Now or Never

By: Cereis

(Rikka-chan)

Disclaimer: I don't own RK

…but how I long to own Aoshi….

:wishful thinking:

Sighs a deep sigh

Chapter 2

Aoshi's POV- few minutes before in the temple

Aoshi sat motionless, still in the same spot where Misao had left him. She had confessed her feelings to him. And she had kissed him.

Kissed him.

He could still barely feel the lingering warmth on his lips from where she had gently grazed her lips against his. Those soft timid lips…

He sighed and brought a hand up to his temple to massage it. He remembered the outfit Misao had worn. She no longer had all those childish features anymore. She looked much…older. Dare he say, like a woman?

When had she grown up? And right under his nose. Maybe her infatuation was no longer just a childish notion. She was nineteen. Most girls here age were married with children. Just possibly, maybe, could it be…love?

Aoshi shook his head.

No it couldn't be. It was impossible. He had committed too many sins to even know what love is anymore, more or less to even be loved. It couldn't and would never be. She would get over it with time. There are plenty of men out there who would be perfectly suitable for Misao. A man who would be able to support her and give her the happy life she deserves. He would personally make sure of that.

But for some reason, her words wouldn't stop ringing in his head.

'I love you! I won't be happy with anyone else! You are the only one for me!'

The image of Misao's tears kept on popping into his mind. The feeling of her lips were still there. The feeling wouldn't leave him, as though they would be forever imprinted into his mind and senses.

He shook his head again and got up. It was nearing the afternoon and Okina requested his presence with him on some private Oniwabanshuu matters. It could possibly be a new case, or either one of Okina's antics to try to get Aoshi to go out and 'live life to the fullest' in Okina's words.

He shuddered at the memory of the last time Okina had gotten him drunk. It wasn't very pleasant morning the day after. Not to mention all the teasing he had gotten for doing a number of embarrassing things while under the influence that shall not be named. Of course he didn't remember a thing he had done while drunk making all the more entertaining for the rest of the Oniwabanshuu watching him try to figure out what was going on. But of course, after one of his tradition ice glares, they left him alone and went along with their work, only giggling around him beneath their breaths.

He started coming up the final path up to the Aoiya when he saw two figures in the distance.

Must be a couple in the streets.

He averted his attention else where to try to give them some privacy. When he drew nearer, he couldn't help but look over to the couple again. The girl's clothing was bright red and it's golden prints were glimmering in the sun light.

Hm, where have I seen an outfit of that similar design before?

It looked extremely familiar.

Then it hit him.

"I love you! I won't be happy with anyone else! You are the only one for me!"

And it hit him hard.

Misao! What is she doing! Who is that man! And why is he holding her so intimately! Who the hell does he think he is!

He picked up his pace a little. When he drew nearer, the breeze blew down hill from Misao and the man to him. The faint scent of cigarettes could be picked up. Coming even closer, he recognized the dark blue uniform and slicked back hair.

He stopped dead in his tracks.

Saitou?

Who the hell does he think is is!

Aoshi's hands reflexively felt for his kodachis, but they weren't there.

Aoshi silently cursed himself. Ever since he got back, he only used his twin kodachis when he was training.

He saw how Saitou was holding Misao…and how Misao was practically attached to him. Saitou had one arm around Misao's waist, the other only a bit higher, his hand rubbing her back. He had his head resting against Misao's. Misao had her arms wrapped around Saitou's waist, her head pressing into his chest. By their feet, the tray that Misao had brought back from the temple was in disarray.

Neither of them had seemed to notice or sense Aoshi's presence.

Aoshi's blood boiled at the sight, all he saw was red.

"What the hell are you doing Saitou?"

Aoshi saw them both tense and snap their heads in his direction. Saitou had look of surprise and Misao had a look of terror on her face and immediately pushed herself away from Saitou.

Misao's POV

"Aoshi-sama!" Misao exclaimed and pushed Saitou away.

The sight that lay before Misao's eyes scared her. Aoshi's face was filled with rage. His hands were clenched at his side and his knuckles were white. His head was slightly lowered, his bangs hanging lowly in his eyes. Even with his hair partially covering his face, his eyes were still as piercing as ever, peering over at Saitou.

Oh shit!

Finally regaining the use of her voice, she shakily broke the heavy tension in the air.

"A-are you finished a-at the temple already? Did you need anything?" she asked, fighting to keep a straight face with a small smile. But her smile more came out as a grimace due to her instilled fear.

"Why are you here Saitou?" Aoshi asked, ignoring Misao completely, his voice dangerously low.

Saitou, startled at first from being pushed back so suddenly, regained his composure. He was looking back at Aoshi, glaring at him.

What the hell is that pissed off look for? I suppose hatred runs that deep for ice block here…

Then a realization hit him.

Wait.

Could it be…?

No.

But then again…

Maybe…

Just maybe.

Saitou looked from Aoshi's angry face to Misao's terrified one. A smirk slowly made it's way across Saitou's face.

If so, then this is going to be a fun game to play.

"Shinomori, is that the way to greet an old acquaintance?"

"Why are you here Saitou?" Aoshi asked again, irritation and anger more prominent in his voice.

"Why the mad face Shinomori? Is it because you hate me that much?"

"I'll ask you one last time. Why are you here Saitou?" Aoshi asked again, his voice lower than before.

"Or maybe it's because I was holding you lover here?"

At that statement, Aoshi disappeared from sight. All of a sudden Saitou was on the ground. Blood was dripping from his lip to his chin and his hand was holding his left cheek.

"Guess it was the latter." He murmured to himself.

Saitou jumped back up and stood in a defensive stance looking for where and when Aoshi was going to attack again.

Saitou stood there, eyes looking around. Aoshi was no where to be seen. Saitou suddenly moved his left hand in front of his right cheek, catching Aoshi's punch. He pulled his fist, bringing Aoshi's face closer to his. Aoshi's eyes widened in surprise.

How did he know my attack?

"You know, you're so readable when your emotions are running like this." Saitou sneered into his face and punched his left check sending Aoshi flying backwards. He landed on his feet and stood in an offensive position a few feet away.

"No! Stop it! Stop fighting!" Misao screamed.

But neither of them seemed to notice her, they kept on going. Aoshi and Saitou were exchanging blow for blow. Then they hit each other simultaneously and both flew backwards and fell into offensive stances.

Aoshi stood strong, a bead of sweat falling off his nose.

If I only had my kodachis, this would have been over a long time ago…

Saitou took in another quick breath.

Damn, he's got it bad, and he doesn't even know it.

"Stop fighting!" Misao screamed one more time and threw herself around Aoshi's waist from behind.

Aoshi suddenly felt something wrap around him from behind. He looked down. Or rather it was someone who was on him.

Misao?

Aoshi snapped back to reality.

All the things that happened in the past few moments all ran through his head at once. It was all too much for his brain to comprehend at once. Questions also started flying through his head.

What was he doing! Why was he so worked up about Misao being in the arms of another man! He should be happy that she's found someone. But then again, the man was Saitou. She shouldn't have been in his arms to begin with! So why was she?

Then a thought came to him, his heart slightly dropping.

Maybe they have been having a relationship behind his back…

He shook his head at the thought.

No that was impossible. She despised Saitou, not to mention that she would never have been able to keep such a secret away from him, more or less Okina and the others.

So what was she doing?

Wait, why was Saitou even here?

"Aoshi, Saitou. That will be enough."

Aoshi, Saitou, and Misao all looked over.

"Aoshi, Saitou. Come with me." Okina said sternly. Then he turned to Misao, a small smile on his face.

"Misao, go fetch us some tea, will you? Make it green tea. Bring it to my office when it's ready." He said with a light smile on his face and then walked away.

We're definitely going to need that…

They all just stared after him in silence for a moment. Aoshi and Saitou glanced at each other.

"Another day for you to live." Saitou said walking away.

Aoshi glared.

"Oh, and next time, don't wear your emotions on your sleeve. Our fight was quite disappointing, I was expecting more from you Shinomori." He added over his shoulder.

Aoshi's eyes narrowed at Saitou's retreating figure.

Silence passed, Aoshi's thoughts remaining on Saitou's words. Then, he started to hear a low growling noise. It seemed to get louder as the seconds passed by. He looked around and noticed that it was coming from beneath him. Misao was still attached to him by the hip. Her head down and slightly shaking..

"Who does he think he is!" Misao exclaimed suddenly, snapping her head up.

"Aoshi-sama, I think you did great! If you only had your kodachis, you would have finished that fight sooner!" she said looking up to him.

Aoshi looked down at Misao.

"Misao, I have to go."

"Huh?"

Misao looked up at Aoshi again and realized how close she was to him. Her checks slightly flushed. She looked down and realized that her arms were around Aoshi's waist still.

Crap!

She immediately took them off.

"Eh heh heh… sorry about that." She stuttered looking at the ground while scratching her head.

"Don't forget to bring Okina the tea he requested." Aoshi said, walking in the same direction Saitou and Okina had left.

Aoshi sighed.

I could use some of that tea right now…

and there's chapter two! I thank all who reviewed! it made me feel so special : )

so please, keep the reviews coming!

the mroe you review, the more sooner i'll update! ; )

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