Pretty Man

Stirring slightly from her slumber Misao found she was now resting on a the cushy couch and a hint of sunrise was starting to creep through the gaps of the tall buildings outside the penthouse balcony. Murmuring her companion's name aloud Misao sat up on the couch looking around for the tall man but found the penthouse void of his presence. Quickly standing, hoping he hadn't just left without a word Misao stopped in her searching tracks when she found a darkly clothed figure moving quietly about the balcony.

There was Aoshi, dressed in black pants and long sleeved shirt fluently gliding about the concrete flooring with precise movements. Misao watched, heading quietly to the sliding door as her eyes were fixated on the (what she hoped) ex-gigolo as he swayed effortlessly through some relaxation exercises. Watching keenly as the 26-year-old slowed down his head tilted to the slightly cloudy sky, Misao's breath caught when he lifted his shirt from his tanned skin and dabbed at his face with it.

"You are full of surprises." Misao couldn't help but voice, knowing full well that everytime she saw Aoshi in a state of un-dress it instantly got her heart racing. Green eyes slightly hidden by spiky bangs turned to glance at her, before Aoshi turned fully around, his shirt now placed into his right hand, not caring at all (and probably enjoying it) as he noticed Misao's cheeks redden.

"Did I wake you?" Came his subtle question as he headed on over to Misao but darted to the left of her as he picked up a bottle of water and took a full gulp of it.

"No, I just wondered where you were as when I awoke you weren't lying with me."

"Two cannot fit on that couch Misao." Aoshi remarked as he headed inside passed the short businesswoman.

"I know that, but that wasn't what I meant." Pausing in his strides to the bathroom Aoshi turned slightly to look at Misao's downcast gaze. He knew exactly what she meant, she not wanting him to be a gigolo anymore. It was true that he liked her, there was no denying that, but how much he wasn't sure. Could he risk all that he knew and throw himself into an unsure relationship? Could he actually handle what that would do to Misao? Aoshi thought that his very being was already tarnishing everything Misao strived to be by just being beside her. If two people she already associated with had found out who he was then what would happen if her work colleagues found out about it? Aoshi shook his head, all this thinking causing him a slight headache as he headed for the bathroom without answering Misao back. He knew he was being bastardly, but perhaps over a nice warm shower he could think over what to answer her with.

Having stripped from his clothes, leaving them lying carelessly on the tiled floor, Aoshi stepped into the steaming shower only to feel a rush of cold air force itself into the stall as he turned around to face a very naked Misao.

"Are you avoiding me?" Misao confidently voiced even though she was trying very hard not to ogle Aoshi's de-clothed assets.

"It's not that. I just…" Aoshi began, his eyes gazing up and down the unhidden and well developed form in front of him.

"You just what?" Misao voiced, her hands coming up to wrap over her breasts as her blue eyes tried very hard to capture Aoshi's.

"I just need to be alone." Aoshi watched as Misao frowned at those words, her teeth biting into her lower lip as she thought on what to reply to that. He was waiting for her to leave him be, but a fierce determination welled within Misao's ocean orbs and she happened to stand her ground, with warm water spraying heavily over her body.

"I noticed a thing or two about you over this small amount of time and you know what?"

"What?"

"Everytime you are alone, it doesn't do you any good. Remember the night when Himura found you pacing outside the hotel? He brought you back to me. When I saw you, you looked so terrible, so worried at what I would say or do to you. For a single moment when I gazed upon you I didn't care what happened, all I cared about is that you had come back to me. And then…"

"And then what?" Aoshi remarked, not wanting to admit that at this very moment his heart thumped heavily within his ribcage, small things within his heart were beginning to change just staring down at Misao.

"You opened up to me, maybe only a little because I know there are still more secrets hidden deeply within you, but I don't care about that. I know many things about your past now and yet here we are naked and in the penthouse suite and together. Do you have any idea how much it meant to me that you opened up even for a ingle moment to me? I wanted that, I really did, so much."

"Misao listen…"

"No you listen!" Misao by now had unexpectedly thrust Aoshi's back to the tiled wall behind him, goosebumps forming instantly on parts of his skin at the coldness gracing his back. Icy green orbs stared a little wider down at Misao's huffing form as she clenched her short nails into the skin at his shoulders. "I'm not someone who can forget everything that has happened between us. When I leave…" Misao faulted here, eyes breaking from Aoshi's as she hurriedly searched for the words she wanted to say.

"When you leave?" Aoshi repeated in a deep throaty voice, this time acknowledging the pounding of his heart as he awaited Misao's final words.

"I…I want you to come with me!" Aoshi's green eyes widened at this sudden news. Of course he knew something like this could happen, he being asked this several times from other women, but never one like Misao and for the fact his heart was screaming at him to accept. But of course Aoshi remained silent and instead listened to Misao's mumbled confessions. "You became a light for me, a light to bring me out of my darkest moments that I always felt each day after Jiya's death. All I could do was work and work and hope that by keeping myself busy I would have at least made my Jiya happy. Instead when I met you, I never truly knew what living meant. I'd never had company before while in Tokyo, everything was business and when I saw you, something changed within me. I wanted to be around someone whose life was not like mine; I wanted to be around you. I finally found out who you were, but I still wanted you with me. You showed me so many things, lifted the darkness from my heart and I want to keep that. I want to keep that light close to me."

"Misao…I…" Aoshi was stumped for words as he stared down at Misao's wide eyes, dewy with tears and countless emotions. He'd never been called anyone's light before and with heart pounding Aoshi knew only one way (since his throat wouldn't allow him to speak) to convey a feeling and bent down capturing Misao's lips in a raw passionate kiss. She had instantly responded, her body moulding into his as the slickness of the water glided sensually down their bodies. A pair of hands roamed over one body while the other pair kept tight hold of the head, making sure lips would not break from theirs until they were satisfied.

"Oh god!" Came a murmur from Misao as her head tilted back, Aoshi's lips attacking her throat. With a mere touch, even if only his body was close by she instantly felt her body tinge and react to his. His fingers traced down her back, one stimulating the nerves there to make her shudder while the other groped her right butt cheek. "I want you…" Came another murmur from Misao, cheeks pinking at her forward words, wondering where this Makimachi Misao had come from. It didn't take long for Misao to feel the coolness of the tiled wall against her back as her arms were raised above her head by one hand before lips began to caress her damp skin. Misao began to feel the beginnings of her lower body react to Aoshi's touches. His lips slowly licked up her neck before Aoshi's tongue delved into her opened mouth.

"Lift your leg." Aoshi heatedly voiced to Misao while he stroked the under part of her left thigh. Shakily Misao lifted it and felt her leg contact with Aoshi's arm as he held it against the crux of his elbow. Cheeks reddening once more, Misao felt a little too much open for the man moving closer towards her.

"I…Aoshi I… Mmm…" Misao couldn't help but groan as lips captured hers while fingers explored elsewhere. Misao's toes curled and her chest heaved for air when Aoshi pulled away from her lips once more. Thrashing her head from side to side Misao continued to moan, hands clenching into the skin on Aoshi's hand that held her arms prisoner above her head. However, Misao's climax did not come as she snapped her eyes open to glance up at Aoshi who by now had let her go and stood beneath the warm water running down his richly tanned skin.

"What's the matter?" Misao was trying to get her voice back, her eyes glancing down at Aoshi to see him very aroused and yet there was something within his eyes that Misao couldn't understand.

"As much as I like the idea of seeing you pinned against that wall…" Misao flushed at this. "…I'd rather move it to somewhere else. Kneeling on tiles isn't very comfortable." Misao bit her lip as she watched Aoshi turn off the taps, steam rising from their bodies from the heat of the water. She had to agree with him though. Sitting on the tiles was uncomfortable after a small period of time so what would it be like kneeling on them. Aoshi had done this, so Misao did not argue with experience. With the glass door now open Misao shivered at the cold breaking inside and felt Aoshi take her hand as he placed her within a fluffy white robe, picked her up bridal style and headed for the bedroom.

Lying Misao flat on the bed, ocean blue and green orbs clashed as Aoshi bent down, caressing his lips against Misao's while he asked her his question.

"Are you sure you want this?" In answer all Aoshi received was his head being brought down so Misao could capture his lips as she delved her tongue into his waiting mouth. The fires of passion where being stroked as Aoshi loosened the knot from Misao's robe. His now cool digits caressed her flushed skin beginning at her shoulders, moving down to her plump breasts, over her stomach, moving around her hips and then to part her thighs to allow him to lie between them. Each moan or twitch made Aoshi pay extra attention to the area before he pulled his lips away, making Misao mewl slightly as he lapped at her neck. She was so responsive that Aoshi found himself swelling even more, his need for Misao almost irrupting. Taking a deep breath as he lay heavily over her body, Misao's hands gliding up and down his back Aoshi finally sat up on his shins, not caring that he was butt naked since Misao was as well. She remained on the bed, sprawled before him and looking oh so delicious to taste. With that thought in mind Aoshi made a quiet shushing noise to Misao, murmuring for her feel everything he was about to inflict on her as he set about pleasuring her.

This time it started with caressing up her legs and kisses being placed against her inner thighs. With legs moving apart even further at his affectionate pecks and suckles Aoshi smirked lightly as he completely missed Misao's centre and went about nibbling and suckling at her flat stomach. She mewled in complaint, clasping one of his hands, wishing for it to move south instead of north but Aoshi was stronger and instead went about his own pattern. His hands caressed Misao's arms positioning them once more above her head. This time however Aoshi found Misao to be a little more obedient here as she let her arms remain above her head. Finally deciding he had tortured her enough for one round Aoshi's mouth moved down. Her back arched, hands groping the material of the bed and the robe still clinging to her shoulders but Aoshi continued his onslaught. Aoshi began to enjoy the sounds Misao made more and more as well as the way her hips moved. She was nothing but a bunch of over sensitive nerves that needed stimulating and Aoshi was more then happy to comply.

"Oh Kami-sama! Mmmmm…" Misao groaned out, teeth sinking into her lower lip, almost breaking the thin layers of skin there but she didn't as her mouth parted open, erotically gasping out Aoshi's name as her climax hit her with full force.

Misao opened her eyes when she felt her slack body being lifted up as she made out Aoshi's hazy form, but of course Aoshi being Aoshi would not allow her to rest until she was begging him to stop. Turning Misao over, so her back was facing him and she was facing the wall and headboard Aoshi went about stimulating the nerves against her lower back. Misao groaned and began to pant, as she leaned forward and closer to the headboard and wall, moaning continuously as Aoshi played her like a fine instrument. A sheen of sweat graced Misao's flushed skin, as Aoshi kneeled behind her allowing Misao to feel him – but not within her – as she breathed heavily while hands continued to manipulate her senses.

"MMPH AOSHI! OH AOSHI!" Misao screamed aloud, forehead resting against the wall, while her hands grasped the headboard heavily as shivers rocked her body while Aoshi didn't for one second allow her time to recuperate as he quickly sent her into a third orgasm. Misao panted, almost in a sob like fashion as she begged Aoshi to allow her some time to rest and it seemed Aoshi had finally heard it as he leaned back, his own breath short at what Misao's horniness was doing to him. His eyes remained on Misao's twitching body, as he observed Misao slump into the bed, chest heaving for air at the after affects. The robe lay against her elbows, she resting on her side, legs still slightly spread apart and Aoshi could have sworn he could hear Misao's heart pounding within his ears or was that his own? It didn't matter right now, for all Aoshi wanted was to be within Misao and so he turned her over to face him, her heavy eyelids lifting when she felt her legs being spread once more.

"Aoshi…I…AAAAAHHHHH!" Misao screamed out, as he entered her in one quick thrust. Aoshi panted against her neck and shoulder and Misao mewled sweetly into his ear, her hands clenching his shoulders as they began to rock quickly and erratically together. There had been no time to savour the moment until afterwards as speed became a factor as want and need took over within seconds. Grunts, moans, slick noises of bodies crashing together and fluids merging as one assaulted the penthouse room. Misao jerked her head back screaming Aoshi's name, fingers scorching red marks into his back while Aoshi suckled Misao's neck, teeth digging into her supple skin marking her. This very woman was currently making Aoshi spend every piece of strength within him as he exploded over and over while she groaned his name in sensual little murmurs.

When the sexual tension faded slightly, Aoshi sagged into Misao's body, forcing her more into the mattress as he panted breathlessly against her neck, tongue caressing the bruised mark there to soothe it lightly. Misao's legs had dropped from around Aoshi's waist but her arms remained tightly around his shoulders and neck, her ears pounding with a heavy heart. She swooned in disappointment when Aoshi pulled out before watching him drop down sluggishly against the mattress beside her. There the two of them lay, lost within thoughts of their own before both fell into a light sleep.

Xxx A couple hours later – Mid Afternoon xxX

Aoshi hadn't moved from the bed, his eyes very much focused on Misao's sleeping form, but doubt filled his heart once more. She slept so soundly, so peacefully that Aoshi didn't have the heart to wake her as he sat up from the bed, white sheets pooling in his lap as he stared over at the clothes lining the cupboard before him.

"Something troubles you." Came the murmur from behind him as a hand brushed the muscles on his back. Aoshi instantly went tense at the caress. She wasn't supposed to be awake.

"Misao, you know this won't work out." At those words finally free from the deepest darkest place in his heart, Aoshi felt the caress stop in an instant. "We are too different to ever think about being together. You must think rationally about asking me to come with you to Kyoto. Your life is different from mine and I need to figure out what I want to do with my own." Misao by now watched as Aoshi swiped up clothes and headed out of the bedroom. Tears form within her eyes but she carefully brushes them away and places the robe around herself as she heads into the main living area on wobbly legs.

She found Aoshi lacing up his boots before watching him stand up, her eyes growing slightly wide behind her ruffled thick bangs as she finds him in the outfit she first met him in consisting of leather pants, black muscle shirt and white jacket. Without a word spoken Misao placed the money onto the table close to Aoshi, her eyes trying to catch his but Aoshi refused to look at her. Biting her lip and trying very hard not to show how hurt she was Misao turned her back to him, ready to walk off but haltered when Aoshi called out to her.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't control myself around you, but with all our differences and a past that cannot be erased, I don't want to corrupt you any longer. You are beautiful Misao, in and out whether you believe it or not, but I…I'm not someone you should be seen in public with throughout Kyoto where people know you best."

"I'm sorry you think of yourself like that because I don't!" Aoshi jerked his head up watching Misao walk into the bathroom and close the door shut. He fisted his hands, a thousand curses to himself flowing through his brain while he eyed the cash on the table.

Xxx Inside the Bathroom xxX

Misao slumped against the bathroom door, tears streaming down her face before she leaned forward and cupped her hands over it. She'd never once in her life laid her heart and feelings out so plainly to anyone (not even Soujiro) and so hurriedly before as well. Now her hopes that the light would stay with her began to fade, the darkness within her heart beginning to consume her once more. Misao jerked her head up at the soft echo of a door closing and scrambled to open the door only to see the penthouse absent of Aoshi's presence. Her eyes roamed over to the money on the table and found it scattered all over the place. He'd left without taking all of it. Aoshi had vanished quickly out of her life just like he had come into it.

Xxx Two Hours pass by xxX

Misao stood at the balcony, watching lightning flash through the sky before there was a knock on the ajar front door of the penthouse.

"Makimachi-san, is this all your bags?" One of the porters voiced and Misao turned her head to face him, nodding it affirmatively. He left with her bags, more luggage then she intended on having since Aoshi hadn't taken any of the clothes she bought him. She'd called up Okon telling her she needed to go on a holiday for once and that she was heading home and for her to get her the next flight out of Tokyo. Misao had been in luck to as there was a flight within the next hour and she was on it. She was startled out of her thoughts by her phone ringing and went over to pick it up.

"Moshi, Moshi…"

'Misao-chan gomen nasai…'

"Megumi-san!" Misao was surprised at the sorrow in Megumi's voice and sat down in the desk chair.

'I wasn't myself and for that I apologise. I hope you could forgive me. Sano and I are actually going to sit down and have a talk as well.'

"I'm glad…" Misao mumbled out, her eyes down cast as a memory of Aoshi sitting on this very desk, with her small feet between his leather clad thighs flashed through her mind.

'Do you think we could have lunch tomorrow?'

"I'll have to take a rain check, I'm flying out tonight."

'You're what? But what about Ao-'

"I have to go Megumi-san, I'll call you in Kyoto." Misao hung up the phone, not needing to hear Aoshi's name right now and grabbed her briefcase as she headed out of the penthouse and closed the door silently behind her. Riding in the elevator brought Misao another memory of Aoshi and her heading for the swimming pool and once she reached the lobby the memory of her and Aoshi walking arm in arm to the limo assaulted her. They were going to the Noh performance and they both had employees and customers smiling at the way they were dressed and looked together.

"Makimachi-san, it was a pleasure seeing you in Tokyo once again." Misao smiled lightly at the redhead manager who took her hand and kissed it in his gentlemanly manner.

"See you next time Himura-san."

"Yahiko will take you wherever you wish to go, just like he did for Shinomori-san."

"Th-Thank you…" Misao mumbled and headed outside, rushing quickly into the limo as rain began to fall. She sat in the back, listening to the radio until a familiar song, one that was completely implemented into her heart came on.

I have been blind, unwilling to see

The true love you're giving.

"Yahiko-san, please turn the radio off." Misao requested and her driver did as she asked. However the tune, the words, the voice of Aoshi filled her mind. Misao quickly pressed the button to let the window down and allowed rain to splash against her face, her eyes closed as she fought not to cry. She began to hate herself for falling for Aoshi so hard and so quickly.

"Thank you for the ride Yahiko-san." Misao spoke and tipped the limo driver before placing her bags on an airport trolley.

"Makimachi-san, he was very sad."

"Who was sad?" Misao spoke as she watched Yahiko standing at the driver side door.

"Shinomori-san…" He mumbled before getting into the car and heading off. Misao shook her head and headed into the airport to check in her baggage and get her tickets without looking back.

Xxx Enishi's Room xxX

Aoshi lay on Enishi's bed while the white haired male sat on a chair deciphering all that Aoshi had voiced to him.

"Let me get this straight, she liked you no matter who you are or were, wanted you to go to Kyoto with her and you came back here?"

"I have a life here Enishi."

"Do you Aoshi?" Aoshi leaned up on his elbows looking into turquoise eyes before flopping back down onto the bed. "What life is there to lead here? You aren't happy here and do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because she isn't here! For once don't worry about what I'll think of you or what others will define you as. All you need to do is look into that heart you have and find whether you can live without her."

"But I…"

"She loved you Aoshi." Aoshi sat up at that, surprise in his eyes and placed his hand against his heart.

"She loved me...just for being me."

"How many ex-prostitutes and/or gigolo's can say that?"

"Enishi…" Aoshi couldn't go any further when a loud scream from downstairs could be heard. In an instant Aoshi and Enishi were out of the room and pounding down the stairs only to see a fuming woman with long black hair and a very unconscious Kanryuu lying on the floor. She huffed lightly before her maroon eyes locked onto Aoshi's surprised features. His lips parted, ready to say something, but a slap resonated throughout the apartment building instead.

"I never knew my little brother could be so cruel to hurt Misao-chan, the person who fell in love with him for just being there for her."

"Me-Megumi…"

"There is no time for delays. You have to leave right now!"

"I do?"

"Of course!" Enishi and Megumi yelled at him at the exact same time, but Aoshi's eyes were still focused on Megumi.

"Look, I know who you are and I apologise about the situation I placed you through at the penthouse, but right now, if you leave this instant you can beat Misao-chan home. She left tonight on a flight to Kyoto. If we get you to the Bullet Train you can beat her home."

"I…"

"There was always something in your eyes I could never understand when we were younger, but now, now I can understand it. All you wanted was to be loved and now you finally have that so hurry and go to her already." Megumi bent down to look at Aoshi's scared hands and took one within hers, watching him tense slightly at being around her once more. "Even though I was never a nice sister, I realise now my ototo needs some happiness in his life and so does Misao-chan too. Now hurry Aoshi, I have someone to drive you to the Bullet Train."

"Enishi I…" Aoshi started but received nothing but a smirk from the white haired male that would always be his older brother.

"You did good Aoshi, now run away once more and this time don't worry about what you are doing. Everything is right this time."

"Hurry Aoshi!" Megumi voiced, pulling on his hand as they rushed out of the apartment building to come face to face with Sano in the driver's seat of Megumi's black Mercedes.

Xxx At the Train Station xxX

"I grabbed you your ticket, this is Misao's address so now get on there and run to her." Megumi watched Aoshi fight within himself before she was caught off guard as he quickly hugged her and then let go to rush to the Bullet Train since it was on its final boarding call.

"Sano, they'll be okay, won't they?" Megumi voiced and felt the warm presence of him as he placed his hand on her shoulder, the two of them watching as the train pulled away from the station.

"That is up to them." Sano murmured lightly as the train faded into the distance.

XxXxXxX

Aoshi sat in a carriage, hands fisting in his lap as he fought off the growing nervousness within him. What if Misao rejected him because he had stupidly rejected her? Quickly shaking his head of that negative thought he leaned back into the chair, eyes closed and began to try and plan what it was he was going to say to Misao when he saw her.

"Misao…"

# To be continued #