MiJ is by far one of the most loyal Megumi/Aoshi readers and reviewers out there. She probably has beta-ed at least half of the fics that end up on ff.net. MiJ, aside from being a loyal reviewer and appreciateur of what we like to think of as great fanfic, is a great artist. See her painting over in the fanarts section and then go beg her for more. :)

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?

Let me think of what (hopefully) hasn't been mentioned in past discussions...hmm.

The first time I saw the series eons ago, the tower scene made me wonder if they didn't have a
relationship prior to that point, and that started my fascination with the pairing. For me, it has always
been Aoshi-Megumi.

The most important and obvious (to me anyway) thing they have is quite simple, really: chemistry. Even if we get all-too-brief glimpses of it in the series.

I just felt that in the beginning, there was already familiarity between them in spite of the fact that
obviously, they're (at first) not exactly friends.

And it's nice to see/imagine that one can cause a reaction in the other the way their respective
"partners" (i.e. Misao and Sano) can't, as shown in the Jinchuu arc.

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

There are quite a few similar pairings, found mostly in film and books.
1. In the Mood for Love (dir. Wong Kar Wai)
2. Hero (dir. Zhang Yimou)
3. Daughter of the Forest (author Juliet Marillier)
4. Tregaron's Daughter (Madeline Brent)

Although actually I see a lot of Aoshi "types" in film and lit...and other anime, of course.

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

Odd question, this. ;p I imagine Aoshi would not be averse to natto (ick). Fave food would be something classic like oden, or a miso ramen. Dessert would be azuki (red bean) mochi.

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

That Aoshi is surprisingly intuitive for a man, and yet he's also quite dense sometimes, i.e. he's the
sort who wouldn't realize that a particular woman likes him.

That Megumi also has a contradictory nature; she has her moments when she loses her poise (which can be very funny, except to her of course).

That said, nothing is what it seems with those two. It's easy enough to imagine that underneath their calm natures (Aoshi especially) they can be very passionate.

Finally, let me add a silly email forward I once received about colors and sex. Megumi and Aoshi would definitely fit the color blue:

"Lovers of blue are wonderful sex partners. They are sinners, affectionate and sensitive to their partner's needs. They consider lovemaking a fine art and their approach is elegant. Men who love blue are like concert pianists, delicately ravaging their partner like they would play a baby grand. Women in the blue category enjoy sex to the fullest. They are exciting partners but their passion may be compared to a tidal wave rather than firery [sic] aggression. Both women and men enjoy foreplay and the aftermath of lovemaking, as much as the sex act itself. In marriage a blue person is a wonderful mate, never seeking outside interests."

Heh!