Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for the soup! Thank you for reviewing and don't forget to do it again after you have (hopefully) enjoyed this chapter - de gozaru!

'Misao.' He said in a low gruff voice.

'Hai?'

'Soup.'

'Coming!'

Misao pushed Shiro away from the stove. 'Will you move over? Aoshi-sama needs soup!' She shrilly exclaimed and began ladling some soup in a bowl.
The tall ninja raised his eyebrows at his Okashira. 'He needs soup, Mis- er.. Okashira?'

'O, just call me Misao-chan!' Huffed the 20 year-old Okashira as she expertly balanced the tray with soup in one hand and grabbed some chopsticks with the other. 'Okina! Get me two, no - three dozens of napkins or handkerchiefs and er... two cloaks. Quickly.'

The old man looked at her with a surprised face. 'Misao-chan! Aren't you supposed to attend our customers? One of them might want to be your suitor!'

'Don't get started with me again, old man!' Snapped Misao viciously. 'Get me the things I told you to get me. Those damned suitors can wait. Aoshi-sama needs soup!'

Hello? What or who could be more important than Aoshi-sama...?

'On second thought,' said Okina dryly, 'I don't think there are any men who want to court you.'

She rolled her eyes.'Works for me!' After a glance at the steaming bowl of soup, she scowled at Okina. 'what are you still doing here, old man? Aoshi-sama's soup is getting cold!'

'Maa, maa...' Sighed Okina and returned with the handkerchiefs and cloaks.

'Arigatou!'

Armed with soup and, of course, lots of hot, steaming love, Misao hurried up the stairs.

'Aoshi-sama! I've brought your soup! And some other things!' She strode to him and offered him the soup.

'Thank you, Misao.' With a face like a slab of ice (well, except for the red nose), he accepted the warm meal and began eating.

After a moment of watching the handsome man with the swollen nose eat, she stood up and draped a cloak over his broad shoulders.

'You know, Aoshi-sama,' she began talking, with her usual cheerful features, 'I don't think I have ever seen you like this before.'

He raised his green eyes to her face.

'O, don't get me wrong, Aoshi-sama! I'm just saying, I've never seen you ill before. Usually I am the one getting the colds and stuff, and you had to take care of me... when I was young - I mean. Now I can look after myself, though.' She grinned. 'I've always seen you as a god. Handsome, strong and healthy.'

'I have never been a god.' He tore his eyes away from hers. 'And now I am less than a human.'

The young woman groaned. 'Kami-sama, don't get started again! I've told you a thousand times already. It was not your fault and we forgive you! You mean so much to us all -especially to me. I don't know what I would do... if you weren't around anymore, Aoshi-sama.' She softly said and bit on her lip.

After her confession, silence followed. Aoshi studied her petite figure and saddened face. Then he said: 'I'll be healthy tomorrow.'

Her angelic head snapped up, just in time to see the fleeting hint of a smile. 'That is impossible! It usually takes a week to cure from the cold.' She folded her arms and leaned forward. A few strands of hair hung before her eyes.

'I said I will be healthy tomorrow.'

'Aoshi-sama, you are so stubborn!' Argued Misao. 'How can you cure so quickly?'

'Misao.'

'Hai?'

'Excuse me.'

'For what?'

'I need to clear my nasal airways.'

She cocked her head in confusion. 'Your what?'

'I need to... blow my nose... in the way you prefer saying it.'

'Oh...' She nodded understandingly. 'Daijoubu.' She gazed at him expectantly. 'Well? Aren't you going to... clear your airways?'

He glared at her for the second time that day. 'Turn around.'

'Now why would I do that?' Again, he got her confused. 'Oh... You are ashamed of clearing your airways in front of me.' She turned around. 'You needn't to be ashamed, Aoshi-sama. Consider me your own.'

In every sense.

She heard him blow his nose and giggled again.

'You may turn around now.'

'Thank you, Aoshi-sama.'

'You don't have to call me Aoshi-sama all the time. I'm not a god.'

She gave him a questioning look. 'Yes, you are. To me.'

'Arguing with you is pointless, Misao. I will not participate.'

'See? Only a god would resist arguing with me.' She stated, flicking her long, black braid. 'It takes god-like power to-'

Okina's voice interrupted her. 'Misao-chan! Come down, now. There is a young man who wants to meet you!'

'Oh, no!' Moaned Misao and clutched her head. 'Not another one!'

Aoshi gazed at her for a moment. 'Get me some soup.'

She stared at him. 'I am about to meet another suitor and all you can think of is soup?'

'It is either soup or suitor. You choose.'

She beamed at him. 'Now I understand. I'll get you some soup. Thanks for saving me.'

When she bowed to him, he said: 'I consider you mine.'

Did he just call me his?

She gazed at him, her jaw dropped. He stared back at her, his eyes flickering with possessiveness. It was as if they were regarding her in a new light. A blush spread across her cheeks and her stomach squirmed happily.

'I will... I will get your soup... Aoshi-sama...' She stood up, feeling dizzy.

Misao walked past Okina and the suitor, completely ignoring them.

Did he just call me his? In every sense?

Probably one more chapter. Please review!