- Chapter 3: Author's Note: -

I am so sorry for the lack of updates; I've been battling writer's block for a while and have not felt the urge to write. Also, I have been battling inner demons that give me no energy to write. However, I am back now, and I don't know how long this chapter will be, but I plan to write a decent-sized one for you guys who've followed my book.

As I've said, I do not own any original characters or plotlines of this perfect series written by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Therefore, I am merely adding a different plotline to create a chance for Aoshi and Misao to get together sooner and Himura/Kaoru and Sanosuke/Megumi. I might even throw in some Yahiko/Tsubame and Saito/Tokio. :D

- End of Chapter 3 Author's Note: -

- Chapter 3: Interrum Chapter-

Misao's POV:

Grumbling to herself about the others butting in on her designs for Aoshi to help her bathe, she promises to lure him to the bathhouse next time!

She gets out of the bath quickly and is glad to be fully clean for the first time in a few days. The doctor she had seen had been nice enough to clean her hair and most of her body while avoiding her intimate spots. She hadn't felt truly clean until after Okon and Omasu helped her to bathe. Misao could barely stand after her bath, for it exhausted her already weakened body.

Misao told the girls she was fine and implored them to leave her alone in the bathroom after they dressed her. She felt smothered somewhat by all their attention and worried about what they were doing.

Also, she did not want to admit that she couldn't walk. Her leg and back felt like they were on fire, and the flames spread exhaustion from the parts where her skin had flayed open just last night. But she had some pride left and wanted to walk to her room alone once her strength returned.

Minutes felt like hours before she was able to get to her feet. Misao must have stood too quickly, for the world spun her into stumbling towards the door to catch herself. Misai righted herself by grasping the door casing in her left hand and the open shoji in her right.

Groaning as the world continued to spin, Misao stayed very still in the open doorway of the Aoiya bathhouse.

Suddenly, large hands grip Misao's shoulders and gently pull her into a hard but incredibly warm chest. Instinctively, she knew who held her was her Aoshi-sama. She knew this by the scents of rain, green tea, and incense emanating from him. Warmth filled her, and she was content to rest in his arms despite not wanting help to her room.

Misao knew she was too injured to do things independently; however, she still wanted to be self-sufficient. Yet, he was finally showing Misao that he loved her, so she couldn't help but submit to his loving, strong arms that were ready to support her for once.

Misao sighed happily at the warmth radiating from his arms, and she melted as he slowly pulled her up into his arms, bridal style, so as not to throw her into another spin-cycle. "Better?" His gentle voice deeply but softly washed over her.

She gave the briefest and slightest nod as if the world would spin once more if she moved too fast or spoke. Misao also took a page from his book of one-word answers and grunted quickly, "Hm."

He made sure none of his steps were jarring to her brain and equilibrium, and she couldn't help but lean in closer to his neck and take in his soothing and pure male scent.

God, his scent alone was enough to lull her to sleep! However, Misao fought the pull of sleep as she wanted to be productive and handle the paperwork that came with her position as the leader of the Oniwaban group of ninjas.

Another sigh of happiness escaped her, thinking of how quickly her Aoshi-sama changed since her injury. Before she had traveled to Tokyo for a quick visit to the Kenshin-gumi, he was silent and never around her. Aoshi may have been progressing slowly by giving her heated looks when he thought she wasn't looking; however, his eyes still had that shutter that would quickly close off his inner thoughts to her once he noticed her gaze locked on his. She now knew he was smothered by guilt then, so that is why he had never before made a move on her.

Misao surely knows she shouldn't be grateful for being injured as she was, but through her ordeal, Aoshi's caring nature and feelings came out.

So, Misao thanked heaven that her Aoshi-sama came back to her. I do not mean to imply that the two never had interactions; they undoubtedly had many exchanges!

However, he was never as bold with touching her as he had been since the attack. Before, Aoshi would look at her intently; now, she knew what those looks meant. He's wanted her for a while, and finally, they were together as a couple. After that kiss, we BETTER be together, Misao thought.

Now, she noticed he had brought her back to his room. Misao finally thought to ask him why. His reply was a command: "I'll move your things in later today once you've rested; this is your room now."

Misao's jaw dropped, and if she had been thinking clearer, she would have found her next question moronic: "But, where will you sleep? And, I like my…."

Misao stopped mid-sentence at a sudden thought of what he could mean, and she blurted out a question before he could reply, "Are you insinuating we'll be sharing a room? Are you planning on accepting responsibility for my reputation if word gets out?"

He looked at her as if unsure of her reaction to his declaration before clarifying, "What would you say if I wanted marriage?"

Aoshi may have seemed confident to anybody passing by who didn't know him as well as she; however, his eyes told her he was worried about her response. She melted into his arms after hearing his intentions for their future together, "I'd say it was about damn time Aoshi-anata… about damn time, and before you change your mind, we're marrying. We'll have the ceremony as soon as I can get Kenshin and the others here in Kyoto. Better yet, call the priest; we'll marry now, and the others can be here for the celebrations!"

Before she could call Okina, he kissed her while laughing softly. Misao's heart flooded with warmth at finally hearing her Aoshi-sama's laugh for the first time in twelve years. His laugh was a sign that he was in the final stages of healing, and Misao couldn't be happier. Oh, that's right, I'm getting married! Misao thought excitedly. Nothing could top the happiness from the promise of becoming Misao Shinomori!

When they parted from their kiss, Misao, who was still recovering from the headiness she received from his kisses, couldn't speak. So, instead, it was he who spoke up first while looking at Misao endearingly: "Patience, Misao-mine, the ceremony will be here before you know it, and you know you will feel better if you have your friends here for an occasion such as our marriage."

She rolled her eyes but relented, knowing Aoshi was right. Misao may not have wanted to wait to marry her lover; however, she waited this long. What was another couple of days to her who'd stayed waiting twelve years?

When she married the man of her dreams, Misao wanted Kaoru and the others there. So, instead of being tormented further by his kisses, which promised what would come once they married, Misao pushed Aoshi out of the room. Then, Misao commands him to go and tell Okina the joyous news before slamming the shoji shut in his humor-filled and slightly incredulous face.

Two Days Later:

The Aoiya is fairly bustling with the many well-wishers for Misao and Aoshi and the regular clientele. The employees are also busy handling the wedding preparations, seeing as Misao was too injured to take on any such heavy lifting and stressful tasks. Unfortunately, that is not how Misao felt.

If Misao had had her way, she would have been able to help; however, they did not let her, claiming once more that she was, indeed, too injured for any such things, including HER wedding. Insert an eye roll here from Misao.

The wedding was a week away, and Misao was hiding the fact that she was getting married in her letter to Kaoru. Misao wondered if the Kenshing-gumi would have still come if she had told the whole truth about what was happening.

Instead of writing that she was getting married, Misao reported needing assistance holding back the Yaro clan, who was hunting her down. She wrote that she had information that the Yaro planned to attack Kyoto before trying Tokyo. If they succeeded in defeating them and getting these bastards in prison, they might have protected Tokyo before the Yaro attack. Her letter was not far from the truth, as she needed help concerning the rogue band of ninjas terrorizing Japan. However, Misao also wanted to surprise others with her marriage. She also wanted to hide that she had miscalculated the weaponry needed for her trip from the dojo in Tokyo back to Kyoto. Himura would have felt guilt for not ensuring she returned safely by escorting her.

Himura had a habit of underestimating Misao, but this incident would only prove that her skills needed work. She was, after all, a woman. Growling to herself internally, she blamed herself for not packing enough weaponry for her trip and not taking it easier on her travel back home. Misao should have rested more and would have been better prepared mentally and physically for that fight. Surely, she wouldn't have gotten so injured if she had rested one more night. However, that was neither here nor there, and she could do nothing to change the past.

It was mid-morning before Misao felt a warrior-ki pressing against hers inquisitively, and she knew it had to be Kenshin.

Misao looked out her Okashira's office window hopefully. But her hopes and plan had not been in vain; the full Kenshin-gumi stood outside the Aoiya gates gazing at all the red decorations on the roofs and gates.

She sighed happily at seeing the shocked looks on their faces and that her plan had worked.

Misao, who couldn't move quickly due to her injuries, expected to meet them at reception. But, hilariously enough, her friends were nowhere in sight when she reached the receptionist's desk. She could only guess that they were still staring in shock at the obviousness of what would take place very soon.

Slowly once more and growling at her fragility right at that moment, Misao took one heavy step after another until she came upon another hilarious sight from where she stopped at the terrace of the Aoiya.

It was hysterical to Misao that her friends were still too stunned to do anything but stare at a particular decoration posted on the Aoiya gate's door, a sign declaring the upcoming nuptials of Makimachi Misao and Shinomori Aoshi.

A laugh bubbled from her lips at the sight of such hilarity, finally drawing their gazes to her, and she yelled, "You guys made it!"

Misao dreaded walking down those steps as her leg and back were still searing with pain at every step she took, but she was too excited at having her friends here with her on such happy terms that she did not care if she was in anymore pain.

Wincing as she took the first step off the veranda, Misao locked eyes with a concerned-looking Kenshin Himura, who immediately saw that she was struggling to walk. He moved like lightning and was at the bottom, grabbing her hand before she made it to the second step and helping her the rest of the way down the five-step elevated porch.

Once the sudden wave of dizziness passed, she quickly wrapped him into a gentler hug than she would have usually given him. Kenshin also made sure to be delicate in returning the embrace and said softly, "Congratulations to you on your upcoming marriage, Misao-dono. I wondered if you have yet to succeed in your mission to gain that smile from your beloved, but seeing what is to happen, I'd say you did it."

Misao smiled and whispered something that made Kenshin do his famous "Oro?"

She nodded and laughed, "It's true. I said I wanted to marry that day he had asked me because I wanted to marry before he changed his mind. So then, I said you guys would have to deal with the celebrations, and it happened right then and there, surprising the heck out of me!"

Misao and Kenshin shared a private laugh before she turned to Kaoru Kamiya, her best friend, who was only a few steps away.

Misao limped her way over to her friend, who immediately noticed Misao's condition. Misao gripped her in a gentle hug before she could say anything to draw more attention to her injuries. Misao was self-conscious of her condition because she felt weak but did not want to admit her fragility.

Misao blurted out, "Kaoru! I'm glad you came, are you surprised? I wanted to tell you about my happy news in person, so I only chose to tell you about the other things that happened on my way back from Tokyo, which we can discuss after the wedding. I want everything until after the wedding to be only about happy things, not dark and dangerous stuff. Hmm? Does that sound like a deal? Because I'm not giving you guys a choice, I will not say a thing until after the wedding. Although, I promise everyone, including me, is safe for the moment."

Kaoru nodded and finally spoke, "I'm so happy for you, Misao; you finally snagged the man of your dreams! How does it feel to be married first out of all us girls who thought you might wait for Aoshi forever?"

Misao laughs but keeps her voice low, even though knowing Kenshin can probably hear her words, "Oh, it feels great, but lately, I keep wondering when I will hear that Kenshin has proposed. Haha! I can't wait till I hear those words! At this point, I think even the brat might get married before he gets the balls to ask you out on a date!"

"Misao!" Kaoru whisper-hissed to the still giggling young woman. Misao had wanted Kenshin to hear her so she didn't feel bad at how loud she may have been. But she truly wanted him to catch the hint from her words. It was his turn now to let go of his past and accept the love coming his way abundantly from a certain tanuki.

Before Misao could warn someone not to touch her, someone swept her into a fierce hug akin to a bear's strength. Misao couldn't help but let a short scream escape through her lips at the searing pain where the ever-oblivious one, Sanosuke Sagara, pressed the wound in her back with incredible force.

In an instant, the rooster-headed man sets her down gently, and the next, a familiar arm roughly shoots out and pushes him back several feet before curling towards her and pulling her backward and into the strong chest of her soon-to-be husband.

She turns in his all-encasing arms and glances at him warmly while placing a calming hand on his bare and somewhat sweaty chest. Her right hand, resting upon his muscular pec, presses on his cheek until he turns his face to the side and down to where she looks up at him lovingly.

Finally, she put her hand back on his chest, where she unconsciously began to pet his upper chest while softly saying, "I'm fine, anata. You know he's oblivious sometimes. So let it go, honey."

Then, an incredulous voice spoke jokingly and mockingly, "Sometimes? Are you talking about our rooster or someone else's? Ohohohoho"

"Hey!" an incredulous voice replies somewhat angrily.

Suddenly, Sanosuke's ear was grabbed between two finely manicured fingernails and pinched, "Baka! She's so obviously injured! Did you see how every step down those stairs was painful for her? That's why Ken-san assisted her, like the true gentleman he is. If Misao weren't injured, she would have hugged us all to death within five seconds of our arrival at the gates. Speaking of injuries, move out of the way, you rooster-head." Megumi then pushed the six-foot-tall wall of muscle out of her way before coming to a few steps from where Misao stood in her lover's arms.

"It is lovely to see you are getting married to Aoshi-san, Misao, and I am truly happy for you both. However, as a doctor, I demand to see your injuries before any such wedding can occur. Judging from your state, you can barely walk, are pale and flushed, and have a fever. Worse enough, you probably haven't said anything about having a fever to anyone, have you?" Megumi's gaze was critical, and Misao winced at being called out in front of her fiance.

Misao sighed before speaking, "No, I have not said anything. But you are not the only woman medically trained; I am taking the proper medicines for fevers and pain. Don't look so distrustfully at me; I have learned medicine since childhood. For the ten years that Aoshi was gone, I had been training in healing ways and pharmaceuticals because the others would not teach me much more than self-defense. I had to contribute to the clan if I wanted to be seen with the respect my birthright demanded. I had to find my place in this clan as the main healer. That's why I couldn't contribute much to the fight against Shishio and his men two years ago."

Megumi nodded but stubbornly demanded to see Misao's injuries, to which Misao relented.

Aoshi, who had tensed in her arms at hearing she was feverish, finally relaxed with Misao promising to let Megumi see to her.

After being ignored for too long, in his opinion, Yahiko finally butted in before getting hit on the head for his next words, "How'd you get hurt, weasel? Did you finally pick on someone too big? Hahahaha…Oww!"

Kaoru pulls her fist back to a relaxed position at her side before saying, "I'm sure Misao's injuries are not from picking a fight but rather something more serious than such behavior. She has already told me she doesn't want to discuss what happened until after the wedding, so no asking!"

Kaoru turned to Misao with an apology practically written on her face and said, "Sorry, he's just mad that his girlfriend, Tsubame-chan, and her adoptive mother, Tae-san, couldn't make it. They both had thought it was some dangerous mission we were being recruited for and didn't want to get in the way."

"Hey!" Yahiko shouted at getting exposed for liking Tsubame, even though every single one of them, yes, including the rooster, would have been able to spot that a mile away.

After glaring at Yahiko for rudely interrupting her, Kaoru continued her speech, "Although funnily enough, they did think something was weird about you asking them to come along too when it was 'supposedly dangerous.' But, if you had only written them a separate letter swearing them to secrecy, none of us would be the wiser. Maybe Kenshin might have thought something weird, but I guarantee he did not see this coming! Hahaha!"

A throat clearing silenced Kaoru's laughter and everyone else in the courtyard of the Aoiya, "Thank you all for coming; Misao has been anxiously awaiting your arrival since she mailed the letter four days ago. First, however, we should go inside. Lately, Misao tires easily."

Misao snapped her eyes upwards to glare at the man who spoke as if she was disabled and couldn't stand outside on a cloudy day without collapsing. But soon after shooting him a death stare, she softened her look as soon as he turned his attention to her and gazed at her oh-so lovingly.

Misao sighed happily before taking the arm her Aoshi-sama held out for her to lean on. She was still somewhat tired from her wounds and being too excited since the proposal. She had stayed up late every night because she could not wait for her friends to arrive and tell them the happy news.

The entire group stood in shock at how intimate the infamously named "icicle," Aoshi Shinomori, was with Misao when he began leading her up the steps and into the inn.

Yahiko snorts while telling Sanosuke beside him, "So the icicle does have feelings… and for the weasel of all people! Hahaha!"

Yahiko only enjoyed a one-breath laugh before a kunai whizzed above his head at just the right height to create a canyon-like part in the center of his hair.

It was so fast that Kenshin couldn't tell who threw the kunai; it was Misao or Aoshi. But, of course, everyone knew that Yahiko would now need that haircut he had been pushing off forever, so they all began to laugh at his expense.

Yahiko's demands to know what was so funny renewed their laughter. Then, he felt a breeze on the top of his head and yelled in despair.

Kenshin smiled at the couple, laughing softly and realizing Aoshi had thrown that kunai. The Oniwaban's ex-leader had been held back before by his insurmountable rage at the deaths of his comrades. Now that Aoshi was in his right frame of mind, Kenshin could not tell who would win a battle between them should the two ever cross swords again.

Before he followed the others inside the inn, Kenshin thought, Aoshi-san indeed has a pure smile in his heart now that he's forgiven himself for the pain he's previously caused Misao-dono.

-End of Chapter 3:-

See, I told you I would post this chapter real soon! I am glad I got this much in tonight, and I hope to see you all soon with another couple of chapters. :D

Many Thanks,

-ItachiMusume1

- End of Chapter 3: Author's Note 2: -