Misao yawned slightly. They had been in the car for three hours now and it was just turning six o'clock. Aoshi had failed to mention that she might have wanted to bring a snack for the ride. As of yet, she hadn't complained, but it was hard to get her stomach to obey the same rules. Almost as if on a timer, her stomach rumbled, and she sunk into her seat embarassed.

"Sorry." She mumbled softly, and looking over at Aoshi. His eyes caught hers for a brief moment before lowering to her stomach and then turning back to the road.

"We'll pull over and eat at the next exit." He said casually. And just like he had said, at the very next exit, he pulled up the ramp and turned right. Misao was truly relieved that they were going to eat so soon, so she relaxed in her seat, not even caring where the next meal would be coming from.

TWENTY MINUTES LATER

Misao awoke to Aoshi hovering above her. She wasn't sure how she had woken up; perhaps she knew that someone was staring at her. He smirked lightly at her and moved a hand across her lap to undo the seat belt. It was then that she noticed that Aoshi was leaning over her from her right, meaning that he was out of his seat and had opened her door. With her mind still foggy from sleep she asked,

"How long was I asleep?"

Aoshi stood upright as he said, "About an hour. When you fell asleep, I figured I would just keep driving until you woke up, but then your stomach kept grumbling even in your sleep and I decided just to stop and feed you." Of course he knew it was a lie. She had only been out for twenty mintues or so, but anything to throw her off would be good. And a bright blush covered her cheeks when he mentioned her stomach rumbling was just what he had been looking for. He held his hand out for her to help her stand and she took it with a smile, though the blush still tainted her cheeks.

Once she stood up and looked around she paused. Her eyes widened at the unfamiliar restraunt in front of her and she looked down at herself, then to Aoshi. It had not occurred to her that he was actually dressed rather nice, with black dress jeans and a white dress top. He did NOT look casual. How did she miss something like that? That was when she realized that Aoshi had not let her mind wander in the three hours in the car. Asking her "what if" questions, and keeping her thoughts on other things.

The restraunt in front of them was apparently SO fancy and high-to-do, that there were LIMOS parked out front. She looked down at her own attire of old jeans and a t-shirt with sneakers and frowned.

Misao then looked at Aoshi, "I'm not dressed-" but he cut her off.

"I bought you a dress." He said. Misao blushed. "It just takes so long to get here, I wanted you to be comfortable on the trip."

Misao thought the entire thing was incredibly thoughtful, and she leapt into his arms. "I thought we were going camping or something." She laughed.

Aoshi wrapped his large arms around her smaller form and replied, "Well…I am not actually going to be taking you home tonight." He admitted, not wanting her to think the overnight bag was for nothing. He broke away from her slowly and moved to the trunk, opened it and pulled out a beautiful light blue dress. Misao couldn't see all the details since it was in a dry cleaners bag, on a hanger…but she knew it was gorgeous.

"Put it on in the car." He told her and ushered her back into the car and handing her the dress. She didn't like the thought of having to change in the car, but at the same time, it was somewhat exciting to be changing with Aoshi just on the other side of the door. He was leaning against the window, back facing her as he waited. She was really more embarassed than anything, but after a seconds hesitation she noticed that he had parked somewhat far off from the restraunt, and looking around reminded her that his windows were also all tinted. Slowly, she relaxed.

Misao looked down to the dress and smiled. She pulled the bag off of it and felt the texture. It was silky and actually rather simple. There was no intricate pattern, and it if didn't have the princess lines and ties that netted across the back it almost would have looked like a luxurious nightgown. She immediately put it on. It fit perfectly. The spagetti straps were already fitted to her size, and blushingly, Misao had found a strapless bra under the bottom of the dress and had put it on. She would never admit to Aoshi that he had guessed her size correctly. The dress was very comfortable as well.

As she was putting her casual clothes in the bag and setting them in the back seat she noticed a box with her name on it and picked it up. It read: "To go with the dress."

She opened it and pulled out a pair of flat dress shoes, which had the same blue hue as the dress, and they looked like ballet shoes. The ties, like the back of her dress, netted up over her ankles and the tie was hidden under the bottom of the dress. She tapped on the winidow to signal that she was done and Aoshi opened the door for her just as a genlteman should.

Misao stood up and moved out of the way so Aoshi could close the door. But before he did, he leaned in and pulled out a jacket and tie. Adusting the rest of his outfit into place he finally set his eyes fully on Misao.

She smiled up at him, moving her arms up to fix the edge of his shirt to lie flat against his neck. Aoshi moved his hands over her upper arms, her eyes immediately moved to his at the contact. He was smiling down at her, and Misao thought she'd been hit in the stomach. Why the HELL didn't he smile more often? He had the most gorgeous smile she had ever seen, and it caused her to shudder.

"You look very nice in that dress Misao." He whispered and she laughed nervously. You see; Misao had never had a really "romantic" moment with Aoshi. He did nice things for her, but even in doing those things, there seemed to be some kind of wall there, a coldness almost. But tonight, Aoshi felt warm, and as if she could melt if she was near him too long. Of course that thought had her laughing in a little more than nervousness, but Aoshi didn't question her.

"You look very handsome as well." She replied and took his offered elbow and headed into the restraunt. Aoshi gave the host his last name and Misao looked up at him a little shocked. "You had reservations?"

Aoshi gave her an odd look as they were shown their table and he pulled the chair out for her, "Of course Misao. Otherwise we never would have gotten in." She sat down and allowed him to push her chair in. Though all of this was sweet, she still would have been just as happy to go to a movie with him, however, this was such a wonderful treat that there was no way she would pass it up. He settled himself across from her at the intimate table and took the menu the seater provided.

"Feel free to try anything Misao, tomottow will be a long day and we may not get a chance to eat breakfast so fill up now." He told her. She glanced up at him and then back to the menu. She had every intention of eating anything and everything on the menu, because everything looked damn good.

Dinner took them about an hour to eat. There hadn't been any meaningful conversation really, but every time that Misao had glanced up at Aoshi from her plate she had caught his eyes on her. It wasn't just that he was looking at her; it was the WAY he was looking at her. It caused her cheeks to flush, and goosebumps to rise over her arms. He looked so handsome and the environment was so elegant that Misao supposed that the location and appearance might be adding somewhat to her reactions. For Misao the dinner was like a dream, except a small part of her mind nagged with some disappointment that nothing particularly eventful had happened. He hadn't even held a converstaion that lasted longer than a minute during the entire meal.

Misao didn't want to be picky, or push Aoshi into what she really wanted, because she really did love him as he was. She just wished to feel as if he really loved her in return. Money wasn't something that mattered too much to her, she knew from just being with Aoshi that money can't buy happiness. Misao just wasn't sure what to feel. She loved that he had thought to drive her all the way out here for dinner, and it showed that he cared. She adored the fact that he never missed an anniversary, and he had been so kind and considerate. So what was wrong with her? Why did she feel like SOMETHING was missing? She worried her lip for a little while trying to think about why she felt that something had been neglected. She looked up from her plate once more and saw that Aoshi was looking at her has he had all night long, and the goosebumps immediately appeared on her arms.

His gaze drifted over her shoulders, and across her breasts to her embarassment, down to what little of her stomach he could see over the table and then slowly back to her face. "Misao…" he paused and leaned back in his seat, loosening his tie and unbuttoning the first button of his shirt. She made a small affirmation in the back of her throat as if to encourage him to continue.

He sighed, righting himself in the chair so that he was sitting appropriately, and closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them and locking with hers. The look had her stomach doing flip-flops. She brought a hand up to cover her tummy in an effort to settle herself. Aoshi for his part looked entirely too calm. She waited for him to continue, though it looked as if he were debating something.

"I'd like to talk to you, but not here." He said as he stood up, placing a large amount of cash on the table. Aoshi then assisted Misao with standing and walked back to the car. After that, everything went by in a rush for Misao. Before opoening the car door for her, Aoshi pressed into her, his hands moving up to cup her face as he kissed her. Misao could count the number of times Aoshi had ever kissed her, and most of the time it was something short and sweet. However, this time she felt as if he were sucking the air from her lungs and if it hadn't been for the car behind her she would have surely fallen. A thought flashed through her mind at the feel of his lips pressed so demandingly against her own; was this what was missing at the table? Affection? But as soon as the thought came, it was gone.

And, to her disappointment, it ended abruptly. He opened the door and guided a dazed Misao into the car, buckling her in before moving to his side and driving off. This of course is where everything went in a rush. She was out of it for a good period of time until she noticed that the car was no longer moving. When she looked out the window Misao gasped. She couldn't believe it. Misao wished she could have sat in that moment forever, because right in front of her was the most gorgeous thing she had seen in her entire life. She got out of the car as if in a trance, and was only vaguely aware when Aoshi had gotten out and moved beside her.

"Happy Anniversary, Misao-mine." He murmured into her ear.

Lalala, gee…I wonder where they are: ) I had SO much fun writing this chapter. I mean some parts might o' been a little boring for the reader and I apologize for that. I was running out of descriptive words and everything was just popping into my head I was in a little bit of a rush to just get it out and into words. So I hope everyone likes it. My puppy is doing much better, it was nice o' u to ask. Slowly but surely I am getting these chapters a little bit longer.

Augh, though I wish they updated the second I put them up on my story. Sigh it takes like forever for them to show up on Whatevar! I hope you guys enjoy. And thank you for the reviews, I really do listen to your opinons (good and bad)!

HEARTS until next time!