Memory's Touch: Part 8
A RK fanfiction by eriesalia: onigirichan mindspring dot com
Standard disclaimer applies.
A peal of laughter issued forth – tinkling and coy – as Kenshin looked helplessly out from under a pile of clothing, eyes blinking in confusion.
The expression on Megumi's face was smug, indicating how much she was enjoying herself -- not just at the sight of her friend whose red hair was buried under ornate cloths – but at the sheer silliness of it all. She —the invalid -– had managed to convince two warriors to do exactly as she wished – one who was now sheepishly rubbing his wet hair with the material meant to replace her torn kimono and the other who had humbled himself to fetching water from the riverbank.
Kenshin smiled faintly. "Megumi is well, that I can see."
Her response was light and confident. "It would take more than injuries to bother me."
"Of course," he nodded half-seriously, "But we were worried for you still. Master Hiko—"
"Master Hiko was his usual charming self," she interrupted. "But I did not chase him off or maim him, if that was your concern. However—"she added darkly, "some of his pottery has conveniently disappeared."
At that, Kenshin looked around nervously, to identify exactly what else Megumi had done in his absence. "Megumi-dono, he's rather fond of those pieces—"
Megumi shrugged. "I promised only to not break his pottery, although I should have considering he left me here without a means to eat. But because of his help – I took the liberty of simply misplacing his prized pieces."
His face shifted slightly as he considered her words further, turning suddenly serious. "Then –"
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "He knows something has changed."
He glanced down for a moment. "Then is there little hope?"
"No," her voice was sharp, almost angry for his pessimism. "By no means am I saying that. In fact, I would say that there is much reason to hope." She thought about the faded scar once again. "I don't think he means for either of us to give up on your situation either. The mystery of the Hiten Mitsuruugi style allows for that."
"I don't understand."
"Neither do I," she shook her head. "But your master was able to provide proof enough to me that I can believe, just as you asked me to believe you five years ago, when I first met you. And now, our roles are reversed. I should be the one to telling you to not ever lose sight of hope instead of telling you to worry."
She poked Kenshin affectionately, trying hard to smile and to reassure him. "I think he was telling me to let what I thought go – and to believe in you, Kenshin. For whatever reason," she smiled and touched the scar on his cheek. "I think this is the answer, Ken-san. You may have not seen it – but both he and I noticed that the scar has faded."
His fingers automatically went up to the scar on his cheek and traced its edges gently. "Has it?" he wondered aloud. "Is it possible?"
She answered, "I am not a warrior –and so I am ignorant."
"Megumi-dono does herself too much disservice," Kenshin shook his head.
"No—"she persisted. "I am only a doctor, able to talk about the things that are physical, of the things outside. I can not speak of the other things Kenshin. And so perhaps if he speaks to you of the same things, you will better understand."
"I shall ask him, then." Kenshin stated and turned to look out the window. "Even though it then means that I will have to delay my promise to my wife and that Aoshi will have to take you back himself."
"Himself?"
Kenshin tilted his head and gave her a crooked smile. "Aoshi may be a man of patience, but even he can not wait around for Master Hiko, who has gone off on his own, to do who knows what – wrestle bears, knock down trees , or drink."
"Ken-san," Megumi glared at her friend. "Be serious—"
The former rurouni laughed. "Megumi-dono claims to not understand warriors, but even she can not be easily confused." He was amused nonetheless. "My master will be glad to think that not everyone thinks him to be a sake-swilling bum."
"Don't inflate his ego further," Megumi answered crossly. "I'm sure he enjoys his sake, but even he's not stupid enough to wrestle bears or knock down trees simply for sport."
He chuckled. "I'm sure the master will return shortly -- it is his usual way to go off when thinking about something and return by the next morning. But as for Aoshi-san – we should not make him wait on us any longer than necessary."
She nodded, somewhat reluctantly.
"Don't worry," Kenshin's eyes were kind and almost gently scolding. "Aoshi- san will take very good care of you, that he will. Of his intentions I am very certain."
There was a strange emphasis to his final sentence – one that hinted at something. Her cheeks warmed as she wondered exactly what the men had discussed on their way here. "Ken-san should not tease," she laughed forcibly. "One does not tease when it comes to that man."
"Of course not," Kenshin laid aside the wet cloths that had been used to dry his hair. "He was most serious when he decided that he would be the one to come to help you."
She bit her lips, somewhat taken aback by his tone of voice. "Be serious -- given everything in the past -- that hardly makes sense--"
"Ah, the past." Kenshin answered somewhat vaguely. "The past can be difficult, sometimes – getting in the way. Sometimes, even present circumstances can be a hindrance--."
"Ken-san?" The strange answer confused her.
His eyes drifted away from hers, and his voice softened as he touched the scar on his face. She worried, wondering if she had been unwise to mention it to him – to remind him of his own past and Tomoe. "Ken-san—"
For a moment, he did not answer, weighted by something. And then a strange, sad smile passed briefly over his face as he placed his hand in his lap. "In the midst of the most difficult and terrible circumstances, people can discover that their lives were inherently foolish. Some people learn that lesson at a great cost. But those who manage to survive can move forward."
When he turned back to her, the strange smile was gone. "Those who have their path in life set on a different course are no longer the persons they once were. Isn't that true, Megumi-dono? Did you not say something like that a few minutes ago?"
"Hai," she answered meekly.
"It is the same with Aoshi-san," Kenshin stood up. "He is a good person to have at one's side if he chooses to be there."
She had never doubted for a moment that Aoshi Shinomori was valuable as an ally, but Kenshin did not know the foolish thing that had occurred weeks before.
However for Kenshin, she would do almost anything. "For your sake then-- I will do as you ask."
Kenshin leaned down to pat her good hand. "For my sake and for his. Share some of that compassion you have for this unworthy one with others, especially him . Though you owe him nothing, Megumi-dono -- he is at his own crossroads now -- has his own questions to pursue. I do not know completely what he thinks -- but I am certain it is perfectly reasonable in its own way. "
"Of course." She outwardly agreed, but doubted it nonetheless for reasons that again , Himura Kenshin, would not understand.
===
She remembered water -- cool to her hands as it flowed over her fingertips, washing away the dirt and blood that came from the patients she served. It had been a small pleasure, one of many in the unbearably hot Tokyo summer.It had only been weeks since Enishi had disappeared unexplainably, and weeks since Kenshin and Kaoru had both returned safely to the dojo. But they were again gone – this time to Kyoto, to put to rest the memory of Tomoe together.
It had been nearly dinner time.
She had left the clinic quickly for the marketplace, doing her best to pick out the best of what was left for that evening's dinner at the dojo. Everything about her was total efficiency, until she passed a stand of yellow and green fruits, her eyes softening at their sight. She remembered looking wistfully at the melons, fragrant markers of summer, that childish voice from the past echoing in her mind pleading with her parents for a taste of rare fruit.
"Can we get a melon?"
Her hands had been full, unable to take more. The old woman had asked her to take them – so that she could pack up and go home. And she had felt uneasy, almost guilty for dawdling too long before the stand. And so she had started to apologize.
And then inexplicably, her bags had been taken from her and his voice had smoothly stated what she had wanted to state from the beginning.
"I'll take all of them."
He characteristically said so little, that she could remember those words even now and how she had said nothing, instead only staring up at Aoshi Shinomori both startled and awed as he passed several coins to the elderly woman and slung the bag given in return over his shoulder.
And she had been forced simply to follow empty-handed as he continued further along, looking a sight ridiculous with so much food in his hands and on his back and to wonder how much more there was to this man.
Yahiko and Misao had come to greet them, obviously pleased by the sight of her and the dinner that would follow. Misao had been more than polite and friendly, but her greetings had been quick, her eyes already looking beyond Megumi. The look of happiness and who it was for was unmistakenable.
She had noticed then that the girl had smiled first for the man, and second at the prize he had obtained at the market. Actually, Misao had squealed in delight and, in response, a faint look of pleasure had crossed Shinomori's face.
It was then that Megumi had understood the significance and meaning behind what Shinomori had done in the marketplace.
And she remembered it still.
==
The tea done, there was nothing else to do but to go.
It was evident that the two men had already decided for her what her fate was, and although that railed her inside she chose to be pragmatic. She could not ride that horse alone.
She did not utter any complaints as Kenshin placed his hands under her foot and helped push her up slightly towards Aoshi.
Nor did she blush as she felt his arm move firmly around her waist and pull her securely against him.
Or rather, she would not allow herself to do any of these things – even though she found herself leaning with her head and shoulder against him, her legs touching his as she sat sidesaddle, and felt the brush of his chin against her head.
She ignored it all, focusing instead on the thought of summer and of sweet, fragrant melons.
Author's notes: At the end of Jinchuu manga storyline, some time elapsed before everyone's final farewell. There was a scene there with melon from which Megumi's memories are loosely drawn from.
More memories, and then even worse –a memory within a memory. Beats all you readers senseless with that and various appeals to the senses. Which of the five senses shall be appealed to in the next experimental installment? Assuming that there still is interest in one – as opposed to an inserted cough wedding cough chapter for "Another Chance," or another installment of one of the other fics. Speak out now or temporarily hold your peace. The dreaded exams are upon me... after which, I shall hopefully return to writing the most requested 'whatever' with a vengeance.
Yes everyone -- Hiko was 46 or 47 in Kyoto arc. So that makes him 51 or 52 But why do we care? He's off wrestling bears right?
