Living Arrangments don\'t change but Life Does

I don’t own them and I won’t ever. All the characters of Rurouni Kenshin belong to their rightful owner/s.

I would say OCC. Especially for Megumi but I always thought of her as sort of a motherly person. She’s blunt and has a sass to her, but if needed she usually knows what to say. (That’s my opinion.)

I sighed as I tossed and turned in my bed, still no sleep. I hadn’t slept well for the past few days. I had received maybe 5 hours of sleep in the last three days. I don’t think Aoshi has even noticed, I have tried to have things go back to normal, but that damn kiss has me thinking about it all the time. ‘His lips soft, yet over whelming...NO DON’T THINK ABOUT THE KISS NO!!’ I scolded my self. I flopped on to my back bringing my arms up and accidentally hitting the wall. I don’t care any longer I want sleep. I pound the wall again.

My frustrations are just getting worse. “Misao,” A slight knock on the door and Aoshi sleepy voice startles me into a sitting position.

“I’m sorry Aoshi, I just can’t seem to sleep is all,” I sigh as I know he’ll walk away. I plop back on my bed and growl.

“Why can’t you sleep Misao?”

“EEP!” I jump into a sitting position and scoot all the way back to the wall. “Umm,” Aoshi is standing right next to my bed, how did I not here my door open? I question myself. “Just thinking is all.” I try to laugh a little, but it’s a nervous laugh. Being this close to him isn’t fair to me. I haven’t even taken my offer and kissed him, I don’t want to be over powered again like that.

“You should let you’re mind rest so you can get more sleep, or you’ll get exhausted Misao.” His voice was so calm and caring.

“Yeah I now, but I just can’t seem to shut my thoughts off.” I sigh. ‘It’s not fair, if Aoshi’s this close to me I feel tired, his voice is so relaxing tonight.’ I guess he notices that I’m getting sleepy because he nods and turns around. I glomp him from behind, knocking him to the floor along with me.

“Misao?” Aoshi’s voice questions me.

I cling to his back and whisper, “Just stay with me tonight, near me until I fall asleep please.” I stand up and go back to my bed and crawl under the covers. Aoshi actually comes over and sits on the edge of the bed. I reach my hand for his and sigh, as I feel so sleepy. “Thank you,” I whisper as my eyes droop closed.


“GOSH DANG IT ONE OF YA BETTER BE HOME YOU INVITED ME HERE NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!” Some pounding on the door awoke me as I groaned groggily. ‘Its too warm to get up.’ I snuggled back into the warmth. The pounding didn’t cease and I sighed and tried to get up, but I couldn’t. I looked down at my waist and arms were holding me back against his chest. I craned my neck to see if I could see Aoshi, ‘Barley’ I sighed, wait why isn’t he waking up to the pounding. I manage to turn around in his embrace. He was still asleep, he must not have slept well these past few days either.

“Aoshi,” I tried to shake him awake, “Aoshi.” A growl was all I got as his arms tightened. Now I could barley move.

“OPEN THE DOOR ‘FORE I BREAK IT DOWN.” Sano’s voice could be heard quite clearly. A minute of silence went by.

CRASH

Aoshi was up in a flash, dragging me into a sitting position as well. “How the hell can you ignore me like that?”

SLAM

“Misao ho....” Sano’s eyes grew wide. “What the hell’s going on?” Sano stepped into the room.

“It’s not how it looks Sano.” I tried to explain, while Aoshi let me go and got up.

“Sure it ai....” Sano trailed off again, a glare from Aoshi being the cause. “No it’s not.”

SLAM

“Sagara you’re fixing the door.” Aoshi’s cold firm voice was heard through the door.

“So what was that about, he looked exhausted, in fact he has for the last couple days.”

“I couldn’t sleep and I asked him to stay in my room near me so I could fall asleep, Aoshi must have fallen asleep as well.” I shrugged. I glanced at the clock it was 1:20pm. The movie started at 2 and got over about 5.

“Why didn’t he wake up when I started yelling?”

“I’m not sure, I was awake, but he’s a little stronger than me.” I laughed a little, ‘Though it’s not like I tried to actually get away.’

“Yeah, yeah and when Shinomori grabs you in you’re sleep there ain’t a way to get out of it.” I stared at him and blinked.

“What?”

“Ahh old camp memories.” Sano stated. “If Shinomori wants to tell ya then he will, I ain’t saying a word. ‘Especially since he was calling some girls name.’ Sano’s eyes met mine and a smirk adorned his face. “Anyway if we hurry we can still make that movie with Kaoru and Kenshin.”

“Oh I forgot all about that.” I yanked the covers from my lap and stood. I glared at Sano as I went to my closet and grabbed the clothing I wanted, retrieved my undergarments from my dresser, and dropped them on the bed. I turned toward Sano my eyes squinted in anger.

“Aw I don’t get ta watch?” A smirk still on his face

“No,” I replied coolly, “NOW OUT!” I opened the door and practically shoved Sano out the door. Slamming it and locking it to change.


I hurriedly dressed and opened the door still trying to put my socks on my feet. Which turned out to be a bad idea, as I started to fall forward.

“Might help if you stay put when putting those on you’re feet.” Sano chuckled as I fell into him. He stood me back up his hands on my shoulders. I looked toward the door, ‘he must have fixed it.’

“Misao,” I stiffened as I heard Aoshi’s voice. I turned to look over Sano’s arm.

“Yeah Aoshi,” I smiled. He looks so cute with his hair all messy and in only his pajama pants yum. I had to restrain my self from licking my lips at the sight of him.

“Would you keep it down?” His ice-cold stare met mine. I shivered slightly at the coldness. I looked at him with worry as he turned around and walked back into his room closing the door.

“What’s up with the icicle?”

“I don’t know,” I stated still staring at Aoshi’s door
.
“Probably from the lack of sleep is all,” Sano shrugged and then pulled me in for a bear hug.

“S...a...n...o...I...ca....n’t...bre...e...ath.” Sano chuckled and released me.


“Let’s go or we’ll be late, you know *Jou-chan, * she hates it when we’re late.”


* I forgot what that means can someone tell me please*


“Yeah I know, let me grab my bag.” I snatched my bag from the couch apiece of paper falling on to the sofa caught my eye. “Hey Sano, are you driving or me?”

“Me since it’s like a half hour till the movie starts, I’ll drive.”

“Can I meet you down there I dropped my wallet, it’s not in my bag.

“Fine, but hurry.” Sano left the apartment and I grabbed the note and opened it.

Misao

I was finally able to see my little girl grown up. You can protect you’re selfl. l. With you and Aoshi, I’ll have these black eyes for weeks. I plan to eave the Aoiya in bout three months. I’d be really happy to actually see Aoshi not keeping his distance from you. His expression is always hard to read, as are his eyes. If you know what to look for though, you see things that others don’t. Pay attention to his eyes, they’ll tell you how he feels, even if you only see something for a second it’s there. Stay strong and don’t loose hope with him. He changed from when he was younger, but if anyone can still bring his other side out it will be my daughter. Take care and always remember to be strong and no matter how much he hides his emotions from you, please believe in him. You’re mother did with me, and we were not always happy, but we both knew how we felt.
Tell Aoshi that he hides the truth from himself; he’ll know what I mean.

Your Father

I bed aed at the note; Aoshi must have gotten it from my father and placed it in my bag. I smiled slightly at the p.s.

P.S. I Hope, to see you in three months.

I’ll want to see him off of course, the movie. I dart up and glance at my watch 25 minutes Sano’s gonna kill me. I race down the stairs and to his car. “Sorry Sano, I...SANO!!!!!!!!!!”

I screamed as he waved at me from my car.

“Sano you are not driving my car.” I growled.

“Aw c-mon, its sa nia nice car, and mine’s an old junker.

“You....” I couldn’t think of anything to say. “Fine, you hurt even the paint job and you’re paying for it got it.

“Ahh I won’t hurt the car k.” I tossed Sano my keys and got in. He squealed out of the garage, and I cringed, ‘My new tires,’ this was going to be a long ride to the movies.

________________________________________________________________________

With Sano’s crazy driving we made it to the movies with 5 minutes to spare. I yanked my keys from his hand and shoved them in my mini backpack. We still received a lecture from Kaoru.

The movie was a pretty good movie, the beginning was a little slow, but the ending was defiantly worth it.

As soon as we got out of the movies Sano wanted to go drinking. I agreed, only because I knew I was going to have to, with his whining I’d wind up their either way. Kaoru sighed and declined and I could tell Himura didn’t want to drink tonight either. He’d been staring at Kaoru even during the movie. I laughed. “See you guys later, I’ll drag Aoshi next time. He might have liked this movie.” I waved, as did Sano. Kaoru and Kenshin waved back and then it was off to the bar.

________________________________________________________________________


I put my key in the lock, as I pounded my head lightly against the door. “Why did he have to drink so much and stay so late?” I have to work in the morning “Ugh I feel drained. He had to come on to me to and dang it hurt when he yanked on my hair.” I pulled my braid over my shoulder quickly and my hair tie was gone. My braid was about halfway in the rest of my hair was hanging out. The door came open and I fell into Aoshi’s arms, my arms instinctively winding around him. I sighed as my eyes drifted closed.

“Misao,” Aoshi stern voice kept me from sleeping. Being around him was just so nice and I felt safe.

“Mmm,” I mumbled against his clothed chest.

“Why are you back so late?” His voice was cold like this afternoon.

“Sano wanted to go get drunk, we took my car and I wasn’t going to hear him bellyache all evening. He would have stayed over and I wanted to sleep tonight.”

“Aaa,” His voice was still frigidly cold. I tightened my arms around him. I could feel his gaze on me. He didn’t stiffen but he also didn’t embrace me. I looked up into his eyes.

“Let me go,” Was his cold response.

“NO!” I growled.

“Misao,” He warned.

“What did I do to make you so mad at me?” I didn’t receive a reply as he wrenched my arms away from him. I stared at him as he walked back to his room. Tears filled my eyes and I tried to hold them back, but I couldn’t. I fell to my knees and let the tears fall silently down my face. I’m not sure how long I stayed there and cried, but I finally managed to get up and go to the couch. I fell into a very uneasy sleep.

I heard my alarm go off and made my way to my room. I turned it off and started to get ready for work. I looked in the mirror and smiled sadly. I looked horrible, but I didn’t care. My hair was a mass of tangles, ‘It’s going to take a year to get these all out. Oh well its a new day Aoshi’s not up and I need to freshen up.’ I knew I had to perk myself up.

I made it to work with my smile in place and made it through my 8-hour day. I arrived back at the apartment and my smiled dropped as I went in. Aoshi was reading on the couch and I glanced at him going to my room.

“Misao...” I heard him call my name, but I just shut my door and laid on my bed. ‘I shouldn’t be sad like this, so why am I? It’s just like all the other times he’s rejected me. So why does it hurt so much more this time?’ Tears fell from my closed eyes, as I stubbornly wiped them away. I decided to change my clothes, I felt so exhausted. I came out in a blue spaghetti strapped shirt and a pair of gray sweatpants

A knock on my door had me glance at the door. “Leave me alone.”

“C-mon on Misao, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say that. I grew up with you to.” My eyes widened.

“Megumi?” I asked surprised. She opened the door.

“Who else would it...?” She trailed off and her smile dropped. “Misao what’s wrong, why are you...”

SLAM

“...Crying?” She finished as soon as I shut my door. I saw Aoshi stand up, and I wasn’t going to even let him know this bothered me. “Misao,” She called softly and opened her arms. I gladly welcomed the embrace.

“Guy problems what else?” I asked sadly.

“What did Aoshi do this time?”pullpulled back from the embrace.

“How...”

“Its obvious, I’m not blind. Aoshi’s was colder than usual yesterday when I came by, as he is today.” Megumi smiled and motioned to the bed and we sat down. “I asked him what was wrong and I heard him mumble Sagara. I’m not sure who that is.” My eyes widened.

“Why would he be mad because of Sano?” I questioned.

“You should ask him that.” Megumi smiled at me and I wiped my eyes and smiled back at her.

“Yeah I should, instead of moping around.” I stood up feeling refreshed. ’It seemed Aoshi was being the jealous husband.’ I smirked.

“Well I was going to ask if you’d like to have dinner with me tonight?” Megumi brought me out of my musings. “You can bring the boy toy if you want.” Megumi smirked.

“Hmm maybe, how long you going to be in town?”

“A week at most. I’m here to see a little girl that doesn’t have a high chance of living. I can do the surgery and all but even then it’s a slim chance she’ll live.” A sad smiled crossed her face.

“But there’s a chance right.”

“Yep.” A genuine smile came to her face. “If we can even prolong her life I can smile.”

“Yeah.” We both laughed. This is how it always was with us. We could be down and we’d always find a way to cheer each other up. “Are you going to go meet the girl before you go in as a doctor?”

“We don’t have the time for that this time.” Megumi’s smiled saddened.

“I could go with you today if you like. We could go meet the little girl.” I smiled at her hoping that would cheer her up.

Megumi shook her head sadly. “She won’t be at this hospital for a couple more days.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I sighed lightly and walked toward the door. “Can we go to dinner another evening, I don’t think Aoshi would like to go.” I smiled. “I need to talk to him and something else is bound to happen to ruin the evening.” I chuckled.

“You’re hiding something,” Megumi glared at me. “I want to know what you’re hiding c-mon spill.” Megumi advanced on me and pinned me to the door.

“I can’t tell you.” I turned my head away from her eyes.

“Ooooooh now I have to know spill.” Megumi shook me a little. I nodded, she’d find out sooner or later anyway.

“You gotta backup,” She did and I motioned for to bto bend down. “Aoshi and I were married. I clapped my hand over her mouth.

“Whaaaaa?” She screamed though I doubt anyone could here it over the other booming voice.

“YOU ASSHOLE LET ME IN.” Both our heads turned to my Door.

BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG

“SHINOMORI OPEN THIS DOOR.”

“...” Silence was all we heard.

“We don’t want a repeat of yesterday, shit.” I cursed as I ran out of my room, almost slamming the door in to the wall in my haste, and to the front door. I felt a slight tug on my braid but didn’t think about it. I opened the door and Sano’s mad brown eyes met mine. I felt three pairs of eyes on me including Sano’s. Sano’s eyes grew wide. I turned around and Aoshi was standing in front of the couch, just blinking at me, while Megumi was in my doorway. “Uhh, this is an apartment building and his yelling is probably going to make people a little...” I trailed off. “What the hell is you’re problem?” I questioned from the stares. Sano pushed me in slightly and shut the door. Aoshi took a step toward me and then stopped. His eyes were staring hard at me.

I turned to look at Sano. His eyes were smiling now. “What!” I growled. His hand came up and brought some of my hair around to lay in front of my shoulder.

“I don’t think any of us have seen you with you’re hair down.” Sano’s voice was soft and caring. I looked up at him my eyebrow raise. I instantly felt for my braid and cursed silently. I looked to Megumi who was holding my hair tie.

“I was trying to ask you a question and I kind of snatched this instead of your braid.” Megumi smiled. Sano flicked my hair back over my shoulder catching my attention again.

“I wanted to apologize for the other night. I shouldn’t have done that.” Sano smiled.

“You were drunk, it’s fine.” Sano was about to place his hand on my shoulder, when Aoshi grabbed his wrist.

“Misao we need to talk.” Aoshi’s voice held no argument.

“What about Sano and Megumi?” I questioned irritated.

“They can come back another time.” I craned my neck back to look up at him. He was glaring at Sano. I wanted to laugh, ‘so he was jealous.’ “Now leave!” Sano grumbled pulled the door open ad walked into the hallway. Megumi passed me with a glare to Aoshi and slammed the door.

“What’s wrong Aoshi?” I tried to stay calm, but he was just so irritating sometimes.

“Nothing,” was his reply as he paced slightly.

“Nothing, you told our guests to leave, so if it’s nothing you didn’t need to do that.” I growled. “So what’s wrong?” My anger was rising.

“You...” Aoshi trailed off and his piecing eyes met mine. “...Are.” His eyes narrowed.

“What did I do this time, please let me know.” I stated sarcastically.

Aoshi took a deep breath and sat down on the couch his hands holding his head. “I can’t do this,” Aoshi mumbled. He was talking so low, I could hardly hear him, but his voice being low didn’t help either.

“Can’t do what?” I questioned, my anger gone.

“This...” He motioned to me. I waited for him to continue. When he didn’t I posed the question that could turn the argument into a deeper mess.

“The marriage?” A long sigh came from him.

“No, acting the same as before.” I blinked he’s the one that wanted to do that.

“But you’re the one who...” Aoshi cut me off.

“If I hadn’t done that stunt the other night to get you to let go of me, then maybe we could still act like that.” Okay Aoshi was freaking me out, his voice was still as cold as ever, but he doesn’t talk like this to me. Not once has he ever mentioned a doubt a great feeling or anything.

“Well I kind of pushed that on you and I’m, sorry.” It was true we should have talked about all this before the marriage, but we didn’t and now we were paying the price.

“We both did things we shouldn’t have, no blame can be put on just one of us.” Now there was the Aoshi I knew. I giggled aloud at my musing. He looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Nothing,” I just got a great idea, “Aoshi?”

“Yes?”

“I have an idea, we could spend the day together to make up for the stuff we did. I mean for me pushing that on you and you being a jerk to me the last two days.” A cold glare was shot at me, but I dismissed it like always. “We can talk about stuff we aren’t sure of and well have an actual date. I mean we haven’t ever really spent time outside of the dojo or the apartment. This would be like a getting to know you thing...sort of.”

“Yes I guess we could.” I squealed in excitement.

“Yay lets go!” I shouted.

“No!”

“Awwwww why not?” I whined.

“You’re in your pajamas Misao.” I looked down, ‘yep’.

“Oh right.” I laughed and Aoshi actually smiled. “I’ll go change,” I passed a mirror on my door. “Ack and put my hair, back in a braid.”

“Why don’t you leave it down?” I turned to look at Aoshi. He must not have thought to say that, cause his eyes were wide and he wouldn’t look at me.

“Okay,” I smiled.

________________________________________________________________________


We had left about 5:30 pm, as I had gotten off work at around 3 or 4, I wasn’t paying attention to the time earlier. I shrugged. Aoshi and I had gone and played miniature golf. I ended up beating him by 10 strokes, which surprised me. I was surprise because Aoshi had suggested the place and I actually beat him in something. Then I suggested we go to a late movie, which was due to start in about a half hour. Aoshi had agreed, but he was hungry so we decided to go to dinner. Not in a really fancy place, just somewhere, besides fast food.

Which is where we sat. It had been silent since we sat down. Our food arrived, but silence wasn’t really me. “So Aoshi...” I began not sure how to word my question. He looked up at me. “What made you change you’re mind, it couldn’t have just been the umm passi...” I didn’t want to finish that sentence. “The kiss.” I finished dryly staring down at my pasta.

“No it wasn’t.” He seemed uncomfortable now.

“I’m sorry I don’t mean to...”

“Pry, you’re not Misao. You have a right to know about my actions. I heard you talking to you’re self in the hall about Sagara. What he did to you.”

“How?” I blurted.

“The hall makes you louder than you think, you were also a little intoxicated. You were speaking louder than you thought.”

“Oh,” I returned my gaze back to my pasta. I took a huge bite and savored the flavor. It tasted so good. It probably sounds like I’m trying not to look at him, but I actually liked the pasta. It was yummy. “I don’t really understand why you would be mad at me?” I said through mouthfuls of pasta

An almost silent growl comes from Aoshi and I looked up. His eyes were slightly angry. “Because of how forgiving you are.” I blinked at him.

“Sano wouldn’t have done anything Aoshi. I can take care of myself.” I cringed; I hoped he wouldn’t bring anything up about the train trome.ome.

“I know that Misao, we’re married now. I know Megumi knows....

“She won’t tell,” I blurted out.

A quick smirk from him, as he continued. “ I know she won’t Misao, but others will know soon. Probably slip of the tongue. Any other Husband would have knocked Sagara out...”

“Yes I know Aoshi do you have to...” I cut him off and he stood up, sliding his chair so he sat next to me, instead of across from me. I watched him with my eyes and he kissed me, shutting me up.

“Let me finish,” He said slightly out of breath. “It was an arranged marriage, yes, but I still care about you Misao and I wanted to do the same thing, but I knew you would be mad if I had.” I nodded. I was a little happy at his proclamation. I mean he actually said he liked me, maybe not the way I wanted, but still in a way. He blinked at me, I guess expecting me to say something.

“Thank you Aoshi,” I kissed him once again winding my arms around his neck. He responded to the kiss. I was in such a good mood now. He broke the kiss and closed his eyes. “Aoshi,” I whispered, as my breath was coming in slight pants. He nodded, and opened his eyes, looking directly at his plate. He pulled it over and started eating once again. I sighed, ‘it was a great kiss though.’ I giggled as I started on my pasta again.


“I love that movie.” I called as we exited the theater.

“You’ve seen it before?” Aoshi questioned me.

“Yeah I saw it with Sano and them yesterday. It was an awesome movie I thought you might actually like the movie.”

“I Robot was interesting.” Aoshi’s tone suggested that it wasn’t his type of movie.

“Okay, well next time we’ll see one that you’d like to see.” I turned around to look at him and smiled. He glance down at me and nodded. As he passed me I wrapped my arms around his right arm. “I guess we go home now hmm?” I laid my head on his arm; after all I was shorter by at least 6 inches.

“I would prefer to go home.”

“Not use to spending so much time outside the dojo or the apartment huh?” I giggled.

“No, I just prefer to be alone.” Aoshi whispered into my ear as I stood still. He had pulled his arm from my embrace and wrapped it around my shoulders. Then bent down and said that. I glance up to him and a smirked was on his face, as I could feel myself blush. I turned my head to look at the cars passing by. I heard Aoshi chuckle and decided I was going to have to see how his no tolerance for alcohol would affect him later, a snicker escaping my lips. A thought came to my mind of what Sano had said the day before yesterday.

“What did Sano mean the other day when he said? “When Shinomori grabs you in you’re sleep there ain’t a way to get out of it.” I decided to repeat his exact words. I felt Aoshi stiffen. I haI have a habit of grabbing things in my sleep sometimes.” I looked up to him as we continued to walk.

“And...” I pleaded.

“We had to share a cabin that night, the other one had been trashed by a storm. We didn’t exactly have too much room between us and Sano was lying next to me. I grabbed him in my sleep and he couldn’t get out of my grip until I woke up the next morning.” Aoshi sent a sideways glare at my smile. I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him. I felt him sigh and the rest of the walk was in silence.


Aoshi unlocked the door and opened it. I walked in placing my mini backpack on the table next to the door. Aoshi dropped the keys in the holder and walked to the couch. I smiled. He’d actually told me something about his childhood. He plopped down on the couch.

I took my shoes off and padded to the couch. I sat down next to Aoshi and put my head on his shoulder. “Thanks Aoshi.” I placed my hand over his heart.

Aoshi moved his arm hesitantly, making me lift my head. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I laid my head back down. It was much more comfortable this way. “Your welcome.” Aoshi whispered to me. I smiled and wrapped my arm around his waist.


Ughhhhh I still need to do the lemon it looks like this will be 3 chapters, I have to add a whole dinner scene thing and well this chapter would turn out to be 30 pages. So I stopped it there and I hope you all like the chapter.