Writer's Note: Ah, bask in the glory of poorly written flames. You'd think if I got someone who wanted to bash me, I'd at least get someone who did it intelligently. I kinda wanted someone to bring up a really good argument. ^_^ I'm so evil. But surprise, surprise. *pouts* It was an anonymous review. Thanks, a lot Red Ribbon. Ya did me a favor and it's appreciated. :P
To my other reviewers: ^_^ I left you guys on a bit of a cliffy, so I apologize. Enjoy! O Capitan, Mon Capitan
Captain Himura caught Aoshi on his way to the showers.
"I have the native-born in my custody."
The redhead studied the other man with his violet eyes. "How many casualties as a result?"
"One."
Kenshin gave him an encouraging look. "Good work. Witnesses?"
Aoshi thought about it for a moment. "A group of Untouchables and a guard. No one of consequence, I think."
"Good. Check into family background. They may want proof of her bloodline."
Megumi thought she would go nuts. After two hours of doing nothing but sit and listen to the ticking of the clock, the walls were starting to close in on her. She needed to do something
Tiptoeing to the bookcase across the wooden floor, the woman surveyed the titles displayed, picking out a crisp, leather-bound book. "Translated Mo-zi…" Megumi murmured absent-mindedly, a finger trailing along the spine.
My savior is a regular philosopher…mused the doctor. Book in arm, Megumi curled into the bed and began reading. However, her stomach had other ideas—giving out a growl of protest. The doctor found her eyes being drawn by the tiny kitchen in the corner…
In the officer's mess, Aoshi ate sparingly, chewing everything very carefully.
Captain Hajime Saitou watched him with his ever-observant eyes. "Mm…Shinomori, you've taken up some unusual habits."
"I haven't been feeling well lately," he answered flatly.
"Interesting," the captain drawled, blowing smoke from between his lips. "You didn't strike me as the type to fall ill."
"Really, he's only human, Saitou," quipped Sagara, stuffing his mouth with a very generous forkful of chicken.
It had been like this for over a year. The officers would gather around for dinner, perhaps a little of the entertainment, and settle into a friendly game of cards. Still, it did not mean that they were all close friends. Too often, the adversarial roles they played day in, day out took their toll, and the men found themselves pitted against one another in a game of power. Allies formed between men were always precariously teetering because one did not want to be caught with an ally. Cruelty among the ranks was a common occurrence in order to avoid the suspicion camaraderie would bring.
Thinking that pursuing that train of thought was not worth his time, Saitou turned his attention to the less imposing figure of the redhead.
"You've already got two strikes against you. Tread lightly."
Abruptly, Aoshi stood up. "I think I'll go to bed."
Himura looked up from the table. "You hardly touched your dinner."
"…I'm afraid my appetite has left me."
"Then you should take the rest of it back to your cabin and eat if you need a snack in the night. We need our officers fit in the mornings."
Aoshi watched Captain Himura carefully, his gaze running over the murky, violet depths. "…Aa. A wise choice."
"We can have one of the ladies wrap it up…"
'If we seek to benefit the world by taking universality as our standard, those with sturdy limbs will work for others, and those with a knowledge of the Way will endeavor to teach others'…hmm. Such an interesting man I've managed to find myself stuck with…
Curled within the warm blankets on the bed, Meg snuggled even deeper into them and eagerly held the book closer to her face. She was so comfortable on the soft downy sheets, she could have stayed there forever…
Her worries fell away, heavy-lidded eyes blinking stubbornly in the flickering lamplight.
Aoshi could feel the night's chill creep underneath his uniform as he walked up the steps to his cabin. Parcel in one hand, he unlocked the door and let his gaze roam the room for anything suspicious.
The woman was underneath the layers of blankets he'd left on the bed that morning, a book next to her head, eyes closed, and a small smile on her lips. Curiously, Aoshi lightly closed the door behind him and stepped into the room. Immediately, a faint smell wafted up to his nostrils…something light, but slightly salty.
Walking past the bed and the sleeping woman, Aoshi spotted a pot sitting on the stove. He set the small package of leftovers on the counter and stirred the contents of the soup with a spoon. It was a thin broth with scattered slices of carrots and potatoes.
The Hitokiri captain looked with interest at his captive. A resourceful girl…he thought.
Changing into something more comfortable—tan drawstring pants and a black t-shirt—Aoshi padded across the floor and placed the doctor's book next to the bed. Careful not to nudge her too much, he slipped under the covers and blew out the candle.
There were bits of flame licking at her feet, the heat was getting more intense, more alluring. Soon it would reach her and consume her entire body. Her feet burned…and yet the rest of her body shivered with cold. The fire welcomed her…beckoned to her, but she knew she could not give in to it.
"Meggie…"No.
"Come, Meggie-chan. You don't belong here."
Leave me alone.
"Your mother would disapprove."
My mother is dead. Leave me alone.
But as the flames leapt even higher, a scream pierced the night air with its pained siren song and Megumi could not tear her gaze from the dancing fire as it flickered in her dark pupils. Fixed on the window of the uppermost floor, the screams within echoed in her ears.
End Notes: Lo siento for the incredibly lame, short chapter! Still…it seemed like a good place to stop. Well, not really, but I'm still truckin'! Next chapter will be a bit more exciting…I hope. :P [Arg! Blast ff.net! It's not liking my italics OR indented paragraphs!]
Disclaimer: (Here's an idea! A disclaimer at the end! Lol) Mo-zi's philosophy and ideas are not my own. Irony: Meg is reading ancient Chinese philosophy! ('kay, maybe it's not so much irony…but amusing.)