Matters of the Heart pt. 4 If They Only Knew

Entangled in each other's arms, they slept in a sea of disheveled kimonos and masses of long black hair. Quietly, the screen door slid open as two dark haired figures tiptoed inside.

"Who do you think he is?" asked a small girl's voice.

"I don't know," another smaller girl's voice replied smiling. "But he's pretty!"

The smaller girl sat down next to Okita's sleeping body and grabbed three sections of his hair and began braiding the silk black strands. Megumi's eyes began to flutter hearing the new quiet sounds in her room. Her eyes fluttered open.

"Oi!" she chided quietly. "What I have told you about bothering the guests!"

The two girls looked up at her.

"Sorry, Megumi-san," they replied in unison.

Okita stirred. He turned to the two girls and smiled. They grinned. The door slid open again. Quickly, she covered up with her discarded kimono covering up a small purple mark on her shoulder. A beautiful woman with long brown hair tied in ornaments stepped inside.

"Ah! Gomen ne, Megumi-san," she apologized embarrassedly taking the two girls' hands. "These two got away from me last night."

"Daijoubu desu, Akesato-san" she replied smiling as Akesato walked out.

"Bye! Bye!" they cried waving.

"Bye!" Okita smiled waving back.

She turned to him smiling faintly.

"Gomen ne.. They're my apprentices," she said sighing quietly.

He let out a small chuckle.

"It's ok," he replied smiling as he stood redressing in his kimono. "Will you come back with us?"

She smiled a small smile hiding the sadness in her eyes. She lowered her head.

"Iie," she began. "I'm needed here today.."

He nodded. He pulled her close and pecked her cheek. She blushed. Okita walked into the adjacent room chuckling at a drunk Nagakura sprawled in the arms of a sleeping prostitute and Todou drunk on sake. Groggily, Nagakura stirred.

"Ugh.." he groaned. "My head."

Todou nodded in agreement. Nagakura pulled out a few coins turning to another girl.

"Make sure she gets this," he whispered motioning to the sleeping girl who held him in her arms.

"Hai, Nagakura-sama," she replied taking the money.

In another room, Harada stirred and turned to the girl beside him. She smiled.

"Here," he said handing her a few coins as he dressed.

"Arigato, Harada-sama," she replied humbly.

He nodded walking out. Okita smiled. The Jokers chuckled and started out as Okita trailed lightly behind still grinning. Megumi watched from a window.

Matters of the Heart Side Story; Character Reflections: Megumi

I watched him go out the door trailing just behind the others. I can't help but smile to myself. He loves me! .. Or at least likes at the moment. Either way.. I'm overjoyed.. And.. He doesn't care that I do this.. If they only knew. I sigh. When did this all begin? Ah.. Fairly recently actually...

I was saving up all the money I made so I could be able to buy my way out of this rotten sinkhole that's thinly veiled by the colorful kimonos and the wild "exciting" nights of sake drinking and "partying." Then, it happened.. I got dumped with two girls, and they tell me I have to train them. I sigh. I was so close..

Their names are Yumi and Kagome. I took one look at their small, slightly chubby faces and large, innocent dark eyes.. And melted. I knew.. These were the girls Shimabara was looking for. So, I did the only thing I could. I worked harder, sent them to bed early not allowing them to spend the nights seeing what I do, and started saving so I could buy us a way out of here.

Then, He came into my life...

I grew up in a decent samurai family who had the misfortune of going under. Everyone in my family knew a great deal about medicine, and I was no exception. One day, I passed a sign in town reading for the Shinsengumi wanting to hire someone for a doctor's position. I quickly applied.. But when I reached the Shinsengumi gates, I, literally, bumped into the most handsome man with the gentlest brown eyes and silky brown hair. In his calloused hands, he held an adorably mean looking pig. My heart stopped beating for a few good moments. He smiled and took my hand saying he would lead me to Hijikata's office. Cat calls came from the crowd of men around the compound saying how this Okita Souji had apparently found a new girlfriend. And that was the edited version of what they said. I blushed. He continued smiling a light blush streaking his cheeks. I knew they were teasing.. But still.. It was a bit embarrassing.

Okita lead me into a tatami room behind most of the buildings. A stern looking man kneeled at a small table smoking his pipe his long slightly scraggily hair pulled back dark thin bangs hanging in front of his eyes. Unlike the gentle Okita, dressed in white who still had my hand in his, this man wore a dark kimono and had a fierce piercing gaze. He shot Okita a look his eyes flashing from his hand in mine to his face. He blushed and dropped my hand quickly and ran off to do his duties with a wave of the man's hand. I felt intimidated. I bowed trying to hide the nervousness that suddenly popped up once Okita had left.

"Hijikata-san.. I presume," I began humbly still bowing.

He nodded setting down his opium pipe.

"Yes," his deep voice suddenly seemed to boom out. "I take it you're here for the doctor's position."

"Hai," I replied softly. "If you'll let me have a few days to show what I can do."

Suddenly, I felt another set of eyes on me. I looked around the room, and in a dim corner, a spiky haired boy stood his pale skin standing out in the dark of the corner... I was sure he wasn't there before.. He watched me never taking his eyes off me.. Studying me. I kept calm.. After all.. I got looks like this from many clients of the brothel.. Only.. This one wasn't mentally undressing me. His dark eyes seemed to look for the barely noticeable crack in my man made facade.

Hijikata asked what he wanted to know. I obediently answered. The boy in the corner kept watching. It seemed to be a grueling interview. Even if it was short. Hijikata dismissed me and thankfully let me have the job!. I was so happy. There. It was settled. I would spend my days here playing the part of the good doctor and spend my nights in Shimabara as the entertainer of men and a prostitute. I would have that money in now time. (Thankfully, these boys never really got hurt so I could spend the day sleeping in my office when I needed to.) I trotted out after bowing gratefully to him and began placing my zori back on my feet. Then.. I stopped. I turned.

"P-pardon?" I asked nervously.

"I asked what your last name was. You never mentioned it," he replied smoking his pipe again.

"S-sohma," I replied nervously. "Sohma Megumi desu."

The boy in the corner's eyes flashed with recognition. Hijikata's face turned to an odd look. He nodded and dismissed me again. Quickly, I walked out shaking with fear. I could hear their voices behind me.

"Susumu," Hijikata began. "Do some background work on that woman for me.. Her name sounds familiar."

"Hai," Susumu replied. "I will."

I found out later that Susumu was kind enough to leave out my current situation.

(Author's Note: Sorry it's short. But I wanted to end the chapter with Okita leaving. I hope the side story made things a little bit better. I might add more to see how the others react to Megumi and how they interact and such.)