Thanks to my following faithful reviewers: marywolfe32, rurouni kenshin, PrincessSakura4, kitty-jinxx, unique-starfish. Ya really make keeping Born Happiness going worthwhile!

Disclaimer: no, I do NOT own Rurouni Kenshin. must I continue saying it?

Chapter 7- The Plan

"He just won't tell her, Fox-lady. He mopes around all day though, whining because he loves her, because 'Miss Kaoru and Sessha don't deserve each other'."

"Eh, I know, she came 'round here telling me anout it. Finally I just took her gambling with your buddies at the Akabeko to shut her up."

"WHAT? YOU TOOK HER TO GAMBLE WITH THAT LOAD OF THUGS?"

"She won 19,000 yen."

"Oh. Go Little Missy then."

"Told ya, Rooster-head."

"Oh whatever. Say, what do you say we come up with a plan to play matchmaker for those two so they'll shut up?"

"....Deal."

They both clinked glasses and chugged down their drinks as the deal was made.

IN KYOTO...

Misao brought out Lord Aoshi's tea. That was what she did. Every morning and afernoon. She'd wake up; do her hair and slip into a nice kimono (yes, Misao NOT in a ninga-outfit), a nice pink silk one with yellow butterflies scattered about; then take the tea made by Okina and bring it to Lord Aoshi. Even though he had dropped the title of 'Lord' for the Oni-wa-ban, Misao hadn't and still called him by that.

"Here is the tea, Miss Misao." Okina handed her the tray.

"Thanks, Gramps!"

She balanced the tray in one hand and held the door open so she could step outside with the other. Misao walked down the path to the temple quickly and careful not to trip and splash the tea out, or worse break the cup and have to have Okina prepare more. Sliding open the shoji screen outside of the temple, Misao quietly stepped inside. She kneeled before the man with his eyes closed, set down the tray, and poured the tea.

"Aoshi-sama, I've poured your tea. You can drink it now."

"I have ears, girl. I know you poured it."

"Misao was taken aback. "I d-didn't m-mean to trouble you, Lord Aoshi."

He kept his eyes shut, but she could tell that he would have been shooting a glare at her had he not.

"I. I'll just leave it here with you and come back to get the tray later."

Aoshi sighed and stood. He loved upsetting people like Sagara, Hajime Saitou, and the Battousai Himura. But he hated it when he upset Misao. He honestly didn't mean to, he was just used to being cold with everyone.

"I'm sorry. There There were some things that happened last night, and they have affected me."

"What? You didn't get hurt -- you're okay, right Aoshi-sama?"

"Hai."

"What happened? Ohh..um nevermind you probably don't want to talk about it."

"They died."

"Huh?"

"People I knew, trusted, and..cared about. They died."

"Aoshi-sama..."

"I'd rather you leave me alone for a while, Misao."

"Ok..See you, then..."

"See you."

~*~*~*Owari Chapter

A/N: ok, you keep asking for em, I type em up and upload em. did the sixth (ff.net says 7th), now the seventh (8th), and I might get the eighth (9th) one up tonight. Might. MAYBE. See, all this typin wears out my fingers. Oh I have blisters now...it hurts...lol. ANYJO, Read and Review! I've earned it! I can't feel my fingers because of these last two chapters, so ya better! Kidding! duh. no ya don't have to but it'd make me happy. r&r, sayonara till next chappie!