Summary: Misao is not your average damsel in distress. When her parents decide an arranged marriage is to be her future- she decides to take her future into her own hands.

Darkened Memories: Disclaimer-First of all, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin-if I did, Kenshin wouldn't have taken so long to show affection for Kaoru.

Misao: Geez, you need a life.

DM: True, but who cares?

Misao: -shrugs- Whatever.

DM: Okay, on with the story! I'll strangle Misao later.

Misao: -flame in eyes- What did you say!

--Chapter 1-Safety in Running--

Tiptoeing stealthily from her room, she peered around the corner to see if that nosy maid her parents had hired to spy on her was awake. Sure enough, the old bat was.

Cursing her luck, she blew at her bangs in frustration. It was going to be harder to get out tonight- but no one was going to stop Makimachi Misao from having her fun, no sir! This only meant she'd have to be very quiet as the only path left was the one that led her past her parent's bedroom door.

Well, if she skipped the one floorboard by the door that creaked horribly, she should be fine.

Tiny planned steps guided her lithe body down the long, dark hall. Pictures of her ancestors stared down at her, reminding the girl of how much of a misfit she was. Shaking off the gloomy thoughts, she concentrated on the task at hand.

'Okay, one step here-then step over the creaky board and I'm home-free!'

Arguing from her parent's room caused her to pause, stop, and listen.

"She's hardly 18!" her mother sounded angry.

"We were married and expecting her at that age!" her father yelled, his voice resounded throughout the room.

Misao frowned darkly, she had a bad feeling about the way their conversation was headed.

"She will be married to Soujiro-sama as planned. Do not try to interfere anymore!"

Her father's heavy steps stomped towards the door.

Misao felt her heart leaping into her throat with fright. Using the skills her old friends and guardian had studiously taught her, she jumped up high and straddled the narrow hall. Praying she was high enough that her ill-tempered father would not notice, she waited with baited breath. Her long, heavy skirts made it hard to keep her position, but she felt fortunate that she had decided against wearing those stupid hoops today.

For the first time tonight, her luck held. Her father did not notice her as he stomped out of the room and into his study.

'Thank you!' she thanked God for having been kind enough to listen to her unspoken plea. At least someone cared a little about her at this point. Silently, she hopped down amidst a flurry of swirling skirts and bolted out of the mansion.

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Misao's POV

'I hate these skirts!' I grumbled mentally, for the sixth time that night I had to pick myself up from the ground. Surprisingly, my dress didn't show any signs of dirt... but that could be because both the night and my dress are a dark color. I tend to favor a midnight blue color for my wardrobe, it is helpful to wear dark colors when you sneak out and I love how I look in the color.

Setting off at a fast pace, I tried to think about what I was going to do. No way was I going back there! But, after tripping on my skirts again, I got to thinking maybe it would be a better idea to worry about that after I visit Kaoru.

Slowing down slightly to be better able to see my path, I found myself almost there. Grinning happily, I took time to admire the way the moonlight played on the Himura's house. Hopefully Kenji would still be up, it would be nice to see the infant while he was awake. Though, how Kaoru puts up with Himura is beyond me. He fusses about the two of them so much, it's almost suffocating-though Kaoru seems to thrive under it. At least he cares about his family. And they make a nice couple-it would be nice if I were as lucky as she was.

'Baka! This is not the time to be thinking about that!' Shaking my head to clear those troublesome thoughts, I reach the large house. My thin boots made soft clicking sounds against the brightly polished wood of their veranda. The lights were still on in several rooms, so Kaoru and Himura should still be up.

Gingerly reaching to knock on the front porch, I was greatly surprised to see the door open before I could knock. Emitting a small shriek, I fell backwards and landed hard on my rump. Glaring up at Himura who was smiling cheerfully down at me,I slowly rose to my feet.

"What the h-" I started to yell before he clamped a hand over my mouth. I had to hand it to Himura, the man was fast.

"Please be quiet, Misao-dono. Kenji finally is asleep, that he is." he released me after he brought he inside. Closing the door behind him, he stared in silence at me. A red eyebrow shot up, as he took in my appearance.

"What!" I was tempted to yell at him, but I didn't want to wake Kenji and face Kaoru's wrath. The girl's scary when angered.

"Hi, Misao-chan! What brings you here-" Kaoru paused as she entered the room. She also stared at me, it was like I had sprouted an extra head!

"What!" I repeated, growing angry. "Will you tell me what's wrong?"

"..." Kenshin looked at Kaoru, then back at me. "Sessha will go make tea."

Kaoru grabbed my hand and pulled me in front of a large mirror located on the east wall of the room. Wordlessly I stared into it... then my jaw dropped slightly. My dress wasn't too dirty, fortunately, but my face and hand were smudged with dirt. I was immensely grateful that the Himura's had had the grace to not burst out laughing at the mere sight of my appearance.

Angry tears filled my teal blue eyes as I scrubbed at my face with a sleeve. I wouldn't look like this if I hadn't heard my father's decision concerning my future. That and the stupid dress. I decided then and there that when and if I ran away- pffft, forget if, who'd want to stay after hearing that? And have you seen Soujiro-san? Scary... that perpetual smile of his...

Kaoru gently stopped me and handed me a handkerchief. Getting a good deal of the dirt off, I risked another look at myself. My reflection appeared much more presentable than before, though my skin was faintly red where I had rubbed.

"Are you okay, Misao-chan?" Kaoru asked quietly her crystal-blue eyes searched my face, trying to pick up on any emotion that presented itself.

I immediately schooled my features into my favorite mask, the bright and cheerful Misao everyone loves to see. "Of course, I was just mad that I fell so much." Gesturing towards my long skirts that swept to the floor, "I still can't get used to them, but I don't think I'm the type to wear these kind of things." I was surprised at the slightly bitter laugh that followed, and apparently Kaoru was too. She turned a stern eye upon me and used her few extra inches to tower over me-I swear that if I wore higher heeled shoes she wouldn't be able to do that to me.

Giving me a no-nonsense look, she crossed her arms over her chest. "Misao-" she stated in a warning tone of voice.

Crap. That stupid laugh gave me away... crap. I knew I should've gotten some extra sleep this morning, it's much easier to control these things when you're not drop-dead tired. A sigh escaped my lips, then my ears caught the sound of tea cups clinking against plates. 'Thank goodness for your excellent timing, Himura!' Hopefully that would get Kaoru off my case.

He set the tea tray down, then gave me that look. I hate it when he does that. You know he's got to be an expert at reading people's emotions, he was a famous fighter in a ton of wars and all. Besides, you don't get to be promoted to general for nothing, right?

I laughed a little nervously and backed away slowly. "Well, I just dropped by to say hi, so I'll be going now. Ja ne!" I made a mad dash towards the door, managed not to get tangled up in my skirts, then lo and behold- Himura stood at the entrance, blocking my way. 'No luck for me.' "Move, Himura!" growling as I tried to slip past him, I felt myself hoisted into the air. Glaring over my shoulder at the highly-irksome-at-this-point-red-head, I tried to kick and struggle. Unfortunately, Himura has a vice-like grip.

"Let me down!" I yelled loudly, screw waking up the kid-I was mad as Hades and was going to show it.

"Misao-dono, if you would just tell us what's wrong." Kenshin dodged a petite fist as he shot a look at Kaoru who had asked him to grab the irate girl in the first place.

I fell limp in his arms, maybe playing dead would work?

"Misao-dono?" he asked, his tone telling me that he hadn't bought it.

A loud wail broke the following silence. Oops, I had to go and wake up Kenji... now Kaoru wouldn't let me go peacefully. I inwardly cursed my luck for the second time that night.

Kaoru hastened out of the room and soon returned with a now silent bundle of blankets. A small tuft of red hair could be seen at the top. I couldn't help but smile at the picture it presented.

Himura deposited me on an armchair, then kneeled down in front of it to look me in the eye. "Please tell Sessha what is bothering you, Misao-dono."

Kaoru padded over and sat on one of the chair's arms. "Yes, Misao-chan, you'll feel better if you do." she coaxed, the look in her eyes telling me I was correct in my assumption that she wouldn't let me go peacefully. 'Misery, thy name is Makimachi Misao.'

I rolled my eyes subconsciously as I shifted fitfully against the chair. Noticing that was not working either, for both their looks told me plainly that they were waiting for an answer, I threw my hands up in the air. "Fine! You want to know! My belligerent, horrible excuse for a father is going to force me into an arranged marriage!" I glared fiercely at the two, "Happy now? Can I go?" "Please?" I added as an afterthought.

"What!" Kaoru stared at me, I was really starting to tire of this.

"Must I repeat myself?" I asked wearily, trying to squash that bad temper that seemed to be flaring up too quickly tonight.

Himura studied me intently, I guess trying to decide what to do about my news. "Whom are you to wed?"

"Huh?" I glanced up into violet eyes, "Oh, Soujiro-san."

The man frowned at the name, "You should not be involved with that man, Misao-dono. He is not... involved with a good group." he finished, seeming to have chosen his last words carefully. He stood up and moved to stand by Kaoru.

"I know that." sighing, I closed my eyes and slumped into the chair. "So," I opened one eye to look at them, "what do I do about it?"

"You could stay here!" Kaoru invited, "I'd love to have your company, and I'm sure that we could find a way to get some of your things here."

I shook my head, "No, my father would find me... and if he didn't, Gramps would."

Himura nodded in agreement, "Hai, Okina-dono would find you." He closed his eyes in thought.

Kaoru looked unhappy at the thought that she couldn't help, but what could they do? Maybe buy me a ticket out of the country, yes, that would be perfect.

Himura opened his eyes to glance at the now sleeping bundle in Kaoru's arms. "We'll find someway to help you, Misao-dono."

I gave him a tired smile, "Thanks, Himura." I stood up and stretched, "Well, I better get going. G'night you guys."

They bid me a goodnight as I headed out the door. I need to pay a visit to the docks, haven't done that in a while. Sitting there listening to the sounds of the wind and waves always soothed my frazzled nerves.

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--END NOTES--

Misao is around 18-19, couldn't quite decide on the age, but I figured that was a good age bracket. Kenshin and Kaoru, if you didn't figure that out already, are married in this fic. I couldn't resist, lol. Besides, Kenji is sooooooo kawaii. I also gave Misao fictional parents in this fic, just so I could avoid disruptions with future plot lines. I have plans for the Oniwabanshu, and it doesn't involve them being more than guardians for her right now. I know this was kinda short, but I'll make the rest longer. Are they too OOC? I tried to keep them in character... but it didn't quite work...

DM: So what did you think?

Misao: It sucked.

DM: I was asking the readers.

Misao: -ignoring DM's comment- Aoshi-sama wasn't in it at all! -wails-

DM: -flips through notes- He'll come in the next chapter.

Misao: He should be in THIS one! How could you ignore my Aoshi-sama!

DM: ... -rolls eyes-

Misao: -now holding half-dozen kunai- Change it!

DM: I need a new co-host... -looks around- Ah! Kenshin! You'll do! -picks the peaceful character-

Kenshin: Oro?

Misao: Hey! Wait! You can't fire me!

DM: I can't? Besides, Kenshin will protect me from your over-use of kunai. Right, Kenshin?

Kenshin: ... -sweatdrop- Maa, maa, Misao-dono, Darkened Memories-dono...

DM: You didn't answer the question. -dark glare-

Kaoru: Kenshin! I was supposed to be the next co-host!

Kenshin: Oro...

DM: Well, please review and tell me what you think! I have a lot planned for this story, but I'd like to know what ya'll think. Next update will be the 25th latest. Ja ne!

Misao: Wait! You still didn't change the chapter!