Disclaimers Notice: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin nor any of the characters portrayed in this story.

Though I wouldn't mind owning Aoshi-sama ;P

Spending Your Whole Life Waiting…

By: Mimi The Deceitful

Chapter 8: The Confrontation

"You know that she'd spend her whole life waiting on you if she had too..!"

It seemed like hours had gone by as he sat there, unmoving, comforting her until sunrise. Once she fell asleep, cradled like a child in his arms, Soujiro and the others began walking back to the Aoiya. Though the Aoiya was still not asleep yet, no questions were asked as he passed the others in the hall, and soon tucked her into her bed. He looked at her sleeping face and was surprised at how peaceful she looked. It was almost as if she hadn't gotten a good night sleep for a long time. He reached his hand out and pushed the bangs away from her face. Once he realized what he was doing he drew his hands back, surprised at the sudden protective instinct he got from her. What happened to the genki girl that he first clung to? Misao reminded him so much of himself. Suffering so much inside yet hiding behind a fake smile and a happy attitude. He'd give anything to see her real smile and if Shinomori-san was the one who could manage that then by all means he'll get him too.

Walking out of her room he silently slid her shoji shut. He was determined as ever as he moved through the Aoiya and towards the training hall. As he raised his hand to open the shoji he paused feeling the broken ki just on the other side. Entering the room with a smile, dark glazed eyes glared under choppy bangs. Not giving the glare any mind he casually walked into the room and absent-mindedly picked up a discarded kunai lying on the floor.

"Misao-kun is more that upset." Soujiro caught Aoshi visibly twitch but made no indication of replying. They weren't exactly on friendly terms. No...Soujiro was sure that given the opportunity, the ex-okashira would have no problem killing him…or trying at least. "Tell me Shinomori-san...what is that you are intending for her? She has feelings for you, something that was not hidden from anyone and known by almost everyone. What will you achieve by continuing this act? I can see through it all Shinomori-san and let me say that you're not fooling anyone-"

"Shut up." Aoshi demanded. Soujiro sensed his ki was different. It was as if it belonged to a totally different person.

"Misao loves you and she feels betrayed by you."

"Shut up."

"How long are you going to keep fooling yourself?"

"Shut up. Shut up."

"What is it that you're afraid of?"

"Shut up!"

"Why are you afraid of Misao's feelings?"

"I said SHUT UP!"

"You know that she'd spend her whole life waiting on you if she had too...!"

"SHUT THE HELL UP!"

In a swift movement Aoshi withthrew his kodachis and lunged toward an unarmed Soujiro. Splintering of wood could be heard as his blade slammed into the floor of the training hall. More was heard as his eyes followed all of Soujiro's movements yet always a fraction behind. Before Aoshi had time to react, he came up behind him and elbowed him in the back. "Aren't you tired of this cat and mouse game?" Aoshi turned around and pointed his sword as him.

"Draw your sword Tenken. I will not hesitate to kill you." Soujiro sighed and held his sword in front of him.

"Is this what you want to do Shinomori-san? Fight me? This is how you deal with your problems? Ha. Who would've thought? The once great and mighty okashira of the oniwabanshuu running away? You're a coward." He tossed his sheathed sword aside. Aoshi's grip tightened on the handles of his double kodachis.

"I, Shinomori Aoshi am no coward!" Aoshi crossed his swords and pinned Soujiro by his neck against the wall. "Why won't you fight back?" He asked bringing the blades closer in slightly cutting the skin on both sides.

"Are you going to push her away also?" Aoshi froze. "I may not know what you're dealing with right now, I may not even know what love is. But…I understand that when you love someone so much like she does, it can affect every part of your life. Have you ever thought about that Shinomori-san? Every step she takes, every thought that passes her mind, every breath of air that she breathes in…it's probably because of you. It doesn't matter how many times you hurt her. She'll keep loving you no matter what. I don't know if I understand why but I guess it's just something she can't help. Personally, I think it's a waste. But she's the one devoting her life to you." It remained silent but neither of them changed their positions. "So, tell me? Are you going to throw that away? Can you let her go?"

"Oh Kami-San! She won't stop crying! Where's Okina?!"

"I think he left 5 minutes ago to the market."

"What? I need to catch up to him! Shhh! Please little Misao-chan! Oh-! Lord Aoshi!"

"Is there a problem?"

"Please, can you hold Misao-chan! I need to fetch Okina quickly!"

"…..?!"

"Here you go! I'll be back in-oh my…she…stopped crying. Isn't that strange Lord Aoshi?"

"...Aa…"

"Misao-chan! Lord Aoshi is busy right now! Agh! Where did she go?!"

"…?"

"Aoshi-sama!"---"Is-is it okay for Hannya to take me down to the river? I want to catch some fish! He said that you told him to do something but he said that if I ask Aoshi-sama then he can go."

"Misao, what Hannya's doing is very important."

"Aww! Pweazeeeeee!"

"…sigh Listen Misao, I have some time to spare."

"Yay! Let's go Aoshi-sama!!!"

"You know Aoshi…she's going to be very upset when she wakes up and doesn't find you."

"Okina, don't try to stop me. This is for the better-"

"Mhn, I understand."

"L-LORD AOSHI!!!"

…………

"Get out of here. I never want to see your face in front of me again."

"They're Back!"

"Kenshin!"

"…A-Aoshi-Sama…? AOSHI-SAMA!!!"

"Aoshi-sama…I love you."

In a quick movement Aoshi removed his kodachis from Soujiro's neck and slammed him back against the wall.

"Ouch…you caught me off guard." Aoshi picked up his head and Soujiro can now see the icy blue clearness in his eyes again. Aoshi nodded and began to walk out of the training hall.

"So…truce?" Aoshi momentarily stopped but began walking again.

"Aa."

Misao-chan…it's time to wake up now.

Misao breathed out as she peered at the ceiling through half-lidded eyes. It was dark. How long was I asleep for? Slowly sitting up on the edge of her bed Misao felt a presence in her room. Jumping off her bed she searched the darkness until her eyes fell on a familiar silhouette. Gasping she backed up against the wall. Her breathing became harsh as he slowly walked closer to her.

"A-Aoshi-sama-GASP!" She was speechless as she was suddenly slammed into his chest. Trying to stand straight she couldn't when arms suddenly engulfed her. It was silent and the only thing she could hear was Aoshi's heartbeat pounding in her ear. She slowly raised her hands to hold him but…

"I can't love you."

She broke out of his embrace and pushed him away from her. Flustered, she couldn't raise her head to look at him. "St-stay away from me!" Misao spun around and jumped out of her window, off the roof, and gracefully on the dirt below her. Aoshi watched from her window as she started running away from the Aoiya.

"Are you going to throw that away? Can you let her go?"

"I'm not going to let you leave me Misao."

She didn't know what it was but for some reason, no matter where she ran, her feet always took her to the same place. Her legs collapsed at the edge of the water. Sitting on her knees she looked down at her reflection in the water. She looked terrible. Raising her hand she traced it down her cheek. What is wrong with you? She needed to forget about him. She had to forget about him. Erase all the moments they spent together…yet how come it was so hard. But the truth was…she didn't want to. She didn't care if they passed it off as an infatuation, she didn't care if he thought so. Always being treated like a child. No matter where she ran off to…she still wanted to see him. Misao closed her eyes as soon as her vision began getting blurry. Feeling a tear run down her face she shuddered as she felt a soft brush against her cheek stopping the trail. She opened her eyes and looked at the water and saw another reflection in it. Oh, Kami-san…thank you…for letting me see him again. Misao watched as the reflection lowered its hand toward her face. She closed her eyes, thinking she was hallucinating. In a moment she let out a shrill squeal as a hand grabbed her face but it soon died as a pair of lips crashed down on hers. Expecting to be pushed away Aoshi braced himself but what happened was no where near that as she responded to him. They weren't lustful kisses or passionate crazed lies…but soft sensual touches. Misao shrunk back on her knees keeping her eyes on the fists on her lap.

"I know I told you to stay away from me…and I know you that you- that you don't love me. But…! It doesn't matter. I don't care what anyone else thinks! Aoshi-sama I-!"

"I love you Misao." Misao felt her breath hitch in her throat. Had he just-? Raising her head to look at him she searched his face for an answer. His eyes…they were soft…almost loving. No, they were. Misao felt herself feeling hot as she raised a shaky hand to her face. She couldn't believe it. She was acting like a teenage girl with her crush. Covering her face with her hands in attempt to hide her blush she tried speaking.

"B-but you said that you-"

"I know what I said…but I spoke only the truth. I couldn't love you Misao. I made a promise to always protect you, yet no matter what I did I always ended up hurting you. Then, I broke the one thing most important to you. I thought I was doing what was best. But I ended up breaking your heart."

It was silent for the next minute and Aoshi was shocked by the next sound that was made. It was the sound of Misao's laughter. He stared at her dumbfounded, wondering what on earth he said that was so funny.

"I-Haha, I'm sorry. But oh wow. That's the most words you've ever said in a sentence Aoshi-sama! Haha!" Aoshi gave her this irritated look. He had been contemplating what he would do and what would happen in his head as he followed her retreating form into the words but this was far off from what he had in mind. It wasn't really romantic either but rather awkward. Wanting to stop her laughter he grabbed her waist and pulled her against him. Taking a deep breath he placed his lips intimately against her ear. The next words that came out of his mouth made her world stop, it didn't help her blush at all since her face only got brighter and she felt hot. Nothing moved and she couldn't hear any sounds. Time truly did stop for her.

To Be Continued In Chapter 9!

-I'm Not Sure When My Next Update Will Be Since I'm Going To Be Away From My Precious Computer For A While.

-Thanks For Reading The Story So Far!

-REVIEW, REVIEW, AND REVIEW!

-I welcome criticism also as long as it doesn't involve spelling or grammatical errors…that's really embarrassing.

-Anywayz, taa taa for now.

MimixTHExDeceitful