...the parallel lives of those destined to meet...

My Other Me
By MaH

Chapter 3: Jealousy leads to Insanity

Aoshi looked to the stranger, a flame of anger burning in his eyes. They locked gazes for a few moments. Who was this man? And how dare he touch my Misao? Aoshi stopped himself before any more possessive thoughts appeared in his mind. "I'll take her inside. She's burning up." Aoshi said quietly, an air of possessiveness in his voice.

Vincent seemed reluctant to let Misao go, but the anger in the other man's eyes told him to.

Aoshi threw Misao's limp body over his shoulder. He turned to the two strangers and in a cold voice said "Follow me."

Avoiding contact with each other's sight, Yuffie and Vincent followed Aoshi into the Aoiya in silence. The only sound that followed them was the occasional sound of the floor squeaking.

Sliding the door open, Aoshi walked into Misao's room, Vincent and Yuffie in toe. Gently, he laid Misao down on her outstretched futon. Her eyes still shut, Aoshi, for a moment took in the sight of her sleeping so peacefully. A longing smile tugged on the edge of his lips.

"Ahem." Yuffie said, clearing her throat and also trying to get attention.

Aoshi and Vincent turned back to Yuffie. "Uhh...can someone please tell me what's going on?"

"Aoshi-sama! Misao-chan! Where are yo-" Omasu stopped short when she saw two strangers in Misao's room. Clapping a hand to her mouth to suppress her scream. She was about to get into fighting stance, but a look from Aoshi told her not to. She turned instead to look at the unconscious girl in the futon. "Misao-chan! What happened?!"

"It's nothing serious Omasu." Aoshi spoke softer than usual. "Misao has a fever. Please call the doctor."

Omasu nodded and bowed respectfully before exiting the room. She quickly dashed outside to the clinic.

Uneasy, Vincent looked over to the glaring Yuffie. His voice faltering, he cleared his throat. "Yuffie, are you- okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Aoshi took care of me. We were looking for some girl... I guess it was her and it started to rain. He let me wear his trench coat, and we came here instead."

Vincent looked at Aoshi from the corner of his eyes. The man was caring for Misao, with tenderness in his movements. It was obvious his love for her was great. "That's good."

"Look! See! He even gave me a traditional kimono. I think it belongs to that Misao girl." Yuffie continued to babble on while Vincent studied her.

Vincent blinked at response. "Oh I see." He paused, and then fully turned to her. "It appears that no one here has ever heard of Midgar."

It was Yuffie's turn to blink. "WHAT? How could have NO ONE ever heard of Midgar?! That's like the main money source for the planet!!"

Eyes narrowed in thought, Vincent considered what had presented itself. "Maybe... that white light..."

"Holy! It was Holy! Do you think Aeris sent us here?!" Yuffie asked.

"Probably, but why?" Vincent wondered.

"I don't know." Yuffie fidgeted in her kimono.

"Excuse me, but can you please take your conversation outside? Misao is not feeling well at the moment." Aoshi suddenly asked them.

Yuffie flashed a sheepish grin at him, and Vincent felt jealously surge through him.

Nodding, Yuffie followed Aoshi's request, glaring at Vincent that he should do as well. Brushing himself off, Vincent stood and glared at Aoshi. "Can you just tell me one thing." He paused. "What is the date?"

"1884." Aoshi flatly said.

Both Yuffie and Vincent's eyes grew wide.

"Come on Vincent," Yuffie said, reaching for his hand. "Let's do as Aoshi-san requested."

Vincent raised an eyebrow. "Aoshi.....san?" Not even *he* got a respectful title from her. And now just because he gave her a used kimono and his large jacket, he got a title of respect?! Vincent glared once more at Aoshi as he was drug out of the room by Yuffie.

Aoshi watched the two leave and then turned his attention back to Misao, who was just coming to. He leaned down to her ear and whispered, "Are you okay?"

"...Vincent?"

Aoshi's eyes narrowed angrily. Why was she calling for that other man?

"Iie...Misao. It's me Aoshi." Aoshi gently patted her back as she coughed.

"Aoshi-sama? What happened? Where's Vincent?"

"He's fine." Aoshi replied coldly. Misao flinched away from him, tears threatening to fall. Aoshi saw this, and gently wiped the tears away with his calloused hand. They stared at each other for a few minutes...and..

"Hey guys!" Yuffie bursted through the door.

Aoshi's head shot up, as did Misao's. "What is it?!" Aoshi raised his voice. This Yuffie girl was becoming annoying, to say the least.

"The doctor, he's here." Yuffie said, her eyes focusing on the floor. He didn't have to take that tone with her.

"Oh." Aoshi backed off and stood up. "Show him in right away." He turned back to Misao, who was again diverting her eyesight. Sighing, he walked out of the room with Yuffie.

Misao watched as Aoshi left with Yuffie, her heart was being pulled apart. She was happy about what had almost happened between them. he was going to kiss me! The other part was hurting about how he just went back to his cold impassive self after that.

Damn him! she cursed. Damn him for being so blind.

Aoshi quietly shut the door to Misao's room after the doctor had left. The doctor reassured him that it would be nothing to worry about. Her temperature would be gone by tomorrow. All she needed was rest.

Yuffie laid her hand on Aoshi's shoulder. He looked so down. Maybe cheering him up would cheer the poor guy up. "What's wrong, Aoshi-san?"

Aoshi tensed. "Nothing."

Raising an eyebrow to the scene, Vincent watched their exchange with a careful eye.

"Oh come on now, I know you're lyin'" Yuffie teased. "It's that girl, isn't it?"

"..."

"It is, isn't it?" Yuffie persisted, "What's going on between the two of you?"

"..."

"You don't talk much, do you? Hey! Where are you going?!" Yuffie yelled down the hall. " And don't tell me '...' "

"The temple to meditate."

"You were just there!" Yuffie began to follow him. "Stop! I tell you!"

Misao watched as their shadows moved away from her door, tears flowing silently down he cheeks. A knock brought her out of her reverie.

"Misao? Can I come in?"

Vincent? Misao quickly wiped away her tears. "Hai!"

Vincent entered to see Misao sitting up on her futon. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine."

He noticed the traces of tears but said nothing.

"Do you want a tour of Kyoto?" Misao asked suddenly.

Surprised by Misao's sudden request, Vincent found him muttering the word "yes" and was quickly whisked away to the market, being dragged by Misao. 'They even drag people around the same way...' Vincent observed to himself.
"Would you at least stop when people are talking to you?!" Yuffie yelled as Aoshi continued to make his way to the temple.

Pausing in his stride, he turned back to Yuffie and sighed. "Are you going to leave me alone?"

Folding her arms, a smug grin grew on Yuffie's face. "Not until you promise you'll help Vincent 'n me."

"Why should I help you?" Aoshi said, stepping forward towards Yuffie.

Yuffie caught herself at that one. "Umm... because, it's in good nature to help people in trouble." She spoke slowly, trying to come up with a good reason.

Turning back on his previous path, Aoshi continued to walk. Yuffie stopped her foot hard on the ground. "HEY!"

"Go back to the Aoiya if you want help then. I'm sure the Oniwabanshuu can help you in some way," Aoshi said passingly as he continued to walk.

A smile grew on Yuffie's face. She brought her hands up to her mouth and shouted, "THANKS AOSHI-CHAN!"

Aoshi flinched.

Grinning, Yuffie looked at her surroundings and realized that she was in the middle of a market. Her eyes full of mischief, she began to observe the carts.

Misao walked ahead of Vincent, enjoying his company in a sort of way. She was talking, he was listening. Just like Aoshi would. Her stomach began to grumble and she realized she hadn't eaten in a while. Her eyes scanned the market, but she didn't have money! Suddenly something caught her eye. It was a small red orb that a woman was holding in her hand. That might be valuable!

Vincent watched as Misao crept like a weasel towards the woman, maybe he should stop her, but it would be no use. She was like Yuffie trying to steal a materia.

Misao crept towards the object, almost reaching it.

Yuffie looked around the crowd, bored. She was lost and she knew it. oh well might as well explore. A light caught her eye and she turned around to see a woman holding up what looked to be like a...materia!!

Yuffie sneaked through the crowd towards the little orb, like a moth drawn to a fire. She reached out to grab it when...

"Umph!" She collided with the someone else, and the orb fell to the ground. She looked up to see that girl Misao.

"You!?" Misao screamed. "What are you doing here?!"

"I was going to ask the same thing!"

Misao spotted the orb, and the two of them began to fight over it.

"Ano..."

They looked up to see the woman staring at them. "Can I please have my son's toy back?"

"Here," Vincent said, sighing, as he gave the toy back to the woman. She smiled and thanked the man for his kindness. Sweatdrops formed on both Misao and Yuffie's foreheads.