| ☆ 69 | breaking more than teacups | accidental voice post |

[itachi_kunoichi]

Yo, Himura, looks like ya broke seven of the cups with the blue flowers, and nine of the green cups . . . Good thing ya didn't spill any of the tea leaves, or that would've been even more expensive . . .

[The sound of scribbling on some paper.]There, I think that we're done with the inventory

Comments

[Action]

[tongari_shaman]

[Ren didn't show any hint of what he was thinking as he entered the shop and approached Misao, staring in a blank but determined way. It had taken a lot of thinking on his part to get to this conclusion, but now he knew this was the right thing to do.]

We need to talk.

[Action]

[itachi_kunoichi]

[Misao bounced up to greet him the moment he entered. But upon seeing the serious look on his face, she stopped in her tracks and looked at him in puzzlement.]

Okay? What's up?

[Action]

[tongari_shaman]

[The shaman glanced around at the busy atmosphere of the tea shop, knowing it wouldn't do. Expecting how the girl would react, it was better that they were alone so they didn't attract attention. Besides, he wasn't about to announce what he had to say in front of these people, this was a personal matter.]

Not here, privately, it's important.

[Action]

[itachi_kunoichi]

[Misao blinked.]

Well, sure. We can go to the storeroom? Or do you wanna go back to your apartment?

I'm sure Himura won't mind if I take a break!

[Action]

[tongari_shaman]

[Trekking back the apartment would take too long, and Ren really needed to speak quickly, the storeroom was the better choice.]

Fine, we'll go back there, as long as we won't be over heard, and if you're quick.

[Action]

[itachi_kunoichi]

If I'm quick? What's that supposed to mean?

[She stares at him incredulously before leading the way to the back of the shop.]

C'mon . . .

[Action]

[tongari_shaman]

It means when I say now, I mean now. This is serious business.

[He couldn't say more until they were alone, so he hurried behind Misao in hope that he could get the chance to say what he needed to say. Just seeing the ninja girl reaffirmed his determination.]

[Action]

[itachi_kunoichi]

Yeah, okay, I'm going! I'm going!

[Looking at his expression made her hasten to the back. It sounded like he had something really important to say.]

[She flicked on the lights to the storeroom. It was spacious, meant for small breaks and retreats.]

So what's up?

[Action]

[tongari_shaman]

[Once they were alone, Ren narrowed his gaze again, never taking his eyes of Misao. This was a make or break thing for both of them, but he had made the mistake of holding back feelings before; he wouldn't do it again.]

I've been...thinking.

The truth is, after all that has happened, I can no longer perceive you as a friend Misao.

[Action]

[itachi_kunoichi]

[Misao froze. She had no idea what that meant, never having to had such conversations before.]

Huh?

[Yes, very eloquent.]

[Action]

[tongari_shaman]

[Ren rubbed his temples, realizing he would have to be direct about the whole thing if he hoped Misao to understand.]

I mean I really don't see how things can continue as they were before after everything that occurred. I don't think I can call you a friend anymore...

[Closing his eyes briefly, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a piece of paper...no, a photograph, glancing at it before handing it to her image down, so she would have to turn it in her hand to see the picture.]

...especially due to this.

[Action]

[itachi_kunoichi]

[Misao turned the picture over, her fingers sliding over the glossy photo. It was a picture of her with short cropped hair, beaming at the camera. Ren was at her side, a small smile on his lips, and between them was their baby. Men.]

[She gasped. That was--is--will be--their baby? He was so adorable and--]

[Her larynx refused to work for a moment as she stared at it.]

It's . . . so amazing!

So . . . what do you want to do now?

[She blinked up at him, her green eyes wide.]

[Action]

[tongari_shaman]

It was left during the curse, when we aged and had Men, our son with us.

[He was looking at the picture himself as he explained, thinking back to the whole event with some confusion still. However, there had been a change, and it was the picture that helped him realize it. Perhaps his older self had left it on purpose to guide them.]

Actually, that is in your hands now, it all depends on your answers Misao.

[Action]

[itachi_kunoichi]

Well, for me to answer somethin', ya gotta give me a question!

[She braced her hands on her hips. The image of the three of them was still in her mind, and it made her want to freak out and to jump around and to scream, and in a good way! Though she knew Ren was trying to be serious here, so she kept herself calm as well.]

[Action]

[tongari_shaman]

[Well, no sense wasting more time, Ren decided being blunt and straight to the point would be best to get through to Misao, the reasoning could come later. Right now though, it needed to be said, while his nerve was firm and before he could think too much on it.]

Could you ever perceive this future to be true?

[Action]

[itachi_kunoichi]

[Misao was floored at Ren's question, her eyes growing wider.]

[A future with Ren, like the one in the picture? Where they both looked so happy?]

[Briefly her thoughts wandered back to the Japan she knew. To the Oniwabanshuu--Jiya, Ochika-san, Omasu-san. Shiro, Kuro. Himura, Kaoru-san, Megumi-san, Yahiko, the roosterhead.]

[Aoshi-sama.]

[Would the future in the picture be true?]

[She was never one to hesitate; if she wanted something, she fought for it--heart, mind, soul, body.]

[Whatever she chose . . .]

[Aoshi-sama would always be important to her. He was the man who raised her, and the man who led the Oniwabanshuu.]

[But just as she'd wanted to stay in Tokyo while he wanted to go back to Kyoto . . .]

[There were just some things that they had to part ways for, and in the end, Aoshi-sama was Aoshi-sama, and Misao was Misao.]

[It was time to move on.]

[She glanced up at Ren, a smile coming to her lips.]

Yes!