Author's Notes: I know that this will look familiar, since I just arranged it again. I slipped by giving too much of the release. So I'll be also releasing the fourth chapter as well. I'm so sorry for the errors and mistakes I made.

I woke up feeling a bit restless and uneasy. I hate my monthly periods, they always start bad. I always was worried when they would come, I become much more irritated and always at the verge of getting mad. Just like when my maid, was fixing my hair and tugged it I yelped in pain. I shouted and even called her for yanking my beautiful hair and how I would go see Aoshi now. Later, I apologized for my tantrums and regained my composure.

This instance made me worry about how I might act when Aoshi was around and how he would deal with me. This thought made color rise into my cheeks just when I was about to step out of the house and meet him by the bridge. As I was walking to the bridge, I recalled that time when I had my period and I was to meet Aoshi.

Flashback-

"Aoshi… would you like, AAAAAAAHHHH!" a maid who was serving miso soup, bumped into me and made a mess on my white kimono, leaving dull brown stains on it, "You! Didn't you see me?" I was about to pounce on her for ruining the kimono I took out especially for Aoshi, when Aoshi aware of what might possibly happen drew me close and bit my lip and took a deep breath. I almost feel him drawing me in, it was much more pleasurable than a kiss and caressing at the same time, it silenced me instantly and color flustered into my cheeks. I gained my composure, and apologized. The girl seemed rather terrified and forgave me easily.

We left the dinner and headed for the road, I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look up to him. We walked in total silence, unable to say anything to each other. "Megumi-chan… what was that all about?" in a dead tone which only meant he wasn't pleased. I couldn't look up at him but I had to say something in defense or else he might think I was the sort of woman who throws unreasonable tantrums. "I have my period Aoshi-san!" I blurted out that people stared at us, "I usually get mood swings when I have my period, and I tend to get easily irritated and very out of control… I didn't mean any of it but… It just happens" I did all I can to show I was not that sort of woman and even ended up about to cry when he just laughed at me. His laugh was so heartily that he had tears in his eyes for laughing so hard. I ended up crying and sobbing "What's so funny! Don't you know how awkward that was for me…" but he wouldn't stop laughing. I felt like disappearing and dissolving in the darkness when he tried to stop and say "I'm sorry it's just because I've never seen you like that before." "So now you think I'm… a woman who is unreasonable" It was painful to say these words but I had to let them out or I might really end up crying… "No, not at all Megumi-chan, until now I only saw you as a composed woman, so strict but now I know you're not like that" He might be probably thinking less of me. "No, not at all." as if he read my mind "It made me like you more." With this we locked in a tight embrace.

End of Flash Back-

I reached the bridge successfully without getting into fights, or starting a tantrum, my excitement to see Aoshi must have a certain effect and contributed in that feat. I saw him by the bridge and I planned to surprise him from behind. I crept behind him and was about to whisper into his ear, when he turned around and hugged me tightly. I was caught unaware by this and when I felt salty tears in my cheek, Aoshi was crying.

"I'm sorry I had to leave. They have called me to serve, and they requested me immediately." This was all he said as I finished reading the letter which he had all along in his hand. "But why now…? When are you leaving?" I couldn't look at him all; I avoided his look and even wouldn't allow him to embrace me. "This week"

I couldn't forgive him for this, why didn't he tell me earlier. Why didn't he warn me of this coming? Though I felt it coming when I saw father leave the house this morning, something was stirring in the other side of Japan, a war. A bunch of rebels going against the shogunate but somehow it was growing each passing day, and now even his father had been involved, now Aoshi. Rebels usually weren't much of a threat but when they became one that meant something bad. Blood was rushing in her head so fast. She could still remember that incident when the rebels, attacked and burned her home in Kyoto when she was a child losing her mother, what if she loss Aoshi. She wouldn't want to think what might happen. She can't allow anything like that. "Aoshi, no!" she turned to face him and pounded madly on his chest, "You mustn't go! I heard they were dangerous and would eliminate anyone who stands in their way…. What if? " "Mi-chan… is that all you will say to me." I had insulted him, Aoshi never wanted to be called weak. "Aoshi-san…" He walked away from me with a downcast look. I wanted to run after him and explain myself, say that I didn't mean he was weak… but people started to crowd the bridge and separate us and I lost sight of him.

I fell on my knees at the horror of what I have said, I have angered my Aoshi and he might not pass off coolly this time.

Aoshi was the sort who always wanted to protect those whom he loved, and Megumi was happy that way. She was happy that Aoshi-san looking out for her. But if there was one thing Aoshi-san hated is to find out he hasn't the ability to keep the people he love safe. He never wants to be weak for if he was he might lose the one he loves. Right now all, he can think off was going to that island and slaughter those rebels, and come back to Megumi-chan sand show her his might. It has been three days since that meeting in the bridge happened, yet he still can't forgive her. To be called weak, by the one he loves was just too much to bear. He had to take this off before it gets to him; he grabbed his sword and small luggage and headed for the port and get the first boat to the his destination.

As he rode his coach he wanted to clear his mind, but all he could do was think of Megumi and her opposition to his departure. He was hoping to see her there and ask him for his forgiveness, which he would gladly give her but he knew all too well what sort of woman she was. She wasn't the one who would give in to him easily, he learned this many times when they would argue and she would never want to be corrected. Women. The only thing he knows is that, he must set this aside and do his best in the battle field if he wants to prove something but he just can't do that at the moment.

Arriving at the port, he avoided the strong urge to search for her face, all he did was went up the plank and get the departure over with. This was for the best after all. He was about to reach the top when something clinged from behind. He turned around to find his beloved, crying. "Mi-chan…"

"Please, don't say anything. I am sorry. I was wrong when I said those words to you." Many of the sailors and passengers were getting angry at them. Their scene created difficulty for many passengers who were to board and the crew was getting delayed but all were silenced by one of Megumi-chan's outrage (her chibi form shoting evil glances and trying to get into a fight). "Much better… but I wanted to apologize; I didn't mean you were weak… I was just afraid of what might happen to you out there." All he could do was remain silent. "I've never been apart from you since we met and to be parted with you would be…unbearable" Women's concern, at this he smiled. "Mi-chan… I love you. I will be back soon, wait for me now." And then he whispered something to her ear that made her red and the boat passengers silent. After sometime she went down the plank a bit more cheerful. A sigh of relief from the captain and crew and the people continued to board at long last after the commotion she stirred.

"Mrs.Aoshi…" she smiled contently as the boat disappeared to the horizon.

Chapter 4 coming up...