REVISED: 05 February 2019

4. The Sign

-;-

It was almost three weeks after Misao had ran into Aoshi that the first scheduled party was due, planned for the last weekend of June. Every family throughout the entire Japan received a formal invitation as well the list of each ball and theme that would follow.

Third week of June – Flower Ball theme.

Second week of July – Japanese Fan Ball theme.

Last ball – Date to be announced but all women are required to wear white kimonos and red obis.

Wedding Ball – Date to be announce.

Today was June; the beginning of the ball will be themed as flower festival.

In sudden time, the entire Kyoto was completely full with hopeful women and their families. When the inns became full, almost every local family was overloaded with relatives from further places in Japan. Several families who did not have relative even went as far as to rent out rooms in other's homes.

The shops became extremely busy with a long list of orders for the upcoming parties. Fine kimonos were top on the list of needed items followed by sandals, fans and cosmetic products. With the coming of the first ball, every flower shop in town was out of best pristine flowers that made Kamatari and Yumi yelled more at her for not getting those.

The most prominent restaurant in Kyoto was called Shirobeko. It was run by the twins named Tae and Sae. The restaurant was busier than ever and Yahiko was lucky that he got an extra pay every weekend and now, he courts a cute girl around his age named Tsubame.

Not wanting to lose time, Misao immediately walked in the road leading to the forest. She must pick the best pristine flowers before lunch came. Lifting up her wooden bucket, her feet ran fast as she enters the familiar ground. Her first stopped was the nearest area with the large rock on it but to her dismay, the lush field that was usually filled with flowers were already picked. "Those whores will kill me." she said in despair.

Again, she crossed the ground and entered the forest again. As she walked in the shaded maze like woods, she ran fast to her favourite place; the meadow. She knew many wild flowers grew in there and hope that they had not been found. Wandering the maze of woods she couldn't help but to remember the day she met Aoshi. Part of her wished he would be here somewhere but as the silence of the forest lay heavily on the trees, she knew she was all alone. Taking a deep breath, she began to pick the flowers that caught her eye.

Misao's eyes wide at the delight to see some beautiful roses that are contrasting the green bed of grass. Many of them were deep red with a few paler red amongst of them. Even though the thorns pricked her finger, she manages to gather at least dozen of the full blossoms as well as a few buds that were nearly perfect.

It was already lunchtime as the sun brightly gleam towards the horizon. Misao sat alone in the forest with her basket full of woods, herbal plants and wild flowers. Watching the slow march of time with the shadows, she decided to make a flower crown for her hair. Looking back, she realised that everything she had done were for Shishio's orders and it has been a while since she made something for herself…

-;-

Aoshi had to run away this day. It was the decision he made as the dawn crept over the distant hills and Kaoru, who was now staying for a mean time in the castle could be heard in the hall calling out orders for decorations with Okon. As the very important person in the event, Aoshi knew that he will be the first on her things to get ready.

He took a glance at the new captain Sagara, who was unexpectedly doing a great job. At first, Aoshi thought that Kenshin was a fool for hiring the ill-behaved man from the streets but boy, he was wrong.

Somehow, he wanted to abandon the party later but Hiko had already threatened him once a week if he ever made an action. Kenshin was not helping him, the boy only smiles at him and insisting that everything will be fine but Aoshi knew that his father told Kenshin to keep an eye on him.

All of them irritate him. Staying in the castle was uncomfortable so he decided that visiting the forest would be a good choice. It provides shade, water, and food if you knew how to look but what it lacked the most was a meddling Kaoru and disgusting pushy women.

For hours, he sat on the forest floor like he had the day he met the servant girl Misao. He told himself that she was not the reason for the choice of spot, although her appearance this day would be welcome. The quiet of the forest wrapped around the place like a blanket and after a few hours, he stood and search for some fresh fruits to eat.

He made his way through to the meadow and unexpectedly, he heard a voice – a feminine voice. And she was there – laid on the grass with a flower crown on her head. She was still something he remembers, long braided hair teenager with a youthful figure. Her simple kimono was dirty showing the state of life she was in but Aoshi cannot help but feel sorry. She deserves a better life.

He was like a man entrance by a vision of a fey creature and while he knew her to be real and nothing of extraordinary merit, his eyes could not look away from the simple sight of her.

Coughing loudly to catch her attention, he steps into her field vision. He was rewarded with a smile, "Aoshi-sama, what are you doing here?" she asked but then her face went to her clothes, her hands fidgeting the edge of her sleeves.

"I supposed it must I to ask that question…" he answered and laid beside her but not too close. "This place is not safe. Some rebels might be around."

"Well... As you see, I have no choice. I'm servant girl and was tasked to pick something here for my household and you…" she said cutely and looked at his blue eyes "I would think you have so many things to do this day considering the event this evening."

"Aa" he replied at the unpleasant reminder of the event later.

"Was that your idea?" she asked but he remains silent and that made her realise that it was not appropriate to ask things. Deciding to fill the silence, she told him about her day and usually he answered 'Aa.' and mostly nothing.

"It's really exhausting you know and I haven't eaten my lunch yet. Those two whores are really..." she gasps at her own choice of words, "I mean the ladies at the house!" She added.

"What's that?" he asked, surprised and grabbed her wrist. Aoshi doesn't expect to see things like that from her – of all people!

"Huh? You mean this?" Misao answered and pointed at the bracelet she made from white wildflowers. "It's a flower bracelet I made! Does it look bad on me?"

"I didn't mean that." He said, gently. "I mean this." He added and pointed out the dark scars visible in her skin.

Misao blushed at his actions. She told him that the scar was from her master who punished her for committing mistakes. Aoshi refused to answer. He knew that some servants in the castle were threatened harsher than her. Aoshi wanted to help her so she could escape her miserable life but he cannot seem to think of any idea so he let the thoughts slipped away.

They now sat on the grass as Misao arranged the flowers she gathered. Watching her, he wondered at her simple happiness while her hands completed her task. For a moment he tried to envision her in a fine kimono, her hair tied up in bun with beautiful hairpins and her face cleaned. The vision was pleasing, she was fine as she was and yet… "Will you enjoy a dance, Misao?"

She smiled, "I never thought of that." She held up a small gathering of flowers and gave it to him. "This is for you! It will be my token of gratitude because you saved my life before!"

She held it out to him and for a moment, he was touched by her small actions. Reaching out, he took the gift from her and nodded. She picked up her gatherings and looked at him, "Aoshi-sama, I must return now. My household was waiting for me and they will hate me if I will be late." she offered a small curtsy then turned to leave.

"I will escort you home." he said, standing to follow her.

Turning back, she quickly turned her head at him, "I must decline. I can go faster alone."

"I do not make suggestions." he said.

To his surprise, she put her hands on her hips and sighs, "I need to go now and you have so many things to do for tonight." She muttered and gently pushed him with her small hands on his chest. He admitted, it was not an unpleasant feeling.

Without another word, she turned around, "Goodbye, Aoshi-sama!" she said and disappeared through the trees.

Aoshi stood alone in the forest and surprised at her forwardness and his own behaviour too. He looked down at the small bouquet of flowers a strange yet somehow cheerful girl had given him.

-;-

Misao was all alone in the house. The terrible trio went with Yahiko in the palace, making her happy with the peace surrounding her. She cooked for dinner, washed the dishes, swept the floor and do all the chores that were needed to be done before they came.

As the hours passed by, her hands always touched one of Kamatari's finest kimonos. Pulling a deep green kimono that caught her eye, she held it in front of her and looked in the mirror but immediately, she shook her head. "This would never fit me." She whispered to herself.

With a deep breath, she put the kimono back in the wardrobe. There, she glimpsed another kimono that they did not buy today. It was an old one. Maybe it belonged to Kamatari, her smile was wide as she pulls the kimono and held it up to hers.

Not long after, Misao stood in front of the mirror in Kamatari's room, her hair loose falling over beautifully in the blue kimono. It has a cherry blossom detail in the top line and leave patterns in the lower part. Clearly, the kimono was obviously old but for her, this was perfect! She just needs to fix her hair and find some decent sandals to wear.

"It's not like I'm going to attend the ball." She shook her head in dismay as she looked back again in the mirror. Her pale face looked plain and her hair was fashionably loose.

"Misao!" Someone yelled behind her, making her nearly jump. She turned a frightened eye at the keeper of the voice and nearly passed out of relief, "Yahiko, I swear I could kill you! What are you doing here?" she demanded at the sight of him. "You're supposed to be at the palace gate!"

He laughed at her. "I'm not the one who would be killed!" He said with a wide smiled but then his expression fell, "Misao, even if you look like a kid, you really look lovely today. And a full grown woman!"

"Don't make me fool using those sweet words you already said to Tsubame!" She replied. "Well, thank you."

"I'm not making fun of you! If you put your hair up and paint your face you could go to the ball!"

That made her surprise. "What… no… they will kill me! Impossible!" She exclaimed.

"I bet they wouldn't recognise you. You looked different anyway!" Yahiko insisted.

"They wouldn't recognise me but…" she swallowed deeply, "They would recognise this kimono! This belongs to Kamatari!"

He shrugged one shoulder, "Maybe but…" he paused, his face bright as the idea took hold, "Just think about it… you can attend the party!" She shook her head at him but he held his hand out to her. "Many people were there and you don't have to dance, just watch, eat delicious foods and sit in the front row seats!" He explained as he became more thrilled at his idea.

"THEY WILL RECOGNISE ME!" she said looking back in the mirror as her mind went to the image of Aoshi, her heart beating fast at the thought of seeing him on the palace grounds, "Yahiko, there is no way I can get through the main gate, it's out of the question." She added, turning to push him out of the door, "Now leave, I need to change."

"Would you go if we could get you in?" He smiled, holding the edge of shoji's door frame to stop her for pushing him away. She wanted to laugh at him but the look on his face was serious. It was a brilliant idea… but then again why not?

"My friend, Sanosuke was appointed as a new captain of the guards." He whispered.

She looked back in the mirror and the woman looked back. What Yahiko said was true. The reflection was nowhere near the servant that she was. If she painted her face and pulled up her hair, not to mention an old fan to hide her face behind…

"Okay, fine… but one condition, you have to get me home before they get back."

"As you wish!" Yahiko answered happily, "Now hurry up and fix yourself and let the journey to the prince begins!"

After an hour, the two arrived at the front gate. Megumi was there – talking with Sanosuke that made Yahiko grinned widely as ever. Megumi had nearly passed out when Yahiko brought Misao wearing a formal kimono. It was obvious that it does not belong to her.

Megumi removed the small cloak she had and gently put it to Misao. Everyone gave her a confused look. "Well, it's a chilly night, I have seen several girls wearing light cloaks to keep away the chill." She explained as she draped it on Misao's shoulders.

Sanosuke led them around the Japanese castle and gave Misao a reassuring smile. "Girl, you are lovely tonight and so the fox girl beside me." He joked around and made Megumi hit him again. "You can do this!"

"Thanks eer… wait! How can I get to the event room?" She asked as panic crept in.

"Misao-chan, they were now in the gardens." Sanosuke answered and she began to walk toward the distant sound of laughter and music.

"Tell me about it later, Misao-chan." Megumi called after her.

End of Chapter