She supposed waiting for him wasn't the best thing to do, on this cold december morning. But she was used to it, the waiting, it seemed she was constantly waiting for him. Why? She didn't know and HE sure as hell didn't, but even so she did. This is how one Misao Makimachi found herself waiting at a bus station, once again waiting for him. She had hoped to never have to wait again after what had come between them. Oh how she would have cried in her younger days, stubbornly protested that her 'Aoshi-sama, could never leave his Misao-chan.' Perhaps in someway her younger self was right, after all she had done the leaving.

Looking back on it she had almost forgot why they had parted so long ago what was it seven years? no, ten. That's right ten the magic number, ten how many years ago she left, ten how many perscriptions she had to take before she could finally be at peace, ten how old she was when her crush turned to something more, ten...more specifically October 10th, 1994. The day her life would forever change the day those men she loved whole heartedly, the boys that they were the men she was now to house and feed and converse with as if NOTHING had changed, as if she didn't have a life of her own anymore. But it was Okina's wish and as much as she may hate that she had to go through this pain again she would give any pain to make her Jiya happy. Even house the notorious, Lover's 10, yes that's right the band on everyones minds. How dare they she had asked herself, how dare they take my number and make it so known how could they tarnish my sadness. Now, she understood how selfish that statement had been, for it was not alone her sadness. They all shared it, something she hadn't realized until Kaoru, her roomate, good friend, bartender, and lead guitarist, made her listen through the bands album. Fortress of Tears, what a name but she supposed from who the album was coming from it fit appropriately. Her, Aoshi-sama...'no Misao, come on idiot, Aoshi-san, Aoshi-kun maybe, but never Aoshi-sama.' She had breifly entertained the thought of calling him 'Aoi-nii-chaa, her make shift name for him when she was but a toddler. But as her light fond smile filled her face she realized it and soon it was gone. She supposed she could blame it on cold weather, ' Indeed Misao, Ah yes the brain freeze made me do it.' but these were her own thoughts and there was no use in lying to one's self. 'Kami, where is Kaoru? I need that latte, or at least someone..not me to converse with.'

As these rambling thoughts ran through her head she failed to realize a bus had just pulled up infront of her. In fact it wasn't till the rush of air that always succedded a buses door opening that she realized they had arrived. Even so it didn't force it's way through her thought ridden head that she was no longer alone until she realized the bus had gone to be replaced by blue-eyes. 'Oh your eyes Aoshi-sama, one could get lost in them, that ash-gray blue enough power to freeze and burn at the same time. I can't help but wonder what you see in front of you. Little Misao-chan in a wool peacoat and soft cashmere black scarf. I wonder if you can tell it is me, after all you should only be able to see yourself in my silver reflective glasses, that is right Aoshi-Sama, I KNOW YOU. Trying to read me, gauge my emotions 'How will she react my energetic little weasle, what emotions will she run through? What loud screeching noises will she make? At least you WOULD think that if you are capable, after all you could never speak so many words. Surely sing no problem but actually speak? sigh Not anymore Aoshi-sama.'

Fortunately, it was Hannya who spoke up first.

"Hello, Misao-chan." Unfortunately, he couldn't seem to think up more to say to her than those two words. Almost comical, her own brother not able to talk to her.

"Hello, Hannya, I suppose we should get your baggage. My friend went to get some coffee and has not yet returned so I will find her inside the station."

It was almost funny how silent we were, Hannya, Beshimi, Hyottoki, SHikujoi, Aoshi... my family I suppose. They seemed surprised at my demeanor at the cool way I handle them, sorry guys not a little girl anymore. I am after all a 24 year old woman. And they only 26, I wonder what would it have been like had we not so drastically changed?

We entered the bus station quietly, Doom and Gloom auras all around. Perhaps it was just my own. I caught sight of Kaoru quickly after we grabbed the guys bags. Go figure she was chatting up a cute white haired man. ENISHI, I was able to read on his name tag. He looked about twenty, tall, lanky, masculine, an air of danger, but a cool smile to match turqoise eyes. He was flirting, Kaoru only half-heartedly returning the sentiment. The poor man didn't quite seem to understand he had no chance, for Kaoru, though heartbroken and in a depressing denial was in love with one redheaded, violet eyed bouncer. Who happened to reside at our bar and looked nothing like this Abercrombie and Fitch poster boy infront of her. The guys hadn't noticed that she had a devious look in her eyes, planning to "destroy" the young man who dared to think he had a chance in hell with Kaoru Kamiya, he was talking about rap for goodness sake. Granted she had nothing against the music, the obvious boredom of Kaoru seemed to go completely over his head.

"...So of course I had to battle the little bastard, he got flustered because I was beatin him so badly and..." The man was droning on and on.

"Kaoru, babe, come on time to leave." I said in a husky voice, she then turned to me, for we had used this escape tactic millons of times before, and gave me a stage kiss. Looking very real to this ENISHI, and damn near giving him a bloody nose. While he was further busy gaping like a fish we made our get away the guys in tow. They of course were in shock looking from my "lover" to me.

" Nice to meet you," Kaoru said once we reached the limo that would take us home, no way could we have all piled into my truck, not with out having the guys freeze in the back," My name is Kamiya Kaoru, I have heard a lot about you."

This time it was Beshimi who spoke up, "Well, Miss. Kamiya, I cannot say I have heard anything of you."

Had I been paying attention to Aoshi's eyes, you will find many references to his eyes I happen to adore his eyes the way they can burn you with the cold..., sorry off track there. I would have notice had I been paying attention the flicker they held as he studied me. Pain? Love? Hate? You see even though these emotions differ from each other the only thing I am lingering on is what they are. Emotions. From Aoshi. Are you kidding me? Someone please hit me. Crap I think I said that out loud they are all looking at me.

Kaoru grinned as she looked at her friend of seven years, "You sure? I still owe you for--" I cut her off with a glare," Uhhhh, nothing in particular" she stopped with a forced laugh. I suppose this isn't the best place to start my story huh? As fun as this whole awkward trip in the limo is, perhaps I should start from a week ago. When Jiya "suggested" that I allow these deadbeats into my home. Ok, I take that last insult back "deadbeat" doesn't exactly catogorize the guys. They have gone platinum 5 times, they travel the world, the still study kenpo and their varied fighting styles. Not quite deadbeats.

Anyway, last week:

"MISAO, get your ass out of bed we open up in...45 minutes!" Kaoru yelled up to my loft, I love my loft it has my comfy bed with downy comforter and silk sheets all in black...right have to get up now Misao. I slid down the railing of the stairs connected to the loft.

"Coming, coming. Why do we open up so early anyway?" Kaoru looked at me hardly amused.

"Misao, we happen to open at 9:45 PM." I just stared at her, not really getting her point. She huffed" Anyway let's go get dressed come on!"

I smirked at her" Jeez Kaoru, Himura isn't going anywhere" That got her to shut up. I knew her though and so I ran down the hallway right as she let out her I-am-going-weasle-hunting battle cry. Man she could be scary. Then again I had my fair share of scariness...apparently carrying an arsenal of kunai was not the "norm" for a young woman but...you can't change who you are right? Right...

" Finally out of bed weasle?" Ah, Sano dear dear...Sano, how I would like to dismember you let me count the ways...OH, counting right 1...

"You really need to get taller weasle I almost stepped on you"

2...3...4...5...6..

"Are you talkin' to yourself...damn you really are crazy!"

"ALRIGHT SCREW THE COUNTING!" I screamed as I ran straight towards the rooster headed bastard. Round and round I chased him upstairs, down hallways, down the stairs pushing Kaoru...off the stool...watching the ankle twist...shit.

Now, that was in my head, outside was another matter, lots of screaming and cursing and...throwing of inanimate objects mostly bottles and shot glasses... Then the red-headed genius shows up, and things get interesting. See Kaoru likes Kenshin alot. Kenshin likes Kaoru alot. Kaoru is crying because twisting your ankle hurts like a bitch. Crying Kaoru makes for a deeply troubled and dangerous Kenshin...

"SILENCE" he shouted, the way his red hair caught in the gold ligting was purely magical, he looked like a freaking gold-red-angry-glary-eyed demon. He looked at Kaoru, Kaoru looked at him. He walked away and Kaoru...well she didn't take it so well.

The look in her blue eyes was heart breaking. Kenshin walking away was a sign of rejection, rejection from the man you love is not cool. Been there done that got the t-shirt...bad. If that isn't enough the phone rings, you know when you watch a scary movie and the phone rings on screen and you really don't want to know what the caller has to say? Yeah, the phone rang, I didn't pay attention to the theme music or whatever.

" Hello my pretty Misao!" Jiya...perfect timing.

"Hi"

"That isn't a happy greeting"

"Hmm, starting to sound like Aoshi are we?" Right about now the warning bells should have sounded, Jiya never mentions the man who crushed my heart to smitherins. Yet again I was oblivious to the scary music.

"Speaking of Aoshi, Misao, you are going to have to keep the boys with you for oh say a month...they need a break and what better place than yours! Be at the station in a week to pick them up, BYE!"

What just happened? I have a rooster hiding behind a bar, a crying sad girl on her knees in pain, oh and by the way the man who crushed my heart and the men who helped in his escape are going to live in my house...oh look customers.

End Chapter 1.

--------------------------------end day 1