Under the Cherry Tree

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 3 Months have passed ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Aoshi was casually sitting on a bench in the hydrotherapy pool centre of where Misao was having lessons to get the nerves and muscles in her leg functioning efficiently. He was slouched against the cool wall wearing a pair of black loose pants and a black singlet, his eyes hidden by his long bangs but they roamed over a novel he had been reading for a couple of weeks now. Misao had given it to him as a small present for letting her take her anger and frustration out on him when the stress of not walking properly faster finally hit her hard. They'd sat in the training hall he worked at, Misao wrapped protectively and comfortable in his arms as she quietly sobbed to herself.

Her family had returned to Kyoto a week after Misao's accident needing to repair their own lives as well. Omasu had gone for a check up about the operation she had and her doctor stated there were complications and they had to remove one of her ovaries as well. They weren't too sure whether Omasu could have children as her other ovary had an infection. She had told her family with Kuro right beside her every step of the way. She'd been trying to hold back her tears but Misao had blurted out that if it was okay with Omasu, she'd like to donate her eggs to her, wanting Omasu to have the family she so desperately wanted with Kuro.

The Makimachi's had been shocked by that, but Misao was completely serious and had gone to the hospital the next day letting the doctors remove some eggs from her ovaries. Omasu and Kuro went to counselling twice a week and according to the letters Misao received she seemed to be doing better and was now properly thinking about Misao's suggestion of using her eggs.

* * * *

Aoshi looked up from the book and stared over at the large pool to see Misao moving around and chatting with another young woman whom had a motorcycle accident and had been doing hydrotherapy lessons for about 4 months now. This was Misao's first month and it seemed to do her good, not just the exercises she did in the pool but Aoshi knew Misao felt a lot more comfortable with people who knew what she was going through. Aoshi knew there was something he couldn't help her with and that was the experience of what she went through.

Seras was the young woman who'd been in the motorcycle accident. The doctors swore she was never going to walk again, stating she'd be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life but she was one stubborn 20 year old. She had proved them wrong when she began moving her arms and legs in less then two months but had been in physiotherapy for just under a year.

Aoshi placed a soft smile on his lips, placing his book down making sure to bookmark it when Misao turned around to wave at him making sure he was still there and waiting for her like he always was. He gave a small wave back watching Misao abruptly turn around and apologise to her instructor for not paying attention.

Aoshi had only missed a couple of her lessons and came straight away when he finished work or finished at Anika's studio hoping to catch her. The first time it happened because his car had broken down and there was no taxi's in sight. He had run the entire way there and slowed down once he reached the centre but stopped in his tracks as he watched Misao slowly walk out of the centre, using her walking frame with Soujiro right beside her, his hand ever present on Misao's right shoulder. She hadn't even noticed he was there…watching them together…watching Misao laugh and smile over at Soujiro at whatever he had said to her.

Aoshi hadn't seen that smile in quite some time and to have it directed at Soujiro…for Soujiro made his blood boil. In the span of a single week Misao had forgotten about Soujiro's motives from high school and they became the best of friends. Everytime Aoshi met up with Misao…HE…was always there, always smiling at her and bidding her a lovely afternoon and then strolled off whistling innocently when Aoshi knew he was trying to take Misao away from him. What really shit Aoshi off the most was Misao being completely blind to the truth that Soujiro was only after one thing and that he couldn't even bunch the shit out of him cause he knew Misao would find out by Soujiro. That just makes it another reason for Misao to turn against Aoshi.

The second time Aoshi had missed one of Misao lessons he'd made it too the end and walked inside to see Misao getting out of the pool…with Soujiro's help, his hand now wrapped around her slender and bare waist helping her to a bench where her towel rested. Misao wore a black bikini into the pool and Seras had a multicoloured one loving to stand out. Aoshi had backed away, leaning against the wall amongst the shadows when he watched Misao take Soujiro's hand in hers and confess something to him while her cheeks where stained a light pink. Aoshi didn't know what was said between the two but just watching their body language he knew something was evolving. Soujiro was taking over his spot…his spot he had worked so hard to get in Misao's heart and yet it was so easy for him.

Aoshi's usual thin line of his lips turned into a small frown, his usually emotionless face cracking slightly as his eyes wavered looking over at the "perfect" scene Misao and Soujiro made. She was talking and laughing with him and then he watched as she stood up announcing something to him and then her arms wrapped around his neck, hugging him to her form. Aoshi had cast his eyes away not wanting to watch anymore and slid down the wall resting his head in his hands…to him it seemed Soujiro had already won and he hadn't even begun to put up a fight. To fight what he had wanted for so long and it seems Misao was already too far away for him to reach out to her…

"Misao!" Aoshi snapped out of his thoughts his eyes narrowing as he watched Soujiro walk into the poolside area from the back double doors and wave at her not even knowing he was there. Aoshi's eyes moved from Soujiro down to Misao as she waved back and yelled a greeting to him, Aoshi's hand clenching the novel as she called him 'Sou-kun'. Aoshi's eyes caught a pair of green ones as Seras stared over at him, her eyes frowning in concern knowing that in the time Soujiro had shown up her mind had drawn a complete blank and she'd forgotten about one of the most important people in her life.

"Class dismissed…" The instructor had spoken and Misao and Seras made their way to the steps, Soujiro lightning fast to help Misao out. She took his hand and got out walking towards a bench and wrapping her towel around her while chatting away to Soujiro as though Aoshi wasn't even there. Aoshi sighed softly and grabbed the novel and his bag and made a hasty retreat not once looking back at the smiling and laughing Misao. He was just in the way of Misao's happiness…

"Misao-chan you are getting much better. Shall we go out and celebrate at the Akabeko?" Soujiro spoke while smiling down at the short young woman.

"I'd love to!" Misao replied happily and stood up moving towards her walking frame and began slowly walking off towards the locker room to shower and change. She knew Soujiro would wait patiently for her. Misao walked into the female locker room, thanking an elder woman who held the door open for her and made it to her locker, the one next to Seras's. She was already there and dressing in her blue and white chequered dress and a white jumper over the top. Misao sat down on the bench looking silently at her friend wandering what was wrong with her.

"How could you do that Misao?" Seras spoke abruptly questioning Misao with a slightly angered voice. Misao stared blankly at her friend not having a single clue at what she was on about.

"Seras what is wrong with you?" Misao spoke watching her friend stand up and grabbing her crutches ready to leave he locker room.

"Don't you feel like you've forgotten something Misao? I don't know like maybe SOMEONE in fact. Tall, dark haired, green-blue eyes and very handsome. Ring any bells in that selfish brain of yours Misao?" Seras replied rudely. She watched Misao's eyes widen in surprise, her hand coming up to conceal her gasp at forgetting that Aoshi had held off his work to spend the two hour session with her at the pool and then they were going to go celebrate. Misao scrambled to get the walking frame ready to "race" back towards the pool area to find him.

"Forget it Misao he's not there anymore." Seras spoke slamming her locker shut and clicking the small lock on it closed.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Misao spoke in a soft voice, her eyes tearing up and her heart clenching at the scene she must have made in front of Aoshi with Soujiro.

"No one should have to be reminded Misao. Aoshi is not stupid or blind you know. Did you know Aoshi was here those two lessons you thought he wasn't? I saw him…I saw the sadness in his eyes at seeing you laughing and smiling with Soujiro. No one in the class is blind for that matter Misao. They see the way Soujiro and you act as though you two are the couple and not you and Aoshi. You are hurting him Misao." Seras watched Misao flinch at hearing her say this. Seras began using her crouches to leave the locker room but turned around speaking once more before she left.

"Aoshi is a very sweet man Misao…and he seems pretty shy at times as well. We have talked a few times while he's waited for you to finish in the change rooms and I see the happiness in his eyes at seeing you better. He is very proud of you, but rather shy to admit it. Some men can be like that and I think Aoshi is one of them. Patience is something you need with a man like him, but he'll break down his walls for you Misao…just for you though. You really need to talk with him about your relationship with Soujiro. I know its not my business to pry, but you must choose Misao…you must choose if you want Soujiro or Aoshi. Both of them are completely different people and personally I'd take Aoshi off your hands if I could." Seras watched Misao gasp in horror at hearing her say that.

"But I can't have him Misao. Aoshi is so in love with you but you're too blind to see it in his eyes…in every way he stares silently at you. It will be hard Misao because you are going to have to choose between them. You can't have both Aoshi and Soujiro, they know that…and now you know it too. No matter what your mind says one will be hurt. It is up to your heart to decide which one you desire the most…Aoshi or Soujiro."

Misao watched the locker room door close, Seras leaving her speech at that. Misao bowed her head looking down at her blurry hands and began to sniffle, her emotions for both men rolling down her cheeks like waterfalls. Misao's shoulders shook as she cried silently to herself and moved to sit on the ground hugging her legs to her chest.

"I don't…I don't have a relationship with Soujiro…I don't…" Misao mumbled to herself and took a deep breath wanting to get her emotions under control. She lifted her head brushing the left over tears away and stared at her open locker and at the necklace hanging from a hook. It was an outline of a heart probably about two millimetres thick and a cross rested in the middle of it, joining its sides to the heart. Misao remembered slowly moving down the markets using her cart. Aoshi was right beside her chatting about the time he had scared her half to death when she was practicing in the training hall at her old home in Kyoto.

They had come to a small table with different types of necklaces and earrings and Misao immediately loved this one. Aoshi pressed onwards not letting her buy it and they finally reached a small café sitting inside and ordering some lunch. Misao had noticed the stares she received from strangers but Aoshi had told her to keep her head held high and to not let them get her down. There were days when Misao felt completely miserable, but Aoshi had come along to cheer her up and motivate her to go to her therapy lessons with Soujiro and to the hydrotherapy ones as well. She knew Aoshi hated Soujiro and yet he always made her go, sometimes walking her into the office and sometimes dropping her off. He had become her strength partner, her comfort partner that would let her cry and hit him whenever she pleased, whenever she felt down.

Soujiro on the other hand was completely different. He praised her with compliments, telling her how radiant she looked, how special she was and she took it all in, loving the attention he gave her. Misao began to feel sick to her stomach at how screwed up she was over Soujiro and Aoshi.

Aoshi had been her rock, the man who stood by her, who shared his secrets with her. He had even told her about him being an artist, something Misao never saw in him. Misao's eyes widened in horror at her newest realisation. In the years she had known Aoshi and these months she had been living in Tokyo, not once was she truly thinking about what he was going through…what was rolling around in his mind. Everything had been about her…her wishes, her dreams and her nightmares. She had become completely selfish and hadn't even realised what type of picture she and Soujiro made to Aoshi. How much hurt and sadness he would be feeling for watching her smile and laugh with Soujiro and not with him. Seras had seen it, the other people in the pool had seen it and so did Aoshi. Seras was right…he wasn't stupid…he was quite good at reading hidden signs and Misao gasped knowing signs were ringing between her and Soujiro.

Misao quickly stood placing on her jeans and light blue shirt, not bothering about changing out of her black bikini. She placed the necklace over her neck remembering Aoshi had disappeared from the café and had returned five minutes later with some flowers and a small parcel…that parcel being the necklace she wanted. Misao slipped on her shoes and grabbed the walking frame and headed for the door after slamming her locker closed.

"Sou-kun I have to take a rain check on the celebration. There is somewhere I must go." She watched his smile falter slightly when he stood up heading towards her but he nodded his head not asking for an explanation. Perhaps he even knew Aoshi was here but decided not to tell her either. Misao waved goodbye once she folded her walking frame and placed it into the taxi telling the driver to head for Okina Apartments'.

* * * *

(Okina Apartments)

Okina watched Misao walk towards the doors and he moved around the counter to open it for her.

"Good afternoon Okina." Misao spoke heading for the lift but was stopped by Okina speaking.

"I'm terribly sorry Miss Misao but Aoshi is not home yet." Misao frowned and turned back towards Okina, her eyes silently pleading with him to let her into his place.

"I shouldn't do this Miss Misao, but for a pretty young lady like you I will." Misao smiled in relief and thanks and headed upstairs with Okina in the lift.

* * * *

Misao had been sitting in Aoshi's lounge room for a couple of hours at least. She had watched the sun pass the horizon turning his apartment into darkness but she sat quietly in the black leather chair facing the main door and waited…

As though luck was on Misao's side she heard Aoshi unlock his door and turn the handle opening it up. He placed on a dull lamp near the door as it sat on a table and watched him dump his keys there and take off his jacket placing it on the hook behind the door. Misao noticed he must truly be in thinking mode…locked up within himself as he would usually know it was her before he even opened his front door.

"I'm sorry…" Misao spoke meekly but watched Aoshi jerk slightly, his head snapping up to search his living room for where she sat in the dark. She knew she had frightened him, he being too deep in his thoughts about her…and Soujiro most likely.

"I don't remember giving you a key to my home." Aoshi replied in an emotionless voice, Misao flinching as she could feel the anger and sadness in it. She had learnt over the years that this voice was the one Aoshi used when he was hurt…when he was angry and wanted answers but never asked any questions. Misao observed as he moved into his bedroom, turning on the light and closing the door shielding himself away from her. After much debate with herself, Misao stood up and knocked on his door before opening it up to see him packing what looked like a travel bag, one which definitely wasn't for overnight stays. The way he shoved clothes into it seemed like he was going on some trip…for quite some time too. Misao sat quietly on his bed her eyes following his every move but she never spoke a word.

"Is there some sort of reason why you are here Misao?" Aoshi questioned while opening up his bedside draw and grabbing socks while stuffing them into the bag as well.

"Where are you going?" She spoke in a small soft voice watching as he moved passed her to grab the suit jacket and tie from the hook on the back of his bedroom door.

"Asia if you must know." Aoshi replied as though it weren't a huge deal. Misao got off the bed and stood in his way, grabbing his hand stopping him from shoving clothes into the bag and started demanding answers.

"What? When did you decide to do this? Why haven't I been told?" She watched as Aoshi reefed his wrist from her hand as though never wanting to be touched by her again and answered her, his eyes staring down into hers…speaking in a low but angered tone of voice.

"You think I haven't tried telling you? I've been trying for two weeks now. You never ask 'Hey Aoshi what have you been up to this past week?' The Misao I know isn't even there anymore. It's always about you and then if it isn't about you, it's always about how you and Soujiro went here and you and Soujiro did this. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?" Misao's throat dried up, she not being able to reply to Aoshi's words. Misao watched as he reefed the bag up and walked out of the room dumping it onto the couch. She observed as he took a deep breath trying to calm his raging emotions but Misao blinked in surprise as he wasn't even finished yet.

"You think I don't know what's going on between you and Soujiro. I see the way he looks at you and the way he touches you. I can't believe you can act so casual around him when all he wants is to fuck you!" Misao stared shocked at Aoshi's harsh words. She would have never thought he'd act in such a way with her. Deep down inside Misao…those words hurt like hell. She stared blankly into his green-blue eyes; his lips parted at even being surprised at what he blurted out. She watched him turn his head to his side, bowing it slightly but he wasn't going to apologise feeling that he was right in what he thought.

"I'm going to Asia to expand my talents in the arts over there. Anika thinks it will do me some good…to get away from everything…away from everything that's hurting me." Aoshi closed his eyes hearing a soft gasp escape Misao's lips.

"I'll be gone for about three months. I do hope you keep going with your therapy Misao. Sou-Soujiro will help you very much…" Misao began to blink back tears as Aoshi faltered on Soujiro's name. She had watched his hand fist while he uttered those words; never in his life did he imagine himself saying that to Misao. He was a man, but no way in hell would he fight like some idiot over Misao as though treating her like some possession. He saw where her happiness lay…and it wasn't with him. He was just the punching bag so she could pour out all her frustration onto him…into him.

"I don't want you to go…" Misao confessed as she stood up grabbing her walking frame and heading towards his "statue" form. She watched as Aoshi tensed up, his green-blue eyes staring at her, pain rushing through them as he spoke his final words…his final everlasting words to her.

"That decision is not yours to make Misao. I bet you don't even know what you truly want, but I know…in my heart it is not I. I am ready to leave Tokyo behind…ready to leave you behind. Please go…I do not wish to see you right now…" A small sob escaped Misao's lips as she stared up at Aoshi. She had broken him…more then what she could ever try and repair. Seras was right. Aoshi was not one to show emotions, but he had opened up to her and the only feelings she received was heartbreak, because of her… Misao bowed her head and slowly headed for the door not trying to fight for reasons anymore. Aoshi was a man with a heart made of glass…it had been shattered once with Megumi, but slowly it was mended back together again only to be shattered once more, by the person he had leased expected…his friend…his bestest friend…

Misao turned her head over her shoulder to see Aoshi still standing in the same position, his head cast away from her, becoming the distant Aoshi she first knew him as. Misao wanted nothing more then this to be a nightmare she was going to wake from. This however was complete reality…tomorrow was the day he was no doubt leaving for Asia.

Tomorrow Misao had to see him again, just for one last glimpse. She knew she'd want to yell at him, telling him to snap out of it to see it her way, but alas she could not. Aoshi was right, she was not the Misao he knew anymore. Misao closed the door silently behind her and made her way towards the lift pressing the button to head downstairs. Silent tears fell down her cheeks as she stared back at Aoshi's closed door. That small incident at the pool had been the last straw for him...the last time he'd put up with being forgotten so easily. Misao bowed her head in shame and entered the lift ready for it to descend to the ground floor so she could head back to the Himura's and gain the courage to face him tomorrow.

* * * *

(11am Tokyo Airport)

Misao stood behind the small group as they all said their goodbyes and good luck's to Aoshi. Megumi, Sano and Saitou blocked Misao from Aoshi's view so he didn't even know she had come to see him off.

"I expect a gift when you get back." Saitou spoke not even saying the goodbye or good luck. Aoshi placed a small smile on his lips and nodded his head at his elder brother. That was his way of saying 'have a safe trip' and 'try and relax' telling him not to think about his situation so much. After all, Saitou was not stupid and neither was Kenshin. They had seen the distance grow between Misao and Aoshi and the closeness between Soujiro and Misao grow. They all heard the boarding call for Aoshi's flight to Hong Kong and he began walking off after hugging Misao-chan goodbye who started sniffling softly not wanting her favourite uncle to leave her behind.

"Aoshi wait!" Misao had blurted out and the others parted and she observed as he froze in his footsteps and turned slowly around to look back at her. Misao bit her lip nervously but began walking slowly towards him, her hands shaking as she gripped her walking frame tightly. The others turned around and headed in the opposite direction letting the two of them have a moment together.

"I wanted to say goodbye and wish you luck on your trip." Misao stopped and stared up into cool green-blue eyes, Aoshi not replying to her small statement. She watched as he turned around reading to give his ticket to the young woman, but Misao stepped in front of him grabbing a hold of his hand.

"Soujiro and I are friends Aoshi, nothing more…I don't want anything with him. I know this for sure. I'll wait for you Aoshi…I'll wait for you to come back to Tokyo."

"I don't want that." Aoshi replied taking his hand from hers. He watched as Misao's eyes softened and glistened with unshed tears. She placed on a forced smile and spoke once more before getting out of his way to let him give the woman his ticket.

"I know you don't, but this is something I want to do because I love you…that feeling will never change inside my heart. I want to make things right again…even if it is just friends…" Aoshi handed the woman his ticket, Misao's words rolling around in his mind. He stopped at the passageway, which would lead him into the tunnel that connected to the plane he would be taking to Hong Kong. Anika, Seb and Mon were already on the plane waiting for him.

The final boarding call came over the loud speaker for his flight and Aoshi turned around to see tear streaks on Misao's cheeks. His hand fisted, seeing Misao upset. No matter what he did in life or the fact that Misao made him feel miserable he couldn't stand to see her tears.

Misao's breath caught in her throat as she watched Aoshi walk back towards her, his warm hands cupping her cheeks, ridding them of tears. She watched astonished as his eyes softened as though silently apologising for upsetting her and then her eyes closed as his lips pressed softly against hers…a final parting goodbye, the taste of his warm lips against hers. Misao snapped her eyes open as Aoshi let go of her and placed an envelope into her hands and turned around not saying anything else. She watched his form move down the tunnel and then around a corner…he was gone…

* * * *

An hour had passed and yet Misao still sat in one of the airport chairs looking out the window in the direction the plane Aoshi was on had taken off in. She had read his small note…a note of apology for speaking too harshly too her and confessing that he had hoped she'd be at the airport so he could say goodbye to her as well. His apartment key was taped to the piece of plain white paper asking her if she could feed his fish and if she wished…he allowed her to stay there until he got back. His words being a promise that he would come back and talk with her.

"Weasel you ready to go yet? It's been an hour already. Aoshi's not coming back…not yet anyway…" Misao turned around abruptly noticing Saitou was sitting in one of the chairs in another row. He'd been there the whole time actually waiting for her. She placed the envelope into her pocket and stood up walking towards him with her walking frame. The two of them walked down the large passageway heading for the exit.

"Misao…"

"Save it Saitou…I know I had this coming to me. Aoshi's heart is made of glass and I shattered it just like Megumi. I promised myself I wouldn't hurt him and yet I am no different from anyone else…I had hoped I was different, but I am not…" Misao spoke interrupting whatever it was Saitou was going to dish out to her.

"Spare me the mushiness Misao. You and Aoshi both had this coming."

"What?" Misao spoke thinking he'd at least defend Aoshi.

"You two are hopeless. No wonder you make a good couple. Look the reason this happened is because you both got scared. You knew you started having feelings for Soujiro because he is a smooth talker and loves giving you compliments. That's not easy for Aoshi, nothing is ever easy for him. If you too were ever honest with each other your problem could have been sorted, but you two are bloody stubborn as hell. If you wait Misao, Aoshi will return with answers to all his hidden secrets. The question is, can you be patient?" Misao stared up at Saitou as they were now out of the terminal area and heading for his car.

"Hai, I'll be patient for Aoshi…" Misao mumbled mainly to herself but Saitou heard it all.

"Don't do anything stupid okay weasel?" Saitou replied while placing his hand on her head and giving her a small smirk. Misao nodded her head once and Saitou began walking off while lighting a cigarette.

"For Aoshi…" Misao mumbled and hurriedly began moving a little faster towards Saitou when he had yelled for her to hurry up or else he would leave her behind.

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *