A/N: Thanks to Mij for an idea featured in this chapter. Everyone gets to learn a lil more about Okina and his relationship with Aoshi. Some of the stuff has changed since What Matters Most, but it's nothing that can't be fixed with several quick sentences editing…
And thanks to Eriesalia for continuously cheering for Sano. Lol He's actually grown on me. *ducks flying sharp objects*
Major A/Meg fluff at the end of this chapter. And that's probably as romantic as I can get for this fic. =P
Part 10: Reflection
Day 14: Wednesday – Christmas Eve
"Damn…" Sanosuke surveyed the ballroom of the Royal Hawaiian as he, Megumi, Kenshin, and Kaoru stepped inside. The four of them decided last minute to have breakfast at the hotel, and look at the ballroom in the process.
A mix of red and green Christmas colors using Hawaiian flora and fauna decorated the room. Green leis strewn across the ceilings while clusters of flowers hung from above like icicles. Tables that surrounded the dance floor each had poinsettia plants as centerpieces. A miniature stage was set off to the back of the dance floor, complete with speakers and microphone setup. Currently, a small band was setting up their instruments. And in the center of it all, Kyoko was observing some last minute additions from the catering department. Yuki stood beside her.
Both aunts' eyes lit up at the sight of the small group.
"Hello," Kyoko immediately walked over as Yuki received a phone call on her cell phone.
"Hi, Auntie," Megumi greeted with a hug. "You remember Sanosuke."
"Of course," Kyoko responded, giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Hello, Sanosuke. Long time no see."
"You look great, Auntie," Sanosuke replied, smiling.
"Ah, you haven't changed a bit, Sanosuke," Kyoko responded coyly. "Always flattering the older women."
"The hotel looks very festive," Kenshin commented. "If I was a tourist, I would enjoy staying here…"
"Oh, Kenshin, you're so full of flattery," Kyoko laughed. "No wonder you two are friends."
"Unlike Sano, I usually mean what I say," Kenshin responded, smiling.
"What the hell? Are you trying to get me in trouble?" Sanosuke shook his head.
"Goodness…of all the things to go wrong…" Yuki hung up the phone, sighing.
"What's wrong, Auntie?" Megumi asked.
"It's Kane. He woke up today with the stomach flu…he won't be able to sing at the party tonight."
"Ooh. I hope he gets better soon," Megumi murmured.
"Me, too." Yuki sighed. "I guess we'll have to take your solo out."
Sano glanced at the women. "What kind of song is it?" He froze as everyone turned to him. "What? It's auana, right?"
"Here's the music," the leader of Endless Beats, Rick, handed him a song sheet with lyrics.
"Hey, I know this song!" Sanosuke exclaimed. "It's a popular Hawaiian love song…"
"Yeah…but can you sing it?" Rick queried.
"Yeah. How come you guys can't sing it?" Sanosuke frowned.
Rick grinned. "I can't speak Hawaiian."
"Oh." Sanosuke paused, before humming the melody. Then his voice filled the room with a song mixed with Hawaiian and English lyrics. The band began to play rich percussion, keyboard, and guitar accompaniment. Sanosuke narrowed his eyes at Megumi and gestured her to start dancing.
After a beat, her hips swayed softly to the music, her hand movements representing his words.
Kyoko and Yuki glanced at each other. Megumi moved her arm in a graceful arc, her eyes focused on her movements and the music, as if in a trance.
When the song was done, Sanosuke cleared his throat, looking at the small audience expectantly.
"That…was beautiful…" Yuki said softly.
"I agree. It…needs practice…but…" Kyoko trailed off, shaking her head in wonder.
"Wow…Sanosuke…" Kaoru stared in awe. "I…can't believe…I mean…I knew you could sing…but I didn't know you could sing that well…"
"Thanks." Sanosuke grinned, before turning his eyes to Megumi. "Well?"
She shrugged before smiling back. "It looks like we've got to practice."
"Okay, we've got eight hours until party time."
"Sanosuke…" Kaoru hesitantly spoke up. "The first phrase in the chorus…my Hawaiian is rusty…what…does it mean?"
"It…" Sanosuke cleared his throat. "It means, 'Island girl, my beloved, my everything'." Abruptly, he turned to Kyoko and Yuki. "So…how should we do this?"
"Well…" Yuki examined the performance area. "I think it would be nice if…you stand here…" She pointed just a couple feet at the front of the stage.
"We have a cordless microphone if you need it," Rick spoke up.
"Wonderful," Yuki smiled. "And Megumi can dance there…" she pointed about six feet away. "When the song begins, she can come up the steps from the back of the stage. And as the song continues, she can slowly make her way towards you. The singers and dancers must be able to capture each other's energy."
"So no disagreements until after tonight," Kyoko laughed.
"We're past the fighting stage, Auntie," Sanosuke assured, winking at Megumi.
Megumi shook her head, smiling.
"When you're performing today, please remember to smile, Sanosuke," Yuki instructed. "I'm not sure how long it's been since you've sung in public…"
"Not since Kat and my karaoke party a couple weeks ago," Sanosuke replied breezily.
"…but smiling is important. If Megumi's the only one smiling, people will think you don't want to be singing." Yuki continued.
Hours later, all of Yuki's students were gathered in the ballroom for some last minute instructions.
When Megumi and Sanosuke entered the ballroom, they saw several students sitting at tables.
"Oh, good…you're here!" Yuki exclaimed, clapping her hands. She glanced at them. "Everything set?"
"Yes," Megumi nodded.
"Let's see," Yuki gently guided Megumi and Sanosuke to the stage, before they had the chance to say hi to any of the students. Megumi stayed at the back, near the steps, while Sanosuke settled into a stool at the front of the stage. Yuki handed him the microphone. "I decided to give you a relaxed environment, sitting down while you sing."
"Sorta like MTV Unplugged. Can everyone hear me?" Sanosuke asked.
Misao waved from one of the tables. "Loud and clear, Sanosuke!"
He grinned. "Thanks, Misao."
The band began to play, and when he began to sing, Megumi reached one corner of the stage, moving to the rhythm of his words and music, slowly making her way to the center.
He could feel everyone watching carefully. Megumi glanced his way, and he gave her a reassuring smile.
When the song was done, he looked up to hear applause.
"Much better," Yuki nodded, clapping lightly.
Over the next hour, many guests piled into the ballroom. Megumi had made herself scarce, but she was able to catch glimpses of Okina…was that a cap with a branch of mistletoe that he was wearing?...Misao, Rex, Stella, Danielle, Kenshin, Kaoru, and Aoshi had been sitting at the same table. She sighed. Aoshi was dressed in a red button-down with the sleeves folded, and black slacks. A string of dark brown kukui nuts hung around his neck. Handsome, impeccably dressed, as always. Seeing him there…she had really missed him. This holiday season was getting to her. With all the carols, gift-giving and generosity…this was a time to be with loved ones.
She peeked above the stage level to see where Yuki's students were dancing to modern hula beats as her aunt played the ukulele.
"Hey," Sanosuke greeted from behind her, slapping her hip. "You look sexy."
Startled, Megumi whirled around, smacking Sanosuke's shoulder.
"Damn, fox-lady!" he exclaimed. "I was being nice!"
"You nearly gave me a heart attack," she pointed out.
For this particular party, she had worn a forest green pareo that tied above her breasts. The hem fell below her knees, and it contoured to the curves of her body. Her delicate ankles and wrists were circled by leaves.
"You're missing something," Sanosuke tapped her shoulder.
When she turned, he produced two red flowers attached to clips.
"Auntie Yuki told me to give these to you."
"Thanks…" Megumi carefully clipped one flower above her right ear while Sanosuke pinned the other flower above her left ear. Her eyes trailed over his form, to the green button down collared shirt, red flower lei, and khaki pants. "Nice outfit."
"Thanks." He turned her to face him so that he could examine her as Yuki began to introduce the band and him. "Good luck, Megumi. Don't mess up."
She grinned. "I've been practicing. You just learned to sing this song with this band today."
He waved as he walked onto the stage. Megumi waited until the song began before moving up the steps, keeping herself obscured from view. Not missing a beat, the instant Sanosuke's voice echoed in the ballroom, Megumi slowly and gracefully made her way towards the center, her hands moving with ease.
The crowd was silent, full of rapt onlookers. It had been a while since she danced in public. But it felt completely natural. She glanced up to see Sanosuke watching her. The music and words seemed to just flow from him into the ballroom. Every gesture, every smile conveyed her love of the music…of the hula itself.
And when it was done, her smile grew as the audience applauded. She gestured to the singer and band to her left and clapped her hands before leaving the stage as Christmas carols began. Once off-stage, she felt someone grasp her wrist.
"Fox-lady, you were great up there," Sanosuke complimented, turning her around and giving her a hug.
"So were you," she responded.
It hurt knowing that there was nothing he could do. When he asked Megumi for space, he needed time for her to sort her own feelings…as well as his.
Outside, in the gardens of the Royal Hawaiian, Aoshi settled on a bench facing the sand. He immediately recalled all the memories they had shared together at this very hotel. Moonlight walks, early morning jogs, waking up at dawn in each other's arms…
Okina's words came back to him. He wasn't proud of his behavior over the last couple weeks. As much as he hated to admit it, the old man was right. He had been jealous. But after some time apart…he had missed her…and he was willing to try again. But it looked like he was too late. Right?
Megumi had said several times that her relationship with the younger man was over. But…seeing the two of them on stage…it was obvious that a close connection existed. One that would never fade away. It was at that moment he truly understood why Katherine Antonio ended the relationship. In simple terms…she couldn't handle the closeness Sanosuke and Megumi had. In the past, their friendship never bothered him. But now, after seeing them interact, he had underestimated just how 'close' their friendship was. Could he deal with that?
Yes.
He could. He wasn't other possessive boyfriends who wanted to control who their girlfriends spoke to. It wouldn't be easy, given Megumi and Sanosuke's history, but he could manage. Ten months, ten days, an hour and forty-five minutes with him could not beat four months, right? And while most would say quality ruled over quantity…based on what he knew…those four months had been a turbulent, exhausting time for her.
Rising to his feet, he moved back towards the hotel.
Once he got to the doorway leading to the ballroom, his steps slowed, seeing Megumi on her way out, Sanosuke just several steps behind her.
Aoshi stopped in place. "Megumi. You did very well dancing."
She offered him a brief smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you…"
Silence.
"Um…guys…?" Sanosuke spoke up.
The two turned to him, seeing Sanosuke point to the doorframe. Aoshi looked up, seeing a sprig of green leaves and white berries. His eyes met Megumi's. She glanced away before looking back, her eyes widening as he stepped closer.
"It's tradition," he pointed out to her.
Lowering her lashes, Megumi said softly, "It's also believed in Europe that if a couple is in love and they kiss under mistletoe…it indicates that they'll have long and happy lives…"
He tilted his head, kissing her lightly on the lips. "What else does the tradition say?" he asked quietly when he lifted his head.
Her eyes fluttered open, those dark depths guarded with emotion. She turned to walk away.
Aoshi blew out a breath, crossing his arms.
"Ouch. That sucked, man," Sanosuke spoke up sympathetically.
"Yes, it did…"
"You're being real stubborn, fox-lady," Sanosuke pointed out as he emerged from Megumi's hotel bathroom, at the top of the Royal Hawaiian, towel-drying his hair hours after the party.
Megumi, sitting on the bed, listlessly doodled on a notepad. "Why's that?"
"Because…" Sano hung the towel around his neck, bracing his back against the wall. "He looked like he really wanted to make up."
Megumi sighed, doodling some more.
"Fine." Sanosuke shrugged before sitting in the chair facing the bed. "Thanks for letting me use this room, by the way…" He grinned. "Kenshin and Kaoru seemed really…well…I get the feeling that there's gonna be a lot of noise tonight, and I really don't want to be there for that…"
Megumi smiled wistfully. "Kaoru gets…sentimental around holidays…"
"No kidding," Sano chuckled.
Rising to her feet, Megumi snatched up her purse. "I better head on home. If you need anything, call for Rose in room service. She'll take care of you."
"Thanks, Megumi." Sano got to his feet, walking with her to the door. "You sure you don't want to stay? It's kinda late out there…"
"I'm sure."
"It'd be worth it," he lifted his eyebrows suggestively.
"Ooh, I doubt that. Unlike you, Sano…some men take at least three days to fully put a hotel room to good use…" she winked.
Sanosuke laughed. "Fair enough." His brown eyes regarded her seriously. "You know…Iceman loves you more than you give him credit for…"
She sighed. "Sano…"
"It's just hard," Sanosuke continued, reaching for her hand. "You're so independent…you could have anyone you want…so…a guy just needs to know if you want him around."
"Aoshi…in his own way…has apologized to me…but he hasn't said that he wants me back."
"Did you give him a chance to?" Sanosuke challenged. At her silence, he nodded. "See? Stuff like that, fox-lady-"
"Stop," Megumi commanded. "I'm tired of people telling me what to do…what to say…what to think…"
"Hold on a minute…what am I missing here? Aoshi wants space. Now that you've had time apart, he misses you, apologized to you and wants to talk again. But you won't see him. Does this make any sense to you, Megumi?" Sanosuke asked.
"I can't believe you…of all people, are encouraging me to listen to him," Megumi crossed her arms.
His eyes darkened. "Meaning what?"
"Well…" she shrugged. "Given…our history…"
"I wasn't lying when I said I cared. I still do. But if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be in this," Sanosuke retorted. "I'm trying to fix up all the fucked up relationships. I sure as hell can't save mine-"
"I can handle my own-"
"You're doing a shitty job by not talking to the guy. You know I'll always stand by you, but you're really giving him a hard time," Sanosuke braced one shoulder against a wall. "So he asked for space. He needed it because he probably didn't know what the hell else to do. You're not making it any easier by throwing it back in his face."
Megumi stared at him for a few moments. Looking at herself, she knew that if she was asked if she could go back to her old life, she wouldn't. Her time with Sanosuke had been too much of an emotional rollercoaster. Even if they got along better now…she loved Aoshi. Of course, he drove her up the wall sometimes…but she wasn't perfect either. He was everything she wanted and more. During the course of their relationship, in such a short time, he had become such a huge part of her. Sanosuke was right. She was throwing his request back in his face. Whether she was afraid, angry, irrational, she didn't know. But it didn't matter. Didn't she promise herself that things would be different with Aoshi? That she'd really try to make an honest effort? Sure, she was willing to cross the distance to mend what had happened, but he hadn't responded. At least right away. And she got angry. But once he calmed down…she just turned away. How was that meeting him halfway? Some people just needed time before they started to cross the distance. Megumi leaned forward, kissing Sanosuke's cheek. "Thank you, Sano. Bye, Sano…" She entered the hallway to head down the elevator.
"Hey…wait!" he called out.
"I have someone that I need to talk to…"
"Aren't you a little old for this?" Aoshi asked with a slight smile as he gazed down at Misao's prone form, huddled beneath cotton sheets.
"Nope."
Misao and Aoshi had left the party earlier than most of the guests.
Aoshi pulled the sheets to her chin. "You're seventeen years old and still like being tucked in…"
"So?" Misao turned her head slightly to look at him. "What time is Jiya coming home?"
"He didn't say," Aoshi answered.
Misao grinned. "I think Auntie Yuki likes him."
"That would explain the long walk they took away from the party…" Aoshi commented wryly.
"But that's good. He deserves to be happy." Misao poked his arm. "And so do you."
Not knowing what else to say, he dropped a kiss on top of her head. "Good night."
Once he closed her bedroom door, he heard the front door open and close. He moved over to the living room, seeing Okina sitting on the couch, gazing at the Christmas tree Misao had decorated.
"How was your date?" Aoshi asked as he moved to sit on the loveseat.
Okina smiled back. "It went well. Yuki's a very nice lady…"
They were silent for several long moments.
"Your mother loved Christmas," Okina spoke up suddenly. "Every holiday, Akihito and I would travel from wherever we were stationed to visit her and your father…" His voice changed, as if he was lost in the past. "Your mother was one of my closest friends. She always made us laugh…she always made sure that Akihito and I weren't overworking ourselves…And your father was very good to her. He loved her very much. The only man besides your father who could have taken care of her was me…but that opportunity faded away a long time ago…" he said quietly.
Aoshi stared at him for several moments. "You…were…"
"Yes. For…a very long time," the older man admitted. "So I settled for the next best thing…and that was her friendship. When…When she died…declaring me as your guardian…Raising you was so important…and I tried to raise you the way she would have."
"Would she have taken me ballroom dancing?" Aoshi asked wryly.
Okina laughed. "Yes, she would."
Silence.
Okina then said quietly, "Your parents would have been very proud…"
"Thank you…"
He always knew that Okina and his mother were close friends. But he never knew that Okina cared that much about his mother. But it looked like he was slowly growing to someone else…
"It's been a long time since I've courted a woman," Okina continued in his musings.
"Auntie is a very compassionate person," Aoshi spoke up.
"That she is." He paused. "She…talked about her sister. Commented about how similar Megumi is to her. Like mother, like daughter. She also said that Megumi's parents…when they were seeing each other…reminded her of you and Megumi."
Aoshi shook his head, a slight smile crossing his lips. "That sounds strange to me…"
"Well, she said that the captain was very much like you when you first met Megumi. Uncompromising, stubborn, judgmental…but once you really got to know her…things changed. You changed. Ever so slightly." Okina studied him for a few moments before asking, "How are you two?"
Aoshi shrugged. Suddenly, his cell phone rang from the kitchen counter. He moved over to the room, seeing Megumi's name flash on the caller ID display. "Hello?"
"Hi," Megumi's voice greeted on the line. Pause. "I…was wondering…if you're busy."
"No…why?"
"Can you come over? I think we need to talk."
His eyes widened. "About?"
"A lot of things."
He hadn't been alone with her for weeks it seemed. But would she run away or ignore him again?
"I've been thinking about what's happened…and I'd like to talk honestly this time," she said softly. "With everything that's been going on…it's difficult…"
Aoshi looked up as Okina entered the room. "All right. What time?"
"Whenever you're ready. I'll be here."
"I'll see you later." Aoshi hung up.
Okina raised a brow. "Going out?"
"Yes."
"Megumi?"
"She wanted to talk," Aoshi responded.
"Hmm. Is talking all you're going to do…?"
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning if I was young and planning to reconcile with my beautiful significant other…we won't just be talking…"
"You have no shame," Aoshi shook his head. "Conversation is as equally important in relationships."
"You aren't exactly the world's greatest conversationalist," Okina pointed out with a teasing grin. He sobered. "I do hope that things work out, then."
"Me, too…"
Aoshi looked up once the door swung open to Megumi's apartment an hour later.
Megumi stood there dressed in a lavender robe, as if she was already dressed for bed. Megumi stepped aside to let him in. He cautiously moved inside, glancing around.
"Are we the only ones here?" he asked lightly.
"Yes. Did you think anyone else was here?"
"I-"
Waving her hand once, she answered, "Sano's staying at the Royal Hawaiian. Kenshin and Kaoru needed some private time, so they're at home."
"I see."
Megumi sighed, massaging her temples with slender fingers. He wanted so much to hold her. She looked so alone…vulnerable…
"I know…these past two weeks have been strange," she suddenly spoke up. "You once asked me if going to Sano's wedding was a good idea. I should have listened to you back then. If I had…Sano would have been married and we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"That's not true. Things would have been worse…with Kat as his wife. She underestimated the closeness of your friendship…as I did…"
"Sano and I are just friends," Megumi responded immediately. "I consider him one of my closest friends…But that's as far as our relationship goes."
He stared at her for a few moments. The sincerity in her eyes, the softness in her voice…he believed her.
"I know," he said softly.
"You know what?"
"I know that you two are friends. And will always be friends. Your friendship obviously means more to you than anything beyond that," he said slowly. If Megumi was telling the truth…that things were over between her and Sagara, then he believed her.
He held out the wrapped package in his hands. "I brought this…for you."
"Oh…thank you…"
After unwrapping the green paper, she smiled slightly at the item inside – Basil of Baker Street collection. When she looked up, it occurred to him that he hadn't seen her smile in nearly two weeks. He really missed the teasing look in her eyes, the lilt in her voice…
"I bought it…when I came back from Virginia," he explained.
"This is very thoughtful…Thank you," she murmured.
He swallowed. "Megumi…"
"I have something for you," she immediately said, turning.
A three-foot tall Christmas tree was placed in the corner of her living room, with bright red, blue, and yellow decorations. She kneeled beside the tree before presenting him with a thin box wrapped in silver paper.
Sitting beside her, he felt her eyes on him as he tore the paper and proceeded to open the box inside. His eyes widened at the sight of two short swords cushioned in green tissue paper.
"I had to order it overseas," she said quietly.
"It's a nice gift…" He examined the hilt and pulled the item out of its sheath. The blade was dull, but the skills put into making the weapon were apparent in its design. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Megumi moved, only to have Aoshi stop her with a hand on her wrist.
"Wait."
She stilled.
"I miss you," he said simply.
"Do you really? Or is that the season talking?" she asked softly.
"Maybe both," he admitted.
She looked away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I overreacted…and…I'm sorry." She wasn't looking at him, but he could tell that she was listening. "I'm not sure what happened…but it doesn't matter."
Then she closed her eyes, saying quietly, "I…thought a lot…about what happened in Virginia…And…I never wanted you to think that you weren't important to me. You…needed to know that you came first, and I didn't give you that. I guess I just assumed that you'd understand my decision…but when you didn't…I just got angry…and everything was being over exaggerated…and…" Megumi bit her lip. "I've…been really stubborn. Especially when you apologized and I just walked away. I…I've missed you, too…"
He pulled her into his arms, and she closed her eyes in relief.
"I'm sorry," she murmured against his shoulder.
"Women aren't the only ones who need reassurance in a relationship, Megumi…"
She exhaled softly. "I know…"
He smiled against her hair, clearing his throat. "You can spend time with every single ex-lover you've had. Including Sagara. Just don't forget me." It cost a lot to say that. He only hoped that she understood. While he wasn't keen on the idea, because he loved her enough, he would manage. Besides, he wasn't going to try and stop her. Megumi was hardly one who always did what she was told. It was one of her most intriguing qualities.
She sighed, her hands grasping his shoulders. "Aoshi…you don't have to tell me that…as much as I appreciate it…it's not fair to you and-"
"It is," he assured. "I trust you. How you spend your time should not be a concern."
Smiling, she turned to place a light kiss on his cheek, and he pulled her close to his body, kissing her tenderly.
When he pulled back, a teasing look entered her eyes. She had ended up cradled in his lap, and judging by the leisurely way she placed her arms around his neck, had no intention of moving anytime soon.
"Did you know that it's also tradition for fighting couples to make up under the mistletoe?" she asked.
"I did," he answered, with a hint of a smile. "And the tradition you told me earlier isn't entirely correct."
"Oh?"
"Yes." He kissed the area of skin below her ear. Then the other side of her ear. Then the underside of her chin. "It…also…means…" Judging by the tension leaving her limbs and her breathing pattern, she wasn't exactly paying attention to his words. "That…they…promise to…get married."
"Hmm…I didn't know…what?" She shifted to stare at him.
He calmly pulled her back into his arms. "You'll adjust to the idea."
"But…wait…Aoshi, I-"
"It makes sense. Why argue what's logical?" His lips brushed her forehead and cheeks.
"But…but…" In an effort to stay focused, she closed her eyes tightly. Lack of sight only seemed to sharpen her other senses. "I…I never said-"
"You have this habit of causing trouble whenever men are involved. Someone needs to watch you, and make sure you stop creating problems," he interrupted. He was having too much fun. He could barely keep his mouth from curving into a slight smile.
Her eyes flew open the same time her jaw dropped. "What?! What kind of twisted…?!" She braced her hands against his chest. "That has got to be the most unromantic proposal I have ever heard! If you want to ask a girl to marry you, why-?"
"I said you'll adjust to the idea," he repeated. "When you do, you'll get the official proposal."
"And if it takes me months to get used to the idea?"
"Then it takes months."
"Oh." She cuddled against him, smiling. "Okay."
They stayed that way for a while.
Then Aoshi spoke up, "As I told you on the day of our anniversary…you're a sensible woman. It shouldn't take long for you to realize that in marrying me, you have much to gain and very little to lose."
"Only you would make marriage sound like a business arrangement…" she laughed.
"In many ways it is," he answered, matter-of-factly. "Finances…multi-tasking…time management…all are-"
"Aoshi, shut up. You talk too much."
Day 15: early Christmas Day (very early…)
A ringing filled his ears. Aoshi slowly sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes with the heel of his hand. His cell phone was ringing and vibrating on Megumi's nightstand. He checked the clock she kept by her bed. Six thirty a.m.?
He snatched the phone and hit the talk button. "Hello?" he answered softly.
"Are you two finished making up yet?" Okina's voice carried over the phone. "I'm going to need some help with making this Christmas lunch…Turkey takes a million years to bake…"
"Right. I'll be there in half an hour."
"I expect you here at seven hundred hours. No later," Okina's commanded in a mocking voice.
When Aoshi hung up, he glanced to his right to see Megumi awake, a soft smile lighting her features.
"Can I hurt him later for waking me up early?" she asked.
"Of course." He reached to the foot of the bed, shrugging into his collared shirt and quickly working at the buttons. "What time are you supposed to meet your family?"
"After three. We're having Christmas all day. But my brothers and I are going to meet up to attend the parade before then…" she stifled a yawn.
He got up and pulled on pants over his black boxer briefs and shirt. "What time do you get home tonight?"
"Probably around eleven. Did you want to come by?" she asked.
Aoshi nodded and leaned towards her, brushing her cheek with his fingertips before placing a light kiss on her forehead. "I'll be here before midnight. Be safe driving back home tonight."
"I will. You, too." Megumi squeezed his hand before he left the room.
A/N: Well, looks like our favorite couple is together again. And with a brief discussion about their future, no less. Brief. Very brief. =P It's a lil anti-climactic, but I think Aoshi's done overreacting and I think Megumi was just being difficult as retribution.
NEXT! I'm debating if I should even write what Christmas Day is going to be like. Nothing really exciting. Just the three families each having their own celebrations…And remember that Megumi promised Sanosuke that she'd go with him to meet his mother?
Oh, and btw, if the updates are slow…it's because I'm working on a web page to host my entire AU fic collection. The series is getting pretty big, and I'd like to build a place to put it. I have so many ideas, some include:
- Misao/Rex's first date
- A short story sequel to Realizations, one that will focus on Aoshi & Misao
- Aoshi & Megumi's first months of dating
- Aoshi & Megumi's first meeting
- Misao in college
And the list goes on…
The site will most likely have detailed character bios, the fics, and a timeline listing all the events that have happened, going as far back as the year that Misao's grandpa was born. Whew!
