Authors Notes:

*Ducks all the flying objects wanting to hit her as they were thrown by the angered readers for what she had done*

Gomen ne Minna-san! Very unexpected ne? But well it was needed and well yeah. Anywho here is the night before Aoshi found Misao and Soujiro in his bed…so hopefully this will explain to you, but not to him cause he doesn't know remember?

Well there is warning…maybe some language…yeah probably language, sadness and tears and…well…gomen ne to any Sou-kun fans but there is a bit of Soujiro bashing in this chapter. Maybe for more afterwards as well. Not literally basing, although I'm sure Aoshi fans would love him to do so right…but its just thoughts really…

Okay…here we go!

ENJOY! (^_^)

Under the Cherry Tree

(The night before the shattering of a heart)

Misao had layed awake many nights wondering what Aoshi would be doing at that present time. She knew that he wouldn't like to see her in the sorry state she was in, but she couldn't help it. Misao missed Aoshi, he knew…everyone knew…and what was wrong with that?

She still went faithfully to her physiotherapy lessons, she being pressured by Aoshi's emails and letters even though at the time he didn't know she wasn't Soujiro's patient anymore.

Misao knew Soujiro had been disappointed in her going somewhere else, but what could she do? She knew Aoshi didn't like him, for he was the one Misao had confused feelings for…both of them in fact. Soujiro had gotten under her skin and Misao began to feel uncomfortable, but now, she really wanted some company and to her it seemed Soujiro had no hidden agendas. So alas, Misao forgot about the past and looked to the future, her and Soujiro friends once again. What was the big deal anyway? She could be a friend with him right? It's the least she could be as he helped her on the road to recovering from her accident in Kyoto.

Now though, Misao was full of happiness and confidence once again. The high spirited laughing Misao had returned as she went to celebrate at Legends, she finally being able to get off of her cane.

Sadness struck Misao when Saitou and Tokio were 'unavailable' to celebrate with her, Sano was playing at Legends with Deadly Nightshades while Megumi babysat Misao-chan for the evening. She needn't guess where Kenshin was, he being the one to make her go and celebrate and not worry about Kaoru for the night. She had watched his violet eyes widen in slight surprise as she had suggested ringing Soujiro up to go and celebrate with her. Misao had been waiting for the negative remarks to come from Kenshin but he did nothing but stare at her silently. She had become quite intrigued at wanting to know what was rolling around in that brain of his but never brought it up. Instead she raced off to see what she should wear and ring Sou-kun in the process.

* * * *

(Legends - Deadly Nightshades are playing)

The loud hard rock music echoed throughout the club, the place jam packed with people. Misao didn't know how Soujiro did it, but again he had gotten under her skin, only this time she felt comfortable with the so-called intrusion. She had guessed it was his boyish charms, the sweet-talking he did and that ever present grin on his face. Misao didn't care what anyone thought tonight. She didn't care who saw her, for tonight was a time to celebrate! And celebrate she did. Misao pulled Soujiro up to dance and they laughed and talked at a table, going back to the "old days" in Kyoto of how he 'used' to act in high school.

The two of them did not notice, but a pair of chocolate brown eyes was forever watching them. They had narrowed in slightly anger, even though he was in the middle of a song, watching the 'love birds' move closer together so they could hear each other talk. Sano frowned when he watched Soujiro order another round of drinks for himself and Misao, his arm casually draping over her shoulders, Misao not removing it…or caring about where his hands where at the moment. It was as though she were too tipsy to realise, his other hand casually brushed her knee, almost creeping up a little higher, Sano nearly breaking the strings on his guitar at his sleazy moves.

Of course Sano knew it wasn't his business, but who acted like that anyway! He almost sighed in the middle of a song, but focused more to sing the last verse. What was he to voice his opinions on relationships anyway? He hadn't gone about it the nice way either. Stealing his best friends girlfriend and dating…not to mention sleeping with her behind his back? What did that say about him?

The song died down, Sano taking a five-minute break and reefed his guitar off to head towards the table needing to interrupt Soujiro's 'feeling up' session of Misao.

"Hey weasel girl!" Sano yelled and sat in the vacant chair next to her, his eyes boring into Soujiro's watching as he took his wandering hands away from Misao. Finally his chocolate eyes drew to Misao's blue ones noticing the pink tinge in her cheeks. Oh yes, she was drinking too much and too fast. Sano scowled lightly wondering if that was Soujiro's way at trying to get Misao into bed with him…or something along those lines. All Sano could think of was that Soujiro was damned lucky Aoshi wasn't around because if he was…then it was goodnight Soujiro! Sano could tell that Soujiro seemed like a sneaky kind of guy, but Aoshi was strong and had brute strength. He had the training to beat the shit out of the little bastard for sure!

"Sano your band rocks!" Misao spoke up; completely blind to the tension coming between the two men that sat either side of her.

"Perhaps you should slow down your drinking weasel girl." Sano spoke a little concern racing through his system as Misao waved her hand at him, a small hiccup escaping her lips as she answered his question.

"Don't tell me what to do roosterhead. Besides I'm perfectly okay…okay? Anyway I'm going to get another drink." The two young men watched her walk towards the bar, observing as she had to apologise at least twice to the same woman for bumping into her.

"I know what you're trying to do you fucking bastard." Sano voiced aloud, watching Soujiro turn to stare at him with a confused face expression and looking as innocent as hell.

"I'm not blind like Misao, but if you hurt her, or do anything to jeopardise her relationship with Aoshi…I swear to god I'll…"

"You'll do what Sagara-san? It is clear to me that she and Aoshi do not have a relationship together. In fact those two haven't had one at all. Therefore the young lady is free to do as she desires. Misao is capable at making her own decisions and it seems she happens to be quite comfortable with my being near her." Soujiro replied with a smile crossing his face.

"Why you fuck-"

"I'm back!" Misao exclaimed happily and plonked herself down in the chair, her eyes moving from blazing brown ones to innocent blue not knowing what was going on between them.

"Sagara-san was just about to leave Misao. He and the band have to get back to singing their little songs again. Have a pleasant evening Sagara-san…" Soujiro had offered Misao his 'explanation' and she nodded her head as though thinking it to be the truth.

"More music, fantastic!" Misao exclaimed happily…and tipsy as well. Sano got up grumbling all the way back to the stage noting he had to keep an eye on those two, but namely Soujiro's wondering hands.

* * * *

The night went on…oh how it went on, with Sano growing more and more agitated by the minute! The other band members knew something was wrong, trying to get an explanation out of their leader singer but he shrugged them off not saying anything.

Finally the last song was played by Deadly Nightshades. They only having a license to play in the club until 2 in the morning, the club closing soon afterwards. Not many people stayed until the closing hours but Sano thanked the remaining fans, on behalf of the band and began packing up his stuff ready to go home.

During one of there longer breaks he had gone to see Misao, she drunker then before, telling her that he would drop her home, she refusing and Soujiro staring daggers at him as well. Sano gave up in the end, deciding he'd just watch from afar to see if Soujiro went a little too far.

Sano lifted his head, his eyes scanning the club not finding Soujiro or Misao around. He cursed himself for not taking better notice and quickly jumped off the stage and headed for the main doors to Legends. He raced outside, to see numerous couples and a bunch of women walking away from the club, but no sign of Misao or Soujiro.

"Shit…" Sano voiced aloud and sighed in defeat knowing he wasn't allowed to protect Misao from Soujiro. If Misao was going to make a mistake, she'd have to do it on her own and suffer the consequences alone. Sano hated the thoughts that rolled around in his mind and walked back into the club silently cursing Aoshi for being the silent jackass that he happened to be. He was always running away from feelings and Sano hated that very much.

* * * *

(A couple of blocks away…)

Soujiro and Misao stumbled down the deserted street arm in arm heading for the Okina Apartments. Misao was practically legless and Soujiro, only playing into her drunken mind. Sure he was tipsy, but full blown drunk like Misao…no way. He could hear her little hiccups and her soft giggles at whatever was rolling around in that brain of hers.

Soujiro stared down at Misao's flushed cheeks, her eyes slightly hazy at the tones of alcohol flowing through her system. Soujiro's arm wrapped tightly over Misao's shoulder, pulling her closer to his body, her breasts moulding into his side as she went willingly to him and did so with a soft 'mmmmmmmm'.

"Misao you are very beautiful." Soujiro whispered softly, his smile growing wider as her blue eyes looked up at him.

"No I'm not…you just want to…to…"

"To what Misao?" Soujiro questioned, but she had completely forgotten about what she was saying when she opened her purse to look for Aoshi's key so she could place it into the glass doors and go to bed as soon as she reached his apartment.

After about three times of Misao missing the keyhole, Soujiro took it from her hands and opened the doors himself, all the while smiling as Misao giggled about her clumsiness. Soujiro ushered her inside, his hand wrapped around her slender waist now, his bare fingers contacting with warm flesh, Misao's top having lifted up slightly for whatever reason he was unsure of, but he didn't mind at all.

* * * *

The two of them finally made it upstairs, Misao successfully placing the key in Aoshi's lock and turning the handle the door opening quietly. Soujiro watched as Misao kicked off her shoes near the doorway; her jacket she had been carrying over her arm was dumped on the floor as well. He closed the door behind him, placing the key on the table near the door and walked into the lounge room to see Misao standing there as though she didn't know what she was doing.

After a minute he guessed she was heading for the bathroom, but his hand reached out, clasping her wrist and pulling her willing body towards his. Her blue eyes locked with his as his right hand still held her wrist while the other slowly wrapped around her waist to lay softly against the small of her back, he pushing their bodies closer together.

"You are beautiful Misao. I know…I am in love with you now." Soujiro whispered as he lowered his face, watching whole-heartedly as Misao's eyes began to droop closed.

"Your…drunk…" She had whispered against his lips, a soft gasp escaping them and he caught it against his lips as he kissed her. His hand let go of her wrist, placing it behind her head to hold her lips close to his making sure she could not part from his embrace. He felt Misao tighten her hold around his neck pulling his eager body to hers, relishing in the way his lips glided over hers so passionately. Male pride sweet through Soujiro like a tidal wave. Misao was his!

In Misao's delirious passioned kisses with Soujiro her mind began to rage at her for what she was doing. To her it was so right to feel like this, to have someone kiss her like this was flattering and wonderful at the same time. It had been such a long time since she felt lips upon her own.

Misao's mind began to clear, trying to make perfect sense as to what the hell was happening to her. The kisses and caresses were so good…so good, but then Misao's mind finally figured out that the person she was locked with was not her Aoshi!

Misao gasped in horror and pushed away from the embrace, her drunken state making out the form of a bare chested Soujiro. She gasped for air, her eyes glancing down at the discarded shirts lying on the floor messily. Misao's eyes grew wide at the concept of what she had been doing with him. She quickly crossed her arms over her strapless bra and shook her head numerous times, she trying to clear the haze fogging her mind.

"I can't…its Aoshi…I can't…" Misao choked out through her sobs and fell forward, Soujiro catching her against his chest, the darkness finally taking over her drunken form.

Soujiro stared down at Misao and finally picked her up taking her to Aoshi's bedroom…Aoshi's bedroom… His blood boiled as Misao sighed once he placed her on the bed, she snuggling into his pillows, smelling the scent that only belonged to him…the one Misao seemed to love so much. He sat beside her, turning her onto her back and stripped her out of her clothing so she lay asleep only wearing a blue bra and black underwear. He took in a deep breath and stood up taking the covers and placing them over Misao's form.

As Soujiro stood at the door, looking at the slumbering young woman, he couldn't help but fulfil one of his desires and padded towards the bed, his foot kicking the door shut…almost…

Misao rested on her left side, the blankets and strapless bra covering her breasts from view but he moved closer, silently crawling into the other side needing to feel Misao around him. He lay behind Misao, pulling her body against his so he could feel her warm heated skin…her smooth creamy skin, his hand roaming over her form quickly…his mind curving the map of her womanly form into his mind. Soujiro own drunken mind sent him into darkness, his body clinging to Misao's possessively.

Aoshi had returned that morning, neither Misao nor Soujiro knowing he was returning at all. That is the way Aoshi had found his Misao…with that bastard…and in his fucking bed too!

* * * *

When Aoshi had dropped the present he made for Misao and ran as far away as he could, he didn't realise that the smashing sound it created made Misao shift in her sleep. Her hand went to her head as she opened her tied eyes. She made out the ceiling of Aoshi's bedroom and rolled out of the low bed and onto the floor. Her blurry eyes looked down at herself and Misao shrieked in horror only finding herself in her underwear and bra! She scanned the messy room and picked up her bathrobe off the floor and tied it around her form.

Misao had blinked a couple of more times and looked over at the bed, her eyes growing wide when she noticed Soujiro slumbering in there. All the alarms in Misao's body began ringing and she quickly lifted up the blankets to see Soujiro was still in his dress pants, she sighing at knowing they had not made love together.

However, the fuzziness of last nights heated kisses with the slumbering man reached Misao's mind, giving her a great picture of what they looked like and causing guilt to seep through every pore in her body.

She stood up knowing that once she showered she had to speak with Soujiro on the matter and announce that this was never going to happen again. She headed towards the bedroom door, her bare foot brushing past something soft. Misao bent her head, confusion crossing her mind as she stared down at a bunch of purple and blue flowers and a medium sized box, carelessly placed in the middle of the doorway.

Her heart began to pound loudly in her chest, she noticing a small card on the carefully wrapped box and bent down to read what it said:

'For Misao,

I made this myself if you can actually believe it. These colours reminded me of how much I missed seeing your eyes…of seeing you all together.

Aoshi'

A small sob escaped Misao's throat as she turned to stare at the slumbering Soujiro in Aoshi's bed…with no shirt on! Her hand slapped over her mouth trying to conceal her cries as Aoshi had returned. He'd finally come home, come home to see her because he missed her so much and what was he greeted with…the slumbering forms of her and Soujiro in his bed! Misao stumbled to her feet, racing for the bathroom as she jumped over the discarded black bags lying in the lounge room.

Misao's mind was no longer drunk anymore. In the span of ten minutes she had showered and changed and left the apartment not even worrying about Soujiro. She knew what the scene would have looked like to Aoshi, what it would have portrayed in his mind.

She was so confused between the two of them. Aoshi was secretive, silent and handsome where Soujiro was completely different! He was loving, open and friendly to Misao, always showing his feelings like he did. Aoshi on the other hand hadn't even told her how he truly felt about her, but to be greeted by such a sight would have broken even the strongest of hearts. Misao knew Aoshi didn't have a strong heart at all. Strong on the outside yes, but inside…Aoshi was a complete mystery, but his heart wasn't as tough as the rest of him.

* * * *

Misao raced down the stairs to see Okina staring at the glass doors almost in a daze. Misao was puffing heavily as she raced towards the elder man.

"Okina! Did you see which way Aoshi went?" Misao spoke urgently as she looked desperately over at the old man. His eyes were sad and he spoke softly, almost bewildered by what he saw, each word painfully piercing Misao's heart more and more.

"In all the years I have known that young man, I have never seen him look so happy and excited then he was ten minutes ago as he was racing up to see you. Just now though, he looked…distraught, lost, hurt and angered all at once! It was so unbelievable Misao. I never seen some look so different like Aoshi did. You see…Aoshi was…he was crying Misao." Misao gasped in utter shock and horror. Her heart began to break at hearing that one word…crying… Her Aoshi was crying? Never in all the years she'd known Aoshi had she heard of anyone say he cried. Nor did she ever see it herself. To think that the first time it would happen was because of her!

Misao raced out of the apartment building when she watched Okina point in the direction Aoshi had run in. She needed to find him desperately. She had promised herself not to hurt him; promised Saitou she wouldn't do anything stupid and yet look what her drunken self had done.

The truth was now known to Misao, she had broken the heart of Aoshi Shinomori. Not once, but twice now. To think how much pain he must be in to see her, with Soujiro in his bed was eating at her insides.

* * * *

Aoshi had raced passed all the people down the street; sometimes mumbling apologises for bumping into them. He kept running; the image of Misao and Soujiro in his bed was burning itself into his mind…for all eternity. Aoshi had finally noticed a subway entrance and raced down the steps, pushing past angered pedestrians as he did so.

He had stopped running and came to a halt waiting for the next train which was just pulling in now. His long bangs fell over his eyes, Aoshi bending his head making sure that no one could see the redness of them. He had already brushed away the other tears that caressed his cheeks hotly and cursed himself for being so weak.

The train pulled up, Aoshi stepping through the crowd to get in a carriage and sat on a vacant chair, his head resting in his arms, he jerking lightly as the train moved away from the platform.

* * * *

Misao had raced around Tokyo, going to all the places she could think of where Aoshi had been and told her about with no luck. Her legs demanded rest but Misao kept running needing to know where he was hiding out.

* * * *

Many hours had passed as Aoshi was hunched over, his eyes closed as though he were sleeping, his mind not registering the fact that the train was growing less and less with passengers.

* * * *

"Young man?" Aoshi was jerked from his hundred of thoughts and sat up straight looking up at the driver of the train.

"This is the last stop for the evening young man. You'll have to wait for a train to take you back to Tokyo tomorrow." The man spoke watching as Aoshi got up and exited the train.

Aoshi stared around the unknown subway station and looked for a sign, his eyes widening slightly as it read Yokohama. He was far from Tokyo with no place to go.

Aoshi finally found the stairs leading towards the street and climbed them to come face to face with a deserted street, not a single resident of Yokohama was in sight. Aoshi walked the dead street, he wrapping his jacket around himself at the cool breeze blowing by and tried to find the nearest payphone. His cellular phone happened to be in one of his black bags back at the apartment.

* * * *

(Tokyo - Saitou's Home)

Saitou sipped some coffee quietly as he watched Tokio try and comfort a distraught and quite hysterical as well as crying Misao. He had listened into their conversation as Misao explained about last night and then waking up to find herself and Soujiro in Aoshi's bed. She had woken up to find that Aoshi was back in Tokyo and had seen her and Soujiro in such a compromising situation.

Saitou's blood boiled at hearing this but he commanded himself not to blame Misao. His stupid brother hadn't told her a thing about his own feelings and then having shown up out of the blue like this! Saitou had blamed some of the fault on Aoshi, he messing with Misao's feelings like that. In some cases he had been so blind in not knowing them, but these past few months it was evident and clear that jealousy rained through Aoshi because of the closeness between Misao and Soujiro. Aoshi had completely confused Misao's emotions and feelings, as now she didn't know who she loved…Aoshi or Soujiro.

What Saitou hated the most was the fact that Aoshi had completely disappeared. He wasn't at the hospital or hiding out at Kenshin's place either. He hadn't been seen near the training hall, or any parks whatsoever. Sano and Megumi hadn't seen him, they not knowing he was coming back either. Aoshi had just vanished! This was making Saitou worry and he hated that very much. Misao had stopped crying for a moment and blew her nose as she was offered some tissues from Tokio. Saitou placed down his cup of tea, Tokio's eyes glancing at him and then all heads turned towards the phone as it started ringing.

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *