I was asked what "itachi" means. So I'll tell ya. This is the Japanese word for "weasel." I just think it's a cute endearment for Aoshi to call Misao…^.^

Wheee! New friend! Hilary rocks my socks! XD So long, Lisa!!! Anime friends over all others any day!!! There's a whole POSSE of us here! Hilary and Jeff were only the beginning…Rock on, SUCO anime fans!! ^_^v

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"I don't care." Misao's voice was a quiet whisper, "I don't care what you did. I love you, Aoshi Shinomori, and I will love you no matter what." Her arms were around his waist, her face pressed up against his chest. "And I know it's not what you wanted. I know you didn't want to do it."

"You don't care?" He hugged her tighter, practically crushing her in his arms. If ever there was a time he needed her faith and love, it was then. I'm so blessed to have a woman like her…She cares about what I do; it upsets her, but doesn't ever leave me for it. Oh, I do love her. I love how she wants to share every little bit of everything with me…"Why wouldn't you care?"

"Because I know if you killed him it was the only choice you had left. I believe in you. I know you wouldn't have just done it for no reason. I know…" Her voice wavered, "He gave you no other choice…"

"Itachi…" He sounded so weary, "Itachi, don't cry. I didn't want to kill him. But I couldn't help it. He grabbed the blade…There was no way to stop him…"

"Wait, Aoshi, what exactly happened?" The way he spoke of it…A glimmer of hope filled her heart. Perhaps it was all just a misunderstanding of some sort…"Tell me…What happened, Aoshi?"

His face still buried in her hair, he began to explain how he confronted the young man with two options, prison or death. How Jishin refused to go along and pay for what he did. "…He died in my arms, Itachi." The ninja's voice cracked and Misao could feel his whole body shaking as he held her.

"Aoshi…You didn't kill him. He did it to himself. It's not your fault." He was falling apart. She wondered if he was crying. I hurt for him…He's suffering so much over this. It's all my fault…

"Maybe it didn't even happen like that. Maybe I just don't want to believe that I took another life again." He said dully.

"Don't say that, Aoshi." She strained to reach up, her arms around his neck, her cheek rested against his. "Please…You didn't kill him."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Itachi. I didn't want to come home like this. I didn't want Aoi to see her father covered in blood."

"Oh…She's too small to know what's going on. She won't ever remember this. Aoshi, we're free now. We can go home and be happy." She smiled weakly, tears running from her eyes and streaking down her cheeks.

"Yes…Once we take care of things here with Jishin, we can go home. We've made it through another crisis. All three of us are okay. Things certainly didn't turn out the way I would have wanted, but it's all over now. No more being afraid." He held her tightly, lifting her off the ground, his face pressed up against hers. "I love you. I did all of this for you."

She dangled there in his embrace, tears still pouring from her eyes. "Thank you…" She choked out, "Thank you for loving me so much." I'm so relieved…I wish it didn't have to end like this, but I am so relieved….

Kenshin, Kaoru and Yahiko stood in the yard, taking in this whole scene. The former hitokiri held Aoi carefully in his arms, taking in the tenderness unfolding around them. Kaoru was at his side, Kenji standing unsteadily and clinging to her kimono. Yahiko was watching and trying to make it look like he wasn't watching, but he was extremely curious about the whole thing.

Aoshi was holding Misao and she had her arms around his neck. Their faces were pressed together, their lips meeting in a kiss. It seemed as if they were desperate for one another, as if they were being consumed by their feelings.

"We should leave them alone, that we should." Kenshin said softly, "This has been a very trying time for both of them. They need some time, just the two of them together."

"Right." Kaoru nodded, "I can take care of Aoi for a while. Aoshi is a mess, both emotionally and physically. And there's nothing Misao will want to do more than take care of him." A sad smile crossed her face, "I'm sure I can find some chores to keep the both of you busy."

"Aoshi…" One of Misao's small hands ran across his cheek, "Aoshi, let's go get you cleaned up. Come on, you need a bath. You're covered in blood. I've been crying all over you. We're both a terrible mess."

He kissed her furiously, not yet ready to release her from his arms. I just want to stand here with her forever right now. I don't want to move. She is my redemption, my saving grace. All I need right now is in my arms…

"Aoshi, please. Kissing me will be so much better when you're nice and clean." She couldn't stand seeing him covered in Jishin's blood, "I'll draw the bath for you, warm the way you like it."

"You'll stay with me?" While his voice was quiet and passive, his eyes held a pleading light. It was almost as if his icy eyes were begging her not to leave him alone; as if he couldn't handle being on his own.

"I'll stay with you for eternity." She clung to him tighter, knowing he was very upset about the whole situation. This had been the ultimate test of their love and they had managed to survive. "If this couldn't tear us apart, nothing can."

His mouth found hers again as they moved as one towards the bathhouse. She still dangled from his arms, and seemed very content like this. It was with reluctance that she slid from his grasp to draw the bath.

He watched as she flitted around, filling the tub, heating the water. At one point, she called over her shoulder for him to take off his clothes so they could be washed. He stripped down, leaving the blood-soaked clothing in a pile on the floor.

She scampered back into the room, pausing at the sight of him there in all his natural splendor. She drew in a breath, having forgotten how wonderful he looked like that. He had a towel around his waist, but other than that, he was completely bare.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked quietly. His arms were streaked with dried blood. It had soaked through the front of his shirt when he'd attempted to save the man's life. She must think so badly of me…

"It's been a long time…" She said softly, "With everything going on, me being pregnant and all. Now there's Aoi…We haven't been alone together in so long." She paused, "I mean really together."

A slight smile crossed his face. "You want to join me, Itachi?" He offered her one hand, beckoning her to him.

She blushed, shaking her head slightly. She didn't want him to see her when she felt so ugly and fat still.

He looked at her oddly. "What's wrong? Why are you blushing? We've been together many times. You've never been shy about it before."

"I haven't been getting enough exercise lately. I'm out of shape. I don't want you to see me like this." She folded her arms across her chest, trying to hide herself from him. Even wrapped up in several layers of clothing, she felt she could then see her then shapely figure.

"Itachi…" His smile returned, "I've told you before. You will always be beautiful to me. Now come here. I want to hold you in my arms and show you how much I love you." He held out his hand to her again and this time she went to him.

Motherhood had made her even more beautiful. He explored her a second time, rediscovering everything about her, as they soaked in the bath together. While she was still small and lithe with that childish air to her, she had blossomed into a work of art; her body curved in all the right places.

She leaned back against him, her head on his shoulder. He had an arm around her and her hair pooled about them both as it floated on the water, a swirling blue-black mass. He kissed her softly, his mouth roaming down towards her neck.

She smiled, reaching up to pull him closer to her. It had been a very long time since he was so affectionate. He'd been cautious with her while she was pregnant and the past week had been consumed with Aoi. She'd missed just being with him, having him pleasure her. "Thank you for keeping me safe." She whispered, "I love you so much."

"Of course I'll keep you safe, Itachi." He whispered back, "I would never let anything happen to you. I love you more than anything in the world. You're my saving grace, my wife and the beautiful mother of my child. I would protect you with my life."

"Oh Aoshi…" She twisted around and kissed him passionately. She was leaned against him, her back against his firm chest. His arms were around her waist, his chin rested on her shoulder. He was stroking her bare abdomen, causing pleasure to curl outward from the very core of her body.

He half smiled, returning the kiss. He loved the feel of her bare skin under his fingertips. Hell, he loved everything about her. He brushed back a lock of her hair, heavy with the added weight of the bath water, kissing her neck. She twisted around, hugging him tightly, her chest pressed up against him. Her innocent action -or was she trying to be seductive?- aroused him and his heart began to pound.

She grinned, feeling the smoldering passion between them. Everything was so wonderful at the moment. She wanted to stay forever in his arms, safe and happy, where nothing could ever harm either of them.

But leave they must and leave they did. The bathwater began to grow cold and she shivered in his arms. It was then that he knew it was time to leave. Lifting her dripping from the water, he grabbed a towel to wrap her in, lest she get cold.

She giggled, watching as he dried himself, then realized he had no clothes to put on. She was at that point dressed in her under layers; her kimono was streaked with blood from when she'd been hugging him. Everything he'd been wearing, however, was soaked in drying blood.

"…" He looked at her, his expression causing her to laugh harder. His hair was falling damp in his eyes and rivers of water ran down the contours of his muscular body. He looked perplexed and she couldn't help but laugh at him.

"I'll get you something to wear, Aoshi." She kissed him, running from the room.

He smiled after her, securing the towel around his waste in case any one happened into the bathhouse. Her mood had changed drastically, as if a tremendous wait had been lifted from her shoulders. He felt just about as carefree as she looked, even though he was harboring the guilt of Jishin's death.

She came running back into the room, carrying a yukata for him to put on. She had changed her own ensemble and looked very cheerful, her hair down long and flowing around her in a thick mass. "Here you go, Aoshi!"

"Thank you, Itachi." He pulled the robe on, fastening it around his waist, "Let's go see what our daughter is up to." He pulled her into his arms, "I think we've been ignoring her long enough."

"Oh…" She pouted, "We didn't…"

He put a finger to her lips, "Later, Itachi. When Aoi is asleep." He kissed her softly, leading her from the room.

Kenshin was cooking dinner, Kenji watching intently, a frown on his face. Kaoru was holding Aoi, who was getting pretty fussy. Yahiko was practicing with his bokken, swinging it viciously, an annoyed look on his face.

"Can't you get her to be quite?" The boy griped, "She's been crying all day."

"She misses her mama and papa, that she does." Kenshin said cheerfully, "She can tell that they've been under a lot of stress. Babies are sensitive."

"I'll take her."

"Misao-chan." Kaoru looked up gratefully, "I think she's hungry. There's nothing the rest of us can do about that."

"Aww…Sweetie, come here." She took the crying baby in her arms, kissing her on the forehead. "Mama's got you…Time for dinner."

Aoshi watched as she sat down and fed the baby. He loved to watch the two of them together; the two people he loved most in the world. He put an arm around Misao, his head on her shoulder. "I love you, Itachi."

"I love you too." She smiled at him, looking up from Aoi.

"I love Aoi too. I must apologize to her." He looked at the baby, happily latched on to her mother, oblivious to the world around her. "She should not have a father who kills people."

"You don't kill, Aoshi. You simply did what was necessary for us to be safe." She reached up from the baby, one small hand against his cheek, "But if it makes you feel better, when she's done you can talk to her. I don't think she'd want to be disturbed right now."

He smiled, burying his face in her hair. "Just being with the both of you makes me feel better." He said softly, "You are the love of my life. You're the reason I'm still alive. If I had lost you -if he had done anything to you- I would be lost."

"Aoshi…" He seemed so vulnerable. She had never seen him like that before. He must have been terrified…My Aoshi….It was my fault…I never should have gotten involved with Jishin. Then we could have just been happy without all of this sorrow… "I'm so sorry. This whole mess was my fault because I'm so hot-headed when I'm angry."

"No; I was the one you were angry with. It's my fault. If I hadn't been so much of a coward, I would have just told you I loved you and this whole thing could have been avoided. You are the only thing I have ever been so weak around. But doing things for you gives me a new strength. I would move mountains for you."

"Well, we're both sorry then. I guess this whole thing made us both grow up. Now it's time we put the past behind us and move to the future." She kissed him on the cheek.

He smiled, his fingers under her chin as he drew her up for a more suitable kiss. "We'll be happy. I promise, we'll be so happy; you, me and Aoi."

A satisfied smile crossed her face as she drew back from him. "Ai shiteru…"

"I also love you." He took Aoi from her and the baby lay in his lap, waving her tiny arms around. His fingers ran across her forehead, pushing back her feathery hair. "I'm sorry, Aoi. I'm sorry you had to see your father like that."

She stared up at him and he was amazed how he could meet her gaze and see himself in her icy eyes. She looked so much like him, the same dark hair, the same cool gaze. The resemblance was startling. He hoped she would grow to have Misao's carefree attitude, to be joyous in all she did.

Then she smiled, clasping his finger in hers. Her blue eyes danced and she yawned, letting out a small, contented sigh.

Misao looked at her husband. "She forgives you." She said softly, her face lit with happiness. "I forgive you and you forgive me. Can we go home now?"

"Soon enough, Itachi." He returned her smiled, "Soon enough."

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Okay…I'm thinking maybe one more chapter and an epilogue. How's that? This chapter was really long and Tree requested I do another chapter of my original story, "The Rising" (which can be found at fictionpress.com if any one is interested…I write under the penname "Misha the Ogama Unpannin) and I have "Be Careful What You Wish For" and "Serendipity" to work on, so don't expect anything new with this too soon.

Hope you enjoyed all my mush!!! I raised the rating just to be safe…