There was a certain familiarity to his route this evening.
But he did not travel the routes he used while in Kanryuu's employ but a route from a much older time, half a lifetime ago, back when his sole purpose was to guard Edo Castle.
The castle no longer bore that name; it was rechristened as the Imperial Castle to honor the Emperor who resided within its grounds. But in fact, the castle was now a mere shadow of itself, with many of its buildings torn down for new ones.
What had been important to him then was of no importance now. The castle was just one point along his path to the temple where a critical part of his journey would begin.
As he stepped through the Sangedatsumon, the main gate to the Zojoji temple, he noticed the relative quiet. It was far different from how it used to be when it had been the favored temple of the Tokugawa family and many persons had walked its grounds. The few monks who resided here allowed him to wander about unhindered. He walked the grounds, looking around before returning to the altar to make an offering.
He closed his eyes in brief meditation,and when he opened them, a young monk stood a few feet away contemplating the altar -- a young monk who had once called him "Okashira."
"It has been a long while since you have come here to meditate." The man who had once been known to him as Keiki smiled. "Is your spirit troubled that you come all this way from Kyoto?"
Aoshi stood slowly and bowed politely. "Brother, there are many things outside these gates that are troubling."
"It is why I chose this path," the monk answered. "I gave up that troubled life long ago and have not looked back once at the life I had."
"I know." Aoshi briefly closed his eyes. "And I meant to leave you alone when you made that choice to leave the clan. But I am applying to you now as one who needs your help as a monk at this temple."
"I see." The monk nodded. "And what is that you would ask of me?"
"Safe passage."
"Safe passage?!"
"You know as well as I do that there are routes out of here which are unknown to all except those who live here and those who once guarded the family that favored this place. I wish to pass through with one other person."
"Of course," the man was startled. "But why this temple?"
"The woman I must take to safety will be posing as my bride so that she can be moved from where she is now without too much attention. From here we can move easily through the temple, to the adjacent ground and to a carriage that will be waiting on the other side."
'Keiki' closed his eyes to consider the statement and the man who issued it. "It is not the usual type of request-"
"It is not very different from the times we had practiced such drills before. " Aoshi pressed gently. "The woman has done nothing wrong, but is being used cruelly by many different parties. It's her life that I am asking you to help save."
At his words, the other man's mind appeared to settle. "The saving of life is a task which I gladly undertake. I will assist you tomorrow. I will check those paths tonight."
"Thank you." Aoshi turned to leave. "You will, of course, not be required to perform an actual ceremony itself-"
"I see." The monk raised his eyebrow. "'Take the bride and run' or so Okina used to say. Is this one of Okina's plans?"
"No." Aoshi gave him a half-smile as he recalled that Okina had many such strange adventures back when Makimachi-san had been Okashira.
The monk's face held a hint of wistfulness as he followed Aoshi towards the entrance gate. "I had hoped in some way it would be, 'Okashira.' Almost like old times."
Aoshi's eyes softened a bit as he also considered those 'old times.'
"And yet I am content with the path I have undertaken now." The monk looked around with an air of serenity which Aoshi knew he had never possessed before while still amongst the Oniwaban. "I hope that all my fellow Oniwaban have found that path of peace as well."
They stood silently for a few moments, their minds still on the past days of the Oniwaban. It was apparent to Aoshi that Keiki's mind rested easy, for he had chosen a truly peaceful course of life. But for Aoshi, he considered that just hours earlier, he had sought to avenge the Oniwaban by finding and punishing a man. Fate had intervened to redirect him, giving him the task of rescuing and protecting a woman instead.
Aoshi gave his friend a pat on the arm and one parting statement before he disappeared into the night. "My friend, I think that they have." .
.
.
When he returned to the hotel some hours later, the men were up waiting for him. He had spent those hours tracking down those he knew to be reliable in providing horses, carriages, and supplies without asking too many questions. He was not in the mood to subject himself to the fussing of Okina and Shirotome over the fitting of a kimono and attempting to explain to them why it was not very important what type of sash he had on over the kimono.
Okina obstinately refused to let him dismiss the matter. "I don't care if there is no marriage ceremony or not. You'll still have to look the part. I've already sent out word to the clansmen to expect a certain groom and bride to show up. And unless you want to tell them everything about how this was all a scheme to get your "bride" out of Tokyo, you better look like a proper groom."
"In the end, when she is safely in Kyoto and the danger over, any lapses can be explained."
"Then consider it a matter of personal pride," Okina placed a heavy hand on Aoshi's shoulder. "Madame Kata's work will be exceptional. I do not want her to think the Oniwaban efforts will be only half of hers. In the old days we went all out-"
Shirotome coughed politely, trying to find a more appropriate way to put the matter to Aoshi. "In the old days, a wedding of any of the Edo guard would be an event. And a wedding of the Captain of the Guard would be a major event."
Aoshi narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he finished putting on the ceremonial kimono. "What are you trying to say?"
Okina and Shirotome exchanged glances.
Shirotome bowed apologetically. "As we said, your clansmen expect a bride and groom. And it appears that some of their own volition, besides the two men who are with Shoji, have decided to ensure your passage out of Tokyo for themselves."
"You will not see all of them," Okina added. "But they will see you and your bride. Therefore, you must take this marriage ceremony more seriously."
"I had no intention of having a ceremony, or to allow it to occur in its entirety."
Okina gave him a wily smile. "But now you must."
"Absolutely-" Shirotome added.
Aoshi frowned. "And complicate things even further?"
"Come now, Aoshi. It is only complicated in that as far as the woman is concerned, she hasn't quite agreed to a real marriage but I'm sure with time you could persuade her otherwise. But with your former clansmen present, you realize that you must see this through."
"The ceremony can proceed." Aoshi gave Okina a severe look, "But when all is said and done and we are certain that the danger has passed, you will personally inform all of them of the deception and personally apologize to Keiki as well as Megumi."
Okina bowed a little bit too readily. "Of course."
Shirotome glanced at his pocketwatch. "If you are going to be the first at Zojoji Temple, you should leave in the next half hour."
"Understood." Aoshi handed Shirotome a map. "Meet the carriage around the side of the temple and make sure to leave the bag you'll find in the next room inside it. The carriage should wait on a secluded part of the road that runs behind the temple. From there we will go south."
"And what of me?" Okina was rubbing his chin. "What am I to do?"
"You will come with me."
"Really?"
"A wedding is not a wedding without some family present."
"Of course not!" Okina's face lit up. "It would be odd if I weren't there to see you get married and be there to join in all the action."
Aoshi gave him a warning look, "Just keep in mind that even if Keiki was formerly Oniwaban, he'll throw out anyone who behaves badly."
"Me, behave badly?" Okina looked offended. "Now whatever gave you that idea?"
.
.
.
She walked softly out of her room - followed by the young girls who had attended to her this morning.
None, save the woman who managed them, knew the real reason why they had to rise early this morning and toil over her appearance. Madame Kata had simply uttered the words "elopement," and more than the necessary number of helpers had shown up to tend to her kimono and her hair. That she had said little throughout the entire process made her even more of a romantic figure in their eyes. They mistook her silence for daydreaming, but deep inside, the true reason for it was her anxiety for the day ahead.
"Kata-san," she bowed her head slightly as she approached the woman.
Madame Kata walked around her to inspect their handiwork. As she stepped over to adjust the hood over her face, Madame Kata frowned. "There is one thing missing--"
Megumi sensed the worry coming from the younger women. "They have done everything that you asked for, Madame Kata."
"That they have," she waved her fingers, dismissing her girls for the moment. After they had left the room, Madame's look was more openly critical. "They have much experience with dressing their fellow sisters for such an occasion. The deficiency is not in terms of your outward appearance, Miss Megumi, but in your eyes."
Megumi raised her eyes to Madame Kata's, puzzled.
"In all my years, I have tended to many soon-to-be brides. Some are nervous. Others are ecstatically happy - but they all are thinking about the same thing. And do you know what that is?"
"I would have no idea," Megumi answered. "It is not an experience that I have shared in."
Madame Kata paused, seeking something to better explain herself. "Before he left last night, Aoshi Shinomori gave you a gift, did he not?"
Megumi's eyes widened. "Yes, but I had kept it hidden."
"My dear," the Madame smiled. "When you bathed this morning, my girls saw it and questioned it. My girls are superstitious when it comes to these sorts of things. If anything, he should have given you something far more appropriate for a bride. Knives are bad luck-"
"I know." Megumi's mouth turned up slightly, indicating her amusement. "Considering that there is no real wedding I don't think they need to worry."
"That is not the point-" Madame shook her head. "Do you know what I told those girls? Superstitions aside, I told them that you had no knife when you came. So it was clear to me that when he came last night, he had given it to you. They found that a little odd, but when they asked why, I responded that he had given it to you to use in his absence. Even if he couldn't be with you to protect you, his intent was that somehow some form of his presence would be watching over you."
"I don't understand-"
"They did." Madame Kata sighed her impatience. "And that is why they worked even harder this morning to help you prepare for today. Although they do not know you, it gave them happiness to help send a woman to that sort of man."
"That sort of man?"
"Exactly my point, Miss Megumi." Madame Kata's expression was slightly amused. "They spent more time thinking about him, that knife, and what he was supposed to be to you the bride than you have yourself. Instead, your eyes reflect that you are worrying over what is to come on the journey after you leave the temple. Your thoughts of the future blind you to your present moment." She gave Megumi a very careful look. "If I or any of my girls were in your position now as a bride, waiting for the ceremony, our minds would be on that person who waited for us. If you can not understand any of this, then at least consider this: He is the man you have and are to put your faith in. Let that faith be the last item that completes your disguise as a bride and set your eyes on him for the present. Understand?"
Megumi thought for a moment, and considered her words. Likely, Kata-san referred only to the fact that Aoshi Shinomori was a man who had yet to fail her and that her anxieties for what was to come was affecting her demeanor. But there was another level to those words which she found herself a bit shy to acknowledge. Regardless, she understood now what Madame Kata wanted from her. She lifted her eyes and gazed evenly at Madame Kata.
"Good," Madame Kata approved the change she saw in Megumi's face. "Now, we may leave."
As they started moving through the outside gate, Megumi remembered Aoshi's instructions to her from the night before. She paused as she regarded the tree near the gate, earning a curious look from Madame Kata. "What is it, my child?"
"Nothing," she smiled mysteriously. "I was just wondering if the trees in Kyoto would be blooming early this year. I heard that Kyoto was beautiful in the spring."
Madame Kata smiled as they continued out and down the stone steps to the street. "Perhaps it will be."
.
.
.
As Megumi and Madame Kata stepped into the carriage amidst all the noise and well-wishes from the women who had attended to her, she was dimly aware that it was Shoji who drove the carriage and who helped them get out as they arrived at the temple.
She was grateful for Madame Kata's presence next to her as she walked through the gate. It was Madame's feet that she followed while her eyes focused on the ground. It was her presence that also reminded her that there were certain behaviors and actions that were demanded of her as she entered here as a bride -- including maintaining an outwardly quiet and modest demeanor and suppressing the desire to talk.
Dutifully she had put out thoughts of how everything could go wrong out of her mind. But now as she walked inside the grounds of the temple, she felt a new, unexplainable sense of nervousness.
It was Madame Kata who guided her through the appropriate steps, taking her first to the main temple to ask for her customary blessing before taking her further in the grounds.
As Megumi walked further down the lightly wooded path, she was aware of the slight bows and greetings that the passing monks and other well-wishers made to her as a bride.
Megumi stopped when Madame Kata suddenly turned her head back to whisper to her. "They're waiting for you there in that grove ahead. If you wish to take a look now, you may do so."
Megumi, with her head still down, raised her eyes slightly. The trees provided her some cover, which would allow her to break tradition and lift her head to look. Her face softened slightly at the sight. From under her hood, she could see Okina fidgeting nervously in his formal kimono. Several steps further back, she could see Aoshi in deep conversation with a monk.
He stood tall and impressive in his dark kimono. But it was his air of quiet assurance that lent him a special quality. Madame Kata saw it as well, and she could see the older woman's head nodding slightly in approval. Megumi was glad -- at the very least, Kata-san could return to her girls tonight and say without any hesitation that the man their "sister- bride" was to wed, did in fact make a very handsome groom.
She quickly lowered her eyes again as soon as Okina spotted them and began following Madame towards the shrine.
She felt Aoshi fall in step with her, and together they followed the monk all the way into the shrine. Madame Kata and Okina paused close to the entrance, watching and waiting as first Aoshi, then Megumi, each made their separate offerings.
He was utter seriousness as he undertook each of the things asked by the monk and repeated the chants and sutras obediently. She was unfamiliar with these customs, not having any Buddhist leanings in her upbringing, but did what was asked and instructed. But even if she had been familiar, she would still be too overwhelmed by her reaction to what was occurring.
When the monk had concluded their dialogue, she looked up at Aoshi for further instruction. He shook his head and instead directed her towards Madame Kata and Okina who, as they led her outside, were more than happy to offer loud and exuberant congratulations. Okina alternated between laughing and crying over the 'happy occasion', which if she had been allowed to she would have stopped immediately with a good solid thump to his back.
"Come, wife." Aoshi was far too aware of her temper to allow such a thing to happen. He took her arm and began to lead her away. "We must make an additional offering now."
"Yes, husband," she replied as meekly as she could, but not before she had shot a glare at Okina as he choked back tears of mirth at the way they addressed one another.
She followed as best as she could in her sandals as Aoshi and the monk moved into more deeply wooded areas. When they reached the next shrine, she observed Aoshi lay another small offering at its pedestal.
The monk bowed his head and murmured a few sutras as well. "May these offerings lend the Okashira a safe journey."
Aoshi nodded solemnly and then bowed formally to the monk. The monk in turn bowed deeper, and then with a nod to her, disappeared back in the direction from which they came.
She swallowed her surprise. "Was he a clansman?"
He nodded. "But that is a story for some other time. Can you walk quickly?"
She shook her head. "The kimono is too heavy and my sandals are not suitable for walking."
"Then, please forgive me," he stated before picking her up. "I know you hate this but we have much ground to cover."
"My hood," she hissed as she found her torso and head dangling over his back. "It'll fall if you don't let me fix it first."
He gave her a second to grab it before he began to move quickly through the trees. She did not close her eyes as she did the last time he had carried her this way. This time they were not jumping out of windows. She was not exactly comfortable with watching the world move sideways, but she focused on something else - like the certainty in his movements as he continued winding through many trees.
She closed her eyes briefly when he took a sudden leap over a large wall and opened them again after they had landed in soft mud.
"Do you still have that hood?"His voice was quiet, as if he meant to be serious, but instinctively she knew his question was meant to be a joke.
"Of course," she retorted. "I mean to return it to Madame Kata someday, you know."
"We have just a little bit more to go." He placed her on the ground next to a small boat to look around. He began removing the ornamental sash and other decorative items that had made his own kimono somewhat clumsy and then placed them on a large cloth that he had produced from somewhere within the folds of his kimono. He gathered the ends of the cloth and handed it to her. "If you will keep these safe with your hood, these too I mean to return to their proper owner."
"My husband is already making his wife clean after him," she sniffed still somewhat irritated by the manner in which he had carried her the last five minutes. The word husband she had said sarcastically, but even so, she was pragmatic enough to do as he said. She wrapped her hood and his things in the light cloth and tied it together.
"My wife is already forgetting the vows she uttered less than half of an hour ago as well."
She frowned, wondering how long they would persist in using these silly formal titles. "Aoshi-"
"My wife," he repeated a little bit more emphatically, "forgets that we have to be careful now. My friends can not follow us once we leave here and we will not see any more of them for another day or so."
She was confused by the strictness and formality of his statement, until she realized that he wasn't speaking at her at all. Still, she found herself clutching his arm when two figures leaped to the ground in front of them.
"Okashira," the two men bowed deeply. "Our apologies. We do not mean to shadow you, but when we heard about you and your bride, we wanted to make sure that nothing happened to you. The way ahead is clear. Shoji waits by the old road."
Megumi's eyes opened as she realized that these two men were also Oniwaban. She stared at Aoshi as his voice took on a more authoritative cast. "My lady and I give thanks. You are now relieved of your duties. "
"Okashira," the younger of the two men spoke up. Megumi could see that he was reluctant to leave. "We would go with you if you would allow us to. Your lady is not a fighter--"
"Yachi," Aoshi's voice was stern. "That is enough. I ask you to stop, not as your former Okashira, but as a person who wishes to carry on the task of protecting his wife alone. It is my duty as her husband, just as it is your duty to tend to your own family now."
"As you wish," the two men bowed to them both somewhat reluctantly and then disappeared.
Megumi stood there in stunned silence, wondering at their presence. "Have they been following us the whole time?"
He took the bundle under one arm, and with his other hand led her along the rocks that followed a small creek. "Even before. They were here at the temple shortly after I arrived this morning, along with the others."
"The others?" Megumi's eyes opened wide. "I didn't see any others."
"That is what they wished. There were far more than those two. Okina's message for assistance it appears was answered overwhelmingly with their presence."
He helped her across a large rock and kept walking watchfully.
Aware that he still clasped her hand tightly, she wondered. "Are we in that much danger?"
"No." Aoshi answered. "I already checked the grounds this morning, long before they had arrived. But I could not send them away, as in truth, I no longer really command them."
"But they called you 'Okashira.'"
"It is a memory of the past," he stated. "We disbanded most of the Oniwaban long ago. It is only the remnants that you met previously." He pushed aside some branches for her. "However, you will meet more of these former clansmen and women before we reach Kyoto."
"Tonight?"
"No," he smiled for a moment at the unbridled curiosity in her voice. "Tonight we do not trouble the Oniwaban. Okina thinks it best to leave those closest to Tokyo alone."
As he led her out of the dense trees onto the road, she was relieved to see the waiting carriage with Shoji sitting on top at the driver's seat. Shoji nodded at her before leaping down to hand something to Aoshi.
"My father said this was to be given to you. It came after you left this morning. He urged you to read it."
Megumi took the bundle from Aoshi, and looked at him anxiously as he scanned the note. He looked back at Shoji. "Did your father say who delivered it?"
"An inspector acquaintance of yours," Shoji frowned. "That is all he would say."
"This doesn't change anything," Aoshi nodded to Shoji. "We proceed south as planned." He opened the door to the carriage and helped her inside. As soon as she had been seated, the carriage started with a jolt and began to move along the road.
Aoshi was examining the letter again, his mouth set into a hard line.
"Did Saitou have bad news?"
His face was unreadable. "It seems that a certain drug dealer was being taken to Kyoto as well-"
"My guard-"
"Yes," he closed his eyes in thought. "It seems that Sagara, Cho and another Juppongatana member are accompanying him."
She thought briefly of the man who she had heard been left for dead shortly after she last saw him. "I'm glad that he's also leaving Tokyo."
"And yet, we all move now towards Kyoto."
His tone of voice was a bit strange. "Perhaps since it's far from Tokyo it'll be safer."
"The distance is only a small matter. Kyoto is convenient only in that I can protect you better from there. Once it's discovered that you are not in Tokyo, then whoever the enemy is that Saitou seeks will look much further and it will only be a matter of time before his attention will turn to Kyoto."
"So they will come to Kyoto."
"I think that is Saitou's intention. To first frustrate the enemy and then draw him out to Kyoto."
Her thoughts turned to the Aoiya. "We must hurry then. Should we try to take a boat to Osaka?"
"We can not do too much," he sighed as he handed over the letter.
Megumi glanced at the terse note, and saw the warning to keep hidden.
He looked out the window. "We can not take a train to Kyoto or a boat to Osaka. But that much I had already known. Both methods are crowded and unsecured means of travel. And in terms of logistics, they are difficult places to defend one's position from. Once on a boat, we can not get off it. On a train, we can not control the people coming on and off and who sees you and when. If anything, traveling on horseback and through the old roads allows more opportunity to hide and to change routes. "
"Isn't there some other way to warn the Aoiya?"
"Shirotome has also read this note. By now, he will have sent a warning message via telegraph or some other means. Okina will likely have to return to Kyoto as well, although via a different route." He paused, frowning slightly. "It appears that Misao will have to lead the preparations until one of us arrives."
Megumi felt their positions reversed as she tried to reassure him. "She's not alone - Okon, Omasu, Shiro, Kuro, with Cho and Sano- that makes seven fighters." She worried as he closed his eyes, wondering if it meant he thought it not to be enough. But when he suddenly opened them again, she sat back somewhat curious as to the reason for the sudden glint that had appeared in his eyes.
"It won't be seven-" he crossed his arms over his shoulders in a way that might be construed to be smug. "Soujiro Seta is still there. And there was one Juppongatana member which Saitou mentioned that accompanied your guard."
"Nine-" she counted the additional names. "-- A good number."
"Twenty-nine," he corrected her.
"Twenty-nine?"
"A good number of the clan is in or near Kyoto. After Okina and the Aoiya were attacked, they began to come to the Aoiya. When I left Kyoto, there were still more reported to be on their way. Then there will also be those Oniwaban we will encounter along our own journey to Kyoto."
She did not miss the look of anticipation that flashed briefly across his face as he continued to look out the window. She guessed that he was lost in thought - perhaps over the shape and form of some fight to come.
Megumi looked down at the cloth bundle in her lap that contained the remnants of today's ceremony and suddenly wondered if he had suspected all along that this, in fact, might occur. Was this perhaps the true reason he had been willing to suddenly return to Kyoto with her? Was this part of the reason he had also chosen this route and decided to seek out former Oniwaban?
She frowned, and then quietly moved the cloth bundle aside.
=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++
Slight revision to some dialogue and interactions here for those rereading. These last few developments in this part were not on my outline, which strictly adheres to 50 parts. We'll see what happens.
Re Aoshi: I finally saw the critical Aoshi returns to sanity episode (Kyoto arc) last week, and can't understand after seeing this episode why people still think of Aoshi as a flat character. He says little, but conveys a lot about the man he used to be. Kenshin sees it and that is why he is willing to fight Aoshi at the end.
In terms of the Oniwaban, my concept that many former Oniwaban exist is based on some of the comments from the first season. It is implied by Aoshi's men that the other Oniwaban in the new era managed to find something else, but these remaining four only knew how to fight. That there were many former Oniwaban comes from a little tiny snippet in the anime and manga that shows 16 year old Aoshi with tons of onmitsu /ninja around him. Those who left at the advent of the Meiji would be similar to the Tokyo Oniwaban in their great affinity for their leader.
Aoshi always strikes me as a true warrior. Kaden suggests to me that he's never given up his onmitsu ways in entirety either. And now look what he's thinking and doing.
* Edo Castle was turned over and many buildings demolished in the 1870s. But some buildings and bridges stand today, as do the East Gardens. The temple that this likely refers to is the Zojoji temple , which was a Buddhist temple favored by the Tokugawa family. But I do not know the grounds outside or Shiba Park which is near by. Zojoji was the largest Buddhist temple prior to the Meiji and apparently trained thousands of monks. But I have no idea the depth of which the temple grounds extended back then.
*Megumi's experience. in a society that values modesty, the bride must maintain a demure disposition throughout a ceremony like this. I guess Megumi sort of spaced on the whole thing . Actually most of my friends who got married don't remember a lot of it until they see the pictures later. The temple is a real one and is Buddhist. So while most Japanese weddings are based off a Shinto tradition, I left his one vaguely more Buddhist.
*You guys said your heads were hurting, so Saitou sends a note to help you the readers in case you missed what he said in part 42 about needing Kurisawa to get at some corrupt elements within the government. ^_^
*Too many author notes, so I'm just leaving out all the shout-outs this time and sticking to questions or things I just *had* to say something about. Kenni - new reviewer -writing is like most other disciplines in my opinion. The keys to improving are expanding your vocabulary by reading a variety of things, practicing your writing and questioning a lot of stuff.
I blog a lot. I force myself to try to not write about what I did, but things I saw that day or felt. It's good practice. Oh and one last thing - I make sure I love my characters to begin with, otherwise it really doesn't turn out well. Jieli - Similar and alike yes, but related no no no no no! Leila - No kissage. Or not yet. See my comments about *noble* above. Add to that *distracted*
But he did not travel the routes he used while in Kanryuu's employ but a route from a much older time, half a lifetime ago, back when his sole purpose was to guard Edo Castle.
The castle no longer bore that name; it was rechristened as the Imperial Castle to honor the Emperor who resided within its grounds. But in fact, the castle was now a mere shadow of itself, with many of its buildings torn down for new ones.
What had been important to him then was of no importance now. The castle was just one point along his path to the temple where a critical part of his journey would begin.
As he stepped through the Sangedatsumon, the main gate to the Zojoji temple, he noticed the relative quiet. It was far different from how it used to be when it had been the favored temple of the Tokugawa family and many persons had walked its grounds. The few monks who resided here allowed him to wander about unhindered. He walked the grounds, looking around before returning to the altar to make an offering.
He closed his eyes in brief meditation,and when he opened them, a young monk stood a few feet away contemplating the altar -- a young monk who had once called him "Okashira."
"It has been a long while since you have come here to meditate." The man who had once been known to him as Keiki smiled. "Is your spirit troubled that you come all this way from Kyoto?"
Aoshi stood slowly and bowed politely. "Brother, there are many things outside these gates that are troubling."
"It is why I chose this path," the monk answered. "I gave up that troubled life long ago and have not looked back once at the life I had."
"I know." Aoshi briefly closed his eyes. "And I meant to leave you alone when you made that choice to leave the clan. But I am applying to you now as one who needs your help as a monk at this temple."
"I see." The monk nodded. "And what is that you would ask of me?"
"Safe passage."
"Safe passage?!"
"You know as well as I do that there are routes out of here which are unknown to all except those who live here and those who once guarded the family that favored this place. I wish to pass through with one other person."
"Of course," the man was startled. "But why this temple?"
"The woman I must take to safety will be posing as my bride so that she can be moved from where she is now without too much attention. From here we can move easily through the temple, to the adjacent ground and to a carriage that will be waiting on the other side."
'Keiki' closed his eyes to consider the statement and the man who issued it. "It is not the usual type of request-"
"It is not very different from the times we had practiced such drills before. " Aoshi pressed gently. "The woman has done nothing wrong, but is being used cruelly by many different parties. It's her life that I am asking you to help save."
At his words, the other man's mind appeared to settle. "The saving of life is a task which I gladly undertake. I will assist you tomorrow. I will check those paths tonight."
"Thank you." Aoshi turned to leave. "You will, of course, not be required to perform an actual ceremony itself-"
"I see." The monk raised his eyebrow. "'Take the bride and run' or so Okina used to say. Is this one of Okina's plans?"
"No." Aoshi gave him a half-smile as he recalled that Okina had many such strange adventures back when Makimachi-san had been Okashira.
The monk's face held a hint of wistfulness as he followed Aoshi towards the entrance gate. "I had hoped in some way it would be, 'Okashira.' Almost like old times."
Aoshi's eyes softened a bit as he also considered those 'old times.'
"And yet I am content with the path I have undertaken now." The monk looked around with an air of serenity which Aoshi knew he had never possessed before while still amongst the Oniwaban. "I hope that all my fellow Oniwaban have found that path of peace as well."
They stood silently for a few moments, their minds still on the past days of the Oniwaban. It was apparent to Aoshi that Keiki's mind rested easy, for he had chosen a truly peaceful course of life. But for Aoshi, he considered that just hours earlier, he had sought to avenge the Oniwaban by finding and punishing a man. Fate had intervened to redirect him, giving him the task of rescuing and protecting a woman instead.
Aoshi gave his friend a pat on the arm and one parting statement before he disappeared into the night. "My friend, I think that they have." .
.
.
When he returned to the hotel some hours later, the men were up waiting for him. He had spent those hours tracking down those he knew to be reliable in providing horses, carriages, and supplies without asking too many questions. He was not in the mood to subject himself to the fussing of Okina and Shirotome over the fitting of a kimono and attempting to explain to them why it was not very important what type of sash he had on over the kimono.
Okina obstinately refused to let him dismiss the matter. "I don't care if there is no marriage ceremony or not. You'll still have to look the part. I've already sent out word to the clansmen to expect a certain groom and bride to show up. And unless you want to tell them everything about how this was all a scheme to get your "bride" out of Tokyo, you better look like a proper groom."
"In the end, when she is safely in Kyoto and the danger over, any lapses can be explained."
"Then consider it a matter of personal pride," Okina placed a heavy hand on Aoshi's shoulder. "Madame Kata's work will be exceptional. I do not want her to think the Oniwaban efforts will be only half of hers. In the old days we went all out-"
Shirotome coughed politely, trying to find a more appropriate way to put the matter to Aoshi. "In the old days, a wedding of any of the Edo guard would be an event. And a wedding of the Captain of the Guard would be a major event."
Aoshi narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he finished putting on the ceremonial kimono. "What are you trying to say?"
Okina and Shirotome exchanged glances.
Shirotome bowed apologetically. "As we said, your clansmen expect a bride and groom. And it appears that some of their own volition, besides the two men who are with Shoji, have decided to ensure your passage out of Tokyo for themselves."
"You will not see all of them," Okina added. "But they will see you and your bride. Therefore, you must take this marriage ceremony more seriously."
"I had no intention of having a ceremony, or to allow it to occur in its entirety."
Okina gave him a wily smile. "But now you must."
"Absolutely-" Shirotome added.
Aoshi frowned. "And complicate things even further?"
"Come now, Aoshi. It is only complicated in that as far as the woman is concerned, she hasn't quite agreed to a real marriage but I'm sure with time you could persuade her otherwise. But with your former clansmen present, you realize that you must see this through."
"The ceremony can proceed." Aoshi gave Okina a severe look, "But when all is said and done and we are certain that the danger has passed, you will personally inform all of them of the deception and personally apologize to Keiki as well as Megumi."
Okina bowed a little bit too readily. "Of course."
Shirotome glanced at his pocketwatch. "If you are going to be the first at Zojoji Temple, you should leave in the next half hour."
"Understood." Aoshi handed Shirotome a map. "Meet the carriage around the side of the temple and make sure to leave the bag you'll find in the next room inside it. The carriage should wait on a secluded part of the road that runs behind the temple. From there we will go south."
"And what of me?" Okina was rubbing his chin. "What am I to do?"
"You will come with me."
"Really?"
"A wedding is not a wedding without some family present."
"Of course not!" Okina's face lit up. "It would be odd if I weren't there to see you get married and be there to join in all the action."
Aoshi gave him a warning look, "Just keep in mind that even if Keiki was formerly Oniwaban, he'll throw out anyone who behaves badly."
"Me, behave badly?" Okina looked offended. "Now whatever gave you that idea?"
.
.
.
She walked softly out of her room - followed by the young girls who had attended to her this morning.
None, save the woman who managed them, knew the real reason why they had to rise early this morning and toil over her appearance. Madame Kata had simply uttered the words "elopement," and more than the necessary number of helpers had shown up to tend to her kimono and her hair. That she had said little throughout the entire process made her even more of a romantic figure in their eyes. They mistook her silence for daydreaming, but deep inside, the true reason for it was her anxiety for the day ahead.
"Kata-san," she bowed her head slightly as she approached the woman.
Madame Kata walked around her to inspect their handiwork. As she stepped over to adjust the hood over her face, Madame Kata frowned. "There is one thing missing--"
Megumi sensed the worry coming from the younger women. "They have done everything that you asked for, Madame Kata."
"That they have," she waved her fingers, dismissing her girls for the moment. After they had left the room, Madame's look was more openly critical. "They have much experience with dressing their fellow sisters for such an occasion. The deficiency is not in terms of your outward appearance, Miss Megumi, but in your eyes."
Megumi raised her eyes to Madame Kata's, puzzled.
"In all my years, I have tended to many soon-to-be brides. Some are nervous. Others are ecstatically happy - but they all are thinking about the same thing. And do you know what that is?"
"I would have no idea," Megumi answered. "It is not an experience that I have shared in."
Madame Kata paused, seeking something to better explain herself. "Before he left last night, Aoshi Shinomori gave you a gift, did he not?"
Megumi's eyes widened. "Yes, but I had kept it hidden."
"My dear," the Madame smiled. "When you bathed this morning, my girls saw it and questioned it. My girls are superstitious when it comes to these sorts of things. If anything, he should have given you something far more appropriate for a bride. Knives are bad luck-"
"I know." Megumi's mouth turned up slightly, indicating her amusement. "Considering that there is no real wedding I don't think they need to worry."
"That is not the point-" Madame shook her head. "Do you know what I told those girls? Superstitions aside, I told them that you had no knife when you came. So it was clear to me that when he came last night, he had given it to you. They found that a little odd, but when they asked why, I responded that he had given it to you to use in his absence. Even if he couldn't be with you to protect you, his intent was that somehow some form of his presence would be watching over you."
"I don't understand-"
"They did." Madame Kata sighed her impatience. "And that is why they worked even harder this morning to help you prepare for today. Although they do not know you, it gave them happiness to help send a woman to that sort of man."
"That sort of man?"
"Exactly my point, Miss Megumi." Madame Kata's expression was slightly amused. "They spent more time thinking about him, that knife, and what he was supposed to be to you the bride than you have yourself. Instead, your eyes reflect that you are worrying over what is to come on the journey after you leave the temple. Your thoughts of the future blind you to your present moment." She gave Megumi a very careful look. "If I or any of my girls were in your position now as a bride, waiting for the ceremony, our minds would be on that person who waited for us. If you can not understand any of this, then at least consider this: He is the man you have and are to put your faith in. Let that faith be the last item that completes your disguise as a bride and set your eyes on him for the present. Understand?"
Megumi thought for a moment, and considered her words. Likely, Kata-san referred only to the fact that Aoshi Shinomori was a man who had yet to fail her and that her anxieties for what was to come was affecting her demeanor. But there was another level to those words which she found herself a bit shy to acknowledge. Regardless, she understood now what Madame Kata wanted from her. She lifted her eyes and gazed evenly at Madame Kata.
"Good," Madame Kata approved the change she saw in Megumi's face. "Now, we may leave."
As they started moving through the outside gate, Megumi remembered Aoshi's instructions to her from the night before. She paused as she regarded the tree near the gate, earning a curious look from Madame Kata. "What is it, my child?"
"Nothing," she smiled mysteriously. "I was just wondering if the trees in Kyoto would be blooming early this year. I heard that Kyoto was beautiful in the spring."
Madame Kata smiled as they continued out and down the stone steps to the street. "Perhaps it will be."
.
.
.
As Megumi and Madame Kata stepped into the carriage amidst all the noise and well-wishes from the women who had attended to her, she was dimly aware that it was Shoji who drove the carriage and who helped them get out as they arrived at the temple.
She was grateful for Madame Kata's presence next to her as she walked through the gate. It was Madame's feet that she followed while her eyes focused on the ground. It was her presence that also reminded her that there were certain behaviors and actions that were demanded of her as she entered here as a bride -- including maintaining an outwardly quiet and modest demeanor and suppressing the desire to talk.
Dutifully she had put out thoughts of how everything could go wrong out of her mind. But now as she walked inside the grounds of the temple, she felt a new, unexplainable sense of nervousness.
It was Madame Kata who guided her through the appropriate steps, taking her first to the main temple to ask for her customary blessing before taking her further in the grounds.
As Megumi walked further down the lightly wooded path, she was aware of the slight bows and greetings that the passing monks and other well-wishers made to her as a bride.
Megumi stopped when Madame Kata suddenly turned her head back to whisper to her. "They're waiting for you there in that grove ahead. If you wish to take a look now, you may do so."
Megumi, with her head still down, raised her eyes slightly. The trees provided her some cover, which would allow her to break tradition and lift her head to look. Her face softened slightly at the sight. From under her hood, she could see Okina fidgeting nervously in his formal kimono. Several steps further back, she could see Aoshi in deep conversation with a monk.
He stood tall and impressive in his dark kimono. But it was his air of quiet assurance that lent him a special quality. Madame Kata saw it as well, and she could see the older woman's head nodding slightly in approval. Megumi was glad -- at the very least, Kata-san could return to her girls tonight and say without any hesitation that the man their "sister- bride" was to wed, did in fact make a very handsome groom.
She quickly lowered her eyes again as soon as Okina spotted them and began following Madame towards the shrine.
She felt Aoshi fall in step with her, and together they followed the monk all the way into the shrine. Madame Kata and Okina paused close to the entrance, watching and waiting as first Aoshi, then Megumi, each made their separate offerings.
He was utter seriousness as he undertook each of the things asked by the monk and repeated the chants and sutras obediently. She was unfamiliar with these customs, not having any Buddhist leanings in her upbringing, but did what was asked and instructed. But even if she had been familiar, she would still be too overwhelmed by her reaction to what was occurring.
When the monk had concluded their dialogue, she looked up at Aoshi for further instruction. He shook his head and instead directed her towards Madame Kata and Okina who, as they led her outside, were more than happy to offer loud and exuberant congratulations. Okina alternated between laughing and crying over the 'happy occasion', which if she had been allowed to she would have stopped immediately with a good solid thump to his back.
"Come, wife." Aoshi was far too aware of her temper to allow such a thing to happen. He took her arm and began to lead her away. "We must make an additional offering now."
"Yes, husband," she replied as meekly as she could, but not before she had shot a glare at Okina as he choked back tears of mirth at the way they addressed one another.
She followed as best as she could in her sandals as Aoshi and the monk moved into more deeply wooded areas. When they reached the next shrine, she observed Aoshi lay another small offering at its pedestal.
The monk bowed his head and murmured a few sutras as well. "May these offerings lend the Okashira a safe journey."
Aoshi nodded solemnly and then bowed formally to the monk. The monk in turn bowed deeper, and then with a nod to her, disappeared back in the direction from which they came.
She swallowed her surprise. "Was he a clansman?"
He nodded. "But that is a story for some other time. Can you walk quickly?"
She shook her head. "The kimono is too heavy and my sandals are not suitable for walking."
"Then, please forgive me," he stated before picking her up. "I know you hate this but we have much ground to cover."
"My hood," she hissed as she found her torso and head dangling over his back. "It'll fall if you don't let me fix it first."
He gave her a second to grab it before he began to move quickly through the trees. She did not close her eyes as she did the last time he had carried her this way. This time they were not jumping out of windows. She was not exactly comfortable with watching the world move sideways, but she focused on something else - like the certainty in his movements as he continued winding through many trees.
She closed her eyes briefly when he took a sudden leap over a large wall and opened them again after they had landed in soft mud.
"Do you still have that hood?"His voice was quiet, as if he meant to be serious, but instinctively she knew his question was meant to be a joke.
"Of course," she retorted. "I mean to return it to Madame Kata someday, you know."
"We have just a little bit more to go." He placed her on the ground next to a small boat to look around. He began removing the ornamental sash and other decorative items that had made his own kimono somewhat clumsy and then placed them on a large cloth that he had produced from somewhere within the folds of his kimono. He gathered the ends of the cloth and handed it to her. "If you will keep these safe with your hood, these too I mean to return to their proper owner."
"My husband is already making his wife clean after him," she sniffed still somewhat irritated by the manner in which he had carried her the last five minutes. The word husband she had said sarcastically, but even so, she was pragmatic enough to do as he said. She wrapped her hood and his things in the light cloth and tied it together.
"My wife is already forgetting the vows she uttered less than half of an hour ago as well."
She frowned, wondering how long they would persist in using these silly formal titles. "Aoshi-"
"My wife," he repeated a little bit more emphatically, "forgets that we have to be careful now. My friends can not follow us once we leave here and we will not see any more of them for another day or so."
She was confused by the strictness and formality of his statement, until she realized that he wasn't speaking at her at all. Still, she found herself clutching his arm when two figures leaped to the ground in front of them.
"Okashira," the two men bowed deeply. "Our apologies. We do not mean to shadow you, but when we heard about you and your bride, we wanted to make sure that nothing happened to you. The way ahead is clear. Shoji waits by the old road."
Megumi's eyes opened as she realized that these two men were also Oniwaban. She stared at Aoshi as his voice took on a more authoritative cast. "My lady and I give thanks. You are now relieved of your duties. "
"Okashira," the younger of the two men spoke up. Megumi could see that he was reluctant to leave. "We would go with you if you would allow us to. Your lady is not a fighter--"
"Yachi," Aoshi's voice was stern. "That is enough. I ask you to stop, not as your former Okashira, but as a person who wishes to carry on the task of protecting his wife alone. It is my duty as her husband, just as it is your duty to tend to your own family now."
"As you wish," the two men bowed to them both somewhat reluctantly and then disappeared.
Megumi stood there in stunned silence, wondering at their presence. "Have they been following us the whole time?"
He took the bundle under one arm, and with his other hand led her along the rocks that followed a small creek. "Even before. They were here at the temple shortly after I arrived this morning, along with the others."
"The others?" Megumi's eyes opened wide. "I didn't see any others."
"That is what they wished. There were far more than those two. Okina's message for assistance it appears was answered overwhelmingly with their presence."
He helped her across a large rock and kept walking watchfully.
Aware that he still clasped her hand tightly, she wondered. "Are we in that much danger?"
"No." Aoshi answered. "I already checked the grounds this morning, long before they had arrived. But I could not send them away, as in truth, I no longer really command them."
"But they called you 'Okashira.'"
"It is a memory of the past," he stated. "We disbanded most of the Oniwaban long ago. It is only the remnants that you met previously." He pushed aside some branches for her. "However, you will meet more of these former clansmen and women before we reach Kyoto."
"Tonight?"
"No," he smiled for a moment at the unbridled curiosity in her voice. "Tonight we do not trouble the Oniwaban. Okina thinks it best to leave those closest to Tokyo alone."
As he led her out of the dense trees onto the road, she was relieved to see the waiting carriage with Shoji sitting on top at the driver's seat. Shoji nodded at her before leaping down to hand something to Aoshi.
"My father said this was to be given to you. It came after you left this morning. He urged you to read it."
Megumi took the bundle from Aoshi, and looked at him anxiously as he scanned the note. He looked back at Shoji. "Did your father say who delivered it?"
"An inspector acquaintance of yours," Shoji frowned. "That is all he would say."
"This doesn't change anything," Aoshi nodded to Shoji. "We proceed south as planned." He opened the door to the carriage and helped her inside. As soon as she had been seated, the carriage started with a jolt and began to move along the road.
Aoshi was examining the letter again, his mouth set into a hard line.
"Did Saitou have bad news?"
His face was unreadable. "It seems that a certain drug dealer was being taken to Kyoto as well-"
"My guard-"
"Yes," he closed his eyes in thought. "It seems that Sagara, Cho and another Juppongatana member are accompanying him."
She thought briefly of the man who she had heard been left for dead shortly after she last saw him. "I'm glad that he's also leaving Tokyo."
"And yet, we all move now towards Kyoto."
His tone of voice was a bit strange. "Perhaps since it's far from Tokyo it'll be safer."
"The distance is only a small matter. Kyoto is convenient only in that I can protect you better from there. Once it's discovered that you are not in Tokyo, then whoever the enemy is that Saitou seeks will look much further and it will only be a matter of time before his attention will turn to Kyoto."
"So they will come to Kyoto."
"I think that is Saitou's intention. To first frustrate the enemy and then draw him out to Kyoto."
Her thoughts turned to the Aoiya. "We must hurry then. Should we try to take a boat to Osaka?"
"We can not do too much," he sighed as he handed over the letter.
Megumi glanced at the terse note, and saw the warning to keep hidden.
He looked out the window. "We can not take a train to Kyoto or a boat to Osaka. But that much I had already known. Both methods are crowded and unsecured means of travel. And in terms of logistics, they are difficult places to defend one's position from. Once on a boat, we can not get off it. On a train, we can not control the people coming on and off and who sees you and when. If anything, traveling on horseback and through the old roads allows more opportunity to hide and to change routes. "
"Isn't there some other way to warn the Aoiya?"
"Shirotome has also read this note. By now, he will have sent a warning message via telegraph or some other means. Okina will likely have to return to Kyoto as well, although via a different route." He paused, frowning slightly. "It appears that Misao will have to lead the preparations until one of us arrives."
Megumi felt their positions reversed as she tried to reassure him. "She's not alone - Okon, Omasu, Shiro, Kuro, with Cho and Sano- that makes seven fighters." She worried as he closed his eyes, wondering if it meant he thought it not to be enough. But when he suddenly opened them again, she sat back somewhat curious as to the reason for the sudden glint that had appeared in his eyes.
"It won't be seven-" he crossed his arms over his shoulders in a way that might be construed to be smug. "Soujiro Seta is still there. And there was one Juppongatana member which Saitou mentioned that accompanied your guard."
"Nine-" she counted the additional names. "-- A good number."
"Twenty-nine," he corrected her.
"Twenty-nine?"
"A good number of the clan is in or near Kyoto. After Okina and the Aoiya were attacked, they began to come to the Aoiya. When I left Kyoto, there were still more reported to be on their way. Then there will also be those Oniwaban we will encounter along our own journey to Kyoto."
She did not miss the look of anticipation that flashed briefly across his face as he continued to look out the window. She guessed that he was lost in thought - perhaps over the shape and form of some fight to come.
Megumi looked down at the cloth bundle in her lap that contained the remnants of today's ceremony and suddenly wondered if he had suspected all along that this, in fact, might occur. Was this perhaps the true reason he had been willing to suddenly return to Kyoto with her? Was this part of the reason he had also chosen this route and decided to seek out former Oniwaban?
She frowned, and then quietly moved the cloth bundle aside.
=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++=++++++
Slight revision to some dialogue and interactions here for those rereading. These last few developments in this part were not on my outline, which strictly adheres to 50 parts. We'll see what happens.
Re Aoshi: I finally saw the critical Aoshi returns to sanity episode (Kyoto arc) last week, and can't understand after seeing this episode why people still think of Aoshi as a flat character. He says little, but conveys a lot about the man he used to be. Kenshin sees it and that is why he is willing to fight Aoshi at the end.
In terms of the Oniwaban, my concept that many former Oniwaban exist is based on some of the comments from the first season. It is implied by Aoshi's men that the other Oniwaban in the new era managed to find something else, but these remaining four only knew how to fight. That there were many former Oniwaban comes from a little tiny snippet in the anime and manga that shows 16 year old Aoshi with tons of onmitsu /ninja around him. Those who left at the advent of the Meiji would be similar to the Tokyo Oniwaban in their great affinity for their leader.
Aoshi always strikes me as a true warrior. Kaden suggests to me that he's never given up his onmitsu ways in entirety either. And now look what he's thinking and doing.
* Edo Castle was turned over and many buildings demolished in the 1870s. But some buildings and bridges stand today, as do the East Gardens. The temple that this likely refers to is the Zojoji temple , which was a Buddhist temple favored by the Tokugawa family. But I do not know the grounds outside or Shiba Park which is near by. Zojoji was the largest Buddhist temple prior to the Meiji and apparently trained thousands of monks. But I have no idea the depth of which the temple grounds extended back then.
*Megumi's experience. in a society that values modesty, the bride must maintain a demure disposition throughout a ceremony like this. I guess Megumi sort of spaced on the whole thing . Actually most of my friends who got married don't remember a lot of it until they see the pictures later. The temple is a real one and is Buddhist. So while most Japanese weddings are based off a Shinto tradition, I left his one vaguely more Buddhist.
*You guys said your heads were hurting, so Saitou sends a note to help you the readers in case you missed what he said in part 42 about needing Kurisawa to get at some corrupt elements within the government. ^_^
*Too many author notes, so I'm just leaving out all the shout-outs this time and sticking to questions or things I just *had* to say something about. Kenni - new reviewer -writing is like most other disciplines in my opinion. The keys to improving are expanding your vocabulary by reading a variety of things, practicing your writing and questioning a lot of stuff.
I blog a lot. I force myself to try to not write about what I did, but things I saw that day or felt. It's good practice. Oh and one last thing - I make sure I love my characters to begin with, otherwise it really doesn't turn out well. Jieli - Similar and alike yes, but related no no no no no! Leila - No kissage. Or not yet. See my comments about *noble* above. Add to that *distracted*
