Love Again-
A/N: Hello Sano/Megumi fans! I am not a new comer to ff.net, but in this category I am :) I did write a Kenshin/Kaoru fic- and then after finishing the series, I decided I did like them, but Sano/Megumi were just so much more fun! Plus the fact, Sano is a hot bishie! *Drooling* I also had a very nice experience {not THAT kind of experience- sickos ;) innocent fun, I swear!} with a Sano cosplayer at a con- so maybe I'm a little bias but Sano is my third fav bishie in all of anime! Spike (Cowboy bebop) being the reigning champion in my books and then the hot, but twisted Legato (Trigun) coming in second!! But that's enough about me, I'm just a harmless fan girl… I luv being a fan girl!
Anyway- here' my contribution to the Sano/Megumi lovely fics- this one might be a bit angst- but it'll end right! So tell me what you think!
Disclaimer- I own a kawaii Geo Tracker, a bonsai, bamboo plants, an evil fantailed goldfish, several cats, massive collection of anime related dvd, vhs, wall scrolls, figures, etc.., massive school loans, a sick mind, a computer that hates me, lots of books on various stuff… what? No Rurouni Kenshin??? I swore I had that somewhere…. Just give me a minute… *author dives into her messy apartment room*… I guess I don't own that… *sigh*
- Setting: After Episode 95 (ending of the TV anime :) Disregard manga editions and everything else if you've read them :)-
The warmth surrounding him was unfamiliar. Come to think about that everything around him had a foreign feel to it. But aside from that, he had to admit he couldn't remember the last time he had slept so well.
Slowly opening an eye, Zanza, the former gangster and surviving Sekihou Tai member found himself not in his scummy apartment in the rundown section of town. But to his surprise he awoke in a warm, clean room. The sun's morning rays shown through the windows and thin wall aiding to his awaking.
Pushing back the sheets, which would never have been there, had he been at his place, he ran his hands through his spiky brown hair. Noticing the garment he wore was considerably short in the sleeves and other places, everything came back to him.
It was raining while he waited for Megumi, her telling him to take a bath, the indecent innuendos he had made towards her that night, her taking his cloths and setting Dr. Gensai's spare robes out for him.
There was just no way he was going to walk home like that… It would have killed his tough guy reputation, not to mention giving the fox a hell of a laugh…so he stayed the night. And that's where he was now.
Sitting up he saw his pants and bindings neatly folded on the floor next to his futon.
Muttering under his breath that she had even washed his undergarments, he dressed and wrapped his chest like usual.
Slowly making his way out of the doctor's bedroom, and into the main rooms of the house he stretched to wake up his muscles. As he sauntered into the inner rooms, his nose was greeted by the delicious smells of food. Suddenly two weights could be felt clinging to his legs. They were smiling and giggling happily as he entered.
"Hey monkeys- the fox made breakfast?" Sano said with a smile as he looked into the kitchen and saw the one and only Takani Megumi busy preparing the meal. He couldn't help but feel his insides turn when he saw her- heck it happened every time he saw beautiful doctor. It amazed him how she somehow was able to crawl her way into his heart. His mind was a jumble of thoughts and visions as he watched her sculpt the rice into perfect forms. Her dark eyes and soft toned face looked intently on her task at hand.
Even during her time with patients, she was so warm and caring… that was unless he was around. Sano saw the features change when she noticed his presence. He was a little disheartened by this, but put up normal front to not let it show.
"So the rooster finally got up? Tell me if I'm wrong, but aren't roosters suppose to be up at dawn? Because it's nearly midday now."
"Rooster! Rooster!" The two little girls giggled as they ran around Sanosuke and out of the room.
"Sorry fox, I didn't know you would miss me." He replied with a wink and then dodged the object that came flying at his head. "You know you did."
"In your dreams Baka!" She muttered as she put the food on the table. "I've got to be off. Dr. Gensai is already at the clinic." Megumi thought over the request she was about to make. Did she really want to leave the girls in the care of Sanosuke? However, there really was no other option she was needed as soon as possible and it would take time to round the little chatterboxes up. "Ano… Sano do you think you do something for me?"
"Oh- asking for favors now are we? See girls- even the fox can't resist the charm of Sagara Sanosuke." He beamed proudly as the two monkeys ran back into the room.
"Sano-ni charm!" They exclaimed in unison not understanding the hidden meaning behind his words.
"Baka- nothing like that! I just wanted you to bring Ayame-chan and Suzame-chan to the clinic when you are done."
"Don't worry fox- I'll bring them." He smiled and with that Megumi left for the clinic.
-
She had fumed out of the house at his nerve. But as she got further away she couldn't stay mad at the chicken head. Something about the way he shamelessly flirted with her and endured all of her nasty comments made her want him even more. But like she was going to tell him that… if she did he would probably just laugh at her and tell her it was all in good fun. No- she would never let anyone do that to her still mending heart.
What was it about the tall, dark, and utterly handsome Sagara Sanosuke that instantly attracted her? She had to wonder. Aside from the physical attractiveness, he was a hot headed, stubborn, overly proud, uneducated, jobless, a gambling, drinking, ex-gangster that hid his true self from everyone.
Megumi had seen flickers of the real Sanosuke several times. He was strong, yet his bruised hands could be gentle. His eyes could turn from stone to silk in seconds. It was that kind and loving part of Sano that had endeared him on the doctor more than she wanted to let on. Why else would she put up with him if it weren't for the hopes to see the real Sano?
'What am I thinking? The real Sano?' Megumi sighed and continued walking. 'Give it up girl, why would he even really care about you?' She asked herself.
"Ah Megumi!" Came the kind voice of the doctor. Her thoughts about the rooster were pushed aside once again as she started another day of atonement.
It wasn't to long before she heard a loud ruckus coming from the streets.
'Another street fight no doubt.' She thought as she went out to assess her potential new patients. But as she got to the door the sounds didn't seem to be coming from a fight. In fact it was the sound of laughter now.
"Faster! Faster!" She recognized the voice of the doctor's granddaughter Ayame-chan cry.
"You can do it!" The other encouraged.
The laughter of several other children intrigued her and she walked faster wanting to see what was going on. Nothing in her wildest dreams could have prepared her for what she saw next.
There was Sano, in his usual white outfit, with Ayame clinging to his brown hair as she perched on his broad shoulders. Then what had to be about twenty small children clung to his arms and legs. They all seemed to be enjoying the ride. Their laughter filled the streets and passersby all stopped to smile, even Sano himself was smiling as he tried to continue on with the kids hanging on him.
'He would make a great father.' Megumi smiled. But when it registered what she had thought, she frowned. 'What are you saying? This is Sano we're talking about here! He's selfish and irresponsible! He would never be dependable enough to have children.'
"Hang on tight!" Sano warned everyone as he began to spin around.
Becoming dizzy Sano fell on his butt with a thud- taking the kids down with him in one giggling and laughing mass.
"YEAH!"
"AGAIN! AGAIN!" Ayame-chan cried happily as Sano helped her down from her spot.
"Na- I think you kids tired me out for today. Bunch of monkeys." He laughed out loud as he patted her little head.
"I see we found our correct age group." Came a voice behind them.
'The fox.' Sano told himself.
"Hello Fox." He smiled. "Just taking the kiddies for a ride is all. It would do you good to unwind once and a while as well."
Seeing their ride was over, several of the kids began to leave.
"See ya Sano!" The young boys shouted as they left. Sano waved to them as they took off. All the little girls ran off giggling and blushing as the good looking man blew them a kiss.
Standing up he brushed off his newly washed clothes and entered the clinic behind Megumi.
'Why does she make this so hard?' He nearly screamed inside. 'Why of ALL women do you fall for the most difficult… the most beautiful one?'
Shoving his hands in his pockets, Sano continued following the lady doctor.
"Sano I don't have time to have a sparing match with your right now- you have your clothes and we fed you- why don't you just go and do whatever it is you do all day?" Megumi said trying to put up a strong front against the man she desperately wanted.
"I was telling the truth fox. You need a break once and a while… and I was trying to help ya is all…" He said in a slightly dejected tone. "But I'll leave ya alone." Sano added before waving coolly and turning to leave.
'Say something to him!' Megumi's mind screamed. 'He wanted to help and you just scolded him like some nuisance…. But this was Sano- he was a nuisance…' One part of her mind told her. 'Well sometimes a pleasant nuisance, but…' Megumi was confusing herself even more than ever now. Looking up to the door she saw he was already out of sight. Instead of being happy he was finally listening to her, a frown took it's place on her lips the rest of the day.
-
"Damn Fox." Sano grumbled as he kicked a rock down the street. 'I can't be expected to take much more of this… doesn't she realize what she's doing to me?' He wondered to himself as he sauntered over to his second home. 'I suppose I could see what's going on over at the dojo. Seeing Kaoru and Yahiko fight should get my mind off her.'
It had been a long day. Longer than most. The clinic was crowded all day. Megumi and Dr. Gensai had treated everything from a scrapped knee to birthing several children.
Every time Megumi was forced to look at a happy family she would some how think of how things would be if she ever did settle down. To her dismay, every time the thought arose the same person seemed to pop up and pose as her husband… the rooster boy himself. Or was he a man? At times Megumi could hardly tell the difference, while other times his maturity level and insight would astound her.
His statue… definitely that of a man's she smiled a bit at the thought. Even though he was younger than her, he still could command respect with his sheer strength and power. His lean yet firm muscular chest, his long legs and arms…
Shaking the image of Sano out of her head she continued to restock the clinic's shelves for the next days labor.
The doctor had left a while a go in order to put the 'monkeys' to bed. Megumi, like always, had offered to stay and clean up herself. By the time she was done, the night's sky was dark, but the moon and several stars were out adding a little light to the night.
After everything was tidy, she blew out the last candle and backed out of the clinic- shutting the door securely. It was always quiet at this time- and Megumi liked the walk home in the peaceful night.
"Another long day?" Came a voice that startled her. She instantly turned.
"Sano?! You Baka! You scared me half to death!" She said placing her hand on her heart to try and calm it.
"Gomen…" He mumbled as he stood up from where he perched on the steps of the clinic porch.
"What are you doing here?" She instinctively asked as she walked down the steps.
"I told you- you work to hard and you'll just burn out.." He said seriously. "But I came here because I figured you'd like supper after a long days work." Sano added motioning to a basket near his feet.
Megumi didn't know what to think. Here was Sano, being overly nice and offering her supper. Usually it was him coming to her for food.
"So what do you say fox? Join a rooster for lunch?"
"That depends… where did you get it. Put it on your tab at the Akabeko?" She asked, her voice turning a bit meaner than she wanted it to. 'Sano actually cooking or paying for a meal? In my dreams.' She laughed inwardly.
"Na, Kaoru told me to bring some to you- Kenshin cooked tonight." He offered her the small wooden basket. Not knowing what to expect she took it and began walking.
"Hey! Wait up." His deep voice called as he returned to her side and walked with her.
"Sano…" Megumi started. 'I love you…' she said in her mind- but what came out was totally different. "What do you want?" She asked instead as she stopped and looked at him.
Sano was struck silent. "What do I want?" He repeated not knowing what to tell her. His mind and heart screamed for him to just get it over with- to just tell her everything. "I don't understand."
"You usually come around when you're beat up or hungry or when you are wanting money…"
"No- it's nothing like that fox." He started out. 'geez, am I that pathetic? Well I'll have to correct that… with the right motivation of course.' He thought as an evil grin came on his face.
"Then what is it? I'm tired and I want to sleep." Megumi scowled as the waited for his reply.
'Please Sano, not tonight… I can't stand the teasing anymore…' She pleaded inwardly to herself.
"Can't I just walk with you?" Sano asked with the face of a pleading man. It was something you didn't see on his face everyday…
"Why… why would you want to do that?" Megumi's angry disposition seemed to melt at the soft and caring face that she encountered on his face.
"You don't know… do you?" Sano began with a sigh, and looking to his feet. The legendary gangster Zanza, member of the Sekihou Tai, survivor of countless sure death matches, and savior to many was now lacking the courage to say three simple words.
"Sanosuke, what's gong on? What don't I know?" Megumi asked. 'Kami you sound desperate Megumi!' She scolded herself. 'Why Don't you just blush and bat your eyes for him to make fun of you too!'
"Megumi…"
'What? He called me… Megumi? Not fox, or doctor lady…'
"I don't know how to tell you this… I love you Megumi." he finally said.
There was a long silence between the two.
'Finally you said it! But wait… she isn't saying anything…' Sano looked up from his feet to see what her expression was. Maybe he could read something… anything. But no- her face was just plain shocked. She was staring at him with blank eyes.
'What?' She screamed in her mind. 'He… loves…loves me? NO! There's no way he could… you've been nothing but cold to him, you've flirted openly with Sir Ken- never giving him the slightest indication that you were attracted to him… but this is what I wanted… right??? No this is rooster here- this has to be another one of his jokes!' She reasoned out in her mind.
'Tell him you love him also.' her heart cried- but her mind over rode it and went into defense mode- it was Sano after all. He was waiting to hear her say she loved him and then he'd never let her live it down- she'd have her heart ripped out in a second if she did.
"How dare you!" She growled snapping out of her momentary lapse. Sano looked utterly confused.
"Megumi…"
"NO! NO- I don't want to hear it!" She yelled sternly.
Sano had never expected her to be pissed about hearing his confession. He didn't know what to do now. He had hoped she would actually tell him his feelings were mutual… but this just silenced all hope in him.
"Where did this come from rooster? Earlier you hated me and now you want me to give you my heart so you can toy with it?"
"No Megumi- it's not like that." He tried to get in.
"Then what is it like?"
Sagara Sanosuke was desperate. Sinking to his knees before her- he sucked up his stubbornness and pride- she was worth it- he needed to get her to believe him.
"NO Megumi. I love ya- I have since I first saw you. I never hated you- even when I found out you were making the bad opium… I was just confused then. I took off after you because I couldn't stand seeing anyone hurt you.. I've done everything for you- I've taken blades for you- fought mad men so that you would have a peaceful world to live in… I'd give you my life if you asked… it's already yours… please it's been eating me up inside for too long…" He said with all his heart. It sounded corny- hell he would have beaten up anyone who told him that load of bull- but he was sincere and utterly serious.
"alright Sano- tell me this… why do you love me? We haven't had a single conversation without fighting…"
"Why do I love you?" Sano asked. "You would get an easier answer from the sun if you asked it why it shines… I love you for every thing you are. Sure, you can be mean and fightsy. But there's a kindness in you- I've seen it… the night after Saitoh beat me up good- you where there through the night stroking my face… coaxing me back to the living… not only then- but many other times. There is so much to you Megumi. You're beautiful, smart, you've proven to be my equal in many things and yet you're so much more than I could ever hope to be…"
As Sano went on Megumi's heart was screaming. He truly loved her- he had too. Still in defensive mode, her mind did not let or even comprehend the thought that he was serious.
"I love you Megumi." Sano said. He had poured out his soul. Somehow, the words came to him- he knew not how. He had never been a poet or good with words, but even he was impressed with his answer. Mentally he gave himself a pat on the back. 'She can't deny me now…' He thought.
However, Sanosuke's experience with women and relationships was not that extensive or developed.
"That was beautiful, but I'm not falling for it Rooster boy. Baka! You think that you'll get me to admit I have any feeling for you? You're wrong. Just look at you! You drink, you gamble, you curse, you're unemployed, uneducated, the police probably would put you away if it weren't for Sir Ken… How could anyone love that? What could you give to a relationship? Well?"
That hurt… Sano knew his life wasn't perfect- far from it. Nevertheless, having it put like that would make any of his redeeming qualities disappear.
"Megumi." He pleaded in a weak voice that was so unlike him. His body left drained. Maybe he was wrong. Doing the last thing he could think of to prove his seriousness, he stood up and in a quick motion drew her close.
"I love you." He whispered as his lips covered hers. With every ounce of will power, Sano made the kiss one of gentleness. He didn't demand her to react or even participate. She drove him absolutely mad. The way she allowed him to pull her body close to his…
A/N: Hello Sano/Megumi fans! I am not a new comer to ff.net, but in this category I am :) I did write a Kenshin/Kaoru fic- and then after finishing the series, I decided I did like them, but Sano/Megumi were just so much more fun! Plus the fact, Sano is a hot bishie! *Drooling* I also had a very nice experience {not THAT kind of experience- sickos ;) innocent fun, I swear!} with a Sano cosplayer at a con- so maybe I'm a little bias but Sano is my third fav bishie in all of anime! Spike (Cowboy bebop) being the reigning champion in my books and then the hot, but twisted Legato (Trigun) coming in second!! But that's enough about me, I'm just a harmless fan girl… I luv being a fan girl!
Anyway- here' my contribution to the Sano/Megumi lovely fics- this one might be a bit angst- but it'll end right! So tell me what you think!
Disclaimer- I own a kawaii Geo Tracker, a bonsai, bamboo plants, an evil fantailed goldfish, several cats, massive collection of anime related dvd, vhs, wall scrolls, figures, etc.., massive school loans, a sick mind, a computer that hates me, lots of books on various stuff… what? No Rurouni Kenshin??? I swore I had that somewhere…. Just give me a minute… *author dives into her messy apartment room*… I guess I don't own that… *sigh*
- Setting: After Episode 95 (ending of the TV anime :) Disregard manga editions and everything else if you've read them :)-
The warmth surrounding him was unfamiliar. Come to think about that everything around him had a foreign feel to it. But aside from that, he had to admit he couldn't remember the last time he had slept so well.
Slowly opening an eye, Zanza, the former gangster and surviving Sekihou Tai member found himself not in his scummy apartment in the rundown section of town. But to his surprise he awoke in a warm, clean room. The sun's morning rays shown through the windows and thin wall aiding to his awaking.
Pushing back the sheets, which would never have been there, had he been at his place, he ran his hands through his spiky brown hair. Noticing the garment he wore was considerably short in the sleeves and other places, everything came back to him.
It was raining while he waited for Megumi, her telling him to take a bath, the indecent innuendos he had made towards her that night, her taking his cloths and setting Dr. Gensai's spare robes out for him.
There was just no way he was going to walk home like that… It would have killed his tough guy reputation, not to mention giving the fox a hell of a laugh…so he stayed the night. And that's where he was now.
Sitting up he saw his pants and bindings neatly folded on the floor next to his futon.
Muttering under his breath that she had even washed his undergarments, he dressed and wrapped his chest like usual.
Slowly making his way out of the doctor's bedroom, and into the main rooms of the house he stretched to wake up his muscles. As he sauntered into the inner rooms, his nose was greeted by the delicious smells of food. Suddenly two weights could be felt clinging to his legs. They were smiling and giggling happily as he entered.
"Hey monkeys- the fox made breakfast?" Sano said with a smile as he looked into the kitchen and saw the one and only Takani Megumi busy preparing the meal. He couldn't help but feel his insides turn when he saw her- heck it happened every time he saw beautiful doctor. It amazed him how she somehow was able to crawl her way into his heart. His mind was a jumble of thoughts and visions as he watched her sculpt the rice into perfect forms. Her dark eyes and soft toned face looked intently on her task at hand.
Even during her time with patients, she was so warm and caring… that was unless he was around. Sano saw the features change when she noticed his presence. He was a little disheartened by this, but put up normal front to not let it show.
"So the rooster finally got up? Tell me if I'm wrong, but aren't roosters suppose to be up at dawn? Because it's nearly midday now."
"Rooster! Rooster!" The two little girls giggled as they ran around Sanosuke and out of the room.
"Sorry fox, I didn't know you would miss me." He replied with a wink and then dodged the object that came flying at his head. "You know you did."
"In your dreams Baka!" She muttered as she put the food on the table. "I've got to be off. Dr. Gensai is already at the clinic." Megumi thought over the request she was about to make. Did she really want to leave the girls in the care of Sanosuke? However, there really was no other option she was needed as soon as possible and it would take time to round the little chatterboxes up. "Ano… Sano do you think you do something for me?"
"Oh- asking for favors now are we? See girls- even the fox can't resist the charm of Sagara Sanosuke." He beamed proudly as the two monkeys ran back into the room.
"Sano-ni charm!" They exclaimed in unison not understanding the hidden meaning behind his words.
"Baka- nothing like that! I just wanted you to bring Ayame-chan and Suzame-chan to the clinic when you are done."
"Don't worry fox- I'll bring them." He smiled and with that Megumi left for the clinic.
-
She had fumed out of the house at his nerve. But as she got further away she couldn't stay mad at the chicken head. Something about the way he shamelessly flirted with her and endured all of her nasty comments made her want him even more. But like she was going to tell him that… if she did he would probably just laugh at her and tell her it was all in good fun. No- she would never let anyone do that to her still mending heart.
What was it about the tall, dark, and utterly handsome Sagara Sanosuke that instantly attracted her? She had to wonder. Aside from the physical attractiveness, he was a hot headed, stubborn, overly proud, uneducated, jobless, a gambling, drinking, ex-gangster that hid his true self from everyone.
Megumi had seen flickers of the real Sanosuke several times. He was strong, yet his bruised hands could be gentle. His eyes could turn from stone to silk in seconds. It was that kind and loving part of Sano that had endeared him on the doctor more than she wanted to let on. Why else would she put up with him if it weren't for the hopes to see the real Sano?
'What am I thinking? The real Sano?' Megumi sighed and continued walking. 'Give it up girl, why would he even really care about you?' She asked herself.
"Ah Megumi!" Came the kind voice of the doctor. Her thoughts about the rooster were pushed aside once again as she started another day of atonement.
It wasn't to long before she heard a loud ruckus coming from the streets.
'Another street fight no doubt.' She thought as she went out to assess her potential new patients. But as she got to the door the sounds didn't seem to be coming from a fight. In fact it was the sound of laughter now.
"Faster! Faster!" She recognized the voice of the doctor's granddaughter Ayame-chan cry.
"You can do it!" The other encouraged.
The laughter of several other children intrigued her and she walked faster wanting to see what was going on. Nothing in her wildest dreams could have prepared her for what she saw next.
There was Sano, in his usual white outfit, with Ayame clinging to his brown hair as she perched on his broad shoulders. Then what had to be about twenty small children clung to his arms and legs. They all seemed to be enjoying the ride. Their laughter filled the streets and passersby all stopped to smile, even Sano himself was smiling as he tried to continue on with the kids hanging on him.
'He would make a great father.' Megumi smiled. But when it registered what she had thought, she frowned. 'What are you saying? This is Sano we're talking about here! He's selfish and irresponsible! He would never be dependable enough to have children.'
"Hang on tight!" Sano warned everyone as he began to spin around.
Becoming dizzy Sano fell on his butt with a thud- taking the kids down with him in one giggling and laughing mass.
"YEAH!"
"AGAIN! AGAIN!" Ayame-chan cried happily as Sano helped her down from her spot.
"Na- I think you kids tired me out for today. Bunch of monkeys." He laughed out loud as he patted her little head.
"I see we found our correct age group." Came a voice behind them.
'The fox.' Sano told himself.
"Hello Fox." He smiled. "Just taking the kiddies for a ride is all. It would do you good to unwind once and a while as well."
Seeing their ride was over, several of the kids began to leave.
"See ya Sano!" The young boys shouted as they left. Sano waved to them as they took off. All the little girls ran off giggling and blushing as the good looking man blew them a kiss.
Standing up he brushed off his newly washed clothes and entered the clinic behind Megumi.
'Why does she make this so hard?' He nearly screamed inside. 'Why of ALL women do you fall for the most difficult… the most beautiful one?'
Shoving his hands in his pockets, Sano continued following the lady doctor.
"Sano I don't have time to have a sparing match with your right now- you have your clothes and we fed you- why don't you just go and do whatever it is you do all day?" Megumi said trying to put up a strong front against the man she desperately wanted.
"I was telling the truth fox. You need a break once and a while… and I was trying to help ya is all…" He said in a slightly dejected tone. "But I'll leave ya alone." Sano added before waving coolly and turning to leave.
'Say something to him!' Megumi's mind screamed. 'He wanted to help and you just scolded him like some nuisance…. But this was Sano- he was a nuisance…' One part of her mind told her. 'Well sometimes a pleasant nuisance, but…' Megumi was confusing herself even more than ever now. Looking up to the door she saw he was already out of sight. Instead of being happy he was finally listening to her, a frown took it's place on her lips the rest of the day.
-
"Damn Fox." Sano grumbled as he kicked a rock down the street. 'I can't be expected to take much more of this… doesn't she realize what she's doing to me?' He wondered to himself as he sauntered over to his second home. 'I suppose I could see what's going on over at the dojo. Seeing Kaoru and Yahiko fight should get my mind off her.'
It had been a long day. Longer than most. The clinic was crowded all day. Megumi and Dr. Gensai had treated everything from a scrapped knee to birthing several children.
Every time Megumi was forced to look at a happy family she would some how think of how things would be if she ever did settle down. To her dismay, every time the thought arose the same person seemed to pop up and pose as her husband… the rooster boy himself. Or was he a man? At times Megumi could hardly tell the difference, while other times his maturity level and insight would astound her.
His statue… definitely that of a man's she smiled a bit at the thought. Even though he was younger than her, he still could command respect with his sheer strength and power. His lean yet firm muscular chest, his long legs and arms…
Shaking the image of Sano out of her head she continued to restock the clinic's shelves for the next days labor.
The doctor had left a while a go in order to put the 'monkeys' to bed. Megumi, like always, had offered to stay and clean up herself. By the time she was done, the night's sky was dark, but the moon and several stars were out adding a little light to the night.
After everything was tidy, she blew out the last candle and backed out of the clinic- shutting the door securely. It was always quiet at this time- and Megumi liked the walk home in the peaceful night.
"Another long day?" Came a voice that startled her. She instantly turned.
"Sano?! You Baka! You scared me half to death!" She said placing her hand on her heart to try and calm it.
"Gomen…" He mumbled as he stood up from where he perched on the steps of the clinic porch.
"What are you doing here?" She instinctively asked as she walked down the steps.
"I told you- you work to hard and you'll just burn out.." He said seriously. "But I came here because I figured you'd like supper after a long days work." Sano added motioning to a basket near his feet.
Megumi didn't know what to think. Here was Sano, being overly nice and offering her supper. Usually it was him coming to her for food.
"So what do you say fox? Join a rooster for lunch?"
"That depends… where did you get it. Put it on your tab at the Akabeko?" She asked, her voice turning a bit meaner than she wanted it to. 'Sano actually cooking or paying for a meal? In my dreams.' She laughed inwardly.
"Na, Kaoru told me to bring some to you- Kenshin cooked tonight." He offered her the small wooden basket. Not knowing what to expect she took it and began walking.
"Hey! Wait up." His deep voice called as he returned to her side and walked with her.
"Sano…" Megumi started. 'I love you…' she said in her mind- but what came out was totally different. "What do you want?" She asked instead as she stopped and looked at him.
Sano was struck silent. "What do I want?" He repeated not knowing what to tell her. His mind and heart screamed for him to just get it over with- to just tell her everything. "I don't understand."
"You usually come around when you're beat up or hungry or when you are wanting money…"
"No- it's nothing like that fox." He started out. 'geez, am I that pathetic? Well I'll have to correct that… with the right motivation of course.' He thought as an evil grin came on his face.
"Then what is it? I'm tired and I want to sleep." Megumi scowled as the waited for his reply.
'Please Sano, not tonight… I can't stand the teasing anymore…' She pleaded inwardly to herself.
"Can't I just walk with you?" Sano asked with the face of a pleading man. It was something you didn't see on his face everyday…
"Why… why would you want to do that?" Megumi's angry disposition seemed to melt at the soft and caring face that she encountered on his face.
"You don't know… do you?" Sano began with a sigh, and looking to his feet. The legendary gangster Zanza, member of the Sekihou Tai, survivor of countless sure death matches, and savior to many was now lacking the courage to say three simple words.
"Sanosuke, what's gong on? What don't I know?" Megumi asked. 'Kami you sound desperate Megumi!' She scolded herself. 'Why Don't you just blush and bat your eyes for him to make fun of you too!'
"Megumi…"
'What? He called me… Megumi? Not fox, or doctor lady…'
"I don't know how to tell you this… I love you Megumi." he finally said.
There was a long silence between the two.
'Finally you said it! But wait… she isn't saying anything…' Sano looked up from his feet to see what her expression was. Maybe he could read something… anything. But no- her face was just plain shocked. She was staring at him with blank eyes.
'What?' She screamed in her mind. 'He… loves…loves me? NO! There's no way he could… you've been nothing but cold to him, you've flirted openly with Sir Ken- never giving him the slightest indication that you were attracted to him… but this is what I wanted… right??? No this is rooster here- this has to be another one of his jokes!' She reasoned out in her mind.
'Tell him you love him also.' her heart cried- but her mind over rode it and went into defense mode- it was Sano after all. He was waiting to hear her say she loved him and then he'd never let her live it down- she'd have her heart ripped out in a second if she did.
"How dare you!" She growled snapping out of her momentary lapse. Sano looked utterly confused.
"Megumi…"
"NO! NO- I don't want to hear it!" She yelled sternly.
Sano had never expected her to be pissed about hearing his confession. He didn't know what to do now. He had hoped she would actually tell him his feelings were mutual… but this just silenced all hope in him.
"Where did this come from rooster? Earlier you hated me and now you want me to give you my heart so you can toy with it?"
"No Megumi- it's not like that." He tried to get in.
"Then what is it like?"
Sagara Sanosuke was desperate. Sinking to his knees before her- he sucked up his stubbornness and pride- she was worth it- he needed to get her to believe him.
"NO Megumi. I love ya- I have since I first saw you. I never hated you- even when I found out you were making the bad opium… I was just confused then. I took off after you because I couldn't stand seeing anyone hurt you.. I've done everything for you- I've taken blades for you- fought mad men so that you would have a peaceful world to live in… I'd give you my life if you asked… it's already yours… please it's been eating me up inside for too long…" He said with all his heart. It sounded corny- hell he would have beaten up anyone who told him that load of bull- but he was sincere and utterly serious.
"alright Sano- tell me this… why do you love me? We haven't had a single conversation without fighting…"
"Why do I love you?" Sano asked. "You would get an easier answer from the sun if you asked it why it shines… I love you for every thing you are. Sure, you can be mean and fightsy. But there's a kindness in you- I've seen it… the night after Saitoh beat me up good- you where there through the night stroking my face… coaxing me back to the living… not only then- but many other times. There is so much to you Megumi. You're beautiful, smart, you've proven to be my equal in many things and yet you're so much more than I could ever hope to be…"
As Sano went on Megumi's heart was screaming. He truly loved her- he had too. Still in defensive mode, her mind did not let or even comprehend the thought that he was serious.
"I love you Megumi." Sano said. He had poured out his soul. Somehow, the words came to him- he knew not how. He had never been a poet or good with words, but even he was impressed with his answer. Mentally he gave himself a pat on the back. 'She can't deny me now…' He thought.
However, Sanosuke's experience with women and relationships was not that extensive or developed.
"That was beautiful, but I'm not falling for it Rooster boy. Baka! You think that you'll get me to admit I have any feeling for you? You're wrong. Just look at you! You drink, you gamble, you curse, you're unemployed, uneducated, the police probably would put you away if it weren't for Sir Ken… How could anyone love that? What could you give to a relationship? Well?"
That hurt… Sano knew his life wasn't perfect- far from it. Nevertheless, having it put like that would make any of his redeeming qualities disappear.
"Megumi." He pleaded in a weak voice that was so unlike him. His body left drained. Maybe he was wrong. Doing the last thing he could think of to prove his seriousness, he stood up and in a quick motion drew her close.
"I love you." He whispered as his lips covered hers. With every ounce of will power, Sano made the kiss one of gentleness. He didn't demand her to react or even participate. She drove him absolutely mad. The way she allowed him to pull her body close to his…