A/N: Final Chapter! It kind of makes me sad, I loved writing this fic, though it may not have seemed it at times.
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin...
Chapter 6
Misao smiled at herself in the mirror, there was to be no more tears and no more pain.
"Ok Misao, you can do this. If you beg for forgiveness Kaoru might take you back." She mentally prepared herself before heading off to school.
"Does Misao know?" Kaoru whispered into her cell phone.
"No, you better be the one to tell her Kaoru."
"That's easier said than done. Is he going to be ok?"
"I don't know." His voice trailed off.
"It'll tear her apart but I'll tell her. I should go."
"Bye."
Kaoru shoved her phone in her pocket and left.
Misao immediately made her way to Kaoru's locker.
"Kaoru! I'm so sorry!" Misao practically jumped into Kaoru's arms.
"Misao?"
"I know what I said yesterday was totally out of line but I hope you can forgive me." She shoved a book towards Kaoru. "I know you've been looking at it for awhile now."
"Thank you Misao, I'm sorry too. But there's something I really need to speak with you about."
Soujirou leaned against the lockers, in a state of shock.
"What?"
"It's Aoshi."
"What happened? Soujirou?"
"I bet you can guess that Soujirou wasn't actually in love with Aoshi, huh?"
"Kaoru stop beating around the bush, what happened to Aoshi?"
"Last night a drunk driver…"
"No! Don't say that!"
"They don't know if he's going to make it…"
Tears streamed out of Misao's sensitive eyes.
"Misao." Soujirou attempted to hug her.
"Where is he?"
"North Hope Hospital."
Misao ran down the hall and exited the building.
The white halls blurred due to tears.
She turned into the emergency center and turned into room 372.
A middle aged woman stood in the center of the room shaking.
"Mrs. Shinomori?"
"Misao, what are you doing here?"
"He has my heart."
She just smiled.
"Pray with me."
Misao fell to her knees while grasping Mrs. Shinomori's hand.
It would be a long wait.
-5 days later-
Sano walked into the room with Kaoru around 1 in the afternoon.
"This has really torn her apart." He whispered.
Kaoru stared at Misao's sleeping figure, her head lay upon the edge of his bed. She had a strong hold on his cold hand.
"I heard she convinced his mother to go home."
Sano just nodded.
"Let's go grab some lunch in the cafeteria, these two won't go anywhere."
Kenshin paced around the room. Tomoe had gone into early labor.
"Kenshin, your not making this any easier."
"Tomoe."
Kenshin turned to see a dark haired man standing in the doorway. He seemed somewhat angry.
"Akira." (A/N: This is her fiancé in Samurai X)
"Tomoe, I thought you were going to take care of him! You promised me that we could be together! You're about to have my child and you can't even be honest about your life!"
Kenshin stood back shocked but Tomoe kept silent.
"Is that true?" Kenshin managed to speak up.
"Yes."
"Why? Why would you lie to me all this time? Did you ever really love me?"
"I just couldn't let her get what she wanted, she always got everything…"
"You used me. Kaoru was right this whole time. You caused me to ruin my perfect relationship with the most amazing girl."
"Honestly look Kenshin, I never tore you apart. You were the one who left Kaoru, I never broke you two up."
The realization of this numbed him.
"I'll be here for a little while, go home and move out your stuff. It won't even matter, she won't take you back."
Kenshin slowly made his way out of the room with a foggy mind.
Aoshi's eyes slowly cracked open as he regained consciousness.
He tried to move a little but every movement cause sharp pain.
"What happened?" He thought as he studied his surroundings.
He turned slightly to see the sleeping Misao.
"The accident." He whispered.
"So you're alive and well."
It was Sano.
"Barely."
"I forgot my wallet." Sano picked it up off the table nearest to the door.
Aoshi nodded.
"She's been by your side since Monday morning. She's never left it."
"What should I do Sano?"
"That's totally up to you. Personally, I think she's waited long enough. And I think you've tortured yourself long enough. Tell her how you feel."
Misao began to stir as she shook the sleep off.
"I better go. Let's pretend the first person you woke up to was her."
"She was. But it's best if you go."
He was gone before he finished his sentence.
Misao's eyes fluttered open and she stretched.
"Did you dream well?"
She nearly jumped back at his cool voice.
"Aoshi!" Tears once again began to roll down her face.
"Please don't cry."
"I'm just so happy." She sniffled.
Ignoring his pain, he sat up to embrace her.
She began to bawl on his shoulder.
"I love you Misao."
Her sobs stopped and they held each other in silence.
"I love you too Aoshi." She hugged him tighter causing him to grunt in pain.
"Oh! I'm sorry, you really shouldn't be over working yourself! I-"
He crashed his lips into hers, his tongue caressing hers.
They broke for air. Both of their faces were completely flushed.
"Um, I'm not quite sure how this is supposed to go but, Misao, will you be my girlfriend?"
She nodded as another tear fell.
Aoshi wiped it from her cheek.
"That's something that should have been said a long time ago." He whispered in her ear as he held her once again.
Kenshin went to the cafeteria to think.
He bought a cup of coffee and settled into a table in the corner.
"Sorry for making you wait Kaoru." Sano called out.
Kenshin briefly stared at the girl, now woman, that he'd destroyed.
"It's fine, I'm not really that hungry."
"Ok, I'm going to get some food then if you want to wait here."
She nodded as he left.
There was something he needed to do.
He picked up his coffee and sat across from her.
"Kenshin? Why are you here?" Her eyes reflected hurt.
"Kaoru, I'm a fool."
She said nothing.
"I let Tomoe use me and I really hurt you. I know that a simple apology will never make up for the pain that I've caused but can you at least give me another chance."
"Kenshin, isn't it a little late. Tomoe is carrying your child."
"No, it was just another one of her lies. She was cheating on me Kaoru."
"Oh." That was all she could think to say.
"I can understand if you tell me to leave your life and never speak to you again."
Silence.
"I see." He stood to leave.
"Kenshin, I have always loved you with all my heart and I'm willing to give you another chance. Just promise me you'll never break my heart that way again."
"I promise." He managed to smile a little.
"Then it's settled. I missed you."
"I missed you too."
-That Summer-
Kenshin's fingers roamed all over Kaoru's body, tickling her to the ground.
"That's not fair."
"But all's fair in love and war." He grinned at her before kissing her.
"I'm really glad I'm with you Kenshin."
"I was stupid to ever let you go."
"I love you."
Kenshin kissed her again.
"It's funny, the same day you and I got back together Aoshi and Misao got together."
"Love is strong."
Misao and Aoshi were in the basement in the complete dark.
It was to hot outside so a nice movie was perfect.
They'd pulled out the sofa bed and wrapped themselves in a nice quilt.
Misao was already half asleep.
"My feet are cold." She groggily whispered.
"It's 100 degrees outside and your feet are cold?"
"Snuggle with me."
Aoshi did as directed and wrapped one arm around her, holding her close.
She repositioned herself to face him.
"Kisses?"
With a smile her playfully kissed her.
"I love loving you." She kissed him back.
"And I love loving you."
Soujirou sat at his computer typing up some of his final thoughts.
"Though playing matchmaker was fun, I learned something important over this last year. No one needs help finding that special person. If God decides it, then it shall be. You know what they say, True Love Never Dies…"
A/N: The End! I think that was the perfect ending! I've been going through some big relationship decisions in the past week and Soujirou's thoughts just came to me but most important they've inspired me. Thanks to all my readers and reviewers. I couldn't have done it without you.
They Say True Love Never Dies