Onset
By: NonameJane
Disclaimer- Nope, not mine!
AN- Long time in coming, guys. Err busy, busy
Ch5 The Speculations of Strangers
Misao shot up from her futon. She was sweating profusely, but she wasn't hot, it was a chilling cold sweat that enveloped her. Groggily, she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and stood, entwining her arms tightly and securely around her chest.
Her body trembled ever-so slightly in its confusion: was this fear? Misao lowered her head numbly, focusing her eyes as best she could on the darkness of the wooden floor.
It was eerie, she shook still.
Misao moved and exited her room; fresh air would do her good. The night was not overly humid and a tad breezy, she could feel it running its delicate fingertips through her hair. She sighed despondently, and plopped onto the porch taking a seat. Her eyes lifted up on their own accord to the sky and focused on the bright sea of stars.
Her nightmares always ended with her here.
So typical.
So very typical.
That feeling of conformity made her bitter; she always thought of herself as a force of outright spontaneity.
But that dream, what was that? Was it a result of stress, overexertion, or...
Footsteps broke her musings.
Who was that? At this hour? Was it late...?
The form was clouded over by the veil of night, but headed directly for her. Misao couldn't make it out but recognized the presence easily. Her senses tingled in a familiarity.
" Something wrong, Misao-san?" The voice was controlled and delicate, it bled seamlessly into the night. In any case, it seemed just as surprised to see her, even hidden.
She felt herself nodding. The form had taken a seat near her, but far away enough to be considered impersonal and unimposing.
" Well? What is bothering you then? It must be something." The voice, as humble as it was, seemed rushed, probing almost. Misao lowered her head.
No, she thought, it was general concern.
Right?
" I'm all right, Akira." She grinned a bit dully, " I must've had a bad dream. Nothing to worry with."
He let out a soft breath, his short hair now dancing with the breeze in minute circles.
" Of?"
" Pardon?" Misao questioned, more than a little confused at his question.
" The bad dream, is that why you're out here?" The leaves rustled along with the last statement, as if just woken up from their own deep slumber.
" Yeah, but I don't remember it. It'll be okay, I just like to come sit out here," Her head lifted at an emerging curiosity, " But why are you here?" Her question nothing more than an inquiry.
He didn't seem to take it that way. She felt him tense.
" No reason."
Misao turned to face him, swearing she could feel him glaring at her through the shadows of
night.
" You sure?"
He stood.
" I said it was nothing." The tone seemed harsh, more ardent, more curt than she ever heard it before. She must've made him angry, but damn, she didn't know why.
The conversation had just snowballed and rapidly flown downhill at that moment. She swore had the discussion been a boulder, she would've been crushed by it.
Akira turned, " Goodnight."
" Goodnight...?" Her surprise was still evident.
He just continued on, disappearing back into wherever he came from; back into the black.
Should she be offended? He was a stranger, after all, but she liked to think of him as a friend.
Maybe she was wrong.
Misao shook it off and went to her room.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Aoshi sat before her in his habitual meditative position in his usual chamber of the temple. She wanted to talk with him, but of what she wasn't sure. It was instinct, a gut feeling that made her feel uneasy, uneasy enough to come to the temple hours before she usually did. Maybe a childish memory of Aoshi-sama comforting her when she was little made her do so. It seemed plausible, Misao thought.
Very much so, in fact.
She moved closer to his seated form, standing in the dull brightness of the sun's outstretched shadow of him. He didn't shift, not indicating he was aware of her presence or not.
" Umm...Aoshi-sama. Can...?"
She diverted her eyes away from him, realizing how awkward she must have sounded. Misao knew he heard her, and that he was awaiting her question.
" Can I talk to you?" Her tone was hopeful that he would comply.
Silence hung heavy, then a rustle of cloth as Aoshi stood in one fluid movement He towered over her; even with his back facing her. He turned and took a step forward.
"Come." He responded, deadpan and even. He blinked once and moved at a snail's pace, step by step.
"Huh?"
Aoshi halted in the temple doorway. " It would be inappropriate to converse here. Outside, perhaps?"
That was just like him, wasn't it? She gave a smile and followed him out into the light.
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Okina sat in the greenery of his beloved garden. Often times, he came here to relax, but today that wouldn't be so easy.
Trouble was, indeed, fast approaching. The morning brightness only illuminated his concern.
Okina closed his eyes in thought. Earlier in the morning he and Aoshi had discussed what they must do if it came down to it. The yakuza, a certain one in particular, were planning something akin to a coup. But what the wisdom of the Oniwaban didn't know, was on whom.
The Yasunari group were, seemingly, rising in influence throughout the area. Strings of violence and robbery followed word of them. Perhaps, he speculated, that was the reasoning for the movement of the other groups: protection.
A bird chirped distinctly in a nearby shrub, soon followed by a sharp, flowy tune. Others seemed to respond to the call, and joined him on the branch, each pecking at each other curiously.
Another thought bit his mind before he could even confirm that. The group was supposed to be destroyed, decimated long before; the leader had been an older man, but, was confirmed dead. He had no known family, no offspring, no replacement. So then how?
Bitter formers maybe trying to make a stand? The Oniwaban had fought against the group before, during the war, but held neither resentment nor quarter for them. It was during the Bakumatsu, when everyone was enemies and fought according to his own set of ideals.
He felt like he was getting older, worn. Misao had no knowledge of these occurrences and he intended to keep it that way. She was Okashira in name only her duties did not extend into the title at all. This was best for her.
As long as she was not harmed by it.
AN- This felt more than anything like a filler to me. It got some things out and into the open, though.
Thanks to all that reviewed, it was quite helpful. If you didn't notice sueb262, I put in your suggestion (one of your many hehe); Kenshin does say it often...SO! I agree, why not take advantage!
I love to say that I have you in my little web of deceit. Remember, things aren't always as they seem...( I'm not talking about the obvious here)