Authors Notes: Konnichiwa Minna-san! Well this is just a short story comprised into two chapters that I came up with just now while at work for the celebration of the New Year and the conclusion of this will be completed in a matter of hours (if not then, then perhaps the morning) in fact. So enjoy and Happy New Year!

Do You Believe?

By: Shin Sankai

The cliché saying of 'Do you believe in love at first sight?' was not even a thought for two strangers on New Years Eve as they strolled the packed streets of Tokyo City with their respected partners.

However, the cliché saying and a forced destiny (aka: Shin) decided to intervene.

"Hurry up Misao-chan or you'll miss the fireworks!" A male shouted back at a petite young woman dressed in blue jeans, black turtle neck and a ¾ length coat which was secured tightly over her body. A black scarf blew loosely against her neck and shoulders as she calmly headed for the male calling out her name and waving between the crowds of people. It wasn't her fault that her order for coffee took so long since to her it seemed half of Tokyo was in that very same coffee shop waiting for tea, coffee and other confectionaries as well.

The streets were packed with people as they began to celebrate the New Year even though it hadn't hit midnight yet. Many swayed merrily about the place; Misao having to dodge the tipsy celebrators' or else she would have ended up in the gutter, which happened to be filled with snow at this very moment.

"Sou-chan, matte ne!" Misao grumbled aloud and watched her boyfriend of one month finally stop to pout back at her. He was awfully cute the way he looked with his cheeks lightly flushed from running ahead (anyone would think he was 12 years old) and with bright eyes sparkling in the city lights. He always graced his face with easy smiles at every waking moment. Finally catching up to the dark haired male Misao clutched onto his gloved hand as he once more weaved them through the crowd.

"The fireworks are above us Sou-chan. We can see them from anywhere, so what's the hurry for?" Misao questioned the short male, his height not too far from hers and their usual happy personalities clicked together like many of her friends first thought when they were introduced (set up) to each other.

"Where did my happy Misao-chan go?"

"She died when she was stuck doing a double shift, go check back at the Aoiya tomorrow afternoon, she might have revived by then." Misao grumbled as she glared mentally at her cackling grandfather who never had to work (since he always escaped) as he sauntered away wanting to invite some pretty young woman (women in some cases) for tea. The damn old coot!

"It's New Years Eve Misao-chan, please be a little happy at spending time with me. I'll be moving to Kyoto in the spring after all." Misao couldn't help but frown at that. He was going to college in Kyoto and was going to live with his Aunt Yumi while he was there. Misao herself had been born there but was shipped off to Tokyo as her parents had died in a horrific accident and she had been sent to live with her grandfather. She'd never gone back…and probably wouldn't when there wasn't anything there for her to return to.

"I know, but its one day that I need to feel grumpy okay? Besides, you leaving isn't going to happen for another 3 months yet…right?" She wanted to reassure herself that she wouldn't be left alone just yet. It was something Misao hated very much…to be alone.

"Hai, Hai…" She wasn't too pleased about that nonplussed answer but continued to walk with him, becoming lost in past memories as she did so.

Xxx Elsewhere on the Streets of Tokyo xxX

A tall broad man walked with little to no emotion on his face as a tall woman attached herself to his arm. He was never one for celebration, but had been persuaded (or more importantly he couldn't take her whining any longer) and came out to "celebrate" the New Year. He was definitely not one for crowds and glared at everyone (man or woman) if they bummed into him.

"Aoshi-san, you should at least loose that frown on your face a little."

"I'm fine the way I am." Came the curt reply from the stoic man. He was in his mid twenties and with a height over six feet tall he towered over the rest of the pedestrians celebrating about the streets. He was going at a slow leisurely pace as he headed down the street.

"If you say so…" The woman replied as she sighed in slight exasperation.

"You must be able to stand it if you are beside me Megumi-san." He spoke unemotional once more, his eyes not even moving down to the maroon ones looking up at him.

"You know Aoshi-san; you can just call me Megumi."

"Why? We are not in a relationship. If I recall I'm only your make believe boyfriend if we run into that Sagara Sanosuke you once dated. I have no intention of dating someone at my workplace." She flinched lightly at his stinging words and spoke of nothing else.

Aoshi himself stopped instantly as young teenagers rushed through nearly knocking into him. His frown deepened as he desired to leave Megumi in the crowd (not caring if she'd become angry with him) and head for a coffee shop to grab his much beloved green tea.

Xxx Back to Misao and Soujiro xxX

"Sou-chan I think we should st-" Misao was interrupted however as the first lot of fireworks broke through the darkened sky. Sure it wasn't quite New Years yet, but the firework celebration lead up to it, before the countdown began and then there was more afterwards.

"Come on Misao-chan!" She gasped at the sudden jerk as Seta Soujiro went into another run and this time he was clutching her hand while her other occupied her half drunk coffee which was now splashing about inside the cup. Luckily she had gotten a lid or else several strangers would have been scorched by the hot beverage, not to mention her hand as well.

"Sou-chan…my hand…" Misao mumbled aloud, but her voice was drowned out by the explosion of fireworks as her hand slipped from Soujiro's and he disappeared into the crowd in front of her while she began to be swallowed by the people swarming forward with children attached on their shoulders to get better looks.

"Gomen nasai, please let me through…" Misao pushed her way through and with a little room took in a deep breath before throwing her unfinished coffee into a nearby trash bin.

Her ocean blue eyes darted about the place, looking aimlessly for her partner, but found he was no were in sight and with her height she wasn't ever going to find him either.

A huge gust of chilly wind rushed through the streets of Tokyo and Misao brought up one hand to try and protect her already chilled face, but luck would not be on her side as her loose scarf was picked up and blew high into the air.

"OH NO!" Misao yelled, eyes not bothering to look at the red, pinks, greens, purples and blues flashing through the sky behind her as she swiftly pushed through people to get at the scarf which was being blown further and further away from her.

Xxx Back to Aoshi and Megumi xxX

"Aoshi-san isn't it pretty?" Megumi voiced aloud before turning her eyes to look at her partner for the evening only to find the space beside her was void of the man's presence.

"Aoshi-san…?" She spoke a little louder now, turning 360 degrees to see if she could see the tall stoic man in the crowd, since he stuck out like a sore thumb with his physique as well as his ice like attitude, but fond he was no where in sight. "I hate it when you do that on me." She mumbled to herself before heading off to search for him, she not having intended that she would spend her New Years looking for the brooding man she actually wanted to spend it with.

Xxx Back to Misao xxX

Misao's eyes would not leave her scarf as she stumbled past people, remembering to apologise for stepping on their feet or rudely pushing past as she followed her scarf. She finally got through a large crowd, sneakers skidding lightly against the snow covered concrete before she watched the velvety scarf fall unnoticed to the ground ahead of her. Amongst the street, people began to chant as Misao grew closer and closer to her fallen wintry clothing.

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

Just a few feet or so from her scarf Misao stopped in her tracks as she finally took note that someone had bent down to retrieve her scarf.

3

He was wearing a black trench coat, flurries of snow clutching at his unruly strands of black hair as he kneeled with one knee into the snow while the other was raised as he rested his left hand on it. Fingerless gloves covered his hands from most of the chill.

2

"A…" Misao spoke but her throat instantly closed on her as the unidentified man lifted his head from the scarf and ground, still in his crouched position as he eyed the young woman in front of him.

1

"Is this yours?"

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Came the loud cry of cheers as fireworks broke through the sky once more, painting the clouds with different colours as well as smoke. People danced in the streets, balloons and streamers fluttering about the place while the light snow continued to fall. It was your typical wintry New Year celebration, but Makimachi Misao was not even interested in it as she gazed at glimpses of ice green eyes that bore up into her blue pools.

The man before her was a vision of manly perfection with his sculptured looks, his unruly bangs falling agonizingly into his eyes while soft strands fell temptingly down his neck to rest at the collar of his coat and shirt. His lips were in a thin line after voicing his question…and his voice had frozen Misao instantly. There was a calm coolness about him, but within that coolness his rich deep voice did nothing but make her heart beat rapidly within her chest.

"A-Arigatou!" Misao finally replied with a large rush of air escaping her lungs, she not even realising she had held her breath in front of this man. Her ocean blue orbs widened even more when he finally stood from his kneeling position (as he looked very much like he had just been proposing to her) and quietly handed the black scarf back to her.

With each of them having a hand on the scarf, neither of them decided to break from the stare that they were now captured in.

Aoshi himself silently looked upon the short woman and instantly knew he'd caught her attention. Usually they'd cringe away from his tallness and also the frown (if not the disinterested look on his face) and run for the hills. However, this short beauty in front of him did nothing but openly gaze up at him, emotions rushing through her eyes for him to analyse freely if he wished. Looking down at her, with eyes half hidden, Aoshi was free to ponder what he thought of this stranger before him. Though he'd like it if she were a little taller, everything seemed perfect about her, even the slightly messy plait she supported as it hung heavily over her left shoulder. Her face was slightly flushed, he wondering if it was because of him and the chill in the air, but thought best not to think too much into it. Not truly knowing what to say to her, not that he really needed to, Aoshi nodded silently at her thanks (watching as her dainty fingers took the scarf) and was about ready to turn from her when he couldn't. He was stopped when her pale slender hand caught the sleeve of his coat rendering him from walking away from her. Just staring down into those hypnotizing eyes of hers, Aoshi began to fall slowly within them as he slowly watched her light pink lips part.

"Would you li-"

"Aoshi-san there you are." A voice muttered, interrupting Misao once more as she let go of the tall man's coat and blinked her eyes at the beautiful woman heading towards the stranger in black as he too had looked behind him to see who had called out his name.

"MISAO-CHAN YOU'RE MISSING THE SHOW!" Yelled a familiar voice and Misao turned around to see Soujiro running towards her. He stopped by her side, blue eyes blinking at the two in front of him.

"Ano, Misao-chan who is this?" He spoke, his smile wavering slightly at the narrowed look of the tall man before him.

"Aoshi-san, who is this girl?" Megumi spoke, ignoring the eyebrow arch of Misao as she seemed to have strained her question when someone such as Misao had received attention of her 'partner' it seemed.

"I was getting some tea."

"I was looking for you."

The two strangers voiced simultaneously, Misao cracking a laugh while Aoshi himself felt the side of his lips twitch just slightly. He was thrown from his view of this 'Misao' when Megumi placed her hand in his, her maroon eyes looking angrily at him as though waiting for an excuse as to why he walked off leaving her alone.

"Let's go okay?" Megumi and Soujiro voiced to their respected others, tugging lightly on their hands wanting them to break from the stare there were once more encased in.

"Happy New Year…" Misao voiced with a smile on her face, a bright smile Aoshi had never witnessed before in his life.

"Happy New Year…" He responded deeply back, a slight bow in his head and his eyes closed momentarily making him look slightly ethereal before he turned away and shrugged his hand out of Megumi's to place it into the pockets of his trench coat.

While Soujiro happily talked away, Misao couldn't help but look back, eyes widening slightly when a certain tall man was already gazing back at her, she surprised he had given off another nod to her, before observing his eyes drift to the place where they had met. Misao noticed it was fairly new restaurant called 'Aoi' which happened to be closed for the celebration period.

"Misao-chan are you even listening to me?"

"Yes Sou-chan of course, I'm just…hungry all of a sudden." She spoke trying to mentally wipe the blush from her cheeks at being caught staring at the stranger walking in the opposite direction.

"Well let's go get some food from your grandfather's restaurant ne?" Sighing lightly Misao lead the way, her hand all of a sudden breaking from Soujiro's as she fingered the scarf around her neck once more.

"Happy New Year, Misao-chan…" Came the light whisper before a peck on her cheek was received. Misao smiled at the 20 year old before muttering the words back, feeling slightly guilty when all she could hear was a deep echo of that stranger's voice fluttering through her head over and over again.

As the light snow continued to fall about the couples moving slowly away from the celebration, Misao couldn't help but wonder about that cliché saying her friends kept asking her over and over again since she was now with Soujiro. They wanted a straightforward answer from her, but even with him Misao never could give an honest 'yes' to them. What would she answer them now when the mere image of that stranger made her heart thump in her chest and her cheeks redden at his piercing gaze?

While thinking those very thoughts her heart was in fact humming happily at the imprint memory of the mysterious stranger.

Misao began to ponder as to whether she'd ever see him again and if it'd be at the very first place where destiny made sure they encountered each other.

And Aoshi too - as he tuned out Megumi's voice - was thinking the exact same thoughts.

Xxx Will be concluded in the Next Installment xxX