Precaution:

I wrote this when I was REALLY bored that none of my ideas really impressed me but… I just had the urged to write. Is that a bad thing? And I did not bother to edit this!

Author's Notes:

Okay, I know. The last chapter somewhat ended short and I initially intended for Sano and Megumi to have a longer confrontation, not that short one. But then, I thought, the perfect time for them to really have a good head-to-head was not that moment for it's too soon. They are still taking it all in. So here's the next chapter. I planned this to be tied in with the previous one but decided against it. It won't matter if they are not in one chapter anyway. You see, I'm making it a point now to write a chapter consisting of not less not 2000 words ^_^ unless the plot calls for something less than 2000.

Read please ===== And yeah, I don't think Christian is anything like Kanryuu. ^_^ I can't bear letting Megumi go through all those things again… Though Christian might have his moments, like on the first chapter where they nearly did it under Christian's "initiative" despite the fact that Megumi had made it clear to him that only after they got married will she let anything happen. He doesn't mean anything by it, it's just his way of letting her know he cares --- loves her and you saw that he didn't force Megumi or anything.

Well, I should stop now. I've done enough blabbering already. ^0^

If any of you know some good Sano & Megumi fics or Aoshi & Misao fics (the longer the better!), please send an email or leave it in the review section informing me what its title is and where I can find it. (Most probably ones outside FanFiction.net) Arigatou! I wanna read more!

Disclaimer:

I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. I'm just borrowing them for pastime. Please don't sue. I'm a sweet good girl! *_*

Specially dedicated to Kormko Megsan, Arashi, Karina Kineshi, Prudence-chan, Crystal, chitchat, Maude, hikari, Sai and of course, Spellcaster the Diamond. You guys are the best!!! Karina and Arashi, when are you two going to update your fics? I've been Run-To-You-Juunishi-The-Handcuff-Chronicles-They-Say-Cameras-Are-Only-Good-For-Pictures deprived (whew! lengthy!) for far too long!!! We all are. Right, co-authors and readers?

Chorus: YEAH!!! ^o^

Heck, if it's boring you guys, just…. ^-^;;

===== denotes scene shifting

Italics denotes thoughts

WITHIN DISTANT REACH

By: g3ozLizh

Chapter Three

Sano slapped a hand to his forehead, coming to halt from his run. Though he had walked the way to the gate, he ran the minute he was out. "Kuso! I'm suppose to be guarding Megumi." Not that he really was planning to leave. Just maybe a stroll around the place not so far from the enormous house to get his mind off things and maybe think of better ways to approach the fox into talking about their non-existent relationship. Thinking back to the time when they were still in Tokyo with Kenshin and the gang, he could never recall a time when they had opened up about their feelings for each other. True, they may not have shown it outwardly but the feelings are definitely there.

"So why didn't I just tell her back then --- the night before she left?" Sano muttered, brows knitting together as he turned around to go back. Absentmindedly, for he had done it countless times before that the act itself was almost the same as breathing, he ran a hand through his disheveled hair. Noting that it felt strange --- heck, he had worn the thing for as long as he can remember, how could it not feel strange --- without the red bandanna to hold them up in place. And for the first time, it didn't really bother him that he is without his ever-present bandanna. The thought that it is in the hands of the foxy doc gave him this sort of weird soothing feeling. Somehow, if ever they would live their own lives and their paths never to cross again, at least he'll take in the comfort that she had a piece of him to remember him by… even if the memories that goes along with it are not all sparkling and pleasant.

Various thoughts ran through his head as to what to do if ever Megumi's still by the living room near the foot of the stairs, waiting to lash out at him again though this time, it is for not doing his duty well in guarding her. Somehow, this particular scene that his mind had conjured up brought back memories that had long been gone with the passing time. How he wished he would really find her there, waiting for him and then she would scold him for slacking on a job without the malice or anger; just pure teasing though with a tinge of firmness that she's also serious and that he shouldn't be joking around all the time. He exhaled forlornly, hands on pockets and head down. How he wished.

He kicked a pebble sideways on the dirt-covered path and watched it disappear a few meters away, into one of the bushes. If only problems were as easy to get rid of, he thought wistfully. He took his gaze away from the bushes and looked on straight. As the notable house, what with its classic iron gates, fine lawn and it homey aura despite its size, loomed ahead, Sano could feel his mouth getting dry.

Could he bear the sight of seeing her again, only shortly after what she told him and what he told her back? To be in the same house with only a few feet distance away if she passes by him and yet not to be able to close that distance? To be able to talk freely with her and not think of ways or topic on how he can make her at ease conversing with him, just like old times.

Just like old times. Old times. Old times. The words kept echoing in his head like a mantra so it was hard not to grasp the negative point behind it. Those were in the past and things change over time. So I shouldn't expect things to still be the same… not after three longs years that felt more like an eternity and a distance, from Tokyo to Aizu, not easily closed between them. Still, he couldn't keep his heart from wistfully wishing things to be different from what it is now.

Yes, his eyes took on a faraway look as he began to cogitate about one definite thing in particular. I had wanted things to be different between us in a way, to have that longing feeling in the heart be fulfilled. Some aspects, not all. It would be strange getting on with a relationship if all changed. There wouldn't be a touch of familiarity if that happens and everything would be awkward. Different.

He rested his hand first against one of the iron poles of the gate, testing it, feeling it. It is as if it could somehow assure him that, he can survive through this. He will. With her. He gripped it once, summoning his inner strength, then pushed it open.

=-=-=-=

Megumi heard the gate clang open then close. The gate isn't that far from the house, after all, probably only twenty feet away.

She knew it was Sano. Christian had called moments before to tell her that he would be sleeping in the hospital again. "Duty calls!" he had said with a lighthearted laugh though there was a hint of impatience in his voice for he still had loads to do.

The phone had ringed a few seconds after she had closed the front door behind her. She then rushed to her room, all the while wiping away the remaining tears with her hand. She knew it would be Christian calling. After she hung up the phone in her room, she resolved to just forget about the glass of milk and curl into a ball on her bed. She had not been feeling well, even before the little heated talk with Sano, and the buckets of tears she had shed only aided in tiring her more.

It had taken all her will power to steady her shaking voice as she had picked up the receiver. She should have known by now that whenever Christian calls within the time of attending to a patient, he's always much to engross with his work. He hadn't even caught the crack in her voice when she replied to his question about the new bodyguard.

For the past minutes since she had been up here, in her room, her mind drifted off to her new life.

Life had been a little less exciting, less colorful though more romantic for her when she got engaged to Christian. One, he would constantly give her flowers or "anonymously" leave them where she could find them. Two, he would do various clowning ways to make her laugh/cheer her. Just the thought of her quiet, serious fiancé fooling around, making those funny faces and cracking jokes that she hadn't even suspected he knew is enough to elicit a giggle from her. Three, he's quite the gentleman, always seeing to it that she's comfortable and well, especially when they go out on their habitual yet still special dinner dates. Unlike some certain rooster-head there…. She couldn't help the thought from crossing her mind.

Well, those above and many other little things. Though he doesn't do much of the stuff as he occasionally does, what with all his seemingly demanding workloads for these past couple of weeks, it couldn't erase the fact that when he's with her, she's his only priority. He, at times, gets mad if anyone interrupts their shared time together.

He even had insisted that she gets used to taking on lighter tasks when it comes to her being a doctor, get used to staying home, to lounging around. He had amusingly said, with a twinkle in his eyes, that she'd be needing all the getting used to, what with her being a workaholic too, so that she can spend time at ease with their "children" without having to worry about some patient. And with those words, she had blushed and scolded Christian for being so corny yet she had softly added, "But romantic still," with a sweet smile.

That clanging of the gate intercepted her train of thoughts. She didn't bother to check if it was really Sano. Who could it be if not him? He's the only one she knew capable of effortlessly pushing that heavy gate with such ease in less time.

Wanting to deter her approbation (which she had unconsciously did) of Sano's superhuman strength there, she shifted into a more comfortable position on her bed. She tried vainly to grasp that thread of sleep that hovered for a while as she had lain there silent and placid, just for the merest second of time before her thoughts caught up with her once again and that wisp of sleep vaporized just as quickly as it had materialized.

She forcefully closed her eyes and urged sleep to conquer her. It would not do good to her if she wakes up tomorrow with swollen eyes, a runny nose and a total appearance of tiredness --- a sure fire indication that she had not slept a wink at all. And Christian would ask questions she doesn't want to answer for they would only be all white lies. And she hates lying. She already had undergone that much in Tokyo. Saying that she's fine or that she's feeling well by the moment although all she wanted to do at times was take a break from the clinic and just lie down and sleep. Or that she loves Kenshin and not Sano….

Her brows furrowed despite her closed eyes. You know what, I'll stop lying to myself and just go to sleep. I know that I really won't solve anything tonight just by reminiscing the past… She punched her damp pillow, trying to find a cool spot then settled her cheek when she hit upon one. With newfound determination etched on her seemingly sleeping appearance, she was finally able to give her mind its much-needed peace.

=-=-=-=

Her mind might have rested but her heart had not. It still felt burdened yet hollow at the same time.

She cracked open an eye and decided not to dwell on that at the moment. Surprisingly, she felt somewhat energized, refreshed though not fully. That's a start and she wouldn't complain. At least she got something out from her hard-earned slumber.

The moment she sat up in bed and tossed her covers aside, a knock came from the door.

She touched a hand to her throbbing forehead, wincing. "Come in," she called out, her voice thick from all the crying she had last night.

Christian poked his head in through the adjacent. "Hey, good morning," he grinned warmly but it faded a bit when he noticed her red-rimmed eyes. "What happened? You look… worn-out."

Megumi just shrugged her shoulders. "Yeah, well, tough night. I…" she hesitated for a moment, not really wanting to tell anything but the truth. But the situation won't allow it. "I didn't quite expect for the fever to go up." She gave a smile. "Thanks for the vote of confidence on my appearance," she sarcastically said.

Christian let himself in, shutting the door softly behind. "Oh, Meg-chan. I'm so sorry I wasn't here last night to take care of you." Concern and regret were evident in his features.

Megumi smiled, touched. He was the only one who called her that. "That's okay. I survived somehow." She couldn't help but add that last statement.

He chuckled good-naturedly. "Making me feel guilty, eh?" He closed the distance toward the edge of the bed.

"You should be…" she weighed for a second if she should remind him of her favorite name for him again A sly, or should it be a foxy smile curved the corners of her mouth. "… you overworked nerd."

Christian's eyes narrowed into slits but it was done playfully. "Oh, is that so?" He slowly, like a predator going for the kill, got on the bed, inching closer. "Then I guess you're asking for it," he countered with his own, "… lady witch."

"Aaah. So I'm back to being the witch," Megumi grinned, feeling better by each passing comment. She hadn't had this much chance to venture with her foxy nature for quite some time. "I thought I was your angel, your beautiful fiancée…"

He shrugged it off, smoothly going with the flow. "I changed my mind." He leaned forward and Megumi leaned back, smiling. "You weren't what I thought you were."

For a moment, the sly twinkle in Megumi's eyes faltered, wondering if he's still referring to the same thing. Seeing his playful grin, she inwardly sighed in relief. "Oh, you!" was her weak retort before she let him kiss her.

=-=-=-=

The second she saw Sano by the front yard, she nearly dropped the dish of ohagi she was meaning to bring to the dining area.

I thought you left… but you didn't. And she found herself caught in her daydreams of him.

His back was to her as he was leaning by the bars of the front gate, lost in thoughts as he stared out with arms folded in front of him. But it didn't hinder an image to conjure up in her mind: his brow would furrow in barely hidden rage yet still look irresistible in only he could manage, his eyes would be darker somehow but all the more with depths, his lips would be set in a grim line… which, despite her rational part would protest, she is tempted to relax with a ---

She jolted back to reality as she heard Christian calling her. "Megumi! Is everything all right there? Need any help? I'll --- "

She shook her head though he wouldn't be able to see her. "No… No! You don't need to. I'll be there in a minute." All the while her eyes stayed riveted to Sano.

He turned… and they locked gazes.

Megumi drew in her breath, her movements once more frozen.

As she melted in his gaze, she looked down, then turned to walk away.

She composed herself before entering the dining room where Christian was about to exit the other way when the phone rang.

He saw Megumi and said, "I'll answer it. It might be from Dr. Hikonu. Could you be just the one to call Sagara in?" He said as he walked towards the phone.

She stopped were she was and followed with her eyes as her fiancé crossed the room. "Aren't you going to eat your breakfast?" She was just a tad bit confused.

"I already did, while you were sleeping." He smiled. "Let Sagara eat it." With that, he picked up the phone. "Hello?"

Megumi sighed slowly, stared down at the dish of ohagi laden on a tray, looked up, and then forced her legs to move. It was a simple task but after what transpired last night…

How will she face him?

To be continued…

Author's Notes:

I know, I know. Too many "narrative" parts and less dialogue and no action (yet). ^_^ Mostly recall, ponder, reflect. I need to write it this way to ensure the you readers get the feel of what's going on (you did get the feel, right? I hope! ^_^;) Is it boring you? Tell me if it is. Is it depressing any of you or something like that? I know that it's pretty much angsty…. Heck! All my fics are angsty! Not even a single lighthearted fic. *sigh" Too scared to tread the waters of humor coz they might end up dry… (Get it? Waters, dry? Haha. See, bad pun…. Sigh) or corny. u.u

Ack! Enough with that. Just leave a review (onegai *_*) to lift my spirit up a bit. (*whispers conspiratoringly* This is what writing an angsty fic do to you --- well, at least in my case --- so better stay away from that tub of ice cream! ^_^) Till next time!!!

Next chapter: Will the tension between Sano and Megumi fan down a bit? Christian's mother arrives and she isn't too thrilled to know that Megumi will become her daughter-in-law.