Aftermath

Part VII: Hiding in Plain Sight

Megumi opened her eyes, wondering why she felt so deliciously warm. An arm in a white kimono sleeve was draped across her middle, and a warm body was pressed against her back. She almost sat bolt upright, but stopped herself. Then the events of the evening before came flooding back into her sleep-fogged memory.

The restaurant. The fights before and after. The way she'd knocked him out – which brought a smile – when he'd walked in on her changing. The smile faded somewhat.

"Morning, Megumi," murmured a deep voice near her ear. Sano removed his arm and sat up.

"How did you know I was awake?" she asked, turning to him.

"You tensed up." He rose and she saw that he had not even covered himself with one blanket while she had remained under three. Then she remembered Sano saying, "All you gotta do is tell me what to do to make you happy."

She had barely been able to answer him. "Don't let me be alone anymore."

He had stared at her for a long moment, then knelt behind her and held her for a long time. She had fallen asleep like that. He must have covered her back up and then lay atop the blankets. "Did you get any sleep at all?"

"Yeah, some." Shrugging, he turned to leave. "I'll go set up while you get dressed. And I promise I won't walk in without announcin' myself way in advance." He grinned and rubbed his jaw.

"Don't you wish you'd thought of that yesterday?"

"No kiddin'." He left the room and closed the screen behind him.

She waited a moment before rising and fingered the sleeve of the kimono she had worn the night before. ~Is this what it would be like? Waking up next to him every day? Feeling his warmth, his strength at my back?~ It had been odd, but not uncomfortable. ~Would those things be worth the fighting and the misunderstandings? Have we come to a point in our lives where we can make it work?~ She sighed. ~And, most importantly… Can I give up on the fantasy I knew could never be to accept such a reality?~

She was all too aware of the increasing comparisons she was making between the two men. Kenshin, with whom she never had a chance, and Sano, with whom she'd nearly blown it yet again. ~Perhaps if I'd been kinder to him, he would not have left when Kensan went to Rakuninmura. Perhaps he would never have gotten into trouble with the law. Although I can't really blame myself for that. That's one thing, anyway.~ She shook her head and retrieved the lavender kimono she usually wore.

She remembered the one she'd ordered on Sanosuke's behalf. She should have made sure it would be delivered when he was not around – except when was that going to be? And Karitakusan must surely wonder what had become of his lodger last night…

That settled it. ~I'll pretty much have to marry him now! Even regardless of what I feel, my reputation would be ruined if it became known that he had spent the night! No matter that nothing untoward had happened. Who would want to be seen by Doctor Lightskirt?~

Tying her obi, she resolved to pick up the kimono herself as soon as she had a chance to slip away. Perhaps it would be a good opportunity to acquaint some of her patients with her new assistant. ~Although I'm not sure he's ready to have charge of the clinic, even for an hour…~

By the time she folded her futon, put away the flowered kimono, and emerged from the room, Sano had stoked the fire, put up water to heat and begun to make tea. "I couldn't find anythin' for breakfast," he said, almost accusingly. "You weren't kiddin', were you."

"No. What made you think I was kidding?"

He shrugged. "Nothin'. But no friend of mine is gonna live in poverty." He felt like he'd dodged a bullet by not saying wife. He should have remembered his audience.

"So now I'm back to being a friend?" Her voice was cool as she tossed her hair back.

"Nah. You were always a friend. Well, after that whole mess in the beginning," he grinned. "But I thought I'd try not to push my luck by sayin' 'no wife of mine' yet…"

"In the past three days you keep saying nice things. I may have to believe you've changed."

"Believe it or don't. I don't care what you believe as long as you don't chase me out. I keep my promises."

His eyes darted to her hand. She was wearing the ring.

"That's a good thing. I should write everyone to let them know you'll be staying here," she said. "If you don't mind finishing up the preparation of the clinic, I'll just be a few minutes. If there's a lull I'll go out to the post office later today."

"Sure," he said.

She returned and knelt at her desk. Hearing him moving around in the clinic, she smiled to herself and began to write. Had Sanosuke looked in on her, he might have thought he'd seen her Fox ears and tail again.

She smirked to herself as she reread the letters. ~It's true,~ she realized. ~According to the old custom - very old, it's true - all that's really required for us to be married is for us to spend three nights in succession together. Whether or not marital activities took place during those nights is irrecelant,~ Megumi mused, ~since who would know?~ Her smirk faded. As attractive as Sanosuke was, it was going to be difficult for them both… He would never push, but she could not expect all their nights together to be so chaste. But she was no longer pure... Still, he didn't seem fazed by that.

And that's when the idea came to her: she would go, mail the letters, pick up the kimono, and leave it with his things back at the Karitaku home, so in two more days, when she sent him to pick up his belongings, he would find it there. By then, of course, she would have already made known to him that his proposal was accepted.

~Most marriages are not based on love. They're based on family and practicality and continuity. If a couple can get along, there's no reason for them not to marry. And it certainly is better than being alone… But Sanosuke… Can I really be happy with him? He does seem to have matured in the last four years. And he certainly doesn't seem to shy from the idea of hard work and financial difficulty. He's not the boy I knew four years ago. But is he enough of a man for me as I am now?~

Completely unaware of Megumi's ruminations, Sanosuke finished readying the clinic, trying to ignore the growling noises coming from his abdomen. He was not unused to hunger, but he had never much enjoyed it – and he certainly wasn't willing to let Megumi endure it any longer. He decided to ask his temporary landlord that evening when he left the clinic if the man knew of any odd jobs at which he might make enough to help support Megumi.

~I'm gonna show her I'm not the same dumb kid I was back then. I may not have the makings of a real doctor's assistant but there's gotta be something I can do. She was right, the other night. I'm hardly the only one who suffered because of what happened fourteen years ago. With all the suffering she sees every day, and with everything she's been through…~ Not for the first time, he wondered, ~How did they put up with me so much back then?~

It was something Megumi had wondered at the time, and she shook her head now to think of that as she watched him. He was so absorbed in his thoughts and the simple prep work that he hadn't even noticed her presence at first. "Sano? Since no one's here yet, I'm going to take these letters to be sent out. I have one or two other quick errands to run so I won't be back right away. There are no appointments scheduled for this morning. Will you be all right for an hour or so?"

Projecting a confidence he didn't quite feel, Sano cocked his head and grinned. "Yeah. Sure. No sweat!" ~At least no one's here now. Maybe I'll get lucky and no one will come in 'til later.~

"I only hope no one comes. For everyone's sake," Megumi said dryly as she left. Sanosuke looked at her, unsure whether to agree or take offense. She laughed, just a little wicked laugh to throw him off, and walked out.

"Damn Kitsune," she heard him mutter, which made her laugh more.

~Silly tori-atama. You have no idea how well this Fox has caught you in a trap of your own design.~ The thought sobered her. Was she really doing the right thing?

She stared at the letters in her hands as she walked. She rarely left the clinic during the day, and didn't notice the concerned glances from several passersby. She went to the post office without registering the tentative but warm greetings from the people she knew.

The postmaster was new in town, having moved to Aizu only a few months earlier, and did not know her well. She paid him for the postage, sighing inwardly at how light her purse was and wishing once more that some really rich person with poor health would move into the area. Then she turned her steps to the store she had visited the night before with Sanosuke.

The proprietor welcomed her warmly but with his concern clear. "Forgive me, Takanisensei. I hope there is no problem with the clothing?"

"Oh, thank you! No, there is no problem at all. I came for the lavender kimono. I realized rather than having it delivered, I should give it to him myself."

"Ahh. I'll bring it right out, then."

She felt some surprise. ~His smile… he seems genuinely happy. But the kimono is already paid for. Why should it matter if I pick it up or if it's delivered?~

"I was going to have my son deliver it this afternoon, but this is wonderful," the old man said as he emerged with the kimono wrapped - rather carefully in red paper, she noticed. "Usually the gift is hakama, but since the young man expressed an interest in this kimono…" He beamed at Megumi as he handed her the package.

Suddenly the doctor remembered the conversation, and how Sano had cut himself off, and she looked down at her own kimono – the same shade as the one she now held wrapped in red paper. She felt the warmth rise to her face. "Not that it's any of your business, but my assistant has paid for his own clothing," she said archly.

That didn't phase the man in the least. "If you say so, Takanisensei. Thank you for your patronage, then," he smiled and bowed again.

She murmured something that she hoped sounded polite and left the store, the kimono held out gingerly before her. ~Now I'm not so sure this was a good idea…~ Preoccupied now with the kimono, she made her way to the Karitaku residence without noticing the smiled greetings sent her way.

She knocked at the door of the small home at which Sanosuke was renting space, and a moment later the shoji door slid open. "Hello, may I – oh! Takanisensei! Please come in! Is everything all right? We were not expecting you!"

~Stupid stupid stupid! I'm dumber than he is, why did I come? But it's too late now…~ "Forgive the intrusion," she bowed to the sturdy older woman who had answered the door. "I will only take a moment of your time."

"There isn't a problem with that nice young man, Sanosukesan, is there?"

"I hope not," Megumi muttered softly.

"I beg your pardon? I'm afraid I didn't hear that," the woman said apologetically.

"Sorry, Karitakusan," she said in a normal tone. "I have come to ask a very small favor of a rather delicate nature." She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. "I would ask for this to be secured with San- Sagarasan's belongings as unobtrusively as possible. He should come here in two days' time to pick his belongings up."

The wide grin that broke across the old woman's face was unmistakable. "So the dear boy has won you over after all! I'm a bit surprised he hasn't told us himself!"

Megumi found it hard to speak the next words. "He doesn't exactly know it yet."

"Oh? This should be interesting to hear."

The doctor struggled to keep a civil tongue. She had come to ask a favor. ~It would hardly be right to lay into the nosy old woman under the circumstances! What a bunch of gossip-hungry old biddies in this town!~ She counted silently to ten, took a deep breath, and forced a smile. "My relationship with Sagarasan is very complex. Sometimes I don't think I understand it myself," she admitted. "But this is how it always has been, with us. I beg your discretion in this matter. Please do not speak of it to anyone before the… process is complete."

The old woman took pity on the younger one. Everyone knew how proud the doctor was, and how sensitive. Though it had been more than three years, during which she had never let anyone get close, she tended to let her guard down just a bit when examining patients. She was a consummate professional but she had a warm and friendly bedside manner, always doing her best to make sure her patients were comfortable and happy. She hadn't noticed, wrapped up in her work and her fear, how highly the people she cared for thought of her. They'd often ascribed it to her proper upbringing.

The truth, however, was beginning to come to light. ~She's shy!~ Karitaku Chiyoko was surprised by the revelation, but it did explain a lot. ~She's been hurt badly in the past. More than we all know about. It's made her shy. That's why she's always been so defensive.~ "Of course, Takanisensei. Not even my husband shall hear of this until after Sagarasan has taken up residence in the Takani clinic," she said with a warm smile. She held her hands out for the red-wrapped package, which Megumi handed over. "I'll just put this aside until the day after tomorrow, then I'll put it in with his things." She couldn't stop the grin, but hoped that the perceptive doctor would dismiss the cause as being connected to her happiness over her boarder's impending marriage.

"Thank you, Karitakusan." Bowing deeply once more, Megumi rose and left the house. Schooling her features into a calm she didn't feel, she turned her steps back toward the clinic to discover what chaos Sanosuke had engendered. She didn't doubt his ability to get into trouble when left to his own devices, no matter how innocuous the situation might otherwise seem.

To her surprise, the clinic was still standing and intact. No signs of violence or destruction, no echoing cries of dismay or fear reached her senses as she approached the building. Somehow that only contributed further to her caution.

There was only one young boy in the waiting room looking incredibly bored.

"Hi Takanisensei! My mother's in the exam room with Sagarasan. My little brother fell and hurt his leg." The boy rolled his eyes. "What a crybaby."

"You know he's only three. Everyone cries sometimes. Even grown boys. It's perfectly natural," Megumi assured the six year old.

"I'm a big boy. I don't cry," the youngster puffed out his chest.

Megumi smiled. "That's okay too, but remember that crying isn't a bad thing unless you do it too much."

"I will, Takanisensei!"

"That's good. Now let me go see how my assistant is doing with your little brother." She followed the shrieks to the exam room where she fully expected the worst.

In the few seconds it took her to cross the floor, her mind had a fully detailed picture of medicines and bandages all over the floor, a screaming, crying child throwing a tantrum in the midst of it while a distraught mother sought to calm him, and a thoroughly miserable Sanosuke hogtied in bandages on the floor. The door to the room was open, and the sight that met her eyes shocked her far more.

The child was indeed shrieking, but it was not in rage or fear. His wound – apparently not much worse than a scraped knee – was neatly dressed and the room was in order. His mother looked up at Megumi's footstep, but Sanosuke was too busy holding the boy in the air over his head and making whooshing noises, laughing nearly as much as the delighted child, to notice her.

The doctor's eyes widened and her hand came up to her chest. It was in this attitude of surprise that Sano spotted her and stopped mid-whoosh. The boy hung in midair, giggling madly, balanced easily on one of Sano's large, strong hands. The look of surprise on the tall man's features echoed Megumi's, and the young mother tried to cover up her laugh with a discreet cough.

Slowly Sanosuke lowered the boy, still balancing him casually. Red-faced, he turned to the child's mother. "Here. Uhh. This is yours."

The boy giggled again as his mother took him in her arms and bowed her thanks. "I'll come back to settle the bill later," she said softly, leaving a thoroughly embarrassed Sanosuke alone with an equally discombobulated Megumi.

"I see you've managed not to destroy my clinic," she said finally.

In a gesture he'd clearly copied from her, Sanosuke tossed his long hair back. "I don't see why you're so surprised," he grumbled. "It was just a kid with a scraped knee."

"There was a time where that child would have had you tied up on the ground in tears," she replied in the same tone. ~Well. I guess making him stay to clean up the chaos he created is not going to be an option to make him stay tonight… I'll have to think of something else.~ She turned away so he would not see the smile the thought brought to her face. It was going to be very difficult, keeping her plan a surprise. If only she could overcome that one hurdle, and become his wife in truth, there would be no need for such bizarre subterfuge… ~But the one I'm trying to trick… isn't him.~

[AN] The letters will appear in the next part. That vixen… Only she would turn a proposal around on its ear like this! But will it backfire on her? [/AN]