Question and Answer: Trupana

Trupana is one of the most loyal fans of the pairing as any fanfiction writer knows from her reviews which cheerlead the pairing. In addition, she has a number of stories featuring this pairing at fanfiction.net . Tru also plans to set up a sister shrine in the near future. Please stalk, er... visit that site and encourage her to hurry it up. :-p

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? Brief Questionaire (4 questions, 100% pain free)

Super short answer: Because, they just should.

Short answer: Because they fit so well together.

Medium answer: Because they fit so well together, and they’re both beautiful and gorgeous, to boot. [Think of the children! ^_^]

Long answer: [Break out the essay!]

They look great together. Even Watsuki-san thought so!

But in all seriousness, their personalities, temperament, situations, AND their looks fit together so well, it's a crime that other people haven't considered this couple.

On the surface, Aoshi is ice: firm, cold, dangerous, steady and steadfast. On the surface, Megumi is fire: passionate, open, playful, dedicated, and fervently devoted to those she loves and believes in. You know what they say about opposites attracting...but it's not just that. Both have a bit of the opposite in each other.

Aoshi, too, is passionately devoted to those things that he believes in, ie. his chase after Battousai and the title of the "strongest" (an extreme and not necessarily flattering example, but true nonetheless), his dedication in biding time for Kenshin by fighting a losing fight against Shishio while Kenshin was KO'd, his persistence in dishing out justice during Jinchuu (a matter which really did not concern him or the Oniwabanshuu in any way). He is also dedicated to those he cares about: the Oniwabanshuu, his men, Misao (in a paternal, brotherly way...), and his duty.

And Megumi, despite her openness and candor, has something of ice in her personality too; she’s strong, dedicated, detached, steady and courageous when she needs to be, keeping her calm even in difficult situations. She also contains a lot of her sorrow, sadness, and loneliness inside, and hides her feelings behind her "kitsune" mask; another aspect of ice in her personality. She's been through a lot, and yet she never really opens up to anyone about all that she's been through. To the Kenshin-gumi, yes, a little. But she keeps a part of herself locked up, and we never really know all that happened during her years with Kanryuu, during and after the Aizu war, during her attempts to escape. Even a lot of her real feelings are hidden during the manga, tempered by the quiet "ice" in her personality. The ice also keeps her dedicated, steady, and serene even during times of great distress. And just as fire and ice temper each other, Megumi will help Aoshi to discover depth of his feelings, and Aoshi will help her deal with her past and bring out the steel strength that’s so often hidden inside her.

As to temperament, the recent Viz edition translated Watsuki-san’s “Megumi and Aoshi” blurb as “Megumi and Aoshi fit each other intellectually.” There you go. Straight from the author’s (translated) mouth. And they do. They are both mature adults who, unlike Yahiko, Misao, and even Kaoru to an extent, have gone through the hardships and sorrows of war, and been left with the painful aftermaths, with no one to shield them or care for them. They’ve both suffered, and they’ve both found redemption, and they’re both on the road to complete redemption. At the same time, they are both struggling with their newfound redemption and the repercussions of their actions, both in different ways. Not only can they learn from each other, they have enough world experience, intelligence, and maturity that they can understand each other, through words as well as actions. They can see the things that other people just can’t see.

There are some things that other people just cannot understand unless they’ve experienced it. One can explain it, and talk about it, but others will never truly understand. They might feel pity or compassion, but their compassion is not soothing or cathartic. This is the situation Megumi and Aoshi find themselves in: both traumatized by the war and tortured by their years under Kanryuu, with no one who will understand the extent of their injuries. And despite what some shippers might think, the only ones who can truly understand and help them is themselves. They are the only ones privy to the knowledge, pain, and torture of their time with Kanryuu. Thus, they are the only ones who can truly restore the other and to bring about catharsis and closure. This is why A/Meg shippers love to depict their time at Kanryuu’s and their ability to heal each other. Memories and images last forever, and no amount of cheerful naiveté or brash manliness can dispel the pain of these memories. Only when two people, who were under the same circumstances, come together to overcome this pain, can these painful memories cease to torture.

As well, Megumi and Aoshi are both on the path to redemption. Both are looking for different ways to pay for their past sins: Megumi, through medicine; Aoshi, through meditation and bringing justice. They are at different areas on the road, but they can help each other out with the truths that they’ve found their own ways. Personally, I believe they are at a crossroads; both are denying themselves happiness because they believe it is a way to pay for their crime. What better way to dispel the notion than for them to be each other’s happiness?

And in the end, it’s all about the looks. Okay, I’m kidding, but hey. As Hitomi likes to say, they look “damn good” together. And if we as a species are supposed to improve our progeny (natural selection, people!), what better way to do it than to put two beautiful, intelligent, cream-of-the-crop people together? Think of the children! The children!

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

As I’m on an Inuyasha craze a la moment, Kagura and Sesshoumaru are similar to the Aoshi/Megumi pairing. Kagura’s full of fire, and Sesshoumaru’s full of ice. They’ve got similar problems, personalities, etc. with Meg and Aoshi. In fact, Sesshoumaru’s similarity to Aoshi was what interested me in him. But of course, no one could ever be as wonderful as Ol’ Blue Eyes…^_^

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

Aoshi is known as Iceman for certain reasons...I'm guessing popsicles? But besides the no imagination snack of "tea", which really isn't a snack, I'm thinking ohagi. I mean, who makes ohagi better than Megumi? And what would go better with Aoshi-sama's tea then Megumi...with a plate of ohagi? ^^;;

Megumi…ah. Sweet tooth, I’m guessing. Those Japanese red bean cakes are really good, so I’ll just say that. Mmm.

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

I think I’ve already addressed that in number 1, and I really could never choose. All of their characteristics are interesting and complex things that intrigue all A/Meg writers.