Authors Notes:
Selene - Arigatoo for still reading. I'm glad you are liking it very much. (^_^) Stay tuned for more fluffiness…
Megami no Ushi - I update on ff.net faster because it is very easy. I think Yahoo! is a bit 'iffy' and I really need to find somewhere else to go I think…but not to sure about that. It took me 5 to 6 goes just to place up my latest doujinshi and two chapters on my update and that was extremely annoying…so that's why basically.
Anime-no-Atama - Oh don't we all want to know who the daddy is? You'll get an explanation soon…when Noa decides to explain herself more…or when Noa finally wants Shin-chan to pop out of nowhere and scare Aoshi and Misao! *Cackles evilly*
Shinomori Kibou - Thankies for the lovely comment. I do hope you enjoy chapter 12! (^_^)
SilverNimbus - Oh I think Misao will open up a little bit, but you just watch what happens ne?
Eternitys End - Hmm, not a bad assumption on what you think will happen, but Aoshi doesn't know where Misao lives, so why not let her stay at the mansion. After all she is in no shape to get herself home. Aoshi is after all the only one actually "sleeping" in the mansion so he might need some company… Just read ne? Kawaii and funny! I hope that is! (^_^)
Kyme-chan: Aoshi falling in love with Misao-chan? Oh he has too; it is the rules…the law after all. ^_^ Noa wouldn't have it any other way…oh besides Misao falling for Aoshi of course! I already know the way Aoshi is going to confess…erm sort of…but they must fall apart first!
Till next time…which is definitely soon!
Car Trouble?
Aoshi looked down to see Misao sleeping blissfully in his embrace. His hand reached up to rub at his left temple not expecting the night to turn out quite like this. Aoshi felt the limousine stop and heard Soujiro exit the driver side and opened the door for him. Somehow Aoshi got himself and Misao out safely without waking her from her slumber. She rested in his arms once more, her head tilted to his chest, listening to the sound of his beating heart.
"Master Shinomori, is everything alright with Lady Misao?" Soujiro spoke while opening the front door to the mansion. Okon, Omasu, Hannya and the others had already turned in for the night and knew nothing about Misao staying the night.
"She drank a little too much wine Soujiro. You may place the limousine away and adjourn for the night." Aoshi spoke as he began heading up the stairs.
"Are you sure its wise to let Lady Misao stay in the Shinomori mansion?" Soujiro spoke; he freezing in his stance as narrowed green-grey eyes focused on his blue ones.
"You dare question me Soujiro? I never planned for this, nor do I know where she lives. She is sleeping peacefully and I dare not wake her up. It is only right to place her in one of the guestrooms for this evening. Is that a problem for you Soujiro?" Aoshi questioned his driver dryly and watched him shake his head and exit the main doors, they clicking behind him, the lock in place. Aoshi shook his head and continued up the stairs towards the first guest bedroom on the right just after his study.
Aoshi stepped into the large room and closed the door silently with his foot. He padded softly over the fluffy carpet and placed Misao down on the queen size bed, it draped in soft purple silken sheets. A creamy white doona lay folded at the bottom of the bed, just in case it got cooler during the night. Aoshi glanced over Misao's slumbering form, she instantly rolling over, her dress parting on her left leg, Aoshi's eyes focused there.
Aoshi shook his head many times and grabbed the silken sheets placing them over Misao's form. What happened next, Aoshi was most definitely not expecting. As he pulled the covers over Misao, she had rolled onto her back, but once she felt a light touch on her chin by accident from Aoshi, she had instantly grabbed his hand and turned on her right side once more. Aoshi could do nothing but go with Misao, a masculine soft gasp escaping his lips in doing so as he now rested over Misao, his right hand resting on the headboard above Misao's head. Aoshi watched with wide eyes as Misao's fluttered open. Hazy blue met wide green-grey ones.
"Aoshi?" Misao mumbled softly, still tipsy and quite sleepy as well. His breath caught in his throat as she not only immediately recognised him, but she spoke his name, in that soft sleepy voice of hers, almost a whisper…and yet so much more.
"Its not what…you think…" Aoshi lamely replied, his voice leaving him as Misao's hand reached up to brush over his cheek oh so lovingly. She held a sweet gentle smile on her lips; a semi seductive smile and Aoshi could not tare away from her open gaze. Her breath smelt like alcohol and strawberries. A strange combination yes, but her skin and her hair…oh how it smelled like flowers and rain. Aoshi had glanced away from Misao's gaze almost in embarrassment at being caught like this with her, but the strange thing was, she didn't seem to mind at all.
"Why do you look away? Am I…not pretty enough?" Misao voiced aloud, still in her soft voice, her eyes still hazy with the effects of alcohol. Aoshi leaned up slightly, almost in shock at her question. Did she think…he was rejecting her? Aoshi shook his head negatively not too sure what to do in a situation such as this, but words escaped his lips before he could bury them deep inside himself.
"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes upon." Dammit! Aoshi began cursing himself at his stupid straight forwardness. No! No he couldn't take advantage of her like this! It wasn't right…it wasn't possi-
Aoshi's eyes had snapped open, he not even realising he had closed them to begin with. He knew he felt a blush crossing his cheeks at what he voiced to Misao in her drunken state, but now it would be evident as he stared wide eyed at Misao's closed eyes. She was…Misao was kissing him! His lips had parted in surprise, a groan breaking through his throat as Misao held onto the back of his neck making sure he couldn't part from her questing lips…not until she was satisfied.
"Misao…you…can't…" Aoshi finally broke aloud, his teeth gritting together as Misao began placing kisses down his throat. Aoshi let out a shuddering breath, her hands at his coat, as though ready to strip him of it, but he quickly pushed away from her.
"Oh shit!" Aoshi spoke aloud having done so and earned Misao's teeth marks into the side of his neck. She had bit him just as he reefed his body away from her, hoping to the gods she was still in her drunken state and wasn't fully awake. Aoshi stared down into Misao's hazy eyes, but with a sigh of relief he watched them close and she was out like a light.
"What the hell…just happened now?" Aoshi pondered to himself as he sat on the side of the bed watching over Misao. He was about ready to get up and leave when he heard her groan, her eyebrows scrunching up. She seemed to be in discomfort. Aoshi placed his hand on Misao forehead noting she was quite warm and her skin was slightly damp with perspiration. Was she coming down with some sort of fever? Aoshi got off the bed and moved to the counter and picked up the handset of the phone and pressed a speed dial number.
"Okon, can you please come upstairs to the guest room besides my study? Thank you." Aoshi spoke and placed the receiver down and opened the door to the room to wait for Okon outside.
* * * *
Only minutes passed by as he saw Okon's figure, draped in a dark green bathrobe walking down the hallway. Her hair was messy, Aoshi having woken her up, but he'd give her an explanation once she moved closer.
"Something is wrong with Miss Misao." Aoshi spoke and let Okon enter the room first. He observed as she placed her hand against Misao's forehead and then felt some of her other damp skin as well.
"She's awfully clammy." Okon spoke almost to herself and left the room for several moments to grab a cloth and a water basin with cool water in it.
"Master Shinomori I think it is best that you find something for Misao-san to wear. She cannot sleep in this dress, it is much to uncomfortable for her." Aoshi nodded his head and left the room to head for his which happened to be the one across the hall from the guestroom. He rummaged through the draws on each side of the king size bed not finding anything for Misao to wear. His only option was to dig deeper into his walk in wardrobe and find some extremely old clothing.
Aoshi flicked on the switch to the wardrobe and bent down looking through some boxes. He finally found one and noticed the clothes that lay in it were ones he had never worn before. Aoshi sifted through them and found a pair of black boxer shorts and black top with a pair of bright green cat's eyes on the back. His face scrunched up in distaste. Who the hell would buy him those? Aoshi kicked the box back into its original position and headed for the guestroom to find Okon had placed Misao into a sitting position.
"Here…" Aoshi spoke dumping them on the bed and left the room immediately. He leaned against the wall, his mind still reeling over the fact that Misao had kissed him…but not only that she had… Aoshi broke off his thoughts as his hand reached up to touch the place where Misao had bit him.
"What the hell was she thinking?" Aoshi muttered to himself, but snapped out of it when the door opened and Okon stepped out of the room.
"She is sleeping comfortably Master Shinomori, but you might need to look in on her every now and then okay?" Aoshi nodded his head, his eyes staring into chocolate brown ones.
"Okon nothing will happen, you know me." Aoshi spoke and watched a smile cross Okon's features as she nodded her head in agreement. She stepped closer, placing a kiss on Aoshi's cheek as she whispered her last words into his ear and then adjourned for the remanding hours of the night.
"Yes I know you…and I can read you like an opened book whether you like it or not. Keep her safe, Miss Misao is a very special woman and a rare one at that, so be honest with her…and yourself." Aoshi watched Okon leave and shook his head at her words. Damn, she really did know him too well. Okon was so much like his mother it was uncanny. Maybe it was because Okon was the oldest employee in the Shinomori household. She knew his mother and father before he was even born. Okon had been a street kid, but Aoshi's mother took her home and cared for her like a daughter…like a loved one. Aoshi's family loved all their employees…and now that his parents were gone, they were all Aoshi had left. Things would have to change…or else Aoshi would never forgive himself for driving away his family…his loved ones…
* * * *
Hours had ticked by as Aoshi sat in a chair and watched over Misao for the night. Who would have thought he was capable of doing such a thing? Was this…was this the Aoshi Shinomori he should be? Was this Aoshi a kinder, gentler being that only surfaced when no one was watching?
Aoshi placed down the book he was reading and looked over at the rising sun. The hours had passed by so quickly. His thoughts cut off when he heard a groan leave Misao's lips once more. Aoshi got out of the chair, only now dressed in his black trousers and his white shirt, two buttons undone and it was tucked out of his trousers as well. Aoshi brought up the basin of water, dunked in the cloth and was just about to place it on Misao's forehead when he watched her eyes snap open instantly. He heard a shriek leave her lips, brute strength coming out in her and catching him off guard as she pushed him away from her, Aoshi tumbling to the carpeted floor and landing with a loud thud, water spraying all over his form and onto the carpet.
"S-Shinomori-san, w-what are you doing here?" Misao stuttered as she held the purple sheets to her body, her wide blue eyes looking at her now soaked employer. Aoshi lips had parted in surprise, his throat closing up, as he was unable to voice his reason. Water dripped from his wet bangs, his white shirt plastered to his skin and turning see through so Misao could catch a glimpse of the well defined body hidden underneath his usual business suits. Aoshi watched Misao stare around the large room in confusion and she finally spoke aloud.
"Where am I?"
"You are in one of my guestrooms Miss Misao. You drunk quite a bit and were in no shape to go home so I let you stay the night here. I called Okon to dress you into some comfortable clothing and watched over you while you slept. You seemed to have come down with a fever and needed to be looked after." Aoshi reasoned with the young woman, who was still clutching the covers to her form, her eyes still wide and glancing around the room.
"You…took care of me?" Misao spoke in a small whisper, Aoshi watching the pink in her cheeks darken in colour. Misao's head was bent; she locked away in her own thoughts. Aoshi finally sat up properly, turning the basin over and placing the cloth inside as he stood up, water dripping to the carpet from the ends of his white shirt.
"Aa…" Was Aoshi's one word answer and Misao finally turned her gaze to him, her eyes growing wider as she looked over his soaked form.
"G-Gomen ne!" Misao abruptly spoke, the sheets dropping away from her body as she sat up on her knees looking at her employer, her hands placed over her lips as she tried not to laugh at him. Aoshi's eyes had narrowed; knowing Misao was ready to laugh even though it had been her fault to begin with. Aoshi did nothing but turn away from her and began heading for the door, his left hand turning the knob, but stopped from leaving as he turned half way around to ask his own question.
"Miss Misao, do you recall what you did last night?" He watched as Misao sat back down on the bed, her legs tucked under her and she had tilted her head in confusion. After several seconds Misao shook her head negatively and Aoshi nodded his in recognition. She watched with a raised eyebrow as he silently left the room and closed the door behind him.
"What…did I do?" Misao's mind was fuzzy, she not truly over her hangover just yet, but noticed a television set in a corner of the room. Misao got off the bed and padded over to it and sat down on the sofa lounge. She reached for the right remote control and scanned the channels. Misao's mind did make out that there was a camera crew there when she and Aoshi had arrived for the evening and wandered if they had caught anything on tape.
Misao stopped flicking through the channels when she found one as it was filming a punch of people getting out of a Rolls Royce. Misao turned up the volume, not really listening to the woman but noticed a whispering Aoshi speaking to her as they walked up the steps heading towards the function room. She remembered that. She remembered being quite rude to him, but instantly listened to the woman reporter.
"Some sort of commotion broke out at the Shinomori Cocktail Party and this was the result of it all."
Misao watched with wide eyes as she was filmed on camera…probably all of Japan watching as she decked some elderly man. The only part they hadn't got was he grabbing her ass! Misao's mouth had parted open as guests stopped eating and talking and began whispering things the camera microphone could not pick up. She watched her own form race off, the camera following, but then it faced the old man who was being helped up by two people only to fall over again as he was smacked in the face by Aoshi. He then yelled something, the crowd parted and he ran out of the function room…coming to look for her.
Misao bowed her head and turned the television off. She had humiliated herself…and Aoshi. They had helped her to fit in for the night and Misao had lashed out, not liking it at all. Then to ruin the reputation of one of Japan's richest families was…was unforgivable! Misao got up and hurriedly placed on the clothes she had worn yesterday. Her belongings had been placed in here, Misao guessing it was Aoshi who did that. She placed on her sneakers, her head very much bowed in disgust at herself and she opened the door to the guestroom and closed it silently behind her. Misao leaned against the door, her eyes opening as she watched the door across the hall open and Aoshi stepped out now wearing drier clothes. A mark on his neck caught her eyes…but Misao quickly bowed her head.
"I…I'm sorry for embarrassing you last night. I…I won't allow myself to be felt up by some creepy old man…and yet I didn't realise the consequences it would cause for you. I'm…I'm so sorry!" Misao spoke abruptly and she raced for the stairs and headed down them hurriedly. The humiliation she felt…was like a deep hole welling up inside her. Guilt and fear rose as well…Misao knowing she had disappointed everyone! Hannya and Okon…but most of all she had disappointed Aoshi.
"Misao wait! That's not what I meant!" Misao stood at the bottom of the stairs, she breathing heavily, but her eyes were wide open, Aoshi having called her…sounding so desperate as though wanting to explain but not knowing how to. She slowly turned around, her eyes lifting up to gaze at the man at the top of the stairs. She noticed his head was slightly turned away, his fingers on his left hand brushing over the faint purple tinge on his neck concealing it away from her eyes.
"I wanted to know…whether you remembered…what you did to me…" Her eyes were wide in horror at what Aoshi muttered softly, his head turned away and now she could see a pink tinge crossing his cheeks. What was it that she did? Did it have something to do with the mark on his neck? That mark on his neck… Misao gasped in horror, flashes of last night jumping around in her mind, her eyes tearing up at what they could mean.
"I'm sorry!" Misao blurted out, Aoshi eyes growing wide as he caught tear marks falling down her cheeks. She was crying!
"Misao wait! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable…let me expla-" But it was all too late…she had run out of the mansion already. Aoshi listened to her motorcycle roar and then it sped off, the rider wanting to get as far away from the Shinomori grounds as possible. Aoshi sat on the top step, a frown crossing his features. He felt a presence not too far behind him and spoke softly, almost regretfully for bringing up what Misao had forgotten all about.
"I don't want your curses Okon…just leave me be." Okon's eyes frowned as she watched Aoshi…the boy she helped raise slouch to the stair railing, his head resting on the bars as he still stared at the opened door. Okon walked down the passageway and seated herself beside Aoshi, her arm resting around his shoulders, but she said nothing at all. Only seconds passed before Okon felt a small pressure on her right hand, as Aoshi clasped it with his left one. She sighed softly and leaned her head against his shoulder, hoping to comfort him.
"Things will be okay Master Shinomori…I'm sure of it."
"If you say so…" That voice he spoke in…it was lost…and full of regret. Okon hadn't heard that in 10 years! Was Miss Misao having that much of an effect on Aoshi? Could this woman be the one to…to break the ice surrounding his heart? Okon sat up and glanced her eyes over at Aoshi; she still thinking of him as a young boy…a young child she helped raised. He had much to learn…and yet Okon could sense Misao would be the one to teach him many things. Her eyes narrowed however, as she noticed a small bruise on his neck, teeth marks as well. She bit her lip not saying anything and brushed her hand over his cheek and then got up. He needed to be by himself for a few minutes, Okon was sure of that.
"Go find her Master Shinomori…I'd say she is quite confused and rather embarrassed. Perhaps you should let your feelings be known to her…we are not blind to the truth and she deserves to know what you feel in your heart. If you let this one get away, I am sure you'll regret it for the rest of your life." Aoshi stared at Okon's form as she descended the stairs. His eyes grew wide as he stood up dashing for his bedroom and then was out in a flash.
"SOUJIRO?" Aoshi had yelled in a very un-Aoshi tone of voice. Soujiro stepped into the main entrance to the mansion and watched with wide eyes as his Master slid down the banister of stairs.
"I need you to take me to Okina's Mechanical Service right now." Aoshi watched a smile cross Soujiro's lips, he finally realising that his boss had strong feelings for the young woman and there was no chance in hell he could have a shot with her. If his boss was happy…then he was happy.
"Yes Sir!" Soujiro spoke and raced to grab the limousine. Hannya, Beshimi, Hyotokko, Shikijo and Omasu watched from the doorway as Aoshi jumped into the limousine, he only dressed in a pair of black slacks, dirty sneakers and a grey shirt.
"Where is Master Shinomori going in such a hurry…and still wearing his house clothes?" Hannya questioned the other four employees but watched them shake their heads negatively, they not having a clue either.
"He's going to ask Miss Misao to be his girlfriend. Isn't it sweet?" Okon spoke with a bright smile on her lips, her eyes closed. She opened them to see five pairs looking sternly at her, but she shrugged her shoulders, mumbled out her reply and walked off.
"Don't look at me, Master Shinomori is old enough to decide what he wants…and besides I think its cute the way Miss Misao affects him so much. Oh look at the time, I must go vacuum the carpets."
"That woman is truly something…" Omasu voiced her opinion watching the other men in the household nod their heads and then they all broke off to go do their usual chores.
* * * *
(Okina's Mechanical Service)
Okina had been opening up shop when he heard a familiar motorcycle scream down the street and halt a few feet from him. His eyes grew wide when Misao thrust her helmet off, it falling heavily to the concrete floor. That however was not what had worried him at all. Her face was streaked with tears and she fell into his embrace weeping like a young child, much the way she did when she found out she was pregnant four years ago. So there stood grandfather and granddaughter embracing each other tightly…one weeping…and one comforting.
"Misao-chan what happened? Are you all right? Did that man hurt you? For if he did I'll ring his ne-"
"J-Jiya I did the most despicable thing ever!" Misao blurted out, butting into Okina's rant. He watched as Misao pulled away from him, her eyes puffy from crying too much and she mumbled out her reply.
"I got drunk…and…and Mr Shinomori took me back to the mansion and…and…" Okina was literally ready to explode. Misao was drunk and he had his way with her! That dirty man! Why he outta…
"I…I kissed him!" Okina blinked in confusion, his murderous thoughts being cut off by Misao falling into his embrace once more. She began to babble something he couldn't comprehend and he pushed her away slightly…his eyes catching something else.
"A hickey Jiya! I gave the man a hickey! He must be so disgusted at having that happen to him by someone like me. Oh Jiya it's completely hopeless! I'll never be able to show my face to him ever again! I can't believe I lost it Jiya…I lost the job…I lost the money that was going to get us back up and running again."
"Hello Misao…" She gasped in horror and surprise at hearing that soft voice…that soft masculine voice that only belonged to one person. Misao let go of her grandfather and slowly turned around, her eyes growing wide as she came level with soft green-grey ones. Misao could do nothing but stare at a very casual looking Aoshi. A breeze had picked up; blowing his silky black bangs around as he began walking towards her, his hand came out from behind his back ever so slowly to conceal…flowers. He was holding some flowers in his right hand…just for her.
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *