Under the Cherry Tree

A couple of days have passed; Tokio and Saitou are back in Tokyo. Kenshin had rung everyone up or passed on messages for everyone to meet at the park so they could have a picnic lunch as it was Sunday and nobody seemed to be working. Although you could never count Saitou into anything, he'd either turn up or he wouldn't. That was just the way he was. Misao and Tokio were walking casually through park; Misao carrying the sandals she borrowed from Kaoru in her right hand. Tokio had squealed with joy seeing Misao in a nice summer dress, even though she wore a black cardigan to keep the cold breeze away. The dress was the colour of Misao's eyes and fell to her ankles with small darker blue almost black flowers embroidered on it and complimented with a split on either side of her legs. Her hair was actually out of the plait once more but half was clasped up with a black clip. Tokio wore tight fitting trousers and a long sleeved brown top. Her hair was placed back in a small ponytail, her dainty fingers occasionally coming up to tuck wisps of hair behind her ears.

"Actually Saitou meeting my family went better then I thought it would. I mean I thought father was going to blow his top when he knew that Saitou and I were sleeping together." Tokio spoke walking towards the large group of trees they would be having the picnic. Tokio noticed she and Misao were the first to arrive.

"WHAT! You and Saitou are sleeping together? As in ACTUAL sleeping together Tokio?" Misao asked incredulously.

"Well, ah yeah…" Tokio spoke softly a faint blush crossing her cheeks as she remembered her first time with Saitou and how surprisingly gentle he was with her.

"And you didn't even tell me! I'm like your bestest girlfriend here! Thanks a lot!" Misao huffed and crossed her arms over her chest turning away in slight anger.

"Calm down Misao-chan, it's not something people talk about so casually. I mean what would you say if I said something like, 'Hey Misao what's Aoshi like in bed?'" Misao cheeks burned red hearing Tokio say that. Misao bowed her head knowing Tokio was right but she tensed up when she felt the presence of another two people show up.

"Aoshi is sleeping with our sweet innocent Misao?" Sano spoke loudly having caught only Tokio's part of 'what's Aoshi like in bed' and nothing else. Misao tensed even more when another two people wandered up, this time it was Kenshin ad Kaoru.

"When did this happen Misao?" Kaoru spoke motherly wanting to find out as though Misao were her real daughter.

"Never thought he'd have the courage…" Everyone turned including Misao, her anger, sadness and embarrassment growing by the minute as this time it was Saitou. He was smoking on a cigarette and dressed in his police uniform. There was little rambling's going on, except for Saitou who said nothing and Misao couldn't take any more of the conversation switching between her's and Aoshi's sex life and that did it, Misao blew her top.

"I'M NOT SLEEPING WITH ANYONE!" Misao screamed at the top of her lungs, everyone staring silently at her as she turned back around and raced further off into the park. Her cheeks burned red from anger and the hot tears that slipped down them as well. She felt absolutely mortified when she ran passed Aoshi who had heard everything that was said. Misao never stopped and just kept running away from the others.

* * * *

"None of you know when to butt out do you?" Aoshi spoke staring around at all of them.

"Come on Aoshi, we were jus-"

"Shut up Sagara!" Aoshi spoke angrily as he interrupted Sano in what ever he was going to say. His eyes narrowed and silence as well as tension filled the area. Aoshi finally spoke once more, glancing accusingly over at Megumi and then straight back to Sano then left and raced off after Misao.

"I don't need to listen to your stupid excuses. You only think of yourself and you are always making sure that you aren't the one in the firing range of being hurt!" The others watched as Aoshi's figure disappeared through the trees as he went chasing after Misao.

"Little brother has a point…" Saitou mumbled out loud and everyone heard him clearly.

"And what does that mean?" Sano spoke his chocolate brown eyes narrowing and his hands fisted as he stared at Saitou.

"Just what I said you idiot! You only thought of yourself coming out on top and not what would happen to Aoshi in your little escapade with the doctor woman here!" Saitou spoke immediately defending his brother once more.

"Who are you calling an idiot?!?" Sano yelled back, stepping forward as though challenging Saitou even further.

"You of course! What are you deaf as well as dumb?" Saitou spoke never backing down when it had something to do with Aoshi. Sure they had their arguments but he knew Aoshi would be doing exactly the same thing if something like this happened to him.

"MAA MAA, STOP IT THE BOTH OF YOU!" Kenshin spoke loudly stepping in between his two friends his hands out making sure they were unable to go any further.

"Perhaps we should go for a walk Sano, just to calm you down a bit." Megumi spoke up her hand clasping one of his.

"As well as us Saitou." Tokio spoke moving closer towards Saitou but watched as he turned abruptly away and began walking off mumbling an excuse to the others.

"I'm not hungry anyway and I've got a lot of paperwork to finish off." Kenshin looked from Saitou's retreating back to Sano calming down with the help of soft words spoken to him by Megumi and then over to where Kaoru and Tokio were setting out the picnic.

"Saitou has a point Sano." Kenshin spoke sternly looking up at his younger friend.

"So you're taking that physco cops side!?!" Sano asked angrily.

"I didn't say that Sano! I know you and Saitou have your differences, but he has every right to defend his brother." A faint voice of 'who are you calling physco cop?' could be heard in the background as Kaoru held back a struggling Tokio who wanted to go pound Sano's face in for saying that about her Saitou. Everyone watched Kenshin take another deep breath and he spoke once more.

"You and Aoshi need to talk this out one day and Megumi-san you must speak with Misao as well. I will not have all these arguments going on in the presence of my family or myself. Have you got that?" Kenshin spoke directly to Megumi and Sano, his violet eyes flashing an amber-gold colour. Megumi and Sano nodded their heads in unison not wanting to piss Kenshin off anymore then he already was.

"Kenshin really has a way at putting arguments to rest." Tokio spoke and all that could be heard throughout the park was the loud giggling of Kaoru and Tokio and a faint 'Oro?' coming from Kenshin.

* * * *

Aoshi wandered around the park, rain clouds moving in making the area even darker, just perfect for Misao to hide amongst the trees. Aoshi could understand why Misao was so upset. He too was embarrassed at how the conversation had panned out and understood why Misao raced away. Aoshi wandered what raced through Misao's mind when she had run straight passed him. She should know by now that he heard everything. Aoshi rounded another large tree and stopped in a small clearing as he heard some sniffling coming from a large tree to his right. The roots had become uprooted and Misao being so small, she'd probably be hiding amongst them. Aoshi silently made his way over towards the tree, the sniffling growing a little louder. He moved around the tree crouching down to see Misao huddled in between two roots, the gap only being able to fit her form just as Aoshi thought and her head was placed down on her up drawn knees.

"Please come out Misao." Aoshi spoke quietly as he sat down on the ground a little bit in front of the gap Misao had crawled into.

"I knew you'd come after me…and I knew you'd find me too." He heard Misao's slightly muffled voice. Aoshi didn't say a word, his head turned to look down at Misao as she raised her head, her fingers coming up to brush the last remaining tears away. Aoshi was never good at this stuff, but if Misao needed to be comforted and held then that's what he was going to do for her. Aoshi watched as Misao climbed out of the small area and kneel in the grass beside him, her eyes glancing up at him through her thick bangs. Aoshi lifted up his left arm, his right patting his chest and Misao moved closer and leaned against him for support. Both of Aoshi's arms wrapped around Misao pulling her closer and he tilted his head resting it against Misao's. There they both sat for many minutes in the silence, Aoshi trying to figure out what to say to Misao.

"You heard everything right? Please tell me you thought it was a embarrassing as well." Misao spoke against Aoshi chest hoping to the god's he wasn't thinking that she was acting like a baby.

"Hai Misao, it was quite a shock and then knowing how much it hurt you…I got angry and then came looking for you." Aoshi whispered into Misao hair placing a kiss into it as well. He looked down watching as Misao tilted her head up looking at him. Aoshi's hand came up brushing over Misao's left cheek as he gave her a lob-sided grin and spoke in a hushed voice.

"Poor kawaii Misao…with puffy red eyes." Aoshi watched as Misao darted away from him, her hands coming up to brush her cheeks and rub her eyes cursing herself for crying and looking ugly. She stopped her ranting, Aoshi having caught her wrists with both hands and stared deeply into her eyes.

"Iie Misao…you'll always be kawaii to me no matter what…" Aoshi whispered softly into her ear, his lips brushing lightly over her closed eyes and then down to peak her small nose then he placed them against her lips for one luring kiss. Misao got her hands free from Aoshi's light grip and cupped his cheeks kissing him back. There were moments when he'd tease her, making her passion and hunger for him grow and then there were times like this. Although Misao felt like she was at her worst, Aoshi was here to whisper sweet words into her ear, telling her she would always be beautiful to him. Misao broke the kiss, her soft moist lips moving over his cheek to whisper her thanks in his ear.

"Arigatoo Aoshi…anata…" Misao giggled lightly, Aoshi's shoulders tensing at that one word as she got up and raced off. Aoshi shook his head getting up and chased after Misao, never giving up the so-called game of tag. Misao's sweet laughter filled the air as she drew closer to where the others would be sitting and having their lunch. Misao stopped looking down at all of them, her eyes slightly red, but a happy smile crossing her pink lips.

"Did you guys save anything for MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Misao shrieked the last of her sentence as Aoshi had raced up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist and spinning her around. He let go abruptly, watching along with the others as Misao stumbled slightly and plummeted to the lush grass, her hands going up to stop the spinning going on inside her head. Aoshi sat down, ignoring the stares from the others grabbing himself some food and placed some in his mouth. He looked up noticing all pairs of eyes, except Misao's were staring at him.

"Nani?" Aoshi spoke with his mouth full of food and watched as they all shook their heads and went back to eating, Tokio and Kaoru continuing with their conversation. Aoshi silently observed as Misao joined in as did Kenshin but Aoshi stayed quiet and ate his food. He knew he received the occasional glance from Sano maybe even one from Megumi. There were things that needed to be said but now was not the time or the place for it either.

* * * *

(The Next Day)

Aoshi sat alone in the training hall, all the students had left about an hour ago. He was sitting in the middle of room wearing a pair of black loose pants and a black singlet having taken off his gi. Aoshi's eyes were closed but he heard the door open and close and recognised this presence off by heart. It was Sano.

Aoshi stood up, his eyes opening as he stared over at Sano who began walking over. He'd taken his shoes off and dumped his stuff near the door. Aoshi took a deep breath staring into slightly pained brown eyes and fisted his hand taking a swing and smacking Sano in the jaw. Aoshi knew Sano wasn't going to move, knowing he deserved this and Sano also knew that Aoshi was going to punch him. Sano's head whipped to his right side, a little bit of blood falling down the corner of his mouth and he stepped back a little, his hand coming up and wiping the blood away.

"You realise you deserved that right?" Aoshi spoke looking over at Sano. He watched as Sano nodded his head, his hand rubbing his jaw and he spoke back.

"I forgot how hard you punch these days. It's a lot different from Kyoto." Aoshi and Sano smirked at each other remembering their sparring days in and out of school.

"We should spar again one day." Sano spoke and Aoshi nodded his head silently at him. Aoshi watched as Sano moved his jaw around, making it click a couple of times and then he cracked his neck as well.

"You going out tonight?" Aoshi spoke in a low voice his hand pointing over at Sano's guitar case.

"Yeah, Kenako is finally back so I don't need to play the drums anymore. She said we should debut our new songs at 'Legends' tonight, since we have already sung at our regular clubs. She's got connections and this club is the hottest one as of now." Sano spoke back making his way over towards the front entrance and picking up his bag and guitar case.

"I'll bring Misao along. She'll die of shock when she sees you up on stage and actually sounding all right too."

"Thanks a lot!" Sano spoke back and opened up the door ready to leave.

"Did you ever change the name of the band?" Aoshi spoke once more and Sano turned around placing on his sunglasses and spoke.

"Yeah, its called 'Deadly Nightshades' now."

"How befitting for you then." Aoshi replied and waved at Sano when he said to be at Legends 7pm sharp.

* * * *

"Oooooooh clubbing! Cool!" Misao spoke excitedly as her, Kenshin, Kaoru and Aoshi walked down the street heading for Legends. They walked inside grabbing some drinks and sat at a table to the side. Megumi was already inside as she waved them over.

"I see you got a babysitter for Misao-chan Kaoru." Megumi spoke and Kenshin nodded his head as the lights dimmed, the whole club packed with people as a low beat on a set of drums was being played. A man in his thirties walked onto the stage and up to the microphone tapping it once to see if it was working.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you DEADLY NIGHTSHADES!" The cheers went up, wolf whistles and everything. The band launched into one of their songs and Aoshi sat next to Misao as she stared wide eyed as the stage lights lit up the band members.

"OH MY GOD ITS SANO!" Misao yelled at the top of her lungs making sure the others good hear her and pointing on stage. Aoshi chuckled softly behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders pulling her back against his chest as they listened to the hard rock being played to them. Aoshi felt Misao's hand move to the back of his head tilting it down more so she could speak in his ear.

"You know what's more freaky then this is the fact I have their first ever album they made when they were called Gangsters! Sano had the coolest voice and I didn't even know it was him!" Aoshi chuckled against Misao's neck and lifted his head up placing it on top of hers and listened to Sano bellow out the lyrics of the song they were singing.

* * * *

Time passed, the band taking a short break with a huge round of applause from the fans in the club. Aoshi watched Misao stand up clapping loudly and whistling as well. He guessed she was quite a fan. Who would have thought? He watched as Misao walked off making her way towards the stage and looking up at Sano as she spoke happily but pointing her finger at him all the while. Half way through the last song Saitou and Tokio had turned up grabbing a couple of seats and sitting down as well. Tokio had pleaded with Saitou to come and he gave in to her once more. Aoshi watched amused as Sano lifted Misao up from the crowd and onto the stage and spoke into the microphone grabbing everyone's attention.

"YO PEOPLE! THIS IS MY GOOD FRIEND MISAO AND SHE'S DECIDED TO SING ONE OF OUR SONGS WITH US!" Everyone at the table began laughing even Megumi did and Aoshi glanced his eyes to see a smile on Saitou's face as he stared up at the stage of where Misao was now becoming embarrassed and began to fidget with the end of her long plaited hair.

"Now is your chance to be a star Misao. What song do you want to sing with us?" Sano spoke to her placing his hand over the microphone so nobody else could here.

"Y-You can't be serious Sano!" Misao spoke shakily but watched as he made his way towards the other three band members whispering the request and then they launched into the song. Sano walked towards Misao and the microphone, the song starting off slow and Misao watched with wide eyes as Sano began singing. Loud cheers were heard, this song being the bands first major hit! Sano stopped singing, pushing Misao towards the microphone for her to start and although Misao shook her head numerous times she finally begun. A little shaky at first but she got more confident when Sano joined her and began to bellow like he did when it really got into the song. The crowd was silent, listening to Misao and Sano sing together as they sang in unison and extremely well together.

After many minutes the song began to slow, coming to an end and Sano let Misao have the stage to herself, as she sang the last soft part and then moved away from the microphone waiting to see what the crowd thought. Misao was shocked as they all stood up whistling and cheering for more and Misao smiled despite herself and threw her arms around Sano's neck hugging him in excitement.

"I could kill you for this!" Misao spoke into his ear and the only reply she got was…

"Your welcome Misao-chan." She pursed her lips and smacked Sano's arm lightly and jumped off the stage heading back towards the table the others sat at. She kindly thanked and smiled at the people who praised her as she walked passed them. Once she got closer she noticed that they were all standing and applauding her for a nice job done. Misao blushed in embarrassment and moved towards Aoshi and falling into his chest, her arms wrapping around his waist trying to hide herself in him.

"That was so humiliating." Misao mumbled against him. Aoshi stroked Misao's shoulders in comfort and spoke softly into her ear.

"I thought you were pretty good."

"Aa, Aoshi is right weasel. You weren't half bad." Saitou replied knowing this would snap her out of it. A compliment coming from Saitou didn't happen everyday! Misao pulled away from Aoshi sitting down in her seat once more but leaned her back against his chest like before. Deadly Nightshades played on, debuting some of their other songs and taking a couple of requests as well. Misao choked on her drink when one fan had yelled out for her to go back on stage. Misao declined the dance offers strangers asked her for as she was more then happy to stay exactly were she was, wrapped in Aoshi's arms and leaning against him.

* * * *

Hours passed as eight people walked down the dead street. It was the early hours of the morning and Aoshi was keeping an eye on a drunk Misao as was Saitou as he kept an arm around Tokio's waist making sure she wouldn't fall to the concrete footpath. They both had fits of giggles over nothing but despite all of this they were extremely cute to both Saitou and Aoshi. They had the occasional hiccup here and there and the flushed cheeks at drinking too much as it warmed their bodies. Kaoru laughed at the scene they made, as did Megumi, Sano and Kenshin.

"Kenshin we should wave this taxi down and take Misao home." Kaoru spoke and Kenshin did just that, waving the driver to stop and opened the back door for Kaoru to get in. Kenshin sat in the front and Aoshi pushed Misao towards the cab making her get into it, his hand placed on her head making sure she didn't smack it against the side of the car as she flopped into the back seat. Misao had clutched Aoshi's hands with hers, her blue eyes staring lovingly up at him even though she was drunk.

"You very difficult man…but I's love you anyway…" Misao spoke out loud slurring her words slightly and pointing to herself and then to him, before falling back and leaning her head in Kaoru's lap falling asleep. Aoshi shook his head closing the door and watched the cab drive off.

"She's right you know, you are difficult." Saitou spoke up catching Tokio before she could fall over and he picked her up easily and began walking off without saying anything else.

"And she loves you…" Tokio whispered against Saitou's chest, her arms wrapping around his neck.

"AND SHE LOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEESSSS YOOOOUUUUU!" Tokio yelled loudly in a drunken singsong voice her head coming up as she waved stupidly at Megumi, Sano and himself. They watched as her forehead plonked down on Saitou's shoulder as she too fell asleep in a split second, the alcohol finally making her more drowsy and sending her into sleep.

"You and Saitou picked the strangest girls Aoshi." Sano spoke and Aoshi said nothing in return. He watched as Sano placed his arm around Megumi and they walked off heading for his place, as it was the closest one. Aoshi watched them walk arm in arm across the road and then down the street disappearing into the darkness as well. Aoshi let out a small chuckle turning away to walk to the Okina Apartments mumbling one thing into the breeze.

"Strange they are…but very special to us…"

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *

Authors Notes: HI! Holey Kami-sama minna-san, this is how many chapters in a number of days. I think I'm killing my brain here. I just have to say one thing…I actually love this chapter! Sorry just had to say it!

Now for those wanting to know a couple of things or not but I'll clarify a couple of things anyway.

'Legends' was actually a club in the dingy town I live in but it closed down years ago. I couldn't think of another name, so I decided to use this one instead. The club changed into another one called 'The Cage' (that too closed down) but there were these chicks dancing in cages and well, I'm not sure Misao, Tokio, Kaoru and Megumi would enjoy being there so yeah I decided not to have that name. 'Deadly Nightshades' well were do I start with the explanation of this. At least you don't need to read this part Mara-san! *S* Anywho I was on this trip out to 'Palm Valley' and was only half listening to the tour guide. He started talking about Bush Potato in Central Australia and that it should be placed with the Bush Tomatoes, which are in a category called Deadly Nightshades because they are poisonous. So the translation of Deadly Nightshades is basically Deadly Poison. Anywho Sano's band, yep made him lead guitarist and singer too, used to be called 'Gangsters' but changed their name once they sold their first album. They are a hard rock band in case anyone was wandering and although Sano can play the drums his favourite is playing electric guitar and Kenako supposedly is one of the finest drummers they ever came across.

Hmm, I think that's it…anywho I'm finished now…caput…no more for a bit…my brain needs a rest as of…NOW!