mirune keishiko is another prolific fanfiction author at ff.net . Her inaugural Megumi/Aoshi piece is Mune no Monogatari or, A Tale of the Heart. (melt)

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?

Nothing that the Shrine of Ice & Fire hasn't mentioned yet (^.~), but... Primarily I believe it's the psychological compatibility I can imagine between them. Aoshi and Megumi both emphasize head over heart; even as this poses a challenge for their personal relationships (with virtually anyone, but esp romantic), this is a sort of resonance between them that they don't have with too many other partners. Misao, Sano, Kaoru--they're sort of "heart" people, and I can easily imagine Aoshi just getting amused, at best, with their tendencies toward irrational impetuosity.

Of course, in the challenge lies their opportunity. One of them will have to learn the value of the heart in its own right first; but then s/he will lead the other to discover it for him/herself, and they'll be in a prime position to do so precisely because they well understand each other's way of functioning.

And Aoshi and Megumi both emerge as the "loners" of the Kenshingumi. Even if Aoshi has Misao fantasizing about him, the way she is presented in the series (manga and anime), at least one of them will have to undergo a monumental personality change in order to truly appeal to the other. As for Megumi, obviously Kenshin is already committed to Kaoru. All in all, as they are portrayed by Watsuki-sama, both Megumi and Aoshi appear emotionally unattached to others--and my hopeless-romantic, happily-ever-after side will insist on pairing them, in order to make them both happily settled with spouses and kids and a little dog, too.

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

I'm afraid I haven't seen/read that many other manga/anime series. Or that much other literature, either. ^.^; Off the top of my head, I really can't recall any. But I suppose the "cold, emotionally unavailable guy meets cold, emotionally available girl and they fall in love despite themselves" storyline is fairly common, esp. in romantic movies. (Ick.)

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

Hehe. Just reminded me of a line from "Chungking Express." ^.^ Cool question, by the way!

Aoshi's favorite food? I don't suppose any points would be given for green tea and the accompanying snacks, so... um... I can imagine him craving plain, plump, delicious boiled white rice from time to time. Perhaps oh-so-subtly flavored with something (ah, I know only too little of Japanese cuisine!). Aoshi strikes me as too "focused" to indulge food cravings.

Megumi's... again, if I knew more of Japanese food I'd probably say something else. But I can picture her running out to snack on sweets every once in a while. ^.^

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

"Interesting" for me translated quickly into "challenging" when I wrote, so for Aoshi it would have to be his emotional life--since, strictly speaking, he isn't said to feel any (in the manga, at the beginning). Major, major hurdle for me was how to get him to feel for Megumi (and Misao) when he so studiously steers clear of any un-Okashira-like emotions.

It would be much the same thing for Megumi, but for different characterization reasons. Where Aoshi seems to be unemotional in order to more effectively/rationally lead the Oniwabanshuu, Megumi cuts herself off from people emotionally because she's afraid to get hurt (by being abandoned or rejected) if she gets too attached. So the major challenge for me with her would be to get her plausibly over that fear and be brave enough to face her own growing love for *cough* someone.