Authors Notes: Hi! Noa her again once more. This actually took me ages to think about but now it's finally done. I'm sooooooooooo glad too! Well its all heart from Misao…and some from Aoshi too. The farewell for Ayame and Suzume-chan may seemed rushed but I made it that way to make it look like Aoshi and Misao slept in a little too much then what they should have. Anywho…this is the last part of Chapter 16…thank goodness on my behalf. I've gotta get thinking on Sano and Megumi and Enishi and Tomoe. Well Ja Ne for now!

On with the ficcie…

Under the Cherry Tree

Aoshi had been silent the whole time it took to get back to the Okina Apartments. Misao had been speaking softly to Ayame and Suzume-chan. They were fully awake now intending on finding out where Misao and Aoshi had been. Misao was content in telling them everything and how much their big brother was a gentleman to her.

Aoshi paid the driver the fee and walked slowly behind Misao, who was carrying Suzume-chan and Ayame-chan was skipping beside her. They were still wearing their day clothes but were slightly damp from the rain, which was still pouring down. Aoshi still hadn't come to the conclusion of what he was going to do once they reached his apartment. He knew that he'd have to send his imoto-chan's off to bed somehow, he just hadn't thought of a plan just yet. Aoshi took a deep but silent breath as he opened the door to his darkened apartment. He walked inside flicking on the main lights and heard the door close behind him.

"Come on you two, you both need to have a bath before going to bed." Misao spoke pushing the girls in the direction of the bathroom, much to their small protests. Perhaps Aoshi didn't need to think of a plan after all. Misao was doing a fine job. There was the closing of the bathroom door, definite sounds of three females giggling inside. Aoshi shook his head, droplets of water spraying everywhere and flicked on the kitchen light and turned the kettle on. Aoshi leaned against the counter looking at the far wall of the lounge room when he watched two girls wrapped in towels race into his bedroom and Misao walking quickly to follow them.

"We don't want to sleep though!" Ayame-chan whined and Suzume-chan followed suit. Aoshi sighed and began walking towards the bedroom door. This was going to be tougher then he thought. His mum had been spot on in adopting the two stubborn little girls to go with the rest of the stubborn men in the household. Aoshi leaned against the doorframe watching as his sisters snuggled up in the large bed and watched Misao lie down on her stomach facing them and began speaking.

"Do you two promise to settle down if I tell you a story?" A grin crossed Aoshi's lips as he watched his little sisters nod together in agreement. They loved stories, especially real ones. Aoshi watched Misao get comfortable, her head propped up in her hands, her elbows digging into the soft mattress. Aoshi could see Misao's creamy skin as her shirt rose slightly giving him a small peek at her narrow stomach and hip area.

"Aoshi-niisan, do you want to listen to the story as well?" Suzume-chan spoke tiredly over at Aoshi. Misao turned her head, her cheeks a faint colour of pink. Aoshi knew the story was going to be about Misao and meeting up with him. Aoshi thought it best not to stay, as Misao wouldn't be able to get them asleep if he was listening.

"No, I'll let you two have Misao for now." Misao's cheeks brightened in colour and Aoshi couldn't help but chuckle lightly then leave the room, closing the door, but leaving it slightly ajar and headed into the main room again. The kettle had already whistled and clicked itself off. Aoshi made himself a coffee, turned the main lights off and sat on the table looking out the large window of his apartment. The last time he sat here was with Tomoe. They had both seen something that…that really hurt. Enishi and Misao had been kissing. He'd seen it; Tomoe saw it and Tsubame saw it as well. Aoshi had wondered ever since that moment why it had even occurred. He could sort of understand why Enishi did that. He had kept on talking about "his" pretty Misao and them one-day "having" children together. Maybe he needed to express himself more to Misao. After all she wasn't a mind reader. Enishi would speak to Misao with so much feelings involved. Telling her how he missed her, how she was lovely and beautiful and all that emotional stuff. Maybe Aoshi needed to be more like that with Misao. He slammed his empty coffee mug down on the table in frustration. No way in hell was he going to be like that idiot! He'd figure things out for himself and go from there.

"Are you alright Aoshi?" Aoshi turned his head to see Misao was sitting right beside him. He must have really been locked away in his own thoughts. The occasional flash of lightning doused the room in light as well as themselves. Misao was sitting on the table with him; her feet propped up as she hugged her legs to her chest. Misao's thick hair cascaded over her back, some smaller parts falling over her shoulders and the ends rested on the wooden table they sat on. It looked like shiny satin and Aoshi wanted to touch it but kept his hands to himself. Misao was staring at him waiting for an answer to her question and Aoshi finally replied back casting his face away to look out the window.

"Sorry, just thinking about a few things." Aoshi glanced his eyes to see Misao placed her chin on her knees looking out the window at the city view. He knew she wanted to know what he was thinking about and so Aoshi waited patiently for Misao to ask him.

"What about?" A small smile touched Aoshi's lips at hearing Misao say this. He knew she couldn't hold in her curiosity any longer. Aoshi took a deep breath hoping Misao wouldn't get angry with him. He leaned back slightly, his arms resting out beside him to hold himself up as he still stared out the window but finally spoke.

"The last time I sat here, looking out this very window was with Tomoe. I found her crying in a darkened alleyway at what she saw in the Akabeko, what happened between you and Enishi that day. We sat here talking over a few things trying to understand that one scene. I wasn't as oblivious as Tomoe had seemed. She never thought she'd see Enishi do something like that but I could feel this closeness between the two of you, so it was a shock but not as bad as the way Tomoe saw it. I wasn't as close minded as she was thinking nothing would ever happen like that. I mean the way you two act together, it seems you two belong together in some queer sort of way."

"Queer sort of way?" Misao spoke cutting into Aoshi's speech. She didn't like the way he had said that and wanted to find out more on what he was thinking about. He'd been so quiet not even demanding an answer from her about that night. She saw Aoshi brush his hand through his hair, a sign he was thinking about what to say and then his hand fell back to rest on the table as he stared out the window once more and spoke.

"You both work at the same place and I've been gone for about three weeks and it felt like I'd been replaced by him as your best friend. The way the both of you spoke to each other was as though you'd been life long friends like we are. You two were so close at Kenshin's place and the way your eyes lit up in happiness at seeing him; I just felt I was in the way. I didn't want to ruin the happiness that emitted from you at being with him so I kept my distance. After that whole baby thing with Sano and Megumi and when I saw you at my door having run most of the way here to see if I was alright I knew you still cared for me. You were like a damn mind reader knowing I was going to break any moment and you wanted to catch me and to comfort me. To me that meant a lot, knowing that even after four years we still knew each other inside and out."

"I'll always care for you Aoshi." Misao spoke just above a whisper so he could hear it. Aoshi blinked a few times realising his view was blocked as Misao stood in front of him. When did she get off the table? Aoshi was cursing himself yet again for forgetting about his training and not sensing her movements. He was doing that a lot lately as Misao was always on his mind and in his thoughts.

"Aoshi about that incident at the Akabeko…" A flash of lightning flittered through the sky dousing the room in light once more as Misao caught the shaking of Aoshi's head telling her she didn't need to say anything. Misao knew Aoshi would be thinking he has no right to question her on any of her actions but to Misao she needed and wanted to tell him about that night, about what she'd been thinking the entire time she'd arrived in Tokyo.

"I want to tell you everything Aoshi. When you left Kyoto, I practically began counting the days down to when I'd finish school and get to see you again. Each day that passed got me closer to when I'd be on that train and in Tokyo tracking you down. Tokio felt the same for Saitou, she knew they left on bad terms, not even communicating after he left and so she too wanted to set things straight between them. As soon as school ended we got our tickets, even missing the end of year formal to get to Tokyo. Mum was not impressed about that at all. I finally got dad on my side and he let me go much to mum's disappointment. All her children had left home, Okon to start a family, Omasu to do the same and to study at university while her youngest left to go find her long lost best friend. Mum was trying to protect me. She knew four years was a long time and didn't want me to be hurt or disappointed once I reached Tokyo. God I hated the fact that when I got here and found you were attached with someone. I hated it mostly because mum was right. When I look at it back when I first came here I was being naïve and stupid and close minded too. How could I not think that you wouldn't mature into this good looking guy and that someone would take a liking to you more then a friend. I was stupid just like Tomoe was in thinking that would never happen. It hurt but you had every right to do what you pleased. When it finally sunk in that you were with Megumi my heart broke and I felt lost. It was evident now I'd have to share you with someone else, knowing I couldn't be able to stay up with you at nights and talk like we used to because…you and your bed…where and would be occupied by another." Aoshi watched as Misao bent her head down in sadness and embarrassment. So many times he wanted to cut in but he needed to hear this and Misao wasn't going to stop until she felt she'd said all she needed to say. Aoshi waited patiently for Misao to speak again.

"I felt I was competing for your attention and losing for that matter. I knew Megumi couldn't take what we had away from each other. When you wanted to spar that time in the bathroom at Kenshin's place and when you let me stay here that night I knew I didn't need to compete with her. Through everything we've been through we'd be best friends for life. That night you said good night to me I sat up thinking over many things. It didn't matter whether you were with her because I still had a place in your life and that is your best friend. You had trusted me with secrets and dreams and I kept them inside me not telling a soul knowing they were only for my ears. Although you'd been friends with Sano, Hannya and the other guys since you were born I felt honored and my heart swelled with happiness as you bestowed all you secrets to me knowing I was the one you could trust them with. In the beginning you were secretive as though testing me to see if I could be trusted around you and I seemed to pass the test as you opened your heart to me. How I missed those days when you left for Tokyo. I missed everything that was you. The way you'd sneak up on me when I was walking around the school or walking down the street or at home in the training hall. The way we'd run around all the time jumping over different obstacles turning it into a short training program. The way you'd always warm up and warm down at training with me. The way you encouraged me to try harder and all the times you congratulated me in whatever I was doing, whether it be sparring with you or the others or any of my assignments I did at school. I missed your small chuckles and your quiet laughter and your deep soft voice and even though I hated the way you'd stare at me not telling me what you were thinking I missed that too! I even missed the way your long bangs fell over your eyes hiding them from view. I missed everything that made up who you were to me! When I knew you were with Megumi my heart…my heart broke apart. I was devastated as though I'd been replaced. She is beautiful and elegant and not a clutz like me, how could I have competed against that! I began working at The Akabeko trying to take my mind off of you and Megumi. Enishi was working there too and that's how we met. The way he showered me with compliments at how beautiful I looked and how sweet I was I just felt overwhelmed, but I felt special as well. I'd never been told those things before and having some nice looking guy say that to me was like a dream. He showered me with praises but sometimes they were too over the top, but I still took them in my stride. I never asked for them and yet the way he spoke meant he truly meant it because its what he saw in me. To him I was this sweet, energetic and outspoken lovely young woman and he would tell me this everyday. It had kept my mind off of you and what you were doing inside of me. I didn't want to think about you and Megumi because I knew I'd fall apart. You were someone else's now and there was nothing I could do about it. That night at the Akabeko where it was just you and I was…it felt so right and then I knew you hated it when Enishi came and ruined it for us. In a way I did too and when you left my heart pounded in my chest my whole body screaming at me to run after you but Enishi stopped me as he began talking about his feelings for Tomoe and me. He had said he loved us both, but he wasn't too sure what that meant. I agreed we'd share one kiss to see if there was any spark in it to see if he loved me more than a friend, but there wasn't. I was glad because I knew straight away I didn't have those feelings for Enishi because my…my heart belonged to someone else. When I turned around to see you had seen that I was completely confused. Part of me hated myself because you had seen that and even though you were like stone not showing any emotions I knew it hurt. I knew you wanted to hit Enishi for starting the kiss and I knew you were angry with me for returning it. The other half of me told me that you deserved it. That you had to see it because then maybe you'd feel how I felt when I found out about you and Megumi. I hated myself after that. I had run back to Kenshin and Kaoru's crying my eyes out thinking you'd never speak to me again. I felt so guilty that I couldn't even look at my own face in the mirror. I hid away in my room not speaking to anyone. I just wanted…I wanted you to feel hurt, to feel pain at having something like that shoved in your face. I wanted your heart to break at seeing something like that. I can't take what I did back! I can't change anything that happened. I can hate myself forever but that won't let me or you forget what happen. Nothing can ever be erased. I can only apologise for what you saw, for what I let happen! I'm sorry for hurting you Aoshi!" Aoshi felt like his heart was going to burst from his chest. He'd been listening to Misao speaking and the more she got into what she was feeling the more her voice began to crack. Her emotions were running high and Aoshi knew Misao would be crying in the end. He sat on the table like a stone not moving at all, but everytime she spoke about what he meant to her and how much she missed him his eyes would widen more and more almost as though they were going to pop out of there sockets! His heart thumped in his chest and when another flash of lightning lit the room up and Aoshi saw the wetness of Misao's cheeks as she sobbed quietly in front of him he sat up straight and his arms wrapped around her shoulders holding Misao close. For many minutes Aoshi let Misao cry into his chest not being able to say anything. Aoshi finally understood that it didn't matter that he didn't think he was special because someone else, actually the young woman, who he cradled in his arms, thought he was pretty damn special. She had spoken her heart to him once more, her emotions running ragged and Aoshi said nothing but he held her tighter in his arms. Misao felt like an idiot for breaking down in front of Aoshi once more. Once she began speaking she just couldn't shut her mouth until everything was said. She was becoming more and more embarrassed but when Aoshi hugged her she relaxed into his comforting embrace and let herself cry her heart out.

"I never…asked you to be like Megumi." Aoshi whispered into Misao's ear. He felt her pull away slightly, her head lifting up, as though she wanted to look up at him even though the room was bathed in darkness. The rain fell softly outside indicating it was coming to a close. The apartment was silent, Misao waiting silently for Aoshi's explanation on what he said. She gasped softly as she was pulled back into Aoshi's embrace, her head resting against his muscular chest, her ear listening to the strong beating of his heart.

"What is wrong with just being the Misao I know? Sure she talks non stop, is full of energy, loves running around as though she's still a young girl and is still as clumsy as hell, but…she's still Aoshi's Misao." Aoshi felt Misao's arms wrap around his waist holding him tightly to her at what he said. Sure it wasn't exactly the best thing to say but it was a step in the right direction of telling Misao what was really in his heart. Their moment was soon shattered by a small and slightly scared little voice.

"Aoshi-niisan? Aunt Misao? Are you there? I had a bad dream…" Suzume-chan spoke. Misao and Aoshi let go of each other turning their heads to see Suzume-chan silhouetted in light as she stood at the bedroom door and her little head bowed. Aoshi got off the table walking towards Suzume-chan with Misao not too far behind him. He bent down picking her up, her chubby little arms wrapping around his neck holding onto his shirt for dear life. Misao watched from the doorway as Aoshi whispered loving words into her ear and tucked her back into the bed. He sat on the floor beside her and ran his hand over her little cheek soothing her back into sleep.

"Go to sleep Suzume-chan everything is all right now. Misao will stay in here with you tonight so you won't have to be afraid." Aoshi had turned his head towards Misao and she smiled gently moving over indicating that she would stay in here with the girls. Ayame-chan woke up moving closer to her sister to comfort her as well. Aoshi stood up opening up a draw and handing Misao a long sleeved shirt for her to sleep in. Aoshi bent down placing a kiss on his sister's foreheads and began walking towards the bedroom door when Misao spoke.

"Do I not get a goodnight kiss as well Aoshi?" Aoshi turned around to see that Misao's cheeks were pink from saying that but her hands were on her hips, her stubbornness coming out. Aoshi stepped closer to Misao noticing as she gulped down the lump in her throat as the nervousness in her grew. A smug smile crossed Aoshi's lips lightly as he cupped Misao's chin softly and lowered his lips to hers leaving her with a luring kiss. He stepped away his eyes opening to see two young girls sitting up in bed and watching him and Misao. Aoshi stomped his foot on the ground as though he was going to move over towards Ayame and Suzume-chan as they squealed lightly and ducked under the covers giggling softly. Aoshi shook his head, his hand brushing Misao's pink cheek and then he left the room closing the door behind him. Aoshi sat down on the couch and watch the light disappear from the gap between the bottom of the door and the carpet as Misao turned it off obviously climbing in the bed with his sisters. Aoshi sighed out loud taking off the blue shirt and placing it on the coffee table. He placed his head on a cushion and lay on his side on the couch looking over at the closed door to his room. After a long period of time Aoshi closed his eyes trying to fall into a deep sleep but his mind was plagued with dreams of Misao.

* * * *

"Aoshi…" Aoshi turned on his back hearing Misao's soft voice calling his name. Her voice was soft and distant, his name flowing from her mouth as though a breeze was carrying it.

"Aoshi…" There it was again but this time spoken a bit more loudly as though Misao was coming closer to him.

"AOSHI!" Aoshi groaned this time turning over again, a small grunt leaving his throat as he fell on the ground forgetting he was the one sleeping on the couch and not in his own bed. Aoshi got on all fours his head tilting slightly to look over at Misao. His breath caught seeing she was only dressed in his beige long sleeved shirt, which fell loosely over her body but showed the contours of her curvy breasts. Aoshi shook his head getting up and sitting on the couch once more.

"And you say I'm not a morning person." Misao spoke jokingly and moved over to sit on the coffee table looking at Aoshi. She watched as he racked his left hand through his already messy hair. She watched as Aoshi looked down at his watch, squinting slightly, knowing he was still half-asleep as he tried reading the correct time on it.

"Four hours sleep…" Aoshi mumbled slightly and got up staggering a little but made it to the bathroom splashing water over his face.

"MORNING AOSHI-NIISAN!" Aoshi groaned hearing the excited shouts of his sisters as they sat in the bubbled bath together. He turned his wet face towards them giving them a small smile and grabbed the handtowel drying his face.

"You girls excited about seeing your tochan and kachan again?" Aoshi heard Misao say as she was now in the bathroom and sitting on the edge of the bath. She was still dressed in his shirt obviously only waking up not too long ago either.

"Yep, but we are going to miss Aoshi-niisan and Saitou-niisan soooooooooooo much!" Ayame-chan spoke up.

"And you too Aunt Misao!" Suzume-chan spoke when she noticed the pouting Misao was giving them and then she crossed her arms turning her head away. Aoshi watched a bright smile form on Misao's lips as she looked back at his sisters. Aoshi shook his head trying to rid himself of sleep and placed his hand on Misao's shoulder slightly pushing her while speaking to Ayame and Suzume-chan.

"Come on you can't miss someone as annoying as Misao could you?" Aoshi blinked a few times hearing a slight squeal and then a loud splash. Aoshi turned his head over his shoulder to see he'd accidentally pushed Misao into the bath as well. Before he could even react Misao had shot up her arms wrapping around his shoulders as she pressed her now wet body into his, one of her legs wrapping around his waist as she tried bringing him into the bath trying to get some pay back.

"Wait Misao! It was an accident. I didn't think you'd actually fall in, but then again you are a clutz…" Aoshi spoke trying to pry Misao's arms from around his neck and shoulders. Aoshi smirked hearing her slight growl as he called her a clutz once more. A gasp left Aoshi's throat as he felt his right leg being lifted up as he looked down seeing his two giggling sisters helping Misao.

"No wait! I'm going to loose my balance!" Aoshi spoke but no such luck for his sisters or Misao to let go, as there was another loud splash, water and bubbles spraying everywhere as Misao had pulled Aoshi into the bath with her. Aoshi opened his eyes to see his sisters wrap themselves in their towels and leave the bathroom laughing loudly. Aoshi was lying in the bath, his back leaning against Misao's chest as she heaved heavily from using so much effort to pull him into the bath. Misao's arms were still wrapped around his shoulders but loosely now. Aoshi's left leg lay on the edge of the bath but his eyes opened wide as his left hand was leaning against Misao's creamy left leg as it too sat on the edge of the bath. Aoshi gulped down the lump in his throat, his eyes never leaving her wet skin and he couldn't help but stroke his thumb over her skin. He felt Misao suck in a breath at feeling this too but she didn't tell him to stop. Aoshi's other fingers got into the act of stroking Misao's thigh and he felt Misao bury her head into the right side of his neck and shoulder as she 'mmmmmmed' softly there, her lips brushing lightly on his bare neck. Aoshi knew this was not the time or the place to be thinking of such things and moved away, feeling Misao's arms drop from around his neck as he pulled away from her and stood up in the bath. Water and bubbles cascaded down his body, his trousers clinging to his muscled legs and tight butt. Misao's cheeks were slightly pink and Aoshi bent down grabbing Misao's hands and lifting her up as well. She "fell" willingly into his embrace, Aoshi's lips brushing over hers ever so lightly. Aoshi finally pulled away, the contours of Misao's body stirring more emotions within him as it was pressed so eagerly into his and hopped out of the bath. Aoshi handed Misao a spare towel. He had turned around then waiting for her to strip out of the shirt and wrap the towel around her naked form. Misao did just that, her hand brushing lightly over Aoshi's back, secretly sending shivers down his spine, but she thought she was just indicating to him she had finished. Aoshi turned around to see Misao's retreating back as she left the bathroom. He sighed both hands running through his hair. He didn't want things to go too fast thinking he'd scare Misao away. Aoshi stripped out of his own clothes taking a quick shower and then dressed in some old clothes that hung on the railing in the bathroom. Today he would be saying goodbye to Ayame and Suzume-chan for awhile. Five days had gone pretty quick and to think he was going to miss those two little brats! Aoshi smiled and left the room walking towards the bedroom to hear Misao's voice.

"This isn't funny you two! Give it back right now." Aoshi walked in, his eyes opening wide as he stared at a topless Misao running around trying to catch Ayame and Suzume-chan.

"Hi Aoshi-niisan!" Ayame-chan spoke as she and her younger sister jumped up and down on his bed. Misao shrieked slightly coming to a halt as she was facing Aoshi. Her arms lifted up without a second thought, crossing over her chest trying to cover herself and the black bra she wore up. Aoshi stepped closer his hand wordlessly stretching out looking sternly at his sisters asking for the shirt. They bent their heads, Ayame-chan bending down to bring it out from under the pillows and handed it to Aoshi. On second thoughts maybe Aoshi didn't mind that his sisters were going home. After all he and Misao would have some piece and quiet to themselves. Aoshi watched as Misao snatched the shirt from his hand and turned around placing it on, her face the colour of a tomato. Aoshi shook his head grabbing some jeans and two shirts from his draw as well as some socks and left the room to change in the bathroom.

* * * *

Time was coming closer to when Ayame and Suzume-chan would be leaving. Saitou and Tokio where going with them to make sure they got home safely. Tokio was so excited about going to see her family again and Saitou was a little reluctant when Tokio said she'd have to get his parents and hers to have a family dinner together. Aoshi chuckled lightly at seeing the disapproving look cross Saitou's face but he ended up agreeing in the end. After having Tokio constantly ask him for two straight hours it got to Saitou and in the end he shouted 'ALRIGHT!'.

Everyone was at the train station farewelling Tokio and Saitou as well as Ayame and Suzume-chan. Saitou was already on the train having finished off his fifth cigarette and probably heading for the smoking cart to have another. Tokio was moving to the carriage and Ayame-chan and Suzume-chan skipped lightly behind her as they were becoming excited about getting to ride on the train again.

"What happened to MY hugs imoto-chan's?" Aoshi spoke dejectedly and watched his sisters' stop and race back over towards him. He bent down wrapping them in his own bear hug.

"You mean you'll miss us Aoshi-niisan? Even though we are little brats?" Suzume-chan spoke her brown eyes staring up into Aoshi's blue-green ones.

"Of course he'll miss us cause even though we are brats, we're Aoshi-niisan's imoto-chan's right?" Ayame-chan spoke up.

"Hai…" Aoshi whispered softly hugging them and then let go when he heard Tokio call for them and he watched as they raced off getting lifted up onto the train. Aoshi placed a small smile on waving back, as did all the others as two heads popped out of a window waving at them.

"No matter what you say, you are going to miss them Aoshi." Aoshi heard Misao speak as she stood beside him. He watched the train move off, fading into the distance as they headed back to Kyoto. Aoshi tensed slightly when an arm wrapped around his waist as Misao moved closer looking up at him with sparkling blue eyes.

"I'll always be here Aoshi. I'm not going anywhere." Aoshi stared down at Misao, moving his right arm up and over Misao's shoulders bringing her closer to him as he spoke into her hair.

"Well I suppose you'll have to do then." Aoshi chuckled lightly as he received a jab in the side from Misao but he turned around not even registering all the stares he and Misao were getting from the others and began walking off.

"Aoshi I had a wonderful time last night. I never got to tell you, so thank you for the wonderful night. It really meant a lot to me." Misao spoke softly her head bowed, her cheeks pink at saying this to Aoshi. Aoshi only pulled Misao closer, not saying a single word and kept walking. After a short amount of silence he finally spoke making the tension leave Misao shoulders as she smiled and nodded up at him at his comment.

"Let's go get something to eat…"

* * * *

To be continued…

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