Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Honest Nothing ❯ The Other Half ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters really, but I did play with them to fit into my twisted story. Aiko belongs to Ione_girl.

A/N: Phew, now that was sorta hard to write. But besides all that, the story is FINALLY getting to the good stuff. It only took me like, what, six chapters to do so! And now college is starting to get really stressful, so my chapters may start coming a little slower. But I don't really know, so don't hold me to that.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Honest Nothing

Chapter Six:

The Other Half

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Laments of Love

The look from your eyes

Always, unwanted goodbyes

I feel your lips so close to mine

A sensation yet so divine

Passion unspoken on your lips

My control nearly slips

My eyes gaze into yours

Suddenly my heart soars

Tenderness is in your touch

I need you so much

My breath is heavy, uneven

Please don't tell me your leavin

All I want is to be next to you

But I don't know what else to do

Help me I shouldn't feel this way

In your arms I want to stay

To hurt others I cannot do

All I want is to stay with you...

~*MysticInca*~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If he tried hard enough, he could almost imagine that the woman sitting in front of him was actually the one he had met so long ago. That her time hardened face would smooth out to that of the sixteen year olds. To the one who he had cherished with every waking moment. But try as he might, she didn't change, and continued to be the same.

Okita realized that though they shared the same body, they were still two different individuals. Only, the one he had known seemed lost to him forever. Buried underneath layers of hate and pain. He would have given everything to save her from what it was that had changed her so.

He continued to smile, to laugh at the parts of the story that awoke happy times. But still he wished that time and fate had not been against them. That they were still nine years in the past, enjoying the simple pleasures of one another's company. But even as he continued to laugh and smile, somehow it all felt like a lie to him, more so than it ever had in the past.

For all that, he was most sorry for.

Aiko wondered why it was that Okita seemed to be the same now, as he was when she had first met him. His appearance may have altered, but one could only expect that time would do that. His smile, his laugh, all of it brought back the feelings she had thought were long since dead. She knew that she had cared for him then, possibly even loved, but she had worked so hard after they had been torn apart to kill those feelings.

As she listened to his voice ring out in bursts of laughter, she could feel the ice chip and melt. Leaving her with a sense of vulnerability. It made her feel open, it made her feel like she was once again swept away in the magic that surrounded him. But most of all, it made her love him even more. And that was the worst punishment she could ever deal to herself, as she would never be allowed to live a happy life with him. Never. She cursed herself as she found that she would forever be doomed to hope for the life that she never had the chance to live. She cursed herself for wanting to relive the past with him. But above all, she cursed herself for loving him.

For all that, she hated herself more.

* * *

If you placed the day into a mathematical equation, and subtracted the person called Aiko, then the day would have followed along quite normally. After that mornings strange occurrences everything could just not fall into place as it should have. Her mere presence seemed to cause those select few who knew about her to walk as though they carried a dull blade. It was quite annoying really.

Hijikata sighed to himself, 'She's a nuisance.'

He sat in his room, a cup of cold tea placed infront of his prone form. His thoughts, which would under normal circumstances be centered on his role of in the Shinsengumi, now centered on the thorn in his side. Which oddly enough, presented its self in the form of an adolescent woman.

'Something must be done.' And that something, he was almost sure of but not quiet. He couldn't allow her to freely walk around, the men would think of her as another prostitute thus causing their focus to wane more than it already had. Nope, definitely not. He could give her a job, but from what the reports had to say about her, he didn't believe that she would prove useful serving food and tea. So if not those two options, then what?

Hijikata gave a moment to contemplate the advantages of just throwing her out would be. Probably few, as Okita would likely run out and grab the little harlot to bring her back.

This Aiko was starting to give him a headache.

Then, quiet suddenly, the answer became clear to him. If she couldn't serve food or walk around, then she would just simply have to stay in her room.

'Erm, well, Okita's room that is.'

For some reason, Hijikata disliked that option the most . . .

~ * ~

Aiko could almost live like this, with Okita constantly looking up on her. Bringing her food when she was hungry and tea when she was thirsty. It had been roughly around three months since she had last had a decent meal, so this was a welcome change to her. The only down part was that her side ached enough to keep her appetite at bay, and Okita's constant worry was starting to give her a headache.

But besides all that, she could live like this, like a goddess Okita seemed almost willing to worship.

Aiko's eyes scanned the surrounding walls, taking in their blankness. She listened as the noises from outside her shoji slowly lessened in intensity. Life outside seemed to be finally slowing down. It was a wonderful reprieve from the ruckus that kept her unable to sleep.

A slow, almost tentative knock spurred her away from her thoughts and to the silhouette of the man behind the shoji.

"Come in." She hesitantly spoke, bringing her covers up to more fully cover her body as she did so.

~ * ~

Okita casually strolled into Hijikata's room, Saizo comfortably resting in the crook of his arm.

"You wanted to see me Hijikata-san?"

Hijikata looked up and regarded at the almost childish man standing in his shoji.

"It's about Aiko-san . . ."

~ * ~

Strangely enough, Aiko wasn't surprised when Okita opened the shoji and walked in. The pig though, was enough to send her mind reeling. But besides all that, she wasn't in the mood for Okita's cheerfulness. She wanted sleep, and sleep she would be sure to have.

"I'm not really hungry right now, but thank you anyway." She said almost tentatively. Cause well, you know, she didn't see any food around and was almost scared of the other reasons he could be coming to see her.

Okita chuckled softly before sitting down next to her futon. A slightly worried look crossed his face as his gaze traveled down to Aiko's injured side.

"Your bandages need to be changed."

Aiko unconsciously placed her hand over her side as she visibly tensed. She was NOT going to let Okita change her bandages. True, he had been the one to originally put them on her, but she hadn't been awake at that time to protest.

"I know."

Okita looked at her bewilderedly, his lavender eyes blinking twice as he starred at her sitting form. He was slightly confused when she answered in such a way, as to give the impression that she didn't care if he changed her bandages himself. Saizo, the mischievous pig, was set down by his master's side and per usual glared. Cautiously moving toward Aiko, his hands went for the blanket that covered her bandages from him.

Watching and noticing the movements the man by her was making, Aiko's eyes narrowed a bit. She inched slowly backwards as his hand continued on its gradual course toward his once blanket.

Okita's eyes widened a bit more at her movements away from him, bringing a more childish look to his face. He wasn't quite sure, but he suspected she was playing with him.

"Ano . . ."

Okita stopped momentarily when he finally noticed Aiko's grip on the blankets had gotten much more deathly. Not completely understanding what was going on he sat back once more and looked at her confusedly. First she was teasing him, and then by the way the blankets appeared she seemed on the verge of murdering him. What exactly was going on? Okita didn't know what to say anymore, anything that he did for the good of her only resulted in raising her ire.

"Ano . . .?"

"What were you about to do?" Her voice though soft and slow, held the promise of doom if he started to reach for her again.

"Ano . . . change your bandages?"

Hadn't she just told him subtlety not to change them? She could do it perfectly herself, she didn't need an extra pair of hands to help.

Okita gave a sigh of resignation, if he was going to tell her, he best make it soon. Picking up Saizo back into his arms, Okita stood up in his white yukata and returned his gaze onto Aiko.

"Aiko-san, there is something that I must tell you."

His face went from his more usual childish to a more serious _expression; his eyes now changed so much so that it would scare poor Tetsu away. Still, Aiko's gaze never left his, almost as if she was waiting for him to confess his love for her. Which was quite a silly thought actually.

"Under strict reasons unknown, you are confined to this room." The sudden boyish smile returned to his face, "So if you need anything don't hesitate to ask."

Before Aiko could make any objections about what had been just said, Okita had promptly turned his back on her and left his room. Her mouth dropped to the floor, what did he mean she was confined? No way was she going to be stuck in this place. Once her wounds finally healed she would be back on the road continuing her duty to the family. But before she could leave, she would have to heal, and in order to heal, she needed new bandages.

Trying to stand from her confinement of blankets, Aiko felt a jolt of pain shoot up her side. Then again, her bandages could always wait just a little longer.

~ * ~

Okita sighed once more and shook his head. Well, he had certainly broken the news to her unceremoniously. So if Aiko was currently going to be in his room, where was he going to sleep? Hijikata was absolutely twisting up his life and nothing seemed to be getting any better. Two hands suddenly grabbed onto Okita's shoulders making him stop rather abruptly. He looked back tiredly to see the two people who had seized him, only to come nose to nose with the smiling faces of Nagakura and Harada.

"So, I believe there's a girl in your room now eh?" Asked the devious looking Nagakura as his face went round.

'Yes, a rather confusing one at that.'

"Hai."

Harada's face jolted in front of his buddy's.

"Then . . . I guess you're not gay."

Okita's eyebrow twitched and there was without warning a loud 'THWAK' that was heard. Sitting on the floor with his hands rubbing his injured head was Sano. Nagakura on the other hand was on the floor laughing hysterically, holding his stomach hoping it wouldn't burst. Okita exhaled and walked away from the pair on the floor. He didn't particularly need, nor want, their company at that moment.

He continued to walk until he found himself inside the dojo, a place he didn't spend much time in. Sad eyes roved over the polished flooring, watching as ghosts of the past came to life in an intricate dance of gentle arcing bodies. A weary smile darkened his face as he remembered being at the fragile age of nine, sparing and learning the moves that would one day save his life. The moves would save his life, but also end those of countless others.

Okita moved to the center of the grand dojo, his ears picking up imagined grunts of some child being thrown to the floor. A silent vow that the child would become the best, the strongest. Never did that child know under which circumstances he would lose his soul to the fight.

Okita sat down, his pet pig long forgotten, and placed his head in his hands. An overwhelming sadness hung over him, but his eyes continued to feign happiness. He remembered sitting in such a position in that exact spot. Only then, instead of being the first captain of the Shinsengumi, he was merely nothing more than a broken child waiting for the day that his mother would come and save him. Waiting for the day when she would pick him up and hold him tightly to her chest and whisper in his ear that it was all okay, that mommy would make it better.

But his mother never came; she never whispered what he wanted to hear. And in a way, Okita almost blamed her for becoming the man he was.

He sat there long into the night, resembling much of that broken child. A weary man who never got the chance to become anything more than the soulless warrior that killed for the good of Japan.

~ * ~

For the first time in the three months she had been away, Aiko wanted to go home. She missed her sister, and the way that she could always light up her day. Even if she thought that Takara was a pain more than not, she still wanted to see her. Maybe it was just that she missed the carefree times of those days, but she hardly thought that was the case. In all reality, she had every reason to not want to ever go home.

When her time was up, and she went home, it would be to a new life of leadership.

Aiko sat up in her futon, her hand sliding down to gently rest against her side, as her mind drifted off to thoughts of her mother. She had been so strong at heart, the only constant in her life that kept her rooted to the ground. It was strange though, for all her strength and love, she never appeared to be quite happy. Aiko remembered watching as her mother would walk into the forest at night and spend hours just gazing at the stars. She never understood why, but it was at times like those, that her mother seemed to be the happiest.

And then, her mother died. The one person who least dissevered to die, did, and the family had never been the same since. Aiko almost envied her sister, she was too young to remember their mother in the ways that she did. Her father had been more like a tyrant than anything more at those times. He took over her training to become the leader then. Saying that he would teacher her to be strong and proud, nothing like her mother was.

But there were good times, few of them, but they were still there. Even though Aiko had problems remembering them, she knew they were just hiding from the pain the bad times wrought.

Aiko sighed and laid back down on the futon, such thoughts were better left alone. She had to concentrate on the right now, not the then. It would only leave her with a feeling of anger, and that was the last thing she needed to be feeling. So what if she would become the leader of her ninja clan, so what if she still had to find out who killed her parents. All that didn't matter if she didn't become better.

The soft chirping of the crickets crossed her ears, leaving her feeling even more home sick than before. Aiko slowly stood up, being careful not to jar her side as she did so. She wanted to go outside and get some air, and one man's command that she not leave her room was not enough to actually keep her there.

Aiko softly padded her way to the shoji and out of the room, leaving behind her feeling of helplessness. The cool night air drifted across her clammy skin, bringing with it a renewed sense of peace. A slow smile crossed her lips as she lifted her eyes up to the night sky and the lights that dotted it.

'Are you up there mom? Are you watching over me? Are . . . are you proud of me?'

A crystal tear slowly fell from Aiko's eyes and landed in the dirt, creating a small pool of sorrow. She cautiously traveled across the grounds, marveling at how empty it seemed. With no destination in mind, she wandered until she found herself standing in front the largest part of the compounds. Curiously Aiko opened the shoji to see what lay inside the building.

What greeted her sight was something she wasn't quite prepared to see. Okita sat in the middle of the room, his head cradled in his hands. Her feet were frozen to the spot, she didn't know whether to run or stay. He appeared to be so sad that Aiko could feel her heart start to break for him. In the end, her comforting nature won over and she soon found herself nestled comfortably next to the man.

With out taking a second look at Okita, Aiko calmly placed her hand in his, leaning her head to gently rest against his shoulder. A contented smile crossed her face as a strange feeling of total serenity engulfed her.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Aiko's eyes widened at the tone of his voice, missing the cheer it usually held. So her guess was right after all, something was wrong with him. Her smile faded into a frown as she wondered why she cared whether he was happy or not. It didn't matter anyway, she was going to bring back the smile to his face.

"And by the looks of things, neither could you."

Aiko caught the rumbling in his chest before she heard his chuckling. But even his laughter was devoid of the merriment it normally carried. It sounded more like that of a broken man than that of happiness. Closing her eyes, Aiko wondered what it was that was weighing over him.

"Aiko-san, who are you?" It was a just a whispered question, but it shocked her none the less.

Brown eyes locked with lavender, as Aiko removed her hand from his. Who was she, she was Isami Aiko, next in line to become leader of a ninja clan. But she couldn't tell him that, it was something he probably didn't want to know.

"I am only Aiko, the young woman who challenged the Shinsengumi and lived."

Okita's gaze was closed as he smiled slightly, turning he looked off into the darkness of the room once more.

Aiko worried her lower lip before asking softly, "Who are you, Okita-san?"

Okita sighed softly before he answered, "I am a child trapped within the body of a man. I am a boy who never lived a childhood. I am an Oni, a demon, not by choice but by circumstances. I am a man who never loses faith in what he believes, and I fight for those beliefs with all that I can." A pause, Okita turned his lavender gaze to Aiko and with a soft smile still tugging on his lips, "I am also very confused. Out of all of the people I have helped, you are the only one that has fought against me each time I try."

Aiko blushed.

"Ano, I have a hard time excepting help. I apologize."

Okita stared hard into her eyes before he spoke softly, "Never apologize for how you feel. I did not know and should have asked, I will respect your wishes."

For some reason, Okita's statement brought a sour taste to her mouth. Did she want him to leave her alone? Well . . . He did just bring her here and undress her.

He was taking care of your wounds, baka!

Well did he have to remove ALL of her clothes!

How else would he get to the wound on your side!

But the honorable thing would have been to be discrete about it!

And how do you know he looked?

But . . . he . . . argh! Okay fine!

Even if he did, did he like what he saw?

A warm blush tinted Aiko's cheeks at the sudden turn of her thoughts. Oh dear Kami, she did not just think that! Yet she couldn't find the strength to argue further with herself, she did secretly wonder.

Okita raised a brow at Aiko's blushing face.

"Aiko-san, what are you thinking about?"

His innocent question darkened the red over her cheeks. Okay, lie!

"Nothing."

Okita chuckled softly. His voice turned a hair huskier, "Hmm, seems you just had an interesting thought?"

Aiko really wished the ground would open up and suck her in that very moment. Of course she was having an interesting thought, she was thinking about if he liked the way she looked while in the nude.

"Honestly, its nothing." Aiko attempted to stand but in her haste she tripped over the extra length of her yukata.

And landed in Okita's arms?

"Eep! I'm so sorry. I tripped over this stupid yukata..." Aiko's words trailed off as she gazed up and realized she was a bit close to Okita's face. Close enough to feel the warm puffs of his breath against her lips. Aiko honestly didn't think she could blush any darker yet found out that in fact she could.

His light eyes darkened and narrowed slightly, his often gentle hands tightened around her waist and brought her body closer to his. Aiko stiffened but couldn't find the strength to move away from his penetrating gaze. Her breathing increased and she was aware enough to notice his had gone deeper.

"Okita, what are . . ."

She didn't have a chance to finish her question as she found his lips tenderly resting atop her own.

A kiss. A kiss from Okita. Why was he kissing her? Mmm, soft.

Aiko's thought forming functions shorted out and her brain considered a reboot but quickly agreed with the lips. Yes, very soft and very nice.

Okita's hands inched upward and grazed below Aiko's breasts, his thumb brushed softly against their sides and drew a sharp gasp from her red lips. His mind was screaming foul play and he was trying to stop, but other pieces of his anatomy were cheering him on. Yet at her soft gasp as he tentatively grazed the undersides of her breasts, Okita's brain lost control of his body and he was possessed with need. Their kiss deepened and Okita swiftly lifted one hand behind her head to steady her as he made love to her mouth. His tongue seeking entrance while lapping against her lips until she moaned lightly.

She had never felt anything so good before. His kiss, his touch reduced her to nothing more than a muddle of mush. As he gained entrance to her mouth, Aiko cried out softly and wrapped her arms around his neck, her hands burying themselves within his long hair.

"Souji . . ."

Reality crashed upon Okita's shoulders the instant he heard her murmur his given name. With a start he pulled away, what the hell was he thinking! Only moments ago he would have had no problem with taking her right there in the middle of the dojo on the cold floor. But with her softly whispered utterance of his name, he woke up.

"Aiko-san, I apologize. I should not have kissed you."

Aiko was still floating somewhere up near cloud nine as she responded, "Don't be sorry, I liked it."

Passion flared to life once more and Okita forcefully grabbed control over it. He. Would. Not. Lose. Control!

"What's wrong, Souji?"

Oh Kami! Why did his name have to sound so good coming from her mouth. Okita groaned softly as Aiko pressed herself closer to his body. Her bright eyes gazed into his and he barely registered a look of panic and worry in their dark depths.

"Souji?"

Okita lifted a hand to her cheek, his callused thumb tracing her jawbone.

"I'm fine Aiko-san. But if I kissed you any longer, I may not have bee able to stop."

Aiko's eyes widened as she suddenly realized what she had just currently been doing and where she was currently sitting. With a soft squeak, Aiko leapt off of Okita's lap and unfortunately forgot about his grip around her waist as they fell against the cold wooden floor. Aiko's eyes grew comically wide when she registered their new position. She was flat on her back with him resting between her legs.

Okita felt his cheeks flush and a chuckle broke free from his throat. He simply couldn't resist the urge to harass her.

"Aiko-san, you make such a soft pillow."

Large brown eyes narrowed as Okita sighed and laid his head against her chest. Even though a heavy blush stained her cheeks and minus the fact that she had been kissing him merely moments ago, Aiko took in a deep breath and screamed.

"HENT...mfph!"

Aiko glared at the smiling face above her, Okita's hand tightly clasp over her mouth eliminating any possible sound she could make.

"Shhh, Aiko-san."

She sneered. And then she bit him. But he didn't let go, instead his smile grew wider and a throaty laugh began.

"Ah! She shows her colors at last, wild and untamed." Okita released his grip over her mouth but still didn't move from their compromising position.

"Get off of me, please." Her voice was barely above a whisper as she tried to stop the rapid beating of her heart.

Okita's laughter stopped, his smile still present as he slowly rose above her. She quickly scrambled away and adjusted her clothing. When she was certain everything was decently covered, Aiko looked back at the man sitting before her. His eyes hidden behind his dark bangs and his hands tightly clenched over his thighs.

"Okita-san? What is it?"

"Aiko-san. I apologize, I was being too forward."

She couldn't help it, she rolled her eyes as she crawled toward him and pushed his chin up to look into his eyes.

"Oh give it a rest, Okita-kun." And with that she leaned in and pressed her lips against his, her simple kiss turning wild and passionate within seconds until she forced herself to pull away.

"I like it." Her hand curved against his cheek and her thumb brushed over his lips. With a sigh she stood up and turned to walk away only to stop and glance over her shoulder.

"Well? Aren't you tired? Don't you want to come to bed?" Her cheeks flushed again at the double meaning that phrase carried.

A quirked eyebrow was her response, he shook his head no and waved her off. Okita watched her walk away, his eyes narrowing as he let his hidden emotions come back to the surface. A tender smile touched his lips, "I know who you are Aiko. You are the other half of my soul."

"Buki?"

Okita giggled, "Ah Saizo!" He lifted the small piglet up and stared into his wide eyes, "So what do you think?"

Snort, "buki."

Okita laughed then stood, his pet carefully tucked in the crook of his arm and left the large room.

"It's going to be hell practicing in here now."

Tbc.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Next Chapter:

Any one here like LEMON aid? I know I do!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Character Notes:

Aiko: To get character development, you need to give your characters some depth. So I tried that out with Aiko and Okita, hope it turned out alright.

Okita: Did any of you notice how when Okita was thinking about when he was nine, he sorta seemed a little like Tetsu? The whole becoming stronger part that is.

Hijikata: um, dark and mysterious? Yeah, but we all love him anyways! *.*!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

To the reviewers!

Dagger: I must say, I think Okita and Hijikata are a beautiful couple! That could be why I wrote one, lol. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, I'm swimming in your praise!

Ione_girl: well, I finally brought it back to the present Aiko and Okita. Only I didn't do any description at all, I only did emotions. Cause well, you know, that's kinda what I think I can write best. Lol. Glad to hear my scene with Nagakur and Harada made you laugh. Made me laugh too! ::Lime pie smears inca's view:: thanks a lot, now I cant even find my computer! BAKA!! ::grabs the thing closest to her, feels oddly like hair, and throws it at ione:: ::smears pie remains away from face, then blanches:: OH GOD! I threw my Naraku at you! ::Grabs him back, glares evily:: you cant have my Naraku! ::Glomps Naraku:: Teehee HE!!

me....or you ??? the confused one! ME!: First off, you unnamed person you! Log in! Cause I know where you are, and I can still away you sessy from you. Cause I have the daddy, and you know sessy wants to see his daddy right? Lol. Jk. Thanks yous! Yeah, we all know character development is not my forte! ::Throws down Naraku, grabs Hijikata and pinches his cheeks:: Isn't he just the cutest oni ever? ::Mumbles from Hijikata that sound oddly like "die":: What was that hunny dear? ::I think Sano ate all your pie:: Riight? Yeah, okay, so keep up the good work at reviewing!

Blue_Phoenix4: Lookie, you didn't have to wait too long!!! Um, thanks, messa glad you like this story!

To everyone else who is reading this fic, I made this longer than usual! It's a good 25 pages now!

Fanfic by Inca

X_X . . . 'nuf said.