Title: Magic

Pairing: Misao X Aoshi

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters ::sighing:: So don't sue me?

Note: ::sweatdrop:: It's really short, but please C&C?

Chapter 3

Taking a bath had a simple solution. They didn't take one. So, by the end of the week, Misao and Aoshi were both grimy and dirty, and the teasing they got from Okina and the other Aoiya members didn't improve the matter .

"I'm sure my sister will come with the key soon" Himeji swore. As a precaution, he was brought to the Aoiya where Shiro could keep an eye on him.

"I want to take a bath!" Misao cried. "I can't stand sleeping next to Jiya anymore! I want my freedom back!"

"Do you think I like the arrangements?" Okina sniffed. "the only reason I'm sleeping in  the room with you, is to make sure nothing happens"

"Okina!" Misao growled. Angrily, she reached behind her back for her knives and flushed. Aoshi's hand was now touching her lower back.

"Misao" Aoshi looked patiently down at her.

"Sorry, I forgot" Misao reached with her other hand. "You just wait, Jiya" she muttered. By the time she managed to get one knife out, Okina had managed to slip away.

"Darn!" Misao slumped to the floor in disappointment, dragging Aoshi down with her.

"Misao!"

"Sorry, I forgot" Getting up carefully with Aoshi at her side, she was lost in thoughts again as the anger churned in her.

"The nerve!" she gritted her teeth. "How dare Okina think that!" Pacing, she jerked Aoshi with her.

"Misao!!!!"

"Sorry" Misao flushed. "I forgot" Glancing around, her eyes lit up when she noticed the training room. Why not? She thought. She was about to race over, when a jerk at her wrist halted her.

"Misao" Aoshi gritted his teeth. "Why don't we just sit down for a moment and rest?"

"We've been resting" Misao cheerfully tugged him with her. "Come on Aoshi-sama. Let's train!"

"How much training could we do?" Aoshi raised an eyebrow.

"Plenty" Misao dragged him forward to the training room. Eyes wearily, Aoshi had no choice but to follow her. This is what pure torture is, he realized. Following her into the room, he sighed when she glanced around.

"Aoshi-sama?"

"What?"

"Can you teach me how to fight with a kodachi?" Misao gazed at him seriously. "I want to learn."

Startled, Aoshi gazed down at her and frowned.

"Why now?" he asked.

"I don't know" Misao shrugged. "Just a feeling…" Perking up, she grabbed one of Aoshi's kodachi that was lying on the table. "Is this how you work it?" Slashing uncontrollably, Aoshi ducked quickly  and saw a few strands of his dark hair fall to the floor.

"Misao…" he sighed.

"Sorry" Misao grinned.

"Hold it like this" Maneuvering her arms slightly, he showed her the correct from.

'This feels right' Misao thought as the warmth of Aoshi's hand filtered through her fingers. Flushing, she tried to concentrate on Aoshi's lesson.

"…do you understand?" Aoshi asked.

"Yeah" Bringing her mind out of her daydreams, Misao concentrated on the step-by-step training.

'She's a fast learner' Aoshi smiled as he watched her.

"This is fun!" Misao laughed. Jabbing the kodachi harder, she almost tripped, sending the sword flying through the air.

"Oops" Misao sweatdrop as the blade embedded itself deeply into the wall.

'On the other hand' Aoshi felt a large headache coming on. 'she needs more practice'

TBC