Forever Love 1/?

[Sissi]

Forever Love

By : Sissi

A/N : This first chapter will be a songfic. It is a Aoshi/Megumi fic, so if you do not like it, do not read it. Anyway, enjoy !

Disclaimer : I do not own Rurouni Kenshin nor the beautiful song “Forever Love”, sung by X-Japan and composed by Yoshiki ( the vocalist of the group ).

Chapter One

The sun entered the dark room through the beige shoji screen, illuminating the warm body lying on the tatami, the only sound heard being the inhaling and the exhaling of air. The shoji screen was swiftly moved aside, and in came an exquisite young lady wearing a blue silk kimono who was caring a tray with two cups and a teapot on it.

She elegantly knelt beside the other body, which now could easily be detected as a male one. It stirred with the new presence, and slowly the man opened his eyes, only to stare at the marvelous sight of a beautiful woman kneeling and waiting for him.

“Ohayou” he said, his tongue groggy due to the sake he drank last night, making it difficult to understand his words.

“Ohayou, Takahara-sama. Would you like some tea?” she offered, whilst her hands quickly yet gently poured some of the precious liquid into the finely shaped cup. She raised it and waited for him to sit and take it from her hands.

Sipping it quietly, the man wondered how much the night it would cost, especially because it was with the famous geisha called Megumi Takani. Yes, it would cost a fortune, but it was worth it. He grinned as he remembered last night, her silky voice singing one of the most beautiful songs he had ever heard, along with a wonderful massage on his back, not to mention the feeling of her fingers on his skin. It was priceless.

“Would you like to have breakfast?” Megumi asked, waiting for him to answer. He thought for a moment, but decided not to. The Shougun was expecting to see him today, and a request like this could not be denied, much to his disappointment.

“No, I am not hungry. I need to go.” As if to demonstrate this, he stood up and paced in the room. Megumi watched him for some seconds before also standing up and helping him dress his own kimono and place his sword on his waist.

They left the room in silence until they reached the front door. There stood Mama-san, the woman responsible for the house and all the courtesans and geishas. She smiled at them and offered Takahara-sama a cushion to sit on, which he refused with a shake of his head.

“Thank you, Mama-san, but I can’t. I need to see the Shougun today.”

“Ah, such an important meeting, I see.”

“Yes, “ he said, while watching the movements happening inside the house, “ How much had we discussed yesterday? Three koban for the evening?”

Mama-san shook her head, a small smile plastered on her face. “No, we decided that it would be a fair agreement to have the night for four koban, neh, Takahara-sama?” The other merely shrugged his shoulders, a small frown marring his face.

“Very well.”

Megumi watched this with wary eyes. She closed them for a while, trying to dissipate this unease she had been feeling for some time now. She felt so dirty lately...


Mou hitori de arukenai

( I can’t walk alone anymore )

Toki no kaze ga tsuyosugite

( The Wind of time is too strong )

Ah kizutsuku koto nande

( Ah, being hurt.. )

Nareda hazu dakedo ima wa

( ...is something I should be used to, but now...)

“Arigatou gozaimasu Takahara-sama.” The elderly woman said, while she watched her client walk out of the stablishment. Snapping her attention back to Megumi, she noticed not for the first time her tired face.

“What is the matter, child? Are you ill?”

“No, I just feel tired.”

“Well, go rest, because tonight we are certainly going to have a lot of clients. The Shougun has sent one of his armies to this area, and I am expecting them tonight.”

“Yes, Mama-san.”

The elder woman frowned at Megumi’s attitude, but shoved it aside, by telling her to take an ofuro bath. The geisha accepted the idea and left the room, entering her own quarters, a heavy sigh escaping her red lips.


Ah kono mama dakishimete

( Ah, hold it the way it is )

Nureta mama no kokoro o

( My still tearful heart )

Kawaritsuzukeru kono toki ni

( In this time of continuous changes )

Kawaranai ai ga aru Nara

( There is unchanging love )

As soon as she stepped inside, a young maid entered with clean and perfumed cloths in her hands. She lay them on the floor and bowed. Megumi smiled.

“Arigato, Hana-chan.”

The girl blushed when she heard her name being pronounced by Megumi and quickly left the room.

She took the cloths with her and shoved the shoji aside, entering the bath room. The water was already hot and she was glad about this. Slipping off her kimono, Megumi frowned when she noticed some red marks on her perfect skin. It would take a day to fade away.

She slowly entered the water, first her feet, then her legs, her waist and finally her upper body. She stayed there, the warmth spreading quickly through her cold and sour limbs till it reached her chest. She closed her eyes, savouring the moment. Some sakura petals were floating on the surface of the water, lending thir scent to the liquid.

Ah....

Megumi couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so relaxed. Of course, she knew why she had been feeling so morose lately : she missed him. It’s been what, almost three months since she saw him until he went to the war? Yes, it’s been three long and endless months...


Will you hold my heart

Namida uketomete

( Please accept my tears )

Mou kowaresouna All my heart

( It’s already about to break All my heart )

She heard light footsteps entering the bath room, it could only be Mama-san. Did she have to leave the soothing water so early?

“Megumi-chan, if you stay any longer, your skin will start to wrinkle.”

What? Had she stayed there for such a long time? Snapping her eyes open, she watched surprised that the other woman was indeed correct. Blushing for her losing track of the time, she stood up, the water trailing the curves of her body, caressing her warm skin.

The other woman tenderly gave her one towel, which Megumi gladly accepted. She dried herself and dressed a silk kimono.

“Come, we need to prepare you for the night.”

“But it is too early for it.”

“Your client has already visited me while you were here. He is paying five koban for the night!” She replied with an excited tone.

“So, you succeeded in robbing that much from a man...”

“What are you saying, Megumi-chan, you ARE the best geisha of Kyoto, you know that. It is just a fair amount for your lovely presence.” Megumi simply nodded, a fake smile plastered on her perfect face. “Now, we need to prepare you. Come, my child.”


Forever love Forever Dream

Afureru omoi dake ga

( Only my overflowing feelings...)

Hageshiku setsunaku jukan umetsukusu

(...violently and sorrowfully fill time )

The rest of the day passed unenventfully, nothing much happened, except for the excitement of Mama-san. Megumi was just a shadow, listening to her chit-chats, her advices towards the evening and the songs she ought to sing to her especial client.

Now, she stood in her bedroom, dressed in a silk red kimono with butterflies broided from her right sleeve till it ended by her waist. He elegant hair was tied up, marble pins taking the job of sustaining it in the air. A blood-red gloss had been applied to her usually rosy lips, while her cheeks were pale due to some powder applicated on the area. She was the picture of beauty, a sheer goddess.

She tried to sound happy, but it was futile. Her heart was not feeling that way, but it was necessary, for her job, for her sake. A geisha was meant to entertain her clients, not to feel sad. Straightening her shoulder, Megumi smiled to Mama-san, who was fixing some invisible wrinkle on her kimono.


Oh tell me why

All I see is blue in my heart

Will you stay with me

Kaze ga sugisaru made

( Until the Wind passes by, )

Mata afuredasu All my tears

( They overflow again All my tears )

“Ah, perfect, Megumi-chan, you are truly lovely. You will please Tsukishiro-sama immensely.”

“I hope so,” was her reply.

“Well, I can hear laughter coming from the main room. Go, Megumi, go find him.” Saying this, she pushed the young woman out of the room.

“Very well, Megumi, just do it as you have always done.” Closing her eyes and inhaling deeply the air, she crossed the small corridor that separated her from the rest of the clients whose laughter could be easily detected.

“Ah, here comes our lovely Megumi” a young man announced, immediately running to her side. Megumi grinned at the man, one of the few who has long since captivated her a long time ago.

“Sano...” she said, a slight tone of threat in her voice.

“Hmm? What did you say, fox-lady?” Upon hearing her nickname that he had long ago given her, Megumi detached herself from his arms and glared at him.

“What are you doing here, you tori atama?” This time, it was his turn to get a little annoyed.

“Hey, fox, don’t get all annoyed tonight, I’ve just come back! I’m sure you’ve missed me!”

She couldn’t help it, she did miss him, his huge grin, his open face and the way he could make her laugh. Oh, she couldn’t forget their rows, now, could she? She grinned at the memory.

“So, are you busy tonight?” he asked.

Her once lit up face clouded. “Yes, I am. I am actually seeking for Tsukishiro-sama. Do you know where he is?”

“Enishi?”

“Yes, why?”

“Stay away from him, Megumi.”

“As if I could...” she huffed, hitting him in the arm playfully. Suddenly, she saw shining green eyes staring at her profile. She shuddered at it, it was Enishi Yukishiro.

“Sano, I’ve got to go. He’s already spotted me.”

“Good luck.” He replied, his caring brown eyes trying to send her strenghth, which she desperately tried to grasp for herself.

Before she could walk to his side, an arm grabbed her wrist and yanked her away from the crowd. She couldn’t see the person’s face which was shadowed by the dark, all she knew was that it was a man.

He took her to the garden, to the bridge above a small lake, her favourite spot. She gasped; only one person knew this, and it was...

“Aoshi!”


Forever love Forever dream

Kono mama sobani ite

( Stay by me like this )

Yoake ni furueru kokoro o dakishimete

( Hold my heart that shivers at dawn )

Oh stay with me

The moon finally settled its silver rays on the man’s face and she saw the handsome lines of Aoshi Shinomori. She didn’t even hesitate; she hugged him and rested her face on his chest, listening intently to his heartbeat. Aoshi encircled her with his arms, pulling her tightly to his body, inhaling her sweet scent.

“Megumi...”

She tilted her head up, the sorrowful tone in his voice catching her attention.

“What happened, Aoshi?” She was one of the few people who could understand this man, this mysterious man called Aoshi Shinomori. He looked away, trying to avoid the question. When she thought he wasn’t going to asnwer her, she was caught off guard when he replied.

“Hannya, Beshimi, Shikijyou and Hyottoko ...were killed.”

She gasped at the news. How was it possible? They were so strong and faithful to the country, how could it be that they were dead? It was then that she understood his strange demeanour, after all, his best friends died.

“I’m sorry” was all she could think of to soothe him. He nodded in understanding and drew her closer. She complied to his wish and hugged him tighter, knowing that this was his silent way of asking for support.

She closed her eyes, the idea that she had to spend the night with another man already dissipated from her mind. All she could think of was this need to comfort this man, the only one who understood her and whom she loved with all her soul.


Ah subete ga owarebai

( Ah, I don’t care if everything ends...)

Owari no nai kono yoru ni

( in this endless night )

Ah ushinau mono nande

( Ah, of the things to lose )

Nani mo nai anata dake

( I have nothing but you )

How funny was their first encounter, she could still remember it clearly as if it were yesterday. She was only five, and he, ten. His foster father was extremely ill and one of his relatives had remembered that there was a skillful doctor living in Aizu, the place where she was born. They took him to Aizu, where the old man was treated by Megumi’s father. She remembered him watching her, his sad eyes glancing every now and then at the closed room where his father was being treated. She had walked up to him and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, telling him with her eyes that everything would be okay.

Since then, a bond was created, connecting them. But, as soon as his foster father was cured, he left the city, not before promising to come back to see her. Time passed and he finally met her again at this house, she already being a geisha.

Tears sprang from her eyes when she remembered the reason for her being a geisha : the death of her family, caused by a fire that started and spreaded throughout her entire home, consuming it and killing the people she loved. Since that day, she left the city, the memories too harsh for her heart to stand.


Forever love Forever dream

Kono mama sobani ite

( Stay by me like this )

Yoake ni furueru kokoro o dakishimete

( Hold my heart that shivers at dawn )

Enough of memories, she thought bitterly. This was the present and she should enjoy it as much as she could. Gentle fingers brushed against her cheek, drying her tears.

“You are crying.”

She laughed, a sad laughter which broke the stillness of the night. He watched the woman he cared for break right within his arms, breaking his heart in turn. How he wished he could wipe away that sorrowful face...but his own one ached with the recent loss of his friends.

“Megumi...” he rested his head on her shoulder, closing his eyes, “I need you.”


Ah will you stay with me

Kaze ga sugisaru made

( Until the Wind passes by )

Mou dare yori mo sobani

( Stay by me more than anyone else )

“Tonight’s impossible.” She knew that he did not mean the physical need, but it was true what she had told him. Tonight, she was there to please another man, not him.

He opened his eyes and stared at her. He wished he could take her away from this type of life, from selling her body to men, but he knew it was impossible for the moment. It angered him to know that the only obstacle was money. He didn’t have enough to pay for her freedom, and it hurt his soul.

“How much?”

She blinked at the question. Was he thinking about paying for the night?

“Five koban, but you don’t have the mon-“

He stopped her from continuing by placing his fingers on her lips.

“This war may have taken my friends away from me, but in turn, the Shougun has increased my annual payment.”

She looked at him, now listening intently, savouring each word, hope blossoming within her chest.

“Is this true?”

He nodded and she smiled to him. He caught sight of it and gave her one of his own, small yet real.

“Megumi, trust me. You will be free.”

He slowly let go of her and started to walk back to the house. He was going to persuade Mama-san to let him stay with Megumi tonight for he needed to be with her, not only physically, but emotionally. She was the only one he could fall back on.

As she watched his retreating form, a sob escaped from Megumi’s mouth. Tears slowly traced its path down her smooth cheek before falling to the ground.


Forever love Forever dream

Koreijou arukena

( I can’t walk any further )

Oh tell me why Oh tell me true

Oshiete ikiru imi

( Tell me the meaning of being alive )

She would wait, she knew Aoshi could give her the freedom she has been searching for so long. But, even if he couldn’t, she pondered, she wouldn’t mind as long as she could stay with him. It didn’t matter if she could only see him once a month, even once a year, as long as she could love him with all her heart. The love she felt for him would last for all her life. This, she was certain of.


Forever love forever dream

Afureru namida no naka

( Inside the overflowing tears )

Kagayaku kisetsu ga eien ni kawaru made

( Until the glittering season becomes eternity )

Forever love




Vocabulary :

Koban : a gold coin that weighs eighteen grams equaled to three koku of rice.

Kimono : a type of Japanese clothes

Ohayou : good morning

Shoji screen : screen made of a thin material

Tori atama : rooster head ( literally, it would be : bird head )

Geisha : a courtesan for entertainment, whose ‘job’ can either include bedding with men or not, depending on the client’s choice. It is the highest rank.

[Stella]

Very elegantly written fic - I liked the song very much, too. I've not ever seen AoshixMegumi, but translated into the AU, it worked very well - sad and sweet.

Thanks for posting - I enjoyed it a lot!

Stella

[Sissi]

Thanks Stella for your words. Yes, AoshixMegumi fics are very rare but it is possible to find some awesome ones at FFN.net . And, I agree with you, the A/U genre does make the couple more believable since in the anime/manga, we know this pairing could never be.

Once again, thanks for taking your time to read this. It made my day ^^

Sissi