hi everybody, I am sooooooooooooooo sorry for being so late at updating. I was stuck on this chapter. Believe me I stuck on this so badly that this came out really lousy. So please excuse any mistakes. However i hope you will like though I have a felling that you wont. Anyways read on.

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its character. There, are you happy now?

you might hate me after this chapter.

Chapter 5

Misao released a huge sigh looking at the finished work in front of her. Eight boxes of her stuff, she has readied to send them to New York before hand and to make sure that they reach her apartment properly; she called her friend and most trusted employee in New York.

"Hello..." said Misao into the receiver.

"MM designer's collection, can I help you?" At that, Misao rolled her eyes.

"God, Kamatari it's me Misao"

"Oh Misao… why didn't you call me before? I was worried, first because I wanted to know whether your journey went smooth or not, and secondly because of this business of yours that you have left in my hand and I don't even know whether I 'm doing things rig… blah blah" and there he kept on babbling.

"Oh shut up Kam, I know you are doing absolutely fine and my journey went well"

"Oh ok"

"Listen I'm sending over some stuffs, there are something like eight cartons and I told them to call you as soon as they reach New York. All you have to do is that let them into my apartment, ok. You do have my extra key right?"

"Yeah and what stuffs?"

"Oh I'll let you know when I get there. If they ask for any kind of payment just give it to them ok"

"Sure. So when will you be coming?"

"Four days later…"

"Huh? I thought you went to see your family and will be spending more than a week or so. Is everything alright?" Kamatari asked worriedly.

"Look Kam, I'll explain every thing to you when I get there, so for now no more questions. I am going to hang up now. One more thing do not open those boxes. Bye then."

"Ok, bye." Thus the end of the conversation. Misao put down the receiver with big sigh, thinking what to do next and why did she hurry so much to send her stuffs away "to make up some time to spend with your friends" she thought with a small smile on her face. "hmm haven't met Sano yet, but tonight we will".

That evening Misao and Kaoru dressed up to meet Kenshin and Sano at a club called "Blue Ecstasy" it is one of Sano's most favorite place to hang out and get drunk.

"Wow this place is awesome why didn't we ever come here before?" Misao asked eyeing the scene in front of her. The club seemed huge two storied. She could see a sea of people grooving at the dance floor but the lights of different colors flashing now and then made it hard to see their face, the huge bar also seemed so full with people it would be hard to find out anyone you know there. The beat of the music made her bob her head giving her the mood to dance.

"Because it was started after you left for New York"

"Oh hehe" Misao gave out nervous laugh.

"Damn where are they?" Kaoru growled impatiently.

"Yeah I thought Sano already be here starting to dope."

"Sano is here already"

"huh where?"

"Over there at the bar, shorty"

"Hey! You aren't any taller than I am. And what they are you talking about?"

"Kenshin said he will be bringing a friend with him."

"Okay. So should we wait for them before I surprise Sano or should I do it right now, coz I don't think it's a good idea to meet him after he is absolute drunk."

"Right, lets go and see him right now." replied Kaoru. They walked over to Sano and sat on the empty stools both his sides that they have found fortunately in this huge crowd. Meanwhile, Sano kept on drowning himself into his sorrow without realizing the two beautiful ladies sat on both his sides winking at each other, looked at him with a mischievous smile on their face.

"HI SANO" they both shouted out slapping their palms on his back. Startled at the outburst, Sano threw his drink all over his face. The girls laughed as they shared a high five.

"What the hell do you think you are doing you Racoon girl and you you wea…." Sano couldn't finish as he stared wide-eyed at the girl in front of him. Misao gave him sweet innocent smile.

"Hey remember me?" she asked batting her eyelashes.

"Misao chan…..Of course I remember who would forget a weasel girl like you" Sano said composing himself.

"Argh, I 'm not a weasel you rooster head"

"HEY" shouted Sano in defense. They kept on glaring at each other, and then broke off into laughter and hugged each other.

"Oh Misao chan it's so nice to see you again"

"Same here Sano, same here" said Misao feeling happy to be with her old friends again, but some where in her heart it pains coz she knows she will have to leave them again but this time she will make sure to keep proper contact with them.

On the other side, Kenshin just entered the club with his brooding, ice blue-eyed friend Aoshi. They walked towards the hugging friends, Kenshin smiled at them while Aoshi was feeling this rage in him watching Misao in the arms of another man. Man why do I feel like this, I'm not jealous am I. Why should I feel like this, its not right, she is Megumi's sister. He thought and tried to control his feelings.

As Misao and Sano parted they looked at Kaoru, but the smiles on their face were wiped off as they saw Aoshi standing with Kenshin behind Kaoru.

"What is he doing here?" Sano asked glariing. Yeah what is he doing here? Misao thought bitterly and scowled.

"This is a free world Sagara. I can go anywhere I want"

"Whatever." Sano shrugged.

"Umm it's really nice to be all together again right." said Misao with a wide smile on her face.

"Sure weasel, how would you like to dance with me like the old days," Sano asked and Misao agreed to it nodding her head.

"Now if you don't mind, please excuse us" Misao rolled her eyes at Sano pretension to be a gentle man as Sano pulls her towards the dancing floor.

Aoshi simply stood there watching Sano dancing with Misao. Hands fisting into a ball wanting to go straight and punch Sano in the face. Kenshin and Kaoru was looking at them as well smiling thinking that may be Misao will help taking Sano out of his miseries for a while. As they turned around and saw Aoshi staring with his hands fisted they didn't know how to take the whole situation or why is Aoshi acting like this.

"Uhmm" Kenshin cleared his voice and that brought Aoshi back to them.

"Aoshi you don't mind if Kaoru and I also go for a dance" Kenshin asked.

Aoshi stared at them and said "why would I ?"

"Oh, umm ok then." Kenshin said nervously.

"Anyways I need to go" Aoshi said turned to go.

"Ok bye then." Kenshin greeted. At that, Aoshi stops, turning his head he nods and start to walk again.

Aoshi was almost at the exit to the club, but he turn around to give a last glance at Misao finding her laughing at something that Sano whispered into her ears and then he was out.

Kenshin and Kaoru seemed worried about Aoshi. "What do you think?" Kaoru asked.

"I don't know he is a one great mystery you know"

"hmm"

It was quite dark outside the club. Aoshi was walking towards his car, still thinking about Misao and Sano dancing. He just can't bring himself to wipe of the scene out of his mind when all of a sudden he heard some girls laughing and instantly he knew who they were. Megumi and her friends.

"Oh god she is coming this way," he thought frustrated. He decided to stay away from her tonight and rush behind the car beside him hoping she didn't see him, the things I need to do because of her. he thought sarcastically.

The girls stopped walking and leaned on to the same car Aoshi is hiding behind. "Oh Tomoe don't be sad we will think of a way to bring Kenshin to you" said Megumi trying make her friend feel better.

"Hmm, just can't understand what he sees in that good for nothing bitch"

"Oh please lets just try to enjoy this night huh." Yumi was finding it irritating.

"Yeah sure.. Meg I bet you are having a blast over the fact the your sister's leaving"

"YES God you don't know how happy I am. Im going to have everything to myself now. That little witch can't take anything away from me anymore HAHAHA. Moreover the sooner she leaves the better, I just have this feeling, coz the other day I caught Aoshi staring at her, when we were having lunch at Akebeko."

"What? Oh you poor thing? What did you do?" Asked Tomoe shocked.

"I did the only thing I could. I walked out of there and Aoshi came tailing after me." She finished smiling.

"Then you should be happier that she is leaving."

"And I AM. Ohohohohoho"

"Well congrats. So what are you going to do with all those letters?" said Tomoe.

"Letters?"

"Yeah the one from your parents to her and the one from her to them"

"Oh thooose letters. Im gonna keep them as souvenirs. Every time I will look at them I will think of my victory over my sister and her destruction" she said with smirk.

"But..."

"Oh don't worry. I will make sure no one gets hold of them. They are safe absolutely safe."

"Where did you keep them?"

"Somewhere" Megumi said grinning. "And to think that stupid sister of mine told me that if anyone ever gets hold of them, everyone is going to live me and I would have no one with me. I was more stupid to be feared by the very things that will never happen and once I get married to Aoshi everything will be just fine."

"Oh yes, Megumi think about it. You will be called the wife of Shinomori Aoshi one of the wealthiest and the handsomest man in the whole of Japan. The other women are going to envy you." said Yumi.

"I just can't stop dreaming about living in their huge mansion and with so much wealth. Aoshi should also think himself to be lucky to have such a beautiful woman like me to be his wife. We would be the best-looking couple in Japan. Ohohohohohohohohohoh"

The girl laughed of together.

"Hey lets go in and enjoy this wonderful evening"

"Why don't we celebrate the night she is leaving?" the girls agreed laughing giggling and walked off towards the club not knowing that there is someone who has heard every bit of their conversation.

Aoshi stood up from where he was hiding confused, angry altogether wondering what to do as now he has all the answers to the questions. He was not surprised coz he had his doubt. I am going to rip that woman apart. Oh, so she thinks I went tailing behind her huh? Humph, my foot. Does Misao know? I bet she does, why she doesn't do anything. He thought hard and came to a realization. Oh, yes. He knows that they won't believe her. From then and on he started to look at Misao in a new way. At first, he just thought her to be like any other pretty girl full of lies and all. No, she is different. She is strong and he knows she is, coz he didn't see her fall because of all those things her sister has tried to do to her, by taking away her family, making them despise her and pushing her away. Heck, she didn't even have money on her and yet now she has her own business she can stand on her own. Who knows what hard time she has went through to get there, which she could have done very easily by taking the wrong ways.

For the next few days, Aoshi has observed Misao whenever she was around her friends or when he was over at the Makimachi's for Megumi. He liked every thing about her, the way she speaks though there was not much conversation with him as she is always trying to avoid him, the love she shows to her friends, the ways she laughs, she is full of so much emotions, she is everything he isn't. He realized that he has started to respect her yet also attracted towards her but their was more, he didn't know how to put the whole thing it was so confusing. He knows that Misao does not like him because of the way he has judged her. She thinks that he likes Megumi and he will do everything Megumi will tell him. Well you are wrong he thought he doesn't even like Megumi yet he agreed to marry her because he loves his family as much as Misao love hers. Somehow, the thought of Misao going away forever seems so bitter that it hurts. He wants to do something; he wants to stop her from going.

Misao has been having an odd feeling every time she is around Aoshi she had this feeling that those beautiful ice blue eyes have been observing her however, she kept herself calm and tried not to show. Whenever he is not looking at her, she just couldn't help not looking at him. Why am I so attracted to him it's not right. She keeps on berating herself for doing so. She certainly felt the change in Aoshi towards her. He has stopped irritating her with sarcastic comments about her leaving her family, etc. The reason behind it was unknown to her, but that doesn't mean that she has to act any different towards him. She still can remember how he misjudged her; she has always forgiven people so easily that she is just sick and tired of it.

The day was here for her to leave. To Misao it was going too fast. Non of her parents would talk to her yet she can hear her mother's soft cries behind their bedroom door while her father is trying to calm her down telling her that Misao was not worth it. Through out these few days she didn't at all get to talk with her family except for Megumi of course, who has been too happy over her triumph.

Misao's flight was in the evening and to Aoshi the day was becoming restless, moreover, his heart that seemed more restless. No, matter how much he tries, he can't concentrate on his work his mind flows back to the sea green eyed beauty. I know I should do something to help her to stop her from going but what. I don't have anything that proves that Megumi is behind all these miseries in their family and Misao is the victim, but why should I, Sagara was the one who she was dancing with in the club not me. So it should be Sagara to help her out. Then again if it was possible Misao could have done it all by herself. Oh, god this is giving me a headache. He thought releasing a huge sigh leaning back on his chair. Then again are we that stupid that we let an idiotic fool like Megumi win. He also knew that as much stubborn as Misao is she would decide against staying back if she was asked to, more so if asked now when it's so late. Frustrated he couldn't think of anyway to help Misao. He stood up from his sit with a grunt and walked out of his office deciding to take a long drive and try to calm his heart and mind.

At the Makimachi's Misao was all ready to leave, wanting say goodbye to her parents who are standing in the living room. Her father was standing sternly in front of the fire place with his back facing her and her mother sitting on the couch. "Im leaving, and I hope that you be well, do take care yourselves" Misao said with a heavy sigh knowing that there would be no reply, not that she is expecting any either. Beshimi has called a taxi for her, he would have asked the chauffer to drop her at the airport by the limousine but it was her father's strict order not to help her.

"I will miss you Beshimi" Misao said throwing her hand around her friend.

"And I will miss you, Misao san" he said hugging her back. "Have a nice trip"

"I will and thank you for everything," she said as she entered the taxi and closed the door. Thus, they drove off. On her way, she contemplated on everything that happened here and thought how she is going to miss her family and her friends. She felt like crying but she won't just like she has promised. She snapped out of her thought when the taxi stopped all of a sudden in the middle of the road.

"Oh my! What happened?"

"I don't know I have check it out"

"Will you please hurry I need to catch a flight," a moment later, the driver came and told her that he needs to take the car to the mechanic. "WHAT? Now what should I do?" Quickly thinking she came out of the taxi, stood at the side of the almost empty street asking for a lift.

Aoshi was now on the highway, a bit far away he could see a girl looking familiar asking for a lift. As he moved closer, he recognized her as passed her and stopped the car a bit far away. Misao was happy when she saw the car coming to a halt; she walked over and looked inside. Boy she was not happy to see who it was inside the car. Oh no

"Get in" said Aoshi. Misao kept silent seemed like she was thinking

"Do you want to catch your flight or not. Get in the car"

"Wait let me bring my suitcase"

Aoshi got out of the car and help her putting the suitcase in the back, and then both walk to the front seats. The journey was silent. Aoshi was looking at Misao now and then through the corner of his eye. Thinking what to say or rather how to say.

Whereas Misao was feeling something, she didn't know how to describe. As soon as the sight of the Airport came to Aoshi view, he asked, "Why are you doing this?"

"Huh?" said Misao in confusion.

"Why are you leaving when you know that you have done nothing wrong, when it was always Megumi?"

"You know?"

"Yes, I do"

"How?"

"I heard her conversation with her friends"

"Oh" she said silently.

"Well?" Aoshi asked waiting for an answer.

"There is nothing I can do about it"

"Really, you are going to give up just like that?"

"Why does it concern you so much, you are just going to get married to Megumi and live in peace. You were supposed to be happy that Megumi is getting what she wants." Misao said irritatingly.

"Don't say things you don't know."

"And YOU should take your own advices" Misao said pointedly.

Damn thought Aoshi. Misao was looking away out the window annoyed. He has to do something and the only thing he could think of was something he has never brought himself up into doing in his entire life. Therefore, he clenched his teeth trying to say and this is what came out.

"Srrry"

"HUH. Did you just say something?" Misao asked sarcastically.

"I said I'm sorry" Aoshi said in lower voice.

"Come again"

"I said I m SORRY, OK I m Sorry" Aoshi said giving up and exasperatedly.

"See that wasn't too hard now was it." Misao said smiling triumphantly and then continued "Apology accepted." By that time, they right in front of the airport. Aoshi looked over at Misao and said, "Don't go"

"There's nothing I can stay here for."

"There is your family"

"They hate me"

"Coz they don't know what the truth is. Look if you stay I can help you out."

"What for, who are you to me? Moreover, how do you think your going to help me? You don't have any proof, nether do I. why would you do it anyway its only gonna coz problems with your wedding and between two families and I don't want that ok."

"I might not have any proof but…"

"then that's it. No one can help me; I don't even need your help. Thank you for your concern" she said cutting him off, got out of the car walked to the trunk to get her suitcase. Aoshi did the same but only to stop her.

"Please do give me my suitcase back"

"Misao san only if you listen to me."

"There is nothing to listen." that was it Aoshi was annoyed by the way Misao is acting so stubborn he gripped her on both arms making her face him. "Shut up and listen to me, stay and I will find a way out of this, just stay," he said looking her eye.

Misao has never seen so much anger before. She never thought that such beautiful ice like eyes would flare. She has to come to a decision. She has had enough pain staying here and wasn't going stand more of it by staying longer, no she wouldn't stay.

"I have to go Shinomori san, please let me go." She said quietly, with eyes pleading him to let her go. Aoshi slowly slipped his hands away from her arms and turned to open the trunk to take out her stuffs.

Misao got hold of them and looked at Aoshi. "It was nice meeting you. Goodbye" she said giving a smile.

Aoshi simply nodded and he saw her walking out of his life and it burned his heart to see. For the first time he has realized that, he has fallen in love with her and admitted to it in his aching heart.

To be continued…..

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