Under the Cherry Tree

It's been nearly a year that Aoshi has been away from Kyoto. Misao was sitting in her room on the desk looking out into the yard. She was over the shock and the real sadness of crying all the time in front of others, as Aoshi had gone. She cried sometimes but only when she were alone so no one would pity her. She even missed Sano, the baka who always called her weasel girl.

She spent a lot of time with her mum explaining a few things, what she felt hurt the most in her heart. Her mum was a little surprised about Misao blurting out she thought she was falling in love with Aoshi. She said she wanted to pass it off with it being mostly friendship and the fact that he was her first and ever friend but that wasn't what was going through her body, her heart or her mind. Misao's mum had discovered her daughter had found her first ever crush. She had found and lost her first ever love and she was only a 14-year-old teenager. It actually meant a great deal to Misao as she had received her first true kiss from him and her mum had been surprised yet again about hearing that but comforted her youngest daughter through everything.

Misao sighed as she looked around her room. Boxes had been packed up only leaving her bed and a few sets of clothes as well as the desk that was actually staying. They were moving house yet again. Okon was leaving home, going to live with her boyfriend, the one Misao saw her kissing outside all those years ago. They were pretty serious and Mr. Makimachi was rather angry that he hadn't even been introduced to the boy that had stolen his eldest daughter's heart. Okon had been a little reluctant thinking her family would embarrass her and he'd never want to be with her again but Yahiko finally came over to the Makimachi residence and stayed for dinner. He loved them, like his own family. His little sister Tsubame was a year younger then Misao and went to a different school. Misao had met her a couple of times since they spent some family outings with Yahiko's family because of the seriousness between their "children". She was shy at first and major sweet, loved cooking food and Misao didn't mind as she made great dishes. They felt like sisters already and Misao loved play fighting with Yahiko too. What made Yahiko and Okon blush was when both sets of parents started talking about future wedding plans and grandchildren.

Hannya, Beshimi, Shijuksho and Hyotokko tried comforting Misao as much as they could but they needed to deal with their own sadness at seeing their childhood friends gone. Hannya was separating from the group on weekends as he and Tae became more involved with each other but he always came and sat with them at lunch no matter what. Tae had come a few times but disliked how the topic was either about training, Aoshi or their adventures. Tokio didn't mind though since some included her "wolf". She was still saddened like Misao, especially the way he told her that he was going. They too had comforted each other knowing what the other was going through. They spent many weekends together, sleeping over each other's houses, especially since the guys had part time jobs. Misao thought it would be a good idea and it would help keep her busy and so she works for one of the supermarkets, stacking shelves. She didn't want to be out the front as it was quieter working at night. Misao had met Soujiro again, as he happened to work at the same supermarket and he too stacked the shelves at night. Misao had apologised about not going with him to the dance and explained it being Aoshi's last school function since he left for Tokyo and Soujiro understood. Those two had gotten pretty close, as it was inevitable since they stacked shelves in the same lane. Misao knew Soujiro was a nice teenage boy but she knew he was beginning to feel smitten against her. She wasn't too sure but that's the way she seemed to feel around him. He would stand pretty close or lean over her shoulder as though wanting to touch her but didn't. Misao had gone to her mother telling her about this and the only reply she got was 'Misao-chan you are a very pretty teenage girl and this boy seems to thing so too.' Misao had scrunched her face up at not receiving the answer she wanted and replied back saying she didn't think of him like that and that she didn't want a relationship. Her mother was rather quiet when Misao was speaking, but on the inside she was thinking Misao was going to say something about Aoshi but in the end it had been she wasn't ready for something like that with anyone. Her mother had smiled and finally told her daughter to talk to the young man and tell him how she feels.

Misao and the guys still went to training and frequently asked their teacher if he'd heard the latest news from Tokyo. He always shook his head negatively and told them everything would be all right. They were being looked after but around this time of year it would get really busy. His training was quite different from other training halls and he charged lesser prices too and interacted with every single student telling them how to improve. That's why he had asked Sano and Aoshi to go because he knew they could handle the business of helping to run the two training halls. More and more people liked his style of individual interaction as well as a group interaction. Sano had been a little reluctant at first since he was working with a female, on older one then him and a more experienced one too. They both taught the teenagers from ages 12 to 18, while Aoshi worked with an elder man, four years older then him to be precise and they taught the adults.

* * * *

"MISAO-CHAN!" There was a loud knock on Misao's door and she got off the desk and opened it up to reveal Omasu. She was dressed in a plain dark green dress with spaghetti straps. She held a black knitted sweater in her hands and she wore plain black sandals. She had applied light make up to her face not wanting to ruin her natural look. Misao smiled at her sister, as she looked much older then she was. She was going on a first date with the guy she had the hots for. Funnily enough it happened to be Kuro. He and Misao knew each other from going to the same training school and Misao had dragged Omasu along just to show her where she goes. Misao had to suppress her laughter as her sister finally saw Kuro and he wasn't in his school uniform either, he was wearing his training pants, nothing else. Actually he was walking out of the bathroom placing his gi top on but it was left open and Omasu was looking at his bare chest and blushing rather brightly too. Misao being the younger sister had to embarrass her even more by waving Kuro over and introducing the two of them. They knew each other from having classes together but Omasu was awfully shy, but what she didn't know at the time was Kuro that she was pretty cute and her shyness made her even cuter. Omasu had beaten Kuro in asking if he wanted to go catch a movie and maybe get some food sometime and her eyes were wide with shock when he had agreed. They set a time and day and Kuro and Misao's teacher had called them to start warming up. Kuro had waved and began walking off, his back to Omasu and so he never got to see the small victory dance she did. Misao giggled happily for her sister and said she'll see her later on that night.

"Omasu you look beautiful!" Misao had spoken hugging her sister.

"Thanks Misao-chan. That makes me feel a little better. I'm just so nervous." Omasu had spoken. Misao shook her head and grabbed her sisters hand bringing her into her room and closed the door so she could look at herself in the fall length mirror that hung on the back of the door. Misao stood behind her sister and smiled realising she was shorter then herself. Omasu's hair was placing back in a ponytail and Misao took it out and grabbed her black hair clip and placed it into her hair. That looked so much better as her soft brown hair framed her face and fell to her shoulders.

"There now you look even prettier. You're going to blow his mind when he gets a look at you Omasu!" Misao giggled seeing the telltale blush form over her sisters cheeks and hugged her once more then ushered her out of the room when their father said Kuro was here. Seconds went by and soon Misao tiptoed down the hallway and stuck her head around the corner looking downstairs to see Kuro standing at the door and looking at Omasu. He had bought her some purple flowers and she blushed lightly but thanked them. Misao turned her head finding two more figures near her and she found it was her mother and Okon, who was staying the night to finish packing her stuff, and they wanted to peek as well.

"You know you shouldn't be spying on them." Another voice had interrupted and all three females turned around to see it was their dad or husband. They were silent for a moment and then he pushed his way through wanting to have a look as well. Misao was still the closest and she soon squinted her eyes as Kuro came closer placing a light kiss on Omasu's cheek. She could see the redness from her sister but smiled when she watched Kuro's eyes drift up the stair's to where Misao and the rest of her family were. He gave her a silent wave and soon placed his hand on Omasu's lower back walking her out of the house. The clicking of the door finally meant they had gone.

"He knew we were here all the time." Misao spoke and began walking to her room.

"How did he know?" Misao's mum and older sister asked. She glanced over at her father who had a small smile on his face and she spoke once more.

"He's a martial artist, he knew I was there before you guys even came. He's very good when it comes to sensing people, one of the best actually and after all he's a black belt too. Well I'm having an early night."

Misao walked to her door and glanced down the hallway to see her father was the only one left. He had a saddened face expression and was just about to walk back downstairs when Misao spoke.

"I love you dad!" He turned his head, a bright smile on his face. Misao knew he thought she was going to forget about that. She had on some occasions, especially when she was thinking of Aoshi and Sano but now her routine was back. He waved her off and walked downstairs. Misao giggled going into her room knowing that knocked him out of a sour mood all the time.

* * * *

Misao had woken up to some banging going on downstairs. She looked out the window noticing the removal truck was loading the boxes into the back and she quickly dressed and began taking her own boxes downstairs. Misao noticed that Omasu was nowhere in sight and she went back upstairs and knocked lightly on her sister's bedroom door. There was no answer and so she opened the door and walked in noticing she wasn't inside. She moved over towards the window and looked out into the backyard noticing Omasu was sitting on the swing that had been left there since the last occupants of the house. She was still dressed in her bedclothes as a robe wrapped around her body. Misao soon left the room to go see how her night went.

* * * *

"Neesan? How did it go?" Misao spoke scarring her sister but all that was forgotten when she looked into her brown eyes, which were red and puffy from crying. Misao kneeled in front of her sister placing her hands over her sisters, which were sitting in her lap.

"Neesan what happened? If he hurt you! I'll str-"

"No, it's just that the night was wonderful and he was really sweet and we talked about a lot of stuff. When he dropped me off home…" Misao placed a smile on her face thinking it was good but soon realised that if it was good her sister wouldn't be crying.

"Nothing…not a kiss…maybe he thought we were only going out as friends and he probably doesn't think of me like that." Omasu's shoulders slouched and Misao soon pulled her too her feet and spoke.

"Meet me at the training hall at about 2 this afternoon. I'll shout you some ice cream, double choc-chip, neesan." Misao spoke encouragingly, as that was Omasu's favourite. Misao soon received a light hug from her sister and a silent nod saying she'd be there.

* * * *

It was coming to the end of training and Misao was warming down next to Kuro, having planned it that way so she could speak to him.

"Kuro, this might be embarrassing but I hope it isn't, why didn't you kiss my sister?" His face turned looking over at Misao, not a hint of embarrassment whatsoever.

"She was so nervous and when I took her hand or kissed her cheek she looked like she was going to explode with anger or something, she was so red. I was trying to be nice, telling her she looked pretty but I guess it was the wrong thing to say and do so I thought it best I didn't kiss her."

"Anger? No you dummy not from anger! Look my sister likes you okay, and I mean REALLY likes you. She was just nervous she was going to mess it up and you wouldn't want to see her again. She wasn't angry she was flushed that you'd hold her hand or kiss her cheeks. She was actually waiting for it and hoping for it too." The door soon opened cutting Misao off from saying anymore and both of them turned to see it was Omasu. She was wearing a pair of black tight fitting jeans with a pair of sneakers and a dark brown tank top, which showed off her mid section. She sat on the floor taking off her shoes and Misao soon spoke up.

"Kuro, I think you should do it now, when she's not expecting it so she won't become so nervous and it'll be a real surprise. Maybe it will loosen her up when she's around you."

"In front of everyone?" He spoke an eyebrow raised turning to look over at Misao. Misao smiled and soon spoke back.

"Of course. I've seen a few of the guys already eyeing her out and this is your chance to say she's your girlfriend and nobody else can have her." Misao watched as Kuro eyebrow twitched as she said a few of the guys were eyeing her. That was a lie but hey he needed a push anyway. Misao watched as Kuro began crossing the hall in determined strides and she watched as Omasu stood up ready to say something but was unable to as he had wrapped his arms around her shoulders bringing his lips down on hers. Omasu was a head shorter then Kuro and so she had stood on tiptoes responding to his kiss and placed her arms around his neck. There were shocked stares from the other students but all Misao did was smile happily and watched as they pulled apart and Omasu placed her shoes on and Kuro grabbed his bag and they walked out of the training hall. Misao didn't mind she would be having ice cream by herself, as long as things were sorted out between those two she was happy.

* * * *

"TAIDAMA!" Misao had called walking into the house. They were moving to their new house tomorrow, well not Misao, Okon or Omasu since they had school tomorrow.

"Misao-chan where on earth have you been? I've been trying to find you for hours now. I rang the supermarket and Hiko-san and your friends places."

"What's wrong? Is it Okon, or Omasu or dad?" Misao had spoken back alarmingly. She sighed when her mum shook her head negatively.

"Aoshi called Misao." Misao's eyes had frowned sadly, she had missed his call. He never called. He only sent letters.

"W-What did he say?" Misao spoke in a small voice sitting on the bottom stairs. Her mum sat next to her and soon spoke.

"He's taking a handful of students aged from 12-18 because Hiko-san said that he and Sano could handle it and they are going on tour. They'll be going all over Japan and to China as well. He was so excited he wanted to tell you and to say that you can't right because they won't have a fixed address. He said he'll miss your letters and he's sorry he doesn't write a lot but its real busy now trying to get everything organised. Every chance he gets he'll try and send a postcard. He must be changing Misao-chan he sounds like a 20-year-old young man on the phone. I'm sorry you missed his call sweetie I couldn't even tell him we were moving, his phone cut out."

"Oh…" Misao had whispered and then got up walking towards the back door.

"Misao, you shouldn't be pining over him like this. It's not good for you." Her mother spoke seriously.

"Mum it's not like that. You of all people should know what I've gone through in childhood at not having friends and then Aoshi came and he liked me and he wanted to be my friend but not only that my BEST friend. That I'll never forget. I'm more upset that I actually missed his call, its been ages since I received a letter and now I know why. At least I'm happy he still remembers me and the fact he did call." Her mother nodded her head silently and Misao kept walking. She sat down on the porch looking into the backyard for the last time.

* * * *

Misao looked at her watch noticing lunchtime was fast approaching. She was sitting at her desk listening to her teacher talk about some type of history. She hadn't been paying attention much and just wanted to have some lunch and sit with Hannya, Tokio and the others. Misao glanced to her right to see Tokio looked just as bored as she and soon a voice over the louder speaker had interrupted their teacher.

"Misao Makimachi please come to administration straight away, Misao Makimachi please come to administration straight away, thank you." Her teacher nodded for her to leave and Misao walked out of the room, down the hall and finally opened the door to administration.

"You have a call Miss Makimachi." Mrs. Shinahara, one of the secretary's had spoken. Misao gave a confused expression but soon picked up the phone and spoke.

"Hello?" Misao's eyes widened hearing that voice and she soon spoke again, a little loudly this time as though she couldn't believe it.

"OH MY GOD AOSHI!" Misao looked over at Mrs. Shinahara who was staring at her and she soon quieted down.

"Where are yo- Going to China…WHAT NOW?!? NO WAIT…" Misao looked at the phone as it had gone dead. Her eyebrows scrunched up in annoyance. No wonder he never rang. Something was always went wrong or something was always happening. He would suddenly have to go and he would hang up not even listening to the conversation. Just the way he was with her mother the other night. Misao placed the phone down and thanked Mrs. Shinahara for calling her to the office and soon left going back to class to grab her books as the bell had gone for lunch.

* * * *

"Hey cutie what were you called up for?" Hannya had spoken sitting down with tae ever present and by his side.

"I got a phone call…from Aoshi…" There were stares all round and then everyone spoke at once, 'how is he, where is he, what's he and Sano doing and when's he coming back.'

"Wait!" Misao had spoken placing up her hands. Silence feel and she soon spoke again.

"I doubt if we were talking for two minutes! I know he phoned up mum the other day but I wasn't even home and all I got out of him was a hello and I'm off to China! That was it and he hung up the phone! Inconsiderate baka!" Misao was fuming now. She began seething in her silence, as the others hate in silence as well. No more talking was occurred on Misao's behalf.

* * * *

Two months had passed and Misao had stopped by the new owners of her old place to see if there was any mail for her family. She did this on the off chance she might get a letter from Aoshi. The people would place the mail in a pot just near the door so she could collect it. On the third week of the second month Misao had received a postcard from Beijing, which was quite old as though it had been forgotten. It was dated last month for that matter. There wasn't much written on it just the usual place of where they were touring next, how busy it was and he couldn't wait to get back to Japan.

* * * *

Misao sighed walking home from work and passed her old house seeing a figure sitting on the top step of the house and leaning against the post. She kept walking thinking nothing of it and finally got home.

"TAIDAMA!" Misao soon heard hurried footsteps and watched her mother rush over, a letter already opened and in her hand.

"Those rude neighbours dropped this off, saying they "forgot" to give it to you a while back. It's from Aoshi!" Misao grabbed it and read the contents:

'Hey Misao,

Long time no hear from me, sorry about that. As you should know we arrived back in Japan a couple of weeks ago. I'll be in Kyoto next week and can't wait to see you. It'll only be for two days but hey better then nothing I suppose. I'll see you at your place, I want it to be a surprise, so you don't know when I'm coming, but I'll give you a hint, I'll be leaving on the 25th of March.

See you soon,

Aoshi.'

Misao eyes were wide in horror. Today was the 25th! She'd missed him. Misao gasped now finally coming to her senses seeing the lone figure on her old house steps. Misao had run out the door not telling her mum were she was going and run to her old house. She was praying to the gods hoping he'd be there. She finally made it and turned around the stone wall, her heart sank, and he was no where in sight. Misao didn't give herself time to catch her breath as she raced all the way home yelling for her mum to drive her to the airport.

While Misao's mum drove Misao was on the car phone finding out when the plane left for Tokyo.

"WHAT! Are you sure? Thank you." Misao hung up and looked at her watch. The plane was going to leave in 15 minutes and they were still twenty minutes away! Misao began fisting her hands becoming insanely frustrated as all there lights changed against them and there was a mini traffic jam.

* * * *

They had finally arrived, Misao jumping out of the car and running into the airport. She scanned the monitors looking for Tokyo and her eyes widened seeing 'departing' flashing on screen. She read the gate number and ran for her life.

Many minutes passed by as she reached the gate, to find no passengers sat in the seat. She asked one of the employees which plane was the one to Tokyo and he pointed to the one that was pulling away from the tube the passengers walked down to get into the plane.

"Aoshi…" Misao had whispered and walked up to the glass her hands pressed against them as though wanting to touch the plane, to get on it herself. Misao watched tearfully as it began moving away.

Half an hour had passed and Misao watched it take off. She'd missed him again. Misao slid to the carpet her hands still pressed against the glass as well as her forehead. Silent tears fell down her cheeks and that's how her mother found her. Employees had no clue what to do but Mrs. Makimachi told them to leave her alone, she'd needed to let her emotions out and not be disturbed by others.

Misao could feel the presence of people watching her, but at this moment she did not care. Misao knew her mother was nearby too but not coming over, knowing all too well that she had to do this by herself.

Minutes passed by and Misao soon stood up brushing the rest of her tears away and found her mother standing beside her now, her arm wrapped around her shoulders. Misao looked up giving her a slight smile and she placed her arm around her mum's waist and they walked slowly out of the airport going back home.

* * * *