AN: Well after a long delay... mostly due to a bad muse which is attacking again. Mou! I can't decide on what to do about Ch.4!! Don't worry too much though... it should get under control... soon... hopefully... cross your fingers... If you review it might make my muse happy! *^-^* Oh and about the opening and closing themes... blame Tanuki-dono... she got me hooked on the idea! ^-^
Disclaimer: I don't own Kenshin or anyone else from the show, I do however own Shiori, Souzo, Kumiko, and that evil, evil man Naruto. ^-^
Opening Them: WINGS 510 by Do As Infinity
Sins of the Fathers
Ch.3
August 10th, Meiji 34 (1901)
"Matte!" Shiori turned at the desperate tone almost slipping on the soft grass.
Kenji's eyes were burning with determination and something else she couldn't place her finger on, the blue violet orbs brimmed with amber. It was fascinating! She heard a collective gasp from the people not too far behind her and wanted to turn to look at them but could not tear her gaze from such blazing eyes.
"Say you'll wait for me."
"What?" She asked more for clarification than anything else.
Kenji clenched his fists tightly trying to control his shaking. "Say you'll wait for me and I'll find you."
Shiori shook her head her heart threatening to burst from her chest. "You're talking nonsense! Wait for you where?"
Kenji's eyes softened a bit before speaking again. "In your heart. Wait for me in your heart and no matter where you go I will find you."
~*~*~
Shiori woke with a start sweat sliding down her temples as she breathed in heavily. She lifted a shaking hand to her pale face, her golden eyes wide. Why was she dreaming those dreams again? This time her dream had been so real she could almost feel the dampness of that mid March night. Why now? Why was she dreaming about him again? About that night again? Did her mind take pleasure in tormenting her so?
"Oi! Jou-chan! Hurry and get up or I'm eating without you!" Bellowed a deep voice by her shoji door. She said nothing as the sounds of soft footfalls trailed down the hallway away from their earlier post beside her door.
Shiori resisted a loud groan and instead threw off her covers knowing that her stepbrother would eat her portions without remorse. Her dream was forgotten momentarily with the daily rituals of pampering oneself for presentation to the outer world. She quickly dressed in a yellow kimono with a red leaf print, wrapping the deep red obi around her thin waist. Her hand lingered briefly on the obi with the vine motif embroidered in deep jade. Shiori ignored the rush of grief and continued to shove the memories back into the recesses of her mind. Picking up a small comb she tried to find order in the mess that was her hair and attempt to make it presentable to the outside world. But as soon as the dark haired woman tied the yellow ribbon around the end of her hair the dream rushed back at her nearly knocking her off her feet.
Shiori reached out a slim hand towards her dresser trying to steady herself from the onslaught of emotions that racked her thin body. She suppressed the tears with a large sob, swallowing it all in an attempt to gather her composure before facing the one person who would interrogate her if she looked the least bit ruffled. She didn't want to deal with that conversation—besides he would never understand. With a deep breath and an unsteady heart Shiori stepped out of her bedroom and into the hallway leading to the main gathering center.
~*~*~
"It's about time you showed up!" Muttered a husky voice from pouting thin lips. Warm chocolate brown eyes twinkled mischievously while a white headband attempted to hold back the wild and unruly spikes. "Well don't you look pretty today..."
Shiori growled at the taller young man who held up his hands defensively. "Oh shut up you moron." She sat down quickly on the large, square cushion across from Souzo who looked mildly hurt. She didn't dare look at him.
"Hey, hey, hey!" The black haired boy cried out indignantly running a large hand through his ponytail. "What got stuck up your-"
Shiori snarled and pointed her black lacquered chopsticks at the man before her. "Say it, Souzou, and I'll personally shove these chopsticks up your-"
Souzou frowned interrupting her tirade. "Well that's not real ladylike." He eyed her suspiciously from behind the glasses resting on his thin nose. The shorter girl shrunk back under his careful gaze knowing her attempt at their usual banter had failed. "Care to tell me what's wrong?"
Shiori sniffed before lifting her pointed chin in the air. "No." Souzou stared at the sharply faced woman silently frowning before resuming to eat his breakfast. Shiori glanced at the tanned youth and immediately felt guilty. Ever since they meet five years ago he had been nothing but kind to her, sometimes perverted but mostly kind. He didn't deserve her bitterness or anger. Her reactions were born from years of solitude and though Souzo had gained her trust, albeit roughly, she still failed to let herself trust him with her heart.
The raven-haired woman sighed before placing her chopsticks on her rice bowl. She pushed herself back a little so that when she bowed her head wouldn't hit the table. "I'm sorry Souzou." She said sadly. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I've just got a lot on my mind." She sat back upright to look at him better.
Souzou sat up straighter looking down at her from his tall height. "I can see that. Are you nervous about dinner with Murasaki-san?" He asked gently as if poking around a bullet wound. A part of him wanted to shake her and tell her that what she was doing was wrong! All wrong! That she was making a mistake in marrying that bumbling idiot when the one she should look towards was under her nose! Instead the dark haired youth tried to make her happy and support her through his calm gentleness and brotherly kindness. Che, what a joke!
Shiori winced and pinched the bridge of her pert nose with delicate fingers. "Oh I completely forgot about that! Mou! Souzou! There are going to be so many officials inspecting me down their sharp noses! What am I going to do?" She puffed out her cheeks in irritation earning a laugh from the young man.
"Gatotsu them all?"
Shiori glared at him. "I'm serious here! One wrong move and I'll not only put Naruto-kun to shame but Papa as well!"
Souzou chuckled in his deep baritone voice and shook his head. "I know, I know. But you did promise and it's something you're just going to have to get used to. Murasaki is so important now and these dinner parties with foreign beneficiaries are going to become more frequent." Shiori sighed deeply picking at her food again. Souzo watched her with fascination adding as an after thought, "He's good man, Shiori. He'll be able to take care of you." He said softly almost sadly. Shiori threw him a curious glance before picking at the edges of her long yellow sleeves.
"I know that, but still… I just wish-" Shiori closed her mouth shut with an audible snap. She blushed prettily and busied herself with the invisible lint on her kimono. She had almost said his name! How silly of her!
Souzou stopped shoveling rice into his mouth and looked at her questioningly. "You just wish what?" She could already see the fox ears pop onto either side of his head in curious wonderment.
She sighed and gave him a grim frown. "Nothing! I wish that this wasn't happening is all!" She recovered watching the fox ears droop slightly and then disappear.
The roughish young man placed his bowl onto the small low table with a gentleness that belied his muscle size. He wished she would just tell him what troubled her so. It had taken him so long to break through most of her polite gestures and strong barriers to come to this point and yet she still did not trust him. He watched her for a little while before turning away with a soft sigh. Sometimes he couldn't stand to look at her and know that he'd never have a place in her heart. "Well, Jou-chan, I have to go help mom at the clinic today. If you need anything you know you can always come to me." The sincere way he said it and the warm understanding look in his dark eyes nearly brought tears into her golden ones. She just nodded and whispered a small 'thank you' afraid that if she said too much everything would spill out.
She watched his broad back muscles flex and shift under the cotton green kimono as he placed the doctor coat over it. He looked over his shoulder at her again and gave her a devilish smile that had her rolling her eyes and smiling gently again. The door closed behind him and a few seconds later the sound of the gate swinging shut with a slam followed his whistling tune. Shiori sunk to her knees and felt the tears pour down before she even reached the floor.
She had wanted to tell Souzou, wanted to tell him that she didn't love Murasaki, that she still loved Kenji even though he had never wanted her. She was tired and fatigued from the recent week's nightly events that she could barely contain her emotions under that cool control she always had. She hated this feeling of helplessness, she was her own master and yet she could not even control her own body.
Sobs racked her body harshly, threatening to break the willowy figure within the pale kimono. Her bones shuddered and her muscles ached, bruises that had formed from the previous day's scuffle left her feeling weak and breathless. She closed her eyes hoping against hope that she would wake up and find herself still a child without all these worries and troubles! She was too young to be this old! Why had fate dealt her such a bad hand?
Warm blue violet eyes filtered behind her closed lids. Shiori snarled and smashed her fist onto the wooden table the bowls and cups clattering against each other. Her face softened and new tears came forth from the golden pools. Why couldn't she forget about him? It would be a year today since his disappearance and still she could not forget about him. His shallow promise of finding her if she waited, still scratched into her heart. Like a fool she waited… over four years she waited for him. Even when he didn't want her she waited, yet Kenji did not come.
Her heart ached within her chest and she moaned out in frustration and pain. She promised herself that she would not shed any more tears for that man… the one who never loved her back. The raven-haired woman took in a shuddering breath and closed her eyes forcing the tears back. No, she would not cry anymore. Souzo was right Murasaki was a good man that would take care of her. He would never leave her and he would shout his love for her from the tallest of mountains. A tear escaped the tightly closed lids. No. She didn't want to remember her shock and horror at the calm statements. She didn't want to relive those tortured seconds. She didn't want to cry anymore.
~*~*~
Kenshin was sitting on the terrace that over looked the garden of the Aoiya. Two weeks had passed since Enishi's arrival to Japan and still no information of the disappearance of their children had been found. The weary man sighed as he watched the sun slowly sink back into the earth casting its orange red beams onto the life below. A soft breeze blew the branches of green sakura trees, their blossoms long gone, taking with it the few leaves in preparation for winter. Kenshin bent his head down letting his long bangs cover his face, his short hair brushing his shoulders softly. Winter… how he hated it.
"Himura-san?" A soft voice called to him bringing him back to the present.
Kenshin smiled warmly and patted the area beside himself, knowing without looking whom it was that queried about him. "Come sit with me a while Shiori-chan."
The raven-haired girl smiled slightly and took the proffered seat. She watched the older Himura carefully as the sun bathed him in its orange glow making the bright red locks look brighter. Kenshin turned to her gaze and smiled causing her to blush embarrassingly for being caught staring.
"What brings you out here?" Kenshin asked taking note of her thinning face and pale complexion. Shiori had lost her vivacity and strength in the past few months, in a way they all had, yet she never failed to smile and look optimistic about it all, helping with chores whenever she could. Yet Kenshin saw through her façade, for he was a master of hiding his own sorrow.
He could only imagine just how hard it was on the young woman who had been hoping to find her love only to have it snatched away from her unexpectedly. Kenshin understood to some degree the feeling of loss that she carried around her like a thick blanket. He too had lost a love once, twice really, even though it had been fake, and could reflect on the feelings she had. However, Kenshin had lost his loves in death not for an abduction, for that was what he was sure had happened. In death there was assurance that the loved one would never come back, in a disappearance there was the unknown and that was more terrifying.
"I-I wanted to see the sunset." The young wolf cub mumbled out. It was partially true. She had wanted to see the night descend over the beautiful flower garden and watch the last few fireflies dance among the darkness. However, she had also wanted to see how the red head was doing and quench a small thirst in just looking at him. It was a painful and pacifying reminder whenever she looked at the older man, seeing the resemblance to Kenji in his eyes and soft smile, but it also helped to ease the pain a little. The sick man had also been fairing a lot worse these past few weeks and she was afraid that she might loose him too.
Kenshin nodded and turned back to the darkening garden. Silence settled in between them and neither wanted to break the calm peace. From the moment he really got a chance to know her at the festival years ago, Kenshin had fallen in love with Shiori. She was the daughter he never had and it amused him how she could be so much like her father at times and yet be everything that Saitou never was. She had wormed her way into his heart and Kenshin could not help but keep her there. The red head had expressed his excitement of Saitou's somewhat approval of Kenji and Shiori's marriage to Kaoru and she had laughed at him. Who could believe that the daughter of his worst enemy would be the one to carry a small piece of his heart?
"Anou… Himura-san?" Shiori started a bit timidly, she didn't quite know how to breech the subject. Kenshin just raised a dark eyebrow and waited for her to continue patiently. Shiori finally looked at the pale face and the sad, dark violet eyes frowning slightly. "How are you feeling?"
Kenshin blinked in bewilderment for a moment pushing down his urge to laugh at the serious expression that crossed the much too young face. "I feel fine Shiori-chan." Dark brown eyes fell into a flat line and Kenshin felt as though Saitou were staring at him disbelievingly. He chuckled and gave her a smile. "Really I do."
Shiori blew out her bangs from her eyes only to have them flop back into place and gave him a grim frown. "Well if you say so. But I still think you're lying."
Kenshin laughed out loud causing her to blush in embarrassment. It only caused Kenshin to laugh harder.
"Mou!" Shiori pouted crossing her arms about her chest and looking towards the garden as the first flicker of light appeared. A smile tugged at her lips as the older Himura tried to quell his laughter. His laughter was like wind chimes in the summer afternoon, causing a smile to come to whom ever was listening. It was a rare but addictive sound making the listener drunk off the small taste longing to hear more and share in its joyfulness.
"Thank you for worrying about me." He said once he calmed down placing a hand on the crown of her dark hair while looking at her tenderly.
Shiori turned to look at the older man fully in the face and smiled. "You must take care of yourself Himura-san. Kenji would be so sad once he comes back and..." Shiori trailed off leaving the unspoken in the thick air. Kenshin nodded and drew her in kissing her forehead. Shiori smiled and gave him a quick hug. Kenshin had a special place in Shiori's heart too, what her father often times neglected and could not give her Kenshin did unabashedly.
At the sound of footsteps they both broke apart to see who was coming their way. The shadows of the roof masked the tall man briefly until the silver beams of moonlight spun through his white hair. Enishi regarded the young woman beside his brother-in-law briefly in the same calculating curiosity he always had when he saw her. She was the unknown and there was something about her he didn't quite trust or particularly like.
Shiori pulled her feet from the edge of the terrace and tucked them under her before bowing to the man towering over her small form. Enishi acknowledged the formal greeting with a quick nod of his head before looking over at the smiling red head.
"Your wife wants to know if you're hungry." The baritone voice wafted through the crisp night air. Kenshin merely frowned slightly before shaking his head. Enishi sighed at the older man's stubbornness.
"I shall bring you some tea then Himura-san." Shiori said with a tone that Enishi could not understand. It was as if she were scolding and reprimanding the older man in a mocking sort of way. Kenshin only chuckled and agreed some time between the laughter. Translucent brown eyes settled on his glowing teal eyes. "Would you like some as well Yukishiro-san?"
Enishi nodded his consent while mentally wondering when he had given her his name. He shrugged it off heavily as his eyes landed on the violet-eyed man who sat smiling at the fireflies in the silver garden. The raven-haired woman rose quietly and walked past him gracefully into the building.
Enishi watched her leave for a moment before facing his companion. Kenshin patted the spot that she had previously preoccupied with a silly grin on his face. Enishi rolled his eyes before sitting down next to the smiling man. A few minutes passed in silence as Enishi fidgeted slightly. Finally, since Kenshin wasn't offering any explanations, he asked. "Who is that girl?"
Kenshin eyed him with a quizzical expression painted across his face. "Who? Shiori-chan?"
"Yes. Why is she here? Is she some girl you rescued Himura?" Enishi asked trying to see if maybe she was involved with their children's disappearance. Kenshin just stared at the white haired man, his large violet eyes wide and surprised. "What?" The white haired man asked a bit ruffled. He didn't quite like to be kept in the dark and looked upon as an ignorant fool.
"Didn't Kenji tell you, Enishi?"
He raised a pale eyebrow. "Tell me what?" His harsh voice commanded an answer from the redhead who stared at him baffled.
"She's the reason he's working so hard on becoming stronger." Kenshin frowned. "She's his fiancée."
"What?!" Enishi cried out, his round spectacles moving down his nose. "He never once mentioned this!" The younger man expressed while pushing his glasses back into place with a slim finger. The entire time he had thought Kenji just wanted to best his father and that the young man was just too focused on that then to have any romantic interests. It explained why he never acknowledged Tomoyo or Kumiko's feelings, yet he never said anything to get them to stop. Why was that?
"Not even once?" Kenshin inquired softly, his dark eyes lost with the soft green lights floating around the garden.
Enishi shook his snowy white head. "Not once did he mention his engagement. As a matter of fact he seemed inclined to be otherwise."
Both men turned around swiftly as a loud crashing sound was heard. Standing in the doorway behind them was a very pale Shiori with large brown eyes shaking slightly.
"I'm sorry." She whispered as she kneeled bowing her head to hide the tears that fell onto the fragments of clay at her feet.
~*~*~
Shiori clutched her chest, her heart constricted so tightly. Why didn't he tell anyone? Did he fall in love with someone else? Her heart clenched tighter at the idea. When she had questioned Aoshi and Misao they too had that surprised look at knowing that she had been waiting for Kenji so that they could be married. He had never mentioned it to either of them as well. Was he so much a coward that he couldn't tell her? Tell all of them that he had found his true love and was off with her? No. Kenji would never do that to his parents. Was he dead then? Could he have failed to get stronger and died? She found it hard to breathe with that question. She would have rather he married someone else than to have him dead.
Something clunked against the wooden floor as she covered her flushed face with her hands. Slowly she blinked back the tears that clouded her vision and fumbled around with her sleeve. She pulled out the comb he had given her so long ago. She didn't remember placing it on her person and now she regretted it. The comb was cracked in two and the porcelain flowers broken. Shiori's bottom lip trembled and she desperately tried to piece the object back together, but she could not. Once again tears stung at her eyes, blurring her vision so that she could barely see the comb that she frantically tried to fix.
Shiori cursed at herself for being so stupid as to place the delicate comb within her sleeves. She then cursed herself at her own weakness to stop the tears. They just flowed from her eyes nonstop, dripping softly onto her hands where the comb pieces were collected. The tears blinded her and stung her eyes until she shut them and leaned forward against the table resting her head on top of the cool surface. The thin young woman hiccupped as she tried to breathe and release the squeezing hold on her chest. Her eyes screwed together tighter before relaxing as her exhausted mind gave way to darkness. She didn't even realize that she had fallen asleep crying.
~*~*~
Aoshi waited until he heard the gate swing close softly before turning the corner towards the garden. Dark blue eyes watched the gate curiously, hoping that the petite woman that fled so quietly would come back. The tall man walked to the edge of the covered walkway, sitting down, his long legs touching the soft grass below it. Aoshi briefly wondered if Misao would come back. It was a strange thought that left him feeling empty and hollow. He knew that she was getting restless and that today was the worst of days of her endless depression.
Aoshi sighed, his leg muscles twitching slightly in an urge to sprint after the younger woman and bring her back home, but he didn't move. His long, thin fingers curled into a tight fist as he drew his lips into a thin frown. He couldn't chase after her, not because he didn't want to, but because he was afraid. Afraid that if he encountered her and saw her dark eyes troubled, he would say something. He didn't want to say anything, didn't want to crush her world with the knowledge he was burdened with months ago.
He wished he had never known then he could share the hope and faith that his wife so deeply had on their child. But he knew the truth and it was not the answer he had hoped for. Aoshi could still recall the feeling of utter despair as he read the note given to him by a very reliable contact. The words were simple and short. They are dead.
Dead. At first the dark haired man didn't believe it—he couldn't actually. He had taught his daughter everything she knew. She was smart and inventive, death would not have been a possible choice. But there in his hand was the letter that proclaimed it all. They were dead.
That night he had trudged home in silence, locking himself away in his study. He didn't want to face anyone and let them know just yet. There had to be falseness to the letter, he knew it and he was going to find the correct truth, for this just could not be true. Four skilled martial artists don't just die; it had to be a mistake. However, the more he investigated the more he wished he never knew. All the trails lead to the same place… a grave.
Misao had cried and pleaded with him to speak to her, but he ignored her. He couldn't look into those eyes and tell her what he knew. Instead Aoshi told his wife that it was all right, that he would find their child and walked away. Her tears haunted him in his dreams but he just couldn't bare to tell her the truth. So Aoshi let her and the others live in the deception that their children were still out there somewhere and that they were going to find them. Soon Misao just stopped talking to him and sought comfort from Himura's white haired brother-in-law, Enishi.
Aoshi bowed his head so that his long black bangs would cover his tear filled eyes. 'Misao…I'm sorry.' He had no right to chase after her. He drove her away in an attempt to spare her from pain but only caused more grief. He had not intended to do such a thing, but he did and now, he wished more than ever that he never knew the truth. And yet… and yet Aoshi knew that if he had not been the one to intercede that message, Misao would not be here with him, struggling to live another day. It was another grave he wouldn't be able to dig.
So Aoshi waited on the terrace, unsure of what actions to take next. Whether to chase down his flying bird or let her leave towards the happiness only he could give her. The tall man bent down and cried liquid tears of ice.
~*~*~
Shiori dreamed the festival memory again, only it became more twisted and dark. She imagined Kenji insulting her and killing her with his own blade, while a black faced female laughed on encouraging her death. The dream caused her to cry once more, screaming for Kenji to stop. He just laughed cruelly and dug the sword deeper twisting it as he whispered three little words, "I hate you." Her eyes fluttered open, terrified as someone's voice invaded her dreams and warm hands caressed her face drying the tears.
"Jou-chan?" Souzo looked down worriedly at the little girl that blinked puffy red eyes at him. "What is it? What's wrong?" The taller boy sat down beside her, never letting his hands drop from the red flushed face. Shiori's bottom lip quivered slightly as he searched her face lovingly. Souzo pulled her in towards him embracing the thinner frame tightly. "Tell me Shiori… tell me what is it that hurts you so bad." The dark haired youth could pretty much figure out what was wrong, if what he overheard her mumble and if his memory served him correctly.
'Idiot! You shouldn't have left her alone! Moron!' It wasn't until he got to the clinic and surprised his mother that he realized what day it was. He ran as fast as he could back to their home praying that she was okay, that he wasn't too late. But upon his arrival Souzo found the girl having a fitful sleep at the table, her food untouched, with tears running down her pale cheeks. Souzo tightened his hold on her while inwardly cursing himself for being so stupid. He caressed her hair gently, whispering soft words of comfort and apologizing to her profusely.
Shiori tried not to cry but being held by Souzo as if she was the most precious thing in the world caused her to collapse and let her tortured soul out. She cried out, her wailing muffled by the boy's shoulder, clinging to him as if he was her only lifeline. Each sob shook her body terribly that she was afraid her bones would break under the pressure she felt within her chest.
Souzo ground his teeth together his heart reaching out towards her. "Just let it all out, Jou-chan. Just let it all out." He whispered into the crown of her dark hair. She just shuddered once and buried herself deeper into his embrace trying to disappear from the world and her existence.
Shiori had stopped crying after a long while, yet how long it was, she wasn't sure. Souzo was still holding her tightly, her head resting lightly on his chest, listening to the soft beating of his heart. It was the first time that she was in such a position with him even though they were extremely affectionate with each other. It felt weird and surreal to her, yet oddly comforting somehow. This was a side she had never shown to him, never wanted to show anyone. She hated weaknesses, hated to be considered one. She had shown Souzo her weakness and yet… yet it was as if they had reached an unspoken understanding and that thought gave her peace.
He couldn't stand watching her cry over someone else. He never personally met this Himura Kenji, and if he did it wouldn't be pretty. Souzo just couldn't understand why Kenji had not come for her yet, why he had not sent word. If it had been him he would've crossed the entire ocean just to deliver a letter, a hug, a kiss, anything. Yet the man that supposedly loved her so much didn't even have the decency to admit that he had found another, at least that is what Souzo assumed had happened. Kenji had found a new woman to love and had forgotten all about Shiori.
Souzo loved her from the moment he found her perched on the steps of his mother's clinic in Aizu. It was rather funny since he didn't believe in love at first sight, yet with her it couldn't have been any other way. She was the charming snake that one could not help but be hypnotized by.
~*~*~
March 22, Meiji 26 (1896)
Souzo strolled along the road that lead back to his mother's clinic. He had just helped Harada Risa deliver her second daughter into the world and was on his way back to give his mother the good news. The young man had happened to stop by the older woman's home as he made his medical deliveries and found the woman ready to give birth in her empty home. He smiled a roguish smirk as he imagined the look on his mom's face when he told her what he did. Souzo faintly wondered if he was the first eighteen-year-old to deliver a baby. A long, thin piece of grass hung limply from the corner of his mouth bobbing against his smile. His mother hated when he did that but he liked it, so he did it whenever he could, out of his mother's sight of course.
It was a nice day outside. The sun was already on its descent back towards the earth, letting the midday heat slowly evaporate under the fresh spring breeze as dark clouds lined the horizon. Spring was finally taking full swing and rain showers were about as frequent as the stars. Souzo stopped at the gate before his home and took a deep inhale of the chill air before tossing away the grass stem.
The dark haired teenager had just turned the corner when he saw her sitting on the terrace, her chubby face twisted into a bored look within her palm. The young girl was wearing a plain green kimono with a yellow obi tied into a hasty bow. Her legs were drawn up in the most unladylike fashion while the elbow supporting her chin was on her left knee. She wasn't paying attention to him and gave a small yelp of surprise as he sat down next to her.
"Yo." Souzo smiled at the petite girl child while she just blinked large honey colored eyes back at him. "My name is Takani Souzo. What's your name?" Souzo had a very strange childhood in Aizu. He never really had children his age to play with. He would, however, help entertain the children that came into the clinic, yet they were few and far between and often times too old or too young for him to really relate to. When he got older, the children he attended became younger and so he developed a good handling of younger children.
"How do you do?" Shiori asked quickly sitting back into a formal squat and bowing towards the surprised youth. "I am Fujita Shiori. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Souzo rubbed his dark brown eyes with a large hand before blinking back towards her. "Hajimashite Fujita-san. Is there something I could help you with?"
Shiori shook her head sending black locks of hair flying about her face. "Iie. I am merely here accompanying my father."
Again Souzo was taken aback by the formal tone with which the small girl spoke. "Sou ka… Is he sick?"
Once again she shook her head. "He merely wishes to speak with the doctor on a topic of utmost importance."
"Anou… if you don't mind me asking… Just how old are you Fujita-san?" Souzo felt as if he might of misjudged her age. On the outside she appeared to be a small child of eleven or twelve summers, yet when she spoke it was that if a young woman was trapped within the tiny body.
Shiori's brown eyes flatten slightly in annoyance. "Though I fail to understand what my age has to do with anything, I just turned twelve two days ago."
Souzo fell over. "Twelve?! Are you sure?" He asked urgently not really believing his ears.
Shiori flushed in anger and pouted her little pink lips. "Of course I'm serious! I am quite capable of knowing my own age, sir!" She huffed and turned her back towards the taller boy. And Souzo laughed. He laughed until she turned back around with a confused look on her cherub face. He laughed as she finally caved in and joined him in his laughter. He laughed as his mother and whom he assumed was the young girl's father, appeared to see what the noise was all about. He laughed so hard that his sides hurt and tears began to leak from the tightly closed eyes, as breathing became a labor. He had never laughed before until that day, not real laughter at least, and since then he would never stop.
It had not been a really funny moment or even a hilarious act, yet the manner in which Shiori always carried herself and the way she spoke made anyone relax and enjoy her sweet nature. That was, of course, until he got to know her more and then it was no longer funny but painful to watch. He had learned about the wolf the small girl could be and the sheep's skin she often liked to prance around in. It was disarming, it was dangerous but it was her cry, her attempt at acceptance.
~*~*~
The dark haired girl shifted slightly so that she could look up at the young man that held her dearly as one would hold a newborn babe. She searched his dark eyes for answers wondering what it could be that made him so approachable, yet she found nothing. Shiori pulled away from the embrace, her eyes fixed onto the dark spot on his kimono. She pouted cutely earning her a deep throaty chuckle from the man before her.
"Feeling better?" He asked carefully watching her intensely behind his spectacles.
Shiori nodded after a while and sniffed slightly while rubbing her swollen eyes. "Yes." She winced at the way her voice cracked. She tried to clear her throat but the burning sensation that ran against her vocal cords seemed to burn hotter.
Souzo reached around her for the cold cup of tea and placed it against her pink lips. She frowned as she looked down at the cool murky darkness of the tea and Souzo laughed at her childish face. "Just drink it. It'll make your throat feel better." He pushed the cup further against her lips until they parted letting the liquid seep in.
The tea was bitter and like ice against the worn muscles, yet she drank the substance anyways, making faces along the way earning a laugh each time from her companion. Shiori hated weaknesses, hated her own, hated to be one. She hated everything there was and could be associated with weakness. She had to be strong, for those around her, those that watched and waited with worry-filled eyes and shaking hands. She didn't want anyone to worry about her, so she placed her mask of painlessness on, letting it slip into place as easy as a glove. She would not be a weakness… would not bring sorrow to another. If they were happy, then she too was happy. That was the way it should be… that was true justice.
And now… now there was one whom had seen her with her mask down, had seen her real tears and had held her broken body…Souzo… dear, sweet Souzo. The raven haired woman smiled warmly at the older man as she placed her cup down on the low table. Shiori grabbed both of his large hands and raised them to her cheek. "Thank you Souzo. You are too dear and kind to me."
Souzo blushed and sputtered, earning a giggle from the small girl. After several tries, the green haired youth snorted and patted the girl's head like a master would his dog. "Sometimes I just don't understand you at all."
Shiori winked and stood up glancing at the western clock. "Good! That's exactly how I want it to be!" Souzo snorted again and Shiori laughed picking up her untouched dishes to carry them back to the kitchen. The young man would never understand how true her words were.
~*~*~
'Boring… boring…stupid… even more stupid…' The tall, young man sighed as he shifted through his coats and trousers. He was at a complete loss as to what to wear for the evening festivity that was a little more than an hour away. He ran a large, calloused hand through his short, cropped hair sighing once again as he sat himself on the large western bed. 'Maybe this wasn't as good an idea as I thought it to be.' The handsome man was about to give up and send a letter of apology when the door to his bedchamber swung open with a loud thud.
In huffed a very beautiful woman with dark black hair pinned closely to her head and a long blue western gown that set off her dark eyes. Said eyes roved over the mess the occupant of the room had made before landing on the youth himself. "What are you doing? Why aren't you dressed? The carriage is already here!"
The man winced and held his head over his knees as he spoke his next few words. "I've changed my mind. I don't want to go." He felt rather than saw the searing look from the pale skinned woman. There was a loud shuffling of silk and laces before the hems of the dress came into his view.
"Oh no you don't! I did not travel half way across the world, get shoved into this constricting corset and uncomfortable shoes so that you could become a coward!" The young woman smacked her companion with a white-gloved hand. "Now put something on and let's go!" The skirt pulled out of the man's view in sweeping movements.
"But I don't have anything to wear." The youth pouted as he glanced up at the finely dressed woman. She in turn let her bare, slim shoulders drop as she leveled him with a dubious look. Trunk loads of coats and shirts spilled everywhere, from the bed to the surrounding furniture.
The woman sashayed over to the open armoire and pulled out a pair of dark gray trousers and coat placing them next to a lighter gray waistcoat that was resting near the man on the bed. She then hastened to the chair where a variety of colorful silk spilled towards the floor finding a violet cravat amidst the mess. Turning back to the young man she eyed the winged collar of his white shirt and began tying the violet silk around his neck.
"There. I'll leave the rest to you." She moved away and he stuck out his hand catching her arm in his firm grip.
"What if she isn't… I mean what… how much truth is there behind it? What if she still cares? Maybe…maybe I still have a chance."
The dark haired girl shook her head sadly while gently pulling her arm away. "I… I checked it out this morning… it's true… Fujita Shiori is marrying Murasaki Naruto in two weeks. According to everyone I spoke with, they are madly in love with one another and have finalized everything for the wedding. They are just awaiting the date." Her already dark eyes became bluer than indigo shimmering with unsaid emotions.
Himura Kenji bowed his head slightly before standing rigidly and grabbing the light gray waistcoat roughly. "We will see, Kumiko." The young redhead turned his back to the tall woman, golden eyes blazing beneath the long red bangs. "We will see."
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A Note From Ro-Chan:
VOTE FOR ME!! Heart of a Wolf was nominated for a different kind of award! My story is pitched against other stories and then the stories with the less votes get eliminated until only one story is left standing. It's like Survivor for FanFiction! Only problem is that I'm going against stories like My Life & When The World Revolves Around You, etc... so yeah... I'm going lose but it was nice to be nominated! ^-^
Here's the website: http:// www. geocities .com/ bikifriend/ (copy & paste & remove spaces)
Arrigato Mina-san! I LOVE YOU ALL!!
Jason M. Lee- Thank you for correcting my spelling... I'm such a goof... I knew it was spelled wrong and I was going to fix it but I forgot all about it. ^^;; Ah, while Japan may not have been a super power yet other countries were... and that can lead to some interesting power struggles... ^.~ I hope Aoshi redeemed himself in this chapter... He's not as dense as Kenshin but I don't think a lot of people can handle the Misao I perceive. ^-^ Me? Watch Frubua? Naaah.... ^.~ I wonder if you can guess where the anime reference from this chapter came from... heh heh. ^-^
Tanuki-dono- HUGS!! Yeah that was a pretty bad fight... don't know when we'll get to the conclusion of these fights... I'm still stuck getting through the same day! *sigh* I feel like I'm writing myself into a hole... hopefully I can get out of it. ^^;; Yay! Yeah I have this certain view of Misao that is completely different from how others perceive her... O_o... she's also my favorite female character from RouKen... so she got a whole chapter devoted to her... and now Shiori has one... last one should be Kenji... if my muse likes me enough we may get that chapter past two sentences... -_-....
bee- Thank you so much for reviewing! ^-^ I try my hardest on it I really do. ^-^
Sabbie- I'm trying to catch up with your story but no one will let me read!! When did I become so popular in my own home? LOL! Sorry to say as much of an Enishi/Misao fan I am I could never see her leaving Aoshi once she married him. I wish I would have known this before I matched her up with him! ^^;; Aww! I'm sorry you didn't get into Animation! *sigh* It's really competitive isn't it? Hee hee so you caught my Fruba reference eh? ^-^ I personally like Kyo-kun but my sister wanted me to put in Haru so I did. Ayame is a blast! I love that man! ^-^ I am currently stationed in Florida... I was going to University of Central Florida for their animation program but with their incredible knack of not providing classes to those who really need them I quite there and went else where... now I'm getting a B.F.A in Drawing/Painting with a minor in Art History. ^-^ Some how I think I'll have a nice portfolio to present somewhere and do animation for life. That really is my dream. ^-^
darktenshi- Well as promised the new scene appeared unfortunately that threw me past my cutoff... so more explanation about Souzo later. I have a very twisted perception of Misao... I don't think she is as cheery as everyone believes she is... ^^;; But that's just me! ^^;; I'm used to the cannon pairings but there is this new Enishi/Misao trend that I can't help but deluge into... but don't worry I'm not going to make her an adulteress... that would go against every principle I hold dear. ^-^ Eer.. oops another cliffhanger like thingy! Will we ever go past this day?! Lol! ^-^
Misato- You've already been email your response.
Radi-chan- O_O You read them both in one sitting? Are you mad?! Just kidding! ::blush:: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! ^-^ Saitou is fun to write though he's a pain in the behind to keep in character! Yay! I'm happy my Shiori isn't annoying! I really do try my hardest on her because I know the misconceptions on Original Characters. She's just how I think his daughter would be if he had ever had one. ^-^ I'm sorry I made you cry ;_; That was never my intention. I don't like to make people sad. ;_; Once again thank you so much for your review! I hope you enjoy this chapter as well. ^-^
Kubo- BIG MAJOR HUGS!! Thank you so very much for reviewing after she did! ^-^ I really do appreciate your concern and I completely agree with you! This is a fanfiction, not professional writing. I merely do this for the enjoyment of doing so and for my audience. I am not trying to win awards or an over whelming number of reviews. Besides I have seen other fanfictions fare better than mine with grammar mistakes even I can pick up! As far as it being Historically inaccurate... it is but because I made it so... she also needs to check her history before talking about me. She was way off! But like I said it's because I choose it be and am making it work to how I want it bend. After all don't all movies do that? ^-^ Will I let her stop me from writing? No. So you don't have to worry especially after your encouraging review. I'm glad that both you and your girlfriend like, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. ^-^