Everyone's so nice to me! Thank you for the kind reviews and I hope you like this next chapter as well!
Disclaimer: I forgot this last time, but as you probably know, Rurouni Kenshin isn't mine. *sigh*
Lost Love
Chapter 2
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Misao awoke early the next morning, the sun's first rays streaming in the window to hit her squarely in the eyes. She grumbled as she turned the other way. "Ow. Stupid sun."
She tried to go back to sleep, but that burst of light had made it impossible. She slowly got up and grabbed her clothes. "I need a nice hot bath."
After heating the water, she sank into the furo and closed her eyes. If anyone had been watching at that moment they would have thought she'd lost her mind because Misao started to giggle.
^^^^^^^^^^^^FLASHBACK^^^^^^^^^^
Misao made her way to the bathhouse after not being able to sleep that night. Something about Soujiro drew her to him. She was still undoubtedly in love with her Aoshi-sama, but she was pretty sure she had a small crush on the young swordsman.
As she relaxed in the warm liquid, she didn't hear the door open or notice the slight breeze that was let in. She opened her eyes and blinked a few times rapidly, anger rising with each blink.
Soujiro stood there, rooted to his spot as he stared at her.
"Why – you – PERVERT! PEEPING TOM! HENTAI! BATH WATCHER!" Misao let the names fly as she flung all sorts of bottles and bath accessories at the young man. He seemed to be shaken out of his stupor and retreated quickly under a haze of shouted apologies.
"I'm so sorry, Misao-san! I didn't mean to! I didn't know you were in there! I didn't mean any harm!" The apologies faded and Misao calmed down a bit.
She blushed as she realized she too had gotten a good look in before
saying anything. His yukata had dropped open just a few inches above his navel and exposed a very toned chest and abdomen. He looked kinda cute. Hair disheveled, face kinda rosy…and that chest! My god I would have never guessed! Nice stomach too!
Misao's face reddened even further. "What am I thinking?! Aoshi-sama. Aoshi-sama. Aoshi-sama. Remember the man you're in love with, baka."
^^^^^^^^^END FLASHBACK^^^^^^^^^
Misao let out another chuckle at the memory. "It's amazing how you can fall in love with someone even when you don't want to." She looked down and noticed her hands were wrinkling and reluctantly got out of the warm bath.
After she had dressed for the day, she made her way into the kitchen. She looked around and noticed everyone staring at her. Misao sighed. "It's okay. You can talk to me. I won't break. The last thing I want or need is the silent treatment from you guys."
Omasu smiled slightly. "We're sorry, Misao. We just don't know what to say to you."
Misao shook her head, amused at her family. "Well, the things you used to say to me would be a start. I don't want anything to change more than it has." Her half-smile slipped as she said the words. "I know it's awkward right now, but changing the routine will only hurt more because I'll think about things that I don't want to think about. Normalcy would be a big help right now."
Aoshi patted the seat next to him. "Come and have breakfast, Misao. You need to eat." He looked pointedly at her stomach and Misao rolled her eyes.
"Yes, sir", she replied sarcastically. "Really Aoshi-sama, Jiya is bad enough! I don't need you going on too! Between the two of you, I'll end up fat and bed-ridden by the third month of this pregnancy!" She seated herself next to him and allowed Okon to serve her food. She ate slowly, hoping she wouldn't suffer from any morning sickness. She hadn't yet, but Kaoru had with her first child and Misao had been a witness to her bouts of it.
Aoshi watched her dainty bites and smiled tenderly. He quickly stopped when he remembered where he was, but he looked up and no one seemed to be paying any attention to them.
Aoshi had been in love with her for some time before her marriage to Soujiro, but hadn't realized it. It wasn't until she had been married for about six months that it hit him. He turned back to his own breakfast and tried to push his thoughts to the side. Misao didn't need a new love right now, nor did she want one. What she needed was her best friend and 'big brother' and that's what Aoshi would be. Whatever you need, Misao. Your wish is my command.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Misao gazed out the window into the Aoiya's garden, her mind a void. Aoshi came up behind her. "Hello, Misao."
She tried to smile at him, but it wasn't really working. Aoshi sighed as he seated himself across from her. "Misao, if you need to let something out, it's okay. You don't have to be strong for our benefit. You're the one who's most affected by the situation."
Misao narrowed her eyes at him. "My husband's death is a 'situation'?! Going through this pregnancy alone is a 'situation'?! I would like to think my husband and child are worth more than that!"
Aoshi put his hands up. "Misao, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I just didn't know how else to put it. I'm sorry."
Misao put her hands to her forehead as she leaned back against the window. "I shouldn't have yelled at you. I know you thought highly of Sou-chan and I know you'll do everything in your power to see that this baby is well taken care of. I'm just", she fumbled for the word, "unstable, I guess." She finished with a shrug of her shoulders. "He was my center."
Aoshi chuckled. "Misao, you were HIS center." And mine. He added mentally.
Misao let her eyes drift closed. "I'm so tired lately."
Aoshi smiled softly at her. "It's because you're burdening yourself. You need to let out some of your pain, Misao. Trust me. I've held it all in and it took me years to sort out my thoughts again." He thought for a moment as he watched Misao stare out the window blankly. "Why don't you talk to all of us about your relationship with Soujiro?"
Misao blinked at him. "How would that help?"
"You of all people should know this."
Misao blushed slightly, remembering back to when she was still enamored with Aoshi. "Oh, I remember."
Aoshi nodded his head slightly. "You told me to talk to you about Hannya, Beshimi, Hyottoko and Shikijo. You wanted me to tell you everything that happened from when we left to when I returned from the fight with Shishio. I was reluctant and I know I pushed you away, not wanting to talk about it for so long, but when I finally relented it helped a great deal. Maybe it would be the same for you."
Misao rested her gaze on the ground. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt."
Aoshi stood and patted her shoulder on his way out. "Would you like to do it tomorrow? The Aoiya will be closed so we'll have all day to talk if you'd like."
Misao smiled slightly. "Thank you, Aoshi-sama."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
A/N: Next chapter, we hear about Misao and Soujiro's relationship! Yay! I hope you enjoyed and please leave a review! Hugs & Kisses!