Sanosuke stared at Dr. Gensai, appalled. "She can't remember anything?"
"Well, not anything after her time with Kanryuu."
"Why didn't you get me!"
Dr. Gensai said calmly, "Because one stranger was enough to deal with. She needs time to process what's happened."
Sano stood up, then sat down again. "So what now? When will she get her memory back?"
"Well…." The old doctor fidgeted. "Truthfully, Sanosuke, it's impossible to say for sure. Her memory might come back all at once, or she may recover bits and pieces over time…." He paused. "Or she might never remember." Sanosuke looked stricken and Dr. Gensai patted his hand reassuringly. "We'll just have to hope for the best. Now I've made some breakfast-I'm going to take it to her. Why don't you come too-maybe seeing you will spark some memories."
Sano tried to smile. "All right." He went to the kitchen with the old man and picked up the breakfast tray prepared for Megumi, carrying it to her room apprehensively. How would Megumi react to him if she didn't remember him? Was it really possible that her whole life after her escape from Kanryuu's mansion was a complete blank? And how would Kenshin and Kaoru and Yahiko feel about that?
He watched as Dr. Gensai called gently to her, then cracked the door when she didn't answer. The old man peered in cautiously, then frowned and threw the door open. "Megumi?"
She was not in the room and the two men searched the clinic, finding only a note written some time the night before.
Dr. Gensai, I cannot stay here. Kanryuu will be looking for me and I don't want to cause you any trouble. Thank you so much for your kindness. Megumi Takani
Sanosuke and Dr. Gensai stared at each other in dismay, then the young man started out the door. "Don't worry, Gramps. I'll find her. Better send a message to the dojo just in case-you never know, she might turn up there."
"Sanosuke!" But Dr. Gensai was talking to an empty room and after a moment he turned to his desk to write a note to Kenshin.