Author's Notes:

Here's the second installment (supposed to be the last but… oh, well!). Please don't forget to let me know what you think. If you don't like it for any reason, tell me nicely. ^_^ And just so you know, the centered and italicized words are the lyrics to the song. *pauses then slaps forehead* Doi! You know that already! *slaps self*

Disclaimer:

I don't own RK and Celine Dion's I Love You. Never did and never will. But I'm cool with it. I think it's better that way, ne?

I LOVE YOU

By: g3ozLizh

Chapter Two

As soon as Megumi slid the clinic door open, Dr. Genzai poked his head out from his office, eyes having an amused glint.

"Konnichi wa, Megumi-san." He smiled warmly. But as soon as he got a good look at Megumi's face, his smile faltered and the twinkle disappeared.

Megumi bowed her head in greeting. "Konnichi wa."

"I can see that you didn't sleep well last night," Dr. Genzai stepped out of the doorway, bothered.

"Ano… this is nothing, Genzai-sensei. I just had…" she trailed off, not knowing what to say. Saying goodbye to Sanosuke was harder this time, more painful. And her mind is currently preoccupied with thoughts of last night and this early morning that she couldn't think of a good excuse. She was just flat out tired.

Dr. Genzai smiled in understanding. "There's someone waiting for you inside." He cocked his head to the direction of her office. "Said that she wanted to talk to you."

Megumi was thankful for the change of topic and curious as to whom that someone might be. Only two people knew she had arrived. "Really?" Her brow furrowed. Who could be coming here this early and wanting only to talk? "Okay. Thanks, " she replied with a feeble attempt in smiling.

She hurried towards her office. When she slid the door open, a girl stood up from one of the chairs. She recognized her immediately but didn't show her surprise. Why is she here?

"Yes?" Her voice was polite, betraying her real emotion.

"I guess you know why I'm here," Well, the girl surely did try to hide her distaste; her voice was stiff and biting as ice.

Megumi pretended to be oblivious regarding the girl's cold treatment towards her. "Actually, I don't so would you care to elaborate?" She walked towards her desk and sat on the chair behind it. Squaring her shoulders, she laced her fingers together and rested her arms on the desk, all business.

The standing girl slammed her palm on the table. "You know very much what I'm talking about." Her eyebrows were drawn together and her big black eyes smoldering.

But Megumi didn't even flinch. She stared at the girl squarely in the eyes. She noticed that she had exceptionally beautiful eyelashes, long and those that curl naturally. "I'm not up for any guessing games right now so please, if you would just exit, I could make use of my time to get ready for my patients." She stood up, meaning to lead the girl to the door.

The girl stopped her, enraged and pointed her finger at her. "You stay away from Sano."

"Are you threatening me?" Megumi merely raised one of her well-shaped eyebrows. "Because if you are, you're just wasting your effort." She began to move again. "Now if you will just --- "

Ignoring her previous statement, the girl interrupted her. "How dare you come back here and think you can have him."

Inside, Megumi was seething. How dare she --- this girl --- accuse her of something she didn't do, that she didn't even give in to the temptation of kissing him when she had the opportunity. And to think that she, Megumi, is doing all she can to put a lid to her fillings for Sano… and all because of this kind of girl??? Sano could have chosen a far better girl than her. "Why? Do you?"

"Yes, he's mine. I've worked so hard to be this close to him and now that I have him, Megumi, don't even think that I'm letting you take him away!"

"If I'm that of much threat to you, then maybe you should stay away from him 'coz if that's the case, it seems that he prefers me far better than you." Not that I'm still gonna harbor feelings for him, she told herself silently, more like to convince that she could take the first step to forget those feeling --- right now. Yeah, right! And Shishio loves Kamatari.

"Of course, he does not!" The girl scoffed, indignant. "What I'm trying to say is that it's your fault why you can never have a chance with him ag --- "

"And what makes you think that I want him?"

"Again, I'm not saying that. All I'm trying to say is that you made a big mistake of letting a great man as loyal and…" she paused then mischievously smiled as she continued. "Gentle as him go when you had the chance!"

Megumi's expression seemed to read: "What do you mean when I had the chance?"

The girl flipped her dark hair back with a hand. "Bet you didn't know that." She narrowed her eyes, arching an eyebrow. "Or were you just too caught up in your notion of your ideal guy: rich --- "

"Don't you dare talk to me that way! You don't even know me!"

"Really? What with all those times that Sano talked to me about you --- Of course, he didn't actually flat out say that your like that, he's not that kind of person."

And you are.

"But I can read between the lines…"

Yes indeed, she did reason out with herself most of the time that how can she be in love with an ex-gangster, freeloader, trouble-maker, jobless man that he is? But she didn't mean it to sound like that. More of like a tease, something that will remind him that he can't live as a freeloader and jobless man forever; a challenge. And knowing him, he would prefer it root out from an argument, something where he can have get his determination to accomplish, rather than Kenshin telling him to get a job and pay his debts at the Akabeko.

"Well."

Megumi focused her eyes back to her, mentally shaking her head to get out from her reverie.

"It seems that you've finally realized your mistake so now I expect you not to make another… that is, don't ruin his chance at happiness… with me, Akina."

Megumi opened her mouth to speak but a knock came from the door, cutting her off even before she can start. "Takani-sensei? It's me, Dora-chan, from yesterday?"

The girl glanced at the door then back to Megumi. "Well, I guess I should go now." She turned around but then back again to flash her a "sweet" smile. "Ja." Ending the discourse as simple as that, she sauntered off.

Megumi saw her greeting Dora as she opened the door.

"Oh, hello there! Off early from bed just to see Takani-sensei, too?"

Megumi just stood there, speechless. The importance of their heated conversation finally hitting the mark.

Now she can never truly forget him…

Till the end of time

=*=*=*=

So today I finally find

The courage deep inside

Just to walk right up to your door

Megumi lifted her hand to knock on Sano's apartment door but paused halfway.

Can I really do this? She clenched her raised hand tightly into a fist, still having second thoughts whether to go on or not with what she had spent the whole night thinking about.

The moment she chose to tell him everything was in the late afternoon where she could underplay a blush, a shadow in her eyes, the slightest change in her expression… and blame all these occurrences to the dun yet brilliant color of the setting sun.

Before she could change her mind, she firmly knocked on the door and braced herself for the mixed emotions that would surely be stirring as soon as she get to face him.

She wasn't aware of him opening the door for she was caught up in her thoughts with things to say, her eyes shut closed and fist still raised, as if she intend to knock again. His voice was what brought her back.

"Fox?" He sounded quite surprised.

Well, why shouldn't he be? An inner voice inside her seemed to point out. It's not as if she's he's girlfriend or anything where it really wouldn't be out of the ordinary if she appears on his doorstep at random time.

She slowly opened her eyes while gradually lowering her arm. Gazing up at him the way she's doing right now, Sano became a bit uneasy, not sure of what to expect. To break the awkwardness, he exclaimed, "Well… you don't really expect me to "formally" invite you in."

So when Megumi merely just stared at him in return, he was more confused and curious than ever.

Megumi mutely entered and once the shoji door was slid close, she felt she had no chance to escape.

She realized that she interrupted his sake drinking, noticing the half-empty jug beside the futon. For a moment, they just stood facing each other, not uttering a word.

But my body can't move

When I finally get to it

Just like a thousand times before

I can't breathe… She fought the urge to grasp her throat.

But Sano saw through her anyway.

"Megumi, what is it?" He shoved his hands in his pockets with that trademark move of his but this time, it appeared less… suave, more careful. Contained.

Why? Is he holding back…? From what?

He took a step closer. "Something's been troubling you and…" Another step. "Why did you run off like that the other night?"

Megumi looked at him in the eyes and just gazing at those dark chocolate orbs made her whole body yearn for his caress. However, for the past years, she had truly mastered the art of control and will. If she had not, she wouldn't be able to remain in Aizu for that lengthy span of time.

Thanks to the dim lamp light which originated from her side of the room, enabling only for Sano's form to be spotlighted and for hers to be shadowed; he wouldn't be able to detect the turmoil of feelings that only the eyes can reveal when all else fails.

"I didn't run off. I just needed to get back to the clinic and didn't have the heart to disturb you. Besides, that was a bright new morning already."

Sano was silent for a while and Megumi began to wonder what was going on in his head that made him sound serious all of a sudden. Finally, he looked up from the ground, intently gazed into her eyes and huskily said, "It didn't seem like a bright new morning to me."

"What?" Megumi asked in a breathless whisper, confused, her heart thudded wildly like it knew a hidden meaning to his words only it can decipher right away.

A bemused expression spread across his face then he grinned rakishly. "Wow. You're not so sharp as I have remembered. Years of living without me will do that to you."

Megumi snorted, standing on one leg with a hand on hip. "You wish, Sanosuke."

"But I did wish." There's that damn rakish grin again.

Megumi shot him a puzzled look and she shifted her weight. This was not how she expected things to turn… and she hasn't even said anything yet! "What are you talking about, rooster-head?"

"Hah! Got ya!" he exclaimed while pointing a finger at her.

So fast. What happened? "What???" Utter confusion.

"You were so serious back there. You thought there was something else I meant by what I said."

She threw up her hands in defiance. "I did NOT!" And that was so lame! It wasn't even funny!" She flicked her hair back, arms crossed and with a more relaxed expression. "I think I'm the one who should be telling you that you're not as sharp as before --- not that you were. I always got to beat you."

He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Oi, but you did fall for it this time!"

She stood on one leg with a hand on hip, eyebrows raised. "And your purpose is?"

"Nothing!" Now it was his turn to raise an eyebrow… still obvious even with a mop for a hair. "Hey, we never needed to have a purpose just to tease each other," he pointed out.

"Fine! I'll just leave! This conversation isn't going anywhere!"

"You mean to say you really were trying to strike up a decent conversation with me?" he tried another time but when he saw the look of contempt plastered on her face, he shifted gear. "Hey, wait! Don't go!" His feet shuffled forward to stop her from leaving, arm outstretched.

"Let go!" She really isn't much bothered with his teasing but since her purpose for going here is to talk about serious matters, specifically involving her fragile heart, she have no patience for dillydallying.

"I was just testing if you're still the same Megumi."

"Well, I'm not! I'm through with the Megumi who keeps on dodging the truth and lives behind a mask."

"Megumi? What --- ?"

She sighed, tired. "Sano, the reason I came here is to tell you that I..." She hesitated, gathering up all her courage to say with head bowed down, she slowly raised her eyes to meet his. "I love you."

Sano didn't have the chance to react because just then, the door burst open. Both turned slightly to see Akina by the doorway.

"Akina?" Sano seemed taken aback.

Oblivious to Megumi or just plain ignoring her, Akina started talking in an excited voice. "Sano, my uncle from Hakone just agreed to take us in for a few weeks, just as we planned!"

Megumi just stood there, feeling like an idiot. Here she just had confessed her whole heart out to him and what does he do? He go and focus his attention to the other girl thereby completely ignoring her! All of a sudden, she felt ashamed. Like she was not supposed to be there. Of which I shouldn't be…

"That's great but…" he shot a quick uncertain glance at Megumi who seemed to back away to the background. "I --- "

She couldn't hold back the tears any longer. "Excuse me," she muttered hoarsely. She cast her head downward and rushed to the doorway, brushing past Akina.

The girl willingly moved out of her way.

A tear was quick to slid down as soon as she was outside.

"Megumi!" She heard him call out.

"Sano, don't!" She heard Akina protest and she can picture in her mind that she was blocking his way.

Then she heard Akina crying out in despair and a pair of footsteps running closer. She quickened her pace and rounded a corner but of course, he caught up with her in no time.

Damn this kimono and sandals! She cursed as she was made to face him. She was situated between him and a wall.

"Look, Megumi, I --- "

They didn't know that Akina had run after them until she called out his name. "Sano!"

He chose to ignore her this time but Megumi didn't. "If you're ready to have that decent talk, see me in the clinic." With that, she forcefully pushed him away.

Sano could only watch her go… but with a promise.

=*=*=*=

As soon as Megumi stepped into her room, she took off her smock, loosened her kimono, slipped out it off and donned on a yukata. The futon across the room looked so inviting and she was tired. Tired from all the emotional rollercoaster. Tired from all the running. Tired from all the pretending.

She slipped beneath the covers and lied down on her side. Tired from it all… She curled into a ball, knowing that the night would be colder from now on. A tear slipped and disappeared into the pillow and she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep.

=*=*=*=

Standing behind a tree, Sano watched through the windows as the lights went out of her room. The chilly night air swept past him, ruffling his hair and red bandanna. Bushes around him danced with the breeze and hummed a low song on their own. So peaceful. Nature at peace with the night, rubbing in the fact that he was not.

Good night, Megumi… he tried to send the vibe over to her so that at least she could get a good night's sleep. It was stupid, he knew, but heck --- who cares???

So he slid his back against the tree, crossed his arms, stretched his legs in front and nodded off to sleep, hoping of dreams to accompany his bitingly cold and bleak solitude. If only he can also numb the pain.

Author's Notes: PLEASE READ!!! .

When I came up with the idea to write this fic, I had intended to end it simply but I thought again and seeing as to how little Sano & Megumi fic are out there, I decided to do away with my original plan. We need to have well-written fics to compromise to that (few Sano & Megumi fics). I've been working on this since last month but I still can't pin down what I really want to happen. So the result is me constantly changing the events and therefore, I can't come up with the ending yet. This is suppose to be the last chapter but to prevent myself from altering the story any further, I chose to post this fic now.

Calling all Sano & Megumi fans out there! Tell me what you want to happen. This fic revolves around a very common plot and I want to end it with something different. Yes, we know that Sano & Megumi are going to end up together (no doubt there) but the problem is how to go about it ^_^. So I thought that since you guys would be reading it, why not tell me how you want it to happen. In that way, we can all enjoy the fic; you will get to read what you like and I get to finish it sooner and lessen headache and a gradually deflating butt due to prolong sitting on my part. ^_^ So please! *begs shamelessly*

And another thing. I need a beta-reader. (Waaah! Akai-Kuu, why have you abandoned me???? ^_^) So anybody out there with a golden heart? *sweetly smiles* You'll be greatly rewarded in heaven! (That is after you die and granted you've been a good girl/guy.)

Is good morning for Japanese "konnichi wa"? I forgot my Japanese!

Now don't forget to review now! ^_^