Hey, guess what! Since you guys like this so much, I'm going to make it longer. My stories tend to be long-winded and I have a few more ideas involving Jishin, so I was kinda depressed that it was drawing to a close. But if you like it so much after you read this, tell me. This chapter could easily become an epilogue or it could easily give way to more chapters. So let me know what you think!!

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Early one morning in January…

"Oi, Misao-chan! Where are you going in such a hurry?"

The young woman skidded to a stop, trying not to slide through the snow littering the street. She looked over her shoulder only to come face to face with the smiling visage of Sojiro Seta.

"Sojiro?" She blinked her cerulean eyes, "What're you doing back in Kyoto?" The boy once known as the Tenken had been wandering Japan for the past two years, searching for his own version of the truth much the way Kenshin had. At the present, he was wrapped up in a heavy jacket, a bag slung over his shoulder. His dark hair hung in his eyes, slightly longer than usual.

"Oh, just passing through." He smiled pleasantly, "I am still wandering, still seeking the truth. You seem well. Where are you hurrying off to?" He repeated the question in a cheerful manner.

"It's Aoshi's birthday." She grinned, "I'm on my way to give him his present."

"And I'm sure you have something wonderful for him, Misao-chan." The young rurouni's smile widened.

"Since he's married me, he says there's nothing I can give him that he doesn't already have." She smiled impishly, "But I do have a great gift for him, so I've got to get going home so I can meet him when he comes back from the shrine."

"Have fun and tell him happy birthday for me." The young man never once lost his cheerful expression as he waved at Misao.

"Ja ne, Sojiro-san!" She called over her shoulder as she ran off.

"Sayonara!" He lowered his hand, wondering what she was going to give him. There had been no sign of a gift and anyway, what do you give a man who has it all?

"Where have you been, Itachi?" Aoshi was waiting her on the porch of the Aoiya.

"Happy birthday!" Ignoring his question, she launched herself into his arms, a grin spread across her face.

"Thank you. Now let's go inside." He could feel her shivering, "Have you been outside all this time?"

"No. I saw Sojiro and stopped to talk to him. That's why I was late getting back." Her face was flushed pink and she was slightly out of breath. Strands of her hair had worked their way loose from the braid and he could tell she had been in a big hurry.

"You saw Sojiro?" He questioned as he ushered her through the door, "How is he doing?"

"Fine. He said to tell you happy birthday." She hung her coat on a hook beside the door, then looked over her shoulder at him. "And speaking of birthdays…" She turned to face him, taking his hand in hers, "I have something for you that will make you very happy."

He smiled slightly, wondering what she was about to give him. "There's nothing you can give me that will make me happier than I already am."

"Aoshi," She grinned, looking up at him eagerly, "There is something I have in my possession that you will be glad to receive."

His eyebrows knit together as he pondered over what this mystery gift could possibly be. She still held one of his hands in both of hers and was smiling up at him sweetly. "There's nothing I can think of. How about you quit teasing and just give it to me?"

"Oh," Her laughter was light and airy, "I can't give it to you right now. I can't give it to you for a while. About six months to be exact."

He blinked his icy eyes, looking at her. She was still laughing, her smile wide and beautiful. He still didn't understand quite what she meant. His cluelessness was rewarded with an affectionate kiss and she placed his hand over her belly. "Shiawase tanjôbi, Papa." She exclaimed gleefully.

It took a moment for her words to sink in. Happy birthday, Papa. He did a few quick calculations. About six months…It had been nearly three months since their little romp and the honeymoon showed no signs of ending any time soon. "You mean….? You're…? We're…?…A baby?" He finally finished.

"Oh Aoshi…" She laughed harder, "Yes!"

He looked dumbfounded. He had to turn the idea over in his mind several times before it hit full impact. They were going to have a baby. He was going to be a father. She was…He looked down at her still-flat stomach, then his gaze wandered back to her face. "You're sure?"

She frowned slightly, chewing on her lower lip. He didn't seem as happy as she hoped he would. "That's what the doctor just told me, so yes." She stared back at him evenly, her azure eyes never leaving his face. His expression was sort of a stunned one and his eyes kept wandering down to where she still held his hand to her middle. "If you're not happy…" She let go of his hand, turning her back to him, trying to fight back tears.

"Hey," His hand rested on her shoulder, "I'm happy. Itachi, I love you and I will love any children we have together. I was just surprised that it would be so soon."

She looked over her shoulder at him. Her eyes were full of unshed tears and her chin trembled. "You mean it?"

"Of course." He wrapped his arms around her, "So don't cry."

"I'm sorry I doubted you." She sniffled, "You looked upset and I didn't want to upset you on your birthday."

"I'm not upset." He stroked her hair, smiling fondly down at her, "I was just shocked. You don't expect something like a baby for a birthday gift."

"You are happy?" She was still a little worried. He had taken very good care of her when she was a child, but he wasn't exactly the fatherly type. What would he do with a baby?

"I'm happy." He kissed her forehead, "So don't spend a lot of time worrying over it."

"What do you think every one else will think? We weren't even married yet and they'll all know it." She blushed, "They'll know what we did and when we did it."

"I think they'll all be more happy to hear about the baby than anything else. They won't even think about it. And anyway, Misao, it's none of their business what we do when we're alone together."

"You're right." She smiled up at him, "It shouldn't matter to them. But we can tell them later, when we go out, right? I'd like it to be a secret between me and you for a little while at least."

"Of course. Anything you want."

"Good. Now I'm going to go change my clothes. Then I'll be all ready to go."

"Do me one favor, since it is my birthday." He caught her by the arm as she turned to go, "Leave your hair down long. I like it that way."

"Okay."

He watched as she scampered off up the stairs. Then a small frown crossed his face. A baby…That would give him a lot more to worry about. What am I going to do with a baby? It was hard enough to take care of Misao as a child and she hadn't been a baby. How do you hold them? How do you take care of them? Babies are so tiny…I know nothing about children.

"Happy birthday, Aoshi-sama." Omasu passed by the perplexed man, a stack of freshly washed towels in her arms. Then she paused. "What are you doing standing here in the hall?"

"Misao is changing her clothes before we go out." He said absently. There was a lot on his mind and very little of it had to do with his birthday.

"Um…" Omasu looked at him. There was a very vacant look in his eyes and he seemed as though he were on another planet. "That doesn't explain why you're standing in the hall."

"I am thinking."

"Okay…" Shrugging, she sauntered down the hall, struggling to keep from losing any of the towels. He wasn't making much sense, but he looked really confused, so she wouldn't press the issue any further.

A baby…His train of thought was on a one-way track. Misao will make a good mother…I've seen her with the children in the village. She's so patient and caring and gentle. But me…Am I going to be a good father? Children need to be hugged and played with. Can I do that? Can I be the kind of father a child needs? What if-

"Aoshi…Are you okay?" Misao had come bounding back down the stairs, her hair bouncing around her face. She stopped, her smile fading, when she saw the look on his face. He looked so serious; so thoughtful. One hand rose slowly to her waste. The baby…He's thinking about the baby. He doesn't want it.

Should she be running around like that? She's so tiny…Can she handle having a baby? What have I done to her? Guilt washed over him. She had been innocent and pure and he had acted on carnal instincts. But you married her a small voice in the back of his mind reminded him. He forced a smile. "I'm okay." He said slowly. He looked up at her and his smile then was a genuine one, "You look beautiful."

Her face flushed red and she smiled shyly, causing him to laugh. She was shameless in bed with him and now they were to have a child together, yet she still blushed every time he told her she was beautiful.

She did indeed look very attractive at that moment. Dressed in a very pale green kimono and matching obi, her hair thick and wavy around her pretty face, she stood on the bottom step, one hand resting lightly over her stomach. Her cerulean eyes were wide with surprise, as if she hadn't been expecting the compliment. A pink blush had spread across her cheeks and she was smiling lightly. "Thank you." She replied bashfully.

"Come one; let's go." He offered her a hand, "They'll all be waiting for us. And," He paused, smiling softly at her, "You'll want to tell them all the good news." He wanted children with her. He had decided that when he decided he wanted to marry her. While he hadn't been planning for it so soon into their marriage, she seemed happy about it and that made him very happy.

She placed one small hand in his, alighting from the step. Good news…He hadn't sounded sarcastic when he said it. Maybe he was happy. Time would only tell.

A short while later, Aoshi surveyed the faces of those who had wished him happy birthday. Okina; who had tried to keep him from making the biggest mistake of his life. And he nearly killed the man. Okon and Omasu, Shiro and Kuro; who protected Misao and tried to keep her from hurting while he was gone. He owed them all so much. And Misao…His pretty wife sat at his side, a radiant smile on her face. She was waiting for him to tell them all.

He swallowed, trying to collect his thoughts. He wanted this to come out right so he wouldn't upset Misao. He wanted their child all right, but was afraid he would say something that she would take the wrong way. He cleared his throat. "Misao and I have some very good news for you all." He paused, glancing at them nervously. They were all looking expectantly at him. Misao smiled encouragingly, her hand on his arm. She squeezed it reassuringly and he looked at her gratefully. Taking a deep breath, he continued. "We're going to be having a baby."

This announcement was followed by a stunned silence. Then Okon and Omasu squealed with excitement. There was a flurry of movement; the girls hugging Misao, Shiro and Kuro shaking his hand and offering their congratulations.

Aoshi relaxed slightly. They were all pleased. He felt very relieved by this. A part of him had wondered what their reaction would be. There had been a rather pleasant outcome. What a good birthday it had been.

"Happy birthday, Aoshi." He heard Misao's voice in his ear. She kissed his cheek, causing him to smile.

"I hope the real gift comes later when we're alone." He whispered back to her.

"I'm already carrying your carrying your child." She drew back in mock horror. "What more do you want from me?"

"Only all of your love." He replied.

She smiled softly. He was so terribly good to her. How dare he be so romantic?

***

I'm going to run a little poll since I've decided this story will keep going. I want to know whether y'all think they should have a daughter or a son. Let me know in the form of a review.

Maybe this'll help you out: I've got a name for both gender. Aoi for a girl or Seiji for a boy. It's up to you guys, so get reviewing!!

And I promise the next chapter will be about Jishin and what happened to him! It'll undoubtedly be really short, but I have a name for it already: "A Skunk's Scent Never Changes." So watch for that as early as tonight!!