Disclaimer: Neither Rurouni Kenshin nor its characters belongs to me. Misao's a bit OOC, so be warned.

Note: Thoughts are in italics.

At the theater, there were four movie choices: romance, comedy, horror or action. Misao was secretly hoping for romance or horror; both options have plenty of opportunity for cuddling, in her opinion. She had to get this date back on track, after all.

Soujirou turned to Kaoru, asking, "What would you like to see?"

Kaoru hesitated. The action movie looked really fun, but she knew Misao would probably want to watch something that would let her cling to Aoshi's arm. However, Aoshi spoke up before Kaoru could think of something to say. He tugged on a lock of Kaoru's hair. "Kaoru hates horror films, and I can't stand romantic drivel. Let's watch the action film."

"Sounds good," Soujirou replied. He and Aoshi went to purchase the tickets, leaving Misao and Kaoru alone.

Misao rounded on Kaoru. "What are you doing? It's more like you and Aoshi are on a date and Soujirou and I are just tagging along!"

Kaoru raised her hands pleadingly. "I'm sorry! Aoshi and I have been friends for a while so I guess we're just comfortable with each other. I don't even think about it."

Misao only glared.

"But I'm having a good time with Soujirou! Honest! And he seems to be having fun." Kaoru finished weakly. Misao's eyes searched her face suspiciously.

Aoshi and Soujirou returned with the tickets. Without a word, Misao spun around, suddenly smiling, linking her arm with Aoshi's. She led him to the theater, leaving Soujirou and Kaoru behind.

"Shall we?" Soujirou asked, offering his arm.

"Sure!" Kaoru took his arm, and together they followed Aoshi and Misao. In the dimly lit theater, Misao sat first, pulling Aoshi down to sit next to her, who was followed by Kaoru, who was followed by Soujirou.

During the thrilling action sequences, Misao would move in towards Aoshi, who would subtly lean away from her grasping hands. By the end of the film, Aoshi was practically hanging over the armrest he and Kaoru shared. When the house lights went on, Misao shot Kaoru a glare across Aoshi's chest. Kaoru only shrugged, turning to whisper with Soujirou. He smiled at her, and then Kaoru leaned back so that Soujirou could address the lot of them.

"It's not that late yet," Soujirou started. "There's a nice little coffee house down the street. Shall we go?" He smiled invitingly.

"Excellent!" Misao chirped, once again clamping onto Aoshi's arm. The four rose from their seats and Soujirou led the way.

The four found a table while they waited for the drinks to be ready. Silence reigned. Struggling to find a topic for everyone to talk about, Kaoru blurted out, "So Misao, how's the kendo club article coming?"

Misao's eye twitched. Doesn't she remember that was just an excuse to watch Aoshi?

Aoshi turned to her. "Yes, I am curious as to how the article is progressing. You've been at several of our practices. What are you going to write about?"

Misao gulped. Now what am I going to say?

"Well…I've…I'm very familiar with the forms you all use. And uh, I need to speak with Coach Himura to get…more…technical…details." Misao thought quickly. "I really wanted to focus on you all as individuals and what drives you to become champion swordsmen."

Soujirou chimed in, "That's an interesting point of view. Oh! Here's our coffee."

He took the cups from the waitress and distributed the drinks. "You should be sure to showcase Kaoru – not many women succeed as she has in this male-dominated sport. In fact, she's the only woman who competes in the men's divisions, as well."

Kaoru flushed lightly at the praise. "Yeah, well, you're not so bad yourself. This is your first year on the team and you haven't lost a match yet."

Soujirou smiled widely. "Only because I haven't faced you or Aoshi yet."

Aoshi said, "You'll get there soon enough."

"Of course, Aoshi is already being recruited by the national team!" Misao couldn't help interjecting.

"Is that true?" Kaoru turned wide eyes to Aoshi. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I will not be going. It seemed pointless to tell you." Aoshi calmly sipped his espresso.

"Why aren't you going? It's an awesome opportunity!" Kaoru argued.

"The team needs me here. The national team's practice schedule would leave me unable to oversee the Hiten kendo team." Aoshi reached out, briefly patting Kaoru's shoulder.

"But Aoshi…!"

"Stuff it, Kaoru. He doesn't have to listen to you." Misao butted in.

Before things could escalate, Soujirou turned to Misao. "How did you know about the national team?"

Misao fidgeted. "I overheard Coach Himura talking to Aoshi about it the other day."

Aoshi gripped his cup. "That's odd, because I'm pretty sure that we discussed that behind closed doors. Were you eavesdropping?"

"No, I was just passing by…er, no…well…" Misao fumbled.

Kaoru was shocked. "You mean to tell me you were spying on Aoshi? This is too much! I know you like him, but you can't invade his privacy like that!"

"Well I'm sorry Kaoru, but not everyone gets to spend every waking moment with Aoshi, like you do! What are you, jealous?!"

Kaoru gasped. "I…I am not!"

"You know what? I bet you are! I bet you didn't really want to go out with Soujirou! I bet you're pissed off that I'm Aoshi's date tonight!" Misao snarled.

"What is the matter with you?!" Kaoru looked wounded.

"That is enough, Misao." Aoshi frowned, eyes hard. "This was obviously a bad idea."

Misao whirled to face him. "What??"

Aoshi's face was positively glacial. "Soujirou and Kaoru seem strictly platonic. I don't know why I let you talk me into this."

Kaoru's mouth dropped open. "You mean…you were trying to set us up? I thought you just wanted company on your date with Aoshi!"

"Geez, Kaoru are you blind?! If you were out of the way Aoshi would have turned to me! Don't think I don't see the way he looks at you!!" Misao was on the verge of tears.

"The way he looks at me? What are you talking about?" Kaoru glanced at Aoshi.

"Oh shut up! He couldn't even leave you alone tonight! The casual touches, the looks, knowing what you like and don't like! It makes me so mad!" Misao sobbed. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this!"

Misao shot up out of her chair and raced out of the coffee house. Kaoru stood up to go after her, but Aoshi's arm snaked out, catching her wrist. He shook his head minutely.

"We need to talk." He said. She stared at him a long moment, and then sat back down.

Soujirou was no fool; he could see what was going to happen. Standing, he said, "I'll go after her. You should have enough time before I bring her back."

"Thank you, Soujirou." Aoshi said, without looking at the younger boy. He was gazing at Kaoru. The hand holding Kaoru's wrist moved down to interlock his fingers with hers. Kaoru's fingers twitched before closing gently around Aoshi's.

"So…" Kaoru started.

"Kaoru, I don't want things to be awkward between us, but I suppose I have to say this." Aoshi took a deep breath. "Misao's right. I look at you differently…I…you are beautiful, Kaoru. Did you know that? And when I saw how you smiled at Soujirou tonight, laughed with him, it burned inside. And not just tonight, but ever since the semester started. I've taken it for granted that we're always together, Kaoru, that there's always just us."

"Aoshi, what are you saying?" But Kaoru knew, and Aoshi could tell that she did. The way her huge blue eyes had gone soft and limpid, the way she bit her bottom lip, the soft blush adorning her cheeks, the hitch in her breath.

"I'm saying…I'm saying that I think there is something more between us, Kaoru."

Kaoru's smile was slow, but brilliant. "I think so too. I have to confess: tonight, seeing your attention on Misao, it was like a lead weight in my stomach. I thought I wouldn't be able to breathe sometimes. We're such an oblivious pair, you know that?"

"I will never admit to such a thing as being oblivious." Aoshi rarely smiled, but when he did, he was so handsome it stole Kaoru's breath away. "Perhaps just a bit slow."