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.

"talking/speaking"

'thoughts'

"talking during a flashback"

'thoughts during a flashback'

… Chapter VI: a long day…


5:24 am

Too early to be awake and too late to go to sleep…

"Aoshi-sama… I am Misao… please believe me. You know I will never lie to you. I beg you Aoshi-sama believe me. I am Misao… Aoshi-sama…"

He believes her but how did it happen? What caused her to suddenly change? Is it something she ate or something she drank? Magic? A wish upon a star? A wish granted by a fairy? What? How? Why?

'To torture me! To make me sit here in the dark living room without even one hour of sleep.'

'He was slumped on the soft couch on the long black soft sofa of the restaurant. A little heavy but welcomed weight on top of him. Warm breath against his neck that made his whole body shudder. Automatically his arms closed around the creature on top of him. He sighed on the feel of warm flesh against his bare chest.'

How he wish she was here sprawled on top of him.

'You went here to forget about her not to fantasize about her!'

But he really wanted her to be with him. To feel the warmth of her body again… the warmth that has enveloped his being the whole night… warmth that caused him a sleepless night.

Silence enveloped the whole room. For several minutes all he can hear was the steady beating of his heart and his even breathing.


5: 56 am

'She's little Misao! She's just nine years old! She's little Misao! She's just nine years old!' Aoshi chanted to his self over and over. 'She's little Misao! She's just nine years old! She's lit–- '

"Aoshi-sama…" He looked at Misao who was snuggled so close to him. Her whole body pressed against his right side. Her body moved closer to him that he felt every inch of her soft and warm body. Her right hand that was placed on top of his chest slowly moved lower to his stomach and her breath against the underside of his ear made him shudder and repeat his chant again and again.

'She's little Misao! She's just nine years old! She's little Misao! She's just nine years old!'

"Hmm… Aoshi-sama…"

'I knew it was a bad idea to listen to that rooster head! He'll pay for this.' Aoshi thought. It was Sanosuke who insisted that Misao sleep on his room like she usually does. He said that he should sleep beside Misao. For a moment he even thought Sanosuke said sleep with Misao not beside Misao but Kenshin said he heard it wrong. Suddenly Misao none to gently placed her right foot over his thighs that produced a grunt from the usually stoic man.

'Okina in polka dots bikini. Okina in polka dots bikini. Okina in polka dots bikini.'

Another shift… another deep groan.

'I better get up.' Aoshi thought. If he stays another minute longer he doesn't know what he might do.

Almost two hours has passed since he left her in their room and he's still here in the living room forcing his self not to think of the lady who was supposed to be just a dream. His dream girl that turned out to be the older, sexier and more gorgeous version of his little Misao… she looks hot too!

Damn! 'I better cook breakfast.' Aoshi left the room and went to the kitchen. He put on his apron then he immersed his self in cooking breakfast.


6:18 am

Her body barely covered by a sheer white polo shirt that only reached a few inches passed her upper thigh. She has perfectly curved long legs, round hips and small waist, round breast that were perfect for her built and her swan-like neck that makes him want to shower with kisses.

"Ohayou Aoshi-san," greeted the red-hair with his gentle smile.

He felt his body heat up when he saw clearly her whole body through her clothing and he suppressed a blush from appearing on his face when he noticed she wasn't wearing anything underneath the long-sleeved polo shirt.

"Oro?" He was totally ignored by the quiet man who seemed to be quieter now. "Aoshi-san." Kenshin called out.

He can't seem to command his eyes to stop from starring at her perfect breast that was barely covered by the polo shirt that has its three upper buttons unfastened. It gave him a nice view of her cleavage and the swell of the sides of her breast up to her flat stomach. Even her long bare legs were so appealing to him.

"Aoshi-san!" Kenshin called out again louder this time.

"What!"

"Oro?" Kenshin was taken aback when Aoshi snapped at him. He even has an annoyed look on his always blank face. "Sorry if I startled you, that I am."

Aoshi's face quickly returned to its usual deadpan look. "I apologize too." He said.

Kenshin pick up a rag that was placed beside the sink and wiped his cooking area and the countertop. "Did you sleep well Aoshi-san?" Kenshin asked. He observed him subtly to see if something was amiss on him; from his bare feet to his black hip-huggers pants and his dark green shirt to his slightly disheveled hair. As always his face remained passive and his body relaxed.

'Is it that obvious that I didn't get any sleep last night?' He should've checked his face on the mirror first. He glanced at Kenshin and observed his face for a few seconds. 'Is he mocking me?' But Kenshin doesn't have the same look that Sanosuke has whenever he pester him. "I slept well." He answered simply. He waited for the punchline but Kenshin remained silent. 'Good for him.'

"Aoshi-san, let me do that. It's my schedule to cook breakfast today, that I am." Kenshin said. 'He's up so early. I wonder why?' Most of the time he was the first one to get up followed by Aoshi then he would have to wake up Sano and Misao. There were times when Aoshi was the first to wake up and the first thing that he always do was to go for a jog or train not cook breakfast especially when it's not his schedule to cook. "Aoshi-san is there something wrong? Are you not well?"

'He sure has lots of question today.' Aoshi thought a little annoyed on Kenshin. "I'm fine. I'm just thinking of a few things." He replied but the truth was he was thinking of someone. 'Somebody by the name of Mikamachi Misao, his nine year-old girl that now has a nineteen year-old body. 'Definitely worth thinking of.'

"Is there something I can do to help?" Kenshin asked kindly after he finished cleaning his working area.

"Just fix the table." Kenshin quickly did what Aoshi told him.

'Looks like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed, that he did.' Kenshin thought.


6: 44 am

"May I ask you something?" Kenshin asked after he has placed four plates on top of the round table. "Do you have any idea how Misao-chan turned the way she is?"

"That's what I've been trying to figure out since last night." Aoshi replied. 'But all I can think of is how wonderful her body felt against mine every time she cuddles closer to me.' He didn't dare say that out loud because Kenshin might get a heart attack. After he finished cooking omelets, hotdogs and bacons he checked the rice while Kenshin made some tea and a glass of milk for Misao.

"Ken-nichan I don't like milk! Can I have green tea instead?" Misao asked sweetly plus her adorable pleading look.

"Gomen Misao-chan but its milk for you so you'll grow tall. You can have green tea when you're older." Kenshin said and placed a glass of milk on the counter in front of Misao.

"Mou!" Misao whined. 'My charm didn't affect him I better work on that.' She thought with her cute pout that made Kenshin chuckle.

That happened two weeks after little Misao arrived here in Tokyo and since then he always see to it that Misao drink at least one glass of milk a day so she'll grow up fast.

'She did grow up very fast… too fast.' Kenshin thought. "Could it be something she ate or drink at the festival?" Kenshin asked. He has finished fixing the table and was on his way to the storage room.

"I don't think so. Most of the food she had was the same as what I had and everyone else." Aoshi responded placing everything he had cooked on the table. Kenshin come out from the storage room with a mop and a pail in his hands.

"She has always wanted to grow up quickly so she'll be the same age as you Aoshi-san. Someone up there must really love Misao-chan." Kenshin said with his always present smile.

"Or somebody must really love icicle up there to finally give him the woman that will melt him."

'Melt me? Not yet… she's just warming me up.' Aoshi thought with a smirk that quickly faded away. "Its more likely somebody hates me up there."

"Why do you say so your royal iciness?" Sanosuke asked mockingly complete with a bow while Kenshin who stood beside Sanosuke sweat-dropped.

'Here they go again.' Kenshin remained silent and just let the two have their daily dose of banter with each other while he mopped the floor.

"Because I met you," was Aoshi point-blank reply. Kenshin looked at Sanosuke and thought he saw a nerve on his left temple twitch.

"I'm sure they despise me more..." Sanosuke started, snatching the mop from Kenshin who oro-ed but didn't object when Sanosuke continued his work.

'It was his duty after all.' Kenshin thought and then Sanosuke continued.

"…I have to live and work with Mr. Below Zero Personality." Kenshin was about to fix the other tables and chairs but Aoshi beat him to it.

'I'll just fix the curtains.' Kenshin thought so he went to the rightmost window beside the front door.

"Damn! I'm the luckiest man alive!" Sanosuke added sarcastically.

"You're right." Aoshi said calmly. Sanosuke looked at him surprised that his bantering buddy agreed with him. "You're the luckiest of all because you were rejected by women eighteen times only. Eighteen is not a bad number." Kenshin saw another nerve twitch on Sanosuke's temple. "Why don't you try nineteen, it's a good number too?"

'He sure is talkative today.' Kenshin thought as he saw the third nerve twitch on Sanosuke's forehead. 'The curtains getting dirty I think I'll wash it tomorrow.'

Aoshi went on. "I heard Ms. Takani like that number. Should I call her for you so you can have your arrangements with her?" At the moment the two were already glaring at each other.

'What's with Aoshi today?' Kenshin doesn't have a single clue why Aoshi's patience seems to be close to nothing today however he still has his usual stoic look. The two were about to squeeze the life out of each other when suddenly there was a ting sound from the chime when the front door opened.

"Ohayou everyone!"

Kenshin has never been happy and grateful to see the raven-haired angel. He even hugged her as he greeted her merrily. "Ohayou Kaoru-chan." When he pulled away from her he noticed her flushed face that he find so amiable.

"Morning Kenshin-nisan." Kaoru said shyly with her face slightly flush. She looked at a normal looking Aoshi then to Sanosuke who has a goaded look on his face. "Kenshin-nisan, is there something wrong?"

"Everything is fine." Kenshin turned to the two. "Ne?" The two nodded then went back to their work.

"Where's Misao-chan? Isn't she up yet?" Kaoru asked.

"She's still asleep icicle worn her out last night. He knock 'er good!" Sanosuke said, pretending to punch something with his right hand. Aoshi glared at him but he just smiled back.

"Sanosuke, will you please clean up the bathroom. I noticed the floor is already dirty." Kenshin said. It's best to get rid of him before he blurted out anything because of his annoyance to Aoshi. 'Those two are acting like a child.' He thought with a sigh.

"Hai, hai." With the mop in hand Sanosuke went to the customer's restroom.

"Kenshin-nisan, did Aoshi-nisan really punch Misao-chan?" Kaoru asked.

Kenshin chuckled. 'What an adorable child.' Kaoru shifted slightly in front of him, the blush on her face deepening. "Aoshi-san would never do that to Misao-chan. She's very special to him, that she is."

"But Sano-nisan said––"

"What he meant was Misao got really exhausted. She worked so hard yesterday that's why she got sick." He doesn't want to lie to Kaoru but he has to. They have to figure out the problem first and if possible bring Misao back to normal before anything wrong happen. Then it will be up to Misao whether she'll tell her best friend or not. "Misao-chan has a fever so she can't go to school today." Kenshin said and when he saw Kaoru's worried but still cute face he added. "Don't worry she's fine. She just need to rest today."

"May I see her before I go to school?" Kaoru asked with pleading eyes.

"She's asleep. You can see her after school." Aoshi stated. His voice still has a hint of annoyance. He doesn't know what had gotten on him to argue with that rooster head. He doesn't easily get irritated during their arguments but now he had almost throttled him to death. 'I need sleep.' He thought. Finally he has finished arranging the stupid chairs. 'Sleep! Now!' His mind told him.

Kaoru tried again. "I'll just peek a little. Promise I won't wake her up."

"Later Kaoru." Aoshi said his voice a little stern that it made Kaoru flinch and made Kenshin utter his famous oro. He's starting to get irritated again. 'Calm down Aoshi.' He told his self. 'Your sexually frustrated, mister!' He quickly searched for a cup of green tea.

"Aoshi-san is just worried about Misao-chan, that he is. I hope you understand Kaoru-chan." Kenshin said gently. Kaoru looked at Aoshi who was silently drinking his hot tea then she turned to Kenshin and nodded. "Will you please tell your teacher that Misao-chan is sick?" Kaoru nodded again. Kenshin and Kaoru were on their way to the door when they heard loud and hurried footsteps followed by a loud shriek.

"I'M LATE! KAORU-CHAN WILL KILL ME!"

'Shit.' Kenshin and Aoshi thought. One door opened loudly followed by another one then a loud bang when the door was hastily closed and then finally they heard running water.

"Busted!" The two heard Sanosuke voiced out. Good thing Kaoru's sense of hearing was not as keen as them or she might have heard him. Kenshin looked at Kaoru who has a puzzled look on her face.

"I thought she's sick?" Kaoru asked, confused.

The bathroom door opened and Sanosuke came out. "Weasel girl has the ability to recover fast. It's in her blood." He got a shut-up-look from Kenshin and Aoshi who look pissed off again. He drank his tea again. From upstairs they heard the running water stopped and then a door opened.

"AOSHI-SAMA! WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME UP!" The supposed to be sick girl shouted.

Aoshi can feel a big headache coming. "Kaoru-chan, why don't you go on ahead? Misao-chan will meet you at school." Aoshi massaged his forehead then took another sip of his tea.

"Let me walk you to school." Kenshin offered kindly. Kaoru smiled at him as he took her left hand. At the moment she doesn't care about her best friend, all she cares about was how great her hand feels against Kenshin-nisan's hand. They were already outside the restaurant when the weasel girl decided to show up.

"KAORU-CHAN! WAIT FOR ME!"

Sanosuke whistled. Kenshin orrrooooo-ed and Karou gasped loudly when they saw Misao's tousled look while Aoshi drink up all the remaining hot tea on his cup not even affected by its temperature. He summoned all his self-control and applied all his training to maintain his blank and cold expression.

"Who are you?" Kaoru asked completely shocked.

"What are you talking about? I'm Misao! Makimachi Misao."

"It can't be." Kaoru whispered. She looked at Misao from head to foot. In her left hand she held their school cap and on her right hand was a pair of shoe that was too small for her larger feet. She was taller than the Misao she knew with longer hair that reached her butt, her knee-socks only reached mid leg. She was wearing the same uniform as her but it seems her uniform has shrunk. Everything was too short and too tight. Her blouse barely covered her flat stomach and the skirt was very short that if she tiptoed her underwear will be seen.

'I'm going to have a heart attack.' Aoshi thought as he looked at Misao from head to foot. 'Damn she's so gorgeous!' His mind screamed. If before he finds her school uniform cute now he finds it more than cute. He never want her to take off that damn scrap of clothe off. 'I think I'll change my profession and be a teacher.' He pictured his self in black slacks, polo shirt and tie with Misao in her uniform on his office. 'HENTAI!' his mind scolded at him. 'I need hot green tea!' He saw another cup and held it tightly in his hand. He was about to gulp it down but luckily Kaoru's great timing saved him from scorching his throat…

"You're NOT Misao." Kaoru said.

"Yes I am." Misao countered.

"No you're not!" Kaoru retorted.

"Yes I a––"

Aoshi interrupted. "She's my––"

Sanosuke and Kenshin butt in both at the same time. "She's Aoshi's lover." Sano said while Kenshin said, "She's Aoshi's sister."

"Great." Aoshi muttered. Another sip from his soothing tea.

'They are hiding something from me.' Kaoru thought, suspiciously. She looked at them. Kenshin looked a little tense. Sanosuke has a huge grin on his face while Misao was giggling. She saw Aoshi heave a sigh, sip his tea and finally rub his forehead. 'Could she really be Misao?' She looked at Misao again and formulated a plan. "You're Misao!" Kaoru said. Reverse psychology.

"No I'm not." Misao said.

"Tanuki-chan vs. weasel girl round two… fight!" Sanosuke announced. He got an angry look from Aoshi. "What?" He asked. Another glare from Kenshin. He then realized his mistake. 'Ohh… right. I just called Misao weasel girl.' He looked at Kaoru. 'I don't think she heard me.'

"I was just kidding. I'm not Misao."

"Yes you are!" Kaoru yelled. 'They were covering for her.'

"I'm not!" Misao retorted. She has totally forgotten what happened yesterday but she really likes rooster head's idea. 'I'm Aoshi-sama's lover. That sounds nice.' She thought with a chuckle.

"You're not Misao!" Kaoru exclaimed.

"I am Misao!" She paused shocked on what she said. 'Busted.' She looked at Aoshi and saw him sigh, exasperated while Kenshin sweat-dropped.

"Gotcha!" Kaoru shouted triumphantly.

"Very clever tanuki." Sanosuke said that quickly earned him glares from Kenshin, Misao and Aoshi. 'Will you look at that? Looks like I missed a dirty spot on the floor.'

"I am not Misao. If I'm Misao I would know your secret that you're madly in love with Ken-nisan." Misao paused after she has comprehended what she said. 'Ooppsy…'

"WHAT DID YOU SAID?" Kaoru screamed her face flushed. "How did you know that!"

"She's not Misao." Aoshi said calmly. He was finally calming down from within him. All thanks to his trusty green tea.

"But how did… how did she––" Sanosuke finished the sentence for her.

"Know that you're crazy over Kenshin?" Kaoru nodded her face redden more. She didn't even dare look at Kenshin. "A person doesn't need be Misao to know that. Everyone knew that already even Kenshin knew!"

"Whatttt!" Kaoru screeched. She looked at Kenshin. He nodded which confirmed that he indeed knew. "Oh my god…" All the color on her face drained. She fainted fortunately Kenshin caught her.

"Kaoru!" Misao yelled. She hastily went to her best friend and kneeled beside her. In a blink of an eye Aoshi's newly gained tranquility crumbled to the ground when he saw Misao's curved bottom.

'Okina in polka dots bikini. Okina in polka dots bikini. Okina in polka dots bikini.' Aoshi chanted over and over. Green tea!

"Did she faint because she found out that I am really Misao or she fainted because Ken-nisan knew already that she's in-love him?" Misao asked, looking at Sanosuke then to Kenshin.

"I think it's the first one." Kenshin replied.

"I'll go for b and that's my final answer." Sanosuke remarked.

"Congratulations rooster head you just won a trip to the market." Aoshi said evenly. "And while you're there, why don't you buy a new brain for yourself."

"That's a wonderful idea and for that I'll treat you with a new personality. I heard its on sale." Sanosuke countered.

"Yay. I'm so delighted to hear that." Aoshi said with his monotonous voice.

Kenshin finally decided to interfere. "Sanosuke will please just go and buy me some seasonings." He had witness enough heated discussion from them and he doesn't want another one that's completely worthless.

"Sure thing Kenshin." Sanosuke answered.

'What's happening to them?' Misao asked herself. Kenshin's complete attendance gentle smile was gone instead he has scowl on his face. Her Aoshi-sama seems to be drinking too much tea. He has devoured all the three cups on the table and now has his eyes on her glass of milk. And Sanosuke… 'He's 85 irritating most of the time but at the moment he's 99.'

"By the way, nice uniform weasel..."

'Ok… make that 105 irritating.' Misao thought.

"…fits you perfectly." Sanosuke said with a big grin. He looked at Aoshi's reaction. He has been observing him like a hawk but icicle was too fast for him. He didn't saw a single change on his emotionless face. All he did was look at Misao then drink his tea.

"Sano! Out!" Kenshin said firmly accompanied by a glare that turned his eyes almost golden. Aoshi's eyes flashed angrily at him so Sanosuke didn't say a word and just left. He knew when its time to stop being annoying. At least he got a reaction from Aoshi's deadpan look with an added bonus. He got a reaction from Kenshin's always smiling face too. "I'll bring Kaoru upstairs."

"I'll go with you." Misao said but Aoshi sent her a stay-and-that's-an-order-look. Aoshi opened the door for Kenshin.

"Aoshi-san, please call their teacher and tell her the two can't come to school today." Aoshi nodded. "Call Dr. Gensai too." Kenshid added. Aoshi waited until he heard the door of Kenshin's room upstairs closed and then he turned his attention to his Misao who was just few feet away from him.

"Eeto… Aoshi-sama…" Misao was very, as in very nervous in front of Aoshi. She felt like she's as small as a five-year-old who got caught in the act of doing something awful. "A-aoshi-sama… go-gomen… I forgot that… that I'm not small… err… not the same as before…" Misao said softly. She can't even look him in the eye. 'Baka! How can you forget something as important as this? Look at what you've done! BAKA!' She scolded herself. 'Poor Kaoru… I hope she's fine. At least she's with Ken-nisan now.' She thought with a giggle.

"What's so funny Misao?"

"Eepp! Nothing Aoshi-sama. Nothing. Gomen." Misao replied fearfully as she clutched her hand tightly in front of her. She's scared like hell! She has never heard that very deep and strong voice of Aoshi. She felt her whole body tremble from fear and strangely from something else that she can't name.

Aoshi sighed. He looked at Misao from head to foot. He doesn't know what to say to her. Who wants to say anything when all he wanted to do was lay her on the table and shower her with heated kisses from head to foot? 'She's little Misao! She's just nine years old! She's little Misao! She's just nine years old!' Or pin her against the wall and ravish her. 'Okina in polka dots bikini. Okina in polka dots bikini. Okina in polka dots bikini.'

Misao heard Aoshi's strangled groan and her whole body automatically become more taut and tense. 'Kami-sama. My heart is beating so fast. I think I'm going to die.' She remained quiet and unmoving. 'Why isn't Aoshi-sama saying anything?' Misao thought as long silence continued to envelope them. She slowly looked up at him to see what he was doing. 'Eek! He's staring at me.' Misao quickly bowed down. 'I've never seen Aoshi-sama's eyes like that before. Is it always that dark and intense?'

"Misao, go." Aoshi said with his very deep and hoarse voice that made Misao shudder. He can't stand another minute with her without fulfilling even one of his fantasies. 'Since when did you fantasize about Misao? She's little Misao… nine-year old little Misao!' He groaned again, a deep throated groan then he voiced out in a husky tone. "Misao, go upstairs and change. Now."

"H-h-hai." Misao said. She wasted not a single second and dashed upstairs. She didn't even look back at him. 'Aoshi-sama must be really upset to me.' Misao sighed. She went to Kenshin's room to check on Kaoru. She knocked thrice on the ajar door.

"Come in Misao-chan." She heard Kenshin said. She slowly pushed the door and went inside. Her still unconscious friend was laid on top of Kenshin's bed with purple and black stripes quilt.

"Ken-nisan… will Kaoru-chan be alright?" Misao asked worriedly. She looked at her friend's face and noticed the color of her face has returned to normal.

"Don't worry she's fine. She's just shocked from what happened but she'll be alright once she wakes up, that she will." Kenshin assured her. He placed his hand on Misao's shoulder and squeeze slightly.

"Arigatou Ken-nisan." Misao whispered and hugged him. Kenshin smiled and gently wrapped his arms around her. After a minute or so, "Ken-nisan I just noticed something about you…" She removed her arms around him and stepped twice away from him.

"What is it?" Kenshin asked. He watched as Misao placed her right hand on top of his head. She has easily reached it without stretching her body.

Misao continued. "…you're short Ken-nisan!"

"Oro?"

"You're just a couple of inches taller than me. I'm sure Hiko-sama didn't give you milk everyday when your still young. Probably he bought sake instead of milk…' To that Kenshin second the notion. '…look how short you are. I'm sure by the time I'm twenty something I'll be taller than you..." Misao then placed her right hand in level with her shoulders. "…no doubt you'll only reach my shoulder by then. Poor you…" She patted his head.

'She's really Misao-chan grown-up or not and I'll bet my life on it.' Kenshin thought as he continues to listen on Misao's opinions about his height. 'I should've drink milk when I was still young…' Sigh. 'It's all Master Hiko's fault.' Sigh again.


8:12 am

After exactly twelve minutes of Misao's blabbering Kenshin was finally free to go downstairs to get the two angels their breakfast. Kaoru was still asleep when he left while Misao went to Aoshi's room to change. When he arrived downstairs no one was there. 'Where's Aoshi-san?' He went to the table where they were supposed to have their breakfast. 'Even Sano isn't here yet.' All the foods were still there except for the empty cups of tea and Misao's half-filled glass of milk. 'I don't remember her drinking it.' He cleaned up the table. He placed the glass, cups and unused plates on the sink when he noticed three empty pitchers. 'Who use––" the bathroom door opened.

Kenshin blinked and then blink again. Aoshi came out with the fourth empty pitcher on his left hand. "Aoshi-san, what happened to you?" Kenshin asked surprised too see Aoshi's drenched face with his bangs dripping and clinging wetly to his forehead. The upper portion of his shirt was soaked too because of his dripping wet hair. It seemed he was the one who used all the cold water from the currently empty pitchers on the sink.

"Where's Misao?" Aoshi asked evenly still not moving from his position in front of the bathroom's open door.

Kenshin observed his face. Calm and expressionless as always. "She's in your room changing." Kenshin replied. "Are you alright?" Aoshi didn't mind him.

After placing the pitcher on the sink Aoshi went upstairs. He passed by Kenshin's partly open door and saw Kaoru asleep on his bed. He continued to walk until he reached his closed door and instead of opening it he just stared at it. He can hear Misao's light footsteps from inside. The sound of her steps was louder than when she was just nine. 'What is she going to wear?' He asked his self. For sure she's rummaging their closet for something to wear. All Misao's clothes were too small for her now that she has grown. 'Not that I mind her wearing small and tight clothes.' He imagined her wearing her pastel blue kimono with black obi that she wore in a festival. For sure it will not even reach her mid thigh showing off her exquisite long legs. Then there will be a wide gap in front of her kimono exposing her sternum including her cleavage and collarbone. 'Damn!' Aoshi cursed and he quickly walked towards the bathroom to cool down. He needed a cold bathe… a very cold bathe.


8:30 am

Knock. Knock.

"Aoshi-sama."

Silence.

Knock. Knock.

"Aoshi-sama, are you alright in there?"

Silence.

'Mou! He's still mad at me.' She tried calling him again, "Ao––"

"Misao-chan." She looked to her right and saw Kenshin standing in front of his room holding a tray of food. "Are you wearing Aoshi-san's clothes?" Kenshin asked.

"Yup! All my clothes don't fit anymore so I borrowed Aoshi-sama's old clothes. What do you think?" Misao turned around slowly, showing off her outfit. She really likes the feel of Aoshi's clothing on her body, it even smells like him.

"It looks nice, that it is." Kenshin replied. Misao was wearing Aoshi's black fitted shirt, an exact fit for her body, and gray sweat pants. It was a little too big for her narrow waist but she adjusted the string around the waist so it wouldn't fall off.

"Do you think Aoshi-sama is still mad at me?" Misao asked.

"Of course not, I'm sure he's just worried about you Misao-chan, that he is." replied Kenshin, "why don't you have breakfast first. I brought food for you and for Kaoru-chan."

"Ken-nisan, may I tell Kaoru-chan the truth?" Misao followed Kenshin inside his room. "She can be trusted. I know she will not tell anyone about this."

"I'm sure she won't." Kenshin placed the tray on top of his desk beside his bed. "Kaoru-chan is a very kind and honest girl. I trust her too." Kenshin looked at Misao's best friend still asleep on his bed. "You may tell Kaoru-chan about it when she wakes up. And if you need anything else just tell me, ok?"

"Hai! Thank you very much Ken-nisan."

"You're welcome." Kenshin said and then he closed the door after he went out. He was on his way downstairs when he heard a door open. He looked behind him and saw Aoshi come out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist and a smaller towel on top of his head. 'He looks exhausted.' Kenshin thought. "Aoshi-san, are you––", he didn't get to finish his question when Aoshi went inside his room and closed the door behind him without even glancing at Kenshin.

"KENSHIN! We have customers! Get your butt down here." Sanosuke shouted from downstairs.

"Hai, Coming!" When Kenshin arrived downstairs he saw few customers already there waiting for their food. He quickly went to his cooking area; wear his apron and toque, and then cook their orders. 'We don't what to keep the customers waiting, that we don't.'

"Here's another order." Sanosuke placed another piece of paper on top of the counter when the phone ringed. "Hello. Tokyo's most sought bachelor speaking, how may I help you?"

Kenshin sweat-dropped.

"Oh... Hello Mrs. Honda. Good morning!" Sanosuke greeted the old woman on the other end of the line. She's one of their regular customers. She calls every morning at the same time asking for the same order. "What can I get you?" He asked. "The usual… yes… yes… Aoshi? He's dead already…"

Kenshin sweat-dropped again while Sanosuke laughed out loud.

"Just kidding… Yes… He will be there right away… yes… ok. Thank you. Bye." Sano placed the receiver back then he asked. "Hey Kenshin, where's icicle?" Just then the stockroom door opened and the mentioned man come out dressed in his Akebeko uniform. Before Sanosuke can utter a single word that may start another argument Kenshin quickly sent him away.

"Sano, here's the order for table three and two." Kenshin placed the orders on two separate trays. Sano picked it up and left to hand over the orders to their waiting customers. "Aoshi-san, Mrs. Honda's order will be ready in a minute why don't you have some breakfast first before you leave."

"I'm not hungry." Aoshi said.

"He had enough tea already, I'm sure he's stuffed now. One more cup and he'll go kaboom!" Sanosuke said but Aoshi didn't mind him and to that Kenshin was very thankful. After five minutes Kenshin has finished cooking all the foods to be delivered and after Aoshi has packed and loaded everything on his delivery bike he left.


11: 10 am

It only took Aoshi an hour to finish all his delivery but it took him another hour before he got back to Akebeko. For one hour all he did was to drive so he can compose his self and clear his thought off images of Misao. She has been inside his head since yesterday and its causing all sorts of reaction from him: mentally, physically and emotionally. He told his self that he shouldn't think unnecessary thoughts of her and feel anything more for her. She's just little Misao, the baby who was entrusted to him by his parents, the little girl he raised since she was a baby and the little girl that he loves very much as a sister. 'That's right… she's my little sister My little Misao. She's my only family left. That's all she is to me, my little sister… and that's how it will be... always.'

Aoshi entered Akebeko through the back door after he has parked his motorbike. When he got inside he was surprised to see the restaurant jam-packed. Every tables and chairs were occupied and there were still people outside waiting for their turn to eat. What was more surprising was most of their customers were of the male population.

"Aoshi-san, I'm glad your back. We need your help, that we do." Kenshin said who seems to be working faster than his normal pace. "Will you please give this to table four?" Kenshin placed the order in a tray and after Aoshi put on his apron he went to work.

"Tanuki-chan. Table three." Sanosuke called out.

"Hai!" Aoshi noticed that Kaoru was still on her school uniform and was also wearing an apron. "Here's another order from table two and six." Kaoru placed two pieces of paper on top of the counter near Kenshin.

"Kaoru-chan, thank you very much for helping us. I appreciate it a lot." Kenshin said with a smile. Kaoru smiled back with a flush face. She has been helping them since nine in the morning after Misao told her everything that happened since yesterday. Kaoru was shouting 'shut up' to Misao over and over after she told her everything. She couldn't believe what Misao said but in the end she did believe her. They were best friends after all.

"Motoko-chan, clean up table one!"

'Motoko-chan? Who is that?' Aoshi doesn't have a single clue who Sanosuke was talking about.

"Hai!" Somebody shouted. Aoshi's question was answered when he saw the 'Motoko' Sanosuke was referring to and instantly all eyes went to the owner of the voice, especially that of the male customers. When they saw her all of them have an adoring look on their faces.

'Misao!' Aoshi felt that the one hour he spent away was not enough. 'Two hours more.' He watch Misao, who was now called as Motoko, clean up the table. She was dressed in her Akebeko uniform except for the skirt, it was replace by his old sweat pants that was a little loose on her and she was also wearing his slippers that was still too big for her feet even though it was the oldest pair he have. Her flat stomach was covered by the apron she's wearing but her lower back was barely covered by the apron's straps that were tied behind her. Her long hair was neatly braided and it swayed over her butt along with her movements. 'Make that four hours…'

"Hey, icicle! Get back to work!" Sanosuke exclaimed. For the first time Aoshi was thankful that Sanosuke yelled at him.

"Aoshi-sama, welcome back!" Aoshi looked around and saw every man present looking at Misao again.

'So that's why there are so many idiots here.' Aoshi concluded. Most of them were more likely here because of Misao not because they want to eat. Misao was getting too much attention and it's starting to irritate him again.

"Motoko-chan, this is for table two." Sanosuke called over.

"Coming." Misao said, enthusiastically.

"Kenshin thought of that name for Misao. Kaoru suggested Kumiko but I think Natsume is better, what do you think?" Sanosauke asked. (an: I really like Motoko Kasunagi of GITS:SAC that's why I used her name. Hehehe! She's the best! So cool! I like Kumiko too from Gokusen and Natsume from You're Under Arrest. Wohoooo! Girls rock!)

'Mine is good name but only I can call her that.' Aoshi thought. He quickly looked for a cup of green tea. 'I think I need a day off…' He thought.

"Icicle, this is for table six." Sanosuke said to Aoshi who doesn't seem to be in his usual self. He was quieter than the usual, just standing still and staring at… Misao.

"Umm… Motoko-san." One of the customers beside table two that Misao was attending to said.

"What can I do for you?" Misao looked at him and his face reddened.

"May I have a can of soda please?" He asked shyly. Aoshi felt a nerve twitch on his forehead.

"Sure. Just a sec." Misao said with a cute smile on her face that made the blush on the guy's cheeks deepen. Before Misao can leave her spot Aoshi was already at her side with a can of soda.

"Here." Aoshi said with his emotionless but very intimidating voice. All the colors on the guy's face were drained away because of the way Aoshi looked at him. He quickly bowed his head. "Leave this to me. Go wash the dishes." Aoshi said in a commanding voice. He looked at Kenshin and Sanosuke and saw them glance at him with a meaningful look on their faces.

Misao was shocked at the way Aoshi talked to her but she quickly followed. 'Aoshi-sama is still mad at me.' She thought, sadly. 'Mou! I hate washing dishes.'

"Does anybody need anything else?" Aoshi asked in exasperation at the guys who were looking at him with a scarred look on their faces. Nobody dared to answer him. Aoshi looked outside the restaurant and saw that more guys were waiting for their turn to eat. 'Or should I say to ogle at my Misao.' Aoshi quickly shoved that thought away. 'This is going to be a long day…'

… To be continued…