Authors Notes: If anyone is confused with what month it is, I'm thinking probably December, cause I'm trying to get it back to Hanami Festival which is about late March and into April right? I'm not too sure if its cold in December but it is now! *S*

Okay now…hmm I like the idea of Enishi and Tomoe in this ficcie, cause evidently everyone must be paired up with someone and well you gotta have the main couples (I'm not too fond of alternate pairings) and since Enishi and Tomoe are left over, well they are a couple now!

Okay this is chapter is leading up to…AOSHI AND MISAO'S DATE! *YAY* Finally have an idea for one and there will be…no interruptions…so prepare for romantic moments of fluffiness in the next chapter…with a bit of embarrassment on Misao's behalf…can't have it all go smoothly, for the both of them that is! She's a tad nervous…and well, Aoshi…he just wants everything to be perfect! And well I haven't decided to make it all perfect for them, it'll be happy and fluffy, with a bit of humor in it…poor Aoshi… sooooooooo kawaii when he gets angry! *hehehehe*

The chapter is smaller then the others but hey, I couldn't give you the date just yet, need it to be planned perfectly! But, it'll be a little sad…the girls are going! *sniff sniff* I think they are sooooooooooo kawaii!! (They won't be in it for ages now…well…not until I go back to Kyoto…but that won't happen for a while yet.)

On with the ficcie…

Under the Cherry Tree

"Kenshin? Did you hear some strange noises coming from outside last night?" Kaoru spoke to her husband who was playing with their daughter in the lounge room while she dusted the furniture.

"Aa, I did, but do not worry about it Kaoru." Kaoru stopped dusting to watch her husband and daughter play together. One of Kenshin's hands absently brushed Misao-chan's dark hair which had red highlights through it while the other held a rattling toy in front of her. Each time she reached for it, Kenshin would bring it closer to him, making sure it was always just out of her reach. A laugh bubbled in her throat at being teased like this. Kaoru sat down in one of the chairs to watch them. Misao-chan was giggling happily, her hands thrust high in the air, standing on her tiptoes trying to reach the toy.

"Shall I wake Misao up Kenshin? She's been asleep for a long time. She does have work today too." Kaoru spoke in a motherly voice.

"No!" Kenshin spoke abruptly, his hand lowering a little and Misao-chan squealed happily when she tugged the toy out of his grasp. Misao-chan jumped up and down in front of her dad, giggling happily about getting the toy off of him. A small scowl appeared on Kenshin's face, Kaoru having distracted him from teasing their daughter. A soft smile broke onto his lips as he watched his daughter jump around in pure excitement and joy at getting the toy from her dad.

"Why not Kenshin?" Kaoru spoke intrigued as she got up walking over to sit down with them. Instantly Misao-chan sat in her lap content with shaking the rattling toy.

"Because you'll wake them up. Come on Misao-chan, lets go check on the cookie's." Kenshin spoke back, picking up his daughter and walking towards the kitchen. Kaoru wasn't too far behind wanting to know who was in their house.

"Them? You mean someone's with Misao?"

"Aa, but not just someone, it's…" Kenshin stopped talking and looked out the kitchen window into the backyard.

"Its Uncle Aoshi!" Misao-chan spoke happily, her hands clapping together as though in approval of him being here and with Misao. Kaoru moved closer to the bench, peering out the large window to see Aoshi sitting on the porch with his long legs dangling over the edge.

"Let us leave him be." Kenshin spoke shutting the curtain and turning the light on instead. Kaoru was not too happy about that, but one soft look from her husband melted her and she went back to cleaning the lounge room. Misao-chan sat on the bench top watching her tochan get out all the necessary ingredients so they could decorate the cookies.

* * * *

Outside Aoshi sat on the porch enjoying the cold weather. It was an overcast day and he knew it was going to rain. It was evident as the echo of thunder rolled in the sky. No lightning had flashed yet and Aoshi hoped the storm would have passed by the time it reached nightfall. After all he had a surprise planed for Misao. Of course she had no idea about it but all in due time. Aoshi hoped Misao would enjoy herself later tonight. He was cut from his thoughts as two arms wrapped around his shoulders, a chin dropping onto his left shoulder, a curvy body pressed against his back and warm breath flowing over his ear as Misao spoke to him.

"Penny for your thoughts?" A smile touched Aoshi's lips as he half turned around, Misao pulled away from her hug and sat behind him, a sweet smile on her lips. She wore her silk robe, which was dark red and gold in colour, over her tank top and underwear. Aoshi had been right in thinking that was what Misao was wearing to bed. He had woken up that morning to see the blankets had fallen off of Misao as she rolled onto her stomach and away from him. Aoshi's hands itched to touch her silken skin as his eyes travelled over her slender and toned form. All her training had paid off in the end. She was the colour of creamy milk and contrasted well with his tanned skin. Aoshi remembered the feel of Misao's skin the night before but dare not touch his sleeping beauty. He had left the room without disturbing her slumber and made his way downstairs deftly passing Kenshin and Misao-chan without notice and headed outside and into the backyard.

Misao did not break away from Aoshi's stare, as he said nothing but look at her. Her heartbeat had sped up, liking the fact that Aoshi wouldn't take his eyes off of her. Misao shivered slightly, a cool breeze sweeping through the yard and rustling the leaves in the trees. This had snapped Aoshi out of his daze and he turned his head away from Misao and spoke.

"Are you working today?"

"Yes, in about an hour and only until 6 tonight. Why?"

"No reason just be ready by 7. I'll come and pick you up then."

"Pick me up for what?" Misao replied standing up as Aoshi had gotten up and headed into the house and going upstairs to collect his things from her bedroom.

"That's a surprise." Aoshi spoke once more as he sat on the bed placing on his sneakers. Misao stood in front of him with her arms crossed over her breasts and stared daggers down at him.

"I hate surprises!" Misao blurted out, hating the fact that Aoshi was keeping something from her yet again. She gasped in surprise when Aoshi's hands pressed on the back of her knees, making her fall towards him as she now kneeled on the carpet in between his legs. Aoshi stared down into wide blue eyes and noted Misao's pink cheeks.

"No…you don't." Aoshi whispered back. He drew his fingers over Misao's left cheek, watching as she bit down on her bottom lip, her eyes glancing downwards in shyness. Aoshi knew how nervous Misao was but it made her all the more cherished and beautiful. Aoshi cupped her chin, his face lowering towards hers as he tilted it up, placing a soft luring kiss on her lips. This time there was no gasp, only a low moan as Misao responded to his kiss. Oh how she had waited all night for this kiss and yet she was too shy to start it herself. Perhaps in time she'd become bolder and kiss Aoshi when he was least expecting it. Misao broke away from the kiss, her eyes opening to see Aoshi had descended to the carpet so it was easier for him and herself to kiss. Misao blushed in front of Aoshi, not even knowing he moved. Once he was kissing her, she lost all sense of the world and everything in it as she only focused on him. Her heartbeat was calmer now, the intensity of the moment fading away. Misao pulled away from Aoshi's embrace, her hands dropping away from being around his neck. Misao really did lose herself within Aoshi. She didn't even remember doing that. Aoshi stood up, taking Misao with him and watched as she straightened her robe out and placed locks of hair behind her ears. She was fidgeting, just as Aoshi thought she would. A small smile crept onto his face as he took Misao's hands into his, stopping her from fidgeting anymore. Her head jerked up, her bright blue eyes searching his face for an explanation of some sort.

"I'll see you tonight." Aoshi left the room after saying that. Misao turned around facing the bed, her head bent downward, as he didn't even kiss her goodbye. Misao knew she was acting silly but before she could do anything else she gasped as she was quickly turned around and lips pressed against hers in a passionate kiss. Misao's eyes were wide as she stared up into sparkling blue-green ones, but threw her arms around Aoshi's neck responding to his kiss in full force. His hands cupped the back of her head, tilting it ever so slightly to brush his lips harder against hers. The flicking of his tongue against her lips made Misao groan in anticipation and she opened her mouth wider. Aoshi smirked as he watched her gain more height standing on her tiptoes wanting to be closer to him. In Misao's state of passion Aoshi pulled away, escaping her embrace and left for good this time, not saying a single word. He headed downstairs and out the door, walking down the street and heading for Saitou's place.

Misao still stood in her room, her breathing ragged, her heart pounding in her chest. A silly grin crept its way onto Misao's lips as she began to giggle in happiness at what just happened. Misao fell backwards onto her bed hugging her pillows to her. She felt like a giddy schoolgirl and knew she wouldn't be able to stop thinking about Aoshi during work. Misao also knew that the surprise Aoshi had for her tonight was never going to leave her mind either. That frustrated her but Misao breathed in deeply as the scent of Aoshi seeped through her entire body as it was etched into her bed sheets and pillows. Misao finally got up, skipping lightly to the bathroom to have her shower and get ready for work. Today was going to be one of the best days of Misao's life.

* * * *

Saitou had been looking over some cases in his study for a number of hours now. He'd been up most of the night trying to get Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan to bed. Who would have thought he actually had the patience to do that in the first place? He generally started off the stories with 'Once upon a time…' and they always ended with the usual 'They lived happily ever after.' That however did not satisfy his two younger sisters. In the end he finally told them about himself and Aoshi and living in Kyoto. They had cuddled up close to Saitou listening to his ever word, occasionally interrupting him with their questions. Saitou was actually impressed with himself at not minding the two youngsters cuddling up to him. Actually secretly he loved the idea of having two sisters and the fact they loved him no matter how "scary" he looked. Unknown to Saitou or the two girls however was that Tokio was listening to him and their questions. She sat outside the partially opened door listening to Saitou's deep voice speak of his family, Misao, his high school friends and her. Tokio had to suppress some laughter when he told Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan about when he first met "Aunt Tokio". Tokio leaned against the wall listening to his every word but her breath caught in her throat when Ayame-chan asked her question. 'You don't love Aunt Tokio like a little sister do you Saitou-niisan?' Saitou's response was a blunt 'No' and Suzume-chan soon asked her own question. 'But you do love her don't you Saitou-niisan?' Tokio's heart stopped at hearing his answer, her vision blurring as her eyes filled with tears. Seconds had passed as she stood in front of the door and watched it opened as Saitou flicked off the lights, the pale moonlight flittering in through the hallway window. Saitou's eyes flashed in anger, as he didn't even sense Tokio's presence and the fact that she heard everything he said. His anger turned to slight worry as he saw the tear streaks on her cheeks. She had thrown herself at Saitou then, her arms wrapping around his waist as she wept into his broad chest, her voice coming out in choked sobs as she spoke to him, his heart swelling at those five words… 'I love you too Saitou'.

Loud banging on the front door jolted Saitou from his thoughts. Papers flew everywhere as Saitou had been interrupted. They flittered to the desk or down to the floor, the memory of Tokio and last night fading from his mind. Saitou growled low in his throat at hearing such a disturbing sound but got up out of his chair and left his private office heading for the main door. He opened it up and was greeted by his brother.

"Oh, its only you. Actually I should say about time you got here though. Those two brats are all yours!" Aoshi closed the door behind him and followed Saitou down the hallway heading towards the backdoor.

"Actually I came to ask a favour of you, to see if you could watch our imoto-chan's until tonight and then I'll come and pick them up. Is Tokio around? I need to ask her a favour." Aoshi spoke and watched as Saitou pointed out the back to where they both could hear earsplitting laughter. Aoshi stood on the verandah as Tokio waved and began walking over, Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan running ahead of her, their arms thrust out wanting a hug from Aoshi. He bent down hugging them and kissing their forehead. Aoshi narrowed his eyes slightly as he stood back up watching Tokio.

"Is it just me or is Tokio walking a little funny?" Aoshi questioned noticing the slight difference in Tokio's posture and walking pace.

"She is, but she'll be alright once she gets used to it." Aoshi glanced his eyes at his older brother to see his golden ones starring back at him as if to say 'Come on you can't be that stupid!'

"Oh, I see…" Aoshi muttered out and turned towards Tokio with a small smile on his face greeting her politely as she did him.

"Tokio are you busy at 7 tonight?" Aoshi asked her pretending to act dumb. She shook her head negatively and Aoshi sighed in relief and thanked the gods, as he knew she'd want to help once he told her his plan and that it was all a surprise for Misao.

"I need your help with a few things…"

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *