By: Shin Sankai
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"I'd only just become a professional artist. I was doing my first exhibition when I met Tomoe.
"Tomoe being your…"
"Mm, she's a singer and actress." Aoshi cut Misao off.
"That's an odd choice for a wife…err…ex-wife."
"Why do you say that?"
"Just a feeling I get from being around you. You're quite mellow, someone who would hate to be forced to go to lavish events. Not to mention you're quite a strong individual, though if not a little shy at times and someone so popular as she…and maybe demanding at that…wouldn't suit your needs."
"In the beginning it was never about our characters matching."
"Oh?" Misao glanced down at Aoshi, noticing how close they were sitting as he looked up at her, those hypnotising green eyes of his looking intently into her own. "Oh…" Misao mumbled and hoped that her cheeks weren't red enough for Aoshi to take notice of them.
"No matter where I was her entourage would find me. Even if I was working on something important it didn't matter to her. My work wasn't her concern. When she was free, it was fine to have me around, but when that time passed I was cast aside until the next time it would happen. It became quite a routine and in the end I didn't seem to care how much it affected my work…or my personal relationships with others." Misao felt Aoshi shift and removed her arm from his shoulder, allowing him to sit up properly as his eyes trained on the downpour occurring around their sheltered selves. "I was having constant arguments with my Uncle and my relationship with my sister was at an all time low. She was trying to tell me that Tomoe was no good for me, but I never listened."
"No one does when they are in love."
"Love…? I guess that is what everyone calls it, but it sure as hell didn't feel like it though."
"Probably because you've never experienced it whole-heartedly before."
"And you're such an expert?" Misao gulped as she began to think she offended Aoshi. His tone of voice had darkened slightly after all.
"Love is a universal feeling, but its experienced in many different ways, by everyone around the world. Though I must admit, I've never been in a lot of relationships, I do know that love goes far beyond the bedroom." Misao's shoulders lost their tension when she felt Aoshi let off a bitter chuckle as he slouched against her side once more. "If I were to fall in love again, I would hope it would be with someone who would consider me their equal. Someone who at the most crucial stages could let go of their own ego for once, look past their own neediness and recognise me as an individual with my own needs."
"You've been in love?"
"Mm, he was my high school sweetheart." Aoshi's eyebrows furrowed as he stole a glance up at Misao. "We grew up around the same neighbourhood and started going out when I was 13. It was also easy to have a relationship since we were so alike and the same age too. He was my very first love, my very first everything actually, but as time passed I noticed he began to change. Maybe I was changing too, but I felt like I was still me, but he became very possessive, very needy that I couldn't breathe at times. I wanted my own life. I also wanted to share one with him, but he didn't want that at all. My life was meant to be all about him and nothing else. The clincher for the rapidly diminishing relationship ended up being Jiya falling ill. He told me not to go, told me he needed me to stay with him."
"If he were really a man he should have had no problems with you going to be with your grandfather. If he'd known you at all he would of realised that family is everything to you."
"You catch on pretty quick. Now, we aren't talking about my hapless love life, but yours so get to it." She nudged him and observed one side of his lips quirk slightly.
"Truthfully I haven't had that many relationships." Aoshi glanced up once more to catch the disbelieving look on Misao's face and quirked his lips slightly. "I know it's difficult to believe, with my handsomeness and all, but it is the truth." He received a light smack on the arm for bringing up her previous comment once more. "I'd never paid attention to the entertainment industry and I didn't think someone would be interested in me from there either. I thought I was too plain for anyone to even take a second glance at me." Misao snorted at the comment. "What?"
"You plain? Give me a break." When those green orbs were locked on her blue ones once more Misao's heartbeat increased. "Ah, um, that is to say, you might think you're plain, but I bet there are several women out there that find you quite intriguing."
"I hope you will explain yourself more thoroughly."
"Please don't make me." Misao hunched slightly, feeling her cheeks redden.
"Wait, are we going back to my handsomeness again?"
"Shut up…"
"I do not mean to embarrass you Misao, but you are the very first woman to ever openly – accidentally at first – call me handsome, repeatedly I might add. Its an interesting feeling I've never been able to experience before."
"Err…okay…" Misao cleared her throat. "Handsomeness aside, that's not the only characteristic that women look upon. You have several that trigger a beacon in women to take a better look at you." The way he stared at her, so openly, almost innocently was extremely adorable that it made Misao's heart swell. "You might not know this, but there is an air of danger about you that women would find stimulating. Even if you don't mean to give it off, the aura you possess, your attire, the coolness and calmness in your strides, the way you sometimes walk and stare as though not having a care in the world, it draws people in wanting to know whom this person is, what's lurking beneath the surface. The richness and deepness within your voice, it sends shivers down the spine. The way you can look upon someone, stare straight through them; make them freeze on the spot as though you were undressing them with your haunting gaze, it can be quite electrifying. Then there is the fact that you not being much of a talker unless you deem it fit to speak your opinion would drive a woman crazy in wanting to know what was turning in that head of yours."
"Are these…your feelings towards me?" Misao's eyes grew insanely wider as once again Aoshi's face had drawn closer to her own. She could even feel his breath against her lips. Misao was dangerously being drawn into the fragile life that belonged to Aoshi and quickly stood up, narrowly missing smacking their noses together as she jumped to her feet.
"You know what we need?"
"Wh-What?" Aoshi had been surprised by Misao's sudden jolt away from him, but had been more shocked at himself for becoming addicted to the way Misao's voice flowed, to the way her lips moved as she spoke her opinion about him.
"A bath." That had not been what Aoshi was thinking.
"A bath?"
"That and a nice hot meal as well."
"Okay." Aoshi blinked as Misao's hand was out, wishing to help him up from his seated position.
"I want you to pack a bag."
"Why?"
"You're coming to stay at the Onsen." Misao watched Aoshi's lips part but she cut in just as she pulled him to his feet. "No buts either. You're in need of a large meal, a soothing bath; some much needed entertainment to get your mind of many things and friendly faces. The Onsen happens to provide all of this. I will not take no for an answer either, for if you try and rebuttal I'll have to think of ways to knock you out and drag you down there."
"I thought you wanted to hear about my hapless love life."
"In all due time it will be known to me, but for now I think you've had enough with having to relive it for today. So, what do you say?" Aoshi looked down upon Misao's smiling face, the way her eyes glittered up at him to her pinkish cheeks and the way she hopped from one foot to the other.
"As you wish." He muttered and headed inside after hearing her victorious cheer. Really, with a hopeful look on a face like that, how could he refuse?
"And be sure to pack the clean clothing I folded for you too!" Aoshi shook his head at the comment as he headed upstairs.
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Aoshi headed back downstairs with a duffel bag flung over one shoulder. He found Misao standing at the screen door waiting patiently for him. Her backpack was once again strapped to her body and Aoshi shut the front door and headed down the stairs with her. He observed Misao flick open a large umbrella and without a word Aoshi took it from her and placed it over their heads. Before they took off on their trek down the mountain, Aoshi took hold of Misao's left hand and gave it a light squeeze.
"Thank you." He was greeted with a closed eyed smile.
"Onward through the fog soldier!" Aoshi's lips quirked as he watched Misao thrust her unoccupied and fisted hand into the air. She was so genki it made him relax once more. Having someone like Misao around was allowing Aoshi to return to whom he originally was, to return to the Aoshi that he'd been before Tomoe. He walked closer to Misao, making sure the umbrella was evenly placed over their heads while he kept their hands joined as they began the slow trek down the muddy road towards the Onsen.
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Aoshi hadn't been paying attention when he was driven up to Hiko's cabin, but he could see why the Onsen could be missed if you were heading up into the mountains. It was tucked away in a vast amount of forest, only having a narrow winding road directing you towards it. The buildings looked very old, but very well preserved by the new owners. Instead of heading in through the front reception area, Misao guided Aoshi around the side and towards a two-storey home that was not connected at all to the Onsen Resort. Reaching the porch steps Aoshi watched Misao take off her shoes and toed his off as well. He lent the umbrella against the porch railing and followed Misao inside.
"Tadaima!" She had yelled out and with his breath catching in his throat Aoshi waited for a response. When none came he heard Misao make a slight 'hmm' noise and followed her further into the home as he stood in a large open planned living room area.
"I guess they're all working today. Oh well, I'll get you settled into one of the guest rooms and then take you on a tour of the resort."
"I do not mean to intrude into your home Misao. I can stay as a gust of the resort if you wish."
"You are staying as a guest. And being my guest you will be staying with us for free." Aoshi didn't get a chance to refuse the offer as Misao had taken his duffel bag and headed down another corridor towards an end room. "This will be your room."
"Where is yours?" He hadn't meant to ask the question, but it just slipped out.
"Upstairs, directly above this one." He stood in the doorway, watching as Misao pried open the shutters of the window and then went to slide open the shoji which led out to a garden. "This will be your own personal sanctuary while you're staying here. It a perfect place to calm the body and ease the mind." Aoshi stepped over towards the shoji and looked out into the flourishing garden. Butterflies fluttered from flower to flower and birds danced within the cloudy sky. For now the rain had eased and Aoshi took in a deep breath, filling his lungs with the crispness in the air.
"When Omasu finds out you're here she'll practically wait on you hand and foot. She's quite the mother hen."
"Misao-chan, are you home?"
"Ah, speak of the devil." Aoshi watched Misao walk to the doorway and poke her head out. "I brought a guest." It didn't take long for Aoshi to meet Omasu and just as Misao said, she began to fuss over him instantly. It started with her placing his belongings away to practically pushing him back down the hallway and into the living room to have a nice cup of tea. While Aoshi quietly sipped away at his tea, sitting in one of the plush lounge chairs, his eyes followed Misao and Omasu as they darted from different rooms; talking about some of the guests they obviously had staying at the Onsen. His eyes drew towards a framed picture sitting on the entertainment cabinet and he got up to have a closer look at it. It was an image of a young Misao wearing a flowery kimono and playing in the fallen autumn leaves. She looked quite adorable in traditional attire.
"I bet you could do with some freshening up Aoshi-san." Aoshi glanced over at Omasu who stood grinning at him in a plain green kimono. He'd never seen a lot of women in kimonos before but he guessed it was normal attire for those that worked and owned an Onsen. "How about I show you to the men's public baths? You can relax there and unwind for as long as you like. I'm sure being with Misao-chan, listening to her prattle away, hasn't been easy."
"HEY!" Aoshi eyes darted to the stairs and they locked on Misao. She was standing on the bottom step dressed in a kimono of her own. The colours reflected within her eyes as Aoshi gazed upon her. She was dressed in blues and greens, her long blue-black hair had been woven into a loose bun atop her head, held there by two shiny black chopsticks, one with a small blue glittery butterfly hanging from it. Her face was laced with light makeup making her look even older then what she was. She'd been adorable in the picture, but looking upon her now, he'd never seen such a vision before.
"Ah, hi… A bit different from my usual attire ne?" She was grinning up at him, having walked over and Aoshi nodded his head lightly.
"A little surprising in fact. I would say you are the handsome one now."
"No, no, no…" Aoshi watched Misao 'tsk' lightly while waving one of her index fingers at him. "Its beautiful for a lady, not handsome."
"Aa, beautiful…" Misao's cheeks turned a nice hue of pink as Aoshi continued to stare silently down at her.
"Ano, Aoshi-san?" Aoshi quickly turned to stare over at a confused Omasu.
"Please show me the way towards the hot springs. I would very much like to test them out as I've heard so much about them from Misao." Omasu smiled pleasantly and walked Aoshi out of the house and towards the Resort.
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Aoshi had never been to an Onsen before and although it was partly the culprit that help end his relationship with Tomoe, fleeting thoughts of the very woman left him completely as he sank into the hot water of the rock pools in the men's area of the resort. All he had on was a small flimsy white towel tied loosely around his hips, it parting open to reveal more of the skin on his right thigh as he sat within the steaming water. His upper chest was free to the cool afternoon air as he leaned back against the rocks, his arms above the water and spread out leaning on the flat rocks as well. He was starring up at the cloudy sky, several clouds parting to change colours as the sun began to sink past the horizon. At the soothing sounds of flowing water, trees swaying, Aoshi's eyes began to close of their own accord.
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The shaking of his shoulder made Aoshi dart his eyes open. An elder man was sitting on the rocks beside him, obviously having come from the water, as his skin was slightly pink from the heat.
"I think a young woman has been calling out for you young man." Aoshi quickly got to his feet, swaying lightly and caught himself on the rocks. He'd no idea how long he'd been in the water for and had no idea when he dozed off, but it would do him no good to faint on the spot. With a little help from the elder man Aoshi made it to the change rooms and sat down on a bench, taking in deep breaths to calm his spinning head. "You've got quite a catch their young man." Aoshi looked over at the elderly man as he had already dressed himself within a beige yukata. "I remember the very day when I met my wife at this Onsen over 40 years ago. I'd bumped into her in that very corridor and instantly whisked her away." Aoshi blinked at the sudden short story told to him, but gratefully bowed to the elder man as he decided to leave and inform the "young lady" that he would be out shortly.
Aoshi finally took notice that his previous clothing had all but disappeared and what sat next to him was a pair of his briefs and a black yukata. He knew that traditionally one would wear fundoshi with yukata, but the man wasn't comfortable enough to even try to place one on let alone wear one. It took him a short amount of time to tie the belt correctly, to hold his yukata closed, as he'd never worn one before and then placed a black haori over the top of it. Even as he gazed at himself within the mirror Aoshi was certain he hadn't placed the yukata on correctly as it gaped open to reveal much of his muscular chest. He shrugged and left the change room to meet a pair of warm blue eyes that smiled over at him from the opposite side of the corridor.
"Well look at you." Misao quipped as she placed her hands on her hips and looked him up and down. Aoshi in traditional wear was very appealing indeed. His hair was damn and several strands were spiked in different directions and his cheeks were lightly flushed from the steam. All in all he looked oh so handsome and very refreshed indeed.
"I am not sure if I have placed the yukata on correctly."
"You have." Misao commented and lead Aoshi away from the male hot springs.
"So why does my chest show so much?"
"Are we being shy in showing off our body?" Aoshi's eyes narrowed at Misao's teasing tone.
"No…"
"Don't worry, it's probably Omasu giving you a smaller yukata then what someone of your build should be wearing. She can appreciate handsomeness too."
"Misao-chan I know you love showing your guest off, but aren't you meant to be working in the Aoi-ya?" The two of them stopped walking and turned to look down another corridor to see an elder man starring back at them, a gentle smile etched on his wrinkled features.
"Jiya, you're so mean making me work tonight. I'm meant to be giving Aoshi a tour."
"Nonsense my girl, I can entertain Aoshi-san while you do your job." Aoshi watched as Misao pouted up at her adoptive grandfather. "And don't think that look is going to make me change my mind." Aoshi blinked as Misao huffed and stormed off in the direction of the restaurant no doubt. His eyes trailed back to the elder man who chuckled lightly. "She is so easy to tease."
"I know…" Aoshi replied without much thought. The elder man turned to look over at him properly and Aoshi bowed slightly. "I'm Shinomori Aoshi. Thank you for allowing me to stay here."
"I'm Okina, Misao-chan's devoted grandfather. I'll take your thanks with a round of sake."
"Misao informed me you aren't meant to drink."
"What's a secretive drink amongst men hey?"
"Nothing if you're going to do it in front of her." Okina chuckled at Aoshi's response as they too headed towards the restaurant. "Fine, fine, how about tea instead?"
"That I can do Okina-san." He was slapped on the back and led into the restaurant area and seated at a table by Misao herself.
"Don't you pay any attention to what he says Aoshi." Misao warned him as she walked away, turning back to glare at her grandfather when he shouted he'd like sake. He knew she'd come back with tea instead, but he still couldn't help but tease his granddaughter.
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Aoshi sat with Okina for hours as they chatted about this and that. The elder had asked him about his family, his job and Aoshi had watched his eyebrow arch when he stipulated he happened to be one of Misao's favourite authors. He'd offered Okina and his family a free visit to his next exhibition (even if he didn't know when that would be) and felt glad when the elder man nodded his head saying they wouldn't miss it.
The both of them during the evening had continuously stared at Misao as she mingled with the customers at the Onsen. She was very well liked and was also easily hit upon by a group of young men that had come up for the weekend. If you were a regular customer at the Onsen you wouldn't have been surprised at Okina's outburst to not touch his Misao-chan as she already had her man sitting with him. Aoshi of course had not been accustomed to this, his eyes growing slightly wide at the implication but he soon caught on as Misao came over and smacked her grandfather on the head with her ordering book. She quickly told him it was his ritual to embarrass her and then she was gone again, bringing out food orders.
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The restaurant was all but deserted, leaving Okon, Omasu, Shiro, Kuro and Misao to clean it up while Aoshi and Okina still sat at the table drinking another cup of tea.
"Misao-chan is my pride and joy."
"I can tell." Okina glanced silently over at Aoshi at his comment.
"The way you've watched her this evening, pride is evident on your facial features. It's very easy to read for someone like myself.
"I also noticed that Misao-chan has caught your attention a lot this evening as well."
"You do not miss much at all do you Okina-san."
"Not in this Onsen." The elder man cackled lightly before downing his tea, his face turning serious all of a sudden. "All I hope for is that Misao-chan is happy."
"And you think she isn't?" Aoshi tilted his head slightly as he gazed over at Okina.
"Misao-chan's a very bright young woman that could do anything in this world and yet she remains here."
"This is where she wants to be."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Trust me when I say this. Misao would rather be here then anywhere else in the world. Even if choices came to her, to allow her to go back to her studies, Misao would refuse within a blink of an eye. She wants to be here."
"And you say this because?"
"You are everything to her." Okina's eyes widened at Aoshi's words. "I don't know if she's ever told you that before, but when we went out for a picnic, she told me she wanted to be a tour guide but you becoming sick made her realise that being with her family, being with those that she loves is far more important. Life can be short and it is best to spend it with those that you love. Do you not agree to this?"
"Misao-chan, you can stop for the evening. I think you should take Aoshi-san here for a nice long stroll around the grounds."
"Are you sure?"
"Mm, he's a very nice young man. Now off you two go." He shooed the both of them out of the restaurant and Aoshi blinked at the closed shoji.
"He didn't say anything strange did he?"
"I'm not sure, but somehow I feel like I was tested."
"Tested? On what?"
"I haven't figured that part out yet." Misao laughed and took hold of Aoshi's hand.
"Yep, sounds like my Jiya. Now for your real tour!"
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The next day found Aoshi awake before Misao. He'd gone for a stroll around the grounds that Misao had shown him last night, he being able to appreciate it in the morning light, but was interrupted by Okon coming to greet him. She informed him that a letter had come for him and he thanked her before heading back to the guest room he occupied. He was sitting on a bench on the porch and heard a knock on the main shoji to the bedroom and Misao's voice.
"Out here." He mumbled as he starred down at the opened letter.
"Did you sleep well?" Misao questioned as she stood beside the quiet Aoshi. It didn't take long for her to kneel in front of him, her eyes looking up at his glare. It was not directed at her but the scrunched letter within his hands. "Are you okay?"
"That bitch." Misao blinked at the words and knew instantly it was about Tomoe. She waited patiently for Aoshi to continue on…or at least hoped he would. Minutes ticked by and it wasn't until she placed her hands on top of his fisted ones that Aoshi seemed to snap out of his thoughts. "I have to go back to Tokyo and sign the divorce papers."
"That's good though isn't it? You'll be free of her then."
"She has the papers and has asked for my presence at one of her lavish parties. She's going to make it all about her again. Some huge public stunt that we are still together but in secret we'll sign the documents to terminate the marriage. I knew it wasn't going to be easy freeing myself of her."
"Oh…"
"Misao?"
"Yes?" Green eyes met blue.
"Will you come with me?" And blue widened.
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(To be continued)