Time Heals All
~.~
Gensai-sensei's small clinic, starting early that morning, had been a whirl of movement and confusion, chatter and heat. The odors and aromas of medications and the human body hung heavily about their heads, dizzying the already off-balanced assistant. Patient after patient arrived, each with their own set of questions, requests, and symptoms. Each confused at the presence of this strange, dark-haired beauty. Though not enough to be deterred from their original errand.
Megumi had just shakily asked a woman how she was feeling when a short, stocky man corded with muscle approached from the corner of her eye. Sweat beaded at the nape of her neck as she turned toward the short, yet intimidating, man. "How can I help you," she mumbled, struggling to ignore the prickling of her back.
"I don't want your help, Woman. Where is Gensai-sensei?" he demanded.
Swallowing thickly, Megumi looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "He's with another patient," she stammered. "If you don't—"
"Don't stand here and speak to me, you worthless girl. Get Gensai-sensei," he snarled, before leaving the young doctor rooted to her spot.
Megumi felt the pitying (accusing?) stares of those around her, and her skin heated in response. Lifting her chin with pseudo-confidence, Megumi left the entry room as audible whispers followed her.
Who is she?
Where did she come from?
Why is she here?
The clinic was small, with only a few patient rooms, a couple supply closets. and Gensai-sensei's personal quarters. It would have taken but a few moments to locate the aging doctor, only a couple minutes more to explain the patient's irritation, and even less to solve the issue. But, as Megumi opened the door to her hiding place, she realized she was in no state for the doctor to see her. Not if she wanted him to take her seriously.
The supply closet, aptly named, shut out any outside noise, allowing Megumi's rampant thoughts to settle to relative serenity. It was quiet and she was alone—a combination she'd grown familiar and comfortable with. It was there in that small room she allowed herself weakness. A couple lone tears broke free and made their way halfway down her cheek before she brushed them aside.
She hadn't anticipated this. The sheer number of patients in Gensai-sensei's care. Their curious (hateful?) stares. The open trust some had in her and the blatant suspicion of others. The crippling doubt she had in herself, in her ability to facilitate life instead of ushering death. She had known her dealings with that creature and his opium would corrupt, but she'd no idea the depths it would penetrate. Her very hands—the things that make a doctor—couldn't be trusted, for they'd brought about the demise of so many others—could she really believe they could heal after so long being a merchant of death?
Revulsion battled fiercely with the compliance she'd worn like a shield for so long. Her very soul recoiled from the tasks she'd been forced in to, but her heart—long since battered and torn—sought the easy solace passivity had given her. It would be so much easier to succumb to its calloused iciness.
Suddenly, the door slid open behind her, startling the young doctor into turning. Gensai-sensei looked equally startled, but a genial smile soon replaced his shocked features. "Ah! Takani-san, you startled me, my dear. It simply wouldn't do for this doctor to have a heart attack, you know. Our patients would revolt!" he chuckled lightly.
Megumi was simply relieved she'd not been a weeping mess when he'd entered. Forcing away the constant guilt of his kindness, Megumi smiled tightly, "Forgive me, Gensai-sensei." He waved a hand dismissively, moving around her to grab a roll of bandages, so she continued. "Actually I'm glad you're here. There are a few patients waiting who are," she thought about the strong, irritable man, "anxious to see you. I'm afraid their rather unforthcoming with me, seeing as I'm a stranger. Seeing you will put a great many at ease."
Gensai-sensei clapped his forehead overdramatically. "Of course. I have been meaning to introduce you all morning. We've the most gossiping group of patients in all of Tokyo, so we need only do it once. They'll make sure the word spreads. Come, come, my girl," he said excitedly before heading quickly for the waiting room.
Megumi followed mindlessly behind him, her anxiety heightening at the thought of idle gossip surrounding her presence. What if word spread to the wrong ear? One who meant her harm? Even worse, what if an answering rumor revealed her sordid past to the public?
These thoughts carried her down the hallway and froze her in the entryway as Gensai-sensei made his introductions.
"This is Takani Megumi and she will be my assistant—"
Did that man look at her hatefully? Does he know what she's done?
"—from the Takani family in Aizu—"
That mother with her child. What would she do if she knew Megumi had stooped so low as to sell opium to a child younger than even the little one on her knees? That the woman doctor had killed children.
"—foreseeable future—"
They'll find out. They'll hate her. And then she'll be alone again, even more so than she already was.
"Thank you. I'll see you now, Hayashi-san," he finished cordially, patting Megumi kindly on the arm before heading back down the hallway.
The burly man from earlier rose swiftly to his feet. Megumi watched him apprehensively, expecting a hateful look of contempt, but instead found a face heavy with worry. He didn't even glance at Megumi as he passed.
There was a moment of silence before the patients began talking amongst themselves again, casting curious (fearful?) looks her direction. It took a great force of will for Megumi to move toward them, quietly resuming her questioning.
Just today. Just make it through today.
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