Standard disclaimers apply.
A/N: Here's another addition to the Sanosuke/Megumi fanfiction section! I do agree with what some of you said in your reviews – this lovely couple is gradually being forgotten, and personally, I think it is such a shame. We all know how cute they are, and how their contrasting attitudes and images create the perfect platforms for our muses to go creative on.
So here's another contribution by MissTeak. I just want to do more for this lovely pairing, and also, for all fellow fans. It will be totally different in terms of content and writing style from what I have been doing for this pairing, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. While it might appear to be a typical police story, the problem is, MissTeak is not too good with police action or whatsoever. It will be more of how Sanosuke entering Megumi's life by chance, hating each other initially, slowly discovering more to each other, him helping her face her phobia, and eventually, developing feelings. Please read and review!
Phobia
First Night
No…no…
Please.
Don't come near me.
No…
Her entire being was shaking uncontrollably, her lower lip visibly trembling as she desperately tried to wrap her hands around herself as tightly as possible.
I said, "Don't come near me."…didn't you hear?
No! Go away…
Eyes widened as she stared fearfully into nothingness ahead, her fingers making deep red welts on the pale skin of her slender arms as she clawed at herself for imaginary comfort. Her hands rubbed up and down her arms rapidly, as if dispelling the bouts of chills she was feeling.
"What do you want? I promise…I won't breathe a word! What do you-"
The white lights were adding to her stress…she had seen a flash of white light too, before he…
No…please…
She could sense someone closing in on her, coming from behind. Forcing her body still, her teeth chattered involuntarily as she looked out of the corner of her eye.
A drop of sweat rolled into her eye. It stung.
A masculine hand…it was right by her shoulder. It was coming so close, so close…
Don't touch me…no!
"Don't touch me!" She shrieked, trying her best to shove the hand away, beating wildly in that direction without a clear target in mind. Her mind was a blank except for fear, sheer, numbing fear and the only thing driving her on was instinct.
Just go away…
She whimpered pitifully, feeling hot tears course down her cheeks even though there wasn't the familiar stinging at the base of her nose. The tears were not evoked by sadness; they were evoked by pure fear. They kept falling, as she continued to struggle wildly.
The hand was coming closer…and closer.
No…please…
She closed her eyes.
Go away!
"Calm down!" A thunderous voice sliced through the dense fog of fear in her mind like a hot knife through butter. Two strong hands gripped her by the shoulder forcefully to the point of almost hurting.
"I said, don't touch me!" Screaming, she struggled and thrashed against the hold immediately, and the grip faltered as if shocked at her retaliation, before gripping her with renewed strength.
Then came a hard shake that rocked her body like a boat tossed around in choppy waves.
She screamed at the top of her lungs.
Another forceful shake.
"I said, calm down! If you do not calm down this instant, there's no friggin' way we can help you!"
She stilled, her overworked body falling limp like a ragdoll. She lurched forward but those hands held her up. She felt like a scarecrow, standing only because of the pole.
Tearful eyes flew open to meet a steely chocolate gaze. It was a reassuring yet serious gaze. Her tears kept falling as if they had a mind of their own, blurring the face in her vision. Her ruby lips were parted, drawing deeps mouthfuls of much-needed air as the blood pounded in all her vessels, her heart feeling as if it might burst from the emotional exertion.
Her eyes looked upwards, downwards and took in the face of the person in front of her. She tried to make out those features. It was not her attacker. It was a stranger.
She forgot she was safe. The worst was over, though the ghost of it was clearly still haunting her.
She was safe.
Safe.
Fatigue and relief washed over her like a tidal wave, and it left her weak and vulnerable. She no longer had to hold up the strong front to fight the imaginary threat.
"Listen to me-" The masculine voice came again, and this time round it was not as thunderous or scary like it had been earlier. But whoever was speaking never got to finish his sentence, for she had wrapped her arms around his torso and pressed her shaking body to the larger frame.
She tightened her hold, seeking comfort in the reassuring presence. She relaxed when she felt his arms wrap around her, holding her closer as if dispelling the fear.
A few moments went by, and she had calmed down reasonably, he loosened his hold on her and released her from his embrace.
She felt empty with the loss of warmth, and her hands clenched into tight fists.
A paper cup was then lifted to her lips, and the warm hand returned, nudging her lower lip with a callused thumb to coax her to drink.
"Here, drink this."
A sip was all she took, but it made her feel so much better. Her parched throat, dry and painful from fear and screaming, was relieved of the discomfort. Reaching for the paper cup with her own hands, she downed the rest of the warm water thirstily.
She replaced the cup on the wooden table in front of her and drew the back of her hand across her lips to dry them. Her heart was no longer beating so erratically.
"Feeling better?"
She drew another breath, glad that it was no longer shaky, and nodded. She was in an office, and it did not take her long to realize it was a police department office.
"More water, please." She said almost inaudibly.
"Get her another cup."
"Yes, sir!"
She nodded her thanks, slowly raising her eyes to look at the man by her side.
"Dr. Takani Megumi." He acknowledged. "I am senior inspector Sagara Sanosuke of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. I am in charge of the team investigating the death of neurology professor Kobayashi which as you already know, took place yesterday at the parking lot of your apartment building."
Megumi nodded, trying to force the gradually materializing images of how professor Kobayashi was murdered, out of her head. But her efforts were futile; she could still see in her mind's eye how the man, shrouded in the shadows, stabbed the professor over and over again.
"The suspect murderer is still on the loose, and I promise that what happened earlier this evening will not happen ever again. Having witnessed Dr. Kobayashi's murder, you're the key witness in this case. In order to ensure your safety until the murderer is apprehended, we'll be placing you under 24-hour surveillance, which involves-"
"24 hours? I don't need that…"
Sanosuke slammed his fist onto the wooden table, eliciting a small cry of surprise and making her jump. Megumi glared at him, bewildered and angry at his outburst. If she had still been a little dazed earlier, his reaction sure woke her up.
What was his problem?
"I made a statement, not a question." He said in a rather cocky manner which irked Megumi, sending words like "arrogant asshole" flashing through her mind. "Is that clear?"
"I am a witness, not a suspect. You don't have to be so-"
"I asked if my instructions were clear." Sanosuke repeated himself, looking at Megumi directly in the eyes, trying to stare her down. "You, , are not in the position to question the way we operate. It is a decision made in your best interests, and trust me, you'll be thanking me for it when the case comes to an end."
She knew better than to argue with this guy. Sure, he was young and good-looking, very much so, but at the same time; he appeared to be a rude, hot-headed brute.
"Very well…" She said grudgingly, flashing him a dirty look. "What's going to happen then?"
He smirked as if to say 'That's much better' and continued talking. "We'll be listening in on your phone conversations just in case he calls, and we'll also be stationed around your apartment building, your workplace and also, your apartment to prevent any possible attacks."
"You think whoever it is would strike again?"
"Foxy lady, hasn't he already tried to attack you an hour ago?" Sanosuke asked, making Megumi feel stupid. He moved his face close to hers, till she could feel his breath fanning across her skin lightly. She smelled coffee. "He will attack again and again. You are the key witness to the murder, the only one, and if there's anyone to testify against the murderer, it's you."
She shuddered out of genuine fear at the prospect of being attacked by that masked man again. She had not expected it, and to think it might happen again…
"He will do anything to get you out of the picture, and from how viciously he attacked Dr. Kobayashi, I'd say, you're in a great deal of danger. So what you have to do is to just accept the protection from the police, and stay alive."
The cocky rooster head has a point…firstly, the anonymous, crazed stalker…and now, another anonymous, crazed murderer. Megumi honestly did not know what to make of her own life.
Sanosuke must have seen Megumi start looking down the row of police officers, as if trying to identify whoever's sharing her apartment, for he said, "You don't have to look too far; it's yours truly. You should try getting used to this face soon," He pointed at his own face with an index finger. "Because I will be with you 24/7. In fact, I will be moving into your apartment with the necessary technological equipment tonight."
"What?" Megumi spluttered, sitting straight up in her seat.
He placed a palm on her head, making her calm down instantly with his reassuring yet condescending gesture. "Wait here for me; I won't be long."
She nodded dumbly, still unable to believe the absurdity of the entire situation. His boyish good looks were free of the earlier seriousness when he was talking about the case, and he gave her a wink which made him look extremely attractive in that instant.
"I hope you're a good cook!" With that, he sauntered off with a clipboard in hand, while two of the uniformed policewomen in the office smiled excitedly at each other and gushed at his retreating back.
Megumi rolled her eyes. Honestly, this guy was ranking lower with every moment on her human-rating list. Initially, he was at the 'nice guy' rank when he offered her the drink and the hug, then he went down a rank to become 'hot-headed brute', then 'arrogant asshole' and now, 'flirt'.
And it did not help that he was going to her place to be with her all the time.
"Dr. Takani, there's no need to worry at all," One of the junior inspectors with Sanosuke's team told her. "With SIP Sagara around, you will be safe. Very, very safe indeed."
She nodded in acknowledgement of the statement.
Well, I hope you're right. Safe…yeah, She thought. Only if he doesn't kill me with exasperation first.
To be continued…
A/N: How did you guys like the first chapter? Reviews and feedback will be highly welcomed, and they will help fuel the updating process!