Author's Notes: Konnichiwa Minna-san! Noa is being busy in trying to write chapters for several stories. She's hoping to get several out since she finally has some peace and quiet in her house.

Well this chapter is mostly in the past, but the end is in the present again, but I'm going to revert back to the past in the 5th chapter again. It's just the weird way I'm writing it so I hope everyone can bear with it…and understand it for that matter. Oh and if anyone is still confused as to whom is the father of Misao's baby is, well you get to finally know in this chapter! It may be short but I'm going to try and work on Himura Designs, Car Trouble and either High School Crushes or Kill for Love. I haven't totally decided. If my writing bug is with me I might do all four of them.

(^_^)

Burning Desire

Misao and Okon made there way slowly downstairs and headed for the main foyer where Misao would be introduced to the other household members. They had proceeded slowly, only for the fact that nervousness began to grip Misao's entire form. She had unconsciously taken hold of Okon's left hand as they stepped off the last stair and turned to the right to face nine other inhabitants of the Aoiya.

"Misao-san I'd like you to meet the rest of the family." Okon spoke while laughing lightly at her own words.

"F-Family?" Misao spoke softly as she gazed around the main room. They seemed like an odd family with the height and build differences and the general fact the only two that actually looked like they were related was Okon and another woman who bowed lightly at Misao in greeting. Misao snapped out of her own thoughts and bowed to all of them.

"My name is Misao." Misao lifted herself up to face all the members staring silently at her. They all watched astounded as her head tilted to the left and she gave a large smile, her eyes closed in happiness at meeting all of them.

"Thank you for letting me stay in the Aoiya with all of you, I am most grateful for your hospitality." The only one that quirked an eyebrow at her cheerful words was Aoshi whom stood at the back of the group and off to the side. Even though it was Aoshi's words that made her choose what she wished to do, she still in turn thanked the other household members because she would be in their presence a lot more often.

"Misao-san thi-"

"Please Okon-san, Misao-san is too formal for someone like myself, just call me Misao…or even Misao-chan is fine by me." She interrupted Okon before she could continue on. A smile laced Misao's lips once more as she stepped in front of each member, tall or short and bowed to them when she was introduced properly to them.

There was Okina, an elderly man whom said he'd been living in this very place for a long time. Misao guessed he was a bit of a strange old man, but once she heard about his garden, she really wanted to go and see it as soon as possible. Omasu looked very much like an elder sister for Okon and although they weren't related they seemed to generally get along well enough to be mistaken for sisters. She too happened to work in the restaurant as one of the waitresses like Okon. Her hair and eyes were the same colour as Okon's only she wore her hair down most of the time.

Shiro and Kuro were next and Okon had stated that they were the famous chefs in the Aoiya. Misao had clasped her hands together, surprising everyone, even though Hannya and Aoshi were the only ones who didn't make it as obvious when she began to ask whether she could help in the kitchen sometime and make a special meal for everyone.

There was a short man called Beshimi whom seemed to like playing tricks and had made a flower appear out of nowhere and had given it to Misao to ease her nervousness. She had blushed lightly for the fact he had figured out she was nervous meeting everyone.

Next to him stood two tall men, one bigger then the other and their names were Hyotokko and Shikijo. It so happens that the both of them liked to pester the girls a lot, but not only that Misao had found it quite amusing when Beshimi climbed up on Hyotokko's back and rested atop his shoulders. She guessed they had been friends for a long time. Misao had frowned slightly at all the scars Shikijo had lining his chest, well the part she could see as most was covered by a maroon coloured gi.

Although, Misao had to blink a couple of times when she came face to face with a plain white mask covering the face of a tall man, almost as tall as Aoshi but not quite. It had freaky looking yellow/white teeth coming from the mouth and yellow slits as eyes. Just how did he see out of that mask? It seemed weird for him to be wearing such a thing, but Misao had brushed it off as nothing since it wasn't her business to ask any such questions. His name was Hannya and Misao had given him the most confusing look yet when he stated he was quite an entertainer with sharp knives. Everyone had missed the pointed look Aoshi gave Hannya to keep quiet even if he was messing around. Although it went straight over Misao's head it was a given fact that every now and then Hannya liked to pull some sort of "emotion" from his leader.

"Now of course you have meet Shinomori-sama earlier, so no introductions are needed. He happens to run the restaurant so if you have any questions or problems don't be shy and just ask him okay?" Okon spoke once more and Misao nodded her head affirmatively, her eyes quickly glancing over at the silent Aoshi.

"Well I must say, its about time a pretty girl has finally made there way into the Aoiya. I was becoming bored with looking at Okon and Omasu all day."

"NANI?" The two women erupted when Okina spoke this. The face Misao made sent a chuckle through all the men in the Aoiya but Aoshi. Okina stroked his beard and made his way over to Misao, his hand patting her shoulder lightly as he continued to speak about how there had been a lack of "beauties" around the restaurant, but his voice died out as Misao was focused elsewhere.

"Okina-san…?" Misao's voice interrupted his own and everyone turned to eye her to see what she was about to say. Misao had a smile on her face, her eyes closed and her head tilted to the right a bit as she voiced the rest of her request.

"Could you not stroke me with your left hand? Not only is it wrong because we are in the presence of others, but the simple fact is you do not have my permission to touch me there." All the other household members proceeded to gawk at Misao's words, most in shock for the fact she had not pounded the old lecher into the ground for caressing her bottom like he was doing. Omasu and Okon had fisted their hands in slight rage at the perverted old fool, but Aoshi…he saw more then anyone what Misao really wanted to do. No one else could see, since they were in front of Misao, but because he was far behind her, he could observe her right hand fisting in silent rage. She held her temper well...most intriguing.

"Okina you perverted old man, do as Misao-chan says!" Omasu yelled in a not so ladylike manner. Although the old fool did not listen as he kept chuckling away, one voice, one low deep voice broke through everything and turned the Aoiya quiet.

"Okina, you heard the request Misao has made, now refrain from touching her." Her eyes were wide in surprise as she turned her blue orbs too look back at Aoshi. He however was not fussed at all and headed silently upstairs when Okina had obeyed his wishes to stop his wandering hand from touching Misao's backside. He had grumbled lightly, almost under his breath about stubborn youths not letting him have any fun and then he began to walk off heading for the tearoom. Shiro and Kuro followed suit and Misao watched the other four men disperse and head in other directions. Now it was just Omasu, Okon and Misao left in the main foyer.

"Would you like a tour of the Aoiya Misao-chan?" Omasu spoke politely now, her anger gone as she made sure Okina had successfully entered the tearoom. Her and Okon watched Misao shake her head negatively as she spoke in a joyous voice, Aoshi hearing it from upstairs as he had only been around the corner as he listened in.

"Iie, I'd love to go see Okina's Garden, can you point the way?" Misao bowed her thanks to the two women and headed for the back shoji and slid it open, her eyes growing wide at the numerous plants and flowers flourishing in the garden. From upstairs the Okashira was watching her. He stood at the window, watching Misao step into the garden, her house slippers gone as she spun around, her hands thrust in the air as she basked in the warm sunshine.

"Wai, kirei!" Misao spoke loudly as she sat on her hunches and fluttered her hands in the pond, large and small fish scurrying away from her intrusive fingers. Curious green-grey eyes watched from above as Misao disappeared for a moment only to return with an apron and her kimono sleeves tied back as not to get them dirty.

"Mou, this place is way too crowded. All the plants will not get sufficient light." Although Misao's voice wasn't at yelling point, the ears of a ninja were very excellent.

"Ne Shinomori-sama, is it alright if I work in the garden?" Aoshi was surprised to say the least that Misao, this average girl had detected that he was watching her. Misao had turned to look up at him standing near the opened window and watched him nod his head once in silence. Something happened then… When Misao smiled her sunshine smile up at him, something inside of him twitched. A slight frown proceeded to line Aoshi's face as he stepped away from the window. Just what was that twitch for and just who was this girl?

"Shinomori-sama?" Aoshi turned to see Hannya standing at his opened shoji.

"Shall I proceed with the first steps of finding out information regarding the Fire Bird Clan Shinomori-sama?" With one curt nod from Aoshi his subordinate disappeared to go about his job. Aoshi himself moved to his desk relighting another candle and a lantern as well and proceeded to get down to business on sending a message to his members in Edo to find out if any family was missing a certain dark haired girl.

*

Sunset had come quicker then anyone had expected. The restaurant was packed with customers, most being single men coming to gaze their eyes upon the two waitresses serving them food and drinks. Misao however, had not made it at being a waitress this day, for she still worked in the garden, time having run away from her as she became so engrossed in what she had been doing.

"The nights are still cold even if summer has come. You should clean up and come inside now." Misao gasped as she had been so lost in her own thoughts and turned around to see Aoshi move silently down the steps to stand barefoot in the grass a few metres away from her.

"Shinomori-sama don't look at me, please!" Misao spoke abruptly, turning around and hugging herself in doing so.

"Why do you say that?" Aoshi instantly asked, intrigue getting the better of him.

"As your employee I cannot be looking so unclean in front of you."

"You've been working for awhile Misao, perhaps its time for you to clean up and then come inside. Dinner should be ready soon." Misao quickly turned around, watching as Aoshi headed back into the Aoiya, the shoji open awaiting for her to come inside when she was clean. He did not chide her for being the way she was as Misao had thought he would. His small comment seemed like a silent statement that she was welcome in the Aoiya and Misao couldn't help but smile brightly up in the dusk sky and then she raced to the bathhouse to bathe before dinner.

*

A short time had passed as Misao padded down the hallway in her slippers as she followed the laugh, which belonged to Okina. She came across a closed shoji, which led into a private eating area away from the restaurant. The conversations had stopped when there was a tap on the shoji and it opened, eyebrows raising when they noticed a kneeling Misao silently apologising for keeping everyone waiting. She was dressed in a beige yukata; her hair tied loosely back in a low ponytail, damp wisps of hair framing her porcelain face.

"Misao-chan there is no need to be so formal with us, please come in and eat before it goes cold." They watched the young girl stand up and scratch the back of her head in embarrassment. Aoshi begun to sip his tea lightly once more as he sat at the head of the table, many thoughts turning over in his head as he tried to analyse Misao.

*

The dinner had gone successfully, a couple of the Oniwabanshuu asking Misao certain questions like, how far had she travelled, whether she'd been to Kyoto before or how old she was, but never had it strayed to the bruises they could see on her neck.

Misao sighed lightly; a puff of air escaping her lips as it could be seen by the visible eye. She stretched lightly as she stood on the verandah looking over Okina's Garden. She had pulled a lot of weeds out of the ground, most of the members probably mistaking them for actual plants. She was not finished yet, but Misao knew she would have to ask for permission again to see if she could continue on.

"Do you like solitude Misao?"

"Eh?" She spoke having been snapped out of her thoughts and turned to gaze up at Aoshi whom was standing beside her, his hands behind his back in a relaxed manner. She blushed in embarrassment for having been caught off guard and not sounding polite in his presence, but Aoshi didn't seem to notice…or even care for her lack of politeness.

"Solitude, do you like it?" Misao looked around, realising that she was again alone with her own thoughts, well until her 'master' came to interrupt them…yet again.

"I apologise if I seem so far away Shinomori-sama, its just that, well I've always been alone…ever since I was a child, so I usually wonder off to be by myself out of habit. I hope I haven't offended the others." Aoshi stared down into crystal blue eyes, wide with slight fear. Her hands were clasped together at her chest, her eyes boring holes into his own as she awaited his answer.

"Where are you really from Misao?" Aoshi watched blue eyes soften and flicker in sadness as though remembering something…something that troubled her deeply.

"I…I am from many places Shinomori-sama." She glanced her eyes up at his semi hidden ones and knew this answer was not satisfying him. She sighed for the umpteenth time and turned back to face the night sky once more.

"In truth I don't know where I am from originally. I have no family that I know of and was placed in an orphanage when I was but a baby. As I grew older, the elderly women said that I had been placed on the doorstep and needed to be looked after, as I was quite ill. The only information about my life is that I have a name…and that name is Misao. I was moved around a lot when I grew up and although I was placed in a lot of loving homes, I could not connect with those people as to me they weren't of any connection to me at all. I apologise as that must seem quite harsh."

"Iie, I know what you mean for when I…" Aoshi died down right there as he stared out at the garden. He could tell Misao's eyes were on him now, confusedly looking up at his tense posture. What was he doing? He was just about to continue on with a story of his own…and to a complete stranger! Aoshi shook his head silently and turned to gaze down at the mysterious young woman. He still couldn't believe she was 17 going on 18 in a few months time and not 15 like he had first thought. Her looks were very much like a child's, but the knowledge she seemed to know betrayed her age as well as the profession she had gotten involved in. Aoshi suspected that only he and Hannya knew of this information for they were the only two that did not speak during dinner and instead observed Misao's every move.

"Shinomori-sama that is a strange outfit you wear. Do you practice in that dojo during the night while the others are resting?" Aoshi was surprised Misao had changed the subject so quickly and looked down at himself as he was in his purple onmitsu uniform and then over at her.

"G-Gomen nasai, I have spoken without consent from you, forgive me." Misao bowed once more, but was shocked when he replied with a firm statement of his own.

"Of course, you of all people did have first glance that I am not just a restaurant owner after all." Misao had parted her lips, but then snapped them shut as the image of Aoshi slicing the head off of another man's body still rolled around her mind.

"Sou ka…" Aoshi looked down at her, as though waiting for more questions on the matter of the now deceased man still rotting in the woods. However,

"Can I…?" Misao stopped abruptly as the stoical man turned to face her silently. He watched as Misao bowed slightly and rephrased her question a lot more formally.

"May I accompany you to the training hall Shinomori-sama? I have yet to see what it looks like." Aoshi was about to flatly refuse her request but once she stood to her normal height, those eyes of hers pouting up at him in such a way a child would plead for candy, he sighed and headed for the training hall without voicing an answer. She assumed this to be a yes and quickly caught up to the ice-like man and walked with him. The two strangers walked side by side, Misao scurrying ahead so as to open the shoji door for Aoshi and waited for him to enter first.

"I see old habits die hard right Misao?"

"Na-Nani?" Misao blurted out in surprise at his abrupt question.

"Your habits…are those of a well trained geisha." Wide blue eyes stared into green-grey ones; the lanterns that had already been lit in the hallway illuminated Aoshi's form while Misao's was very much in the darkness of the night…

"Go-Gomen nasai!" Misao stuttered aloud and raced for the Aoiya. Aoshi witnessed for the first time that Misao had become afraid of him for she had run away, blocking him away from trying to get to know her just that little bit more. His straightforwardness had cost him his chance of getting behind the "polite facade" she placed up all the time, even if she had only been here for a single day. Silent tears had fallen down her face when their eyes met, he having caught onto the fact that the profession she had grown up with would be with her for a lifetime. As Aoshi watched Misao disappear into the darkness of the cool night, he had come to another fact that did not rest well within his stomach…or his mind. He had made a woman cry.

*

(Back to the present)

Misao's cries racked her frame, shaking Aoshi's as she wept into his chest, her head turning from left to right trying to get words out, but it was all for nothing.

"Makimachi-sama what…what happened to you?" Aoshi was dumbfounded. He so wanted to just lift her up and kiss the now 19 year old Misao senseless so she would know the way she had left him was the most stupidest thing she had every done in the amount of time she had stayed at the Aoiya.

"Iie, don't, don't call me that. I was just…I was just your Misao before…always wanted to be your Misao so please…please don't call me your leader. I was never a leader…even if it's in my blood. I beg you, just call me Misao." Misao began to hiccup slightly, her face as red as a tomato for being so straight forward with Aoshi again and the fact it was broad daylight where anyone could walk in on them while they were in this very embrace.

"Misao…" Was all Aoshi could muster as he gathered the woman into his arms, making her sit up more comfortably as they wrapped securely around her form, his head tucking into her shoulder once more.

"Eh, Aoshi…?" Misao muttered, her eyes growing wider in surprise as small shakes encased her form thanks to Aoshi's.

"You finally came back. I never gave up hope on you Misao. When I heard news about women always being a geisha no matter if they quit, I knew you were different…knew you'd never be a geisha again. I just wanted you to come back…to come back to me…so badly I did."

"My skills as a geisha will always remain Aoshi, but I…I came back because the Aoiya is my home now. I don't want to be alone and away from the people who let me into their lives…who let me into their hearts. I was afraid for us, for the way I stained you with my past, but now…now I finally realise I cannot live without being beside you. I came to tell you that I love you and to tell you that I carry an heir to pass on the Shinomori name…to take over the leadership of the Oniwabanshuu when you see it fit for he or she to do so."

"Nani?" Aoshi abruptly let go, his eyes wide as he stared at Misao's smiling face even though tears were still falling down her cheeks.

"I do not have much to offer a man of your skills and talent, but I…I wanted to see if you would accept an ex-geisha…carrying your child?" Misao bit her lip in agony at Aoshi's statue like face expression. His eyes were wide behind his long bangs and his lips were slightly parted, as he could not voice whatever it was he wanted to say. Could he accept the woman that had run away from him without a single word of warning all those months ago? Could he trust her again?

* * * *

To be continued…

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