Kyaa Kyaff here!

Disclaimer: *sigh* RK doesn't belong to me, but the lovely and awesome RK wall scroll my friend bought me does. Love you Kathy!

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" Dialogue

----- Indicates flashback

An Illusion of a Peaceful Time

Chapter 7: Misao's decision

Megumi sat listening to Kaoru, her eyes wandering over to Sano every once and awhile. After Kenshin and Kaoru had told everyone what was happening, Soujiro had left to go search for Misao, convincing Kenshin to stay behind. Everyone else refused to leave as well. Now there was nothing else to do but wait and see what happened. Kenshin was outside saying it would be easier to sense if anyone were near.

Sano suddenly stood, "I'm going to my room to rest up a bit. You never know. I wanna be ready if Shinomori wants to start something."

With that said he left the others in silence. Tsubame and Yahiko were both in their room having returned shortly after Misao had left. Kenji was safely curled up in Enishi's arms having insisted he be able to sit there. Enishi had looked uncomfortable at first, but gradually adjusted to it. Tomoe had teased him a little saying what a good father he would make. Megumi listened as the others began to talk only replying when she was addressed. All she could think about was Sano and how he had avoided her. Usually he sat right next to her, but this time he had chosen to sit across the room from her. Their earlier confrontation was still on her mind. Unable to take it anymore she decided to excuse herself.

"I…I'm going to check on Daisuke."

Megumi left quickly before they could comment or ask any questions. She intended to see Sano, but was going to check on Daisuke first as she said she would. Going into his room she quickly checked him over noting the fact that he seemed to be past the worst of it and was improving for the better. Kaoru would be happy to know that. Once finished examining Daisuke, Megumi quietly crept to Sano's room. She went to knock but stopped herself. What would she say to him anyway? Her heartbeat quickened as she thought it over.

Finally she just slid the door open before she lost all her courage.

"Sano," Megumi said tentatively.

She saw him lying on his futon facing the opposite wall. He didn't even turn over to look at her as he replied.

"Want something?"

"To talk," Megumi answered coming into the room and shutting the door behind her.

Megumi came as close to Sano's lying form as she dared before sitting down. She tried to work up the voice to say something but could think of nothing now that she was beside him.

"You gonna talk. Kinda helps. Can't read minds, you know."

His impersonal manner was starting to affect her. What right had he? So she had been a bit distant from him, Megumi had her reasons. It was hard to stop the reaction, and she had always been that way with Sano. To just give in and do what she wanted was something she had always denied herself. It only came naturally.

"Well?" Sano persisted sounding impatient.

"Never mind!" Megumi exclaimed going to stand.

Sano's hand suddenly whipped out catching her and forcing her to sit back down. Apparently she hadn't sat far enough away. Once he was sure she wasn't going to move, he sat up.

"You come to my room wanting to talk. Now talk."

Megumi looked away. Sano moved closer grasping her chin in his hand.

"I like to see whose talking to me. Not the side of their face."

Megumi pulled her chin away from him mustering her courage and controlling her anger, "I'm sorry."

"What?"

"I'm sorry! Do you want me to say it again!? I don't want to push you away! I don't mean to. I'm so used to it. So used to…it scares me," Megumi raised her hands up looking at them, "And then Kanryu…when I wouldn't do what he wanted…I couldn't fight back! I was helpless. And…please just be patient! Because…because I do love you. I do want to be with you. I want you to kiss me! I want you to hold me. I want to hear that you love me."

Sano's eyes had darkened at the mention of Kanryu's name, but he smiled softly as Megumi watched him clutching her hands together. Sano slowly scooted closer to the agitated Megumi.

"Is that all?"

He gently pulled her into his arms rubbing her back softly.

"Megitsune, I love you. Now about tha…"

Megumi didn't let him finish though. She had moved away only to throw her arms around his neck and catch him in a fierce kiss. Sano's shock rapidly wore off as he returned the kiss. Their first real kiss, and what a kisser she was. He felt like he could never get enough. Touching her cheek he broke the kiss of.

"What's this now?" Sano said wiping the tears from her face.

Megumi smiled, wiping away the rest of her tears, "I'm not an easy person to live with, you know."

"Believe me I know that!"

Megumi hit him, "Hey!"

"You're just perfect to me," Sano said dragging her even closer, "Now I think I might need another kiss."

"I have to get back before the others start wondering where I am," Megumi said putting a finger to his lips.

Sano smiled releasing Megumi and going over to the door before she could think to protest.

"Hey Kenshin! Meg's in my room, so if anyone's wondering…"

Sano laughed at something Kenshin said before shutting the door. Turning with a satisfied smile he was hit full in the face with his blanket. He chuckled at the bright red flush that rose on her cheeks.

"They're going to think we are doing something in here!"

"And?"

"I'm going to kill you!" Megumi hissed out.

Sano's eyebrow rose, and he gave her a challenging expression, "You couldn't even if you tried."

"Ohhhh! That's it!"

Sano couldn't help smiling as Megumi stood looking ready to kick him. He had a plan on taming his wild kitsune. This would be fun.

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Seeing Kenji safe in Enishi's arms Kaoru excused herself. Stepping outside she saw Kenshin standing by the front entrance. A half indignant squeal that sounded more like a laugh made her stop and stare back at the house.

"Seems Sano and Megumi-san have overcome their differences," Kenshin said still looking down the road.

Kaoru smiled going up to Kenshin and slipping her arms around him, pressing her face to his back. His hair tickled her slightly as she pushed it out of the way. He was so warm and smelled so good. She inhaled deeply drinking in the feeling of holding him.

"Why don't you come inside for a little while?"

Kenshin shook his head, "I'll stay out here. I won't let him come close to our home."

'Our home. I love the sound of that.'

"Then I'll keep you company."

Kenshin turned his head to look at her as much as he could earning him a kiss on the cheek. He smiled softly running a hand along the arm that still held him in a affectionate hug. He sighed before looking down the road again.

"I'm worried about Misao-san," Kenshin said quietly, "I should have went too."

"And left us here. If he does come here…not that I can't handle him myself, but I'm not as fast as I use to be. Damn this leg."

"Yes, I know. And there is nothing wrong with your leg. It is a very nice leg you have there," Kenshin replied causing Kaoru to giggle as his hand drifted down to pinch the side of her leg, "I just don't…"

"Have faith," Kaoru interrupted, "Have faith in Misao-chan. And Aoshi. He's…not himself. Misao can reach him. I know she can. She did that night so many years ago."

Kenshin smiled, "You're always so optimistic."

"I have to be," Kaoru gave Kenshin a little squeeze, "I can't wait until this is all over, and we can just live our lives in peace. So many things have happened."

"I'm being to think peace is just an illusion," Kenshin muttered.

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Misao had been in town inquiring about Aoshi, when she finally came across a traveling merchant, who looked a little spooked. He was telling his companions of a man he saw that fit Aoshi's description perfectly. Misao had left in an instant. She had to find him no matter what and as soon as possible.

"Aoshi, where are you?"

Misao sat down on a tree stump frustrated. Aoshi could be anywhere. The road was a long one with woods on either side. She'd now be looking for an hour. He could have gone and done anything in that amount of time. The crunching of footsteps alerted her to the approach of someone. She felt her heart lift then sink when Soujiro's smiling face came into view. Not that she wasn't happy to see him, but she had hoped...

"There you are Misao-chan."

"What are you doing here, Sou-chan?" Misao asked tiredly.

"Came to get you."

"Go back to the dojo," Misao replied.

"Not without you. I had to convince Kenshin not to come himself. He told us of the situation," Soujiro tilted his head to the side, "Looks like you're stuck with me. Besides two people searching is quicker than one, isn't it?"

Misao shook her head, "I'm doing this on my own. Aoshi…he's not someone to take lightly."

"Neither am I? You forget I've been helping you search for this man for quite some time. Why should now make a difference?"

"It just does," Misao answered stubbornly.

"I'm not leaving," Soujiro said extending his hand out to Misao.

She looked at him knowing without a doubt that there was no way to convince him to go back.

Misao grudgingly took the proffered hand, "You are as stubborn as Kaoru-san."

"More stubborn perhaps. I did put up with her all those years," Soujiro said with an easy laugh.

"Oh! I'm going to tell her you said that."

"I didn't mean it, and you know it," Soujiro looked down, "I loved every moment I spent with her."

Misao was quiet for a second, "You loved her very much, didn't you?"

"Ah, but she found another. I still love her, but in a more platonic way now. It was hard though, giving up."

"I know what you mean. Aoshi…he's everything to me…even after all this time. I can't give up. Just seeing him again would be enough for me. Just knowing he's safe and happy," Misao sighed.

Soujiro's hand landed on her shoulder, "We better start our search before he gets any further."

Misao made a face, "We don't even know where he is."

"Let's continue the search here then. I'll take the west side of this forest. You take the east."

Misao put a restraining hand on Soujiro's arm, "You find him, promise you'll come and get me."

"Promise. I wouldn't want to face the guy alone, now would I?"

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Misao was getting tired. After another fruitless hour she had come no closer to finding Aoshi. She had met up with Soujiro once to see how he was faring, but he saw no sign of Aoshi or anyone else for that matter. Maybe the merchant had been wrong, or Aoshi had chosen to go in a completely different direction after being spotted.

"I just want to see you! I can't stand it anymore," Misao punched the tree beside her, "I'm losing Aoshi. I can't do this anymore…"

Misao put an arm against the tree resting her forehead on it. Everything had gone so wrong. Where was the Aoshi she loved? How did he become so warped? Why wouldn't he let her help him? Aoshi had always been so stubborn and independent. Never telling her anything, never asking for her help.

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"Aoshi-sama!"

A ten-year-old Misao shouted before hurtling herself into his arms. Aoshi caught her just before she would have fallen.

"I've missed you! What were you all up to this time? More secret stuff you can't tell me!"

Aoshi grimaced setting her back on her feet.

"Is something wrong? Were you hurt? Let me take a look!"

Misao reached out to him, but he moved away.

"I'm fine," he grunted out.

"But…"

"Go inform Okita of my return," Aoshi ordered turning his back to her.

"Okay…"

Misao watched him walk away just now noticing how he held his side while favoring one foot.

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It had always been like that. Aoshi never told Misao anything about what he did. If he was hurt he pretended otherwise around her. Had Misao been that blind? All the time she hung all over him he must have considered her a pest. Did he just put up with her, because she was Okita's granddaughter?

"No."

Aoshi wasn't like that. He wasn't.

She had always been a hindrance to him. Even now she would be. There was only one moment that he had truly made her feel that he cared the way she did. That she wasn't just a hindrance to him.

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Misao kneeled down right in front of him staring into his eyes. He reached out a hand to touch the fading bruise on her throat caused by his hand. His hand slowly moved up to her cheek. His fingers then trailed along her face before he slowly pulled his hand back.

"Misao…"

Misao grabbed his hand in both of hers, "You have to stop this. Just come back with me. It can be like old times. No more fighting."

To her dismay he pulled his fingers from her grasp. Leaning forward he did the unexpected. He kissed her tenderly on the lips. Misao watched him stunned as he stood up not noticing the look of regret and longing on his face.

"Things cannot go back to the way they are. I have come this far and have sacrificed much. I will not stop. I don't want to see your face again. Forget about me," Aoshi said heading for the exit.

"Aoshi!" Misao cried out.

Without even turning he left. Misao jumped up and ran outside after him. It was too late though. No matter how much she searched around the area, there was no trace of Aoshi's departure even in the snow.

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Aoshi had left her then.

"Then why did you kiss me? Why did you give me hope?" Misao whispered to herself in anger.

That memory had kept her going. The way he had let his guard down and looked at her with all his emotion written on his face and clear in his eyes, the way he had kissed her, the way he had touched her so tenderly had only strengthened her resolve. Misao's hand came up to absently touch her lips. Tears began to form. Misao resolutely wiped them away.

"This is it. I will find him, and I'll end this once and for all."

Misao looked around wondering if she should continue in the direction she was going or not. Maybe she could meet up with Soujiro again. Misao started jogging toward the direction Soujiro had gone hoping to find him. It didn't take her long though.

"Ahh!"

Misao started, "Sou-chan!"

The clang of metal on metal echoed through the trees.

"Aoshi," Misao said in a breathless whisper running after the noise.

Another shout sounded just as she broke free from the woods only to be throw right back in. All the air was crushed from her lungs as Soujiro collided then landed on top of her. With a groan he moved to the side. Misao took a deep breath coughing a bit before looking up. She felt her stomach drop and her senses go numb at the sight before her.

Heartbreakingly lifeless eyes moved to rest on her. Long black hair covered those eyes almost obscuring the dark nothingness Misao had witnessed. What frightened Misao most was the way he watched her as if he was staring at a stranger, someone that meant nothing to him. His body though well built looked thinner, like he was physically wasting away. The twin kodachis were stained with blood.

"Aoshi! Is…is that you?" Misao asked in an agonized whisper seeing almost no remnants of the man she knew.

Soujiro pulled Misao back as she stood, "Stay back. He's dangerous."

She finally took note of Soujiro's presence, seeing the blood on his sleeve, "What happened?"

Misao glanced over at Aoshi, who eerily enough continued to stand there waiting.

"He came out of nowhere. He knows who I am and wants to fight. I didn't have time to get you," Soujiro kept a firm grip on her arm, "You can't. He's…he's beyond anything. I can't let you…"

Misao put a hand over Soujiro's hand, "Please. Let me. I've been searching for him all this time. I knew it might come down to this. So please…"

Misao looked at Soujiro pleadingly as he continued to watch her. His hand slipped away from her arm reluctantly.

"This is against my better judgment," Soujiro said before adding, "But I won't stand by and let you be hurt."

"Just give me a chance to help him," Misao replied her head bowed.

"Then," Soujiro took Misao's hand firmly in his before handing her his sword, "Use this. You only have kunais. Just remember what I taught you. Besides, I don't think I'll be able to use this arm so well at the moment."

Misao nodded moving away from Soujiro to face Aoshi, who had been watching them intently the entire time. He raised his weapons at her approach.

"I will be your opponent."

"You?"

"Yes! Me," Misao pointed the sword at him, "I won't let you hurt our friends anymore."

Aoshi's eyes narrowed as he slid into an offensive stance.

"Will you really fight me then?" Misao asked sadly, "What happened to you, Aoshi? Is this how you avenge them!? Hannya…"

Misao was caught off as Aoshi lashed out at her. She quickly moved out of the way blocking his attacks…just barely.

"Beshimi!"

Misao lost her balance and fell backwards but quickly regained her footing as he came at her again.

"Shut up!" Aoshi cried desperately.

Misao jumped back as he slashed at her, wincing as she threw two kunais at him simultaneously, one hitting into his leg. He stopped short yanking it from his leg and throwing it to the side.

"Hyottoko!"

Another vicious cry and he was after her again. Slashing to her left then right before smoothly sliding toward her unprotected back. Misao jumped away just in time to have the cloth of her outfit ripped open instead of her back. Aoshi had hesitated for just a moment, enough for Misao to notice.

"Shikijo!"

"I will not let them have died in vain." Aoshi said kodachis ready.

"They would hate to see you now!" Misao yelled back through tears that were welling up, "They would be disgusted by you!"

Aoshi was next to her in a second. Her arm went numb as she raised her blade to meet both of his. She was thrown off her feet and into the tree behind her by the force of his attack.

"Misao!" Soujiro yelled running over.

Misao held her hand up weakly, "Stay back."

Aoshi turned to Soujiro, "Let's continue where we left off."

"Aoshi-sama!"

Aoshi froze for a moment before turning to face her. Misao's eyes widened. She had seen it. A flash of recognition. Just barely but it had been there.

"Don't you know who I am? My Aoshi-sama would never do this. To give up like you have."

"I gave up on nothing," Aoshi replied coldly.

"You've given up on your life," Misao said struggling to her feet, "Don't you recognize me? Aoshi, please…"

Aoshi watched her with guarded eyes.

"What happened to you? Don't you remember me? It's Misao," She said brokenly, "Why…? Why are you doing this?"

"I will become strongest."

Misao moved closer to Aoshi dropping Soujiro's sword. She then slowly let her kunais slip from her hands. She stopped right in front of Aoshi with tears in her eyes.

"You want to become strongest! I won't let you hurt our friends! You'll have to kill me first. What would they think then?" Misao stared up at him defiantly, "What would they think of you then? Go ahead. I won't stop you."

Aoshi violently lifted his right kodachi up aiming for her chest, his breathing heavy.

"Misao!" Soujiro desperately cried out.

Misao closed her eyes opening her arms, trembling despite herself. Aoshi stood still for a few seconds longer before plunging his kodachi straight for her heart. Soujiro's scream echoed through the forest before a hushed silence fell around them.

Misao stood dazed, her eyes slowly opening in shock as blood began to stain her shirt.

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Hiya!

Yep, I'm still alive. Sorry for the late update. Trying to manage four stories is a bad thing. Anyway I'll be focusing on this one. Thanks goes out to all who reviewed! Love hearing from you. I'll have the next chapter out next week! I already have most of it written.

Kyaa Kyaff saying til next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!