The Shape of My Heart- An Aoshi and Misao Fic Disclaimer: All characters of Rurouni Kenshin belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki, JUMP comics, and Sony Entertainment. It was a busy day at the Aoiya. The day was Tanabata, and everyone in Kyoto decided to celebrate it this year, the way people in the West celebrated Valentine�s Day; so couples from all over Kyoto swarmed into the Aoiya to dine in style, and to be with the one they loved. Makimachi Misao, stood at the door of the Aoiya greeting couples who were in obvious love with each other. She took in the scene with a combination of awe and lament as she ushered one happy couple to their table. As far as she was concerned she had the best view of what was going on in the restaurant- but it was also the most depressing view. She saw it all in just one hour of playing hostess. One man proposed to his girlfriend and she happily accepted, causing the entire restaurant to explode in a sea of applause. Jiya went over to the table of the newly engaged couple and congratulated them with a toast to their new future together. Another man surprised his wife of five years with one of those diamond rings that were on display all over those new fancy Western-themed stores. He had placed the ring in her sake cup when she excused herself for a few moments, and when she returned she took a sip of her drink and felt the ring brush over lips. It tumbled down the side of her chin to land in her lap, and when she saw what it was she was so thrilled. Her hands went up to quiet her squeals when the man kneeled before her and asked her to marry him again. Misao turned away when the woman threw her arms around her husband and kissed him. Misao had had enough of Tanabata. There were so many people in love with each other in Kyoto, and there were so many other restaurants to go to, but they all had to come to the Aoiya- to rub it in. Misao grinded her teeth as she saw the next pair of lovebirds approach the entrance. She faked her most brilliant smile and escorted them to a secluded table in the back. They said that they wanted some privacy. Privacy! Get a goddamned room!, she thought harshly as she kept smiling and setting their places with chopsticks and sake cups. After she told them to enjoy their dinner, she made her way slowly back to the entrance. Tanabata is a day of love. It is a day to celebrate the existence of the one person whose soul was directly connected with yours. It is a day that Misao felt she would never come to appreciate. Her time at the front of the restaurant made her mind wander, and she found herself thinking of so many missed opportunities. After she was named the Assistant Okashira of the Oniwabanshu the young warriors of Kyoto finally began to take notice of her. Apparently they liked what they saw, because they pursued her with more determination than with what they pursued Okon and Omasu. Everyday was a different encounter. Young men carried her bags when she went shopping; they sparred with her just to be close to her, but they got beat up instead. One night a few brave young men risked a beating from Shiro, and Kuro when they sneaked into Misao�s bedroom to profess their undying love for her. Nothing had happened to the boys, but the situation made the rest of the Oniwabanshu notice what was going on. Okon and Omasu were thrilled; Shiro and Kuro were now overly protective; and Jiya cried a river, lamenting the fact that his pretty Misao was growing up. The only one to remain silent about the situation was Aoshi. Being half asleep after being dragged out of bed by a screeching Omasu, he still managed to look thoughtful, turning the events over in his head. He glanced at everyone through his droopy eyelids and glared as if they had made a fuss over a mere strange noise in the house. Then he yawned, and turned to walk slowly back into his room. That hurt. Misao remembered feeling rejected, even when there were so many eager men willing to offer her the world. They were persistent. They were passionate; but more than ever they were trying to make her forget about Aoshi. One young man in particular followed her when she was on an assignment, and he was nearly stabbed to death with her kunai when she realized she was being followed. When she ordered him to explain himself, he merely smiled dreamily up at her and pulled each kunai out of his wounds. What he did next made her speechless for the first time since she had witnessed the fight between Aoshi and Jiya. He placed a soft kiss on each bloody blade, and when turned to look at her his eyes pulled her in and held her tight making her breathless. His lips, made red from the blood on the blades, parted slightly in anticipation. But he did nothing. He sighed softly and spoke in the most mournful voice she had ever heard, �I wish that one of these would have pierced my heart. Then you can see how it bleeds for you.� Misao remembered how she had felt. Her heart was beating so fast she felt it trying to burst through her chest. The other boys were not like this. They were hopeful, and confident in their plight. This one acted as if he had no chance in the world at winning her over. He had held her kunai so tightly in his palms that they dripped with blood. He had looked at her with so much love; but then he pulled back. Misao felt his pull grow weak, and the spell wore off. He stood up, letting the kunai fall from his fingers. He placed a hand over one of the cuts, a shoulder wound, right above his heart. Then he took one last look at her, and disappeared into the woods. Misao never saw that man again. He came in and out of her life like a storm and blew her emotions around into one bundle of uncertainty. It was flattering to have all these men falling at her feet. It had given her so much confidence that it made her glow. If she went to Tokyo for a visit, she knew that it would be the same. If she visited the Kamiya Dojo, she knew that the dumb rooster would take one look at her and permanently attach himself to her side. He would stop calling her a weasel girl and start calling her koibito. Misao shuddered at that thought and shook it out of her head. She liked Sagara Sanosuke; just not like that. Yet with all that attention, she still felt as if she was doomed to a life without any kind of love. She sighed and said his name softly, �Aoshi-sama.� The one who she felt out of breath for acted as if she were only an associate. They worked together in the Oniwabanshu, and they ran the Aoiya. But where her heart yearned for more, his stopped at the level of friendship. They were indeed the best of friends. She could not deny that. He was more comfortable with her that he was with any of the other Oniwabanshu, even Okina. He let his guard down when he was around her and he let loose to reveal that he had an actual personality; and that he was also pretty funny. Misao would never have guessed that he had a sense of humor, much less one so wicked. One warm evening they had stood outside the Aoiya with Jiya, when a group of young ladies walked by in their beautiful kimonos. One lady in particular had one cut low to show cleavage. Misao had glanced up at Aoshi to see that he merely regarded the group impassively. His eyes had not even lingered on the obvious invitation the woman gave with her low cut kimono. Jiya, on the other hand, had his wide eyes glued to her. He stretched his neck forward as she passed them, and his mouth gaped open so that his tongue fell and hung over his chin. When he started to pant Misao grew repulsed. She was about to knock Jiya on the head with a broom, when Aoshi spoke up. �Okina. As the former spy for the Oniwabanshu you should be less obvious when you ogle women.� He then nudged Misao and leaned into her ear. �I think he�s going to melt. Quick, go get a bucket and I�ll roll his tongue back into his mouth.� Misao had to cover her own mouth to keep her laugh from bursting forward. But Jiya had already recovered and there was a gleam in his eye when he turned and faced Aoshi. �Less obvious? You mean, like you?� Misao held her breath and turned again to Aoshi. He was glaring at Jiya from the corner of his eye. �There are many reasons to keep a straight face,� was all Aoshi said and Jiya startled Misao with his laughter. �Oh-ho, you admit to it! I�ve always wondered if you had any dirty thoughts floating in your head! You do me proud, Aoshi-kun! I can die happy knowing that you will bring a new era to being a dirty old man!� Jiya giggled wildly and retreated into the restaurant before Misao could yell at him. She remembered fuming. What is that crazy old man thinking? Aoshi-sama will never end up being a perverted old goat like, Jiya. She had looked up at Aoshi again and found that familiar grim expression darkening his features, as his eyes followed Jiya all the way down the corridor. Oh no. Jiya made him mad. That damned old man! Wait until I get inside! She felt that she had to cheer her Aoshi-sama up now, and she thought of something that would hopefully rile him up. �Hey, Aoshi-sama, don�t pay any attention to Jiya. He�s getting senile and I�ve noticed that folks his age tend to ramble on and on, and they don�t even know half of the things that they talk about. And you know what? I think that he�s been tapping into the Aoiya�s sake supply. Not for nothing, Aoshi-sama, but I think he should be disciplined for that. What do you think?� Those steel gray eyes shifted slowly to look at her. �I�m thinking of locking that old man in the cellar for his twilight years. We could feed him through a slot in the door, so that he would never have to come out. No one would know. Think about it. We could suggest that he went crazy with age, he ran away, and since he never lost his skills as the Okina, he hides himself so well that we can�t find him. Ever.� His emphasis on that last word made him look so convinced about his idea, and it almost made Misao to lose it. She gave into her urge to crack-up laughing just enough to let her smile break through. �You thought up all that in just five seconds?� He thoughtfully shook his head. �I�ve been thinking about it since I found him sleepwalking naked in the garden.� His face darkened more. His eye even twitched as if he were reliving the trauma. �Now I have nightmares about naked old men dancing in circles with flowers in their hair.� He shuddered visibly at the memory and Misao finally let it all out and laughed at her, Aoshi-sama. They sure had a good time with each other. Misao snapped out of her daze in time to welcome another couple into the restaurant. This was taking its toll on her. She felt herself growing numb. She didn�t even feel the tug on the sleeve of her kimono. �Misao!� She turned around at the sound of her name and came face to face with a very disgruntled Jiya. One of his eyebrows twitched as he glared at her. �Misao! You�re spacing out, and you look gloomy too. You�re depressing my customers,� he growled and pointed a finger toward the back of the restaurant. �Go into the kitchen and take a break, and don�t come back here until your appeal is on again. I want you to be so charming that these fellows will swoon and leave their girlfriends for you. Got that!� Misao shrugged her shoulders and ambled past Jiya towards the kitchen. On her way there, her mind wandered back to that impulsive young man again. He had been so happy to be stabbed by her kunai. But then he retreated when he had gotten a closer look at her. He retreated because he saw what it was that made her want to continue to live a life of an Oniwabanshu. She did it for Jiya, Okon, Omasu, Shiro, and Kuro; but more than anything she did it for Aoshi. Thinking of his name made Misao stop before the kitchen door. Why was she so insistent about this? Why could she not let it go and just be his friend? Why do I have to love him so much? Aoshi-sama doesn�t flirt with me. He doesn�t do little romantic things like let me throw my kunai at him! Aoshi-sama doesn�t do stuff like that! He thinks that I�m a kid, a buddy, who he can hang out with. How can a little weasel girl like me attract him? She felt her chest grow tight. Thinking about him so intensely always made it hard for her to breathe. Her next thought almost made her fall down on her knees in tears. What makes me think that Aoshi-sama could ever love me? Misao shook her head as she gritted her teeth. I won�t do this to myself! Jiya�s right. I have to be a darling for the customers, and I can�t do that if I�m thinking about HIM! Forget about him! Screw him! She slammed her hands against the kitchen door and stormed in. Her determination melted away immediately. At the other side of the kitchen, by the sink facing the counter stood Aoshi- and he was�singing?! His head moved slightly to whatever beat played in his head, his voice low and clear. He had looked up when he heard the door slam open, and when he saw that it was Misao, he looked over his shoulder to direct his smoldering gaze at her. Then he turned and made his way slowly toward her as his voice soared. �Unified, peace of mind, on the floor, take a little time, Come and see, groove with me, give me a little sign, I�ll be there, after a while, if you want my love, We can boogie,� Aoshi was right in front of her now, his frame lowered so that they were at eye level, his head inclined just a little so that his lips were close to brushing against hers. He took her by the elbows, and pulled her body close to his. One hand settled into the small of her back while the other went to take hold of her hand. He did all of this with one fluid movement that Misao had no time to realize what Aoshi had in mind. He touched his forehead to hers, and froze her with his steel gaze. Then he lightly brushed his lips over hers and continued to sing. �On down, down, boogie on down, down, we boogie on down, Down, we boogie on down, On down,� As he sang he twirled her all around the kitchen, spinning her forward then pulling her back into his arms to grind his hips against hers and then bend her body backwards. When he yanked her back up the tips of their noses touched, sending her mind reeling. �Let�s groove tonight, share the spice of life, Baby, slice it right, We gonna groove tonight��� * Misao was getting dizzy from all of the spinning, from the playful spark in Aoshi�s eye while he danced, and from the fact that every inch of his body was pressed so close to hers. She never knew that he danced; never knew that a cold fish like him could move like that and make elegant steps so steamy. He thrust her forward one last time so that she spun right into the counter. Misao gripped its edge to keep her knees from buckling. Kami-sama, what has gotten into him? Have the gods been listening to me? That look in his eyes is sooo sexy. His body felt so nice, and that voice is gonna make me melt! She cursed herself. Goddamit! He�s such a tease�and I�m so WEAK!! Aoshi, who enjoyed the fun he was having with Misao, quickly switched to his somber self again. He was back at the other end of the kitchen, the way he was when she had entered. He looked over his shoulder again, his eyes shifting this time to look past her into the hallway. When he turned to her again, his hand rose to brush the hair from his eyes so that he could cast his inquiring gaze at her. �Screw who?� Misao�s hand went to cover her mouth. Damn, was I saying all of that out loud? She waved her hand to dismiss the question, and composed herself again. She was surprisingly cool, even under Aoshi�s searching gaze. �No one. I was just thinking about something that happened the other day. It�s nothing really.� She felt sweat on her forehead. Aoshi narrowed his eyes. �I see,� was all he said and then he turned back to the counter. He looked as if he was working on something, so Misao felt like being nosy. �Aoshi-sama, what are you doing?� He didn�t turn around. �Making rice balls. Okina asked me to make a special batch while Shiro and Kuro concentrate on their orders. It�s a full house today, Misao. Why are you back here, and not greeting our customers?� Misao was in too much shock to be offended by his question. Shinomori Aoshi, Okashira of the Oniwabanshu, was actually doing manual work in the Aoiya? She couldn�t believe that she heard him correctly. �You�re doing what?� Aoshi stopped this time and turned his head slightly. �I�m making rice balls. The others are too busy, so I thought I would help them out. Okon and Omasu are waiting tables. You should be doing that as well if you�re not happy staying in the front.� As he returned to his work, Misao finally understood what he was saying. �Oi! I�m back here because Jiya sent me here to take a break! He has the front covered, so just keep on rolling the rice and don�t worry about what I should be doing,� she snapped. Aoshi stopped working and looked over his shoulder again. �It�s only been an hour. Why do you need a break?� Misao was ready to explode. Because, you�re driving me crazy, and you don�t even realize it!, she thought making her best effort to control her temper. Sometimes, he could ask the most annoying questions. She just glared at him, and poured herself a cup of tea. Then she got curious. �When did you learn how to make rice balls?� Aoshi was still looking at her, but now his gaze grew dark, and searching. His gray eyes turned to ice as he peered right through her. �I learned when I first arrived at the Oniwabanshu. Hyottoko especially liked them so I had a lot of practice making them. How is it, out front?� he asked changing the subject. Misao made a face before she could stop herself, then she looked sheepishly at Aoshi. �It�s okay I guess. There are lots of couples in love that want to come here to eat instead of checking into an inn. Which is where half of them belong,� she muttered dryly, rolling her eyes. Aoshi continued to stare. �I see. They are very enthusiastic about this festival. So tell me, which boy has decided to come and court you for Tanabata? Or have they all formed a line outside the Aoiya waiting for you to get off work?� Misao looked down at the floor. Why was he so interested in who was going to ask her out? The truth was she hadn�t seen any of those young men for a week, which made her think that her appeal was fading. A week before Tanabata, and they realize that they didn�t go for weasel girls. God, men are stupid. Or am I the stupid one? She felt Aoshi�s gaze on her and wondered what his plans were for Tanabata. He had to have a date. He was too damned handsome to be alone on this day. Misao looked up again, straight into Aoshi�s eyes. Her breath caught again. She couldn�t help the thoughts that came into her head. He was so sexy in his silence, and he charmed her even more when he revealed his true self. She wished he could be like that more often. He had gotten to be very open with her since Himura brought him back. He had resumed his duties as the Okashira, made her his assistant and in effect they had become very close. Misao liked the fact that Aoshi had chosen her to let loose with. Liked it when he broke out into laughter on those rare occasions when the other Oniwabanshu were out of earshot, and liked it when he unmercifully made jokes at the most inopportune times so that she had no way of stopping the embarrassing laugh attack that would always burst forth. He was actually fun to be around now, but she couldn�t help wondering when the time would come when he decided to choose someone more permanent to be fun with. She hated to think about it, but she couldn�t escape the facts. Their friendship wouldn�t last forever. She wanted to bite her tongue off at the next question. �What about you? Which lady have you decided to grace with an invitation, Aoshi-sama?� She saw the slightest bit of ice melt, but he still remained stone-faced. �I am working today. I have no time for that.� Misao�s heart sank, regardless. Aoshi didn�t have a romantic bone in his body. No date? Concentrating on work? What kind of a boyfriend would he make, if anyone were interesting enough to catch his attention, and then snag him? Misao stopped at that thought. Why am I wondering? I would never know. He would never see me in that way, and he would never give our souls a chance to connect. Yet, he had acted rather strangely, taking her into his arms and dancing with her so closely while he sang. It was the oddest thing, and she still could not get over it. What had possessed him to do something so unlike himself, and with her of all people? Did this festival make him enthusiastic as well? She closed her eyes for a moment to calm herself. Her blood was racing, and she felt the heat of anticipation in her heart. It spread and it made her sweat again. She wiped at her forehead, and before she could stop herself she proclaimed breathlessly, �It�s hot.� �We are near the burner,� Aoshi stated simply. Misao�s heart felt that hit. Her head bowed in defeat. �So, we are. How �bout that? I think I�ll go back now.� She was definitely not ready to go back out front. But it would definitely not be as hard for her to function as it was now. She finished her tea, and avoided his eyes as she headed for the door. �Misao.� Her name coming forth from his lips made her knees go weak again. She was really starting to hate this. She knew she should pretend not to hear him and go back to the front. But something about his tone made her stop and turn around. When she faced him again, he had fully turned so that he faced her. She hadn�t noticed before that he wore Western attire; black fitted pants tucked inside calf length leather boots, and a simple white shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. She thought he looked very nice; very distinguished, even when he was dancing like a madman. She noticed he had something in his hand. �Misao. I want to show you what kind of rice balls I made.� He held his hand out and Misao moved in for a closer look. What could be so interesting about a rice ball?, she thought as her eyes finally focused on what lay in his hand. She wanted to die laughing. She never thought she would ever see rice balls molded to be shaped like hearts! It was a sweet idea. They made Himura�s rectangle shaped rice balls seem old and boring. For the moment she forgot how bad she was feeling, and giggled at the fact that her scary, icy, grim, Aoshi-sama was making cute little heart-shaped rice balls in the back of a sweltering kitchen. This kind of thing didn�t happen very often at the Aoiya. Aoshi watched Misao�s reaction closely enjoying the smile that spread across her face. �The heart is a symbol of love in the West, so I figured shaping the rice into hearts would be a clever idea. The customers really like them. I may end up making them until the Aoiya closes for the night.� Misao was fascinated with it. �How did you get it to shape so perfectly?� she asked staring at his curled fingers rather than the rice ball. �I�m not sure. I curled them in my palm and with my fingers until they looked like this. What do you think?� What do I think? You always surprise me, Aoshi-sama. Misao smiled up at him. �I think that you�ve been in this kitchen for too long. The heat of the burner is getting to you,� she joked. Aoshi�s eyes melted completely, and he shook his head. �No. Not the burner.� He came closer until he stood towering over her. Misao had no choice but to look up at him. His nearness made her nervous. Her heart skipped. Misao looked at the change of expression that came over Aoshi�s face, took it all in for she didn�t want to forget it. This could be her only chance at seeing her Okashira�s vulnerable side. She suddenly felt his flesh brush against her hand, warm fingers on hers making a bolt of electricity run up her spine. He curled his fingers around her hand and pulled it up so that her palm lay open before him. The hand that held the rice ball hovered above her open palm, tilting slightly until he let it roll out of his hand to fall gently into hers. The warm, sticky mass weighed nothing in her palm, yet she felt a heaviness from within pressing down into her skin as if trying to become one with her. Her arm froze in midair as her gaze fell on what was in her hand. Misao wasn�t surprised anymore. She felt faint. �Misao, I made this one for you. How is it?� Aoshi looked at her in a way she wasn�t used to. He always looked at her with laughter in his eyes, usually because he was making some joke, or thinking about something funny, which usually involved Jiya. But this time he was serious. Not like he was when he was obsessed with fighting Himura that one time. This was a different kind of seriousness. It was the kind that crept in and changed some part of your spirit. Aoshi was more light-hearted nowadays but he was not the kind of guy you could be emotionally open with. The man who stood before her now seemed to be preparing himself. An onslaught was coming from within, and he seemed unsure of what to do. Misao saw the tenseness surround him. He was nervous as well. Her hand inched upward now, slowly closing the gap until her lips touched the rice ball. A delicious aroma rose to fill her senses as she parted her lips, and took a bite. She didn�t notice how good it tasted. She didn�t care that it was probably the best rice ball she had in all her life. What she tasted was the effort his hands had put into making it for her. She tasted each moment of fervor that mystified him as he made it into such a perfect shape. His heart had been fluttering like hummingbird wings against his chest. He had lost his breath at the thought of what she would say to him when he presented his work to her. He had held the rice grains in his hand and broken into a sweat when he molded the shape with his palm. Whatever it was that caused him to hold back for all of this time faded when he had picked up a piece of cloth and passed along his forehead. Misao felt all of those sensations come into her as she devoured the rice ball, and she finally realized what it was she took in. She was consuming a piece of Aoshi�s heart. He looked at her as she chewed and the oddest expression of yearning came over him. She had never seen this in any of those boys. They were like puppies trailing after her, and that young man with her kunai had been a test of her devotion. She felt Aoshi�s pull now, and it was much stronger. She had no way of resisting, or denying; he was finally giving himself in. The door of the kitchen opened and Okon floated inside. �Aoshi-sama. Are you done with the rice-balls yet? I have some very impatient tables waiting.� Aoshi was grim once again, as he regarded Okon coolly. �Tell them to wait another minute. I have a few more to roll.� Okon frowned, unmoved by his coldness. �Aoshi-sama, you work too slow! If these people didn�t like your cooking so much I�d kick you out and make them myself! Alright, you have one minute,� she said, holding her hand, in front of his face and pointing the index finger upward to indicate how long she was going to wait. When she left, Aoshi looked after her, a smirk curling the corners of his mouth. Okon�s presence in the kitchen made Misao realize that she had to leave Aoshi alone, and get back to work. Reluctantly, she snapped out of her spell and collected herself as best she could before she departed. �Aoshi-sama. I am going back out front. Jiya is going to wonder what happened to me, and Okon gave you only one minute to finish. I don�t want her to get mad at you.� Aoshi�s smirk faded and he looked thoughtful for a moment. �One minute. I should get to work then.� Misao nodded and took that as her cue to leave. He was all business again, and her heart sank. It was as if she had not seen him as she had just minutes before. I probably imagined everything, she thought and headed for the door. She never knew what hit her. All she knew was that a pair of strong arms circled her waist and turned her around to meet hot lips, in a scorching kiss. Her breath stopped when she felt his tongue in her mouth, and her body melted when she felt his hands grip and paw all over her. He pulled her close to him, his hands trailing up her back, over her shoulders, along her neck, and finally cupping her face with his hands as he continued to kiss her. Misao threw her arms around him and felt the intense heat of his body consume her. With one touch of his lips he was giving everything he had ever held back and she accepted it all, curling the material of his shirt into her fingers, wanting to beg for more. Then she was leaning against the counter, her mind a swirling heap of desire, as Aoshi pulled away from her and dashed for his rice-balls. He held the tray out as Okon came through the door. She took the tray and bowed graciously. �Arigato, Aoshi-sama�, she said and then she was gone again. Misao had bolted upright at the sight of Okon, and had remained stiff hoping that she would not notice her. She knew that she must have looked like a mess with her ragged breathing and heaving chest, while Aoshi looked cool and composed as if nothing had happened. As soon as the door closed, Aoshi was on her again, making her breathless with his hands and his lips. He devoured her throat with kisses, and cupped her breasts over her kimono, squeezing them gently and trailing his mouth down so that he kissed each mound. Misao let out a strangled moan, and then Aoshi was off her again. This time he was at the side door of the kitchen greeting Kuro, who handed Aoshi a tray of sashimi. �Table number five is waiting for this. I think it�s Omasu�s section. Are you going to taste it before it goes?� Kuro asked expectantly. Aoshi shook his head. �No. I�m sure it�s fine. Go on back and just keep working through your orders. You guys don�t need me to check up on your cooking. Just let me know when the orders are ready and I�ll notify the ladies to pick them up.� Kuro winked and granted Aoshi a, thumbs up before he headed back to work. Aoshi then went to the front kitchen door with the tray and stepped outside. Omasu spotted him and immediately came over. �Table five?� she asked. Aoshi nodded and she took the tray and bowed. �Arigato, Aoshi-sama,� and then she was gone. Aoshi didn�t even give Misao a chance to breathe. He had her face in his hands again, kissing her as he pushed her to the counter. His passion made him clumsy and they banged into it making Misao�s head fall back. She felt his mouth on her exposed throat, she felt his heavy body press her down, and felt his hands dig under the hem of her kimono to caress her thighs. Aoshi was making her delirious. Her hands went to touch his hair and she was thrilled to finally feel how soft it was. His mouth closed over hers again, his fiery tongue claiming her like a vice, and filling her entire body with a pulsing fever. She felt herself surrendering and she wasn�t sure if she would be able to stop herself. One of his hands slipped further up her thigh, trailing farther inside until it rubbed her ever so lightly. �Aoshi-sama!� she gasped, breaking away from his lips. She knew that she didn�t imagine that. She gazed up at him, his face hovering inches above hers, and saw clearly that he hungered for more. He leaned heavily forward, burrowing beneath her chin to kiss the hollow of her neck. Misao never expected to be so overwhelmed by Aoshi. She had spent many lazy afternoons dreaming of an encounter like this. She had spent her silent evenings thinking about how he would finally tell her how much he had always been in love with her. Now, as she felt him unleash the animalism he had kept inside for so long, it made her believe that she had underestimated his response. He was more than excited; he was completely enthralled. Misao, in return wanted to soothe him. She wanted to touch him, and hold him so tightly that he couldn�t imagine that they existed as two separate souls. But none of that would happen at that moment for Misao felt herself being pulled to her feet. Aoshi had wrenched himself away yet again, only this time he took a few seconds to restore her appearance. He straightened her kimono, and smoothed her hair back, tucking some stray bangs around her ear so that she looked fresh and innocent again. He looked into her blue eyes. This time he saw more than the adoration she had always held for him. He saw her happiness at finally breaking through the shroud of thorns he had kept around himself for so long-and he was glad she had finally won. �Misao, today my heart is yours, just as it has always been,� he said softly, pressing his forehead against hers. Misao felt tears form in her eyes. Aoshi smiled at her, a small simple smile before he kissed her gently and pulled away just as Okina walked into the kitchen. Aoshi was at the counter once again, working on his rice-balls. �Misao! How long of a break do you need?� Jiya scolded, eyeing her reproachfully. �You�re in here bothering Aoshi, while I have people waiting for a pretty, young hostess to tend to them.� Then he noticed something and pulled back. Misao felt a huge sweat-drop coming on. �Misao! You�re glowing!� He thrust his face into hers for a closer look. His eyes bugged out with happiness, and Misao�s eyes bugged out with fear. �You look absolutely stunning! The heat of this kitchen must have done wonders for your cheeks. Look how rosy they are!� He spun her around and steered her through the kitchen door. Misao almost died with relief. �Quick, go back out there and take everyone�s breath away! I want to be fighting off piles of men who want your hand in marriage. Now go!� Misao felt Jiya shove her through the door and she couldn�t help but smile. She stole one last glance at Aoshi before the door closed behind her. He had turned to look at her and she saw the gleam within those once gray slits of ice shine through and creep into her soul. Then he winked at her. As she glided back to her post, she couldn�t help but giggle at what she had heard once the kitchen door was closed. Her formerly disgruntled Jiya was now biting Aoshi�s head off. �Now you�ve done it. You�ve ruined my Misao, you beast! She�ll be escorting our patrons into closets all night, and you will be making crooked and lewdly shaped rice balls. Our customers will be so offended and it�ll be all your fault!� The sound of Aoshi�s wistful voice made her heart tingle. �Okina, you must have been reading my mind when you sent Misao back here. Now, I�m inspired to make a batch of rice balls shaped like�� Aoshi must have shown Jiya what he had in mind because Misao soon heard a soft thump, and then a roar of laughter that resonated throughout the entire Aoiya. Curious heads turned to face the back of the restaurant and stare at the kitchen door. The flapping of a piece of cloth could be heard fanning over something, and that was soon followed by the unmistakable sound of Aoshi�s laughter filled voice. �Okina? Are you all right? My, my, for a swinging old man you�re pretty bashful. Don�t worry. Misao wasn�t that exposed.� -MK ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *AUTHORS NOTE: Okay, I know that 70�s R&B band, Earth Wind and Fire, never existed in 19th century Japan. But having �Let�s Groove� programmed to repeat while I wrote this story kind of screwed my mind a little bit. Gomen, minna! **Lots of musical inspiration contributed to the writing of this story, and I thought I�d let you in on what kinds of songs warped my creative mind. Aside from the tunes of Earth Wind and Fire, I had help from Kool & The Gang�s, �She�s Fresh�, and �Misled� (I would have used their song, �Jungle Boogie�, but I thought it was too funky for this WAFFY theme). Dead or Alive�s �You Spin Me Right Round� gave me the temporary working title, �You Spin Me Right Round, Misao�, but that was quickly replaced by the working title, �Let�s Groove, Misao�, for obvious reasons. Fun, happy tunes were what I wanted to hear and I basically heard anything that had �groove� in it like, Deelite�s �Groove is in the Heart�, Madonna�s �Into the Groove�, Peaches and Herb�s �Shake Your Groove Thing�, and of course Earth Wind and Fire�s, �Let�s Groove�. I also threw in Love Tribe�s, �Stand Up�, Rob Bass� �It Takes Two�, and The Wiseguys� �Start the Commotion�, cuz you can groove really hard to those songs. �La Murga� by Puerto Rican legend, Hector Lavoe made a special appearance just for the fact that it is perfect for dancing, and Aoshi and Misao do a little bit of that. (Actually, the song is by Willie Colon; Hector Lavoe supplies the voice- and what a wonderful voice it was.) �Denise� by Randy and the Rainbows is a cute, simple song that goes with the story, even though it mentions someone else�s name. It also happens to be one of my favorite Doo Wop songs, which joins such inspirations as, � A Teenager in Love� and �I Wonder Why� by Dion & The Belmonts, and another favorite, �Duke of Earl�, by Gene Chandler. I also listened to quite a few current hits like, �Kiss Me�, by Sixepence None the Richer, Sister Hazel�s �Hard to Say�, Smashmouth�s �Walking on the Sun� (for the groovy beat), Faith Hill�s �Breathe�, Madonna�s �Deeper and Deeper�, a little bit of Marilyn Manson�s �I Put a Spell on You� and about five seconds of �Guerilla Radio� by Rage Against the Machine, before I yanked that one out of my CD player. Like the song, but didn�t like the direction it made me take in the story. Well, Minna this was my first attempt at a non-Sano/Megumi fic and I hope that you enjoyed it. I will continue to explore life beyond Sano and Megumi, because Aoshi and Misao are a rather intriguing pair; but I won�t stop my journey into the love between Sanosuke and Megumi. Those two have so many possibilities as do all of the characters of RK. Thanks for reading- MK Fanfiction Archive Back to Main Page |