Everything is changing so quickly.

Aoshi and Misaochan left first thing in the morning from the Shinbashi station. And Megumisan departs.

She seems so happy to be going. She even gave me her medicine kit.

It's odd... but she's right. I didn't like her. Now... I do. Not that I'm going to admit it in so many words. She shook things up so much. Too much. And she never did keep her hands off of Kenshin.

But she has been a good friend. Maybe she does play the vixen, but sometimes we've all needed that. She always did know what to say, even if it did get me so angry!

Sometimes that anger was what I needed. Getting angry at her kept me from getting angry at myself, like when Kenshin left. I don't know what would have happened if she hadn't scolded me then. I guess she does know a lot about treating people. She'll do well as a doctor in Aizu.

I'm going to take care of him. The medicines she gave me may not last very long, around these guys, but someday I'll see her again and thank her for them. Sano's right. There will be visits!

Am I ready for her to go? Am I ready to lose the closest woman friend I've had in a long time? Misaochan is closer in Kyoto than Megumisan will be in Aizu, but it's not the same as having someone just around the corner. No, I can handle this. I can handle anything. I'm not alone. There's Yahiko, and Sanosuke's always here... And I have Kenshin.

She's right; I've got to keep smiling for Kenshin! She's looked out for all of us since she came here. I know she's right about that, too.

Megumisan...

And now she's walking away from us with a smile on her face as she turns towards her future. Just like Kenshin said, she's moving on.

Just like that...

Just like that, Megumisan left, and didn't even turn around once. Anyone could see what a graceful, elegant woman she was. I don't know when I will see her next, but until then, I need to grow up some more.

We stood and watched the carriage until we couldn't see it anymore. I don't know what the others are thinking. I'd bet Sanosuke's thinking about food. Yahiko, too, probably. And Kenshin? I can't always tell what he's thinking, but I know that he's staying here in Tokyo. At the Kamiya dojo.

That's my dojo.

My family.

[AN]Yes, I did use the manga as a reference for some of her lines. I've been accused of hating Kaoru. I don't HATE her, I just really LOVE Megumi. :P [/AN]