Author's Note: Forgive me! I just read Chapter 12, and I realized that Tomoe's memory was cut off! I went back and tried to fix my mistake! Forgive me! This one has a full chapter, and the last chapter is full, too (Hint: Tomoe's memory).

Chapter 13: A Fool's Paradise

The next day was like a blur. I was dead to the world, but even in this time of identity change, I noticed the air around me had changed. None of the girls had bothered me that day, possibly because Tomoe was around me a lot – her presence as daunting as I had ever seen it. That day, we went into the market, and instead of me bargaining, she took the reigns for the whole visit. I had never seen her speak so confidently before, and I noticed that she, too, had changed since last night. I shook my head of those thoughts, but I found my dazed confusion distracted by her surprisingly glowing presence.

While in the market, I had froze in place at one point. Memories flooded my head by one mistaken touch of a passing stranger, and I panicked. For some reason, it triggered the pain to rush to me – for the juxtaposition of the night's images to frighten the very stability I had tried to maintain that morning. She had noticed immediately that I was not at her side, and she ran back to me anxiously. Out of the crowd, she grabbed my wrist, causing me to snap my head up to meet her eyes. She looked to me, not smiling, but rather bearing a caring yet calm expression I had seen the previous night.

"Let's go, Kaoru-san." she said sternly in an almost motherly gesture.

I opened my mouth to speak but resolutely shut it. I didn't want to tell her what I was thinking. Everything reminded me of Anji and his rough grasp on my body.

"Forgive me." I managed to say, but to my distaste, it had been meek.

We did not talk until we had come to the tea house and made our place in the kitchen. The women had gone up to their rooms to rest up for the night, and the servants were doing their chores, allowing us to cook lunch for ourselves.

"Tomoe-san, why are we cooking our own meal?" I asked when she closed the door behind us, and I had just tied my sleeves back to prepare for cooking.

She came up from behind me and placed a cloth around my head, bundling the ebony tresses back from my face. I stood still as she tied the cloth at the base of my neck and gave a firm tug to ensure the knot was secure. I felt shaky once more as I remembered Anji's hand brushing against my neck and that's when I felt Tomoe's hand upon my shoulder. I looked back to her to see her with sadness in her eyes.

"No matter how difficult the situation, chores always must be done." she said softly.

"Yes, Tomoe-san." I agreed and let my head hang.

Her fingers brushed underneath my chin, only to raise my head back up.

"Chop up the daikon radish. I'm making a dish with some of the fish we received this morning." she announced and went quietly on her own way.

I did as I was told, but as we worked together, I noticed she had not talked about what happened between us the previous night nor did she coddle me. She did work as it should be done everyday. I lay my cutting board down and grabbed the knife, laying sharply at the side of the radish. Tomoe glanced up to see my intense gaze catching the edge of the cutlery in my hand. She frowned and lifted her head to see my face.

"Kaoru."

I froze, taking a gasp of surprise, and turned to see her face. It was so angelic, so calm, so forgiving, I could cry. But I held my tears in and frowned myself.

"Time heals some wounds – not all. But you will move on." she said softly, yet it cut through the air, piercing my ears as if it were a knife meant for me.

I hung my head in shame. Here, I was thinking about how it hurt me. But I never thought how it could've hurt Tomoe when it was her first time. She was so cool and collected, I was sure that she had played it off like it was nothing. But I knew her better than that. Of course, she probably regretted her first customer as I did, but she moved on. Why couldn't I?

I smiled to comfort my mentor, and nodded my head even though my heart told me otherwise.

"I will."

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"Tomoe has been through so much." Kiyosato paused and stared at the wind chime above on the porch, "Can I be the man she needs..?"

His thoughts drifted off in the urge for sleep, but reality would not allow him that one time of rest.

"Akira?" a delicate voice called out to him.

His eyes opened immediately and turned to the doorway beside him where his mother stood with her hand on the door frame as support. She clutched her white cotton kimono at the opening and bunched it at her chest to keep herself warm from the spring wind.

Have I known Tomoe almost a year now? No, a little less. At the end of summer, it will be a year..., he thought absently.

"Akira? Have you been out again?" his mother inquired in concern.

"Yeah." he replied softly and caught the look of dissatisfaction on her face.

"Akira, you are the owner of an elite restaurant. Though I may admit that you are a bachelor, being out all night until the sun comes up is not being responsible."

"Responsible...?"

Akira was so tired he wasn't comprehending her words as his eyelids threatened to close on him.

"Akira, I think you need to get a wife. You are getting older. You are no longer the irresponsible youth you once were. You're twenty-three."

Akira's eyes began to close as his mother lulled him with her talk.

"I have arranged marriage for you."

"Really...?" he said softly, but woke up as he took in those words, "What?!"

"You've known this girl since you were a child."

"Who-who are you talking about?"

"Well, son, I am speaking of our neighbor next door."

"Tenjou?!"

"Yes, the same girl that you have caroused with as a boy."

"No!" he shouted in outrage.

"Pardon?" she said in disbelief.

"I can't marry her!"

"The arrangements are already in the process, Akira. You have to marry."

"I can't marry her!"

"I heard you the first time, Akira!"

"No, you don't understand. You can't make me marry her."

"And why not?"

"You just can't!"

"Akira, your duty is to your family. Now, I know that you fear losing your freedom and bachelorhood, but it's for the best."

"For the best?! No, you're not understanding me. I won't marry her!"

He stood up and hopped off the porch, heading towards the gate. Kiyosato's mother ran forward and clutched the pillar desperately gaining balance after she tripped.

"Akira! Don't go!" she shouted.

But her pleas were unheard as he stormed out the gate and onto the streets of Kyoto.

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Megumi clutched the parchment in her hand. It wasn't any of her business as to why Kiyosato Akira of all people was leaving messages for Tomoe. Curiosity did nip at her, but if anything, she knew that private affairs were dealt by themselves. Tomoe had not scolded her for falling for Tsunan, why should she scold her for possibly just having a simple friendship with a man. She walked up the stairs to Tomoe and found her writing in her journal by the open window. She was smiling.

"Well, this is a rare occurrence, but as of lately, you've been in good spirits." Megumi observed with a hint of a smile of her own – Tomoe's rare jovial traits were infectious.

She raised her head to see Megumi and simply nodded in aggreement.

"I haven't been involved in any murders, and Kanryu is out of town on business. What more could go right?" she asked surprisingly up-beat.

Megumi raised the parchment to her view, and Tomoe froze.

"Maybe a letter from a certain young man who is an associate of Kanryu." Megumi's words weren't meant to be spiteful – it was a friendly tone – but it wasn't perceived as such.

Instead, Tomoe feared for her life. Calmly, Tomoe blew the ink dry and tucked the diary away.

"Who might that be?" she asked innocently.

Megumi pursed her lips in annoyance.

"A restaurant owner by the name of Akira Kiyosato."

Tomoe pretended to be unaffected when in actuality her heart was pounding.

"He came by just now right after he came to visit Kanryu. He asked me to deliver this to you before he left." Megumi finished.

She gingerly handed it to Tomoe, and she silently thanked her. She bowed her head and kept her head bent, as if engrossed in the paper, while Megumi took her leave.

"Megumi-san."

The graceful fox stopped in the doorway but did not turn to see the coveted prize of Kanryu.

"It's not what you think. He and I are just friends."

"But you love him."

Tomoe blinked back the on-coming tears.

"I know you, Tomoe. I've never seen you like this. It's the happiest you've ever been, and I'm happy for you. But you don't know the sting of disappointment yet – not in love. With Kanryu so protective over you, I don't think you'll ever get what you want without getting hurt – or even worse. Please take good care of yourself."

"Megumi-."

"And take care of Kaoru. She's hurting right now, you know. I've seen her tears. She's so innocent and naïve more than any of us when we first came here. I don't know why Aoshi foolishly let the girl follow him to Kyoto-."

"Megumi!"

Tomoe placed the parchment down as Megumi turned to meet her eyes.

"You don't have to worry anymore. What will happen will happen – whether you will it to or not. You don't have control over our safety." Tomoe said softly.

Megumi swallowed back a lump in her throat and turned around coldly.

"But I'm just a heartless bitch, remember? Why would any of this concern me?"

"Megumi..."

Tomoe's calls were unheard as the young apothecary ran from the floor entirely.

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At the time, dreams didn't come to me in my sleep nor did daydreams ever consume me once I took to the task of chores. I found no reason to smile – nor did I take good care of myself through the day. I had found no joy or sorrow in anything. I felt nothing. Later that day, I had taken all the clothes in off the clothes' line and was bringing it in when I bumped into Aoshi. I was taken aback by the encounter since I had not seen him in quite a while, but I brushed it off with an apologetic head bow.

"Pardon me." I said almost indistinctly to my own ears.

At the corner of my eye, I saw Aoshi turn slightly to watch me depart with an unreadable expression. I wish I could have been more friendly, but something about him disgusted me – something disgusted me about all men.

That night, I reluctantly joined in to the night's usual festivities. There was no sign of Anji nor - even more to my disappointment – Tsunan. I felt like I was going to vomit whenever a man just barely glanced at me or asked me to pour them a cup. I put up a brave front though and seduced to the best of my capabilities. And even though I had tried to remain cheerful, I knew some had felt my unease. Megumi and Tomoe stayed near me, spurning any advances men made upon me and persuading them to other women. Another presence I felt strongly was a familiar masculine comfort – Aoshi. He stayed close, watching me more than the rest. How did I know? I could feel his gaze upon me, and I glanced occasionally to meet his cold blue eyes.

"Easy, tiger..." I heard one of the teahouse girls tease to Aoshi as he made his gaze apparent to everyone.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I knew that I was in good hands. It was then that I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"I think it is time for this young one to retire for the night."

Megumi and Tomoe nodded approval as I looked up to see Aoshi standing above me. I nodded and sat up from my seat, much to the disapproval of the man who I had become acquainted with in the last hour. Tomoe began her charms on him the minute he complained, which seemed to placate him – to say the least. I found myself welcoming the early withdrawal and even more, feeling safe with Aoshi as he led me to the back with his hand safely at the small of my back.

Once within the back rooms, he closed the door and took lead to my room. I was so drained that I just silently followed without a single comment. He didn't seem to mind, I thought. When we got to my room, he slid the door open and stepped aside. I walked in, but stopped once I entered.

"I'm sorry, Aoshi-san. I'm just tired." I said with a smile and turned to him to show proof that I was back to normal.

His expression spoke to me that he didn't buy it.

"I should've never brought you to Kyoto. Megumi was right-."

"Don't say that!" I found myself shout and went back to a low tone, "She can't be right. I am happiest here – making money and being a woman."

"Being a woman means letting men have their way with you."

"Better being paid and never having to see them again, then face the shame of seeing that same face everyday – without pay, without pride, without anyone to talk to, with my husband cheating on me because I'm not whom he desires..."

The door slid to a close, but Aoshi was in front of me.

"If you came here for a confidence boost, this was the wrong place-."

"No! That's not it at all!" I shouted with my fists balled at my sides.

"Stop acting like a child!" he countered.

I bit my tongue, and let myself seethe in rage. How dare he tell me that? Especially after what I had been through? But I didn't realize at the time that my actions were childish. And eventually, that night, I had realized I had to get over this and accept what I had wanted. My father was doing well, so he revealed through a letter he gave to another local messenger I had sent with money to support the dojo. The wages from Anji were very rewarding in the sense that it was the largest sum I had received yet. But the damages were long term. I had never fully recovered from my first time, but with the help of everyone I had let it become "experience" than "damage."

When Aoshi left, I cried but understood every word he had said to me. Before he left, he placed a hand on my forearm. I waited for him to something – anything – but I guess he decided on doing nothing and let his hand fall to his side before making a hasty retreat. I wish he would have done something, and to this day, I wonder what might have happened.

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"This isn't fair! I'm not small enough to hide anywhere!" Misao whined.

"That's not an excuse!" Little Outa shouted back with his arms stiff at his sides, "You're a weasel! And weasels are supposed to be very good hiders!"

"WEASEL???!!!! WHO CALLED ME A WEASEL?!"

"Sano-nii-chan!" he said with a sweet smile.

"WHAT?!!!"

Uki, Sano's younger sister, watched the exchange between her little brother and Misao. It had been a long time since she had someone else to keep him occupied. And never before had the household had another girl her age. She sat in peace watching the game of hide-and-seek between the two when Sanosuke had approached her.

"What a pair those two make, huh?" he said in a joking manner.

She gave a half-hearted smile. He was still the same – always playful.

"You're going to leave us again, aren't you?" she said almost inaudibly.

He frowned and took his seat beside her in the doorway.

"You hate us."

"You know that's not true." he abruptly countered.

"Then why?"

Her head was bowed. She was about to cry. For so many years, he had been absent without a word of why, leaving her to take care of her brother and her broken mother. Why had he gone? Sanosuke decided against his better judgment to explain to his sister.

"It's not as easy as you think. I didn't just leave at the drop of the hat. Dad locked me out of the house. He had been for a while. Mom would never stand up for herself, and I'd end up sleeping outside – cold and hungry."

"I know it was hard then, but Dad died in the war. And mom remarried. You should have come back."

"I didn't know, and why should I have come back anyway? Mom never came to look for me. What does that say about her feelings towards me – her first born?"

"Sano..."

"No. Forget it." he snapped and stood abruptly, exiting into another room.

Misao heard the harsh words delivered by Sano from afar, and placed a hand upon Outa's head.

"Hey, kid. I'm going to go talk to your sister. Why don't you go find Sano in the house and play with him? Tell him Misao sent ya." she said with a playful wink.

"Okay!" he replied with an attempted wink and a thumbs up before he ran into the house past Uki.

Misao took this opportunity to meet the younger sister of her alleged captor with a smile to comfort her bruised feelings.

"Hi, Uki-san! That's a cute little brother you have there." she commented.

Uki looked up absently and smiled half-heartedly. The young prostitute frowned at the display and sat opposite of the young girl.

"You know, long ago, I was separated from my family. I always wished to have that closeness again, and the last link I have is a man I have admired for so long. He's out there - somewhere - waiting for me. I never thought I'd be free again." she paused to see Uki, who was morosely watching the sunset, "But Sano changed that. He took me away from a gang that was using me as a trading chip or a tool for their own personal pleasure. Albeit, he didn't actually save me intentionally. I know he meant to just use me as well because he was under orders from his gang. But I am thankful for him. In the end, he's been a savior to me - and a friend. I might even go as far as saying 'family.'"

When Misao looked to Uki once more, she was listening intently.

"Your brother was so alone as a child. He won't admit it, but it hurts to have your own mother turn her back on you. Instead, he found a better family that protected and nurtured him - made him tougher, stronger, and kind. Right now, he is risking his life to return me to my Aoshi-sama. Don't you admire that?"

Uki's eyes brimmed with unshed tears. It could no longer be contained.

"But why does he have to go out there? He could die!" she looked into Misao's eyes and clutched Misao's kimono sleeve, "Everything's better now. Why won't he stay?"

Misao laid her hand on Uki's and gave her a smile.

"Because he doesn't belong. He's older now, and I believe he still has a few scores to settle. Until then, he will go his own way, but don't think just because of this that he dislikes you. He carries you in his heart always."

The young teenager sniffled and slumped in her seat to look to Misao.

"How do you know so much about my brother than I?" she asked softly.

"I don't know him, but these are my assumptions after spending so much time with him. I believe he is a man of few sad words, and when he tells you something – he means them. So if he tells you something, it's worth hearing."

"Misao-san, will you be okay out there? When all is said and done, will you promise to bring my brother back safely to me?"

The ex-prostitute nodded with certainty in her jade eyes.

"Sanosuke Sagara will come home to you. I promise."

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Tomoe was in her room that night, preparing for dinner with Akira. She wore her hair in its usual style, but wore less make-up than usual. Her robe was a light violet and her obi was a dark maroon color. She wanted to look her best somehow, and as she tried to put her mirror away, she came upon the drawer in her vanity. Inside, laying upon the silk sheets, lay the tanto she had received as a child. It was an heirloom her family had kept for so long, and it was passed unto her. In her Samurai family, it was kept in case one had lost face in battle, and since it was the only thing her father could offer her, she took it with pride.

Nothing was certain in this world, he had said to her, use it for your protection.

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Tomoe raised her eyes to meet Kanryu's. He paced around her as she sat on her legs with her hands obediently in her lap. It was then that he threw the tanto on the ground before her.

"Do you hate this life so much?"

His voice rang in her ears, and she froze. She was only fourteen. It had been five years since her father and brother's death. She had hated herself for surviving without them. She had hated how fate took them away and tossed her to the dogs. But Kanryu had kept her in reserve. He knew she would grow up to be beautiful, so he kept her around, waiting for her to be of age to be used. She was a cook, a hand maiden to the women of the teahouse, a laundry girl, a server, and the object of Kanryu's affection.

"Take it and leave this world." He commanded without any care in his voice.

She grabbed it confidently and let it lay in both her hands. She looked at it with tears forming. It was the one thing she had left from her father, and she would fulfill its purpose. But her hands wouldn't move. They simply just clutched it in a tight grip with her knuckles turning white. The tears kept coming and she couldn't stop them.

Kanryu smiled.

"I'm such a coward." she said so softly to the point where only she could hear it, and it would haunt her the rest of the duration in the teahouse.

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She needed it, but not for herself. Instead, she passed it onto me. I came into her room that night, as by her request, and she sat in the candlelight sobbing. I came to her and with glazed eyes, she handed the tanto to me. I was shocked as she pulled me into her embrace and pulled back my hair from my ear, laying a kiss near it.

"The last rule of seduction: Never fall in love." she whispered.

I knew then what she was saying. She was confessing everything, and I felt the pain in her words. She knew that soon, she would face the consequences of her relationship. Kanryu was coming home soon. I tried to hold onto her, but she left so quickly with only the tanto to comfort me.

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Tomoe felt so uncertain of being with Kiyosato that night. Megumi told her it was wrong, her conscience told her it was wrong, and the timing was off since Kanryu would be returning. But when she saw Kiyosato's smile, all the voices dulled down and all she could hear was the river nearby.

He was leaned against the railing of the wooden bridge, wearing a navy blue robe and his hair tucked away in the back as usual.

"Tomoe!" he exclaimed happily with the most genuine smile.

She clutched her hand bag and froze. She could hear her heart beating intensely. Could it be...?

"Tomoe?"

He held out his hand to her and flashed that unbelievable smile once more.

"Tomoe, come. Dinner is going to get cold." he said to her, but it didn't register.

All she could do was take his hand, and watched intensely as his thumb brushed the back of her hand. She looked up to meet his eyes, and she saw it – the unacknowledged emotion that she dare not speak of. She couldn't say it. She couldn't be in-.

"Tomoe? Let's go."

She nodded in agreement and followed suit. Tonight was just about having fun with Kiyosato, her best and dearest friend.

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Iizuka entered the teahouse that night with a pouch full of coins for his pleasure and entertainment. He had started hobnobbing with the elite in the teahouse. Megumi was in full spirits as the cutest of the selection asked her to entertain them, while I was summoned to a table of old men. That night, I wore a deep red kimono with a black sash, and my hair was in my usual ponytail with a crimson red ribbon to accompany it. It was my most recent purchase since I had received my earnings from Anji. As apart of my job, I nodded with partial interest into whatever the businessmen spoke of, but my attentions were on the man who was constantly watching me from across the table.

It was Iizuka, an associate of Kanryu. I had heard Megumi speak ill of him. She thought that there was something creepy and untrustworthy of him. I had agreed as the vibe coursed through me. Something told me, No, he isn't a good man. Keep him at a distance.

I did just that, but I found it hard to do so when he requested for the man beside me to switch seats with him. I found him grotesque as he drank beside me.

"I'm Iizuka, sweetheart. What might your name be?" he asked lazily.

"Kaoru." I answered reluctantly.

"I'm sure you've seen me around."

"Of course. Any associate of Kanryu's is familiar."

"Pour me a drink, dear Kaoru." he commanded with a wickedly sweet tone.

I grimaced inwardly but smiled and poured his tea politely.

"You have beautiful white skin." he commented as he eyed my wrist.

"Thank you, Iizuka-sama." I practically said through clenched teeth, but he paid no heed.

"So what interests you, my dear. You look like the artsy type." he chuckled, "Or maybe the flower arranging type..."

I wrinkled my nose. Flower arranging?! Who'd he think I was? Tomoe-san?! I did not look delicate at all! But I lied.

"I am into Tsunan Tsukioka's work. He is an exceptional artist."

"Tsunan?! Puh!" he snarled and smiled smugly to me, "He's only the flavor of the day, and if I heard correctly, your flavor at one point."

I was boiling inside, but I managed to hold it all in.

"Why, Iizuka-sama, he's just a customer. I was only being polite, but he was very interesting company."

"Sure, he was." he said in a mock-tone as he downed the last of his sake in his cup and slammed his cup down, "Pour me another, Kaoru."

I rolled my eyes when he wasn't looking and placed my hands on the sake bottle but a hand stopped me. I looked up to see Megumi seated beside me.

"Please, Kaoru, let me. Everyone knows that I pour the best in the teahouse. I'm sure Iizuka-sama wouldn't want you to clumsily spill the sake all over the table." she said with a sweet smile.

I pursed my lips and narrowed my eyes in indignation, but she just did her task. How dare she insult me! As I turned to see Iizuka, he was still looking at me with this look of drunken horniness. I cringed inside.

"Well, hello! What is the name of this sudden beauty that appears before me?" he asked in attempt to be sultry.

"My name is Megumi Takani – at your service." she said with a bow of her head.

I mimicked her in my head, and she shot me a look as if she knew what I was thinking.

"What an ill-mannered girl!" she snapped and looked to Iizuka, "Surely, you don't find her more attractive than me?"

He looked to her with a raised eyebrow.

"Now why would you say such a thing?" he asked in mock-offense, but I just scoffed at this playful banter.

I thought Megumi had hated Iizuka! Well, I hated him, so I thought that she could have him all she wanted. When I snapped out of my heated reveries, I saw her stroking his hand on the table in front of me.

"Well, I could definitely make your night more pleasurable if you took me in her place. Why would you want a clumsy, inexperienced tanuki in your bed when you can have a sly fox?" she asked huskily.

He looked to both of us as if contemplating. Taking the turn of situations in my favor, I pretended to be innocent, giving him a confused look. He looked firmly on Megumi.

"Get ready for the night of your life." he said to Megumi with a heated gaze.

She smiled smugly and stood up with him.

"Let me just make the proper arrangements." he said to her and walked off to one of the men in the corner.

I looked up to see Megumi, but she wasn't smiling anymore. Instead, she looked unsettled and yet determined to see that whatever happened went through.

"Megumi-san-."

"Goodnight, Kaoru. I'll see you in the morning." she said firmly and walked off towards Aoshi.

Startled, I watched as she and Aoshi exchanged some words. I saw his usually stoic face drop to a frown, and he watched as she walked off to join Iizuka out of the teahouse. I did not know of why Megumi had a sudden change of tune about Iizuka, but something had obviously troubled Aoshi about it. And frankly, it had me disturbed, too.

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Tomoe entered the restaurant by Kiyosato's side. She was taken aback by the kind waitress that welcomed them warmly.

"Welcome, Kiyosato-san!" the young girl beamed and her eyes turned frantic, "I'm glad you have returned!"

"What's wrong?" he asked with concern.

"We're short-handed and your mother is helping the cook."

"This isn't good." he commented and looked to the waitress, "I'll go back there and help."

Instinctively, he grabbed Tomoe's wrist and led her to the kitchen, but as they came upon the entrance, he realized his mistake. He turned and apologized silently to Tomoe who nodded in response before he turned to see his mother over a hot pot.

"Okaa-san, what's wrong?" he asked in concern as he raced to her side.

"Oh, Akira! You startled me!" she said with a smile Tomoe knew he inherited.

"'kaa-san, you haven't answered my question!"

"Calm down, Akira! A waitress and our cook both took ill."

"It's okay, 'kaa-san. I'll help you. Don't you worry about a thing. This is my business."

Before the Kiyosatos could say another word, Tomoe piped up from behind Akira to speak to his mother.

"I can help, too. I work at a restaurant, so I can fill in the waitress' position." Tomoe stated.

The two looked to her with disbelief. Akira was in shock, while his mother was in shock that there was a woman behind him.

"Why, Akira, you haven't introduced me to your lady friend!" she said in disappointment and slapped his arm before addressing Tomoe, "What is your name, dear girl?"

"My name is Tomoe Yukishiro." she replied with a smile.

"Well, you are quite beautiful and polite. I approve." Akira's mom said with a firm nod.

"Approve?!" Kiyosato repeated in shock.

"Well, is this not the reason why you can't marry that Tenjou girl?"

"Well, I – uh – I..."

"I'll get started right away, Kiyosato-san." Tomoe said with a bow as she retrieved an apron and went out into the dining area.

"What a nice girl! Akira, why didn't you tell me?" his mom asked in disbelief.

"I wasn't sure."

"Sure of what? How she feels?"

He looked uncertain of what to say or do.

"Well, I believe it's apparent how exactly she feels." she continued.

"You do?"

"I think if she hasn't told you yet, then I shall keep my mouth shut and let her speak for herself."

"'kaa-san!"

"Get going, Akira! We have customers that cannot wait!" she said as she shoved the cooking utensils in his hands.

Akira could only watch as his mother proceeded out into the dining area to help the new waitress outside.

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As the night dwindled to an end, Tomoe decided to take out the wasted food to feed the stray cats. The bowl was cradled carefully in her arms as she stepped outside and heard the mewling of the wandering strangers. Ever so slowly, she placed it on the ground and the cats immediately gathered around to eat what was given. She smiled slightly at the delight of the cats and fondly stroked the back of a gray kitten.

"I feel like one of you," she admitted softly and turned to see the broom leaned against the doorframe, "Sometimes, I feel that all I'm doing is surviving to get by."

She grabbed the broom and began to brush the dirt from the back doorway when Kiyosato came with trash. He smiled to her as he placed the trash aside and stretched. He yawned with exhaustion.

"It's been a busy night." he said and leaned against the back wall with a sigh, closing his eyes.

She looked over his boyish features for a second, just to admire with a little bit more understanding of his life.

"I'm glad we came here tonight. It looks like your mother was struggling." the doe-eyed beauty said as she swept the last bit of leaves away.

He opened his eyes to look at her in the dim light of the doorway. His smile faded into a solemn expression.

"I'm sorry I made you work on your one night away from the teahouse." he said sincerely.

She smiled and waved her hands.

"It was nothing. Entertaining, cooking, and serving are the things I do best." she assured him.

"But I was supposed to take you away from that. I paid for you tonight to have fun and to have a few moments without burden."

"And I am...when I'm with you."

Kiyosato shook his head with disappointment in himself. In confusion, Tomoe's expression faded and her head cocked to the side.

"Why do you doubt yourself with me?" she asked.

He looked to her with distress and shook his head.

"I don't know."

"Then don't. I don't like it when you think the worst. I'm so used to seeing the optimistic Kiyosato Akira."

He looked to her with a look he had given her before, a look she knew too well. Tomoe stood there, unsure of what to say next or what to do, but all thought was left behind when a sudden warmth overwhelmed her senses. Kiyosato had enveloped her in his arms and had held her close. Tomoe was so shocked that her arms were glued to her sides and her eyes were wide with surprise.

"Kiyosato..."

"Thank you, Tomoe, for everything." he said in a voice that trembled fiercely with emotion.

She closed her eyes, allowing her to forget her guard, and let her arms brush up his arms. As she clutched his upper arms, she moved her face so that she and him were eye to eye. He looked into her eyes, unsure of what was to come, but he saw that trace of sadness that was always there. And as she pulled away a bit, as if she were about to leave, she placed her lips upon his. The surprise was felt within his body, but the response was all too quick.

I love you, Kiyosato...

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"Kaoru, before you go to bed, you still have one more chore to do!" a maid shouted at me as I passed the kitchen.

I was tired. The night had brought many prospects, yet I was disinterested even though the profit was much needed at the moment. My last customer was Anji, and I needed a new kimono. Plus, my father needed more money to keep up his dojo. I sighed with exhaustion as I trudged over to the kitchen where all but the last maid had retired for the night. I decided that it would only take a minute and wouldn't be as bad if I had whined about it for five minutes until finally doing it.

The tub was heavy, and I wobbled all the way to the side door, but I had managed to make it. With an exhausted fling, all the water cascaded out and drenched the ground. I placed the bucket down and rested a bit. I thought about Tomoe. She had acted rather strangely that night. In contemplation, I pulled out the tanto from the folds of my kimono and studied it. It was obviously something she treasured. But why give it to me? And from one beauty to another, I thought of Megumi and wondered what possessed her to want Iizuka for a customer? Was business that bad? No, she had some handsome prospects that night. But why ditch them for Iizuka?

I stood up, tucking the tanto away, and picked up the tub. I was ready to turn in for the night, but at the moment, I heard creaking. Instinctively, one foot turned to the side, and the other followed. I gasped and dropped the tub onto the ground. There, in the backstreets, was something in the darkness. Rope came down from the roof and was wound tightly around a neck. There was someone dead, hanging by a noose, with dark eyes. I fell back against the doorframe and grabbed my mouth. A cry came from within me and my eyes glazed over, blurrying the view of the dead body in the moonlight.

"MEGUMI!!!!!"

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Author's Note: Wow! It's been a hectic time of year! It seems like event upon event was bombarding me! I had a choir competition in Seattle, and we got Gold - 1st place! Yes, I'm proud, too. I also attended a lot of goodbye parties. It was a difficult time of year. I had to say goodbye to a lot of people who were moving away. I grew up with a lot of these people, and I've seen a lot grow up to be wonderful music composers/artists, football players, and just kind individuals – I will miss them all. But life goes on, right? On another note, I watched the FRIENDS season finale. I cried, and yet I felt it to be incomplete – but how else could they have ended it? I also saw LOTR: Return of the King, and let's just say I wanted more Aragorn and Legolas footage! I saw Spiderman 2! It was better than the first! I saw the Village, and that was a bit disappointing. But anyway, I went back east for the summer, took some vacation from work, and reconnected to where I was born. Thank you for the reviews everyone. I couldn't have asked for a better audience. I hope this chapter was good! I'm glad a lot of people loved the K&K interaction, but people are still calling out for Aoshi and Kaoru. That's good. Have a great rest of the summer!

Reviewer's Response:

angelic-m – I'm glad you like Aoshi! I like him, too! .

C.G Forever is Now – I'll try to give some fluff, but I don't think you'll see fluff until the sequel. Oops! Hint hint. I'm a hopeless romantic, too. .

may strom – Thanks! K/K are just acquaintances right now. Kenshin only knows that she is a part of the bad stuff going on and admires her innocence. Yeah, Kaoru is a prostitute of some sort as well as an entertainer. I'm so ashamed though – I already started the sequel, and I haven't finished this story. .

dewey – You're enjoying the story?! I'm glad! . Another satisfied customer ding!

Wistful-Eyes – With most animes, me and my friends agree that it's not cool that most creators make the women beat up men for not-good-enough reasons. It's kind of redundant and it's unfair to the guys. Sure, it has a comedic effect, but it's kind of dumb. I decided to show a more realistic side in this story. In this story, Kenshin doesn't have much of a part, but in the next – it's big! In fact, he's one of the main characters. Thanks for reading and keep on it! .

Xen the Wonder Dog – There's gotta be some lost sanity to gain perspective, right? .

Monou Hakkai – Kenshin is my little bishounen, so I have to have him somewhere! As for Sanosuke's joke, I didn't mean it that way, but now that you put it that way, I had my hand over my mouth. I was very afraid that people would think I was a pervert! But I thought, "As the beatles say, 'Let it Be." Actually, it was kind of a joke my friend has about guys I like. That there are three layers of the barrel, but I guess I'm the only one that gets it. . Oh! That's a keen observation about Uki and Misao. I'm glad you are finding an interest in the characters. When I write it, I write it the way I think I would see it in an anime. I didn't make Anji a totally bad person, like you said, he has some ....errr....heart(?)... But hey, you get what you pay for, right? Thank you for such an in depth commentary. .

Poppy2 – I'm happy that you got back to the fic. I must say that I've fallen victim to being "darn busy." I have lots of work, school, and not much life, so it's hard. I hope that I write more before the end of summer. .

PhoebeOtaku – Thank you for being so faithful to my story! You don't know how much it makes my day to get a review from you almost every chapter. .

lil miss battousai – Thank you for your input. I will try to make the sequel enjoyable for the audience. But I have to end this one first. .

marstanuki – Oh! You moved to a new place! Happy house warming! Hee hee! I'm just letting you know that I am faithfully waiting! I love your work!

Blue jeans – It sounds interesting, and I understand what you said...yes, I did. . It's very true that sometimes ignorance is bliss – until it happens to you. I love Aoshi! .

nuke-grrl – Thank you so much! .

Orchidaceae – Next time on corny soap-opera-cliff-hanger music Dangerous Beauty! Keep on rooting for K&A! They love your support (coz I do know them! Hahaha!)!

Xavier Dailly :D – Michiru Kashyuuno . - Thanks.

Furygrrl – I can guess pretty accurately on what you want!

Svelte Rose – The reality is: when you're a prostitute, you don't have a choice in who you're sleeping with. It's survival of the fittest. Kaoru learned that the hard way – unfortunately. I never had Aoshi in mind for her first time. Thanks for noticing! .

BelleDayNight – I know it sucks, but Aoshi is paid to keep quiet and only look out if deals go wrong. To interfere in a business transaction would be a bad thing for him. Um...I don't know if I dropped a good enough hint, but Misao isn't actually his sister. I'll look back in my story and see if I left any hints. Sorry! . As for Kenshin, he's just an average man. He can't do anything but warn her.

Aeris – I'm glad you like the idea of a sequel! I've already started it anyway! You can think whatever you want on the pairings because it's meant to be like any other story – whatever the fans like and observe. Except, I'm sorry, the girls in the teahouse aren't exactly of enough status to be geishas nor are they low enough to be whores. Call them, high class escorts or entertainers of the companionship kind. .

Belleblue16 – I love Aoshi and Kaoru. I just don't know why it's not a popular pairing. .

Bonnie – Another supporter! Yeah! .

The-Wolf-of-Stars – I see I have a K/K supporter... hmmm.... .

Massao-na-Mizu – See commentary from Aeris for your first question. Thank you for your comments though! . Sorry about the mistake. I know what you mean coz a lot of people wonder about it. I'm glad you like the chapters though!

Evergreen Makahiya (formerly Nikka4) – Sano has issues with his mom that need to be resolved through time and forgiveness, some people (like Uki) just don't understand that though. I mean, in his place, how would you feel? As for Tsunan, he's not nearly an antagonist as he is a person. I think that all people have a bad and good side. His good trait is his charms for the ladies, but his bad trait is his charms for the ladies. His problem is – he loves the ladies too much (Just had an Asaba moment – if anyone has seen Karekano)! I do feel bad that most people don't like her (even though I kinda do, too), but I tried to give Megumi fans something to like. But I don't remember Megumi saying she wanted Kaoru to say goodbye to Kenshin... Anyway, Tomoe and Kiyosato never get enough air time, and I feel so bad! The story was supposed to be about them as the main couple, but the audience seems to be interested more in Kaoru's love life. Awww! That's okay! As long as people are interested! I was debating on whether they will be happy or full of tragedy because they're kind of star crossed lovers (and you know what happens to those couples...), but I think I've already decided because I started the sequel. You'll just have to see... Either outcome, I hope people are pleased with the way I ended their story. Thank you for your input. .

Jen – Thank you! I did do great on my assignment. I got extra credit actually because it was so detailed! I got a 115%! Thanks to my humanities teacher! Sorry I haven't written in a while.

Sekihoutai – I miss Souzou! I wish I hadn't killed him off! Waahhh! Thank you for adding me to your favorites' list! I feel so honored! .

flaming-amber – Oh! Kenshin isn't really a love interest to Kaoru. He just cares for her because she's so young and innocent, and she's hanging out with all the wrong people. And I feel bad that it was rape, but it had to be done. Most prostitutes' first time isn't really willing.