Chapter 19- Brains and Brawn
By: Ochako107
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin… and never will.
Six years passed… Six long years…
Shinomori Aoshi sat on his porch enjoying the lake view. They all moved away from the city after quitting their job at PCW. He had taken up a teaching job at a small school house in their little town. Everything was at ease during the day… at night was when the torture would begin.
Makamachi Kagura was a chip off the old block at ten years old. Her personality was beginning to shine through. Her hair had grown longer but she still kept it in two low buns. Aoshi had given her singing lessons as she grew older. It proved to be a good idea since she always wanted to sing. She had a sharp tongue but still a sweet attitude towards things. And yes, still asking about her mother and thinking about her mother every single day.
"Papa! Let's go see Sanzo, Uncle Sano and Aunt Megumi please?" She called. Their neighbors were friends and considered family. Sano and Megumi had a spiky, raven haired boy. He had a cool out look on life and was very laid back. He was almost too laid back that his mother had to wake him up from dozing off too much. That was Sanzo for ya.
"Okay, Kagura-chan. I'll meet you over there." Aoshi called walking back into his room. Kagura put her shoes on and raced across the street towards her aunt and uncle's house. She passed by her Auntie Kaoru, currently trying to get her son down from the roof.
"Hey, Sanzo, wake up you bum!" Kagura yelled while poking her friend on the side. Sanzo's chocolate eyes opened to see the older girl staring down at him. He was four years younger than her, but at six years old, he was quite cunning.
When he was awake of course.
"Nugh, Kagura, I'm too tired."
"You slept twenty hours yesterday! You need to get up, let's go down to the lake and do something."
"Can't you go practice a song or something?" He asked turning away from her.
"I'm tired of that. Hey, maybe we can get Auntie Kaoru and Uncle Ken to let us take Kenji-chan with us." She pulled one of his eye lids as he yelped out in surprise. "Honestly, you scream like a little girl." She mocked.
"Ya, well you better sleep with one eye open tonight, weasel." He growled. "I'm known for pranks if you didn't know."
"Che, if you do anything to me at night, Sanzo, you can say hello to the pointed tip of my kunai in your face. It's so nice and sharp I'd be glad to try it out on you. That and I will scream really loud it'll break your ear drum."
"It's so nasty to hear I bet Kami-sama would strike you with a lightning bolt just to shut you up." Both children stuck their tongues out.
"Hey, kids, don't fight." Both children looked up to see Sano with a dish rag in hand while drying a cup. "We have enough of that with Kenji over there." The group looked over to see Kaoru with a broom in hand trying to get at the shirt collar of her adventurous son's shirt.
"Himura Kenji, get down from the roof! PLEASE! Before your father gets home!"
All she got was an incoherent gurgle from the four year old. "I don't want to, mama." He crawled to the other end while Kaoru began freaking out even more.
"DON'T YOU MAKE ME COME UP THERE!"
"Come up, mama, it's very pretty up here." Kenji called. Suddenly, the roof shingle came loose and Kenji began sliding down the roof. "AHHH!"
"KENJI!" Kaoru screamed while dropping the broom stick. She dashed after her falling son's body.
"Whoa, Kaoru!" Sano tossed the cup and towel at his son who caught it easily. Sano made a mad dash for the boy also as Kenji almost hit the ground. Kaoru was a fraction of a second late, Sano was two seconds late.
"KEN…"
"Oro! Kenji-chan!" Both adults suddenly saw the flash of red catch the boy, appearing out of no where. "What are you doing?"
"Climbing on the roof." He answered simply. Kenshin sighed deeply and hugged his son.
"Please don't do that, it will take a year or two off of your mother's life that it will." Kenji laughed a little and jumped down from his father's arms.
"I wanted to have an adventure!" Kenji smiled.
Kenshin and Kaoru frowned. Kaoru inspected her son while dusting him off. "You can have adventures that are much safer and do not involve the roof, anything sharp, high, electrical, or with the neighbor's dog."
Kenji pouted. "But then that's boring…"
Suddenly his two mentors appeared behind Sano's legs. "Kenji!" Kagura cried smashing the four year old slightly into a bear hug. "Climbing on the roof is a very bad idea! Imagine if Uncle Ken wasn't there to catch you. Don't do that, it scared everyone!"
Kenji bit his lip when Sanzo came around his father's leg also. "Yea, and besides, if you want to scare your parents, come ask me, I've got plenty of ideas and… well it's funny but won't get you killed."
"I… I am sorry…" Kenji said. He turned to his mom and hugged her. "Um… I promise not to do that again, mommy that I will not." Kaoru looked at her husband and squeezed her son tightly while planting a kiss into his think red mane.
"Come on, Kenji. We can have an adventure by the lake. Can we, Uncle Ken?" Kagura asked. He nodded before giving his son the 'I don't want to have to chase you out of the lake again' look.
"Of course, please look after one another, we'll check up in an hour." Kenshin patted Kagura's head while smiling.
"Okay, come on let's go." Sanzo said leading the way to the lake while rambling on about some kind of treasure within the small forest next to the pond.
Neither Kenshin nor Kaoru knew the bond between those three children. Kagura, being the oldest, was constantly worrying about her two younger male friends. She had the head of the group but was still put out because she was girl. The two boys loved to play jokes on 'the weasel girl'.
Sanzo, the second oldest, was definitely Sano and Megumi's child. Everyone could spot the messy black spikes and his voice was actually quite deep for a six year old. His mind was relatively cunning, more so then he led on being the laziest of the group. Not to mention, the most creative. But of course, had the appetite of a horse and had a favorite past time of sleeping.
Then there was Kenji, the last of the trio. He had the most optimism of them all and the most courage. Put together, he was arrogant…
…Or most foolish as Kagura put it. He was always getting into trouble, thinking he could fix anything and protect everyone. He had the same vibrant red hair as his father, but his eyes were dark cobalt. He really was a sweet boy, just had an adventurous mind. The only thing about Kenji was he had a small 'thing' for his father. There was a sense of dislike for some reason from the small Himura towards Kenshin. It wasn't hate or any kind of action showing this but Kenji found that he liked his mother's company more than his father's company.
An unusual group, but they fit each other perfectly. Sano wiped his head and patted Kenshin on the back. "Good catch man."
"A good thing too." Kenshin remarked while watching Sanzo trip Kagura and the two boys running off while Kagura chased after. "I nearly had a heart attack."
Kaoru shook her head and hugged her husband. "How was work at the police station, Kenshin? Did you bring back tofu from the grocery like I asked?"
"Um…" They turned around to find a mess of groceries on the floor since Kenshin dropped everything in order to catch his son. "Oro?"
"Kenshin! Now we have to go get more!" Kaoru threw up her hands.
"Don't worry about it, Jou-chan." Sano said using his little pet name for her. "Megumi will be out of the shower soon, and ice block is here. We will keep an eye on the kids."
The Himura's nodded and began walking to the neighborhood grocery.
Kaoru held Kenshin's hand as he looked at her. "I just want to hold your hand, Kenshin." He smiled and nodded. "Kenji is such a handful, hua?"
"Ah, it seems that way. I think it is just a phase, do not worry, Kaoru."
She laughed. "Remember the last time we saw dad?" At the mention of Hiko, Kaoru could feel Kenshin's pulse jump up the scale. "He would be anxious to see how Kenji's doing."
"M…maybe Shishiou would…"
"Don't tell me you're still thinking about the time we got engaged, Kenshin…"
Flashback
The couple walked up to the office doors of Hiko. "Ahh, Kaoru-dono is this really safe?"
"Yes!" Kaoru nudged Kenshin to open the door. "I'm right behind you."
"Heh, aren't you brave…?"
"Kenshin, just do it!"
"He might kill this one! You go, Kaoru-dono!"
"Himura Kenshin!"
"Kamiya Kaoru!"
Suddenly, they turned to see the door swing open and Hiko staring down at them. "It's nice that you two know each other's name and all, but do you have to make a racket outside of my door?"
"Oh… sorry." Kaoru muttered. "Um, hey dad, Kenshin wanted to ask you something!"
"Oro?!"
"Well, get in here, baka deshi." Hiko ushered Kenshin in to his office.
"Ano, but Kaoru-dono, don't you want to come in too?"
"Not really. I'll stay out here." Kaoru smiled as Kenshin's eyes widened before the door slammed shut. Kenshin took a deep breath before taking a seat across from Hiko. The man had certainly aged well. He was still the tall muscular man he'd come to know, not a sign of tire on him. Hiko sat at his desk and began reading through files.
"What is it, Kenshin?" Hiko muttered. Kenshin stared at him. He never called him by his real name.
"Well… you see… this one um…"
Hiko glanced up from the paper work and leaned back into his chair. "What is a matter with you? You act like your life is on the line or something, baka."
'That's because it is!' Kenshin contemplation.
"It isn't like you're coming in here to ask permission to marry Kaoru-chan or anything." Hiko snorted and shook his head. "Really now, I raised you better than to come in here without any idea what you are doing." There was an awkward pause as Hiko watched Kenshin stiffen. He began to get annoyed. "Well? Speak up, boy!" He barked with that commanding tone.
"Well… what if this one was coming in here to ask Kaoru-dono's hand in marriage? Ano, she did say yes, but we thought it was a good idea that we tell you! Knowing how much you are protective of her and all, we thought we'd have a lighter conscience knowing that we have your blessing."
Hiko dropped his pen as his head instantly snapped up to stare right back into the wavering violet eyes. Kenshin had said what he wanted to and just had to wait for his reply. Hopefully it wouldn't be a negative one…
Hiko frowned at Kenshin. "Even as an adult you still ask for more. You want food, you want to be strong, now you want my blessing. Honestly can you be more selfish?" Kenshin took the words in, feeling a large lump in his throat. "You do not deserve Kaoru-chan, Kenshin. You are still weak as it is, how can I be so sure you are strong enough to actually take care of her? Look at you, cowering in your seat; it's pathetic."
"Well…"
"Kaoru is a strong girl; I won't allow her to be dragging you along the way."
"But…"
"Kenshin!" Kenshin snapped his jaw closed as Hiko folded his hands together. "You. Are not worthy to be loved by Kaoru." Just like that, Kenshin's heart shattered. He felt something inside him snap like too much weight in the middle of a feeble bridge. "Get out of my office." Hiko could hear Kenshin's heavy breathing and could see his teeth grinding in anger.
'If you walk out, you really are too weak…' Hiko thought. Suddenly, Kenshin stood up out of his chair, his bangs covering his eyes. 'Oh Kenshin… what a disappointment.' Hiko was about to get back to paper work when Kenshin muttered something.
"No."
"What was that? Are you talking back to me you…"
"I SAID NO!" Hiko raised an eye brow to see Kenshin's lavender eyes beginning to stir with amber flakes. "Do not ridicule me, Hiko, like you are the most perfect man on earth! You were once in love, how could you keep Kaoru from being in love? I will not let you take her happiness away like that, I promised her I wouldn't!"
"Kaoru-dono, I hardly know you, and you hardly know me, but I can tell you have a strong spirit. I understand Shishou can be aggravating sometimes, but we will help you guys out. My…purpose is to protect the weak. This one isn't calling you weak, but I know Shishou is hurting you inside." He lifted her chin to stare into her sapphire eyes. "I promise to protect you."
Kenshin brought himself of out his thoughts and pointed a finger at Hiko, not one bone in his body trembling anymore. "I promised to protect her, and that includes her happiness. We will get married, with our without your damn blessing."
There was a pause as Kenshin's fiery gaze burned back at Hiko. Hiko put his elbows onto his desk and closed his eyes while smirking. Kenshin's voice was as sharp as glass. "This one does not care if you mock me anymore. Living without Kaoru-dono is a million times worse."
Suddenly, Hiko began chuckling. Kenshin blinked his eyes suddenly wide. "You baka deshi." He suddenly stood up and grabbed Kenshin into a firm hug.
"Oro? S…Shi…ishou! Get off please!" Kenshin stammered.
"It was a test, you baka."
"A TEST?!"
"Heh, I just wanted you to defy me, but with a performance like that, I would have never guessed you could ever actually yell at me."
"Ah! Oh, this one… oh… I am sorry!" Kenshin said rapidly.
"Don't go about saying sorry for it now!" Hiko clapped Kenshin on the back and laughed merrily. "And back to your question, of course you have my blessing. You had better keep her safe, Kenshin or I will really kick your ass."
"Y…yes, Shishou!" Kenshin stood straight as Hiko smirked.
"You're a good man, Kenshin."
"Thank you." Hiko opened the door as both men were startled to see Kaoru standing in front of the door with tears streaming down her face. She heard everything.
"OH I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!!" She cried while hugging both of them tightly.
"You had better take care of him too, Kaoru-chan. He had a bad habit of snoring when he was younger. The neighbors would throw rocks at the window with death notes…"
"Dad!"
"Oro!"
End Flashback
Kaoru leaned on Kenshin's shoulder. "We should pay dad a visit soon."
Kenshin wrapped a loving arm around his wife's waist and kissed the top of her head. "That sounds fine, Kaoru."
Meanwhile, Sano was standing near Aoshi's residence watching boats paddle across the pond. Aoshi appeared out of his own home while buttoning his shirt up.
"What happened? I heard Kaoru screaming." Sano just gave him a look. "Oh, Kenji-chan again."
"Right." Sano took a look at Aoshi's state of dress. It seemed Megumi wasn't the only one who took a shower. Aoshi's hair was damp with his bangs slightly ruffled. The top few buttons were left undone and it just looked so unlike the Shinomori Aoshi Sano had met so many years ago.
"Heh, you know for the first time you looked pretty relaxed, Shinomori. New surrounding doing you any good?"
Aoshi looked down at his state of dress and stared back at his comrade. "I suppose you could put it that way."
Sano nudged him. "Thought about that girl I mentioned? Tae is pretty successful and she runs the deli down the street on Green Street. She's been asking about you…"
"Sanosuke." Aoshi growled. Sano backed off knowing when Aoshi used your first name it translated, 'get off my back or I shoot your ass'. "I told you, my focus is Kag-chan right now. Nothing else."
"What about Her?"
"Sano…" Aoshi's eyes suddenly took on a forlorn look.
"Right right, sorry, man." Both fathers made their way across the street and sat on the porch. Sano had noticed theses small changes in Aoshi.
Sano was currently a construction worker, a loving husband and father. Taking on this mundane life had opened new horizons for him. The nineteen year-old Sanosuke would have never envisioned himself settling down out in the country with a son and wife. He ran a hand through his hair and turned to his friend who was staring down at the three children chasing one another.
Sano had also noticed changes in his friend. Aoshi used to be so quiet… stolid and down right icy. Sure Sano still called him 'ice man' just to poke fun but he had to admit he'd melted. He would talk out now, mostly about Kagura, but he was talking never the less. And it wasn't about work either. Sano could point out about four new emotions from Aoshi too: happy, confused, irritated, and Misao.
Yes, Misao wasn't really an emotion but Sano couldn't put his finger on that expression. Aoshi smiled rarely, but you could see it in his body language when he was happy for Kagura. Whether it was for her school play or a new octave she had reached. Confused was Sano's favorite since Aoshi's face seemed to do that often when new things happened to his daughter. For instance what to tell her when they are doing laundry and his boxers have a button and a 'hole' in it. Sano wouldn't let Aoshi live that one down.
Irritated was probably a given since it came with being a parent. Aoshi did have to scold Kagura a few times to watch her mouth or to carry out a chore. What kid wanted to do work anyway? Aoshi was rarely seen with a true frown, but his eyebrows would crease when he was a bit peeved.
Last was this emotion Aoshi was showing right now. Whenever Sano's friend would think about Misao, it was just a particular 'look'. It wasn't a frown, not a smile. It was deep and almost lost… almost pleading. Everyone knew this look, even the children. It was 'the' look. Only Misao could make him have such a stare.
Out on the other side of the lake, three people stood watching the three children play on the lake.
"Oh wow! Look at them, ohmigosh, its Kagura-chan…" The young woman nearly cried. "Look how big she has gotten… I don't deserve to have such happy people! I deserted them for eight long years!"
"Now now…" the male said patting her hand while smiling. "You had good reason and I'm sure Aoshi would understand. Though this all may come as a surprise."
"Heh, a surprise to him? I'm practically beside myself! Sano and Megumi got married. Kenshin and Kaoru got married. They all have children! They are so adorable… so young…" The young woman ran and hand through her short hair. "I don't think I can do it… they are all so happy. No need to drag myself into their joyful lives. I mean, you two have helped me more than I could ever imagine, I couldn't go about ruining their lives just for my sake."
The older woman tapped her arm. "Now really, I didn't go save you just to see you spoil your life." She gave a sly grin to the smaller girl. "And who said they were 'joyful?' Did you take a look at that Shinomori fellow?" The girl turned back and just like so many years ago she could feel her heart rise and more blood be pumped through her body. His serious features, his long inky black bangs being caressed by the wind, and those crystal blue eyes… he was there. So deep and unforgettable.
He was just as breathtaking as he was all those years before. Older and more striking. She could feel herself being captivated once again by the old memories.
"Oh ho! Watch yourself, your drooling."
Later, as the late afternoon rays began setting over the lake, casting a deep red tint through the skies, Aoshi, Sano and Megumi were done chatting and watched their children splash at each other. From down the footpath, they saw the two Himura's make their way back from their shopping trip.
"Hello there! Anyone hungry? We picked up Chinese take out!" Kaoru called. Megumi smiled and got up.
"I'll get out some plates and drinks." The two women set out the food and drinks as Sano, Kenshin and Aoshi made their way towards the lake.
"Kids?! Come on now, let's eat dinner! Sanzo-chan, Kag-chan, Kenji-chan! Come on now." Sano called out.
The two boys suddenly felt their stomachs growl with hunger and instantly dropped everything and went towards their fathers.
"Hey! Where are you guys going?" Kagura called.
"We're hungry Kagura-chan. We're going to eat dinner." Sanzo said ushering Kenji out of the bushes. "Come on."
Kagura also crawled out, but didn't immediately follow. She watched her two friends climb up the hill towards Sano, Kenshin and Aoshi. She smiled and began fixing her hair a little while sitting on a log staring out at the glowing pond. It was a wonderful sight and she never got tired of it. Kagura felt her adoptive father's presence behind her and grinned. Kagura knew her father liked quiet time, and right now that was what it was. Since she was a young girl, her father was always emotionless around other people, maybe even icy as her Uncle Sano said. But when it was peaceful times like this, it made her just want to drown deep into his arms and enjoy the sunset. He was smiling when he was with her and it warmed her to bone.
Her father, the ice man, did have a smile.
She thought this moment would be perfect to reveal her surprise to Aoshi. She closed her eyes and broke out into her father's favorite Italian opera song from Madam Butterfly. It wasn't just right, but it was simple and well presented. She belted out the song as well as she could, the foreign language gushing with grace from the ten year old. Aoshi stood shell shocked for a second. She truly was an amazing child to be singing such a song so young. It seemed like everyone around the lake could hear his little girl sing the private song. Even the crickets and frogs appeared to hush just to hear the complicated piece of music. He let her ramble off once she couldn't remember anymore of the song and grew tired. He smiled seeing how hard she tried to learn the song.
Without turning around she said, "I can tell I made you smile, Chichi. I told you I would make you smile and I will more times over."
Aoshi smirked; the girl was getting good at sensing other people. He let a chuckle escape his lips. "Thank you little one. That was magnificent. It is a wonder why Sanzo-chan makes fun of your voice so much. I suppose he likes you?"
"Papa! Sanzo is just my friend!" She suddenly spun around, bright red glaring at him. "Stop teasing me!"
Aa, it was a joke, little one."
Kagura turned back to the lake still trying to beat down the tinge in her cheeks. "Chichi, isn't the sunset beautiful?"
"Aa." He sat next to her on the log and pulled her small body into his lap cradling her like a porcelain doll.
She pulled out her necklace from under her yellow tank top. "You think, mom liked them too? The sunsets?"
"I would think so."
"How… how did she die, Chichi?"
Aoshi opened his eyes to that question. She'd ask him that before but every time it still took him by surprise. His eyes became cloudy with despair and Kagura already knew the answer.
"Another day, Kag-chan."
"You always say that though!" She complained.
"Another day."
"No! Chichi, I want to know! Why can't you just tell me, it isn't like I don't know what death is! We even went to Gramp's funeral and you know how much I loved that old pervert! He told me the best stories! I bet if he knew, he'd tell me how she died!"
"That's enough, Kag-chan." His voice was on the edge of snapping at her. "I will tell you when you're older."
"My gosh! I'll be a brittle old maid by the time you tell me! I love you so much, Chichi, but you have to fess up eventually!"
Aoshi rubbed his temples. "Don't we have to go eat dinner?"
"Yeah, I'll be glad to do it than sit here and talk to a wall." She muttered darkly while getting out of his embrace.
Aoshi put her back on his lap and smacked her arm lightly. "You will get in trouble with that attitude you put out all the time, chibi. I know you can be a more mature girl than that."
"Yes." She rudely squirmed out of her father's lap. "Excuse me; I need to eat dinner."
"Kag-chan, look at me." Aoshi commanded. She snapped her attention back to Aoshi like fire crackling with a spark. "Your mother died honorably, there's no need to rush learning of her death."
Was this speech getting old and way over used?
"Whatever." The whole moment was beginning to deteriorate. Kagura felt her blood boil at the simple request to know what happened. Didn't she have the right to know about her own mother? The beautiful red sunset suddenly became a fiery sea of irritation.
"Do not whatever me, young lady."
"Why not! Whatever, chichi!" She began pulling her hair while hopping around on one foot. "You are just so complicated sometimes! I wish mom was here because I know SHE'D tell me the truth, not dodging it all the time." She growled and ran up the hill.
"Makimachi Kagura! Don't you walk away from me, young lady!"
"YOU AREN'T MY FATHER!" The young girl screamed at the top of her lungs at Aoshi. She burst into tears as she ran towards her aunts and uncles.
She moaned over and over thinking how rude she'd been to her father. "Why do I have to be so stupid? I didn't mean that at all. Oh, mom… I'm so sorry I failed you again. Of course dad is my dad! I just wish he'd tell me what happened…" She got off her bed and looked at her pink face. She's asked Kaoru for a small plate she could take home because she wasn't feeling well. Kaoru looked up to see Aoshi with a hardened facade on. She instantly knew something happened between the two and thought it was better if she let the girl take deep breaths. That evening was silent for the friends as the tension around Aoshi and Kagura could be felt.
But now in her room, calm and all cried out, Kagura felt awful.
She deputized her sleeve, pulled out her music stand and cleared her throat. "I might as well do my scales and then I'll go find Chichi."
Aoshi sat at the table with his head bent over.
"YOU AREN'T MY FATHER!"
The phrase was ringing in his mind over and over. So he wasn't her biological father but he loved the girl just the same. She simply wanted to know how Misao died, was that so hard? "Oh Misao, what do I do?" He went into the kitchen and made himself a cup of hot tea. "I just can't tell her." Images of Misao taking the hit for him flashed in his mind.
She's just so young. I can't tell her we ever worked at PCW as spies. That was the past, the new generation shouldn't know of what we once did. He thought to himself. But she is maturing. She can't live her life not knowing anything, I need to tell her.
Suddenly Kagura's voice rang through out their small home as she sang out her scales. It was a lovely sound, her voice. It made him think of better days as the melodic tune swept though his mind. As she rose higher and higher up the scale he could tell her mind was still preoccupied with their conversation when the highest note cracked.
He smiled to himself as he sipped the tea. "Yes. I will tell her soon enough to ease her mind."
After her practice, she emerged from her doorway slowly. "Chichi, are you home?"
"Aa, I'm in the dinning room." Kagura skipped to the table and sat next to her father. "You want to say something?"
She bowed her head and placed her hands on the table top. "Yes. I didn't mean what I yelled at you, Chichi. I love you very much it's just I feel that…" She began observing her nails closely hoping her voice wasn't shaking. "…That you need to tell me sooner or later. Not only that but we're family." She opened the locket to see the picture Kaoru had placed in it still sitting next to the baby picture of her and Misao. "I didn't like yelling at you."
Aoshi put his tea down and stared straight at his daughter. "Kagura, I know you feel angry but yelling at me will not solve your problems. I gave it some thought and I agree with you, chibi."
"You… you WHAT?"
"I think I am prepared to tell you what happened to your mother and me. It all started when your Auntie Kaoru, Aunt Megumi, and your mother met Uncle Sano, Uncle Ken, and me. Now, we worked for a certain place called Professional Crime Watch…
Nightime… the time of day Aoshi dreaded.
Later than night, Aoshi was restless while sleeping. The same nightmare was haunting him again. Misao was sitting with him on a bench in the park while the summer blossoms blew in the wind. Everything moved so peacefully, white, and slow. She spoke but no words came out of her small mouth. He could never understand what she was saying, but after whatever it was, she'd close his eyes and pull his lips closer to hers. Just as they were about to share a kiss, the world shattered and turned black, the reality of Misao's shrieking pain and Shishio's laughter echoing. Everything moved so fast as he could feel the pain of being sliced on the back searing through his body once again. Misao reached out to him tears creeping out of her large guiltless eyes. "AOSHI!"
"MISAO!" Waking from his dream, Aoshi bolted straight up breathing quite harsh, sweat coating his skin. He put a hand to his raging heart and fell back onto his pillow. "Oh Misao… you still haunt me to this day. What is it you want?"
Unknown to Aoshi, just outside his door, Kagura stood with a flash light. She sighed and began walking back to her room knowing it was a false alarm. Aoshi's tale he told her previously was still rolling around in her mind. When she first began living with him, when she was about four, Aoshi would tell her stories. They were of her mom rescuing people from danger, or funny times her aunts and uncles would have with her mom.
She would always dream of her mother taking her along on adventures. They would wrestle bad guys and save the day. Then Misao would kiss Kagura on the head and would return home to her father. They would all live together in their house. She would imagine her mother would bake for her, maybe even sing one of her arias with her while her father would extol them with praise. Aoshi constantly said Kag-chan sang wonderfully, and dreamt that her mother's voice was beautiful, maybe even more striking than her own awkward and high singing. Kagura could only imagine what her father's dreams of her mom would be like. He got to know her and talk to her. She was almost sure his dreams were far more pleasant than her own childish and farfetched ones.
But after that tale of how her mother died… Kagura shuddered as she tucked herself in bed. She could believe her father had more nightmares than those farfetched dreams of hers. "Oh mom… please let dad have one good night's rest."
She turned to stare at the bright moon, the moonlight filtering through the blinds of her windowpane. "Even though he doesn't show it, he's still always thinking about you."
The following day, it was a new start. The Himura household was naturally the one to wake up their neighbors with the traditional…
"KENJI-CHAN! DON'T PUT YOUR HAND ON THE STOVE!"
Just another morning.
In the Sagara household, Megumi turned into her husband's warm hard chest. "Sano…"
"I know I know. Just five more minutes…" He yawned and wrapped his arms around her while she giggled.
"S…Sano! Wake up, darling." Megumi kissed his collar bone and he laughed.
"That tickles."
"Ohoho, really now?" She did it again this time blowing on his bare skin making him laugh out again. The two adults were caught by their sleepy son – looking like two love sick teenagers wrestling. There were pillow feathers everywhere and his mother's laugher echoed though their home. Sanzo yawned and scratched his back.
"Why do you have to do this…?" He sat down beside his parent's bed as his father grabbed him by the collar waking the boy up. "HEY!"
"Come on, Sanzo-chan, we can take your mom on together." Megumi jumped out of bed armed with a pillow.
"Ohoho, really?! Come at me then!" Sano picked up his slightly sleepy son and threw him at Megumi who caught her small son laughing. "Why, I do not want this sleepy little boy, Sanosuke!" She tossed her child back to Sano who caught the giggling boy.
"S…stop! Haha!" Sanzo shrieked with laughter as Sano threw his child up into the air and caught him.
"Oh boy, you're getting big, Sanzo-chan!" Sano laughed when he put his son down. Megumi sat back on the bed with her family and smiled.
'Are you watching, Katsu? I must be the luckiest woman alive… watch over these two…' She rubbed her scalp and yawned. Well, the Himuras woke us up, why don't I make breakfast?"
Both father and son perked up at the mention of food. Megumi couldn't help but start laughing once again. "I'll take that as a yes!"
Later that morning, after many band aids, cleaning up feathers, and scaring the day lights out of the slumbering Kagura, the three families decided to picnic out at the park. Aoshi and Kagura made sandwiches, Kenshin made chocolate chip cookies, and Megumi made her special lemonade and fruit salad.
After their little lunch, the children ran off to play tag. Kagura was it. Kenshin had a hunch Sanzo and Kenji were going to play a trick on her.
"Okay! Come get us, Kag-chan!" Kenji laughed while running towards her. Kagura heard his voice to her left and swung her arms to the left but felt nothing but air.
"Kenji! No fair, you can't use your speed like that!" Kagura complained. Kaoru surprised Kenshin by laughing out loud at that.
"I must admit, god like speed is not fair when you're playing games." The red head smiled and shook his head.
"I guess not, but Kenji is so small anyway, I doubt anyone will catch him."
"And you are not kind of short yourself?!"
"Oro…"
"Kidding… just kidding!" Kaoru kissed him on the forehead and watched Sanzo whisper into Kenji's ear. The two boys had evil grins as they began directing Kagura with their voices.
"I'M RIGHT HERE!" Kenji wailed as Kagura, with cat like reflexes, lashed out towards Kenji's voice but once again caught thin air. Yet this time the boys lead her towards her doom.
She fell down the hill, tumbling and screaming all the way down.
"Oh! Kag-chan!" Aoshi instantly got up worrying that Kagura had been hurt. Sano smirked up at his friend.
"Stop acting like an old woman, Aoshi. She's a tough girl." Aoshi turned around to glower but went down to see if she was okay anyway. He stopped mid step to see his little girl was not hurt at all. She was nestled safely in a strange woman's arms.
"Are you okay…" The woman asked in that cheery voice Aoshi thought he would never hear again. "Those boys sure know how to make a girl feel special hua? Making you fall off a hill like that, I wouldn't put up with it!"
Kagura sniffled and ground her teeth. "You're right! I won't put up with it!" She jumped down from the protective arms and rolled her sleeves up. "YOU TWO COME BACK HERE! I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR BUTTS RIGHT NOW!" She screamed with a death glare etching her usually happy features. The two boys stopped laughing as their blood froze at the icy defiant stare.
Sanzo looked at his parents but they shrugged giving him a look saying, 'You got yourself into this mess'. "Ano, Kenji what do we do? Kenji?" Sanzo turned around to see Kenji had already taken off. "COME BACK HERE, BAKA! THAT WEASEL GIRL IS GOING TO KILL US BOTH!" Kagura began chasing the two boys with remarkable speed, picking up small pebbles and throwing them with precise accuracy at their behinds.
Aoshi watched this stranger with curiosity. She laughed. She turned to Aoshi's direction with those green gems shining just as he dreamt. Her smile was more of a smirk but still pleasant to see after all these years.
'Weasel girl… I have not heard that in a long time…' She thought
She had grown taller and her voice more womanly than he remembered. She had cut her hair to where it was just touching the top of her breast but still in its customary braid. There was no second guessing who this dream angel was but the way she spoke of Kagura… "Heh, bright girl you have there…" She folded her petite arms under her chest. "Raised her well."
'She doesn't remember you.' "I'd say. She does take her traits from her mother…"
She tilted her head to the side and bit her lip nervously. "Um…" 'He is still as handsome as ever… I miss you so… Oh, but I knew this was a bad idea! He has no idea who you are! Stop fooling yourself!' "Yes… I suppose her mother… really…" Misao couldn't get the right words out of her mouth feeling on the verge of tears.
'He doesn't remember you.'
'She doesn't remember you.'
Suddenly a small voice broke the adults out of their trances. "Aha! Did you see, daddy?! I socked them both really well! That'll show them to mess with Makamachi Kagura ever again!" She laughed maliciously but burst out in a fit of giggles. She noticed a heavy anxious aura around her and looked up see both adults staring at her. "Oh, I am sorry! Dad always tells me to be polite." Kagura dusted herself off and bowed slightly. "Hello, I am Ka…" She looked up into the woman's eyes and paused. They seemed so familiar. This woman looked so familiar… these lines of her face she's memorized…Kagura's brow creased and she stood straight, staring at the woman. Her eyes widened slightly and she backed away tears threatening to come out.
Both adults only heard one sentence. "But… you're dead…" Kagura desperately clawed at her necklace and pulled it out to open the locket. She looked at the picture then at this woman in front of her. "No…"
The stranger knelt on the floor, feeling so weak in the knees. 'What can I do?' Kagura also knelt next to the woman when she heard her hum something. This tune… her mother used to hum to her. She couldn't remember but her voice… that soothing tone that felt like a lock, finally finding it key. That song! THIS SONG! Kagura put the necklace in her hand and waited for the adult to look at her.
"My daughter loved me to hum that song." She said brushing Kagura's face.
"Mom!" Kagura finally jumped into her embrace and held her tightly, afraid she would let go and by no means appear again. As if she wasn't there to begin with. "Mom! Mom! MOMMMM...!" She sobbed.
The young woman rubbed her head and showered her with kisses. "I'm so sorry baby; I love you so much… I missed you so much. Oh God I love you so much." She cried.
It was Aoshi's turn to have his eyes widen slightly. 'She remembers, Kagura…' After a moment of watching the reunion between mother and daughter, Aoshi took off his own locket and waited for them to break apart. She looked up at Aoshi with a bright smile. 'She remembers her… not you…stop being so selfish.'
"I think… this is yours."
The woman squeezed her daughter's hand and stood up. Kagura was over flowing with ecstasy.
"She's alive. MOMMY'S ALIVE! Uncle Ken, Uncle Sano, Aunt Megumi, Auntie Kaoru!" She took off in search for her other family almost tripping up the hill.
Aoshi watched her run up the hill, but still held the necklace. The woman wiped away her left over tears and took the necklace, placing it back into Aoshi's upturned palm, rolling his hand up so he was holding the cool metal once again. It felt like the last time he had Misao with him…
"Aoshi? Hold on to this for me. I kinda' broke the chain while we were fighting and I have no pockets." She slipped her necklace into his trench coat pocket feeling the heavy yet silky material slip from her hands…
Aoshi felt like a knife being blown through his heart at this small gesture. But suddenly, that famous little smile of hers made him feel like the world was lifted off his shoulders once he heard,
"No, you keep this, Shinomori Aoshi. I, did give it to you, right? I hope you are not an Indian giver."
Aoshi then did a very un-Aoshi like thing. "M…Misao!" She looked up eyes wide as Aoshi suddenly picked her up and twirled her while gripping her, holding her safely. "Oh, Misao…" He stopped and just held her close as a few tears escaped his eyes. Misao was gasping for air while holding her loved one around the neck, closing her eyes.
"Yes… it's me."
Kenshin and Kaoru smiled at the unexpected reunion. For so long, eight years to be exact, but now they met bursting with a new energy. Kaoru put a hand to her mouth just staring. Was it really her?
Sano and Megumi soon followed with Kagura tugging on their hands and Kenji and Sanzo lagging behind afraid that the girl would hurt them again. "Look, look! She's right here!"
Megumi's smile was instantly wiped away when she saw Aoshi holding a woman. "Misao-chan?" It was not true… it couldn't. She was dead! For eight years she was dead!
But to Aoshi she was here that's all that mattered. "Aoshi…. Please let me go."
"I can't."
Misao gently pushed herself slightly. "But…"
"If I let you go… you might not be real." There was a silence but Misao stroked Aoshi's face lightly.
"I promise not to leave you ever again…" She slowly slid out of Aoshi's strong arms and found herself on the floor again. She turned to her friends and rushed up the hill. "Kaoru! Megumi!" The other two women also rushed down the hill to meet their friend in a collective hug. Megumi rubbed her back and Kaoru kissed her friend on the head repeatedly. "Oh you guys…" Misao had only dreamt of meeting her friends again, but in reality is was so much more satisfying. Kenshin and Sano made their way to the crying females. After they exchanged a few words and warm hugs, Kenshin decided to ask the question everyone was wondering.
"Misao-dono, if you are alive… why didn't you ever come back to us? Everyone here thought you were dead." Every person just stared at her not sure what to do. She sighed, releasing Kaoru and Megumi from her grip and backing away slightly.
"You see, it seems that Hiko told Soujiro to journey on and find peace, but he was at loss that he killed me. While walking away, he found Yumi collapsed halfway out the entrance. Before, when I went back for Shishio, he wanted to still have his revenge. Shishio took me down with him that night before he completely lost it and killed himself. I thought I was going to die… but it seems that Yumi went back into the building and found my body with a small heart beat. Soujiro tells me that she and he helped nurse me. Anyway, Soujiro took me away right when the building blew up, gosh lucky me! I could have been blown to bits for real! He knew what he said about my past, and my physical condition was at stake and I needed medical attention.
When I came out of being unconscious, Soujiro was there. I was in a hospital with no contact to the outside world. I was so sore everywhere, it hurt to move anything. Then my brain was in hysteria… My past life…before I met Kaoru was the darker moment in my life. I was selling my body, I felt so dirty all those men touching me. It was all open that night. Everything just flowed back. I had panic attacks when my body couldn't take the trauma and sent shock waves through my body.
It was a mess. Just having any male around me sent me panicking, just simple touches, anything. The only reason I lived was a certain person's blood was given to me, Aoshi." He looked almost shocked. That letter he received… his blood was given to Misao! "Oh, I missed you all so much, but I didn't want you to have to take care of my problems."
"Misao, you know I can help you." Kaoru said. "I've always helped you back then."
"I know… I didn't want to be a burden to anyone. I needed to help myself get better, physically and mentally. I was lost, it was so scary I wanted to just die and get it over with. But Soujiro… he…he was there.
He took me to the best hospital and stayed with me until I woke up. He was apologizing and showering me with gifts since no one knew I was there. While he was with me there, Yumi was covering me up until I could back on my feet. Soujiro asked me if there was anything he could do. I laughed and said tell Aoshi I miss him and then kill me.
I guess it isn't as funny anymore. He did sort of do all that for me. He gave Yumi instructions to come in when I was having panic attacks since males seemed to trigger me off. He gave me space to myself, told me my grandfather was making a full recovery, and…told you I miss you, Aoshi." She pulled some strands of her hair. "You got that song… Soujiro put the CD in your office before he really left on his journey. After five years, I was able to help myself get better. But that wasn't enough, I wanted to be stronger and a better person. I spent the next three years with Soujiro and Yumi… for bad guys they really aren't bad. They took care of me and helped me see my way though. I wanted to come back to you all not as Makamachi Misao the girl afraid of her past… but as me, the woman who's grown."
Aoshi looked away acting too interested in a leaf floating around in swirls. "I'm sorry, if I've caused you misery… but I've finally recovered. There was still one thing though even with all the improvement I had on my physical and mental state; I missed my friends so much. The doctor wouldn't let me go, but Soujiro convinced him you all would do me good."
Kenshin patted the girl on the shoulder. "I think not only would we do you good, you will do Aoshi good too." She blushed and turned away slightly. "Really, Misao-dono, it's good to have you back."
Still looking away, she smiled. "So… you all don't hate me?"
"Hate you?!" Everyone turned around to see Megumi with a foxy smile on her lips. "You were going through therapy and finding yourself. You needed time to be alone and find a way to deal with problems. Why would we hate you for that, Misao? We love you."
There were no words that could fill all of them with such content. Silence followed since nothing could be expressed for that.
Sano put his hands into his pockets. "Well? How did you find us, weasel?"
"Hiko knows I'm alive, I went to see him first before wandering around. I went to the orphanage to find Kagura but it was told to me that she had been adopted. At first I was heartbroken but when I returned to the office, Hiko told me you all had moved away. I was so depressed but then he told me. He told me you adopted a girl, Aoshi. He gave me directions to the town you all moved to. It took me a while to find you but still! I'm so glad now. I wanted to just rush in and find you but then yesterday, I saw you all. How you were living and all…? I just couldn't go."
"But, Misao…"
"No, Kaoru. You all looked so happy. I saw your children playing in the lake, you all sitting on the porch laughing and talking. It looked like you were better off. But then I saw you, Aoshi." His head turned to Misao staring up at him. "You… you still had that sad feature to you. I guess that not everyone was all too happy still. And Kagura, I wanted to be with my daughter again. Soujiro and Yumi gave me courage to come back here today. But I didn't know if you'd remember me is all… and well…Fancy meeting you all here!" Misao laughed to try and relieve the tension.
"Misao-chan… it's good that you came back." Megumi said. She turned around to stare at the children sitting at the top of the hill. "Kids! Come down here!" Kagura lead the way as the three youngsters came down. "Sanzo, Kenji, this is Misao. She is Kagura's mommy."
"But she's dead." Sanzo pointed out plainly.
"She's not dead you baka! She's standing right here! Dead people don't just walk around that they don't!"
"Say's who, Kenji?"
"Hey hey." Kenshin spoke up. "She has been away for a long time and we would like for you to say hello to Misao-dono."
"Hello." Both boys muttered. Kagura ran over to her mother and hugged her around the middle. Misao patted her head.
"My, what two handsome young boys you are. You look just like your parents." Misao said. "Himura and Sagara no doubt." Both boys glowed with pride. "Everyone is the same…" She spoke to herself. "And… you are still gloomy, right Aoshi?"
"…"
"Papa is not gloomy anymore! I make him smile! Right, Chichi? Tell mommy you love her and then you can get married!" Aoshi didn't say anything and Kagura tugged on his pant leg. "Papa? Don't you want to be with mommy?"
"I understand if you don't want me here, Aoshi. I was gone for a very long time, and I know you and Kagura can get along without me." Misao whispered. Kagura gasped and looked between her adoptive father and her long missed mother.
Now all the attention was on Aoshi. The tension in the air was light, but still there as Aoshi's bangs covered his eyes, just as it did so many months ago when Misao first met the man. He shifted from one foot to the other.
"Come now… let's leave them to talk…" Kaoru whispered. The other adults nodded and silently began walking away. Sano picked up Sanzo, putting him on top of his shoulders as Megumi put a finger to her lip telling her son to be quiet. Kenshin took Kenji and Kagura's hands as the group left back to their picnic area.
Across the park at the gates, two people stood in the shadows, watching the scene before them unravel. "Eight years… and they still look great together."
"It's good to see she's back where she belongs. I will miss Misao-chan though…"
Yumi turned to her little partner who was looking down. "Now now, Sou-kun. It's okay. The way Misao talked about Shinomori I'm almost positive he wouldn't break her fragile little heart."
"She's not a flimsy little girl, Yumi-san!" Yumi was taken back by the rise in Soujiro's voice. "She's strong! She's the strongest person I know! Not many people can fight their past like she did! She broke free of her inner demons!" Soujiro looked back to see the gang walk away from Misao and Aoshi. "I can't help but keep thinking this is all my fault. I shouldn't have let Shishio manipulate me so. If I was strong like her, I wouldn't have… I wouldn't…"
Yumi took his hand. "Don't think of the past, Sou-kun. Shishio tricked us all…"
"Yumi…"
"No, it happened and that's all that matters. Just keep looking for tomorrow, Sou-kun. Remember the past but don't let it live you." Yumi shook her head and looked back at Soujiro who was looking up at her is awe. "I think we all need to be a little like Misao. We all need to break free of our inner demons."
Soujiro smiled at her, squeezing her hand a little tighter. "I think I've completed my journey."
"So you will go back to Hiko-san?"
"No. I will keep traveling and improve myself. Perhaps one day I will be able to find happiness like Misao did. But… I will miss her." Soujiro smiled but still, inside he was tearful. Yumi knew… but the two just watched Misao with interest.
Yumi took Soujiro's hand and began walking away. He followed the older woman and sighed. In the eight years he'd gotten to know Misao, she felt like a sister to him. He knew though, it was time to let her go. "Don't worry, we will meet Misao again, Sou-kun. She won't forget us that easily."
Soujiro turned back to silently wish Misao good luck and disappeared from the park. "I know I won't forget her."
"What…what is it, Aoshi?" Misao asked. She didn't even notice her friends leaving, just trying to keep herself from thinking of the answer that would come out of his mouth. He began mumbling as Misao tried to hear his low husky voice with her trained ears. Misao went stiff hearing those wondrous words filling her ears, telling her all she needed to distinguish.
"I don't know what I feel, Misao, but I know I was miserable when I thought you were gone. I didn't get to tell you everything I wanted to, though I know I'm not the best with words. So, I… Oh Misao, I don't know what I'd do without you. Kagura and I, we can't get along without you." He looked up to see Misao, standing there before him with his awkward speech rolling around her mind. She was not covered in blood like the last time he's seen her. No, she was glowing with vivacity and life.
Misao stood, holding the breath she didn't know she was holding, eyes shimmering with wetness. She closed her eyes and stepped towards Aoshi. There was silence for a long moment, no sounds except the cool breeze flowing around the trees whispering airy tunes in the shady forest.
It was like his dream… the flower petals, the park… and here she was standing next to him but this time, would he wake up to another nightmare? Her lips began moving just like the dream but this time he could hear her, clear and sincere.
"I can't get along without you either. I came back, Aoshi. I came back to you."
Aoshi tenderly brought his lips down to hers, savoring the miss of her warm presence. She put her hands up to his chest, her left over tears finally making their way down her face. She missed his silent understanding and hoped they could continue their friendship, raise Kagura, grow and maybe love each other.
Kenshin, Kaoru, Sanosuke, Megumi, Misao and Aoshi, all would never forget that fateful mission. It brought them together more than ever conceivable. None of them would have guessed to this day, all the twists and nasty tricks life had played on them. Yet, it also brought them love, redemption and the life of their offspring. They did it though; they beat the hardships of the past and waited for the future. They were stronger together than apart and now finally they could satisfyingly say this was what they waited for.
The beginning and ending of the team, Brains and Brawn.
-The End.
Author's Note: (Sigh) Well, that's it everyone. I'm through with this fic. I had three different endings for this but I couldn't get it straight so I ended up taking parts that I liked of each ending. Ehehe, and this is what you get, a twenty four page finale. I worked really hard so I hope you liked the ending—even if it was dramatic and all. It makes me so nervous to just put myself out here like this, so at least know I tried to put all your ideas in. Thank you to every single person who has stayed with me through Brains and Brawn, you don't know how much it means to me. It's depressing for me to let this one go, but every story has to have an end. I hope to see your wonderful reviews again in the future! Keep reading and review people!
So once again, thank you EVERYONE for the support and encouraging remarks!
I'm out!
Brains and Brawn
January 1,2005