Chapter eight

Title: Hardships

Author: Animefreak03

Rating: M for safety i guess

A/N: hello minna san...sorry for the delayed but as i said my mother is very ill and i have to take care of her. she's getting better everyday but we have to keep a closer eye on her. Well i hope you like this story and i must say that i want to portray it as realistic as i can. Enjoy

Misao sat at the bus stop a few minutes away from leaving her hometown, her favorite places...a few minutes away from leaving the memories of it all. She sighed and rubbed her still flat stomach. A careless moment created the miracle inside of her. She didn't regret it, in fact she would never regret getting pregnant.

She did however regret disappointing her father.

There was no point in dwelling on the subject anymore. She was moving on.

"MISAO" she heard and looked to her left to see Kaoru and Sano running towards her. She also noticed the red head behind them. Kenshin?

Kaoru inhaled and smiled "I'm glad we made it in time" Misao stood up and hugged her friend.

Sano stepped up "Misao I called Megumi she's expecting you at Port Authority"

"Why did you tell her?"

Sano rolled his eyes "Give me a break Misao. It wouldn't be fair for Megumi to find you knocking at her dorm room at ten in the night, with your bags. Look the fox and I tell each other everything and I wanted her to be prepare for you"

Misao wiped a tear away from her face "thank you Sano. I'm sorry I'm putting you all through this" she looked over Kaoru's shoulder at Kenshin. Ever since they found out about Aoshi, Misao had not spoken to Kenshin. They were best friends Kenshin and Aoshi that is, and she didn't want to know anything.

He smiled "Misao please do be careful in the city"

She nodded "I want you guys to know that once I'm settled I'll tell you where I'm staying and what's going on. And whatever you do, do not and I mean this do not tell HIM. If you do I will never speak to any of you"

Kaoru shook her head "he has a right to know Misao. You are going to have his child"

"NO kaoru. I mean it. If he finds out about me and I find out one of you told him, I will personally come back here and kill you all"

Kaoru sighed and patted Misao "you're like my little sister Misao I want to look out for you"

She glared "hey you are my age, don't act all grown up here" they laughed

"Stop being a clown Misao. Anyways, I'll come visit every weekend"

"No Kaoru, you have a life I don't want..." Kaoru put a hand to Misao's lips

"I will visit. No matter what happens, no matter what the weather is like, I will come. I promise. Besides I want to be there for the birth of my niece of nephew"

Sano hugged misao "I will visit as much as I can. Weasel we will be here to help you in whatever you need. Here" he haded her an envelop much like her mother's "it's about three hundred dollars. It should help you with something"

"No sano, please take it back"

"Take it. Use it to buy food and things, it's not much. Please misao as my best friend take it"

The tears came down fast. Kaoru took out a wallet she had in her purse and took out some money too. Kenshin didn't hesitate and also gave the young woman some money "you guys this is too much"

Kenshin smiled "no this is nothing. I wish we could do more Misao. Your bus is here" they all turned to see the greyhound bus opening the doors "take care" he hugged her tight.

She bid them goodbye and then mounted the bus. They gave her all together a total of seven hundred dollars. She was a lucky woman to have such good friends. She put the money in her bag and then took out her mother's envelop.

There was a letter inside...

My little misao, I'm sorry that I wasn't strong enough to stop this. I wish I had...please misao if you ever need anything don't hesitate to call me, I will look out for you. You are my child. Keep me inform of where you are and the baby. I will visit I promise. Take good care of yourself and remember to eat right. You are eating for two now my little one. I guess you've grown up. I love you,

always. Your mommy.

Misao let the tears dropped even more and she took in a deep shuddering breath. She was about to place the letter back when she noticed another piece of paper. She took it out and unfolded that paper and her eyes widened and she gasped.

A check. Her mother wrote out a personal check to her...a big check. Three thousand dollars to be exact. What in god's name.

Even so that would only cover certain things. The city was a very expensive place and misao was now looking out for two. With her mind made up she knew what she had to do.

The money would go to a savings account that would be used for the baby, while the money she received from her friends would go for food or even a room.

Megumi was fuming. How dare they kick their daughter out when she needed them the most? It was expected that this could and would happen, but even so, misao was still so very young.

She paced back and forth at the gate where misao would come through. Just five more minutes until the bus let the passengers out. She took in a deep breath and smiled as she watched the frightened woman look around for her.

"Misao over here" she waved and misao walked as fast as she could with the heavy luggage.

Megumi and her embraced and then megumi took some bags "come on lets get something warm to eat. This winter is going to be cold"

Misao laughed "it's only fall megumi" the older woman shook her head

"even so we have to get something warm so we can talk. In the mean time you will be staying in my dorm room till Monday"

"I'm sorry I put you in this position megumi"

"Don't worry. I wish I could let you stay longer but the rules of the dorm can't be broken"

As they waited for their order to arrive Megumi began her questioning "and what of aoshi?"

"What of him? He will not know of this and you and the others will not tell him"

Megumi shook her head "this is wrong misao"

"Even if he knew, what would that solve? He has a bright future ahead of him Megumi"

"Like you don't? Misao I will help you with whatever I can, and one of those things will be schooling. You will attend your last year of highschool. I want you to go to school"

Misao smiled "I want to attend school as well Megumi. It's not going to be easy to find a job not having a degree especially here in NYC. And I have a child to look after"

"Monday morning I will not go to my classes. We will both go and get you help. Misao you can't rent an apartment in the city because it's too expensive, believe me I have tried. Thank god that I had good grades and was able to get a scholarship to NYU. But it is difficult"

"What do you suggest I do?"

Both looked up as the waiter brought their meal. Misao beamed and began to dig into her past and megumi laughed "you will be having a real big appetite soon. Anyways back to what we were discussing. Misao the only way that you will be able to get in track is to get economic help"

Misao swallowed her soup "as in what? I mean I'm going to get a job"

"Misao that's good, but it will have to be a part time job so you could go to school. Then you probably will be payed at least seven dollars an hour. From that you are going to have to pay for rent, not to mention electricity, phone bills, because you are going to need a phone especially in your condition, then cable, and let's not forget your security deposit which will be like three hundred dollars"

"I get it"

"No you don't misao. You have to buy groceries, and things for the baby. I suggest that you get into the system for a while at least"

"The system?"

Megumi nodded "welfare system, they can help you find a place to live, they can even pay part of your necessities. I can help you but so much misao"

"Megumi you have helped enough. I will go to the place where I could sign up for this"

"I'll take you Monday. Explain to them your situation and then we will see"

Monday morning...

The welfare office was full of people. Mothers, children, men, security guards and garbage. Screaming and crying was making Misao annoyed. But she had to do this. She couldn't live with Megumi hiding in her dorm and she couldn't go back home because she had none.

Megumi took Misao's hand "relax. Now take a deep breath and stay calm"

"MAKIMACHI, MISAO" an African American woman yelled so that others could hear. Misao and Megumi stood and both made their way towards the woman.

The woman looked at misao and megumi "which one is it?" misao pointed to herself "follow me, your friend can come as well" they both nodded.

They reached a cubicle at the end of a long hallway "I got another one for you Lopez, she's seventeen and is a month and a half pregnant"

Lopez was a tall woman with black hair and dark eyes. She smiled at Misao and Megumi then turned to the woman "next time Liza don't tell me I got another one. Tell me their names and treat them like people not just papers"

Liza rolled her eyes "whatever, I don't get pay enough for this anyways" she then left.

Lopez turned to them "excuse her, she's on her monthly visit. Anyways, please take a seat and tell me what's going on"

So misao told the woman who was known as Angela about her dilemma and Angela shook her head. Indeed misao was another one, but she was a woman in need of help "alright miss Makimachi"

"Please call me Misao. You've been too nice"

Lopez smiled "Misao, I will contact you as soon as I can get an apartment for you. You have to fill out these forms for me so that we can enroll you back in school and then give you medical insurance. Also we are going to need to enrol you in the mother's program that we offer so we could teach you how to care for your child"

Misao's eyes lit up "you are going to give it to me?"

"We can't deny you help. You need it misao that's our responsibility"

"I want to work"

"And that's something that we like from our recipients misao. We are going to help you get a job. What do you like?"

"I wanted to be a clothes designer, I don't think I'll be able to find a job in that"

Lopez smiled "let me deal with that. As for now you should go back with your friend. I have her number and if the school gives her trouble I will personally talk with them. Is that alright with your Miss Megumi?"

Megumi smiled "no problem at all"

"Alright I have everything I need. Just fill out the forms while I go grab some folders and make some calls to some apartment buildings in the city. Would you like to live in Manhattan or another borough?"

"Manhattan would be fine, I think I wont get too lost here, and megumi is here too" Lopez stood up

"You are an amazing child Misao. I'll be right back" she left.

Megumi was hugged by misao "oh megumi this is so wonderful. They are going to help me. I will be able to move on"

Megumi smiled "see told you it would be fine. Misao the money that you got you should put it in an account"

"I will megumi as soon as I can get settled"

Lopez came back with some snacks "here you two must be starved. And I got good news , I was able to find some apartments that are empty. We can see them tomorrow"

"Really? Oh my that's great. Megumi you hear that"

"Yes misao. Thank you so much for your help"

"Hey women need to stick together in everything. My pleasure helping nice girls like you"

"I wont disappoint you Mrs Lopez"

"Don't worry, you should thank the people of the city, it is their taxes that are helping you after all"

"Oh some day I will. I promise"

Misao was shown three different apartments throughout manhattan. She decided on the second apartment because it was in a nice area, the floors were hardwood and there was a nice view of a park. It had two bedrooms one for her and the other for the nursery. Lopez suggested that misao take that one since it also was cheaper.

Then they talked about the monthly check she would get from the welfare office and how that was to pay for utilities and her food. She also found out that Lopez had a best friend who was a fashion designer and she worked in the fashion district. She was told of Misao's issue and without a second thought gave her the job.

She called Kaoru and told her everything. Kaoru hopped on the earliest bus on Saturday and head out to the city with sano. Both were amazed at how nice the apartment was and they helped her buy some furniture with the money they gave her. She had put the money her mom gave her in the bank under the name of her child. She had decided to name him Alexander, kaoru asked if she even knew the sex of the baby and misao said no, but she was hoping it was a little boy.

Aoshi paced back and forth with the flowers in his hands. It was a cold day and he was already sweating. Misao was just a few more steps ahead...all he had to do was knock on the door and greet her.

He took in a deep breath and knocked. He waited then it opened revealing Mr. Makimachi whose eyes narrowed at the young man "what do you want?"

Aoshi wasn't expecting that kind of cold question "Sir, I've come looking for Misao. Is she home?"

Makimachi gripped the door "she's not here"

"Do you know where she is sir. I want to speak with her"

"She's gone. She doesn't live here anymore. And I suggest you leave my daughter alone"

Gone? She was gone? Where "sir, I don't understand"

"And you never will. How dare you show yourself here? How dare you sleep with my daughter? Get out of here before I remove you"

"But sir I don't understand, where did she go? Why did she go?"

Makimachi slammed the door in Aoshi's face. Misao was gone? But what about her school? It was only November, she couldn't miss school now.

His feet were leading him towards Kaoru's house. It could not be true. Misao was there...where was she?

Misao laughed as Sano and Megumi wrestled for the remote again "will you two stop already"

Megumi tickled Sano "give it back I want to watch the discovery channel"

"Feh, they messed that channel up woman. All they give now is remodeling shows or how to make your kitchen pretty. Come on the good stuff is gone"

"So? I could get ideas for the nursery"

Misao giggled "that's my line Megumi"

"I'm helping you, aren't I?" misao nodded "so, Sano honey just give me the remote and then you can watch whatever you want, after I'm done"

he stood up handing the remote over to her "Fine. I'll go down and get something to eat. You ladies want anything?"

"Pizza"

"Tacos with pickles and some banana pudding. Oh and some sushi from down the block. Not crab either. Eel" Sano sighed and then rolled his eyes. Misao was getting stranger cravings by the day.

Megumi laughed at the expression her boyfriend made and shook her head "go on and get it you lug. And bring something to drink while you are at it"

"Love you too honey" he replied sarcastically. Megumi threw a cushion at him.

Once both were alone Megumi moved over to sit by Misao "so? What did they tell you?"

Misao smiled "promise you wont tell the others. I want to surprise them"

"What is it?"

Misao put a hand to her swell. It was looking pretty big for being almost four months "The doctors freaked me out Megumi"

Megumi was smiling but then frowned "What do you mean?"

"Well he told me that I was going to probably be on bed rest after my seventh month"

"why? What do you mean?"

Misao sighed and looked out of the window "I'm carrying two Megumi"

Her eyes widened "two? What do you mean two?"

Misao giggled and rubbed her stomach again "two, I'm having twins"

Megumi was either at the point of fainting or screaming. Aoshi was that good? Or...Oh shit that meant that misao was going to go nuts with two "TWO? WHAAAAAAAAAATTTT?"

Sano opened the door "what is all the yelling about fox?" both women turned to see him shaking his head

"Weren't you buying food?"

He chuckled "left my wallet" he smirked and the women rolled their eyes at the idiot "so what's going on?"

Misao stood up and walked over to the window to look out of it. Snow was always something that facinated her and the way it felt against her was more than something she enjoyed "I just told Megumi that I'm having two babies"

Where megumi failed to faint, sano took the opportunity. Both women turned to see the tall man passed out of the floor and both burst out laughing "do you think we should wake him?"

Misao laughed out loud "nope"

Kaoru wanted for the love of god to kill him right where he stood, but he seemed so defeated and lonely. She had decided to walk home from school not expecting to find Aoshi Shinomori sitting on her stoop. He gave her a wry smile but her glare stop anything he had to say.

She was itching to beat him up for all the things that happened to misao. But no she couldn't do that. He didn't say anything to her either. What was it then?

"What do you want?"

He shook his head making the snow fall off his black hair "where is she?"

She laughed, not a good laugh either "why do you care?"

He looked up at her, his eyes were dull and empty "I care because I love her"

"Enough to cheat on her? Or enough to fuck another girl?"

"What are you talking about?"

Kaoru took a deep breath and sat down "I've known you for such a short time Aoshi yet it seems I've known you for so long. I know you didn't mean to hurt her, but that's the thing you did. And that cost her a lot of problems"

"What was I supposed to do then? I only kissed that girl. I didn't think Misao was going to be seeing that?"

"You men. What? Just because your girlfriend isn't there to see it, gives you the right to go ahead and do it? Aoshi misao cried so much and I'm sure she's still crying over you. Her parents threw her out of her house if you must know"

He stood up "what? Why? I don't understand?"

Kaoru wanted so badly to tell him, she really did. Misao was having a hard time, but she had made a promise "forget it Aoshi. And forget about misao, she's never coming back and if she were you would not be the person she would seek first. If anything before she left she told me that she wanted nothing to do with you"

Why was this happening to him? He had thought that if he gave her time and space that she would be happy again and then he would come and tell her how much he loves her. But to find her gone, this was just too much.

He stood up and gripped the flowers in his hands. He had to find her, he needs to find her, but her parents wont tell him and neither will Kaoru.

Mr. Makimachi sat at his desk with his coffee. The pictures of his three daughters starring back at him. He picked it up and smiled. They were the loveliest girls in the world. He fingered Misao's face "my daughter. I'm so sorry for being a coward. I had to do this or I would have lost our business Misao. I hope one day you can forgive me"

He still remember that day. It was the worst decision of his life. How did Shinomori Senior find out about Misao so soon?

Flashback as it was told to Mr. Makimachi by his wife when they find out about Misao.

Shinomori Senior was a man who did not kid around. He was one of the wealthiest men owning 30 Tea Companies and seven restaurants around the world. When he found out about his son's 'mistake' he did the logical thing, try to remedy or get rid of that mistake. His wife had been at the clinic with their youngest children when she learned the news.

Misao and her mother along with her baby sister were at their clinic getting their annual check up which the school always required. Mrs Makimachi also thought it would be a great time to ask the doctor to prescribe some vitamins for misao, for she wasn't eating and was constantly throwing up. Oh if only she had known.

The girls were reading books when Mrs Shinomori walked into the waiting area with the brats. They were ten and twelve and both were annoying as hell. Misao liked them but they were a handful.

"Mrs Makimachi what a lovely surprise" Mrs. Makimachi looked up at the smiling woman. She was a very elegant Japanese lady.

"It is nice to see you as well Mrs. Shinomori" the lady sat down "I see it's there time for check ups as well"

"Yes. Their private school sent them here since they are a branch of the NYU medical School"

Misao kept reading. She never really got along with Mrs Shinomori. The woman thought misao was beneath her son and there for she should not be dating him. "Misao how are you child?"

Misao smiled "I'm fine Mrs Shinomori" not to mention that she was very angry at Aoshi. Misao would probably take it out of the woman anyways.

Her mother looked at misao for a few minutes. It seemed misao was being a little cold "Well, I heard my son will be starting football practice next week"

"Oh really. I hadn't known" the women gave her a strange glance. Was misao being mean?

"You two were the most popular couple at your high school. So are you going to follow him to Texas when you graduate?"

Misao placed the book down and looked at the woman straight in the eyes. Erie that they were the same cold blue eyes as her son "If you must know your son and I are no longer together. We ended our relationship two weeks ago. He decided that he wanted to taste other women in his university" with that she stood up and left.

The women were stunned "I'm sorry about her behavior Mrs Shinomori. She's been cranky lately and very moody. Not that she was a saint"

"MISAO MAKIMACHI" the people looked up and Mrs Makimachi stood up

"Misao come on"

They were with the doctor for almost ten minutes before her mother was asked to step out. It was another seven minutes before the doctor came out and asked her mother to return.

"Mrs Makimachi there is something that you should be aware of. I will let Misao here tell you"

The woman became frantic "is it serious? Is she sick. I knew I should have brought her soon. Of god is my baby okay"

"MOM" the woman stopped. "Listen I should have told you this sooner, but even I wasn't sure. Please whatever I tell you let me finish first and then you can tell me what you think"

The woman sat down "alright. Go on"

"Mom, once I tell you this you probably will hate me"

"Misao I can't hate you never"

Misao smiled "Mom, Aoshi and I we had been sexually active since we got together. I was a virgin so don't worry I wasn't sleeping around. He and I were careful"

She noticed her mother's expressions go from Shocked to worry to relief "but there were times when we were not" again her face took that of shocked "I knew something was wrong when I stopped bleeding. My monthly didn't come for almost two months. But I was afraid and I didn't want to get checked up. I fainted a few times and Kaoru wanted me to take a pregnancy test"

She took a deep breath "I didn't take the test because my period came back again, but only for two days. So the doctor here took my urine and also gave me a pregnancy test. It came out positive and we did it three more times and it came out positive. He then asked the nurse to send my urine to their labs and we just got the call telling him that I am pregnant"

Misao bowed her head waiting for the scolding of her life. She felt tears come to her eyes. "WHAT" her mother had yelled.

The people outside looked to the direction of the room and some kids freaked out. Minutes later Mrs Makimachi ran out of the room with Misao right behind her. The doctor came out shaking his head. Misao's sister waved at the two Shinomori children and ran out too.

Mrs Shinomori was puzzled and walked out to see what the problem was. She found Misao and her mother face to face. Mrs Makimachi was waving her arms in an animated style "I can't believe this Misao. How can you had been so stupid as to sleep with that boy without protection. What are we going to tell your father? He is bound to notice once you start showing. What were you thinking?"

Misao was crying "I'm so sorry mom. I...we didn't think"

"That's right you didn't. Now you both are going to have a child. A child. Do you know what that means?"

Mrs. Shinomori knew what this meant and as quietly as possible she returned back to the clinic. A phone call later her husband was aware of their's son's mistake.

Two days later Mr. Makimachi was told of misao's state and he was both disappointed and confused. He sat in his office while the rest of his employees worked outside. He was the owner of a supermarket and very well known in the town. He hadn't gone home yet even though it was seven o'clock in the night and his assistant manager was working already. There was a knock at his door "yes"

A young man walked in "Hey Mr. M there's a Mr. Shinomori outside. He says that he needs to speak with you"

"Send him in Arthur"

"Yes sir" he walked out and two minutes later Mr. Shinomori walked in

Both men stood and neither gave a friendly handshake "I'm sure you already know about my daughter"

Mr shinomori nodded and sat down without being asked. He always thought things had to be his way "I will tell you this. We are not going to recognize that brat your child is carrying. My son is a Shinomori and he is too young to have a child that will eventually hinder his chances..."

"And my daughter is not young? Her future is in the balance as much as your son's. do you think I wanted this to happen?"

Mr. Shinomori stood up and walked over to a window "I want that child to be rid of"

Makimachi's eyes widened "what? Are you suggesting my daughter aborts?"

"Of course. They are both young and not to mention my son is a socialite. I don't want this to get out to the media. You have two choices, you can either tell your daughter to get rid of it or send her away. If you don't I will make sure that this business you own will be in my possession"

Makimachi slammed his hands on his desk "how dare you? I will not force my child to get rid of her child. How can you even..."

"Enough. You have your choices. If I don't hear the one I want to hear by the end of the week, I will have this business in my hands and you will be out of this town before you know it. I'm the richest man in this godforsaken town and perhaps richer than many in the country. I will be waiting your phone call. Good day Makimachi"

"That's Mr. Makimachi to you. And yes you will be getting my phone call"

End of flash.

He put his hands to his face and wept "what have I done Misao. What have I done? I failed you as a father all because I was afraid of losing this business. I should have stood by your side my princess. I hope you can forgive me one day"

Misao sneezed and then laid back down on her bed. She had been sick for the past week and couldn't even get out bed. How she missed her parents and her home. She rolled to her side and rubbed her stomach "are you two ever going to sleep soon?" she was rewarded with a sift kick "alright fine you stay up I'm sleeping" but she was smiling. Her children a boy and a girl were healthy, now it was her turn to get better.

A/N Oh shit...did i just do that? anyways something will happen to the makimachis when two years pass and it's not going to be something you expect...oh And misao will get a little revenge on Mr. Shinomori once she learns the truth