Lo and Behold!

By: NonameJane

Disclaimer- RK does not, can not, and will not ever belong to me. Damn

Part Dos

All right, all right,. So knocking out Aoshi-sama isn't the best way to win his heart.

I'll be the first to admit that.

Big (!) mistake on my part...Oh well...

Today isn't a good day, yesterday wasn't a good day and tomorrow probably won't be either. Oh hell. I just have the greatest luck, I tell ya.

It's early morning and I refuse to get up. Nope, not going nowhere. No way, no how. Besides the futon is too comfortable, I'll probably render someone else I love unconscious, and I'm the Okashira, anyway! Yea! No one orders me around.

I was about to lie down and brood some more. Until someone decided to invite themselves in. That's just the way it goes. Sigh.

" Misao-chan, you need to wake up. " Okon-san said softly but forcibly while hovering over me.

I mumbled something into my blanket about being the okashira and being all high and mighty, you know this and that. Then a muffled 'go away.'

Apparently she didn't hear it.

" Now!" She barked. How rude, really, stomping into someone's room and then demanding them to get up. She just dropped a notch on my highlist. I snuggled deeper, defiantly.

But she wouldn't have it. She pulled the blanket from my head and grabbed my arm which forced me to my feet. Wow, I never knew she was so strong.

" Misao-chan," she said sweetly. Okon-san only uses that tone for one reason. She wants something. " Can you do me a little something? It's nothing major." Yep.

Sometimes I really hate being right.

Whatever.

" What do you want?" I said annoyed and a bit surly. She just doesn't get it. I'm tired, aggravated and I don't need this.

" I need you to go shopping for me." There it is again, that sickeningly sweet ' I'm going to take advantage of little Misao-chan' voice.

" For?" I said shortly.

" I need you to buy me a new kimono. I wrote the size, color, design, EVERYTHING down for you." In my hand a piece of parchment magically appeared. This was pre-planned.

I'M the okashira and I'm taking orders from people. This is just sad. But how could I say no? She would pout for days. Such a pushy woman! But I digress, she was probably still angry from yesterday, and thought I owed her. No point in arguing.

I let out a ragged breath. " Fine." She let out a gleeful noise. Okon-san left the room happy and I remained in the room pissed off. How do I always get talked into this? I'm just way too generous. Seriously.

After she took her leave, I proceeded to change. Nothing like the comfort of a gi, I tell ya. Kimonos are so overrated.

Once I finished I looked in the mirror to make sure I looked presentable. Ahh gorgeous!

Walking into the hallway, I ran into Jiya. Not who I wanted to see at all at the moment. I was not happy with him, at all. First the vase incident and also embarrassing the hell out of me, as well. When Aoshi-sama and I had returned from my little pout quest yesterday, Jiya took one look at me in his arms and couldn't resist. It must just be his appointed duty to make me miserable.

I continued walking, we don't need to talk. Maybe if I didn't say anything he wouldn't either. Hopefully. PLEASE, I'll just play it cool and walk along minding my business-

" Off somewhere my little Misao-chan?"

Dammit.

So much for that. " My pretty?" He approached me with that grion of his. Thinking of a way to escape him, I developed a plan.

I answered him slowly. " Cant talk, Okon-san asked me to-," I took off in a sprint down the hall. " buy here some things." I heard him call to me but I ignored it. He can call all he wants I'm not going back. Heh.

Then while on the run and praising myself for escape, it hit me. Rather, I hit him.

"Umph." I fell to the floor. I tried to get up, but my leg was still a little soar from yesterday. I saw a hand reach out and I took it. Aoshi-sama pulled me up to him. We really need to stop meeting like this.

" Sorry for that, uh, again Aoshi-sama." He looked at me with an even gaze. " You should pay more attention Misao." He looked at me once more and strode off. However, he was walking a bit slowly. Maybe the impact caused his head to throb from the concussion I gave him. Really, how many times have I made fool out of myself? I lost count.

I finally escaped the Aoiya, and made my way through the bustling streets of Kyoto. Alright, I need to buy a kimono for Okon-san. Right. Now where do I buy it? I wouldn't know, I never shop for them. Great this should be fun.

After asking about twenty people and running all over the city, I finally found a decent shop. I walked in and was greeted by an elderly woman dressed in a gray kimono.. She looked kind.

" Welcome," she said, " can I help you?" I smiled at her, she really seems sweet. " Yes, I'm looking for a kimono." The woman continued to smile, " Any ideas? Size, color?" I thought about it for a minute and remembered the list that was handed to me by Okon-san.

I pulled it out and gave it to the woman. " She looked it over. " Okay, burgundy and the size..." She looked at me, the list, then me again. She gave me an odd stare. Is there something on my face?

" What?" I finally forced out. Remember what I said about her being kind and sweet? Well, forget it.

" Your going to tell me that this is what you want?" I blinked at her. Huh?

I nodded.

" Well," she began, " I don't think you do." The woman crossed her arms. What's she getting at?

" Oh I think I do." I replied shortly. " No you don't." The now mean woman retorted.

"Yes."

"No."

" YES!"

" NO!"

This is getting annoying, ( AN: tell ME about it!) all this trouble for some stupid garment of clothes. I opened my mouth the reply but was cut off.

" Look at me youngin," she grabbed my chin, " This is NOT what you want." I shook my head fiercely. Will she ever get the point? I swear if this keeps up I'll-

" Are you married?" The woman asked. Whoa, where did that come from?

"WHAT?"

" I knew you weren't." Her eyes looked at me knowingly and I froze. This lady is creepy. " Ofcourse your not. If you ever want a husband and keep him you can't wear THAT." She pointed to the clothes I was wearing, and the list she was now holding.

" But being the kind woman I am I'll help you in that department. Hold on."

" But I don't want-" She left before I could finish. Oh hell what is happening now? I took a moment to look at the shop closely. It was quaint but cute, kimono fabric hanging everywhere. Quite charming. Who knew such a psycho owned it?

In a flash she came back. But I never should have looked. Oh gods... She was wearing a dark purple kimono with the shoulders and just about EVERYTHING exposed. Rather than tell you what she was wearing, it would be much easier to tell you what she wasn't. At this point a was trembling uncontrollably, and I think one of my eyes were twitching.

" You see, my dear. My husband never left me. This is what caught and kept him. He's passed on and I may be older than most women. But when I wear this even the young men stare." She laughed lecherously. " And I love to stare right back."

Wonderful, a female Jiya. " Now, I think you should try it on..." She reached for my shoulders. " I'm just going to take your measurements. No need to be frightened."

But a voice stopped her.

" Mother! I thought I told you to stay away from the customers!" A younger woman came up behind her, the older deflated. " Look at you! You scared the poor girl!"

" But-"

" But nothing! Go get changed!" Her mother stepped into a backroom but not before shouting, " Remember my words little on." I shivered in fear. I don't think I could forget. Hmph, maybe I should introduce her and Jiya.

The daughter of the old woman turned to me and smoothed out her expression. She gave me a bow, " I apologize for that. I'm sure you don't see that everyday." I gave her a smile, " You'd be surprised." The young lady giggled, " Now let me help you..."

I am tired. I couldn't help but think of my misadventure on my trek to the Aoiya. I am never shopping for clothes again. What I went through for that kimono deserves a thousand favors. Okon-san better cherish this.

AN: Okay, so now you probably think I'm crazy. That's okay. This chapter was...weird. But ,again, it was fun to vent the crazineess that envelops my very core. This story ( I think) is already longer than my previous one. Wow, go me. Ha! Please review! And to those who already did thankies.