Days had passed, Misao's mysterious illness finally easing off, leaving her happy and healthy once more. Okina and the others had not come back yet, but I knew they wouldn't be too far away. They would be wondering how Misao was feeling, whether she was better or still ill and so they would come back soon. It still shocked me that they left in such a hurry but I had my suspicions that they wanted myself to care for Misao, wanting my inner feelings and emotions to become known to Misao and myself. Curse those impatient people…but then…bless Misao for being so patient with me.

As I stand at the opened window in Misao's room looking over the backyard and into the garden I watch with a small smile on my face as Misao was picking flowers, a soft humming sound echoing from her lips towards me. I had remembered this tune very well, Misao's mother having sung it to her when she was unable to sleep and somehow Misao had taught herself.

I sat on the window seal looking over the backyard of the Aoiya. Storm clouds were rolling in fast, magnificent flashes of lightning brightening the clouds and the low rumble of thunder was becoming louder as the storm closed in over the Aoiya. My hand snapped up catching something right before it hit me on the cheek and I turned my head to look at a single purple flower resting in my hand. My eyes lifted away from the bud and looked down at a smiling Misao who waved up at me, her happiness evident in her smile and I watched as she raced inside obviously coming up stairs to see me. So what did I do? I jumped out of the window, landing silently and easily on the ground. I made Misao run upstairs for no reason and began walking in the garden myself. Sure Misao would be angry, but she knew I was teasing her, plus…I had a small plan to lure her back into the garden, her not having a clue at what it was.

"AOSHI-SAMA!" Misao had yelled from the open window looking down at me with her hands on her hips. She never called my Lord Aoshi anymore, except for when she showed slight anger like right at this very moment. My eyes narrowed watching Misao's heave for air at having run inside and racing up the stairs in pure excitement for no reason at all.

* * * * * * * * FLASHBACK * * * * * * * *

Misao had gotten up early, a burst of energy she hadn't had in the beginning of her illness meant she was on a mission to do something. That something happened to be cooking breakfast, which I hadn't known about at the time.

I stayed in bed, Misao's "order" of telling me not to go anywhere. I wasn't complaining after all, I had Misao's warmth consuming me and her futon smelled just like her. I fell back into a light sleep taking up her entire futon and lying on my stomach, my head resting in my folded arms and the blanket resting modestly around my waist, the scars on my back evident of the many battles I had been in. Misao had opened the shutters before she left the room, a cool breeze sweeping through the room and brushing my long bangs across my closed eyes.

I heard the faint noise the shoji made when Misao slid it across but I never turned over or opened my eyes. I was too comfortable to move and knew Misao didn't need my help. She shuffled over to the futon and set a tray down next to herself. After a few seconds I heard the small sound of Misao slurping her breakfast, the smell of miso soup reaching my nose and I could feel her watching me sleep. I opened my eyes the tiniest bit to see Misao moving as she sat right beside me, her hair falling over my skin ever so lightly as it was down from its usual plait. What got my heart pounding was the fact Misao was wearing my ninja uniform shirt and well…nothing else it seemed. The shirt draped low down her chest showing the contours of her breasts and it bunched in the front pooling in her lap, her bare creamy legs on offer to me.

I closed my eyes, Misao humming softly to herself, but to me as well, her not knowing I was actually awake, watching and listening. On the tray sat another bowl of miso soup and a pot of tea with two empty cups. I felt a small caress on my back, Misao's delicate fingers tracing my scars.

However, Misao's caresses turned into a small exploration of my back as she placed her miso soup beside her and brought her other hand to trace the muscles on my back. I turned on my side, Misao gasping in surprise her hands moving back to her lap. I rested my head on my right arm and peered at Misao through my long bangs, which were still being ruffled by the cool breeze.

"That is VERY distracting Misao." I watched a small blush cross her cheeks as she diverted her eyes away, her hands picking up her miso soup and taking another sip. A small smile crossed my lips, my head tilting ever so slightly as Misao rested closely to me, my free hand in reach to stroke her skin as she sat kneeling on her legs.

My fingers brushed over Misao's thigh, her eyes glancing down at my hand and then over to my eyes. A small blush formed across Misao's cheeks. She spoke of no protest and so my hand crept further up and I observed Misao's reactions to what I was doing. I moved my hand under my top and stroked Misao's smooth hip. My assumption was correct, Misao was ONLY wearing the top. Her ocean blue eyes stared into the miso soup, her creamy hands clutching the bowl tightly as my hand moved further up and then over her stomach, her arms in the way so I was unable to caress the side of her breasts. I made sure my hand fluttered lower against Misao, her legs parting slightly, silently wanting to be touched more but I moved away, going up to her breasts in the front, the only time I could reach, but only brushing my fingers over them lightly.

Misao moaned softly and nearly dropped the bowl of soup on the futon, her limbs growing weak at my touches. Her shaky hands placed it on the floor, her passion-glazed eyes searching mine as she lay down beside me and then pressed her lips urgently to mine.

You could say Misao was a VERY passionate young woman. I turned over Misao lying under me, her tongue battling with mine for dominance, but loosing miserably. I rested my upper body on my left arm; my eyes staring down at Misao as I parted my shirt open with my right hand watching her chest heave for air once more. My hand ran it's course from Misao's face down to her hip, making sure to graze her heated skin were necessary. I lay in between her up drawn legs, her sensitive womanhood brushing my stomach as I moved forward slightly ready to kiss her once more and earning small mewling noises from her throat. She was so responsive and not ashamed at all, that’s what I loved about Misao…among other things of course.

"Aishiteru Aoshi…" Misao gasped out her breathing irregular and her eyes wider then usual as I was now inside her. I smiled down at my beloved, my lips brushing hers as I captured her other gasps and moans whispering encouragingly into her ear wanting to hear more of it. Misao clutched her responsive body to mine, her legs wrapping around my waist and her arms around my shoulders my name leaving her lips in a loud groan as her climax finally erupted within her.

After several moments Misao finally relaxed, her legs and arms dropping away from me, as she was exhausted. I began lifting off of Misao leaning slightly on my left arm but was caught in Misao's embrace her words echoing through the room.

"Don't leave…please stay…stay right there…" I eased back down, my head resting against Misao's left shoulder and an almost inaudible grunt escaped my lips as Misao wrapped her legs around my waist once more, me moving further inside her. She sighed tiredly against my shoulder, her chin resting on it and her eyes closed. She didn't seem to mind that I was double her weight, after all this is what she asked for…what she wanted and so I closed my own eyes and rested myself.

* * * * * * * * END FLASHBACK * * * * * * * *

"What are you doing upstairs Misao? It’s a nice day to be outside." I spoke softly to her as she stared down at me, her face slightly scrunched in annoyance. I turned around walking further into the garden, my eyes constantly glancing up at the storm clouds. I walked passed the many coloured flowers and found a grassy area to sit in and look up at the sky, resting back on my elbows and my legs stretched straight out in front of me. I turned my head over my shoulder when I heard the shoji open and watched Misao walked down the steps heading for me. She wore her usual ninja outfit but she placed my own top, which she was wearing early this morning over hers. Under her right arm she carried a spare blanket.

"That…was mean…" Misao spoke looking down at me, her eyes pouting in 'sadness', but all she wanted to hear was an apology, which I wasn't going to give her.

"Sit down Misao." I spoke softly, my head tilting to the side watching Misao as she now stood in between my parted legs. Misao began descending to the grass in between my legs and I parted them more making sure she didn't hit anything…vital to me…to us. I observed in silence as Misao placed the blanket around my shoulders making sure I didn't get sick from the chilly breeze that blew through the Aoiya once more. My legs spread further as Misao turned around, sitting on her pert bottom and resting her back against my chest, her arms grabbing the blanket and placing it over herself.

"Are you quite comfortable Misao?" I spoke softly and dryly into her hair and heard Misao's muffled reply as she spoke it mainly to herself and into the blanket, but my hearing was above others, I was a spy after all.

"My mind and body will never feel comfortable, safe and relaxed unless I'm with you…" I sat up properly, tilting my head down at Misao to see she covered her lower half of her face with the blanket but her cheeks were bright red having spoken like that to me. I moved my left hand up and out of the blanket to caress Misao's right cheek wanting her to open her eyes and look up at me. She did exactly that and I spoke softly into her ear replying to what she said, hoping to make her feel better.

"Me too Misao…me too…" Her face lit up in happiness, a bright smile crossing her lips and my eyes widened when she turned around thrusting herself into my embrace putting me right off guard. I fell backwards, Misao looking down at me with those bright blue eyes of hers. I made her happy once more, pride running through me at being able to do this more and more each day. Misao lay fully on top of me, her smaller body molding against mine, our heat radiating to give each other warmth. Misao's hands brushed my long bangs away and she whispered against my lips before claiming them with hers.

"So beautiful… Why do you hide them so much?" We kissed slowly and passionately my arms moving around Misao to hold her closely to me but the snapping of some fallen branches and an audible clearing of the throat broke us from our moment. I watched Misao jump straight out of my embrace and stand up, her hands clenched in fists as she spoke angrily to cover her embarrassment.

"J-J-JIYA!"

"Ah Misao-chan, you are fighting fit once more. We've been back for many minutes now and thought we'd come to say we are back, but you seemed…distracted so we waited."

"Nani? You couldn't possibly wait inside could you?!" Misao yelled across at Okina, her cheeks turning red as Omasu, Okon, Kuro and Shiro were standing there with bright smiles on their faces. I watched Misao jump when there was another loud clap of thunder and then the pouring of rain fell. She squealed in shock at the coldness of the raindrops and with strength I never knew Misao had, she grabbed my hand, lifting me up from the grass and dragging me under the verandah, where Okina and the others stood. Raindrops fell off my long bangs falling to the wooden floorboards. In the span of a few seconds that we were in the rain, Misao and I had become totally drenched.

"Okina, may I have a moment with Misao?" I spoke softly, my left hand resting lightly on Misao's shoulder. She turned to look up at my in confusion but I watched Okina nod his head and move back into the Aoiya with the others.

"Aoshi?" Misao questioned as she turned around to face me properly, her body shivering slightly at being cold. I closed my eyes for a brief moment gathering my thoughts together and began speaking to Misao, my eyes never breaking contact with hers.

"Misao, if I asked you to ma-" I was interrupted by the shoji door opening as Okon poked her head out smiling lightly and giving Misao a towel and then started dragging her inside wanting to know everything.

"But Aoshi…" Misao mumbled lightly, her head turning over her shoulder to look at me but I placed a small smile on my lips and waved her to go inside with Okon. Once the shoji closed my shoulders slouched in disappointment and I moved down the steps walking in the rain and heading for the bathhouse. I'd find solace there and hopefully when Misao was free from the others I would be ready to tell her what I couldn't moments ago.

* * * *

I had been leaning against the wall, near the opened shoji of the dining room listening to Okina and the others tell Misao what happened to her. I was right when they wanted me to look after her and THEY were responsible for Misao's sickness. She had been drugged so my feelings for her would burst forward and let them be known. My hand fisted in slight anger, but I guess they were getting sick and tired of me brushing my feelings for her aside.

"Misao-chan, we just wanted you to be happy, the both of you and so SOMETHING needed to be done." I heard Okon say as she poured tea for everyone.

"But…Aoshi said the doctor…" Misao trailed off and Okina finally spoke up a small chuckle escaping his lips.

"That was no professional doctor Misao-chan. I have known him for many years and needed someone to help me…us in our small…err…mission." I shook my head and placed it back against the wall once more. I could feel Misao's battle aura evolving as Okina kept talking, the others butting in here and there to tell her everything.

"We did feel guilty Misao-chan, but it worked out for the best didn't it?" Omasu questioned Misao once more and the room fell silent.

"Should we be pestering Misao like this Okina, she is no longer a child anymore remember?" Kuro spoke and I peered around the corner for a split second to see Misao on one side of the table and the other Oniwabanshuu on the opposite side as they all stared expectantly at her. She need not give an answer for her face spoke the truth, bright red full of utter embarrassment. Misao truly did give everything away; I'd have to teach her to control her temper and to take everything in her stride. After all they would tease her non stop now, but if Misao was smart and replied with blunt and straight forward answers they'd finally stop, it not being fun as Misao would have matured and gotten over it.

"Oh my sweet Misao-chan is not a baby anymore." Okina spoke dramatically and raced around the table wrapping Misao up in a powerful hug nearly knocking her out. He finally let go and Misao spoke through clenched teeth, her hands fisting once more.

"I think I'm going to be sick!" I watched as one of Okina's hands flew up to Misao's forehead to test her temperature while the other…pat her stomach!

"Is this side effects of being pregnant Misao-chan?" Everyone backed away from Misao, her battle aura blazing as she stood up yelling at the top of her lungs.

"P-PREGNANT? YOU PERVERTED OLD MAN!" I ducked around the corner, hiding in the darkness as I watched the other Oniwabanshuu members' rush out of the Aoiya with Misao following close behind, her kunai's appearing out of nowhere and ready for action.

I could hear various screams and shouting coming from outside but made my way upstairs heading for Misao's room. I'd wait for her there, once she took her anger and embarrassment out on the others.

"I know you're around here Jiya!" Misao yelled walking back into the household and heading upstairs. I was already around the corner, hiding in the shadows. I observed as Misao's senses were blocked by her anger, as she didn't notice I was close by. Her kunai's shone from the small amount of light upstairs.

"Where are you old man?" I heard Misao grumble lightly. Her right hand dropped down slightly, the best opportunity for me to grab her and pull her to me. Misao gasped in surprise being engulfed in the shadows as well. My left hand held her right wrist while my right hand sat comfortably at the small of Misao's back pulling her closer to my body. Her blue eyes peered up at me slightly wider then normal and I heard the faint sound of her kunai's drop from her hands as they dug into the wooden floorboards.

I had surprised her even more as Misao gasped into my mouth when I brushed my lips over hers. Her hands came up clenching the material of my shirt as she stood on tiptoes kissing me passionately back, moans and sighs escaping her throat as I caught them in my mouth.

"You should not let them provoke you like that Misao. If you keep showing your anger and embarrassment like you did, they'll keep tormenting you."

"Well…it was embarrassing…Jiya said I was pregnant…am I?" Misao stared up at me, breaking our kisses, her large blue eyes wanting answers. Like I knew if she was, but I felt no other ki inside her and so Misao wasn't pregnant…not until we get married.

"Not until we get married." I heard my voice speak aloud. Shit! That wasn't supposed to come out like that. I felt Misao clench the material of my shirt once more as she spoke softly against me, her hot breath brushing over the cool skin on my neck.

"M-Married? Y-You want m-me to m-marry you?" I pulled Misao close ready to giver her an answer, but another clearing of the throat interrupted us yet again! I fisted my hand against Misao's back, her eyes peering into my angry and annoyed ones. Why was it that everytime I had something important to say and share with Misao the moment was always interrupted?

"Perhaps you should proceed to your room Misao…and take Aoshi with you…he seems disturbed…almost a little angry." I stepped slightly forward, knowing Okina knew what I was going to say and watched as he placed his hands up backing away and then turned around quickly hurrying off to his small quarters. Misao and I heard his rushed voice as he quickly closed the shoji making sure I was unable to come in to strangle him to death.

"It is late…time for a good sleep…see you in the morning."

* * * *

Misao and I sat awake for a number of hours in the silence of her room. She had her back to me as I rested against the wall giving Misao back her futon and looking over at her but not saying anything.

The rain still fell hard against the roof of the household; Misao's shutters open once more and flashes of lightning doused the room in bright light. I rested my arms on my up drawn knees looking over at Misao…my new lover. I had thought about asking her so many times to marry me, each scenario different and yet my mind had opted for the quickest and the most unromantic. I guess, that was the way I was. After all, it hadn't taken long for me to notice Misao was no longer a child and the fact I bathed her was causing serious emotions within me. I guess the number of scenarios I came up with clouded my mind into confusion and so I blurted it out unexpectedly. I rested my chin on my arms and finally broke the silence.

"Misao?" However a loud clap of thunder erupted through the sky, my voice being over powered by the gods storm. I sighed lightly once more, my eyes softening as memories of Misao raced through my mind. When she was growing up with Hannya, Beshimi, Hyotokko, Shijuksho and myself. They loved her so much…loved her cheerfulness, her innocent but outgoing behaviour as she raced around playing tricks on everyone. I loved her even back then, but nothing like it was at this very moment. Misao had…given herself to me, unconditionally and without asking for anything in return. She spoke about how much she loved me, how much she wanted to be with me and yet I hadn't returned those feelings, hadn't expressed anything back to her. How selfish of me…how utterly selfish…

"Aishiteru Misao…so much…forever…" I whispered softly, my eyes closing once more a picture of Misao flashing in my mind, her at her most happiest…with me. My voice was so clear the thunder not over powering it and so I knew Misao was able to hear it. I felt my head lifting up as Misao held it in her soft hands. Tears glistened in her eyes as she tried to blink them away bravely.

"Honto Aoshi? Do you really?" I nodded my head and Misao dived into me, her arms wrapping around my neck as she cried softly on my shoulder.

After many minutes Misao's cries softened and she sat between my legs, as I wrapped them around her small body pulling her closer against me. My arms were securely around her shoulders and I whispered softly into her ear.

"Misao-mine? Will you marry me? Will you become Shinomori Misao?" I looked down, watching as Misao pulled away her eyes focusing on mine.

"You bet I will." Misao spoke happily, a bright smile crossing her lips before she quickly kissed mine and then engulfing me in one of her "super Misao" hugs. FINALLY! There were no interruptions from the others.

"I don't have a ring for you Misao…you will get one though…we'll go find one together." I spoke softly into her hair, letting Misao rest against my chest once more, her head lying against my heart.

"Iie…I don't care if I don't get one. I've got everything I want right here…right in my arms…" I placed a small smile on my lips and spoke pushing Misao away from me.

"I can't say that back Misao. I don't have everything I want just yet." I chuckled lightly as Misao's eyes filled with tears once more. I knew she was thinking I wasn't happy with her and I spoke once more, my lips brushing over Misao's and I pulled her under me as I now lay on the futon atop her.

"I need my son…then I'm complete." A flash of lightning doused the room in bright light; Misao's cheeks red like a tomato at hearing that. A giggle bubbled up in her throat as she threw her arms around my neck and spoke softly, her moist lips brushing mine lightly as she spoke once more.

"What if he isn't a boy, what if it’s a little girl?"

"Then we'll keep going until we get a boy. Surely that won't disappoint you Misao-mine." I smiled down at her as Misao ducked her head away in embarrassment once more. I watched silently as Misao's hands parted my top open, her insanely long legs wrapping around my waist as she spoke seductively into my ear.

"Shall we practice until the day comes?" I couldn't help but groan at Misao's touches and kisses and brought her head up so I could place my lips against hers. Damn, she really did evoke many emotions and feelings within me, never stopping until she was pleased with what she heard. She would definitely pay for this later on, but right now, I knew for her…this was all about me and so I let Misao have her moment of dominance as she rolled over placing me under her. Her blue eyes shone brightly but darkly in the room, passion racing through them as she stared down at me.

"I'll make you happy anata…so happy…" I raised an eyebrow hearing Misao declare this to me and smiled up at her, my hands brushing up her thighs gaining small shivers from her.

"You already do Misao…onegai…say that again…" I mumbled softly and watched as Misao lay on top of me, her lips brushing mine as she kept whispering anata over and over again until I was satisfied.

"Iie, not until baby Hannya, Beshimi, Hyotokko and Shijuksho come…then we'll be happy and complete together." My eyes flashed hearing our companion's names roll off of Misao's lips. She would name our children after them…honorable names, powerful names they were and still are to me.

I ravished kisses over Misao; finally breaking my control and not letting her have her dominance over me. Not this time though, perhaps another day. Misao gasped in surprise and clutched her body to mine, practically tearing our clothes off. She was DEFINITELY a feisty weasel…my weasel. I couldn't wait for when people would know Misao as Shinomori Misao and not Makimachi Misao…she would be mine…no one could have her, touch her and be with her but me. That was my purpose in life now, to be with Misao and only her. How I await the day for us to become husband and wife.

The thought left my mind as it was my turn to erupt emotions within Misao, wanting to hear her responses to what I did, how I made her feel with me and so I continued…long into the night…catching every moan, every gasp so nobody could hear them but me…her Aoshi Shinomori.

* * * *

The end

* * * *