"You're absolutely out of your mind."   

Instinctively, Sanosuke Sagara backed away from Aoshi Shinomori.  

"She thought that once too. Actually, twice."  Aoshi responded, completely serious.   "The first was when I came upon her here at the dojo looking for Himura.  At that time I was.  But I am perfectly sane, as you can see."

"Sanosuke," Kenshin's gentle voice spoke up.   "Aoshi would not come here without reason, that he would not."

"But the opium!" Sano's voice shook.  "It has to be some sick joke.  She was raped, beaten and killed – how the hell could she be making opium?!?!"

"Kaoru Kamiya was once thought dead."  Aoshi stepped forward not willing to allow either of the two men to simply waste his time. "And it was later found to be an elaborate deception." *

"For which we have to thank Aoshi, Sano." Kenshin placed his hand on Sanosuke's arm. 

"I do not come without reason.   The Aoiya was just attacked a few days ago."  He ignored the shocked looks on their faces and continued.  "Only things that belonged to the departed Kenichi Takani were taken, and I believe an attempt was made to take young Megumi Takani from the Aoiya as well."

Both men suddenly dropped all pretense of questioning. 

Kenshin's voice tightened.  "An attempt?   She is safe?"

Aoshi nodded.  

Sanosuke narrowed his eyes, "Why?"

Aoshi raised his hand to stem the questions. He would explain, but in due time.  "The Oniwaban are reassembling and will tend to her.  For now, we must address the matter of the opium.  As I left Kyoto, the swordsman Cho Sawagejo found me and gave me these packets."

"Saitou," Sanosuke growled.

"If Saitou is involved," Kenshin answered thoughtfully, "Then this is surely serious."

"Only one person can make something like this." Aoshi pressed the opium into Kenshin's hands.  "It is excellent grade, but uniquely wrapped in the paper that she always used.  It was peculiar of her, but I recognize it well enough, as I suspect does Sagara."

Sanosuke looked away for a moment, his expression almost unreadable. 

Unreadable to most, but both Aoshi and Kenshin were particularly observant men.   It was clear that Sanosuke did recognize the papers used to encase the opium; but it was also clear that he was in shock.

"Aoshi-san," Kenshin motioned to the dojo. "Would you come in?"

"I do not intend to involve you in this matter, Himura.  I came for Sagara."

Sanosuke looked up, his expression angry.   "Saitou came to you.  What do you need me for?"

"Given your feelings towards the doctor, I thought you would be a natural ally.  It would seem logical that I should speak to you."

"You are Oniwaban," Sano scoffed. "You have made clear in the past that you did not want me involved in any of your affairs.  Why now?"

 "They are not one enemy, but many unseen and unknown to me.   The information I gathered before did not indicate that such enemies of the Takanis existed.   You also have connections that I do not.  You will see and learn things that I can not.  Furthermore--" Aoshi paused.  "The people we may be dealing with are dangerous.  I should like someone I can trust to watch my back.  My Oniwaban are hold up in Kyoto, fending off more intruders and protecting the niece of the doctor."

"Aoshi-san."  Kenshin spoke up, again making his presence known.  "We have fought together before."

"This time, it is not your battle.  Your place is here, at the dojo with your family, Himura.   I do not think we face a Shishio or Enishi this time.  If we have that great a need, then I will welcome your help."

Aoshi and Kenshin exchanged a long look in which the two measured up the other.     It was evident to all of them, that Aoshi wanted this matter resolved on his own terms. As a fellow warrior, Kenshin would not interfere. He nodded, and Aoshi accepted that nod.

"Alright." Sanosuke finally spoke.

"I will return when I have more information on our enemy."  Aoshi took a step backwards towards the shadows.  "Be careful in your inquiries.  I am certain the enemy does not know that we are aware that the doctor lives."

And then without warning, he melted back into the shadows and into the dark of night.

Kenshin turned back thoughtfully towards Sano, who stood with his fists clenched at his side.

"Sano?" 

Sano snapped back to attention and shook his head.  "That still creeps me out when he does that."

Kenshin smiled.  "Aoshi still has many of his skills, that he does."

"Kenshin—"   Sano looked a bit lost.   

"I know you are as glad as I am to hear that Megumi-dono is still alive.  But I can tell you are upset as well?"    Kenshin looked down at his hands. "Is that it?  Is it the opium?"

Sagara looked pensive.  "It's not the opium that bothers me.   But I have so many questions now and worries."

"Worrying is not going to help.   Megumi-dono must be in great trouble for Saitou to be involved.    But it is good that he sent a message to Aoshi-san."

"Why didn't Saitou come to us first?"

"Sano—"  Kenshin patted his friend on his back.  "Does it matter?  Saitou knew Aoshi would come seek us out, that I'm sure of.  And without the attack at the Aoiya--"

Sanosuke sighed.  "I'm not bellyaching over Saitou choosing to go to Shinomori over us    Or the drugs either -- even though I'd like to throttle that fox-lady for making opium. At the very least I'll trust that she knew what she was doing.   It's just why didn't I figure this out?   Why didn't I try harder?"

"You were upset, Sanosuke.  It did not occur to any of us either to question what we were told."

"Still—" Sanosuke kicked an imaginary pebble on the ground.  

"What else, Sano?" Kenshin knew his friend well enough to know that a lot more was going on in his friend's mind at the moment.  "Do you have problems with working Aoshi-san?"

Sano rolled his eyes. "Other than he has a personality of a popsicle?  No."

"It has been a long time, Sano.  But you are stronger than you were then and Aoshi-san knows it.   He would not come unless he needed your help or wanted it.  As he said--."

'Given your feelings towards the doctor, I thought you would be a natural ally.' 

"I know," Sano gave him a half-smile.  "I know.   He made that clear.  And I believe him.  So don't worry about me or him anymore.  Tell Outa that I'll be in late.  I'll visit him in the morning."

"Sano?"

"I'm going to find Katsu and then do a little gambling." Sanosuke sounded almost cheerful.   "It's time to do some detective work."

And with a jaunty wave, Sanosuke walked out the front gate and strolled down the street.  But with Kenshin out of sight, he allowed his smile to slip.  He had no doubts about working to help Aoshi Shinomori—that he did not.  But unintentionally the man had revealed something else in those words.

They were allied now because they both shared the same goal – to find Megumi Takani and set her free.  But Aoshi had made it very clear that they also shared something else when it came to the doctor.

So the reknowned popsicle apparently did have feelings after all.

For now they could work together.  But when all was said and done? How long would the alliance last?

~ ~ ~

The hotel of Shirotome Tae was situated in a quieter part of Tokyo, away from the bustle of the shops and restaurants and with more room to build as he wished. 

The result was impressive.   As a businessman, Aoshi could appreciate the choice Shirotome made to be removed from more modern Tokyo.   The hotel stood in a quiet darkness, illuminated only by the soft light of small lanterns that hung around the periphery of the buildings that comprised it. The only other light came from the reflections of those lanterns on the pools of water so carefully integrated into the landscape.

As a man who desired not to be seen, however, Aoshi also appreciated the relative darkness along the path that led to the buildings.

His eyes roamed carefully over the hotel grounds, and located Shirotome.

He rapped quietly on the door outside Shirotome's study. 

Shirotome was wary as he stepped out onto the porch, but then his features immediately relaxed as he recognized the former Okashira.

"I am sorry for the lack of notice, Shirotome-san."  Aoshi bowed. 

The man bowed in return.  "There is no apology needed.  As always, my hotel welcomes guests of your stature."

"Are there other guests here?"  Aoshi knew in fact that there weren't any at the moment, but as to whether there would be he needed to know.

"No," Shirotome looked sheepish.   "It's still winter season here.   We do not attract as much business.  Won't you come in for tea then?"

"Thank you." 

As Aoshi followed Shirotome Tae into the expansive main room and took a seat at the low-lying table, he marveled at the clear display of wealth.    Shirotome Tae had been not a warrior in the Tokugawa era, but a master spy for the Tokugawa regime.    Obviously his work then, and perhaps now, was lucrative.   And that he continued to be a help to Internal Affairs even now also kept the Meiji government from turning their scrutiny closely on this man.

Despite his rather shady past, Shirotome was indubitably an ally of the Oniwaban.   He and Okina were fostered together long ago, and even though the two had gone their separate ways, they had provided one another with extensive help in the past.

Shirotome was the man after all who had led Aoshi to Kenichi Takani.   

As Shirotome came back into the room with a pot of tea (knowing full well that Aoshi would decline the sake he probably would offer other guests),   Aoshi appraised the man. He hoped that Shirotome's kinship with Okina and the Oniwaban would allow him to help now.  

There was a strange code about Shirotome's information.  He would provide information as long as it did not create more problems.   He could choose to help or not, that was the way of his work and the way of protecting his own interests.  He may be a spy, but before that, he had other concerns, or rather other people who came before his work.

"Your wife is well?"  Aoshi asked politely. 

"She is at our son's home for the week," Shirotome sighed.   "Our daughter in law is having a child.   I would have gone, but –"

"Business?"  Aoshi raised his eyebrow.  The hotel was empty.

"Okina would not approve, I know."   Shirotome shook his head, unaware of the question.  "After all, he told me that a grandson's birth is not to be missed."

"Congratulations," Aoshi looked up from his tea.  "A first grandson—"

"Actually--" Shirotome grinned, "--I do not know what it'll be. Okina seemed certain that it would be a boy, but that Okina never seems to think otherwise."

"He is a stubborn man."

"Speaking of which—"  Shirotome leaned in conspiratorially.  "--Okina told me that any day now one of you kids will be getting married—"

"I am sorry to disappoint you Shirotome-san.  But that is not so."

Aoshi frowned slightly.

"Oh!" Shirotome waved his hands absently.  "I'm getting too old to keep things straight--   and Okina had mentioned something about Misao wandering around with two swordfighters, and you were off in America with that doctor."

Aoshi set his cup down.   Shirotome was touching on a topic which made him distinctly uncomfortable.   But he said nothing -- out of duty for the man  – for Shirotome was his elder and Okina's best friend.   

Shirotome was no fool; he saw Aoshi's displeasure and immediately recollected himself.   "I'm sorry for being so thoughtless."   Shirotome's face saddened briefly.   "I remember now something from the papers.  .   I did not mean to be so cold.  From what I've heard from those who knew her when she was here and in general, a beautiful creature too.   And leaving behind her niece.   It upset my wife greatly as I'm sure it did all of you, and you in particu--.  "

Aoshi cleared his throat, now clear on one thing. Shirotome did not know in fact what Saitou must have suspected about the doctor.  What Saitou knew then must not be more general knowledge at Internal Affairs.   It was time to turn the topic aside.  "You know that the Aoiya was attacked." 

"Yes," Shirotome's face turned thoughtful.  "Rather strange too.   All the normal enemies are dead and gone.  But to think that ordinary yakuza would do so is strange, isn't it?  Is that what brings you here?"

"I want to know why.  There were only a few things taken, Shirotome.  Like your hotel, we have many valuable things – none of the things of most import were taken.   All the things that were targeted were things that belonged to Kenichi Takani."

"That man!" Shirotome looked surprised.   "But he's been dead for months now."

"That's the mystery Shirotome-san -- a dead man with nothing but books and papers to his name.  Not even one penny or anything that could be of value to most thieves.   You were the one to find him, see if you can find out more about who he was allied with and what enemies he might have."

"Why Shinomori?"

"The Aoiya was attacked.  The Oniwaban are incensed.  Surely you know now that they are gathering.  If we do proceed with reforming, which Misao and Okina may decide is in our favor, I want to make sure we understand who our enemy is."

"Understood.   I will be happy to use my contacts. But—"   Shirotome turned wise eyes and gazed at the younger man.   "--There is something else to this isn't there Shinomori?  Takani's daughter and the doctor's niece – she is still at the Aoiya isn't she? Do you do this for the girl?"

Aoshi inclined his head slightly. "Her welfare is my concern now."

"I see," Shirotome sighed.  "History repeating itself isn't it, Shinomori?  Somehow you have been charged with a responsibility not of your own undertaking.   First with Makimachi-san, and now for Takani-sensei?"     Shirotome bowed his head.    "I will do more than use my contacts.   It is one thing to spy for the Oniwaban once again and to do a favor for old friend -- but in the case of keeping promises of love—"

Shirotome clapped his hands on his back cheerfully.  "My wife would never forgive me if I did not do more to help 'that young man from Kyoto.'   I will call in all my favors on this one.  So don't you worry -- we'll start looking through things in the morning."

Aoshi blinked as the man quickly wandered off before he could correct him.     

It was in times like these that Aoshi was reminded exactly how much Shirotome was like Okina.   Old men were prone to romantic foolishness.   He would have to remember to be more careful around Shirotome in the future.

 ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

As soon as Megumi had finished her meal, she knew something was wrong.   A strong overpowering sense of nausea over took her and she fell to her knees.

The guard, who had dutifully brought her food a few minutes before, rushed in somewhat surprised.

"What did you do to me?"  Megumi gasped and looked up at the guard accusingly.

Through her lidded eyes, she could see his look of fright. 

She thought dully that perhaps she did look a sight, sprawled on the floor, with her sweat mingling with the mucous she was coughing up.    "I just put in what the master dropped off this morning!"

The master.

She felt the world begin to move and turn in dizzying color.   Dimly, she was aware that in the open doorway, stood a man.  Vainly she tried to look up, but her mind wasn't able to grasp much about the man who was looming over her.   

"Miss Megumi," the voice laughed from what seemed like such a far away place.   "It's just a nice little drug on your brother cooked up while working for the Imperialists.    It'll help our conversation go a bit better and after we're done, the guard will give you a nice drink of the antidote."

Megumi looked up at him with unseeing eyes.  Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew that all her game playing, all her planning was too little and too late.   

"First, my dear doctor we're going to discuss your progress.  And then, you'll tell me everything you know about the Aoiya and Aoshi Shinomori."


Authors Notes:

*Darn it.   I'm afraid to spoil it for you, but it has something to do with the manga. *cough*Jinchuuarc*coughcough* 

If you had warm and fuzzy feelings during this reading, it was purely unintentional.   And I'm sorry about the long gap between parts.  I got sick and am finishing my semester in school.   For the curious, I'm not on track to finish this before the end of the year.   There is still a ways to go.  (Could you tell from Sano's part?)   And reviewers, I decided to start addressing your comments .  

Shimizu Hitomi:  Sano and Aoshi make a good team. I agree.  But the best teamup is still in Jinchuu manga, in my opinion.  Sano, Aoshi, Saitou, Yahiko and Kenshin! Woohoo!

LiLianJieGurl:  Amazing to see a S/M fan rooting for the A/M pairing.  I spent a darn long time on A/M and getting you all to buy it!    But first and foremost before becoming an A/M shipper I was a S/M shipper.   Therefore, I won't resolve anything until nearly the end (that is, if I resolve it. *muhahahah*)

Mij: The end is near, but not really.   Meaning, the end could be five chapters away. Or ten. (!!!).  

EEevee: Sano's past as a gangster is very useful. Aoshi has his networks, and Sano will have his as we see here.

Leila Winters: Aoshi IS cool.   Aoshi should have more fanfics written about him and solely him.  There should be more Aoshi shrines out there!!  More Aoshi-solo fics!!  More Aoshi fans!! 

animefreak5483:  The loyal Sano-Megs fan. Thank you for hanging in here and I promise you there are more Sano/Meg moments.  I believe in dragging things out, that I do.

Lady Tskuya: "Model"ing?

And no, Megumi will not run off with Okina.   And no, Sano/Aoshi will not suddenly run off together although that would be extremely funny and perverse. And I do have a wicked enough sense of humor to do that, so you better r&r