A warm fuzzy... what was that creature again?
Aoshi tilted his head to one side just looking at Misao buying sweets from a stall vendor-- just like Okina told her not to do. She energetically gave the man a pleading look with those wide orbs and a pout. Eventually, the vendor gave in. In fact, who wouldn't give in? Aoshi just a glimpse of it and his heart started pounding feeling like his iciness was being tugged forward towards her warmth. So he commanded himself to stop this animal magnetism the only way he could. He stopped walking.
Speaking of animals, he finally remembered what Misao had just looked like then-- A warm fuzzy weasel. Wasn't that why that Mibu wolf had called her Weasel girl?
The Okashira smirked. Right. A weasel. If he keeps thinking like this, there might be a chance he could go through the rest of the day without feeling like he had to confess like a love sick puppy. Misao is a weasel. Misao is a weasel. That was the new mantra. With this thought, he could block everything out and the only thing that would be left on him is a smirk. He could stand being seen with a smirk on his face. They were smiles of the cold and devious variety.
Just then, two chibis decided to pop on the shoulder of the tall man. Chibi Aoshi nodded at Chibi Kenshin. He hated this song but desperate times called for desperate measures. When the crab hears of this he would never- NEVER- live it down. He counted down the tune with his fingers. Three... two... one...
Aoshi stopped just after one step forward. Oddly enough, he could hear percussions coming from somewhere. Then stringed instruments started playing. He took a deep breath trying to find where the music was coming from because now, he was sure there was a flute playing. But nobody in the market even stopped to listen. It was like they did not hear the suggestive orchestra like music that was filling the air around him. He can't be the only one who hears it.
" Yes, you want her Look at her, you know you do" He heard some one sing in his left ear.
"It's possible she wants you, too. There is one way to ask her" He heard a voice sing in his right ear.
Ask her? Ask her what?? Aoshi stared at the Misao taking the bag of candies from the man and he immediately rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. He could have sworn just then that the market around her just faded away into... bubbles rising to the heavens. He blinked a few more times and the bubbles were gone. Yes. He decided he was hallucinating. Maybe there was some post traumatic thing happening in his head. He had hit his head a few more times than a normal man should because of ninja training.
"It don't take a word" The song echoed on his left.
No words? Really?
"Not a single word" Replied his right ear.
Not one word? Well, that was an interesting proposition. Aoshi wondered how a confession like that could be done? Confessions after all, normally needed gift of speech. Talking was required. The word "Aa" and "Hai" just didn't cut it.
"Go on and kiss the girl" The two voices suggested blending in perfect harmony.
Aoshi's jaw dropped at the suggestion. What?! But she's... she's... mantra. What was the new mantra? He knew he made a new mantra that had an animal in it. There was even a previous thought about Saitoh.
A WEASEL! That's it. She's a weasel girl. And suddenly, he felt his the music come to a screeching halt. The noise of the market took over. For the first time that day, he felt... well, he didn't know how he felt. But he can distinctively imagine a picture of a cute weasel in his head. He saw Misao bounce towards him waving excitedly over the crowd. Aoshi paled. There was no escape now.
"Aoshi-sama!" Misao greeted stopping right in front of him with a basket full of fruits and veggies hanging from her arm. "Look! I got some sweets for real cheap." She showed him the bag while he absently took the basket from her.
Aoshi gulped. This was it. The time of revelation. He cleared his throat looking down at the beaming girl. "Aa." He replied. Inwardly, though, he was jumping for joy. He was in full control of his own self again! He made a mental note he never thought he'd ever make as they made their way back to the Aoiya with Misao chattering away about her day. One day, he will have to thank Saitoh for that weasel comment.
Chibi Aoshi watched the pair fade into the market crowd before glaring at the Chibi Battousai. Kenshin just gave him a sheepish grin which made the small okashira's blood boil. He pointed a finger at the red head. "You're laundry is mine!" He exclaimed before popping out of the world.
"But but but... Aoshi! It's not my fault!" Chibi Kenshin called after him.
--The end--
Note: Foiled by animal comparisons! Dangnabit Saitoh Hajime!