Hours had past and I watched as Izumi had fallen asleep in Aoshi’s arms. I grabbed the box I had hidden from Aoshi and walked silently out the room and out of the house. I walked quickly but quietly down the dark street and occasionally gripped the small amount of kunai’s’ I brought with me waiting for something to happen.

I finally came to the house I was looking for and walked up to the door and could hear some faint talking going on inside. I breathed a sigh of relief that I hadn’t come all this way for nothing. I straighten out my shirt and knocked on the door feeling a bit tense and nervous. The porch light came on and the door opened and I was looking at an elder woman who was none other than Aoshi’s mum.

"Mrs Shinomori?" I had asked just making sure.

"Yes, can I help you?" She had a soft sweet voice.

"I’m a friend of your son Aoshi an-" Mrs Shinomori spoke again cutting me off.

"I’m sorry, I don’t have a son."

"Mrs Shinomori wait! Please!" I spoke pleadingly to her. She haltered, as she hadn’t slammed the door in my face waiting to see what I would say next.

"I wanted to give you this, so you could see what you have been missing out on." And with that I placed the album into her hands and turned around and ran back to Tosh’s place.

* * * *

I walked into the room I stayed in and found Aoshi leaning on his left side pillowing his head in his left arm, as the lamp was still on but I had turned away from it. He had placed Izumi back in her bed and undressed out of his clothes as well. I loved when the sun set at night because it always got closer o when my bare skin could feel his at night. He looked gorgeous right now, the blankets only coming to his waist in dignity. I quickly undressed and slipped under the blankets and reached over Aoshi to turn the light off as the moonlight fell into the room lighting it up quite brightly.

"Where have you been?" Aoshi spoke groggily while running his right hand down my back and bringing me closer to him.

"Oh just downstairs for a bit." I spoke while biting my lip for lying to him but snuggled against him wrapping an arm around his waist.

"You liar…" He spoke into my hair and then kissed it. I pushed my hands on his chest to make him lie on his back and then straddle his hips grabbing him as I lowered myself down making him enter me. I heard a small groan escape his lips and I lie down against his chest not doing anything else.

"Can we just stay like this?" I spoke shyly at him put he nodded his head and wrapped his arms securely around me making sure the blanket was fully covering us in case Izumi woke up before Aoshi and myself in the morning.

* * * *

"Hey daddy what’s with mummy?" I snapped my eyes open but was facing away from Izumi so she didn’t know I was awake.

"Oh she’s just trying to hog all of the bed, not even worrying about me." Aoshi finally reasoned with her.

"Well I’m going to find Uncle Tosh and see if we can plant some more flowers in his garden, bye!" I heard the door close and rested my head on my folded arms looking down at Aoshi.

"Hogging the bed huh?" I spoke rising to leave but moaned as Aoshi grabbed my buttocks placing me back down on him. My cheeks burned red but I moved against him panting a little.

"I had to think of something Misao." I heard him groan and so I raised myself up a little and he placed his palms on my breasts making circles while occasionally squeezing them too. I groaned a little louder not liking this at all. I didn’t want the others to hear me so I thrust my mouth on Aoshi’s to stifle my sounds. Our tempo sped up and Aoshi had me under him rocking faster against me. I was panting against his chest as his hands guided me along him and I wrapped my legs around his waist wanting him deeper. I had placed my arms against the mattress to steady my weight on them as I lifted my lower body up against Aoshi’s never wanting him to leave. I felt my whole body being lifted up as he sat on his knees bringing my body into contact with his. I loosened the hold I had around his waist and kneeled on the mattress straddling his upper thighs. I gained more pleasure when Aoshi kept spreading his legs, which made mine spread wider apart so I could feel more of him everytime he surged up inside me. He placed his mouth against mine as he pressed me harder against him and I screamed into his mouth as he groaned when we hit our breaking points while my body spasms against his. He fell backwards so I could lie against him and I breathed heavily trying to gain my breath back. I moved away breaking the connection between us and lay on my side looking down at him.

"I love you…"

His eyes opened to stare into mine and he placed one of his hands over my cheek. I watched him smile and then he rolled over getting off of the bed and started getting dressed. My eyes made him blurry but I sucked my tears back as he didn’t say anything back to me. I got up frowning and dressed without looking at him. I could feel his eyes were on me watching my every move and yet I had bowed my head not wanting to look into those intense eyes. I found him standing in front of me as he lifted my chin to look up at him. One of my tears slipped down my face but Aoshi bent his head closer kissing it away and whispering softly into my ear.

"I love you too Misao-mine." I smiled and hugged him tightly to me. I let go when we heard Miriam’s voice come from the other side of the door.

"Aoshi, you have some visitor’s." she spoke excitedly.

"I’m coming. Hmm that’s strange." I watched as he placed his shirt on, his facial expression far away as though he were thinking about who it could possibly be. I wrapped my hand around his neck bringing his lips closer to mine kissing him softly. He snapped out of his trance and held me close kissing me back just as passionately. I let go and he excited the room going to greet his guests.

"Hey mummy can we go play in the park today?" I turned to see Izumi at her cutest. She was all covered in dirt from head to toe and her hair was a complete mess. I giggled a little and grabbed her bag and walked her to the bathroom to get her cleaned up.

"Mummy, who were the people daddy was talking to?" Izumi spoke as I washed her in the bath.

"They are very special people to your daddy and to you." I spoke excitedly to her.

"Really? Who?" She was just as intrigued and excited as her eyes lit up.

"That’s your Nanna and Pop." I spoke to her. I saw a confused gaze cross her face and she spoke once more.

"What’s that?" I frowned at remembering she’s never heard of anyone like that before and I try to explain.

"Well daddy has parents who he calls ‘mum’ and ‘dad’ just like you do to him and me. You see when you are born they become your grandparents because you are Aoshi’s daughter and not theirs."

"Mummy I don’t get it."

"Hmmm, okay think of it like this. They are an extended part of your family. You don’t live with them but they’ll come and visit and bring presents and nice yummy food. They’ll take you to the park and play with you and pinch your cheeks telling you how cute you are."

"Mummy I don’t want the pinching cheek part but the rest sounds great!" I laughed and lifted Izumi out of the water to dry her off. I got out her clean underwear and placed her in some denim shorts and a light blue shirt with a small butterfly on the pocket and placed the denim jacket over the top. I put on her small white sandals and brushed her wet hair placing it into a small braid and tying it off with a light blue band. She was adorable as loose bits of hair fell down her face framing it beautifully.

I walked back into the bedroom with her and brought out some clothes and let Izumi decide what I should wear. She finally decided on the navy dress with the silver-blue flowers on it and my white sandals. It was what I wore when I went out to dinner with Aoshi and Izumi for the first time. I finally dressed and placed my sandals on as well and sat on the floor leaning forward so Izumi could run the brush through my long hair.

"Hey mummy, when I grow up can I have long hair just like you?" I nodded my head as I had lost my voice at what she said.

"Mummy leave your hair down please, it looks pretty like this." I stood up and lifted Izumi onto the chair at the dressing table and we both looked in the mirror. My long wavy hair cascaded freely down my back as small bits fell over my shoulders and some framed my face just like Izumi’s.

"Come on Izumi lets go say hello to Nanna and Papa shall we."

"OKAY!" She yelled excitedly as she took my hand and we walked down the stairs and outside into the back yard. I found Aoshi staring at the photo album flipping through the pages and he stopped when he heard his mother speak.

"Oh, she’s absolutely gorgeous." I felt Izumi grab my leg as she hid behind me. I giggled a little and bent down speaking to her.

"Sweetie its okay, they won’t hurt you. They just want to say hello, so why not go over and give them a hug. Don’t be afraid if they cry either, they’ll just be so happy to finally see you. This is the first time they’ve ever seen you before." I watched as she let go and placed a determined look on her face.

"Okay!" I watched as she descended the stairs and walked over to them. Mrs Shinomori bent down crying and hugged Izumi to her. I sat down on the porch, leaning my head against the pole, not disturbing the moment and heard Izumi speak.

"Don’t cry Nanna I’m happy to see you as well." I heard them laugh and I smiled as tears glistened my eyes but they never fell. I watched as Izumi threw her arms out to her grandfather but he stood still just staring at her.

"Come on Pop I don’t bite." I giggled at what Izumi said and Mr Shinomori wrapped his arms around Izumi crying as well. His wife wrapped an arm around his waist and he let go of Izumi with one hand and hugged her to him as well. I watched as Aoshi drew closer wanting desperately to be in the Shinomori hug too.

"Come on daddy!" Izumi spoke and Aoshi wrapped his arms around his Mother and father with Izumi in the middle giggling away.

"I know, why don’t we go to the park?" Mrs Shinomori spoke. I smiled at the idea and got up and began walking towards them.

"Yeah! Come on mummy lets go!" Izumi spoke excitedly while getting out of Mr Shinomori’s arms and walking over to me.

"You mean Yooko’s here Aoshi? Oh I can’t wait to see how beautiful she has gotten." Mrs Shinomori spoke. I stopped in my tracks and wrapped my arms around myself at hearing Yooko’s name again. I looked down as Izumi was tugging my dress not even listening to what was being said and I picked her up hugging her tightly to me.

"Mum Yooko isn’t alive anymore. She died giving birth to Izumi, don’t you remember?" Aoshi spoke.

"Oh… Aoshi, who is this girl and why is she hugging my grandchild?" I was taken back by the harsh tone in her voice and bowed my head. I felt an arm wrap protectively over my shoulders and found Aoshi standing by my side as he began talking to his parents.

"Mum, dad this is Misao." I placed on my best smile and looked up at them.

"This is my very own mummy." Izumi spoke in as well. I watched as Mr Shinomori smiled gently at me but his wife was not impressed. I frowned as did Mr Shinomori and decided to change the subject back to the park.

"Shall we go then?"

"YEAH! Come on mummy lets beat them!" Izumi spoke excitedly and I walked off leaving them behind.

* * * *

I had been walking around quietly with Mrs Shinomori walking next to me not saying a word. Aoshi, his father and Izumi were playing up ahead in the large open area.

"Misao what do you intend to get out of this little thing you are having with my son?"

"I’m not sure I understand what you are saying Mrs Shinomori." I spoke nicely to her and yet inside I was seething at how she was being so harsh to me.

"This little fling you two are having, your infatuation with my son. Do you understand now Misao?"

"It is not a fling. I love your son."

"Oh please a child like you wouldn’t know what love is!" She laughed at me.

"I’m a twenty year old woman Mrs Shinomori. I assure you that I love your son and Izumi with all my heart." I couldn’t believe the nerve of this woman.

"Don’t be ridiculous Misao! Izumi is not yours and you’ll never be her mother. Even though Yooko has died she’ll always be here because she is Izumi’s mother. You will never be good enough for either of them." I sobbed hysterically and ran from the area running straight past Aoshi, Izumi and his father into the large area of trees. I swear I could hear faint yelling but I kept running further and further away as my tears blurred my vision. I could feel the branches slapping my exposed skin as I raced through them not seeing them at all. I began screaming to the heavens above me.

"I AM HER MOTHER! WHY CAN’T YOU ALL SEE THAT? I LOVE THEM BOTH! I AM HER MOTHER YOU DAMN BASTARDS!" I felt myself falling to the ground and I groaned in pain when I finally made contact with it and soon darkness came.

* * * *

I was walking around in the darkness and no one was with me. I couldn’t see anything and yet I heard faint talking coming from all around me.

"What did you say to her Mother?" That was Aoshi’s voice. He sounded quite angry and demanded answers from his mother.

"I simply told her she was not Izumi’s mother that’s all. What’s the big deal?" She spoke absently.

"What’s the big deal you say? I tell you what the deal is! This woman lying here unconscious happens to be the reason why I am truly feeling alive. She has filled the hole in my heart that no one could, not even Yooko. I love her and Izumi loves her. Whether you like it or not mother Yooko is dead! She’s not ever coming back and nor do I want her too. As harsh as that may seem it the way I feel inside. Izumi and I love Misao with all our hearts and this is whom Izumi wants as her mother. I knew it from the first time we met. Misao is so unique and special and Izumi and I want her. If you actually gave her a chance you’d figure that this is truly what we both want!" My heart beat wildly at what he had said.

"Takie reason with your son." Mrs Shinomori spoke to her husband.

"I think its time we leave Shiris."

"Takie?"

"Now Shiris! Do you want to loose your son again? This was never Aoshi’s fault to begin with; it was all about you and no one else! We will discuss this in the car on the way home."

Silence filled the entire area until I heard a soft sweet voice.

"Daddy can I sleep in here with mummy? I want to be here when she wakes up." Izumi spoke to Aoshi.

"Of course Izumi."

Although I was still walking around in the darkness I felt a slight pressure against me as though Izumi had curled up next to me and spoke quietly in my ear.

"Mummy please come back, me and daddy miss you so much."

I felt I was being pulled away from the darkness and I gasped for air snapping my eyes open looking around the room. I saw Aoshi sitting in a nearby chair his eyes glistened with tears as he grabbed my hand holding it to his face. I smiled tiredly at him and wrapped my other arm over Izumi who was crying happily and mumbling something I couldn’t understand.

"Hey?" I spoke softly to Aoshi who turned his gaze to me and I motioned for him to come closer to me. I wrapped my bandaged hand around his neck and pressed my lips softly to his making sure I was really alive and with them again. I sighed happily, closing my eyes and wrapped my arm around Izumi again as she was falling asleep just like me.

"Rest Misao, I’ll be here when you wake up." I nodded my head and whispered to him falling asleep once more.

"I know…"

* * * *

I was sitting in a chair looking out the large window when I heard a slight knock on my door and the doctor came in. I turned around and began to stand up but he waved me down to keep seated and brought another chair over and sat down with me.

"We’ve been going over the list of your injuries Ms Makimachi." The doctor had spoken. I felt rather nervous and spoke shakily at him.

"Y-yes?"

"And you’re going to be fine." My shoulders relaxed at the news and he spoke again telling me all of my injuries that I had sustained.

"You have various bruises and cuts from the trees. Your right hand is bandaged as you cut your hand falling to the ground quite deeply; we had to place some stitches in as well. You banged your head on some rocks but have not received a concussion and you have no signs of amnesia either. You clearly know who you are and where you are and we found no abnormal wave patterns in your head, you are in perfect health."

"Thank goodness…"

"Ms Makimachi are you aware you are pregnant?"

I was shocked. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe properly. I began to hyperventilate and the doctor came closer and rubbed my back coaxing me to breathe regularly. I coughed loudly but calmed down as tears slipped down my cheeks.

"I take it you didn’t. Is the father around? Maybe you should speak with him about this?" I burst into tears even more and spoke tearfully to the doctor.

"Please…I wish to be alone. If I have any visitors, I don’t want to see them." I watched as the doctor nodded and left the room. I got out of the seat and huddled myself into the darkest corner of the room and cried. Misao what are you doing? Stop this crying! This is a joyous occasion; you should be celebrating with Aoshi and Izumi! A voice spoke inside my head. What if he doesn’t want it? What if he’ll hate me? What if he leaves me? Another voice spoke full of fear. I got up and raced to the bathroom and threw up. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. I wasn’t supposed to have children. I was told I couldn’t. I flushed the toilet, stripped out of the gown and sat in the shower letting the water run down my body. I pressed my hand against my stomach rubbing the small bump. When did this happen? Was it when we first slept together? I stopped my thoughts when I heard a female voice speak to me.

"Ms Makimachi are you alright in there?" I brushed the tears away from my face, turned it upward to wash it and soon got up and turned the taps off. I dried quickly and dressed again, opening the door to reveal a nurse waiting for me.

"Why don’t we go for a walk Ms Makimachi? Its nicer in the hospital grounds instead of being cooped up in this building all the time." I smiled and nodded my head grabbing the dressing gown and placing it over me.

We walked down the corridor and into the elevator. We made it to the ground floor and out the doors to wander around looking at the various flowers.

"Ms Makimachi, is something bothering you?"

"I’m pregnant." I blurted out to her and turned my face towards her. She was smiling brightly silently congratulating me. My eyes frowned and her smile faded as she placed her gentle hands on my shoulders telling me to sit down on the bench.

"And what of the father?" She spoke gently at me.

"He doesn’t know. I don’t know if I want to tell him." I cracked out trying to contain my emotions.

"Won’t that hurt him though? That is rather harsh Ms Makimachi."

"But what if he hates me? What if he doesn’t want it like I do? What if he leaves me?" I spoke frantically to her as the tears slipped out of my eyes.

"But what if he doesn’t Ms Makimachi." I stopped at what she said and stared silently at her.

"What if he wants you to have the child? What if he wants the miracle that you and him have created to be born? What if this just makes him love you even more?" I laughed happily while tears still cascaded down my cheeks and I brushed them away smiling my thanks to the nurse. She pats my shoulders and got up to leave so I could have some time to think. I took a deep breath and walked around the gardens. I ended up taking off the slippers and stepping into a small field of flowers. I picked one of the carnations twirling it around in my fingers while turning my face up so I could feel the warm rays of the sun.

"Misao?" I froze with my back turned to him and my fingers opened up loosing the flower as it fell silently to the ground. What am I going to say? I frantically thought to myself. I felt his hands on my shoulders as he too was standing in the middle of them. I closed my eyes as tears slipped down my cheeks. Misao you must stop! I yelled at myself. I felt myself being turned around and I heard him gasp as he saw my face. I was wrapped in his secure embrace as he didn’t know what else to do. All I did was wrap my arms around him and cried harder. ‘What if he wants you to have the child? What if he wants the miracle that you and him have created to be born? What if this just makes him love you even more?’ I breathed in deep breaths when I heard those questions being thrown around in my mind. I stepped away from Aoshi and looked up at him to see his face screwed up in worry as he bit his lip hoping I’d tell him what was wrong.

"Aoshi, I have some news and…and I don’t know how you’ll take it. I mean I’ll die if you completely hate me or if you decided your going to up and leave me because you don’t want this. You see the thing is…I’m…well all my life I have been dreaming of this day…ever since I was a little girl, but I was told I couldn’t but now I can and I am right now! You see the thing is I’m…I’m…you are my miracle because you have blessed me and given me this gift. You’ve given me the chance to be one and I thank you."

"Ah Misao, I’m confused. What exactly are you trying to say?" I had babbled on not even getting out the correct information. I closed my eyes for a brief moment and spoke in my mind, Aoshi I’m pregnant. Aoshi, you’re going to be a father again. I’m pregnant with your child. Why is it so easy saying it now? I opened my eyes to see Aoshi staring intently at me and I tried once more.

"Aoshi I’m…I’m…" I scowled silently to myself and took a deep breath again and took his hand into mine. I flattened out his hand and lay it across my small bump and placed my hands over the top of his and looked up into his eyes. I bit my lip as he trailed his eyes down to where his hand was and I held my breath waiting for him to understand. My eyes watered as he pulled his hand away as though I had burned him and stood frozen looking at me. Yep, he knows, I spoke to myself. I watched as his eyes glanced back down and he placed his hand on my stomach to rub it once more.

"A-Aoshi a-are you m-mad at me? This wasn’t supposed to happen? I was told I could never conceive…" I spoke in a small voice but my eyes widened as I watched him crouch down and place a kiss on my clothed belly were our unborn child lay inside. The tears spilled out of my eyes as I fell to the flowerbed floor and hugged him desperately while crying with happiness and joy that he didn’t hate me or leave. I rested against him and felt him pick me up and cradle me close to his chest as he walked back to the hospital building. I giggled a little when every nurse walking in the main corridor stopped him and asked if I was all right or if he needed any assistance.

"I should have just jumped up to the balcony and missed all of that completely." I didn’t answer him, as I loved the feeling of his chest rumbling against me whenever he spoke.

"Will you stay with me?" I spoke quietly to him as he tucked me into the bed.

"Absolutely Misao."

"I love you Aoshi." I fell into a blissful sleep.

* * * *

It was late afternoon and I was discharged from the hospital and was greeted with a "welcome home" party all done by Izumi. I hugged her desperately to me thanking her over and over again.

* * * *

"Misao I got a bath ready for you." I turned my gaze over to the bedroom door, as I was sitting in the large cushioned chair looking at the sunset, as Aoshi stood there and he walked over kneeling on his knees, lifting up my tank top and placing a kiss on my belly. I smiled down at him and brushed my fingers through his soft hair.

"Do I get one too?" I spoke to him. I watched as he raised his head and stretched up caressing his lips against mine softly.

"Mummy? Can I bathe with you?" I smiled against Aoshi’s lips and got up and walked to the door taking Izumi’s hand into mine and lead her to the bathroom.

* * * *

Minutes went by as I soaked in the bath while I could hear Izumi’s giggles as she blew bubbles everywhere. I took a deep breath and finally spoke to Izumi.

"Sweetie, will you come over here?" I watched her run over splashing water everywhere. She stood in front of me as the water came to her chest.

"What is it mummy?"

"Izumi in here is your little brother or sister." I spoke while placing her little hand on my belly. She looked confusedly down and replied back.

"But I can’t see anybody." I laughed a little and spoke again.

"That’s because he or she is growing inside of me and they won’t come out for at least 7 to 8 months yet. You just wait, this will turn into the size of a beach ball." I heard her giggle at that remark and joined in.

"But mummy that’s a really long time." I smiled at what she said and shook my head.

"It can go really fast though Izumi, but think of it like this. They need that time to grow two arms, some legs and a cute little nose." I said while pinching hers and she giggled happily.

"Won’t it be exciting to have a baby brother or sister to play with?" I asked her.

"YEAH! I’m gunna tell daddy about this right now." I watched as she hoped out of the bath and slid the door open yelling for Aoshi as she ran around butt naked. I quickly got out of the bath wrapping a towel around myself and walked back upstairs holding Izumi’s towel in my hand. I got to the door and heard Izumi talking to Aoshi.

"Daddy guess what? Mummy’s having a baby!" I heard him gasp pretending he didn’t know and he wrapped his arms around Izumi hugging her tightly.

"So you’re going to be a big sister hey? Do you think you can handle it Izumi?"

"You bet! I’m going to play with them, feed them, cuddle them and love them!" I walked in and wrapped her in the towel as it draped on the floor, as it was too big for a girl her size. I watched as she raced off yelling excitedly.

"UNCLE TOSH, AUNT MIRIAM GUESS WHAT? MUMMY’S HAVING A BABY!" I laughed and felt two arms encircle around me and bring me close to his nice warm body. I sighed against Aoshi as I closed my eyes. I felt myself being picked up and placed onto the bed as Aoshi pulled the sheets over me. I watched as he placed his hands on the damp towel and took it away from my body so I could rest more comfortably and placed it on the chair to dry.

"You should rest Misao." Aoshi spoke softly to me. I shook my head stubbornly and spoke while looking up at him.

"Only if you’re in here with me." I watched as his eyes darkened and then return to normal as he climbed in. He pillowed my head against his left arm and shoulder area, placed his other hand one my small bump holding me close. I turned on my side so I could snuggle into his warmth as his right arm now lay on my back caressing me softly to sleep.

* * * *

TBC…

* * * *