"Come on Misao, we have got plenty of other shops to visit!" My friend Kaoru yelled.

"Yeah I’m coming. You do realise they aren’t going anywhere, right Kaoru?" I replied back sarcastically.

I sighed heavily and began walking down the street carrying a few of Kaoru’s bags. She was a little further ahead looking in store windows deciding whether or not she wanted to go in. She had bought heaps of new things. We were going to university next week and her parents surprised her by letting her go on a spending spree. My feet were killing me. We had been up since dawn because Kaoru came racing over to my house and woke everyone up. I couldn’t believe I agreed. I should have slammed that door in her face for waking me up on a Saturday. I began to seethe inside, as all I wanted to do was rest. I raced up to Kaoru who had stopped at another store and spoke pleadingly to her.

"Kaoru please can we sit for a few minutes?"

"Oh come on Misao, we’ve only just begun."

"BEGUN!?! We’ve been walking around for 6 straight hours! You had me up since dawn even though the stores didn’t open until 9am!" I shouted at her.

"Oh for goodness sake Misao, if you’re that tired, go sit in the park just down the road." Kaoru had suggested to me.

"I’ll do that!" I smiled happily and raced off before Kaoru could complain.

I could hear her faint yelling for me to come back, as I left her with all the bags, but raced into the park over to a large area of trees. I sank to the grass bed and closed my eyes for a brief moment, until I heard a faint noise. I stood up and began to follow it and found the sound got louder and louder until I realised it was the sound of someone crying. I raced through the trees and came to a sudden halt when I found a little girl about 4 years old, up on a high tree branch. How the hell did she get up there? I questioned inside myself but shook it off and finally spoke to her.

"Sweetie, are you alright?" I had said softly from below as not to scare her.

She looked down to see who had found her and I noticed she was adorable. Her dark hair was black and it shone in the afternoon sun. She wore her hair in two plaited pigtails that hung over her shoulders. She had big blue-green eyes, but they were red from crying so much. Her small little palms were pale, as she hung onto the branch for dear life.

"I wandered off by myself and didn’t tell daddy! He’ll be so worried about me. I climbed up here to see if I could find him but now I'm too scared to get down."

I smiled at the small girl and jumped onto the branch to help her down. She jolted a little about being frightened like that but her mouth gapped open and her eyes widened when she saw this.

"WOW! Daddy does that too!" She said giggling, her sadness leaving her in an instant.

"How about we get you down and I'll help you find your dad?"

I watched as she nodded profusely. I was reaching to take her into my arms when I heard a faint voice, one of great alarm. It grew stronger and stronger until the voice was only a few metres away from myself and the little girl.

"IZUMI!" I looked to where the voice came from and found a man standing metres away.

"DADDY!" The small girl waved over at the man.

I watched as the small child stood up from the corner of my eyes as I was still staring at the man. I noticed he began running towards us and that’s when my view went back to the small girl. She had lost her footing on the branch and slipped off screaming. I jumped down to grab her and placed her onto my chest and wrapped my arms around her protectively. We fell faster to the ground but I smiled as she was going to be safe. My back came in contact with the ground and my head smacked onto one of the roots growing above the ground. The next thing I knew was blackness.

* * * *

"Miss? Miss please wake up."

I groaned when I heard an unfamiliar voice whisper beside me. I opened my eyes and placed a hand over them to take the bright light away.

"Oh, what happened?" I spoke out loud.

"You had a nasty fall Miss."

I turned my eyes over to the voice as my eyes had finally adjusted to the bright light hanging above and found a shape hiding in one corner of the room covered in darkness.

"So, tell me again what happened?" I heard a soft chuckle coming from the figure hiding in the darkness. They finally emerged and I realised it was the man that was in the park as he wore the same clothes. I quickly sat up remembering about the small girl.

"Oh my god! Is she alright?" I spoke worriedly towards him.

His eyes changed to a deeper shade and he had a surprised look on his face from how much emotion I showed for a complete stranger.

"Ah…yes she’s fine." He spoke back.

"Ow!" I replied back placing a hand behind my head, remembering I had smacked my head on a tree root. I came in contact with a nice old bump.

"That will probably hurt for a few days, Miss." I nodded my head silently at what he said.

I proceeded to get up and he came closer to lend me a hand to steady me so I wouldn’t fall over. I took a few deep breaths and then nodded my thanks and proceeded to walk around the room for a bit.

"Miss, I called you a cab but it hasn’t arrived yet. I shall walk you to the front so you may go home, at my expense, for saving Izumi."

"Thank you."

We walked slowly out of the large house and out into the large yard. I looked around, as this place was a damn mansion.

"Wow…" I spoke aloud.

"Izumi, come say thank you to the nice lady for saving you." The man beside me spoke.

I saw a small figure, which was the little girl I had seen today run towards us. She tugged on my jeans and so I bent down to her level. I was a bit shocked she placed a small kiss on my cheek and then wrapped her small arms around my neck. I gave her a light hug back in return.

"Thank you for saving me."

I placed a kiss on her forehead and got up with her sitting on my hip, as she had not let go. She giggled happily and I glanced at the man who had a small smile on his face as well.

"You are most welcome sweetie."

I saw the man walk closer and place his hands on Izumi’s hips and proceed to lift her towards him. She had a death grip around my neck and I too was pulled closer towards him. A muffled groan escaped my lips as Izumi had pressed on the bump located at the back of my head.

"Izumi, let go!" The man spoke a little embarrassed.

I looked up to see his eyes were just like Izumi’s but more intense. They could pierce through anyone’s soul, my soul. His hair was black and shiny just like hers too. It cascaded down his neck and over his eyes but I could see them because I was so close. I took in a deep breath, as he was very handsome. The way he stared back into my blue eyes sent a shiver throughout my body. We both snapped out of it by the taxi driver honking the horn. I took Izumi’s small hands away from my neck and kissed the inside of her palms as she had gained a few grazes from holding onto the branch for so long. She giggled happily and I stepped out into the street to get into the cab.

"Thank you again Miss." I turned around to see the man staring at me.

"Misao…Misao Makimachi." I spoke back.

"What?" He had replied confused.

"That’s my name. I like it better then Miss." I smiled to him.

He nodded his head and began walking closer. He placed some money into my hand and spoke again.

"Thank you…Misao."

I sat in the back of the cab and waved to Izumi saying goodbye. She waved back excitedly as if she was going to see me again, but that was not to be. I was leaving for University tomorrow. I sighed heavily after I told the cab driver where to go. ‘Thank you…Misao’. The way he spoke was so deep and intense and yet it was only three words. I could feel there was so much emotion that was placed in saying that. I guess Izumi means a lot to him, I silently thought.

* * * *

I arrived at my parent’s house, made my presence known at the door and entered the main room. My eyes frowned in sadness when they waved me off as both were busily working away. I looked at the clock on the wall and found that it was 11pm. They weren’t even worried about me. I walked up the stairs to my room and slammed the door shut. I flipped the light on and found all my stuff packed up in boxes. I was leaving for a new city and my parents didn’t even care. They had only got professionals to pack my stuff as if they were happy I was going to be out of their way.

I lay down on the mattress, placed on the ground as my bed had been packed up for the deliverymen to take tomorrow morning. I closed my eyes and fell into a peaceful slumber.

* * * *

It was around lunchtime and both my parents were working and couldn’t possibly get away from work to come say goodbye to their own daughter. I breathed out a rugged breath as I looked over at Kaoru hugging her parents, who were crying, and saying goodbye to her baby brother and sister. I turned around and grabbed my bag to board the plane.

"Hey Misao-chan!" I turned around to see my older brother running towards me. I smiled with tears in my eyes as one member of the family would come say goodbye to me. He wrapped me up in one of his bear hugs and spoke to me.

"My little sisters all grown up and leaving me behind."

"I would never leave you behind! You could always come with me?" I had spoken hopeful.

"Nope, I like it here, besides Miriam is here remember."

I laughed at what he had said. He’s been in love with his best friend for years and he’s just too stupid to say something about it. Tears slipped down my cheeks as I began to cry softly into his arms. I just wanted to have someone come with me, to keep me company. Kaoru would be there but her parents let her stay in the dorm rooms while mine rented an apartment. I guess it was the so-called "present" for me because I got into university.

Kaoru would make plenty of friends as she was really outspoken and I’d just tag along, as I didn’t want to feel left out. I guess I’m more reserved and just want a few students who would be my close friends for life.

"I’ll miss you heaps."

"I’ll miss you too imoto-chan. Do you want me to say anything to mum and dad for you?"

"No. It wouldn’t matter to them anyway. They would be working too hard or something like that."

"Good point. I better let you go, you might miss the plane and have to spend more time with them." He began laughing.

I finally let go of him, took some deep breaths and walked to board the plane. I had lost Kaoru, who had gone ahead, so I began to run and jump over young children so I could beat her to the window seat. I raced into the plane and found her waving at me smugly as she had won. I walked to the seat and began fiddling with my baggage while Kaoru spoke.

"I’m glad your brother came. I’m sorry about your parents Misao."

"I knew he’d come, he always promised me. I was a bit amazed he’d leave Miriam’s side for that long though. My parents didn’t show up when he left to go away for a year, so I didn’t expect them to say goodbye to me." I shrug my shoulders, but deep inside I was a little hurt.

"Misao listen, I-" Kaoru was soon cut off by a little girl talking to me.

"MISAO! IT IS YOU!" I looked down to my left and saw Izumi tugging my black pant leg.

"Izumi, what are you doing here?" I crouched down blocking the aisle, but no one wanted to get past anyway.

"I thought I saw you in the airport but daddy didn’t believe me. I’ll tell him right now."

"Izu-" I was cut off by Izumi calling out for her father.

"DADDY! Look I was right, it is Misao, SEE!"

I saw her talking to a rather tall man, wearing all black and I gasped when he turned to look this way. It was he. I could already feel those intense blue-green eyes staring at me even though I couldn’t see them. He was Izumi’s father? He didn’t look old enough though. Stop it Misao! I yelled to myself. My hands began to shake on their own accord but I placed them behind my back so he wouldn’t notice. What the hell is wrong with me? I thought once more. He stopped walking as he was now a couple of feet away from me and picked up Izumi and placed her on his hip. She began to fiddle with the collar on his trench coat.

"See daddy I knew I was right." Izumi spoke proudly to him.

"So you are Izumi. Hello again Misao." I opened my mouth to reply but was cut off by Izumi piping up again.

"Misao, this is my daddy!" She spoke happily and proudly too. I smiled at her and replied back.

"Hello, ummm…"

"Aoshi…" I smiled in kind and spoke again.

"Hello Aoshi, it is nice to see you again."

"How’s your head?"

"It’s alright, hurts a little but I’ll live." A fake cough was heard and I glanced to see Kaoru looking at me and so I introduced her.

"This is my friend Kaoru."

"Kaoru, this is my daddy, Aoshi Shinomori." Izumi piped up introducing her father for me.

I looked to Kaoru to see her coughing away as if choking on something. She got up and practically ran for the bathroom on the plane. Both Izumi and Aoshi looked past them to see her run into the toilet and slam the door shut. They turned towards me and I shrugged my shoulders not having a clue what that was about. Aoshi silently waved as the hostess said it was time for take-off. I sat on the aisle seat and Kaoru finally came back. We were finally up in the air and people began moving around.

"What was that about?" I asked her curiously.

"Don’t you know about him?"

"Kaoru just tell me what’s up!" I was getting annoyed not knowing what was with her.

"Well he-" She was interrupted by Izumi standing in front of me and patting my knee.

"Misao can I sit here with you?"

"Well I don’t know…" I watched her giggle away as I scratched my chin making a decision. She was so adorable. I noticed a hostess come towards us and speak to Izumi and myself.

"Miss, would you and your daughter like to see the cockpit of the plane." I was speechless, as my voice had clogged up in my throat. This woman thought Izumi was my daughter.

"YEAH! Come Misao lets go!" Izumi placed her tiny hand into mine and began tugging for me to get up and follow. After a few seconds I did and we were now in the cockpit of the plane with the two pilots.

"Oh WOW Misao! Look at all the buttons!"

* * * *

I had begun walking back down the aisle as I finally convinced Izumi that we should leave and go see her dad. She had asked so many questions that I think the pilots were getting annoyed.

I walked past my seat, to find Kaoru sleeping. I had Izumi on my hip and we walked further down the aisle to where they were seated. They were the last seats at the end of the aisle and I smiled at the scene. Aoshi had his back leaning against the small window, his head tilted to the chair with his arms crossed over his chest, his long legs draping over the second seat with his feet sticking out into the aisle, one ankle crossed over the other and fast asleep.

"Daddy is sleeping Misao." Izumi spoke to me quietly.

I nodded my head silently and walked to the vacant seat across from him and sat down with Izumi as not to disturb him.

"So where are you and your dad going Izumi?" I spoke quietly.

"Daddy’s going to study again."

"So he goes to university does he Izumi?"

"Yep! This is his second year." I silently nodded at what she said.

I looked over at Aoshi again and realised that Izumi was the spitting image of him only she was a little girl. I smiled when he made a face to try and switch positions, to get more comfortable, but all he could do was ruffle his hair with one hand while the other dropped away, dangling limply to the floor. He had now placed the hand that ruffled his hair, which was sticking up everywhere, behind his head.

Minutes passed as I sat and watched him sleep. I felt Izumi snuggle closer to me and realised she had fallen asleep. I picked her up and walked closer towards Aoshi. I placed Izumi on her stomach and rested her small body against his broad chest. At the slight pressure Izumi caused, his eyes snapped open to stare at me. I placed a finger over my lips to stop him from talking and spoke quietly.

"She fell asleep so I brought her back over to you." He silently nodded and placed a hand over her back protectively, while rubbing it soothingly making sure she would stay asleep. I smiled and waved goodbye to go and sit back with Kaoru. I sat down and closed my eyes to sleep the rest of the way but Kaoru spoke quietly to me.

"And where have you been?"

"With Izumi." I spoke with my eyes still closed.

"You mean his child?"

"Yes and what’s with the attitude Kaoru?"

"If you really want to know about him Misao I’ll tell you. He’s dangerous okay. He met this girl, they obviously liked each other and that little girl is the result of him forcing her to, you know, and she killed herself after she had the baby because her parents disowned her. Stay away from him Misao, he’s bad news."

"Let me guess this is a rumour, right? I knew you’d believe something like this Kaoru. Who said it a friend of a friends sister or brother or something stupid like that?"

"So you’re saying you don’t believe it?"

"No." I stated firmly not backing down.

"Well I warned you Misao." Kaoru spoke in a motherly tone at me.

"Yeah, yeah."

* * * *

It was pouring with rain as I was wandering around outside the airport under the shelter pulling my suitcase along. I had only brought one suitcase as my other stuff was being bused to my address. I knew I was lost. Kaoru had found Jade who was in her second year and was going to be Kaoru’s roommate. They have been really good friends since high school as well. I was looking down at a map that Jade had drawn me to show me to my apartment and various supermarkets and shops so I wouldn’t get lost.

"Are you lost?"

I snapped my head up and saw Aoshi and Izumi standing in front of me. I nodded my head, as I didn’t know where to go for a taxi. A small smile tugged at his lips and I spoke to them.

"I’m trying to locate a taxi."

"Just behind those buses." I nodded my head and grabbed my suitcase.

"Thank you for your help. Would you like a lift to wherever you are going?" I spoke kindly to them. I tilted my head to the side curiously as Aoshi had a surprised look on his face again, as though he had never been offered a lift before.

"No thank you Misao. Izumi and I are going for a nice walk, aren’t we Izumi?"

"YEAH!" Izumi spoke excitedly. In the rain? I silently questioned to myself. I smiled and waved my goodbye to them. I could see them in the reflection of the bus windows but they were out of my sight when I reached the cabs. I hopped into one and told the driver my address. He turned the car around and drove down the road. I looked out the window to see Aoshi was bent to Izumi’s level and placing her in a waterproof jacket. His face was full of happiness as he spoke to his daughter and I watched as Izumi fluttered her arms around the air talking back with so much happiness. People walking by would smile at the way they seemed to show love and emotion so freely to each other. He has so much love to give. I spoke to myself. Even though we drove past them I turned around so I could still watch them and I saw Aoshi arise and take Izumi’s small hand into his as they began walking in the rain together, Izumi well protected and Aoshi not so protected, but he didn't seem to mind at all.

* * * *