HYM, Part3
It had been at least twenty minutes since the music had come to an abrupt
halt. Misao stood motionless, staring down at her feet. The same feet that
had betrayed her will to move mere moments before. And as a result, she had
been unable to live out her fantasy of being with Soujiro. In what should
have been one of the best moments in her life, ended up the most
devistating. And what about Soujiro? He had been very quiet and Misao
wondered what was going through his mind. She had caused him so much
embarassment, she wouldn't blame him at all if he never wanted to see her
again. Misao felt the tears stinging her eyes. Not now. Onegai.....don't let
me cry around him. She pleads with herself.
The crowd that had formed around Soujiro and her, now focused their full
attention on Misao. She can feel their eyes on her without looking up.
The hostility that was resonating from them was intense. So intense that
Misao could almost feel them as physical blows on her body. She had never
felt so alone or unaccepted in her life. All she could do was accept the
scrutiny of th crowd and pray for it's end.
-Across the room-
"Shinoromi-san, have a drink with me?" Megumi asks as she takes the seat
Misao previously had at his table. Aoshi nodds as she takes to glasses of
champaign from a passing waiter's tray. She passes a glass to Aoshi and
smiles. "This is very old, I picked it out myself." She brags.
Aoshi nodds again and takes a sip. Megumi nottices that his eyes are fixated
on something else. She follows their trail to Misao and frowns. "I can't
believe that Makimachi! Who does she think she is, embarrassing poor Soujiro
like. Especially since he took pity on her and askd her to dance. She really
has no class, ne Shinoromi-san?" Megumi asks, deviously.
"Hai." Aoshi replis. Serves her right! He thought to himself, having
witnessed the whole event. It's her own fault for thinking she could snag a
member of the F4. He wanted to gloat and rub her misfortune in her face. But
than he noticed her face. The devistation and hurt spoke volumes, even from
where he sat. At that moment, Misao looked like a fragile and helpless child
facing a pack of hungry wolves. It was also at that moment, that Aoshi
realized that his feelings for her ran alot deeper than simple rivalry.
"So Shinoromi-san....why don't we leave and go somewhere a little less
crowded?" Megumi says, rubbing her hand seductively over his.
"Some other time."Aoshi says, gulping down the rest of his champaign. He
thanks Megumi for the drink and to her irritation, excuses himself to
walk towards Misao and Soujiro.
"Soujiro?" Aoshi says, stepping in between Misao and him.
"Aoshi?" Soujiro questions.
"Sumen. But I think that Makimachi may have a problem dancing with you."
Aoshi states bluntly.
"Naze?" Soujiro asks, confused.
"You know how women are....she feels a little guilty. You see we came to the
party together and Makimachi here is very traditional. So in keeping
in tradition, she has to save the first and last dances for me." Aoshi
explains, wrapping a hand around Misao's waste and pulling her to him.
Soujiro smiles and allows Aoshi to take over as Aoshi signals the d.j. to
start the music. He than turns to the wide-eyed crowd. "Minna....despite
what you may have heard about me, I do not enjoy being the focus point of
everyone in this room. This is suppose to be a party, so stop standing
around gawking at us and dance!" Aoshi orders.
The crowd quickly returned to their respective partners. By the time
everyone made it onto the dancefloor, the song the dj played had ended and
another one had started.
"Here is an oldie but goodie requested by Sano Sagara for
the happy new couple, Shinoromi and Makimachi." The dj announces over the
mike. The crowd responds by applauding, but looks of disbelief mirror their
faces.
RESCUE ME AND TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS
RESCUE ME I NEED TO TENDER HEART
CAUSE I'M LONEY AND I'M BLUE
I NEED YOU AND YOUR LOVE TOO
COME ON AND RESCUE ME
Misao blushes at the feel of Aoshi's athletic body pressed against hers.
"Shinomori?"
"Nani?"
"Arigato." She says as she leans against him. He had saved her from the mob
of high society and allowed her to save face in front of Soujiro.
"Don't mention it. Now shall we dance?" He asks softly.
"But I really don't know how." Misao admitts.
"Then now is as good a time as any", Aoshi answers as he spins them into the
crowd of dancers.
-At Aoshi's table-
Megumi glares at the happy couple. "That bitch did it again! I will not let
you get your claws into my Shinoromi, Makimachi! You have just made
yourself a mortal enemy.
-Outside-
Kaoru Kamiya arrives at the party rather late. She had read that being
fashionably late was the in thing to do. So she had her driver drive around
Megumi's house a couple of times before dropping her off. She fantasized
that Himura would be there and that he may take notice of her and ask her to
dance. After straightening her emerald green dress and checking her makeup,
she stepped out of her car. She walked up the steps and was about to enter
when she spotted Kenshin. There he was, sitting on the lawn bench under the
gazebo. She took a deep breath and walked towards him.
"Konnichiwa, Himura-san." Kaoru says, flashing him her brightest smile.
"Konbanwa, Kamiya-dono." Kenshin says quietly, not even turning to face her.
"How did you know it was me?" Kaoru asks, suprised.
"You'r voice. I would recognize it anywhere." Kenshin says matter of factly.
"Why is that?" Kaoru asks, unsure of how to take his response.
"Because. It is one of the sweetest I have heard in a long time." Kenshin
replies, turning to face her. Kaoru blushes as his eyes burn intensly into
hers.
"Arigato Himura-san......"
"You can call me Kenshin." Kenshin says, cutting her off.
"Oh.....alright Kenshin. And you can call me Kaoru." She says with a smile.
"Kaoru-dono." He smiles back.
-Later-
Aoshi walks Misao to her front door. He hands her her jacket as she searches
her purse for her keys.
"I want to thank you again Shinoromi....for everything." Misao says,
unlocking her door.
"No need to thank me. You'd better get a good's night sleep."
"Naze? Tomorrow is Sunday. That means no school and the restaurant is
closed." Misao reminds him.
"True. But remember, you are suppose to be tutoring me tomorrow."
"Nani? But you made that up for Jiya." Misao argues.
"I know. But now I think , I made need you afterall. I will send a car for
you at 9." Aoshi says, as he turns his back on her.
"Demo?.."
"Oh....and wear something nice....or I will be forced to take you on another
make-over session." He adds as the drive opens the door for him.
"Why would I need a make--over to study? Misao asks him suspiciously.
"You'll see" He says as he gets in the car, the driver shutting it behind
it.
Misao frowns. "Now what are you up to, Shinoromi? She asks herself. She
turns and opens her door. She was just about in when she hears Aoshi call
her.
"Makimachi?"
"Nani?" She asks, one foot in the door.
"I had a nice time tonight." He says with a serious expression.
Misao stares at him for awhile and thinks about everything that had happened
earlier. To her suprise she smiled. "So did I, Shinomori." She
admits.
He nodds and rolls up the window. The car drives off and disappears at the
end of the street. Misao enters the restaurant and heads up to small
apartment upstairs. At the door, she hears the phone ring. She quickly
flings open the door. Seeing Jiya asleep on the couch, she rushes to the
kitchen and snatched the receiver off the wall.
"Moshi Moshi, Mkimachi residence....Kaoru-san?"
"Misao-chan..........where have you been? I have been calling you forever."
"Gomen. It's a long story"
"Speaking of long stories.....I just got home from Megumi-san's party. And
you will never guess who I spent it with?"
"Who?"
"Kenshin." She says happily.
"Kenshin? So we are on a first name basis now?" Misao says, raising an
eyebrow.
"I guess so. It was all his idea too. Oh Misao-cha......I think I'm in
love.........gomen....I shouldn't be going on about my night without hearing
about yours." Kaoru says apologetically.
"It's okay. I mean, what are best Tomodachis for?" Misao says reassuringly.
"You're right. But first...tell me what you did tonight?"
Misao smiles and thinks about the night's events again. "Nothing really,
Kaoru-san. Except, I finally learned how to dance.
TBC
