Chapter 10: Insight

Kei and Ayu looked very happy. She didn't recall…in the short time that she had known her brother…when he looked that happy. Megumi took a breath, clasping her hands in front of her as she stood across the room of the restaurant where her brother had requested the wedding celebration to be. The restaurant's owner had a daughter which frequently visited the Takani clinic, and he had been honored by Kei and Ayu's request to hold their wedding feast at his establishment.

The ceremony had been small, with several invited guests, although it seemed as if the entire neighborhood within ten blocks had shown up. If Kei and Ayu were surprised, they didn't show it. They seemed glad to know that so many supported them. And why wouldn't the community support them? He was the young, compassionate doctor, she was his lovely and kind-hearted assistant.

Growing up, Kei and Megumi had been told to see past class distinction. It came with their vocation.

Her eyes moved across the room to settle on a figure sitting in a corner, surrounded by a sparse number of guests. Megumi swallowed, realizing that Shinomori Aoshi had caught her gaze. And if she was willing to admit it to herself…she had been looking for him the entire day. She wasn't sure why, exactly. Wait. It was because he was expected. Yes, that was it. She remembered her conversation with her sister-in-law just a few days ago…

"Kei tells me that Shinomori-san will be arriving for the wedding. Isn't that wonderful?"

"Yes, it is," Megumi agreed. "It's always nice when guests from afar come for weddings."

Ayu smiled, shaking her head. "One of my childhood friends is coming from Tokyo. I'll be disappointed if she can't come. It's nice when guests say they'll be arriving, but even better if they hold their promise." She studied her soon to be sister-in-law. "Will you be all right, running the clinic on your own?"

Megumi gave her a determined look. "Of course I'll be all right."

"With you on the university's council…Kei and I were worried that we were putting too much on you…"

"I'll be fine," Megumi insisted.

"Congratulations, again," a deep voice spoke up, interrupting her thoughts. She turned immediately, seeing Aoshi standing to her left side.

"Thank you," she responded. Then with a slight smile, she added, "Weddings don't seem to be celebrations you enjoy. I'm surprised you came."

"Your brother and assistant were very helpful not too long ago."

"Of course," she responded dryly. "I can't see you attending something because you wanted to."

He arched a brow, and she sighed, waving her hand.

"I'm only teasing," she pointed out.

"I know," he responded wryly. "Did it ever occur to you that your brother's wedding is only one of the reasons why I'm here?"

"Oh?"

"Business."

She blinked. "Of course. You are busy with everything happening in Kyoto and Yokohama…"

Once the party began to slow down, the bride and groom got up, ready to leave the premises. Community members surrounded them with well-wishes as Megumi got caught up in the exuberant crowd. She was slightly surprised when Ayu and Kei managed to find her and give her a quick hug goodbye. The most affection Kei had ever displayed in public to her. Megumi smiled at them through shining eyes. Everything in the world was falling into place.

~

And it was dark by the time she had reached home. One of the neighbors escorted her to the clinic, and as she made her way from the clinic to the living quarters, lantern in hand, she sighed at the sight she had to clean up. Nearby neighbors had come by with gifts, and boxes were scattered all over.

Ah well. She'd deal with them tomorrow. As long as they weren't in patients' ways, which they weren't, then it was okay. She could move them into Kei and Ayu's new living quarters outside of the clinic.

Megumi set the fire which would heat up the water of the bath. She then proceeded to her room, removing her fancy kimono and throwing on a plain yukata. While waiting for her bath, she sorted through the mail, mostly letters sent from friends far away addressed to her brother. She had a feeling that they were mostly written because of the wedding.

Once the bath was ready, she washed up before soaking in the tub, leaning her head back, watching steam float to the ceiling.

A part of her was so…relieved now that everything was over. In addition to her new job, she had also been helping Ayu with the wedding. Ayu was an efficient assistant, but it seemed that once her heart got into the matter of things, she became panicky and scatter-brained. Megumi wondered if all weddings were that stressful. She shifted slightly, vowing not to get married in such an extravagant fashion. Not that she'd be marrying anytime soon.

A slight smile lifted her lips. Not to say that men hadn't come courting. She just wasn't interested.

After she had fully removed the tension of the day from her body, Megumi dressed. The clinic was empty for the night, but out of habit, she checked the rooms and the offices before heading to the living quarters.

~

A few days later, once Aoshi had completed a few negotiations in Aizu, he made his way to the university, where Jiro's class would soon begin. He had informed the older man that he intended to visit.

He looked up as snowflakes began to fall, dotting the Aizu landscape. His train for Kyoto wasn't set to leave until later that night, which would bring him into Kyoto at dawn.

The university was small, but growing. It only consisted of three single-story buildings. Aoshi had reached the special classroom for students just as class was finishing. He stood to the side, waiting as everyone filed out. Once he entered the dojo, his old acquaintance looked up.

"Aoshi."

"Jiro."

The old man placed several weapons in the closet before turning to his visitor, who moved closer into the room.

"You look well," Jiro commented. "How is everyone at the Aoiya?"

"Busy," Aoshi answered honestly. "With all the changes."

"Is Okina still…visiting his favorite female friends?" Jiro asked, smiling slightly.

Aoshi nodded, adding, "He has more responsibilities than ever, yet he always manages to find time to do so…"

"That man will never change…"

"And you? I take it Okina's habits haven't passed on?"

"You know the answer to that," Aoshi responded lightly.

Once Jiro cleaned up, they left the university, taking a slow walk back to Jiro's home.

"I understand that Takani Kei was married not too long ago," Jiro said suddenly.

"You did not attend."

Jiro nodded. "I would not have been welcome. Megumi-sensei…she has been kind to me…occasionally she comes by to deliver some salves…but Kei-sensei has made his position clear."

"Takani Megumi has been the victim of a few unfortunate circumstances. It is her brother's wishes that she no longer falls under those."   

"Kei-sensei is a good man. Forgiving…but not forgetful…"

It seemed that the past could not always be erased. It was a concept Aoshi understood.

Then as if to change conversation, Jiro coughed slightly before smiling. "So tell me about your establishment in Yokohama…"

~

The wind was howling through the night during the snowfall. Megumi glanced at her clock, seeing that it was far from midnight. After having a long work day, she had retired early.

She shivered in her sleeping clothes, burying herself in the blankets, closing her eyes to let sleep take over. A thundering knock vibrated through the house, nearly causing her to jump.

Who would come knocking…and in this weather? A patient? Megumi quickly got up, lighting a lantern and snatching a long wooden stick as protection, made her way to the front door of her and Kei's home.

But she was only greeted by the sound of the wind.

Shaking her head, she turned away. Until…

"Megumi-san." A familiar voice came through the wood. "Open the door."

She rolled her eyes. That infuriating man knew she was there? Megumi hurried over, setting her lantern and weapon aside to unlock and slide the door open. She shivered the instant sharp wind found its way into the house, the same time Aoshi stepped inside. He quickly closed the door behind him.

"My apologies…the train station is closed due to the weather…and the hotels are all full," he explained.

"It's fine…" Megumi assured him. "Although asking as opposed to commanding would have caused me to open the door much more quickly."

At the surprised look in his eyes, she hid her smile. Wait. Was she being playful? Then she added, "I thought my brother made it clear that you were always welcome here, if you needed a place to stay."

"Kei-san isn't here at the moment," he pointed out.

Before she could think, she responded, "But the same invitation still applies, coming from me." Then she added at his unwavering stare, "So there's no need to apologize. Let's get you settled into a room." Megumi showed him to a guest room, even so far as removing bedding items from storage. "Is there anything else you need?" she asked once Aoshi set his bag down.

"No…thank you."

"I hope you're prepared, Aoshi," Megumi spoke up, her voice serious. "I was told that this weather might last for another few days…"

And with that she went to her room to sleep for the night.

Not that it was doing her any good. Several hours later, and she was still wide awake. She wasn't as tired as she thought, apparently. Apparently.

Even though she had been ready to sleep before the knock came to her door. What was wrong with her? She shook her head mentally. Nothing else had happened to cause her mood to change. Absolutely nothing. 

Liar.

Closing her eyes tightly, Megumi turned, burying her face in her pillow.

Many doors away from Megumi's room, Aoshi lay awake in the dark. It had been hours since he retired for the night, but he hadn't been able to sleep. Not much. He had always been a light sleeper, yet this night tested him.

Megumi was restless. He heard her footsteps not too long ago proceed to the dining area. And he had heard the faint whistle of a kettle before it was immediately cut off. He had thought of seeing what had caused her sleeplessness, but that would seem too…forward. Not that he was concerned about being too forward. There was nothing to be forward about, anyway. Glancing at his watch through the moonlight, he saw that dawn would be approaching in a few hours.

Driven by something he didn't understand, he rose to his feet and walked down the halls to the dining area, seeing Megumi stare out the window, a cup of tea in her hands. Many small flakes of snow fell from the sky.

"Aoshi. I didn't realize…" she cleared her throat delicately before saying, "I didn't mean to disturb you."

"It's all right," he assured, retrieving himself a cup of tea. When she rose from her position at the window, he shook his head slightly, indicating that she stay. And she did.

He sat a distance away, looking out the window as she did. It was strange…this…moment. As if something was struggling inside of him, fighting to get out…causing uneasiness to form in his heart. Why, he wasn't too sure. Was there something that he was missing…? Something that could explain these strange…emotions? He stared into his cup, watching the still liquid, before glancing back at her.

Tension seemed to exist in her as well.

"Regarding your question in your letter…" he began quietly, noting that she turned to look at him. "I still think my staff needs a physician."

Her lips parted in a silent gasp. Then she turned away, admitting softly, "With…With my brother now married…I…I feel that maybe…it's best…that…" her voice grew stronger, "that I find my own path. I still want to honor my family's tradition." He studied her, saying nothing.

But he understood. She wanted to lead her own life, with only herself to answer to. And as much as she loved her sibling, she wanted him to be a devoted husband to his new wife. Kei had someone else to be worrying about now.

"If I were to make the arrangements…would you be ready to move to Yokohama shortly after Kei-san's return?" Aoshi asked.

She was quiet for so long that he wasn't sure she'd answer. But she did.

"Yes."