By week’s end, Okina had easily managed to scrounge up four people willing to go to Tokyo. After all, Aoshi had cut very generous terms for those willing to relocate Okina left for Tokyo with them, promising to be back himself within a week. Aoshi knew better than to take Okina’s word literally. Okina had been dying to get out somewhere since he had been confined to the Aoiya during Aoshi’s long absence and would likely enjoy this time away. Aoshi would be left to supervise some of the expansion and remodeling plans for the Aoiya.
Aoshi generally kept to his office, examining the books and staying on top of the news in Kyoto. Occasionally, one of his men would come in and ask for his decision or advice on something, but generally he allowed them to continue as they had started under Okina.
A light rap interrupted his reading. One of his men, foreman Katsu, stuck his head in apologetically. “Sir, I’m sorry to bother you, but I have this dilemma.”
Aoshi nodded, and the man entered. “You know that Okina pretty much handled staffing while you were away. We have been making very good progress with some of the building that we are undertaking. But we have a gentleman who came this morning looking for something to do. As far as the rest of Kyoto, there isn’t much for day-laborers to handle.”
“You have something in mind for him, Katsu-san?”
“Yes, of course, sir.” Katsu said a bit nervously.
“Then send him in please.” Aoshi answered thoughtfully, “I’ll send him back to you shortly if he seems trustworthy.”
“Thank you, sir,” Katsu bowed and hurried out.
A few moments later, Katsu opened the door, and showed a young, pale man in. “This is Ikuhara Mata, a carpenter by trade.”
Aoshi dismissed Katsu and stood. “Shinomori Aoshi.”
Ikuhara bowed low before Aoshi, “I thank you for your time.”
Aoshi studied the man for a second before speaking. “You must know that we have many workers.”
“Yes, sir,” the man replied softly, “I can see that the buildings are going well. I would not have come, except—“
“Except,” Aoshi noted, “You have probably no other option. From your appearance you haven’t had work for the past week or so and not much to eat.”
“No, sir.” The man looked up again, “I would not ordinarily come rudely in like this. But I have a wife and three children I left behind in a small village outside town. They depend on my livelihood to provide for them. My youngest was sick badly not too long ago, and we couldn’t get help for her for a long time because of the lack of work here in Kyoto. If it weren’t for the woman who came to heal her –”
“A woman?” Aoshi suddenly interrupted.
“Yes,” Ikuhara marveled, “That is what I thought to myself when my wife wrote me again to tell me that Akiko was alright. But a woman doctor saved my daughter, I’m sure of it. The other villagers made mention of her as well of the illness which took lives here in Kyoto.”
“Yes,” Aoshi closed his eyes, briefly pained by his words. “Some here too lost their lives.”
“I -- I’m sorry, sir,” Ikuhara noted Aoshi’s response. “I speak rudely— “
Aoshi waved his hand to silence the apologies that continued to stream forth from the man’s mouth. “That woman you mentioned-–” Aoshi answered. “I am sure that is the same one who saved my life and the lives of Katsu and others here. ”
“I see, sir,” the man looked awed. “That woman -- I would like to thank her someday.”
“That may be very possible, Ikuhara-san. If you are willing to stay here and work here, then perhaps someday you’ll see the doctor and be able to thank her in person.”
“You mean –" Ikuhara looked shocked.
“Yes,” Aoshi gave Ikuhara a rare smile, one that won him Ikuhara’s complete loyalty in the years to come. “It is fate that we meet, Ikuhara-san. I had in mind to let you stay for as long as Katsu-san felt he could use you. But I feel that I should extend that offer further. You may stay as long as you wish.”
“Thank you Shinomori-san!” Ikuhara clasped his hand to his chest. “I can not even begin to express –“
Aoshi held up his hand, “Please. Save your strength. Find Katsu-san and have him show you first to the kitchen. I want you to eat and rest first. Then you will have a chance to show off your skills.”
“Yes sir,” the man bowed again, and left with the look of a man who had seen sudden reprieve given to him at the very last hour of his life. Twice he had somehow cheated bad fortune, and he did not even know where to begin in giving thanks.
~~
Ikuhara-san’s own clear desire to work as well as his talent with his hands made his transition into Aoiya life easy. One unanticipated effect of his stay was that what was not generally known about the doctor once she had abruptly left the Aoiya months ago became known to most who lived there. His indirect connection to Megumi Takani sealed their acceptance of Ikuhara, a fact that was not lost on Aoshi as he thought much about the future.
Ikuhara and Obaasan formed an easy friendship. With many mutual acquaintances, and a maternal heart, she took a liking to this young father and often would supply him with treats to take back to his family during a visit. Occasionally, he would ask about news of the young doctor on behalf of his youngest daughter.
News had not been coming from Aizu all that often. Megumi had written once or twice to assure Obaasan that she had fully recovered and then just recently, to let her know that the Morimotos were planning to move.
The letters were as usual, gracefully written and polite. What worried Obaasan more was what she read in between the lines. Megumi wrote of the peacefulness of her life, but Obaasan could see the sadness at seeing the Morimotos go. Megumi would be again, completely alone. She was determined to mention this news to Aoshi.
Aoshi had fallen back somewhat into his old ways, often wandering around in deep thought. Obaasan finally found Aoshi standing alone in one of the patches of vegetables in the back of the compound.
“Aoshi-san,” she came up from behind him. “Forgive the disturbance. I thought perhaps to ask something of you.”
He turned slightly to show that he was listening.
“It was good of you to bring in Ikuhara-san. I know that there isn’t much for him to do for now, but I could use his talent in building some furniture for the kitchen and dining areas.”
“Of course,” he said somewhat absently. “I am glad that he will be useful to you.”
“He is very talented, and a good person.” Obaasan smiled. “It is remarkable, isn’t it, to think of how he came here? His daughter was the very child that Megumi-san attended before falling ill herself. A rather sad situation wasn’t it to begin with? Even now -- he’s always leaving on the weekends to return to them. Ikuhara-san has to live apart from his loved ones because they can not afford to live in town.”
“I am aware of that,” he answered. “I intend for the first large thing he builds to be additional quarters. We will have more land shortly and can expand not only our business, but also let those who call this home grow their own families. His will be among the first to join us, if things go as planned.”
Obaasan smiled gently, “That news pleases me, Aoshi. Families will bring stability to the Aoiya and allow us to show others that we intend to discard our old ways completely. That your plan to allow Ikuhara to live here and be the means for bringing his whole family together will please Megumi-san as well.”
“Yes, I think it would,” he answered.
“Aoshi-san.” Obaasan paused. “I have had a letter from Megumi-san.”
She was aware of a slight shift of his eyes, indicating that she now had his complete attention.
“The Morimotos are moving at the end of the month to be closer to their pregnant daughter.”
“I see.” He had a thoughtful look on his face.
“I don’t think she has found anyone to help her in their absence.” Obaasan continued, “She will be left alone again. And I was thinking --”
“You wish for her to come here?” Aoshi finished her thought for her.
“With all these families coming into the Aoiya and the surrounding area, a doctor would be a very welcome addition here.”
“Yes,” his expression was slightly amused as if he had already expected her to say so. “Her skills would be well used here.”
“Useful--” Obaasan paused at his choice of words. For some reason, they disappointed her. “Can you not see beyond usefulness Aoshi? Or do you refuse to see beyond it?”
“Of course, she is more than useful,” he frowned. The words were somehow familiar. “But it is how she sees herself, Obaasan.”
“Aoshi-san,” Obaasan added wisely, “Usefulness does not bring someone out of their isolation. All these years, she did not once return to the Kamiya dojo after she left for Aizu on her own accord. And there she was more than just a useful person.“
“I’m aware of that,” he turned away. “Megumi-san’s act of saving Ikuhara’s youngest child’s life I recognize was not some mere ‘useful act.’ Ikuhara said as much when he came to me that first day. I realized then that that woman, deep inside, was the embodiment of hope to everyone other than herself.”
“Aoshi-san,” Obaasan interjected gently, “What do you intend to do?”
He answered mysteriously. “What better offer can one give than hope itself?”
~ ~
Megumi sighed after saying her goodnights to Mr. Morimoto and his wife and ushering them out the gate. They had refused to leave until they had extracted a promise from her not to go out on any night calls alone, for the wolves had been sighted again in the area.
She smiled a bit as she told them that she did not fear them and would rather like to meet them, but they gave her such a dark look that she apologized and promised to lock the gate behind them as they left.
She turned her attention to locking up the clinic. Screen doors were to be pulled shut, and then the batting pulled over them. The air smelled of rain and she was unwilling to let her freshly papered screens be ruined by rain. The Morimotos had wanted to help her with that, but she shooed them away, telling them that soon she’d have to do it by herself anyways. That remark had started Mrs. Morimoto on her lecture about night calls – and the danger to her. Rather unnecessary.
But sure enough, just as she was finishing closing the last of the covers near the front of the clinic, the rain began to fall in earnest.
She ran back around the side and towards her home. Now that she had her full strength, what used to take her five minutes should take less than a minute to cross the gardens.
As lightning flashed, she screamed and stopped. In the middle of the garden stood a man, dripping wet and with a frightening expression on his face.
When he took a step towards her, she exhaled her surprise.
“Aoshi!”
