A/N: Shameless plug, but I've updated another fic of mine…

Part 9: Path

Day 13: Tuesday

            After knocking on the door, Aoshi waited patiently. Maybe it was the Christmas spirit. He was feeling far too generous about all of this. He blew out a breath. Or maybe he just liked doing this. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed doing research and investigation. Commander Saitou had sent him home early, since nearly no one showed up at the base. Aoshi had immediately gone to this house, in full khaki uniform, as soon as he wrapped things up at work.

            The door opened, revealing a woman about twenty years his senior, with blonde hair pulled into a bun, a T-shirt, and leggings. Her dark eyes widened at the sight of him.

            Aoshi removed his cap. "I'm looking for Kaishou Higashidani."

            She studied him for a moment before allowing him to step inside.

            "I'm Sharon…his daughter-in-law," she spoke up as he moved to stand in the center of the living room. "Commander, and you are…?"

            He shook her offered hand, smiling slightly. "I see you're familiar with Navy ranking."

            "Well, when your father spends his entire life in the service, you remember those types of things…" she responded with a wry smile.

            "True. I was raised by a Navy man as well. Aoshi Shinomori," he introduced himself.

            "Just a minute, Commander Shinomori…I'll be right back."

            Aoshi's trained eyes assessed the living room of the small, but nicely furnished home on the northern shore of Oahu. A worn brown sofa took up the space in the living room, complimented by a dark wooden coffee table. Several pictures lined the wall, some of Sharon and… Kashishimoemon Higashidani. Based on what he had found out yesterday and early this morning…Sanosuke's father and his mother had him while she was very young. For whatever reason, they separated and Sanosuke's father had remarried years after, to a Sharon Weinmann…the woman who had greeted him at the door. Sanosuke's father had died one year ago in a car accident…and he rested in a place not far from Pearl Harbor where many veterans did.

            An elder man stopped in the doorway, studying him. He wore a light sweater and blue cotton pants with white slippers.

            "Kaishou Higashidani?" Aoshi prompted. At the man's curt nod, he continued, "I'm Lt. Commander Shinomori from Naval Intelligence."

            "My daughter-in-law mentioned you to me…" They shook hands. "Sit." He gestured to the sofa before moving to his recliner. "What can I do for you, Commander?"   

            Aoshi waited until the other man settled into the reclining chair before he sat on the sofa. "To be honest…you're the one who might be able to help me."

            "Dad, here's the tea," Sharon announced as she came into the living room with a tray in hand.

            Aoshi rose to assist her, setting the tray onto the coffee table.

            "I hope you don't mind green tea, Commander," Sharon spoke up as she poured steaming hot liquid into several cups.

            After accepting the cup from Sharon, Kaishou sipped his tea thoughtfully. "Commander, if I may ask…are you American born?"

            Aoshi paused in drinking his tea. "I was born in Pearl Harbor, yes."

            "Hmm." Kaishou set his drink on the table while Sharon sat on a chair opposite him, which placed Aoshi on the couch, in the middle. "So what does someone from Naval Intelligence want to know? I doubt I can offer you any valuable information."

            "Actually, I came to ask on behalf of Sanosuke Sagara," Aoshi responded casually, before drinking his tea, gauging the man's reaction.

            The elder was good. Aoshi barely detected the horror that reflected in the man's dark eyes.

            "Sharon…could you please make some of those sugar cookies you always make?" Kaishou spoke up.

            "Of course."

            If the woman detected anything, she didn't show it. She immediately headed to the kitchen.

            Kaishou's eyes hardened once she disappeared. "Is this a joke?"

            "No," Aoshi reassured calmly. "So you know this person."

            Kaishou looked away. "Sanosuke…was the name of my first grandson. Sagara…was the name of the proprietor who owned the orphanage where I left him."

            "So you know why I'm here, then." Aoshi swirled the tea in his cup, occasionally glancing between his drink and his host.

            "How do you know Sanosuke?" Kaishou demanded.

            "That doesn't matter. I need to find out why he grew up at the Sagara Foundation and not in the care of his parents," Aoshi said calmly.

            Silence echoed in the room for a few moments. Kaishou blew out a breath. "Sharon doesn't know…about him. No one…does…Why…Why do you want to know?"

            "Because he's asking," Aoshi said simply.

            "I thought for sure that he'd never ask…after all these years…I just assumed that he didn't care to know the answers…" Kaishou muttered, bowing his head. Many long moments passed before he spoke up again. "My son… Kashishimoemon…was a Navy pilot. Very successful. He…was the best in his class. He fought so hard to succeed. When he came back after flight school…he met this girl…she was just starting college…and they couldn't stay away from each other…"

            Aoshi remained quiet as Kaishou told his tale in broken tones…a story of a father who had big dreams for his son, and refused to let anything get in his way. Including the one young woman his son loved above anything else. Kaishou explained how he and Sanosuke's other grandfather conspired to drive the two apart by letting them believe that their relationship was unstable…that they were being deceived by the one they loved…

            "You let your son think that the woman who had his child took Sanosuke and ran away?" Aoshi asked for clarification during the story.

            The old man's eyes reflected regret and sorrow as he nodded. "Naname's father…let her think that my son took Sanosuke away…" He gulped. "Naname was so young…her father wouldn't let her throw her life away…and I wouldn't let my son be with someone so young…" He looked away. "Our children never spoke after that. Naname's father, Senichi, and I…left Sanosuke at the Sagara Foundation in Honolulu. He was just a year old. I…I just wanted my son to be successful…"

            "And what about your grandson?" Aoshi queried. "He grew up never knowing about his family."

            The older man looked at his feet. "How…How is he?"

            Aoshi reached into the breast pocket of his uniform. "He's doing well." He pulled out a printed photograph of Sanosuke, handing it to Kaishou. "He's an aviation maintenance mate for the US Navy. It would seem that a love for aircraft is in his blood."

            Kaishou hesitantly accepted the photograph. He could barely hold back his emotions as he stared at the picture, evidence of what he had taken away from his son…and perhaps himself. "He…He looks just like his father. The likeness…is incredible…" he muttered, studying the photograph for a few minutes before handing it back. "So…how do you know him?"

            "He's an old friend of someone…very close to me," Aoshi admitted. But it was the truth. He did consider Megumi someone very close to him. One of the few. But did that mean that he was ready to have her back in his life? Did he really want to worry that she might not stay as long as he wanted?

            "I see…" Kaishou's voice interrupted his thoughts.

            "Would you be interested in meeting him?" Aoshi asked.

            Kaishou looked at him in shock. Aoshi could almost see the agreement in his eyes. Suddenly, he shook his head. "Not…now. The timing…and…our family situation now…" he glanced in the direction of the kitchen. "My son was the only man Sharon ever cared for. She knows that she wasn't the first woman in his life. But it would tear her apart…what little family I have left apart…if they knew that he had a child…and that I took him away…"

            Aoshi narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed as if the old man had been keeping this particular secret for a long, long time. And he was planning to take it with him until he died.

            "Please understand, Commander-"

           Aoshi held up his hand. "It's all right. You have your reasons." He held out a white business card with the Navy logo, his name, title, and information embossed in dark blue. "Should you change your mind…contact me."

            "Thank…you…" Kaishou accepted it, seeing that it was time for Aoshi to leave.

            "Thank your daughter-in-law for being a good hostess," Aoshi rose to his feet.

            "I will." He moved slightly to get up from his chair, but stopped once Aoshi signaled him not to.

            "It's all right, I can let myself out." He took several steps towards the door.

            "Commander," Kaishou spoke up again.

            Aoshi turned slightly.

            "I'm not sure if having a family would have changed his life since he obviously seems to be successful…but…I am sorry."

            "I think he would prefer to hear it from you," Aoshi replied. "Thank you for your time."

            Sharon entered the living room with a plate of cookies, her blue eyes widening at the sight of her father-in-law standing at the window.

            "Where is Commander Shinomori?" she asked.

            "He had to leave."

            "If you don't mind me asking…what was he here for?"

            "Some unfinished business…"

            Sharon sighed, setting the tray down and turning to look at the decorated Christmas tree that stood in the corner of the room. Her eyes then turned to the photographs on the wall…photographs of her, her husband, and their children.

            "Are you all right?" Kaishou asked.

            She nodded. "I just miss him…that's all…" She sighed again. "Christmas was his favorite holiday. We had a wonderful life together. I know that it wasn't perfect…but I don't regret any of it…" Her blue eyes turned to her father-in-law, to see his eyes glistening. "Dad? What…?"

            He looked away.

            "Dad?" she prompted. "What is it?"

            "I…I'm sorry…"

            "It's all right…what's wrong?" she moved forward, placing a hand on his shoulder.

            "Sharon…there's…something…I have to tell you. About…my son…about me…I…I tried to keep our past away…but it came back…and…" he took several deep breaths.

            Understanding dawned in her eyes. "Dad…what was that naval officer doing in here?"

            "He…He knows something that…that…your husband and I…kept inside…for so long…I…I only hope that you won't hate either of us after I tell you…"

            A million scenarios raced through her mind. That her husband had a secret identity. That he was wanted for treason. Anything. But as her father-in-law told the story about a life her husband had before he met her…she felt all the strength in her legs leave her. She sank to the floor, shocked at the secret that had been hidden from her for years.

            The woman in her wondered how her husband could keep something like this. But the mother in her was curious about the young man who had been alienated from his parents…

            "Aoshi." Kenshin smiled in greeting as he opened his apartment door. "Come in."

            "I don't mean to impose…" Aoshi stepped inside as his host moved back. As soon as he left the Higashidani residence, he had made his way from the northern shore back towards Honolulu.

            "Kaoru and Sano went to do some last minute Christmas shopping. They should be back soon," Kenshin informed. "It's a good thing you called when you did. They had called just before you and told me that they were on their way here." He closed the door. "Please, sit. Can I get you anything to drink?"

            "I'm fine," Aoshi assured. He surveyed the living room, noting the Christmas tree decorated with snowflake ornaments, presents piled at the bottom.

            "You're here to see Sano, right?" Kenshin pressed.

            Nodding, Aoshi moved to the sofa, leaning back, one arm propped on the armrest.

            "I hope me directing him to you didn't cause any friction," Kenshin spoke up.

            "Now why would you think that?" Aoshi inquired.

            Smiling sheepishly, the other man continued, "I'm sure you have things to do, as well. With Christmas in a few days, no doubt some ships are coming in for the holidays."

            "True. But official work doesn't begin until after the New Year," Aoshi replied. Then with a ghost of a smile, he added, "I would think you'd remember that the harbor doesn't open until after the holidays."

            The other man laughed. "It has been a while…"

            A key jiggling in a lock immediately followed his comment.

            "It's a damn zoo out there," Sanosuke exclaimed as Kaoru opened the door, their hands full of bags.

            "Well, if you had done your shopping earlier-" Kaoru responded, only to be cut off.

            "Oh, shit," Sanosuke caught sight of Aoshi.

            Kenshin coughed. "Uh…welcome back, you two…"

            "Kaoru, where do you want…?" Megumi came in, her hands full of grocery bags, immediately noticing the silence in the room…and the unexpected guest. She cleared her throat. "I'll put these in the kitchen."

            Aoshi watched as she moved across the living room. When she disappeared, he looked away.

            "Well…that was awkward," Sanosuke spoke up. He turned to Aoshi. "I guess you're here because you found out something about my parents."

            "Yes, I did."

            "Where the hell is Rex?" Misao glanced at her watch as she, Stella, and Danielle settled in their seats at the fifties' style diner in downtown Honolulu.

            "Probably stuck in downtown traffic," Danielle buried her face in her menu. "By the way…are you two going steady yet?"

            Misao propped her chin in her fists. "We just started last week."

            "Geez, Misao…you take forever to get a boyfriend," Stella shook her head.

            "Hey, I waited a month and a half. That's not long," Misao replied. "Besides…he goes to a different school. Not like I see him every day…And at least he's worth it. I'm not gonna exclusively date the first guy who shows interest in me."

            "Other girls should be picky like you," Danielle commented. "By the way…they're already talking about you at school."

            "Oh no…"

            "Yeah. Most people think it's cool, though. Some of the girls want you to introduce them to Rex's friends. The guys at Kamehameha are legendary…" Danielle continued, laughing.

            "They're not stupid, that's all…" 

            "So how does Aoshi like him?" Stella asked.

            Misao rolled his eyes. "A couple weeks ago he told Jiya 'Misao started dating. He's a nice guy, but I want to break his neck.' Real encouraging…"

            Danielle laughed. "He's just looking out for you…"

            Misao shrugged. She and Rex had taken things slowly ever since their first 'date'. She wasn't one to rush into relationships, and neither was he.

            "You remember on our first date, Aoshi and Megs spied on us?" Misao piped up.

            Stella laughed. "I remember that…"

            "Well, more like Aoshi wanted to spy and Megs tagged along to prevent him from causing a scene. I think she thought the whole thing was funny." Misao smiled, shaking her head. "He was good, though, I didn't even know they were there. I didn't find out until after. Megs had made Aoshi promise to tell me what he did. He acted like it was the most natural thing in the world."

            "That's your guardian for you," Danielle grinned. "He isn't like anyone else." Her smile grew as she looked in the direction of the entrance. "And speaking of unique guys…"

            The three girls looked to see Rex survey the scene before catching sight of them. He waved, walking over to them.

            "Hey, girls," he greeted Danielle and Stella with high-fives and Misao with a brief hug.

            "Hey, yourself," Misao responded.

            "Did I miss anything?" Rex reached for a menu.

            "Not really," Danielle added. She leaned forward. "So…with college applications being sent out last month…have you gotten any word back yet on where you planning to go?"

            "Yeah. I'm just gonna go to community college…then do the guaranteed transfer thing…" Rex answered.

            "That sounds like a plan…"

            "You…found my parents?" Sanosuke asked.

            "You could say that," Aoshi held out a piece of paper. "Your…father…passed away not too long ago. This is the memorial where he can be found. Your…mother…is in Kona. She hasn't left the Big Island since you were born."

            Sanosuke took the piece of paper…staring at Aoshi's precise handwriting. "Wow…I…I can't…believe…" he looked back at the other man. "How did you…How did you do all of this…so…fast?"

            "I have my ways," Aoshi shrugged. His eyes darkened slightly. "Sagara…for whatever reason…your parents never made a point to contact you…"

            Sano frowned. "What's your point?"

            "Just that there must be some reason on why. You may not like the answers, so it's something to keep in mind."

            "Do you know something I don't?" Sanosuke's frown deepened.

            Aoshi sighed. "It's easy to find answers if one knows where to look."

            "Wait a minute-"

            "Anything you need to know…might be best coming from your mother," Aoshi responded.

            "Thanks…a lot. I…don't really know what to say that can-"

            "You're welcome." Aoshi glanced in the direction of the kitchen. He caught Sano looking at him with a knowing grin.

            "I'll be right back…" Sanosuke immediately left, disappearing into one of the bedrooms.

            The host and hostess were nowhere to be found, while Megumi was in the kitchen, washing dishes to help prepare for dinner. As soon as she rinsed a plate and stretched out her arm to place it on the rack, Aoshi grasped the plate and began to wipe it dry with a towel.

            She stared at him for a few moments before rinsing another piece of kitchenware.

            "Do you remember the last time we did this?" Aoshi began.

            "We weren't even dating then," Megumi responded. "I remember. You thought I was a homewrecker."

            He grew quiet as she handed him a fork. Until… "I was wrong back then. And…I…can be wrong about a lot of things."

            Megumi turned off the faucet and moved away. Aoshi reached out to grasp her wrist.

            "Wait."

            She turned to face him. When her eyes met his, they were slightly guarded. "Aoshi...I…Now isn't the time for this," Megumi said softly before turning away.

            He let her go.  

            "Thanks, fox-lady," Sanosuke spoke up as Megumi pulled over to the memorial park where his father lay resting. "For doing this. I know…you don't have to…but…"   

            She smiled in response, squeezing his hand. "Do you want me to go with you?"

            "Nah…I should go by myself…" he opened his car door. "Do you mind waiting here?"

            "Not at all."

            "You're the best."

            It took a while, but after searching every row, he was able to find what he was looking for. A simple marker with the name Kashishimoemon Higashidani on it, including dates.

            Dusk had fallen, and as the sun slowly dipped beneath the horizon, the sky was cast with various colors. Sanosuke placed his hands in his pockets, staring at the stone for what seemed to be the longest time. There were so many things he wanted to ask…so many things he wanted to say…but all of it would be unanswered.

            What had happened to him when he was younger? Why was he given away? What had happened to his parents?

            "Hey," Sanosuke spoke up, cringing at the sound of his voice. "This…sounds…really stupid…but…it's…good to see you. At least…good to know where you are. I didn't really know that you had been around, to begin with." Pause. "There's so much I want to ask…I feel…like asking one parent won't be enough…" He took a deep breath. "I…found out that you were in the Navy. Guess it runs in the family or something, huh?" He coughed. "I…I…really wish I had the chance to meet you. Even if…just once…"

            Startled, he looked up as thin needles of rain began to fall on Oahu.

            "Damn…I haven't been standing in tropical rain in a long time…" Uncaring that his jeans and white collared shirt were slowly getting soaked, Sano smiled slightly. "I've really missed this place…"

            "Excuse me…" a feminine voice spoke from behind him.

            He turned around to see a woman with dark hair and hazel eyes. She appeared to be in her late forties, and she wore a long dress with a sweater wrapped around her trim figure. Her dark hair was cut short around her chin. An umbrella was clutched in one hand while a purse was slung over her shoulder. When their eyes met, she gasped.

            "You…you look just like him…"

            What?

            "Kashishimoemon…"

            Sanosuke swallowed. "You…You knew…my father?"

            She opened her purse, carefully pulling out a photograph, holding it out to him. He held it underneath the umbrella's protection, scanning the six faces in the photograph. Some he could recognize as naval officers, but the others appeared to be civilians. She pointed to one of the faces in the photograph. It seemed as if he was looking into a mirror.

            When he looked at her, she had a rueful smile on her face. "Something…compelled me to come here. I'm…not from around here…but I had to come to the place where the man I owe my life to was buried…" she said reverently, gazing at him steadily. "I thought that I could find a place for this…" Opening her palm, she held a gold pin in the shape of wings.

            "Aviator wings," Sanosuke whispered. "My…My father…was a Navy pilot?"

            "Where's Okina?" Aoshi asked as he placed several grocery bags onto the kitchen counter.

            Misao looked up from reading her magazine and snacking on apples. "Oh…he's at the Royal Hawaiian…helping Auntie Kyoko and Yuki with party favors."

            Aoshi frowned. "Why is he doing that?"

            Misao shrugged. "I don't know…maybe he has nothing else to do…" She got up and moved to help put his items away. "Or maybe he's checking out women there. There are a lot of women who work at that hotel. You are going to the party tomorrow, right?"

            "I'm not sure," he answered honestly.

            "Aoshi, I'm going to be dancing there. You never miss when I dance," Misao tugged at his arm.

            Her guardian shrugged, a brief smile on his face. "Then I guess I can't miss this one, then."

            "I…knew that he had a son…but I didn't know that you never grew up with him…"

            Megumi glanced at Sanosuke, whose eyes were intently focused on the woman sitting across from them at the booth of the restaurant they had taken her to. The woman, who she had met less than twenty minutes earlier, had introduced herself as Joanna Gold.

            Joanna stirred her tea slightly.

            "So…you said that you were with a traveling band when you met my father," Sanosuke spoke up.

            Megumi had discovered that Sanosuke had held himself with restraint once the woman he had found in the park had a connection to his father. He had immediately insisted on taking her out…to someplace away from the rain. It was as if he knew that her story was a complicated one.

            "Yes. Our band went to all the ships and bases around the world to bring Christmas cheer to the military personnel who were serving away from their families," Joanna responded. "At the time, I had lost my fiancé…who was a Navy pilot. He had crashed his aircraft on the deck of a carrier. I wasn't keen on singing to a group of flyboys…" She sipped her tea. "Your father was determined, though. He didn't want anyone singing if their heart wasn't into it." Her eyes took on a faraway look. "He was a very stubborn man…He tried so hard to get me to like what he and his wingmen did…appreciate all the hard work they did. Eventually…I got comfortable seeing he and his wingmen take off and land." Her voice lowered. "One day…your father was returning from a reconnaissance mission…winds were high…and his fuel was running low. He almost didn't make it onto the deck. I was watching from the bridge…and as soon as his plane landed…I immediately left…in tears. I realized then…how much I cared about your father…" 

            Megumi felt her heart go out to the woman as she continued her story. It was obvious in her voice…this woman had very deep feelings for Sanosuke's father a long time ago.

            "He always talked about his little Sanosuke…he was so proud of you. You were probably only nine months old at the time…" Joanna continued before taking another sip of her tea. "The last time I saw him, he was getting ready for another mission. My band was scheduled to leave before he was supposed to return." Pause. "Your father…taught me so much. He…taught me how to live again. Back then…I was young…messed-up…and had no more hopes and dreams. But he taught me how to hope again…" Her voice grew stronger. "So the band and I toured for six more months…before we hired a guitarist…whom I fell in love with and married a year after he joined…and we toured for another six months. He and I have been married all these years…and we have three wonderful children. I was very fond of your father…and I never forgot him." Her voice softened again. Megumi and Sanosuke watched as Joanna placed the pin of wings onto the tabletop. "I'm sure he would have wanted you to have this."

            Sanosuke swallowed. "Thank…you…" He carefully picked up the pin. "Joanna…I…I spent my entire life without my parents. I grew up in an orphanage …and…it's only recently I found out that my dad's gone and that my mother's still alive. I…always thought that they died before I was even four years old. Was there…any reason…for you to believe that…that my father didn't want me in his life?" he asked softly.    

            Beneath the table, Megumi reached for Sano's hand, squeezing it reassuringly. Joanna's light eyes gazed back at him tenderly.

            "No, Sanosuke. Your father loved you…you have to believe that. It tore him apart…being away from you and your mother for so long. I…I don't know why you grew up without him…but I am absolutely positive that he would have wanted to be there for you if he could…"   

            "Are you going to be okay?" Megumi asked once she pulled over into a parking space on the street next to Kenshin and Kaoru's apartment.

            Sanosuke had been pretty quiet for the last two hours. He'd had quite a shock.

            "I…think so." Sanosuke ran a hand through his hair. "I just…don't get it. It doesn't make any sense. My mom's still alive…my dad's only been gone for a year…they obviously knew I existed, so where have I been all this time? Did they just…abandon me??"    

            Megumi looked away. "I can't answer that, Sano. But…your mom is alive. Maybe…she can tell you what you need to know."

            He sighed, looking out the window. "And this whole thing with Joanna…how well did my parents really know each other? And what if my dad isn't who he really was?"

            "I'm really sorry." Megumi reached out, touching his shoulder. After a moment, she added, "Joanna seemed to care a lot for your father. There are probably reasons why he wasn't there for you. She doesn't strike me as the type of person who could care for someone who didn't have a heart."

            His hand grasped hers. "You're…probably right." Their eyes met, and he smiled wryly before adding, "Like always." His eyes turned serious. "I'm going to Kona after Christmas…and I want you to come with me. I…don't think I can meet my mom by myself…"

            Megumi pulled her hand back. "Sano-"

            "Please, Megumi," he cut in. "I need you."

            She took a breath, giving him a rueful smile. "All right." At the relief on his face, she added, "I promised you that I'd be there for you, so that's what I'm doing."

            "Thanks a lot, fox-lady. You're one in a million," he leaned towards her, giving her a hug.

            "I know, I know." She shook her head, hugging him back.

            When he pulled back, he kissed her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow at the party."

            "Bye, Sano."

A/N: I'm finding that this story is evolving as time goes on (ie: Rex's appearance as well as some other goodies), so it might take longer than expected. I'm shooting to have this fic done by Christmas/New Year.

Well…it looks as if Sano is getting closer to finding out about his roots. Aoshi's softening, but it looks like it's too late for that. Or is it…?