Car Trouble?

The next morning Aoshi was up and dressed in plain clothes not having to leave his home for at least a couple of hours and instead headed downstairs for breakfast. Usually he had it in his office, as that was the first place he'd end up after showering and dressing for the day. On this day however, Aoshi felt like changing his routine. As he walked across the titled floor in the lobby area barefoot, he could hear the sounds of laughter coming from the kitchen.

"Omasu, Mou! Look what you made me do to the eggs!" Okon spoke annoyingly as Aoshi stepped into the kitchen hearing her say this. Omasu was laughing, Hannya had a small curve on his lips and Okon was fuming as she scrapped the burnt eggs into the bin.

"You know I cannot concentrate on making breakfast and talk at the same time, so stop it the both of you!" Okon contorted again as she held up the spatula in her fisted hand and pointed it at a still laughing Omasu as the kitchen started to fill with smoke. Hannya opened up the sliding door leading onto a side porch and Omasu opened up the windows.

"You always make up such excuses Okon, why not just place it down to the fact that you're just getting old."

"NANI?!?" Okon yelled at the top of her lungs, the frying pan being dropped into the bubbly water in the sink.

"Master Shinomori how could you?" She spoke turning to face her boss; the man she had helped raise and placed her hands on her hips in doing so. Her face expression was a priceless one and it contracted infectiously to Aoshi's lips, he not being able to help it when the left side curved upwards turning it into a crooked smile.

"Hannya, can we speak for a moment?" Aoshi replied as though never hearing Okon's complaints about how she wasn't old and how could he say that to her as she grumbled more under her breath. Hannya left the kitchen with Aoshi as they spoke for a moment and then was back in a flash, but Aoshi wasn't beside him.

"Okon, Omasu, do go change into your casual clothes, Aoshi-sama has decided to take us out for breakfast." Flabbergasted looks was all Hannya received as he headed out of the kitchen to inform Beshimi, Hyotokko, Shikijo and Soujiro of the outing they would be going on this morning.

* * * *

Aoshi stood out the front of his home wearing a pair of black dress pants and just a blue button down top tucked loosely into his trousers. His eyes roamed to his watch noting they had over an hour to enjoy a nice breakfast and then he'd have to be back and heading off to his appointment with Kaoru.

Soujiro was already in the driver's seat of the limo and waiting patiently for everyone else. Just as Aoshi was about to get Hannya to make them hurry up Okon and Omasu were walking out the front door with Beshimi, Hyotokko and Shikijo right behind them. Hannya had the back door to the limo open already and everyone got inside with Hannya being the last one as he shut the door. Hyotokko sat up the front in the passenger seat with Soujiro, so he didn't feel too left out. As Soujiro was heading down the driveway Aoshi abruptly interrupted the light conversation occurring between his employees.

"Stop the car Soujiro, I forgot something." Hannya had only just gotten comfortable, but Aoshi's hand raised up, silently telling him he didn't have to open the door for him. Aoshi's employees watched him jog back to the mansion but he ended up skidding to a halt and turned around quickly catching the keys that were thrown at him by Hannya since he had forgotten he never carried any himself. There was always someone at the house so Aoshi never felt he needed any. As Aoshi tended to whatever he had forgotten in the house his employees looked at each other and then Beshimi spoke up.

"Aoshi-sama still has his fast reflexes without even realising it." There were curt nods from the others and then Shikijo spoke up pointing out his own thoughts.

"Why do you not teach him again Hannya? Remind Aoshi-sama of just how brilliant and gifted he was when he used to train in the arts. The late Master Shinomori would be most proud wouldn't you think?" Again there were silent nods but Okon piped up this time confirming what they all silently knew.

"We cannot ask anything of Master Shinomori, he is who he is and if he isn't interested in knowing his families art then there is nothing we can do about it. All of us were taught something about it and each would have to educate him remember? And I seriously doubt he'd be up for it."

"Aoshi-sama is quite busy these days and I doubt martial arts is on his mind at the moment…" Soujiro spoke up as the window between the back seats and the drivers was down so he and Hyotokko could hear what was being said.

"Although Aoshi-sama's cheekiness and smart remarks are on the way back though…"

"Really?" All of them voiced and watched Okon scowl, but before Hannya or Omasu could explain the matter further of what had occurred this morning, Aoshi was back inside the limo and the door closed.

"We can go now Soujiro." He spoke and the limo was completely silent when Soujiro headed off again. Aoshi's green-grey eyes glanced at all his employees as though they had been speaking about him behind his back.

"Is something the matter?" Aoshi questioned in his soft voice, but received no, nothings and shakes of the head as answers. He eyed them silently for a bit longer but then opened up his laptop.

"Aoshi-sama, you're not going to work while we enjoy breakfast are you?" Shikijo questioned and they all watched as Aoshi spoke, his eyes not moving from the screen as his fingers sped across the keyboard. He was glad that there was ease around him, his employees reverting back to 'Aoshi-sama' and not the usual 'Master Shinomori'. His given name being spoken by his employees just made him feel that little bit closer to them like he was when he was a teenager.

"Iie, I just have to finish this report off, save it and then I'll leave the laptop in the car when we go and eat. It shouldn't take long so don't worry so much." Aoshi didn't know, but he received silent gawking face expressions at his words. Their Aoshi-sama not working? What was this world coming to now?

As Aoshi's employees began to break into small chatter, he too was listening even though he typed away at impeccable speed. When Hyotokko told a joke, Aoshi's lips curved into a small smile as he too found it quite amusing…and this time someone noticed. As the others chatted away, Aoshi blinked in surprise as a hand reached over, placing the screen of the laptop down and nudged him under the chin like his father used to do when he was a young boy. Slightly wider green-grey eyes glanced up into wise dark ones that belonged to Hannya as he sat across from him. Although no one else seemed to be paying any attention, the elder man had a rare smile on his lips and Aoshi made out the words, welcome back as Hannya mouthed them silently to him before being drawn into the conversation by Okon.

* * * *

(At the Shirobeko)

The restaurant was very popular in the mornings, but Aoshi and the others knew the owners from a long way back. When Aoshi was a boy his family always came to eat here on the weekend. Sometimes Aoshi would go by himself, but that was before his parents died and when Hannya or Okon had to go with him. Now he was returning as a grown man, after not stepping foot in the restaurant in so long since it brought back memories he didn't wish to remember, but now things were different.

As the eight of them sat down to enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast, conversations and laughter broke out over the table. Other customers had glanced their way, but Aoshi noticed his employees didn't seem to care about the hushed voices that occurred around them from other customers. Aoshi had quirked a smile here and there, but not over the top like his employees. The tension that had been growing inside him that he was beginning to loose the only people he could call his family was decreasing. To think that Misao was right that if he just loosened up then he and his employees would be a lot happier working together…and living in the same mansion grounds.

"Oh no, Aoshi-sama I forgot to leave a note for Misao-san!" Omasu spoke in shock as though Misao would get there to find no one at home and no word as to what was going on. As Aoshi took a sip of his tea he spoke once before taking another drink.

"Its alright Omasu, I left Misao a note after I remembered I needed to bring the laptop with me." Silent gazes looked at Aoshi, he not glancing up from eating and Hannya noticed Beshimi, Hyotokko and Soujiro mouth 'Misao' as they too had noticed Aoshi had forgotten to place on the 'Miss' before her given name.

"Misao-san will be working late again tonight and she shall be joining us for dinner this evening Okon, so please place out another dinner set." Aoshi spoke once more…and this time he remembered the 'honorific'.

"Hai, Aoshi-sama." Knowing glances were passed between his employees, but most of them jerked in surprise when there was a flash directed their way. Aoshi blinked several times and everyone turned to see a reporter with a camera.

"Shinomori-san what is it that you are doing this morning?" He spoke and thrust a tape recorder into his face. The reporters hand was jerked away from Aoshi's face when Shikijo grabbed the reporter's wrist and tightened his hold, making the reporter wince as he replied annoyingly in answer for Aoshi.

"What does it look like you idiot? He's having breakfast with us!"

"Shikijo, you know better then to use such curse words at reporters like that. I'm sure their small minds wouldn't know what 'idiot' means, so do not bother trying to explain our actions to them." Beshimi, Soujiro, Hyotokko and Hannya coughed lightly while the women giggled at Aoshi's words.

"Shall I quote you on that Shinomori-san?" The reporter spoke as he broke free from Shikijo's hold and thrust the recorder into Aoshi's face once more.

"Do you not eat breakfast yourself? Have you no one in your life that would actually enjoy your company? Of course you don't because you're too busy sticking your nose into other people's business. I'm trying to enjoy breakfast with my family so do leave us be. You can quote me on that." Aoshi spoke while waving his chopsticks at the man, shooing him away from the table as he picked up his bowl to continue eating.

"Your family is dead Shinomori-san."

"KISAMA!" Shikijo yelled, but the table went silent when a pair of chopsticks snapped in half. Hannya glanced over at Aoshi, his eyes moving up as Aoshi left his chair to stand up, towering over the short reporter and again the recorder was thrust into Aoshi's face just to see what he would say now.

"You are correct, my parents are dead, but my family was not a party of three. The men and women I eat with today are the ones who were with me ever since I was born into this world and for that they are my family. My father treated them as family; I shall make them apart of my family. Hyotokko do show this man were the door is." The reporter gulped when Hyotokko stood from the table. He was the heaviest man there…and quite strong indeed. Claps were heard from other customers in the restaurant as the reporter fled the restaurant and Aoshi sat back down and continued to sip his tea as though nothing happened.

"Aoshi-sama if we are family now, as you say we are, does that mean I can go back to calling you Aoshi-chan?" Aoshi choked on his tea, his eyes glancing over at laughing dark ones that belonged to Beshimi. He was always the joker just like Hyotokko was.

"You'll pay for that one Uncle Beshimi." Aoshi hauntingly spoke and the quirk of Beshimi's lips meant that he was willing to wait for his so-called payback that his 'Little Aoshi' would deal to him. He knew how much Aoshi hated being called Aoshi-chan when he was younger, but Beshimi being 'Uncle Beshimi' back then could not help but call him that…and just every now and then he'd just have to bring it up into conversations.

Perhaps he could tell this one to Misao too. He'd grown fond of the woman ever since she arrived and his eyes laughed gleefully at how nervous his boss became around her, she being blind to all of it. He always came down from his study to see how things were going, but manly to catch a glimpse of the young woman hard at work, but all Aoshi had done was stand at the door like a nervous wreck. Everyone saw it, but Misao. It was so funny…and yet sweet at the same time as though Aoshi was feeling the effects of what he felt when he first had a crush on a woman…and then it moved into love.

Everyone that had watched Aoshi grow from a baby, to a talkative small boy, to a trickster of a child and then into a determined, but slightly shy hormonal teenager was most rewarding to see. All these steps he had gone through and now Aoshi was a powerful wealthy businessman thanks to the help of his father and the success he had gained in taking over the Shinomori companies.

Aoshi was beginning to change again. Beshimi could feel it; everyone could feel the transformation that was occurring in him, this morning was evident of it. The Aoshi they once knew was cracking through the surface of his hardened shell. He was changing…changing to be a better man that he himself could be proud of, but everyone knew Aoshi was beginning to crack because of one young woman. As Misao was fixing his expensive cars, his hardened heart that had been broken and crushed by Yume when he was a young adult was being fixed on the side too.

* * * *

The peaceful morning Aoshi and his family had enjoyed in town was gone as everyone was back at the mansion, doing their jobs and Aoshi was heading off once more for his appointment.

They had all arrived back to see the familiar red motorcycle parked under the shade of the cherry tree…and what was most surprising was the loud singing coming from the garage. Aoshi had quirked up his eyebrow at Misao bellowing at the top of her lungs while she worked, but let it be as he went upstairs to grab his briefcase and had Soujiro take him to Kaoru's office. He took his briefcase as he might stop in the office just to see how everything was going.

"She's quite a character Aoshi-sama." Soujiro spoke while closing the door after Aoshi got into the limousine.

"Mm, quite a character indeed…" Aoshi muttered to himself as he clicked the button to wind down the tinted window. There were all sorts of noises coming from the garage but Aoshi thought it best to leave things as they were. If Misao was content in working hard, with music blaring and she singing at the top of her lungs…then by all means he'd let her to what she wanted. Who was he to stop the woman that was fixing his cars anyway?

* * * *

(Kamiya Kaoru - Psychiatrist)

Aoshi walked into the building, Soujiro staying in the car and reading a newspaper. He had said he wouldn't be long, but told Soujiro not to hold his breath or keep the car running. Everyone knew what Kaoru was like…well those that knew her well anyway. The door chimed thanks to the bell and the receptionist looked up at him, she placing down her magazine as she greeted him warmly.

"Mr Shinomori, it has been quite sometime, how have you been?"

"Not too bad. I thought I'd drop in to see Kamiya-san while I was in the neighbourhood. Is she free?" Aoshi replied kindly and observed the short woman glance over the diary to see if there were any appointments.

"She has an appointment in half an hour, but please go in and see her." She moved around the desk and headed for the office door, knocking once and then opened it up to let Aoshi inside.

"Well it's about time stranger." Was Aoshi's greeting as Kaoru pushed herself away from her desk and moved around it to hug Aoshi lightly.

"Nice to see you too." Aoshi replied while sitting in one of the leather chairs. Kaoru took a seat in front of him, a pad and pen in her hand, her legs crossed in her usual professional manner.

"So, tell me what's been going on? I haven't heard from you in ages and now all of a sudden I get one small message saying your coming to see me, so what is happening? Is it your business? Has something happened to Hannya or Okon or Omasu?"

"Aren't I suppose to speak first, then you question and analyse me when I'm done?" Aoshi questioned with an arched eyebrow.

"Of course, I'm sorry, do begin Aoshi."

"Well, it all started when none of the cars in the garage were working…"

* * * *

"So, you're in love with this mechanic, Misao is her name right?"

"I never said I was in love!" Aoshi blurted out trying to make up some other remark as defence on his behalf but all he received was the waving of Kaoru's hand and a look that said "sure, sure". The laughter in her eyes soon faded when she heard Aoshi sigh.

"Ah oh, that sigh isn't a good sigh." Kaoru spoke and leaned forward to clasp Aoshi's hand comfortingly.

"She…doesn't feel anything for me. I asked her after she left my room and…" Aoshi noticed Kaoru's eyebrow raise at this and he interrupted whatever was rolling around in her head.

"It's not what you think! I know it sounds bad, but nothing happened…not really. I hate talking to you about this stuff!" Aoshi scowled and crossed his arms over his chest. His head was turned away from Kaoru's blue eyes as he continued on while not looking at her face expressions.

"She kissed me, I kissed her back and then Misao hurriedly left the room. I asked her if she felt anything for me and she flatly said she felt nothing…that really hurt."

"Do you not think she was scared?" Kaoru questioned softly, she observing as Aoshi slumped in the leather chair.

"I guess…you see, Misao has a child…she doesn't know I know that she has a son, so maybe she is afraid for him…and herself."

"WHAT?" Kaoru yelled but the room fell silent, as there was a knock on the door. Aoshi stood up when Kaoru's receptionist stepped in telling them that her next appointment was waiting for her. Aoshi grabbed his briefcase; Kaoru standing up her lips moving but nothing was coming out. Aoshi's lips quirked at the sight and he moved towards her placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Arigatoo for the chat." He spoke softly and headed for the door.

"Aoshi Shinomori you tell me everything right now!" Kaoru spoke loudly growing impatient with her patient and dear friend as she stamped her foot on the ground. Her hands were on her hips and an annoyed scowl crossed her facial features.

"I'll send you the detailed email I wrote you first, but never sent. Then you can analyse it as much as you wish." With that spoken Aoshi stepped into the main lobby area and closed the door, his lips turning into a smile when there was a muffled 'mou' coming from the office.

"Have a pleasant day Mr Shinomori." Aoshi silently waved at the young woman and headed out to the limo where Soujiro was just folding up the newspaper. When his eyes met Aoshi's he placed his cap on and opened the door for his employer.

"Let's go home Soujiro, I don't feel up to going into the office today."

"Hai Aoshi-sama." Soujiro replied and headed for the driver's seat, a knowing smile crossing his lips.

* * * *

(Inside the garage)

Aoshi had been sitting on a stool in the garage for about a minute now and still Misao had not noticed. Sure she had her head stuck in the engine and was singing along to Ayumi Hamasaki's 'Evolution' but Aoshi would have thought she would have felt his presence now like she did the first time they met.

"Shall I come back another time?" Aoshi spoke and heard Misao shriek at hearing his voice. She practically leapt out of the jaguar's engine, this time succeeding in not hitting her head and turned down the radio and then glanced her annoyed eyes in his direction.

"Will you stop doing that?" Misao questioned but knew it was pointless to ask such an emotionless man. Misao proceeded to look him up and down noting he wore a pair of black slacks and a grey top. He also wore a pair of tattered sneakers that looked like they had seen better days. He was most definitely not heading into the office and her eyes grew wider in recognition as he was now here to see her and to learn about subsystems. Misao's face lit up into a bright smile, Aoshi gulping lightly as her bright clear eyes were focused on him. She had some grease on her cheek, as well as on her hands and her hair was slightly tattered with strips coming out of her tight braid, but boy did she look appealing to Aoshi. He shook those thoughts from his mind immediately and stood up when Misao beckoned him to come over.

"I'll have to be slightly quick in my explanations, well fast and easy explanations since we both have jobs to do and its not like I'm asking you to right a paper on this or anything." Misao watched Aoshi nod as his eyes gazed over the engine of his jaguar. It was different from the limo and Misao could see the realisation cross his face.

"Companies make different cars, so not all car engines will be identical. Sure they have the same parts in them, just different brands and maybe they are placed in differently, so don't worry. Once you know the basics its easy to point them out."

"Okay…" Aoshi spoke softly and looked down at Misao when she shook her head and nudged his side as though telling him to relax. Aoshi did just that as Misao again, began to introduce him into the world of cars, mechanics, engines and subsystems.

"An engine has a number of systems that help it do its job of converting fuel into motion. Most of these subsystems can be implemented using various technologies, and better technologies mean it can improve the performance of the engine. The valve train consists of the valves and a mechanism that opens and closes them. The opening and closing system is called a camshaft. The camshaft has lobes on it that move the valves up and down. Most modern engines have what are called overhead cams. This means that the camshaft is located above the valves. The cams on the shaft activate the valves directly or through a very short linkage. Older engines used a camshaft located in the sump near the crankshaft. Rods actually linked the cam below to valve lifters above the valves. This approach has more moving parts and also causes more lag between the cam's activation of the valve and the valve's subsequent motion. A timing belt or timing chain links the crankshaft to the camshaft so that the valves are in sync with the pistons. The camshaft is geared to turn at one-half the rate of the crankshaft. Many high-performance engines have four valves per cylinder (two for intake, two for exhaust), and this arrangement requires two camshafts per bank of cylinders, hence the phrase 'dual overhead cams'."

"Err…okay…" Aoshi responded and glared his eyes over at a soft giggling Misao. Okay, so she looked cute like that, but laughing at his expense was a totally different matter!

"You look so determined to know…and yet you don't seem to understand what I'm going on about. Perhaps I should bring you in some books' ne? I know some really good Internet Websites you can look up as well."

"Your fine…and I'm fine, so keep going." Aoshi muttered softly and Misao sceptically looked up at him but she shrugged her shoulders as she continued on as though she had recited everything from some textbook.

"I'll break the systems down for you. The ignition system produces a high-voltage electrical charge and dispatches it to the spark plugs via the ignition wires. First, the charge flows to a distributor, which you can easily find under the bonnet of most cars. The distributor has one wire going in the center and four, six, or eight wires, depending on the number of cylinders in your car engine, coming out of it. Ignition wires send this charge to each spark plug. The engine is timed so that only one cylinder receives a spark from the distributor at a time. This approach provides maximum smoothness. The cooling system in most cars consists of the radiator and water pump. Water circulates through passages around the cylinders and then travels through the radiator…"

"To cool it off, yeah I figured that out already." Aoshi interrupted Misao's speech and she seemed slightly impressed but continued onto the next system.

"Okay, most cars are normally aspirated, which means that air flows through an air filter and directly into the cylinders. High-performance engines are either 'turbocharged' or 'supercharged', which basically means that air coming into the engine is first pressurised so that more air/fuel mixture can be squeezed into each cylinder to increase its performance. The amount of pressurisation is called 'boost'. A Turbocharger's use a small turbine attached to the exhaust pipe to spin a compressing turbine in the incoming air stream. A supercharger is attached directly to the engine to spin the compressor. The starting system consists of an electric starter motor and a starter solenoid. When you turn the ignition key, the starter motor spins the engine a few revolutions so that the combustion process can start. There is a lot more I can go into it, but we can leave that for another time. I still have other systems to get through before getting back to work, is that okay?"

"Sure…" Aoshi shrugged in answer, his often-tense body now at ease in the presence of Misao. He was getting attached and relaxed with the woman…Aoshi wasn't sure if he could let her go when everything was over and done with.

"The electrical system consists of a battery and an alternator. The alternator is connected to the engine by a belt and generates electricity to recharge the battery. The battery makes 12-volt power available to everything in the car needing electricity such as the ignition system, the radio, headlights, windshield wipers, power windows, computers and more through the vehicle's wiring. The fuel system pumps gas from the gas tank and mixes it with air so that the proper air/fuel mixture can pass into the cylinders. Fuel is delivered in three common ways: carburetion, port fuel injection and direct fuel injection. Basically, a device called a carburetor mixes gas into air as the air flows into the engine. In a fuel-injected engine, the right amount of fuel is injected individually into each cylinder either right above the intake valve (port fuel injection) or directly into the cylinder (direct fuel injection). The exhaust system includes the exhaust pipe and the muffler. There's a little bit more detail in this like without the muffler that dampens the sound, you'd end up hearing thousands of small explosions coming out of the tailpipe, but its nothing truly important…to me anyway." Aoshi just nodded his head at Misao's words. Who was he to go against a woman that seemed to know the 'A to Z' on engines, cars and mechanics.

"Now, the emission control system in modern cars consists of a catalytic converter, which is a collection of sensors and actuators and a computer to monitor and adjust everything. For example, the catalytic converter uses a catalyst and oxygen to burn off any unused fuel and certain other chemicals in the exhaust. An oxygen sensor in the exhaust stream makes sure there is enough oxygen available for the catalyst to work and adjusts things if necessary. The lubrication system makes sure that every moving part in the engine gets oil so that it can move easily. The two main parts needing oil in the engine are the pistons and any bearings that allow things like the crankshaft and camshafts to rotate freely. In most cars, oil is sucked out of the oil pan by the oil pump, run through the oil filter to remove any grit, and then squirted under high pressure onto bearings and the cylinder walls. The oil then trickles down into the sump, where it is collected again and the cycle repeats."

"So, what is the oil like in the Jaguar?" Aoshi asked as he noticed Misao standing up properly. Obviously she had finished telling him about the subsystems in the car, but Aoshi didn't feel like leaving her just yet.

"Lets find out shall we?" Misao spoke as she flipped out a pocketknife and moved it towards the hose intent on cutting it open.

"Misao should you be do-" Aoshi did not get any further in his question when Misao darted out of the way.

"Actually it needs changing, but boy was that oil really under some high pressure don't you think?" Misao questioned and turned to look up at Aoshi. Instead of ducking out of the way, Aoshi really didn't have a clue as to what was going on until it was all too late. Oil had squirted out…and struck him right in the face.

"I…I'm sorry!" Misao blurted out while trying desperately not to laugh. Aoshi's thin lips had now turned into a slight frown and scowl as he gazed his right eye over at Misao. The left side of his face was covered in thick greasy oil. It started at the top of his forehead, sticking in his long bangs and dripped over his closed eye and down his cheek.

"Quick, follow me before it gets into your eye, don't open it whatever you do." Misao spoke while grabbing a hold of Aoshi's hand and dragging him towards the washroom at the back of the large garage. Aoshi's right eye was content in staring at their joined hands. It was only when he heard the sound of Misao dragging over a stool towards the open shower stall and patted it silently telling him to sit down that he darted his eyes away from their joined hands. Aoshi did just that, his head titled towards his right shoulder. He heard Misao move around the washroom as she brought over another taller stool for herself, detached the shower nozzle from the shower stall and brought it towards him. The water was nice and warm, as Misao directed it over his face.

The both of them were silent as Misao attended to cleaning Aoshi of oil. Her fingers fluttered over his face ridding him off most of the grease, but she knew oil and water did not mix. Aoshi's face still felt greasy, but at least the yellow/brown colouring was disappearing and bringing back his normal complexion.

"I thought you would have moved…" Misao spoke softly, weakly, as she really didn't know what to say to him at the moment. Her fingers played with his long bangs as the oil was now soaked into the usually silky strands. Misao held the shower hose in her left hand, waving the water over Aoshi's face while her right hand had been trying to 'un-grease' his soft yet masculine facial features.

Aoshi on the other hand did not say any words as a response to her small statement. One, his mouth was shut tightly closed since he really didn't want to see what the taste of car oil was like and two both his eyes were closed now. At first his right one had been open, but when Misao leaned over, her supple breasts pressing against her overalls and taking up his entire view that he could see through his right eye, Aoshi shut it tight. If he kept staring at Misao like that, he would have known that she might have seen him glazing upon her…and then he'd really be in the shit with her then! Misao being Misao had no clue just where Aoshi had been looking and instead tended carefully to his face and hair. She held a small smile on her lips, content that even for this short period of time, even if it was just once, she was able to look after Aoshi as though they seemed more then employee and employer.

"Okay, you can sit up." Misao spoke softly as she tuned off the water and placed the shower nozzle back in the stall. Misao brought over a dark fluffy towel, supplied to her by Hannya and brushed the corner over Aoshi's forehead. She froze in her movements, her heartbeat quickening in pace when Aoshi's hands had cupped her own.

"I can do this part by myself." He spoke in a deadpan voice and a small amount of defeat flashed across Misao's eyes. She stepped away to watch a now damp Aoshi, his upper body wet from the excess water as he ruffled the towel over his head, drying his hair as best he could. Misao couldn't help but suck in a deep breath as Aoshi pulled the towel from his head revealing his damp ruffled hair, bangs sticking up every which way and his cheeks were a soft colour of pink from the warm water. Now it was Aoshi's turn to look desirable without even perceiving it.

"Is it that bad?" Aoshi questioned as he completely misread Misao's reaction.

"I-Iie, you look…good…" Aoshi was slightly taken back by Misao's confession and watched as her face turned a deep shade of crimson.

"I…I mean…I've got to get back to work." Aoshi watched Misao rush out of the bathroom, slipping on the wet tiled floor but she kept her balance and rushed over towards the jaguar to continue working on it. As Aoshi peered around the now soaked tiled floor of the washroom, his mind repeating Misao's words over and over again as he stared at his reflection in the mirror, a boyish grin crossed his lips. So, she still thought he was good looking huh? Now Aoshi knew he still had a chance with Misao. He had to place on the charm…or any other secret weapon Aoshi had hidden within himself to try and get Misao to like him…even just for a moment. She was one catch, one woman that Aoshi could not let slip through his fingers. Whatever way he could, Aoshi would try and charm the pants off of Misao.

"We are having dinner at 7 tonight Misao, so you are welcome to join us." Aoshi spoke, as he left the washroom, not bothering to clean up any of the water. There was a drain anyway.

"Hai…" Aoshi couldn't help but chuckle lightly at the squeak in Misao's voice. He walked past her, not without placing his hand on Misao's shoulder to squeeze it lightly, telling her to relax and then he proceeded to exit the garage not looking back. As Misao glanced at the door Aoshi walked out of and as Aoshi rested his back against the garage wall, the both of them were thinking the exact same thought,

I shouldn't be feeling like this…but I am…and I can't stop it…

* * * *

(Around 7pm - Shinomori Residence)

The eight members of the Shinomori household sat around the table, a nice western roast created by Okon's "magic" hands as she referred to them and yet they all sat quietly waiting for one more. As if on queue there was the soft knock on the front door, a soft hello and Hannya was up and heading to greet Misao to bring her into the non-formal dining room near the kitchen.

"Oh its smells wonderful, I'm starved!" Everyone heard Misao voice aloud as she headed into the dining room and was directed to sit in between Soujiro and Omasu. Aoshi sat at the head of the table so he could have full view over everyone. When Misao had entered, all eyes had been on her, but Aoshi's had eyed her the most. She was dressed in her black tight jeans, combat boots and a dark green tank top, her black bra straps could be seen. When she sat down Aoshi coughed lightly and then waved his hand indicating that everyone could start eating. As usual his plate was already in front of him, Okon having dished out his portions of what he liked most, to what he liked least and yet he still ate it all.

The dinner moved along nicely, Misao chatting happily to Soujiro, nudging him lightly when the conversation had started turning towards crushes and first loves. Aoshi hadn't even realised how the topic changed to it to begin with but Misao seemed to pester everyone at the table into telling her whom was there first ever crush/love interest…all except him of course. Misao had laughed gleefully as Omasu flushed red at remembering a certain dark haired man who seemed quite fond at making pottery and drinking sake.

"What about you Misao-san, who was your first crush?" Soujiro questioned the young woman beside him, watching as she picked up a carrot on her fork and then placed it in her mouth as though deep in thought. Hannya's eyes had glanced once in Aoshi's direction, noting the fact that even though his eyes weren't looking at anyone, he hadn't lifted his fork towards his mouth as he too waited for Misao's answer.

"Actually, I was one of those girls who found the sweetness in every guy I met. See even now I can do it. Soujiro you've got a really nice smile and although sometimes I see you get frustrated, only in your eyes and yet that smile never wavers at all…it suits you well and its so cute!" Soujiro faintly blushed at Misao's comment and continued to eat in silence as he listened to Misao, who pointed to each of the other men on the table pointing out a charm that she liked about them, all different from the other of course. When Misao's eyes…and fork rested on Aoshi the entire room fell silent. Their eyes had locked, no one else seemed to matter at the moment, but a soft cough broke through their trance as Hannya stood up as he collected his plate, Beshimi's and Shikijo's as they sat either side of him.

"Anyone for dessert?" He questioned which got Okon to start collecting up dishes and Misao too followed suite.

"Misao-san, you needn't do that, you're our guest." Omasu spoke trying to pry the dishes from Misao's tight grip.

"I don't think so Omasu-san, I'm not some freeloader. Here you sit down and rest yourself and I'll help Hannya and Okon bring out dessert okay?" Omasu sat back down in her chair, her eyes glancing over at Aoshi watching him nod his head in agreement that she looked tired and the fact that once Misao wanted to do something, you don't get in her way of actually doing it.

A short amount of time passed as Hannya, Aoshi and Omasu chatted quietly while drinking some red wine that had been poured during their main meals. The three of them sat back in their chairs when Misao and Okon came out of the kitchen, with the help of Hyotokko who carried the large tray and placed down the desserts on the table. A chocolate pudding was the main desert with ice cream and/or cream, but there was also a bowl of fresh fruit salad as well.

"Dig in!" Misao spoke happily and received several glances from the occupants of the mansion. She laughed nervously as they probably didn't know what it meant, but wasn't able to explain since Aoshi did it for her.

"It means help yourself, go ahead and eat, stuff yourself silly, things like that." He spoke and silently took the bowl from Okon's hands as she dished him out some fruit salad with a small amount of ice cream. He knew everyone was probably gawking at him for knowing that, but Aoshi really didn't care at the moment. He wasn't really hungry after the large main meal he had eaten and decided that fruit was the best option for him. Okon always seemed to read him quite well these days.

* * * *

(A few hour pass…)

Aoshi and Misao were now the only two occupants left in the house as the others ad adjourned to their quarters for the evening. Aoshi still sat at the head of the dining room table and now Misao sat beside him. An empty bottle of expensive red wine and two empty wineglasses were the only things left on the table. Aoshi was leaning back on his chair; his arms folded on his chest and his legs were stretched out under the table as he spoke about his businesses to Misao. She was leaning forward, her arms resting on the polished mahogany table, but her eyes were glued onto Aoshi's face. She loved the deepness in his voice, the richness of his tone…the pride he felt for his companies.

"Don't you feel guilty for taking over other businesses that don't belong to you though?" Misao questioned and watched amused as Aoshi bit his lip lightly. Right now, when they were alone, he wasn't a rich powerful businessman at all; he was just an ordinary man and that is what Misao had discovered in Aoshi.

"Not really, its just business. I only go for companies that are on the verge of going bankrupt or I see that the figures they are making aren't like last years, so I figure I'm doing them a favour in saving them. Its better then bankruptcy don't you think?" Aoshi watched Misao shrug at his question she not truly sure on what he was on about.

"Take it this way, companies going broke, all the employees are now out of jobs, just tossed back on the street without words of warnings or any type of redundancy packages. I figure I'm saving the company from a lot of lawsuits that would actually occur if that truly did happen to any of their employees. I'm saving them, keeping people employed or giving them their respected redundancy packages if they aren't needed and the business still stays afloat…and gains more profit if done the way I stated in my research."

"Okay, I'm with you now. So, off the topic of business, where's the best place to get a great view of your home?" Aoshi looked over at Misao and then stood up as he left the dining room with her following close behind him. Her body was warm inside, from the wine, but at least she wasn't drunk like the last time she had drunk champagne. That was a most embarrassing night and not one to be repeated that's for sure. Aoshi had never told her just how much she did 'open up' to him…and in some way Misao was thankful that he wasn't going to tell her.

"Wait, isn't this your bedroom?" Misao retorted as Aoshi moved inside and turned on a couple of lamps, he having moved around the room knowing exactly where everything was.

"You asked for the best view, now come on." Aoshi replied back to Misao's question and she watched as he pulled the heavy velvet curtains away from a glass door and unlocked it and slid it open. A cool breeze swept through the master bedroom, rustling the curtains and a few ancient scrolls that decorated Aoshi's walls. Misao moved onto the balcony and gasped at the sight before her. The line of cherry trees seemed to go on for miles and a stone path was in the middle of them heading into the unknown. Lampposts decorated the backyard, green lights actually illuminating a large fountain and the flecks in the water indicated it was alive with large fish. Every type of flower possible decorated shrubs and bushes along the edges of the old mansion, but what stuck out the most was a homemade swing for two people resting between two lonesome cherry trees. It was tied to thick brunches by two chains and creaking softly in the breeze. To the left you could see the large quarters for Hannya and the others and to the right was the dark training hall that Aoshi never seemed to enter…or so Misao assumed.

"Oh it's beautiful! Do you walk around often?" Misao questioned as she leaned on the cold railing over looking the large grounds.

"Not really, I have no time these days…and besides I have no one to share it with." Aoshi coughed lightly as he really didn't want to get into the subject of why he didn't have anyone to share his riches with.

"Oh, I forgot to thank you for inviting me to have dinner with your family, it's the best time I've had in a really long time…so thanks." Misao smiled a sunny smile that would light up even the darkest of Aoshi's days and his heart began to pound loudly in his chest.

"I am glad you enjoyed yourself. Okon, Hannya and the others, they all enjoy your company very much Misao."

"And you?" Misao questioned softly, her eyes lifting up to stare into piercing green-grey ones. Her own heart thumped in her chest when Aoshi leaned over and planted a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Mm, I enjoy having you here…alone…and with me." Misao could feel the heat rise in her cheeks at his words and yet Aoshi seemed unfazed at all. Although the way he racked his hands through his hair told her otherwise. He too was just as nervous as she was.

"Do you mind waiting a bit, this oil is really annoying me so I'm going to take a shower. Make yourself comfortable, you don't have to sit out on the balcony since its quite cool, so come inside." Misao nodded her head in a slight jerk and watched Aoshi flick on a light for the bathroom and then closed the door. As Misao closed the balcony door and shut the curtains she sat on the edge of a leather chair, too afraid she'd get it dirty even though she was wearing clean clothes and surfed through the channels on his television. Her ears only picked up one thing though and that was the sound of water being turned on. The television clicked off and before Misao knew it she was standing at a closed bathroom door.

"What am I doing? I shouldn't…but I can't stop…I want to see him." As Misao took a deep breath her hand turned the knob of the bathroom door, she noting it wasn't locked and her eyes now took in the sight of a shirtless Aoshi, his hands poised at his waist, as though he was just about ready to strip fully. To say Aoshi was surprised was a bloody understatement! If Misao had walked in two seconds later she would have seen him in all his naked glory!

"Mi-Misao, is something wrong?" Aoshi's voice was confused, not sure as to why she was in here…and what the face expression she was holding meant. Aoshi watched cautiously as Misao closed the bathroom door behind her, her hands wrapped around her upper chest, her eyes looking lost and yet she spoke as clear as day to him.

"I don't know what has come over me, but I had to see you…needed to see you, so I wanted to ask…"

"Ask what?" Aoshi replied back softly, he padding softly across the cold tiles to stand before Misao. Misao eyes were wide and innocent, frightened in a way and yet her voice rang true in Aoshi ears, victory!

"Can I stay…with you…tonight?" And here Aoshi thought his life couldn't get any better then it had at sharing an evening meal with Misao and his family. Now though, as he drew closer, tilting Misao's head back, he sealed his lips over hers beginning a torrent of bent up feelings and emotions all in one searing steamy kiss and Misao couldn't help but return them in full force. This night was the beginning of a more complicated relationship that the two hadn't even bothered to comprehend as of yet. All that mattered now…was the moment that the two of them shared together. Each kiss was remembered, each touch lingered and the heat rose in the both of them and spread addictively to the other. Passion took over and consequences would have to wait.

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *

Authors Notes: Minna-san you have to be proud of poor Noa. She has just written 22 pages! Not only is that like a record for a chapter, but finally its complete after trying to complete it in the last three days. Now Noa can go to bed and have a pleasant sleep and get up for boring work tomorrow morning. Now, I know 'Himura Designs…' is about due for another update, someone complaining that its been a month already, well tsk tsk, pardon me for not getting to it yet, but hey who knows what to write for that at the moment eh? Actually I'm sticking with Car Trouble for the moment since I've got the next chapter lined up already…well most of it in my head anyway. What else? Oh yes, more car stuff, finally the subsystems have been told! YAY! But alas there is always more to be spoken off. Misao has come quite the teacher ne? Seducing her student like she is, what a bad Misao! Aside form the fact of…who bloody wouldn't seduce Aoshi-sama!?! I think it only fair that since I'm such a huge Aoshi fan, I write heaps of fanfics about the darling, I have a 94+ gallery of him and tons of doujinshi I get dibs on him first! (^______^)

I've got more car stuff to write in, but I might have Aoshi and Misao muck around a bit while she's trying to explain ne? Who knows could turn disastrous eh? Well I've only got two things to answer I think:

Dragowolf: Well I hope you enjoy this long chapter, cause damp it took a lot of energy and three days to do! Also in answer to your question, no I'm not a "pommie bastard", I'm Australian actually.

Selph: In answer to your question of 'who is Shin-chan's daddy' well I'm gunna let it be a complete mystery. The man shall never be revealed. You can all guess, but no one has guessed right, but it doesn't matter cause he ain't coming back in…you'll see when Misao finally confesses one day…

Anyone who was hoping for a lemon, to bad, cause this story is going to be tasteful. Ja ne! (^_^)