Disclaimer:  I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.  That's because they wouldn't accept my offer of eight monkeys and a bowl of soup for the ownership rights.  Personally, I think they're just too demanding.

Author's note:  Here is the next instalment, rather quickly, because it's a pretty short chapter and I found myself in the mood to do it.  Figured I should get it done before I lost that mood!  A tad depressing, but anyway, hope you like it.  And it won't let me upload with the first paragraph in italics: it's really irritating me cos I've been trying for ages now.  Before I tear my hair out I'll give up and just tell it's meant to be in italics.  It'll probably do it right now. *grumble grumble grumble*

Ice and Chaos Sixth

  It isn't so much saying goodbye that's difficult: it's the moment when you realise the kind of space that will be left when you say that word.  It's the moment when you see the gap appearing in your life, in the place where the person walking away from you used to be, and all the colours and warmth and life that used to fill that space is now gone.  And you realise that there's another empty place in your life.  Another hole you don't know how to fill.

  Rain beat down on the car roof with a constant, rhythmic drumming.  The sound filled the car, drowning out other little sounds, like the softer notes of the song on the radio, the footsteps of the people walking past, or the flapping of wings as a bird flew overhead to perch on a windowsill above.  The whoosh of cars passing by, and the singing from the radio, accompanied by tinny beats, were faint and melancholy against the sound of the drumming rain.

  Misao had her chin leant on her palm, her elbow resting on the window frame.  She gazed out at the grey, drab street with cheerless blue eyes, which looked dull in the sombre light beneath the thick clouds.

  They were nearly there.  They'd been driving through towns for miles now, and had entered North Kelston half an hour ago.  Home was only another twenty minutes or so away.  They would pull up to the gates, Misao would get out of the car, and Aoshi would drive away.

  And that would be it.

  It seemed so final.

  It had only been five days since Misao had met Aoshi- since the day she had seen him sitting in the café, looking so isolated and angry at the world.  Yet so much had happened and so much had changed in those few days. 

  But some things don't change.  A desolated look spread over Misao's face.

  Here she was, back in her hometown, back in her old life, and nothing had changed about those things.  The street they were parked in was the same.  There was the same slightly run-down cinema on the other side of the street, further up from where the car was parked.  There was the same printing shop in the other direction, on her side.  The same toyshop and bookshop on either side of the newsagents Aoshi had entered five minutes ago.

  The sound of voices brought Misao back to reality.  She turned to look over at the pavement by the newsagents, and saw Aoshi talking to another guy.  The other guy was about as tall as Aoshi, with brown hair, darkened by the drizzling rain, and a long leather jacket.  His hands were shoved deep in his pockets as he spoke to Aoshi.

  Misao watched them with mild interest.  She had thought Aoshi had never been to this town before.  Did that mean he was talking to a complete stranger?  That didn't fit what Misao knew so far of Aoshi's personality.  Yet there they were, talking as if they knew each other in some distant way: not friendly, but not very formal either.  Misao couldn't make much sense out of it.  She couldn't hear their words either: the rain drowned it out.  It filtered through the air to her in the form of a low murmuring. 

  At least Aoshi didn't look angry.  He just looked… calm.  Like he was preoccupied with something, or just keeping distance between himself and the other guy.

  At that moment, Aoshi glanced at the car, catching Misao's eyes, which were still fixed on him.  He glanced away again.

  He seemed to be saying goodbye to the other guy.  They both shifted their weight restlessly, Aoshi more so, and the stranger started walked away.  Aoshi paused a moment, watching the guy's retreating back, before opening the door and swinging into the driver's seat with an unreadable expression on his face.  He dumped a newspaper and bottle of water on the back seat, and wordlessly handed Misao the bar of chocolate she'd asked for.  She took it, studying Aoshi's profile, wondering what was going on in his head just then.

  "Do you know him?" she asked quietly.  She hoped she wasn't touching a nerve.

  "In a way," replied Aoshi abruptly.  He started up the engine, and checked the mirrors before pulling away.  All they showed was a grey, wet world, all around.

  "Time to get you home," he said.

  The world slipped by in a dull grey haze.  It reminded Misao of being on the merry-go-round, when she was little, the way everything moved past, and sometimes you found yourself questioning whether it was you moving, or whether the world was moving around you, and you were completely still.

  "Left here."

  Aoshi signalled and turned without a word.

  They'd reached the suburbs, and now they drove uphill slightly, along a fairly empty road.  There weren't any houses visible along there.

  "It's just ahead, on the right," added Misao.

  Aoshi spotted the large gates, and pulled over.

  It was so quiet when the engine stopped.  The rain had slowed to the slightest of pattering, only just audible.  They both waited, as if by pausing long enough, their thoughts would be spoken for them, without the need to find the right words.

  A car whooshed past, brake lights bright in the dim shadowy day.

  "Where will you go?" asked Misao finally.

  They both knew she was dodging what they were both wondering.  The real question.

  Aoshi took a breath, sighed it out.  He pushed one hand up against his forehead, ruffling back his hair.  He didn't turn to her: just stared ahead with an empty expression.

  "I haven't decided yet."  He paused.  "But I think the decision's already been made for me."  He bit down gently on his lower lip, a thoughtful look on his face.  His brows knitted slightly.

  "Oh."  Rain pattered gently on the roof.  "So are you just moving on, going on to another place?"  Dodging again.

  "I don't know."

  Misao looked at him.  He felt so far away.  He was a stranger again, someone unconnected with herself, unwilling to share real thoughts with her.  She didn't want that.

  "Aoshi, will I see you again?"  The real question at last.

  He glanced across at her.

  "If the decision has been made for me, perhaps.  I don't know.  I might be around, but…  It's probably better if you don't see me again."

  A deeply troubled look filled Misao's eyes.

  "Why?"

  "Because if I stay, it'll mean things that wouldn't be good for you." 

  Misao looked out of the windscreen.  The world looked so bleak and empty.

  "Maybe just knowing you're around and I can see you is good for me."

  A long pause.

  Aoshi suddenly opened the door, and got out of the car.

  He couldn't keep listening to her.  He could feel her persuasion tugging at him.  He wanted to give in: that was what worried him. 

  He waited until she finally got out of her side.  He walked around to her, stood on the pavement.  She looked upset, as if she'd been deserted.  He supposed he was deserting her, really.

  As he reached her, she stepped close to meet him, and slipped her arms around him.  After a moment, she moved closer, holding him firmly to her, and he could feel the slight warmth of her arms and hands through his trench coat. 

  He didn't think about it, whether it was unwise or not.  He let his hands reach around her, encircling her slight form.  He tucked her head under his chin, shielding her from the gentle showers of rain and the lazy breeze.  Her warmth felt soft and comforting against his chest.  He wondered if she could hear the way his heart beat more strongly, the way it sped up a little.

  When they finally released each other, he wondered if that was rain on her cheeks, or if those were tears glimmering in the grey day.

  He was still wondering as he drove away down the road, trying not to look at the small figure left standing alone in his rear view mirror.

Author's note: Apologies for another short chapter, but I felt that this needed to be a stand-alone moment, with a chapter of its own.  I don't know if you agree but that was my sentiment!  Anyway, this isn't the end of the story *shakes her head at the people who could think she is THAT heartless*  There is more to come, I promise you!

Well, leave your thoughts!

Notes to reviewers:

Thank you to Argentum Draco (Yeh, sorry, this one was short too…  but frequent updating makes up for it doesn't it?  You found out what happened next!  *smiles nervously*  *hopes she gets away with it* ^_^), EK (That's okay: I read offline usually too.  Keeps the bill down and therefore keeps me safe from the wrath of the rents.  *sweatdrop*  Thanks for the encouragement, anyhoo!), dynast (Hello again!  Glad you're enjoying it, see you again soon I hope!), bee (^_^  I'm very gratified to hear it.  I love putting Aoshi and Misao together- they're so different from the other RK couples.  Anyhoo, glad you like it!), Noa (Ah, fluffy moments are dying down a little compared to the last one, but the mystery still abounds…  I'm being a little mean I suppose, but it's part of the story! ^_^), lebleuphenix (Yeh, I thought that kiss needed interrupting…  *looks at Aoshi and Misao pointedly*  *laughs*  Yes, Misao has some little secrets going.  Not to mention Aoshi.  All part of the mystery, ne?  ^_^  As for their belongings- I didn't want to slow down the urgency with explanations, but to my mind, they only really went into the motel with the clothes on their backs and the money in their pockets, so they would have been wearing those clothes when they made their escape- they didn't exactly have any other clothes to put on after the shower!  Would've been a little damp, but hey, better than the police arresting you!), FlameSolo (Thank you.  ^_^), TwinBakaNekos (It was soon, wasn't it!  I hope that made you happy!  ^_^  Glad you're enjoying it so far!), len (Ah, that's for me to know and you to find out…  *grin* It's one of those 'it'll come out in due time' mysteries I'm afraid. *wink*) and Kmye-chan (Thanks!  I'm very chuffed that you like it so much!  I love the whole 'road movie' scenario too.  ^_^  Though that was only really the first stage of the story…  I mean, I don't know how long this story will turn out to be, but it's not the end yet!  Many questions still unanswered at the mo, as you noticed!  ^_^  *offers candy as a substitute for going crazy* *grin*).

Thank you all SO much for reviewing!  It makes me feel really encouraged.  ^_^

Click the button and make my day!  *happy dance*  All thoughts much appreciated!