It has been days and I haven't heard anything from Mia or Misao. The week has passed so quickly and there is only 2 days until I must return to school. I have just finished training the small children at the hall. I was walking to the park to rest and hid by kodachi's under my trench coat. I smiled at the mothers who have known me ever since I told their children stories. It was usually a constant thing I did everytime I came here. I placed my weapons on the ground beside me and rested under the usual tree. I closed my eyes but knew that a pair of curious blue eyes was on me and that the small little girl was coming closer.
"Boo!" I opened my eyes and said to Stevie. She squealed in excitement and her beautiful eyes lit up. She soon sat in my lap and rested her head against my broad chest.
"Do you want me to tell you another story?"
"Nope, I just wanna rest here with you, can I?"
"Of course Stevie." She snuggled in closer to get some of my warmth as the sun was hidden behind the clouds and the cool wind blew. I wrapped my arms around her small form and protected her from the cold.
* * * *
Time passed quickly and I soon woke with a start when I heard Stevie's mother calling her from a distance. I bent my head down to her little ear and spoke quietly to her.
"Stevie, your mum's calling for you."
"I don't wanna go, I like being here." She pouted quietly to me. I had to force myself to not let her have her way. I picked her up and stood her on her feet.
"You mum's going to take you to see your daddy though, won't that be exciting Stevie?" Her eyes light up and she smiled brightly and soon yelled to her mother.
"I'm coming mama!" She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around me and then spoke quietly to me.
"Next time you come to the park, can you bring Misao too?" I smiled gently down at her and nodded my head. A laugh bubbled up in her throat and she soon leapt out of my lap and ran for her mother. When she reached her, she turned around and waved frantically at me.
"Bye Aoshi" I laughed at how adorably cute she was and how much energy she had and waved back. It was getting cooler and the sun would be setting soon, so I picked up my kodachi's and walked back home.
* * * *
I went to place my key in the door and realised it wasn't closed properly. I unsheathed my smaller kodachi and entered the unit silently. I searched down the hall first for any intruders but no one was there. I came back into the lounge room just as Misao walked out of the bedroom. She screamed lightly and placed a hand over her heart, as I stood with the kodachi in my hand ready for action. She was dressed in a short dark blue dress that came above her knees and a black jumper that was unbuttoned, over the top. Her hair was braided loosely and small bits framed her face. She looked as beautiful as ever, and even a little older. I sheathed my kodachi and placed it against the wall below me and stared silently at her. I placed my hands in my pockets and watched as she walked closer towards me. I did nothing but stand motionless as she wrapped her arms around my waist.
"It's good to see you Aoshi." I took a deep breath and spoke to Misao without hugging her back.
"Misao I've got to know, did you sort all of your feelings out?" She shook her head negatively against my chest and so I grabbed her arms and pulled them away from my waist and placed them at her sides. Her eyes frowned sadly but she knew why I was doing this.
"I want to be me again, I really do. I do want to have a happy life with no nightmares and I know Kenshin and the others care about me deeply. I just don't know about you though. I don't know what I am feeling towards you anymore. I'm sorry." I silently nodded defeated and walked to my foldout couch and sat on the end of it. I soon lied on my back and threw my arms out, just like Misao had done all those months ago. My feet still touched the carpet and I closed my eyes as not to show Misao how upset she had made me.
"Aoshi? Please say something." I knew Misao was standing beside me but I didn't open my eyes to look up at her.
"What is there to say Misao? What do you want me to say?"
"I want you to be happy that I have at least figured my feelings out."
"But nothing about me though." I felt utterly dejected. I sighed loudly as I didn't wish to fight with her. I heard a rugged sob and snapped my eyes open to see Misao had turned her back on me and ran for her bedroom. SHIT! I cursed loudly to myself. I got up and walked to the room to find Misao sitting on the huge bed and hugging her knees to her chest with her eyes closed tightly and crying. I sat on the floor in front of her and bowed my head apologizing quietly to her.
"I'm sorry Misao. I am happy that you have figured many things out, I really am. It just hurts that I am not one of those things."
"Whatever you do Aoshi, don't ever think that I will never have feelings for you, because deep inside I know I do. I just need to figure them out first and then you'll know." I looked up to see Misao staring sadly at me. I smiled slightly and rose to my feet and left the room. I flopped down on my bed face down with my trench coat spread out over me. I closed my eyes for a short rest but I fell deeper into the darkness and let it take me away.
Hours must have passed as I woke to the feel of a light brushing of fingers against my cheek and snapped my eyes open and blinked a few times as the light from the lamp shone brightly. I soon turned on my side and rested my head on my right arm and saw a tear streaked Misao looking at me. She held her bear tightly to her chest in both hands and I nodded my head to tell her it was all right that she could lay down with me. I lifted my left arm and that trench coat side so Misao could have some of my warmth. She practically dived in gratefully and buried her head against my chest. I placed the coat around her securely and lightly rested my left arm around her. We were slightly separated by the bear but that is what Misao wanted so I didn't mind. I quietly began to speak to her.
"Do you want to talk about it Misao?" She shook her head negatively and then spoke shyly to me.
"Can I just stay here with you?"
"Of course Misao." She let go of her bear with one arm and wrapped it around my waist pulling me closer towards her. She let out a sigh and I lightly kissed her cheek and then spoke quickly and softly in her ear.
"Rest Misao, you'll be safe from them." She silently nodded and relaxed into a blissful sleep. I was still resting on my right arm and could do nothing but stare at how beautiful she looked with the light reflecting on her features.
* * * *
The morning had come and I was still watching how peaceful Misao looked when she wasn't having her nightmares. Do I take them away from her? Do I protect her from having them? I silently wandered in my mind. Misao had moved during the night and was now lying on her back with her head tilted to my chest. I had lowered my head to pillow it on my arm and I could smell Misao's hair as she was using the shampoo and conditioner I bought her. She shivered slightly and I raised my head back onto my right arm and pressed her closer to my body warmth. Misao soon felt this and her ocean-blue eyes opened to look up at me.
"Have you been up all night watching me sleep?" She had asked me curiously and once I nodded yes she blushed beautifully and then spoke softly.
"Thank you." Her eyes closed briefly and she breathed in deeply.
"For what Misao?"
"Protecting me like you always have been. Mia was right."
"About what?" I had asked softly in her ear and then lightly pressed my lips on her forehead. I looked back into Misao's eyes and found her lips moving slightly but nothing came out as she blushed lightly at what I had done seconds ago. It took her a few seconds to grab her composure and tell me what she meant.
"S-She said that once you tell someone you care deeply about them, you'd protect them, and you would do that for the rest of your life." I lightly blushed but nodded my head silently to agree with that. It was true though. Mia was my sister and I'd always protect her. As for Misao I will do more then protect her, I'll give her my love but only when she finally figures out her true feelings. Minutes passed by as our silence grew and I soon look at my clock and realise that if I don't get ready I'd be late for work.
"I've gotta go to work Misao." I was unable to move as Misao had tightened her embrace around me and whispered against my bare neck.
"Please stay a little longer Aoshi." I looked down and found Misao's face bright red as she was embarrassed she had said that to me. I sighed and replied to her.
"You are making this very difficult Misao." She giggled and her hot breath trickled down my neck. I bit my lip to control my rugged breathing and soon relaxed and held Misao close to me. I loosened the embrace minutes later and got up and faced Misao. Misao too sat up and pouted cutely at me for ruining the "moment". I brushed my fingers lightly along her cheek and this time she smiled. There was no fear anymore. Hopefully soon I'd get to kiss her. I walked to the bedroom and changed my clothes quickly. I entered the main room to find Misao waiting for me holding my kodachi's to her chest wearing her summer pyjamas. I walked closer to her and reached for my kodachi's but she placed them behind her back and titled her head up towards me playfully. It was as if she wanted me to hug her to grab my weapons and maybe even kiss her?
"Misao?" I had asked softly while looking into her intense eyes. She had parted her lips slightly to speak but I couldn't help but stop her by bending down and lightly placing my lips on hers. She gasped and just before I pulled away to apologise I heard my kodachi's hit the carpeted floor as she soon wrapped her arms around my waist to pull me closer. I only kept lightly kissing her telling her that I was in no hurry but Misao soon became bolder as she stood tiptoed to get more height and deepened the kiss. I could do nothing but respond in kind by pulling her closer to me. Before I lost complete control at what Misao's kisses were doing to me I broke the kiss to breath in some much needed oxygen and get a hold of my emotions.
"Are you sure this is what you really want Misao?" I needed to be sure. Misao nodded in kind while blushing lightly and she bent down to pick up my weapons she dropped earlier. I sighed in relief, finally Misao would trust me.
"I'm late for work." I said while grabbing the kodachi's from her, but she wouldn't let go as she smiled up at me and patted one of her fingers on her lips indicating that she wanted to be kissed before I could have them. I smiled at how cute she was and complied with what she suggested and lightly caressed my lips over hers not fully kissing her. This frustrated her immensely and so I was able to grab my weapons from her. I walked to the door and turned around to give a smug smile but found her head bowed. I walked back towards her and lifted her chin to see her pouting cutely at me once again. Damn she was good at this. So before she could react I placed one of my hands behind her head, tilted it upward by tugging her hair lightly, and crushed my lips down on hers to kiss her passionately. Although she was shocked at first she soon responded by throwing her arms around my neck to try and keep me in the unit with her but I soon stopped and let go. She opened her swollen red lips to speak but I placed my fingers over them and spoke first.
"Meet me at the park at 2pm okay Misao?" She looked quizzically at me so I answered her silent question.
"Stevie said the next time I go to the park I have to bring you with me." Misao nodded silently and I walked to the door and left with a huge smile on my face and my heart beating wildly in my chest at what Misao had done to me.
* * * *
Stevie and I were sitting under my usual tree resting in the cool grass, while I leaned against the trunk. I had my legs stretched out in front of me and partly open as Stevie was standing on my upped thighs bare foot, with her small hands resting on my shoulders to balance herself, while talking profusely about her day before I came to the park. I had one hand behind her back to help steady her while the other one lay in the grass. I glanced at my watch and realised it was 2:30pm and Misao still hadn't shown up. I sighed quietly at maybe what I did hours ago had scared Misao off.
"Aoshi? Aoshi!" I was snapped out of my thoughts by Stevie's chubby hand patting my cheek lightly. I smiled at her and she soon spoke.
"You promised me that Misao was coming with you." Her eyes frowned sadly at me and I hated her like this so I picked up one of her braids and lightly brushed her cheek with it. She giggled cutely and I smiled at her. She threw her arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. I returned her small hug and closed my eyes for a brief moment and soon opened them to see Misao standing a couple of meters away. She was wearing a nice long pale blue summer dress with her black jumper tied loosely around her waist and her long hair blowing freely in the breeze.
"Hey Stevie I got a present for you." I told the little girl excitedly, while waving my hand to indicate to Misao not to make her presence known just yet. Her small face came closer to mine and she whispered thrilled at me.
"What is it?"
"Turn around." I told her. I watched her eyes light up and she turned her head to look over her shoulder and saw Misao standing there. She leapt off my thighs and ran to Misao who crouched down to give her a big hug.
"MISAO! I missed you sooooooooo much!"
"Me too Stevie." Misao had replied softly to the young girl. I now sat cross-legged and watched as Stevie took a hold of Misao's hand and dragged her closer to where I was sitting. I looked up to see Misao smiling gently at me and so I smiled in return.
"Here Misao" Stevie was facing Misao but she pat my legs indicating to Misao that this is where she should sit, in my lap. A light blush came to Misao's cheeks, as she didn't know what to say to the little girl. Misao hadn't moved from her standing position and I watched as Stevie got frustrated at Misao.
"Come on Misao, Aoshi doesn't bite. He's nice and warm and cuddly too." I chuckled as Stevie had said this with her hands on her hips looking determinedly up at Misao. I was surprised as Misao walked closer and stood at my side. She placed one of her hands on my shoulder and lowed herself as she sat in my lap. Trying to get comfortable Misao ended up lying her head down on my right shoulder while her legs where placed over my left leg.
"Okay Stevie I'll trust you but if he isn't warm and cuddly you're going to get the tickle torture." Misao had said this to Stevie while smiling gently at her. Misao made a small groan as the ball of energy leapt into her lap and I had to laugh and Stevie soon rested her back against my chest. Stevie soon yawned and closed her eyes and spoke softly to Misao and then soon fell asleep.
"I told you he was cuddly…" Misao chuckled lightly and then spoke to me softly as not to disturb Stevie's afternoon nap.
"I can't believe we have school tomorrow Aoshi. I wander how Kenshin, Kaoru, Sano and Megumi got along on their week camping trip?"
"I presume that Sano and Megumi drove the other two nuts with their constant bickering but then they would have finally told each other how they felt. Kenshin and Kaoru would have gone for some night walk and talked about general things then it would have turned to them and so on…"
"Are you sure about that?"
"Absolutely, just you wait until tomorrow at lunchtime…everything will come out."
"What about us?" Misao had spoken quietly into my neck and then she lifted her face so I could see those radiant blue eyes.
"That's entirely up to you Misao. When I asked you this morning if you really wanted to be with me and you nodded, I was happy, but now I don't know. If you still need to figure your feelings out just say we're friends and that's all I'll be, your friend." I sighed loudly and felt Misao nod her head silently to what I had said. I looked down to realise she too had closed her eyes and fallen asleep just like Stevie had minutes ago. I wrapped my arms more securely around the both of them and held them closer to me. We stayed like this until it was time to go home.
* * * *