Sorry that I've been taking so long with my updates...too much drama. 'Nuff said.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.
All In The Name Of Cement Shoes: Confessionals Are For Churches
It was well nearing the end of the second month of the established engagement when Aoshi called upon one of his closest female friends. He had hoped that she would be able to fit him in her busy schedule the day he called her, but unfortunately, Aoshi Shinomori had to abide by the doctor's orders and meet her for coffee two days later. She had picked a quaint little spot that the paparazzi had yet to find. So, on the last Wednesday of that month, he sat down and ordered a brisk iced tea; eager to tell Megumi Takani that he could possibly be falling in love.
Megumi scanned the tiny restaurant for the cold aura of her childhood friend but found a complete stranger sitting in his place. Usually, he would lift his icy orbs just enough to make sure that it was indeed Megumi sitting before him and inform her that he had ordered a white chocolate latte – knowing how many calories that would add to Megumi's carefully watched figure. But this time, he embraced her warmly and pulled out a welcoming chair for her. And to her equal surprise, had asked what she wanted to order. She hadn't seen him this way since…well, it had been a long time. She meekly asked the waiter for a glass of water and stared at her longtime pal.
"Okay. Spill it. Was is it with this new you?" He shrugged his shoulders slightly and glanced at the menu laid before him.
"I don't know what you're talking about." His voice was still monotone and stoic but his actions spoke louder. Megumi quirked a thin eyebrow and quickly checked the price of a Caesar salad.
"You damn well know what I'm talking about! You've only pulled a chair out for me twice in the many years we've known each other! Something's up!" It was now Aoshi's turn to throw up the inquisitive eyebrow as well. There was definitely something new about his friend, too. She seemed to have a glow about her, as if she was fifteen again and the star football player had just asked her out. He half anticipated her to jump up into a string of giddy giggles. But Megumi was professional. She probably giggled in the shower this morning.
"You're a fine one to be talking, Megumi. You're also quite different this afternoon." Her pouty lips formed a coral 'o' while an equally blush tint spread over her cheeks. She promptly fixed her facial expression and calmly laid her menu into the waiter's hands.
"I would like a Caesar salad with a cup of lemons please." After the waiter had jotted down her meek order and scribbled Aoshi's chicken salad sandwich on his notepad, Megumi continued with her explanation. "Not that it's any of your business but yes, I met a man the other day. But don't get your hopes up on this one Shinomori. He's not my type." This peaked Aoshi's curiosity. Since the momentous day that Megumi saved a child from drowning and deciding at that moment that a doctor was to be her destiny (whether she became one or married one), Megumi had trouble with men. None could see her as a professional miracle maker and they never took her seriously. All they wanted from her was, to be blunt, a piece of ass. And Aoshi truly wondered if she would ever meet Mr. Right. The female doctor continued on, "He's crude, he's obnoxious, he's not the brightest crayon in the box…but…" As she paused to squeeze the numerous lemons over her salad, Megumi thought long and hard if that description of Sano was truly accurate. Sure, he was crude, but it was a turn on. And yeah, he was obnoxious; but it made him funny. And so what if he wasn't book smart? He was probably the wisest S.O.B when it came down to how survive in the real world. It never could have crossed her Ph.D. mind to run into a flower shop if she was being chased. Plus, look on the bright side…he was one hell of a kisser.
"But?" Megumi pondered over her depiction of Sano and came to a sudden realization as Aoshi worded the question.
"But…he's fun. He keeps me on my toes. And he's totally out of my safe circle." Ah, yes. The safe circle. It was a term used since either Megumi first started dating seriously or when she began to date a therapist. Aoshi wasn't entirely sure on how the term was concocted but it was a ridiculous philosophy nonetheless. The safe circle was an entire group of potential mates selected by a computer system based on one's needs, wants, turn ons, etc. Megumi's safe circle included other doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and above all, CEO's of large companies. Thus, the beginning of her and Aoshi's off beat friendship. She and the multimillionaire had found each other when their names were brought up in the other's database. So, they met and decided right off the bat that they were not destined to be. Megumi believed that he had no spark for life and Aoshi considered her a fire too dangerous to play with. However, the lady doctor had a knack for snappy comebacks when it came to the heir/businessman's dry sense of humor and a friendship was formed. And although Aoshi ditched the safe circle and took his chances with fate and the mob, Megumi just couldn't let go of the statistics and the risk-free dates of the safe circle. So, when Megumi finds someone out of her safe circle that she is attracted to, well, it's a rare find indeed.
"But enough about me, who's this girl that has managed to melt a bit of the ice away?" Aoshi's stormy eyes seemed to light up at the indirect mention of Misao. He had fought with himself all day as to whether or not he should tell his friend about the loud mouthed being who charmed her way into his life. He slowly set down his napkin on his cleared plate and smirked at his doctor and confidante.
"Her name is Misao. She is my intended bride to be." Megumi nodded, seeking more information than the usually cold man was willing to give. He sighed at her eagerness to learn more about the woman he brought in for a mere bump on the head. "I don't know what else to say except that I went into this sham marriage with low expectations and a pre-nup, and I'm coming out with a whole new look on love." Megumi studied her old friend before crunching down on a large piece of lettuce.
"That was really poetic. But it's a bunch of crap." She grinned as Aoshi's eyes widened in shock from her emotionless comment.
Kathy's Bridal Shop
(No references here, people. Kathy is my mom and no, she doesn't own a bridal shop.)
"This is a bunch of crap," were the exact words that flowed out of Misao's petite mouth. And as guilt sunk in, Misao sank down into a heap of lace and silks and impressive fabrics that made up her wedding dress. It was simple enough with an ivory corset top that draped over her slender shoulders and a full bottom thick with petticoats of different shapes and sizes. A simple embroidery was sketched along the corset with embellished flowers and vines in a soft lavender color. The whole dress would be topped off later with accents of lavender and baby's breath woven through a loose bun atop her head. It was a sight that even took Kenshin's breath away when Kaoru unveiled her to him. He claimed that 'she was beautiful' and that 'Aoshi was truly lucky to have her as a bride'. But the words were lost to her.
Now she sat in the changing room, listening to the two flirts outside of the door exchanging laughter and hilarious stories of love gone wrong. But Misao was in no laughing mood. Reality was slowly closing in on the former wedding planner and it was becoming extremely unbearable to live the lie with Aoshi. She slowly slid down from the purple and gold bench to the carpeted floor in front of the mirror. She only had one more month. One more month to spend time with the greatest guy she had ever fallen for. Wait, fallen?
A small hand found its way to her mouth to cover up the gasp she let out and to stop the tears forming in her eyes. When had she fallen for him? Aoshi Shinomori was a selfish, cold, money hungry bastard that had made her life a living hell since she had walked through his gate. Sea colored orbs widened in surprise at the words her mind had conjured up. Selfish? No, not him. He could have turned her away when she fainted and asked her to find her own room and board. But instead, he gave her a large room, almost equal in size to his, right next to his own bedroom. And there was no doubt in her mind that he cared for Okina, Omasu, and Okon as if they were his own family. Money was no object to him. He had a made a decent amount of it through hard work and he was proud to show it off. He told Misao on numerous occasions that he hadn't always been rich and that he had watched his father count pennies to buy a loaf of bread. Now he had all the bread he could ever want and then some.
But there was still the idea of him being cold. He hadn't shown a lot of affection towards Misao. Perhaps he only saw her as a companion rather than someone…alluring? No, that wasn't it. Seductive? No, that was ridiculous. Misao was never taken seriously when it came to seduction. She sighed in frustration. Perhaps, just maybe, she wanted to do to Aoshi what he had been doing to her this whole time. But in one month? In one month, Misao would have to confess the entire situation before holy vows were taken. In one month, Misao would risk losing Aoshi Shinomori.
Kaoru giggled impishly as Kenshin retold the story of why he came to New York for work for the umpteenth time that afternoon. But she didn't mind. Since the day that the redheaded heartthrob opened his doors to the wedding planner…well, let's just say that she was grateful to whoever shot up her apartment. As morbid as the idea was, Kaoru secretly thanked the gunman for making her seek out the man beside her. Before she met Kenshin, the usually impassive girl would spend her evenings cramped up on a stuffy couch watching reruns of 'I Love Lucy'. She now spent her days and nights with a man who seemed to light up her day just by smiling at her and recognizing her presence.
Impatiently, Kaoru checked her watch again and excused herself to check on her friend. As soon as she entered the lavish dressing room, sobs could be heard from behind the golden clothing rack. The dark haired woman rushed to the cries of heartbreak andpulled back the numerous articles of clothing to find a weeping Misao. Her knees were tucked underneath her body and the folds of her dress and her head lay in the palms of her hands. A tear would squeeze through her fingers every now and then, bending towards gravity and landing in tiny puddle on the expensive fabric. Kaoru sat beside her, drawing her own knees up to her chest. Ever so gently, a cool hand was placed against the heat Misao emitted. A jerk could be felt from underneath the warm skin but the planner hoped it was just out of surprise.
"Misao?" As soon as the words were spoken, the broken blue haired beauty snapped up and threw herself into her friend's lap, bawling uncontrollably. This had happened before, after Misao's father's funeral. She hadn't cried when she received the news of his death, nor had she cried during the funeral. But at the reception, Kaoru had lost track of her childhood companion and searched her out for hours. Finally, as family and friends began to say their goodbyes, Kaoru heard the movement of someone upstairs. Quietly, she made her way into her own father's bedroom where they used to play hide and seek. Underneath the giant bed was a whimpering Misao curled into a tight ball. Her makeup was a black blur amongst her colorful orbs and her cheeks were red from the exertion of emotion. Kaoru gently pulled her out from underneath the mattress and let her cry into her black dress. No one would notice the tear stains. Pulling back carefully, Kaoru finally caught a glimpse of what Misao was holding to her body – a dark blue sweater. It was the last shirt she saw her father in. Déjà vu struck Kaoru and she slowly began to pat her friend's back in an effort to calm her down.
St. Peter's Hospital
"You have another one in room twelve, Megumi." The female doctor sighed as she nodded and headed towards her assigned hall. It was incredibly nice to have time offevery once in awhile, but she was always overloaded when she got back. Black stilettos tapped against the tacky pink tile the examination hall sported. She quickly scanned over the last name so that she could be formal and breathed in the sterile air when she heard the click of the door opening by her own hand.
"Okay, Mister Makimachi, what seems to be problem toda – oh for cryin' out loud!"
"Hey spanky buns!" Sprawled out in a very ungentlemanly manner was a lean, mean, Sanosuke machine. His hands casually supported his head as he crossed his legs and smiled up at Megumi. She was more formal today wearing a sleek pink blouse and black skirt. Her raven locks were pulled up into a tight bun and the crimson lipstick was replaced with a tinted lip-gloss. This was no good. Sano preferred the fox in shades of red that automatically heightened her natural beauty and his natural arousal.
"Are you stalking me now, Sano?" He watched her turn her back to him and fidget with something on the counter top. He could pray to everything holy that it was a pair handcuffs.
"Never. In all honesty, I was just coming in for a checkup. Fate just happened to bring you to me." An annoyed sigh was heard and the hoodlum had to use everything in his power to keep from laughing. That is, until he saw the needle protruding from the woman's hand. "What the hell is that for!"
"Well, from the looks of your records, you're due for a Hepatitis vaccination." His rugged features instantly turned pale. Ah-ha! The brute is scared of something after all! And it was a genuine fear. He backed up into a corner and Dr. Takani swore she could see beads of sweat forming at the sides of his head. Perhaps the small fear could actually be a phobia. The slick smile morphed into a frown of worry and she carefully eased up beside him. Laying the needle down on a small table that housed magazines of various sorts, Megumi began trying to soothe the man's fears. "Calm down Sano. It's just a shot." She couldn't understand the man, but this newfound vulnerability was…somehow calming her own nerves. She gently placed her warm hands on either side of his face and turned his head towards her. "Just keep your eyes on me."
Never once did the almond orbs leave Megumi's face. Even when her eyes left his to inject him with the vaccine, he studied the various shades of black within her hair. It was, perhaps, the most wonderful experience in his life. No one but Misao knew of his phobia for he was usually teased about it. And healmost half expected the same from the doctor. No, Megumi Takani was full of suprises, and he couldn't wait to find out what the next one was. As soon as the Band-Aid was slapped on, Megumi returned to her check up.
"So, have you had lunch yet?" She grinned shyly and nodded.
"As a matter of fact, yes. An old friend of mine took it upon himself to enlighten me of his love life." Sano jumped slightly as the cold metal of the stethoscope met with his skin.
"Oh yeah? Is he getting hitched or something?" The stethoscope was returned to its rightful place against her chest and she set forth to recording his blood pressure.
"Something like that, yeah. It's one of those old fashioned arranged marriages, ya know? In fact, and I can't believe I didn't see it earlier. You and his fiancée have the same last name. Maybe you know her? Her name is Misao." Megumi's eyes widened as the pulse beneath her fingers began to quicken. She looked at the man before and realized too late that she had let too much information slip. Sano staggered towards the doorway, grasping his doctor's arm in the process.
"I want his name, Megumi." His voice was low and dangerous, almost like a growl.
"P-Patient confidentiality." His grip tightened and the woman yelped out in pain.
"She's my sister…I have the right to know…"
Shinomori Estates
Misao wearily walked up the steps to the great mansion that housed her for the time being. A soft rain blanketed the estates, as well as Misao, and before she knew it, she was soaked to the bone. She didn't really mind. She liked the rain for the most part, especially on nights like this. It was just after sunset, and she knew from experience that, given time, the petal like raindrops would turn into equally soft snowflakes. She wrapped her jacket around herself a little more tightly and opened the door to the manor.
Most of the servants were given the night off so Misao found herself, ironically so, alone and cold. She quietly stuck her jacket, along with the rest of her clothes, in the washer and proceeded to wrap herself up in a robe and make her way to the kitchen. For the past week and a half, Aoshi was coming home later than usual. It seemed that their little getaways were costing him overtime at his business. Misao felt a bit guilty but as she fixed herself a bowl of soup, she secretly wished that it were Aoshi warming her up and not a bowl of seasoned water.
"Misao?" The bride to be almost spit out the hot liquid as her name was spoken. She turned slightly in her chair to meet Aoshi's gaze from the kitchen entrance. His dark hair was a tousled mess upon his head and thefirst few dress shirt buttons were open. He struggled with his tie, but ended up tossing it to the floor. The look of wear and tear was evident against his features but a lazy smile hung limply at the corners of his mouth.
"You're early. I didn't expect you for another three hours. Are you hungry?" She was already beginning to search for another can of soup when Aoshi's deep voice resonated through her body.
"You know, you've been here two months, and I've never seen you in your sleepwear." It had to be the lack of sleep talking. But the guilt was still seeping through her, tugging at every major organ on the way. The truth was just on the tip of her tongue when Aoshi crossed the kitchen and captured that truth with a single kiss. It wasn't a passionate, over the top kiss, but it was enough to steal Misao's breath away. "I've wanted to do that all night." His warm hands left her cheeks and settled into his pockets. The breathless woman was already mourning the warmth. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a shower and go to sleep. Goodnight Misao."
Misao followed his routine and headed up the stairs to her own bedroom. She was just a few meters away, but her body wouldn't take her the rest of the way. Instead, it had stopped her in front of Aoshi's open bedroom. Touching her lips once more, Misao gathered up what courage she had left and entered her fiancé's room, snuggled underneath the large covers, and fell asleep beside a warm body for the first time in two months.