Author's Note: The moment you've all been waiting for… I present this chapter! Enjoy! About the title… hehe… it's a poem, actually. (yes, I've been inspired by various poems lately.) Hey, it fits. Read on and you'll know what I mean… I hope.
Disclaimer: We do not own Rurouni Kenshin.
...
Chapter 18: Transient Heaven
"Ladies and Gentlemen, for maximum enjoyment on this special night, we have organized certain programs…" the emcee ranted on and on, using his verbal skills to keep the guests entertained. Misao, however, was not paying any attention to the emcee's words. She was too busy thinking about certain things.
'Does this dress look okay?'
'Aoshi likes Aika… or doesn't he? Kaoru said…'
'I wonder if Aika will like the gift I got for her…?'
"Misao!" came Kaoru's harsh whisper. Misao snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at Kaoru.
"Hai?" Misao replied. Kaoru eyed her suspiciously.
"You're not listening, are you?" Kaoru accused. Misao smiled sheepishly and apologized.
"Listen to the emcee, Misao-chan…" Kaoru ordered in her motherly tone. Misao gave in and stared at Kaoru. She looked really elegant tonight. The sparkling azure gown complimented Kaoru's eyes and her hair was styled into curls. Misao smiled.
'Wonder what Kenshin thought when he saw Kaoru all dressed up…?'
Her inner voice scolding her for wandering off in her own thoughts once more, she stopped daydreaming and diverted her attention to the emcee.
And it was a good thing that she did.
"I am proud to present a special guest… Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome…"
'Finally! The programs are starting… this ought to be good…'
"…Shinomori Aoshi!"
Misao blinked.
'Eh? N-Nani…?'
Aoshi then entered the stage, his fine suit matching his build. His hair fell handsomely over his eyes, hiding his steely blue orbs under strands of loose hair, thus giving him an air of mystery. Girls everywhere swooned over him, giving Aoshi dreamy looks.
'Aoshi! Wha- What is he doing there! He looks so good…'
Misao was still in shock, her mouth gaped open and eyes plastered onto the man on the stage. Aoshi grabbed the microphone and briefly looked at Misao, who was, unfortunately, too shocked to notice the look her gave her.
"This song I'm about to sing… I want to dedicate it to a special someone who I'm sure is among the audience… Hope that you'll get my message." Aoshi's low voice resounded across the venue.
'NANI! He… he's going to… he can SING! Douyu-koto! What is this world coming to! Gah! More importantly… who is he referring to? Who is his… special someone…?'
Misao shifted from shocked to depressed, her glassy orbs plaintive. Snapping her out of her reverie was the piano, its beautiful melody resounding. Aoshi's voice then joined the piano…
No one ever saw me like you do
All the things that I could add up to
I never knew just what a smile was worth
But your eyes say everything without a single word
Aoshi shocked everyone by his impressive voice. Aoshi chose this song because this was how Misao made him feel. He hoped that she would get his message. Aoshi meant each and every word of the song. Misao watched in awe and she loved the lyrics.
'Coz there's something in the way you look at me
It's as if my heart knows you're the missing piece
You make me believe that there's nothing
in this world I can't be
I never know what you see,
But there's something in the way you look at me…
This was the story of Misao and Aoshi (in Aoshi's perspective, at least). Each and every word reflected how Aoshi felt.
'Yes, Misao… I don't know what it is that you see in me… what it is that makes you keep on believing in me… but in your eyes, there's something there…'
If I could freeze a moment in my mind
Be the second that you touch your lips to mine
I'd like to stop the clock, make time stand still
'Coz baby this is just the way I always wanna feel
'I'm still waiting… waiting… I'm not one to rush into things, yet I want to tell you… to let you know so badly. The opportunity has been taken away from me time and time again, but I promise you, I will make it known. If I cannot explicitly declare it and tell you, there is a way…'
I don't know how I,
I feel different in your eyes
All I know is it happens every time
'Coz there's something in the way you look at me
It's as if my heart knows you're the missing piece
You make me believe that there's nothing
in this world I can't be
I never know what you see,
But there's something in the way you look at me…
'They say actions speak louder than words… if that's the case, then… I will just have to prove it… to prove my love for you, Misao…'
…the way you look at me…
The crowd roared in applause, everyone impressed and touched by Aoshi's performance. Aoshi bowed humbly and exited the stage. After his exit, he headed towards Misao's direction, eyes glued on her. Misao's heart stopped. Her knuckles were white from tightly gripping her gown. She held her breath. What was coming?
'Aoshi… What are you planning? Will all my questions…? Or…'
Just as it seemed that Misao would finally get her answers, her hope was quickly snatched away. Aika quickly grabbed Aoshi by the arm and the two disappeared into the humongous garden. Misao's orbs that used to scintillate with life and excitement now held only emptiness.
'Will I ever learn to accept my fate? It has been made clear; over and over… that Aoshi… is with Aika now… what was I thinking…? Baka…'
Misao stared at her clenched fists sadly. A hand held those pale hands.
"Misao?"
Misao reluctantly responded, looking at the one who uttered her name.
"Hai…?"
Looking at her with concern, he drew closer.
"Daijobu ka?"
Misao smiled bitterly. 'Me? Okay? Does it look like I am?'
"Y-Yeah… I believe so…"
"Misao." This time, more stern.
Misao looked up.
"That's not what I meant… Is it okay… to let him go? Just like that?"
What? What is he implying?
"It's been made clear… I-I never seem to learn…" Misao stated.
"Has it? Misao, wake up! Nothing has been declared, nothing has been certain! The truth has been clouded by a mist, formed from all those false notions and misunderstandings!"
Shocked, Misao stared at him.
"Aren't you going to confirm and make sure?"
He… he was right… he is right!
Misao, with a determined look, stood up to enter the garden. Before she entered, she glanced back.
"Arigato… Sou-kun…"
Soujiro smiled.
"Ne, A-o-shi… that was… splendid… I really enjoyed it…" Aika cooed into Aoshi's ear, holding him close. Aoshi eyed her suspiciously, breaking free from her hold.
"Aa." Was all he said.
"Of course, that was for me, wasn't it?" Aika said in a seductive tone.
'Nani…? Is she trying to seduce me? What's her problem! Is she drunk?'
"Although it's your day, I-" he was cut off. Aika threw her arms around him and her face drew nearer and nearer.
...
"Huh…?"
Misao stared at the steamy scene before her. Aika and Aoshi… about to kiss!
"!"
Misao turned away in disgust, grief, and sorrow. She ran.
...
Aoshi quickly turned his head, causing Aika's lips to simply land on his cheek. Aika looked at him, annoyed.
"No need to be shy, Aoshi!" Aika said, trying once more to capture his lips.
"STOP IT!" Aoshi shouted, breaking free from her hold. He pushed her aside and left.
"I am sorry, Aika. I have tried to tell you before; I have implied it. I thought you understood that it is not you who I love!"
Aika felt her heart crack. So fragile…
"A-Aoshi…? You're joking, right?" Aika whispered, afraid of the truth. She was on the verge of tears.
Aoshi hated to do this on her birthday, but he had to make it clear!
"Clearly, I am not, Aika. I'm sorry, but you leave me no choice. I have to tell you clearly, I am not in love with you." Aoshi said firmly. Aika was left speechless, her heart shattered into a million pieces. Then Aoshi left, leaving Aika all alone.
...
Going back to the tables, his eyes scanned the crowd but failed to locate Misao. He saw Kaoru and Soujiro on one table.
'Guess I'll have to ask them…'
Approaching the two, he inquired of Misao's whereabouts.
"A-re? Is she not with you? She went to look for you…" Soujiro said, wondering if Misao had confirmed it with Aoshi already.
"Iie… I haven't seen her…" Aoshi said, slightly panicking.
"Could she have gotten lost?" Kaoru said. After a moment of silence, Soujiro asked Aoshi to look for her. Aoshi accepted and entered the garden.
"Misao… what was she doing? She didn't tell Aoshi yet, huh…" Soujiro said.
"Let's just hope that Aoshi'll find her and then the two will finally tell each other…" Kaoru said, sipping on her drink. Soujiro nodded in agreement and shifted his attention to the other programs.
...
Misao recalled the scene earlier.
They were going to kiss…
'What would've happened to me if I saw them do it…?'
Misao's heart was slowly withering. The pain was slowly reigning.
'I guess all I could do was hope, after all… Sou-kun… I guess it's been confirmed…'
All hope remaining in Misao's heart was engulfed by the pain and darkness.
'Aho… why did I have to fall for him! Why couldn't it be someone else? Someone like… like… Enishi! Why Aoshi…? Why does he have to be so kind? Why does he have to be so caring? Why does he have to be… Aoshi?'
Misao cried bitterly, hot tears cascading down her cheek. She leaned against a tree; she was lost… so lost. Lost in this garden, lost in her own tears, lost in her own raging feelings and emotions.
'What now…?'
Aoshi sped through the garden. Why did it have to be so annoyingly enormous?
'Misao… where are you? Where could you be? Why were you looking for me…? Why wasn't I there?'
Aoshi kept running until he saw a wandering figure.
Misao…?
His heart skipped a beat. Hope flared in his dark eyes.
"Aoshi…?"
That… that voice is…
"Aika?"
Not Misao. Not Misao! Where is she?
"Aoshi!" Aika screamed, throwing herself at him.
"Aika… Let go."
"NO! Please… please understand my feelings! Understand and accept them!" She cried hysterically. Aoshi's patience was running short. This woman is so… clingy! And he didn't even find Misao yet!
"Aika! I already told you! How many times do I have to repeat myself!" Aoshi growled. Aika was unfazed, as she continued to try convincing him.
...
A few minutes later, Misao calmed down a bit.. However, she still felt terrible.
'I'm such an idiot… It's… over now…'
She smiled bitterly, trying to convince herself that it'd be okay.
'I think I'm going to go crazy…'
A dark figure suddenly emerged from behind a tree.
'…W-What the hell is that?'
Misao quickly hid behind a nearby bush and tried to get a better view of the figure. From what she could make out, it was a person holding something. Once the brilliance of the moon illuminated the scene in front of her, she realized… it was indeed a man… holding a gun!
'N-NANI? Wha-What is he doing? Is he aiming at something… someone!'
Misao's eyes traveled to where the gun was aiming at. To her surprise, there were two figures… a man and a woman…
Aoshi and Aika.
'HE… is he going to kill them! But… why!'
Misao was petrified, cold sweat tricking down her face. The cocking of the gun brought her back to her senses.
'He's going to kill them!'
But… what if he only wishes to eliminate Aika? Then that'd be good for Misao! Wait! How could I think of such horrible thoughts! Aoshi will not… no, he won't… even if he lost her, his feelings, his love won't die…
Although deathly afraid, a very pale Misao argued with herself on what she would… should do.
'What? WHAT! I HAVE TO HURRY! DO SOMETHING! I'm so… s-scared…! But I have to do something…!'
Aoshi loves Aika! Aika dead would make Aoshi sad! Sad Aoshi equals Sad Misao! An alive Aika would make a happy Aoshi! A happy Aoshi… would make Misao happy as well…
"Even if it's not with me… I want him to be happy…"
Misao shut her eyes tight. Tears trickled down her porcelain face. She clenched her fists.
...
"Listen to me very carefully. I DO NOT LOVE YOU. Which means I CANNOT RETURN YOUR FEELINGS. Which can mean that I DO NOT FEEL THE SAME WAY YOU DO FOR ME. Which also means that I LOVE SOMEONE ELSE." Aoshi said, anger starting to emanate from him.
Aika's eyes flowed with tears.
"Demo, Aoshi! We were together since we were little…!"
"I regard that as friendship, Aika." Aoshi said, patience wearing very thin.
"AOSHI!" Aika screamed, hugging him tighter.
That was the last straw. He snapped.
"I already told you! I-"
BAM!
He didn't finish.
Author's Note: "WHAT THE-!" – yes, yes, I know. Well then, shall we read on? By the way – random thought – I recommend reading the poem I Shall Not Love Again by Alfredo Elfren Litiatco. Truly sorry, but you have to stay tuned for the next chapter... ahahaha! It won't take long -- I promise!