Aoshi

I still can't get used to her smoking, Aoshi thought as he watched Misao skip out of the room. He sighed deeply and sat back in his chair, taking his jacket off, rolling his sleeves up and pushing his bangs back from his eyes – staring intently at the pile of papers. After a while, he felt himself go cross-eyed. Damn it. Can't concentrate. He threw himself back into his chair and put a record on the gramophone. Piano music began to play and he lit a cigarette. She's right. If I thought she couldn't deal with the job I wouldn't have chosen her. Misao is no longer a child. She is very capable – and everyone else is needed back here. He sighed again. She is an adult. Part of the 'family business'. But still… Despite that… I…

Aoshi winced and blew out a thick jet of smoke, still thinking and worrying – and telling himself not to do so. He heard a knock at the door. "Aoshi. It's me."

"Okina. Come in."

The old man entered holding a teapot and two cups. "I brought tea. Green tea." he said. "It'll make you feel better."

"Thank you."

Okina poured a cup for Aoshi and a cup for himself, then set the pot on the low table. He sat in the armchair Misao had sat in ten minutes ago. "Something bothering you?" he asked, taking a sip from his cup. "The tickets for one cabin weren't as expensive as we originally thought."

"The costs are not it. The Oniwabanshu are known for effectively cutting costs, courtesy of Okon."

Laughing, Okina took another sip of tea. "Nothing beats a woman's perceptive eye and bargaining tongue, eh?" Aoshi said nothing, also taking a sip of tea. Okina glanced shrewdly up at Aoshi over the rim of his cup. "Is it about Misao that's bothering you?"

Aoshi paused. "…I suppose. I…" he looked past Okina, at the door, sounding a little sad. "I… Still haven't gotten used to her starting to smoke." The record spun to a stop, the notes of the piano growing more and more faint and scratchy until they finally stopped. Aoshi ignored it.

Okina began to laugh, then stopped as he saw Aoshi's look. "She is an adult woman who can kill a man without batting an eyelash – and you're worried about her smoking. She only does it because it looks cool, you know. Mostly does it in front of you." Okina chuckled. "But y'know… Kids grow up fast, Aoshi. I remember when you were a serious ten-year-old trying to shoot a gun that you could barely lift. Now you're running the family business, and I have never been more right in choosing a successor." He looked at Aoshi seriously, before smiling a little.

Aoshi's brows were still furrowed. "I wonder about that as well." He said quietly, almost as if to himself.

"I don't really know what you're thinking most of the time, probably because you are about as expressive as a glass of water." Said Okina dryly. "But it's easy to tell with Misao. More than anything she wants to prove herself. To you, especially, Aoshi. She is capable, flexible, young and talented. She's had quite a bit of experience for someone her age. The best choice in this situation – really. Trust her, Aoshi. Even if she is young, she is an adult, you know. Has been for a few years, here." He sighed. "Our pretty Misao is eager to learn – and when she learns something, she learns it all the way until she's so good at it almost no-one can beat her. She's quite like you in that respect."

"She was the best choice in this situation." Aoshi repeated. Taking a sip of tea, he set his cup down on his desk with a finalizing clack. He resumed his usual expressionless, businesslike manner. No point worrying. Already happened. Best decision. I am the head. I cannot afford to hesitate.

Okina shrugged and they began to talk about business, the imports of alcohol over the border and the import of weapons from the 'island'. When all the tea had been drunk, and most of the paperwork had been done, Okina left – and it was already evening. Aoshi took the long-extinguished cigarette from between his teeth and decided he wanted dinner.

He stood up, stretching, tired from sitting for so long. As he opened the door, he heard a squeal and Misao toppled over into the room, unbalanced but keeping a plate of lasagna upright, clutching it with both hands. "It's dinner- Ah shit-!" Unthinkingly, he hooked a supporting arm around her waist and took the plate from her hands before she fell over and took his dinner with her.

"Yes. This is dinner." He said stiffly, staring at the lasagna, his arm still around her waist. She's very thin. Is she eating well? Wait. What the hell am I doing. He quickly let go of Misao, his face staying blank by the force of sheer will. Her face was red. Why was her face red? Was she training? She really shouldn't overdo it. Especially if she's not eating enough. Damn. There I go again. "Thank you for the dinner." Aoshi's face was completely blank.

Misao stared at him. She looked worried. "Are you alright, Aoshi-sama? You've been working really hard, right?"

He stared back. "I am well. Thank you." He nodded. She nodded too. There was a silence. Aoshi broke it. "…That book, it has a sequel." He said quickly. What's wrong with me? God, I'm awkward.

"Book?" Then she gasped raising a finger. "Oh! That book! I keep trying to remember to give it back! I'll go do that! Just a second." Miso grinned, then turned and jogged away down the hallway.

Aoshi blinked then slowly took a bite of lasagna. As he chewed, his expression did not change. He swallowed. "This time she did add sugar instead of salt." He set the plate down on his desk and smiled fondly, despite himself.