Disclaimer: I do not own RK
'' Aoishi-sama's thoughts
#Misao's thoughts
: Note at the end
Misao moved around her small room as she prepared for the journey ahead of her. She stopped in the middle of her room with her hands on her hips and surveyed her surroundings. Her eyes stopped when her gaze fell upon the small painting on her dresser.
"I can't believe that I almost forgot this," she said as she picked it up. It was a small painting of her mother's face. It was Misao's most prized possession.
"Misao! Misao! Darling will you please come help with dinner? And ask Yuuyake to come here too," called Tokio from the kitchen.
#Why does it seem like all I do around here is cook? Cook, practice, and make tea…maybe 'cause that IS all I do…# Misao sighed, tied her bundle of things together, placed it on her futon, and went to find Yuuyake.
She found her little cousin sleeping under one of the sakura trees in the garden. She looked so peaceful, so innocent…
(flashback)
"Mommy?"
"Yes, love? What is it?"
Little Misao was sitting in her mother's lap under one of their sakura trees. It was spring, just a few days before her mother was killed.
"When is daddy coming back?"
Tomoe was silent for a while as she ran her hands through Misao's hair. When she answered her voice was soft and very, very sad.
"Your father is not coming back, Misao. He is going to stay with the Jouin in America."
"But why?"
" He has to for his work, darling. But enough of this. You have to go to the dojo to practice with your uncle Saitoh now."
"Okay… but I still think uncle Saitoh is scary"
Tomoe chuckles and led her daughter to the dojo to practice.
(end of flashback)
Misao shook her head and moved over to the sleeping child.
"Yuuyake, wake up. You have to come help me and your Okasan in the kitchen."
The little girl sat up slowly rubbing her eyes. "Okay, okay…," she answered sleepily. Both of the girls went inside to make dinner and after everyone ate they took their baths and Misao and Aoshi finished packing.
Just as Misao was preparing to go to bed some one knocked at her door. She went to open it and to her surprise Saitoh was standing there.
"Come with me," he said in his normal monotone voice. Misao nodded and followed him outside and towards the shrine where Aoshi usually meditated. They passed the shrine and continued into the woods. Saitoh stopped in a small clearing and Misao fallowed suit.
"Take Yuuyake with you"
"But, won't it be dangerous for her to came?" asked Misao who was now very confused.
"She can take care of herself. I'm going to show you something. Then I will explain." After her said this Saitoh walked forward and then started to change. The only way to really describe what happened is to say it was like watching a shadow shift very quickly. So quickly that you wondered if it was ever what you thought it was to begin with. In the place where Saitoh had stood an enormous white wolf. She was sure that it was the same one from her dream. Misao was shocked but at the same time she felt that it was only natural. This wolf seemed more like Saitoh than the man did. Saitoh looked at her than began to speak.
"When I was just a pup your mother found me after my pack was wiped out by the dragon Kurogane Hanone after they had killed his Dragon Lord, Kuroi Doragon. She took me in and I was raised as her brother. Because my daughter has Black Wolf blood running through her veins she is able to take the form of a wolf just as I am. That is why she can take care of herself. Your mother gave me something that I will now entrust to you." When he said this he changed back into a man and walked over to one of the trees where he spoke a few words that Misao had never heard before and the tree started to melt. A melting tree is an odd sight indeed. When the tree was completely gone a small vial of blue liquid sat on the moss where the tree used to sit. Saitoh leaned over and picked it up then brought it over to where Misao was standing.
"This is what your mother was killed for. It is the Gift of Seven Heads. It has been in her family for as long as anyone can remember and is said to have been given to one of your ancient relatives by a dragon as a gift for some favor, but no one is sure. I'm giving it to you now because I have a feeling that you will need it on your journey."
"Okay… but what does it do?"
"It will heal any wound and can even bring people or things to life. It is a very dangerous thing indeed and you must be wise in how you use it. Now you should go back to the house and get some sleep. Tokio will have food for all of you in the morning." After he said this Saitoh turned and walked away.
Misao started back to the house and turned all of what she had heard around in her head.
#This is so weird! One moment I'm about to go to bed and the next I'm given the reason of my mother's death and I find out that my Uncle and his daughter are not human! What will happen next!#
Misao shook her head as she entered her room. She placed the Gift of Seven Heads in her bundle, undressed, washed her face, and lie down on her futon. Tomorrow was sure to be a LONG day.
Well that's that chapter… I'll try to get the next one up ASAP. Hopefully it won't take me like two or three years like this one did! Thank you to all of my Faithful fans who have stayed with the story even though the chapters are short and the updates are far between.
Ja Ne!
