A/N: It's been a while, what can I say, I was busy. But well, here's the next part. Read, enjoy and if you find the time press the buton 'review' and leave me a nice message :-D

Thanks to: my reviewers: gabyhyatt, Adelaide MacGregor (yeah I know, but I'm not english-speaking), raven-haired angel (2 more chapters like these two, not too long I hope)

Live in the Light: part II

A couple of months had passed and winter was drawing near, Misao's abdomen showed quite a bulge. Aoshi had kept her training and now the small shinobi was a quite capable fighter even without her sight. Okina had purchased a blind walking stick, so Misao could help herself when not at the Aoiya.

Aoshi and Misao were walking through the town. Aoshi had his arm around Misao, while she was holding her walking stick in the right hand. They were on their way to the clinic.

Suddenly a woman with a baby in her arms ran toward them. "You're the woman that saved us! I heard what happened, I'm so sorry, all because you saved us – "

"It's alright, at least you all are safe. And I didn't lose everything," she said patting her stomach.

"I can see, congratulations anyway," the woman said with a semi-smile. "On your way to the clinic, I guess?"

"Yes, indeed. This little one needs a check-up, as does his okaasan."

"You think it's a boy?" the woman asked her.

"Not really, but even if it is a girl, she'll be a tomboy, just like me," Misao explained with a shrug.

"Well, I would like to repay you," the woman said.

"That's not necessary, I'm sure you have enough work by rebuilding your house," Misao said gently.

"At least let me invite you and your husband for diner."

"That would be very nice," Misao said with a smile. "But we have to go now," Misao continued as she made a small bow.

Aoshi nodded his head at the woman and guided Misao further.

They stopped in front of the clinic.

"I'll pick you up later, I still have an errand to run," Aoshi said.

Misao nodded and kissed him, then she entered the clinic.

Aoshi sighed. Even though Misao kept up her smiling, joyful face, deep down she was devastated. Aoshi knew this, he was no fool. It happened often at night when she was alone in their room and he entered that he found her weeping. He would cradle her in his arms and comfort her until she fell asleep.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A while later Misao emerged from the clinic and sensed for Aoshi's presence. As she felt it coming from behind her she turned around.

"You're getting better," Aoshi said as he stepped closer towards her.

"Aoshi, is there someone else with you?"

"Aa. Give me your hand," he said.

Misao held her hand out uncertainly. Aoshi gently took it and placed on something he was holding against his chest. Misao shrieked and pulled her hand abruptly back as she had felt something soft and furry moving under her touch. Aoshi smirked inwardly.

"What was that?" Misao asked still shocked.

"Feel again, I promise you it's nothing dangerous."

Misao slowly reached out again and felt for the thing in Aoshi's arms. Her hands traced over the soft furry thing. "A dog?" she asked.

The animal turned its head and started licking her hand.

"A Odate (A/N: today also known as a Akita dog) pup," Aoshi confirmed as he put the small dog carefully in Misao's hands. "I thought you would like his company."

Misao smiled – a real smile, which were rare lately – and gave him a 'thank you' kiss. Aoshi put his arm on her shoulder and started walking into the direction of the Aoiya.

"So, what did he say?" he asked.

"He said that I've gained the right amount of weight. And that we have a strong baby," she answered as she petted the dog in her arms.

"We should give him a name," Aoshi said.

"Mmm," Misao said thoughtfully. "How about Han'nya," she suggested carefully.

Aoshi stopped walking and so did Misao. "It's a strong name," he said. "Then Han'nya will it be."

Misao smiled broadly and Aoshi returned the smile, even though she couldn't see it, he was sure she could feel it. He scratched the dog between his ears.

"Han'nya, the super spy dog," he joked.

Misao laughed. She knew that his out of character behaviour was only meant to cheer her up.

They entered the Aoiya.

"Misao, what are you holding?" Okon asked.

"Oh this is Han'nya, I got him from Aoshi."

"Aoshi-san, really a dog here in the Aoiya?" Okon asked with a sigh.

"Don't worry, Odate dogs aren't loud barkers and Misao and I will be the ones to look after it," Aoshi assured her.

Then he and Misao retreated to their room. Misao put Han'nya on the floor and the dog started sniffing around.

Misao slung her arms around Aoshi's waist and leaned her head against his chest, while she closed her eyes. Aoshi put an arm protectively around her shoulders.

"Tired?" he asked gently.

Misao nodded. Aoshi slowly released her and walked to the corner to take the futon. He spread it on the floor. Misao and he sat down on it and were soon joined by Han'nya, who curled up against Misao.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A little while later they had fallen asleep with Han'nya curled up between them. The shoji went open and Okina peeked in. Aoshi stirred and opened his eyes. He looked straight into those of Okina.

Okina gestured Aoshi to come to him, so Aoshi rose and walked towards the older man, slowly closing the shoji behind him.

"How is she now?" Okina asked.

"She's fine, the doctor said that everything is going well."

"I heard from Okon that you bought her a dog."

"Aa, I thought it would give her some distraction."

"She's pregnant, Aoshi, she's got already enough to worry about. I – "

"She's not yours to take care off," said Aoshi. "She's doing fine right now."

"I just don't want her to get hurt," admitted Okina.

"I won't allow her to get hurt. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to join my wife in bed," said Aoshi and with that he retreated to his and Misao's room.

He lay down next to Misao and put an arm around her. Han'nya lay now curled up against Misao's legs.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The next morning Aoshi woke up and saw Misao sitting at the window with Han'nya at her side. She smiled and turned her head toward Aoshi.

"Good morning," she said with a huge smile.

Aoshi stood up and walked toward her.

"You're in a peculiar good mood, I wonder why?" asked he.

"I can see light," Misao said carefully.

"What?! How do you mean, you can see?" Aoshi asked.

"I can distinguish light and dark, just today. When I look that way," she looked at the window, "I can see a yellow glow, so I assume that it's the sun."

Aoshi was astounded.

"Okina!" he yelled. (A/N: I know very OOC-Aoshi, but c'mmon how else am I supposed to make him interesting?)

The old man burst almost through the shoji a couple of seconds later, followed by the others.

"What's wrong!" he asked, worried.

"Get a doctor, Misao says she can see light."

Within ten minutes a doctor was called to the Aoiya. Everyone was send out of the room.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A little while later the doctor emerged from the room and all the members of the Aoiya were waiting anxiously.

"Well?" asked Okina.

"She can distinguish light from dark," the doctor confirmed. "Her pupils react to amounts of light."

"And what does that mean?" asked Aoshi.

"It means that she might regain a part or even her whole sight in time. I can't tell, don't get your hopes up too high, because you might be disappointed as well."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

December had come and brought the first snow of the year, Misao's vision had not returned, but she still could distinguish light from dark. Aoshi and Misao walked through the garden to the pond. Han'nya dribbling behind them through the snow. Misao knelt down with great effort, since she was 6 months pregnant. She called Han'nya and the dog came running toward her.

He had grown quite a lot since she'd gotten him from Aoshi. Han'nya tried to lick her face.

"Oh no you, don't even try," Misao laughed while pushing the dog's nose away.

As Han'nya finally had given up to lick Misao and started running around, Misao placed her hands on the snow-covered ground and pushed herself up. Aoshi saw this and helped her. Though he didn't see Misao grabbing some snow and as soon as she was up in full length she put the ice-cold snow right behind the rim of his yukata. Aoshi shivered as he felt the cold melting snow running down his back. Misao laughed heartily.

"You will be sorry for that," he said in a mock-threatening voice.

Misao laughed as she quickly ran away and scrapped some snow from the bench near the pond, making a round ball of it. Aoshi had grabbed some snow from the ground and threw a snowball at Misao. She heard it coming and dodged it. And soon the two were engaged in a snowball-combat, with Han'nya jumping at every fallen snowball that had missed its goal.

"Aoshi! Misao! Kami-sama, you both are drenched till the bone. Get inside before one of you catches a pneumonia!" Okon said sternly.

Aoshi walked over to Misao and put an arm around her shoulder, they started walking to the house and Aoshi called Han'nya. Once they were inside Okon scolded Aoshi for his reckless behaviour.

"If you catch a pneumonia, you deserve it! And that dog is wet and dirty!"

"Ah Okon, don't be such a party-pooper!" Misao said.

Aoshi looked with a bemused expression as Okon rolled her eyes and went back to the kitchen. He called Han'nya and then they went to their room.

"Let's take a warm bath and get some dry clothes," Aoshi suggested.

Misao nodded. "That's a great idea!"

Aoshi took a towel and dried Han'nya so he wouldn't make everything wet. Then he grabbed some clean clothes and he and Misao left Han'nya alone in the room.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As soon as they were in the bathhouse and Aoshi had closed the door, they took of their haoris. Aoshi moved behind her and untied the knot of her obi. Then he took the kimono from her shoulders. It was a winterkimono and therefor quite thick and heavy. Misao untied the waistband of her underkimono. Aoshi did the same with his yukata.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Steam rose from the warm water in the bathhouse. Misao relaxed as Aoshi massaged her neck and back. His hands travelled around her shoulders and pulled her close to him. He gently took her braid and untangled it with one hand. Misao had closed her eyes and a satisfied smile was spread across her face.

"Don't fall asleep here," said Aoshi and he gave her a soft nudge in her side.

"I wasn't sleeping," said Misao as she scooted away from him.

"I didn't say that, I just said 'don't fall asleep here'," he said as he pulled her back to him.

She smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. The hand travelled down over his torso and the many scars he had. Her hand went back up and rested on his cheek, she gently leaned in and kissed him.

"I won't," she whispered as she pulled back.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After a while they stood and stepped out of the bath. Aoshi took a towel and draped it around Misao, before he took a towel to dry himself.

"Someone has woken up," Misao said as she placed her hand on her stomach.

Aoshi had just tied his yukata. He stepped beside her and placed one hand on her shoulder and the other on her stomach.

"Little one, you're not supposed to wake up at this time," Aoshi chuckled, then he let go of Misao and took her yukata. She put it on and tied the sash.

Then they stepped into the cold air.

"It's dark," Misao noticed.

Aoshi nodded. "Aa, it's winter, days are short."

Misao sighed. "I wish I could see the snow. I just wish I could see again."

Aoshi pulled her close. "I wish for the same," he whispered.

TBC ...

A/N: I hope you liked it, let me know! I'm planning on one or two more chapters like the past two.