Chapter Two

Kenshin was in total shock. He was not sure he had heard Misao correctly. He stood in front of Misao's home not knowing what to do. After a moment or two of thinking, Kenshin decided the best thing for him to do was to return home. He thought a good night's rest would help him.

Misao woke up in a daze. "Please, tell me that last night was a dream," she prayed, "oh Kami please!" She feared that Kenshin might not feel the same towards her. As she continued to think she realized that last night had been no dream. "I actually told Kenshin that I am in love with him," she said quietly to herself. She had started blushing at the thought but then she started to worry, "Kenshin knows how I feel about him! What am I going to do? Should I go to practice?"

After much thought Misao decided that she could not hide in bed forever and that she should go to practice, she thought that if she did not go then she would be a coward and she was no coward. Not only that but she did not want Kenshin to think she was a coward. She got dressed and headed towards the kitchen for some food.

"Oh, my, you are late this morning," Misao jumped at Aoshi's Voice. She was so preoccupied that she did not notice how late it was. "I'm sorry did I startle you?" Aoshi asked softly.

"Yeah, I just didn't notice how late it was," Misao replied.

"That's strange, you're always the first one to wake and run out the door. Are you feeling all right?" Aoshi asked looking very concerned. He put his hand on her forehead, "you haven't been overworking yourself have you? Has Kenshin been pushing too hard? If so I'll have a little chat with him." Aoshi had a tint of anger in his voice.

Misao blushed; she never noticed how handsome and caring Aoshi was. "No, no I'm fine, don't worry," she persisted, "I must get going. I'm late for practice, in case you haven't noticed." When Aoshi still looked worried she repeated herself, "I'm fine, really." She gave Aoshi a kiss on the cheek and before he knew it Misao was gone.

Kenshin had been surprised that morning when neither of his students showed up for practice, well, he was actually shocked that Misao had not shown up. This was the first time Misao had missed practice, ever. Then suddenly Kenshin remembered last night and how Misao had confessed her lover for him. A smile appeared on his face as he was reminded of this. He was not happy that she missed practice because he had spent much of last night and that morning thinking about what he felt towards her. He had thought of their ages and who they were. One thought pierced his mind; still, he knew that he loved Misao and that he wanted to be with her no matter how difficult it may be. But since Misao had not shown up to practice he feared that Misao wished she could take back what she had said and was afraid to show her face. Kenshin decided that he would definitely have to talk to Misao about all this.

Misao stumbled into Kenshin's house. She did not see anyone outside and she now realized that no one was there, or so she thought. There was a sense of relief that Misao had gotten by not seeing Kenshin. She thought that she should make sure that Kenshin was not there before she left so in a very soft whisper she asked, "Kenshin?"

"Yes Misao?" Misao jumped as Kenshin chuckled, "I thought I trained you better than that, that I did."

"Well, then I guess you thought you were a good teacher, huh?" Misao spat out with anger. She could not believe that she let him scare her like that; he must have known that she was nervous.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, that I am," Kenshin could see that he had made her angry, "Now let's talk about last night," he help up his hand as if to lead her to another room, "shall we?"

As soon as she heard Kenshin speak she blushed and allowed him to lead her to another room. Upon entering she realized she had never seen this room before. She looked around wonderingly. Then she saw it, a futon, Kenshin had taken her to his room. Misao heart skipped a beat and started beating faster and faster. She was both excited and afraid at the same time.

However, Misao started to think, "Why did he bring me into his room for a talk… unless he wanted something else." Misao's fear took over the excitement. Misao started playing with her hands as she looked at them and spoke gently, "Kenshin, I don't think…" just then she felt Kenshin gently push her onto the futon.

Misao instantly became frightened. She looked at Kenshin with fear, yet, she was not afraid of him. She felt a fire of excitement light deep within herself and she knew Kenshin could sense it. Kenshin's eyes flashed gold and suddenly he thrust his hand inside his gi and Misao thought that he was going to rip it off. Just as suddenly as his hand had gone into his gi it came out with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers she had ever seen.

"I am in love with you too Misao, that I am," Kenshin replied with such extreme softness that Misao started crying tears of joy. It seemed as though everything was going her way and she thanked Kami for that.