A/N Kaoru has a crush. A crush she will NEVER act on. But sometimes the crush is the one to act and well, there's not a whole lot you can do about it.

Kaoru looked down at the ribbons on display and sighed. They were just so pretty. She didn't have a lot of pretty things, being a tom-boy and all. And broke. And single. With no prospects. Still, she liked pretty things. Maybe because she never got a chance to use them, so they felt special. She gently fingered a turquoise ribbon with white embroidery, careful not to catch the delicate silk on her callouses. Even if she had the money, she should avoid white thread. Knowing her, it'd be dingy and tan after a single use.

"Hiya Kaoru!"

Kaoru nearly jumped out of her skin, sending the ribbon flying sky-high and letting out a shriek. "Don't DO that, Misao!" she yelled.

Misao lept up in a graceful pirouette and caught the scarf before it fell to the dirt. "Do what?" she smirked.

"Sneak up on my like that! You know I hate surprises."

"That's not true. You always love my surprise visits to Tokyo. You said so yourself." Misao gave her a roguish wink.

Kaoru couldn't help but laugh. The girl was so brazen and joyful, it was completely impossible to stay mad at her. Besides which, she was right. Kaoru didn't mind when Misao was around. Not one bit. If anything, she minded that she left her side long enough to sneak up on her. Don't be a creep, she reminded herself. She's into Aoshi. Sighing again she took the ribbon from Misao and placed it back on the cart. "Well at least you prevented me from ruining that ribbon."

"Ruining? You don't ruin things, the stupid boys around you do." She said with a pout. "Hey why don't you try it on? I bet it'd look great in your hair, it might even change the color of your eyes!" Before Kaoru could protest, Misao had grabbed her shoulders and spun her around, whipping the leather tie out of her hair and brushing her loose locks with her fingers. Kaoru tried not to shudder as Misao's fingers ran along her scalp and neck. Holding her breath, so as not to ruin the moment, she waited patiently as Misao swept her hair up into a high bun and tied the ribbon so it framed Kaoru's delicate face. "There!" she proclaimed spinning Kaoru back around to face her. "Oooh, it does change your eyes. They look kinda green now, like the sea..." She said with a dreamy look on her face.

Kaoru fingered the cloth while glancing into the cracked mirror the vendor had hung on his stall. It did look pretty. Shaking her head, Kaoru gave the ribbon a firm tug and her midnight tresses cascaded out of the bun. "Well eye-changing or not, it's completely impractical." She placed the ribbon back on the cart and turned away, snatching her leather tie off of Misao's wrist. Misao paused a moment, looking after her friend, before swiftly stuffing the ribbon in her pocket and trotting after her. Grabbing her hand she giggled and dragged Kaoru down the street. "Hey, lets go see Tae before heading home. I'm not done with my girl time yet!"

Kaoru grinned as Misao pulled her along. Misao was always holding her hand, dragging her off on some adventure or begging her to join in what would invariably end up being a bad idea. Kaoru knew it meant nothing to Misao, just the friendly intimacy between friends and sisters. But she couldn't help the little thrill it shot through her arms each and every time. Once, when they had gotten into one of their more dangerous bad ideas, Misao had clutched at both her hands, seeking comfort and reassurance. Kaoru had nearly lost her breath. Feeling the delicate fingers thread through her own had made her heart soar. Kaoru had wrapped her arms around her then, ignoring the very real risks for a moment and burying her nose in Misao's hair. She had smelt like dust and eucalyptus, probably a permanent effect from years on the road. On lonely nights, when the boys were being particularly horrible, she liked to remember that smell.

"Woah!" Lost in her reverie, she had completely missed Misao's dead stop in front of the Akabeko and crashed right into her. Despite their combined agility from years of practicing martial arts, they collapsed in a heap on the dusty road. Misao glared up at Kaoru from under her legs. "I take it back, you do ruin things."

"Sorry!" Kaoru disentangled her self and jumped up, dusting off her Kimono and extending her hand to Misao.

Misao laughed. "It's ok. I'm not the one wearing a Kimono." She hopped up and helped Kaoru with her dusting, patting her hands down Kaoru's back and sides.

Kaoru jerked away before Misao's hands reached her bottom. She knew she'd faint on the spot if that happened. "It's ok Misao-chan!" she laughed nervously. "Nothing that a little tea can't fix. Come on!" Returning to safer physical contact, she grabbed her hand and dragged the girl into the tea-house.

"Kaoru, you awake?" Misao whispered into the darkness.

Kaoru rolled over to face the futon laid out next to hers. "Mmm, just barely," she said without opening her eyes.

"Oh. Ok."

Silence.

"What is it, Misao?"

"Um, nothing."

Sighing, Kaoru lit the lamp and sat up. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing! It's just. Well, I did something impulsive today." Misao looked up at Kaoru with wide eyes, her hair falling loosely around her face.

Kaoru narrowed her eyes. Misao's basic state of being was impulsive, so for her to admit to something she would call impulsive was real cause for concern. Seeing the suspicion on Kaoru's face, she rushed to reassure. "Not serious impulsive, just... morally questionable impulsive."

Kaoru rolled her eyes. "What did you do, Misao?"

"Don't be mad."

"I'm not mad," she said impatiently.

"Yes you are! You're mad and I haven't even told you yet!"

Kaoru took a deep breath. "Misao, I'm not mad. Just tell me what you did so we can fix it."

"But I don't want to fix it."

"Oh for heaven's sake, Misao!"

Misao responded to that outburst by diving back under the blankets. Kaoru cursed her temper for what felt like the millionth time and apologized. "Misao, don't do that. I'm sorry. I'm not mad. I just want to help."

"Never mind! I shouldn't have said anything." Misao's voice was muffled and faint under her covers.

"Misao, please come out. I'm sorry I yelled. I'm glad you said something. I always want to know what's on your mind so I can help. Even if I seem exasperated sometimes, I still want to know." She laid a hand on what she hoped was Misao's shoulder. "Please tell me, Misao."

"Only if you promise not to yell."

"I won't."

"Or try to fix it."

Kaoru swallowed hard. "I promise I won't yell, or be mad, or try to fix it."

There was a long pause, then "ok."

Misao's hand peaked over the blanket, in it clutched the turquoise ribbon from earlier that day.

"Misao!" Kaoru exclaimed before slapping her hand over her mouth.

The blankets flew back as Misao sat up with an accusatory glare, "You promised not to yell!"

"I know, I know!" Kaoru held up her hands, worried the girl would dive under the covers again. "But why on earth did you take that ribbon?"

Misao stared at her hands. "Because it made you look pretty... and... well I like it when you look pretty."

Kaoru stared at her, only vaguely aware of the blush creeping up her cheeks. She knew it was wrong. Stealing to survive on the road was one thing, but there was absolutely no way she could justify her friend's sticky fingers in this situation. Kaoru struggled with herself, trying to find the willpower to berate Misao and insist she take it back. All she could think of, however, was that Misao thought she was pretty. And besides, she did promise not to fix it. Dropping her eyes to her lap, she whispered a soft, "Thank you."

Misao placed the ribbon at the head of Kaoru's futon and laid back down. "You're welcome."

"You know I'll never be able to wear that out of the dojo, the vendor will think I was the thief."

Misao smirked. "Probably, but at least that way it will stay clean."

They both giggled as Kaoru blew out the lamp and returned to her futon. After a few quiet moments, she heard a rustling and felt Misao's delicate fingers searching at the edge of her blankets. Kaoru tentatively reached out and Misao's hand firmly wrapped around her calloused fingers. Kaoru didn't move, didn't breath, just laid there with her heart hammering her ribs for a long time. After a while, she heard Misao's breathing even out and deepen. Finally letting out her own breath, Kaoru basked in the moment and eventually fell asleep with a wide, contented smile on her lips.