Under the Cherry Tree
"Are you nervous Misao?" A 14 year old Aoshi had spoken to a 12 year old Misao. They were walking down a pathway in the main City Street. Aoshi wore a beige coloured training uniform, with a black belt tied around his waist holding it closed. He had a bag slung over his right shoulder as Misao walked silently on his left side. They had yet again grown taller, but still Misao was always a head shorter then her best friend. She hadn't spoken since he picked her up that morning. They had boarded the train to take them into the city and Misao had not spoken at all. Deep inside Aoshi was becoming worried, but he'd never show it openly. His hair had been cut, but he still wore it in a ponytail and it sat high on top of his head, the strands brushing his bare neck. Misao's hair was in its usual plait and rested at her butt. She was wearing a pair of black comfortable pants with a dark blue long sleeved shirt. She had on a pair of dark blue and black sneakers as well. She'd been absently looking in the shop windows locking herself in her own thoughts. She'd been signed up at the training hall Aoshi, Sano, Hannya, Beshimi, Hyotokko and Shijuksho go to and today was her first day.
"Misao?" She turned her head upward hearing Aoshi say her name. His long bangs covered his eyes fully now but if you were up close the way she was now you could see the concern rushing over them at her being so quiet. She stared blankly at him and he soon spoke once more placing his hand on her left shoulder.
"I said are you nervous?" Misao looked up at her long time best friend and placed a small smile on her lips then turned her head away from him looking into the shop windows once more. Silence filled the area as they brushed passed other people who were walking in the opposite direction. Aoshi's hand had slipped off her shoulder and Misao tensed when they made it to the training hall. He had opened the door walking inside but haltered and turned around noticing Misao was not following him.
"Misao? Are you sure you're alright?" She took a deep breath and soon spoke bowing her head slightly and told him the truth.
"I am not really nervous just afraid I'll let Hannya down, let you down. You have all taught me so much these past 4 years I just don't want to stuff it up I guess." Misao soon looked up seeing Aoshi was now standing in front of her. A lob-sided grin etched his lips and he soon wrapped her up in a comforting hug and spoke softly into her ear.
"It's your first day Misao. None of us expect you to beat every person in sparring. Besides everyone has to spar with everyone, you'll have to spar with us as well. No matter what happens we will always be proud of you for getting this far. The guys and I are going to eat out after training and YOU are coming with us too! Now come on, the others a waiting to wish you good luck." Aoshi had let go and Misao smiled up at him and they walked into the hall.
* * * *
"Students we have a new member joining us today. Misao would you come up here?" The teacher had spoken. Misao bit her lip out of habit, Aoshi knowing she was now nervous. She turned her head to place a forced smile on her lips and stood up walking over to her 6-foot tall teacher. He placed his hand on her shoulder and soon spoke once again.
"Class this is Misao Makimachi." Misao cast her eyes around looking at all the male students. She was correct in thinking she would be the only female student here. There were whispers from students obviously talking about her and her eyes shrunk looking around at some of them.
"Some of you may be thinking that she shouldn't be here because she is female but we have no such rules and you never know, she may beat one of you." There were snorts all round as some thought it were impossible because she was a mere female but Misao watched as everything went silent when Aoshi and Hannya turned around giving them silent and deadly stares. Misao inwardly smiled thanking the gods those guys were on her side.
"Alright, its time to warm up. Lets go!" Misao stood still watching the guys get up and mingle around, some still glancing her way but she soon moved off towards Aoshi's bag. She had placed her stuff in with his and opened up the bag taking out the white wrappings she had bought with her. She was walking back over towards the others, one wrapping in her mouth while she glanced down placing the other one over her left wrist and hand bandaging it up. Misao sensed someone coming closer and dodged out of the way from being pushed over fully as the guy only knocked into her side. She glanced at his back as he was walking over to his friends and then felt the familiar aura of Aoshi. He had seen this and was not pleased at all. Misao knew it was good to leave it alone but she turned fully facing the guy that tried knocking her over and she soon spoke.
"I believe that was uncalled for but now you have enlisted a challenge and I shall take it up with you later on."
"Misao, Shiro enough! Start warming up!" The sensei had spoken and Misao turned away bandaging up her other hand and heading towards Aoshi.
"A word Misao." Her teacher had spoken again and Misao stopped and walked towards him. He lifted up her wrist and spoke.
"Why these?"
"I use kunai Sensei and I don't want to damage my hands too much so I thought this would help." He nodded silently at her and waved her off so she could make her way towards Aoshi once more.
* * * *
An hour had passed and Aoshi was sparring with Hannya at the moment. They had all agreed that Misao needed to do this by herself to prove to the other guys in the hall that she can be as good or even better then them and that she had the right to be here. Hannya and Aoshi completely stopped when they heard an enraged yell and stood still as where all the other students as they watched Misao and Shiro spar together.
"YOU HENTAI! WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO GROPE SOMETHING THAT'S NOT EVEN THERE!" Miso had yelled trying to pull herself away from Shiro as he held onto her dark blue top right at her chest. She had reefed away doing a backflip kicking him square in the chest and then under his chin and tried landing successfully but tripped over another student's foot and landed on her butt. Her chest heaved her breathing rugged and quick and her now torn and buttonless dark blue shirt gapped open showing off her black sports top underneath. It showed off her stomach and belly button region. Misao had stood back up refusing the hand that was placed out to help her up.
"Misao?" She froze and turned around, her eyes slightly frightened when she stared into a pair of cool dark ones. It was her Sensei and Misao closed her eyes when she felt his hands being placed on her shoulders as she was waiting to be kicked out.
"Congratulations." Misao opened one eye looking up at the small smile on his face and he turned her around and she noticed an unconscious Shiro lying sprawled on the ground. Misao had a look of complete surprise and her head jerked up once she heard some clapping. She tuned to see it was Aoshi and he was clapping her for having her first victory and then he bowed formally at her, she had earned his respect. All of a sudden Misao heard more clapping and turned around looking at all the other male students in the class including her other friends. They all bowed at her and she soon looked up hearing a heavy clap and noticed it was her teacher. He too bowed and Misao smiled at receiving their respect and he soon spoke.
"Welcome Misao Makimachi to the Hiko Training School." Misao bowed formally at her teacher and he soon spoke again dismissing his students once they bowed at him and they all scurried off to their bags as it was rare to be able to leave so soon. Shiro's mates had picked him up when he was coming to and helped him out of the hall and back to his house.
Misao sighed, as she was rather sore and tired and swayed slightly at using so much energy and especially on her first day. She had fought three opponents today and only beat one of them. Each match was 20 minutes of total sparring and no resting. Miso felt two hands on her shoulders and knew who it was. She leaned her back into his chest knowing he was going to support her and looked up seeing a smiling Aoshi looking down at her.
"You did it Misao." He had spoken softly down at her. Misao soon squirmed away feeling a poking in her stomach and left Aoshi's half embrace to stare at Sano as he straightened up and spoke.
"What's with the top Misao and the yelling for that matter when you were sparring? What did the idiot do to you anyway?"
"He was trying to grope my breasts you dummy! That guy is such a baka! I'm as flat as that wall over there, but it still hurt so he had to pay. Besides, he wrecked one of my favourite shirts." They all turned when they heard some soft chuckling as their Sensei walked back into the room as he heard the conversation.
"You must get used to that Misao. Some may be on purpose like with Shiro here but your friends and some of the others will be accidental. They have only sparred with guys and it is natural for them to go for the chest. Can you handle that Misao?" There was silence as Misao thought about it for awhile and then nodded her head.
"Alright then. What are you guys doing here anyway, go shout Misao dinner for her efforts today."
"BYE SENSEI!" They had all yelled and raced out the door grabbing their stuff on the way. They were walking down the street when Aoshi stopped as Misao tugged on his belt.
"What is it Misao?" The others had stopped further up ahead talking about what they did wrong in the lesson today and how they can improve. Aoshi was looking down at Misao as she untied his belt and wrapped it around herself pulling her shirt closed silently. Aoshi's training top gapped open but he wore a black singlet underneath.
"I don't feel like eating out tonight, how 'bout we do it another night. I promised mum I'd come home straight away. I'll give this back to you later okay Aoshi? Bye guys!" Misao had yelled and then turned her back on Aoshi, a sad face expression covering her entire face.
"Misao?" She placed a smile on her face and turned to face Aoshi once more. She knew he would probably see through her fake smile but he said nothing about it except...
"You did really good and we are proud of you. Even Sensei is too." Misao nodded her head, that not making her feel any better and she turned around walking to the train station to go home.
* * * *
Misao opened the door to the house and closed it silently behind her. She watched her sisters walk downstairs talking about boys yet again. Its what they seemed to talk about all the time. She began walking upstairs but stopped when she heard Okon call her name.
"Aren't you going to tell mum your home?"
"Or go see father?" Omasu had spoken as well. Misao looked back at them and soon shook her head walking towards her room.
* * * *
Misao lay on her bed staring up at the blank ceiling. She had changed into her nightie and lay on top of the covers, her head cradled in her folded arms. There was a slight knock at the door and it soon opened to reveal Misao's mother coming over. She grabbed Misao's chair from her desk and sat down looking at her daughter.
"So what happened at training today?" Misao kept staring up at the ceiling not saying a word. Out of the corner of her eye she watched as her mother picked up her discarded top noticing there was a slight tare and all the buttons were missing.
"Well I'd say something really did happen." Misao was still quiet and she watch her mother stand up and heading for the door.
"Mama?" Misao's voice was soft, as she never took her eyes off the ceiling.
"What is it sweetie?" Her mother's voice was soft and she came back over sitting on the bed as Misao sat up crossing her legs and facing her now.
"Am I going to get breasts like you and Okon and Omasu one day?" Her mother nodded her head looking down at her youngest daughter and Misao spoke again.
"What if I don't want them?" Misao had asked again. There was a small chuckle coming from her mother and she soon placed her hand against Misao's cheek and spoke once more.
"Oh sweetie, its what happens when you grow up. Things happen, your body will change in many ways whether you want it to or not. It's just a part of growing up and becoming a woman."
"But that's just it mummy I don't know how to be a girl! At training earlier on I was sparring with this boy and it was fun until he groped my chest thinking there was something there, but there isn't. I got so mad because I thought it was heaps rude of him to do such a thing to me and I hit him really hard. He went unconscious too but I felt so bad. Then there is another part of me saying he deserved it because he was violating me but I don't understand! Maybe Okon and Omasu are right! Maybe I should have been a boy! I don't play with dollies, have sleepover parties or have any girlfriends! My friends are boys and sometimes I hear them talking about girls because that's what boys seem to do at their age. They were staring at different girls, even some in my grade and commenting on their chest sizes or how they looked. I'm different mummy; I'm the odd one out! I don't have a chest like the other girls in my grade. I get teased and some boys call me 'flat chested' and they stare at the other girls and they seem to like it. Sano and Aoshi and the others watch the girls too but I really am different! Maybe I should stop being around them and find girlfriends. Maybe that will help me become a girl! I just don't know anymore." And with that said Misao began crying into her hands. Her mum was surprised, never had she seen Misao cry, not even as a little girl. She wrapped her daughter in a hug telling her everything was going to be okay. Her daughter had been holding onto all of these thoughts for so long and yet after hitting that boy in complete and utter rage it made her break down. For once this was something Aoshi couldn't help her with or even know about because Misao would be too embarrassed to tell him.
"Misao you're still young. Why I was 14 when I started growing, all the girls at my school had breasts when they were 12 and 13. I felt left out and ashamed that maybe there was something wrong with me but my mother said its different for every girl. I ignored the teasing I got as it only made me stronger to believe in myself and thy soon stopped as their words didn't effect me at all. You are a girl Misao and you don't have to go so far as to stop hanging around with Aoshi and the others but that's up to you. If you want to do girl things that's up to yourself to decide. No one can tell you who you want to be okay?" Misao nodded her head listening to her mothers words and her mother soon left the room to leave Misao to her own thoughts.
Misao got off her bed and sat on her table looking out the large window. She soon saw Okon walking down the pathway, her hand placed into a boy's hand. They were happily talking about something and they soon stopped in front of the gate. Misao watched as he placed his hand against Okon's cheek and his lips soon pressed against hers. Misao was utterly confused and watched as Okon wrapped her arms around his neck holding him close. Misao didn't understand that type of affection from a boy and a girl. Her and Aoshi and the others never acted like that. They soon parted and Misao could see the redness in Okon's cheeks from having gone through such contact like that. She heard the opening and closing of the front door signalling Okon was now inside and she watched the boy do some sort of dance and then he walked off hands in pockets whistling. Misao sighed and soon got off the table and got into bed and turned off her lamp, completely forgetting about her small ritual with her father.
The room fell into darkness, but was slightly bathed in moonlight. Three words could be heard as they were uttered from the girl that lay in the bed as she fell to sleep.
"I'm sorry guys…"
* * * *
Misao had left for school without Hannya. It was strange for her to do this but she needed more time to think about what she was seriously doing. She watched as other schoolgirls ran passed her laughing happily. Misao had been walking down the street she always walked down but today it was different. Today she didn't speak to the local people she passed on school days. She kept to herself but fully aware of the boy that followed silently behind her. She could feel his unease as he didn't know what was wrong with her. He was always right about everything and yet today was the day that he knew of nothing that went on inside of Misao.
Misao soon reached another park indicating she was about ten minutes away from school. She could see other students getting dropped off by parents, or walking or getting off buses. Misao soon came to a halt and sat on a bench in the park and waited for Aoshi to come over and sit with her.
Minutes passed as she looked up seeing he was standing on the footpath and still looking over at her. She watched as he politely said hello to some females in his grade and they kept walking and giggling for some unknown reason to Misao. Misao began fiddling with her braid as it was flicked over her left shoulder as Aoshi began to walk towards her. He sat down on the bench with her and Misao soon spoke.
"I can't have lunch with you and the guys today." He stared blankly over at her and soon spoke.
"Let me guess you haven't finished a project and you gotta go to the library?" Misao shook her head negatively and spoke again.
"Or any other day…It's just that what happened at training yesterday made me think about some things. I'm not like other girls and maybe I should be like them. I need to find people my own age to be around with and have a friend who is a girl and I can talk girl stuff with her."
"So basically your telling me my friendship is not good enough because I'm two years older then you and a boy."
"No that's not it!" Misao had yelled facing Aoshi. He was already standing up not looking at her anymore and he spoke once more.
"I was so stupid to think we'd be friends forever. I thought we'd get through anything; that we'd share everything together. I never thought I'd see the day when you'd do something like this but here it is and I…I don't know what I'm feeling. I guess we weren't meant to be best friends after all." Misao watched with tears falling down her cheeks as Aoshi her now ex-best friend began walking off. His hands in his trouser pockets, his school jacket blowing in the breeze and his head cast downwards, those long bangs hiding the hurt he in his blue-green eyes.
"AOSHI!" Misao had yelled standing up on the bench but her sobs grew, as he kept walking not looking back. It was all her fault. She had no friends anymore, she felt like she was 8 years old again and that she had never met Aoshi or the others. Misao wiped the tears away with her school jumper and picked up her bag when she heard the school bell ringing.
* * * *
"Good Morning class." Misao's teacher had spoken getting there attention. Misao didn't get into trouble as the teacher took one look at Misao's red eyes and asked her if she wanted to go see the school nurse. Misao refused saying she was all right and headed to her desk down the back.
"We have a new student joining us. This is Tokio. She's just moved here from Osaka. Please welcome her into the class." There was a small clap for the short girl who stood nervously at the front. She had dark hair that brushed to her shoulders.
"I need a volunteer to show Tokio around since she is new here." The room was silent and Misao glanced up looking at the girl. Her head was downcast and Misao's eyes frowned thinking she was exactly like that when she got here. The teacher looked around the room and Misao soon stood up and spoke.
"I'll show Tokio around Mr Nada." He had a surprised expression on his face but nodded his head. Misao grabbed her books and left the room with a silent Tokio walking behind her.
"My name's Misao, wanna be friends?" Tokio had dark mysterious eyes and they silently stared into Misao's. She soon placed a smile on her face and nodded her head.
"Have you got your timetable for what classes you have yet?" Misao had asked and Tokio soon spoke.
"Yes, its right here Misao." Misao had a look and then smiled giving it back to her.
"You've got the same classes as me but I'll show you the classrooms anyway. I don't want to go back to class just yet." They both giggled and then Misao began pointing out which classrooms where which as they passed them, administration offices, principals office, toilets and so on. They finally made it outside and Misao spoke again pointing out the library. They made their way towards the gym hall and walked inside.
"This is were you come for PE lessons. Even though you might be out on the field or something you still must come here first for a role call."
"Do you like doing PE Misao?" Tokio had asked.
"Its okay, but I'm not really interested in what they do here. It gets kind of boring after doing it so many times." Tokio nodded her head and they began walking around so Misao could show Tokio where the locker change rooms were. They made it to the other side of the gym hall and Misao stood frozen in her place as she watched Sano, Hyotokko, Beshimi, Hannya and Shijuksho walk out of the male change rooms. Misao's eyes were wide as they walked towards her smiling happily.
"Hey guys its Misao! What are you doing out of class Misao?" Sano had spoken walking towards her.
"Good morning Sanosuke-kun, Hyotokko-kun, Beshimi-kun, Hannya-kun and Shijuksho-kun." They all gave her weird stares at being so formal with them. Hannya had stepped forward placing his hand under her chin lifting her head up so he could look into her eyes.
"Why so gloom cutie? Missing us already?" He tried joking. They had no idea about what Misao had said to Aoshi that morning. As if on queue she heard the change room door slam shut and could see a tall 14 year old dressed in black shorts and a white shirt. It was none other then Aoshi. Misao gulped stepping back away from Hannya and soon spoke to him.
"Good morning Aoshi-kun." He walked by her completely ignoring her and he soon spoke his voice low and emotionless.
"We have a game to win. Stop talking to the Makimachi girl and let's go." Miso flinched hearing Aoshi call her by her last name. She hurt him badly, real badly. He told her secrets, dreams he had. Things he never told the others and now she'd blown him off as though he were nothing. Didn't he realise how much she was hurting inside? But then of course he didn't. Misao hadn't even properly explained to him why she was doing this. She couldn't speak to him about that stuff and so she went to her mother. Aoshi was like ice on the outside to all those around him and yet he was rather fragile on the inside. Misao had known this from when they spoke at nights together when it was just they and especially on Hanami. Misao had lost that too. She'd lost everything she loved in her best friend…she lost apart of her.
"Misao-chan? Misao-chan who were they?" Misao snapped out of her thoughts and turned to face Tokio.
"They are…They were my friends." Misao had spoken quietly looking over at the guys. Aoshi was on the sidelines cheering the others on as they were trying to win the basketball match. He would know she was watching him but he never faulted, completely blanking her out of his mind, out of his heart. Misao's eyes frowned, glistening with unshed tears but she held them back not wanting to cry in front of anyone.
"Misao-chan, should we start heading back now?" Tokio spoke missing Misao's sad expression. She nodded her head in agreement and they walked on the sidelines watching the senior's basketball game. Misao noticed Saitou was on a team pretty close to where they were standing and she watched as he stole the ball from a player, watched as he aimed for the ring and threw the ball. It rolled around the rim but soon dropped into the hoop.
"NICE SHOT OKAMI-SAN!" Misao had yelled not being able to hold it back any longer. She narrowed her eyes noticing Saitou had tensed, hating the name she called him. He had turned around to stare daggers at her and was about to respond to her little comment when Misao's eyes widened as Saitou was pushed out of the court and slammed straight into Tokio taking her to the ground with him. She had let out a small squeal at being so surprised.
"KUSO!" Saitou had yelled and pulled himself up on his hands and knees looking down at a wide-eyed young girl, one that was quite cute too. He shook his head of that thought and got up pulling her up on her feet as well.
"What the hell are you doing here weasel girl?" Saitou had spoken annoyingly. But before Misao could answer another voice had interrupted.
"DON'T CALL HER WEASEL GIRL! SHE HAS A NAME OKAMI-SAN!" Tokio had yelled at him. Saitou's gaze turned to her and he looked into her wavering dark eyes. One of her hands was placed over her mouth after saying that and he watched her with cool eyes as she dropped her hand away and stepped back slightly and speaking once more. This time a little more subdued.
"Ano…It's rude to call people names. That goes for you as well Misao-chan." Saitou knew of only one female that spoke back to him but now he had just met another, one he thought was cute too. Saitou's eyes had narrowed once more thinking about that.
"Oh Tokio-chan your no fun!" Misao had spoken taking her hand and dragging her away, heading back to class.
"Misao-chan who was that boy?"
"Boy? That's Saitou and he's 16 Tokio-chan."
"Hmm 16…he's pretty cute though don't you think Misao-chan?"
"What do you mean?" Misao had spoken softly. Tokio started giggling at Misao's question but watched horrified as Misao ran off heading towards the bathrooms at full speed.
* * * *
"Misao-chan I'm sorry!" Tokio had spoken to a closed and locked stall. Misao was sitting on the toilet seat, her arms wrapped around her legs. Misao said nothing as she stared at some tiny speck on the tiled floor. She soon noticed a head pop under the door and soon Tokio was crawling through the gap and sat on the ground looking up at Misao.
"Misao-chan will you tell me what's wrong?"
"I'm not like you Tokio or any other girl for that matter. When you talk about boys and if they are cute and stuff I don't know. What am I supposed to feel? I just look at Saitou and think of him as a big brother and a real pain in the butt. Hannya and Sano and the other guys are…were my friends. They let me go camping with them, play with them and eat lunch with them, even though they are two years older then me. I don't have any friends my own age and I thought that maybe we could be friends because I don't have a girlfriend and I thought it'd be best if I'm with people my own age."
"What about Aoshi-kun Misao? He seems pretty special to you."
"He is…" Misao had whispered wiping some tears away.
"Then why is he so angry at you Misao. If you guys are best friends then what's the problem?"
"That's just it were not! Were not friends anymore! I totally blew it! I lost my bestest friend in the whole world! There was this whole situation at training the other night and I thought I wasn't a girl because I'm not…I don't have a chest like the other girls in class. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong. I thought I needed to do girl things to be a girl and so I tried explaining it but it came out all wrong and now he totally hates me. Aoshi will never trust me again!" Tokio had stood up wrapping Misao in a hug trying to comfort her new friend.
"Misao-chan you can't be saying this is all over a chest are you?" Tokio spoke pulling away from the other girl. Misao looked up her eyes glistening with tears and she soon bowed her head not speaking at all.
"That means I'm no girl either Misao-chan. Look at me, I'm as flat as a pancake too!" Misao couldn't help but giggle at that and she soon stood up hugging Tokio.
"Come on Misao-chan you can't hide in here forever. Besides you've got 5 good friends and 1 bestest friend to have lunch with and a seventh friend who'll be there as well as long as you introduce me to Saitou." Misao pulled away looking at Tokio who had just turned a nice shade of red saying that. Misao soon giggled and nodded her head and they walked out the bathroom thinking now was a good time to go back to class.
* * * *
"OH SAITOU-KUN?" Misao had yelled while dragging a now shy Tokio with her. It was lunchtime and Misao was doing her end of the bargain.
"What now weasel girl?" He had spoken turning around to see the girl he had fallen on during PE.
"This is my friend Tokio. She's a new student at the school." Misao spoke.
"Your weasel's friend…hmm you have my sympathy." Misao scrunched her face up in annoyance at hearing this and soon walked off over to a coke machine to buy herself a drink leaving a nervous Tokio with Saitou.
"Sorry about falling on you earlier." He spoke, his eyes wandering off to look at something else.
"It's okay. You weren't as heavy as I thought you'd be." Saitou glanced his eyes back at her to see hers were wide in surprise at hearing herself say this and a small blush covered her cheeks.
"Oh and how many guys have you had lying on top of you?" Saitou spoke back rather intrigued.
"THAT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS BAKA!" He had raised his eyebrow hearing her temper flair up yet again and she soon mumbled an apology for being so rude.
"No, it was worth it." And at that Saitou walked off not saying anything else.
"EARTH TO TOKIO-CHAN?!?" Misao had yelled and knocked the girl out of her daze. Miso was soon surprised when Tokio dragged her off towards the 5 figures sitting under a tree in the distance.
"Cutie? You okay now? Has something happened between you and Aoshi?" Hannya had asked as Misao and Tokio sat down in the grass, joining the circle. Misao looked around seeing Aoshi was not here and bowed her head mumbling 'something'. The others gave her concerned looks and Tokio soon spoke up.
"Well my name's Tokio since Misao's not going to introduce me."
"What?" Misao had spoken up being knocked out of her thoughts at hearing her name. The others began to laugh and Misao gave a sheepish grin and ate in silence as she listened to the others but missed the one who was most important to her.
* * * *
"Misao-chan how long have you been home?" Misao turned around hearing her mother's voice. She was sitting in the training hall looking at her kunai's.
"For awhile I guess…" Misao had spoken absently and then stood up and walked straight towards her mother and wrapped her arms around her waist needing to be hugged. Her mother's arms went straight around her as she stood in the doorway of the training hall.
"Tell me what happened Misao?" Her mother's voice was so soft and all Misao did was weep into her arms.
* * * *
An hour had passed as Misao was up in her room, wrapped in her mum's embrace. She had just finished telling her about the best and worst day of her life. She'd finally found a friend who was a girl and who understood what she was going through and yet she had lost Aoshi. Her mum had kept saying everything would work itself out she just needed to give Aoshi some space and then tell him everything. Misao decided to listen to her mother and finally fell asleep resting in her mother's arms.
* * * *
A couple of weeks had passed and Misao hadn't seen Aoshi anywhere. She was becoming extremely worried because even Saitou had come up and asked her what was wrong with him. He was being distant with everyone and that was not good. What hurt Misao the most that he'd gone off alone on his birthday. Aoshi was 15 now and didn't want to celebrate with anyone. Saitou said he had left during the night before his birthday and snuck out of the house without anyone knowing. Saitou had told Misao that something was wrong with Aoshi and it had something to do with her. Talk about it being put so bluntly to Misao. Only Saitou would say something so straightforward.
* * * *
Misao held Aoshi's gift in her hands as she stood at the door to his house. She'd been over that day wanting to give him his present but ran home crying when he'd left. His mum and dad were extremely worried too. They knew he was capable of looking after himself but still, he hadn't told anyone where he was going. Misao had been working so hard to get this gift for him too. She had been spending weekends in the office working with her father and getting extra pocket money since she was 10. She helped neighbours with the gardens needing all the money she could get. She had seen the items and asked the man to put them away for her until she got enough money. He was a little reluctant at first but Misao had begged so much he finally gave in. It was the best gift she could actually think of and it would also be a sorry gift too. She so desperately wanted to see him again and knocked loudly on the front door. Misao was greeted by Saitou who actually sighed happily at seeing her and mumbled 'finally' then spoke once closing the door in her face.
"Around the back." Misao scrunched her face at his rudeness but made her way around the back to see Aoshi was sitting in the middle of the back yard looking at the back stone wall. He wore a pair of black loose pants and…nothing else Misao had discovered. She felt her cheeks flame for some unknown reason but calmed down and moved closer sitting in front of him. She soon realised his eyes were closed.
"Aoshi…" Misao had spoken in a small whisper. The wind blew his long bangs around and she watched him take another deep breath and his body soon tensed his senses coming back to normal and knowing the person that sat in front of him.
"I-I'm sorry for intruding A-Aoshi-kun. I-I brought you your birthday p-present. I c-came on your b-birthday but y-you were g-gone." Misao had spoken shakily and stood up walking further into the yard. She could hear some rustling of the tissue paper around the items she had bought and closed her eyes knowing he was probably looking at them right now.
"Misao?" She had stiffened slightly as he was right behind her now.
"Y-yes Aoshi-kun?" Misao had spoken in a slight whisper.
"You're coming to celebrate Hanami with me and stop this Aoshi-kun business." Misao had turned around seeing him walking back over to the box the kodachi's where in. He turned around to face Misao and she stared at him. He was bare foot, only dressed in black pants, the wind blew his long bangs around and his ponytail too. He held the kodachi's in his right hand while his left occupied the box and the wrapping. Misao thought he looked really nice like that. Maybe that's what Tokio was talking about. Was Misao a girl now since she thought Aoshi looked nice? She'd have to discuss that with her mother or maybe even Aoshi later on as she began walking towards him and they entered the house together, hoping to rekindle there lost friendship.
* * * *
Misao sighed happily as her and Aoshi walked around the park once more. They were headed for their tree again. They could hear the faint sounds of their families celebrating Hanami once again. Misao wore a deep blue kimono and silver cherry blossoms flickered all over it. As usual Misao was walking bare foot loving the coolness of the grass. Aoshi was wearing black pants and a dark blue shirt with an even darker blue dragon etched on it. He wore a black jacket over the top.
They both sat on the trunk that had grown stronger and thicker over the years as it still held their weights ever year they grew up. Misao had picked some of the blossoms off and twirled them in her hands.
"I'm sorry Aoshi." Misao had spoken looking down at the blossoms.
"What for this time?" Aoshi had spoken back a small smile on his face. Misao swatted his arm and she spoke again.
"I'm serious Aoshi. About the conversation I had with you in the park those weeks ago. When you left me at the park that day because I hurt you so badly I cried. I cried for a long time after that because not only had I lost a friend I had lost my best friend someone I care deeply about and who means a lot to me. I felt empty inside because you were gone. When Shiro-kun and I were sparring it was fun, but then it changed when he grabbed me. I felt as though he were violating my space, my privacy but then why would I think that when there was nothing there. I look at all the other females in my grade and they are really girls. They chat about boys, especially the ones that stare at them and then they'll start talking about bra sizes and what cup size they are. I hate it! I look down at myself and realise there is nothing there, the damn wall at home looks better. If I'm jealous of another girl does that make me a girl? Tokio had said Saitou was pretty cute but I was completely at a loss with what she was talking about. I just think of him as an older brother and a pain in the ass at that! Tokio sees something different in him but I can't. Does that mean I'm not a girl? Then I saw you when I came to your house to give you your present and you were dressed in your pants and nothing else. My cheeks burned at seeing you like that because I thought you looked nice, does that make me a girl?"
"Misao do you mean to tell me this is all about chest sizes?" At hearing Aoshi say that Misao tuned bright red in embarrassment and placed her hands over her face trying to cover it up.
"Misao you're 12 years old." Aoshi had spoken getting off the branch.
"So?" Misao had mumbled out and Aoshi grabbed her hands pulling them away from her face and spoke looking into her eyes.
"So that's it. Your 12, later on in the year you'll be 13 and next year you'll be 14 and so on. You'll grow up and before you realise it there will be boys looking at you."
"But I don't want them to stare at me!" Misao had spoken exasperated.
"Well it's a part of being a guy Misao. They stare, they see changes in females because they're changing themselves. You said the girls in your grade talk about boys well guys talk about girls as well. They talk about which female they think is cute, which ones have nice personalities and which ones they want to kiss. You're not any less of a girl if you don't talk about boys all the time and the fact that your chest isn't as big. Who really gives a crap about what they say anyway. Tokio doesn't and she's just like you and your BOTH girls. Besides you've got six good friends and a best friend who like you the way you are. Now come on its time to go back." Aoshi turned his back on Misao pointing to his back and Misao climbed on as Aoshi walked off giving her a piggyback.
"Aoshi?"
"What is it Misao?" Misao had placed her head down on Aoshi's shoulder her arms wrapping tightly around his shoulders as she held the front of his jacket tightly and she spoke softly into his ear.
"Thanks and I do think you're really cute too. Better then all the other boys I've seen." She heard a soft chuckle leave his lips and Aoshi had turned his head slightly to see Misao's eyes where closed, a small smile tugged at her pink lips and her cheeks where stained a light pink from saying that to him.
"Arigatoo Misao-chan…" Aoshi had whispered as he could now hear the voices of his brother and Tokio becoming louder as they were bickering yet again!
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *