Car Trouble?
Misao sat in one of the plush chairs on the balcony in hers and Aoshi's bedroom overlooking the expanse of the Shinomori Mansion grounds. Down below was the creaking of a two seater swing chained to two cherry trees and on it lounged Aoshi. And snuggled into his chest was Shin. Misao smiled down at the two of them, both oblivious to her watching over them, but she knew everything was fine and went back to reminiscing.
Months had passed by, about six in fact and Misao and Shin had settled into their new home comfortably. It really wasn't that hard to do so, not having to move any furniture as everything was automatically done for them. Of course Misao still couldn't get used to it, always needing something to keep her hands busy with and insisted she help around the place even a little. It had surprised Okon and Omasu, but they smiled and nodded their heads in doing so knowing Misao would not take no for an answer.
Every morning Misao would wake up in the confines of Aoshi's embrace and couldn't do anything but silently gaze over at him as he slept soundly and with a small smile on his lips. He was so beautiful in sleep, even more so awake and damn breathless when he was naked. Misao couldn't help but lightly brush her fingertips over his smooth skin whenever she got the chance to, which lucky for her was everyday. Of course it awoke him everytime, but touching him was so addictive.
Misao found it odd that she was the morning person and he wasn't. Her mornings were taken up with helping cook breakfast, sending Shin off to kindergarten and then it was time to teach Soujiro, Beshimi and Hyotokko all about cars. To say they were a lot easier to teach then Aoshi was an understatement, but she did enjoy teaching him in the end. After her teachings, it was either work at her grandfathers shop (having quit as a waitress) or head for university to do her studies. When she had time she'd knock on Aoshi's closed study door and enter to chat with him for a little while. Though Misao mainly did all the talking while he profusely typed on his keyboard he was actually listening to her as well. At first Misao was fuming because she thought Aoshi wasn't listening to her at all and pouted in the leather chair. It turned out that Aoshi could do many things at once.
Shin too was a morning person, his loud voice booming through the hallways of the mansion wanting to speak to anyone who would listen. He instantly loved it here and Misao had to remind herself that Shin ended up being the one that insisted they must live here too. He had his own large bedroom to turn into a complete mess when he wanted to and all that was needed for him was to paint the walls a shade of blue. Of course he was quite the popular little boy, but being so adorable one couldn't help but shower love upon him and give him gifts. He was in the company of nine adults that seemed to turn to jelly whenever he was in their presence.
However the best present Shin had ever received turned out to be one from Aoshi. A small purple gi matching the one Hannya had bought him and weapons to boot - kunai in fact. Misao had totally freaked out that day seeing her son holding one of those throwing knives, but was soon persuaded by the caress of soft lips against her own and the promise that Shin would never be hurt. Misao caved that day, noticing how excited her boy was as he commented he'd look exactly like "Uncle Aoshi" and so that day she sat in the corner of the dojo and watched her two precious guys move through an easy kata that Shin could copy.
Misao would always clap for them and they in turn would bow at her before bowing to Aoshi's father and then his other ancestors portraits. Every morning after Aoshi and Shin finished some light martial arts that Aoshi knew Shin could do, they would then finish up a kata before sitting down and the only voice that resonated within the dojo was Aoshi's as he spoke about his own childhood of growing up with his father. It had surprised both Misao and Aoshi when Shin wanted to know what Aoshi was like as a little boy and so Aoshi opted to tell him his stories...and Shin loved them all.
There was this one day, a few weeks back when Shin had asked Aoshi if he could teach him how to swim after hearing how Aoshi learned to swim with the help of his own dad. That day green-grey eyes had flickered over to where Misao was sitting in the dojo and she had blinked at him in confusion. It finally came clear to her that Aoshi was silently asking permission to teach him how to swim and with a nod of her head Aoshi had responded with a yes. Shin hugged him excitedly that morning and then bounded off to see where "Hannya-san" was. He really did like being around the elderly man a lot. When Shin had left Aoshi got up himself and sat beside Misao who was now looking up into the bright blue sky through the opened shoji.
"You don't have to keep asking my permission everytime you wish to teach something to Shin." Misao had spoken softly that day.
"Yes I do" Aoshi had replied in a quiet voice of his own.
"Why is that?"
"It gives me relief that I am not overstepping any boundaries." Peering down at Misao that day, Aoshi found a confused expression on her face.
"You are his mother Misao, his true parent while I'm just Uncle Aoshi these days. I'm not a parent like you, never have been a parent and so I walk this road of asking you permission to make sure I don't teach Shin anything you wish to teach him." Misao turned her body, facing Aoshi and smiled lightly up at him making a deal with him.
"I give you free range to teach Shin anything, but when he grows up and comes to you asking advice about chatting up girls you send him my way, cause truthfully Aoshi you suck at it." Misao laughed lightly at her own joke, but gasped softly in reply as Aoshi leaned in closer, his lips brushing softly over hers, but never fully kissing her as instead he replied pervertedly.
"I may 'suck' as you put it at chatting up girls, but I'm definitely sure I make up for it with actions." She had blushed furiously at his words and gasped when he had nippled at her neck before walking off and heading back into the mansion.
Even to this day Misao would still blush at Aoshi's words. She grumbled lightly at how he could make her blush so quickly, but her attention soon drifted to the two figures swinging lazily on the swing Aoshi's father had made. He was dressed in black slacks and a long sleeved black shirt and wearing a pair of worn sneaker, while Shin who had his back to Aoshi's chest was wrapped in a blanket and was still wearing his pyjamas. One of Aoshi's legs was raised on the other side of the bench he wasn't taking up while his other leg moved back and forth as he swayed the both of them every now and then.
"Uncle Aoshi?" Shin voiced aloud while he stared up at the brown and red leaves as autumn had settled in.
"Yes?"
"Do you love my mummy?"
"Of course." Aoshi replied without even having to think it over.
"And me?"
"You know I do."
"Good, cause I love you too." Shin replied with a nod of his head for more emphasis even though he was still facing away from Aoshi.
"I'm glad."
"Do you think mummy loves you too?"
"I think so." Aoshi spoke with a light smile hidden in Shin's blue-black locks of hair as he had bent his head to smell his spring soap scent.
"How do you know?" The four year old questioned.
"She stays with me thats why."
"In your room?" Aoshi chuckled lightly at that and hugged Shin closer.
"Yes, in my room, in my house and in my life. Your mum lets me be with you too, so I know she loves me because she trusts me to take care of you when she isn't around."
"Hey Uncle Aoshi?"
"Yes Shin-chan?"
"Did mummy tell you I have show and tell at school this week." Shin changed topics in a heartbeat.
"She did indeed, so what will you show your friends?"
"Mm, well I first wanted to ask if you'll come to my school with me."
"Of course I'll come."
"Great!" He voiced happily, but soon fell silent. Misao from above looked down, noticing a small frown on Shin's lips. What was wrong with her boy?
"Shin-chan, is something the matter?" Aoshi was extremely uncanny in knowing exactly when something wasn't right. He lifted Shin up to stand on his bare feet on his upper thighs and turned the four year old to face him.
"Its just...its take your daddy to school this week and then do show and tell, but I want Uncle Aoshi to be my show and tell so I can tell all my friends that your my daddy. Is that okay with you?" Aoshi stared into slightly pouting blue eyes but at Shin's words, his throat had clogged up on him and all he could muster was the nod of his head. A bright smile was plastered on Shin's face as he leaned forward and gave Aoshi a "big" huge before peaking him on the cheek and jumping off the swing. Aoshi watched as he raced inside, mumbling something about having smelt pancakes.
Misao observed as Aoshi brushed a hand over his face before getting up and heading down the stone path she had yet to venture down herself. Was that tears in his eyes for what Shin-chan said? Instantly as she watched his form fade away through the line of cherry trees, Misao was out of the chair, tying her robe and placing on her slippers to head downstairs and race after him.
In the end Misao had finally decided. Her and Shin-chan were going to be okay. Finally she had captured the heart of someone and this someone (though quite rich and extremely stubborn) was definitely going to have his hands full at keeping her happy and helping her raise a four year old as well.
Misao's slippers pounded on the stony pathway observing as Aoshi's fading figure moved off the pathway and through a punch of trees. She skidded to a halt reaching that area and watched green-grey eyes flicker up at her as Aoshi was resting on yet another swing, only this once was older then the other and was held to a single branch by some rope. His eyes seemed to sparkle slightly, which meant Shin's words had truly affected him, but Misao was wise not to say anything about it.
"Ohayoo..." Misao spoke as she headed for Aoshi, trying to get her breathing under control and she decided to sit in his lap. He didn't reply to her and just gave her a small almost non existent smile before continuing to swing. Misao didn't mind, he'd given her a great good morning kiss earlier before she had rolled over to go back into another light sleep by herself as Aoshi said he had an appointment with Shin and the double swing.
"What's down there?" Misao questioned softly while nodding her head in the direction of where the path continued to move down.
"A personal shrine to the Shinomori Family."
"Oh, I'll have to pay my respects soon."
"Me too, I haven't been down there in years." Aoshi softly replied.
"Well, when you decide to get the courage, do take me with you okay?"
"Aa..." Silence fell between them, until Misao broke it.
"I heard..."
"Hm?"
"You and Shin talking this morning."
"Oh..."
"I won't protest against anything, so you don't have to worry. I'm happy Shin loves you."
"I'm glad." Misao leaned heavily back into Aoshi's chest and turned her face to press it into the crook of his neck. He smelt so good. It was like the time she was cradled to him at the stairs. Misao snapped her eyes open at that thought.
"Aoshi, I just remembered something."
"What's that?"
"You never told me what Hannya said to you that day I came back."
"Misao..." Aoshi sighed in slight exasperation. He had thought she had forgotten about it, but obviously he was wrong.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Of course."
"That day I asked Hannya whether my father would be proud of me for finally finding love in a beautiful caring woman."
"And?"
"He said my father would be even prouder if I married her and continued on the Shinomori legacy so our name wouldn't die with me." The entire grounds went silent, Misao flushed, but still she remained in Aoshi's arms just thinking over what Aoshi had said.
"Aoshi?" Misao finally broke the silence again, her voice soft but within it was confidence and determination. Her mind was now made up having stewed on this very thought for the past couple of weeks and now Misao knew she could ask Aoshi out right.
"Mm?" Aoshi replied lightly, his eyes closing as he basked in the feel of Misao leaning against him, while the warm sun beat down on them.
"Will you marry me?" A squeal escaped Misao's throat as Aoshi toppled over, loosing his balance and fell to the ground with a definite thud. Misao lay above him, her back to his chest as she finally got up and crawled off of Aoshi to sit by his still stunned form.
"Not quite the answer I was looking for."
"Aoshi...?" Misao was getting worried as he remained as frozen as a statue and as quiet as one too. Perhaps he had hit his head on something and thus Misao sprung into action, pulling Aoshi up and her hand went instantly to the back of Aoshi's head to check for injuries. When she found none Misao sighed happily and gazed down at Aoshi to see that he was fully smiling up at her, black bangs having fallen away from his smoldering green-grey eyes. Aoshi's head rested against Misao's thighs while her arms cradled him in her embrace as well. She watched as that smile grew, making her blush as she continued to stare down at him and wait patiently for his reply.
"I'd be honoured koishii." Misao felt her cheeks burn even brighter at that before bending down to sea her lips over his.
It was going to be one hell of an adventure, but what better way to experience life then with the one you've come to love without even realising it from the very beginning.
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End of Epilogue.
Story ended: 22-4-04
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Authors Notes: YATTAA! I hope everyone enjoyed. It was fun writing it as it is for all my stories, but thank god its over! I think I should start having limits of how many chapters I should have for stories, it gets way too tiring. In any case, thanks to all those who reviewed (even the impatient people) and lets see, well that drops me down to 10 stories now, so here's hoping I can get inspiration back for forgotten pieces, but no promises since I'm all into Pretty Man and Three Demons and a Baby!
To Silver Miko - Thanks chick, you rock! ::HUGS:: She's the best for inspiration and always calms me down when I'm annoyed. She kicks butt with her stories so go ahead and read them all! ^__^
And now time for a disclaimer!
Shin-no-shibo and Silver Miko own Aoshi-sama in all his butt naked and leatherness glory. We thought him up first in such situations so now we can say we deliciously own it. *__*