I know now



That evening she waited until Sano had fallen asleep. She got up, not making any sound and left her bedroom. She ran to the lake, but stopped as she saw Aoshi standing there. All of a sudden, she'd seemed to have lost her courage.

"Hello Misao" Aoshi turned to face her, his gaze was very determined as always.

Misao stepped out of the shadow from the trees.

"Aoshi, I'm s-"

"No." He said placing a finger on her lips to silence her. "It's my turn to talk now."

Misao looked at him. She saw he was serious, she wouldn't escape this time.

"Okay." she whispered, diverting her gaze to the ground.

"Misao I want you to look at me."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm afraid of what you're going to say."

He lifted her chin "You don't have to be."

His eyes weren't as cold as usual, they looked reassuring. It's been a long time since she'd last seen that look. She was still a child then.

"Just hear me out, ok?"

"Okay." Misao trusted him, this was the Aoshi she knew.

"I saw you that night.When I'd left." He started.

"I saw your tears and it hurt, I want you to know I'd never meant to make you cry.I want you to know why I left like that."

Aoshi took a deep breath. Misao could see he was nervous, but she didn't interfere him.

"You see.I love you Misao."

Misao though she'd be shocked after she'd finally heard it coming from him, but actually it didn't have that kind of impact on her, she remained calm, as did he.

"I really do, but.I also know that I'm not the right man for you.Your optimism and your feisty character keep me happy and those are the things I love about you.But we're two completely different people. You know how I am.You know me, Misao, and I think that deep down you've always know, just like me, that we weren't meant to be.together"

Misao didn't say a word, because there was nothing that could be said.He was so right.

"However."he continued, " It was still hard letting you go, that's why I'd left without saying goodbye.I thought it would be easier on the both of us.But the I realised I was wrong, so I came back.and then I saw you.and Sanosuke." he paused.

*He saw us.* Misao thought *No wonder he acting so different last night*

She felt guilty, she realised what he'd had to have been through.

"I admit it was hard.seeing you.and him.like that. And I flipped.Jealousy is bad for your common scence. I couldn't stand the fact that I'd lost you to him and I wanted you back.That's why I came back last night. I wanted to have you all to myself again."

Misao bit her lip, she felt so guilty.she couldn't help it.

"Then you said all those things to me and it became clear to me that I'd really lost you, for ever. I was still furious with Sagara .And I think that if Himura didn't stop me I'd done something I'd regret later. But Himura got through to me, once again.He said that I should be thankful, because you will always love me.No matter what, because I am the one that took care of you when you were in need, I was the one that gave you a happy childhood even though you never really knew your real parents, that can never be replaced, by no-one, so I'll never lose you."

Misao looked up at him, he was smiling. He actually was smiling at her!

" I see that you are happy with Sagara, and I'm grateful for every smile I see on your face, it's what keeps me going. So that's why I'm here. to say that I'm able to let you go and be happy, and to say goodbye, because I'm going back on the road, I'm not meant to stay in one place."

Misao looked up at him once more.Then she hugged him burying her face in his chest.

Aoshi just stood there, not knowing how to react. But then he carefully put his arms around her and hugged her back.

"Thank you." she whispered.

They stood there just a little while longer, but then Misao looked up at him "Will you come back soon?" he smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead "I promise."

He let go of her and walked away, leaving her once again.But this time she didn't cry.

She walked back home and silently sneaked into her bedroom.

Sanosuke was awake though, he was sitting up in the futon and he had lit a candle beside it.

"So.What did he say?" He asked her, still holding the letter.

Misao smiled and walked over to him. She sat down on his lap, putting her arms around him.

"Stop it, I wanna know what he said!!!! Did you kiss him????!!! Cause if you did I'll" Sano was stopped by Misao's lips on his.After she'd let go of him Sano sat there looking rather astonished.

"He said goodbye to me." she whispered then she kissed him again and slowly pushed him back down on the sheets. He held her close as the light of the candle next to them slowly faded.

The end



Soooooooo, whaddoyathink? *eyes you*

Really I'd like to know if you guys liked it or not, then I know what to keep in mind for my next ficcies (You guys: "There'll be more.Oh no! God save us al!!!!!")*evil laugh*