Pretty Man

Aoshi followed Misao silently towards the front door of the penthouse and headed inside when she placed the key card into its magnetic lock on the door. Once inside Aoshi watched Misao head for the bathroom, taking off the towel around her shoulders and then closed the door with her foot. He heard the distinctive sound of running water from the bath and quickly made his way towards the balcony. Aoshi stood outside taking in the view of the city lights and leaned heavily on the railing of the balcony musing over what had transpired back at the pool.

The game had gone way too far, Aoshi realised with a frown on his lips. In then end he didn't know if Misao was being scared or arguing with him because in the end his lips would just not leave her responsive ones alone. This was it, he decided, nothing was his fault but hers. He was the hired company and he being the "companion and escort" that he was meant he'd do anything for his employer for the entire time he was here. And he also noted that Misao never stopped him and in fact responded enthusiastically. In truth there was only one rule Aoshi had power over and that was the sex part, as that was totally up to him to decide upon. If he desired to be with a woman physically then his process was decided and it would be time to question the woman as to whether they wished to partake in the moment. Still though, all these thoughts about Misao when she was near him and away from him meant he was beginning to feel…something…and that was not good.

"Ah, I feel so much better after that relaxing bath." Aoshi continued to look over at the lights hearing Misao's soft voice as she headed out of the bathroom. He began to wonder just how long he had been standing here musing over her for.

"What are you so quiet about?" Misao questioned when she eyed him outside near the balcony, leaning heavily on it, eyes lost in the night sky. Aoshi turned his head over his shoulder to catch Misao in one of the fluffy hotel robes and a towel wrapped around her washed hair keeping it out of her flushed face. Aoshi's right hand fisted on the railing looking her over. He stood up properly and headed inside, closing the door silently behind him.

"Are you okay?" Misao spoke a little bit softer, a little gentler as she lifted her hand and placed the back of it on Aoshi's forehead to see if staying in his wet clothes had brought a fever on. It seemed normal.

"I'm fine…" Aoshi grit out through clenched teeth as he pushed Misao's palm away from his skin and moved passed her to use the bathroom himself. He closed the door with a defiant click and Misao just blinked and shrugged her shoulders thinking it must be a male thing.

Aoshi stood in the large shower stall as the water ran down his frozen body, turning some of his skin a soft shade of pink of where the hot water hit him. It wasn't frozen by temperature of course and in fact was all thanks to Misao. She may not know it, but some of her gestures and words were sending Aoshi's mind into overdrive mode. Aoshi placed his forehead against the cold tiled wall. What was he going to do? Should he leave?

Xx Half an hour passes xX

Aoshi emerged from the bathroom, flicking off the light as he did so. He was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a light blue shirt with only two of the buttons done up situated in the middle of the shirt. The look in Aoshi's semi hidden eyes under his wet black bangs was set. It was time for him to…

"Oh, I was wondering when you were going to come out of there." He glanced over to where Misao's voice came from and found her standing at the table. "I thought I might have had to come in and drag you out." She was in a pair of black jeans, her small feet bare and also wearing a spaghetti strapped red tank top. The living room lights were dimmed as candlelight flickered on the table.

Aoshi couldn't help but head towards her. He'd decided what he was going to do in the shower, but seeing Misao looking all cute and casual with a smile on her face made him draw towards her like she was the magnet and he the responding metal. He gazed down at the steaming food she had ordered while waiting for him to finish off in the shower and Aoshi knew he just had to…stay.

"I wasn't really sure what you wanted to eat, so I thought sushi, tempura, noodles and rice was a good idea." Aoshi took the seat at the head of the table and Misao sat to his left. "Here, pass me your plate." Aoshi quietly did so and watched Misao place all the meals she'd ordered onto his plate. It smelled really good.

"Thank you…" He spoke softly as he started eating when Misao did. They ate in companionable silence; the lulling sound of some instrumental music was playing in the background as Aoshi had only just now noticed it. His eyes, ears, even his entire body had been too fixated on Misao to notice anything.

"Its no problem, it's sort of, um, a thanks really for teaching me to swim."

"Aa…" Aoshi mumbled quietly as he placed a piece of tempura into his mouth.

"I was wondering…" Aoshi's eyes glanced over at Misao's and locked them into his intense gaze. His head titled slightly as he watched a small smile break onto her lips, but not only that there was a light flush crossing her cheeks. "Would you like to come on a trip with me? It'll only be a day and a half at the most."

"I'm at your beck and call until you leave Misao-sama, so I'll go anywhere you want me to go."

"Not as a beck and call anything Aoshi-sama…just…a small trip, you and I and some business I have to take care of as well." Aoshi cocked his head slightly at Misao's words. She just wanted him to go with her…just because? That really didn't make sense to him though. It was like; she was asking him to come…as a friend.

"So, where is your business taking place?" Aoshi quietly asked while pouring himself a cup of tea and then did the same for Misao.

"Its in Chiba."

"Chiba huh? And you have everything organised already?"

"Well actually I wanted to use your skills, as you say you have so many and thought it would be nice if you organised something that you wanted to do while in Chiba with me."

"You have Internet services here right?"

"You know how to use it?" Misao immediately questioned back.

"What do you take me for, an idiot?"

"Well…no…I was just…" She was slightly taken aback when Aoshi chuckled lightly at her. It sounded whole hearted and friendly.

"Its alright Misao-sama. Though our lives are different and my occupation is not like yours, I still have access to the growing technologies. I'm not that secluded away. You needn't worry either, I'll take care of everything, so all you have to do is hand over the credit card." Misao couldn't help but laugh at his carefree words and placed some tempura into her mouth.

"I'm glad you decided to stay with me Aoshi-sama, you've made this trip rather interesting." Aoshi's green-grey eyes shot up and over at Misao at hearing her soft confession, but she was already sifting through her briefcase to bring out her card as he requested or more or less ordered.

"One thing, I want to stay at the New Otani Hotel Makuhari alright? Business I have to take care of happens to be in the Makuhari Messe."

"Aa..." Aoshi responded and took the card from Misao.

"Misao-sama, you just wait, I'm going to make you relax and that cell phone of yours is not coming with us." Blue eyes stared into determined green-grey. There was no way she could argue or even say no to that intense and serious gaze. Misao slumped her shoulders, arms crossing over her chest as she turned her head away in mock anger as she grumbled out,

"Fine…" The both of them quietly laughed together and Aoshi's shoulders finally relaxed from their tenseness in the shower earlier. In truth he really did like her company, she just seemed so different around him then what she was in the presence of others even if they were strangers…and he liked that.

"So when did you plan to go?" Aoshi questioned after finishing a mouthful of noodles.

"Tomorrow afternoon at the latest."

"Tomorrow? Doesn't leave much time for planning Misao-sama."

"I figured you'd use that charm of yours to get whatever you wanted…and in a hurry too." Aoshi remained silent at her words and just took another gulp of his tea.

"Its good tea Misao-sama. Though not my favourite like the green tea, but it's a nice different taste and almost like it has…hmm…" Aoshi pondered over the thought for a moment.

"Its mint, there is mint in this blend of tea. Freshens up the mouth ne? I'm still not sure about it, but I'm taking a whole bunch of samples to Chiba to see if this Tea House Omasu keeps telling me to check out over there in Makuhari Messe would be interested in selling. I could go into partnership with them or just buy them outright. I would love for them to sell the Makimahci Tea."

"I'll need to use your laptop so I can get everything sorted out tonight." Misao waved him towards it, mumbling something about it already being connected and so he silently got up and headed for her work desk. Misao however got up from the chair and headed for one of the plush lounge chairs. She sat curled in one of them and began reading the book she wanted to read when they were down at the pool. Her glasses sat on the bridge of her nose making her look even cuter then she was while twirling a strand of her tangled hair between her fingers. The music was gone and was replaced with a Noh Performance being viewed on one of the television channels as Misao flicked through to see if anything was worth listening to. It wasn't long before she began to pay less attention to her book and more on the television.

Aoshi was busily searching the net for the hotel in Chiba Misao wanted to stay at and finally found it. It looked expensive and flash, but then it was five stars after all and its not like he was paying for it. He booked a room for one night with Misao's credit card and then decided to search for attractions of what they could do when Misao had finished her business there.

"Misao-sama, have you ever been to Chiba before?" Aoshi questioned as he scrolled down the list of popular attractions to visit.

"No…" Misao looked over at Aoshi, observing as he began mumbling to himself.

Xx Twenty minutes pass xX

"I've booked the hotel so all you need to do is get in contact with Keisei Railways so we can get to Chiba if you want to go by train that is."

"Train is fine, I don't mind taking a scenic route. I can sort that part of the trip out tomorrow morning for you." Aoshi nodded his head, getting up from the seat at the desk.

"Now don't you think you should start packing Misao-sama, we are leaving tomorrow around lunchtime I'd presume after all."

"Are you talking to me like I'm some incompetent little girl as though I don't know that?" Misao growled back at Aoshi and watched as he placed on a small smile before heading towards the bedroom.

"Not at all Misao-sama." She knew there was sarcasm in that response.

Xx Inside the bedroom xX

"So where are we going in Chiba?" Aoshi heard Misao question as she stood at the door watching him shove bags of clothing onto the floor while opening some up and dumping clothes onto the bed.

"I can place clothes with yours right?" Aoshi asked completely ignoring Misao's previous question.

"Fine, be that way then." Aoshi watched Misao pull out a mini suitcase on two wheels with a retractable handle and dumped it on the bed. Aoshi's clothes were already folded…well sort of thanks to him dumping them onto the bed and just threw things into the case. A couple shirts, a pair of jeans as that was all he really needed. He placed in a couple more items and then dumped the left over clothing back into the bags and then threw them onto the floor.

"You know my hard earned money went into those clothes and I don't appreciate you throwing them around like that."

"Well because they are good expensive clothing they should be able to handle such rough behaviour don't you think?"

"Whatever…" Misao mumbled and began sifting through some draws as she decided what needed to be packed for herself. Since Aoshi had left the room she noticed that he had placed in another pair of black board shorts with two vertical deep blue strips on them and a white button down top inside the suitcase as well. So it appeared they'd be going swimming somewhere.

Xx Hours pass… xX

The night drawled on uneventful. Of course there had been the usual teasing from Aoshi, but mainly they just watched a couple of movies, both eating some snacks and then Misao retired to bed saying she had a lot of "business deals" to take care of before they left. It was now around 1am and Aoshi lay on the couch flipping through the channels to see if anything was worth watching. As a music station came on he left it there and turned onto his side facing the back of the couch and closed his eyes. There was no way he was going back into that bedroom with a nearly naked Misao. He had after all caught a glimpse of the flimsy silk and ace nightie she wore to bed.

Xx Morning - 10am xX

"Good morning sunshine!" Aoshi groaned at that cheery voice fluttering into his left ear. He turned his head, his left eye cracking open to gaze up at a wide-awake and smartly dressed Misao.

"We've got just over an hour to reach the railway station for our ride to Chiba, so its time to get up Aoshi-sama." He did just that, scratching his head as he did so while cracking his neck. Sometime during the night his light blue shirt had been tossed away as he sat up in just his loose black slacks. Blinking his eyes fully open, Aoshi noticed the small suitcase was zipped up and ready to go. He headed for the bedroom, grabbed some clothes and changed there and then, not even caring if Misao walked in on him as the door was wide open. As he stepped out, there was a small frown on Misao's lips at seeing his attire. He was dressed in his leather pants and with a loose dark grey button down shirt with the top two buttons undone. She could at least be happy it wasn't his muscle shirt right? Aoshi couldn't help it though, these were the most comfortable trousers he'd ever owned in his life and he'd be damned if he were leaving them behind. He sat down in one of the lounge chairs and placed on black socks and laced up his boots.

"There's no way I can get you out of that type of clothing for the remainder of your time here is there?" Misao questioned as she headed for the door.

"Nope, I'm your leather obsessed gigolo." Aoshi chuckled lightly after winking at Misao and watching her flush at his statement and then she whacked his arm. It really was fun for Aoshi to tease her.

Xx Keisei Railways - On the Express Train to Chiba xX

Aoshi stared around at the numerous amounts of passengers. It really was busy. He kept one hand on the suitcase he offered to carry and the other held onto a pole to keep himself steady as they fast tracked it to Chiba. Misao had picked this passenger carriage to check for seating but had come up with nothing and thus she too had to stand. Only problem was Misao was too short for the pole that Aoshi gripped above his head, so instead she needed to hold onto something else…or rather someone else…and that was him. At first she stood there like a stubborn statue saying she would be fine, but after being caught by Aoshi twice at the jerking movements of the train, Misao finally gave in, with a blush of course and wrapped her left arm around Aoshi's waist. She looked out the window they were facing as she dared not to look up into his eyes. That would be trouble for her part as she knew he would probably be smirking down at her in mirth with an obvious message of "I told you so" flashing across his face.

Aoshi himself had been aimlessly staring out the window too, boredom settling in and though he could stand for hours on end, having Misao fully leaning against him, tiredness having set in for her, he really needed to sit down. Aoshi listened for an announcement coming over the loud speaker and found out they would be stopping at a scheduled stop before arriving in Chiba. Relief flooded through him as he watched an elderly woman get up from her seat and gestured for him and his "sleeping little missy" to sit down. Of course there was only enough room for one person, but Aoshi didn't care. He carefully sat down, placed the suitcase between his parted legs and positioned Misao so she sat in his lap, her back against his chest and her head resting against his neck still fast asleep. Though numerous passengers stared, mostly elderly couples at the open display of affection, Aoshi couldn't care less. He wrapped his arms securely around the petite dead to the world Misao and leaned his head back against the vibrating window and closed his own eyes. How else was he supposed to stop her from falling and hitting the carriage floor with a loud thud?

XxXxXxX

"Next stop Chiba Station, Next stop Chiba Station." A voice over the loud speaker spoke and it jerked Aoshi from his light sleep. Misao was still within his arms, though they were loosely around her waist now and it was surprising to him to find that 1) Misao was awake, 2) still in his arms and 3) reading!

"Do you like reading those smutty romance novels?" Aoshi spoke in a husky whisper as it fluttered over Misao's left ear making her jerk in fright at the sudden sound of his voice. She turned her head to look up at him while closing her book.

"You're finally awake." Misao felt Aoshi loosen his hold on her and that obviously meant she was free to get up and out of his nice warm embrace. Part of her mind was telling her to take back her dignity while the other half was pleading with her not to leave his lap. Rational side won and Misao stood up and moved to the now empty space next to Aoshi. They both stayed completely silent, not knowing what to say or do after Misao had woken up in Aoshi's arms and Aoshi had woken up with Misao wide awake and still in his arms.

Xx Outside the Railway Station - Chiba xX

Aoshi stood silently beside Misao, watching as she hopelessly tried to hail a cab with no luck. Dark clouds were moving in pretty quickly and finally the patience of Aoshi snapped as he placed his thumb and index fingers inside his mouth and let out a loud whistle. Misao gawked silently up at him as did many other pedestrians waiting for cabs and instantly one was at the curb. Aoshi began nudging Misao towards it, his hand in between her shoulder blades, so as not to let anyone else steal their ride.

"I can't believe you did that."

"You weren't having much luck and we don't want to be caught in the rainstorm that is headed this way either." Just as Aoshi said that the clouds opened up and rain pelted the ground, but Misao and he were already in the safe confines of the taxi as they watched pedestrians run for cover.

"New Otani Hotel Makuhari please." The cab driver nodded his head and they were off.

Xx New Otani Hotel Makuhari - Reception xX

"Good afternoon, I have a reservation under the name Makimachi." Misao spoke in her professional voice while showing some identification to the woman. The receptionist went through the computer system and then stood up to allocate Misao a couple of electronic room keys and then handed them to her.

"You're on the tenth floor, room 1005. I hope you enjoy your stay Makimachi-san." The receptionist spoke with a smile on her face, watching as Misao headed for the lifts with Aoshi behind her. The deep brown eyes of the receptionist could not help but wonder down to Aoshi's leather clad butt, even though half was hidden by his grey shirt.

"That woman is staring at me, I can feel it." Aoshi murmured to Misao and watched as her eyes flickered up at him and then she did a side-glance at the ogling receptionist. Misao quirked her lips slightly, her left hand reaching out as she wrapped it around Aoshi's waist. She had lifted up the back of his shirt and placed her smaller hand on part of Aoshi's left buttock, her index and middle finger sinking into the pocket on the back of the leather pants. Aoshi had stiffened in surprise at Misao's "groping" hand and glanced down at her to see she was leaning slightly back, a smile on her face and staring right back at the receptionist catching her eyeing her "partner" as Misao made Aoshi out to be.

"You shouldn't embarrass her like that Misao-sama, its quite mean of you."

"Yes well you should realise what stares your going to get wearing leather."

"How do you know I don't like those stares?" Aoshi questioned back as they moved into the lift.

"So you like the idea of teasing all women then?" Misao softly spoke to Aoshi after telling the lift operator which floor they wanted to go to. She immediately felt a flush cross her cheeks as Aoshi stepped behind her, draping an arm around her shoulders and pulled her back towards his firm chest.

"Aa, but you'remy favourite woman to tease Misao-sama." Aoshi huskily spoke before planting his lips against Misao's neck and then immediately he let go when the elevator door chimed and the operator was turning around to tell them they'd reached the 10th floor. He held a confused expression as all he noticed was the tall dark haired man with a smirk on his face walking out with the travel bag and a blushing short woman cursing him silently as she followed.

Xx Later that Night xX

"Where do you wish to eat Misao-sama?" Aoshi spoke as they casually walked down a street filled with restaurants.

"What about we get some takeaway from here and take it back to the room? I'll need an early start in the morning, so I can finish my business early and then we can do whatever you have planned." Misao spoke and then pointed to the restaurant she suggested. Aoshi shrugged his shoulders and they both walked inside to see what was on the menu.

Xx Back in Room 1005 xX

"Would you like anymore Misao-sama?" Aoshi questioned her as she sat back in her chair patting her stomach.

"No thanks, I'm full."

"Aa…"

"The check out time is 11am, but I'll be gone before then, probably even before you wake up as I'll be in a business meeting, but when that's finished I'll be back and I'll make sure its before 11 and then I'm all yours." Aoshi nearly choked on his drink at Misao's words. She was mimicking him from a few days ago.

"Aa…" Aoshi mumbled instead of making some comment on it.

"Well I'm going to get an early nights sleep since your being Mr Secretive not telling me where we are going."

"It wouldn't be a secret if I told you Misao-sama, now go to bed."

"I'm not a little girl!" On instinct Aoshi quickly leaned forward, his lips catching Misao's in a kiss.

"Go…to…bed…" Aoshi punctuated each word with another little peck on both cheeks and then one at the hollow of her neck. Misao had frozen like a statue of ice, but Aoshi rose from the chair and headed for the lounge and laid down on it. Seconds later a cushion flew threw the air as it smacked Aoshi right in the face. He chuckled lightly as he heard Misao grumble and storm off to the bedroom. Aoshi really was going to miss teasing Misao and then…he frowned.

Time was ticking away to when Misao would leave and he wouldn't be needed anymore.

Xx To be continued xX