A/N: Warning! A/Meg romantic stuff later. But then again, part of real love is knowing that acting that way doesn't seem silly to the one you love…=P
Part 3: Aoshi's Wrath
She hated lying to him. Especially when he was holding her, completely focused on her and her alone, while a little voice in the back of her head was telling her that she was wrong in keeping things from him. She always valued honesty in relationships. They had worked so hard, learning to trust each other. She knew Aoshi well enough to know that he would be angry at her. But Aoshi was a practical man. It wouldn't take him long to calm down. But no one she knew really enjoyed being at the receiving end of Aoshi's anger. He had a way of making anyone feel small. But Megumi wasn't easily intimidated. She and Aoshi had crossed paths many times before they became personally involved.
Megumi pulled her vehicle up to the beach, her eyes slowly scanning the area for Misao. Just where was that girl? She bit her lip.
A young girl waving her arms frantically caught her attention. Megumi quickly slid into a parking space, shutting off the engine, lights, climbing out and locking her door in less than seven seconds.
"Megs!" Misao grabbed her arm. "I'm so glad you're here...I'm really sorry..."
Megumi shook her head. "It's all right. What happened to Stella and Danielle?"
"They weren't answering their phones."
"Kenshin and Kaoru?" Megumi prompted.
Misao pursed her lips to the side. "Come on. As much as we love Kaoru...you know she'd blab it to Aoshi before I had the chance to tell him."
The devil woman raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. "Not unless she's telling him right now...which I doubt..."
Misao smiled sheepishly. "Oh well."
"Let's take you home..."
The teen shuffled her feet slightly. "Um...I can't. Remember I was telling you about Dennis?"
"Yes?"
"Well...he's still out cold. Can you check him to make sure that he's all right?" Misao crossed her arms. "Not that I think he deserves to be checked...I mean, he wouldn't leave me alone..."
Megumi looked at her. "Are you all right?"
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning exactly that. I know you punched him, but..."
"He was coming on too strong. Not to the point when I felt scared, if that's what you mean," Misao explained.
"All right." A mischievous smile crossed Megumi's red lips. "Was punching Dennis enough revenge for that?"
"Of course not," Misao retorted. "He assumed that just cause I don't date guys means I'm a lesbian. I don't have anything against lesbians, but the fact that he made that assumption. He never bothered to think that guys at Honolulu are so stupid and that's why I don't date them." She smiled conspiratorially at her friend. "What'd you have in mind?"
Megumi's smile widened. "Oh...just something a doctor can fix...Dennis wanted to get lucky...we'll let him think he's lucky..."
"Ookay...That kind of revenge." Misao shook her head. "Geez, Megs. You flirt with Aoshi enough...do you have to do that with stupid boys, too?"
Megumi grinned. "But there's a difference. Flirting with Aoshi is fun. Even after we started dating."
"Right."
Sighing, Megumi waved her hand, "When you're in love, you'll understand..."
"Ick." Misao grinned in response.
Aoshi let himself enter Megumi's hotel room. It was convenient to have an aunt who owned a hotel. The Royal Hawaiian was a beautiful place to stay. After closing the door behind him, he removed his mask and began to loosen his cape.
He wondered how Megumi was doing. She seemed distracted as soon as her phone rang.
When his eyes opened, he immediately became aware of the pain in his eyes. And nose.
"Are you all right?" He heard a female's voice.
Dennis braced his head and looked up, seeing an Asian woman dressed in red. She was probably too old and too experienced for him...but...man...she was hot. "I...I think so..."
She raised a hand, pausing. "I'm a doctor. Do you mind if I examine you?"
Examine away, baby. Dennis caught himself. Where the hell did Misao go? Whatever. The woman inspected his head for bumps.
"Looks like you got into a fight," she commented.
"Um...yeah." No way was he gonna say that he got beat up by a girl.
"Sorry to hear that," she continued, peering into his eyes, he wasn't sure why though. "I hope it was worth fighting over."
"Um...yeah." She was looking really closely into his eyes.
"You seem to be okay. But you'll have a bad bruise tomorrow," she commented before rising to her feet. He got a really good view of her legs thanks to the dress she wore. Maybe she was one of those women who got off on having guys drool after her. Why not? With a body like that…no way could she be a doctor.
"Hey, wait…" he reached for her hand. She turned around slowly. "What's your name and how'd you find me?"
"My name is Emi and I'm attending a party with my coworkers at that hotel," she pointed to a hotel not too far away. She shrugged. "I needed a break and took a walk when I found you out here."
"You're too young to be a doctor," Dennis declared.
She smiled. "So I've been told many times."
"I'm being serious."
"I know."
Man…what was a guy supposed to say to an older woman? She had to be…twenty-four or something.
"You wouldn't have anything to drink, would you?" she asked, placing her hand against her collarbone. "I'm thirsty…"
"I think I have some water in my car…Wait here…" Dennis moved towards the trunk of his Hyundai, barely able to contain his excitement. If she thought he wasn't worth being around, she wouldn't have stayed this long, right? He'd had a couple girls behind the bleachers back in his freshman through junior years, but he'd never been with an older girl.
When he came back with two bottles, after opening them, they sat on the sand, chatting for a bit.
"Are you seeing anyone?" he asked.
"I like to keep my options open," she responded, shrugging.
"So you're single."
"Basically." Emi took a long swallow of her drink, moving slightly as some of the liquid coursed down her chin and throat. "Oh…I don't suppose you have a napkin or anything…"
He tried not to watch the liquid travel down her dress. "Um…no…but…" he shrugged out of his collared shirt, leaving his T-shirt beneath it on. "Here…" His jaw nearly dropped when she used the corner of his shirt to wipe her throat and chest. And the area underneath the neckline of her dress.
"Thank you…"
"No problem." His eyes stayed on her.
Once she finished cleaning up, she handed his shirt back to him, glancing at her watch. "I have to get going now…I just wanted to make sure you were all right."
"Okay. Thanks…"
"Well?" Misao demanded as soon as Megumi settled into her Lexus.
Megumi smiled at her younger friend. "He is absolute slime."
"I could have told you that."
"I slipped him a crushed pill which will help his bowel movements," Megumi said nonchalantly as she adjusted her rearview mirror.
"He'll be going to the bathroom a lot, you mean?"
"Exactly."
Misao burst out laughing. "Remind me not to go to this beach for a loooong time…"
Megumi grinned, starting the car. "Let's take you back home."
"Works for me."
Megumi's eyes turned serious as she adjusted the ear piece of her cell phone into her ear, an accessory she only used while driving. "Aoshi's waiting back at the hotel."
Misao coughed. "Um…then you should go back. Drop me off and-"
"You promised to tell him immediately after your date," Megumi reminded.
"Dammit." Misao snapped her fingers before sighing. "All right…"
Megumi speed dialed Aoshi's number.
"Everything all right?" Aoshi asked immediately as he picked up.
"Yes," Megumi responded. "It wasn't as threatening as I thought. I'm leaving now, actually."
"Hm. How fast can you get here?"
"Why do you ask?" Megumi asked.
"Because I was wondering if I should shower now or wait for you," he answered.
Oh goodness…Megumi swallowed, glancing at Misao, who suddenly seemed fascinated with the scenery out the passenger side window. She heard a soft sound on the other line, as if Aoshi was picking up items and setting them back down.
"I like your shower stall," he commented. "I can already imagine you in it while I-"
"Aoshi," Megumi cut in. "I think you should come home."
Immediately, his tone changed. "What's wrong?"
Megumi glanced at an apologetic Misao. "I think Misao needs to talk to you."
"Why didn't she just call me if…?" he trailed off for a few seconds. "She's with you." It was a statement, not a question.
Megumi nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "Yes, she is."
"I'll be home in fifteen minutes."
"I'll see you then." Megumi hung up, pulling the earpiece from her ear.
"Are we in trouble?" Misao asked beside her.
The doctor smiled sheepishly. "I think so."
"I knew we were going to be in deep shiet," Misao huffed, leaning back in the seat.
When he entered his house, he found Megumi sitting at the kitchen counter. Still in costume.
"What happened?" he asked without preamble.
Megumi glanced in the direction of the hallway leading to Misao's bedroom. "Aoshi…maybe you should sit…"
"I prefer to stand," he responded.
"All right." Megumi slid off the stool, moving to stand in front of him. With her heeled shoes off, at her height, she barely reached his nose. "Misao had a date today."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Without asking for my permission."
"Yes," she admitted.
"Is she all right?"
Megumi nodded, giving him a brief explanation. "Her date's friend tried to take advantage of her-"
"What?" He could barely keep his disbelief in check. Bad enough his girlfriend and daughter were keeping things from him.
"But she handled herself just fine," Megumi responded.
But he wouldn't listen. "Someone actually tried to do that to her. He deserves to be-"
"Aoshi," Megumi grabbed his arm. "Misao is fine. As much as you want to protect her, you have to understand that she made this decision on her own. She doesn't need a protector, she needs her father. Now there must be some reason why she kept it from you-"
"And told you," he cut in coolly, his jaw tightening.
Megumi lowered her gaze for a moment before looking at him again. "Yes."
"How long have you known about her…date?"
"Since Sunday," she answered.
Aoshi released a breath. "Four days. You had four days to tell me that."
Megumi closed her eyes. "She wasn't ready to tell you. She had planned to tell you after."
"And me spending the night at the Royal Hawaiian…was that part of the plan, too?" he demanded, the volume of his voice going up several notches. "Was that supposed to soften things?"
The blood drained from her face. "You know that's not true…"
"It's a little difficult to tell. What if something had happened to her? Instead of thinking about that, you were too busy with your game at the hotel-"
"Why are you acting like this?" Megumi cut in. "Misao obviously wasn't ready to tell you why she was going on a date. So instead of focusing on why we didn't tell you, why don't you talk to her, stop and think that there might even be a reason on why-"
"You didn't raise Misao as long as I have, so you don't have any right to tell me how I should think when it comes to her," he interrupted, pulling away from her.
"Aoshi-"
"Where is Misao?"
"She's in her room," Megumi answered. Then reaching out quickly, she grasped his forearm. "Let her do the talking."
"I-"
"Aoshi," she cut in firmly, her eyes narrowing with resolve. "You may be her father, but I was just like Misao not too long ago. Misao is growing up. She isn't going to be that little girl you once knew forever. She wants to live a life of her own. You can't go in there angry like this. Please."
He removed his arm from her grip, striding towards the hallway that led to Misao's room. Then he turned to face Megumi. "I'm not finished with you, yet."
"I have no intention of leaving, Commander," Megumi retorted.
That woman picked the most unusual times to push him. How could they both lie to him? He had never been so frustrated at any two people in his life. Aoshi gritted his teeth for a second before knocking on Misao's bedroom door. He took a breath, which seemed to calm him down.
"Come in," Misao's cheerful voice called through the door. As he opened the door, she continued, "Hey, Megs, is Aoshi…" She was sitting at her vanity table, putting her short, cropped hair in braids when she caught his reflection. "Oh, shit."
Hm. That's very encouraging... Aoshi closed the door behind him before moving to sit at the corner of her bed, facing Misao. He couldn't help but notice how Misao shirked away, grabbing one of her stuffed toys to place in her lap.
She was pulling away from him. How to start the conversation and not reveal how angry he was? He cleared his throat. "I…I heard you went out tonight."
Misao nodded slowly, her eyes wide with fear. It was imperative that he take this slowly. He didn't like being lied to, but he needed to know why…given the fact that he and Misao had worked to rebuild their relationship.
He swallowed. "Did…you have a good time?"
Her blue eyes went huge and her mouth dropped. "What?"
"I…asked if you had a good time. Given…the circumstances," Aoshi corrected himself.
"Um…how much do you know…?"
Aoshi stared at her twiddling thumbs. "I understand that you had a date. And…your date disappeared for several minutes…during that time your date's friend…came on to you…you took care of him…then…called Megumi to pick you up." His eyes lifted to hers, seeing guilt in there.
Silence hung in the room for several long moments.
"I punched him," Misao said softly.
He lifted a brow. "You…what?" He wasn't expecting that.
"He thought I wasn't interested in boys so he wanted to convert me so I punched him," she expelled in a rush. "Then I called Stella and Danielle, no answer, I couldn't call Kaoru because she's a blabbermouth, so then I called Megs, and I'm really sorry about that, so she came here and drugged the guy-"
Aoshi raised a hand, signaling her to stop. "Wait, Misao. Your date's friend…advanced on you. Then you called your friends."
"Right, but they weren't answering."
He nodded. "And then you called Kaoru?"
Misao shook her head. "No, I didn't call her to pick me up because I thought that she might tell you that I snuck out before you and I could talk."
He frowned. "Where were you, exactly?"
"In Waikiki."
"I see." Aoshi stroked his jaw for a moment then crossed his arms. "So then you called Megumi."
"Right." Misao placed her hand on his knee. "I didn't interrupt anything, right? You guys weren't dancing or anything?"
Aoshi studied her for a moment before saying, "So then-"
"Oh no. I did interrupt something…"
He waved his hand. "It's all right. As you were saying?"
"Huh? Oh. Yeah, I called Megs, and she picked me up. I told her to check on the guy, which she did, and I think at the same time, she gave him one of those pills that make people go Number 2 a lot."
Aoshi's eyes widened in surprise. "She what?"
"So Dennis is going to be pooping a lot."
He rolled his eyes heavenward. He always thought Misao and Megumi were unique. But when they were together, they caused so much trouble it was enough to give any man stress.
"Why didn't you tell me about your date? Why the deception?"
Misao looked away. "I didn't want you to worry over nothing. I mean…what if the date sucked? Then I spoiled a great time with Megs."
Aoshi sighed. "Megumi and I will always find some other time to spend together."
"No, you won't," Misao insisted. "Don't you get it? You've been worrying over me since the day I was born! Don't you think it's time to be selfish? You should be worrying about your own personal life!"
He stared at her in surprise.
"Look, I know you, Aoshi. If I had told you, you'd be worried about me, not paying attention to Megs-"
"She understands that I have other priorities," Aoshi cut in.
"But you and Megs need your time together. I know her, too, Aoshi. She's not clingy like other chicks, but sometimes she needs to know how much she means to you. And there's no better way than quality time," Misao explained. "You two rarely have time alone together."
Aoshi sighed, thinking that the previous weekend was really the only exception.
"Don't take her for granted, Aoshi. I know that she loves you, and maybe that's some kind of security thing for you, but Megs isn't the type who'll stay with someone who doesn't realize her importance. She's got so much to offer a guy. I mean, I know it isn't easy, being a single parent and all, but you gotta be there for her, too." Misao shrugged. "I'm going to be in college soon, and I won't be around all the time."
Aoshi rubbed his temples for a few moments. "Have I really been neglecting her? Besides…last weekend?"
"It looks that way to me. And I see you every day. When are you not researching for work, at work, or with other people? I mean, in the beginning, you guys spent more time together, but lately…" she shrugged.
"It's not like her to keep silent," Aoshi mused.
"She doesn't even see it yet," Misao supplied.
He shot her a look of alarm. "Is that how it is?" At Misao's nod, he sighed again. "All right. But…I'd appreciate it if you were honest with me. More…honest. When you keep things from me…it worries me. Maybe I'm doing something wrong-"
"You're doing everything right," Misao interrupted, biting her lip. "And I don't mean to keep things from you. I guess…a part of me is scared on how you're gonna treat all the guys I'm going to date. You'll traumatize them or something…"
He gave her a faint smile. "Am I that intimidating?"
"Ooh yeah."
"If I promise to tone that down…you'll talk to me. I always want you to be able to talk to me."
Misao nodded happily, before hurling herself into his arms. "I promise."
"Me, too." Aoshi's hold tightened around her as he rested his chin on the top of her head. "You're growing up so fast…I'm…not sure I'm ready yet…"
Misao cuddled against his shoulder. "I'm told that dads never really are ready for their little girls to grow up." She sniffed.
"I'm glad to know that I'm not alone," Aoshi answered quietly.
"Is Megs still here?" Misao asked when he released her. "I wanna talk to her."
"I believe so."
It took a few minutes to locate her, but Megumi quickly came to Misao's room when she realized that she was needed.
"Thanks, Megs…for everything today," Misao hugged her briefly while Aoshi stood watching in the doorway of Misao's room.
"It's no trouble. Anything for women's rights." Megumi smiled.
"I think you'd make an awesome stepmom," Misao said quietly, but not so quiet that Aoshi didn't hear. He cleared his throat.
"Please," Megumi laughed and then added, "I wouldn't want me as a stepmom."
"Hey…why don't you spend the night?" Misao asked. "It's late…it's Halloween…there might be some crazy people out there. I'd let you borrow some sleep clothes, but I don't think you want to wear pajamas with animals on them…"
"I appreciate the offer, thank you," Megumi responded.
"I think we have the ingredients for crepes," Misao added. "So you can cook breakfast tomorrow."
Laughing, Megumi shook her head. "You're very bad, Misao. But…why not? Crepes sound good."
Aoshi moved to stand in the hallway as Misao filed through her belongings, giving Megumi any feminine objects she might need as they continued to talk in low voices.
He went to his room to take a shower, realizing it might give him time to think. He braced his hands against the tiled wall, closing his eyes as the water coursed over him.
Megumi and Misao. Those two were a handful sometimes. He briefly wondered if Megumi had left. He hadn't had a chance to talk to her yet. He didn't like the idea that Misao had talked to her first, and not him. In an odd way, it seemed as if she couldn't trust him, even though he knew otherwise. He didn't like being lied to…even though he understood the reasoning behind it. Megumi. She was a wonderful friend to he and Misao…and she had won Misao's approval long before he started dating her. He couldn't stay angry at her for very long. Even when they were at odds with each other when they first became acquaintances.
He turned off the water. After he dried off and pulled on boxers, he opened his bathroom door to find Megumi lying in the middle of his king-sized bed. She was wearing one of his shirts and her back was to him, her breathing pattern slow and steady. Feeling his anger fade away, Aoshi pulled back the sheets to slide in beside her, wrapping one arm around her waist before dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
"You aren't off the hook that easily…" she murmured.
He smiled slightly, placing kisses along her neck and shoulder.
She groaned. "You're impossible…" Megumi turned fully in his arms, and even in the dark he could see that her eyes were void of any frustration and anger.
"Do you really intend to spend the night here?" he asked curiously.
"Mm. Misao said she'd have a talk with you if you decide to sleep on the couch. She just said to keep it down."
He smiled at that. "I think she was referring to you. I'm not a very loud person."
She gasped and she jabbed his abdomen with her elbow. "Aoshi Shinomori…you conceited-"
She squealed in protest as he hauled her on top of him.
Many long minutes later, Megumi rested her cheek beneath his collarbone, smiling softly. "I'm sorry for keeping a secret."
"I'm sorry for overreacting." His fingers lazily stroked her backside, covered by the thin cotton of his shirt.
She sighed, drawing circles on his chest with her index finger. "With a body like yours and the way you kiss…a girl could forgive you for anything…" She pushed herself up slightly so she could look at him, smiling at his frown. "Now exactly how many women have fallen for this...?"
Monday afternoon, buried deep in paperwork, Aoshi was ready to leave. He glanced at the stack of folders he had yet to go through. One of the units that had come into port had lost yet a war exercise for the weekend. Two of their systems had malfunctioned. Aoshi released a breath. He had spent the entire morning at the dock making inquiries. Coming back to the office to see a large pile on his desk. His computer indicated that it was only one forty-five p.m. Just a couple more hours.
His phone suddenly rang. He picked up the handset.
"Lt. Commander Shinomori."
"Hi," a feminine voice answered. "I heard through the grapevine that you haven't had lunch yet. Do you mind if I bring some over?"
"Not at all. I could use a break," he admitted.
"Two destroyers pulled into port about six a.m. this morning. Those wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that you need a break, would they?" Megumi inquired.
"Two destroyers, one command ship, and three missile cruisers," he corrected gently.
"You are busy," Megumi declared. "Well, I'm bringing food over. You have to eat most of it. Doctor's orders."
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'll be there in a few minutes. Bye."
"Bye," he said just before he hung up. He placed the handset back, looking up to see his CO in the doorway. "Did you need something?"
"That report on the USS Anthony Harrison needs to be sent to the ship's home base now."
Aoshi picked up a file and began rifling through its contents. Retrieving four sheets of paper, he moved to the fax machine in the corner of his office. Once he ran the report through, he organized his files again.
"Food is here…" Megumi appeared in the doorway, glancing between him and his CO.
"Good. What did you bring me?" Saitou peered into her plastic bag.
Megumi moved it out of reach. "You have a wife, call her to bring you food."
He smirked, adding dryly, "She's busy. Next time you come by with food, you better have something for me." With that, he left Aoshi's office, closing the door behind him.
"It's been busy this entire day," Aoshi explained, taking the bag from her.
"Bad, I take it?" she raised herself on her toes slightly to brush her lips lightly across his.
"Mostly," he agreed. Something that Misao said several days ago triggered an idea. "What are you doing next weekend?"
"Nothing, really. Why?"
"One of the officers here has a time share in Maui…and he offered to anyone who wants to use it. We can stay there for the weekend." A weekend away with her sounded like a good idea. They'd have more time to enjoy each other's company. In the beginning, it was obvious that he and Megumi connected on an intellectual level, but as time went on, they connected on other levels as well.
"What about Misao?" Megumi asked.
"She can stay with a friend," Aoshi responded before adding, "The trip will be just us. Away from Oahu."
Megumi smiled softly. "It sounds nice. I haven't been to Maui in a while…" Her smile turned mischievous as she leaned towards him and whispered something in his ear that would make any man's blood run thick in his veins.
"Hm. Only if you plan to wake me up like you did four a.m. on Saturday." He lifted his brows.
"Of course…" she said coyly.
Misao hitched her bag higher on her shoulder as she exited Honolulu High after her science club meeting, glancing around the parking lot. Aoshi had offered to pick her up after school. However, she was surprised to see Rex parked in the guest parking area, leaning against his silver Nissan. He waved at her, smiling hesitantly in greeting.
She made her way towards him, stopping a few feet away.
"Hi," he greeted quietly. "I…I…never had the chance to really…talk to you…on Friday."
"No kidding," Misao responded with a shrug.
He sighed. "Look…when Eric called me over…he was trying to hook me up with a friend of his…but I wasn't interested in her. It took a while to get away from her." He then added, "A long while." He moved towards her slightly. "I…I heard about Dennis."
She studied him warily. "What'd you hear?"
"That he started hitting on you," Rex answered. He crossed his arms, an apologetic look in his eyes. "I'm really sorry about that."
"I can handle myself."
He smiled briefly. "That's why I like you."
Misao felt her cheeks grow pink. "You're really direct, you know that?" She shifted her bag to her other shoulder.
"I'd like to try again," he spoke up. "We could meet somewhere…wherever you like."
She smiled inwardly. "How about this Saturday? You like comedies?"
"For movies? Yeah."
Misao released a breath. "Do you mind picking me up? You can meet my dad."
"Aoshi?"
"Yeah."
He gave her a real smile. "Sounds fun."
She couldn't help but grin. "So you think." She waved at a Legend heading into the parking lot.
Rex's dark eyes widened in surprise. "Wait…Misao…what…?"
"Give me a call this week and we'll decide on a time." With that, she hurried away.
When she settled in the passenger seat of Aoshi's Legend, her guardian took a look out the window by the tilt of his head, his dark sunglasses masking his expression.
"New friend of yours?" he queried.
"Nah." Misao grinned. "My date for Saturday." She rubbed her hands gleefully. "Have the contract ready."
A sly smile crossed Aoshi's lips. "It's been ready."
A/N: Hope this was a nice break from the drama in Realizations…which I will be getting back to soon enough. Hopefully it'll give you guys an idea of the normal day-to-day stuff that goes on…and satisfy any romantics.