She woke suddenly, fearing that she had overslept. Seeing it was still
dark she sighed her relief. As she clutched her yukata to her, she was
tempted to put her head back down and bury it in her pillow.
She stiffened though as she remembered that Aoshi himself was likely still awake and then with one last longing look at her blankets, forced herself to her feet.
This morning she would not make Aoshi Shinomori wait upon her.
She dressed quickly and put away her bedding before heading out of the room and crossed the courtyard. She pulled open the door to the dojo quietly. He was not there.
Her ears pricked up then, as she heard a faint murmur of voices from the back of the compound. Kenshin and Aoshi stood there quietly discussing something which she could not hear. She decided against spying on them (as if they could truly be spied upon) and turned back to the kitchen.
She moved about it with ease as she prepared a simple meal of broth and rice. She had spent many days in this kitchen years ago and everything had its place as it did then. She could move with her eyes closed - her mind instinctively knew what to do.
"Thought I'd find you here."
Megumi opened her eyes and looked at the person who stood in the door. Sano smiled as his tall, lanky frame nearly covered it entirely.
She attempted to sound as nonchalant as possible as she looked back to the pot in which she had been placing the miso paste. "Following the smell of food as usual, aren't you?"
"Hmph." He crossed his arms over his chest. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you no, would you?"
"I know you too well, Roosterhead," she answered sarcastically. "Which means I know that whenever there is food, you'll emerge out of your little hole."
"And what if I told you that I came to see you this morning?" He persisted, "I want to come with you."
"The answer is - take this bowl of soup and stop asking. You still can't travel with me. This is something I have to take care of myself."
He gave her a look but accepted the bowl of miso she was holding out for him. "You know I don't like it."
The corners of her mouth turned down slightly. "Just because of what happened yesterday. . . "
"It's not that," Sano sighed and looked away for a moment. "I'm not being some macho lovesick guy, I'm not the type." He flashed her a grin, "Yesterday when you sent me off, Kenshin found me and pretty much chewed me out."
"He chewed you out?" she echoed, a bit surprised.
"Well, not exactly." Sano said after taking another long sip of his soup. "He kind of told me though that I needed to think about this more in a nice way. I don't know what came over me. Maybe it was that damned dress or just a lot of confusion over seeing you after such a long time. I shouldn't have done that. I won't do it again."
"Sano," she looked up from the pot of rice she was tending. "It's just that . . . it's not the right time," she finished weakly.
He looked away for a moment. For some reason, that was the recurring theme throughout their entire relationship. "Anyways," he continued on, "The reason I want to come with you isn't about some strange jealousy thing. I'm just worried. Something about Okina and the way he did things has Kenshin worried."
"There's nothing to worry about Sano," she smiled, "Things will be fine. I'm sure if there was anything to worry about Kenshin and Kaoru would be also insisting on going along. But Aoshi is strong enough and thinks things through very carefully."
"I guess you're right." He put his empty bowl back down, apparently finished. "I hate leaving you in his hands, but well-- I won't argue with you again."
"Really?" she smiled a very wide smile then.
"Yep." He answered cheerfully
"Oh good," she said a bit slyly, "Take this tray over to Kenshin and Aoshi then."
His mouth hung open then, aware that she had talked him into a little trap. "Well, actually I was supposed to be at the police station by now. I must get going or--"
"OH NO YOU DON'T!!" She was in front of him, blocking the door and glaring up at him.
Instinctively his hands came up to block the blow he was sure he was about to receive, but when it didn't come, he sighed in defeat and held out his hands. "Oh alright then."
"Stupid," she laughed as she caught him off guard with a hug. "Really, did you think I'd expect you to wait hand and foot on two other men?" She grinned up at him. "Thank you, Sanosuke Sagara," she whispered as she squeezed him affectionately.
"For what?" He was completely puzzled, but not about to argue too much.
"For caring anyways."
It wasn't a kiss, but for some reason, to Sanosuke, the feel of her arms around him was enough. After a moment, he cleared his throat. "You know if you keep doing that, Yahiko is really going to think something is going on."
"Yahiko is old enough to figure out the difference between a kiss and a hug for himself, Sano." She muttered into his chest.
"I guess you're right, but," he paused, "I think Kenshin and Aoshi are getting the wrong idea now."
He tried not to laugh as he felt her freeze. "Don't tell me they're standing there."
"See for yourself," he pushed her back gently and turned her around. She looked back at him for a moment and caught him grinning. Her eyes narrowed as she realized that he had known that Kenshin and Aoshi were standing there nearly the entire time.
"I think I'll make my exit now," he bolted across the courtyard.
"Come back here!" she recovered after a second, but too late.
"Sano sure runs fast, doesn't he?" Kenshin smiled awkwardly at both Megumi and Aoshi as the door banged shut behind the fleeing man.
Megumi's face screwed up in irritation. If it weren't for the fact that both men were now watching her with amusement, she would have stomped out after Sanosuke. Instead she forcibly composed herself and with as much dignity as she could manage, quickly brought out the tray of food for the men.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aoshi was quiet throughout the meal, and continued his relative silence as he and Megumi rode in the carriage that he had commissioned. There would be no walking through the streets of Tokyo and out into the surrounding countryside; it was a waste of time to walk, or so he had said to Kenshin before the two left the dojo.
He would open his eyes and look out once in a while, but said little for the first hour of the ride. So Megumi would satisfy herself with doing the same, watching the shrines, homes and people on the road that they passed. She enjoyed the smell of salt mixing with the country air.
It was the appearance of wild roses* along the shore that signaled that they were near their final destination. He spoke then.
"We're to be a newly married couple on our way up the coast to visit our family shrine." He explained. "You will be feeling ill and seeking some help. I'll ask the questions, understood?"
She nodded. At least for now, she was content with allowing him to do the talking. She was too nervous now to do much of anything anyways. As for the marriage ruse, she suppressed a smile. Her friends, old and new, would indeed think this a very odd game to play.
At least now she understood the reason for the dark-blue kimono that Aoshi wore. It wasn't his usual clothing, but perhaps that was fortunate. It would make him less suspicious to these folks living further away from the city and who took less kindly to new customs, and hopefully allow him to appear to be an ordinary man - if that were truly possible.
As they drew up along side a series of homes and buildings that signified some sort of village, the carriage stopped and Aoshi stepped out first and then offered his hand for support as she stepped out to follow him.
They looked around for a moment, aware of the stares of the townfolk, who recognized them as coming from the city. Aoshi spotted a shop and then entered, with Megumi the proper few steps behind him.
The shopkeeper, an old friendly looking woman, came over and apprised the two of them. "May I help you?" she intoned politely.
"My wife-- " Aoshi paused for a moment, his eyes drawing back to Megumi. "She has been not been feeling well since we left Tokyo. I was wondering perhaps if there was a doctor in town."
"Oh poor dear," the woman came over to Megumi and squinted up at her. "You're such a young thing. What could possibly ail you?"
"Ahh," Megumi thought the woman was either nearsighted or suspicious. "I'm embarrassed to say, Grandmother." Megumi did her best to look as hot and bothered as possible and lowered her eyelashes. Megumi covered her mouth with her hand and leaned down to whisper, "My husband and I have only recently been married -"
"Feeling nauseous are you, my dear?" the other woman's eyes widened with amusement and twinkled as Megumi nodded. "Are you sure that it's THAT?" The woman continued on cheerily, oblivious to the fact that next to her, the 'husband' was a bit puzzled by the conversation.
Megumi nodded as slowly as she could. "I'm very certain," she said innocently and looked over Aoshi, "He is very attentive."
Aoshi stiffened as he realized that both of the women were now scrutinizing him very closely.
The shopkeeper grinned as she turned back to Megumi and boldly patted her stomach. "Don't worry, I'm sure Yasitare-sensei will be able to help you then. First ones are always the worst."
Megumi tried hard not to giggle as Aoshi's expression went from confused to slightly alarmed. Apparently he had finally understood what the older woman was insinuating.
"Yasitare-sensei?" He recovered quickly, "A doctor?"
"Oh, something like that," the woman answered cheerfully. "He's quite good with medicines. Not a doctor like those city doctors. He'll take good care of your wife and --"
"Can you take us to him please?" Aoshi interrupted. Megumi detected a slight edge of something like annoyance in his voice. She closed her eyes and clasped his arm with both her hands.
The edge disappeared from his voice as one hand found his. "She -- she's rather sick from the ride," he added lamely.
"Oh," the woman frowned for a moment. "Yasitare-sensei probably has gone out for the day."
"Gone out?" Megumi's look of serene amusement was replaced by genuine disappointment.
"Oh, just to his fields, you know," the woman smiled. "It's up the road or so. Can't miss it. His fields are full of flowers. If the young miss would like to stay here and wait-"
"I'd like some fresh air," Megumi smiled sweetly as she interrupted the woman. "My husband always says I should stay at home waiting for him, and so I never get to see the-"
"Of course we'd like to walk that way together, " he quickly answered, aware that now the old woman was giving him really strange looks, trying to reconcile both Megumi's comments about his own character as a husband and at her overly affectionate behavior. "Thank you for your assistance, Grandmother."
"Of course, of course," she looked started for a moment and then managed to give them another smile. "I forget how young married things are. I hope you feel better soon, my dear."
As they walked out past the other buildings and onto more open road, Megumi gave him an impertinent smile. "Didn't I do well?"
His expression told her otherwise. "Needless to say, I will never be able to look that woman in the face again."
"Why do you say that?" she answered breezily, clearly enjoying the look of something like discomfort on his face. "It's not inappropriate for married women to talk that way with one another. And it's not strange for a married couple to become pregnant. What else was I supposed to be ill with? That woman would have asked a lot more questions if I hadn't said something."
He coughed.
"Don't tell me you're that modest, Aoshi!" She almost laughed. Just yesterday, Aoshi had suggested that the two pretend to be lovers on a tryst for the benefit of her nosy American friends; but today, he seemed to be having plenty of difficulty pretending that they were more properly married.
"Is there a man over there?" he said instead and stopped in the road.
She made a face. "Aoshi-"
"I'm not ignoring you," he turned her gently around to face the direction in which he was looking. "There is a man in that field. Shall we take a closer look?"
He guided her to the edge of the road under pretense of seeking shade under a tree. As he fanned her, she looked carefully out at the field and watched a tall man attired in simple clothes and hat as he moved about. Fascinated, she watched as he bent down and picked some of the plants.
"Remember what you said," his voice suddenly cut in. "If you think it's him, remember that you said you weren't sure it would be best to talk to him."
She shook her head and then continued to watch the man as he placed leaves in a basket on his back.
The wind picked up suddenly then, picking the hat off the man's head and sending it off behind him a few feet.
Her eyes widened; with the hat gone, she had a clearer view of his face. Disregarding the warning from Aoshi, she stumbled forward, apparently to get a better look at the man.
He held back in order to allow the woman to do as she pleased. If this man were truly her brother, she would not need him to eavesdrop.
The man, who from his position distances away, saw only what appeared to be a tired and overly excited woman coming towards him, paused and shaded his eyes from the sun.
Aoshi observed a look of bewilderment on the man's face as Megumi began talking to him. He could not hear much of anything; with the wind picking up, only bits and pieces of the conversation would have been able to travel to him.
Over the next few minutes, he observed her shoulders droop as they continued to converse. Finally the man shook his head and walked away, giving Aoshi one wary glance before he disappeared amongst some of the taller plants at the edge of the field.
When she did not turn back towards him, he moved towards her.
"Megumi," he called out once as he closed the distance between them. Then again.
He reached her then and turned her around to face him. "Yes." She answered dully.
"What is it?"
She hesitated for a moment and then looked away. "It's not him."
"I see." It was not that strange. Disappointing perhaps, but the first try could not always be successful. "Well then, perhaps there is someone else that matches the description -"
"No." She looked tired then. "He is the man the shopkeeper mentioned, but there is no one else by the description Okina sent. Ryuji-sensei confirmed that."
"Then we shall look a bit further out."
"Not today," she said, her voice cooled. "I'm not feeling well. I would like to return to Tokyo."
He paused for a moment, puzzled by her sudden disinterest. But it was her decision to make and so he led her back to town and quickly located the driver. Megumi obediently allowed herself to be placed in to the carriage and closed her eyes; her only words were a request that she be taken back to the hotel.
He agreed, although he knew that Kenshin and Kaoru would have urged her to come with him back to the dojo. A deep disappointment such as this was not something she probably wished to share right now with those friends.
She slept or sat with her eyes closed for the entirety of the drive, until they pulled up to the hotel.
As she stepped out, he could only offer one assurance, "I'll write to Okina and see what the next step is. Perhaps his information was off."
She nodded automatically, handing him the letters from Okina that she still carried. And with a polite bow, she thanked him for his help and hurried inside.
He watched her go into the hotel and then allowed the carriage to ferry him back to the Kamiiya dojo. As he stepped off the carriage, a slight frown of concern and confusion remained on his face. Something about this entire thing eluded him. Perhaps Okina had been misled by his sources, but -
"Aoshi-san!" Kaoru flew out of the dojo as soon as he entered the gates, her face showing that something indeed was not well.
"It's Okina," she gasped as she held out another letter. "You must hurry back to Kyoto -- He's been hurt!!! "
~~~~
~~
"Miss Megumi!" Miss Grace came quietly out of her room. "You're back! I had thought you and Mr. Shinomori were-"
"No," Megumi answered wearily, "Things did not go well today, Miss Grace, I'm afraid."
"Oh!" Miss Grace looked startled and then seeing the distress on her friend's face, clasped her arm. "I'm so sorry!"
"Thank you." Megumi looked down.
"I hope then that this is good news," Miss Grace handed Megumi an envelope. "It came from the consulate, Megumi!!"
"I see," Megumi answered softly as she weighed it in her hands.
"Don't just stand there," Miss Grace's expression was pleading, "Please open it!"
"Alright," Megumi looked at the envelope and broke the seal. "Perhaps you will help me read it, Miss Grace?"
"Oh of course!" She took the letter from Megumi and eagerly scanned it.
"'Miss Megumi Takani,'" she breathed out happily, "'Your request for visitation has been approved!' This is wonderful news-" she looked at Megumi's strange expression, "I mean, not that you have to go, I mean, if you and Mr. Shinomori have an agreement-"
"No." Megumi answered quickly. "There is nothing for me here, Miss Grace. If the offer still stands, I'd like to go with you when you leave."
"Miss Megumi!" The woman looked first surprised, then delighted. "Well, of course! I'll tell father first thing!" She squeezed Megumi and gave her a brilliant smile, "It'll be lovely, I promise! You won't regret it!"
Megumi, in return, smiled weakly.
= = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = == = = =
A/N: Not ever having set foot in Japan, I was only able to do some crude research for this section. A and M have gone to a coastal town that today would not be at all far from Tokyo.
*Perhaps something like the Hamanashi = Rosa rugosa - wild rose native to Japan, grows wild in the sand dunes along coastlines of Hokkaido and Niggata Prefecture. Deep purplish crimson solitary flowers with a spicy fragrance. Or some other wild rose. ( See www. Dot worldrose-osaka2006 dot jp/roseinjapan/nativejapaneseroses dot html )
Thank you Shinomori for your edits of previous chapters. I'm glad that someone is reading slowly. I will eventually incorporate a lot of your edits later. For now, I'm just sitting here pausing and thinking. I've thrown in a slight twist here, with more to follow.
Alas, the Sano fans seemed to have disappeared!!! And here I am throwing out Sano moments still. *disgusted sigh*
Anyways, if you're confused by Megumi's sudden decision, that is my intention. My next update will likely be sometime this weekend.
She stiffened though as she remembered that Aoshi himself was likely still awake and then with one last longing look at her blankets, forced herself to her feet.
This morning she would not make Aoshi Shinomori wait upon her.
She dressed quickly and put away her bedding before heading out of the room and crossed the courtyard. She pulled open the door to the dojo quietly. He was not there.
Her ears pricked up then, as she heard a faint murmur of voices from the back of the compound. Kenshin and Aoshi stood there quietly discussing something which she could not hear. She decided against spying on them (as if they could truly be spied upon) and turned back to the kitchen.
She moved about it with ease as she prepared a simple meal of broth and rice. She had spent many days in this kitchen years ago and everything had its place as it did then. She could move with her eyes closed - her mind instinctively knew what to do.
"Thought I'd find you here."
Megumi opened her eyes and looked at the person who stood in the door. Sano smiled as his tall, lanky frame nearly covered it entirely.
She attempted to sound as nonchalant as possible as she looked back to the pot in which she had been placing the miso paste. "Following the smell of food as usual, aren't you?"
"Hmph." He crossed his arms over his chest. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you no, would you?"
"I know you too well, Roosterhead," she answered sarcastically. "Which means I know that whenever there is food, you'll emerge out of your little hole."
"And what if I told you that I came to see you this morning?" He persisted, "I want to come with you."
"The answer is - take this bowl of soup and stop asking. You still can't travel with me. This is something I have to take care of myself."
He gave her a look but accepted the bowl of miso she was holding out for him. "You know I don't like it."
The corners of her mouth turned down slightly. "Just because of what happened yesterday. . . "
"It's not that," Sano sighed and looked away for a moment. "I'm not being some macho lovesick guy, I'm not the type." He flashed her a grin, "Yesterday when you sent me off, Kenshin found me and pretty much chewed me out."
"He chewed you out?" she echoed, a bit surprised.
"Well, not exactly." Sano said after taking another long sip of his soup. "He kind of told me though that I needed to think about this more in a nice way. I don't know what came over me. Maybe it was that damned dress or just a lot of confusion over seeing you after such a long time. I shouldn't have done that. I won't do it again."
"Sano," she looked up from the pot of rice she was tending. "It's just that . . . it's not the right time," she finished weakly.
He looked away for a moment. For some reason, that was the recurring theme throughout their entire relationship. "Anyways," he continued on, "The reason I want to come with you isn't about some strange jealousy thing. I'm just worried. Something about Okina and the way he did things has Kenshin worried."
"There's nothing to worry about Sano," she smiled, "Things will be fine. I'm sure if there was anything to worry about Kenshin and Kaoru would be also insisting on going along. But Aoshi is strong enough and thinks things through very carefully."
"I guess you're right." He put his empty bowl back down, apparently finished. "I hate leaving you in his hands, but well-- I won't argue with you again."
"Really?" she smiled a very wide smile then.
"Yep." He answered cheerfully
"Oh good," she said a bit slyly, "Take this tray over to Kenshin and Aoshi then."
His mouth hung open then, aware that she had talked him into a little trap. "Well, actually I was supposed to be at the police station by now. I must get going or--"
"OH NO YOU DON'T!!" She was in front of him, blocking the door and glaring up at him.
Instinctively his hands came up to block the blow he was sure he was about to receive, but when it didn't come, he sighed in defeat and held out his hands. "Oh alright then."
"Stupid," she laughed as she caught him off guard with a hug. "Really, did you think I'd expect you to wait hand and foot on two other men?" She grinned up at him. "Thank you, Sanosuke Sagara," she whispered as she squeezed him affectionately.
"For what?" He was completely puzzled, but not about to argue too much.
"For caring anyways."
It wasn't a kiss, but for some reason, to Sanosuke, the feel of her arms around him was enough. After a moment, he cleared his throat. "You know if you keep doing that, Yahiko is really going to think something is going on."
"Yahiko is old enough to figure out the difference between a kiss and a hug for himself, Sano." She muttered into his chest.
"I guess you're right, but," he paused, "I think Kenshin and Aoshi are getting the wrong idea now."
He tried not to laugh as he felt her freeze. "Don't tell me they're standing there."
"See for yourself," he pushed her back gently and turned her around. She looked back at him for a moment and caught him grinning. Her eyes narrowed as she realized that he had known that Kenshin and Aoshi were standing there nearly the entire time.
"I think I'll make my exit now," he bolted across the courtyard.
"Come back here!" she recovered after a second, but too late.
"Sano sure runs fast, doesn't he?" Kenshin smiled awkwardly at both Megumi and Aoshi as the door banged shut behind the fleeing man.
Megumi's face screwed up in irritation. If it weren't for the fact that both men were now watching her with amusement, she would have stomped out after Sanosuke. Instead she forcibly composed herself and with as much dignity as she could manage, quickly brought out the tray of food for the men.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aoshi was quiet throughout the meal, and continued his relative silence as he and Megumi rode in the carriage that he had commissioned. There would be no walking through the streets of Tokyo and out into the surrounding countryside; it was a waste of time to walk, or so he had said to Kenshin before the two left the dojo.
He would open his eyes and look out once in a while, but said little for the first hour of the ride. So Megumi would satisfy herself with doing the same, watching the shrines, homes and people on the road that they passed. She enjoyed the smell of salt mixing with the country air.
It was the appearance of wild roses* along the shore that signaled that they were near their final destination. He spoke then.
"We're to be a newly married couple on our way up the coast to visit our family shrine." He explained. "You will be feeling ill and seeking some help. I'll ask the questions, understood?"
She nodded. At least for now, she was content with allowing him to do the talking. She was too nervous now to do much of anything anyways. As for the marriage ruse, she suppressed a smile. Her friends, old and new, would indeed think this a very odd game to play.
At least now she understood the reason for the dark-blue kimono that Aoshi wore. It wasn't his usual clothing, but perhaps that was fortunate. It would make him less suspicious to these folks living further away from the city and who took less kindly to new customs, and hopefully allow him to appear to be an ordinary man - if that were truly possible.
As they drew up along side a series of homes and buildings that signified some sort of village, the carriage stopped and Aoshi stepped out first and then offered his hand for support as she stepped out to follow him.
They looked around for a moment, aware of the stares of the townfolk, who recognized them as coming from the city. Aoshi spotted a shop and then entered, with Megumi the proper few steps behind him.
The shopkeeper, an old friendly looking woman, came over and apprised the two of them. "May I help you?" she intoned politely.
"My wife-- " Aoshi paused for a moment, his eyes drawing back to Megumi. "She has been not been feeling well since we left Tokyo. I was wondering perhaps if there was a doctor in town."
"Oh poor dear," the woman came over to Megumi and squinted up at her. "You're such a young thing. What could possibly ail you?"
"Ahh," Megumi thought the woman was either nearsighted or suspicious. "I'm embarrassed to say, Grandmother." Megumi did her best to look as hot and bothered as possible and lowered her eyelashes. Megumi covered her mouth with her hand and leaned down to whisper, "My husband and I have only recently been married -"
"Feeling nauseous are you, my dear?" the other woman's eyes widened with amusement and twinkled as Megumi nodded. "Are you sure that it's THAT?" The woman continued on cheerily, oblivious to the fact that next to her, the 'husband' was a bit puzzled by the conversation.
Megumi nodded as slowly as she could. "I'm very certain," she said innocently and looked over Aoshi, "He is very attentive."
Aoshi stiffened as he realized that both of the women were now scrutinizing him very closely.
The shopkeeper grinned as she turned back to Megumi and boldly patted her stomach. "Don't worry, I'm sure Yasitare-sensei will be able to help you then. First ones are always the worst."
Megumi tried hard not to giggle as Aoshi's expression went from confused to slightly alarmed. Apparently he had finally understood what the older woman was insinuating.
"Yasitare-sensei?" He recovered quickly, "A doctor?"
"Oh, something like that," the woman answered cheerfully. "He's quite good with medicines. Not a doctor like those city doctors. He'll take good care of your wife and --"
"Can you take us to him please?" Aoshi interrupted. Megumi detected a slight edge of something like annoyance in his voice. She closed her eyes and clasped his arm with both her hands.
The edge disappeared from his voice as one hand found his. "She -- she's rather sick from the ride," he added lamely.
"Oh," the woman frowned for a moment. "Yasitare-sensei probably has gone out for the day."
"Gone out?" Megumi's look of serene amusement was replaced by genuine disappointment.
"Oh, just to his fields, you know," the woman smiled. "It's up the road or so. Can't miss it. His fields are full of flowers. If the young miss would like to stay here and wait-"
"I'd like some fresh air," Megumi smiled sweetly as she interrupted the woman. "My husband always says I should stay at home waiting for him, and so I never get to see the-"
"Of course we'd like to walk that way together, " he quickly answered, aware that now the old woman was giving him really strange looks, trying to reconcile both Megumi's comments about his own character as a husband and at her overly affectionate behavior. "Thank you for your assistance, Grandmother."
"Of course, of course," she looked started for a moment and then managed to give them another smile. "I forget how young married things are. I hope you feel better soon, my dear."
As they walked out past the other buildings and onto more open road, Megumi gave him an impertinent smile. "Didn't I do well?"
His expression told her otherwise. "Needless to say, I will never be able to look that woman in the face again."
"Why do you say that?" she answered breezily, clearly enjoying the look of something like discomfort on his face. "It's not inappropriate for married women to talk that way with one another. And it's not strange for a married couple to become pregnant. What else was I supposed to be ill with? That woman would have asked a lot more questions if I hadn't said something."
He coughed.
"Don't tell me you're that modest, Aoshi!" She almost laughed. Just yesterday, Aoshi had suggested that the two pretend to be lovers on a tryst for the benefit of her nosy American friends; but today, he seemed to be having plenty of difficulty pretending that they were more properly married.
"Is there a man over there?" he said instead and stopped in the road.
She made a face. "Aoshi-"
"I'm not ignoring you," he turned her gently around to face the direction in which he was looking. "There is a man in that field. Shall we take a closer look?"
He guided her to the edge of the road under pretense of seeking shade under a tree. As he fanned her, she looked carefully out at the field and watched a tall man attired in simple clothes and hat as he moved about. Fascinated, she watched as he bent down and picked some of the plants.
"Remember what you said," his voice suddenly cut in. "If you think it's him, remember that you said you weren't sure it would be best to talk to him."
She shook her head and then continued to watch the man as he placed leaves in a basket on his back.
The wind picked up suddenly then, picking the hat off the man's head and sending it off behind him a few feet.
Her eyes widened; with the hat gone, she had a clearer view of his face. Disregarding the warning from Aoshi, she stumbled forward, apparently to get a better look at the man.
He held back in order to allow the woman to do as she pleased. If this man were truly her brother, she would not need him to eavesdrop.
The man, who from his position distances away, saw only what appeared to be a tired and overly excited woman coming towards him, paused and shaded his eyes from the sun.
Aoshi observed a look of bewilderment on the man's face as Megumi began talking to him. He could not hear much of anything; with the wind picking up, only bits and pieces of the conversation would have been able to travel to him.
Over the next few minutes, he observed her shoulders droop as they continued to converse. Finally the man shook his head and walked away, giving Aoshi one wary glance before he disappeared amongst some of the taller plants at the edge of the field.
When she did not turn back towards him, he moved towards her.
"Megumi," he called out once as he closed the distance between them. Then again.
He reached her then and turned her around to face him. "Yes." She answered dully.
"What is it?"
She hesitated for a moment and then looked away. "It's not him."
"I see." It was not that strange. Disappointing perhaps, but the first try could not always be successful. "Well then, perhaps there is someone else that matches the description -"
"No." She looked tired then. "He is the man the shopkeeper mentioned, but there is no one else by the description Okina sent. Ryuji-sensei confirmed that."
"Then we shall look a bit further out."
"Not today," she said, her voice cooled. "I'm not feeling well. I would like to return to Tokyo."
He paused for a moment, puzzled by her sudden disinterest. But it was her decision to make and so he led her back to town and quickly located the driver. Megumi obediently allowed herself to be placed in to the carriage and closed her eyes; her only words were a request that she be taken back to the hotel.
He agreed, although he knew that Kenshin and Kaoru would have urged her to come with him back to the dojo. A deep disappointment such as this was not something she probably wished to share right now with those friends.
She slept or sat with her eyes closed for the entirety of the drive, until they pulled up to the hotel.
As she stepped out, he could only offer one assurance, "I'll write to Okina and see what the next step is. Perhaps his information was off."
She nodded automatically, handing him the letters from Okina that she still carried. And with a polite bow, she thanked him for his help and hurried inside.
He watched her go into the hotel and then allowed the carriage to ferry him back to the Kamiiya dojo. As he stepped off the carriage, a slight frown of concern and confusion remained on his face. Something about this entire thing eluded him. Perhaps Okina had been misled by his sources, but -
"Aoshi-san!" Kaoru flew out of the dojo as soon as he entered the gates, her face showing that something indeed was not well.
"It's Okina," she gasped as she held out another letter. "You must hurry back to Kyoto -- He's been hurt!!! "
~~~~
~~
"Miss Megumi!" Miss Grace came quietly out of her room. "You're back! I had thought you and Mr. Shinomori were-"
"No," Megumi answered wearily, "Things did not go well today, Miss Grace, I'm afraid."
"Oh!" Miss Grace looked startled and then seeing the distress on her friend's face, clasped her arm. "I'm so sorry!"
"Thank you." Megumi looked down.
"I hope then that this is good news," Miss Grace handed Megumi an envelope. "It came from the consulate, Megumi!!"
"I see," Megumi answered softly as she weighed it in her hands.
"Don't just stand there," Miss Grace's expression was pleading, "Please open it!"
"Alright," Megumi looked at the envelope and broke the seal. "Perhaps you will help me read it, Miss Grace?"
"Oh of course!" She took the letter from Megumi and eagerly scanned it.
"'Miss Megumi Takani,'" she breathed out happily, "'Your request for visitation has been approved!' This is wonderful news-" she looked at Megumi's strange expression, "I mean, not that you have to go, I mean, if you and Mr. Shinomori have an agreement-"
"No." Megumi answered quickly. "There is nothing for me here, Miss Grace. If the offer still stands, I'd like to go with you when you leave."
"Miss Megumi!" The woman looked first surprised, then delighted. "Well, of course! I'll tell father first thing!" She squeezed Megumi and gave her a brilliant smile, "It'll be lovely, I promise! You won't regret it!"
Megumi, in return, smiled weakly.
= = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = == = = =
A/N: Not ever having set foot in Japan, I was only able to do some crude research for this section. A and M have gone to a coastal town that today would not be at all far from Tokyo.
*Perhaps something like the Hamanashi = Rosa rugosa - wild rose native to Japan, grows wild in the sand dunes along coastlines of Hokkaido and Niggata Prefecture. Deep purplish crimson solitary flowers with a spicy fragrance. Or some other wild rose. ( See www. Dot worldrose-osaka2006 dot jp/roseinjapan/nativejapaneseroses dot html )
Thank you Shinomori for your edits of previous chapters. I'm glad that someone is reading slowly. I will eventually incorporate a lot of your edits later. For now, I'm just sitting here pausing and thinking. I've thrown in a slight twist here, with more to follow.
Alas, the Sano fans seemed to have disappeared!!! And here I am throwing out Sano moments still. *disgusted sigh*
Anyways, if you're confused by Megumi's sudden decision, that is my intention. My next update will likely be sometime this weekend.
