This page has been visited
The Rurouni Kenshin Room
Kainee's Rurouni Kenshin Fanfiction Gallery
The Fanfiction Room
Aoshi and Sayuri were kneeling on the floor. Aoshi's arms were around the now calm Sayuri. Sayuri still clung to him, her face nestled on the crook of his neck. They made a touching picture, silhoutted by the rays of the morning sun as it streamed through the slats in the wall. Okina stared at them, his mouth gaping open, suddenly at a loss. For some reason, he saw Misao in his mind's eye as she walked past him. He saw her eyes, the unnatural emptiness in them...He drew a breath at the flash of comprehension. Is this what she saw, too? No wonder then that...
Aoshi saw him first. His eyes narrowed minutely, his arms unconsciously tightening around Sayuri. Okina was watching them, stupefied. Aoshi cursed silently. He can almost predict what Okina must be thinking right now. "Okina," he said curtly.
Sayuri started slightly at hearing that name. She didn't want to move from the comfort of Aoshi's embrace but if Okina was watching. Already she could feel his arms loosening as he started to move away. She sighed inwardly in resignation but the untimely interruption didn't dim her joy in the least. He comforted her in her need so must care for her! love her! She allowed Aoshi to pull away from her slightly but she leaned onto him, feeling him tense as she did so. She attributed this to the fact that Okina was watching. Okina... She raised her head, her lovely face streaked with tears, "Ojisama..."
Okina came out of his stupor gradually as he became aware of Aoshi's unblinking stare. He glanced at Sayuri who smiled at him weakly and tried to smile in return. He noted her flushed face with concern. Ignoring Aoshi, he stepped into the room and knelt in front of Sayuri, "Are you all right, Sayuri? Did something--" here he glanced at Aoshi before turning back to regard Sayuri "--happen?"
Sayuri shook her head, "No, nothing, Ojisama. I was just being silly, that's all." She laughed lightly. "There's nothing to worry about, really. Aoshi-sama's already taken care of that."
Okina didn't miss the expression on Sayuri's face as she looked up at Aoshi. It was pretty obvious that the girl was in love. He wondered what this would mean to Misao. He glanced at Aoshi, trying to gauge his reaction.
Aoshi's calm expression did not alter. "It was nothing, Sayuri-san," he said evenly. He turned to Okina, "Is there something you wanted?"
Okina thought wryly that Aoshi was the one person you would never see hysterical. He didn't even seem to mind in the very least that he has two women after him, one of whom was his daughter almost. His thoughts sombered as they turned to Misao. "I--ah--wanted to talk to you," he answered.
"Now?" Aoshi asked coolly.
Okina glanced at Sayuri who nodded understandingly. She stood up gracefully, smoothing her kimono as she did so. She picked up the discarded tea tray on the floor before placing it on the nearby table in an elegant motion. Okina reflected that Sayuri really was everything her father, his friend Hiro, had dreamed of for her: poised, beautiful, intelligent. He thought again of Misao, her tomboyish ways, her carefree nature. It was easy to see where Aoshi's choice might lie. He sighed inwardly as he realized that he was the one to blame for that. If only he'd raised Misao in a different way... "Yes, now," he responded.
"I must go, then, Aoshi-sama, Ojisama," Sayuri murmured, bowing at them both. She turned in the doorway and looked directly at Aoshi. She smiled. "Arigato, Aoshi-sama. For everything," she said demurely, her eyes alight.
Okina was surprised to see Aoshi smile back slightly. "Of course, Sayuri-san," Aoshi said. With a final smile at Okina, Sayuri turned and was gone.
Silence fell between the two men. Unsure of what to say, Okina stared at the floor, wondering how he would bring the matter up. Aoshi sat unconcernedly in front of him, his eyes closed. Long seconds passed before Aoshi finally spoke, "Would you like some tea?"
Okina wanted to tear at his hair in exasperation. Aoshi could be so trying at times. Tea! Aoshi moved to stand up. "Why don't you talk to Misao?" Okina blurted out.
'Damn,' he thought as Aoshi stiffened. There was a pause and then Aoshi relaxed, settling down on the floor once again.
"What do you mean?" he asked calmly.
Okina scowled at him, "What do you think I mean?" When Aoshi didn't answer, he sighed before continuing to speak, "Aoshi, Misao has been, well, depressed lately. She doesn't eat much and from what Omasu told me and from what I saw, she isn't sleeping well, either. She looks like hell," he finished abruptly. He sneaked a glance at Aoshi who was staring blankly at the wall. "Anyway," he said, "I was wondering if you might have an idea why she's like--that. Omasu said you might know what's wrong with Misao..."
"What makes you think that?" Aoshi questioned abruptly.
Okina shrugged helplessly, "Well, you and Misao have always been close and we were thinking--"
Aoshi cut him off, "I'm sorry but I have no idea what's wrong with Misao." He looked at Okina, his face shadowed. "Maybe you should ask her."
"That's just the problem! She won't say anything!" Okina said hotly. "I've tried talking to her but all I get are half-answers and vague 'nothings.' Okon and Omasu don't know what to do about it either! And you," he glared at Aoshi,"have not exactly been helpful."
"What do you expect me to do?" Aoshi asked evenly. "Gods, haven't I been trying to tell you from the beginning?" Okina cried out angrily. "Talk to her! She'll listen to you! She can't say no to you! You're the only one who can draw her out of whatever damned place she's hiding in! You--"
"I can't," Aoshi said quietly.
Okina stared at him disbelievingly, "WHAT?!!"
"I can't," he repeated in the same tone. He looked away from the incredulous Okina.
"What do you mean you CAN'T?!" Okina burst out when he could finally speak. Aoshi didn't say anything. Okina felt his face go red with anger. Of all the times to be stubborn...! He breathed deeply, trying to summon his patience. "What do you mean you can't?" he growled.
"Because."
"That's no answer, damn it!" Okina restrained himself from grabbing Aoshi and shaking him until he dropped. "Look, I don't understand what's going on between you and Misao. All I know is she's changing into someone I don't know, a--a--" Okina paused, groping for words, "--shadow of what she's once been." His tone became pleading. "You must care for her, even a little. For her sake, talk to her at least!"
Aoshi's jaw tightened almost impercetibly as he stared blankly at the opposite wall. He clenched his hands which were slightly shaking. Something was wrong with Misao but she told him... She even smiled at him earlier. He pushed his hair back in a frustrated gesture.
Okina watched him anxiously. Aoshi looked as calm and remote as ever, his face expressionless. The silence stretched interminably. Finally, Okina couldn't stand it. This time, though, he spoke without anger, realizing the futility of letting emotions run loose especially when talking to Aoshi. "Aoshi, I won't force you if you don't want to speak with Misao," he said wearily. "It's your choice. But I had hoped," he added, "that you could at least put aside your personal differences with her when Misao's welfare is at stake. Please. If you care for her even a little..."
Aoshi tensed, his fingers clenching tightening. Suddenly his posture relaxed, shoulders slumping in resignation, as if a heavy burden was placed on his shoulders. He drew in a deep breath before turning to Okina. "All right. I'll talk to her. If she'll want me to..." For a moment, the mask cracked and Okina glimpsed an undefinable emotion on Aoshi's face before it was restored to its usual unbending rigidity. "I'll talk to Misao, Okina," Aoshi repeated.
Okina smiled in glee. Finally, he was able to knock some sense into Aoshi! Now if only Aoshi could do the same to Misao,everything would be back to normal. As it undoubtedly would. "I knew you will," Okina replied in an approving tone. He stood up before placing a hand on Aoshi's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'm sure she will listen to you. She always does." Aoshi didn't respond but Okina at this point didn't care. As long as Aoshi concurred... He turned to go from the room when he heard a slight murmur from Aoshi. "What was that?" he queried, cocking his head.
"Nothing," Aoshi answered. Okina looked troubled for a moment before shrugging and stepping out into the hallway. With a last glance at Aoshi who still knelt on the floor, his profile unmoving, he called out, "I'll talk to you again later." And then the door slid shut.
"Misao..." Aoshi whispered. With a groan, he buried his face in his hands, his composure finally cracking. "Misao..."