I'm so sorry for the extremely delayed update… Senior Year's hard to deal with, especially if you have teachers that require too much of you. Anyways, thank you so much for the following who have read and reviewed my story:

sage: Your suggestions really helped me in writing my third chapter. Oh, and the confusing parts will be given enough attention in the next few chapters.

kagomeandinuyasha4ever: thank you so much for your heartwarming comment.

len: Aoshi and Misao's relationship is supposed to be confusing at first. Don't worry, things will become clear soon. Oh, and don't get me wrong; Misao-chan only has a twin sister in my story and not the real anime/manga.

Spirit Demon: well, only chapter one is the dream (just like the chapter's title says…)

To those who read my story (especially the ones who reviewed), this chapter is for you. I hope you guys enjoy reading my third chapter.

eloquence27

Sakura

I left because I was afraid; things were actually going my way. Good things don't usually happen to me and when they do, I get scared...everything was just so confusing and I didn't know how else to deal with it. I'm really sorry. I hope that the time will come when I'm brave enough to stay.

Chapter Three: The Ex and the Best Friend

"See you later, Ao-chan."

I knew that Aoshi felt surprised at my sudden action...although somehow, I knew he welcomed it. Aoshi broke free from my embrace a few moments after I bid him farewell. He smiled at me and made his way towards the High School Office.

"Aoshi, I-" Jeez...how do I tell him?!

"Yes?" He stopped and turned to face me. Aoshi seemed to notice that something was wrong. His brows met and I could definitely tell that he knew. I didn't want him to leave. I want him to know about what I've been hiding for so long...but I know that he might feel betrayed…That I tell Soujirou and hide it from him. I just can't.

"Nothing. I just wanted to say good luck." Lame one, Makimachi. Really lame.

"Oh. Thanks, I guess." Then he turned and headed for the High School Office once again. As he went farther away, I couldn't help but feel worse about my secret.

A few moments ago, I wanted to tell him about my condition. I just didn't want to ruin his day, although I think I just have. I should've just-

"Ohayo, Misao-chan." I know that voice. It can't be...

"Misao, it's been awhile." He's back! I looked around and saw him. By instinct, I ran towards his direction.

"Soujirou! I've missed you so much." As if on cue, I hugged my best friend. Well, my other best friend.

"I've missed you too, Mi-chan. I see you're not late...for a change." Hey, I'm not always late! Hmm...it's a great thing he's one of my best friends 'coz I can push him whenever I felt like it. And I did.

"I'm not always late!" I think I pouted because Sou-chan's smile grew wider.

"Well, if I remember correctly, you filled more than one index card for tardiness. And clearly, you've forgotten our agreement on pouting." Soujirou winked and began to walk towards the Sakura tree that our gang usually hangs out before classes start, breaks, and after classes.

"Fine! So I'm a bit tardy...but who cares? It didn't even matter to you before. Agreement on pouting? What's that supposed to mean? Matte, Sou-chan!" I rushed to keep up with him, hoping that he wouldn't think about what happened to us before. Oh, and the agreement on pouting, I could never forget about that. I mean, how could I?

Flashback

Today's the last day of my Sophomore Year...and I still can't forget about Aoshi. He left me without saying goodbye. Two years have passed since his departure, and still, I can't figure out why he left.

I had a lot of unanswered questions, but I decided to move on. I mean, my life should not stop just because some guy left me without telling me why or saying his farewell.

I met Soujirou last year, at my twin Midori's 17th birthday party. He was the right hand of my sister's ex-boyfriend Shishio Makoto. He knew that Shishio was seeing Komagata Ayumi even if he's still committed to my sister. Being my sister's friend, he wanted to tell Midori the truth. And if he did tell her, he'd face a lot of consequences and might end up causing more trouble. So, he approached me and told me instead. We planned to pretend "seeing each other" so that Shishio wouldn't be suspicious.

We both helped my sister get out of Shishio's grasp. And after that encounter, Soujirou left Shishio's gang. Eventually, Soujirou and I became friends. We began to really see each other. Our friendship grew, and months later, we were officially a couple. Of all the friends that I have, he's the only one I've told about the real deal on my condition, Midori, my parents and Aoshi. Yes, I told him about Aoshi.

I was happy and in love with Soujirou. We were inseparable. We did everything together. Saitou-sensei, our class adviser, made us project partners...which meant that we had to work on every darn project there was during our second year in high school. I have to say that Saitou-sensai is good; he sensed right away that there was something going on between us, which is most probably why he paired us.

After a few months of being together, Soujirou can read my mind and predict my every move...just like now.

"Mi-chan, what's bothering you? You've been pouting cutely that I can't-" My eyes widened. Soujirou kissed me like Aoshi did, just before he left... he halted my words, swiftly but gently captured my lips into a deep, sweet kiss. I badly wanted to respond, no- to deepen the kiss but Aoshi's images kept flooding in my head.

"can't resist kissing you..." He slowly pulled away from me. I shouldn't be thinking of Aoshi now. I've moved on; I'm happy with Soujirou. I don't need Aoshi. I pulled Soujirou back and returned his kiss passionately. I began to deepen the kiss to make up for my lame response. I believe that Soujirou was overwhelmed by my actions, because he stopped for a few seconds before responding to my kiss.

MmmAoshi, you-

Crap. Did I just say that out loud?

"What did you say?" Soujirou quickly pulled away. Jeez, how the hell am I gonna get out of this?!

"I meant to say that-"

"Misao-chan, please don't try to cover up." NO! I'M NOT COVERING UP!

"I understand that Aoshi still owns your heart." Soujirou smiled reassuringly. I know deep inside that he's hurt; can't he just show it? Why is he acting like this? He's supposed to-

"Mi-chan, you've been thinking about him for the past few months. You've been telling me about your childhood days and your relationship before he left. I've asked Midori-chan about how you coped with his departure. And Mi-chan, you just said his name while we kissed." No, that's just a slip! It won't happen again! Don't you smile at me, Seta Soujirou...

"Soujirou, it's not- I don't love him! I'm with you; I- I love you." How convincing, Makimachi. Just great.

"Mi-chan, listen to me. I love you so much and it hurts like hell to see you like this...unhappy with me and still in love with someone else. I know you too well, Misao. I know that you're just saying that to make things seem less worse. Misao, I want you to be happy...even if it puts me out of the picture." I can feel my eyes water as Soujirou came closer to embrace me.

"I wish that I could take Aoshi's place in your heart..." I didn't know why, but I sobbed louder after he said that.

"I'm so sorry, Soujirou." I don't understand Sou-chan. Why is he being really nice to me after what I just did to him?

"Hush, Mi-chan. I'll be fine." Gosh, I feel so guilty. He's taken care of me with utmost care and all I did was-

"Misao-chan, stop pouting." I wasn't pouting! I was just-

"Mi-chan!" I'm not pouting! Honest!

"Makimachi Misao, if you pout at me one more time, I'll definitely kiss you!"

"Okay!!! I won't pout, I promise." Makimachi, don't you dare pout in front of him, alright?

End of Flashback

We arrived at the Sakura tree where we hang out. I quietly sat myself down and leaned on the tree's bark. Sou-chan, of course, sat beside me. He knows me too well, damn it. I heaved a sigh, realizing that he was going to bring up my moment with Aoshi awhile ago.

"Mi-chan, how are things going between you and Aoshi?"

"I was hoping you wouldn't ask that."

"Huh? Is everything okay?" Soujirou's smile immediately faded.

"I tried telling him earlier about me having leukemia. I can't do that, Sou-chan. I just don't have the heart to." I can feel tears beginning to form in my eyes. Soujirou took out his handkerchief and handed it over to me.

"Thanks, Sou-chan." I used his hanky to wipe my tears.

"Misao-chan, you start finding a way to tell him. The sooner he knows, the better." Soujirou looked at the sky as a flock of birds flew by.

"I know, Sou-chan. It's hard...especially now that I think that he still has feelings for me."

"Don't worry, Mi-chan. Things will turn out fine, I promise." Soujirou wrapped his arms around me.

"Thanks, Sou-chan. You're the best."

DISCLAIMER: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki. Midori's the only character I own.

Anyways, that's chapter three. I hope you guys enjoyed reading. Please review. Thank you. :D

eloquence27