Hours passed as the party began to die down and I was leaning heavily against Aoshi’s side with my eyes closed and his arm wrapped protectively around me. I had enough strength to thank everyone and said my good-byes as they either went to party on longer or go back to where they were staying to get some much needed rest.

Aoshi and I were walking slowly back to the units and thanked the staff that helped us as they were packing everything up. Aoshi placed Izumi in my arms and lifted me up holding me against his chest.

"I can walk its alright." I spoke quietly against his neck and felt the rumbling of Aoshi’s chest as he spoke back.

"I’m supposed to carry you over the threshold remember? Just think of this as a rather long threshold." I laughed tiredly against him and mumbled that I loved him and fell into a light sleep hugging Izumi close making sure she wouldn’t fall off.

* * * *

I opened my eyes as I was placed on my feet so Aoshi could get out his keys and open the door. I was about to walk in but was tipped over by Aoshi as he picked me up once again and closed the door with his foot and turned around so I could lock it. He placed me on my feet and guided me to Izumi’s room. I gently took her shoes off as well as her hat and dress without even waking her up. I placed a singlet over her, tucked her into her bed and kissed her forehead. I placed her nightlight on low and turned the main light off and left her door ajar. I walked into the main room and found Aoshi waiting for me. He guided me into the bedroom and spoke softly into my ear while hugging me loosely.

"Tired Misao?’ I nodded my head and felt the dress fall from my body. I was stripped out of my bra, underwear and stockings and placed under the sheets and blanket. I snuggled my head into the pillow murmuring Aoshi’s name and fell into a blissful sleep.

* * * *

Married life was pretty great. Aoshi waited on me hand and foot during my pregnancy and I promised I’d pay him back. I always blushed when I would see that sexy smile on his face everytime I said that. He was true to his world when he would bathe me everyday no matter how many times I wanted a bath. I too was true to my word and would wake Aoshi to feel the babies kicking and we’d end up going into Izumi’s room who complained all the time but got over it quickly as she was rather fascinated in what was happening. I would sit for hours in silence with them, as Aoshi would cradle me to him placing one of his hands on my belly while Izumi sat in between my legs and placing her cheek against it. She would fall asleep like that always murmuring she wanted them to hurry up and come out. Aoshi too would end up falling asleep but I would always kiss him passionately to wake him up, as this wasn’t exactly the most comfortable position to sleep in.

* * * *

I was in my 36^th week of pregnancy and hating it. I ached all over and seemed to always complain. I must really be pissing Aoshi off these days. I was in the bathroom and hunched over slightly in pain. I wasn’t feeling good at all. Something was definitely wrong with me. My water hadn’t broken and yet I felt I was being stabbed in the stomach and there was a throbbing pain coming from my sex. It was as though it wanted to explode but couldn’t. I moaned in pain once more and reefed the door open to get Aoshi. My breathing was becoming shallow and sweat poured off every limb. My clothes stuck to me and I was only in a tank top and underwear. I stumbled into the main room knocking the vase off the table near the door at the bathroom and it smashed to the carpet.

"Misao?" My groggy eyes could make out Aoshi’s figure as he raced over to catch me from falling to the ground. I painfully clutched my lower stomach region and whimpered into his chest as he grabbed the phone off the wall to call an ambulance.

"Misao are you in labour?" He spoke concern etched throughout his voice. I shook my head negatively and screamed and then blacked out, as the pain was too much.

* * * *

"Misao? Misao please come back to me…" I moaned at hearing Aoshi's voice and opened my heavy eyes but found I was the only one in the room. I looked around finding myself hooked up to various monitors and began freaking out. What was wrong with me? What was wrong with my little miracles? I began pressing the buzzer frantically wanting answers and Dr Takani raced in along with Megumi. I watched as they both relaxed and Megumi walked out telling everyone the good news.

"How are you feeling Mrs Shinomori?" I narrowed my eyes as they glistened with tears and spoke fearfully at him.

"Just tell me what’s happening. What’s wrong with me…or them…" I spoke brokenly and he sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed my shoulders for me. I took a shuddering breath and opened my eyes looking up at him.

"There are complications Misao. Your babies are in trouble and we need to operate and get them out immediately. The little boy is loosing strength quickly but the little girl seems to be holding on remarkably well. I fear if we don’t operate soon, we may loose them both."

"Then do it!" I spoke quickly to him as my tears fell faster down my face about hearing this news.

"Misao I said there are complications. You are not so well yourself. I must warn you if we go through with this; you might not be so lucky. I suggest you make your decision with your husband Misao." My eyes widen in shock and he got up and left the room to get Aoshi. Seconds later he raced in grabbing my hand urgently and I moved over a bit more so he could sit on the bed as well. I placed his hand against my cheek and spoke telling him what has happened.

"If…If Dr Takani doesn’t operate soon we are going to loose them." I watched as his eyes glistened with tears but he stayed silent letting me continue.

"I-I want him to operate as soon as possible." I watched as Aoshi nodded his head as well. I couldn’t tell him about the other part…about me. I just couldn’t do it. I wanted our children so much and I knew that if we had to choose Aoshi would want me and not them. He wouldn't be able to go through something like this again and so I prayed to Kami-sama hoping he wouldn't find out. He walked out of the room and a few nurses came, making sure the machines came with me and wheeled me out of the room and down the corridor to the elevators. Aoshi was right by my side holding my hand lightly and Sano and Megumi, who was carrying Izumi, were following close behind. They pressed the button waiting for the elevator and Dr Takani walked around the corner.

"I see you are going ahead with the operation. I hope the both of you understand about the complications that may occur." I bit my lip cursing the good doctor for opening up his big mouth. I glanced my eyes over to see how Aoshi was.

"Complications?" He spoke confusedly to Dr Takani.

"You didn't tell him?" I shook my head closing my eyes for a brief moment and looked up to see Aoshi’s eyes full of hurt and unshed tears. I heard the elevator open and spoke softly to the doctor.

"Lets go." I was wheeled in and could see Aoshi standing there with his hand still out, as it hadn’t fallen to his side.

"What complications? Misao please! TELL ME? YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO MEEEEEEEEE!" The last part was yelled frantically to me as the doors where closing and he fell to his knees as Sano wouldn’t let him advance any further. I turned my head away not wanting to look and silent tears fell from my eyes.

* * * *

"Are you ready Misao?" I was lying on the operating table and nodded my head. I had been given a sedative to completely numb everything out and I stared up at the ceiling. Minutes went by and my breathing became shallow and my eyes began to droop and I could faintly hear Dr Takani speak alarmingly to the other nurses or to whoever else was in the room.

"I NEED SOME HELP OVER HERE! COME ON WE ARE GOING TO LOSE HER!"

****BEGIN DREAM LIKE SCENE****

I snapped my eyes open to see I was standing in white space that went on for infinity.

"Your not suppose to be here." I gasped and turned around seeing a young woman walking towards me. Gold light glowed around her and my eyes widened, as I knew that presence.

"Y-Yooko-san?" I stuttered out softly.

"Yes." She was beautiful but rather pale looking and sort of transparent.

"Where am I?" I spoke looking around but found nothing but the two of us.

"We are between the heavens and Earth Misao. You mustn’t be here. You must go back to him. You must go back to our Aoshi." My eyes widened when I finally realised what had happened.

"I-I’m dead aren’t I?" I watched her nod her head and she took my hand and we began walking.

"It doesn’t have to be this way Misao. You must go back. You must live and take care of them. You have the strength and will to go back. You have a choice Misao and you must make it soon. Aoshi needs you so he can survive. The love you generate to him is what keeps him going every day. If he looses that…if he looses you, I fear he'll die." I gasped at hearing this and we ended up in the hospital corridor.

"What’s happening?" Yooko did nothing but let go of my hand and pointed for me to watch. My eyes widened when I saw Aoshi pacing the floor waiting for the doctor. As if on queue Dr Takani came out of the operating room and began speaking profusely to Aoshi. The only words I could make out were ‘I’m sorry’. My eyes widened. I had died. I stepped forward walking closer to the small group. I watched as Sano hugged Megumi who was crying as he was. I turned my eyes towards Aoshi and watched the display of emotions that went through him. I watched the sparkle in his eyes fade and he placed his hand to his now lifeless heart. His breathing became rugged, as his chest heaved trying to breathe properly. I was dead and that was that. I observed helplessly as he clutched his upper body, hugging himself and stumbled a bit and watched as his knees buckled not being able to hold himself up any longer and he fell to the floor crying brokenly while leaning against the wall. His body shook as though he had been caught in some sort of blizzard for hours. My breath caught in my throat as Izumi placed her small hand on Aoshi’s cheek not understanding what happened to me. How was he going to explain this to her. Her mother was dead and she wasn’t ever coming back. My eyes widened when he pushed his own daughter away from him and stood up shakily on his legs. Sano had come over helping him get up but he pushed him away and yelled while running down the hall.

"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!" I watched his retreating form running frantically down the hall and took off after him. I watched as he raced down the stairs to get outside. I skidded to a halt and went to open the door but fell straight through it. Now it was truly apparent to myself I was dead and some sort of spirit. I shook those thoughts away and realised I needed to get down faster and went through the wall landing on the ground outside the hospital main entrance. It was pouring with rain just to add to Aoshi’s dismay. I heard the front doors open and saw his figure run outside and run further and further away. Nurses and other patients' turn to stare at him, some emitting sadness knowing something terrible had happened. I raced after him and came to a small clearing as he stood in the middle of it pulling his shirt off and yelling to the heavens.

"YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY! YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF ME! YOU SAID YOU LOVED ME! YOU PROMISED YOU’D NEVER LEAVE ME ALONE!" I watched with tears slipping down my own face as Aoshi fell to the ground, the rain pelting down harder against his bare skin. I walked forward kneeling right in front of him as his head was bowed as he cried brokenly to no one but I could hear him mumbling through everything.

"You promised…you promised me… Why? Why’d they take you away from me." I placed my hands against my beating heart as tears still fell from my eyes. My heart was beating! A small voice spoke frantically inside of me.

"Yooko I want to help him." I spoke to the heavens and got my answer.

"Let him feel your presence Misao. Let him know you are here." I gathered all my strength soon placed my hands on either side of Aoshi's face lifting it up. I heard him gasp and his eyes were wide but slightly red from crying.

"Aoshi can you hear me?" His lips parted and a small sob escaped his throat at hearing my voice again.

"Where are you? Why did you go?" He spoke softly to me.

"Even though you can’t see me I am right in front of you." I watched as he placed his hand out trying to feel me and I gathered more of my strength and placed my cheek to his wandering hand.

"M-Misao-mine?" Aoshi spoke tears mixing with the rain as they fell silently down his handsome face. I murmured his name as well and let go standing up. I watched as he too frantically got up turning around moving his arms about wanting me near him once more. He finally stopped and that’s when I entered his body to fill him all around me. I heard him gasp as he knew I was there and he spoke softly to me.

"Why did you leave me? I want you to come back. I’m nothing if you are gone. What’s the use of having three beautiful children that I can’t share with my wife? If you go…I’m coming too." I gasped knowing I couldn't let him leave Izumi, our daughter, to grow up alone. I spoke urgently as my time was running out.

"Go back Aoshi…I’ll be waiting for you…"

"MISAO! MISAO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? DON’T GO!" I was fading away going back into the light and being pulled back into my body. I faintly heard Megumi screaming at Aoshi.

"AOSHI QUICK, ITS MISAO!"

* * * *

I opened my eyes to see Dr Takani in the room looking over my results. He smiled happily at me and walked over.

"I thought we lost you there for a minute Misao." I nodded my head and sat up. I felt him take the covers away from me and place my feet over the side of the bed. I looked confusedly at him and he spoke softly to me.

"Your new son and daughter would like to meet you Misao. You have been out for nearly a whole week." I nodded my head and got off the bed. I grabbed the pole that was connected to me and began walking with Dr Takani's help. I came out of the room and found Sano and Megumi waiting for me. I received hugs from both and smiled tearfully at them. They pointed the way of where I was to go and I walked slowly towards it by myself. My body still ached but I kept walking. I got to the glass window and looked in to find it to be a small private room, the blinds drawn open and Aoshi standing next to the two cribs with his head bowed. I could see Izumi in the background asleep on a chair. I silently watched him for a moment and then tapped lightly on the window. His head jerked up and his footsteps faulted as he walked towards the glass window. It was as though he had seen this a thousand times and wanted to make sure it was real. He placed his hand on the glass and I did exactly the same placing it over his large one while looking into those blue-green eyes. I watched as he bit his lip trying to suppress his sob. I watched as he turned around running for the door and in a matter of seconds he was standing in front of me. I looked into those eyes watching as they began to sparkle with hope and happiness once more. He caressed his fingers across my cheek and I dived into his chest crying softly against him. He wrapped his arms tightly around me mixing his soft cries with mine. I was finally back with my family…

Aoshi lifted my chin upwards and kissed me passionately. I returned it until we ran out of breath and we hugged each other for dear life once more. I looked into the window and spoke softly against him.

"Have you named them." I felt him shake his head and I looked up as his eyes deepen in colour and he spoke while looking into the window at our newest members of our family.

"I couldn’t. I was waiting for you to come back to us. I knew you would come back…" I smiled up at him and we walked inside so I could finally see them. I stood in front of our son and daughter with Aoshi behind me and he wrapped his arms around my waist. I placed my left hand on the little boy’s forehead, his eyes opening a little but they closed as he fell back to sleep.

"What about Seki?" I spoke my head turning slightly to look up at Aoshi.

"Miracle?" Aoshi spoke into my ear and I nodded my head.

"It suits him…because Dr Takani said he put up a real good fight to come into this world." I spoke quietly while leaning back against Aoshi's chest.

"I like it." I brushed my right fingers over our baby girl, listening to her small gurgles and spoke softly once more.

"Hana?"

"Our little flower…" Aoshi spoke nodding his head liking that as well.

"I love you Aoshi." I spoke tearfully up at him. He tightened his hold around me and we sat on the floor making sure the pole was close and watched our little family sleep.

***************** 3 YEARS LATER ******************

"Seki, Hana, Shujinko, come on you gotta catch me!" A 7-year-old Izumi spoke happily running around with three smaller and younger children after her.

Megumi and I watched our children play happily and giggled a little. Meg sat up straight as Shujinko fell over in the lush grass. I placed my hand over hers to stop her and we watched as Hana had stopped running after Izumi and turned back to help Shujinko up. They raced off hand in hand giggling happily together.

"I bet when Hana gets a lot older she’ll want to court Shujinko." I spoke to Megumi happily.

"Do you think so?" Megumi spoke while rubbing her swollen belly as she was expecting again.

"If not I’m sure Sano will teach him how to court her anyway." I turned my head up smiling at Aoshi as he placed a soft kiss on my lips and sat behind me while placing his hands protectively over my swollen belly.

"You got that right. When she grows up she’ll be an exact copy of Misao and quite the looker and no one can resist the charm of a Sagara eh?"

"Oh is that right huh?" Megumi huffed at hearing what Sano said and I giggled a little placing my arms over Aoshi’s.

"Oh come on fox…you know I think of you more than just being cute…I mean with that temper of yours and all…" He spoke while laughing a bit and Megumi got up chasing after him. I watched happily as Megumi squealed a bit when Sano picked her up in his arms spinning her around and kissing her fully and passionately on the lips. Silence fell into the park with the occasional squeal or laughter from one of the children and I reflect back on what’s happened over the last few years.

* * * *

Our lives were great. Aoshi and Sano had opened up a training school and I promoted and did all the business/office work while looking after the small children as we had a small area outside and inside of where they could play safely. I changed my mind about becoming a teacher. Megumi was a well-known doctor around the city and I remember her telling me some men tried to court her not knowing she was married. It was quite funny when she told me that before she could decline their offers Sano came straight up to her not worrying about who saw them and kissed her passionately. Megumi had to get used to that happening everyday though. That’s just the way Sano was and he'd never change. She never heard from those other man again.

I sent photo’s of our happily family to my parents and a couple of years ago they actually came over to see us. I guess the ice was finally breaking away from them. It didn’t matter to me that my parents were not there for me but I wanted my children to know they had grandparents. I would call Aoshi’s dad every week telling him what’s happening and it still shocked me when Shiris wanted to talk to me as well. She still amazed me that whenever she spoke on the phone; it was fall of love and happiness wanting to know how we all were and how I was going with my pregnancy again. I too constantly talked to Aoshi’s brother and sister hearing about how well they were doing at university.

Tosh and Miriam extended the house he bought long ago to make room for the children they were going to have. Miriam had given birth to a baby girl and Tosh called her Rose. He said that he was going to name every girl while Miriam could name the boys. Miriam swore when the first boy came out that was enough for her. Of course Tosh would place on the puppy-dog look but Miriam stood her ground and never caved in. A couple of years ago Miriam was pregnant again and this time was expecting twins, yep you guessed it, both girls. Good old Tosh got to call the names again, Violet and Lily. Just months ago we found out that Miriam had fallen pregnant yet again, but this was actually an accident this time but Miriam decided she wanted to have another child and to the surprise of everyone she was expecting twins again! Luck was finally on her side as she was having boys. Tosh had sulked a little but couldn’t wait to see the little guys who’d be just like him, or so he hoped everyday.

Megumi and Sano got married after Shujinko was born and Sano named him because Megumi too was having a lot of trouble through the pregnancy and he was born premature. Megumi had lost a lot of blood but still survived with great courage and strength. It was rather touch and go for the little guy but he soon pulled through hence the name being hero. Sano was more then worried when Meg fell pregnant again and she told him she was expecting two baby girls. Sano withered at this and wept into his wife’s arms, in front of us and didn’t care either, because he couldn’t wait to see two little Meg’s running around and he got to see them grow up in front of his very eyes.

Kenshin and Kaoru had moved away to be together. I was so glad that Kenshin finally realised Kaoru was the only woman for him. Sure I ended up apologising about the scar I gave him and coaxed Aoshi to apologise as well, but he said it was a reminder to not do anything like that again. He was happy and content and madly in love with Kaoru. I received word that they were soon to be wed on a tropical island with close family and Kaoru gave birth to a little redheaded baby boy about a year ago.

As for Aoshi and I…well I still stutter and blush around him when we are alone and his eyes still change as well. I guess our love for each other just grows and grows with time. Aoshi will be a dad once more and hopefully the little boy inside me will grow up to look like Aoshi as the other three have turned out to be just like me. I observe as Aoshi scowls some days as he feels like the odd one out. I coax him out of it by saying he is the luckiest man on Earth to have 4 Misao’s. I hear his beautiful laughter everytime I say that to him and I am usually whisked away for a night of great passion. Hmmm-mental note: Should say that more often, I concluded inside my head. I was snapped out of thoughts when I heard Aoshi speak.

"Misao? Umm can this be our last child? I love going through the pregnancy process with you and to watch you grow as well but I don’t think I can handle it, if the same thing happened again." I turned around to see Aoshi’s intense eyes, which had matured and grown wiser looking deeply into mine. I pressed my lips to his silently agreeing with him.

"I will spend forever with you Aoshi. I won’t leave because I know that I am needed here. When we go, we go together so we shall never be parted even in death."

"Do you promise Misao?" I looked into those eyes and cupped his face kissing him softly once more and spoke lying against his chest and closing my eyes for a nice afternoon nap in the park.

"I never broke my promise before…and I ain’t starting now…"

His arms wrapped securely around me and he kissed my hair lightly while whispering his love for me. Yep, life just couldn’t get any better then this.

The End…

* * * *

TBC…

* * * *

Authors Notes: Thank you all very much for the wonderful reviews. In answer to your question, Misao's family and Aoshi's family are rich and so they would have received help from both of them. They had been given little "nest eggs" ever since they were children. Just in case you are wondering they have moved out of the apartment blokes, and into a bigger and rather nice family home with a lovely back yard and garden. Misao and Aoshi travel back to their hometown, with Izumi on the birth and death of her real mother as respect. There probably are grammar errors in here, but I am doing the best I can with trying to finish my other continuation fanfiction like 'Under the Cherry Tree', 'Hiker' and 'The Lonely Widow' one as well. They would have to be the major long A/U fics I'm trying to finish as well as one on my computer not up yet and another one still on paper and 'Doctor's and Oniwabanshuu Orders' (the last chapter of that). Please be kind and patient with me. While trying to write these I have work and trying to search for another job also.

Hey Mara-san if you are reading stay tuned for an additional epilogue, one you haven't even seen yet...set ten years later just to see how everything is going. Watch as Misao and Aoshi spy a little on Hana and Shujinko… soooooooooo kawaii! Ja Ne…gotta write it up now.