Disclaimer : Rurouni Kenshin isn't mine. There. I said it. Don't sue sessha. Sessha is broke. Very broke de gozaru yo. -_-'' Oro !

A/N : Erm... this chapter was courtesy of H2O... lime flavour of course... ahehehe.... oh well its lime ok ! Argh !

Soujirou's Dream - Chapter 15

The next morning, Soujirou was having difficulty getting up, his head felt really hot but the rest of his body felt cold. No matter how much he tried, his body was refusing to listen to what his mind was telling him to do. He laid there for a long time, and gradually fell asleep again...

It was already past early morning when Misao had just noticed that Soujirou hadn't come out his room yet; normally he'd be up quite early. Maybe something happened to him ? Misao thought to herself. Maybe he's sick… With that she decided to go and check on him.

When she entered his room, she found him still lying in bed, it was obvious that he was shivering, but his forehead was covered with sweat. She rushed to his side and quickly felt his forehead. He's running a high fever ! I better go get Megumi-san !

"Wait... Misao... stay here..." Soujirou said weakly as he grabbed her wrist just before she could go out.

"Demo... Soujirou... you're burning with a fever... and..."

Soujirou gritted his teeth as a cold wave passed though his body, again, and again. Misao squeezed his hand lightly. "I'll be back soon."

~~**~~

Misao wrung the cloth drenched with cold water and placed it on Soujirou's forehead.

"What's wrong with him Megumi-san ?"

"Its an infection, the weather's been rather humid lately, and he's probably been running around too much and not getting enough sleep. He'll be all right in a few days."

"Its nothing serious right ?"

"No, its only a passing infection. He'll be fine."

He better be fine. Misao thought irritably to herself and wrung the cloth harder. Her expression changed as she noticed Soujirou's breathing getting huskier. She felt his head again. "Oi, Soujirou, you ok ?" Soujirou opened one eye slowly and replied softly, "Yeah, I'm fine." He then yawned and rolled over to his side and resumed his fitful sleep. Misao ran her hand through his hair lightly. "Sleep well Soujirou." She said softly as she went out.

~~**~~

Later that night, Misao reentered Soujirou's room after dinner. She intended to stay there for the rest of the evening, maybe even sleep there... sleep there ? What am I thinking ?

"Hey Soujirou, how're you feeling now ?" Misao asked as she entered his room.

"Hai ! Better now... at least compared to this morning..." he winced at the memory.

Misao giggled and sat next to his futon, and Soujirou sat up. "Thanks."

Misao looked at him quizzically. "For what ?"

Soujirou smiled. "Taking care of me." He then hugged Misao's face to his chest. "Misao... I've done a lot of thinking today... and... I got my thoughts all sorted out now..." He lifted her head so she was facing him. "Before I met you, my life had no meaning whatsoever. But after I met you... my whole life changed... Misao... it was you who gave me back my emotions... now I can love again... and the one whom I love... is you..."

Misao looked into his eyes. She could see something burning in them... passion... their faces were so close... every word he spoke, his lips brushed against hers, sending little jolts of excitement down her throat in anticipation.

Soujirou cupped Misao's chin in his hands, preparing to kiss her, but he acted as if he were unsure, wavering in front of her, their lips almost touching... and then he teased her a bit, tickling her ribs, making her shriek and scream, "Soujirou stop that~!" He chuckled, then catching her unawares, pressed his lips agains hers.

So this is what they call heaven on earth... Soujirou thought to himself. The feel of Misao's lips on his own... their tougues brushing against each other passionately... Shishio-san was right... he thought as he lowered their forms onto his bed.

They broke off, both breathing heavily, Misao's face slightly flushed and Soujirou's voice husky. "Misao... aishteru... you don't know how much I've been waiting for this... but are you sure? Misao... I'm not going to force you if you don't want it..."

"Soujirou... no... demo..."

"No... Misao... you're not ready yet... your body's saying yes but your mind's not." Soujirou smiled gently. "I'll wait Misao... I don't care how long it'll take but... I'll wait. For now, I'm content with us being like this."

Misao nodded. "Goodnight Soujirou."