Lo and Behold!

By: NonameJane

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

AN- WOW! I had this lying around for quite some time and forgot all about it. Thanks to 'Aoshi on Speed' for reminding me. I really have been neglectful with this!

Part Quatro

Waiting.

Waiting has never been a favorite past time of mine, EVER.

Omasu-san had returned way before then, barely an hour after she left. However, the other evil witch had ideas of her own. When Okon-san said later tonight, she meant it. Tonight, as in tomorrow. Tomorrow as in two thirty in the morning.

Ridiculous I know, but I waited. And surprisingly, so did Omasu-san. I just hoped that it wouldn't be in vain. Because if it was...

The shoji to my room was opened silently and I was snatched before I could make a sound. It didn't panic me, though, I knew exactly who it was.

Rather who they were.

And they were on a mission.

They drug me to Okon-san's room in silence, the cotton of my sleeping yukata picking up dust along the way. This is bound to be interesting.

I was dropped heard first, but luckily onto a jade-green floor cushion that had been placed there previous. As quickly as I was dropped, I was lifted to sit on my knees. Each female lit a candle, adding more light to the shadowed room. They took a seat directly across from me, I lifted my eyes to get a good view of their faces.

I drew back in fear, the looks in their eyes were absolutely horrifying, almost malicious. I felt a small pang of regret for asking for this favor, who knows what they planned to do to me? What they were going to subject me to. The possibilities were endless, none of which appealed to me.

No, I hardened with resolve. This was for Aoshi-sama! I would not back down so easily! These witches would not frighten me.

" So Misao-chan," Omasu-san interjected my musings, " You want us to hook you up with Aoshi-sama, do you?" Her voice was soft, concealing her venomous amusement.

I nodded my head, " Sure do."

The candles swayed, almost ominously as if the women's evil auras were going to extinguish them. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me, I was shivering myself.

Okon-san leaned forward, meeting her eyes with my own. " Good, but this all depends on how much you want it, and what you'd do to get it." She winked at me, making me even more tense. I swallowed hard.

" So what will it be?" Okon-san stated, leaning back to her original position.

I narrowed my eyes, they had no idea how far I would go.

" Anything?"

"Anything."

I just didn't realize how far their 'anything' would go.

Their cackles continued into the night.

Morning came too soon. I groggily rose from my futon, my eyes were sore and dry from the little sleep I had received. The two chatted incessantly, and I was obligated to stay and listen. They were purposely trying to make me miserable.

I dressed, frowning at my reflection in my mirror. Today. I would go through with the plan today. No ifs, ands, or buts. I would just have to do it.

I sighed and exited my room.

I made my way through the backdoor, trying to avoid anyone and everyone in the house. I knew Omasu-san and Okon-san would laugh and tease me mercilessly about what I was doing. Kuro-san and Shiro-san would ask questions, ones that I would prefer not to answer. And Jiya...

Jiya...

He need not know. I would never hear the end of it.

The escape was relatively easy and I had gone unnoticed. The trip to the temple would've been a boring one, if it weren't for the thoughts swirling around in my head.

How would I approach him on this? How would he react?

Would he react?

Before I knew it, I had arrived in Aoshi-sama's usual spot in the temple. The trip had been quicker than I thought it would be, but I did have my mind on other things, after all.

I rocked back in forth nervously, waiting for him to address me. I knew better than to disturb him while he's meditating. It would break his train of thought...or something like that.

Aoshi-sama lifted his head slowly, opened his eyes and turned a bit to the side to see me. I felt the butterflies gather in my stomach.

" Err...Hello Aoshi-sama!" I chirped a little to loudly.

He blinked once and then nodded.

Wow this is going great! I made one statement and already look like a fool.

" Um," I continued, " I didn't bring you tea today..."

His posture sunk a little. Was that disappointment?

" Well...because I thought I'd make it up to you." I fumbled, clumsily.

" Make it up to me?" He questioned, the tone neutral. That's Aoshi-sama for you, but at least he's speaking now. I should be happy with that, right?

" Yes for hitting you the other day. I feel really bad about that." Wonderful! I managed not to stutter.

" There's no need, you already apologized."

Why can't he just go along with it for once? Guess I'll have to make him.

" But, Aoshi-sama! It wasn't good enough and I really feel like I need to make it up to you. Please!" All right, that sounded immature and more than desperate but if it worked...well there you have it.

"Make it up, how?" Good, that's progress.

"Okay, umm..," Remember the plan! " What if...we go to a restaurant or something and have lunch and tea there. How about that?":

He remained silent and made no move to answer me.

" Please?" I pleaded, hoping coaxing him would work.

The silence remained and I hung my head in defeat. How did I ever think this would work? I took a step to the door, unhappily.

Just as I had, Aoshi-sama stood. I've known him long enough to know exactly what that meant. Yay! He was going to come with me! I was triumphantly laughing maniacally in my head.

Those witches were right.

Step one, success!

AN- whew! This is much shorter than I remembered it!