Under the Cherry Tree

Misao sat in a private room of the hospital waiting for Dr Takani to come back into the room. It had been a few days and although Misao was still quite upset about what had happened, she didn't regret a single thing.

She sat in one of the hospital chairs, looking down at her legs. Misao lifted up the dressing gown she wore and took off the slippers Kaoru had brought in for her and looked down at her legs. Her left leg was discoloured, indicating that the blood flowing through it wasn't circulating properly like the blood throughout the rest of her body. Misao wriggled her toes once more and frowned, as she couldn't feel anything of her left leg. Misao's left hand fisted in anger and she smacked it against her thigh numerous times wanting her leg to 'wake up'.

Misao stopped what she was doing when she heard the door creak open and two voices could be heard. One was Dr Takani and the other Misao thought it seemed familiar but decided to wait until both of them came into the room. Misao flicked her robe back down to the ground and placed on the slippers once more.

"Ms Makimachi, I'd like to introdu-"

"Misao?" Misao narrowed her eyes watching a young man walk closer towards her a small smile crossing his boyish features. Misao's mouth parted open in surprise as she finally confirmed whom the soft almost feminine voice belonged too.

"S-Soujiro! What the hell are you doing here?" Misao spoke alarmingly. She eyed off Dr Takani as he pulled two chairs over towards her and sat down in one while Soujiro sat in the other.

"Miss Makimachi I distinctly remember you asking for the best. Soujiro has been studying for months and has done exceptionally well in Kyoto. He is not a full professional just yet, but he is the only therapist free at this time. It was very sudden and you wanted the best…well Soujiro has gotten many excellent comments from family members, friends and other college students, plus his own teachers. Will you at least listen to him for a moment?" Misao nodded her head watching as Dr Takani got up, patting Soujiro's shoulder and left the room closing the door behind him.

"Don't get any funny ideas Soujiro. This is pure business and nothing more." Misao spoke through slightly clenched teeth. That annoying 'pleasant' smile was still across his lips as he held up his hands waving them around to calm Misao down.

"I would never Misao-san, I am your therapist." Misao's eyes narrowed slightly but couldn't find any hidden motives and sat back in her chair.

"So, what do I do?" Misao spoke her arms crossing over her chest. Misao watched skeptically as Soujiro moved his chair closer his hands lifting up Misao's robe to have a look at her leg. His lips were pursed and he quickly wrote notes down in his diary, Misao trying to peer over at them but was unsuccessful. Soujiro sat up straight once more and his hands grabbed the bunched up robe in Misao lap to pull it back down but stopped when he heard another voice enter the room.

"Misao I got you coff-" Misao froze in her seat, her head whipping around to see a half-shadowed Aoshi. Two coffees rested in his hands and even though his upper body wad covered by shadows Misao made out his turned head as though he had interrupted some intimate moment between Misao and Soujiro.

"Aoshi, this is the physiotherapist." Misao spoke sitting in the chair. Aoshi made his way over towards Misao placing a cup of coffee in her hand and stood to the side looking over at the ever-smiling man.

"Ah, so you are Aoshi whom I've heard so much about." Misao glanced her worried eyes up at Aoshi as he stood still, his green-blue eyes looking the short man up and down as he stood up, his hand out wanting to shake Aoshi's as he introduced himself.

"Seta Soujiro, here to help this lovely young woman." Misao raised an eyebrow at the way Soujiro was speaking as though they were the best of friends, which they weren't…it was nothing but therapist and customer.

"Your…Soujiro…from Kyoto?" Aoshi asked in his usual impassive voice. Misao started praying in her seat that Aoshi wouldn't get angry or smack the shit out of Soujiro. He knows this was Soujiro, whom wanted to sleep with her and whom broke up the relationship between Hannya and Tae. Sure she wasn't fond of the guy and would love to pound him herself, but she needed him alive to help her.

"Why yes, have you heard of me?" Soujiro's voice became slightly strained as Aoshi gripped his hand to "shake" it with more force and strength then 'friendly' men should.

"Unfortunately yes…" Aoshi let go of Soujiro's hand and moved to stand beside Misao, his hand resting on the chair, close to the side of Misao's neck, his thumb brushing against the bare skin there, indicating to Soujiro that Misao was not available. Misao stared blankly over at Soujiro watching as he rubbed his hand, but still that bloody smile was on his lips.

"I've got to work Misao, so I'll come see you this evening okay?" Aoshi spoke in a whisper against Misao's ear and pressed his lips to her cheeks for a mere second then stood straight and spoke to Soujiro his hand coming out as though wanting to shake his hand this time.

"So nice to meet you." Soujiro blinked widely up at him and began waving his hands in front of him indicating he really didn't need to shake Aoshi's hand once more.

Misao softly giggled behind her hand, which was clasped over her mouth at the way Aoshi was trying to be "friendly" towards the male Misao could have had a romantic link with. Misao waved silently at Aoshi watching as he closed the door behind him and then turned to face Soujiro who sighed in relief that Aoshi had gone.

"He has not changed since high school." Soujiro spoke glancing over at a narrow eyed Misao. He cleared his throat, tension falling thick around Soujiro and Misao, as they didn't say goodbye on good terms. It was more like…good riddance on Misao's behalf.

"I've changed Misao, but that doesn't matter right now. Shall I give you the run down on Physiotherapy?" Misao pursed her lips but nodded her head silently and watched as he flicked through his diary and then placed it back in his lap and stared over at her. Misao shifted nervously in her seat noticing how Soujiro's eyes gazed up and down at her, but finally he spoke.

"The primary focus of physiotherapy is the restoration of function. We as therapists assess and diagnose the problems, then plan and administer treatment programs that aim to minimise dysfunction after disease or injury or in your case restore function to your left leg. Are you with me so far?" Soujiro spoke in a professional manner. Misao nodded her head letting him to continue. She had to admit that the way he spoke made it sound so easy and she truly understood what he was talking about. Misao had read many medical papers or books on different diseases or certain symptoms for viruses, but nothing made any sense. Surprisingly Soujiro did.

"To achieve these goals a combination of manual therapy, movement training, physical and electrophysical agents are used."

"Movement training?" Misao questioned Soujiro and he nodded his head continuing on.

"With your case Misao in the beginning stages of your therapy you will not be able to use you leg at all, but as time goes by a walking aid will be used and it will help improve your balance and strength in your leg. When someone like yourself uses and needs a walking aid I will do an assessment which will ensure that the equipment is the correct height and teach you how to use it as well. I can also make potential benefits of an exercise program, which could also improve your balance and strength in your leg to the point where the walking aid will no longer be needed.

"Okay…but what do you mean by a program? Do I have to walk a certain amount of distance before getting rid of the walking aid or something?" Misao tilted her head, her eyebrow creasing in slight confusion. Soujiro kept smiling over at Misao and shook his head replying to her question.

"Programs help to improve balance which you will definitely need just from looking at the different colours of your legs. The blood in your body is circulating fine, Dr Takani said so, but we must do something about your left leg before anything serious happens.

"Do you mean…like…it not being useable and totally dead." Misao spoke in a small voice, fear racing through her as her hands fisted in her lap. Soujiro nodded his head but placed up his hands and spoke once more trying to reassure Misao.

"I'll not let it get to that stage Misao. I have not failed so far and I won't start with you okay?" Misao nodded her head numerous times and sat silently in the chair waiting for Soujiro to keep going on with his explanations of what will happen in her treatment.

"I see you have movement in your leg, which is excellent." Soujiro spoke and Misao gave him a confused look and watched as he pointed at her leg. She glanced her eyes down noticing she was tapping her foot on the ground but couldn't feel a thing.

"We'll talk about that later on, but back to explaining about programs. You'll need strengthening exercises as well as doing balance tasks and programs in your home making sure someone is with you at all times when doing your exercises. You'll also have supervised therapy with your therapist, which would be me. I know you are physically prepared for the exercises, treatment and training you must go through Misao-san, but do you think you are emotionally ready for this?"

"What do you mean?" Misao spoke flatly and Soujiro placed his diary on a nearby table and squatted down in front of her, his hands placed over hers lightly. Misao took her hands away from him, moving back slightly, so he wasn't so close to her, wasn't invading her personal space like he usually did when they were at school or working at the supermarket.

"Emotionally you must be strong Misao-san. You need strength and great will power to get over obstacles. Not everything will be easy; not everything will come to you straight away. You need to discipline yourself, but you also need to have patience. Your exercise treatments will be carefully applied to working on your entire leg. Over time they'll be continually assessed and re-assessed making sure you are going slowly but smoothly though the restoration of your leg. As time goes by you'll think nothing is happening but everyday it'll get a little better, you just have to believe in yourself. I don't know how long you'll be on this treatment for because it is different for every person, but your exercises and balance tasks will be modified accordingly." Soujiro took a sip of the water on the table and spoke once more grabbing Misao's attention again.

"As time goes by Misao we can move you onto Hydrotherapy as well. Movement in water is a lot easier then on land and you'll feel comfortable as well. You'll have someone else go through the process with you but they'll explain that once I decide when to send you there. In your case, some of your muscles may spasm over time once you get used to them again and it will be quite annoying and rather painful at times. The turbulence and buoyancy combined with the warm water at the hydrotherapy pool will help in these matters. There are many benefits with hydrotherapy and I'll just name a few for you. Strengthen muscles, mobilize joints again, relieve pain, improve your general fitness and boost your confidence to appear in public once more, if you're afraid to go out that is."

"So when do we start?" Misao spoke rubbing her hands together as though wanting to start right then and there.

"Misao-san, you must first get out of hospital, which won't be until tomorrow afternoon and then give yourself a couple of days to relax and then call me on this number." Soujiro handed Misao a card with his mobile number on it.

"Are you prepared for this?" Soujiro asked just one more time making sure Misao was sure of herself. He watched with slightly wide eyes as Misao's blue pools turned angry as she stared up at him.

"Don't you dare think I am weak. I am in great physical shape to do this and don't think so lowly of me. As for my emotional state I have my rock who'll let me take all my anger and frustration out on him."

"Aoshi?" Soujiro questioned watching a slight pink tinge flash over Misao's cheeks. Her eyes narrowed and she spoke in a hushed, but rather dark and emotionless voice.

"That is none of your business Seta-san." A knock at the door interrupted the two of them and in walked a nurse with a wheelchair for Misao.

"I've come to take you back to your room Miss Makimachi. Dr Takani said you need your rest." The young woman spoke wheeling the chair towards her. Misao moved into the chair with the nurse's help as she glared at Soujiro not needing his help to get into a chair. Misao was wheeled out of the room with Soujiro following close behind.

"I'll see you later Misao-san." He spoke smiling at the nurse and then walked off heading down the hall with his diary under his left arm.

"Oh he's nice looking."

"Don't get your hopes up. I know him and he is a womanising asshole." Misao spoke making sure the nurse steered clear of him.

"Oh…" Was the only answer she replied and so it was a silent and slow walk back to Misao's private room.

* * * *

(6:30pm - Misao's Private Room)

Misao had just finished, well tried to finish the disgusting food and instead it sat half eaten on its tray as far away from Misao as possible. Misao was craving for some delicious meat and stir-fried vegetables. Her stomach grumbled at the thought of missing out on another meal at the Akebeko or Kenshin's wonderful cooking.

Tsubame had come to see her hoping she was going to recover quickly. Misao blushed embarrassed when she brought in bunches of flowers and cards from the many male customers that ate at the Akebeko and where missing her presence. Her family had visited again as they decided to stay in town for a couple of days to get over the initial shock of loosing there homes in Kyoto and two major accidents happening in the family.

Misao sat up in the bed and was flipping through an old martial arts magazine Kaoru had brought from her bedroom. Kaoru had cleaned up Misao's untidy room, washing all her clothes and placing them away. Her large bed had new and clean sheets on it as Kaoru prepared for Misao coming home. Misao-chan had cried in her arms wanting her to get better so she could play with her again. Misao only laughed at the young girl telling her she'd play with her when her leg got better.

"Need any company?" Misao shrieked slightly turning her head to the door watching as Aoshi closed it silently behind him and he walked over looking down at her in the bed. Misao placed her hand over her rapidly beating heart and tried to get her breathing under control.

"Mou! I hate it when you do that!" Aoshi gave her a small smile and placed his bag on the bed and unzipped it. He glanced his eyes over at Misao to see she was generally intrigued at wanting to know what was in the bag.

"You mothers special recipe." Aoshi spoke handing Misao a cup with a lid on it, but there was nothing in it. He watched with comical fascination as Misao's smiled brightly and lifted the lid to look inside. She peered into the cup, her head jerking up as she frowned like a small child at Aoshi as it was just a clean cup.

"Relax Misao its coming…" Aoshi spoke absently watching an embarrassed blush cross her cheeks and then Aoshi took the cap off of a bottle of warm chicken and vegetable soup and poured it into Misao's mug. He observed as Misao closed her eyes and inhaled the smell of the soup.

"God bless mum." Misao mumbled lightly and took a sip making sure not to burn her tongue.

"Hey what about me? The delivery guy?" Aoshi spoke in an annoyed voice, his arms crossing over his chest once he placed his bag on the ground.

"Oh shut up you and sit down with me." Misao spoke tugging on Aoshi's jacket and felt the mattress sink as he sat down resting against the headboard his left arm wrapped casually but snuggly around Misao's shoulders bringing her closer to him.

"So how did you get in here with the soup?"

"By using my charms of course." Aoshi replied in an instant watching as Misao sat up straighter and stared at him her eyes blinking widely open.

"What? I had to do something and besides she wasn't paying much attention anyway. She kept eyeing me off and as I walked away she did nothing but stare at my ass." Aoshi explained, knowing it was a small white lie but watched as Misao turned her head away from him as though snubbing him off. A smile crossed his lips as she was jealous, but he pulled Misao closer with his left arm and placed his right hand on her left cheek bringing her head back around to face him.

"No one gets my attention like Misao-chan does…" Aoshi spoke softly and pressed his lips to Misao's for a few seconds and then pulled away leaning back against the headboard once more. After several minutes of silence Aoshi finally spoke in a whisper getting Misao's attention.

"Drink your soup…its going cold…"

"H-Hai…" Misao mumbled back and ducked her head away from Aoshi, making sure it rested under his left arm so he couldn't see her blushing face.

"You'll be okay Misao…I'll help you get better."

"I know you will…" Misao replied back and snuggled closer to him. It wasn't an overly chilly night but Misao couldn't help but shiver as a breeze swept into the room from the partly opened window. It was after all a small plan for Aoshi to hold her closer, in which…he did.

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *

Authors Notes: Damn that took a long time to come out. Ne, Doesn't everyone agree? I'm sorry I just needed to go find some crap on Physiotherapy so I didn't sound so stupid when Soujiro was explaining it to Misao...and so I actually understood what happens too.

I hope it was fairly understandable. I'm not going to go through Misao's entire process of physiotherapy cause well that's just a waste of time and we could always have more fluffiness between Aoshi and Misao, but what will happen when Misao brushes away the past and Soujiro starts to open new feelings within her…for him!?!?!?!?! Oh no what about Aoshi!?!?!?!?!

Well I best be off, must go right more drama into the next chapter…since I haven' told you what's happening with Omasu/Kuro and what Misao promises too… Ja Ne everyone. Thankies for reading and reviewing. You are all very lucky since ff.net isn't working it gets placed on here…