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

And…Umm…Megumi isn't as oblivious as she appears…

Chapter7: Orphaned

Carefully examining his letter to John Calhoun, the American merchant he was set to meet in Tokyo, Aoshi looked over his handwriting. Over the past several months, he had also taken up to learning English. There would come a time when many Japanese businessmen would learn to speak at least one Western language in order to negotiate with possible foreign associates. His English was enough to get him by if he were to set foot in America, but very difficult to converse with, particularly at an advanced level. He'd had to consult several books and dictionaries his teacher had given him. Aoshi then folded that letter and sealed it before starting another letter…this one to Okina at the Aoiya to inform him of what had happened on the train.

He had several concerns…mainly who caused the incident. The police had begun their investigation almost immediately, interviewing several witnesses. The police's response to the situation was quick. Given that one of the major routes for transportation had been destroyed, this was no surprise.

"Aoshi-san?" Yuriko, the innkeeper's wife, called through the door to indicate that she had brought his meal.

Aoshi looked at his watch before settling back, as she entered, setting the items into the room. She moved with grace, her age apparently not limiting her movement.

"Thank you…" Aoshi accepted it, holding out two envelopes. "I'd like these sent out, as well."

"Of course." She took the envelopes going to Tokyo and Kyoto, tucking them into her sleeve. "Takani-sensei has gone out for the day. She mentioned to me at breakfast that she will return before sunset."

Aoshi nodded and she left the room, leaving him in silence.

So the doctor had gone for the day. Perhaps it was best. She had plenty of work to do, as did he. That…and…he was slowly starting to discover that his mode of thinking seemed…off…around her.

Trying to dismiss the thought, he moved over to enjoy his meal.

Megumi slightly quickened her pace as the inn came into view. She had spent all day visiting patients, and was looking forward to a hot meal and equally hot bath.

The time today helped push away some very strange thoughts she'd been having the past twenty-four hours. Perhaps the subject of those strange thoughts would be too busy today. She had every intention of helping the patients in the area as much as she could…but she also needed to find out her methods of getting back home. Her brother would worry if she was away for too long…and she had already imposed enough by taking off for the conference in Kyoto.

Sighing, Megumi moved her hair over her shoulder, her eyes focusing on the ground.

Now that she had time to reflect on what happened on the train, she recalled that she didn't doubt that Shinomori Aoshi wouldn't save her. He had proven once already that her safety and welfare were important. Immediately, she recalled the feel of his skin when she had been dressing his wound…

She released a breath. Such thoughts didn't belong there. Not to say that the idea of Aoshi himself was completely bad…he was an intelligent man…and pleasing to the eye whether he wore Japanese, Western wear…or nothing at all. Even with all the scars...they seemed to add appeal to the already existing strength and definition of his body. Megumi covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a laugh. Wouldn't Kaoru or Misao be horrified at that thought?

Megumi was just finally starting to get her life together. She enjoyed being fully in control of her life. The last thing she needed was something to change that. No matter how pleasant the distraction seemed. She smiled again. Kaoru and Misao would be so scandalized to hear any of her thoughts. The idea of mortifying the two younger women kept Megumi amused for the rest of the short walk to the inn.

She was back. He could sense it the moment she had stepped inside the inn. Aoshi frowned slightly. He knew that his senses had always been sharp…it was good to know that the skill wasn't lost on him.

Aoshi looked up from his paperwork as her footsteps grew ever so closer. He had asked the innkeeper and his wife if he could sort through his paperwork in an open room downstairs, away from the guest rooms. They had gladly offered one of the sitting rooms, with appropriate supplies as needed.

From his vantage point, he could see her move into the garden, her lips turned in a small smile, admiring the serenity of her surroundings. He rose to his feet and moved towards the garden, stopping once she looked up, catching sight of him.

"Were the patients all right?" he asked quietly.

Megumi nodded. "Yes…they were." Her eyes took on a gleam. "Except for one whom I haven't checked yet."

He arched a brow. "I'm fine."

"I'd like to see for myself."

After several heartbeats, he moved towards his former position at the table while Megumi followed.

She set her medical kit down beside her while he pushed his yukata off his shoulders. After disinfecting her hands, she removed the bandage, silently assessing the wound. Her finger traced the mark for several seconds before she pulled out a fresh bandage.

"It should heal soon," she responded.

"That's good."

She applied a topical medicine onto the scratch before covering with a bandage. "Done."

He adjusted his clothing and she put her supplies away, just as Yuriko came into the room.

"Aoshi-san…Takani-sensei…dinner is ready."

"Thank you, Yuriko-san," Megumi spoke up, rising to her feet.

"A bath has also been prepared if either of you need it," their hostess continued as they walked to the dining area.

Several guests sat at the table, including the physician who helped the train passengers yesterday. Yuriko served everyone appropriately.

"Yuriko-san, where is Naoko-chan?" Kisho asked.

"She's sleeping," Yuriko answered sadly. "Poor child…"

"Naoko-chan?" Megumi prompted.

"One of the passengers…her mother was one of the few who died in the accident…long before anyone could save her," Yuriko explained quietly. "From what I gathered based on her mother's belongings…she was supposed to be going to Tokyo to see her aunt. The police have sent word to her…but we probably won't receive a response for a week or two."

"How old is Naoko?" Megumi asked.

"Probably no more than three years," Kisho answered.

It was unfortunate. Life certainly threw surprises, even to little ones.

Dinner passed quickly, everyone chatting amicably about their days.

It was late into the night when Megumi woke to the sound of sharp rapping at her door. She rolled onto her side, bracing her head, willing herself awake.

"Takani-sensei?" Yuriko's hushed voice called through the screen. "Sensei…are you awake?"

Megumi quickly moved to the door, sliding it open. "Yuriko-san…what is it?"

"I'm sorry to bother you. Kisho-sensei went out on an emergency. Naoko-chan isn't feeling very well. She's been crying and-"

"Where is she?" Megumi immediately asked.

Several doors down across the hall, another door slid open as a tall figure emerged. Yuriko glanced in the direction, bowing her head sheepishly.

"Aoshi-san…I'm sorry to have disturbed you."

He shook his head. "What's wrong?"

"Naoko-chan seems to be running a high fever," Yuriko gestured her hand down the hall. "Her room is five doors this way…"

"Yuriko-san, please retrieve some water and ice. I'll be there shortly." Megumi immediately turned her lamp on, searching for supplies in her medical kit.

When everything was set, she headed to the room, surprised to find that Aoshi was there, folding the sleeves of the girl's yukata so she was comfortable. The sight of him cradling a child was enough to make her stop in her tracks. She was so accustomed to him being so silent, his presence commanding respect…this was a side of him that she had never seen in their long acquaintance.

"Sensei, look at this," he spoke up softly. She briefly remembered that he had addressed her by her given name on the train. But since she was now in professional mode, perhaps things were different.

Megumi kneeled in front of him, her eyes trailing over the little girl. She was young, with cherub cheeks, dark lashes, and fine hair pulled into pigtails. A frown furrowed her brow as she caught sight of purplish bruises marking the circumference of the girl's upper arm.

"What…?" her eyes narrowed.

"And this…" Aoshi let his finger trace the little girl's eyebrow, where her trained eye could see the fading of another bruise.

Their eyes met and held for several long moments. His meaning was clear. But Megumi didn't want to think about the implications of those marks. Instead, she laid a gentle hand on the child's forehead. The child's temperature was so high.

Yuriko returned with towels, ice, and water. Megumi had tried to make the girl as comfortable as possible. Aoshi offered to stay and assist her, instructing Yuriko to rest, for she had customers to care for early the next day. Megumi and Aoshi alternated in monitoring Naoko's temperature every several hours.

"She seems to be improving," Megumi commented as she changed the cloth that she had placed on her forehead with a new one.

Aoshi's blue-gray eyes turned to the girl, who stirred slightly. "These marks on her arms…"

Megumi sighed, looking away. She knew what he meant. Someone…had hurt her. Not too long ago. She looked up as Naoko moved, her eyes fluttering slightly. Megumi moved forward, giving her a smile as the child became conscious, her dark eyes looking around wildly, seeing his form and hers.

"Hello, Naoko-" Megumi began.

The girl, as if pushed by adrenaline, immediately stumbled towards Megumi, throwing her arms around her neck, glancing fearfully at Aoshi. Their eyes met again, and she noted the shock in those cool depths.

"Naoko-chan…" Megumi pulled back to look at her before looking at Aoshi.

"She doesn't like my presence here…so I will leave." He rose and moved towards the hallway.

Megumi spoke up, "For whatever reason…you remind her of something that scared her…possibly…"

"…of someone who hurt her?" Aoshi filled in.

Megumi swallowed, fighting to keep her anxiety hidden. "I know you have resources…could you…find out why she was on her way to Tokyo?"

He lifted a brow. "You think someone is after her."

"Her and her mother, perhaps. If someone is…they may be looking for them…"

He nodded. "I'll take care of it."

"Thank you," Megumi responded, smiling ruefully. "For everything…"

Naoko was a very curious child. Over the last few days, she had gone exploring through the inn, picking up items she had taken a liking to. Once she got over her initial fear of him, she could be in the same room, entertaining herself with her collection of toys while he wrote letters or read his books.

Aoshi glanced at her while he folded the paper in his hands into an intricate shape, as she watched on eagerly. He used to make the same item for Misao when she was a child.

Megumi was out on her rounds. She had expressed interest in returning home as soon as Naoko was passed to her aunt. Like himself, she was waiting to see if Naoko would be safe. Aoshi had looked in the belongings of Naoko's mother…no indication of a husband…which seemed very unusual. Not even a clue that one existed in the first place. Why? And why was a woman with a child going to Tokyo? He could be reading too much into the situation, but he'd find out soon enough.