CHAPTER 2: Complications Afoot

It was pretty dark as Megumi and Aoshi decided to go back to Genzai sensei's house.

"How is the Aoiya doing?"

"Much better recently. Misao and Okina has been keeping things together." Aoshi responded quietly.

Megumi placed her hands on the swordsman's arm. She didn't want to remind Aoshi that he was no longer the Okashira. Somehow she sensed the fact still troubled him from time to time. She abruptly pulled the man off the road, to a nearby tree. As Aoshi felt Megumi's hand slip into his, he couldn't help but feel a warmth envelope him. He brushed her hair with the back of his hand.Not letting go of Aoshi's hand, Megumi turned away from his face to lean her back closer to his body. She focused her eyes on the fireflies that were playing on the banks of the river.

"Do you remember Aoshi? Back in Kyoto?"

He did not answer.

"I was so sure you didn't care about anything, a recluse who was content to just meditate his life away."

"I have changed since then..." He held her a bit tighter.

"I know, but that's not enough. I want you to take pleasure and notice even the littlest things, even the fireflies." She turned back to Aoshi, her eyes not masking the concern she felt for him "-This- is not enough, you must be able to look beyond that, to live."

Unable to express his thoughts to her, he planted a soft kiss to the unsuspecting lips but she did not resist and instead invited it as if it was the most natural thing for the both of them. Slowly everything vanished and on the two of them existed in that lonely part of the forest.


It was pitch black as Misao was walking towards Genzai sensei's house. She had said her farewell with Kenshin and the others. She was feeling quite good. Good food. Good friends. Almost a good day too. So she really couldn't complain. The only thing missing was Aoshi and as she walked down the path, she noticed a couple's shadow at the corner of her eye.

Huh? Oh that's so sweet! Someday Aoshi-sama and I..."

Misao let out a giggle. Hai! Hai! Someday he and I… She started feeling really giddy and placed both hands on the sides of her face, blushing and giggling as images of her wearing a wedding kimono played continuously in her mind.

"Hmm?" Aoshi aware of an intruder broke the kiss and turned around to see the weasel girl laughing giddily to herself.

"Good evening Misao-chan. It's good you're here, it'll lessen your travel time." Said the fox.

Misao turned to meet the two, her green eyes widened. What the hell?

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?" Aoshi asked Megumi.

"No! You have a long way to go. I'd rather you get a head start." She turned to Misao and smiled "Please take care of Aoshi, Misao-ch..."

Misao just nodded and turned to walk the other way. If she had to speak, she might just end up crying.

Megumi notice Misao's reaction. She sighed it will take a long while before Misao accepts the truth between her and Aoshi. She briefly took Aoshi aside and whispered "Do something nice for Misao… She's upset." Letting go of Aoshi, Megumi wondered if Aoshi understood what just happened. In a way, she felt a tinge of guilt, after all had it not been for Misao, Aoshi might've been lost to her for good. She had heard of the story from Kaoru.


The journey back to Kyoto was an uneventful one. To Misao's surprise instead of taking the long Tokaido road they rode several coaches from time to time. Normally she would be very pleased about this. No need to walk, beautiful scenery, much more comfort, but she couldn't help but pout all the way until they reached Kyoto. Aoshi even insisted to stop at Yokohama to buy her a barrett and some sweets.

I'm not baka enough to fall for that. I'm not a child anymore that you can just buy me stuff so we can make up.

They finally reached the Aoiya the third night. Aoshi's efforts proved futile.

"Don't you think the Aoiya seems kind of quiet?" Misao asked Aoshi.

Aoshi nodded his head and protectively guided Misao towards his back and settled his hands on his kodachi. They advanced quietly to the Aoiya's entrance and opened the wooden door slowly. Aoshi finally let go of his breath after seeing Okina sitting at the far end of the room, apparently conversing with someone. He could not see who it was, but it seemed that the Aoiya was not in danger.

"Okina..." he called quietly.

Okina waved him to come but Misao ran in front of Aoshi and threw a hug on her adopted grandfather.

"Sheesh gramps! I thought something was wrong here! Why isn't the restaurant open and why are all the lights dimmed?"

"O Misao! I'm glad you're back. " The old man smiled warmly at her.

Aoshi let his eyes settle on the man smoking lazily across Okina. "What business do you have here?"

Saitou smirked at Aoshi. He knew that his presence always made the people around him uncomfortable but he even enjoyed it when they showed it. "Good evening to you too Shinomori."

Aoshi turned his attention to the old man. "Okina?"

"No need to interrogate the old man Shinomori. I'll tell you why I came here." Smirking again at the icicle, Saitou blew a smoke to the side.

"Well?"

"I came here to warn you, although I fear I'm a little too late." Saitou stood up and flicked his cigarette butt out the window.

Aoshi and Misao shot meaningful glances at Okina.

Okina heaved a sigh. "We closed the restaurant today. Oumine, Kurojou, Masukami and Shirojou are sick from poisoning."

"What?" Misao blurted. "How did that happen?"

Saitou lit up another cigarette and interjected "I suspect the water was poisoned."

"Well where's the doctor?" Misao asked in a frantic voice.

"He just left after detoxifying them. Although I believe he did mention that someone needs to be looking after those four, it will be a long while before they fully recover."

"Well why didn't you arrange for that too?" Misao by now was right in front of Saitou standing on her toes in an attempt to lessen the "gap".

"Now.. Now.. ITACHI… Don't get too excited. I was lucky enough to find a good doctor." He took a long drag at his cigarette and blew the smoke to the side. "As I said, I suggest you find someone to look over them the next few days."

Misao's head raced to find someone suitable to her dismay only one person came to mind… Megumi…

As if reading her mind Aoshi said "I'll go get Megumi."

Little crosses started appearing on Misao's forehead. She desperately wanted to stop Aoshi but this time she let her head rule her. She hated to admit it but she was not fit to do the job and she didn't know of anyone else who could help.

"Shinomori, before you leave." Saitou handed him a letter.

Aoshi took one glance at the sheet of paper, his brow furrowed. He turned to leave.

"Aoshi-sama I'm coming with you!" shouted the weasel girl.

Aoshi shot her a paralyzing look and said "No Misao. Stay here and guard the Aoiya."

"But Aoshi-sama..."

"Saitou will brief you."

"But from the looks of all this it's not safe to go alone!" her green eyes pleaded with the icicle.

"The Aoiya is your first priority Okashira. Okina and -that- policeman will help you."

She sighed. There was a finality to Aoishi's voice that made it hard for her to argue. He's right I am Okashira now.