The Gift

[Start music.]

Soujiro stood next to the open door of his and Misao's room, speaking softly to a person in the hall. He stopped talking and nodded, closing the door.

[Winter snow is falling down

Children laughing all around]

Turning, he looked over at Misao, curled up asleep in the futon. Her arms gently cradled a small bundle protectively.

[Lights are turning on like a fairy tale come true

Sittin' by the fire we made]

Walking over to his wife and new daughter, Soujiro knelt by their side just looking at them, afraid to touch, and possibly disturb, this piece of paradise laid before him.

[You're the answer when I prayed]

Slowly, ever so gently, he reached out his hand to brush a strand of hair that had fallen across Misao's angelic face.

[I would find someone and baby I found you]

Still admiring, Soujiro let his hand rest on her cheek as his mind began to sift through memories.

[And all I want is to hold you forever]

He could recall with crystal clarity the moment that he had first met Misao. He had sensed someone nearby when he was bathing but thought nothing of it.

[All I need is you more everyday]

Turning when the person come up behind him, he had gotten an excellent view of her in the full moonlight. It had startled him enough that he had not dodged the rock she threw at him.

[You saved my heart from being broken apart]

When she had helped him to the shore and stayed with him the entire night, he had begun to feel something... at the time, he had not known what it was, only that he wanted to stay with her.

[You gave your love away]

In the four years since he had begun his journey, Soujiro had traveled all over the country trying to find himself and the truth about life, about taking it and preserving it. He had gotten to know people who were not warriors, simple people who he once thought of as only food for the strong.

[And I'm thankful everyday]

But they were stronger than he because they allowed themselves to feel and show their emotions. He was still trying to find his.

[For the gift]

When she kissed him that night on the roof, Misao had slammed a wedge into the crack forming in the wall blocking off his feelings. Then she had allowed him to accompany her in her wanderings where she taught him more about the heart than he would have ever been able to learn on his own.

[Watching as you softly sleep]

Misao shifted slightly in her sleep bringing Soujiro out of his musings. A small smile found its way to his face as he adjusted the blanket around her beautiful form.

[What I'd give if I could keep]

Soujiro moved to snuggle closer to his wife and daughter (His daughter!) wrapping them both securely in his arms. He moved a little of the blanket so that he could gaze at the newborn's face.

[Just this moment if only time stood still]

His little Yumi... the most beautiful sight he had ever seen in his life. Less than one day old. His smile widened as he thought back to the events of the last day and a half.

[But the colors fade away]

Misao's labor was long and he had been so nervous and frustrated and worried that Aoshi had to physically remove him from the building to allow Megumi to work in (relative) peace.

[And the years will make us gray]

When their little girl had finally been delivered... Soujiro felt his heart break and then be reborn just in that first second. There sat his love, his wife, with sweat still staining her forehead and tears in her eyes, holding something that was part him and part her... and the most wonderful something in the world.

[But baby in my eyes you'll still be beautiful]

And then that little person had opened her mouth and let forth a loud cry. Okon had commented that it truly was Misao's child but Soujiro had not paid any attention. Who knew a wail could sound that beautiful? Tears had crept into his eyes.

[And all I want is to hold you forever]

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Soujiro allowed his mind to wander back to the past, to the year and a half that he had spent wandering with Misao, and recall why he had fallen in love with her.

[All I need is you more everyday]

Without realizing it, in what had seemed like no time at all, she had wormed her way into his heart with her kind, vivacious personality, until Soujiro had realize that he did not want to live without her in his life.

[You saved my heart from being broken apart]

But, he had been unsure as to what to do about it. She seemed so afraid of becoming close to him.

[You gave your love away]

Misao had told him her history with Aoshi (the same night he told her of his involvement with Shishio... it was a very draining night for the both of them) so he did not pressure her, just bided his time until he _thought_ she might be ready to accept him.

[And I'm thankful everyday]

Finally, one evening when they were passing the place where they had first met, he felt the time was (maybe~please~maybe) right, so he asked her to marry him.

[For the gift]

And she said, "Yes."

[Musical bridge]

Several scenes replayed themselves in Soujiro's mind. First, Misao coming through the door in her wedding kimono... his chest still tightened at the memory. Then, Himura-san's face when they had requested his help in the ceremony... Soujiro was quite sure he had never seen someone so shocked. Finally, his talk with Okina-san, where he promised with all of his sincerity to love and protect Misao forever. When Soujiro had looked into the old man's eyes, he was sure he saw tears sparkling in them.

[And all I want is to hold you forever]

A contented sigh from the woman in his arms brought him back around to the present.

[All I need is you more everyday]

Soujiro closed his eyes and lay amazed at his life.

[You saved my heart from being broken apart]

Who ever would have thought that he, someone who had been a killer, without true emotion or thought of his actions, would be allowed to hold someone so kind and beautiful and pure... he could not find words strong enough to describe her... as he did now?

[You gave your love away]

Mentally, he thanked Himura-san for turning him around and setting him on the path for this...

[And I'm thankful everyday]

And Shishio-san for allowing him to stay alive long enough to meet Himura-san.

[Can't find the words to say]

But, most especially, Misao for giving him his heart, that he did not even know he had, and her precious, precious love.

[Thank you for the gift]

With a smile on his face and tears in his eyes, Soujiro pressed a kiss into Misao's forehead and finally allowed himself to fall asleep, arms around his family.

Owari.

Written by Tom Douglas and Jim Brickman.

Sung by Collin Raye with Jim Brickman.

Disclaimers: Nope! I still don't own the characters or the song and I'm still not making money off of this stuff. Please don't sue!

Author's Notes: This story was hard to write not because I was blocked or had difficulty with any of the scenes, but because I had to tone down my excitement for it! This fic is brought to you by the Soujiro and Misao key-chains I got at Expo, the fit of insomnia I had not too long ago that had me up looking through my CD's for a song that fit my idea, Collin Raye for singing a song that fit it perfectly (and for being such a babe!) and lots and lots of Coke that kept me "motivated." Actually, Soujiro said that I had been neglecting his side of things and wanted a story from his point of view... who am I to deny him? ^_~ Please let me know what you think... I'm not sure it I got his P.O.V. done well. If you would like to hear a clip of this song, you can get one under 'Direct Hits' at:

http://countrywavs.inet-pro.com/raye.htm