ONE TIME ENCOUNTER.
         
A little deshi's talk.
A shortfic by The Fox
all flames to bgalv001@xxxxxx.xxxx.xx.
   ..........................................................
Hmm....at first sight I HATE Misao . Like Aoshi just for jumping over 
my dear Himurasan. But Soujiroo too was LOATHED for me , and till some 
time after I didnt begins to feel sorry for the Misao's love for that 
(sexy)ice cube. Only some rurouni patient can stands her , and well, 
our favorite rurouni is stuck with our favorite dojo teacher , so I 
have to find another...Soujiroo is such a poor boy . But I havent 
anydoubt that if Shishio can be so loving with Yumi , too was with 
Soujiroo .Better than be tortured and murdered at 8 years old , anyway.
Yahiko is such a lucky brat . And i'm curious about Misao,Yahiko ,
Soujiroo and Eiji future, after ten years and the different lessons of 
their father'figures . Maybe I explore this story in other fic. This 
stories are rated in crescendo .The Misao/Soujiroo is all spectator, 
the Aoshi/Megumi is older than twelve years old and the Saitoh/Yumi is 
older than 18.
                  
                 Love , The Fox.
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                 After all of the battles are over
                 after all of the figthing is done
                 will you be the one
                 to find yourself alone with your heart
                 looking for the answers . . .
                 Lonely Soldier Boy.
                 Lancer/Michael Bradley in Robotech III:

Aoshi was again gone . Misao cleched teeth with anger but the tears 
come soon . No matter Jiya' attemps to look everything fine , no matter
how hard Misao tries to be an agradable company to Aoshi, joking , or 
just smiling ,or being useful , or just silent . No matter how hard 
she tries to understand Zen , or practice her kunai, or tries to look 
like an adult woman . Nothing matters to him , nor her tears, nor her 
laugh ,not even her feelings . Nothing of all .He saves his life .And 
for what ?Misao burst into tears .She appears doing it frecuently from 
the Aoshi's return . Today like always he did locked himself in the 
temple, the place where even her dont dare to disturb .Away . He did 
agree yesterday with accompany her in a kunai practice , but again he 
did run away from her .Again .
But . . . when she thinks in his voice ,his cold blue eyes her heart 
just melted . Sometimes he can make her scream in desperated rage . 
but just a word, just a look and Misao was in her knees again . Like 
a drug . Like was many years ago when he disapprove her childish pranks
: just a glance of him and Misao freeze . Just a "Misao . . ." with a 
reproach voice make her cry in Jiya's or Hannya's arms all nite .

I'm still a child . . .

Her fury gives strenght enough for practice . When her kunais broke 
the wooden post in a clearing in the hills outside Kyoto she continues 
with the trees , furiously stabbing the trunks . She throw her knives 
one time , two time , and in these moment a bird's nest cross in her 
vision . She barely  manages to change the kunai direction to some 
shrubs . . .- Ara . . .? -comes a painful and confused voice from the 
vegetation.
- Kamisam . . .- Misao rushed without voice , and when she finds a 
young voyager boy stabbed from the arm to the grass under the hedge, 
painly awakened from his nap she burst apologizing in terror 
-­­Oh  Gods , I'm so sorry !!!-
- Araaa . . .?? Yare yare , its hurts . . . - the boy try to smile but 
the pain when he tries to sit is amazing . Misao go over the boy for 
help , and realize that thankfully just the skin of the upper arm was 
caugh for her kunai . Gratefully she sighs in relief : she could 
stabbed him in the heart . With all the softness she can manage she 
retires the kunai,making the young boy gasp . Then , she open his 
occidental shirt under the keikogi , trying to take a good look of the 
shoulder and injured arm.
- no . . . - the boy tries to stop her hands but too late . Misao's 
eyes widened at the sigth of the boy's naked chest. She has see many 
men's chest for surprise her : but this chest haves something that let 
her thoughless .
She just saw once a scar like this : the day Aoshi come back to the 
Aoiya ,and he collapse , she saw the same clean cut ,the perfect line 
crossing all his chest . Just one man can did make this injury . Just 
one technique .
Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki .
Himura .
-Oh kamisama .- Misao looks direct to the grey-paleblue eyes of the 
boy sitted in the grass to see him smiling to her , like trying to 
reassure her after the shock of find some ugly scar. His smile was so 
sweet . So . . . .
And suddenly Sano's voice ring on her head :
". . .the damned bastard smiling like a psycho . He looks like a 
harmless boy with brown hair and grey eyes of 16 . But Kenshin has to 
perform the ougi for stop him . He was so crazy . . ."
Tenken .
Seta . . . Soujiroo!!!
­­ STAY JUST WHERE YOU ARE !!! - shouts Misao , jumping backwards  
kunai ready - ­­ YOU ARE SETA SOUJIROO, THE SHISHIO'S RIGHT HAND !!-
The boy blinks . Then, he smiles to her .
What kind of psycho is him ?!!
- Oh , you figured it out ...- He manages to raise in his foots and
reaching for a handkerchief stops the light bleeding with a cute 
"ouch".-
For Kamatari's descriptions , you haves to be Makimachi-san of the 
Aoiya,rigth ?-
- ­­STAY QUIET!!-
- its no necesary to stab me , Makimachi-san , I'm not a treat anymore
 . .

. - Soujiroo smiles again and tie the hankerchief around his arm 
helping with the teeths ; then cross his arms and look with sorrow his 
holed and bloody keikogi - My last shirt . . . But well , I will 
remain quiet if you wish it .-

She stops in her tracks , feeling a little stupid treathing the cross
legged smiling boy . Anyway , she guards her kunai , but doest down 
his ward and glancing at him asks harshly :

- What are you doing here , Seta ?-

- Taking a nap . . .- Soujiroo just strechted his tired legs .

- I'm saying here in Kyoto , stupid .-

- Oh, this . . .- the boy look go wanderingly to the city in the 
horizon,under the hill and smiles a litlle , his bangs covering his 
eyes when spoke .

-Well , tomorrow will be a year .-

Misao just glance at him . Tomorrow will be the anniversary of the 
Aoshi's return . But , too , the anniversary of the Himura's desperate 
fight against Shishio and her own fight in the Aoiya .

And Shisho Makoto and Komagata Yumi's death .

She was suddenly speechless , and took a less defensive posture .
- Yeah, well...I 'd ... I've hearded you'are wandering anyway... -

- Himura-san give me the . . .idea. How . . .How is him ?-
She stops her babbling and looks at him thoughfully .

- He is Ok .In Tokio . . .Why ?.-

- I'm just ...well , I'm happy he's fine. He is such a ...special 
person, really .-

Misao gives him a angry look .

- What didnt stops you in trying to kill him, nee?-
Soujiro become silent . The girl just feel a growing feeling of 
uneasiness at his silence , but the boy suddenly asks her with soft 
voice :

- And . . .how are Shinomori-san ?-

The question brings sharp pain to her heart . She opens her mouth to 
mutter a brief "he's fine . . ." and the phrase choked her throat. 
Strange wetness someway filled her eyes , enveloping her vision . And 
she finds herself weeping in her knees , the words of Soujiroo 
stabbing deep her heart like a sharp kunai .

	-Ara? I'm sorry. . .Is he . . .? Oh , I'm sorry  I really 
sorry. . .-mutter a amazed boy , startled at her sudden falling . He 
tries to soothe her with words but don't find anyone . And a gentle 
soul like Soujiroo's cant help but try to calm her : first is a hand 
in her shoulder , then a ligth squezee of his fingers . Suddenly she 
finds her weeping her broken heart wrapped in his arms, the arms of 
her last year's worst enemy. He gently drying her tears ,and seeing 
she is coming back to her senses ,mutter his apologies again, aparting 
himself .

- no ...is ...- Misao sniffled - he's in the Aoiya now...he's fine, 
really,but ...- 

- I'm really sorry , Makimachi-san ...- Soujiroo manages to smile to 
her ,looking worried - I didn't pretend to upset you .-

- it wasn't you . . .- the young girl looks at him and burst into 
laughter still drying her tears - YOU didnt want to "upset" me ? The 
last year, in this date , your people almost KILL me , stupid!!-

The boy giggle softly.

- ara...I didnt was in the Aoiya attack ...-

- anyway .And , well ... sorry for the kunai ...-

-It's Ok, Makimachi-san ...-

- Well , Seta ...What are you doing the last year ?- the kunoichi sits
beside him , looking the sunset , as nonchalantly as always . In 
someway she feel better talking to anybody ,inclusive to a old enemy, 
about these danger and thrill days of summer they're shared. Nobody 
can't stop to feel better when remember glorious victories and 
exciting adventures. Moments of danger. Such a memories .

- I was wandering, Makimachi-san. When I fought Himura-san, he said me 
that was an Answer if you search it. He says me he finds one to 
himself. Changes my ... mind. I want to find an answer for me, too.-

-Oh ...well , Himura often remembers you . He always complained about 
he didnt help you sooner ...I dont know about what he was talking , '
but I'd never understand why are you working for a crazyman like 
Shishio .-

A silence . Then Soujiroo took in his hand some lavander flowers and 
plays with it. A smile appear in his face when spoke almost loudless:

-When somebody gives you the life ...a life...something to believe
in...nobody choose his master. Without Shishio-sama I'd be dead right 
now. I owe him it . I owe him respect...and love. But Himura-san makes 
me realize that his truth arent exactly the one I want.That everybody 
needs a truth of his own.-

Misao take away her eyes . Some of the Soujiroo's words go directly to 
his heart . Aoshi did save her life . He gives her a life, something 
to believe in , a home , and a family . He was his master and she 
offers him free respect and love .  But a truth ...? He didnt gives 
her any ...

- Seta ...Shishio was...Shishio was...caring with you?-

Soujiroo lokks at her surprised . Then his eyes become misty , and 
full of happy memories . Smile , with a softly sad smile .

- I think yes . He was always telling me my slowness will got me
killed...he trust me a lot...and asks me protect Yumi-san...and he was 
a regular mother hen when I get a cold ...- he giggles at the memory 
and Misao laughs with him . But her eyes turn suddenly sad and ...
envious?

- Whats happen, Makimachi-san?-

Misao just stirred her legs . Maybe this boy can understand her better 
than anybody ,in someway . She rested her weight in her arms and spoke
with decision:

- Because Aoshi-sama dont give a damn for me, just it.-

-Oh...but...I always think he did take care about you when you was a 
child...-

- Oh , yes , he was babysitting me when I was a baby . But he doesnt 
give a damn for me now. Sure ,he did take care about I eat, and rest, 
and protect my life years ago ...but he dont even talk to me !! Nor 
even look at me !!I'm sure if he haves a PUPPY he at least sometimes 
pats it in the head .

 ..- her voice trailed off and sighs.- Gods, I'd never think I 'll say 
this someday , but I envy you in someway. And I really envy Yahiko . 
Is a boy who Himura is helping to raise . Lucky brat. Himura will milk 
him , if he can .-

The two grinns silently , the sunset playing like the flames that 
Shishio used to loves in the city at their feets. Soujiroo smiles to 
her and spoke, crosslegged beside the girl holding her knees.

- He is lucky . But I don feels bad about my years with Shishio-sama. 
I did kill people I didnt really want to... I'm never makes amends 
with it...but he gives me a life. And he cares about me.I still miss 
him, and Yumi-sama a lot, do you know.-

- Well , if I can choose who did raise me surely I choose Himura ...
but he haves this problem of him of be a really good guy . You never 
know what bastard can go chasing after him and he's sickening worried 
about put others in trouble.Sure he abandon me before to become in 
danger. Shishio can be a really villain , but at least care about you, 
and trust in you...

Aoshi -sama brings me home , and Jiya and the others Oniwabanshuu , 
but he didnt care anything about me...and well , maybe Saitoh...-

The girl TREMBLES at the idea of be raised for Saitoh . Maybe the one 
good thing about him is he was so tough and damnly lucky that you're 
sure about he ALWAYS come back to you. And its something about him 
that makes her wonder if he could be more gentle than Aoshi. . .

Nah.

Poor Eiji boy...

-Its maybe who they are...or was , Makimachi-san. The four of them did
lives in crazy times. They was trained , they grow for a place in the
society and suddenly, with the end of the Bakumatsu they lost even 
their identities, their life purpouse, everything at all . And the 
four of them tries to continue their lives as they can . Saitoh-san 
refuses to accept even the need of change: he's exactly the same person
of the Bakumatsu , he adapted his life to this era without doubt. 
Shishio-sama tries to come back the time to the past, he tries to 
make the clock go back,to the world he knows and loves. Himura -san '
tries to born again , to have a totally distinct life of the former , 
trying to kill his original person for reborn with the country itself. 
And well...I think Shinomori-san is still trying to find his answer.-

- But you thinks that Shishio's ideal was wrong now , I suppouse-

- I dont know...but his ideal isnt the mine. When i find my ideal I 
have an answer too .Nobody can give you an answer totally right: 
Himura-san teach me this. Everybody haves to find for himself it.-

- so...maybe I must search my own answer and dont depend of the search 
of Aoshi-sama , are you saying it ?-

- I didnt say anything. All was Himura-san speech.-
- Well , sure he can be a philosopher of dojo... -Misao laughs again, 
and rise to her feets. The night is begining to falling -Do you want 
to stay in the Aoiya while youre in Kyoto,Seta ?-

Soujiroo waves his head smiling.

-Noo , thank you very much...but I pretend to leave tomorrow at night. 
Was nice to see you ,Makimachi-san.-

-Oi. . .Soujiroo , wait . You did saw me in my exercises. Himura says 
youre a match for him . What is your opinion?-

-Makimachi-san . . .youre pretty fast ,but no so fast as you can be.-

-What?- Misao blinks -Dont you did call TenKen for your fastness?- 

 - Well . . . if you tap your feet in this way before to jump you will 
have better balance and a good start. Shishio-sama did teach it to me.
Its called "Shuku-chi".Just maintain youre eyes in the point where you 
want to reach and your kunai hide till the last second.-

- oi...how many time it tooks to you learn it?-

- Six years. . .-

- oh.- Misao smiles to him in response- Damn. Well , since I'm messy, 
and youre planning to screw around for ten years , why when you find 
your Answer don't come to check my skills and remember our younger 
time in . ..well, this date in nine years ? Sure I will stay still in 
the Aoiya.-

-Sounds good to me. I'd like to see Himura-san too when I end my 
voyage.-

-Bah . Lazy . Sure he will have five childrens and a dojo to care for, 
in nine years from now.-

Theyre laughed downing the stone stairs to Kyoto . Soujiroo walks her 
to a few blocks from the Aoiya , and here he wait a second.

-Its better I go now. I was really happy of meet you, Makimachi-san.- 
says bowing. Misao returned the smile and holding his hand she strecht 
it.

- Hey , we will see sooner ,okay? And I teach to you a real Shuku-chi. 
But I promise not stab you again.-

-Ara. . .? okay. . .- the rurouni smiles to her a last time and 
dissapear in the street . Misao just looks at him a few moments and 
then rushes to home . She enters jumping in the inner garden of the 
Aoiya, and seeing Aoshi sipping tea cross legged looking the night sky 
she smiles to him and and go straigth to her room.

- Good nite Aoshi-sama.- says briefly, playing with some lavender 
flowers in her Oniwabanshuu uniform .

-Oh...oyasuminasai, Misao.-he awkwardly see her jumping to her room 
without more words -hmm well ,how was your kunai practice?-

-Fine,thanks - was the smiling answer and she dissapears without more 
in her room . Aoshi blinks , startled at her ...well...lack of...
babbling?. In someway feels strange saw her so adult and reservate, 
so...uncaring of him. Feels strange...strange and distasteful.

Hm.
Till late at night, and for many , many days , a reserved a smiling 
Misai with a happy secret keep tapping her tiny foot ,and gigling.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0OWARI!!!!o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0