Chapter 1

I do not own any characters from the anime/manga Rurouni Kenshin. They are only owned by the creator, and as such I will claim no own what so ever to them. I feel that, that belittles the author, as I have no drawing ability what so ever. I do however own any other characters in this story and please ask, before, if you want to use them. I don't normally do crossovers so…. I highly doubt you'll see any other characters you recognize.

I know some of the stuff I wrote sounds like niceness, that you could have heard a lot a long time ago, but is now almost lost. I kind of want to put some kindness into my fic, so please no one say that never happens. I wish that a lot of the stuff we have had in the past still lived, but my wishes are false hope and thus I can only write about them. So please no squashing to my belated dreams.

I've been reading many fics as of lately that make you cry, laugh and just have the right ending for them. For a while now I have wanted to write one as well, but I've never been able to get the right feel for it. I am hoping that this sorry attempt turns out to be a good story that many can enjoy. I know my writing ability isn't that of top quality and all my works have many mistakes, but I feel that, that can show you the authors are human as you are and mistakes are a part of life no matter what they are. I can always go fix mistakes in here, but life mistakes are almost also non-fixable. Lets learn from any and all mistakes. I hope mistakes learned make you nicer as that is what is needed from time to time.

Okay now all my babble sap is out of the way lets get on with the fic.

Megumi smiled sadly at the glass window that held a shadow of her reflection. Even with only a small, almost un-seeable reflection it was still there, as were her memories, yet sad or horrible, they still lied inside her mind. Some may be forgotten, but they were still in her mind, to be brought forth whenever something deemed them necessary.

The light from the sun, that had been flickering on the glass ebbed as the train went through a tunnel. The lights on the train, now showing upon the glass, which made her reflection, seem almost solid. A silent scoff left her as she puffed air out through her nose. She pulled the screen down, so she would no longer have to stare at her pitiful self. The train lurched to a stop, or a slowing of motion as it came to a stop. Megumi stared sadly down at her knees. She closed her eyes as she felt tears coming to them. 'I'll not lower myself anymore and cry.' She berated herself, as she tilted her head back against the seat.

"Mind if I sit next to you." Megumi heard a male voice say, had she been paying attention, she would have been able to discern it. She shook her head as her mind heard the question. She felt the seat shift next to her and relaxed slightly. It had been a rough morning with patients, one dying on her, unfortunately. Again she had to go through the pain, as a child of 13 told her it was her fault. In actuality, she knew the chance for the survival of the patient to be slim; even so, she had tried her hardest to save the patient. The procedure had gone well, but in the end there was internal bleeding that could not be stopped and thus a loss was what came to be.

A deep sigh left her lips, as she finally gained her composure back and opened her eyes. She looked next to her and smiled at the elderly gentleman. He had a child of maybe 8 months in his arms, a smile of content on his face.

"Is it a girl?" Megumi voice quietly not wanting to startle him.

"Hmm, aaa yes it is." He looked up at her when she'd spoke. His old brown eyes shimmering with happiness, as he looked at the baby girl once more.

"Is her mother aboard the train as well?" Megumi questioned staring at the little cooing girl. She saw the man's smile shrink some, but only a fraction.

"Unfortunately no, her father and mother were both killed in an accident. Her grandmother and I wanted to take the little angle, but the state deemed us unworthy and we must give her to another relative."

"How unfortunate, sometimes the children get passed to the wrong relative." A brief fleeting smile came across her face.

"Yes, and how this ruffian will be able to take care of her, I haven't the faintest clue, but grandma is sure he'll do fine." The elderly gentlemen didn't sound angry at all, in fact he sounded hopeful. "I doubt me and grandma would be fitting as we aren't exactly young?" The gentlemen continued to talk.

Another smile came to her face, this one lasting quite a bit longer than the last one. "Yes, but children often benefit from the elder parental figures they have."

"Ahhh, you must have lived with your grandparents?" He questioned.

"Yes I did, my parents died young as well, but even so I never wished they'd been there like some. Yes I missed them being around, but I never blamed them for my failures, saying if only you'd been there." Megumi worried her bottom lip as tears formed once again. "I was always happy with what I had, that may sound smug, but I truly was. I didn't quite realize that until 3 years ago though." A tear slipped down her cheek. "I lost my grandparents to old age. My grandma surpassed my grandpa, but she died from a broken heart."

"Aa, I feel grandma and I'll be the same. We still want to see this young one, but that's only if the boy will let us."

"If he's any kind of relative he'll let you." A smile and a nod was her answer. "Can I ask where you are heading?"

"Aa, I'll be getting off at the next stop. I came from a small village outside of town."

"Can't be too small if it's near Kyoto can it?"

"No but still quite a bit smaller than this city."

"I bet it is." Megumi mused. "I'll be getting off at the next stop as well, I wouldn't mind accompanying you. We can share the same cab." Megumi offered. "If its no bother that is."

"That would save me sometime, but it would cost more money." The gentlemen looked her in the eye.

"No trouble, it'll be fine. We can drop you off, and then go to my place." Megumi smiled back at him.

"Alright that would be great." He smiled kindly once more and then continued to look down on the bundle of joy in his arms. The rest of the train ride was silent, except for the giggles coming from the little girl. Megumi looked at the little girl often, and her mind didn't seem to stray far from thoughts about the little one.

The train came to a halt at the station and Megumi and the elderly gentlemen both stood up. The gentlemen picked up a bag, while Megumi grabbing her bag and followed the gentlemen off the train and into the station. She plowed into someone a couple times having to look for the man, always finding him nearby. Slowly but steadily they made there way through the bustle of people and out of the station to the outdoors. Megumi took a deep breath missing the country air she could still smell from when she was younger.

A few coughs from the elder gentlemen made her worry as she turned her attention to him. "Ah, now don't you worry about me, I'm just not use to this city clogging air.

"Alright," Megumi smiled as she hailed a cab. Both occupants got inside and waited until the door was shut before the destination was said.

"Where to?" The driver asked as he pulled into traffic. Megumi looked to the elder gentleman, who managed to pull out a piece of paper with a typed address on it.

"Umm 2335 N. Kinmi rode." Megumi stared wide at him.

"And you miss?" The driver of the cab brought Megumi back to the present.

"The same place, thank you." Megumi replied the thank you with a habit.

"You live near here?" He asked once again.

"No, I live in the same building that address says." Megumi laughed and looked out into the bustling streets.

"May I ask your name?"

"It's Takani, Megumi Takani." She forced a small smile.

"Tinki, Seno Tinki." He replied the same.

"Is this relative fairly young?"

"Yes I believe he's around 19." Seno replied.

"How can such a young man come to gain custody of a baby?" Megumi was thoroughly surprised.

"He's a brash young man, has a habit of drinking and gets into fights, but given the opportunities he's had, he's always come through them with great promise. He lived with us for a while, but he moved out a year ago. He's lived here ever since." The man laughed as the baby squealed lightly.

"He sounds like a 19 year old." Megumi stated. "Does he want to take care of the kid?" Megumi gasped at her word usage.

"The little girl, mm he said he wanted to try, not sure if he could handle it, but he wanted to try."

"Here we are folks." The driver pulled up to the curb and stopped. Megumi looked out the window on her left looking at the apartment building. It wasn't exactly classy, but it wasn't in a rundown neighborhood. It was in a decent one. Megumi knew with the money she made that she could afford a much nicer one, but she'd started out in her apartment and it was finally home, and it felt comfortable.

She got out of the cab after Seno and turned around, the cab driver telling her the total, and she paid him. "Thank you."

"I should pay half the amount." Seno offered, trying to pull the bag up without letting the little baby go.

"No need, I had to come here, and I offered." A genuine smile graced her features. "Shall we go up?"

They took the stairs up to the third floor, "Number 12" He replied to her unanswered question.

"I live in number 15, down the hall a little ways. Do you mind if I see whom this little joy will end up with?

"If you'd like," They approached the door and knocked, hearing loud music coming from the apartment. It was turned down and the door opened a moment later. Megumi's mouth went dry as she stared at the youth. His skin was a golden color, and he had a towel draped around his shoulders, his hair sticking up in all directions, except for few strands in the front that dripped with water. His bare chest seemed to glisten in the light from the hall. He wore skintight jeans and stared at the elderly gentlemen.

"Sano are you going to invite me in?" Seno stated with a smirk.

"Sorry Seno, I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow. Bring a lady friend with ya?" He pulled the towel off his shoulders running it through his hair before tossing it off to the side.

"No, she lives in the building we met on the train." Seno smiled at the soft look in the brown eyes of Sano. "Does she, haven't seen her before." Sano mused as he opened the door to let Seno in. Seno walked by him dropping the bag as he got passed the door.

"Yes," Megumi answered her mouth dry. "I live in number 15, I'll be glad to help you if you need any. "I'm Megumi Takani." Sano was leaning against the door.

"I'm Sanosuke Sagara." A smug looked crossed Megumi's face.

"How about you put your eyes back hmm?" A cocky grin was on his face.

"Why don't ya make me fox?" Sano almost growled.

"Some other time Rooster," Megumi giggled lightly as she walked down to her apartment. She, glanced, one look back down the hall and saw brown eyes watching her. She winked and then walked into her apartment shutting the door, a smile on her face.

BANG, BANG

"Ughh, I'm coming hold on." Megumi growled as she pulled her robe on and tied it." She yawned and opened the door to see a worried Sanosuke. "What…." She yawned once more. "…Is it?" She heard the babies cry's.

"She won't stop crying." Sano practically yelled. "Her diapers been changed, she's been fed and burped. I don't know what else to do." Sano rambled at his wits end. "I haven't been able to sleep in two days." He continued.

"Let me see her." Megumi took little Sei into her arms and started slowly rocking her and humming. Sei started to quiet down. Sano stared wide-eyed at her.

"How the hell…" A glare made him shrug. "Yeah my language, did you make her stop?"

"She's tired, rocking her to sleep instead of just laying her down helps." Megumi smiled down at the little girl. "You've only had her for a month, so it'll take time for her to adjust as well," Megumi continued as she rocked the little girl.

"Why does she like you so much? Sano growled in exhaustion.

"I'm a woman, and maybe my scent was like her mothers. Who really knows that's how babies are." Megumi whispered.

"I'm never going to sleep." A laugh left Megumi.

"If you want I have the day off tomorrow, I can come over and watch her while you get some sleep."

"That would be great thank you." Sano said graciously.

"Well how about we go put this little one to bed and then, let me get some sleep?" Megumi eyed Sano out of the corner of her eye.

"Okay, okay, sorry." Sano raised his hands in defeat.

Megumi shuffled to the door and turned to face him. "You kind of have to come its your apartment." Megumi scowled at the baffled expression on his face.

"Okay..." Sano mumbled. Megumi smiled down at the little girl. "It's kind of a mess, sorry." Sano mumbled as he opened the door.

Megumi stared at the apartment, her eyes just blinking at it. 'Mess is an understatement it's a disaster area.' Megumi saw Sano beckoning her over toward the small hallway. She followed and then entered a dark room, she heard Sano stumble a couple of times and a lamp was turned on. "What in the world?" Megumi breathed as she saw clothes thrown everywhere.

"I told you it was a mess." Sano mumbled as he rubbed his sore foot. "Just set her in the crib, I'm still not use to it heh." Sano smiled sheepishly.

"Yes, well you can't live like this with a child." Megumi scolded in a whisper as she placed the girl in the crib. She stared down at her and smiled at the sleeping face. "She's so cute."

"Isn't she?" Megumi almost jumped as she turned her head to look at Sano, he was standing almost directly behind her shoulder. His face was in a serene look and a small smile on his lips. She giggled slightly gaining his attention. "What?"

"You're always joking around with a lopsided smile on your face. I don't think I've seen you actually smile until now. Megumi leaned against her elbows, which rested on the side of the crib. Sano's eyes widened and he turned his attention back to Sei.

"Yeah, well..." Sano tried to say something, but all that came out was a jumble of words. He had a slight blush on his face as he ran his hand through his hair. "So about what time you gonna come over?" Sano questioned, his eyes finally showing how tired he was.

"I'll be over about 9 ish, that sound fine?" He nodded and sat on his bed. "I'll find my way out, you look like you need the rest." A small smile graced her features, as he seemed to fall asleep sitting up. Megumi closed the door, kicking a shirt and what looked to be a small shoe out of the way of the door. It shut with a quiet click and she made her way back to the door. He eyes darting over the apartment, 'I guess I can clean some while he sleeps.' Megumi still smiled as she locked his door and then walked out into the hall making her way back to her apartment and practically fell into bed.

Sano groggily got up and answered the door. He felt a hand on his forehead, had he been awake he would have moved away. "Sano you have a fever, go on and get back to bed." A grumble was all she received, as she stared after him and finally realized he hadn't worn a shirt.

"Sei's in her crib, she woke up about an hour ago, so she'll probably be awake in another hour." Sano called as she heard a plop sound, as he fell back to the bed. Megumi took her jacket off. She'd had to make a stop at the hospital this morning and had just returned. She held the jacket between her arms as she stared at his sleeping form.

A snore made her chuckle as she walked back into the living room and glanced around the apartment. 'A lot to do in a short amount of time.' She thought as she placed her jacket on the back of a chair, which actually had nothing lying on it. She walked back to Sano's room and shook her head. 'He's been so tired lately, even when he's been smiling.' She walked into the room slowly picking up shirts and placed them in a pile near the wall. She started picking up pants and made a different pile for them. She sighed as she looked to the crib and smiled as she saw Sei watching her. She walked over to Sano, and yanked the covers from underneath him. She received a grunt from him and he turned on his back, an arm lying above his head. His chest rose evenly and she caught herself staring at his muscular form. He was quite the handsome man but, she pushed the thoughts aside and draped the covers over him. She let her fingers slide over his forehead. A content sigh left his lips as he snuggled into the bed.

Once again Megumi looked to Sei who giggled as she plucked her from the crib. "Lets go make you something to eat and do some cleaning k." A smile was on Sei's face.

Megumi smiled as she heard Sei giggling at the toy she'd found buried under the couch and clothes. She continued chopping the vegetables, she hummed slightly as she finished chopping them and dumped them into a pot. She sighed and wiped her brow with the back of her hand. She wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing. "It'll take a half hour to simmer and cook." Megumi announced to the giggling baby. She turned to face the child who played in the playpen. "How about we give you a bath hmm?" Megumi smiled at the giggles she received.

Megumi laughed as she washed the happy giggling baby. She pulled the baby from the bath wrapping a towel from around her. "The soup should be just about done."

Megumi left the bathroom with a dressed Sei and smiled at her. She sat her on the carpet floor as she found the highchair and set it up. She turned back to the empty carpet space. "Sei no! Don't touch that Sei!" Megumi scolded as she ran after the baby who was about to knock over a statue. She grabbed the baby and sighed, "You are too much trouble sometimes." Megumi mumbled as she walked back to the kitchen.

Sano smelled food and sat up; he looked down at the blanket in his lap. "MMM" Sano growled as he got out of bed and blinked at his seeable floor. He was too tired to notice really, something just looked odd. He yawned and opened the door. Giggling caught his attention as he wandered out into the living room. He stopped and blinked at the site. Megumi had a broad smile on her face as she sat feeding Sei.

Megumi glanced over at the living room feeling eyes on her, and was shocked to see Sano. She smiled and went back to feeding Sei.

"When's lunch going to be ready?" Sano closed his eyes and started to stretch. A groan leaving him as his sore tired muscles started to loose a little tension. Sano peeked an eye open and then blinked at Megumi. She was staring at him, well his chest. A smirk adorned his face. "Like what ya see?"

Megumi gasped and turned her head, a blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm a doctor its nothing I haven't seen before.

"Mmm, from your reaction, I would say otherwise. Hehe" Sano chuckled in her ear. The way she pulled away made Sano worried. "What's wrong?" He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't touch me." Megumi growled and then gasped. She turned to face him with wide eyes, seeing a shocked look. "I'm sorry, I've been touchy lately, I guess if you've had enough sleep I'll go. She turned to go past him only to have her wrist grabbed. "Please let go."

Sano tugged on her arm, harder than he thought and caught her as she fell into his bare chest. "Uhh...sorry," Sano mumbled.

SLAP

Megumi's eyes widened her bottom lip quivered. "I'm sorry." Megumi mumbled quickly. "The soup in the pot is done, put it in a container with a lid and it'll hold for a couple days." Megumi rambled as she raced to the door, shutting it quickly. She raced to her apartment and shut the door, leaning against it and sliding to the floor.

Tears fell from her eyes as she leaned back against the door. 'Why did I smack him, he didn't do anything wrong.' Megumi brought her knees to her chest. 'I guess dealing with my last patient must have spooked me more than I thought.'

Jeez I'm going through and looking at a few of my fics, that I wanted to be one shots, and well I'm going to make them chapter fics I guess hehe. Well I hope you like this one let me know what you think. It's my first Sano Megumi fic, so please be nice k.