REVISED: 05 February 2019

9. The Wicked Shishio

-;-

It was almost 12:00 noon when Misao came home after the stolen time with the prince.

The day was still long and cold. She ran fast as she could hoping that her masters are still asleep.

However, time meant nothing as she ran. Her mind wandered up and down as she tried to figure out on what to do. Images of wicked Shishio, Yumi and Kamatari played on her mind. Then it shifts to the happy memories of her grandfather, Okina and the lovely images of her parents. Then it came the images of Sanosuke and Megumi, Yahiko and Yutaro… but still, the image of Aoshi stood out repeatedly.

"I love him!" she smiled despite her troubled mind. She touched her lips and remembered the kiss they shared hours ago.

Closing her eyes, Misao let the meaning of the words sink in. "I love him!" she said again, louder this time. Keeping him from the truth was unfair to the trust he showed to her. He might be angry but somehow, she was very sure that he would understand. Living a lie was only a sure way of sorrow.

"I will really attend the next ball! I will tell him the truth!" Misao said to herself. Finally, it made her mind and heart felt lighter. She will no longer be afraid and she will set everything straight!

The walk from the forest was peaceful; the sound of the chirping birds filled the usual silence. She made her way to the front door of the mansion and found the halls empty. 'Shishio and the others are still asleep.' She commented. She silently crept through the house and up to her bedroom to change her clothes.

Quietly sliding the shoji door closed, she leaned against it with a relief.

"Welcome home, sweetheart!" said by a loud voice. Misao saw Shishio in the corner of her room, pausing to puff his cigarette. "Been stealing more time, perhaps?"

She froze. Her blood run cold. It seems that her feet was glued to the ground.

He walked towards her. As Misao slid the shoji door open, Shishio was fast enough to block her escape. His right hand prevents her from running away.

"Where are you going?" he grinned. His left hand crept upwards to hold her chin. "Will you run to that Aoshi again? I bet that's why Kamatari saw you stealing that kimono you wore today."

She gasped and he smiled. Misao has never been scared like this in her entire life. "Ahh… struck the right note, have I? I know all about your little affair with him…"

He suddenly tossed her on the floor. "…stupid brat!"

She winced in pain and held her tears. This time, she shouted, "AT LEAST I AM NOT LIKE YOU AND YUMI WHO ARE BOTH FUCKING BASTARDS THAT KILLED MY GRANDFATHER AND STOLE ALL HIS PROPERTIES!"

"Is that so?" he answered, still grinning. "Makimachi Misao, I wonder what kind of punishment I will give you…"

"FUCK YOU!" she answered and this time she stood and leapt to kick him in his groin. But her actions were a failure. He pinned her to the ground and went on top of her, effortless. Slowly, slowly, his left hand locked both of her hands while his right hand unsheathed his sword and placed it on the skin of her throat.

"You are so stubborn, my dear." Shishio commented and laughed. "Or should I call you Sukunami Akari?"

"How did you know?" she asked and glanced at the deadly sword of his that might end her life in a minute.

"Hmmm…" he paused and tightened his grip on her. "It will be a waste to kill you because you have caught his eye, it will be better if you will be a part of our plan."

Misao confusedly answered, "Wh… Why?"

"You don't need to know but you have to obey, little one."

"LIKE THE HELL I WOULD!" she yelled but Shishio's cut a little skin of her throat. Some drops of her blood flow across her pale neck and he licked it slowly. Misao almost cried in disgust.

"Obey or be killed? CHOOSE!" Shishio yelled. The bitter taste of her blood still burns in his tongue. "Oh brilliant, let's see. You have your friends helping you in your reckless affair, I can order Kamatari to kill Yahiko, Yutaro and Megumi. Oh Takani Megumi, that pretty lady! She and her lover were involved in this… what was his name again? Sanosuke?" he added and offered her a deadly glance.

"No… you would not…" Misao answered. Her voice in a hoarse. No more words can describe her hatred towards him.

"Of course, I would!" Shishio said. His eyes are burning with anger.

She tried to think of anything but there is no other choice but to cry.

Misao nodded yes and he gave her the most evil smile in return. "Now the plan is…"

-;-

"I refused."

"Aoshi, you must accept this from a diplomatic point!" Hiko said. "It will not kill you to marry Emi."

"Aoshi-kun" Okon said sweetly, "The court demands your heir as soon as possible. They cannot wait for your decision who will you marry at the end of the balls. Emi is the best choice we have! Look at her! She's born into nobility and…"

"I still refused." Aoshi answered, cutting Okon's words. Emi is very lovely and noble, yes but Aoshi felt bad at the fact that he cannot return the love she holds for him. Recently, she was diagnosed with an incurable illness and the healers said that she would only live in a year or two. He doubts that she was capable of giving him a child.

He looked at his unwanted visitor who sat on the tatami mat. Emi met his cold eyes who was trying her very best not to cry. Aoshi knew how his words really broke her heart.

"Do you really wish to marry that girl Akari?" Hiko asked, this time, Aoshi saw in the corner of his eye how Emi shifted in her seat. "She is a good choice but still, it is better for you to marry Emi. Kyoto still have an endless conflict in the northern border. The marriage is the best resolution we can have."

"Aa." He only answered, remembering his four precious friends who died in there.

Kenshin speaks, "I suggest that we should give Aoshi more time. Kaoru decided that the last ball must be held next week. She also plans that the marriage must take after the last ball so we can prepare some armies to fight in Northern Kyoto."

"Hiko-sama, you know that we can offer you our military support! Our land is an allied of many provinces in Japan." Emi explained. All eyes went to her. This time, Aoshi thinks briefly about the topic. If he will marry Emi, it might stop the endless rebellion in Northern Kyoto. However, the idea hurt him; his heart already belongs to someone else…

"I will consider marrying her if that is good for our country but please let me think about it until the last ball." He said. All people in the room were surprised at his change of mind.

Emi smiled happily and as expected, she gave him a warm embrace but he refused to return the gesture.

"Thank you son. I am glad. Let's leave you two alone then." Hiko said and they all left together. Aoshi realised how fate was sealed when you are to become an Emperor. Everything you must do was for the sake of your people, for the sake of…

The image of Akari with her tiny face and lovely smile went into his mind.

Aoshi sighs. He does not like being alone with Emi but…

"I love you… I promised that I will be a good wife to you." Emi whispered and quickly kissed him.

He just closed his eyes as the kiss became intense, letting the kiss of Emi removed his worries.

-;-

The night came as Aoshi resigned his self to his chambers. He did many things today and all he looks forward is a deep slumber. When the evening came, he asked Soujiro if Akari went home safely, the boy only nodded in return.

Knock… knock…

"Soujiro?" said Aoshi as he slid the shoji door open.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt you, Aoshi-sama but there was a message for you." Soujiro said and held out a formal looking envelope.

While the letter was addressed to him, there was no name of the sender. He waved Soujiro away and sat on his futon. Breaking away the seal of the envelope, he pulls out the paper clean and crisp.

Your highness,

I would like to invite you to my home for a tea tomorrow afternoon with myself and my cousins. At 2:30 in the afternoon, if you fancy. Let us know if that was possible and we are looking forward to your visit.

Have a good night. Hope you're well.

Sukunami Akari

A smile breaks on his stoic face as he thinks about tomorrow. But Aoshi thought that it was odd, she seems very formal…

He laid down on his bed and let his thoughts filled so much about her. Aoshi was very excited and thrilled, and suddenly, his thoughts shifted about the dances and conversations they shared together… Moreover, he can recall clearly the kiss he gave her in the beach… How her lips grace on his. He recalled her cute face and the sound of her laughter, and with that, he slept in peace.

But no one knew that inside the palace, a traitor has been staying with them for a long time.

End of Chapter