A/N:

Yay! I finally managed to finish the second part to this chapter, AND four pages of the next chapter. Hopefully I'll be able to get it done during the holidays. And I'm not too happy with this chapter, but it could just be me. Please pardon me for any obvious errors in the story, grammatical or otherwise.

To everyone who reviewed, thank you thank you thank you so much for sticking around. Please, read and enjoy!

Chapter 3B : Hidden Intentions and Grand Ambitions

There was a small sound behind her, suspiciously similar to the door being slid aside as quietly as possible, followed by the shuffling of socked feet on the smooth wooden floor. Folding the kimono in her hands and shoving it into her small luggage bag, Megumi smothered the angry snarl that was clawing at her throat and settled instead for a more dignified, "Yes?" If it was that old geezer shambling into her room, she would have words with him.

The mild, "What are you doing?" revised her opinions. Rich, deep voice – Shinomori Aoshi. Ooh, these would be fun words indeed.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" she retorted, making sure to keep her voice cool and level. It wouldn't do to sound angry, oh no. That would be just too easy. Determined not to be distracted, she surveyed the small pile of clothing that summed the total of her belongings. Dammit, I need to get more clothes. Travel easier, indeed. How on earth does he expect me to go day to day with only two spare kimonos?

A smaller pause. "It appears you are preparing to leave".

Oh fun, fun, fun.

"It does look that way, doesn't it?" A malicious smile danced on her cherry-red lips. Still with her back to him, she could only imagine what he was thinking right now. Chances were, whatever it was, he wasn't too happy about it.

The slight exasperation in his voice confirmed it, "You can stop this right now. You know very well that I am not so pathetic as to require Okina to conduct my courting affairs for me".

Oh ho ho ho. Putty In her hands. She had forgotten that this was as fun as riling up Kaoru back in Tokyo. Or rather, and the grin widened further, riling Kaoru up was almost as fun as this.

With an overly exaggerated sigh, one she was sure he'd pick up, she waited until the last article of clothing was packed before she spun around with a bright smile. "I know, Aoshi. That is why all I'm doing is packing these rags away so I can go shopping for more appropriate wear".

The very familiar expression #13, 'Megumi, You Try My Patience Too Many Times', flickered past his face then decided to come back and stay. She rewarded it with a sultry, 'You Know You Like It Darlin' ', then grabbed her money pouch and headed towards the doorway.

"I'll come along".

"I don't need you to baby me!", followed instantly by a gasp. What the? She covered her mouth with a hand, shocked by the pure venom in her voice. Where had that come from?

Her snappish manner failed to have any effect on him though, Look #17, 'You Cannot Tell Me What To Do', chiding her from the sharp features of his visage. It softened soon enough though, with him simply echoing her own thoughts, "You and I need to talk".

A soft sigh escaped her lips, her hand gently rubbing her temples. This wasn't a game anymore. When had she started losing her temper just like that? It was just like when Okina had said something that made her see red. What was it again?

Oh yes… Maybe he realized he should never have let you go…

"Yes". Her voice sounded strangely cool to her ears, "We need to talk". Inhale. Exhale. "But not now. Now I need to go out and buy things". Sensing the question about to pop up, she added a mite testily, "Feminine essentials". Seeing the slight discomfort on his face gave her a sense of familiar ground and she let out a light chuckle, "I guess I can't stop you from carrying my purchases, hmm Aoshi-kun?".

A small voice spoke up from the doorway then, as Misao's face peered around hesitantly, "Can I come along? I need to buy some things too".

Aoshi gesture to Megumi, the motion clearly saying, 'Ask her'. Another light sigh from Megumi preceded her nod of consent.

Maybe this would be a good time to get to know Aoshi's charge.

Could the day get any worse? She had hoped that maybe during this outing the three of them could just talk and maybe break the ice that existed between her and Misao. However…

Megumi shot her two companions an exasperated look. Aoshi was being his normal self. He was still the solid rock of ice she remembered, slate blue eyes glancing this way and that on the lookout for anyone who was a potential danger. Habits, apparently, were still hard to break. He had even fallen into step on her left; the usual place for him to take a year or so ago.

Gods, has it only been a year? It had felt like a decade.

Misao, in the meantime, was lagging behind them, as silent as the man beside her. Occasionally, Aoshi would glance behind to see if she was still there, and she would respond with a cheery smile, but that was it.

Maybe I should stir things up a little…

Her metaphorical fox ears twitched in anticipation.

"Misao!" she exclaimed, turning around to grab onto the startled teenager to drag her between a mildly surprised Aoshi and herself. "So, Misao", she purred, ignoring the bewilderment in the girl's forest green eyes and patting her head gently. "How on earth did you manage to grow up in that place, especially with that old pervert around?". Shooting a mischievous look at Aoshi, she added in a flash of brilliance, "And did the Ice Man there ever develop any of his habits?"

"Ice… Do you mean Aoshi-sama?!".

Megumi felt a twinge of guilt but quickly brushed it off; after all, anything was better than the three of them going from stall to stall in silence, "Yes, your Aoshi-sama". She leaned closer then, her voice in a stage-whisper, "I bet he's groped a few in his time".

"No he hasn't!" The girl's indignant denial clashed with Aoshi's diamond hard voice cutting through it, "Megumi".

She ignored the warning in his tone, continuing cheerfully as she draped an arm around the girl's slim shoulders, "So how many of those waitresses has he bedded, do you think?"

Misao's snarl was cut short by Aoshi's testy comment, "Megumi, do not talk about me as though I'm not here".

Misao followed it up with an angry, "Aoshi-sama has more honour than to do that!" The silence that followed seemed to add a 'you stupid assuming bitch'. Megumi revised her options of the girl then. Obviously, she had more bite than she originally gave her credit for.

Ah well. At least her plan was working perfectly.

Directing an innocent look Aoshi's way, she smiled sweetly, "Well, feel free to jump into the conversation anytime and correct me".

She was elated when he shot her resigned look #39; her personal favourite. If there was ever a time when he would allow himself to swear, it would be this; 'Megumi. Fuck. You'.

She batted her eyes at him charmingly; he just sighed and shook his head. She had him and he knew it. "So Aoshi, what qualities did you get from that old leech?"

"Not his perversion!" came the instant reply from Misao, her green eyes flashing with indignation. "How could you say that to Aoshi-sama?!".

Another resigned sigh from Aoshi. "Megumi has given herself the right to say whatever she wants". Another pointed look there; he wanted her to drop the subject.

A throaty chuckle and a cheeky wink to the annoyed teenager, "Aoshi's learnt that a long time ago".

~

Misao waited till the tall woman turned to bargain with the stall owner to shoot a 'blea!', her way.

Geez, but who did she think she was anyway? Aoshi-sama had done nothing to deserve her insolent teasing. And anyway…

Maybe, she thought with sudden dread, the better question should have been 'Why didn't Aoshi-sama stop her from continuously teasing him?'.

But damnit, damnit, damnit! There was nothing going on between the lady doctor and Aoshi-sama. Of course there wasn't. How could that be? He was just being polite to her because she was a guest. Aoshi-sama was like that. Besides, and she felt a warm glow spread through her at the memory, Aoshi-sama told her in particular to stick close. That probably earned Megumi another 'blea'.

…

Actually, she'll be kind and dignified and mature. She'd settle for a mental, 'neener neener neener!'.

Wait. What was she doing now? Misao watched stupefied as Megumi – tall, intelligent and, as everyone was so intent on rubbing it in, beautiful  Megumi – took hold of Aoshi-sama's arm and pointed at some of the clothing, obviously asking for his opinion. His short, monosyllabic answers were punctured by Megumi's astonished comments, her intent for a squabble clearly obvious. The stall owner on the other hand, a heavyset man with a squint, looked on with unrestrained amusement.

Better check out what's so funny.

A voice spoke up behind her just when she decided to go over to the two, "Miss!". She glanced behind; was the voice referring to her? There were heaps of people milling around. This was, after all, a popular shopping area. She shrugged to herself. She couldn't see anyone trying to catch her attention.

"Miss!"

She spun around then, perplexed. Who on earth was calling out? There was a small nudge at her elbow, and she turned to find…

Oh… my…

A pair of gorgeous eyes twinkled down on her, made more so by the sheer strangeness of their colour; golden yellow mismatched with dark blue. Strands of dark brown framed his face, the features almost as sharp as Aoshi-sama's himself. An inviting smile stretched on thin lips.

"Miss, a present. Go share". His voice was low and melodic, and she was almost missed the words.

"A present?" she echoed, shocked and amazed at his sudden appearance.

"From Master", he offered, handing her two wrapped pieces. An absent smile later he disappeared back into the crowd and despite all her efforts, couldn't see where he had vanished to.

Misao stared down at her hands, confused by the sheer randomness of the gift. From master? Who the hell was master?

Well, a gift was a gift. And share? She peered into the wrapping and a huge smile split her face. Chocolate! One wrapped like a flower, the other in the shape of a heart. Well, she could give the flower to Megumi and she and Aoshi-sama could share the heart.

A warmth on her cheeks signaled the imminent blush. Megumi may have her mature good looks, but she had known Aoshi for a long time and she must have a special place in his heart. Not to mention she had chocolate.

Things were starting to perk up.

Next chapter is much much more interesting. What's in it? An Aoshi POV for one! :D And… well, I'll just post up the chapter when I'm done so you'll see. And if there's anyone who would like me to email you when I next update, feel free to tell me in a review or email.

Till next time, everyone!