Part 5: The night in the party
Megumi's consciousness drifted back and forth. Vaguely she knew there were people in the room where she was brought. She opened her eyes and tried to focus on the person bending over her, but the effort was too great that she closed them again. With listless disinterest she felt pricks of the doctor's needle and heard the buzz of voice. Then she slept deeply and dreamlessly, holding fast to the strong fingers interlaced with hers.
When she woke up, Okon was sitting in a chair beside the bed.
"Ohayo, Megumi-san." Her small face expressed with concern.
She remembered the last time she have seen Okon is when she espied her with Enishi at the back veranda. But she decided not brought it up first, "Is it morning?"
"Hai," and she held up two fingers.
"Two mornings have gone by? It can't be!"
"I'll tell Master Aoshi you are awake."
"No, don't bother him."
"He say tell him when you are awake, Megumi-san."
"All right. Tell him if you like." She was so weary and wanted to go back to sleep. But Okon just stood there, as if she has something to say.
"Megumi-san, about two days ago." she spoke, and her weariness quickly evaporated, "I saw you with Yukishiro Enishi by the veranda..why.was he kissing you?"
Megumi finds it no use to hiding the truth, she told her warily. "Promise you won't tell anyone."
Okon nodded, although reluctant that a secret wouldn't be easily kept at the Oniwabanshu household. "I won't tell even Master Aoshi."
"Yukishiro Enishi is." she swallowed hard, ".a former lover, I know who he was already at the beginning. I was only a fool not to notice men like him never change."
"I'm so sorry to hear that," she apologized. "Is it okay, if I'll call Master Aoshi now? You might need more rest."
She wiped the mist away from her eyes, trying to forget the painful episode a couple of days ago. He has to thank him. "No, please let him in."
Through waves of fatigue she came back to certain awareness. Her eyelids felt as if two weights were attached to them, but with an effort she opened them and saw Aoshi.
He sat down in a chair beside the bed. His gaze had a point of meticulous uncertainty in them, as if he is to say something that wouldn't be nice. She could tell, for there is a bothered look written in his face, and she prepared for the worse.
"Megumi." Calling her with her own name means serious conversation, "I'm sorry about your baby. You could have told me you are expecting."
"No." the word formed soundlessly. She tried to speak out, explain everything but her voice escapes her, her body was in shock. She didn't know what Aoshi would do now, how she will make him understand. His blue gaze is still transfixed upon her, and they took a kinder glow. "I understand, you don't want it to happen. But you'll need rest and so you can explain everything to me soon. You have been very sick, Meg-chan." the fondness of her nickname was mentioned once again, ".I won't force you if you are not feeling well, just go back to sleep and I'll take care of the rest. Don't worry about a thing."
She couldn't have said anything if she had wanted to. He didn't even bother to mention Enishi in front of her. Instead with uncharacteristic impulsiveness, she grabbed his hand and held it against her cheek for a short moment. Arigato Gozaimasu. She didn't know if she said the words aloud or not, but she meant them with all her heart.
*****
When next she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was an artistcally placed Tachibana. They stood in a vase on the table beside her bed. Everything was peaceful now and her body felt curiously light. It must have been almost evening, when Misao came to see her.
"Meg-chan, Meg-chan, I have something to tell you! Guess what? Guess what?" she said excitedly.
She smiled and hugged the child leaning over her, "What's this big news that's making you so excited?"
"Otousan said someday I was going to have an Okaasan! One all my own!"
The smile stayed on Megumi's face but the sparkle faded from her eyes, "Hey- ---that's great! That is big news!"
For the tiniest moment she felt terribly disappointed. It was insane. She was glad for Misao. It was only.well.she hadn't thought Aoshi was even thinking of getting married. What was it that he said the other evening? He said something like, 'that will never happen.' He must have changed his mind. He was probably marrying Moriya Misanagi of the Sanada clan who Okon mentioned.
A desperate feeling of loneliness possessed her, a loneliness that was her future. Turning on her side, she looked at the colorful flowers in the Tachibana. Her eyes roamed the room, taking in the beautiful furniture, the rich draperies and carpet, the outward manifestations of wealth and power. An abundance of love was the only wealth she craved, and if love were riches, she was most certainly a pauper.
The thought sickened her and she had no appetite for her dinner, she barely ate any food.
When Aoshi came into the room, she knew by the look on his face that he had inspected the tray Omasu had returned to the kitchen. He came to the side of her bed and stood looking down at her.
"Your tray is scarcely touched. Couldn't you have managed a little bit more? The more you eat the sooner you'll get your strength back, no baka."
"Yes, doctor." The blue eyes were having the most disturbing effect on her senses. "I wish you wouldn't call me names I don't understand." She hadn't meant to sound cross but it came out that way.
A faint smile touched his lips. "What do you think I called you?"
The sound of the softly spoken words sent shivers along her spine and she had the strangest curling sensation in the pit of her stomach that was fear or apprehension, she couldn't be sure which. Making an effort to control the situation with humor, she gave a nervous laugh.
"Idiot?" she felt a small triumph at speaking the word so lightly.
He laughed, "The word I used was complimentary. You must learn to be around with people so you won't forget your basic Japanese."
She smiled and looked relaxed, but her brain was spinning. All sorts of wild thoughts were whirling around her head. She wanted to say, 'Are you going to marry Misanagi?' Instead she said, "Thank you for saving me, few days ago."
"No problem." He said, "I was surprised that you knew of Yukishiro Enishi. What does he wants from you anyway?"
She shuddered, "I-I don't know. But thanks for not suspecting me of anything.It are just he."
She was lost of words. Lying there small and still, with his eyes on her, her pulse began to hammer heavily. A strange sense of awareness of him sent a warm glow through her whole being.
For a moment neither one said anything, it was as if the two of them were frozen there in time, waiting for something to happen. Then Aoshi began to pace around the room, stopping to move aside the curtains so he could gaze out the window. Megumi felt panic grip her as she realized that he might marry soon and she would be out of his life forever.
"I'll send Omasu in to help you ready for a good night's sleep," Aoshi finally said. "Tomorrow or the next day, or when you are feeling up to it, we are going to have a long talk about past, Meg-chan.and your future." He went to the door. With his hand on the knob he turned around. He waited to see her grin, then went through the door and closed it softly behind him
Megumi slept fitfully through the long night. Her mind refused to allow her to rest. Try as she might, she could not fully assimilate the words Aoshi had spoken to her. Her future. It could only mean some arrangements were being made for her to leave Kyoto. Words, thoughts, emotions, all whirled around in her mind. Morning came and she was tired, but she felt somewhat better than these few days.
*****
"I'm going to a party!" Misao exclaimed, she was so excited that Megumi has to hold her firmly at her seat so she could braid her long hair. The young would be oni starts to chatter endlessly, "It's going to be great! Important people are coming, Europeans! They are going to meet with their Japanese counter parts. Everyone is going to dress beautiful like those in fairy tales!"
Megumi don't know what's the fun in going in an adult engagement, but it makes the young Misao happy. She has a strange fascination for the western culture, and maybe Aoshi knows she is going to be excited so she is going to bring her along. For one point she did realized that he is spoiling his daughter a bit, but probably he is doing it to make up for the precious time wasted for those missing 3 years.
"I want to look like Cinderella!"
"Cinderella?" Megumi look at her quizzically, "what is a Cinderella?"
"Cinderella came from a fairy tale. It's a western fairy tale." She pointed out a book, there are alots of them. Maybe Aoshi made it a point that she learns to read. But it's not ordinary titles. She saw books, with foreign author's names and with illustrations in a different world of fantasy. They look expensive, and richly translated in Japanese!
"He brought all of them for me, ever since we moved here. But Otousan does not have time to read me before bed time, so at least one of the Onis has to."
She stopped flipping the pages, "When is this party going to be?"
"It will be later this night," The voice came to Megumi's surprise, that she nearly dropped the books. She is still not used in Aoshi's unpredictability, and she wondered how much he had heard. "It will be a strict formal occasion, so I hope you have some nice clothes brought, Meg- chan." He added, with a strange twinkle in his eyes.
"M-me? Going to a party?" she ran her hands stiffly at her kimono in an effort to look good, not knowing what to say.
"Yes, someone has to watch over Misao. You know how active she is, you are the only person she can tolerate."
"But I thought you are going with her?"
Aoshi folded his arms formally over his chest, "I have some previous engagement early this afternoon, I will probably follow up shortly as soon as I finished. It is a night event anyway; all I have to do is show up and represent myself in a couple of local diplomats. It's nothing much but your typical conversation, really."
"But you will be there on time, right?" Misao pleaded, "Please?"
"Of course, that's why I invited you didn't I? Otousan wants you to see a lot of different people. I just want Meg-chan to look after you while I'm not still there", he replied softly, and then he turns back to Megumi. "I will have either Shiro or Kuro to give you the party's invitation. They will also bring you there around seven at the time the party would be starting, so be prepared around 6."
"But I don't have many clothes to wear,"
"Then I will have Okon to be in charge of that," he said. Megumi was kind of perplexed the way Aoshi answers. It is like he is prepared for almost everything, whether with her knowledge or not. He put on his broad pale- beige wide-collared coat, and signaled his leave. When the door in the room of Misao finally closes, she can't help but ask the little girl.
"It seems your father won't take no for an answer,"
Misao smiled, "I think it's because Otousan likes you."
Megumi look at her with full surprise, "That's ridiculous,"
*****
Megumi dismissed the notion of what her young ward thinks. Purely thinking that what Aoshi requested for her is because she has to look after his daughter, and nothing else. However, she DID wonder after all, that any of the oniwabanshus could watch over Misao. They are highly trained and can look after her if anything happens, and they have been there long since she had known her. But there is a logical reason why not so, the oniwabanshus are in charged in watching the household. They can't be in two places at the same time.
True to his words, Okon helped her in looking for nice clothes later that afternoon. They went to several shops in the town to look for a nice kimono she could wear for the party. First, they look for darker bolder colors,
"It doesn't look good, it makes you look jaded. You are not the suave urban type, simple but minimal will do for you." Okon replied, as she looked through Megumi's selections. Then she was startled to notice Megumi is looking at her strangely. "Anou.Megumi-san, did I said anything wrong?"
"No.It's just" she spoke, "Your Master Aoshi said the same thing when we have a formal dinner."
"Ah," Okon smiled, "Sometimes Master Aoshi thinks like a woman, most often he could be right." She sashes to other selections, and pulled one out for Megumi. It's a simple pinkish white kimono, its design includes beautiful cherry blossoms by the gardens, simple execution and strikingly beautiful. It comes with a lilac shawl, "How about this Megumi-san? You can put that orchid again over your ear and tie your hair low, it could be perfect! No one will be wearing like this at the party."
She had to admit she does not like it at first, but when Okon and Omasu fixed her it looks absolutely stunning. The white orchid that she kept after the formal dinner is still fresh, thanks for the cold weather, and it sets the gown to perfection. Her hair is tied low, in an effort to look formal, with an ample twist, made her face look refreshing instead of its usual pallor. She used a milder color of lipstick to go with the kimono's design, rather than her usual cherry red.
When she came to get her ward, she was surprised that Misao did persist that she'll go dressed as a European. The way of dressing, contrasts the principles of Japanese design, with ornate laces, ribbons and splendid layers of clothing to make the dress balloon down below, making it look like a glittering chandelier.or so as Megumi puts it. Luckily, the lilac and pink combination made little Misao radiant as ever, and not so over done like she have seen with westerners. Her attire comes with a pair of silk gloves and a bonnet, that she begged for Megumi's help to tie her hair in a neat bun, and help her wear the matching shoes that goes with it.
She wasn't surprised to learn that it's Aoshi who let his daughter indulge in such expensive gown, since he also shouldered the cost what Megumi is going to wear. For some self-assured, he wants everything to look presentable and beautiful, something that Megumi noticed a little lately. Kuro, the biggest of the oniwabanshus led them out of the house and assists them in a ride on the way to the party.
It was a very glamorous event that one would readily expect from social elite, the taste definitely a mix of the Japanese residents and their influential European counterparts blend in a magnificent wide green garden overlooking a mansion. So this was like to attend a "diplomatic event", Megumi thought, the foreign hosts had an extravagant taste for the surroundings that it took her breath away, the ice sculptures situated in long tables draped in white linens, the varied cuisine presented and the artsy presentation of plants and the house entrance has a pong adorned by flowers. This is the first time she had attended an event and the moment she sets her foot in, she felt bare.
She was brought back to reality as soon as Misao let go of her grip, and ran quickly. "Misao, no!" she called out,
"I'm going over Yutaro!"
Megumi later learned that Yutaro is a young boy almost of Misao's age, and is a half-German half-Japanese, and happens to know the Kenshin-gumi as well. He used to train along side with Yahiko in kendo at Kamiya Kasshin dojo way back in Tokyo. Like Misao, he does not have any parents, and were adopted by their respective guardians. She could see what made the two friends. After meeting with Yutaro's guardian, a cordial middle-aged man, assured her that Misao will be in good hands, Megumi decided to take a look at the surrounding herself, in a possibility she might see Aoshi.
She hasn't enjoyed much of her sight seeing, when she noticed a strange shadow by one of the garden's trees. It just stood there as if watching her, admiring her.and in just less than a minute, it seems to straighten up and approach her. When she recognized him she felt like she was about to run, it was the sight of the familiar white hair and the cold confident aura. It was Enishi, but what was he doing here? Someone invited him? Did he have connections? He had a wine glass at one hand, and he is wearing formal Japanese attire than the last time she had seen him. She froze to her steps, when she noticed that he is not wearing his tinted glasses at all.showing green eyes looking at her with such coldness piercing to her like shards of ice. Those cold emeralds, seems to lay a strange fearful hypnotic spell. For that certain moment, Enishi stood out so clearly, even in the shifting kaleidoscope of movement and color that swirled around him. It was as if everything and everyone except he was in motion, from the subtle shifting of tree limbs in the air and to the men and women who moved about in a blur of vivid hues and animated voices.
Until he finally stood in front of her,
"What are you doing here?" it sounds more like a strangled whisper, rather than a voice as Megumi finally spoke. "Who invited you?"
"You look absolutely beautiful, you look good in off-white." He said, not answering her question. "Isn't it a small world, Megumi? It's nice to see you are here as well." he added, with an intended soft chuckle that sounded cynical that it sent shivers down her spine.
"I have to look after my ward, it's my business." she said stiffly, then mustering the strength to look straight at him, she decided to pop out a sarcasm of her own. "I see you are not wearing your glasses, I wonder if they will recognize you."
"But I see you still recognize me," he replied, with a sardonic grin. "You hit me so hard, that it fell down the pebbly moat. Smashed into pieces. But I can always have one made."
"Enishi, can you state your business? What are you doing here?"
"Oh, nothing much." He replied, getting himself a serving of appetizer, and placing one into his mouth. "You, what do you think?"
"Whatever is in your mind, you won't have it your way."
"Why, will someone protect you?"
It irates her more, and she was consumed by anger with the insult that fear no longer lingered in her feelings. "In fact there is. Aoshi will see that nothing will happen to me. He already seen what you have done last time, he won't let it happen again. If he sees you, I swear he'll break every bone in your body and live to regret it!"
Enishi didn't take her threat seriously, instead he find it humorous. Sickeningly humrous. "His skills are no match than mine, and besides if he did find out that you have my."
"It's gone, I miscarried." She put in succinctly, "I threw myself down remember? It would be the last time I will be redeemed from the clutches of the likes like you. You will never have a hold on me, ever."
He must have been shock the least, as she heard the clanking sound of a utensil that dropped from his hand. But he recovered to it quick, and returned her a cold gaze with his eyes as dark as deep green jade. "That wouldn't be so easy," he whispered. "What made you so confident, anyway? Had your employer heard of your 'liabilities'? Do you think he can trust you after that?" When he said liabilities, it more sounded like has a scheming plan on her, but she stood her ground. She had to say something that will at least intimidate him,
"Aoshi is already my koibito. He learned to like me for who ever I am, unlike you." With that, she quickly turned around and paced furiously. She was glad to say the final word, and the relief that Enishi didn't bother to follow her, and never she attempted to look back. She fervently hopes, that he brought what she just said.
(Translation: otousan= father, okaasan=mother, koibito=lover/sweetheart/darling)
Megumi's consciousness drifted back and forth. Vaguely she knew there were people in the room where she was brought. She opened her eyes and tried to focus on the person bending over her, but the effort was too great that she closed them again. With listless disinterest she felt pricks of the doctor's needle and heard the buzz of voice. Then she slept deeply and dreamlessly, holding fast to the strong fingers interlaced with hers.
When she woke up, Okon was sitting in a chair beside the bed.
"Ohayo, Megumi-san." Her small face expressed with concern.
She remembered the last time she have seen Okon is when she espied her with Enishi at the back veranda. But she decided not brought it up first, "Is it morning?"
"Hai," and she held up two fingers.
"Two mornings have gone by? It can't be!"
"I'll tell Master Aoshi you are awake."
"No, don't bother him."
"He say tell him when you are awake, Megumi-san."
"All right. Tell him if you like." She was so weary and wanted to go back to sleep. But Okon just stood there, as if she has something to say.
"Megumi-san, about two days ago." she spoke, and her weariness quickly evaporated, "I saw you with Yukishiro Enishi by the veranda..why.was he kissing you?"
Megumi finds it no use to hiding the truth, she told her warily. "Promise you won't tell anyone."
Okon nodded, although reluctant that a secret wouldn't be easily kept at the Oniwabanshu household. "I won't tell even Master Aoshi."
"Yukishiro Enishi is." she swallowed hard, ".a former lover, I know who he was already at the beginning. I was only a fool not to notice men like him never change."
"I'm so sorry to hear that," she apologized. "Is it okay, if I'll call Master Aoshi now? You might need more rest."
She wiped the mist away from her eyes, trying to forget the painful episode a couple of days ago. He has to thank him. "No, please let him in."
Through waves of fatigue she came back to certain awareness. Her eyelids felt as if two weights were attached to them, but with an effort she opened them and saw Aoshi.
He sat down in a chair beside the bed. His gaze had a point of meticulous uncertainty in them, as if he is to say something that wouldn't be nice. She could tell, for there is a bothered look written in his face, and she prepared for the worse.
"Megumi." Calling her with her own name means serious conversation, "I'm sorry about your baby. You could have told me you are expecting."
"No." the word formed soundlessly. She tried to speak out, explain everything but her voice escapes her, her body was in shock. She didn't know what Aoshi would do now, how she will make him understand. His blue gaze is still transfixed upon her, and they took a kinder glow. "I understand, you don't want it to happen. But you'll need rest and so you can explain everything to me soon. You have been very sick, Meg-chan." the fondness of her nickname was mentioned once again, ".I won't force you if you are not feeling well, just go back to sleep and I'll take care of the rest. Don't worry about a thing."
She couldn't have said anything if she had wanted to. He didn't even bother to mention Enishi in front of her. Instead with uncharacteristic impulsiveness, she grabbed his hand and held it against her cheek for a short moment. Arigato Gozaimasu. She didn't know if she said the words aloud or not, but she meant them with all her heart.
*****
When next she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was an artistcally placed Tachibana. They stood in a vase on the table beside her bed. Everything was peaceful now and her body felt curiously light. It must have been almost evening, when Misao came to see her.
"Meg-chan, Meg-chan, I have something to tell you! Guess what? Guess what?" she said excitedly.
She smiled and hugged the child leaning over her, "What's this big news that's making you so excited?"
"Otousan said someday I was going to have an Okaasan! One all my own!"
The smile stayed on Megumi's face but the sparkle faded from her eyes, "Hey- ---that's great! That is big news!"
For the tiniest moment she felt terribly disappointed. It was insane. She was glad for Misao. It was only.well.she hadn't thought Aoshi was even thinking of getting married. What was it that he said the other evening? He said something like, 'that will never happen.' He must have changed his mind. He was probably marrying Moriya Misanagi of the Sanada clan who Okon mentioned.
A desperate feeling of loneliness possessed her, a loneliness that was her future. Turning on her side, she looked at the colorful flowers in the Tachibana. Her eyes roamed the room, taking in the beautiful furniture, the rich draperies and carpet, the outward manifestations of wealth and power. An abundance of love was the only wealth she craved, and if love were riches, she was most certainly a pauper.
The thought sickened her and she had no appetite for her dinner, she barely ate any food.
When Aoshi came into the room, she knew by the look on his face that he had inspected the tray Omasu had returned to the kitchen. He came to the side of her bed and stood looking down at her.
"Your tray is scarcely touched. Couldn't you have managed a little bit more? The more you eat the sooner you'll get your strength back, no baka."
"Yes, doctor." The blue eyes were having the most disturbing effect on her senses. "I wish you wouldn't call me names I don't understand." She hadn't meant to sound cross but it came out that way.
A faint smile touched his lips. "What do you think I called you?"
The sound of the softly spoken words sent shivers along her spine and she had the strangest curling sensation in the pit of her stomach that was fear or apprehension, she couldn't be sure which. Making an effort to control the situation with humor, she gave a nervous laugh.
"Idiot?" she felt a small triumph at speaking the word so lightly.
He laughed, "The word I used was complimentary. You must learn to be around with people so you won't forget your basic Japanese."
She smiled and looked relaxed, but her brain was spinning. All sorts of wild thoughts were whirling around her head. She wanted to say, 'Are you going to marry Misanagi?' Instead she said, "Thank you for saving me, few days ago."
"No problem." He said, "I was surprised that you knew of Yukishiro Enishi. What does he wants from you anyway?"
She shuddered, "I-I don't know. But thanks for not suspecting me of anything.It are just he."
She was lost of words. Lying there small and still, with his eyes on her, her pulse began to hammer heavily. A strange sense of awareness of him sent a warm glow through her whole being.
For a moment neither one said anything, it was as if the two of them were frozen there in time, waiting for something to happen. Then Aoshi began to pace around the room, stopping to move aside the curtains so he could gaze out the window. Megumi felt panic grip her as she realized that he might marry soon and she would be out of his life forever.
"I'll send Omasu in to help you ready for a good night's sleep," Aoshi finally said. "Tomorrow or the next day, or when you are feeling up to it, we are going to have a long talk about past, Meg-chan.and your future." He went to the door. With his hand on the knob he turned around. He waited to see her grin, then went through the door and closed it softly behind him
Megumi slept fitfully through the long night. Her mind refused to allow her to rest. Try as she might, she could not fully assimilate the words Aoshi had spoken to her. Her future. It could only mean some arrangements were being made for her to leave Kyoto. Words, thoughts, emotions, all whirled around in her mind. Morning came and she was tired, but she felt somewhat better than these few days.
*****
"I'm going to a party!" Misao exclaimed, she was so excited that Megumi has to hold her firmly at her seat so she could braid her long hair. The young would be oni starts to chatter endlessly, "It's going to be great! Important people are coming, Europeans! They are going to meet with their Japanese counter parts. Everyone is going to dress beautiful like those in fairy tales!"
Megumi don't know what's the fun in going in an adult engagement, but it makes the young Misao happy. She has a strange fascination for the western culture, and maybe Aoshi knows she is going to be excited so she is going to bring her along. For one point she did realized that he is spoiling his daughter a bit, but probably he is doing it to make up for the precious time wasted for those missing 3 years.
"I want to look like Cinderella!"
"Cinderella?" Megumi look at her quizzically, "what is a Cinderella?"
"Cinderella came from a fairy tale. It's a western fairy tale." She pointed out a book, there are alots of them. Maybe Aoshi made it a point that she learns to read. But it's not ordinary titles. She saw books, with foreign author's names and with illustrations in a different world of fantasy. They look expensive, and richly translated in Japanese!
"He brought all of them for me, ever since we moved here. But Otousan does not have time to read me before bed time, so at least one of the Onis has to."
She stopped flipping the pages, "When is this party going to be?"
"It will be later this night," The voice came to Megumi's surprise, that she nearly dropped the books. She is still not used in Aoshi's unpredictability, and she wondered how much he had heard. "It will be a strict formal occasion, so I hope you have some nice clothes brought, Meg- chan." He added, with a strange twinkle in his eyes.
"M-me? Going to a party?" she ran her hands stiffly at her kimono in an effort to look good, not knowing what to say.
"Yes, someone has to watch over Misao. You know how active she is, you are the only person she can tolerate."
"But I thought you are going with her?"
Aoshi folded his arms formally over his chest, "I have some previous engagement early this afternoon, I will probably follow up shortly as soon as I finished. It is a night event anyway; all I have to do is show up and represent myself in a couple of local diplomats. It's nothing much but your typical conversation, really."
"But you will be there on time, right?" Misao pleaded, "Please?"
"Of course, that's why I invited you didn't I? Otousan wants you to see a lot of different people. I just want Meg-chan to look after you while I'm not still there", he replied softly, and then he turns back to Megumi. "I will have either Shiro or Kuro to give you the party's invitation. They will also bring you there around seven at the time the party would be starting, so be prepared around 6."
"But I don't have many clothes to wear,"
"Then I will have Okon to be in charge of that," he said. Megumi was kind of perplexed the way Aoshi answers. It is like he is prepared for almost everything, whether with her knowledge or not. He put on his broad pale- beige wide-collared coat, and signaled his leave. When the door in the room of Misao finally closes, she can't help but ask the little girl.
"It seems your father won't take no for an answer,"
Misao smiled, "I think it's because Otousan likes you."
Megumi look at her with full surprise, "That's ridiculous,"
*****
Megumi dismissed the notion of what her young ward thinks. Purely thinking that what Aoshi requested for her is because she has to look after his daughter, and nothing else. However, she DID wonder after all, that any of the oniwabanshus could watch over Misao. They are highly trained and can look after her if anything happens, and they have been there long since she had known her. But there is a logical reason why not so, the oniwabanshus are in charged in watching the household. They can't be in two places at the same time.
True to his words, Okon helped her in looking for nice clothes later that afternoon. They went to several shops in the town to look for a nice kimono she could wear for the party. First, they look for darker bolder colors,
"It doesn't look good, it makes you look jaded. You are not the suave urban type, simple but minimal will do for you." Okon replied, as she looked through Megumi's selections. Then she was startled to notice Megumi is looking at her strangely. "Anou.Megumi-san, did I said anything wrong?"
"No.It's just" she spoke, "Your Master Aoshi said the same thing when we have a formal dinner."
"Ah," Okon smiled, "Sometimes Master Aoshi thinks like a woman, most often he could be right." She sashes to other selections, and pulled one out for Megumi. It's a simple pinkish white kimono, its design includes beautiful cherry blossoms by the gardens, simple execution and strikingly beautiful. It comes with a lilac shawl, "How about this Megumi-san? You can put that orchid again over your ear and tie your hair low, it could be perfect! No one will be wearing like this at the party."
She had to admit she does not like it at first, but when Okon and Omasu fixed her it looks absolutely stunning. The white orchid that she kept after the formal dinner is still fresh, thanks for the cold weather, and it sets the gown to perfection. Her hair is tied low, in an effort to look formal, with an ample twist, made her face look refreshing instead of its usual pallor. She used a milder color of lipstick to go with the kimono's design, rather than her usual cherry red.
When she came to get her ward, she was surprised that Misao did persist that she'll go dressed as a European. The way of dressing, contrasts the principles of Japanese design, with ornate laces, ribbons and splendid layers of clothing to make the dress balloon down below, making it look like a glittering chandelier.or so as Megumi puts it. Luckily, the lilac and pink combination made little Misao radiant as ever, and not so over done like she have seen with westerners. Her attire comes with a pair of silk gloves and a bonnet, that she begged for Megumi's help to tie her hair in a neat bun, and help her wear the matching shoes that goes with it.
She wasn't surprised to learn that it's Aoshi who let his daughter indulge in such expensive gown, since he also shouldered the cost what Megumi is going to wear. For some self-assured, he wants everything to look presentable and beautiful, something that Megumi noticed a little lately. Kuro, the biggest of the oniwabanshus led them out of the house and assists them in a ride on the way to the party.
It was a very glamorous event that one would readily expect from social elite, the taste definitely a mix of the Japanese residents and their influential European counterparts blend in a magnificent wide green garden overlooking a mansion. So this was like to attend a "diplomatic event", Megumi thought, the foreign hosts had an extravagant taste for the surroundings that it took her breath away, the ice sculptures situated in long tables draped in white linens, the varied cuisine presented and the artsy presentation of plants and the house entrance has a pong adorned by flowers. This is the first time she had attended an event and the moment she sets her foot in, she felt bare.
She was brought back to reality as soon as Misao let go of her grip, and ran quickly. "Misao, no!" she called out,
"I'm going over Yutaro!"
Megumi later learned that Yutaro is a young boy almost of Misao's age, and is a half-German half-Japanese, and happens to know the Kenshin-gumi as well. He used to train along side with Yahiko in kendo at Kamiya Kasshin dojo way back in Tokyo. Like Misao, he does not have any parents, and were adopted by their respective guardians. She could see what made the two friends. After meeting with Yutaro's guardian, a cordial middle-aged man, assured her that Misao will be in good hands, Megumi decided to take a look at the surrounding herself, in a possibility she might see Aoshi.
She hasn't enjoyed much of her sight seeing, when she noticed a strange shadow by one of the garden's trees. It just stood there as if watching her, admiring her.and in just less than a minute, it seems to straighten up and approach her. When she recognized him she felt like she was about to run, it was the sight of the familiar white hair and the cold confident aura. It was Enishi, but what was he doing here? Someone invited him? Did he have connections? He had a wine glass at one hand, and he is wearing formal Japanese attire than the last time she had seen him. She froze to her steps, when she noticed that he is not wearing his tinted glasses at all.showing green eyes looking at her with such coldness piercing to her like shards of ice. Those cold emeralds, seems to lay a strange fearful hypnotic spell. For that certain moment, Enishi stood out so clearly, even in the shifting kaleidoscope of movement and color that swirled around him. It was as if everything and everyone except he was in motion, from the subtle shifting of tree limbs in the air and to the men and women who moved about in a blur of vivid hues and animated voices.
Until he finally stood in front of her,
"What are you doing here?" it sounds more like a strangled whisper, rather than a voice as Megumi finally spoke. "Who invited you?"
"You look absolutely beautiful, you look good in off-white." He said, not answering her question. "Isn't it a small world, Megumi? It's nice to see you are here as well." he added, with an intended soft chuckle that sounded cynical that it sent shivers down her spine.
"I have to look after my ward, it's my business." she said stiffly, then mustering the strength to look straight at him, she decided to pop out a sarcasm of her own. "I see you are not wearing your glasses, I wonder if they will recognize you."
"But I see you still recognize me," he replied, with a sardonic grin. "You hit me so hard, that it fell down the pebbly moat. Smashed into pieces. But I can always have one made."
"Enishi, can you state your business? What are you doing here?"
"Oh, nothing much." He replied, getting himself a serving of appetizer, and placing one into his mouth. "You, what do you think?"
"Whatever is in your mind, you won't have it your way."
"Why, will someone protect you?"
It irates her more, and she was consumed by anger with the insult that fear no longer lingered in her feelings. "In fact there is. Aoshi will see that nothing will happen to me. He already seen what you have done last time, he won't let it happen again. If he sees you, I swear he'll break every bone in your body and live to regret it!"
Enishi didn't take her threat seriously, instead he find it humorous. Sickeningly humrous. "His skills are no match than mine, and besides if he did find out that you have my."
"It's gone, I miscarried." She put in succinctly, "I threw myself down remember? It would be the last time I will be redeemed from the clutches of the likes like you. You will never have a hold on me, ever."
He must have been shock the least, as she heard the clanking sound of a utensil that dropped from his hand. But he recovered to it quick, and returned her a cold gaze with his eyes as dark as deep green jade. "That wouldn't be so easy," he whispered. "What made you so confident, anyway? Had your employer heard of your 'liabilities'? Do you think he can trust you after that?" When he said liabilities, it more sounded like has a scheming plan on her, but she stood her ground. She had to say something that will at least intimidate him,
"Aoshi is already my koibito. He learned to like me for who ever I am, unlike you." With that, she quickly turned around and paced furiously. She was glad to say the final word, and the relief that Enishi didn't bother to follow her, and never she attempted to look back. She fervently hopes, that he brought what she just said.
(Translation: otousan= father, okaasan=mother, koibito=lover/sweetheart/darling)