Part 3: The woman that made him smile
The next morning Megumi was up, dressed, and standing beside the window when the sun made its first appearance. She had spent a restless night. Shinomori Aoshi had floated in and out of her dreams all night long. She wasn't sure why, but even now it made her faintly uncomfortable to think about him.
On impulse she picked up her umbrella and left her room. She walked slowly down the stairs and upon reaching the court yard, was pleased to find that the sunlight was already warm. She crossed the court yard, and moved toward the back of the house. She rounded a corner and could see the glimmer of water in what looks like a small, man made lake. She heard splashing and Misao's excited voice.
"Ohayo, Meg-chan."
Somehow Megumi wasn't startled by her host's voice. Aoshi stood in the shade of a flowering shrub. Wearing his own oniwabanshu uniform and colors, he was rubbing his head with a large towel. His jet-black hair is wet, clinging like tattered ribbons to his face, and she figured that her employer must have joined his young daughter in a short swim before he resorts back to business.
"Otousan! Otousan! Let's play!" Misao called out, playfully waving her hands and splashing the water about. Shiro and Kuro are sitting by the other side of the lake and keeping an eye in watching over their Master's hyper active daughter. Misao got tired playing with them, and presses for her father to stay longer.
"Not now, Misao." He said, and with that phrase the little girl pouted and proceeds to play with Shiro and Kuro again.
Megumi looked into the sharp blue eyes and decided that she liked them----- this morning anyway. Last night they had been more ferocious. "Ohayo." She replied.
"Do you want to take a swim?" he asked softly.
"No." Her answer was too abrupt so she softened it. "No, thank you. I don't swim."
He placed the towel on his one shoulder, "Well then, I'll tell Okon and Omasu that you'll breakfast with Misao and me."
She watched him move away and then, not knowing what to do with herself, she went back to her room and applied a touch of lipstick, then ran a comb to her hair.
When she went downstairs, it was with Misao's hand tucked firmly in her own. The girl was a delight. She had come into Megumi's room, her long wet braid hanging over her shoulder and an impish grin on her face. Megumi had brushed and re-braided Misao's hair while she kept up an endless chatter. She was going to be fun to be with.
"Megumi-sensei?" she addressed her politely, as she gazed to the mirror. "Is it okay if I address you like that? It makes you sound so old."
"Oh no, sweetie its okay." She said, giving the last few tugs to her braided hair. "It's far polite unlike your Otousan." she made a small mischievous smile that made Misao curious, "He wanted to refer me as Meg- chan. It sounds silly, isn't it?"
"Meg-chan!! That is so cute!" Misao squealed in delight, "Did Otousan called you like that?"
Megumi nodded.
"Then I'll call you Meg-chan as well." She giggled, "What Otousan says, everybody follows." Looking at her with soulful wide green eyes, Misao added, "Meg-chan, you are the only woman in household that ever made my Otousan smile. Ever since he moved to this big stone house, he is always busy about business matters. He rarely plays with me anymore."
Megumi fixed the ribbon at her hair, "I don't think so Misao, I think you also make your Otousan smile in your own way. That makes two of us."
"Really? You think so?"
"Of course, dear. I do."
Breakfast on a shaded terrace was easier than Megumi had thought it would be. Misao acted as a buffer between her and Aoshi. She watched him with his daughter. He didn't even remotely resembled the stern-faced man last night; although more relaxed now, he was far from careless in his attitude toward the little girl. When she spoke he listened closely to what she is saying. And Misao, Megumi was surprised to discover, took on a more mature personality when she was with him. The young girl takes the chance to bond with the only parent she knew, while he still had time to. Aoshi somehow shed some of his coldness and shows some affection to his adopted child.
"We're going to enroll you in a school when we get home, so you'll be very busy," Aoshi told her half-way through the meal. "Meg-chan is going to teach you some things that will help when you start school."
Misao looked at Megumi with eyes big and round with astonishment, and sang in a medley as she asked Megumi "Are you Meg-chan, meg-chan the amazon woman?" (**refer to part 1; under paragraph 5 to get the joke-author.)
Aoshi laughed. The blue eyes gleamed at Megumi. There was nothing too familiar in his eyes, so she smiled happily back at him.
"You have to call her Megumi-sensei, Misao. But if that's the way you like it, you can call her as Meg-chan if you want."
"I want to," she said simply to her father, "Otousan, can we show Meg-chan your garden? Otousan grows the finest plants and most beautiful orchids in his small garden, he sometimes do Tachibana. Why, he is the one who transplanted the wonderful cherry blossoms crowning the entrance in the front yard! Otousan, onegai tasukete.can I show her my Kirei?" she said, tugging to his sleeve as she refers to her favorite bonsai plant that Aoshi gave her on her 8th birthday.
"If Megumi would like to."
"Orchids? Oh I would love to see them." Megumi exclaimed, astounded that a man of stature and beyond reproach as tacit as Aoshi would grow plants and do Tachibana (flower-arranging) for a hobby.
"Finish your meal first, Misao," Aoshi said sternly though his eyes were smiling.
*****
Fifteen minutes later, Misao led them away from the porch. They went through a door way and down a corridor into, a small exit with only a thin curtain as its door. Misao opened it for them and ran, the path leading them to another garden.
Just few feet outside stood a manicured replica of a Japanese garden. Although the villa is constructed with western influence and style in every way, Aoshi had requested that a part of it shall have a local ambiance. His fascination for plants, give him a decision to make a local garden. The view is absolutely simple and breathtaking, as a small bridge eclipse over a lake, which is bejeweled by floating lotus and lilies. Bonsais were being tamed to grow in where lime stones, white pebbles and ceramic pots are artistically placed. Dry trees lined the green earth, and small pots are attached to them, growing are the orchids of all colors and sizes. They release such sweetness and fragrance in the air, that it attracts a couple of butterflies, and other pleasant flying insects. She was speechless for she had never seen anything so lovely.
"I-It's beautiful!! Absolutely beautiful, and the orchids!" she exclaimed breathlessly.
Misao pointed out to one particular plant, "I helped Otousan divide it and next year I'll have a flower. I'm going to name it Kirei,"
"You had already had a plant named Kirei, Misao." "Well, it would be Kirei number two. They are both beautiful!"
And beautiful they are, Megumi can't help but compliment about the flower. "Lovely! You'll have your own corsage. I had one given to me by a dear friend when he asked me out, I kept it in a cold place for days and days."
"Who is your DEAR friend, Meg-chan? Is he a man?"
Megumi never got to answer the question, she caught Aoshi looking at her strangely. He reached down and plucked a large ivory bloom from one of the pots and handed it to her. Megumi's red lips parted in speechless astonishment. "O-Oh, you shouldn't have! It's beautiful. Perfectly lovely." She smiled at him. "Arigatou, demo." she protested, "I don't have a cold place to put it in,"
He smiled back at her from the depth of his blue eyes and she felt a shiver go through her body. Her self-consciousness, which had temporarily left, returned.
They left the fragrant, serene ambiance of the Japanese garden and walk back into the courtyard. Aoshi reached into his pocket and pulled out a paper. "Here's the list of requirements from the school." He said, then finally putting on his long pale beige wide-collared coat. Megumi noticed how regal he looked when he wears them. "I'll be gone until evening on some private matters regarding our omitsus in the northern side, so meanwhile, you and Misao can get started with her writing, traditional Japanese and math. I'll tell Omasu to have dinner served for the two of us in the formal dining room so you can wear your orchid."
He gazed at her steadily for a long moment, then he was gone, leaving her feeling curiously unsettled. What was about this man that made her so perturbed, she wondered. She tried to get a hold of herself, and together with Misao they went upstairs to her room to begin working on the school's requirements.
That afternoon Megumi wrote a long letter to Himura Kenshin, the man she met when she went to Tokyo and rescued her from an almost wandering life, and helped her, along with his friends, to bring somehow some justice on her bleak past. He had inspired her with the sense of permanence and stability, as he introduced her to their local doctor, Dr. Gensai to which she worked and lived for sometime now. She cannot thank him less, and when she was sent to Kyoto for the new job, she forgot to tell him and his friends that she was leaving. To compensate with it, she addressed them a letter knowing he would want to know about the unusual events that had brought her to the magnificent Villa in Kyoto. A man like Aoshi must have earned a fortune in having brought the house, after all, not all Japanese people can afford what he brought. Before she sealed the letter, she asked for Okon, one of the oniwabanshu keepers in the household, for the address of the villa so Kenshin could write her.
"To your Kazoku?" Okon asked, indicating the letter.
"No, to a dear friend."
She asked Okon if she had a family. The question opened the way for a full hour's visit.
"Master Aoshi is a wonderful man. Don't you think?" Okon asked finally.
"Oh yes, he is very nice." How could she say, that he scared her to death?
"Master Aoshi, gave you a bad time, ne?" Okon, her eyes warm with sympathy, spoke with the familiarity of a friend rather than an employee.
"No, he has a right to know about the people he takes into his home."
"Master Aoshi is not a hard man. He may appear to be so, but he is an important person. That's why he acts rigid or harsh sometimes, he have to show what respect is worthy to be one's leader and by not showing one's weakness openly. Resuming a great responsibility at such a young age has forced Master Aoshi to mature in harsh reality of life."
"He seems rather of age for his position," Megumi paused, she heard of clan leaders but most of them have obtained their posts in the age after 30. "Although for a man becoming a leader in his late 20's, it's remarkable that he rose to ranks that fast."
"Master Aoshi is some sort of a prodigy. He was chosen to be the clan leader at the age of 15,"
"Fifteen?" Megumi's eyes widened with surprise. Aoshi is barely in his adulthood when the responsibility of leading his people fell to his shoulders. She figured then why Aoshi behave like so, starting with his clinical remarks and his stiff reception just last night. He have to put a strong commanding front to his people at 15 to respect him, as he grew older, it grew more than a façade. It became what he is now.
Okon told her about the oniwabanshus, then asking if Megumi have already met Okina during her days in Dr. Gensai's clinic. She said that she might have recalled him, but he is always accompanied heavily by other onis, if she remembered it clearly, he is a wise old man with a funny- ribboned beard. Okon pointed out that Okina is one of the veterans and best respected oniwabanshu's around his field and have somehow at one point became Aoshi's mentor. He was voted by the tribe to take the highest post in the clan, but eventually turn it down for he claims he is too old to take on dangerous missions, he urged and nominated the then young Aoshi to take over.
"But," Okon added, "Master Okina and Aoshi is never alike. Their personalities clash, but in over all both men are stubborn." Okon told Megumi, that it reached to a point when both men have a show down, and Okina ended up badly injured. Seeing Megumi's startled expression, Okon presses not to further elaborate the story. She just concluded that it nearly strained their relationship and could have taken away Misao from him. "Four of us, were sent to take Misao away and bring her to Okina, which she fondly remembers as her ojisan. Master Aoshi didn't take the threat seriously, and during one of his nocturnal outings.we went out to get her, she was just around 6 by then."
"Did Aoshi-san do anything about it?" His past, intrigues her. "Did he try to get Misao back?"
"Not after for three years," Okon replied curtly, "He knows what Master Okina wants and it was then pride that got the better of him that he held back. At first he didn't seem to care, in fact he seems satisfied that he does not have to burden himself to look after a child. But I think there is something with that little girl that drawn him and he went to the household when Master Okina is away, and we are in charge to look after her."
"And.please continue,"
"It nearly breaks our hearts to see Master Aoshi's face," she continued, looking up at Megumi. "Misao detests at the sight of him, and its not easy to reason with a child. She was angry that because he never attempted to visit her during those three years, and she heard from others that he does not care for her at all because she was adopted. She never wants to go back to him. Somehow it hits him in the sensitive spot, because after all, he did raised her since she was a baby. Afterwards, he confronted Okina into a serious conversation and somehow he gave in. but he demanded that he wants to have Misao back. Do you know why he brought this large place?"
Megumi recalled her employer's words, "He told me that this is the strong hold and the oniwabanshu's quarters. And lately, some members moved to Osaka"
Okon looked around, "That's true but." she continued, "Master Aoshi wants to make some time to bond with his only daughter, and he have to take her away far from Okina from Osaka so he could do so. He brought the villa, because of Misao's fascination with western culture. It was like a make-up gift for her, nonetheless, Misao became so excited that she forgot that she was angry at him. But business sometimes takes out some quality family time, so Misao was left alone in the house much often. Okina learned about the situation, we are sent here to Kyoto to look after her. It took some months before Master Aoshi trusted us NOT to sneak out Misao again."
What Okon said after all make sense, there is a different air with Aoshi when Misao is around him. It seems that, for a time being he can be a different person. His eyes were kinder, and his words can be pleasant and nurturing. He spends quality time on her if he can. Then it hits her, if Misao has the four onis looking after her and is re-building her relationship very well with her father, what is she needed for?
"Master Okina is concerned that Misao needs a mother, to groom her to a young proper woman and he thinks that it's best for her to have a mother is have Master Aoshi settled with a woman." Okon said, "Master Aoshi does not have time for a relationship, to him its foolish. That's why he insists that he will hire a proper tutor himself, someone who can teach Misao without involving personal feelings. That's when you came in."
"Oh I see," she didn't know whether to take it as a compliment, "So did Okina-san stop insisting afterwards? I mean Misao is doing well now that I'm here."
Okon shrugged, "That we don't know. Master Okina is a man of resourcefulness, he sees Master Aoshi like a son and he wouldn't stop at anything till he attains some level of domesticity. He wants him to marry a woman of his caliber, preferably someone that can also carry on a strong bloodline and pedigree. The Okashira of the Sanada clan, Moriya Misanagi is Master Okina's best choice. It's to strengthen the ties of both clans."
"And did he agree with it?"
"No, In fact not even that woman can make him smile. One can tell that Master Aoshi likes the person if you see him smile, which he hardly does." Then there is some glint in Okon's eyes, something entered her head that made her smile. "We use to think, Megumi-san. that his daughter is the only woman in the world that can make him smile. He seems to take a liking to you too."
Megumi gave a perplexed look, "No I don't think so, Aoshi-san." she spoke, ".Aoshi-san is just making up for his harsh actions earlier last night. I presume its natural for a man to act good natured if he wants apology for his actions, if he can't say it well."
Okon looked at the clock by the window, "Oh! Pardon me Megumi-san, I forgot I have chores to do!" she made a low bow, "I have to go now, please be ready when Master Aoshi comes home. He would be disappointed if he sees his date is not yet ready."
"Hai."
Okon left the room, and Megumi slowly reflected the things they discussed about the Oniwabanshu leader. He was only 15, when he took the position and never got a chance to enjoy the life of a young man and was forced to mature early on, then he took in the responsibility of raising Misao. When he told her he brought the house for important purposes, she never imagined that he did it for the concern of his only daughter. That he went through a bitter argument just to win her back. She believes it, she could see it in his ice blue eyes, melting in warmth as she observed him at the tender moments when he talks with Misao.and when at times, looking at her with also the same gaze.
Did Okon said she was his date? She shrugged the notion, thinking the oni was just teasing her. Somehow the hour long-talk made her understand him a little better, now, but pity him, she did not. She would be a fool to feel a moment's pity for such a self-assured person.
*****
Megumi was quite nervous about having dinner alone with Aoshi and had piled her long black hair on top of her head in an effort to look mature. A soft knock finally came on the door. She pulled it open and there he was. Aoshi smiled at the surprise on her face.
.We used to think, Megumi-san. that his daughter is the only woman in the world that can make him smile. He seems to take a liking to you too. Okon's words re-verbrated to her head. She tried to shake the thought of it. There is nothing going between them. It's just a formal occasion for both tutor and her employer, no more no less.
"Why so surprised? I live here too. Remember?" Aoshi said, the words died out as, all of a sudden, he was looking at her strangely. She wanted to go into the closet and hide.
"What's the matter?" she asked, forcing her tone to be light. "Have I got egg on my face?"
"It's you hair. You are not the suave, urbane type. It makes you look jaded."
Was he teasing? He couldn't be flirting with her!
She tried to laugh. It wasn't much of a success. "Perhaps I am jaded."
He laughed and she decided again that she liked his eyes. "No. You're refreshing, soft as a tofu, and." he tilted his head and studied her. "And.whimsical."
"Whimsical?" Did he think she was a feather-brain?
"I should have added stubborn, argumentative, and late for dinner. Brush out your hair so we can go." He moved into the room. Megumi looked horrified. "Do you this often?"
"Ask women to take their hair down? Of course not. Sometimes I do it for them." He was grinning broadly. Could this be the cynical hard case of a man who almost threw her out of the house last night?
"Well?"
"Daijoubou.But if it looks like a mess it'll be your fault."
"You couldn't look like a total mess if you tried."
"You're totally.unpredictable."
"And you are wasting time."
She removed the pins and her hair cascaded to her shoulders in a silken velvet wave.
"I was right." The satisfied look on his face made her sorry she had given in so easily.
"Are you always right, Aoshi-san?"
"Not always, Miss Takani. I didn't think tofus could bite." There was mischief in the icy blue eyes. Without thinking, she allowed him to take her hand. "Hungry?"
"Starving," she admitted. And suddenly she was no longer nervous about having dinner with him.
Aoshi didn't release her hand until they walked into the dining room. It was a long luxurious room illuminated by a crystal chandelier. Aoshi seated Megumi and was about to seat himself when he looked down on her and smiled.
"Now what?" Megumi asked grinning.
"It's the orchid," he said. She had pinned the beautiful flower on her dress. "It isn't right there. It should be snuggled down in that gorgeous hair." He studied her seriously for a few seconds. "In that curve just under your left ear."
"Now you tell me. I don't have a bobby pin."
"I'll fix it. I got a clip in my pocket."
She felt foolish as he fumbled with her hair and stirred restlessly.
"Be still or it'll fall in the soup."
She knew she should be feeling ill at ease and self-conscious. Instead she felt herself glowing with anticipation at the thought of having a dinner with this attractive man, in these elegant surroundings, and being the object of such attention. All her thoughts about him awhile ago, have now long faded.
Aoshi finished securing the orchid in her hair, sat down opposite her and asked Omasu to bring in the food. All through dinner, the conversation flowed easily as she chatted with Aoshi as if she had known him all her life. When the meal was over Aoshi tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and they went for a stroll outside, where the moon caressed the velvet skies with it's soft luminous glow.
As the evening progressed, Aoshi took her to his Japanese garden. There is a small wooden Japanese house near it the section she haven't seen before, and he urged her to go in. To her surprise, that small house happens to be a private theater inside where guests would be treated for a performance. They sat at the cushions in the floor, and Megumi noticed that they were not alone, in fact the Onis are with them to watch. Everyone gave their greeting, and most especially Okon, who has a secretive smile.
"When we have free time, we always scheduled something to watch together. So we arrange a special act for everyone to watch." She explained, as if to answer Megumi's questioning look. Aoshi just sat beside her, and his silent gaze lifted to the stage.
"What you are going to see now is a Nohgaku performance," he said lightly. Nohgaku or Noh drama as it was known, is a highly stylized and symbolic drama, and is usually performed by a few male actors and musicians. A main character often wears a mask which fits its role. It had been patronized by the higher military class which was the most powerful social level in Japan. After the Meiji Restoration when the old hierarchy was discarded, it tried to win new patrons and succeeded in attracting the nobility and wealthy people. Nowadays, it is gaining support from among the general public. The vocal part called Utai is performed by both actors and a chorus of eight male singers and tells the story. It is which, derived from Shomyo (Buddhist chanting) includes singing and speech stylized a definite pattern of intonation. The instrumental part known as Hayashi consists of a bamboo flute, or nohkan, and three drums, ko-tsuzumi, o-tsuzumi, and taiko. Short and sharp shouts by drum performers known as kakegoe also play, enhancing the tension of the music. Megumi watched as the Utai lets out a sorrowful narrative of how a woman ready to cast her life down to the mountain depths, sacrificing her life so that the gods would spare the life of her children. It was accompanied by the enigmatic flowing sound of the nohkan, as the heroine says her last words, bidding farewell to her husband who won't let her go, the husband's desperation is shown by the slowly mounting emotional beats emnating from the three drums. The scene is so stirring that tears misted her eyes and she turned to see Aoshi looking at her. His hand came out and covered hers where it lay on the cushion between them. She wasn't least embarrassed for him to see she was moved by the execution of acting in the Nohgaku drama. She turned her eyes away feeling peaceful, content to let her hand remain beneath his.
(Translation: kazoku= family; ojisan= grandfather daijoubou= alright) -hooray! another chapter done **points the review stats** ^^;
The next morning Megumi was up, dressed, and standing beside the window when the sun made its first appearance. She had spent a restless night. Shinomori Aoshi had floated in and out of her dreams all night long. She wasn't sure why, but even now it made her faintly uncomfortable to think about him.
On impulse she picked up her umbrella and left her room. She walked slowly down the stairs and upon reaching the court yard, was pleased to find that the sunlight was already warm. She crossed the court yard, and moved toward the back of the house. She rounded a corner and could see the glimmer of water in what looks like a small, man made lake. She heard splashing and Misao's excited voice.
"Ohayo, Meg-chan."
Somehow Megumi wasn't startled by her host's voice. Aoshi stood in the shade of a flowering shrub. Wearing his own oniwabanshu uniform and colors, he was rubbing his head with a large towel. His jet-black hair is wet, clinging like tattered ribbons to his face, and she figured that her employer must have joined his young daughter in a short swim before he resorts back to business.
"Otousan! Otousan! Let's play!" Misao called out, playfully waving her hands and splashing the water about. Shiro and Kuro are sitting by the other side of the lake and keeping an eye in watching over their Master's hyper active daughter. Misao got tired playing with them, and presses for her father to stay longer.
"Not now, Misao." He said, and with that phrase the little girl pouted and proceeds to play with Shiro and Kuro again.
Megumi looked into the sharp blue eyes and decided that she liked them----- this morning anyway. Last night they had been more ferocious. "Ohayo." She replied.
"Do you want to take a swim?" he asked softly.
"No." Her answer was too abrupt so she softened it. "No, thank you. I don't swim."
He placed the towel on his one shoulder, "Well then, I'll tell Okon and Omasu that you'll breakfast with Misao and me."
She watched him move away and then, not knowing what to do with herself, she went back to her room and applied a touch of lipstick, then ran a comb to her hair.
When she went downstairs, it was with Misao's hand tucked firmly in her own. The girl was a delight. She had come into Megumi's room, her long wet braid hanging over her shoulder and an impish grin on her face. Megumi had brushed and re-braided Misao's hair while she kept up an endless chatter. She was going to be fun to be with.
"Megumi-sensei?" she addressed her politely, as she gazed to the mirror. "Is it okay if I address you like that? It makes you sound so old."
"Oh no, sweetie its okay." She said, giving the last few tugs to her braided hair. "It's far polite unlike your Otousan." she made a small mischievous smile that made Misao curious, "He wanted to refer me as Meg- chan. It sounds silly, isn't it?"
"Meg-chan!! That is so cute!" Misao squealed in delight, "Did Otousan called you like that?"
Megumi nodded.
"Then I'll call you Meg-chan as well." She giggled, "What Otousan says, everybody follows." Looking at her with soulful wide green eyes, Misao added, "Meg-chan, you are the only woman in household that ever made my Otousan smile. Ever since he moved to this big stone house, he is always busy about business matters. He rarely plays with me anymore."
Megumi fixed the ribbon at her hair, "I don't think so Misao, I think you also make your Otousan smile in your own way. That makes two of us."
"Really? You think so?"
"Of course, dear. I do."
Breakfast on a shaded terrace was easier than Megumi had thought it would be. Misao acted as a buffer between her and Aoshi. She watched him with his daughter. He didn't even remotely resembled the stern-faced man last night; although more relaxed now, he was far from careless in his attitude toward the little girl. When she spoke he listened closely to what she is saying. And Misao, Megumi was surprised to discover, took on a more mature personality when she was with him. The young girl takes the chance to bond with the only parent she knew, while he still had time to. Aoshi somehow shed some of his coldness and shows some affection to his adopted child.
"We're going to enroll you in a school when we get home, so you'll be very busy," Aoshi told her half-way through the meal. "Meg-chan is going to teach you some things that will help when you start school."
Misao looked at Megumi with eyes big and round with astonishment, and sang in a medley as she asked Megumi "Are you Meg-chan, meg-chan the amazon woman?" (**refer to part 1; under paragraph 5 to get the joke-author.)
Aoshi laughed. The blue eyes gleamed at Megumi. There was nothing too familiar in his eyes, so she smiled happily back at him.
"You have to call her Megumi-sensei, Misao. But if that's the way you like it, you can call her as Meg-chan if you want."
"I want to," she said simply to her father, "Otousan, can we show Meg-chan your garden? Otousan grows the finest plants and most beautiful orchids in his small garden, he sometimes do Tachibana. Why, he is the one who transplanted the wonderful cherry blossoms crowning the entrance in the front yard! Otousan, onegai tasukete.can I show her my Kirei?" she said, tugging to his sleeve as she refers to her favorite bonsai plant that Aoshi gave her on her 8th birthday.
"If Megumi would like to."
"Orchids? Oh I would love to see them." Megumi exclaimed, astounded that a man of stature and beyond reproach as tacit as Aoshi would grow plants and do Tachibana (flower-arranging) for a hobby.
"Finish your meal first, Misao," Aoshi said sternly though his eyes were smiling.
*****
Fifteen minutes later, Misao led them away from the porch. They went through a door way and down a corridor into, a small exit with only a thin curtain as its door. Misao opened it for them and ran, the path leading them to another garden.
Just few feet outside stood a manicured replica of a Japanese garden. Although the villa is constructed with western influence and style in every way, Aoshi had requested that a part of it shall have a local ambiance. His fascination for plants, give him a decision to make a local garden. The view is absolutely simple and breathtaking, as a small bridge eclipse over a lake, which is bejeweled by floating lotus and lilies. Bonsais were being tamed to grow in where lime stones, white pebbles and ceramic pots are artistically placed. Dry trees lined the green earth, and small pots are attached to them, growing are the orchids of all colors and sizes. They release such sweetness and fragrance in the air, that it attracts a couple of butterflies, and other pleasant flying insects. She was speechless for she had never seen anything so lovely.
"I-It's beautiful!! Absolutely beautiful, and the orchids!" she exclaimed breathlessly.
Misao pointed out to one particular plant, "I helped Otousan divide it and next year I'll have a flower. I'm going to name it Kirei,"
"You had already had a plant named Kirei, Misao." "Well, it would be Kirei number two. They are both beautiful!"
And beautiful they are, Megumi can't help but compliment about the flower. "Lovely! You'll have your own corsage. I had one given to me by a dear friend when he asked me out, I kept it in a cold place for days and days."
"Who is your DEAR friend, Meg-chan? Is he a man?"
Megumi never got to answer the question, she caught Aoshi looking at her strangely. He reached down and plucked a large ivory bloom from one of the pots and handed it to her. Megumi's red lips parted in speechless astonishment. "O-Oh, you shouldn't have! It's beautiful. Perfectly lovely." She smiled at him. "Arigatou, demo." she protested, "I don't have a cold place to put it in,"
He smiled back at her from the depth of his blue eyes and she felt a shiver go through her body. Her self-consciousness, which had temporarily left, returned.
They left the fragrant, serene ambiance of the Japanese garden and walk back into the courtyard. Aoshi reached into his pocket and pulled out a paper. "Here's the list of requirements from the school." He said, then finally putting on his long pale beige wide-collared coat. Megumi noticed how regal he looked when he wears them. "I'll be gone until evening on some private matters regarding our omitsus in the northern side, so meanwhile, you and Misao can get started with her writing, traditional Japanese and math. I'll tell Omasu to have dinner served for the two of us in the formal dining room so you can wear your orchid."
He gazed at her steadily for a long moment, then he was gone, leaving her feeling curiously unsettled. What was about this man that made her so perturbed, she wondered. She tried to get a hold of herself, and together with Misao they went upstairs to her room to begin working on the school's requirements.
That afternoon Megumi wrote a long letter to Himura Kenshin, the man she met when she went to Tokyo and rescued her from an almost wandering life, and helped her, along with his friends, to bring somehow some justice on her bleak past. He had inspired her with the sense of permanence and stability, as he introduced her to their local doctor, Dr. Gensai to which she worked and lived for sometime now. She cannot thank him less, and when she was sent to Kyoto for the new job, she forgot to tell him and his friends that she was leaving. To compensate with it, she addressed them a letter knowing he would want to know about the unusual events that had brought her to the magnificent Villa in Kyoto. A man like Aoshi must have earned a fortune in having brought the house, after all, not all Japanese people can afford what he brought. Before she sealed the letter, she asked for Okon, one of the oniwabanshu keepers in the household, for the address of the villa so Kenshin could write her.
"To your Kazoku?" Okon asked, indicating the letter.
"No, to a dear friend."
She asked Okon if she had a family. The question opened the way for a full hour's visit.
"Master Aoshi is a wonderful man. Don't you think?" Okon asked finally.
"Oh yes, he is very nice." How could she say, that he scared her to death?
"Master Aoshi, gave you a bad time, ne?" Okon, her eyes warm with sympathy, spoke with the familiarity of a friend rather than an employee.
"No, he has a right to know about the people he takes into his home."
"Master Aoshi is not a hard man. He may appear to be so, but he is an important person. That's why he acts rigid or harsh sometimes, he have to show what respect is worthy to be one's leader and by not showing one's weakness openly. Resuming a great responsibility at such a young age has forced Master Aoshi to mature in harsh reality of life."
"He seems rather of age for his position," Megumi paused, she heard of clan leaders but most of them have obtained their posts in the age after 30. "Although for a man becoming a leader in his late 20's, it's remarkable that he rose to ranks that fast."
"Master Aoshi is some sort of a prodigy. He was chosen to be the clan leader at the age of 15,"
"Fifteen?" Megumi's eyes widened with surprise. Aoshi is barely in his adulthood when the responsibility of leading his people fell to his shoulders. She figured then why Aoshi behave like so, starting with his clinical remarks and his stiff reception just last night. He have to put a strong commanding front to his people at 15 to respect him, as he grew older, it grew more than a façade. It became what he is now.
Okon told her about the oniwabanshus, then asking if Megumi have already met Okina during her days in Dr. Gensai's clinic. She said that she might have recalled him, but he is always accompanied heavily by other onis, if she remembered it clearly, he is a wise old man with a funny- ribboned beard. Okon pointed out that Okina is one of the veterans and best respected oniwabanshu's around his field and have somehow at one point became Aoshi's mentor. He was voted by the tribe to take the highest post in the clan, but eventually turn it down for he claims he is too old to take on dangerous missions, he urged and nominated the then young Aoshi to take over.
"But," Okon added, "Master Okina and Aoshi is never alike. Their personalities clash, but in over all both men are stubborn." Okon told Megumi, that it reached to a point when both men have a show down, and Okina ended up badly injured. Seeing Megumi's startled expression, Okon presses not to further elaborate the story. She just concluded that it nearly strained their relationship and could have taken away Misao from him. "Four of us, were sent to take Misao away and bring her to Okina, which she fondly remembers as her ojisan. Master Aoshi didn't take the threat seriously, and during one of his nocturnal outings.we went out to get her, she was just around 6 by then."
"Did Aoshi-san do anything about it?" His past, intrigues her. "Did he try to get Misao back?"
"Not after for three years," Okon replied curtly, "He knows what Master Okina wants and it was then pride that got the better of him that he held back. At first he didn't seem to care, in fact he seems satisfied that he does not have to burden himself to look after a child. But I think there is something with that little girl that drawn him and he went to the household when Master Okina is away, and we are in charge to look after her."
"And.please continue,"
"It nearly breaks our hearts to see Master Aoshi's face," she continued, looking up at Megumi. "Misao detests at the sight of him, and its not easy to reason with a child. She was angry that because he never attempted to visit her during those three years, and she heard from others that he does not care for her at all because she was adopted. She never wants to go back to him. Somehow it hits him in the sensitive spot, because after all, he did raised her since she was a baby. Afterwards, he confronted Okina into a serious conversation and somehow he gave in. but he demanded that he wants to have Misao back. Do you know why he brought this large place?"
Megumi recalled her employer's words, "He told me that this is the strong hold and the oniwabanshu's quarters. And lately, some members moved to Osaka"
Okon looked around, "That's true but." she continued, "Master Aoshi wants to make some time to bond with his only daughter, and he have to take her away far from Okina from Osaka so he could do so. He brought the villa, because of Misao's fascination with western culture. It was like a make-up gift for her, nonetheless, Misao became so excited that she forgot that she was angry at him. But business sometimes takes out some quality family time, so Misao was left alone in the house much often. Okina learned about the situation, we are sent here to Kyoto to look after her. It took some months before Master Aoshi trusted us NOT to sneak out Misao again."
What Okon said after all make sense, there is a different air with Aoshi when Misao is around him. It seems that, for a time being he can be a different person. His eyes were kinder, and his words can be pleasant and nurturing. He spends quality time on her if he can. Then it hits her, if Misao has the four onis looking after her and is re-building her relationship very well with her father, what is she needed for?
"Master Okina is concerned that Misao needs a mother, to groom her to a young proper woman and he thinks that it's best for her to have a mother is have Master Aoshi settled with a woman." Okon said, "Master Aoshi does not have time for a relationship, to him its foolish. That's why he insists that he will hire a proper tutor himself, someone who can teach Misao without involving personal feelings. That's when you came in."
"Oh I see," she didn't know whether to take it as a compliment, "So did Okina-san stop insisting afterwards? I mean Misao is doing well now that I'm here."
Okon shrugged, "That we don't know. Master Okina is a man of resourcefulness, he sees Master Aoshi like a son and he wouldn't stop at anything till he attains some level of domesticity. He wants him to marry a woman of his caliber, preferably someone that can also carry on a strong bloodline and pedigree. The Okashira of the Sanada clan, Moriya Misanagi is Master Okina's best choice. It's to strengthen the ties of both clans."
"And did he agree with it?"
"No, In fact not even that woman can make him smile. One can tell that Master Aoshi likes the person if you see him smile, which he hardly does." Then there is some glint in Okon's eyes, something entered her head that made her smile. "We use to think, Megumi-san. that his daughter is the only woman in the world that can make him smile. He seems to take a liking to you too."
Megumi gave a perplexed look, "No I don't think so, Aoshi-san." she spoke, ".Aoshi-san is just making up for his harsh actions earlier last night. I presume its natural for a man to act good natured if he wants apology for his actions, if he can't say it well."
Okon looked at the clock by the window, "Oh! Pardon me Megumi-san, I forgot I have chores to do!" she made a low bow, "I have to go now, please be ready when Master Aoshi comes home. He would be disappointed if he sees his date is not yet ready."
"Hai."
Okon left the room, and Megumi slowly reflected the things they discussed about the Oniwabanshu leader. He was only 15, when he took the position and never got a chance to enjoy the life of a young man and was forced to mature early on, then he took in the responsibility of raising Misao. When he told her he brought the house for important purposes, she never imagined that he did it for the concern of his only daughter. That he went through a bitter argument just to win her back. She believes it, she could see it in his ice blue eyes, melting in warmth as she observed him at the tender moments when he talks with Misao.and when at times, looking at her with also the same gaze.
Did Okon said she was his date? She shrugged the notion, thinking the oni was just teasing her. Somehow the hour long-talk made her understand him a little better, now, but pity him, she did not. She would be a fool to feel a moment's pity for such a self-assured person.
*****
Megumi was quite nervous about having dinner alone with Aoshi and had piled her long black hair on top of her head in an effort to look mature. A soft knock finally came on the door. She pulled it open and there he was. Aoshi smiled at the surprise on her face.
.We used to think, Megumi-san. that his daughter is the only woman in the world that can make him smile. He seems to take a liking to you too. Okon's words re-verbrated to her head. She tried to shake the thought of it. There is nothing going between them. It's just a formal occasion for both tutor and her employer, no more no less.
"Why so surprised? I live here too. Remember?" Aoshi said, the words died out as, all of a sudden, he was looking at her strangely. She wanted to go into the closet and hide.
"What's the matter?" she asked, forcing her tone to be light. "Have I got egg on my face?"
"It's you hair. You are not the suave, urbane type. It makes you look jaded."
Was he teasing? He couldn't be flirting with her!
She tried to laugh. It wasn't much of a success. "Perhaps I am jaded."
He laughed and she decided again that she liked his eyes. "No. You're refreshing, soft as a tofu, and." he tilted his head and studied her. "And.whimsical."
"Whimsical?" Did he think she was a feather-brain?
"I should have added stubborn, argumentative, and late for dinner. Brush out your hair so we can go." He moved into the room. Megumi looked horrified. "Do you this often?"
"Ask women to take their hair down? Of course not. Sometimes I do it for them." He was grinning broadly. Could this be the cynical hard case of a man who almost threw her out of the house last night?
"Well?"
"Daijoubou.But if it looks like a mess it'll be your fault."
"You couldn't look like a total mess if you tried."
"You're totally.unpredictable."
"And you are wasting time."
She removed the pins and her hair cascaded to her shoulders in a silken velvet wave.
"I was right." The satisfied look on his face made her sorry she had given in so easily.
"Are you always right, Aoshi-san?"
"Not always, Miss Takani. I didn't think tofus could bite." There was mischief in the icy blue eyes. Without thinking, she allowed him to take her hand. "Hungry?"
"Starving," she admitted. And suddenly she was no longer nervous about having dinner with him.
Aoshi didn't release her hand until they walked into the dining room. It was a long luxurious room illuminated by a crystal chandelier. Aoshi seated Megumi and was about to seat himself when he looked down on her and smiled.
"Now what?" Megumi asked grinning.
"It's the orchid," he said. She had pinned the beautiful flower on her dress. "It isn't right there. It should be snuggled down in that gorgeous hair." He studied her seriously for a few seconds. "In that curve just under your left ear."
"Now you tell me. I don't have a bobby pin."
"I'll fix it. I got a clip in my pocket."
She felt foolish as he fumbled with her hair and stirred restlessly.
"Be still or it'll fall in the soup."
She knew she should be feeling ill at ease and self-conscious. Instead she felt herself glowing with anticipation at the thought of having a dinner with this attractive man, in these elegant surroundings, and being the object of such attention. All her thoughts about him awhile ago, have now long faded.
Aoshi finished securing the orchid in her hair, sat down opposite her and asked Omasu to bring in the food. All through dinner, the conversation flowed easily as she chatted with Aoshi as if she had known him all her life. When the meal was over Aoshi tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and they went for a stroll outside, where the moon caressed the velvet skies with it's soft luminous glow.
As the evening progressed, Aoshi took her to his Japanese garden. There is a small wooden Japanese house near it the section she haven't seen before, and he urged her to go in. To her surprise, that small house happens to be a private theater inside where guests would be treated for a performance. They sat at the cushions in the floor, and Megumi noticed that they were not alone, in fact the Onis are with them to watch. Everyone gave their greeting, and most especially Okon, who has a secretive smile.
"When we have free time, we always scheduled something to watch together. So we arrange a special act for everyone to watch." She explained, as if to answer Megumi's questioning look. Aoshi just sat beside her, and his silent gaze lifted to the stage.
"What you are going to see now is a Nohgaku performance," he said lightly. Nohgaku or Noh drama as it was known, is a highly stylized and symbolic drama, and is usually performed by a few male actors and musicians. A main character often wears a mask which fits its role. It had been patronized by the higher military class which was the most powerful social level in Japan. After the Meiji Restoration when the old hierarchy was discarded, it tried to win new patrons and succeeded in attracting the nobility and wealthy people. Nowadays, it is gaining support from among the general public. The vocal part called Utai is performed by both actors and a chorus of eight male singers and tells the story. It is which, derived from Shomyo (Buddhist chanting) includes singing and speech stylized a definite pattern of intonation. The instrumental part known as Hayashi consists of a bamboo flute, or nohkan, and three drums, ko-tsuzumi, o-tsuzumi, and taiko. Short and sharp shouts by drum performers known as kakegoe also play, enhancing the tension of the music. Megumi watched as the Utai lets out a sorrowful narrative of how a woman ready to cast her life down to the mountain depths, sacrificing her life so that the gods would spare the life of her children. It was accompanied by the enigmatic flowing sound of the nohkan, as the heroine says her last words, bidding farewell to her husband who won't let her go, the husband's desperation is shown by the slowly mounting emotional beats emnating from the three drums. The scene is so stirring that tears misted her eyes and she turned to see Aoshi looking at her. His hand came out and covered hers where it lay on the cushion between them. She wasn't least embarrassed for him to see she was moved by the execution of acting in the Nohgaku drama. She turned her eyes away feeling peaceful, content to let her hand remain beneath his.
(Translation: kazoku= family; ojisan= grandfather daijoubou= alright) -hooray! another chapter done **points the review stats** ^^;