Usual disclaimers apply…

Authors Notes: HI! Noa here…yet again! J Anyway this is basically a continuation story, yet another one. It is an A/U fic. Misao and Aoshi meet when they are children at the Hanami Festival in Kyoto. Its basically small adventures during school (probably stretch it out like every two years so it isn't major long, but just long) little things that happen between them and stuff. Be warned there are some queer things in this story. Yes the characters are OOC but hey MY story! J Anywho get this, Misao has two older sisters, Okon and Omasu, they play a small part in the story. Aoshi has an older brother, which is Saitou! Hannya, Beshimi, Shijuksho, Hyotokko and Sano are Aoshi's long time friends, known each other since they were born! Ummmmmm in later chapters, you'll see that Kenshin and Saitou are best mates! Weird huh?!? Misao will finally gain female friends, two that she can actually handle, that being Tokio and Megumi, who'll be her age as well. I'm not too sure when Kaoru will come into it, maybe when Aoshi and Sano leave for Tokyo on an exchange program when they are 16. Kenshin and Saitou will have finished school by then since they are two years older and left for Tokyo already, maybe Kenshin can meet Kaoru there. Anywho that's later chapters…soooooooooo just read it so far and I hope its okay for you Aoshi & Misao fans out there, well all fans of the characters that are in here, or coming soon cause they'll all get there respected partners. Just need to plot a way of doing it first! *hehehehehe* ENJOY!

Under the Cherry Tree

"Konbanwa." An elder man and woman spoke to the people who were passing them in the park. In front of the pair who had spoken where two young girls aged 10 and 12. They were happily talking ahead, excited about this festive season. After all Hanami was one of there favourites. They got to sit in the park, sing with their parents and listen to other families do the same, pick out which boys were cuter, dress in pretty kimonos and watch the sakura petals bloom all over the trees in the park. There was also a youngest daughter who walked slowly behind the parents. She was 8 years old and rather quiet. She scraped her shoes along the pathway not feeling overly excited like her sisters. She was supposed to be on her best behaviour and wasn't allowed to run around and get her little kimono dirty. Her dark blue-black hair fell just below her shoulder blades and half was pinned up with a silver butterfly clip. A sad expression was etched on her face, as she wasn't able to play like she usually did.

"Konbanwa." The other couple had spoken and the youngest daughter looked up noticing an older boy run past her nearly knocking her over. She had gained her footing and turned around, an angered expression forming on her chubby face, taking over her sad one as she placed her small hands on her hips looking at the retreating boy who was laughing loudly.

"Rude boy!" She had mumbled and shook her head.

"He's like that with everyone." A soft voice had spoken. The little girl had turned around and watched a young boy just a little older then her walk by. He was wearing black trousers and sneakers, with a long sleeved black shirt buttoned all the way to his neck and his hair was black, a small ponytail swaying against his clothed shoulders and shining in the late afternoon sun. He had long bangs that brushed the tips of his eyelashes, but you called see his blue-green eyes, which sparkled mischievously. His hands were stuffed in his trouser pockets as he kept walking, that being the only thing he said to the little girl. She followed him with her curious blue eyes and she watched as he turned his head over his shoulder giving her a lob-sided small grin. A bright smile formed on her lips and she waved at him and then raced off after her parents not wanting to fall behind too much.

* * * *

The little 8-year-old girl was finally allowed to play in the park now. Her father had gone off to drink sake with another Hanami party. Her mother and two sisters walked around with other woman they knew admiring the sakura blossoms. The little girl had enjoyed her dinner and especially the dango she had just finished off. They had sung songs, her parents drank sake and talked happily and admired the views of the beautiful white and pink blossoms in the trees. The little girl loved the white and pink blossoms and glanced at all the trees ignoring her older sisters talking about which boy was cuter. Now wasn't the time to think about that, as it was time to play in the park. She had permission from her mum and dad and raced off with her mum's faint voice in the background telling her not to get too dirty. The wind had picked up blowing her hair around and she ran off bare foot running through the lush grass and some sakura petals that had already fallen. Many where still on trees but the wind picked up again making others fall off their branches and she danced around hands thrust in the air trying to catch some of them. She turned ready to run off again but bumped into another body and fell to the grass landing softly on her butt.

"You should watch were your running, you might get hurt." A young boy had spoken. The little girl looked up noticing the boy was leaning over her, hand out ready to help her up. She took it and looked up as the boy was taller then her and found it to be the one who had spoken to her hours ago. The sun had set half an hour ago but lanterns hung in trees giving the blossoms an ethereal look.

"What are you doing all the way out here by yourself? A young girl like you shouldn't be doing that." The small girl took her hand away from the boy and spoke, her face scrunching up annoyingly.

"I'm not defenseless! My daddy teaches me kempo." The boys blue-green eyes widened hearing this and he stuck his hand out and spoke once more.

"My name's Aoshi. Wanna be friends?" A bright smile formed on the girl's lips as she took his hand shaking it and spoke happily at him.

"Okay, my name's Misao!"

"Come on I'll show you something!" Aoshi had spoken clasping her hand and began jogging off with Misao right beside, running awkwardly in the kimono but still keeping up with him.

* * * *

"WOW ITS GIGANTIC!" Misao had yelled, her small arms above her head as they stood at the bass of a large sakura. There were literally hundreds of branches and it was obviously very old. Aoshi had let go of her hand walking over and climbed up onto the lowest branch, which were one and a half-meter's off the ground. He wrapped his legs around the thin trunk and turn upside down hanging from the branch his hands dropping past his head.

"Come on Misao, I'll help you up." Aoshi had spoken. Misao stepped closer giggling as the breeze was tossing around his hair making it really messy. Even when Misao jumped she couldn't reach his hands and so she turned away spotting a rock and pushed it over with great force. She now stood on it and jumped, Aoshi's hands clasping her small ones and lifting her towards the branch. Her hands clasped it and she wrapped her legs around it and dangled upside down facing Aoshi. Misao turned her head slightly and noticed a branch stuck out behind her and she placed her hands behind her back trying to feel the blossoms, as she couldn't see where they were.

"Misao how old are you?" Aoshi had asked and a small smile touched his lips as Misao had her tongue stuck out the side of her mouth and she finally felt the white and pink blossoms behind her and tugged on the branch taking the blossoms with a triumphant squeal.

"I'm eight." Misao had spoken and she soon wrapped her arms back around the trunk and finally sat atop it looking at the "high" view they had.

"I'm ten! I guess the people you were with are your mum and dad and those two girls are your older sisters. Are your friends celebrating Hanami in the park too?" Aoshi had spoken again sitting up atop the branch as well watching Misao. She was looking down at the soft pink and white blossoms she had picked. She soon placed it out for Aoshi to take and spoke absently to his question.

"I don't have any friends." Aoshi had accepted the blossoms with a small smile but as soon as those five words sifted through his mind the smile was gone and replaced with a frown.

"Why not?" He had spoken in a small voice, eyes frowning as he looked over at Misao. She was brushing her hands over the small kimono trying to comply with her mum's wishes of trying not to get too dirty.

"I'm not normal. Well that's what these other girls say anyway, my sisters think so too. They say I should have been a boy 'cause I don't play with dollies. I like being outdoors with daddy and I love getting all dirty. We live pretty close to the forest and daddy and I go camping all the time and we find these really neat hideouts and these big trees to climb! I-I'm just weird I guess…and no one likes me…except for daddy! He loves me and thinks I'm perfect like this!" Her voice perking up into cheerfulness once again at remembering her father's words to never stop being herself because he loves her just the way she is.

"But I like you…" Aoshi had spoken in a soft voice his eyes never leaving Misao's as he twirled the small bunch of blossoms nervously in his hands.

"REALLY?" Misao had yelled excitedly and watched as Aoshi nodded his head silently. She clapped her hands excitedly being over joyed and she soon stopped her hands placed on the branch to balance herself and she soon spoke, her big blue eyes sparkling happily.

"So what do we do?"

"What do ya mean?" Aoshi had spoken a little confused about her question.

"Well what do friends do together?" Aoshi small lips had turned into an 'O' shape realising her question. He soon scrunched his face up thinking and then spoke.

"Well when I'm with Hannya, Beshimi, Hyotokko, Shijuksho and Sano we usually muck around together, play fight, go on adventures, come to the park, go to each others houses and sleep over and stuff."

"Wow…" Misao had spoken astonished at all the things she was missing out on. Aoshi watched as Misao's eyes frowned, her bottom lip sticking out slightly and she soon spoke in a small voice.

"Can I…Can we be friends Aoshi? Can I do those things with you too?"

"You bet! I'll be the bestest friend you'll ever have in the whole world!" Aoshi had spoken his arms thrusting in the air for more emphasis. Misao giggled happily but soon stopped at hearing the faint sound of her mother's voice calling her name. She slowly got down from the tree branch standing on the rock again and looking up at Aoshi.

"I gotta go Aoshi, mummy's calling me. Bye!" She had spoken waving and then ran off towards her mother's voice.

"WHAT ABOUT YOUR BLOSSOMS?" Aoshi had yelled jumping to the ground and holding it out.

"KEEP IT! I GOT IT FOR MY BESTEST FRIEND!" Little Misao had yelled back and her figure soon disappeared as she ran further and further away. A full-fledged smile broke out on Aoshi's lips as he held the sakura blossoms tightly in his hand and walked off in another direction to go find his own parents.

* * * *

A week had passed and the two small children hadn't crossed paths since the festival. Aoshi was sitting at his desk in the chair looking at the wilting blossoms. His eyes frowned in sadness as they drooped. They were on the verge of dying. There was a knock at his door and his mum soon walked in, picking him up and placing him in her lap as she took over sitting in the chair at his desk.

"What's wrong little one?" The elder woman had spoken her voice soft and full of love and concern for her quiet son.

"I'm not little mum, I'm 10 years old!" He had spoken back but he still stared at the wilting blossoms.

"Hai, that you are but you'll always be my little boy even when your 20! Now are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

"There…dying…" He spoke his voice soft just audible for his mother to hear.

"Well yes, they all do, but they'll come back too and we'll see them again. How about we go into the city and find you some other ones. How about that Aoshi?"

"Noooooo, I gotta keep these ones, Misao gave it to me." He spoke whining slightly and pulled them out of cup and brushed his tiny fingers over the withered petals.

"Misao? Is that the little girl you met in the park last week?" Aoshi nodded his head silently and then he was picked up as his mum sat him on the desk facing her.

"Stay right here."

She was gone for a couple of minutes and came back with a photo frame. She opened it up, taking the blossoms from her son's hands and placed them inside and put the backing on it once more and then hung it on a spare hook on the wall near his bed.

"There, now you'll be able to keep it forever. They'll probably dry up too but you'll still have them with you." Aoshi stood up on the table hugging his mum around the neck and then she placed him on the ground.

"Gosh you're getting too heavy."

"That's 'cause I'm not little anymore. I'm gong to be big and strong when I get older!" He had spoken confidently, his small hand placed in his mother's one as they walked out the door and downstairs for something to eat, Aoshi's cheerful voice carrying itself around the household.

* * * *

"Ohayo gozaimasu Aoshi!" His mother had spoken knocking on his bedroom door, opening it up and flicking on the lights. The little body under the bed had grumbled slightly and threw the covers over his head, not liking the bright light at all. She came over tugging the blanket and sheet out of his fists and pulled them back away from him. His hair was a complete mess as the tie had fallen out during his sleep and his hair lay tangled around his shoulders and pillows.

"Its time to get up Aoshi or you'll be late for school." She smiled down at her youngest son as he turned over, facing his small back to her and mumbled out his reply.

"Don't wanna go." Unseen to Aoshi his mother held a cheeky smile as she sat down in his chair still in her robe but placing his school supplies into his backpack and absently spoke to him.

"But you'll miss out on seeing Misao-chan Aoshi, I heard she was going to the same school, she was just transferred there by her parents." At hearing Misao's name Aoshi bolted out of his bed and reefed his very thin and slightly torn sleeping shirt over his head and headed straight for the bathroom. Unknown to him there was quiet laughing coming from his room.

* * * *

Aoshi had finished up in the bathroom in record timing and ran out the door and ascended the stairs two at a time heading for his room. He raced past his older brother, who had his back against the wall not wanting to get run over by his too overly excited brother.

"What's the hurry Aoshi-CHAN?" Aoshi's older brother spoke as he walked downstairs in his school uniform.

"SHUT-UP SAITOU, YOU BAKA!" Aoshi had yelled running into his room and found his mum still sitting at his desk waiting for him. He sat on his now made-up bed placing his black socks on and grabbed his black sneakers placing them on as well. His mum had crouched in front of him doing up all the buttons on his white school shirt.

"Aw mum does it have to be done all the way up to my neck?" Aoshi had whinged and his mother soon smiled racking her fingers through Aoshi's wet hair, brushing his long bangs out of his eyes.

"Yes it does." She spoke sweetly but Aoshi heard the superiority coming out in his mother and decided to leave it at that and obey her wishes. His mum had combed the back of his hair placing it in its usual ponytail and leaving the front messy as that's the way Aoshi liked it.

"Okay I'm ready now." Aoshi had spoken grabbing his bag and walking out his bedroom door with his mother following close behind.

"You can't go without eating breakfast and getting your lunch." Aoshi stopped in his walking turning his head over his shoulder to scowl silently at his mother. She too had a stern look on her face waiting for the inevitable stubbornness to come out of her youngest son but he huffed slightly and walked into the kitchen. He grabbed some food from the fridge, placing it in his backpack, picked up a slice of toast taking a bite out of it and began walking towards the front door.

"Saitou Shinomori you stop right there and tuck that shirt in." Mrs Shinomori had spoken. His eyes narrowed in annoyance, as he wasn't able to escape from his mother and tucked in his shirt and headed out the door with Aoshi following slowly behind.

"BYE!" The two boys had yelled at the same time indicating they were heading off and closed the gate walking in the direction of the school. Aoshi had turned around waving to his mum and dad as they watched him and his brother. They were making sure Aoshi ate the toast and Saitou kept his shirt tucked in. His brother was far ahead walking faster to school for some unknown reason to Aoshi. He however was walking slowly, his hands tucked in his pockets, as he finished off the toast, but one occasionally came out tugging at the collar of his shirt not liking the tightness against his neck. His other shirts were more comfortable then this one, why couldn't he were one of those? It's not part of the uniform Aoshi. His mother's sweet voice echoed in his mind. I hate uniforms! Aoshi had scowled silently inside himself. He finally made it to the main gates and saw his brother's figure walking into the school hall. He took a deep breath, not liking school too much but soon raced inside when the bell went notifying the students it was time they headed inside and head towards their first class.

* * * *

Aoshi sighed happily as he walked down the steps, his backpack swung over his right shoulder as he descended the steps. It was finally lunchtime and he made his way around the back to go and sit with Hannya, Sano, Beshimi, Hyotokko and Shijuksho.

"So when do we muck around together, play fight and go on adventures?" Aoshi had whirled around hearing that voice and soon Misao, dressed in the girl school uniform of white shirt, green skirt and scarf and black shoes with white socks peeked around a tree and walked towards him. Her blue-black hair was now placed in a plait.

"SUPRISE!" Misao had yelled and a small lob-sided grin was placed on Aoshi's face at seeing Misao.

"Come on! You gotta catch me if you wanna eat lunch with me!" Aoshi had yelled and raced off, a giggling Misao running after him. Aoshi could see his friends sitting in the grass under the shade of a large tree and finally stopped, placing his bag on the ground and huffing slightly at running so fast.

"Hey Aoshi why the rush?" Sano had spoken taking a large bite of his sandwich. Aoshi was about to speak when suddenly…

"OOF!" Aoshi had grunted falling to the lush grass and his eyes opened staring up into a pair of gleaming blue eyes. She too huffed slightly at running so hard and then she spoke still lying atop of him.

"I caught you so I can have lunch with you now."

"But I already made it to the tree!" Aoshi had spoken back looking up at her.

"You never said anything about a tree! You said I gotta catch you if I want to have lunch with you and I did!"

"Hmm she's right." A voice had spoken interrupting Aoshi and Misao.

"HEY! I thought you were always on my side Hannya?" Aoshi had spoken and sat up as Misao finally got off of him and straightened out her uniform.

"You know I am Aoshi but cutie here's got a point. If you don't list the fine details then it's your own fault. Besides cutie here was pretty good at keeping up with you so give her some credit and share your lunch with her." Aoshi looked over to see she was beaming happily at Hannya and he soon fished through his lunch bag grabbing out a chocolate biscuit and threw it to Misao.

"Thanks! I'm Misao!" She spoke towards Hannya and munched on the biscuit with great enthusiasm.

"I'm Hannya. This is Shijuksho, Beshimi, Hyotokko and Sano." Hannya had spoken pointing to the other boys in the group. Misao smiled at all of them and was just about to eat the last bit of the biscuit when Sano piped up.

"So what's a weasel girl like you doing over here? Shouldn't you be playing with dollies and other girls or something?" Misao had thrown the biscuit hitting Sano directly in the middle of his forehead leaving a chocolate mark and she soon spoke angrily at him, her small hands fisted in annoyance.

"SHUT UP ROOSTERHEAD! Aoshi's my best friend and I don't care what anyone thinks about me! And don't call me WEASEL GIRL!"

"So Aoshi you've got yourself a girlfriend ALREADY!" Sano had spoken completely ignoring what Misao had just said.

"Of course he does you BAKA! I'm his friend and a girl! Mou! What a dummy!" Misao spoke and grabbed Aoshi's water bottle, tilting her head slightly and taking a drink.

"Hey cutie?" Hannya had spoken getting Misao attention as she glanced her blue eyes in his direction.

"I'll be your friend too." Misao had taken the water bottle away from her lips and smiled at him then turned her face smiling at Shijuksho, Hyotokko and Beshimi whom spoke up at the same time.

"Me too!" Her eyes glanced at a quiet Sano and she squeezed the water bottle as a spray of water hit him in the face knocking him out of his silent trance.

"HEY! Stop that weasel! Che! I suppose I'll be your friend too!" He had spoken stubbornly as though his mates where silently ganging up on him and he crossed his arms in annoyance. Misao smiled brightly at all of them and turned to see Aoshi had his head bowed and was locked away in his own thoughts. She clapped her hands in front of his face and his head jerked up facing her.

"Come on Aoshi bring out the food! I'm starving!" There was laughter coming from the others including Sano as Misao really was over exaggerating but Aoshi brought out his sandwich and gave half to Misao. She ate in silence listening to the conversation break out between Aoshi and his long time friends. This is what I've been missing out on… Misao had spoken inside her head.

"Hey cutie?" Misao had turned her head towards Hannya as he seemed to like calling her that and he sprayed some water in her face.

"HEY! You'll pay for that Hannya-kun!" Misao grabbed Aoshi's water bottle and sprayed water on Hannya but he got up and crouched behind the others and Misao accidentally sprayed them as well. She looked into there drenched faces as they frowned at her.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Misao was laughing so hard but she soon got her just deserts as they all turned on her and sprayed her with water as well. Thus a water fight broke out, everyone against everyone.

* * * *

"TADAIMA!" Misao had yelled as she opened the door to her home calling out to her parents, closing it behind her and kicked off her shoes while dropping her bag on the ground out of the way so no one would trip over it.

"Okaeri nasai Misao-chan. Good heavens Misao-chan what happened? Have you been hurt?" Misao's mother came running over from the kitchen doorway as she saw Misao's hair was rather messy and her white shirt had dirt patches on it and a bandaid was on her knee. Misao looked down at herself and soon spoke joyously at her mother.

"I'm not hurt mummy! I got into a water fight and got in trouble by the teacher and had to go see the principal and he told me about the rules at the school that water fights weren't allowed, but I wasn't the only one there. Aoshi was in trouble as was Hannya, Beshimi, Sano, Hyotokko and Shijuksho. We all had a water fight together at lunch. Oh mummy it was so fun! They are gunna be my friends! I've got friends' mummy! I'm gunna tell daddy right now!" And with that spoken she dashed past her mother calling out for her father. Mrs Makimachi stood up and watched her daughter dash into every room down the hallway trying to locate her father. She wasn't over rapt about Misao getting into trouble but it would only be a one off thing anyway. Misao was very good at learning about rules and in the end she would obey them. A smile touched Mrs Makimachi's lips as her daughter was finally going to be happy, even if her friends were all boys. She shook her head knowing truthfully Misao wouldn't have it any other way and walked back towards the kitchen to prepare dinner. Deep inside she knew those boys would look after and watch over Misao forever.

* * * *

To be continued…

* * * *