Obsessed Much?

By Shin Sankai

Author Note: This is a oneshot broken into two chapters…and mainly because its so damn long, so hopefully it will be enjoyed so far and I'll get to finishing it off soon.

OoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooO

A knock at the door alerted the young woman inside her bedroom that someone had entered her apartment without her knowing about it and was now currently snapping her out of a blissful sleep. Turning over from her slumped position staring at her wall, she faced the door and watched as it creaked open.

"Mou, Misao-chan, you are still in bed!" Quipped a young woman, a year older then Makimachi Misao, who was also her best friend and waving the spare key to her apartment in her hand.

"I'm up, I was just…"

"Daydreaming again?" Misao's best friend questioned and Misao answered with poking her tongue out at the woman dressed in yellow tank top, white jeans and a pair of white sandals.

"Shut up Kaoru, you know I can't help it alright?" Misao grumbled back as she flipped her bed covers away and sauntered over to her cupboard while trying not to trip over the clothes scattered on the carpet.

Misao ended up throwing her arm up at the brightness moving into her usually dark room as Kaoru moved in further to reef the curtains open to let in some mid morning light. As Misao pulled out a red button down top to look it over she listened to Kaoru sigh and knew she was about to go into one of her usual rants.

"Misao-chan, when are you going to kick this punk/goth style room of yours? Its far too gloomy for someone as cheerful as you."

"My room doesn't need to match my personality Kaoru-chan and furthermore you know I'll never quit loving him." Misao snapped moodily back knowing everytime Kaoru came into her bedroom it was the same speech over and over again. Kaoru turned to face Misao as she stood in front of her cupboard dressed only in purple underwear and a navy blue tank top before turning back to look at one of the posters on her wall.

"Still though, how can you stand to look at all these posters, articles, wallscrolls and pictures all the time? It's just so creepy!" Kaoru complained while shivering as she stared at a close up shot of a man with inky jet black hair which had been spiked in all directions, giving off the "just woke up" look.

"Ah, I hate that picture, its like he's trying to stare right into my soul." Kaoru voiced once more as she broke her own eye contact away from that poster as icy green eyes were staring back at her.

"Then don't stare at it Kaoru."

"Misao-chan its either him staring creepily like that, posing in leather or draped nakedly in leopard sheets that look like they'll reveal his package any second!" The 22-year-old listened to Misao laugh at her words as she turned to face Misao who was slipping into a pair of hipster pants.

"You bad girl Kaoru-chan, you're not meant to be staring at Aoshi-sama's package." Misao retorted as she pulled the red top from its hanger and placed it over her navy blue tank top.

"Oh please, how can I not, look at it!" Kaoru gestured and Misao turned around to look at the large poster on her wall of the icy eyed, frowning beauty strewn all over her bedroom walls. He was lounging on a black sheet covered mattress but his back was propped up against mahogany wood. His neck was slightly arched, eyes closed from the camera and one arm lifted up as his hand supported the back of his neck. His other bare arm was flopped to the plain black sheet while his chest was bare and his usual infinite amount of scars had been covered up by make-up. A silk leopard print sheet was draped over his lower regions, one bare leg raised to make the sheet fall lower almost revealing his "package" while his other lay flat against the mattress. If it was any lower Misao would faint everytime she saw it, so lucky for her it wasn't.

This man, scattered lovingly over her walls was Shinomori Aoshi, aged 26. He'd been singing since he was 17, went professional at 21 after studying music and learned to play the guitar and drums in that time at Toudai as well. When his debut single came out, it was morbid and dark and he'd instantly become a chick magnet because of his gorgeous body and mesmerising singing voice. Not only that but Shinomori Aoshi also scored points for looking unbelievable in leather attire as well.

However, as much as Misao loved him in leather attire, posing practically naked like every other third Japanese girl, she in fact began to love him when she gazed upon his eyes. Most of his earlier pictures from magazines always had him in sunglasses and the rare ones where he didn't wear them; Misao snapped them up in a second. She just had this strange intense feeling that there was so much more behind those icy orbs.

Sadly to Misao's knowledge she'd only been to one of his concerts and ended up being trampled on by teenagers with raging hormones as they practically stampeded there way to the front of the stage, thus making Misao collapse unconscious from the shock of it all and lack of oxygen. Of course all that was now in the past and Misao would not dwell on it any longer as she sprayed on some deodorant before grabbing her bag and then was dragged out of her bedroom.

"Come on Misao-chan, you're meant to come to 'Fox Fashions' with me and pick out an outfit so I look stunning at Kenshin's gala dinner party at his mansion this evening." As Misao placed on her sneakers she couldn't help but comment on Himura's feelings towards her short tempered best friend.

"Himura will love you in a garbage bag Kaoru-chan."

"That's so sweet…now move it shortie!" Sighing and ignoring the 'short' remark, Misao headed for the lifts after locking her door and waited for it to take them to the ground floor. Her ocean blue eyes caught Kaoru beaming a large smile at her which instantly got alarm bells ringing in her mind.

"What are you planning?"

"Kenshin wants me to ask you if you'd be his media photographer for tonight's dinner." Rolling her eyes, Misao left the lift and the building to head for Kaoru's car parked just down the road.

"I knew it…and this would mean if I accept I have to dress up doesn't it?"

"Kenshin said he'd pay for your entire outfit." Misao pursed her lips as she got into the passenger side of Kaoru's car and finally sighed in submission.

"Fine…" Makimachi Misao was in fact a professional photographer and a starving one at that. Its not like she got jobs all the time, but nevertheless she loved what she did. She'd just finished publishing her first ever photography book based on her birth city of Kyoto, which was due to go on sale tomorrow. It was quite an exciting time for her, not knowing whether it would sell or not, but that wouldn't stop her from doing her next book on Tokyo though.

In any case there was no way Misao could say no to a job, especially when her best friend was looking pleadingly at her and the fact she'd gotten her rent bill two weeks ago and still hadn't paid it. She'd been living on instant noodles for quite sometime too and knew a little bit of money would help her immensely.

Oo Fox Fashions oO

"Good morning Megumi-san!" Kaoru happily voiced as she walked into the expensive designer label store. A woman with long black hair turned to gaze at her two new customers and placed on a smile for them. Kaoru was a regular customer of hers thanks to Kenshin splashing out his money on her and Misao; well Misao was just Kaoru's follower it seemed. She wasn't big into label clothing at all.

"Kaoru-san, a pleasant surprise, how may I help you?" The maroon eyed beauty voiced as she flipped loose strands of hair over her shoulder.

"Kenshin's holding another gala party, seems to me like he's going to officially announce our engagement to his closest family, friends and business associates. It's rather late since the wedding is in a month, but I still need to look stunning."

"I have just the dresses, they came in last night, so follow me my dear." Misao decided not to follow and sat on the sofa, boredly reading through one of 'Fox Fashions' catalogues as Kaoru began to try on outfit after outfit.

Two hours later and reading the catalogue 20 times, Kaoru had finally chosen a little black number, strapless and with a chiffon overlay. The bodice of it had small black beads decorating it, but just below her breasts it fell into chiffon.

"Hooray, lets go eat!" Misao happily voiced as she stood up from the sofa but instead of heading for the door she was thrown into a change room of her own and looked upon several outfits hanging up in it.

"You aren't eating until you pick out something for this evening as well Misao-chan." Misao rolled her eyes but did as ordered since she knew Kaoru was deadly serious.

A gruelling half hour passed for Misao and she had decided on a shimmering silver halter neck style top which tied around her neck and back leaving a lot of skin bare that she'd never shown off before and a pair of tight form fitting leather pants. It then took another 15 minutes for Misao and Megumi to coax Kaoru into agreeing with the outfit, but finally it was done, Kaoru paid for the outfits in cash and the two women left the store to grab a bite to eat.

OoOoO

"Misao-chan, make sure you arrive at Kenshin's by 7pm sharp. I'm sure he'll send a car for you in any case. The guests don't arrive till 7:15 but he'd like you to set up so everyone that arrives can have their picture taken alright?"

"Hai, hai…" Misao muttered as she stepped out of Kaoru's car right out the front of her apartment building and closed the door.

"Are you sure you don't want to come to the beauty salon with me?"

"Nah, I'll get Kamatari to fix me up." Misao voiced and then waved Kaoru goodbye, as she would be going to the beauty salon and spending another 2 or even 3 hours there. Misao couldn't handle that. She was far too homey and liked doing her own make-up anyway. As for her long blue-black locks of hair, well she had her gay neighbour who would happily fix it up for her.

Heading back upstairs towards her one bedroom apartment and back to her "gloomy" room Misao thought she'd lie down for a little bit before annoying her neighbour. You never know…he could have company after all.

OoOoO

Glancing herself over in the mirror, Misao still wasn't too sure about her outfit, but there was no chance of trying to exchange it now. It was 6pm already and Misao darted from her room and headed for her front door to go pound on her neighbours.

"Tari-chan, are you home?" Misao voiced while knocking on the door. Her hair was currently pinned messily atop her head and she squealed happily when her always femininely dressed neighbour answered his door.

"Oh my goodness, where is my camera? Misao-chan you look gorgeous!" Kamatari gasped happily as he pulled Misao into his brightly furnished unit. Misao was dressed in the halter top, the small ties secured in double knots and bows against her pale skin and the leather pants constricted her usual longer strides so she had to walk slower. Her make-up was lightly down with her ocean orbs standing out more as she wore smoky eye shadow to blend it into her top that glittered when exposed to light. On her feet was a pair of black strap high heels, mostly covered by the length of the pants.

"Can you curl my hair or something?" Misao questioned and within seconds she was sitting in a chair and Kamatari was moving between his spare bedroom and the living area bringing out his hairdresser kits.

Forty minutes later and Misao moved her head this way and that as ripples of curled blue-black hair fell down her back, but most had been pinned half up half down style. Small fake diamond flower hairpins were strewn through her hair and Misao couldn't help but think she didn't scrub up too bad when she tried.

"Thanks Tari-chan." Misao voiced and hugged her transvestite friend as she dashed from his apartment, went straight back into her own to grab her camera equipment and was down to the ground floor as fast as the lift could take her. It so happened just as she stepped out of the double doors a black Mercedes pulled up, which happened to be one of Kenshin's many cars, as it was here to drive her to his mansion.

Oo Himura Estate – Three Hours Later oO

Misao had been at the gala for quite sometime now and was finishing up her 6th roll of film. Kaoru and Kenshin had forgotten to mention the amount of people that would be attending this gala and in fact Misao had spent 4 of the 6 rolls of film used so far just photographing the guests that had arrived exactly on 7:15pm.

The news of Kenshin's engagement to her best friend Kaoru had cheers erupt through the ballroom and some 'about time' as well. A toast was made to the soon to be wed couple, so more pictures were taken and then it wasn't long before Misao was out of film once more.

Leaving the ballroom and heading back towards the main entrance and where her camera bag was situated in the coatroom, Misao noticed no one was around. She walked inside the coatroom and located her camera bag and found another roll of film. She was lucky she carried 10 rolls with her at a time. Misao placed the used up roll of film into the container belonging to her new one and clipped her camera bag closed. With eyes down as she fiddled with placing in her new film, Misao did not notice the man situated in front of her and she bumped straight into him. Quickly lifting her eyes, she noticed the man had his back to her.

"I'm terribly sorry." Misao voiced apologetically, as she hadn't been looking where she was going and instantly reeled back, eyes wide in pure shock as this stranger turned around.

This man was dressed in combat boots, leather pants, grey muscle shirt showing off the outline of his supple muscles beneath the shirt and a necklace with a skeleton's head was around his neck. Misao moved her wide blue eyes further up to see a passive face and eyes covered by black designer sunglasses.

"Oh…my…god…" Misao couldn't help but squeak out as before her very eyes stood the Shinomori Aoshi…in the flesh!

"So many times I dreamt this scenario and I'm not even doing any of the things I thought I would do." Aoshi remained quiet as he looked upon the petite yet awestruck and babbling young woman before him. He hadn't meant to be noticed by anyone and was waiting for the girl to scream her lungs out and shout his arrival but she voiced nothing as her blue orbs continued to stare widely up at him.

"Ah, can I do one thing?" Misao boldly asked of the very aloof and quiet punk/goth singer before her. She had to do this one thing even if he already thought of her as a lunatic "fangirl" as it was.

"If you must." Aoshi suddenly replied not knowing why he was allowing this stranger to "do" something to him. Misao herself had to quickly stop from swooning aloud at the huskiness of his voice. Instead, taking a deep breath she lifted her hands, her dainty fingers pulling the designer glasses away from his eyes. She now fully stared up at the 6-foot tall singer as she openly gazed into blinking green orbs, which weren't covered by his sexy long bangs or designer sunglasses.

"So much better then in pictures." Misao lightly confessed, as the pad of her index finger lightly caressing the soft skin at the corner of Aoshi's left eye before a clearing of the throat made Misao jerk away from the intoxicating man. The both of them turned to look at a man at the foot of the stairs heading for the second floor as he bowed lightly, it being one of Kenshin's butlers.

"Master Himura is waiting in his private office to see you Shinomori-san."

"Thank you…" Aoshi replied as he followed the butler up the stairs leaving Misao alone to watch his retreating figure. She stood in the main entranceway for a full five minutes before bringing up her hand to slap her cheek. When it stung Misao knew she hadn't been dreaming and glanced down at her right hand to see those designer black shades were still nestled gently within her grasp.

"OH MY GOD!" Misao yelled and this time raced back into the ballroom and stalked out Kaoru who was currently sitting up the front talking to one of Kenshin's friends who happened to be Sagara Sanosuke and in fact Megumi's husband. Though where Megumi was Misao didn't know, not that it mattered when she just had to tell Kaoru who she saw.

Of course as Misao tried distracting Kaoru to give her the best news in the world she'd ever been involved in, she couldn't do so because as soon as she reached the front table, Kenshin walked back into the room and asked Kaoru to dance with him. Sulkily moving back to her table and sitting with people she didn't even know Misao picked up her camera to snap some pictures of the 'disgustingly sweet' couple. While doing this she pouted and thought over her very first interaction with "Aoshi-sama" and would have to tell Kaoru the news another day because this wasn't her night but Kenshin and Kaoru's. Though why Shinomori Aoshi was at the same dinner party as her was quite extraordinary. Dropping thoughts of the mysterious man, Misao continued to do her job and didn't even know a pair of steely eyes was watching her every move from a dully-lit corner of the ballroom.

OoOoO

The night came to a close around 11pm and Misao hadn't even gotten a chance to say good night to Kaoru. At this very moment she was being driven back to her apartment building in Kenshin's black Mercedes after telling him she'd get his photo's delivered by tomorrow and send them to his house in the afternoon. Kenshin of course was in no rush, but Misao liked to be professional and prompt in her work even when dealing with a friend.

Thanking her driver Misao headed up to her apartment and unlocked her door before closing and locking it behind her. Placing her things on the floor Misao headed straight for her bathroom to remove the make-up and take out her hair. Once she was finished there Misao moved on bare feet to her room where she removed her new clothing thanks to Kenshin and placed on a baggy white shirt over her underwear and promptly flopped onto her double bed. Turning over to look up at her ceiling (the only piece of wall that didn't have Shinomori Aoshi decorated over it) Misao sighed happily and began to doze, the lamp on the side table burning away into the night.

Oo The Next Morning oO

Ironically Misao was up before midday and currently walking down the busy streets of Tokyo as she'd just dropped off her 8 rolls of film. She was told to come back in a few hours and so Misao now hummed lightly to herself as she casually strolled through one of the many malls. She was dressed in faded black jeans, a white tank top and a grey hooded sweatshirt, which covered her tank from view. A backpack was over her shoulders while her hands remained in the front pockets of the sweatshirt.

As Misao stopped to window shop, looking at pewter ornaments of castles and dragons she jumped when she heard a teenager scream just merely inches behind her and race off. With heart pounding and not a single clue what was going on Misao watched with slightly wide eyes as another 6 screaming teenagers raced in the same direction the first girl had gone. Shaking her head at the weirdness of girls these days, Misao continued on her way only to stop about three stores away from what seemed to look like either 50 or maybe even a 100 screaming girls.

Of course that wasn't what made Misao truly stop. She'd been in the middle of screaming girls before, so that was no problem. Instead her surprise was locked onto the 6-foot tall figure moving out of the entertainment shop where the females had gathered and was being pushed into a silver Mercedes by a spiky brown haired male.

"Aoshi-sama…" Misao murmured to herself as she stood on the pavement and watched the car pull away from the curb. As she stood there, looking awfully casual she observed as the window was down and became fascinated as Shinomori Aoshi was starring right at her! As the car drove past, Aoshi's finger was tapping the side of another pair of sunglasses he had over his eyes.

"Eh?" Misao muttered while her back was turned to the fanatic fangirls of Aoshi Shinomori and watched the car turn a corner. Misao snapped out of her slight daze, as she had to catch herself from slamming straight into the pavement below her as a dozen screaming girls went running after the car. Shaking her head Misao went on her way and straight for the entertainment building to see what all the fuss was about.

Walking inside she found flushed customer service representatives who were all sitting down having a break.

"Um, what was that all about?" Misao couldn't help but ask and watched as one of the reps for the store stood up.

"Shinomori-san was here launching a new poster of…" The woman never got to finish as Misao practically dived into the poster section near the front of the store at this awesome news. She quickly sifted through the display and squealed happily and sighed dreamily at the new poster of Aoshi.

The 26 year old was lying on a bed, on his stomach while one hand rested on a plain white pillow while the other held up his head, raising a little of his chest away from the mattress. One leg was slightly bent, but still covered as the black sheeting rode low against his back, showing off the upper part of his tight buttocks. His hair was dishevelled and slightly wet, droplets running down his face and a couple dropping off his chin giving off quite an intriguing look as though to analyse just exactly what he had been doing in that very bed. This time however his eyes were closed and lips slightly parted as if he was drawing out a breath of air. It was quite alluring indeed.

"No wonder the girls went insane." Misao mumbled to herself as she picked up the last poster and went straight to the counter to pay for it. Handing over the correct amount of money Misao went on her way with a merry tune breaking from her lips as she hugged the poster to her chest.

OoOoO

Hours passed and Misao headed back to the photo shop she was getting her films developed and then would go into her favourite café in Tokyo called the 'Akabeko' and get coffee and cake. It was like a ritual she did after every film development.

"Makimachi-san your film is ready." One of the young men behind the counter voiced as she walked into the store. She was a regular here after all.

"Thanks, can you put it on my account?" Misao questioned and got a nod from the young man. Grabbing the bag of developed photos Misao headed out and walked another two blocks before reaching the Akabeko.

Stepping inside Misao waved to Tsubame, one of the newest waitresses and pointed down towards the booths in the back, as she wanted one to herself to spread out the photos and look them over.

It wasn't long before Misao had her coffee and slice of cake and was musing over several photos of Kenshin and Kaoru. She'd hand the guest photos to Himura this afternoon, but she wanted several of the ones displayed on the table before her eyes. Misao was creating her own 'Kenshin & Kaoru' album from when they met all the way till when they'd be married in exactly one month. She had collected photos over the years and was placing them into an album and writing in perfect calligraphy sappy poetry that Kaoru loved. The only photo she was waiting on was the perfect wedding shot, which she herself would be taking because not only was she the Maid of Honour but also one of Kaoru's personal photographers as well.

"What are you doing?" Misao gasped in surprise and nearly spilled her coffee at that deep voice as she lifted her head up to notice someone she'd constantly been "seeing" was looking over the booth seat and down at her.

"A-A-A…"

"Lost your voice again?" She watched with wide blue eyes as the black clothed punk/goth rocker Aoshi Shinomori, moved from his own private booth and slid into the vacant seat across from her.

"These are from last night." He murmured and Misao could do nothing but dumbly nod her head.

"What are you doing here?" She finally found her voice, not meaning to actually say that question and observed Aoshi pick up a photo as though he hadn't even heard her.

"This is a good one." His voice came out husky and sent a shiver down Misao's spine as she peered at the photo he was holding up. It happened to be Megumi leaning over, kissing a flushed Kenshin on the cheek with a fuming Kaoru right at his side. Misao couldn't help but laugh as she cleared the photos from the tabletop.

"Do you realise if fangirls saw you, they'd destroy this café."

"Your point being?"

"I like this café and don't want it destroyed." Misao commented as she picked up her coffee and took a large gulp of it. She couldn't believe she was here, in the real world and having a conversation with her fantasy guy!

"This is why I'm in the back, no one sits down this area…except you it seems."

"Right…" Misao muttered as she placed her goods into her backpack only to have the poster tube fall from the seat and roll onto the floor. Her fingers just touched the tube as she bent to pick it up, but Aoshi's larger hand grasped it instead as he held it within his firm grip.

"What's in here?"

"Err, umm, just an old Lucifer poster when they were still together I found." Misao watched his eyebrows draw together at her quick thinking reply.

"Lucifer…" He had murmured and handed back her poster tube which Misao inwardly sighed about. "You like their music?"

"I have a wide range of music I like."

"Oh?"

"Yours is okay as well." Misao was lying through her teeth as she watched the man before her frown slightly at her words. "Are you perhaps…jealous that I'm not a fan of yours?"

"Where did you get that impression?"

"Well if I was a fan wouldn't I be ripping off your clothes by now?" Misao couldn't believe in a million years that she had boldly voiced that to him of all people. She listened to what seemed like a half chuckle break from his lips as his eyes closed at her words and his arms folded low against his chest.

"You have a point."

"Hence all the hiding ne?" Misao questioned and felt her heartbeat begin to thumb to its regular tune, as it seemed her flat out lying remark was the icebreaker between her and Aoshi.

"Aa…" The booth fell quiet as Misao fidgeted in her seat while Aoshi himself placed his elbows on the table, cupped his chin with both hands and decided to make this young woman before him even more nervous and calmly stared right at her.

"Ah, want to help me eat this cake?" Misao voiced the first thing she thought of as she scooped a piece of the cake into her mouth.

"I don't eat cake."

"You can't seriously sit here and tell me that you're trying to watch your weight can you?" At this remark Misao watched Aoshi's eyes break from hers.

"Alright then, I won't." Misao gawked at him but watched as his lips parted, she finally taking the hint that it seems he was now waiting for a piece of the cake.

"I'll grab another spoon."

"That one is fine." Aoshi responded before Misao could even put the spoon down as it had only just been in her mouth.

"But it's got…"

"What, Makimachi Misao cooties on it? I think I can handle them." The surprised look on her face was classic and Aoshi logged it into his memory like the one when they first met.

"You know my name." Misao breathed out and then promptly tilted her head in slightly confusion as she lifted the spoon to Aoshi with a piece of mud cake on it. "Wait, how do you know my…name?" The question was slightly delayed as instead of Aoshi taking the spoon from her hand he decided to move his face forward and it would now appear that Misao had just fed him. Her lips parted into a small 'o' and a tinge of pink decorated her cheeks.

"I bought your book." At Aoshi's comment and the fact he just pulled out the book from the bookstore bag beside him, so Misao could see he wasn't lying, her eyes glittered over in pure happiness. Not only that but her smile grew even wider as she stared over at her fascination of 5 years.

"You bought my book." Misao repeated and remained in her happy little place while Aoshi silently stared at her. He'd never seen eyes so bright, a smile so large and a pink flush before that made a woman look so…adorable.

"I have to go." Aoshi abruptly voiced, rising from the seat and Misao snapped out of her daze as she watched him leave. It wasn't long before the spiky haired male which turned out to now be Sagara Sanosuke (since Misao had only just met him last night and finally got a good look at him this time) followed him out and straight into the car before any girls could latch onto Aoshi. Watching it drive away Misao once more slumped into the cushioned booth and sighed blissfully once more.

"I've got to tell Kaoru-chan." Misao proclaimed and left money and a tip on the counter before darting out of the café and headed back towards her apartment building, her new Aoshi poster clutched tightly within her grip once more.

OoOoO

Barging straight into her home and slamming the door closed, Misao dashed straight for her bedroom and pulled out her new poster from its tube. She had a spot just above the headboard of her double bed and quickly stuck it to the wall with velcro.

Sitting on her bed, staring at the poster, Misao sighed as she smiled at the memory of her small conversation with Aoshi and then promptly leapt to her cordless phone and dialled Kaoru's number which happened to be Kenshin's private number that none of the butlers or maids picked up.

It continued to ring before it finally picked up, only now did Misao frown as it was Kenshin's recorded voice on the answering machine telling her that he and Kaoru weren't here and to please leave them a message.

"Oh my god Kaoru you won't believe what happened!" Misao voiced into her phone and began to rant before hanging up as she flopped onto her bed once more, the goofy smile not being able to break once from her lips this entire day.

Oo Himura Estate – Kenshin's Private Office oO

"What is that you asked me here for Himura?" A stern voice questioned as the redhead walked into his office with Aoshi standing at the door of it.

"Well sit down and I'll tell you." Kenshin watched Aoshi enter the office but he moved towards the window and not to the leather seats facing his mahogany desk.

"Oh, do you mind if I check my phone messages before we start?"

"Do what you will." Aoshi curtly voiced, not giving a damn and listened to the answering machine rewind before listening to a very familiar voice.

'Oh my god Kaoru you won't believe what happened! You'll never guess who I just had coffee and shared cake with? Aoshi Shinomori! Can you believe it? I was with my Aoshi-sama! It was awesome!'

Aoshi's eyes looked over his shoulder towards the answering machine at the 'my Aoshi-sama' remark and noticed surprised violet eyes were staring between the machine and him.

'He's not like journalists report him to be at all. And he bought my book! Ah I felt so happy that I wanted to leap over the table and hug him senseless! I wish I could take his picture. Anyway, look I'll tell you all about it when I see you tonight, ja ne.'

The private office was quiet as Aoshi turned to face the window once more as all that could be heard was the engaged signal.

"Ano, Aoshi-san…" Kenshin started but Aoshi butt in before he could go any further.

"I was at a poster launch, I went to have tea at the Akabeko and she was there. I don't see why I have to answer to you."

"Well you don't have to answer to me, I'm not your agent anymore. Just be careful if you are thinking about a relationship with Misao-san alright?"

"Why would I think that, she's probably just another crazy fan of mine."

"That may be true, but Misao's affection towards you goes a lot deeper then most girls who are fans of yours." Icy green orbs peered back at Kenshin who was sitting back in his velvet cushioned chair, arms lightly folded while gazing calmly at Aoshi.

"So why did you ask me here again?" Aoshi spoke, dropping the conversation about the blue eyed petite beauty he'd come across last night. He'd bumped into her at Kenshin's, pondered over what she meant by 'so much better then in pictures' and then when he saw her at the Akabeko his body moved without him noticing and he was sitting before her and wanting to converse with her.

"I would like for you to be my best men at my wedding Aoshi-san."

"Okay…" Aoshi half heartedly remarked in answer as he'd been surprised that this was all Kenshin asked when he seemed so serious last night.

"Fantastic, then I'll write you up a plan of needing to go get fitted for a tuxedo."

"Right…" Aoshi remarked as he waited for Kenshin since he snapped back into his professional "agent" mode and typed quickly on his laptop.

"So, about you and Misao-san…"

"Don't you start Himura, I already got this from Sagara." Aoshi darkly voiced and he was satisfied when the room went silent beside's Kenshin's fingers moving swiftly over his keyboard of course.

Slumping into the leather chair Aoshi drifted off into thoughts of the Akabeko, but mainly the pleasant smile of Misao when he voiced to her that he had purchased her book. Aoshi had gone shopping to pick up his book order at his local bookstore and came across "The Wonders of Kyoto" by Makimachi Misao and instantly picked up a copy. He'd seen several of her photographs, had liked them a lot but never knew who she was. It wasn't until he flipped to the back of the book and did a double take of the smiling woman on the inside cover giving a peace sign and holding her camera.

To Aoshi's stupefaction, Misao who couldn't place a lot of sentences together when he was in the vicinity and liked Lucifer over him fascinated his very thoughts, something someone hadn't done in a long time. Aoshi's eyebrows drew together as to why Misao liking Lucifer bothered him so much while Kenshin waited for his document to print out.

Oo Two Weeks Later oO

"Kaoru-chan this is way to big for me." Misao whined as she stepped out of the dressing room she was occupying and showed Megumi and Kaoru what she meant. Misao was currently holding up the strapless dress to her 'not busty at all' bust.

"That's why this is a fitting Misao-chan…and I'm buying you a padded bra as well." Kaoru sternly replied and grabbed pins along with Megumi as they began to pin the dress in place. Misao was currently in a pale yellow strapless dress. The bodice was lace while it flowed freely to Misao's ankles but bunched at the bottom because of Misao's height.

"Place on these shoes, they are sort of like the one's you'll wear so we can hem the bottom of the dress as well." Misao slipped into the shoes, not worrying about doing up the straps as Megumi went about pinning the bottom of it.

"Ne Kaoru-chan, how come you won't show me your wedding dress?" Misao whined once more and pouted at her best friend who did not fold at her pleading look.

"No one has seen it, not even Megumi-san. It is one of her designs, but I sent it to a dressmaker in Kyoto so no one could see it. I'm going there for a fitting in a few days. It's going to be a complete surprise for everyone."

"Fine…" Misao slouched only to be swatted on the butt by Megumi and her back and shoulders went straight once more.

Misao had already had a gruelling morning with deciding on how her hair was going to be placed up and it appeared Kaoru liked the French roll look. Pearl hairpins would be placed into her hair and real pearl earrings, necklace and bracelet would be her accessories. Small wisps of hair would also be curled around her face, especially strands that couldn't stay up in the hairstyle. Misao's bangs wouldn't be as thick as she usually had them but they would remain straight and situated around her pale face. Misao had also folded to Kaoru's pleading look to get a professional to do her make-up. She had squealed later on when she found the professional to be Kamatari, he was the only one to ever touch up her face with make-up.

"Stand up straight Misao-chan!" Kaoru voiced like a mother hen and Misao sighed as she was in for another gruelling afternoon, which hadn't happened since Kenshin's gala dinner. The thoughts of that dinner soon brought on thoughts of Aoshi Shinomori and the Akabeko.

Misao had gone back there several times and straight to the back only to be there in the booth on her own as there was no sight of Aoshi. Misao knew it was too good to be true and instead of dwelling on the handsome man she finally scored another job of a four-day trip exploring Mt Fuji-san. That had been one hell of an amazing experience that Misao couldn't even describe in words and so she placed copies of the pictures she did for the local tourist brochure into her scrapbook of what she thought was the best photo's she'd ever taken.

"Alright Misao-chan you're complete, now carefully take off the dress and we'll grab cake from the Akabeko and then its time to purchase your handbag, the shoes and pick up the accessories from the jewellery store." Misao groaned as she headed into the dressing room and changed back into her hipster jeans and dark green tank top. Slipping into her flip flops Misao handed the dress to Megumi and then waved goodbye to the laughing woman as Kaoru dragged her out to do more shopping.

As Misao walked down the street with Kaoru she listened to her 22 year old best friend mark off what they had done, what needed to be done and what else she was adding to the list. Misao had also found out that while she was the Maid of Honour she wasn't alone in keeping Kaoru sane before the wedding as Megumi was one of the bride's maids as was Tae who worked at the Akabeko. She had asked who her partner was in the wedding on the men's side but Kaoru fanned innocence not knowing who it was and though Misao eyed her sceptically, she dropped the topic as Kaoru pulled her into a florist owned by four gorgeous men.

"Kaoru-san, good afternoon again." One of the men voiced happily to Kaoru and then smiled politely at Misao.

"I'm here to look at wedding flower arrangements again and brought a second opinion with me. Misao's my maid of honour." Misao's eyes grew wide at this, hating the fact that Kaoru trusted her judgement so much.

The two of them sat down glancing through the book and in pencil Kaoru circled the ones she liked. Misao however, crossed out most of them much to Kaoru's dismay and then quickly settled on smart reasons as to why she chose the yellow and white roses mix for the bride's maids and the elegant white and soft pink lily's for Kaoru.

"I knew you'd be good at this Misao-chan!" Kaoru nudged her happily and began talking about flower arrangements in the temple and then one's at the reception after the ceremony. It appeared both Kenshin's family and Kaoru's visited the same temple in Tokyo and the ceremony would be held there. As for the reception it was located in one of the entertainment convention centres to hold the 400 people that would be attending and for smokers there was a balcony, which overlooked the Sumida-gawa.

OoOoO

To Misao it felt like hours had slipped by as Kaoru dragged her from one place to another and finally she slumped into the back seat as Kenshin had come to collect Kaoru in his limousine and would drop her off on his way back to his estate.

"Himura, your damn soon to be wife has burnt the soles of my flip flops off!" Misao complained as she massaged one of her feet. Kenshin did his typical small laugh as he sat in front of Misao in the back of the limousine with Kaoru at his side.

"So I gather the day was very productive then?"

"Misao is all set to be my beautiful Maid of Honour." Kaoru happily confessed with a bright smile and her eyes twinkling.

"Yeah a pretty one dressed like a lemon." Kaoru smacked Misao before the car stopped out the front of her apartment building. Stepping out of the limousine, Misao didn't leave just yet as Kenshin wound down the window to ask her a question.

"Misao-san, will you come to dinner tonight, say around 6 this evening?"

"Ah, yeah I guess. Wait, its not like your engagement is it?" Kenshin laughed lightly at Misao's started look.

"No, it'll just be the three of us and three other guests, I promise."

"Alright then, I'll see you their and no Mercedes alright? I can get my own butt to your place this time."

"Misao-chan, dress nicely, no jeans!" Kaoru snapped out the window as the car drove off. Waving her hand Misao sighed as she walked towards the lifts.

"Why do I torture myself like this?"

"Misao-chan, want to join me for a few drinks down at the Wolf's Den?" Misao glanced over at Kamatari who was just stepping out of the lift with his latest squeeze.

"Sorry Tari-chan, another dinner at Kenshin's. Man that guy likes to host, but I'll take a rain check and come with you another night." Misao waved goodbye and then headed upstairs to her unit. Stepping into the barren living room as she only had a lounge for sitting furniture and a coffee table and then a single counter, which held her television, and medium sized stereo system.

Glancing at her watch Misao padded sleepily to her room and flopped onto the bed, making sure to set her cow alarm clock for 5pm or else she'd probably sleep straight through Kenshin's dinner and then she'd be in big trouble with Kaoru.

OoOoO

When Misao's alarm went off she slapped it as she rolled over and dozed for "five more minutes". That five more minutes ended up being 30 minutes and Misao gasped awake, starring back at her clock to read the time.

"Dammit!" She complained and rushed to her bathroom for a quick cold shower to wake her up even more. Once she finished, Misao dashed back into her room only in her towel and slipped on a pair of matching lingerie before musing over her more "going out" clothing then casual clothing. Misao was more the outdoors type and didn't care for fashion like Kaoru did. She'd gotten a couple things over the years, but Misao had only worn them once or twice. She'd been far too busy trying to make her name in the photography industry.

"Ah, I knew I still had you in here!" Misao chirped happily as she pulled out her knee length Chinese dress she bought at a store in Kyoto on her last visit to her adoptive grand father. It was the usual silky material and black in colour with the edges of the high neck, small sleeves and the bottom hem of the dress decorated with silver cherry blossoms. Pulling it on Misao did up the zip with a little difficulty since it was at the back and then tied up the three frog buttons near her neck and left shoulder area.

All Misao had to do now was quickly pin up her hair with the chopsticks she'd purchased and she was ready. A little lip-gloss on her lips, a bit of eye shadow and Misao was set. Her high heels were already near the front door from two weeks prior and Misao picked up her plain black sling bag and placed in her keys and mini wallet.

With everything set Misao headed down to the basement where her metallic purple hunk of junk second hand car was. She had bought it for quick run around trips but found it to be faster on foot with the amount of times it died on her. Tonight though, it seemed her little "beastly" car wasn't having any problems and so far so good, as she made it out of the parking lot she was happily on her way to Kenshin's.

OoOoO

With only two breakdowns Misao still made it to Kenshin's only 15 minutes late and parked crooked to the side of the mansion and stepped out of her car. She was just slipping on her high heels, not being able to drive in them when she stood up, the small splits in her dress falling back into place as she watched another car turn up, this one metallic blue-black and one of the latest models of BMW it seemed.

"Rich bastards…" Misao grumbled to herself and headed for the front steps of the mansion, but stopped when the BMW pulled up right in front of her. She scolded lightly at the nerve of this person and then let her jaw dropped as the driver stepped out of the leather interior and closed the door.

"We meet again Makimachi Misao." Misao couldn't do anything but stare up at Aoshi once more, before watching his lips curve slightly into an almost nonexistent smile.

"I see your lack of voice is apparent this evening as well." Misao flushed at his words as he walked on ahead of her, dressed in black leather trousers and black button down shirt which to Misao's glorious surprise had three of its buttons open. He looked so casual and yet so sexy. Misao shook the thought from her mind and caught up with the other late dinner guests and beat Aoshi to ringing the doorbell. It opened and they were greeted by one of the maids, who showed them to the dining room, well one of many that is.

Light chatter was coming from inside and Misao and Aoshi entered at the same time and al conversation stopped. There situated around one of the informal dining room tables were Kenshin, Kaoru, Megumi and Sanosuke.

"Oi, Aoshi, I told you that you should have gotten a rid from me and Meg." Sano decided to voice to his late employer and watched the silent brooding man move in further and head to the vacant spot, which had been placed out for him at the head of the table. Misao took the last vacant seat down the other opposite end. Kenshin and Sano sat respectively on either side of Aoshi and the same went for Kaoru and Megumi next to Misao.

"So, why are you late Misao?" Kaoru questioned Misao as one of the maids came around to place everyone's napkins into their laps.

"I died at being dragged around half of Tokyo thanks to you, so I went to sleep."

"And you Aoshi, what happened to you?" Icy orbs looked over at inquiring maroon ones as he calmly and coolly answered back.

"I went to visit some graves today, is that alright with you sister?"

"Gah!" Came a shocked cry from Misao as she slipped off her dining room chair at this sudden news. Quickly getting up, with a flush on her face Misao quickly gulped down some much needed water as Kaoru and Megumi decided to chuckle at her antics. It so happened that Kaoru and Megumi decided to not tell her that while she ranted, raved, sighed and ogled over the singer, Megumi herself happened to be related to him.

"Are you okay Misao-san?" Kenshin questioned as Misao laughed in embarrassment before coming up with an excuse.

"Ah, I kind of feel like the odd one out."

"How so?" Kenshin questioned just as pumpkin soup was being served.

"Err, well, You and Kaoru will be married soon, Sano used to work for you and he is Ao- err Shinomori-san's brother-in-law and he's married to Megumi-san who is like Kaoru's personal clothes designer and also your lady friend as well."

"I don't like the way you say 'lady friend' Misao." Kaoru pouted slightly but felt Kenshin take her head into his.

"And where do you get off saying you don't fit in this group Misao-san?" Megumi voiced suddenly and decided to express her point across. "You're best friends with Kenshin's fiance, you're also his friend, you've met Sano through him, you've met me through Kaoru and you're Aoshi's biggest fan!" Misao watched horrified as green orbs lifted from the soup bowl in front of him to stare over at her from the other end of the table. Instantly her eyes darted from his piercing gaze.

"Ah, yeah I guess." Misao muttered and hoped the blush on her face wasn't too severe.

The evening passed quickly as Misao conversed with Megumi and Kaoru while trying to forget that every now and then eyes were watching her. In the back of her mind she felt like someone watched her every now and then at Kenshin and Kaoru's engagement dinner and made her think as to whether Aoshi had been the one watching her. Snapping that stupid thought from her mind Misao excused herself from the table to use the bathroom, but once she finished there she noticed the back entrance doorway was parted open on the ground floor and curiosity got the better of Misao as she investigated.

"Are you stalking me?" She gasped and turned to watch Aoshi move from the shadows as she found him with cigarette clasped between his index and middle finger.

"No, I was just…"

"So, you're my biggest fan I hear."

"No I…" Misao's eyes widened as Aoshi stepped closer, his taller form bending over her shorter one as his mesmerising eyes bore into her wide gaze.

"I can tell, by the way you cannot place a sentence together, to the way you blush in front of me, heart bounding within your ribcage at me being this close to you." Misao lips parted as she felt cool lips, with a hint of tobacco on them move down to caress her ear as he continued on. "I was in Himura's office when I heard your little conversation to Kamiya-san about me being your Aoshi-sama."

"Ah, I'm sorry!" Misao couldn't help but blurt out stupidly as she rushed away from the now perplexed Aoshi as she darted into the mansion hallway and quickly made her way back to the dining room.

"I'm sorry guys, I must retire for the evening." Misao confessed to the laughing married couple and soon to be married couple.

"Eh, why for Misao-chan?"

"Ah, got a new job, starts early in the morning as I've got to head for the Imperial Palace ya know. Anyway thanks for the meal Himura and I'll give you a call Kaoru-chan." Misao left afterwards and with keys in hand headed out the door, opened by a maid and straight to her car with arms crossed as a cool breeze picked up.

Oo Inside the Dining Room oO

As soon as Aoshi re-entered after having his nightly cigarette he was bombarded with glaring maroon eyes of his stepsister.

"What did you do to Misao-san?" Glancing around Aoshi noticed the young woman wasn't here. "Did you freak her out or something? I hate when you act out all this scary gloomy shit to ward off a pretty girl that could actually love you for your stubborn cold self. It just pisses me off!"

"Me-Megumi-san…" Kaoru voiced in surprise at the argument Megumi was currently having at her younger stepbrother and she'd never heard that language come from her either.

"Aoshi-san, she only just left, you could probably catch her." Kenshin replied in his soft-spoken voice and watched along with stunned faces as Aoshi left the dining room and headed out the front to find Misao just starting up her car.

Jumping the steps altogether, not truly knowing why he was chasing after some girl, Aoshi skidded to a halt behind Misao's car hands out and chest puffing slightly as he looked at Misao's shimmering eyes through the back window of her car. He stood stock still, giving her no room to back out unless she ran him over and didn't break eye contact with the surprised look on Misao's face.

What would she do?

Oo to be concluded oO