Author's notes: Wow, I'm so happy people are actually reading and reviewing! C.Kitsune says this sucks, but it doesn't really, does it? Just kind of slow.I'll admit that.

Disclaimers: Do I sound like I want to go to jail? (Hmm.now that's a question.is jail fun?) Nevermind then, I'll stay on the safe side. I don't own any of these characters except for those that you've never heard of before because obviously, those have been made up by me!

*** The Prim Rose ***

Chapter 2: The Visit

When Tomoe was sixteen, she found herself obtaining new neighbors, the Makimachis. As courtesy demands, the week after they moved in, she and her aunt went to pay them a nice neighborly visit.

Mrs. Makimachi, upon seeing them, had smiled pleasantly and led them to the living room where they were served traditional Japanese tea. Glancing at her aunt, Tomoe saw approval in her eyes. She knew she would. Aunt Haruko loved people who stood for tradition.

"I'm really quite sorry my husband and daughter are not here, Lady Haruko, Tomoe. You see, everything is quite hectic, and Misao's still trying to settle in her new school while my husband is working out deals with our moving company. I hope you will forgive them," she began after everyone was comfortably settled.

Tomoe felt a pang of envy when she heard Misao was going to school. She herself has never had the good luck to. It wasn't that she wasn't intelligent enough; it's just that Aunt Haruko believed it not good to have her little girl associating with mixed genders so young. And so she was home-schooled by a hired teacher and was taught the things the children at school learned. Aunt Haruko said she was quite lucky to have a teacher doting all her and her only, but Tomoe secretly believed she would rather have friends.

However, due to years of her aunt's upbringing, she held all her feelings in check and earnestly convinced herself that it was better to be home-schooled than to go to regular school. In fact, she could almost believe it, and whenever it should come up that her feelings varied, she said to herself that it was all for her own good, just as her aunt would.

Presently, Miss Yukishiro smiled to Mrs. Makimachi and said: "It was partly our fault too, you know. We should have given more notice." "Oh no, oh no. I am grateful that you've come, and-" "Boy, those cakes look good!"

A girl with dark hair that almost looked blue came bouncing into the room. Nothing about her was traditional. Her didn't wear a conventional kimono like everyone else in the room did; instead, she wore a t-shirt and some shorts that looked very daring to Tomoe. One couldn't say she was exceptionally pretty, but she was mostly certainly attractive and cute. All in all, she had an air of friendliness and openness that was far different from the quietness and shyness of Tomoe.

First time upon arrival, Miss Yukishiro frowned.

"Misao, darling, do sit down. Miss Yukishiro has kindly come to pay us a visit, and we should really be grateful of her."

"Say, I didn't know there was a girl my age in the neighborhood! Mother, why ever didn't you tell me? I could do with some new friends!"

Tomoe blushed at the girl's frankness, yet in her heart, she wished the same thing.

"Well, Mrs. Makimachi, your daughter certainly is.unique. Won't you join us for tea, Misao?" Aunt Haruko asked.

She had covered up her frown now with an agreeable smile, but Tomoe could still feel her displeasure.

Misao, however, had no clue. Instead, she sat herself down and picked up a cake.

"Wow, these are pretty good. You made them, Miss Yukishiro?"

"Well, yes, but they're quite easy-"

"They don't look like it to me. Dainty, I tell you. Mind if I have another?"

Although pleased at having been complimented on her cake, Miss Yukishiro still found this girl too brazen for her taste. However, she didn't say anything, as that would have been rude.

"Now, what's your name, girl?"

Tomoe started. She really hadn't any experience with talking with people her own age and was quite flustered.

"Tomoe."

"A~a, pretty. But then again, you're a pretty person. Wish I had skin that pale, but unfortunately, if I want to continue swimming, I'd better not mind a bit of dark skin. Mine's Misao, by the way, if you didn't know already. Hey, you've nothing on your plate! Eat something. You're going to get underweight!"

With a wink, Misao grabbed Tomoe's empty plate and began piling sandwiches, cakes, and bread on it.

"Oh no, I couldn't finish all that! Please, Miss Misao."

"Oh, Misao's fine. Don't bother with the miss. In fact, if you want, you can call me Misao-chan, and I'll call you Tomoe-chan. Do you mind?"

Tomoe blushed slightly.

"Not at all, if that's what you like."

Misao looked at her suspiciously.

"Do you always say that? What would you like?"

Having never been asked that question before, Tomoe was quite out of answers.

"Oh, well, I don't mind at all."

"Really? Hmm.if you say so. Anyhow, you will agree to be my friend, won't you? Or am I too bold? I'm sorry, but it's Father, I'm sure. All his fault, really,"

Miss Yukishiro could hardly confine a gasp at this. When she was a child, no one would dare say such about their own father. She thought herself fortunate to have trained Tomoe well.

"Well, no, I don't mind being your friend at all!"

Finally, for the first time in a long while, Tomoe gave a real smile and meant it. Misao knew it too.

"I'm glad. Ah, so, Miss Yukishiro, do you think you can make another batch of these for me?"

Miss Yukishiro felt quite faint.

***End of chapter 2***

Ooh, this time I do have something to say! Not that much, but hey, it's a start!

Thanks to the following reviewers:

Ufomanne: Thanks lots for doing just what I said! I love reviews! And yeah, the first chapters are for setting up background purposes, so I didn't expect much comment anyway. I'm glad you'll read the following ones! ^_^

Crystal: Wow, you've reviews for lots of my stories! And I believe this is under Tomoe/ Kenshin section, but I'm not sure. I'll check it though. By the way, there's also Sou/Misao in this one. Hope you read later chapters!

Chibi Mai: You didn't really misspell; I think it was typos. Was it very late when you read this? Thanks for your support, and of course, I'll try to keep writing!

Like I said, not many, but I'm happy anyway. ^_- Hope you later readers will remember to review too!