For Her Smile

By: sophomoric genius

Disclaimer: I do not own RK. Any similarities with other fics are purely coincidental unless stated otherwise.

Author's Note: I've always loved the Aoshi/Misao/Soujirou triangle and although there are already tons of fics with this kind of pairing, I decided to add another one. ^_^ This fic is inspired by all the A/M, S/M and A/M/S fics that I've had the privilege to read. I hope this does not have too many similarities to those fics, and if there is and you don't like it, kindly say so in your review. *_* This is an Alternate Universe, set in our time (meaning NOW). Hope you like it! Enjoy reading and please review!! XD

Chapter One

"Aoshi-sama?" Makamichi Misao cracked open the door and popped her head inside. "I brought your tea." Her lively azure eyes wandered around the large room before locking on the tall, lean figure of a man who was standing beside the window with his back on her.

"You can put it on the table," he told her, his voice flat and dull.

The girl went in and placed the tray on top of the neatly arranged desk. She glanced at the Okashira. She could see him better now--his strong, angular face, his firm mouth that is always set in a serious, disapproving line, his frosty deep blue eyes that is darkened by his long jet black bangs framing his expressionless face. She would do anything just to run her fingers through those thick, dark locks.

Misao stepped beside Aoshi and closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. A light breeze from the open window lightly played with her ebony hair.

"It's such a beautiful day," she remarked, opening her eyes and grinning at Aoshi. "You really shouldn't spend it locked up here in your office, Aoshi-sama."

His vision gave him a glimpse of her as he turned around and went back to his desk. He sat down on the soft leather chair.

Misao quickly returned to her duty of pouring him his tea, still chattering. "How about taking a leisurely walk? You can see a lot of interesting things even here in the city if you know where to look. Like the hydrangeas in the park. They're now in full bloom. It's really pretty. And then maybe you could stop by our restaurant for a while. I'm sure Jiya and the others would love to see you again. Maybe I could even force them to give you a free--"

"There's a client coming," he cut her cheerful talk short, taking a sip from his cup.

"Oh." Misao's face fell. But only for a second. "Then how about later? We're usually full in the evening but I'm sure we'll find a place for you. There's this really cool band playing tonight." She looked at him, her green-blue eyes filled with longing and hope.

Aoshi closed his eyes and sipped his tea. "I'm busy." Even with out looking at her, he could see the disappointment cloud her usually bright and buoyant face. He did not like a bit.

A knock came abruptly, followed by a head peering in.

"There's a client waiting for you outside, sir," the pregnant secretary told them with a quiet smile.

"Bring her in," Aoshi ordered, nodding curtly.

"Yes, sir." The door closed again.

"I guess I'll be leaving now," Misao started for the door. "I'll just stop by later to clean up."

"You don't have to. Esra can do it," he told her, referring to his secretary.

Misao gripped the cool metal knob on her hand. "Alright then. I'll get going. The night's coming up and the bar will be full of people. I'll have to help out again." She tried to make her voice sound normal, but the keen man noticed a slight note of hurt in her tone. "See you tomorrow, Aoshi-sama!" She gave him a final grin before walking out the door.

Aoshi placed down his cup, trying to push aside the heavy feeling of dissatisfaction closing in on him, almost choking him. He took deep breaths to calm his nerves and when the door opened again, he was back to his usual cold, indifferent self.

***

Misao pushed the door sharply, sending the sliver chimes tinkling furiously. Her head hung low, she sighed as she headed straight to the kitchen. Noticing the very conspicuous change in the normally perky waitress, the people inside the diner looked anxiously at one another. When Misao walked out again, she was wearing her frilly blue apron with a notepad on one hand and a pencil on the other.

"Anou…daijobou ka, Misao-chan?" a boy with chestnut-colored hair asked her cautiously.

"Eh?" the girl looked up with surprise. "Did you say anything, Sou-chan?"

"He was asking you if you're alright," a voice told her from behind. Misao whipped around to the concerned gaze of Kamiya Kaoru.

"I'm fine," Misao replied, trying to sound cheerful.

"What's wrong?" an old man with a blue little ribbon on his goatee placed a palm on Misao's forehead. "Are you sick, my dear Misao?"

The girl sighed irately and swatted the wrinkled hand away. "I'm fine," she repeated. "Really, I am."

"Well then, if you're not sick, would you mind getting back to work!" Okina barked, slapping the back of her head playfully before heading back to the kitchen.

"Jiya!" Misao rubbed the nape of her head where her long braid started. She shot daggers at her grandfather's back that disappeared behind the swinging doors.

"Is it Aoshi?" Kaoru inquired gently. She studied the younger girl's reaction with a sympathetic expression.

"What are you talking about?" Misao turned her nose up in the air. "Aoshi-sama is perfectly fine. Still as handsome as ever. Even more handsome, actually."

"Misao-chan, you may be an average liar but we're your friends," Omasu told her, carrying a chair to one side of the tavern. "We know you too well."

"What do you mean, 'average liar'?!" she demanded. Then, Misao averted her eyes and sighed. "I'm trying my best to cheer him up but he just won't snap out of it! Why can't he see that there are other people around him who thinks he's special?"

"Maybe you should tell Shinomori-san how you feel," Soujirou suggested. He stepped out of his place behind the counter and helped Omasu and the others in arranging the tables and chairs for the evening.

"What?! No way!" Her heart started beating faster at the mere thought of it. She couldn't dare…could she?

"Why not?" Okon shrugged.

"I--I can't…" She shook her head, her aquamarine eyes were wide with fear. "I just can't. What if…what if he rejects me?"

"What if he doesn't?" Kaoru countered. She placed a comforting hand on Misao's elbow. "You'll never know unless you tell him."

"But…but…"

The chimes sounded again and a group of college students came in, sitting down on one of Misao's tables.

"Do you want me to get them for you?" Soujirou offered, noticing that his friend did not even see the group walk in. He finished adjusting the tables to make way for the dance floor of their comfy restaurant-by-day-rocking-club-by-night workplace.

Misao finally saw their new customers. "No, I'll do it," she replied hastily as another set of diners walked in, signaling the start of their evening rush hour.

***

"Tell him how I feel, huh?" Misao propped her chin on her left hand, her right one tapping a pencil on her office table.

She was the youngest member of the Oniwabanshuu. At first, she couldn't believe that the stern and hostile Okashira actually accepted her. Although she passed all the tests given to measure her abilities, she had a feeling Shinomori Aoshi thought her rather too young and childish for the spy network. Only later, after a lot of threats and snooping around, did she find out that her very own father had been the Okashira before Aoshi and even her Jiya had been a member once. She was hurt at the thought that Aoshi accepted her only because of her genealogy but did not show it. Instead, she had worked hard ever since making sure that all her assignments are completed satisfactorily. The Oniwabanshuu has kept its title as one of the best Private Investigator Agencies around but lately there seemed to be a shortage of people in need of spies and Misao was stuck with tons of overdue paper work. Which, she has not even touched since she sat behind her desk.

"Well, if he doesn't want me, then I'll just have to get over him pronto, right?" the raven-haired girl thought aloud. The she groaned and brought her face down on the table, resting her forehead on her arms. "Who am I kidding?! I'll never get over Shinomori Aoshi! Oh, if only he knew how much I love him…"

Just then, her door flew open, revealing the said man standing on the doorway. Misao's plaited head shot up, her blue eyes large, a light blush creeping to her cheeks.

"Aoshi-sama!" she exclaimed. Then silently, 'Did he hear anything?!'

Aoshi walked in and handed her a folder. "I've got work for you. A boy looking for his biological parents. His data and all other information about this case is in that folder." He started to exit the room when Misao suddenly stood up, knocking down her swivel chair in the process, and cried, "Aoshi-sama, wait!"

He stopped and turned around to face her.

She had called out to him in pure impulse. She did not really mean to tell him, but now that he was standing there waiting for her to speak, she knew it was now or never. Misao took a deep breath and walked towards him. Her heart was beating so violently that she thought it might fly straight out of her chest. She could feel her face and ears were burning a bright crimson. Her hands were balled into fists on her sides, her fingers digging into her flesh. With her downcast eyes, she finally decided to open her mouth.

"Aoshi-sama…I…I think you're…really great…I mean…you've been a very wonderful Okashira to all of us…and…and I really enjoy working for you…with you…and I…I…want you to know that whatever happens I'll always be here for you…I don't care about your past…I wish you'd should stop dwelling about it so much…it only fills you with hatred that fuels that invisible wall around your heart…I know it pains you but none of those matter anymore, Aoshi-sama…it hurts me to see you like this…if only…if only you'd let me…maybe I could…" Once her lips parted, heartfelt words just seemed to flow out like a fountain of water. Misao chanced a quick look up to his eyes.

He was staring down at her, his face blank and emotionless.

She trained her eyes back on the carpeted floor.

"I guess…what I'm trying to say here…is that…" she took a deep breath and bit her lower lip. "I love you, Aoshi-sama."

***********************************************************************************************************************************TBC

Author's Note: Yaah! She finally said it! How did Aoshi take it? Well, you'll find out in the next chap. ^_^ So, what do you think? Is Misao OOC? Is it boring? Is it confusing? Is it really that bad? Please tell me! Oh, and one more thing…I'm having a sort of dilemma on who Misao should really end up with. I just love Aoshi but I simply can't bear breaking Sou's heart. So, I'll leave it to you guys. Whoever gets the most vote ends up with Misao. What do you think? Review please!!