By Fujifunmum
Chapter 22: Surprises
Megumi stood in the center of the picturesque building at the back of the garden of the Koi. It was rather large for an outdoor building and she wondered what it had originally been built to house. No matter, for tonight it would serve her purpose. The entryway faced the loveliest, most fragrant bush that Aoshi had replanted from her garden. It had been moved at an inoperative time, when it was in full bud and just about to bloom. Now, its blooms were full, but she feared they would not last more than a day or two. With the shock of moving, the plant was sure to fade quickly and might not even survive the replanting.
At the moment, she felt much the same as the plant – would she survive the experience herself? She was not at all certain. She had been transplanted before, but only by war and her own volition. Now, she had made the choice to move to the Koi, but her resolve was in doubt. It had been very much a decision to avoid going back to her house rather than an affirmative decision to move to the Koi.
She had never lived at an Inn before, and had hardly ever stayed in one either. She preferred to stay at the Kamiya dojo in Tokyo, the only place she traveled to with any regularity. She was not entirely comfortable staying at the Koi. No, that wasn't correct. She was nearly entirely uncomfortable staying at the Koi.
Shinomori's constant presence left her off balance and wondering about his intent. He had given her some rather significant signs of his interest in her, but she was loath to accept them at face value. Not only did she wonder at his sudden affection for her, she had no idea if she would be able to deal with another relationship with a man, even if it was by her own choice. The scars from both Kanryuu and Kunisawa ran deep.
Megumi shook off this train of thought and brought herself back to the matter at hand. That would be the dinner she was planning. She missed cooking. It was one of her better skills and one of her favorite activities to relax after a trying day at the clinic. The pattern and flow of her life had always seemed more concrete, more under her control, when she returned from her practice and used her own two hands to prepare her own food. Rarely had she cooked for others since she had left Tokyo. No one in Aizu had replaced the warm spot of affection the Kenshingumi held in her heart.
At first, of course, it had been just Ken-san. Ken-san's place of affection had been one apart from the others. But gradually, Kaoru, Yahiko and Sano had joined the circle of love and trust that held her happiness in Tokyo. Aoshi and Misao were trusted associates, but their residence in Kyoto had kept her from spending very much time with them. Kaoru, Ken-san, Yahiko and Sanosuke all knew the Oniwabanshuu better than she did.
She laughed out loud at that thought. Sanosuke knew Misao better than anyone had ever expected at this point. Her smile was warm and genuine at the thought of her old friends and their new relationship. She wished Misao were here so she could tease her – just a little. OK, more than a little. She had a strong desire to make the Okashira squirm more than a little bit by baiting her about Sano. Really, she and Kaoru were so easy to manipulate it was almost no challenge.
She put her hand on her hip and laughed again. A challenge was just what she needed right now. It would be something to take her mind off of the very tall and handsome former Okashira who tended to dominate her thoughts lately. She was anxious to set a tone this evening. She would be gracious. She would be the perfect hostess and most grateful of friends. She would be the perfect aloof physician/friend. No, she would be the perfect detached physician/acquaintance. That was what they were, wasn't it, acquaintances?
She shook off her reverie and went back to planning. There was more than enough room for her to set up a table, cushions, and an adequate service area to the rear of the large room where she could have her utensils and extra supplies on hand. She could even use the large porch that surrounded the entire building if she needed more space. There was plenty of room for tea. No, no tea. Definitely no tea. That would be too dangerous a reminder of Aoshi's first visit to her.
The evening promised to be very mild, the onset of summer was upon them and the weather was unseasonably warm. She paused in her planning to ponder her choice of kimono. Purple would suit her this evening. It was her favorite color and very becoming. She would pair it with the palest of the blue under kimonos she owned, and her vibrant pictorial obi. The depiction of the orange goldfish, the koi, would be a subtle honor to her protector. This dinner was to demonstrate the honor she felt for him. At least that was what she told herself as she left for the kitchen.
The garden was perfect. She sat briefly on the garden bench Aoshi had brought from her house with the plantings. Even if they lost more than several of the ornamental plantings and herbs, the garden would be strikingly beautiful by the end of the summer. She closed her eyes and took in the scents of the early afternoon. They were a little brighter than the heavier, denser fragrances of the night bloomers she favored. Still, each flower had its charm; people, like flowers, were capable of adding beauty to their surroundings or siphoning it off.
She had tried to be a contributor, especially since her rescue by Ken-san. Why had she been the victim of two of the most vicious villains around? Again, she shook off this unproductive train of thought and continued towards the kitchen. She was determined to prepare this entire dinner herself, no matter what instructions the former Okashira had left for his efficient staff.
Sanosuke was just giving the last of his security personnel their assignments for the remainder of the week when Misao came into the family dining room at the Crane.
"Yo, woman! Come over here and keep me company."
"I'm not your entertainment director, Sanosuke. You're my Chief of Security. So let's have your report."
Checking to be sure they were alone in the room, Sanosuke grabbed Misao by the wrist as she began to walk past him and pulled her into his lap.
"Sano! Cut it out! Anyone could walk in here unexpectedly, you know. I'm the Okashira, not your girl toy."
"Don't you mean woman toy?"
"Yeah, woman toy. Wait!" Misao smacked Sano on the shoulder as she realized he was using his usual ploy of confusing her words to confuse her into whatever he wanted. "I'm not either your girl toy or your woman toy! I'm the Okashira and anyone, guest or family, could walk in and I'd be embarrassed." She smacked him again and struggled to get out of his grasp, unsuccessfully.
"OK, Okashira, ma'am. Your Chief of Security at your service." He abruptly kissed her hard on the mouth and set her back on her feet, steadying her when she wavered at the unexpected release.
Misao straightened her uniform and sat down across from Sanosuke, hoping to keep the conversation to Oniwabanshuu business for at least a few minutes.
"Okina will be here next week, do we have any pressing news
or update for him or that I should warn him about?"
"Nope. Oh, are you sending him a message in Kyoto today?"
"Yes, I was planning on it. Did you have a message for someone in Kyoto?"
"No, but speaking of messages, did you ever track down the haiku those damn birders used to spread the news of our, um, uh, closer friendship?"
"Yes. What does this have to do with your Security report?"
"Nothing. Everything's secure. All the security jobs are set. Cough up the messages, Misao. I want to see them."
"I'm not keeping them in my obi, Sano."
"Too bad, we could play a little hide and seek. I seem to recall you like playing that game."
Misao giggled, remembering that day long ago when she had used a child's game of hide and seek to begin to teach him stealth techniques. She hadn't known then how talented he was or how important he would become to her. Her smile spread across her face and softened her eyes. She reached across the table and took Sano's large hand in both of hers.
"I like to play lots of games with you, Sano. The haiku messages are upstairs, we can read them later."
"Now. Let's go read them now. Or maybe we'll just play some games and then read them. Come on, Okashira. We need a private discussion of your 'leadership'."
Sano took her hands and half dragged her up the back stairs to their room, Misao giggling all the way. Maybe she was his entertainment director.
Megumi was always immaculately attired for dinner, and tonight was no exception. She wrapped her warm violet colored kimono around her pale blue under kimono, carefully aligning the collars, adjusting the waist and fastening the tie to hold the kimono in place perfectly while she handled the obi. She wound the long decorated length of fabric around her and tied it in a very elaborate and decorative manner. Tonight it would not be entirely hidden by her hair as she served the dinner, so she wanted it to be fit to be seen. In addition, she was conscious of the Koi motif and placed the most elaborately embroidered of the symbols artistically off center in the front of her kimono. The koi swarm blissfully around her waist, headed for a picturesque pool with water lilies.
Fitting her tabi covered feet into her geta; she headed for the kitchen to direct the delivery of her food to the little used building. Earlier, she had supervised the placement of the sparse furnishings she and Aoshi would need, plus a delicate but dramatic arrangement flowers and reeds. It suited her taste in its simplicity and beauty.
The kitchen staff had been more than helpful, wishing to actually do the cooking for her, which she would not allow. They did, however, make several suggestions to help keep her preparations warm and waiting while she dressed and prepared herself for the arrival of her guest.
Aoshi had been gone from the Koi for the day. He had assured her that he would be back late in the afternoon when he had walked her to her clinic that morning. She had seen all of her patients in the morning, closing the clinic in the afternoon to make her preparations. She had asked Goro to leave a handwritten invitation for Aoshi in his quarters. Goro had given her a quizzical stare, but said nothing. She would expect nothing less from the disciplined ninja.
She wondered if Aoshi had returned, but the kitchen staff assured her that he had indeed returned to the Inn as expected. That meant her schedule for serving would allow them to have the hot meal she had planned rather than lukewarm dishes later.
She made her way to the out building with a light heart and a smile on her face. She was taking control of her situation. She was thanking her old friend Aoshi for his great pains on her behalf. As she removed her geta at the doorway, she stopped to admire the shadowy atmosphere her candles and decoration had created and frowned. She was kidding herself. She had more hopes for this evening than she was willing to admit.
Fortunately, the room had been intended for tea and meals and the fire pit in the center allowed her to keep the several courses she had prepared warm while she awaited the arrival of her guest. Megumi was glad at this point to have something to occupy her mind and her hands while she waited. Her mind was way too focused on Aoshi these days. She didn't want to become anxious as she waited. For tonight she wanted to be the epitome of calm.
Aoshi returned to his room to find the handwritten note Goro had carefully placed between his two kodachi on their stand. The hand was unmistakably Megumi's and Aoshi was pleased but puzzled to see it. He knew she couldn't have encountered any problem during his absence or Goro would have advised him of it immediately. Goro, his trusted friend and comrade, understood his interest in Megumi more than the lady herself at the moment.
He gently opened the folded origami paper. It was a patterned paper folded in the shape of a fish. She had used beautiful calligraphy to place his name on the filet. When he opened the folded paper, it revealed an underside of palest blue paper brushed in beautiful strokes to request his presence at dinner in the garden house. Megumi referred to the occasion as a dinner in grateful appreciation for his warm friendship.
That brought a slight smile to his lips. She was very near to learning just how warm that friendship was.
He dressed in a comfortable kimono, deciding that his western clothing might be too aloof for such a traditional setting when he knew Megumi would be dressed in a kimono. He and Goro had discussed the garden house at length before the purchase of the Inn, but they had not yet decided the best use for the unique and lovely property. Megumi had anticipated his own preference by using it for a private dinner. The very thought that she wished to dine with him privately pleased him. He was anticipating a very enjoyable and entertaining evening. Megumi was entertaining under any circumstances, but tonight should be especially interesting as she was overtly trying to express her gratitude. He might very well have some suggestions for her before the dinner was ended.
Leaving word with the staff to leave them in peace, he made his way through the fragrant garden to the softly lit ante building. It was the appointed place and the appointed hour.
As Aoshi crossed the threshold, he could see Megumi kneeling gracefully next to a table. It was set very simply but using lovely pieces he recognized as hers. The service was sparse but elegant.
Megumi greeted him with a respectful bow, inviting him as her honored guest to join her. It delighted him to watch her graceful and practiced movements as she rose and served him dinner. Her composure was complete, if forced. His constant feel of her ki during their time together allowed him to feel the slightest changes in her mood. She was smiling, attentive and pleasing on the outside, but jittery and nervous on the inside.
For once, Aoshi sought to set her at ease, stirring himself to be more vocal in his complements to her presentation, her planning, and her thoughtfulness towards him in planning such an impromptu occasion. In short, he was the perfectly mannered guest.
Megumi relaxed a bit as Aoshi responded to her offerings and her care. She was a bit suspicious as he continued to respond in kind to her every gesture and each new dish. This was so atypical for Aoshi, that she risked the formal and yet relaxed mood she had created by questioning him over their desert.
"Do not strain your vocal chords, Aoshi. Rarely have I heard so much Japanese escape from your throat. Are you quite well?"
Aoshi actually chuckled, just a little bit. Now she was amazed. Never had she heard him speak so freely, smile in her presence, or actually make a sound remotely like laughter.
"Now I know you must be ill. Were you visiting the sick this afternoon? Were they contagious?" Her eyebrow rose to the same level as her curiosity.
"Aa. I see I have piqued your curiosity, Takani Megumi. Do you truly wish to know of my whereabouts this afternoon?"
His face was unreadable, as usual, but Megumi had a very strong feeling that he was teasing her. Unwillingly, she blinked her eyes several times to try to clear her vision. Aoshi was teasing her? Shinomori Aoshi? She must be the one who was ill.
She raised the back of her hand to her forehead, thinking she must have a fever.
She slowly lowered her hand, peeking through her fingers at the stranger seated across from her who was actually smiling, just a little.
Ever the physician, Megumi quickly leapt to her feet and knelt beside Aoshi, placing the same hand on his forehead.
He allowed her this closeness only briefly, and then Aoshi gently took her hand and placed it in his. Brushing against her cheek lightly with his other hand, his fingertips rested lightly on her chin as he spoke.
"I am not ill, Megumi. I was buying a gift for my bride this afternoon."
"You're getting married?"
"Yes, we are."
December 21, 2003