Since people have been asking….The coveted Aoshi plushie is from e-bay. It was a buy now deal. Go e-bay! *huggles plushie* I love this thing…I can now say "I slept with Aoshi last night"

…And mean it! ^__^

***

Sometime in February…

"I hate this whole month."

"Why is that, Itachi?"

"Everything is so gray and depressing." Misao sighed.

It was the end of a dreary, blah day and the two were on their way home from an evening out. For the past month -since the scare with the cat- Misao had been rather subdued and obedient and Aoshi felt he owed her an enjoyable evening. He had taken her out to dinner and then they had gone for a walk, just the two of them together.

It wasn't as cold as it had been. The snow in the streets had begun to get slushy and everything was -as she said- very cheerless. (A/N: I actually enjoy February very much…I was born then, after all…)

A snowflake suddenly landed on Misao's nose and she looked up. The black sky was peppered with white flecks that fell swiftly to the ground. She sighed gloomily. "It's snowing again…"

"I thought you liked when it snowed. I thought it reminded you of me." He took her hand in his. Her fingers were like ice. "Are you cold? Come here." He placed an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close to him.

"What do I need the snow to remind me of you for? I've got you now. I don't need to sit around and stare at the snow to remember you." She gazed up at him, one arm sliding around his waist.

"Very true." He treated her to a pleased smile, "What about the snow made you think of me?"

"It's so cold and empty…the way you always were. But that was before." She added as an afterthought, "You're very different now. And that's a good thing. You talk to everybody more and you tell me how you feel a lot. You used to hide everything from me."

"I hurt you a lot back then, didn't I?" He asked quietly, "I didn't realize I was even doing it. I'm sorry, Misao."

"I forgave you for that a long time ago, Aoshi." She snuggled up to him, "I knew that was how you were and I loved you any way. It's not your fault that I loved you. I'm just glad you loved me back."

"How could I help but love you?" He enjoyed her so much. She was still so innocent and naïve sometimes, but she was his sweet little thing and he loved her very much, in spite of her occasional whining and her weasel-ish scheming. She was the only person who had loved him unconditionally from the start. How could he not love her?

"I can think of a few reasons…" She said matter-of-factly, "I'm loud and annoying and sometimes I don't think before I do something. And," She paused, trying to sound casual, "I'm not pretty…I'm just a scrawny, underdeveloped girl."

He stopped, peering at her through the night. She was looking up at him, her wide eyes full of longing. The snow falling lightly into her dark hair, her innocent expression, her cheeks rosy from the cool air; how could he see her as anything but beautiful? "You're not pretty," He agreed softly, "You're breathtaking, Itachi."

"Oh, Aoshi…" Her breath caught in her throat. He was looking at her, his deep blue eyes full of some unidentifiable emotion. He leaned towards her, one hand resting gently on her shoulder; his lips met hers in a kiss that warmed her heart and soul.

A little ways away, hidden in the shadows, was a slightly off-balance young man who went by the name of Jishin. He was watching the couple closely, a devious smile on his boyish face. Yes, kiss her, Shinomori…That may be your last chance. Lucky I was able to pay off that kid to poison you…It should immobilize you soon enough…He rubbed his hands together in glee, You're just lucky I didn't decide to kill that baby of yours…Maybe another day…

His thoughts drifted back to earlier in the day when he had been to the doctor's for one last check up on his charred back. It had been four months of hell and the burned flesh was still tender. He hated going to the clinic, but his father refused to call a doctor to the house. "You got yourself injured; you go get it taken care of." Kana had demanded. So the heir had bundled himself off to the clinic to have the last of the bandages removed from his back.

The doctor was one for making small talk. He prattled on and on about his patients -never using their names of course- and the joy he got from making them well again. That day's story was one that had unnerved the deranged boy quite a bit. "So terrible for such a young man to be injured in such a way. I love seeing my young patients. There's a girl -pretty little thing- expecting her first baby in the summer. Every time she's in, she tells me how excited she is and how happy she and her husband are. The fellow's a bit older than her, I gather, but she's loved him all her life…"

This sounded like some one he knew…Misao…Misao was pregnant with that bastard's baby. Jishin would not allow it. Something needed to be done…

He scowled at that memory. Shinomori should not have done that to her. A pretty, thin little girl like Misao should not be made to have children. It would make her fat. And Jishin did not want to see her fat. But he also found that he could not bring himself to hurt her. She was too wonderful to hurt.

So he would kill Shinomori instead.

Aoshi drew back, ending the kiss. He took Misao's hand in his once more. She was grinning broadly, her face lit with happiness. He loved how he could leave her speechless after kissing her. It proved all the more how young and inexperienced she was. Not only that, but it served to make him very glad he was the one she chose to show her all these things.

I love her so much…The very thought of going home to her was what forced me to go on those two years ago. I owe her my life. She broke all those bonds and loosened all those chains on my heart. She loved me even when I told her I never wanted to see her again. How did I…

Aoshi paused for a moment. He suddenly felt incredibly dizzy and disoriented. For a moment, his vision blurred. He raised one hand to his head, trying to clear his mind. What's wrong with me?

"Aoshi?" Misao stopped when Aoshi did. He looked slightly confused and his face was pale. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He tried to smile. I'm going to pass out. I've got to get home before I pass out. She can't drag me home…I'm a lot bigger than her. And that would put too much strain on her. I've got to…

He stumbled and she tried to catch him as he fell. "Aoshi!" She exclaimed. Something is terribly wrong with him!! Her brain screamed in panic. Something is wrong…Her eyes welled with tears. He's sick. I've got to get him home…

"Misao…" He tried to stand up, but his knees buckled beneath him, "You've got to listen very carefully and do exactly as I say." Fear washed over him. This was not one of those things that just happened. Somebody had done something to him and he was afraid the same thing would happen to her. "You have to go home right away. Leave me here. It's more important that you and the baby are okay. Go home and send Shiro or Kuro back for me."

"But…but…I can't just leave you here." She stammered. Panic was about to consume her. Her heart was thumping in her chest as she leaned over him. "I can't leave you!"

"Do as I say. The quicker you get home, the quicker some one can come back for me. Now get going!"

She rose to her feet, terrified. His breathing was uneven and he doubled over in pain. Some one has to be nearby…Some one who can help…She looked wildly around. A shop nearby had a small light on. She sprinted over and began to pound on the door. "You've got to help! You've got to help!! Come out here and help us!" She thudded against the wooden door, "Help!!"

Aoshi sat in a heap on the snowy ground. Why isn't she going home? His mind was a hazy blur of thoughts. I told her to go home. And why do I feel so warm? It's cold out, but I'm sweating…

"What is all the commotion, little lady?"

Relief washed over Misao as the door finally opened. "My husband…" She exclaimed franticly, "Something is wrong with him! He needs help!"

The man who had answered her panic-stricken pounding peered over her shoulder. There was indeed a shadowy figure hunched over on the ground. He looked back at the girl. "What happened to him?"

"I don't know! We were walking home and he just collapsed! I need to get him home! Something is wrong!" She grabbed the man by the collar, "Something is wrong; don't you understand?"

"Calm down!" The man regarded her. Her eyes were wide with fear and she looked extremely young. Too young to be married in his mind, but there was nothing to do but help her. "Hold on a moment while I get my coat."

"Please hurry."

She passed nervously by the door when the man disappeared back inside for a moment. Don't let anything happen to him…Don't let him be sick…Let it be something he ate and he'll be better soon…Please…Then a thought crossed her mind. If it's something he ate, don't let it be something I had too. If I get sick, her hands rested protectively over her soft tummy, that won't be good for the baby.

As soon as the man reappeared at the door, Misao went running over to Aoshi. "Over here!" She called as she sank to the ground beside him. "Aoshi, can you hear me?" She ran one hand across his forehead, brushing back his dark hair. His skin was clammy to the touch. "Please be okay. I love you…"

"You…You're supposed to go home." He sounded confused. Why was she still there? He told her to go home, but she was there, leaning over him, her soft little hand wiping the sweat from under his hair.

"I can't leave you. Not when you're sick. I belong here with you." Her voice wavered slightly; she was about to burst into tears. Be strong, she told herself, Be brave for him. Don't let him know how upset you are. It will only make him worry and he doesn't need to be worrying right now…

"I'll be okay." He tried to smile as he looked up at her weakly, "Don't cry, Itachi. I won't leave you. Not after it took me two years to finally tell you I loved you…" His ice blue eyes fell shut.

"Stay awake! Aoshi, stay awake! Don't go to sleep!" She patted his cheek gently, "Show me those cold eyes…I don't know if you'll wake up if you go to sleep…Please…" It wasn't working. No matter how hard she fought the tears, they came anyway. He could die…Then what would I do…?

"Miss?" The man was tugging on her sleeve to get her attention, "Where do you live? Is it far? It might be easier to take him to a doctor."

"No…We're really close to the Aoiya…We should just take him home. Omasu will know what to do…or Okina…Somebody will know! I just…I can't…"

"Misao…Calm…down…" One of Aoshi's eyes blinked open, "I'm…okay. Don't…hurt…the baby." His stomach was churning, a war raging in his bowels. Whatever he'd eaten that made him sick was going to come out one way or another.

"Oh, Aoshi…" She sniffled, "Don't worry about the baby. We'll be fine. You just worry about yourself."

"I think I'm going to vomit…" His chest was heaving and he was sweating buckets. His stomach clenched. "I ate something…Something bad…And I'm going to be sick."

"Oh…Okay. Here, sit up." She supported him as he sat hunched over, her arm around his shoulder. Never before had she seen him so helpless and it broke her heart. She brushed back his hair for the millionth time and he looked at her, his deep eyes somewhat glassy. "I love you." She kissed his sweaty forehead, "Everything's going to be all right…"

The other man watched this with interest. Also watching was Jishin. The deranged young man frowned. Why isn't he dead yet? Why is he still alive? That little brat must have messed up somehow. He scowled. No wonder they say 'don't send a boy to do a man's job.' He stormed away into the darkness. Next time, Shinomori…

***

Woo! How's that for drama! Go me! And I'm not writing a scene where he actually barfs, because I have a terrible fear of vomit (which is called "Emetophobia"). Don't worry, he'll be okay. I never kill off main characters. But I have a good plan for chap 16 and chap 17 may have Kenshin, Kaoru and a cute little Kenji (I love babies…can't you tell?) in it. Haven't decided yet, but the Himura family will show up at some point, so stay tuned!

And your last chance to vote is this chap! The poll closes after I post 16, so get voting!! Girl is winning by a landslide. ^^v