Disclaimers: Rurouni Kenshin was created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. I don't own any of the characters, even if I wanted to. (Dream on!)I'm only borrowing them for entertainment purposes only!!

A Married Life:

Chapter: 1

"Aishite'ru." said Aoshi, as he laid next to Misao and stroked his fingers through her silky, smooth hair. "I never thought of this before, but when I'm with you, I love you more. You are the light that takes me away from my inner darkenss. You are the bird that greets the day. You can't be replaced, my Misao. So this statement is for you, and you must hear: Marry me... I want to be with you. Let me be with you..."

"I love you too," Misao replied. "I loved you ever since I was a little girl. I would be nothing without you. I love you Aoshi; I love you with all my heart. Nothing will tear us apart..."

Misao woke up, in the middle of a peaceful night. "It was all a dream." she thought. It was a dream from the past.. an event that had happened just before she got married. Her eyes were burning with tears as they wanted to be shed, but instead, she held them back.

Misao sat up on her futon remembering some of her old memories. She stared out of her bedroom window and glanced at the moon that shined at that hour, then turning to see an empty space next to her. 'I remember what it was like when you first left me...I was about seven years old. I had missed you so much and wanted you to come back to me. I wanted to look for you, but I wasn't allowed to leave. I was lonely from that day on. I on kept thinking of you and kept hoping that you would come back very soon. Years had passes and I was finally allowed to journey on my own. I set out with hope, in search of you, as well as the others. As soon as I heard word that you were in Tokyo, I went there myself. But, when I got there, there was no sign of you. Then, not long after I turned 16, you came back to Kyoto. I was both happy and sad. I was sad to know that you became so distant from us, from your friends, your family. Yet, I was happy to see that you were alive and well. I found out later that Hannya-kun and the others had died defending you. My heart ached. Days later, you came back to the Aoiya, after Shishio was defeated and fulfilling a promise to Himura. I was so glad that you were safe. I couldn't help but cry. Never could I have held a grudge against you, even if I was to try. And I had. I tried so hard to hate you, after all, you did almost kill Jiya; but at that instant when I saw you walking towards me, I had forgave you immediately. I didn't think the others would be too happy, but at least I was. After time, you found your inner peace and accepted your past mistakes, and finally you took my hand in marriage. That was one of the happiest moments in my life.' She got up and slowly walked to the other side of her room. There, where a little girl was sleeping soundly through the night. Misao carefully picked her up making sure that the three-year old wouldn't be disturbed. Taking a seat by the window, she continued her thoughts. 'This was the best gift you could have ever given me, Aoshi. It was prove that our love was true. It so happened when I became a mother and you had become a father. And now, it has been almost four years since that day; since Nadeshiko was born.' She paused and looked down at the little one, who was shifting her sleeping position; then continuing her trail of thoughts. 'Now, after so many years that we were together, you had left once again, leaving me and Nadeshiko behind. I've been waiting for your arrival for about 3 months now. I have missed you being here with me. please be back soon...Both Nadeshiko and I miss you very much...you acompanying me every night before bed' And with that, Misao drifted off yo sleep with Nadeshiko still in her arms.

The next morning, Misao woke up when hearing a soft cry from a child. Her child... She opened her eyes to see Nadeshiko leaning on her mother. She had black hair like Misao's and blue eyes like Aoshi's. She was the most adorable thing ever.

Misao got up and walked downstairs to find Omasu and Okon cleaning the dining room. Shiro and Kuro were already cooking for their early customers.

"Ohayo! Minna-san..." Misao greeted as cheerful as can be.

"Ohayo...Misao," Omasu greeted back. "Ohayo.. Nadeshiko-chan," She greeted while looking at the top of the stairs, waiting for Nadeshiko to get down.

"Nadeshiko-chan..." Misao said is a soft voice, "Hayaku and get down here, onegai..."

"Hai!.. Ka-san" Nadeshiko replied and started decending from the stairs.

"Asagohan will be ready in just a minute..." Omasu said walking into the kitchen.

Misao walked into the dining room with Nadeshiko-chan. She saw Okina sitting there already. "Ohayo...Jiya..." Misao greeted him and took her seat in her usual spot.

Okon entered the room and handed out the food. "Misao..." She began speaking, "...let me feed Nadeshiko-chan for you."

Misao nodded and allowed Okon to do so. Okon picked Nadeshiko-chan away from Misao's lap. Misao looked at her and replied, "Arigatou."

"Ahh...Can you believe???" Okon began, after remembering something, "Nadeshiko will turn 4 in a matter of 2 months." She commented staring at her and noticing how fast time can fly.

"Hai," replied Misao. '..In just two months...' she thought.

"I'm sure Aoshi-san will return by then." Okon continued.

Okina nodded with agreement, "Misao," he began "You really are bad at hiding your

feelings..." he teased. "You do miss him."

Misao became quite for a moment. She wasn't of what answer to give. "Of course, I do. I miss him a lot." she replied. "And, I know he will return soon. Aoshi even said it himself; he loves me...and Aoshi-sama daisuki."

To Be Continued...

Japanese Words:

Hai: yes

Ka-chan: Mommy, Mother, Mom (either way)

Nadeshiko: a kind of flower

Ohayo: good morning

asagohan: breakfast

arigatou: thank you

onegai: please

hayaku: hurry

daisuki: I love you, or to love someone

Aishite'ru: I love you

Author's notes: Ahh I'm finally done with this chapter. I think this is the best fanfiction I have written yet. What do you think? I want to thank my friend for helping me write the first paragraph and getting me started.

I choose the name Nadeshiko as Misao's daughter because I like that name a lot. I really had a hard time picking out a name, but in the end, I found one.

Thanks for reading! Ja na!