I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Tanabata Madness

Chapter 6

            Dinner passed by without much event, but for the first time in a while, Aoshi chose to sit down next to Misao, who was ecstatic and full of her usual genki energy.  Every time Misao made wild gestures as she recounted some story, she would bump into Aoshi's arm, who didn't seem to mind in the least.  Whenever Misao laughed, Aoshi had to strongly resist the urge to laugh with her or smile back when she smiled at him. 

~*~

After dinner, Aoshi asked Misao to speak with him in the hallway between his office and the main room.

"Misao… I…" Aoshi was at a loss for words as he stared into Misao's large sea green eyes, almost losing his determined focus as well as himself.  "I… I got you a gift…"

The almost pained expression on Aoshi's face was one of pure uncomfortability, which amazed Misao to no end.  Misao shyly smiled at Aoshi, making his stomach do flips as he tried to steel his composure and keep from shaking nervously.

Aoshi vanished into his office and reappeared quickly, holding something pink in his hands.  The corners of Misao's mouth twitched upward.  'That present's for me,' she thought as she smiled victoriously.

"Here, Misao," Aoshi's voice betrayed him as it slightly wavered when he handed the package to Misao, his face stoic, hoping for her to say something… anything.

"Arigato, Aoshi-sama!" Misao almost shouted jubilantly.  "May I open it?"

"If you would like…" Aoshi stared at her with eyes that seemed to penetrate her very core.

Misao trembled almost indiscernibly, but Aoshi noticed.  She tentatively pulled the corners of the pink tissue paper until she gave into her curiosity, and rapidly tore off the remaining wrapping.

The pink paper fell away to reveal a white package.  Misao made quick work of the white paper as a cascade of gold and emerald silk poured out into her hands.  In the corner of Misao's eye, something gold almost fell to the ground, but Aoshi caught it deftly.  Misao let out a tiny gasp of awe as she admired the silk kimono.

"May I try it on, Aoshi-sama?" she asked hesitantly, looking at Aoshi timidly.

"Of course, Misao, it is yours—you needn't ask me," he replied, "But, the day is almost over; wouldn't you like to wear it some other time?"  The lingering possibility that Aoshi held in his heart, the hope that Misao would wear the beautiful kimono anyway, blossomed when Misao shook her head firmly.

"I would much rather try it on now, Aoshi-sama.  Will you wait here?" 

Aoshi nodded his head slowly, the simple gesture not belying the strong emotions and thoughts he felt, as he handed the golden obi to Misao.  'I would wait forever for you, Misao-hime…'

Misao quickly walked up the stairs to her room, grinning from ear to ear with happiness, clutching the shining kimono in her hands.

~*~

Misao returned some time later and found Aoshi exactly where she had left him, but the tissue paper she had absently left on the dark wooden floor was gone.  Aoshi's eyes widened slightly as he drank in the sight of his Misao in the kimono that he had bought.

Misao's cheery face lacked makeup, but her rosy cheeks and full lips were enough for Aoshi.  Gold dragons flew along the bottom of the emerald kimono, their wings outspread and their teeth bared.  Around her waist was a shimmering gold obi that cinched around her waist tightly.  Her hair was done up simply but beautifully with a water lily made of pearl and jade leaves circling the white flower.  To Aoshi, she was a goddess that had come to him.  ^_^

"Aoshi-sama… how do I look?" Misao all but whispered in the impregnable silence.

"You look absolutely… beautiful," was the simple but honest reply.

"Honto ne? Aoshi—"

Aoshi cut Misao off with a gentle finger on her lips.  "Just… just Aoshi…" he said as he looked down, quickly removing his finger with an embarrassed expression.

"Aoshi…" Misao breathed, trying it out as if it was a foreign word.  Aoshi's head shot up, identical blushes on both his and Misao's cheeks. 

"Misao…"

A/N:  Phew!  Only one chapter to go!  Sorry if Aoshi seems a bit forward and doesn't have the angsty attitude…  Oh, and if it seems as if I am dragging this out, it will be finished soon.  The last chapter will wrap everything up.  Thanks to my awesome reviewers (you guys are great!): unique-starfish, ThiMonkey, Mia1218, Hadley-chan, yume no naka, vena A.K.A katrina-chan, LuckySpirit, mystasia, and Sweet Chaos

Thanks for reading and please review!

genki – umm… kind of full of energy…

arigato – thank you

-sama – very respectful title… basically, lord

-hime – my princess

honto ne – really