Under the Cherry Tree

(Another seven months pass…)

"Aoshi were are you taking me?" Misao spoke as she picked up her new kimono hurriedly walking beside Aoshi who had grabbed her hand and began dragging her down the City Street of Kyoto.

"It's a surprise…but we must hurry because I have somewhere else I wish to take you afterwards." He replied and finally stopped in front of a dark store, the windows boarded up so you could not see inside. Aoshi turned to watch Misao straighten out her deep blue and green kimono he'd bought her for the Hanami Festival. It was made of the finest silks in Japan, not to mention the colours of their eyes. Misao had lightly blushed at receiving his gift, but her eyes sparkled happily in affection at his sweet offer, he asking her if she would wear it on Hanami and she replied with a soft 'yes'.

"Mou, still so secretive." Misao muttered to herself, but Aoshi had picked up her words and smirked lightly when he unlocked the door and guided Misao inside the store.

"Aoshi I can't see anything, where are you taking me?" Misao spoke as Aoshi led her through the darkness of the room, his hands cupping her shoulders in doing so.

"Do you remember when I told you I thought about opening up my own art gallery store and that I wanted my star…my muse to be present with me?" He spoke and felt Misao shrug lightly still not sure what he meant by those words, but she ended up letting out a small noise akin to a yes.

"I wanted to show you…what my muse looked like…what she did for me…" Misao stopped walking when Aoshi made her and Misao quickly cast her hand over her eyes when he flicked on some down lights. She peered through her fingers, gasping in surprise, as she dropped her hand away looking at her own reflection…well part of her reflection.

"The store will be opening next week…and I wanted you to be the first to see what it looked like…I wanted my muse to see how much she affected my paintings." Aoshi spoke softly as Misao gazed down at the title he had given the three part series painting.

'Eyes as Bright as the Sun, So Deep as the Ocean'

There were bold markings of 'NOT FOR SALE' written in red on a tablet underneath the actual paintings.

"I…I don't know what to say…" Misao spoke softly as she gazed upon his creation. She looked down at the date and realised it was at least over a year old! He'd kept these to himself for that long…and it seemed that it meant so much to him to have a 'not for sale' sign against them.

"I've had so many offers of money for these paintings, but I could not let them go, for when I painted in China these are what I gazed at…you helped me to paint again Misao and for that I am truly grateful to you." Misao turned to look up at Aoshi, surprise still evident in her eyes at not believing she was staring at herself! She was…she was his muse!

The first was just of Misao's bright sparkling ocean-blue eyes. There was also the thin line of her eyebrows and her blue-black fringe falling over them slightly, but you could still see them. What made her eyes stand out more besides the size and colour of them were her thick black eyelashes. It was as though she was truly looking straight into your eyes…trying to reach your soul and you too, were focusing on hers trying to look into her eyes even though it was just a painting. Up close the eyes looked dark and mysterious although full of endless emotions and yet from afar they were slightly lighter and full of energy, happiness and life.

Aoshi watched as Misao peered closer, she noticing that the pupils of her eyes had been painted to look hazy as though she was thinking of something and that brought her to gaze at the next painting in the three part series.

There was the faintest trace of her blue eyes around the edges but most of it was the haziness effect of her pupils moving into a picture as though she were gazing over at a scene. A tall lean figure with his hair being ruffled in the supposed breeze was overlooking the ocean. The sun was setting casting beautiful bright colours of yellows, oranges and reds into the sky and over the floating clouds. There the tall figure stood his hand stretched out trying to touch the shadow coming from under the sun. It was slightly rippled by the effect of the wind and water. It was the shadow of a delicate young woman, but only painted in black, but you could make out the definite long braid swinging in the breeze.

From that Misao silently peered at the last painting. Her emotional eyes were closed as her long eyelashes brushed over her slightly pink cheeks. The painting was from the thin line of her eyebrows showing the end tips of her bangs and down to her small mouth, which was curved into a secretive smile. It was as though she were thinking of that one scene, of that man gazing over the ocean wishing to touch the silhouette that belonged to her in the second painting.

Aoshi had began to grow nervous on the inside, watching as Misao turned around, his fingers flicking on the other down lights as she gazed over the paintings, her eyes growing wide as at least half of them were of her. She was placed into different locations, different settings, but in most it was with her back turned to the viewer, so you really didn't know it was truly her…but she knew it was her as did Aoshi. He observed as Misao immediately moved to one painting consisting of two small children, looking very much like they did when they were young. They were sitting on the branch of a cherry tree, there backs to the viewers so you couldn't see there faces, but it was them for sure…the little boy holding some cherry blossoms.

"You can't sell this one." Misao spoke as she pointed at it.

"Oh, and why not?" He questioned as she made her way back over towards him, her eyes gazing at the second painting in his three part series.

"Because I have first priority in wishing to buy it. That is you isn't it?" Misao murmured as she changed the subject, her breath catching as Aoshi stood closer, his right side brushing against the back of her left side.

"Aa…and you knew that because?" He continued and stepped away from Misao when she stammered her answer, a soft pink hue crossing her cheeks at being so close to him.

"Y-You visited me at night when I lived at Kenshin's place…s-so I got to know your shape and form in the darkness pretty quickly…" Misao's eyes closed, she taking a deep breath to catch Aoshi's musk scent. She blushed in embarrassment when he caught her staring at him silently, which was practically everyday they were together! Although…they never did spend the entire days together like they used too and in some way it saddened Misao. They both ran separate lives, but a couple times a week they went out for dinner at different restaurants and on weekends they'd just walk around or go see whatever was on at the movies. It was like casual dating between two friends…if there ever were such a thing as casual dating. Many times they had been back at the cherry tree, sitting casually on the branch as Misao spoke a mile a minute at what she had been doing that day, or what happened over the seven months he was absent.

Misao had asked Aoshi whether he wanted to know about the whole Soujiro "thing" and watched as he shook his head voicing a blunt no, but minutes of silence passed between them when he finally allowed Misao to tell him all about it. Once the gate was open, Misao took the big leap as she poured her heart out to him once more. She wouldn't think his eyes would grow any wider until she said four words that actually sent a soft pink tinge across his cheeks. Misao couldn't help but think how cute he looked at being caught off guard like he was.

'I still love you.'

Misao had emphasized the 'still' making sure Aoshi knew that whenever he was ready…if he ever thought of her as anything more then a friend, then she was here…just waiting and hoping that the love she felt with him would be returned soon. That soon…but unknown to Misao…would be coming.

"Aa…" Aoshi replied softly once more.

"Can I ask, why am I blushing?" Misao questioned and turned to face Aoshi, her eyes never leaving his intense stare.

"It is the way I remembered you from years ago Misao. Whenever I caught you…watching me, probably thousands of thoughts rolling through your mind…but you still blush even to this day and that is something very that makes Misao very Misao. I'll always remember the way you blush." A small smile broke onto his lips as Misao's faced flushed in embarrassment at his words. She had tilted her head down; the sakura clip clasped in her hair glittered in the dull light as she began to fidget in nervousness.

"You make me sound like I'm still a child, like I haven't grown up at all."

"Oh believe me Misao…you have!" Aoshi replied instantly and chuckled while being punched in the stomach lightly, as Misao's face burned red from his slightly perverted words. Aoshi's hand lifted up, his fingers brushing Misao's left cheek as she jerked up to stare at him wondering what he was thinking now. She watched slightly confused as he brought out a black sash from his pocket and began unrolling it.

"W-What are you doing?" Misao breathlessly whispered watching as he stepped closer, her heart thumbing in her chest as he brought it up and placed it over her eyes.

"HEY!" Misao yelled, her hands reaching up to tug it away, but froze as Aoshi cupped her hands, pulling them away and yet still holding them in his tight grip.

"I have a surprise for you Misao…and you aren't allowed to see it until we arrive." He listened to her soft grumbling as he turned off the lights to the store and headed for the exit making sure Misao didn't trip over anything.

"Why do you insist on embarrassing me like this? It's like Tokyo all over again!" Misao fumed lightly, but froze, her lips parting slightly as Aoshi was beside her, his arm around her waist and whispering lightly in her ear, his warm breath cascading down her neck.

"Aa, you found me out at last."

"Nani? You want to bring up memories of Tokyo?" Misao asked him as she was guided into the passenger seat of his car. Aoshi shut the door and headed for the drivers seat and got in, closing it silently.

"Well, not all memories Misao, but a couple…and something more as well."

* * * *

Time passed as Misao felt Aoshi slow down. They'd been quiet, but she could tell by the loud music coming from outside Aoshi's opened window, they were obviously at some traffic lights with a bunch of party animals beside them.

"Umm Aoshi?" Misao began, but a loud female voice broke through, screaming at Aoshi for him to notice her. The jeep she was in the backseat of was driving away she yelling and praising him on his paintings.

"I LOVE YOUR WORK! LET ME BE YOUR MODEL!" She had yelled but the driver drove off, turning down a corner with the woman's slurry drunken voice fading away, leaving the Kyoto Street silent once again.

"Model?" Misao uttered, turning her face towards Aoshi even though she couldn't see him at all.

"I placed an ad in the newspaper wishing to interview some people, namely women about wanting to be a model for me. I was beginning to draw life forms Misao. I started in China and thought I should take it back up in my paintings, sculptures and clay models." Aoshi tried explaining and pulled over to the curb. They had arrived. Aoshi got Misao out of the car and took her hand walking her towards their destination.

"Why didn't you just ask me?" Misao questioned as she stumbled lightly and clutched at Aoshi's arm. He had slowed down, hearing the discomfort in her voice, as he seemed to walk too fast for the small steps she had to take.

"Because…" Was his only reply as he gazed at the large cherry tree, a meal having been set up, this time with the help of his mother since Tokio and Saitou had returned to their home. Aoshi pulled the sash away and stepped beside Misao for her to take a look. He listened to her gasp softly, her hand flying to her lips. The meal wasn't home cooked, Misao could tell from the plastic dishes they rested in, but they'd come from the Aoiya, which was one of the restaurants Misao and Aoshi had been to, not to mention one of her favourites! Misao bent down to rest on her shins as she gazed down at the delicate and professional way the dinner had been set out.

"You had a hand in this didn't you?" Misao spoke looking over at Aoshi as he took the other side of the blanket and sat silently watching her as she opened the plastic containers to smell the food.

"Misao, there are flowers on the napkins, what do you think?" Aoshi replied dryly as he began serving up some dinner for her. He watched her giggle lightly and then she poured them a drink each, her hands lifting up the glass waiting for him to take it. There again, that bright smile on her face, the affection of love sparkling in her eyes as she gazed over at him. She'd turned him into putty…made him melt inside when she didn't even know. He could loose himself willingly into her stare, his heart desperately wanting to shed some light on her numerous questions of 'what relationship do they have together'. He watched as she blinked in confusion and he finally snapped out of his daze lowering his head so she wouldn't be able to make out the flush crossing his own cheeks.

"So why didn't you ask me to be your model? I'm your muse as you say and yet you never even told me about this modeling thing. Why is that?" Misao spoke breaking into conversation even though she heard an annoyed groan escape Aoshi's throat, as she would not let the matter rest.

"Misao I don't think you got the whole concept of what I meant."

"Well I never do because you never explain!" Aoshi watched with an arched food into her mouth, chewing angrily, but her head snapped back to look at Aoshi when she felt a soft caress on her cheek. Aoshi was leaning over the dinner his intense gaze never breaking from hers as he explained exactly what the models were for.

"The art is life form Misao, life form meaning the molding, sculpturing, drawing and painting of the human body…the woman's body at that. These models…will pose nude for me." Aoshi watched in comical fascination at the way Misao's face changed colour. Her lips had parted open in surprise, jaw dropping at the concept of Aoshi molding and sculpturing the naked flesh of some strange woman. Anger quickly began to rise in her now at the thought of Aoshi ogling some other woman.

"But you…I…I mean, you can't be serious!" Misao almost yelled at the top of her lungs, Aoshi jerking back in surprise. She was livid with him…and it was only art, just his business nothing more…unless, unless that is what she needed to hear from him. He sighed in exasperation at the way her moods changed so fast

"Misao listen…" Aoshi began but Misao interrupted him, as she went on one of her tangents not truly being able to grasp a sentence that made much sense to Aoshi.

"No you listen! This is…is…its not right to have some poor woman model for you while you can ogle her naked body! Its...its..."

"Business! Its just business Misao-chan." Aoshi intervened and watched her eyes widen as he spoke affectionately to her once more, both of his hands cupping her flushed cheeks. Her eyes bore into his as he spoke again trying to get his message through to her.

"I'm only interviewing professionals Misao, women who've had previous experience in being nude models. You make it sound like I'm doing this for pleasure and that I would bed them afterwards or be bedding them while sculpturing them or something. Do you really think so lowly of me?" Aoshi's voice had softened as he pulled away from her, almost hurt at her assumptions. It was like she thought he was some male sex fiend! He watched as Misao fidgeted with a piece of her hair not looking into his eyes and so he voiced his thoughts once more, wondering if his next words would snap her out of her silence.

"Would you rather I picture you standing there naked in front of me then them?" Aoshi watched startled as Misao's eyes flickered to his, brimming with tears as she bowed her head feeling ashamed of herself.

"You…want me to think of you standing naked in front of me." Aoshi reasoned almost breathlessly watching as Misao hunched over slightly, her shoulders shaking lightly. His hand flew out; ready to touch her, maybe-even drag her into his embrace, but his eyes grew wide as she began yelling at him. The dinner was not turning out the way he had hoped.

"What am I supposed to think huh? To me its like we are together, but not together because of you. My heart…my heart beats wildly for you Aoshi and yet I get nothing back. You hug me and whisper sweet words to me, you hold my hand and yet nothing! I need more then that from you…from any man! I mean just tell me, is it me? Is there something wrong with me? Am I unattractive? Do I not meet some standards of yours or something?"

"Misao you got it all wrong." Aoshi tried to calm her down but she slapped his hand away, tears escaping her eyes and rushing down her cheeks.

"Then what is it? I give up trying to figure you out! What more do you want from me huh? Do you want to hear my confession again; to hear it in the midst of an argument so that no matter what mood I'm in I'll always love you? FINE! I love you Aoshi, I do okay, I really and I mean really love you! I LOVE YOU OKAY!"

"Okay…" Aoshi spoke back, snapping Misao out of her rant.

"O-Okay?" She stuttered and held her breath as Aoshi wiped the tears on her cheeks away.

"I know you love me Misao, believe me I do." He watched as she sniffled lightly and stood up heading for the trunk of the cherry tree.

"Then what is the problem?" She muttered in slight defeat, her head bowed.

"There is no problem…not anymore anyway." Misao abruptly turned to look at him, surprise cast all over her face as Aoshi was on his knees in front of her, her hands now clasped between his.

"Misao, will you…" He watched as she flushed in embarrassment, one hand escaping his to touch her hot cheek as she interrupted him like she seemed to always do these days.

"Aoshi I don't really know how to answer you yet. I mean aren't we a little young, I don't think I'm ready for that type of commitment just yet. What would our parents say? I'm mean we haven't even officially dated yet."

"Misao, I'm not asking you to marry me." Aoshi spoke in bewilderment at how her mind seemed to think these days. He couldn't help but smile up at her as she turned really red as she again, thought too far ahead.

"Oh…" Was her small reply, her hand dropping from her cheek down to her side. Aoshi arched an eyebrow at her upset reply. Did she…?

"Misao, do you really want to marry me one day?" Aoshi asked slowly, watching for any sort of emotion in Misao's eyes but they had been turned away from him.

"Yes…I mean no! I mean…I don't know!" He couldn't help but chuckle lightly as she threw her arms up in exasperation at being such an idiot in front of him and then she slumped to one of the trees roots growing above ground. Her elbows resting on her knees, her hands covering her face in mortification at her words…her first being 'yes'. So now he really knew everything that she thought of and even though Aoshi comprehended it all, he still couldn't get passed the 'Misao standing naked in front of him being his model' part out of his mind. Okay, so in some way he wouldn't mind that…but still! That didn't make him some sort of sex crazed male!

Aoshi finally pulled Misao's hands away from her face, her pale colour returning slowly as she shyly lifted her eyes to search his. She was so utterly adorable and vulnerable at the moment; Aoshi thought it best now was the time to voice his heart.

"I brought you here Misao, because I had something very important to tell you…something I wanted to ask of you."

"W-What is it?" Misao whispered softly her eyes moving down to their joined hands as Aoshi held hers just that little bit more tightly, almost in desperation.

"I thought this place would be best to tell you that this is who I am. This is Aoshi Shinomori as he should be. I'm not perfect in any way, I am who I am…and sometimes that may piss you off to no end, but I still wanted to ask you this very important question."

"Ask me what?" Misao spoke breathlessly as she lowered herself to Aoshi's level as he sat cross-legged in the lush grass, she sitting up on her knees.

"Whether you could live with that? Whether you could live with knowing that this Aoshi Shinomori is the one…that cares deeply for you. Whether you would accept my love for you, because I do love you Misao…very much." Aoshi's eyes had never flickered away from Misao's watching…observing as her breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide as she registered his words in her heart. Now he was the vulnerable one, now it was his turn to await Misao's decision.

"Oh shit…" He heard Misao muffle, tears spilling from her eyes as she looked over at him, giggling and hiccuping all the while. He seemed confused, not knowing what this reaction was, but jerked in surprise as Misao flew into his lap, her arms wrapping around his shoulders, her head resting against his right shoulder as she mumbled her reply into his ear.

"I vowed that in my life, if I ever heard you say that to me I wouldn't cry…and yet I'm babbling like an idiot already." Misao hugged Aoshi tighter when she heard his small laugh, his arms tightening around her back as he whispered in content at having her curvy body in his embrace.

"That's okay…we can be idiots together Misao-chan." Aoshi let go of Misao lightly as she pushed away from him to glance into his eyes, happiness flowing through them as she replied, a smile touching her lips now.

"At least I'm not the bigger idiot here. At least I was the one who got my feelings out in the open a long time ago…so I'm the smar-" Misao got no further as a pair of soft lips brushed hers, making her melt and forget whatever it was she was ranting about. Misao's eyes had grown wide in surprise at the passionate way Aoshi had begun to kiss her, but she finally clutched his shoulders and returned it with full force. He had held one hand at the back of her head, making sure she was unable to break the contact…break their connection until he was ready to give up her lips for the moment. Misao had gasped softly, her fingers clutching the soft strands of his hair as his other hand lay low on her back, moving slightly to her hip as he caressed the side of her pert bottom expertly.

Aoshi finally broke away as he struggled for self-control. Misao really did make him melt and his desire for her had taken over…at least he remembered to thank every god that existed when she had returned his kisses and caresses. Could he have ever doubted it though? Aoshi brushed the thought away as he stared at Misao's flushed cheeks, her eyes fluttering open, her eyes already set on Aoshi's heated stare, making a delicious shiver ran through her entire body.

"Yokatta…" Misao whispered as she leaned close, cupping his face while pressing her lips softly against his once more. Aoshi never responded back, but Misao didn't mind as she pulled away, then embraced him comfortingly once more, her head resting against his left shoulder this time.

"The food has gone cold." Aoshi spoke as he turned to look down at there unfinished meals. He froze in slight shock, a shiver breaking through his body, when he felt warmth against his neck as Misao placed a kiss there and then whispered once more, her hold on him growing a little tighter.

"That's okay, I'm not really hungry and…I'm comfortable were I am at the moment…" She heard a light snort escape Aoshi's throat at hearing her reply, but his embrace on her petite form had grown stronger.

The two of them rested under the tree, Misao snuggled into Aoshi's embrace, his head leaning against hers and his eyes closed as the both of them sat undisturbed with the tranquil silence of the Hanami Festival.

* * * *

"Aoshi?" Misao questioned him in a soft voice, not sure if he had fallen into a light sleep or not because of the way his body slumped in relaxation with and against hers.

"Nan desu ka?" Aoshi's deep voice vibrated in his chest when he muffled a reply to Misao.

"I'll…no its nothing…" Misao broke off, but she was pushed away so Aoshi could stare at her face, he catching the blush that was on her cheeks once more. Now he really was intrigued!

"You can tell me Misao." Aoshi persisted softly, his lips brushing hers trying to coax her out of her silence…out of the shyness she was showing towards him. What on earth was going through her mind now?

"I won't mind you drawing nudes Aoshi, since it is just for business, but…but I wondered if…if you ever needed to practice…that maybe…maybe you would want to draw me?" Misao eyes lifted to Aoshi's his gaze very much a 'deer caught in headlights look' while she was blushing prettily. She noticed a tinge of pink make its way to his cheeks as though his thoughts were already deciphering what she looked like without the kimono on…and that got Misao blushing even more…especially when he never took his eyes off of her and he hadn't even answered either!

"I have two rules though!" Misao quickly spoke as she watched Aoshi's lips part to make his decision, but they snapped shut awaiting what more she could say.

"You are to never…and I repeat never tell anyone about this or else I will personally torture you to death and you are not to sell them to anyone either! Two, if I'm naked…then…then you have to be naked as well." Misao lifted her eyes, daring to look at Aoshi's face and noticed he held a small smile one crossing into his eyes as he pulled Misao against himself, her upper body molding against his as he whispered his reply against her lips.

"Okay…" Aoshi brushed his lips across Misao's and then pulled away as he began packing up their forgotten dinner not bringing up the subject anymore.

"What are you doing?" Misao questioned, becoming slightly nervous.

"Cleaning up of course, we have to head back to our families to celebrate with them Misao. I promised your parents I wouldn't keep you all to myself." Misao blushed at hearing his words even though Aoshi didn't mean it in the way she was thinking. His head was bent, finally another blush of hers he had not seen! Misao took a deep breath calming down her thoughts and she bent down picking up some of the dishes that had not been used. A soft breeze swept through the park, Aoshi stopping for a moment to look over at Misao. His heart warmed as she would accept his love…accept him the way he was and he couldn't help it anymore…but say…

"I love you Misao." Aoshi watched comically as all the dishes Misao had collected plummeted to the blanket with soft clinking noises, her head snapping up to stare at Aoshi in bewilderment. He held an open smile on his face, Misao's heart racing, as he looked very beautiful with the moonlight flickering over his features. He had already blown out the candles so the moonlight was there only source of light but Misao's eyesight was pretty good in the dark these days…just like Aoshi's.

"You…why do you insist surprising me with such…such feelings, such everlasting words?" Misao muttered becoming shy at his words of affections. She had spoken it so many times to him and now he said it and it melted her, made her feel like putty in his hands.

"That way I know when it surprises you, it is the best time to voice them since they will affect you more then anything. You become shy afterwards…and that makes you precious to me knowing that my words…my true feelings can do that to you now." Misao watched as Aoshi packed everything into a basket like they did in Tokyo and then he stood up, but reached down to clasp Misao's hands as he helped her to her feet.

"Come on, we better be going." Aoshi leaned down slightly, his lips brushing against Misao's, his eyes staying open to look directly into hers and then he pulled away, the two basking in their affection as they shared it under the cherry tree they first became friends under. Aoshi took Misao's hand as they raced off heading back to where their families celebrated Hanami together.

* * * *

THE END!

* * * *

Authors Notes:

Epilogue: COMPLETE! YAY!

Story complete: NO! BOO!

*Sighs* So there is one more chapter to complete the saga off nicely. I was going to integrate all the other couples into this chapter, but Noa couldn't be stuffed and decided that Misao and Aoshi's little get together would "end" and "begin" under the cherry tree, but I thought what best way to end, with everyone coming together ne?

So I'm a sucker for happy endings, well can you blame me? Way too much depression and angst in Aoshi and Misao stories and to all you authors who place my favourite couple into hating each other or never ending up together - DOOM ON YOU! (^_^) HA!

(So she's kind of gone nuts…oh well…)

Well, be on the look out for Epilogue II - Return of the Cherry Tree!

Okay, not really, but it'll be like Epilogue 2 so anyway, I'm off to start writing it now cause once its out of the way I have more time to worry on the other stories I've so ingeniously started and not finished.

Till the very end, stay tuned! (^__________^)