Forgiveness

Sanosuke watched as Megumi bandaged the cuts on Kenshin's chest, uneasily aware that he was next. It wasn't that he didn't trust her as a doctor, or even that he was reluctant to undergo a painful treatment. His misgivings stemmed from the fact that he was so ashamed-first he had blamed her for his friend Yoita's death, not caring that she had been forced to make the opium that killed him, and then he had shouted at her and made her cry at Kanryuu's estate.

He unwrapped his hand and flexed it experimentally, wincing at the pain and noting glumly that he had started the bleeding again. No, this needed to be taken care of if it was going to heal properly and Megumi would probably be even more upset if he refused to let her help him. He sighed.

The young woman looked over at him. "It won't be much longer, Sanosuke."

"That's all right-take your time. Please." Sano tried to sound unconcerned.

"There, Sir Ken." Megumi tied a last knot and smiled at the redheaded swordsman. "How does that feel?"

Kenshin moved his arms and twisted from side to side. "Much better. Thank you, Miss Megumi."

He smiled encouragingly at Sanosuke as he left and Megumi turned to the young man. "Ready?"

Sano hesitated. "It's really not too bad."

Megumi's eyes fell. "If you don't want me to treat you…."

He said hastily, "It's not that. It's just…." He cast about wildly for something to say and finished lamely, "Is it going to hurt much?"

The young woman's eyes widened. She had seen Sanosuke beaten down until he could barely stand and he had cut himself grabbing her knife with his bare hand to prevent her from stabbing herself. What was really bothering him? "I'll try not to hurt you," she said gently. "Please let me see your hand."

He extended it slowly, trying not to flinch as her fingers explored the wound. Her eyes filled with tears at the ugly gash across his palm and she rapidly blinked them away. "It's not too bad, but you're definitely going to need to take it easy for a while. I'll put something on it to speed the healing and help with the pain, but you have to keep it dry." She used some ointment that felt very cool and soothing and Sanosuke sighed with relief as she began to wrap up his hand.

"That's some pretty good medicine."

"Thank you." Megumi kept her head bent. "I need to change the dressings every day for the next few days-can you come see me tomorrow?"

"All right." Sanosuke watched as she finished the bandage, then said hesitantly, "I hope you can forgive me."

Megumi looked startled. "Me-forgive you? What do I have to forgive you for?"

"I'm sorry for blaming you about my friend-I know you had no choice about the opium. And I didn't mean to shout at you in the tower." His voice dropped. "I was just so scared when I saw what you tried to do."

The young woman looked down, a lump in her throat, and Sano took the opportunity to gaze at her. What a beauty she was-ivory skin, a mass of silky raven hair scented with jasmine, and those eyes….huge dark eyes a man could drown in….

Megumi looked up and he dropped his own eyes. "Sanosuke, I'm the one who is sorry-for your friend and for this." She touched his hand lightly and he stirred, the pain from the cut vying with a new one in his heart.

He strove for a light tone. "I forgive you, but if you really want to make it up to me, why don't you fix dinner? Otherwise we'll have to eat Karou's cooking, and I think you've been punished enough."

Sanosuke grinned at Megumi, his eyes so full of mischief that she was caught off guard and giggled. She was surprised for a moment-there had been so much sadness in her life that she had never thought she would laugh again, but there was something about this young man that lightened her heart.