Authors Notes:
Tesuka-chan: I'm glad you like the way I portray both of their feelings in the story…and yes it is getting a little too serious by the way. I like having humour as well and hope I can place some in.
SilverNimbus: Yeah I can't wait for the two of them to meet either…but you never know…could be secret! (^_^)
Haruko: Oh yes I think I like how I portray all the children I make up in my stories, but you have to take the good with the bad, but Shin-chan is a darling. You never know he might be the one to bring Aoshi and Misao together? Keep reading!
Lil_Witch: Yeah I can't even remember if I mentioned Kenshin in here yet, but don't worry, the dear "oro" totting rorouni has decided to make an appearance in this chapter.
K-chan: Arigatoo, I hope you like this one as well.
Eternity's End: *sighs* I know what you mean, I actually didn't like the chapter myself, but oh well…there's got to be flaps here and there. Oh, be warned this is more on emotions and Aoshi and Misao and disappointment, but Aoshi and Shin-chan at the end though! ^_^'
DarkFairy: Oh I hope you like Shin and Aoshi in the end…I though it was kind of cute. I had so many ideas of the way they could meet, one with Actually Misao being around and…well anyway, it didn't work well on paper so this is what I came up with.
Selene: I agree with you that any child of the Kenshin-gumi would be super cute and quite intelligent. I just love picturing an Aoshi/Misao one though. Her genki energy and yet with a snap of a finger can become dead quiet and just observe what's happening around like Aoshi. The funny thing is, I seem to always have girls I think and thought I should have a little boy now.
To everyone: I'm so glad you are all excited for Aoshi and Shin-chan, perhaps they too will be excited as well! (^_^) Arigatoo for reading and reviewing and this should be wrapped up in a few more chapters.
~j~: Do I know so much about cars you ask? Well my dad was a mechanic by trade, but he was many other things as well, but no. Its called research and using the internet. (^_^) I had to do that with "Coming to Terms" because I placed in scenes from the manga into it for dear Aoshi-sama.
I'm not a fan of this chapter very much either, but oh well. It'll take some time for the couple to come totally together, cause well they have some quarrels…and poor Shin-chan in the middle…but you'll get this later on.
Oh gomen ne, but well its just more sadness in this chapter for Aoshi and Misao I think. I think this is about as sad as I can get in this story…although UTCT is going to be heart wrenching when I get back to it… I already have a scene and it's not…very "happy engingish".
Well till next time and please review!
Car Trouble?
(The next day…)
Misao had been working on the Ferrari for over a few hours now. Her stomach had been churning whether or not she'd see Aoshi this morning, but to add to her unease, he hadn't even left his mansion…or the confines of his study for that matter. Misao had asked Soujiro, he waxing the limousine where "Shinomori-san was…" as she called him in front of his employees. He had replied that he'd come down for breakfast but stated he had a lot of paperwork to catch up on and went back up to his study. The only person who had seen him in those few hours was Okon who constantly brought him some tea and of course her rice cakes.
Misao couldn't help but sigh softly as she hooked up the new battery for the Ferrari. She had shopped around for this battery, many of the places she usually got supplies from not having this type, but eventually she found one. Misao's thoughts began to wonder as she began thinking of Aoshi and Shin-chan at the same time. How would Aoshi react as she had been holding off, keeping him secret for so long now? Would he judge her for being careless…for being an overprotective mother? Misao shook her head not thinking on such thoughts and plugged the multimeter to the battery to test it out to make sure it wasn't faulty.
"Miss Misao?"
"Eh?" Misao snapped out of her wandering thoughts and turned to face Soujiro holding a tray with some drinks and another plate of Okon's famous rice cakes. Misao smiled at the blue-eyed man as he placed them on the counter and she moved over and sat on a stool beside him.
"You seem to be working awfully hard Miss Misao, so Hannya suggested I bring you some snacks." Soujiro spoke watching Misao munch down on Okon's rice cakes, her hand moving over her mouth as she took a big bite.
"Arigatoo gozaimasu." Misao spoke after gulping down some of the iced tea.
"I hope you don't mind my intruding, but Aoshi is a really good man Miss Misao." Soujiro spoke watching her eyes widened as he spoke of his employer using his given name.
"I think…and this may only just be me, but I think you are afraid of disappointing him. I am quite sure you think that once Aoshi gets to know you he'll not like what he sees, but I assure you Miss Misao, he is not like that at all. I've been around Aoshi for many years, ever since he was a boy."
"Soujiro you don-"
"Miss Misao he is a good man…and he's alone. He's never had a serious relationship, one totally based on trust, friendship and love, but I think that what he feels for you has given him quite a bit of a scare. You must realise that Aoshi is not like other men, he's one to hide feelings…and I think yo-"
"I know Soujiro-kun…I know…" Misao whispered softly, she nodding her head trying to get Soujiro to understand that she knew exactly what Aoshi was going through. He placed on that small smile and got off the stool.
"I'll leave you to your work, but maybe when you finish you might want to go up and say hello to Master Shinomori. He'll either be in the study…or the room opposite the one you stayed in the other night." Misao watched Soujiro leave the garage she shaking her head and smiling as she moved back to the Ferrari.
"Well if that isn't any more of a hint to go see him, then I don't know what is." Misao mumbled to herself and then stretched lightly before going back to work. If she worked for another few more hours, perhaps she'd be finished with the service on the Ferrari sooner then she thought. That's if she could keep her thoughts on her work.
* * * *
(Around 8pm)
The mansion was fairly quiet, a few lights on, but the main source of light…and noise for that matter came from the garage. Misao was sitting in the driver's seat of the Ferrari, a white cloth covering the leather seat inside as she placed her fingers at the key ready to turn it over.
"Please baby please!" Misao mumbled to herself and turned the key. She'd spent hours checking over the internal structure of the engine, making sure the oil was right, the same with the fuel content. The main problem beside the battery and a couple of loose fittings happened to be the ignition. Misao had cursed and cursed but finally she found the problems at both ends and fixed it up. She'd found the buffer for the cars and gave the Ferrari a nice shine…and now it was down to the final test.
"WOOHOO!" Misao yelled in congratulations to herself as the Ferrari started, she not being able to help but rev the engine as well. She couldn't pass up the opportunity to do so. When would she ever be in a Ferrari anyway, this was a once in a life time chance to do so…and she did. Misao sighed happily, she turning the engine off, getting out of the car, making sure it looked clean and closed the door. She packed up the tools and headed for the wash room to look herself over. Grease covered her overalls as did some of her face and neck and Misao began washing up hoping some would come off before she got home that evening.
* * * *
After many minutes of cleaning Misao shut down the lights in the garage and closed the side door behind her and locked it. She left her overalls in the garage not needing to take them home when she worked here anyway. She was wearing her usual jeans and a grey button down top with her steel-cap boots. She had to make sure to place the keys inside the main entrance of the mansion; right on the polished table where the phone rested and then if no one was around she could lock the door on her way out.
Misao had knocked lightly on the door and opened it up. No one was around, the mansion was eerily quiet…too quiet for Misao's liking, but then she was used to one or three young children running around her place.
Misao placed the keys in the pottery dish; they clinking together and she glanced up the stairs wandering if Aoshi was in his study. She hadn't seen a light on, but then Soujiro had said he could be in that other room diagonally across from his study. Misao took a deep breath and ascended the stairs and made her way down the hall. She'd best do this now for she didn't know if she'd have the courage to do so again. Misao opened the door to the study quietly and her assumption in the beginning was correct, as was Soujiro's. Misao closed the door and walked towards the other. She lightly knocked once and opened it up, poking her head in.
"Shinomori-san?" Misao spoke softly, she twisting her head further to the left to have a look down that side of the large room. Her eyes softened as she stepped into the room finally noticing this was actually Aoshi's master bedroom. Misao softly closed the door and padded over to his slouching form on the king size bed.
The sheets were black and gold silk; the finest silk in probably the entire world she guessed. Misao stood to the side of the bed, at the end and she softly sat down looking at a sleeping Aoshi. He rested close to the lamp on the dark wood drawer and it cast a soft glow over his…Misao couldn't help but blush, as he was topless and was only wearing a pair of black slacks, riding low on his hips. He rested his back against the wooden headboard, his head leaning back slightly and cast away from the light of the lamp. His arms were crossed low on his chest, he breathing evenly from his stomach.
A couple of fans were on, blowing a soft breeze through the large room, ruffling his long bangs across his facial features. Even in sleep he looked stern as always, but through that Misao could see almost a boyish Aoshi Shinomori. Paperwork and folders lay across the vacant side of the bed, a laptop computer resting on his thighs, it beeping softly a box flicking on the screen and showing "low battery". Misao noticed there was no files open and shut down his laptop and placed it to the side.
Misao couldn't help but place a smirk on her lips as she noticed a tray with a plate of what used to be a main meal and of course some rice cakes lay at the end of the bed on the opposite side to Misao and Aoshi.
"So he can eat more then rice cakes." Misao mumbled aloud, her hand reaching up to brush a few strands of his hair from his face. Her eyes widened when he moved slightly, turning his head to the left, now facing the lamp. Misao stood up; the feel of his soft skin making her nervous and she backed away, falling into the shadows of the large room.
"Baka, what are you doing here? You're in his room…your not supposed to be here!" Misao whispered harshly to herself, her breath catching when she watched green-grey eyes snap open and scan the room, focusing right on her wide blue eyes as he knew were she was…and who was in his room.
"Misao, what are you doing here so late at night? You should have gone home hours ago." Aoshi spoke as he sat up, fully awake and wanting an answer as to why she was here…and in his room! Aoshi crossed his legs, glancing into the darkness of his room and watched a fidgeting Misao move into the light, but not any closer to the bed he sat on.
"Soujiro said to come and see you when I had time…I mean when I finished working on the Ferrari. I didn't realise it was this late …and well…I didn't know this was your room…and…"
"Misao, you can move closer…I will not bite." Aoshi spoke as he sat on the edge of the bed and opened a draw. He pulled out a shirt and placed it on, Misao observing as it fell softly to his hips. She knew he was trying to make her feel comfortable, but just being in his room…and watching him sleep was making her heart thumb loudly in her chest. Misao blinked a couple of times, reeling in shock, as she was standing in front of Aoshi, not even aware she had moved to begin with. He stared silently up at Misao his fingers itching to clasp her fingers and draw her to sit down with him…but he held back.
"I'm sorry." The both of them voiced together, they blinking silently at each other. Misao couldn't help but laugh lightly and sit next to him on the bed, they starring over at a large scenic painting on the wall. Aoshi observed Misao as she began twirling a strand of her hair around her index finger, her nervousness showing immediately. She still stared at the painting, her head slightly tilted, but there was a small tinge of pink on her cheeks when Aoshi had clasped the hand twirling the hair and laced his fingers with hers. Blue eyes met green-grey, but again Misao cast her eyes away in shyness. Aoshi lifted his spare hand, brushing Misao's cheek lightly.
"Why do you look away? Are you afraid of me?" Aoshi questioned Misao watching as she let out a shaky breath, she turning to face him. Aoshi's eyes grew wide in surprise as Misao's lips were again against his, only this time she was awake and knowing exactly what she was doing. It had happened so suddenly without any warning, but to Aoshi it was quite thrilling. Her lips were soft against his, Aoshi responding to her kiss, a small moan escaping Misao's throat as this time…he did respond well.
The kiss went on, oh how it went on for the two of them, but just when Aoshi's fingers brushed her neck, lacing with the chain she wore and making Misao shiver, she pulled away instantly. Misao fled from the bed, getting as far away from Aoshi as she could without leaving the room just yet. His eyes frowned at Misao wanting reasons as to why she pulled away. He hadn't done anything wrong…had he?
"I can't…there are too many things at stack…too many reasons why this shouldn't happen." Misao lamely replied, watching the hurt in his eyes flicker over at her and constrict in her heart. Aoshi watched Misao race to his door, he getting up and voicing his opinion…his feelings.
"Why do you run from me? I know I'm different and I know I can be cold, but that doesn't mean I am heartless all the time Misao. I have strong feelings for you and I won't deny them at all, but you need to be truthful to me as well. What is that you hide?" She was already at the door, it open and casting the hallway bright lights over her form. Her chest heaved for air, Aoshi kissing her had taken her breath away.
"I…I don't hide anything…" Misao spoke just above a whisper.
"You lie! Don't lie to me, I deserve more than that!" Aoshi spoke loudly; Misao's eyes widening at the threatening sound in his voice. He had stood from the bed, his hand fisted in anger at her false words. Had he…been lied to so many times in the past? Misao gulped down the lump in her throat not sure whether she could say anything right at this particular moment. She observed as Aoshi took a few deep breaths, he padding his way towards her, speaking in a soft voice not wishing to disturb anyone left in the mansion.
"I was told that I should think about whether I am ready to take on everything that concerns you…and…I do Misao. I want to know everything about you…I want you to be able to trust me." He heard her gasp at his words, but sadly watched as she shook her head in stubbornness. This was something else he had to get used to as well…at least he hoped he was able to get used to it.
"No…I cannot…" Aoshi's lips parted at Misao's words, but nothing came out. He stepped into the hallway watching her hurriedly race for the stairs.
"Tell me you felt nothing and I'll leave you be." Aoshi voiced loudly, this time not caring if anyone heard. Misao's footsteps stopped, their roles reversing, as it was time for Misao to voice what she thought was right.
"I felt…"
"To me Misao…tell it to my face." Aoshi interrupted and observed as Misao turned around, a blank look on her face, her eyes boring holes into his.
"Nothing…I felt nothing." Misao features were guarded and yet there was this tugging at her heart, telling her to keep going, to voice something else, but she closed her lips watching Aoshi nod his head jerkily. There were too many things at risk for her. To love a man who would be forever ruining his reputation for being involved with a mechanic, an average to poor woman…with a child that did not belong to him. She couldn't have that hurt anymore; she couldn't risk the chances of her boy being heart broken.
"For what it is worth, I am…I am glad that I met you Misao-san." Aoshi spoke in a rush and bowed lightly to her, his eyes closing…his body trying to will the hurt away…to will away the small tremor in his body.
"G-Goodbye Shinomori-san." Misao spoke in a rush and raced from the mansion, her heart constricting as the hurt look in his eyes flashed through her mind. Perhaps now he would feel what she had felt. Misao berated herself, as she brushed some tears away and speed off on her motorcycle. She couldn't have done that just to get back at him could she?
* * * *
(Back in the mansion)
Aoshi's knees had given way as they made a soft thud on the carpet in the hallway. His hands rested on his thighs and his head was bent.
"Damn it!" He whispered to himself, his eyes closing tightly. It was inevitable now. The gods had cast Aoshi the path of forever loneliness. After many moments of drowning in self-pity he shook his head and stood up heading into his room. So, perhaps he was cursed to be alone forever, Aoshi would just have to drown himself in his work. He'd done it many times before and this wouldn't be any different. Aoshi thoughts left him as his eyes caught something lying on his carpet, twinkling in the light. He bent down picking it up near his bed. He noticed it to be a gold chain with a locket on it. Aoshi cast his mind back, obviously it having fallen off when he tangled his fingers with it and Misao had jerked away, ripping it from her neck.
Curiosity got the better of Aoshi and he clicked it open looking at a small picture of young Misao and her parents. His eyes flickered to the right almost doing a double take as he stared at a smiling young boy. Those blue eyes...were exactly like Misao's.
"You're the boy from the balcony…" Aoshi mumbled to himself, his finger brushing over the small picture. He closed the locket reached over to grab his phone and dialed a number.
"You've reached Himura Investigations, we are currently unavailable at the moment so please leave your name and number and we'll get back to you as soon as possible." A male voice, although sounding a little feminine spoke.
"I know your there Himura, now pick up the phone." Aoshi spoke demandingly and only seconds passed as the handset was picked up and the machine turned off.
"Aoshi it has been a while that it has."
"I need a favour from you Himura." Aoshi spoke and heard the tapping of the redheaded man's fingers on his laptop, he opening up his system.
"What's the persons name?" He questioned as he held his fingers above some keys ready to type in the name to go through his database.
"Makimachi Misao and I need it before tomorrow." Aoshi spoke and then hung up the phone, knowing Himura would search his records and then tap into other systems like hospitals and schools and so on.
* * * *
(Hours roll by…)
As soon as the phone went off Aoshi leaned over and picked it up on the first ring.
"What have you got for me?"
"She's 22, the only child to the Makimachi family. Her parents, both deceased, rest in the cemetery where your parents are buried in case you wished to know. A Kashiwazaki Nenji also referred to, as 'Okina' became her sole guardian. He had a lot of trouble with the teenage girl. According to these records she's been to a rehabilitation center for drugs and depression. She's broken into a few places in Kyoto when she was 12 and was placed on community services for 18 months. She's been to court more then once on small charges, but her grandfather has always bailed her out. When she hit 18, everything seemed to stop, no more drugs or spending nights in prison and she seemed to get her life back on track…what a minute…"
"What is it Himura?" Aoshi demanded.
"She was placed in Tokyo Hospital when she was 18 Aoshi. According to the records on file, she had a baby boy to be exact. His name is Makimachi Shin, no wonder she changed, she did it for her son." Aoshi had dropped his cordless phone, but quickly picked it up and thanked Himura for his efforts and hung up.
Misao had a son! Aoshi's mind was spinning at the thought. He opened the locket glancing from a young Misao to her child and noticed they seemed exactly the same except he was a boy and his hair was pure jet black while Misao's had a blue tinge to it.
"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."
That man, Saitou, his voice spun around in Aoshi's head as he listened to his words. So this, is what was meant by 'everything'? At first Aoshi thought it was depression because of loosing her family…but then he thought it was money and the stress of working so much and studying. His mind never thought on the idea that Misao happened to be a single mother.
"The boy from the balcony…" Aoshi mumbled to himself the small, but loud voice yelling 'beautiful' down at Misao from that balcony was rolling around in his mind. If that was her son, then the father of her child was who? Where was he…and why wasn't he helping her?
Aoshi sat back in his bed, he switching the necklace from one hand to the other as he stewed on his thoughts. Aoshi now knew why Misao was scared. She was afraid for Shin, for what would happen if the two of them met. What would happen was definitely a mystery to Aoshi, but he was sure going to find out tomorrow. He knew the kindergarten Misao attended when she was young…and that would be the first place to look. Tomorrow, yes tomorrow he'd have to go meet her son…even if she didn't know. She was stubborn, but how Aoshi could rule over everyone in stubbornness was truly something. What was so wrong in wanting to find out something more on the person who was stealing your heart? Yes he was doing it in secret, yes she'd probably be angry, but it had to be done.
* * * *
(Noon, the park across from the Kindergarten)
Aoshi had been sitting at a bench across from the kindergarten watching a young boy talk to a little girl as they sat on the steps out the front. He clicked open the locket his eyes glancing from the boy on the steps to the picture and knew it was Shin Makimachi. He stood up grabbing the newspaper he had been "pretending" to read as he watched the little girl grab hold of her fathers hand and wave goodbye to Shin as they left. Kindergarten was only on from 8am till 12 noon. Aoshi had found out by ringing them up. He crossed the two-lane street and watched as the little boy dumped his bag on the ground and began swinging around the step pole, it being a guide to help people walk upstairs.
"Konnichiwa…" Aoshi spoke as he crouched down to get a full look at the boy. Aoshi watched as he stopped and stood on his own two feet once more. His red cheeks turning to a creamy white, much like his mothers as he stared over at Aoshi with frightened blue eyes.
"I won't hurt you, I came to give you this." Aoshi spoke as he pulled out Misao's necklace and dangled it for Shin to take.
"That's kachan's!" He spoke and snatched it from Aoshi's hand, his little fingers brushing with his. Their eyes met, Shin pursing his lips and his head tilting slightly as he gazed up at Aoshi.
"You're the man on the tellie!" He spoke, Aoshi placing a smirk on his lips as he nodded his head in agreement. He listened to Shin giggle a little as though he was the only smart one to make out who Aoshi was.
"Wait, how did you get this and where is kachan?" Shin-chan spoke his blue eyes staring curiously into Aoshi's, his hands placed on his hips.
"Your mum left it in my…err garage and I thought I'd return it, but didn't know where you lived. I remembered your mum telling me about the kindergarten though. I actually went to this very kindergarten as well." Aoshi replied and leaned against the metal railing as Shin went back to leaning over it with his stomach and dangling upside down.
"I have Mrs Kobayashi and she's really old!" Shin replied as he looked over at Aoshi who had his arms crossed over his chest and was just looking silently back at him.
"Mrs Kobayashi is still there? Did you know she looked after me when I was your age Shin-chan?" Aoshi replied watching the boy's eyes light up as he continued talking.
"She's always making me read first and when the bell goes to go home she always makes me clean up the toys even though…"
"It wasn't your mess in the first place?" Aoshi interrupted and watched Shin nod his head in agreement.
"Did that happen to you as well Mr Shin-o-mori." Aoshi couldn't help but chuckle and ruffle the boy's hair, he squirming slightly and got off the railing to stand in front of Aoshi.
"You're a really nice person Mr Shin-o-mori." Shin spoke happily and Aoshi's heart leapt at his words. He bent down and placed a lobsided grin on his lips, Shin copying him and he spoke once more before heading off.
"You can call me Aoshi Shin-chan. How about I come and see you everyday? If you want some company that is. Do you think we can keep this secret for a little bit? A promise just amongst us men?" Aoshi spoke softly watching his eyes light up.
"Honto ne? You'll come visit me at kindie? Sugoi! And you want me to keep a secret too? A promise just amongst us men? HAI!" Shin replied excitedly and waved goodbye to Aoshi a bright smile crossing his lips. He finally met him…and he was great! He was just a big kid too, he could tell. Shin-chan knew he was going to have another best friend!
"Shin-chan, who are you waving at?" A soft voice spoke from behind Shin and he jerked around to look up at his mother. His eyes were wide in surprise and he looked down the pathway, Aoshi was nowhere in sight.
"No one!" He spoke joyously and picked up his bag, his small hand clasping some of Misao's fingers as they walked of, Misao slightly suspicious, but she shrugged it off as nothing.
Aoshi peered from around a corner knowing he was lucky at not being caught. He had already stayed too long in speaking to the boy. It was just…he was so full of energy and curiousness Aoshi couldn't help but be drawn to him. There was something special about him…and Aoshi really wanted to know what, but he'd have to time his visits right, in order for Misao not to see him…not just yet anyway.
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *