Onset

By: NonameJane

Disclaimer- Nope, not mine!

AN- The first chapter; beta read and edited by sueb262, who was a lot of help!

Ch1 By the Light of Day

Bright, early sunshine flooded the city, heating the already humid air to an even greater degree. It was going to be another hot day. The rain from the previous day was long forgotten in the current haze.

It was midmorning, the streets crowded with customers and shops open for another busy day. The morning bustle didn't seem to relent, all hoping to finish errands before the more extreme heat set in. Restaurants were no exception.

The Aoiya

The work seemed unending. Omasu sighed after taking an order, walking back into the kitchen. Most of the other Oniwaban were either cooking nonstop or waiting tables, but exhaustion was not apparent on of their faces. They were grateful, however, business was hardly ever this good.

" Still picking up?" asked a curious Shiro as he prepared another meal carefully.

Omasu nodded, " Yeah. The customers just keep filing in." She looked down to the floor a moment taking in a breath. "Not that it's a bad thing. We're just a bit shorthanded."

" Then I guess we should wake up Sleepy Head." Okon suggested with a smile. "That's if any of us can get away." She said with a giggle. " But I guess I'll just have to risk it."

Misao grimaced and curled up tighter on her futon, the strong rays of sun hurting her eyes even behind closed lids. She let out a long yawn.

A soft padding from outside her door caught her attention. Misao sat up slowly letting the sound register fully in her ears. Someone was coming up the stairs.

The shoji to her room opened quietly. A low and gentle, " good morning," announced another's presence. Misao turned herself a little to see Okon standing by her futon and peering down at her. Shaking off the remnants of sleep she nodded. "Good morning." A yawn, " Ugh...What time is it?"

Okon shook the blanket off the girl's body. " Time to get up."

" So.." Misao questioned, " It must be really bad for you to need my help already. Right?"

Okon shook her head in agreement, as they continued down the hall. " We'll only need you until it quiets down a bit." They turned a corner, moving carefully along the corridor.

" When do you think that'll be?" Misao asked hesitantly. Okon paused for a moment, thinking.

"Well, I suppose when heat sets in full. Probably in a couple of hours." The two made their way down the stairs and down the hall of the ground floor.

Misao looked up at the older woman, "Why can't Jiya help?"

Okon gave a chortle, "Said he had 'important business' to see to."

Misao snickered. "Hmph, I wonder what that could be. What convenient timing, huh?"

Okon nodded, " Yes...But he said he wouldn't be too long." Both stopped at the door to the kitchen.

Misao met her eyes, "How long ago was that?"

" A couple hours ago."

" Figures." She let out a giggle, as Omasu's voice urged them to the kitchen.

" Guess we made it just in time." Okon replied slyly as they made their way into the room.

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" Phew." Misao let out an exasperated sigh. The couple of hours turned into quite a few. It seemed, today, that even the heat could not impede the customers from a good meal. Only now in the mid-afternoon could she take a break.

It occurred to her then that she had forgotten something. Rather, someone. Her clothes rustled as she made her way back into the kitchen to get the tea supplies ready. However, she was stopped. " Don't bother Misao-chan." Omasu said softly, halting the girl's movement. "Aoshi-sama is in his room. It seems he's not a big fan of the heat either." Misao slumped a bit in relief and Omasu reached for her shoulder.

"But since your here. I need you to do something for me." Misao's blue eyes widened in curiosity.

" What is it Omasu-san?" Omasu bent over picking up a stray vegetable she had dropped.

" Oh nothing really, just a few groceries. All the business today left us a little low on supplies. That's all."

The small girl gave her a flashy grin. "No problem." She attempted to take off but felt a gentle tug on her braid.

A lost look came across the girl's face as something was placed in her hand. " Yes?"

" You forgot the list."

" Umm...oops."

Misao stared at the list while making her way to the exit of the Aoiya. The list didn't have to many supplies, so the shopping wouldn't take her too long. She hoped. Her hand reached to open the outside door but she jumped back as the door was pulled open quickly.

" Oh...Jiya!" Misao let out in relief. " You scared me!" The old man gave a chuckle at her actions.

" Going somewhere, Misao-chan?" She nodded, " Just getting some groceries." Her small face turned into a noticeable scowl. " We were very busy today. You know you could have helped!"

She finished, eyes closed in annoyance.

" I was-" He began but was hastily interrupted. Misao shook her head negatively, "-on business."

" It's true my pretty." Okina reasoned turning his body away from the open door. The sun was quite strong today. He was glad to be out of it.

Misao gave the old man her weasel smile. " I hardly think chasing girls around the city counts as 'business'. I guess even the heat can't stop you." She giggled. " If this keeps up I'll need to get a good pole to keep you away from them."

They both laughed at that. " Well, I better be going. I'll see you later Jiya." She took a step outside, her eyes wincing at the sudden brightness.

" Wait, Misao-chan." Okina's voice stopped her. She turned around to face him meeting his age worn eyes. He continued, " Where is Aoshi?"

The girl looked to the ground for a second in thought, " Umm...in his room I think. Why?"

Her Jiya only gave her a smile. " No worries, I just wanted to speak with him. Be careful, now."

Misao back looked at him in confusion for a moment and then shook it off, continuing on her way. Okina watched her go and turned around to make his way down the hall. A sudden sterness on his features.

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A knock on his door broke his concentration. " Aoshi? May I come in?"

Aoshi looked up from the book he was reading and stood slowly, perplexed at the sudden meeting. Okina and he only ever speak out of importance or necessity. This was an unexpected surprise. He placed the book in its rightful place on the shelf and opened his door.

"Okina."

Okina stepped in and both took a seat on the flooring. The grim seriousness on the older man's face was not lost to Aoshi. But it wasn't his nature to pry and he wouldn't.

" You wish to speak with me, Okina?" Aoshi questioned in a neutral tone, his eyes focused on a spot on the wall behind his companion's head.

The old man nodded, " I have heard of suspicious activity recently. Yakuza and thugs alike." Aoshi removed his eyes from the previous distraction to look Okina in the face. " I met with some old contacts today. They've been busy." The old man let out a sigh.

The former okashira blinked. "With?"

" It seems something is about to begin." Deep blue eyes widened just the smallest bit in surprise.

Silence enveloped the room.

Misao made her way through the dusty streets of Kyoto to the Aoiya. The shopping had been a little more trouble than she though it would be. She was just glad to be returning home. The sweat on her body was a great irritation; she just wanted a cold bath.

She reached the restaurant's entrance with a startled gasp. The groceries dropped from her hand and her breath caught short in her throat. She didn't know what to do, so she did the only thing she could at the moment.

" Jiya!"

AN- And so ends Ch1. Phew made me tired, my brain feels fried. SO! What happened to make Misao freak out? Well...I'm not going to ruin it but it probably isn't what you think. Hehehe, feel the anticipation!