REVISED: 05 February 2019

7. The Burning Feelings

-;-

It's been three weeks since the visit of Kenshin and Kaoru in Megumi's clinic for their castle business matters. Since both of them saw Misao as a servant girl, she only hopes that the couple will not recognise her immediately.

However, she was glad that Sanosuke and Megumi are finally together as a couple. And she smiled as she imagined the engaged royal couple, Kenshin and Kaoru. She looked up at the sky and let her thoughts wander, 'Would I have a love like them?' she asked herself.

The ball was set to begin at 7:00pm. As the sun sets at 5:30pm, Misao quickly leaves Shishio's mansion as the trio went down early at the palace gate. She ran as fast as she could to Megumi's clinic. She could not believe that she will be going to see the ball for the second time. Misao suddenly prayed to the Gods to keep her identity safe and hidden.

"You're perfect now, Misao-chan!" Megumi said as she found herself so beautiful at the blue kimono. "And look what I have for your hair!" she added, holding up a lovely glittering pink ribbon.

"Thank you so much, Megumi-san!" Misao exclaimed as she gave the doctor a big warm hug.

"You're very welcome dear; you look like a real lady in that dress." Megumi answered and gently fixed its top line to reveal more of her delicate neck.

"… yet have small boobs." Yahiko cut in.

"REPEAT WHAT YOU SAID?!" Misao was annoyed, ready to kick the young boy in his groin.

"Now, now, stop that foolish thing and let's go to that rooster head, he was waiting for us at the palace gate." Megumi told them.

When they arrived, Sanosuke let them in the servants' entrance. He suddenly gave Megumi a quick kiss on her lips and grinned as Megumi's face went red so she hit him in his chest playfully. From the distance, Misao could really tell that the couple is very in love with each other.

"Now, this way, Lady Akari." Sanosuke said as he led her in the party place.

The ball was being held again in the palace garden. The decorations were mostly in the most boring shades of black and white. From the flowers, which were very little this time were now placed in the trunks of the every tree. Every kind of sake was ready to serve on the table and in the very centre of the place, she saw Aoshi with his bodyguards. He was dressed in a black kimono with his twin sword, kodachi hung at his waist belt. His ice blue eyes were still cold and emotionless yet it seems that it was sparkling due to the many candlelight that were lit on.

She carefully held the paper fan Megumi had given her earlier. Today, the ball was themed as 'Wind'. Every maiden in the party must hide their faces first using their elegant fans before they were asked to dance. This made her thankful knowing that the chances recognising her will be very little. She slowly made her way at the very edge of the room when a man accidentally bumped into her.

"Sorry, Lady." A voice said that belong to a young man. His face was hidden by a mask so she could not recognise who he was. Observing her surroundings, the young man turned out to be one of the palace guards patrolling the party area.

"Oh." she only answered, trying to discipline her loud and angry self in a very glamorous situation.

"May I help you?" the young man asked in a charming voice. Even she could not see his face; Misao could tell from the tone of his voice that he was smiling.

"I'm alright." She commented and the guard walked away. Somehow, she has the feeling that it was Soujiro again. Misao somehow recognised the voice but she could be wrong. She let the thoughts concerning him slipped away.

Several songs played and different men asked her to dance. Several times she declined them and contents herself to watch the elaborate display of fine kimonos, fans and flowers. When a loud gong rang, signifying that it was already 7:30pm, the musicians kept playing their instruments as the group of geishas dance beautifully with fans flying in and out of their hands.

"Everyone, please welcome, the Emperor and his wife!" The guard announced and a loud gong rang again. All gaze went on the main stage with excitement.

The Emperor and Empress entered, as expected, everyone gave their most respectful bow. Misao was very sure that their names were Hiko and Okon. Okon, the woman who looked in her late 40's stood in the arms of her husband. The Emperor and Empress were both dressed in elegant red kimonos, like a pair of red birds.

Then Aoshi walked away from his bodyguards and joined his parents. Several women gasps at sight of him, his kimono and slippers are both still black as midnight. His face was stoic and as usual, no smile could be seen in his expression.

The gong sounded again and the shrill voice called "Kenshin-sama and Kaoru-sama!" The two love birds entered the crowd and gave every audience warm smiles and greetings. Both of them were dressed in blue kimonos and Kaoru was holding a small white fan.

The music began again and all women carefully slid close their fans, no doubt to show Aoshi their lovely looks. Misao still stood near the wall, close to the edge of the entire place. The shadows covered her figure as she thinks of Shishio, Yumi and Kamatari. 'In this place', she thought, 'they won't see me.'

-;-

Aoshi looked at the mere sight; the colourful flowers that seem to never end, the lamps that seems so bright to look at and most of all, the ladies who were still flocking around him like carrion birds, talking to him with a thick layer of fake attention. He gave them a small smile and responded when he felt one of them said something amusing or at least asked a genuine question. He had promised his dear parents that he would dance and make an effort to find a woman to his liking. He could oblige to the dancing part but the woman to his "liking", well… only time could tell.

For several hours he danced with never-ending line of women. The lady who seduced him last time had once again gone out of her way and pushed all the ladies just to have a dance with him. She smiled at him, coyly and seduced him as usual. She had herself wear a deep crimson reddish orange kimono that reveals much of her cleavage, which he found very unattractive.

"I must say that you look so handsome in this outfit, Aoshi-sama." She commented as they danced, her green eyes stared at his piercing blue ones. He admitted that her looks were not bad; it was her attitude that he disliked. "You are very… beautiful today, Aoshi-sama.", she whispered, kissing lightly his ear. Aoshi trembled at her actions.

She laughed seductively at his reaction as they dance till the music ends, "Thank you for the dance, Aoshi-sama. Once again, I'm Kamatari. Call me if you need something warm in your bed tonight. You know what I mean." she added and gave him a flirtatious wink.

"I'm afraid I do not." He replied to her as she slipped his hands away from her waist.

Kamatari gave an annoyed look in return.

He quickly left and went to the foods' table to grab his favourite drink, a green tea. He rarely drinks sake because he has no tolerance to alcohol, he might say something funny and stupid while he is drunk. Or might spill secrets for anyone to know.

From the corner of his eye, he saw a lady trying her very best to blend herself in the darkness. She was not very tall but even from the farthest distance; Aoshi could tell that she was also staring at him.

'Akari!' he thought and gently put his tea on the wooden table.

He walked towards her, noticing that her bright blue kimono failed her effort to blend herself in the shadows. How odd… he thought, while the other women in this place were asking him nonstop to have sex with him and doing everything in their power to catch his eye. But alas, this one is practically running from him. Something really familiar about her stirred his curiosity.

How very… intriguing.

"Are you alright?" He asked as he caught her wrist to prevent her from walking away.

"A-Aoshi-sama!" Misao said, surprised. She gave him a curtsy. "I'm fine. I must go."

"Don't." he ordered and smiled at her. His hands caught hers. "Let's dance."

"I... um... that would be fine." She said with a slight gasp of concern in her voice, "Do I have a choice?" she asked as he turned her into his arms as the music once again began. Luckily, the dance was a slow one and so she was literally trapped in his arms.

"Do you wish to leave?" he asked.

"No." she replied. He allowed a small smile to grace his lips. They danced in silence and Misao will look up at him and notice that he never set his eyes away from her. She blushed the entire time.

Aoshi was amused at the reaction he was giving her.

"Why are you hiding in the corner?" he asked, but really, he wanted to know.

"I could ask the same to you! You obviously don't fancy any woman in this place…"

"Yes." He replied, "Akari..." he said, his lips were now reaching hers, "…again, I find myself dancing with you." He whispered in a husky way.

She slowly shivers at the feeling of whispering her… well, fake name. He even recognised her! Misao often wondered what if he knew that the woman in his arms was the servant girl in the meadow. 'Would he still ask me to dance?' she wondered.

"You stand above the rest again." The music quickened so did their steps. She hid her face before in the darkness but his memory was very vivid and he can easily recognise her. The last kimono she wore was soft, light and delicate, giving her a look of innocent sweetness. However, the kimono she now wore seemed to do its best to show the world that she was indeed, a real woman. It hugged her in all right places, the neckline falling gracefully to reveal her very lovely neck and shoulders.

Even though, she was not wearing anything that showy and obscene like Kamatari does, her smooth neck drawn his attention. He was really tempted to touch it and kiss her lips. For a moment, Aoshi felt the desire to invite the lady in his chambers so he could snog her all night. He shook his head at the inappropriate thoughts. Is she truly like this? Or this is a ploy? So many women trying to catch him, perhaps this was her move? He quickly glared at her; suddenly suspicious of the lady.

The music ended and she was about to slip away from him but he could not let her go. He really enjoyed her company.

"Aoshi-sama?" she called him.

He looked away from her, "Come with me and meet my family." He requested.

Misao blushed at his sudden words. "But, I…"

Aoshi patted her head and suddenly realised how very little she was, "It's not a problem I assure you." He held her hand almost dragging her toward the thrones.

Misao wanted to disappear from the moment he spotted her but the bad thing is: her innocent crush on him seemed to grow into something as they danced. Now, she stood in the front of the Emperor, his wife, Kenshin and Kaoru. She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time knowing that this is so ridiculous.

And the worst part is, Aoshi was still holding her hand and never let it go. The main reason she sneaked out to attend this event is to watch the dance and content herself just by seeing him… but not to be introduced Japan's most important people.

"This is Akari." Aoshi said, indicating Misao.

She swallowed hard and prayed that she would not say anything foolish. "Hiko-sama! Okon-sama!" She bowed and gave them a warm smile.

"My, what a lovely lady in a very simple dress!" Okon said smiling at her. "Akari-chan, it was an honour to meet you!"

Misao flinched at the word '-chan', it only means that she looks like a young teenage girl.

"Indeed, such a beautiful lady dancing with my son is an honour!" Hiko said, his voice was kind and he gave Aoshi a grin, "Are you from Kyoto or did you travel here? Where do you stay?"

"Yes, I travelled from Tokyo and I am staying with my…" Misao guts twisted as she almost said the name of her masters, "…cousins." she immediately added.

"Nice to see you again, Akari-chan! Do you enjoy being here?" Kenshin asked with Kaoru in his arms. She was grateful that the couple did not recognised her.

"Of course, I am!" she answered happily.

Kaoru was watching her, and silently observing her. As Misao noticed the stare she was giving her, she suddenly smiled at her and utter, "I'm really glad that you found her, Aoshi-sama."

"Aa." Aoshi answered.

"I hope to see you sometime, Akari-chan. I would like to be friends with you." Kaoru commented.

The music began again and to her utmost surprised, Hiko asked her to dance. Well, how can you decline the Emperor? Aoshi looked at her and slipped her hands away from his.

Misao turned to Hiko and they began to dance.

This dance was a grouped one, and so she started to hold tightly in Hiko's hand. Hiko wondered why this simple lady caught the attention of his son. She was not that beautiful but she looks very kind and cute. He observed her silently. She was not that physically attractive and probably not more than 18 years of age but maybe, there was something special that made Aoshi noticed her.

"So… Akari-chan." Hiko said as she looked at her. "What do you think of Kyoto?"

"Oh… I am afraid I haven't seen many sights here." Misao answered, truthfully. She mostly stayed inside the mansion doing chores every single day and if not, she will be shopping in the market and will fetch some woods in the forest. Seeing the sights of Kyoto were out of her duties.

"What a pity." Hiko paused and yawn. "There are a lot of beautiful sights here that you must see."

"I will be really glad to see those places, Hiko-sama." She answered, joyfully.

"What you need is a guide, perhaps, Sanosuke." Hiko replied and stopped their dance for a moment. He immediately called a guard and ordered to fetch Sanosuke.

She became speechless. Misao really wanted to die now.

As fast as it seems, Sanosuke was there in front of them. However, as the poor rooster head looked at the weasel girl, he was trying his very best to act that they were strangers. "Do you need something, Hiko-sama?" he asked and tried to look away from her.

"Sanosuke, this lady has not seen much of Kyoto and I want you and Aoshi to fetch her in her cousin's house tomorrow morning. I assigned Soujiro to another task so will you mind to do this one?" Hiko demanded.

Misao almost lost her breath in Hiko's statement. Sanosuke's jaw dropped. They looked at each other, sending both question in their minds. How could they decline an Emperor?

"Now, Aoshi!" Hiko called his son and immediately, Aoshi made their way towards them.

"Aoshi, I will like you and Sanosuke tour her tomorrow." Hiko gave them a very huge grin, "And Sanosuke, please give these two a little bit of privacy but don't forget to guard them, okay?"

"Yes, yes, as you wish… Hiko-sama." Sanosuke politely answered but deep inside, he was in a panic.

Aoshi looked at Misao. "I know many places I must show you. Will that interest you?" he asked.

"I… well…" she looked from him to the Emperor then to Sanosuke. Sanosuke looked away from her. Panic almost made her run but she managed to suppress the feeling. "I will really enjoy it, Aoshi-sama!" she exclaimed.

"Aa… We will pick you up at?" he said, letting it hang in the air unanswered.

"Oh I will come to the palace!" she said quickly. "I will come early in the morning but I must find my cousin now." She gave a quick curtsy and almost ran from them. She did not look back as she fled. She did not know what to do anymore if Aoshi followed her. Right now, she was hoping to have a conversation with Sanosuke.

She burst through the outer door that she had first entered and ran until she reached the gates of the palace. Misao eyes widened with surprise to see Megumi and Yahiko waiting for her. 'How long they had stood outside the palace?' She wondered.

"Misao, what happened?" the doctor asked.

"Hey, it's Sano!" Yahiko exclaimed as he indicated the rooster head was making his way towards them.

"We need to leave now!" Sanosuke said and dragged Misao, Megumi and Yahiko.

"What happened? Hey!" Yahiko cried while they were running away from the castle.

"We need to plan for tomorrow. Misao is in a huge trouble!" Sanosuke answered and looked at his confused friends. Misao broke away from his grip and paused for a moment.

"Aoshi would like to see sights with me tomorrow morning and I don't even know how I will manage to escape early!" She cried.

"HE WHAT?" Yahiko and Megumi asked in unison.

Taking a quick breath, she only answered, "I don't really know what to do."

End of Chapter