Stage Seven – Pleasant Changes

By: Shin Sankai

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With a pout on her face Misao walked away from the empty quarters that belonged to her beloved Shinomori Aoshi. She'd gotten up extra early to surprise him with breakfast on this chilly morning but came to his quarters to find it deserted. She wondered whether the man slept at all, since for the past several weeks she'd been trying to catch him sleeping, to be there so she could awaken him, to gaze upon his dishevelled features openly. Of course Misao was a little hesitant in the fact that the last time she checked on Aoshi, back when he'd first returned he'd woken up naked and permanently etched his physique into her brain. Misao was certain not a day went by where she would look at him, as he quietly strolled the markets with her or spent time in Okina's garden and the image of the gorgeous man naked would assault her senses. He'd definitely caught her starring and blushing, but he knew not to ask…and maybe because he already knew what the answer was.

Moving down the stairs Misao took the breakfast tray back into the kitchen and gave the meal to Shiro and Kuro. She stepped back into the hallway and came upon the bundled up Okina. The poor man was fighting off a cold.

"Just starring at you makes me cold Misao-chan, put something over that kimono!" He complained as he walked passed, an empty pot of tea carried in one hand while the other clutched at a blanket thrown over his shoulders.

"I'm fine, besides, oldies feel the cold more then the youngies." She poked her tongue out at Okina and dashed off before he could inflict revenge on her. She stepped out onto the back porch to try and locate Aoshi. He wasn't avoiding her this she knew, but clearly something was on his mind. There had been several times where she'd gotten within inches of him, looking him over as he was lost in thought and when her hand would caress his arm or cup his shoulder she would literally jerk him from his revere.

Standing on the back steps Misao looked out into the snow-covered yard. To the left was the bathhouse, Misao not sure if she was game enough to look for Aoshi there, knowing he'd be soaking (nakedly) in the steaming ofuro. Instantly an image came to her but Misao quickly squashed it. In front of her, several cobbled stones away was the dojo, all closed up for winter, so it was likely he wasn't there either. This of course only left one place as Misao slipped on her geta and trudged through the soft snow to come upon her family's shrine.

Moving carefully up the sleek stairs Misao slid the shoji open wider and found Aoshi kneeled before her parents and her grandfather with incense burning around him. Her head tilted slightly as she took in his attire. He was formerly dressed in black hakama and a dark purple haori with his family crest stitched into it; the crest situated between his shoulder blades at the base of his neck.

"Aoshi…?" Misao whispered his name, not truly wishing to disturb him but wanting to know why he was here as well. It had taken her the past three weeks to drop the honorific from his name, he telling her to do so. It was a moment in their lives of them becoming equals again, of the two of them drawing closer romantically. Of course the 'sama' would slip out every now and then, but mainly when Misao got annoyed. It rarely happened since Aoshi seemed to comply with her wishes to accompany her into the markets or build snowballs to help her fight off the six children she frequently played with. Their families were good customers of the Aoi-ya and Misao did love children after all, so when they wanted to play she was all for stopping her studying of becoming a true lady and went back to being a child, even if only for an afternoon.

The image of when she had the six children gang up on Aoshi and dump all the snowballs onto him made her lips twitch as she gazed upon his kneeling form. She remembered his eyes had grown wide as six energetic children literally jumped on him, making him step back in surprise, but not noticing the slight trench that had been made as he tumbled into the snow. It warmed Misao's heart to see him so caught off guard. It was still very rare to see after all. The children caked him with snowballs and then ran away, all hiding behind her as Aoshi got to his feet and looked over at them, his smouldering gaze locking with her laughing blue orbs. What had been the most surprising and shocking moment of all and what lodged into Misao's heart forever was Aoshi doing the unexpected. Instead of brushing off the snow and heading inside to warm up, the six foot tall man darted towards her, top speed, in a blur of dark colours and literally dived into her shocked body. By this time the children had scattered, squealing with laughter as they watched the "grown ups" tumble into the snow. Aoshi had taken the brunt of the fall and the two rolled to a stop with Misao under Aoshi, her wide eyes catching a wicked grin forming upon his lips.

'Not what you expected, ne Misao?' It was voiced so huskily that she was literally lost for words. She was under the man she loved, pressed into the cold snow as it seeped into her clothing and yet she didn't care. Her gloved hands were resting against his shoulder blades while Aoshi had one wrapped around her waist and the other at the back of her head. This moment in time, their time together couldn't have been more perfect as it began to snow around them. She didn't know what happened to the children after that, too mesmerised with snowflakes falling against Aoshi's silky black hair and his pure green eyes not for one moment breaking from hers. Before she could even blink chilled lips fell upon hers as Aoshi kissed the life out of her. She'd felt like she floated to heaven and back because before she knew it she was being helped up from the snow. Aoshi always did make her loose control of her senses and her surroundings.

She was brought out of her past thoughts when she felt the warmth of Aoshi's larger body close to hers. He was standing in front of her, looking oh so handsome in traditional attire. It appeared whatever he'd been doing was now complete. The incense still burned, giving off a nice musky scent and he led her out of the shrine, closing it shut and then headed down the stairs. Misao however did not join him and stood silently looking at his strong wide shoulders. He had an umbrella over his head, warding off the flurries of snow falling from the clouds above.

"Is everything okay Aoshi? Why are you here?" Misao couldn't help but question from her position on the steps and watched the man turn around to look back up at her.

"I have not paid my respects to your family in a long time. I also went to ask for their permission."

"Permission?" Two pairs of eyes turned to look at Okina as he stood on the back porch looking at the both of them. He was still wrapped in his blanket and a steaming cup of tea was clasped between his chilled fingers.

"Aa, to see whether I had their approval to ask for Misao's hand in marriage." Blue orbs went insanely wide at the way Aoshi so blatantly voiced it. By now the other Oniwabanshuu had come to stand beside Okina.

"A-Aoshi…" Misao mumbled, tears welling in her eyes when he faced her once more, his future path seemed so clear as he gazed upon Misao, her blue-black hair blowing in the cold wintry breeze. He didn't very much like her wearing no haori in such cool weather as the snow drifted about, probably dampening her clothing. However, with that thought aside in front of all those that resided here, in front of her family, his family, their family, Aoshi locked gazes with Misao and effortlessly voiced his true desire.

"Will you do me the greatest honour of becoming my wife Misao?" She was down the stairs and in his arms before he could blink twice. The umbrella had been knocked from his gloved hand and Misao thrust her arms over his shoulders, her feet dangling from the ground as she nodded her head and sobbed into his left ear. There were cheers coming from the porch and Aoshi was certain her heard a mumbled 'about time too' but let it pass as he hugged Misao to his warmer and larger body.

"This isn't just because you want to protect me right?" Aoshi tightened his embrace at Misao's joking question and murmured his reply.

"You know its not." The two were pried from their moment together as Okon and Omasu stole Misao away, instantly directing her into the bathhouse so she wouldn't catch a chill and to discuss many things that Aoshi couldn't even begin to imagine. He however was led back into the Aoi-ya and watched as Okina, Shiro and Kuro broke out the sake. Aoshi would allow them to drink, but he never did take up some of their offerings, as he would only partake in the drinking of sake when he and Misao would share a cup together at their ceremony.

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Aoshi and Misao hadn't caught sight of each other until the evening, when everyone gathered for dinner. The Aoi-ya would reopen tomorrow and Okina was ready to welcome all customers and gladly inform them of the up coming wedding which would occur soon.

"Ji-Jiya not everyone has to know…a-and its not like the wedding is occurring in the next week or so." Misao tried to sheepishly confess. She was sitting across from Aoshi, not brave enough to stare up into the very eyes that were quietly observing her. She wondered what those eyes took in, what they were thinking as they gazed upon her, what they saw in her, but her mission at the moment was Okina and the way he happily drank more sake and shouted to the small occupants of the Aoi-ya how all of Kyoto would know about this wedding. "YOU'RE NOT LISTENING AT ALL!" Misao shouted and ran out of the private eating quarters. It was of course up to Aoshi to go after her. Okina had waved him to go bring back his future wife. He decided to let the comment pass and quietly placed down his chopsticks and left the celebration to the others.

Aoshi listened to Misao's pounding footsteps as they headed upstairs and to where she felt safe when she was angered, he remembering this from when she were a small child. Making his way up after her, Aoshi found her within his quarters, standing by the opened window, hands tucked into the sleeves of her soft red kimono. Walking inside, Aoshi stood behind her, hands pressed softly against her shoulders.

"He just makes me so mad sometimes."

"Okina's just excited."

"I know that, but can't he hear what I want, what we want?" She faced Aoshi now, looking up at his slightly tilted head. She watched him lean down, their foreheads touching.

"And what do we want?"

"We don't want something big or lavish." Misao grinned up at Aoshi, standing on her tiptoes so their lips were even as she lightly brushed them against his. "We have been waiting a long time for both of us to get our acts together. Now that its finally happened I want to be selfish and only enjoy the moment with those that are closest to us. I'd like to think we could have it in spring, so we can be amongst the garden in full bloom again, this a symbol of our new lives together." Misao listened to a soft short-lived chuckle from Aoshi's throat as he bent to pick her up, twirling her around in a full circle.

"Aa, I wished for it to be in spring as well." He observed a bright smile flash over her kissable, intoxicating lips as they had been thinking the exact same thought. "I'll speak with Okina about it." Aoshi placed Misao back on her feet and led her towards his shoji, intending to take her back downstairs. "Is there anything else you would like?" He questioned her softly. Misao loved how he would always make sure she was happy with everything and anything, especially when they'd be spending their lives together. She loved it even more that as he stared openly down at her, his hand had unconsciously linked with one of hers, she noticing the way he'd grown fond of being able to touch or kiss her when they were alone. Just starring silently up at him, Misao knew in that instant she only wanted one specific thing…just him…all to herself.

"Let me stay tonight, in your quarters…with you." If he was surprised, Aoshi never did show it and when he didn't say anything, Misao began to fidget. "I know it's not right and I know it isn't proper but I just…I just want to be with you!" She never needed to go any further in her explanations as Aoshi bent down, drawing her lips into a searing kiss as his hand slid the shoji closed.

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The next day came with the sun gleaming into Aoshi's private quarters. One hazy green eye cracked open to look upon the melting snow that was covering the tree outside his window. His eyes then trailed down to the warm, soft "lump" slumped happily over his bare chest. A sigh broke from her lips and Aoshi lifted a hand to trace lightly over her forehead, brushing soft bangs from her closed fluttering eyes. They opened to blink sleepily up at him and a serene smile formed across her mouth.

"Ohayoo…" Misao whispered softly. Aoshi felt her body twitch as he observed her stretch within his futon, her skin rubbing erotically against his own before she slumped her naked chest across his broad chest once more.

"Ohayoo…" Aoshi murmured back, his eyes narrowing slightly as he didn't like the idea of Misao sitting up, her warm skin away from his. He had liked the idea that they could possibly stay in bed longer, but as Misao's eyes were trained to the rare blue sky in winter, he knew she would want to head into the markets before it snowed. What Aoshi did like however was the fact that Misao was sitting before him, not a single ounce of embarrassment at the fact she was naked before his eyes, nor did she hide the fact that her gaze ended up trailing down his lean physique to blatantly stop against his groin. "Misao, must you keep starring?" Aoshi questioned the far too quiet young woman before him.

"Ah, gomen, its just…fascinating." She mumbled out, a pink hue gracing her cheeks.

"Fascinating?" He repeated and fisted his hands that were currently lying limp at his sides when fluttering fingers decided to caress in intrigue.

"Well yes, I mean, I never saw it last night and now realise that that was inside of me." He sat up and lifted Misao's hand away. He knew she would be sore and her wandering fingers were not helping to calm him down any.

"Well…" Aoshi wasn't quite sure how to comment, but did the best he could. "Its alright if you wish to ask questions Misao, so don't be embarrassed. Just know that last night was perfectly natural for a man and a woman to partake in such a way when they desire each other so passionately."

"You passionately desire me?" Misao feebly asked, heart thumping heavily within her chest.

"In more ways then one." The words were muttered aloud before Aoshi could stop them and his eyes grew wide behind messy black bangs. Misao's blue orbs were wide as well, her lips had parted into an o shape and her cheeks flushed brighter. "Ah, we should dress and then take a stroll into the markets to buy supplies for the restaurant." He removed himself from his futon and headed to his cupboard, slight mortification at the words that had slipped out. He'd always been so in control but with Misao finally his and she looking oh so pretty sitting naked at his side, the words had literally popped out. His jaw set when giggles came from his futon and he dared not look back as he was certain Misao was rolling around in fits.

"I love you so much Anata." Aoshi stopped his hand from picking a pair of his purple pants as he jerked around to look over and down at Misao. She was still kneeling in his futon, one hand strategically placed between her legs while the other was wiping what he guessed were laughter tears from her eyes. Her blue orbs opened to sparkle over at him and the shy endearing smile he'd seen a couple times before graced her lips once more. He'd instantly walked back over, only a haori within his left hand as his right cupped Misao's chin, tilting her head back as he bent down, lips fusing over hers. The kiss was gentle and sugary sweet, allowing a glimpse of the passion he felt for her to linger there.

"Place this on and head to the bathhouse to cleanse yourself. I'm sure you are sore."

"My legs feel like jelly." Misao mumbled as Aoshi helped her to her feet. She marvelled at the way he took care of her, the way he placed her into one of his hanten and then preceded to use one of the many ties he had for his training outfits and secured the larger robe (on her petite form) over her naked flesh. Aoshi moved away and pulled out a fundoshi from a chest of drawers.

"C-Can I keep this?" He turned green eyes towards Misao as she pressed the long sleeves of his hanten into her face, her eyes looking over the dark blue cloth at him.

"It is one of the few clothing I own that has my family's crest etched into it." As he continued to stare at Misao, he knew she would be biting her lip and nakedly, once again, walked back towards her, his hands cupping her shoulders. "If you wish to have it, I will give it to you as a gift, for you will soon be part of the Shinomori family."

"Shi-Shinomori…" Aoshi listened to her mumble. He bent his head; slight worry etching into his heart when her eyes welled with tears. He leaned down as she let off a soft hiccup, her hands still covering the lower half of her face from view. "I-I'm going to be…Shi-Shinomori Misao…" Aoshi was greeted with tears, hiccups and squeals as Misao jumped up, arms moving around his shoulders to hold him close once more.

"Mi-Misao…?" He still had a long way to go before understanding female emotions.

"Shinomori Misao… Shinomori Misao… Shi-no-mori Mi-sa-o… Doesn't it sound great?" She was laughing gaily into his ear an Aoshi let out the deep breath he'd been holding and secured his arms around her waist.

"Aa…it sounds real good."

"I hope you two aren't doing anything naughty in there?" Came the cheeky voice of Okina, breaking the moment. Aoshi let go of Misao and got dressed, all the while aware that she was watching the way his muscles moved as he glided his clothing over his body. When he was done he raked a hand through his hair before pulling the shoji across and found the all-knowing and grinning Okina. Leading the elder man away from his quarters, to allow Misao to go to her own room without being bombarded by questions, he began to inform Okina of their definite plans about the wedding.

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As the winter weeks passed by, the blossoming couple spent many evenings together in Aoshi's quarters. Misao had reasoned that she might as well get most of her belongings and transfer them into his quarters since he had the bigger room and she would soon be residing here and it would then become their quarters. She had pouted up at him voicing this and as she stood before him in her white robe and his hanten, it being resized to fit her petite frame, how could he refuse her anything?

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Okina still complained and whined about the wedding plans, all the way up until the first day of spring when the ceremony would be taking place. Aoshi had been dressed for hours and wore the outfit his late grandfather had given him. When the last of his living family had died, Aoshi had drifted away to seek out his fortune, or in this case his martial arts skills and had come upon the Aoi-ya and Makimachi-sama. Though he would always remember and respect his linage and where he came from, this place, right here and now was his one true home. He slipped on his grandfather's haori, noticing how well it fit. He was wearing black hakama that had been found within the same box that housed the haori and seemed it was to only be worn on special occasions. A special occasion couldn't get any grander then what was about to occur in Aoshi's eyes and so he brushed his black fingerless gloved hands over the old but soft and delicate material.

A knock against the frame of his shoji brought Aoshi to attention. His eyes flickered over to the short shadow against the screen and knew instantly who it was.

"You may enter Himura." He was greeted by the smiling face of Himura Kenshin, the very man that had helped save him long ago in Shishio Makoto's residence and allowed him to return back to the Aoi-ya. He owed a great debt to the short man before him and didn't know where to begin in paying it off.

"Just be happy and live, that is all I would ask of you Aoshi-san." It was also very uncanny in Aoshi's mind when it appeared the ex-hitokiri battousai knew what he was thinking about at times as well.

"Arigatou gozaimasu." It was about time that Aoshi thanked the man and formerly bowed to the now wide purple-eyed samurai, who for once did not have his sword at his side.

"Maa, Maa Aoshi-san, there is no need for such formalities. In fact it is time for the ceremony, that it is." He moved away from the opened shoji, right hand out gesturing Aoshi to exit his room. Instead the taller man headed for a small rectangular box which had been sitting on his desk and took it with him and made the redhead 'oro' lightly when he moved passed the stairs and stood in front of Misao's old quarters.

"A-Ano, Aoshi-san?" Kenshin mumbled as he watched the ninja tap against the frame. There were scrambling noises when Aoshi voiced his presence and a complaining Omasu cracked the shoji opened just slightly to peek outside.

"You cannot see her yet!" She complained and blinked owlishly at the delicate dark wooden box Aoshi was holding out for her to take.

"Please pass this onto Misao and inform her that the women who are to be the wives of the Shinomori men are to wear this item."

"But, what if it doesn't go with her kimono?" Okon yelled from within the quarters and Aoshi listened to Misao tell Omasu to take the item he brought and get back over here to help her tie the 'freaking' obi. His lips quirked at her words and he left it within Omasu's capable hands and headed downstairs with the ever-smiling Himura accompanying him.

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Aoshi kneeled on his shins, a plain white cloth covering a part of the lush green grass within Okina's garden. His eyes glanced around, flowers blooming in blues, purples, reds and yellows and his ears caught the joyous songs of birds. The day was perfect, the sun drifting pleasantly through soft fluffy clouds that didn't promise rain to ruin the afternoon. His back went straight as the small crowd of 20 guests stopped chatting. He instantly knew Misao; his Misao was currently walking towards his kneeled form. A flurry of white clothing caught the corner of his eye and he couldn't help but turn to look up at her glowing form as she kneeled onto the white cloth beside him. The wedding garb she wore, he had seen it before and it clicked into place as it belonged to her late mother. He had remembered helping her fold away the delicate outfit, one that made him awestruck at its beauty and listened to the woman he admired mumble that it would go to her daughter, for when she married the man she loved, she would only be dressed in this.

"You're facing the wrong way…anata." Misao whispered under her breath, for only Aoshi to hear as her sparkling sapphire eyes locked with his deep green ones. At the turning of her head, his eyes drifting from her glowing face to her neck, where he'd caught a glimpse of black chord and then nodded his head. He turned to face the elder monk from the temple he frequented when he first came back. He had been the one to tell him that sunlight had been most appropriate for a man such as he…and Aoshi finally understood his words.

When the ceremony began, Aoshi's hand had drifted over to rest over Misao's left one. He did not move it away for a single moment as his eyes looked past the monk and into the sky hoping those that he loved and respected were witnessing this event with them, while his ears took in all that was being voiced.

Their lives together and the small life growing within her (it not noticeable to anyone else yet) were beginning anew.

Changes in the spring could not be more pleasant to Aoshi then this very day and knew Misao would be thinking the exact same thing when he felt her hand turn over so she could link her fingers with his.

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(TBC)

Stage Eight – New Life

Authors Notes: Phew! I'm glad that's over and done with. There is only one chapter left, to round it all together. It will be a year later and a wrap up of Aoshi and Misao's relationship and new family member. If anyone thought it was shocking that she was pregnant, well they have been sleeping together since winter so… And besides, it brings forth my last chapter.