Authors notes: Minna-san, finally I got this done! Its not totally the way I expected but it does have a bit of what I am leading up to in the next chapter.

*WARNING, WARNING, WARNING*

A shattered heart has been detected in this chapter.

Feel intrigued, best read onwards Minna-san…but do read my small blabbering still!!!!!! (-_-)

Once you finish I know you'll probably be like: "What the hell?" or "What have you done Noa!?", but alas, I await the flaming…or the intrigued reviews etc as everything will be explained in the next installment.

*WARNING, WARNING, WARNING*

Angst will be shown in this chapter…the ripping and breaking of a poor beaten heart… PLUS… more angst will follow…a heart is crying…

JA!

Okay now here is the story…

Under the Cherry Tree

(Almost two weeks later…)

Kenshin strolled down the white hallway once again, he having done this for the past week now. Everything had been going so wonderful just last week with hearing how healthy Kaoru and their baby was. Also to hear about the fantastic news that Megumi was doing well with her own pregnancy.

Kenshin couldn't help but place a smile on his face at remembering what happened to Sano and himself just last week.

Begin Flashback

(Himura Residence - 7pm)

"Kenshin! Sano! It's time for your test!" Kaoru had yelled into the backyard, the two men turning to look confusedly at each other. Sano had shrugged his shoulders walking inside and headed for the lounge room with Kenshin and Saitou walking closely behind him. Kenshin sat beside Kaoru on the couch, with Tokio sitting beside her and Saitou sat himself on the armrest of the couch looking rather bored. Megumi occupied one of the chairs, with Sano sitting on the arm of it, his left arm draped loosely over the back of the chair and Misao occupied the other with Misao-chan sitting in her lap.

"Misao, do you think you could take Misao-chan upstairs for awhile so we could watch this?" Misao nodded her head, not sure whether she'd want to sit through what Kenshin and Sano are being forced to sit through and gladly left the room heading upstairs with Misao-chan.

"Koibito, what is happening? What is this test I hear you speak of for myself and Sano?" Kenshin asked slightly confused.

"This is something you and Sano need to prepare yourself for in a few months time. Megumi and I thought you two should watch a birthing movie." Kaoru replied back her hand clasping Kenshin's, as his eye grew wide as he registered her words into his brain.

"A birthing movie?" Sano questioned, but was 'shhed' by Megumi when Kaoru pressed play on the remote control, the television screen turning black for a moment but a professional birthing movie had started.

* * * *

Saitou stared at the other occupants in the lounge room, Megumi and Kaoru watching intently, just as Tokio was at listening to the heart wrenching sounds this woman was making, she not having any drugs to help her with the labour.

His golden eyes drifted to a slowly descending Kenshin, his head shrinking into his shoulders and his body lowering slightly as he began to slid off of the couch. Saitou had to control the laughter that desperately wished to burst through his lips when he witnessed, along with the three women in the lounge room as the head fully came through and at that point in time both Sano and Kenshin fainted.

Kenshin had slid onto the floor easily as he had already been doing so throughout the entire labour, but Sano had been sitting on the armrest and created a loud thud as his heavy body connected with the carpeted floor.

"Kenshin! Sano!" The women yelled trying to wake their respected partners by shaking their shoulders, they having no such luck at all.

Saitou sighed feeling quite disappointed about the two men fainting and stood up to crouch near Kenshin, he bringing out one of his cigarettes and placing it under Kenshin's nose for him to smell it. Kenshin was never a lover of cigarettes…or smoke for that matter and in the span of about thirty seconds, Kenshin jolted awake, a faint 'oro' escaping his lips as he held his head in his hands.

"Are you alright Kenshin?" Kaoru asked a little worried not knowing he would act this way just at watching a birth. Megumi silently eyed Saitou as he crouched beside the passed out Sano and did nothing but stare at him.

"Saitou wake him up!" Megumi spoke annoyingly and watched as he lifted his head for a moment to speak and then left to go into the kitchen.

"He works in a club Takani. I would think you'd know that smoke would not bother this ahou." He could hear her grumbling from the kitchen and came back into the lounge room with a packet of smelling salts. He had found them in the cupboard under the sink.

Again Saitou crouched near the unconscious Sano and practically stuffed the salts up his nose, watching him twitch then jerk away from the strong stench of the salts, his hand flying to his nose to block out the smell. Narrowed brown eyes stared accusingly over at Saitou and then he blinked over at Kenshin to see Kaoru rubbing his back comfortingly.

"What happened?" Was Sano's mumbled question and heard Megumi's piercing laughter, she not comforting him like Kaoru was comforting Kenshin. He looked over at a smirking Saitou and then eyed a giggling Tokio as she answered through his question.

"You…and Kenshin fainted…through the birthing movie."

"Birthing movie?" Both the now conscious men asked and turned to look at the television screen, to see it was still going and they watched the doctors hands help pull the newborn free, it a bright pink colour and screaming loudly. The newborn was covered head to toe in blood. The mother was crying with happiness and exhaustion, the doctor cutting the umbilical cord and wrapping the child in a blue blanket indicating it to be a boy and placed it in the arms of the mother so they could bond together.

Saitou looked from Kenshin's cringing face to Sano's cringing face a light chuckle actually escaping through his lips, Kaoru and Megumi looking quite surprised at hearing that sound come from Saitou, not to mention Kenshin and Sano as well.

"You baka's really need to watch this many times before the birth of your own children. You too will look quite stupid if you faint in front of nursing staff and doctors. Anyone would think you cannot handle such an easy event like a birth." All pairs of eyes watched Saitou stand to his full height.

"I'm impressed at how you handled this Saitou." Kaoru spoke watching as he answered her with his back to all of them as he exited the lounge room heading outside to have a cigarette.

"I've seen limps get blown off and half mangled corpses, so I'm quite sure I can handle a birthing movie quite well."

"That…was something I didn't want to know." Kaoru muttered back, almost feeling sick at the thought of seeing mangled bodies and people missing limbs. She shook her head, ridding herself of such thoughts and turned off the tape and pressed rewind knowing that this was enough for one day. She slowly helped Kenshin up to the couch as did Megumi, but eased Sano into the chair she had been sitting in before. Two pairs of feet pounded down the stairs to halt in the lounge room entrance watching Kaoru look after Kenshin and Megumi look after Sano.

"What did I miss now?" Misao spoke as she placed her hands on her hips. Her eyes moved to Tokio's laughing brown ones, they promising to tell her when the men were out of hearing range. Misao shrugged her shoulders, Kenshin and Sano sighing gladly thinking she was going to pressure them for answers, both not knowing Tokio was going to tell her everything.

End Flashback

Kenshin couldn't believe how red his face could get at Misao rubbing it in to him about fainting and numerous times she just had to show him what he had looked like as well. She got every single detail from Tokio and preformed the act very well, even making Kaoru laugh. Kenshin stopped at a closed door and as soon as he placed his hand on the doorknob, the smile was gone and was replaced with a worried frown.

Just a couple of days after that event, disaster had struck Kenshin's family…had struck his wife to be precise. Kaoru told him not to stay with her during the night, he needing to take care of their three-year-old daughter.

Misao-chan didn't understand what was happening to her mummy, but always smiled as she was reassured by her daddy and her Auntie Misao that her mummy would get better real soon.

Kaoru was in hospital, failing to keep her promise to her husband about being okay and that nothing was going to happen to her. Of course Kenshin didn't blame her, no one could, but that didn't mean he couldn't worry about her health. Kenshin felt so helpless as he entered the dully-lit room quietly and closed the door soundlessly behind him. His wife lay in the hospital bed, numerous machines hooked up to her, drips coming out of both arms etc.

At least one piece of information had been good and that was their child was healthy and comfortable, the trauma's happening to the mother, was not affecting its growth whatsoever. That in itself was quite odd and puzzled many doctors in the hospital, but it was good news nonetheless. Kenshin prayed to the gods wanting the both of them to pull through this. He sat down in the ever-present chair watching over his wife like he had promised to do when she was awake. Sure, she didn't like him staying with her because of Misao-chan, but since Megumi or Misao were quite happy to look after her for some evenings, Kenshin knew this is where he had to be.

Kaoru had only just been taken off the ventilator machine, she finally being able to breathe on her own again. One of her lungs had collapsed, sending her poor husband into fits of despair and nervousness all over again.

Kenshin placed his hand over his wife's watching her stir lightly but she did not wake. The machine's peeped quietly around her, one attached to the heart rhythms of their unborn child just to keep an eye on his or her health.

Kenshin closed his eyes, his head upturned to the ceiling of the private room, hating that he felt so useless as he couldn't do anything for his wife. Tonight he would stay with her, Megumi having taken Misao-chan for the evening.

Misao had wanted to be here too, but Kenshin told her to go and celebrate. She was finally off of the walking cane, her physiotherapist doing wonders for her. Yes, she limped still, but Misao felt so happy she could walk properly again without the aid of a walking frame or cane. What had surprised Kenshin the most was who she was going to celebrate with…and that…was Seta Soujiro.

Kenshin knew it was none of his business, but he hoped Misao knew how much Aoshi didn't like him, feeling slightly possessive of the young woman. And who wouldn't though? Misao was quite a beauty and caught the attention of a lot of young men when she walked down the street. Kenshin knew Aoshi was more of the strong silent type, but he really did need to speak with Misao…and fast too, before she is sucked into Soujiro's charms once more.

Any day now he knew Aoshi would be back in Tokyo and surprising Misao. Kenshin had emailed his concern; fully knowing it was not his business but needed to make Aoshi aware of the growing closeness between Misao and Soujiro again. He hoped this would provoke Aoshi's feelings so he could hurry up and make his mind up whether he loved Misao or not. His undecided emotions were hurting the both of them and Kenshin hoped he had pushed just that little bit extra for him.

Kenshin was not sure how Aoshi would take this sort of news, the same young man trying to take Misao away from him yet again. Kenshin fully knew Aoshi would become quite confused as to why Misao would befriend the man like she did, fully knowing if anything happened, he wouldn't be able to let it pass like before. Aoshi may be silent and tough, but his heart could only be hurt so many times before it would shatter completely.

Kenshin sat comfortably…well sort of…and stared over at his wife's blissfully sleeping face, the glow of the moonlight coming through the blinds reflected on her soft features. Even in hospital like this and even in sleep she was still beautiful to him. He silently began to wonder when those shining blue orbs of hers would flutter open to stare at him, a semi awake smile usually broke onto her lips soon after as she whispered a hello to him, her hand clasping his tightly.

Kenshin was jolted from his thoughts as a figure burst into the room, slightly puffed, bags being dumped on the ground, his tall figure moving over towards the bed. Kenshin's eyes grew wide in shock as he finally made it out to be Aoshi. He had come back sooner then he thought.

Kenshin had sent word through email; not sure whether Aoshi would receive it but needed to tell him the current news, the not so good news, about Kaoru. He knew Aoshi would never forgive him if he didn't tell him about Kaoru's current state of health. Aoshi was protective of the ones closest to him and Kaoru happened to be one of those people. He knew Aoshi loved his family as though they were related by blood and he knew Aoshi would do anything in his power to protect them.

That's just the way Aoshi was, always thinking of others before himself, never worrying about his emotions until the very last minute when he would slightly break apart on the inside. Perhaps, that is why he and Aoshi got on so well together. Kenshin didn't mind that Aoshi looked after Kaoru like he did. In actual fact, Kenshin was secretly thankful that Kaoru had someone to call her own brother, even though she and Aoshi weren't truly related. That didn't matter to her, because in her heart Aoshi was her brother. Perhaps that is what was missing for Kaoru, a brother and sister bond like she shared deeply with Aoshi.

Kenshin was not sure whether Aoshi would receive his urgent news of Kaoru's health, but hadn't been surprised when he saw Aoshi turn up sooner then expected. Aoshi's last email had been rushed, saying he was quite busy getting things organised at coming back to Japan, but here he was, looking a little puffed and staring down at Kaoru's slumbering form in disbelief.

"It is good to have you back Aoshi, Kaoru has missed you very much." Kenshin mumbled lightly, not wanting to awake his sleeping wife and watched green-grey eyes move to glance into his violet ones asking for answers.

"Everything was going so well for Kaoru. Her health and the baby's were excellent, but then something went wrong. There were complications and Kaoru collapsed unable to breathe properly. She was only taken off of the ventilator machine yesterday as she can now breathe on her own. The doctors don't say it is cancer, but they are quite concerned and have placed her in here for the remainder of the pregnancy."

"And the little one?" Aoshi mumbled as he moved to get the spare chair from the corner of the room and place it beside the bed, clasping Kaoru's other hand. His fingers brushed over the soft skin on the palm of her hand.

"He or she is doing remarkably well. The doctors say there is nothing wrong and have become quite puzzled as to why Kaoru's health is not affecting the development of our child. Alas at least it is some good news." Kenshin watched Aoshi nod his head, his eyes never leaving Kaoru's face. Out of the corner of Aoshi's right eye he could see Kenshin part his mouth ready to say something but he butted in stopping whatever he was going to utter.

"You know I won't leave Kenshin…so please…do not ask me to…" Kenshin had been surprised at the emotion in Aoshi's voice and closed his mouth not saying anything. The both of them sat quietly; each stuck in their own helpless thoughts at not being able to do anything for Kaoru.

* * * *

Time passed slowly, Kenshin leaning forward in his chair, his head resting on the mattress of the bed, close to Kaoru's hand. His violet eyes were closed, but Aoshi knew he was not asleep.

"Right now Kenshin, there is nothing more important then waiting for Kaoru to wake up, not even the concern for my own happiness. You know me quite well, more then you let on and I know you need me here as well, just as Kaoru does, even though she is asleep right now.

"Aa, that I do Aoshi and I am glad you are here to support myself and Kaoru like this." Kenshin mumbled back, Aoshi's eyes observing as he sat up and picked up the pager that was peeping quietly telling him someone wished to get in contact with him. Aoshi watched as Kenshin got out of the chair and Aoshi dug through his bag grabbing out his mobile phone and handed it wordlessly to Kenshin. He smiled lightly and left the room to use it.

Mere minutes passed before Kenshin opened the door and moved to his chair to grab his coat and then stood by Aoshi handing him back his mobile phone which was now totally switched off, just in case it interrupted the medical equipment.

"Megumi is having problems with Misao-chan so I'm going to take her home. Will you…stay and watch over Kaoru for me?" Kenshin asked, watching as Aoshi placed his hand on his shoulder and nodded his head.

"Do tell her I'll see her tomorrow and Misao-chan will be with me as well." Aoshi nodded again and watched Kenshin move forward placing a kiss on Kaoru's cheek, squeezing her hand for the last time and then left, the door closing with a soft click.

* * * *

Throughout the rest of the night and the morning Aoshi was awake, busying himself with his own thoughts. Some time ago, maybe an hour or two, a night shift nurse had come in to check on how Kaoru was holding up. A drip was taken away from her, Aoshi unsure as to what was happening, but eased his tense shoulders when the nurse smiled at him and mouthed that she was on the road to recovering quite quickly.

Aoshi's heart had been thumbing in his chest, dreading the worst possible news but sighed in relief hearing that. Aoshi finally detached his hand from Kaoru's and silently stood up stretching his sore muscles. He searched the room for any water but found none and decided to leave for just a moment to get himself some water.

As Aoshi padded down the hallway of the hospital ward Kaoru was situated on, he read the signs of where the cafeteria was and pressed the lift button to go down. Aoshi stepped into the lift, hitting the ground floor button and waited to reach the bottom.

Once the doors opened to the floor, it was a little busier down here, Aoshi pushing his coat sleeve away from his hand to read the time on his watch noticing it was 6 in the morning. He crossed the hallway and found two vending machines, one with drinks, the other with some snacks. Aoshi only took seconds to decide what he wanted; food was food to him at a time like this and returned to the ward Kaoru was on.

* * * *

When Aoshi entered the room, his eyes had widen slightly as he saw Kaoru's blue ones gazing over at the rising sun, a nurse obviously coming in to draw the blinds open for her.

"About time you woke up sleepy head." Aoshi muttered softly, not wishing to scare her and watched her head jerk to the right, her blue orbs growing wide in surprise at seeing him.

"Aoshi? When did you get back?" Aoshi moved over, placing the drink and chips on the counter and hugged the now sitting up Kaoru, her arms moving around his shoulders to hug him back tightly.

"Last night. I came to see you straight away…I was so worried…" Aoshi mumbled into her ear, Kaoru's arms squeezing him lightly and then she let go, letting Aoshi sit down beside her. She clasped his hand with her own, a happy smile crossing her rumbled features.

"Well I'm not exactly the best, but I'm doing pretty well under the circumstances. Tell me all about China?" Kaoru replied and watched Aoshi shake his head but indeed he began to speak of his adventures and sightseeing over their as well as his numerous classes.

"I'm glad your back Aoshi. I was missing your company and so were both Misao's and Kenshin. Actually I'm sure everyone missed you, including Saitou as well." She smiled hearing a light chuckle escape Aoshi's lips as he shook his head replying back.

"I doubt that about Saitou, but I'm glad I was missed or else I wouldn't be back here for at least another two months. Business went really well in Hong Kong and so I thought now was a good time to come back because of you…and because of the news about Misao as well."

"Business?" Kaoru questioned slightly confused and Aoshi's eyes widened in surprise. Damn, he'd let slip something he wasn't supposed to. He must be tied. But then, what should it matter anyway. Kaoru was Kaoru and she wouldn't treat him differently. In fact she'd probably yell at him for a few minutes then everything would be fine afterwards. Aoshi stared into confused eyes, Kaoru not knowing what this so called 'business' was.

"Kaoru, there is something I haven't told you about me and sometimes I don't know why I never told you, but other times I think it's a part of me I like to keep hidden from a lot of people." Aoshi began his little story, watching, as Kaoru's eyes grew wider as he explained more and more of what he had been secretly doing for the past four years.

"So…you are a famous artist and only I, Misao and Saitou know of this, apart from this Anika woman you went to China with, whom happens to be a wonderful artist herself. We all thought you needed to get away from us, but especially Misao for a bit. Not in a million years would we have come up with the idea of you being an artist Aoshi. Are you any good?" Kaoru questioned, she still not truly believing everything that had been said to her.

"To have Anika praise my work and take me under her wing is a pretty big thing. I don't wish for a lot of people to know about me. I happen to like my private life and am not too good in the spotlight. I had thought I was caught once but Anika came up with the quick idea of me being her younger children's nanny, which at first was most insulting but then I don't mind at all. How else am I supposed to explain being around her so much?"

"Mou! Keeping something like this from your 'elder sister' is most mean of you Aoshi!" Kaoru replied, her arms crossing under her breasts as she stared annoyingly over at Aoshi, a smile crossing her features making sure he knew she was only playing around.

"I know, but I wasn't to sure how everyone would react that's all. Gomen ne Kaoru-neesan." Aoshi taunted back getting a small laugh from her.

"What about Misao though?" Kaoru asked slightly intrigued and watched Aoshi rake a hand through his jet-black hair telling her of the events about Misao practically forcing the issue on him as she was the one who had bought one of his most expensive paintings. Aoshi stared over at a giggling Kaoru; glad to see she was laughing.

"The nurse told me you are on the road to recovering quickly Kaoru. That is good news to hear." Aoshi spoke and Kaoru nodded her head in agreement. A knock at the door interrupted the two of them as a new nurse entered the room carrying Kaoru's breakfast.

"Good Morning Mrs Himura, its time for you to eat something as you are aloud solid food now. Would you like me to help you or would you prefer it to be your husband?" The nurse spoke softly as she moved closer placing the meal on the counter beside the hospital bed, completely mistaking Aoshi for her husband.

"Oh that's not my husband." Kaoru couldn't help but giggle a little at the embarrassed blush crossing the short nurse's cheeks.

"I do apologise Mrs Himura and to you as well Sir." She bowed formally getting a rising of the eyebrow from Aoshi in doing so.

"Oh don't worry, in fact this happens to be my kid brother." Kaoru spoke while nudging Aoshi on the shoulder and smiling at the nurse, while completely ignoring the scowling look she was receiving from him at being called a kid. The nurse smiled lightly and left the room for the 'brother' to help feed his 'sister'. Kaoru had been silently staring at Aoshi for many minutes, watching as he stared off into space, his eyes darkening slightly as he was deep in thought.

"Aoshi?"

"Hn?" He snapped out of his thoughts when Kaoru's hand squeezed his.

"Are you thinking of Misao?" Kaoru questioned watching another scowl cross Aoshi's face, as though he were 13 years old, but he shrugged his shoulders and then finally nodded his head that he was.

"I'm sure she's at your apartment Aoshi. Misao has been staying there for quite some time now and I know you'll give her one hell of a surprise too. She has missed you a lot Aoshi and I do hope you open up to her." Kaoru watched as Aoshi parted his lips, as though he were going to protest, but Kaoru placed up her hand and continued on.

"I know you don't want to here this, but Soujiro is getting close to Misao again and I'm not the only one who has seen the friendship grow. She is beginning to trust him again… beginning to fall for his charms and if you don't hurry Misao will fall for Soujiro for real this time. She will not and cannot wait forever you know."

"I know…" Aoshi mumbled in slight regret. This trip had taught him so many things and he wanted to tell Misao everything, but when Kaoru was like this he was torn between his own happiness and the protection and care of Kaoru, the one who thought of him as her brother.

"I have a lot to confess." Aoshi finally spoke aloud, his green-grey eyes lifting to search Kaoru's for anything, but all he found was happiness and relief in that he was going to open up to his best friend, the young woman he wanted as his soul mate, as his partner for life.

A knock on the door interrupted them and Aoshi turned to watch Kenshin enter the room with Misao-chan sleeping in his arms. His eyes brightened at seeing his smiling wife looking over at him and she ushered him inside and patted the bed for him to sit beside her.

"Now your real husband has come to feed you Kaoru. I must be off, there is someone waiting for my return." Aoshi spoke and stood up reaching for his large bags.

"Oh before I forget, I made your family a gift." Aoshi spoke placing the parcel in Kaoru's hands and left the room only hearing the last of Kenshin's question as he shut the door behind him.

"…real husband?"

* * * *

Aoshi had grabbed a taxi from the rank near the hospital and couldn't help but place a small smile on his lips as he travelled in the direction of where the Okina Apartments were situated…of where Misao would be.

He had stopped the taxi for a moment as he rushed out to buy some flowers for Misao, almost feeling giddy at what he was going to do next.

* * * *

"Thank you." Aoshi muttered, paying the driver and took his bags as he raced into the apartments. He felt a little guilty for racing straight passed Okina, but his tales would have to wait as the one person he'd missed with all his heart was only a few flights of stairs away. Aoshi raced up the stairs, his bags slung over his shoulders, the flowers and the gift he had so patiently made, was held protectively and carefully in his arms.

Aoshi came to a sudden halt in front of his door, his heart thumbing in his chest and ears. He took deep breaths trying to calm down the nerves in his stomach. He felt like he had a million butterflies running around his stomach. He opened the door, almost absently wondering why it wasn't locked in the first place, but right now he couldn't care less. He was home…and Misao was just in the next room, sleeping peacefully, as it was only 7 in the morning.

Aoshi dumped his bags silently in the lounge room, making sure to kept a hold of the flowers and the box not wishing to let her know he was here just yet. He walked towards his bedroom door and pushed it open with his foot to observe the sleeping beauty in his bed.

Aoshi froze at the doorway, not able to move or even breathe. He had felt like his heart had stopped beating inside his chest. Time stopped…everything had stopped for Aoshi.

The flowers dropped soundlessly to the carpet, Aoshi loosing his grip on them and his gift for Misao soon hit the carpet as well, it shattering inside. Aoshi's breathing became ragged, as he stepped back in horror and shook his head in disbelief at the scene in front of him.

There, his sleeping beauty lay, rumpled and flushed from the warmth of the room. Misao's head rested on her bare left shoulder, she bringing in silent breaths, her make up smudged on her face, noticeably the mascara around her eyes.

She was sleeping peacefully, like anyone would be at this time of the morning, but what Aoshi's eyes grew wide at and the reason why time had stood still was Misao was in the company of another! This was not just anyone…it was one Seta Soujiro!

There he slumped, bare chested and in his bed with his head resting on his Misao's bare shoulder! They had slept together in his bed! Soujiro's arm was lovingly wrapped around Misao's blanketed waist, they cuddling close to one another…their bare skin touching each other's.

Aoshi couldn't stand it anymore. He wanted nothing more then to strangle the man in his bed, to kill the bastard who was sleeping with his Misao, but all he could do was run.

Aoshi raced from the apartment, the door left wide open, his bags still in the lounge room and the flowers and the gift he had made for Misao now lay broken at his bedroom door. Aoshi had to get away as quickly as possible. He had to run far away from this scene plaguing his troubled mind, his troubled soul…his now shattered heart…

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *