Standard Disclaimer Applies Here
Chapter Nine: You Don't Get Married Everyday
Misao slurped the last drop of water in the cup and set it down. She grinned at the two people seated across her.
"So how's the job hunting been going? Have you started on your resume'? She spoke cheerfully.
She received no immediate answer from them until Megumi nudged Sanosuke, who was staring blankly at the air.
"Eh! Um, what were you asking again?" he asked as he scratched his spiky hair, which looked even spikier uncombed.
"I asked if you started making your resume', rooster." Misao repeated impatiently.
Sanosuke scratched his head again. "Well not yet, but I've been set up for a job interview that I applied for yesterday, it's…ouch!"
The cup Misap was drinking from suddenly sailed through the air towards Sanosuke before he was able to finish his sentence. Unfortunately for the rooster head, the cup hit him right on the face.
"Shit! Weasel, what the hell didya do that for?" Sanosuke demanded as he rubbed the red mark on his forehead.
"It's because you're a moron." Megumi muttered as she stood to get some ice. "How can you apply for a job and get an interview without even starting your resume'?"
Misao was fuming with the couple once again as she gripped the wooden table in front of her and tried to keep herself from hurling it at her two companions.
"I can't believe you haven't started looking for a friggin job yet and when was the time when you told me that you would finally look for a job over month ago! So what have you two been doing all this time? Bumming around and spending what's left of my friggin money that you haven't even returned yet!"
"Misao-chan! Calm down!" Megumi said after handing her husband an ice bag. She went to Misao and held her shoulders. "Let us explain."
She waited for Misao to loosen her grip on the table before she began.
"It is true that Sano and I haven't been looking for a job or have even started a resume' but we've been doing something productive." She turned towards her husband.
"Get the brown envelope beside the bed."
Sanosuke grumbled as he still held the ice bag to his face but got up and headed towards the bedroom and Megumi started again.
"Well you see Misao-chan, we don't think that Sanosuke can get another decent job but we've been planning an idea that we hope would be able to help us pay you back quickly."
"Yo fox! I've got it right here!" Sanosuke called as he entered the room again. Held in his hand was a long brown envelope with the words Business Plan written on its center.
"Hand it to Misao."
Misao raised an eyebrow and took the envelope and opened it and took out its contents. She read the first sheet of paper and read the title aloud.
"Foxy Rooster's Training Gym!" she raised an eyebrow. "You plan to start a training gym as a business?"
Both Sanosuke and Megumi nodded eagerly with wide grins on their faces.
Misao could feel her temper heat up again. "Well I wouldn't mind if you at least explain how you're going to get the money to buy the equipment and the place? Don't tell me you're going to get the investment money from the profits of selling my house!"
"Well, Misao-chan…you know we've gone and used the money all up, so," Megumi began a trifle nervous. "We were hoping to borrow some money from you after you marry Shinomori-san. We were sure the two of you will be able to lend us some money, since he's rich and you're our friend, right?" She said and started laughing with her trademark "Ohohoho"
Misao didn't speak for a few seconds as she struggled to keep her fists unclenched. Cool down Misao. Cool down. You don't want to hit Sano and Megumi with the baby, right?
"Well that's not going to happen any time now, won't it? So are you going to try to borrow from the bank, then?"
Sanosuke scratched his head. "We've thought of trying that first but then we've realized that it's more convenient to borrow from a friend since there's no interest right?"
The sentence was the last thing Sanosuke was able to say before he received a punch on his guts.
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"Shit, that hurts you bitch! Ouch! Whaddya slapping me for?"
Megumi glared at her husband as dabbed a cotton ball with medicine over one of Sanosuke's wounds.
"That was to stop you from moving and from calling your wife a bitch while she patiently tends your wounds."
Sanosuke sighed. "Fine, I'm sorry." He peeked slowly on the door leading to their bedroom. "So how long is she going to stay there for today?"
"Until she wakes up." Megumi answered. "But I'm afraid she'll be staying there for a while."
"What do you mean for a while?"
"A long time."
Sanosuke shuddered. "Damn it, Fox, how are we going to survive with the weasel around especially when the baby comes? We can't fit in this house and she's gonna badger us about our money the whole day."
Megumi nodded dejectedly as she fixed her first aid kit. "I'm afraid so."
"Shit, I wish she and her celebrity fiancé didn't friggin fight then probably won't be in a tight situation right now. If only there was a way to get them back together so they can run off and marry."
Megumi suddenly looked up from her kit and turned to him.
"That is a possibility!" She exclaimed.
"What?"
She grinned. "There's still hope my dear Rooster head because I have a plan."
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Aoshi would usually wake up at seven-thirty on any normal day, yet today was not a normal day. Today was his wedding day.
Yet something didn't seem right to him when he went down to the kitchen for breakfast. He couldn't hear Misao's voice shouting for him to wake up nor could he smell the aroma of the breakfast she cooked him. For a moment, he actually felt like he missed the presence.
But that was impossible, wasn't it? How could miss someone like her? Speaking of which, where was she?
He glanced around the empty kitchen until he noticed a note pinned on top of the table. He quickly picked it up and read it.
Aoshi-sama,
Hah! I'm leaving for good! Screw the contract! Don't expect to get married today!
Say goodbye to your reputation and to the house! I'm going to buy it back! So farewell my ex-master!
-Misao
He crumpled the note in irritation. So she finally decided not to marry him? Well it wasn't his problem. She could go starve, and be homeless if she wanted to. It's not like it was his problem anyway.
Aoshi's thoughts were quickly interrupted by the ringing of the phone. He answered it and was greeted by a rough male voice.
"Hello? Is this Shinomori Aoshi's house? Are you him?"
"Yes, I am the owner of the house."
"Great!" the male voice exclaimed. "Listen, this is Sagara Sanosuke, Misao's friend. Apparently she's staying with us right now and has the bad case of cold feet and…"
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"MISAO-CHAN!"
Misao glared up to Megumi and Sanosuke from her notebook.
"What now? I'm busy writing here, so don't disturb me!"
"It's not that!" Megumi replied. "You see, the rooster and I realized that it wasn't right for us to use our friendship and your ex-engagement to get money for investment."
Misao narrowed her eyes. "Uh-huh. Really, how come I don't believe you two then?"
The couple frowned.
"Come on, weasel, how could you say that?" Sanosuke spoke with an expression of hurt on his face. "We're your friends, how could you doubt us?"
"Uh-huh, so what are you trying to tell me then?"
"Well," Megumi started. "We both want to congratulate you for escaping a horrible relationship with Shinomori-san! We just couldn't believe that he could treat you so badly at first because he's famous."
"Yeah, we thought you were just having cold feet." Sanosuke added.
"Yes, and that is why we want to invite you to eat a special breakfast at a famous hotel restaurant to celebrate!" Megumi said.
"Eh? But wouldn't that be expensive? Shouldn't you be saving the money?" Misao asked.
Sanosuke shook his head. "No, this is a special day for you weasel girl and we want it to be special. The money doesn't count for us now."
"He's right." Megumi said. "So get dressed in your best clothes. We're leaving in thirty minutes."
Misao smiled. She couldn't help but feel touched by her friend's words and actions. They were just so supportive.
"You guys," she spoke as some tears appeared in her eyes. "You're definitely one of the best friends I could ever have!"
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"Err Sano, Megumi, are you sure this is really necessary?" Misao said as she shifted uncomfortably against the elevator wall with a blindfold on.
"Of course it is!" Megumi exclaimed. "This is your first time to be in such a hotel and we want your first experience of it to be unique! Beside it's a special day for you after all!"
Misao felt the elevator halt. Megumi and Sanosuke took hold of her arms and led her outside and led her to the hallway. They were walking only for less than a minute when they stopped.
She heard Megumi press the doorbell of a room. Wow! So they even rented a special private room for the three of them!
Misao heard the door open and a woman greet Sanosuke and Megumi.
"Oh, she's finally here! Thank you for bringing her! The make-up artists have started panicking since she's late."
"Eh? Make-up artists? What is she talking about?" Misao spoke confusedly but she was ignoredg.
"Your welcome. We'll be waiting for her downstairs. Oh, I'm just so excited for the event to start!" she heard Megumi say.
"Event! There's an event!" Misao exclaimed but was ignored again.
"Bye, Misao-chan." Megumi said and kissed her cheek softly. "Sano and I'll be waiting for you downstairs."
"Yeah, weasel. You'll thank us someday for this." Sano said.
"What? What are you talking about?" Misao screamed. "And please take this friggin blindfold off!"
"Don't worry, I'll take it off Makimachi-san." She heard the other woman's voice say. "We can't have you wearing a blindfold during your wedding of course."
"MY WEDDING!"
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Misao sat pouting inside the waiting room, completely defeated by her wedding stylists. She was already in her white Vera Wang wedding dress and her hair was styled on top her head with some intricate hairstyle. She originally wanted a traditional Japanese wedding but the wedding planner and Aoshi's publicists insisted that it be a Western wedding for his celebrity image.
"Celebrity image." She muttered. "He's not the only one getting married here." She folded her arms.
"I wanted a traditional Japanese wedding." She complained quietly.
"So did I." Spoke a voice from behind her.
A small gasp was released from Misao's mouth when she saw Okina appear inside the room. He was dressed in a black tux, while matching bow was tied on his beard.
"Okina-san". She mumbled and bowed in front of him. "Shouldn't you be with the other guests already?"
He cleared his throat. "Well yes, but I'm here to walk you down the aisle, my pretty Misao."
"Eh? My pretty Misao?" she repeated. "You're really going to call me that?"
He grinned and stroked his beard. "I don't see why not. You are very pretty especially right now in that dress…though I've always thought a kimono would look better on you, which is why I wanted a traditional wedding."
Misao sniffed. "What a shallow reason… err not that I'm trying to insult you or anything."
Okina laughed. "It's alright, it hasn't offended me." He sighed.
"You remind me of Aoshi's mother. I guess that's one of the reasons why he took a liking to you, even if she died when he was on six."
"Oh," Misao replied. So she wasn't the only one who lost a parent during early childhood.
"Umm," she began, trying to change the topic. "So why are you doing this? Why are you walking me down the aisle? I'm not even related to you."
"Well it's because you're pretty." He answered and guffawed until Misao shot him a glare.
"I wanted to and you're almost my granddaughter now since you are going to be Aoshi's wife, even if it puzzles me on how he got someone like you with that spoiled attitude of his."
Misao couldn't help but agree. "Yeah, I don't understand how a lot of women go crazy over him."
Okina snorted. "So you agree with me and yet you're still willing to marry him with that knowledge. Is true love or idiocy what you feel?" he joked.
Most probably idiocy or perhaps desperation, Misao thought.
"Now," Okina began again and held out his arm to Misao. "Shall we now walk down the aisle?" He paused to give Misao a mock serious look.
"This is your last chance, my pretty Misao. Are you sure you really want to marry my spoiled ice block grandson?"
Misao felt like saying no, but she knew she had no choice now; this was the only chance she was going to get her house and money back and she had to be realistic. Was she really sure that she was going to earn enough money to buy the house back without the marriage? Or survive living with Sanosuke and Megumi?
"I'm sure." She answered determinedly and took his arm.
He sighed. "Very well, come on now and get you married."
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Like most women, Misao, as a child did fantasize about her walk in the aisle. She imagined herself walking arm by arm with her father and there, waiting at the end of the aisle stood the man of her dreams while their closest friends surrounded them, cheering them on.
Unfortunately, the opposite was happening to Misao right now.
First of all, her father was not alive to be able to escort her. Second, instead of being surrounded by her closest friends, she was surrounded by strangers, who were probably Aoshi's guests. In fact the only people she knew there were Aoshi's aunts, his manager, Sanosuke, Megumi, Kenshin, Kaoru, and Soujiro. Lastly, she wasn't getting married to the man of her dreams.
She was getting married to the man of her nightmares.
Beside her right now stood her groom, who was the most arrogant, cold and intimidating man that she had ever met.
"Shinomori Aoshi you shall be marrying this woman and will become her partner." the celebrant in front of them started. "Will you promise that in peaceful times, during sickness, love this person, respect this person, comfort this person, help this person, until death does you part?"
"Yes, I promise." Aoshi replied, his face remaining expressionless.
The celebrant turned to Misao. "Makimachi Misao, you shall be marrying this man and will become her partner. Will you promised that in peaceful times, during sickness, love this person, respect this person, comfort this person, help this person, until death does you part?"
She bit her lip. "Yes, I…I promise."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Misao sighed. This was it. There was no turning back now.
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Fortunately for Misao, she had the honeymoon to look forward to after the wedding. She wanted to visit a beach in Southeast Asia and the travel agent recommended they visit Boracay Island in the Philippines.
Of course Misao, who hadn't visited a beach, much less one in a foreign country, in a long time was thrilled. To say she was excited was putting it mildly.
"I also want to try horseback riding Aoshi-sama!" She squealed as she got into the private yacht Aoshi had hired. "Diving too, and kayaking then I want to go party hopping! The guidebook says that Boracay Island turns into one big party place at night!"
"Misao," Aoshi said as they settled down into their seats. "Can you please quiet down? I need some silence after the long trip."
She snorted. "Long trip? Come on! Don't tell me you're tired already! You had an overnight rest at the hotel after the four hour trip to Manila yesterday and you were reading peacefully in the plane awhile ago. You've had enough solace! Let's have some fun! You're lucky that I'm considering having some fun with you!"
"I see." He replied.
Misao narrowed her eyes. Aoshi had been unusually and uncomfortably silent ever since their wedding; not that he was talkative whenever he was normal, no way was Shinomori Aoshi a big talker. He just seemed more silent than usual, if such a thing was possible.
"So, what do you want to do when we arrive?" she asked.
"The famous white sand and blue waters of Boracay is said to be relaxing. This shall help me meditate well."
"Meditate!" she repeated, her face expressing horror. "How could you meditate during vacation? This is supposed to be fun and relaxing! Is meditating fun and relaxing?"
"Yes."
Misao groaned. "You're hopeless, but that's not going to stop me from dragging you since I rather not go around alone, so you better not protest!"
"Do whatever you please." He replied.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine, be boring if you want to." She peeked outside the window and squealed when she saw the nearing white beaches.
"Uwah! It looks so beautiful! I could use this as a setting for one of my future novels!" She sighed dreamily. "Two travelers make friends in a beautiful beach but as they return to Japan, they find out that they're from enemy clans! Do you think that would sell Aoshi-sama?"
"No." he answered bluntly.
Luckily for him, one of the men working in the yacht came and announced their arrival before Misao could react violently.
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"This is so boring." Misao complained as she sat in front of Aoshi in the patio outside their villa. "Are you really planning to meditate the whole afternoon?"
"Yes."
Misao didn't know how long she sat there. Two or three hours perhaps? Soon after arriving on the island and riding a tricycle to the villa they rented, she hurriedly dressed into her swimsuit and sundress and thought Aoshi was getting dressed too. But as soon as she left the bathroom, she found him sitting outside, meditating.
She made a face. "But I want to go swimming and shopping."
"Go if you want to. You may leave me here. You can speak English well enough so I know you didn't me around to communicate and I'm sure you can have as much fun as you want by yourself."
Misao blushed and fingered her braid. "Umm, well those aren't the only problems; you…see Aoshi-sama…I…don't have any money with me." She admitted.
For the first time that afternoon, Aoshi turned around and looked at her.
"So you want me to accompany you so you can borrow some money?" he inquired stoically, his cold blue eyes piercing her.
She nodded, her face turning redder. "Yes, if it's alright. You can add it to my debts, if you want. If you don't want to go, you…can lend me some without having to come along if you want."
He shook his head and to Misao's surprise, he stood up and headed towards his traveling bag. He quickly opened it and started to rummage through his clothing.
"Err, Aoshi-sama," she said uncertainly. "What are you planning to do?"
"I am preparing my clothes so I can go around with you."
Misao clasped her hands eagerly while her face brightened at his words.
"Are you sure Aoshi-sama? You really are coming with me?"
He merely nodded, but it was enough to make her squeal again.
"Uwah!" she exclaimed and quickly got off the floor. "Yes! I'm finally going to the beach! I want to swim, shop, and go kayaking, horseback riding and a lot more! Can we do all those Aoshi-sama?"
"Aa,"
Misao grinned to herself while Aoshi entered the villa to get dressed. She hadn't expected that a cold bastard like him would actually be considerate enough to accompany her around the island and even lend her money for enjoyment despite all her debts.
"Hmm." She mused as she played with the end of her braid. "Maybe he isn't really so much of a bad guy after all."
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Meanwhile in Japan, Kamiya Kaoru sat on the couch inside her home while she conversed on the phone.
"Yes, I want to build a big branch in San Francisco and if it's possible, I want to make it the main branch. I know you have connections to the US embassy and I was wondering if you can get me a working visa as soon as possible."
Kaoru fiddled with her dark hair as she listened to the speaker on the other line. She nodded after the speaker was done and slowly a huge smile appeared on her face.
"So you can get me a working visa, Tae-san?"
Tae gave her a yes as an answer.
Kaoru grinned and tried to control herself from squealing and jumping around the room from her glee.
"Thank you." She answered as calmly as she could. "I really appreciate it. Good bye." She said and hung the phone up.
She laid down and folded her arms behind her neck, the smile still present on her face.
"I'll make you see Kenshin. We can still be together. We'll be a couple again soon."
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A/N: Hey! Happy Holidays everyone! Sorry for the long wait. I didn't have a lot of time till the break came. Sorry if the chapter has some mistakes too since I didn't have time to edit. I'll be replying to some reviews later after I'm done with some activities. Hope you enjoyed this and please review!