Under the Cherry Tree
Misao burst through the doors of the Okina Apartments ignoring Okina all together and ran straight for the stairs heading up to Aoshi's apartment. Once there she banged furiously on the door until it opened to see a half-clothed Aoshi with wet hair.
"Read this!" Misao thrust the paper into Aoshi's hands and pushed past him heading for the television. Aoshi closed the door with his foot his eyes never leaving the large title on the paper. He sat down on the coffee table behind Misao as she flipped through the channels and found one with a reporter talking about the earthquake. Misao gasped in horror, photos of shattered homes, buildings, damaged cars by uprooted trees and fallen light posts.
'To the late breaking news in Kyoto, officials have stated power lines and phone lines have been cut for hours and they have no idea on how many days the city will be without power. Hospitals throughout Kyoto are on backup power and were lucky not to be severely damaged like other homes and buildings located in and around the city. Emergencies Services are stretched to the limit with volunteer aid workers from all over Japan coming to help late on this afternoon and tonight. It is not known just how many people have lost their lives in the earthquake and the damage towards the city will run into the millions. This is truly a tragic day for all of Japan. I'll be back with more news in half an hour.'
*Knock Knock*
Aoshi got up from the coffee table and opened his door to see Saitou standing there with Tokio beside him.
"Have you seen the news?" Saitou spoke, Aoshi lifting it up for Saitou to see. He let them in, Tokio making her way over to the television and sat beside Misao, her arm wrapping around her friend's shoulder.
"Do you know anything?" Aoshi spoke to his brother waving him to sit down. Saitou's eyes shifted to the very worried females sitting on the floor and finally answered.
"I'm travelling to Kyoto as soon as possible. I've been ordered by my superiors to investigate on the damage of Kyoto as well as to try and determine how many people have died. I came here to ask if weasel wanted to come with me." Misao turned around hearing her 'nickname' and what Saitou had said.
"What about Tokio?" Misao asked in a small voice.
"My family was not in town Misao and I think you should go. Saitou will be there to investigate and to check on his family so Aoshi won't need to go either." Misao looked up at Aoshi to see him nod his head in agreement. She stood up, Tokio following with her and clasping her hand lightly in encouragement.
"Okay, when do we leave?" Misao asked Saitou and he stood up fishing around in his pockets for his cigarettes but couldn't find any.
"We can leave now weasel girl, but it won't be a pretty sight. Do you understand?" Saitou asked just making sure she was ready for Kyoto. Misao nodded her head and Saitou headed for the door with Tokio jogging after him, leaving Misao and Aoshi alone.
"I better go…" Misao spoke absently and started walking towards the opened door but Aoshi grabbed Misao's wrist stopping her from doing so. Her head jerked up looking into dark blue-green eyes and to Misao's horror her cheeks turned a light pink when Aoshi caressed his fingers down her cheek. Aoshi didn't really know what to say at a time like this and all he did was tug on Misao's hand a little harder and she stepped closer, her arms encircling his waist as she rested her head against his bare chest.
"I feel something is wrong Aoshi…I know something has happened."
"Aa Misao, as do I." Aoshi whispered back his arms going around her for a brief moment. There was a yell of compliant coming from the lift, as it was Saitou telling Misao to hurry up or he was going without her. Misao quickly kissed Aoshi once on the lips and raced out of the apartment, her braid trailing behind her. Aoshi sat back down on the coffee table, hands resting on his knees as his head was bent staring down at the carpet. His head jerked up when there was a soft knock on the door and Tokio stood there with a carry bag over her shoulder.
"Would you like some company?" She spoke and stepped into the apartment but still relatively close to the door.
"Sure…" Aoshi replied a lob-sided smile crossing his lips and then Tokio shut the door behind her and walked further inside.
* * * *
(Somewhere on the highway heading towards Kyoto)
"We are heading straight for Kyoto?" Misao asked after a long time of silence. Her passenger window was down; a cool breeze blowing over her face but mainly it was down because of Saitou's smoking.
"Is there some place you wanted to stop weasel?" Saitou asked.
"I'd like to buy flowers." Misao replied and earned a side-glance from Saitou. His cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth as he spoke once more.
"You fearing the worst weasel?" He watched Misao shake her head as she stared out the open window. Saitou realised he wasn't going to receive an answer so the car was quiet once more.
"I know something is wrong and it will be horrible, just looking at Kyoto. If I feel someone close, who has passed away…I want to honor them by presenting them with a gift."
"You could be buying a lot Misao." Saitou replied instantly.
"When I run out of flowers I'll pray for their souls." Saitou kept quiet after hearing Misao say that. He planted his foot down on the accelerator to get to the nearest town for Misao.
* * * *
(Himura Residence)
"So you can't even call any of your family to see if they are alright?" Kaoru spoke to Tokio and Aoshi. Kenshin came in holding a tray and placed it on the coffee table making coffee for everyone.
"My family were out of town so I am lucky that I don't have to worry about them. It's just so horrible for others to go through the pain of seeing and hearing about loved ones dying." Tokio replied a small smile crossing her lips thanking Kenshin for making her tea.
"Do you think your family is okay Aoshi?" Kaoru spoke looking over at him as he sat on the carpet silently playing with Misao-chan. She was giggling away not really knowing what was going on. After a short moment of silence Aoshi finally replied.
"I hope so. Misao and I spoke about something was wrong in Kyoto, I felt there was something wrong and so did she. The worst part about all of this is…I don't feel it is my family but…"
"Misao's?" Kenshin asked softly placing his own tea back on the coffee table. He heard Aoshi sigh lightly and he turned his head to face the others speaking once more.
"Yes, I believe so. I don't really know how I can feel this way except maybe because I know the Makimachi's so well and I grew up with all of them, but I sense someone has…died…" Tokio and Kaoru gasped in surprise, unshed tears glistening in there eyes. Kaoru had never met any of Misao's family of Aoshi's, besides Saitou, but just the pain of losing a family member is horrifying. She knew it all too well, loosing her mother to a car accident and her father died just before Misao-chan was born. True she was not close to her parents because they weren't really around to care for her. Her friends' mothers had even taken turns in letting her stay with them having sympathy for the poor young girl. After all it wasn't her fault her family was…screwed up. Finding about the deaths of both parents was shocking to say the least but Kaoru felt no pain until a year later. She had not cried at their funerals, her mind and body telling her not to have sympathy for the people who didn't want her. Instead once she arrived home she go upstairs and cry into her husbands arms, he coaxing her to let out her anger, sadness and frustration so he could catch her.
"I'm going for a walk." Aoshi spoke abruptly and stood up walking out the lounge room and out the main door heading down the street.
"I hope what Aoshi said isn't true." Tokio spoke picking up the cup of tea and taking another sip.
"Usually what Aoshi is thinking comes true…and I fear that what he has stated today and many other things in the past month will happen…the poor man will need my help." Kenshin eyes lifted up staring into blue and brown questioning eyes. He placed on a sheepish grin waving off what he said as mere rambling and headed for the kitchen mumbling something about making lunch.
* * * *
(Hours pass - Kyoto…)
"Oh Kami-sama…" Misao mumbled softly looking out the window of all the concrete rubble of broken building and houses. Trees were uprooted, light posts were torn down, and litter was everywhere. Misao could hear the faint noises of sirens obviously coming from ambulances, police and fire engines.
Saitou stopped the car, as there was a roadblock with policemen lining the road not allowing anyone to pass through. Saitou stepped out of the car quietly telling Misao to stay inside.
"Sorry sir you cannot pass." One officer spoke his hand moving up placing it on Saitou's shoulder. Saitou stared across at the man and flipped open his badge watching them read his name. Saitou walked through the barrier without any further interruptions and surveyed the area. It was…there wasn't even a word he could come up with. Numerous body bags already lined the street, a few smaller then usual signifying the death children. Saitou turned hearing the passenger side door close and watched Misao run over, flowers in hand and heading for the body bags.
"Miss you can't go in there!" One officer spoke moving after her but Saitou gripped his hand silently telling him to let her go. The officers watched, as did Saitou as Misao placed a flower on 10 body bags. Tears cascaded freely down her cheeks, her sadness and remorse for complete strangers.
"Saitou?" Misao spoke in a small whisper facing him and he nodded his head heading for the car. The police moved the barriers away letting Saitou drive through and Misao got in the other side staying quiet. Saitou headed down the deserted street each time stopping when they got to another road block, questioning the police officers and letting Misao get out and place more flowers on the body bags. Misao was running out quickly and they hadn't even come close to a hospital yet.
"Lets go weasel." Saitou spoke and Misao hopped in once more as they headed towards one of the main hospitals in Kyoto.
"Look at all these people…" Misao whispered softly and got out of the car when Saitou stopped. People were crowded outside, nurses moving quickly around to heck up on the more seriously bleeding patients…the lucky ones that had escaped. There were screaming kids crying 'I want my mummy', but they were either unconscious, in surgery or dead.
"I'm staying to help Saitou. You better start your investigation, but if you find any word of my family, please come back and tell me." Misao spoke watching Saitou nod his head and then she raced off offering her services. Saitou got back in his car heading off once more.
* * * *
Saitou pulled up at another hospital watching an ambulance pass him and the brakes screech as they came to a stop. Two ambulance officers got out and opened the back door. Saitou could hear sniffling and watched as two young girls got out of the ambulance following the officers wheeling in another patient.
"Father…" Saitou spoke closing the door to his car and jogging over to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. As he moved closer he could hear his younger sisters speak to their father.
"Tochan? Tochan you can't go to sleep." Ayame spoke softly, her tiny hand gripping onto some of his fingers as it dangled down from the stretcher bed.
"We have to go find mama tochan." Suzume-chan also chided in. Saitou kneeled behind them haring every word they spoke and placed his larger hands on top of their heads. To have these two young girls and all other children experience an earthquake as extensive as what this one had been was just awful. They turned around, there brown eyes red from crying and they threw themselves into Saitou's arms crying more.
"Saitou-niisan! We were so scared!" They spoke simultaneously. Saitou watched as Suzume-chan lifted up her head speaking once more.
"We were just playing outside and then the ground was shaking and tochan came to get us but we kept running around. Then the tree and tochan…it was terrible!" Suzume-chan buried her head into Saitou' chest his arms encircling around his sisters as he spoke once more.
"Where is kachan?"
"We don't know…" Ayame-chan whispered against him. Saitou stood up placing Ayame and Suzume on the stretcher at the end and spoke once more then turning around to leave the hospital.
"Stay here and I'll be right back."
"Musuko?" Saitou turned back around looking down into tired gold eyes. Saitou bent down slightly, a very rare side of him coming out as a gentle smile crossed his lips seeing his father awake.
"Saitou? You look pale. Have you been eating and sleeping properly." Saitou shook his head at his father and replied instantly.
"You are unbelievable… What about mother? Where is she?"
"She is fine Saitou…she's working at Kyoto Central Hospital." Saitou nodded his head getting Ayame and Suzume-chan off of the stretcher as a doctor came along to have a look at him.
"What about the Makimachi's father? Do you know where they are?" Saitou asked again.
"We'll have to take a look at that leg Mr Shinomori." The doctor spoke wheeling Saitou, Ayame and Suzume-chan's father away.
"Try Central Hospital…" He spoke softly and lightly waved at the smiling girls, as they knew he was okay now. Saitou bent down once more and spoke while cupping their cheeks.
"I've got to go for a bit, but you make sure you stay here and keep an eye on tochan okay?" He watched as they nodded their heads and a nurse came over taking their hands and leading them to another area to wait. Saitou nodded his head and turned around racing out of the hospital heading back towards Kyoto Central Hospital.
* * * *
(Kyoto Central Hospital)
"Quick! This man needs a doctor!" A woman spoke and a couple of nurses raced over helping him into the hospital. Misao turned around knowing that voice and watched the older woman wipe a bead of sweat from her forehead.
"Mrs Shinomori?" Misao spoke walking over and the elder woman looked up placing a smile on her lips.
"Misao? My you have matured in these past weeks. How have you been? Is my son fairing well?" Misao was unable to answer as they watched another ambulance pull up and two ambulance officers got out and yelled for assistance.
"We have internal bleeding over here." Misao watched with wide eyes as a young woman was wheeled into the main doors of the hospital and a young man looking very shocked and distraught followed slowly behind in some sort of daze. Misao squinted her eyes slightly and then they opened wide yelling out to the young man and running over to him.
"KURO!" He looked around and found Misao running towards him. He clasped her hand and they raced inside heading for the doctor who was coming out of the room they had wheeled Omasu into.
"You are relatives of this young woman?" He spoke staring over at Misao and Kuro.
"I'm her sister and this is my sister's boyfriend, soon to be fiance!"
"She had internal bleeding and we need to operate straight away."
"What about the baby?" Misao yelled frantically not caring who heard her.
"There is a small chance she could loose it, but if we don't operate, we'll loose her as well." This was one straightforward doctor! Misao stared at Kuro, whom nodded his head and Misao spoke once more.
"You have our permission to go ahead." He turned around walking back into the room and closing the door. Kuro's hands rested lightly on Misao's shoulders squeezing them once as he mumbled he was going for a walk. Misao watched his retreating back and sat on the floor leaning her back against the wall and waited.
* * * *
(Outside Kyoto Central Hospital)
Saitou was pushing his way through the crowd needing to get inside to see someone about locating his mother. He didn't have to go far when he heard his name being called out.
"Saitou? What are you doing here?" Saitou turned around seeing his mother standing there, looking like she was having a five-minute break. She had a cup of coffee in one hand and the other was occupied by…a cigarette! He walked over, eyeing the cigarette and replied to her question.
"I'm investigating, but I also came to see if you were all right. Father is getting his leg operated on at the hospital that way. Ayame and Suzume-chan are okay too." His mother's eyes were wide open in shock, clearly she had not known about the accident. Her hands shook slightly and she placed the smoke in her mouth taking a small puff. Saitou's hand came up to take it out of her mouth but she caught his hand and spoke once more.
"Its calming my nerves down, I am dealing with a lot of injured people after all. I haven't smoked for 25 years and its only one. Don't tell your father either." Saitou shook his head placing his keys into his mother's hand and pointing towards the car.
"Go see them. I must go find Misao, her family should be around here somewhere."
"No, they aren't here but at one of the shelters. Only…something has happened to Omasu, she is in the hospital and Misao is waiting in the hallway." Saitou pushed his mother towards his car speaking once more and then headed inside to find Misao.
"Flash your nurses badge when you get to the roadblock and tell them you've been transferred there to help, plus you need to see your injured husband. They will let you through then." He heard the engine roar on the car and he turned around facing his mother once more.
"If you scratch the car, you're dead." All he got was a waving of the hand and a dust trail as his mother sped off.
Saitou raced into the hospital and down the numerous hallways finally coming to a halt when he saw a doctor speaking to Misao. The only part of the conversation he picked up was…
"I'm sorry, we had no other choice." The doctor excused himself to go check on other patients and Saitou moved closer placing a hand on Misao's shoulder. He stared down into teary blue eyes and Misao finally choked out what was upsetting her so much.
"Omasu…she…she lost the baby…" Her hands flew up to try and hide her face and Saitou stepped closer letting Misao cry on him. After several minutes Misao sniffled and pulled away wiping her eyes dry.
"Your family are at a shelter. I'm going to the roadblock to begin the investigation and I'll find out exactly where they are. Stay here and an officer will come and tell you okay?" Misao nodded her head watching Saitou walk off once more.
* * * *
"Miss Makimachi?" Misao snapped out of her small daze from sitting on the floor for many hours and looked up seeing the doctor.
"She is awake, you may go and see her now." Misao stood up nodding her head and moved passed him opening the door to the small room Omasu had been placed in. She was leaning on her side facing Misao and placed on a small smile waving her younger sister over.
"Neesan…" Misao whispered softly, her fingers brushing over Omasu's cheek and into her brown hair.
"Every night Kuro would talk to my stomach, knowing that our baby could her him. He'd call her Minako, telling her how much he wanted her to hurry up and grow so he could play with her every waking moment. He came home one morning with this orange/pink elephant with big droopy ears, it looked so ugly but he said Minako would love it forever because he gave it to her. Oh Misao-chan, he thought our baby was going to be a girl…" Omasu broke down crying softly to Misao and she moved onto the bed, her own tears falling down her cheeks and she hugged her crying sister to her.
"She was going to have my looks, my personality but Kuro's brains…he said that all the time." Omasu hoarsely spoke once more, tears spilling down her ace again. A small sob escaped Misao's lips and she brushed her tears away and then did the same for her elder sister. The door opened revealing Kuro with a bunch of flowers he'd gotten from somewhere. He walked inside, sitting down on the bed and placed his hand over Omasu's squeezing it lightly. She held a pained smile on her lips and Kuro finally spoke moving closer brushing his lips over her cheek.
"You are so beautiful…so special…" A half chuckle/sob escaped her lips moving closer to Misao and she spoke with an embarrassed blush crossing her cheeks.
"Oh for goodness sake…" Misao stood up letting Kuro take her place as he comforted his sobbing girlfriend and he spoke once more to both Misao and Omasu.
"I am one of the luckiest men to have someone like you. I am lucky and honored to be with one of the beautiful Makimachi sisters and I'll always have my favourite." Misao watched with tears in her eyes as Omasu curled into Kuro her teas spilling down her face as she kept whispering 'I'm sorry' to him but he rubbed her back, his own eye's closing trying to keep his emotions at bay. Misao left the room soon after, letting them mourn about the death of their child.
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *
Author's Notes: *sniffles* Just one moment… *blows nose* Well what do you think so far. I decided to stop it here to have a rest, it was after all 12 pages already and chapter 26 will be continuing on with this. Is this dramatic enough? Just wait for the other sad news to come yet? Then Misao makes a promise…but not yet, got to write it first.
Musuko - means son, just in case anyone is wandering. Sure Saitou is not in character but ho the bloody hell would be if you see your parents in some freak accident? It's okay right Mara-san? *l*
Well I've got to be off…must do my epilogue for 'Coming to Terms' and continue on with 'The Lonely Widow' and my 'Hiker' story as well.
I know there are other works still not completed but hey, these ones are important and well, ideas for them are stuck in my head so them first. Ja Ne minna-san!