~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: I'm deviating a bit from my original plot. Aoshi wasn't suppose to appear until the next chapter! But uh.. I thought I'd switch things around a bit before I get rotten vegetables thrown my way! However.. I apologize for uhh.. well.. I had originally planned for a waffy moment with Kenshin and Kaoru.. but it didn't turn out waffy at all! Dammit.. oh well... Do you people actually want have extensive scenes about Kenshin and Kaoru or should I just keep concentrating on Aoshi and Misao.... and leave Kenthin and Kaoru to your imaginations? Because in the later parts of the story Kaoru probably wont even be in it... so if you want more Kenshin and Kaoru.. well. Now's the time to say so! ^_^ Telll me what you think please...
A great big THANK YOU for everyone who reviewed, your encouragement is much appreciated.
The nutty imp: hum.. about your request.. I think later on in the story it will be inevitable for there to be Hiko/Kenshin and Saitou/Sano interactions.. but at the moment Saitou and Sano are far from the picture (actually they're not going to be too prominent in the story).. and well.. Hiko is at the front.. and .. Kenshin's in the capital.. so sorry but.. I don't think we will get to your request for quite a few chapters more.. gomen..
CurlsofSerenety: Eeto.. I don't think Misao is going to be very ninja-ish in this story lol and Kaoru.. well.. she's not going to get a chance to wield a bokken *thinks* hum... or at least I don't think so lol.. sorry ^_^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Five
"Be careful Father."
"I will Misao, take care while I'm away. I love you." Hiko pulled his daughter into one last embrace before mounting his horse and riding off at the head of the army.
"I love you too, be safe." Misao whispered the prayer into the early morning breeze as she watched her father's figure disappear behind the thousands of soldiers riding at his rear.
Now feeling utterly alone, she headed back towards the palace. Her father had taken her though all the daily paperwork that needed to be completed and showed her everything she needed to know. She had after all, been trained from birth to one day rule the kingdom. Why then was she so afraid? This was the first time she would have to assume the royal responsibilities on her own. Not even her brothers could where able to help her this time being so far away at the borders. She had only Kenshin's return to look forward to. But until then, she was alone. No other way around it. Letting out a resigned sigh, she slowly climbed the stairs to her father's study dreading the awaiting piles of paper.
==
The chilly air of early spring was cool yet not uncomfortable. The persistent afternoon sun provided little warmth to those standing bathed in its light. A messenger had ridden into town early in the morning trailing a banner of green silk, embroidered with a gold dragon. Anyone who saw it would know that the Dragons would be marching in to the city in less than a day's time. Families gathered at the main city gates wanting to catch the first glimpse of their fathers, brothers, and sons, wanting to be reassured that they had not lost another loved one to the jealous clutches of lord death.
Misao impatiently paced back and forth waiting for the arrival of her brother. It had been three days since her father's departure but three days of nothing but paper work and hearing out the endless quibbles of the aristocratic families was more than enough to drive Misao up the wall. She'd sent word to Kaoru as soon as she received news of Kenshin, but her trusted friend and confident was still no where to be seen. No matter, it just meant that she would have first dibs on the red haired warrior when he marches into the royal barracks.
"Kenshin!" Misao called as she watched the first of the Dragons enter the large courtyard.
"Misao," Kenshin reared his horse before dismounting and catching his sister into a fierce embrace. "It's good to be back. How are you holding up?"
"It's good to have you back. You have NO idea how happy I am to see you. Father left three days ago and I am absolutely exhausted from all the work that has to be taken care of." She managed in a single breath.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled happily as she ran towards them.
Misao smiled knowingly, "looks like I'll have to hand you over to someone else now."
"Tonight then? We can have a brother-sister talk, just the two of us."
"Sure. We're talk then." Misao watched as Kaoru reached them and practically pounced on her brother. With a smile she turned and headed back towards the never-ending pile of paperwork.
"Kenshin.. I missed you so much." Kaoru nestled her head into the hallow of Kenshin's neck.
"Ahh Kaoru. You don't know how much I longed to be back here, to see you again, and to be able to hold you in my arms." He pressed a kiss on to the top of her head, inhaling the sweet sent of her hair. "It really is good to be back." he whispered. They stood there in each other's embrace unaware of any other existence.
A soldier came up to them, clearing his throat hesitantly. "Kenshin- sama..." he interrupted.
The two lovers pulled apart, both could feel the colour rushing to their cheeks. Kenshin quickly pushed the discomfited feeling aside and inquired as to the nature of the disturbance.
"This is the report you requested sir."
Kenshin chuckled, "Thank you Akira, you're too diligent for your own good. We've all had a long journey ne? I bet Tomoe's getting impatient waiting for you at home." He ended with a knowing wink at his second in command.
Kiyosato Akira was the youngest son of a noblewoman. Having no hope of ever inheriting his mother's title nor his father's business, he joined the royal army at a young age hoping to make a name for himself there. He and Kenshin had been best friends since their teenage years training together in the royal barracks. There was no one Kenshin trusted more than he, as a comrade in arms, and as a confidant. When Hiko allowed his oldest son to take command of the Dragons, there was no question as to whom would best serve as his second. Akira's personality complimented his commander's perfectly.
"I certainly can't wait to get home to my lady love, I will leave you two love birds in peace" He bowed respectfully and with a wide smile, he headed off.
"Ne, Kenshin, you must be tired after your journey. I have just the thing to help you relax. How about it? Dinner at my place, a warm bath to help unwind those tense muscles," Kaoru suggested dreamily as she leaned against Kenshin's chest, "and then a walk under the moonlight, just the two of us... how can you resist?"
Hearing her cheery voice, the red haired commander couldn't help but smile and agree to her wishes as he allowed Kaoru to lead him through the busy streets past the markets and into the well kempt neighborhood of where the wealthy dwelt.
==
Misao sat on the windowsill of her father's study. The view of the city gates lay before her, while the paperwork from the morning was held loosely in her hands, forgotten in the midst of her thoughts. Ever since her father left, it seemed like all she ever had time for was work. She silently wondered how Hiko Seijuro was able to complete such a load of work and still seem to be everywhere at once. She missed her father dearly. She missed their conversations in the garden, she missed his comforting presence, and she missed the constancy that his company implied. Indeed at seventeen she was no longer a child, and she knew that more and more would be expected of her as her father aged. Still, it always brought a smile to her face to think of her blissful childhood surrounded by her loving father, and her three brothers. Memories of her mother were few but treasured, and the brief time she shared with her beloved Aoshi-sama was something she would never forget.
Aoshi. Again she thought of him. It was not yet noon and Misao had already lost count of how many times Aoshi had come across her mind. She knew it was childish of her to love him, but she did love him. She had loved him as a child for being there with her when she needed someone who understood the woes of a young child, and as she was reunited with him again after years of separation, she had grown to love him once more. She knew he was far from perfect but she loved him anyway. She loved the confidence he showed as he trained his men, his fairness to the soldiers, not favoring or discriminating against any due to class or wealth, his only judgment being their dedication and skill. She couldn't deny the physical attraction she had to him either, with his lean muscular build and the silky black hair, but most of all she loved his ice blue eyes. They were always half hidden behind his long bangs but on the rare occasion that she was granted a glimpse of those icy orbs, she felt as if she could drown in their depth. As she observed him and interacted with him, she had willingly given him her heart and she was determined to snatch his for her own.
The opening of the large mahogany doors pulled her out of her musings as the attendant announced her visitor.
"Misao?" Kenshin walked towards the gigantic window.
Misao smiled, "How are you Kenshin, I noticed you did not come back to the palace last night, did you have fun?" she teased.
Kenshin chuckled, he knew Misao was not going to let him off the hook too easily for standing her up the previous night, but he knew how to get in her good graces again. "Aa..." he agreed as he made an over flourished bow to the princess, "but if you would spare this humble solider, I bare news that surely would be of interest to you my lady." He taunted jokingly.
"Oh? And what news would you have that could possibly be of any concern to me?" she tersely turned away from him going along with the charade although she was eagerly waiting to hear what her brother had to tell her.
"I bare news concerning... one... Commander Shinomori..." he said the name slowly observing her reaction with interest.
"AHH!! KENSHIN!!!! TELL ME TELL ME TELL ME TELL ME!!!" Misao bounded from her seated position and impatiently tugged at her brother's shirt sleeve.
This was exactly the reaction he had been expecting Kenshin threw up his hands trying to calm the over zealous girl. "Maa maa, I knew you would be interested," he teased. "Father and the other generals have ruled out a possible attack from the south, and thus the Scorpions were recalled from the southern border. They are to stay here and train the new recruits along with the Dragons until we're recalled to the front. They should here by the end of the week."
"REALY!?!?!?" At her brother's affirmative nod Misao hugged him tightly while squealing with pleasure. "Kenshin I love you! Have I ever told you that?"
"Yes you have, but I do believe that you love me a little bit more today that usual." He laughed at her delight.
The rest of the week passed in a blur as Misao fervently anticipated Aoshi's arrival. She hardly noticed anything she was doing, constantly praying to Kami-sama for the time to pass faster. Kenshin helped take a part of her work load going through the papers containing state affairs with her as she could hardly sit still for even a few minutes.
The fated day finally arrived. Just as events had rolled out hardly a week earlier, a messenger came in early in the morning trailing a long banner of heavy black silk embroidered with a silver scorpion. The soldiers would be here by midday.
Now that the day she had been praying for has finally come, Misao wasn't so sure she should jump for joy any longer. Her stomach was turning circles as she played out the day's events in her mind, how she would greet her Aoshi- sama, how he would answer her. She prayed and prayed that he would be happy to see her, and not be annoyed at her presence. Which ever be the case, Misao was determined to make an appearance, she had been waiting too long for his return, and she wouldn't miss a chance to see him for anything.
She spent most the morning in the royal kitchen cooking up one of her specialties, a sweet taro root cake. Her father and brothers have always loved her cooking and this was one of their favorites. Even the royal cooks had to agree, no one makes taro root cake as deliciously as the princess.
Just before noon she washed and dressed in a plain linen gown, as she always did when approaching Aoshi. Misao packed some taro cake and a fresh pot of tea in to a small basket and headed off towards the barracks. She had long tired of the ritual of bribing the guards for entrance and had asked Kenshin for a written authorization with his seal in order to move in and out without having to reveal her own identity. It worked well enough. Soldiers were trained to follow orders and not ask too many questions. With written consent from an elite commander who just happens to also be the eldest prince, no one gave her much trouble. They've seen her there often enough with Kaoru and Kenshin, thus the cover was easily believable.
She reached the barracks only minutes before the Scorpions themselves, and watched with a keen anticipation as the soldiers rode in.
==
It had been a long journey for all of them. The soldiers were weary and tired, with nothing but a few days rest on their minds. Aoshi was no different. It had been months since he's seen his mother and sister, they would be happy for his return, just as happy as he would be to see them again. He smiled despite himself. The entire day as they neared the city, he had been carefully avoiding those persistent thoughts of that one other lady. But now that the city loomed around them, the barriers he built up were breaking. He couldn't help himself but to look around hoping to catch a glimpse of her sapphire eyes, perhaps the end of her long braid swinging playfully behind her. He had almost been afraid to return. Telling himself time and time again that he did not desire her attention and that she was merely another brainless damsel looking for prince charming. But Aoshi could only lie to himself for so long. He had been away for an entire season. Love was such a fleeting emotion, it was plenty of time for a young girl of a wealthy family to find another. He had asked him self a thousand times why he should care, and yet he did.
At age twenty four, Aoshi was quite popular with the ladies. He's had his share of paramours on lonely nights, it was a common occurrence as women tend to be very attracted to his mysterious yet handsome appearance. However, there was nothing between him and those women. He would simply wake up the next morning and leave without even a backward glance for those he had shared a bed with the previous night. Their acquaintance as he refers to it was purely on a physical level. That was something that always boggled his mind about Misao. She didn't throw herself at his feet like the others; she didn't try to seduce him by embellishing her appearance in any way; she seemed content to just be in his company, giving and not asking for anything in return.
He reached the center of the courtyard and dismounted, throwing his reins to the awaiting stable boy. A flash of blue to his side caught his eye, the sunlight reflecting off a topaz hair clip. He turned and was greeted by a warm smile and a beautiful face. He felt relief wash over his entire being and let out a breath he did not realize he was holding.
"Welcome back, Aoshi-sama."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Look look look! Aren't I a good girl? I got this chapter out less than a week after the last one.. aren't you so proud of me??? *big grin* ^_________^ Anyway.. write me a review.. tell me what you think ^_~. Hope you enjoyed the story.
Hum.. if you're wondering about the taro root cake.. lol I donno what to say.. I had to think of something that could be a nice snack.. and I happen to love taro flavored anything! My friends tell me it tastes like rice.. -_- but hey! It's good I love it.. I don't actually like the actual root itself... but the artificial taro flavor is just the best! Like taro ice cream... or taro bubble tea.. THEHEhehhee.. I just cant get enough ^_^
A/N: I'm deviating a bit from my original plot. Aoshi wasn't suppose to appear until the next chapter! But uh.. I thought I'd switch things around a bit before I get rotten vegetables thrown my way! However.. I apologize for uhh.. well.. I had originally planned for a waffy moment with Kenshin and Kaoru.. but it didn't turn out waffy at all! Dammit.. oh well... Do you people actually want have extensive scenes about Kenshin and Kaoru or should I just keep concentrating on Aoshi and Misao.... and leave Kenthin and Kaoru to your imaginations? Because in the later parts of the story Kaoru probably wont even be in it... so if you want more Kenshin and Kaoru.. well. Now's the time to say so! ^_^ Telll me what you think please...
A great big THANK YOU for everyone who reviewed, your encouragement is much appreciated.
The nutty imp: hum.. about your request.. I think later on in the story it will be inevitable for there to be Hiko/Kenshin and Saitou/Sano interactions.. but at the moment Saitou and Sano are far from the picture (actually they're not going to be too prominent in the story).. and well.. Hiko is at the front.. and .. Kenshin's in the capital.. so sorry but.. I don't think we will get to your request for quite a few chapters more.. gomen..
CurlsofSerenety: Eeto.. I don't think Misao is going to be very ninja-ish in this story lol and Kaoru.. well.. she's not going to get a chance to wield a bokken *thinks* hum... or at least I don't think so lol.. sorry ^_^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Five
"Be careful Father."
"I will Misao, take care while I'm away. I love you." Hiko pulled his daughter into one last embrace before mounting his horse and riding off at the head of the army.
"I love you too, be safe." Misao whispered the prayer into the early morning breeze as she watched her father's figure disappear behind the thousands of soldiers riding at his rear.
Now feeling utterly alone, she headed back towards the palace. Her father had taken her though all the daily paperwork that needed to be completed and showed her everything she needed to know. She had after all, been trained from birth to one day rule the kingdom. Why then was she so afraid? This was the first time she would have to assume the royal responsibilities on her own. Not even her brothers could where able to help her this time being so far away at the borders. She had only Kenshin's return to look forward to. But until then, she was alone. No other way around it. Letting out a resigned sigh, she slowly climbed the stairs to her father's study dreading the awaiting piles of paper.
==
The chilly air of early spring was cool yet not uncomfortable. The persistent afternoon sun provided little warmth to those standing bathed in its light. A messenger had ridden into town early in the morning trailing a banner of green silk, embroidered with a gold dragon. Anyone who saw it would know that the Dragons would be marching in to the city in less than a day's time. Families gathered at the main city gates wanting to catch the first glimpse of their fathers, brothers, and sons, wanting to be reassured that they had not lost another loved one to the jealous clutches of lord death.
Misao impatiently paced back and forth waiting for the arrival of her brother. It had been three days since her father's departure but three days of nothing but paper work and hearing out the endless quibbles of the aristocratic families was more than enough to drive Misao up the wall. She'd sent word to Kaoru as soon as she received news of Kenshin, but her trusted friend and confident was still no where to be seen. No matter, it just meant that she would have first dibs on the red haired warrior when he marches into the royal barracks.
"Kenshin!" Misao called as she watched the first of the Dragons enter the large courtyard.
"Misao," Kenshin reared his horse before dismounting and catching his sister into a fierce embrace. "It's good to be back. How are you holding up?"
"It's good to have you back. You have NO idea how happy I am to see you. Father left three days ago and I am absolutely exhausted from all the work that has to be taken care of." She managed in a single breath.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru yelled happily as she ran towards them.
Misao smiled knowingly, "looks like I'll have to hand you over to someone else now."
"Tonight then? We can have a brother-sister talk, just the two of us."
"Sure. We're talk then." Misao watched as Kaoru reached them and practically pounced on her brother. With a smile she turned and headed back towards the never-ending pile of paperwork.
"Kenshin.. I missed you so much." Kaoru nestled her head into the hallow of Kenshin's neck.
"Ahh Kaoru. You don't know how much I longed to be back here, to see you again, and to be able to hold you in my arms." He pressed a kiss on to the top of her head, inhaling the sweet sent of her hair. "It really is good to be back." he whispered. They stood there in each other's embrace unaware of any other existence.
A soldier came up to them, clearing his throat hesitantly. "Kenshin- sama..." he interrupted.
The two lovers pulled apart, both could feel the colour rushing to their cheeks. Kenshin quickly pushed the discomfited feeling aside and inquired as to the nature of the disturbance.
"This is the report you requested sir."
Kenshin chuckled, "Thank you Akira, you're too diligent for your own good. We've all had a long journey ne? I bet Tomoe's getting impatient waiting for you at home." He ended with a knowing wink at his second in command.
Kiyosato Akira was the youngest son of a noblewoman. Having no hope of ever inheriting his mother's title nor his father's business, he joined the royal army at a young age hoping to make a name for himself there. He and Kenshin had been best friends since their teenage years training together in the royal barracks. There was no one Kenshin trusted more than he, as a comrade in arms, and as a confidant. When Hiko allowed his oldest son to take command of the Dragons, there was no question as to whom would best serve as his second. Akira's personality complimented his commander's perfectly.
"I certainly can't wait to get home to my lady love, I will leave you two love birds in peace" He bowed respectfully and with a wide smile, he headed off.
"Ne, Kenshin, you must be tired after your journey. I have just the thing to help you relax. How about it? Dinner at my place, a warm bath to help unwind those tense muscles," Kaoru suggested dreamily as she leaned against Kenshin's chest, "and then a walk under the moonlight, just the two of us... how can you resist?"
Hearing her cheery voice, the red haired commander couldn't help but smile and agree to her wishes as he allowed Kaoru to lead him through the busy streets past the markets and into the well kempt neighborhood of where the wealthy dwelt.
==
Misao sat on the windowsill of her father's study. The view of the city gates lay before her, while the paperwork from the morning was held loosely in her hands, forgotten in the midst of her thoughts. Ever since her father left, it seemed like all she ever had time for was work. She silently wondered how Hiko Seijuro was able to complete such a load of work and still seem to be everywhere at once. She missed her father dearly. She missed their conversations in the garden, she missed his comforting presence, and she missed the constancy that his company implied. Indeed at seventeen she was no longer a child, and she knew that more and more would be expected of her as her father aged. Still, it always brought a smile to her face to think of her blissful childhood surrounded by her loving father, and her three brothers. Memories of her mother were few but treasured, and the brief time she shared with her beloved Aoshi-sama was something she would never forget.
Aoshi. Again she thought of him. It was not yet noon and Misao had already lost count of how many times Aoshi had come across her mind. She knew it was childish of her to love him, but she did love him. She had loved him as a child for being there with her when she needed someone who understood the woes of a young child, and as she was reunited with him again after years of separation, she had grown to love him once more. She knew he was far from perfect but she loved him anyway. She loved the confidence he showed as he trained his men, his fairness to the soldiers, not favoring or discriminating against any due to class or wealth, his only judgment being their dedication and skill. She couldn't deny the physical attraction she had to him either, with his lean muscular build and the silky black hair, but most of all she loved his ice blue eyes. They were always half hidden behind his long bangs but on the rare occasion that she was granted a glimpse of those icy orbs, she felt as if she could drown in their depth. As she observed him and interacted with him, she had willingly given him her heart and she was determined to snatch his for her own.
The opening of the large mahogany doors pulled her out of her musings as the attendant announced her visitor.
"Misao?" Kenshin walked towards the gigantic window.
Misao smiled, "How are you Kenshin, I noticed you did not come back to the palace last night, did you have fun?" she teased.
Kenshin chuckled, he knew Misao was not going to let him off the hook too easily for standing her up the previous night, but he knew how to get in her good graces again. "Aa..." he agreed as he made an over flourished bow to the princess, "but if you would spare this humble solider, I bare news that surely would be of interest to you my lady." He taunted jokingly.
"Oh? And what news would you have that could possibly be of any concern to me?" she tersely turned away from him going along with the charade although she was eagerly waiting to hear what her brother had to tell her.
"I bare news concerning... one... Commander Shinomori..." he said the name slowly observing her reaction with interest.
"AHH!! KENSHIN!!!! TELL ME TELL ME TELL ME TELL ME!!!" Misao bounded from her seated position and impatiently tugged at her brother's shirt sleeve.
This was exactly the reaction he had been expecting Kenshin threw up his hands trying to calm the over zealous girl. "Maa maa, I knew you would be interested," he teased. "Father and the other generals have ruled out a possible attack from the south, and thus the Scorpions were recalled from the southern border. They are to stay here and train the new recruits along with the Dragons until we're recalled to the front. They should here by the end of the week."
"REALY!?!?!?" At her brother's affirmative nod Misao hugged him tightly while squealing with pleasure. "Kenshin I love you! Have I ever told you that?"
"Yes you have, but I do believe that you love me a little bit more today that usual." He laughed at her delight.
The rest of the week passed in a blur as Misao fervently anticipated Aoshi's arrival. She hardly noticed anything she was doing, constantly praying to Kami-sama for the time to pass faster. Kenshin helped take a part of her work load going through the papers containing state affairs with her as she could hardly sit still for even a few minutes.
The fated day finally arrived. Just as events had rolled out hardly a week earlier, a messenger came in early in the morning trailing a long banner of heavy black silk embroidered with a silver scorpion. The soldiers would be here by midday.
Now that the day she had been praying for has finally come, Misao wasn't so sure she should jump for joy any longer. Her stomach was turning circles as she played out the day's events in her mind, how she would greet her Aoshi- sama, how he would answer her. She prayed and prayed that he would be happy to see her, and not be annoyed at her presence. Which ever be the case, Misao was determined to make an appearance, she had been waiting too long for his return, and she wouldn't miss a chance to see him for anything.
She spent most the morning in the royal kitchen cooking up one of her specialties, a sweet taro root cake. Her father and brothers have always loved her cooking and this was one of their favorites. Even the royal cooks had to agree, no one makes taro root cake as deliciously as the princess.
Just before noon she washed and dressed in a plain linen gown, as she always did when approaching Aoshi. Misao packed some taro cake and a fresh pot of tea in to a small basket and headed off towards the barracks. She had long tired of the ritual of bribing the guards for entrance and had asked Kenshin for a written authorization with his seal in order to move in and out without having to reveal her own identity. It worked well enough. Soldiers were trained to follow orders and not ask too many questions. With written consent from an elite commander who just happens to also be the eldest prince, no one gave her much trouble. They've seen her there often enough with Kaoru and Kenshin, thus the cover was easily believable.
She reached the barracks only minutes before the Scorpions themselves, and watched with a keen anticipation as the soldiers rode in.
==
It had been a long journey for all of them. The soldiers were weary and tired, with nothing but a few days rest on their minds. Aoshi was no different. It had been months since he's seen his mother and sister, they would be happy for his return, just as happy as he would be to see them again. He smiled despite himself. The entire day as they neared the city, he had been carefully avoiding those persistent thoughts of that one other lady. But now that the city loomed around them, the barriers he built up were breaking. He couldn't help himself but to look around hoping to catch a glimpse of her sapphire eyes, perhaps the end of her long braid swinging playfully behind her. He had almost been afraid to return. Telling himself time and time again that he did not desire her attention and that she was merely another brainless damsel looking for prince charming. But Aoshi could only lie to himself for so long. He had been away for an entire season. Love was such a fleeting emotion, it was plenty of time for a young girl of a wealthy family to find another. He had asked him self a thousand times why he should care, and yet he did.
At age twenty four, Aoshi was quite popular with the ladies. He's had his share of paramours on lonely nights, it was a common occurrence as women tend to be very attracted to his mysterious yet handsome appearance. However, there was nothing between him and those women. He would simply wake up the next morning and leave without even a backward glance for those he had shared a bed with the previous night. Their acquaintance as he refers to it was purely on a physical level. That was something that always boggled his mind about Misao. She didn't throw herself at his feet like the others; she didn't try to seduce him by embellishing her appearance in any way; she seemed content to just be in his company, giving and not asking for anything in return.
He reached the center of the courtyard and dismounted, throwing his reins to the awaiting stable boy. A flash of blue to his side caught his eye, the sunlight reflecting off a topaz hair clip. He turned and was greeted by a warm smile and a beautiful face. He felt relief wash over his entire being and let out a breath he did not realize he was holding.
"Welcome back, Aoshi-sama."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Look look look! Aren't I a good girl? I got this chapter out less than a week after the last one.. aren't you so proud of me??? *big grin* ^_________^ Anyway.. write me a review.. tell me what you think ^_~. Hope you enjoyed the story.
Hum.. if you're wondering about the taro root cake.. lol I donno what to say.. I had to think of something that could be a nice snack.. and I happen to love taro flavored anything! My friends tell me it tastes like rice.. -_- but hey! It's good I love it.. I don't actually like the actual root itself... but the artificial taro flavor is just the best! Like taro ice cream... or taro bubble tea.. THEHEhehhee.. I just cant get enough ^_^