Author's Note: Hey guys, Tomoe's getting really evil and careless as well. But! All works well for Aoshi and Misao! Yeah boy! Enjoy the chapter then. Sore ja! ;)

Translations are available if necessary.

Disclaimer: as usual, RK is not ours to claim. :D

Chapter 8: An End and A Beginning

Back at the dancefloor…

"Uhm… Kenshin, can I have Misao back?" Aoshi asked. "Hai! Kaoru, shall we?" Kenshin replied. So, Misao went back to dancing with Aoshi and Kaoru with Kenshin. They've been dancing for a while when Kaoru told Kenshin that she was thirsty so they went to the 2nd floor to get a drink. At that exact moment, Aoshi and Misao decided to just stroll around and check the place out. They finished walking through the first floor, so they went to the second floor. They were just walking around when Misao saw the balcony, she wanted to go there so Aoshi calmly followed her. Once they got there… "Waaa… Suteki! The stars are so pretty!" Misao remarked. Aoshi was, as usual, silently standing but he too was captivated by the beauty of the night sky. Suddenly, "Aoshi!" they heard someone shout. A panting Enishi came into view, "Aoshi, I need to talk to y… Eh? Ah, gomen, am I interrupting something?" Enishi asked with a smirk. "No." Aoshi coolly replied but Enishi noticed that Aoshi was blushing a little. "Ehrm… sorry Misao, but would you mind if I 'borrow' Aoshi for a while?" Enishi asked. "Uhm… Eh…?" Misao stuttered. "Thanks!" Enishi cheerfully said while dragging Aoshi away from the balcony. 'Eh? What was that all about?' Misao thought to herself while staring at the twinkling stars…

Somewhere out there (near the balcony)

"Nani? What do you want?" Aoshi asked. "What are you doing with that Weasel Girl? Hehehe!" Enishi teased. "…" Aoshi just glared. "Wha-What?" said Enishi, sweat-dropping. "Don't you ever call her Weasel Girl." Aoshi evenly replied. So they talked about the matter Enishi wanted to discuss.

Back at the balcony…

Misao was still staring at the sky and stars.

Misao's POV

Haaa… I wonder what Aoshi and Enishi are talking about? Stop it! It doesn't concern you! I wonder… (replaying the dance in her mind) ...Aoshi…

Suddenly, she felt two hands pushing her. "Aaaah! Aoshi!" she involuntarily shouted. Aoshi, hearing Misao's scream, immediately ran towards the balcony. What he saw spurred him into action. Without hesitation, he vaulted over the railing, he used his left arm to grab Misao around the waist and his right hand to hold onto the rail. They were dangling at about 30 feet above the ground. When Enishi saw this, he immediately tried to help. He was trying to get them up, but he was unable to do it alone. he shouted for help and Kenshin and Kaoru came running. Kenshin was helping while Kaoru went to go call the others, especially Sano since he was the strongest. Aoshi was having a hard time, he was already getting tired.

Aoshi's POV

I can do this! This is just a battle, that's all. There's no way I'm gonna lose! If I do, the price that I'll have to pay… will be too high… so, I must not let go!

Misao's POV

Aoshi…? Why? He's hurting himself… because… of me… I can't stand this! He always gets hurt because of me… shame

Time's running out! Aoshi's hand is slipping little by little as the seconds tick by. Suddenly, Sano appears, followed by all the others except for Tomoe. "Yo! How you guys doing down there?" said Sano. A glare was Aoshi's reply. "Alright, alright.." said Sano, preparing to pull both Aoshi and Misao up.

In a dark corner… (again)

"You Fool! You got the wrong girl!" Tomoe angrily said to the guy she hired. "It's not my fault! You told me to push the one dancing with the red-haired guy and she was the one!" the guy said. "Argghh! Here! Take the 100$ and just disappear!" Tomoe said.

Balcony

Everyone then went back to dancing except for Misao and Aoshi. "Aoshi…" Misao said, a tinge of sadness in her voice. "Yes?" Aoshi asked. "Aoshi… Thanks again… I've been such a burden to you… you always get hurt because of me… I can't stand seeing you get hurt… so… next time, just leave me be…" Misao said, fighting back tears. "Misao…" Aoshi said, shocked that she cares for him a great deal. "I want you to just live freely and happy without having to look after me all the time…" Misao stated calmly. "Misao… When a person has something very important to protect, that is when they can truly become strong." Aoshi said looking into her eyes. "But Aoshi…" Misao was left speechless, but on the verge of tears. "I chose to do this… it is by my own free will… it's not an obligation. I just want to protect you, Misao. You're precious to me, and that's why…" Aoshi explained, taking her hand into his own. "Okay… I'm sorry… again.." Misao said, finally lighting up. "And thanks for caring, Misao…" Aoshi said. And the two stood there under the brilliance of the moon.

Car…

"Guys, looks like this little trip of ours has finally come to an end." Sano announced. "Haay…" Megumi sighed. "There, there, Megumi. Cheer up, we had fun didn't we?" Tomoe said. (A/N: right, I'm guessing she really did…) "Well, I guess you're right…" Megumi said, cheering up already. "Oh yeah, almost forgot… Thanks so much Sano!" Misao said. Everyone else thanked him and the girls once again, mobbed him. "Okay, okay! Slow down! I'm gonna get killed later!" Sano said, not wanting to be glared to death by Kenshin and Aoshi. After all the stuff, they left the place. Soon enough, it was getting darker and darker. Soujiro, Kaoru, Tomoe and Misao fell asleep. Aoshi, who was beside Misao, was staring at her sleeping form. 'She looks so peaceful and beautiful… it gives me some sort of… refreshment and comfort…' Aoshi thought. He was then interrupted… "Oy, Aoshi, don't strain your eyes too much." Enishi whispered. Aoshi glared at him. "Hey, I'm serious man." Enishi said, ironically, with a smile. Aoshi blushed and looked away, amusing Enishi. Each of them was dropped off to their houses one by one by Sano.

Bam. The door quietly shut behind him. Aoshi proceeded to his room when.. "Eh?" 'Shoes? Where are mom's slippers? Could it be…' Aoshi went to the living room and lo and behold – a woman, the age of about 40, stood there, her long raven hair cascading down her back, her narrow, green eyes now staring at him. "Aoshi!" The woman said, rushing forward to hug him. "Mom." Aoshi said, hugging her back. "I've missed you so much my dear! How was your trip?" his Mom asked. "I enjoyed it. How was your trip?" Aoshi asked. "Oh, the usual… but I'm home now and I'm so happy to see you again! Oh yes, I brought someone along with me." His mom said, pointing behind him. Aoshi turned around and saw a girl with long black hair and purple eyes waving at him. Aoshi lifted his hand up "Yo." "Aoshi! Is that how you treat a childhood friend whom you haven't seen for so long?" the girl scolded. "Who in heaven made you my friend?" Aoshi half-joked. "Mou!" the girl said. Not long after, she bursted out into laughter. "Aikawarazu. Osashiburi, Aoshi!" the girl said. "Aa. Well, it's quite late now. See you guys tomorrow, Aika, Mom." Aoshi said, withdrawing for the night. "He really hasn't changed much." Aika stated. "That's my boy…" his Mom said.

In the room…

Aoshi took a bath and sat on his bed. He was drying his hair and his thoughts drifted to Misao. Her long raven hair in a simple braid, sea green eyes shining brightly and her petite figure was nothing less than perfect and beautiful for Aoshi. Something about Misao just… attracted him. 'Misao… I miss you so much.' Aoshi mused, looking around his room. His eyes fell on a certain object and an idea struck him. "Maybe…" Aoshi quickly picked it up and dialed her number.

Author's Note: Hmmm! Omoshiro sou! Haha! What's Aoshi up to this time? And who is this… Aika woman? Well, the answer to your questions might lie in the next chapters… 'til then, ja na! I hope you're enjoying the fic so far… feedbacks, people, feedback, ne? Does Aoshi's quote sound familiar? Hehehe. Got it from Haku of Naruto… hehehe! It's a really nice quote! And Haku is a GUY! Anyways, You guys take care now!

Translation:

1 Aikawarazu – "same as always" or "you haven't changed"

2 Osashiburi – "It's been a while"

3 Omoshiro sou – "interesting" the same as Omoshiroi