I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

**Characters Thoughts

"" Characters Talking.

Chapter 5: A diamond ring.

"Saddle my horse!" Misao asked to Seth a grey-haired man, on his late 50's and he was also Himeno's husband.

"Riding alone Miss Misao?" his leathery face creased by a smile.

"Yes I'm. I'm going to the lake" said Misao

Observant brown eyes accurately judged her mood, wondering why she was so cheerful. "I thought you and Mr. Shinomori would ride together this morning.?"

"Uh-uh..I don't think he even knows how to ride" said Misao with one of her hands on her waist.

"Well, I think you're wrong my Lady, because he also asked for a horse, come and see what horse he wants, it will put a smile back on your face." The old man put his arm around Misao's waist and drew her into the stable.

"I don't want to see anything, I just want to leave before he comes."

"He wants to ride your sister horse. I bet the horse would love him, after all been young and good-looking." Said Seth while he was getting Misao's horse.

"Well, his looks don't impress me Seth." Said Misao.

"My wife says that you will soon belong to Mr. Shinomori, Miss Misao"

"Then you should tell your wife, that I, Misao Makimachi belongs to noone." said Misao taking the horse from Seth and quickly mounted, she whipped her horse into gallop and race out of the stables.

Seth scratched his head. Surprise by her announcement. "It would take a very unusual man to capture Miss Misao's heart." Then he saw Aoshi walking toward the stable.

"Good morning....Seth isn't it?" Aoshi held out his hand and clasped the old man's in a firm grasp. "Where is Misao riding off so fast?"

"Away from you, I gather." Seth chuckled.

Aoshi grinned. "I don't take she likes me, and I guess she told you that.?"

"That's putting it mildly Sir." Seth grinned. "She says she is not impress by you looks"

"It's that so?...Well she's exactly what I'm looking for." Aoshi responded.

Seth laughed out loud at the man's confidence. "It's going to take some time to bring her around, that is "If", you ever do at all."

"Trust me, I will" Aoshi shrugged and called for his horse. "I don't suppose you where she's gone to?"

"Between you and me. She went to the lake, whenever she's got something on her mind, she goes out there to thinking through."

"I'd best get at it" Aoshi mounted and turn in the direction his reluctant fiancee had gone. "Thank you Seth." he gallops out of the stables.

Misao walked along the shore of the lake, and without another thought, she quickly undresses her self. Then she lowered her slander body into the water, welcoming its smoothing warmness. She runs her fingers through her black hair as it tumbled down her back. *this is freedom* she thought and dove deep into the lake.

She floated on her back, she kicked up her feet and, she swam agilely on her stomach and soon she began to relax, losing track of the time and even where she was. Then as she surfaced from a dive, she gasped at the figure of a man setting on the rock beside her clothes.

"Aoshi?" she said, her heart bead wildly, but she boldly swam closer to shore. Misao could see the features of his face, keen green eyes, straight arrogant nose, a firm mouth and tall and broad. *Seth was right his handsome, not that I haven't notice before.* she thought. Common sense told her to swim away, but then again she never did listen to common sense before. *how long had he been watching me* she wondered.

"I didn't think proper young ladies swam" he said.

"Proper young ladies don't swim at all." Misao countered. "And besides I never said I was a lady." Said Misao keeping her head above the water.

His grin broadened and Misao felt uneasy. "And how you." he went on, ever so casually "do you propose to get back to the house while your dripping wet.?"

Misao pursed her lips. "My predicament is none of your business, and If you were a gentleman, you would turn your head and leave."

"Ah! But you see I'm no gentleman, just like you aren't a lady." he announced.

"Touche, Aoshi" said Misao biting her lower lip, then she demanded to know . "how long have you been watching me anyway.?

"Long enough, Misao, long enough" he said and laughed.

"You're an ogre"

He laughed again. "And you're in a mess. Can you get out by your self or would you like a hand?"

Misao rose out of the water. "I can manage quite well by my self, Thank you." and she walked to shore. "Ah-ha, I see you're disappointed, that I'm wearing a swimsuit." she said when she saw him looking at her.

He turned away and jumped lightly off the rock. "I would lied to you if, I say I wasn't." he said walking toward her, taking her shirt to her.

Misao took the shirt from Aoshi and dried her hair with it, instead of putting on. "You haven't told me what are you doing here.? She asked him when she walked past him to pick up the rest of her clothes.

"Would you believe me if I say I miss you and I wanted to see you." he said.

"Misao glanced over at him, she gave him a provoking smile and blend of superiority and sensuality. "Don't look so serious, when you say something like that, I might believe you."

Aoshi forgot all about his resolve to charm her and win her heard when his temper snapped.

"Would it be so bad to believe me Misao?" he asked.

*Yes it would be,* She wanted to said but instead she just kept smiling at him. "Well are you going to tell me or not.?" she asked him one more time.

"Actually I wanted to talk to you," he said more calmly.

"It that so? What about?" she asked as she finish putting her clothes on.

"I think it would be better if we finish talking back at the house." he said

"Alright, I 'll gladly race you back home." she said as she mounted her horse. Then abruptly she snapped the reins and the horse launched into a trot. "So how about it Aoshi?" she said over her shoulder.

Aoshi mounted his horse and acting on instinct, he apply his boot heels to the horse sides, he went charging after her. "For God's sake, Misao!. When he saw her bent low over her horse and launched into a full out gallop. And if she heard him, she gave no sign of it. " damned fool" he muttered, not knowing if he meant her or himself for following her. *doesn't she realized it suicide to gallop over such rough land?* he thought

Misao increased her peace when Aoshi started gaining on her, the sight of him flying toward her at incredible speed filled her with reckless excitement. She took a few fences at dangerous speed and as she prepared to jumped over the garden fence, she felt Aoshi's horse come close, too close, and before she could prevent it Aoshi reached across the space between them and grabbed Wind's rains, pulling her to stop, he swiftly dismounting, he yanked Misao from her horse and shook her.

"Have you lost your mind?, what were you thinking.?" fearing that she could fall and brake her neck, he raised to cut her off, the thought of her body lying broken on the ground, frightened him more that he could have though possible. But now that she was withing his grasp, he felt an urge to choke her.

Unable to speak, she glared at him. Knowing he had a good reason to by angry. She had endangered her self and not to mention her own horse as well. She lifted her chin defiantly and said to him.

"I have ridden home a hundred times I know.....

Aoshi interrupted her. "Then your lucky you haven't kill your self or your horse."

"Is not your concern if I kill my self" she said pulling out of his grasp.

"It is my concern?" he shouted looking at her.

"I see now. If I die, you wouldn't able to get your father's company." she with sarcasm.

*did she really think I'm that shallow.?* he though. "That's where you're wrong, if you die before we could marry, my father would probably find me a better suitable candidate, and to tell you the true that's what I wish for.". he said.

"It that so?" she said and walked toward Wind. "Perhaps I should grand you your wish."

"What is that supposed to mean?" he growled "and where do you think your going?"

"Far away from you, where I don't have to see you ever again"she threw at him.

"That's what you think" Aoshi grabbed her wrist and pulled her. His mouth captured her in a bruising kiss. She squirmed against his embrace, but he held the back of her head firmly so she couldn't turn away. Their kiss was broken by a familiar voice.

"I glad you two are getting along so well" he smiled mischievously at them.

"Jiya!" said Misao blushing. They were so busy shouting at each other , that they didn't even notice they were standing in the middle of Okina's.

Okina cleared his throat. "Aoshi your mother call while you were out, he wants you to call her back. And Misao Sanosuke also call, he said to call him A.S.A.P." he said. "I see you went swimming Misao, but hurry up and change your wet clothes before you catch a cold." he added before closing the door.

"Yes, Jiya." she said. "You can let me go now Aoshi." she tries to take a step back to retreat but Aoshi only tighten his arms more around her, making sure she could feel every muscle of his log form body.

"When your done changing your clothes, come to the study, I want to talk to you." he whispered on her ear and kissed her softly on her neck.

Misao smiled at him. "Alright" she said and snapped her head around and walked inside the house.

Behind her, Aoshi had a smile on his lips. She had teased him and taunted him for days and her little game had strained the boundaries of his control. *to tame her brazen spirit was not going to be an easy task, but I'm definite up to the challenge.* he though.

Yahiko was waiting for Misao when she entered the house with large curious eyes he asked her. "Misao where you been all afternoon.?

I went swimming" she said and hug him. She released him and walked to the stairs and just before she could take a step she turned around she look at Yahiko.

"Wait a minute Yahiko, what are you doing here.? Don't you suppose to be I school right now.?"

"Ah-ah...well....you see...I...I got in a fight and they suspended me for the rest of the week." he said taking a step back form where his was standing.

"What!!!!" she shouted at him. "Yahiko this is the second time this month, wait until Koaru finds out, she's going to kill you."

"I know that. That's why I'm here, please don't be mad at me, some jerk was picking on Tsubame....

He couldn't finish Misao interrupted him. "Aah! I see now, you have crush on Tsubame, that is so sweet." she smile sweetly at him.

"No I don't, Tsubame is only a friend." he shouted.

"Whatever you say." she sigh "alright your off the hook, I wont say anything to you, but prepare your self, when Koaru finds out you wont live to see another day."she said and turned around and went upstair to change.

"Thank you sis." said Yahiko.

Misao took a warm bath, after her bath she called Sanosuke. Two hour later she went down to the study.

"Is there a reason for that daze look on your face Enishi? He asked calmly to his friend.

"Aoshi you can't mean to go through with this marriage" Enishi said stunned.

"I have no choice" he said

"You can't do this, Aoshi, Misao is not a slave to be sold or bought, please give her the deed back, the company would be your eventually."

"Is out of my hands, Enishi, and even when a give her back the deeds, she still have to marry me." he said struggling to control his feelings.

"What do you mean Aoshi?" Enishi asked.

"Misao gave her word to her grandfather and my father gave his to him also, so you see we don't have a choice." he murmured softly.

Enishi laughed. "Aoshi you never show any emotions, but when you do you can be so transparent."

"What is that suppose to mean.?"

"Your beginning to have feeling for Misao." he stopped for a moment to see his friend face. "And also your beginning to hate the thought that your father have purchase a wife for you. You wish if could be different, don't you Aoshi?" he sighed.

"You're wrong!" he muttered harshly.

"Enishi laughed dryly. "I'm sure I'm. But I should warn you. Misao Makimachi may surprise you. You are use to women to fall over them self to get you attention, but Misao is different you cannot treat her like the others, she will not let you get away with it."

"What do you know about her.?" Aoshi shrugged, and a tame of jealousy ignited inside him, at eh thought that Enishi knew his future bride better that he did. If it wasn't for his father and Misao's grandfather, that made the arrangement for their marriage, he would probably met her on his own and pursued her differently. *damn her* he thought she already occupied more of his thoughts than he care to admit.

There was a knock on the door and Aoshi straightened, when he saw Misao swept into the study.

"Enishi Yukishiro!" she said and Enishi eyes widened with appreciation when she kissed him on the cheek.

"Misao you are more beautiful each time I see you." Enishi compliment, ignoring Aoshi raised eyebrows and slight frown. *I was right you do have feeling for Misao Aoshi* he thought.

"And you haven't change always flirting. What are you doing here?" she asked him. "Surely the news of my wedding has not reach Kyoto? She made it sound as it she were the victim.

"Aoshi and I are friend and we also work together, you see his my boss." Enishi said.

"I'm so sorry for you.!" she said.

Enishi laughed "Aoshi is not that bad once you get to know him. Let me be the first to wish you every happiness Misao....

"So it has reach Kyoto?" she sighed.

"Unfortunately it has"

"Well. Happiness is hardy considered when the bride and groom have little choice , Enishi." she made her statement sweetly and her words were directly at Aoshi.

"That's enough Misao." Aoshi said softly.

"As you wish, my Love" she said coldly. "I believe is time for dinner, would you be joining us Enishi.?"

"It would be my pleasure." Cheerfully Enishi took Misao's arm and braved the daggers in his back as he walked with Misao to the dinning. Asohi followed closely behind them.

*I know she deliberately flirting with Enishi, but I sure hope she has the good sense not to push it to far.* he thought.

Yahiko came into the room from the hall entrance walking tipsily as he imitated Okina walking. "Jiya won't be joining us," he lisped drunkenly.

"Yahiko cut it out." said Misao hitting him on the back of his head. "We have a guess." she excused her brother to Enishi.

"Ah! Enishi is good to see you." he said. "Wait a minute your not here to see Misao are you?" and raised an eyebrow. "Ah! Misao what was that for.?" Yahiko asked when Misoa hit him in the head again.

"How do you know each other?" Aoshi asked

"We met at the North Star." said Enishi.

"North Star.?" Aoshi asked.

"Ah-ha, Misao's and Sonosuke's Club." said Yahiko with a cheerful voice.

"We have a friend in common" said Misao

"Tae, you know her Aoshi." said Enishi.

"Well anyway, she invited Enishi to the Club one night, and that's how we met." said Misao taking a spoon full of soup.

After dinner they went back to the study, Yahiko had the idea to play poker, even when he knew that Misao would beat him in every hand.

"Misao where did you learn to play poker.?" Enishi asked her.

"Well, let see....my grandfather and Sanosuke were the one's....hey! Yahiko you're cheating. Is not going to do you any good because a won again." said Misao and threw her cards on the table.

"Is not fair Misao." said Yahiko.

"Don't a sore loser Yahiko." said Misao. "Is been a long day, I'm tire and I think is past you bed time also Yahiko."

"Very funny Misao." he said.

Misao smiled at him. "Enishi do you want me to show you to your room.?"

"Thank you that would be nice" he said.

Misao was following Enishi to the door when Aoshi clasped her arm.

"I suppose you two want to kiss or something?" said Yahiko. "C'mon Enishi I show you to your room. Good night."

"Good night Yahiko." said Aoshi and waited until he heard Yahiko's footsteps on the stairs. Then he turned Misao into his arms. "I wanted to give this." he said giving her a black box.

"What it is?" she asked.

"Is your engagement ring of course." she said.

"I don't wanted." she said firmly.

"Is not from me is from my mother." he said.

"Your mother?"

"Yes when she found out I was getting marry she sent it with Enishi,?" he said

"This belong to her?"she said

"Yes my father gave it to her when she asked for her hand to my grandfather. And now she says it belong to you."

"I can't take it." she said.

"Why? Is not good enough for you?"

"Your mother meant to give her ring to the women you love, and you and me know is hardly our case." she said coldly. "That's why I won't taker her ring......."

Misao didn't get to finish, Aoshi had kissed , invading her mouth until he felt her respond. The pressure of his body against her felt good and right, then she slipped away as the full pleasure of the kiss assaulted her senses, his tongue traced the seam of her lips, shaken by the pleasure of his kiss she moaned and pressed herself closer to him. Then the warm of his mouth left her. Misao blinked at the men holding her, she heard his soft voice.

"Misao wear the ring,"he whispered on her ear as he released her. Without speaking she ran up stairs to her room.

Hi everyone I hope you like this chapter.

I'm very sorry it took me so long to update.

Thank you for your reviews.