Memory's Touch
eriesalia
Seven: Spring rain
Random thoughts
and loneliness trouble me
I am soothed by
anticipation of cherry blossoms
and spring rain falling on my hut.
"Waiting for Rain on the Roof " Otagaki Rengetsu(1791-1875)
The troubles of her mind and her past could be avoided in busyness at the clinic or in the presence of other people . But in sleep – they often returned.
These few weeks had brought uneasiness to her dreams and also, almost in direct contradiction, a hope that things would resolve.
Her mind was confused as she woke to the sound of pattering rain all around her and a small ceramic cup in her hands. Megumi glanced at it once, recalling the mocking look on the face of the person who had given it to her with his odd command to study it. She sighed as she studied its green slightly cracked glazes and thought pragmatically that it made a nice cup. She was thirsty.
A small pot of warm water steamed quietly by the doorway, and she saw that next to it was a small bowls of rice and small fish left over from the previous evening.
Her eyes carefully noted one detail that was missing. "Idiot," she sighed as she noticed a pair of chopsticks instead of the spoon which had appeared conveniently at yesterday's late meal and which he had watched her use.
She then realized one other detail – the peculiar mantle worn by Hiko Seijuro did not hang, as it did last night, by the door.
Megumi rose stiffly and moved to the door to push it open. Her eyes looked about, noticing the furnace that stood cold and unused this morning, and the complete absence of the man who had prepared her food.
But then, perhaps that was not bad. Perhaps the man had finally given up on his former pupil and gone after him after all.
She smiled for only a brief moment , amused by the man's seeming indifference towards his pupil. It was clearly a façade.
But as her foot touched the tray where her breakfast waited, that smile faded into a look of irritation. The chopsticks sat on the tray, mocking her inability to use them.
And oddly enough, she knew that somewhere between this hut and Kyoto the "compassionate" master was laughing all the way.
==
"It is not a nice day, is it?" Kenshin slowed to look up apologetically at the sky, which responded by emptying itself of large, cold raindrops. "I'm sorry to trouble you by bringing you all this way, that I am."
Aoshi adjusted the collar of his grey trenchcoat with one hand, while holding fast to the rein of the brown mare he led. It had been a good walk already from Kyoto to this remote area, but he had taken no notice of the distance or the weather. "It poses no trouble for me."
"I am grateful, nonetheless." The former rurouni's smile reached his eyes as he twirled the umbrella that Misao had provided for him earlier that morning. "As I'm sure Megumi-dono will be."
"Ah." He answered, not quite sure whether he agreed.
His traveling companion raised his eyebrows for a moment. Aoshi wondered if perhaps even that one slight comment had revealed too much.
"If only it weren't raining. Megumi-dono hates the rain-- "
Aoshi held out his hand to catch a drop of water upon his fingers, aware of the other man's eyes studying him. Kenshin Himura was usually direct, but this morning, he appeared to be waiting for him to speak. "Rain is a necessary occurrence."
"Of course," Himura said easily, perhaps too easily. "Rain is life to the things of this world, the waters we drink, the food we eat..."
"Yes," Aoshi looked down for a moment at a pebble his shoes had struck. "Balance is something the rain provides. But—it also provides meaning to the sun that comes inevitably after."
"Ah." The other man's violet eyes flashed their appreciation for that last thought. "Then this is not some unwanted duty on your part, is it Aoshi- san?"
"The rain is no burden," Aoshi looked ahead, his words seemingly vague and noncommittal, but to the both of them – filled with some meaning and intention.
Kenshin smiled softly to himself, not needing to ask anything more. "I'm sure Megumi-dono will not mind the rain," was all he said.
==
The rain came and went as they walked along the waters and weaved through trees before finding the small clearing and the cottage which Himura indicated belonged to his master.
"Ken-san!" A pale face appeared in the doorway, and relief flooded the features of Megumi as they approached.
His eyes noted the bruises on her face, the arm in a makeshift sling, and the torn garments which allowed him a glimpse of ankles and calves.
She looked terrible and at the same time, wonderful.
"I'm so glad you're safe," her mouth turned up slightly, and the delight in her voice was sincere.
"Of course I am," Kenshin answered happily. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes," she answered, quickly brushing her mouth with the fingertips of her good hand to wipe away a grain of rice. "If only you had arrived earlier, Hiko-sensei would not have left."
"Oro?"
"Oh never mind," she stated in a pleased manner which puzzled the both of them.
"Aoshi-san and I have not seen him," Kenshin shook his head. "We walked the river path – perhaps if he goes by the other way – one of the neighbors will tell him that I had gone on to Kyoto."
At the mention of his name, she had turned her dark eyes to his. She dropped them before bowing slightly. "Shinomori-san."
"Megumi-san," he answered, before turning to tie the reins of the horse to a post near the firing furnace.
"The others send their regards," Kenshin opened the door to the cottage, and Megumi obediently followed, with him lagging further behind. "They would have all come had I allowed it -- but Master Hiko does not like so much company—"
At that, she laughed. "Or any at all—"
"But it's fortunate that Aoshi was able to come, that it was." Kenshin smiled innocuously at the both of them. "I'm afraid I realized that I shouldn't do this myself—and as Aoshi is also well trained in dealing with medicines and injuries – we'll both accompany you to Kyoto. "
Her eyes turned to him, softened slightly. A smile briefly flashed across her face – for him. "I appreciate that."
It was the first smile he believed she had ever sincerely meant for him. The smile wavered slightly as he held her gaze.
"--For easing Kenshin's burden," she added a bit hastily as Kenshin sneezed and tore her eyes away, her cheeks betraying a tinge of embarrassment. She started to scold the poor man for walking around in the rain, scolding him for not wearing a coat in this weather and telling him he was going to drink whatever she pleased.
He watched this scene with amusement – the flustered samurai and the demanding doctor bickering and finally pouring out the charm as she ordered Kenshin to sit and then with equal sweetness, turn to him to fetch water for hot tea.
It was a sight certainly worth the trip.
He left, ignoring the pleas and protests of Kenshin for his help as the doctor with one good hand and a fresh supply of cloths, attacked the red- haired man with them.
The man would be dry soon enough. He could see that by the look on the woman's face.
As for him, he ignored the dampness that stuck to his clothing as he walked to the river. The sun would soon appear shortly, and take all last traces of rain with it.
notes:
A thinking man is sometimes frustrating in that he changes things around him in terms of tone and meaning. Lovely character -- Aoshi -- but difficult in this experiment. Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter -- Chiisailammy, Mij, Amberle-chan, keishiko, Cwolf2 (yes, we need more Meg/Aoshi fics), Shizimu (I am beating up Hiko in the back for being so disruptive), and Jieli (thank you -- you get it, you get it, you get it!).
