(Afternoon)
I leave my patient’s home, and find my favorite place where I sit and compose my notes. I cannot do so there, as he brother hovers over my shoulder and tries to read them! But on the road nearby, I found a nice rock to sit on and record my thoughts.
“Use of the medicine has had an improvement on the patient’s depressive episodes but she still suffers from manic periods. Her family is more concerned about the latter as it is that behavior that has lead to instances of the most concern from a public perspective, the depressive episodes and attendant suicidal ideation happen when the patient prefers to be alone.”
I flip to the back of my notebook where I put my morning mail. I have a letter from a good herbalist in Kyoto, one known to my family, offering advice from his knowledge, but there’s not a lot of options. Treatment of illnesses of the mind is tricky, we all know that. Not only are parameters and outcomes not as assessable as those for physical ailments, much depends on the word and behavior of the patient, and sadly, most patients with these conditions aren’t truthful – there’s so much pressure for them to be “better” and “normal”. Fujita-san is actually more truthful, but if her brother is there he speaks over her. She has a lot of trauma that I feel impact her current condition.
At least Fujita-san’s brother agreed to treatment. I sigh. I do what I can, as I do with all of my patients. She’s not the only woman here in Aizu who suffers from the aftereffects of the war.
In my notebook is a letter from Tokyo, the latest from Kaoru-chan. How I miss them all! But I have patients here, and some, like Tokio-san, who may not be treated otherwise. And there’s the matter of my family.
But that’s all been rumors and dead ends. For one of my brothers, I have proof that he died when an epidemic hit the Gonhoe settlement where many Aizu samurai were sent in exile. My mother is most probably dead, and my sister may have married a man and immigrated to Hawaii, but we have a distant cousin with the same name so it may have been confused. Rumors have it that my other brother followed the remnant of the Shinsenugmi to Aizu, but wouldn’t that Saitou have told me if he had? Kenshin-san said he was a part of that fight.
Saitou. That man. His wife wants to write him that she’s better (which she’s not), but he’s set up with that other woman… well, she doesn’t know what I know, from Kaoru-chan’s letter. Apparently my kind-hearted friend has taken in Yagi Hide into her circle, even as that lady’s relationship with Saitou is apparently ending, despite desperate and (if I read between Kaoru-chan’s nice words) foolish acts by Yagi-san.
I could have told her it would have gone that way. He’s no good, and I never understood her, with two versions running around and playing some sort of game – a very inconsistent, flighty woman that I didn’t care much for, chasing after Saitou like she did. I much preferred the quiet one who was enamored with another Shinsengumi captain to the one who broke apart Fujita-san’s house.
I don’t like to think back to my time in the Wilderness – my strange desperation to gain Shinomori-san’s attentions through any means… why would someone like me put herself in danger just to be rescued? I shudder, remembering what -real- danger and captivity was, in my time at Kanryuu’s estate. Poking around dark warehouses, making trouble… That seems so long ago. Many of us seemed to be in a strange state…
But for now, it’s nice and warm on this rock, and I put away my notebook. I need to check the herbalist’s notes against my own back at the clinic, and then write to Kaoru-san. I lean back my head and close my eyes, enjoying the last of the autumn sun. It snowed last night, so winter is near, here in the wild north of Aizu.
(Megumi is outside near Tokio’s house. Anyone can wander by!)
I’m almost to the house after specifically choosing to delay just before lunch so everyone is busy preparing for it, but not quite lunch time yet that I can easily decline an invitation to stay. Not that I would be invited but it’s Kurasawa’s house, not hers so propriety may be in order.
I’m about done with my cigarette as I turn the corner and go pass people not making eye contact but a glance to the side leaves me dead on my tracks. It’s been many years since I’ve seen this woman. A woman of Aizu but didn’t feel like so in the wilderness, one who thought I had my eye on her. Did they all think that? But I suppose my behavior to use others to manipulate for my purposes can be construed as such.
Slowing down my gait, I’m torn whether to make myself know. What could she be doing here? And less than a block away is the house. It can’t be coincidence can it? Of all the times, when I’m finally ready to put a close to this world faces appear as if by magic. I let out a long breath and flick the cigarette away.
It can’t be helped. The Aizu doctor is here and there must be a reason why… And if she’s here, she’s just another thing to put in place so we can all -rest-.
I go up to her, plastering a wide grin on my face. “Fancy meeting you here madame.” I call her by that name I used many years ago. Not that I actually thinks he’s a madame but police courtesy deemed it so.
(Megumi)
I smell cigarettes…. I wrinkle my nose.
Fancy meeting you here madame
That voice, the cigarettes… I open my eyes. “Oh, Saitou. Surprising to see you here in Aizu.”
I know he had been here before. It was the “remarriage” debacle that made Morinosuke-san reach out to me and finally take me up on my offer to work with Fujita-san. And of course, he just left her here, after earlier taking their son back to Tokyo to be raised by Yagi-san. But it’s funny, Fujita-san doesn’t seem to mind that as much…
“I was just seeing a patient,” I say, nodding to indicate the path up to the house. Then I look at him, really look. Behind that strange smile, that has none of the confidence that I found so infuriating back in the old days with that smirk he wore. But it’s something around the eyes, and the set of the mouth that tells me more than the grin, and as much as I don’t care for the man, I -am- a doctor. “You don’t look well yourself.”
She doesn’t hide she’s been a Kurasawa’s. Still for what purpose?
“You don’t look well yourself.”
“Well I am older.” I admit, “But you of all people know we -all- age.”
I look at the house. “And I’m pretty certain that I’m in much better shape than whoever your patient is.” Turning back to her, “I’m about to visit there myself, but who is feeing ill? The old man of the house?” Because aside from the servants, there’s only two people who lives there.
(Megumi)
Well I am older.” I admit, “But you of all people know we -all- age
I raise an eyebrow at that, but then laugh behind my hand, “oh, now don’t meet a lady after so long and say that she looks older! That’s very rude of you!” He’s still as rude as I remember, but is the sort to dismiss criticism in the name of truth-telling. I sometimes had to use harsh words, but only to people I care for.
I’m about to visit there myself, but who is feeing ill? The old man of the house?
I shake my head. “Kurosawa-san is in the best of health. It’s your wife who I came to see. I suppose you don’t keep up with her?” I look at him as I stand up, I don’t like it when tall men seem to enjoy looming over people. “What is your purpose? As her doctor I -will- not have you going to get her in a tizzy, like last time.” That’s what her brother doesn’t understand, is how unpredictable she can be in her feelings and actions. I still can’t understand why she sent the only son left in her house to be raised by Yagi-san.
“Kurosawa-san is in the best of health. It’s your wife who I came to see. I suppose you don’t keep up with her?”
“Glad to hear the head of the house is still as healthy as ever.” I don’t say anything about my wife. She’s no longer my wife since the other day and I’m only here to deliver the news.
“What is your purpose? As her doctor I -will- not have you going to get her in a tizzy, like last time.”
I tilt my head and shake my head. “As you said I don’t keep up with her. So it’s about time I do see for myself?” The truth was I couldn’t care less anymore about Tokio’s instabilities. Instabilities she used to manipulate me and if I were to take a gander, probably is using this doctor to do so again.
Flicking a match and lighting up, I ask “Have any parting words for me doctor? About your patient of course.”
Glad to hear the head of the house is still as healthy as ever.
“He has many responsibilities to his extended family and the community,” I say, noting that he didn’t answer my question about Fujita-san. But he’s even less understanding of Fujita-san that her brother is… but not for the same reasons.
As you said I don’t keep up with her. So it’s about time I do see for myself?
“I heard that you’ve dumped Yagi-san, finally. Are you here to beg your wife’s forgiveness?” Not that it would cure her, in the way she thinks it would. Although I wonder if she actually believes that, for as often as she talks about him wistfully, she also speaks about him so angrily… something about his smoking really offended her. Rantings about being his servant and ‘trapped’ and something about a song…
Have any parting words for me doctor? About your patient of course.
I look at him, smoking. Doesn’t he understand about that? He has -no- idea about what she carries. I shake my head. “As her doctor, I would ask that you don’t visit her. She’s shown some improvement but not enough. yet. Even if you are here to get on your knees, what business do you have that warrants disturbing her fragile state?”
She talks about Kurasawa as if she knows him. I suppose now that she’s in Aizu she thinks herself as woven into the clan quite well. But maybe thinking so makes her feel like she belongs, that’s important to one who has no family ties.
“I heard that you’ve dumped Yagi-san, finally. Are you here to beg your wife’s forgiveness?”
“Oh I already did that not too long ago.” I can’t help but grin, “didn’t you hear from her that we were back together? At the very least I’m sure one of the servants in the house would’ve told you.”
As her doctor, I would ask that you don’t visit her. She’s shown some improvement but not enough. yet. Even if you are here to get on your knees, what business do you have that warrants disturbing her fragile state?
And now we’re back to the problem in the wilderness, her propensity to try to take control. Unlike my ex wife who liked to control by using her instability, this one tried to control using her profession and her self proclaimed expertise. “Well I’m sure she wants to hear from me and maybe even some news about her oldest son. She certainly seemed happy enough the last time I visited, so I can only imagine the thoughts you’ve placed in her head or her brothers. Sure you’re not making her any worse doctor?”
I go ahead and show her my back, “don’t worry if she does get worse because of my visit, then that means you get to keep your job and cure Tokio.” And I can finally be free… but for what?
(Ooc saitou is going into the house whether megumi likes it or not. Saitou of course can’t stop megumi from following him inside. )
Oh I already did that not too long ago. didn’t you hear from her that we were back together? At the very least I’m sure one of the servants in the house would’ve told you
I wave my hand. Certainly my patient thinks that -sometimes- but her brother knows that whatever she was attempting with that ceremony, it didn’t work. And the servants, too.
That, and there was her rant about him not taking her to bed. “I doubt a man who doesn’t even know the barest of details about his wife’s health is in a loving relationship with him,” I say.
I am surprised about Yagi-san. He’s so cavalier about that! Which is funny given how she was about him. “Oh, bored with the woman that you’d drop an entire world for?” His replacement in the Wilderness was not up to the same standards. Life was a little less interesting.
Sure you’re not making her any worse doctor?
I look at him, my eyes snapping to him. “I’m attempting to moderate her moods – she swings between depression and mania. I’ve tempered one, the other is more challenging. Perhaps if she had the support of her husband?”
He makes sure to throw another insult, but I have to remember that this is his -way-, to provoke. I’m not Sagara-san, after all. She has enough in her head that I couldn’t add anything even if I wanted. “Any more than you let criminals like your old Shinsengumi friend go so that you can keep your job and catch them when they make trouble again.” Kaoru-chan was so upset about that, but of course she doesn’t lay blame at Saitou.
I follow him into the house. The housekeeper is surprised, but I’m not sure by which of us – to see me again so soon, or him.
It probably is him.
“I doubt a man who doesn’t even know the barest of details about his wife’s health is in a loving relationship with him,”
“Well doesn’t that make you a saint? Doing all this out of the kindness of your heart and for what’s likely a small sum of money.”
“Oh, bored with the woman that you’d drop an entire world for?”
“Oh you -know- me. I leave when it suits me. The woman did pretty well considering, she lasted the longest.”
“Any more than you let criminals like your old Shinsengumi friend go so that you can keep your job and catch them when they make trouble again.”
“Says the woman who’s free because she has friends in higher places.” I give her a knowing look, we all know she was guilty while Okita, no one had proof and I wasn’t around long enough to build a case against him.
Speaking to her is a waste of time I decide and as I expected, the nosy woman that she is she follows me into the house. I hate to say it but I’m honestly tired of Aizu women, this one reminds me of Yaeko when she was younger and of course my ex-wife was exactly like her too before her instabilities. Yaso may have been an exception, ah but she was ostracized for not being a proper Aizu woman and yet they left her tend to their children.
“Where is Tokio?” I ask the servant.
“She’s upstairs in her room sir.”
I go pass her and knock.
“Tokio, it’s Goro. I need to speak with you. It will not take long.”
“Goro!” She comes out of the room all smiles and I’m almost certain if I was any closer she’d throw her arms around me. So this is the woman the doctor says has improved?
“Can we speak in private?” I ask and indicate her room.
“Why certainly.” She smiles but then she spots her “doctor”. “Oh hello Takani-sensei. You see he’s come? As I said he does come to visit, to check in.”
Then she turns to me and takes my hand I almost flinch. Each touch by this woman burns me and as she bats her eyelashes, I remember those times when she’d let me come close and yet hold me at arms length. Just like what Hide has done lately, like in the bedroom or even in the sento. That I was such a man of low constitution that all they had to do was seduce me, instead of giving themselves freely? That I always had to give in, to even enjoy the slightest bit of intimacy.
“Goro, come on. Inside.” Tokio tugs at my hand. “You wanted to “talk”.”
Well doesn’t that make you a saint? Doing all this out of the kindness of your heart and for what’s likely a small sum of money.
“I’m a doctor,” I say, shaking my head. He used to be very biting and cutting, but now… perhaps the breakup with Yagi-san did something to him. I can see her being a difficult woman.
The woman did pretty well considering, she lasted the longest
She did? I really thought he would have been over her in a week, and that it was her clingy persistence that made it last as long as it did.
He’s lead inside and I follow, to the familiar place where I see Fujita-san, her private rooms.
Oh hello Takani-sensei. You see he’s come? As I said he does come to visit, to check in.
She’s all smiles, her face flushed and eyes taking on that -look-… and I feel my stomach drop. I’ve heard enough to know – either in her angry rants or high-mood… delusions – what this look means. She then proceeds to flirt with Saitou, but he gives her a look I can’t read, but his body language says that he’s not buying it.
I don’t have a full picture of the marriage, and perhaps it’s not my place to speculate… but while he’s not a good man like Kenshin-san, I can see how Fujita-san turned her intellect and cunning on him, and I’ve been the recipient of her cruel jabs in trying to help her.
“Fujita-san, are you going to be alright? I can stay with you, in case you feel unwell.” I look back at her so-called husband.
Fujita-san, are you going to be alright? I can stay with you, in case you feel unwell.
“Oh Takani-sensei. Don’t you see how good today is?” I take Goro’s arm. He wants some alone time and well that means we’ll need not to be disturbed.
“I’ll be fine and you can visit again tomorrow.” I blush a little knowing what the rest of the day entails. I didn’t think he’d come back so soon, after I gave him the conditions about his bastard children and staying away from that home wrecker… he must’ve been starving for me, his -real- wife. But I’ll reward him of course as I’m sure he has been a very good boy and didn’t bed that whore.
I call one of the servants, “Can you please take care of the wonderful doctor? My husband and I need some time alone.”
“Yes ma’am.” Says the girl and so I turn away and lead Goro inside our room. I lock it behind us of course.
(Ooc: Tokio has now sequestered Saitou in the room. The only way to get her out is morinosuke or kurasawa both are not in the house. Or megumi can exit if she wants.)
Oh Takani-sensei. Don’t you see how good today is? I’ll be fine and you can visit again tomorrow
I smile. “Yes, Fujia-san. Please don’t forget to take your medication, though.”
I follow the servant who ushered me out of Fujita-san’s room. “Can I bother you to give me a corner of the kitchen?” I ask.
(OOC – Megumi is in another part of the house)
(After about an hour…)
No amount of my trying to speak to this woman… -Nothing- worked. To get her to understand that it’s time. It’s time we part, that we ARE parted. We will -never- be together again. I almost shout it as I throw open the door and slam it behind me.
Her lips on my neck and the way she hanged on me like some squid. Fitting isn’t it? She was once very much a -squid-, who just wanted it her way. Her tentacles manipulating my every action, using my affection for her to get her way or hang it over my head.
I hurry downstairs and she follows with her scantily clothed body behind me. I didn’t do -that-. She did that on her own. Those words she said, that I must be ravenously craving to bed her. Yearning. Longing even. What demented woman has she devolved to? Is this the work of that -quack- doctor?
At least back then in the wilderness, she’d bat her eyelashes and blush when I kissed her while she waited for me to make my move and then turn away. Now? She goes naked and pulls me into the damn bed.
“Goro!” She shouts but I don’t turn. I told her we’re done and I gave her the proof from the family register office that we are done. She’s Tsutomu’s mother and my Ex-Wife, nothing more.
“You’ll come back! You always do!” She screams it like a spoilt child who didn’t get her way. “You’ll regret this! I swear that whore of yours will too! You selfish man!”
Didn’t I tell her, that this isn’t about Hide – in fact I told her Hide and I had decided to part ways. And this… this is about giving ourselves freedom to move on.
As I leave the house in a hurry I wonder for a minute, what I look like to the neighbors? Do I look like a mangy mutt being chased away but I don’t care about appearances, at least not anymore.
You idiot! At least hold your head high!
Great. I don’t need -him- right now.
(OOC: Saitou exits. Megumi can get whatever info she wants from Tokio. Tokio will tell her all about it, though highly embellished. Like how he wanted to bed her and got her naked. But that after the deed of bedding her, “his wife”, left her and gave her the finalized irrevocable divorce paper. Note Tokio will omit the part of Saitou telling her that Hide and Saitou are separated. You can I guess write in what Megumi found out from Tokio. If I have a objection as to content i’ll let you know – but generally if it follows the preceding post and this ooc comment it should be good. you can close.)