Standard disclaimer applies.

A/N: I told you I love to update! this chapter shows what kind of 'writer' I tend to be. I'm a "dialogue writer", meaning I enjoy writing conversations other than details or descriptions. I also love to write character's thoughts…so…here it is.

Chapter 6: Beneath the pale moonlight

Tokyo had been blanketed with darkness that night except for the pale moonlight in the sky. The night air was chilly but soothing to a disturbed soul. The dojo's occupants were in their peaceful slumber, unaware of a dark figure sitting idly on the roof.

Aoshi scanned his surroundings before letting his guard loose, only for a moment to allow himself to ponder. He needed it the most. He would prefer to meditate at a temple but he was too tired to make the journey to the nearest temple. The roof would do just fine.

As he let his mind wander around for random thoughts, he deliberately focused on one image. It was the image of a woman with pale skin and black flowing hair. Her dark eyes were dark as the night sky, yet full of dancing lights upon laughter. She was his first vision of beauty at the tender age of fourteen. Aiko.

Aoshi had kept his eyes away from her face during dinner. He feared if he let it wander, his eyes might linger there, just gazing at the simple beauty. He rubbed his nape, aware of the tension building inside him once again. Tomorrow he would meet her once again. They would actually have to converse with each other. What would he say other than statements dealing with fabrics, designs, stores and business?

He was interrupted by a familiar presence looming over the engawa. He watched the carefree movement of Takani Megumi, noting the gracefulness in the way she carried herself. He noticed such things about women, contrary to how people perceive him as cold and rigid. He possessed what other men have too – the ability to find women attractive. –And right now, he found her attractive! Megumi seemed decided to linger by the engawa. Aoshi leapt down lithely from the roof, setting his feet down on the ground with a soft thud. His presence was still oblivious to the doctor.

"Takani-san," he approached her, voice in a low tone as to not alarm her, thus preventing her from screaming, waking everybody.

She turned in surprise. "Shinomori-san! You're still awake?"

A silly question. "Aa. So are you."

"I could not sleep. I thought a walk outside for a few minutes would lull me to sleep, but it seemed to only keep me awake," she told him.

It would be uncharacteristic for him to show concern to strangers, but Takani was no stranger at all. He took off his coat, offered to her, as he noticed her shivering. "The night air is cool. Perhaps this could help."

Megumi was hesitant towards the gesture. "Arigatou, but you would be cold on the other hand?"

"I am used to such cold. I am after all an ice, as Misao and Okina often referred to me," he smirked, obviously not fond of the term.

She laughed at this. "Well, the ice and the fox together. Quite unusual, don't you think?" With this Aoshi raised a brow. "Misao told me about this new business you are trying out. As I understand it has to do with textile and such?"

"Aa. We will purchase different types of fabrics, input our own designs and sell them to the locals as well as to the foreigners. The deal was finalized this evening." He really did not have to divulge such information. He was not merely making a conversation to her. The truth was, Aoshi felt strangely comfortable talking to her. Ironic. Five years ago, he nor Megumi would never dream of having such a casual conversation. They were only captor and captive in each other's eyes. Yet here they were now.

"That will be very successful, especially fabrics for kimonos. Many female Westerners are fond of purchasing several kimonos. They find it artistic and elegant. I presume you have someone under employment who knows all about fabrics?"

If he were allowed to twitch, he would twitch at the very moment due to an indirect implication to Aiko. "Indeed we have. She – is not under employment though. She is in fact a business partner."

Megumi arched a brow. "A 'she'? That is most flattering to the female gender, Shinomori-san. A woman having her own business, or rather an equal partner to a business is very encouraging."

Aoshi noted the amusement in her tone. He figured her delight was sprouted from the fact another career woman was being given a chance in this era, as she was female doctor in a predominantly male profession. "What about you, Takani-san? How are you faring in Aizu?" Almost immediately, Aoshi noticed the smile leave the doctor's eyes. He questioned once again if she had been happy all these past five years.

"Aizu had been great, embracing me as the doctor the Takani family had been viewed. It's just that," she took a glance at Aoshi, uncertain whether to open up for him. "It had been hard to be honest. Living alone that is."

"You have friends here, Takani-san. Why don't you stay in Tokyo?"

"I am clinging to a hope that if I stay in Aizu, I would somehow relive the happy life I used to have. Also, somewhat, I still believe my other brother is alive…" her voice trailed off. She gave him a sad smile. Aoshi was in discomfort, not because she and him were in a conversation but because he hated what the smile conveyed. Takani Megumi after all these years had not found happiness, despite her sometimes frilly and coquettish role-playing.

If he was a man used to showing intimate gestures, he would have walked to her, patted her back or even wrapped an arm around her shoulder, just to show she was not alone in the world. Instead, he opted for an expected gesture. "I could help you find information about your brother. The Oniwabanshuu still had many contacts and clan members living in Aizu as well as different parts of the country." It was the least I could do…

"That is an offer I could not resist, Shinomori-san." Then, she laughed hard but not as loud as to wake up anyone. Aoshi stared at her questioningly. Was he really clueless about women that he could not hypothesize why she was laughing? Did she think he was humouring her with the offer of help? Megumi seemed to realize Aoshi was at a loss. "I wasn't laughing at you. It's just surreal. This conversation."

"Surreal?"

"Gomen, gomen. I just, well, can I be honest with you?"

Please. You are driving me crazy with another of your kitsune-ish antics. Aoshi nodded, "Aa."

"I could not believe we are talking. We all think you are a man of few words. But really, it is a pleasure to talk to you. No wonder Misao adored you to the bones," her smile exuded slyness and mischief. "But seriously, Shinomori-san, you're offer of help humbles me. Actually putting me in an embarrassed and shameful disposition, especially for all the misjudgements I made of you."

"We are after all just humans, Takani-san. We are allowed to misjudge a person just as I have misjudged you before."

Megumi put a hand on her waist, eyes with a wily twinkle. "Oh yeah? How so, Aoshi-san?"

He instantly noticed how she had shifted in calling him on a first-name basis. It gladdened him, for a bit; she was comfortable around him finally. No more apprehensions or tension surrounding them. The captor-captive label was fading, along with the time of long ago. He cleared his throat. He was used to speaking sentences in great volumes, though only to Misao and Okina, or if required. Right now, he was not required. But, he does not mind if he talked much with Megumi.

"I thought you as weak, Takani-san, submissive and passive. I stand corrected. You showed time and time again your strength and determination. For that, you should be commended." He eyed the blushing woman wrapped underneath his coat. She looked fragile for a person he had just called strong. Her fragility made him feel the guilt once again; the guilt from how he had treated her before. Would this guilt ever vanish? He looked away.

They remained silent, and for once Aoshi wished he could be more conversational. Why couldn't he stand the silence forming between the two of them? Would it be because he actually found it pleasurable talking to her?

"You should be resting, Takani-san," he said, intending to sound concerned yet the statement came out as if he wanted to be alone. "Unless you want to stay…" he felt compelled to add.

Megumi smiled. How many times now had she smiled at him? "You should also be resting, Aoshi-san. Misao had said you hadn't slept. The child is concerned of you."

"The child? Takani-san, I heed you this warning to never call Misao 'child' when she's around. Her temper is daunting. Okina's small 'accidents' are living proofs of it." The amusement in his eyes was not missed.

"Ah, I will pay attention to your warning. If a Shinomori Aoshi finds something frightening, then I believe it is truly frightening. Misao has grown into a beautiful woman, despite her child-like attitude in front of Kenji-chan. Have you ever thought about Misao marrying?"

Aoshi coughed, completely taken aback by the question. Obviously he had never considered the thought of Misao-chan marrying. The look on his face earned him another laughter from Megumi. He wanted to say something but his throat was exceedingly dry.

"So you have never considered the thought of it? Her beauty and spunky attitude will surely gather herself many suitors. She is young and carefree. You should pay close attention to that."

He was speechless, even in thoughts. What would he do when the time arrived that Misao had to marry? Even Okina never thought about it. "Then I ask you a favour, Takani-san, to discourage her from marrying." Did he say that out loud?

Megumi approached him and patted him on the shoulder much to his surprise. "Now, now, Aoshi-san. You shouldn't fret about it. When the time comes, just go talk to me and I'll help you deal with it," she winked, oblivious to the fact the two of them were standing so close to each other. If a passer-by happened to see them, one would immediately assume the two were having an intimate moment. Yet Megumi did not step away. Aoshi did not mind. "You're such an over protective guardian."

Aoshi glanced at her sideways. What was it about this woman that made him curious as ever? Indeed he was a shinobi, always will be curious about the surroundings and people, but the curiosity building inside him was much different. It was as if he wanted to get to know her better, on a more personal level. "Misao shall marry whomever she feels fit for her. That is, if the boy passes all the tests I have devised."

Megumi could not help laughing. She had never in her entire existence foreseen herself laughing from a comment Shinomori Aoshi made. He was absolutely amusing and delightful. She actually wished she had gotten to know more of this Aoshi back then in her Kanryuu days. If she had, maybe life wouldn't have been that bad for her. Maybe Aoshi would be another reason to continue living.

She stopped laughing. Aoshi: a reason for her to continue living? What was she thinking? Yet it was not such a detestable idea. Why not? What wrong had he really done to her? Yes, he was her captor but it was due to the fact he was hired to do that. In fact, Megumi was quite aware the Oniwabanshuu's presence helped her preserve her humanity from Kanryuu's immoral grasps. She actually owed her life to them.

"You can be quite funny, Aoshi-san. Tell me about these tests."

Aoshi's eyes narrowed. "First would be a kunai-throwing test. I'd throw kunais at him and see if he could dodge from it. There is also the matter of intelligence. He would have to fill up questionnaires about Japan's history, politics, economy, and literature. Anything that required intelligence. Then he has to fight me, or Himura, if he would agree. If the boy survives, we would talk about if I would consider it."

This time, Megumi was not able to control her laughter. She did not care if Ken-san or anyone would stir up from their sleep. Aoshi was just… hilarious. She clutched her stomach. "You're kidding, right?"

"Misao's marital situation is no joke, Takani-san," he said in a grave tone, but amusement flickered in his eyes.

She wiped the tears from her eyes. "Misao is a lucky girl to have so many to love her the way you do," she meant to express the statement in a light-hearted manner but she failed. A brief realization dawned on her. She actually envied Misao for having many people surrounding her, Okina, the Oniwabanshuu… Aoshi. Why does she envy Misao the most for having Aoshi in her life? Do I want someone like him in my life? Or is it – him – I want in my life? Everything was moving too fast for her. She was lonely after all. The longing for having a loved one was great. Aoshi was the logical choice, that's all. Hitherto all this reasoning she was making to herself, Megumi knew the truth. There was something about Aoshi that made her heart-

She handed him back his coat. "Aoshi-san, thank you once again for the coat but I'm afraid I have to say good night now. It is indeed a pleasure to have this conversation with you. We should do this more," she walked back inside without waiting for a reply. Megumi was running away; for if she stayed longer around him, she might just admit something she would regret later.

A/N: (yet another long AN… can be ignored though!)

I apologize for writing such long AN's. I just love to talk, or write heh!

Ok, I know many would say Aoshi is WAYYY TOO OOC here, but c'mon, it's bound to happen. You know, him talking, opening up to ppl. I just think he chooses the ppl whom he will be OOC. So it's a biggie that he's like that around Meg. I still tried hard to make him stay in character.

This was really hard to write coz I kept going on and on and on… with their conversations. Sorry bout that. I think this conversation is needed to establish their relationship, gradual and slow. Though, I'm not too sure about this chapter.

Kitsune-chan: that's exactly how I think why Sano and Meg aren't good for each other. The two, as Wazuki said, are emotionally compatible but other than that, what? A relationship cant just survive on lust, passion or 'heated' moments. Ao and Meg are intellectually compatible, but I believe both capable of the right amount of passion. Sano, I'm sorry to say, is better off with how Wazuki intended him to be. Lookin' forward to another one of your reviews…

Whiterabbit: as I've said, I'm not sure how this chapter turned out to be. You think I should make revisions? I just cant conjure anymore ideas of how to make this chapter 'magical'. I didn't want to add 'fluff' yet coz I believe it's too soon. I want to make this gradual.

Click: hey, thanks you're still reading the fic. Really flattered. The thing though, Wazuki did not write the Seisshonen (I think that's the spelling). One of the last instalments of the manga pertains to the 2nd chapter of this fic, the picnic and stuff. Wazuki actually didn't acknowledge this OVA, sticking to his belief that a 'boy's comic should end up happy'. So, I believe he believes in a happy marriage. If you want more info about this I could tell you more…still thanks for the review.

Miss Hyuga: once again, thanks for the review. I'm flattered also that you're reading my fic. Reviews are, well, quite important in fanfics… but then again, writing soothes me so I'd still continue if I only have 2 or 3 readers left, hopefully you're one of them! Still waitin' for your next update! Heehee.

Next chapter might take longer because I'm quite stuck.