Author's Notes: Here we go…A moment you guys have all been waiting for in the history of this Aoshi & Misao fic! Of course, it was only little (interrupted), but hey it took a whole chapter and there will be more moments like that…but there is always a bit of heart ache everywhere, after all nothing is easy as it seems to be. Hmmm now I must plot evilly for chapter 14… Ja Ne!
Under the Cherry Tree
Aoshi took in a deep breath smelling the aroma of percolated coffee and his ears registered a soft humming sound. He opened his eyes to see he was lying down on his couch, a blanket placed over him warding off any cold weather. The humming was coming from the kitchen and Aoshi leaned on his arms, to look over the couch to see Misao's back facing him. Her hair was rather messy, as strands of it became loose from her usual plait. She moved gracefully from one side of the kitchen to the other not even noticing Aoshi was awake and watching her. Her plait swayed with her, brushing across her pert bottom. Aoshi blinked a few more times and realised Misao was wearing a rather baggy shirt and he finally registered it was his own sleeping shirt he usually wore to bed. She must have found it in the bathroom. Toast popped from the toaster and Misao moved over taking them out and buttering them. Aoshi moved his eyes as Misao moved across the kitchen again, opening the microwave and taking out a dish. Her humming finally stopped as her eyes came in contact with Aoshi as she finally noticed someone was watching her. Nothing was said between Aoshi and Misao as they watched two very excited and rather hungry girls race out of the bedroom wearing their winter pyjamas and sat up at the dining room table. Aoshi watched a beautiful smile appear on Misao's lips as she dished out spaghetti on toast and placed it in front of Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan. She poured two glasses of chocolate milk and Aoshi and Misao watched as they ate as though they hadn't eaten in years.
"Hey you two, what's the rush?" Aoshi spoke, his sleepiness leaving him.
"Misao-san said she was going to take us to the park." Suzume-chan spoke with her mouth full.
"I don't think mum would have taught you manners like that Suzume-chan." Aoshi spoke seriously looking directly into her big brown eyes. They grew wider almost frightened as she finished off her mouthful and pleadingly spoke once more.
"You won't tell her will you Aoshi-niisan?" Aoshi's eyes glanced over at Misao to see her small smile as she knew Aoshi was only teasing his little sister but Suzume-chan thought she was really in trouble with him.
"I'll think about it." Aoshi watched Suzume-chan open her mouth as though wanting to argue with her big brother but she soon picked up some toast taking a bite thinking otherwise. Misao moved over to Aoshi handing him a cup of coffee.
"White and no sugar right?" Aoshi nodded as Misao sat on the coffee table taking a sip of her own coffee. Their eyes met for a brief moment then glanced down into their respected cups of coffee in nervousness.
"Misao, about last night…" Aoshi started off but turned his head over his shoulder to see Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan's brown eyes staring intently at the two of them, their forks hanging out of their mouths. Aoshi placed his mug on the coffee table, stood up and pointed towards the bedroom as he wanted to speak to Misao without having two pairs of eyes and ears listening and watching his every gesture. Misao began fidgeting with the end of her plaited hair as she walked behind Aoshi heading into his bedroom. She closed the door behind her and Aoshi turned on the bedside lamp shedding some light into the room. Aoshi ushered Misao to sit on the bed and she did so with a bit of hesitation.
"Misao relax, I just wanted to talk to you about last night." Aoshi spoke grabbing the stool from a corner of the room and sitting down in front of Misao.
"Aoshi its okay, you don't have to say anything." Misao spoke back looking across at him, trying to ease his slight discomfort.
"No, I have to…and I want to. It'll just take some time for me to talk about feelings and emotions. Can you…be patient with me Misao?" Aoshi sighed out loud when Misao nodded her head. A giggle left her lips and Aoshi's eyes narrowed looking accusingly at her.
"I'm sorry Aoshi, its just that, I never thought it would be this hard for you to tell me things. When we were growing up this was so much easier ne?" Misao spoke back reasoning with Aoshi as to why she had laughed.
"Aa, but four years is a long time Misao, just like you had said."
"But I haven't changed Aoshi. I'm still me and you can tell me anything." Misao spoke back in a soft voice, her blue eyes gazing softly into Aoshi's. Aoshi's hair was ruffled from his sleep and so Misao could see his eyes. He closed them for the briefest of moments and shook his head. Aoshi opened his eyes looking down at his hands that rested on his knees and mumbled out his reply.
"Iie Misao, you have changed. You've gotten more…" Aoshi died off, making sure Misao was unable to hear the rest of his rant. He took in a deep breath when Misao's left hand squeezed his right one and her right hand cupped his left cheek turning his head up so she could look at him. Their eyes met, gazing deeply at each other. There was an encouraging smile on Misao's lips telling Aoshi to continue with whatever he was going to say. Aoshi looked into Misao's wide eyes as his larger and rougher hand cupped her smooth cheek, his thumb caressing her skin lightly.
"You've become more…more beautiful Misao…" Aoshi had whispered to her. Misao gasped lightly her eyes glistening at the tenderness in which Aoshi had spoken that to her.
"You…you think I'm beautiful?" Misao's voice cracked at asking Aoshi her question. She watched as he nodded his head silently at her and Misao leaned forward, her arms wrapping around Aoshi's shoulder as she now kneeled on the carpet crying softly into his chest. Aoshi had tensed in unease thinking he'd upset Misao but when his brain kicked in telling him that she wasn't yelling at him and instead crying at his confession he wrapped his arms around her shoulders holding her close. A soft chuckle left Aoshi's lips when Misao quieted down and he spoke whispering in her ear.
"I thought you were going to hit me or something."
"Why?" Misao mumbled her reply into his chest, secretly smiling at being able to hold him and the fact that Aoshi was holding her back.
"Because I never told you before." Soft giggling escaped Misao's lips hearing Aoshi say this to her. She wasn't one to hit him, only in training or maybe when she first came to Tokyo when he was being a real jerk but that was it. She'd never hurt the one she loved.
"I thought you said I had to be patient with you and feelings, so I'll wait and wait. When you are ready, you can tell me anything at any time of the day. We are best friends after all." Misao felt a small stabbing pain in her heart at saying this. She loved Aoshi as her best friend but she so desperately wanted it to be more then that. Couldn't he see how much she loved him? She lightly blushed remembering when she told him how she really felt but now it was like he had completely forgotten. Maybe it was a good thing though. Maybe they needed to start off fresh, to start off being friends once more. After all they hadn't been close for four long years and Misao wanted that back. She took a deep breath pulling out of the embrace and wiping her eyes. They both stood up alarmingly when they heard a smash coming from the main room and opened the door to see a crying Suzume-chan. Aoshi raced over thinking she was hurt and bent down checking to see if she was bleeding as pieces of glass lay scattered around her.
"Suzume-chan are you hurt?" Aoshi picked her up walking away as she spoke tearfully into his shoulder.
"I didn't even get to drink my milk."
"Oh Suzume-chan its okay. I'll get you another one." Aoshi chuckled lightly while saying this to his upset sister as she made such a fuss over spilt milk. Aoshi glanced his eyes over at Misao to see she was trying to contain her own laughing at how silly the little six-year-old was being. He placed her on the kitchen bench bringing out the chocolate milk and poured her another glass. He watched as she giggled happily drinking it all down and handed Aoshi back the empty glass.
"Thanks Aoshi-niisan." Suzume-chan spoke, her sadness forgotten easily.
"Why don't we three take a bath so we can get ready to go to the park and Aoshi can clean up the mess in the kitchen?" Misao spoke taking Suzume-chan off the table and walking towards the bathroom with Ayame-chan right besides her agreeing. Misao glanced over her shoulder to see a scolding look on Aoshi's face, one she hadn't seen since both of them were teenagers. Misao turned back around, a large smile breaking out onto her face as the old Aoshi she knew was still in him.
"I'll get you back Misao." Aoshi spoke to himself and set to work at cleaning up the shattered glass on the floor and washing the dishes. Aoshi was heading passed the bathroom for the laundry to place some of his and his sisters dirty clothes into the washing machine and caught a bit of the conversation going on inside.
"WOW! You got real pretty hair Misao-san! Can we wash it for you?" Ayame and Suzume-chan spoke excitedly. There was Misao's evidently giggling coming from inside as she answered their question with a soft yes. Aoshi shook his head walking into the laundry and dumping the clothes into the machine. He was walking back when he stopped in front of the door hearing Ayame-chan ask Misao another question.
"Misao-san, will Suzume and I get big like that too?" Aoshi was a little confused at not knowing what his sister was talking about but when Misao tried answering as best she could, he knew exactly what Ayame-chan was talking about now.
"Um…err…yes, but not until your older. Maybe when you're about 13 or 14, but your kachan will talk to you about that stuff when you get much older and…um things start to change…" Aoshi shook his head walking away, soft chuckling leaving his lips as he could just imagine Misao's red face. She was never really good at talking about girl stuff with him let alone with any other girls.
* * * *
"Hey you two get back here!" Aoshi turned around watching two streaking girls run through the main area and into his bedroom with a drenched Misao, wrapped in a white towel running after them. Her hair was wet and cascading down the towel freely as she chased after Ayame and Suzume-chan completely forgetting Aoshi's was in the apartment as well. The door slammed shut and loud giggling could be heard from inside the room. Misao was obviously tickling them for something they said in the bathroom moments ago. He shook his head walking into the bathroom to have his own shower but found water and bubbles all over the tiled floor. He unbuttoned his grey shirt crouching down to wipe up the water as not to cause an accident of any kind.
"Mou! Those little brats!" He heard Misao's voice mumble as she walked into the bathroom not noticing he was in here. Aoshi silently thanked the gods he was still half-clothed.
"A-Aoshi! I'm sorry!" He stood up properly half turning to see Misao staring wide eyes at him, a blush forming on her cheeks, a tell tale sign she thought he looked pretty nice. Aoshi too took mental note at the way Misao looked in a towel, one that stopped mid thigh area and hugged her figure tightly. Her hair lay mattered around her but she looked even more dazzling as her blue eyes shone brightly. Aoshi silently swallowed the lump in his throat as they continued to stare silently at each other. He had noticed Misao's eyes roam over himself for a quick second taking in his details at this "rare" moment between them and she soon scrambled to get her black bag she brought with her and mumbled a reply before racing from the room.
"I forgot to get this…" Aoshi moved to the door closing it and locking it so he could take his shower without anymore interruptions.
* * * *
After a short amount of time Aoshi emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped securely around his waist and one around his neck. He moved over towards the now open bedroom door to find Misao teaching the girls how to make the bed. Misao was standing at the end of the bed, the sheet in her hands and she threw it up in the air, to straighten it out, wanting Ayame and Suzume-chan to catch it when it floated back down. They stood on the bed, jumping up and down in excitement. Aoshi scratched the back of his head in puzzlement at how these two girls were easily entertained and amused. Ayame and Suzume-chan were dressed in identical long pants but different coloured coats while Misao wore a black skirt and a purple tank top, her hair still unbrushed, but only damp now.
"Look Aoshi-niisan where making the bed for you!" Ayame-chan spoke happily and proudly at her brother. He smiled over at them ignoring Misao shock and reddened face once more as she was seeing more of him then she had in her whole life.
"Aa, then this will be a surprise for kachan when you two go home." They nodded their heads jumping off the bed to help Misao fold the sheet under the mattress and place the blanket and doona over the top as well as the pillows.
"Come on you two, let's wait for Aoshi outside." Misao spoke and left the room with his sisters' close behind. He closed the door fetching out some clothes that he could wear. Aoshi placed on some black jeans and a long sleeved black shirt. A deep blue short sleeved shirt was placed over his other one and he grabbed a black jacket and some socks from his cupboard heading into the main room to see his sisters begging Misao to let them brush her hair. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the couch looking into their pleading brown eyes. That's when Aoshi noticed her skirt had two splits up the sides as he could see her smooth creamy legs. He fisted his hand closing his eyes momentary not wanting to think of such thoughts but was interrupted by Misao anyway.
"Aoshi are you okay?" Her eyes looked worriedly at him and he gave her a small grin walking over to sit behind her on the couch, taking the brush from her startled hands and began brushing the knots out of her hair.
"Niisan, that no fair!" Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan chorused loudly looking sadly up at him. Aoshi poked his tongue at them playfully and they did the same thing back but sat down as Misao grabbed a comb brushing their hair and placing Ayame-chan's hair into two plaits while Suzume-chan had her customary pigtails. Aoshi had leaned closer smelling the fragrance of Misao's hair. She had used the same stuff he had, but to him it smelt better in her hair. He leaned away and began plaiting her hair remembering a couple of times when he had done this when they were younger. Misao turned around giving him a wonderful smile but Suzume-chan spoke up cutting into the silence.
"Who will brush your hair Aoshi-niisan?" Aoshi watched as Misao sat up on her knees, her hands coming up, her fingers moving over the back of his head brushing his wet and messy hair down. He dare not look away from her blue eyes as they stared straight into his. Her hands moved to the sides of his head, her eyes moving away to concentrate on doing a nice job as she smoothed his hair out even more. Aoshi closed his eyes for more then what a blink would be counted for as Misao brushed her delicate fingers through the front of his long bangs then smoothed some pieces out, making them fall over his eyes the way he always liked it. Although it was sometimes frustrating when she couldn't see his eyes, his hair always looked good like that. It made Aoshi seem more mysterious and handsome.
"It looks good ne?" Aoshi opened his eyes when Misao dropped her hands away as she tuned her head to look over her shoulder to speak to Ayame and Suzume-chan. He watched as they nodded their heads affirmatively and they got up tugging Misao to follow as they had already placed on their shoes and wanted to go to the park right now. Misao had placed a pair of black slip on shoes on and Aoshi finally stood up stepping into his sneakers, never untying the shoelaces as it was too much of a hassle.
"Imoto-chan's the park isn't going anywhere." He received two accusing and pouting looks from his sisters and he finally held up his hands in defeat as he grabbed his keys and wallet.
"Alright we can go now." He watched as they jumped up and down in excitement heading out the door and racing down the stairs. Misao giggled as she raced after them when they asked her to hurry up as they were beating her in the so-called race. Her childhood energy she would always have coming out in her. Aoshi closed the door heading, locking it behind him and heading towards the lift.
* * * *
"A good morning to the three of you beautiful ladies." Okina spoke as Misao, Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan came giggling over and bidding him a good morning as well.
"I do hope you brought warmer clothes for yourself Miss Misao, it is a cool day today." Okina spoke once more noticing she only wore a skirt with just a top and she had not brought a coat with her.
"Don't worry about it Okina-san, Miss Misao can cuddle up to Aoshi-niisan!" Ayame-chan spoke with a bright smile on her face.
"Is that right?" Okina replied, a grin forming on his face as he looked at Misao's flushed face. There was a ding from the elevator and Aoshi stepped out walking towards them and greeted Okina.
"A fine morning to you Okina." He looked at the four of them suspiciously as they all stared at him and found Misao's cheeks a slight pinkish colour, more so then usual.
"What?" Aoshi spoke knowing something was up but watched as Misao, Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan moved towards the main entrance-waving goodbye to Okina. Aoshi narrowed his eyes but slowly followed after them as they made their way onto the walkway and headed down the road towards the nearest park.
* * * *
Aoshi's eyes never left Misao as she continued to play with Ayame and Suzume-chan. They had been at the park for a number of hours now and yet the energetic balls that were his sisters weren't even tired. Misao's cheeks were slightly pink from running around so much but she was still enjoying herself immensely. He watched comically as his sneaky sisters caught Misao off guard as they gained up on her tackling her legs and she fell to the ground laughing loudly. He watched as they rolled in the grass for a bit and soon Ayame and Suzume-chan shouted simultaneously.
"Last one to Aoshi-niisan is a rotten egg!" He watched his imoto-chan's race over jumping into his lap and soon Misao got up jogging over towards them and falling to the grass on her butt once more in front of them.
"You girls are cheats!" Misao pouted cutely at them, her arms crossed in front of her.
"Why don't you two go find the prettiest flowers for Misao while she has a little rest?" He watched as they jumped out of his lap racing off and Aoshi and Misao spoke together looking at their retreating forms.
"Don't go too far though!" Misao gave Aoshi a sheepish grin at saying this when it was really his responsibility to say such a thing to his own sisters but she really couldn't help herself. They were so adorable after all she couldn't help but fall in love with them as though she were their big sister.
"I overheard you saying something about the 'Akabeko' yesterday Misao?" Aoshi spoke wanting to secretly find out more information on this Enishi guy but would never ask her flat out.
"Well I had a job at a supermarket in Kyoto for awhile and I thought I could be good as a waitress with using my balance skills and stuff. Kaoru said that the Akabeko was looking for more help and I went there to apply and found out that Tsubame actually works there, so it just made it even easier to get the job."
"Tsubame?" Aoshi replied quizzically.
"Oh yes, she's my sister-in-law. Okon met Yahiko ages ago and they ended up hitting it off really well and they moved in together, had a baby, so I'm an aunt for real and they got married not to long ago either."
"Okon got married?!?" Aoshi spoke full of surprise. He shook his head as though not believing it and Misao spoke once more.
"Yep she did. Omasu and Kuro from Master Hiko's class are doing well I believe, from reading mum's last letter. Mum seems to think that Kuro will ask Omasu to marry him soon, since he went to dad to see if he could give them his blessing. Mum says they go everywhere together, she said they act like us when we were younger never wanting to be apart even for a second."
"We never did want to part did we?" Aoshi spoke looking over at his sisters as they giggled happily picking up different coloured flowers.
"No, we didn't. I bet you wanted me gone though, I was a pain in the butt." Aoshi was swatted on the arm when he nodded his head in agreement at what Misao said. He chuckled lightly when she scrunched her face up in annoyance, her arms crossed in front of her and she turned her head away from him.
"Actually I missed having you around at night." Aoshi spoke glancing his eyes at Misao as she turned to look at him, her eyes asking him to continue with his memory.
"When we were together on weekends I was amazed you could actually fall asleep. You always talked about something, jumping from one topic to another at any chance something new or another idea popped into your head. In the beginning I got so sick of you waking me up at like two or three in the morning because you forgot to tell me some unimportant news but you just needed to share it with me anyway. I got used to it in the end, but when I left Kyoto I actually missed it. In China on the training trip and in some of the towns that reminded me of Kyoto a bit I'd wake up during the night hearing your voice as though you were right beside me waking me up so you could tell me something. Sano thought I was loosing my mind when I told him what kept waking me up but then I didn't really care what he thought, as he was never there when you did this. Actually no one witnessed that but me." Misao's eyes were on Aoshi but he never turned his head to face her, as he kept his watchful eyes on his sisters and the fact he didn't know what he would see if he glanced into Misao's eyes either.
"I thought that if I stayed awake talking all the time maybe the day and night would go slower so I could spend more time with you. I hated when Sunday came because I knew my mum would be around to pick me up and take me home. Then I wouldn't see you until Monday at school and that was just too long for me. That's pretty silly when you think about it." Misao spoke laughing lightly trying not to feel too embarrassed.
"No, it was good. It meant a great deal to me because it was only between us and no one else." Aoshi replied absently. Misao looked over at Aoshi's handsome face. Her heart pounded in her chest remembering those nights but now he was here and sitting so close to her and not even paying attention as she drew closer. What if this ruined everything even more? Misao just couldn't help herself, her heart wanted her to do this, her mind refusing just a little, thinking about the consequences of such an act. Misao began berating herself, deciding if she should be brave or if she should back out now before he turned her way to see what she was just about to do, but it was all too late as her eyes locked onto his. His were wider then usual looking down at her in surprise but Misao's had closed, her moist soft lips connected with his, a nervous kiss started by her but she couldn't pull away not just yet. Aoshi had instinctively jerked a little in surprise at the feeling of Misao's lips against his once more. Four years ago he had kissed her goodbye, but now she sat in front of him waiting bravely for his reaction. The kiss all those years ago was awkward and this one was full of nervousness as Misao lay everything on the line between them. Aoshi watched one lone tear escape her closed left eye and trail down her cheek. Aoshi's eyes closed, the feeling of Misao being this close to him was rather overwhelming and so he gave in to his desire as he cupped her left cheek, his lips finally responding to hers. Aoshi heard Misao gasp in happiness and surprise as he reacted the way she hoped he would. She moved a little closer, her lips pressing more firmly against his but all to soon they jerked apart when someone cleared their throat wanting to get their attention. They both looked accusingly at the tall figure as they stared up into gold eyes.
"And I thought I'd be six feet under before I saw something happen between the two of you. About time little brother." Saitou replied walking closer and ruffling Aoshi's hair as though her were a small child. They both watched as he walked towards Ayame and Suzume-chan who immediately threw the flowers in excitement at seeing their other brother and raced over towards him yelling his name. Aoshi and Misao sat wide eyed as he picked them up walking back towards them but ended up walking straight past them as he mumbled his reply, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
"Tokio's got a surprise for them and since I interrupted your little moment together, this will give you two more QUALITY time together without these brats watching your every move." Aoshi watched Saitou's retreating form and glanced his eyes at a slightly flushed Misao, as she fully understood his brother's hidden words within his statement. Aoshi stood up helping Misao to her feet and took off his jacket placing it around her as a cold breeze swept through the city. She placed her arms into the sleeves sighing at receiving his warmth.
"Did you want to come to the Akabeko with me Aoshi? We can scam some free food?" Misao spoke her head bowed slightly her shyness coming out in her, something Aoshi rarely saw.
"Hai Misao, lets go…" Aoshi spoke, his hands stretched out. Misao smiled up at him, her smaller one cradled in his larger one as they slowly walked off together enjoying their small contact and the quietness between them for the moment.
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *