried Misao to her room. She laid Misao gently on her futon and tucked her in but as she exited the room as quietly as she could she bumped into something hard. Taeya looked up into ice blue eyes then quickly looked away as she tried to step to the side out of his way but Aoshi stopped her by moving in front of her so she couldn't walk past him.
"Is there something wrong Aoshi-san?" asked Taeya as she looked up into his eyes.
"Is Misao-chan asleep?"
"Hai, she fell asleep a couple of minutes ago in my room but I carried her into her room and tucked her in." Aoshi nodded hi head and turned to leave but was stopped by Taeya's question.
"Misao-chan cares about you deeply...doesn't she?"
"Misao-chan has a childish crush. That is all that it is…she'll grow out of it when she is older," he said expressionlessly.
"I don't think so. Are you sure about that Aoshi-san?" she asked sweetly.
"How long will you be staying here?"
"How long will I be able to stay?"
"We of the Oniwabanshu have nothing against you so I have to say as long as you want. I am sure that it will be quite a while sense Misao has already grown an attachment to you."
"She's a sweet kid and I made her a promise that I intend to keep."
"Misao will notify you of what time we eat, train, and do other activities. If you'll excuse me, I have a small meeting to attend do with the rest of my men."
Aoshi bowed, turned on his heel, and left Taeya to herself. Taeya smiled lightly and headed back towards her room to catch some much-needed sleep.
Taeya's emerald green eyes snapped open and she looked at the small fire next to her only to see a blurry figure on the other side of the fire. She sat up and blinked until she could make out the figure that was now standing over her and her eyes widened in happiness as she stared into Sanosuke's chocolate brown eyes. The smile that leapt to her lips slowly faded, her eyes narrowed slight, and she looked at him seriously as she thought for a moment. "Sano…how did you know where I was?"
Sanosuke shrugged, "I don't know…I guess I just felt that you would be somewhere out here."
Taeya thought about the letter and what Hitomi had told her, "Sano…did you meet with Nukasa?"
Sano smiled slightly as his gaze turned mysterious, "Nukasa…yeah I did," he said smoothly.
Taeya felt threatened by the look in his eyes, his brown eyes were usually so bright and she could see everything he was feeling. She felt a chill spring into her spine but forced it away, "What did he want?"
Sanosuke's smile grew more, almost psychotic, "He wanted me to kill you," he said darkly.
Everything inside of her told her to run away before he did something to her but Taeya wasn't the type to run away from anything or anyone. Besides, this is Sanosuke who just said this; the very same Sanosuke she had kissed and joked around with…surely he didn't mean what he said. "Hontou desu ka? What did you say?"
"I said…gladly."
Taeya's eyes widened and before she had time to react, Sanosuke took out a dagger and pierced Taeya's stomach strait through. The dark crimson liquid spilling freely to the floor was quickly covering Taeya's dark blue shirt. Sano slowly withdrew the dagger from her stomach and watched as Taeya fell backwards onto the grass, a puddle of blood forming around her body quickly.
"Sorry kirei…but that's the way it is," said Sano softly as he turned away from her.
Taeya watched Sano through her blurred vision, he was slowly walking away from her, leaving her to die…alone. Taeya felt numb, she couldn't feel any more pain and she didn't even know if she was breathing at this point. Her eyes closed and she felt herself being hurled into oblivion.
Taeya's emerald green eyes snapped open and she instantly snapped her head towards the small fire beside her, peering through it's flames, and was slightly relieved when there was nothing there…nothing but the trees. Her heart was pounding in her chest like the ocean's waves crash against the rocks, it felt like it was trying to pound itself out of her very chest. 'Kami-sama…it was only a nightmare,' she thought as she stood up and put out the fire.
'I've been asleep too long. I need to get to Kyoto,' she grabbed her cloak from the floor and covered herself as she started on her journey once more. 'Misao-chan…I can't wait to see you and Aoshi-san again.'
"Aoshi-sama…can you come here a sec?" asked Misao as she waited for Aoshi outside the temple on the last step.
Aoshi steeped out and looked down at Misao's sea green eyes. "What is it Misao-chan?"
"Aoshi-sama…do you ever think about Taeya-san?"
Aoshi looked at Misao with an eyebrow raised in question, "Misao-can…why do you think of Taeya-san now?"
"Well because I haven't seen her in a year and a half and also because…a letter came from Himura in Tokyo. He says that he thinks Taeya-san is on her way to Kyoto see us."
"The battosai said that? Well it may as well be fact then huh? Misao…do you wish to come to the market with me?"
"Of course! Just let me tell Jiya!" said Misao as she turned and ran towards the Aoiya.
Aoshi stared after his lovely Misao. She had grown a lot in the last two years. She had gotten taller and her beauty had increased. She was still as stubborn as ever and liked to play tricks on him and everyone else in the Aoiya although she was now eighteen.
Misao walked back over to Aoshi and grabbed a hold of his arm as they walked towards the market. "Aoshi-sama…do you think Taeya-san would be surprised to see how much I have changed?"
"Aa…I'm sure she will still notice it is you clinging to her like a lost child when she looks into your beautiful eyes."
Misao blushed slightly and smiled up at Aoshi as she slightly tightened her grip on his arm. "Everyone will be happy when she walks through the Aoiya doors again. He he…Aoshi-sama, do you remember the first time you and Taeya-san practiced together?"
Aoshi looked down at Misao and smiled slightly at the memory, "Hai, I do. We had said that the first one to land a hit was the winner and…she beat me the first time she tried."
Misao laughed full heartily as they entered the market. "She was magnificent when she trained! She looked like an angel soaring in the air…one time I almost swore I could see her wings. When she beat you…even Han'nya was surprised. Oh, I can't wait to see her again!"
"Calm down Misao-can…she's not even in Kyoto yet," said Aoshi as he kissed the top of her head.
"Aoshi-sama…I'm glad that we are finally together."
"Aa Misao-chan…I am happy as well."
After Aoshi and Misao finished up there shopping they exited the market and headed back towards the Aoiya. Their trip was postponed, however, when Aoshi caught site of a tall man with brown spiky hair and the symbol 'bad' on the back of his jacket. "Sagara," Aoshi called out.
Sanosuke turned around and smiled when he saw Aoshi and Misao walking over to him so he decided to meet them half way. "Oi, what's up Shinamori? I see you and the itachi are together, ne?"
"Grrrr…don't call me a weasel!" roared Misao as Aoshi sighed and held onto her shoulders so that she would not beat up on Sanosuke.
"He-he he…calm down Misao-san…I was just seeing if you acted the same way seeing as you don't look the same if I do say so myself."
Misao blushed as she lowered her head and gently said, "Arigato Sanosuke-san."
"What are you doing in Kyoto all by yourself?" asked Aoshi as he stared down at Misao.
"Oh a couple of my friends said that Kyoto was a great place to make some money so I came with them and gambled. Hay, do you guys happen to have a spare room?"
"Well we did have one but Himura wrote us a not saying that an old friend was coming to stay with us," said Misao as she smiled at Sano.
"An old friend huh? So, who is this old friend of yours Misao-san?"
Misao smiled mischievously, "Her name is Taeya and she is really beautiful. Oi, maybe you two should share the room."
"Oh I don't know about that Misao-san…knowing her she'll probably hit me over the head with something and make me sleep outside," said Sano with a smirk.
Misao giggled, "Yeah that does sound like Taeya-san, doesn't it Aoshi-sama?"
"Aa…it does. A little too much like her if you ask me. Do you know Taeya?"
"Yeah…we're…involved with each other," said Sano with a smile.
"Nani?" shrieked Aoshi and Misao as they stared at him with wide eyes.
"Y-you mean like…a couple?" said Aoshi calmly as he recovered from the shock.
"Yeah…weird, huh?"
"Indeed."
"Sano…does she know that you are her in Kyoto?"
"Nah, it'll be a surprise for her, ok?"
"Alright then! Let's go before it gets too late."
"So you don't mind me stayin'?"
"He-he he, not at all!"
As the trio walked down the crowded streets of Kyoto, Aoshi was incased in his own thoughts of why Taeya would be coming to visit them without writing to them herself. In the past, Taeya had always sent a letter three or four days in advance and yet…she didn't even send a letter this time. When they reached the gates of the Aoiya's restaurant, Okina was already waiting for them outside.
The three walked up to Okina and Misao gave him a big hug before she began to speak. "Gomen we're late Jiya but we ran into an old friend. Remember Sagara Sanosuke? He knows Taeya-san sot it wouldn't be a problem if he stays with us, ne?"
"Aa…I remember Sagara, it's been quiet a while, ne? Well, if Taeya-san doesn't mind then I suppose that he can stay," said Okina as he looked at Sanosuke with a smile.
"Thanks old man," said Sanosuke with a smirk as he followed Misao and Aoshi up the stairs of the Aoiya.
"Shimatta! Could this day possibly get any worse?" shouted Taeya as she entered Kyoto and the rain began to pour mercilessly down on her and everyone else who was on the streets.
The people who littered the streets ran into their homes as to not get wet but Taeya continued to walk on the main street that would lead her to the Aoiya. 'This reminds me of when I first got to Tokyo,' she narrowed her eyes, 'except it wasn't raining as hard.'
She stopped once she was inside the gates of the Aoiya, she stared at the door and was slightly surprised when it flew open and revealed a joyous Misao. 'Little Misao-chan…she's grown so much! S-she turned into a woman…and I wasn't here to see it,' thought Taeya as she smiled at Misao and walked towards her.
Misao and Taeya stood a few feet away from each other for at least a minute before the two closed the distance with a fierce hug. "Taeya-san you're back! I'm so glad to see you!" shouted Misao as she continued to hug Taeya.
"Oh Misao-chan…it's been far too long since my last visit! It's so good to see you!" said Taeya as she pulled away from Misao and looked into her sea green eyes. "How are you and Aoshi-san doing? What about Okina and the others?"
"Why don't you change into one of my uniforms and find out for yourself? You must be freezing…we thought that you would arrive before the storm hit," said Misao as she pushed Taeya inside the Aoiya and up the stair into her room before anyone else saw her. "Here, put this on," said Misao as she handed Taeya her Oniwabanshu uniform.
"Misao-chan…you're still wearing this? I think it's a little too short for me," said Taeya as she held up the uniform.
"It's not that short. I'm just half and inch shorter than you and it fits me fine," said Misao happily as she walked out of the room so Taeya could change. A few minutes later the door slid open and revealed Taeya looking very much like Misao, the only difference were her emerald eyes and her long ebony hair was in a high pony tail instead of a braid.
Misao hugged Taeya again; "I missed you so much Taeya-san."
Taeya stroked the top of Misao's head as she answered, "Aa Misao-chan…I missed you too. Hey, how about I stay up here in your room and you tell me everything that happened since the last time I was here instead of going down stairs and talking with everyone, okay?"
Misao smiled at Taeya and nodded her head in agreement. The next hour or so was spent telling each other funny and serious stories about what had happened during the past year and a half. Taeya smiled, "So you and Aoshi-san are together now? It's about time!"
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I knew he would eventually come out of his shell and tell me that he loved me, I just needed to be patient."
"It pays off to listen to me, doesn't it Misao-chan?"
Misao giggled, "Yeah…it does. What about you and Sanosuke Taeya-san?"
"M-me and…Sanosuke? Misao-chan…how did you know that we…eeto…"
"He's here in the Aoiya. Well, in your room to be more precise. That lazy bum was tired when he got here…said that he was gambling with a bunch of his friends."
"G-gambling? So then Himura was right…I had nothing to worry about."
"What do you mean?"
"Huh? Oh nothing! Let's go down and say hay to everyone else, alright?"
"He-he, alright…let's go."
After the party had ended and almost everyone passed out on the floor drunk, Taeya, Misao, and Aoshi made their way up stairs and to the hall. "Taeya-san, do you remember which room you stayed in the last time you were here?"
"Yeah, the same room I stay in every time I come, the one across from yours. Why?"
" 'Cause I am really tired and I'm going to go to sleep," said Misao as she slid open her door to her room and then turned to Aoshi. "Good night Aoshi-sama."
"Good night Misao-chan," said Aoshi as he walked up to her and planted a small kiss on her lips. Misao closed the door and crawled into her futon.
"So…she finally melted your heart, didn't she Aoshi-san?"
"Aa...she did."
"Good night," said Taeya as she turned on her heel and walked to her room.
"Taeya-san, Sagara is in there just to let you know," said Aoshi in a low voice; it almost sounded like he was worried.
"I know, Misao-chan told me when I got here," she called back as she slid open her door.
Taeya smiled softly when she saw Sanosuke lying on the floor next to her futon. Her smile grew slightly bigger, 'I guess he could stay there…as long as he doesn't roll over!' she thought as she crept into her futon and closed her eyes.
Oh goodie! It took me a while to type this so I hope that you all enjoyed it! Since I updated before I was going to…please review! Purtty please?