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

Note: Thoughts are in italics.

Well, Misao thought as she ran, this date was a total disaster! Why does he like Kaoru? OK, so maybe he's known her longer. So maybe they have a lot in common. So what if they look absolutely stunning together OH WHO AM I KIDDING?!

Stopping to look around her, Misao realized that she had no idea where she was. After her little blow-up at the coffee house, she just ran off, not caring where she went. Misao managed to find a little park above the pier, overlooking the ocean bluffs. She sat down on a nearby bench, her head in her hands. Sighing, and sniffling a little, she raised her eyes to the night sky, counting the stars.

"Misao, you really shouldn't have run off like that." Soujirou appeared out of nowhere beside Misao, nearly giving her a heart attack.

"Holy cow, Soujirou! Don't do that!" Misao shrieked, clutching the area above her heart.

Soujirou sat down next to Misao. He took one of her hands in both of his.

"I appreciate you trying to set me up with Kaoru," Soujirou started. "I kind of already figured out that I didn't really have a chance, but I was willing to try, anyway. It seemed important to you. Still, what am I compared to Aoshi?"

"Don't say that, Soujirou. You're a great guy." Misao squeezed his fingers.

"And you are a great girl. Remember that. It's not the end of the world, you know?" Soujirou replied quietly.

"Yeah, I know. I just…Well, that just didn't work out. I guess I overreacted. I wanted so much…" Misao exhaled gustily. "We should go back, huh?"

"If you're ready."

Misao squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. "I'm ready."

Soujirou led Misao back to the coffee house where Aoshi and Kaoru were waiting. Kaoru looked worried. Soujirou gave Misao a gentle push.

Misao took a deep breath and a step forward. "Before you say anything, I just want to say I'm sorry. I didn't mean to… I overreacted and…well, it doesn't matter now, does it?"

Kaoru smiled tentatively. "No. It's OK."

"Let's head back home." Aoshi stated in that concise way of his.

The drive back to the dorms was quiet but thankfully, not uncomfortable. Soujirou sat in back with Misao. He leaned over to her, whispering, "I think that went well, all things considered. It could have been a lot worse."

"Yeah, I know." Misao's smile was a little wobbly, but there.

Aoshi and Soujirou walked Misao and Kaoru to their room. Aoshi pulled Misao aside as Soujirou said his farewell to Kaoru.

"I apologize that things did not go according to your plan," Aoshi didn't really know what to say. "But I think it might have worked out better this way."

"It's all right, Aoshi. Everything happens for a reason. I'm just not very good at not getting what I want, but that's something I've got to get used to, I suppose. Besides, sometimes you find things you don't expect." Misao gave a little smile, eyes darting briefly to Soujirou.

Aoshi gave a quick nod. "I see."

Misao turned away, and went to say goodnight to Soujirou. Aoshi found himself facing Kaoru. Gazing down into her bright blue eyes, he said, "Well, tonight had…unexpected results."

Kaoru laughed. "You mean to tell me that you didn't plan this whole thing out to get me to realize my feelings for you?"

"Actually, I surprised myself with my own jealousy. I couldn't control myself every time I saw him touch you." Aoshi's voice grew soft. He ran the backs of his fingers lightly down Kaoru's cheek. "It made me realize how much I wanted to touch you myself."

"Oh," Kaoru gave a breathy little sigh, leaning into Aoshi's caress, earning a low chuckle from him.

Kaoru licked her lips. Aoshi's gaze grew heavy, drawn to Kaoru's mouth. He traced her bottom lip with his thumb before using that same hand to tilt her head back. Kaoru trembled in anticipation and then Aoshi was kissing her. His lips were warm and gentle at first, but when Kaoru opened her mouth and her tongue darted out to tentatively lick his lip, Aoshi deepened the kiss. He hugged her smaller body closer to him, one arm wrapping around her waist, nearly lifting her feet off the ground. Hopefully Soujirou and Misao had already left them alone in the hallway, but Aoshi found that he really didn't care who saw them. After thoroughly ravishing Kaoru's lips, Aoshi pulled his head back a little, breathing heavily.

"Kaoru, what you do to me…"Aoshi pressed his forehead to hers.

Kaoru, dazed by the kiss, gave a short laugh. "…You do to me, too."

"I'm not sorry Misao's plans were ruined." Aoshi closed his eyes, rubbing his nose against hers.

"Me either."