Chapter 1: Drunk!

Listen, I don't own anything. Not Rurouni Kenshin, not Megumi, not Hiko or any of the other characters. Please review. It makes my day.

Megumi Takani had a rough day at work. Her clinic was overrun with patients, most of which were there for minor injuries or using imaginary "illnesses" to try to receive drugs for "recreational purposes." She was being run around more than she ever had. It was time for a break.

Her relationship with a certain bird head hadn't taken off like she expected. She realized that he was not mature enough for her and wouldn't be until they were both much older. But that wasn't the kind of break foxy Doctor Megumi needed. She needed exactly what everyone else used to escape their problems: Alcohol.

She went into a quiet restaurant and ordered a flask of warm sake and one cup. As she neared the bottom of the tokkuri, a man approached her table. He sat down and stared at her. "You seem to enjoy fine sake. I respect that in a woman. Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all…" Megumi eyed him warily.

"Why are you drinking so fervently, young miss? Problems with a man?"

"You could say that. I was beginning to fall for a man who I found out is not as mature as I would like. Men just don't develop as fast as woman. He was younger than me…" she opened up, powered slightly by her rising blood/alcohol concentration.

"Ahhh…The unfortunate truth! Surely a beautiful woman such as yourself will find someone! It's just a matter of finding the right person." The man said as he raised his sake cup to her and drained it.

"Yes, I suppose you are right. I seem to have forgotten to ask your name. Who are you?" Megumi asked, squinting slightly.

"I am Seijuro Hiko, a potter from just outside Kyoto. And you?"

"Takani Megumi. A local doctor."

"A doctor? Perhaps you would like to take a look at me. I have an unusual condition that I have been far too busy to address with a physician. I typically keep to myself."

"I would be more than happy to if you would be so kind as to walk me home. I seem to be slightly inebriated." She smiled endearingly.

As they walked through the streets, Hiko held Megumi's arm. It wasn't like him to be so social. He knew he couldn't stay late at her house, he had to visit his bakadeshi in the morning, but some time with a beautiful woman couldn't hurt.

When they arrived, Megumi brought him inside and sat him down in a chair. "What hurts?" she said, swaying slightly.

"My abdomen."

"Ok, please remove your shirt."

He did as she told him, removing even his heavy cape, to reveal his profoundly muscled body. She began to feel him up. "Your liver feels swollen… Not good…How often do you drink?"

"How often do you breathe?" he laughed, causing her to laugh for no reason, her hands still on his chest.

"Seriously though, you could be very ill." She muttered as she looked him in the eyes.

He took her hands and put them on his face, "Oh, I'm sure I am." He said, grabbing her chin.

Without much warning, he kissed her deeply. Although she never struggled, her eyes widened from being startled. He pulled away. "My apologies, ma'am. It has been quite a while since I have kissed such a beauty."

"To be honest, it's been a while since I have kissed someone at all. Ohohoho!" Megumi was drunk. "That aside, I think you need to leave before I do something I regret."

"You mean me? Bahahaha!!!" Hiko laughed at himself, "I suppose I must be going. I have to meet with an errant student of mine in the morning. Until next time, Megumi Takani." He dressed quickly and left without looking back.

The next morning, Megumi took the day off work and headed over to visit Kaoru and spy on Sanosuke. When she arrived, the tanuki girl was sweeping the porch. "Hello Kitsune." She mumbled.

"Hello. I have decided to pay you a visit." She said, rather mechanically.

"Are you here for Sanosuke?"

"No. The tori atama and I have decided that a relationship of that manner wasn't working out. I am just going to work, and maybe one day I'll meet a handsome stranger." Megumi said, thinking back to the previous night. "Where is Kenshin?"

"In his room speaking with his swordsmanship sensei. He was very excited that he came to visit him. They should be coming out for lunch soon if you would like to join us."

As Kaoru finished her sentence, a shoji slipped open and Kenshin and his master, Seijuro Hiko walked up to the two women. "Ahh! Megumi-dono! Sessha would like you to meet his shishou." Kenshin said excitedly.

"I believe we have previously met." Hiko smirked, bowing slightly to the shocked doctor.

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