Chapter XXI – The Day After
I don't own Ruroni Kenshin characters, ok? (Although I wish to death I could own Aoshi...) I am not making money with them; I am only a poor little fan who is going crazy because of this fan fiction... much relieved now... things seem to be flowing!
OBS: The sentences into quotation marks refer to the characters speech.
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Kenshin turned around and left Aoshi outside. Kaoru had also appeared on the front door and she had a relieving face. Sanosuke was also going in. The rain had become a soft drizzle.
"And then, Kaoru?"
"Oh, Kenshin, she'll be all right! I am so glad!"
Aoshi heard that. He walked timidly inside the house.
"Genzai-sensei is done with her! I came outside to take check if it were still raining. She can go home now!"
Kaoru had a big smile on her face.
Koji showed up again.
"Grandpa said that if any of you has something to ask him, feel free to enter."
They looked at each other's face. Aoshi was standing in the doorway.
Kaoru realized Aoshi's face had been back to normal. He had no feelings showing. It was quite impressive how fast he could recover.
"Don't you want to ask something, Aoshi-san?"
He looked around. It took some seconds until he answered.
"Uh, yes..."
"So come with me."
Kaoru entered the clinic room. Aoshi followed her steps. Kenshin and Sanosuke decided to do the same.
Genzai-sensei had a hint of a smile on his face.
"She'll stay well. It'll take a couple of days before she wakes up because she's very weak. But I prepared this medicine for her and it'll help a lot."
Aoshi looked at Megumi's face. Motionless.
"What about the blood?"
The doctor opened his eyes...
Kaoru glanced around... she seemed ashamed.
"Well, Shinomori-san... the blood... well, Kaoru-san assured me it was nothing."
Aoshi looked at Kaoru's face. She wanted to find a spot to hide it from his look.
"Oh..." he said.
"Is it still raining outside?"
"No, sensei." Sanosuke replied.
"Good, good! So you can take her home! But remember she needs constant assistance! She needs to have this medicine four times a day. She also needs to have soups to make her stronger."
Kaoru came closer.
"Don't worry, she'll be staying with us at the dojo."
"Perfect!" the old doctor said. "Here are her things." He said handing in the medicine bottles, the sheets and the small cup.
Aoshi approached and the doctor handed him Megumi's belongings.
"I can take her."
"Oh, good, Aoshi-san."
The others left the room. There was only Megumi, Aoshi and Genzai-sensei.
Before picking her in his arms, Aoshi took something from his pockets and placed on the table beside the doctor.
"Shinomori-san... it's not needed. I cannot accept."
Aoshi turned to him once again.
"Please, accept it."
"No, Miss Megumi is my friend. She was my assistant, I can't." he shook his head several times.
Aoshi looked at the doctor.
"I insist. I understand it's not that comfortable for you to work now. I see doctors generally run to the patient's house but you can't. I imagine there are not many patients that can be here to see you. I am not being rude, believe me. Accept this money at least to cover the medicine charge. I truly insist."
The old man had no chance to fight back. What Aoshi said was the plain truth. He sighed.
"Ok..."
Aoshi bowed and put Megumi on his arms. She was still pale and cold.
"Thank you very much... Genzai-sensei."
"You're welcome, Shinomori-san."
Aoshi crossed the door. The others were waiting for him outside. Koji was near the shouji door.
Aoshi passed by the boy and he smiled.
"Goodbye, everybody!" he closed the door.
Kaoru, Kenshin and Sanosuke were walking a bit ahead. Aoshi was on their way with Megumi in his arms. The rain had finally stopped. Suddenly, Kaoru stopped and looked behind.
"Aoshi-san?" Kaoru called his name.
"Yes..."
"Please, take her to the dojo. I am going to watch over her."
He didn't answer.
They continued walking until they arrived at the dojo. Kenshin rushed and opened the door.
"This way, please, Aoshi-san."
Kaoru was walking ahead. Kenshin and Sano didn't follow.
"Uh, Kaoru-san..." Aoshi was right behind her.
"Yes?" she turned to him.
He was looking at her face. His arms were firmly placed around Megumi's frail body.
"I'd like to take her home."
Kaoru looked surprised.
"But, she lives alone there! There's nobody to take care of her!" she gesticulated.
Aoshi had his mouth shut. He looked at Megumi's face. Kaoru was thoughtful.
"I could take care of her..."
"But, Aoshi-san, you have to return to Kyoto!"
"I can stay here a little longer. You have your child and this dojo to take care. If you'd tell me the right quantity of medicine and how I should proceed, I could be with her."
Kaoru didn't answer. She put her left hand her under her chin.
Aoshi was looking at her face.
"All right, then... I think there's no reason I shouldn't let you do this if you want it, ne?"
He nodded.
She took a small medicine bottle in her hands and got close to him.
"Excuse me, I'll place this on your pocket. It's her medicine. Give her 5 drops of this four times a day."
He nodded once more.
"Hum... there's only one problem... do you know how to cook? Are you able to prepare a soup?"
"Yes, I know how to cook and I am able to prepare a soup."
"So, there is no problem anymore. She has to eat too. So, prepare her some soups and give them to her as her meal." She said in a smile.
"Thank you, Kaoru-san."
"Oh, you're welcome."
Aoshi turned around and walked to the front door. Sanosuke was on his way.
"Where are you taking her, Shinomori?"
"Home, Sano." Kaoru's voice came from behind.
Sanosuke moved backwards.
"Hey! Wasn't she supposed to stay here???? Weren't you supposed to take care of her?"
Sanosuke was angry.
Kaoru smiled.
"Yes... but there's someone who'll watch carefully over her. Maybe better than I would."
Aoshi bowed his head and crossed the door. He could still hear Sanosuke arguing and Kaoru's silence about that issue.
Everything was still silent. It was dawn. He didn't know exactly what time it was but it was surely very very late at night, or early at dawn? He had no watch with him. He had a western one but it was with his suit into his bag at Megumi's house.
And he had to walk to her house. Now it was not raining anymore but the weather had become pretty chilly.
He crossed the garden and opened the door. It was rather difficult to do that but he could manage it. He entered her room and placed her on her futon. She was home again and she'd be all right.
He felt relieved.
Then, it was time to do what he planned before leaving: taking a nice warm bath. He was soaked to the bones and very cold too. Furthermore, his legs were killing him.
He heated up the water he had left on the bins and went to the bathroom. He undressed and washed himself before entering the bathtub. His limbs seemed to thank that warm water. He closed his eyes, held his breath and dove his head into the water. So warm, so nice. It was just like the sensation he had. Before, everything was cold, weird feelings rising. Now, he seemed softer, relieved, light. A heavy weight had been taken from his back. His head emerged. He could stay in that tub forever. In fact, he was feeling so tired he dozed off right there.
He had a warm sensation inside...
Aoshi didn't know how long he had been there. He looked at his fingers and they were wrinkled. He must have spent a rather long time into the water. He left the tub and reached for a towel. He dressed a black yukata and walked back to the bedroom in slow steps.
She hadn't moved an inch.
Then he went to the clinic room. He had scratches and bruises to heal. He never minded about that stuff but this time they were made by some thorns and if he let them inside, they'd sure bring an infection and the scratches would swell. He also had black marks near his ankles and his knees. While on the woods he had stumbled and hit his legs many times due the darkness. Ouch! They were hurting. He browsed the shelves until he saw a familiar pot. He knew inside there was a balsam that would help him healing the bruises and scratches. He felt a sting at first, then, he would feel the wounded are freshen. It would also avoid scars.
After taking care of his wounds, Aoshi returned to the bedroom to check Megumi.
She had moved! He had left her lying with her belly up, now she was lying with her belly down, one hand on the futon, the other one, under the pillow. Yet, she was there, looking lifeless. But her breath was stronger now and her skin had a light warmth.
He sat on the futon, stretching his legs, his back on the wall. He sighed and looked up. His mind was empty that time, he was so tired.
He noticed some birds chirping outside. There were few birds, though. The sun would rise in half hour or so. He looked at Megumi.
He focused his blue eyes on her. He was staring. Yes, he was staring. How many times had he done that? He didn't know! He thought it was really the first time he was staring that way. If she were up, she'd certainly blush. She was wearing a lavender kimono, no socks. Her hair was untied and falling over her shoulders, spreading on her back, coming down to gently touch the futon. Her long straight raven dark hair. She was certainly a beautiful woman, many people surely thought that. Yes, he also thought she was good looking but he never paid attention to really see her beauty. And she was really attractive even like that, sleeping. She didn't look like a fox at all. She was so innocent sleeping. Her skin was very white, whiter than usual. He looked at her hand opened on the futon. Delicate. Her thin brows and long eyelashes. He tried to remember her eyes. Dark eyes. And her look? He remembered it used to be teasing and rather happy since she escaped from Kanryuu's mansion. But when he first saw her at that damned mansion he noted she had sad eyes. Lately he almost could not notice her eyes anymore, they were always down with a cold fading light into them. His eyes went down on her face. Well done thin nose, pale cheeks and her mouth. He had kissed that mouth many times, but he never really focused on it before. Her lips were beautiful without the red lipstick, they had a pale pinkish color. They helped making up the angel like figure he saw lying on the futon.
Weird, uh? Yes... pretty weird. Why was he only observing that now? And why was he observing that? It didn't really match with him but he couldn't help. He wanted to gaze her that way.
The birds were chirping louder and surely there were more birds outside. But he didn't stand up. He stood there, sitting near her, watching if she would move.
He had a strange will of being there with her. He knew he needed to go back to Kyoto but he wouldn't let her like that again, it wouldn't be fair.
Some time later, he decided it was late enough, the sun was up. He stood up and walked to the kitchen. Yes, he was starving but she should have been much starving than him so, instead of preparing his breakfast, he got some vegetables, chopped them in very small pieces and cooked them. He put some salt and spice. Yes, it was smelling good. Meanwhile, he also boiled water for his morning tea and he decided to try some western cookies and loafs they had bought two days ago in the market. Oh, they tasted good! Megumi hadn't tried them yet, the packages were closed. He saw the soup was ready. The vegetables had melted. He put the soup on a bowl and took it to her bedroom.
First, Aoshi placed the bowl on the floor so he could sit down and take her in his arms. He lifter her body and gently opened her mouth with his fingers. Then, he made her drink the soup slowly so it wouldn't dirt her.
The soup was gone. Now he had to give her medicine. Aoshi did just like Kaoru had said. He got a handkerchief and cleaned her mouth. He didn't lay her down immediately. He stood with her some time in his arms. He could feel her body was regaining its warmth, it was almost normal again.
He hadn't slept at night, his body was almost forcing him to take a nap. He leaned against the wall once again without losing grip of Megumi and rested his chin and the side of his jaw on her head. He held her and fell asleep.
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There were people on the streets now. Slowly, Aoshi opened his eyes. It was very bright inside. The day was warm and full of light. One hand came to his eyes and rubbed them. He looked down and saw her there. She was still asleep.
Carefuly, Aoshi put Megumi aside and stood up. He was curious to know what time would that be. It was really late and it was strange for him because he was used to waking up very early.
He saw his bag and opened it. He searched inside for that western watch and he found it. Very late indeed, 10:20 am. That's why people were so noisy outside.
What would he do now? He didn't feel like meditating. Megumi was asleep, there was nobody to talk to. But even when she was not asleep, they never really talked much. Would he cook lunch now? 10:20 pm? No, it was early for that and he was not a catastrophe on the kitchen that it would take him more than one hour to prepare a soup and a plain meal. Origami? No... Aoshi was roaming inside. And then he saw a broom.
"Oh, that's what I am going to do."
Aoshi got the broom and started sweeping the main room. It made him remember of Kenshin. And once he asked Kenshin why he did the laundry and the works. He was doing almost the same. But he didn't mind, it'd help him killing time. People at Aoiya would surely be shocked if they would see that scene. But it was not that bad. He swept the main room, the clinic room, the kitchen, the bathroom, the meditation room and the guest room. He only didn't enter Megumi's bedroom not to have to move her from one place to another. He decided to let her quiet there.
He looked at the watch. 11:35 am. Yes, now he could prepare lunch. He did the same thing he had done early in the morning. Boiled water, chopped vegetables to extremely small pieces. It was even fun chopping vegetables. He discovered Megumi had a knife that was almost the same size of his kodachis. He wondered what was that for... but he decided to pick the big knife and chop the vegetables; it was almost like using a sword down, if you put in your mind these are not enemies running at you with a blade on. He started thinking of Kenshin as a Vegetable Battousai. Stupid... what was happening with him that he could even think of stupidities like those? He shook his head in disapproval.
He took the soup to her along with her medicine. He did the same thing he had done in the morning. Then, he put her body down again. And now? He was not sure of what to prepare for his own lunch. He thought of leaving and having lunch somewhere else but he wouldn't do that with Megumi there. She could wake up at any moment and he wanted to be there. He went back to the kitchen and looked up for something... soba... Saitou's favorite meal... yes, he'd go for a soba now.
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In the afternoon, there was the same thing, he prepared her soup and gave her medicine. He started getting worried she wouldn't wake up. But... the doctor said it could take a couple of days.
Aoshi decided to open the back door and go outside. He'd wash the dishes now and he would wash his clothes and Megumi's clothes too. He looked for the soap and took a full bin of water out of the well. First, he washed the dishes. When they were done, he started washing ht clothes. He was there washing the clothes when he heard a noise coming from the front door. Normal-sensed people wouldn't notice it, but he was onmitsu.
He let the clothes there and walked to the front door. His hands were wet and full of soap. He got to the door and opened it. Oh, it was Kenshingumi.
"Hello Aoshi-san!"
"Hello." he answered.
"May we come in?" Yahiko asked.
"Yes..." Aoshi came out of their way so they all could enter.
"Thank you."
They entered. There were Kenshin, Kaoru, Saosuke, Kenji and Yahiko. They were all very smiley except for Sanosuke.
"How is Megumi doing?" Kaoru asked.
"Uh, better. Her temperature is almost normal."
"She didn't wake up..."
"Not yet but she moved this morning."
"Good, ne, Kenshin?"
Kenshin smiled and nodded.
"Are you feeding her, Shinomori?"
Aoshi didn't look at Sanosuke.
"Of course."
"Aoshi-san is taking good care of Megumi!" Kaoru said. "Can I take a look at her, Aoshi-san?"
"Sure. This way, please."
Aoshi took Kaoru to Megumi's bedroom. Kenshin stood with Kenji and the others there on the main room. He opened the shouji door and Kaoru went inside.
"Oh, she's even a bit blushed!"
Aoshi didn't reply. He was standing by the door.
Kaoru bowed to touch her neck and check her temperature.
"Yes, she's surely warmer. I hope she won't take long to wake up."
"Yes."
Meanwhile, Yahiko noticed the back door was opened. He went there to check and he saw clothes to be washed and some others hanging to dry. He also saw the clean washed dishes.
This time Kaoru and Aoshi were returning from the bedroom.
"Oh... Aoshi-san... he's almost a Kenshin." Yahiko whispered to Sanosuke. "Guess what! He was washing clothes and dishes before we arrive!"
Aoshi looked at him. He surely heard that clearly.
"What?"
Yahiko felt his skin crawling. He looked behind and there was Aoshi.
"Oh, nothing. I just wonder why strong men make such..." he decided to shut up due to Aoshi's eyes on him.
Kenshin had an oro face.
"Ehrm... so, everything is doing great here, Aoshi-san must be busy, he has to watch over Megumi... let's go folks..." Kaoru said. She was really blushed.
She walked to the door, the others followed her way. Aoshi thanked the visit and closed the door.
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Outside, Yahiko was talking:
"I never imagine I could see Shinomori Aoshi doing the dishes or the laundry... gosh, this world is going crazy!!!"
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Crazy chapter?! Yes, I know... it was doing nice but there was a time I couldn't hold myself anymore... but I promise I'll be normal again next chapter!!!!
/kiss crossed fingers.