Aoshi was just barely standing when Tsukioka walked through the door.  Walked, not limped, not stumbled, not was-three-quarters-carried-by-Sagara.  The artist walked, quite firmly and steadily, as if nothing in the world was wrong.  You would almost believe that was true, too – until you looked at his face.

It was not the face of a man, it was the face of a clay doll; perfect in detail but lacking in reality.  There was absolutely no expression on his face – Aoshi thought he had probably worn that complete not-expression a time or two in his life.  It didn't make it any easier to see on someone else.

Kaoru and Misao-chan both gasped when he came in, and Misao paled slightly.  Beyond that, no one was given any time to react as Himura and Sagara came in, Himura a silk-smooth bundle of agitation and worry, Sagara a brooding mother-hen.  Himura looked up, a trifle apologetic, and smiled reassuringly at Kaoru.  Aoshi almost did not noticed, as the majority of his attention was fixed on the young artist who looked so empty.  What could have caused this?

"Kaoru-dono?  I believe that Tsukioka-san will need a place to stay for a little while – would it be too much …?"

Kaoru shook her head, not in denial but merely to clear herself of a shocked stupor.  E;sewhere. Outside of his range of vision, Aoshi could sense Misao-chan doing something similar.  "Of course he can stay, Kenshin … and … I don't think the room next to where Misao-chan and Aoshi-san are staying needs much to be ready for sleeping.  There should be a futon in the closet there … I'll go get it ready …"  she made to move, until Aoshi's voice stopped her.

"I'll do it."

"W-what?"  Kaoru wasn't the only one surprised; Himura, Misao-chan, and even Sagara, who had been fussing over his friend to the point of ignoring everyone else in the room turned around to stare at the tall ninja in shock.  If it hadn't been so wildly inappropriate, Aoshi would have smiled at the expressions on their faces.

Tsukioka, of course, showed no sign of noticing anything.

"I will do it," he repeated calmly.  "Let me take Tsukioka-san to his room, and you will both be able to find out what happened from Sagara."

"B-but …" Misao-chan stammered in shock; and everyone else looked like they would like to do something similar.  In any other circumstance, this would have been quite amusing.  Instead, he merely arched an eyebrow, and replied.

"I think I am quite able to set up a futon all by myself, Misao-chan."

She flushed hotly.  He hadn't meant to cause that – the girl did embarrass easily, didn't she?  "Well –"

"That would be very welcome, Aoshi, that it would," Himura interjected smoothly.  "You know where the room is?"

"Of course."

Himura smiled one of those inscrutable smiles of his, and turned to Sagara.  "Very well then.  Sano – what happened?"

Sagara turned his attention to Himura (leaving Aoshi almost flattered at the trust shown with his best friend's well-being), and began to recite what he knew.  Aoshi walked over to Tsukioka, who was looking out a window at absolutely nothing.  He briefly touched the other man's elbow, and murmured "Tsukioka-san?"

The artist turned to face him, only the faintest emotion in his eyes.  Well, that was better than nothing, Aoshi supposed.

"Please follow me, Tsukioka-san."

Perhaps Aoshi shouldn't have been halfway surprised when Tsukioka did - but he was anyways.

**********************

Yay!  We're going-to-be-visibly-going somewhere!  I actually kinda like this one.  I think I'm going to like the next couple of chapters, too.

Yay.

Kuroyousei: Umm … the reason you couldn't get at the chapter last night was probably because it wasn't up.  I didn't really finish writing it until 11:30 or so.  Sorry.  And I don't think I can adequately express my joy that you'll beta FF, so I didn't.  I just wrote a thank-you story.  It's called Mistake.  (I'm only ¾ of the way happy with it, so please love it.)