Author's Notes:

I know. I owe all of you a lot with 4 major stories still unfinished. But I think I need a break. After all, I just had my final exams. A big WHEW!!! But no fear, I'll get to the other stories eventually. Just need to write something fresh. Oh yeah, this is definitely going to be a short fic. About three chapters long so I'll be finished with it by next week. Wahoo!!! I'll get one fic done. At long last!

S t a y F o r e v e r

By: g3ozLizh

Megumi found herself staring at the piece of paper once more. Of how many times she had unfolded it and reread it, she cannot be sure.

Somehow, she just couldn't believe what was written there in pure black and white.

A letter? After all these years? Her brow furrowed, not knowing what to think.

Megumi couldn't decide if she should be ecstatic, overwhelmed with joy or just plain be indifferent about it. Years she had spent waiting for him to write to her, let her know he's still alive and breathing, where he currently is --- anything! But none came. Eventually, she got over it and accepted the fact that probably, wherever he is, he's happy and contented. Too busy to even bother writing a letter to just about the woman who mended his hand, cured his wounds, tolerated his sarcasm and endless wisecracks and comebacks and gave her very heart to him.

Megumi suddenly gave a short laugh as a memory surfaced its way to the plane of her troubled mind. There came a time that he really did write a letter but it wasn't addressed to her. So much for all that excitement. She can still remember the way the others were trying to act as if nothing was wrong when all along, she knew that they knew she was feeling bad.

That's the only thing she let the others on. Deep down inside, beneath her tough and carefree exterior and sharp tongue, was the hurt and sadness that the letter confirmed. Yes, for the months that he didn't write anything, she kept denying that she's not that hurt. Not that lonely. Not that heartbroken. No. Why, that was just a mere fling with him!

Riiight, and she bet that the tears and emptiness she felt every night were all a figment of her imagination too. If they were all part of her imagination, why then does it hurt so much?

Reality is indeed harsh.

Turning her thoughts back to the Kenshin-gumi, she is thankful that they respect her need for privacy. They always knew when to intervene or not with her personal problems. It was obvious from the start that he and Megumi wanted their relationship to be kept a secret. If they just let it out in the open, reality would intrude and that would mean the end of their magical moments together.

Of course yes. They did talk about bursting the bubble they were in. Heaven knows they couldn't forever live in a secret, in a fantasy. So a came time when they decided to let it out in the open. Gradually, they let other people know about them… about their love for each other. That's why it came as a shock to Megumi when Sano confronted her about his plans to leave. To travel around the world.

She believes that each and everyone have dreams. And that she believes in true love. That's why she let him go. Hell yes. She would have traveled with him. Too bad he just boarded a train out of the blue. By the time she knew, he was gone.

And now that she's going on with life quite nicely without him in the picture, he goes and sends a letter, stating that he's coming home. Tomorrow. But that's not the thing that bothered really her, that aggravated her senses, made her restless through the night.

Just before ending his letter, he had mentioned that he wanted to see her. Only her.

Which would only mean one thing.

And that is what she can't face right now. Not in the same lifetime.

Not when forever is not enough.

Frustrated, Megumi abruptly stood up from the chair, overturning it. It made a loud thack against the hard wooden floor but she barely noticed. Her thoughts were miles away: back in time, here and now, and with what's to happen.

She walked hastily across the clinic and went outside the door, telling Dr. Genzei quietly on the way that she'll just be in the garden picking fresh herbs if he needs anything.

Worried lines added to the crease on the forehead of the fatherly figure as he watched Megumi's retreating back. Glancing from where she sat just now, he noticed a piece of paper on the floor. In Megumi's haste, she must have dropped it so Dr. Genzei went over and picked it up. He had no intention of meddling with Megumi's personal belongings but he just can't let it pass, not when it distraught her so much. So he was lucky enough to catch from the corner of his eyes the handwriting on the paper. His breath caught in his throat yet it was no surprise. Only one person could have this much effect on Megumi's normally stable emotions based on what happened years ago.

Sanosuke Sagara.

=====

Just as Megumi was about to enter the garden, a voice calling her made her stop to turn around.

Kaoru's cheeks were flushed by the time she reached Megumi.

Having such a big contrast to her mood, Megumi then can identify it as a flush from happiness, not from out of breath.

Kaoru shrieked. "You won't believe what happened last night!"

Despite her not so high spirits, Megumi managed to smile half-heartedly and ask, "Why? What about your date?"

A dreamy expression then quickly replaced the excitement in her face. She hugged her shoulders, heaved a big blissful sigh along with a rosy blush and said, "You won't believe me if I tell you. I can't believe it myself."

Megumi was starting to get irritated. She's really not in the mood for guessing games. So she tried to keep the annoyance from her tone as she inquired once more, "What is it?"

Kaoru twirled once and spoke, "Okay, so brace yourself," she paused for dramatic effect. "I nearly flew out of the roof when he said this." She chuckled. "Of course I kept my cool." She paused and exhaled. "Kenshin just proposed to me."

Megumi's mouth fell open but not before she caught herself.

Okay. She was thinking that Kenshin had kissed her or something like that --- but not something as immense and serious as this.

Now she knows that she should be happy, she really is. It's just that, the news was like lime to her open wound… to her newly opened wound. Here's her closest friend, getting married. It's so hard to feel so happy all of a sudden when you yourself are feeling depressed and confused in that very moment.

For her friend's sake, Megumi threw in the best surprised and joyful look as her current emotional state could muster. "That's great, Kaoru. I'm so happy for you." She gave Kaoru a sisterly hug with a pat on her back. Then she pulled away all the while holding her hands with hers. "I knew you two were meant to be together."

"Thanks, Megumi-san."

Kaoru's expression then shifted from that of a vivacious one to a concerned look. "Megumi, are you all right?" She gently pulled away from Megumi's loose grip and placed her hand on her friend's shoulder.

She must have noticed the tears in my eyes. With a delicate wipe of her finger, she brushed a tear away. "Oh this. I'm just so overwhelmed by the news." She tried to stretch her luck a bit. Maybe then she'll believe my acting. I don't want to dampen her spirits with my problems.

But Kaoru wasn't fooled. "Haha. Funny, Megumi but I know you too well."

Megumi got the feeling that the world suddenly turned upside down and it was now Kaoru acting like the older sister, not the other way around.

Kaoru arched an eyebrow and rested a hand on her hip, prompting her to spill whatever it is that's upsetting her out. "Well, wouldn't you like a shoulder to cry on? I know that both my shoulders are aching from my exhausting practice with Yahiko this morning." She leaned forward as if she got a top-secret to tell and whispered, "I need an outlet from all my saved energy last night. I thought Kenshin and I would --- " Kaoru blushed furiously, indicating that she just poured out what she wasn't suppose to tell.

Megumi couldn't help but laugh a bit.

"Boy, love can really put you up in sheer heaven and cloud your mind." Kaoru laughed alongside her sheepishly to hide her embarrassment. "So what's this sudden change of mood all about? Don't tell me you're jealous that Kenshin's marrying me not you…"

Megumi had on this incredulous look on her face. She began to protest but Kaoru interrupted her.

Kaoru turned serious, "I was just kidding. God." She added in a more soothing voice, "Now I know that something's really got you worried."

"Umm… Kaoru, I think I need to go --- "

Kaoru held up her forefinger and swayed it right to left. "Uh-uh-uh. You're not getting away that easily." She looked over Megumi's shoulder to the garden. "C'mon," she dragged her by the arm, steering her towards the garden. "I think we can talk more freely here. "

Kaoru can really be stubborn if she wants to be. With a shake of her head, Megumi let herself be lead, not really having the strength to refuse. It just might help lessen this burden I feel inside.

=====

In the mean time, a tall man walked up the familiar steps of Kyoto with one thought in mind: head straight up to the clinic and surprise a certain foxy lady.

Author's Notes:

Please review. It would really mean a lot to me. *sniff, sniff* Thanks! More action in the next chapter. I'll be working on it tomorrow.