Aoshi, who was carrying a sleeping Izumi, and Tosh had separated from Miriam and myself as we walked on ahead stopping on the bridge to look over into the water. A dim light hanging from the pole lit up the water and the bridge. It rippled as a few loose leaves from the nearby trees fell in.

"Miriam, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course Misao." Miriam had turned her gaze to me but I couldn’t look into her eyes and I spoke quietly while facing the water and leaning on the bridge.

"Was Yooko really beautiful?"

"I’m her sister Misao, of course I have to say yes." I heard her laugh a little and then she continued.

"Misao, Yooko and Aoshi, they have a lot of history together that only he can tell you about and only if he wants too. Please don't hold a grudge against him if he doesn't tell you anything either. He is a very private guy and I think it hurts to remember. They made a lovely couple and he was happy when they were together. I know she is looking down and she would be sad that she couldn’t be with Izumi and Aoshi. You see Misao, when Yooko died Aoshi became this walking doll. He showed nothing, he would never cry in front of anyone and for weeks he couldn’t bare to look at Izumi. Then one day something happened and he vowed to protect Izumi and give her a family, one full of love and happiness even if it was just with him. I know he still felt alone and unloved himself but he knew that Yooko was watching and looking over him so he had to go on. When I see him with you Misao I know he is truly happy, happier then he ever was with my sister. I was angered that he found love again and with someone who wasn't Yooko, but I remembered all the heartache he has been through and stopped those harsh thoughts. Misao, the way he talks, smiles and looks at you, it makes me forget all that other stuff and I thank the gods he finally has found his true love and soul mate." I felt a blush rise to my cheeks at hearing Miriam speak like this.

"I would never hold a grudge against him. I know one day he'd tell me a few things but sometimes I think he won't tell me because it might hurt me instead. It's all right though, because I know she will be happy for him. I want to spend the rest of my life with Aoshi and Izumi and to love and protect them for life. Do you think Izumi will grow up to be like Yooko? I was just wondering if it was selfish of me to hope and think she wouldn’t." I spoke in a quiet voice once more.

"Misao believe it or not but Izumi doesn’t look or act like Yooko at all. She is the spitting image of Aoshi all over. I have sat down and silently watched Izumi and Aoshi and she smiles just like him. Her hair is silky black just like his and those eyes will become so intense just like his when she gets older. Then I look at her from a different area as she is sitting with you and I notice her eyes light up in happiness as she truly believes and wants you as her mother. I cried silently to myself hoping Yooko approves and yet it has nothing to do with me. It is all up to Aoshi and Izumi to decide and they have. They want you more than anything else in this entire world. That’s when I finally realised you are his lifeline and have also become Izumi’s and I know you’ll love her as much as him because she is you."

"What?" I stared at Miriam with my eyes wide and my lips parted slightly trying to understand what she was saying.

"Have you ever watched her without her knowing Misao? Do it some day and you’ll know. The way she giggles, is just like yours. Some of the things she says are exactly the way you were when you were her age. Facial expressions, postures and the way she shows so much love through her eyes is you all over. She is truly yours and Aoshi’s daughter Misao, you have been blessed by kami himself." I quickly hug Miriam and silently thank her for what she has said. I whisper in her ear once more and then turn to leave.

"I’ll take care of them Miriam. I promised Yooko I would and now I promise you as well."

I left to walk down the bridge to find Aoshi and saw Tosh walking closer to me looking a little nervous while caring a flower in his hand, a red rose to be exact. I quickly hugged him hoping this would give him more confidence as he walked closer to Miriam.

I found Aoshi standing near a bench and jumped on it so I could be his height, well maybe a little taller. I placed my hands on his cheeks, when he turned to face me and kissed him softly as not to place any of my body close to his as Izumi was sleeping peacefully in his arms. I turned him around so his back was to me and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and neck lightly, placed my chin on top of his head and leaned lightly into his back watching the show.

The bridge wasn’t close so we couldn’t hear anything that would be said between Miriam and Tosh but we could clearly see the two figures that stood on there as the light shone down on them.

I watched as Tosh raised the flower to his lips kissing it and then tuck it into Miriam’s hair. He seemed to be talking quite a lot as his hands moved around making gestures of some kind. Aoshi and I watched as Miriam placed her hands over her cheeks as if to hide her blush from Tosh. I held my breath and watched as he bravely placed his hands over hers and lowered his head to caress his lips against hers. Contact happened and Miriam threw her arms around his neck since Tosh had removed his hands from her face to wrap his arms possessively around her waist.

"WOOHOO!" I yelled out at the top of my lungs letting out my breath, while thrusting a fist into the air and not worrying about waking up Izumi. I’d apologise later and tell her all about it if she actually woke up.

"SHUT UP MISAO!" I heard Tosh yell back at me and then he kissed Miriam once more with full passion while picking her up bringing her closer and to his height.

"Misao stop! You could have woken Izumi up." Aoshi turned around to look up at me. My eyes frowned and I bowed my head apologetically as I told him why it was important.

"I’m sorry Aoshi. It’s just that he’s wanted her since, I don’t know, it seems like forever and he’s finally got her. I’m just so happy for them. They’ve been through some rough stages in their friendship. Him going away for a whole year and although she wouldn’t admit it to him she cried the whole time. I remember she used to come home and cry in my arms and she'd spend the night in his old room or spend nights at his house. Sure she received letters but it wasn’t the same as hearing his voice or having him by her side. It’s the same with him though. She left for awhile too and he’d stay at her parents old home hoping everyday she would come back. He had a girlfriend who treated him pretty bad and Miriam’s boyfriends were not nice to her at all. I remember Tosh bashing the hell out of some of them for hitting her. That’s how deeply they love each other. They always made promises to help each other when times got tough and now they can finally be together and truly happy." I watched him nod in understanding and I got of the bench and began walking away, tugging on Aoshi's arm to follow and left them to their moment.

"Misao, can I ask where you ran off to today and what you two were talking about over there?" he asked me.

"I’ll tell you back at the house. Come on they’ll come home later." I spoke while walking back to Tosh’s place. I knew he hid a spare key in the backyard in one of the pots, how original I silently thought.

* * * *

There was one spare room in Tosh’s place and so we layed down a small mattress for Izumi to sleep on. I was leaning on my right side facing Aoshi who was leaning on his left side facing me. His fingers brushed over my cheek and I closed my eyes telling him what had happened earlier on today.

"When I ran out to be by myself I ran to the cemetery and found Yooko's grave and sat down crying brokenly to myself." His fingers had stopped caressing my cheek and I opened my eyes to see his frowning at me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and spoke again.

"She was the constant reminder that Izumi could never be mine and I just went there to plead with her to let me."

"Let you what Misao?" Aoshi asked me in his deep voice.

"Let me love you and Izumi and to let me take care of the both of you." I spoke back in a quiet tone.

"She was there too, I felt her presence. It went straight through my body making me listen to her wishes. I promised I’d make you and Izumi happy. I promised her I’d love the both of you with all my heart and could and then she gave me her blessing. She is letting me be with you and I’ll thank her everyday for giving me you and Izumi. She smells just like lavender…" I was hugging Aoshi during my speech telling him my encounter with Yooko and I was falling into a nice slumber finally happy and content mumbling his name in the process.

* * * *

"Misao? What are you doing?" I heard Aoshi’s tired voice speak to me. I turned my head to look over my shoulder to see him getting out of the bed and walking over towards me with the blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Aoshi would hold me close when we slept and if I weren't there he'd wake up in an instant. He kneeled down looking at me waiting for an answer.

"I was just thinking about what Miriam said in the park earlier. She said that if I looked close enough at Izumi I’ll realise that she is yours and mine...and not yours and Yooko's." I spoke while looking over at him. He brushed his fingers over Izumi’s forehead not saying anything. I hugged myself and spoke quietly to him.

"I’m sorry Aoshi. It is wrong of me to hope and think that what she said could be true." I was engulfed in his embrace as he hugged me tightly to him and shook his head negatively. I turned my head to look over at Izumi and spoke quietly to him once more.

"It’s strange when I sit here and watch her sleeping peacefully I think about all my encounters with her up until now. She has your silky black hair; smiles just like you and when she grows up her eyes will be just as intense as yours are. Miriam was right she is you, but then when I sit here I notice some of me in her. She always favours her right side if she wishes to curl up on her side to sleep, just like me. Miriam said when she giggles it sounds exactly like mine and the way she seems to display facial expressions or postures and sometimes the way she speaks is also like me even now and when I was her age. Miriam said that I am blessed to have you and Izumi and I know she is right."

"It’s true though." I move away from him to gaze surprisingly up at him and he spoke quietly once more.

"When Izumi gets tired she begins to mumble and then she’ll fall into a blissful sleep, just like you. When you speak to her everything you say races through her entire being as she loves you so much. Her face lights up in excitement when she first sees you in the morning and she still seems ecstatic even though she is going to sleep. I know she is thinking of you even in her dreams. Even to this day and many more years to come Izumi will always talk about you to everyone. When you left the day you saved Izumi from being hurt she couldn’t stop talking about you, even to my Aunt and Uncle. When we arrived at the airport she kept wondering where you were and what you were doing. When you left us sitting at the green table when Kaoru came and got you Izumi would constantly remind me of how pretty you were and how beautiful your eyes were. She was right about everything she said about you. You are beautiful and you have gorgeous eyes that sparkle at m with so much love that I am very thankful for. I know she wants you to be her mother, you and only you."

Tears slipped down my cheeks as I sobbed into his chest. Aoshi rubbed my back soothingly trying to calm me down. I was just so happy that she thought of me as her mother. I placed my hands on Aoshi’s shoulders and spoke quietly to him while never taking my eyes off of his.

"Will you let me be her mother Aoshi? I asked Yooko and now I ask you. Will you let me love her like my own?" I watched as Aoshi smiled at me and brought his lips closer to mine and spoke once more before kissing me softly.

"I will Misao. Izumi is yours and mine forever." He picked me up and took me back to the bed so we could sleep. I curled on my side facing him and wrapped one of my arms securely around his waist. I sighed contently and then began to mumble and fell asleep with a small smile tugging my lips.

* * * *

I rolled over and snapped my eyes open when I didn’t come in contact with another body. I looked to see I was the only one in the room and my heartbeat grew faster but then calmed down immediately when I heard some loud giggling coming from outside. I got up and walked to the massive window, sitting in the large chair that was facing it, looking out into the yard. I see Miriam and Aoshi sitting on the grass in the warm sun talking, probably about old times, while Izumi was energetically skipping and following Tosh around as he was planting more plants in his back yard. He would stop at many different flowers pointing out what they were and she’d nod her head in understanding.

I wrapped my arms around my up drawn legs and placed my chin against my knees looking down at the people I cared most about and considered all of them my family. Unshed tears glistened in my eyes as I smiled happily down at them. I watched curiously as Aoshi moved closer to whisper in Miriam’s ear and noticed she blushed bright red. Aoshi got up and strode over to Izumi and Tosh and Miriam stood up obviously embarrassed at whatever Aoshi said and walked hastily after him yelling something along the lines of ‘don’t you dare’. I watched as Aoshi stood in front of Tosh and Miriam was getting closer but he moved out of the way and she ended up in Tosh’s embrace. He had wrapped his arms around her and bent his head down to kiss her lips lovingly. I watched as Aoshi stood back on the lawn looking up at me thrusting his hands in the air as if in praise. I smiled down at him and waved good morning and closed the curtains so I could change into some clothes. I turned on the dull lamp and placed on my bra and clean underwear.

I jumped when I heard the door being closed behind me and I found Aoshi silently looking at me with his eyes hidden by his long bangs. He walked swiftly over to me and smiled down at me while speaking.

"Good morning koibito. Did you sleep well?" I smiled silently up at him and untucked his dark grey shirt and he bent down so I could easily lift it over his head. I dropped it on the ground and began kissing his chest. I would never tire of him as long as I lived. His chest tasted slightly of salt, as it was obviously quite warm outside, but I continued anyway. Aoshi was everything I wanted in a best friend, soul mate, companion and lover. I trailed kisses lower and lower and then back up so I could kiss him fully and deeply on the mouth. His breathing had quickened at what I was doing but he groaned in annoyance as I stopped when we heard a slight knock on the door.

"What is it?" I smiled up at Aoshi as he was now the irritated one and I placed my hand over his manhood and rubbed it slowly to see how he liked the feel of this. I watched as his eyes widened and he bit his lip as not to groan.

"We organised to go out and you said you’d come." Miriam spoke.

"Ah sure…we’ll be down in a minute." Aoshi had stated while looking down at me, his eyes full of passion.

I grabbed him firmly once more and created a slow rhythm against him. His hot breath cascaded into my hair as he was holding me close. I stopped and lifted my hand to his waistband.

"Don’t you da-" But I had already grabbed him again without clothing between us. I heard him grunt and he frantically ripped my bra off my body to squeeze my breasts sensually. I too began to moan against him wanting more then anything for him to be inside me, but this was all for him.

"Stop this right now Misao!" Aoshi’s overpowering voice made me freeze in my thoughts and actions and I quickly took my hand away fearing he was angry with me. I saw the lust in his eyes as his body shook immensely. I figured he was close to the edge and I did nothing but watch as he placed my back against the bed, leaving my lower body hanging off and I heard the faint ripping sound of my pants. I watched as he kneeled between my legs and thrust inside me once and then completely exploded, as he was closer then I thought. I arched my back feeling his hot fluid inside me but was unable to join him as my body was only now starting to feel aroused. I opened my eyes searching his frantically while talking to him as he was pulling out.

"No please don’t! Let me…let me…" I was unable to finish as I felt the heat rise in my cheeks as Aoshi slid back in slowly. I wanted to wrap my legs around him but he just spread them wider making sure he could get in further and further. Minutes went by as I whimpered and groaned rocking myself against him faster and faster. I felt him raise my lower body with his hands up even more and I quickly grabbed the pillow biting down on it to muffle my screams as he came in deeper and I burst all over him while my body jerked around. I stopped and threw the pillow away heaving rapidly at being blown over like that yet again. Aoshi lay his upper body against my stomach region and rested his head in between my breasts while he was still inside me and I wrapped my arms loosely around his shoulders.

"Hey?" I spoke wanting to get his attention. He lifted his head to look at me and I motioned for him to come closer. He complied by moving up while still connected within me as I gasped at this feeling and wrapped my legs around his waist to keep him inside me and softly kissed him to try and ease us both back to normal. We stopped and cleaned up and dressed in silence walking downstairs.

"You and your "minutes"." Tosh spoke to us.

"Oh shut up!" I fumed at him and walked out the door holding Izumi’s hand in mine.

* * * *

"Tosh what are we doing here?" I asked him angrily as we were standing in front of my parent’s house.

"Look Misao, they are home okay, just go talk to them, even if it is for 2 minutes. Please? For me?" I watched as he gave me one of his puppy-dog looks and I groaned and walked closer to the gate.

"We’ll meet you guys in the park at about 1pm." I watched as Miriam and Tosh walked off hand in hand down the street. I began stretching and thinking about what I was going to say. Would they even acknowledge I was in the room?

"Misao? You look like you preparing for a marathon with all the stretching." Aoshi had stated while picking Izumi up and placing her on his hip.

"Believe me Aoshi, this is much worse."

I opened the gate, heading silently towards the front door and walked into the main room to see my parents busily working at their desks.

"I’m here!" I spoke enthusiastically to them. I narrowed my eyes, as I received no reply; not even a glance from either of them.

"I’m a burglar here to steal all your prized possessions." I spoke again, still nothing.

"I’m an inspector who’s come to tell you that your daughter has died in a horrific car accident." My eyes began to water, as they didn’t even respond to that either. I looked at the stupid family photo on the wall and took it off throwing it across the room watching it smash on the floor across the room.

"Stop acting so childish Misao! We heard you when you came in. I can’t believe you ruined the family photo." My mother spoke picking it up.

"We’ve never been a family to begin with so what’s the point in having a stupid picture hanging on the wall!" I spoke angrily at them. I felt Aoshi’s hand rest on my shoulder and I looked to see him walking away for a minute and whisper to Izumi. She went up the stairs and disappeared.

"And who is this Misao?" My father was eyeing Aoshi probably rating him against all his colleagues’ sons. He wanted me to be with someone that he would approve of and who was a rich and spoilt asshole.

"This is Aoshi dad." I said while taking his hand into mine.

"And the little girl?" My mother asked.

"That is my daughter Izumi, Mrs Makimachi." Aoshi spoke.

"I don’t approve of this." My father abruptly cut in. My top blew and I began yelling at them.

"So you don’t approve that I am finally happy! That I have fallen in love! That I have found the one person whom completely makes me feel whole and special inside. Whom I want to share the rest of my life with! Well guess what it is not your decision it is mine and mine alone!"

"You have brain washed her! You have forced her into everything! You have polluted her mind with your evi-"

"Oh for crying out loud dad! If you’re thinking about sex, I lost my virginity when I was 17!" I felt a hard slap across my face and I gasped placing my hand over my cheek. I heard my mother squeal softly as Aoshi had stepped up to my father pressing his ever-present kodachi blade into my father’s skin but making sure not to cut him.

"You try that again and you’ll answer to me. I don’t care whether you are her father or not Mr Makimachi. You shall never touch her like that ever again! GOT IT!" Aoshi was completely outraged with what happened. I stepped forward placing my hand over his on the kodachi handle and pressed my other hand on his cheek. He loosened up and placed it back into its hiding place.

"Izumi were going!" I yelled out wanting her to come back downstairs.

"COMING MUMMY!" She yelled. My parents gasped as Izumi called me her mother. She bounded down the stairs and raced towards me. I picked her up and began walking to the door with Aoshi following close behind.

"Misao, this is most strange of you." My mother spoke softly. I turned around and shook my head and spoke once more and then left the house never looking back.

"Mother for 20 years you have not been around me, just different caretakers and Tosh, so you wouldn’t have a clue about me. I’m sorry if you feel the way you do about Aoshi and Izumi and that I am with them but that’s just too bad. I have made my decision and I promised to love them and be with them forever. If that means that I am unable to see you then so be it. I have already lived 20 years without you so it won’t make a difference if I never see you again. What you need to think about is how ridiculous you two are behaving. You lost your son years ago because of something petty like this and now I have finally made my stand so now you loose your daughter as well. Goodbye."

* * * *

We had been walking for about half an hour as we were heading for the park and I heard Aoshi’s deep voice next to me.

"Misao are you alright?"

"Of course" I spoke with confidence and yet I was falling apart inside. We finally made it to the park and I saw Tosh and Miriam sitting on the swings talking. I placed Izumi onto Miriam’s lap and walked off without saying a world.

Minutes went by as I walked around the park. I stopped in front of some rather large trees and looked up at how far they went. I felt Aoshi place a hand on my shoulder but I shrugged away walking further into the park trying to hide away.

"STOP MISAO!" Aoshi yelled and I did halt but I never turned around. He stood in front of me and spoke again.

"Stop being like this Misao! Let me know how you feel!" I saw Aoshi become all blurry as my eyes watered with thousands of tears. I fell against him crying brokenly. All my emotions flew out and Aoshi wrapped his arms securely around me and let me cry into his chest.

"I’m sorry for causing you to loose your family Misao. It’s my fault, maybe we shouldn't be togeth-"

"NO!" I yelled at him. It was their fault not his. They were the bastards who wouldn’t know happiness if it came and shot them in the ass!

"Don’t you dare say that! Don’t you dare think of it either Aoshi! You are mine and mine forever, as well as Izumi. If they can’t deal with it than stiff shit! They were never there for Tosh and me so why the hell do they care about me now, it’s pathetic, and it makes me sic- "I was unable to continue as Aoshi stopped me by pressing his lips against mine softly. He was thanking me for staying with him. I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him closer to me telling him with feelings that I’d forever be with him and no one else. Aoshi and Izumi where MY lifelines.

* * * *

TBC…

* * * *