Moonlight Spring Ritual

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.


Author's note:
Another day with one of the Ruruni Kenshin's beautiful couples - Aoshi and Misao. Ok. Just to make it clear that I, too, don't own them obviously. So let's give all the credit to Watsuki-sama coz he's the genuis behind of making the two of them. And that makes me very proud of him. (ehem) Enjoy reading it. And about the grammar, excuse me for it.

Summary: Two hearts – a broken and a confused one – were both searching for an answer to a question of love. Misao, all grown up, find herself entangled again to the one she both loved and gravely refused to see since that dreadful night, last 4 years ago at the Oniwabanshuu’s garden - Aoshi. Now that their paths crossed again because of one perplexed and unbelievable Makimachi ritual on a Sacred Spring dedicated to the Moon Goddess, will they ever be finally find the right answer?

Chapter 1 - The Ritual

The night was undoubtedly serene and dark sky had embraced the tiny light source of the endless twinkling stars and the fullness of the yellow moon. Upon the forest bed, the mist had half-shadowed its path while the trees were silently willowing from the smooth touch of the gentle north wind. Not afar from the Oniwabanshuu's mansion within the Makimachi's private forest lies an almost-hidden spring, known from its great healing purposes. It was long been exclusively used by the Makimachi family, the bearer/founder of the most feared and highly-respected omitsu spy group since the first dawn of their rule. And Misao, being the only left member of the Makimachi clan, had all the right to claim it as the current Okashira of Oniwabanshuu though she didn't infuse its whole ownership. It's in the tradition; with remorse, she said with an obvious wryly smile on her face, praying in time the tradition will be forgotten or be altered. Everyone should enjoy the healing benefits of the spring for it was gifted upon all of them by Mother Nature. On her early youth, she was greatly saddened upon knowing her adoptive older sisters, Okon and Omasu, cannot go with her to the spring due to strict rules of maintaining the tradition no matter what. First she insisted that it was just a simple hot spring. Why do they make a big fuss on making it so secluded to the use of the Makimachi clan? Named as Moonlight Spring due to its dedication to the Goddess of Moon, its moonlight visibly touches the vulnerability of the tranquil surface of the hot water. Misao knew that its beauty is breathtaking but she still can't simply find answers of why bother making it so sacred from the rest of the spring of Japan which in truth, were also been highly dedicated to the Moon Goddess. Where's the difference on that? For her, a spring is a spring and everybody should benefit on that. But the debate ended with her lips shut for being soon-to-be okashira must take the responsibility of keeping the tradition locked. Though she was known to be spiky and revolting girl, just this once she irritably surrendered to their laws. And those laws were strictly infused by her beloved and light-perverted guardian, Okina - her late father's right man. She had deeply cursed for that thought but held nothing to succumb. Since then, she had refused to take any of its discussion to rise and kept walked on the bright flow.

Misao, on her red rose-embroidered white yukata, was about to take heed for the waning waters of the Moonlight spring for her muscles, her whole body ached for its therapeutic services. She had worked all day to keep the Oniwabanshuu spy business all over Japan very intact and always on the go. She had also managed their busy restaurant, another means of income in Edo and covering the truth of their nature. Body and mind tensed, she also deserved to be pampered and this healing spring will do the good work. How she wished that she could just share it to her close friends. But a rule is a rule.

Alone, she walked at the easy stone-pebbled path of the forest floor towards the targeted place, under the bright shining full moon. At her arms held her personal bath toiletries, a towel and a newly given oriental handcrafted Sakura-plated comb owned by many generations of Makimachi clan (female ones to be exact), - a special gift last week on her 20th birthday. Its teeth were equally wide apart, inappropriate to be used as for everyday grooming. From its looks, it can only be used while bathing. And so, she had learnt where it is supposed to be used. Back in her visions, she could not paint the face of Okina, his expression while he gave the special old comb to her as a birthday present. Every elder in the dojo at that time was a bit teary but managed not to continue, avoiding much commotion from the rest of the Oni members. Oddly, it was like tears of happiness glowing in their hesitant eyes as if they were hiding from her of something she doesn't have to know yet. And if so, she'll find the answer to that. But enough of that for now for her concern on giving herself a fresh bath and renewed comfort were all in her mind at the top most.

Finally arrived, Misao was still amazed on how beautiful it was to see the elegancy and romanticism of the whole hot spring itself. The clear water emitted hazy smoke from its surface. At the far end of the spring lies bed of smooth metamorphic rocks where hot water flowed generously coming from the deep ground. Surely, it has all the right reasons why it had been offered to the Goddess of the Moon. The hot water seemed always fresh and its scent was of combination of rose and tulip petals. Its surface is undeniably clear and can visibly be seen its under contents even though the mist almost cuddled its top. Misao gasped upon seeing the healing spring after so many months of not visiting. It had been almost a year since she last came to this place. Tending so many of her responsibilities as an Okashira did take several of her free time since their proclamation as the rightful leader at the tender age of 16 because of her birthright, demanding all of her efforts to maintain the strength of the Omitsu spy group that her clan strongly built. Somehow, she often had felt lonely for being the only one left from the line of the Makimachi's. Close or not, no blood relatives had claimed the bond. No one to call her own but herself. But still, she was thankful for having some people, particularly Okina, her adopted older sisters and some of her close comrades, to be there for her in times of need and support. Their presence is enough.....for now.

Thinking that no one, non-pure Makimachi member, will dare to step a foot in the secluded sacred area of the Moonlight Spring, Misao gently took off her yukata from her slender body, baring her all, and laid it into the closest dry ground of rocks. The night's half chillness had suddenly embraced her womanly frame, making her a bit shivering.

"Damn, it's cold." she muttered as she was about to dip her right foot into the hot water of the spring to counter the feeling of chillness of the late night.

The aura of the starry night, hazy fumes of the mist, and the soothing hotness of the crystal water embraced Misao’s lean body as she moved into the spring like a goddess descending from the heaven. Slowly, she made her way almost to the middle of the spring, seemingly playing to the warm still waves. Her slender body had been evolved into much an enticing one. After so many years of being branded as a girl possessing a boy’s body, time came that she had developed into a young beautiful lady. That she had been made from an ugly duckling turned into a swan, as many of her friends and followers – even Okina would have described it.

Having both of the arms covering her full breasts, she still felt the coolness of the air surrounding the spring though her lower body soaked in its warm water. And judging from her possession of curves on her body now, men will really find it so inevitably tempting on inviting her to bed and be their wife as soon as possible, claiming her with full intent. Her hair had grown vibrantly since she had seldom braided it, freeing it from the past fashion of hair in her teenage years. Pony tied with a violet ribbon, her hair, with her spiky bangs, was as long as before but shined differently. And about her skin, though devious work had made its damages on her as a ninja but it never did make much of a difference. It radiated even more, like a supple snow leaving the clouded skies. Her height had also been noticeable. Having long possessed the height of a 13 year old teenager during her middle teenage years now come a tall – about 5’7” or so - curvy woman like her adopted older sister, Okon. A late bloomer as she was, she didn’t make so much of a fuss becoming so cocky. The point is, she really did change into a woman that she long had wished since….since that day….the day she wouldn’t be able to forget as long as she lives.

With her smooth creamy arms and hands waving in the air, she slowly removed her violet ribbons on her long black shiny hair, releasing into its captivity. She massaged her scalp, brushing with her fingers as if to assemble the rest of her hair into more openly state, freeing. Upon doing so, her curvy body had arched from the tenderness of the touch of her long hair into skin, especially at her back. It had cascaded freely like a gentle leaves wavering in the arms of the tree’s branches against the contact of the gentle wind. Remembering that it was her favorite ribbon from the rest of her collection, she went back into the shore of the spring to put it aside to avoid of being soaked without hovering herself up from spring’s water. She also had remembered the Sakura-plated comb Okina had gave her on her special day. Stretching her body to reach it within the covers of her yukata, she took it with ease.

“It will be such a great waste leaving you here since your duty is to soothe my hair away from tangles. And nothing else.” She chuckled as she was about to head her way back to the center of the spring. “My hair needs you.”

Upon arriving, she lowered her body from the warm water and bent her head to endure the water into her hair. It was a soothing feeling to have the water slide down from her head to her arching body as she flew her hair open, seemingly playing with its water calmness, and the tiny droplets of it had soared from the atmosphere like thrown diamonds in the air. Her sweet humming came along as she soothingly squeezed the water out in her damped hair and bangs and held right her gift comb into it. The sound of her voice was very angelic, so hidden for no one had known that it came from an Okashira of the most feared organization of spies. It was so secret that few of her closest friends and companions knew her talent of singing for she didn’t want them to know on first basis – it will only mark her for being a weakling. Any all too womanly instincts will drive a great commotion to her subjects about her being a strong leader. At first, a woman leading the Oniwabanshuu was a great ordeal but no left male Makimachi had to take its place for her. She has to be strong; all for the benefit of both parties – she and her loyal subject and comrades. Sometimes, she even think that people in this era were too involve much into old ways that the idea that women cannot fight for their own, stand for their own rammed into the heads of egoistic men. Men and women are created differently. Each has its own assets and liabilities. So why do women have to receive much of the bad credit above all? What the heck! More important, she had already made her point of being a good and strong okashira for the organization. She had 4 years of governing them to prove it and during those times, nothing seems to be a great problem that left unsolved/dealt with. She had conquered it every one of them with flying colors. And in that basis, she need not have a man to stand beside her to help her in every step of her way in attaining the balance and the power of her secret organization that her clan had established. But nevertheless, on that thought, something must have been bothering her deeply. And that was….

Continuing her simple lovely hum, she closed her eyes as she brushed the special comb into long beautiful black hair for trice and finally pinned it up into the back of her hair. Though the comb’s teeth were very much separated from each other, it had managed to pin itself deep into her luscious thick hair. With her hands left free, she cupped amounts of water and splashed it into her face down to her silky body while she arched, stretching her spine, The water had given her much comfort from the start her charming white foot touched its cozy surface. Splashing the spring’s water into her had enticed much of her imagination that she was like a fairy or God’s maiden who took pleasure of having all these for a small moment of her life, pampering. She liked the idea but somehow,sicksickened her a bit. An Okashira shouldn’t do that. She suddenly sighed. Once again, she splashed water on her face then to her body. She then cupped another, gently wetting her shoulders, chest area and her slim abdomen. Her moves were like an enchantress, or better so, a temptress. Her hands glided into her smooth skin, probing the roundness of her breasts then to her navel as she stood pompously in the middle of spring wearing nothing under the comforting sight of the waning full moon for the thought that no one will be seeing her like this for it is forbidden to have a person lurking in this side of her property unless she/he is also a Makimachi. She enjoyed the smooth cascading of the water into body, down to her belly when something had twitched from the other end of the spring. But she didn’t mind at all for it might be an animal passing by on that side of the spring. No one, a human particularly, could possibly be entering the Moonlight Spring’s sacred area for it will result on their death and nothing more.

The moon had given her enough illumination on that night and the twinkling stars had also helped. It was a good night, she muttered to herself. The cool breeze had been there on her side but it didn’t matter as long as she stayed on the warmness of the spring’s water. The huge bountiful trees had given her also much secure from the watchful eyes of the public, so as with the ones living in her mansion – her headquarters. All in all, it was an awesome sight to take refuge until someone broke in.

The water of the spring had been sending an echo of waves towards her but she hadn’t noticed it. She was preoccupied with diluting herself from the therapeutic relieve the water was giving unto her. Her omitsu senses were down and all she wanted was to be at this comfort zone – a peaceful moment with nature. Still with eyes closed, her hands had moved smoothly into her inner thighs for a moment then went back to her slim abdomen then up to her rounding twins, massaging, as her head tilt having it lifted to her right side. From the mist, a shadow had appeared before her with towering height. It blocked the moon’s light upon her and with that, her senses came back as she instantly jerked her head at front, opening her attended eyes to view the one who defied her privacy.

“What the?” Full of confusion, she couldn’t find words to detest the one who entered the Makimachi’s sacred realm, the one who was standing right before her as she was all naked, stripped into nothingness before the culprit’s eyes.

The culprit was a man, not just a man but a soaring and well-built one, and he instantly took her into his broad arms with much possessive blow. None in her memories had such being possessed by a strong man into much great force…probably immense emotion. She was held captive by those arms and she didn’t know what to do. But there was definitely something different from this man but nevertheless, it wasn’t good idea to invade her, especially into this situation being naked and entering a forbidden area. This is absolutely a plot of raping her under this sacred place and she had to do something quick before everything, her luck, falls out on her.

“Let me go!” She yelled at him as her hands slid between her and his chest, trying with all her force to break free but all was in no avail. He was too strong to make her yanked away from him. “Let me go, you insolent fool! AH!!! Let go of me!!!!” Her feet and legs were struggling against his might as the culprit did nothing but wait. Wait for what?

But where did the strength of a well-respected Oniwabanshuu’s Okashira go? She had all the abilities to detain this man away from her and punish him so deadly but the man…the man was still calm, holding her so tight. She had to do something. She had to get free no matter what for no Makimachi will be hold on with such great violation of humanity….violation towards her being a woman. She will do her best even if it comes to her death.

In a moment, the culprit spoke as to give his side of the words. “Such a long time not seeing you, little Misao.”

Little Misao? What in the world? No one called her that now a days for she had become the Okashira. She was called by that long time ago, back in the days of her sweet childhood. Okashira Misao was much suited to her now, she strongly assured, since the time she was held as their leader. Suddenly her thought had come to a halt for only one man in her life called her that. And that was….

Slowly, her head spun to meet his gaze to look further into the sha. He. Her eyes widened in shock as hers probed his facial features. It was indeed him, the man she both loved and….. “AOSHI?!”

Her voice, so as with her whole body, were still trembling. Aoshi? What in the world made Aoshi come into the Makimachi’s sacred spring? No doubt that he knew the rules for entering the prohibited place. They were all taught of that since of their first training and serving under the Oniwabanshuu. No one has to enter in this revered realm except the real member of the Makimachi clan as it was stated earlier. Aoshi. Why? Is he both foolish and eager enough to meet his fate of dying? All intruders of this place must die for they had desecrated the spring. That was the rule and no one is above it unless….

“What are you doing in here? You know that our law prohibits any entrance and use of this spring from any non-pure Makimachi blood.” With eyes seemingly also diluted, she expressed her other words of worry and maybe of sympathy, looking straight up on him. “Now they may have you dead because of your foolishness.”

“I’m afraid that will not come, little Misao.” He retorted as he still embraced her into his arms.

“And why is that? And please! I am not your little Misao anymore!” Deep inside, she was greatly hurting as she said those harsh words to her beloved. “Address me as your Okashira and nothing else!” But her eyes became fuming.

“Right now,” his gaze went on to her face, down below her enticing looks of nakedness, “it might not be the case.” He then grinned.

“What came into you? I’ll spare you to your death if you release me from your arms.” Somehow, she didn’t want him to do it. She wanted him in every manner – this close to her skin. There was this urge in herself that she wanted to be free…free for her to have him. But reality bit her harsh that she shouldn’t. “No one will ever know.”

“But someone had already known that I am here, in the Moonlight Spring, with you.”

“What? You are lying!” Suddenly she noticed that she wasn’t the only one who was all too naked under the bright full moon; even Aoshi was stripped into nothingness. The water on his body was luckily below on his belly, enough for her not to see his…Good! Oh my GOODNESS! “You mean?!!!”

“Yes! I am here to see you.” His right hand cupped her startled face and with his thumb, he wiped the dues from her left cheek.

“You are here to….t-to…t-t-to…” Her eyes were still shocked and her slender body cannot move away. She was stammering for God-sake! Why have to be now?

Aoshi slowly bent his head towards the maiden of the spring to kiss her ruby lips. Misao was even more shocked after receiving his. This shouldn’t been happening. Aoshi? From all the people in the organization, in the world, why have to be him? Why is he doing all of this crap? For all she knew that this wasn’t him at all.

His lips surged the tenderness and sweetness of Misao’s lips, beginning to ravish her. Inch by inch, he wanted them to be apart to give her his full sensation of this whole idea being all naked and aroused at the sight of her. He couldn’t control more of his emotions as he had watched her from the other side of the spring silently waiting. He had been there since before Misao arrived in the spring. Aoshi was mutely waiting for her, gambling his dearly life just for the sake of seeing her…. once more. Why have to be here? In the first place, what motive does he have for her? It must not have sex alone, right? And in another perspective, he should somehow wait her back in the mansion after she does her relaxation in the Moonlight Spring. He should have used his head in the first place for all of this was fully forbidden…unless……

The mist around them suddenly became thinner and thinner as the two of them became more exposed to the view of the surroundings, under the full moon. Her whole world was collapsing before him. She could not move away from his embrace. His tongue made its way inside of hers; she could feel it. He was mingling his with hers like a hand molding towards a ceramic earth turning it into a shapely elegant pot. Aoshi’s hands also made its way towards her arching back as he lingered more of her essence with a groan. And with the same hands, it had also come upon her curvy buttocks caressing, making her scream but instead she also groaned from her deep ecstasy. What Aoshi had been doing was truly startling her very much. This wasn’t true of him but a dream. Aoshi was making these things too unbelievable for her to consider. For all she knows since that dreadful day, Aoshi didn’t want her. She deeply knew that in her heart which made her mind and heart so confused. This wasn’t him at all. All of these were all too confusing and it’s stabbing her extremely.

She reluctantly released her mouth into his as words escaped from hers. “You are not the Aoshi-sama that I once knew. What did you do to him?”

“I….” Aoshi suddenly realized that all of these were due to her enticing sexiness that made him stripped off from his clothes. In the first place, this wasn’t supposed to happen. He came here to talk to her about the RITUAL. He wanted to make things a lot easier for the both of them. But his carnal needs took over his head since he saw her whole naked against the vastness of the nature before her – before his every own eyes. She just stood in the middle of the spring, projecting an invitation to take her though that wasn’t the idea. It was his whole perspective. Judging from the way she changed, the way she had grown into a woman and how she skimmed her slim hands into her body made him forget that this woman was once his little Misao he had long cared for. Suddenly, he felt disgusted with himself. This should not be done into a woman he cherished….continue to be cherished. “I…I’m still your Aoshi-sama.” With voice was a little bit stern.

“No, you weren’t.” Finally, she had managed to get away from his embrace. Two steps back, she had finally saw the light into his face, seeing all of his quiet expression. “You just don’t do this. You just don’t do this without a reason. And the reason that I know was too much contrasting to the one you are acting right now.”

“Is that so?” He saw again her nakedness before him. Misao surely had forgotten that a man had also nothing on was simply viewing her. Her mind was set into him more on why Aoshi had been doing this to her.

“You don’t love me. And we both know that.” Her voice was like a guf thf the lonely wind.

A chill wind past through them making Misao suddenly realized that she was showing her all into Aoshi’s eyes. She instantly hid her breasts before him as her damped hair flew right in front of her, helping it to hide more. But the chill wind didn’t affect Aoshi at all instead, Misao’s words did. It had pierced through his heart for God knows why.

“Is that because of that incident last four years ago on your birthday?” His eyes became frigid as he took his view away from her.

Misao didn’t answer. She just fled away from his presence, just to get the hell out of there – so far away from him. But Aoshi’s right hand gripped her wrist in time and yanked her back to him as he gave her another dark look of his cold blue eyes. Don’t do this…she said to herself pertaining to him. They will just be carried them away from each others flame moments. Not like this…

“I too don’t know what was happening to me,”

“You are doing this because you can’t accept that….that….I’m so over you!” No that wasn’t true at all. No….no…no….

Aoshi scanned her eyes as hers was a bit shaky. He knew for the fact that she was lying. She was indeed lying from him and he wanted the test it more if it was true. He kissed her once more in her moist lips. At first she was struggling away from him but as his tongue made its way inside of hers, her arms and legs for battling him came into an end. She came into him like a whimpering damsel looking for love. No. This shouldn’t be happening. An Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu should be strong – stronger than this but….As Aoshi kissed her intently under the fullness of the bright moon, one of his hands cupped one of her rounded twins searching for her nipple. It was a success indeed. He had playful twitching its tip making her groaning from what he was doing into her. Oh my….This wasn’t right at all. He didn’t love her at all, for all she knew. Is only her body that all he wants? If so, she must not let him. But his caresses made her weak…too weak to repulse him. With expert hands, he probed the wonders of her breasts and slim body. Indeed, Misao had changed a lot since the time….the time he had left her again last 4 years ago. She had become indeed a teess ess hiding in an Okashira’s clothing. But that wasn’t the only thing. He noticed that her personality had become stronger which it truly more attractive than her new looks. She indeed became a beautiful swan – a person – or better yet a woman before his eyes. And this new Misao is his Misao – now and forever.

“Don’t do this.” Misao had managed again to escape from his sexual caresses. “You shouldn’t be for you don’t love me.”

“I too was puzzled on what I am doing unto you. Yes, you are right. I shouldn’t be doing this to you.” For a moment, he didn’t loose his hands on her…on her left breast and the other on her right shoulder.

Reluctant like his, Misao’s hands caught both of his to turn them down away from her body. She turned away from his, backing from his view. As she trudged to the shore of the spring, Aoshi had spilled something. “You had asked me why I am here a while ago.”

“Nani?” she asked without turning her head towards him. She continued to trudge her way towards the dry shore where her yukata and the rest were settled.

“I am here to see you.”

“Yeah, yeah. You should be doing that on the mansion, not here. But don’t worry. I am not telling everyone that you had violated the law if that worries you to much.” Misao rose from the warm water of the spring which had indeed became colder than before she entered.

“I have no such worries on that for I have permission, Misao.” His face began to enlighten as he set his eyes back on her while she retrieved her yukata on the dry rocks.

“Permission?” Suddenly, she halted from her position, still naked.

“Yes.”

“No. It can’t be. If that’s the case, you should be giving me the…”

“This?” Aoshi took the gold locket hanging on his neck. She hadn’t noticed that he had that on his neck. My goodness! That was his ticket for free entrance – the golden locket of the Makimachi’s.

“You can’t be…” Her voice began to tremble, as her body surged in. “That’s unfair. You are all unfair!” She sniffed and continued. “You came to….no, you shouldn’t! Why did you take it?! In the first place, you have no motive for you to be here! This isn’t true at all! No! No! No! I won’t let this happen!”

“I had come to see…” his gaze turned away from her as he detected tears coming out from her eyes. But the urge of comforting her ruled his impassive personality. He trudged into the shore of the spring to where the mn lin lies shocked and very confused. “I am here to close the ritual. Everything that had happened here between us a while ago came because of my…..and I am deeply sorry for that. In other words, it should not have happened and it wasn’t in my plan to ravish you. I am suppose to stop the whole ritual for I….I…” he could not find the right words to make it easier for her to understand but nevertheless, he already knew that she knew what the golden locket of the Makimachi’s signified for. “But nevertheless, I am here because I was chosen to be your husband.”





to be continued.....