Thank you so much everybody for the reviews! Either my threats worked, LOL, or people just like Sou-chan! Probably the latter, people just aren't scared of me cause I am way too nice! I take after my mother. If I bumped into a table, I would probably apologize to it! Since I bugged you guys for your reviews, I am gonna respond to them all that was left for the last chapter this time! See if I don't! But that means my authors comments are going to be long, so if they annoy you, just skip past them and read the story. ^_^

Hotohori: I know there are a lot of author's notes, but that is the way I write. I actually make them a part of the story itself, so sorry if that is confusing. And besides, I just can't keep my comments to myself! LOL

Jo-Chan: Thank you for the reviews, I really love them and I don't care about spelling mistakes, its what you say that counts!

Sister Weasel: Glad you liked that about the fish, and nice e-mail address. I would hate to see what would happen if someone actually tried to use it!

Susan: Thank you so much for the reviews, you have been one of my most loyal reviewers and I appreciate it more than I can say! For that, and the fact that you like the story so much too!

Gypsy-chan: I knew someone would love Aoshi doing chores! That was my favorite part I have to admit! I could really see him wondering what he was suppose to do!

Firuze: I am so glad you liked it! I never knew I would like making someone cry! LOL!

Marstanuki: Don't worry, I promise you will get Hiko. He will just be a special guest to torture a certain couple when I get around to them! ;-)

Onna: Thank you for reviewing again! I am so happy you like it!

Midori: I love how you always pick out your favorite quote, I look forward to that every single time just to see what you picked this time around, LOL!

Shinsetsu: Did my chapter amaze you so much that you were at a loss for words? Don't I wish! I still love hearing what you think though, even if it is short, so thank you!

Prudence-chan: That about Enishi does sound funny, maybe I could work him in later for a short little spot. You have some good ideas! And everyone will get their moment in the sun again, so don't worry!

Chibi-Angel: Your reviews had to be the most interesting this time around, LOL! I can't believe you commented on every chapter that you missed, but I loved it! I think it will go down in history as the most impressive review in my collection!

Nim: Since I never can send you e-mails notifying you when I update, I am really happy to see your reviews since you actually come back and read it on your own! ^_^ It shows me that you really like it and your reviews mean a lot to me.

Yaruna-Chan: You don't have to say sorry! I love it when you review when you can! I enjoy hearing what other authors of stories I have read think of my writing too.

From All of Us: LOL! I love the most recent nickname! It sums it up quite nicely!

Cibigreenwizardmon: Since you love Soujirou so much, you may or may not enjoy this chapter! ^_^

Firefury: The mental image of Aoshi cooking or cleaning is hilarious, isn't it? I love doing that to characters!

Sasura: Does Soujirou like Misao? I plan to have a little fun with them, but Aoshi fans don't have to worry.

Shiari: I am going to be nice and not ask what mental image you got….LOL!

Okay, I think that's everyone. At least everyone that has reviewed since I last checked. Thank you guys!



Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin and fans would probably hate me if I did anyway, so it's a good thing.

The Morning After

Chapter 10



It was late morning of the next day, and everyone in our little group was gathered in the Kamiya dojo, called together by Misao. Aoshi would take none of the blame for it because he was against the idea. He is not exactly the kind of guy who goes around telling what he feels is private to large groups. He just sat in the corner, wondering to himself exactly how much it would cost to hire a housekeeper.

When the whole group was gathered together, it consisted of Kaoru, Kenshin, Aoshi, Misao, Yahiko, Tsubame, Tae, Sano, Megumi, Dr. Genzai, Ayame, Suzume, Soujirou, and even Saitou and Tokio. Misao got the last two on the list to come for some strange reason of her own, which we will probably never know. Maybe she felt he would quit calling her an annoying weasel girl if he knew she was mature enough to become a married woman.

When everyone was settled, she stood in the middle of the group with the smuggest look they had ever seen. Glaring at Saitou and Sano in case they make any smart remarks, she began her speech. "Thank you everybody for coming! The most wonderful thing in the world happened yesterday and…" of course Sano interrupted. "The most wonderful thing in the world happened? You've decided your leaving and never coming back!"

WHAM! She regained her composer and tried again. "AS I WAS SAYING! The most wonderful thing has happened and I wanted you to all be the first to know that Aoshi-sama…I mean Aoshi…" She started giggling and hopping around the room with a bright red face. "Oh, I just can't say it! Its so embarrassing!"

Everyone looked at each other. The answer was pretty obvious to all of them, but with Misao, it was dangerous to assume anything, so they waited for her to confirm their suspicions. After she kept this up a few minutes, they finally got fed up with waiting and turned to Aoshi. "Well? What is she trying to say?" asked a very annoyed Megumi.

"She is trying to announce my demise." Answered Aoshi absentmindedly. Then out of nowhere, "Would any of you happen to know what the average cost of a maid is these days?" Everyone fell over except Saitou, who actually had a horrified expression on his face! The cigarette fell out of his open mouth, and he began to stutter. "You…you mean…someone actually…no way, no one is sick enough…" The poor guy was distraught. He couldn't seem to grasp the concept of anyone wanting to tie themselves to the weasel girl for the rest of their lives, much less sleep with her and have children with her. He was turning a little green.

All the while Misao had stopped bouncing around and was glaring at the cop, who was staring into to space like someone scarred for life by something they know or saw. And he really was! ^_^

"SHUT UP YOU JERK!" Misao screamed and then lunged at him. Thankfully, Tokio had enough presence of mind to pull the defenseless man out of her way, and not a moment too soon! If not, he would have had a few kunai in place of some missing fingers! Kaoru and Kenshin did their best to subdue Misao, but they weren't doing very well. So they decided it was best if Saitou and Tokio leave, which they promptly did, Tokio dragging Saitou behind her. It was a sight no one in that little group would soon forget! Too bad Sano missed it, but after all, he was still out cold.

* * * *

Later that day, everything was fairly normal around the dojo except for one small thing. Kenshin and Kaoru were nowhere to be seen, and Soujirou was looking everywhere for his teacher! He wanted to learn how to prepare baths for people without boiling them for dinner, but Kenshin was nowhere.

"How does he expect me to learn from him if he disappears like that!" Muttered the smiling boy. With a happy look on his face that said there was nothing wrong at all, he decides to check Kaoru's room. It was the only place he hadn't looked yet. Listening at the door he hears some (cough) certain things, and his face lit up even more! So this was the next lesson Kenshin was going to teach him! Well, he was up for it! But to be like Kenshin, that would mean finding him a girlfriend. But who? Of all the girls around, they were either taken or too young or too old. And he needed one right now! Who else is there?

Walking away from the room with a look of concentration on his face, he went over the list in his mind. There was Tsubame, but she was much to young. Tae, but she was too old for him. (I really don't know that for sure, just my guess and reasoning, LOL) "Well," He finally murmured to himself. "Does it really matter if they are taken or not? Misao is cute and very perky. What would she want with a man like Aoshi-san anyway? And anyway, she must be around here somewhere!"

Oh, this is going to be fun to watch! Our happy little anti-hero went off in search of Misao, who he found once again digging though the cabinets in the kitchen. Well, we all know what she's after! I guess she was trying to pull Aoshi out of his engagement-induced stupor. Entering the kitchen, he dodged flying dishes and food, trying to get her attention.

She finally stopped digging when it was apparent they just weren't there anymore. It seems someone hide them, or possibly was off using the rice bowls themselves. I wonder…anyway! "Aoshi-sama!" She wailed miserably. "Why aren't you paying me attention anymore! So you don't know how to cook or clean or do laundry! It's not like I can either! Isn't our love enough?"

Soujirou stopped and listened in fascination. Did she really love a man with no personality that much? If she liked him so much, maybe Soujirou had a chance! He decided to give it a try. "If he isn't paying any attention to you, then you should try finding someone better. He is not worthy of you anyway. He can't cook like I can and he NEVER smiles!"

Misao turned and stared at Soujirou in surprise. And then, out of the blue, started wailing, beating the floor, and yelling at the same time! Where she got those lungs, God only knows. "What are you talking about! Maybe he doesn't smile, but you smile too much! If we mixed the two of you together, maybe we would have a normal human being!" She then stopped her ranting and smiled, throwing even Soujirou for a loop. "But thank you for saying that anyway! How sweet!" The girl has scary mood swings!

Humming happily at the compliment, she runs off to find her dear Aoshi, leaving a slightly frightened Soujirou. Fear, it was a new feeling for him! It was that kind that only a very angry woman could strike deep into your heart. And then the mood swing, that was scary in itself! His knees were even shaking! He decided he should really ask Kenshin about it the next chance he got.

* * * *

"Himura-san, may I speak with you?" It was the next morning, and Soujirou finally had his chance. They were cooking breakfast and Soujirou was putting beady, evil little eyes on the rice animals. It was great fun!

Kenshin was distracted, but still managed to hold a conversation. "What about de gozaru?" He was busy replacing Soujirou's work with slightly less menacing looks. He didn't want anyone scared of their food. He felt bad enough yesterday seeing the food scared of the cook. Soujirou asked his question. "When you know a girl and she causes your knees to shake and your heart to beat fast, what does it mean?"

Kenshin stopped to contemplate. "Well, when sessha is around Kaoru, it can mean one of two things. Either you love her very much and just looking at her makes you go weak, or else you are shaking in fear. Most of the time though it is a mix of both de gozaru ca." He planted little leaf ears.

"Ahhh, I see! So fear and love are a lot like each other!" Soujirou exclaimed. Kenshin shook his head. "Iiya. It's just when you love someone, you let them have the power to hurt you. Mostly because you can't fight back de gozaru na." Soujirou laughed. You know the way his mind works. Well, maybe you don't, so I'll explain. Now he thinks if Misao hits him, she loves him and he loves her because, and I quote from thoughts running through is mind "She has the power to hurt him." -_-;

After lunch, Soujirou decided it was time to test the lesson Kenshin taught him. Walking outside where Misao and Kaoru were talking, he walked up behind her and…pinched her butt! Brave man! With a scream of rage, Misao twisted around and hit him with every ounce of strength she possessed, and Soujirou just rubbed the sore spot on his face and…laughed? She couldn't believe it! Standing and watching him with her mouth open, she became even more shocked when he spoke. "Misao-chan, you do really love me! I love you too! This means your wedding to Aoshi-san is off, correct?"

No one said a word and the quiet was almost deafening. What is Misao gonna do? Did her darling Aoshi overhear what was said? And is the author ever going to quit with these horrible cliffhangers? Stay tuned to find out!



HAHA! I know people are going to kill me for that one, but I just couldn't resist! It was the best place I could find to leave off, too. But you know me, review and I will get the next chapter out as fast as usual. I will make Kenshin type it with his god-like speed, LOL! I was so inspired by all the reviews you guys left so fast that I finished writing this chapter even more quickly than usual, so maybe I will with the next one too! ^_^ Hope you enjoyed it and leave me feedback, please?