Question and Answer: Amberle-chan

Amberle-chan actually was happily writing a kaoru/aoshi fic when the fans got ahold of her and steered her in another direction. She's now authored a one-shot and is working on a multipart Megs/Aoshi fic "White Rose, Black Rose" over at ff.net. As it is in progress, please go shower her with lots of reviews :-)

1. First off, let's get this monkey out of the way, why Aoshi and Megumi? In other words, what makes them work, in your eyes?

Well, first off, I never could picture Misao and Aoshi together, basically because Misao is much too young and immature for Aoshi. Even Kenshin notices it in the anime (episodes 51 or 52?), when he states that Misao needs Aoshi's "guidance", as if she needs a surrogate parent. Megumi is much more of a match for Aoshi because of her maturity and intelligence. They also have a shared history and some similar experiences with having lost their loved ones, and they have both learned from their experiences of how to move on with their lives, even if it wasn't necessarily in a positive manner (Aoshi going to off to meditate alone, Megumi going to Aizu alone). This is the real reason I think they need each other and should be together. I think they help each other both see that they need to have balance in their lives instead of being alone. They balance each other.

2. Are there pairings or stories out there that reminds you of the relationship between Aoshi and Meg?

I agree with Chisaiilammy that Aoshi and Megumi do remind of me of Elizabeth and Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice." However, they also remind of Arithon and Elaira in Janny Wurtz's "Wars of Light and Shadow" series. Arithon is dark and brooding (although he's a bit more talkative than Aoshi) and Elaira is a healer. Arithon is very protective of Elaira when they are together (which is rare), but it is very obvious they love each other.

3. Do you think that Aoshi likes pineapples? Er rather, what do you think Aoshi's favorite food is? Heck, if you feel like it, attach a favorite meal/snack for any and all RK characters! Use your imagination. (no points for people who already have favorite foods--ie Beef Hot Pot or Soba) :D

Well, I actually believe that there's a reason that Aoshi's coat has such deep pockets. It's so he can hide his secret addiction: Pez candy. He's got the Pez candy dispensers hidden in those pockets, each one holding a different flavored Pez (cherry, orange, and grape, but no lemon). And there's an extra special dispenser to hold the peppermint flavored Pez (yes, he knows where to find peppermint Pez, he is an onmitsu, after all) so he can be ready for all those special dates with a certain foxy doctor...

4. What is the most interesting or complex thing about Aoshi and Megumi's characteristics?

I really like the fact that they both have questionable pasts, but both were able to move past their dark history and become better people, the good people they both actually are in their hearts. It shows how human they are.

I also love the conversations that all the fanfic writers have written between them. They're fun and intelligent. I especially love it when Aoshi surprises Megumi with his sense of humor. So many people think he has doesn't have a sense of humor. He does, but he keeps it well hidden.