Forgotten, December

By: Kelli St. Pierre…………………sadly I do not own Rurouni Kenshin

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Aoshi pov.

As he sat there in the temple, a breeze went by. He had been there ever since he got up at six o'clock, since it was his morning schedual. But the difference this morning than other mornings, is that instead of Omasu or Okon giving him his tea…..it was Shiro who came. Aoshi had been puzzled by this cause even if Omasu and Okon came up, he was still expecting a particular weasel he knew very well.

'Misao….'

He had been thinking about her all morning and afternoon.Speaking of which, he looked out and noticed it was four o'clock already. To him, time just flew by right past him without even knowing it. Though everytime he thinks of Misao, he could get lost in his head forever. But not in this occasion cause he was worried where she was. He knew she couldn't be at Aoyia since she would of came to see him most definently. So she was either A). Started working at the restaurant again B). She went out for awhile C). She left again….

He most definetly hoped it wasn't the last one, he couldn't bear to be all alone again. Cause no matter what he tries to tell himself, he knows deep in his heart that with her around he feels better and more open. Also, he knows that he loves her.

'Loves her….'

If only it could be that simple, for a man, no monster, like him to actually love Misao…..and for her to love him back. It is obvious that she loves him, no doubt about that. But can he love her? Can he let his tainted self love her.

'No', Aoshi thought, 'I will only taint her, she deserves more…..'

But he couldn't help but worry over her, so he got up and left. He walked down the steps of the temple with ease as he looked up at the sky. He noticed that it hasn't snowed yet and its in mid-December. He could remember Misao always playing the snow with hannyaa and the others. She would always win not just because they'd let her, but because she was actually a good snow ball fighter. That was what he always admired about her, her toughnest, her spirit.

After the last step, he continued to walk the path back to the Aoyia. It was rather quiet out now than he expected. He looked deep into the woods and saw fox's looking for some food. It appeared they've lost their mother or father and are looking for them. They wandered deeper into the woods until they were no longer visible in sight.

Ahead of him he could see the Aoyia in view with along three other figures. He identified the two of them as Omasu and Okon by all the clothes on their backs. The other one he soon recognized as Misao. Joy leaped into his heart at that, knowing she was safe and sound. But he knew she must have suffered Okon and Omasu's cloth shoping torture. But he was more afraid if this Cole guy Misao was talking about did something to her while she went out.

'If he ever has the balls to touch my Misao, I will surely kill him'

He was to much in his thoughts that he didn't notice Misao calling him. He looked up to see her running to him. She had something with her in her hands which made him curious. When she got to him, she started to say……

"Lord Aoshi", Misao started nervously," I….. got.. you something today"

He saw that Omasu and Okon were nowhere in sight as she handed him a bag. He took it from her gently and started to open it. As he was opening it, he stole a couple of glances back at Misao who was chewing her finger nail; which he found cute.

He when he finished opening it, he pulled out a beautiful yakuta that was a dark blue. He knew this must of cost a lot of money from Misao and said very politely….

"Thank you Misao, it's very lovely….but why did you get it for me?"

"I…thought….it would be a nice gift….for me being away for so long…"

"Ah"

Misao, looking a little disappointed, started to turn around as his arms flew around to capture her in his embrace. She was totally shocked and slowly wrapped her arms around him as well. As for Aoshi, he didn't' know why he was doing this. Something inside him told him to hug her. And he did. I twas the same voice inside him that he runs away from.

' Perhaps I have been running away from my salvation…..the whole time…'

He let go of Misao and lightly, kissed her cheek and turned away toward the Aoyia. He knew Misao would be just right shocked and he actually liked that. But not as much as he liked the kiss, thought it was on her cheek. If it was only on her lips……

He quickly moved forward towards the Aoyia as Misao was still way behind. As he got inside, he didn't that he was still carrying the bag. He went to throw it away when he noticed a note was in it. He opened it and a note was written in it. It said:

This is a reminder to you that you'll always have someone to come to when your down. All you need to do is look over your shoulder…...and I'll be there….

Aoshi kept the note as he put the bag in the trash. He quickly went to his room and slowly, let a small smile set on his face. He knew now what his salvation was now and the whole time, he's been running away from it. Ever since he was eighteen and left….til now. He has been running away from it……from her.

'My salvation….is now clear to see…….it is you…..Misao-mine'

Misao's pov.

She couldn't believe it, he actually kissed her. Aoshi Shinomori, leader of the Oniwabann Group just kissed her. After Misao was out of her shock, she did a little dance outside while screaming her lungs out. The others looked out the window to see Misao twirling and shook their heads as they went back to work. Misao sooner or later fell to the ground as the sun set down over the mountains, making nighttime come more clear. Misao laid there pondering over and over again what Aoshi did.

'He must like me', She thought to herself,' or….he must love me..'

Misao then got up and decided to head back to the Aoyia since it was getting cold and all. She started walking and noticed that the stars started coming out, and it was really dark now that the moon was out. She could recall how she would always look up at the stars and ask Hanyaa questions of them.

But Misao was way to much in her thoughts that she didn't even sense the figure approach behind her. The figure quickly knocked her out a bat as she fell to the ground. Since it was dark out, the figure was to dark to identify. The figure picked up Misao and carried her over it's back like a sack of potatoes and sweetly said….

"Ah…finally I have you Misao-mine".

And then it vanished towards the woods to disappear in its darkness. The only thing left behind was a part of Misao's ribbon on her uniform as the night rolls on…..

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Yea well that's chapter 8 and yea, Misao gets kidnapped, dun dun dun. And of course you pretty much all know by who, if you don't…then….I feel bad for you. And your probably wonderin, why Aoshi and Cole haven't met with each other yet. Well, that's because I made Cole the sneaky type like character and so he wouldn't want to mess with Aoshi cause he knows he'll lose. But anyways, the question is, what is plans with Misao and what will Aoshi do to save her?

Find out in the next chapter.