DISCLAIMER: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Well, I think I made Aoshi OOC in this chapter more so than normal. I just really can't believe that I have chapter six so soon after chapter five. And, I even have a little filler chapter for chapter 7 to lead into chapter 8. I am sorry if the attitude in the chapter changes part way through, but I wrote part of this Friday night and was on FIRE, but then Saturday was awful and I wasn't so inspired and had problems getting it out. I think it started to flow again later on.

8/2/04

Finishing breakfast at nine o'clock, together they washed the dishes and returned to the living room.

This time, Misao picked the show. Surfing through the channels, she couldn't find anything decent. Eventually, she stumbled across some cartoons.

Aoshi settled on the left end of the couch and made himself comfortable. Misao only watched and once he was done, she began to create the "perfect spot." Grabbing a throw pillow from a chair, Misao plopped in the middle of the room let. She threw her feet up and onto Aoshi's lap and used the right side armrest to put her pillow against.

A new show was just beginning.

An hour and two episodes of Cowboy Bebop later

The phone began to ring just as the second Cowboy Bebop ended.

Glancing at Aoshi, she saw he was once again sleeping. Misao quickly grabbed the phone before it woke him.

"Hello?"

::Ms. Makimachi?::

"Yes?"

::This is Frank Travis from Tokyo Blooms. Are you aware that you were supposed to be at work by seven o'clock this morning? You are now three hours late for work. I am sorry to inform you, but you will be on probation for the next month. At the end of the month, the decision will be re-evaluated.::

Misao choked backed tears and listened as the man continued.

::We are very sorry for this, but it is standard procedure. You will need to come to work on time tomorrow. Be prepared to stay after for a meeting with your boss.

"Okay..." Misao answered, her voice quivering.

::Thank you, Ms. Makimachi. Enjoy the rest of your day.::

"Good-bye," Misao said.

Turning off the cordless phone, Misao set it on the coffee table. Sinking into a chair, she began to cry in earnest.

Hiccupping sobs broke through the peace of Aoshi's nap, awakening him.

Swiftly wakening, he realized it was Misao crying. Softly getting up, he moved to kneel in front of her. He wrapped his arms around her, letting her cry into his chest.

Aoshi rubbed her back comfortingly until her sobs quieted.

"I'm sorry," Misao mumbled.

Aoshi did not reply except to give her a light squeeze. He never muttered a word, just waited in silence.

"I forgot I had to work today," Misao explained, her tears starting anew. "I'm on probation at work and I have a meeting with my boss after work tomorrow."

"It will be alright."

Misao's tears once again subsided with the assurances of her new friend. Pulling away from him, she headed to the bathroom in search of a Kleenex.

Aoshi wandered into the kitchen while Misao was gone. Grabbing the tea kettle from the drainer, he dried it the rest of the way. He set the kettle o the stove after filling it close to the brim with water. Placing the lid on he began to heat the water.

Misao grabbed a Kleenex upon entering the bathroom and happened to glance in the mirror. Her eyes were puffy and her nose was red.

Misao plugged the sink and filled it with cool water. She pulled up her hair while she waited.

Turning off the water once there was enough, she cupped her hands and dipped them in the water. She pulled her hands out of the water as she lowered her face. Closing her eyes, she splashed her face with the water.

Repeating this process a few times, Misao grabbed the hand towel off the rack. She patted her face dry and looked in the mirror again. The puffiness and redness had been drastically reduced.

Misao let the water out and hung the towel back up before exiting the bathroom.

Aoshi grabbed the tea cups out of the drainer and set tem on the island. Next, he grabbed the saucers, tea pot, and spoons to go with the cups.

Opening a couple cabinets, Aoshi searched for some tea. On his fourth try, he came across some green tea.

He pulled it out and set it on the island as the teapot began to whistle.

As Misao reentered the living room, she heard the shrill whistle of her tea kettle. Changing her course, she headed towards the kitchen.

Aoshi made the green tea and poured it into the teapot. He took a seat on one of the stools, readying everything for tea.

Misao entered the kitchen to see Aoshi sitting at the island with a pot of green tea. Her nice tea set was laid out, waiting for them to begin.

She approached the island and took a seat. Grabbing the teapot, she carefully poured tea for the both of them.

The couple drank in silence, sipping at the scalding hot tea. Misao refilled the cups once they were both empty. She poured half a cup for herself and emptied the rest into Aoshi's cup, giving him a full cup.

Again, they drank in silence. Even after they finished, Aoshi and Misao continued to sit there.

"Thank you," Misao whispered. She leaned over and wrapped her amrs around Aoshi's neck. He wrapped one arm around Misao's torso, pulling her closer.