From: Chibi-Chiriko Before getting on with the fic, I'd like to grab a moment for a few words: Serizawa Kamo-san: Happy birthday! I don't know what day it is where you live (wherever *that* is), but it's already the 23rd here in the Philippines so... Hope you're having a great birthday, and may you live a long, happy, fulfilling life! (and if I'm wrong, a very big GOMEN NASAI, and spare me the embarrassment ^^;;;) Callista-chan: Arigatou for you-know-what, and all your comments -- I'll get back to you later! And now... for the fourth installment of Reiki! ^-^ It pretty much starts out WAFFY, but it branches off to sort of a cliffhanger... and a somewhat angst scene... BTW, thanks to everyone who's commented so far! I really, really appreciate it! God bless! ^_^x +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ DISCLAIMERS: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki, Jump Comics, Shueisha, Fuji TV and SPE Visual Works. This is a nonprofit work of fanfiction; all original RK characters are used without permission from the owners. No copyright infringement intended. REIKI by: Chibi-Chiriko ACT FOUR: Moonlight Sonata ... Oh continue to love me -- never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved L, ever thine ever mine ever for each other. -from Ludwig van Beethoven to the "Immortal Beloved" The days that followed that Reiki session where undoubtedly the happiest moments of my life. I was lost in ecstasy, too caught up in rapture and passionate joy that the real world was but a figment of oblivion to me, and truth nothing more to me than fate's lie. Such is the fate of one who embraces happiness when it is too late to explore fully. Miraculously, Misao recovered more quickly than I'd expected her to -- than any of us had expected her to. I was only daring to hope that I had actually *done* something for her after all, that my efforts had not gone to waste after all, that I had restored her vigor as she had restored my will to embrace life willingly. Once again, her radiant smiles warmed the Aoiya with their innocent grace, and I basked in the glow of her cheerful affection, and the tender sparkle of those immaculate sapphiric orbs. We spent more time together than we ever had before, taking long walks by the forest, watching fireflies create arcs of faint light during early moonlit evenings, enjoying the simple pleasures of everyday living together. She still walked on crutches, but I could tell that the need for them was rapidly diminishing. Soon, her usual zest and enthusiasm were fully restored, and her musical laughter would echo through the Aoiya as she chattered on and on, as I followed her around with a quiet smile. Even now, I sometimes think I hear her laughter around me, and I am tempted to turn around, foolishly expecting her lithe, graceful figure to be standing behind me, arms begging for an embrace. Wishful thinking on my part, that I would be a part of this joy forever. There was this one night when we both sat at the roof of the Aoiya. I had carried her there, much to my disapproval. How could I resist those pleading blue eyes, that disarming, cherubic smile? "Please, Aoshi-sama?" she'd begged. "For me?" I couldn't say no. So I lifted her into my arms and hoisted myself up to the roof. It hadn't been easy; obviously, she'd gained weight. But I would never forget the feel of her in my arms, the way her long, smooth arms circled my neck as I made it to the roof, the intoxicating fragrance of her perfume charging through my nostrils. It was heaven for me, and I remember thinking that nothing could be better. She'd snuggled up to me, her raven bangs brushing against my chin. "Aoshi-sama?" she whispered, with a contented sigh. "What is it?" I asked, gazing at the black sea of darkness -- the sky in its melancholy beauty, hinting the subtlest sign of light only through the littlest stars. A cool gust of wind darted past. "Can we --" A pause of shy hesitation. I glanced at her to see her blushing deeply. "Go on," I encouraged her. "Can we go on like this forever?" There was a dimple high on her flushing cheeks. "I'm so happy -- I feel like this moment, this time is what my whole life's been pointing to. I don't want it to end. I don't want to wake up one morning and realize that this has all been a dream." She suddenly sat up straight, the braid whipping from her shoulders to her back. She turned toward me, and I was surprised by the tears that were trickling down her cheeks, even more so by the intensity of her words. "I don't want to suddenly lose you, Aoshi-sama," she whispered tearfully, and something inside me crumbled. "I don't want you to leave me while I'm asleep, like you did when I was a kid. I don't want you to just suddenly disappear. I want to be with you forever!" My eyes widened. "Forever, Aoshi-sama," she went on, staring at her hands. "There were times when I thought it hopeless, but I always dared to believe that there was always a chance, just the slightest sliver of a chance..." "Stop," I murmured, and she looked at me. "What?" she asked, her voice sounding choked. "Stop it." My voice grew more forceful, and I cupped her chin in my hand. "Aoshi-sama..." "I'll love you forever, Misao," I said fiercely, another arm snaking around her waist and pulling her to me. "And nothing -- nothing's gonna tear us apart! That I swear by our brothers' graves." She gasped. My mouth easily found hers, capturing her rosy lips into mine. We kissed for a long, delirious, fiercely passionate moment, then slumped into each other's embrace. "We... really..." she panted, giggling. "Such a naughty Aoshi-sama..." "You brought me into it," I joked, brushing some stray strands from her eyes. "*You* kissed *me!*" she pointed out, and we both burst into delighted laughter. It felt good, laughing. It had been a long time since I'd had a good, honest laugh, and thanks to Misao, life -- and fate -- had suddenly seemed better, and more worth living and accepting. "Oi, you two turtledoves up there!" came a voice from below. Okina. He was grinning slyly up at us. "Are you gonna stay there forever or are you planning to come down some time soon? We're expecting a good long rain tonight, and I don't think you'd enjoy another soak very much." Punctuating this last sentence was a rumble of thunder nearby. "We'll be right there, Jiya!" Misao called out cheerfully. "Come on, Aoshi-sama, dear." "Pretty soon you'll be calling him 'koibito-kun'," Okina muttered, and I had to restrain Misao from hurling her crutches at him. I sigh deeply. It had been so easy to make that promise of endless love, so simple to let those words I longed to say tumble from my lips. Keeping the promise, however, was a different matter. It was an impossible task. I should have known... I should have suspected that that little piece of heaven would be snatched from me again, leaving me powerless and utterly alone once again... as had always been the case with me. But of course I didn't. Of course, I had to dare to hope that maybe, just maybe, I'd finally found a happiness that wouldn't leave me, that would be bound to me so tenaciously, it would take death to tear us apart, and that even death would be trying to pull us apart for lifetimes before we finally let go. The human heart is truly a stubborn thing. The next and last time we sat together in joy on the roof of the Aoiya, it was a stark and starless night. The rain had just let up, and the earth glistened in what little light the new moon had to offer. A damp, chilly wind skittered past. It was a beautiful night. I'd climbed to the rooftop to find her there, waiting for me. My eyes narrowed with concern, seeing her clutching her leg as she sat there. At the same time, my heart was as giddy as a child at play, as I saw her in her wondrous beauty, gazing at the black, lonely sky. "I take it it took you some difficulty to come up here all by yourself," I remarked coolly, hinting a slight note of disapproval. She turned to me with a lovely, girlish pout on her face. "Oh, Aoshi-sama," she whined, "I'm a big girl already! And I'm perfectly all right! See, no crutches! And I got here in one piece, didn't I?" Only then did I observe that she didn't have her crutches with her. That set off a spark of worry in me. I sat down next to her, and crossed my legs. "Are you sure nothing hurts?" I inquired, staring deeply into her cerulean eyes. *Are you sure, Misao?* The slighest shadow of pain flitted across her features, betraying her guilt. She quickly lowered her eyes, and fumbled for my hand. "You're angry with me, aren't you?" she asked timidly. "You wish I'd waited for you to carry me up here, right?" Something about that sudden childlike humility broke my heart, as though I'd seen a part of her I was destined never to see again. And in a way, it was... "Not angry," I said gently, trying to keep my emotions under. "Just worried. If anything happened to you, my God --" I let my voice trail off. She smiled brightly. "You worry too much, Aoshi-sama!" she exclaimed cheerfully, throwing her arms around me and snuggling against my chest. I felt a comfortable, delicious warmth spread all over me, and I pulled her closer. "You're so protective... and compassionate... and brave and caring and loyal..." She beamed up at me. "Those are just a few reasons why I love you, Aoshi-sama." Love. Had I ever felt anything but love for this girl in my arms, the only girl I'd allowed this close? "You're too kind," was the only response I could come up with, before kissing her lightly. She sighed contentedly. "I'm just an impulsive free spirit, wandering where I please. And you, Aoshi-sama, are the overprotective eagle keeping vigilant watch over me... we're so different, we've been apart for so long, and I love you so much..." Moments like that particular one were experts at drawing tears from my eyes. They still do now, except now I let them flow freely, for I have no more reason to keep them bottled up inside. "You're my angel," I whispered tenderly, stroking her cheeks. "You're like the finest, most delicate glass, my salvation, and I love you..." We shared another passionate kiss before she reluctantly drew her head back, and reached into her pocket. "I went into town and bought something for you," she said gaily. "You might think it's a bit -- a lot too, actually -- sissy, but I was hoping you would like it. I used up all my savings for it; it was quite expensive, seeing it was one of those Western keepsakes after all. And..." Gulping, she opened her dainty little palms, and presented her gift. I was so shocked, so stunned at this gesture of kindness, of affection... that for a moment, I must have swooned into oblivion. For in her hands sat a charming little locket, carved from the finest gold that sparkled even brighter than the sun on morning dew-drops, hanging from a glittering thread of chain links. It was in the shape of a heart, quite ironically small and dainty as compared to the infinite hugeness of *her* warm, red-blooded heart. There was an intricate floral pattern on it, of intertwined roses, leaves and vines. In the very center of the flowery border, there appeared to be two rabbits hopping together. Misao's cheeks were flushing crimson as she popped it open. "See, Aoshi-sama?" she said softly. "I specially singled this one out for you." The inside of the locket was even more beautiful than the outside. The moment she'd popped it open, a soft, somewhat sad piano melody began to play, its simple yet expressive tune floating in the night. A shiny little chunk of blue sapphire sat inside, glowing like a firefly. The whole enamel womb of the locket smelled fiercely like incense, taking my breath away. And after staring at its magnificent essence for what seemed like eternity, I raised my eyes to the wonder behind it all. Her cheeks were still red, and beads of sweat dotted her forehead. She chuckled nervously. "Do you like it?" she asked with a hopeful smile. "It's all right if you honestly don't; I'll just wear it myself, or maybe Okon-san or Omasu-san might want it, ne?" *Not like it!* Impulsive, joyful love flooded my heart as I took the locket from her outstretched palms, and chained it around my neck. I loved the feel of the cool chain links against my bare neck, the slight weight that tugged at my chest where the very heart of the locket was. I purposely let it dangle open, so that the music would play on and on like an endless music box -- I was dizzy with emotions swirling inside my head, heart and soul. I grabbed her ecstatically and pulled her to me in a huge, bear hug. "Not like it!" I choked out, stroking her back and kissing her fiercely. "Oh, Misao-chan, how could I *not* -- Misao, you *truly* are an angel sent by God... I love you, I love you!" My intensity elicited more giggles from her. "Aoshi-sama, you're like a puppy when you do that," she laughed, her voice muffled against my chest. I tweaked her lightly on the nose, then let her snuggle against me as we shared a long, comfortable embrace, lying underneath the dark night. A cold breeze billowed past, carrying the musical notes along with it, and I closed my eyes, relishing the feel of Misao's arms around me, carving every magical detail of that moment into my memory. Even as I look back now, I can almost *feel* the whole moment again, as though it were a dream, a fog smothering me with love. It was only a few minutes later that I felt that something really was wrong. She was hot, and not from passion. She was perspiring, and breathing raggedly, and I could see that though her skin was pale, it was also disturbingly warm. She smiled faintly, trying to reassure me, but I wasn't buying it this time. "It's just a hot night, Aoshi-sama," she murmured, squeezing my hand. Then she drew in her breath sharply, and her face turned even paler, as though she was in great pain. "Misao! What's wrong, tell me!" I demanded, my alarm increasing. I grabbed her by the shoulders, hoping the jolt would bring her back. Her eyelashes fluttered, and a tiny smile played at the corners of her mouth. Hot tears slowly trailed her cheeks, and to my horror, blood began to trickle down her nostrils. "Misao!" "Aoshi-sama..." She grinned weakly, and suddenly gasped as she coughed. I cried out in anguish as a rusty substance spilled from her lips. "... 'atashi..." As if in slow motion, she began to fall forward. "... wa..." My vision was blurry as my arms reached out to catch her. She slumped against me, her body limp and practically weightless as it sagged against mine, feverishly hot and damp with sweat. My heart was thumping in my chest. I then realized how afraid I really was... "... ana -- ta..." The last word came out in a faint, whispery voice, sounding almost like a squeak. Then her lips slowly drew together, and her lashes fluttered close. Her body was still. She had fainted. END ACT FOUR 2/2/00 Modified: 2/5/00 NOTES: Again, I'm sorry if I made Aoshi act OOC! ^_^;; Come on, he can't be the Iceman forever! Sooner or later, the ice *does* melt. Besides, everybody knows that he'll eventually melt through when Misao's in the room! I got that *lovely* little intro piece from a letter by Beethoven to his Immortal Beloved. (So I guess that means that 'L' stands for Ludwig, eh? ^^) I found it in this lovely book called "Love Poems and Love Letters", compiled by a certain Evelyn Loeb. Obviously, this Loeb woman did a lot of digging. And obviously, Beethoven was a very... uh, *passionate* lover. ^.~ OK, so the locket wasn't a *completely* original idea, and has been used before. Well, there's no such thing as a completely original plot, either. Everything's gotta come from *somewhere.* As for the locket, I kinda winged the description from a book, just adding my own details to make it more original. As for the music inside... I don't know if that was possible then, but this isn't necessarily a historically accurate fic soooooooooooooooo... ^^;; Just think Sailor Moon and that star locket and all! ^-^x As for that part where Misao and Aoshi practically spout poetry at each other (i.e. you are like delicate glass -- now *where* did we hear something like that? ^.~), I seriously doubt that was possible, I mean, Misao's got the vocabulary of a weasel... MISAO: Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaani kore? Just kidding. It's just that in movies and books and stuff, love seems to make people more rosy, making them do things they never thought they could do soooo... the poetry popped in. And it's not *really* poetry -- just a bunch of flowery words stating plainly just how nuts they are about each other. By the way, for those who don't know, "Moonlight Sonata" is one of Beethoven's sonatas, and it was that lovely piano piece Sayo played during the Shimabara fillers. I happen to love this song. ^^;; Anyway, ja, and God bless! __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com