Disclaimers: Rurouni Kenshin was created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. I don't own any of the characters, even if I wanted to. (Dream on!) I'm only borrowing them for entertainment purposes only!!

Author's note: Hello.. This is my first fanfiction ever written on Aoshi and Misao. I hope it's good... Enjoy! :)

Forgive and Forget:

Chapter 1:

"I'm going to bring Aoshi-sama his tea!!!" Misao screamed back, while getting ready to leave the Aoiya.

'Ah...What a warm and beautiful day,' she thought happily, walking towards the warm wind. She always felt happy to be with her Aoshi-sama.

Another usual day for Misao as she took a tray to the temple to meet Aoshi. He had left the Aoiya early this morning. For the past year and a half now, Misao has been meeting Aoshi at the temple, where he would usually meditates. Misao is becoming a young lady, but still, she refuses to wear a kimono. She ran to the top of the temple steps and walked into the main room, where Aoshi would usually be found. When she got there, Aoshi wasn't around.

'Aoshi-sama doko?' she thought, glancing into the empty room, 'I'm pretty sure that I saw Aoshi-sama leave this morning... Why isn't he here right now???'

Many disturbing thoughts entered Misao's mind. It was not likely of him to be elsewhere.

Misao quickly ran back to the Aioya. As she entered, she found Shiro and Kuro busy in the kitchen, cooking for their guests. Omasu and Okon were busy with their spring cleaning.

"Back so soon...Misao-chan?" Omasu commented noticing that she was back earlier than usual. "Did Aoshi-san make you mad again?" She questioned, not really paying attention to Misao, but looking up at the dusty ceiling, trying to figure a way to clean the cobwebs hanging up there without needing Shiro or Kuro's help. "...or did he push you away," she added.

Misao slowly placed the tray on in the kitchen counter and softly replied, "A-Aoshi-sama... he wasn't there."

Omasu gave a confused look. "That's strange," she commented. "I remember seeing him leave this morning."

"So did I," Misao replied sadly. She was about to head out when Omasu threw her a moist towel.

"What's this for?" Misao questioned, looking up at Omasu cluelessly.

"Before you go, please help us clean some, especially the cob webs up there." Omasu ordered. "It's getting me annoyed and the customers might also have a bad feeling about that as well," she quickly added, knowing it was best to get Misao to help around more.

"WHAT?!?..." Misao jerked up. "Why do I have to? Can't you do it yourself?" Misao answered back trying to refuse her request.

"Because.." Omasu answered her back, "I am in a kimono and I dont think it's very lady-like to jump in it. But, you are still wearing your yukata.

"What does that have anything to do with it?" Misao snapped back at her. She was annoyed because her Aoshi-sama was missing and wanted to look for him really badly.

"...Plus, you should be helping more around here." added Omasu sadly.

Misao became speechless. It was true. Ever since her Aoshi-sama came back, at lot of her free time was spent at the temple, to stay with him as much as possible. 'No comments' she thought, helpin Omasu clean for a bit.

Misao was just about to leave when Okina stopped her. He was slowly making his way down to the kitchen. "Oh..My pretty Misao.." Okina began in a sing-song tone. "Your Aoshi is not at the temple today." Okina stated. He may be getting old, but he was not letting that stop him from having some fun.

"Mou, Jiya stop calling me that!!!" she screamed. "I realized that..." replied Misao.

Okina looked up at Misao strangely. "How did you know?" he asked curiously.

"I went there and didn't see him." Misao replied. "Do you know where he went?"

"I have no answer for you."

"If you know where Aoshi-sama is, please tell me." Misao pleaded. She was growing more impatient as she was waiting for Okina's answer.

"I really don't know," answered Okina. He knew well enough that the answer isn't really satifying but it was the truth.

"Are you sure about that??" Misao questioned with a great suspicion. She didn't believe him because this wasn't the first time that Misao was kept out of something.

"Now, just why aren't you trusting me?" Okina spoke in his sweet-old voice.

"That's because I've been tricked before and this time, it won't happen again," Misao replied stubbornly.

Okina let out a sigh. "All I know is that Aoshi is not at the temple. He said he had to do something around town. He also said that he will be back around late afternoon." He can tell very well that Misao is getting worried. She had the right to be, since she is really in love with him and has no idea where he is

Misao was unsure of what to do. 'I can always go into town and look for Aoshi-sama,' Misao thought. 'But what if I can't find him. She thought sadly. 'I think I'm going to stay here and help out some more, instead.'

Okina stared at her until she made up her mind.

"Ok, geez.. Jiya, I'll stay..." Misao finally answered, so he wouldn't have to stare at her any longer.

Misao ran to her room and slid the shoji open. As she took a few steps in, she fell on her own pile of dirty laundry. "Ouch..." she cried. 'ehh..something smells strange,' Misao sniffed her room's aroma. "I guess I should be spring cleaning this room first." she mumbled to herself, staring at the mess and looking around the room for some empty spaces to walk on.

While taking up the rest of her morning shoving her clothes into one big pile, she found a note lying in front of her. "HUH? What's this thing doing on the floor?" Misao whispered to herself. She flipped the paper around and realized that it was Aoshi's handwriting. 'I guess I would've found this earlier if my room wasn't such a mess,' she told herself. She neatly folded up her futon and sat on top, making herself a comfortable before reading it.

"Misao, I'm not at the temple today. I'll be back whenever possible. I just have a few things to do. Take care... -Aoshi"

'Oh geez...' Misao thought angrily, 'A man of few words...maybe Kaoru was right.' Misao let out a sigh. '..was that suppose to make me feel better or something???'

Misao thought, staring into the note. Soon, she let out a smile. 'Well, I guess Aoshi can say more in a note rather than words from him mouth.' She decided to make this apart of her treasure, along with some things Aoshi given her in the past. She opened a small wooden box that was kept on her shelf. It has been a quite while since she last looked in there. When she opened it, she found a silk blue cloth wrapped around something. She just remembered, her very first kunai. Aoshi had given to it her during their first training. Next to that was a few origami's that Aoshi made for her when she was little, along with a few pieces of extra paper. She placed the note next to it and closed it. She brought it up to her chest and closed her eyes. Many of her old memories came back into her mind, most of which were of the dead Oniwabanshuu.

Within the next hour or so, Misao cleaned out her room and went downstairs for lunch when Okon had called.

"Mou, Misao-chan, what were you doing upstairs all this time? You should be here, helping us here with the spring cleaning." Omasu complaint as she was swinging her sore arm back and forth.

"Gomen nasai." Misao apologized happily. "I just had to clean out my room because it was a mess."

"Fine, but after we eat, you can help us clean out the storage room and the dojo, since it hasn't really been used all that much lately." Okon ordered walking into the dining room and handing out lunch.

"Hai.." Misao responded unenthusiastically, as she was forced to agree on their terms since it was only fair. And she really has nothing to do except wait around until Aoshi is back.

Aoshi returned late in the afternoon. He had walked in just as Misao had just finished helping Okon and Omasu with their spring cleaning.

'What perfect timing...' Misao thought to herself while steping out of the kitchen.

"Konnichi wa!!!... Aoshi-sama..." Misao screamed out the second she saw him enter the Aoiya. She was about to approach him and ask where he has been, but decided to save it for later.

Aoshi headed straight for the stairs and went to his room without saying a word.

After dinner, Misao brought some tea to Aoshi. He was meditating in his room. Misao, who stood outside of his room, was too nervous to enter. She hadn't bothered to knock.

"Come in..." Aoshi said in his normal tone. He had already known that Misao was heading his way.

Misao slowly slid the shoji open with her foot since her arms were occupied with holding onto the trays. "Aoshi-sama... here's your tea..."

As usual, Misao would set up the trays next to Aoshi. "Ne..Aoshi-sama...I'll be back later to pick it up."

The room was filled with slience as Aoshi has gone back to his meditation. Misao left and walked back to her room.

As the days passed, Aoshi remained in his room. He hasn't stepped out much only when he was going to the bathhouse or to go into town at different times of the day.

A week later, Misao could see that Aoshi was becoming different once again. He wasn't as cold even though he may still be emotionless. That night, Misao went into his room to give him his tea. She found Aoshi sitting up on his futon.

'It's been a week now since he has gone anywhere...' Misao thought to herself as she sat down next to him in slience.

"Aoshi-sama.." Misao nervously began to break their slience. She was feeling quite uncomfortable.

"Hmn..." replied Aoshi opening his eyes and snapping out of his meditation.

Misao got up and walked near the window. "A-Are you going to go out tomorrow?" She asked while beginning to blush.

"...Iie..." Aoshi slowly replied.

Misao was confused. "Aren't you going to the temple?" she questioned, having no clue what's going on.

"Do you want me to go?" Aoshi answered her back with a question of his own.

'Geez...did he have to do that??' Misao grined, hating that last reply from Aoshi. She never liked it when Aoshi gave her an answer in question form. It always bothered her ever since she was little. It was too hard for her to understand. 'I guess old habits die hard,' she thought to herself.

"Is something wrong?" Aoshi asked, looking up at her. It seemed as though Misao had some trouble getting her words out.

"Iie... I want you to stay with me." Misao quickly spoke without thinking. She blushed after noticing what she had just blurted out.

Aoshi felt a small tug on his lips. He sipped his tea to keep it hidden. He began feeling nervous himself.

"There's something I haven't told you or anyone yet..." he began. "I think I found what I was looking for.

Misao looked up at the night sky and glazed at the stars.

"You don't have to wait for me anymore. You were the first person to forgive me even though I was so cold and distant to you and everyone else. I respected that and I still do."

Misao turned around to look at Aoshi. He looked up and noticed that tears began to blur her eyes.

"A-Aoshi-sama..." Misao mumbled softly.

Aoshi got up and walked closer to Misao. Aoshi's ears were sharp enough to catch even small whispers so therefore, he had heard what Misao mumbled.

"What's wrong?" Aoshi asked confusedly, almost hating himself for making her cry.

Misao couldn't hold her feeling in any longer. "Aoshi-sama... daisuki des!!!" She blurted out and jumped onto Aoshi's arms.

Aoshi caught her in time as she leaped forward. He held onto her petite form and embraced her for a little while.

Misao pulled away to look at Aoshi for a few seconds. She saw a light smile from his face.

Tears ran down Misao cheeks and cried happily, "My wish is granted at last!!"

"Wish?" Aoshi asked cluelessly.

Misao let out a giggle. "Hai," she answered, "About a year ago, when you picked me up from Tokyo, I made a wish." Aoshi looked up with great surprise. Misao continued, "I wished that one day, I got to see you smile. And now I finally see it."

To Be Continue...

Author's note: Ah...Sorry for cutting it off right there... I'm finally done with my first chapter of my first fanfiction. :) Ja na!