From: Joy Okay... can't believe I'm still here! In today's chapter, Misao encounters a couple of trouble makers, and finds the comfort of a grandfather in Okina... And Aoshi makes a startling discovery. ********************** Disclaimer: The characters from RK do not belong to me, however, if they do not appear in RK, then they are mine! Comments and such are appreciated and are most welcomed!! Let The Reason Be Love by: Joy ********************** Chapter 3: "Little Ray of Sunshine" Days slowly turned themselves to weeks for Okina. He noted two things, one... Misao was a wonderful girl. She was sweet, helpful, and was always bubbly. two, when Aoshi was around, she seemed to more subdued, unsure of herself. Now, she was beginning to come out of her shell, forming a friendship with Okon and Omasu. She continued to work in the Aoiya, refusing to just sit back and order people about. Even the workers in the restaurant seemed to love her. She was gentle, and was always ready to help them with their work. Today for example, there were too many people, and Misao took it upon herself to help serve the patrons. Okina also found out that several young men only came to eat in the restaurant to get even the smallest of glances of Misao. he didn't know if they knew she was married. He'd better make sure that one of the Oniwabanshuu always follow her around when she's in the market, for her own protection. They can't afford to be careless, she is afterall, the Okashira's wife. "OI! what does a man have to do to be served here!" a loud voice cried out, startling Okina. He turned around and saw a group of men in one of the tables that was previously unoccupied. One of the waitresses hastily made her way to the group, only to be abused. Okina frowned for a moment, but decided to let this pass. For now. The waitress walked back to the kitchen with the order, and was spoken to by Misao. Okina noted how Misao's face change from a look of concern, to surprise, then to irritated, and as the waitress fidgeted in her reply, Misao's features turned to absolute anger. She said something to the waitress who nodded her head before walking off to the other tables. A few minutes later, Misao walked to the loud, and obnoxious group of men and gave them their orders themselves. Okina watched, alarmed that something could happen to the girl. He caught the gaze of one of the ninja's and gave a descreet signal. He returned his gaze at Misao, who has one of her hands on her hips, the other holding a tray, and was obviously replying to some lewd comment. Misao took a deep breath. These men had to be the most ignorant, idiotic people alive. It took all her strength to stop herself from smashing their faces with the tray she was holding in a death-like grip. "No... we don't give credits, you have to pay" she replied again. The men have been hassling her to allow them not to pay. "We are running a business, not a chari.." One of the men smirked. "Awww, c'mon jou-chan.. I'm sure we can work something out" he said suggestively as his eyes travelling from Misao's face to her feet, then to her face again. "I'm sure the owner can let you out for a night, ne?" Misao's cheek flamed "I AM THE OWNER" she replied, stressing each word out. "If you don't plan to pay, then I suggest you get out" The men laughed at this. "Aaaahhh, jou-chan here is the owner. Hear that Takashi?" they all started laughing harder. "You can't make us leave, that could be bad for the business, if you know what I mean" one of them added, with an almost sinister voice. Misao crossed her arms across her chest. "Are you threatening us?" The man called Takashi spoke up. "No... no! it's just that my friends and I can... as they say, be good avertisement for your restaurant. It'll be a shame if people stop coming here..." "We can make things... easier for you, if you let us.." the other man added. Misao takes a deep breath and gives them a big smile. "Oh is that so?" she asked sweetly. The men obviously thought they had won started laughing, until Misao continued "Then you can all stand up and walk out of this restaurant because if not, I will smash each and everyone of your faces with this tray. Understood?" she turned around to walk away, only to be grabbed roughly by the shoulders. "Who do you think you are, you little brat? I can twist your neck with my bare hands.." Misao looked at the guy straight in the eye. "Outside, one on one" Okina nearly fell of his chair at this development. If anything happens beyond this, the authorities could be alerted of this brawl, and they can not risk that, even if it's just the local police. They can not take any chances. Okina made a quick decision and made an almost frantic gesture with his hands. The rest of the customers, especially the regulars had enough. "Leave the girl alone, bully!" and cries of "Get lost" was heared in chorus. Apparently, Misao had made many friends among the customers. The men, seeing they could be seriously outnumbered, made their exits, as the taunts became more louder, but not without a parting shot. "We'll get you for this little girl. Just wait and see!" When they were gone, the crowd's jeer turned to a thundering applause, giving their support to Misao, who stood there, half in anger, half in disbelief. Even Okina and the ninjas who were waiting to fix the situation. Okina walked over to where Misao was in relief. "Misao-san... are you okay?" Misao nodded, but her fists were clenched tightly. "You should rest, you have been working since this morning. Aoshi will not be pleased if you get sick..." he said as he led her out of the restaurant and up into her room. "I hate them" she said, as tears slowly started to fall. "I hate bullies" Okina sighed. Despite everything, he can not forget that Misao is still practically a child. Seeing this reaction from her, she obviously had encountered those types before. He wondered briefly if he should ask her, as it turns out, he did not have to as Misao continued. "Who do they think they are? to just, just ruin people's lives because they didn't get what they want... be...because they think they're the best.." she said, almost in anger. "T... they're the.. the.. t..type... who.. would, who would.. k...kill, like my.. parents.." and she couldn't continue any further as she cried. Okina immediately and hugged the sobbing girl. Misao hugged him back and continued to cry. He wondered if Aoshi knew this already. He was aware that Aoshi had the girl investigated. "G... go..gomen... I shouldn't be acting like this" Misao suddenly said as she withdrew from the hugged and sniffed, brushing her tears away. "Misao-san, there is nothing to be sorry about. You should not try to hide this kind of pain. Try to talk to Omasu or Okon about it, it will make you feel better.." Misao gave a small laugh at this. "My grandfather said the same thing, that talking helps.." she told him. "Thank you, Okina" "It was nothing... this has been a stressful day for you, ne?" he asked her. Misao nodded her head in response. "I'll have Okon bring you something to eat. Just rest for the whole day... and no arguing!" he added sternly. Misao giggled at his change of tone. "You're sounding like my grandfather more and more!" "I'm not that old!" he protested. Misao started laughing, and surprisingly, he did too. "Okina? will it be alright if you drop the -san? I really feel uncomfortable about it" He stared at Misao's serious expression, and felt a tug in his heart. *What is this girl doing to us?* He was about to refuse, but the pleading look in her face changed her mind. "If it will make you happy.." he replied, and was rewarded by a big smile from Misao. He added jokingly "..you might as well call me Jiya too.." he wasn't finished when Misao leaped and hugged him. "Really?? Oh thank you!!" she cried out. Okina stood there, with the girl hugging him *What have I gotten myself into?* he felt a warmth inside him, and for the first time in his life, felt what it felt to be a father. He gave a smile and gave the girl a hug. "Now.. now... get some rest" "Uurrrggghhh.. you even hug like my grandfather!" ****** Aoshi read the papers given to him with interest. "So, our contact should arrive soon from Europe?" "Hai" "How will we know if it's him?" "He will send a seal just like the one you are holding that will contain important information.." Aoshi simply nodded his head. "Is that all?" "Uh... your wife nearly got into a fight, Okashira" mumbled the messanger. Aoshi looked up, startled at the information delivered to him. "But fortunately, the customers in the Aoiya got rid of the trouble makers by.." "Do you know who these people are?" he asked, cutting the messanger off. "Hai. Here is a list containing their names. The one named Takashi, I believe threatened to twist her neck.." "Do nothing yet, but make sure they are followed. Is that clear?" "Hai" Aoshi nodded to him, as a signal to leave. He bowed before Aoshi and walked away, but was called by Aoshi. "Make sure they do not get an opportunity to come near the Aoiya or Misao ever again. Understood?" The messanger nodded and left. He gave out a sigh of relief. For those men's sake, they had better stay away from the Aoiya and the Okashira's wife. Shinomori Aoshi was not a man to be trifled with. **** "Is that all?" Aoshi inquired. It was now almost midnight. He spent the day dealing with business, and has been speaking with Okina ever since his return in the secret room. He heared about the incident at the restaurant again from Okina, including Misao's confrontation with the thugs. "Do you know about Misao's family?" "Not yet" replied Aoshi as he took out a piece of cloth from his coat. "This should tell all about Misao's family" he begins to untie the rope to open it, revealing several documents. Okina looked at him in disbelief. "You are reading all of them, now?" "Is there a problem with that?" he asked, looking at Okina as he picked up the first page. The old man knew Aoshi to well to argue with him. "Very well.." "Okina" "Yes?" "I have heared that you have become some kind of honorary grandfather to the girl. Is this true?" Okina nodded his head. "She needs a family Aoshi.." "I do not plan on saying anything against it Okina. I want Misao to be comfortable here if she is to perform her duties" Okina did not answer back, but simply left the room. Page after page, Aoshi read about Misao and her family. His gaze suddenly froze on the paragraph that explains of her parent's death. It was done by a couple of low-life police officers when her parents refused to surrender half of their property... but it wasn't that piece of information that caught his eyes. The seal found burned on the skin, which depicts a dragon at the back of the neck. The death seal of the Oniwabanshuu. ~TBC~ Yikes... I was supposed to put Karou in this chapter... but things took a different turn.. I had to invent the seal.. does the Oniwabanshuu actually have one?? what d'ya all think about this?? In the next chapter... I don't know yet.. but hopefuly, I'd be able to put Karou in. A certain foxy lady is also on her way.... --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- You can WIN $100 to Amazon.com by starting a new list at ONElist. http://www.onelist.com Weekly drawing is held each Friday. See homepage for details! ------------------------------------------------------------------------