Disclaimer: The characters of Rurouni Kenshin and the songs used on this fic are from their respective owners; and that not include me. But, this fic plot and characters NOT related to rurouni kenshin are mine.

Never let go an idea:

Chapter 4

Of cigarettes and cabin boys

With out time to spend the rumors about the jean color lingerie incident grow fast at the station. But for Misao it was a nightmare and she was tired of it. All the males specimen on the building was asking her to arrange a date with the sergeant. That was Itsuki's case, a very handsome guy, but marry and with two lovers. Come on, please! She was working with the girl for a week and already know very well is a very prideful and sarcastic one as is. Itsuki's opportunities was more low than under the zero, so she give him her famous 'Bird-Kick-of rage' and he end with his head inside the soda machine and the message were clear, Makimachi is not a cupid. But she wasn't worry about Sano, because Alicia already let very clear the point with two memos and for Aoshi-sama,…, well there were enough words on the subject as the sum of all his words on a year. 'And I pass all my high school years obsessing over him. He, the…arghhh! He didn't even let me have a coke. But that doesn't get that he is the most handsome man over the World." And Saitô…

"Dreaming awake, Misao-chan? Did you know who you stare a moment a go?"

"Kaoru! Why you let that things happen to me?"

"To get fun."

"Whatever, who was? Tell me it was Aoshi-sama."

"Nope. Captain."

"What?! Gross!"

"Sure about it?"

"Well… he is old…"

"Yeah right!", say Kaoru very sceptic.

"Alright, alright! I tell you, but don't get things wrong is not like what you have on Himura, get it?"

"I'm all ears, Misao-chan."

"He's maybe some old but…mmm?...handsome, do you get?"

If in that moment Misao weren't ten shades red, Kaoru, may be, just may be could believe her about is was a mere observation. But…

"So what? You always like grown up men."

"what?"

"Don't put the innocent show on me. Shinomori past you about five years."

"I will not start this topic Kaoru. However, Captain is almost 17 years older that me."

"You and Shinomori were the king and queen at high school. Everybody hope you both end grow old together."

"Already toll you I didn't want to talk about it." Threaten Misao.

Both friends know very well Misao didn't like get on the topic because she spend half of her life idolize Aoshi. And when finally have him on her hands discover he wasn't the one to spend all her life with, so with all the heart pain she broke up with him.

That's when he start working at the station and she begin at the police academy. The choice of her career wasn't just for Aoshi, but because she love the work. It's hard to understand how two opposite persons as them are can have similar linking, but maybe that's why they end up together for a while. But for Aoshi that was the only know relationship he had. And he get on with it even when his instincts where screaming it will not get well at the end.

He didn't think of her as little brat, but know that when people grow up reach mature and change. He knows is not that she didn't love him or that she was playing with him but simply that mature make us understand some things better and what we think was right, end up not being so right. So, he understand her perfectly even what mean to her to broke up with him. But they however are still friends and when she and Sano make plans for party nights they include him on the bunch of partners and pass it fun. Even if lately and for some untelling and incomprehensive reason Saitô was always invited.

Misao let a sigh out. "Sometimes I fell bad for him."

"It was your decision to made. At least you two are still friends, right?"

"Yeah." Misao smile this time. "We still practice kendo in the mornings."

"I know"

"What? How?"

"Captain Saitô saw you."

"That damn Wolf."

"And handsome, right?" say Kaoru messing Misao.

"Yeah, a lot." And Kaoru get it. Now her friend was red face again and with a hand covering her mouth.

"ARggghh! I got to go if not 'sergeant' will get mad at me for the lateness."

"At least now you can get the car."

"Yeah, thanks heaven. Matta ne! Kaoru-chan."

The report on hand say the drastic changes on officers discipline on a week. Now he knows that her file wasn't a lie: Girl sure is fast. However there were some details undiscussed here.

"Is not my way, but congratulation Sergeant Valentino; or may I say Takagi."

"What ever Hajime." Say her in a rebellious tone.

He know is the only chance he will get to drop some points on her, and he grab it.

"How is Tokio?"

"Aunt Tokio is ok. With a better personality now that she marry again and I opt to be a good girl. But I can't tell the same about you."

It was weird feeling the way he is right now, desiring involve on a hug of sorry that pigheaded girl. But that's not the way of the wolf of Mibu.

On her part, Alicia feel as uncomfortable as him knowing they both were out of environment. Sentimentalism wasn't on their blood. How doubt it there were ten years between them.

"How long will you be in Japan?"

"Until they reassigned me."

While she say that he move in front his desk lying on it smoking as it will not be a tomorrow.

"I like those trousers better."

The look on her face scream 'incredulous'. She can't believe that the skirt incident affect him so much and that put her more nervous than before. But of course, just like him, she will not let show that being with him alone put her on the nerves. That's when she wish have Shinomori's silence better.

"Where you're staying?"

"A week later you ask? You're incredible, you know?! However didn't the wolf of Mibu know everything? Get me one of those damn cigarette."

"Good girls don't smoke, sergeant. And I new on treats with Americans."

"That's when you get it bad I'm not a good girl on any way. I have too much bad ways inherit."

"You're right. Little bad girl." At saying that he get close to her with a disapproving look on his face. However gave reluctantly the cigarette and offer her fire that she accept it nervous.

In this precise moment Misao open the door without call, as usual, but this time she get astound with the view: Saitô giving fire to the sergeant's cigarette with a strange look on his eyes and she all nervous. At seeing Misao on the door Saitô go as far as possible from Valentino and she resume her cold attitude getting up of the chair.

"I forgot we have patrol. Come on Makimachi. Thanks for the cigarette Captain and you're right the Japanese ones have better taste. Have a good day."

With out a Word she keep walking, ignoring Misao's thunderstruck look.

Two hours later they still haven't say a Word. Misao can't believe Captain was getting his way with the girl. And for Alicia part, well…, she was disconnecting from the world only conscious that Misao was driving.

But without an advice ask Misao to stop on a thrifty store. "I need to buy something." Was her only explanation. Sergeant walk to the store and in that moment Misao notice how distracting she was.

Once in, Alicia walk through the isles not really seeing the things on them. But a guy of about 19, with a gangsta look did notice and call her: "Hey girl!" And with fake remorse keep, "you are to pretty and young to be police, don't you think?"

"I don't think so." Alicia get near the cashier with the guy glue to her. She notice a small box with a miniature fan on it, open it and she like the paint of panda bears and wolfs on it. But the guy decide to touch the hair that escape from her cap while invite her out this night.

"You're not my type, boy."

"Don't tell your the type that like old men."

That comment snap something on her. Misao look when saw the closeness of her and Saitô…it can't be so bad being Makimachi's friend after all. A gift for her good behavior the past days, open road to Saitô and she her self will open to her second step at the station. Three bird with one shot. Great!

"Charge me that and two packs of your best national cigarette brand."

"If you smoke all that you will be fine on accept my tonight offer", say the guy while pass an arm through her back.

And that was the end of him. Alicia took his arm aggressively and use it to knock him on the floor in front of the atoned cashier. "I think that answer your question. I don't go out with cabin boys. Sayonara." She paid and get out to the car, where Misao were waiting hearing Avril Lavigne Skaterboy song on the radio.

"Hey girl! Do you like that music?"

"Had something against this too?"

"Absolutely, is one of my favorites songs."

Surprise where write all over Misao's face. "I can't believe it!"

"Why Misao?" But Misao get a strong hold on the Wheel making her knuckles white at hearing that…woman call her by her name for the first time. "What will she want?"

"Sorry."

"Look Misao. That I have to accomplish some expectations for my work don't erase the fact I'm still a girl. What you though? That I will be all the time as iceberg man that don't have smiles, or like Captain Saitô with his assassin wolf face." She say that last making a face that imitate Hajime.

That make laugh Misao and her anger to the Sergeant get down. "You really are something else."

"Between you and me Misao, you can call me Alicia. But don't tell the others."

"If Sano find out you are like that will want to date you. On this part…" She made a face. "There some officers that want a date with you."

"Bah! You can count singles with one hand, and I don't date married men, engages ones or with girlfriends." As Alicia though this conversation was getting interesting and more easy that she expect it to be; defenitly this will open the doors to her next step. "Talking like crazy. Did you have something with Shinomori?"

"What?"

"Don't take it bad. I have see you training with him on mornings."

"No." Say Misao with some disappointed, she didn't know the conversation will take this way.

"Don't worry, you have to say nothing. You don't have to. I only want to know what kind of relationship you both had to see if I can use the gym too. That's all."

"OH! You train then."

"Yep." Laugh Alicia. "This beautiful body is not based on seating all day…" This make Misao laugh with out can controlling.

Alicia take the chance of a red light to show Misao the little fan she buy and tell her about the guy in the store.

"That boys are bakas."

"He wasn't more than 18, and I'm 20. So he was only was good for a crazy night but here I…."

"WHAT YOU SAY!"

"Sorry then. I didn't know you dislike this type of conversations."

"No. NOT THAT. You're 20?! Impossible I'm 22. Now I'm not the little one at the station and she…she is even sergeant….."

With out knowing what to do Alicia just keep hearing Misao's rambling until the cars behind them start honk, that made her sweet of shame.

"Misao. The Light change. MISAO!" Maybe that was a bad idea after all.

When she get Misao attention light was red again, people was mad but she explain fast to Misao about the little fan. "Just a little detail to you for the walking I made you did the first day. You didn't deserve it after all. But the baka of Sagara deserve it."

"You're right Sano is a baka. But he's some you can count with for good and bad ones."

Know the partners and all. It wasn't a bad idea reach first Misao. Light turn green and they keep.

"Well, did you hang out Fridays? I heard the beat around here are the Karaoke."

"Well, yes." Say Misao thinking the option of invite her or not. After all maybe she will get using pants too.

"Today we will get out. Want to go?

"Who will be there?"

"Kaoru, obviously. Kenshin, if he don't fallow her every where can't live. And then they say they are nothing. Sano of course, he don't get down even a roach dance. Aoshi-sama…"

"Aoshi-sama? You say Shinomori? I can't believe that guy hang out with all of you."

"He's my ex boyfriend."

"Oh!"

"And captain Saitô."

"I CAN'T BEALIVE THAT ONE. Hajime Saitô hanging on a Friday night with his subordinates. I get it, he entertain him self growling to all of you."

"Well…" say Misao with blushing cheeks remembering the two weeks a go Friday. The detail didn't pass Alicia. "Actually he had been good with us. He don't drink to much and…well he had dance with us girls. Actually just with me. But is just because Himura don't loose Kaoru for a second."

"You like him?"

"NO, NO. Is just that…well me,….just. Argggghh! Ok, alright. We will be friends, right?" Alicia smile while nodding. "Good. But don't use that on me later. First, I think he likes you better."

"What? From where you get that Misao?"

"From the way you both were today on his office…."

"No, No, you're getting this out of context."

"Don't try to sale me that one. You were there all nervous y he too…"

"Misao. This can't be possible. Is just that…Hajime know my mother and my aunt. And this is a topic I wish not talk more of."

But it let Misao out of place for a second. That was worse that she expect it.

"Ok, I like him, just a little. But he is older than me."

"Relax Misao. We are in Japan is not like people on the streets will judge you that bad for it. This is one of the best things here in this country. They don't care if is him or her the old one, what really matter is that people get married at least one time before 25. So get out of your mind the complex. For all I know he get the divorce ten years ago and he is only 14 years older that you. And, you will be a good change for him."

"You must be out of your mind Alicia, and is only 13 years difference."

"I'll propose you something."

With curious eyes Misao look and doubt about the good sense of this woman.

"I hear."

"Tonight I will show you that you're what he needs to make him happy, and that he is more that the mask he wear. If didn't reach that goal I will accept whatever punish you gave me. Got it?"

"You're brave or too crazy. But is your loose. Ok."

Misao Makimachi will not let that one pass. 'The sergeant making whatever she think of' and what the girl propose is impossible.

"Let's get the party started"

Oh yeaaah! Police party. We will see a lot on the next chapter.

A note here. I'm a fan of Misao/Aoshi pairing, don't get me wrong here in the fic. I love how the compliment each other and all. But here, while writing is good to experiment new things about character, made explorations of possibilities and I'm an adventurer.

Just get an opportunity to the fic and don't get it to the trash just for the pairings. We will see on the reviews. Let your self express, what you think and all. Of course with respect. ;)

Matta-ne!!