The Lonely Widow, Not so Lonely Anymore

"So Misao…are you married or seeing anyone?"

Misao clutched the wedding band she wore around her neck in a fisted hand. Her lips had parted, but nothing came out. Aoshi was waiting for her to answer but he had asked such a private question and done it so casually as well. Misao's eyebrows scrunched up as she stewed on his question.

"Misao? Are you feeling alright?" Aoshi spoke trying to get her attention.

"Of course I am." Aoshi was a little taken back by the way she spoke to him. Clearly something was on her mind and she wasn't letting it out. It could possibly have something to do with the crowd of people surrounding the merry-go-round.

"I don't have to answer your question. I can't believe that is your conversation opener, to ask whether I'm married or seeing anyone. We don't even know each other and you ask me something as serious and personal as though it is something you casually talk about all the time. I have no desire to open myself up to a complete stranger and someone like yourself. Ayame, Suzume we are leaving right now." Other shoppers turned to stare at Misao as she hopped over the small fence once the ride stopped and got the two pouting girls off of the tiny horses. Aoshi watched, as did many other shoppers as Misao strode off, Ayame and Suzume-chan lightly jogging beside her to stay with her. Aoshi rubbed his temple at the emotions Misao showed five seconds ago. To him it seemed she was in a tough relationship and seriously needed to get out of it or desperately needing some cheering up. Aoshi could feel the tension that seemed to surround her and thought he'd start a small conversation. Stupid him for thinking it would be that easy for her to speak with a complete stranger. She had been true in what she replied back to him and it made him feel like an idiot. Aoshi moved away from the merry-go-round letting other family's move closer as they had very excited children wanting a ride.

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"Mr Shinomori? That was rather fast. I thought you would be gone for the entire afternoon." Aoshi's assistant, Yahiko spoke coming around the counter to take Aoshi's jacket and place it on the hook behind him.

"Change of plans…" Aoshi muttered out and untucked his black satin shirt walking past Yahiko and heading done the small hall towards his office. He unbuttoned the top two buttons on his shirt and placed his bag on the table. He headed back down the small hallway speaking to Yahiko once more.

"Why don't you head off Yahiko, since I'm here for the afternoon. Why not go to the music store and see Tsubame?"

"M-Mr Shinomori, I can't leave the store. What if you get a call out?" Aoshi sat down in the high stool behind the main counter and placed his feet on the bench leaning back slightly and speaking once more looking over at Yahiko who was in front of the counter like a customer.

"Then I'll close the shop, but I doubt that will happen. I was up at four this morning working and I've checked my diary and I seem to be up to date, which is a pleasant surprise. So go and take the afternoon off, you only have about 3 hours to go anyway. I won't cut your pay so go wait for Tsubame to finish and then take her out for the afternoon. Have a light snack or something, I recommend the meals from The Akebeko in the food court. I won't offer twice Yahiko…"

"Arigatoo Mr Shinomori!" Yahiko spoke grabbing his bag and jacket running out the front door, but ducking under the arm that was holding the door open for him.

"You are really good to him itoto-chan." Megumi spoke from the doorway letting the door close with a soft click and the chime of the bell.

"He's a good kid and he works hard. He'll make Tsubame-chan really happy when they get older."

"Worships the ground she walks on?" Megumi questioned moving closer and leaning her back against the front counter.

"Not really the words I'm looking for, but something like that." Aoshi replied back his eyes moving to the computer screen on the top counter. Brother and sister fell into a small silence, Megumi watching Aoshi flutter his fingers over the keyboard of the computer at lightning speed to check on up coming jobs or continuation ones from weeks or months ago. Megumi was itching to ask how the interaction between her brother and Misao went and so Megumi lifted herself up and sat on the bench, casually crossing one leg over the other and spoke.

"So how has your day been so far itoto-chan?" Aoshi glared at his older sister through his long bangs and didn't answer her question. He headed for his office grabbing the backup disks out of the safe and heading for the main computer to back up the hard drive.

"Oh come on Aoshi? Tell your neesan how your day was." Megumi drawled on once more and Aoshi finally gave up.

"I met the most…interesting woman today." A small smile crossed Megumi's lips as she jumped down from the counter, leaning her forearms on it almost jumping in excitement as she spoke once more.

"Do tell?" Aoshi gave his sister an unusual look at the way she was acting but finally decided Megumi seemed rather intrigued and decided to tell her about Misao.

"Her name is Misao and I met her at the graveyard where mum is."

"Did you know where she was going?" Megumi spoke hastily.

"She was in a graveyard Meg-chan. OBVIOUSLY she was going to a gravestone to pay her respects to family members. What is with you?" Aoshi spoke back and Megumi waved her hand telling him to continue with his story silently promising him she wouldn't interrupt anymore.

"We were going to her place and I started a small conversation but it was obviously the wrong topic for some reason."

"What did you say?"

"I asked if she was seeing anyone. I didn't know she'd lash out like she did." Aoshi watched Megumi slap her hand on her forehead speaking once more.

"You men are so stupid. Just having met her and you ask her such a serious and personal question. Clearly she had every right to be like that. Mou! Aoshi no baka…"

"You too huh? She said the exact same thing… I guess I lost a customer, pity she was pretty nice looking too…"

"Typical men always making sure women are cute or good looking with big breasts and tight asses before they take an interest in them! What ever happened to looking at the 'inner' woman to find they have a brain, a sense of humor, a personality and interests?"

"I can't look at the "woman on the inside" as you say Meg-chan because she didn't let me." Aoshi got off the chair having finished backing up the system and walked down the hallway placing the disks back in the safe.

"Besides looks aren't everything, they are just a bonus and add to the character of a woman. Although she did have a firm butt and shapely breasts, but they weren't huge so quit your whining. I'm not like other men." Aoshi nearly killed over when he stared into blue eyes and then they moved around the shop as she spoke softly to him.

"Have I interrupted a conversation?" Aoshi placed a hand behind his head feeling completely mortified about what he said and shook his head negatively having already lost his voice. After a moment he finally spoke.

"What are you doing here Misao? Are you comfortable with me calling you Misao? Should I refer to you by your surname?" Misao blinked a couple of times looking over at an embarrassed Aoshi. He didn't really show it in the way of blushing but Misao saw the widening of his hidden eyes and the fact he took a fair amount of time to speak to her as well. Misao had walked into the store to see no one in sight, not even Aoshi's assistant Yahiko. She stood at the counter ready to ding the small bell for assistance but soon heard Aoshi's voice; louder then usual, but obviously speaking to someone in the store who happened to not tell him they were leaving. Misao had raised an eyebrow listening to his comments about women and became rather intrigued and wanting to know whom he was talking about but would never know. Misao cleared her head of thoughts and replied back.

"I'm sorry about earlier, I came back to apologise for acting so harsh and rude. That was not right of me to do so. It wasn't your fault, you were trying to be kind and friendly not having a clue that the question you asked would bring up such a reaction. For that I apologise again and hope I could still have your services to renovate my kitchen."

"Iie Misao-san you need not apologise for my mistake. After thinking about what I said it was pretty stupid and rather casual. I have been informed that women aren't likely to answer straightforward questions such as this. If one day you feel comfortable with my being around and working in your house, you may tell me if you wish." Aoshi observed as Misao held a small blush on her cheeks listening to him ramble on. Aoshi cleared his throat and headed down the back to grab his workbag and walking into the main store area once more.

"Shall we get going Misao-san?" Aoshi received a silent nod from Misao and grabbed his jacket heading out the door and locking it firmly placing the "sorry we are closed" sign up. Aoshi and Misao headed for the carpark in silence, Misao following Aoshi to wherever his car was parked so she may direct him to her home.

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To be continued…

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