Under the Cherry Tree

Misao ran blindly down the street. She was beginning to loose Hannya's form as he too raced ahead of her, trying desperately to catch up to Aoshi.

Misao skidded to a halt, her small frame bumping into Hannya's as his arm reached out to hold her up lest she fall over onto the hard concrete in the pouring rain. They stood at a T section not knowing which way to go.

"Misao, I don't know your side of the story, but how could you be with Seta after everything he's done? For what's happened in Kyoto, including what happened between him and Tae, to everything now, how could you trust him so easily?" Hannya had stopped talking, as he needed to take a few deep breaths. A soft throbbing feeling began in his legs, they protesting him to stop running so hard. Hannya was confused. He never knew things had gotten so complicated between two of his friends. Saitou hadn't given him the full details either. All he said was Aoshi was in great need of his loyal friend, one he could trust through everything…and it wasn't Misao who he could trust anymore. Without a thought on Hannya's life…or what his fiancé would think he had left to come to Tokyo with Saitou immediately. All he really wanted now was some answers.

"Hannya I…" Misao was unable to continue as shrill screams could be heard from the large park situated across the road.

"Wait for me!" Misao yelled as she watched Hannya jump onto car bonnets racing for the other side of the road and in the direction the screams had come from. There was no way she was going to be so suicidal, but her heart had clenched when she watched a man come running from the park and yelled for help. Misao ears caught his shrill cry of 'someone call an ambulance quick!'

"Aoshi…" Misao mumbled to herself and then raced across the road, drivers beeping their car horns here and there, but she didn't care, she knew it had to be him that was in need of help.

* * * *

Hannya raced through the park, his boots thumping the pavement as he gained more speed when he saw a crowd forming near the edge of the lake situated in the middle of the park. He pushed his way through and stopped at the embankment, his eyes growing wide at the figure floating in the water…in the middle of the deep lake.

"Aoshi-sama!" Hannya had yelled, pilling off his trench coat, his form becoming drenched by the pouring rain as he swam furiously to the floating man. Hannya's gloved hand reached out tugging on Aoshi's arm pulling him closer to his body. As soon as Hannya got a firmer grip on Aoshi he began swimming to shallower water, his eyes gazing over at the pitiful state of his friend. His face was drawn and pale, he had large bags under his eyes as well. Scratches and scars were etched into his hands and Hannya's eyes grew wider at the colour the water was turning…dark…like blood. Those usually hidden eyes of Aoshi's were staring up into the cloudy sky, not even caring how much the rain must sting at pounding on his opened eyes.

"Aoshi-sama, where have you gone?" Hannya spoke softly as he pulled him out of the water and placed him on the wet grass, those eyes still not moving, still not registering where he was…what he'd nearly done.

"Get out of here, there's nothing to see!" Hannya yelled angrily watching as several people moved off, whispering as they did at the event they had just witnessed. Hannya's hands fisted in rage as he kneeled next to his friend, the first friend he'd ever had…the first person to ever stick up for him when he was being bullied by children a couple years older then him.

"Don't you dare take the easy way out Aoshi-sama! GET THE FUCK UP!" Hannya shook him furiously at the shoulders, watching his eyes blink once, Hannya having leaned over him to block off the hard rain on his face. Those green-grey eyes were glistening as Aoshi blinked a couple more times; the haziness of his eyes seemed to disappear as his focus came back to him.

"Gomen…ne…" Aoshi's eyes closed then, Hannya's growing fearful as he placed his hand on Aoshi's chest. He sighed in relief hearing his heartbeat, but it was weak…too weak for his liking. Hannya could do nothing but wait for the emergency team to arrive. His eyes cast over the lake, but they creased in slight confusion at the colour of the water near where Aoshi lay. That's when he remembered the blood. Hannya's eyes darted to Aoshi's left side, his shirt being torn open and a nasty gash lay exposed…blood was pooling on the lush grass.

"Stay with me Aoshi-sama!" Hannya spoke loudly and placed pressure against the wound using his trench coat in doing so. A gasp from behind him made Hannya turn around, his dark eyes glancing into wide and very frightened ocean blue ones. He quickly stood up as he grabbed Misao before she ran to be beside Aoshi.

"No let me go! I've got to be with him, Aoshi!" Misao spoke brokenly…dramatically, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at his frail form, his head tilted away from her. Her legs grew weak, her body falling against Hannya's as he kneeled in the wet grass letting her cry on him, as she stared over his shoulder at the unconscious and injured Aoshi. She was wailing like a small child would, but for good reasons nonetheless.

Misao's blurry eyes could hardly make out Aoshi's figure, she knowing he was very skinny…very fragile from what he used to be. She'd done that to him…she'd done everything to him and all because she couldn't wait just that little bit longer for him to confess emotions and feelings to her. He'd confessed many things, but Misao had grown impatient at not hearing three simple, but very everlasting words. Why hadn't she waited? Did she fear rejection from him? Why couldn't she have only waited just a little bit more? Why was she and Aoshi forever fighting, forever having bad luck?

Misao's vision finally made out another three blurry figures crowding around Aoshi, Hannya turning to face their way, making Misao unable to see what was happening as she was cradled against his lean chest. She heard muffled questions coming from the ambulance officers, but all Hannya could reply to them was 'I don't know'.

"Misao-chan?" Hannya spoke softly watching her drenched head lift up, her dainty fingers brushing her bangs away from her puffy eyes.

"I'll take you to the hospital to see Aoshi-sama, but first I want you to tell me everything. I cannot take sides, but I want to understand what has happened between the both of you. I want to know why things changed so much. Come on Misao-chan, let's get out of the rain." Hannya stood up cradling Misao's shaky distraught form to his as they slowly walked behind the emergency service crew and the stretcher that Aoshi was strapped to. Hannya began walking away from the ambulance, Misao whining slightly, her hand lifting out as though wanting to grab a hold of Aoshi's limp one.

"Iie Misao, he'll be okay with them I promise." Her puffy eyes glanced into reassuring ones and she let Hannya take her away from the scene, not without looking back as the emergency crew placed Aoshi into the ambulance.

The both of them watched as the sirens blazed, the driver tarring through the streets of Tokyo to get to the private hospital as quickly as possible.

* * * *

(Tokyo Private Hospital)

Hannya and Misao sat outside the private room Aoshi was resting in. A couple of hours had ticked by and only family was allowed to visit Aoshi at this point in time. Misao's eyes had teared up at hearing this, but she nodded her head in understanding in the end.

What made her heart clench in her chest once more was the fact that Aoshi didn't have any immediate family to be with him. Hannya had rung the police station three times trying to get through to Saitou, but had no luck. Where he was situated…was classified information. Hannya's last option, which should have been his first, was Tokio. She had reached Saitou in a matter of minutes and whatever assignment/case he had been working on out of town was forgotten. Saitou had obviously assigned someone to his position as he raced back to the city at the news of Aoshi.

Silence filled the hallway of the fourth floor in the hospital building. Misao was resting on a bench, she hugging her legs to her chest, as she dare not look anywhere but the floor. She had seen the disappointment in Hannya's eyes, just like she knew would have been in Kaoru's but couldn't bear to face his dark eyes anymore. He sat across the hallway from her, leaning his back against the wall where Aoshi rested in the room behind it.

* * * *

Running footsteps broke the silence, a familiar figure in blue was pounding his way down the hallway ignoring the voice of the nurse telling him there was to be no running in the hospital. Misao's eyes lifted up, she almost shrinking into her shoulders as angry gold eyes glanced into her blue ones for a split second and then he went into the room without a second glance at Hannya, Misao or Tokio. The door slammed closed his voice loud enough to be heard by everyone even though the walls and doors were thick.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO YOURSELF AHOU?" Tokio glanced nervously down the hallway watching as a doctor was walking in their direction, a folder in his hands as he glanced over the paperwork on it.

"Perhaps its best if I go get him." Tokio spoke and entered the room just to hear Saitou's next words, along with Hannya, Misao and the doctor, before he left the room pushing past her and headed for the nearest exit.

"I am ashamed to even know you ahou. Look how weak you've become and all because of a stupid woman too. You're not even the person I once knew you as. You've become a weak pathetic man who doesn't have the courage or desire to get through something like this. You disappoint me Aoshi, you really do. I have no time…and certainly no sympathy for sorry sorts such as you. I'm disgust to even know you as family, Shinomori's are stronger then this." The bystanders watched Saitou leave, his hands thrust in his pockets as he walked down the hallway not saying any more. Hannya peered into the private room as the door was left open, and noticed Aoshi was looking out the window and up at the dark clouds. It was as though he never even heard Saitou's hurtful words…and yet everyone knew he had.

"Chotto Matte Saitou!" Tokio spoke loudly as she raced after his form, he stepping into a lift and hitting the ground floor button and leaning against the wall of the elevator, not facing any one down the hall. Tokio raced in just as the doors closed, leaving a shocked and very silent Hannya, Misao and the doctor behind.

"May I go speak with him?" Hannya questioned but all eyes turned down the hallway once more as a red headed man coughed lightly to grab everyone's attention. He was pushing a wheelchair with a young woman and child in it.

"K-Kaoru…" Misao mumbled softly as the elder woman looked up at Misao, but nothing was said between the two women. Misao-chan rested in Kaoru's lap, but was picked up by Kenshin as the doctor wheeled her into Aoshi's room without any complaints and closed the door once she was inside.

"Ne Tochan, is Uncle Aoshi going to be okay?" Misao-chan spoke, her big eyes welling up with tears at the thought of seeing her uncle hurt and in hospital, just like her mum.

"I'm sure everything is fine Misao-chan, he just needs a rest ne? How about we get ourselves something to drink? Would you like to join us Hannya-san?" Kenshin turned his violet eyes to Hannya, watching his widen slightly at knowing who he was. Hannya nodded silently and walked off with Kenshin, leaving Misao to sit back down and wait, everyone knowing she wasn't going anywhere, even for a second.

* * * *

(Inside Aoshi's Room)

Kaoru looked over the medium sized room; the small amount of light was coming from the ensuite door as the light was switched on. Outside the window the clouds were growing darker, a huge thunderstorm was about to break through…and that is where Aoshi's eyes rested, looking out the window into the clouds which flickered with sheet lightning.

He was standing at the large window dressed in a pair of dark green hospital pants, which rested low on his narrow hips. A large bandage was wrapped around his waist, his right hand rested against his wound while his left clutched the window ledge, his knuckles turning white in doing so.

"You should be resting Aoshi." Kaoru spoke softly, watching his head turn to look at her, then back up to the clouds he went. She sighed softly, her hands gripping the arms of the wheelchair as she pulled herself to her feet. Aoshi's eyes blinked at hearing the squeaking sound of the wheels from Kaoru's IV Pole that was attached to her.

"Why won't you look at me?" Kaoru spoke softly as she slowly began walking towards him. He was merely a few meters away and yet as weak as she was it felt like she was going to be walking miles in order to reach him. Kaoru hesitated slightly when green-grey eyes turned to look at her, but she watched as he pulled away from the window ledge, limping weakly towards her, his hand reaching out towards her as he did so.

"You should be resting Kaoru, don't worry about me." Aoshi responded in an emotionless tone of voice, but his eyes had softened as he led Kaoru to sit in a more comfortable chair near the window.

"How can you say that baka!" Kaoru yelled angrily watching as Aoshi stepped back slightly as she glared up at his standing form, tears in her eyes.

"I care you idiot…I was so scared…so worried…" Kaoru spoke her fingers moving over her eyes to dab away the wetness. They darted open when she heard a soft groan escape Aoshi's lips. He had descended to the floor, resting on his legs as he placed his head silently in Kaoru's lap. Her fingers brushed through his jet-black hair and down his right cheek as he rested his head on his left side, those haunted green-grey eyes closing for several moments needing the comfort of someone who he could trust unconditionally.

Only a matter of minutes passed by as Kaoru's fingers fluttered over Aoshi's warm cheek once more, it now damp from his silent tears. She had felt him tense, but never knew that he was shedding tears of sorrow.

"Aoshi…" She muttered softly, pushing away from the cushioned chair and descended to the floor herself. It was cold on her bare skin, but right now there were more important things to worry about. Like the current state Aoshi was in at this very moment. Somehow Kaoru had arranged herself to be slightly comfortable as she sat on the floor with Aoshi. He wasn't moving or talking and she was definitely sure he didn't want her to see him looking so distraught. He had curled on the floor in a fetal position, his right hand still pressed to his side, as though that was helping in keeping the pain away. Aoshi's head was turned away from her, almost looking over at the unoccupied bed and main door area, even though his eyes were closed. Kaoru had rested her folded legs out to her side, Aoshi's head still resting comfortably in her lap. She had placed her right arm over Aoshi's form, resting slightly on her shoulder and upper arm leaning against Aoshi's hip area. There the two of them lay on the floor, in silence, but Kaoru being there was what Aoshi had wanted…what he needed. While Kaoru's fingers on her left hand brushed through Aoshi's hair, her right ones were tangled with Aoshi's left one, his fingers never wanting to let go.

That is the way Misao had found the two of them. The doctor had left saying all Aoshi needed was a couple more days in the hospital and then he was able to go home. When he walked away she couldn't help but take a peak at the two of them and found them lying so closely together on the floor, Kaoru comforting a slightly shaking Aoshi.

Misao held her breath when she watched a pair of glossy green-grey eyes snap open and stare over at her…full of hurt…full of pain. He'd sensed her ever since the door opened, but only now did he have the courage to glance in Misao's direction. Kaoru hadn't seemed to notice as she kept whispering soft words of 'everything will be okay' and 'I'll help you get through this' with closed eyes. Misao's eyes stared fearfully into Aoshi's, watching as his closed once more. He turned his head away not wanting to look at her anymore. Misao bowed her head in remorse and backed out of the room as though she'd never been there to begin with.

* * * *

(Hospital Cafeteria)

Kenshin had placed Misao-chan on the floor, she content in playing with some of the toys he had brought for her from home. He waved Hannya to sit down in the opposite chair and brought up his cup of tea sipping it lightly, but cringing, as it wasn't as good as what he could make.

"How did you know who I was?" Hannya spoke starting up the conversation, idly watching as the 'redhead' placed down his tea, his eyes moving over to check on Misao-chan for a moment and then stared into dark ones.

"I've known Aoshi for about four years now Hannya-san, but mainly because of Misao, she lives with my family…or she used to."

"Used to?" Hannya mimicked wanting more explanations from Kenshin.

"Aa, Misao has stated she will be going home soon. The poor girl has had a rough time over the past few months and I really do hope she'll get through this." Kenshin replied, blinking confusedly at Hannya as his eyes narrowed.

"You hope Misao recovers from this? I hope Aoshi-sama recovers from this." Hannya retorted back almost insulted that Kenshin wasn't thinking of Aoshi and what he's been through.

"Of course I hope for the best for the both of them, but I do believe these two need to have time apart, to rebuild their battered hearts." Hannya's eyebrow raised at Kenshin's words, watching him take a sip of the tea and then he emphasised on his thoughts a bit more.

"Of course none of us have the right to judge who is at fault, but I do believe that everyone needs to have sympathy for all three party's involved."

"Excuse me?" Hannya replied in a deadpan voice, shocked at Kenshin's too nice words for someone like Seta Soujiro.

"All I'm saying is that who wouldn't fall for the charms of one Makimachi Misao…or a man like Seta Soujiro. He was after all, Misao's instructor and teacher to help her walk again after the accident in Kyoto. Not only that while Aoshi was away in China, Misao needed some company and Soujiro was there for her."

"Always waiting for the opportunity to jump in her pants you mean." Hannya commented, a female nurse turn to glance in their direction as she overheard their interesting conversation.

"What has occurred between Misao and Soujiro is wrong Hannya-san, I agree to that, but Misao and Aoshi are at fault as well. Soujiro is at fault for knowing Misao was in a very fragile moment and yet he still moved in trying desperately to force her feelings for Aoshi away. Misao is at fault for being so tempted in the art of seduction and charm and Aoshi is at fault for not facing up to his emotions and realising that his love for Misao was one of pure heart, soul and emotion. One he will not feel for anyone else. He was stupid to hold off for so long…and yet none of us have the right to comment on anything because this is between the three of them…or should I say the two of them."

"You may feel sorry for Seta, but you don't know him very well at all do you Kenshin?" Hannya responded once more, almost tormenting Kenshin with his deep dark voice.

"He has no morals, no decency to leave people alone. He feeds off of misery and is the creator of it as well. I'm sure if the situation happened to you and your wife, then your views on the man would be quite different."

"You speak from experience Hannya-san?" Kenshin prompted and felt the battle aura of Hannya flare up as memories flashed through his mind.

"I was happy Kenshin, very happy many years ago. I was doing well in school, had wonderful friends who stuck by me through everything and me of all people even found himself a girlfriend. She was quiet shy and quiet, but really cue and sweet as well. I told her some things that I have never voiced to Aoshi-sama and yet I found her in bed with someone else…not just some bloke off the street, but Seta Soujiro." Hannya observed as violet eyes widened briefly in recognition as to why Soujiro was disliked so much.

"To be in that very moment, walking into the bedroom…your own bedroom to see your girlfriend in the arms of another man is something I don't wish to see again…or feel again. I was…and may still be quite like Aoshi-sama, afraid to voice aloud my emotions, even show them at times. I tried to be strong…and yet I had no one to turn to for comfort and so I shut myself off to everyone. I never spoke a word to anyone. I told Misao I found them together, but went no further. Little did anyone know I was just as distraught as Aoshi-sama is feeling right now. Shinomori's are very strong Kenshin, but once a crack has been opened in the sense of feelings and emotions…the rest will shatter in a heartbeat. It is very hard to comprehend everything at once and Aoshi-sama is trying desperately to keep such feelings at bay, but his heart, his complete presence is too weak to even bother anymore."

"What happened to you and your former girlfriend if you don't mind my asking?" Kenshin spoke softly watching as Hannya rested back in his chair, his eyes glancing over at Misao-chan, whom was giggling at something and then back onto violet eyes.

"I left Kenshin. As soon as high school ended I was out of there. I headed overseas; not knowing that the young girl I had fallen in love with was following me. Tae was her name and even though I was so angry, so hurt and feeling so humiliated…she still owned my heart. I cursed myself for giving it to her so freely and when I found her at the same university as me in America I was completely shocked…I really didn't know what to do. If you must know, it took a long time for me to change, but she is now my fiance." Hannya finished off, watching Kenshin's eyes widen in surprise truly not expecting those words.

"So everything worked out between you, so why ca-" Kenshin was cut off by Hannya speaking once more.

"Because quite frankly Kenshin, Aoshi is a lot more stubborn and unforgiving then I am. If he's hurt, he stays hurt forever…and all anyone can do is pray to the gods that he'll get through this with help from his close friends. In Aoshi-sama's eyes…no in his entire being what has happened to him is slowly making him feel guilt…guilt that everything is all his doing. Aoshi is very different from you and me because when he knows that someone connects with him on a level more then physical he'll never be the same person. Ever since he met Misao he has changed. She has changed him, from being the quiet straight-faced boy I used to know him as to this strong, independent and yet smiling man he is now. What has happened to him now is shocking and very surprising for him. Not in a million years would Aoshi think that this would happen to him. Now that this has happened between himself, Misao and Soujiro, he doesn't know who he is anymore. Kenshin, Aoshi is lost…completely lost and not only that he is broken as well." Kenshin sighed softly knowing this already. He listened to the way Aoshi spoke of Misao…the way he stared silently at her and yet spoke of no feelings to her. He was admiring her and falling in love with her from a distance, unsure of the way to go about approaching her in such a delicate manner. This was something that wasn't going to be fixed by apologies…that's for sure.

* * * *

(Outside the hospital)

"Saitou will you slow down for just a second?" Tokio huffed as she ran and stepped in front of him. He had a stern look on his face, those gold eyes flashing angrily down at her, but softening in an instant.

"That wasn't right Saitou…and you know it." She spoke once more watching as he leaned against the side of his car; his head turned to the left not staring down at her.

"Do you even know what he's going through Saitou?" She pushed again, trying to get some sort of comment from him.

"No one knows what he is going through Tokio that's what you don't realise. Have you even thought about what this is doing to people around him? Do you know how hard it is to watch someone…to watch someone you care for deteriorate in front of your eyes…and there is nothing you can do for them? I solve murder cases, kidnapping's, ransom's and homicides Tokio. I do this everyday and yet my fucking brother is up in that hospital and I can't do anything to help him!" A sigh escaped his lips as Tokio thrust herself into his taller frame, her arms wrapping around his upper chest to hold him close to her. Again for once Saitou showed a small amount of emotions as he wrapped his strong arms around her, making her snuggle into his lean form.

"Yes it would be difficult for you Saitou, I know this and I want to help you as well, but what you must realise is how much pain Aoshi is in right now…and not just because of Misao either. Your brother is scared Saitou, he is scared because your words are now haunting him…for he has disappointed his older brother…the man he looks up to for guidance. He loves you Saitou, more then you'll ever know and hearing such words come from your lips is destroying him even more. We cannot help him at all, but Aoshi needs you…he needs his brother's strength for I doubt he has anything left." Saitou sighed listening to Tokio mutter this to him, her warm breath fanning over his neck. He finally pulled away from her, his hand cupping her cheek softly as his gold eyes stared into her dark ones.

"You will pay for this Tokio-chan. I hate it when you think you know everything." Saitou responded dryly and earned a giggle from the short woman. She clasped his hand, pulling him in the direction of the main entrance and Saitou followed silently.

"I've had to deal with two Shinomori's after all Saitou, so I think I've caught onto a few things." Tokio responded as she quickly stepped onto her tiptoes and brushed her lips across his cheek. The electronic sliding doors opened and Tokio scanned the area finding Hannya and Kenshin talking and Misao-chan playing quietly with her toys close by.

* * * *

"It's been too long Hannya-kun." Tokio spoke as she interrupted their conversation, the two men turning to look at her and Saitou. Hannya stood up placing a small smile on his lips as he hugged the short woman, his head nodding in Saitou's direction indicating his greeting.

"I'm going out for a smoke." Saitou spoke and turned away from everyone heading for the lifts.

"Isn't the exit that way?" Kenshin spoke as he pointed towards the sliding doors with the large green light saying 'EXIT' above it, but shut up when Tokio smacked his arm.

"He's just using it as an excuse because he's going back up to speak with Aoshi. The baka really was mean to his brother after all."

"So Tokio-chan really did get her wolf after all ne?" Hannya responded earning a deep blush from the now silent woman. She coughed lightly and went to buy herself a refreshing drink.

"Hannya, you do know that none of us can truly help him mend properly right?" Kenshin questioned and watched him nod his head in sadness.

* * * *

(Aoshi's Room)

"Aoshi, you do know Misao is outside the room right?" Kaoru spoke after a long period of silence between them. The both of them still lay 'crumbled' together on the floor, but Aoshi had stopped shaking ages ago.

"She's already looked in on us." Aoshi responded softly and sighed as he sat up, slowly helping Kaoru back into her wheelchair.

"Are you not going to listen to her reasons?" Kaoru spoke once more a look of surprise crossing her face as Aoshi gazed angrily in her direction.

"And why should I? I saw what I saw Kaoru, I don't need explanations for seeing two people in my own fucking bed!" He retorted, his left hand fisting in frustration.

"They did not have sex Aoshi…if that is the question rolling in your mind." A deep voice spoke Kaoru and Aoshi turning to face Saitou, Misao standing beside him and looking into the room as well.

"Tell him." Saitou demanded of Misao, slightly pushing her into the room and she dared not glance away from frozen green-grey eyes.

"We didn't Aoshi…we just kissed and that's it…I swear…" Misao spoke, her hands clenched at her chest looking at him and then to his left side seeing some blood seep through the thick bandages.

"You swear? Why should I trust you ever again? I came back for you Misao, I stopped all my classes, stopped everything to come back for you…and look at the way I found you…in the arms of that…of him! Do you actually think I'd take you back if you asked me to?" Aoshi replied back, his voice dry…full of nothingness…full of hatred for the tear streaked young woman in front of him.

"You're so secretive I don't know what you think these days! You think it's easy to try and figure out what going on in your screwed up mind? I've completely gone insane at trying to figure out what the hell you are on about these days!" Misao yelled at him, trying desperately to keep a straight face but failing miserably.

"Stop it, before you both say something you don't mean!" Kaoru shouted at the both of them, silently wanting help from Saitou but he wasn't batting an eyelid at all. He stood there like a statue and so Kaoru wanted to get up, but Aoshi placed his hand out, telling her silently not to bother.

"Do you actually think I need you Misao? I don't need you…I don't need someone who I cannot trust whole heartedly…you have lost that…you lost that the first time you hurt me." Aoshi's cold eyes stared into Misao's wide ones, her hands lifting up to brush the tears away. Misao was about to respond to his hurtful words with some of her own, but her heart shattered into a thousand pieces at the next three words that Aoshi uttered to her, those eyes of his never leaving hers.

"I…hate…you…" All three people in the room watched Misao scurry out of the room in a hurry, her hysterical sobs echoing down the corridor. Aoshi's face was drawn, he watching as Saitou moved forward, wheeling Kaoru out of the room and closing the door behind him. He turned to stare silently at Aoshi, noticing he was now kneeling on the floor, his right hand pressed at his wound, teeth gritted as he was in pain.

Saitou moved towards him and bent down, placing Aoshi's left arm over his shoulder as he walked him slowly towards the bed.

"I thought I was an embarrassment…an ahou…" Aoshi mumbled softly and turned to look at Saitou as a soft snort escaped his lips. Saitou helped his younger brother onto the bed, the covers resting at his thighs as he glanced down at the white bandages now deep red in colour.

"You'll always be an ahou Aoshi, but foremost you are my brother and whether you like it or not I won't let you do this to yourself. You are better then this." Saitou responded as he pressed the buzzer waiting for a nurse to come in so he can tell her about changing Aoshi's bandages.

"You are such an asshole Saitou." Aoshi commented back, earning a smirk from his older brother as he pulled a chair over and sat down, resting beside the bed.

"Yes indeed, but at least I'm the smarter asshole." Saitou replied dryly and observed as a smirk crossed Aoshi's lips, his eyes closing, as this had just been one huge day for him…exhaustion was setting in. A nurse came in just as Aoshi had drifted off to sleep and Saitou stood up helping her with changing Aoshi's bandages and checking the stitches in his wound.

"You're very nice for taking care of him." The elder woman spoke, but gawked at Saitou as he answered her question when he placed Aoshi back down on the bed and pulled the covers up to his chin.

"Don't worry, he'll get the bill for my services later on."

* * * *

(Downstairs at the cafeteria)

Kenshin had pulled another chair over for Tokio and she sat down in it with Misao-chan resting in her lap, her eyes never moving away from Hannya, but he didn't seem to be worried about being looked at all the time.

"Hannya-san, where did you get that scar from?" Misao-chan asked and just as Kenshin was about to reprimand her for being nosy the elevator doors opened and out raced a sobbing Misao, heading straight for the exit with many onlookers glancing her way.

"That…does not look good at all." Kenshin spoke and muttered absently for Misao-chan to be a good girl for Tokio and Hannya as he raced off to go comfort the hysterical crying woman. This did not look good…or repairable at all…

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *

Authors Notes: OMG, thank the bloody gods its over! Don't panic though Minna, only this chapter is over not the saga…yet. I've read this chapter about six times now and this is as good as it gets. *sighs* I hope its okay, because Noa can't do any better, she's just happy this one is over.

This was very hard…and I hope it made some sense. Wasn't Aoshi just…mean!?!?!?!? This whole being heartbroken is really affecting him more so then I thought ne? We all know how strong he is…but our poor dear Aoshi-sama must crack every now and then, but at poor Misao…oh the horror of it all. How will I end this…is going to b very surprising to everyone ne? Only one person knows…and Al-chan will never tell a soul.

Well, till next time! (^_^)