"Looks like you have a new border."

Aoshi released a silent sigh as he closed the door of the head commander's office. The Okashira wasn't surprised that the Wolf of Mibu had been well informed.

Saitou didn't even try to hide his smirk as he turned away from the refreshing morning breeze, opting instead to sit on the edge of the window sill. His gaze on his second-in-command was teasing.

"You've made some renovations." Aoshi shifted his gaze throughout the expanse of the Saitou's office, ignoring the meaningful way his superior was looking at him. "The headquarters look even more imposing."

Saitou shrugged in dismissal. "So, how did you manage to snag the Takani doctor?" His gaze shifted towards the bag of herbs the Okashira was holding in one hand. "Got you to be her errand boy as well, huh?"

Aoshi replied with a look of irritation. "You're making it sound like something it isn't."

Saitou chuckled. Trust Aoshi Shinomori to never be able to take a joke.

"It was a legitimate business deal." Aoshi added nonchalantly.

"What was the catch then?" Saitou's gaze was expectant and curious. He had a strong feeling it had something to do with him, seeing as the Okashira was here in his office of his own free will without the need to be summoned.

"What will it take for you to stop your recruitment of Himura-san?"

Saitou's eyebrows rose in both surprise and interest. "Why do you ask?"

Aoshi remained silent, patiently waiting for an appropriate reply.

Saitou chuckled again. It didn't take a genius to put two and two together. "That's what she asked you in exchange?"

The silence from the Meiji army's second-in-command was the only affirmation Saitou needed. He couldn't help but grin.

Aoshi refused to show any form of frustration, keeping his face emotionless with his gaze still on Saitou.

"Three conditions." Saitou began as he raised his fingers up for emphasis. Aoshi simply nodded for him to continue.

"One. You have to start wearing the army uniform."

Aoshi clenched his teeth to stop himself from flat out refusing. He would wait until after the demands were made before offering a rebuttal.

"Two. You have to have more media presence. When interviews are requested of you, you have to follow through. You are also expected to show up once a week to oversee the training of the new recruits." As if reading Aoshi's mind, Saitou continued, answering his silent inquiry. "You may be oblivious to it but there is the fact that you are idolized by people. The higher ups are asking for you to be the image of the army. That would not only boost the morale of the troops, but also improve the reception of the masses towards military men." Saitou grinned at the deadpan expression Aoshi now donned.

"And lastly?" The Okashira replied albeit uninterested.

"You have to start attending official government conferences, whether it be for strategic planning, nation building or political affairs." Saitou paused, for emphasis. "And yes. That includes year-end parties, festivals, balls and whatever the hell formalities the government establishes."

Aoshi narrowed his eyes. "The first condition I understand, but the next two are conditions that should be expected of the head of the army, not its second-in-command."

Saitou nodded. "Unfortunately for you, those are things I'm not very fond of either. So I managed to convince the politicians to pass that job onto you." Saitou grinned at the slight widening of Aoshi's eyes. "No point in lying about it." The Wolf of Mibu shrugged, completely unapologetic as he lighted a cigarette.

"You're passing off your responsibilities to me?" Aoshi clarified, with a tone similar to a parent reproaching a juvenile delinquent.

Saitou released a puff of smoke slowly, relishing in the way it seemed to burn his throat. "You make it sound a lot worse than it actually is."

"I stated it exactly as it is." Aoshi insisted.

"Well..." Saitou shrugged. "It's not like you have much of a choice. You need the Takani doctor to stay and I need you to do those three things for me."

"Two."

Saitou raised an eyebrow. "You think you're in the position to bargain here?"

"I'll accept the last two conditions." Aoshi stated firmly.

Saitou couldn't help but chuckle. It seems the Oniwabanshu leader would do anything to avoid wearing a uniform. "Fine. Since you've given me a quite a good laugh."

Aoshi stopped himself from exhaling in relief, opting to nod instead. "We have a deal then."

"Welcome back Aoshi-sama!"

Aoshi nodded in acknowledgment, as he watched the younger girl run towards him. "Where is Takani-sensei?"

Misao tried her best to keep her smile up. "She's in the garden."

Aoshi raised an eyebrow in inquiry.

"She said she needed some place to prepare the herbs for jiya but the kitchen was packed with people."

"I see." Aoshi nodded in understanding as he headed towards the garden.

Misao tried her best to ignore the gnawing feeling in her chest as she stopped herself from going after the Okashira. The calls coming from the kitchen seemed more welcoming that Aoshi's silent back.

Aoshi turned a corner to reach the garden, pausing to glance at the Takani doctor's hunched form as she sat on a small stool. A matching square wooden table was before her laden with several herbs and tools.

"You could have asked for a spare room for your convenience."

Megumi almost dropped the mortar and pestle she was holding. Glaring at the unassuming demeanor of the man before her, she snarled in frustration. "Is it your thing to always sneak up on people?"

Aoshi blinked. "That wasn't my intention."

"Of course it wasn't." Megumi whispered loud enough for him to hear as she went back to pounding the herbs as finely as she could.

Ignoring the jab from the Takani doctor, Aoshi cleared his throat. "The deal is done."

Megumi raised an eyebrow. "What deal?"

"The army won't be bothering Kenshin any longer."

Megumi's mouth fell open slightly in shock as she turned her gaze back towards the Okashira. "Just like that?"

Aoshi nodded.

"How?" Megumi paused from her task as she folded her arms on her chest and narrowed her eyes. The army had been so persistent towards Kenshin for as long as she could remember. There was no way they would back off that easily.

"The details aren't necessary." Aoshi replied vaguely. "But you have my word. Kenshin will never be recruited for as long as he will live."

Megumi eyed Aoshi skeptically, as a small understanding formed in her head. "What did you do?"

Aoshi didn't answer as he headed towards Megumi, looking for a place to put the bag of herbs on the already cluttered table.

"Shinomori."

Opting to place the bag beside one of the table's legs, Aoshi turned away. "I'll leave you to your-"

"Shinomori!" Came Megumi's demanding tone as she grabbed his arm. "What did you do?"

Aoshi kept his back to her as he closed his eyes, releasing a silent but exasperated sigh. "I told you, it's none of your-"

"I was the one who made those demands. I have every right to know how you ended up withholding your end of the bargain." Megumi kept her hold on Aoshi's arm as she moved to face him. "I can't just take your word for it."

Aoshi was trying his best to mask his annoyance. "In exchange I am expected to perform some of the duties Saitou is responsible for."

"What duties?"

This time Aoshi didn't hide his growing aggravation as he slowly pulled his arm out of Megumi's grasp. "Military duties. Things I am not allowed to divulge."

Megumi kept her gaze on the stubborn Oniwabanshu head. "Duties that require frequent run ins with death I presume."

Aoshi raised an eyebrow in curiosity at the statement. "No, nothing of that sort."

"Can I trust that information?"

Aoshi narrowed his eyes. "Why would there be a need for me to lie?"

Megumi continued to stare down the taller man, trying her best to read what was going through his mind and if he was indeed telling the truth.

Aoshi could only sigh once again. "The fact of the matter is, Kenshin is free. You need not concern yourself with my decisions or the consequences I will face. Just as you said before, what we have is a business deal. We don't have to talk to each other on a personal level. We don't have to explain ourselves to each other. I've held up my end of the bargain, just as you are holding up yours. That's all that there is to know."

Megumi couldn't bring herself to retort as Aoshi began to walk away.

Loud rushing steps could be heard from the corner of the hallway. In an instant, Misao was standing before them panting and teary eyed. "Jiya…"

Megumi walks back to her room after supper, not failing to pass the room of the old man. The door was slightly ajar and she could see the silhouette of the Meiji army's second-in-command sitting beside the unconscious old man, reading a book in silence. She continued wordlessly to her room.

Rounding a corner, Megumi came face to face with Misao pacing before the door to her bedroom.

"Can we talk?"

Megumi nodded as she opened the door to her quarters, motioning the younger girl to come in as well. Just as she was closing the door, she felt the younger girl cling to her from behind.

"Please…" Misao's voice cracked as her tears began to stain Megumi's kimono. "Please talk to Aoshi-sama. It's been a week since Jiya had a convulsion. He hasn't woken up, and Aoshi-sama still hasn't left his side since. He hasn't eaten well, he doesn't even sleep! I can't…" She paused to take a shaky breath in. "I can't take watching him like this."

Megumi turned around and placed her hands on the younger girl's shoulders. "If none of you can talk some sense into him, then what makes you think I can?"

"Just give it a try. Please just give it a try. Please…"

Megumi could only sigh. How could she refuse such a look?

Megumi slid the door to Jiya's room silently, attracting the attention of the man who refused to leave the room.

"Takani-sensei." Aoshi greeted in acknowledgement. His gaze was slightly unfocused but he stood up from where he sat to offer his assistance almost immediately.

Megumi tilted her head towards the door. "Can we talk somewhere else?"

Aoshi narrowed his eyes in confusion but nodded nonetheless, following the lady doctor's lead.

Megumi turned to face Aoshi once they were in the quiet space of her room. She leaned back on the wall as she crossed her arms on her chest defensively. "You need to get some sleep."

Aoshi's hand paused from reaching towards the door to slide it closed. Closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose, he released a sigh to calm himself down. "If that's all this conversation will be about, then I will take my leave."

Megumi sighed. She knew he was going to be difficult. "I'll take your place to watch over the old man. I'll let you know if any developments-"

"I can look after him myself." Aoshi insisted. "I will call for you when you are needed."

Megumi kept her gaze on the unreasonable man. "You can hardly keep your eyes open. You look like you could drop dead any second."

"That is none of your concern."Aoshi's expressionless mask was slipping.

"As a doctor it is my concern."

"Make no mistake." Aoshi began as he stalked up towards Megumi. Placing one hand on the wall, he leaned down to stare her right in the eye. "I brought you here to become Jiya's doctor, not my own. Do not tell me what to do."

Megumi felt a chill crawl up her spine at the way the Oniwabanshu leader was staring at her, but she refused to back down. "And what if he does wake up? Would you be of any help in that state?"

"You don't know what I'm capable of."

Megumi didn't miss the way Aoshi meant for that to be a threat as well.

"I do have the knowledge and expertise that backs up my claims. A human can not function without sleep or food."

Aoshi fisted his hands in annoyance. Why was the lady doctor being so insufferable now of all times?

Mustering up what was left of her courage, Megumi faced the towering figure before her head on. "None of this is anyone's fault."

Two fisted hands slammed themselves on each side of Megumi's head as she stifled a scream.

"Stop acting like you know everything woman!"

"Then what is it?!" Megumi screamed as she shoved Aoshi on the chest in response, annoyed at his audacity to start using force. "I won't be able to understand unless you start taking!"

"I did this!" Aoshi screamed as he turned around swiftly, holding a hand over his eyes. "He's dying because of me! I... I injured him gravely. He never bounced back from that. This... All of this. It's all my fault."

Megumi could only look on in shock, taken aback by the desperate confession. She remained silent, unsure of what to say.

"It should be me on that bed not him." Aoshi's voice was shaking now. Years and years of pent up pain, frustration and regret were interlaced in his tone. "There's not a day I didn't wish for it to happen to me instead."

Megumi didn't understand why she began to silently cry. The soft glow of the moonlight on the lonesome figure of the supposedly prideful Okashira did nothing to soothe the growing ache in her chest.

"There's so much…" Aoshi forced his eyes shut as if the gesture could stop the uncontrollable onslaught of tears. "So much left for him to do." His other hand raised up to cover the hand over his eyes, his grip cruel and punishing. "So much more for him to live for."

Megumi slowly made her way towards the shaking form of Aoshi, carefully placing an uncertain hand over his back. When she felt no retaliation, she began moving it up and down in small, gentle motions. He was shaking, each breath he took made his body jerk as if breathing itself was the most painful thing to do.

As if she had lost control of her body, Megumi placed her arms around Aoshi in a protective hug. She could feel every quiver his body made, every lurching gasp he took. She wanted to hate herself for being affected by him like this. She wanted to shout at him that he deserved everything, that he was probably being punished by a higher being who'd grown tired of his conceit. But how could she when he was so lost and pained like this? How could she when he had no one else to turn to but her?

"I forgive you."

As if those words were laced with magic, Aoshi's harsh breathing died down and his body grew still.

Megumi kept her hug on him despite being unsure of what his actions meant. "I forgive you." She repeated again and again. As if chanting those words would cast a spell on the man in her arms. She felt both his hands fall to his sides.

"I forgive you." Megumi continued until she felt him move in her arms, prompting her to loosen her grip. She came face to face with Aoshi. His gaze was unfocused as his hands reached up slowly to cup her face. He brought his forehead down to her own as he closed his eyes in a gesture of gratitude.

"Thank you." He whispered. "Thank you."

And just as if it took all his strength to utter those words, Aoshi slowly fell to the ground as Megumi did her best to cushion his fall. Reaching a hand towards a nearby wall, Megumi tried her best to position his body comfortably. Moving her back against the corner, she maneuvered his head on her lap as best as she could. She released a tired sigh as she looked at the face of the sleeping man before her.

He looked much younger this way, his face relaxed, his expression serene. Megumi allowed herself to brush a few strands of hair sticking on Aoshi's forehead as she wiped the tears from his eyes, not bothering to care anymore if she was doing something right or wrong. Just as she felt her own eyes getting heavy, she couldn't help but think that Aoshi was one annoyingly beautiful contradiction.

Aoshi scrunched his eyebrows as he placed a hand over his eyes. They felt hot and burning. It almost hurt to open them. Using his palms to press onto both eyes, Aoshi released a tired sigh. Why did he feel so exhausted, but oddly satisfied? Bringing both hands down, he was greeted by the image of the Takani doctor sleeping soundly before him.

I forgive you.

His eyes widened at the realization of everything that had happened. Unsure of what to do, Aoshi settled with keeping his gaze on the sleeping woman before him. She looked so unassuming and peaceful that it was enough to calm even someone like him down. His gaze travelled from Megumi's long dark lashes, down to the bridge of her nose, ending on her partly opened lips. Aoshi hadn't realized how long he had been staring until those partly opened lips curled into a smirk.

"I never thought I'd catch the Okashira looking at a lady that way."

Unfazed by situation, Aoshi simply moved his gaze back up to the lady doctor's eyes. Not a hint of embarrassment could be traced in his expression.

Megumi blinked. She never realized how clear Aoshi's gaze could be and how beautiful onyx eyes shined in the daylight.

"Last night." Aoshi began, his onyx orbs stayed unmoving on Megumi's hazel ones. "Did you mean what you said?"

Megumi blinked as she kept her head bent down and her eyes on the man lying down her lap. "Every word, unfortunately."

Aoshi's hand moved up towards Megumi, only to stop midway, unsure of what he wanted. Megumi glanced at the hand frozen a few inches before her face.

Deciding against it, Aoshi dropped his hand down and forced himself off the warmth of the lady doctor. Sitting before her face to face, the Okashira bowed deeply, placing both his hands on the wooden floor.

"Thank you."

Taken aback by the gesture, Megumi reached a hand to pull at the fabric on Aoshi's shoulder. "You already thanked me last night. There's no need for such formalities."

Sitting up, Aoshi raised his gaze back up to the Takani heir. For the first time in a long time, he found himself smiling from the bottom of his heart.

End of chapter five!

Took me a whole four hours writing this! I have this story mapped up until the end, which is seven chapters. Good news, will definitely finish this story within the year (LOL) bad news I still don't know when I'll be able to update! But thank you for reading and reviewing. I just love writing so much and hate the fact that I lack the time and commitment.

Long live the Aoshi and Megumi community!