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AN: In terms of what is going around… basically, I am writing from the perspective that this is an outbreak caused by some type of infectious agent with a cycle of every 40 years or so. So—this type of organism has caused an epidemic before, and only those who are old have seen it and those who lived are protected. The younger folks though would not be protected. (I don’t have a particular organism in mind, but decided from the start that it wasn’t viral, and wasn’t influenza, wasn’t TB – which would have bloody sputum and very bad results for everyone.)

In terms of the kind of medical care Megumi gives it may seem very unsophisticated. Keep in mind that germ theory was still new at this time in our history, and very controversial. (To learn more, do a search on Pasteur, miasma, and germ theory.) Megumi is practicing sanitation and treating symptoms as she ought to, but not much else can be done. How lucky we are today!


 

THE WOLF AND THE MAIDEN

by Sherlgirl

Chapter 5


Aoshi was quietly removed from the room. Okina, after considering Megumi’s terse words regarding Aoshi’s continuing danger, took it upon himself to unlace MIsao’s fingers from Aoshi’s and gave the order for Aoshi to be left undisturbed.

Completely undisturbed.

The command was clear; no one was to say anything about Misao to the fevered Aoshi until Okina said otherwise.

Okina and Obaasan had a brief exchange in which they discussed the doctor. Megumi had brushed her tears away after she had been found in the courtyard and she dutifully tended to her patient, but as Obaasan noted to Okina, her expression had become vacant.

Obaasan, in all her wisdom, pulled Takani Megumi away from that room and gave the care of the other patients over to the other women and men who were well enough to move about and who despite their grief, understood their duty in a time of danger. While five persons had now died in their extended family, there were many more still ill. Megumi would make up more medicines instead. If it were in her power, she would not have even asked that of the doctor, but doctors, like all who were part of the Aoiya were not allowed the luxury to do nothing.

“Megumi-san,” Obaasan took her to the kitchen. “I will leave you here to work while Okina and the others tend to Misao.”

Megumi nodded wearily, “Yes, Obaasan.”

Obaasan patted her gently, and left Megumi furiously pounding the herbs and flowers she had found earlier that day with a stone pestle. When the door shut behind her, she pretended not to hear the sobs mixed in with the noise of stone pounding stone. Instead, she drifted back to Okina and the others who were now preparing Misao’s body.


~


When Obaasan next saw Megumi Takani, she was the picture of composure.

Obaasan sat with Okina to receive the people who had come to mourn the passing of Misao and the others.

Megumi bowed deeply to each of the members of the Aoiya who sat as family.

Like those who had gone before her, she said the appropriate things to Okina and Obaasan before turning to each of the dead to pay her respects.

When Megumi came to Misao, she bowed her head, her bangs obscuring her face from the sight of others in the room. Misao lay there as if she were simply asleep, that smile on her face. That smile had been for Aoshi-san, Megumi noted sadly. And the beautiful kimono she was dressed in… had that cloth originally been saved for some more happy reason?

Megumi laid out the flowers she had brought in at Misao’s feet. She had brought so many, for the Himuras and Yahiko, who probably would not receive news in time to come, for Sanosuke, who wandered the world, and… and for Aoshi, who Okina still had not chosen to wake in order to protect his recovery.

‘I had missed you Misao,’ Megumi looked down at Misao’s dignified face. ‘I came here, looking forward to seeing my friend. But I came too late. I failed to protect you, my friend. Forgive me.’

She sat for a few minutes more, recalling lighter days in the past, desperately trying to keep those memories as alive as much as possible within her mind.

More and more, she felt that life, that semblance of normalcy and happiness, slipping away. She would need those happy memories in the days to come.

She imprinted the memory of Misao’s beautiful and peaceful expression into her mind and then bowing once more, disappeared out the door back into the night.

Aoshi Shinomori woke the next day to find the house in mourning.

When he asked the man attending him to tell him what had happened, the man apologized nervously and said that Okina had told him nothing. Instead, he bowed and withdrew.

It was clear then to Aoshi that something was wrong.

Okina came in a few minutes later, followed by Obaasan and Megumi, who both avoided looking him in the eye as they checked his temperature and listened to his chest for signs of continued infection.

When Okina was satisfied that Aoshi was in fact better, he finally broke the silence. “We have nine still ill, but who are doing better, thanks to Megumi-san’s care.”
“There were 13, Okina.” Aoshi sharply noted. “And the other four?”

Okina paused before answering. “Five have passed away, Okashira.”

“Five?” Aoshi frowned. “Haru, Ryu, Kento, Sachiko and…”

Okina bowed his head. His voice cracked, “… and Misao.”

Both Megumi and Obaasan looked up.

“… When?” Aoshi demanded.

Megumi looked at Okina, who was struggling to maintain his composure. “Sometime early yesterday. I found her in your room, Shinomori-san.”

Obaasan gently continued. “Misao had been tending Haru and Ryu the previous day and seemed fine. But she had a fever as well.”

Aoshi’s face was white with fury. He snapped back at Obaasan, “Why was she tending others while sick?”

Megumi looked anxiously at Okina and Obaasan, and then spoke, “Misao did not come down during the confusion behind our arrival. Everyone who had seen her though had said she was fine and busy trying to tend the others. Obaasan did not know.”

“And you, Takani-san?” his eyes bored into her then. “What excuse shall you give for yourself?”

Obaasan and Okina looked aghast. Megumi closed her eyes. She had asked that question of herself already many times since Misao died in front of her. “I have none,” she quietly replied. “In hindsight, I see that Misao even at her most ill would never have complained. I should have tried to track her down sooner.”

Obaasan shook her head, “Megumi-san! You musn’t talk that way, it is not right!”

Aoshi stood up suddenly.

“Where do you intend to go?” Okina stood up in alarm.

“To see Misao.”

“Please, Aoshi-san,” Obaasan pleaded, “You must rest. She has been buried already along with the others.”

“Do not block me,” he moved towards the door. “I will not tolerate it.”

“ENOUGH!” Without warning, Okina had knocked Aoshi over and pinned him to the ground. “Your grief and anger is understandable, but threatening your fellow clan members is intolerable!” He turned to Megumi, “You know what you must do.”

Megumi nodded, and with a soft, “I’m sorry,” placed a cloth soaked with chloroform over Aoshi’s nose. He struggled only momentarily, and then, fell unconscious.

Okina stood then, and called in a few men to put Aoshi back on his pallet. “How long will that keep, Doctor?”

“Another few hours only, possibly more.”

“Then we will be ready.”
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