Megumi's eyes fluttered open as she felt a hand shaking her shoulder. Her consternation at having fallen asleep while still working at the mortar and pestle was replaced by surprise as she looked up into the face of Neji Kashiwazaki, the man who others knew simply as Okina.

"Okina!" She stood up suddenly. "I was waiting for you."

"Really?" For a moment, he looked pleased. Perhaps too pleased. "Always good words to hear, and after seeing you here like this, not dead, but looking as wonderful as you always did, I feel utterly, enthusiastically, extravagantly joyful. In fact, I could embrace you right now-"

Megumi bit back the impulse to smack the man. This was no time for joking. "Okina, please. Aoshi is lying ill at the moment."

"Is that so?" Okina looked back at her kindly. "Is that the reason for your seriousness now, doctor? I was so looking forward to receiving one of your usual beatings."

She raised her eyebrow.

"I've missed them." Okina grinned. "As for Aoshi, don't worry. I've already stopped in and looked at him. I've seen him injured or ill enough times now to know that he'll be fine. He sleeps easily now. Some day, we'll look back on this many years from now and laugh about the time poor Aoshi got poisoned."

"Okina," she frowned. "You shouldn't be so blasé about these things. It was luck that there was antidote--"

His face still looked cheerful, but the look in his eye hinted at seriousness. "Not luck, doctor. Someone made the antidote. Someone decided to take it and fight to live. We don't just happen on luck. We make our luck through perseverence, strength and our own belief."

"The core values of the Oniwaban," Megumi responded softly.

He gave her an approving nod. "So you are familiar with them?"

"In a way," she smiled faintly. "One only has to look at all of you and somehow know it."

She was rewarded with another pleased look.

Megumi withdrew something from underneath her haori and placed it in his hands. "And so I am entrusting this to you and to Aoshi-san. I am going to turn myself in to the police, but this shouldn't come with me. It's caused too much trouble already. Please keep it safely hidden away, and give it to Meg-chan when she becomes old and wise enough to understand."

Okina's face grew sad as he looked at the book. "You speak as if you are never coming back, Megumi. Are you determined to do this? You could walk out the back of the estate now and disappear."

"No." She smiled faintly. "I don't want to run anymore, Okina. I have to face what I am and who my family was."

"I see." Okina sighed. "That explains why the red-headed rurouni and that roosterheaded gangster looked so glum when I arrived." He handed her a small packet. "By the way, this came from Sagara."

Her eyes softened in appreciation as she touched the bag of herbs. "So they're here."

"Waiting for you."

"Well," she squared her shoulders. "Regarding Meg-chan-"

"Do not worry."

"How is she?" Megumi's eyes watered suspiciously. "Is she well?"

"She is resilient, that one. Amazingly so."

"Thank you so much for taking her in and caring for her. I'm sorry that I can't see her . . . quite yet."

"She will remain with us until that time, then."

She bowed her head in thanks and relief. "Then, that only leaves one more thing, Okina. And that is Aoshi-"

"I'm to keep him still aren't I? Shoji mentioned something about my having your head if he went off in his condition-"

Megumi frowned slightly.

Okina's sharp eyes caught the gesture, as slight as it was, and laughed. "Shoji was fostered for a while with the Oniwaban. Had the clan not been dispersed with the new era, he would have probably stayed a part of it. His hearing is exceptional, even amongst the Oniwaban.."

"And Shoji tells you everything, does he?" She cringed when she realized that her cheeks were betraying her embarrassment.

"Not everything, doctor." Okina's eyes twinkled. "Only the things that he feels important to the Oniwaban and to Aoshi. Shoji does not believe in unnecessary gossip. Of course," he winked, "you could just tell me and spare me the undying curiosity of an old man who can not help but thinking the absolute worst now that you've hinted at something."

"Just don't let that fool of a stubborn man go off anywhere until he's well. The poison sapped his strength and he can't fight."

He gave her a slight grin. "Shoji is making sure that the man doesn't move. Despite his coldness to you, his sense of duty to Aoshi is strong."

He moved aside to let her pass as she quickly went to the next room to check that statement. True to his word, Shoji Shirotome sat, with arms crossed and stern eye on the sleeping man.

Megumi drew alongside Aoshi and checked his head one more time. It was as Okina had said; Aoshi breathed normally, as a man who was simply sleeping.

"He will not go anywhere until we all conclude he has recovered."

Megumi, despite herself, found herself giving Shoji a small smile. The sternness of his voice aside, they were warm words indeed. She handed the bag to Okina. "Make sure if the fever returns to mix this with the other herbs I left in the mortar. It will ease his fever and his anxiety."

"Of course," Okina nodded.

As she turned to leave, Okina coughed. "Megumi."

She paused for a moment. "Yes?"

"It will help. But only the return of one thing, or person, could ease his anxiety, Megumi."

Shoji had been more indiscreet than she had thought. She could not blame him really, considering he only had his former leader's interest at heart. Megumi was grateful then that Okina could not see her face. His words pained her more than she wanted anyone to know.

. . .

Sanosuke and Kenshin waited by one of the landscaped ponds, chatting with the elder Shirotome and his wife.

She was grateful for Kenshin's presence. It was as if his quiet and gentle smile eased the awkwardness that they all felt as they made their proper goodbyes.

It eased their walk down the street towards the place she dreaded. She took reassurance in watching him as he walked a few paces ahead, his posture relaxed and easy. Megumi lagged a step or two behind, as did Sanosuke.

She could tell that he was still watching her out of the corner of his eye. She would glance over from time to time, wishing he would simply insult her or tease her as always. His silence now made her even more anxious for what was to come.

"Thank you for bringing the mint." She broke the silence. "It will help Aoshi-san immensely."

He shrugged. "It's not a big deal."

"Sanosuke helped Gensai-sama pick those herbs, that he did." Kenshin filled in.

"Did he?" Megumi gave Kenshin a little smile. "An honest act of work. "

Her little barb apparently did the trick. "What's the big deal? Can't a guy just do something without having it picked apart ? Or do you have nothing better to do, fox lady?"

"As if I would spend that much time analyzing every single little action of yours," Megumi retorted automatically, but with a hint of her usual smile.

"But maybe that's exactly what you do, instead of seeing something at face value, woman." He grumbled, more out of habit, than any real feeling.

She felt a sense of relief as she found old words coming to her. "Maybe that's because I don't just run off and do whatever pops into my head at the moment. "

They had not realized that they had both stalled under a tree arguing.

Kenshin coughed, reminding them that they were in public on a road where even the passersby were starting to notice the squabbling. "Miss Megumi."

"Yes, Ken-san?" She had turned and answered him so politely that both men were startled. At Kenshin's amused smile, Megumi burst out laughing. Kenshin soon joined in.

"What's the joke?" Sano gave the two a strange glance.

"Miss Megumi has noticed that Sano is very quiet this morning." Kenshin reassured his friend. "She just wanted to get you to talk. And now that you are-" Kenshin looked away for a moment and focused on a large complex down the street, "I'll go ahead. The station is near. I will find Cho- san."

"We'll just follow."

Kenshin just smiled. "Sano didn't sleep all night, Miss Megumi. He wanted to make sure that both of us would be able to take you to see the police."

As she turned to give Sano a concerned look, Kenshin disappeared. "I told you should rest, Sano."

"Lack of sleep doesn't bother me," he shrugged.

"But something else is," Megumi shot him a glance. "Isn't it?"

He leaned against the tree, his words starting to fall out as if he had been holding them back for some time. "All of this bothers me. We thought you were dead, but then had no idea for a while that it was all faked by some man with delusions of power. . . that you made opium . . . that someone else died in your place. . . and that you're supposed to go to the police and somehow it's supposed to magically work out and you'll get to leave the station by dinnertime? I'm not stupid. So don't expect me to be joyful about your walking into that station."

She placed her hand on the tree and turned away thoughtfully. "I never really thought you were stupid."

"Then why do you dance around the truth and pretend everything is normal?"

She answered faintly. "Since you know me so well, why don't you just tell me?"

He had come around the tree such that now she could not look away. She found herself forced to look straight up at him as he decided to take the bait. "You don't want others to worry about you. Just like Kenshin, you think you're not really worthy of all this effort on your behalf. You put on a good face for everyone else whenever things look bad because of it. And right now, you'd rather walk in there and take whatever they're about to hand out, even if it's completely undeserved. "

She hesitated for a moment, completely taken aback by his words. "-Is that so?"

"Kenshin's battle with Shishio wiped out all your past crimes. The government made a deal with him. What can you possibly have to pay for now? "

She opened her mouth to deny everything he had said, but someone else had said something similar to her once. "I don't know what to think anymore Sano. One morning I have an opportunity dumped into my lap to go see something of the world outside, to maybe understand what it is about the world that kept you out there for so long. Another day I find out my brother is alive. And then that he hates me, but left me a niece. . Then I'm suddenly kidnapped, making drugs, and poisoned. My world is completely out of control." She forced herself to face him and look back into his eyes. "It's never been about a lack of trust or understanding of my friends. I value all of you highly, more than you'll ever really know."

"Then let us do something for you now," Sano pressed his fingers against the bark of the tree in frustration. "Anything."

"Other than what seems to be the most logical and sane course of action? Perhaps you think I should become a fugitive instead?"

He frowned. "I didn't say that."

"No," she placed her hand over his, showing him that she wasn't mocking him for the path he had chosen 5 years ago. "Okina did. You could do that- you always meant to wander again, but for me---" She paused, thinking more about the issue. "I am not that sort of person. Freedom isn't about where I am, but about who I am despite everything chaotic occurring around me. If I go to jail, I'll go to jail at least vindicated for having made a choice I can live with."

Sano sighed. "I knew you would end up saying something like that. But -" he gave her a fond look. "I thought I'd try it anyways. You're much too responsible to run off."

"Of course I am," she gave him a sly grin. "Unlike some silly men I know."

He groaned. "Not this again. Do you ever not have the desire to insult me?"

"No," she smiled sweetly. "It's one of the few highlights of my day that I have."

Instead of coming back with another insult, Sano's expression turned serious again. "Megumi-- Don't be afraid to ask for help if you want it. Kenshin, Yahiko, Kaoru and I will come help you, just like old times."

"I know," her smile became more sincere. "I know."

That smile faded as she saw Kenshin returning with a familiar blonde-haired man in tow.

Sano did not see them and continued to speak his mind. "Megumi, I want you to know that I also still-"

By the tone of his voice, she knew what was coming next. Deftly she stopped him with a simple squeeze of his hand. "Don't say anymore, Sano. It'll just make things even harder now for me. Please." She thought of the dojo and all those who she valued within it. "It's not the right time now. This journey has yet to be completed. Take care of the dojo, please Sano. Protect them so that I don't have to worry."

"Miss Megumi," Kenshin sounded apologetic as he drew close. "Cho is anxious to get you inside."

Cho indeed appeared to be a bit uncomfortable. Megumi sensed that the man had been waiting for some time.

"Yes, of course." She stepped away from the tree. As she drew up to Kenshin, she bowed politely. "My thanks, Ken-san."

He bowed in return. "Until we meet again."

"Until we meet again." She turned and followed the young detective towards the station.

"Megumi-" Sano started after her, but was stopped by Kenshin's firm hand.

"This is as far as we're allowed to go, Sano. It is Cho's turn to help her now."

"Help her?"

"Come." Kenshin's tone of voice had changed. "We must return to the dojo."

. . .

She did not know this man well, but she knew that she was supposed to trust him, despite his former history.

It was the odd destiny of Kenshin that nearly every enemy he crossed paths with found some more productive and honest means in their life. And so as Cho of the Juppongatana took her into a strangely quiet station, she did not question him.

When she had determined that there appeared to be no one in the station, her curiosity could not be contained. "Is it normally this empty?"

"No. This morning we transferred some of the jerks to another facility. Our other officers were all needed to make the transfer, so it's just me at the moment."

She didn't know what to ask after that. She did not have a particularly good familiarity with police procedures, after all.

"Now sit down here please, Miss Megumi." His voice was unusually polite as he led her to an enclosed office with a table and pointed at a chair. "Normally, there are certain protocols I'd follow. Like throwing you into a room first and then asking questions later. But you're a lady, and so I don't think the cell would agree with you at all."

"Thank you." This additional courtesy wasn't expected either.

"And normally I'd sit here and question a person and take their statement, but I'm the only one here at the moment and so I think I'll leave you with a few questions and let you write out your responses."

As he placed the papers in front of her, he coughed. "I'll be sitting outside if there are any questions."

She nodded and then a bit confusedly began to look at the papers. The questions were brief and disconnected. She paid little attention to what was going on around her as she did her best to be thorough in her answers. Even the noise outside did not bother her.

It took her less than half an hour to complete the questions he had given her. There were other things though that she was certain were important to share, and yet they were not written here as questions to answer.

"Cho-san?" She called out, "If I may have a moment?"

When there was no answer, she rose from her chair and went to the door. Perhaps the noise outside was drowning out her voice. She peered around the corner of the doorway. "Cho?"

"No one's here, my dear." The taller and older of two women standing in the hallway looked at her carefully.

Megumi hesitated. The fact that no one was here didn't appear to alarm that all. "He must have stepped out. I'm sure he'll be back shortly to help you."

"It's not the police we've come to see," the younger woman spoke softly. She moved quickly, and before Megumi could protest, she pushed her gently back into the room. "We're here for you."

. .

.

"Kenshin," Sano sensed something amiss as they approached the dojo. "What is going on?"

"You'll have to be patient for a few minutes, Sano." Kenshin smiled tightly. "Cho told us to hurry back to the dojo. It's a very important matter, that it is."

The fact that Kenshin had to bow politely to every one they passed that knew the husband of the dojo master puzzled him. It was as if Kenshin knew there was something afoot, but didn't want anything to appear out of the ordinary.

As they neared the gate, Sano looked to Kenshin for guidance on how to proceed. Nothing from the outside appeared amiss. He could hear the laughing voices of children beyond the gate.

Kenshin simply continued forward, not choosing any guarded approach, but pushed the gate open and walked purposefully in.

Sano followed warily and the instant after Kenshin had suddenly stopped, recognized the reason why.

The younger children were milling around a large man, who sat patiently with them as they chattered.

Despite the years that passed, Sano recognized the man immediately.

His brows furrowed slightly as he looked at the man - who had once taught him something which he then had to use against him in battle and who he had defeated.

The man who had disappeared for a time -- the only Juppogatana member who had chosen prison over a position working for the government.

The man known as Anji.

. . .

The sound of an argument is what roused him from his heavy sleep.

As he recognized the three disagreeing voices, he forced himself to sit up and move to the screen door that was shut.

"Aoshi!"

He winced at the loudness of their voices. "What news is this that causes such an argument amongst old friends?"

Okina and the senior Shirotome exchanged dark glances, an act so unusual for the two old friends that Aoshi immediately felt his guard go up.

"You should be resting," Shoji-san spoke up quietly. "The doctor said you were weak."

Aoshi suddenly realized that the sun was low in the sky and that time had passed quickly since he last woke. "She's left?"

"Yes. Himura and Sagara escorted her to the police station." Okina sighed.

Aoshi paused. "Tell me, does this discussion concern her?"

"No." Shoji spoke up, ignoring the glare from his father.

"Not her, but someone of interest to you." The elder Shirotome interrupted, against the wishes of the other two men. "It is my note, and so I shall choose to tell you, Aoshi. But you must listen to what we say afterward."

Okina did not look pleased, but did not move to stop Shirotome from speaking further.

"I received word that a certain rice merchant has recently taken up hiding with a person who may be familiar to you or some of your acquaintances."

Aoshi felt a wave of resentment pass over him. "Shimada? He dares hide still in Tokyo?"

"That is what my information said, as strange as it sounds."

"Where?"

Shirotome glanced at Okina, who shrugged resignedly. "My friend here will of course go with you, as will my son. That is the agreement that you make once I tell you. Understood?"

Aoshi had no choice but to nod.

"Her name is great amongst the ones old enough to remember her. She had many names in her past, one of which was, in fact, Shimada."

"A relative?"

"Perhaps." Shirotome rubbed his head anxiously. "But even that I do not think is known. Records are easily burned you know. Particularly records of family daughters. But as I said, she is not Shimada except only by rumor. Her name now is Kata.

The Great Madame Kata."

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A/N: Sorry for any typos that exist. This was probably the fastest 3400 words I've ever written ;-)

Thanks to the few of you actually emailed me off line to discuss concerns about this fic and where it's heading. I assure you that having once "killed" one of the main characters that I'm not going to do that now. I assure that I am going to resolve the triangle, but later. And I've kind of decided where, although I reserve the right to come back at you with an epilogue that will blow your minds to pieces. (heheheh.) Do you sense I like to mess with the audience? Muhahaha!

Thank you also to the people I haven't heard from before or for the first time. I've been wondering who all these unreviewed hits were coming from :p

And now that I threw out lots of little cliffhangers, I'm going to lay low for a few days and wait to see if I can rouse questions or comments out of you lurkers, yet.