This chapter is dedicated to Araya-Michiru. Here is The Enishi and Misao interaction you are asking for. I didn't include it in the previous chap because I was saving it for this one. It thought that they deserve to have a chapter made especially for them. Hope you like it.

At this point, I am as clueless as all of you on with whom Misao will end up with. Maybe it will depend on the responses that I will receive, so if you are an Aoshi-Misao fan keep on voting for them otherwise if you're an Enishi-Misao fan, you know what to do. I'm the kind of writer who writes according to the reviews that he or she gets.

DISCLAIMER:

     I don't own Ruruoni Kenshin. I don't own the characters. I don't own Aoshi (it's hard to accept though) not even Enishi (OMG!!! This guy is so HOT especially in Midori's White Tiger and Jade Concubine), but I'm the co-owner of this story (my brain is the other one). Now that I had made myself clear, let's go on with the show……………………

You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back.
                                                                                   --Barbara DeAngelis

Chapter 4: Friday Nights with Enishi

Misao's POV

        Why can't I stop thinking about that incident in the cafeteria? Here I am stargazing with Enishi in their backyard (We always do this every Friday. We spend the night together either in his house or mine doing silly things like baking cookies, goofing around, watching movies, just plain hanging-out. It is like a ritual between us, so don't get the wrong idea, kei?), but at the same time I can't stop thinking about the "kiss".

Ok Misao, it's just a kiss. A simple kiss. Actually it's not really a kiss, it's just a smack. It's a mere touching of lips that doesn't fall in the kissing category. I told myself over and over again like a mantra in my brain.

        Dammit!!! Why can't I forget it? Why can't I forget the taste of his lips? Why can't I forget him? WHY???????????

        "Sao-chan, is there something wrong with you? I've been talking here for quite a while and I've noticed that you are not really listening to me. Do you a problem?", Enishi asked me with a worried look on his face.

        I didn't know I was too absorbed in my pathetic inner world until Enishi asked. Oh Great!!! What kind of best friend does he think I am now? Maybe I need to tell him about my situation. If there is somebody whom I know I can confide with all my innermost feelings without being judge in return, it is him. (Kaoru and Meg will easily jump into conclusions. I swear those two sure have a lot of stocks when it comes to their imagination.) So ok, here it goes…….

        "Nishi, do you remember Puberty Boy?", I asked him while turning to face him fully so I can watch his reaction.

        "The transferee? The one whom you had humiliated this morning? Sure I remember him, why? Don't tell me that you like him?

"I wonder why everybody thinks that I like that creep. To set the records straight, I don't, ok? Hell will freeze over before I will like that jerk moronic bastard", I exclaimed with pure vehemence lacing my words.

        "Whoa, calm down Sao-chan!!! Just tell me what you are trying to tell me before your very emotional outburst."

        "Sorry if I suddenly snapped at you. It just that well this lunch break he sorta kiss me on my lips", I told him in a barely audible voice.

        "What kiss are you talking about? Can you please tell me the whole story?", he asked me in a slightly irritated manner (Irritated? Now that's a first, must tease him about it!!!).

        "Hey Yukishiro, if you are not my best friend I will think you are jealous. I won't be surprise if you will suddenly proclaim about your undying love for me.", I teased him.

        "Makimachi, st. sto… stop kidding around and just go on with your story. I'm not jealous. I'm just surprised that he kissed you, that's all.", he stuttered while looking away from me. (Enishi, stuttering? He seems a little paler. I wonder why.)

         

        "Kei Mr. Jealous. Well it turned out that Puberty Boy is Kenshin's best friend from Harvard, the one Kaoro's has been thinking about setting me up with. He is Aoshi Shinomori. He is the "Oh my god, Misao. He is the perfect guy for you" guy, Kaoru has been talking about for the past three to four weeks or so. Does that ring a bell?", I asked him sarcastically. (Can't help it. It is that jackass fault)

        "So Mr. Puberty Boy is pretty impressive after all. Former Harvard student, that's not bad. So if you hate him with so much passion, why did you allow him to kiss you?"

        "I did not allow him. He kinda forced me, but before you kill him, just let me finish with my story." I told him to pacify the simmering anger I can see clearly in his eyes.

        "I was in the cafeteria talking to Kaoru when………………………"

Enishi's POV

        "So after the kiss, how exactly did you feel?", I asked Misao silently wishing that she will tell me that it didn't mean anything.

        "At first I was mad, I was so mad. It is not like my first kiss but I'm mad because I was taken by surprise and he kinda fooled me.", Misao answered with an unsure look on her face.

        From the way she looked, I'm sure that there is more to it than what she wants me to know. I know that the "kiss" did mean something or to be précised that "Shin-o-mori Guy" has something to do with it and that I can tell that it was bothering her.

        "Tell me, did the kiss mean anything to you? Do you really hate it or have you enjoyed it?" (Please tell me it doesn't mean anything, please……)

        "Honestly speaking, I don't know exactly how I feel Nishi. I hate him, I really do but there is something about the kiss that is making me feel different. For a moment I felt like it was the right thing to do. I would be lying if I say that I didn't enjoy it and if I say that I didn't find that jerk attractive. Maybe that's the reason why I hate him so much because even though I just met him this morning he is already making me feel these things that are completely foreign to me. Forgive me if I didn't make sense, I myself didn't know why. Come on Bessie, I need your advice."

        Whoa, that was not the answer that I was praying for. Now, I can really say that I'm jealous. Yukishiro, think. It seems that the love of your life is falling for another guy (At least I can say that she is falling for that jerk. I know it coz I can see the love bug symptoms. How can I not know it when that was how I felt for her in the beginning? Of course Misao at this point doesn't know that yet, that's the reason why she is so confuse.) What am I supposed to do? Should I tell her to shrug it off and forget it or should I help her sort her feelings out?

        "Hey Misao, maybe he is the guy who has the power to melt all that ice around your heart. Maybe, you actually like him." (I'm such a masochist, I know, but I only want what's the best for her. I love her that much.)

        "Bes, I know his kind. That guy has the word "rich" spelled all over him. I bet that for him, I'm just a challenge. With regards to that "melt the ice part", I don't think that will happen. Love is not my thing, it will never happen to me. The only guy in my life is you and Jiya and maybe that tori atama and the rest doesn't matter."

        "Sao-chan, maybe you should give Shinomori or other guys the chance to enter your life. Not all guys are like him, you know." (I'm here, I will never hurt you. I love you.)

        "Nishi, let's stop talking about that stupid kiss and Puberty Boy. This is our night, remember? We are supposed to relax and enjoy ourselves, enough talk about me. How's your day? Where are you this afternoon, I haven't seen you?"

        Actually I was with my father this afternoon. I had a long talk with him. He wants me to join him and my mother to China. I miss them a lot specially that they are the only family I have but as I look at the girl lying beside me with the moon's glow shining softly on her face, all thoughts of leaving Japan deserts me. Maybe I should tell her and wait for her reaction.

        "I talked to my father Misao, he wants me to migrate to China".

Misao's POV

       Enishi is leaving. That sounds weird. We have been friends for so long and that thought has never entered my mind. Sure, I know that his parents are in China because their business is located there but I always thought that someday they will settle here in Japan. I know that it is very selfish of me to detain him here but he is the older brother I never had. Imagining him without here by my side is definitely out of the picture. Now if I can only convince him to stay.

        "Nishi, I know that it is too selfish of me and I know that I don't have the right to tell you this, but please don't leave me.", I told him with a puppy look on my face. I know he can't resist it.

        "Give me five reasons why I should stay."

        That's easy. I know that look on his face. He is just fishing for compliments. Oh well, two can play this game.

        "Ok, you have my blessings. Leave. Go to China. It is not like my world will crumble if you leave me. I still have Jiya and Sano and I can easily find your replacement. Don't worry about me, I can manage without you. In fact I will even accompany you when you buy your airplane tickets." (I know that, that was cruel but this is a game between us.)

        "I'm hurt, Misao. I didn't know that I didn't matter to you. Maybe I should have left three years ago. Well it's not like I matter to you anyways. Who am I by the way? I am just the one who was humiliated when I bought sanitary napkins because you had your first "period" back on our sophomore days. I am just the guy who has spent a lot of money for that life-size Hello Kitty stuff toy that you love so much. I am…. "

        "Stop it Bes!!! Don't leave. You want reasons, right? I'll give you reasons.", I told him so that he will stop from making me feel so guilty.

        "Hurry Sao-chan, I might change my mind."

        Time to think for reasons. Hhmmm. I need to think of five, right? I look at the stars for a while, while I'm thinking for ways to convince him. Aha, here's one……

        "You should stay here because without you, who is gonna play chess with Jiya. I'm sure that you know that you are Jiya's favorite opponent and he is going to throw a fit if his protégée will leave." (That's a good one, nice work Misao!!!)

        "Okay that's reason no.1. I'm still waiting for the other four."

        "Reason No.2 is that without you here, who is gonna save me from Sano's constant teasing. You know how mean he can be sometimes, and I don't always stand a chance with him. (Gotcha Yukishiro!!!!)

        "Good point there but haven't you forgotten that you always start the fights between you and Sano. It was your fault."

        "Hai, father.", I teased him.

        "Hey, I'm not that old. Don't call me father. I'm only two months older than you."

        "Honestly speaking, I used to think that you are as old as Jiya back when we were young because of your hair." I confessed sheepishly.

        "This is my natural hair color. So what's reason no.3?

        "You won't give up, won't you?" No.3. Hmmm…. What is reason no.3?", I thought out aloud. "You need to stay here because I need to stay sane. Without you I will probably get crazy between Kaoru's incessant insecurities and Megumi's criticisms. I still wonder how Sano can put up with her."

        "Point taken. How about no.4?"

        "Four is that, who is gonna buy me those sanitary napkins each time I have my period and I can't leave the house because of abdominal cramps, who is gonna give me those cute Hello Kitty dolls for my collection, and who is gonna teach me that trigonometric equations I loathe so much."

        "You could have saved your precious breath if you just say that you are going to miss your slave to put it bluntly. Be careful with your reason no.5 my decision will depend on it."

        "Last but not least is that I will miss baking cookies with you. I will miss watching those silly horror movies with you. I will miss all your advices. I will miss the way you roll your eyes when you thought something is unbelievable. I will miss the way you tease Jiya and flatter my aunts. I will miss moments like this with you.

 Moments when I can just be myself and stop this charade I'm playing. I will miss this Friday nights I got to spend with you. Bottom line is, when you leave, I'm not just going to loose a friend. I'm also going to loose a part of myself. If that is still not enough, I will understand if you still decided to leave me. I only want what's best for you."I finished my speech with matching tears to my eyes. Now let's see if he can resist that.

Enishi's POV

        I can barely understand what she is trying to tell me because I am so captivated with her right at this moment. She looks so perfect, so serene. The wind is blowing her hair gently while at the same time it also caressed her cheeks. Wait, are those tears in my angel's cheeks.

        "Sao-chan, I didn't intend for you to cry. Sorry for making you worry, of course I won't leave you." I told her as I wipe the tears that had rolled on her cheeks.

        She didn't say anything. She just turned away from me. Now, I really am worried. Maybe I shouldn't have told her. Maybe…. I suddenly stopped from my musings when I heard a chuckle and then a laughter that is getting louder by now.

        "Hahahahaha…. Got you, Bes. I know that you can't resist my tears. I didn't know that you will fall for that one. Am I good or am I good?"

        "You are so dead. I am going to get you for that one."

        "Really? And what are you going to do to little ol' me?", she asked while posing like Marilyn Monroe.

        "Of course tickle torture!!!", I told her while at the same time lunging for her so that I can "punished" her.

        "Hahaha, stop it Nishi. I can't breathe.", she exclaimed from beneath me. (I know , I know. I know that we are in a compromising position but it is purely innocent. Well on her part anyways.)

        "I'll stop but first say that "Nishi is the greatest man on Earth and that no girl can resist him.", I told her as I continue to tickle her some more.

        "Never!!!!"

        "Ok, you asked for it. Kuchi- kuchi-coo."

        "Stop it. I really can't breathe. Nishi is the greatest man on Earth and no girl can resist him. There, happy?" she asked me with a sweet smile on her face.

        I didn't answer back. I just continue staring at her. God's she looks so beautiful. For the hundredth time I told myself how much I really love her. I want to kiss that smile from her lips. Why did they have to look so tempting?

        "Nishi, get off me. Stop staring at me like that, you are making me feel uneasy."

        Now is the perfect time for me to tell her how I feel. I really have to or else……..

        "Misao, I love you."

There I said it. I have finally told her how I feel. Now it's up to her to decide what will happen next.

        "Nishi, I love you too. You are the older brother I never had. Thank you for loving me like Tomoe, I'm very flattered.", She told me then she kissed me on my cheeks.

        I just hugged her close to me as I tried to stop these stupid tears of frustration from falling down and making Misao suspicious. I want to shout at her. I want to tell her that for a girl who's IQ is above average, how can she be too oblivious of the way I feel? I want to correct her. I want to tell her that I don't love her like my sister or like a best friend. I want to tell her that I love her because she is my life.

        I want to tell her a lot of things. I want to tell her why I have fallen in love her. I want to tell her that I'm jealous because of Aoshi. I want to tell her that I want to punch that man's face because he kissed her. I want to, but I don't have the right. Of all the reactions that I'm dreading to face, what she told me was far from what I'm expecting.

        "Nishi, don't leave me. I can live without love. I can live without a boyfriend, but I can't live without you, Bes. If ever you really have to go and I can't stop you, promise me that you will not leave without saying goodbye.",she asked while looking at me in the eye.

        "Promise." I answered back.

        "Good. Can you just carry me to your room, I'm sleepy.", she told me after returning to my embrace and using my shoulder as a pillow.

        "Sweet dreams, Angel."

        She didn't reply. I bet she is already fast asleep. I glance at the stars for the last time before heading towards my room where we will retire for the night.(Save those lascivious thoughts to yourselves, we are just going to sleep together literally. We are not going to, you know!!! I respect her a lot.)

If being her friend means I can hold her like this, then I'll wait for the right time to tell her. I'll tell her when she is ready to open her heart to love.

Maybe what has happened now is for the best. Maybe someday I'll again gather all the courage I need. For now I'll be contented just being her best friend. For now, I'm "Bes" and hope that someday I can be more. Someday………………………………………….

To be continued………………………….

Sneak Peek of the Next chapter

        "Misao, do you still remember me?"

        "Oh my God. Is that really you,_________? How long have you been here? And what's with the get-up? Come with me to Kaoru's house, the girls are going to get the surprise of their lives when they see you. We are going to have a slumber party."

        "Slumber party? Oh how I love slumber parties!!! Sure!!!!!!

Author's Notes:

          So what do you think of this chapter? Do you like it or hate it? Just review me, ok. If I didn't receive reviews, I will think that you don't like this story and I'll probably stop writing it.

          If you have read the sneak peek of the next chap, I bet that you have noticed that I have left a blank on Misao's reply to the "girl" See this line:

          "Oh my God. Is that really you,_________?

        Now what I want you do is to guess who is this "girl"? It is actually easy considering that "she" is an original cast of Ruruoni Kenshin. Come on, just guess who this mystery "girl" is, it would be fun. I'll dedicate the next chapter to the first reviewer who has given me the correct answer.

          To all Misao and Aoshi fans who is reading this chapter, gomen. I know that there is no interaction between your fav couple but please understand that for this love triangle to be realistic, I also have to work between Enishi and Misao.

         

          If this chap is too serious for your taste, you will probably laugh your heads off with the next chapter. That's a promise I swear to keep.

         

          Before I forgot Bessie/Bes is a short term for best friend.

MY GRATITUDE GOES TO THE FOLLOWING PEEPS:

Kyme-chan: Thank you so very much. I like the ending of Catching Hold of You. Good job!!! Hey I was kidding with the "MISAO & KAMATARI" thingy. I will never let my fav RK character to end up with someone like "her", you know. Maybe your craziness attack was contagious and I had gotten infected with it. Just kidding (",)

Tiian: Thanks for the advice, Sensei. I definitely agree with you that those authors you had mentioned are great. My favorites are Desi's Against the Laws of Time and Midori's White Tiger and Jade Concubine. Have you read the last chap of WTJD in Midori's web page? It was sizzling hot.

Pratz: Thanks for thinking that it was nice. Personally, I think I suck when it comes to intimate moments like kissing. I don't have any experience to base it on with. That was not Aoshi's first kiss. He got tongue-tied because he was nervous. He didn't know how Misao will react after that kiss.

Sai Hikaru: Thanks (^_^)!!!! You will have to wait for the next chap if you want to know what's going to happen in the party. I'll wait for your review.

Sugarsweet143: Big thankies for the review. Hope to hear from you soon.

Nikki-chan: I bet now you are going to wave your Enishi and Misao flag. Thanks for the review.

Araya-Michiru: Well this chap is for you, I hope I didn't disappoint you. So please tell me what you think about this chap. Thanks!!!!!

Dragon Master Lytore: I'm not a big fan of taco bell, can I request for spicy chicken wings instead and please don't forget to include a large glass of pepsi. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

EK: Thanks for reviewing and good luck to your story. Personally, I really like the last chap of White and Black. Keep up the good work.

Misao Shinomori: I was just kidding with the Misao and Kamatari thing. I will never ever let my fav character to end up with that "girl". Thanks for the review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Kenni: I'm very glad to hear from my sweetest reviewer. I haven't written Endlessly yet. Maybe after my finals I'll post it here. Watch out for that one. Thanks. Take care also.

Len: Thankkkkkkkkkk youuuuuuuuuuu soooooooooo muchhhhhhhhhhh. I'll be waiting for your next review. Sorry about that Misao-Kamatari thingy, I'm just kidding.

Skye-lark193: Thanks (^___^)!!!!!

Ein Auftragskiller: Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Always remember that good reviews are the food for the imaginative and overworked brain of all authors. So please help us feed our brains…. Press that button and review…………… Till the next chapter. I updated soon because I received good reviews, so if you're anxious to read the next chapter, REVIEW!!!! Don't forget that I welcome constructive criticisms. Just don't flame me……~