A/N: One note, I will warn you that we are going back and forth between Aoshi and Misao.

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin (NobuhiroWatsuki).

Reviewer Responses:

Charmed Wolf-- and once again: a great thank you going out to my most prominent fan!

Where My Heart Lies ch 6

I knew even upon waking the following day that I wouldn't be able to keep avoiding the issues from that evening. It was lurking just beneath the surface, inescapable. The morning passed more quietly than usual, which, in all honesty, gave me no preparation time? All that time I spent in dread. Anxiety. It's like stage fright, in a way. When the time comes, there's no backing away from it and a presentation must be made.

My debut arrived around an hour past noon. I was preparing a list of foods and supplies to buy when Kaoru arrived, cornering me in my own room (even if it was her dojo). She didn't say anything, but stood there expectantly, waiting for me to start with an answer. Now, if I might say, how anyone can go around the day before her wedding inquiring about other people's love lives is beyond me, but that's Kaoru for you, I suppose. She is so caring, really, but her bursting curiosity can make her seem foolish. I fidgeted under her gaze. Childish, perhaps, but not a concern of mine.

I started, "I'm not sure just where our relationship is, right now." I then filled Kaoru in on recent events. I wouldn't say that I was too hopeful by my own words, but Kaoru left with a smile on her face.

I was out in the yard before the dojo practicing with my kodachi. Kenshin was sitting nearby, doing laundry as usual. He did not state his thoughts, but I knew them all the same. Of course he was wondering about the question of the previous night. After a time, I started a little hesitantly, "Is it so wrong to fear bringing her pain? I wish to be closer to her, yes, but I'm afraid that I will just hurt her again."

"When we try to protect those whom we love by keeping them in a safe place, we end up hurting them more. Smothering, if you will." He picked up another kimono and proceeded to wash it. "They will never settle to stay back and watch, but will always fight to be right there with us, in all that we do. Put aside your worries and embrace her."

I collected my things and went for a walk along the river.

Trees have always been a good place for me. My petite body makes for excellent maneuvering among branches, and boughs easily support my weight. Such a location is ideal for it provides solitude without loneliness. Among the birds and breezes I am allowed to experience life, without the hassles. Leaves conceal my presence from the outside world. That world which wants to find me and make me do something. I have come to like this particular tree. Its location gives me a serene view of the water flowing below me. There are those behaviors that trees allow for. Eccentricity certainly being one of them. Hanging, swinging, dancing alone. It's like a one way window in which you can see everything in the world around you, and you are screened from view. I was centered in the tree, swinging from my knees beneath the canopy when I noticed that I had an audience.

Water is inspiration. It is never troubled for long, nor will it stop its journey for losses. Water always finds a way around those obstacles that would dare to challenge it. When in an icy form, it becomes brittle and unwilling to move. None can interact with it until it is melted back into water. There is none so awe inspiring than ever flowing waters. I gaze into the river beside me to see only that which can be seen. I see my own face. It is troubled, but with a lighter burden than before. Everyone has their own burden that he must deal with in his own way.

I continue to peer upon the surface of the water, only to see something dangling over me. My eyebrow arched as I saw one Makimachi Misao swinging by her knees from a branch ten feet above me, oblivious to my own presence. I watched her for a minute before she noticed me. She gave a surprised "eep!" and proceeded to maneuver out of her now awkward position.

I grabbed hold of a branch and pulled myself up. I moved up to where she was and simply held her against me. These strong boughs would support us both.

Although I knew that something would happen, I was still very much surprised by his gesture. As said before, you can only wait for Aoshi to do what he will. He will do things in his own time. I leaned into him as we sat there in the tree. And the silence was not one that would estrange, but comfortable. One you could lay in like a hammock. And so we stayed there late into the afternoon.

Dinner that night was spent with that same comfortable silence between us, although everyone was talking with excitement for the wedding that would occur only the next day. And I must say I slept rather lightheartedly that night.

I can see just knowing I am the one who could make her so happy. As I lay in bed awaiting slumber, I wondered what else I could do for her.

A/N: Okay, I've had a lot of extra time lately, and so I've now finished chapter 7 and began chapter 8. I will, however, wait for a few reviews so that I can get some feedback on these chapters first. I'm also wondering: do you think a c-section (somewhat graphic) would call for a rating change? It won't come along until a ways farther in the story, but I might as well ask now. Also, I have definite plans for a sequel to this story that will be better explained at the end of this story. In the meantime, please let me know if there is anything you find confusing, what you liked, etc.