Innocent Seduction
by: purplerose28
Disclaimers: I do not own any characters of Rurouni Kenshin. As much as I wanted to own Aoshi and Kenshin I can't, they belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki-sama.
… Chapter III: All alone…
After Megumi left, Misao, Kaoru, Kenshin and Sanosuke were sited on one of the restaurant's round table, Misao and Kaoru's school stuffs spread on the table including their bags, notebooks, pencils, books and everything else while Aoshi was washing the dishes that were left unwashed. They made their homework with Kenshin's help and Sanosuke's endless badgering on the two. Everyone was annoyed that Aoshi sent him to the market to buy unnecessary stuffs to get rid of him. After Sanosuke left everyone was happy and quiet again. After washing the dishes Aoshi busied his self by cooking their dinner since Kenshin is already tired from cooking all day and they can't rely on Sanosuke's cooking skills. The first and last time Sanosuke cooked was a disaster; Misao's fried egg was more edible than what he cooked.
"We are done!" Misao announced. She stretched her aching legs and arms. Kaoru did the same.
"That we are." Kenshin said with a smile. He stands up and help the two put back their stuffs inside their bag. "Will you be joining us for dinner Kaoru-chan?" He asked and as much as Kaoru wanted to stay she can't.
"Gomen Kenshin-nisan I can't. Grandpa Gensai wanted me to be home before dinner. Maybe next time."
"That's a promise then." Kenshin said.
"Hai."
"Hey how about a sleepover tomorrow after the festival?" Misao asked then she whispered. "You can sleep with Ken-nisan on his room. I'm sure he won't mind." Misao giggled when Kaoru's face redden.
"That's a great idea Misao-chan. It will be great to have Kaoru-chan sleepover with us, that it is." Kenshin said.
"She can sleep with you on your room, right?" Misao asked and Kaoru's blush deepened when Kenshin said.
"It will be an honor for me, that it is."
"Kaoru what is your decision?" Misao asked. Aoshi smile at his little Misao's plan but no one saw since his back was facing them. She's really clever in her own cute and simple way, just like a real ninja.
After putting all her stuff Kaoru put on her backpack without looking at anyone. She knew her face was still very red. "I can't. Grandpa, Tsubame-chan and I will be visiting Aunt Tae and baby Ayame on Sunday so I have to be home early after the festival tomorrow so I can help them pack our things. Gomenasai." Kaoru said bowing so low that Misao was sure her back will break. She knew Kaoru had a hard time declining Kenshin's second offer but Kaoru has a word of honor that if she promised her grandpa that she'll go with him she will. That's one of Kaoru's attitudes that Misao love so much.
"It's ok Kaoru-chan but promised us to take care of yourself on your trip, that you must." Kenshin said. Kaoru looked at him.
"Hai. Arigatou." Kaoru said and bowed down again.
"Don't forget to bring home something for me." Misao said who was now beside her Aoshi-sama and looking at the food he was cooking. Kaoru nodded.
"I have to go home. Bye everyone." Kaoru said.
"Will you let me give you a ride home Kaoru-chan?" Kenshin asked and Kaoru's big smile was enough for Kenshin to know the answer.
"Misao-chan, walk Kaoru-chan to the door." Aoshi said.
"Hai." Misao said and the two best buddies went to the back door with Kenshin following behind them. After a minute Aoshi heard the running engine of the delivery motorbike followed by Misao's yelling.
"Take care of Kaoru-chan Ken-nisan! Bye! See you tomorrow."
Aoshi was almost done cooking when Misao went back inside and was again standing beside him. "Misao-chan, go take a bath when Kenshin and Sano arrived we'll eat."
"Hai." Misao run upstairs. The restaurant was a two-story building. The first floor was the restaurant while the second floor has four rooms for each of them. The room to the left after the stairs was Sanosuke's room while the room to the right belongs to Kenshin. Beside it was Aoshi's room and facing it was their bathroom. Misao went inside her room to remove her school uniform and then clad only on her white panties she went to the bathroom. She turned on the lights then the shower. Where is Misao's room? Aoshi's room is also her room and she refuse to sleep anywhere else.
After the dinner was cooked Aoshi went upstairs to his and Misao's room. The room was big enough for him and Misao. Upon entering the room you'll see a medium size bed covered with dark blue sheets positioned horizontally against the wall. To the right part of the room is a glass sliding door leading to a small balcony where you can see the road, houses and other establishment outside, it has cobalt blue curtains preventing anyone from the outside to see the inside of the room. Place against the wall in-between the glass door and bed is a study table with a swivel chair. Aoshi made the table for Misao but since she always studies downstairs with Kaoru and Kenshin the study table was hardly used. It's only purposed now was a place to put picture frames that Misao brought from the Aoiya. (AN: Aoshi is very talented youngman you see so he can do many things…hahaha! I made him a carpenter).
Aoshi got two towels, a large one and a smaller one from the bottom drawer of the cabinet positioned alongside the wall at the foot of the bed. Before leaving the room he picked up Misao's neglected uniform and placed it on the plastic basket of dirty clothes beside the cabinet. Then he went outside the room and stand at the hallway, in front of the bathroom door.
"Aoshi-sama!" He heard Misao call out from the bathroom. "I forgot…" The bathroom door opened. "…my tow––-"
"Here." Aoshi said handing Misao the larger towel. He can't stop his smile upon seeing little Misao clad only on her lacy underwear soaked to the bone with her hair plastered to her cheeks and forehead. 'She looks like a drenched kitty…' He thought with a chuckle.
"Arigatou, Aoshi-sama." Misao said completely unaware that her Aoshi-sama was making fun of her drenched-kitty-look. She wrapped the towel around her body while Aoshi dries her hair with the other towel he has. "Aoshi-sama is dinner ready?"
"Aa."
"Kenshin-nisan hasn't arrived yet?" asked Misao.
"Not yet." replied Aoshi.
"Sano-nisan?" Aoshi shook his head and then he led Misao inside their room. Misao went straight to the cabinet to get her underwear while Aoshi busied his self by looking at the photos on the study table. He didn't dare to look at Misao while she's naked. The last time he forgot about it and has seen her buck-naked little Misao throw at him the plastic basket full of dirty clothes. He didn't know Misao was that strong and then he thought it might be because of their trainings which they still do every Sunday morning.
He looked at one of the picture frames on the top shelf. It was a picture of him and Misao on her second birthday. She was sited on top of his left shoulder with her little arms placed on top his head. Beside it was a photo of him and Misao again on her third birthday. The last one on the top shelf was at the temple during a festival a month before he left Kyoto. Misao was three wearing a pink kimono that Okina gave her while he was wearing the traditional dark blue kimono for males.
At the lower shelf another three frames were placed. The first was Misao's fifth birthday, the first birthday he missed. She was with Okina, Yahiko and Master Hiko. When you look at Misao's face you'll feel like laughing and pitying the little girl at the same time. Her eyes were very red and puffy indicating that she cried and her smile was obviously forced. Okina has stretched her cheeks so that it looks like she was smiling. The second photo was Misao's sixth birthday, another birthday that he missed. She looks better in the picture compared to the other one. She was wearing a light blue kimono with a darker shade of blue obi. Standing next to him was Okina. The old man looking very proud of his little girl, when Aoshi saw this he felt the same as Okina… very proud of his little Misao who was growing very beautifully. The last photo was taken here in Akebeko during Misao's seventh birthday. Misao's smile in the picture was beautiful and not forced at all. She was standing between her best friend and Aoshi. Kenshin was behind Kaoru while Omasu was beside her and lastly Sanosuke was next to Omasu.
"Aoshi-sama, help me." Aoshi turn to Misao and saw her buttoning her sleeping clothes which is a white long-sleeved polo shirt.
"Come here." Aoshi said. Misao walk to him. Aoshi placed each of his large hand under her armpits and then lifted her up placing her on top of the bed. MIsao giggled.
"That tickles." She said. He buttoned it for her and after that he folded the long sleeves until her hands were visible. He owned the polo shirt that Misao likes to wear every time she sleeps at Akebeko during weekends. It was too large for her that she doesn't need to wear any shorts or pants because it reaches her knees covering her thighs. When Aoshi finished he combed Misao's hair and then before leaving he picked up the two towels and went to the bathroom.
Misao went to the full body mirror that was hanged against the wall beside the cabinet and looked at herself. Aoshi just closed the bathroom door and was near the stairs when he heard Misao made a long loud high-pitched sound. "MOU! Aoshi-sama, I look like an idiot!" He chuckled. He split her hair in the middle and flattened it, making Misao's hair look like it was licked by a horse. He was already at the kitchen when he heard Misao's heavy footsteps going downstairs. When she emerges her hair was all messed up.
"Why did you mess up your hair? I just combed it." All he got as was an "Hmmp!"
"Kenshin-nisan is here." Misao said when she heard the motorbike's engine. She run towards the stockroom and Aoshi heard the opening of the back door.
"Welcome back!" He heard MIsao said followed by Kenshin saying.
"Tadaima." and then it was followed by another voice that announced his arrival but was completely ignore by Misao.
"Hey! Not fair." Aoshi heard Sanosuke's complaint when Misao didn't welcome him. Aoshi has fixed the table by the time the three has reached the table were their foods were placed. "I bought chocolates." Sanosuke said showing the grocery bag he was holding. Upon hearing chocolate Misao who was already sited in front of the table moved swiftly beside Sanosuke at the counter.
"Welcome back Sano-nisan." Misao said to him sweetly added with the flattering of her long eyelashes.
"You're only sweet to me when you want something." Sanosuke said looking at the very adorable girl.
"Of course not what makes you say that Sano-nisan." Sanosuke just laughed and said.
"You sure knew how to get what you want little girl. Now I know why Aoshi can't say no to you." The bag of groceries was within Misao's reach when Aoshi snatched it from Sanosuke's hand and placed it on top of the cupboard where Misao couldn't reach it.
"No sweets before dinner." Misao pouted cutely and went back to her chair. Kenshin chuckled while Sanosuke laughed loudly.
They were quietly eating when something came up on Misao's head concerning the festival tomorrow. "Sano-nisan, are everything arranged at the shrine?" Misao asked referring to their booth on the shrine which was the mini Akebeko during every festival.
"Hai." replied Sanosuke.
"Are the chairs and tables all there?" asked Misao again.
"Yes ma'am." It was Sanosuke's task to make sure that everything in their booth including chairs and tables are already set before the day of the festival.
"Ken-nisan, are all the ingredients ready for tomorrow?" Kenshin was in charge of cooking from viands to sweets and anything you can name he can cook it. This is one of the reasons why Kaoru loved him so much.
"Hai, Misao-chan." answered Kensin.
"The desserts have you made it?"
"Hai. It's already in the freezer."
"Good." Misao went back to eating. The three handsome men thought it was over but they were mistaken because not a minute has passed when Misao turned her questioning to her Aoshi-sama.
"Aoshi-sama, do you have morning delivery tomorrow?"
"Aa." was Aoshi's short and simple reply.
"Have you fixed the foods you'll deliver tomorrow?"
"Aa."
"Will you be at the shrine before ten o'clock?" Misao got the same reply from Aoshi. "Good."
"If I were you Aoshi I will not marry weasel girl. She is still a little girl but she's already bossy and demanding. What more if she grew up." Misao blushed. Aoshi didn't say anything.
"I'm sure Misao-chan is just concerned about the restaurant's well-being, that she is." Kenshin said backing up Misao.
"That's true." Misao said. Sanosuke didn't mind her. He said to Aoshi.
"Aoshi you still have time to back out on your promise." Misao gasped. She looked at Aoshi with teary eyes and then she whispered.
"Aoshi-sama… you… will you… are you not––" Aoshi didn't let her finish her question.
"I will keep my promise Misao-chan don't worry." Misao smiled happily. She turned to Sanosuke and sticks her tongue out. After that they were quiet again for a short two minutes because something came up at Misao's mind again.
"How about the––"
"Aa." The three said in chorus.
"But I didn't finis––"
"Aa." The three said again.
"I––" Again they didn't let her complete her question.
"Aa."
"Mou!" Misao pouted again. She shut her mouth and didn't dare ask another question. 'They are not taking me seriously! When I grow up I'll make them pay.'
The rest of the dinner was spent in silence since Misao has finally given up on asking a question after being cut off again when she attempted asking another question. As soon as dinner was over Kenshin helped Misao to put the dirty dishes on the sink while Sanosuke went up to his room and Aoshi went to the storage room to lock the back door.
"Will you ok by yourself, Misao-chan?" Kenshin questioned.
"Hai. I'll be fine here. You can rest now." answered Misao. She opened the bottom drawer to get her trusty stool that she uses as a stage to reach the sink every time she washes the dishes. She placed it in front of the sink and then stands on it.
"Good night then. Sweet dreams Misao-chan."
"Arigatou Ken-nisan. Good night too." Misao said. She opened the faucet as Kenshin went up to his room. Misao was busy soaping her Aoshi-sama's teacup when the storage room door opened and Aoshi came out. She didn't mind him for he was one of the people who wanted her to shut up and she doesn't have anything in mind to say. After soaping the teacup she picked up a plate. She was humming a song that her Aoshi-sama sings to her to make her sleep when she something being tied behind her. When she looked down she saw she was already wearing an apron and it was Aoshi who was tying it behind her. After he tied it he went to the stockroom and Misao didn't even hear his footsteps as he went upstairs. "Maybe Aoshi-sama is a ninja… he moves inaudibly and gracefully." Misao said to herself.
After ten minutes Misao finished washing all the dishes and she has cleaned up the counter as well. She removed her blue apron and before going upstairs she checked everything and then turned off the lights.
"Good night weasel girl." Sanosuke said to her when she passed him room with its door opened so widely. Kenshin's door was already closed with the lights turned off. 'Maybe he's already asleep.' Misao thought. There are nights when the lights on Kenshin's room were still on and the lights on Sano's room were closed. Other nights it was the other way around. Last week it was Kenshin who said goodnight to her, now his room was already closed. 'I just can't figure them out sometimes.' She thought and didn't dwell much on it.
"Night." was all Misao able to say since she was too tired to argue right now. All she wanted was to sleep on her comfy bed with her Aoshi-sama. She can hear the running water from the bathroom and she knew Aoshi is bathing. She has the urge to take a peek inside but she knew Aoshi can easily detect her presence. 'For sure he can sense I'm standing here right now.' Misao thought and her conclusion was correct when Aoshi speak.
"Misao have you brushed your teeth?"
"Not yet."
"Get in here so you may brush your teeth." Misao's eyes widened and she felt herself blush.
'Did Aoshi-sama just told me to get inside?' Misao asked. For a minute she stood at the hallway looking at the closed door. 'But he's taking a bath…'
"Misao…" Aoshi call out.
"H-H-Hai."
"Are you going to brush your teeth or not?" Aoshi asked. He knew she was still standing there, he can still feel her ki… nervous ki.
"H-Hai. I-I'll just get my toothbrush." Misao replied. Still she didn't leave her spot. She was still thinking. Another minute passed. 'He wanted me to go inside… but he's taking a bath…when you take a bath you take of your clothes…'
"Misao…"
"H-Hai."
"Your toothbrush is in here."
'Idiot.' She forgot that. Another minute. 'He wanted me to go inside… but he's taking a bath…when you take a bath you take of your clothes… which means that––'
"Misao…you haven't move from your position." Misao heard Aoshi said. His voice a little muffled because of the running water.
'He's definitely a ninja. He can sense me whenever I'm near him.' Misao thought. Another minute. Same line of thoughts. 'He wanted me to go inside… but he's taking a bath…when you take a bath you take of your clothes…which means Aoshi-sama is na––'
"Yes he's naked weasel girl and if you don't move your cute butt I'll throw you inside the bathroom." Misao looked up and saw Sanosuke looking down at her and grinning like an idiot. The shower stopped.
'Did I just say that aloud?' She asked herself and as if Sanosuke has heard her question he said.
"Yes. You said it aloud. Now move!" He opened the door for Misao and pushed her inside. Misao made an 'eekk' sound and quickly turned around facing the closed door. She can feel her faced flushed and her whole body trembling. The steam and Aoshi's smell wasn't helping her calm her nerves. She heard shuffling behind her.
'Calm down Misao…calm down." She said to herself. Then she felt Aoshi's presence behind her. Three inches away from her.
"Misao…"
"H-H-Hai."
"I'm done." She didn't know what to say and she just watched as her Aoshi-sama open the door and went out of the bathroom wearing a loose pant and nothing else. All she did was look at his beautiful back until he closed the door of their room.
'Why don't I ever get used of seeing him half naked?' Misao asked herself as she closed the bathroom door and get her toothbrush. 'He sleeps shirtless and I still feel shy around him when his half clothed.' Misao cleared her mind and just focused on finishing right away so she can finally sleep. They have to wake up early for the festival. It took her less than five minutes to finish and when she went to their room Aoshi was standing in front of the sliding door looking outside. Misao always sees him sanding there looking outside. Deep in thoughts. She always wonders what he was thinking about.
"Go to bed Misao. We have lots of things to do tomorrow." Aoshi said. Misao walked to him and stand beside him. She held his hand. Silence.
"Why did you leave that night, Aoshi-sama? Don't you want to be with me anymore?' Misao asked. He squeezed her hand. Both were looking at the lights outside. "Why did you move here in Tokyo? Is it just because of Akebeko? Why is Ken-nisan with you?" Aoshi looked down at her. She wasn't looking at him. He carried her and placed her on their bed. "Why are we here Aoshi-sama? Why?" Aoshi looked at her and then he lay down beside her. "Where are my parents? Did they leave me?" He tucked her under the covers and placed his arm over her waist. "Don't you like Aoiya? Don't you miss the others?" Her voice muffled against his broad chest. He didn't answer. She hugs him and snuggles closer to him. She can smell him. She can hear his steady heartbeat and breathing. It relaxes her very much. "When will you answer my questions Aoshi-sama?" Yawn. "When…" Her eyes were closing. Yawn.
"When you grow up Misao-chan… when you're old enough to understand…"
"Demo…" Yawn. "…I'll understand." Yawn. "I will…"
"Sleep Misao…" Another yawn from his little angel as she snuggles closer. "Oyasumi nasai my little Misao…" Aoshi whispered pulling her closer to him. He looked down at her sleeping face. 'Such a beautiful child…' He thought. 'When you grow up Misao you'll have your answers.' He looked at the pictures at the study table. Every year a picture adds to the table. Every year… every birthday of Misao. Next year she'll be ten and then eleven… she'll be in junior high and then senior high. Then she'll graduate and go to college. She'll have other friends aside from Kaoru, Tsubame and Yahiko. Soon she'll be surrounded by more boys… soon she'll find someone who'll she follow around shouting his name with –sama on it. Soon he will have to tell her the truth about her family. Soon she'll leave him alone… soon he'll be alone… all alone.
...End of Chapter III…
AN: Yahoo! Another chapter done… hehehe. I hope you like that. I want to thank my reviewers who were so kind and patient in waiting for my update. Hehehe…
Thanks to: gabyhyatt
Green Animelover
nilnil
Jou-Chan
EcstasyOfSesshoumaru
Stela
Okami-tamashii
MindIIBody
Hope to hear more from all of you… If have any suggestions to make my story better, feel free to say it and I'll try my best to put it in my story… you can email me at I'll be waiting… again thank you very much… ENJOY!