Authors Notes: I thought I best write something in here. I hope this gives you readers a bit of a cliff hanger…maybe again…I'm working on ideas for the next chapter…in my head that is. J Now for anyone who likes Soujiro well be warned he is not liked in this fic. The thought of Misao and someone else other then Aoshi is just infuriating to me so all my fics are PRO Aoshi and Misao. Now that hence the fact Misao does get into a relationship with Sano...later chapters…just a teaser there. But do not be disappointed Aoshi and Misao fans cos if you've read my stories my two fav characters eventually get together in the end…you just have to wait first… Thanks for reading and please review…

Under the Cherry Tree

A 16-year-old Misao sat on her bed looking over at the kimono that hung on a hook. It was plain with no design etched into the fabric but was blue and green, colours of the ocean and very elegant. She could hear faint laughter and happiness coming from all the people downstairs in the house. It was the Hanami Festival again and Misao would spend the time at Aoshi's and hers tree alone. Misao sighed getting up and undressed placing the kimono on. Kuro, Tokio and Yahiko's families were spending Hanami with hers. Hannya was spending his with Tae. They were going through some rough patches in their relationship and Misao seemed to think it was coming to an end. In a way she knew Hannya would be thinking that too.

Misao looked in the mirror tying the kimono up. It fit her perfectly, her mother having bought it for her saying she was growing up and needed to dress like a young lady more often. Of course not in kimonos all the time, only these on special occasions and festivals but her mother and Okon would always sigh and make a fuss when Misao came downstairs wearing jeans and a shirt or shorts and a shirt. She was only going for a walk, or to training wearing her gi top and pants. What was the point of dressing up when all she wanted was to be comfortable?

Misao looked in the mirror to see her eyes were brighter then ever but she was sad. Aoshi had not written for months now. She soon shook her head not wanting to think about him and untied her braid and ran the brush through her hair. It fell past her butt now and she soon picked it up placing it in a high ponytail. Misao took a deep breath placing on some comfortable slippers and then walked out of her room and downstairs to greet the others cheerfully.

* * * *

Hours had passed and the sun was setting casting bright oranges, yellows and reds throughout the sky and the stormy clouds that were rolling in. Misao had walked off and now she stood looking at the branch her and Aoshi used to sit on. Her hand came out brushing along the tree and soon Aoshi's 10 year old voice could be heard…

"Come on Misao, I'll help you up." Misao smiled hearing that. He looked like a little monkey hanging upside down and his hair was becoming so messy. She too had hung upside down as well.

Misao was swinging her legs slightly as she now sat on the branch. She turned her head to face the unoccupied side of the branch and blinked once. A small silhouette of a 10-year-old Aoshi sat near her and spoke.

"But I like you…" Misao smiled closing her eyes hearing that. He sounded so shy and he twirled the blossoms in his hands as though uncertain about what he was saying as though she were going to reject him. Misao thought she was the luckiest little girl in the world. Someone actually liked her.

"Can I…Can we be friends Aoshi? Can I do those things with you too?"

"You bet! I'll be the bestest friend you'll ever have in the whole world!" Unshed tears glistened in Misao's eyes at hearing that run through her mind. He was right too. He was and always will be the bestest friend she'll ever have in her life and in the entire world.

"If I ever leave Misao, we'll never be apart cause I know somehow we'll always be connected together." Misao sighed hearing his voice fade away and she looked up into the night sky, starring up at the bright moon before it was engulfed by stormy clouds and soon whispered to no one.

"Happy Hanami Aoshi, where ever you are."

* * * *

(Tokyo…)

Sakura trees were in full bloom in the parks. Lanterns glowed throughout the trees giving the blossoms and eerie glow. Faint voices of families and friends could be heard celebrating into the night. Far away from any civilization in the park a lone tree stood in darkness, being forgotten. The moonlight gave the white cherry blossoms the color of silver-blue. A lone figure wearing all black sat on a high branch looking up at the moon. Long bangs hid his blue-green eyes from view but if anyone saw them up close they sparkled mischievously. They had not changed since he was a small boy. His ponytail long gone, but small wisps of hair still fell down his neck stopping short of his shoulders.

"Happy Hanami my Misao-chan." The figure had whispered. The wind blew ruffling his hair and his trench coat flapped in the cool breeze giving away his position and soon a voice was spoken.

"Aoshi-anata? What are you doing up there? We should be heading to the restaurant or we'll be late." Aoshi slid off the high branch landing gracefully on the ground in a silent crouch. He stood to his full height looking over at the young woman who only came to his shoulders and was carrying some gifts. He grabbed them silently and began walking.

"What were you doing up there anyway? I hate how I keep loosing you all the time anata." Her soft voice spoke once more.

"Just thinking." He spoke turning his head up to the moon once more.

"Hmm about what?" Aoshi's eyes narrowed slightly. She always wanted to know the ins and outs of everything he did. He sighed and soon spoke.

"Nothing much…just home I guess." The conversation had stopped there. The young woman wrapped an arm around his and they walked to the restaurant in silence.

* * * *

(Kyoto…)

Misao lay snuggled in her bed, a small smile etched onto her lips, those blues eyes shut off to the world, as she was fast asleep.

* * * *

Many months passed and Misao was becoming more and more saddened. It wasn't just her either. Tokio was feeling it too. The school year was drawing to a close and next year it would just be Misao and Tokio as Hannya, Shijuksho, Hyotokko and Beshimi were completing their last school year. She had gotten so used to being around them all the time it was going to feel quite strange not seeing them around.

Misao had been right about Tae and Hannya. They did break up about a week after the Hanami celebrations. Tae was accepted to a university in Osaka as was Hyotokko and Beshimi. Shijuksho was going to travel a bit and Hannya was going on an exchange to America.

It was coming closer to their formal dinner and dance that had been set up by some of the female students in their grade. Actually it was this weekend and Hannya and Shijuksho had invited Misao and Tokio so the group could spend this night together. Beshimi and Hyotokko were going solo not being able to choose from the number of girls in their grade to go with. They didn't want to disappoint any of them so they decided they'd dance with all of them when they got there.

Misao wanted to wear a nice pantsuit but her mother and both sisters this time would have none of it. So after school they had gone down the street to find something for Omasu and Misao. She had scrunched her face up at everything they held up to show her. She did try some things on but they felt really uncomfortable, especially since she wasn't used to it. Some dresses that were her actual size swam on her while others were so tight she felt like she couldn't breath. Misao had fumed many times about staying in the same shop for so long. She ended up walking out of one but her mother raced after her and dragged her back in.

Hours had passed and Misao was still walking around in her school uniform at 7pm! She was literally fuming, her eyes staring daggers into the back of her mum and sisters heads. She glanced at a store noticing something that caught her eye in the window. She ducked in without her family members even noticing and found her size, tried it on and then bought it straight away and walked outside noticing they finally realised she had disappeared and sat down knowing they wouldn't know were to start looking.

"Okay, we can go home now." Misao spoke up dangling a shopping bag in front of her. They came rushing over but Misao placed it behind her back shaking her head negatively.

"Not until tomorrow night." She had spoken and then skipped away heading for a cab so she could go home. She flagged one down and waved for them to hurry up or she was going to leave without them. The other three females in the household were now the fuming ones as they walked to the cab and got in. Misao was all smiles holding her bag to her chest and smiling smugly all the way home.

* * * *

(Saturday, Prom night – 5:30pm)

"Misao-chan aren't you going to tell me what you're wearing?" Tokio had spoken sitting in the room. They sat on the carpeted floor in Misao's room looking at hair accessories and different shoes. Tokio was wearing a baggy shirt while Misao was in her bathrobe.

"Nope! What the big deal, you'll know pretty soon anyway." Misao spoke absently as she found the shoes she was looking for and the hair clip she'd use as well.

"Misao-chan you're so frustrating!" Tokio had yelled and walked out the room taking her dress with her. Misao smiled and soon got up and walked over to the door locking it and then over to her wardrobe to get out her outfit. She wasn't too sure if her mum would be pleased. After all it wasn't really a dress, but it wasn't really a pantsuit either. It was a bit of both, well that's how it looked to Misao anyway. She brought it out placing on the navy blue pants that fit her perfectly. They hung on her hips and she brought out the top placing her arms through the long sleeved chiffon sleeves and did up the buttons. The top was navy blue like the pants and stopped just above her belly button. Her mid section revealed. Silver glitter speckled over the front and back of the top while chiffon was sewn into the bottom of the top and fell down to Misao's ankles. Misao placed some silver earrings and matching necklace on. She got them for her 16th birthday from her mum and dad. She placed the silver clip in her hair pulling the strands of hair away from her face which had make up applied to it but rather natural and very light. Her lips had just the hint of a brown and plum colour on them. The rest of her hair fell freely down her back in soft wavy curls. Misao took a deep breath when she heard the frustrated calls of her family and Tokio wanting to see what she was wearing. Misao placed on some perfume she found in the box the one that smelled the best anyway. She opened the door and began walking down the hall. The house her parents had moved to this time wasn't as big as the previous one but Misao still had a room upstairs and the backyard had the most beautiful garden Misao had ever seen. Misao peeked around the corner to see her mum, dad and Okon talking to Tokio and Omasu.

Tokio was wearing a dark red dress with spaghetti straps and it fell to her knees. The top area hugged her form but once it reached her waist it flowed freely. She wore black strap shoes, which made her look really tall and a black choker. She really couldn't do much with her hair because it was so short so she placed it into a ponytail and curled it all up. Omasu had on a dark brown dress that was strapless. It hugged her form all the way down to her ankles and had a split that stopped just above her left leg. She too wore black shoes and had a black choker around her neck. Misao cleared her throat and stood at the top of the stairs. They had all turned around to stare silently at her. Misao descended the stairs to stand in front of them and soon spoke.

"What do you think?" Misao had spoken doing a small turn and then her father spoke up.

"Where is my little Misao-chan and what have you done with her?" Misao smiled and received a hug from her father.

"I know it's not a dress mum, but is it okay? Please tell me you like it?" Misao was biting her lip now wanting her mum's approval. She soon noticed bright smiles on all the females standing in front of her and her mum kissed her forehead and soon spoke.

"You looked beautiful Misao. Like a true young lady." Misao smiled brightly hearing that and walked down the passageway heading outside into the backyard. She began walking around in the garden and stopped at the white rose bush picking one of the roses and smelling the sweet fragrance.

"Misao-chan?" Misao opened her eyes smiling happily and half turned around, the rose still close to her face as she held it with her right hand and she was soon snapped on camera.

"MUM! I wasn't even ready!" Misao yelled exasperated walking back towards the porch.

"That's the whole point sweetie, it looks natural like that and very elegant." Misao rolled her eyes and soon walked inside getting rid of all the thorns on the rose and cutting the stem off making it shorter.

"What's that for sweetie?" Misao's mother had spoken curiously. Just before Misao answered there was a knock on the door and she looked down at her watch knowing Hannya and Shijuksho would be early since they were walking to the school.

"Speak of the devil." Misao had spoken walking out of the kitchen and into the main entrance area. There stood Hannya and Shijuksho dressed in tuxedo's, minus the bow ties. Shijuksho had a dark red vest under his jacket matching the colour of Tokio's dress. Hannya wore all black, with the shirt done all the way up to his neck. Misao smiled walking towards them and placed the rose into Hannya's front jacket pocket, giving him a bit of colour.

"It was missing something." Misao spoke smiling up at him. A hint of a smile etched his lips and they soon waved goodbye and walked out the door and through the gate.

"Surprised ne?" Misao spoke looking over at Hannya and he nodded his head and then spoke up.

"Yeah, didn't know a weasel girl like you could look that good." Misao blushed hearing that and then scrunched her face up in announce at realising he called her weasel girl. She soon looped her arm with his and they began walking down the pathway, Hannya chuckling lightly.

"It looks good on you Cutie. I'm definitely going to have to get a picture and send it to Aoshi just so he can see what he's missing in Kyoto." Misao's blush didn't fade at hearing that it just grew more intense. Hannya's laugh grew more loudly and Shijuksho and Tokio joined in as well. She soon felt the press of Hannya's lips against her temple and he soon whispered an apology into her ear. They kept walking with Misao and Tokio trying to ignore the whistles they received from young men that walked by and Hannya and Shijuksho tried to ignore the giggles and blushes from other females walking down the street as well.

* * * *

The hall was pact with students and bright decorations hung from the ceiling. Music was blaring loudly and there was plenty of seating, food and soft drinks. Misao received stares from some of the other male students in Hannya's grade and became a little nervous when some wouldn't stop staring. So she did the only thing she could. Place on a semi-happy face, trying not to show how uncomfortable she was feeling and stick to Hannya like glue.

* * * *

Hours had passed and Hannya and Misao were actually up on the dance floor and dancing. It was a slow song so it was easy to move too, since you hardly had to move at all.

"Cutie, you're rather quiet? Thinking about Aoshi?" Hannya had spoken knocking Misao out of her thoughts. She blushed embarrassed as he was right on target and she soon spoke.

"It's your last function to ever have anything to do with this school and it's a shame he wasn't here to participate in it and wish you guys luck since your all going away."

"Aa, that would have been nice but then I wouldn't have had the pleasure of taking you to the dance because Aoshi would have asked you first and you would have gone with him instead of me." Misao frowned and soon opened her mouth to speak but was unable to as a finger was placed against her lips and Hannya shook his head negatively.

"Don't deny what you would have done Misao. I've known you for a long time now and you would have gone with him if he were here."

"No, I don't think I would have Hannya. I may be dancing with you now and you came and picked me up but I feel like I'm going with all of you, even Aoshi too even though he is not here. Is that weird or wrong of me?" Misao had spoken and Hannya smiled and shook his head. Misao smiled in return but soon two very familiar presence's were close and watching the both of them.

"Did I end up telling you why Tae and me split up?" Hannya spoke turning Misao to face the two people that stood glaring at them from the doorway.

"Found them in bed together." Hannya spoke and Misao looked over noticing it to be Tae and Soujiro. Her eyes narrowed glaring back at them. Misao was beginning to fume. How could shee have done that to one of her friends.

"Hannya? Are you okay? I mean it must have been a shock?" Misao spoke pulling away to look up at her friend.

"It was but it just made me realise she wasn't for me. One of the facts being she didn't like sitting with us at lunch and she always tried pulling me away but I refused cause I knew you guys first before her. Besides what's that phrase they say, 'Plenty of fish in the sea'. I just think of myself as one lonely fish in a school of fish who is going to separate and find himself someone new." Misao smiled up at him hearing that but soon shook her head and hugged her friend then whispered in his ear.

"You'll never be a lonely fish, you'll always have us." Misao smiled when she heard laughter escape his lips as he hugged her back. Misao eyes widened when Hannya was pulled unexpectedly away from her and Soujiro stood in front of her grabbing her forcefully around her waist. She could smell alcohol on his breath. He wasn't even old enough to drink yet and he was on the tipsy side and being completely rude. Misao tried pulling away from him but was unsuccessful as he had a death grip around her waist and it was beginning to hurt. Hannya soon walked back over and placed a hand on Soujiro's shoulder and spoke.

"I think you'd better leave." Misao watched wide eyed as Soujiro abruptly let go and turned around delivering a very unexpected smack in the face to Hannya. Hannya's head whipped around slightly by the force of the punch but he turned his head back to face him, his hand coming up to his mouth but no blood had been spilled. Misao could feel his battle aura evolving and soon felt the presence's of Shijuksho, Beshimi and Hyotokko who too were alert with what was happening. Misao watched wide eyed as Hannya walked past Soujiro grabbing her hand and pulling her further into the dance floor and began dancing once again. Soujiro however did not give up and came over and began talking to Hannya.

"Let her go bastard. She's my woman! No one would want a freak like you! Not even Tae liked ya, she was just using you!" That did it, Hannya twisted Misao out the way and she watched as his hand fisted and smacked Soujiro in the face, making him fall to the floor unconscious. It wasn't even a huge powerful hit either but blood was coming out of his nose Misao knowing fully now that it was broken. Misao quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him further into the crowd that hadn't even noticed anything yet.

Minutes later there was a scream and a huge crowd formed around the now groggy Soujiro. Misao and Hannya stood at the back, with Shijuksho, Beshimi, Tokio and Hyotokko nearby. Misao taped someone on the shoulder and the guy turned around and she noticed it happened to be Kuro and Omasu was in front of him.

"What happened?" She spoke curiously and he soon spoke.

"Some stupid 10th grader got his head punched in. Ah, no offense about the 10th grader remark Misao-chan."

"Oh none taken." She spoke back and he turned back around when some teachers came over to clear it up and drag him towards the bathrooms. Hannya pulled on Misao's arm and he soon whispered into her ear.

"What are you doing?"

"Well I had to ask questions or we'll look suspicious Hannya. Come on have you guys had enough excitement for one night, lets go do something just for us." They all agreed and walked out the back doors unnoticed heading off towards the shops. Little did they know more excitement was occurring elsewhere.

* * * *

(Tokyo, 5-star restaurant…)

"HAS SOMEONE CALLED AN AMBULANCE? SHE'S HAVING THE BABY NOW!" A young man had spoken. His eyes lifted up staring at the young woman with dark hair. Her water had broken and the ambulance wasn't even here yet and this baby was about to come out any second. His blue-green eyes glanced around the room but found no one had the slightest idea of what to do. He took off his dinner jacket and pulled up his sleeves. He lifted the young woman's dress up further to get a better look and she was ready to have the baby.

"Push!" He spoke and she let out a loud scream, one full of pain. She had no drugs. Another lady had come over and got a bowl of cool water and a cloth wiping her down.

Many minutes passed and soon another loud scream was heard and then the crying of a baby. Two more people had come over helping them and tied off the cord and then cut it. Aoshi wrapped up the baby in his dinner jacket holding it too his chest and shuffled over closer to the new mother. He faintly heard the screeching of brakes and the siren's from the ambulance. They had finally arrived.

"A daughter." He spoke softly looking at the exhausted mother and she smiled over at him placing her hand over his and closed her eyes sighing happily but tiredly. Her head was resting comfortably in the lap of the woman who had been sponging her down.

* * * *

(Kyoto…)

Misao and Tokio sat up in Misao's room watching a movie. The guys had walked them home about half and hour ago. They went to an arcade to play computer games and then walked in the park and ate ice cream. Misao and Tokio giggled at the movie they were watching but hours soon passed and they had fallen asleep lying horizontally on her double bed.

* * * *

(Tokyo Private Hospital…)

Aoshi is sitting on a bench outside a room looking over at the blank wall.

"Hey Aoshi! Is she alright?" Sano came running up the hallway. Aoshi nodded his head silently and soon ushered him to sit down.

"She had the baby at the restaurant we were going to eat at. I had to deliver it myself." He was still staring at the blank wall across from him.

"Wow, so boy or girl?"

"Little girl."

"You don't have to stay Aoshi, you look heaps tired I can wa-" He stopped when Aoshi shook his head negatively.

"I told her I'd be here when she wakes up. I promised her I would be here." Sano nodded his head and soon spoke again.

"What's her name?" Aoshi turned to stare at his friend a small smile on his lips and soon spoke once more then stood up walking down the hall to get a drink.

"Misao…"

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *