Disclaimer: I don't own any Rurouni Kenshin stuff.

A Little Hard to Get

Chapter One

Okina stood outside Aoshi's room, watching as the twenty-eight-year-old meditated. He hesitated at first, wondering if he should really say what he had in mind. But the sound of Aoshi's voice interrupting his thoughts was a clear indication that he should stay.

"Is there something you need?" Aoshi asked, barely looking up from what he was doing.

"Well," Okina answered. "I don't know if you've noticed, but Misao is…"

There was a pause. The old man closed his eyes and tried to think of the most appropriate adjective for the subject. He wasn't a much of a writer. It was hard for him to describe what he wanted to say.

Straightforward, he thought. Just be straightforward about it.

"To put it quite simply, Misao is different."

It seemed to take Aoshi a minute or two to process this piece of information. Finally, he looked over his shoulder at the older man and raised an eyebrow. He hardly saw Misao as often as he used to when he had first returned to the Aoiya. She went on frequent visits to Edo to see Kenshin and Kaoru. In fact, he hadn't seen her this week either.

Was she away again? The fact didn't seem to bother him that much. Misao knew how to take care of herself. Anyway, what was Okina saying? That Misao was different? Perhaps showing a little concern wouldn't be the worst idea.

"Is this change endangering her in any way?" Aoshi asked, inwardly struggling to get through the sentence. Expressing concern was not a strong suit of his.

"No, but…" Okina barely got two words out, only to be cut off by the younger man.

"I see, then it shouldn't concern me."

There, thought Aoshi. That was enough emotion for the day.

Okina was about to justify his reasons for informing Aoshi on Misao's current affairs but it suddenly struck him that Aoshi might not even be sure about his own feelings for her. If this was the case, talking to him about it would be a complete waste of time. He needed to show him. And show him, he would.

"What? No, I will not agree to this…this little game of yours, Jiya. It's silly."

Misao threw her arms in the air in disbelief. How could Okina suggest such a thing! Change the way she dressed, wear make-up… act like how a young lady is supposed to? It was absolutely preposterous!

"Listen to me, Misao-chan. Aoshi is not going to be the one to make the first move when it comes to… well, women. He has never been. I don't know why. Maybe he's shy or doesn't know what to do…"

"Or maybe he just isn't interested?"

"Don't be ridiculous, of course he's interested."

"But you don't know that."

"Let us give him the benefit of the doubt."

"But you're telling me to change, is that what you're saying? You want me to grow up."

"I don't want you to grow up. I want to keep you as you are… as my little Misao. But have you taken a look at yourself in the mirror lately? You might want to stay a teenager but your face and body certainly don't."

It was true, what Okina was saying and Misao had not only noticed it, but had tried to hide it. She had started losing the baby fat in her cheeks and her body seemed to enlarge in specific areas to emphasize her femininity. She thought it strange at first when her clothes seemed tighter but then she realized what was happening. She was becoming a real woman, not some girl nobody would even take a second glance at. However, she had become so shy about it… as much as she could, she avoided the people she knew, just in case they were to comment on her latest physique.

"Jiya…" Misao started but the old man interrupted her.

"No, let me finish. I've seen the way boys…men, the way men look at you when you're on the streets. They want you."

"Is there a point to this?" Misao asked, beginning to find herself irate by his choice of words.

"Don't you think that if Aoshi knew, he would do something about it?"

"But I don't even know if he feels… if he loves me."

"Isn't it time you found out?"

"I…" The girl was about to argue but she was also aware of how much she wanted to know of Aoshi's feelings for her. What if he didn't love her back though? What then? Would she continue to adore him? Would she still persist? On the other hand, if he did love her… it would be, it would be so… she couldn't imagine. Finally was probably the word for it.

"Fine. All right." She agreed in reluctance. "But I hold you entirely responsible for any catastrophes that might result from this."

"Yes, of course. Good."

"I think you have too much time on your hands, Jiya."

"I do too. I think it comes with being an old man." Okina said excitedly, clapping his hands together. "Anyway, here's the plan!"

End of Chapter One

Plasmolysed Cell Membrane: Hello all! I apologize for taking such a long break from writing. Anyway, I hope you found this enjoyable. The next chapter will be up soon! I'm on semester break now so it shouldn'ttake too long. Anyhow, ta!