Tales from the Meiji Ward

Fluent fingers rushed over the keyboard of a laptop as a beautiful woman in her late 20's typed up the reports on several of her patients. The usual tapping sound of her nails hitting the keys stopped when there was a defiant knock at her closed door. Glancing her eyes up at her clock ticking on the wall, she took off her glasses and placed them on the folders beside her laptop.

"Come in." She voiced in her usual professional manner and what greeted her was a tall lean man with jet-black hair and long bangs falling frustratingly into his pure mesmerising green-grey eyes.

"You called for me?" His voice was rich and deep. At being waved in by the woman, the man dressed in black pants, white shirt and white lab coat and in his early to mid twenties sat down in the vacant chair.

"Yes, I've read your superiors reports on you Shinomori-san and I'm quite impressed." All she received from the tall man was a raised eyebrow. It showed that although he would not voice it, she had intrigued him slightly.

"I've been informed that in the last 3 months, you have helped four of our patients leave."

"Dr Takani, forgive me if I'm rude, but are you going somewhere with this conversation? I have patients that I must attend to."

"You see that's exactly what I'm referring too. You don't come in late, you rarely have any days off and all you seem to care for is the patients you are assigned to."

"I'm an intern Dr Takani and it's my job to look after my patients when they cannot look after themselves. They come here to rely on us to help them through there problems and I believe I must do as much as possible for them, but still knowing that they have to take the huge step in wishing to leave this psychiatric hospital."

"I'm pleased with your answer Shinomori-san." Dr Takani watched as his brows furrowed slightly.

"Was this some test of wills for you to decide whether I have a right to work here? If you've read my superiors reports I have done nothing wrong an-"

"On the contrary Shinomori-san I believe as do the leading doctors in the Takani Psychiatric Hospital that you could make a huge difference with a certain ward."

"Oh?"

"Yes, you've heard of the Meiji Ward correct?"

"Of course. All the interns that have come from there have named it that because of a fourteen year old who thinks he's been possessed by an in-training samurai from the Meiji era."

"So you do pay attention to all the gossip around here."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I believe in it."

"Well how about you and I take a little walk and you'll be able to see what patients you have been assigned to…for…well permanently for now." The tall man got out of the chair, arching his brow once more at the "permanently for now" remark but remained silent and followed the lovely doctor out of her office. Her high heel shoes clicked against the hallway floor as they made there way towards the "Meiji Ward".

"So tell me Shinomori-san, why did you become an intern…and in a psychiatric hospital as well?" Icy green-grey eyes flickered down at the shorter woman before turning back to nod quietly at one of the other interns who had greeted the both of them.

"You've read my file, so why must I answer that question?"

"That is true." She stopped at a large set of white double doors before pulling out a key card device and swiped it down an electronic machine. There was a small buzz and the doors clicked allowing the doctor and the tall intern inside.

"Shinomori-san, welcome to the Meiji Ward." Dr Takani voiced as she pushed open another set of doors and green-grey eyes were greeted with the site of 11 very special patients. They were spread out over the expanse of the living area, several talking to themselves.

"Shall we head into the office so you can read up on their files before introducing yourself to them?"

"Aa…" The man muttered before following the lady into the office but not without noticing the stares he received from 10 of the patients.

# Inside the Office #

"Here are the files on each patient you'll be dealing with so do read up on them before heading out to start your daily duties with them. Oh, a word of waring for you Shinomori-san, some of the patients are in here for extremely strange reasons, but we do not judge on our patients, we merely wish to help them okay?" With a slight nod of his head the intern was left alone in the office and out came one folder at a time as he looked at the photo of his first patient.

"Hiko Seijiro, loves pottery making and drinking sake. Hmm, a drinker huh? This shouldn't be too much of a problem. Wait, has a narcissistic complex…hmm, he might need some straight talking too. Himura Kenshin loves doing laundry, well Dr Takani was right, these are strange reasons. Hmm, lets see he also likes trying to take people clothes! Hmm, must remember not to get too close to him. Wants to kick the habit of 'oro-ing'. I wonder what that is? Also has an all round obsession of cleaning and practically being a maid and is always referred to as being a woman." The intern flipped back to the front of the folder to have a look at his photo.

"I can see why. Okay, next…" Clearing his throat he picked up another folder. "Myojin Yahiko is the possessed boy. Makoto Shishio, trying to stop being attracted to fire and burning himself constantly so he is wrapped up in bandages. He also has a fascination in wanting to beat Himura Kenshin. I best keep an eye on him and Himura out of his way. Seta Soujiro has a problem with glomping people, mainly Makoto Shishio and smiles over everything. Even when he was a child he was being beaten up and his smile would not waver." The intern racked a hand through his hair ruffling it slightly as he leaned back in the chair.

"I guess I do like challenges, but some of these problems are just…strange. Yukishiro Enishi confined to a straight jacket as he once tried to attack another patient known as Kamiya Kaoru. Claims she looks like his dead sister Yukishiro Tomoe and wanted to possess her. So who is Kamiya Kaoru? Ah here we go, Kamiya Kaoru, extremely violent and usually found with a broom in her hands. Has mood swings often and goes into crying hysterically because she is always referred to as a violent man and not a woman. She has also had a nervous breakdown because of this. Why are their brooms in here anyway? Sagara Sanosuke has an extreme gambling problem. Saitou Hajime is a chronic smoker and believes himself to be known also as Fujita Gotoh - an exceptional police officer. Takeda Tokio suffers from hallucinations and has a huge obsession with cooking soba and anything to do with dogs, but mainly wolves. Hmm, I wonder what that's about?" A knock at the door distracted the intern from his thoughts as he sat up properly and once more in walked Dr Takani.

"Aoshi-san, you don't mind if I call you that do you?" At the shrug of his shoulders Dr Takani took it as a 'no' and continued on. "I thought perhaps tomorrow you should start fresh at 8am with the Meiji Ward, so I'm allowing you to take the files home, read up on everyone and get a good nights sleep for your first day at being in charge of your own ward."

"Aa…" Who was he to complain to getting off work early? Grabbing up all the files he headed out of the office with the lady doctor in front. Once more 10 pairs of eyes were watching his every move as he left the ward and headed back into the main hallway.

"A lovely bunch don't you think?" The woman with raven hair and maroon eyes asked lightly as she guided the taller man towards the staff locker rooms.

"I'm sure I have my work cut out for me." There was laughter from the woman beside him, which made him glance at her for more then a second.

"Well if other interns have run for the hills, begging for transfers I'm sure you could possibly be the same after 3 months there."

"I doubt it."

"Such confidence in yourself Aoshi-san, I like that in an intern." Aoshi did nothing but stare blankly down at the doctor before stopping at the door which read "Staff Personnel Only".

"Well, I wish you luck and I expect weekly reports on all 11 patients." The silent nod was all she received as she headed back down the hallway, white lab coat moving with her hips as she headed back towards her office.

Bringing out his security card he swiped it through the electronic device that would allow him into the change rooms and then pushed the door open when it gave off the usual click.

"Hey Shinomori, heard you got the Meiji Ward, good luck man." Another intern voiced as he was just changing to start his shift.

"Aa…" Was the only reply the intern received as Aoshi sat down in front of his locker and placed the folders beside him. Opening up his locker he quickly changed into his casual clothes of black shirt and jeans before heading out of the door once more and towards the main entrance and exit.

Heading out of the emergency department automatic doors, Aoshi casually waved at one of the reception ladies as she lived in the same building as he and then headed out into a nice warm afternoon. Placing his backpack over his right shoulder he headed for the staff carpark towards his beat up Ute and got in turning the ignition and winding down the window, as the air-conditioner didn't work. After the car stayed idle for a moment, Aoshi finally placed it into drive before pulling out of the carpark and turning left out of the hospital grounds as he headed for home.

# An hour later #

Soundless footsteps moved down a hallway, as Aoshi headed for apartment 11 on the second floor of a six-story apartment building. Keys came out of his pocket as he unlocked his door and then promptly placed the keys in a bowl on a small table near the front door in the skinny hallway. Moving down the hallway his ears picked up a sound that was much like bells chiming lightly from the lounge and kitchen area. Stepping into the medium room he was greeted to the sight of a toy rolling across the wooden floorboards.

"You're in a playful mood today. Why is that?" A pair of sparkling green eyes stared up at the owner of that voice before the black fur ball ran towards him and attacked his feet…in a loving manner of course. Bending down Aoshi picked up the black cat and headed for the couch.

"You didn't crap in my bedroom again did you Eclipse?" All he received was a definite purr and the head of Eclipse rubbing against his cheek.

"Sucking up won't do you any good." He muttered while Eclipse decided to curl in his lap as he pulled up his bag to take out the files on his new patients. While Eclipse purred loudly in his lap, Aoshi decided to look over the files once more…and came across one he had not read yet.

"Makimachi Misao is permanently traumatised by the memory of watching her grandfather die in front of her. She has suffered from depression and has shut herself off from all life as she continuously stares lifelessly out the window in the living room, rarely moving from it in fact. All other interns and doctors don't know what to do with her as she has not spoken since that fatal day over two years ago. Two years…" Aoshi muttered to himself as he flipped back to the photo to have a look at her. Her skin was porcelain in colour. She had blue-black hair and thick bangs that framed her cute frowning face. Her eyes were the deepest ocean blue he had ever come across, but within them, there was nothing. No life whatsoever.

"I'll change that. I will not give up on you Makimachi Misao…and that is a promise." Placing the folder away for the moment Aoshi brushed his hands over his temples. It had already been a long day and he wondered what the hell tomorrow was going to be like? Sighing and not wishing to truly think about it at the moment he sat up straight and received a hiss from his cat at disturbing her sleep.

"Oh what are you complaining about? Not like you have to work or anything." Aoshi remarked before placing Eclipse on the couch and headed for the kitchen to find himself something to eat…and not forgetting about the loud purring cat who would soon be stroking his ankles wanting food as well.

While looking in the fridge for food Aoshi decided to reheat last nights takeaway and then leaned against the cabinets waiting for the kettle to boil so he could make himself some tea.

# Minutes pass by… #

"Well Eclipse, here's to the start of many tales from the Meiji Ward I would imagine." All he received was a yawn from his cat as she jumped off the couch and headed for her bowl to see if she had any dinner herself, which she did.

Green-grey eyes dropped from his black cat and focused back on the folder that lay open on the coffee table. Scared fingertips reached out to brush over the photo of Makimachi Misao.

"I know what death is like…and I will help you through this." Aoshi muttered lowly before leaning back against his couch and closed his eyes.

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TBC…

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