Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin so chill. ^-^x

Icy Heaven – Chapter Six – By Cherry Chibi

"But... enough..." Her eyes slid shut and Aoshi stopped by his hiding area that had the appearance of a small temple.

"I said don't sleep!"

Every second was becoming a nugget of gold. Aoshi treated Misao's wounds with no other thoughts but saving her life. Her skin was slowly losing warmth and colour, he removed his trench coat and covered her before he quickly grabbed the powder medication from a small lacquer box. He slid a dose into Misao's mouth and poured in a bit of water. "Misao, don't sleep... I said..."

A firebox emitted warmth near them while Aoshi watched over Misao. Cloth in hand and water basin nearby, he washed the sweat away from her forehead, face and neck. He had never felt so worried about anyone before and he certainly had never felt so... desperate.

"Misao, if you leave me here, I don't know what I'd do." He said to her quietly. No noise was made outside of his shelter. No breeze. No leaves rustled. No nocturnal creatures. Just the crackling of the fire in the firebox and his voice felt hoarse. It was over, he couldn't do anymore but wait until morning. He hoped for the sake of his heart's connections, that he had done enough.

She had grown stronger and he had witnessed it. From when she was an innocent defenseless little girl until a young woman of the Oniwabanshuu. He saw his own arrogance then and there again, he knew that he had been ignorant and had taken Misao for granted. He wanted to see Misao's eyes radiate with warmth when she was with him. He wanted a lot of things then because he wasn't sure whether or not he was going to lose her.

She always had been loyal. Always had been waiting.

"I'm sorry."

Her hand in his. He had to make sure that she was still alive. Still warm. Thankfully, she was but still a little bit too cold. He wondered if she could hear his words. He wondered what she would think of him now; acting so pathetic, so weak... so in need.

Night deepened and nothing changed. If this was a punishment from the gods, he wouldn't want to accept it. Someone so beautiful didn't deserve to die because of betrayal of a sibling. Deep in his warmed hurting heart, he vowed that he would make up for everything.

* * * *

Never had feelings been so strong. Never had feelings been so hurtful.

Day came and nothing. Night came and still no change. Misao remained unconscious, she had been for over a day and a half. The noise of silence was making him wish that it was filled with Misao's humming instead, even if there were times that he came here for meditation, he had always picked up her quiet humming. Everything was so dead at that moment and it seemed that the heavens had agreed to his judgement; the skies where cramped with grey clouds.

Aoshi placed his hand on Misao's forehead tenderly and brushed away her cool bangs. Unsure of the outcome, hell, he was unsure about a lot of things at that moment. Why did he hesitate to save Misao right away before? He could've saved her from receiving the second wound. So many 'whys'. Droplets of unnoticeable tears lined his eyes. "Misao, I'll take care of you like you had done for me." He was beginning to understand why in legends men and women have gone so far to protect their loved ones.

Time was being cruel though, he wasn't willing to leave Misao alone here to go and find a doctor, just in case she woke up and he wasn't willing to move her since he feared that he might reopen one of her wounds. She had suddenly transformed into a delicate treasure.

 'Please wake up.'

~*~

"Aoshi-sama! Wait ne! I can't keep up!" Six year old Misao followed sixteen year old Aoshi around the Aoiya. His strides equaled to a few of her steps. "Aoshi-sama, where are you going?" Her bright blue-green eyes watched him innocently.

"Misao, stay home. I need to get some work done with Hannya-san and the others." Aoshi said, his tone growing impatient. When Misao began to persist that she'd come too, he shot her a warning look, forcing her to stop stiff. "Stay home with Okina-san." Then he walked off without realizing that Misao stood with a shattered expression and darkened eyes.

"Gomenasai... Okashira. For disturbing you." Misao glumly walked back inside. She missed lunch... and dinner... and next morning's breakfast...

~*~

Head was groggy and throat was slimy. Joints, muscles, tendons and bones were sore. Stomach was bubbly and body felt too weak to move. The sun was so damn bright that she had to squint to see. She realized that it had snowed outside when a snowflake landed beside her.

She also recognized Aoshi's trench coat that was giving her a comfortable warmth along with the firebox's heat. Then she assessed herself and noticed all of her clean bandages. She wanted to sit upright but was too groggy and pain drugged to do anything. 'Where's Aoshi?' She recalled his words one by one only to be unsure whether they were part of her dream or not.

A sudden gentle stroke on her right cheek caught her attention. She turned her head and her eyes met Aoshi's. "You're finally awake Misao." She smiled at him but even the small gesture made her feel like all her strength was being drained from it. He lifted her head slightly and pressed a cup of warm tea to her lips. Misao drank slowly and was grateful when she felt her stomach warm up.

 "Arigatou…" She was hushed with a gentle touch.

 "You need to recover so don't waste your energy on me." Aoshi said, his tone had changed and so had his aura towards her. Misao was taken aback from his sudden alteration but then again, she didn't know how long she had been out.

Aoshi pressed the edge of the cup to her lips again and allowed her to slowly drink. Inside, he was consumed with relief that now she had finally awakened, that way, he knew that he could do more to help. Outside was late afternoon. It had been a week since the fateful night.

Her face was so pale, almost tinged with pastel blue and it seemed that her energy had been completely lost. After a while, when Misao had finally consumed the full cup, Aoshi set it aside. "Keep resting Misao, I'll be back soon."

 "W-where…" Misao started in a muffled-like whisper.

 "You need to regain your strength and you haven't eaten anything for a week." Misao slowly nodded. He stood and prepared to leave. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Misao already sleeping. Now he wondered what the others would say to him if they'd found out what had happened. A week without a word to them would probably make them concerned.

 'The river is not far from here…' Aoshi stepped down from the platform and onto the snowy bed. 'And now should be the time when the fish are making their journey up the river for spring…'

* * * *

The sounds of crackling fire and popping wood brought Misao back into reality. She heard someone shuffle around slightly and figured that it must have been Aoshi. Grateful that she was feeling a lot better, she inched herself into an upright position. Her head felt light since she had been lying down for so long.

The entrance door of the small building had been closed shut and no other source of light except from the heat box existed in the room. Misao slowly, afraid that she might make a wrong move and cause herself pain, got onto her hands and knees before attempting to stand.

She managed to land one foot. 'How hard does this have to get?' The door behind her slid open and Aoshi had swiftly arrived to her aid. With the extra strength provided, Misao was able to get onto both feet. "Arigatou Aoshi." She smiled warmly at him.

 "Dinner is ready." He replied quietly while leading her outside to the platform. She sat on the edge and took in the scenery; the wonderful night sky, the beautiful trees decorated with bits of snow. Taking it all in feeling content she was able to live through, she started humming a tune out of habit.

Aoshi passed her a cooked fish from the fire which she accepted. "Aoshi, when do you think we can head back to the Aoiya?" She held the stick that had been attached to the fish and twirled it a bit. Aoshi paused for a moment.

 "When the snow clears or you recover. Whichever comes first." He sat down beside her with his share of food. "But I'd think I'd like to see you recover first." Misao nodded with agreement before taking a careful bite from the fish.

After the two had finished eating, Misao wanted to sit outside with Aoshi for a bit. Breathing in the crisp cool air was just what she needed then. Her thoughts weaved together forming a chain of different jewels that shone when she thought about them. "Aoshi, what are we going to do about the Tsunami group and… Tora?"

 "That is really your choice." Aoshi said, "However, I believe that Tora still cares for you since she had purposely missed your vitals when that kunai pierce through your torso."

 "It may seem that way Aoshi," Misao said with a bit of doubt, "But that is the Kurayami no Kunai technique (Darkness' Kunai Technique), a strike doesn't necessarily aim right into a person's vitals to make a quick kill, but rather paralyse the person and cause strong bleeding. A good technique for gathering information as well as negotiation."

Aoshi faced her with thoughtfulness while she looked ahead of her. She continued explaining, "We were taught how to use the kunai by our parents at a very young age, the technique wasn't well known among people however, it was very strong."

Aoshi noticed the regret in Misao's clenched fists. He placed a hand on her shoulder. Misao shook her head.

 "She and I had already mastered the technique by the time we were 6 and 10. But because of Tora's tall, thin built, she has the advantage with it." Frustration building. "If she dedicates herself to the Tsunami… to Shinji, then she's going to be a rival too strong for the others. She could throw the kunai at a very far distance and still reach her target with full force."

 "Even so, she must have a weakness point." Aoshi said.

 "Yes. But that would mean that I would have to create and master my own technique," Misao said determinedly, "The Hikari no Tobi Kunai. (Light's Flying Kunai)"

* * * *

Four days later…

The cool breeze teased Aoshi's hair while he slid the wooden door shut after he had entered the small building. Misao was resting peacefully under his trench coat. Little did Misao realize that she had changed him and had created her own place in his heart. It was only recently had he deciphered his emotions.

Everything was clearer than ever and he was once again feeling tranquil and normal. He had been taught through experience that it was best to lead a meaningful life than a meaningless death, ever since the moment he learnt that, he had been searching for what meaning. Now, thanks to her, he found it.

He positioned himself on the floor against the wall. 'She has recovered quite well, we'll be able to go back to the Aoiya soon.' He closed his eyes and moments later, was lulled into a light sleep.

Meanwhile, Misao had heard Aoshi enter and had listened intently to his quiet sounds. 'It is a cold night tonight,' She thought while she hoisted herself up. 'He might be cold.' With smooth motions and silent cat like steps, she approached Aoshi and sat beside him. They both had been through many times together and both had helped each other out, even if those events weren't obvious displays of kindness. Now the baton had been passed to her again the continuous relay of friendship and it was her turn to give a bit to him. She covered both of them with his coat and leaned against his shoulder before drifting off to her sleep again.

* * * *

The birds chirped for their early cold morning cries. Being one who had been trained heavily on his senses, he was disturbed from his sleep by them. Light seeped through the cracks of the door and showered into the room with beams of light.

He would've moved. He would've started off to go and hunt but not this morning. Not when Misao was comfortably there beside him. He wasn't sure whether he was ready to admit it but he liked having her there so he remained. Anyway, it was only a matter of moments before the birds would cry louder to wake her up.

Just as he had expected, the bird calls did become louder and Misao mumbled something before yawning. She stretched and smiled like a happy little child who had woken from a good dream. "Morning Aoshi, did you sleep well?"

 "Hai." Aoshi replied.

 "That's good." There wasn't a sign that Misao felt the slightest uncomfortable about the situation she was in. Much to Aoshi's small surprise. "Aoshi, I think that my leg is better today." She hopped onto her feet and walked a couple of steps. "See? So do you think we can head home?"

 "We can if you feel like it." Something bothered Aoshi about her extra joyfulness. She smiled brightly and skipped to the door. She slid it open and waited for Aoshi to put on his trench coat before skipping out.

 "It's been a while and I hope that Gramps and the others aren't too worried." Misao said, "After all, I think I would like to spend my 17th birthday at the Aoiya with everyone."

So that's what she was happy about. Aoshi couldn't believe that he had forgotten, maybe it was due to the fact that so many years have gone by where he wasn't there on her birthday. However, now that he knew, it wasn't an excuse not to give her something special.

* * * *

AN: Thanks for your support everyone!!! ^o^x Hope you enjoyed it! But first, in the last chapter, stupid me had forgotten to mention two reviewers and now I feel really guilty… and so disorganized.

Unique-Starfish: Me sooooo sorry! *bows really low to you* But thank you.

BubblyBoo: *bows to you too* Sorry!!!! However… I should also say thank you for reviewing. ^-^x

Now with everyone else… ^o^x

Kat R. Fair: *nods with agreement* I'm thinking that now's the time to keep developing the relationship… (I think I have some good ideas in mind) Hehe. Well, thanks for reading!

TokyoTeen13: Lol. That is so true! You do get hyper if you don't sleep. Once I had been awake for 24 hours. Hehehe… my poor mum. Thanks for reading!

Weasel1029: Hope that you had all your answers in this chapter. ^-^x Thanks for r/r!

Silver-Kitsune: I'm glad that you like this fic and happy that you're reading and reviewing it! ^-^x

Miroslavishot11: I made this chapter as long as I could (well not really as long as I could but as long as I think it should be) to make up for the last chapter. Hope you enjoyed it!

Thanks everyone! And now I've gotta go and do my laundry… until next time!

Cherry Chibi.