DM: Okay, this chapter I'm getting Misao out of the dress and into her ninja uniform.
Misao: Finally! Do you realize I could've broken my neck in that thing!
DM: ...
Kaoru: Um, Misao-chan, that would have been impossible for you to do that.
Misao: -glare- What do you know? I was the one falling over it 24/7!
Kaoru: -rolls eyes-
Misao: Hey! I saw that!
Sano: Shut it, weasel girl.
Misao: -now holding half dozen kunai- I'm going to kill you te-
DM: -muffled Misao- Now don't go swearing, it's supposed to be a 'clean' story... as far as language goes anyway.
Disclaimer: -sigh- Don't own it... so don't sue me, you wouldn't get much... unless you got my manga collection which would probably get you a hundred dollars on ebay. XP
Also, thank you all for reviewing! You make me so happy : )
--Chapter 5-So Close and Yet So Far--
Crickets and cicadas were beginning to cease their endless chirping, signaling dawn was close to hand. The still-dark sky was beginning to gently fade into gray while the stars disappeared for the night sky on the other hemisphere. Everything was peaceful and quiet... until you noticed the Sagara's small house.
At least it was somewhat peaceful now-compared to what it had been at the three's entry.
Megumi sighed and rubbed her throbbing temples. The last half hour had been spent trying to get the hyperactive young woman to stop ranting about how that Aoshi guy had treated her, then the past few minutes she seemed to be trying to locate something... and to no avail.
Sano gave his wife a look that stated Kenshin owed him big time for dealing with the weasel.
Misao plopped down on the floor with a look of dismay clearly written all over her face. "I can't believe this!" she wailed loudly, beating her small fists upon the floor. An act appropriate for a child, not a young woman, as Megumi reminded her.
Misao's POV
I had searched my bag six times, my sleeve pockets twelve times, and even looked around the house to see if it had been flung out of the bag. And I still couldn't find it!
Megumi sighed and moved to stand by me, "What are you looking for?"
Pausing my beating of the floor, I pushed my bangs out of my eyes and sighed in frustration. "I lost the sash Omasu gave me!"
Looking puzzled, Megumi examined the outfit I had unceremoniously dropped on the floor earlier. A look of understanding crossed her face almost instantly.
I flopped backwards, growling at the cursed luck I had.
"Be quiet, I think I have something that will help." the older woman turned and walked towards one of the rooms in the small house. 'Must be their bedroom.' I mused, then stopped at what I just thought. Smacking myself on the forehead, I shook my head violently. I needed sleep... badly. I was sounding idiotic-not a good sign.
Sano was staring at me like I had gone crazy. I ignore him and instead watched as Megumi came back out with a large wine-colored sash.
"Here." she thrust this and my ninja outfit into my hands and pushed me into their bedroom and closed the door behind me. "Let me know if it works!" she called through the door, the wood somewhat muffling her voice.
"Hai." I responded as I quickly shed the dress, petticoat, boots, and stockings. Dressing quickly into the other garment, I was grateful that I had bound my breasts this morning instead of merely relying on the petticoat.
Fortunately, the sash did work. Though it was a big difference from my pink sash I had received from Omasu. Hopefully I would be able to find something that was like it later on.
Balling up my discarded garments, I walked out of the room and presented myself to Megumi's critical eye. She nodded in approval, "That will do for now."
I hugged her-taking care not to squeeze too much like I'm normally guilty of doing, "Thanks a lot, Megumi!"
She smiled down at me, "You're welcome." Then her smile turned evil, "Are you sure you want to be in front of that man in that outfit?"
My face flamed as I jumped back from her, "That's-I-you-" For the life of me, I couldn't think of a good retort! So I ended up spluttering like an idiot... yep, need sleep.
'There's nothing wrong with my outfit!' I thought defensively. I mean, sure, it showed a lot off my legs-for the shorts ended mid-thigh... but other than that, nothing was wrong with it. Though, I'd probably have to get a new one soon. This outfit was almost five years old-I guess I should be depressed that it still fit.
A loud knock sounded on the door. In an effort to keep from harming the laughing kitsune, I answered it.
The door opened creakily to reveal the smallest man I had ever seen in my life. And here I thought Himura was short! Upon closer observation, I noticed he also looked kind of freaky. Definitely not a ladies' man like Himura, or polite- as I noticed that he was taking in my appearance as well. Arching an eyebrow, I noticed where his eyes were traveling. Pointing to my face I growled out, "Excuse me, eyes up here!" I know I hadn't filled out as well as Kaoru or Megumi, but still... I definitely looked my age now at least.
He jumped a little and had the grace to look mildly embarrassed. After a quick bob-for apology?-he introduced himself, "My name is Beshimi, you are to follow me."
I merely nodded in reply. Quickly fetching my bag and slinging it over my shoulder, I turned to wave goodbye to the Sagara's. "Ja ne, and thanks for everything!"
Megumi smiled, "Good luck Misao-chan!" Then that evil look returned to her eyes, "Hope you have fun with your 'Aoshi-sama', hohoho!"
Sano chuckled at both that kitsune's words and my reaction. I swear, if that woman wasn't pregnant...
I snorted, then turned to follow Beshimi. He kept a good distance ahead of me, feeling my wrathful chi swirl and ebb. If I wasn't so ticked off, it would have been humorous to see how nervous I made him.
----------------------------------------------------------------x
Aoshi-sama was in the middle of discussing something with... I think he said the man's name was Han'nya and another man. I need to get to know everyone, it's vital to know who you're traveling with-one of the many rules Gramps pounded into my head.
Beshimi quickly ran to where the two men stood, pointed to me, and said something in a low voice. Whatever he said seemed to amuse the third man, because he threw back his head and laughed loudly. He then made an effort to stop laughing long enough to take a look at me.
I was really starting to get irked and somewhat stressed by all the attention. Lack of sleep and food does that to a person.
He beckoned me over, a friendly smile on his scarred face.
Walking quickly over, I looked at them questioningly.
"So, you're the scary girl Beshimi had to bring." he laughed at the look on my face. He waved away the words airily, "The name's Shikijo, nice to meet ya'."
"I am Han'nya, I will be your guardian when Aoshi-sama is busy." the man I had seen earlier greeted politely.
Aoshi-sama merely looked at me as I bowed to the three, "Nice to meet you too, I'm Makimachi Misao."
I could tell that they weren't too upset with the fact that they had a new person in their party to deal with. In fact, most of them-except for Han'nya-kun because I couldn't see his face-looked at me curiously. I guess Aoshi-sama didn't often allow females to tag along.
"Tell the men to pick up their gear and move out." Aoshi-sama commanded Han'nya-kun. He bowed and left.
Gazing in curiosity at the last member of the group, a rotund giant of a man, I nudged Shikijo who stood beside me. "Who's that?"
He looked to where my gaze was fixated, "Hey, Hyottoko, come over here!"
The large man lumbered over, causing the earth beneath my feet to tremble slightly with his every step. "What do you want?"
"Meet Misao, she's going to be staying with us for a while."
Hyottoko gazed down at me. I now know what an ant feels like... He gave me a large smile, "Misao, huh? Well, good to meet you."
I bowed slightly, "Likewise."
Aoshi-sama looked a little irritated, and you could only tell because he narrowed his eyes slightly as he gazed at the group. "Move out."
----------------------------------------------------------------x
A few hours later, I was drop-dead tired. I hadn't slept at all last night, which I was really regretting now. As Aoshi-sama was in the lead, he didn't see me slow my pace drastically as the morning wore on.
Han'nya-kun slowed a little to stay with me. Finally I was moving so slowly that he took pity on me and picked me up. Carrying me as if I were a child and weighed little, he caught up to the others. Sleepily mumbling a thank you, I drifted into the blissful realms of slumber.
I awoke later, feeling refreshed. To my horror, they had stopped to eat-meaning it was at least noon.
"Are you feeling better, Misao-sama?" Han'nya-kun asked, passing me some of the food from a small knapsack at his feet.
I nodded, smiling cheerfully at him as I accepted the food-though a little puzzled at his level of respect towards me. I'm glad that he stayed nearby, as the others were a little ways off. That, and the only three I felt comfortable around were Shikijo, Han'nya-kun, and Aoshi-sama... though I was still more than a little puzzled on Aoshi-sama's behavior. He went from popping up unexpectedly to not even wanting to be around me. I sighed, maybe he wasn't interested. That was a depressing thought.
----------------------------------------------------------------x
As the day wore on, I found myself popular amongst the men. I will admit that I enjoyed the attention, but the only man I had been trying to capture the attention of refused to speak to me.
I could feel a slight pout form on my face as I marched along. No one had ever ignored me before, it was an unpleasant, unfamiliar, andcompletelyunwanted feeling.
'Goal: To make Aoshi-sama notice me!'
I tried everything I could think of! Riddles, questions, songs, and a few stories later found me with the grand total of nothing. Aoshi-sama had barely glanced my way twice during the entire time. Feeling utterly depressed, I shrugged and fell out of pace with him. 'Round one goes to you, Aoshi-sama, but I will get you to notice me sooner or later!'
Shikijo patted my back sympathetically, almost knocking me over. "Don't let him get to ya, kid."
Han'nya was kind and kept me from falling over. "Aoshi-sama is just... preoccupied at the moment."
"Oh." I sighed and shuffled my feet along the ground as we continued to march. Soon, the sun began to set, casting its golden rays about the earth as it died in a golden-rose hued splendor. I've always loved the sunset, it was so beautiful. I found that I preferred the moonlight on Aoshi-sama though. The golden rays just didn't fit him, odd as it may seem. The ethereal, more magical and cold moonlight seemed to be a part of him. I shook my head, 'I am going crazy.'
Watching Aoshi-sama in the sunset, I nodded and smiled a little sadly, 'Going crazy over a man... over you.'
----------------------------------------------------------------x
--END NOTES--
Okay, short chapter... but I'm super tired today. I guess that played a part in the chapter, lol. Need to get some coffee now. Hopefully Misao didn't sound too lame at the end... she's supposed to fall for him first... I just hope it didn't sound too lame.
DM: -snooze-
Misao: -evil laugh-
Kenshin: Misao-dono, I don't think playing a prank on Darkened Memories-dono would be very-
Misao: -busy using a large black marker-
Kenshin: Oro!
DM: -blissfully unaware-
Misao: Revenge is sooooooooo sweet!
Aoshi: ...