Aoshi opened his tired eyes at the sound of footsteps nearing. His hands immediately flew to where his kodachis were, a gesture he had been used to for so long.
"Shinomori-san?"
Aoshi relaxed a bit at the sight of Kenshin and his family. He bowed slightly in acknowledgement. "I apologize for the sudden visit."
"Have you been waiting here this whole time?" Kaoru asked in concern as she hurried up the dojo to head to the kitchen. "At least let me make you something." Eying the tray beside the dojo entrance, Kaoru looked at Aoshi with confusion. "Who-?"
"Takani-san." Aoshi answered curtly.
Kaoru's eyes widened as she glanced at the tray, or what was left of it. "Why didn't she serve you some of the sweets she brought in from Aizu?" Kaoru grabbed the tray and headed to the kitchen. "Give me a moment and I'll be right with you Aoshi-san. Kenshin I'll leave him to you!"
Kenshin nodded towards his wife.
"I'll tuck Kenji in." Yahiko stated as he continued to carry the infant inside the house.
"Thank you Yahiko." Kenshi replied with a grateful smile.
"So, what brings you here Mr. Commander?" Sano teased as he continued to chew on the straw hanging out his mouth.
"The matter doesn't concern you, Sagara."
Sano raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Oh come on! I live here too, sort of. Any concern of Kenshin is a concern of mine as well."
Aoshi continued to stare down the younger streetfighter.
"Now, now. Let's all head inside and make ourselves comfortable first." Kenshin pacified, both his arms raised in surrender.
Both tall men nodded in agreement.
Aoshi stared at the group before him. He sighed in exasperation. "Like I said, I would like to talk to Himura-san alone."
"I don't think so buddy." Sano shook his head, his gaze like that of an overprotective father.
"As much as I would like to respect your request Shinomori-san, I would like to be allowed to join this conversation as well." Kaoru stated firmly.
"That's right. God knows what kind of dirty job the government will make Kenshin do again!" Yahiko added.
Aoshi sighed again. "It's not a job from the government. This is a personal agenda." He paused, looking at each of them with emphasis. "If you still haven't heard, I am currently on leave from my position for at least a month. I am here because I have a personal request for Himura. So I hope you can grant my appeal for privacy."
Kenshin looked at each of the pairs of eyes darting towards him. "Shinomori-san has traveled a long way. If it is a personal request, from one samurai to another, then I would like to hear it alone."
Sano opened his mouth to retort but Kaoru raised her hand to silence him. "We understand. But if it involves you leaving for a mission, I will not allow that."
Kaoru glanced at Aoshi with determination. "I am sure you are aware of my husband's condition, so I expect that you will not request something that is beyond his current capabilities."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Aoshi replied sincerely.
With a nod of finality, Kaoru motioned for Sano and Yahiko to leave.
When they were finally left alone, Kenshin scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "I apologize. They've become so overprotective ever since they learned about my health concerns."
"It's nothing to apologize for. Their behavior is expected." Aoshi replied with a curt nod.
"So what is it that I can help you with?"
"I wish to ask for your permission to bring the lady doctor Megumi Takani to Kyoto."
Kenshin blinked. Once. Twice. "I beg your pardon?"
Aoshi cleared his throat before reiterating the exact same words once again.
"Shinomori-san, I heard you the first time." Kenshin responded with amusement. "I'm just confused as to why you need my permission."
Aoshi raised an eyebrow. "She's currently serving as your personal doctor is she not?"
Kenshin shook his head. "She is my doctor but her clientele is not limited to myself. I used to travel to Aizu for check-ups but when Dr. Oguni Gensai died two months ago, she's been living here with us."
Aoshi stayed silent, sipping his tea.
Kenshin simply stared at the quiet Oniwabanshu leader, unsure what it was that he was thinking. "Why do you need Megumi-dono in Kyoto?"
Sighing, Aoshi brought his cup down the table. "Jiya is dying. The doctors say he only has a month at most. I…" Aoshi paused, his gaze on the leaves floating idly on his tea cup. "I just want to make his passing as comfortable as possible."
"I'm very sorry to hear that Shinomori-san." Keshin began, as he stared at Aoshi's melancholic form. "But more than myself, I think the person you should be asking is Megumi-dono."
Aoshi glanced at Kenshin with certainty. "She will never approve."
"You haven't even tried." Kenshin furrowed his eyebrows. "She's a reasonable woman. And more than that, she is compassionate. She cares about lives, no matter whose it is."
Aoshi was silent, unsure of what to respond.
"Perhaps you can try to ask her tomorrow morning." Kenshi added with much optimism.
Aoshi could only nod in reply.
Megumi stretched her arms out languidly as she inhaled the fresh morning breeze. It was still cold, but the dewy glow in the garden gave her a strange energy.
Turning around to head towards the kitchen, Megumi froze at the sight before her. Rolling her eyes and exhaling in a tone that expressed exhaustion, she turned her gaze back towards the garden. "And here I thought was going to have a peaceful morning."
"I apologize for my intrusion." Aoshi responded, albeit not at all sympathetic.
Megumi turned around to look at the Meiji army commander with annoyance. "What do you want?"
Aoshi took a moment to prepare himself. "I will be frank. I wish to ask for your medical assistance in Kyoto."
Megumi failed to hide her surprise. "Excuse me?"
"Jiya is terminally ill." Aoshi began, an obvious discomfort at having to share intimate information about his family was notable. "I, as well as the rest of the Oniwabanshu, would like to avail of your medical services, to make his passing as painless as possible."
"Why me?" Megumi raised an eyebrow in skepticism. "There are many good and well-known doctors in Kyoto. You don't need my expertise."
Aoshi sighed in slight exasperation. "That is true. However, Jiya is being… difficult." Aoshi paused, embarrassed at what he had to say next. "He insists that his doctors be female, or else he would refuse medical treatment."
Aoshi fought the urge to cringe at the shrill voice that greeted him in response.
"That good for nothing pervert! He's dying and that's all he cares about!? Just let him die an idiot then!"
Aoshi released a tired sigh. "I understand your concern. And I would rather not bother you with this matter if I had the choice. There aren't a lot of female doctors, especially those well-versed in terminal illness. I know that stubborn old man is being unreasonable, but I would like to think that he's just grasping at the things he has some semblance of control over."
"I will not travel to Kyoto to be someone's geisha, Shinomori." Megumi replied vehemently before turning her back on him.
"The Oniwabanshu will fund your clinic and place you under our protection. All necessary equipment and medicine will be at your disposal. Anything you wish will be granted. The location of your clinic is your choice as well, of course. I will station military personnel within your jurisdiction to ensure your safety and the flourishment of your business. All this in exchange for Jiya's comfort in his passing."
Megumi turned around and looked at Aoshi in disbelief. "You think you can buy your way through this?"
"It's a good deal." The Oniwabanshu leader insisted.
With one last look of disgust, Megumi shook her head and began to walk away.
Clenching his jaw, Aoshi took hurried steps, ignoring the way Megumi flinched when he grabbed her arm and turned her around.
Narrowing her eyes, the Takani heir pulled her arm back forcefully, sending the man before her a look of utter disdain. "Who gave you any right-"
With a defeated sigh, Aoshi bent down on one knee, his head hung low in desperation. Megumi could only look on in incredulity. "W-What the hell do you think-"
"I'm begging you." Aoshi began, his tone firm but desperate. "I don't care what it takes. I'll give you whatever you want. Just please make Jiya's death painless."
Megumi felt her mouth fall open, unsure of what exactly she was witnessing. "Get up." She whispered, still shaken by the scene before her. "I said get up, Shinomori!" She grabbed one of his arms and pulled him as forcefully as she could, but he wouldn't budge.
"Damn it!" Megumi cursed as she glanced at Aoshi's pitiful form. She didn't know what irked her more, the fact that someone as proud as him would bow his head down for someone like her, or the fact that a merciless killer like him was capable of so much compassion.
Megumi fisted her hands, annoyed at the effect the gesture seemed to have on her. How could she possibly turn down such a sincere request? She released a heavy sigh. "One condition."
Aoshi raised his head, his eyes hopeful. It was the first time Megumi saw such an expression from him.
"I don't want your stupid clinic. I don't want your money. And I sure as hell don't need your protection." Megumi paused before clicking her tongue in annoyance. "Would you just get up, Shinomori!?"
Aoshi stood up to his full height, his initial expression of hope veiled by something akin to indifference once again.
"A few weeks ago Saito was here." Megumi began. "He was trying to recruit Kenshin into the army."
Aoshi eyes grew slightly with understanding. So that was why everyone was being so overprotective around the renowned Battousai.
"In exchange for my medical services, I want you and the entire Meiji government to leave Kenshin alone. No more job offers, no external pressures or whatnot just to make him join some stupid expedition or whatever the hell you people call it! He's done more than enough for this country. He deserves to live in peace." Megumi stared at Aoshi with new found determination. "If you can promise me that you can get the government off Kenshin's ass for as long as he lives, then I will accept your offer."
Aoshi continued to stare at fiery eyes of the lady doctor before him, not expecting her to ask such as request from him. After several moments, Aoshi nodded. "You have my word."
End of third chapter!
Sorry it took so long to update. I have this story plotted out until the end but I just can't find time to finish writing it all. It will last for about 6-8 chapters. So far I have up until chapter 6 panned out. I hope you like it so far and will hopefully update the next chapter next month at the latest. Hopefully.
Constructive criticism is very much accepted! :)