Disclaimers on everything that I don't own.

Letters,

By Winterwing3000

Dear Aoshi,

I'm having fun at Kaoru's! Girl's night out was great, though I don't think that the club life exactly fits my style. Too many guys using old cheesy pick up lines. Anyways, I learnt something too.

Never get drunk when you have no tolerance for it in the morning, cuz all you're asking is a major pain-in-the-neck hangover. How's the trial? I hope that you aren't put on probation or anything! It'd be horrible if you were stripped of your doctor's license! You worked so hard for it!

Anywho…! Guess what I bought up here in Hokkaido!

And if you did guess, I'm pretty sure that you know that I bought a cute, big, cuddly and stuffed Siberian tiger! It kinda reminded me of you, with those sharp blue eyes!

Now, I'll be home soon, maybe in a week or so! So, see you then!

Till then,

Misao

Dear Misao,

Hopefully, you received this letter before you left Hokkaido.

And if you ever got drunk for some reason, I'd recommend for you to drink some strong tea (ginseng or green tea works).

As for my case, I've been relieved of all other charges and still have my license, thank you for worrying.

And I hardly doubt that animal resembles me that much.

Meet me the Thursday you come back. I've couple of surprises for you.

Aoshi

"Thanks for taking me out. But you know that you didn't really have to." Misao said gratefully, licking on her triple napoleon scoop ice cream.

Aoshi had taken Misao out the whole day, allowing them to spend her last day together. He treated her to a brunch at the Akabeko before they headed down to the zoo. From there, they went to Tokyo Tower and a couple of Temples, where wishes were made and small luck trinkets were bought. They met up with Kaoru and Kenshin, who were out for a small date and together they went shopping (where the men were baggage carriers for at least three hours straight). Near six, they said their farewells and exchanged hugs and Aoshi took her to the finest Italian Restaurant with his reservation.

Now, they were walking down the park lane, enjoying the moon and stars as they ate their ice cream.

"Hn, it wasn't a problem." Aoshi answered, biting gently on the chocolate cone.

After a moment of silence, Misao started another thread for a conversation. "Ano, Aoshi?"

"Hm?"

"We've been friends since we were young, ne?"

"Aa."

"And we'll always be friends no matter what happens… right?"

"Misao, if you're going to ask me a question, do not dwindle." He said nonchalantly, finishing his ice cream. Aoshi gave her a sidelong glance and a small quirk of a smile.

"Hai… etto… have you wondered… if we could be… more than that?" she fumbled shyly, which was never in her nature to do so. "We've been together for so long now, and I thought… that it would be possible for something to develop between us. But it's okay if there isn't. I mean, we could still be friends, ne?"

When they reached a secluded area under the willows, Misao immediately plopped down to the damp grass, not caring if it stained her blue jeans. Aoshi, however, leant against the tree, starring down at the withdrawn form next to his feet.

"Misao. You do understand that long distance relationships are hard to manage, yes?" Aoshi asked quietly, not objecting or accepting her offer just yet.

"Of course… but we've also managed to stay connected for so long. When you were in Princeton, and I was still here. When I was in Harvard, and you were back here. How more different can it be? I just… I don't know… there's always this feeling that I have while I'm with you. I always feel what you feel. Whether it is happiness, sadness, pain, or anger. Don't you get that tingly feeling between us when we're together, like there's some type of close connection between us?" Misao retorted whimsically.

"Have you been reading romance novels lately? Because it seems so." He said dryly. But he answered her seriously. "Yes, it is true that we've have managed to stay in touch for this long and it would probably last forever. And it will be more difficult to do so. Both of us have a different life ahead of us, and you're just starting to move into your job as an ambassador for Japan. You'll be traveling around the world and I doubt that our letters can reach each other quick enough."

"We can always call each other or use email." She interjected. "And you still didn't answer my other question."

"… I suppose so. I just don't want you to be hurt in the process of our relationship." And you're the only one I have left.

Aoshi slid down and sat next to her, head turned to her slightly. Misao nodded in understanding. He saw her let out an unsteady breath and watched as she peeked at him from the corner of her blue eyes.

Misao turned to him and slowly wrapped her arms around his neck. "Don't worry. I know we'll be okay. We'll always be together, no matter what happens."

"Hn… together." He murmured, pressing a chaste kiss on her lips before pulling her into his lap.

The moon rippled as green leaves fluttered down into the pond.

AN: And that confession was hell to write. I hope you all know that. And now! Two more to go before this closes!

It.soniablade: I hope that you enjoyed this thus far! Even if it is coming to an early end.

Moonjava: thank you!

Mandella-sama: lol, thanks! And I want some ice cream! I'm melting here! (Is Aoshi going to jail a good thing? X.x)

MoMo-ChAn1: Haha, everyone can act cute at times… but I think Shippo is the most cutest of us all. Hm… did I change him into a goldfish? –checks-

Dragon: thanks!