Disclaimer- I don't own any of the characters.
AN: Faraway Dawn- Thanks for reading. I just saw your review. Here's Chapter 3.
"Go away." she mumbled sleepily.
"It's Aoshi."
Misao jerked up and quickly made sure she was halfway presentable.
"Come in."
Aoshi opened the door but didn't come in.
"I came to return this." he said pointing to her painting.
Misao smiled. She wasn't surprised that he was returning it. Given the subject and name of the painting, she knew that he wouldn't keep it.
"Keep it." she said. "Unless you hate it."
"I don't hate it. It's just not right for me to keep it."
And it's not, Aoshi thought. He would never tell her but he wanted to keep it. And part of him was tempted to do just that but doing so would only cause trouble. She got off the bed and walked over to him.
"It's okay. It's not my best work anyway. But I'm confident that it's going to become better."
She grabbed the painting and made sure her hand brushed his slightly. Aoshi looked down at her hand quickly but otherwise pretended that it didn't happen. He turned and left. Misao closed the door and the sat the painting against the wall. She glanced at the title she had given it and smirked.
"Lovers Denied." she said as her smirk turned into a full blown smile. "Not for long."
She quickly changed clothes and then went downstairs to the kitchen. She waved to everyone who was in there.
"Hello everyone." she said as she began packing a few bags with snacks.
"Are you coming to help us?" one of the chefs's asked.
"Sorry, I'm busy."
"What are you doing?"
Misao responded by stuffing a cookie in her mouth. They all knew that she was going to help Aoshi and they liked to tease her about it.
"She's going to help Aoshi." Okina said. "If you can call her staring at him helping."
"Not you too Gramps." she mumbled. "You people are all evil and for teasing me, you won't be invited to my wedding."
Everyone started laughing so Misao grabbed the bags she had packed and left. She quickly walked to the training hall that was located in a small building at the back of the Aoiya. Instead of going straight in, she stood by the door and watched Aoshi. She loved watching him train the kids. It always reminded her of when he used to train her. Even back then she had adored him and because of that she had rarely ever missed a session. Misao sighed. Unfortunately, Aoshi no longer trained her and the training hall was now only used for Aoshi's community service. Misao shook her head to clear it. She didn't want to think about how Aoshi used to train her or the reason behind his community service. She smiled brightly and went in.
"I'm here and I'm ready." she said setting her bags down.
Over the next two hours, Misao helped Aoshi with the kids.
"That's it for today." he finally said.
Aoshi went to fill out his time card while a few kids asked Misao if she could imitate some moves they saw in a movie. After he filled out everything, he turned and saw that she had given in to them and was imitating the moves. He walked back over to her just as she begun a spin kick. Misao's eyes widened in shock when he effortlessly caught her foot.
"That was good. But you were tilted a little too much."
"I know. I haven't practiced much." she said.
"Maybe we should begin training again."
Shit, Aoshi thought. He had meant to say that she should begin training again. A huge grin spread across her face. Aoshi was going to train with her again. Misao could barely resist the urge to squeal in delight. Instead she went to jump up and down but forgot that Aoshi still held her foot. She instantly lost her balance and began falling back. To keep her from falling, Aoshi quickly grabbed her arm and jerked her toward him. It took Misao a few seconds to realize that instead of hitting the ground she had been pulled into Aoshi's arms. When she did, she felt like her whole body had turned into jelly.
I'm in Aoshi's arms, her mind screamed happily. I must've died and gone to heaven.
An odd smile flashed across Misao's face and Aoshi suddenly realized that he was still holding her. He quickly let go and backed away.
"Thank you." she said and then turned to face the kids. "Guess what guys? I brought some snacks today."
She went and began passing out the snacks. Afterwards she walked back over to Aoshi.
"And for you I brought some tea." she said as she held out a thermos.
"Thank you Misao." he replied taking it.
"Anything for you."
Aoshi watched her walk away and shook his head slightly. She's winning, he thought. Misao could feel him watching her so her already huge smile widened. Today had been a great day. Aoshi suggested that they start training again. And then she found herself in his arms. Oh yes, she was one step closer to reclaiming her beloved Aoshi.
"I'm going to kill Gramps." Misao mumbled for the fourth time that morning.
Someone had rented out the Aoiya for a breakfast meeting and now she was stuck setting up elaborate buffet tables. When she had agreed to help, she hadn't known that there was going to be so much work. To make it worse, she hadn't gotten her morning dose of watching Aoshi meditate because she had studied late into the night. But her morning slowly brightened up when she found out that Okina had also gotten Aoshi to help. Being able to work with Aoshi always made things better. She glanced over at Aoshi who was setting out strawberries and smiled. Oh yes, doing anything with Aoshi was good.
And think of what we can do with those strawberries, a wicked voice added.
Aoshi and strawberries. What a sweet combination.
"Don't you know it's rude to stare?"
Misao jumped and turned around at the sound of Kenshin's voice.
"You looked like you were about to jump him." Sano added.
"Just give me some time." she said. "Good morning Karou."
"Hi Misao."
"So what are you guys doing here?"
"You said you needed a ride to school."
"I'm here for breakfast." Sano added.
"Sorry Sano, were closed this morning." she said. "But since I am the greatest friend you'll ever have, I stashed away some extras for you in the kitchen."
"Misao, you're a angel." Sano said.
"You only say that because you're hungry."
"That's true."
Misao shoved him playfully and then they all went into the kitchen. She pulled a few plates out of the refrigerator and placed them on a counter.
"Have fun. I'm going to go finish helping Aoshi."
Just as she was about to walk out of the kitchen, her cell phone rang.
"I thought I turned this off." she said as she answered it. "Hello."
"It's Cassandra."
"What do you want?"
"I would like to know what's so important that you had to have it delivered here at six thirty this morning." she said.
"What?"
"Whatever you ordered arrived here early this morning. Really Misao, if you're going to order things at least have them delivered at a decent time."
"There must have been a mix up. I'm coming to get it now." she said and quickly hung up the phone.
"What's wrong?" Kenshin asked.
"The present I ordered was delivered to my fathers house instead of here."
"So, go get it after school."
"No way. The present is for Aoshi." she whispered. "It's in this gorgeous case with his initials on it. But I don't know if the case is wrapped or locked or anything like that. If Cassandra sees that it's for him, she'll go straight to my father. Then all hell will break loose."
Misao grabbed her coat and was about to walk out the door but stopped.
"I can't leave. I'm supposed to be helping Okina and Aoshi."
"I'll go get it." Kenshin volunteered.
"Thanks. I'd go with you but...."
Aoshi chose that minute to walk in the door.
"Go with Kenshin, I'll help Okina." he said.
"But don't you want me...." she paused slightly. "to help?"
Aoshi looked at Misao. Why did that statement sound like a come on?
Maybe it was, a voice stated.
Or maybe you want it to.
"I'll be fine."
"Thank you." she said. "Come one guys."
They all said goodbye to Aoshi and then left. Once they got into the car, Sano started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Misao asked.
"Don't you want me... to help." Sano said mocking her.
She glared at him and then Kenshin and Karou who were also laughing.
"You don't have any shame when it comes to Aoshi do you?" he asked.
"Not really. Besides, as many times as you two embarrassed me, it now takes a lot to shame me." she said laughing.
"We were good friends to you." Sano defended and Kenshin agreed.
"How soon you forget. In second grade you started calling me weasel and it stuck. First day of eighth grade...we hadn't seen each other the whole summer and the first thing you say when you saw me was, 'Holy shit, the weasel finally grew some breasts.' The list goes on and on."
Misao noticed Kenshin trying not to laugh so she turned to face him.
"You're not any better. You were right there with him the whole way." she said. "And let's not forget that you announced to the whole cafeteria that I had a crush on Jeremy Stafford."
"You shouldn't hold me to that one." Kenshin said. "I was shocked that you had a crush on someone other that Aoshi"
"He's right." Sano said. "I would have commented but I had been too shocked."
"It is weird to hear that you had a crush on someone else." Karou asked.
"Jeremy was cute and he had an adorable accent. Come on, is so hard to believe that I can have a crush on someone other than Aoshi?"
"Yes." they all agreed.
She stuck her tongue out at all of them and then pretended to pout.
"I've got to get more friends."
"So did Jeremy like you back?" Karou asked.
"Didn't matter." Kenshin said laughing. "That afternoon Aoshi offered her some candy and Jeremy was instantly forgotten."
"It wasn't about the candy." Misao said. "It's about the fact that he knew what I liked. He just handed me the lemon and said, 'I know this is your favorite flavor.' For him to know my favorite flavor meant that he had paid some attention to me."
"Stick a fork in her because she's done." Sano said poking her. "She's going to be high off that memory all day."
"Shut up Sano." she said poking him back.
They continued to joke and play around until they got to her father's house.
"Since I didn't get to finish my breakfast at the Aoiya, I'm coming in to raid the fridge." Sano said.
"Whatever freeloader. You and Karou coming?" she asked.
They answered her by getting out following her in the kitchen door. Misao noticed a box on the counter and went over to it.
"This is it." she said reading the label. "And the evil cow didn't open it. If she had, I think I would've lost it."
"So what is it?" Sano asked.
"I can't tell you before Aoshi sees it. It's his present."
"Give it up Misao." Karou said with a smile. "You're dying to show us."
"You're right, I am."
Misao took off the wrapping and the opened the box. Resting on black silk was a set of kodachis.
"Wow, those are great."
"Only you would think to get him knives." Sano said laughing.
"They're not knives. And I got them because I know he will love them."
"He'll like them." Kenshin said.
Misao looked at him and smiled slightly.
"Quit worrying or else your going to get wrinkles." she said.
"Worrying about what?"
"I know how you think. And I know what you're thinking right now. You think I'm heading for trouble."
Kenshin couldn't help but to smile because that was exactly what he was thinking.
"I'm all for not being able to choose who you love but couldn't you have fallen for someone simpler?"
"I tried but he's perfect for me."
"He's trouble for you. He's a teacher."
"Teacher's aid." she corrected. "He needs the credit for his degree."
"Whatever. Either way he could get into a lot of trouble because of you." he said. "Misao, do you honestly see it working out for the two of you?"
"Why wouldn't it?"
Kenshin looked at Misao and shook his head slightly. She was looking at him like she had no idea what he was talking about. That was the only true problem that he had with Misao loving Aoshi. She wouldn't acknowledge anything that could possibly stand in the way of her having him.
"Because he killed your brother." a voice answered from the kitchen door.
