Disclaimers Notice: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin not any of the characters portrayed in this story.

Spending Your Whole Life Waiting…

By: Mimi The Deceitful

Chapter 1: Thieves and Peeping Toms

What the hell is his problem?! Misao thought as she slammed the shoji to her room shut. At the bottom of the stairs she could hear Okon and Okina whispering.

"What's gotten into Misao-chan?" She asked him.

"Hm..." Okina thought as he rubbed his chin intellectually. "She was cooking extra hard this morning. Her sweetheart probably choked on one of her cookies and died." In a quick instance a barrage of kunai's were shot down the stairs.

"STAY OUT OF MY BUSINESS!" Misao shouted. Slamming the shoji to her room once again as she rested her back against the wood frame. Sliding down to her knees she sighed heavily. "Old geyser." Okina was hiding behind Okon fearfully. She sighed.

"You know, you really should watch what you say Okina. One day she's gonna break your old spine in two." Misao placed a hand over her eyes as she tried to concentrate on her thoughts. Is he planning to live the rest of his life like that?

"The day he goes mute we won't be able to tell the difference." Misao smiled. But that didn't last long as she soon began thinking about what happened this morning.

Aoshi remained still as he sensed someone walking up the steps to the temple. It's been almost a year now since Kaoru and Kenshin had married and the Kenshin-gumi had gone their separate ways. Yet, the household that lived in the Aoiya remained unchanged. "Aoshi-sama! I brought tea!" The shoji slid open and Misao shook off her slippers as she walked toward him. She placed the tray on the floor and stared at Aoshi's unmoving presence. She sighed. She began the tea ceremony and sat down beside him. She sipped away at her tea occasionally glancing at Aoshi who hadn't even stirred. She gave him a long stare. "You know the tea isn't going to drink itself." Still nothing. "Well you could at least eat one of the cookies...I made them myself!" She smiled hoping for an answer; even a simple "mhn" would have done it. She stood up, frustrated and slid open the shoji to the temple. She stopped. "You can leave everything outside when you're done. I'll stop by to clean it up." With that she exited and stomped down the steps cursing. Aoshi opened his eyes and looked toward the exit of the temple.

"Well you could at least eat one of the cookies"

"..." He picked up one of the cookies and pictured Misao's smile.

"I made them myself!"

He closed his eyes again and silently took a bite of the cookie. It tastes good, he thought to himself as he drank the tea.

It's been a long time now and ever since the Shisio incident Aoshi barely communicated with anyone. Misao was eternally grateful to Himura for bringing back Aoshi to them but she never expected it to turn out like this. But she was foolish to expect everything to return the way things were 10 years ago. She had even forced herself not to talk when she brought the morning tea to him just because she wanted to spend time with him-

"Tea!" Misao jumped up and dashed out of the Aoiya as she smacked herself in the head for forgetting. She totally neglected to clean up the tray which was left there no less than an hour ago. Her eyes widened as she picked up the tea tray. There was nothing left of her cookies except a mere pile of crumbs. I should force-feed them to Okina and shove it down his throat, Misao thought menacingly. She stood up and started to walk back down the steps when she stopped. Maybe I should talk to him? Misao then shook her head and continued. She hesitated then quickly spun around to face the temple again. I guess there's no point in being mad this time. It's not like the morning tea was any different the past year. She smiled as she thought to herself. "And he did eat my cookies. I'll give him credit for that."

She tried using her foot to slide open the shoji since she was still holding the tea tray. It didn't budge. Misao sighed as she spun around to put it down. "What is it Misao?" Her body stopped moving at the sound of Aoshi's voice. She turned around only to crash the tea tray into Aoshi as she found herself staring into his icy-blue eyes. She was silent as she felt herself melting in them. "Yes?" He asked again. Misao blushed as she quickly dropped her vision to her feet. She couldn't believe she let herself just stare at him like that.

"Um- Gomen Aoshi-sama. About this morning. I was acting like a child." Misao still didn't look up.

"Aa." Aoshi responded. Was that all he could say? Misao twitched as she realized she was getting angry again. Aoshi sensed Misao tighten so he continued to speak. "Gomen Misao for not saying anything. I've just been caught up lately." Misao frowned.

"And so has the rest of the Aoiya lately-" Misao gasped as she quickly came up with a plan. "Aoshi-sama! I know! How about we all pack up and go on a little trip somewhere and clear out our heads? It's been a while since we've been out together as a group and I'm just aching for a vacation!" Aoshi just stared blankly at Misao's sudden mood change. Her bright blue eyes were beaming with delight.

"I-" He stopped as soon as he saw Misao blushing.

"Gomen Aoshi-sama. I wasn't thinking. I just let my mouth ramble on. I didn't even consider that you had a decision to make. Stupid me." Misao was getting short on breath due to all the fast talking she had been doing. She stared at him as his face remained motionless. Get a grip on yourself Misao! He going to think you're insane!

"-Sao" Misao quickly snapped out of her thoughts.

"Ah! Gomen Aoshi-sama, did you say something-" Misao gasped as she shivered at Aoshi's touch. He raised her head up finally getting her to focus.

"Misao, that's about the third time you've said that." She looked at him questioningly then lowered her head again.

"Gom-er I mean..." He raised her head back to look at him. Calm down...

"Misao. About what you said before. I never said I didn't want to go." She stood there staring at him for almost 5 seconds when her face lit up.

"Oh! Arigato Aoshi-sama!" She was about to give him a hug then looked down in horror. She got even redder. Not only had she been standing there coming up with assumptions and ramble her mouth off but how stupid did she look holding that tea tray the whole conversation. Dammit! Of all the times to get in my way. Damn you tea tray! She was being unreasonable again. She then bowed her head and walked casually down the steps.

"Misao?" She twitched then slowly turned around hiding her anxiousness to get rid of the tea tray. "Did you think about where we were going to go?" Misao frowned. She hadn't even thought of that. She paused for a moment then gasped.

"Osaka Aoshi-sama! It's been a while since I've been there. And my body is sore from all the housework I've been doing lately. I'm pretty sure Okon and Omasu will agree without a second thought and Okina just wants to relax." He then nodded his head in approval as she finally left the temple and headed toward the Aoiya. He half-smiled. It was just like her to say hot springs. He then returned to complete his meditating.

"OSAKA! It Is!" Okina cheered as they sat in the family room. He was half-drunk by now. He held out his cup to the girls. "Omasu, be a dear and pour Okina some more sake." Omasu snapped and smacked him in the head with the bottle.

"I'm not your maid Okina. If you want Sake go pour it your own damn self."

"B-but. It's so much nicer to have beautiful ladies pouring me my drink. We're on vacation right?"

"Hmph." She retorted. He then turned around and held out his cup to Okon.

"Okon? You understand right?" Okon shot him a glare. He then placed the cup down and cried. "You girls don't appreciate me well enough."

"Really Okina. The girls are right. I think you've had too much to drink for one night. Maybe you should head back to your room?" Shiro suggested. "Kuro could help you back."

"It's okay. I bet one of the ladies could bring me back." Omasu and Okon glared at him.

"And what's wrong with us?" Shiro asked. Okina just sighed.

"I'm getting old. Men just don't appeal to me." He smiled. "How about it Misao?"

"GO TO BED GRAMPS!" Misao shouted as he obediently obeyed. Misao sighed as he finally left the room. "Hmph, I think that's enough rejection for one night." The whole room was silent and Misao almost wished for Okina to come back so there would be at least one person talking. She glanced over at Aoshi who stood patiently against the wall. "Guys, how about we head to the hot springs now? We've been here all day and Okina's right. We all need to lighten up a bit. And what else does the trick better than soaking in some of that hot steam?"

Omasu and Okon smiled. "That's true. And anyways Okina's in bed so we don't have to worry about him." Misao ran over to the girls.

"And don't try to peak either guys!" She added. Kuro and Shiro nodded their heads innocently as they left the room.

"How about it Kuro?" Shiro smiled. Kuro returned the smile.

"I'm up for a little fun. How about you Aoshi?" The two stared at the un-moving statue. He stood up heading towards his room.

"Don't get yourselves killed."

"Ahhhh..." Misao sighed as she let herself be submerged under the water. Misao came back up as the two ladies joined her.

"Ah, what the burden of housework can do to a woman's body." Okon sighed. Omasu smiled.

"And what wonders a hot spring can do to rid one of it." She then lit up. "Oh Okon! Did you ever give Hiko your present from Asakusa yet?" Okon blushed and placed her hand on her face.

"Actually I had left it in Himura's care to give to him. I hope he liked it though." Misao stared at them in disgust.

"What is it?" Seijiro Hiko demanded as Kenshin knocked on the shijo to his cabin. Kenshin put on a fake smile and placed the bottle of sake on the table.

"This is for you Master." He gritted through his teeth. His master walked over to the sake and immediately began pouring it in two cups.

"So, you've finally managed to appreciate me huh?" Kenshin shook his head as he took the cup of sake.

"Actually it's from Okon of the Aoiya. She thanks you for your help, that she does." Hiko snatched back Kenshin's cup and drank it.

"See how inconsiderate you are stupid apprentice?" Kenshin twitched. "If I can get beautiful women to bring me a bottle of sake as thanks what does that make you? You think you can invite yourself over when ever you want and don't even bring a gift."

"Grr..That's why I came to deliver the sake to you master." Kenshin glared. Hiko just raised his hand and began shooing him away. "You're just gonna tell me to leave after I came all this way to see you?!"

Hiko sighed then poured Kenshin a second cup and handed it to him. "Fine then, make it quick. I don't want your stupidity to rub off on me."

Sigh.."He's so wonderful..."

"So strong…" Okon and Omasu continued to day-dream.

"Whatever guys." Misao leaned back and relaxed against the edge. She quickly stood up when she heard shuffling. Omasu and Okon became very alert.

"There's someone here." Okon grabbed a rock from the edge of the hot spring readying it in hand. Omasu shrieked when she saw a concealed figure dash off with the robe that held their money in it.

"AHHHHHH!" Misao screamed. She grabbed her towel. "COME BACK HERE! THAT'S OUR MONEY!"

"Shhh. Come on Kuro." Shiro and Kuro slowly dragged their backs along the wood fence that separated the two groups. He slowly began to push open the door.

CREAK! They turned pale. They waited but the girls where too in-depth with their conversation of Hiko to hear it. "Slowly now Shiro-"

"AHHHHHHH!"

The two quickly dashed away from the fence. "Agh. We're so dead." Shiro panted.

"THAT'S OUR MONEY!" Misao screamed. The two looked at each other seriously and ran to the fence.

Aoshi flinched at the sound of Misao's scream. He dashed out of his room and headed towards the hot spring area. "MISAO!"

He saw a masked figure running toward his direction with a bathrobe that looked like one of the girls. He quickly jabbed the thief in the stomach as he let out a grunt. He picked up the bathrobe and realized that their money was in its pocket.

"Come back here Dammit!" He twitched when he heard Misao's voice. He spun around when he heard Shiro and Kuro panting. "Are you guys okay-uh!" The guys found themselves face-to-face with the girls wearing nothing but towels. Aoshi bowed with his eyes closed as he handed Shiro and Kuro the robe and money and walked away.

"GET OUT OF HERE!" Omasu shrieked.

"W-wait!" The guys held their hands up defensively.

"SHE SAID GET OUT PERVERTS!" Misao flung a rock at the two and the girls helped until they were finally out of sight.

The girls were heaving and gasping for breath as rocks and towel littered the area around them. Omasu turned to Okon. "I swear those guys don't have any shame. We could have caught the creep without their help."

She smiled. "Well, we have to thank Aoshi for that. I swear there's only one gentleman in this whole household. Right Misao...chan?" The two took in the sight of a completely red Misao. She was quivering.

"A-Aoshi-s-sama saw me naked" She then slunk down to her knees. "Noooo! Now he saw how un-developed I am! Now he's never going to want me!"

Okon and Omasu just stared at Misao trying to get her to calm down. "Misao-chan. You were wearing a towel, he didn't see anything."

"And besides we all know it was gonna happen sooner or later." Misao spun around.

"This is NOT what I had in mind!" She retorted. "And that's none of you business anyway!"

Misao then quickly recovered when she heard the guys in the family room. "Say you think it's about time we went to join the others?!" They smiled and nodded.

"I guess we're going to have to tend to Shiro and Kuro's wounds too huh?" The two girls snickered as they dried themselves off and placed on their bath robes. "Hey Misao-chan?"

"Hm?"

"What are we going to do about that guy?" Omasu whispered as she pointed at the unconscious man on the ground.

"I don't know...BUT HE DESERVES TO DIE!" Misao then smiled. "But, we'll just leave him there. Aoshi-sama's probably waiting for me."

"SPILL! What were you doing so close to us?!" Omasu and Okon interrogated the two guys. They sat on the floor with their hands on their heads.

"I swear, we didn't do anything. We just heard Misao scream and decided to check it out. Right Shiro?" Kuro asked.

"Mh-hm." He replied while nodding his head.

"Did you get a good look huh?!" Omasu demanded. The two looked at each other.

"Eh..."

"Hmph! I Swear! Men these days." Okon retorted. Shiro turned his head and stared at Aoshi.

"Aoshi...you wanna help us out a bit?" He pleaded. Aoshi didn't stir.

"I told you not to get yourselves killed." Omasu and Okon gasped.

"SO YOU WERE SPYING ON US! PERVS!" Misao came into the family room plugging her ear.

"What's with all the racket...?" Misao asked. Aoshi turned to face Misao as soon as he heard her walk in. Before he knew it he was just standing there staring at her. Her hair was let down and it flowed with every movement she made. The moon made it look so smooth and silk and his hands twitched with the urge to touch it. He looked away when he saw how her bathrobe was tied tightly around her, accentuating her body…and her curves.

"Oh! Misao-chan you look so adorable!" Okon squealed.

"Hm? Oh, I couldn't find any bows anywhere." Misao replied. "But I'll find something to put it back with."

"Mou , Misao! Can't you leave it down for once like a nice young lady would?" Okon sighed. Aoshi suddenly turned around and walked abruptly out the screen doors and into the courtyard.

"A-Aoshi Sama?" Misao ran out following him. He just stood there looking up at moon in the courtyard. "Aoshi-sama…are you okay?"

He turned around revealing a smile to her. Misao could hear her heart beating faster as he raised his hand and pushed her hair behind her ear. It was as smooth as it looked.

"Your hair looks nice," he said as he trailed his fingers down it's length. "You should leave it down more often."

"Uh- um. A-arigato Aoshi-sama…" Misao looked down. She gasped as he picked up the ends of her hair and kissed them in his palm. Misao could feel her knees buckling under her.

"It makes you look like a nice women." Her eyes widened. She couldn't believe what was happening. She had never been told that from a man before and here she was hearing them from her Aoshi-sama. Misao slowly closed her eyes hoping for the in-evitable. She held her breath as she felt his hand move from her hair to rest on her cheek. Just a little more…

"MISAO! AOSHI! The foods ready!" Okina stopped as he saw the two together. He smiled at the sight of Misao blushing and then raised his hands up apologetically. "Oh, don't mind me. Sorry for interrupting. You two may continue with whatever you were doing!" And with that the shoji slammed shut. Misao clenched her fist against her heart.

Damn Okina…and the mood was perfect and everything! Misao blinked when Aoshi's hand suddenly appeared in front of her. "Don't you think it's time we joined the others?" Misao blushed and reached out to accept his hand. Both of them didn't speak a word but walked back holding hands as they re-joined their party followed by Okina's snickering.

To be continued in Chapter 2!

Author's note:

-Ahhh…this took so long to write. I was not satisfied with how the chapter turned out and ended up revising the whole thing and then changing it completely.

-I'm sorry Kimi-chan. Aoshi-sama wasn't introduced in a bathrobe…well not yet at least. snickers Don't worry Aoshi and Misao are going to get even closer than that in the upcoming story. Oh, do I have plans!

-Anyways reviews and criticism is welcome and I'll upload chapter 2 as soon as I get another chance.

-I tried my best to stay true to the character's personas but I'll leave that up to you to judge.

MimixTHExDeceitful