Author's Note: Yeah, I've been hitting a wall story-wise here if you could tell from the mass time between chapters. I tend to get really bad writer's block at bad times. :sigh: This year was also made of crazies.

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Chapter 10: Milky Way

"why deep in your eyes, are you lost, avoiding the obvious?
if you open the door to your heart, I'll come to get you soon.."- Milky Way, l'arc en ciel

As she sipped her tea, Misao pondered on the embarrassment and silliness of the situation the night before. It was shortly past dawn, Aoshi was off about the town spying while he insisted she remain to spy at the inn.

More like keep her out of trouble, was the underlying subtext. Biting the rim of the tea cup, a bad habit she was forming when stressed, she sighed and put the cup down. She wondered who it was who was spying on them and if they'd already been found out. That made no sense however since they hadn't done anything to raise suspicion.

Unless it was a party unrelated to the current mission. But who?

Her mind drew out a list, and the most logical answer she came to was Saitoh. Yet he was in Kyoto, was he not? Would he have strong enough conviction to follow them here? She knew he was keeping tabs on Aoshi, and yet to go so out of his way?

Unless it was one of his agents, but then in things of this nature Saitoh seemed to do things alone.

Her thoughts were broken as she realized a woman was standing before saying hello.

She looked up at the painted face of a geisha, a rather tall one, dressed in a light blue kimono with bright green flowers in a pattern.

"Can I help you?" Misao asked.

"Excuse my intrusion but I couldn't help notice you were alone. I saw you yesterday with your companion and I had intended to say hello but it seemed you wished for some privacy."

"Oh yes, we traveled quite a ways."

The geisha nodded.

"I work for the owner and like to make sure all new guest are greeted and having a pleasant stay. Is your room to your liking?"

Misao rather wished the geisha would leave her alone so she could have no distraction in her observations, but then it did provide a good cover for her spying.

"Yes, thank you."

"I would hope you liked it, it has the best view. Well then, good day." the geisha said with a nod of the head and as she walked off Misao had noticed the geisha had very unusually golden colored eyes.

After her tea, she headed back up to her room after taking a brief tour of the inn and decided to keep record of their mission for reference using the written code of the Oniwabanshuu. As a child she had managed to coerce Kuro and Shiro into teaching it to her over time as a source of amusement. It was sneaky really, the way she managed to coerce her elders into teaching her Oniwaban skills without realizing just how much (though still in her opinion not enough) she was learning. She'd learn the codes and protocol from Shiro and Kuro who made it out to be a game. She'd learn the basics of being kunoichi from Okon and Omasu, in between them teaching her feminine skills like cooking and sewing and writing poetry and such. Okina taught her their history with pride.

She took the bits and pieces she had learned and patched them together like a quilt in her mind, and when she grew older did her best to fill in the holes by keeping her eyes and ears open and observing everything.

She tried once to use this reasoning to persuade Okina to let her go on missions, but he dismissed the notion, claiming she didn't have all the skills needed.

'And whose fault is that?' she had reasoned.

So she set about to continue learning what she could and when the time came she took a stand for herself and did what she believed to be right- taking the mantle of Okashira in Aoshi's prolonged absence.

They could all protest and point out the irrationality of it, but blood was blood and her blood was her grandfather's blood- a fact they could not protest.

Then Aoshi came back, claimed the title and her in one fell swoop and she was unable to stop it. Maybe had she tried harder, but if not for that old promise!

In truth, had she been better prepared surely she'd be able to work around that. She had taken a title she had grown into, not ready for, even if blood inheritance deemed it hers. It was Aoshi who been groomed for the role, Aoshi who had bled for it, not her.

She had defied her fate for a brief while, but it seemed truly she was always meant to be an Okashira's wife in the end, not the title itself.

Being female was sometimes quite unfair.

So she would dutifully take notes and wait, but Aoshi was definitely going to learn he had not married a very submissive woman, a fact he should have gleaned by now.

XxxxX

Aoshi returned to their room sometime later, and was greeted with Misao sitting on the futon scribbling into a small, leather bound book.

"Did you learn anything valuable, husband?" she said, an ironic note in her voice on the last word.

"Aa. I intercepted a correspondence from our parties."

She paused and set her notebook down, and lifting an arm up with her hand outstretched.

"May I read it?"

He took the letter out from his coat and handed it to her.

Her eyes skimmed it over quickly and she folded it up, setting it down next to her.

"So it seems they have wishes to overthrow Meiji-sama's government. Is his Highness really unaware of the amount of corruption around him?"

"If he is aware, he will not show it. This letter was sent with what I presume is a false name. It's addressed to a sake shop in Tokyo."

"So whoever it is really for won't leave a trail. How clever. Are we to apprehend our parties ourselves, or deliver word to the police?"

He removed his coat and set it aside, seating himself in the chair across the room.

"It is usual for us to gather evidence and deliver it to the proper authorities or parties to handle it. This came to us as a tip of unusual activity from one of our affiliates here and so it is for us to decide who to handle this matter. Other times we are contacted by a party to gather information and present it to them."

Misao rolled her eyes.

"I know that very well, Aoshi-sama! I was asking as to who should handle this matter since it is that sort of mission. You brought me for my skills and now you seem to pretend I don't have any and tell me to wait here?! I'm not the kind to just sit and wait while you do all the work!"

"You are angry?"

She growled, throwing her hands in the air.

"If you were planning on making me sit around here, I could have stayed home."

Aoshi crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall and closing his eyes.

Any other kunoichi would have followed his orders without complaint, clearly with Misao is was treading in different waters.

"It is easier for a man to be about than woman, and one of us had to stay here if anything were to happen here."

"Well then why didn't you just say so?"

"I've never had to answer myself to others when on missions."

"Well I'm not 'others'!"

"Misao, you need to stop disregarding authority. The Oniwanbanshuu does not tolerate such behavior."

Misao bit back a fuming retort. He could very well send her home at any moment's notice. She was only even allowed to participate again in Oniwanbanshuu business by his good graces, which itself seemed like an irony.

"I'm going to take a bath." she muttered, standing up and bustling out of the room and nearly slamming the door shut.

Aoshi stared at the door, brows furrowed.

Marriage to Misao was certainly an interesting affair.

The young woman in question practically stomped into the room adjoining the outdoor baths and grabbed a towel as she slipped off her yukata and slippers and set them into an empty cubbyhole and wrapped the towel around herself. She was thankful her hair was already up in a bun. Walking to the edge of the bath, she dipped a foot in and was pleased that the water was just hot enough and waded in through the steam which seemed much like a thin fog and sat to rest her back against the a large rock. She seemed to be the only one around, but then most residents in these parts seemed to be wont to sleep through the day due to nightly activities.

Inhaling deeply, she sank further into the warm water until it covered her shoulders as she exhaled loudly in pleasure. She really did love baths like these, and made a mental note to visit more outdoor baths back home.

Her momentarily peaceful thoughts were interrupted as Aoshi came to mind again.

"That guy! He needs to learn he can't treat me like most other women. Maybe I wouldn't have an authority problem if everyone wasn't always decided what's better for me as if I don't know."

The sound of rippling water broke her out of her angry thoughts as she looked around through the steam unable to see anyone else, but felt there was someone around.

"Hello? Is anyone here?"

Suddenly, hands shot up and one grabbed her by the throat, the other covering her mouth to muffle Misao's scream.

"Do not scream, Makimachi-san, I ask but a word."

A hard, golden pair of eyes met hers and Misao knew those eyes. The geisha from that morning! Now the woman's face was devoid of powders and pigments to reveal a swarthy complexion. There had to be something remotely comical about the situation, Misao reflected, two women struggling naked in a bath. It was the sort of almost lewdness the men around would love to witness.

The woman moved her hand and Misao took a hasty breath.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"A spy like yourself you could say, and we are both interested in the same prey for very similar reasons."

"And are you working for or against the government?"

The woman chuckled.

"I am sided with the law, we are more or less on the same team and as such I suggest you and your husband abandon this mission. There are bigger wolves out there to catch these filthy lambs."

"So you say, but who do you actually work for? Who else knows about this?"

The woman removed her hold of Misao and stepped back a bit.

"I have said all you need to know. Heed my words, little Oniwaban."

Misao watched the woman seem to disappear, as Misao tried to follow but her towel was slipping and unfortunately modesty won out of determination.

"Shit." she muttered, splashing the water in frustration.

It appeared this was not going to be a simple mission after all. Her annoyance at Aoshi would have to be put aside it seemed, for he needed to know of this latest development.

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"She had yellow eyes?"

Misao nodded as best as she could as Aoshi examined the slightly red skin on Misao's neck from where the other woman had grabbed her.

"Well more like gold, not as intense as Saitoh's, his are sharper. I think she's the one who was watching us. I wonder who she works for."

"She was probably telling the truth about being on the same side, if she were aligned with Murata she wouldn't have revealed herself. I have a suspicion but...I could be wrong."

"Do you think you know who she is?"

"I don't think it could be her. The woman I am thinking of went inactive upon her marriage and chose to live a quiet life raising her children."

"Oh, hmm. Either way, she's nuts if she thinks we'll just give up. We aren't right?"

"No. I don't think you'll have any bruises."

Misao rubbed the skin of her neck.

"Good thing I have tough skin."

"We should try to finish this mission as quick as possible. The letter is a good amount of evidence, and your notes as well."

"So who will the information go to?"

"At this point, the police here in Osaka. It would do best for Murata and the others to be apprehended as soon as possible."

"Luckily they've been the type to drink excessively and let it loosen their tongues. They seem to like to spend time in a private room downstairs. I'm sure they don't bother to hold their words there."

"Could you infiltrate their party?"

Misao grinned. So he was finally going to let her be of use!

"No problem, I can be very charming to men with money."

Aoshi frowned at that and wondered if Misao realized the implication her words intended. She saw his scowl and laughed.

"Have I struck a nerve? Don't worry Aoshi-sama, I won't let them get too frisky."

He grabbed her arm and pulled her close, his mouth moving to her ear.

"They will not touch you, Misao."

"Ah...I was only teasing." she whispered, pulling away from him.

"I'm not." he said simply.

"Do you really think I'm the type to cheat?!" she yelled. Did he really think she was capable of acting so low?

"You are not happy being with me." he explained.

"You're wrong!" she retorted, and blinked in surprise at her own words. That was not what she expected to say at all, and apparently neither did he.

She had been unhappy with the situation at the start, that was true, but lately...he wasn't so terrible or horrible to be around and she didn't feel like yelling at him quite so often.

She was grateful Aoshi decided to stop talking, which she was finding at times like this a very good quality about him.

When he did speak again it was of strategy. Misao would flirt with Murata and his men and worm her way into spending time with them to overhear their conversation while Aoshi would remain close enough to back her up, but far enough that it wasn't obvious. He also would keep an eye out for the geisha/spy woman.

Misao was very careful in applying her make-up, and made sure to well conceal the kunai under her kimono. She once more looked like a lurid porcelain doll, and fought the urge to scratch her face at the itchy powdered makeup.

She slipped downstairs ahead of Aoshi and easily spotted the group of men as they stood about relaying food and drink orders. Thinking over several ways to approach, she decided on a tried and true method.

As she walked by, she conveniently tripped on her geta shoes and sure enough was helped by one of the men, a very bony man in his late thirties, and she smiled prettily up at him and thanked him very much.

A smarmy grin appeared on his face as he asked her if she was alone and she replied her companion had decided to abandon her for another and that she was in need of company. She lowered her head and peered up at him through her lashes, another maneuver that seemed to work wonders of men.

Soon enough he was practically begging her to join them, and the other agreed, especially when she covered her mouth with her hand and giggled in practiced demureness. She followed them, allowing the bony man whose name was Furusawa, to lead her on.

She paid close attention to Murata who led the group into the private room where a hostess was ready to pour them sake. Misao made sure to make a show of pouring her own and serving those around her.

By then, Aoshi would be seated at the table closest to the hallway leading to room with his tea. She made a good sure of appearing not very clever or aware of what they were talking about, shyly asking Furusawa what they meant. She would make sure her ankle pressed against his, and from the flush on his face and leering smile, she was very confident she would find out a great deal.

"I expect the letter will soon reach Tokyo, and we can begin our next step." Murata said, after practically inhaling his dish of sake.

"Are you sure no one has wind of our plans, Murata-kun?" a short, balding man, Daido, asked.

"There's some talk of the Kyoto police having some mild suspicions but nothing to sweat about. The officer with the suspicion is too busy most of the time in soba shops talking nonsense. I have no worries over him."

"Ah well then, that's good. And what of our friends at the castle?"

Murata smirked.

"Business as usual. Meiji is very unaware of the dangers close to him. It's only a matter of time before he is overthrown."

Misao fought back the intense urge to smile at how freely they spoke in front of her.

"And you pretty little thing, what was your name?" Murata asked her suddenly.

"Momo." she replied softly.

"Ah, what a pretty name. Tell me Momo-chan, what do you think of the government?"

Misao forced herself to blush and looked down shyly.

"I don't know very much about it, sir."

Murata laughed.

"You're such a cute, little thing. What do you know then?"

"Oh I couldn't speak so boldly!" she said, covering her mouth with her sleeve.

The men all laughed, and Furusawa found it acceptable to pat her on the butt and Misao repressed the urge to punch him in the face.

"Very cute indeed! A shy little rabbit, you should have been named Usagi!"

The men laughed again at the joke and Misao giggled along.

This man is a total idiot!, she thought.

She spent another hour with them, and pretended to be upset when Furusawa explained they had business to attend to, but promised he'd return later if she was still looking for company. She smiled, pressed herself closer saying she would see.

She made her upstairs, having noted Aoshi was still seated at his table, and made her way to their room and was surprised to see someone seated in the middle of the room and a ribbon of smoke trailing into the air.

"Good afternoon, Makimachi-san, or are you finally going by Shinomori-san?"

She slammed the door shut and scowled.

"Saitoh-san, what are you doing here?" she asked harshly.

"Business, which you and your husband seemed to be meddling in. I've been investigating this case for months, I don't need your little ninja group mucking it up for me."

"You?! You're the officer they were talking about that hangs out in soba shops."

"Flirted your way into the inner circle did you? Why anyone would find a bony little girl like you attractive...must've been very drunk."

She rolled her eyes at the insult, letting it slide.

"It seems like everyone is after these guys. I suppose you're going to demand information?"

Saitoh smirked, then took a drag of his cigarette.

"Do you honestly think you've found out anything I didn't already know?"

It was Misao's turn to smirk.

"Maybe you're underestimating us?"

"Hardly. Ah, here comes your husband now."

The door slid open and Aoshi saw Saitoh in their room and hastily entered, shutting the door behind him.

"Saitoh."

"Shinomori. You have some better common sense than your weasel of a wife. Leave your spying on Murata. I'm after him and I do not like others interfering."

"And how is your wife these days?" Aoshi asked, and Misao was slightly confused by why Aoshi would even asked.

"She is well." Saitoh replied, and again Misao wondered if she was missing something, as there seemed to be a spark of something in subtext between the two.

"So then, the Kyoto police are aware of this situation?"

"Indeed, and we've kept it well secret thus far which is why I'm sure you thought your organization was the first to catch wind of it. Perhaps I underestimated the reach of the Oniwanbanshuu. I was already here when you two arrived."

"Well since we all have a common goal, as much as I hate to say this, wouldn't it make sense to just team up?" Misao interjected.

Saitoh chuckled.

"Your wife is rather silly, Shinomori."

Misao was sputtering and about to retort when Aoshi held up a hand indicating her to be quiet.

"It is not a very bad suggestion. We both have the same agenda. Our information was going to go to the Osaka police as it were, but perhaps it is better it goes to you."

"Aoshi-sama!"

Aoshi turned his gaze to Misao.

"Misao, there is a risk in passing information along to a police branch we are not completely sure of, but Saitoh is not a corrupt official."

"Exactly, I've yet to have reason to bite the hand that feeds."

"What a good pet you are!" Misao said snidely.

Saitoh shot her a narrow-eyed gaze.

"A Mibu wolf will never turn lapdog. If I seem obedient it is to serve my own purposes as always. Do not forget this."

"Do you want the information or not?" Aoshi interjected, not willing to listen to the two argue anymore.

"As I told your wife, whatever you've learned I certainly already know."

"And evidence?" Aoshi asked, removing the letter from Murata from his jacket and tossing it to Saitoh.

He opened the letter and scanned it.

"Well, I suppose you're good for something after all. If I've found out you've spilled any blood over this..."

"He hasn't." Misao commented.

"Just the same. You two have no reason to linger here further and I suggest you return to Kyoto."

He dropped his cigarette to the floor and crushed it under his boot and walked out the room as Misao stuck her tongue out at him behind his back in a rather childish display.

"Why is he so intent on arresting you anyway?" Misao huffed.

"Back during the wars we were both known for our skills but never met in direct battle with each other. When he took the alias of Fujita Goro, he made it point to apprehend whoever he felt was in the wrong during the wars. He has never been fond of our organization and less fond of competition in rivalry against Battousai."

"So he wants to arrest you over Himura?"

"It's a motivation. Saitoh believed I could be a danger."

"And he isn't it?"

"He has the law on his side in this era. It's why he makes his machinations to be an exemplary officer. With the law backing him, it's a powerful weapon."

"God, I hate that guy. A lot. I can't believe someone actually married him! His wife must be a Buddha."

"His wife is as sharp as a blade. They are something of a matched partnership. You've never met Takagi Tokio?"

"You mean Saitoh Tokio? Or well Fujita Tokio? I've heard of her, but she mostly keeps to their house in the mountains. Our paths haven't ever really crossed."

"I see. Forget him for now. I suppose our mission can officially end now. We've no reason to continue."

Misao rolled her eyes.

"I suppose. Though I hate him to get the spoils of the victor."

"This is not a duel, Misao."

She gave him the faintest of smirks.

"I would think you'd be in favor of things being compared to a duel."

He didn't say anything, but gave her the faintest hint of smile back.

Perhaps, Misao thought, instead of fighting it I will start making the best of this marriage arrangement. He's not so much the ogre I think.

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Somehow, what seemed like an unremarkable end to their mission went wrong very quickly, and not by fault of Aoshi or Misao. They had been preparing to leave that afternoon when Misao had happened to spot what looked like the yellow-eyed woman heading into the woods. Aoshi had suggested they ignore it, until Saitoh intercepted them on their way to the road out of town.

"Murata and the others are gone, but they've left some rats behind."

"Were we found out?" Misao asked, trying to keep her surprise contained to a whisper.

Saitoh closed his eyes, sighing as he exhaled a trail of cigarette smoke.

"Not you. Another interference. One we must unfortunately go collect before they dispose of her."

"So then, my notion was correct." Aoshi murmured.

"Huh? What notion?" Misao asked puzzled.

"It would appear you are not the only foolish wife to be mixed up in my business."

Misao blinked, and thought. Aoshi had asked Saitoh recently out of the blue about his wife, and insinuated Takagi Tokio wasn't much a saint either...

"Wait! That woman is Saitoh's wife?"

"I'm surprised you managed to figure that out, weasel."

"Have you pinpointed their location?"

"I have an idea."

Misao was still silently sputtering over the weasel comment but chose to ignore it for the moment as she trailed in the wake of the two, tall men as they made their way towards the woods. She followed their quick pace, making sure the weapons concealed in her outfit were readily accesible. She watched as they slowed down near a worn-down looking hut.

"That foolish woman. She knows better than to get caught." Saitoh muttered.

"How did they find her out?" Misao asked.

"She tried to play your game in spying but was never good at passing for subservant. When Murata gets suspicious he flees and leaves his rats to take care of the mess."

"How do you want to approach this?" Aoshi asked.

"Why don't we just...storm through the door?" Misao suggested.

"That's a stupid idea. And not surprising coming from you."

"Well it's not like this goon is suspecting anyone to interrupt right? Maybe it'll take him by surprise he'll be stunned?"

Aoshi said nothing, understanding the logistics and the negative aspects of her idea.

Saitoh grasped the handle of his sword.

"I can't believe I'm going to say this, but perhaps you are right."

"In that case, let's go!" Misao said, charging forward and this time leaving the two men in her wake.

"Shinomori, your wife is a reckless idiot surely, but she has guts." Saitoh murmured and then took off towards the hut, and Aosho followed.

Misao kicked the door open, which startled both the thug and Tokio as was part of Misao's plan. What was not part of Misao's plan was the thug grabbing Tokio and pulling her back to his chest and putting a knife to her throat.

As Aoshi and Saitoh entered the room, they froze at the sight of the knife.

The thug grinned as he pressed the dingy blade closer to Tokio's throat, his putrid breath filling her senses. Misao's fingers itched to reach her kunai, but she knew she'd probably not react fast enough and the thug would cut Tokio's throat. Aoshi possessed a more practiced skill in speed than her, but he was to her left and just as far across the room. And Saitoh...she grimaced with the knowledge that he was unpredictable. Surely he would act to protect even his wife?

"Don't try anything or the bitch's blood gets spilled!" the thug spat out, and Tokio grimaced at the spray of saliva against the back of her head. If there were one closely observing Saitoh (yet all eyes were on Tokio) it would be seen there was a marginal narrowing of his cold amber eyes.

"Do you honestly think you're getting out of here alive, you moron?" Saitoh drawled, crossing his arms and adopting a relaxed position.

Misao stole a quick side glance to him.

He surely was going to do something to save his wife!

"Because you can cut her head off for all I care, you'll be dead either way."

Misao's mouth opened in shock, Aoshi had yet to make any expression other than stony neutrality, and Tokio's face was still in a grimace but oddly devoid of panic.

"You asshole! You're fine and dandy with him killing her?!" Misao yelled, scowling.

Saitoh merely shot her a cold gaze which shut her up quickly.

"Honestly, I never see the woman much anyway so there's little affection on my part. Kill her for all I care."

The thug seemed unsettled by this, by the strange ease in which Saitoh felt regarding his wife's life. Misao bit her lip, keeping her comments at bay. They weren't going to help the situation. Tokio had merely closed her eyes at her husband's words, showing neither betrayal nor remorse.

"I will kill her!"

"You keep saying so. Really, Tokio, getting killed by such a pathetic worm? It doesn't suit you."

It was so quick, so quick Misao almost couldn't believe she was seeing it. Tokio's head snapped back fiercely, head butting the thug and causing him to stagger back. Before he could get his bearings, she kicked his knee hard and he was sent to the ground.

The knife fell from his hand and Tokio reached down to grab it, holding it over the thug's face.

"Now listen and listen good. You will never make your presence known in this city again. You will disappear completely."

She pressed the knife against his cheek, slowly.

The thug nodded, and Tokio moved to let him go. He stood up pained and trembling, taking one frightened glance at her- and a cold amber gaze that matched her husband's perfectly. He ran towards the door, opening it and stumbling out.

"Tokio-san, are you all right?" Misao asked, running towards her.

"Just dusted up."

"Letting him live? You've grown soft, woman." Saitoh sighed.

Tokio smirked at her husband.

"I thought you enjoyed my softness."

"Tokio-san, how can you be so casual? He was perfectly fine with that man killing you!" Misao cried in indignation.

"I never expected him to lift a finger and compromise his position so there was no betrayal nor disappointment. I know my husband, Makimachi-san, and he acted just as I trusted he would. Besides, I've known how to escape such situations before I even met my husband."

Misao blinked in confusion.

"You're the last person to comment on anyone's marriage, weasel. Worry about your own."

Misao stammered, searching for words but was cut off by Aoshi's hand on her shoulder.

"It would be best if we parted ways now."

Saitoh turned his gaze to Aoshi.

"Yes, but do not think this means I owe you any favors. This changes nothing."

Aoshi didn't respond and led Misao out of the building.

They walked in silence back to the inn, where they would collect their things and begin the journey home.

"Aoshi-sama?" Misao asked, as they walked.

"Aa?"

"If..." Misao paused, searching for the words, "If I were in a situation like Tokio-san, would you just stand there and watch?"

Aoshi was silent, and Misao could only hope he was thinking critically on it.

"I would let the person get away so you would be unharmed."

"Just like that? Let a thug go? Really? I figured you'd hope I could handle it like that stupid wolf."

"I would let the man go. Then I would go after him once you were safe."

"And if I wasn't? What if the thug slit my throat anyway?"

"Then I would kill him."

Misao stopped, staring at Aoshi's back.

So those old demons really were still there. She'd speculated on it, if Aoshi had really forgone killing. Some things were hard to shake off.

"I'd rather you not." Have more blood on your hands.

He did not reply and Misao recognized that the conversation was officially dropped. It was something really to note, Misao thought, that he would willingly revel in the demons of his past if harm befell her, even if it wasn't her wish.

"Misao, when we get home I think we should discuss matters between us."

"Matters? Such as?"

"What the future lays for us."

She nodded. So they would discuss terms like a negotiation. How do spies negotiate marriage? How silly.

How silly it all was. She didn't want a marriage of terms and stipulations, she wanted one of...

Well, could such a man really be capable of that emotion? From your own memories and what you've been told could he feel that?

"Aoshi-sama, may I ask one thing now?"

He looked down at her and heart jumped in her throat. She didn't want to ask this.

"Could you...could this marriage ever be more than negotiations and arrangements?"

He sighed, and ushered for them to leave and begin walking back to the tavern. Using the time, he thought carefully.

"Misao, I do not know how to be the type of man who shows emotion so easily, that was not how I was raised. I cannot promise you will not be hurt by my seeming indifference and coldness, but I...you are and always been very important to me. Despite my actions in the recent past I am fond of you."

She nodded, absorbing his words.

"Then that answers that for now and we will discuss this further back home."

She grabbed his hand, surprising him with the action, and she held tight as they walked to their destination.

He secured her grasp with his.

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I'll try and not take something like seven years to update the next chapter. Comments/critiquing much desired!