Car Trouble?

"Ne Mama, I want you to meet me new fri-"

"Shin get down from there." Misao interrupted Shin even though her eyes were still focused on slightly wider green-grey ones.

"Demo..."

"I said GET DOWN!" Misao snapped, her own eyes growing wide at loosing her temper with her little boy. It never happened, but right now as she looked at her son, his hand still on Aoshi's cheek it was just too hard to comprehend right now. Misao eyed Aoshi as he lifted Shin off the branch and placed him on the grass, bending down to be at his height.

"Its alright Shin-chan, just go to your mum."

"But, I want to stay with you though." Misao sucked in her breath at that small confession and the fact that her four year old was sniffling. She had upset him...frightened him.

"I'll be okay Shin-chan, thank you for caring, but your mum wants you to go with her...so please...for me go to her." At that Aoshi turned Shin around and pushed him in the direction of Misao. Large dewy blue eyes looked back at him and then Shin finally did as Aoshi asked and walked with his head downcast towards his mum. Instantly Misao took a few steps forward and swooped him up and into her arms.

A cold breeze blew as Aoshi stared right at Misao who was brushing her hand through Shin's hair, not looking at him.

"Misao I..."

"You knew...didn't you...?" Aoshi snapped his lips shut at Misao's soft voice fluttering to his ears. He observed as Misao cradled Shin closer to her, ocean blue eyes flickering over to gaze at him.

"All this time...you knew...about Shin..."

"Misao, let me explain..." Aoshi spoke while taking a step forward, hand out as though reaching for the both of them.

"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Aoshi involuntarily took a step back, as though he was struck by her words. He watched, a lump caught in his throat when a single loan tear fell down Misao's cheek.

"You bastard..." Aoshi's mouth parted once more. He needed to say something, say anything to explain himself, but no words broke forth. He never knew this would happen, that Misao would find out this way and that it would have such an affect on her like this. It wasn't suppose to be like this!

"I can't believe you...of all people...would do something like this."

"Misao...please..."

"You wanted to get to me...to my emotions...through my son..." Aoshi was bewildered at what Misao said. Never in his life would he do something like that to anyone!

"I thought you were different from everyone else. How stupid of me to try and believe that you would be different from others."

"I never meant..."

"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!" Tears pooled in her ocean blue eyes, many leaking out and running down her cheeks.

"Mama...?" Shin muttered as his hand lifted up to brush some of Misao's tears away.

"I quit..." Aoshi could do nothing as he watched Misao briskly turn her back to him and walk off. That cold breeze was back, the thunder rolling in the sky grew more intense as Misao and Shin walked away from Aoshi.

"AOSHI-SAN!" Shin's little voice carried towards him, his tiny hand out as though wanting to go back to his best friend. Aoshi's own hand lifted up, watching the fading figure of the first woman in a long time to ever want to be around him...with him...was walking out of his life.

The rain fell hard that afternoon as Aoshi dropped to his knees, head bent and eyes closed.

STAY AWAY FROM ME!

The pain in her voice...for what had happened was evident. He never in his life thought he'd come close to ever feeling happy, but with Misao everything felt different. When he had found out her deepest secret, he had wanted to see, to understand why she kept it so tightly within her. In the end Aoshi had found out about Shin, but he never in his life would ever use an innocent child to get to his or her mother. That was not him...and he thought Misao would know that, but in her state of mind could he actually blame her for snapping at him, leaving him because of this situation. As Aoshi raised his head to the cloudy sky, raindrops pounding against his chilled skin he finally understood one thing...he loved her...and no matter the secret he wanted to understand...wanted to know whether he was mature enough...man enough to accept a child into his life. However that was not meant to be. Out of all the women Aoshi had ever met, he felt stupid for freely loving one that never trusted him from the beginning.

"Baka..." Aoshi muttered to himself before getting up on heavy legs and stumbled away, his instincts not even picking up a bystander with a camera.

* Back at the Shinomori Mansion *

"AOSHI-SAMA, WHAT HAPPENED?" At the shrill yell of Okon's voice and the fact she dropped a tray, Omasu and Hannya raced into the foyer of the mansion to see the drenched Aoshi, there eyes wide with disbelief at his disheveled form.

"Aoshi-sama...?" Hannya spoke as he moved closer to try to get a look into the young mans eyes.

"Stay away..." Hannya froze at that cold voice as he eyed his young master walk up the stairs.

"Don't come near me." Aoshi muttered knowing the others could hear him and continued upstairs. Hannya waited for the definite click of the bedroom door and then turned to face Omasu and Okon.

"We shall leave him be, please inform the others not to bother Aoshi-sama."

"Hannya, do you think something has happened between him and Misao-san?" Okon spoke softly, as though Aoshi's hearing would penetrate the thick walls of the mansion.

"I'm not sure..." Hannya didn't have any answers to give. He knew as much as the rest of them...nothing. He clapped his hands then, knocking Okon and Omasu out of their own personal thoughts and sent them on there way to finish cleaning and to inform Soujiro, Beshimi, Hyotokko and Shikijo of what had happened.

* Hours Pass - Shinomori Dojo *

Aoshi lay on the ground, looking up at the roofing of the old dojo while listening to the pounding rain outside. He had done nothing but stay in his room, sitting on the tiled floor of his shower as he again mused over Misao's words of hate towards him for hours. How could everything just fall apart so quickly? Aoshi closed his eyes at that thought and took in a deep breath hoping against all hope that the scent of rain would calm his battered heart. It didn't. Again a chilled breeze moved through the cracks in the wood, but Aoshi remained where he was, prone on the floor, lying on his back with his arms stretched horizontally out. Green-grey eyes flickered open to watch some lightning through the opened shoji and then he turned his head to face the darkened photo of his father.

"I guess its inevitable father. I'm meant to be alone." Aoshi closed his eyes and heart off to the rest of the world once more.

* The Next Morning *

"Aoshi-sama, I placed your breakfast in your study so please go and eat it alright?" Okon voiced as she knocked on the closed bedroom door. Not even a rustle could be heard from within the room.

"Aoshi-sama...?" Okon voiced quietly and tentatively opened the door to poke her head inside. Her eyes grew wide as she found the room empty.

"HANNYA! HANNYA!" Okon raised her voice as she raced down the stairs. Hannya was just walking inside, a frown on his face and the newspaper grumbled within his right hand.

"Hannya, Aoshi-sama's not in his room!" Okon spoke worriedly up at the elder man watching as he frowned even more.

"Get Omasu to help you check all the rooms while I'll look outside. He cannot have gone far, as all the cars are still here." Okon nodded and raced off while Hannya took quick confident steps towards the back door. The sky was still cloudy but the rain had let up for the moment. His dark eyes scanned the area until he noticed the dojo's shoji was in fact drawn open. Placing on some slippers to take the stone path towards the dojo, Hannya found what he was looking for and sighed in relief. There was Aoshi, crumbled on the floor like a sack of potatoes. Hannya stepped into the dojo and made his way to the oblivious Aoshi. Crouching to sit by the sleeping man, Hannya placed his hand on Aoshi's head, much like he did when he was younger and watched as he startled Aoshi out of a restless sleep like he did years ago as well.

"Its alright Aoshi-sama, its just me."

"Aa..." His voice was soft and Hannya observed as Aoshi threw his left arm over his eyes, so Hannya would not be able to see them. Hannya kept his hand on Aoshi's head making sure the young man knew that someone was here.

"Hannya...am I...a terrible man?"

"Iie..." Hannya replied instantly, not even having to think about it for a single second.

"Then why am I always alone?"

"You are never alone."

"Then why am I always unloved?"

"You are never unloved either." Hannya remained silent after that as he listened to Aoshi sigh at his words.

"I never meant family wise Hannya, I meant..."

"Misao-san?"

"Aa... Misao...hates me Hannya." Hannya frowned at the weak voice of his usually confident and strong willed master. something has definitely happened between them and now it was splashed on the papers like it was the most important event in Tokyo.

"Aoshi-sama, you need to pull yourself together." The seriousness in Hannya's voice made Aoshi remove his hand from his eyes and blink up at him. Noticing the frown, he then sat up facing Hannya and trying to get his mask back in place.

"What has happened?"

"The paper...it is all about Misao-san and you." Hannya flicked it open and placed it on the floorboards in front of the kneeling Aoshi. Green-grey eyes narrowed at the photo's, at the headline, at everything that was every placed in there about Misao.

"No right..." Hannya quirked an eyebrow at Aoshi's clenched teeth and his fisted hands as he continued to read what was said about them.

"Hannya, get the fucking editor of that newspaper on the phone right now! We are going to have a conference whether he likes it or not." Hannya's dark eyes widened at Aoshi's words but watched as he stalked out of the dojo and obviously upstairs to shower and change and get himself ready for more publicity.

* Makimachi Apartment *

Misao lay in the darkness of her bedroom, blankets hiding her form from anyone that would walk into her room. She lay under the covers, dressed in blue shorts and a long sleeved shirt, her mind not being able to get past the look on Aoshi's face when she had screamed at him. She felt so guilty walking away from him, but he knew now. He knew what she had been hiding, a child of a man she didn't even know the name of. She was young, stupid and drunk and that was how her son was born, but that didn't mean it was a disaster. It meant a complete turn around of her life, but now...now the only man she had ever shared herself with again was gone...for good.

"KACHAN! KACHAN ITS AOSHI-SAN!" Misao snapped up and out of the covers hearing her boy yelling and the fact he had yelled Aoshi's name. Immediately she rushed for the door, tripping over discarded clothing and shoes but reefed it open only to be faced with Shin in his pyjama's...and no Aoshi. Her ocean blue eyes dropped to the carpet, a small chuckle leaving her throat as she whispered 'baka' to herself, but the persistent tugging of Shin's hand on her shirts sleeve made her lock eyes with him.

"There kachan, on the TV." Misao padded into her living room and sat on the floor in front of the TV to see that Shin was right. There was Aoshi, dressed in one of his business suits and heading for a long table with one lone chair obviously set up for him.

"Kachan look! Its a picture of you and Aoshi-san!" Shin voiced once more and Misao finally tore her eyes from the frowning Aoshi and noticed on a screen behind where Aoshi would be sitting was a picture of the both of them at that party. It seemed like such a long time ago, but Misao remembered it all now. Darting for the remote Misao turned up the volume, her eyes intently on the quiet man making his way to the plastic chair.

"What is he doing?" Misao questioned herself as she noticed there was no briefcase and no notes with Aoshi. She was also surprised that Hannya and the others were standing to the side, there pictures being taken also, but there eyes were intently focused on their masters.

"Thank you for coming." Aoshi muttered into the microphone, watching as photographers and reporters sat down in their own chairs. Misao held her breath as she watched icy green-grey eyes turn up towards the camera.

"Mama, Aoshi-san looks angry." Shin spoke but was 'shhed' by his mother.

"A lot has happened over the years and most of it has been placed in the newspaper for all to read. It was inevitable being the only child of one of the wealthiest men in Tokyo and I can live with that. In truth I've resented each and every one of you since you splashed false information about Hannya, Omasu and Okon and especially about Yumi." Misao's eyes widened at this, but she continued to watch, observing as Aoshi raised his hand to quieten the reporters down.

"Though Yumi and I have never spoken since staying at the resort, I resent that you bad mouth her for what has happened. We were both stupid teenagers back then, but you never knew her like I did. You never knew the problems that she was going through and you certainly never knew what was going on in that room. And furthermore how would the public like it if I dug up your own dirty little secrets and splashed it for all to see? You'd be hurt, embarrassed and most of all afraid of what the people closest to you would think. Like you Sir, isn't it true you were caught in bed with a prostitute?" Aoshi pointed to a reporter who's eyes widened at his assumption and while other reporters whispered around him, he shook his head in denial at the accusation.

"You see, all it takes is false information and you reporters go insane to try and get the scoop. I apologise for using you like that as an example Sir, but now I would hope that you understand how it happens. Just like it has happened to the only people I can call my family now. Omasu and Okon do not come from a wealthy background, this is very true. In fact for many years they lived on the streets, begging for food, begging for money before hope finally shone on them and they were taken in by my parents. Where ever you got the idea that they sold there teenage bodies in exchange for shelter is beyond comprehension. They may have been street kids, but they weren't stupid. I would like to know your source for I will not be so kind as they have to let such false information slip by. Furthermore Hannya is not a criminal either and doesn't have any ties to any crime lords. In actual fact Hannya happened to be my fathers most trusted friend. You splash whatever you want about us in the paper, because we are used to such lies being spoken about us, but touch someone who you know nothing personally about and I will take you down."

"Mama is Aoshi-san talking about us?" Misao diverted her eyes for a single moment to look at Shin who was brushing his hands over the newspaper. Misao leaned over taking it off the coffee table and her eyes widened as she flipped over the first page.

"Oh no..." Ocean blue flickered back to the television screen as Aoshi continued on.

"Makimachi Misao is not your average woman, this is true. In fact she is the most amazing one I have ever met. She has been through harsher times then anyone can possibly imagine. You have no right to judge her for who she was in the past. It is true that her parents died when she was very young. It is true that she was taken in by her grandfather and it is also correct that she had drug and alcohol problems. It is also correct that Makimachi-san works as a mechanic, as a waitress, goes to university and takes care of her son. No one can judge her for being a quitter, for giving up in life, because she is living proof that anyone can turn their lives around even when they have hit rock bottom. I will not deny that we haven't spent nights together. I'd be lying to myself and that is something I have trouble with. Misao-san is a very special woman to many. In fact when she walked into my home she had the guts and the confidence in herself to put me in my place, to make sure that I would not look down upon her just because she wasn't a wealthy person. Her hard working character, her high spirited attitude and outlook on life, no matter how much she was struggling, would never waiver and that was something I found intriguing about her. She had been through so much pain, so much troubled times and still she would not break in front of others...in front of me." Aoshi paused there, taking a sip from the glass of water besides him. In truth he had no idea what he was truly going to say and just let it flow from his heart.

"I never knew of Misao's son, in fact I became selfish and took it upon myself to find out what she was hiding from me. I cannot change what I did and for that I apologise to her for delving into her life without her permission. What I'm not sorry for, is for meeting with her son."

"What..." Misao gasped softly to herself and remained seated on the floor with Shin in her lap.

"I thought I knew everything. I thought I had discovered all that I could in life, but meeting this boy opened me up to even more emotions that had long since been closed off within my heart. Though many find it wrong that Misao has had a child out of wedlock, many should find it brave of her to continue through the struggle of life, working hard to make sure that her son knows he is the most important person in the world to her. The love he has for her made mine feel so inferior, but then its alright for me to accept that because Misao is Shin's entire world. The sparkle in his eyes, the laughter and love within his voice, it captured my soul making me remember my own family, of how much I would have affected my parents with love and laughter. It had been so long that I had shut them away, but this boy, this four year old helped me to let go of the pain of loosing loved ones, of being left alone in the world. For a long time I thought that I was cursed to be alone forever...that was until I met Misao."

"Mama, Aoshi-san's talking about you!" Shin giggled happily, but all Misao could do was stare widely at the screen, her ocean blue eyes never breaking from sad green-grey. It could not be seen by those that never knew him, but Misao knew that look...and that small frown. Aoshi was hurting...a lot.

"With her, I could be me. In fatc she wouldn't accept anything other then being able to see the real Aoshi Shinomori. I laugh to myself sometimes at the oddness in myself for falling freely for her, but then one cannot help when you see how hard she works, how much love she has for her son...and how much she would open up to me. However, I always knew there was something she kept hidden from me and though as much as I tried to wait I could not any longer. I found her secret she was hiding from me and in fact she only did it to protect him from everything. She never wants to see him sad, hurt or cry and I admire her for working so hard to avoid that from ever happening. It was a shock to find out that Misao had a son, but it was also a shock that I found myself being drawn towards him. He is like this magnet that you cannot break from, but in the end, I didn't want to break from him. Within him lies such innocence that I had once been that everyone had once been. Not a care in the world around him, only for the ones he loved. In him I found solace to leg go of all my pain, to cry on the inside for the death of my parents and laugh on the inside because he is just an innocent genki little boy and an adorable one at that. He is his mother...and him smiling at me, saying he wanted to spend time with me, wanted me as his friend meant the world to me. I felt just that little bit closer to Misao, but I lost her because of it."

"Mama, what does he mean?" Shin asked as he gazed up at Misao. She however just shook her head, nothing could be voiced, her throat was clenched shut as she continued to listen.

"I lost her for I was selfish. I wanted to see whether I was mature enough to be able to handle the news of Misao having a son. I wanted to see whether I was man enough to face this boy, this boy that means the world to her. I did...and I have no regrets of doing so. Though I tried to open up as much as I could, telling her about my past, how hard it was to still grow up while taking over my father's businesses, I knew it still wasn't enough. I finally knew that Misao-san never trusted me with the information of her son and I hold no grudges against her for this. If by any chance you are listening to this Misao, you needn't hide anymore, your son is perfect. You're an incredible mother, an incredible woman and no matter what the newspapers write, I know the truth, I know the real you and for that I will always be glad that you rode into my life. To Shin, my little best friend, thanks for sharing your love for your mum with me and I'm glad we got to have ice cream together."

"Mama? Mama why is Aoshi-san sad?"

"I..." Misao began but she watched surprised as a cold stoic face expression was now plastered on Aoshi's face.

"Now, its down to business. My lawyer should be calling the paper very shortly as a lawsuit will be issued. I officially announce that I am taking certain reporters and photographers to court over producing false information, taking photos without permission, stealing and/or receiving private information about Misao-san and trespassing on private property. Truthfully I don't care what you write about me in your papers, I don't read them anyway, but start picking on Misao-san and her son and I'll slap a lawsuit on you so fast you won't know whats hit you. Don't mess with the people I love...you will get burned." At that the cameras went nuts as they flashed hundreds of photos of Aoshi as he rose from the chair and headed for Hannya and the others. He was immediately embraced by Okon and Omasu who had tears in their eyes. While Misao continued to watch, tears pooling in her own eyes, she observed as Aoshi voiced he wanted to go home and then took a hand of Okon's and Omasu's in his own as they headed out of the conference room. Though the little smile on Aoshi's face was slightly forced, his eyes were set. He was ready to move on...no matter if it caused him pain.

"Mama, he looks so sad. Is Aoshi-san sad because of us?" Shin questioned, but Misao spoke of nothing as she let him go, got up and walked to the bathroom closing it soundly behind her.

As Misao sat on the edge of the bath, tears streaming down her face she was at a complete loss as Aoshi's and Shin's words circled in her mind.

What would she do now?

* * * *

To be continued...

* * * *

Authors Notes: Here you go all you bloody whiners out there. This may seem harsh but complaining about updating is really pissing me off. What, do you think I'm some bludger who doesn't work for a living, doesn't have bills to pay, doesn't have an emotional parent to look after, doesn't have a website to maintain or a Yahoo group to build or doesn't have a life to lead. Why not get off your own backsides and see how hard it is to come up with stories. Hell if someone was paying me to actually produce fanfiction then I probably would try and come up with plots and ideas a lot quicker then I do.

Sure this may cause people to stop reviewing my stories thinking that now I'm some crazy ass bitch, but guess what, at least my conscious is free of not having to keep bottling up all my stress and anger on reviewers who think its sooooooooooooooo freaking easy to do fanfiction. Well its not!

You want stories to keep coming, well don't fucking moan and groan and complain your asses off to me about me not updating. Oh boohoo! There are plenty of other authors out there who are far worse off then I am at NEVER updating and at the worst discontinuing their stories! At least I know I will eventually finish mine off, though it will take some time, at least I'll actually finish them off in the long run and having another series completed real soon will be a load off my back. After all 'Car Trouble' will be OVER in two more chapters.