Megumi tried her best to ignore the penetrating gaze she could feel at the back of her neck. She knew he was just a few paces behind her, given that she really couldn't outrun him with the kimono she was wearing. The only thing she was thankful for was that he continued to maintain his distance and didn't try to make any small talk. After all, he didn't really seem like the type for idle chats.

Megumi released a tired sigh. The festival was still quite a long way. The silence of the streets and the dimly lit paper lanterns did nothing to quell Megumi's growing anxiety. The streets at night could really drive a woman crazy. Add in the presence of the man who once offered to take her life so offhandedly, she felt like she was nearing a nervous breakdown now. She really should have accepted Sanosuke's offer to escort her to the festival.

Pausing, Megumi huffed in determination before turning her gaze back onto the silent shadow mirroring her every step. "Shinomori-san." She stated matter-of-factly.

All she got was a raised eyebrow in reply. Megumi narrowed her eyes at how such a simple gesture was enough to communicate his silent inquiry on why she had stopped.

"Would you be so kind as to walk alongside me, instead of behind me?" Megumi tried to voice it out as a question but she really couldn't help the demanding tone of her voice.

Both Aoshi's eyebrows rose this time in surprise.

Megumi released an exasperated sigh. "I understand the connotation of walking side by side. But trust me, I am not interested in what people think of us. You can move away as far as possible once we get to more crowded areas. But right now, knowing someone I don't trust is walking behind me is driving me crazy." She paused at the strange look Aoshi was giving her.

Megumi folded her arms defensively. "I know you are capable of killing me at any moment. I'm not saying you will. But at least I would prefer it that I would be able to see it, if in case you do-"

"I won't kill you."

For some strange reason, the silent but determined way Aoshi said those words made Megumi shut up. She looked away feeling like an idiot for ever saying anything. She knew Aoshi was a changed man. But to her he will always be the stranger who made her feel utterly worthless with just a few truthful words that hit home. Before she realized it, he was standing right before her. She flinched a bit, taking a few steps backwards.

As if the gesture didn't bother him, Aoshi moved to where Megumi was and settled himself two feet away on her right. He said nothing more.

Still trying to hide her embarrassment at ever questioning the honor of the Oniwabanshu head, Megumi chose to remain silent as she headed towards the festival once again. She mentally cursed. Having him right beside her only seemed to have amplified her discomfort. She clenched her teeth. She really shouldn't have said anything.

As they reached the waterway, a strong gust of wind blew, successfully knocking out the lights off their candle-lit paper lanterns. Megumi cursed out loud.

"Of all the things!" Megumi huffed in annoyance. It was Tanabata so the local government was adamant that all bright lights in the city be turned off. Not to mention that almost every soul in town was at the open field for the fireworks display. Glancing up, she clicked her tongue at the lack of moon and stars. Megumi fumbled around her kimono for some extra matches when she realized she had left them back at the Kamiya Dojo. She cursed again. She was in such a hurry to get away from Aoshi that she had forgotten to bring extra matches for precaution.

She released a long calming sigh. "Do happen to have some matches at disposal, Shinomori-san?"

"They're among my things I left at the dojo."

Megumi pressed the palm of her fist on her forehead in an attempt to calm herself down. Why did they have to lose their light just when they were about to walk across the rubble path of the waterway?

Aoshi seemed to have realized Megumi's dilemma. Given her current outfit, it would be very difficult to maneuver around the rocky pathway. "Is there another way to the festival other than this?"

Megumi shook her head. "The festival is being held at an abandoned clearing at the end of town. There's only one way to reach it and this is it."

Aoshi debated on the matter. There was one way they could both cross the path. "Perhaps-"

"No."

Aoshi narrowed his eyes at being shot down so suddenly. "You haven't even heard-"

"I will not let you carry me."

Aoshi stayed silent at the decisive and vehement tone of the lady doctor. "Then how do you suppose-"

"After walking across this pathway, you'll see a fork. Head to the right." Megumi paused momentarily to visualize the directions in her mind, missing the way the Okashira was glaring at her for cutting him off repeatedly. "Continue for about 80 meters, then you'll see a bunch of huge rocks. There's a cave on the left most side of those rocks. I'm sure the cave will be lit somewhat so go in, head straight, then you'll come across the exit. There you'll see the open field just head down the stone steps."

Aoshi's initial annoyance turned into confusion. "You're not going?"

"No. Unfortunately for me this is the end of the road. Good luck." With that Megumi turned around slowly with her hands slightly outstretched as she took careful steps. With no more than five steps, Megumi felt a hand grab her wrist.

"What?" She failed to hide the annoyance in her tone.

"You're headed to the edge." Came Aoshi's nonchalant reply.

Megumi blinked as she slowly slid on foot forward only to meet thin air just a few inches away. She swallowed. "Well I guess I didn't' turn around enough." She paused moving away from the edge. "I'll be fine now." She tugged on her arm but Aoshi's hold remained. Before she could protest, she heard a resigning sigh.

"Are you sure you don't want to head to the festival?"

"I'm sure." Megumi replied with determination, as she tugged at her arm.

"Then I will escort you back to the Kamiya dojo."

"Wait!" Megumi raised her hands up. "I don't need your help. Really. I walk these streets every day of my life. I just took a wrong turn that's all. Besides, don't you have some business with Kenshin?"

"It can wait."

Megumi sighed. "Shinomori-san. It's not like the two of us walking around in the dark would do either of us any good. There's no point in two blind people shuffling around at random."

"I can see quite clearly."

Megumi felt her mouth open in disbelief.

"Despite your sudden expression of incredulity, given that your mouth just fell open, I assure you I can see well." Aoshi replied with poorly veiled annoyance. After all, what kind of shinobi would he be if he couldn't see in the dark?

Megumi immediately shut her mouth at the comment. "Fine. But I can also assure you that I can get home without your help." She tugged at her arm once again and finally felt the Okashira let go.

Megumi had only taken a few steps and already she could sense Aoshi on her trail. "Shinomori-san." Came her accusatory tone.

Aoshi remained silent for a moment, contemplating the various terrain they passed so far on the way to the festival. "Without my assistance, you will fall several times on this trek back to the Kamiya Dojo."

Megumi clenched her teeth at Aoshi's choice of words. "Can't provide me with a concrete number?" She mocked, refusing to back down. "That's too bad. Make sure you count then."

Aoshi could only sigh.

"So, how many was it?"

Aoshi sighed for the umpteenth time as he stared at the prideful demeanor of the renowned lady doctor. They were finally at the dimly-lit gate of the Kamiya dojo after what seemed like hours of trekking. He stayed silent for a moment as he assessed her form from head to toe – hair disheveled, summer kimono murky and tattered, hands covered in mud, and right sandal strap broken. "I didn't count."

Megumi scoffed in disbelief as she turned around to head inside the dojo. "Liar."

Aoshi closed his eyes as he exhaled slowly. He hated it whenever women would ask those silly trick questions. No matter what answer he provided, he would have made her angry nonetheless. He headed inside the dojo just in time to see the Takani heir disappear into the hallway, no doubt to get a change of clothes.

Feeling somewhat unsure of what to do, Aoshi chose to sit at the edge of the steps, keeping his eyes on the front gate. Exhaustion began to seep in once he finally sat down, laying his twin kodachis by his side. It was only then that he realized he had been travelling for hours on end without acquiring any rest stops. He released a tired sigh as he ran a hand through his hair. He kept his gaze on the flickering flame of one of the paper lanterns by the dojo entrance. Much to Aoshi's surprise, the dancing flame slowly soothed him until he lost sense of time entirely.

After what seemed like hours, soft footsteps and the cackle of porcelain cups reverberated around the dojo. Aoshi turned around to see Megumi walking towards him holding a tray of snacks. He did know what surprised him more, the gesture, or the way she looked that moment – hair in a thick one-sided braid, plain white kimono, bare-faced and barefooted. With the way she looked, Aoshi knew she couldn't care less of what he thought about her. But for some unearthly reason, the Okashira couldn't take his eyes off her, more so when she was finally just an arm's reach away, setting the tray on the floor. Their eyes met.

"Wouldn't want to be a bad host in place of Kaoru and Kenshin, now would I?" Megumi raised an eyebrow for emphasis before standing up and turning around. "You know where the kitchen is."

Aoshi stared at the tray only to see five small broken biscuits, a porcelain cup with tea leaves, and a pot of hot water.

"Oh and by the way…"

Aoshi brought his gaze back to the lady doctor, before following her pointed finger down and onto the muddy boot prints on the wooden floor.

"You did say you were going to clean it up." Megumi turned around and waved an arm nonchalantly as she headed back to her room. "Make sure you get it done before Kaoru and Kenshin get back."

Aoshi could only sigh as he stared at the woman's retreating form, berating himself for his earlier train of thought. He must have been a lot more tired than he led himself to believe.