It was a rainy day when the slender Oniwaban, Misao, decided to take her dear Aoshi up on his offer. He couldn't have just been kidding.could he? She sighed lightly and made her way towards the temple where he could usually be found. A bamboo umbrella kept off the rain, but Misao could feel herself perspire from nervousness. What if Aoshi just laughed at her?

Picking up her pace, she managed to walk up the stone steps and peer into the balcony. He was there. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then approached him gingerly.

'Aoshi...Sama?' She spoke softly in his direction.

"What is it Misao?" There was a hint of amusement in his voice. He stood up and looked out at the rain, falling softly just ahead. "I.I.You know what you said earlier." She stopped, unable to continue. Surely, she'd sound like a fool if it had all been a joke.

"Yes," he replied calmly.

"..were you serious?" She spoke a little louder than she had intended and immediately felt nervous afterwards.

"I was." His voice trailed off, as if he was a little tired. He finally turned around to face the girl of sixteen. Indeed. The battousai was right. She was no child anymore. Yet. "Misao." He stared down at her with those icy blue eyes and advanced a few steps towards her. He reached a hand out and touched her face gently, tilting her chin up to look him full in the eyes. "You understand.this decision you want to make." He paused. "You are young."

It was like a slap in the face. Misao pouted cutely. "What?! I-I'm not that young!" She felt her voice quiver. Who was she kidding? It was a sad day when sixteen year old girls lose their virginity. "I-I'm ready." She hoped she sounded confident. Did she?

He smiled slightly and looked away again. " I know.it's been a long time hasn't it?" He walked back to the ledge of the balcony and rested his hand on the wooden rails. "You used to be so small.I never realized you would grow up Misao" He started to say something else, but stopped.

"I'm sixteen Aoshi-sama! That's grown up." She felt her lip quiver, sensing a rejection coming on. The poor girl sank to her knees defiantly and stared at the hardwood floor. A fat tear rolled down her cheek and stained the ground. A moment passed and he said nothing. She spoke abruptly then, furiously almost. "It's because of the way I look isn't it!? Isn't it Aoshi- sama?! You think I'm still a little girl because of how skinny and flat I am!"

At this comment he laughed. He couldn't help it. She was a child still. He shook his head sadly. A child still cried over the smallest things like that. He sighed, wishing he knew what to do. "Misao. You are wrong." He turned and looked her over. "There's nothing wrong with you're appearance." It wasn't what Misao wanted to hear and she didn't look up at him.

"So why don't you like me then?" She was truly insulted, and Aoshi could tell.

"I do like you." He sighed and spoke slowly, hesitantly, for he was not one to let out his feelings so easily. "You are my hoseki, Misao, my treasure. I only want what's best for you." Truly spoken, he didn't want to deflower the young woman at such an age. What if things didn't work out between them. He shook his head. She was so naïve.

"D-Do you really mean it Aoshi-sama?" She didn't look up at him, but sniffled quietly to herself. He didn't respond, but approached her instead, kneeling down on one knee in front of her so she was forced to glance at him. When their eyes met, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers, softly. His arms found their way around the crying girl and he cradled her like a lonely child. Misao buried her face into his clothing and stopped crying slowly.

Great. Now I look like a big baby. She sniffled a bit more, then stopped. By now Aoshi Shinamori was rubbing her back in a comforting way, but he said nothing. She finally found the courage to look back up at him. "A- Aoshi" She whispered.

He didn't respond for a moment, resting his chin atop her head. He smoothed out her long braid with one hand, then pulled back a little to look at her clearly. "Yes?" His expression wasn't cold. It was kindly, yet strong. Misao smiled.

"Thank you." She whispered softly. He nodded. After a moment, he spoke again, that reasonable flatness returning to his voice.

"You should return to the Aoiya. They will be looking for you." She stood up hesitantly and tottered a bit, dizzily. He reached out an arm and helped her to her feet. Inside she was hurt, confused. Return to the Aoiya? She felt like a failure. She closed her eyes miserably.

As if he had read her mind, Shinamori spoke again. "The time will come when you are ready Misao." He lowered his voice. "Until then-wait for me." The words came as a shock. Wait for him? But she was ready! Who was waiting for whom? She felt a headache coming on and the next thing she knew, everything had blacked out.

She awoke the next day drowsily. It was noon outside. Omasu poked her head in and smiled. "Ohaiyougozimasu Misao-Chan! You've been sleeping half the day away." Misao sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"What happened?" She wondered if it had all been just a dream.

"Well, it was raining yesterday and you wanted to bring an umbrella for Aoshi remember?" She paused, folding a kimono and setting it in front of Misao with a slight nod. She continued, "Somehow, Aoshi had to carry you back." She gave Misao a look, arching an eyebrow. "He said you passed out from a headache, probably from the cold." Omasu shook her head disapprovingly. "Well you seem fine now." She stood up to leave, but paused. "Please be more careful Misao." That said, the fellow oniwaban member left her.

Misao sighed and stood up, rolling her eyes as she looked at the kimono. Surely she didn't expect her wear this restraining garment! She leaped up and pulled on her own favorite pair of shorts and t-shirt. Easy stuff to run around in, throw a punch or two if needed.

So what had really happened yesterday? She smoothed out her hair and made her way to the kitchen. Maybe she could think clearer on a full stomach.

***Well I changed the style a bit. Please tell me what you think! I know a bit more about the series so I tried to stay true to the characters.I think I made Aoshi a bit too mean in the first chapter. Sumimasen! I know he's actually a sweetie at heart! Please give me an honest review people! ^___^() ***