!Warning! This has been one of my earliest attempts at writing fiction, so please bear with any typos or grammatical errors that you may find. I did some editing already, but just in case. R&R are greatly appreciated! 

The time line of the story would be about umm, Aoshi was barely 14 years old, and so you could guess that Misao's only 4. That is why everything's fitted perfectly. This was inspired by the way, by Tin-san's "Of Love and Honor"; it's such a brilliant piece of work, one of my favorites of all time! So, thanks Tin for providing me with much needed inspiration and energy for a fic! Well everyone, here it is...

STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY: Ruroken not mine.

Rainfall

M.Mikagami

The wind blew --- louder and harder this time; it sent chills up his spine. It has been forcefully banging the doors and the shutters of the window for what seemed like eternity.

Will this storm ever stop?

One window flew open, in violent motion, bringing the cold fingers of Zephyr into the still room. The boy stood up and draped the woolen blanket over his shivering body as he forcefully made his way towards the window to close it shut, drawing closer, if possible, inside the warmth of the blanket. Bright lightning flashed in the dark skies, and then came the booming roar of thunder -- as if in response to the ever striking tone of Zeus' thunderbolt. After a while came another boasting clap of thunder. The boy covered his ears, afraid to be deafened by the call.

"Aoshi-sama!"

A familiar voice squeaked out amidst the crackling noise. He heard the customary rasping of shoji and the abrupt opening of the wooden door. He turned around and saw the frightened little face of Misao. Even in the darkness, he could make out the tears that plagued her innocent beautiful features. Another one of those nightmares, he thought. If only there was a way he could scare them away from her, she was too young to be burdened by dark dreams.

Lightning struck again, as thunder boomed simultaneously behind it.

Instinctively, he knelt and extended his arms under the blanket. The girl yelped and ran up to him to clutch his waist, pressing her tiny form to his own. Misao sobbed silently inside his arms, calling out his name. Aoshi smiled to himself as brought her up to his chest, and pulled the blanket over her small body. He drew her closer to him, holding her tightly as though sheltering her from the fear that troubles her. Her arms seized his neck, burying her face onto his broad shoulders. She was so scared; her whole body was shaking uncontrollably.

"Aoshi-sama..." her tiny voice squeaked softly in between sobs that gradually ceased, as Misao embraced him all the tighter. "Aoshi-sama...I'm so scared..."

"Misao-chan... daijoubu," Aoshi ran his fingers through her soft, silky raven-black hair as he whispered to comfort her, "Please don't cry. I'm here now..."

It was not any longer that the rain had stopped, the thunderstorm ended its wrath, and all that was left were remnants of a quaint past.

Misao lifted her head up and looked at the boy she adored so much. Blue-grey orbs intently watched her now flushed cheeks, amused by the expression of her face. Misao yawned and Aoshi laughed quietly at her countenance.

"Sore dewa," he whispered softly as he brought the little girl to his futon to lay her down, "You may sleep here with me tonight."

Misao yawned and nodded at the same time, brushing her eyes absentmindedly. Aoshi lay down beside her, holding her frail body close to his, transferring every warm that his body could emanate onto her. Not long after, the little girl had fallen asleep, cradled comfortably in his arms. He paused to kiss her pink cheeks, and went to his own deep slumber. A ghost of a smile forming on his lips...

OWARI.