Memory's Touch: Part 5
A RK fanfiction by eriesalia: onigirichan mindspring dot com
Standard disclaimer applies.
She was deft when it came to displaying both affection and annoyance with particularly clueless people -- namely Kaoru and the long-gone Sanosuke Sagara. And, as a result, she was immediately able to see that same dynamic existed between master and former pupil.

Last night, Kenshin Himura had gamely agreed to whatever Hiko had commanded, but that was only because out of his silly nature he had felt responsible for her current inactive state, lying here in the middle of this room crammed with pottery. Never mind it had been her who had been clumsy and took a turn down the hillside. Never mind also that it had been her idea that they make this trip as well.

But this morning, she could already see that if she had assumed the relationship to be one way, that she was wrong.

The two men were outside at the kiln, within hearing distance, discussing some inane thing regarding glazes. Hiko Seijuro, from all appearances, thought the conditions ripe for firing pottery. Megumi dourly noted it was overcast, but did not particularly care to shout out her disagreement from inside the hut.

Again Kenshin had been commanded to go fetch water from the river, and Kenshin had resisted slightly. It had surpised her somewhat. In all the time she had known Kenshin, she had never heard him adopt a tone of sarcasm with anyone or lose his temper in such a consistent way. Then again, this was the same man who had also brought out her more violent tendencies.

She smiled, as she reflexively curled the fingers on her good hand into a fist. The last person to have that dubious honor was a certain irritating roosterhead. Of course, the medicine chest she had used to mete out Sanosuke's punishments had been replaced since then and her days of throwing that box were long gone.

But she had been tempted to substitute some of the pottery in this room yesterday for that box, particularly after Hiko Seijuro had moved towards her to move her inside for the evening. She had refused, preferring to instead to try to stand and hobble her way inside rather than 'be touched by a man who couldn't keep his hands in their proper place.'

Kenshin had come to her rescue, helping her inside, as the other man fumed silently at her carefully delivered insult. As for the pottery, somehow Kenshin had sensed her intentions and in his usual kind way, he deftly made a comment regarding the value of these pieces before assuring her that his master absolutely had no inclinations towards lechery.

It was probably fortunate for the pottery that Kenshin could read her thoughts so well -- she had thought some of it would crack nicely against the man's dense head and be better off for it.

Nevertheless she would not spare Hiko her temper or her words. It had been a long time since she had exercised her womanly right to smack a difficult man into his place or had an opponent worth teasing. But she was still waiting for his answer regarding Kenshin Himura's future health. However, his demeanor towards her and his pupil almost demanded some sort of retribution when the opportunity arose.

Even if she did not know yet the answer she sought, there were at least some benefits to this trip out into this odd isolated place. Accidents aside, there was this new insight into Kenshin's character and his past. The man she had met she had always known to be insightful, compassionate and oddly clueless. He was, with the exception of his constant need to take other's burdens upon himself, or had been always nearly perfect in her eyes. But now -- she saw him more and more as an ordinary man.

And she knew that this latest accident would keep her here for at least a few days; and it would keep her from being distracted with her own problems.

"Megumi-dono needs assistance." Kenshin's voice was insistent. "Perhaps some locals--"

"There is no one of help within miles of here--"

"There were a few houses five miles back." Kenshin corrected his master gently.

"With useless men in them--" Hiko sighed. "Both in terms of physical strength and intellectual capacity."

"Then you're suggesting--"

"In a few weeks she'll be as good as new."

At that, Megumi bristled. While she was not opposed to sitting here for a few days -- the very idea of sitting here for weeks was definitely out of the question. She tried vainly to sit up and move herself towards the partially opened door to mouth her protests.

Kenshin added more quietly. "We are expected in Kyoto already."

"The woman isn't going to be able to walk back unless you want to carry her back. I'd suggest that she rest longer. Besides which - I have yet to give that woman my assessment on your health."

The silence that followed told Megumi enough. She bit her lip in pain as she stood up and shuffled to the door. "And your constant demands for water and firewood supposedly part of this assessment?"

She noted sharply Kenshin's weak smile at her , but turned her dark eyes to the man next to him. The manner of drawing out this visit, she saw, would have its toll on Kenshin .

"Of course," Hiko had one hand on his waist. "I want to see how much of a weakling he's become."

"As his physician, I can assure that he is no weakling, except when it comes to being too agreeable to stupid requests from people too weak or lazy to do things for themselves."

"Megumi-dono—" Kenshin's voice betrayed his anxiousness.

The tall man crossed his arms over his chest. "And you are insinuating that I, Hiko—"

She smiled archly as she interrupted him. "You know perfectly well what I mean."

"Master, Megumi—" Kenshin was now waving his hands somewhat worriedly. "I'm off to get some water. Please—"

To Megumi and Kenshin's surprise, Hiko laughed as he slammed the kiln door shut. He laughed as if the laughs had originated from somewhere deep inside him. After a moment, he waved his hand dismissively at Kenshin. "Water won't be necessary."

"But breakfast—" Kenshin answered, somewhat startled by the change in Hiko's demeanor.

"I'll get the water." Hiko snorted. "Go hurry off and find help. The folks you mentioned are actually quite kindly, if somewhat stupid. At the very least they can get a message to Kyoto for you saying you'll be delayed. But don't worry yourself all that much either." His eyes were dancing in amusement as he smacked his former pupil on the back. "And don't worry so much either. Aside from leaving wrinkles on your face, worrying is completely unnecessary."

Kenshin gave his master a puzzled glance.

"The woman won't need much help after all." Hiko said dismissively, before idly grabbing a bucket and disappearing off towards the tree line.

"Of all the—" Megumi leaned down to look for a convenient heavy object, but felt a restraining hand on her shoulder.

"Megumi—" Kenshin eased her back inside the hut. "He means well, that I'm sure of. But I will hurry back."

"It's fine." She shook off her annoyance. "As long as I keep offending his pride, he'll keep his distance and behave, for sure. Go ahead and get a message to Kaoru. I'm sure she'll be worried—"

Kenshin relaxed slightly, relieved by her understanding. "What would you like me to bring?"

"More cloths if you can procure them," she answered sensibly. "I'm fine for now, but I would like to rebind everything. "

"Alright," Kenshin stood up. "Master will behave, I am certain of it. Despite how he talks, he is a good man."

"Of course." Megumi saw that he, indeed, was worried at her own feelings. For his sake, she smiled. "I know that any person you care for must, be Ken-san. But don't dally too long either." She smirked at him. "There are some pieces of pottery which I think would suffer if you do."

At that, they both laughed.


The Aoiya quieted again after the lunch meal had come and gone. With most of the regular patrons disappearing back towards their own homes and jobs, there would be the evening meal and the boarders to deal with next.

However, as his tasks fell to the management and financial affairs he had excused himself back to his office for a moment of quiet. It was not that he disliked the usual chaos – but he was still weighing out his thoughts and his actions.

He had hoped for a distraction amongst his books, but the truth was there was little to look at or do calculate or account for. Okina had done quite well for the Kyoto Oniwaban; even when he had taken over the affairs several years previously there had been little to work out.

If he dared to be even more truthful, he would admit that he was almost bored. Five years was a long time to do one thing. Even when he had been in the Shogun's employ he had at least a variety of opponents and certain disciplines to master. And it was in times of boredom, that his mind wandered. Although lately, it had grown much worse.

The sound of a rap on the door came almost as a relief.

"Aoshi," Okina was all smiles as he poked his head inside the office. "Are you busy?"

Aoshi knew full well that Okina could see he was most definitely not busy. "Come in and tell me why you're all smiles."

"Traveling around Kyoto with two lovely young women would make any man happy," Okina huffed with pride.

"You were giving Himura's wife a tour of Kyoto, were you?"

"Of course," Okina's head was clearly somewhere else as he continued rambling. "The last time they were here I promised everyone a grand tour. After all this time, I'm able to keep my word. Besides which, Misao loves any excuse to tour the old palaces."

"I am sure Kaoru-san appreciates the gesture."

"Oh she does," Okina flopped down on a well-placed cushion. "But she was rather sad that the others couldn't also come. But I promised her to close the Aoiya at the end of the week so that we can all enjoy ourselves for once. At least, if Himura himself is willing."

Aoshi paused, reminded that for Kenshin Himura, Kyoto was a city with many painful memories. "I'm sure that with your oversight, Okina, that he will not mind. And with his wife and child here, the concerns you have for him will not be an issue."

"Of course, of course," Okina spoke up a bit too brightly. "Speaking of which, have you heard from him or seen him?"

"No, but it is not quite yet the hour of Rooster. I'm sure that they will return near dinner as expected."

"Ah yes," Okina smiled when he caught the unintended slip on Aoshi's part. "Himura and the attractive doctor will surely return."

"Yes." Aoshi answered without thought, and then much too late realized the error in his response. "Himura and the doctor."

To his annoyance, that intended correction only highlighted his own slip.

Okina's voice grew even brighter. "She's as beautiful as ever, isn't she? I thought so the other day when I saw her come in through the entrance." Okina picked up one of the books that sat on his table. "Funny thing though in how uncomfortable she seemed this time around. It was as if she couldn't wait to get out of here the other day."

"Perhaps Himura's welfare was simply weighing on her mind."

"I suppose," Okina rifled through the pages, pretending to look at the numbers. "But even Misao noticed something amiss. She sounded rather worried for her. Said she was different than when she saw her in Tokyo. Did you notice anything?"

Okina's expression was casual, but his eyes were sharp.

If this were a routine interrogation of a caught enemy, Aoshi would have admired Okina's ability to draw out information. He did his best to sound impassive. "I would be a fool not to realize that the woman had something on her mind."

"And I would be a fool to ignore it. It clearly centers around you, Aoshi. I do not mean to pry, but I also wish for her and Himura's friends always to be welcome here in the place I call home."

Aoshi knew that Okina was scolding him, perhaps for some unkind behavior. It pained him to think that Okina – who was his mentor and much like a father to him – thought it possible even now. "She will always be welcome here. It was never my intention to suggest otherwise."

"But there is something deeply personal between you two, which I suppose extends back to the time you both served under Kanryuu?"

"Yes and no." He looked away, suddenly uncomfortable with where this was leading. "Perhaps it began there, but nothing came of it until I saw her last in Tokyo. I made a rather unwise… statement."

After a moment, during which he was certain Okina was scrutinizing him, the elder man started to chuckle. "You're a horrible liar Aoshi. You've always been a forthright person, even when wrong. And to think you can even deceive a fellow onmitsu is laughable. Aside from which, blushing is such a rarety for you that I know there is more to your answer."

Aoshi frowned. His pride, notwithstanding, there were the actual details he did not want known. They would be embarrassing for him, but devastating for her and her reputation. "The overtures were rejected."

"Completely?" Okina leaned in slightly, unable to restrain his curiosity. "Or am I wrong in assuming that perhaps she isn't completely uninterested?"

"I do not know," Aoshi admitted faintly, recalling that she had, at least once, reciprocated with a very clear display of feeling.

"Hmm." Okina stroked his chin. "It's not an idea that had occurred to me at all – but it's an interesting prospect, I admit. "

"Okina—" Aoshi knew too well that gesture; Okina was clearly thinking about something, planning something. "This is not an exercise. I will not allow you to attempt to manipulate the situation in any way."

"Oh of course not," Okina said casually. "I take it then, that you are contemplating this matter further?"

Aoshi stared down the man, indicating that that matter was closed to discussion. "Even if I am , I do not wish for this to go beyond here."

"Even if it would help your case for the others to know?"

"They would not sympathize." Aoshi shook his head, thinking of the young woman who idolized him and whose feelings he did not want hurt by any missteps now.

"Then you do not understand them, as much as you ought." Okina stood up, shaking his head. "They are family, waiting anxiously for you to open yourself up to them as you ought to. I will not tell them – but not for the reasons you think. As much good it would do, bringing you closer together – I can not force you to be what you are not. Until you see the meaning of my words – you will never be suited for a happy relationship."


"That stubborn pupil of mine hasn't returned yet has he?"

Megumi looked up blankly at the door entrance where Hiko stood. She put down the packets of medicine she had been awkwardly trying to pick apart. "Is the neighbor that far?"

"No." Hiko sighed irritably. "And as they're not the social types – I'm sure he's not sitting there with them having a cup of tea."

For a moment, she forgot her annoyance at the other man as she suddenly worried for Kenshin. "Do you think something happened to him?"

"I'm assuming he found those neighbors to be thoroughly unreliable and went off to Kyoto himself."

"But that'll take him well into the evening to get to," she frowned.

"He's stubborn." Hiko's voice sounded vaguely resigned. "He always has been. If he has some idea in his head as to what needs to be done, he'll go off and do it."

She sensed a slight change in the man's mood – one which betrayed for once that he did, in fact, deeply care for his pupil. For that, she bit the urge to return his insult with another. "That sounds like him," she answered instead.

His attention was drawn back to what she had in her lap. "You're not having much luck with those packets, are you?"

"It is hard to open something with one good hand," she raised her eyebrow at him.

Before she could protest, he had quickly swiped all of them and taken a step backwards, safe from her good arm's reach. "I can't stand watching people wasting time. There's hot water already available. It'll be cold by the time you finish opening them."

The inklings of kindly feelings towards the man evaporated instantly. "Do you mean to tell me that Hiko Seijuro the Thirteenth is actually going to serve tea to a woman?"

"If it means getting rid of her and his stupid pupil even faster, then of course." The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. "Besides which, I believe you are still waiting to hear my assessment of that pupil. Now that he is gone, we have things to discuss."


Author's notes: Finally found my groove and suppressed the desire to draw long enough to get this out. In my time off I went back and rewatched elements of the Kyoto arc. So many good things I had missed. sigh

Chiisailammy and MiJ: Are you now even more confused? Okina's words need to be mulled over. What Aoshi may think may not be the reality that Okina refers to. Aoshi has issues, but they may be not the obvious ones after all.
keishiko - Just reflecting back what Watsuki's intention was with that manga epilogue. Of course some things weren't completely resolved, but nonetheless I hope it was reasonable to use Kenji in such a manner.
CherieDee, PackleaderT, Wistful-Eyes, kenni, Amberle-chan, junyortrakr, Eevee - thanks for your comments.I won't want to say more about Hiko w.r.t. Megumi at the moment. :-)