A/N:
Sorry for the delayed chapter! I was trying to see if I could split this into half and post the first one up, but I couldn't find a place to cut. So I decided to stick with a huge chapter instead *grin*
Thanks everyone for the encouraging reviews :) Please feel free to leave me another, and don't be afraid to critique the story. Improvement makes my world go round!
Chapter 5 : As You Say, So We See
There was a yelp and a lean man stumbled out of the room, wide-eyes watering for but a moment before he crashed into the opposing wall.
Megumi stood in the doorway, hands on slim hips with her expression set in a pretty scowl, "For the very last time! If you're not hurt don't come to me!".
A small whimper met that announcement as a corridor full of heads swiveled around to examine the damage on the youth twitching on the floor. Then as one they turned to inspect the fuming lady doctor.
Without missing a beat, she snapped a harsh, "And that goes for the rest of you too!".
The mental calculations done in each head was almost tangible. Compare. Fifty percent chance of getting the very foxy doctor to inspect you instead of the young Okashira. Of having the beautiful lady fussing over one's self. Taking one's shirt of. Tantalizing fingers hovering over one's skin.
The only deterrent seemed to be a ferocious slap, as clearly demonstrated by the luckless young man who was still lying prone on the floor.
It was tough, but the conclusion was clearly unanimous as each patient-to-be began to moan about the pain; it must've been something I ate last night, got into a bar brawl, I trod on my fingers, my ribs are cracked, I think I'm coming down with the plague, oh the pain, oh the humanity…
Perhaps it should be mentioned that each of these patients who were clearly in pain were all male.
The doctor tried another threat, "If you don't stop wasting my time, I will report this to Aoshi".
A baffled silence there. Insofar as they knew, she and Aoshi had had no dealings with each other and that she had been hired by Okina. Threat assessment, they concluded, equaled zero.
The frustrated sound that crawled out of Megumi's throat caught Misao's attention, alerting her to the next sentence, "Misao, could you tell those fakes out there to clear the corridor to make way for the real patients?".
Hands balancing precariously piled bandages; the young Okashira risked a glare to the doctor currently attempting to slam the sliding door shut.
If it weren't for Aoshi-sama telling me that learning some first-aid skills is essential in becoming an Okashira, I would not be here assisting you, stupid.
"Megumi-san", Misao tried a patient tone, but was clearly losing the battle against her own irritation, "How would you know that they're not sick if you haven't checked on them?". That said, she resumed her task of stocking up the cupboards with miscellaneous medicinal equipment. Setting up a sick room took more converting than she had thought; it had taken up the better part of the morning and, according to her mental clock, now it was nearly time for Aoshi-sama's lunch.
A resounding slap from behind announced the departure of another would-be patient.
Geez!! She's so confident about herself! Those people could really be sick and she just wants to send them away. Why on earth does Aoshi-sama want her as a doctor?
The woman whirled around, seemingly having read her mind, "The only thing those men are suffering from is an insane bout of testosterone imploding the remainder of their cerebellums!".
That outburst was worth a blank look, a blink and a very confused, "Huh?". Is this what Megumi-san is really like? A bit of work and she's already complaining? And we've only had 8 patients this morning!
A tiny little voice in the back of her head whispered a, Yeah, and all of them tried to cop a feel on her. And another voice protested a, What? And now you're on her side? Some help you are!
Being in two minds about a person, Misao decided, was very confusing.
"Ah, there you are, Megumi-dono". A weathered face poked cautiously in the room, "I was hoping I might find you here".
The tall woman barely gave him a glance as she started to rummage through her bulky medicine bag, tone brisk, "Yes Okina? Would you like another physical? I'm sure I can arrange one especially for you".
The fear that crossed his expression was fleeting, but was there nonetheless. He cleared his throat, masking it up by calmly saying, "Megumi-dono, you look a bit pale. Maybe you should take a break".
"Okina, I will take a break after I actually attend to real patients".
Unruffled, he continued, "You could arrange lunch for yourself and Aoshi". His voice whispered confidentially then, "He's not himself these days. I think he needs a better dietitian".
"WHAT?!". Okina ducked an indignant roll of bandage from an insulted Misao, "Are you saying my food isn't good enough for Aoshi-sama?!".
"Okina, I…", began Megumi, who was watching the bewildering scene of the two running around the room with Misao throwing various medical items at a joyfully chortling Okina.
"I'm sure he'll appreciate it", he continued conversationally, as if metal objects whizzing past his head were an everyday occurrence, "Maybe you could give him a physical, eh?".
"How about…", and was once again cut off by his maddeningly cheerful, "And besides, you two haven't had much time to catch up with each other".
"He wouldn't… what?!".
"It's settled then!", he announced, and promptly vanished. Misao and Megumi stared at the empty spot where he had previously occupied, then as one turned to stare at the still shut door.
Behind them, the window creaked apologetically.
"Aoshi?". Her voice was but a whisper as she peeked into yet another room. A quick glance around revealed it to be deserted. Tapping a delicate finger against pursed lips, she headed further down the walkway, pausing at each doorway to see if the elusive man was hiding in there.
As each room proved empty, she began to wonder if he was actually on the temple grounds. Certainly there was no other soul save for the soft creaking of the rooftop tiles settling and the soft rustling her feet made as she moved from one room to the next.
"Aoshi?", she called out again, but louder this time. The fingers clutching the wrapped lunch box she carried crossed themselves as she hoped she wasn't disturbing anyone – if there was anyone! – who may be praying.
"Megumi?". His deep voice had popped out of no where; startling her so much she nearly dropped her package. Almost on impulse she whirled around, free hand ready to let fly a slap that Men Shalt Not Forget.
The morning had not been kind to her nerves.
However, the sight of his sharp, angular features peering around a doorway, not to mention the inquisitiveness of the normally emotionless slate-grey eyes, gave her reason to check herself.
"There you are!", she exclaimed, tone gently chiding, temper safely in check, "I've been looking over the whole temple looking for you".
"I was on the balcony", was his only apology. Seeing the bulky wrappings she carried, he motioned her over.
Stepping onto the narrow walkway, she gasped softly as the scenery that welcomed her gleamed in the afternoon sun. From the temple's vantage point on top of a hill, the whole of Kyoto spread before her, buildings clumped here and there only to disappear behind clusters of trees that dotted the town. She could see dots of people, dozens of them, moving through the wide streets, bustling along with their lives. Majestic mountains lined the horizon, and on this clear day she could clearly see the white snow-capped tops blending into the clouds.
A light breeze caressing her cheek brought her back to the here and now, carrying away most of the irritation accumulated over the morning.
She turned to face Aoshi, who was watching her with strangely contemplative eyes. She dismissed it, he's probably annoyed with me for interrupting his meditation, and held up the package with her, "I brought you lunch".
"What happened to Misao?", he queried as he gestured for her to take a seat beside him, "She usually insists on bringing me my lunch".
"Your Okina deemed it my duty to be your personal maid". There was no trace of anger now, just resignation, "Not only does he send me to ready and deliver your lunch, he wants me to conduct a physical on you as well". As she set the box in front of him and deftly unwrapped the cloth, she added slyly, "Either that, or he wants me to break your knees as well".
He watched her fuss over the lunch box, setting chopsticks aside and spreading the cloth out smoothly, "He seems pretty determined that I court you, then. Is that what you're implying?".
"Hah! Court me? Normal people would rather grope me than court me", she snorted, leaning back against the wall. The surface was wonderfully warm and despite herself found it immensely relaxing.
No wonder Aoshi meditates here. It's so peaceful I bet he could fall asleep and no one would know.
His answer failed to surprise her, "Stop being superficial. You don't need me to assure you that you would be courted".
"Boo to you too". Her announcement clearly surprised him though, just as she knew it would. He obviously expected a full-on debate with her deploying everything in her figurative fox self; fanged remarks, clawed arguments and possibly even stealthy seduction. Instead, he received a simple, "If I want to be superficial not even you can stop me".
Through half-lidded eyes she saw him glance at her sideways and she merely offered a serene smile. The day was too pleasant to engage in a battle of wits, no matter how satisfying.
Besides, there was lunch to consider.
"Don't scarf it all down", she cautioned. Needlessly, she knew. Last she remembered his table manners were impeccable. Next she knew the box hovered before her, the scent of her own cooking waffling and teasing her stomach.
A small but clearly audible growl from her belly prompted her to swat his arm, her embarrassment clear, "You asshole", but her words were without rancor. From his other hand she picked up the offered chopsticks and selected a rice-ball.
Setting the lunchbox before her, he took his own pair and helped himself. Lunch then proceeded without any further events.
Misao slumped against the tree trunk, legs dangling forlornly from the branch she was sitting on.
No more two minds about it, oh no. She had made up her mind there and then that she did not like Megumi.
She had followed Megumi to the temple. She had climbed a tree and watched, perhaps a little spitefully, as the graceful woman flittered from room to room. From her strategically selected position she had then watched as Aoshi invited her onto the balcony to sit next to him. Watched as he chatted with her. Chatted! The man with little to say, whose known contributions to a conversation consisted of monosyllabic 'Aaa's. Him. Engaging in a chat. A chat! How was she supposed to get over that? But worse still was when he offered the food to Megumi, who was sitting there with that little smug smirk on her face. And she had hit him! But Aoshi-sama, gallant man Misao knew he was, did not remove his offer and Megumi finally picked a piece and ate it. And then he had put the food before her, as though it was meant for her.
Misao couldn't help but feel betrayed. Especially when Jiya – stupid old man, I'll kill him when I find him – had sent that vixen over to her Aoshi-sama.
There was a sudden rustle from above. A soft 'tap' and she yelped as the youth from the market appeared beside her, easily perched on the slim branch, his stance as though about to pounce.
He was facing the couple still on the balcony though.
"Who the hell are you?!". The shrillness of her voice betrayed her shock.
He gave her an absent smile, simply saying, "Yowan". She was then subjected to a confused look, as though he was trying to work out who she was.
"You're the one that gave me the chocolate", she reminded him, the shock wearing off to be replaced by unease. The moment recognition crossed his features, she regretting ever saying anything. Now that she had more time to look at him, there was certainly something fundamentally wrong about him. There was far too much innocence in that expression for a young man like him; the way the dark mahogany of his hair gently fell around his face, the way his mismatched eyes twinkled golden and cerulean blue, the way his lithe form was silhouetted against the bright sun. It all reminded her of an angel. And yet, the way he watched her was disturbing, as though wondering if she was a toy that was merely in his way or whether she herself should be played with. Wondering how interesting she would be. There was also a certain detachment in his bearing…
Fallen. That was it. He reminded her of an angel that had fallen, laughing manically as it did so.
She subconsciously inched backwards. Her instincts were screaming at her, pointing accusing fingers at him and hysterically going, Insane! Insane! He offered her another absent smile then turned his attention back to the couple who currently seemed to be arguing again. As he did so, his shirt caught on a rouge branch.
For that brief instant, what should have been smooth tanned skin was revealed to be a monstrous meshwork of hideously large and small scars.
Hearing her strangled gasp, he turned once again to her, this time his smile fully stretched into a delighted grin. "So", whispered his hypnotically melodic voice, "Little girl. What did little girl see?".
Megumi had been picking at the small slices of cucumber when she suddenly caught sight of a familiar rectangular black object poking out of the folds of Aoshi's yukata.
Isn't that…?
"Aoshi?", her voice was sweet, and she could practically feel him switch from content mode to the cautious self he employed just before a duel.
You stupid man. Haven't you learnt you can spy on everyone except for this fox?
It was good that he was cautious. As she raised the chopsticks, a tiny twitch of his brow made the smile wider and sweeter. It was even better that he was afraid.
Innocently, "You have a bit of rice stuck to your chin". She leaned towards him, chopsticks tucked against the palm of her hand, a single innocent finger reached up to brush the imaginary grain away.
The perfectly manicured curve of her nail seemed to fascinate him.
Her finger touched the smooth skin of his chin, the simple brush of her fingertip earning his full attention. Which was good, since her other hand was reaching out ever… so… slowly…
A flash like lightning against the slate-blue of his eyes.
She yelped as the world spun upside down, leaving her in a very unceremonious sprawl on the floor with the only thing in her vision being the wooden awnings of the roof. Soon even that was blocked with Aoshi's slightly frowning expression.
She was also suddenly aware of his weight pressing down on hers. "Aoshi, get off". Why did she sound so breathless?
He's heavy. Yes, that's why. And he tossed me! The nerve of him!
Indignation flared, as well as a bit of panic. Men had often tried to trick her, and even force her in some occasions, into such a compromising position and damned if she had let them do it to her then. Now made no difference. He seemed to have read her mind as the next thing she knew both her wrists were held firmly beside her head.
No panic, no panic, no panic. There's always the knee…
"Megumi, what were you doing?". His voice was low and cautious, and for some strange reason his eyes were scanning the surroundings.
"I", came the irritated reply, "Was trying to get my book from you, you... you thief!". The frustrated growl following that signified her difficulty in aligning a knee to inflict damage on a certain tender anatomical part.
"Why didn't you just ask?".
Was that an amused tone? Was he amused by all this? How dare he be amused at her expense!
"Where's the fun in that?". Her answer was made absently as she continued struggling but clearly failed to do anything but heighten the amusement of the warrior who was currently shifting into a more comfortable position.
This is so degrading!
"And since when have you familiarized yourself so with women?", a twist there, a jerk here… and she was still trapped underneath him.
A moment's pause there. Glancing upwards at him, she blinked as she saw the small frown on his face. Strangely enough it wasn't directed to her. Rather, it seemed to be directed to himself.
When his answer came, it was so soft that she hardly caught it, "Never. You were the only one". There was a strange cloudiness in his eyes then, the same shade that had so fascinated her back in her room.
He is not serious! … is he?
"Was it because I was your doctor? Or because you were my bodyguard?". Despite her attempt to lighten the mood, there was a noticeable heaviness in the air then, a strange tension that seemed to grow ever so slowly. And now, truth be told, his weight on her was not all that unwelcomed…
It was quite comforting, actually… Especially the way he was gazing at her right now, and especially the way his fringe was brushing against her forehead, brushing oh-so-gently…
No! Not with Aoshi! Not Aoshi! Not Aoshi! Not…
"You know", she whispered, trying to disperse said tension, lifting a wrist and now finding little resistance from him. She could see his chest clearly, courtesy of the looseness of his yukata, and the scars were still there as she remembered them. Except for quite a few new additions…
She selected one, tracing its contour gently, fascinated by the remains of what must have been a horrific wound. "Where did this guy come from?".
The question hung in the air.
"I… I just saw your scars. That's all". Misao continued edging away from him. That delighted grin on Yowan's face just didn't belong there. She also didn't like the way he was inching towards her.
He made no sound as he moved. Despite all the dry bark on the tree, all the leaves surrounding them, all the branches impeding his movement, he made no sound. Despite the stiff fabric of his clothes, despite the way he appeared to make his way towards her, he made no sound at all.
Maybe, she thought desperately, her hand slipping into the folds of her shirt. The familiar handles of her kunai calmed her down somewhat. Maybe I can distract him a little.
"What happened? To you, I mean. The scars". She was becoming incoherent, she knew, but she didn't care. If she could distract him for just one single moment…
He had been flexing his fingers as he approached her, but the moment she mentioned scars he froze. "Scars? Yowan have scar…". A strange whine there, and Misao pounced on it.
"Yes! Scars! I saw lots of scars. What happened? Did you get hurt?". While her mouth rambled, her mind was quickly trying to calculate the likelihood how long it would take for him to catch up should she take off and run, and what the chances were of him actually chasing after her if she did so.
He was only four feet away now… and she could feel the roughness of bark scraping at the back of her shirt.
"Shadow gave Yowan scars". The strange wistfulness in his tone made her eye him cautiously. His attention seemed to be elsewhere. Maybe she should…
"Don't you ever go near her again". The sudden outburst made her jump, but what lent her the wide-eyed expression of shock was that the voice that had come out of Yowan's mouth was Aoshi's. Harsh, cruel, and unbelievably threatening, but still the deep timbre that was unmistakably his; "If you do I swear you will regret it".
Back to his normal voice now, he continued, his voice now shaky and pitifully weak, "Pretty… pretty help Yowan? Nice pretty. Good pretty. Kind pretty". His fingers, long and limber, started to dig into the bough in nervous twitches, and as Misao looked on in fascinated horror, began to draw beads of blood.
"Aoshi…", that single word was Megumi's and was just as shaky as the previous ramble. His expression appeared torn; surely it was a perfect mimicry of hers in whatever memory of his this was, as perfect as his impersonation of her and Aoshi's voices.
"No, Pretty! Pretty nice, Pretty cannot play with Shadow! Shadow bad! Shadow bad…"; the statement collapsed into pitiful sobs as he buried his face into his hands, streaking his visage with crimson.
Misao's mouth moved to shape a question, but no sound came out. What could she ask anyway? Do you know Aoshi-sama? Why do you sound like him? When was this? Was this of Aoshi-sama and Megumi's past?
A low conformation as the voice twisted back to Aoshi's all-too-familiar voice, but this time laced with a certain… something, "Do you want me to kill him?".
"No!". The exclamation was frightened, trembling, and forceful. It was also Megumi again, "No. No more killing. I've killed enough… Please…". After he trailed off, he continued, Megumi's voice sounding much stronger and much, much more forced, "I have to help him. But… Aoshi… could you please…?".
A pause as Yowan looked at her directly, eerie eyes seeming to glow with the anger that had lent the passion in Aoshi's words, as it did now, "I will stay. But", and here Yowan's eyes narrowed, hatred radiating from his slight form, "If he even moves to touch you, he dies".
"I almost died". The confession was unlike him, unlike what she remembered from a year ago. A year ago, in those years she had known him, never once had he admitted his mortality. Always, during the times he had guarded her, the times she had threatened him and attacked him with whatever weapons she had on hand including the one he himself had given her, never had she heard him say anything like that.
It was amazing how a year could change someone. It was amazing how two – or was it three? – years could change people.
"Well". What should she say? What could she say? As always, her words automatically turned cynical whenever she found herself failing, "Well, obviously the person who tended your wounds knows nothing. Just look at the amount of scar tissue". A delicate finger jabbed at the raised edges.
A slight shudder.
"Did I hurt you?", she asked softly, fingers now absently rubbing the bruised spot. The shaking of his head was betrayed by the miniscule tension in his muscles, and she was dying pounce on the lie but the teasing sweep of his bangs against her forehead was distracting. Extremely distracting.
"Tell me", the huskiness in his voice captured her attention now, "What is your relationship with Sagara Sanosuke?".
"That rooster head?", a delicate eyebrow arched, her surprise masked expertly with the mischievous tone she employed, "Why do you ask?".
"He's attracted to you". The simple statement belied a predictably devious intent, if she knew anything about him.
"Is he now?", she mused, watching his expression carefully, "And how would you know that?". Right now he seemed oblivious to her exploration of his scars, and sighing disappointment she let her fingers trace over his collarbone.
"He looks at you the same way Kanryu did". Her reaction was instant. Her elegant features contorted with hatred, her fingernails raking a glaring red line as they shot towards his neck to wrap around the vulnerable flesh - nails first.
"Never, ever, compare Sano with him", came the snarl.
Despite the situation, a tiny smile crept onto his thin lips. It held no hint of mockery nor contempt; instead it was of remembrance and affection. As much as the stoic Aoshi allowed anyway. "Enrage the vixen, risk her bite. Am I right… Meg?".
For the second time that day, his comment left her close to speechless. So many questions, she had to ask. Too many questions. But this… this was the time, wasn't it? It was time to talk.
Yes, it was.
"Aoshi, why did you bring me here?". Her voice was quiet, dark brown eyes searching his expression for anything that could betray what he was thinking.
Anything…
It seemed obvious to her then that the silence surrounding them, the peace and serenity the temple offered and her closeness to him were giving him reason to question his decision to stay silent.
Maybe I can give him a little encouragement…
A tiny little voice in the back of her head warned her against it. This was Shinomori Aoshi after all, not an opponent to toy with lightly. That voice she admonished; if anything this was an opportunity to seize, and seize it she shall.
Her fingers released their hold on his neck, trailing slowly behind his neck to run through the dark strands of hair. She locked eyes with him, pleading dark brown with cloudy blue-grey, voice low, "Aoshi, you can tell me".
His eyes narrowed and faster than she could follow he had grabbed her wandering hand and held onto it tight. Painfully tight. Obviously he knew what she was playing at. She scowled then, he was impossible!, and was just about to give up when he surprised her.
His expression softened whilst his grasp on her aching hand loosened. "Megumi… you know what I have done to disgrace the Oniwa Banshu's namesakes". A pause elicited a hesitant nod from her, a cue for him to continue. His voice, usually so bland and controlled, was unusually thick now. Thick and heavy with emotion.
His men, the elite members of the ninja clan, had meant the world to him. She knew how painful their memory was for him; the ultimate sacrifice made willingly in order to save their Okashira. In order to save him. How horrifying it had been for him to realize he was using their memory to further his own gains and darken his honour. How he was debasing their lives by intending to destroy his.
She knew.
"The Oniwa Banshu has always succeeded in our missions, except for two. I intend to finalize the both of them. One of those I have sworn in front of my men, in their names. And this time I do not wish to stain it further".
She knew.
"I swore I would never let you come to harm". Determination glittered in his eyes as he looked down on her, his gaze just daring her to look away.
And she did. She couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze. She wanted to know and he had told her, albeit not the entire reason. But all of a sudden, she didn't want to know anymore. Knowing and asking meant she would have to reopen doors to the past that she would rather keep shut. She wanted to past to stay where it was. Hidden, ignored, and forgotten.
"Why did you suddenly mention Sano?". The question practically leapt out of her mouth. Clearly anything was acceptable as long as it changed the topic.
Aoshi, perceptive as always, recognized her reluctance to talk about it and accepted it, taking it in stride as he answered, "Because that is the sixth time he's passed the temple entrance".
"WHAT?!". Shock lending her extra strength she shoved him off her and sat up, scrutinizing the surroundings closely. Sure enough she spotted an absolutely shocked, horrified and strangely enough enraged figure staring back at her from the bottom of the hill, belongings long scattered over the ground he was standing on. But perhaps not so strange considering Aoshi stated that Sanosuke apparently liked her. "How long has he been watching?".
Aoshi had settled back against the wall, looking remarkably composed and relaxed in the bright afternoon sun. He also had his eyes shut, seemingly enjoying the moment, "From the time you grabbed for the book".
"He saw everything?!". Still shaken by his confession, her voice was shrill in its exclamation. Despite the almost imperceptible nod, it was now very clear that he was enjoying this. Still, she couldn't help but pry for more conformation, "He saw you on me?".
"As well as you playing with my scars".
Instead of the indignation she expected, she felt instead a deep admiration. He was thinking just like her when she teased Kaoru and Kenshin. "You're playing with him?". Admiration aside, it was still very annoying.
A small twitch of the lips indicated a slight smile. Minute, but still there nonetheless, "I have my cheap thrills".
Before she could say anything more though, a shrill scream of, "Tobi kunai!" echoed throughout the compounds. Instantly a hand grabbed hers as Aoshi's cool voice told her to stay close, and moments later found herself being sprinted through the temple corridors.
Memories rushed past her then, unbidden and unwanted. Shoving them out of her head, she forced herself to remember that this was the present. Forced herself to remember she had the power now to change the present so it would never ever revert back to the past.
Never. Ever.
Well, that's it for this chapter. Read it? Review it! :D See ya next chapter!