Part VII - Say WHAT!?!?

    "Actually, we name them for the colors in our names," a woman said with a smile as she emerged from the airy green building to which Yoshio had led them.  "You must be Himura Kenshinsan and Takani Megumisensei."  She smiled with bemusement at the redhead's expression as she spoke, and bowed.
    "And you must be Midorioka Amayasan," the long-haired doctor replied with a bow.  "I hope I have not offended."
 "Not at all!"
    Kenshin smiled as he rose.  "Yoshiodono was just telling us about you."  He looked over the leader of the Aizu branch of the Oniwa Banshu.  A woman only about two or three years older than he, she was compactly made, not very much taller than her guests, with her dark hair worn considerably shorter than either of them or Yoshio.  Falling just barely to her shoulders when loose, she had tied it back loosely and a few wisps drifted around her face, framing it softly.  She wore a pale blue kimono that set off her fair complexion rather nicely, but both Kenshin and Megumi were sure that she wore the same type of outfit that Misao wore from the way she held herself.  Soft brown eyes sparkled with sharp wit and shrewd intelligence as she surveyed her guests.  "Come.  I'm sure you've traveled for long enough that a hot meal and a good stretch would hit the spot, ne?  I hope Yoshio hasn't talked your ear off.  He does rather tend to forget how to shut his trap from time to time."  She laughed merrily as the others followed her inside.
   "Obasan, come on!"
    "Now, Yoshio, you ought to know better than to whine!  Honestly, at your age, I should tell your mother!"  The humor hadn't left her eyes as she chided the younger man.
    He made a face.  "You'd think she'd want to leave her sister out of this," he grumbled.
    Megumi and Kenshin shared a look.  They were related?  This was going to be interesting.
    "Unn, I hope you'll forgive how disorganized we are.  It's more of a family operation here than it is down in Kyoto.  Aoshisama may have more of a mix in his group, but when it's all in the family, it's a different sort of connexion.  The truth of the matter is, Nenjisan is my uncle, on my father's side."
    "Oro?"  Megumi agreed with Kenshin's assessment of the situation.
    "It isn't something we talk about much, since it just doesn't seem to be that big a deal to us, but I thought you'd be interested," Amaya smiled.  "He's really my uncle by marriage anyway, but it counts, ne?  Come.  I don't know about you, but it's late and Ryuu makes an amazing soup," she confided.  "I'm afraid it's too late for a proper dinner, but you should at least have something, and I suspect it will really hit the spot."
    "I admit that I'd be glad for something to eat and a good rest," Megumi conceded, though she fully doubted she'd be able to sleep very much at all, what with everything that was on her mind.
    Kenshin nodded.  He too felt a little overwhelmed by their generous, if garrulous hosts' kindness and openness.  It had indeed been a long day on the road, and a chance to sit on a nonmoving surface would be more than welcome.  Traveling didn't bother either of them, but Kenshin knew that as preoccupied as Megumi was, even he hadn't been able to really relax and enjoy the ride out of his concern for her.
    Another man emerged just then from the kitchen, bearing bowls of soup, looking rather like Yoshio, and smiled at the two guests.  His hair was not so long -- it only came down to the middle of his arms, nor was he quite so tall and chiseled looking.  He bowed formally and welcomed them to the Midoriya in a deeper voice.  He seemed a little softer around the edges, a distant sadness in his eyes despite the smile and warm welcome.
    "Aigawa Ryuunosuke, this is Takani Megumisensei and Himura Kenshinsan."  Amaya took some of the bowls he'd managed not to spill even during his bow, as precariously balanced as they were, and placed them on the table.
    "My big brother," Yoshio said proudly as he took a seat near one end of the table, next to the end which was clearly reserved for Amaya herself.  "The last of our group should be here soon.  Believe it or not, she's no relation," he grinned as Kenshin and Megumi sat.  "Shinroku Machiko is our token non family member."
    "Ahh!! Wait, don't start without me!!  I'm sorry I'm late!!  Hi!!  Amayasama mentioned you guys'd be here.  I'm Shinroku Machiko.  I'm sorry I'm late, I just got back from running Yoshi's errands."  She made a face in the direction of the young man, but it was immediately clear to Kenshin and Megumi that she was crazy over him, and from the casual way he made a face back, that he saw her as hardly more than a kid.  It must grate her seventeen year old heart rather harshly, they knew.  Yoshio had to be closer to Megumi's age, but even a few years could sometimes make a difference, and because Machiko had one of those soft, round, eternally youthful faces, hers was evidently a long and uphill battle.
    "Well, it's nice to meet you, Machikodono."
    "Can we eat now?"  Yoshio pouted.
    "So like Sano," Megumi murmured to Kenshin as they began.  "Mmm..  I must get your recipe for this...  What exactly is in here?"
    "It's just shiitake and egg soup like I've always made," Ryuunosuke said quietly.  "But I add a little something to it."  He smiled mysteriously, a mischievous light coming into his eyes.  "Perhaps I might tell you before you leave."
    "Ryuu's an amazing cook," Machiko said.  "You should see what he can do with plain old onigiri!"
    "Oh come on, stop kissing up," Yoshio grumbled.
    "What're you talking about?"
    "He ain't gonna save you extra.  Guests take priority, you know that.  Besides, we already had dinner."
    Amaya nodded.  Megumi seemed to be having trouble keeping her eyes open enough to concentrate on finishing her soup, and even Kenshin looked ready to nod off.  "I think that our guests' first priority is sleep," she said with an almost motherly tenderness.
    "Forgive our rudeness, please."
    "Don't be silly, Takanisensei!  It's been a long day for you guys," Machiko said.  "Come on, I'll show you to your rooms, and then I want more soup, Ryuu!"
    Once they'd finished, she led the tired travelers through to the back of the restaurant.  "The layout is very similar to the Aoiya," Megumi noted to Kenshin.
    "Most of the Oniwa Banshu's restaurants are.  We do it for the simple reason that when we visit one another, it's easier to find our way around," Machiko said loftily.  "At least, that's what I've been told.  I think they do it because they used the same architect, and he's just boring."
    Megumi laughed.  "Be that as it may, if it works..."
    She was surprised at how quickly she fell asleep; she must have been more tired than she'd realized.
    Kenshin was every bit as tired as his friend, but stayed awake longer.  He wondered if something had been in his soup and Megumi's to make them sleep, but as the doctor hadn't seemed concerned about it, neither was he.  If anything, perhaps she welcomed whatever mild soporific had been slipped to them, knowing they needed their rest more than they needed to be overwhelmingly polite.  Apparently their hosts understood as well; the Oniwa Banshu were no strangers to hard journeys and  the personal cost they often exacted.  He also wondered that no mention at all had been made of their reason for being here.  And what had happened to Shura?  He was sure he'd find out soon enough, and with that, he too succumbed to the need for sleep.
    When morning came, they awoke to the sounds of a business' morning preparations.  It wasn't that their hosts were being loud, but Kenshin woke up early regardless, and Megumi was used to the bustle of a restaurant in the morning.  When Ayame saw her guests were awake, she invited them to breakfast with her.
    "I'm afraid Ryuu's already starting to prepare for the day, so I've had to cook myself," she said.  "I can cook, but I'm no Aigawa Ryuunosuke."  At that, the quiet man muttered something, a slight flush on his cheeks and a pleased smile touching the corners of his mouth, despite his attempt at a disgruntled attitude.  "Now, Ryuu, you know you're as good as they come.  It's funny," she said, turning back to her guests as they sat down at the small table.  "As good as he is, you'd think he ought to devote himself to cooking entirely."  As she set out the breakfast she'd already been preparing, she shrugged.  "Instead, you'll find him sparring and training as often as cooking or gardening, if not more.  I don't get it, myself.  My sister and her husband hoped that neither of the boys would get involved with us, but such is life, ne?  You should see Yoshio's artwork.  He doesn't show us much, but what he has is as amazing as what his brother sets out on the table."  She smiled with pride for her nephews as she sat.
    "You must be wondering why I'm not so much older than my nephews," she said as they ate.  "I'm the youngest of seven, by quite a bit.  My sister is the second of us, and was Machiko's age when she got married.  I was born just before that.  She waited a few years to have children, and I was five when Ryuu was born.  Yoshio's four years younger than he is, and their sister Nariko is three years younger than he.  She can sing like you wouldn't believe."  She paused for a moment, thinking.  "It's funny, but I have absolutely no artistic talent.  It all went to Hanako's branch -- my sister and her family.  However, I've been told I've got a mean right hook," she smiled.
    Megumi blinked.  Neither she nor Kenshin knew precisely what to say to that.
    A moment passed in silence as they ate.  Amaya studied Megumi acutely, watching her mannerisms, trying to ascertain if the man they'd found really might be her brother.  She was good at being subtle about it, fortunately, but her guests were more attuned to the people around them than she'd realized.  Megumi glanced at Kenshin.
    "Amayadono.  We came to find Megumidono's brother.  Aoshidono said he'd had word from you that someone was here who matched the description and who might be using an assumed name."
    "Which I don't understand, if it is my brother.  Our name is one to be proud of," Megumi added.
    Amaya nodded.  "I remember.  The Takani name was foremost in medical ability in this area and several others nearby before, for generations.  It was only when the war began that all the family disappeared.  We had thought no one had survived," she confessed to Megumi.  "I'm glad someone did.  But recently, the past few years, there's been a new doctor in town.  No one recognized him but he is very skillful, and not very much older than you, Megumisensei."
    The other woman nodded.  She seemed preoccupied as she ate, more slowly now than before.  This was the reason she had come, but she suddenly felt afraid.  It suddenly seemed as if life was going too fast, and all her doubts were converging upon her with a vengeance.  As much as she wanted to know, she was afraid of all the things that might go wrong; if it wasn't him, she would have a hard time adjusting after her hopes had risen so, but if it was him, she was more afraid of all those things that could go wrong.
    The others noticed her discomfiture.  "I think the sooner I know, the better," Megumi said before anyone else could break the silence that was growing uncomfortable.  She looked up to see Kenshin and Amaya both nodding.
    "Finish eating, and we will go," the older woman said solemnly, seeming to act more her age than Machiko's for the moment.  This was why she was leader; for all she could be young at heart, she was a strong and well organized person with a mind to match her personality.  "Shura will be here later today.  I'm sure she would be happy to see you then."
    Megumi nodded, as did Kenshin.  Pushing her bowl away, she rose.  "I'm ready to go now."
    Amaya raised an eyebrow, but stood as well.
    "Megumidono?"
    The doctor looked at him.  "Kensan, I wouldn't stop you if you tried, nor could I if I wanted to," she said.  He couldn't tell by her tone if she wanted him there.  A slight shake of Amaya's head caught his attention.
    "It's all right.  I'll go see if I can help out at the restaurant."
    "That would be appreciated, Himurasan.  It always gets busier when Shura's in town.  Sometimes she has new recipes, and her company is always enjoyed.  Everyone around here knows her."
    Surprised, Kenshin took his leave of the two women.  He almost walked into Yoshio as he entered the restaurant proper.
    "Oiy!  Sorry about that," he said, recovering the dishes he'd almost dropped.  "They left you behind, huh?  That's got to be rough; you must be dying of curiosity.  We all are.  Come on, I'll get you something to do."
    As Kenshin was led off to work, Amaya and Megumi stepped out into the streets of Aizu.
    "A lot has changed since you left, I'm sure.  A lot was destroyed and had to be rebuilt from the ground up," the Oniwa Banshu division leader said as Megumi looked around with some confusion.  "It hasn't been easy anywhere, I know, but we took it very...  Well, I don't want to say we didn't take it well but there were many who moved away to avoid having to completely rebuild their entire lives."
    The doctor nodded.  "I know.  When I was separated from my family, I was too young to do anything on my own, short of letting myself be abducted, killed, or sold."  She shook her head, her expression derisive.  "I had to leave, to try and find a way to survive.  I would have stayed if I could."
    Amaya made a soft sound of acknowledgment, leading Megumi through rebuilt streets, buildings that were new as common to see as older buildings with some damage still evident if one looked closely.
    "Down there."  The older woman pointed.  "Do you want me to come?  If not, I'll wait here."
    Megumi shook her head.  She walked slowly towards the building her companion had indicated.  Filled with trepidation, she entered the waiting room where two or three others awaited the doctor's attention.
    A little while later, with her attention focused on studying the ends of her hair (a nervous habit, she'd stopped it before but during the past few days had started again) she'd almost missed the Aizu doctor's appearance.
    "I'm sorry.  I'll be with you in a few minutes, miss."
    She looked up, startled.  The voice was familiar, if only vaguely, and the features...  No wonder the Oniwa Banshu had written home about him.  "I'm not here for treatment," she said.  "I've come to find my brother.  My name is Takani Megumi."
    The other doctor went white.  "I think we need to talk."
    Megumi nodded.  "If you'd like, I might be able to assist with your patients, first."
    "I think...  I don't...  No, you're right.  The patients must come first.  And then...  we talk."  He shook his head as if to clear it.  "We need to talk."
    "I'll be right back, then."  Megumi hurried out and told Amaya she would be a while, with a brief explanation.
    "Shall I wait?"
    "If...  If you could.  I think...  I think it is him.  But all he said was that we need to talk."
    It didn't take very long for the two physicians to tend the man's patients, and when the last one left, he gestured to a chair, indicating that she should sit.  "I never expected to say this, but I'm not the brother you're looking for.  I...  I am called Kage Takeshi, though I'm sure you could tell that isn't the name I was born with.  I'm your half brother."  He watched her, seeming as strained about it as she felt.  She wasn't even sure she'd heard correctly.
    "Half... brother?"
    "Your father wasn't always a completely upstanding citizen, I'm afraid."  His tone was rueful and everything about him seemed sincere.  "When your mother was giving him his first son, he was a drinker.  He'd had more than a little too much and fathered another son, this time on a woman most definitely not his wife.  It took her a long time before she would speak to him again.
    "I've never expected I would actually meet any of my...  of your family.  Your father provided well for me, and never touched so much as a drop after that, but he also felt it best for all of us if his family never met his illegitimate son.  I can't really blame him.  When I found I had a talent in the medical field, I felt compelled to keep that aspect of his spirit alive, to try to atone for his mistake."
    Megumi stared at him.  It was rare for her to be at such a loss, and she struggled to find the words.  "He always did say that becoming a father taught him more about responsibility than he'd ever dreamed possible.  It makes one wonder if atonement is inherited," she said darkly.
    Now it was Kage's turn to blink.  "Ara?"
    The dialectic variation on Kenshin's response almost threw her, but not quite.  She sighed and wondered if it was worth telling him everything.  After a moment, she tossed caution to the wind.  She'd come to tell her brother what had happened, after all, and even if this hadn't been the brother she'd had in mind...  the story came out, rich with her own bitterness and pain and confusion old and new.  She told him just about everything, skimming over her youth before things had fallen apart, from the day she'd left Aizu to the day she'd met Kenshin and his friends, to the day she'd moved to Kyoto, and to the present.  She told him about the day she'd been on the verge of suicide, up in the dark tower, and how Sanosuke had stopped her, setting the tone for their friendship -- the blend of subtle affection masked by sarcastic remarks and abuse.  She told him everything but the sharpest pain of her romantic confusions, losing Kenshin and wondering about Aoshi.
    Through it all, he listened, drinking it in as eagerly as a child might a bedtime story, but with a trace of the need to know all he could showing clearly on his face.  It was plain to see that he had missed having a true family very much.  Though she was caught up with her own emotions, the woman wasn't blind to the reactions of the man before her, and knew she had made the right decision.  She was vindicated when, once she'd finished her tale, he sat silently absorbing it for long moments.
    "I can't think of anything to say to that, save that I cannot even begin to imagine what you've been through.  I don't think I'd want to either," he added wryly.  "But by the same token...  I don't suppose it was easy for any of us.  I was lucky, in some ways.  It was always just me and my mother.  I didn't know how she earned her living until after she died, but she managed to make enough to keep us alive and sheltered -- especially with your father sending us a small allowance.  Apparently, it was your mother's idea."
    Megumi nodded.  That sounded like the sort of thing her mother would have done -- must have done, in fact.
    "It wasn't easy, but when he left Aizu, we had little choice but to do the same.  We traveled around, not with a destination in mind, but staying in small towns, the smaller the better, trying to avoid the fighting and dissidence.  It was everywhere, and more frightening to a woman and her little kid.  Plus, there was only what my mother could earn.  She didn't want me to work, but instead to go to school as much as I could.  And when she got sick, I couldn't have been more than twelve but I was determined to support us both.  It was her death that made me decide to be a doctor.
    "I was fourteen and desperate, but again I got lucky and apprenticed myself to a physician of whom his community was very proud.  Midorikawasensei taught me everything, and about four years ago, I came back here.  I know it's not much of a story, but it's mine.  I've often wondered what happened to my father's family."
    "So have I," Megumi said softly.  "I need time to think...  I need to decide what to do.  I...  We will speak again."  She'd managed to maintain her composure, but as overwhelmed as she was, she needed solitude.  She needed time to absorb the morning's events.
    She needed the peace of her clearing and her work.  Takeshi saw her out, and she walked down the street in a haze.  Amaya caught up with her quickly, but one glance at the woman doctor's face told her that all she needed to know right now was that she'd learn what happened later, but the younger woman needed healing of her own at the moment, healing that would have to come from within.