Hiker…

Aoshi stared over the crackling fire at Misao, she still very much asleep in his sleeping bag. Only now he couldn't help but draw his eyes over to her just to watch her face expressions. His eyes had grown wider as she seemed to whimper in fear, but then in five seconds flat she giggled a little and then the cave was silent once more, the occasional thunder breaking it every now and then.

Right now though, Misao was resting on her back, her hair messy the long blue-black bangs brushing over her closed eyes and some clasping to the corner of her mouth. Some time during the night, Aoshi unaware as he had fallen asleep resting against his pack, Misao had gotten out of the sleeping bag. It was obviously too warm for her and now Aoshi was starring openly at her legs. They glowed orange from the firelight, Aoshi gulping down the tea he brewed for himself as Misao shifted again, the sleeve of his shirt falling off her small shoulder and gaping in the front slightly, showing a generous portion of Misao's breast, but not the nipple.

"Kami-sama…" Aoshi mumbled softly as he stood up making his way over to the blissfully sleeping girl, showing herself off like she was. He began to wonder if she was such a restless sleeper, but then she wouldn't be injured or just wearing one piece of thin clothing, which happened to belong to him in the first place. Aoshi crouched at Misao's feet, he glancing down at her swollen foot and placed his fingers around her angle to try and work out whether it was broken.

"What are you doing?" He lifted his head, Misao's ocean blue eyes staring widely at him, her hands clasped to her chest as though trying to protect herself from his supposed 'lecherous' ways.

"I never got a chance to see whether you ankle was broken. May I?" Aoshi asked watching as Misao nodded dumbly and watched his skilled hands press and feel here and there, Misao biting her lip not wanting to tell him how much it was hurting.

"You keep biting your lip like that and you will puncture a hole in it." Aoshi mumbled quietly, Misao's eyes growing wide, as he knew she was holding back her pained moans at he placing pressure on her ankle. Aoshi moved the heel of Misao's foot, a groan escaping her throat as she sat up properly her hand clasping over his silently telling him to stop. Aoshi looked up at the feel of Misao's soft hand clasping his and stared endlessly into her blue orbs. His eyes quickly darted to her left shoulder noting his top was still draped over the edge of her shoulder showing him her supple creamy skin. He lifted his hand up and quickly placed the top back over her shoulder, he knowing it was effecting him more then he liked to admit too. He watched a light blush cross Misao's cheek and he moved away heading for his pack to bring out a small container. Aoshi sat near the fire emptying out the container he brewed tea in and began placing in some leaves.

"What are you doing?" Misao spoke ready to get up but watched as Aoshi placed up his hand telling her not to move.

"I am making a small concoction for your foot. It will stink, but the swelling we die down in the next 24 hours once it is placed on. You will not be able to walk on it and so I must carry you back to the city."

"C-Carry me?" Misao stuttered over at Aoshi watching him break up certain leaves he picked out of the container, added some water and began stirring.

"Aa, you shall not be able to walk on that foot for a couple of days, but I must take you back as soon as possible. You must see a professional doctor about your foot and since I am using the leaves I have collected for my research, I must see my lecturer and get the assignment extended for myself since I must use them for you."

"So I have become a burden on you? Gomen ne Aoshi…" Misao mumbled softly, bowing her head in apology. She felt like such a kid in front of him. Misao mentally smacked herself remembering she was a high schooler and he was a university student…a proper adult…

"I'm not about to let you fend for yourself Misao. You are injured and I happened to know a few things about surviving in the wilderness and have made it my duty to help you. As for being a burden, I doubt that very much. I happen to enjoy your company…even though you have been sleeping most of the time." Aoshi spoke while stirring the contents, it turning into a thick paste and was an off green colour. Misao observed as Aoshi sifted through his pack, seeming as though it contained everything but the kitchen sink and watched him crawl over towards her injured foot. Misao's eyes met green-grey ones as Aoshi asked his question.

"This will help the swelling go down Misao. Will you let me help you?" Again Misao nodded dumbly and sat watching as Aoshi professionally placed the awful smelling substance over her entire foot and ankle area. Aoshi looked up at Misao, noticing the long sleeve of his shirt was now over Misao mouth and nose trying to block out the smell.

"How long will this stench last?" Aoshi heard Misao muffle behind the sleeve and placed on a small smile reassuring her that it won't be too long before it evaporates and drifts away.

"Have you always wanted to be a doctor?" Misao questioned from behind the sleeve trying to start up a small conversation wanting to know more about him. Misao watched curiously as Aoshi moved forward, her cheeks turning a faint pink as he wrapped the blanket around her waist, Misao's eyes staring confusedly into his.

"For this Misao." Aoshi replied as he lifted up her leg, placed her toes on his crossed leg as he placed some of the leafy substance around the back of her foot. Misao was after all only wearing his shirt and since he lifted up her leg he would have seen more of Misao, even though he had to undress her to begin with, but he really wasn't ogling her when she was on the brink of death. Misao's lips were in a small 'o' finally understanding what he had done.

"So?" Misao muttered softly trying desperately to get the tingling feeling she was feeling out of her system and tried to force the idea of Aoshi's hands running up her legs out of her mind. How could she think such thoughts? Misao began berating herself but was glad when Aoshi finally spoke she now concentrating on his soft deep voice flowing through her mind… She gulped down the lump in her throat, as this wasn't helping her forget her other thoughts at all.

"I actually wished to be a teacher at first, but was way to quiet to interact with students and so I turned my focus on medicine ever since my mother passed away."

"But, being a doctor, you'll have to interact with patients." Misao contemplated to Aoshi watching as he kept massaging the substance into her foot while never looking up at her.

"Oh, I'll probably end up going into scientific research and not becoming a GP. Ever since my mother died, I've been drawn to try and find cures for many diseases, never wanting other children to loose a loved one like I had. I wish to research natural remedies to see if I can find any cures. It may sound strange, but why not look and research nature to try and find a cure where men, women and children won't have to worry about becoming sick when going through such things like chemotherapy."

"You must have a lot of study ahead of you." Misao stated rather then questioned and watched Aoshi nod his head affirmatively.

"The strange thing about all of this, is that there is heaps of study to do and yet I still find the time to go hiking all over Japan. I guess its because I time it in with tracking down certain plants and flowers. I think I like the work, it is quite intriguing and interesting when taking specimens back to the lab and analysing them under the microscope."

"I hope one day when I get into university, I'll have as much passion for the career path I wish to choose like you do." Misao watched Aoshi pat her foot once more, wrapping it in a cloth and then placed it back on the bag. His green-grey eyes never moved to hers, but she followed him with her eyes as he moved back to his pack searching through it for something.

"So what do you wish to do when you finish high school?" Aoshi questioned while pulling a couple of things out that seemed to be in the way as he searched for something.

"I wish to be an instructor, just like my father." Aoshi turned to look at Misao as she stared into the fire continuing with her story.

"I hated him so many times for leaving my brothers, my mum and me alone, but I love adventuring myself and it feels right to become an instructor. I feel like this is the way for me to honor him by becoming an instructor. Some days I get really upset not knowing why he left and then other days I can feel his presence around me, comforting me through hard times when I wish to be wrapped in his arms so he can take all my teenage problems away. I…I never told anyone that before…" Misao mumbled softly in the end, she becoming embarrassed about opening up to Aoshi like she had.

"He was a good man Misao." Misao blinked confusedly at Aoshi, watching as he shook his head a couple of times before continuing on.

"He was one hell of an instructor I'll give him that. He took us to the brink of exhaustion and sometimes beyond it and even though we were sore for days afterwards, he was the best in the university. He taught us to face our fears, to overcome them all and triumph over everything. I don't know how it was for you, but to us who were his students, your father, was a truly great man who taught us many things that'll we'll always remember for the rest of our lives." Misao watched Aoshi stand up and crouch beside her, he placing an old book into her hands, she staring into his eyes wanting an answer.

"I have to go out for a moment and you'll feel quite bored not being able to do anything for the rest of the morning and the afternoon, so I thought…you may wish to read this. This is quite old, from when I went adventuring and was a student under your father. I thought it right that you should be able to read it and remember the wonderful things he did for others." Misao watched as Aoshi got up, he detaching a smaller pack from his larger one and walked out of the cave heading off to lord knows where not saying anything more.

Misao noticed her clothes lay folded near the fire, completely dry and ready for her too wear again. She noted her shirt wasn't there, it being torn too much, but she liked wearing Aoshi's clothes anyway. Misao quickly dressed, feeling a lot better that she was wearing her underwear again, but noticed her sports top was no where to be found, it obviously growing legs and walking off. She placed on her long pants and moved under the sleeping bag and blanket once more. She opened up the book, Aoshi's writing was as neat as she remembered seeing it in his latest journal he carried around with him and she began to read.

* * * *

Misao stirred slightly, hearing some shuffling noises and snapped her eyes open to see Aoshi sitting near the fire, only this time he was near her and writing in his journal.

"Oh, you are awake." Aoshi spoke as he closed the journal and turned slightly to face Misao. She glanced down noticing Aoshi's book wasn't anywhere, he obviously placing it back into his pack.

"How long have I been asleep?" Misao questioned as she sat up taking the bowl from Aoshi as he offered some food to her.

"Don't know, you were asleep when I got back and I've nearly been back for an hour." Aoshi replied back, eating out of the container he cooked the noodles in since he only had one bowl after all.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Misao questioned before placing some of the noodles in her mouth, her stomach growling at her, indicating she hadn't eaten in a while. She watched as Aoshi shrugged his shoulders and answered her question after he swallowed some of his dinner.

"You look so peaceful when you sleep. I never had the desire to wake you because you look so cute when you rest and I just liked watching you sleep." Aoshi chuckled lightly as his eyes gazed over at a red-hot faced Misao, she trying to hide her flush behind the small bowl, but failing miserably.

"Don't laugh at me baka! I can't help it! I just sleep okay!" Aoshi shook his head, Misao taking offence to his statement.

"Sometimes I like you better when you sleep Misao, you're not so defensive then. You needn't bite my head off if I pay you a compliment, you're supposed to thank me." Aoshi spoke dryly, the hint of a smile crossing his lips as he watched her cheeks flush in embarrassment.

"H-How am I suppose to react? I've never had someone say…" Misao died off becoming ashamed at her near confession, she cursing herself for acting like a child in front of Aoshi. He was so…so infuriating at making her emotions jump and leap around at his every word. She couldn't comprehend all the feelings inside her and always blurted out whatever was racing in her mind at that point and time.

"Someone say what Misao?" Aoshi asked intrigued. He turning to face her fully now, forgetting his dinner and moved closer, his hand lifting up to turn Misao blushing face back to him.

"Compliments…compliments from someone like yourself…" Misao didn't know how else to answer his question. It was already painful enough to admit that, but to also have him cupping her chin, making her face him was making her nervous. She looked straight into those endless orbs that where his eyes and Aoshi was forcing Misao to come to terms with her own fears. No one had ever paid her compliments; no one had been this close to her…no one had touched her before, absolutely no one…

Misao gulped down the lump in her throat as Aoshi stared straight back at her, his index finger brushing her cheek lightly, as though he not even realising he was caressing her softly.

"Someone from the opposite sex you mean." Aoshi stated softly, his eyes boring holes into Misao's, as though searching for her very soul, searching inside her heart…

"H-Hai…no one…no one…has ever touched me before…" Misao gushed when her squeaky voice registered in her ears, the concepts of her words totally destroying the moment as she blushed bright red in horror and embarrassment at practically telling Aoshi she was a virgin! There was no mistake now, he knew she was a virgin…you'd have to be a complete moron if you couldn't read into those words. Aoshi now knew no one had complimented Misao before, no one had touched her…no one had kissed her before… What was more shocking to Misao was when she finally had the courage to look up and found Aoshi held a small smile on his thin lips, his mouth moving to her ear as he whispered his reply…

"I am glad I am the first…" Misao's eyes widened at his comment and watched as he moved away not saying anything more as he went back to eating his dinner. Minutes of silence passed by, thunder rolling in the sky once more, indicating another rainstorm was about to develop.

Misao fiddled with the fork in the bowl, she not eating the rest of her food, her thoughts trapped on Aoshi's words as she contemplated what they should mean inside her head. Her eyes glanced up, she snapping out of her thoughts as Aoshi took the bowl from her hands and mumbled softly to her telling her to lay down and sleep. Misao wanted to scream at him, telling him that she couldn't sleep because of his words but she did what he said and lay amongst the warmth. Her eyes glanced over at Aoshi, watching as he folded his arms over at his chest and leaned against his pack trying to get comfortable.

"Did you sleep like that last night?" Misao spoke softly as though fearing if she speak any louder her voice would start to squeak in nervousness.

"You should rest Misao, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Aoshi responded as he unfolded his arms to bunch up his jumper and place it behind his head.

"I can't do that." Misao spoke stubbornly as she sat up flinging the sleeping bag and blanket away from her form. Aoshi sighed in frustration as he moved over picking up the covers ready to place them over her.

"Why can't we share?" Misao spoke softly, her words faulting Aoshi in placing the covers back over her. She noticed his jaw was set as though he was holding back what he truly wanted to voice out loud. Misao gulped down the lump in her throat and clasped one of his hands, her eyes starring pleadingly into his, hoping he'd agree with her.

"I do not wish for you to get sick because of me Aoshi. I will hate myself for that, so I thought…why couldn't we share…"

"Misao, you don't understand…I'd be lying on top of you and I'm sorry to admit this, but you are a very petite girl and with my body weight, I'd squash you to death." Aoshi replied taking his hands from hers, fearing she feel the nervous shake of them at what her question was really doing to him. He watched Misao purse her lips, the orange firelight reflecting over her cute but rumpled features as she had been resting for well over a couple of days now.

"So, you aren't against the idea?"

"What?" Aoshi responded slightly taken aback at her assumption. He sifted through his mind, trying to recall back what he had stated but watched as Misao moved out of the sleeping bag, careful not to place any strain on her ankle and ushered him towards it.

"Then you get in first and I'll lie by you." Misao responded surprised she hadn't felt her cheeks heat up.

"Misao are you not hearing me correctly? I just said that the sleeping bag is made for one and you'd be lying on top of me." Aoshi hoped to the gods she finally understood her ridiculous idea and would get back into the warmth of the covers and go to sleep.

"I-I don't mind. Aoshi, I don't want you to get sick and I'm pretty light and well…I don't want you to get sick that's all…" Now Misao could feel the heat rise in her cheeks as Aoshi stared at her not saying anything.

"You won't stop asking me will you?" Aoshi questioned in defeat as he watched Misao shake her head and he sighed moving towards the sleeping bag and crawled in, he trying to calm down his raging heart as he felt Misao move in beside him, half her body pressing atop his. After about a minute of Misao trying to squeeze in, she finally opted, with a blush of course, to lie fully atop Aoshi and shuffle down so she could have some warmth as well. Aoshi had been holding his breath for…what felt like eternity for him and let it whoosh out when Misao finally stopped wriggling around. Aoshi had commanded…forced…overpowered his body not to react to Misao, lest he receive a beating from the feisty young girl. He sighed quietly in relief as he eased his tense muscles and placed his head against the jumper he used for Misao's pillow when she was resting here by herself.

"Are you comfortable" He heard Misao mumble into his chest, her hot breath fanning over his bare neck as his shirt parted open, he having three of the buttons undone.

"No…" Aoshi responded, watching Misao lift up lightly, her palms against his chest, her cheeks still red and she stared down at him waiting for the reason he wasn't comfortable. Aoshi was screaming in his head that he was comfortable, more comfortable then he'd ever been in his life but shifted his hand under him and pulled out something he was lying on and noticed it was his book.

"I never finished it. Will you read some to me?" Misao spoke as she moved slightly, this time lying half her body against Aoshi's right side and placing her weight on her left, her sore right ankle draped over Aoshi's legs in comfort. Aoshi lifted his arms up, Misao's head resting against his shoulder, she tucking it under his chin to listen to the rhythmic beating of his heart. As he opened up the book to where Misao folded the top corner of a page his right arm was now wrapped snugly over Misao, she trying to bury herself further into his warmth. Aoshi had been pretending to flick through the pages to find the one he was looking for, but his mind raced as he felt Misao shift once more, the contours of her breasts pressing firmly to his side, she not having a bra to wear at all.

Minutes of silence passed and Aoshi diverted his gaze when he heard a contented sigh escape Misao's lips and looked down to see her slightly flushed face, her eyes closed as she had already drifted off to sleep. Her face had been upturned as though she were staring up at him even in sleep and Aoshi placed his book down, his fingers on his left hand brushing over her cheek.

"Sleep well Misao-chan…" Aoshi mumbled softly to her and couldn't help but brush his lips lightly over her pink ones, stealing a kiss from the slumbering girl. God he had wanted to do that for…Aoshi racked his mind wanting to know how long he had waited to do that but was cut from his thoughts when he heard a soft mumble come from Misao.

"That was my first kiss Aoshi…and I'm glad it was you…" Aoshi felt his heart burst in his chest at Misao's mumbled words. He could even feel the heat rise in his own cheeks as she had been awake and obviously testing him to see what he did. Damn she was one sneaky weasel that's for sure! Aoshi's heart skipped a beat when he felt Misao hesitantly brush her hand over his stomach, to wrap it around his waist holding him close to her as though holding him like a lover. She may not be experienced but her innocent and sweet gestures got Aoshi's temperature and heart racing then any other woman he had come in close contact with.

"Goodnight Misao." Aoshi mumbled into her spring flower and rain scented hair, he not understanding her mumbling, but instead bravely placed his left arm over her shoulders to join his right one and held her just that little bit closer, making her feel snug in his embrace. Oh tomorrow was going to be very interesting indeed…especially when the two of them woke up embraced in each others arms.

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *

Authors Notes: *Phew* Who would have thought eh? What a sneaky little weasel to get Aoshi so quickly. Well originally this is not the way it was planned, but I thought I'd better make something happen since it is time for them to part when Aoshi and Misao reach Tokyo.

Its kinda kawaii right minna-san? I hope so, but if not… *wails loudly*

Okay, since this chappie is done, I'm gunna try and work on…well it's a toss up really. Voice your opinions, on which one of my unfinished stories you'd like me to do next? You can only choose one though and if you choose two I'll…not work on any! *hehehehehe* Well ja ne Minna!