Hey guys!

I know it's been a while since I've done anything new. Yay for work and RL eating my soul, but I randomly started watching this Anime a couple of weeks ago and have totally fallen in love. I noticed that there wasn't a category for Meiji so I asked and got one for it. I thought a series of shorts might be a fun way to go for the moment since RL is waiting to pull me away at any second and I can just throw these up whenever I get the chance or inspirtation strikes.

I will go ahead and say that these are just meant to be fun, I have been keeping up with the Anime and I managed to find some unsubbed versions of both movies that I loved. Sadly the game still being in Japanese I haven't been able to play it, I've read several reviews but until I can actually play it my details might be a bit fuzzy. So I'm leaning more towards what I've gleaned from the Anime and Movies. So please understand that's more where my source material is coming from.

Anyways...I hope you guys enjoy these little ramblings of my mind! 83


Disclaimer: I own nothing from Meiji Tokyo Renka, all the characters are copyrighted to Broccoli, Mages, and Love&Art.


Chapter 1: Of Bunnies and Germs

Bright morning sunlight danced across the rooftops of Meiji Era Tokyo. A crisp, gentle, wind blew through the city announcing the start of cooler weather to come.

The towns people bustled about like ants as they carried on their day to day business. However one red headed young man seemed to be doing his best to avoid the people that were hurriedly rushing about him.

Kyoka sighed in exasperation as he dodged yet another random person from bumping into him.

(Coming into town at this time of day is such a pain.) He thought to himself as he wove around another stranger that invaded his personal bubble.

He was a master at this game at this point, making sure no one got to close to share any of their germs. A shiver ran down his spine at that thought.

Finally coming to a break in the crowd he paused, his emerald eyes roaming around the crowd. He felt a chill run down his spine as he heard several tell tale sounds.

Sniffling and coughing were the sounds that greeted his hearing as he looked around the busy city streets.

His eyes narrowed as he skillfully pulled up the scarf he wore around his neck to protect himself from whatever pathogens might be present.

He just wanted to finish the handful of errands he needed to run and get back home to his nice safe house. Back to where he could lock himself away from all the illness that seemed to come with this change in weather and be with Mei.

That thought brought a glancing smile to his lips beneath his scarf. The strange young woman who'd captured his heart only a few months ago and was currently living with him.

His heart fluttered a bit in his chest as he thought about her, just even that seemed to give him the strength and gumption to continue on with the mission he was currently on.

With a firm nod and sigh he continued on through the crowd.


A few hours later a very relieved Kyoka found himself finally returning to his home.

Once inside the front door he let out a sigh as he closed the front door and took a moment to collect himself as he removed his shoes and placed them next to Mei's.

He closed his eyes as he pulled his scarf from around his face and began to unwind it from his neck to place upon the nearest table.

Pausing for a moment to look at it fondly as his fingers gently fingered the soft material.

The scarf was made of dark green material with bunnies printed on it. And truthfully not much to look at, it was slightly misshapen, bunched, and kinked in some places. But that didn't matter to him at all, it had been a gift from Mei just a few short weeks ago when the weather had started to get cooler.

She'd been so excited that night when she'd come skipping home to present him with it, chattering excitedly about how she'd been working on it for days in secret since some of the other ladies at the Geisha Bar had shown her how to sew.

He shook his head at that memory, how excited she'd been at presenting him with the trinket.

She'd gone on to say she knew it wasn't that good but she'd just been so excited to give it to him.

He'd seen the excited gleam in her eyes and despite seeing how badly sewn the scarf was he didn't have the heart to tease her about how bad it really was. Instead he'd thanked her and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

Which of course lead to that normal cute blush that spread across her cheeks and for her to start gushing happily about learning a new task and how she hoped to learn more eventually.

Kyoka couldn't help but chuckle as he gently placed the scarf down on the table it really was the simplest things that made her happy.

He yawned and stretched as he began to make his way further into the house. He'd been up for nearly twenty four hours by this point.

He'd been up writing most of the night he'd been so engrossed in the newest idea that had come into his brain that he'd not even realized how late it was until the first rays of sun had started to peak through his window this morning.

In-fact he'd even missed Mei coming home from her job the night before. That thought caused him to pause in his stride.

For the first time he realized how strange that was she'd never not come into at least say goodnight to him. Not even when she knew he was working.

His brows furrowed as he suddenly noticed how eerily quiet the house actually was. None of the lamps were lit to show anyone was even home, no noise filtered from the back where laundry could be done either.

The kitchen was also vacant of all activity something very unusual for Mei especially going on midday.

He felt the hair raise on the back of his neck as he felt his stomach drop. One of his biggest fears had and still was that she was going to leave him. Disappear without a trace back to her own time with out a trace or goodbye.

The fatigue he'd been feeling was gone in a flash as he raced as quickly as he could to the back of the house where their bedroom lay.

He was trying hard not to panic as he rounded the corner of the hall coming to a bit of a crashing halt as he latched on to the sliding panel door.

He swallowed hard as he steadied himself as he stared at his shaking hand on the door latch. Mentally preparing himself for what he may find when he opened the door.

In one fluid motion he slid open the door nearly falling into the room his wide eyes searching frantically.

"M...mmh..." Came a weak sound from the bed as his emerald eyes finally focused on the lump of blankets that was piled on the bed across the room.

He felt a rush of air leave his lungs at the sound and sight not realizing he'd actually forgotten to breathe for a second.

Though it was the next sound to greet his ears that caused another panic to settle in his chest.

A cough...a very hacking cough...followed by a loud sniffle as the pile of blankets began to shift and move.

He felt himself freeze as Mei finally came into view from beneath her cocoon, and for a second he almost didn't recognize her.

Her cheeks were flushed pink, her nose was red as she sniffled, his bunny spirit clutched to her chest as she blinked golden eyes red from fever at him.

For a moment alarm bells seemed to ring in his ears just looking at the state she was in, and the urge to turn tail and run as far away from the germs was strong...very strong.

He swallowed hard trying to quell his flight response.

"K-Kyoka?" She managed to croak as she looked at him coughing and wincing after.

The sound of her pained and weakened voice seemed to flip some sort of switch in his brain, he blinked as he felt all the fear of the germs leave his mind.

In three quick strides he'd crossed the room to the bedside as he sat down next to her concern writing itself across his features.

"W-wha...?" Mei started to say but he cut her off as he placed his hand upon her forehead.

"You dummy...why didn't you say anything? You're burning up..." He muttered quietly feeling her hot skin under his palm as he gently pushed her wet bangs out of the way.

"I-I'm sorry...I didn't want to bother you. I know how you feel about germs and I thought it would pass by morning." She admitted quietly her eyes going down to the little bunny spirit who only looked up at it's owners.

Kyoka let out an irritated sigh at her words realizing she'd been suffering like this all night and half the day at this point.

"How long have you not been feeling well?" He asked possibly a little gruffer then he should have as he glared at her.

"Since last night...it started before my shift, but we're so short handed I thought it was just a little cold and I'd be fine after sleeping." She mumbled sniffling again as she coughed.

Just as he'd figured she'd probably over worked herself yet again and with the cooler weather and the colds that were already going around of course she'd have caught something.

"Stay here...and don't move." He ordered not that he really thought she was going anywhere as he got up from the bed and made his way out of the room.

Mei let out another sniffle as she sighed hugging the little bunny closer to her chest.

Kyoka returned a few minutes later carrying a tray laden down with several items and a brass kettle in his other hand. Mei watched him as he came to set the items down on the night stand closest to the table.

He didn't speak as he began putting things into a cup followed by boiling water from the kettle he'd brought. He turned as he handed her the clay cup.

"Here...drink this." He said as she took the cup nodding her head quietly as his bunny continued to set in her lap seeming to be trying to comfort her. Even as congested as she was the steam seemed to help and she could smell a slightly minty herbal scent wafting up with the steam.

"It's bitter as hell...but it'll help the fever." Kyoka stated as he watched her bring the cup up to her lips and cringe as she took a tentative sip from the cup.

He smirked at her reaction.

"Told ya..." He said as he turned back to the tray and began wetting a rag he'd brought in a shallow bowl of water.

He turned as she continued to sip her drink and gently dab the towel along her neck trying to help cool her down a little. His eyes didn't meet hers as he tried not to blush.

They sat like this for several minutes in silence.

"I-I really am sorry to be so much trouble." Mei finally said quietly looking down into her half empty cup, partially due to the fever and partially due to her emotions she could feel tears welling in her eyes.

"Trouble?" Kyoka asked his brows knitting as he looked at her genuinely confused.

"Y-Yeah...you're always looking out for me. And now...you're taking care of me when I know you hate anything to do with germs..." She said sniffling both from her tears and how congested she was.

"Hey...making sure you're taken care of is more important to me then some silly irrational fear. Besides I'm not the only one taking care of you...you've looked out and worried about me more times then I can count." He said his voice softening considerably.

"I'd rather take the chance of getting sick to look after the woman I love then watching her suffer cuz she doesn't think she can ask for help." He said gently as he lifted her chin to meet his eyes and giving her a soft smile.

Mei blinked this time feeling her eyes fill with tears as she saw the look in his eyes. She sniffled again and nodded her head.

"Thank you..." She managed to say as he nodded his head as he finished with the towel and turned to place it back in the bowl of water.

"Besides...I've kept myself away from all the germs. At this point my body probably wouldn't know how to get sick even if it wanted to!" He said with confidence as he gave her a grin.

Mei only looked at him for a second not having the heart to tell him she didn't think things worked that way.

"Alright...you've finished that?" He asked quickly changing the subject as she nodded her head as she handed him back the cup.

"Let's see here...I've got one more thing for you take..." He said as he reached over and grabbed a small green bottle filled with some sort of garish looking liquid and a spoon.

Mei watched as he inspected the bottle, she also noticed the way his nose seemed to crinkle as he looked at it.

"I'm really sorry about this, Mei..." He said quietly a visible shudder going down his body as he uncorked the bottle and poured a good dosage of the liquid into the spoon.

Mei blinked suddenly wishing she wasn't under his care as he extended the spoon towards her in obvious expectation for her to ingest the liquid.

For a brief second she debated on refusing the medication, but then she felt a light patting on her hand. Glancing down she noticed the bunny spirit gently patting her hand as if to give her it's support.

She exhaled before taking a deep breath and leaning forward as Kyoka popped the end of the spoon into her mouth.

For a moment nothing happened...until the liquid hit her tongue. Even with her taste buds dulled she was pretty sure she was going to gag from the horrible taste that filled her mouth as her face turned green.

Even those walking several blocks away from the quiet little house were able to hear the retching noise that followed soon after.

Kyoka cringed as he watched Mei forcibly swallow the medication he'd given her, she flopped back on the bed her eyes swirling around as his bunny sat on her stomach still patting her hand comfortingly.

He knew that stuff packed a wallop he would always hide whenever his mother would come after him with it as a child.

It took several minutes for Mei to recover from the effects of the medication Kyoka had given her, in that time he'd already taken his place beside her seated on the bed. The cool cloth he'd been using now placed upon her forehead.

"Sorry...I know that stuff is vile. I've hated it since I was a kid...but it does it's job." Kyoka apologized once he was sure she could hear him.

Mei shuddered again her face turning slightly green as the after taste hit her.

"Anyways...that'll help for a bit. You should get some rest and take it easy...I'll go let the ladies at the bar know you won't be in tomorrow..." He said quietly as he pulled her blanket up under her chin as the bunny snuggled up on her shoulder as if to say it'd keep an eye on her while he was gone.

Mei nodded her head slightly suddenly beginning to feel very sleepy her eyes growing heavy.

"I'll be back in a bit...love you." Was the last thing she heard Kyoka say as she felt his weight leave the side of the bed as he leaned over and lightly kissed her temple.


Mei wasn't sure how long she'd been asleep, all she knew for sure was that as she slowly started to drift towards consciousness was the overwhelming fatigue that still lingered deep within her bones.

Thankfully as she began to take stock of her state that she didn't feel nearly as hot or miserable as she had before. Groggily blinking open her eyes she took a few moments to stare up at the ceiling of the bedroom.

She cautiously allowed herself a small test swallow, her throat was still sore and as she tried to breathe she found the congestion still lingering. But at least it seemed that her fever had broken at some point during her sleep.

As she fully began to wake up she noticed that the room seemed awfully dark, meaning it must have been night by now.

She also noticed a dim flickering light, turning her head slightly she found Kyoka quietly seated nearby at the night stand a small lamp illuminating his features as he wrote quietly.

Even in the dim light she could see the bags under his eyes she wondered if he'd been setting there the entire day watching over her. She'd known even in her sickened state that he'd not come to bed last night.

Gathering her strength she slowly pushed herself up into a setting position the towel that had been draped across her forehead falling into her lap, the little bunny spirit catching it as it fell into it's paws.

"Hmmm? Oh...you're awake!" Kyoka stated his head snapping towards her in surprise at the sudden movement.

Before Mei could answer he was at her side his emerald eyes sparkling in the dim light with worry as he pushed her bangs out of the way to feel her forehead.

He breathed out a sigh of relief as he sank down on the bed beside her.

"Cool as a cucumber...I'm glad. You had me worried this afternoon." He said closing his eyes as the tension in his shoulders seemed to visibly lessen.

"I-I'm sorry for worrying you..." Mei said said finally finding her voice even though it was hoarse and cracked.

Kyoka smiled gently and shook his head.

"I said it earlier I'd rather have you well then sick. I like you better being my normal cheerful Mei then this one." He said chuckling a bit and earning a small smile from her.

"I like being that one too...I feel terrible." She said with cough as he nodded his in agreement.

"You hungry? I can make something for dinner if you think you can handle something." He asked suddenly seeming to realize his own stomach was running on empty.

"Yeah...I think I could handle something, and I could use a bath too..." She said crinkling her nose as she realized her hair was matted down from sweat.

Kyoka nodded his head in understanding.

"Give me a bit to heat up some water and while you're freshening up I'll see about some dinner." He said as he got up from the bed to get things ready.


Mei returned to the bedroom some time later, her bath having taken longer due to her state. She'd also had to shew Kyoka away from staying near the door.

He'd almost acted like he was afraid she'd break or drown before she'd finished. She'd finally got him to stop hovering by telling him she was really looking forward to dinner.

The thought wasn't a total lie even if she still couldn't taste anything but the thought of something warm on her throat was so inviting she couldn't wait.

She blinked when she returned to the bedroom to find the sheets had already been changed a fresh blanket had been draped over them.

She once again felt a tug at her heart at realizing how much Kyoka had done for her today. She sat down on her side of the bed and began to use her fingers to some what straighten out her hair.

At least she felt clean and a million times better then she had when she first woke back up.

A few minutes later Kyoka appeared in the door a tray in his hands containing two bowls of food and cups of tea.

"I made some rice porridge with egg. It was something my mother always made whenever I'd been sick when I was little..." Kyoka stated as he handed her one of the bowls and sat a cup of tea on the night stand closest to her before taking his own spot on the bed beside her.

Mei smiled in gratitude before using her chopsticks to take a small bite of the porridge.

Even in her sickened state her eyes still went starry at what she could taste of the food. She smiled happily as she took another bite.

"Sooo...good!" She said her hoarse voice and congestion making her normal phrase sound funny.

Kyoka had to swallow hard to keep from laughing at her as he lowered his chopsticks.

"Well that's one sign you're on the mend..." He said chuckling lightly as he shook his head before continuing to eat his own food. Glad to see her improving even a little.

Mei could only bob her head in agreement.

They continued to eat the silence only being broken every so often by Mei's coughing.

Soon both had finished and Kyoka had laid down while Mei was still seated upright to try and help herself breathing.

"H-Hey...Kyoka?" Mei asked as she looked down at the little bunny spirit who'd returned his place snuggled into her arms. Much like Kyoka he seemed very reluctant to leave her side at the moment.

"Hmmm?" Came the reply from the other side of the bed.

"I...I really do want to say thank you for everything today. You took such good care of me...even though you could end up sick yourself..." Mei began quietly as she gently patted the little rabbit's head as it looked up at her.

"I really appreciate it...I'd have been lost with out you. You've been so sweet to do all of this...and I just want to say that I lov..." The rest of her sentence was cut off by a gentle sound coming from beside her.

Her gold eyes turned to find Kyoka sound asleep snoring softly beside her.

She smiled gently at him realizing he'd worn himself out after everything.

"Thank you, Kyoka...for everything. I love you." She said quietly smiling to herself as she turned to blow out the oil lamp that was seated on the night stand beside her.

She then turned and gently brushed his bangs out of eyes and kissed him on the forehead before pulling the blanket up around them. The rhythmic sound of his breathing soon lulling her back to sleep.


Epilouge...

"Augh!" Came the loud, frustrated, hoarse groan from the bed.

Mei cringed as she sat on the edge of the bed as a coughing fit shook Kyoka's body from where he was currently laying. His red hair was plastered to his forehead and his nose was a rosy red color from where he'd been wiping it.

"Ugh...this is why I hate germs..." He grumbled sniffling loudly.

Mei could only pat his arm sympathetically as his bunny spirit was busily re wetting the cloth they'd been putting on his forehead to help break his fever.

It had been a few days since Mei's cold had hit and thankfully she was feeling much better, sadly though Kyoka's deceleration about not getting sick had seemed to fail.

And now he was the one suffering from the pathogen's effects. And as Mei was beginning to discover it had manifested itself in a full blown man-cold.

She was starting to understand why he feared germs so badly...it wasn't the actual illness that was worse it was his temper and general complaining.

She had to stop herself from giggling as he dramatically yanked the blanket up over his nose and mouth and seemed to pout.

She reached over to the night stand where thanks to his spirit bunny's help she'd seemed to have found most of the same medications he'd given her the day she was sick.

"Let's see here...I couldn't find the stuff for the tea you made me, Kyoka. But I was able to find that little bottle of medication you gave me that really helped me feel better..." Mei stated as she picked up one of the items she'd brought with her.

She turned smiling happily at him holding up a spoon and waving it at him.

Kyoka's eyes widened comically at realizing what she'd said as he pulled the bunny covered blanket tighter around his mouth to keep her from giving him the medication.

"Oh come on...you made me take it...and besides you'll feel so much better afterwards!" Mei said giving him a half hearted glare as she poured a massive spoonful of the medication into the empty spoon.

Kyoka's head shook violently from side to side beneath the blanket. Once he'd stopped his bunny spirit began gently brushing at his bangs much like had done to Mei's arm when she'd been forced to take it.

Mei sighed feeling like she was loosing a battle with a toddler as she looked down at the grown man under the bunny blanket.

"Come on, please?" Mei asked sweetly as she gave him her best puppy eyes.

Kyoka seemed to pause his emerald eyes looking into hers for a moment as he weighed his options.

"Nuh uh..." He mumbled as he once again shook his head beneath his blanket.

Mei sighed in exasperation as she lowered the spoon slightly considering her options. A devious look entered her eyes as she smirked.

"Alright...I won't force you to take it..." Mei said as she seemed to turn to put the spoon back on the tray.

Kyoka eyed her cautiously the blanket slowly lowering as he watched her.

"I'll just go by Ougai's mansion later...he's a surgeon so I'm sure he'd be able to give me something better. Probably some sort of shot..." She said mussing out loud as she gave a small shrug.

Her words had an immediate reaction on Kyoka's brain, both the idea of her going to the mansion with two men he knew liked her. And the idea of a shot...neither set well with him.

With more energy then he realized he had he'd sat straight up in bed the blanket forgotten as it fell from his grasp as he turned to face her opened mouthed with a protest on his lips.

It was only then did he realize he'd fallen right in to Mei's trap. Because before anything could be said he felt the cold feeling of metal being slid into his mouth.

He barely had time to register it before the terrible taste hit his tongue like a slap.

"There we go!" Mei said happily as she shoved the medicine filled spoon into Kyoka's open mouth instantly wincing when she noticed Kyoka's face had turned the same shade as his eyes.

Across town at a certain sprawling mansion two figures could be seen setting outside on the covered patio enjoying the cool breeze that was blowing.

A sudden loud retching noise caused both men to glance up from the newspaper and sketchbook they were engrossed in at the sound.

They shared a knowing look for a moment before going back to their normal routines. Both making mental notes to take a note from Kyoka and stay far away from anyone till the cold season had passed.


And that's it for Chapter 1!

I intend for these to be just little short stories, maybe 1-2 Chapters at the most. They may tie in with further stories down the line, or they may stand on their own. I've not fully decided as of yet.

I will go ahead and put it out there...if there is something you'd like to see me do please feel free to leave a comment in your review and I'll see if it inspires me to write! These are meant more just for my own fun then a serious project so I'm curious to see what ideas you guys can put in my brain. They can be about any character...seeing as how I intend to write for them all! Don't be shy...throw me your worst! XDD

Anyways...I really do hope you guys enjoy these!

Thank you so much for reading...please remember to Read and Review! I love hearing your feed back!