"Thanks for going shopping with me, Kaoru..." Misao spoke up as she stirred her milkshake. When she and Aoshi first came to Hawaii, the Himuras showed great kindness towards them. Misao never forgot it.
"No problem," the young Navy wife responded, warmly. "Homecoming wasn't that long ago for me, I remember what it was like..."
Homecoming dance was tomorrow. The teachers were having a meeting, which is why school was let out at noon. Misao had called Kaoru up and asked her if she would like to go shopping with her for a dress.
"Besides...I needed to get out..."
Kaoru laughed. "That's okay. It's good for ladies to go out."
Misao smiled. Kaoru was six years older than her, but sometimes it felt like she was much younger. Kaoru had married young. But she and Kenshin managed to make it work.
"So how are you and Aoshi doing?" Kaoru asked.
Misao shrugged her slim shoulders. "Nothing new. Always asking about school." Then she bit her lip in thought. "Was...Was it hard for you when Himura was away? After you were married?"
Kaoru frowned thoughtfully. "Yes, it was. But I knew what I was getting into. It's hard being the spouse...or kid...of a Navy guy. They're in it for a higher purpose. And we sometimes tend to forget that while we sit at home when they're gone." Then she smiled at Misao. "Aoshi's working a lot, isn't he?"
"Actually, he just finished a case. He'll be on a short vacation until he takes up another case."
"Isn't tomorrow the Navy officer ball?" Kaoru queried.
Misao began munching on a french fry. "Yup. Same time as homecoming dance."
"Is he going?"
"Of course," Misao rolled her eyes. "He has to make an impression on his superiors."
Kaoru smiled. "It must be tough being an officer. Always having to set an example and yet deal with those politics..."
"If he could work during the ball, he would," Misao replied. "He's going with Dr. Takani, so maybe she'll keep him busy and he won't call me while he's there..."
Kaoru's eyes widened. "He's...Megumi's his date?"
"Yeah." Misao blinked. "Why you sound surprised?"
"That's interesting..." Kaoru sat back, crossing her arms.
"What is?" Misao asked.
Kaoru smiled sheepishly. "Well...I'm surprised to hear that...because...she...used to date Kenshin's best friend a long time ago."
"Really?" Misao leaned forward. "So what happened?"
Kaoru sighed. "I don't think I should be talking about this..."
"But you already started!" Misao replied.
The young wife looked away self-consciously. "Well...It was pretty complicated," Kaoru began. "During that time, Megumi was a resident at the medical center. She worked really long hours, only had maybe one weekend off a month...so Sano gave her a choice...either him or her work. She couldn't give him an answer...I don't know if she actually spoke to him or they weren't able to get ahold of each other because of her schedule...so he left."
"That's awful." Misao cringed. "So what happened after?"
"It was tough...Kenshin and I didn't want to take sides...but Sano was angry, Megumi was angry...they were both hurting..." Kaoru sighed. "But anyway...that was a long time ago." She suddenly grinned. "So what did Aoshi say when you told him you're going to homecoming?"
Misao stirred her drink. Kaoru leaned forward.
"Misao?"
"Yeah?"
Kaoru groaned. "You didn't tell him?"
"Of course not! If I did, you think he'd let me go?"
"But Misao!" Kaoru argued. "He's your guardian! You're supposed to let him know what's going on in your life!"
"Why should I? He doesn't tell me what goes on in his!" Misao then smacked her forehead. "Oh wait...I forgot! His work IS life! And his work is CLASSIFIED!"
"Misao-"
"Look, all Aoshi cares about is school. He doesn't see the point of going to football games...dances...after school clubs...You know that Dr. Takani's aunt runs a halau? I thought about taking hula lessons, but before I can even finish thinking about that, he flat out says no."
"I'm sure if you just talked to him-"
"It won't work," Misao cut her off. "He refuses to listen!"
"Just like his surrogate daughter," Kaoru commented wryly, crossing her arms.
"Hey...whose side are you on?" Misao asked.
Kaoru smiled gently. "I know it's hard...for you both, but don't you think talking to him might help?"
"I get more responses from a brick wall," Misao snapped.
Kaoru sighed. "He's going to kill me once he finds out that I went shopping with you for an event you aren't authorized to go to."
Misao patted the shopping bag that hung off the top of her chair. Inside it contained a pretty aqua dress with capped sleeves that reached a couple inches above her knees. "He won't know..."
Shaking her head, Kaoru asked, "How did you manage to afford that, anyway?"
"Aoshi's credit card."
"What??" Kaoru screeched.
"Relax...he gave me one if I ever needed it while he was away at work. I don't have access to his bank account. He said that he'll pay off whatever I buy, just don't go over the seven hundred dollar limit." Misao reached into her picture wallet and dug it out, flipping the plastic over. "See?"
Kaoru examined the block letters of Aoshi's name on the card with Misao's below it. "Wow..."
"He's got the money, shoot," Misao said, shifting in her seat. "It's not like he spends it on anything anyway. He doesn't have too many electronics, his car was paid off long time ago, he doesn't pay rent, and he doesn't have a girlfriend."
Kaoru merely shook her head. She just didn't have anything else to say.
"You look like you're standing in front of a firing squad," Misao spoke up.
Aoshi caught her reflection in the mirror as he tried to button up his fancy dress white shirt. He grimaced, already dreading the evening's events. Dress whites. How uncomfortable.
"I'd rather be in front of one," Aoshi muttered, shrugging into his white jacket. Medals and ribbons were pinned on the left side. "What are your plans tonight?"
"Oh...you know...sit at home...watch TV..."
He studied her reflection carefully before buttoning his jacket. "You aren't going to the dance?"
"What dance?" she asked innocently.
He fought back a smile. He knew her all too well. Sixteen years of growing up with her and taking care of her taught him a lot about children. "Homecoming. Your school has signs everywhere when I pass by."
"Um...no...I'm not."
Aoshi studied her carefully. "Good."
"Besides, I don't have a date," Misao responded brightly.
He adjusted his cuffs. "Misao..."
"What?"
After a moment's pause, he said, "I'll call around nine to see how you're doing..."
"I'm sixteen, Aoshi. I don't need a baby-sitter..." Misao shook her head.
"Then why do I feel that you need someone to watch you?"
"You mean control me," Misao interjected.
"I never said that," he responded.
"But you were thinking about it."
"I wasn't," he replied. "I'm concerned."
"No, you're not," Misao argued. "You never have been. You're just saying that. Ever since I started living with you, you told me that I should or shouldn't be doing things because you're 'concerned' about me. Did you ever think about how I feel? Huh?"
He whirled around to face her. "I want what is best for you."
"You don't know me. You've hardly been around the last two years. How the hell would you know what's best for me?!"
His eyes widened slightly. "Misao-"
"So don't even give me that lame excuse parents always give their kids! 'I want what's best for you' always means 'You will do what I say because I'm always right, never wrong'."
"I do want what's best for you. And I've been around a lot more than you think," Aoshi retorted. "You're never here on Saturday mornings when I don't work. You're always at Stella or Danielle's. And that's fine. But-"
"Don't you get it?" Misao shook her head. "I don't even know when you're going to be home! I got so used to you being away that I stopped wondering when you're going to be home. I got used to living separate lives!"
"Isn't that what you want?" Aoshi asked. "You've certainly made it clear that you don't intend on being part of this family."
"Me? What about you?! Where were you when-"
The phone rang. Misao turned away.
"Leave it," Aoshi stated.
Misao crossed her arms, glaring at him.
"I have been trying to-" he began, only to be cut off by the caller's message.
"Hi, Misao, it's Danielle. I'm guessing you're in the bathroom or something. Stella and I will be there to pick you up in about twenty minutes. We want to get there early so we can find parking at school. Wait till you see the dresses we got! See ya!"
Misao closed her eyes in shame.
Aoshi stared at her.
Silence hovered in the air like a thick fog. His ward began to shift slightly, clearly stating her discomfort.
Until he finally spoke. "I'm disappointed, Misao. At least I've never lied to you..." He retrieved his white gloves and headed towards the front door.
Misao carefully followed him.
"I'll see you when I get back..."
She stared at him in disbelief. "No lecture? No telling me that I can't go?"
His raised cool eyes to her bright blue ones. "What difference does it make? You wouldn't listen, anyway..."
Misao cringed as he quietly shut the door, leaving her in the silent hallway.
He was still thinking about Misao when he pushed the doorbell button of Megumi's apartment. After several moments, the door opened.
"Good evening."
"Good evening," he echoed.
She offered him something to drink as he stepped inside, but he declined. While she was applying a pair of silver earrings, he got a good look at her outfit. A navy blue spaghetti-strap ankle-length dress displayed her slender figure. Two slits up the side of the dress stopped several inches above her knee. The square neckline dipped low enough to stir imagination, the expanse of exposed creamy skin emphasized by the sheer matching scarf she wore around her neck. He grimaced. Although the gown fit dress code regulations, Dr. Megumi Takani liked to turn heads, and she knew it.
Aoshi checked his watch. They really should get going...
"I'm ready now," she stated.
Once he started the car, he glanced at her, to see that she was watching him.
"Question."
"Yes?"
He cleared his throat. "You are aware of where we're going, correct?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Meaning what?"
"I just want to make sure that you don't plan on doing anything like what happened on Saturday at the ball..."
She stared at him in confusion at first before smiling slyly, "Oh. THAT." She waved her hand in dismissal. "I forgot about that..."
For a doctor, she certainly had short-term memory...
"Help me, now."
Aoshi glanced at Megumi from the corner of his eye to see her sitting in her chair, a pained and bored expression on her face.
Aoshi leaned towards her to say quietly, "Your father's speech is next. You're going to stay awake for that?"
"Of course," she whispered. "Growing up with him...I learned to listen to what he said..."
He nodded before settling back. As the current guest speaker droned on, he tried to look attentive.
Misao. Why? They had always communicated before...why now? A slap on his thigh startled him. He shot Megumi a dark look, but her gaze was focused on another officer at the next table. He was sitting hunched over in his chair...asleep??
One of the officers sitting next to Megumi reached to the center, placing a five dollar bill underneath a napkin. At everyone's puzzled look, he said, "I bet that guy falls over in the next five minutes."
"Two minutes," another officer replied, slipping a five dollar next to his.
Aoshi refrained from rolling his eyes and took a sip of water. As it turned out, no one won. Soon, Captain Takani began his speech. Aoshi had to admit, the speech was fairly interesting.
Afterward, Megumi swiftly turned to Aoshi, whispering, "He's on his way over here..."
Aoshi quickly glanced up to see that she was telling the truth.
"Megumi, Commander, so glad you could make it to the ball," Captain Takani spoke up.
"Of course we'd come to the ball," Megumi responded, smiling.
"What did you think of my speech?" her father asked.
Sincerity was something the doctor appreciated. Aoshi had been working with intelligence long enough to be able to read people. Captain Takani wasn't the type of man who wanted junior officers bowing down towards him, praising every word he said.
"My experience with medicine is limited," Aoshi began. "But you stated a lot of situations which could apply to other careers as well..."
"Thank you. Refresh my memory...what is your field, Commander?"
"You mean you didn't consult your resources?" Megumi teased. At her father's look, she delicately cleared her throat.
Aoshi didn't miss the look. "Intelligence."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Naval Intelligence."
The older man nodded approvingly. "That's very fitting, Commander."
Aoshi could practically hear Megumi's exasperation.
"My daughter's never mentioned you to me...I would have thought she would mention the company she keeps...Megumi usually doesn't hesitate to discuss her friends."
"Well..." Megumi began, glancing at Aoshi.
"Your daughter and I just became reacquainted," Aoshi answered.
The older man blinked. "Oh?"
"Yes," Megumi spoke up quickly. "We-"
"She's my ward's primary physician," Aoshi cut in.
"You have a child?" The captain seemed mildly surprised.
"Teenager," Aoshi corrected mildly.
"Misao Makimachi is sixteen, very energetic and enthusiastic," Megumi supplied.
"Admiral Makimachi's granddaughter?" the captain asked.
Aoshi nodded. "You heard of him?"
"He worked here on Pearl Harbor many years ago...I met him on several occasions. He wasn't an admiral back then..." The captain then smiled. "How is parenthood?"
Aoshi paused for a moment. "Challenging. But it has its rewards..."
"Young ladies always seem to have their own opinions that they believe is right," the captain joked.
Aoshi smiled briefly. "True."
"Excuse me..." Megumi shook her head and began to walk away.
She blew out a breath, brushing back a loose strand of hair. How come she just KNEW the two would get along?
The tropical air was warm on her skin as she paced back and forth outside of the country club. She sat on the bench outside, crossing her legs beneath her gown. Megumi unwound the sheer matching scarf around her neck and placed it in her lap, letting the material sift through her fingers.
"Your father enjoys his Navy career."
Megumi turned to see Aoshi standing a few feet away. "You finished talking already?" When he didn't reply, she continued, "You two seemed to be getting along fine..."
"Meaning?"
"I felt out of place," she admitted, shrugging.
"May I sit?"
She moved slightly to make room for him.
"I don't really like attending these functions, anyway," she began.
"Neither do I."
She glanced at him, seeing him lean back to observe the stars.
"If what your father says upsets you, perhaps you should tell him," he spoke up, out of nowhere.
Megumi stared at him for several moments, before looking away. "I knew someone who told me that a long time ago..."
"Megumi, there you are!" her father's voice entered her ears.
Both turned around to see the captain make his way towards them.
"The band is starting to play inside," he announced. "Why don't you two enjoy the music?"
Aoshi didn't argue, so neither did she. Instead, he headed back inside and she followed, feeling her father's eyes on her. Aoshi's steps changed slightly as he caught sight of a female emerging from the ladies' room. Megumi glanced at her, noticing the brown hair pulled in a simple twist and black gown that reached her ankles.
At that instant, the woman caught sight of Aoshi. Then she smiled.
"Good evening, sir." "Williams," he nodded.
Megumi noticed the woman's curious eyes fall on her. She must be his subordinate, she thought, recalling the way they addressed each other. Coming forward, she held out her hand, "I'm Megumi Takani."
Her green eyes widened. "Captain Takani's daughter?" She shook firmly. "Lt. Theresa Williams. It's nice to meet you, ma'am."
"Megumi is just fine."
"Williams is part of my team," Aoshi explained.
"How do you like it?" Megumi asked her.
"I'm sorry?" "Working for Commander Shinomori?" Megumi prompted.
"Well..." the woman cleared her throat.
"And be completely honest. I've found him difficult at times to interact with," Megumi shot him a mischievous glance.
Aoshi cleared his throat, directing his question towards Theresa. "Is the entire crew here?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'd like to meet your crew," Megumi spoke up.
"All right..." Aoshi agreed. "What about your father?"
"He wants me to spend the evening with you," Megumi pointed out. "Didn't you hear him?"
"I thought he wanted us to dance."
"That too."
"This is one situation I can't agree to," Aoshi responded. "I don't dance at Navy balls. Williams, if you could lead the way..."
"Of course."
"Why not?" Megumi pressed as they walked across the ballroom with Theresa in the lead.
"I can't dance."
Megumi literally stopped, causing him to bump against her. Aoshi frowned.
"You can't dance?" she echoed.
"I can't dance."
"Not even slow dance?" she pressed.
"That's another story..."
"So you can slow dance?"
"I guess I could," Aoshi murmured, propelling her forward so they wouldn't lose sight of his junior officer.
"So how many glasses of champagne does it take to get Commander Shinomori to slow dance?" she responded, grinning.
"I don't drink, Doctor."
"Then I guess you're not going to slow dance." She shrugged.
Aoshi's team seemed to be very energetic people. It must have taken them quite some time to adjust to their stoic commander. Austin and Williams chatted like longtime friends. Megumi found out that they had gone to the Naval Academy together. Hiapo and Taylor didn't hesitate to share their bumbling experiences when they first started with intelligence.
"I always thought really feminine women were silly, but it works for her," Williams spoke up.
Aoshi glanced at her from his position against the wall. Megumi, Austin, Hiapo, and Taylor were sitting several feet away chatting.
"There's more to her than just that," Aoshi commented quietly.
"I knew that within ten seconds of meeting her," Williams added. "Have you met some of the women these officers bring who aren't their wives? Where do they find these girls?"
As if on a cue, a young redhead carrying a glass of champagne walked up, nearly stumbling into him.
"Oh, my gosh...I'm so sorry...Oh...hi..." she pasted a smile on her face before fingering the ribbons above his left breastpocket. "You have so many...awards...I'm SO impressed...you must have done a lot in your career...Could you help me find my date? I think he's lost. I'll give you a ribbon if you help me..."
"What's his name?" Aoshi firmly but gently held her upright.
She blinked owlishly. "I...I forgot. I know his first name...I don't remember his last name..."
Aoshi glanced at Williams to see that she was trying not to laugh. "What's his first name?"
"Huh? Oh...John."
That was certainly helpful. Aoshi fought back a sigh. "Well, where-?"
"There he is! Johnny-pie!" the redhead called out, bouncing off.
"Johnny-pie probably found her at a bar or something," Williams spoke up.
"Probably," he agreed.
"Commander," Megumi's voice cut through their conversation. "I don't mean to interrupt, but would it be all right if you could escort me home? We've made an appearance long enough, don't you think?"
"Of course." Aoshi turned to Williams. "I'll see you at work."
She nodded before turning to Megumi. "It was nice meeting you, Megumi."
"Likewise. Maybe I'll see you some other time..."
"My superiors left me alone tonight thanks to you," Aoshi spoke up as he pulled into a parking spot at her apartment complex.
"Well, Captain Takani's daughter is difficult to beat," she responded playfully.
"And completely lacking in modesty," he added dryly.
"I believe you're attempting humor," Megumi spoke up. She gathered her purse and wrap. "I can walk by myself..."
"It's best that you don't," he replied, cutting the engine.
They both climbed out of the car. When he made it around to her side, she shut the door, right on the hem of her dress.
"Darn it..."
"Here..." Aoshi moved forward to unlock the door, pausing to look at her. "This would be easier if you stepped aside..."
"At the risk of sounding like a spoiled rich woman...And tear the dress?"
"Point taken."
She was awfully close. Her perfume was subtle, a hint of rose and something else he couldn't place. Classy, sensual, elegant, tempting, all in one. Oddly enough, it suited her.
"Now you can say that I'm lacking in modesty," she joked. "This would be the second time something strange happens to my clothes when I'm around you..."
He forced himself to concentrate on unlocking the car.
"Don't you have automatic locks?" she asked quietly.
"Why open two doors when I only need to open one?"
"True."
Her dress was removed from the car door.
"Thanks."
They began walking towards her apartment while she dug her keys out of her purse.
"Thank you for escorting me home," she spoke up suddenly.
"You're welcome..."
He watched as she unlocked her door. She pushed the dark brown wooden door open before turning to him. An emotion swum in her eyes as their eyes met. Then she looked away before he could fully understand what she was expressing.
She said, "Thank you for escorting me to the ball."
And she went inside.
During the drive home, he thought back on the evening. They had a fairly decent time. Not bad for two people who hated attending Navy balls.
Megumi opened her eyes as sunlight streamed into her bedroom. A glance at the clock galvanized her out of bed.
"Oh no..." she murmured.
She was freshening up in the bathroom while simultaneously pulling off her white cotton chemise when the phone rang. Megumi slid into an apricot-colored sleeveless dress with a pointed collar.
It rang again.
"Hello?" she yanked the phone to her ear.
"Megumi?" her father spoke up.
"I'm sorry, I know I'm running late for brunch...I'll be there in twenty minutes," she promised.
How embarrassing. Megumi gave her father an apologetic look as she settled in the seat across from him. Champagne buffet brunch at the Hawaiian Hyatt was a monthly tradition with her father. And she was late. Could things be any worse?
"Sorry I'm late," Megumi spoke up before eating the dungeness crab her father had retrieved prior to her arrival.
Her father studied her for several moments. It took all her self-control not to shift in her seat. Who knew what he was thinking? She dipped her crab in the sauce provided.
Setting his fork aside, her father settled back in his chair. "I shouldn't be angry at you for being late. You're a grown woman...so how you choose to spend your evenings is your business. Commander Shinomori is a fine man, and I shouldn't be concerned, but a part of me-" He stopped as she went into a coughing fit. "Megumi?"
She took a healthy drink of water before patting her chest lightly. "Father...I overslept this morning. I...I didn't..."
"Considering you spent most of the time speaking to those three young officers, instead of dancing, I'm surprised you both left early. Why-"
"But I didn't...I didn't spend the night with him," Megumi whispered sharply. Oh how humiliating! This had to be worse. She'd rather have her father think her inconsiderate!
With a decisive nod, he went back to eating. "Of course. I don't even know why I thought that."
Pushing down the feeling of dread, Megumi tried to concentrate on her breakfast.
"How long have you been seeing each other?" he asked.
Megumi cringed. "We...haven't really...started...seeing each other..."
"He'd make a fine husband," her father said bluntly.
She forced a laugh. "I don't think he's in the market for a wife..."
"You could change his mind," her father said, smiling slightly. "If I know you, once you're set on something, you don't give up."
"I appreciate the confidence, but...neither of us are looking to get married."
Her father shrugged. "That's what your mother and I thought when we first met."
Megumi looked up quickly. "I don't remember hearing that..."
He smiled slightly. "Well, you know the story...I was a young Navy physician, your mother was a Navy nurse fresh out of college...both of us wanted to focus on our careers...but from the moment we met...we couldn't stop thinking about each other. We saw each other several times a month...and decided to throw logic away and get married."
She sighed. "I hardly knew her but I really miss her..."
"Me too," her father said quietly. Then he brightened. "We always kidded around how we were going to be a complete Navy family...with children in the Navy...and Navy in-laws...Silly little things like that."
"Is that supposed to be a hint?" Megumi asked.
Her father's eyes widened. "Meaning what?"
"It could mean a couple things," Megumi responded, leaning forward. "One, I should join the Medical Corps, or two, I should find some way to convince Commander Shinomori that he wants to get married."
"You address him by his rank and last name?" Black eyes regarded her with shock. "No wonder he isn't thinking about marriage..."
"Father, that has nothing to do with it," Megumi chided gently.
He smiled a full smile, displaying his teeth. "I know...I'm sure he'll come around. After all, how can he resist my daughter?"
Her father gave her too much credit. Either he had that much faith in her or he really wanted a Naval officer son-in-law...she wasn't sure.
Megumi paused in her meal to stare out at the ocean. When she had first met the officer, she had hated him on sight. She grudgingly admitted that he was a decent person. He was intelligent, honest, and clearly dedicated to his career and fatherhood. Yes, he could seem strict at times, if their conversation about Misao was any indication, but she could see that he genuinely cared for his ward. Like any parent, he had her best interests at heart. And she admired him for trying to balance his priorities. It wasn't easy.
She usually didn't get along with handsome Naval officers. The ones she had met seemed too full of themselves. Megumi picked at her food.
She had lied to him when she said she had forgotten that incident on the grass at the hotel. Megumi had pushed it to the back of her mind, but looking back, she realized how much she had enjoyed taking him off-guard. He was physically attractive, she'd give him that. And it had been a long time since she had been close to a man.
Her father poured her half a glass of champagne before raising his to drink. "Your mother loved this brand..."
Megumi smiled. Yes, her father could seem a bit dominating...perhaps controlling. In spite of what Sanosuke said...and what the commander said...the last thing she wanted was to cause friction. Moments like these with her father she really appreciated.
A/N: Boy, this is the longest chapter I've written. NEXT! Someone familiar comes to visit the Shinomori/Makimachi household and someone from Megumi's past reappears...
