2) A Friendship

Standared Disclaimer Apply

Warning for language and um... harassment

Kenshin and Misao left their apartment after eating lunch. Kenshin waved to his younger sister and began walking toward his work building. He was the teacher, teaching younger kids to defend themselves. He liked his job very much and pay was fine. After work he'd occasionally pick his sister up at the ice-cream parlor she worked at and window shopped if there was nothing else to do. They constantly admired each other's companionship.

"See you later bro.!" Misao called running the opposite direction while slipping into her uniform. It was a blue shirt with large pink sash that made a bow in the back. She hated it because guys would often try and pull the sash so her shirt would come loose. She never told Kenshin because he'd make her quit and she really wanted to help pay some bills. She wouldn't be her if she let that idiot brother of hers do everything!

Misao walked in and many people were seated, waiting for her to take orders. She rubbed her temples and sighed, "This will be a long day." She concluded.

Kaoru and Aoshi exited the antique shop. None of the same people were there anymore; the old lady most likely retired, the musky smell gone, and Kenshin...

Kaoru's face fell as they walked along the sidewalk.

"I know you were looking for him, Kaoru." Aoshi said giving her a half smile. She said nothing and desperately wanted to change the subject.

"Oh look, Aoshi! I think I need some new undergarments." Kaoru exclaimed knowing exactly what would happen. She and Aoshi stopped as he just looked at the store with a picture of a woman in undergarments wrapped in pink silk sheets. She bounced up and down like a school girl. "Well? How about it, Aoshi? You could give me your opinions of you want..."

"I'll get ice-cream."

That was one of the only places he wouldn't go into. It was a woman's store, not meant for men. Kaoru silently did a little victory dance knowing she bought some time by herself and waltzed into the store.

On the other hand, Aoshi sat down at the local eatery and waited for the waiter to take his order. Instead he met an attractive sea-green eyed girl: his waitress. Misao took a deep breath, "Hello! I'm your server today! What would y-" She stopped a split second taking in this man's features. He looked amazingly ice-like, but behind his inky black bangs were his eyes; those deep ice blue eyes that made her heart skip a beat. "-You like today?" She asked taking the pen from her ear and pulling out a pad of paper.

"What do you recommend?"

"Me? Oh, I don't really like ice cream; this place makes really good tea though. So, I'd say anything that catches your eye!" She spoke waving her pen at a board above the counter. Kenshin taught her the truth is better than making up something the person wants to hear.

"Tea's fine." He said steady as always. Misao noted his unchanging visage and nodded, walking to the counter. Then, a man pinched her butt. She turned around slowly and forced a smile on her lips, "Sir, do not TOUCH me again or I'll have to call security." He just laughed. 'Honestly! In an ice cream parlor of all places! If only I could punch that guy!' She thought. 'Oh, but I've got to save my pay check. Another day sweet revenge will be mine.'

Aoshi saw this and just narrowed his eyes at the man. 'Who does he think he is?' Misao came back with tea and poured it into his cup. He sipped it.

"That's one of my favorite teas here." Misao said. Aoshi nodded his approval.

"Thank you... how much?"

"Oh! It's on the house. No one ever asked my opinion before so here's saying thanks." He gave her a half smile and she blushed twirled around towards the kitchen.

"Hey, baby! How come you never give me anything on the house? I'm only coming to this dump to see you!" The same man from before hollered. Misao ignored it. This made the man disappointed. He got up and reached for her sash. Unfortunately, Misao wasn't quick enough that time. He pulled it and took it from her letting the soft material slink away from Misao's small waist. He sniffed it, "Mmm... smells SO good." Misao couldn't believe this, she held her shirt closed with one hand and pushed her other hand into the man against the wall.

"Listen, you sick freak. Leave me alone and give me my damn sash. You have no right doing that and if I had both my hands free; I'd punch your little sick mind up your ass and around the corner." She said crossly. He laughed and seized her wrists.

"Haha, feisty one."

"If I were you, sir, I'd let the young lady go. You have just disgraced yourself and I will not have you handle her like that," said a cold voice behind him. Misao looked over the man's shoulder and realized it was the gentleman with the tea.

Aoshi pulled his short swords out and slowly, ever so agonizingly started towards the man. He turned around and paled.

"H-hey man! I was only playing. You can have her see? Get over there bitch." Misao was knocked down to the floor behind Aoshi. The man was still holding her sash looking around with worry etching his face. Aoshi felt anger build up.

"I said. Don't. Touch. Her. Like. That." Aoshi said venom dripping form his voice. Further more, his eyes narrowed giving off an aura that the room felt ten degrees colder than before. "Understand English you fool. I believe you need a lesson in how to treat a lady." This frightened the man and sent his running. Aoshi picked up the sash and helped Misao up.

"Ma'am are you okay?" He asked. Her shirt was torn and her big eyes were full of tears and apprehension. Her cheeks were flushed from embarrassment. Her legs shook as if they would collapse. He could tell she wasn't okay.

"Thank you for stopping him." Misao said still shaky. She tried wiping her tears away. "They always tried to pull it, but no one's ever done that." He took his trench coat off and draped it on her. It was like a robe on Misao's thin frame. She curled her fists in the beige coat and smiled. "Thank you...um..."

"Aoshi, and you are?"

"Misao."

Suddenly, the manager burst through the back doors screaming what the entire racket was. After Misao explained, the manager told her to take the day off and settle down. "EXCUSE ME?" Misao yelled. "I'll do better than take the day off. I quit! Oh, and get some new uniforms unless you want this happening again!" She spat in his face and left. Aoshi and the manager blinked as they watched her storm away and accidentally bump into a man, then push him on a garbage can angrily. The manager turned to Aoshi who remained silent.

"Your store... makes good tea." With that last comment, Aoshi followed the fuming girl out the door.

"Would you like me to walk you home, Misao? Incase that man comes back." Misao looked at him with fright.

"How do I know you won't do something like that also?" He stared into her eyes a moment.

"Because you trust me." She was taken back. She blinked and began crying. How helpless she felt, as if she had to be taken care of. Misao leaped into his arms and hugged him.

"Th-ank youuu soo mu-ch." She whispered voice cracking a bit with each sob. Aoshi was in silent shock from her action. No one ever hugged him except Kaoru. Yet, it felt right how her small form fit in his perfectly. He hesitantly hugged her back.

"I'll call my sister and let her know I'll walk you home." She simply nodded. He explained to Kaoru what happened and trusted her to go home immediately and stay where the streetlights were. He never let her go by herself, but it seemed Misao needed him more and for the first time, he wanted to go.

"Hey," he said into the phone.

"Yeah?"

"You didn't buy anything did you."

She laughed and replied, "Nope!"

"That's what I thought. I'll see you at home, bye." He hung up and began walking with Misao.

Okay, thanks to everyone who read or reviewed!!!!!