These Changing Times
This fanfic series takes place two years after the Revenge Arc ends, in an alternate RuroKen universe. (Only because I started it well before the manga ended ^_^;;) Eighteen-year-old Makimachi Misao comes to Tokyo to stay with Kenshin and Kaoru... and to put her own troubles behind her. A newly attentive Sagara Sanosuke is more than willing to distract her. Then a certain Oniwabanshuu onmitsu turns up in Tokyo to help investigate a wave of vicious armed robberies sweeping the city...
Comments and constructive criticism are always appreciated. But be warned: this fic meddles with what seem to be considered the tried-and-true romantic pairings in RuroKen (in case I didn't already make that clear). So if you read further, please be kind and keep an open mind! ^^;;
Note: for those who are new to the language, go to http://home.netcom.com/~sakka/times/glossary.htm to get information on the Japanese terms and expressions used in this chapter.
Chapter 14 -- Let the Games Begin
"Oi, Misao... what'cha makin'?" Yahiko looked over Misao's shoulder, watching as she dusted rice flour over a plateful of sweet-smelling rectangular cakes.
"Mochi," she replied, smacking his grabbing hand with the wooden mallet she was holding. "Dame! It's for lunch, midget! You'll have to wait awhile like the rest of us..."
"Itai!" he howled, rubbing his reddened fingers. "Man, I dunno what Sano sees in a violent tomboy like you. Guess it's the free food."
Misao threw the empty rice-bowl at Yahiko's head. "Get out, get out, get out!" she shrieked as Yahiko bolted out of the kitchen, laughing and jeering at her.
"Betcha can't catch me in those girly clothes, weasel-face!" he called, grinning as she dashed out the door after him.
"You're on, monkey-boy!" Misao shouted, her braid tumbling down from its neat coil as she chased Yahiko around the yard. He dodged and ducked as she tried to grab him, but finally tripped over a broken shinai and skidded to the ground, where Misao gleefully pounced on him, pummeling him until he finally cried --
"All right, all right, I give! Kuso... this is humilitating..."
Misao stood up, brushing the dust off her kimono with a cocky grin. "You asked for it, brat," she said. "But I could be persuaded not tell Yutarou-kun that I kicked your ass... if you make it worth my while."
"Che... now I can see why you and Sano get along so well--ouch!" Yahiko scowled, rubbing the ear Misao had just pinched. "Yare, yare... how about if I do the dishes for the next three days?"
"The next week," Misao said, crossing her arms. "And no more smartass comments about Sano. Deal?"
"Fine," Yahiko grumbled, shuffling off in the direction of the well.
"Ne, Yahiko? Are you going to the clinic?" Misao called after him.
"Yeah, why?"
"I made some extra mochi for Tsubame-chan and Tae-san," she said. "Let me pack it up and I'll come with you."
...............
"Ohayou gozaimasu, Megumi-sensei," Tatsuya said, smiling. "Did you sleep well?"
"Very well, thank you," Megumi said, returning his smile. "There were no interruptions last night, thankfully. I brought a late breakfast for you, if you haven't eaten already."
"Arigatou gozaimasu," her assistant said, bowing slightly as he took the box she offered him. "I hope it wasn't too much trouble for you."
"Nonsense," Megumi said, waving her hand dismissively. "I like to cook, so it's no problem for me. Has Fujita-san been by to check on his prisoner yet?"
"Not so far," Tatsuya said. "The prisoner seemed quiet when I checked on him a minute ago. Do you want me to send Fujita-san to you when he arrives?"
"Yes, please," Megumi said. "That stubborn officer likely will try questioning him again, and I want to make sure he doesn't push --"
She was interrupted by a knock on the doorframe, followed by a familiar voice --
"Oi, kitsune-onna... got a minute?"
Megumi glared at the tall man lounging in the doorway. "Not for anyone who insists on calling me 'fox-lady' I don't," she replied tartly.
Sanosuke returned her dirty look with a sly smile. "What if I say 'please?' " he said, his brown eyes twinking mischievously.
Megumi stared at him silently, cursing the telltale thrum of desire his flirtatious behavior had set off in the pit of her stomach. Dammit... why the hell does he have to be so good-looking? "That'd be a good start," she finally replied, her mouth pursed.
"If you'll excuse me, Megumi-sensei... I have some things to wrap up," Tatsuya said. He nodded to Sanosuke, who stepped aside to make room for Tatsuya to pass. "Good to see you again, Sagara-san."
"Oi, sensei... you can drop the -san. I'm no gentleman, as the fox-lady here probably told you already," Sano said with a grin. "Ja..."
Tatsuya smiled politely and exited. Megumi turned to face Sanosuke as he entered the room and shut the door. "All right, baka tori," she sighed, holding out her hand. "What have you done to it this time?"
"Eh?" Sano stared at her in confusion.
"Your hand," she said. "I'm assuming that's why you're here so early in the morning. Did you get into another drunken brawl last night and use that Futae-no-whatever again?"
Sano shook his head impatiently. "That's not it at all," he said, his eyes glinting. "Sorry to disappoint you. I know how much you must have been looking forward to... examining... me again."
"In your dreams," Megumi snapped, her cheeks flushed. "So... if it's not your hand... what else could possibly have gotten you out of bed before noon to come here?"
Sano's expression turned serious. "I want to talk about what happened when you left," he said. "There's some things... well, they've bothered me. They still do. And now that you're back, I figured it was a good chance to clear things up."
Megumi bit her lip nervously, looking at the floor. "I don't know if this is the best time to talk about it, Sanosuke," she said. "I'm supposed to be on duty... checking on patients, taking care of people. I know it might be hard for you to understand that, but --"
"Kuso! You haven't changed at all!" Sano burst in, his face flaming. "I know I'm not as smart as you, Megumi, but I do speak the same language, you know. So you say you're at work and can't talk... but I know you, and you're always at work. If now isn't a good time, then when the hell --"
"That's not true!" Megumi sputtered. "I am not always working! Why, just last night I had dinner with Ken-san and Kaoru-san..."
"...who's your patient now..." Sanosuke interrupted. "They invited you to dinner after you examined her, right?"
Megumi clenched her teeth, hating him for again showing more insight than she wanted to believe he was capable of. "So what?" she said, sounding a bit petulant.
"So... you were still working, that's what," Sanosuke said. "Anyway, if now's not a good time, tell me when would be."
Never! she wanted to scream. The last thing she wanted to do was relive those few days before her departure for Aizu. But she recognized the look in Sanosuke's eyes, the determined set of his jaw. He wouldn't leave her in peace until she gave him what he wanted. She let loose a martyred sigh.
"Come back tonight, around 6," she said. "We can talk then."
"I'll be here," Sano said. "Thanks, fox- I mean... thanks, Megumi."
Blushing, Megumi met Sano's eyes again, more flustered by his effort to be nice to her than she'd been by his angry outburst. At just that moment, the door slid open --
"Ano... Megumi-san? I hope I'm not intruding --"
Misao froze, her cheerful smile vanishing as she saw Sanosuke standing within arm's length of Megumi, who was sitting and staring at him. And blushing. She felt her whole body go weak as Sano jumped away from Megumi, his face paling.
"Misao!" Sano took a step toward her. "Matte... it's not what you think..."
"Please... forgive me for disturbing you..." Misao managed to choke out before spinning around and darting out of the room... running smack into Tatsuya. The startled pair tumbled to the floor, lunch box and basins flying. When the dust had settled, Misao was mortified to discover she was sitting on top of the handsome young doctor, her kimono hiked up around her knees. She fell her face flame.
"Gomen nasai!" she sputtered, quickly scrambling off him. "I... didn't see you there... I'm so sorry..." As she crouched over to pick up the neatly wrapped box of mochi, a twinge of pain shot through her ankle, making her wince. Tatsuya immediately sprang to his feet.
"No, no... the fault was mine... I wasn't paying attention," he said, taking her hands and helping her stand. "And now I've hurt you. Is it your ankle?"
Misao nodded, biting her lip to keep from yelling in frustration as she carefully put her weight on the sore joint. Chikusho... won't this ever heal? Sano no baka... this is all your fault!
Tatsuya looked concerned. "Why don't you come with me?" he said. "I'll check your ankle... see that it's not broken."
Misao opened her mouth to say she was fine, that the pain was already gone... but she caught a glimpse of Megumi glowering at them from the office doorway... and Sano standing behind her, frowning, his narrowed eyes fixed pointedly on Tatsuya's hand, which was resting lightly against Misao's back.
It was all Misao could do to keep from laughing in Sano's face. Oh, jealous, are you? Serves you right, baka-yarou! Now it's payback time...
Misao opened her eyes as wide as she could and fixed them on Tatsuya's face. "Oh, would you?" she asked, her voice rising an octave. "I'd be ever so grateful, sensei."
Tatsuya flushed slightly. "I'm not quite worthy of that title yet," he said, smiling sheepishly. "You can call me Tatsuya, Miss..."
Misao gasped, her mouth forming a small 'o' of surprise, which she deliberately covered with one hand. "Sumimasen! I'm Makimachi Misao," she said, bowing. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Tatsuya-san." She emphasized the word "pleasure," her lashes fluttering coyly as she gave him her brightest smile.
Tatsuya smiled in return. "The pleasure is mine, Makimachi-san," he said warmly. "Please follow me..."
She took a step forward, and let out a small cry. "Oh! It hurts," she said in a small voice, careful to keep from sounding too whiny.
"Here... let me help you," Tatsuya said, putting one arm around her and taking the box with the other. She leaned against him, noticing that he wasn't much taller than she.
"Arigatou, Tatsuya-san," she said in that sweet, breathless voice she'd often used on men in her thieving days. Combined with doe-eyes and a demure smile, it knocked them for a loop every time. Though most of them were stupid drunkards with no manners... Tatsuya-san seems much shyer... more gentleman-like... wonder if it'll affect him the same way?
Tatsuya smiled, studying her face appreciatively. Misao found herself blushing as he tightened his grip on her waist. Maybe not that shy after all... "We'll get you fixed up in no time, Makimachi-san," he said, slowly escorting her into the nearest examining room.
"Please... call me Misao," she cooed, glancing over her shoulder. She allowed herself a small, victorious grin as she saw Sano's dark scowl and Megumi's reddened, furious face.
The sharp click of the exam room door sliding shut made Megumi and Sano jump.
"Outta my way, fox-lady," Sano said as he pushed Megumi aside.
"Chotto!" Megumi grabbed the back of Sano's jacket. "Just what are you planning to do, chicken-head?"
Sano snorted contemptuously. "Don't worry... your little prodigy's safe from me," he said. "The weasel girl's another story."
His comment set Megumi's temper flaring. "I can't believe her!" she exploded. "How dare she flirt so outrageously with him! In front of us, no less! It's... it's..."
"... exactly what you used to do with Kenshin to piss off Jou-chan," Sano interjected with a tight smile. "Works, doesn't it?"
"I don't know what you're taking about," Megumi spat, giving him a withering look. They both fell silent as the sound of laughter drifted from behind the closed door, followed by Misao exclaiming --
"Ooh, Tatsuya-san! That tickles..."
Megumi looked like she was about to throw something at the door when they heard Tatsuya's laughing reply --
"Sumimasen, Misao-san... what if I try it like this?"
Sanosuke cracked his knuckles as Misao let forth another peal of laughter, followed by a halfhearted protest --
"Now, Tatsuya-san... behave yourself! We barely know each other..."
Megumi fairly trembled with rage. "Ooh, that damned... little... minx!" she sputtered, stamping her foot. "I want her out of my clinic! Now!"
Sano hadn't stuck around to witness Megumi's tantrum. He stomped down the hall and shoved the exam room door open so hard the walls trembled.
Tatsuya was kneeling in front of Misao, who had her kimono parted at the knee, her sore ankle extended. Tatsuya had just finished wrapping her ankle, one hand resting on the bandage, the other cupping Misao's bare heel. Sano stared daggers at Misao, who responded with an innocent, wide-eyed gaze.
"Is something wrong, Sano?" she said in that same sweetly flirtatious tone.
Sano raised an eyebrow in response. He turned to Tatsuya. "Are you finished?" he asked the assistant doctor.
"H- hai," Tatsuya responded nervously, eyeing Sano's scowl and clenched fists. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, he thought, looking anxiously at Misao. She winked at him reassuringly.
"Good. Excuse us, then," Sano said abruptly, lifting Misao off the table and hoisting her over his shoulder. Her initial shock gave way to an outraged yell --
"Sano! What the hell do you think you're doing?" She beat her fists against his back. "Let me go, kono yarou!"
He tightened his grip on her legs with a triumphant smile. "All in good time, itachi-chan," he said. He glanced at Tatsuya, raising his voice to be heard over Misao's threatening tirade. "Thanks for taking care of her, sensei," he said, his pleasant tone in direct contrast with the possessive gleam in his eyes. "But you might want to keep more of a professional distance next time. You follow me?"
Tatsuya bowed. "I understand, Sagara-san." He smiled politely at Misao, who strained to raise her head from where she hung against Sano's back. "Take care of that ankle, Makimachi-san."
"Chotto, Tatsuya-san! You have to help me!" she cried frantically.
Tatsuya looked at Misao, then up at Sano, then back down at Misao again. "I'm afraid there's nothing further I can do for you," he said apologetically. "Besides, I don't think he'll hurt you... ne, Sagara-san?"
Sano grinned at the smaller man. "Not much," he said, winking at him. "Ja, sensei." He strode out of the room and out of the clinic, whistling as his captive shrieked --
"DAMMIT! PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT, YOU ROOSTER-HEADED BASTARD! SAAAAAA~NOOOOOO!"
Megumi raced to the window, a foxlike grin crossing her face as she watched Sanosuke carry the wriggling, shouting weasel girl down the street. I'd love to know what that baka tori plans to do with her. Once he releases her, he'll have quite a fight on his hands...
"Do you think she'll be all right, Megumi-sensei?" Tatsuya asked, his brow furrowed in concern. "I wasn't about to argue with an angry man twice my size... but..."
Megumi covered her lingering irritation with a reassuring smile. "There's nothing to worry about, Tatsuya-san. I've known Sano for a long time... he won't harm Misao-chan."
Tatsuya breathed a sigh of relief. "I had no idea she already had a suitor," he said, a trifle wistfully. "Though it shouldn't come as a surprise. She's very charming..."
Megumi suddenly felt as if something heavy was pressing down on her chest. "Yes," she managed to reply. "Misao-chan has always been a cheerful, lively girl."
"Indeed. And beautiful as well," Tatsuya said, turning away from the window. "I'm going to finish straightening the supply closet. Unless you need anything, Megumi-sensei?"
She shook her head, not trusting her voice. Tatsuya smiled pleasantly and walked away, leaving Megumi staring at the floor... cursing the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. I'm such a fool... to think... to hope that...
She closed her eyes tightly, feeling the moisture seep out between her lashes.
Chikusho! Why did I come back here? Sanosuke no baka... this is all your fault!
..................
Sanosuke sneezed as he carried Misao up the stairs of an abandoned shrine at the edge of the city. She'd long since stop yelling for help and was planning exactly how badly she would hurt her abductor once he put her down. Let's see... I have four kunai in my obi... and I'm sure I can get at least one good kick in where it counts... that should put him out of action long enough for me to beat him senseless...
"You've been awfully quiet, weasel girl," Sano said cheerfully. "You must be plotting something."
"Yeah... your death..." she snarled. "Wait 'til I'm standing again... I'm gonna give you the ass-kicking of your life..."
"Oh, really?" Sanosuke said, chuckling. "I can hardly wait. In fact... why don't you start now? I could use the exercise."
He rolled her off his shoulder and set her on the ground. Misao reached inside her obi and grabbed her kunai... and promptly sank to her knees, her vision fogging.
"Ohhh," she groaned. "So... dizzy... what... why..."
Sanosuke was laughing so hard he had to lean against a tree for support. "Well, Misao... you might get your wish..." he gasped. "I just might die... laughing..."
"Urusai!" Misao tried to shout, but it came out sounding weak and whiny. "I will kill you... as soon as... I can stand up again." She lay back on the ground, fighting nausea. Sano wiped tears of hilarity out of his eyes as he walked up to Misao.
"Must've been all that time upside-down," he said, grinning. "You okay, itachi-chan?"
"No," she said, her lower lip protruding petulantly. Sano's grin widened as he knelt over her, flicking her lip with the tip of one finger.
"You look about five years old with your lip hanging out like that," he said as she slapped his hand away.
"Do that again and I'll bite your finger off," Misao said with some of her usual spirit.
Sano's grin turned wicked. "Maybe you'd like it better if I touched it like this..." he said, leaning in and kissing her before she could summon the strength to protest.
I'm hopeless, Misao thought as she leaned up into the kiss, running her hands through his hair. All he has to do is kiss me and I forget what a complete jerk he's been...
I'm hopeless, Sano thought as he scooped Misao off the ground and settled her on his lap, kissing her all the while. One kiss, and I forget what a devious little brat she's been...
He broke the kiss and whispered, "So, am I forgiven yet?"
Misao cocked her head. "I dunno," she said. "You were pretty mean to me."
"You deserved it," he said, nuzzling her neck. "You're lucky I didn't spank you, Misao-chan."
His breath tickled her neck, making her giggle. "No... you're lucky you didn't spank me," she said, her breath catching as Sano's teeth grazed the sensitive skin below her ear. "I'd have had to really hurt you then."
"Sounds like fun," Sano smirked, inhaling deeply. "Mmm... you smell like mochi," he said, nibbling his way down her neck. "Taste like it, too."
Misao let out a sound somewhere between a chuckle and a moan. "I made some for Tae-san and Tsubame-chan," she said, her voice wavering as his kisses played havoc with her hormones. "Must've wiped my hand on my neck or something."
"Well, since I missed breakfast this morning... you don't mind if I have a little snack now, do you?" Sano murmured, pushing aside Misao's kimono to reveal part of her collarbone. She moaned softly as he trailed playful, nipping kisses across the exposed region.
"Mmm... your skin's so soft..." he whispered, pulling her kimono down further, revealing one pale shoulder. He grazed the skin there with his teeth, laved it with his tongue. "I wonder... does the rest of you taste this good, my beauty?"
"Sa- Sano," she gasped, tipping her head back, mind and body awash in pleasure. She struggled to maintain some semblance of reason. "Wait... we... we shouldn't..."
"Why?" he asked, kissing his way back to her neck, then catching her lips again. She responded as eagerly as ever, reaching inside his jacket to stroke his chest, his back. He drew back slightly, his lips so close she could feel them forming the words as he said --
"Tell me why we shouldn't, kirei..."
"Because..." she murmured.
"Because...?" he echoed, brushing her lips with his.
Her voice faltered. "Because... we're out in the open..."
"So? No one's here. No one ever comes up here." His whisper turned silky. "We could do anything we want... like..." He whispered a salacious suggestion in her ear, grinning as she slapped his shoulder.
"Sano!"
"Well, we could..."
"You shouldn't say such things." Misao turned her head away, her face scarlet.
Sano tipped her face back toward his. His eyes were nearly black, they were so intense. "Tell me you haven't thought about it, Misao," he said in a voice as sweet and smooth as the mochi she'd made for lunch. "Tell me you don't want me to slip that kimono off your back right now..."
He slid one hand inside her kimono and down her back, making her gasp --
"...and kiss you..."
Her eyelids fluttered closed as he lowered his head, his breath warming the exposed skin just above the cloth binding her breasts --
"...everywhere..."
Kami-sama... I do... I do... "Why are you doing this?" she cried, pushing him away from her and scrambling off his lap. "Are you trying to prove something? All right, I admit it -- I'm attracted to you, okay? Does that boost your ego? Does it make you feel good to have two women chasing after you? Now you can go back to Megumi-san and tell her what a man you are..."
"Huh?" Sano's arousal was swiftly doused by anger. "Chotto! What's that supposed to mean?"
"I think you know," Misao said icily, getting to her feet and pulling her kimono back into place with trembling hands.
Sano stared at her, his bewildered expression disappearing as he realized what Misao was intimating. "You... you think I'm playing around with both you and Megumi?"
"You said it, not me," Misao said, brushing off the back of her kimono. She yelped in surprise as Sano leapt to his feet, grabbing her arm and roaring --
"Dammit, Misao! You're just as bad as Jou-chan! If that's the kind of asshole you think I am... then I'll leave you alone from now on."
Misao's prim expression crumpled as she seized his sleeve with her free hand. "No! Don't... I mean... I don't know what to think," she said miserably as he glowered down at her. "I mean... the way you were with her this morning... and you've been acting so moody since she came back, but you won't tell me why. And... and you said yourself... that you... and she..."
Her voice trailed off as she turned away from him, too heartsick to go on. His anger faded in the face of her obvious distress. I know she wants me to tell her what happened with Megumi. Shikashi... I don't know if I can face her afterwards. What if she changes her mind about me?
Misao looked at Sano just as he turned away from her. He looks... ashamed? But why? Surely he didn't hurt her... of course not! He's not that kind of guy...
Sano flinched as Misao took his hand in her own. "Sano," she said quietly. "You listened to everything I had to say about Aoshi-sama, and you didn't judge or look down on me for any of it. I'll make that same promise to you. Talk to me..."
"I'm afraid to," Sano blurted before he could stop himself. "It's not a pretty story, Misao. I'm afraid you... that you won't like me very much after I've told you."
"Try me," she said, smiling slightly. "I've forgiven far worse of others, I'm sure."
Sano stared at her, slowly returning her smile. "That's true, isn't it?" he said, tugging on Misao's hand and leading her to a nearby tree. They both sat down on the shady grass beneath its sweeping branches, continuing to hold hands while Sano exhaled once, sharply, and began --
"It happened right after the whole thing with Yukishiro Enishi... when Kenshin and Jou-chan announced their engagement..."
-- End of Chapter 13 --