A day had passed as I sat leaning against a tree trunk, my arms wrapped securely around a semi-awake Misao. She was cradled against me, her arms wrapped lightly around my waist, her left leg tangling intimately with mine and her head rested against my chest.

We had visited the old stones in the forest of where Hannya and the others used to lie. After all…

Aoshi: Seasons in the mountains are a step faster than the plains. If we become even later than this, the earth will freeze and we'll have to wait until spring.

Everyone: Eh?

Aoshi: Before that happens, we should bury them in a place with more sunlight.

(Misao's eyes widen.)

Misao: Himura, Kaoru-san, sorry! On second thought, I'll return home with everyone!

(Aoshi smiles very faintly, which goes unseen by the others.)

Kenshin: Aa, that's good.

Kaoru surprised: Ah...

Misao running to catch up: Aoshi-sama!

We had taken them back with us the last time we were here, but I knew a part of them was always in that forest. So I still paid my respects to them there.

I tightened my hug around Misao when I heard her sigh contently against me, her hands absently caressing my back bringing me comfort. Kenshin's voice soon rang through my mind once again. 'Right now, saving someone, and returning to someone who's waiting is a thousand times more important!'

Another memory…

(Aoshi shoulders his way out of the remains of the fire.)

Saitou: So it was you.

Aoshi: I know where Yukishiro Enishi's Tokyo base is. It was quicker to tell you here than return to town.

Saitou: That's good of you. And you managed not to burn to death.

Aoshi (indicating the empty grave and the spade): The ground had recently been disturbed. I made use of the empty grave. It wasn't very difficult.

Saitou: You had no wish to become a blackened skull?

Aoshi: Of course not. I still have a job to do. And there's someone waiting for my return.

"Hai, you are right Himura. Returning to someone who is waiting is more important than anything."

"What's important?" I heard a mumble and looked down seeing Misao's head tilt upwards, her sleepy eyes opening to stare at me.

"You koibito…I never died because I had you waiting for me." I brought my right hand up and raised it to her cheek stroking it affectionately.

"Mou, you always know how to make me blush anata." I smiled placing a kiss on her forehead and closed my eyes resting my chin on Misao's head. She snuggled in closer and placed a kiss on my scared chest and then fell into a blissful sleep.

"Arigatoo Hannya, Beshimi, Hyotokko and Shijuksho for making me choose the right path." I had spoken out loud looking up into the heavens knowing they could hear my every word.

xxxxxxx

(A few weeks pass…)

I sat with my eyes closed sitting in a darkened room at the temple. It was rare of me to come here but it was really out of habit and to have some peace and quiet. The room had a few candles flickering around and my eyes snapped open when I felt two arms wrap around my shoulders and a feather light kiss against my neck. I knew that spring flower smell from anywhere and turned around to face Misao. A bright smile was on her face and I noticed she was wearing that black shirt again with her rather small ninja shorts. Her hair cascaded freely around her but I noticed her hands twisted together, her nervousness showing.

"Misao-mine? Are you alright?" I had spoken placing my hand against her cheek. She held a light blush and I watched slightly surprised at her boldness as she took her shirt off and moved closer, her arms untying the sash around my yukata and finding there way inside and holding me close, her chest bare against mine. I closed my eyes liking the feeling and placed my arms around her and snapped my eyes open when I heard her small whisper.

"Is your strength back…it's been three weeks!" I pulled on her hair, her head tilting up and claimed her mouth once again, and began lowering her to the floor. She held on tight and her lips separated from me as she spoke in a husky voice, one full of complete and utter passion.

"What if someone sees us?" I stopped my small stroking and got off her and grabbed my kodachi's and walking towards the shoji door. I braced the kodachi from one part of the door to the other, making sure to test it and realising no one would be able to get in, unless they bashed threw the entire thing. I turned around noticing Misao was sitting on the floor and she was facing me, watching everything I was doing. She was nervous I could tell, but so was I. I began walking over then squatted to the ground and crawled on my hands and knees towards her. My lips pressed hungrily to hers as I moved even closer, placing her back down on the floor, me lying on top of her, my lower body in between her legs. I pulled away looking down into Misao's passioned glazed eyes and spoke once more before continuing.

"Mine…forever koibito…"

xxxxxxx

"Misao-mine?" I had whispered waking her from her slumber. Her eyes fluttered open to stare up at me as I leaned over her. Her hair was a complete mess as it fanned out around her. We lay under my trench coat, our naked bodies touching.

"We have to go back don't we?" I nodded my head and watched her roll out from under the coat and she began dressing silently. I too dressed and watched as Misao began walking around. She stopped when she finally felt I was watching her and she turned around and spoke answering my silent question.

"Hurts a bit." I nodded my head at her and I stood up placing my coat over her as well. I grabbed my kodachi's and opened the door.

"You know, you won't need to carry those around anymore Aoshi." Misao had spoken as we walked down the temple stairs.

"What if the Oniwabanshuu are needed to keep the peace and hired for missions?" Misao looked silently up at me and then smiled knowing I was going to become the okashira again.

"Well…okay but I get to go on missions too. I'm old enough and strong enough to go as well."

"Not if this has anything to do with it." I spoke placing my hand on her stomach. She gasped looking up at me and her eyes watered. I thought I had done something wrong but she laughed happily jumping into my embrace and kissing me fully on the lips.

"You know Aoshi, Okina's going to be really mad about this." I was quiet for a few moments but spoke my suggestion.

"Well he doesn't have to know about that yet. We can get married and then a few weeks later tell him the wonderful news." Misao had stopped in her walking and I stopped as well turning to face her. Her head was bowed and I lifted her chin up and noticed tears falling down her cheeks. She was trying to hold them back but was unsuccessful.

"You want…you want me to marry you Aoshi?"

"Of course! That's half mine!" I spoke pointing to her lower stomach region. Her eyes frowned deeply, more tears falling and I chuckled pulling her closer to me as I whispered in her ear.

"And you're mine too Misao-chan." Her arms had wrapped around my waist and she spoke into my chest.

"You're a big meanie anata."

"Aa, that I am but you still love me anyway and you'll marry me too." Misao nodded her head and I turned to face the Aoiya gate as I heard it click as someone had just walked through it. Okina stood there looking at us confusedly and silently demanding an explanation. I let go of Misao, but placed her hand in mine and began walking towards him. Here we go Shinomori; I spoke inside myself and then spoke aloud to Okina.

"Okina, I thinks its time I tell you about my trip…"

THE END