Disclaimer: Still don't own Rurouni Kenshin, still poor as hell, my mommy bought me more cheese, and I've decided that I'm going to have to take extreme action if I'm going to be able to get in Aoshi-sama's trench coat….

The Wildcat

Chapter 5

Both Feet First

Aoshi watched Misao, her mouth working, but no sound coming out. It reminded him of a fish he had once caught, while deep sea fishing, years ago, with Misao's father. He wasn't sure why he having been a student of her father's was such a surprise, or better yet why it was such a big deal. He wondered vaguely if she would tell him. He continued studying her, watching as her mouth shut, and her eyes, damn those velvety eyes, finally regained their bright lucidity, he had come to expect from this woman, even with knowing her only a handful of minutes.

Aoshi's silence and semi-bored look finally drew Misao's attention, and she simply uttered two words. "Tell me."

Damn that dreaded talking thing. He sighed. "I started training under your father when I was seven, I believe he had just come to America from Japan not long before. I trained with him, in the Aoiya's dojo", he paused momentarily as surprise graced her face, "From your look I see that the Aoiya is familiar to you. I trained with your father there until the age of fourteen, mastering all aspects of kempou, and the use of twin kodachi." He said finishing abruptly.

"I lived at the Aoiya" she offered in a small voice. "My father, and mother passed away when I was twelve, I lived there for six years." Misao found herself at a lose for words. How did one convey the bitterness and torment she felt to the depths of her very soul when she thought of the events that led up to her permanent stay with Okina at the Aoiya. But from the faintly interested and somewhat concerned look on Aoshi's face she took a deep breath shuddering slightly and continued.

"I'm not sure if you saw much of my father after your training with him halted but I did not. The only time I really saw my father was when we were training." Aoshi raised an eyebrow at this silently urging her to continue, though he wasn't sure why he felt so compelled to hear this strange girl's story. Aa… it was simple really. She was the daughter of the man he had respected and loved more than any other person in the world.

"You see I know my father loved me, really, but there was always my mother. She was the joy of his life. His entire being was focused on her and her alone. He was always whisking her off to one exotic or romantic location or another and so I rarely saw either one. And then one day they left and never came back……." Misao trailed off, perplexed at herself for opening up to this stranger who was really not a stranger after all. She wasn't sure why she instinctively trusted this man. This man with the coldest, hardest, emotionally devoid eyes she had ever seen.



But there it was. Not even knowing him for twenty minutes, she had already started pouring out the details of her life history, and she wasn't even sure if he was remotely interested or just being polite. His eyes betrayed nothing, showing little emotion. Regardless Misao carried on.

"Father came home to the apartment we lived in, upstairs in this very building, one afternoon in July, ten years ago this summer. He had planned a second honeymoon to Venice, Italy, for himself and my mother, surprising her greatly. And before you ask," 'yeah right Misao he hasn't opened his mouth once since you started talking', mama was very upset at leaving me behind when they left on these frequent trips, but I'm sure you know my father was a very persuasive man. And so after much argument she finally caved in and went…. Again..

I was twelve at the time……. I was finally beginning to understand that there was something wrong with my family life. A family was supposed to be together always, and I was always with Okina at the Aoiya while my father drug my mother along on all of his crazy adventures. Needless to say, I was not a very happy little girl when I found out my parents were leaving me yet again.

I remember telling my father that I hoped he would never come back, that I didn't need him anyways. Selfish really, and quite stupid. He had simply turned his back on me saying nothing. My mama had looked at me with a sad smile, kissed me goodbye and walked out of the Aoiya with my father. It was the last time I saw them. The plane they were on went down, something to do with a faulty gas line. They hadn't even made it into international waters." She feel silent after this suddenly feeling very small and alone, and extremely stupid for telling this man all that she had.

Aoshi sat contemplating her, sipping the tea she had FINALLY set down in front of him. What was he supposed to say to all that? The memories of Misao's father that he had were very different. A strong, wise man of few words, who had carried almost a regal air about him. He could still remember Genrou's constant talk of his wife and little girl. He remembered vaguely and ironically that he had referred to Misao as his 'Sweet Angel Misao'. A very different picture indeed then the one Misao painted. But then again the man he had thought of as a father had only been a part of his life until he was fourteen. He had been abandoned and alone, living with his father's older sister, his one parents dead since soon after his birth. She had been a raging alcoholic and an avid cocaine user. She beat him frequently. Then he met Misao's father. His only support, comfort and outlet had been Genrou Makimachi and his teachings.

The summer after he turned fourteen he recalled Genrou telling him during a particularly brutal day of training that he was leaving for Japan to retrieve his sweet wife and little angel. He would be gone for a month, most likely, taking care of final arrangements for the move and whatnot. It was the last time Aoshi saw him.

When he returned home that night, it was to find his aunt laying on the kitchen floor, half of her brains decorating the kitchen wall, leaving him only a parting note reading, 'Nephew, you ruined my life. What did I ever do to deserve being saddled with a worthless piece of shit like you. Go fuck yourself.' He mused wryly now, that the meager amount of food he was able to convince her to buy, had taken away from her 'addiction money' and he supposed in a deranged way, you could say he did ruin her pathetic existence.

A few days later he found himself being shipped to live with a childless couple in a small rural community on the panhandle. Misao's voice broke through his thoughts. "Did you know that my father had died?" she asked quietly.

"Aa…" he answered simply, and they finished their tea in, a rarity for Misao, companionable silence, both lost deep in their own thoughts of the past.

Feeling suddenly apprehensive Misao felt the need to break the silence. "So", she asked, "what is it that you do?"

"Law school." Aoshi replied shortly.

"Oh do you work?" she inquired suddenly curious to know as much about the silent, and oh so beautiful man sitting beside her.

"No," he said shortly, irritated now, "and your door interrupted my search for employment, I'll have you know." He really didn't want to go in depth with the details of his lack of employment. It was none of her business, anyways. He realized then he had been sitting there for more then an hour with this strange girl, completely ignoring the pressing matters that he needed to resolve. This kind of lack of control and focus, were foreign to him. The need to escape her company was becoming increasingly important to his well being now. Though he wasn't quite sure why.

Pushing up from the barstool abruptly he turned and began walking towards the door, calling a simple, "Thanks for the tea," over his shoulder.

He was leaving again, dammit! Misao began to panic. What was it about this man that made her like this. She had known him for an hour! She needed to do something and do it quick, the only thing she was certain of, was the need to make him stay.

And in true Misao fashion she leapt both feet first into the first thought that crossed her mind.

"Wait!" she cried loudly. Her voice echoing rather melodramatically and ominously through the air. "You can work for me!"

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A/N: I AM SOOOOOOOOOO SORRY!!!!!! I got this new king sized waterbed and kinda pulled a muscle in my back. I have been laid up pretty much since last Saturday! Sorry it was short but the next chappie will be out tomorrow night or early Sunday morning. I can't wait for you to read it! It's called the Sorceress' Apprentice, and K-chan gets to show off everything she learned from bartending for 6 months.

Kinda just wanted to say that Aoshi and Misao's characters, well more like their personalities in relation to their backgrounds has a strong influence in the characters Amelia and Zelgadis from Slayers. (which I also do not own!) Basically, I thought they needed history, (well duh) and I think Amelia's "bad things have happened to me but all I can do is be cheery and hope for the best" and Zel's "Bad things have happened to me and in turn I developed an extreme case of Angsty Bastard Syndrome (nuff said)" really work well for Aoshi and Misao, and so by author's divine right, tee hee, have been incorporated accordingly.

Ahem….

Drum roll, please!

Zerianyu: So sorry, I love suspense! Lol well maybe it has never been done before but I hope it wasn't too disturbing! Thanks

Trick of the Light: Ummm I had my beta reader check, and I checked too, and in Chappie 2 Misao tells Aoshi that she is 22. No where else was her age mentioned. Sorry if ya got confused. Well how she uses her kunai is a big part of the story, you will see this in chappie 6 or 7. Kind of wanted to leave that to the action scenes and not really tell about it beforehand. And as far as the weapons, they are locked up, but more importantly, if you went into a bar where Misao, Kaoru, formally Enishi and now Aoshi work would you be tempted to try and even so much as get behind the bar, let alone go for the weapons??? I wouldn't. That's something else I'm going to go further into and that's the bar, or more importantly Misao's reputation. And even if the reputation wasn't known, they would still be more then easily capable of stopping any evildoers. Evildoers? Where did that come from? Geez…. Thanks for the questions, (very good questions, btw) and the support.

Kagome-Angel2000: Yes I know I am evil…. I am currently seeking professional help for that… lol…… Thanks for thinking it was a pretty dramatic cliffy… I went back and thought ugh… that was kinda lame….. But I'm glad you didn't think so….

Nuko: There will be a lemon… Just not yet. It's a lot easier in a a/m story to just throw them into bed if its not an au story or at least not an au story where there is no past between them. Right now Misao and Aoshi just don't know each other. And I have plans for this to be a long story. Hopefully I can throw a few small tidbits of citrus your way soon, but as for full blown lemon… well its gonna be awhile… Thanks

Mala in se: Actually it reads like he's in his third yr and going to be going a fourth year. I'M SO GLAD YOU CAUGHT THAT!!!!!!! If I could I would be giving you cookies right now. Actually, that is all intended, maybe I should have made it clear that, that was toooo long for someone to be in law school for those who didn't know. I will tell you though that he did only go part time to school one year, so to speak, and it has to do with the Oniwaban. Thanks so much for liking! And I have heard that Miami has a good law program….

Nekochan: I didn't hold the sake/beer/tequila up to your mouth and make you drink it!!!!!! Just think, you are finally building up a tolerance my girl!!!! Hooray, it didn't kill you so hopefully it made you stronger! Your no where to be found, the internet was acting up and so I'm going to post this without you great beta reading skills

Please review!!!!!! Makes me feel extra warm and fuzzy!!!

And stay tuned for Chappie 6 tomorrow or Sunday morning, Its going to be at least twice as long!