Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Chapter 3

Later that night at Misao's house, she got onto the phone with Kaoru. After rehashing the entire encounter with Aoshi, much was starting to dawn on Misao about their earlier conversation.

"I totally messed it up Kaoru."

"I wouldn't say you screwed it up. Aoshi isn't one for…uh…moments, I suppose. At least that's what Kenshin says."

"I was so upset, I didn't even insult or threaten Sano when I bumped into him and he called me a weasel."

"WHAT?!"

Misao pulled away at the noise and brought the phone back to her, "Ear drum Kaoru. Vital part of hearing."

"Sorry, it's just so shocking for you to not insult Sano or even threaten to clobber him."

"I didn't even surprise Soujiro. You can never tell by his constant smile."

To keep on track, Kaoru changed the subject, "Let's not talk about that. Listen don't worry about Aoshi. You didn't screw it up."

"Kaoru, I told him he has my number."

"So?"

Misao slapped her forehead and closed her eyes, "He doesn't have it."

"Oh" and after an awkward pause, Kaoru replied, "...like I said don't worry."

Misao slapped a hand to her cheek.

At Misao's Locker, Next Day

"Good morning Misao."

"Hi Kenshin."

"I was surprised to hear from Sano that you didn't do your usual comebacks or threats when he called you a…you know."

"Weasel? Yeah, well I was pretty upset because of the whole Aoshi asking thing," Miaso slammed her locker hard.

Kenshin cringed at the sound, "Oro?"

"Sorry Kenshin, it's not you, only me."

"That's okay Misao. Things will work out that they will."

Misao smiled at what Kenshin said and then Kaoru came out of breath from running.

"Kaoru, why are running in the halls?" Kenshin said with worry.

"Sano…is trying to…get Soujiro to…not smile so much," she replied in tired breath.

"That bird brain won't get Soujiro to de-smile. It's impossible. Soujiro doesn't know any other emotion." Misao was certain. After all, this was Soujiro.

"Well, he's trying. Very hard."

"I should stop Sano that I should."

"No need. Come see for yourselves," then Kaoru grabbed Kenshin's hand and ran to the cafeteria.

"I'll see you guys in a minute!" Misao let out a sigh and was about to go to the cafeteria when she came face to face with Aoshi.

"Oh, hey Aoshi. Listen I know you don't have my number so I-"

"Look Misao. I'm not good at giving answers especially in social situations. But your the only person in school who I don't mind being with. I'll go to the dance with you, but I don't do fast dances, or slow dances for that matter. And I'll pick you up at seven from your house. I'll see you next Saturday" Aoshi was about to walk away when he turned back, "What's your address? Never mind I'll ask Kenshin. See you in Latin Club." He then left as if it were a magic trick to disappear.

Misao was so shocked she kept still with her mouth hung open and it slowly creeped into a beaming smile. "Yeah!" Misao did a little dance in the empty hallway and ran to the cafeteria.

At the Cafeteria

Sano rubbed his temples in frustration at the still smiling Soujiro while Kenshin, Kaoru, and even Megumi Takani watched the scene, along with some people from the school, to see if Soujiro would actually not smile.

"Soujiro, you are killing me man."

"I'm sorry Sano but I can't stop smiling. I just like to smile." And there was Soujiro still smiling.

Sano pressed his hands together as if in prayer and pulled them toward his chest, "Soujiro, the problem with you is that you always smile even when you're mad. It's not normal."

Soujiro kept smiling, "That's not true. I just prefer to smile because it's good to smile."

"I give up," Sano got up from the cafeteria bench, "there's no point in doing this."

Soujiro got up as well, "Wait Sano. I can do it. I can frown. Watch?"

Everyone around watched intently as Soujiro tried to frown. The corners of his mouth moved a bit as he attempted to frown.

"Ha! A frown. See?" Soujiro pointed to a more beaming version of his smile.

Sano put a hand to his eyes, "Ugh! Soujiro you're smiling more than ever now."

"Oh…Well, I tried."

"At least tell me why you always smile and don't say you prefer or like to smile. Save me from my sanity already."

"That's simple. The reason I smile is because everything in life is great."

"You're so right Soujiro! Everything in life is great!" Misao who was equally beaming like Soujiro and hugged him as Soujiro kept on smiling.

"Geeze weasel. What's with you?" Sano smiled, hopeful that things would change quickly.

'The weasel will bring normalcy back.'

The Misao turned to face him with a big smile, surprising Sano.

"Sano I'm so happy right now, I don't feel like clobbering you for insulting me" Misao hugged Sano and then hugged Kaoru tightly.

Sano stood there opened mouthed at everything that transpired within the last minute and a half and then sat on the cafeteria bench laying his head flat on the surface of the table.

'Everything's gone wacky.'

"You did well at trying to make Soujiro not smile Sanosuke" Sano looked up surprised to hear what Megumi had just said "Maybe he just can't frown. Doesn't know the meaning of it."

Megumi smiled and left a still surprised Sano who gave a smile as well. That Megumi Takani complicated him was a wonderful feeling.

"Forget normalcy. Wacky is good."

To be continued….

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