The spectre of death brought sometimes confusion, and sometimes clarity.
Aoshi Shinomori lay on the floor, his body weary with fighting the poison and his mind in turmoil.
In his current state of mind, he was unaware of the presence of those around him.
Megumi Takani worried. Aoshi Shinomori had certainly faced death before many times, but physical peril was not the first of her concerns at the moment. Even if the additional antidote that was brewing quietly helped counteract any remaining poison in Aoshi's body, what toll would an unbreaking and prolonged fever would take on the man?
And the knowledge that it was the poison she had created under pressure from her captor that caused his illness affected her deeply.
She channeled the resulting feelings of anger and guilt into the mortar and pestle in her hands. The stone upon stone made a harsh sound as she pounded the ingredients into a fine powder. She had to relieve his fever.
The others currently at the hotel of Tae Shirotome appeared to have caught her mood. They were mostly silent, save for brief conversations when instructions would be given or various communications exchanged.
Kaoru Himura had come earlier in the evening with news of their patient at the dojo. His recovery was coming along, and the men at the dojo were keeping an eye on him until he was well enough to be taken to the police.
Shirotome's wife and son had also returned, most likely at the summoning of the senior Shirotome. Young Shoji looked a bit weary, his wife having just delivered, but his expression was sharp and watchful. Megumi was aware that he had some other purpose, for since his arrival, Shoji had come and gone several times from the main house. It occurred to her that he was looking around the grounds and in the streets outside. She suspected that the hotel proprietor's son was no mere businessman, just as Aoshi Shinomori was no mere hotel proprietor.
Sanosuke sat out on the porch with Shoji. He had said little to her once they had returned. He sat outside, chewing absently on a piece of grass, his mind preoccupied with something else - perhaps watching for any sign of intruders.
She moved the earthen vessel that contained the antidote from heat and set it aside. When the liquid cooled, she would try to give it to Aoshi.
She turned her attention back to the mortar. The herbs she crushed were now like fine powder and gave off an aromatic fragrance. She picked up a small handful from the mortar and sprinkled the particles into a bowl of cool water that Shirotome had pulled from a spring that ran under the estate and delivered to her. The fragrant water, she hoped, would cool Aoshi's fevered body.
As she walked carefully with that bowl from her working space and out onto the porch, she was aware of the eyes of her two unofficial guards upon her.
She noted with a frown that Sanosuke was looking very tired -- too tired to notice the strange measured looks coming from the younger Shirotome.
She tossed her head and entered the room. Kaoru and Shirotome looked up immediately and focused on the carefully balanced bowl in her hands. She held it out.
"Kaoru, Shirotome-san."
Kaoru obediently took the bowl and placed it on the ground near the patient.
Megumi kneeled down and immediately looked over her patient.
Aoshi Shinomori lay there, his eyes closed. She noted his breathing had become more rapid and shallow since her previous examination.
"Has he been like this for long?" She glanced at Kaoru and Shirotome.
"It just started," Shirotome shook his head. He looked at her hopefully, "But it's like last time. Perhaps-"
She nodded and then turned back to Aoshi, and noted with a frown that he was layered in blankets. The man had pulled them up, had he? And it was apparent that even so, he was shivering. She pushed them aside and then placed her hand upon his head, and noted that it was hot to the touch. As she did the last time, she let her hand sit there for a while, waiting for his breathing to deepen and relax.
"Uncanny," Shirotome muttered under his breath. She suppressed the queer feeling that welled up inside her. It was as if her presence relaxed him, or reassured him in some way, somehow. Although why, Megumi did not know.
She took her hand away from Aoshi's head. "Kaoru, do you have clean cloths?"
"Ah, yes." Kaoru answered, a bit sleepily. "I have some, although we may need more."
Megumi looked at her friend critically. She was clearly exhausted. It would not do to have the young mother tired out. She turned to Shirotome, and handed him a cloth. "Soak these in the water I brought in and apply them to any exposed skin. I'll cut up more."
As Shirotome obediently dipped the cloths in water, Megumi moved decisively outside to address the two men. "Sano."
"Yeah, Megitsune?" Sano stifled a yawn.
"Take Kaoru home, Sano." She smiled a little. "And get some rest too."
Kaoru had padded out after her, and immediately by the way they both stiffened, she knew that both she and Sano were about to protest.
"We'll be fine here." Megumi added strongly.
Sano opened his mouth, but as the hand of Shoji Shirotome clamped down on his shoulder, Sanosuke paused. After the two men silently conferred, Sanosuke muttered good-naturedly under his breath. "Not even a whole day and she's already ordering me around."
Megumi took a deep breath. "Sano."
He gave her an amused smile. "That was your cue to say 'I know what's best for you, roosterhead.'" He grinned at Kaoru, who was stifling a smile. "I'll take the little miss home."
"-And rest."
"-I don't need it."
Megumi and Kaoru exchanged a look then. Kaoru was mouthing something about men being stubborn. Megumi turned on her charm. "I need some more mint, Sanosuke. And Gensai-sama has plenty in his garden."
Kaoru coughed. "Sano, Gensai-sama won't be up for another two hours. It won't hurt to at least come back and rest while we wait for him to wake. Miss Megumi needs that mint. Plus, the Shirotomes are here. Shoji-san will be able to send a message if something should happen. "
Sano relented and the two finally walked down the path that led to the gate and the street beyond.
"He is worried for you."
Megumi glanced at Shoji, the largely silent man who had sat next to Sanosuke for the last few hours.
"I know." She answered truthfully. Someday, she would be nice to Sano for all that.
"Takani-sensei," a voice came from inside the room.
"Yes." Megumi stepped back in and looked at the elder Shirotome. By now, all the bandages had been used and placed over Aoshi's arms and legs.
"Thank you for your help." She crouched and joined him in looking at the face of his young friend.
"He looks more peaceful." Shirotome mused.
"The water has certain herbs which lend it aromatic properties. To soothe his mind, even if he isn't quite conscious."
Shirotome yawned.
"You should rest too, Shirotome-san. It must be nearly two in the morning. Your wife said you needed a lot of sleep."
"You need help-"
She shook her head adamantly. "The antidote is almost done. I'll be able to give it to him shortly and watch him after that. I'll need you and your wife to tend to him. I have to leave in the morning--"
"For the police," Shirotome finished her sentence. At her startled look, he dropped his eyes. "Sagara told me when you first came in."
Megumi felt her chest constrict. "I do not know what happens from there. I'll leave as much antidote as I can. And you can continue to apply poultices to manage his fever. But I need one of you well-rested."
"Of course." Shirotome stood up slowly, showing his signs of age. "It goes without asking that we will take good care of Aoshi-san. My family considers him as one of our own. I'll leave you to Shoji then."
Megumi nodded and watched the man go. She sighed, and then picked up the remaining cloths that needed to be cut up and used either as bandages or poultices. She picked up one of her scissors and began cutting..
. . .
At the sound of rustling of blankets, Megumi dropped the bandages.
"Shoji-san." She called out.
The screen door slid open. "Takani-sensei?" His eyes narrowed slightly as he saw her patient moving about restlessly.
"Could you bring me more water, please?"
"Of course."
"--And if you would mix it with a handful of the herbs I left in the mortar in the next room first."
He bowed and started to move.
Megumi looked down at Aoshi and then at the bowl. Shirotome had done a good job of covering Aoshi's exposed skin with cloths, but it seemed it wasn't enough.
She fingered the light colored belt of his uniform and tugged at it gently. She never quite understood these belts. The uniforms themselves were efficient, but as she struggled to pull the belt out from underneath Aoshi's body, she concluded that the belt-bows were ridiculous.
With the belt off, she was able to open his shirt. She pushed aside the clothing, ignoring the crisscross of scars across his chest from older wounds. She dipped one of the cloths in the remaining water and wrung it out before placing it on his chest. She noted with satisfaction, his ever slight flinch at the touch of cold cloth to his skin. She wiped his chest until the cloth warmed and she had to wet the cloth again.
As she placed a recooled cloth back on him, his hand suddenly clamped around her wrist.
Despite the strength of his grasp, she did not panic. This was not the first time she had a patient do odd things while delirious.
She spoke as calmly as she could. "Aoshi-san? Is it too cold?"
The look in his now open eyes told her that it was. She was surprised though when he spoke. "I want you to come to Kyoto."
"Of course, of course." She ignored him and refocused on her task, thinking that if she ignored him, he would close his eyes and release her.
However, he did not relinquish her wrist. Her eyes widened as he increased the pressure on her wrist and pulled her closer. Surprised, she dropped the cloth helplessly. He had pulled her such that he could see her face.
Closer and closer it seemed that he was pulling her to him. As their noses brushed, her eyelids involuntarily fluttered shut.
They blinked open when the door of the room suddenly opened.
'Takani-sensei, do you need-" Megumi turned her head, startled. Fortunately for the bowl of water, he was not as easily startled as she. "I'm sorry for interrupting," came the voice of Shoji. "I'll leave the bowl by the door."
Megumi felt a wave of horror pass over her as he put the bowl down and shut the screen door. She started to sit up and open her mouth to tell him to come back.
But Aoshi had pulled her ever so slightly again towards him. "Megumi," his eyes flickered slightly, a bit unfocused.
She felt a tremor of fear as he closed his eyes again. "Aoshi?"
When he opened them again slowly, she relaxed slightly. His hand on her wrist moved up and he grasped her hand. As he looked at her, something like a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You look terrible."
She blinked. Of all the things to say, that was unexpected.
He closed his eyes again. "Kyoto is beautiful in the spring."
She touched his head with her free hand. His phrases were disconnected and illogical. He had to be delirious. In a soothing tone of voice, she decided that the man's declarations, however odd, shouldn't be ignored. "Yes, I know. And you'll be there to see it if you can save your strength. Don't speak unnecessarily, Aoshi. I'll have the antidote for you shortly."
"You must come." He was clearly disobeying her orders. She opened her mouth to scold him, but his hold on her hand tightened. "Your niece waits for you."
"I know," she answered softly.
His hand loosened its pressure then and he said nothing further. For a moment, she watched him carefully and listened to the flow of his breathing. Certain he had fallen asleep, she gently removed her hand from his.
A slight movement outside the door reminded her of that she should address what had happened moments earlier. She stood up and opened the screen door to retrieve the bowl of water. Shoji turned his head, and looked at her for a moment. She blushed slightly. "Shoji-san, I -"
"You do not need to explain anything to me."
"But-"
"I do not know you as I do Shinomori."
"Shoji-san," Megumi continued. "He just wanted to tell me something. I have a niece-."
"I do not hold it against you for how you two behave when alone. It is enough for me to know that you are the woman he is helping and the woman he chose to rescue. Why that is, I do not question or judge."
"There is nothing-"
Shoji's expression turned to slight amusement. "Shinomori never does anything for 'nothing,' Takani-sensei. There is always a reason to what he does. Consider that and what he said to you in there."
Megumi did not care for the superciliousness of Shoji's words. "You were eavesdropping."
"Screen doors are thin, Takani-sensei. It is likely that not only I, but my father, who is puttering about down the hall heard his words."
Her face grew even warmer.
Shoji laughed. "It is a good thing that I did hear what he had to say. Your history is well-known to my father and I." His eyes were assessing her. "After all, someone had to go collect that information on you and your brother. I was not inclined to be all that helpful to you, despite my father's pleas. However, now I better understand why Shinomori was willing to throw everything away by coming here to Tokyo. That you could have earned his devotion, makes me think the better of you for it."
Megumi felt her dislike for the man deepen at his words, but he was an ally to Shinomori. "For your family's help, I am thankful."
"Your thanks are not required." Shoji's response was equally cool. "Shinomori's recovery and well-being will be enough for all of us. Our family has a deep affinity for the Oniwaban. His life and happiness are important to many."
She bowed slightly. At the very least, she could agree to that.
"Okina will be here soon. He will want to be briefed before you leave." Shoji stood up, abruptly ending their conversation.
She turned and walked in the other direction in order to retrieve the antidote. The man's honest admittance of his distrust for her had caught her off guard. That she was viewed as perhaps a liability for Aoshi was even more startling. But it was the other things he had insinuated which troubled her.
As she returned to her patient, she spied him trying to push himself up. She put the vessel with the antidote down by the door and rushed in to restrain him.
"Aoshi!"
"Megumi-"
"I told you to rest." She lowered her voice. ""Don't be a fool and think you can disobey my orders, Aoshi Shinomori. Just because I no longer have Sanosuke and Kaoru here to beat you silly if you try and move does not mean you should even think about taking one step towards that door. You are going to take the antidote and lie still. Come morning, you will listen to everything Shirotome-san has to say as well. Understood? "
He smiled faintly at the display of her temper. She frowned. Was it all that amusing to him ?
"Understood?" She repeated.
He nodded.
She bit her lip and then turned away for a moment to retrieve the antidote. She placed the vessel on the ground next to her and then awkwardly, tried to ease him up. "You'll have to sit up for a while. I want to make sure you don't spit up any of the antidote."
As his head rested heavily on her chest, she realized darkly that she could have asked Shoji SHirotome for his assistance administering the medicine. But she did not particularly relish the thought of going out and asking Shoji Shirotome for any more help. She brought the bowl to Aoshi's lips. "Drink it slowly."
He winced slightly as he tasted it but drank the concoction obediently, his eyes occasionally looking up at her as he did so.
"It tastes terrible, doesn't it?"
"Ah." He answered tiredly.
As she continued to support him against her, waiting to see whether his stomach would accept the antidote, they fell into a slightly awkward silence.
"You must sleep after this." Megumi continued on, somewhat absently. "And mind the Shirotome's even if I'm not here. Shirotome-san was very upset about how you and Sanosuke went off by yourself against his advice."
She felt his head turn slightly. "You leave?"
She paused. "You know I have to go see the police. Sanosuke and Kenshiin will be here shortly to take me."
"I will come as well."
"No you won't." She gave him a stern look. "Okina would have my head if I let you do that. Besides which, Kenshin and Sanosuke should be more than enough to keep Saitou in his place." She smiled faintly at that thought.
"Okina?"
"Yes. He will be here soon."
His face took on a slightly distant expression. She could feel him moving slightly, as if he were testing his strength. He sat up on his own slowly, and something in his face told her he had decided something.
"Has Shirotome had news on 'Shimada'? -"
"Aoshi!" A look of impatience crossed her face. The man clearly was thinking about something else. She had some inkling of who this man was as well from the whispered conversations she had caught snatches of between the elder and younger Shirotome upon Shoji's return to the hotel. "You made me a promise-"
He pressed his lips together. "To rest, right?"
"Yes." She answered stubbornly.
"Just as you promised to come to Kyoto."
"-- of course, my niece is waiting."
"Yes, your niece." He closed his eyes, his body tensing again, as the strength of the antidote started to take its effect. "And the others. "
She placed her hand on his back to support him. "All of you have been so kind. I imagine it has been a burden these last few months with you gone, and with Meg-chan underfoot."
"It is not a burden."
"You lying here poisoned isn't a burden?"
He turned his head back to look at her. "I prefer your poison to your death, Megumi."
She frowned. "Aoshi- don't say things like that. It simply isn't right."
He looked away for a moment, frustration briefly lining his features. "You do not understand."
"Understand?"
"-the invitation to come. To stay. Is it not clear?" He closed his eyes contemplating something.
"You're not making sense, Aoshi."
"Or perhaps you choose not to understand."
"Aoshi." She began talking to fill the silence that ensued. "The antidote must be taking effect. You shouldn't say anything more now. "
She knew that he was not quite yet done, but her words silenced him. She did not look at his face as she helped ease him back to the mat. She was afraid. And somehow he sensed that.
Efficiently and quickly, she helped reposition him on his side and rearrange his blankets and cloths. She stood and then opened the screen door. "Shoji." She nodded at him. AS she came out, he went into the room to take her place watching Aoshi.
Megumi went to the next room and placed her hand against the wall, willing herself to be composed, to gather her confusing mass of thoughts and emotions.
She understood.
In fact, she had understood quite well what lay behind the words of Aoshi SHinomori. More or less, in his own way, he had somehow recently come to the idea that he valued her. Or rather, loved her.
She was no stranger when it came to the feelings of men and their professions of love for her. And she had plenty of young admirers over the years, who were infatuated with her unattainability, her flirtatious ways, and physical appearance. Other men, perhaps not the so young and foolish formed unusual attachments to their caretakers and mistook it for honest love.
But someone like Aoshi Shinomori . . . did he fall into that latter category? Was it a temporary infatuation, fueled by his delirium or a taste of death?
Yes. It was plausible. A man such as that would probably also mistake duty for devotion as well.
But a thought nagged her. Did she know him well enough to truly answer that? What of what everyone else had said?
She thought for a moment, beyond the instances where circumstances had put them in close physical proximity with one another. There had been an interesting sort of dynamic between them even from the very first times they had met. Within the last year, as she understood more of him, she had clearly come to trust him, to even like him for his odd silences and his ability to match her wit with his own intelligence. But beyond that, she had only briefly entertained thoughts. It seemed implausible that a man so reserved and cool could suddenly turn his attention so completely on her.
Moreover, it was alarming.
But it was also exciting. Perhaps if things weren't so crazy at this time she wouldn't be anxious at all about that insight, but entertained or perhaps thrilled. What woman wouldn't want to have a beautiful, dangerous man at her side?
But a delirious man?
She laughed as she forced herself to be realistic. His delirium aside, it was ridiculous to consider the matter further at the moment. Sanosuke Sagara - the other man who had once professed his feelings for her and who may have them still - would be here shortly before she turned herself into the police. Deep down, she knew that, despite whatever she or Saitou had said regarding the matter, the police weren't concerned for her safety. She was to be used again as a tool - but this time by the government, who would want to know everything possible about the elusive man who was her captor, and perhaps even about her brother. She expected this time that the government wouldn't be so kind and overlook her crimes as they had done in the past.
Sanosuke and Aoshi were good men both, but they were foolish to think they loved her, a former criminal -- and a criminal still.
And she was even more the fool to entertain the thought of allowing herself to love one of them in return.
She had decided somewhere along the way that fate would not allow it.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
A/N: This was difficult to write. I have been mulling alternate endings, epilogues, and cameos and trying to think of the entire fic from this point on. This particular part was actually going to start with Aoshi's muddled dreams, but the emotional field belongs more to Megumi. Also, this is cut off from where I intended to go. I felt it was more appropriate to end here despite its somewhat sad/angsty tone and reserve the reappearance of old faces for the next part.
I have a few more twists up my sleeve yet. Depending on what sort of comments and questions that are thrown back, I am tinkering with the concept of how many parts are left. To the Megs/Aoshi shippers - this part should satisfy you in part because Aoshi was pretty damn clear in his usual roundabout way (hah!). Death brings clarity. At least to him. But to Megumi.. Well..
Jieli - Saitou being a real historical persona, I can absolutely say that Saitou did have children. Three sons, in fact. And then in RK we also have him serving as foster parent to Eiji - or at least for a time.
Mij - Furuba fan eh? I am as well. I don't know what to say. I've been reading the manga and Megumi is no Tohru. : -)
CherieDee - Thanks for your review and for letting me bounce something off you yesterday. I think it firmed my resolve on what Aoshi could say this time around.
EEevee - Heh. You and I both like to torture characters. But you win. I just like to mess with their heads. Killing off Aoshi-vampire qualifies you as the queen of torture ;-)
Ron and his Sakura - *hangs head in shame* I wish I could promise to update "Ring" but I pretty much need to revisit the story and start over in terms of how to lay out the ending. But after this, I want to tackle my fantasy romance original work. Keep bugging me.
Lady Tskuya - hope you feel better by now! And don't feel sorry for Saitou. I think he'll be quite fine with his wife. But I'd be kind of pissed at the doctor if I were him.
Leila Winters - welcome back and thanks for reviewing each chapter! Madame Kata can't disapprove of a young man when she has her own past to consider. I mean, a history as a concubine/oiran is nothing to simply dismiss.
animefreak5483 - Hang in there. Next part! Next part!
Trupana - A kiss from Aoshi would probably silence the fox-lady. However, Aoshi is a pretty proper and subtle person and so I've taken the position that would be unlikely to kiss her until something more conclusive occurs. Hang in there.
Aoshi Shinomori lay on the floor, his body weary with fighting the poison and his mind in turmoil.
In his current state of mind, he was unaware of the presence of those around him.
Megumi Takani worried. Aoshi Shinomori had certainly faced death before many times, but physical peril was not the first of her concerns at the moment. Even if the additional antidote that was brewing quietly helped counteract any remaining poison in Aoshi's body, what toll would an unbreaking and prolonged fever would take on the man?
And the knowledge that it was the poison she had created under pressure from her captor that caused his illness affected her deeply.
She channeled the resulting feelings of anger and guilt into the mortar and pestle in her hands. The stone upon stone made a harsh sound as she pounded the ingredients into a fine powder. She had to relieve his fever.
The others currently at the hotel of Tae Shirotome appeared to have caught her mood. They were mostly silent, save for brief conversations when instructions would be given or various communications exchanged.
Kaoru Himura had come earlier in the evening with news of their patient at the dojo. His recovery was coming along, and the men at the dojo were keeping an eye on him until he was well enough to be taken to the police.
Shirotome's wife and son had also returned, most likely at the summoning of the senior Shirotome. Young Shoji looked a bit weary, his wife having just delivered, but his expression was sharp and watchful. Megumi was aware that he had some other purpose, for since his arrival, Shoji had come and gone several times from the main house. It occurred to her that he was looking around the grounds and in the streets outside. She suspected that the hotel proprietor's son was no mere businessman, just as Aoshi Shinomori was no mere hotel proprietor.
Sanosuke sat out on the porch with Shoji. He had said little to her once they had returned. He sat outside, chewing absently on a piece of grass, his mind preoccupied with something else - perhaps watching for any sign of intruders.
She moved the earthen vessel that contained the antidote from heat and set it aside. When the liquid cooled, she would try to give it to Aoshi.
She turned her attention back to the mortar. The herbs she crushed were now like fine powder and gave off an aromatic fragrance. She picked up a small handful from the mortar and sprinkled the particles into a bowl of cool water that Shirotome had pulled from a spring that ran under the estate and delivered to her. The fragrant water, she hoped, would cool Aoshi's fevered body.
As she walked carefully with that bowl from her working space and out onto the porch, she was aware of the eyes of her two unofficial guards upon her.
She noted with a frown that Sanosuke was looking very tired -- too tired to notice the strange measured looks coming from the younger Shirotome.
She tossed her head and entered the room. Kaoru and Shirotome looked up immediately and focused on the carefully balanced bowl in her hands. She held it out.
"Kaoru, Shirotome-san."
Kaoru obediently took the bowl and placed it on the ground near the patient.
Megumi kneeled down and immediately looked over her patient.
Aoshi Shinomori lay there, his eyes closed. She noted his breathing had become more rapid and shallow since her previous examination.
"Has he been like this for long?" She glanced at Kaoru and Shirotome.
"It just started," Shirotome shook his head. He looked at her hopefully, "But it's like last time. Perhaps-"
She nodded and then turned back to Aoshi, and noted with a frown that he was layered in blankets. The man had pulled them up, had he? And it was apparent that even so, he was shivering. She pushed them aside and then placed her hand upon his head, and noted that it was hot to the touch. As she did the last time, she let her hand sit there for a while, waiting for his breathing to deepen and relax.
"Uncanny," Shirotome muttered under his breath. She suppressed the queer feeling that welled up inside her. It was as if her presence relaxed him, or reassured him in some way, somehow. Although why, Megumi did not know.
She took her hand away from Aoshi's head. "Kaoru, do you have clean cloths?"
"Ah, yes." Kaoru answered, a bit sleepily. "I have some, although we may need more."
Megumi looked at her friend critically. She was clearly exhausted. It would not do to have the young mother tired out. She turned to Shirotome, and handed him a cloth. "Soak these in the water I brought in and apply them to any exposed skin. I'll cut up more."
As Shirotome obediently dipped the cloths in water, Megumi moved decisively outside to address the two men. "Sano."
"Yeah, Megitsune?" Sano stifled a yawn.
"Take Kaoru home, Sano." She smiled a little. "And get some rest too."
Kaoru had padded out after her, and immediately by the way they both stiffened, she knew that both she and Sano were about to protest.
"We'll be fine here." Megumi added strongly.
Sano opened his mouth, but as the hand of Shoji Shirotome clamped down on his shoulder, Sanosuke paused. After the two men silently conferred, Sanosuke muttered good-naturedly under his breath. "Not even a whole day and she's already ordering me around."
Megumi took a deep breath. "Sano."
He gave her an amused smile. "That was your cue to say 'I know what's best for you, roosterhead.'" He grinned at Kaoru, who was stifling a smile. "I'll take the little miss home."
"-And rest."
"-I don't need it."
Megumi and Kaoru exchanged a look then. Kaoru was mouthing something about men being stubborn. Megumi turned on her charm. "I need some more mint, Sanosuke. And Gensai-sama has plenty in his garden."
Kaoru coughed. "Sano, Gensai-sama won't be up for another two hours. It won't hurt to at least come back and rest while we wait for him to wake. Miss Megumi needs that mint. Plus, the Shirotomes are here. Shoji-san will be able to send a message if something should happen. "
Sano relented and the two finally walked down the path that led to the gate and the street beyond.
"He is worried for you."
Megumi glanced at Shoji, the largely silent man who had sat next to Sanosuke for the last few hours.
"I know." She answered truthfully. Someday, she would be nice to Sano for all that.
"Takani-sensei," a voice came from inside the room.
"Yes." Megumi stepped back in and looked at the elder Shirotome. By now, all the bandages had been used and placed over Aoshi's arms and legs.
"Thank you for your help." She crouched and joined him in looking at the face of his young friend.
"He looks more peaceful." Shirotome mused.
"The water has certain herbs which lend it aromatic properties. To soothe his mind, even if he isn't quite conscious."
Shirotome yawned.
"You should rest too, Shirotome-san. It must be nearly two in the morning. Your wife said you needed a lot of sleep."
"You need help-"
She shook her head adamantly. "The antidote is almost done. I'll be able to give it to him shortly and watch him after that. I'll need you and your wife to tend to him. I have to leave in the morning--"
"For the police," Shirotome finished her sentence. At her startled look, he dropped his eyes. "Sagara told me when you first came in."
Megumi felt her chest constrict. "I do not know what happens from there. I'll leave as much antidote as I can. And you can continue to apply poultices to manage his fever. But I need one of you well-rested."
"Of course." Shirotome stood up slowly, showing his signs of age. "It goes without asking that we will take good care of Aoshi-san. My family considers him as one of our own. I'll leave you to Shoji then."
Megumi nodded and watched the man go. She sighed, and then picked up the remaining cloths that needed to be cut up and used either as bandages or poultices. She picked up one of her scissors and began cutting..
. . .
At the sound of rustling of blankets, Megumi dropped the bandages.
"Shoji-san." She called out.
The screen door slid open. "Takani-sensei?" His eyes narrowed slightly as he saw her patient moving about restlessly.
"Could you bring me more water, please?"
"Of course."
"--And if you would mix it with a handful of the herbs I left in the mortar in the next room first."
He bowed and started to move.
Megumi looked down at Aoshi and then at the bowl. Shirotome had done a good job of covering Aoshi's exposed skin with cloths, but it seemed it wasn't enough.
She fingered the light colored belt of his uniform and tugged at it gently. She never quite understood these belts. The uniforms themselves were efficient, but as she struggled to pull the belt out from underneath Aoshi's body, she concluded that the belt-bows were ridiculous.
With the belt off, she was able to open his shirt. She pushed aside the clothing, ignoring the crisscross of scars across his chest from older wounds. She dipped one of the cloths in the remaining water and wrung it out before placing it on his chest. She noted with satisfaction, his ever slight flinch at the touch of cold cloth to his skin. She wiped his chest until the cloth warmed and she had to wet the cloth again.
As she placed a recooled cloth back on him, his hand suddenly clamped around her wrist.
Despite the strength of his grasp, she did not panic. This was not the first time she had a patient do odd things while delirious.
She spoke as calmly as she could. "Aoshi-san? Is it too cold?"
The look in his now open eyes told her that it was. She was surprised though when he spoke. "I want you to come to Kyoto."
"Of course, of course." She ignored him and refocused on her task, thinking that if she ignored him, he would close his eyes and release her.
However, he did not relinquish her wrist. Her eyes widened as he increased the pressure on her wrist and pulled her closer. Surprised, she dropped the cloth helplessly. He had pulled her such that he could see her face.
Closer and closer it seemed that he was pulling her to him. As their noses brushed, her eyelids involuntarily fluttered shut.
They blinked open when the door of the room suddenly opened.
'Takani-sensei, do you need-" Megumi turned her head, startled. Fortunately for the bowl of water, he was not as easily startled as she. "I'm sorry for interrupting," came the voice of Shoji. "I'll leave the bowl by the door."
Megumi felt a wave of horror pass over her as he put the bowl down and shut the screen door. She started to sit up and open her mouth to tell him to come back.
But Aoshi had pulled her ever so slightly again towards him. "Megumi," his eyes flickered slightly, a bit unfocused.
She felt a tremor of fear as he closed his eyes again. "Aoshi?"
When he opened them again slowly, she relaxed slightly. His hand on her wrist moved up and he grasped her hand. As he looked at her, something like a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You look terrible."
She blinked. Of all the things to say, that was unexpected.
He closed his eyes again. "Kyoto is beautiful in the spring."
She touched his head with her free hand. His phrases were disconnected and illogical. He had to be delirious. In a soothing tone of voice, she decided that the man's declarations, however odd, shouldn't be ignored. "Yes, I know. And you'll be there to see it if you can save your strength. Don't speak unnecessarily, Aoshi. I'll have the antidote for you shortly."
"You must come." He was clearly disobeying her orders. She opened her mouth to scold him, but his hold on her hand tightened. "Your niece waits for you."
"I know," she answered softly.
His hand loosened its pressure then and he said nothing further. For a moment, she watched him carefully and listened to the flow of his breathing. Certain he had fallen asleep, she gently removed her hand from his.
A slight movement outside the door reminded her of that she should address what had happened moments earlier. She stood up and opened the screen door to retrieve the bowl of water. Shoji turned his head, and looked at her for a moment. She blushed slightly. "Shoji-san, I -"
"You do not need to explain anything to me."
"But-"
"I do not know you as I do Shinomori."
"Shoji-san," Megumi continued. "He just wanted to tell me something. I have a niece-."
"I do not hold it against you for how you two behave when alone. It is enough for me to know that you are the woman he is helping and the woman he chose to rescue. Why that is, I do not question or judge."
"There is nothing-"
Shoji's expression turned to slight amusement. "Shinomori never does anything for 'nothing,' Takani-sensei. There is always a reason to what he does. Consider that and what he said to you in there."
Megumi did not care for the superciliousness of Shoji's words. "You were eavesdropping."
"Screen doors are thin, Takani-sensei. It is likely that not only I, but my father, who is puttering about down the hall heard his words."
Her face grew even warmer.
Shoji laughed. "It is a good thing that I did hear what he had to say. Your history is well-known to my father and I." His eyes were assessing her. "After all, someone had to go collect that information on you and your brother. I was not inclined to be all that helpful to you, despite my father's pleas. However, now I better understand why Shinomori was willing to throw everything away by coming here to Tokyo. That you could have earned his devotion, makes me think the better of you for it."
Megumi felt her dislike for the man deepen at his words, but he was an ally to Shinomori. "For your family's help, I am thankful."
"Your thanks are not required." Shoji's response was equally cool. "Shinomori's recovery and well-being will be enough for all of us. Our family has a deep affinity for the Oniwaban. His life and happiness are important to many."
She bowed slightly. At the very least, she could agree to that.
"Okina will be here soon. He will want to be briefed before you leave." Shoji stood up, abruptly ending their conversation.
She turned and walked in the other direction in order to retrieve the antidote. The man's honest admittance of his distrust for her had caught her off guard. That she was viewed as perhaps a liability for Aoshi was even more startling. But it was the other things he had insinuated which troubled her.
As she returned to her patient, she spied him trying to push himself up. She put the vessel with the antidote down by the door and rushed in to restrain him.
"Aoshi!"
"Megumi-"
"I told you to rest." She lowered her voice. ""Don't be a fool and think you can disobey my orders, Aoshi Shinomori. Just because I no longer have Sanosuke and Kaoru here to beat you silly if you try and move does not mean you should even think about taking one step towards that door. You are going to take the antidote and lie still. Come morning, you will listen to everything Shirotome-san has to say as well. Understood? "
He smiled faintly at the display of her temper. She frowned. Was it all that amusing to him ?
"Understood?" She repeated.
He nodded.
She bit her lip and then turned away for a moment to retrieve the antidote. She placed the vessel on the ground next to her and then awkwardly, tried to ease him up. "You'll have to sit up for a while. I want to make sure you don't spit up any of the antidote."
As his head rested heavily on her chest, she realized darkly that she could have asked Shoji SHirotome for his assistance administering the medicine. But she did not particularly relish the thought of going out and asking Shoji Shirotome for any more help. She brought the bowl to Aoshi's lips. "Drink it slowly."
He winced slightly as he tasted it but drank the concoction obediently, his eyes occasionally looking up at her as he did so.
"It tastes terrible, doesn't it?"
"Ah." He answered tiredly.
As she continued to support him against her, waiting to see whether his stomach would accept the antidote, they fell into a slightly awkward silence.
"You must sleep after this." Megumi continued on, somewhat absently. "And mind the Shirotome's even if I'm not here. Shirotome-san was very upset about how you and Sanosuke went off by yourself against his advice."
She felt his head turn slightly. "You leave?"
She paused. "You know I have to go see the police. Sanosuke and Kenshiin will be here shortly to take me."
"I will come as well."
"No you won't." She gave him a stern look. "Okina would have my head if I let you do that. Besides which, Kenshin and Sanosuke should be more than enough to keep Saitou in his place." She smiled faintly at that thought.
"Okina?"
"Yes. He will be here soon."
His face took on a slightly distant expression. She could feel him moving slightly, as if he were testing his strength. He sat up on his own slowly, and something in his face told her he had decided something.
"Has Shirotome had news on 'Shimada'? -"
"Aoshi!" A look of impatience crossed her face. The man clearly was thinking about something else. She had some inkling of who this man was as well from the whispered conversations she had caught snatches of between the elder and younger Shirotome upon Shoji's return to the hotel. "You made me a promise-"
He pressed his lips together. "To rest, right?"
"Yes." She answered stubbornly.
"Just as you promised to come to Kyoto."
"-- of course, my niece is waiting."
"Yes, your niece." He closed his eyes, his body tensing again, as the strength of the antidote started to take its effect. "And the others. "
She placed her hand on his back to support him. "All of you have been so kind. I imagine it has been a burden these last few months with you gone, and with Meg-chan underfoot."
"It is not a burden."
"You lying here poisoned isn't a burden?"
He turned his head back to look at her. "I prefer your poison to your death, Megumi."
She frowned. "Aoshi- don't say things like that. It simply isn't right."
He looked away for a moment, frustration briefly lining his features. "You do not understand."
"Understand?"
"-the invitation to come. To stay. Is it not clear?" He closed his eyes contemplating something.
"You're not making sense, Aoshi."
"Or perhaps you choose not to understand."
"Aoshi." She began talking to fill the silence that ensued. "The antidote must be taking effect. You shouldn't say anything more now. "
She knew that he was not quite yet done, but her words silenced him. She did not look at his face as she helped ease him back to the mat. She was afraid. And somehow he sensed that.
Efficiently and quickly, she helped reposition him on his side and rearrange his blankets and cloths. She stood and then opened the screen door. "Shoji." She nodded at him. AS she came out, he went into the room to take her place watching Aoshi.
Megumi went to the next room and placed her hand against the wall, willing herself to be composed, to gather her confusing mass of thoughts and emotions.
She understood.
In fact, she had understood quite well what lay behind the words of Aoshi SHinomori. More or less, in his own way, he had somehow recently come to the idea that he valued her. Or rather, loved her.
She was no stranger when it came to the feelings of men and their professions of love for her. And she had plenty of young admirers over the years, who were infatuated with her unattainability, her flirtatious ways, and physical appearance. Other men, perhaps not the so young and foolish formed unusual attachments to their caretakers and mistook it for honest love.
But someone like Aoshi Shinomori . . . did he fall into that latter category? Was it a temporary infatuation, fueled by his delirium or a taste of death?
Yes. It was plausible. A man such as that would probably also mistake duty for devotion as well.
But a thought nagged her. Did she know him well enough to truly answer that? What of what everyone else had said?
She thought for a moment, beyond the instances where circumstances had put them in close physical proximity with one another. There had been an interesting sort of dynamic between them even from the very first times they had met. Within the last year, as she understood more of him, she had clearly come to trust him, to even like him for his odd silences and his ability to match her wit with his own intelligence. But beyond that, she had only briefly entertained thoughts. It seemed implausible that a man so reserved and cool could suddenly turn his attention so completely on her.
Moreover, it was alarming.
But it was also exciting. Perhaps if things weren't so crazy at this time she wouldn't be anxious at all about that insight, but entertained or perhaps thrilled. What woman wouldn't want to have a beautiful, dangerous man at her side?
But a delirious man?
She laughed as she forced herself to be realistic. His delirium aside, it was ridiculous to consider the matter further at the moment. Sanosuke Sagara - the other man who had once professed his feelings for her and who may have them still - would be here shortly before she turned herself into the police. Deep down, she knew that, despite whatever she or Saitou had said regarding the matter, the police weren't concerned for her safety. She was to be used again as a tool - but this time by the government, who would want to know everything possible about the elusive man who was her captor, and perhaps even about her brother. She expected this time that the government wouldn't be so kind and overlook her crimes as they had done in the past.
Sanosuke and Aoshi were good men both, but they were foolish to think they loved her, a former criminal -- and a criminal still.
And she was even more the fool to entertain the thought of allowing herself to love one of them in return.
She had decided somewhere along the way that fate would not allow it.
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A/N: This was difficult to write. I have been mulling alternate endings, epilogues, and cameos and trying to think of the entire fic from this point on. This particular part was actually going to start with Aoshi's muddled dreams, but the emotional field belongs more to Megumi. Also, this is cut off from where I intended to go. I felt it was more appropriate to end here despite its somewhat sad/angsty tone and reserve the reappearance of old faces for the next part.
I have a few more twists up my sleeve yet. Depending on what sort of comments and questions that are thrown back, I am tinkering with the concept of how many parts are left. To the Megs/Aoshi shippers - this part should satisfy you in part because Aoshi was pretty damn clear in his usual roundabout way (hah!). Death brings clarity. At least to him. But to Megumi.. Well..
Jieli - Saitou being a real historical persona, I can absolutely say that Saitou did have children. Three sons, in fact. And then in RK we also have him serving as foster parent to Eiji - or at least for a time.
Mij - Furuba fan eh? I am as well. I don't know what to say. I've been reading the manga and Megumi is no Tohru. : -)
CherieDee - Thanks for your review and for letting me bounce something off you yesterday. I think it firmed my resolve on what Aoshi could say this time around.
EEevee - Heh. You and I both like to torture characters. But you win. I just like to mess with their heads. Killing off Aoshi-vampire qualifies you as the queen of torture ;-)
Ron and his Sakura - *hangs head in shame* I wish I could promise to update "Ring" but I pretty much need to revisit the story and start over in terms of how to lay out the ending. But after this, I want to tackle my fantasy romance original work. Keep bugging me.
Lady Tskuya - hope you feel better by now! And don't feel sorry for Saitou. I think he'll be quite fine with his wife. But I'd be kind of pissed at the doctor if I were him.
Leila Winters - welcome back and thanks for reviewing each chapter! Madame Kata can't disapprove of a young man when she has her own past to consider. I mean, a history as a concubine/oiran is nothing to simply dismiss.
animefreak5483 - Hang in there. Next part! Next part!
Trupana - A kiss from Aoshi would probably silence the fox-lady. However, Aoshi is a pretty proper and subtle person and so I've taken the position that would be unlikely to kiss her until something more conclusive occurs. Hang in there.
