"It's co-old…!" whined Misao. "Aoshi-sama, remind me why we we're out in this weather, again?"
"It was your idea." Aoshi raised an eyebrow. "You said that it was getting warmer and that we should take this opportunity to get the shopping done."
"Yeah, and I'm surprised that you actually came with me." Muttered Misao.
"Hm?"
"Nothing!" she chirped.
The snow had stopped, but it was still freezing, and all the residents of Kyoto shuddered with cold all together. All except for one. Shinomori Aoshi was not disturbed at all by the cold, for the only effect it produced on him was a slight pink tinge around his cheeks.
Misao was very annoyed at him for not succumbing to the cold like a normal person. But, in his defense, he was dressed more warmly, while Misao had decided that it would be fine for her to simply wear a thick haori over her ninja uniform and a pair of leggings underneath.
As she shivered down the street, she heaved the bag of dried meat higher on her shoulder. My hands are so damn cold. I bet Aoshi-sama's aren't. He's carrying that bag like it's nothing. He's not even shivering a little. Damn it. Gah! I'm a ninja! I shouldn't be defeated by weather like this! I'm stronger than the cold. Misao shivered, despite her best efforts.
She shivered again and, as if reading her thoughts, Aoshi silently pulled his scarf off and wrapped it around her. Misao's cheeks heated as she felt the warmth of the article that had been so recently wrapped around the object of her affection. "T-thanks." She stammered.
"You needed it more than I." he said, not meeting her eyes. Was it just the cold, or was he blushing a little?
Misao idly wondered if she acted more and more affected by the cold he would take more and more of his clothes off. Her cheeks reddened even at the idea and she quickly dismissed it with a thought of food. No thoughts about naked Aoshi-sama. No. Think... Sashimi. Oshiruko. Okon's special miso soup. Her nose was not going to start bleeding out of nowhere. "There's one more place we have to go." She said aloud. "Thanks for coming Aoshi-sama!"
They exited the last shop, piled with even more groceries. Misao blew on her reddening and stiffening hands. "Uwaah! My hands are so cold." She said. With a shy grin, she reached out for Aoshi's hand. "Freezing, right?" Oh-my-gods-his-hand-is-so-warm, she thought. And if I die today, I can boast in heaven that I held Aoshi-sama's hand for at least two seconds.
With a slight smile that Misao did not see, Aoshi silently enveloped her hand in his own - and continued walking. Misao's face lit up with a blush brighter than a beet. She bit her lip to keep herself from squealing. Cold was the last thing on her mind at that moment.