Thanx to all these people who reviewed NARGIEGIRL21, M.S Arashi Sumeragi, Animelovely, Illusions-chan, bizocochia U-u, rin/sessh, Inkblots, somethings not rihgt here peeps, cookie 6, Nefi and tisiphone you guys are wonderful :)
I've been trying to write for sometime but I've been pretty uninspired, I just can't find the right music that makes me want to write, but I've been working hard
Disclaimer:- I do NOT own RK and the rest of the gang otherwise I'd be a very rich woman and obviously I'm so broke I can't even pay the internet bill.
B-l-o-o-d G-u-i-l-t
Misao slumped on the couch dropping her keys and bag onto the floor as she closed her eyes and breathed in deeply.
"What a day" she moaned, lifting her injured hand and looking at the sterile white bandages that swathed her palm from different angles in a shaft of light slanting though a pane of glass. Sighing dramatically she ripped the bandages irritably off flinging them to the ground to analyze the injury herself.
Smiling she inspected the healing wound, the skin had rejoined nicely only showing the faintest pink lines between her knuckles that hours go were streaming rivulets of blood, in fact you wouldn't have noticed it if it hadn't had been for the neat black stitches contrasting against her chalk white skin. Unnecessary stitches she thought, as she pulled her tired body off the couch and headed to her study. Entering the sleek, contemporary room decorated in shades of coffee she sat in the plush swivel chair in front of her desk and shuffled though her stationary resting in a pink mug.
Smiling victoriously she extracted a pair of small sharp scissors, laying her hand spread out onto the surface of the desk she focused as she lowered the point to her skin and slid the scissors tip under a stitch so that the black thread was pulled taunt. Taking a quick breath she sqeezed the scissors closed hearing a definate 'snip', at once the rest of the stitches in her skin became loose making it easy work for Misao to slip them out. Piling the stitches she had recovered from her skin she slid them off the shiny desk right into the bin that rested beside it then experimentally flexed her hand smiling at the freedom.
A sudden growl from her stomach punctuated the silent room reminding her of the fact that she had had eaten nothing this morning, standing up she headed to the kitchen to stop the annoying grumbles. Forcefully flinging the fridge open she looked at the contents her stomach churning at the sight of meat from yesterday. Spotting some pre-made pasta hiding right at the back the fridge she pulled the container out and peeled back the plastic top flinging it into the microwave for two minutes.
"Yummy!" Misao exclaimed as she pulled the heated pasta from the microwave and swathed the pasta in salad dressing grabbing a fork from the draw as she headed to the dining room. Sliding into a chair she began eating the food faster than the speed of light.
Slowing down once her initial hunger had been quenched she reduced her chewing pace as she reviewed her day. I'm so happy Naru had a healthy baby, I mean if the child had been hurt I would never have forgiven my self, I think I should give Naru some kind of bonus I feel so guilty for what happened. Swirling the pasta in the salad dressing with her fork she frowned and now I have to find a new secretary, god I hate interviews she scowled but brightened as she fished in her pocket and extracted the telephone number. Grinning she shuffled it within her fingers or maybe I won't have to.
Rekindling her previous pace she finished her pasta and threw the bowl into the dishwasher as she skipped past back to the study where her phone laid. Swooping the phone off the cradle she resting the it in the crook of her neck as she dialed the number trying futilely to straighten its curling corners.
Ring....Ring....Ring....Ring, Misao listened from the ear piece chewing her lip apprehensively as she waited for someone to pick up.
"Hello" came a pleasant woman's voice
"Uh hi" Misao said back "Are you Kaoru?"
"Yes how can I help you?" the person affirmed
"I'm Makimachi Misao your friend Megumi suggested you for a secretarial job" she paused "are you interested?"
"Hell yeah, I'm in desperate need of employment, I'm going crazy sitting at home."
Misao's mouth formed a grin "Excellent, how about you come for an interview tomorrow. What time would suit you?"
"Ah 9 o'clock?" she asked hesitantly
Misao laughed "Can we perhaps have it a bit later, I'm not a morning person and have lots of trouble getting that early to work"
Kaoru joined in laughing "Okay maybe 11, is that okay?"
"That sounds more my time, so I'll see you tomorrow at my office in Chikara"
"Okay well I'll see you tomorrow"
"Buh-bye" Misao said happily and put the phone down, she felt good after that conversation even though it was short I like that person I hope she gets the job before tramping to her bedroom.
Kaoru smiled as she fluently slipped her small cell phone into the pocket of her leather jacket excellent wait till I tell Aoshi. She had the sudden impulse to do a frenzied dance to show how excited she was to finally see her best friend. Misao I'm finally going to see you again, I've missed you so much, as she closed her eyes and reminisced on all the good, bad and hilarious times they spent together. And this time I'll force Aoshi to bind you and make you one of us, I don't think I could stand it if we were separated again.
"What was that about?" a man purred in her ear startling Kaoru as he enfolding her within his strong arms, drawing her back against his firm chest. Closing his eyes he breathed in her feminine scent and brushed his lips against her upper ear.
"Oh nothing, I just got an important date" Kaoru nonchalantly as she relaxed against his form smiling at the cheeky way she implied it
Kenshin growled his eyes reducing to slits as he tightened his arms like a cage around her slender body
"Your mine, no man can touch you" he said possessively increasing his hold on her waist causing her to gasp from pain as his muscled arms pushed uncomfortably into her soft stomach, an act to show who was boss
"Relax," Kaoru hissed over her shoulder trying to loosen his iron clad arms from her midsection which was making it hard for her to breathe.
"I've got an 'important date' with Misao who is on the hunt to employ a new secretary you arrogant, egotistical jerk!" she snapped her temper flaring at his male dominance.
At these words Kenshins body visibly relaxed, his arms slipping down to rest on Kaoru's curvy hips.
"Good because if you did have a date," he trailed off nuzzling Kaoru's neck then raised his head to continue
"I'd rip him to shreds for even laying his eyes on you" whispering seductively in her ear.
Turning in his arms Kaoru slithered her fingers into the soft red hair at the nape of his neck and looked deeply into his violet eyes that had distinct golden spots dancing within their depths that held adoration and devotion for her.
"There you go again with all that male arrogance." She said softly her lips millimeters away from his.
Using the muscles in her arms she slithered her body up Kenshins causing him to groan in delight so that they were face to face. Kaoru agonizingly softly brushed her full lips against his so that he could only have the smallest taste, but Kenshin wasn't happy with that. Pushing forward he tried to deepen the kiss however Kaoru had other ideas and pulled away using his weakness to slip out of his arms. Kenshin growled at the sudden loss of her warmth and watched her briskly walk to the door where she turned just as she was about to leave and blew him a kiss.
"Love to stay with you Kenshin, but I've got things to do and people to see." Winking at him and continuing to walk out the door her hips swinging sexily in her tight blue jeans.
Kenshin groaned in response as her teasing left him very aroused "Damn woman" he cursed but grinned. She was the only one that could make him desperate. She loved playing hard to get.
Sighing he headed to his training room needing to get rid all the energy that Kaoru had created.
Kaoru grinned mentally congratulating herself for her tormenting of Kenshin. Grabbing her keys off the kitchen counter she scowled at the pots and pans her worst enemies and shoved them in her pocket slamming the door closed on apartment they had been renting. Heading to where her car was parked she slipped the key into the lock of her slivery blue convertible Kenshin had recently bought her. Sliding into the cool leather interior of the car she rested the keys on the dashboard so that she could retrieve her flip phone from her pocket and dialed Aoshi's number.
The phone constantly rung for what seemed like two minutes causing Kaoru to become frustrated god doesn't that man know how to answer a phone! Finally her waiting was rewarded when it was answered by an obviously pissed male.
"What" he growled
Kaoru rolled her eyes "Nice way to greet people especially after making them wait 5 minutes for you to answer the phone! Do you need some detailed instructions on how to answer a call! "
"Whatever" came his gruff reply, he never was one of many words
"I need to speak to you" She paused waiting for an answer but when none came she sighed and continued "Look just meet me in half an hour at Binui Restaurant okay?" she said as if talking to a child again waiting for a reply
"Can you just tell me now."
"No!" Kaoru almost yelled, the man getting on her nerves "Its important and I don't want to talk about it over the phone, so just get your ass down there or else you'll regret it." Snapping her phone closed she threw it onto the passengers seat of the car fuming as she cursed about 'the numerous insufferable jerks she had to live with'.
Starting the ignition she made it to the restaurant and walked though the door. She always liked this café cross restaurant, it was old fashioned unlike all the crap fast food joints popping up all over the place. Sitting on her knees in one of the booths she proceeded to order.
Skimming over the menu she decided on something light as she didn't require food "Uh I'll just have two cups of green tea and some rice balls." Handing the menu back the waitress with a smiled who hurried off the kitchen with her order.
Relaxing Kaoru looked at her watch he's got five minutes. The waitress reappeared a minute later slipping the green tea quietly onto the table. Kaoru picked up the small teapot and carefully poured it into the shallow cup then proceeded to take small sips closing her eyes and breathing in the pleasant scent of the tea. Feeling a sudden shadow cast on her small frame she opened her eyes and looked down at her watch right on time then up into Aoshi's cold stern eyes.
Kaoru gulped nervously, he didn't look very impressed, but then he never really was impressed by anything. He was wearing his usual long black coat open at the front to show his black shirt open at the top and black slacks. Despite people thinking that all black looked gothic he looked the perfect picture of sophistication and elegance.
"Hiya have a seat." She said warmly offering the space opposite her, which reluctantly Aoshi sat in.
He kept his unnerving ice blue eyes on Kaoru through his pitch black hair "Tea?" Kaoru said trying to break the silence between them.
"No" came his curt reply "lets just get the point."
"Fine, fine. The reason I called you here was we've found Misao."
At the name Misao Aoshi actually looked interested "Misao..." she heard him utter under his breath and Kaoru could have sworn she saw something flicker in his eyes.
"Megumi met her at the hospital after a small incident and Misao told her about how she needs a new secretary now so Megumi suggested me and tomorrow I have a job interview. "
"What time" he asked
"Umm 11 o'clock." Kaoru said only half listening as she spotted her rice balls coming towards her, thanking the attendant she picked up a rice ball and bit into it. Though rice balls would never taste the same as they had back when she had been human, it was nice to eat them again.
"Good then I shall come with you" he said to her
"What!" Kaoru shrieked "I don't think so"
"I will come whether you like it or not" he said monotonously
"Uh-uh, this is my interview not yours, I just wanted you to know that she's alive and well so that you can bind her, but you can do that after my interview, okay?" what happened next startled Kaoru, never had never seen Aoshi so intent
"Look," Aoshi hissed grabbing the front of Kaoru's pale pink sweater yanking her over the table knocking over the tea so they were almost nose to nose. Aoshi's eyes practically shooting sparks "I've waited, I don't even remember how long to see her and I'm going to be there is that clear!" Using a quiet but deadly threatening tone
"Okay okay calm down" Kaoru said a little freaked "you can come."
"Good," was all he said as he let go of her sweater so that she fell back onto her backside "I'll pick you up 10:30"
Standing up made to leave but just before he stood out of the booth he stopped his back turned to Kaoru who was cursing on the floor as she straitened her jumper over her chest.
"Sorry," he said sounding stiff causing her freeze all movement astounded "I just got carried away" he finished and left.
Kaoru sat on the floor her mouth open as she watched Aoshi's figure. Never had he ever shown emotion apart from Misao's death.
"I understand" Kaoru said quietly which did not get past Aoshi's hearing as he continued to leave.
My Misao, we'll be together again I promise...
Misao was very proud of herself. She had used an all the will power she could muster and actually got out of bed at 8:30 which was a great achievement for her. Smiling she remembered the job interview planned for today. Darting to her closet she threw the doors open and walked in looking at the racks of suits, gowns, skirts and shoes neatly ordered.
"Ummmm I can never decide on what to wear" she mumbled to herself
Skimming the hung up clothes she cringed at the start of the huge debate forming in her head. However the argument was put to rest when her eye was caught by a greenish-blue coloured material. Heading to the rack she pulled out the article of clothing that had caught her eye, it was a knee length tailored skirt.
"Perfect!" she exclaimed at the skirt returning back to her bedroom where she opened pulled open a draw and extracted a light wool cowl necked jumper.
Slipping the skirt on she pulled the hem on the cowl neck jumper over the skirt to over lap and glanced into the mirror. Settling in her dressing table chair she worked the knots out of her hair neatly re-braiding it, before applying her light usual make up and a pretty silver chain with a single pearl bead around it that could almost pass as a choker. Transferring her essentials into a pale blue green handbag she slipped her right foot into a matching shoe then almost landed on her face when she tripped over the left shoe.
Running to the kitchen she prepared herself a cup of tea, as she detested coffee and a piece of toast. She never really desired food anymore, only eating the essentials. Grabbing her bag with toast in hand she slammed her apartment door and drove to her work. Stopping in the private parking of Chikara she awkwardly tried to re-wrap her hand in a bandage eventually succeeding as she didn't want to draw attention to herself.
Misao found it amusing when she arrived at work at the amount of people who stopped with their mouths wide open at her being earlier than usual. Flashing them huge smiles in return she continued to her office where she flopped into her sleek 'boss' chair and a moment later after scanning the room began twiddling her thumbs as an indication of her boredom. God this is boring why did I choose to come this early, there's nothing really for me to do, everything's been sorted already. Sighing she opened her first drawer and pulled out an A4 sized sketch pad which she shuffled open to the next clean page then grabbed a pink drawing pencil with generous amounts of bright green feathers bending in all directions.
She wasn't sure at how long she had been drawing a new range of dresses before she was interrupted by a gentle knock. Frowning slightly annoyed at being interrupted Misao stood up and quickly stepped to the door which she slowly opened to reveal a gorgeous short woman. She was about the same size as Misao with a pale heart shaped face surrounded by thick black hair secured in a high pony. Misao silently envied her dark blue eyes which flashed wildly in the morning sun.
"Hello" Misao said smiling "You are?"
"I'm Kaoru the one you were taking to yesterday" she answered
"Ohhhh please come in" standing to the side holding the door open for her to come in
That's when she noticed the person with Kaoru. She had to bite her tongue to keep herself from swooning, he was utterly gorgeous especially with his cold blue eyes looking at her through his black hair. Her fingers itched to run through his silky locks. What the hell am I thinking as Misao felt herself blush at her thoughts. Closing the door behind him she headed to her desk.
"Please have a seat" indicating to the pair of chairs opposite hers "Would you like anything to drink?" she asked sitting herself into her chair.
"No thanks" Kaoru answered with a smile as she scanned the room
Kaoru looked around at the office this is so Misao. The walls were painted a soft light green filtered with plenty of light from the huge ceiling to floor windows. All the furniture in the room was heavy golden oak giving it a classy yet casual look and upon Misao's huge desk she saw a modern computer, coffee cups, paper work and stuffed toys. Kaoru found it amusing to see serious Aoshi sitting in a chair upholstered with what looked like a hairy pink teddy bear skin that matched her own.
"This is Shinamori Aoshi my friend who wanted to come" Kaoru introduced
"Nice to meet you" Misao smiled to him but he showed no response he's a quiet one, I like that
"Here's my resume" Kaoru said extracting a slender bound book and handing it over Misao's cluttered desk
Taking the book from Kaoru's suspended hand she flicked it open and quickly skimmed the neatly typed print
"Oh wow you've worked at quite a few places over the years" she said quietly running her eyes non-stop over all the qualifications and jobs Kaoru had, however she paused as she felt the familiar gnawing sensation start to burn in her stomach.
Oh god not now, not now as her hunger suddenly washed over her like a wave I don't need to eat I already did the other day. Why is this happening? Resting her head in her propped arms realization dawned on her as the fabric from her new bandage brushed her skin oh no, its because of yesterday! Misao felt the panic swell in her chest what am I going to do she desperately thought as Kaoru showed no sign of stopping her babble about all her skills and experiences. Changing her gaze she looked directly into the eyes of the ice man 'Aoshi' who seemed to watch her with concern?
Aoshi watched Misao wriggle uncomfortably in her huge chair and noticed the small drops of perspiration gathering on her forehead. Aoshi's eyes reduced to slits as they darted around the room trying to find the source of the darkness he had detected there's an evil ki in here, something's not right, what is it Misao? Who seemed to also be aware of this force as she failed to cast surreptitious glances around the room.
Misao interrupted Kaoru's speech with a nervous laugh "Your hired!" she exclaimed loudly
"I am?" Kaoru questioned confusedly
"Yes! Obviously you have all the skills required for the job" She reassured with false enthusiasm plastering a smile on her face
Aoshi could tell Kaoru had not bought it and sent her a telepathic message ---there's something evil here, can you feel it?---
Kaoru gave a barely noticeable nod before replaying. ---She's suddenly went strange when that evil ki appeared I don't exactly know what it is, but I have a feeling Misao knows what it is? Do you think she's in trouble?---
Aoshi contained a growl in his throat at the thought of his Misao in trouble ---If she is, I'll be there for her this time, I won't leave her---
---Hey don't forget I'm here too. After all we were best friends!--- Kaoru sent
---Yeah but we were in love, our love was stronger than your 'best friend' one ever was--- he shot back
---Geeze calm down, I'm not going to steal her! I just want you to know that as her best friend even though she doesn't know it I'll always be there for her...both of you---
Aoshi sighed and acknowledged what she was saying, which was very true. He was grateful that Kaoru had found Misao and vowed that she would always be there, but he wasn't going to admit that to her he was too prideful for that.
Tuning into Misao they saw she had swiveled her chair away from them towards the window to hide what she was doing. However their sensitive hearing detected her shuffling in her bag for a moment to retrieve something, finding whatever she was looking for she spun back towards them to grab the glass of water on her desk.
They were both surprised and worried when they noticed her porcelain cheeks flushed and her usual bright green eyes looking faded and dull as if she had been drained.
"Are you okay Misao?" Kaoru asked standing up preparing to walk to her
"No stop...I'm fine" Misao yelped in a horse voice
Quickly darting her hand to her mouth she ate something which she had purposely done fast so they couldn't see and took a deep drink from her glass. Feeling utterly nauseated Misao dizzily moved to put the glass on the table, but drastically misjudged the distance causing the glass to hurtled to the ground where it smashing into large chunks. Groaning in frustration she slipped to the floor and began picking up the shards soon to be joined by Kaoru.
Using this time Aoshi plunged his hand into her handbag to find what she had eaten and closed his fist around a small cylinder container right at the top, drawing it out he read the prominent label on the front.
Dietry pills
MAKIMACHI misao
Dietry pills? Aoshi frowned You don't need to diet, your perfect. Disgusted he threw the pills back in the bag just as they finished gathering the glass pieces. Watching Misao from where he sat he memorized her actions as she pushed her long dark hair from her face.
"Um yeah...I think we're done. Please start your first day tomorrow 9 o'clock" Misao said curtly as she moved to the door opening it for them.
The dismissal was silent but extremely identifiable. Aoshi looked very reluctant so Kaoru grabbed his lower arm and dragged him behind her ---no I want to stay I want to find outs what's wrong!--- Aoshi yelled telepathically at Kaoru.
---You can't, she seems really distressed and the best thing we should do is leave...don't you see we're making it worse---
Aoshi glanced at Misao who had a look of desperation for them to leave in her drained eyes. Sighing he stepped his screaming body out of the office just as the door slammed closed behind him.
"Something's not right, you can keep hiding it" he whispered quietly tracing his fingers down the grains of the door "but I intend to find out"
Misao leaned heavily against the door panting her hunger beating inside of her, she groaned as she thought how rude she sounded but she needed them out for their own safety. The dietary pills delayed her hunger for a short period of time and she took them when she felt the warning signs, however there were no warning signs this time, it had come on hard and fast.
Burying her head in her hands she wanted to cry, Kaoru and Aoshi must think me as some weirdo silently wincing at Aoshi seeing her at her most venerable and weakest time, a great first impression she thought cynically. There was no doubt about it she was very attracted to him, she'd never felt like this towards any man before and it unnerved her.
"No I can't get him involved it will only end in tragedy just like everything else" she muttered to herself flopping back into her chair "I'll try my best to avoid him, cause next time I might just fling myself into his arms and kiss him senseless, and I can't risk that."
Grabbing some documents she forced herself to concentrate on business matters barely succeeding for an hour before the stomach pains started again.
"Damn, this isn't going to work" she whispered as she came to the conclusion that she couldn't do anything until she was satisfied.
Jumping out of her chair she snatched her coat and headed to the carpark
B-l-o-o-d G-u-i-l-t
I hope you liked this latest chapter...I know Misao may seem to have strange eating tastes in the pasta scene but I like eating pasta that way and it tastes really good.
-Lady Isis
-Iona
© 2004-8-3 Lady Isis