Under the Cherry Tree

After many hours of cleaning on Misao and Kaoru's part the Himura home was back to normal. Sano had woken up around dinnertime, the smell of Kenshin's cooking waking him from his comatose state. He had walked around Kenshin and Kaoru's place not having a clue at what everyone was chuckling or giggling about. About an hour later Tokio and Saitou had showed up, Tokio as happy as ever completely oblivious to the state of Sano as she raced towards Misao wanting to know all about her time with Aoshi earlier on that day. The one to finally lodge Sano into looking at himself in a mirror was Saitou himself bluntly saying:

"That will not change your appearance. You are still a baka through and through Sagara." With that said Saitou had walked off heading into the lounge room to sit down and drink a beer silently while watching Misao become flustered at all the personal questions Tokio and Kaoru were throwing at her. Everyone had entered the main room again Misao getting support from Tokio. Saitou was the only one who hadn't joined them, he being content at sitting quietly and enjoying a cold beer, as they heard loud curse language coming from Sano as he was upstairs in the bathroom trying to scrub off Misao-chan's numerous texta colours off his face and neck.

"Where is Misao-chan?" Sano spoke loudly and slightly angry. He watched the young girl race away from her mother and entered the lounge room once more going to hide from him. Sano slid down the banister of the stairs and made his way into the lounge room to see Misao-chan sitting comfortably in the protective arms of one…Saitou Shinomori. Saitou had been silently drinking his beer when he watched Misao-chan look around the lounge room trying to hide somewhere but his gold eyes caught her blue-violet ones as they widened coming to her own conclusion. Her little legs rushed towards him and then she proceeded to climb up onto the lounge chair with him and take the beer from his hands, carefully of course, and place it back on the small table before grabbing his strong arms and wrapping them around her small form.

"N-Nani?" Sano had stuttered lightly looking over at the scene in front of him as did Kaoru, Tokio and Misao with wide surprised eyes never thinking Saitou would be so sweet in doing something like that even though it was all Misao-chan's idea to begin with.

"Y-You come near me and Uncle Saitou will…will eat you up Uncle Sano!" Misao-chan spoke her voice stuttering slightly thinking she was going to be in big trouble.

"Is that right?" Sano questioned, moving his hands to place them on his hips challenging the small girl. He was only playing with her but had actually scared the young girl a little too much. Chocolate brown eyes stared silently into narrowed gold ones, Saitou daring him to do something, but Sano backed away knowing Saitou truly didn't like him. Sure they weren't the best of friends when they were growing up, but over time they'd mellowed out, each bickering with the other every now and then, but every since the whole "love" triangle with himself, Aoshi and Megumi it was pure hatred now. Sano scratched his head and yawned loudly while bidding farewell to everyone telling them he'd have to go pick up the fox at the clinic and take her home for a much needed rest, knowing she'd be clued to her laptop looking over medical files.

"Ja ne minna!" Sano yelled loudly, Misao-chan's lips were pursed waiting to here the definite closing sound of the front door. Saitou felt the young girl relax, as she let go of his arms getting out of the chair. She turned around to face him, a sickening bright smile crossing her chubby face, her eyes bright as she stared up at him.

"Arigatoo Uncle Saitou, for protecting me from Uncle Sano, the big meanie!" Saitou had to blink watching the young girl race away calling for her father to tell him all about her saviour. Saitou snapped his head up, his gold eyes staring silently over at the three women looking at him, Tokio with a small smile on her lips.

"I didn't do anything." Saitou spoke as though trying lamely to defend himself and got out of the chair, grabbing his beer while he was at it and headed for the back door going outside to have a cigarette.

"Who would have though Saitou was the 'fatherly' type." Saitou heard Kaoru speak in wonderment.

"I'm not." Saitou replied bluntly while disappearing down the passageway heading out for some peace and quiet while his teeth grated together hearing the giggling of three women.

"Okay, what did I miss?" The three women shrieked lightly turning to stare at the front door where Aoshi stood his eyes casting over at his brother's back and then to the giggling women once more. Aoshi received the wave off from Tokio and Kaoru as they moved into the kitchen to see how Kenshin was going but Misao stayed behind waiting for Aoshi to dump his bag and take off his shoes.

"Are you feeling better?" Misao questioned while watching as Aoshi took of his coat placing it on a hook. Misao couldn't help but admire Aoshi's masculine physique. She bet Aoshi would even know that she was looking him up and down, her eyes feasting a little longer on his tight butt. A blush rose to Misao's cheeks as she began berating herself for thinking such perverted things at a time like this.

"Aa, I am…the sleep helped me very much." Aoshi replied kindly while turning around to see Misao's eyes were downcast and her cheeks a faint pink. He thought she was thinking about her confession to him, but he thought it best not to mention it wanting to make her feel more comfortable. Little did he know his entire presence; his entire being was eliciting strong emotions within Misao. Even she wasn't sure of how long she could keep her passion at bay. A clearing of the throat interrupted Aoshi and Misao as Kenshin stood in the archway to the lounge room a tea towel in his hands as he was wiping them clean.

"If you wish to join us for dinner you are quite welcome to Aoshi." Aoshi silently nodded his head walking towards Misao, his hand moving around her waist to help her towards the dining room.

* * * *

Kenshin, Kaoru with Misao-chan in her lap, Tokio, Saitou, Aoshi and Misao sat silently around the table eating the dinner Kenshin had prepared for them. It became a ritual for everyone to just drop by at the Himura residence for dinners or lunches, the Himura's not minding one bit. In fact they loved having the company and would always have someone to watch Misao-chan if they wished to have a night to themselves.

"This is delicious Kenshin!" Tokio spoke up as she placed more of the food on her plate. Misao was doing the exact same thing as she too spoke her praise to him.

"Yep, Kenshin makes the best food! Arigatoo for the party by the way Misao-chan, I forgot to thank you earlier." Misao spoke to the young girl in Kaoru's lap beside her. She smiled proudly as she took the spoon her mother held for her and placed the potato into her mouth chewing quietly. Misao's eyes glanced up looking into violet and blue ones, silently thanking the Himura's for the wonderful welcome home party.

"Aa, a party it was indeed. I still can't believe you made Misao miss her first therapy lesson Aoshi. What a way to keep her motivated and positive by making her miss her lessons." Saitou spoke dryly his gold eyes staring into Misao's wide ones and then everyone glanced over at Aoshi.

"Nani?" He spoke confused as he stopped eating and turned to stare at a fidgeting Misao beside him.

"K-Kaoru! That was supposed to be a secret!" Misao spoke through slightly clenched teeth, her blue eyes staring slightly angrily at the older woman. Her cheeks were a faint pink becoming slightly embarrassed as her friends stared at her or Aoshi.

"Gomen ne Misao, I only told Tokio when she rang up to see if I needed any help cleaning the house."

"And you didn't think she'd tell Saitou whom would end up rubbing it into Aoshi for the rest of his life?" Misao questioned staring between the two women. She watched them begin to fidget slightly, small amounts of guilt riding within them as they mumbled out small apologies to her. Okay so maybe that made Misao feel a little better, but still…how embarrassing!

"Why didn't you wake me?" Aoshi whispered softly to Misao wanting an answer. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Saitou opening his mouth as though wanting to answer for Misao but Aoshi shot him a glare that could kill and so he stayed quiet for once.

"Now is not the time to discuss this…" Misao spoke while placing some meat into her mouth hoping to the gods she could get her embarrassed blush under control. Kenshin stared from Aoshi to Misao and then over to Saitou were he swore he could see a small smirk crossing his lips at tormenting his younger brother once more.

"Would anyone like a drink?" Kenshin asked breaking the silence and soon got three replies all at once from Saitou, Aoshi and Misao.

"A beer…" Kenshin laughed nervously but left and soon came back with three beers handing them to the respected drinkers.

"Me too tochan! I want a beer too!" Misao-chan spoke from her mother's lap making Misao giggle with Tokio and Kaoru and Aoshi and Saitou couldn't help but smirk at the young girl.

"Your too small to have that yet Misao-chan, what about milk?" Kenshin replied smiling down at his daughter. She had pursed her lips in thought and then nodded her head deciding on the milk.

* * * *

Hours had passed, Kaoru leaving the lounge room to take Misao-chan upstairs and read her a story before she fell to sleep. Saitou had stood up, this being his silent words to Tokio saying it was time to leave and let the Himura's rest. He, Aoshi and Kenshin had spoken for a couple of hours but ended up joining in one of the board games Misao-chan had 'forced' her mother and aunties into playing. Aoshi had been the first to go, not really paying much attention. He wasn't one for board games and ended up sitting back down on the couch watching the others play. The music that was playing in the background was sending him off to sleep and Aoshi thought why the hell not and did exactly that. Oblivious to him the others kept playing with it becoming a full-fledged competition between Tokio and Misao in the end. Saitou sat to the side his eyes casting over to his brother to see him slouched on the lounge, his long bangs covering his eyes, his chin resting on his chest indicating he was asleep.

Once Saitou watched Kaoru get up, forcing herself and Misao-chan, much to the young girls disgust, out of the game to take her to bed, Saitou knew it was time to go home. Saitou watched with a smirk crossing his lips as Misao did some small victory dance at winning the game with Kenshin chuckling lightly and Tokio fuming about leaving and loosing.

"Arigatoo for dinner Kenshin, tell Kaoru we said goodnight." Saitou replied making his way to the door, with Kenshin following and Misao hopping along too. Kenshin nodded silently and waved bidding them farewell and closed the door locking it securely.

* * * *

(Saitou's car…)

Saitou cast a side-glance at Tokio who sat quietly looking out the tinted window watching the street lights zoom by. They were getting closer to his place and usually Tokio would be talking a mile a minute, just as much as Misao did. It seemed strange however, Saitou sort of missing it really. After more minutes of silence and sighs coming from Tokio, Saitou knew she was deep in thought and contemplating something.

"What's wrong?" He spoke flat out not beating around the bush. Tokio turned to face him, her dark eyes staring endlessly into his for several seconds. That was all Saitou needed, as he knew whatever Tokio was going to say was serious. True to Tokio's stubbornness she did not utter a word and Saitou rolled his eyes knowing he'd have to be patient.

Saitou pulled into the driveway of his home and turned off the car getting out after Tokio did. They both closed the doors at the same time and Saitou began walking towards the front door noticing Tokio was not following him at all. The sensor for the front light registered movement and turned on casting a yellow glow over him. He turned around to see Tokio staring silently at him from afar. This was really beginning to bother him now.

"Saitou about what happened at Kaoru and Kenshin's…"

"Don't worry about it. Aoshi will get over it…and so will Misao." Saitou replied cutting whatever else Tokio was going to say off. He watched silently as she shook her head negatively, as that wasn't what she meant.

"No, about what Kaoru said about you being 'fatherly' to Misao-chan."

"I wasn't…" Saitou shot back, but was quite intrigued as to where this conversation was leading. He stood near the porch and watched Tokio walk towards him. Her eyes stared deeply into his, emotions running deep within them, wanting to show him, wanting to tell him what she was thinking about.

"Have you ever thought about it Saitou? Have you ever thought about one day having children yourself? Have you thought about being a father?"

"Children? Father? Tokio, what has brought all of this on? Are you pregnant?" Saitou questioned the young woman in front of him trying to keep his cool, which was working in front of her, even though he felt he was going to fall apart.

"NO! God, my father would kill me!" Tokio abruptly spoke back and watched Saitou sigh softly. In that one sigh he let loose Tokio's eyes teared up coming to her own realisation that maybe Saitou never wanted to think into the future…never wanted to think of her as his wife or better yet the mother of their children. A tear slipped down her cheek and she hastily brushed it away and walked past him opening the door and making her way further into the dark house.

"What just happened…" Saitou mumbled to himself before pressing the button on the set of keys he held locking his car automatically and wandered into the house closing the door and locking it behind him. Saitou silently made his way towards his bedroom, the one he and Tokio shared now and stood at the doorway hearing her small sniffles. Saitou undressed and got into the vacant spot, the side Tokio made him sleep on and turned to face the young woman who had her back to him.

"Tokio?" Saitou questioned but she spoke nothing for a number of minutes. He was about ready to shake her shoulder when her muffled voice reached his ears.

"I'm tired…let me sleep." Saitou fisted his hand in slight anger but calmed down and left the room deciding it was best to let her be by herself for tonight. He took his pillows with him and grabbed a blanket from the hallway cupboard making his way into the lounge room and sat down on the couch trying to get comfortable.

"Me…a father…" Saitou mumbled softly to himself while staring into the darkness of the room. This was something he'd have to think long and hard about.

* * * *

(Himura residence)

"Oyasumi nasai Misao." Kenshin spoke while placing a soft kiss on her forehead as though they were family. It's the way Misao felt though and she knew Kenshin would feel that way too. He was like an older brother and Kaoru like a sister-in-law and little Misao-chan her niece. They loved her, she knew it and she loved them too, there was no doubt about that.

"Oyasumi Kenshin and same to Kaoru as well." She watched him head upstairs to be with his wife and to kiss his daughter goodnight before resting comfortably in the arms of his beloved wife.

Misao hopped into the lounge room and quietly packed up the board game not wanting to wake Aoshi. He was still as energetic as ever but he knew when to let his body rest and today was definitely one of those days. Kenshin and he had granted Shido and Daisuke-san to go up another belt colour after a hard two-hour spar between their teachers.

"Gomen ne for making you miss your lesson Misao." Misao snapped her head up her blue eyes staring into sleepy green-blue ones. Misao placed the board game on the coffee table and shuffled over towards Aoshi, kneeling on the floor beside the couch and spoke softly her hand reaching up to run over his cheek.

"Its alright Aoshi. I wouldn't have swapped our moment for anything in the world…not even to walk properly again." Aoshi shook his head and blinked his eyes trying to get his mind into control and not let his sleep deprived form take over.

"Did you want to stay?" Misao asked and felt a bit of disappointment run through her when Aoshi shook his head negatively.

"This time I can make sure you'll make it to your therapy lesson with Seta and I've got to be at the studio at 6am anyway." Misao stood up and so did Aoshi as she hopped towards the front door opening it for him.

"You're going to be okay right Misao?" Aoshi questioned watching as she nodded her head and then she stood on tiptoes brushing her lips across his cheek. Aoshi placed on a lob-sided smile and spoke once before turning to leave, heading for his car.

"I'll see you later." Misao closed the door, remembering to lock it as well and leaned against it closing her eyes. Everything was going to be all right. Her and Aoshi would be just fine… They'd get through anything, even a small hurdle such as this, just like he had told her so…

* * * *

(Elsewhere in Tokyo…)

"Tomorrow Misao, is the first day of your new life. The days ahead shall be tough, but I will show you how much I am willing to help you through this difficult time. In time you will see the feelings I have for you…yes in time…you will be mine…"

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *

Authors Notes: Minna-san… It's about time ne? Well I do hope you like this because the next one is going to be a three-month jump, but I'll have the whole section of what's been happening in the three months so don't worry. At least Saitou has that three months to think about personal things. Ne Maria don't you agree? Plus that gives me more time to talk about different parts of Megumi's and Kaoru's pregnancy and the Aoshi-Misao-Soujiro love triangle too! Its time to explore the possibilities of Misao and Soujiro romance…with poor Aoshi…gone…