Car Trouble?

Misao's eyes had grown wider with surprise. He…he followed her! Why? Her mind reeled with questions, but she had no answers.

Misao could not turn away from him, for he was standing there like a normal man and wearing very casual clothes, something she never thought she'd see him in, especially out of his mansion! He…He was still gorgeous too! How could this one man look good in anything he wore? What would he look like in nothing? Misao shook that thought right from her mind. She needn't blush in front of him now! Her breath caught in her throat as he began walking towards her…only stopping a foot from herself, those intense eyes gazing into her wide stare.

"W-What are you doing here?" Misao voiced in a rush, her eyes catching the purple flowers he had bought. Where they for her? Had he bought them to try and cheer her up or something? Was he a damned mind reader too? Purple happened to be one of her favourite colours!

"I came to see if you were alright. I…bought these for you as well." Aoshi spoke, almost loosing his voice when Misao's gaze had returned to him. His assumption was right…he could drown in eyes like that. He had thrust the flowers out, as though acting like a scared schoolboy, but watched a faint blush cross Misao's cheeks as she took them from his hand.

"You didn't have to, but thank you." Misao replied, her eyes closing for a moment, as she smelt their fragrance.

"Did you come all the way down here to f-fire me?" Misao stumbled on that one word, dreading the answer that was sure to come from his lips.

"Iie, I came to apologise for making you feel uncomfortable and embarrassed." Aoshi replied in his soft voice, a smirk crossing his lips at Misao's confused stare.

"B-But what I did…"

"Its okay Misao. I was shocked, but I'll place it down as you weren't yourself and that it won't happen again. You will still fix the cars right?" Misao nodded her head; her cheeks not pink anymore. Why, in some way, did she feel depressed about what he said? Although Misao's memory was slightly fuzzy, she could still feel the pressure of his lips against hers…the softness of them…the way she had kissed him so desperately was…was warming her insides incredibly!

"Misao, are you okay?" Aoshi questioned as he stared down at her, his questing eyes noticing a small pink tinge cross her cheeks once more. Damn, why did she always have to blush in front of him? It made her so much more appealing in his eyes. Misao dare not speak, for she would fear her voice would squeak when trying to reply to the man in front of her. Why? Why was it that everytime he spoke her name she felt all tingly inside? She was warmed at his soft deep voice speaking her name, as though it was the only name he'd ever utter like that…with no title whatsoever. Again that bright blush was covering her cheeks, her eyes darting to his left to see the faint purple mark on his neck.

"Why are you blushing? Is it because of…" Aoshi never did finish, his hand reaching up to cover the mark on his neck and he slightly turned away…Misao biting him was still vivid in his mind. Out of the corner of his left eye he watched Misao bow her head, her hands thrust behind her back along with the flowers as she muttered out her reply. Aoshi had to lean closer to catch it all.

"I'm sorry…the mark…and…I was drunk…and stupid…and…I'm embarrassed…ashamed…you should be angry…and…" Misao was unable to finish, she being cut off by a pair of lips brushing lightly over hers. What the hell? Misao was starring into dark green-grey eyes, watching as Aoshi pulled away from her lips. Her fingers instantly went up to trace over her red lips, her eyes wide and starring up and into his semi hidden ones. He…he had kissed her! There again…that faint blush was crossing his cheeks at being so straightforward! He'd kissed her instantly…not even asking if it was all right. Was he…trying to make her feel better, trying to tell her it was okay? It was as though he was giving her the chance to hate him…or forgive herself for what had happened.

"Why…did you do that?" Misao spoke in a whisper; the sweet, gentle touch of his lips against hers…she still could feel that slight pressure. His lips…oh how soft they were…so gentle, not wishing to scare her away.

"I don't want you to feel uncomfortable in my presence…in my home, so…" Aoshi cut off, a little too embarrassed to say anymore, but he was relieved when Misao nodded her head, her hand brushing over one of his and squeezing it lightly. It was as though the two of them had a silent understanding between each other.

"Shall we go for a walk Misao?" Aoshi abruptly spoke, breaking the silence between them. His hand was already out, waiting for Misao to take it…and he sighed in relief when she did so.

"O-Okay…" Misao replied shakily and was led off by Aoshi, he walking down the street, eyeing Soujiro to make sure he didn't follow, as he'd call for when he wished to be picked up.

"So…what do we do now?" Misao spoke after many minutes of silence, her head slightly bent as she gazed down at there joined hands. What was happening to her? One minute she thought she had dishonored him…disappointed him to no return and now here she was walking down the street with him…and her hand in his! Misao glanced up observing Aoshi as he looked deep in thought.

"I am not too sure." Aoshi's eyes narrowed as Misao burst into fits of giggles. Who would have that that he, Aoshi Shinomori, didn't know what to do now! Misao definitely couldn't help but laugh.

"What seems to be so funny Misao?" Aoshi spoke dryly…annoyingly.

"N-Nothing…nothing really." Misao muttered out, getting her laughter under control. The two of them were completely hopeless! And yet, in some way the seemed to make a good couple…both secretive in some cases, but they seemed to get on pretty well together.

Misao hadn't even bothered to introduce her grandfather to Aoshi at all! Oh the chiding she would get from him when she came back would be tremendous!

Misao placed a small smile on her lips, a secretive smile that is and linked her fingers with Aoshi's. She liked the feel of his smooth skin against hers. It was so odd that she, the female, would have rougher skin then him. Misao supposed it was because she'd been working on cars and motorcycles for so long, but he was the businessman after all…no dirt and grind in that job…no grease either!

"Lets talk about last night shall we?" Aoshi spoke, Misao tensing slightly at him saying that. Was he going to bring up the kiss? Oh she'd probably die of embarrassment if he teased her about it. The nerve of him wanting to bring it up when she was so unprepared for it!

"That was a very good kick you displayed Misao." Aoshi spoke, trying not to chuckle at her stunned gaze. He knew she thought he was going to bring up the kiss, but he thought better of it. He'd actually save that for another day. He wasn't sure what to really talk about. What could he say when he was always in the news? She already knew about him…and yet he felt it wasn't right to just demand her to tell him about her life.

"D-Do you have to bring that up? I'm trying very hard to forget an old geezer groping my butt!" Misao complained while glaring up at Aoshi. He held that small smirk on his lips, as though teasing her yet again to see whether she thought he would smile for her.

"Come on!" Misao spoke changing the subject as she pulled on his arm, making him run with her. She'd show him! Misao made him run behind her slightly, she speeding in front even though she still held onto his hand tightly. They raced down the street, Misao laughing lightly as they did so, her hand clutching his a little tighter. Why was it that even though he was rich and famous…she felt so free with him? As though she needn't put up a front with him because he might very well respect her for who she was. Misao was slightly confused though. He was completely different…the both of them…and yet here they were…together…

"Misao where are we going?" Aoshi questioned while jogging behind the energetic woman, she bursting with energy for unknown reasons.

"You'll see!" She spoke and raced across the road; almost getting the both of them run over a couple of times. Aoshi stared around the park, old memories flooding his mind as he watched small children stare at him and Misao curiously as they raced passed heading somewhere into a punch of trees.

Misao finally came to a halt, puffing heavily and letting go of Aoshi's hand for the moment. She bent over to catch her breath. Aoshi wasn't too out of breath and walked around the pack of trees, his hand brushing over the trunk of a large tree in the middle of about five more. Misao did nothing but catch her breath and watch Aoshi, he walking around silently…deep in thought.

"Do you remember this place?" Misao questioned softly and walked over towards the tree, she climbing onto the lowest branch and looking down at Aoshi, he starring up at her, his long bangs blowing in the cool breeze.

"You fell off here and hit your head on the roots below. You had scared the living daylights out of your mum that day." Misao turned to face Aoshi on the branch, as he had climbed up the tree to sit beside her.

"How…did you know that? Oh right, in the news." Aoshi had corrected himself, his hand picking up Misao's as he began running his fingers over the lines on her palm…noticing small puckered scars on her hands. She must have been a very adventurous child when growing up to have such rough hands like she did.

"Shikijo and Hyotokko told me about you. I asked, and promised not to tell but when we were walking along the street, I remembered this park and remembered what they told me. You played here, many times when you were growing up. Your mother worked at the school and kindergarten not too far from here either. I went to that exact school…and sometimes help out there as well. She was a wonderful lady, I actually met her a couple times but never really knew who she was back then."

"You really have a way with getting to know secrets about people don't you Misao?" Aoshi responded and bent over backwards, his legs curled around the branch so he wouldn't fall off. Misao jumped off gracefully and gazed at his upside down form, his hands folded over his chest, but the bottom of his shirt had risen to reveal nicely toned muscles on his stomach.

"Well, I know you from watching television all the time, but there are always small things, important things the media forgets or never capture. The only way I know to find out about you is to become nosy, since I doubt you would really tell me unless I elicited severe pain onto you." Misao responded, a small laugh escaping her lips. She observed Aoshi as he placed his hands on a large tree root growing above ground, his shirt falling even further down to reveal a gorgeous bronze toned body! Oh Kami-sama he was drop dead gorgeous!

"I remember trying to do this when I was young, but I fell off…and ended up in hospital." Aoshi spoke, Misao watching as he kicked away from the branch to land back on his feet, his shirt falling back to its rightful position. He turned around when completing his small demonstration of skill and came face to face with Misao. Aoshi didn't think he was that close, but he could feel her warm breath against the skin on his neck, she staring into his eyes…her breath coming in quicker pants at being excited at being so close to him. They both stared at one another, Misao's lips parting as she asked her question, her blue orbs moving from his intense stare to his thin lips.

"Will you…kiss me again?" Aoshi's heart was practically exploding in his chest at hearing her shy question, the blush on her cheeks making her seem so innocent then what she really was. She had become embarrassed at blurting that out like she did, those eyes becoming fearful…as though she had spoken wrongly in front of him. Oh how he wanted to kiss her…but…

"When the time is right…I will kiss you Misao." Aoshi responded, his hand caressing her cheek for a second, before he dropped it away. Misao was about to demand more answers but jerked away from him when his cellular phone began ringing loudly.

"Shinomori Aoshi?" He responded in a cool tone of voice, his eyes drifting over Misao as she moved closer, her hands pressed against his chest oh so boldly. Aoshi's lips had parted, he listening to the person on the other end, but his eyes were focused on Misao, her hands sliding down his chest, to wrap around his waist. Misao leaned closer, ready to fully hug him, but two things ruined the moment.

"HE DID WHAT?" Aoshi had yelled making Misao jerk away from him.

"Auntie Misao what are you doing here?" Misao stared into two pairs of brown eyes, Ayame and Suzume-chan staring up at her and then over at a pacing Aoshi jabbering away on his mobile phone.

"Girls what are you doing here? Where's your grandfather and Shin-chan?" Misao spoke softly as she bent down to hug them lightly. Oh Kami-sama, what if he came and Aoshi wanted to know who he was? What the hell would she say then?

"He and Ojiichan are at the kindergarten, we are here with Uncle Sano!" Suzume-chan spoke happily, she racing towards a scruffy figure, it being Sano's day off. Misao was actually shocked he wasn't spending it with Takani-san.

"Oi, weasel-girl!" He yelled loudly and raced over, picking up Suzume-chan on the way. She rested on his shoulders, her hands tugging at his spiky hairstyle. Misao waved at him, watching him walk over and stand beside her, his chocolate brown eyes glancing over at Aoshi.

"This is the rich guy from the news? Sure don't look like much." Sano spoke loudly; not caring that Aoshi could hear his every word.

"Sano stop being rude." Misao chided him and watched as he placed Suzume-chan on the ground, he silently walking over towards Aoshi, who was still speaking to one of his underlings from his many companies.

"Thank you Fukae-san, I'll be there in half an hour." Aoshi clicked off his mobile phone and placed it back into his pocket. He eyed Sano silently, who happened to be circling him as though making sure he was up to some sort of standard…in his mind.

"Shinomori Aoshi meet Sagara Sanosuke." Misao spoke moving over and placing her hand on Sano's arm, stopping him from sizing Aoshi up, the way he always did when Misao introduced him to a few guys she had meet over the past four years. You could say he was protective of Misao. Misao watched alarmed as Sano yanked on Aoshi's shirt, pulling him closer…and a little down to glare straight into his eyes and voice his opinion.

"You break her heart…and I'll break you fucking neck!" Sano voiced loudly, Misao glancing down at Ayame and Suzume-chan who slapped there hands over their ears to cut off the swearing Sano used. Okay, so he was very protective of Misao. Misao had to step forward and break Sano away from Aoshi. She glanced apologetically over at Aoshi, but he seemed unfazed by the brash attitude and continued brushing his hands over his shirt trying to straighten out the creases.

"Big words from such a little man." Aoshi responded in an emotionless tone of voice, Misao having to quickly get between the two of them, as Sano was ready to punch him.

"Will you two stop acting like small children!" Misao spoke loudly, trying not to loose her temper.

"Sano just stop! Shinomori-san and I are friends…nothing more. Please, don't make a scene." Misao pleaded with Sano, her eyes staring up and into his. She watched him back away, his hands thrust into his white pants as he shrugged his shoulders and began walking off, Ayame and Suzume-chan jogging beside him. Misao watched him abruptly stop, he turning his head over his shoulder to stare back at her and Aoshi and he spoke once more before leaving the area to head for the playground equipment.

"Don't even think about crying to me when he screws you over weasel-girl…I won't put up with that shit anymore." Misao's eyes frowned at his hurtful words, she taking a deep breath to look back at Aoshi, his gaze already on her.

"Old boyfriend?" He questioned and heard a chuckle escape Misao's lips as she shook her head negatively.

"I guess you could say we were close to being a couple, but he's just protective of me that's all." Misao watched one of Aoshi's eyebrows raise up in recognition of what she said.

"Okay, so he's very protective then." Misao retorted her hands folding under her breasts. She eyed Aoshi off as he approached her quietly, his hand reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Who wouldn't be protective of you Misao." Aoshi whispered softly, watching Misao's eyes widen and her cheeks darken in colour. Her breath caught when Aoshi held that small shy smile she had seen only once before. Now he was smiling at her. Her lips parted ready to speak but again there was a soft pressure against them. Aoshi was kissing her! His hands had cupped her cheeks, his eyes closed, Misao sighing softly, her own closing for a moment in sheer bliss. She hadn't returned the kiss, only reveled in all its glory at having Aoshi's lips slanted over hers, his tongue brushing over her lips. Oh my! Misao had leaned up on her tiptoes, her lips parting in a sigh and a gasp caught in her throat as Aoshi held her close, showing her how much of a good kisser he seemed to be. Misao didn't want it to end, but she pulled lightly away, her eyes fluttering open to gaze into Aoshi's intense ones. Oh if only he knew what that did to her inside…

"I really have to go Misao…" Aoshi spoke softly, his lips brushing over her cheek and he wrapped his arms around her petite frame, not wanting to let go of her. She had come so willingly into his arms…and the way her body molded against his was just…divine to say the least.

"I'll…see you when I see you…tomorrow ne?" Misao muttered her hand brushing through his silky hair. Oh she felt so good inside…he was…was so gentle with her…so gentle and sweet…something she hadn't had for…well forever it seemed.

"You do still have a job remember?" Aoshi spoke and broke the embrace, his eyes catching a limousine pulling up, Soujiro having followed anyway. Aoshi fully let go of Misao and walked off, not saying anything more. Misao watched as he got into the car, not turning to look at her and it began pulling away from the curb.

"Kachan, what are you doing here?" Misao eyes widened in surprise as she abruptly turned to her right to look down at Shin-chan.

* * * *

(Inside the Limousine)

"Soujiro, who is that young boy with Miss Misao?" Aoshi asked as he looked out the tinted window, watching Misao bend down to chat with him, a smile crossing her face making it glow.

"I am not too sure Master Shinomori." Soujiro responded and without any further questions from his master he did a U-turn and headed for the mansion.

* * * *

(Back in the park)

"Kachan was that Mr Shinomori? He looked funny…" Shin-chan spoke as he took his mothers hand as she walked off heading for Genzai-sensei who was sitting under a tree and reading to his granddaughter's.

"Why do you say that Shin-chan?" Misao spoke, she thanking the gods that Aoshi had left when Shin-chan had arrived. What if…he saw them together? What would he be thinking? What if he asked her who he was? Misao brushed the thoughts aside when Shin answered her question.

"Cause he just looked like a normal boy. Is he nice Mama?" He spoke a bright smile crossing his lips as Misao picked him up and placed him into her lap when she sat down near Genzai-sensei.

"Hai, hai Shin-chan, now listen to Genzai-sensei's story while I go speak with Uncle Sano for a moment." Misao stood up, and walked off, noticing Sano lay under the shade of another tree, a blade of grass sticking out of his mouth and those chocolate brown eyes were closed. Misao sat beside him, he not saying anything, but then Misao wasn't sure if he knew she was beside him yet.

"You needn't protect me all the time Sano." Misao spoke softly, watching his left eye peak open to glance at her an then close once more, he turning on his side and facing hi back to her. Misao sighed softly, she facing her back to him, but leaned back so she rested against him, one ankle crossed over the other as her legs were stretched out in front of her.

"You can't ignore me Sano, we work for the same man."

"I know…" Was her reply and Misao turned around, lying on her stomach, but her arms were folded to rest on Sano's side, her head lying down as she gazed over at the lake in the park.

"You know I love you Sano, for everything you have done for me, but someday you have to let go and let me make this decision on my own."

"I just…I just don't want him to hurt you Misao." Misao's eyes had widen hearing him call her by her real name as he rolled over onto his back, she resting on his stomach and looking over at him, his gaze elsewhere.

"I know, but for once, I feel I need to take a leap of faith with someone, or else I'll never get anywhere. I just want to see if he really is the one that makes me feel alive. Let me make this mistake on my own without you giving me advice…please?" Sano opened his eyes to gaze into pleading blue orbs. He sighed softly and sat up, Misao doing the same.

"Fine, fine weasel-girl, I won't say a word. Besides, I think Shinomori-san would be an okay guy I guess." Sano replied and Misao smiled at him, her arms wrapping around his neck to hug him. She gasped in surprise when he stood up spinning her around and around and then began running towards the others, she still very much in his arms as he weaved between trees and jumped over benches as he did so.

"SANOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Misao yelled, her eyes closed as she felt like she was going to be sick! She wobbly sat on the ground, watching as Sano picked up Shin-chan and began spinning him around, her little boy thinking it was fantastic!

Misao sat near Genzai-sensei the both of them laughing as the three children tackle Sano to the ground and proceeded to jump on him. Misao sighed as she closed her eyes for a moment, Aoshi kissing her flashing in her mind.

"Did you have a nice evening Misao-chan?" Genzai-sensei whispered to her as the both of them leaned against the trunk of the tree. He watched a small blush cross her cheeks; his wrinkled hand patting hers telling her she needn't say anything.

"The party was…eventful, but today was a very lovely day." Misao spoke her hand clasping his as they watched Sano "tackle" the children to the ground and rolled around with them. Yep, he really was just a big kid like Shin-chan thought, but he didn't mind. Shin-chan just hoped he got to meet Shinomori-san soon, because he wanted to know if he too was just a big kid as well.

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *