AN: (ducks and covers!) DON'T KILL ME! I'm really really sorry its been so long since I last updated! I never meant for it to be this long….I cant believe its been THIS long…damn. I have good reasons though, I swear I do! Okay first off my computer completely went out of wack! It literally did not work for a good 5 months (my dog chewed through the AC adapter) Along with that school coming to an end and of course that meant finals. I also got a job (I hate it) at a local casino, I'm a cashier. Lastly during this time I had absolutely no time to write, ending up with me forgetting where I was going with this chapter and getting writers block. But I've kept you guys (those who are still reading this) waiting way to long so here is what I got. Swear I'll update sometime this week….

Ch 8

After what seemed like an eternity, with all eyes on them, Misao said the only thing she could think of , "…so what have you guys been up to?"

"What do you mean what have we been up to? You're the ones who left for six years! What have you been up to?" exclaimed Sano moving from behind his desk to give each girl a hug.

"Wow, you can count that high rooster?" asked Megumi as Sano released her from his embrace.

"Still haven't changed huh, Fox," chuckled Sano shaking his head back and forth. " So when did you all get back?"

" Two weeks ago," said Kaoru smiling, she hadn't realized how much she had missed the big oaf. He had always been like a big brother to her.

"And you guys couldn't even come and say hi," said Sano leaning on his desk.

"Maa maa Sano, I'm sure they were busy," said Kenshin snapping out of his state of shock. Like Sano he to moved from behind his desk to give each girl a hug. "Its great to see you," he replied hugging Kaoru.

"Likewise," smiled Kaoru.

"I doubt they were that busy, that they couldn't pick up a phone," said Sano ruffling Misao's hair.

"Hey its not like we didn't try ya know! Its not exactly easy saying hi when your trying not to get trampled by a herd of girls," said Misao smacking Sano's hand away from her hair.

Earning a sheepish look from Kenshin and an arrogant smirk from Sano.

"Well aren't you going to say anything you big ice cube?" asked Misao hand on hip with a lopsided smile.

"Its good to see you all," said Aoshi moving from behind his desk as well, but made no sign of giving any of them a hug.

'Still the same as always,' thought Misao looking at the man in front of her. Opening her mouth to speak, she was cut off by the appearance of three new people, abruptly cutting off their little reunion.

" Aoshi-san, why are you wasting your breath on her," said Ami emphasizing 'her' with great distaste. Ignoring any sign of objection, she encircled her arms around Aoshi's waist.

To say that the sight in front of her was a bit out of the ordinary, would be absurd. Misao was down right positive that she had entered the twilight zone. Blinking for what had to have been the tenth time, and unable to come up with any plausible solution as to why Aoshi would show any form of affection to anyone, let alone to this pampered gussied up doll. Then it hit her, slowly like the tide rolling in from the vast ocean, slow, yet unyielding in its approach; yes- it was clear now, they must be dating.

" It hasn't even been a full fifteen minutes, and your all ready for another round," questioned Megumi, " I gotta say you got guts…stupid as hell, but you got guts nonetheless." Raising an eyebrow curiously as she caught the snide look Tomoe was giving Kaoru, as she too encircled her arms around Kenshin. 'What the hells going on?'

' Okay now I know I can be naïve and clueless, but you'd have to be a real moron to not have that 'look' register as a big warning sign,' thought Kaoru as she rolled her eyes at Tomoe's attempt of saying he's-mine-so-back-off-look. Then it hit her.

Eyes becoming wider with each passing second, all three girls couldn't think of a single thing to say or do. For once in their lives, action failed them; no sarcastic remark or witty banter could issue forth from Megumi's lips, the fuse which had been Misao's source of never ending energy, seemed to have gone out and the fiery ingenuous spitball that was Kaoru, was reduced to a fizzing little pebble.

Sano who had been keen on watching their reaction, was nothing less than amused.

Before any other conclusions could be made, the bell rang, signaling the end of home room and the start of what proved to be a very interesting day.

Grabbing their things, they made for a hasty exit with little room for talk.

Once in the hall, Misao was the first to initiate the conversation. "Oh my god…OH my god. OH MY GOD! The-they're dating! The ice cube and the pampered puss, Lady and The Tramp- Aoshi in this case being the lady, Beauty and The Beast- again Aoshi being the beauty! … Du- hmm…Sn- hmm… I have another one, but I'm still trying to work it out."

" We get it , Misao." With that said, Megumi resumed what some would call a strut, down the hall. Turning many of the hormonal driven male population, on her way. Being what the cliques deemed the three- punk, it was seemingly unheard of that one could carry an aura of such femininity. Whether she chose to ignore the obvious ogling or was oblivious to it, only Megumi new; but from the amused look playing on her features, one could only guess she knew.

"Megumi, if your done having your little fun, can we focus back on the problem," stated Kaoru her eyes betraying the amusement she was trying to conceal.

" All right Tanuki-chan, enlighten me. What's the problem," asked Megumi turning to her now disgruntled friend, a sly smile forming. "Hey just because we didn't let that hoe bag get away with calling you it doesn't mean I can't. In case you don't know only I can call you that."

A roll of her eyes and a muttered whatever, was all Kaoru said before continuing with the previous conversation. " The problem you ask? Gees Megumi, I can't believe you still haven't realized, I mean I can understand Misao ( earning a "Hey!" from the small ninja) but you…the so called 'genius' (shaking her head, she ignored the 'humph') The problem is Aoshi's dating A- Ami and Kenshin Tomoe."

" I KNOW!" shouted Misao receiving glares from on lookers, for her outburst. Glares that bounced off the genki girl, claiming that they would have to all get use to it, for one Misao Makimachi changes for no one. " I know Kaoru, its fuckin' eh- disturbing to say the least, but how's that our problem? That's Aoshi's and Kenshin's problem not ours."

" Weasel girl has a point," said Megumi letting out an Ohohoho laugh at Misao's dislike for the name.

Expecting understanding to dawn on at least one of her friend's, Kaoru was no less frustrated at their lack of grasping the concept. "Well…we not only insulted their girlfriends but we did it in front of them and the class…Ah, I see realization has finally set in my little grasshoppers."

"……Ok I can see how that can be a problem- just wait, Kaoru, I'm not done. This is were some of my genius shines through. If it was a problem then why didn't either of them say anything?…Grant it I doubt Aoshi would have said anything any way but still."

" Well as hard as it is to admit your right, Fox….CAUSE it just gives you a fatter head than you already have, you have a point," finished Kaoru hastily at the knowing grin forming on her friend's face, effectively squashing it with the last part.

" It is my fate to be misunderstood as a genius," stated Megumi flipping her hair over her shoulder.

" I GOT IT!" exclaimed Misao bouncing back to life after a few minutes of silence. " He's taming the shrew! Either that or they're blind husbands!"

Laughing, they entered their next class. Unaware that their conversation had been eavesdropped on.

"I think we can use this to your advantage."

" How? Its going to be like 4th grade again with Makimachi-san. 'I got you something Aoshi-sama, wait Aoshi-sama, ooh Aoshi-sama,'" said Ami in a childish voice. Her pretty face contorting into an ugly scowl.

"Uh and that Tanuki…just when me and Kenshin were getting closer. She'll ruin everything! What if her and Kenshin start dating again?" asked Tomoe, emotion detectable in her voice.

TBC…

To the reviewers:

I really am sorry for keeping you waiting like this. I know I get mad when the stories I read don't get updated fast. So therefore I'm so sorry and I hope you all keep reading.

martialangelfox9: I sincerely hope your still reading this, cause I absolutely love the fact that you love my fic so much to tell me to frickin hurry up. So sorry I made you wait so long! It was cause of you that I actually decided to update this little piece I have. I know its not a lot, but hey I'm not perfect.

kik-ting: I haven't talked to you in forever! Hopefully your still reading this fic, cause your reviews and criticism are really helpful and wanted. I look forward to your reviews, so hopefully you'll still review!…I know that sounds so corny but who cares!

midnight song: (laughs evilly) I'm back! AND I updated so that means you have to update your story! YES! (does victory dance)….hopefully you got my email saying I accepted your deal, if not well now you know I accepted. Its not that long but hey I updated and that's gotta count for something! Anyways now that my computer is back up I'll be sending you some chapters for College Years…IF you don't mind. Okay well hope to talk to you soon!

R&R!…please?