Disclaimer: RK belongs to Watsuki. Thanks for letting me borrow them for my story.

This was supposed to be a Valentine One Shot fic but… well, I kind of blew it by not getting it done by Valentine's Day so I might as well make some chapters to it. It's got some humor, mostly Aoshi's thoughts on Sano.

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How many loved your moments of glad grace,

And loved your beauty with love false or true,

But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,

And loved the sorrows of your changing face…

Yeats

"Misao-chan!" The soft feminine voice carried throughout the forest, not losing any of the natural elegance of its speaker. "We need to get going or we'll never reach the Inn before dark."

Misao lifted her head and turned to look up the hill behind her. She lifted her hand and waived at the tall woman silhouetted against the setting sun.

"Hai Megumi-san!" She called back. Seeing the other woman nod, Misao turned back to the river she now squatted at the edge of and pulled a small scrap of fabric from the sleeve of her kimono and dipping it into the cool water. Her reflection blurring as she swirled the cloth about, squeezing off the excess before wiping at her face and neck. She pushed up her sleeves and she drew the cloth over her arms. Misao sighed as it cooled her skin, grown warm from the long hike she and Megumi had started out on earlier that day.

She had often thought of leisurely traveling around Japan, not like she had when she was younger but the way she was now, appreciating each new wonder as it was revealed to her. The Hokkaido countryside was beautiful, a natural, untamed beauty that suited her perfectly. Megumi, although she was certainly not who she had imagined herself traveling around Japan with, was the perfect companion. Highly intelligent and street wise as well, nothing got by her; she was inquisitive like Misao, knew when to speak and when it was best just to enjoy the silence.

Those who knew Misao well would be surprised at how well she and Megumi got on. Misao herself had been surprised in the beginning. It was Koaru's idea really; hearing enough of Misao's tears each night when she'd come to stay with her and Kenshin in Tokyo. Seeing enough of the pain from her broken heart reflected in her eyes, Koaru had forced Misao to tell all. Misao, in her dull, listless voice, gave Koaru the only answer she could… 'I have stopped trying to see through the waves and at last, I am able to see the disturbances in the water.' She repeated something that Aoshi had once told her, although he'd used them in a different context, they seemed appropriate to describe her resolve. She had to stop fooling herself that things would ever be anything than what they were between the two of them, the way in which Aoshi chose to deal with her feelings for him sent the message straight to her heart. She had confessed everything and he had answered her as he answered all things; cold, uninvolved, silence, without any regard to how much it cost her to make such a confession. She had wept; not there, in view of Aoshi but with every step she took enroute to Tokyo and every night in her room at the Himura's, she wept for what she so desperately wanted but would always be denied her. 'I could not stay Koaru-san.'

Koaru had needed to hear nothing more; she comprehended Misao's feelings fully and had resolved to put the idea to Megumi in a letter the next day. What better way to keep Misao so occupied she had no time to think of her broken heart and knowing Megumi's feelings with regards to Aoshi, she would certainly steer clear of that subject. Once Koaru received Megumi's reply she suggested the idea to Misao, who at that time, was so lacking in enthusiasm for anything, she was easy to manipulate into going to Aizu.

Koaru's thought that Aizu and Megumi were just what Misao needed had been correct. She was kept very busy at the clinic, her skills as an omnitsu helped immensely, as there were always wounds that needed cleaning, stitching or bandaging. These were things Misao could do quite competently as she'd had lots of practice and it allowed Megumi to be free for more important surgical matters. She'd been with Megumi at the clinic for two years; they lived nearby in a house they shared with Megumi's brother and his wife. The clinic was the busiest in town, which Megumi's brother liked to say was owing to the fact that it was run by two of the most beautiful women in the world. He complained endlessly that all his male patients merely came to him to get the inside scoop on the two beauties that ran the other clinic and stayed at his house. He reminded Misao of a much younger Okina and she could not help but like him. He often complained that the two women never took any time for themselves away from the clinic and at his continued persistence, accompanied by that of his wife, Megumi and Misao had finally submitted to a vacation.

Misao sighed, lifting to her full height and straightened her kimono. Sighed again as she reprimanded herself for thinking of the past. She had grown to accept her disappointment over the last two years... accept it, but never break free of it. The pain and heartache were still there, buried deep and never allowed to surface… Megumi had not been fooled, even now she knew of Misao's struggle with her feelings as Misao new of how Megumi struggled with her own. It was no secret how Takani Megumi felt about Himura Kenshin, like Misao, she'd never gone to any trouble to hide it, at least, back then she had not.

Still. Misao thought sighing yet again as she turned away from the river and climbed up the hill to the trail. At least Megumi lost to another woman.

With her quick stride it did not take Misao long to catch up with her friend, who moved at a more leisurely pace.

"How was the water Misao?" Megumi asked as they continued along the trail together, stopping now and again to admire the occasional wildflower.

"Nice and cool." Misao answered following the path of Megumi's finger that pointed to a long stalk that held many, light purple, bell shaped blooms which decreased in size as they neared the top.

"That is called foxglove." Megumi informed her as the two of them stepped closer. "The medicinal value of it is still being explored but it is already used on those with heart illness."

Misao's eyes widened and she noticed Megumi frown, her eyes narrowing sharply as the fattest bumble bee, either of them had ever seen slipped into one bloom, then out, then into another bloom, then out, then another and another. Moving his way methodically up the stalk until he reached those his portly body would not allow him to enter as if to say, 'medicinal value be damned, I'm hungry'. The two women looked at each other, back at the bee, then at each other again and burst out laughing.

"Medicinal value will not prevail in the face of a hungry bee." Misao teased as they continued on toward the Inn.

"No Indeed." Megumi agreed.

Their light chatter and laughter continued as they made their way along the trail, at last reaching the Kyushinya. It was a lovely inn, situated perfectly amongst the trees, with a view of the Sea of Japan from the front steps and a hot spring, not far up the hill behind it, which, Misao and Megumi planned on taking advantage of tonight. There were very few guests at the inn as most traveled to Tokyo for the cherry blossoms this time of year, which suited both Megumi and Misao fine, they wanted nothing more than each other's company and sometimes not even that. It seemed however, that another guest would be joining them at the Kyushinya; a carriage was stopped in front of the inn, although it could be that someone was leaving, as the driver appeared to be waiting.

Upon entering the inn, a gentleman seated near the door got to his feet, he bowed lightly as the two women acknowledged him with a nod and then continued on their way to the room they shared. They did not get far however, when the innkeeper stopped them.

"Takani-san! Takani-san!" He called upon seeing them pass the kitchen door where he and his wife worked so diligently on the evening meal. Both women turned back and waited for the young man, who wiped his hands on a towel as he approach them. "A message came from your brother in Aizu."

"A message?" She asked with curiosity, turning to Misao who shrugged her shoulders.

"Hai." The innkeeper nodded then turned to the man they had greeted at the door. "That man has a message from your brother. He arrived here shortly after you and Makimachi-san left this morning and has instructions to take you back to Aizu with him."

"Ani-ue…" Megumi gasped then turned to the man at the door. "Has anything happened to him? To Ayako-san?"

"Please be assured Takani-san." The man tried to calm her down. "Your brother and his wife are fine. He did not stress any urgency, he merely stated it was a family matter and requested that I bring you back to Aizu."

---

Aoshi cupped her pale cheek, his thumb lightly drawing circles on her creamy skin. He loved the feeling against his hand and as he had always believed, once he touched her he would never be able to let go.

He combed his fingers through her long, dark hair. He loved the way it cascaded like silk down her back, brushed across his skin, weaving around his wrist, entangling him in a black, gossamer, web which he could never escape.

"Aoshi." She whispered, her warm breath tickling his skin. He loved the soft sound of her musical voice, like the Piper of Hamelin to a child; she called him down the path that she desired and he had no choice but to follow.

"Look at me." Aoshi whispered against her lips as her lids began to flutter closed in anticipation of his kiss, only to open wide at his command. He loved gazing into the cerulean pools that held his reflection, effectively trapping him, within their depths.

He loved all these things about her because he loved her and he was at last, no longer afraid of acting on it. He gazed into the brightness of her blue eyes and closed the few inches that remained between them to share the sensation of their first kiss.

The shrill laughter of a little girl jolted Aoshi awake, carefully masking his confusion, he realized that he'd been dreaming. He focused his attention on Himura, Genzai's two young granddaughters and Himura's young son, playing in the grass. Aoshi had not seen Misao in two years; two years that had been wasted trying to forget her; two years that had been completely undone when he'd caught a fleeting glimpse of a young woman in Kyoto, whose long braid swayed behind her. A young woman that, he knew was not the other, still… for a moment, his heartbeat had quickened and his skin had grown warm as he thought that maybe, just maybe, she had come home. Aoshi's reaction to seeing the girl had forced him into realizing his own true feelings. Maybe because he had always tried to be self sufficient, to become the kind of man that never needed anything and for this reason, he pushed away the one person who created a need in him. None of his reasoning mattered any longer, he had realized his mistake and now, he knew he had to see her, be with her.

"What's wrong Okashira-san?" Aoshi cringed inwardly at the sound of the voice that belonged to one he'd hoped would not utter another syllable, the one he'd forced himself to doze off in the summer sun, just to avoid speaking to. "You look as though someone just stole your favorite toy."

"I don't much care how I look to you." Aoshi kept his eyes averted from the one everyone called 'rooster head' who sat on a bench below him, liking the man even less for having been able to read some of what he was feeling inside.

"Ho? Sounds like I hit the target Okashira-san." The irritating voice continued chuckling lightly at Aoshi's obvious discomfort. "I would be worried too if I were you, Misao was a beauty the last time I saw her, I would imagine that she's even more so now. You might very well find her married when you get to Aizu."

Aoshi turned sharply toward Sagara, his eyes narrowing as the former, fighter for higher leaned back against the porch, his eyes closed as he mumbled.

"Yeah, she probably found a rich husband." Sagara continued absently, scratching the back of his head and failing to realize the danger he was in with each word he uttered. "She might even have a kid by now, or at the very least, one on the way."

This possibility had crossed Aoshi's mind as well, it was different however, having someone else voice it. Somehow it seemed to increase the likelihood of it being true. Aoshi knew Sagara was merely trying to get under his skin, to make him reveal more than what he already had; Aoshi also knew how to pay the other man back… ten-fold.

"It has crossed my mind that Misao is married." Aoshi averted his eyes to those playing in the grass. "I would not be surprised at finding her or Takani Megumi are married upon my arrival in Aizu."

Aoshi could feel the other man grow tense and more importantly, quiet. He could also feel Himura approaching, who Aoshi was certain heard everything.

"Surely you would like to visit Aizu Sano." Himura chimed in as he reached them. "Perhaps you can accompany Aoshi."

The very suggestion nearly put an end to his and Himura's tentative friendship. He turned to scowl at Himura only to find him with that dumbfounded grin that made those less observant, believe that he hadn't a clue as to what was going on around him.

"What would I go to Aizu for?" Sagara grumbled sullenly and Aoshi was certain he could detect a pout. "Megumi's too busy pining over you Kenshin; she would never notice someone like me was around."

"Or maybe her pining for Kenshin was to hide where her true feelings lay." Aoshi could not for the life of him recall what made him speak up, much less to say what he did and to whom. Maybe he was feeling sympathetic after hearing Sagara's dejected voice, maybe in realizing his own feelings for Misao, he wanted to make certain that no one else let those same feelings for another be brushed aside, as he had done. Maybe someone had slipped personality-altering drugs into his tea.

"What will you do if she is?" Sagara's contemplative and oddly quiet voice asked. Aoshi and Kenshin were surprised at how unsure of himself he sounded, Sagara never sounded anything but certain, often cocky, even more often stupid, Aoshi thought unkindly but never uncertain. There was no sardonic gleam in his eye, no smirk on his lips, only an odd sort of earnestness. "… Married, I mean?"

Aoshi knew that Sagara was of course voicing his own anxieties, If Megumi were married, he would not fair much better than Aoshi would if he found Misao married upon arriving in Aizu.

"I will…" Aoshi began then halted as he found it very difficult to even contemplate what Sagara suggested without a sense of great loss, a sense of heartache. Still… it would not matter, he wanted to be a part of her life; as her friend, as her former guardian, as the man she had once loved, in whatever capacity she chose. He continued quietly. "Whatever she will offer me, I will take."

Aoshi thought he might actually be witnessing a miracle, as Sagara Sanosuke appeared to be speechless. The thought quickly vanished as the rooster head recovered and began to speak once more.

"That's quite a confession from you Okashira-san." Aoshi turned his attention back to the children playing nearby at the other man's remark and hid his surprise well when only a few moments later, his tone almost sympathetic Sagara spoke again. "But you have nothing to worry about Shinomori. Misao will wait for you forever."

I only hope you are right Sagara. Aoshi though silently. If not, I fear it will be the end of me.

---

"Clinic closed?" Sagara read the sign posted on the door of Takani Megumi's clinic. "What the hell does that mean?"

"I would imagine…" Aoshi elaborated calmly. "That it means the clinic is not open."

"Damn it Shinomori! Don't get smart with me!" The other man ground out and Aoshi had to force back a smile at how the idiot had left himself wide open with that last line.

"I wouldn't dream of…" Aoshi began only to be interrupted by a quiet and polite voice from behind them.

"Can I help you two gentlemen with something?" Aoshi and Sanosuke turned to find an elegant gentleman whom, to Aoshi, looked oddly familiar.

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Notes: I love the bickering between those two. I corrected a couple of typos and some poorly written sentences, that's what I get for proofreading my own stuff and while I'm half-asleep no less. Sorry if some of you got confused, I started this story out with Sano and Aoshi sharing a carriage to Aizu. I still liked it that way but I just can't seem to go without mentioning Kenshin in my fics. I also need to thank/apologize to Dora for stealing her idea of having Aoshi fantasizing about Misao in his sleep. Sorry Dora it really is a compliment, who would steal a bad idea after all. I also forgot the Japanese terms.

Kyushinya - The name of the inn actually means the 'closed clinic inn'. Since Megumi's clinic was closed because she was on vacation… Ah well… I thought it was funny.

Ani-ue - older brother, I think it sounds more elegant than aniki.

Hai - yes