Under the Cherry Tree
Hours had ticked by, Kenshin who was holding Misao-chan in his arms; Saitou, Tokio, Hannya, Misao and Aoshi sat in a private waiting room, awaiting the news of Kaoru. Kenshin wasn't allowed to see her just yet, as this was a very delicate procedure.
Kenshin was becoming restless, but then who wouldn't when you hadn't received any information for over two hours now. Misao-chan sat in his lap, flipping through one of her picture books and looking around the quiet room. She didn't know what was going on and for the past hour had constantly asked where her mummy was. The only answer she received was she was sleeping at the moment and they had to wait for her to wake up. As though she knew something wasn't quite right she always gave her dad a sceptical look but to her he hid nothing and she shrugged her shoulders going back to her picture book.
"Misao-chan how about we go for a walk?" Aoshi broke the silence as he sat near the window, while Misao was near the door and blocked from view by Tokio. Aoshi's eyes cast a glance at Kenshin who nodded his head in agreement knowing he didn't want Misao-chan to find that her mother was in a rather serious condition at the moment. Aoshi stood up from his chair. He walked over to Kenshin and held out his hand for Misao-chan.
"Okay…bye tochan!" She spoke happily and her small hand clasped some of Aoshi's fingers as he headed towards the door. As Misao-chan pushed it open with some help from Aoshi he turned to look back at Kenshin who had mouthed a silent 'thank you' to him. Aoshi replied with a nod of his head and that's when his eyes caught Misao. She was curled up in the cushioned chair, her feet propped up and her arms wrapped around her shins. She rested her head on her knees, it tilted away from everyone's gaze as she stared at the wall deep in thought.
"If we here some…news, where would you be?" Hannya spoke carefully whilst in front of Misao-chan and Aoshi mumbled that they'd be in the front garden of the hospital. The room fell silent once more, the door closing with a click.
"Misao, what happened in Aoshi's hospital room?" Tokio spoke but received no reply from the quiet woman. Her lips parted as though she was about to ask her question again.
"Stop it and leave her be Tokio." Saitou had interrupted, his eyes boring into hers, silently telling her not to even touch the subject. Her dark eyes frowned, but she stayed silent as there truly wasn't anything to talk about…and she definitely wasn't going to bring anything up about the weather either!
* * * *
(Another hour passes by…)
Kenshin was now pacing the floor, annoying the likes of Saitou, but he sat back in his chair, arms folded and one leg crossed over the other. He really was dying for a cigarette but thought it right to stick around for a bit longer.
His preys were answered when the door clicked open and in walked the doctor, ushering for Kenshin to step outside for a moment. All eyes watched curiously, but no one knew of the news until Kenshin returned. Minutes passed by as the door opened again, Misao turning her head to look up at him and everyone seemed to stand up at the same time, as though in anticipation of the news.
Tension eased slightly as a small smile crossed Kenshin's lips, his eyes closing for a moment to comprehend all the information that was relayed to him. He snapped out of it when he felt a light touch on his arm, Misao standing beside him, fear in her eyes even though his smile grew wider.
"The operation went well. Kaoru lost a lot of blood and is in Intensive Care, but the doctor said she should recover. I…cannot go and see her until she is awake or for 24 hours, but…would everyone like to come see our newest arrivals?" Misao practically glomped his arm becoming over excited and Tokio squealed happily at hearing the good news as well. They left the room heading for the lifts and were soon at the viewing room to look for the latest additions to the Himura family. All eyes scanned the line of newborns and finally came across two newborns with just the surname Himura since they had not been named as of yet.
"How come you never told us Kaoru was having twins?" Saitou and Misao questioned simultaneously as they stared through the window. The small bundles moved slightly, one squirming more then the other and soon its mouth gapped open as it began to wail loudly.
"Oh that one is Kaoru alright." Misao spoke again, as she never received an answer from Kenshin. A smile crossed her lips as she looked at the twin boys. One was sleeping calmly, not bothered by the hysterics of the other. His small head of hair was hidden, but a couple strands of bright red hair like Kenshin's peeked through. The other one had hair as dark as Kaoru's making them non-identical, which was probably a good thing in the end.
"Which one of you is Himura-san?" A nurse stepped out into the corridor as she had watched the small group gather at the window. Saitou nudged Kenshin a little and he snapped around to stare at the woman, as he hadn't even heard her question.
"Would you like to hold your sons?" She questioned him and Kenshin dumbly nodded as he walked towards the nurse.
"Get Misao-chan up here straight away." Kenshin spoke and his eyes glanced over at Misao as though asking her to go get her for him. The nurse shut the door behind them and Misao blinked, as again she would have to face a very silent Aoshi.
"I'll go get her." Tokio spoke, but was unable to go anywhere as Saitou grabbed hold of her arm. She was just about to protest, but listened to Misao's mumbled reply.
"Its okay, I can get her for Kenshin." And with that she raced off heading for the lifts once more. Saitou silently pulled Tokio close, but never looked at her as his eyes watched, as did Hannya's as Kenshin picked up the small bundles and held them in each arm. They were so tiny…and yet very healthy for premature babies.
* * * *
(Hospital Front Garden)
"Uncle Aoshi look at the pretty flowers! Can we pick them?" Misao-chan questioned and gazed up at her uncle, but was glad he squatted down so she could stand on his leg, her right arm wrapping around his neck in a small embrace.
"Iie Misao-chan, they wouldn't like us doing that at all." Aoshi replied as he placed a small smile on his lips gazing down at the pouting girl. He watched curiously as her face changed slightly, as though she was in deep thought or just about to ask him a question. He finally sat in the grass turning her to face him as her back was turned to the entranceway of the hospital.
"Is Uncle Aoshi okay now? Tochan said you were sick, but you're okay right Uncle Aoshi?" Her big blue eyes stared up into him, full of innocence and Aoshi picked her up, placing her small feet on both his thighs so they were nearly eye level with each other.
"Hai, hai Misao-chan, Uncle Aoshi is going to be okay." He voiced quietly to her and watched a bright smile cross her lips.
"Good, cause Misao-chan was really worried about you." She spoke with raw emotion in her voice, which touched Aoshi's heart.
"Honto ne?" He voiced softly rubbing his nose against her small one making her giggle. Misao-chan wrapped both her arms around Aoshi's neck, giving him her own impression of a tight hug and whispered softly to his question.
"Mmhmm, Misao-chan loves you heaps Uncle Aoshi." Aoshi had closed his eyes hearing her heart-warming confession for him and he placed his arms around her tiny body.
"I love you too Misao…" His eyes had opened as he began to speak this and they caught sight of Misao standing on the pavement just before walking on the lush green grass. When he had seen her his throat had blocked up as his eyes gazed into hers watching her delicate hand reach up to brush strands of her blue-black hair away from her face.
"…chan." Aoshi finished and stood up, breaking the hug with Misao-chan as he observed Misao walk cautiously towards the two of them.
"Aunt Misao guess what?" Misao-chan spoke happily and raced towards her 'aunt' when she finally realized she was there.
"Uncle Aoshi said he loved me!" She spoke jumping into her embrace as Misao stood up holding her against her right hip.
"T-That's nice Misao-chan." Misao replied, even though her eyes had turned back to Aoshi, full of sadness and hurt. So easy it was to confess feelings like that to a mere child, but saying something like that to her was impossible for the tall stubborn man staring intently at her. She knew Aoshi loved Misao-chan as though he were her real family, but the concept of ever thinking of her as someone special just didn't seem to make sense in his mind at all…or so Misao assumed. She shook her head, a bright smile crossing her lips, almost startling Aoshi as she was facing him and then she looked down at Misao-chan.
"Ne Misao-chan? Are you ready for big responsibilities now?" Misao spoke watching as the young girl peered up at her curiously.
"You've got two baby brothers to protect." Misao spoke, her face turning up to look at the surprised expression on Aoshi's face. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she watched happiness flicker through his eyes at hearing the news. He truly did have a special love for Kaoru…and Misao felt a small amount of jealously begin to rise up in her stomach as his eyes shone happily for a married woman with three children.
"Aunt Misao lets go see them!" Misao-chan yelled excitedly knocking Misao out of her thoughts and she began walking off, her eyes casting to her left as she felt Aoshi walk beside her, but not utter any words as he too was coming to have a look at the small bundles.
* * * *
(Outside the Observation Room)
Saitou, Tokio and Hannya were not there anymore and Aoshi and Misao stood silently looking into the window. Misao-chan had her hands pressed against the window, her small fist knocking on it lightly to get her father's attention. He gazed up, smiling proudly as he moved towards the window holding up each boy one at a time to show Misao-chan. He played with their arm, making the boys' wave at her and although Misao-chan knew they hadn't done it themselves she couldn't help but giggle and wave back.
Kenshin finally picked them both up and asked to go outside for two minutes, conning the nurse into letting him with his charm and was out in two seconds letting his daughter have a look at her little brothers.
"They're so tiny tochan." Misao-chan spoke, her fingers softly stroking the cheek of the redhead. All four of them watched as he squirmed lightly and opened his eyes, violet ones staring into her blue ones. As though the other twin sensed that his brother was awake he too decided to open his eyes and a pair of faded to light green ones peered up at everyone as well.
"I thought the boys could only have violet or blue eyes…" Misao pondered aloud, but all eyes focused on Aoshi as he came up with his own explanation.
"Kenshin's genes also give off an amber-gold colour in his eyes even though his violet ones are more dominant. Blue and yellow do make green after all." Misao-chan peered at her little brothers, watching as they both grabbed her index fingers and clung to her comforting touch.
"A little tochan and a little Uncle Aoshi." Misao-chan voiced her own opinions on her baby brothers. Silence filled the hallway and Kenshin too looked down at them and then up at Aoshi who looked slightly caught off guard at her words…as though she was implying something but was too young to realise what those words could mean.
"You are right Misao-chan." Kenshin spoke a smile crossing his lips as he gazed up at Aoshi, but finally deposited "little Aoshi" into his arms. Misao squealed lightly when Kenshin took Misao-chan from her and placed "little Kenshin" into her arms as well.
"Have you and Kaoru worked on any names?" Misao spoke while cooing lightly and making the redhead baby giggle. Aoshi on the other hand did nothing but stare into faded green eyes, which peered up at him in curiousness as well. Mere seconds passed as the dark haired twin began to squirm, his mouth parting open to give off small squeals of unhappiness.
Kenshin and Misao observed as Aoshi's eyes softened, Misao having not seen this expression for many years as he brought his right hand up, rubbing his thumb over the forehead of the boy and quietly shushed him with soft care. Misao's eyes had widened in wonder as the boy softened, his thumb being suckled in his gummy mouth and his eyes closed becoming quiet once more. Aoshi really did have a way with children.
"Kaoru and I had a couple of names picked out, but I'll wait till she's awake first. Hopefully I'll be able to cart the boys to see her as well."
"We can do that now Himura-san." The three adults turned to face the doctor as he nodded his head indicating Kaoru had woken up. She would still be drowsy, but she had constantly asked to see her husband anyway. Two nurses came out, with the cribs for the boys and Aoshi and Misao handed them over to the nurses and walked with Kenshin towards the room Kaoru was situated in.
"Shinomori-san, how long has your wound been bleeding?" The doctor asked abruptly as he noticed Aoshi's wrecked hospital shirt and the bloodstain on his side. Aoshi remained quiet, having no answer to give and was trudged off heading towards the level he was situated on to get his wound cleaned up, stitched up and bandaged once more.
Misao and Kenshin watched them go, Aoshi ignoring everything the doctor voiced to him. Misao sat outside the room, nodding to Kenshin to go inside with the babies and Misao-chan so he can have private time with his family.
* * * *
Aoshi returned not long after as he was finally discharged from the hospital ward and promised the doctor he would take it easy. He carried his overnight bag, one that Kenshin had brought for him when he first got in and made his way towards Kaoru's room. He rounded a corner and saw Kenshin waving to a departing Misao as she headed down the hallway away from him with Misao-chan sleeping in her arms.
"Why are you standing out here?" Aoshi spoke as he walked up to Kenshin, his eyes still very much on Misao's form as she walked around a corner and disappeared.
"I left Kaoru with the boys so she can bond properly with them. Of course, she is weeping, but her tears are of joy and not sadness. I wished Misao a good trip since she is leaving tomorrow, but she will pack and take care of Misao-chan for me while I stay with Kaoru for the night and drop her off and say goodbye to Kaoru before she goes." Kenshin observed as Aoshi appeared slightly confused at the 'Misao leaving' part and decided to elaborate more on it.
"Misao is leaving Tokyo Aoshi. She is heading back to Kyoto for good." Kenshin noticed Aoshi's eyes widen slightly at the thought of Misao not being around and he sighed as he leaned against the wall voicing his opinion on what Aoshi was doing to Misao.
"Did you really expect her to wait forever for you to make up your mind about her…whether you love her…whether you forgive her and what not. Misao is just a young woman Aoshi and frankly a troubled one at that. She has never felt love for anyone else but you and now she must accept that the two of you are not meant to be. Do you know how much that breaks her inside?" Now Kenshin was acting like the slightly angry and protective brother he thought himself to be with Misao. If Kaoru had made such a connection with Aoshi…he too thought his connection with Misao was very strong, very lasting and he'd do anything to help her out.
"You have no idea how much you have twisted her mind into endless questions of what the two of you mean to each other. Seta-san was there to take all her worries away. He made her feel wonderful, feel important and loved and that is what Misao needed, what she craved from you, but never received it from you. She got it from another man. It was wrong of him to go between the two of you like that, but perhaps this gives you the thought that your actions have caused such a thing to happen. It is your fault as much as Misao's that you two have drifted so far apart. One cannot blame the other; it is all the same to blame each party for their piece in the ordeal. Can you blame Misao for falling for him? He had charm and was quite persuasive in doing so. When you weren't there he was every step of the way and Misao fell for it. Did he not do the same between Hannya and his fiance?" Aoshi had been surprised at Kenshin's words…and about he knowing of Hannya and Tae as well. Aoshi had found word out when Hannya and Misao had written to him about it.
"In some respects I detest the way Misao has been treated by you, but then I detest the way you had found the two of them, Misao vulnerable and Seta-san using that to his advantage. No one can change anything but you Aoshi…at least I hope you will go to the airport tomorrow and wish her a good future, one full of health and happiness without you in it." Aoshi never got a word in as the door opened, Kaoru peering out as she had heard muffled voices through the door and wanted to know whom Kenshin was speaking to.
"Koibito, you should not be up." Kenshin spoke as he guided her back into the room and back onto the bed. He propped her legs up on the pillows at the end of the bed. Aoshi had stepped into the room completely silent and watched Kenshin fuss over his wife.
"I'm fine Kenshin really. The nurse said we could only have the boys for at least an hour, but I think you best call her back before I become to attached and won't want them to go back into their cribs." She spoke a tender smile crossing her lips as he tucked the blankets around their babies and nodded his head leaving the room.
"You can come close Aoshi, I will not bite." She spoke with a glint of humour in her eyes. Aoshi stepped into the light of the room watching as Kaoru eyed him silently. She parted her lips ready to speak but he help up his hand voicing his opinion first.
"Please Kaoru, I don't need another lecture. I've had two already and all good advice and everything, but I have to do what I think is best for both myself and Misao. In my own eyes, I watched as she smiled and laughed with Seta from afar. I can't help but think that I can never make her smile and laugh like that. Through the years I've known her I swear there have been more tears then smiles and its all my fault. I can't make her happy, so please just leave the topic alone okay?"
"It saddens me to hear you place yourself down like that Aoshi. If you think it is what you want 100% in your heart then that is up to you, but really, all I wanted to ask you was if you could pass Kenji-chan to me so I can hug him goodnight." Kaoru replied watching as Aoshi's eyes darted to the redhead baby she was pointing to.
"You named him Kenji?" Aoshi spoke softly, not wanting to wake the sleeping boy and placed him into Kaoru's waiting arms.
"No, Kenshin named him. We made a deal that since they were both boys I could name one and he could name one, just as long as we both agreed on the names." She observed as Aoshi moved towards the squirming darkhaired boy and picked him up watching as he instantly opened his eyes to look up at him in curiousness yet again. He sat down in the chair beside Kaoru and placed the baby in the crock of his left arm.
"I named him Aoshi." Kaoru spoke watching as Aoshi's eyes darted up to meet hers in surprise.
"Kenshin thought it was a strong and honourable name which suited him well. Actually when we discussed it he let out a soft gurgle as though in agreement and then it just stuck with him." She placed a kiss on Kenji's head and then swapped with Aoshi as he placed him back into his crib, but not before having a hold of "little Kenshin". Aoshi leaned over staring down at the gurgling bundle in Kaoru's arms.
"You be good for your mum Aoshi-chan, or else you'll have Uncle Aoshi to deal with." He spoke and then placed a kiss on the side of Kaoru's head. He picked him up and placed him in his other crib, Kaoru's eyes never leaving their sleeping forms. Aoshi sat quietly in the chair once more, Kaoru sitting up as she read that look on his face. It was one of journey, she knowing he was planning to leave again.
"You are…leaving us again?" Kaoru spoke softly and watched Aoshi grin and shake his head at her.
"Can't place anything passed you can I?" Aoshi questioned and watched Kaoru place on a small smile, her eyes watering slightly. Aoshi hated when she placed on the waterworks and he sat on the edge of the bed, cupping her face with his hands, turning her head to look up at him.
"I have to go Kaoru. Anika always said that I can never keep my feet in one place for too long and so while the doctor was stitching up my side once more I thought what the hell, I'll go back to China and tell everyone who I am. She said I can stay in her mansion even though I can afford my own, but it'll be good for me…no…it'll be great."
"But I thought…you and Misao might work things out." Kaoru replied lamely and brushed some tears away, the both of them too much in the conversation to notice the figure standing at the opened door with a nurse beside him.
"Misao needs to be free of me Kaoru. I have hurt her quite a lot and if we were together and I hurt her again, I doubt I could live with that. I doubt I could live with her tears again." Again Aoshi placed a kiss on the side of her head and got up to leave the room. Kenshin stepped in, standing in front of his taller friend and placed out his hand.
"I wish you all the best Aoshi and remember when you come back to Tokyo, you know were we are okay?" Kenshin spoke and Aoshi shook his hand as he replied to his question with one of his own.
"How do you know I will return Kenshin?"
"Because no one can stay away from the Himura family for too long." Kaoru spoke and the two men she loved turned to look at her, small smiles lining both their faces. Aoshi never spoke again and exited the room, making sure to pick up his bag and then headed for the elevators to leave the hospital. He was heading back to pack up his belongings…but first things first…
* * * *
(Saitou's House)
"Saitou?" Tokio spoke from the bedroom as she had changed the sheets. She really didn't know what to do and decided to clean his house up a bit. She knew he could hear her since he was just down the hallway sifting through some files in his private study. She heard the closing of a filing cabinet and poked her head out the bedroom to watch Saitou carry a box into the lounge room as though he were ignoring her. She flung the pillow she had been holding back onto the bed and made her way towards the lounge room.
Tokio watched as Saitou sat on the edge of the battered couch and sifted through the box, she recognising it as the one that he had shown her some time ago. It held all sorts of items, but the ones that stuck out were his medals he received for bravery and letters of promotions he had turned down. Tokio sat on the coffee table beside the box and eyed him silently knowing he was deep in thought about something.
"Saitou, is something the matter?" Tokio questioned him and watched as he pulled out a promotional letter, which was dated just before Tokio had arrived. She noticed a date of when to give his full answer on the promotion would end tomorrow and then who knows when he'd get another one. It was a promotion to upgrade him to being a Captain.
"I thought that since you would be staying here indefinitely that I should take up the promotion." Saitou responded as he placed the box on the ground and placed the promotion letter on the table beside Tokio. Her head was bowed as she sifted through his words getting the full meaning of what he meant. He was…he was seriously thinking about not being so much in the firing range of all his cases. As though for her…for them he would be a little more careful and instead of being part of the squad to raid places, he'd be the man behind the scenes of the cases and would train the finest men to be his subordinates.
Saitou was about to ask Tokio what she thought, but his question was already answered when she flung herself into his lap, her arms wrapping around his neck and shoulders in a tight embrace.
"If I'm here to stay permanently Saitou, do you think I could place some colour into this dull home of yours." Tokio spoke into his ear and almost sighed blissfully when his arms wrapped loosely around her waist.
"I happen to like this dull home, but it is your place as much as mine now." Saitou replied back, a tone of dry humour in his voice at her 'dull' remark. He heard a small giggle escape her lips as she pulled away from him, gazing her dark eyes into his golden stare.
"Good, because the first thing you shall buy is a new couch. This one is too tacky." Saitou watched as Tokio got up, she now talking to herself as to what she was going to do to the lounge room…and then it was onto the kitchen…and not to forget the bathroom or their bedroom now.
Saitou's mobile went off, he almost thanking the gods as Tokio stopped ranting to turn and gaze at him wanting to know whom it was.
"I'll be there." Saitou spoke and hung up as he clipped it back onto his trousers and rose from the couch.
"Aoshi's packing up and leaving Tokyo for China. He'd like some help to get his things boxed up." Saitou responded and headed for the bedroom to grab his coat and keys to the car.
"He's going to China? When did this occur?" Tokio muttered as she followed Saitou down the hallway. He shrugged and replied back instantly with his own answer.
"Who knows with that ahou, probably only decided today. Could be a good thing though, we could take that leather couch of his off his hands." He was swatted on the arm by Tokio for thinking such things and not even being saddened at the thought of Aoshi leaving again.
"Come on, let it out, you'll miss him right?" Tokio spoke as she again followed Saitou down the hallway this time heading for the front door.
"Oh sure and this time when he comes back he better remember my present or else I'll beat the shit out of him." Saitou replied dryly as he waved goodbye to Tokio and got in his car driving away.
"You can't hide from me Saitou Shinomori…I know you…" She muttered quietly to herself and headed back inside to finish off the housework she had started to do.
* * * *
(Aoshi's Apartment)
The door was open already and Saitou walked in seeing Aoshi was in the kitchen packing up all the kitchen utensils, pots and pans he had bought over the four years he had lived here. Saitou didn't voice anything and instead began ditching all the rotten food from the fridge into a large garbage bag.
The two worked in silence as they cleaned and cleared Aoshi's belongings away. Everytime Aoshi finished with a box Saitou tapped it shut and named it whatever Aoshi wanted to call it.
"You are sending this junk home." Saitou confirmed rather then questioned and watched his younger brother nod his head affirmatively.
"You get the bedroom and I'll do the bathroom." Saitou responded and walked away heading for the bathroom to notice it was already spotless, only a towel and some clothes sat on a counter as Aoshi had them out for his shower the next morning. He checked the laundry and noticed everything was clean there as well and headed back into the main lounge and dining area to see Aoshi standing at his bedroom door. His head was bowed looking down at the broken gift he had made especially for Misao. It was still lying there ever since he'd walked in and saw her and Seta…
"Oh…" Aoshi turned to look back at Saitou as he finally realised why Aoshi wanted him here. Aoshi couldn't even walk into his own bedroom without seeing the silhouettes of Misao and Soujiro lying there.
"You know Aoshi…"
"Look give me a break okay? How would you like it if you came home, back to your own home to see someone you care for, no to see Tokio resting in your bed…between your sheets with some other guy? It's easy to comprehend like this, but seeing it first hand is a completely different story Saitou." Aoshi ended up interrupting him and turned to look at his brother when he felt a small pressure against his left shoulder.
"Actually I was merely intrigued as to why the hell you didn't beat the shit out of him."
"Do the words complete and utter 'shock and horror' mean anything to you Saitou? One minute your happy finally rushing back to see the person you care for and then with a snap of a finger that plummets to the unknown as it is replaced with horror and shock at seeing her in your own bed with another guy."
"It doesn't have to end this way Aoshi, you can change everything by saying, by talking to Misao…by forgiving her for something she wasn't even aware of she did in the first place."
"Enough Saitou, lets get this over with." Aoshi spoke and finally entered the room with caution as though something was going to leap out and attack him.
* * * *
For a couple of hours Aoshi and Saitou cleared out the large apartment until all his belongings were packed away in boxes or bags and lay in the living room. As Aoshi finally turned the second bedroom back into a bedroom and not a small studio, he didn't notice Saitou slip something into the bag he would take onto the plane with him. He entered the main area once more to see Saitou brushing his hand over the leather couch.
"All you have to do is ask Saitou? You can ask for the leather couch can't you?" Aoshi spoke a small grin moulding onto his lips as Saitou pulled his hand away and tucked it into his trouser pocket.
"My plane leaves at 10 in the morning, will you be at the airport?" Aoshi spoke changing the subject and watched Saitou shake his head negatively.
"I've got to attend a meeting about a promotion." Saitou replied watching as Aoshi tilted his head slightly.
"Senior Sargent?" Aoshi questioned and his eyebrow rose as Saitou grinned over at him and answered evenly.
"That's Captain Shinomori ahou." Aoshi placed up his hands in mock defeat and grabbed his travelling bags heading for the front door.
"I've got the removalists coming just after noon and Okina knows to let them inside and take everything, but the furniture which the next tenants can have as a gift." Aoshi eyed Saitou as they exited the apartment, he turning to look back for the last time and then muttered something before closing and locking the door.
"Take the couch Saitou, your place could use it anyway."
"I knew you'd come around Aoshi-chan." He sarcastically replied as they headed down to the lobby of the apartment building. Aoshi said his goodbyes to Okina and was soon standing on the sidewalk with Saitou who lit up a cigarette.
"So everyone knows your going?" Saitou questioned and took another puff of the cigarette.
"I've said my goodbyes."
"And Misao?" Saitou watched as Aoshi glared over at him, this being a 'drop it or I'll drop you' gaze that Aoshi pulled off very nicely. Saitou inaudibly sighed and then smacked his brother on the back, heading for his car and opened the driver's side.
"Don't be a stranger Aoshi…and this time don't forget my present when you come back either." Saitou muttered and hopped into the car closing the door. He pressed the automatic button to whine down the passenger window when Aoshi tapped on it. Aoshi dumped an envelope on the passenger seat and Saitou looked at it.
"What is that?"
"A down payment." Aoshi replied casually and watched Saitou open it up and gaze at the cheque inside. Who would of thought he could be shocked into silence.
"Place it on a car for Tokio, or better yet another house, holiday whatever…or better yet, how about an engagement ring for her" Saitou gave Aoshi one of his own death threat looks and Aoshi stepped away from the car a smirk crossing his lips.
"You know I won't pay you back." Saitou spoke matter-of-factly and watched Aoshi shrug his shoulders in answer.
"You're a Shinomori, I'm a Shinomori…every Shinomori looks out for each other right? It's sort of…a thanks…for putting up with me through everything and it'll come in handy for you and Tokio."
"You'll be alright in the end Aoshi. See you around sometime." Saitou spoke and pulled away from the kerb and raised his hand out the car window to wave back at Aoshi. Aoshi took a deep breath and began walking down the road deciding on where he was going to eat and sleep for his last night in Tokyo. His own thoughts began to wonder as to what would happen if he did run into Misao at the airport? He shook his head not wishing to think of that now and headed for the takeaway stall near the park wanting to eat there for the last time.
* * * *
(Tokyo Airport - The next morning)
Aoshi had already gotten his ticket and had his luggage tagged. He sat in the customer chairs situated at the gate his plane would be leaving from but finally got up. He picked up his bag as well since he decided he wanted to go back to that coffee shop to get himself something to eat.
He stopped short as a short young woman gazed surprised at him, her blue eyes darting to his travel bag wanting to know where he was headed.
"You…are leaving as well?" Misao uttered softly, not wishing to make a scene in front of hundreds of people and instead stepped closer to Aoshi, his eyes wide at seeing her here, almost wishing he hadn't it seemed. He did not move did not utter a thing and she tilted her head to read the ticket he had in his hand.
"You're going back to China?" Misao questioned with a bit of surprise in her voice.
"And you to Kyoto." He finally spoke his voice void of any emotion, of any feeling towards her.
"How can you be so cold to me? One simple mistake, one misunderstanding and its like I'm branded disgusting for the rest of my life. What do you want me to say? I've already apologised a thousand times over…what must I do?" Misao spoke harshly but kept her voice low. Her hand's had fisted in rage and anger, her blue eyes staring angrily up at him. She had run enough and now it was time to face him once and for all! He spoke no words as the both of them listened to the boarding call for his flight.
"I have to go." He spoke but stopped as Misao caught his wrist with her right arm.
"We've been through plenty Aoshi and I know you may be angry with me for what has happened but that's okay. I don't hate you for not loving me…and I know you don't hate me either." She watched as he turned to gaze down at her for a moment listening to her words.
"Through everything that has happened we still have a connection between each other. No matter what city, what country we will be in our hearts cannot forget who had stolen them. Shinomori Aoshi will never forget Makimachi Misao and she will not forget him either!"
"I don't have time for this, goodbye Misao." Aoshi replied and abruptly turned around heading for the gate once more. This time Misao didn't stop him, she stood prone where she had walked up to Aoshi earlier and watched his retreating form. A tear glided down her face, but she wiped it away in haste and kept walking never looking back at him.
"So stubborn…" She muttered to herself, but in her heart she knew that they wouldn't forget each other. She knew Aoshi would try desperately, but in the end he would fail miserably for the first time. After all he had said she now owned a place in his heart just for her and no one would fill that part of him but her.
* * * *
Aoshi sat in his first class seat to Hong Kong and picked up his bag and unzipped it noticing a photo lay turned down from view. Aoshi flipped it over and his breath caught as it was the photo of Misao going to the high school formal with Hannya. Everytime he glanced at it, it still made his breath catch.
"Kuso, what have I done?" Aoshi muttered to himself but stuffed the photo in his bag and gave it to the stewardess to place it in the overhead locker. She smiled at him and then kept going.
Aoshi looked out the window and gazed at the tinted windows of the airport as though trying to find Misao's silhouette, but it was pointless since you couldn't see in and he was too far away anyway.
"Don't think about her…there is no turning back now…just think of China…think of China…" He muttered to himself and closed his eyes tightly shut, the small cover for the window propped down as he wished to forget everything.
* * * *
(Inside the Airport)
"Goodbye…Aoshi…" Misao spoke and leaned away from the large windows and pressed on heading for the gate her plane was situated at…waiting to be boarded so it could take her home for good.
* * * *
To be continued…
* * * *
Authors Notes: Dear kami-sama! The clock is ticking down and down for the completion of this story. I haven't quite figured out what I should do with my epilogue yet. I wanted the next (okay the last chapter) to be all Aoshi and Misao and then there was an Epilogue about 6 to 7 months after the final chapter to see hat happened.
I was thinking that after that is down I can have 3 or 4 more chapters, relatively short, so everyone can know what happened to Saitou and Tokio, Kenshin and Kaoru, Sano and Megumi and then a fourth one can be bits and pieces like Hannya and company.
Well this is all I have to come up with and I think a lot happen in this chapter but thank the bloody gods its coming to an end! You have no idea how rewarding its going to be when it finishes! Sure I'll still have those few other chapters to complete but the main saga will be done!
Please tell me someone liked it? I've only quickly read over it a couple times so I am sure yet again spelling and grammar mistakes, but oh well.
Its 18 pages, its past midnight and I have to get up for work at 7am so I need sleep and don't forget to review like the wonderful people you are!