Chapter 17 - Almost Beyond Hope

By: Ochako107

Standard disclaimer applies

"To your left, Karou! The security box is to the left!" Sagara Sanosuke called into the microphone as Megumi sat next to him typing away on her laptop in the air vents.

"What's the pin number?" Kaoru began punching in the numbers to the code box. Lately the roles had been switched around slightly. None of their missions seemed to be as intense as the one occurring six months ago at the Shishio estate. The group still stuck together sharing jobs equally. The electronic door finally opened up and Kaoru loaded her gun. Long had they given up their swords and taken to the modern guns since their missions have not been as extreme. Breaking into top secret buildings and busting drug operations was the usual these days.

"Come on, Aoshi, let's go." She waved over the taller man as he kicked down a few guards. They ran down the cold sterile hallways. "Okay, now what, Sano?"

"Wait…" In the background they could hear the soft clicking of a keyboard. "…What, Megumi? Oh yeah… yeah… okay Kaoru, the office is coming up but be careful. There is an electronic laser system that could turn off right before the door. It's sensitive to heat and movements so don't touch it."

"Sure, piece of cake." Aoshi looked down at the younger girl who was snickering to herself.

"Kaoru, you can't honestly…" Aoshi didn't get to finish his sentence as Kaoru rushed off to set off the laser system, making a red light above blink and sirens go off.

Kaoru laughed insanely as Megumi took hold of the microphone. "You baka tanuki! What did you do that for?! Are you trying to get yourself killed, we said DON'T TOUCH IT!"

"Che, they were bound to come in sooner or later anyway! They might as well get their butts beat by me now." Kaoru called back as she prepared herself. Aoshi reloaded his two guns and took Kaoru's back. Sure enough eight guards came into the hallway. "Ready, Aoshi?" All she received was a slight nod. The guards all came rushing at them like a stampede while shooting their guns wildly. "Amateurs." Kaoru held her ground and shot two of the guards on the arm, making them fall back. Aoshi rushed towards them and punched out two more. Kaoru began battling with one as he tried to hit her with the butt of the empty gun.

She took hold of his arm and pulled down as she bent down, popping her left foot up to kick him in the face with her heel. She sprung back up and elbowed him away from her while kicking another guard who was running up behind her. She grabbed her gun from her holster and smacked him down with the side of the gun.

Aoshi flipped over the remaining two and kicked off of them, forcing the unfortunate guards to the ground from the sheer force of the kick. They staggered up to meet two guns pointing directly at their heads. "Call off the other guards and do not fight us anymore or I will blow your heads clear off your shoulders." He narrowed his eyes. "And I do not break promises."

Kaoru dusted off her black clad outfit. "Hey, I'd listen to him guys. I hear he defeated one of the strongest swordsman with his eyes closed and survived a huge explosion without a mark on his back." The two guards looked at each other them back to Aoshi, whom was still staring at them with empty eyes.

"PLEASE DON'T KILL US!"

Aoshi pushed the guns to the small of their back. "Start walking."

"No! Help us, someone!"

Kaoru snorted while covering her laugh. Before leaving, without turning around Aoshi asked, "You can take care of it yourself right?"

"Sure, go ahead, Aoshi." He led the two blubbering men out of the hall as Kaoru cracked her knuckles. "Okay, Sano, I'm going in."

"Well why are you tell me? It isn't like you listened to me when I TOLD you not to touch the laser system! Who is the one giving commands here, Kamiya?!" She could just see his angry face.

"Okay okay, gez… don't get your panties in a wad."

"WHAT DID YOU--?"

"Okay, Kaoru." Megumi called in interrupting Sano's string of curse words. "Don't get his angry, only God knows that we might fall out of their cramped air vent and… AH RAT! Sano, Sano kill it!"

"Where?!"

"There! Ahhh!" Suddenly the line went dead as Kaoru figured Megumi was trying to desperately get out of the vent now. She shrugged and put the ear chip away figuring she'd be on her own now.

She slipped the cool metal gun back into its holster and walked toward the last door slowly. 'Probably a few men in there, waiting for me. I only have two more rounds so if I go straight to the leader, I can force everyone to put their guns down…' She thought. Her finger itched to turn the handle, when a light thump hit the door. "What?" She instantly pushed the door open and ran into the room with her gun poised at eye level. She was ready to fight when a flash of dark blue wisped past her wide sapphire eyes. Her eye brows furrowed in confusion but she flicked her gun to the left, seeing the figure moving rapidly. 'So he's trying to run eh?!' She found a low table next to her.

Kaoru quickly stood up and slammed her left foot down on the table to flip it up into her hands. She threw the table at the man in a blue uniform's legs aiming perfectly to trip him up. A silent victory when she saw him fall.

The man began getting up, but she ran behind him, yanking his arm behind his back and wrapping one of her long legs around his waist as she pulled him to the floor. Before he could squish the smaller girl under him, she swung her body on top of him so he was straddled between her legs, his whole body rendered useless. The next moment, he found a gun pointing at his head but Kaoru could not see his face hidden beneath his uniform hat.

"Get up, and I shoot. Don't think just because I'm a girl I wouldn't do it you sick--"

"Kaoru-dono?" Kaoru twitched.

"You…" She let her left hand off of her gun and yanked the hat off of the man, revealing a mass of red tendrils to fall out of the hat. She stared down at him in complete shock while her gun dropped limply to her side. His wide violet eyes started up at her as a pregnant silence followed. "Kenshin?"

"Hello darling." He smiled up at her. "You really have improved your combat skills from the very first time I sparred with you. Last I remember, I was the one on top of you." He laughed innocently. "Not that I don't mind you being more aggressive."

"Kenshin."

"Yes, Kaoru?"

She looked around the room at all the guards that were unconscious. "What are you doing here?"

"Ah, I was undercover."

"Why didn't I know about that?"

"Actually, I didn't know you were here either. Shishou told me I had a 'special' assignment to work alone."

"That's weird. Dad probably did it for his own sick torture to you. He really likes to pick on you, Kenshin."

The redhead looked up at Kaoru. "It's okay. This one is used to it. I was unfortunately discovered a few minutes before you came in and had no choice but to knock them out. The leader became fearful and locked himself in that closet." She and Kenshin turned to the door to hear a squeak come out.

"But why did you run, Kenshin? When I came into the room I mean."

"Um… you looked really mad and I was trying to find a place to hide."

Both people laughed as Kaoru slapped Kenshin lightly on the cheek. "You're so funny."

Kenshin put his hands on Kaoru's small waist as she blushed in a heart beat. "K…Kenshin! What are you doing, you pervert?!"

"Lifting you off of me since I cannot breath." Kaoru found herself being placed next to Kenshin wish her mouth in a shape of an 'o'. Kenshin patted her head as he got up from the ground. He straightened his uniform and looked at Kaoru also getting up muttering 'sorry, sorry…' He just chuckled. She acted like a child being caught for saying a dirty word.

"Do you think he will come out peacefully?" Kaoru asked as Kenshin walked to the closet door.

"Perhaps." He opened the door slowly only to be pushed back as the quivering man fell to his knees.

"PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! I WON'T DO IT EVER AGAIN!"

Out of surprise, Kaoru whipped out her gun and aimed at the man.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Kenshin pulled the leader of the company by the scruff, his voice hardening. "Stop yelling, you are making a fool out of yourself." The fellow settled for sniffling as the three made their way out the building.

"That was too easy. He practically threw himself at us." Kaoru mused to herself. It didn't matter really. Every assignment these days seemed easy. Nothing to spice up the missions no real danger, no real strategy. So bland… Kaoru took a deep breath as they walked into the sickeningly bring sunlight. Sano and Megumi stood off the side with a few fellow PCW officers and Aoshi waved to them slightly. Suddenly, the fellow that was held capture didn't give up as easily. He elbowed Kenshin in the ribs, and took off.

"Get him!" Kaoru yelled. Megumi's eyes widened, but her face was full of determination as she pulled it into high gear and sped off.

"Come back here!" She screamed. She began catching up to him and grabbed the white collar of his dress shirt. He tripped up and skidded on the hard concrete. Megumi was about to come back at him when he kicked his foot up, right at her chin. Megumi fell down with a cut lip.

"Stupid woman, you think you can catch me?"

"Ha, keep talking buddy." Megumi licked her lips, tasting the copper taste of her own blood. Her eyes gave off a scary aura that would have put Aoshi to shame. "I know I can catch you." Megumi got to her feet as the persistent man tried to escape. She once again caught up to the slower male this time predicting his swing towards her face. She ducked and punched him under his arm pit, causing him to shriek like a school girl. She pulled his arm towards her, swinging him behind her like a helpless fly tangled in a black widow's web.

He looked up trying to shield the light from his eyes as a lengthy figure loomed over him. Megumi had a small bomb laced between her fingers. "Now stay here."

On cue, Sano ran over and cuffed the scoundrel. He winked in Megumi's direction. "Good job."

"I had a good teacher."

The two shared a tender moment before Sano kicked the cuffed man in the butt. "Okay, off to jail with you, punk."

Kaoru watched Sano and Megumi walked back with him in cuffs. Another day, another crime, wasn't it everything she'd wanted? If so… why did she still feel so damn incomplete?

"Sanosuke?" Megumi asked. "Are you sure it's okay to be taking this vacation?"

The following weekend, Sano and Megumi began packing for their trip. Sano jumped on his suitcase trying to smash his belonging down so he could zip it up. "Of course! Fox, you need this, and besides, I'll be right next to you. Didn't you want to travel? You're not going to let me down now are ya?" Sano said giving her puppy eyes.

Megumi pushed her heavy luggage down the stairs towards the cab that would take them to the airport and sighed. "No, but I don't know… a whole year and a half away from my friends. Aren't you the least worried? Kaoru will be with Kenshin but still, who will make sure she gets home okay? And she might kill Ken-san with her cooking. Aoshi won't have you to bother him into getting out of the house. And…"

Sano also pushed his suitcase down the stairwell, and hugged Megumi from behind. "You are a worry wart, Fox. They can take care of themselves and, hey! Without you breathing down their back, maybe they can go do 'stuff'. Ya know…"

She gasped and turned to face her boyfriend. "Sanosuke!"

"Aw come on, like you didn't think it would happen eventually." He rolled his eyes as they both locked the door. "You've been planning this even before I met you six months ago, and I want to come with you, Fox."

Megumi took a long look back at the door and let her gaze fall onto the small bag she was carrying. "Yes, it would be nice…" Sano smirked and pulled Megumi close to him. She giggled and threw the bag down the stairwell as well as she pulled Sano's face in to kiss. "What did you think of me when we first met, Sano?"

His face was thoughtful for a moment before a boyish grin played on his features. "Really want to know? I thought you were crazy."

"SANOSUKE!"

The young man laughed as he dodged Megumi's incoming attacks. She caught her wrists in his own gentle hands. "I was wrong though. I ended up being the crazy one. Crazy for you."

Megumi would have melted… but honestly-- "What the hell was that?!" She began laughing hysterically, leaving Sano feeling very dejected. "Sorry, Sano, it just sounded like it came right out a movie is all! I mean, it's really sweet of you but…" her giggled died down and she hugged him tightly. "That was cute." He smirked and shook his head.

"It's true you know."

"Mhmm…" They stayed hugging when he kissed the top of her head.

"Let's go!" He began sliding down the pole. "We'll miss our flight."

"Wait, Rooster head, stop!" Sano turned around to smack right into his friend.

"ORO!" Then a loud thump was heard. Megumi stared down the spiraling case and there sat Kenshin swirly eyed and all from being smacked right into Sano's larger mass. Megumi raced down the stairs and helped Kenshin up.

"Kenshin, are you okay?" She asked dusting him off.

"Ah, I am fine thank you! Kaoru and I just wanted to wish you two off well."

"Are you sure?"

"Hellllooo…" Kenshin and Megumi looked at Sano pointing at himself. "I got hurt too you know."

"Whatever, you're as strong as an ox, you'll live."

"HEY…!"

"Sano, Megumi!" The group turned to Kaoru smiling at them. "Your taxi is here guys!" They forgot about the whole incident and began walking outside. Megumi handed Kaoru her apartment key.

"We will take care of things, please do not worry." Kenshin insisted. "You two have a great time and don't get into trouble!"

"Okay, mom." Sano laughed. "Oi, that's nice of you, Kenshin! Take care of Jou-chan and popsicle for us okay?" Sano grabbed Kenshin in a headlock rubbing his head with his knuckles. He released him and went to hug Kaoru. Megumi gave Kenshin a small hug whispering into his ear,

"Kenshin… please take care of Kaoru. I mean it." She kissed him lightly on the cheek and went to get into the cab. He touched his cheek and blushed a tinge.

"Steeling my woman, eh?"

"ORO!"

"I am NOT your woman!" Yet… Megumi added to herself. Fox ears appeared and everyone just stared at her.

"Eh, we better go guys. She's betting weird on us." He hugged Kaoru tightly once more, his hand trailing through her silky black hair. He backed away from the girl he'd come to know as a younger sister and smirked that oh-so-boyish-grin of his. "Don't forget us."

"You two be safe, and send lots of post cards!" Kaoru said from the curb. Sano followed Megumi before slamming the door. "See you two in a year and a half!" Kenshin put an arm around Kaoru's shoulder and waved also.

Megumi's eyes softened at the site of her friend finding happiness. She deserved it but couldn't help but wonder what life would be like…

…If Misao was still alive.

She shook the thought from her mind. Living in the past will do me no good. You'll never get clean if you keep playing in dirt. Megumi thought to herself before turning back to the window.

"I'll miss you, Kaoru-chan! Bye!" With a last wave good bye, Sano and Megumi drove away towards the airport to have their adventure around the world. Kenshin stopped waving after a bit, but Kaoru continued to wave until the cab was completely gone down the road.

"Kaoru? What's wrong?" Kenshin asked seeing silent tears falling from her face. "They will be back, that they will."

"No Kenshin… it's just… six months since everything. Our missions have been a lot smoother lately, but I can't help but wonder… what's going to happen when it's just the two of us left?"

Kenshin and Kaoru began walking towards Kenshin and Aoshi's apartment. "Now, now Kaoru-dono…"

"I thought we were through with the -dono thing, Kenshin."

"Ah, I forget, sorry. But what if it's just you and me? Is that such a bad thing to be with this one?"

"Of course not, it's just I've had Megumi and Misao with me for so long…and now it's like I've got two big brothers watching me. Sano's real fun, and Aoshi is easy to talk to though I'm not sure if he's listening sometimes. I don't want them to leave. But you, Himura Kenshin, if you EVER leave I might end up like Aoshi."

Kenshin had to chuckle at that thought. "Yes, why don't we go see Aoshi then?" They made their way into the apartment, to find Aoshi watching TV, posture straight and eyed unmoving. He truly looked like a statue.

"Aoshi! How are you doing?" Kaoru inquired with a cheerful and loud approach. She did tell Misao's relatives Misao was in a better place, and that she was fine, just as Hiko instructed. Yet… she couldn't give Aoshi that CD. She didn't feel he was totally up to anything that reminded him of Misao six months ago. He was a wreck, it didn't look like he'd slept in days and all he'd do was meditate.

These days, Aoshi looked healthier and was swinging back into step slowly. "Hi, Kaoru, I'm doing fine." He got up. "I'll make something to eat."

"Thanks that would be great…!"

"Considering you can't cook."

"Hua?"

"I said I'd like to try a new recipe book." He disappeared into the kitchen with Kenshin trying to hold back his laughter. "Did you say good bye to them?"

Kenshin took a seat on the couch next to Kaoru. "Yes, they awere excited to go."

"Mmhumm."

Kaoru smiled. This was nice…but still… She would wake up every morning hoping she'd see Misao bound into her room to jump her bright and early. But there was no hopping for the impossible. It was even worse asking Aoshi how he was doing, when he'd reply he was fine.

Clearly he was not.

Later after Aoshi's delicious lunch, Kenshin went to clear the table and do dishes as Aoshi walked back to the TV. Kaoru watched him from a distance and saw his features, soft but still pained. His eyes were always cloudy. She learned about Aoshi's little sister and felt even worse about not telling him. Yet, he didn't seem as hung over Misao's death as he did the first week.

She knew he was ready for Misao's gift. Kaoru walked to the table, searching her bag and retrieved the CD Hiko had given her. While rummaging around she also found a letter from the blood bank. "Um, Aoshi? How are you doing?"

"I'm fine."

"Here, listen to this song."

"What is it?"

"It's…a present."

"My birthday isn't until January."

"I know, this is actually… well I've had this for a while, since Misao died and well, this is something she left back at your office. You were always so isolated and I knew it wasn't the best time to bring you this, but I think you'd like it now. Oh, and a letter from that blood bank. I hope you're not mad." Aoshi took the CD feeling it's coolness under his touch and pocketed the letter.

"I'm not mad… but thank you." He got up and turned the television off turning towards his bedroom. Kaoru watched him close his door knowing she did the right thing. Kenshin came out of the kitchen drying his hands on a rag before handing Kaoru dessert.

Meanwhile, Aoshi sat on his bed staring at the CD as if it were a curse. "What do I do with it?" He didn't want to dig up old memories, the woman who he'd come to know was gone, and it was the end of that. He picked out the letter from his pocket and stared at it for a moment. He opened it and it simply read, 'Thanks for your donation. It has already been giving to one lucky person in need of help.' Blah blah, it was nothing important. He threw it in the trash since it was nothing but a bad memory now.

A few days after they knew she was dead, Hiko sent Aoshi the engagement ring Misao wore for their stunt. The officers found it lying idly in the ballroom along with other miss matched objects and sent the materials to Hiko. Aoshi could have sold it, threw it away, maybe even get on with his life and propose for real to another woman. But none of those answers suited him.

The funeral was beautiful. White roses were strewn around the ground and not one raindrop appeared. Not one smile was shown throughout the eulogy, which Kaoru gave. She was almost crying, but remained strong through out the entire speech. 'She was too young, too helpful and her grandfather was just getting better.' Other people said around him. He himself couldn't believe it. She had taken the hit for him… she let him live. Aoshi felt he should be the one dead, the one with the memorial, the one who took the kunai. In his mind it was always saying she was gone, let her rest in peace, but his heart…it didn't feel the same.

His heart felt something was still out there, just to hold on a little longer. So he did. The first time in Aoshi's years in life, he listened to his heart instead of his brain. A new concept, but something in him said hold out. So he kept that ring. He hid it in his nightstand and took it out every night just to reflect on it. He also kept the necklace of Misao's. It was as if some kind of relic he was preserving. As if it was worth a fortune. In a sense, it was worth a fortune, it was worth everything.

To Aoshi at least.

Now here came a message from Misao. Did he want it? Almost as if he was scared, Shinomori Aoshi, the ice block, the man who was never caught off guard, was just that. Sighing, he picked the CD up and popped it into his stereo system. "What could it hurt…?"

He waited for the music to start as he lay down on his black cotton sheets. "Misao…"

He let his mind flood with the …classical music? He had no ideas she even considered opera of all things. He listened to the sweet Italian singer, sounding almost remorseful. Lucky for Aoshi, he was a linguistic kind of guy, and this is what he heard:

Back in Nagasaki
I got married to Cho Cho San
that was her name
Back in those days and I was her man.
I'm going back to visit her
she got a problem

She got a little Cho Cho
Cho Cho San was her name

And this is her tale of woe
take it away Cho Cho.

What on earth was this song? Was this some kind of joke? He had seen this famous opera before, once when he was on an assignment following a very rich man importing illegal animals. This song was one of the more famous of the opera.

Today's the day I see clear
a tiny thread of smoke appears

Where blue skies border on the ocean and a ship is set in motion.
All the while I sing this song I see a dot on the horizon

Growing bigger every second gleaming white in my direction.

Who on Earth can it be coming up the path for me?
What on Earth will he say
shall I run to him or run away?
Freaking out he's come to get me
my feet are stuck and just won't let me.
Run to him do I dare
Madam Butterfly
don't blow it.

Calling Butterfly
Madam Butterfly

She was the change in him. Her happiness so opposite of his. Her reminder of the good life and endless love for everything. Misao helped thaw away some of his icy exterior, being a wall to everyone since his sister died. Misao was his fresh beginning.

Aoshi turned to his side to stare out his window down at the busy Chicago streets. The sun was just setting over the buildings, casting an orange flush around everything. The curtains flowed lightly as a breeze caught the material, letting it cascade and brush lightly on the wooden floors.

He rummaged in his drawer to find the necklace. He let his fingers run over its cool smooth surface and turned it over.

In practice, no ones life is on the line, in practice you're aloud to mess up. In the field, one small mistake can cost everything…

He could bite his tongue at those harsh words he told her. Aoshi was unfortunately right, in real life nothing was practice. He felt tears sting his eyes. Passively, he put a finger up to feel the cool wetness on his face. In all these past six months, not one tear…

…he dropped the necklace.

That's the name he used to give me
he's my man 'til the day I die.
Oh
sweet Butterfly
so sweet Butterfly
she's waiting

He'll be back
I have faith in this love track.
Pinkerton's the name
Lieutenant Colonel Pinkerton
Sir!
U.S. Navy
I'm a bounder
I married a Yankee girl

But I went back to visit old Japan
where there she was
Cho Cho San.

Gotta have something to believe in
my white honky
I do miss him.
Someday soon he'll come around just to stop my nervous breakdown.
Call me fool ! Call me stupid ! Bend this arrow
kill this cupid.
Say it with me
he'll be back
I have faith in this love track.
Calling Butterfly
Madam Butterfly

He almost smiled at the emotions playing in his body. Misao was the only one who could do something as tricky as this. She was his radiance sitting in obscurity. He began to pay more attention to the lyrics of the song as he leaned over and turned the volume up. The instrumental felt like a band of winds, trying to seep it's way into his chest, drawing out every ounce of his soul to mingle with the touching song. He tilted over his bed to pick up the necklace to find the back of it had popped off.

"What's this?"

It was a picture of Misao and a tiny girl. He didn't know who she was. A relative? A sister? He had no idea. After a moments thought he asked himself, her daughter? She girl looked strangely like Misao. He closed his eyes and could remember her glowing face. That time when he snorted when he found her loving to practice kempo and kunais. When she shocked him by making him her groom-to-be, her smiling face burning through his mind. The way she fought with him against Soujiro, and gave her life to help save everyone so unselfishly.

Little sweet
sweet Butterfly
I hear him crowing faintly

Thinks I'm still just sweet sixteen
I guess I'll tease him gently.
Calling Madam Butterfly
his angel plucked right from the sky

Hide my baby in strange places
I feel the fear that I might die.
Right in his arms and his embraces softly kissing my eyelashes

Got no right
no right to doubt it
ain't no doubt
no doubt about it.
Call me fool! Call me stupid! Bend this arrow
kill this cupid.
I have faith I'll always pray my white honky's here to stay.
Call me Butterfly
Madam Butterfly

What he wouldn't give to have those times back.

Four more months passed by, and Kenshin, Kaoru, and Aoshi were sitting at a park. Kaoru and Kenshin sat by the lake as Aoshi listened to the small boom box he brought. The same song was playing on it, since he couldn't stop listening to the tiny reminders. It was as if the CD was stuck inside it. This was a puzzle, this song… he could remember every word in a heartbeat. Its meaning made him wonder, just what the hell did it mean? Kenshin was getting pretty annoyed of the song, but decided to let it slip since his friend did loose the woman who stole his heart.

Aoshi leaned on the tree gazing out at his friends sitting close while feeding the ducks. Closing his eyes, he turned up the volume. That young girl in the picture… if he could find her.

Kaoru threw a few more crumbs out to the yellow ducklings, laughing as Kenshin put his feet into the cool water. She turned around, glancing at Aoshi. "You think he's okay, Kenshin?"

"Ah, he is Kaoru… you must admit, She does have a way to keep silly reminders of Her presence with him. I keep imagining seeing Her jump on me, or chase me with those kunais." Till this day, her name was on no one's lips. Not a breath could let the name linger for the slight thought made Kaoru remorseful. Her sweet name; no one could have the privilege of tasting it. Kaoru bit her lip angrily. Since giving Aoshi the compact disk, he didn't say a word about Misao. As if she wasn't important to him. That was why no one said anything. Fearing Aoshi would burst out suddenly.

"But I can't stand seeing him so…" Kaoru shot up abruptly scaring all the tiny ducks back into the water to find their home.

"Kaoru?"

"Kenshin! Over there, that boy is robbing that woman!" Sure enough, a cloaked woman was chasing after a boy who stole her purse. "Come on!" They shot up and Aoshi soon followed. The three chased him down, but he was quite fast for a shorty. "Stop there, you punk!"

"Who you calling punk, ugly?" He shouted back. Kaoru flinched slightly. That voice… But Kenshin and Aoshi kept running at the adolescent. "Ah! Get away from me!" It was too late, the two men pounced him all at once. They all fell over in a heap.

"Orororo!"

"Kenshin, Aoshi!" Kaoru ran over and helped her two friends up. "Are you guys okay?"

Aoshi brushed his sleeves. "Yeah, I'm fine." She eyed him expectantly.

"You don't look fine, Aoshi."

"I said…"

"I know what you said! Baka, stop lying to yourself!"

Kenshin was dumbfounded by Kaoru's swing in tempter. "Kaoru!"

"No, I don't care!" Kaoru threw down the bag of breadcrumbs she was holding. "Aoshi, you can't keep lying! Admit it! Admit it, damn you!" Kenshin had to hold Kaoru back from attacking his friend, just staring at her as if she was crazy.

"What are you talking about?"

"Shut up!"

"But you just said…"

"Admit you miss Her! Admit you love Her! Admit you need Makimachi Misao or I will surly slice your head off! You float around like a statue, acting miserably, yet you play this human who has no emotions. To everyone you're FINE! BUT YOU'RE NOT! Tell me Shinomori Aoshi! TELL ME!" There, she said it. Now was up to how the man took it.

"You're crazy."

"WHY YOU…!"

"Kaoru, calm down, Aoshi, you too."

"I am calm."

"No, you are not. I can see where Kaoru-dono is coming from. You are not okay, please just for Kaoru's sake, and tell us what you really think, that you should. Do you not miss…Misao-dono? You cannot keep these things to yourself if it will only hurt you. Tell us if you want to get on, or stop acting so foolish." Both friends watched Aoshi expectantly.

He froze, almost stopped breathing. Did he want to move on? All leads were a dead end. No trace, not one.

The summer air wafted through, the smell of pine and fresh rain lingering around the park. Kaoru and Kenshin were standing on one side of a large oak tree, and Aoshi on the other. The wind blew through the trees creating its own sweet music. If mysteries were there, did that mean they were meant to be solved? There was one last thing in his heart. One last thing… one last person… one last chance…

"I…"

Kaoru gasped, "Aoshi watch out!" The boy was getting up behind Aoshi being as unnoticeable as possible. "Come back here!"

"Come get me ugly…!" Suddenly the boy fell over himself. "Ow!"

The cloaked woman, from before, jumped down from the tree and stared down at the child before grabbing her purse. "I'll take that, thank you." She kicked him on the butt revealing the kid to be Yahiko from the Shishio estate. "My, Yahiko, what are you doing pick pocketing?"

"It's you! That girl! Can't believe an ugly girl like you made it out." Yahiko reached up and yanked the hood off the young woman's head revealing the back of her short hair. "And I'm pick pocketing so Tsubame and I can survive in this damn city!" He yanked the purse back from her, sticking his tongue out.

She shook her head. "You idiot, you were doing so well at Hiko's training program too. I guess you did do you job, when you were there though. I want you to get an honest job, no more pick pocketing, and you and Tsubame will do fine. Stop being a brat." She forcefully grabbed the purse back and whacked him over the head making the boy fall unconscious. "Stupid."

"…M…Mi…" Kaoru choked out, not believing who was in front of them. The young woman took off her cloak fully, and spun around to them, sea green eyes shining brightly. She was looking happier than ever, and she cut her hair so it was just below her shoulders and flashed a genuine smile.

She tilted her head and blushed. "Um… sorry for the trouble. Yahiko and Tsubame have recently been adopted by me. The boy insists on running away and stealing. I realized it was Yahiko who pick pocked me and I came after him."

Everyone sighed, their hopes diminished. "Well, I'm sorry if my appearance upsets you!" The angry girl growled.

"No, it's just you reminded us of someone…"

"I'm sorry. Who is it?" She flipped her wallet open. "I'm part of PCW, a new officer. Maybe I can help."

All three stared at her and opened their own wallets, flashing their IDs. The new girls eyes bulged.

"Oh, wow! You guys are SO freaken' FAMOUS at work!" She collected herself from the sudden outburst and asked her pervious question again blushing from the looks they were giving her.

Kaoru looked down. "Our friend, Makimachi."

The cloaked girl's eyes widened. "Makimachi? Why, I know a little girl whose surname is Makimachi! She's in an orphanage though."

Aoshi's senses flared. "Who is she?" He asked in that scary voice. The woman shrunk back a little.

"I don't know if I want to tell you." Aoshi stepped forward and pulled out the gold locket.

"This little girl," He showed the picture of Misao and the little girl who looked like her. "Is her name Kagura? Makamachi Kagura?"

The woman stepped forward and examined the picture. "It is. Oh, where did you find this? Kag-chan has one just like this!"

"Show me where she is."

Kaoru and Kenshin looked at him shell-shocked. "Aoshi!"

"Tell, me. I've been looking for this little girl for ten months, I've looked. Her mother and I were friends."

"I see… Kag-chan is very secluded, but maybe you can talk to her. Follow me; oh and please pick up Yahiko. He's indisposed right now."

"Thank you…"

She blushed and turned to the side. "Saiga."

"Thank you… Saiga." He turned to Kaoru and Kenshin. "You two can go home, I'll meet you later."

"But Aoshi." Kaoru started.

"Go. Home." His voice was as smooth as glass. Kaoru gulped. When things turned to Misao, Aoshi was always so intense. Aoshi bowed his head. "Please go home, do not worry." With that he and Saiga walked away.

Kenshin rubbed Kaoru's shoulder. "This is for the best right now, Kaoru. Aoshi must find his way."

"No, but Kenshin… you see, Misao couldn't have had a child. I never heard of her having one."

"Neither has this one. But I reassure you, Aoshi will come home fine."

"Do you mean…?"

"For the past months he's disappeared in the afternoons looking for that little girl in the locket, I am inferring. She's the last part of Misao and this one guesses if he lost Misao, he could protect the next best thing. Her daughter from what I gather."

Kaoru wrapped her arms around his waist, as he looked a bit startled. She laughed, shaking her head. "I love you, Kenshin. You're so thoughtful." She pulled a post card out of her pocket and showed it to him. "From Megumi and Sano…"

Dear everyone,

Hey! We are having a blast down in Costa Rica! The beaches are wonderful; I wish we could have you all come. That rooster head won't let me take pictures, (something about it stealing your soul…) but we want to let you all know, we miss you. We'll be coming back in eight months; I want to see a change in all of you!

Love Always,

Megumi and Sanosuke

Kaoru folded the post card back up and placed it in her back pocket. She could tell Megumi would be very surprised when she got home.

Kaoru sat down watching Kenshin put things away, as she averted her vision, looking past his shoulder at a few children playing cops and robbers. She could remember so clearly before all this. She was a simple girl working in the office never expecting anything like this to happen. Having an adventure worth more than she bargained for, meeting a man she could possibly spend her life with, have Misao confront her inner problems, Aoshi break through the wall be built to keep people out, and Megumi and Sano piecing together the past they didn't want.

Yes, there definitely would be something to look forward to when her friends would return. Kenshin offered her his hand to help her up. She dusted her jeans down as they left to go home.

"It's amazing how Aoshi never truly lets go of Misao."

"Yes, I miss her ball of energy."

"Kaoru? Are you okay?"

They continued walking, and after a moment a small smile crept on her face, making her sapphire eyes glimmer. Kenshin watched her with question in his features.

She tilted her face towards the heavens, letting the sun kiss her delicate skin. She cracked her eye open slightly to find a purple butterfly flutter away, disappearing from her vision… a ray of hope.

"Yea, Kenshin. Everything is how it should be. Everything will be fine." She linked her arm with his, giving a content sigh. Kenshin watched her curiously and he too, spotted the butterfly. He relaxed his shoulders, walking past the now perched insect.

Butterfly
Butterfly
have no fear
I'll be back to wipe your tears.
Oh
sweet Butterfly
so sweet Butterfly
she's waiting.
I will wait for him with unshakable faith. He'll be back - He'll be back.

Disclaimer: I don't own the song: Un Bel Di Vedremo composed by Puccini from the Opera, Madame Butterfly

Author's Notes: EEP! Damn this was a really long chapter. Could you even believe I had enough craziness to throw in another twist to the story? Aren't I evil…? Don't worry, like I said, everyone gets a happy ending. If you are confused, I'll try and clarify…

Aoshi had Misao's necklace and when he found the picture inside of if, he had to figure out who it was. Being a spy and what not, he has connections but could not find the girl. The girl, Saiga, only makes an appearance in this chapter, and maybe in the very beginning of the next one. Misao's child? Well, a whole chapter has her warming Aoshi-s heart and helping him, sorta. Isn't that sweet? (Laughs)

Madame Butterfly:

Madame Butterfly is an opera composed by Puccini. I saw it once, thinking it would be really boring, but found it to be an interesting experience.

This opera is about a Japanese Geisha named, Cho Cho-san, or more famously know as Butterfly. An American man came to Japan from a war or something and wanted to well… 'have her' (coughs) while in Japan and then marry a 'real' woman in America when he went back. After he 'had' her he left to America, leaving Butterfly waiting from him to return. She ended up falling in love with him at the age of sixteen I think.

Though she didn't know of his real intentions, she waited faithfully, revealing that she had his child. The American man come back to find all of this, and brings his American wife with him. (The no good cheating –censored-!) He wants to take her child away from her and leave her in Japan alone, no money, no family, no honor. In short, she ends her life. A real sad story.

But this particular song, which I found the lyrics translated, was touching. She was just waiting all the time. Such devotion… Anyway, that's roughly what it is about.

Replies!

Thanks everyone for the support! It means so much to me, really!

The 100th reviewer is…Slow Motion Runner! Horay!!! (Throws confetti) Congrats, dude!

Kenshinlover2002- Ha, I bet NO one guessed what was on the CD. And of all things, it was an opera song. I'm glad you are relieved that Kenshin and Kaoru are not siblings. Yuck. Thanks for the review

Keruri1222- Hey, chica! I'm glad you liked the last chapter, and I added a whole part in the beginning, all that action stuff. Heh, and now Megumi and Sano went traveling! Fun fun. Thanks for the review

Tenshi-no-Yokai- Yes, yes, get in line, everyone is mad at me for killing Misao. Haha, but still, I'll answer that to the best of my abilities without spoiling. How could I kill Misao? Well, I can, I guess. That's the great thing about being the author! I really like her character though; she's one of the happiest people! And why did I kill her? Well, to give a sense of angsty drama I guess. Don't shoot, everything will turn out for the better later on. Thanks fore the review.

Pyramidgirl89- I killed Misao because I could. (haha) No really though, I did it to give a sense of angsty drama. Everything will turn out for the better though, let's just wait and see, ne? Thanks for reviewing.

Beowulf31486- 'Elementary dear Watson, elementary!' Man, I gotta give you a cookie for that whole mystery solving. (Hands you a cookie) I didn't think anyone would puzzle everything together like you did! Seriously, that was REALLY SLICK! That whole part that you analyzed was extremely accurate, not to mention hard to put together for me. Bravo on a job well done! You've got skill! Thanks for the intelligent review!

Hikari-Kawaii- A new pin name! Hello, Hikari-dono! Thanks for reading my story and liking it! Yes, it is a bit sad now, but PLESASE STAY TUNED! Everything will turn out good, just give a chance! Thanks so much for reviewing and hope to see your next review!

????- Oh, good. I'm really glad that this chapter helped clear stuff up for you. That makes me feel so much better that you can understand it! I hope you enjoyed the chapter too. Thanks for the review!

Dragowolf- (Laughs) Hum… a bunch of detectives we have here. Very good, well, you will have to wait and see what happens. From reading this chapter I'm sure you can tell it's the beginning of the end. Misao will live… but through her daughter, right? Oh, and what is a Peanut Gaggeriy? I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks for the review!

Tintin-chan- Haha, Hiko's strong but annoying you say? Gotta agree with you on that one. And I'm glad that you liked the KK moment and Hiko 'trying' to reach out to Kaoru. So sweet! Thanks!

DBZ Goddess- Oh, you are so welcome for the treat, as long as it makes you feel better! And thank you so much for still thinking its one of the best stories you ever read, that means so much. I just hope you are all enjoying it! (Laughs) And no, the whole I love you thing doesn't bother me. It's just a friendly signature, it doesn't hurt. Thanks so much!

Gaby- Thanks for thinking it's great. I hope you are enjoying it thus far!

Anounmus T- You'll have to wait and see! From this chapter you can tell she had a child at least. Misao will have a happy ending, even if it is in spirit or not. Thanks so much for the review!

Slow Motion Runner- Oh, thanks so much for thinking this fic is cute! If you liked it that much, I can't wait till you see the ending. Yes, everyone is sad that Misao died, but there is always a happy ending.

People, I know y'all are upset about Makimachi Misao's death, but please let the story tell its tale. I mean, after every storm is a clearing right?

THANKS SO MUCH! I HAVE RECIEVED SO MUCH SUPPORT AND I FULLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING! Review please? Have a great day!