Endymion

By dee1600

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. This story was inspired by Hyde's song Shallow Sleep from his Roentgen album.

Chapter 10: Meeting Old Acquaintances

You would think that after what I had learned, what I have seen and what I have gone through, I would have willingly risked my life to save Misao. But it was nothing like that. For the next three months, all I could think of were all those times we spent together --- all those times when she comforted and consoled me; all those times when she was everything to me. And then the pain of losing her twice.

Call me a coward but I could not face it again --- the loss of a loved one in my eyes.

And so I did nothing.

If Soujiro did not invite me over to spend the night with them, I would never have breached the castle in the dead of night to come look for her. In my present condition, I would not be strong enough to fight against any god and in this case, the brother and fiancé of my long-lost love. The wound that Megumi (Soujiro) had lodged to my side had left me slightly paralyzed from the lower extremities. So although the poison had left my body, it had left me crippled beyond repair.

Soujiro's stronghold was a ten-storey structure that held the imposing pride of the god. A massive drawbridge was pulled down to allow me entry into the castle. In its magnificent hall, lyre and song were heard from invisible elements. Lavish paintings decorated its walls. A vast field of the most peculiar flowers and trees could be seen in the distance. The place was a glorious sight, so beautiful that any mortal who had seen it would be blinded for eternity.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Aoshi."

I turned to look at the girl that voiced this most impersonal greeting. Could it be… Misao?

But the little girl that stood before me was nothing like the Misao I remembered. Replacing those soft, baby features were a pair of glassy eyes, sallow skin and an unsmiling mouth. Every trace of purity that had once glowed inside this girl had been stolen, along with the sweetness in her voice. This girl looked older, more mature, if not more cynical of the world and herself. In exchange of her white virginal dress with kid slippers, this girl was dressed in a gaudy red clinging gown that was meant to tempt and to seduce.

She regarded me like I was a toy to be played with and then discarded.

"Ah, I see. You have at last met my Misao."

Sauntering towards us was Soujiro. Coming behind Misao, Soujiro nipped her ear and I was sickened by the public display of un-brotherly affection that he showered on her.

"My pretty Misao."

What made it even more revolting was that this girl actually sighed.

"Aoshi is here to stay with us tonight, Misao."

The girl Misao curtsied and smiled. It was a flirtatious smile. The Misao I knew would have smiled shyly, embarrassment plainly tinted on her cheeks. This Misao --- she is nothing like the Misao I had known.

"We should make our guest feel most welcome."

Over dinner, Misao kept making furtive glances my way. I could tell she was trying to get my attention but I kept my head turned away. I closed my eyes from seeing the obvious truth --- Misao had changed.

In a shallow sleep I dreamt I was seeing you
Just how I remembered
Brimming with tenderness

And somewhere in the calm

A feeling that nothing had ever changed

Your presence close beside me till I wake

Jolted awake from my sleep, I settled upon an open balcony window in my room. I needed some fresh air and some time to think, to ponder. And to regret.

Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around my waist. I did not have to turn around to know who it was.

"Did you miss me, Aoshi?"

If her question was not laced with drink, I would have answered her truthfully. Instead, I kept stonily quiet as she held onto me. We stayed like this for some time, her arms wrapped around me as I tried to keep my breathing still.

"Stay with me tonight."

It was a statement, not a request. I carried her on my back and set her on the bed. I then settled beside her. Like the few weeks that we were together, she curled beside me and held me close. But this time, her hands caressed me in places the old Misao would not have dared.

"Misao?"

"Aoshi, make my nightmares go away."

Her hand was stroking me, as if she had done this many times before. I was unsettled by the deep warmth stirring in my nether regions. My breathing was starting to become erratic. I felt instinct taking over, the idea of mating foremost in my mind. And yet I resisted this temptation.

"No--- child---stop!"

"Please Aoshi. The nightmares, they never go away."

She nipped my ear as she implored me with wild kisses until a deep rumbling growl escaped from my lips.

"No, Misao. I will not dishonor you. Not like this."

I stumbled out of the bed and rolled away from her to the farthest corner in the room.

This Misao… I don't know her at all. She is stranger to me, to my eyes and to my heart.