Under the Cherry Tree
"Misao sweetie, are you sure about doing this? I mean I'm a little disappointed you aren't staying for your school formal." Mrs. Makimachi had spoken to her daughter.
"Mum, Tokio and I have been planning this for a long time now. I'm 18, I've finished school, Hannya and the guys have gone their separate ways but will stay be in touch and I've got a promise to keep. Besides mum I've been to a formal before so I know what its like. Please don't be mad, I know what I'm doing. I've been saving up all my money for this, please let me go." Misao looked over at her mother pleadingly. She watched a sad expression cross over her mothers features as her final daughter was leaving, but for very different reasons, not for study or to start a family, to search for a lost friend, one she had not seen for four long years.
"Dad, please?" Misao looked to her father as well, hoping he'd understand, hoping he'd let her go, after all she had bought the ticket already and would not receive a refund.
"Tell me how it works out." Her father had spoken and there was a small gasp from her mother, not expecting her husband to side with their daughter's ridiculous plans. Misao wrapped her dad up in a tight hug thanking him over and over and he laughed lightly. Misao stepped back away from her father and hugged Okon, kissed her little nephew goodbye, as he was all wrapped up in his blanket in his mothers arms sleeping contently and hugged Omasu wishing her luck in her hospitality studies and with Kuro as well. They two wished her luck in her travelling. Misao stepped towards her mother and soon hugged her as well. She was saddened she received no reaction from her and looked over finding Tokio waving at her as she boarded the train. Misao let go smiling at her family and headed for the carriage she would be seated in. She stopped from getting on board by a hand placed on her shoulder. Misao turned to see it was her mother, tears falling down her cheeks seeing her youngest leaving. Misao hugged her mum once more and smiled happily when she too was embraced back.
"I just don't want you to get hurt Misao. Four years is a long time Misao and things change. I just don't want you to get disappointed. Do you even know where to start looking?" Misao nodded her head silently, kissed her mums cheek and then got on the train. She showed her ticket and began walking down the aisle to find Tokio had given her the window seat. She sat down and Tokio soon spoke.
"After all the planning Misao, I still can't believe we are actually leaving Kyoto. Where do we even start looking?"
"I have a lead…and I'm sure he can help us." Misao had spoken smiling softly at her friend.
"Really? Who is it?" Tokio spoke rather curiously. Misao laughed lightly shaking her head and soon spoke.
"That's a secret Tokio-chan, I cannot reveal my sources." Tokio huffed hearing that and turned away from her friend, pushing back her seat slightly and in minutes had fallen asleep. Misao looked down at the ticket in her hand and stared down at four words printed on the ticket, Non stop to Tokyo. Misao closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair listening to her voice and Aoshi's four years ago...
"When I finish school, I'm coming to Tokyo to find you."
"Do you promise Misao?"
"Hai I promise Aoshi…I'll come and find you…"
Misao opened her eyes smiling lightly and stared out the window watching the last bit of Kyoto rush by.
"I'm coming Aoshi…I'm coming to find you…" Misao had whispered and soon closed her eyes falling asleep also.
* * * *
(Tokyo - Early afternoon, Aoshi's apartment)
"Thank you for watching her Aoshi. I really appreciate it. Kenshin and I just want to have a nice night alone. I hope we aren't putting you out or anything." A 24-year-old woman with dark hair had spoken. Aoshi shook his head, looking over at the small 2-year-old who was engrossed in a movie and soon spoke.
"Of course not Kaoru. You know how I love to watch her. You needn't even ask just bring her over whenever you get sick of her." Kaoru giggled hearing that and she soon spoke once more.
"I'll hold you to that Aoshi. Bye baby, you behave okay?"
"Okay mummy!" She didn't even turn to wave at her mother. After all 'My Neighbor Totoro' was her favourite cartoon. Aoshi watched as Kaoru shook her head and soon waved walking out the door and closed it behind her. Aoshi turned around and walked back to the living room and sat down on the glass coffee table speaking to the little girl.
"Okay Cutie, what do you want to do?" Aoshi watched as she pressed stopp on the VCR, knowing the different shapes and turned the TV off and faced him, a bright smile on her face. She may be young but was curious to know everything and learned quickly. She walked over and Aoshi lifted her up into his lap and she stood up, her tiny hands gripping his shirt as she held on. Her bright blue eyes staring into his hidden blue-green ones.
"I want to get some ice-cream, go to the park, feed the duckies, see the trains come in and…erm that's it so far." Aoshi smiled down at her and rubbed his noise against hers and she giggled happily as he always did that with her.
"Then shall we depart Cutie? We've got a lot to do today." She nodded her head and he placed her on the ground and she raced over grabbing her shoes and jumper. Aoshi placed his own sneakers on and grabbed his trench coat as well. He picked the small girl up placing her on the table doing up the shoelaces on her own sneakers and tying the jumper around her waist as it wasn't cold just yet but it would be needed later on.
"Shoulder ride?" Aoshi spoke and she clapped happily and giggled signalling that as a yes. He bent down helping her on and soon stood up walking towards the door. He bent so she wouldn't get hit by the doorframe and closed the door locking it and began walking towards the lifts. Aoshi soon stopped when he felt a small tug on his ruffled hair and the little girl soon spoke.
"Can we go down the railing of the stairs Oji? Can we, can we, can we?" Aoshi smiled slightly and turned in the direction of the stairs opening the door and bending down once more going through it. He was on the third floor and would slid down the railing of 6 flights of stairs heading for the lobby area.
"Don't ever tell your Tochan or Kachan about the things we do Cutie."
"I don't Oji. Mama would probably eat you." Aoshi chuckled lightly nodding his head in agreement and placed his arms around the small girl on his shoulders as she always thrusted her hands in the air liking this very much.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY! AAAAAAWWWWWWW!" She had spoken excitedly as they were off heading down the stairs faster, her little hands thrust in the air excitedly. But when they stopped that's when the pouting set in until Aoshi made it to the next lot of stairs and going down them, each time she went from excitement to pouting sadly.
Aoshi finally made it to the Lobby and the door was always open and he bent down once more and walked through smiling lightly at the man behind the counter. He knew full well about what they did, brought it up all the time, but never did anything about it after that.
"Did I hear squealing in the staircase? Have you two been doing something you're not suppose to?" The elderly man behind the counter had spoken looking over at Aoshi who was heading for the main entrance with the small child placed on his shoulders.
"Of course not Ojiichan! Oji and I would never do anything like that." The little girl had spoken ruffling Aoshi's hair up even more.
"Children never lie Okina, you should trust Cutie here, she knows what she's talking about." Aoshi had spoken with a small smile and they both waved at him and walked out the door. Okina just shook his head smiling softly and answered the phone as it began ringing.
* * * *
Hours had passed and a tall figure sat on the railing of a high bridge that stood high above the ground as trains passed underneath stopping at the main station in the city and a small child sat in his lap wrapped protectively in his arms and talking happily.
"We'll take that train down there."
"The one on the far right?" She nodded her head and he soon spoke again.
"And where are we going this time?" He bent down as her small arms wrapped over his and she spoke looking over at the sunset.
"We are going on a trip to the beach!"
"The beach. Hmm what are we going to do there?" Aoshi spoke back smiling down at her as she looked up at him, her blue eyes shining happily.
"We'll go visit the parks close to the beach, see the birds, swim in the water…"
"Build sandcastles, eat fish and chips and find pretty seashells."
"Oh yeah!" She had yelled excitedly not thinking those things up. Silence filled the area as they watched another train pull into the station.
"Uncle Aoshi? Mummy said you named me, is that true?"
"Aa, that's true little Misao-chan. Did your kachan say I was there when she was giving birth to you?" Aoshi looked down noticing little Misao's head was tilted upwards looking at him and she soon spoke.
"Really Oji?"
"Yep, I held you in my arms. You were so tiny but you're a big girl now. Your daddy was away on business and you came a bit early not wanting to stay in your mummy's tummy any longer. I helped and your kachan asked me if I had any girl names that were special to me and that's how you got your name Misao."
"Do you have a special girl called Misao Oji?" Little Misao-chan had spoken. Aoshi nodded his head placing a light kiss on her forehead and soon spoke looking over at the setting sun.
"Aa, I have two special Misao's. One sitting in my arms now and one in Kyoto."
"Will I get to meet her Oji?" Misao-chan had spoken softly. Aoshi smiled looking down at her to see her eyes were closed and he soon bent his head and spoke softly into her ear.
"I hope so Cutie, I hope so."
* * * *
(Tokyo Train Station)
"TOKIO-CHAN OVER HERE!" Misao had yelled waving Tokio over. She had gotten a cab and Tokio came running over placing her bags in the boot of the car as well.
"It's a bit late to go see my source so we'll just go to the nearest hotel and see him tomorrow okay Tokio-chan?" Misao had spoken and Tokio nodded her head and they got in the cab asking the driver to take them to the nearest and cheapest hotel.
* * * *
(Morning - 8am)
"Misao-chan this is so frustrating! Why am I blindfolded? Where are you taking me?" Tokio whined to Misao. She had already told the taxi driver where to go and she tied Tokio's hands behind her back as well making sure she was unable to undo the scarf that was wrapped over her eyes.
"Misao-chan I'm warning you, if this is anything emba-"
"Here we are!" Misao cut in and soon spoke again opening the door.
"I'll be back in a few minutes, stay here Tokio." She closed the door running up the stairs and could hear Tokio's faint yelling for her to come back but took no notice. Misao opened the doors, placing her black sunglasses on the top of her head and walked to reception.
"Saitou Shinomori?" Misao had spoken and the policewoman behind the desk looked up and then pointed down the hall. Misao smiled her thanks and began walking past many different offices until she reached the end and found one that read: Detective Shinomori. Misao raised an eyebrow at that. He was obviously very good at his job. Misao took a deep breath and knocked once on the door.
"Enter." Was the muffled deep voice she could hear behind the door and opened it up. The room was fairly dark, stacks of files stood high on a spare desk. A desk lamp was turned on, the leather chair vacated.
"Stop hiding in the dark and tell me what you want." Spoke a figure standing near the window, a cigarette hanging from his mouth, those mysterious eyes of his narrowing slightly trying to make out the figure standing in his office. Misao smiled looking over at him. He was dressed in a blue uniform, minus the coat, which hung on a hook and a black long sleeved shirt.
"Okami-san, it has been a long time. Surely you couldn't forget someone like me." Misao had spoken stepping into the small bit of light. She had Saitou's full attention as he turned to face her and flicking a switch turning on the main lights.
"Ah, weasel girl, or should I just say weasel. You are no girl any longer." Misao was dressed in a pair of leather pants that fit her perfectly; a dark red long sleeved tank top that showed over her well-toned stomach region and a matching leather jacket that fell to her hips. Her long hair was placed in its usual plait as she had kept it long and it stopped just below her butt. Misao paced her hands behind her back, standing on her toes and spoke looking over at him as he stared out the window once more.
"Did you miss me?"
"Hardly." He had spoken very dryly. Misao's eyes narrowed, an evil grin crossing her features as she spoke once more, but sounding rather casual.
"I ran into Tokio in Kyoto the other day. She and her boyfriend are off to travel around Japan." Misao glanced her eyes towards the VERY still Saitou. He looked rather normal but Misao noticed the fisted hand and knew feelings still ran within him about Tokio.
"Shall we take a walk, I know your not doing anything at the moment. Besides I've got a small surprise for you in trade for one answer to my question." Saitou had raised his eyebrow at this but soon walked over grabbing his coat and Misao walked out of the office, Saitou following close behind.
"If I'm needed just page me." Saitou had spoken to another policeman who nodded his head.
* * * *
They were now walking down the stairs and Misao soon spoke getting straight to the point.
"Where is he?"
"Don't waist much time do you weasel." He had spoken lighting up another cigarette. Misao shook her head, her hands on hips looking up at the rather tall man who she'd always call Okami-san.
"Try the Okina Apartments, now what's this stupid surprise." Misao smiled happily and raced to the cab. Saitou raised an eyebrow at hearing muffled talking but stood frozen as Misao pulled out a young woman her age, but not just anyone, his feisty Tokio-chan. The cigarette had dropped out of his mouth without him even noticing.
"Misao-chan, will you untie me now!" Tokio blinked a few times when Misao did as she requested and rubbed her right wrist cursing Misao softly. Misao was taller then Tokio so she was unable to see the man standing and staring surprisingly at them.
"I found my source Tokio-chan." Misao spoke smiling down at her shorter friend.
"Good can you now ask him where they are?" She had spoken impatiently but Misao soon whispered back at her and then got out of the way so she could see him.
"Why don't you ask him yourself." Tokio gasped in surprise knowing whom the tall figure was and hesitantly stepped forward walking towards him. She began cracking her knuckles in nervousness.
"I hate how you do that." Saitou had spoken staring down at her. Misao was standing at the cab and she could hear ever word that was being said and going to be said.
"I'm surprised you'd actually remember. Especially the wonderful way you told me you were leaving Kyoto." Tokio had spoken back without a second thought. He was being impossibly annoying towards her and so she spoke back, her anger rising as though challenging him to say more.
"It wasn't the nicest way of telling you bu-"
"No it wasn't." She had spoken cutting him off and crossing her arms under her breasts.
"Will you let me finish!" Saitou voice had risen as he stepped forward, moving closer to Tokio. Misao was leaning against the boot of the cab rolling her eyes. This was not the way she intended it to go.
"What and have you yell at me some more, just like you are now! To tell me that it was a waist of time to come here because you never felt anything towards me? That you never thought about me, that I was just some small naive little girl that had an infatuation with you?"
"I THOUGHT OF YOU ALL THE TIME!" Saitou's anger had exploded and his emotions ran out in that one sentence. Misao eyes had widened hearing something like that leave Saitou's mouth and so loudly too. Tokio really did play havoc with his mind and heart and it infuriated him so much. He stood still glaring down at the 18-year-old. Her eyes were wide staring up at him. His hands had fisted, she was just staring and he hated that, but before anything else could happen Tokio had let out a small sob and stepped forward wrapping her arms around his waist and placing her head against his chest. Saitou stood there not doing anything and he looked up and over at Misao who smiled at him then turned around grabbing Tokio's bags, which she had secretly packed up and placed in the cab, and placed them on the ground. She noticed Saitou raise an eyebrow at her actions but she waved him off and got in the cab telling the driver to head for the 'Okina Apartments'. Misao turned to look out the back window to see Saitou's head was bowed, his lips pressing into Tokio's hair, his right hand at the back of her head while his left wrapped around her petite frame holding her close. Misao smiled even more. Saitou showing emotions was unusual but funnily enough it suited him in a strange way. Misao closed her eyes knowing she did the right thing. She knew she was going to get an earful the next time she ran into Tokio, but after seeing that it would be well worth it.
* * * *
(Okina Apartments)
"Thank you and keep all the change, for your help today." Misao had spoken to the cab driver and got out walking into the lobby and up to the reception area.
"My name's Okina, how may I help you Miss?" The elderly man had spoken to Misao.
"Oh well Okina-san, um I was actually looking for a Aoshi Shinomori." Misao spoke back.
"I'm sorry he has not returned back yet. Shall I give him a message, to say you called in?" Misao slouched slightly in disappointment hearing this and shook her head negatively and began walking out the door once more.
"Perhaps, you should try Himura's Training Hall, just a few blocks up heading into the city. He works there, so he might be there."
"ARIGATOO!" Misao had yelled happily and ran out the door and headed towards the city.
* * * *
About 10 minutes had passed and Misao made it to a rather busy street and thought she might be lost. She looked around trying to find any signs and soon tapped a young woman holding a child on the shoulder.
"Excuse me? I'm trying to find the Himura Training Hall. Can you point me in the right direction?" The woman smiled and the small girl laughed happily at hearing this. Misao didn't take any notice and she soon smiled and pointed across the road. Misao's smile widened and she thanked the woman and ran across the road when the traffic had slowed down.
* * * *
(Himura Training Hall)
Misao shivered slightly as a cold wind blew. This time of the month was one of the coldest in Tokyo. She took a deep breath, placed her sunglasses on her head once more and silently opened the door looking inside. A short red headed man stood to the side watching a tall man and what seemed to be an elderly male student spar together. Misao watched curiously as the taller man always had his back to her and he wore a dark blue and black training uniform. Misao gasped softly when she recognised two very familiar weapons being held by the rather tall man as he spared with the other man who held weapons as well. Could it be that this was Aoshi. He was taller, broader and filled out more with muscles but there was no ponytail anymore, just damp wisps of hair that fell down his neck. Misao watched fascinated as the kodachi's were knocked out of the taller mans grasps but she watched two very familiar kicks as the other opponent went down. She watched the tall man fluently slide across the wooden floorboards and grab his kodachi's and turning around in one move placing himself in a ready stance once more.
"Sensei, what was that you used on me?" The student had spoken to the tall man. He stood tall now towering over the red head that was clearly another teacher and all the other students. He had lowered his kodachi's, facing the blades upward and close to his sides, the handles facing the wooden floorboards.
"An art I had been taught at a very early age and mastered quickly." Misao's eyes widened hearing that voice. Her heart raced it just had to be Aoshi! It had matured more from the last time she heard it at school but it was unmistakable. It was emotionless but held deepness within it and still spoken quietly.
"Its kempo." Misao had spoken up. She watched as the red headed man faced her, as did the other students and she observed as the tall man had dropped his kodachi's. They fell to the ground with a loud clatter. The other occupants in the hall turned their eyes curiously to him now and Misao watched holding her breath as the tall man half turned around to face her. Misao gasped, her hands coming up to try and conceal it but was unsuccessful. He was breathtaking. Sweat glistened on his exposed skin showing he had been training for some time now. She made the definite contours of muscles under his gi top and looked up at his handsome face. Long bangs fell over his eyes hiding them from view but Misao knew it was her best friend Aoshi Shinomori. She had finally found him just like she had promised. She watched as he hesitantly began walking closer towards her, forgetting about the others in the hall. Misao looked up at him now, she could see those blue-green eyes of his sparkling under his long bangs and looking directly into her eyes.
"Misao?" He had spoken in a whisper and he watched as a small smile broke out on the young woman in front of him as she nodded her head silently at him and then she finally found her voice, her hands dropping to her sides.
"I found you…" There small reunion was soon interrupted by the opening of the door and a female voice was soon heard.
"It's getting overly chilly out there Aoshi-anata. Perhaps we should leave soon before it gets too cold to walk to your place." Misao's eyes frowned slightly but as soon as Aoshi's eyes were back on hers she hid the hurt. Misao stepped backwards and away from Aoshi.
"Oh and that old rag of a scarf has a hole in it. I ran into that nail sticking out of the wall just down the block. Lucky I was wearing that tacky thing as it was ripped and not my own clothes."
"Scarf…" Misao had whispered looking up into Aoshi's eyes. She turned around facing the very beautiful and elegant woman that stood further into the hall just a meter behind her in fact. Misao's eyes blazed angrily at seeing it was her scarf and the fact the hole was pretty huge. She stepped forward yanking it off the other woman.
"Excuse you!" The woman with dark hair had spoken moving forward and grabbing the scarf. Misao went into an attack move twisting the other woman's hand and she whimpered lightly not feeling anything like this before. She immediately let go of the scarf and Misao spoke, anger etched in her voice and took her hand away from the other woman's.
"This is mine! Don't you ever touch anything that belongs to me!" Misao turned around to see Aoshi's head moved back up looking over at her and she soon spoke in a small voice, her eyes never leaving his hidden ones, but as soon as she finished speaking, she ran from the building.
"Kachan was right. Four years is a long time. Things change, people change…I was so stupid to have travelled all this way to find you…"
Misao ran as fast as she could and away from there. It was so stupid of her to come all this way. Her mother was right and how much she hated that. Misao raced towards a large park running through the lush grass, fallen leaves crunching below her black sneakers. Silent tears fell down her cheeks, her scarf wrapped around her neck, smelling of that other woman…'Aoshi-anata…that's what she had called him. He was someone else's now, someone else's best friend and lover.
Misao jumped into the nearest tree and sat in a high branch, hoping the leaves would hide her form amongst them. She doubted it would as she wore all black and would stand out if anyone looked for her. Misao placed the scarf on the branch hating that perfume smell and placed her head down on her up drawn knee. Her other leg dangled freely. Misao's eyes were shut tight and she was trying to suppress the small shaking of her shoulders as she cried quietly to herself.
* * * *
Hours had passed, late afternoon arriving and Misao still sat in the tree. The sun was setting and Misao noticed this tree had the best view of it. She had stopped crying long ago but knew her eyes were red and puffy. She placed her head back down on her knee and turned it to look at the sunset. Silence filled the area except the occasional swaying of the leaves as the wind blew.
"Typical, the last place I look happens to be my tree." Came a soft deep voice. Misao's head jerked up seeing Aoshi was sitting across from her. Her eyes narrowed and she turned on her side and jumped off the branch landing soundlessly on the ground. Misao began walking off but Aoshi was right by her side.
"Why are you following me? Shouldn't you be with what's her name." Misao had spoken dryly while walking down the street trying to locate a taxi.
"I've been trying to find you for hours now and besides you forgot this." Aoshi spoke holding out the scarf towards her. Misao stopped looking up at him angrily.
"It's ruined and it smells like her, why would I want it now. Excuse me Shinomori-san I must be off. I suggest you return home and to her."
"Why are you acting so childish? What do you want me to say to you?" Aoshi's voice had risen, his impatience wearing thin. Misao turned around then, unshed tears glistening in her eyes as she spoke angrily at him once more.
"You have no idea what your leaving did to me! I cried many times a day thinking it was all a dream, a nightmare that the next day you'd knock on my door or I'd see you at school but it never happened. My first ever friend who became my best friend, the one I trusted with everything, the one who said he'd be the bestest friend I'd ever have in the whole world left me. That had left a huge hole in me that no one could feel so don't tell me you know what I'm going through! YOU WEREN'T THE ONE WITH NO FRIENDS! YOU WEREN'T TREATED AS A FREAK AND AS AN OUTCAST! I had dreamed of this day for four long years but of course everything always had to go wrong for me didn't it. Growing up I was treated like a freak, didn't fit in because I never acted like a real girl, then I get friends but find out the one I care most about is leaving. Time passes and I receive no word from you, then Hannya and the others finish school, going there separate ways, leaving Tokio and me alone. I came here thinking our relationship could be fixed just like you said. You said we would get through everything and share everything but it's all a BLOODY LIE! I'M THE FOOLISH ONE FOR COMING SO FAR AND FOR EXPECTING SO MUCH! Kachan was right about everything. I shouldn't have thought my hopes and dreams would be answered. I HATE YOU FOR DOING THIS TO ME YOU BASTARD!" Misao had yelled throwing a small package and watched as it hit his chest and smashed on the ground. She sobbed once again and ran down the street, running away from him.
Aoshi stood there looking at her retreating form. He crouched down opening up the small gift she had bought for him and noticed it was a pictures frame. He turned it over gasping softly his blue-green eyes widening the slightest. It was a beautiful and breathtaking picture of Misao. It was the picture Misao's mother had taken of her while she was out in the garden smelling the rose she had picked for Hannya as she awaited his arrival to take her to the formal. The wind blew a cold breeze around, ruffling Aoshi long bangs, the hint of wetness crossing his eyes as he looked down at the picture. So many years had passed and he had not even apologised or known of all the pain she had felt about his leaving. Aoshi stood up, taking the photo out of the frame and placing it in his inner coat. The frame clattered to the street as Aoshi looked down the deserted street. His head was bowed, sadness and guilt seeping through his entire body.
"Gomen nasai Misao. So very sorry." Aoshi turned around and headed in the other direction a single tear falling down his hardened features and he didn't even bother about wiping it away. It appeared the strength of their friendship had now been shattered and would never be rekindled.
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *