Chapter 7: A New Direction


They both drank the green tea Yahiko gave them in the busy restaurant, relaxing from the walk under the hot summer sun. Yahiko had been surprised to see them, but Kaoru even more shocked at the pink blush on his cheeks when she questioned about Tsubame’s daisy in her hair. He was arriving earlier and leaving later than usual, Tae commented, also amused at those two kids, remembering her days of childhood and youth. “Let them have their own joy...” Tae laughed, looking at Yahiko scurrying to help Tsubame manage a hot dish she has carried before umpteenth times. 

Kaoru was lost in her own thoughts when Enishi, who was silent the whole time, gently reminded her.

“Kaoru-san, don’t you have a lesson to hold?”

“Aah!” she jerked her head up to face him, then gathered to stand. “we’d better hurry. I promised them I’ll be punctual this time.” she winced, things cropped up recently that altered her busy schedule. She thanked Tae then proceeded to leave, when noticed Enishi still sitting down, looking at his tea.

“If you want more, I’ll get some on...”

There’s no better way to do this, I don’t even know why I want to give it to her. 

  

He stood up abruptly, walked quickly to her and deposit his long, golden well-polished sword on her palm, then turning to the exit rushed out. 

She barely caught it, the long Japanese sword was heavier than the sabakatou, with all it’s ornaments and carved icons on the handle. Kaoru looked at it for a minute or two, for a moment not knowing what in the world was it. Then reality snapped and she gave chase.


 

The Oniwabanshu duo walked along the streets of Kyoto, looking for a place to dine in, errands to run, things to buy. But they had all the time in the world, Misao stopped at everything adorable her eyes feasted on, from paintings to accessories she thought the Aioya should have.

“Aoshi-sama, can I get this teapot?”

He turned around and looked at what she was holding, a white porcelain figure too small to hold any liquid, but carved and painted beautifully. It’s obvious she knew it was just decorative, but she wanted it dearly. Aoshi took a deep breath and dug into his sling bag, retrieving a pouch of money, throwing it to her.

“Honto ni?” Misao gasped with glee as she paid for her item. 

Clasping it tightly with full admiration, she ran to his side and returned him the pouch. Whenever she was out with Aoshi, he would be a perfect guardian, more like a father than a friend. She didn’t mind, as long as she was with him, it satisfied her no end.

“Thank you, I really like it!” 

She didn’t see the slight grin he made. It’s one of the little things he can do for all she have done, it did please him to make her happy. 

They headed on into the crowd, along the street and kept going on...till they reached the town border. 


Running in her hakama was much easier than in a kimono, she caught up with her gift-giver in no time. Exhausted from her thoughts, Kaoru pulled his sleeve attempting to stop him.


“What’s this? Why are you passing it to me?”


Think, think...you should have ran out of there then, don’t let her catch up.

  

“Just take it, consider it as an apology for what I did last time.”

Ok, that was a good one. But I’ll bet it won’t hold. 

  


“What you did last...? Oh, like what we said, it doesn’t matter, it’s in the pas...Wait. Even so, you don’t pass someone a sword just like that! This is supposed to be precious.”


It’s not to me. That didn’t last long, damn, think Enishi think! You know she needs it more than you do

  


He stopped walking and looked her in the eyes. Deep within, the sword was useless to him, but not to her. He wasn’t passing on a burden, but neither did he want it. In fact, the happiest times of his life was without it. Please take it Kaoru...only you can use it in the right way..

  


“The sword...the sword, I’m not proud of it. I have discarded my skills and fighting techniques, I have no use for a sword or any other weapon.”


“No, I am aware you’re almost as good as Kenshin, to some extent even better.”


“It doesn’t matter anymore, get it?” He was becoming a tad frustrated. Can’t she just take it and...?? “Nothing of this fighting does, I’m choosing a different path now.”


  

“And you’re giving it to me because...?” she asked, demanding to know the answer before she could even think of accepting the extravagant and sacred object. 


He paused and stared at her. There were many answers to that question, but neither could be spoken out, he knew neither would be accepted. He opened he mouth to speak, then closed it again, just looking at her inquisitive self.

“if you don’t want it, throw it away.” he said, walking away, noticing things were getting awkward between them. 


Deep within, there was a strong urge and draw out the sword, swing it around, practice it with the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu moves. With her back to the retreating figure, she held it tightly with both hands around it’s sheath and whispered a little word of thanks.