Under the Cherry Tree

"Well, I shall be leaving now." Saitou spoke, his brother and Hannya breaking their hug and watched his form slowly walk down the long passageway, the door creaking open and closing as he left them to themselves.

"He is most worried about you my friend." Hannya spoke as he turned to face Aoshi, watching as those green-grey eyes of his softened lightly, the both of them hearing the engine of Saitou's car sped off.

"I know, but…I think I'm doing okay." Aoshi replied as he turned away from the back porch and made his way towards his abandoned kodachi's. He placed them back in their sheaths absently listening to Hannya's comment.

"Those are from Misao-chan yes? You have cared for them very much over the years." Hannya's eyes caught the head of the straw doll dampening in a large puddle in the backyard.

"Its not like I use them to kill anyone Hannya." Aoshi replied dryly as he walked towards the small apartment, his wrist was caught by a gloved hand, the kodachi's dropping to the ground, the handle clanking loudly on the concrete stone path. Green-grey eyes met challenging dark ones. A battle had begun.

The two men exchanged punches and kicks, each adjusting to the others moves, each remembering what it was like to spar with the other. As the sparring went on a soft rain began to fall once more, dampening the two old friends. A surprised gasp had escaped Aoshi's lips, his mind not focused on the task at hand, he falling to the wet grass, his friend crouched beside him, a single gleaming kunai was pressed at his neck.

"You have become sloppy Aoshi-sama. Where has your concentration gone?" Hannya spoke as he stood up, helping Aoshi to stand, the kunai being retreated back into its hiding place from whence it came. He observed silently as Aoshi brushed some grass stains from the back of his pants his voice soft, like it usually was, but he could sense no emotion at all…absolutely nothing.

"Aoshi-sama? You have not called me that since we were kids, when we used to train in our backyards and with Hiko-sama as well. It is not required anymore Hannya, its just Aoshi these days."

"That is where you are wrong Aoshi-sama. One cannot betray the trust and loyalty I had from such a friend. I must respect and honor the friendship we shared many years ago. I will never forget the way you protected me when we were a lot younger. You were my teacher in the arts after all Aoshi-sama, I just hope you will forgive me for deserting you at such needed times." Aoshi stared at Hannya…at his bowing form. What was with him? Had he completely changed over the four years they had lost touch? Hannya stood up properly when he felt a hand on his shoulder, his eyes starring into semi hidden green-grey ones.

"We have much to discuss dear friend. Let us get out of the rain." Aoshi spoke and picked up his kodachi's as he headed inside with Hannya walking beside him.

"Hannya, how is it that Saitou found you after all this time?" Aoshi questioned him as he headed towards the dusty and rather empty room he'd taken shelter in. He threw Hannya a towel and some dry clothes, knowing they were probably the same build….well close enough.

"You should know your brother Aoshi-sama, he is one cunning police officer…and a Shinomori at that." Hannya's eyes softened as he heard an almost inaudible chuckle come from Aoshi's throat.

"So my friend is in there somewhere after all." He spoke softly, green-grey eyes glancing at him for a moment before Aoshi wiped himself down and pulled a long sleeved shirt on and then followed by a short sleeved one.

"He's there somewhere Hannya, I just need to find him again. I've buried him so deep within me through all that has happened and yet…I'm not sure if I can bring him back." Aoshi replied watching his friend nod his head in recognition.

"Come Aoshi-sama, let me make us some tea and you can start from the very beginning…and I mean the beginning of everything that's happened since Misao came to Tokyo to find you." Aoshi watched his now slightly drier friend walk towards the small lounge/kitchen area. He was unbuttoning his long trenchcoat and slipping off his gloves as he placed them over a wooden chair. Aoshi took a deep breath, shaking his head but a small smile crept onto his lips. Saitou really was worried…probably a little scared for him after all.

* * * *

(Himura Residence)

"Misao, you are not coming to see Kaoru are you?" Kenshin questioned the young woman as she was making herself some tea…the tea Aoshi always drank when he was around. She sighed lightly, lost in thoughts but shook her head negatively to answer him. Violet eyes frowned and yet slightly flashed in anger as he looked over the pitiful state of the young woman standing before him.

"Did you not listen to Kaoru's words? She said to clean up your act! What if Aoshi came back and saw you in such a state, he wouldn't be happy at all." Kenshin's anger ran through, he watching, as tearful blue eyes looked surprised over at him.

"But what if he isn't coming back huh? What if what he saw shattered him more then ever? What if Aoshi can never bear to look at me again? Do you know what this is doing to me?" Kenshin's eyes had immediately turned regretful at his words as he rushed over to catch Misao from falling to the floor. She really had become a wreck. Having two men screw with your mind, was not a good thing at all. Kenshin embraced the fragile young woman as he spoke tenderly into her hair.

"Maybe you need this time to be alone from each other. A lot has happened Misao-chan and you cannot blame everything on yourself. Aoshi has many hidden secrets and at most times it is his fault for not telling his best friend…the one he trusted the most with his heart. Yes he is hurting, but you can do nothing but wait, wait until he comes out of hiding and confronts you with his questions on why you and…Soujiro were together in his bed." Kenshin heard Misao sniffle, her head bobbing at his words. He pulled away softly kissing her forehead and helped her to her feet.

"Now, will you come see Kaoru with me Misao-chan, she wishes to speak with you." Kenshin spoke his violet eyes blinking down into glistening wide blue ones.

"Nan desu ka?" He questioned and Misao placed a small smile on, her arms wrapping around Kenshin as she spoke into his shoulder, trying to hold back her emotions but failing miserably.

"You called me Misao-chan again. You speak to me like true friends, like family…like a loved one. I miss my family so much Kenshin!"

"Of course your family to us Misao-chan, you have become part of our lives and we dare not throw away such a friendship. It is the way of the Himura family, we treasure those close in our hearts hoping to help repair the burdens which they bestow upon themselves."

"Huh?" Misao spoke pulling away from him, completing becoming confused with what Kenshin was on about. He let out a small laugh and a tiny cough afterwards and shook his head telling her to forget about what he was babbling.

"Will you come to the hospital with me?"

"I…I don't have the courage to face Kaoru right now. I already see the image of her looking at me…utter disgust and disappointment on her face, I don't think I can bear to see that in reality just yet."

"Oro? Kaoru would no-" Kenshin stopped, his eyes wider then usual as Misao shook her head, the next words being blurted from her lips uncontrollably.

"You know how much she loves Aoshi and me having hurt him hurts her!" Misao's hand slapped over her mouth watching those violet eyes frown lightly. Kenshin turned his head to the left, to glance into the main entrance area, his eyes catching a photo of his family. Another one was beside it, Aoshi in it holding Misao-chan on his shoulders and standing next to Kaoru his arm around her shoulders, while she was facing her husband, her lips brushing his cheek making them turn red.

"Hai, she does love Aoshi…very much Misao." Misao's eyes frowned as she stepped into the main room observing Kenshin pick up the frame, his fingers brushing over the glass.

"I…I apologise Kenshin." Misao spoke abruptly and bowed lightly. Kenshin placed the photo back into its original position and turned around to face Misao, a smile crossing his features now.

"Eh?" Misao blurted out, her hand raising to the back of her head and scratching it. Sometimes Kenshin was really strange!

"Sometimes I feel saddened…and a little jealous that my wife…and one of my closet friends have such a tight relationship together, but I look back over the years I've known Kaoru and I've never seen her so complete then when Aoshi came into her life."

"Ken…shin…" Misao mumbled softly as she began padding her way towards him.

"Kaoru never really knew her parents very well…and when her and Aoshi met, chemistry erupted and a friendship began, one I knew would never be broken. I sometimes watch the two of them chat away and absently play with Misao-chan as well. I sometimes think that if I hadn't have come into her life, what would Kaoru have been like? Would she have found Aoshi and the two of them would have become much more then friends? But then I look at us…our family and think this is what my Kaoru wanted…and that…was me. I didn't have much to offer, but her eyes sparkled for me, she laughed for me…and in the end she became a part of me…my heart…my life. No matter who she bonds with, I knowing that her and Aoshi are like family…so close like blood brother and sister and yet I am happy for the both of them. To think that Kaoru feels herself whole only makes me happy. I place a hundred scenarios in my mind of what life would be like if Aoshi wasn't around…and I know it would feel empty, even for someone like me."

"I know what you mean Kenshin. I look back on my own life and yet I have not experienced as much as you or Kaoru or many others, but if I hadn't have become friends with Aoshi I wouldn't be who I am today. I can't even imagine myself not knowing he ever existed. I try and think up all these scenarios for my own life and all I see is a very sad and lonely girl…one who never knew what trust, friendship and love was about. When I came to Tokyo, I knew I had to risk everything for him…and in the end I have done that…and failed repeatedly. I can admit such a lose, the lose of a best friend…of the one I love…and yet although I have committed so many wrongs through the years I have known Aoshi, I don't know if I regret any of them. I don't know if that makes me a bad person, but it gets me closer to knowing exactly who I am on the inside…and it also gets me closer to finding the real Aoshi he hides from everyone. Now that I have been helped by you, Kaoru, Tokio, Saitou and even Misao-chan…I think…I think I've finally realised what I must do now."

* * * *

(Saitou's Apartment)

"I'm…a little lost for words Aoshi-sama. I don't really know what to say at such a time." Hannya spoke watching as Aoshi stepped towards the kettle filled with water as it had just boiled again.

"What is there to say Hannya? The simple fact is what I saw is what I saw." Aoshi spoke making another pot of tea. There was a plate of biscuits resting between the two men, Aoshi sitting on a stool in the actual kitchen area while Hannya sat on the other side of the bench, his back facing the small lounge room. Both of them dared not have a biscuit…they looked quite stale. Lord knows how long they had been sitting in the cupboard for.

"Are you sure Aoshi-sama?"

"How dare you ask me that Hannya! She was in my apartment, with another guy and the both of them were in my bed! That's pretty detailed enough for me. Her and that fucking Soujiro belong together." Aoshi's voice had raised, his hands fisting almost breaking the two mugs as he slammed them down on the counter. A sigh escaped his throat as he turned around to grab a wash cloth to clean up the spilt coffee.

"S-Soujiro…Misao was found…in bed…with Seta Soujiro?" Hannya mumbled softly, Aoshi turning to stare over at him. He watched with slightly raised eyebrows as Hannya abruptly stood up, the stool falling to the tiled floor.

"I'll fucking kill him!" Aoshi watched surprised, as Hannya's face was full of hatred. He was never one to show so much emotion before.

"Hannya wait!" Aoshi yelled watching his friend leap towards the other chair grabbing his coat and gloves and heading hurriedly for the door not even listening to Aoshi's rants telling him to stop.

"Where are you going?" Aoshi spoke louder he racing after Hannya as he sprinted down the alleyway heading in the direction of the city. Aoshi slammed the front door behind him watching Hannya's form disappear around the corner of the alleyway. Damn, he was even faster then before.

"HANNYA!" Aoshi yelled and raced after the man in the pouring rain. He was serious…and that made Aoshi slightly nervous. It was as though, he was going to actually find and kill Seta Soujiro!

* * * *

(Himura's Residence)

"Misao, what are you talking about?" Kenshin spoke confusion very much evident on his face and in his voice.

"I've decided…its time for me to go Kenshin. I've out welcomed my stay in Tokyo so I should go." Misao spoke a small smile etched on her lips, her eyes full of sadness.

"Misao, there is no need to lea-"

"Yes there is…but don't worry, I'll write all the time, but I think…I think I need to go home anyway. I…I'm ready to leave right now, but I just want to take one last walk around the city and in the park, just to remember Tokyo just as it is, with no interruptions. Do you think you could drive me into the city Kenshin? It's on your way to see Kaoru after all." Misao spoke interrupting him once again. She was trying to keep a brave face, trying to save a little bit of pride and dignity.

"Lets go then." Kenshin spoke in a defeated tone of voice. He went upstairs for a moment, to get Misao-chan ready and brought her downstairs resting on his hip.

"Ne Aunt Misao, are you coming too?" Misao-chan questioned, her eyes frowning when she watched her 'aunt' shake her head negatively.

"She has somewhere else to go today Misao-chan, so we'll see her later on tonight right?" Kenshin questioned watching Misao nod her head in agreement as they walked out the door heading for the car.

* * * *

Not more then an hour had passed as Misao wondered down the street, glancing in shop windows. She had brought some small gifts for her family in Kyoto, knowing the first thing Okon would say is whether she'd gotten her something. Misao hummed softly as she stepped onto the road walking to the other side with a punch of other pedestrians bustling by, their umbrellas up and shielding themselves from the pouring rain.

"Why Misao, it is so lovely to see you again." Her eyes grew wide in surprise as she scanned the crowd, her blue eyes catching onto another pair…that smile crossing his lips as though nothing was wrong…as though he hadn't caused any problems at all. Misao had been trying desperately to keep her mind off of him and onto what she would say if Aoshi ever returned to Tokyo. Misao darted away from him heading across the street, to where she originally came from and moved further down the street. She could hear the scurrying of footsteps trying to catch up with her and Misao broke into a jog…then sprinted as fast as her legs could go, frantically wanting to get away from his presence.

"Keep away from me!" Misao spoke loudly as she halted to a stop and turned to face a still smiling Soujiro. Her eyes had grown wider as he stepped impossibly closer to her, making her back closer into a brick wall. Misao glanced around, her eyes catching sight of a dark figure running around the corner of an alleyway and heading straight for herself and Soujiro. Misao's eye lit up in happiness; someone was here to help her, to get her away from the man leaning closer towards her. Misao's lips had parted, her eyes growing wide as Soujiro brushed his lips against her own. Her eyes watered; her fisted hands beating against his chest trying to break free…and that she did by thumping him twice in the stomach.

"I told you to keep away from me!" Misao yelled, a couple of bystanders hurriedly walking passed not wanting to be stuck in the middle of some sort of domestic. Misao wiped her hand over her lips, a gasp escaping them as she was caught in his embrace once more, and those eyes…there was something different about them. They weren't the ones that belonged to the Seta Soujiro she used to know in Kyoto.

"You'll never be free of me Misao."

"Stop, why must you do this…" Misao muttered brokenly, a couple of tears escaping her eyes as she tried pushing away from him but to no avail.

"Aa, we seemed to have a bit of company Misao." Soujiro whispered softly, that smile was always on his face, permanently plastered to his lips. He bent forward, Misao's eyes closing off to his as his lips brushed hers forcefully…and bruising them slightly.

"Get your hands off of her right now Seta." The dark figure spoke as he came to a halt; his dark eyes glaring at the scene the two of them were making in front of so many people. Soujiro finally pulled away, Misao abruptly turning to face the man, her eyes growing wide in recognition of that scar. No one had a scar like that except…

"H-Hannya!" Misao spoke almost a little breathlessly.

"Are you alright Misao?" He spoke stepping closer, but stopping in his tracks as Misao's eye teared over, a gasp escaping her lips as she stared straight over his shoulder looking further down the street. Seconds passed by until Hannya felt the presence of Aoshi…a very weak presence of Aoshi indeed. No wonder it took him so long to sense he was there. He turned slightly to look over at him, Aoshi was very much drenched, and more so then he was, since he had his own trench coat on. Misao had a raincoat, as did Soujiro, but Aoshi…Aoshi really did look worst for wear. He'd…He'd seen everything!

"Oh…my god…" Misao whispered softly, hot tears caressing her cheeks turning them slightly pink even though the rain poured down creating puddles around the four of them. Misao tried stepping forward, her eyes widening when Soujiro wrapped his arms around her shoulders as though pretending they were together.

Her blue eyes glanced over to the non moving form of Aoshi, his head slightly turned away, not wanting to watch what was happening…what was being displayed in front of him. In only seconds Misao's heart clenched in her chest, she witnessing along with Hannya and Soujiro as Aoshi ran away. She watched him race away never having seen him run away so hard…so fast before. Her lip trembled slightly, her teeth biting down on it as he was running away from her…from the scene she had help create yet again.

"AOSHI-SAMA!" Hannya had yelled forgetting about his rage for the man in front of him and raced after his long time friend, who happened to be running blindly down the street, racing in front of cars nearly getting himself killed in the process.

"H-He's in Tokyo? He's been here all this time…" Misao muttered to herself, feeling Soujiro's pressure on her shoulders give way for a moment and then she punched him hard, he falling to the ground in a heap…out cold.

"AOSHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!" Misao had yelled dramatically and raced after Hannya who was trying desperately to keep up with a reckless Aoshi.

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *

Authors Notes:

Look Minna-san a chapter of UTCT! *Falls over dead in surprise* Is anyone else surprised? It just came to me. I wasn't too sure how to go about this next chapter, but I think its okay…it gets me closer to…well you'll have to wait and see.

Gomen ne for taking ages on this…and of course Car Trouble, but I've been sick all week. Oh and just in case anyone was wondering, my 21st was a blast! It was so sugoi! (^_^) But, I've been sick ever since Friday and the party was on Saturday and well…I guess I pay the price ne? -_-'

Well this is it for this week I think. I might see if I can place out Car Trouble Chapter 17…but I have to contain a lot of stuff in it for sure…and I haven't even started it yet! Maybe my brains kicking in to do different stories yet again. Trust me, I have no idea what is going on in this brain, so do not ask…

Anywho I best be off…its time to go home! YAY! Work is finished for another day and tomorrow is Friday and then its Anime Otaku Night!

Ja ne, till next time…and thankies for reading and reviewing everyone!