In Reality

By: NonameJane

Disclaimer: I don't own RK but thoroughly wish I did. Maybe then, I wouldn't be so broke….Sigh

Ch3 Repercussions

She really was naïve. To think this just blew over between the others. When, only, they didn't want her to be bogged down with their grief. So they hid it. He hid it. And she took it the wrong way. Aoshi sighed, he didn't understand her. They only wanted to protect her from the harshness in the world and she proved she couldn't even handle that. So what should they, no, he do? Should she be allowed to see how the world really is outside these walls or just shelter her even more? He didn't know. But, he knew, inaction, in either case, would be more harmful. Aoshi stood. It was time to work this out.

Returning from her anger induced walk, Misao took a step into the Aoiya. It seemed quiet, she observed. She decided it was best to find her friends form Tokyo and apologize. She really was awful to them. She should be thanking them, not ignoring them. She approached Kaoru and Kenshin's room and knocked. There was no answer. Misao shook her head and figured they went out or something like that. She sighed and went to the kitchen for some lunch. They would talk later.

It was a more than pleasant day in Kyoto. The sun was shining and the heat was reduced to a calm, mild temperature. Lovely indeed. They couldn't miss this opportunity. Kaoru and Kenshin strolled down the shop covered streets, just browsing while the others went on their own way. Kaoru looked at all the merchandise with something akin to a glint in her eye, but her smile was muted. She sighed.

"Kaoru -dono?" Kenshin looked up at his wife. She seemed distracted. " Misao-dono, again?" She looked to her husband with something close to a grin, he always seemed to know what was going on in her head. " Yea…but she'll be okay…Right?" He nodded. When she returned her gaze to the shops Kenshin grimaced. Misao's predicament only further proved his opinion of Kyoto. It was a city of memories best forgotten. It was a city of Death.

This was not going to be easy. Aoshi just knew. He needed to make things right with Misao. But again this was much more complicated than that. He was going to basically to tell her she was a fool. That would not make her happy, no not at all. But it needed to be said. All the sheltering she's received has deluded her thinking. He would tell her, in the least harsh way possible. But would she cooperate? Her turbulent emotions was going to make this difficult, no doubt. But when, later? He faltered for a moment.

No. This needed to be done. Now.

Misao retreated to her room. She would just have to wait to apologize. But she hated waiting. Always had. 'Hmph,' she thought, ' guess some things never change.' She looked through her opened door in to the hall and focused her blue eyes on something. Okina's empty room. ' Maybe not.' Misao got up and closed the door promptly. A frown now marring her expression, she took a seat on the hard wood floor. She reached for some hair hanging around her face and pulled on it, in an attempt to distract herself. It really was getting long. Should she cut it? No, she nodded, that would be too much of a change. A change. It was too soon.

Her thoughts were interrupted with a knock on her door. She raised her head slightly, looking to the door in the corner of her eyes. She didn't respond. A second knock broke through the silence of the room. Misao sighed, and decided to give in.

"Yes?"

She heard the sound of clothes shifting.

" We need to talk."

Notes.

Well here it is. Thanks for the reviews guys they really mean a lot and they really do help. On chapter four, I was thinking to incorporate some memories of the time when Aoshi and Okina dueled, on Misao's part. Maybe, for her to lash out b/c she lost him for a second time. I dunno, guess we'll see.