Thank you for your patience. I split Baby's Breath into two parts because it was too long to fit into one part. As soon as I finish editing it, I will post up Part 2. (I still have one beta-reader who hasn't sent me the revised version, so if there are still mistakes, I'm sincerely sorry. I will add in any revisions as soon as she sends it to me. )

Beta-Readers: padmini, fatcat648, and Drummer-Fiona. Thank you guys!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Rating: M for multiple mentions of adult situations and some implied.

Theme: Innocence

Pairings: Aoshi/Misao, mentioned/implied Kenshin/Kaoru and Sano/Megumi

Note: AU story There are KK and SM fluff/not-really-smut-but-kind-of cut scenes that I did not include b/c it would overshadow the main AM pairing. The KK and SM will be posted to my livejournal after I post Baby's Breath Part Two.

Baby's Breath (Part One)
by ViVesper (previously "Nujin")

"I'll see you later, Misao." She received a kiss and a hug before her boyfriend left with Kenshin. Misao sunk back into her sofa and clutched a pillow to her chest while Kaoru waved to the men from the doorway. Kaoru turned while a smile on her face, but it dropped when she saw Misao's expression.

"Why the long face?" Kaoru sat down and leaned her head on her roommate's left shoulder before stretching her legs along the length of the sofa. She missed her boyfriend already, but she knew he missed her too. The thought brought a smile to her face. A sigh from Misao shook her from her thoughts.

"How do you do it, Kaoru?" Kaoru raised her eyebrows while turning her head.

"Do what?" Sometimes, Misao was so random.

Her roommate had a defeated look on her face. "You and Kenshin. You guys are adorable together." Kaoru smiled but refrained from commenting. If Misao was comparing her relationship with Aoshi to the one between Kenshin and Kaoru, something was definitely wrong.

"So are you and Aoshi!" Kaoru retorted enigmatically. A sigh was the only response. Ok, where's the real Misao?

Kaoru sat up and turned around to face her friend. Misao had tears brimming at the edges of her eyes. What could cause this to happen? Just a few moments ago, she was telling embarrassing stories about Aoshi and emphasizing how "cute" he was.

"But Kaoru," Misao whined, stretching out the "ru" in her name. Yup, this is Misao. "It's not the same."

Kaoru chuckled. "What on earth are you talking about?" she asked, leaning an elbow on the back of the sofa.

Misao turned to her with a serious expression on her face. "I haven't slept with Aoshi," she proclaimed.

"Of course you have, Misao. What are-"

"No, Kaoru. I haven't slept with Aoshi!" Misao pressed, her voice getting more serious.

"What are you – ohh..." a light bulb turned on in Kaoru's mind before her eyebrow knitted together in frustration. "Why don't you just say 'sex,' Misao?"

Misao hit her before exclaiming, "That's not the point! I want him now, and I'm ready but he's so – ugh, he's so stiff!" Kaoru raised an eyebrow at Misao's choice of words. Realizing what she said, Misao grabbed the pillow behind her and threw it at her roommate. "Don't be so gross, Kaoru! You knew what I meant!"

Laughing, Kaoru fended off the pillow attack with her hands. "I know, Misao, I know! Stop it already!"

"So immature. I don't know how the both of you managed to grab such tasty boyfriends," an annoyed voice came from the doorway. Misao stopped her attack and turned to the woman who was making herself at home in their apartment.

"You're just jealous 'cause Aoshi's so much better than that rooster-head," Misao stuck her tongue at Megumi.

"How was work, Megs?" Kaoru asked, pulling the pillow from Misao's hands.

Megumi sighed and took a seat beside Kaoru. "Stressful, I almost lost a patient." Kaoru was about to relay her condolences but stopped when a naughty grin surfaced on Megumi's lips.

"Spill it, Megs."

"I think it worked."

"Really?"

"Yep. He called me at work, asking when my lunch hour," Megumi grinned and her eyes twinkled in mischief. "I think I'm going to have a very steamy lunch this week."

"Yes!" Kaoru shot her arm up in triumph.

Misao watched the exchange in confusion and frustration. "What's going on? What worked?" she asked them.

Megumi grinned. "I seduced Sano at Kamatari's birthday party. We didn't get far, but I still think it worked."

"What do you mean you seduced him? You were drunk, Megs!" Misao exclaimed in astonishment.

"I'm happy you fell for it too, Misao. Kenshin and Kaoru didn't, but what matters is that Sano didn't."

"You mean – you guys – you guys did it at the party?!" Misao practically screamed. Last night, they went to Kamatari's birthday party. His house was enormous, but that's what happens when you're the son of a rich fashion designer and about to become one yourself. But Sano and Megumi… had sex at Kamatari's house?!

"No, but we almost did. All the rooms were taken up, and he stopped me." Megumi paused for a moment. "Huh… he does respect me," she smiled. "He told me that he didn't want our first time to be when I was drunk." A naughty smile spread over her face. "At least he knows I want him now."

"Ew, Megs! I don't wanna hear that about the rooster!" Misao groaned. "I can't believe you guys can hit it off, and I can't even get Aoshi to put his hand up my shirt." Megumi raised an eyebrow, not expecting Misao to be so blunt.

Since the girls became friends, Misao was the most conservative. She always expressed how much she wanted to save herself for the right person and would only go out with someone if they were worth it. Misao was the most naïve, and Kaoru and Megumi never let her forget it. But that's what friends are for!

"Misao wants Aoshi to have sex with her." Kaoru informed her of the reason for Misao's extra bitchiness.

Megumi raised her head in understanding, "Oh… I see. Well, you need to take a crash course in Megumi's class of seduction!"

"What?! Whatever, Megs. No way."

"Hey," Megumi glared at Misao. "Who's closer to getting laid?"

Misao scrunched up her face before pouting. "Are you sure it'll work?"

"Of course!" Megumi shouted.

"It's about time we take the relationship in our own hands, Misao," Kaoru told her. "Our men are too nice and give us too much space. Are you going to tell me that sometimes you don't want Aoshi to just push you up against the wall and start –"

"Okay, okay! I get it Kaoru!" Misao blushed, thinking about the scene Kaoru was describing.

"First thing you need to do is stop being so shy when we're talking about this." Megumi began.

"What do you mean?"

"Say 'sex.'"

"Um… sex?" Misao tried but a blush blossomed her cheeks. She wondered if Megumi left her sanity at the hospital.

"No!" Megumi shouted at her angrily. "Shout it, Misao. Say it firmly! If you want it, you're going to need to be able to say it confidently. Kaoru, show her."

"Sex!" Kaoru shouted, laughing giddily.

"See? See that spunk?" Megumi pointed to Kaoru while Kaoru continued to say 'sex' in the background. Misao vaguely wondered if Kaoru was drunk. "Try again, Misao – and no blushing."

"S..sex."

"No! Again!"

"C'mon, say it with me, Misao." Kaoru wrapped an arm around her friend.

"Sex," Misao said along with Kaoru. And after a few minutes of total embarrassment, Misao began chanting it with Kaoru while laughing hysterically.

A pillow met their faces. "Stop it, you two. I said, 'Say it firmly,' not worship the fucking word." Misao and Kaoru just laughed in response, causing Megumi to roll her eyes.

"Now, the first situation. The club-"

"What? 'First situation?' You mean there's more than one?" Misao stared.

Megumi winked, and Kaoru grinned. "By the time we're done with you, you'll have all the tools you need to melt Aoshi's ice," Megumi laughed heartily.

Misao watched her friends in astonishment. They described the new Misao, a seductress that no man could ever resist. After listening to the different approaches and situations, Misao couldn't help but feel excited. A part of her was thankful she had friends like them. She never had any experience with seducing and didn't know where to start when it was simple flirting!

She was a virgin trying to enter the contemporary world of sex, and boy did she need to know the wrongs and rights, although all of this could be considered wrong.

Misao felt like hitting herself. Heck, she couldn't even say "sex" without blushing! There was no way she could seduce Aoshi.

She turned and saw how excited her friends were about teaching her.

Maybe all of that was going to change.

--

"Misao, do you know where I left my – oh, wait, here it is!" Kaoru smiled triumphantly as she found the flowery top she wanted to wear to the club.

It's been several weeks since Misao started her "lessons" with Megumi and Kaoru, and it was time for her to take her newfound knowledge in action. When Sano suggested that they all go to the club – Club Twilight – tonight, Kaoru dragged Misao to the store to buy her some new clothes and a skirt.

"Is anyone here ye-" Kaoru was caught mid-sentence when she turned and found Kenshin with his head behind the door, staring at her. She didn't know if she should be happy with the look in his eyes, or tell him he was perverted for watching her change. But before she could say anything, he smiled.

"I think what you're wearing right now is fine; but if you do intend on going out without a shirt, then I'll just have to lock you up," he grinned before shutting her door.

Kaoru clutched the shirt to her chest, baffled by his statement. What did that mean? So… should she go out with just her bra? Kaoru laughed at herself as she slipped on the top. Hearing Kenshin say that gave her even more confidence for what she had in store for him tonight.

--

"Let's go dance!" Kaoru shouted and grabbed her girlfriends' hands after winking at her boyfriend. Kenshin chuckled at her excitement. The club was filled with people, but it was nothing unusual for a Saturday night. Kenshin, Sano, and Aoshi took a position at the bar where they could watch their girlfriends.

As soon as they walked into the door, Kaoru ordered drinks for their table and only beers for the designated drivers, which, coincidently, were all the boys. For some reason, Kaoru and Misao looked anxious about something that Kenshin couldn't put his finger on. He knew that the three girls had been spending a lot of time together, but Megumi looked calm, so he brushed the thought aside.

They engaged in some guy talk, which mostly consisted of Sano's new job, work in general, news, and sports. Once in awhile, each of them stole glances at their girlfriends who were having the time of their life dancing away. A few times, he locked gazes with Kaoru. The grin she sent him and the way she moved was making him antsy. If she wanted to dance that provocatively, she could only do that with him and no one else; but since the girls were together, he restrained himself. Sneaking a glance at Aoshi, he could tell he was feeling the same about Misao. Sano, on the other hand...

"So, how are things with Misao? Have you guys-"

"That is none of your busine-"

"That means I'm right." When Sano heard no retort, he grinned before taking another sip of his beer. Kenshin smirked. Leave it to Sano to be blunt and obvious. "You should do something about it, Aoshi. What if Misao thinks you don't give her enough attention?"

"Why would she think that?" Aoshi blinked at Sano.

"Well, you haven't gone onto the dance floor to show her how much you appreciate her dancing."

"It wouldn't be wise," Aoshi argued. She was dancing more boldly tonight, and he didn't know if he approved or not. She appealed to more than just his eyes right now, and he still didn't like the idea that she was dancing in public. He sighed and turned away from temptation.

"I think it is. Or else she might leave with the guy that's hitting on her right now," Kenshin pointed out.

Aoshi looked up and saw a brown haired young man dancing right behind her. With his friends' words still ringing in his ears, he left them and entered the dance floor.

Misao didn't know what to expect. When she pictured dancing at the club, the scenario never had another guy hitting on her. It usually began with provocative dancing, Aoshi walking over to dance with her, and he'd be putty in her hands. But not this!

She wanted to hit herself. That's what she gets for knowing absolutely nothingabout seducing.

The guy was dancing behind her with his chest pressed against her back. She knew the dance floor wasn't that packed. For a split second, she panicked while her eyes darted towards her girlfriends. Megumi was being pulled away by Sano, and Kaoru gave her a wink before disappearing when she felt strong arms wrap around her waist. Offended by the stranger's boldness, she turned and was about to deliver a nasty remark and a slap to the face; but she was pleasantly greeted by Aoshi's handsome face looking down at her.

Keeping his arm around her waist, he pulled her back against his chest and leaned down to whisper into her ear. "I thought you wanted to dance, Misao." His breath sent chills down her spine, and she all sense left her.

Surprisingly, Aoshi began dancing to the music, and his arm guided her to his movements. He placed a kiss on the sensitive spot behind her ear, causing Misao to melt back into his embrace. He grinned against her ear and bent her head, kissing the juncture between her neck and shoulder.

Well, this was going nicely to plan; he was definitely paying attention to her now. Misao leaned to give him more access. It meant Aoshi saw her dancing, and now all she had to do was go with the flow.

No! She shook her head. Wasn't he supposed to be melting into her embrace, not the other way around?

This was the perfect chance for her to show him that she wasn't "the Conservative Virgin." She was mature and could make decisions for herself, but she could also picture him blaming himself if it were to go beyond kisses and hugs instead of thinking she wanted it too.

Still, she had to try. Closing her eyes, she let the music guide her body. It was a good thing she had that drink earlier, or else she'd be too nervous to do anything.

Slowly, Misao reached back and wrapped her fingers around his outer thighs. She traced wide, teasing circles, slowly moving up and inward to the front of his pants, causing his whole body to tense. Even with his arms still around her, she moved her body easily enough through the hole his arms provided.

Aoshi couldn't move; her fingers distracted him while he wanted those fingers to be somewhere else, entirely.

Misao glided up and down, rubbing herself against him and never breaking contact between her lazy fingers and his sides. Suddenly, Aoshi realized what Misao was doing, and he couldn't believe it. She was seducing him! His arousal was almost apparent, and there was nothing he could do about it. Where had she learned to do this? Misao slithered down once more, and this time she raised her hands, sliding them over his groin (he bit back a groan) and sneaking them under his shirt.

Determined to show her what he could do, Aoshi grabbed her hands, pulled her up, and whirled her around to face him. He locked her hands in his and held them behind her while his tall figure towered over her. The flare in his eyes sent chills down her spine.

When was the last time he looked at her like that, she wondered.

Before she knew it, his lips ghosted over her cheeks, trailed over her closed eyes, and reached her earlobe. He nipped the ridge of her ear, while his hands slid down her arm to her sides in a tantalizing caress. She moaned at the motion, begging him to touch her more. Her body shivered at the contact, and she could feel him smiling. His hands guided her hips along with his movements, and Misao's hands rested around his neck. She began moving provocatively, swishing her hips, and pressing up against her boyfriend. A growl escaped his lips.

"Aoshi," she whispered into his ear desperately. That plea was all he needed to continue.

His hands caressed her sides in sync with her hip movements. He buried his face into her neck and placed butterfly kisses from her neck to her ear. Her hands dove under his shirt, massaging the muscles underneath and teasing him around the waistband of his pants.

How they moved from the middle of the dance floor to a dark corner of the room, she never knew, but she didn't complain. It was when she tucked a few fingers into the front of his pants and "accidently" nudged him that he pushed her against the wall and kissed her full lips demandingly. His arms held her against him, and she could feel his desire without a doubt.

They were in a different world and didn't care about anyone who saw them. He was about to lean back when she pulled him into another steaming kiss almost desperately. She liked knowing he loved and wanted her as much as she wanted him. There was no way she was letting him think he could call all the shots.

Aoshi's hands trailed up the sides of her legs, wrapping them around his waist. Pushing her against the wall, Aoshi gained leverage and took her lips in his. Her skirt was riding up, exposing skin for his fingers to explore. He made little circles with his fingers until he reached the bottom of her panties, teasing the skin around it.

When was the last time they shared this much intimacy? He couldn't remember, and he didn't care. He wanted more of her. She was hot, intoxicating, sexy, and oh so much more.

He wanted to continue to extract the moans from her lips, to feel her fingers griping the shirt he wore, to feel her legs tighten around his waist, to-

"Oh, shit, sorry dude!"

--

"Where do you think the others are?" Megumi whispered into her boyfriend's ear, playing with his earlobe with her teeth. Sano's hands tightened around her waist.

"If you don't stop that, Megs; I don't think I can stop myself," he groaned. Megumi chuckled before teasing his ear once more.

"You didn't stop when a nurse was pounding on my office door, telling us we were too loud," Megumi smiled.

Sano glared down at her. "That's different," he defended. "We were in the heat of the moment."

Megumi reached up and rested her arms on his shoulders while dancing in tune with the music. "I didn't know you could be so... romantic or sensitive."

Sano turned away, frowning. "Guys can be romantic and sensitive," he defended. Seeing the look on her face, he corrected himself, "It's a rare thing! Don't expect it so much!"

"Are you... embarrassed?" Megumi teased him, causing him to redden even more.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," he huffed, looking over her shoulder. Megumi smiled at the cute look on his face. Who would have thought that the rooster-head could be so sensitive? She kind of liked this side of him. "Stop grinning like that."

Sano glared at her, and she just winked at him. She rested her head on his shoulder when two people came into her vision. "Trouble," she simply stated to her boyfriend before leaning back.

He turned around to see an angry Misao stomping in their direction. Aoshi wasn't far behind, but he was heading for the bar. "It seems like Misao failed tonight," Megumi sighed. Sano raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend.

"What do you mean failed?" he asked confused. She gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Seducing," she replied before walking off to console her friend. Sano stood there dumbfounded for a few moments before her word registered. He grinned, walking off to find Aoshi.

--

I hope you enjoyed the first part of this story. It was originally 10 pages but after sending to my beta-reader Padmini, she gave me some wonderful tips on how to expand it some more. So, since then, it has expanded to 20 pages!

I will post the next part as soon as I finish editing it.

Next flower/theme choices:

1 - Carnation (pink): "I'll never forget you."
2 - Carnation (purple): Unpredictable
3 - Chrysanthemum: "You're a good friend."

- ViVesper