A/N: Well, it's been a while since I wrote this. I WAS gonna write 'Matchmaker Misao', but noooo. It's Daiji's fault that Meiji-era Aoshi is back! Updates are gonna either be slow, spontaneous (or both), because I have school, work, and I'm determined to do an AWESOME job. That'll take time with Meiji-era Aoshi and Meg.

BTW, what's the deal with Okon? Does she have two different names?

Fall season would settle soon in Japan. It was mild outside, Aoshi hadn't bothered with a coat or jacket. He glanced at his watch before his keen eyes darted around the street. Passengers exiting the train station would come this way. Takani Megumi was due to arrive within the hour.

The others at the Aoiya had no complaints when they discovered that he would escort her from the train station. They had given him a list of items to buy on the way home. Not only was Shinomori Aoshi playing host, but also errand person.

Three months since he last saw her. He had received a few letters from her, sporadically. She informed him of any events related to the incident months ago. His most recent letter had a personal matter.

He had felt nothing when he learned that Takeda Kanryuu died. His time working for Kanryuu had been the worst judgment call he ever made. There were times during his employment that Hannya would politely ask why they even bothered working for such a lowlife. He should have quit when he had the chance. Maybe Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijo, and Hannya would still be alive. He would always feel somewhat responsible for their deaths. Things like that never went away, no matter how much time had passed, no matter how much things had changed. 

Interestingly enough, he was content with his life now. He doubted his warrior's spirit would ever die, but he was a man slowly starting to accept change. He had spent many days meditating at the temple, long ago, trying to come to terms with the man he had become. It had taken him a while to accept who he was. But he could not turn back, only look ahead. He wasn't going to live in the past anymore. He did once already.

A figure in lavender emerged, setting her heavy bag beside her on the ground. Immediately, his eyes focused on her.

Takani Megumi had arrived.

She gracefully moved off to one side so as not to block the passengers leaving the train station. Her arms moved upwards to lift her long black hair away from her shoulders. She had worn it half-pinned up and away from her face.

As if sensing his gaze on her, Megumi turned her head slightly, seeing him. Aoshi moved forward, noting the look of recognition in her dark eyes.

"I was wondering who would be meeting me at the station," she commented mildly. "How fitting that the person be my host."

"You were expecting someone else." A hint of a smile touched his lips.

"Not really…" she mused.

She reached down to retrieve her bag, stopping when he did the same, his fingers brushing hers. She pulled her hand away, a curious look in her eyes.

He easily lifted the bag. "I have some errands to run, but if you prefer, I can walk you to the Aoiya first."

"I don't need to rest just yet," she replied, falling in step beside him before he led the way.

They walked in silence for a while before he directed them to the marketplace. Aoshi pulled a list out of the front pocket of his collared white shirt, skimming his own handwriting. Since he started running the Aoiya, he had taken to wearing Western clothing a lot more frequently, especially when he was out on business.

Megumi leaned towards him slightly, seeing the list of items he was told to buy. "What are those?"

"Errands."

"I meant the last…seven items."

"Western desserts. Okina and Okon have taken a liking to those," Aoshi responded as he put the list away.

"I see." They walked for a few more meters. "How is the Aoiya doing under its new management?"

"The same." Truthfully, he didn't notice any differences. Okina had done an excellent job running the restaurant/inn before. He hadn't meant to take over Okina's position, but the old man insisted that Aoshi's niche was not in assisting patrons.

He actually enjoyed being the manager. He was never lacking of work. Running the inn/restaurant required extreme attention to detail…every record book had to be looked over, every coin and bill had to be counted. The restaurant took inventory once a week and the inn once a month. When he wasn't doing accounting duties, purchasing/receiving, he was reading up on other businesses. He familiarized himself with how different parts of Japan ran their inns, how Europe and America ran theirs. Occasionally, he would travel to different parts of Japan to speak with traders and merchants who wanted to sell a rare delicacy, wine, or other item he felt the Aoiya could use. Misao had said several times that the Aoiya was the best place in Kyoto, and he was constantly trying to insure that the Aoiya offered something exciting and fresh to its patrons. And when he wasn't managing the Aoiya, he was keeping up to date with events throughout the country. It was a habit of the Oniwabanshu.

"I saw Jiro not long before I left for Kyoto," Megumi spoke up. "He's doing well. He teaches at the university."

He nodded. "I know."

Her eyes rounded. "How…? Well…of course you would…" she murmured.

"It's a habit…" he explained.

"Keeping an eye on old friends and enemies?" she quipped.

"I am onmitsu," he replied easily, seeing her eyebrows arch in surprise at his remark.

She waited when he stopped to examine a cart full of various desserts and confections. "You and Okina-san aren't disappointed that he hasn't contacted you?"

He finally said, "I can understand his reasons." After making several purchases, he thanked the clerk and walked back on to the busy street.

"What next?" Megumi asked.

"Okina wants cologne."

She blinked. "He wants what?"

"Cologne," Aoshi responded. "With business accelerating, he feels that..." he coughed, "...this particular scent will attract attention."

Megumi stopped abruptly. "He's trying to attract women?"

" 'Trying' is an appropriate word," he said quietly.

Megumi laughed. "I had no idea you had a sense of humor..."

When they finally reached the Aoiya, he proceeded to reacquaint her with the inn. The Aoiya residents enjoyed having visitors. Particularly Okina. Okon offered to fix her a meal, which Megumi accepted.

Aoshi was going over the accounting from the lunch rush while Shiro and Kuro were drying dishes. Okina sat at the table, sipping tea. Megumi had settled across from Okina.

"Did you buy the item I requested?" Okina turned to Aoshi.

"No," came the response. "It was unavailable."

Okina sighed. "I was so looking forward to wearing it…"

"Is this the cologne you said that if Okina were to wear, he would chase away every female to the other side of Japan or back to whatever country they came from?" Megumi asked.

The old man shot Aoshi a death glare while Aoshi kept his eyes on Megumi and the mischievous light in her eyes. The woman was far too outspoken for her own good. He could already predict Okina's reaction...

"How inconsiderate!" Okina sniffed. "I took you in as my own, Aoshi-"

"What does that have to do with anything?" the younger man interrupted.

"So the simple task of buying cologne would-"

"Stop, old man."

"If Misao was here, she would have easily-"

"Will you let me work?" Aoshi cut in.

"You realize that you've interrupted me in less than three minutes?" Okina exclaimed. "Where is this coming from? Where's the quiet Aoshi we're all used to seeing?"

Aoshi sighed. He couldn't win this one. Okina had this habit of deliberately goading him. It wasn't like that before, when he just got back from Shishio's headquarters. Back then, he was very quiet, and he did shut people out. He'd never admit it, but he was glad to know that he hadn't alienated Okina after everything that had happened.

"Before I forget…" Megumi reached into her kimono sleeve to retrieve a thin envelope. She set it on the table before Aoshi.

"What's that?" Okina asked curiously.

Aoshi frowned slightly, opening the envelope, withdrawing several bills.

"It's for my stay here," Megumi explained.

"You are not being charged," Aoshi informed her, placing the money back inside and handing her the envelope.

"What?"

Okina glanced at her then at him.

"It's taken care of," he replied before going back to his paperwork.

Aoshi could feel her eyes on him. His head lifted to meet a pair of inquisitive, yet wary brown eyes.

Then she spoke, jutting her chin out stubbornly, "Aoshi, I think it's best."

"If I were to give you payment for my time at the clinic, would you accept it?" he asked.

Okina studied her closely for her reaction.

"I…No, of course not." Megumi nodded before putting away the envelope. "Thank you…"

"You're welcome."

***

"Aoshi!" Okina's voice echoed the next day in the hallway of the Aoiya, right next to Aoshi's office.

He frowned slightly before getting up from his desk. After sliding the door open, he watched as Okon hurried by, an armful of dishes in hand. When he reached the entryway to the Aoiya, he saw Okina assigning patrons rooms to stay for the night.

"Shiro and Kuro need help in the kitchen," Okina declared, pointing in the direction of the restaurant.

His paperwork could wait. Aoshi slightly regretted sending Omasu and Misao off to Kansai, but it was something that needed to be done.

Before entering the kitchen, he glanced at the clock. It was barely mid-morning. But with many travelers attending the university seminars, it would be a busy week.

"Kuro, you assist Okon in the restaurant," Aoshi instructed as he skimmed the lists of orders Okon had written. His eyes shifted to the kitchen window which gave him a clear view of the dining area. Okon was going from table to table, as quickly as she could.

"Hai." Kuro hurried outside to the dining area.

"Arigato, Aoshi-sama," Shiro spoke up. "It has been like this since the restaurant opened…"

Aoshi rolled up the sleeves of his collared shirt before setting out several trays. He began to set a bowl of rice on each one while Shiro began to place a bowl of miso soup on each. Then Aoshi set aside rice, vegetables, and fish in a tray which he promptly covered. Then he placed that in a bag.

"Whose is that?" Shiro asked curiously.

"Megumi-sensei."

"Good morning."

Both men looked up to see Megumi step into the kitchen.

"Ohayo, Takani-san," Shiro responded with a warm smile.

Aoshi softly replied a greeting of his own before assisting Kuro and Okon.

She peeked out towards the restaurant. "My goodness…I don't ever remember the Aoiya being this crowded when I stayed here that long ago…"

"With Omasu and Misao-chan gone, it does seem more hectic," Shiro admitted.

The previous day, Okina had briefly explained to her where the two women had gone.

"When is your seminar?" Shiro asked.

"In one hour. It ends just before dusk…so I will literally be there all day today…" Megumi answered. She blinked as Shiro handed her a small bag. "What's this?"

"Lunch," he replied before turning back to work.

"Arigato," she responded.

**

It had been a long day at the university. Megumi had seen a Chinese doctor demonstrate pressure points and acupuncture techniques that could assist in patient care. Tomorrow a German physician would lecture on the surgical procedures and therapy for patients whose limbs had undergone extreme trauma. She was particularly looking forward to that one.

The Aoiya was incredibly busy when she had arrived. Okina, Okon, Shiro, and Kuro were accustomed to the traffic. Aoshi was in his office, catching up on paperwork. Apparently, there had been an error in calculation, or an unidentified transaction, Shiro had explained quickly. Aoshi was trying to find out what had happened and fix the problem. He had been in his office since lunchtime trying to make up for the error. Okon had to bring his meals to him. Megumi had taken her dinner up to her room, writing a journal containing all the information she learned for the day.

When she came down, she saw that the Aoiya residents, minus Aoshi, were close to finishing their late meal.

"Takani-san," Okon greeted with a smile. "How was your meal?" 

"Good, thank you."

 "Could you please take this to Aoshi-sama's office?" Okon requested.

"Of course…" Megumi accepted the tray while Okon began cleaning up.

Megumi held the tray in her hands as she made her way towards Aoshi's office.

"Come in," a deep voice called from inside after she knocked and before she had the chance to say anything.

She carefully slid the door open. Aoshi sat at a desk in the small room, two lanterns illuminating his workspace. His desk contained two ledgers, bank notes, and receipts. Megumi poured him a cup of tea, which he accepted gratefully before gesturing to the chair facing his desk.

"Thank you." She gracefully settled in the chair.

Megumi had never been fully inside Aoshi's office until now. She had seen it yesterday during her tour, but she hadn't stopped inside. It contained a bookcase, a desk, and a large window on one side. Her dark eyes focused on the man in front of her.

His black bangs cast shadows over his blue-gray eyes. A thin line formed between his slanted brows, his eyes focused on his paperwork. Today he had worn a gray, long-sleeved collared shirt and navy blue slacks. The matching jacket hung on the wall. His shirt was slightly wrinkled in the front, the sleeves rolled up, and open to the second button. He looked tired. After he took a sip of tea, his eyes shifted, meeting hers across his desk.

It wasn't like her to stare. This was Aoshi, of all people. Megumi straightened in her seat. "Have you found the error?"

"No," he responded.

She reached out hesitantly to one of the ledgers on his desk. "May I?"

He nodded in response.  

Slowly, she flipped through the pages of one book. "Goodness, Aoshi…you're very thorough…"

"It would seem that way," he commented wryly.

One of her delicate eyebrows arched as an amused smile lifted her lips. "Everyone makes mistakes."

"But none like this," he argued.

Megumi shook her head, studying his handwriting. It was very precise, neat, organized. Very much like the man himself. His calculations seemed correct…so why…? She glanced up as Aoshi rose to his feet to stand by the window. She quietly set that book down and picked up another one.

"I don't see how you could miss something…you've written everything down…" she mused.

He massaged his temples before dropping his hands. "I have reviewed my calculations nearly twenty times today…the same results appear…"

She studied him for a moment. Then she set his book on the desk and stood up. "Come with me."

He frowned when she took his forearm, staying rooted to his spot. "Where?"

"You need to go outside. I find I work best after I have a clear head," Megumi explained.

"I don't need-"

But she was already halfway through the door, ignoring his protest.

"Just a short while," she insisted.

He sighed, allowing her to drag him through the inn and to the back of the Aoiya. In the outside gardens of the Aoiya, she seated herself, taking a deep breath, relaxing as a bit of cold air breezed over them while Aoshi settled himself a short distance away from her. The air was certainly rejuvenating. He closed his eyes, the years of adapting a relaxed manner settling in.

They sat for a few minutes, enjoying the silence. Megumi rarely had moments like these. Her clinic always had late customers. By the time the last patient was gone, she and her brother had to restock their supplies and then go to bed to wake up early for another day.

Megumi studied Aoshi carefully. In his meditative pose, he seemed so much more relaxed. She reached up to smooth back a strand of black hair that brushed her cheek. There was something…about him that she couldn't quite understand. Even after Aizu, they were on much better terms, but she realized how...little she knew him. Of course, she had seen his strength and loyalty…how he did all he could to help a friend. She would always be grateful to him for that. She blinked, realizing that she was staring again.

His eyes opened before she could look away.

"I have to finish my work," he declared as he got up.

She nodded. "Good night."

"Good night," he echoed before adding, "…Thank you."

She smiled in response. Apparently, he was ready to work again.

A/N: NEXT!

….Well, it could be a couple things…Megumi goes to medical conference day 2, Aoshi takes a bath, Okina finds a substitute cologne…who knows? =P