Car Trouble?

Aoshi had arrived back in Tokyo in the late evening. He had asked Soujiro to take him to Okina's Mechanical Service as soon as he arrived. Soujiro had already pointed out Misao had finished up at the mansion for the day and that if he wished to speak with her, she was still working at her grandfather's workshop. Aoshi glanced out the tinted window of the limousine, his eyes catching a familiar red motorcycle parked out the front of the garage.

"This'll be fine Soujiro. Pull the car over and wait here." Aoshi spoke in his usual soft but demanding tone of voice. Soujiro did exactly that and watched his master get out of the car on his own and walk towards the entrance of the garage, he slamming the car door as he did so.

As Aoshi approached the entrance way, a few cars were inside the workshop, a rather tall man wearing a pair of overalls much like Misao did was spraying one of the cars with metallic green paint. He had four thin strands of black hair hanging over his eyes, Aoshi noting he did not wear a mask to stop smelling the powerful fumes of the paint. Instead he opted to have a fully lit cigarette hanging from the corner of his lips. Aoshi walked over and cleared his throat to grab the man's attention.

"Office is over there." The mechanic spoke dryly and pointed to an opened door with no one inside and went back to spray painting the car, not taking a full look at the man standing behind him.

"I'm looking for a Misao Makimachi." Aoshi spoke watching the man stop once more, he blowing some cigarette smoke into Aoshi's face while answering and pointing once more.

"Up the stairs second door on the left." Aoshi nodded his head, his eyes glancing in the direction this man "Saitou" as it was written on his overalls pointed to with the spray gun.

"Thank you…" Aoshi responded and headed upstairs towards the closed door. He knocked once and opened it up, his eyes growing wide at the scene in front of him. His eyes were staring at small bare feet, they now travelling up to see a pair of tight fitting jeans outline Misao's shapely legs, the zip and buttons undone to show him the satin and lace underwear she was wearing underneath. His eyes rose again to see a creamy milk coloured flat stomach, her deep blue button down shirt that reached her hips was undone, his eyes glancing a little too long at her matching bra to go with the underwear she wore. His eyes caught her wide surprised ones, her lips parted in shock at feeling so exposed and so surprised to see Aoshi here…at this very moment.

Saitou was downstairs spraying the car, but he let go of the trigger on the spray gun, the pump engine stopping as he heard a loud and very female scream coming from upstairs. His gold eyes flickered up to watch Aoshi race out of the change rooms, they not being labelled to tell him it was a change room, and slammed the door behind him.

"I demand to know why you did not tell me that Miss Misao was changing in there?" Aoshi questioned as he leaned on the railing looking down at Saitou and pointing at him rudely. He watched as he flicked some ash from his cigarette onto the concrete floor and spoke once before placing his finger on the trigger of the paint gun and began painting.

"I knew there was one piece of information I had forgotten to mention." Aoshi glared down at the tall man, his eyes narrowing as a smirk crossed the man's features. Of all the things to do! What a disgraceful man he must be! Aoshi closed his eyes for a moment…that being a big mistake. Misao flashed through his mind, every curve of her body was being etched into his brain, Aoshi shaking his head at not wanting to think on such perverted thoughts. What would Misao think of him then?

Aoshi's eyes snapped open when he heard the creaking of the change room door open and turned around to see a flushed Misao come walking out, her eyes not meeting his as she walked straight past him and headed down the stairs. Aoshi was frozen at the stairs but once Misao made it to the bottom one, he watching, as she placed on her leather jacket ready to leave, her name slipped past his lips…almost in desperation.

"Please wait Misao!" He watched her freeze for a moment, almost subdued by he calling her name like he did, but she soon kept walking, this time a little faster, wanting to get away from him. Aoshi raced down the stairs, not caring that Saitou had stopped working and stared at the both of them. He watched as Aoshi stood in front of Misao, blocking her from going any further. If she tried moving right, then he'd move to his left getting in her way and so on, always following her moves to block her from escaping.

"Please Misao, let me explain."

"Oh, so now you want to explain why you were such a jackass to me? You want to explain because the time is right for you and that little old me doesn't have any plans? Well guess what Shinomori-san, I do, now get out of my way." Misao spoke with venom edged in her voice. Saitou, who stood in the background, had raised an eyebrow at Misao's words. He exhaled smoke from his lips as he placed down the spray gun and began walking to a fuming Misao and an emotionless Aoshi.

"I just need a few minutes Misao…and then I'll not bother you anymore." Aoshi tried to think of a better reason, a better argument and yet all his mind could portray was this lame excuse.

"Oh so when I wish to speak with you it isn't the right time, but I'm supposed to drop everything because some rich bastard wishes to speak with me? Step aside Shinomori-san…I have somewhere to be and I'll not be late for him." Misao spoke, her fists clenching as she turned her eyes away from his. She would not loose her resolve in front of him. She would be strong…she'd show him that he being in front of her, was not making her weak, was not making her think twice about her words.

"Him…" Aoshi had mumbled to himself, his eyes trying to search Misao's for more answers but she cast her glance away. Unfortunately for him, Aoshi's green-grey eyes frowned at hearing her say that so pissed off and yet so confidently at him. It wasn't a lie at all…Misao was telling the truth after all. She had heard his soft mumble, Misao shocked at her own words making it sound like she was going on some sort of date with a mystery man, just to get back at him for being heartless. Misao was angry with him, because he hurt her, just like she had been hurt before…and yet him hurting her ripped at her heart more then any other man had.

"Yes, he is waiting for me for our moments together are extremely important to me, so move aside!" Misao yelled loudly, Saitou stopping right behind her as he watched Misao rush past a surprised Aoshi and get on her motorcycle and speeding away. Aoshi's lips had turned into a thin line, a small frown, as he watched the silhouette of Misao and her motorcycle disappear into the horizon.

"The stubbornness of the weasel girl is something you'll have to live with." Aoshi turned half way around to glance over at Saitou, his right-gloved hand moving into an overall pocket. Aoshi stared silently at Saitou; he just being an inch or two taller then himself.

"She's had a hard four years Shinomori and sometimes it shows. What you need to ask yourself is are you ready to take on everything."

"Everything? What is it that Miss Misao hides from me?" Aoshi spoke turning fully around to glance his eyes into gold ones. That smirk was back on his lips again, Aoshi's eyes narrowing, as he didn't know what it was for. He observed as Saitou stepped forward, his hand resting on Aoshi's shoulder for a moment, before speaking once more and turning around to get back to work.

"She hides, what people judge her on, but you must find this out for yourself. I am not the one who should tell you. It should either be the weasel girl herself…or you dig a little deeper." Aoshi eyes glanced over at Saitou as he walked back towards the car he was fixing up. His eyes widened when he noticed a wedding band on his left hand. Who could be married to such an expressionless man? On that note, what would their children be like? Aoshi sighed softly and headed for the limousine, watching Soujiro get out and open the door for him. As if to dampen Aoshi's emotions anymore, rain began falling from the sky.

"Soujiro?" Aoshi spoke his head cast to the side as he stared out of the window, it being slightly down, some water spraying onto his face at the force of the wind.

"Yes, Master Shinomori?"

"Am I…" Aoshi cut short, he shaking his head and then muttered once more, slouching in the back of the limousine, his long bangs swaying from the breeze outside.

"Nothing Soujiro, lets go home."

"Yes, Master Shinomori." Soujiro replied and pulled away from the curb, his blue eyes glancing in the review mirror every now and then to check on his employer. He hadn't heard what was said between Misao and his master, but the solemn look on Aoshi's face meant that it didn't go down very well at all.

* * * *

(Genzai-sensei's Apartment)

Misao sat weeping in Genzai-sensei's embrace. She'd come to his apartment to retrieve Shin-chan, but as soon as the elder man asked her what was wrong, she'd broken down confessing to him about what went on nearly an hour ago. Misao sniffled lightly; the elder man's left arm was brushing comfortingly over her hair, while his right patted her back.

"Misao-chan, do you honestly think that Shinomori-san will hate you?" Genzai-sensei spoke in a soft whisper. He watched as she shrugged her shoulders and then wiped her eyes and leaned away from him.

"I was so rude though. I'm never like that, but just seeing him at the garage and then having him talk to me like I didn't matter at his home, it was all too much and I guess I just snapped." Misao whispered, her blue eyes gazing up into slightly wrinkled ones.

"You certainly have gotten yourself into a pickle Misao-chan." Genzai-sensei couldn't help but chuckle lightly at the narrowed and annoyed look on Misao's face. Misao wanted reassurance that things could change or would change or that this was a nightmare she'd wake up from…but she didn't. Misao sighed once more; glancing at the closed bedroom door where her son was sleeping and bowed her head in silent thought.

"There is only one way to make things right Misao-chan." Genzai-sensei spoke breaking Misao out of her thoughts. She jerked her head up, her eyes hopeful as she stared into his.

"Tell him why you said such things, why he confuses you so…and maybe just maybe he'll say something that is truly in his heart, his true feelings for you. I saw you on the television Misao-chan, when you and Aoshi-san knocked out that elderly man." He watched Misao blush in embarrassment at his words.

"Aoshi-san defended you that night Misao-chan. That man no longer works for him, did you know that? He knew he had potential clients and employees at the party and yet he still placed his reputation on the line just for you. I'd say the both of you need to have a talk, when the time is right for you to tell him what is happening inside your heart."

"But…" Misao spoke trying to make excuses, but a finger was placed over her lips stopping her from going any further.

"No buts about it Misao-chan. You cannot make up excuses for what your heart feels for that man. You may come from two different families…two completely different backgrounds and yet you both know how hard it was growing up."

"Why…do you say that?" Misao whispered softly as she leaned against Genzai-sensei's shoulder, his arm wrapped around her protectively and yet she did not noticed the small figure listening in to the conversation.

"Both of you are the only child of very devoted parents. You have both been through such traumatic experiences of watching them die…something a child should never go through at such ages. I watch you laugh and smile and work yourself to death for other people and yet inside you crave to be loved…to be held by someone who feels your heart with joy…with so many emotions it feels like it will burst any second they look your way. I can see that in Aoshi-san's eyes as well. You both hold such loneliness that I believe the two of you are destined to be entwined together. Yes you are two completely different people…and yet look at the way both of you have effected each other so."

"I feel…I feel like I could tell him anything, be anything for him…and yet…I am afraid that if I try and be what he wants me to be, I'll forever loose who Makimachi Misao really is." Misao spoke trying to reason with her own fears.

"A man is not a man if he does not love a woman for who they are…not what they could be. A man should love everything about a woman, including her mistakes, including her high spirit, including her stubbornness…and most of all including the young boy that sleeps in the next room." Genzai-sensei heard Misao sigh softly, her breath coming out in a soft rush of air.

"You cannot love…if you are not truthful with the person you desire in your heart Misao-chan. You do deserve respect, love and the truth from Aoshi-san, but most of all in return you must show him…tell him the truth. I know you are afraid about he not excepting, but if that is the case then you should move on…because somewhere some man will accept."

"That's the problem Genzai-sensei, I don't know if I could forget him. It happened so quickly and yet…it was as though it was meant to be. It's hard to describe what I feel and what I fear most."

"Misao-chan for once you mustn't just think on what you feel."

"What?" Misao spoke almost shocked at his words and she sat away from him, her blue eyes demanding more answers.

"You have a son Misao-chan, a beautiful boy who has never known love from a male figure. Yes, he has your grandfather, Sanosuke and myself, but somewhere deep inside Shin-chan he still feels empty. Your son Misao-chan wants a father figure that isn't hard to notice at all. This past year he's looked fondly at other children as they play with their fathers laughing merrily. He needs to feel this hole inside himself…this part you cannot feel yourself. You've given him all your love, all your attention, or your time you can to support him on your own…and Shin-chan loves you very much for doing just that. You are very strong Misao-chan, you've had to make sacrifices for him as his mother, as his parent and he wants you not to have the responsibility of taking care of him on your own. You can see it in his eyes Misao-chan. I know you can tell he wants a father, even if it will take time, he'll always have that place in his heart, waiting…and wanting desperately to love someone like a father and do you know that?" Genzai-sensei questioned, but all Misao could do was shake her head, as she didn't know.

"I believe that although Shin-chan has only ever seen Aoshi-san on the television, I am sure that in his heart he can see Aoshi-san as the father figure he would love to have…as the man he'd call his own father. I watch and listen to him speak of you, of the small amount of times you mention Aoshi-san to him…and yet those small amounts he could read into your statements, as though noticing that there seemed to be some connection between the two of you." Misao gasped in surprise, her eyes growing wide as Genzai-sensei continued on.

"Shin-chan believes that this man whom has had such an impact on you, will have an impact on him. The emotions you portray for this man…these emotions are reflected onto Shin-chan and perhaps his assumptions are true. Perhaps Aoshi-san could be the one to feel the space in Shin-chan's heart. Do you remember what he said Misao-chan? Your son asked to meet him, he wants to meet Aoshi-san. Not once out of the times you have been on dates with men, has Shin-chan ever asked to meet one of them. Maybe Aoshi-san will help others to accept the truth of where Shin-chan came from. He is a child born of another man, a man who doesn't wish to know of him, but he is loved by another who thinks of him and treasures him as though he were his own flesh and blood. In the end, it doesn't matter what the world thinks of Shin-chan, for the ones close to him are all that matter. We know he is a special boy who'll grow into a fine man. He'll be loved forever by his mother…and the man his mother chooses to love, with the help of her son…he knowing exactly whom he wants for a father. Do you think you could grant this one wish for Shin-chan? Will you let the two of them meet Misao-chan?"

"I…I…" Misao didn't know what to say. She was completely lost for words! Genzai-sensei's words broke into her heart deeply.

"Onegai kachan?" A soft voice spoke, Misao jerking her head to see Shin-chan in a pair of black shorts and a checkered button down top as his eyes pleading stared into hers.

"Shin-chan, you were listening?" Misao questioned her son watching him nod his head affirmatively.

"Shin-chan loves you very much kachan, but…but Genzai-sensei is right…something is missing and I…I want to find it." Shin spoke softly as he walked towards his mother. Misao picked him up and sat him in her lap as she glanced down at him with sad eyes.

"Don't be mad at me kachan, I still love you forever and ever!" Shin-chan spoke as he sat up in his mother's lap and hugged her as tightly as he could. Tears sprung in Misao's eyes as she glanced at Genzai-sensei, he nodding his head and Misao wrapped Shin in her arms whispering softly into his ear.

"You'll have to wait a bit Shin-chan, kachan said some mean things to Shinomori-san…so she must become his friend again. Do you think, you can wait a bit more?"

"Okay kachan…" He spoke as he pulled away, his blue eyes sparkling brightly at his mother. She watched him jump out of her lap and raced to the room to grab his small backpack and shoes so they could go home.

"You did the right thing Misao-chan. I just hope everything goes smoothly for the three of you. I wish you the best of luck and if it doesn't work out, then it isn't meant to be and you'll both move on with the help of the people who love you very much." Misao kissed Genzai-sensei's cheek, she getting up and following Shin-chan to the door as he spoke about going to kindergarten as he was allowed to go back, his arm was healing quickly.

"Bye Genzai-sensei!" The two Makimachi's yelled simultaneously and headed for the lifts to go to their floor. Genzai-sensei watched them enter the lift already feeling the excitement that raced through Shin-chan at wanting to meet Aoshi-san and yet Misao held fear not really sure if she wanted to know the outcome of the fated meeting. He already knew what was rolling in Misao's mind, probably ever since she met him. What if Aoshi rejected her son?

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *

Author's Notes: Okay, this was kind of hard to do. I sort of lost the plot of what was going to happen, but now I'm back on track…and next chapter will be Aoshi and Misao…and…Aoshi and Shin-chan…

YAY! They'll finally meet! But, not the way expected though…

Anywho…I'm getting back into the cars really soon, I just had to make Misao and Genzai-sensei have a heart to heart. Okina can't be there for her all the time...and…well yeah I have no excuses or anything I just like Genzai-sensei and his granddaughters. KAWAII! (^_^)

Arigatoo to everyone still reading…and gomen ne for this one taking so long. This was the hardest chapter I've had to write so far! I hope there isn't anymore, but to make things a little easier, I don't think I'll go over the "20" mark for chapters. Hopefully everything can be tied together and finished (without rushing too much) in the next few chapters…

Ja ne till next time!

PS If there is spelling mistakes and/or grammar: Gomen ne!