Author's Notes:

I really love Sano & Megumi… they're so irresistible together! Please review!

This chapter is not yet polished but I posted it anyway 'coz it's been a long time since I updated this fic. Constructive criticism much appreciated!! ^_^

Within Distant Reach

By: g3ozLizh

Chapter Two

They continued to climb, in Megumi's opinion, the never-ending flight of stairs in dead silence. For Sano, he wished it would go on so that he won't be confronted with what's waiting for him at the other end. For Megumi, well… let's just say she's in between.

"Ouch!" Megumi suddenly cried out.

Sano immediately knew what happened: he had stepped on her toe. "Sumimasen," He quickly apologized. Inside, he was scolding himself for not being careful enough.

She answered somewhere from a grunt to an it's-okay.

When they finally reached the door to the room, they both sighed then glanced at each other out of the corner of their eyes.

I wonder what this rooster-head's thinking?

Oops! Maybe that wasn't so appropriate, he thought, seeing the frown on Megumi's face.

Sano slid open the door and reluctantly led her to the bed in the middle of the room. Various thoughts entered his mind as he set her down. Thoughts that made him feel he invaded her privacy --- their privacy. He couldn't just erase from his mind that this place is where they probably make lo ---

"Okay, you can leave me here now."

The voice startled him and he realized that he must have been staring into space, standing at the side of the bed. He just once stared down at her and already found it hard to take his eyes off her. Not when she's all flushed out and rosy, a charming contrast to her pale porcelain complexion. Her hair was spread out like the rays of the sun from her head, the only difference is that hers is jet black with blue highlights.

Kami-sama, she's so beautiful.

Megumi was starting to feel a bit uneasy. If they aren't in an awkward situation, she just might have cracked a sharp remark about how funny the two of them were acting. He looking so pathetic with those puppy dog eyes --- well, in her opinion anyway, and here she was, blushing like a virgin on her wedding night… not that she still is.

She stopped right there. She didn't want to recall his name again. The man whom the Kenshin-gumi saved her from.

That bastard! She couldn't help but curse, unconsciously clutching her hand into a fist.

Where is Christian? Both seemed to think.

If he's not here in another minute, Sano might just do something he has been longing to do since that night they bade each other farewell.

If he's not here in ten seconds, Megumi might just fall all over again for Sano. Wait! Love? Love?! As far as she's concerned, she doesn't feel that… love anymore. Not after what transpired through all these years. And to what he did ---- or to what he didn't do. If ever she feels that thing called love again, it's for Douglas Christian, her fiancé, not some former Zanza by the name of Sagara Sanosuke.

That's right, Megumi. Keep telling yourself that.

There's no denying it anymore. Takani Megumi is still head-over-heals in love with Sagara Sanosuke: the one who broke her heart. She giggled silently when a thought came to her. I think the name rooster-head is cuter. Not to mention adorable. Her brow furrowed. Now where did that come from? First, she was feeling hot-tempered and the next minute she's giggling about how cute her pet name to Sano is. Boy! The fever must really be doing something to her brain… not to mention her heart.

Yes, because right at that very moment, Sano lowered himself towards the bed, just beside her. She averted her eyes as she felt him intently watching her. Her heart was doing triple-time and she felt as though she might faint if he doesn't stop anytime soon.

Sano was about to clasp her hand into his when Megumi cleared her throat.

She was staring at the far wall, opposite of where he was kneeling, so she couldn't have seen what he was about to do.

Sano decided that now was the moment. He had wasted too much precious time, he couldn't let another second slip away… for him --- for their love.

Not when forever isn't enough.

He must have spoken that one out loud for Megumi suddenly pushed herself up and said, "Love?" she muttered softly. Then she turned her vision to Sano. "Please, just go."

But Sano stood firm. He had to tell her NOW. "Megumi," he clasped her hand firmly into his two just so that in case she tries to pull away, she wouldn't succeed. But he needn't need that. She didn't pull away. Rather, she turned her head to him, searchingly staring at the very depths of his eyes as though questioning his intentions, his purpose.

Sano never had that chance to tell her.

Fate, destiny, the stars --- or whatever you call it --- had a funny way of playing with people, especially with those who are so intent on hiding their feelings yet wanting it to be discerned at the same time, for it chose that moment to rain on their parade.

Christian appeared by the door, bringing with him a tray full of steaming, delicious dishes. "Sorry took me so long. Had to prepare these for you." He was smiling as he walked towards the bed, oblivious by the intense chemistry in the air.

Maybe now is not the right time, then, Sano thought sadly, discreetly sighing in resignation as he pushed himself up into his complete height.

Megumi does not know if she should be disheartened or appeased. All she could fathom from her mixed-up emotions is that… she still felt --- feels --- something for Sano --- that's for sure.

=====

That night, Megumi couldn't sleep. Her suppose-to-be restful slumber only served to heighten her restlessness as scenes from not so many hours before flashed in her mind. But most of all is the very evident reality that Sano's just a floor below where she lies now.

He was asked to stay for the night, as Christian needed to attend to his on-the-verge-of-dying patient.

If she didn't love Christian that much, she would have dropped him off like hot coal for being so workaholic. Though she will admit that she's just as workaholic as Christian but…

But what?

But nothing. Oh, just admit it. You can't stop thinking about him. She pushed out the thick blanket covering her, frustrated, and sat up. She stayed in that position for a while and did nothing and thought of nothing. At last, she decided to get herself a glass of milk. Maybe then the lactose can help her submit to sleep. She gingerly climbed out of bed and walked barefoot. She took the robe slung on the chair and slipped it on.

She didn't know why she was walking down the stairs to the living room oh-so-quietly. Nobody else was in the house… except for Sano. Well, he's in the guestroom at the right side of the house to where she's going. The kitchen was on the left side, thankfully.

He's too much of a sound sleeper to wake up at the slightest noise. Why if I can recall ---, she caught herself before she could go any further with her musings. No! Stop. She buried her face in her hands. By this time, she was about to take the last step when all of a sudden, she slipped. Not expecting anything to happen to her on the stairs where she can climb up and down even with her eyes closed, she quickly slid across the floor. One foot bumped against a small wooden table it fell back with a resounding thud.

Megumi winced at the sudden noise and the pain from her back. Her face contorted in pain as she tried to push herself up, rubbing her rear, which had made contact with the floor. As she was checking --- more like groping --- her back for any signs of bruise --- which of course, if there is one, will show itself tomorrow --- she noticed a piece of red cloth. A long piece of red cloth.

Her instincts were already telling her how it got there --- or rather, who owns it. Probably left it lying around, that lazy rooster. --- Which is of course, unlikely, yet she wanted to think it that way.

So, ignoring the dull ache in her back, she bent over and picked it up. She decided to scrutinize it first and think of things to say to him before she storms into his room, just so she can have more the reason to convince herself that she can't possibly love a lazy, freeloading ex-gangster by the name of Sagara Sanosuke who can do nothing with his free time (what free time? All the time!) but gamble and pick up fights.

But despite all those thoughts, at the feel of the bandana, memories… bittersweet memories were brought up to the shore; long hidden since she had decided to move on. Heedless to her pleas, they all came rushing back like waves crashing back to shore on a stormy night. Troubled. Cold. Unwelcome. The ones she does not need to remember for they only purvey to mock her at how happy she was then than she is now.

--- wait. Was she really happy back then? On a certain degree, she was but not to the extent to what she had longed for and anticipated. She had been waiting patiently for that certain kind of happiness… one that can only be granted by the person whom you will be able to share your heart, body and soul with completely. Yet, that granter of happiness only gave her false hopes and unrequited love… to carry with her (much to her dismay and heartbreak) to where she had resolved to start anew. Moreover, the what she thought was happiness that she felt during --- and still is --- her past years here in Aizu was also hollow. Empty.

So there. She had not been and is not and can never be --- can she be? --- happy.

She didn't realized that she was gripping the red bandana too hard in both her trembling hands as she immersed herself in her tormented introspection with her eyes staring blankly into space until a voice spoke from somewhere to her left.

"Careful. You just might tear it."

Her eyes quickly came into focus. Whirling her body to the voice's general direction, she loosened her hold on the cloth only to be shifted up to her eyes for they blazed up in fury. This is all he's fault, she couldn't help thinking. If only… if only he… I wouldn't be in this predicament right now. We wouldn't be experiencing this unquenchable pain. If only he… if only… if only I…

NO! She mentally shook her head. Then, giving him all her undivided attention and forgetting all about the pain except of what is inside she glared at him, defiant. I will not be the hopeful, regretful party this time!

Eyes that met her were calm, almost as if mocking her. From what she can see, he didn't get much sleep either and must have came from the kitchen to get himself something to pass the night away.

"Che, Fox! You can stop with the death glare now. It's already cold here as it is." He may have sounded casual and indifferent what with hands stuffed in both pockets and standing there languidly… but if only she could look --- come closer to his eyes, she would grasp the real truth behind his voice.

"Quit playing around, Sanosuke. Maybe you don't realize the seriousness of all these but I do!!!" She pointed a finger to her chest with the hand clutching the bandana.

"I do, Megumi. I do. That's why we're going to have a long talk about it now," he spoke quietly, hoping to calm the fox. But those words were exactly what triggered her.

"Talk? Long talk?!" she almost yelled. "Sano, no matter how long we talk, it's not going to alter anything. I'm going to marry Christian, you're going off to god-knows-where doing god-knows-what, and we'll be unhappy forever!!! Can't you see? Our lives had already been decided."

"No, Megumi. It's not too late…"

Megumi placed both hands on her hips, scoffing. "And what are you saying?! That I'll just tell Christian to forget about me and call the whole thing off just because you suddenly appeared at my doorstep to be my body guard?!"

Sano was silent for a long time and when he finally spoke up, he said, "You're right, Megumi. I should have never come to Aizu in hopes of finding you. I should have known that you've started your new life and all and I'll just ruin everything. My presence just gets on your nerves. So, I'll just be going now. I'll never bother you again." He cast down his head and turned toward the front door.

Megumi watched him leave, anger finally submitting to all the pent-up emotions locked up inside her, giving way to silent tears as they streamed down her cheeks. She covered her mouth with her hand to choke back a sob as her vision of Sano swirled. She closed her eyes in anguish and as she opened them, she caught sight and realized that his bandana was still with her, clutched within the hand that covered her mouth. Then a thought that had always been in her mind and heart regardless of how many times she tried to deny or conceal it --- so real and present that it was almost tangible --- reminded her of where her heart really lies and what she must do in accordance with that heart.

Suddenly, her body moved with their own accord. Before she knew it, she was outside the house then outside the gate, searching for that part of her whom she couldn't bear losing for the second time in this lifetime. She clung to the gate for support, breathing hard and frantically searching with the windows of her soul.

Yet however her eyes sought through the dark, there was no light left…

"Sano!!!" she called out even though her aching throat screamed her to stop. "Sano…" she choked out, crumpling slowly into a heap on the ground.

… only darkness…

The chilly wind of the night encompassed her, adding to her hollow feeling. Dead leaves swirled around her sobbing form, laughing and taunting her. And so he left you again! You're left alone again! Both the wind and the leaves seemed to scream at her, mocking her. Pathetic!

… for he was gone.

Author's Notes:

Please review! ^_^