Under the Cherry Tree
It had only been a couple of days and Misao had felt the loneliness and heartache in her heart grow more intense. Aoshi had been gone for two days and Misao had felt like her world and her life had fallen apart. She could not blame anyone but herself. She'd changed…become someone Aoshi had never known before…a person she wasn't even aware of either.
They had grown distant, Misao seemingly wanting it to be that way but as soon as she traced over the past three months she began to dread ever meeting Soujiro once more. If it weren't for his flirtatious ways and Misao falling for them everything would have been fine between her and Aoshi…right?
"Ohayoo Misao." Kenshin spoke as she trudged into the kitchen wearing a pair of baggy sweat pants, a tank top and a pair of blue and white ankle socks. She had silently waved at her 'foster' brother, almost father figure and opened the fridge door peering inside to see if there was anything edible.
"Couldn't sleep at Aoshi's?" Kenshin questioned and heard Misao mumble into the fridge as though that were her answer even though he hadn't comprehended a single word of it.
Kenshin and Kaoru had watched Misao pack an overnight bag to stay at Aoshi's apartment but some time in the early hours of the morning Kenshin had woken up to hear Misao returning to their home and trying to sneak back into her room. There seemed to be too many memories of Aoshi ever being there in the first place and proceeded to make Misao feel uncomfortable and even more miserable.
Kenshin knew it felt weird for Misao to be staying there, after all they did have a falling out and although he saw along with the others the way Aoshi kissed her goodbye, he wasn't an idiot. Tension was forever put between them, Aoshi's trust being broken once again. Not even Kenshin was sure whether Misao could repair her mistake. Over time she'd get used to staying in his apartment more often, but she knew Aoshi wouldn't be returning that night…not returning for three whole months.
"I'm going tonight…the fish need feeding." Kenshin's concerned violet eyes frowned in sadness for the usually high-spirited Misao. He watched her walk out of the kitchen and her heavy footsteps bound up the stairs going to hide in the darkness of her room once more. Kenshin had comforted his daughter the night Aoshi had gone, telling her he would be back, but she'd have to be brave and wait for her Uncle. Kenshin wasn't too sure why Aoshi picked Asia of all places to take a vacation, but he obviously needed one and he'd be able to handle their students anyway.
Kenshin had coaxed his daughter out of crying by making her help him bake cookies and decorate them for the other children at the Day Care Centre she attended some days. He had promised her that Aoshi would write and send her a present once in a while, but it wouldn't happen until he got settled in. She had smiled up at her dad at hearing his positive words and went to bake cookies with him that afternoon. Kenshin prayed to the gods that his assumption about Aoshi would be correct. He too had comforted his wife as well; not even having time to be a bit saddened with Aoshi's leaving. He had to be strong…his family needed him and it wasn't like he was never coming back anyway.
Ever since Aoshi came to Tokyo he and Kaoru had gotten on extremely well. I guess her high cheerful spirit seemed to remind him of Misao and made their everlasting friendship grow stronger as the years rolled on. He had been there for the birth of Misao-chan and got to name her as well. Kenshin didn't mind one bit at all though. He was so proud and lucky that his wife had help that night and was always looked after by Aoshi in a protective young brother type of way. Kenshin knew how much Kaoru treated Aoshi with so much 'sisterly' concern about his welfare, health and happiness. She had no living relatives left and to him it seemed Aoshi was as close to a brother she was ever going to get.
Kenshin couldn't help but smile as he remembered how Kaoru was always the one to ask Aoshi questions about how he was going, not afraid to ask him directly. Kenshin knew Kaoru loved Aoshi…and he knew deep down Aoshi loved her back, but everything was okay and he was fine about it. Kaoru's love was like a protective sister and Kenshin knew her pure love and devotion was to her own family…to him and their daughter. There was nothing between Kaoru and Aoshi, Kenshin knew that, everyone knew that because Kaoru's eyes only shone brightly for her husband…for her small family. Besides…Aoshi had Misao to come back home too…didn't he?
"Kenshin? Are you ready to go?" Kenshin was snapped out of his thoughts and he entered the main room to see Kaoru tying up Misao-chan's shoelaces on her sneakers and then she stood up her hand patting her bulging stomach as she began to buy clothes that would fit her more comfortably. Kaoru was in her fifth month of pregnancy and their small family was off to visit Kaoru's doctor to see how everything was going. Plus, Misao-chan was coming along so she could have a look at the ultrasound and say 'hello' to her new baby brother or sister. Blue eyes met violet ones and Kaoru smiled over at her red-haired husband. He always looked handsome no matter what he was wearing, even if it were a pair of daggy shorts and an extremely old and faded shirt as he worked in the backyard garden. Right now he was in a plain pair of blue jeans and a white button down shirt, his fiery red hair standing out and spilling down his back and placed in a low ponytail.
"Tochan, carry me?" Misao-chan spoke, her tiny arms thrusting up as she raced towards her father wanting to be held by him. Kenshin picked her up and placed her against his hip, his right hand enclosing around his wife's waist to hold her to his side.
"We're going Misao. We'll be back later in the afternoon okay?" Kaoru spoke up the stairs but Kenshin watched his wife's eyes frown in sadness at not receiving a reply from the girl. Her sadness had gone in two seconds as she let go of Kenshin and began heading for the stairs.
"Ka-" Kenshin was unable to continue as Kaoru stood at the bottom of the stairs and yelled up at Misao.
"MISS MAKIMACHI YOU GET DOWN HERE THIS INSTANCE!" Kenshin eyes had grown wide watching his wife place her hands on her hips and tap her foot impatiently. Only seconds past before Misao stood at the top of the stairs obeying Kaoru's demand.
"Stop being silly Misao. Aoshi would not like to see you like this. What if he came back and saw the pitiful state you were in. He'd not be impressed at all and you know it." Kaoru's blue eyes stared up into Misao's and watched her bow her head in silent apology for a few seconds.
"I know your sad Misao, but so am I…so is Kenshin and Misao-chan and everyone else that said goodbye that day. If you keep mopping about time will only go slower for you and then it will feel like its been forever that Aoshi hasn't been here. Its 3 months Misao and those three months can go really fast and make you better if you think positively okay?" To Kenshin's amazement he watched as Misao's eyes brighten and a smile replaced her frown as she nodded her head in agreement.
"Arigatoo Kaoru!" Misao spoke and walked towards her room obviously coming to the decision that she would look most terrible and she couldn't be like that in front of Aoshi.
Kaoru moved back over towards her family and walked outside as Kenshin closed he door behind them.
"Ne Mama? Auntie Misao looks happier." Misao-chan spoke and Kaoru placed on an innocent smile and nodded her head as she got into the passenger side of their car and closed the door. Kenshin strapped their daughter in and got in the driver side, starting the car and driving onto the road and heading for the private hospital. He was still shocked at how easy it seemed for Kaoru to get Misao to realise that being unhappy was something Aoshi would never want to see on her face…no mater what happened between the two of them…
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To be continued…
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Author's Notes: I'm sorry Minna-san…this is all I got for now. I have come to a blank in this story…its actually tiring in some sense and well…. *sweat drops* I got my other stories too. At least I've done something on this poor epic though… *laughs nervously* I'll be forgiven right?
I think I need a small rest from writing with this fic, but I won't forget it…no way…I'd be getting death threats right? *L* Well I'm working on my usual stories…plus my latest one, so I hope I am forgiven. Ja ne everyone and till next time (which I hope will be sooner then this update and then the story will have more progress…) *S*