Summary: Aoshi and Misao are happily married? That should've been the case, but Misao realizes that she was just deluded by that fantasy. Oh, they were married all right, but not happily. What happened? That's what she is going to figure out. A/M.

Happily Ever After? Hardly.

By Tesuka- chan

Chapter 5

Midnight Glass Slipper

And who was the magical prince then? Of course, it was Aoshi-sama.

Aoshi.

And he was staring right at me.

I was lost in those cerulean eyes.

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"Arigatou, Ginji- kun!" I waved my hand at the retreating figure of the handsome young delivery man. I was so happy… the gift that I've ordered for my husband had arrived. Of course, it must be in all secrecy or it wouldn't be a surprise for his birthday, wouldn't it?

I clutched the wrapped package against my chest. It was late and they must already be looking for me. I turned around to go back to the Aoiya –

– and bumped into something. Cursing my clumsiness, I stood back and saw a cloth in front of me… with arms and legs.

My eyes widened.

But before I could react, my wrists were harshly captured and raised above my head. The package fell on the forest floor. My body was slammed against a tree and a weight was smashed against me in less than a second. Still wide- eyed, I stared at my attacker, my heart thumping fast enough to race a train.

It was Aoshi.

He was in a state that I have never seen before. His hair was slightly disheveled, and he was breathing roughly. I could feel the unleashed tension in his whole body as he controlled himself from hurting me any further. His eyes – kami-sama – his eyes were smoldering! My heart stopped in fear.

"Who is he?" He whispered out roughly, harshly.

"W-what are you doing? Let me go, Aoshi!"

"Who the HELL is HE?!" He was breathing heavily. Like a raging river. I was utterly terrified.

"A-a delivery man!" My voice was trembling, as well as my whole body.

He laughed, mocking, as his right hand spanned my tiny waist and caressed, hitting a soft spot. I cried out as my legs suddenly gave away. But he still held me up with his left arm around both of my wrists. "No lies, Misao. I saw you meeting with him a few times before. Now," he said, his voice dangerously low, "who is he?"

"I told you Aoshi! He's a delivery man!" I began to sob helplessly. This wasn't Aoshi! My Aoshi was controlled, sure of himself… he wouldn't hurt me! I looked at this man, begging for him to understand even if I myself didn't understand at all.

"He delivered my surprise gift for you! For your birthday!" My tears came. "Please, Aoshi, don't hurt me… please."

His eyes widened and his hold on me loosened, his face drained of all anger. Then he encircled his arms around me, gentle and trembling. He hid his face on the crook of my neck. "I-I thought… that you were…" He began kissing my neck desperately. I tentatively brought up my arms and hugged him back. I didn't understand what just happened, but I'm glad that it's over. This was my Aoshi now.

Then he brought up his hands and cupped my face. "You're mine, you know," he murmured against my tremulous lips. Then he kissed me so passionately, almost desperately. I kissed him back with everything I felt. I knew that I was his. And that he was mine. Completely.

His kisses went down to my throat, and I heard me murmur, "Mine only." Then he bit down hard until I bled, marking me. I moaned and cried out.

We ended up making love on the forest floor that night.

All those nights, all that passion.

Both of us were insatiable – we couldn't get enough of each other. His possessiveness touched me, his strength comforted me. Even his jealousy made me feel all the more loved.

Love? Was it really there? Or maybe it was just lust all along.

I know the truth now.

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A lacy sleeve passed through my eyes and cut off our eye contact.

I snapped out of my reverie and realized that most of the women in the room had gone up the stairs and fawned upon him. Aoshi. My husband. I smelled their sickeningly sweet perfumes, heard their disgustingly shy giggles, saw all their outrageous flirting. They were all vying for his attention. I couldn't stand it.

I wanted to vomit.

I quickly made my way towards the side door, but due to the stampede of skirts and frills, I somehow ended up in a balcony. Damn these European styled mansions! Why couldn't they make it simple? I leaned against the railing and took a deep breath of the fresh air. I needed to calm down, to think about what happened.

My hand involuntary went up to my neck. I felt the small, almost imperceptible scar there. It was from that night in the forest. I swallowed, wondering why the hell I remembered that night all of a sudden. Really, this night was just full of memories.

I sighed.

Why is this happening now? Why is Aoshi up there? And why are there so many gorgeous women – both foreigners and Japanese – wanting his attention? I was so confused. I didn't know that he would be here, or that this party was held in his honor for that matter. Oh darn it, my feelings and thoughts are whirling in a chaotic twister right now. I shivered and covered my arms around myself.

One thing's for sure, I need to get out of here.

"Misao- san?"

I stiffened.

"Misao-san, it's me… Soujiro!" The voice said cheerily. I whipped around, the smooth skirt of my dress whirling at my movement. I was so relieved. It really was Soujiro! He standing by the doorway and was wearing a blue outfit which suited him well. As usual, he had a smile on his face. I never knew that I would ever be so happy seeing that smile.

Wait a minute… this was all his fault!

My expression suddenly shifted from relief to anger. I pointed at him vehemently. "YOU!"

He held up his arms comically and said in defense, "Maa, maa! I was just trying to help, Misao-san!"

"You're the one who did this! You set me up! What are you doing here anyway?"

"Well I – "

"And I fell for it! I, the ever-so-stupid Misao fell for it!"

"But Misa – "

"A- and now I can't go back out there! I can't risk facing him again!" I cried our in despair. A little bit more and I'd be hysterical. I was trembling so violently that I couldn't see straight.

Soujiro suddenly grabbed my wrist and said in an annoyingly cheerful voice, "Why don't we dance, shall we?" Then he added in a whisper, "I'll explain everything. Just go with me now, other people are staring. You don't want to make a scene now, do you, Sao-kun?"

I looked around and true enough, a stunned couple was staring at us from the doorway. I attempted a trembling smile and went with Soujiro out to the dance floor.

He sure has a hell lot of explaining to do!

Then I remembered… I can't dance!

I poked angrily at Soujiro and whispered, "Sou-kun! I can't dance!"

He paused, thinking. Then his face suddenly brightened and he clapped his hands, saying, "Sou na… me too!"

I rolled my eyes. This is getting ridiculous! "Come on, let's just get out of here."

"Misao-san! We're in the middle of the dance floor… it'll be impossible until the song ends! Let's just try it, shall we? It's a slow one after all." He grinned.

Of all the – ugh!! I slammed my hands on his shoulders, wanting to get this over with. I saw him wince and I laughed inwardly. Serves him right for doing this to me! He gently brought his hands around my waist.

I glared at him. He smiled back. We stood there for a time, then we started to shuffle. Left, right. Left, right. I could feel eyes glancing strangely at us. My face was as red as a tomato. From embarrassment? Anger? Frustration? All of the above. Soujiro is a dead man after this.

"Speak." I glared.

"Okay, okay!" He sighed and paused as if thinking of what to say. "Well, it's like this. A kid handed me some papers and a whole envelope full of money in the market about a week ago."

I raised my right eyebrow.

"In one paper was that party invitation that you read before. And in another one, there were instructions to make you go here by any means. I was to use the money to prepare you." He paused again. He looked uncertain.

"Who sent it?"

"I can honestly say that I don't know."

I looked at him skeptically.

"It wasn't signed."

I scowled. "Then why did you do it then? Did you even know that Aoshi is here? That it was probably a set up to bring him and me together?"

He looked surprised. "No, I didn't know that he was here." His brows burrowed, worried. "All I know about this party was that the guest of honor is looking for a wife," then his tone shifted to a lighter note. "I thought that it might help you get over HIM if you meet the guest of honor. And then you'll fall in love with him and he'll fall in love with you and you'll live happily ever after!" He wiggled his eyes jokingly.

I didn't catch the humor in that. I didn't even hear the words he said after that second one: All I know about this party was that the guest of honor is looking for a wife.

Aoshi… is obviously the guest of honor. And… he's looking for a wife?

That bastard!

Who the hell does he think he is? It's only a year after I've gone and he's already looking for a goddamn wife? He didn't even look for me! He didn't even try to go after me! I didn't even see posters around Japan with my face on it! Instead of looking for me, he looks for a wife!

Then the truth struck me. Even though I went through all those great lengths to hide my true identity – hell, even going as far as pretending to be a boy – the truth is, I WANTED him to look for me. I WANTED him to come after me. I was hoping all this time… it's just that I wasn't conscious of it. And now I'm disappointed because I know that it's not going to happen. He wanted a new wife. Not me.

But the thought that kept whirling around my head was: he didn't even try. I was crushed. I wanted to cry. After a year of being strong, I suddenly wanted to just let it all out and cry.

I swear, it's like my feelings rode on a ship and traveled all around the world and back again.

"Anou… Misao- san? Misao-san… MISAO- SAN!!!"

My head snapped up. "What?"

Worried eyes looked back at me. "You've been standing there for a whole minute. Other people might notice that we can't really dance at all…"

I got angry, probably the result of all that kicking and tramping on my heart tonight, but I REALLY got angry. "Look, I can't dance and I won't, Soujiro, so I'm getting out of here! I don't care about the bet, I don't care about that apple, and I sure as hell don't care about this party so I'm leaving!"

I pulled away, angry at men, angry at circumstances, angry at the world. There are just some days (or nights) I feel that the world is against me, and this is definitely one of those nights. I whirled around, looking for any exit. I bumped into a couple of people, but I didn't pay them any mind. I guess it was rude of me but, hey, that's the least of my problems. I had to get out before Aoshi sees me. Again.

"Misao-san!" I heard Soujiro call out.

I stared straight ahead. There it was! The door was only a few annoying gaijins away! Determined, I cut my way through like a sharp kunai. Then before I knew it, I was outside! Free! I breathed (more like wheezed) a sigh of relief. I took one last look back at the mansion behind me. I guess this is it. I won't see Aoshi anymore ever. I won't harbor that hope ever again. I smiled sadly and turned to trek the long way back to the inn –

– and bumped into something.

Oh for Kami-sama's sake! I took a step back and glared at the thing that I bumped into. My eyes widened. I suddenly had a feeling of déjà vu. Oh… piffle.

It was Aoshi.

"I'm sorry," He said quietly in a low voice and bowed slightly.

What?

I stood there, astonished, looking like an idiot. Sorry? SORRY? That's it? After all he said that night, after using me for money? Did he honestly believe that I would forgive him just like that? I don't think so! I glared at him, my gloved hands forming into fists.

He looked at me strangely for a moment then asked, "Are you all right, miss?"

Okay, I'm confused. Did he just call me "miss"?

Oh.

He didn't recognize me.

Then why was he apologizing? Oh yeah. He bumped into me. I blinked a few times, my anger deflating. He really doesn't recognize me? I peered up at him, looking at those blue eyes. He looked distant and distracted. And… unnerved. What is going on?

Don't you know me at all, Aoshi?

That was the blow of all blows. No wonder he was looking for a wife. He forgot all about his first one, I thought bitterly. I looked away, not being able to bear it. I might as well be just a speck of dust in the wind. I fought the urge to cry.

I took two steps back, ready to flee. "I- I'm okay." I couldn't meet his eyes.

"Shinomori Aoshi."

Startled, I looked up. I must've had a confused face because he held out his hand and explained, "I'm Shinomori Aoshi."

Well now, this is an amusing turn of events. My husband was hitting on a woman whom he evidently doesn't know that she was his wife. I wanted to laugh hysterically. My hysteria probably rose to the surface because I found myself shaking his hand and smiling up at him. "I'm… M- Miki. Just that."

His lips quirked upwards in an amused half-smile. "Nice to meet you then, Miki Just-that."

Then to my Sane Self's chagrin, I was suddenly giggling and laughing out loud, right in front of him. I couldn't stop! This was utterly hilarious! My knees are weakening from laughing so hard. I reached out and grabbed something before I collapse. My eyes were tearing up and my breathing was becoming short. Oh Kami… I had to calm down. It took a lot of will power, but after a few minutes, my hysterical laughter finally toned down into hiccups. I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath. Steady now. I loosened my grip on… AOSHI'S ARM?!

I quickly let go. I could feel my face warm up. Damn… I really am acting crazy today. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. No one ever really laughed like that around me except…" He hesitated and looked away.

I quirked an eyebrow.

"Nevermind." He said. I know what he was about to say. Except his wife. Me. I scoffed inwardly. Oh, the irony of it all. Damn, I really should go before he figures out who I really am –

"Will you dance with me?" He asked suddenly.

"A-ahh.. w-well, I d-don't really know h-how to– " I managed to stutter out before he laid his huge left hand on my waist and caught my left hand with his right. Then he moved closer to me and whispered in my ear, "Just follow my lead."

I was stupefied. Since when did he learn how to dance? Then he started to move, and I had no choice but to move with him because he was pressing my body close to his. Too close for my comfort actually. I concentrated on my feet, trying to avoid stepping on his. I was disconcerted, not to mention nervous. What was I doing? I should be getting out of here! My panicked eyes looked around for another human being. Nothing. There was absolutely no one outside, here in the courtyard.

"Relax. You're a natural." I heard him say. I looked up at him and I swear I could see the amusement in those deep blue eyes.

I got frustrated. "Just to let you know, I didn't want to be here in the first place." I blurted out.

"I'm not one for parties either," he said. "I had to do this to look for my wife."

"You mean a wife." I grumbled. He didn't reply. "There are a lot of beautiful women inside… why don't you use your charms on them? I'm not exactly the willing, fawning type," I retorted. I'll say anything to get out. I couldn't possibly wrench myself away, his grip was too strong.

"Well, that isn't exactly what I was looking for."

I arched my eyebrow, curious. "Oh? And what kind of wife ARE you looking for?"

"She should be beautiful, petite, full of energy, and as much as possible, unwilling," he answered, his eyes having that knowing gleam. My own widened and I panicked. Does he know already? No… he couldn't have. Damn. I REALLY have to go.

The grandfather clock started to strike the twelfth hour.

*DONG*

"There must be somebody like that inside," I said quickly, desperately. I tugged at my hand. He wouldn't let go!

*DONG*

"No need… I already found her," he said quietly. He looked deep into my eyes.

*DONG*

I turned away. "If you're referring to me, I'm not her." I looked around the courtyard. I need to go! This is getting too dangerous!

*DONG*

"And why not?" He asked. He tightened his hold. If my heart wasn't beating wildly before, it sure as hell is beating wildly now. I couldn't stand this! I can't give in to him!

*DONG*

"Because I'm not beautiful!" I almost shouted. Desperation surfacing, I stared right back at him and begged, "Please, let me go...."

*DONG*

He leaned towards me, our noses an inch away from each other. "You are beautiful. And I can't do that."

*DONG*

I ignored the compliment. I was beyond panic now. And I was… melting. But I can't! I have to be strong… this man was a liar! I have to remember that… that he used me! I gritted my teeth and with all the vehemence that I could muster, I asked, "And why the hell not?"

*DONG*

"Because," he leaned closer and spoke against my mouth, "you're mine, you know."

My eyes widened.

"Mine only. Did you forget that?" He said huskily then captured my lips with his. He kissed me passionately, deeply, and with a hunger so fierce that I was scared with its force. My hands shook, my body trembled. I couldn't think at all… I didn't even try to think. The dwindling rational self protested, but the old rash, instinctive self wanted more. What to do?

*DONG*

I held his shoulders.

*DONG*

And I realized that I wanted this too… I wanted this so, so much. So I kissed him back.

*DONG*

We drew apart. I looked at him – that swollen mouth, that soft hair, those broad shoulders, those melted eyes.

And I ran away.

*DONG*

The sound reverberated through the night, giving that ominous sense of finality.

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Looking back I remembered something that I left.

I didn't leave a glass slipper, you know. But I left something more precious than that.

I left my shattered glass heart.

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"… and I want you to know

I found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new…

… and the reason is YOU."

~ The Reason by Hoobastank

~~~

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Author's notes: I heard that song 3 TIMES today. It was begging me to put it here… so I did! And it fit! WAHAHAHA!!! It's so nice… *tear* This is twice as long as the usual chapter! I hope you're happy minna- san! :P

Thanks so much for all the flattering reviews!!! Gosh, I feel so awful not being able to reply to you guys here… :( But I shall email! Thanks a bunch again and please read and review! Arigatou! ^_^