Author's Notes: Just in case of confusion Kaoru & Kenshin's daughter Misao will be known as Misao-chan, through the rest of the chapter and chapters to come while the older Misao will be known as Misao, Oba or Misao-san and weasel/weasel girl too.
Under the Cherry Tree
Days had passed and Misao had not ventured out of the hotel room she stayed in. Tokio had rung asking her to come and have lunch with her and Saitou but she didn't want to be the third party. Misao sat up from the bed when she heard a knock on the door. She was wearing an old shirt and some daggy pants, her hair still placed in the plait she wore when she first got here. It was completely messed up. Misao opened the door and there stood a smiling Tokio.
"Afternoon Misao!" She had spoken cheerfully and walked in and sifted through Misao's bag to find her some clothes.
"Tokio-chan, what are you doing here?" Misao spoke closing the door and sitting back down on the bed. She was soon pulled up and pushed towards the bathroom. Tokio handed her some clothes and shut the door.
"You are being stubborn Misao! Saitou and I have been invited to a dinner with people he knows and your coming with us too! Now have a shower, wash that mop you call hair and get dressed. Saitou will be here to pick us up in half an hour." Tokio began pottering around the room, cleaning up some of Misao's mess and placing all her rubbish in the actual bin.
* * * *
Fifteen minutes passed and Misao came out of the bathroom feeling refreshed and dressed in her leather pants and a navy blue tank top. She was running a brush through her damp hair getting out all the knots. She sat down on the now made bed and watched as Tokio grabbed her socks placing them on and then her sneakers as well. She looked up then and spoke.
"Can't keep Saitou waiting, you know how he is." Misao smiled despite her fight with Aoshi and got up placing her keys and wallet in her leather jacket and locked the door behind her.
* * * *
Misao sat in the backseat of Saitou's bomb of a car as they drove down a quiet street. She had plaited her damp hair in the car as Saitou drove to their destination. They had been travelling for half an hour now and Misao felt like she could run faster then the speed they were driving at.
"So weasel how'd everything go with Aoshi?" Silence filled the car as Misao stared out the window not saying a word.
"That good huh? Well you know Aoshi, stubborn and difficult as ever."
"Must run in the family Okami-san." Misao spoke back without missing a beat as she kept staring at the large houses they passed. Tokio giggled and Saitou seethed quietly hearing Misao say this. They soon stopped and parked the car. Misao got out of the car following Saitou and Tokio across the road and opening a gate to a two-storey home. Misao stood behind Saitou and Tokio as he rang the doorbell and it was soon opened.
"Saitou I'm so glad you could come to dinner!" Spoke a woman with dark hair, placed in a high ponytail.
"Kaoru, you remember Tokio and this is a friend of ours from Kyoto, Misao Makimachi." Misao stepped forward recognising the woman she asked for directions in the street the other day.
"Misao?" Kaoru had spoken with wide eyes knowing that name very well and she soon smiled and waved them all inside.
"Our other guests haven't arrived yet. Kenshin's out the back so please go on through." Kaoru had spoken and Misao soon spoke up.
"Could I use you bathroom Kaoru-san?"
"Kaoru is fine and its upstairs, second door on the right." Misao nodded her head walking upstairs and caught a small bit of the conversation.
"So that's the Misao he keeps thinking about huh? Well she is certainly beautiful." Kaoru had spoken to the others unaware that Misao had very good hearing. Misao was confused, as she became the topic of discussion but continued walking down the hall anyway. She soon stopped hearing some noises coming from another room to her left. The door was ajar and Misao peeked her head in finding the blinds were drawn open in the room letting in the afternoon sunlight. The room had a balcony and there sat a small girl on the carpet in a tracksuit and looking out the glass door, her tiny hands pressed against it.
"Should you be up little one." Misao had spoken gently and the little girl shrieked slightly and turned her head over her shoulder to stare at the new occupant in her room. Misao walked into the room and squatted down a few feet behind the infant and spoke.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to frighten you. You don't have to be afraid."
"I'm not afraid. Oji says I'm the bravest girl he knows."
"Well your Oji is probably right about that." Misao had spoken, opened the sliding door to let in the breeze and sat down beside her and looked out at the sunset. Misao watched as the small child stood up in front of her and soon spoke.
"Do you want to watch the sunset with me until… OJI!" The little girl had yelled and ran past her not finishing her sentence. Misao turned her head over her shoulder and held her breath looking over at her 'Oji'. It was Aoshi and Misao watched as he bent down and hugged the small girl to him. He stood up taking her with him and sat down beside Misao not saying a word. Tension filled the area, the little girl unaware of any sort of thing. She sat happily and snugly in Aoshi's lap looking out at the view. Many minutes passed as Misao noticed the small girl was falling asleep, content at being in Aoshi's embrace. He was leaning on his right arm while his left rubbed Misao-chan's back comfortingly as she had turned to face him and lean against him.
"I'm sorry Misao." Misao looked up hearing Aoshi's soft voice say that to her. He was staring straight ahead but she watched as his head turned, his long bangs whipping around by the slight breeze and he spoke again, raw emotion coming out of him, his eyes saddening.
"I'm sorry for everything I've done to you. I'm sorry I never apologised for leaving. Your right, I don't know what you went through but I did think of you, constantly…Especially when Hanami came around." Misao smiled despite being a little hurt still but reached her hand out placing it over Aoshi's and giving it a light squeeze. He stopped rubbing Misao-chan's back then and closed his eyes.
"Friends for life…no matter how much we argue and fight." Misao had spoken quietly looking up at him. Aoshi's eyes opened and a small lob-sided grin crept over his lips as he clasped her hand in his and whispered back.
"Friends for life."
"Oji? Did I miss anything?" A little sleepy voice had whispered. Aoshi soon let go of Misao's hand and picked her up shaking his head silently and then turned himself to face Misao and placed the small girl on her feet in front of him.
"Misao Makimachi, I'd like you to meet Misao Himura."
"Really Oji? This is your other special Misao?" Misao-chan had spoken tilting her head up to look at Aoshi. Misao's eyes were wide hearing Misao-chan say this and watched as Aoshi nodded his head. Misao-chan walked over sitting in Misao's lap and soon spoke.
"I finally get to meet Uncle Aoshi's Misao and she's so pretty!" Misao smiled down at the small girl giving her a small hug and spoke back her eyes glancing over at Aoshi once more.
"I'm glad to meet a pretty girl like you too Misao-chan! Have you been taking care of Aoshi?" She knew curious blue-green eyes stared silently at her but she took no notice as Misao-chan spoke again.
"Yep, we look after each other. We go to the park, watch the trains come in and play games together. Do you wanna come with us next time Misao-san? Do ya, do ya, do ya?" Misao nodded her head and Misao-chan clapped he hands happily. The smell of food cooking came into the room and Misao soon spoke looking over at the silent Aoshi.
"Perhaps its best we head down now, I haven't met Kaoru's husband yet." Misao soon felt a small tugging on her hands and turned her head noticing that Misao-chan was standing up and tugging her hand wanting her to follow.
"Come on Misao-san, I want you to meet tochan! Lets go Oji!" Aoshi shook his head standing up and carrying Misao-chan out of the room with Misao close behind him. Misao watched with an eyebrow raised as Aoshi sat on the railing of the staircase and slid down it, an excited squeal coming from Misao-chan wrapped in his arms. She watched as he turned around to look up at her and Misao-chan soon spoke.
"Come on Misao-san, you're falling behind!" A smirk crossed over Misao's lips as she jumped over the railing of the staircase and landed easily and silently on the tiled floor.
"Come one Misao-chan you're falling behind." Misao spoke. She watched as Aoshi placed her on the ground and she raced quickly past Misao as fast as her little legs could carry her.
"She's racing you to the back." Misao looked up noticing Aoshi was beside her a small smile on his lips. Misao pushed him a few feet further back and raced off yelling back at him as she ran down the back passage way heading towards the back door.
"You're falling behind Aoshi!" Misao raced through the opened door and jumped the steps landing in the lush grass and stopped short from running into a red headed man holding Misao-chan. Seconds later Aoshi came running out jumping the steps and standing behind Misao.
"Last one's Oji!" Misao-chan had spoken and giggled as Aoshi made a face and walked off going to get some food to eat.
"Ah, you must be Misao, I'm Kenshin." The red headed man had spoken and placed his daughter on the ground shaking Misao's hand.
"It's nice to meet you. Thank you for inviting me over to have dinner with you and your family."
"That's quite alright Misao. Please make yourself at home and get yourself something to eat, there's plenty to go around."
"Let's go Oba, I'm hungry too!" Misao-chan had spoken walking towards the table all the food was on but then she stopped and turned to face a slightly shocked Misao.
"Can I call you Auntie, Misao-san? Please?" Misao nodded her head and soon walked off with Misao-chan getting them some food.
* * * *
Hours had passed as Misao sat on a picnic blanket in the semi-lit backyard with Misao-chan. The others were near the barbecue on the porch area and sitting in chairs and talking about something. Misao wasn't really paying attention. She lay stomach down, her leather coat wrapped around Misao-chan who was sitting up and watching her.
"What about that? What's that?" Misao-chan had spoken pointing at what Misao was eating.
"It's called a sausage would you like to try some? I'll cut it really small. It's really delicious!" Misao watched as Misao-chan made a small face then nodded her head. She cut a little piece off and blew on it making sure it wasn't too hot and handed it to Misao-chan. She chewed on it for a while, as she didn't have as many teach as Misao.
"Mmmmmmmmmmm that's yummy!" Misao-chan had spoken and scooped the last bit of mashed potato into her mouth.
"What about you get us some dessert?" Misao watched as Misao-chan ran off standing in front of her mother and asking her to get some dessert for herself and her "new" Oba. Misao closed her eyes for a moment but soon felt a presence sit near her. Misao opened her eyes to see Aoshi sitting in front of her and she sat up now, feeling a little self-conscious and Aoshi soon spoke.
"You didn't have to get up on my account Misao." Misao stared silent up at him for a few moments but then her eyes widened as Misao-chan came running over with two bowls full of dessert in her hands.
"Misao-chan look out for the…" *SPLAT* Dessert landed on Aoshi's back and neck area, as well as in his hair. Some also connected with Misao right arm. Misao-chan lay on the grass, with two empty bowls.
"…rock." Misao looked over to see Misao-chan was standing up now, her bottom lip trembling slightly, those big blue eyes of hers glistening with tears. Misao soon spoke up brushing her hand through Misao-chan's hair hoping to cheer her up a bit.
"Oh Misao-chan its okay. Your kachan can get you some more."
"But Uncle Aoshi…" Misao turned to see a very messy Aoshi. His shoulders where tense slightly, from the coldness of the ice cream rolling down his neck and shirt. His face was slightly cringed as well since cake stuck to the stickiness of the ice cream and his hair was wet with juices from fruit, with complimentary fruit stuck in it as well.
"He looks funny ne?" Misao began to giggle not being able to hold it in any longer and Aoshi turned to glare at her but Misao-chan and all the other occupants outside began laughing quietly as well. Misao-chan took off taking the bowls over to her mother feeling better now and Aoshi watched as Misao stood up looking down at him a smile on her face. She grabbed his hands with hers and began pulling him up onto his feet and then she spoke to him.
"Come on, you need to get cleaned up. Your such a messy eater Aoshi." Aoshi glared own at her once more not saying anything and they walked passed the silent stares of the others but as soon as Aoshi was walking up the stairs towards the bathroom loud laughter broke out.
"That's going to be with you forever Aoshi." Misao spoke back smiling back at him as she was in front of him heading for the bathroom.
"Don't I know it."
They were now in the bathroom, Misao sitting on the sink counter wiping down her arm while Aoshi stood in front of the sink his hand under the water and running them through his hair. There was no mirror in the bathroom so Aoshi couldn't see how much damage had been done. Misao watched as Aoshi picked out some fruit from his jet-black hair and he mumbled out his response.
"Banana…had to be banana." Misao had finished drying her arm now and laughed out loud once more. She received a death glare but smiled brightly at Aoshi and spoke.
"I haven't laughed this much since before you left."
"I'm glad my discomfort amuses you so much Misao." Misao's eyes widened when she watched as Aoshi grabbed the back of his black shirt and took it off placing it under the tap getting rid of ice cream, cake and fruit juices. Misao's breath caught as she looked at the wide expanse of his well-toned chest and his muscles on his arms flexing as he scrubbed the shirt clean. He was simply stunning and Misao moved over towards the spa bath turning her back on him not wanting him to see her blush. She dipped the cloth into the warm bubbly water as though it was ready just in case Misao-chan got dirty. Misao stood up and moved behind Aoshi placing the cloth on his back. She felt him straighten up and he half turned around to see what she was doing.
"Your back is covered in ice cream." Misao had spoken with a smile. Aoshi turned around and Misao wiped his muscled back down all the while gaining a small blush too. She soon finished, all too soon for herself and she stood leaning against the counter as Aoshi wiped his face, neck and chest area dry.
"You know what, we'll have to spar again one day. I want to see how easily you can beat me." Misao had spoken breaking into a conversation.
"Give yourself some credit Misao. You were pretty good four years ago and I assume you're even better now, but yeah, we'll spar again, soon too." Misao turned to face him as he stood to his proper height and stood in a ready stance for sparring.
"What here? It's so small though." Misao spoke starring up at him. She watched a small grin break out onto his face. She knew that grin well, he was coming up with some sort of plan.
"Have you ever tested your skills in a small area Misao. No kicking, only fists. Are you ready?" Misao gulped down the lump in her throat and stood in a stance just like his. She nodded her head and soon the sparring of fists was on.
It had been like thirty seconds and Misao was already being pushed back. He was better, better then her and the guys in Kyoto. She knew he wasn't going his fastest on her but right now he was damn fast. Misao was having trouble trying to get in her own blows as she was just barely fending his off. Misao's eyes widen as she moved closer towards the large spa bath.
"You wouldn't!" She spoke her eyes wide in shock as he tripped her up and pushed her into the spa. Misao squealed and with fast reflexes and surprising Aoshi as he let out a small gasp she had clutched onto his left wrist and brought him in with her. They fell with a loud splash, bubbles and water spraying everywhere. Misao had knocked her head on the bottom and came to surface as Aoshi sat up himself taking her with him. Misao clothes clung to her form as she looked over at Aoshi to see droplets of water falling down his face and bubbles slowly falling down his masculine chest and over his shoulders down his back. Bubbles sat atop his inky black hair and Misao couldn't help but giggle. She too probably looked just as funny but she still laughed.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Misao stopped laughing hearing that voice and found a tall man leaning against the doorframe with spiky brown hair. She knew those chocolate brown eyes anywhere.
"Sano?"
"Hey the weasel girl! What are you doing here?" He had spoken a grin breaking out on his lips. Misao watched as he was soon pushed out of the way by someone else and noticed it to be the woman from the training hall, the one that ruined her scarf. Misao watched as she gasped and raced from the room totally coming to the wrong conclusion.
"Hey fox chill! Nothing was happening!" Sano had yelled and began walking after her. Misao stared at the open door and then back over to Aoshi who had stood up getting out of the bath. Misao watched as he grabbed a towel drying as most of himself off as possible. Misao soon stood up looking down at herself and felt two eyes were watching her as well. She took a deep breath trying to ignore them and hopped out as well grabbing another towel and then spoke looking up at him.
"Aren't you going after her?" Aoshi glanced over at Misao and then bent down wiping up the excess water and bubbles off the tiled floor.
"Don't worry, Sano will knock her out of it somehow. He usually does everytime she gets angry at something that concerns me."
"Isn't that the boyfriends job? To apologise?" Misao bent down helping him and he soon spoke once more.
"Well I guess so but not with us. She never snaps out of it until Sano comes around. I guess he has a tolerance for her crap. She gets angry pretty easy and about the most stupid and minimal things as well."
"So how come he's not gong out with her then?" Silence filled the area for a few minutes and Misao thought she had hit very private territory but she soon heard Aoshi's deep voice once more.
"It's complicated. We've been together for a while but it was one of those get together, then break up, then get back together then break up once more. We both care for each other a lot but I doubt if it has anything to do with love. We have a sort of comforting relationship. She's all right company when I don't piss her off and she listens pretty easily too. She's a really good cook and a good…" Aoshi had stopped there standing up and placed the drenched towel in the sink and opened a cupboard to grab another.
"What? She's a good lay? Is that what you were going to say?" Misao had spoken looking up at him. He was standing near the cupboard hand still on the handle of the closed door. He turned his head looking down at her and shook his head negatively. He walked back over mopping up the rest of the water and spoke again.
"Actually I was going to say cleaner, but that sounds like I treat her as a slave or a maid even though the mess is always hers or Misao-chan's."
"But you have slept with her right?" Misao spoke back without even thinking about her question. She gasped her eyes wide at hearing herself say this and she shook her head, her cheeks turning pink in embarrassment.
"Gomen nasai Aoshi." Misao had finally choked out and she glanced up to see intense blue-green eyes staring at her through the gaps in his long bangs. Misao picked up the towel walking over to the sink in utter shock at the way she had spoken. That was so unlike her and years had passed and Aoshi needn't tell her any such thing. Silence filled the room and soon Kaoru and a sleeping Misao-chan now occupied the doorway. She laughed at the sight of them and soon spoke.
"Well looks like we missed out on something. Aoshi your spare clothes are in Misao-chan's room and Misao I seem to be pretty close to your size so perhaps you should borrow some before you freeze to death. Misao nodded her head silently and followed Kaoru into the main bedroom of the house. It was elegantly decorated dark blue and silver. Wedding photos and a family portrait hung on the walls. There was an ensuite and a walk in wardrobe. There was no dust on the furniture and not a thing was out of place.
"Wow…" Misao had spoken absently looking around the room and then walked into the wardrobe with Kaoru. She watched as Kaoru sifted through some things and found some faded jeans and a button down shirt, which had a few stains on it. Kaoru looked at them and Misao sensing she was going to put them away stopped her and took them from her hands speaking.
"Its okay I'll wear these. I am not overly fussed." Kaoru nodded her head rubbing Misao-chan's back absently and then spoke walking out of the room.
"I'll just go put her to bed. She's had a very exciting day." Misao heard the closing of the door and walked into the ensuite and changed out of her wet clothes. She used a spare towel wiping her damp skin dry and then placed on the shirt and jeans. She soon found a plastic bag in the cupboard and placed her clothes inside and left the room walking towards Misao-chan's. Kaoru sat in a rocking chair sending her daughter off into a blissful sleep at the slow movements.
"How are they?" Kaoru had whispered to Misao and she soon spoke back.
"The jeans are a bit tight but I'll manage. I hope you don't mind me using another towel and this bag." Kaoru shook her head and soon another figure walked over placing a light kiss on Misao-chan's head and then one on Kaoru's forehead.
"Thanks for dinner Kaoru. I'll see you tomorrow okay?" Kaoru nodded her head silently smiling up at Aoshi and he soon turned to Misao and spoke.
"Saitou and Tokio-chan left already."
"Mou! That's very rude of him. Okami-san no baka." Misao spoken angrily but softly as not to wake Misao-chan. She turned her heard hearing soft giggling coming from Kaoru and Misao blushed embarrassed once more at what she had said.
"Saitou's always like that Misao. You've known him for ages, he never changes, but don't worry about it I'll walk you there." Aoshi began moving out of the room and Misao spoke to Kaoru then left as well.
"Thank you for having me and it was so nice to meet you and your husband. Please say goodnight to him and Misao-chan for me." Kaoru smiled and soon went back to rocking her daughter who grumbled sleepily when she had stopped.
* * * *
Misao and Aoshi had been walking for at least an hour now and Misao's arms were wrapped around herself as a cool breeze blew over them.
"Hold this." Aoshi had spoken taking off his trench coat and throwing it over to Misao. She caught it and his wallet hit the ground falling out of the inside pocket. Misao noticed he was taking off his shirt and she bent down picking up his open wallet off the footpath. She noticed a very familiar picture in the clear pocket of the wallet. It was she at the age of 13. Her and Aoshi had been mucking around at her place and her mum caught them on camera. A pair of arms were wrapped around her shoulders and Misao's hands were on them but the other person had been chopped out of the picture. It was Aoshi and if the rest of the picture could be seen he was smiling too, his hair ruffled up in a mess and sticks and leaves tangled in it. Misao's hair had a few leaves in it as well as they had been mucking around and sparring. Misao couldn't help but smile and then closed his wallet placing it back in the pocket.
"Take it." Misao took his long sleeved shirt and placed it on sighing at his body heat, which was warming her cold skin. He placed his trench coat back on and they kept walking in silence once more.
"Misao?" Aoshi deep voice had spoken as he looked down at her.
"Yeah?"
"Were you really that interested to know if I had slept with Megumi? Aoshi smirked when a light blush crossed her cheeks as they walked under another street light.
"Actually I was trying to make ideal chitchat. That just came out unexpectedly. I was even surprised about it as much as you were. I'm sorry for butting into your personal life Aoshi. It's just weird now because we really can't talk about things in general because we don't know anything about each other anymore. I mean it has been four years."
"Once." Aoshi had spoken, not looking down at Misao anymore. A confused face expression crossed over Misao and she soon spoke.
"Once what?" Aoshi glanced his eyes to the left seeing Misao was looking up at him but he soon spoke, his hands thrust into his jeans pockets.
"Megumi and I." His eyes were still glancing at her and he watched as her eyes widened the slightest finally understanding what he was talking about. She nodded her head and they kept walking again, silence filling the area up once more. Many minutes passed until Aoshi spoke again.
"It wasn't really that great. Don't get me wrong it was nice and all, except for the fact that at the height of climax…she yelled someone else's name…not really a great turn on or the way to end it either. I don't think she even knew she had said someone else's name either, but then I think otherwise when I got that whole 'it was great and all, but I think we rushed it and I want to wait until I'm ready before we do it again' speech."
"Ouch, but why didn't you bring it up?" Misao had spoken listening to that. She watched as Aoshi shrugged his shoulders and replied back.
"To this day I still don't know myself. On one side it didn't matter because the way she screamed meant she did enjoy herself immensely but on the other side I was thinking that maybe she was comparing me to him and that…really would have pissed me off." He looked down seeing a small flush cover Misao's cheeks at hearing him speak so freely like this. It really did feel like they hadn't been parted for so long as it was easy for them to speak to each other about anything.
"And you?" Aoshi had spoken once more.
"Me what?" Misao spoke back getting knocked out of her own thoughts. Aoshi glanced down at her, an eyebrow raised and Misao's eyes widened at his question. She really couldn't get out of it either. He had told her and now it was her turn to spill.
"Well there was this guy at school called Soujiro." Misao had spoken and glanced over at Aoshi as he faulted slightly in walking and no matter how much he tried suppressing his battle aura it went unsuccessfully. Misao knew he was angry but she was confused about that but kept going on with her short story anyway.
"I knew he wanted to sleep with me but he was such a jackass. I went to Hannya's formal with him since he broke up with Tae and he wanted me and Tokio to be with him and the guys and Soujiro ended up turning up with Tae and drunk too. He walked over trying to grope me and stuff but cutting the long story short Hannya punched him knocking him out in one hit. We worked at the some supermarket and at the beginning I thought he was nice but only as a friend and nothing else, but after seeing him at the formal and what Hannya said about him and Tae I despise the idiot. In answer to your question its no, not with anyone." Not a word was spoken between them after Misao had said this and she soon found that they were standing in front of the Okina Apartments.
"Look we've been walking for ages already and I know you're tired so how about you crash on the fold out couch for tonight?" Misao looked up at him. She was waiting to see what he would say to her little story but got nothing and she soon nodded her head silently at his question then followed him towards the door, as he opened it up looking it once again and up to his apartment.
* * * *
Misao was standing in the apartment and Aoshi began unfolding the couch. She knew the room had two bedrooms but one was obviously cluttered with junk knowing him.
"I'll get some blankets for you. It gets pretty cold during the night." She watched as he left to enter the spare room. Misao giggled slightly when she heard some cursing going on inside the room and junk was obviously being kicked around the room at the loud noises that occurred. Misao looked around the lounge room noticing pictures of Aoshi with Kenshin and Kaoru and Misao-chan. There was a couple of the guys and her but Misao soon gasped noticing he had actually kept the picture she brought him and he placed it in another frame.
"Here?" Aoshi had spoken and Misao turned around grabbing the blankets and pillows from him. Misao watched as he placed on a lamp and turned off the main lights.
"Goodnight Misao." Aoshi had spoken and walked towards his room and closing the door. Misao sat on the end of the fold out couch and spoke back looking at his closed door.
"Goodnight Aoshi."
* * * *
Aoshi woke up the next morning feeling rather warm. The night hadn't been chilly at all and he soon placed on a thin pair of long pants and got up to turn the air conditioning on. He opened his door and stood frozen at the sight that greeted him.
Misao lay sprawled on the fold out couch, her long hair messy but still in its plait and hanging over her right shoulder and falling to the carpeted floor. Aoshi swallowed the lump in his throat as Misao wore no shirt, her bare back facing him as she slept on her stomach. The thick blankets had been kicked off and only a white sheet remained showing the band of her dark purple underwear she wore. Aoshi let out a small sigh thanking the gods she hadn't turned on her back. He wouldn't have known what he would have done if he found her like that. Aoshi's feet began walking closer towards Misao and he blinked seeing he was now right beside her and staring down at her sleeping form. Small wisps of hair stuck to the corner of her slightly opened mouth. Her dark eyelashes brushing her cheeks, which were pink, confirming that it was quite warm in the apartment. Aoshi eyes widen when Misao groaned slightly and she began moving as though wanting to turn over. Aoshi placed a hand on her shoulder, noting how soft and warm her skin was but stopping her from turning over. He smiled down at her when she grumbled in her sleep and soon picked up the sheet with his spare hand placing it securely over her then let go so she could turn over. He watched as she did so the sheet tightening over her breasts showing him how much she had matured. Aoshi looked away knowing it wasn't right of him to stare. He got up and brought one of the blankets up and over her as he sat back down on the mattress. Misao sighed contently turning on her side facing his way, her knees bending as the top part of her legs curled around him not fearing the presence that sat beside her. Aoshi's eyes softened as he brushed wisps of dark soft hair away from her closed eyes and mouth and he soon whispered to her and placed a light kiss on her forehead, all of this unknown to her.
"Why did I ever leave you Misao."
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *