by glaube
Disclaimer: I don't own them...if you do...could I borrow them? *waves sign that says "will write for Aoshi"*
Setting: 1932-33, New York, America & Various Places, Japan. A reviewer was kind enough to notate my, well, apathy towards the timeline, so allow me to explain why I was reluctant to peg the 1920's or 1940's: in the 1920's, America was isolationist, and wouldn't have had much go-between involving Japan. In the 1940's, Japan had a different government. So, for this "type" of era, roughly 1933 is the best year -- America and Japan will still be trading and attempting to keep peace, but Japan's government will be eyeing a lot of expansion; so money and power will, of course, be crucial. Also, America's starting to get the depression under control, because Roosevelt's been elected. Misao and her gang are all gainfully employed by the most successful newspaper, and because the war in Europe is going on, Newspapers are becoming more successful. I hope this clears things up. Better, Aiteane? That should help the settings issues. Thanks. ^_^
Summary: AU, 1930's, Aoshi + Misao. Misao, a successful reporter in America, hasn't seen Aoshi for five years. But when she starts investigating Kanryuu for the New York Police, she finds herself in the middle of a tangle of power, wealth, and ancient ninja clans in Japan. Will they meet again?
Chapter 4: Beauty on the Fire
For all Aoshi's intensity, the kiss with Misao was surprisingly chaste and unexpectedly gentle; a sweet brush of the lips that all parties, Hannya included, had been awaiting for a long time. Backing away and leaving Misao in stunned silence, Aoshi turned away from her, fixing an icy gaze on the masked ninja nearby.
"Hannya, you are dismissed. As are the others. Prepare transportation back to Tokyo. Makimachi-san will be leaving shortly."
Something abuot the look in Aoshi's eyes told Hannya not to argue, although he shot his leader a look full of questions before turning away with an abrupt, but still respectful, bow.
***
Sagara Sanosuke stared down at Megumi as she bit back a sob, slender shoulders shaking, and instantly his teasing expression softened as he drew her into a comforting embrace. The gesture seemed to only undo the pretty young woman further, and soon her tears had soaked through his jacket.
"Come on, fox. Tell me what's wrong."
Murmured the ex-gangster warmly, wondering exactly what it was about this beautiful woman that could infuriate him at one moment and have him infatuated at the next.
"Leave me alone, Rooster." Megumi warned, voice muffled by his chest. She made no move to leave, however, and Sano decided to test his luck once again. He'd always been something of a gambler.
"Megitsune; you know you can trust me. Come on.." He pleaded quietly, and something inside Megumi seemed to snap. She pushed him away with a rough shove, eyes still overflowing with tears.
"But can you trust ME, Sagara Sanosuke?!" She demanded, before taking off in a run. "Can you?!"
As the pretty woman fled down the crowded streets she did her best to convince herself it was better this way.
Takani Megumi, daughter of a famous doctor, had everything going for her at a young age -- having mastered German and English as well as her own native language of Japanese, with an acceptance to schools in Berlin as well as New York to study medicine of her own. These dreams, of course, fell through the drain when the great war broke out in Europe. Her father's investments in America crashed with the depression, and he took up working for Kanryuu as a way to support his family, developing a secret opium formula.
When he found out that the new opium formula was more fatal and twice as addictive, Takani-san refused to make it anymore. It was a choice that resulted in his death.
Kanryuu presented Megumi with a choice: either she would perish too, or she would supply him with the opium until someone else would make it at which point he would send her off to college. He made it very clear, however, that should he ever need a favor, she was his.
And that is how Takani Megumi sold her soul to the devil.
***
Misao placed two fingers to her lips in stunned silence, staring at Aoshi. She'd had foolish school-girl dreams ever since before high school about such an occurance but had never thought the stoic older man would ever consider her as anything more than a little sister.
His instructions to Hannya, however, snapped her out of her reverie.
"I'm not going, Aoshi."
"Misao..."
"No, Aoshi! You listen to me! This guy is dangerous! You can't bring him down with vigilante justice. He has to face the courts."
"He's bought out the courts, Misao. He's putting New York in his pocket. You know that." Aoshi replied coldly, turning to face the pretty young reporter, logic firmly in place and judgement restored.
"I want to stay with you." Murmured Misao after a moment, and once again, Aoshi's eyes drifted over her feminine features. With a reluctant sigh he drew the shorter woman closer to him, smiling somewhat as Misao's fingers fisted in the fabric of his gi.
"I wish you could, Misao." Admitted Aoshi quietly. "But you can't. He'll use you against me."
"I can defend myself!" She protested, staring up at him, and Aoshi could feel his resolve start to cave.
"Misao. He'll hurt you. And he'll use you to hurt me. I cannot allow that." Pleaded Aoshi solemnly. "Please. Go."
The happiness he had seen after their kiss was gone; and she slipped out of their embrace, gone like a leaf floating by on the breeze. As Aoshi watched her walk out of the temple, he could've sworn he saw a single, solitary tear sliding down her smooth cheek, and he wondered why things had to be so hard.
***
Sano sat sometime later in the akebeko nursing a bottle of sake and pondering over the mystery that was Takani Megumi, replaying the few times he had seen her over again in his mind. Her words rang in his memory.
"Can you trust me, Sagara Sanosuke?! Can you?!"
He wasn't sure. But he wanted to.
Another sip of sake, and Sano rewound his memories, thinking back to that first day on the docks. She'd been speaking in German. He was sure of it now; it was the only language that required that throaty sort of lilt. And what was it that the other gentleman had said?
His bottle of sake came crashing down to the table with a sudden realization.
"Kanryuu."
He had to find Shinomori and Misao. Sanosuke thought he just might have the link they all needed.
I wish I knew what was wrong with the third chapter T_T. Keep reviewing guys; I should be writing you notes in Chappy 5!