D/C: I...d-don't...own...RK...I'm so sorry it's just so hard for me to say these words...

A/N: Hi there every one! First, I'd like to thank all those who reviewed me so soon, you're all wonderful and I'll thank each one of you at the end of this chapter. The reason as to why I updated so soon, is to prove to you all that I'm serious about this story and that I plan to finish it. In fact, I'm already almost done. I'll just update once a week, usually on Friday! Enjoy...

Chapter two: Get Ready to Rumble

"But Okina," Misao argued," I know I can win this. I have tough stuff! Trust me"

Okina sat back on his luxurious leather arm chair and rubbed his beard thoughtfully.

"Besides Kaoru is one this company's toughest lawyers," she continued, "she's won a lot for us and it's our turn to repay her"

Okina only closed his eyes, thinking.

"She invested 15 years for nothing," Misao's voice rose a little with frustration, "Kenshin has to pay for this"

Okina turned in his chair, giving her its back while he stared at the city below them through the glass wall.

Misao paused and waited for his decision, her fists clenched with determination.

"Are you doing this because it rings a certain bell related a certain Shinomori?" he asked quietly.

Misao pursed her lips, she looked down so that her bangs covered her eyes. She wanted to hide them from Okina who would probably see them in her reflection on the glass. She was taken back by his question, because she realized she didn't know the answer.

"May be" she finally said, barely over a whisper.

"We lawyers never take cases too personally, we should never ever do that," Okina said, "you know that, no?"

Misao's fists clenched harder.

"Besides," he added, "Himura-san is a very close friend of mine"

Misao's lips rose from one side.

"In this business we have no friends and no enemies," Misao said, "remember?"

Okina turned around and faced her with narrow eyes.

Misao swallowed aloud under his stern look, but quickly gathered herself.

"You are right," Okina finally said.

Then he suddenly smiled pleasantly at her, crashing the sterile atmosphere.

"It's been ages since I last saw you so excited about anything, especially a case," he said warmly, "I allow you to accept the case"

Misao smiled brightly at him.

-

Kenshin walked out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his slim waste, his drenched hair matted against his back and tiny droplets of water ran all over his body. He walked silently through the busy and loud locker room to his own locker. He opened it and took another towel to dry off his body.

His head felt too heavy for a human head. He could still smell the smoke and hear the screams. He still felt the heat, even after the cold shower. He wasn't sure that he had removed all the ash from underneath his nails. It was another typical day at the job.

"That was one damn fire" Sano snapped.

Kenshin looked to his side to see his 'rooster' friend sitting on a bench, getting dressed. He was bare-chested, his hair matted against his forehead and was busily putting on a pair of trousers.

Kenshin only nodded. He was both emotionally and physically drained; they had just been at another fire, and this time, one of their colleagues died.

He was pulling out a shirt and a pair of trousers when a large yellow envelope fell onto his bare feet from the locker. Sano bent down and retrieved it.

"What's that?" he asked as he handed it back to Kenshin.

Kenshin didn't know the answer so he didn't bother to reply. He examined the envelope from both sides.

To: Mr. Kenshin Himura

From: The Owniwabanshu Legal Corporation

He tore its top open and quickly examined the papers enclosed in it, while Sano observed intently from his position on the bench.

His mouth dropped.

"What is it, man?" Sano asked worriedly.

Kenshin lowered the hand holding the papers and rubbed his forehead with the other.

"It's Kaoru," he moaned, "she suing me for dumping her!"

-

"Miss Makimachi is here to see you Mr. Shinomori" the secretary announced politely.

Aoshi covered the earpiece with his hands tightly.

"Sure, let her in immediately" he told the secretary hurriedly and she left after excusing her self.

"Yes Himura-san, you were saying?" he spoke into the ear piece.

Misao opened the door and stepped in. He ushered her to enter and seat herself in front of him; he was busy making loud, "yes", "I see", "I understand" to the phone.

Irritated at the lack of hospitability, she silently but rather quickly walked to and slumped on the chair he pointed to.

"Yes, yes, I fully understand and I willingly accept," she heard Aoshi say to the earpiece, "don't worry the least about it; I'll take care of every thing. In fact Misao-chan is here in front of me and I'll see to the matter immediately"

Misao cocked an eyebrow at Aoshi.

"Bye" Aoshi ended his call and returned the earpiece, then rested his chin on his hands on the desk.

"That must have been Kenshin, no?" she asked rather heatedly.

"Yes" Aoshi answered coolly.

"What did he want?"

"He wants me to defend him in this case"

"WHAT?" Misao jumped onto her feet and slapped her hands hard onto his desk.

"He wants me to defend him in this case," Aoshi repeated, "and I accepted, but putting our careers aside Misao-chan, and considering our relationship, I'd like to take the opportunity and warn from this case, it's already a loser, there's no way you can win it; he had no obligations towards her"

"Oh really!" Misao yelled angrily, "What do you call 15 years together? He promised her a life together, and then got all he wanted and ran away like a scum bag!"

Aoshi narrowed his eyes at her.

"There was no solid promise," he argued, "they were like any other girl friend and boy friend, they hang around together for a while, then sooner or later break up and move on"

"Like us? 15 years isn't just a while you sick, lame jerk!" Misao screamed, surprising even herself for cursing him, then turned around and zoomed out of his office, slamming the door hard behind her.

She held her tears until she reached her office across the hall, passing by Kaoru's as she went. She locked the door behind her then jumped onto her leather couch and cried. She knew Aoshi even before Kenshin met Kaoru, and like them, she and Aoshi shared a deep love and respect relationship, but that was it. They were nothing more than lovers. Like Kaoru, Misao waited patiently for Aoshi to propose, to offer her a beautiful ring that would symbolize all the beautiful

feelings she had for him, but like Kenshin, Aoshi still did nothing. Now, Kenshin suddenly broke up with Kaoru, what would prevent Aoshi from doing the same? Would all these years be nothing more than just a waste of time? She was sure of only one thing, there was no other man made for the way Aoshi was, despite the large difference in age, he was almost 10 years older than her. They met many years ago when Misao was still a freshman in university and Aoshi was the handsome T.A. They shared mutual admiration until she graduated and then they started dating. They had almost nothing in common; she was so hyper and he was ice cold, but they were a match made in heaven and she loved him more than anything else.

She buried her face in her arms and cried harder;feeling that the relationship she so preciously adores is not mutual.

-

Across the hallway, behind the door holding the plate 'Aoshi Shinomori', Aoshi hid under his desk, rocking nervously and breathing into a paper bag.

A/N: A big special thank you to:

skenshingumi, cherry, gabyhyatt, ss1128, vixenia.

The first reviews of a story are always the most precious! Thank you all. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter as much as you enjoyed the previous one. Anxious to read your reviews.

-Shimmering Tear