I do not own any characters from Rurouni Kenshin. Any and all others are mine.

Just to let you all know I wrote the first chapter in one sitting. It took me about 4 hours to write that chapter, maybe three. This one so far has taken one and a half hours to two. It would take me a little less if the keys would cooperate. They don't want to let you hit the key more that one in a row. Anyway I hope you like. This chapter was started almost the same day as the other one. Alas I have the question I need for marriage case now so I can continue to write that chapter now. My sister is taking this laptop back and getting a non-used one. She had to pay 1200 dollars for a used one. I think that's a little high considering that it takes longer to load on start up than our home computer, which is like 3 years older than this thing. We haven't ever upgraded our home computer either. The only thing we did was add Windows XP, which actually slowed it down a bit. Well hope you like the chapter and sorry to babble, but its 3:20 in the morn and well I am tireddddd and school starts in 5 days NOOOOO!

Animelovely: We it is Au so there is bound to be OOC-ness. I also know that someone will always think he's out of character no matter what. So I write it the way I want. I'm glad you like the story and if I sounded mean sorry I wasn't trying to. I'm just opnionated.

Dragowolf: Unfortunatly I have no idea how to write any of the commrads Aoshi lost. I'm going to try to see if I do okay. So I'll just have Hannya in this story. Hope that doesn't loose your interest in the story and all. If he's terribly out of character and I mean realllllyyyyyyy bad, then let me know and well, I'll know I can't capture him at all.

Slashofdragonblade: Glomps you were my first reviewer Arigato.

I hope everyone likes the story and seriously if i get a flame it'll probably be ignore, or jus delay my writing by a day or so. That's what the last three did and they just seemed to inspire me more, so go ahead and flame. Knowing me I'll just get better ideas. Aren't I just a weirdo.

Story...now...read...please...

Misao awoke to a thump. Misao shot up in bed and looked to where Aoshi had been the night before. A package lay on the floor where he had been. A pendent lay next to the package. The pendent was connected to a chain. 'He must have dropped the pendent and left the room.' Misao scowled as she got up and unwrapped the package. It seemed to be double wrapped in the brown paper. Misao unwrapped the second sheet. "NO!" Misao hollered.

Aoshi came into the room. "You will put that kimono on." Aoshi ordered.

"I will not." Misao argued. 'I agreed to this pact, but I am not wearing a constricting kimono.' Misao growled.

"I will be near you. No matter how I feel about the pact, I will not let a sole touch you." Aoshi replied in a somewhat soothing voice. He thought so anyway.

"Yes just what I need an egotistical male protecting me from men."

"I doubt any man would want to touch you."

Misao saw red and charged. Aoshi had not expected a girl her size to have the power she indeed did have. Aoshi stared up at a very angry Misao. "No matter what you think Shinomori-san I do have a certain charm. Now get out!" Misao ordered.

Aoshi stood, and left the room. As soon as the door slammed shut he placed his hand on the skin underneath his right eye. It stung, but he'd been hit harder, by a sword handle. 'It shouldn't bruise.' Aoshi thought as he pulled his hand away.

I would say just cause you are small doesn't mean you don't have the power. I want Misao to hit as hard as any man. So I used a sword handle.

Misao seethed at his comment. 'I know I am not nearly as desirable as the women in the brothel, but I still entice men. I have not worn a kimono since my parents perished. It's been 3 years since that fight.' Misao shook her head to gain her thoughts. She needed to focus on tying the obi. Misao had delicately taken the silk kimono out of the paper. It was beautiful deep sea green. It had a dragon design, an ancient dragon sculpture that was very well embroidered on it. Misao sighed as the obi and other belts had been tied. She glanced down at paper and saw a silver handle. She bent down the best she could in the kimono. In this tight garment movement was difficult. She managed to grab the handle of the object. She pulled it and was surprised to find brush. Misao smiled, 'No matter how mean he acted, he was thoughtful. It had been a few days since she been able to gain a brush. Before the man had come to get her, she had been on a mission. Her hair was in its usual braid. Misao had washed it the day before being picked up. Her clan rarely had a brush; one of the servants had taken the brush she had recently received from Jiya. Misao lightly pulled her hair free from the braid, wincing at the knots that arose in her long ebony hair. Misao brushed the long strands and decided that her hair would be better down in a kimono. Misao bent down once more, hiking the bottom of the kimono up so she could have a little more room. She managed to fold her ninja outfit and place it in the paper. She put the brush back in the paper and wrapped it back up. She picked the package up and noticed the pendent. The only way to get the pendent on was to have Aoshi place it on. She sighed and stood, picking the pendant up.

Misao walked to the door and opened it, "Shinomori-san I'll need you to place the pendent around my neck. I do not have the right amount of movement to place it on my self." Misao turned her head to find him staring at her. "Shinomori-san?" Misao questioned. His trance seemed to break at her question.

"Aaaa," Was all Aoshi could muster.

Aoshi leaned against the wall as he waited for Misao to finish changing. His thoughts wandered to what he had done earlier in the morning

Aoshi had awoken early hearing a light ran pelt the roof. He stretched to get the soreness from his muscle. It helped very little; a bed would have been better to sleep on. He had decided that she should have the bed after all it would be her last night to sleep alone in one. He got up off the cold floor and looked over to Misao. He blinked. She had looked so young the evening before. She definitely was no child. She was indeed a lot older when she was not angry or scowling. Aoshi had seen that when he'd saved her, even if it was a fleeting glance. You could not tell by her clothing that she was indeed a woman. Her black ninja clothing showed none of her womanly curves, let alone if she had any breasts. The uniform did its job by concealing what needed to be.

Thinking about the clothing brought up a dilemma. Misao was to become a respectable wife. She would no longer be allowed to wear the ninja clothing of her clan. As the queen or second leader of the clan, she would not be able to wear even their ninja uniform. It was unbefitting that the female leader to go and do missions. She was mainly need to provide an heir. She would never go on missions again, according to their clan's code. Aoshi had a feeling that might change when she became female leader. Aoshi had decided weather she wore their ninja clothing would not help the situation that was happening now.

Aoshi left the room and went into the market to buy a kimono. A deep sea green one with a dragon statue caught his attention. It was definitely expensive, not that he need worry of expense, but it was not a traveling kimono. It was made from a fine silk and shined in the little sunlight that came over the mountain. Aoshi glanced at the others, but none caught his eye like this one. He purchased the kimono, and decided they could deal with the travel part when it came. A vision of he long hair came to his mind, so he purchased a silver brush as well. He managed to place the brush in the paper holding the kimono, without ripping it. He walked back to the inn and went to their room. He opened the door noticing she was still very deep in sleep. Aoshi placed the package on the floor, bending over at the waist. The pendant he'd been carrying fell from his belt with a loud thud. He decided to leave the pendant where it lay, as the pendant was to be given to her anyway. Aoshi saw Misao shoot up in bed after the thud and left the room in a hurry. Thus the scene with the fight about the kimono had commenced.

Aoshi was brought out of his thoughts when he heard Misao's voice. He stopped leaning against the wall and faced her. "Shinomori-san I'll need you to place the pendent around my neck. I do not have the right amount of movement to place it on my self." They had yet to introduce their selves properly, Aoshi remembered why. He looked at the girl as she exited and his throat went dry. Her hair was down and cascaded down her back. She turned her head to look at him and his mind went blank and he was unable to think about anything else, but her standing there. Her hair fell behind her shoulders. The small wisps of hair and her bangs framed her face and brought out her eyes. The kimono seemed to accent the deep greenish pools of hers. "Shinomori-san?" Her questioned had brought him out of his daze.

"Aaa," was all Aoshi could manage at the moment with his dry throat. He took the pendant from her hands and uncoiled the chain. "All you need to do is slip it over your head, the chain should be long enough to do so with. It's the clans crest, it shows you are being brought into the clan." Aoshi took a deep breath and backed up.

"It awfully heavy for a crest." Misao stated.

"You will only be required to wear that when going around in the village. They have not seen you as of yet and need to know who the next queen shall be."

"Oh," Misao said as she held the crest in her hand and looked at it.

"We must hurry and leave or we will not make it to the village before night fall." Aoshi's voice had returned to its cold tone.

"Answer me one question first?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you buy this kimono, its not to travel in it's a formal one. It constricts my movements more and I will have to be very careful not to tear it."

"I did not have much time to pick one," It was a lie and he knew it but he continued. "You must also wear one when you arrive in the village."

"How will I be able to keep up with you?" Misao asked irritated. Did she need to spell things out for this man?

"You will be unable to." Aoshi stated flatly.

"Then how do you suggest I..."

"I will be getting a carriage, now lets go." Aoshi wrapped his fingers around Misao's upper arm and pulled her down the stairs.

"So that is why it will take so long?" Misao questioned, finally freeing her arm and walking behind him "You must slow your steps I can not keep up." Misao stated irritated.

"Yes and no." Aoshi stated flatly. She was beginning to get on his nerves. Aoshi looked behind him to find her still coming down the stairs. He sighed and walked back up the stairs. He picked her up and carried her down the stairs.

"EEP! Put me down." Misao squealed.

"You walk too slow." Aoshi stated. 'She weighs nothing it seems. She won't be too hard to carry as I thought.' "You should get use to this, I will have to carry you like this to the village." Misao's face reddened.

"Umm..."

"I meant after the carriage ride. The carriage will be unable to make it up the path to the village." Misao squirmed a little; she had never once been carried like that. "You are not the type to be saved I take it." Misao grew angry and roughly pushed herself from his arms and landed on her feet, almost falling as her feet landed a little too far apart, pulling the material tight around her ankles.

"I was born into a ninja clan and can take care of myself." Misao went to lift the kimono up, but was stopped as Aoshi placed his hand on hers.

"It is not wise to do that in town." Aoshi whispered. "Most women will look down on you."

"What do I care if they do? I was raised the way I was raised, I have the right to do what I wish as long as it is not indecent." Misao was growing tired of his stupid suggestions. His clan was known for their social status, and manners. She would learn them, but that did not mean she would go against how she was raised. Misao's head, shot up as an arm went around her throat.

"Why would a lady such as you be by your self?" Misao looked in front of her to find Aoshi talking wit ha carriage driver.

"Would it matter why I am alone to you?" Misao seethed.

"No it wouldn't miss." The man gruffly pulled his arm back chocking her. Misao placed her hands limply on his arm. She dug her nails into his arm and pulled it down elbowing him in the gut with both her elbows.

"ARGHH! You wench." Misao was shoved forward.

She had no choice, Misao hiked the kimono up so her legs showed below her knees. She caught herself and turned to face the man. He was looking at his arm and rubbing his stomach with the other. His eyes pinned her and a dagger appeared in his hand. Men often carried concealed weapons. "Now you must pull a weapon on a defenseless woman." Misao stated calmly as she watched his movements.

"You ain't helpless, so don't act like it."

"If I had been, I doubt I would be on this street any longer." Misao growled.

Aoshi had been trying to convince a carriage driver to take him to the road. It was quite a long drive and very few drivers would even take the dangerous rode.

"ARGHHH! You wench." Aoshi turned his head and scowled at the man. He saw the shine from the blade, when the sun hit it. The hidden blade Misao knew not about. Aoshi looked back at he driver and sighed. They could always find another way to get there. He quickly stuffed the money back in his pocket and raced toward Misao.

"...Street any longer" He heard the end of Misao statement, before unsheathing his Kodachis. Misao dodged the dagger he swiped at her. A sneer appeared on the man's face as his other hand had a small dagger attached to his middle finger. He aimed right for Misao's throat.

Misao closed her eyes as she saw the dagger protruding from his hand, 'A hidden dagger.' Misao seethed as she'd seen it to late to block.

SHINK

Misao opened her eyes and felt Aoshi's arm wrap around her waist. He pulled her close and jumped into the air. "This battle will wait for another day." Aoshi stated coldly as he landed. Misao latched onto his shoulder as they landed. Surprise came to her ace, as it was more graceful that she could have imagined. No extra movement, no jostle, just a smooth silent landing. Aoshi looked down at her with his emotionless mask. "You can let go."

Misao blushed, but did not remove her hands. A movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention and she shoved Aoshi away from her and jumped back. Aoshi started to fall backwards, but caught himself with his hand. He did a back flip to get out of the way of a weapon. He landed on his feet and looked to a crouching Misao. She had her and held to her stomach. Her right hand went under her left kimono sleeve and brought fore 4 kunais. She nailed the man in the throat, right shoulder, torso and the left leg. The man fell backward dead.

Misao tried to stand but went down to her knees as pain ran up her body. Her right hand lay on the ground making sure to keep her self from falling face first onto the dirt. "Misao?" She heard Aoshi deep voice question.

She squinted her left eye at the pain and smiled. "It seems more than one person wants me dead." Her elbow buckled and she started falling to the ground. Aoshi caught her by her shoulders and flipped her onto her back. She was leaning against his left arm.

The wound was not very deep but a huge amount of blood had been lost. Aoshi picked her up and pushed through the crowd locating a clinic as quickly as he could. Her fainting could be, not from the loss of blood, but a poison that could have been placed on the weapons blade.

Not locating a doctor soon would be fatal for her, which would mean the pact would at last end. His father wanted the pact to come to an end for more land for his clan, but Aoshi did not want to be engaged in battle for years on end. Both clans were strong and the strongest would prevail, but too many casualties would result in the struggle. To save his clan Aoshi would do everything in his power to make sure this girl lived. If not for himself, then for the young clan members who knew of only war.

Okay well not quite as well written as the last chapter but hey this is cool a chapter a day so far. I won't post this for few days though. Yeah ain't I mean. I gotta get ready for work anyway so bye and hope you all liked the chapter if anyone's confused e-mail me or leave a review with an e-mail and I will answer it when I get the time.

Review Responses:

No one: Well I hope you haven't forgotten about it either. I only havea few chapters out on it and I can't find the latest chapter...sadly. I will be trying to egt more chapters of this story done as with all my other fics. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.

Baby-Fire-666: Well I had this posted under another name...Zelianyu. My account got taken down so I opted for a new one. Wel lthansk for readin gand reviewing. Sorry so short have to go to work.