Authors Notes:
Kyme-chan: You're the best chickie! (^_^)
Iceangel: I wish I could finish some of my unfinished stories as well!
Onna Oji: No, its not Enishi…I was thinking of making it a complete mystery…so you wouldn't end up findinoug out the mysterious dad, cause it really doesn't matter anymore…but I might change my mind, when Aoshi asks…maybe…
Selene: Arigatoo for the wonderful…err…virtual flowers ne? lol! Well won't we all just love some interaction with Aoshi and Shin-chan ne? But…hmm…I gotta get Aoshi back in Misao's nice books…that could be hard, just read okay?
SilverNimbus: I updated now! Isn't it good! I was hating the last chapter…but then I hated this one more, cause I had Aoshi be mean…and…well yeah…but thanks for reading and I'll try and get Aoshi and Shin-chan to meet real soon.
Tesuka-chan: Oh, you no like them being together? *pouts* Well they've got a few things to deal with for sure…but Aoshi's mean again if that helps! They'll always have problems…and a big one happens to be Misao's little "secret" and we all know who that is ne?
Thanks to everyone who's reading an reviewing, I'm happy you like it and happy that you hate I leave you waiting for more! (^_^)
Well on with the chapter…gomen ne but it's all Hannya and Aoshi, but I think its nice…
Car Trouble?
"Ohayoo Misao-san." Soujiro spoke as he entered the garage to see Misao already looking over the Ferrari. He watched her poke her head out of the engine, wave at him, a screwdriver in her mouth and then she went straight back to work. It wasn't even 8am yet and she was already here, trying to be as quiet as possible even though the garage was practically sound proof. It was as though she didn't wish to be detected.
"You are certainly getting an early start Misao-san." Soujiro spoke and walked over to stand beside the right front tyre. Misao stood up, she pulling a cloth from her overalls pocket and wiping it over her face, smudging the grease that was already covering part of her left cheek.
"Yes, I had a quick look over the Ferrari a couple days ago and not only is the battery completely drained…the spark in the ignition doesn't to well either. This will have to have a complete overhaul on it as well. I'd suspect 1 maybe 2 days for just this car alone."
"I don't know if Master Shinomori will be pleased about that Misao-san." Soujiro spoke watching blue eyes glance at him and then Misao went back to taking out the car battery.
"Yeah…well Shinomori-san will just have to find a way in dealing with it. He has his limousine, so what's the fuss about. At least he has one car and none at all."
"Quite right Miss Misao." A voice spoke from just behind Soujiro and Misao. She straightened up, forgetting about the bonnet on the car and smacked her head.
"OW!" Misao cursed loudly her hand rubbing her head. Soujiro glanced at her in silent apology at how much it must of hurt but he left when Aoshi waved him off…wishing to speak with Misao alone.
"That will leave a bump Miss Misao. Shall I call Hannya and tell him to bring you a pack of ice?" Aoshi spoke while heading over towards her.
"There's that 'Miss' again." Misao replied instantly, her eyes narrowing at Aoshi, he blinking in surprise at not realising he'd called her that…and not knowing she hated him calling her that so much. Misao was quick to get over her anger when a soft hand rub her head, she looking up into Aoshi's eyes, but he was parting her hair to see if there really was a bump.
"You'll be fine Misao." Aoshi pulled away from her then, his hands going into his pockets not really sure what to say. They had shared something lasting yesterday, but now…now both of them weren't too sure what to do after that. How stupid it seemed, but how could they be together when they led completely different lives.
"W-Well I've got to get back to work, unless you want to hear about sub-systems?" Misao spoke her eyes lifting to look into Aoshi's but his were cast down at his gold watch.
"No, I'm going out of town for a couple of days, some urgent business has come up." Aoshi replied and waited for a reply. She stood there, her head cast to the side looking at some far off place she could only see not sure what to say to his emotionless tone of voice.
"I'll see you when I get back Misao." Aoshi turned around at that and headed for the garage door.
"Aoshi?" Misao blurted out before she even knew he was on her mind. She watched him stop in his tracks; his head slightly turned over his right shoulder. Misao gazed at his lean suit clad form, her voice stuck in her throat but she managed to choke out her question hurriedly.
"That kiss…did it mean anything to you?" Misao was staring at his back; his suit had to be like Armani or something she presumed. She watched his head turn to the door, his right hand going into his pocket as he began walking once more, muttering his answer to a stricken Misao.
"I'm late for my appointment, we shall discuss the matter when I return." Why? Why was he heartless once more, just the way she had meant him the first time? She had thought…something was there…but boy did she feel like an idiot now.
Misao sucked up the tears that she knew were welling up in her eyes and swiftly turned to the Ferrari. She felt like such an idiot for thinking that something was going to happen between them. He was the snobby bastard who had his own world, and she…she was just the girl, the employee that could never make a difference in his life.
Misao dropped the screwdriver as she had descended to the cold concrete floor. This was the last straw, the last bit of humiliation she would ever have! No man was going to hurt her anymore! She'd give up! There was only one man, well a boy for now, who would be permanent in her life…and that was her Shin-chan.
Sano was right…in fact, maybe she should tell him what had happened and then he could go break Aoshi's fucking neck! Misao laughed bitterly, wiping one lone tear away. Oh how the thought of Sano choking Aoshi would be very satisfying to watch, but she knew she couldn't. She wouldn't tell a soul. She'd work as fast as she could and then she'd be out of here and forget everything…especially that heartless man.
A lone figure stood near the garage door, Misao not noticing him, but he noticed the sadness that rippled through her petite frame, the distraught look on her face…the tears that brushed down her cheeks even though she kept working, not bothering to wipe them away. Someone really did need to explain a few things in relationships to Aoshi. The figure backed away from the door and strode towards the mansion doors, his hand swiftly opening the wooden door and his form headed straight for the phone. He picked it up, pressed a speed dial number and waited for the person to answer.
"Fukae-san where exactly did Master Shinomori travel to?" He questioned the man on the other end.
"I am aware that it is confidential, but in urgent matters that concern the household it is most important to get in immediate contact with him." He lied through his teeth as he listened to Fukae answer his question.
"Thank you." He spoke once more and hung up the phone soon after.
"Okon, please watch the household while I am away. I shall not be more then a day at the most."
"Hai, Hannya." Okon replied, not knowing what was going on, but watched the elder man exit the mansion. She heard his small car speed off, she not knowing where he was headed at all. Okon was a little cheesed off too. She didn't know what was going on this time.
* * * *
(Hours pass - Kyoto)
Aoshi strolled down a street in Kyoto, a large black trench coat, sunglasses and hat concealing his form from other pedestrians. It did not matter however, as they were all too busy finding shelter as it began to pour down with rain. Droplets of water fell from his hat and coat, Aoshi's mind elsewhere, not realising that a shadowed figure was following his every move. The cloaked man stopped in an alleyway, silently watching Aoshi stop in front of a building…a most interesting building indeed.
"I highly doubt this is work Master Shinomori." The figure moved from the alleyway, Aoshi abruptly snapping out of his thoughts and spinning around, his hat falling to the wet pavement when he did so. Rain plummeted to his head, he needing to take of the glasses so he could see properly. His hair was drenched in mere seconds, his hand reaching up to brush his longs bangs away from his eyes. They had widened slightly when he noticed who the dark figure was.
"Hannya, what are you doing here?" Aoshi questioned and moved towards his butler, completely forgetting about the building he had been standing in front of.
"In all the years I've known you Master Shinomori, I have never seen you more dishonest and disrespectful then I have today." Hannya watched Aoshi's eyebrow raise, his employee treading on very thin ice.
"What you did today has clearly shown me that you are not the person I though you were."
"Hannya I'm late for an appointment, whatever you wish to say, speak it now for I have somewhere to go." Aoshi replied his hand's crossing over his chest as he awaited whatever Hannya was going to rave on about.
"I'm talking about Misao-san! I saw what you did…the way you turned your back on her. Do you realise what that meant to her? Pure rejection Master Shinomori…that is what you portrayed. I thought you'd be man enough to tell her something…anything and yet you let your cold exterior be known…placing an unbreakable barrier between the two of you."
"I said we'd discuss the matter when I returned Hannya." Aoshi immediately replied, his butler was getting angry…he could feel it.
"No, you should have been man enough to discuss it then and there. You should have given her an answer…the proper answer that lays within your heart. You are not emotionless…I know this and you know this. So why lie to her, why make her cry?"
"Cry?" Aoshi muttered to himself, his head bowing slightly at the thought of Misao's tears…because of him…because he was rude…disrespectful to her…just like Hannya had said.
"Why do you fight so hard against your own heart? Are you afraid to admit you love Misao-san to yourself?" Hannya watched Aoshi's head snap up at hearing him voice that loudly.
"You hate yourself for loving someone like her, for she isn't rich…or comes from a wealthy or well known background like the many other women that you've associated yourself with. Don't you realise that it isn't you who just loves her, it is all of us." Hannya spoke stepping closer. He watched Aoshi's eyebrows crease slightly, not sure how to take that comment and Hannya placed his hands on his shoulders, his dark eyes never leaving green-grey ones.
"Not even a week and we have fallen for her genki outlook on life. Yes, she is stubborn, but you are as well. How many times have you brought someone back to the mansion and none of us have ever liked any of the women like we do Misao-san. She's someone we never thought could change us…let alone you, but something about her makes her special…makes her unique and you are stupid to let her go like you did. Your father would be so disappointed in you Aoshi." A grunt left Hannya's throat, Aoshi smacking him hard in the face, catching him off guard as he fell into a bunch of trashcans near the front of the alleyway.
"Take that back!" Aoshi spoke, his jaw clenched tight. Hannya was still amongst the trash his face in complete surprise at what had just happened. Aoshi had just lost complete control of his composure, something he never did, but it was as though speaking of his father like he did snapped Aoshi's usual control. Hannya's left hand lifted up, his fingers brushing at his lip and saw blood run down his hand, the rain washing it away.
Hannya's dark eyes lifted up, they growing wide in surprise as Aoshi held his fisted hand in front of his face, a distraught look occupying his once passive features. He looked more like a scared young boy then he had ever been in his entire life.
"H-Hannya…" Aoshi muttered softly, his voice not the Aoshi Hannya knew him as these days. It was full of regret, having hit someone in utter rage…someone who was very close in his heart indeed. He observed as Aoshi quickly walked over and bent beside him, his hand resting on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Hannya." Aoshi spoke softly, his head bowing apologetically.
"It was not my business to say such things Master Shinomori, I am the one who should be apologising. I know your father would be proud of everything you have done over the years, especially when he left you such a large task to undertake at such an age." Hannya spoke while taking Aoshi's hands as he was helped to his own feet. Numerous pedestrians glanced there way at having witnessed the 'fight'.
"Then why?" Aoshi spoke in his normal tone of voice; his glance held worry as Hannya hunched over slightly, holding his right side.
"You needed some sense knocked into you Master Shinomori. It is not right to lie to someone you care for; Miss Misao deserves better then that. I know what happens when you lie to people you care for and you best make your mind up right now or else your chance at full happiness will be lost. None of us at the mansion is blind Master Shinomori, we've known you ever since you were a baby, so you cannot hide your silent gazes…your harsh comments from us. Those harsh comments only came out because you were embarrassed correct? She has changed you…and it scares you because it has happened so quickly. Yes, Miss Misao is different, but its what you need Aoshi-sama." Hannya spoke, smiling lightly as Aoshi moved forward to help him stand properly. Hannya hadn't called him that since he was in his teens and it didn't bother Aoshi at all, in fact, he preferred it. Aoshi placed Hannya's arm around his shoulders and then helped guide him towards the shop he was going to go to in the beginning.
"Hannya I am sorry." Aoshi spoke to his butler and heard a small laugh escape his lips as he shook his head.
"I am not as young as what I used to be, but you still have one mighty punch on you Aoshi-sama. You should practice in your fathers art once more, then one day when you have a family of your own, you can pass it on…and your father may rest in true peace then." Aoshi opened the door, a bell chime rang indicating the place had visitors and he stepped inside with Hannya still beside him. The place was dark and a strong smell of forest incense was burning.
"Was he upset that I quit?" Aoshi spoke softly as though not wanting to disturb the tranquil peace. An elderly woman moved into the main room, she bowed silently to Aoshi and then pulled back thick velvet curtains to reveal a long hallway lined with many doors. Aoshi began walking down the hallway, Hannya walking beside him and he ended up blurting out his curious question.
"Aoshi-sama, forgive my curious ways, but please do not tell me this is some sort of pleasure house." Hannya commented and heard a soft chuckle escape his employer's lips.
"What if I said it was?" Aoshi spoke in an impassive tone of voice. They stopped at the last wooden door in front of them and Hannya observed as Aoshi brought out his keys and placed one in the doorknob. Hannya could hear the definite click of the door lock giving way.
"You…come here often?" Hannya couldn't help but question. Really, of all the places to go he had to choose a pleasure house? How would that solve any of his problems? Especially if he was in the company of more women! Whatever happened to just figuring out emotions on your own, or going to a therapist or…
"Yes, I come here whenever I am in Kyoto. I own the place after all." Aoshi replied back and opened the door to step inside…or outside in this case as Hannya stared around the lush garden. He stood at the top of the three stairs, as a wooden verandah surrounded the medium sized garden. He watched Aoshi descend them and make his way towards the large pond in the middle of the garden, water running from a fountain in the center of it. His hand brushed through the water, fish swimming around his fingers knowing whom it was and needn't be afraid.
"I come here to calm my thoughts Hannya. You can relax, it is not a pleasure house." Aoshi spoke as he stood up and headed for Hannya who was now sitting on the verandah and looking around the garden, it in full bloom of bright colourful flowers, something he never thought would be calming in Aoshi's mind. Aoshi sat beside Hannya, his legs crossing as he spoke once more, his eyes closing for several moments.
"I went to Kamiya-san for help on how I should portray emotions on the outside, but inside, I needed to search for answers elsewhere. Obaachan should be here soon, she'll have some tea for us, it really works wonders on sore muscles, so it will help your side." Hannya knew best to stay quiet for the moment and silently accepted the tea and the towels from the elderly woman who came into the garden from another door. He sipped it softly, not being able to place what type of tea it was, but his side was instantly feeling better just like Aoshi had said so.
"You never did tell me if my father was upset." Aoshi spoke in a soft tone of voice; his eyes still very much closed, as he seemed to tune in and out of meditation.
"There weren't many things that upset your father, but yes, he felt sadness when you stopped practicing. He'd never force you to do anything that was for sure, because he knew if your heart wasn't into it, then you wouldn't accomplish anything. That is the way he was." Hannya replied, his eyes closing in silent pray for his senior master and his wife. He held the tea in both of his hands, but opened his eyes when he listened to some shuffling. Aoshi was brushing the towel through his jet-black hair and occasionally sipping the calming tea.
"Hannya, you told me to hurry and make up my mind…why is that?" Aoshi questioned as he turned to face one of his mentors, although he was sure Hannya never knew that.
"It was a long time ago, I was quite young, maybe even younger then you Aoshi-sama, but I meet a woman…a beautiful one at that. It was as though she was brighter then the sun and even on the coldest of days she warmed my heart like no one ever could. We went to the same university, did all the same classes, she even sat next to me or in front of me. If she had problems with assignments, I'd be the first to help her, for she always asked for my help."
"So what happened?" Aoshi spoke as he placed his elbows on his knees, holding the cup of tea to his lips and looking at the garden, it glistening with rain as the storm had moved on, the sun shining brightly in the blue sky now.
"Nothing…" Hannya replied softly, Aoshi's gaze turning to look at him, but Hannya was staring over at the fountain, watching the water pour over the moss covered rocks.
"By the time I confessed such everlasting feelings to myself of what she meant to me, it was all too late. I had raced to her home, but she wasn't there. She had left, headed abroad to travel the world. I'd lost my chance…and for that…I have never loved anyone like I did her. Do you see Aoshi-sama; I don't want what happened to me, to happen to you. Out of the three of us, your father would have to be the bravest of all."
"Why do you say that?" Again Aoshi spoke, questioning Hannya's assumptions.
"For he spoke the truth, for he wasn't afraid anymore." Hannya replied instantly, a small smile crossing his lips as he looked into a younger version of his senior master.
"You are so much like your father Aoshi-sama, but you are so unaware of it. I know you wish to be like him, but you must choose the path that will lead you to being just Aoshi Shinomori. It does not matter if you don't achieve the same things as your father…he only ever wished for one thing for you and that is to find happiness. You may think it weak, but without your mother, your father would never have been the man he is. She was there with him, every step of the way…every emotion he went through, she was there to comfort him 100%. I fear, just as he would that if you don't stop and think about what you are doing, then you will miss your one true happiness who is back at the mansion as we speak fixing your cars." Hannya stood up then and exited to go back into the building and head for the main entrance so he could leave. He'd down all he could…and now it was up to Aoshi to do the rest.
"Misao…true happiness…" Aoshi muttered and closed his eyes once more. How could he, a businessman with so much pressure at being the boss of many different companies be totally confused on one simple decision? Was Hannya right…that he was afraid to admit to himself? Aoshi sighed softly; a hand resting on his shoulder jolted him from his thoughts as he looked up into brown eyes of the elderly woman.
"You seemed troubled Aoshi-san and I couldn't help but wonder about what you and the other gentleman were discussing. Whatever it is, you will figure it out after all. Your father came here to find solace many times and it is only right that his son do the same. Perhaps I suggest you do what he did." The elder woman spoke, trying to give Aoshi some advice as well.
"What did he do obaachan?"
"He followed his heart, for he knew that if he didn't grab the chance, he'd loose it forever…and that was worth any type of criticism he received from the public eye at loving and marrying your mother." Aoshi took a deep breath, his eyes glancing around the garden for one more moment and then he stood to his full height.
"Okay…" He spoke and then left, the elder woman taking the damp towels and empty tea cups from the verandah and headed to the kitchen through another door. She knew he'd be embarrassed…but he'd be bold now, for the Shinomori men were known for being stubborn and straightforward, whether they liked to be or not.
* * * *
To be continued…
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