"I don't know about this."

"Miss Megumi, whatever do you mean?"

Two young ladies, a Miss Grace Harris and Miss Elizabeth Fitzwilliam who were both only 18 years of age, were gathered around her as she sat at vanity and mirror admiring her appearance.

"It's just so . .. ." Megumi glanced down at her clothes.

"-- purple?" Miss Grace smiled.

It was, in fact, lavender, but that wasn't what was causing her to flush with embarrassment. The gown Miss Esther Smith had insisted she borrow for the embassy reception was no different from what the other ladies wore. It was just "...Different." she concluded politely. She would never draw attention to the fact that she herself was very uncomfortable with how this particular dress left little to the imagination. The dress clung softly to her slim figure and its neckline exposed more skin that any modest Japanese woman who dare show. She would have pointed this out to the ladies, except it was no different from what young Miss Grace, Miss Elizabeth and their mothers wore.

The ladies giggled.

Well is that all?" Miss Grace smiled. "I know you would probably much rather wear a kimono, but since this evening is about cultural exchange and impressing the consulate, you know we agreed that you and Miss Smith should switch clothes."

Megumi nodded. Even though Miss Grace was many years younger than her, she trusted that both the advice of her and her mother on this matter. They would know best how to win over the consulate, who ultimately would approve her journey to America, should she indeed still choose to go.

Mrs. Harris poked her head into the dressing room. "Are you ladies almost ready? A carriage is being sent in half an hour."

"Yes, mother." Grace turned her head and beamed at her. "We're almost done with Miss Megumi."

"My goodness," Mrs. Harris clasped her hands as she came in. "You look lovely, Miss Megumi."

"Thank you," Megumi self-consciously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I hope that everything looks appropriate."

"These ladies did an excellent job." Mrs. Harris came over and walked around her critically. "It helps that you have an excellent figure, as well. All we need to do is pull your hair up and give you a pair of gloves, and you'll be fine. I know you'll manage everything else well."

"Your customs are a bit difficult to understand," Megumi paused.

"Nonsense!" She gave Megumi a maternal pat. "You're certainly a smart enough woman to pick things up quickly enough. You shouldn't let anything new bother you."

"It doesn't bother me!" Miss Esther spoke up from behind them. She was turning about admiring the kimono and the obi that Megumi had tied for her. "I'm so excited to wear a proper kimono. I'm just glad I don't have to wear sandals, though. Otherwise I won't be able to dance!"

The women laughed. Megumi winced, not only at the pressure Mrs. Harris was exerting on her head at the moment, but at the thought of dancing. She could learn certain cultural things, but frankly, these ladies were terrible at teaching this one aspect. Given her nervousness, she'd probably fall over her feet and humiliate herself.

"Here you are," Miss Elizabeth handed her a pair of gloves.

"That should do it," Mrs. Harris put her hands on hips and as she inspected the young ladies looked pleased. "Come down in a few minutes, dears. Megumi--" she said as she spied Miss Smith toddling around awkwardly in the kimono, "You might want to show Miss Smith the art of moving more elegantly in the kimono."

"Ack!" Esther confirmed Mrs. Harris' concerns by nearly falling over.

Megumi smiled and helped catch the younger woman. "You know you should be taking much smaller steps."

Esther wailed, "But then I won't be able to do the waltz after all! I'll be sitting in the corner by myself!"

The other ladies giggled, "That's a good thing! You'd tromp all over some poor young man's feet!"

"I'll be happy to join you in the corner," Megumi ignored the others. "I would rather not make a total fool of myself by falling in front of the consul. He'll most definitely decide against letting me travel to America!"

"Oh don't be silly, both of you." Miss Grace said seriously. "You know that both of you will NOT be left alone all evening."

"Of course not!" Elizabeth laughed. "And now how will both of you greet the many MANY suitors that will be begging to be introduced to you?"

Esther smiled again and bowed deeply as Megumi had taught her earlier in the day. Megumi admitted that Miss Smith was an excellent student.

"And you Miss Megumi?"

She too had had some lessons. Quickly, she offered her hand to Miss Grace, who had preceded with her imitation of a gentleman's bow.

"No, no," Grace shook her head. "If you do it like that, they'll think you don't like them. Like this," Grace turned her head slightly and then delicately raised her hand.

Megumi adopted the same posture and copied the younger woman.

"Good!" Esther clapped with approval.

"It was good," Elizabeth nodded, "But Megumi, you need to try to smile. You look like you ate something rather offensive. You're going to scare men off."

Megumi gave them a sly smile. "Isn't that what I want to do?"

"NO!" The three girls responded.

She tried again, this time with her head turned and eyes closed. "Is this better?"

"Oh dear no!!"

Megumi opened one eye and watched the women as they fussed, completely besides themselves with worry.

Esther groaned. "Your mother is going to kill us Grace. She'll think we purposely tried to teach her these things. You know that's the expression you make when you meet some particularly boring person."

"I most certainly do not," Miss Grace frowned.

"Actually, Esther is right," Elizabeth laughed. "And you also turn up your nose when the guy is particularly annoying."

"Ladies," Megumi sensed Miss Grace's irritation. "I promise to behave. I'll do it right this time as well as later tonight." And with that she dropped a beautiful curtsey and offered her hand with a smile.

"Lovely!"

"Absolutely charming!"

"Thank the heavens." Miss Grace sighed with relief. "I'm glad you were just playing after all."

Megumi laughed aloud. She had forgotten that these new friends of hers were still not used to some of her ways. "Alright, alright! I promise for you and your mother's sake that I'll be on my best behavior this evening."

"I'm glad!" Esther chimed in. "I know it's highly rude of me to say so since you haven't yet made up your mind, but I'd rather like you to come back with us to the States, Miss Megumi. After tonight, you'll definitely get permission to travel with us. And think how you much help you'll be in lightening up our stuffy friend here."

"Stuffy?" Grace glared at Esther. "Who said I was stuffy?"

Megumi and Elizabeth exchanged glances as the two women kept up their bickering.. "Are they always like this?" Megumi looked amused.

"Well," Elizabeth paused, "Not always. but if it's quiet, it usually means things are extremely bad. Fighting is just a natural part of their relationship. But underneath it, they really do care about one another."

"Of course," Megumi raised her eyebrow, "At this rate, they'll both lose their voices well before the night is over. Shall we do something about this?"

The other woman nodded, and the two of them each took an arm of the bickering Esther and Grace, and dragged them downstairs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The embassy was a sea of faces, American, Japanese, German, and many other nationalities which Megumi could not keep track of. If one thing could be said about the Americans, it would be that they enjoyed large boisterous affairs.

They had been here already half an hour, safely made their way through the reception line. Megumi was particularly relieved. She had not made one mistake as far as she could tell, and had even a few kind words from the consulate's wife - who was very impressed to find out that she was a doctor in another town.

Now she was simply left to the task of avoiding dancing all evening.

"Oh my!" Miss Esther and Grace were craning their necks over the crowd that stood on the staircase that led down into the main hall. "Plenty of guests."

Dr. Harris laughed jovially behind them. "Plenty of young men you girls mean. I tell you, Consulate Williams is famous for his parties."

"Father!" .

Megumi noted that Miss Grace looked mortified. She laughed coyly. "I am looking forward to it then."

"Ehhh?" Dr. Harris responded weakly, apparently not expecting such a remark from his guest..

Miss Grace shot Megumi a look of gratitude. When Dr. Harris had turned away to greet another colleague, she whispered her thanks.

Megumi shook her head. "Next time, don't react. Otherwise he'll keep doing that."

Miss Grace looked at Megumi admiringly, "You certainly know how to handle men, Miss Megumi. That's the first time I've ever seen him at a loss for words."

They both giggled.

"Girls!" Esther whispered furiously. "Look over there!" She discreetly pointed towards the entrance behind them, where a number of people had just entered.

Megumi and Grace turned and tried to nonchalantly scan the crowd to see what had the girl so excited.

Megumi's eyes widened as she recognized the profile of Aoshi, head and shoulders above the persons around him.

"I wonder who he is?" Miss Grace turned to Esther. "I've never seen such a tall Japanese man before."

"Aoshi Shinomori." Megumi unwittingly said aloud.

"Goodness!" the two women turned to her excitedly, "You know him?"

"We are acquainted," she frowned slightly as she again stole a glance at him. Just what had brought him here?

"You have to introduce us, Miss Megumi, if he comes this way."

"What?" Megumi looked at the women. "He's not the most entertaining company, ladies."

"Oh,please," Esther's eyes were pleading now.

"Oh alright," Megumi finally smiled. The younger woman was obviously anxious to show off her kimono to Aoshi. She hoped that she wouldn't be disappointed with his cool nature.

"Shh!" Miss Grace turned back to face them. "He's heading this way. I think he spotted you, Miss Megumi."

He in fact had.

"Takani Megumi." To her surprise, he bowed and took her hand and lightly pressed his lips to her gloved fingers.

"A most unexpected. . . " she saw the women exchanging excited glances and quickly drew her hand away, ". . .pleasure."

"You look well, Doctor," he smiled at her, aware of, but ignoring her discomfort.

"As do you, Shinomori-san," she answered irritably and suppressed the urge to cross her arms across her chest. Suddenly remembering her promise to the younger ladies, she pasted a smile on her face as she turned to each of the women. "May I present my friends, Miss Grace Harris and Miss Esther Smith. They are the daughters of several of my colleagues from America and will be visiting Tokyo for a few more days."

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance," Aoshi bowed to each of them, and kissed each of their hands, earning pleased smiles from each of them.

Megumi stared at the man, wondering exactly whether perhaps she was sane after all. After the next moment, when Mrs. Harris, Dr. Harris and several of his colleagues came over and she was forced to make introductions on their behalf as well and he fell into an easy conversation with them, she decided she ought to go find a glass of water.

As she moved away though she found herself ensnared into another conversation by Drs. Fitzwilliams and Dr. Quent, who asked for her opinion on whether it would be worthwhile to take some of the native herbs and plants back to the States for further study.

"I would think so," she asked politely and then sighed internally, as that prompted another debate on what should be taken between the two men. Thankfully, before she could lose all her patience and composure, the dinner announcement was made.

She experienced a sudden moment of horror, when she overheard Mrs. Harris extend an invitation to Aoshi to join their party for supper. To her relief, he declined saying that he had come with business acquaintances whom he would be joining for dinner.

She relaxed as she followed the doctors and their families to a table near the musical quartet that had been playing in the background all evening. As the missing Miss Elizabeth finally joined them, Esther and Grace were unable to contain their glee.

"That Japanese gentleman in the coat and tails-" Esther pointed to Aoshi who was seated at a table on the other side of the room.

"A friend of Miss Megumi's" Miss Grace's eyes sparkled as she interrupted Esther.

"- - -acquaintance," Megumi interjected.

"Aoshi Shinomori was his name," Esther sighed. "His English is just perfect. And his manners -- He complimented me on my kimono and my Japanese. Said they were excellent."

"He's a businessman. He runs a restaurant and hotel in Kyoto. The A--, A-- " Miss Grace paused.

"The Aoiya," Megumi quietly answered.

Miss Elizabeth looked at Miss Megumi with a smile. She was clearly used to these sorts of random dialogues with the two other girls, but was amused nonetheless. "You know the place? Have you been there?"

"Yes, several times." Megumi answered truthfully. "It is a nice place. The staff is," she smiled a bit as she thought of Misao and Okina and the others, "very energetic and nice."

"Too bad we can't go see it!" Esther sighed. "He said that we were welcome to come and see the tea ceremony. I'd love to see a Japanese tea ceremony."

"We already have," Miss Grace suddenly collected herself after she caught her mother's warning glance. "Esther, please, let's be more ladylike."

Aware that Esther was glaring at her friend, Megumi placed her hand on Esther's arm and continued in soothing tones, "Many hotels have tea ceremonies, but the Aoiyan one is certain to be different."

Miss Elizabeth shot Megumi another grateful look across the table as the two girls both looked pleased with her answer and instead turned their attention to admire the food that had appeared before them suddenly.

The rest of the dinner, thankfully went forward without any further mention or questions about Aoshi Shinomori.

As the dinner progressed, Megumi was suddenly again aware that she had somehow not found a way to avoid what inevitably followed. The ladies were sighing beside her as the first strains of a waltz made its way over the sounds of various conversations. Megumi wished suddenly that she had thought to sprain her ankle conveniently on her way in to dinner.

There was still time. If she got up and tripped on the stairs that led to the powder room, she'd be able to waste a good half an hour or so recuperating, and then sit out valiantly the rest of the evening.

Or perhaps maybe she could trip on her way out to the gardens, which she knew Miss Elizabeth wanted to see.

"Megumi!" Esther hissed at her, jolting her out of her reverie.

"Takani-san," Aoshi was standing next to her now, "You are not well?"

"I'm fine," she answered automatically, before she suddenly realized that he was offering her his hand.

"Good," he looked down at her, "Then I shall claim this waltz."

At that moment, she realized that she should have settled for quietly disappearing behind one of the curtains placed around the room.

She then glared at him. Of all the silly bizarre things this evening, this was certainly one of the most exceptional examples. "A waltz?" she laughed, "I'm honored, but you know the Japanese can't waltz. Perhaps one of the other ladies would be happy to oblige."

He switched to Japanese then. "Don't be difficult. We have to discuss something."

Her expression changed slightly then. "Well then," she stood up and continued in English. "I will try not to embarrass you. Excuse me, ladies," she smiled at them. "It's time to see if your lessons helped."

Aoshi raised his eyebrow at her as he offered her his elbow and led her to the floor.

"So you do waltz." Their conversation switched back into Japanese as they began their walk about the floor.

"As of this morning, I do." She sighed. "And I've been trying to avoid it all evening so I don't look like a fool in front of the consulate who will be approving my visit to America in the next few days."

"You should not worry so much." He answered. She was surprised when he expertly guided her through the first set of steps.

"First you surprise me with showing up here, then impressing Miss Esther and Miss Grace with your English and your manners, and then apparently know how to waltz as well. Just what have you been doing these past five years, Aoshi-san?"

"Learning how to communicate with my clients," he answered. "I intend to make the Aoiya successful and to help ensure that the Oniwabun and the others there will excel in this new life."

She said nothing. As usual, whatever he did or said always made sense.

"So you are going to America?"

"Did I say I was going?" she looked up at him. "I'm still waiting to hear what news you have. I'm doing all this simply because my colleagues wanted me to go through the process."

"Fair enough." He led her through a series of turns before she was back in his arms facing him. "I think I know where we ought to be looking, but Okina was a bit muddled on exactly what to look for there. Can you free yourself from your party and leave tomorrow?"

Stunned, she could only nod.

"Good, then-"

The end of the waltz cut his words short. Megumi and Aoshi lightly applauded as did the others on the floor. "Aoshi-san, I-"

"Miss Megumi," the Consulate was suddenly beside her. "I could not help but admire you and your partner. If you would do me the honor of the next waltz, I would like to further our acquaintance. Unless of course, I am intruding on something."

"No-o," she blushed as the Consulate winked at her. "Mr. Shinomori has promised the next dance to Miss Grace, so I would be honored to dance with you."

Aoshi bowed somewhat stiffly. Megumi smiled to herself, while this evening was one mad situation after another, she could at least pay Aoshi back for his little surprise. Miss Grace would thank her for sure later.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Did it go well?" Miss Elizabeth asked kindly as Miss Megumi sat down and briefly put her head in her hands.

"I think so," Megumi had straightened up immediately and smiled at the other woman. "I didn't falter. I didn't step on the Consulate's feet, and I think he actually laughed at something I said."

"I'm glad," she answered. "But I was referring to your friend."

"Yes, do tell," Esther piped up and leaned in, her eyes intensely curious. "Your conversation looked very serious."

Megumi paused, hating herself for the deception she was about to enact. "He had some bad news about one of our mutual friends. I am afraid that I will have to go see this friend tomorrow and tend to him. I hope you don't mind that I will leave you for the day, ladies."

"Of course not," they placed their hands over hers.

"Ladies," Miss Grace sat down across from them, clearly tired. "I have never been so tired. Please do not let me ever complain again about not having an opportunity to dance. FIVE dances in a row, and with the oddest assortment of men you have ever seen in one place." She rolled her eyes for effect, earning her a few giggles from the women. "I mean, except for your Aoshi Shinomori, Megumi."

"My Aoshi?" Megumi gave her a look, "I told you we were acquaintances."

"Well, he certainly seems to be very interested in you," Grace sighed. "He asked about whether I had passed a pleasant day, and before you know it, he had me talking about how we had conspired to dress you up and all that. I didn't even realize that was what I was doing until I had said quite a bit. I hope that wasn't bad of me to do so."

So the man was checking up on her was he? "No," she decided then to laugh. "Let the man ask all he wants. An admirer or nosy acquaintance - it makes no difference to me."

The ladies' smiles faded though when the topic of conversation again approached the table.

"Takani-san, it would do me the-"

Megumi skipped the pleasantries and stood up. She was rather anxious to continue their discussion. "Of course."

As they moved away, her ears picked up the giggles of the three women. As soon as they were on the floor, she began to berate the man in Japanese. "If you have something you want to know about me, ask me instead of my friends."

He looked mildly perplexed. "I do not quite understand. I asked only a series of innocent questions about her day. The only time you came up was when I expressed my surprise to see you here in a European dress. Your friend filled in the rest."

She thought for a moment. It was rather like Miss Grace to talk, and Aoshi really couldn't have been that interested in anything she did in particular. "Then -- I'm sorry for overreacting."

"You should learn patience." He gave her an amused look. "You didn't even let me finish my request to dance, and that will certainly have them talking."

"I explained to Miss Elizabeth that our mutual acquaintance is not well and that I'm going to see him tomorrow. That should take care of that."

"Did you?" His tone changed. "That is unfortunate."

"What do you mean?" She asked before he turned her around.

"I told her that I was coming tomorrow to take you to see your sick cousin."

"You didn't." Megumi looked horrified and tried to turn her head to look back at the table. "By now, they've already compared our stories and found them to be inconsistent."

"Don't look." He turned her again, forcing her to look at him. "You'll only make it worse by acknowledging it as such."

"Oh heavens," Megumi wanted to hide. "They're young girls. They're going to think that you're my-"

"Lover?" he whispered into her ear as he pulled her in closer.

"Just what are you doing?" Megumi's heart pounded with alarm, only to quiet when he again turned her around.

"It makes a better story. I can come tonight immediately after this reception and collect you from the hotel. You'll leave a note for the young Miss Grace and another for her mother to find tomorrow. Miss Grace, being the young romantic girl she is, will keep quiet and tell her mother some version of the stories we told her."

"But, it makes no sense to just go straight to wherever you think we're going."

"We'll go to the Kamiya dojo and make sure that no further instructions have come from Okina. We'll let Himura know of our plans so that he can help cover our tracks, and we can be gone before dawn."

"Alright." She now knew that it would have been best to leave the planning to him. If she had, this mess certainly wouldn't have happened. She leaned in closer to him and smiled playfully. "I'll follow your lead, Aoshi-san, but I'm warning you that you might wish you didn't let me do it my way in the first place."

By his look, she could tell he didn't quite believe her. That irked her considerably.

She let her left arm slide lower on his arm, noting with satisfaction the slight twitch of surprise on his face. "After all, you wouldn't even know the first thing about what it'd be like to be my lover, would you?"

He gave her a slightly dark look but said nothing.

Before she could open her mouth to gloat, he had turned her several times and abruptly stopped, throwing her a bit off balance and forcing her to clasp him most inelegantly.

As the music stopped, she stared up at him, her face red with anger and embarrassment.

He gave her a half-smirk as he bowed. "That goes for you as well, doctor."

She gave him a cold curtsey and walked in the opposite direction, back to her table where the women were all smiles.

"You two make a lovely pair, Miss Megumi," Miss Esther sighed.

"Lovely?" Megumi wanted to scream. The man was definitely not lovely.

He was insufferable.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A/N:

Clarification on last section. The letters that Aoshi wanted were in Megumi's possession. Note she pulled them from her obi. Even if they were in the room, Aoshi most likely wouldn't have stolen them. They were already with their intended owner.

This was an EXTRA long chapter. You guys owe Mimi-chan for its length. She was sad over the last one, and this was one that should have been only HALF the length. I would have cut out all the dialogue with the various Americans, but now I'm glad that it stayed in. It's amusing to see that despite the various cultures that people are pretty much the same.

Thanks to Jane Austen for teaching me that dances are great backdrops for social intrigues, unintended comedy, and the blossoming of romance. Also this part I've been planning from the very beginning. It was inspired by a lovely manga illustration of Megumi in a purple ballgown. I have a copy of it somewhere if you haven't seen it. The rest of this happened as a result of listening to "The Cat Returns" OST.

SO!! Aoshi gets to kiss Megumi first, although it's only a kiss on the hand. And their relationship gets well, a little bit testy here as they both try to maneuver a situation and end up with a mess. But a funny mess -- at least to this authoress - since it puts them in a funny sort of situation. However, Sano definitely is not going to be happy about this turn of events. Jealousy propels some heated discussions and yes, perhaps a kiss of an entirely different sort. All coming up.

READ AND REVIEW. I have another fic I'm working on under a different handle, and the one that gets more reviews per updated chapter gets the next update ^_^

Oh. If you know of any ficcie lists where I can begin posting this kind of story, let me know. Most of the ones I'm on for RK are DEAD as DOORNAILS.