Soujirou : Konnichiwa minna !!! *looks around* Since K-san isn't around, I'll do the disclaimers today ! K-san doesn't own Rurouni Kenshin, Watsuki-san does.

So don't sue her !!! ^_^

K'Dash : *cough cough*

Soujirou : She's a broke student ! ^_^;;

Soujirou's Dream - chapter 3

As Misao ran toward Aoi-ya, a dozen thoughts were racing through her mind. 'Is he going to die? Please please don't let him die! I love him!!" Misao blinked away

tears. 'No, I can't let him die ! I can't let another loved one go just like that !!' The mere thought of that just made her run faster...

Finally Misao reached the Aoi-ya. "Okina ! Come ! Quick ! Soujirou ! Injured !" Misao panted heavily.

~~**~~

Not long later, Okina and Misao finally reached the place where Soujirou was lying. "Luckily you ran back quickly, if not he would have died..." Okina told Misao. Misao sighed heavily in relief...

"Soujirou, are you ok ?"

"Iie... the pain killing is killing me !!"

~~** One week later, at the Aoi-ya..... **~~

"....nani? Where am I?" Soujirou finally came to.

Misao was sitting next to him. "Soujirou ! You're finally awake!!"

"What happened?" Soujirou asked.

"You were stabbed one week ago! I'm so glad you're all right!" Misao sobbed.

"Misao-san? Daijoubu-ka?"

"I'm fine..." Misao wiped away her tears. "You want some tea?"

"Hai."

After Misao walked out of the room, Soujirou began to recall what happened...

Suddenly it occured to Soujirou what his dream meant. Was it fate? He sure didn't know. Or was it... was this his answer he had been looking for, for the past year ?

Soujirou's wounds took about three months to heal. During that time, Misao nursed Soujirou, took care of him, and kept him company.

~~**~~

One moonlit night, Soujirou was out in the garden enjoying the fresh night air. Misao couldn't sleep and so she went to the garden...

Soujirou was sitting on the porch when Misao came out. "Soujirou ? "

Soujirou turned at Misao's voice. "Hi Misao-san. "

"Soujirou ! You should be resting ! You wound still hasn't fully healed yet !" Misao said worriedly as she sat down next to him.

"Maa, maa ! Its ok already, it doesn't hurt anymore so its alright." Soujirou reassured her.

"Oh then that's ok." Misao said, relieved.

They sat watching the night and its movement for a while. Misao was starting to doze off when Soujirou broke the silence.

"Misao, you know something ? " Soujirou said.

"...umm...huh ?" Misao said sleepily. Although she was already half-asleep, she noticed that he had dropped the formality.

"I find you very cute." Soujirou said as Misao blushed.

"And has anyone ever told you that you're very beautiful ?" Soujirou said, his voice dropping an octave, as he brushed a lock of hair behind he ear.

"Soujirou..." Misao said with tears in her eyes.

"What's wrong ?" Soujirou asked.

"Iya... its nothing.." Misao said as she turned away.

"Its alright... you can tell me." Soujirou said as he put his arm around her.

"Soujirou.. its just that.. Aoshi-sama... he..." Misao cried.

"What about Shinomori-san ?" Soujirou said.

"That stupid... icy bastard...." Misao clenched her fist in anger as Soujirou hugged her. Maybe I can get over him... if I call him that.

"Let it out Misao-chan. It helps."

~~**~~

"I'm going up to the mountains to make myself stronger." Aoshi announced to the household one afternoon during lunch.

"Nani? Naze da, Aoshi-sama ?" Misao asked in shock.

"Even though I admit defeat to Himura Battousai, I'm not satisfied and I haven't given up. I want to be number one. I will be the best!"

For a while there Misao could see something burning in Aoshi. But only for a few moments. A few minutes later he resumed to his usual cold and quiet self, retreating to his room to pack up his things.

Misao entered his room quietly. He pretended not to notice and continued packing. Misao stood there for a while, silent.

"I'll miss you Aoshi-sama..." Misao said quietly.

Aoshi's mouth twitched. Misao was no longer a young girl but was quickly becoming a mature and beautiful young woman. Aoshi sighed. Misao took a step closer. "Aoshi-sama ?"

In a swift movement, Aoshi turned around to face Misao, grabbing her wrist and pulling her close to himself. She could feel the warmth of his body, and his heart beating furiously inside his chest. His warm breath tickled her nose... their lips were so close...

"No we can't do this." Aoshi pulled away. "We can never be together Misao. Sayonara."

"Aoshi-sama...." Misao said with tears in her eyes.

^^^^

Early the next morning Misao left the Aoi-ya. Where she was going she didn't know yet. But she had to get away from all those memories... leaving behind a note :

" To Jiya, Okon, Omasu and ... Aoshi-sama,

I have left to seek enlightenment. You don't have to worry about me,

I brought my kodachi along. Take care minna.

Misao "

~~**~~

"Oh.... so Shinomori-san...." Soujirou's voice trailed off. Misao nodded.

"I think I'd be better off forgetting him and moving on, ne Soujirou ?" Misao said.

Soujirou only smiled. "Hai."

Soujirou looked deep into Misao's eyes. Misao had been hurt before, he didn't want to hurt her again. I'd better let her wound heal first... better not rush her...

"Its getting quite late already. You'd better go and rest because we're leaving tomorrow." Soujirou broke their eye contact.

"Ok. Oyasumi nasai Soujirou." Misao said.

"Oyasumi nasai Misao-chan." Soujirou smiled and kissed her cheek lightly.