Of Roses, Scent And Rain

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLY: I ABSOLUTELY DON'T own any of the characters from Rurouni Kenshin. And I DON'T make money out of this. This is for entertainment purposes only.



Chapter 13





Her stuff toys, bulky and tiny, had occupied most of

her room’s space. Though most of the times her older sisters scolded her

for having such plenty nuisance to her small room, it didn’t bother her

much because all were special to her, even if it was given by someone

close or bought by herself, equip by a particular reason. Neatly

arranged just at the head, right after the bed’s dashboard, Kokoro stared at

them blankly, temporarily removing herself to the real world. The word

“special” kept ranting on her head, on her ears as she continued. This

seems to be pretty abnormal for her – for her character – but she’s

beginning to cope with it anyway, of being silent for quite sometime. And

thinking about that “special” thing kept her secluded from the real

world for a meantime.



Stars at night appeared superbly at the sky, joining

the calmness of what Kokoro was feeling at that particular moment. A

sudden cool zephyr entered her domain and quite affected her of its

frigidness. And because of this, her trance abruptly ceased. She had shivered

from the unexpected unseen visitor from the outside territory and had

given a sudden thought at the back of her mind the similarities of what

she had just sensed to her skin, to what she was currently feeling from

within herself – to her heart.



Trapped from her big fluffy pillow, she made her way

out, rousing away from the smooth sheet of the bed after thinking so much

about that something. What was that something she’s been thinking

anyway?



Before closing the exposed window, she took a deep

breath, capturing every essence of the night’s solemn dew. It was nice and

warm feeling for her to do so, especially at times when something

bothers her so much. A view at her front, two Roses, red and white one,

shined majestically as the moon’s light beamed directly at the crystal

vase’s slender body. She had noticed it, becoming aware to the Roses’

captivating glow and charm which is quite unusual from most of the roses’

life span.



‘What keeps you glow like that for a long time?” she

asked bluntly her roses. “Maybe because of…”



Three knocks from the door was heard and by that,

Kokoro quickly snapped, turning her attention towards the visitor at the

door then walked to it. So much for privacy in this house…But it didn’t

bother her anyway.



She was about to open it when suddenly, the visitor came in. It was her

older sister Okon, now entering the scene.



“Time to have dinner, Kokoro,” she reminded as she

looked directly to her sisters’ eyes, waiting for her to answer.



Silence for moments is what Kokoro gave upon, which did

startle her sister Okon a little. She sat at the edge of her bed and

said, “Thanks, Onee-chan, but I’m not hungry. You go on, be with

Omasu-neechan. I would like to take some rest now.” She then yawned deeply.



“It’s quite early to have a sleep, Kokoro,” she

demanded, checking the time at her wristwatch. With a confusing look towards

her younger sister, Okon went close to her and held a hand to check her

body temperature on her forehead, then to the sides of her sleek neck.



“What’s the matter, Onee-chan?” she asked her,

seemingly very clueless.



“Oh nothing,” said Okon, “just checking if things are

alright on you.”



“Including my temperature?”



“Yep! Including your temperature, little sis,”

acknowledging her statement.



“Well….,ok,” she never instigated more .



After checking, Okon walked back to the door and faced

Kokoro. “If there’s anything bothering you, feel free on telling it to

us.” She winked.



“Sis,” Kokoro retorted. “I don’t have anything else to

tell you, guys. I just want to go to sleep. That’s all”



As Okon perceived a straight and doubting look through

her eyes, and then concluded that there’s nothing left to be bothered

about her. She just needed a sleep, as she have stated. Teenagers! So

much for youngsters for being secretive these days!



“Okay.” Okon spoke as she grabbed the doorknob. “But if

you want anything or hungry, just call us.” With a wide smile, she

finally closed the door and went back to the kitchen to help out Omasu

fixing up their dinner.



Finally, Kokoro have achieved peace on this troublesome

day. After all that happened, she has all the right in the world to

take things at rest. She went back to her bed, and then slept soundly.







*******





Morning at school, everyone was staring at her in shock. Having seen

her like that would dearly get stunned and worried for the upcoming

Kempo competition for their school. Many thoughts and doubts had risen from

their selfish brains upon seeing their star player having an injury.

Kokoro tried not to get carried away from their obvious concerns and

useless pity. Thinking all will be over on a day or two; she just walked

with all her confidence to her classroom, although she’s cramping up, and

sat quietly at her seat.



Swarms of students walked to her seat, circling her with many question

about her injury and how did it happen. Kokoro just continued remaining

silent, thinking that it is the best way to stop all these non-sense

concerns and questions. She closed her eyes and crossed her arms – a body

language of being annoyed which some students of the group caught the

idea. Some fled upon realizing it, while some stayed to continue the

annoyance and battling for sustainable information.



“Kokoro,” one of her classmate said, “come on! Tell us! What happened

to your ankle? That’s bad, you know. Our school might not be able to

join from the Kempo competition if that’s the case. Many of us are praying

for your win, for our school’s championship.” Other students replied

the same thought – over and over and over….



One thing was just well said – the win for the championship. Her injury

will bring about the failure to compensate or do battle with some other

school’s leading Kempo contestants. Why have to be now? Why have to be

it her? Ranting in her head are the possibilities of being a huge

failure for her school. And with all these, her facial responses were

immediately seen by the others around her. So much for being silent for a

long time, which is not the true character of our protagonist.



A male student standing next to her left shoulder suddenly warned the

emblem of Kokoro’s wrath. “Hey! I think we should let her have her peace

now,” he timidly looked to his wristwatch. “The teacher’s coming now.

It’s already time for class. Get back to seat!”



All of the students got back to their respective seats, feeling a bit

dissatisfied to what they have just gone through. Asking for a little

bit of information won’t do much damage for the person involved. Why does

she have to be silent about? They smell a controversy in here. Many of

them thought that it was sabotage from their competitors for all they

know that Kokoro’s the best when it comes to Kempo Arts. Some did assume

that it was just her way to make things dramatic or could be just her

escape route from any possible worries for the upcoming interschool

competition, or maybe yet, she had done over practice or a silly

‘accident’.



All of Kokoro’s classmates remained silent as they waited for their

adviser. Suddenly, Kaoru arrived, catching her breath after all the

running she had done through the hallways.



“Yay!” Kaoru shrieked. “I made it!” she looked at Kokoro and smiled

widely. She went to her seat, which is beside Kokoro’s.



Upon seating, she momentarily saw the huge bandage to her ankle. “What

is that? How come you have that on your ankle?”



“I have an injury obviously,” she spoke lowly, her eyes looked

straightly at the blackboard.



“And why is that? How come?” Kaoru continued interrogating.



Everyone of the room looked back at Kokoro, anticipating for her

response. People never stop until they get what they want. Kokoro was,

again, remained silent. But as she was about to tell the incident, the cause

of her injury, their teacher came rushing and ordered them to open

immediately their textbooks on Calculus – the most hated subject from

their class except for Kaoru.



“So,” Kaoru insisted, “what’s the story behind to that? He has

something to do with that, right?” she began giggling.



“Start opening your book, Kaoru,” said Kokoro.





*******



Dismissal. Same environment like every after class. All of the students

quickly cleaned their stuffs on each of their own tables to get home.

Kokoro’s classmates didn’t insist on having her side of story about the

injury she had on her ankle. So much for being informative. So much for

Kokoro’s friendly response.



The school was almost empty of people. Some left persons are the

officials of the school, the students assigned for cleaning and students for

practice – and that includes the injured Kokoro.



“Do you have to go to your practice? I think, it isn’t good for you to

have one right now,” Kaoru eyed her friend’s bandaged ankle, smirking.



“You think so?” Kokoro responded coldly, grabbing her sports bag. She

started to walk towards the door, dragging herself out the room.



“Of course! Do you think your sensei will approve, letting you have

lessons for the practice with that state? Heck NO!” Kaoru ran after her

friend towards the exit, blocking her way out of it.



“Let me pass, Kaoru-chan. I have so many things to tend to, to learn

to. The competition is fast approaching and I haven’t got a formal

practice since that day, the day we first met in the gym,” shoving her friend

away from the edge of the door.



“No, no, you won’t! It will just worsen your injury, Kokoro-chan! Stop

playing hero to our school because it’s so stupid! They’ll understand!

They have to!” Kaoru was still blocking the doorway with her arms

spread unto the door’s frame. “From all the people here in school, you

should be the one to know what’s right when it comes to this.”



“And I chose this. So mind getting yourself out of the way, please!”



They were struggling with each of their strengths just to aim their

goals. No time to waste, on Kokoro’s behalf, while at Kaoru’s, her

friend’s welfare is more important than anything else. Some students passing

by were totally dense upon seeing them knocking each other at the

doorway. Suddenly, someone appeared at the rioted area. He stood right at

the back of Kaoru. The two girls continued their struggling.



“What is this?” A manly voice was heard.



Kaoru spoke at the man asking while trying to block her friends

way-out. “Can’t you see I’m busy? Try butting in later.”



“I want out! Move over, Kaoru! Don’t think that I am not capable of

tossing you to the corner because of my injury!” Kokoro yelled. Her head

was buried on her friend’s chest. “Don’t make me do this!”



“Oh sure, try me!” she challenged Kokoro.



Kokoro embraced Kaoru’s waist, holding it so tight to enable her to

throw her to the air. But as she was about to do it, Kaoru knew what do to

contradict her attack.



“Don’t make me do this to you.” Kokoro warned in a low voice, her

injury began to sting.



Her friend hissed. “You can do this just in the name of love on Kempo

training, the fear of losing and lost confidence, or for him.”



Kokoro was stunned upon hearing her friend’s words. She stopped from

further struggling and breathed fiercely after all the actions they had

done. Slowly, she sat at the floor and thought the words what she just

said right in her face.



“Was I doing it because of what?”



Kaoru kneeled down, facing her in a calming state. “Am I right?” she

breathed hoarsely.



“Huh?” Kokoro said, not paying enough attention for what her friend

just said.



“I said,” Kaoru brushed Kokoro’s bangs away from the view of her

confounded eyes. “Am I right?”



Kokoro remained silent for quite some moments, catching her breath. Her

words pierced through to her thinking and to her heart. Kaoru’s last

statement about the reasons why she had kept struggling to get to the

practice bothered her. Her sensei, Shinomori Aoshi, was the reason she had

been denying of her longing to do so.



“I, um,” she had mumbled, “sorry.”



Kaoru smiled. They both laughed upon knowing all was finally over.



“Tell me. Am I right about the last one?”



Kokoro pouted her lips, denying it dreadfully. They laughed stridently

again.



And about the man standing before at the back of Kaoru, he again

entered the scene. “Are you two girls alright? You two seem to have problems

on dealing with each other. Beating each other is not the option of

resolving it. I think both of you need a psychiatrist. Especially you,

Shiawase-san! You always tend to knock other people just to sort out

things with them who argue with your views. So much for being a war freak.”



“Shut up!” Both of the girls yelled at the man at the same time. “Mind

your own business!” Seconds after, they laughed hard.



The people around their vicinity immediately went on the separate ways

after knowing that everything seemed back to normal. Their sweet

laughter was heard from the corridors, echoing from the ears of the

passer-bys. The man interrupted them again.



“By the way, I came here to say that your special practice,

Shiawase-san, is cancelled.” He took his eye-glasses and cleaned it in front of

them.



“I told you, Kokoro. He wouldn’t let you have this training as long as

you have that injury.” Kokoro smirked.



“Yeah, yeah! You win!” Kokoro said in a defeating tone.



“Oh! And your sensei said that you have to be at front of the gate

after 10 minutes. I think he has something to tell you very important. He

likes you to be there on time.” He wore back his eye-glasses then

grinned. “Ok. That’s all. I have to go now. “



“Oh,” Kokoro was surprised. “Thanks anyway.”



“No problem. Ok. Bye then.” He waved a quick good-bye and left. He

screamed at other students who were caught vandalizing school’s properties.



“Hey,” Kaoru teased, “you have a date with your sensei. You never told

me that you were going out with him. So I was right! You have this

thing, this special feeling towards him.”



“Huh?” Kokoro kept on denying her feelings. “Well….”



“Well what? So I was right!” Her friend laughed and then helped Kokoro

stand. “There’s no need to hide anymore. I’m glad that my best friend’s

heart isn’t what I had thought to be.”



Another atmosphere enveloped the locker room. Kokoro’s heart began to

pump fast after what her friend had just said. Kaoru was right. She had

this special feeling towards her sensei but kept on denying the fact.

She was afraid to know the truth that she finally had fallen in love for

the very first time – to a man that she barely knew the wholeness of

his personality, his thoughts, everything about him except from for

one…the truth she heard days ago. Her face also began to blushed in crimson

as she kept on thinking what was just been felt. Was this thing right

for her to feel? She was afraid to know the answer for it but she’s

willing to go through this just to find out.



“Hey!” Kaoru clapped her hands twice to get her attention back.

“Suddenly, I am all alone on this room. What are you thinking? It’s him,

right?” she chortled. “It’s normal, you know.”



“What?” She had snapped.



“We all born and made to feel different reactions in life – we laugh,

cry, get pissed-off more often, and even love. So it’s normal to feel

things that were given to us. I can’t argue with you upon choosing this

man to be your…ehem…. lover.”



“Lover?!” Kokoro abruptly retorted, chocking.



“Okay! Okay! Let’s just say that he’s your ‘special someone’ in your

life. I’m happy that he was given unto you to be able to you to feel at

last the greatness of what love is. Sorry to tell you this for I had

thought that you wouldn’t be able to share your heart to someone else

because you are too naive….too impassive to the ones who are courting you

before. But hey! This guy you have fallen for hadn’t done any courting

towards you but you have fallen to him.”





“So in short, you thought that I’m not normal?” Kokoro said as she went

to her sportsbag to pick it up. “And what made you think that I have

really fallen in-love with him?”



“Well….if you put it that way. And stop denying!” Kaoru yelled. “But

I’m happy now that you are in-love.”



Love had been defined in many ages by any people that have based on

each of their views from their experiences and thoughts. Now Kokoro has

the right to define what Love is for her. After accepting the truth about

what she feels to her sensei made a wall between her sensei and her.

She now appears to have this shyness like the ones, other people, have

towards their special someone. Mixed emotions fled by, confusing

everything up on her mind and heart.



“You said that because you are also in-love, Kaoru. You can’t also hide

it from me.” She chortled lightly. “I have to go now. It will take me

months on getting there if I don’t go now.” Kokoro quickly fastened her

things up inside her bad and ready to go. She felt a little bit excite

and a lot more edgy.



“Excuses, excuses,” Kaoru stated.



“Will you help me with my other stuff?” Kokoro walked towards the

doorway.



“Why sure, princess. You shouldn’t keep you prince waiting, you know.”

Kaoru teased as if she knows what really going on with the two.



“We are not going-out, Kaoru-chan. Maybe he has something to say

important before we all go home.”



Kaoru remained still, projecting a doubting look towards her best

friend. “Still excuses, excuses…”





*******





Four students were talking with each other as they were about to make

their exit at the main gate. At the gate’s steel tubes, Aoshi stood

quietly with arms crossed. Wearing just plain black t-shirt and khaki cargo

pants, he didn’t mind whether the rust will stain his clothes. The

students bid their respectful goodbyes to Sensei Shinomori. Some school

girls giggled as they viewed his face, seeing his stern handsomeness. He

held a simple nod every time someone shows up, waving their farewell to

him. Though he was new in this campus, he had felt the respect from the

students well….not all of them to be exact. After the long wait, Kokoro

and Kaoru had arrived from the said place.



“It’s about time.” Aoshi said in a low voice, expecting for some back

fire from his student.



“I came here as soon as a heard your order, Sensei.” Kokoro tried to

bring back her normal composure, the one she usually held up for a normal

conversation.



“Good afternoon, Sir Shinomori.” Kaoru spoke in a respectful tone.



Aoshi gracefully nods like he had done before to many students who were

greeting him. He then turned his attention back to his perky student.

“And how’s your wound?”



“Better than yesterday, I think.” She sluggishly answered, thinking if

it’s worth telling to him.



“Wait here.” Aoshi commanded.



“Hey, Kokoro, I have to go now. I leave you now in his hands.” Her

friend giggled then simply walked away. “Good luck!”



“Hey! Don’t leave me hear! Darn it!” Kokoro tried to follow her friend

but Aoshi arrived, riding on a big motorcycle. The bike was so sleek,

shining in black. The engines roared marvelously, making passer by

students stopped and looked at its greatness. How in the world does their

sensei have this kind of awesome vehicle? Student circled him and his

bike, viewing and checking.



“Hop on.” Aoshi commanded in an icy tone. “No time to waste.” He wore

his black helmet.



Circling students immediately shove-off as they heard Shinomori’s

calling. Just by listening to his authoritative voice made her retorting

side came back to her senses. She was deeply embarrassed from the way her

sensei addressing her in public.



“What made you think that I will go with you?” Kokoro asked irritably,

crossing her arms from her chest.



“Stop whining,” with a stern voice, Aoshi took off his helmet, “just

ride. Do you want me to carry you to my bike in the public?”



He left her no choice but to follow his diction. What the heck does he

want to Kokoro now?



Many students passing by heard what Aoshi had said in the public. Some

lightly laughed, hiding their faces from Kokoro’s view while some,

pretended that they didn’t hear anything from it but laughing out loud

inside. With cheeks flushed in crimson due to received embarrassment and

anger, she walked reluctantly towards her sensei, deep in side cursing

him even more.



“Wear this,” Aoshi gave her a helmet, sort of a red color one.



“Geez….nice color,” Kokoro teased.



“Why, thank you,” Aoshi sarcastically replied. He helped her on her

bags. He took one of them and wore it on his back. He also helped her to

carefully hop on his big bike. Hurting her more isn’t a good thing to do

especially when he knows that she really is pissed-off. “Are you

ready?”



“Wait,” Kokoro arranged well her mini-skirt to avoid unexpected

humiliation from the fast wind.



“No one ever will see that.” Aoshi spoke as he was about to wear back

his black helmet.



“As if you care!” Kokoro retorted. “Mind your own business.”



“I am right now.” Aoshi sighed brusquely, reheating his motorcycle’s

engine.



With a large gruff sound coming out from his large bike, Aoshi order

the young lady to embrace him tightly which made her blushed again, not

because she was embarrassed or anger again, but the thought of having

him this close….very close to her bosom….very close for her to feel

everything of him. Words coming out from her sensei and the loud noise from

his bike were not heard by her. She kept on thinking about their

awkward situation.



“Hold on me tight,” Aoshi commanded, “I don’t want any stupid accidents

happen while I drive.” Harsh words were said but the sweet thought was

always there.



“Huh?” Kokoro snapped from her reverie. “What?”



Everything was settled except from Kokoro’s attention….and her hands to

embrace his broad waist. Aoshi, instead of answering her absent-minded

student, abruptly took her hands and made her forcibly embrace him

tightly without hurting her or so. He didn’t speak; just letting

everything fell on his actions. With swift moves he did, Kokoro silenced

herself, following what her sensei wanted her to do. She didn’t even dare to

ask where the place he will take her to. As long as she had him this

close, all was her freely to sense….feel.



“Let’s go.” Aoshi drove off with edgy Kokoro at his back.







*******



It felt so wonderful to ride on with him…. to feel him this close. This

kept on echoing on her mind as the motorcycle drove fast in the city’s

roads. The wind brushed through her, so as with Aoshi’s. With her head

attached on his broad back, she could almost sense his heartbeat even

though she wore a thick helmet. She slightly laughed but not wanting him

to hear her. Oh what the heck! Aoshi will not be able to hear her

anyway because of the noises coming out from his bulky bike, so as with

their busy surrounding or maybe.



“So fast,” she mumbled to herself. The wind had become icy shards,

piercing through her hands and almost exposed legs.



So fast, it is. But with this speed, Aoshi remained sturdy even he

received most it sharpness. He impassively ignored the pain and kept on

maneuvering the bike towards their targeted place. Suddenly, she

remembered what happened yesterday – yesterday with him. Having him up there

with her in the tree, hanging together as he held her close into his arms

tightly….this moment had that similar feeling for her.



After minutes of driving, Aoshi told Kokoro that they were nearing to

their destination. Upon saying, Kokoro reflexively embrace him tighter,

as she closed her eyes not wanting this all to end so soon. She could

almost smell his sweet fragrance like the ones she had encountered with

him before – strawberry mist, so womanly but cleanly. She had breathed

smoothly as she smelled his sweet essence. Aoshi felt the tightness

from his waist but didn’t mind to ask her why. He just made some few left

turns towards the place, leaving his full attention on his driving.



They finally arrived. The motorcycle stopped in front of a restaurant.

A restaurant? Aoshi took his black helmet off on his head and shook his

hair out, freely wavering in the air. Kokoro saw that and smirked.

Aoshi went off first on the bike then help the damsel out of it. He careful

scooped her up from her seat, unlike what he did a while ago in the

public. Why was that? Then he let her stand on her own and Kokoro was

fascinated on his gentleness on her. Aoshi picked up her bags and

immediately went inside the restaurant.



“Where are we?” Kokoro, with her helmet in her head, surveyed the

surrounding. This place was somewhat familiar to her. The frame, the

architecture, the landscaping, even the scent of the food serving…..it’s the

Aoiya! “What the?!”



Aoshi went inside as he carried her things. Everyone serving inside the

restaurant bowed slightly against him, showing great respect. Kokoro

saw it, having some questions hanging up in her head. She took off her

helmet and gently put it on Aoshi’s bulky bike. “He’s up to something. I

just don’t know what, “ she then followed her sensei inside the

restaurant.



The sun had almost set. The horizons of the sky had seen to be very

orange, and some parts are covered in almost violent. Birds chirped, but

the sound coming from the insects was heard clearer. The restaurant

continued their busy streaks while some were seen practicing their martial

arts avidly at a certain place inside Kokoro’s sensei’s mansion. Last

time, Kokoro saw several gardeners in the pathway towards the dojo. It’s

too dark now to the work. Surely tomorrow they will be, when the gentle

light of the sun shines through them again. Walking slowly towards the

dojo, she had lost the sight of his sensei.



“Where the heck is he?” Kokoro began to wonder the whereabouts of her

sensei. As she was about to enter the garden’s territory, she was

surprised. The view of the garden at sundown was so beautiful. All the garden

lights – foot lights and statue figures with lighting systems - and the

colors of the flowers had blended together like one huge work of art of

a talented artist. Her large eyes began to wonder as she made her few

steps inside of it. What a wonderful feeling to undergo that something

as gorgeous as this exist in this world….even more likely from her

sensei’s property.



“Whoa!” Kokoro went beside at one of the white roses. She smelled it

and smiled deeply.



Suddenly, someone rose from the field of white roses, and then

carefully walked towards the dojo without stepping on the said flowers. Kokoro

watched the person and realized that that person was Aoshi.



“Sensei?” Kokoro asked while kneeling from the ground.



“Follow me.” He coldly commanded. Each step he made was going towards

the other room – the room where Aoshi and Okina had their conversation

when Kokoro secretly hiding from a certain trap room, listening to

everything they were talking about.



Kokoro didn’t hesitate to follow though she felt a little bit edgy to

their current situation, trying to subtle her puzzling feeling. Her

sensei didn’t tell her anything about this. “Wait, Sensei Shinomori!”



Upon her arrival to the said room, shoeless Kokoro viewed the whole

space – its interiors, its frame. The shojis openness promoted a warm

welcoming towards her. The tatami mat’s design had an exquisite Japanese

taste, an oriental value. The arrangement of a certain altar was nicely

fixed, as if everyday someone comes here to clean and maintain it. The

walls were the same as charming as the other ornaments in the room –

plain but majestic. Kokoro sensed the ‘zen’ inside of this room where

there was so much of this sootiness like what she had always sensed

whenever she’s at the top of her big old Oak tree in the city park. She liked

it in here and baffled why for instance she has this feeling towards

this place. So homely and very loved for the first time she stepped on

foot on this room. At one part of the wall, she pierced a look. Behind

that wall, she remembered the silliness she did, the last time she went

on this place. Suddenly, she felt this shrill on her body – the visions

she saw behind that wall, inside at that dark and dirty room…..it gave her

endless questions about it. She continuously stared at the wall

blankly, not realizing that someone was already standing behind her – a quick

shadow. The person saw her fixed stare at the wall.



“Mind getting out of the way?” a manly voice was heard behind her.



Kokoro abruptly snapped out at her trance. She slowly turned her head,

looking at the person who just spoke. It was Aoshi!



“What the?!” she surprisingly said. “Since when have you been there?

How long?”



“Long enough to see something,” Aoshi brought a tray with cups and

certain small bags over it. “Have a sit.”



Kokoro’s eyes followed Aoshi inside the room. Her sensei sat down

carefully with the tray in his hand to the tatami mat. She then entered the

room and sat down opposite to him.



“What am I doing in here? He hasn’t told me anything about this. What

are we going to do in this place anyway?! Practice? No. We should have

been at the dojo instead.” Kokoro argued with herself.



“Is there anything troubling you?” Aoshi asked Kokoro while he started

performing something formal.



“Oh nothing,” Kokoro abruptly replied. She looked at what Aoshi’s

beginning to do. He’s doing the tea ceremony. Huh? But why?



“What are you doing?”



“Kind of obvious, isn’t?”



“A tea ceremony? What for?” Kokoro asked raising an eyebrow.



Aoshi didn’t reply but continued what he was doing. With sleek and

gentleness of the movements of his hands, Kokoro was quietly amazed on how

he does his ‘tricks’. Judging from his actions, he really knew what he

had been doing. Mixed art and fine formality…..he’s damn good at it,

what else does he can’t do? Oh…..the smile.



“Ah…eh….” Kokoro muttered.



Moments after magnificently performing it, Aoshi took a white rose

petal from a small bag and showered it through the tea. He gave the tea to

Kokoro in a formal tea ceremony manner. She took the tea cup hesitantly

but after seeing her sensei’s stern eyes, it moved her. The aroma of

the green tea mixed with white rose petals was very enticing. She smelled

it. Clueless of her sensei’s aim, she drank the tea whole in front of

him. The white rose petals stayed at its rim. After drinking, she gave

the tea cup back to her sensei.



“What now?”



Aoshi made another round of tea but this one was a little bit

different. After making a tea, Aoshi put again white rose petals then dropped a

diced herbal mold coming out from another bag, beside the white rose

petal bag. The diced herb melted after few seconds of being exposed to

the tea and somehow, it chain reacted. Bubbles were seen at the rim of

the cup, and then smoke emitted.



“Huh? What is that?!” Kokoro’s eyes narrowed as she saw something

doubtful. “I don’t want to drink that!” she added as she crossed her arms.



“Give me your injured ankle.” Aoshi coldly ordered her.



“Nani?”



As his serious eyes staring at her still, Kokoro momentarily ceased

from further questioning. Somehow, she had felt his solemn concern for

her….beginning to trust. Examining him from those impassive eyes, she

realized that there was nothing to fear but still have little doubts left

inside of her. Maybe…maybe with one smile from his face….maybe….all of

her doubts will fade. Just one simple serene smile was enough for the

bidding but unfortunately, none of it shown. She had to abide with the

thought that he will never share that for her. Then who will? Suddenly,

she remembered the two toddlers from Megumi’s daycare center – Ayame

and Suzume. Aoshi had smiled one time, but not that long, when both kids

happily saw and greeted him at one fine early morning. And with that

thought of seeing him like that had touched her deeply ever since.



Aoshi rose from his seat while Kokoro was at her trance again. He went

on her side, tapping her trice at her shoulder. Then he sat beside her

with a tea cup on his right hand. He once again spoke what he had said

a while ago, “Give me your injured ankle.”



“Huh?” Kokoro snapped from her thoughts and was a bit shocked that her

sensei was already at her side. She slowly rose from her seat on the

floor, positioning herself into a more comfortable one as she laid her

right leg towards him. She sat as she spread her legs apart then evenly

secured her mini-skirt, tucking it with her hands. After doing so, she

glared at Aoshi, seeing him watch her silly movements. An unexpected

blush came out of her cheeks. “Ano?”



Aoshi deliberately but gently touched her student’s smooth-skinned leg

without any malice. He massaged it with his thumb, sensing any of

troubling nerves inside of her. Kokoro watched him silently as he made his

solemn move to her legs. Then both of his hands clasped at her leg for

full massage. His touch was warm and inviting yet the coldness of his

personality still dominated. Her sensei removed her sock from her right

feet. He also took the bandage off at her injury. Kokoro felt a quick

stingy sensation. But after Aoshi put some of his tea mixed herb solution

at her wound, it had soothed her feeling. His callused fingers pressed

some delicate pressure points on her foot to lessen the pain she felt

and for her fast recovery. Deep inside, she moaned for it was a splendid

experience to have especially with a person you……cherish.



While massaging, Aoshi glimpsed at her student as she enjoyed the warm

feeling though she didn’t want him to see and to know that she really

do. She just closed her eyes and pretended like numb. Aoshi looked back

to her petite feet, still massaging. Kokoro’s eyes opened lowly as if

something made her to do so.



“Ah….sensei,” Kokoro opened up, “you don’t have to do this. It will

just heal in a matter of few days.”



Aoshi remained silent, still massaging her ankle and feet.



Kokoro continued, “You shouldn’t have bothered on doing this. Instead,

you should have given the medicine herb to me then I can do it all by

myself, you know. You just have given the instructions and the

ingredients. Hehe…”



Still, Aoshi ignored her.



“Ano…are you listening to me?”



Her sensei perceived a quick stare at her then went back to what he’s

been doing.



“Ano….thank you.” Kokoro hissed with all her heart, “for the kind

deed.”



He continued massaging her foot and ankle but in his eyes, it obviously

glowed. Something in him had moved. Lucky for him, Kokoro didn’t notice

that special moment. His eyes were hidden from her view to see. He

didn’t want people to know….to see…to feel….about him, of his sudden change

of happy reaction. For him, it was his sign of weakness….of defeat.



“Try to relax you foot,” Aoshi answered as he shifted the position of

her foot for more comfort, both for him and her, “this won’t take too

long.”



Meanwhile, Okina was practicing his walk at the dojo’s platform with

Shirojou as his guide. He stopped as soon as he saw Aoshi with a lovely

girl sitting beside him…..massaging her foot. Massaging her? “Who is

she?”



Shirojou lively answered, “Oh! She’s the master’s special student.”



“Special, huh? That close?” Okina gave a doubtful stare towards the two

without them knowing. His pervasive side had risen from his dirty old

mind again. “Let’s see about that.” Okina smirked.









tbc.......