I like to think of this story as a Christmas present to myself. My goal is to finish it before December 25, so please bare with me if the chapters seem a little short, as my focus is just to get them done. Please enjoy! Reviews are much appreciated!

This story takes place after the end of manga. I have a feeling it will be a challenge writing a Misao that has matured slightly from a hyper teen into a young woman.

This will be a Misao x Soujiro pairing.

And just so you know, I consider this a love story more than anything. I don't usually do heavy romance (heck, I hardly write romance at all. this story was spur of the moment!), so you can expect fluff, but please don't ask me for limes, lemons and the such. The answer will be no…

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin and its characters are property of Nobuhiro Watsuki.

Chapter One

----- A Day in Winter

Every day was the same routine. Misao woke up, ate breakfast, bathed and dressed, and then took her daily trip out to deliver Aoshi his tea. Today was no different, and she sprinted up the aged steps of the shrine with a steaming cup of green tea nestled in her hands, the warm porcelain soothing against her chilled fingers.

It had started snowing the night before, and still it had persisted into the morning, coating everything in a gentle white. Misao was having some trouble balancing the umbrella over her shoulder, at the same time trying to keep the precious tea from spilling. Omasu had always warned her about filling the cup to the rim…

"Aoshi-sama! I'm here!" she announced, closing the door behind her to keep out the offending cold. "I brought your tea. Enjoy, because it's the last cup until I can get into town today!"

She kneeled down to set the cup carefully before him, her hair falling over her shoulders as she did so. It had been quite a while since she had cut off the braid that had characterized her for so long, and still she could not adjust to the shorter length. Pushing the bothersome strands behind her ears, she smiled and bounced back to her feet.

"It's snowing again," she paused thoughtfully, biting her lip. "I really didn't want to have to go out in such terrible weather, but Omasu made me promise that I would help her with dinner tonight… and we can't do that without food!"

The man hadn't moved an inch since she had started talking, but he had opened his eyes and was focused on her as she babbled on about things that didn't really matter. It always made her feel better to attempt conversation. The quiet of the shrine was almost oppressive at times, and Misao was naturally a social person.

"At any rate… I can't stay today, Aoshi-sama. I really should get this over with before it starts to get too cold, you know?" She made a wild motion with her hands towards the frosted window in the corner, everything beyond it stark white. "I promise that I'll make up for it later on today!"

It seemed that there was nothing further to be said between the pair. Offering a quick wave, Misao made to turn around and leave, but a deep voice stopped her before she could reach the door.

"Misao…" The man's head dropped and his eyes slid closed again. "Thank you."

She beamed. "Goodbye, Aoshi-sama!"

The atmosphere always seemed so much quieter when it snowed. Misao smiled to herself and began to hum softly, filling the silence with song as she twirled the gathered flakes from her umbrella. Perhaps winter wasn't her favorite season, but it wasn't her least favorite, either. There was something tranquil about it. Calming.

It reminded her of Aoshi.

Unfortunately, the weather had also demanded a change of wardrobe. In an effort to keep warm, Misao had long since abandoned her usual training outfits for simple gis and hakamas of varying colors. That day in particular, she had chosen to adorn the same clothes she had to Mount Ueno earlier that year.

She was quite a contrast against the white landscape, clad in pinks and soft reds. It was always nice to add a splash of vibrant color to a season that was usually so grayscale.

As a matter of fact, the last time she had worn that outfit was also the last time she had visited her Tokyo friends. Kenshin and Kaoru seemed to have been doing fine, even raising a son that had a knack for getting into trouble. Yahiko and Tsubame also seemed to be getting along well.

'I hope I get an invitation to their wedding soon!' she thought with a giggle.

Nonetheless, she realized how long it had been since that time. She and Kaoru had been exchanging frequent letters, of course, but there wasn't always the opportunity to visit. She missed seeing them all in person… Things grew pretty dull at the Aoiya whilst thinking about the friendly group back at the Kamiya Dojo, always so full of life and energy.

It wasn't that she didn't appreciate her life in Kyoto. She had Okon, Omasu, Shiro, Kuro, and Okina… They were her family. Even Aoshi was beginning to show his face around the Aoiya more often. Finally, after a long period of awkward acceptance, the group was warming up to each other again, and Misao sometimes found herself happy to the point of tears. She wouldn't trade that feeling for anything in the world.

The point was that it was just nice to get away every once in a while… to do something new. She was tired of the same every day routine that had somehow started to take control of her life.

"Misao-chan!" A woman passing her on the street jarred her from her thoughts.

Misao grinned, clasping her small hands to the young woman's own. "Aiko-chan! What is it?"

Aiko was a cousin of Sae that had recently started work at the Shirobeko. The waitress had always seemed particularly happy for Misao's regular visits, and the ninja often found herself an outlet for the latest gossip. She didn't mind; it was always nice to know the rumors going about town these days.

"Oh, it's nothing. It's just…" Aiko pulled a small box from the bag strapped to her shoulder, looking bashful. "It's just… I was supposed to bring this to Sae today and…"

"…And you would much rather be at your boyfriend's place," Misao finished, snickering lightly.

"Please, Misao-chan!" The young brunette began to blush furiously, slapping her hand over Misao's mouth. "The way you say it makes it sound so scandalous!"

Slightly exasperated, Misao shoved the hand away and sighed. "Don't get yourself all up in a knot! I'll take the box up to the Shirobeko for you… It's on my way, anyhow." She held out her hand. "What is it that I'm taking?"

Aiko smiled gratefully, lifting the lid of the small box and shaking it to rattle the glass bottles inside. "They're just a few spices that we've been running low on lately." Reclosing it, she set the package in the shorter woman's outstretched hand. "Thank you so much! I'll repay you for it somehow, Misao-chan!"

"Heh. Give your lovely man my regards!" She teased in response, poking the other in the side.

Blushing again, Aiko nodded. "And what about you, Misao-chan? Isn't it time you started looking for a husband, as well? I mean…" She fidgeted slightly. "Shinomori-san…"

"Eh! Wha-- As if I'm looking!" Misao puffed herself up proudly. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm perfectly fine without some husband to look after me! Aoshi-sama will always be the only one, and I don't mind waiting until he comes around."

Her companion smiled uneasily, overlooking the hidden lack of firmness in Misao's voice. "I suppose you're right." She dipped into a polite bow before starting on her way. "Goodbye for now, Misao-chan!"

"See you later!"

Once Aiko had rounded the corner and disappeared from sight, Misao was left staring blankly at the box in her hand. It wasn't that the woman's words had struck a chord or anything… Of course not. The depressing weather was simply starting to get to her… That must be why she felt so sad all of a sudden.

This weather that reminded her of Aoshi…

But she had said that she liked winter, hadn't she?

Misao had asked Aoshi what he thought of it once. It was one of the few conversations she had managed to coax him into during a visit to the shrine, an accomplishment all in itself. He had explained to her that winter was a time of death. The trees withered away and went into a very long sleep, leaving the landscapes bare and ugly. Any foliage that remained was already brown and rotting, waiting to dissolve and again become part of the earth.

He hated autumn the most, the time when all the leaves began to die… Hated it because the air always smelled of decay. Misao herself had never noticed; she had always believed it to be a beautiful season of changing colors.

And winter? She had never associated it with death. Instead, she pictured it as a hibernation of sorts, lasting until spring when the world would be reborn again. Perhaps even she herself was relieved when spring blossomed in Kyoto, a time of warmer temperatures and new beginnings.

'Yes. New beginnings… Just like when you returned to us again, Aoshi-sama.' Misao wondered if Aoshi saw it that way, as well. Or perhaps the past still haunted him as it had for all of these many years.

Would he ever be able to let it go?

Before she knew it, Misao was standing at the entrance to the Shirobeko, already feeling the warmth emanating from the doorway. Her presence was immediately acknowledged by Sae, who smiled and waved her in, chattering excitedly about the "fretful" weather. She was such a kind woman; Misao could not remember ever having qualms with the friendly restaurant owner. It was a shame they did not know each other better than they did.

Another young waitress, a girl Misao recognized but did not know, nodded politely in her direction before disappearing through the doors to the kitchen with dishes of half-eaten soup and empty mugs. It was a comforting scene to come into, especially after battling the freezing snow.

"Delivery!" Misao announced cheerfully and prepared to set the box on the nearest table.

She stopped. Something felt strange… Maybe she was just imagining things, but…

Steadying the cover with her left hand, she flipped the box over and found a small piece of paper tacked to the bottom. The handwriting was neat and curled, adorned with little hearts here and there, only confirming Misao's original suspicion.

Thanks again, Misao-chan! I knew you'd be so kind as to deliver this for me! See you in a little bit!

Love, Aiko-chan

Misao deadpanned.

"… She was planning this?"

For those of you wondering, Soujiro will be coming in soon, I promise!

Until next time…