Standard Disclaimers apply:

Forgive and Forget:

Chapter 8:

Aoshi woke up and decided to go into Misao's room to give her a wake-up call. He walked into her room.

Misao heard the door open, and forced herself to wake up enough to see who it was. "...Where are we going now?" Misao pouted, pulling back the covers. She wanted more rest, after traveling so long. They had stayed at Megumi's place for the night.

"Somewhere..." Aoshi answered her yet again, not telling her exactly what she wants.

"Can't I sleep a bit more?" Misao mumbling, her eyes slowly shutting. "It's still dark outside."

Aoshi smirked, as he bent down to Misao. "Sleep for a few more hours, then."

Misao was already asleep, but held onto Aoshi's shirt, making sure he wouldn't leave without her.

Three hours later:

Misao was finally rested. Misao got up, but didn't see Aoshi. She immediately went into Aoshi's room, checking if he has disappeared.

"Misao..." Aoshi called from behind her.

Misao let out a scream. "Please, Aoshi-sama, learn to make some noise to make your presence clear." Misao suggested, annoyed, her heart pounding fast. "I will die of heart attack or something." She added, walking back into her room.

Aoshi followed behind and closed the door behind. He leaned forward and gave Misao a quick kiss on the lips. "Gomen." He whispered before pulling away.

Misao stood in shock as Aoshi grabbed his things. "Are you just going to stand there like a statue?" he asked leaving her room. "Quickly and pack, so we can be on our way."

"WHERE ARE WE GOING THIS TIME?" She asked.

"Tokyo..." Aoshi answered quickly.

Misao threw on her clothes and grabbed her things. She bid good-bye to Megumi, and left on another long walk.

"What's this package for?" Misao asked, seeing Aoshi holding a package that wasn't around earlier.

"I'm helping Megumi deliver something, since we're heading there too."

"Oh." Misao muttered Misao. "Aoshi-sama... why do you keep secrets away from me, yet I keep nothing from you."

"Misao... Anyone can read you. There's nothing you can hide." Aoshi replied placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Oh yea? I bet you there are still things that you don't know about."

"Like what?" Aoshi asked curiously.

"If I told you then it wouldn't be a secret, now would it." Misao stated.

"Well...I know it has something to do with Hannya, doesn't it" Aoshi mumbled.

"EHHH" Misao blushed red. "You knew about that?"

Aoshi smirked. "Well, Hannya told me, after we left the Aoiya; that you often asked him for him for advice on getting my attention."

"Humph, not fair" Misao pouted, still red, from the embarrassment.

Aizu was getting further and further away from the two. They walked deeper and deeper into the forest. Aoshi stood around admiring the peaceful scenery, while taking out a snack.

"Aoshi-sama, can I ask you something?" Misao asked, breaking the silence.

"Aa..." Aoshi agreed, handing Misao something to eat.

Misao leaned on Aoshi, who leaned on a trunk of a tree. "I was just thinking, what if you weren't around?" Misao asked, curiously.

Misao's question drilled into Aoshi's mind. He was trying to imagine what would have happened if Battousai had actually killed him that day, when he had asked for it, or if Shikijou hadn't used his body as a shield.

"I'm just glad Hannya-kun and the others were able to protect you..." She mumbled looking down. "Do you hate me? ...for calling you back to me?" She asked.

"Misao," Aoshi called to her. "How can I hate you?"

"I don't know..." Misao began, "Maybe because I went against your wishes."

"Misao, it was you, who brought me back to the living. Without you, I don't think I would be here today, spending this time with you." Aoshi came to reason with her.

Misao gathered her courage to look at Aoshi.

"I still remember you protecting of me...and taking care of me." Misao told him, looking into his blue eyes, the coldness slowly melted away. "I can never and will never forget that."

"Arigatou." Aoshi wispered into her ears.

The two drew themselves closer and closer. Misao was finally able to get a real kiss from him.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long when Aoshi disrupted her. "It's getting late, we should get into the next town, Misao." He said, picking up his things.

Misao let out a groan, feeling unsatisfied.

"I do remember I promised you something." Aoshi told her.

Misao nodded. "We'll go to visit Tokyo together, ne? I can't wait to meet Kenji-kun and everyone."

"Aa..." Aoshi replied, walking along side with Misao.

To Be Continue...

Author's Notes: eheheheh... --! I haven't updated this story in the longest time... tears OMG, I can't believe it's so late now. Oh well, at least I got this chappie finished and ready to go. . HAHA... Don't forget to read and review...