Silently moving back down the narrow hallway Shinomori Aoshi paused at the doorway of Saito and Misao's room. Listening for any movement he briefly wondered if their sudden burst of passion had burned out so quickly. Moving passed the door Aoshi sighed as no sound could be heard. So to say he was a bit surprised when a door creaked open would be an understatement.  Not bothering to look to see which door had opened he moved on.

"She is full of passion and desire; it burns you to your core."

Tensing at the sound of Saito's voice Aoshi stiffly turned to him and let a smirk of his own grace his lips.  "Indeed, you were quick to teach her that weren't you?"  Watching as Saito leaned against the opposing wall and rolled a cigarette Aoshi waited.

"It took some time, she was quite happy with some petting for the first few times. But I must say she looks breathtaking as she pleases herself."  Biting down hard on his lower lip Aoshi resisted the urge to forcefully shut up the talkative cop, to do something to get the image of Misao petting herself out of his mind. The look of sheer bliss that must come across her face as she reached her release.

Growling softly Aoshi pushed it aside; instead he helped the bastard he hated with every fiber of his being that stood so close to him.  "And she tastes wonderful, the little thing she dose with tongue when engaged in a heated kiss. The way her hands seek out whatever she can grab and her back arches."  Aoshi watched, suddenly pleased at the look that crossed Saito's face. The quick questioning look he got. Smirking as he cocked his head side ways to watch the confusion set in, for just for a second. Before he continued on.  "I would keep a better eye on my wife if I were you; you never know who she might allow in her bed. But of course that's why you in listed her help in the first place isn't it, Saito? It is not like you love Misao. You just get the added bonus of screwing her every night."  Watching as Saito took in his words, Aoshi was suddenly aware of someone standing in the door way.  "I mind not that you had her first, Saito, I don't believe I could ever take away such innocence from someone. In the end it won't matter who had who, I will see this to the end. With Misao at my side."

Turning to leave with those words said Aoshi paused at Saito's next question, a question that told Aoshi that he was not aware of who was listening in on their conversation.  "Misao's feelings in this matter are regardless, she knows this is a mission.  Nothing more. However I wonder how you will act once your former lover is in the hands of another? I mean if things had worked out back then, wouldn't you be happily married? Watching your child grow?"

Aoshi spun around and instantly had his prey within his hands, snarling at the feel of having Saito's neck within in his hands. Squeezing hard he could feel the surprise in Saito's skin. The burning need to just kill the bastard threatened to split him in half.

"Aoshi-sama please let him go. I know what he said was mean and very cruel but that dose not mean you have to be like him in return. Please Aoshi-sama?"

Letting Misao's sudden outburst wash over him he growled back.  "Cruel? That isn't the word for it Misao, what he said is…"  Suddenly the feel of warm arms engulfed his waist, holding him, soothing his hurt and his anger all at once. Begging him to let go of it, to succumb to the warmth she was providing. Suddenly, without warning his hands released their prey.  "Misao, I…"  Blinking as he realized the voice that had spoken was his, Aoshi closed his eyes and just let her hold him. To feel everything there was to feel, and yet he knew it was wrong. To let her hold him like this, to quake in her arms. He suddenly needed her to know just how cruel Saito was.  "See Misao. See what kind of husband you laid with. The monster you welcome within you."

He spun away quickly after that, never hearing her whispered reply.  "Yes I see it."

~~

"Miss Misao? Are you sure Kenshin?"

Kaoru watched as her heart thumped against her chest, warning her that any given moment it might explode. Taking in a deep breath she sat down before her legs gave out and she fell down.

"I am sure Kaoru-dono, however the reason on why Miss Misao would agree to this has me baffled, and that it does."

Surprising it was Yahiko, who came up with a suitable answer.  "Maybe it's for Aoshi?"

Nodding in agreement Kaoru sighed as things just seemed to steam out of control, like really who was Terada Ran? Why was Miss Megumi being held hostage for Aoshi? Why was Saito suddenly married to Misao? At that thought she found herself whispering.  "Misao loves Aoshi, and would do anything to protect him. Of that I am sure."  She wasn't really expecting an answer, but was shocked at the answer Kenshin gave her.

"But become a wife to Saito? I mean a full fledged wife? I can't see her giving that much up, unless his life was at stake. Even then to vow herself to Saito?"

Shocked silence suddenly raced through her body as she whispered.  "Kenshin you don't think Misao is a true wife to Saito, do you?"

Her answer was silence this time.

~~

Helping her husband into their room Misao found herself unable to look at him, the touch of him suddenly made her ill.

"Koneko…"

Snapping through her tears she bit back at his with anger in her tone.  "No, no words. You for once are going to sit there and answer my questions. No back talk, no edging away from the truth. No more damn smirks! Understand?"  Watching as her husband closed his eyes in defeat Misao started to fire away.  "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"  She watched as a few seconds ticked by then a slow nod of the head. She was suddenly lighted head, and yet seething at the same time.  "You bastard! Do you really enjoy making other people miserable?"

She watched as gold eyes snapped open and looked at her crossly.  "Silence, girl, you know nothing of misery."

Not backing away Misao fought as her heart thumped within her chest.  "Don't command me, you…you…"

"I have that right. A husband commanding his wife doesn't he?"  Feeling the need to throw up Misao softly held her stomach, the memories of the act she had committed just a few short hours ago with his man suddenly burned at her. The need to scrub clean threatened to tear her in half, with suddenly Saito's low voice asked the next question.  "Well aren't you going to ask about Shinomori's secret?"

Her breath seemed to freeze as she asked.  "The baby you mentioned?"  She watched as he nodded and she whimpered as she asked.  "Who?"

She felt her legs give out as he replied.  "Takani Megumi"

()()()

Author's Notes: