I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. Someone else does.
""Characters Talking
**Characters Thoughts.
Chapter 2: Okina's birthday party.
Japan 2003.
Eight years had past and Misao was no longer a little Misao. The Leader of the Oniwabans had die five years ago, and she had to learn how to live without the man she love and respect the most in her life. She really didn't fell all alone, she still had her adoptive Jiya and not to mention her sister Koaru and her brother Yahiko and a very good friend she met at college, which later he become her business partner.
Misao took one last look at the mirror, she really had grown, she look more feminine, but she still wore her hair long just like her grandfather like it. And believe or not she was the cause of one or two fight when she went out with her friends to clubs and bars. She had been relationship but as soon they got too intense she would break up with them. *Why?* she though. Then she remember why.
*Flashback*
Japan 1995. Right after her grandfather had return from Tokyo with Koaru and Yahiko. She had a long talk with her Leader.
"Leader, Jiya said you wanted to talk to me about something." she said as she enter her grandfather's office.
"Yes." he said and walk to where she was standing and embrace her. "My dear Misao, you know I'm getting old and I'm worry about your future, I know that when I'm gone Okina would take good care of you and the others but....
"Alright out with it grandfather. What did you do while you stayed in Tokyo?" she ask him. "I know you and I know you did something to make sure as was taking care once you are gone." she knew her grandfather better then he expected, but what came out of his mouth was something Misoa was not expecting to hear.
He chuckle and said. "A arrange for you to marry a good men when you old enough to do so."
"Whaaaaaaaat?" she shouted.
"Please Misao don't shout so loud." said her grandfather.
"How.? How? How could you do that to me.? She ask him.
"You're my only granddaughter, I want to make sure you are well taking care of." he said.
"That a lousy excuse grandfather, you have to came up with something better then that for me to obey you." she said angry.
"Alright, when I die, who do think would get all I work so hard to obtain all this years.?"
"I don't know and please don't talk as you're going to die tomorrow." she said crying
"You, My dear Misao, you know I'm not a spring chicken." he said.
"Roster" she said sobbing
"What?"
"Your not a spring Roster." she said.
"There you see, even you admitted." he said and he laugh.
"Please grandfather, stop making jokes."
"Misao promise me, that you will do as I ask you to do. I gave them my word and as a Leader of the Oniwabans I........
"You have to keep you word." she said "alright grandfather I'll do it."
"That's a good girl." he said a gave her hug.
*End of flashback*
Misao exit her apartment and went to work. Later she remind her self she needed to get her Jiya a birthday present and she also needed to get her self a new dress to wear to party.
On the other side of downtown Japan Shinomori senor was getting ready to drop a bomb on his son. It was time for his son to get marry with the girl he had chosen for him.
"Father, did you wanted to talk to me?" Aoshi ask when he enter his father's office.
"Do coming my son and take a seat." he said.
"Why do I get the feeling, this is not going to be good?" said Aoshi.
Aoshi saw his father took out a folder out of his safe and gave to him.
"What it this?" he ask
"Those are the papers of the company. The company is yours if....
"Is these for real father, your not pulling my leg are you.? He said "wait a minute did you just say IF?"
"Yes I did" said Mr. Shinomori
"What do you mean IF?" He ask
"If you do what I'm going to ask you to do." he stop for a moment " ONLY if you agree to do so you, would have the whole company in your name"
"You know I'll do anything to run this company" said Aoshi.
"Alright then." he said and handle him another folder.
"What is this?" he ask and a picture fell onto the floor.
"That's the granddaughter of our previous Leader. She is fourteen in that picture."
"She is cute for a fourteen year old, but what this has to do with me?"
"Take a look of the other picture" he said "and tell me what you think"
Aoshi took the picture and studied for a long time. He had to admit the camera love her, the girl was beautiful. She had a perfectly oval face. Two big blue eyes, long lashes and a teasing smile, not to mention a pleasingly shape mouth. He was almost tempted to smile back at the picture in his hands. It the rest of her was as exquisite as her face any men would surrender to her will.
"She's pretty" he said
"Just...pretty."
"Alright father she is beautiful," said Aoshi "but still I don't understand what this has to do with me." he said.
"Aoshi my son, you just met your bride to be" he said and smile big at his son.
"Whaaaat did you just said? He said "And what makes you think I would marry her.?"
"If you want this company as bad as you say you do, you would marry her."
"That's blackmail father."
"Perhaps." he said and laugh. "Aoshi your twenty-six years old, at you age I had you and you mother was expecting your sister Okan."
"Father what is your point?" he ask
"My point is, that I want to have at lease one grandchild before I die. And Misao is....
"Her name is Misao?" and what make you think she would agree to your idea of marriage."
"If she doesn't you have to use this deed to make her marry you." he said giving Aoshi another folder.
"Father this is deed to the Kamiya estate. Why do you have them.? And more importantly what do you want me to do with them.?"
"I'm glad you ask" he said ands smile "those papers were giving to me by our Leader, he wanted to make sure her granddaughter marries you and after she marries you would give her back those papers"
"You telling , that he wanted me to use this papers to make his granddaughter marry me? What kind of sick joke is this.?"
"Is not joke, and if you want these company to be your, you'll do what I have ask you to do" he said. "And if you agree, the company would be you're the day you say I do"
"Fine, when do I meet her?" he ask his father.
"You 'll meet her Friday night at Okina's birthday party" said his father "one more thing she doesn't know who you are, nor she would be expecting you."
"When do you want me to leave?" said Aoshi.
"We leave Friday morning, you can meet us there. But make sure you are there."
"I'll be there, after all the company would be all my if I marry this girl." he said and walk toward the exit.
"Aoshi are you blind? she is not a girl, she's a beautiful women."
Aoshi close the door to his father office and he said. "I have notice"
Friday arrive and Misao was on her way to the see her Jiya, his house was out side Japan two hours drive, his house was in the country, she love going out there, he had a big lake which she always swam in, when she visited.
"My pretty Misao you made it" said Okina and gave her a bear hug.
"Jiya I.... can't breath." she said and let her go. "Is good to see you old men"
"Who you calling old men, I have you know I'm only sixty years old and I feel great." he said
"I'm glad to hear that Jiya" she said.
"Go up stairs and get ready, the guess would start coming in soon" he said.
"Alright I'll see later Jiya and happy birthday" he said and this time she gave him a bear hug.
It was almost eleven o'clock when Aoshi arrive to Okinas house, his coat was taking by a girl and he was shown to the crowded hall. Aoshi said thanks the girl and began searching for his father. He found him talking to a group of elderly men, one caught his attention, he had a little pink bowl in his beard. He approach the group and his father introduce him to the elderly men.
"Gentlemen I would like you to meet my son Aoshi." his father said.
"So this is our next Leader to be?" said Okina
"Is a pleasure to meet all of you all." he said
"Gentlemen please excuse us." He said "so are you ready to meet her son?"
"Do I have another choice? "just point her out to me" he said with annoyance and increase even more when he discovered that the subject of his interest was surrounded by a herd of finely dressed young men. And all he could she was a glimpse of her back dress. Then he heard a feminine laugh and his eyes flashed angrily. Misao Makimachi obviously enjoyed the attention of her countless admirers. Then he said to his father.
"Is she always surrounded like that?"
"What's the matter son, afraid of a little competition?"
"Not at all" Aoshi replied smoothly as he took a glass of champagne from the passing waiter. He'd be damned if he'd stand in line with the rest of her admirers.
Misao had danced until her feet hurt. She wished she could scape from the good-natured men who prattled around her. She pursed her soft lips with resignation when Sanosuke reach for her handand claim the next dance.
"Oh Sano" she pleaded wearily, "I had hoped to sit through this one."
"Be fair Misao you promise the first dance to me and you gave it to that prig of Shiro." he declared.
"Don't call him that, he kill you if he hear you" she said and laugh into his chest. Sano draw her into the dance floor and put both arms around her waist. It was no surprise to her after all he was her best male friend and business partner. She look over his shoulders and it was at that moment she became aware of a peculiar awareness, she sensed someone's eyes upon her. She couldn't shake the sensation of being watched, so she searched for him. Finally, she saw him. Blue eyes magnetized and held hers, she force her self to concentrate on the steps to the dance. But every time Sano turn her to the outside wall he was there, watching and coming closer, for a moment he disappeared and she found her self searching for him. And when Sano turn her around again she found him leaning against a pillar, his arm folded across his chest. Then the bold creature winked at her! He winked ad t her! She miss a step, almost losing her balance. And before she could stop her self she glanced to see if he had notice. He had.
He was too sure of his looks and his effect on her. She glared at him furiously leaning toward Sano as he was the only men in the world. So Aoshi took a different approach which it was more devastating than being ogled from distance. Choosing a partner from among the women, he danced as close as possible, but Misao knew that she was the subject of his interest.
He was playing with her, challenging her, and it was working. She ask Sano to take her outside the garden, once outside, Sano left to get her something to drink and Misao sank down on the bench, she lean on the bench lifting her head up to see the stars and she close her eyes for a moment to erase the mental picture of a pair of mocking blue eyes and a flashing grin. When the smell of cologne assailed her nostrils, her eyes flew open.
"Waiting for me?" the image became reality he stood before her, his anticipated arrival brought her swftly to her feet.
"Excuse me? She said, standing in front him made her feel all of a sudden rather small, since his was a lot taller than Sano. "I believe you got the wrong person." and she took a step back when he move closer to her.
"No I don't think so, you are Misao, are you not?"he ask and pulled her quickly into his arms, then he cover her mouth with his lips. Misao was stunned, unable to break free from his enveloped embrace. He plundered her mouth, his tongue invading the soft interior, exploring and tasting her. When she though she couldn't any more he abruptly released her.
"Not bad." he said and he walk back to the hall.
Misao didn't understood what he meant, she was still shacking with the shook and fury. She was so lost in her thoughts, that she didn't even felt Sao approach her.
"Is something wrong Misoa?" he ask
"I have a headache Sano, I think is because. I'm really tired, maybe I should get some tylenol or something for the pain." she said
"Where do you think we can find some?" he ask.
"I have some in my bedroom" she said.
"Alright, do you want me to walk you upstairs." he said.
"Please." she said
Outside her bedroom
"By the way Koaru is here and Yahiko too." he said.
"Would you tell them I'll be down in a moment." she said
"Sure, and don't take too long, Ok" he said.
"Thank you Sano."
"I'll see down stairs then. Misao." he said and kiss her on her forehead.
Hi everyone I hope you like this Chapter.
Thank you for the reviews and I'm sorry for the spelling errors.