Misao woke up to some shuffling sounds she heard around her. She slowly opens her eyes and had trouble adjusting to the light. 'What happened?' She wondered as she strained to sit up.

"Ah...you're finally awake." Misao heard someone say.

Clearing her eyes as best she could, she focused in on the person. It was a tall man in a black suit. "Now I remember. You kidnapped me!" Misao cried out. She threw back the covers of the bed she was in and ran to the door, pulling on it hard before she realized it was locked. "Shimatta!" Misao cursed as she noticed a patio across the room. She threw a glance towards the man standing in her room to see if he would make a move to stop her. To her astonishment, he remained perfectly still. Not wasting any more time, Misao bolted for the patio. She looked down, mentally measuring the height and distance. 'I wonder I could make it down without breaking anything?' She asked herself. She shivered, noticing how cold it was. 'Its supposed to be hot out... why am I so cold?' She pondered, still contemplating jumping. It was at that moment that she noticed she was missing something.

"Ara...Where are my clothes?" She asked calmly.

"Your uniform was filthy, so we had it sent to the cleaners. " The man in black said from behind her.

"ECCHIIIIIIIII" Misao screamed, covering her breasts.

"No madam. I wouldn't... I mean, I would never..." The man sounded panicked. He rushed back into the room and handed her a robe.

Misao snatched it hesitantly from the man, hastily wrapping it around her exposed body. She continued to stare at the man with a suspicious eye and eased slowly by him. Once she was back in the room, she quickly distanced herself from him and studied her surroundings in more detail.

"What is this place?" Misao asked, noticing the extravagant lamps and beautiful furniture in the room.

"This is the Shinomori mansion." The man answered.

Misao's forehead creased in anger. She remembered now. "Now I remember. That creep brought me here, didn't he?"

"Creep, madam?" The man asked confused.

"You know, Shinomori?" Misao said as if it should be common knowledge.

"Would you be referring to Lord Aoshi, madam?" He asked questioningly.

Misao gave him an odd look. 'This guy has got to be kidding. Lord Aoshi? This man is definitely a card short of a full deck.'

"Hai. Shinomori wa?"

"He is at fencing practice and should be returning in a couple of hours." He answered.

"Fencing practice? Nani? What do you mean he is at fencing practice?" Misao asked, becoming more and more confused by this strange man as the moments passed.

"It is Saturday madam. Lord Aoshi has fencing, kung fu and swimming practices today."

"Saturday? It can't be! It was just Tuesday!" Misao said in a panicky voice.

"Well… You have been unconscious for almost four days."

"F-four days?" She stuttered out. Shock hit Misao very hard. 'I've been here since Tuesday?' She unthinkingly sank to the bed and placed her face in her hands. 'I am going to kill him!'

"Is something wrong, madam?" The man asked in a concerned voice.

Misao looked up at him and wondered why he kept referring to her as 'madam'? "Hai. Something is very wrong. I should be in school. I have a math test, which I wasn't able to study for because I was unconscious, due to some chemical, for reasons I don't understand!" Misao blurted out.

The man looked at her, amazed that she could say all that with one breath. "OK... Well if you need anything than press the button on the remote." He said before making his way over to the door.

"Nani? Remote?" Misao asked, bewildered.

"Hai. That remote controls the CD player, television, lights, the rotating closet and the intercom system used to call me." He explained as he typed a code into a device on the door. The door immediately unlocked. "I will go to the kitchen and have the staff prepare something for you. I will also send up a few of the ladies maids to help you freshen up. The salon is being prepped for you and wardrobe is ready to fit you as soon as you are finished with makeup."

Misao's head was swirling. "What are you talking about?"

"Lord Aoshi said that you were to receive a make-over. He also said to tell you that the party is going to be very formal, so you have to have a make-over to fit in." He stated relaying Aoshi's message.

Misao's face flushed from anger. It amazed her how easily Shinomori could piss her off. "So you must be one of his butlers, ne?"

"On the contrary, I am his head butler. There are seventeen butlers under me." He said proudly.

"Nani? Why on earth would he need seventeen butlers? He must have a rather large family…?" Misao questioned.

"Iie. Actually, his parents are running the Spanish based version of their company in Madrid and his sister Okon just married a famous Martial Arts movie star named Hiko Seijirou and is living in America." He answered.

"Sugoi! So you mean... Shinomori lives here alone?"

"Not alone. Most of the staff resides here."

"Is there enough room for everyone?"

"There are 64 rooms on the grounds, 30 in the main house and 34 in the guesthouse. But if Master Aoshi ever needs more room, he can always renovate. Well now, I must see to your dinner. I will send Tae-san up for you massage. You should enjoy it, she is one of the best." He stated as he turned to leave.

"Matte. What is your name?"

"Oh where are my manners. Boca wa Akito."

"Hajimemashite."

"Charming young girl, aren't you? I shall see to my tasks." And with that he left.

-Later-

Misao is in heaven. Akito wasn't lying when he said she was the best. 'I feel completely at ease.' She thought to herself as Tae gave her a massage. She mentally kicked herself however, when she realized who was paying for all of this.

"Ano... Tae-san?"

"Nani?"

"Were you ordered to give me a massage?"

"Hai."

"I see. By Shinomori?"

"Hai."

"Naze?"

"Lord Aoshi said that you were to be tension-free for tonight. So he told me to lend you my services."

"Oh… So if I were to request you myself, how much would you charge?" Misao asked, pumping for information.

"My going rate is $200.00 an hour." Tae stated.

Misao's eyes almost popped out of her head. "But we have been here for 3 already! That is 600 dollars!" She exclaimed.

"Daijoubu. This is peanuts to Lord Aoshi. Besides, he seems to want to do this for you!" Tae said in a reassuring voice.

"I don't understand why though, we are mortal enemies at school." Misao stated.

"Men can be very mysterious creatures. But just between us..."

"Hai?"

"He seems to be more energetic whenever he has any type of interaction with you." Tae said in a whisper.

"Eww... Naze?!" Misao couldn't believe the sadistic guy that tortured her everyday was happy to be around her. That was just too unnatural.

Tae didn't answer. Instead she finished Misao's massage and typed a number into the device next to the door. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" Misao asked suspiciously.

"Downstairs. Its time for your facial." Tae said.

"Downstairs?" Misao repeated, obviously confused.

"Hai. To the mall area."

"M-M-Mall?" Misao could barely get the words out.

"Hai. This house has a built-in shopping mall, restaurant, swimming pool, Movie Theater, cafe, etc."

Misao's eyes went wide for the third time. "All that for one guy?" Tae nodded as she pulled a very weak Misao to her feet. "Let's not waste anymore time. Lord Aoshi has been home for about an hour now and I am sure you are eager to see him. But first...your facial."

Misao nodded and allowed herself to be pulled out the door.

-Two hours later-

'I know I recognize this man. I saw him on a talkshow giving makeovers to people. He has to be famous.' Misao thought as the man placed her hair into large rollers. He then sat her under a dryer and gave her a stack of magazines.

"This should take about twenty minutes. I am going to the cafe for a cappuccino, would you like me to bring you anything?" He asked politely.

"Ano...no thank you." Misao said, still in awe that someone so famous was doing her hair.

Misao watched him leave then turned her attention to the magazines in her lap. "No way!" She exclaimed as she looked down at the topmost publication. "This is next month's issue of Seventeen. This isn't even out yet!" She said excitedly. Misao flipped through the magazines and noticed a beautiful red silk dress. She thought that it was the prettiest dress she had ever seen. "Kawaii." She said out loud. She was so enchanted by it (plus the dryer was too loud), that she doesn't notice the person standing over her shoulder.

Aoshi peeked down at the magazine Misao was looking at. He noticed the dress and the excited look Misao had because of it, thinking for a moment and then snatching the magazine from her hands.

"Hey!...Ouch" Misao cried as her head hit the dryer. She wanted to rub the bump forming but the big rollers were in the way. Frustrated, she lashed out at Aoshi. "What are you trying to do, give me a heart attack?!"

"Sumen. I just wanted the magazine."

"Shinomori, I didn't know you were into Seventeen?" Misao said sarcastically.

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me, Makimachi!" Aoshi says coolly.

"Nor do I want to know. Look, why did you bring me here? I missed school and I was supposed to study for my math test that I've missed and I missed work...Oh my god! Jiya! He must be worried sick!" Misao says panicking. "Where is the phone? I need a phone! This is all your fault, Shinomori!" She said as she walked by him.

Aoshi grabed her arm. "Calm down. Your grandfather knows where you are and I had your test rescheduled." Aoshi said matter-of-factly.

"Eh?" Misao said, pulling her arm from his grasp. "How can you do that?" Misao asked dumbfounded.

"Have you forgotten that my father is on the Board of Education? I just called his office in France and had him arrange it. And as for your grandfather, I just told him that I needed a tutor in math and that you would be staying at my home so we could cram." Aoshi said slyly.

"But you attend the University? How did you explain that to Jiya?" Misao asked.

"I just told him that I had to repeat my math class from senior year." Aoshi explained.

"You are something else you know that! You have no idea what you have done, do you? I needed to work Tuesday to help my grandfather out with the bills and because of you, now poor Jiya has to work a double shift!" Misao said accusingly.

"Has anyone ever told you that you whine too much?" Aoshi said, unaffected by her accusations.

"How dare you...you...you..." Misao started.

"Look...I have taken care of everything." Aoshi said, cutting her off. "I have arranged it so that neither you nor your grandfather has to work and that cheap, rundown restaurant ever again."

"YOU WHAT?!" Misao screamed at him. "What gives you the right to disrupt people's lives?! You can't just dictate what we can and cannot do! You are not God!" Misao stated angrily.

"Right, right. So, you like this dress, ne?" Aoshi said, ignoring Misao's outburst.

"You are unbelievable! You know what, I'm leaving. And I will pay you back for all of this." Misao stated indignantly, pulling the rollers out.

"Really? So you are going to give me $5,000 dollars?" Aoshi asked with a devious look.

"F-five thous-sand? "She stuttered out.

"Hai." Aoshi answered coolly.

Misao's jaw hit the floor. "Why on earth would you spend that much on me?"

"Simple. You needed it. Do you think that I would escort you to the part the way you normally look?" Aoshi asked with a serious look.

"What do you mean?" Misao said, trying not to let him see how offended he was making her.

"Let me put it another way. You normally go around in bargain bin hand-me-downs. As appealing as that may be in your part of the world, it just won't cut it here in high society!" Aoshi explained.

Misao took the remaining magazines and threw them at him. Aoshi looked at her in an annoyed fashion. She didn't care, she pulled the rest of her rollers out and placed them on the table. "I would like to go home! Now!" Misao said coldly.

"Don't be such an ungrateful brat! Any other girl in your position, would be kissing the ground I walk on for what I have given you!"

"Gomen... Demo I'm afraid that I am NOT any other girl! I cannot be bought over by some mansion with a mall and a makeover! You don't know how to treat people! And with an attitude like yours you will never find a decent girl!" Misao said as she walked to the exit of the salon.

"I am the future owner of the Shinomori Software company and many smaller businesses. I am well-respected and very rich. I can have any girl that I want!" He said arrogantly.

"Now that is where you are wrong, Shinomori. Because you can't have me!" Misao said, slamming the door behind her.

Aoshi blushes. (Kawaii)

-An hour later-

Misao located Akito after walking an eternity through the many wings of the house. "This house is too big." She says as he led her to the cleaners where her uniform was.

"Are you sure that you don't want to stay for dinner?" Akito asked again for the 100th time.

"I'm positive. I really want to get home and check on Jiya." Misao said as they rounded the final corner to enter the cleaners.

"All right madam. But I must say that Lord Aoshi shall be very disappointed." Akito said matter of factly.

"Well that's his problem!" Misao snaped.

Akito flinched and turned to retrieve her uniform. He quickly handed it to her and directed her to a store across from the cleaners. "There is a changing room there."

"Arigatou, Akito-san." Misao said, her voice now softer than before.

"You're welcome, madam." Akito replied, bowing.

Misao blushed and went quickly to the store across from them to change. After she was done she came out to find Aoshi standing outside the dressing room door. "Now you are stooping to peeping?" Misao said dryly.

"Sumen." Aoshi said simply.

"What did you say?" Misao asked in disbelief.

"You heard me. It was wrong of me to say those things to you earlier. I want to make it up to you. Would you allow me to make it up to you?" Aoshi said, gazing into her eyes.

Misao blinked in surprise. "What brought this one, Shinomori?"

"I told you. I felt bad for what I said." Aoshi answered sternly.

"All right, apology accepted." Misao agreed. "Now I really need to go." She finished impatiently.

"Okay, here is the deal. Go to the party with me tonight and I promise that I will not torture at school anymore." Aoshi offered.

"Why is it so important to you that I go to this party with you? " Misao asked.

"The party is in less than an hour and I don't have time to find another date."

"You? Shinomori Aoshi? The man who can get any girl he wants cannot find a date at the last minute?" Misao asked, mocking Aoshi's previous statement.

"That's what I'm saying." Aoshi answered.

Misao looked him over for a few minutes. She wasn't sure she could trust him but if there was a chance that he had even a fraction of honor than maybe he would keep his word. "All right. I will be your date. But you have to promise on your honor that you won't go back on your word." Misao said.

"I promise." Aoshi swore. Misao prayed that she wouldn't regret her decision.

-The Party-

Aoshi and Misao arrived in a black limousine. Aoshi took two glasses from the built in bar. He poured two glasses of red wine and handed one to Misao.

"Are you crazy? I am only 16?" Misao snapped.

"And? I have been drinking wine since I was 15." Aoshi said.

"So that's what's wrong with you. You're an alcoholic." Misao said in an understanding voice.

Aoshi ignored the comment as he waited for the driver to open the door. "Get ready" He said as the driver opened the door. Aoshi stepped out and extended his hand to Misao. She stepped out in a beautiful blue, floor length dress. Her hair was braided in a long French braid and kiss curls lined the front of her head. Her makeup consisted of a deep coral lipstick, peach blush and translucent eye shadow that showed off her dark blue eyes beautifully. When Aoshi had first seen her walk down the stairs his heart did a flip. She was gorgeous. It was remarkable how a rush-job by his staff could turn out such a remarkable creature.

Aoshi held out his arm to Misao. She slipped her arm through his, forming a link. Taking in a deep breath, they entered the party. They didn't get five feet in the door, when suddenly all eyes were locked upon them. Misao blushed at all the whistles and admiring looks she was receiving. She felt just like Cinderella. Aoshi led her to a table in the back, near the bar. Misao immediately scanned the room for Kaoru. Unfortunately, the crowd of people overwhelmed her and the faces were beginning to look alike.

"I don't recognize any of these people." Misao said, leaning over to Aoshi.

"That is because they don't go to your school. They are mostly all from the University." Aoshi explained.

"Oh. But Megumi is in high school. I guess she is trying to get an early start with the popular crowd, ne."

"It would appear so." Aoshi stated with disinterest. Misao was about to ask if he was bored when they were interrupted.

"Aoshi. I see you brought a date. Aren't you going to introduce us?" Sano said as he downed a drink. Misao guessed that he had been partying a long time before the party even started.

"Makimachi Misao meet Sangara Sanosuke." Aoshi said formally.

Sano's mouth dropped open, "This is Makimachi?" He said in disbelief. "You clean up pretty nice!" He added, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Misao could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"Sano. If you don't mind, Makimachi is with me tonight!" Aoshi said sharply.

Sano immediately dropped his arm. "Sumen Aoshi. I think I may have had a little too much to drink."

Aoshi composed himself, "You always have a little too much to drink. Go sober up."

"You're probably right. Ja" Sano said, saluting Aoshi and disappearing into the crowd.

"You have interesting friends." Misao commented.

Aoshi shook his head and signaled for a waiter. "Who Sano? We grew up together. He's an all right guy but he loves to party. Do you want anything to drink?" Aoshi asked as the waiter approached.

"Iced tea, if they have it." Misao said, turning her attention back to the crowd. She noticed that some of the people were beginning to dance. She smiled at the couples, feeling a tad bit envious. She wondered if she would ever dance with someone she truly loved. She watched all of the couples dance by in their formal clothes, the guys in tuxedos and the girls in elegant gowns. It dawned on her just how different she was from this type of group. 'I am way out of my league,' she thought to herself. She sighed as the waiter brought over her tea. She was just about to take a sip when she spotted someone familiar.

"Soujirou?" She whispered. She had forgotten that he would be here. 'Of course he would. He is part of the F4 and very wealthy. Not to mention incredibly cute!' She stared in awe as he danced. His dark hair slicked back and parted at the side. His tuxedo clinging in all the right spots of his lean form. Misao thought he was the best looking guy there. She debated on rather or not she should say hello. Deciding against it, she forced herself to turn back to her drink.

"So you like Soujirou? Aoshi asked knowingly.

Misao almost spat her drink at him. "Na-Nani? She asked nervously.

"If you want to talk to him, you are about to get your chance." Aoshi said, gesturing behind her. She turned to find Soujirou standing behind her chair. Her heart caught in her throat.

Soujirou smiled, "Konbanwa. I was wondering if you would like to dance?" He asked softly.

Misao sat immobile, the truth being that really she didn't know how to dance. She cursed herself for being so uncivilized. 'Finally, the guy I have liked for over a year asks me to dance and I have no idea how!' Misao moaned inwardly. 'What am I going to do?' She asked herself as he held out his hand. Failing to resist his smile she agreed. "Hai". He led her out onto the dance floor and the crowd cleared, leaving them alone. The music starts and...

TBC