Author's Note: Well, it's time for what you've all been waiting for! Now here's the festival! And yeah, sorry for updating late. For some reason I felt like needing more time to myself this time. But, at least I updated. So read the chapter fools!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not again...

Poor Misao had, for the third time now, been tied down. Ropes bound her arms and legs together as she sat on the floor, not a chair this time.

Unfortunately, from the past events, Kaoru, Okon, and Omesu wanted to make sure they didn't have to get as many bruises as they had before when they tried to get Misao into anything clothing related. When Misao woke up, she immediately noticed the ropes that the three women had used to tie her up while she was asleep.

Though having tried many times in the past, Misao struggled, bit, and did anything else she could think of to try to get out of the ropes. But...obviously she wasn't too successful considering her situation at the moment. So now all she was able to do was glare and curse at her three tormenters.

"You really slept like a log Misao," said Kaoru, watching her as Omesu and Okon went to get the kimono. "You slept most of the day yesterday and through half of today."

"I wish I slept through today," grumbled Misao.

"Don't worry Misao, the festival will be fun. You'll still have plenty of time with Soujiro even if you're wearing a kimono."

Misao felt her face redden slightly at the comment. She struggled against the ropes once again before giving up. Unless her nails or teeth were as sharp as her kunai, she wasn't going to be getting out of this anytime soon. So she just sat there, her back against the wall as she waited.

"I think you'll like the kimono Misao."

"..."

"You still hate me don't you?"

"..."

"You'll thank me later."

"..."

"Wear the kimono for a few minutes and if you don't like it you can take it off?"

Misao looked at Kaoru. "Two minutes."

"Twenty-five."

"Five."

"Twenty."

"Ten."

"Fifteen. And that's my final offer."

Misao sighed in defeat. "Deal."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Soujiro had his back against the wall of the Aoiya as he leaned against it. He stared at the floor, lost in thought as his same old smile stayed on his face. The only thing different about him was that his reverse blade wasn't hanging from his waist. For today, he had decided to go without it.

Kenshin sat nearby, his sword also having disappeared. With the idea of a fun filled night at the festival, the two Rurounis had decided to discard their weapons, not thinking that they would need them. Sano was lying on the floor, a piece of straw hanging from his mouth as he looked up at the ceiling.

"So...what do you see in her anyway?" asked Sano.

Soujiro blinked at the question. Looking at Sano, he tilted his head and looked at him questionably. "Hm?"

"Well you two do love each other don't you?"

Soujiro felt the redness creep up on his face at the question. Still, he only shook his head, chuckling nervously. "No it's not like that Sano. We're just really good friends."

Sano smirked. "Could've fooled me. I think you got the hots for her."

The redness increased on Soujiro's face. He bowed his head, avoiding Sano's gaze while it started to get a little harder to keep his smile on his face. Kenshin looked up at Soujiro, not able to help stop the small smile that formed.

Sano quirked an eyebrow at Soujiro. Sitting up, he stared down at Soujrio. "Well come on. Gonna ask her to marry her or what?"

"It...it's not like that," said Soujiro, not looking up. "She's my best friend. Sure she's the only girl that's close to my age that I have for a friend but...that's it."

"Not to mention that you're around her a lot," said Sano, holding up his hand. He started ticking stuff off on his fingers. "She hasn't rearranged your face yet. She doesn't seem to get that angry with you the way she does with me. You don't call her weasel girl."

"And I think she enjoys your company," put in Kenshin. "Also, she had defended you even when you were still the Tenken."

Soujiro looked up at Kenshin. Despite his face being emotionless, the former Battousai thought that a look suddenly appeared on Soujiro's face that basically screamed 'Traitor!'. But before he could check, the former Tenken had that face that held no emotions once again.

"I'm starting to see a pattern here," Sano spoke again. "Kenshin goes from Battousai to Rurouni. Then he meets Kaoru and now they're getting married. And Soujiro here goes from Tenken to Rurouni. He meets Misao so...guess he'll marry her." He shook his head. "The Rurounis are such unfortunate ones."

A brush suddenly spun in the air before beaning Sano behind his head. Yelping, Sano clutched the back of his head, a bruise already forming. Kenshin and Soujiro looked up to see Sano's attacker.

Tapping her foot, her arms crossed, Kaoru glared at the former fighter for hire as she sat on top of the stairs. Sano glanced up at her and grinned sheepishly. Kaoru glared at him for a few more seconds before looking at Kenshin and Soujiro. Her glare disappeared and a smile took its place.

"Since I have your attention," she said. "Look and behold Makimachi Misao!" Stepping to the side, Kaoru removed herself from the men's view so they could see Misao.

...Except there was no Misao.

A few seconds ticked passed and sweatdrops started to form on the three men's heads. Kaoru's smile disappeared. Chuckling nervously, she turned and bowed at them. "Be right back."

The three watched as the dojo instructor turned and disappeared from their view. A few more seconds ticked passed. Then quiet voices were heard.

"I changed my mind. I don't want to do this!"

"Whoever said you had a choice Misao?"

"I didn't ask you Okon!"

"You look great Misao, don't worry."

"Yeah Omesu is right. Soujiro will love you anyway."

At that, both Kenshin and Sano turned to a fidgeting Soujiro. Kenshin tried to hide his smile. But Sano didn't do anything to hide the smirk. The former Tenken found it harder to keep his smile on his face.

"What have I told you about that Kaoru?"

"Quit whining Misao. We already got you dressed up so you might as well go out there."

"No!"

A sigh.

"Omesu. Okon."

Sounds of a struggle soon broke out.

"No no no! Don't you dare!"

Misao's protests went unheard though. To prove it, the ninja girl was suddenly pushed into the men's line of view. Stumbling, she fell flat on her face. That caused more sweatdrops to appear on the two Rurounis and the fighter for hire's heads. Grumbling to herself, Misao pushed herself up, brushing some locks of black hair that got into her eyes. But now the three man audience was able to see her getup.

She was not in her usual ninja outfit for starters. Instead, her attire had been switched to that of a blue kimono. Embroided rainbow fish had been sewn into the kimono and a purple obi completed the outfit. And instead of her usual braid, Misao's hair had been freed to go down her back like a silky black waterfall.

Soujiro could've sworn he felt his heart stop for a second. His eyes were slightly wide and his mouth dropped open a centimeter.

This wasn't the first time he had seen Misao in a kimono. When he still was the Tenken and had been assigned by Shishio to guard Misao so she wouldn't escape, she had once been dressed in a kimono. But back then, her black hair had been a mass of tangles, and some blood from the wounds she had gotten from trying to escape her prison had been smeared onto it. Not to mention the kimono had been Yumi's, so Misao was a little small for it.

This was different. Her hair wasn't in a mass of tangles. It was straight and smooth, even a dropped pin could probably run down though her hair easily. The blue kimono had been newly made and fitted her perfectly.

True, Soujiro had thought of her as beautiful last night as she slept. Even though there was no moonlight to shine her pale face, she still seemed beautiful to him. And the blush that appeared on Misao's face as she smiled nervously only gave her that much more beauty.

The ninja girl fidgeted with her kimono nervously. Seeing the look on Soujiro's face as he stared at her only caused her to redden more. She hung her head to avoid his gaze. Stupid Kaoru for having her do this.

After having been forcefully dressed, Misao wasn't able to help but admit that Omesu, Okon, and Kaoru had done a good job on the kimono. It fit her perfectly. Still...she had a bit of trouble moving now that the kimono interfered with her leg space. Then her confidence seemed to disappear when she remembered that she was going to wear this in front of Soujiro.

She didn't know why she was worried about Soujiro seeing her like this. The idea of Kenshin and Sano seeing her like this didn't bother her that much. But the idea of Soujiro seeing her wearing a kimono caused her confidence to suddenly disappear.

'Come on Misao!' she scolded herself silently. 'This isn't the first time he saw you in a kimono after all!'

A hand on her shoulder pulled Misao out of her thoughts. The ninja girl turned and saw Kaoru, smiling at her. Though still embarrassed, Misao was still able to glare at her.

"Well it looks like everyone is ready," Kaoru said, still smiling. "So let's get to that festival."

Looking down at the stares, Misao gulped a little. It was a bit hard for her to walk in a kimono without tripping. Nevertheless, she went down them as Kaoru walked next to her.

"Fifteen minutes," Misao whispered quietly to Kaoru.

"I know I know," assured Kaoru, still smiling.

Misao couldn't help but wonder if the almighty Kami had magically made more steps added to the stairs then there were before. Either way, she was glad when she reached the final step. Unfortunately for her, her thinking of actually being able to go down the stairs without falling caused her to lower her guard. Destiny decided to take over and Misao suddenly felt herself tripping over her kimono and falling forward.

Only to be stopped from falling onto the ground by a pair of arms.

Blinking, Misao looked up to see Soujiro, who had moved to the stairs when he saw her struggling to not trip. Seeing their position, her face reddened as did Soujiro's. After he helped her back up to her feet, Misao took a few steps away from him, trying to hide her reddened face.

Kaoru giggled silently to herself at seeing it as she clung to the arm of her husband to be. Kenshin smiled to himself and Sano just smirked.

"Well we might as well get going," said Sano. "The day isn't exactly going to stop for us."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The moon and the stars weren't the only things that were lighting up the night. Small flames were burning on candles all over the place where the festival was being held. People were chatting, walking around, playing games, eating food, and anything else you do at a festival.

Misao stared with wide eyes at the scene. A smile tugged at her face as she watched. Even though she was wearing a kimono, she was glad that she was able to come here.

"This is great," she said, smiling as she looked around. Where to start where to start? Play a game? Try some food? Wait, food first.

At the mention of food, the ninja girl's stomach suddenly growled. Her face reddened once again when she heard the others chuckle behind her. She turned to face Soujiro, Kenshin, and Kaoru. Sano had already left, probably looking for wherever he can find someplace to get some alcohol.

Misao grimaced at the thought of alcohol. She was never going to drink that stuff again. No way was she going to suffer through another headache like she had before. Not to mention how her memory suffered.

Speaking of her memory...

During her hangover, bits and pieces of Misao's memory started coming back to her. She was barely able to remember the bar now, and even to where she had woken up in the bathhouse. She couldn't remember what had happened after that.

At first that is.

It happened during the morning of today. Having woken up, and not wanting to get up after yesterday, the ninja girl went back to sleep. Surprisingly, her dream started off with her waking up in the bathhouse, which was the extent of her memory.

Then the dream got interesting.

Her dream self had gotten out of the bath, not worrying about how cold and wet she probably was. Walking over behind a shirtless Soujiro, who was looking for a new gi and not noticing her, the dream Misao had wrapped her arms around him from behind. Some words were exchanged, words that Misao wasn't able to remember. Soujiro turned, or more like Misao turned him, around and stared at her, more words being exchanged.

And then the dream Misao kissed him.

That was when the real Misao had woken up, which was when Kaoru, Omesu, and Okon had tied her up. While Omesu and Okon had went to get her kimono, Misao spent the whole time thinking over her dream. Then...she realized that her dream wasn't just a dream.

It had really happened. The talking, the kiss, everything.

Misao couldn't help but glance at Soujiro, her face reddening at the memory. She was just glad it was a dark enough to hide her blush.

She couldn't believe it! How could she have done that!? She kissed Soujiro. She KISSED him! What had possessed her to do that!? Oh yeah...she was drunk.

But what did Soujiro think of her now? He didn't seem effected by the event, but then again...he was known for not showing emotion. Misao sighed.

"Well what are we waiting for?" asked Kaoru. "Let's start having some fun!" Grabbing onto Kenshin's arm, Kaoru immediately ran forward, with Kenshin crying out 'Oro!'

Of course the readers probably know this is just the dojo instructor's plan to leave Soujiro and Misao to be alone.

Anyway...

"Ready Misao?" asked Soujiro cheerily.

Misao only found herself nodding, following Soujiro as he started making his way to the several stands, questions still swimming around in her head.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note: Yeah yeah, short short, sorry sorry. And yeah, you're probably going to hurt me for stopping here. But ha! None of you know where I live so ha! Anyway, don't worry. I swear that the next chapter won't take as long to put up as this had been. And it'll be full of Soujiro/Misao! So, review please!