Hi people! Long time no see! But that is definitely my fault, lo siento amigos! (that's 'I'm sorry' in Spanish, I'm a second year!) We'll I have now traveled into other waters of the anime fanfiction universe. I had read fanfics for other animes before but was not addicted to them as my Rurouni Kenshin and Inuyasha ones. But I have recently become addicted to Gundam Wing, I've seen the entire series plus movie plus read some of the graphic novels. Now I am hooked on Heero/Relena fics, but my favorite couple I think to read is Wufei/Sally (their so comedic!). I have also started reading some Cardcaptor Sakura, Sakura Wars, Pretear, and started some Ronin Warriors (oh what a favorite old past time that show was!). I have read some Escaflowne but they don't seem that varied or orginal (sorry people!), I mean some were and were good, but not enough to keep reading a lot of that shows fics even though I am a humungous fan. So, if you need good author suggestions I would have to say they best for a varied type of shows and fics are Moonsilver and The Black Rose.

All right now that I have ranted and raved for a good 208 words (word count rocks!) I will get on with the fic!

Disclaimer: I do not own rurouni kenshin, When can I stop typing this! It just brings up issues!

Chapter Three: Hand holding

Misao yanked the refrigerator door open making it almost hit the counter beside it. She took out the ham and swiss, one by one flinging them on the table Sano was lounging at. "I can't believe him! Why did-What exactly was that all about, Sano?" She was exasperated "I just-I don't know…Why the hell did-? What do I -?" At a complete loss of words she stopped, her mind in turmoil. Then growled her frustration.

"Don't know what to do about the ice cube huh?"

"Ice cube?" Yeah, I guess that does describe him.

"Yeah. I have to say though Misao, that was the most emotion I have ever seen from him." Sea green eyes became downcast as she plopped herself down into a chair.

"Well, I said I was going to get him to show some emotion. I was just hoping on some different emotions." To Sano something was kinda fishy.

"You said that huh? Well…how long have you been here exactly?"

"About forty five minutes." She grinned seeing the incredulity in Sano's face. "I know. I work fast." Misao was actually surprised herself. With Aoshi's cold attitude and quiet nature his very being was surrounded by an aura of frosty superiority. Making him someone completely unapproachable. But god damn was he cute!! That was a partial motive; she could still feel his humanity wasting away within him. She wasn't psychic, it was just something in his eyes…something that said he was lonely. The weasel took a breath. "Well, whatever happened it will all blow over. Probably by tonight even."

Sano didn't look as sure as she. "I don't know Misao, maybe on the outside it will. But, with Aoshi it won't, not inside. It must have been something big to ruffle his feathers…considering I've never seen them ruffled."

"How long do you think it will last?"

"Can't tell." Misao's eyes hurt. She needed sleep, badly. God, what is up with this? Not even a day and I already have emotional trauma!

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath she spoke. "I guess I need to go talk to him."

Sano snorted "Good luck. It's hard enough to talk to him regularly, but now…its like asking for instant death!"

Misao's voice was firm. "I'm not afraid of him."

Sano's voice became soft as he spoke to her. "Its not exactly him." His eyes were soft and concerned. "I know you, Misao. Its his silence that will break you."

"He was quiet before Sano." Besides, it's his eyes…that I'm afraid of.

"Ya gonna go now?"

Misao's answer was a reluctant "Yeah." She felt utterly helpless but soon felt better as Sanosuke flashed a heart warming smile at her.

"Good luck, Itachi."

"Thanks."

"Oh! Itachi!" She smiled a quite smile at him as she turned around.

"Yeah?" Sano's face was a little too mischievous while he spoke his next turn,

"I need you to do me a favor…"

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Misao sighed as she walked down the hall heading for Aoshi's office. Man! Not only do I have Aoshi to deal with but now this favor as well. What the hell is Sano thinking? Asking me to sing! I haven't sung in front of people in like…ever! Well, he said it'll only be our friends…maybe what? Ten people? Got to do it for Megumi. Yeah, that's it Misao! Gotta do it for Megumi! She raised her arms in the air, thrusting them towards the ceiling. But the fogginess of her sleep lacking brain caused her to slump downward again. Must get some sleep first. Now…Aoshi should be in here.

She quietly opened the door, peeking in to take sight of the interior. Seeing no one she entered, walking slowly to the desk. Her hands swept over it involuntarily, and her legs moved around the oak structure seating her in the leather chair behind it. A soft sigh escaped her throat. She laid her head down upon the papers as her stomach seemed to sink. What is it about him? I just…can't seem to get him off my mind. Misao sighed again. She was so tired, and her actions right now were not helping in finding Aoshi. She slowly nodded off, slipping into sleep and unconsciously mumbling a thought out loud. "Aoshi, what did I do?"

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He heard it as he leaned up against the doorframe outside his office. "Aoshi, what did I do?" Her voice was so helpless. Aoshi slowly slid against the wall, slumping upon it. His head tilted upwards with his eyes heavily closed. I don't know, Misao. I don't know.

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The thing that rose Misao from her slumber was the hand she felt on her shoulder. A warm hand grasping her softly and yet so…compassionately it seemed. She hadn't felt something like that in a long time, since her father died so many years ago, it was the touch that brought the feeling of being loved so gently and firmly, and this touch was that but also held so much hesitancy, so much unsure ness. Only one person came to mind that would touch her so, everyone else had clear cut relations with her. So pretending to still be deep in sleep she raised her hand to cover his in a warm grasp. She did it out of compulsion, because she knew she wanted him there in that room and not leaving her so soon, whether it be just for today or for the rest of her life she wasn't sure but she had one thought as she did fall back to sleep with him sitting on the desk beside her. How could anyone fall or feel so much…so fast?

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Little did she know that Aoshi was thinking the same thing. He had never felt the attraction, the longing, the bond, or the jealousy that he felt for this small creature dozing before him. He took a glance to where his hand rested on her shoulder held by her own. What the hell am I doing? His own rebuke of his actions made him slowly pull away his hand from its place within Misao's grasp. "No Aoshi, don't go." She mumbled as she fumbled to keep his hand. Capturing it she drew it and his arm to her chest, hugging it to her. Feeling a chill wave of indescribable course through his body he sat down behind her in the chair, one leg on each side of her, and wrapped his other arm around her waist, encompassing her body with his. A contented sigh escaped from her lips. At this Aoshi bent his head into the curve of her neck and closed his eyes.

"Misao".

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So what do you think? I think I'm moving it along way to fast in some parts, but otherwise I think I'm doing okay. Any suggestions? Comments? Please review, please!

SoT'n'Kenshin: thank you!! I'm glad you think this is cute! Hopefully you think this chapter is cute as well! Hope to hear from you soon!

Shnappsie: Hi Honey! So glad you reviewed. Don't smack Ryan, he didn't submit twice! I hope to try and keep in touch through email so lookout! And I'm hoping your reading this otherwise this is doing no good. Say hi to everyone for me!

Namiko-Daughter of Sekhmet: You loved it! You simply loved it! Well I hope you love this one as well. And you better review or I might cry…WWAAHHHH!

Nigihayami Haruko: Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm glad you like Aoshi's mortality…the sooner their happy the better…this is why I can't seem to write a stoic Aoshi very well. And yes, if you have something to say about 'Living the Dead' go on and type it here if you like. Might as well right?! REVIEW!

Iram: Yes, last but definitely not least. SO glad I'm finally updating, it took me forever. And yes Misao is immune to the ice glares because she is older and more involved with the world (being away from home for those years at that boarding school, liberal mind you) and of course because of the minor detail of her stubbornness you mentioned before! Glad you love! And yes, you definitely gotta feel the love! I miss you Pookie, I miss you. Please, send me some sugar.

REVIEW!!!!