Standard disclaimer applies.

A/N: Revised and reposted.

CHAPTER FOUR

Wandering Thoughts

After sliding the door closed behind him, he placed the woman on the bed elevated a couple feet from the wooden floor.

She was all too aware of the direct contact of their bodies. Their clothes had been so drenched with rainwater it was almost a second skin. The rain hadn't even spared the clothes under his coat.

At first she didn't approved the idea of going back to the clinic instead of going home. But then, she realized that it was the most sensible thing at this situation where the clinic was indeed the nearest shelter they can find, with the complete set of medicinal for her aching ankle. She bit her lower lip hard realizing that there weren't dry clothes to change her kimono.

She had a second only to become aware that Aoshi's eyes were on her, steady, as if reading her thoughts. His hands were on each of her shoulders as if to let his body heat flow pass to her shivering body.

"You're trembling," he said in a hardly controlled voice. But then the sudden quiver of his lower lip proved that he was very cold as well and Megumi caught that.

"I'll find some dry clothes," he said as he started to go out of that single room separated from the rest of the clinic, his eyes dark as he chided himself for his unguarded slip. After a few minutes of rummaging through the cabinets, Aoshi returned with only blankets in his hand.

"You'll have to settle with these. I'll bring in tea if you're done," he said and started out again.

"Shinomori-san, thank you," Megumi called out when he was about to slid the door open. His back was on her so she couldn't see his face but even in the dimness of the room she watched him nod slightly before he slid the door closed behind him.

Megumi had long been finished securing the blankets modestly around her body when Aoshi opened the door with one hand while his other hand balanced the tray of tea, startling her. He proceeded silently inside the room.

"Don't you know how to knock, I'm still dressing up!" she snapped angrily.

"Then finished dressing up."

"Argh… I'm finished," she mumbled.

At the instant she became visible from inside the room, he felt a sudden constriction building in his throat rendering him speechless. She sat in the middle of the bed all clad in white. The darkness of the room highlighted her white figure as if she's an apparition that the tray he's balancing almost jumped out of his hand.

They poured each their cup. Megumi felt the color of her face returning as the hot fluid flowed down her throat. They sat in silence concentrating only on themselves getting warmed, lost of words.

Megumi had been aware of Aoshi's occasional stare behind his bangs. One moment, their eyes met and held for almost a minute

Aoshi was surprised when he suddenly felt uneasy as the woman across him flashed him a sheepish smile.

"Shinomori-san." Megumi whispered sweetly. Aoshi arched his brows in question and almost in anticipation. Shame on him, he thought.

"I have to treat my foot but since you insist I should not hurt myself, I'll have to ask you a favor to bring my medicinal," Megumi said when she was sure she got his attention, though all this time she felt he really was 'attentive' to her. Aoshi went and retrieved her medicine kit just outside the room.

She worked on her ankle sprain silently grateful that her toe was only bruised and not scratched. By tomorrow, she would be able to use this foot. Again, she was aware of Aoshi watching her ministrations. When she was done, she gathered her materials and set it at the table beside the bed.

"If you need help, I'll just be outside," Aoshi said turning towards the door.

"No! Please stay," Megumi called out. He turned to face her again. She couldn't read his expression. "I mean, it would be cold outside. It's better you stay here."

Megumi watched him hung about for a moment in the half open door wondering if that might be interpreted as hesitation on his part. "And take off that wet shirt before you catch cold," she added when she suddenly felt tension about the air.

She felt a surge of disappointment when Aoshi still went outside the room. She had admonished herself silently for that.

A while later he came back standing at the door, almost reluctant, Megumi thought. She noticed he's holding additional blankets in his hand. And noticed too that he already took his coat and shirt off, a blanket hanging on his shoulders. She couldn't help but stare at the scar across his chest. It seemed she was looking at it forever if not for Aoshi's voice drawing her attention.

"What were you saying again?"

"I said are you hungry?"

"No, I'm not. I just want to rest," she felt herself blush being caught by him staring at his scar.

"You'll need more of these, it's cold." He tossed the bundle of white sheets to her.

She stared at him for a moment in the darkness before slipping herself under the blankets, careful not to hurt her injured foot. "I'll rest then. Wake me if anything's up… and thank you."

He had settled himself at the edge side of the bed, his back on her. He hadn't been feeling sleepy. Just when he began to wonder if the woman at the bed had really been asleep, he heard her whisper.

"Shinomori-san, are you asleep already?" When he didn't move, she thought he really had been asleep in that position. But then he turned his head slightly towards her.

"I thought you were asleep." Her voice was a whisper.

"I hadn't been."

"Either me."

"Why?" He asked almost conversationally, after a moment of silence.

"I was wondering…"

"About my scar?"

Megumi flinched. How could he possibly know what she was thinking? But then realized that the man wouldn't be Okashira of Oniwabanshu if he was not as perceptive as he is. She also caught a certain sorrow in his voice but he said it with ease. She sat up slowly looking at him now but he remained in his position not facing her.

"It's the scar Himura gave me."

"I never really thought it looked like that."

"It's been years..." He trailed off

"So does Ken-san's scar." Megumi filled in. "Scars such as those takes time to heal and fade. Especially if the person bearing it hadn't been healed deep inside yet."

At that, Aoshi's head turned a little more towards her for a minute before he turned it back and shut his eyes.

Seeing his reaction, Megumi felt sorry at her bluntness. She understood how this man felt as much as she understood Kenshin. They suffered the same guilt of the crimes they committed.

"Why aren't you sleeping yet?" she diverted the topic hoping to amend her mistake of touching a delicate subject.

"I was thinking."

"About what?"

"About us stuck here until the rainstorm stops."

"You really think it's a rainstorm?" she gasped. She doesn't really need him to reply, judging by the raindrops, it sounds like battering the roof that any time now it's going to fall upon them. Now that's really a big problem, she thought. They'll be stuck here without clothes although she can fix some food. She rested her chin on her knees. Suddenly, she felt cold air run down her spine and she couldn't help but shiver. By the time she opened her mouth to speak, all she could give was a quivering whisper of his name, audible enough only for those who have well-trained ears to catch it.

He immediately turned to look at her and saw her hugging herself, eyes closed, trembling uncontrollably.

"Takani-san? What's wrong?" he asked. He held her shoulders and noticed her face paler than her pearly white. Her lips untouched by her trademark red lipstick had lost its natural pink, but still he felt a strong urge to touch them. What was he thinking? he thought. Why was he thinking scornful things while this woman apparently was not feeling well?

She didn't answer. She was mumbling something and she's becoming delirious.

"Cold… cold…" she mumbled and whispered squeakily.

On its own accord, her arms reached for him and she fastened them around him, feeling his heat flow through her own body. She tightened her embrace and rested her cold face in his chest without even thinking of any other thing than to diminish the cold sting all over her flesh.

Still, she's trembling.

He felt her body against him racked by the cold he's starting to feel on his own skin. He pulled her hard against him, his arms wrapped around her to ease her quivering. And in her delirium, he heard her mumbling, "Don't leave… me. Don't leave me… please…"

"I'm here. I won't leave. I'll never leave," he said thinking that it would somehow reassure her and stop her mumbling. He almost praised himself when he felt her relaxed slowly. He repeated his phrase again and again for a long time, he felt like forever, which seemed to lull her until he realized that she was already asleep, her color was back. He had waited for another moment before he laid her gently back to bed so as not to wake her. He settled himself back seating at the floor watching her. Hell, he thought. That was… Hell… and he silently cursed himself, as his mouth twitched slightly.

In her half-consciousness, she heard him say something. But whatever it was, it was drowned by the noise of the heavy raindrops on the roof or with her consciousness slipping. All she knew was that his voice was soothingly comforting, lulling her tired mind and aching body to sleep.

The next morning, she woke with her stomach flat on the bed. She shivered a little when the morning breeze brushed her slightly exposed left shoulder. Her eyes adjusted slowly to the light that filled the room.

"Morning already?" she murmured in her pillow.

"And the rainstorm had stopped."

She cringed hearing his voice. She turned her head in his direction and sat up immediately covering her exposed skin quickly. It took her only a second to realize that she looked stupid doing that in front of a man like Shinomori Aoshi. He couldn't be sensitive with things like 'this'. He's the coldest man she knew.

"How long have you been there?"

He was standing by the door, arms crossed in his chest and his left foot over his right. "Longer than you can imagine." Aoshi then caught himself but not before the words he said slipped out from his mouth. For nth time he cursed himself for his unguarded and unnecessary slips realizing that he had done so in less than twenty four hours. What's more, it is only around with this particular person, this woman.

She was surprised to see his mouth tilted up slightly resembling a smile. But it looked more of a smirk to her and she felt a little bit annoyed at that.

"You watched me slept?" she growled dangerously.

"You fainted last night." His remark this time was a bit dry, uncaring.

"I…I fainted?" she uttered unbelievingly, that she didn't notice the change of his tone. "I don't remember fainting," she added mentally.

"The rainstorm's gone. Your clothes were… at least a bit dry," he snapped almost angrily. Something inside him reacted seeing her not remembering what had happened last night. He felt relieved at the thought but guilty all the same that he's the only one to remember. And yet, if he tells her about it, he could almost imagine her going violent out of shame and modesty.

And she certainly looked cute, gaping while trying to squeeze her memory of what had really transpired last night, he thought. He could only hope she'll not remember anyway, otherwise, it means trouble.

"I gave up! I don't remember fainting. I only felt cold… so cold… and slept it all away under my sheets." She pouted and let out a sigh to which Aoshi could praise the heavens. It's settled then, no more trouble.

"Shinomori-san, modesty aside but I seem not to enjoy barely dressed and clad only in blankets. Can I have my clothes now?" She smiled at him teasingly, fox ears almost visible in her head, and he felt again that hard lump in his throat. He turned then to the door and opened it.

"Ah yes, I remember now," she said thoughtfully.

Aoshi stopped in dead track at the half-opened door. Slowly, he turned to face her and saw confusion in her eyes.

"I heard you said something last night before I fell asleep. What was that?" she asked.

"I… I said goodnight. That's all!" Stupid, is that all you can say? And since when did you start to stutter, Shinomori Aoshi? he thought.

"I see. Interesting," she mumbled.

"Interesting?" Aoshi arched his brow.

"Oh, never mind that. I … it's nothing! Really." She smiled then unable to hold his gaze. She had actually been hearing his comforting voice even in her dreams.

After a long moment hanging by the door, when she seemed nothing to say anymore, he left to retrieve her dried clothes. He hated himself for wondering this time why she'd asked about what he said last night. Could it mean something to her? But he refused to entertain the thoughts of her, he didn't before, so why start now.

"When will be your next visit, Megumi-san?" Kaoru asked, hope in her eyes.

"I can't really tell, Kaoru-san. The clinic's been busy."

"Be sure to send us word when you arrive. It'll assure us that you two are safely back," Kenshin said.

"Of course, I will. And I'll make sure to write ahead before my next visit," Megumi said remembering the surprise in her friends' faces when she arrived at the dojo four weeks ago.

"Do you want me to walk you in the station?" Yahiko offered in defeat as Kaoru made it clear to him to do so by pushing Megumi's bags to him.

"Why, of course, Yahiko-chan, the offer is very kind not mention very much appreciated." Megumi teased (fox ears appearing). She made an emphasis on addressing him knowing full well how he hated to be considered a kid, understanding the situation through Yahiko's pout and Kaoru's glare. They'd never change. But, somehow, she noticed Yahiko's maturity. He manifested a higher degree of respect towards his sensei. He's definitely growing into a man, and lucky enough to have Kenshin to guide. "Though I'd supposed you'd rather be somewhere else with a certain bob-haired girl." That earned her a slight blush and reddened ears from the young man.

"Goodbye, everyone!" Megumi waved her hand as she started walking away. Her other hand gripping Ryusei's left hand. Ryusei's free hand was waving too towards his best friend Kenji, as he called him.

Megumi's eyes strayed for seconds to Aoshi's direction and she was stunned to see those pair of blue eyes watching her intensely. Her surprised turned into an alarm as she felt her heart rose to crowd her throat. She turned her head quickly to the road ahead, mentally scolding herself for that unguarded reaction. Stupid, she thought.

"You think its Sagara?"

"Definitely not," Kenshin answered still looking at the direction where Megumi faded from the view.

"He doesn't really look anything of Sagara," Aoshi commented.

Kenshin nodded in agreement, "But he looked entirely as Megumi except-"

"His eyes," Aoshi filled Kenshin's statement remembering how those fiery blue eyes met his own icy ones as if melting him with such courage.

"Which he certainly got from his father," Kenshin ended that observation definitely.

"You believe she's telling the truth about the boy's father?" Aoshi asked trying to sound unconcerned. "That is, given that she was telling half the tale."

"I don't know. I supposed she meant to keep it by herself."

Kenshin looked at Aoshi for the first time since their conversation started. He was convinced by the look on Aoshi's face that something had been running through his mind. And though Aoshi spoke with him about Megumi's issues nonchalantly, judging by the way he looked at the child, he really felt otherwise.

"Aoshi-san, I have a little favor to ask you," Kenshin began.

"I'm listening," he replied.

"As much as I wanted to, I can't leave my family here. So, I have only one choice left and that is to ask your help to watch over our friend over there. That is, if it's not too much."

"Why would you ask me to do that? You think she needs to be watched over?" he said almost inquisitively.

"I feel something's wrong. Besides, you are the one who have most of the resources. Kaoru and I wanted to make sure she'll be fine. If she is, then we can rest easy."

Aoshi understood the understatement of Kenshin's words. This isn't a police matter so it required someone with a close acquaintance to her. And she really doesn't have to know that she is being watched over.

"Will you help us?" Kenshin asked. "I mean her…" he corrected.

"Quite a straightforward request," Aoshi commented dryly.

"I can't think of any other way to say it, that is." Kenshin said quietly.

"I still have to decide on that. Besides, the lady doctor may not welcome my presence around her," he said although a part of him, the one he refuse to entertain, thinks otherwise.

"I'm counting on you." With that, Kenshin left him on his own.

He allowed himself to wonder again what could have Megumi told to her son about him. He is not the kind who indulge on self musings but only a few things impresses him and thus these few most of the times are encrypted in his mind. Only then he would allow his thoughts to wander off leisurely. The boy hadn't feared him from the very first time he saw him. The spark in his eyes would never be distinguished in Ryusei's eyes if he had been told of the unpleasant past between him and his mother. Ryusei had been spared of that knowledge. And Megumi had been very kind to spare him.

Aoshi's wondering then drifted to the thoughts of that single night he had been stuck with her under that rainstorm. He wondered if he'd ever get over thinking about it. Hell… he almost smirked.

END OF CHAPTER FOUR