Mismatched

Chapter 12 – The Prelude To Revenge

Author's Note: This is a very long chapter. I think longer than Chapter 9. Oh, well, I hope nobody actually dies of boredom because of this! LOL! Reviews please! Thanks!

KAORU

The sound of light tapping had woken her up. She had been dreaming of standing in front of the river and Kenshin holding her arm. She could not see his face although she was sure that it was her Kenshin. She knew how he felt, how he smelled and even in her dreams, she knew him in a level that was both frightening and amusing at the same time. She couldn't decide and she chided herself for being so silly. She was watching the water flow so calmly on the clear river. She could see the smooth rocks underneath, an occasional fish swimming and darting gracefully and with such speed that they all seemed like a blur of blues and greens and silvers.

Dream Kenshin stepped closer and whispered in her ear, "Would you cross the river with me?" His breath was warm against her cheeks and she shivered pleasantly. "Of course Kenshin." She turned her head to look at him, wanting to see his face and smile up to him and see him smile back at her. She had already turned her whole body but she could not see him. Could not feel him anymore. He was gone.

"Kenshin?" She called out to him, suddenly panicked. She remembered saying goodbye to him the night he left for Kyoto, but this was different. She had felt terrified then and angry that he would leave. But now, she felt sad… so overwhelmingly sad. She had to bite back the sudden urge to sob until her eyes were raw and stingy. She had to find Kenshin! She looked out into the river again and was shocked to find him standing on the other side. "Kenshin!" This time, she screamed his name and he looked up at her. He had heard her! "Kenshin! What are you doing there? You said we'd cross the river together?" But he did not answer her, instead, he did.

"We will cross the river together Kamiya-san."

She whirled around in surprise. And there he was, standing close to her, his hands gripping her arm, cold blue eyes staring down at her. "Aoshi-sama?" she asked in a small voice. "But…"

"But look! See, they're going to the market again!" Aoshi announced in uncharacteristically excited voice, smiling eagerly and pointing at the spot where Kenshin was standing. And sure enough there was another girl who was approaching Kenshin.

"But Aoshi, it's Misao." Kaoru said looking from Kenshin to Misao and then back to Aoshi.

Her companion merely nodded, smiling even wider. "I know."

Feeling confused and irritated at the same time, Kaoru shook her head and tried to get away from Aoshi's grasp. Go get your own dream Aoshi, she thought sullenly, why intervene in mine?

Aoshi blinked at her as though reading her mind. He grinned like Sanosuke, which made Kaoru shiver and not in a pleasant way either. "What the hell is going on here?" She asked.

He told her whispering in her ear, "See, now we all live happily ever after." He silently watched as Misao take Kenshin's hand and drag him away from them. From her.

"No! No! No! Wait! Come back! Wait…"

And then she was just alone, staring at the clear river in front of her. No annoying Aoshi, no fireflies, no fishes… just the sound of water… tap-tapping against wood and ground.

Tapping?

Kaoru slowly opened her eyes feeling slightly disoriented. She lay there quietly for a minute before she was able to identify what the soft but insistent tapping sound was: water hitting the roof and the ground. It was raining outside.

She felt cold all of a sudden and snuggled deeper into her blanket. I've been wondering why it was always gloomy and bleak these past few days, I though because I was always in a dark mood, she mused pouting a little. She suddenly wished she were back home, on her own dojo, on her own bed. She loved the rain, it was profoundly beautiful, but it always reminded her when she was younger, when she would not be allowed to play outside. Her father always worried that she'd get sick. And she'd be stuck sitting by the front porch and watching the rain pelt on their neighbor's rooftop and on the large leaves on her father's garden. She wanted to feel the water on her skin, wanted to dance under the crying sky…

Kaoru closed her eyes and tried to remember how their garden looked during those long ago carefree days… she could clearly see the wet muddied soil and the bowed row of small herbs that her father planted along the pathway and her father's voice…

"Is the rain so heavy father that the plants get all droopy?"

"Yes and no little one."

"What do you mean father?"

"You will know soon enough. When you get old. You'll understand what I mean."

"Why can't you tell me now!"

"Because Kaoru-chan, you're meant to watch and enjoy the rain and not ponder on the ways of life."

She could not however remember her father's face. Kaoru sighed heavily and pushed her memories down. Past is past. Her father would always tell that. It's connected with the present and the future, yes, but you cannot allow it to become part of it for it will only serve as poison and eat away whatever happiness you're meant to have.

That she understood. Maybe she should tell that to Kenshin… except, remember? You made an agreement that you won't talk to Kenshin for the whole week?

Ah, good morning Annoying Voice In My Head! Kaoru thought with great disdain. She wished she could find that damn switch that could turn that voice off. Permanently.

Please, just call me Kaoru the Second.

Ugh… I rather not. That sounds awfully psychotic.

It does doesn't it?

And Kaoru automatically winced when she realized that her annoying voice could actually laugh too. More for her to worry about then. Damn!

So what would you do for today, hmmm?

Today? Kaoru paused and frowned. What's up with today?

Yes. Today. Aoshi. It's raining, you can invite him inside your room…think of the possibilities…

Of course. Stupid of me. Third day: Indoor activity. Kaoru thought groaning out load, effectively ignoring Kaoru the Second's most inappropriate suggestion. Meditating is an indoor activity is it not? Fine then. She'll meditate today! Ugh. Can boredom cause untimely death? She asked herself turning to her side and as she did so she felt wetness slid from her eyes to her cheeks. If it's raining outside, why is my face wet? She gingerly touched her face.

And then she remembered her dream: "No! No! No! Wait! Come back! Wait…"

Tears.

Her face was wet from tears.

KENSHIN

He wiped the wetness off his face.

Well, there goes his strategy. He scowled as he stepped inside the Aoiya, figures that his only plan for the day would be botched up. He had been surveying the dark clouds outside, trying to decide if he should ask Megumi for another walk around Kyoto when he felt the first drops of rain fall against his cheeks, like tears or blood, or the combination of both, tracing a familiar pattern down to his chin. He shook his head, trying to burry the surfacing memories deeper into his subconscious. He was in no mood to mope around. What he needed was a stable workable strategy in trying to… well, whatever it was he should be trying to do with Megumi-dono… create a spark? Tension? Chemistry? Mutual attraction?

He was so screwed.

Back to his strategy: a walk around Kyoto. Maybe it wasn't the brightest idea anyway. There's the weather to begin with and it seems as though he and Megumi had already explored every tourist spot in this city, the only place that they hadn't yet gone off to be was at the cemetery and he certainly did not want to go there. Plus he had the feeling that if invited Megumi to actually go there, she'd accidentally push him to some open grave and accidentally use a shovel to fill it with soil. There was no telling what Megumi was capable of doing. Besides, after their stunt yesterday by the market, he was in no hurry to be seen again. And, of course, he was trying to avoid his shishou. Two encounters with him were enough already, Kenshin was sure that the third time would actually mean death for him.

He wondered what Aoshi and Sano were planning for today. He was sure none of them would think of a stupid walk, they probably have better things in mind. Well, he'd just have to come up with something else to do… something that wasn't as lame as "romantic walks" around town. He looked up at the sky once again and guessed that the rain would probably last until before lunch, but from the number of darks clouds that he could see, it would probably rain tomorrow and the day after that, perhaps even until at the end of the week.

Maybe he should think like his Shishou, he seemed to have had a lot of experience with girls when he was his age, or so he kept telling Kenshin.

Think like Hiko. Ok. How about buy jugs of Sake, tell Megumi that I can drink more than her and proceed to get dead drunk?

Ok, maybe not exactly like his Shishou… How about dinner at some restaurant?

Won't work. No money.

Stay here, sip some tea and have a nice quiet conversation? That sounded appealing.

Uhm, Megumi? Quiet conversation?

Right. Well, how about he if taught her how to cook his specialty soup?

Oh sure. Now that's romantic.

Quit being sarcastic! He mentally ordered his Annoying Kenshin-Like-Voice incessantly yapping inside his head. I'm trying to think ok?!

Oh. Ok. And then to Kenshin's utter surprise, it actually shut up. Good. Now, think Kenshin… There was a whole minute of silence… Well? Anything yet? I'm waiting. What's wrong with that brains of yours? Think, dammit, think! No? Nothing yet? Well here, how about…Sex?

Kenshin coughed and sputtered in disbelief. Argh! If he could just strangle that voice to death without doing any physical harm on myself…

Like to see you try it Mr. Smarty Pink Gi

Smarty what? Ok, now he was getting annoyed. Kenshin gently massaged his throbbing head. He should have never ever agreed to this whole plan.

But why did you?

Kenshin rolled his eyes. "Too early for this." He muttered darkly, stomping his way towards his room.

Aw, and I thought you'd be glad to hear my voice of reason again.

The only voice I'd like to hear right now is Kaoru's, but there's absolutely no chance of that happening because I'm going to spend the remaining days of the week being Megumi-dono's love slave.

Oh, Sano's just going to love that!

Kenshin gritted his teeth and quickened his steps. Well, this was Sano's fault to begin with! Maybe that ought to teach his friend a lesson! Kenshin took a deep breath and suddenly slowed his steps as soon as he realized that he was on the hallway where Kaoru was staying. He wondered if it would be better if he tell her everything now, just as he had planned. Surely, Sano and Aoshi would understand. He did not see the reason why they have to complicate things by having their own scheme that went against everything that they felt and wanted. He was so tired of playing games, and Kaoru most especially did not deserve to be treated this way. He took a few more tentative steps until he was facing Kaoru's door. He'd just have to quietly push the shoji door, just a little bit, enough for him to see her and…

"What are you doing here?"

Kenshin let out a long sigh and whirled around to face Aoshi. "What are you doing here?" he asked him evenly. He definitely did not like the fact that Shinamori was also at this part of the hall, clearly on his way to Kaoru's room.

Aoshi raised his eyes. "I believe Takani's room is just around the corner." He answered him as way of explanation.

"Why did you agree on this?" Kenshin asked him, his eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.

"Why did you?" he returned in a calm voice.

"Do you really have to do that? It's annoying." Kenshin muttered, stepping away from Kaoru's door.

"Sagara, most of the time, deserves to be called Ahou." Aoshi began, "but you of all people should see his point." 

Kenshin clenched his jaw. "You still did not answer any of my question." Kenshin pointed out.

"Don't be selfish Battousai." Aoshi said sounding annoyed. "She's in love with you. But she isn't sure anymore. If she had been, do you think she would've agreed to Takani's whole plan?"

"And you think that she might be in love with you?" He asked quietly really wanting to know the answer to that question, even though half of him was scared of what the answer would be, "and Aoshi, I swear, if you answer me with another question I'm going to do the ripping of throats right now." It wasn't his nature to be threatening, but this was an entirely different matter. This concerned the woman that he loved, he might not have the right to be feel possessive of her, but he could not just stand aside and let Aoshi or anyone else for that matter try and take Kaoru away from him.

Aoshi's lips curved into a half smile, half sneer. "Don't be stupid. She isn't. You know that. But she needs to get her answer. She doesn't want it from you. She had asked you already, you didn't give it to her, let her find it on her own. Sagara understood this much, why can't you?"

Kenshin turned his back against Aoshi and faced Kaoru's door. He was quiet for a moment as he tried to think of how Aoshi felt about Misao or how Sano felt for Megumi and the quietly he muttered, "I understand it perfectly well Shinamori." He started to walk away when he stopped and glanced back at Aoshi, "What are you planning on doing today? With Kaoru I mean..." his voice trailed off as soon as he saw Aoshi's expression change. Now it was completely unreadable. Aoshi's jaw was clenched and the ends of his ears were slightly tinged red. What the hell had he planned for today? Kenshin wondered starting to get angry. It took a whole second for Aoshi to respond, looking strangely embarrassed.

"I'm going to ask her for a walk today."

Kenshin wasn't sure if his ears were playing trick on him. "What?" he asked almost stupidly.

Aoshi gritted his teeth, "I refuse to  repeat what I have just said." Aoshi stepped forward and raised his hands, already poised to knock on the Kaoru's door. Kenshin watched as Aoshi turned to glare at him. Kenshin let out a long sigh. Just a walk. Nothing romantic with a walk, he told himself, remembering all of his walks with Megumi-dono. "Well?" Aoshi asked him.

"Oh. Right." Kenshin, still stuck to his place, not quite believing what Aoshi had just said forced himself to move away.

"Himura," Aoshi said, probably the first time he had ever called him that.

"What?" Kenshin asked.

"Um, good luck, don't Takani-san, er, um… well, you know…don't let her injure you or something."

Kenshin suppressed a smile and tried to look grave, "Sure Aoshi. I could say the same thing to you." Kenshin paused and added, "take good care of Kaoru for me will you..."

Aoshi raised his eyebrows, "I will,"

"For now." Kenshin finished and walked off, thinking that maybe he should teach Megumi-dono how to cook his specialty soup.

MEGUMI

She growled and paced the empty room. The sound of hundreds of water droplets hitting the roof in rhythmic drumming was irritating her. It was raining. Could you believe it? Raining. Dammit! The weather wasn't even trying to cooperate with her! How the hell was she going to invite Kenshin to yet again join her for a nice walk outside? She could no longer use the line, "great weather outside ne Ken-san? Let's enjoy it while it lasts." because apparently it had lasted long enough. Besides, even Kenshin would not be that desperate to go with her and splash about in the muddied streets. Plus she did not want to keep yapping on and on about every topics imaginable and watch Kenshin not listen to her. Megumi rolled her eyes. Yup. Date material alright. Next thing that she'd be doing will be exchanging tips with him on how to sauté a fish and cook some bloody soup!

She would just have to think up of a substitute plan. Besides, it was clear as day light that he was no where near interested in her as he was interested in learning ballet. Perhaps a new tactic would make a difference, not that she was deluding herself, it's just that she'd probably seen most of the city of Kyoto more than Okon and Omasu – who are both residence of this place.

She was the one who had thought of this damned plan, it was frustrating as hell that she hadn't even so much as moved an inch of a step closer in making Sano jealous. The two-timing bastard was all putty in Misao's chubby little hands. Why was it not working for her? Was this her karma?

Oh but, there would be a lot of reckoning to be done after this week. She was going to give Sano something that he won't soon be forgetting. Perhaps two black eyes or a broken wrist. Maybe two black eyes and a broken wrist.

Or maybe sex? Hmmm… perhaps?

Megumi smiled tentatively. Now that's definitely an option. Not for Ken-san of course, she imagined that Kenshin would probably die of heart attack even before she had gotten rid of her obi. And besides, hadn't she already asked him for that – as a joke of course – and assuming that she was serious, judging by his reaction, she'd be more likely to find herself in bed with Hiko-sama (Kami! Why had she thought of that name… euw! Euw! Euw!) than with Ken-san, because all that the rurouni did was fall on his ass and make a spectacle of himself. Oh, but what do you expect from him anyway? Had she asked Sano that question, well, she was sure she and him would both be in jail by now for breaking every moral decree that this town strictly held in reverence. Considering that, well that doesn't sound so bad. That was the sort of vacation story she wanted to brag about and tell all to her brown-haired, brown-eyed grandchildren.

Unlikely to happen since you're still stuck with Kenshin and Sano seems to be enjoying Misao's company a little too much.

She had seen the two last night. No tension there. At least no sexual tension – but there was a hint of – of something in the air enough to actually make her worry. Gone was the brother to younger brother relationship that the two used to share, no offense meant, Misao's a girl, but please, every time she sees the Weasel all she could think of was Yahiko in a short skirt and braids. Last night, Sano was treating Misao nothing like he had ever treated Yahiko. He was gentler on her. And she had definitely seen some sparks flying between those two.

Megumi gritted her teeth. Men are such philandering bastards. Just because she had been spending some time with Kenshin doesn't mean that she had lost interest in Sano. In fact that was the farthest thing ever. Fine, she'll admit it, she missed the special way she and Sano bantered – it always made her feel alive. With Kenshin, it was like talking to a wall, only it answers back with a sheepish "oro". Not so much as encouraging there.

She missed the way that Sano would smirk at her. Sano grinned at Kaoru, he sneers at Misao, and in fact he smiles at every pretty girl that he'd pass by, but he'd never smirk at them or anyone for that matter. It was his special way of greeting her, or exasperating her or making her angry, or melting her. The way that he'd smirk at her… it was like they shared a precious secret that no one would ever find out. It was just strictly between the two of them. His and her secret. Whatever it was, unsaid and unconfirmed, it was there. Always.

Well, it had always been like that. Had being the key word, because now she had barely seen him look at her, much less smirk at her. Sure he'd ask her if she could try to help get the swelling of his eyes down and she flat out refused, because knowing Sano and Misao, insufferable Punk had probably gotten that black eye because he had done something… something sweet to the Weasel girl. And he didn't even bothered to look at her, he just sort of called her up, eyes downcast, staring at his fist. Guilty! Megumi had immediately decided. Whatever unfaithful act he did that afternoon, it was something she should be worried about and she had been worried about it: her heart constricting painfully inside her chest.

Had it always been like this? Always as though he was holding her by her heart. A small smirk would equal a small tug and she'd be sashaying by his side, either to smack him in the back of his head or accuse of him being a male chauvinist pig. Either way, she always got to touch him.

She missed the feel of his skin against hers the most. Granted that every time they touched it was nowhere near romantic, in fact maybe it even bordered to violence, but his skin had always been her addiction. Her only addiction that she couldn't heal. Why else would she patiently try to bandage his hand other than for the sole reason that she'd get to touch him without any fear that he'd know how she really felt. And how scary it was that she felt this much for him.

Was she going to lose it all? To a tomboy who could barely fill in a kimono?

Hold them by their egos. Right. Sure. Just like the way you're holding it now… on a fragile hold, about to snap and break free from her.

Oh, Kami, what had she done?

SANO

Kami, the things that this woman can do!

If it weren't for the fact that it was Megumi who had though of that damned planned, he would have questioned the girls' sanity. But since it had been his Megumi that had plotted and convinced Jou-chan and Misao, Sano was certain that the Fox was just too damn brilliant.

And now, with his own dose of sheer brilliance he would be more than happy to watch her squirm and try not to act jealous. Well, hopefully she'll get jealous. It's not like she'd ever be interested in Kenshin that way… as in seriously. Sure he can take the constant flirting sessions she seemed to be accustomed to. But this is Kenshin we're talking about here. There is just no way that Kenshin would ever try and take Megumi from him. Not that he had already branded Megumi as his – and dammit he should've done that long ago, but there's just no point in tormenting himself with the dozens of things he should've done. Besides Kenshin was just way too whipped when it comes to Jou-chan.

Unlike Sano who might be in love with the damn wily Fox, but he'd never be at her mercy. Never.

He reconsidered this for a while. Ok, maybe, on some occasion, he can be her love slave. But then that would be it – a few moments of weakness that he'd be happy to give her. Other than that Megumi would just have to settle being his love slave. Besides, all of this confusion was partly her fault. If she hadn't been such a confusing bitch about their relationship she would never have resorted to doing this psychotically insane plane.

He wondered why the hell Misao had chosen him. Perhaps Megumi chose first and she just didn't want to spend her time with the Zen Master of Monosyllables. Sano suddenly felt quite sorry for his Jou-chan. Oh, the torture that she must endure! But then again, Megumi didn't seem to be having so much fun with Kenshin. And who could blame her? Kenshin's a nice guy and all, but he was worse than watching paint dry on a brick wall.

Misao was the only one who actually got lucky. Imagine her luck, being paired up with him. Sano wished he could say the same thing about her, but he still had faded marks of a bruise and he wasn't really looking forward to spending more time with Misao.

Check that. He'd love to spend more time with Misao, if only she would refrain from being too violent. Of course he had his shares of injury both from Jou-chan and Megumi, but those had been done out of love. With Misao, it seemed that she just needed to hit him to let her anger and frustrations out. Sano refused to be Aoshi-Substitute-Punching-Bag. If Misao wanted to hurt and needed to smack someone senseless that would be none other than Shinamori himself. For all of those times that he had coldly ignored Misao. The bastard surely deserved it.

Well, if there would be no violence from now on, how else was he supposed to interact with Misao?

You can start by calling her by her name and not Weasel Girl or Ass Kicker Ninja or Tomboy Mikamachi.

But it was so fun teasing her! It's almost like practicing his repartee with Megumi. Misao always knew how to fight back. May it be in words or in fists, although sometimes Sano wished she fought more with words. He could only take as much injury and with Megumi refusing to tend to his ailing muscles, it would be very difficult to get up at mornings and try to lightly seduce Misao. After all, he'd like to see Aoshi act like a jealous immature sixteen year old. That would be a sight to remember and marvel at. He'd have a field day telling that sort of story to Shinamori's great grand children.

If he really wanted that audience of blue-eyed ninja-chan's he'd have to start working out his strategy. How to confuse Weasel Girl? How to make Shinamori react? How to make Megumi jealous?

Damn, this plan was more complicated than he thought. He figured that the best way to accomplish all three objective was to just push Misao against the wall and kiss her breathless – but then that would entail the whole ripping of throats thing and Sano desperately needed his throat just in case Megumi decides to kiss him breathless. So he scratched that idea right off the bat.

He would just have to make use of his natural charm and oozing sex appeal. That wouldn't be considered cheating. Would it? Probably not since it wasn't his fault that both Aoshi and Kenshin were solely lacking in that skill. Sano stared outside. It didn't help that it was raining. He wondered what Misao would be interested in doing today. Something fun and physical at the same time and sex was definitely out of the question. He didn't want to know what Shinamori and Megumi would rip off from his body if he actually work on with that sort of plan. For the first time, he had run out of ideas.

Outside, the sound of laughing children made its way inside Sano's room and a moments later, two kids, a boy and girl came running across the street, happily splashing each other with mud. Sano smiled. Oh, to be young and dirty and not care at all. He laughed when the boy threw some mud at the girl's face. Of course, it was inherent for girls to retaliate and soon enough a mud fight was commenced.

The boy had a good aim but because the girl was a little taller he seemed to be on the losing end of this particular mud fight.

Boys mature late, physically, intellectually and emotionally, he heard Megumi's lecturing voice inside his head; it was a fact that Megumi never failed to remind him. In fact she'd always add the off hand comment that some men take years to mature in all aspect and she'd always be looking at him directly.

He'll show that damn Foxy emotional maturity! Oh, just she wait and see.

Outside the girl tackled the boy down to the ground.

Sano jumped to his feet and cheered on, watching with fascination as the two children rolled across the wet ground, soaked in rain.

And then inspiration hit him.

A slow smile began to appear on his face. Perfect. Just perfect! Now all he had to do was convince Weasel – er, Misao-chan! He quickly got dressed and headed towards Misao's room. This was going to be so fucking easy. Like taking a candy from a baby and very soon Megumi would be all putty in his hands! He was after all, more cunning than the Fox herself.

MISAO

It's raining! She let out a carefree giggle, so damn happy.

Well, maybe not that happy since she and Aoshi-sama were still not in speaking terms. Of course that was her fault for agreeing with Megumi's plan in the first place. She had been constantly kicking herself for letting Megumi-san trick her into going with this diabolically insane scheme.

And this was already the third day with nothing short of a miracle happening yet. In fact if she was to assess the situation, it had gone from bad to worse. Now it seems as though she would have to be competing with Kaoru-chan. And Megumi-san seemed to be wary of her too. What had she done anyway? All she did these past few days was to do bodily harm on Sano. Was it her fault that she was still charming as hell even when violent? And what about Aoshi-sama and Kaoru-chan? Was there actually something going on between the two of them? Kaoru-chan had been able to turn Himura into a blubbering idiot whenever she so much at looked at him, would she be able to do that Aoshi-sama? Why could she melt Aoshi-sama's Ice Wall when she couldn't? Would Aoshi-sama let her?

So naturally she had woken up feeling depressed.

She desperately missed Aoshi-sama. Whatever they had before, it was way better than this. Following him around like a lost puppy seemed better than not following him at all.

Misao closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. She tried to convince herself that she should not be grateful that Aoshi-sama was showering her with little attention. In fact she told herself that she needed to be assertive and tell Aoshi-sama that she did not appreciate his brushing her off and dammit, you might not love me as I love you, but I know you have feelings for me too, at least admit that and let me go on with my life!

Like she could actually say that in front of him.

Like he would actually take her seriously.

Which was why it was so refreshing to have Sano around for a change. Sure, with him she was always Weasel Girl or Misao Butt Kicker, but she guess she could live with that, at least with Sano, he actually listens to what she was saying, he reacts to her and best of all he lets her hit him. Which she was starting to feel guilty about. Does that mean that a part of her did liked Sano in some level?

Euw.

Well, maybe not really euw… more like… what the heck are you talking about? This is Sano were talking about! Have you lost your mind? He's got disgusting taste in clothes (shoes in particular), he's a horrible gamble, he talks loud, he's a lazy punk but he's also sweet when he wants to be. Like last night, when she was placing the smelly herbs on Sano's face ha had been patiently guiding her hands and his grip had felt… had felt strong but gentle at the same time. As though he was holding something so breakable and Misao had never been touched that way. Never with that care. And she enjoyed his nearness, the way that the brown strands of his hair commingled with wisps of her own dark raven hair. It felt almost intimate.

So maybe a part of her did liked Sano… but not love. Never love. What does Sano feel for her? She had always thought that Sano saw her only as the younger sister he could wrestle around with, because there was no way Kaoru-chan would agree to roll around the grass with Sano and Himura would definitely not approve. But lately, Sano had began treating her more like… more like the way he'd treat a girl friend of his. Not a kissy-kissy sort of girlfriend, more like a potential girlfriend.

What would Aoshi-sama say? Or do for that matter? Would he even care? 

These thoughts running through her head had made her feel a lot more miserable but when she heard the first sound of rain; the light tapping sound that soon became an insistent drumming against their wooden paneled wall and tile-covered roof, it was music to her ears. And she was suddenly transported back to a time when she would play with Aoshi-sama in the rain.

Does he still remember those days?

When he'd take her into his arms and swing her around and around until she was dizzy and almost crazy with laughter?

She remembered everything. In great detail. She relived this past over her head. Again and again, bringing her closer to the Aoshi that she knew, the Aoshi that she had adored and eventually fallen in love with.

Where was this Aoshi? Why was he suddenly hiding in that cold mask? She wished Aoshi-sama would tell her of how it had been when he went away, all those years that she had waited for him and when he came back, he was different, so very untouchable.

Oh good one Misao, you were starting to get happy and you just had to ruin it. You're a masochist aren't you?

Misao sighed. She hoped Sano was in a mood for a little playing in the rain. She could use that. And she'd really have to avoid hitting Sano. He's annoying of course, worse than Yahiko, but he had been really nice to her this past few days. In fact, he had even told her that she was beautiful.

No one had ever told her that. Well, there was Okina, but every girl was beautiful to him; even the old maid who sold sweets by the market, the one with all of her teeth gone. Shiro had also told her she was beautiful, but then again, like Okina, Shiro's idea of beautiful girls were highly questionable, Okon and Omasu had even said it so and then had laughed until their tears rolled down their eyes.

She had heard the sincerity in Sano's voice and she wondered why he had suddenly told her that. It was something that made her blush, but that was it. Her heart did not swell, not like it does whenever she caught Aoshi-sama looking at her – and those times, he had never said anything at all – just looked at her for a whole second and then turn his head away. Besides, Sano had said that she looked just like Kaoru-chan and Megumi-chan, beautiful when mad. For Sano, she wasn't really someone special and different.

It was so strange, being with Sano. All the time she would imagine what Aoshi-sama would say or do and Sano would always do the complete opposite and Misao was sure that she was doing the wrong thing. That she should be looking at Sano without having to see Aoshi-sama at the back of her head, because she would never be able to actually know how to love someone else, someone other than Aoshi-sama.

But she had a stubborn heart. What could she do? She could, for all of her life order her heart around and tell it to stop feeling for Aoshi-sama, to stop loving him and still, she was sure that her heart would never ever obey her. Beside what was the point of betraying herself?

Sure, she could see herself liking Sano… she could even see herself being with him, but there would always be that voice inside her head that would insist on Aoshi-sama.

It's raining. This ought to make her feel a lot better today. She hoped. She really hoped that it would.

AOSHI

He wondered what the hell was wrong with Battousai. The ex-hitokiri looked liked he was trying not to laugh at him.

So he was going to take Kamiya-san out for a walk? So what? He certainly did not think of it as something comical. Beside, he had decided that the best strategy on how to deal with Kaoru was to try and think like Himura.

And a walk around town was something that Battousai would definitely think of!

Aoshi took a deep breath and tried to assume a confident pose. He wasn't nervous. Not at all, in fact it seemed to him like he was doing a routinely task. His face darkened. He certainly hoped this was how Sagara was treating the damn plan. If he ever found out that the Punk so much as laid a finger on his Misao, well there would be more than tonsils being ripped out.

He wondered how it was the Sagara was able to see right through the girls when he and Kenshin hadn't? Sure he had known of the plan but not the why of the plan. For Sano to actually understand the girls' point of view had been a complete shock. Granted that it would have been tons better if he did not agree to this plan, he thought that the girls do need to get their answers. After all he would not want Misao to feel trapped in a love born out of habit. And he surely did not want the same thing to happen with Kamiya-san and Takani-sensei. He should've seen this fact, he should've understood it all once, but Sagara did. Which was quite discomforting. It seems that Sagara did have some expertise when it comes to women. He wasn't aware that the Punk was capable of any sort of expertise. Some people would paint Sagara as the loyal side-kick with half the brain. The comic, except most of the time he wasn't comedic, just plain idiotic. Maybe his stay here at the Aoiya had somehow fixed his foolishness.

Maybe you should've paid more attention to Misao. She isn't a two-dimensional child that you once deluded yourself into believing. She's got feelings. Feelings that you constantly ignore and hurt and because of that, she might actually get her answer and it would not include you in any way.

Aoshi clenched his teeth. He should quit referring himself in third person not only was it weird, it was also disturbing…

Quit stalling, Shinamori, just knock on the damn door. How hard could it be?

Right. Of course. Knock on the door. Fist against wood, that's how knocking works. He raised his hands again, poised to knock on Kamiya-san's door.

Wait! His mind ordered him.

What?

Well, what would you tell Kamiya-san?

Oh. Good question. Aoshi paused to consider this, how about, 'Ohayou Kamiya-san. Let's have a walk'. Direct and very formal.

That sounded like you're ordering her around!

Aoshi took a deep breath. This was a lot harder than he thought. When he had decided to ask Kamiya-san for a walk, crossing out several of his earlier ideas which included meditation by the temple (he knew that the Tanuki girl had hated that) and inviting her for tea (which he thought was too formal) or taking her again to Sae-san's restaurant for launch (too damn redundant), he had expected the whole procedure to be simple and easy to pull off. Well, it would have been if it hadn't rained. But he was already dead set on a walk that even if with the rain he was still determined to invite her outside. Besides he did not want to see the Chicken Head Punk being with Misao for the whole day. So he had searched the Aoiya for an old umbrella, after all it seemed like a nice idea, romantic even. Although he was positively not trying to be romantic at all. He imagined that being under one umbrella, on that level of closeness would bring some answers to Kamiya-san's questions. The same goes for everyone who had gotten themselves involved in this sordid event.

Okon had looked at him as though he had asked for a knitting kit instead of an old umbrella. She had asked what for and he answered her honestly, "I am going to take Kamiya-san out for a walk."

"In the rain?" Okon had asked raising her eyebrows. Aoshi nodded and he saw the pout forming on Okon's lips. Aoshi had smirked at this and followed Okon's eyes as she scowled on her kimono.

"New kimono Okon?" He had asked a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

Okon had pouted even more and sighed dejectedly. "Hai."

Aoshi merely shrugged and thought it was something Okon rightfully deserved and knowing her, she would definitely complain to Okina and therefore, give the old Man a real good headache. All the more reason for him to and have that darn walk in the rain. Before Aoshi had stepped out of the kitchen Okon again asked if he could just stay at the Aoiya today and have tea instead of wandering about the god-awfully muddied streets of Kytot. Aoshi had refused with a polite smile.

And now here he was, the same polite practiced smiled plastered across his lips. Don't use that ordering tone of voice Shinamori. Ask her kindly. You want her to think that you want her company today and not as though you're going to brief her for a mission.

Ok. He can do that. Aoshi cleared his throat and knocked on the door. After three knocks, and thoroughly turned off by Kamiya-san's seemingly the same sleeping habit as the Punk's, Aoshi was ready to knock one last time and if she still wasn't awake, well tough luck, he'll just have to abandon today's plan. He wasn't going inside that room to wake her up. Battousai might not just rip his tonsils if he found out that he entered her room. He raised his fist once more, but before his knuckles can even make contact with door, it slid opened.

Aoshi gaped at the sight before him.

Ok now, this is where it starts to get really tough Shinamori. He squared off his jaws and tried to be brave. And loyal.

Revenge is such a bitch sometimes.

End Note: Was it such a vague ending? Anyone wants to come back for chapter 13? Well, how did you guys find the last two chapters? I hope you all had fun reading it. Thank you so much for the reviews for chapter 10, I'm glad that you liked the whole tonsil ripping things! LOL! I appreciate them all! Please feel free to tell me what you want. Leave a review of e-mail me at purplewitch10@yahoo.com I'll try my best to respond! Next chapter: the girls get the shocks of their lives and the boys finally have fun! Chapter 13: Waking Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed coming, hopefully by next week. I've already have Kaoru and Aoshi's part done so… Hope to see you guys next chapter! Same time, same place! Ja ne!