Now or Never
By: Cereis
(Rikka-chan)
Disclaimer: I don't own RK
…but how I long to own Aoshi….
:wishful thinking:
Sighs a deep sigh
lol, isn't it funny how i always start off my chapters w/ the same thing? anyways...sorry for not updating in a baziillion years! school started and extra curricular activities got in the way! ...not to mention my boss...mutters curses under breath but anyways, here's the new chappie! i hope u like it!
i would also like to thank all my reviewers! i love u all!
Chapter 3
Aoshi slowly treaded down the hall, the sound of his foot steps barely resonating off the walls. His mind was a swarm of thoughts and questions that needed to be sorted out. Number one, why had he reacted so violently towards Saitou for being so close to Misao? Number two, why was Saitou even there? Number three, why was Misao hugging Saitou like that, more or less him even returning the embrace? And number four, Why was she even with that sadistic bastard in the first place?
These questions, along with many more were storming through his brain like a monsoon hitting a tiny island. But before he could thoroughly sort through his mind, he had reached the door to Okina's office. There would surely be some extensive meditating later in the temple on a tatami mat with his name on it.
He took in a breath, attempting to regain his composure before knocking on the shoji.
"Come in."
Aoshi entered the room and silently closed the door behind him. He took a brief look around.
Okina's office was slightly different than other offices. It was more of a comfort room rather than an office. He had changed the style ever since the Meiji Era had begun, from what he had heard Misao rattling on to him one time she brought him his tea. His old office desk now stood in a corner, somewhat dusty from lack of use, its luster started to fade. In the center of the room was a rectangular black low western style coffee table. Around it were matching western style seats he heard Okina say that were leather, two of which were occupied by Okina on one side and Saitou on the other.
"Aoshi, have seat." Okina said, motioning to the seat next to Saitou. He nodded his head and took a seat. Saitou sat somewhat relaxed in his chair, observing the room while holding a cigarette in his mouth, his left hand, inside his navy blue officer's jacket fishing for his lighter. Successfully finding his silver lighter, he flipped it open and lighted his cigarette all in one fluid motion.
The three sat momentarily in silence.
Only the sound of the koi pound and a small waterfall could be heard in the silence of the room from the backyard through a window.
Saitou continued to look around the room while puffing on his cigarette.
Aoshi sat there, waiting for someone to break the silence.
"You have good taste in western furniture. I'm quite impressed." Saitou voiced, the silence finally broken.
Okina, obviously not expecting the words that came out of Saitou's mouth, quickly recovered. Aoshi looked on with an impassive look on his face.
"Why thank you, I am rather fond of the west's style in furniture." Okina said with a small smile, rubbing the armrest of the chair with his hand.
"But of course, now isn't the time to discuss different styles of furniture. I do believe that you came here for a reason did you not, Saitou?" Okina's small smile disappeared, immediately replaced by a look of seriousness.
Saitou took another drag of his cigarette.
"Che, never liked the small talk anyways." Saitou muttered, flicking his cigarette into the ash try conveniently located on top of the coffee table. He sat up from his once comfortable position.
"Seiji Okita, age twenty-nine, lives in Yokohama. He is the son of one of the biggest trading merchants in Japan, Seiji Arashi. Lately, Seiji Okita's wife, Okita Yumi, has been getting death threats."
Aoshi listened in silence, looking calm and composed on the outside, but his mind was flying on the inside. A presence suddenly caught his attention. He smirked to himself, Misao was on the other side of the door listening to everything. Leaving his thoughts, Aoshi once again continued to listen in on the case.
"They have hired body guards to come in to protect Seiji's wife, but they won't be sent for about a month's time, more or less. You mission is simple, protect the Seiji household undercover until the permanent bodyguards come in."
Aoshi and Okina looked at each other and exchanged glances.
"It sounds simple enough, but it's little to simple for your tastes Saitou. Is that all the information?" Aoshi asked, skepticism in his voice.
"Hm." Saitou grunted, while reaching for his cigarette from the ashtray, a smirk forming on his face.
He took another drag from it before continuing. He momentarily flickered his eyes towards the door.
"The agent you send has to female."
Aoshi's stomach dropped at this new line of information, while the object of his distress proceeded to ungracefully kick the door open
"I'LL TAKE IT!" Misao screamed, with the tray of tea rattling dangerously in hand.
He's stomach dropped even more.
He knew she was there, hence the dread that appeared in his stomach. But, just for a moment, he prayed just this once, that if he willed it hard enough, just maybe she would suddenly not be behind the door. That Kami-sama would suddenly transport her to some other part of the house during the last sentence that came out of Saitou's mouth, then reappear behind the door. Unfortunately, it didn't work.
"No." Aoshi voice sternly.
"Why not!" Misao retaliated, roughly putting the poor tray of tea down on the table and turned back towards Aoshi. Aoshi slightly cringed at the sight of the pot of tea nearly falling over.
"You are not ready for this mission." Aoshi replied, now standing up, his thoughts now back on the issue at hand. He walked towards her, giving her a hard gaze.
"I've taken on more dangerous things than this!" Misao snapped back.
Aoshi turned around and let out a frustrated breath.
"You are too young."
"I'm nineteen I'll have you know!"
"A nineteen years old child."
A look of hurt crossed her face. She motioned to say another comeback, but shut her mouth and looked at the ground in defeat.
He knew he made a cheap shot, but if it got Misao not to go, then it was worth it. He would make it up to her later.
He looked back at her over his right shoulder. His body tensed. It took every ounce of his strength not to walk over there, take her in his arms and tell her he was sorry. To tell her the real reason why he didn't want her to go. But he held back.
Looking at the ground, she slowly brought her head up, bitterness in her eyes with fresh tears forming ready to pour out.
"If I'm a nineteen year old child now, then what was I three years ago chasing you around Japan?", she spoke softly.
Aoshi's eyes widened.
"Misao!" Okina scolded.
She brought her hand up to her mouth. The moment those words came out of her mouth, she immediately regretted them. She fled from the room, tears falling from her eyes.
He froze. Hurt now flashed across Aoshi's impassive face. He looked down away from the spot where Misao stood. The once emotionless mask started to crack.
"…I'm sorry Misao…for putting you through all that pain…" Aoshi spoke, his voice barely a whisper, inaudible to anyone but himself.
Aoshi stood in silence. Okina and Saitou sat in their chairs behind him. Okina had a worried look on his face, Saitou just sat there watching.
Okina cleared his throat.
"Aoshi, lets continue this later. Come to my office after dinner-"
"No. Let us finish the briefing now." Aoshi said, once again taking his seat at the table. His mask of ice returned to his face.
Okina looked at Aoshi, not wanting to continue, but hesitantly agreed and nodded for Saitou to continue.
Saitou took a puff of his cigarette, having rescued it from the ashtray, unable to resist the cancer stick. -Author note: smoking equals cancer which equalsdeath. that is all!
"For this case, no matter how much I detest the idea, I do think that Misao would be best suited for this position. She is by far the most qualified from my personal experience." Saitou said.
"I would have to agree." Okina replied.
"No. She is too young. She is only nineteen years old-"
"You yourself became Okashira at fifteen years of age Aoshi." Okina argued, cutting Aoshi off.
"You of all people should be able to understand this situation. You have been training her for about two and a half years now. You know all of what Misao is capable of. She is your ward, and the current Okashira. She should not be taken lightly."
"I still think that she is not ready." Aoshi continued.
"I may have trained her for the past two and a half years, but she still has a long path of training ahead of her."
"I have seen her training on her own time. Her form is nearly perfect, and her aim has become a great deal better. It is obvious that your training has greatly improved her skill as a Oniwabanshuu." Okina said, stroking his beard.
Her form has gotten better, along with her aim. He couldn't deny that. But, it didn't Aoshi from worrying about her getting herself into trouble or getting hurt.
"Fine. I give my consent for Misao to go on this mission."
Okina gave a sigh relief, Saitou just puffed on his cigarette.
"But," Aoshi continued.
Okina and Saitou looked at Aoshi.
"She will not go alone. I too will go with Misao on this mission. Under these pretenses, I will support this mission."
Saitou sighed in his seat, all the while exhaling silver wisps of smoke from his lips.
"Shinomori, why must you always be so difficult?" Saitou said, shaking his head.
"But, I did predict this. You will also go with Weasel on this mission."
Aoshi and Okina nodded in agreement.
"Then it's settled. Misao and Aoshi will go undercover together on this mission."
"Here is the case file. Look over it, all the details are in the file. We'll meet at the train station in a week's time." Saitou handed a brown folder to Aoshi.
Aoshi took the folder, nodding his head.
All three stood up and headed outside of Okina's office.
"Aoshi, I would like you to bring the case file to Misao's office." Okina said, but with a look in his eye that screamed 'make up with Misao now'.
"Aa." Aoshi answered and walked off in the direction of the Okashira's office.
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yay! now it's the best part! REVIEW! if u want me to update and write better chapters than the one i just wrote, then REVIEW! i'll update faster if u REVIEW! so...REVIEW! I LOVE U ALLL!
oh yes, and i would like to thank the reviews again b/c i was looking at them the other night and they inspired me to write again and update : )
-cereis out