From: Joy Sorry for this! the first post didn't happen. Hope this one works.... Hi minna-san!!! here's part two of "Let The Reason Be Love"!! thanks to all those who commented, and I hope I replied to everyone, if not.. sorry and thanks for enjoying chapter 1! Here we go..... Disclaimer: The characters from RK do not belong to me, however, if they do not appear in RK, then they are mine! The poem was written by a friend of mine. *** Love knows sorrow Love knows pain, But love knows no reason And love knows no name. -Josie- *** Let The Reason Be Love by: Joy Chapter Two: "First Steps" Misao's heart seemed to have stopped beating. They have almost arrived. She was feeling numb all over. It was only today that she has learned about her 'marriage'. She was never told anything about this Shinomori Aoshi. Now she has learned that this marriage was nothing more than to throw off any scent to their presence in Kyoto. She was going to be married to the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu. She has heared of them, but wheter or not they actually existed.. well now she knows. She was hastily given a brief idea about what her 'role' will be, a dutiful wife, someone who will help run the Aoiya, a restaurant. She was more nervous than ever now after learning about this. She was harbouring mixed reactions to this situation. "If that is to be... then why all the ceremony?" "It has to be as authentic as possible, do not worry Misao-san. The Okashira is a good man. He will do nothing to hurt you" Okon replied. She briefly wondered if she has said too much to the girl. But she has to know what is expected of her, better to tell her now, than learn the truth later, still there are many things that she does not know about, and must never know about. "This is your new home now, Misao-san" Omasu adressed her. She looked outside the carriage window and saw the Aoiya, there were people outside already, waiting to greet her. One man walked to where the carraiage was and opened it's door. He extended his hand towards her. She reluctanty placed her hands over his as he helped her out of the carriage. Okon and Omasu followed behind her. She stood there, not knowing what to do. "Welcome to the Aoiya" a voice greeted. She looked at the old man who spoke and bowed. "My name is Okina, please.. come inside, there is so much that we need to do" as they passed by, the servants bowed their heads as Misao passed. She was led to the bath, where she was left alone with Okon and Omasu who started to help her disrobe. **** The garden was in fool bloom, flowers were scattered everywhere, some fell naturally from the trees, and some were scattered by human hands. The warm sun seemed to have been a blessing from the Kami themselves. Everything seemed perfect, birds were humming in tune with the music being supplied by the hired muscisians. Watching the whole scene from his window, Aoshi allowed one moment's weakness and grimaced at his outfit. Gone was his usual outfit, replaced by the traditional formal kimono which was coloured blue, matched with the white haori that contained five crests. His hakama, by his own choosing was a shade of black. He wondered briefly if his bride was feeling the same discomfort. "We are ready to begin, Aoshi" He turned around and saw Okina by the opened shoji. Aoshi nodded his head in response, and walked out of the room. In the garden, everyone was ready and was waiting for the bride. Aoshi stood next to Okina, who was chosen to be the nakodo, the go-between. The groom briefly wondered why the hushed whispers dissapeared, he turned his head and realised why. Walking towards him was a girl wearing what it seemed to be the purest of white. Perhaps the sun was playing tricks on him. He didn't even notice that he was holding his breath when he saw her face, she looked *so* young, and innocent, he began to question his decision. he mentally chided himself at that thought. *He's frowning.. He doesn't like me.. he HATES me!* Misao silently screamed as she reached his side. It took all her self-control not to run, or cry. She will be strong, she will perform her duties faithfully. She will not disgrace the honour of her parents by acting like a cry baby. She has responsibilities now, this may not be a real marriage, but she will do nothing to dishonour their memories. If only those thoughts brought comfort to her heart... *** Aoshi and Misao stood side by side, farewelling the guests. Misao thought that the reception took quite a long time, but being aware of her husband's position, it was not far off that this was more of a business meeting than a wedding. Misao wanted to cringe at the memory of that afternoon's ceremony. She nearly spilled the sake when she first received it. Their hands briefly brushed against eachother numerous times already, but that did not stop her from blushing. The only time she was with boys was when she was playing with them, or more specifically, beating them at their own games. There was no boy she knew that could beat her, but Aoshi isn't a boy... he's a man. And quite a handsome one at that. Misao blinked at that thought. Since when did she start thinking that way? then again, she hasn't been behaving like herself for a long time now, she's not sure anymore who she was. "...Misao?" She blinked at turned to stare at a pair of ice-blue eyes. "H...hai?" "I was asking if you feel fine." Misao merely nodded in response. Aoshi seemed satisfied at this and called Omasu out. "Bring Misao to her room, and after that, tell Okina and the others I wish to speak with them. Understood?" "Hai Aoshi-sama" Omasu replied as Aoshi walked away. Misao felt her knees buckle and looked at Omasu. "I thought you said he was nice?" Omasu gave her a faint smile. "He is... come now, today must have been tiring for you.." Upon reaching her room, she was somewhat glad she didn't have to share a room with him. She blushed at that thought, which fortunately Omasu missed as she helped her out of a simpler kimono she changed into after the ceremony. She winced when Omasu took out the pins that were holding her hair. "Gomen..." "It's nothing.. please don't worry about it" Misao replied. There must have been hundreds of hairpins that was used to style her hair. With all of them removed, her black hair fell freely, almost giving her a ghostly illusion. She sat quietly as Omasu brushed her hair. She looked at the girl's refelction in the mirror and noted that she looked so much younger, and a bit sad. Who could blame her? She never knew what she got herself into, not to mention the fact that she never really had a choice in the matter. Misao yawned which caused Omasu to smile. "You'd better go to sleep Misao-san, tomorrow will be a hectic day. The Aoiya will open tomorrow..." Misao nodded her head as she stood up, and walked to where the futon was, already laid down for her. "Oyasuminasai..." Omasu silently made her way out and left Misao to sleep for the last time as a child. Tomorrow, Shinomori Misao will start with her duties as a wife, and will help in the running of the Aoiya. Tomorrow, she will no longer be a child. **** There are days in a person's life when you wish the earth will just open up and swallow you whole. This was definetly one of those days for Misao. She was woken up just before the sun rose by Okon, practically tripped down the stairs, almost burned the first order for the day, and the list goes on, and on. By lunch time, she was ready to burst into tears, but composed herself when she remembered her vow not to disgrace her parents' memory. She will do it for them. She sat in the bench inside the kitchen and closed her eyes for the moment, when she opened them, what she saw nearly caused her to stumble as she quickly got up. "I... was just sitting for a while..." Aoshi raised his hands to silence her. After a meeting with one of his contacts, he decided it was best to enter through the kitchen, and saw a glimpse of the girl, who seemed to be doing a dozen things at once in an effort to keep things flowing smoothly. He didn't know how long he stood watching her, running back and forth, speaking to some of the servants, preparing the ingredients to be cooked, and sometimes even cooked herself. He was quite surprised with himself, the girl is quite impressive. "You did not need to have done all those work, Misao.." Misao stared at him blankly. "But I thought..." "You are to *help* in the running of the Aoiya, not to do the *running*" he replied. "I just can't stand around and do practically nothing.." Misao answered back. She blinked in surpise at her almost harsh reply. Aoshi looked at her cooly before replying. "You are my wife, are you not?" The cold tone of his voice sent shivers down Misao's back. "H...hai" "As my wife, you are suppose to do as I say, am I right?" at this question, Misao's eyes blazed with fury. *How DARE he?* she controlled her breathing and clenched her fists tightly before replying in almsot the same icy tone. "Hai.." "And as your husband, I do not wish to see you get tired unecessarily. Have your lunch and have a rest. You'll need your strength when the dinner crowd gets here.." Misao blinked at that. She was sure he was going to act like a chauvenistic pig, gloating on men's supperiority, but instead... "We have just opened and yet there seem to be more people comming here than the older restaurants. Get some rest Misao" with that, he walked past her leaving an open mouthed girl behind. He wanted to say more, but caught himself before he complimented her. He frowned as he thought about her working. She seemed to be doing more than she was supposed to, compared to the other women he knows, she had something that they don't have. She has an air of defiance in her, something that told him she will refuse to be treated differently just because of her gender. She was... Aoshi stopped at that thought. Why was he thinking about her when there are more important business to attend to? He mentally told himself to have a report done on the girl. If she is to be his wife, he has to know about her. Back at the kitchen, Misao stood, not believing what just happened. Other men would probably made sure she works until she drops dead. He actually 'ordered' her to get some rest. She smiled at that, "Maybe he is nice..." TBC So... there we go. Things are still calm and everything, but next chapter, Misao be-friends a certain dojo owner who is also new in town, and someone wants Aoshi Shinomori and the rest of the Oniwabanshuu to pay for a crime they did not commit. Ja!!! Joy --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- ONElist: your connection to online communities. ------------------------------------------------------------------------