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 15 -- The End of the Party
"A toast to Himura Kenshin and Kamiya Kaoru!"
A chorus of voices joined in what must have been Sanosuke's sixth toast of the engagement party, laughing and teasing Sanosuke and one another.
"Thank you all for coming to celebrate with us," Kenshin said for about the twelfth time, smiling fondly at Kaoru. She returned his loving gaze with her own starry-eyed, slightly lopsided smile. He chuckled, tapping her on the nose.
"You've had too much to drink, Kaoru-do--"
"Dame, dame, dame!" Kaoru exclaimed, putting her hand over Kenshin's mouth to cut him off. "No more '-dono!' You promised!"
Kenshin took her hand away, smiling sheepishly. "Maa, maa... be patient with me, Kaoru-do... Kaoru. It'll take a little practice to break the habit."
Sanosuke laughed, shaking his head. He couldn't help grinning like an idiot every time he looked at the happy pair. They deserve some happiness after the hell they've been through...
His good mood, however, was dampened every time he glanced over at Megumi. She sat in the midst of the boisterous revelry, eyes averted, face wistful. After smiling and congratulating Kenshin and Kaoru, she had withdrawn into herself, sipping her sake and avoiding looking at the blissful couple.
Dammit, fox... when are you gonna give it up?
Sanosuke sighed as he poured himself another drink, then walked over to where Megumi was brooding. "Oi, kitsune-sensei," he called cheerfully over the others' chatter, plopping down next to her. "You're way too quiet. Spoils the mood, you know?"
She smiled evilly at him. "We can't all be loudmouthed rooster-heads like you," she said in that familiar, sweetly sarcastic voice. "You're making enough noise for ten people..."
Sanosuke laughed good-naturedly, pleased that his gibe had roused the fox-lady from her gloomy solitude. "I suppose that's true," he said, flashing a grin. "Still, you should loosen up. This is a party, not a funeral."
Megumi flinched, then glared at Sano. "I'm as loose as anyone else here," she retorted, downing the rest of her sake and holding out her cup. Sano's grin turned suggestive as he refilled it.
"Really? That's good news for me... I like my women loose..."
Megumi snorted. "Hah! Too bad for you," she said, her nose in the air. "I prefer my men to be well-mannered... and employed."
Sano couldn't help chuckling at Megumi's well-placed insult. Despite the sting her words usually carried, he always enjoyed the process of coming up with an even more scathing retort. They continued their drinking and jab-ladened flirting for awhile, pausing to laugh at Misao's verbal sparring with Yahiko and poke fun at Aoshi's seemingly impervious calm.
"And you thought I was wound too tight," Megumi said in a giggling undertone, her face flushed.
Sano grinned in response. "I'm surprised he chose to join us," he said, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "He's not exactly the partying kind."
They laughed some more... then Megumi suddenly stopped, looking stricken. Kenshin had lowered his head to say something to Kaoru, and she had responded by kissing him. The crowd erupted in whistles and catcalls. Sano whooped, shouting --
"Go, Jou-chan!"
Megumi stiffened, then rose quietly. As the blushing couple separated, the doctor forced a smile and addressed them --
"Please excuse me," Megumi said. "I've had a bit too much to drink, and I have to be at the clinic early tomorrow. I'll say good night now."
Kaoru jumped up. "Thank you so much for coming, Megumi-san," she said taking Megumi's hands in hers. "It means a lot to Kenshin and to me."
Megumi's smile trembled. "Then I'm glad I came," she said brightly. "Thank you for inviting me. Oyasumi nasai."
As she picked her way through the crowd, Sanosuke jumped up. "Chotto, kitsune... I'll walk you home," he said, noting Megumi's unsteady gait. "It's late... you shouldn't be alone."
Megumi stared at Sanosuke, then shrugged. "Fine," she said.
The noisy party they left behind made the deserted streets of Tokyo seem even darker and quieter than usual. Megumi and Sanosuke walked in silence for awhile. Sano swallowed and broke the silence, asking Megumi in a gruff voice --
"Who do you think you're fooling, kitsune-onna?"
Megumi stared at him blearily, then waved at him dismissively. "As usual, you make no sense," she said.
Sano raised an eyebrow. "What, you too drunk to understand Japanese, fox?" he said. "I said -- just who do you think you're fooling? Congratulating Kenshin and Jou-chan like you're so happy they're getting married... then sulking for most of the party."
"S- sulking!" Megumi cried, lurching to a halt. "I was not... I would never..."
"You did," Sano said, nodding to emphasize his point. "Luckily, it didn't bring anybody else down... they were as rowdy a bunch as ever. And you did perk up toward the end... until the lovebirds started kissing."
Megumi dropped her haughty demeanor and eyed the ground. "I... I tried so hard to be... I mean... I want to be happy... for him, for them both... kedo..." She clenched her teeth and shut her eyes tightly to hold the tears at bay. Sano watched her silently, her obvious misery tugging at his heart.
A minute later she was sniffling and swiping at her eyes. "Chikusho," she growled. "This is why I don't get drunk... makes me too sentimental..."
"Maybe you should be," Sano said, all traces of teasing gone from his voice. "Maybe you need to stop being so damned strong and cry about it, Megumi. Maybe that's the only way to let it go."
She choked back a sob, keeping her head bent so her hair shielded her face from view. "I can't," she whispered. "Not... out here... like this..."
Sano swallowed over the lump that suddenly formed in his throat. Ah, hell... I wanna help you, kitsune... but you don't want my kind of help... so...
"Do you want me to go?" he said softly. "So you can be alone?"
Sano watched Megumi's body tremble slightly... heard her gasp... and nearly fell over from shock when she flung herself into him with a piteous wail.
"Don't," she sobbed, her hands clenching the folds of his jacket, her face pressed against his bare chest. "Don't go. Please... don't leave..."
Sano recovered quickly, carefully wrapping his arms around her. She's so soft... so warm... "I won't," he said, feeling awkward and sad and aroused all at once. "It's okay, Megumi."
She cried for a few minutes as Sano held her, stroking her hair. He could hear her murmuring something as she cried, and lowered his cheek against the top of her head to better hear what she was saying --
"...it was hopeless all along, but I never stopped hoping..."
Megumi appeared unaware of his presence as she murmured that thought aloud. Sano tightened his arms around her, wishing -- as he always did -- that he knew what to say to her.
Immediately after Sano tightened his hold on Megumi, he sensed a change in her. She stopped crying and tensed slightly... then relaxed against him, her body soft and welcoming. Uh oh...
Megumi lifted her damp face to his. "Sanosuke..." she said, voicing an unspoken question with her eyes.
Sano swallowed, his body saying yes, his mind holding him back. Oh man... this isn't good, Sagara... you've both been drinking and she's been crying over another...
Megumi didn't wait for him to finish the thought. She pressed closer to him... stood on tiptoe... and kissed him.
Sano forgot everything and kissed her back, one hand cradling the back of her head, the other pressed against the small of her back. So good... I knew it would be, if we'd just let ourselves go... He groaned against Megumi's lips, prompting her to part them, her tongue swirling seductively around his.
They broke the kiss simultaneously, their breathing ragged. "Megumi..." Sano said, cupping her face in his hands. "We shouldn't... not like this --"
She put her hand over his mouth. "Don't start thinking on me now, Sanosuke," she whispered. "Just feel." She took one of his hands from her face and placed it on her chest. "Feel me," she commanded softly, her eyes burning.
Sano's hand reflexively cupped her clothed breast, then withdrew. "Gods, Megumi... not here..."
"Then come home with me."
"But --"
Megumi silenced him with another voluptuous kiss, slipping one hand inside the back of his pants to caress his bare buttocks. He pushed her away roughly, muttering a curse on all kitsune... then grabbed her hand, pulling her after him.
"Show me the way."
...............
Sano woke to the soft sounds of clothing rustling. He opened his eyes and saw Megumi hastily tightening the ties on her doctor's smock. He figured it was just about dawn, judging from the dim light filtering through the paper panels in the wall.
"Megumi?" he said, his voice sleep-roughened. "You leaving already?"
She glanced at him briefly. "Yes... I have to relieve Genzai-sensei," she said in a low voice. He started to get out of bed, but she waved him back down.
"I'm sorry I woke you... go back to sleep if you want."
Sanosuke shook off the uneasiness her gesture had brought on. Baka... she's just in a hurry... being considerate... "Think I might for awhile," he said, smiling at her. "I'll stop by later on, if that's okay."
"You don't have to," she said.
"I want to," he replied, feeling that uneasiness again as she kept looking at the floor.
She bit her lip, then met his eyes... and smiled. He let out the breath he'd been holding.
"All right," she said. "I'll see you later, then."
"Mata ne," he answered, smiling in return.
After Megumi left, Sano lay back in the futon, staring at the ceiling and feeling strangely cheated.
Damn... sure would've been nice to watch her wake up...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sanosuke stopped talking suddenly, looking guiltily at Misao. "Gomen," he said, blushing slightly. "You didn't need to hear that much detail."
Misao shook her head, smiling reassuringly through the violent jealousy that had gripped her from the moment Sano had spoken of Megumi's kiss. "It's all right, Sano," she said. "Tell me as much as you need to. I can take it."
Sano eyed her doubtfully. "I know that look, itachi-chan," he said. "You're not gonna stick me with your kunai, are you?"
Misao forced a light laugh, which came out sounding as strained as she felt. Sano crossed his arms and looked at her knowingly through narrowed eyes. She sighed.
"All right, all right... so maybe I am a tiny bit jealous, okay?" She looked away from him, pouting. "Anyway, you're not the one I wanna stick a kunai in... so don't worry."
Sano laughed for real at that, a hearty sound that dissolved the heaviness in Misao's stomach. She glanced back at him, unable to keep from grinning. He tweaked her nose playfully.
"Shall I go on? Or are you more interested in target practice right now?" he said teasingly.
"You'd better keep talking, baka tori, or I will get my knives out," she retorted.
He held his hands up in a gesture of submission. "Say no more," he said. His teasing grin faded as he dove into his memories once more.
"You can probably guess what happened next. I tried to visit Megumi that afternoon at the clinic, but there had been an accident downtown... a carriage crashed into a crowd. There were a ton of hurt people, and she and Genzai-sensei were going nuts. I offered to help, but she said there was nothing I could do at that point... that it was better if I came back tomorrow, when things were calmer. She did thank me for the offer, but I still felt like she was relieved to have an excuse to be rid of me."
Misao watched Sano's face twist at the memory. She bit her lip, remembering how many times she'd felt the same way about Aoshi's behavior toward her.
"The next day I was busy helping Kenshin and Kaoru prepare for the wedding ceremony. While we were in town, they said we should visit Megumi. Kenshin said something about her needing to talk to us all, which was news to me. Apparently, she had stopped by early that morning on her way to the clinic to ask Kenshin to bring everyone there later on. The first part of what she had to say was hard enough to swallow... that in time, Kenshin would no longer be able to use Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu.
"But as shocking as that was, it was the second announcement that really threw me... though when I think back on it, it shouldn't have..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I'm returning to Aizu," Megumi said quietly.
The four standing in front of her were speechless once more. Kaoru was the first to speak.
"When?" she asked, her voice just as quiet as the doctor's.
"As soon as I can," Megumi replied. "The doctor I'll be working with has sent a carriage... it should be arriving the day after tomorrow."
"Good," Kaoru sighed. "So you'll be at the wedding tomorrow, then."
Megumi smiled brightly at the younger woman. "Of course," she said warmly. "I wouldn't miss it, Kaoru-san."
Kenshin smiled. "We'll miss you, Megumi-dono," he said, his violet eyes kind. "But I suspect you're going back to Aizu for a reason."
Megumi's smile became radiant. Sano's stomach twisted painfully as it transformed her lovely face until she was almost unbearably beautiful. I've never seen her smile that way before... like it's truly from the heart...
"The doctor I'm meeting in Aizu is an old friend of my family. He says he's found my older brother," she said happily. "Apparently he's been studying in America, which is why we couldn't find him all these years. He's returning to establish a practice in Aizu... and he asked the doctor if there were any surviving members of his family still there."
"Oh, Megumi-san... that's wonderful!" Kaoru exclaimed, clapping her hands delightely.
"It really is, Megumi-dono," Kenshin said, beaming. "He will be very happy to see you, no doubt."
"If he's half as happy as I am, it will be enough," Megumi said. "The doctor says he has a wife and children now... it will be good to meet them as well."
Sano finally spoke. "That doctor... he's the old guy who came to see you last month," he said gruffly. "Around the time the whole thing with Enishi started."
Megumi met his eyes, startled. "Yes," she said. "How did you know about that?"
"Sumanu... I was here to get my hand checked, and I overheard you talking with him," Sano said. "I didn't want to disturb you, so I left."
"You never told us about that," Kaoru said, cocking an eyebrow at both Sano and Megumi.
"Silly girl," Megumi replied reproachfully. "Considering the circumstances, it didn't seem important. And then, things happened so fast..."
They all fell silent, remembering the grueling events of the past few weeks. Yahiko broke the silence then.
"It'll seem weird to come here and not see you," the young swordsman said, looking downcast. "Will you ever come back to visit us?"
Megumi smiled, resting her hand briefly on Yahiko's head. "Maybe someday," she said. "I can't promise anything. But I'd like to see you all again after we've had a chance to really enjoy this new era of peace."
Kenshin took Kaoru's hand. "Speaking of a new era," he said, his eyes twinkling as he gazed at his betrothed.
Kaoru smiled, blushing prettily. "We really should be going," she said to Megumi. "Please come by for dinner tonight. Kenshin's cooking."
Megumi laughed at that. "I wish I could," she said. "But I have a lot to do before my departure. And you're getting married tomorrow... you should have time to prepare. Can I come by tomorrow morning?"
"Not at all. I'd like to see you before the ceremony," Kaoru said, pressing her cheek briefly to Megumi's. "Mata ashita."
Megumi's eyes brightened with tears as she watched them depart. Sano paused in the doorway, turning back to look at the doctor.
"Megumi --" he began, only to be interrupted by Kaoru calling his name.
"Sanosuke! We need your help with these packages..."
Sano sighed, then fixed a narrow-eyed gaze on Megumi.
"I'll be back later, fox," he said.
Megumi swallowed, her eyes averted. "I understand," she said. "I'll be here."
Sano nodded curtly and exited.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I never did get the chance to meet Megumi that night," Sano said. "I ended up helping with dinner at the doujou... then Kenshin and I started drinking and talking afterward. Next thing I knew, it was about 2 a.m." He smiled, remembering his conversation with his best friend. "I'm glad I stayed... Kenshin and I had a good talk that night."
Misao smiled. "What did you talk about? Or would you rather not tell me?" she asked, her eyes twinkling. "Was it guy talk? I've always wondered what men talk about when we're not around..."
"You don't wanna know," Sano replied with a wicked grin. "But my talk with Kenshin wasn't like that. I'll tell you about it another time."
Misao grew serious. "So you didn't talk with Megumi until after the wedding?" she asked.
"Aa." Sano's brown eyes were somber. "I didn't want to deal with it until then. It was too important that I be there for Kenshin and Jou-chan."
Misao smiled, remembering the wedding. "You did everything just right, Sano," she said warmly. "It was a beautiful ceremony."
Sano smiled slightly, rubbing the back of his head. "You think so?" he said, sounding boyishly proud. "I was pretty nervous... but I guess it came out all right." His expression grew somber again. "I saw Megumi a few times at the celebration afterward at the Akabeko," he said, picking up the thread of his tale. "But I could never get close enough to talk to her. I saw her leave and tried to follow her, but I got sidetracked by Okon and Omasu. I figured I could catch up with her at the clinic later... so after the party died down..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
At the clinic, Sano found Megumi dozing in her office, her head pillowed on her arms, a pen dangling loosely from one hand. Sano saw that she hadn't bothered to change out of the deep green kimono she'd worn to the wedding... she'd merely thrown one of her doctor's smocks over it. For a moment he forgot his seething emotions and gazed at the peaceful image she made, wishing he didn't have to disturb her.
Shikashi... I have to. The wedding's over... and she's leaving tomorrow morning. Before she does... I have to know why...
He slowly approached her sleeping form, touching her shoulder and whispering --
"Oi, kitsune. Wake up..."
She mumbled something, turning away from him in protest. Sano exhaled in frustration and shook her gently.
"C'mon, Megumi..."
She awoke with a muttered curse. "What is it now?" she said, her voice heavy with sleep. "Another fight? You men... don't know the meaning of the word peace..."
Sano rolled his eyes. "Megumi," he said sharply. "Snap out of it. I'm not here for medical treatment."
She sat up then. "Sanosuke!" She hastily brushed her hair back with her fingers. "I... didn't hear you come in."
"Obviously," he drawled, folding his arms and leaning against the desk. "You made a pretty cute picture, sleeping like that. I almost didn't have the heart to wake you."
"I'm glad you did," she said, flustered. "I should be getting home --"
"Matte," Sano said, blocking her path as she began to rise from her chair. "We need to talk, Megumi."
Megumi stared at him, her face a mixture of annoyance and resignation. She sank back in her chair.
"I'd hoped we could avoid this," she said, giving him that imperious look he hated most. "Very well, then. Talk."
Sano stared at her, his temper rising. "Is that all you have to say?" he said angrily. "After what we... I mean... kuso, Megumi! What the hell's going on?"
"I don't know what you mean," she said.
"The hell you don't!" Sano growled. "You and I spend the night together... you spend the next two days avoiding me... and then you tell me you're going to Aizu. Just like that!"
Megumi regarded him coolly. "Just like that," she echoed. "I hardly see your point, Sanosuke... which is nothing new. What exactly are you trying to say to me?"
Sano slammed his open palm down on the desk, making Megumi jump. "Dammit, fox!" he roared. "You're trying to piss me off now... so you don't have to answer me. But I'm not leaving until you tell me why!"
Megumi clenched her fists. "Why what?" she said, returning his furious stare with a toss of her head.
"Why didn't you tell me about Aizu before we... you know..." he said, ignoring her attempt to bait him. "If I'd known..."
"What?" Megumi asked, her face growing red. "What would it have changed, Sanosuke?"
Sano's anger faded into confusion. "I would have..." he faltered. "I mean... I wouldn't have... ah, hell, Megumi! I wouldn't have slept with you if I'd known your intentions!"
Megumi rose from her seat, her eyes flashing. "Oh, is that so?" she said heatedly. "That's bullshit and you know it! You couldn't have cared less what my intentions were! All you knew is I was drunk and lonely and looking for comfort... and you jumped at the chance to give it, didn't you?"
Sano's face flamed. "Don't even say I forced you," he hissed, his eyes glinting dangerously. "You couldn't wait to get your hands on me, you damned fox! I was willing to walk away... but you threw yourself at me... looked at me with those big sad eyes..." He raised his voice, mimicking hers. " 'Oh please, Sanosuke, don't go!' 'Come home with me, Sanosuke!' What else what I supposed to do?"
"If you were even half a gentleman you would've kept walking!" Megumi shouted, taking a step toward him. "You knew I'd been drinking... that I wasn't myself! You know very well I wouldn't have done any of those things if I'd been sober!"
Sanosuke stared at her for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Oh, really?" he said, his voice dropping an octave. "So you're saying that the sake made you do it?"
"You know it's true!" she said, stamping her foot in frustration.
Sano took a step toward her. "So let's see," he mused, his eyes locked on hers. "The sake made you throw yourself into my arms..."
"Yes!" Megumi spat.
He took another step toward her. "And it made you press your body against mine..." he said, his voice like satin.
The faintest glimmer of uncertainty shot through the righteous anger in Megumi's eyes. "That's right," she said, her voice somewhat less venomous.
Sanosuke stopped directly in front of Megumi, scant inches separating them. "And it made you kiss me," he murmured, watching her closely as she swallowed nervously.
"Y- yes," she said haltingly, her eyes darting away from his.
"So," Sanosuke went on in a silken whisper, "if I were to try to kiss you now, while you're sober -- you'd say no, right?"
Megumi trembled, but held her ground. "Of course," she said, her voice wavering.
" 'Of course?' " Sano repeated, mimicking the waver in her voice. "You don't sound too sure of that." He ran his index finger down her cheek, feeling his body come alive as she shivered. He crooked the finger under her chin, lowering his head to hers.
"Tell me you don't want me to kiss you," he whispered, watching through half-closed eyes as she licked her lips. "Tell me and I'll go."
"I... I don't..." Megumi's voice trailed off as she stared at his lips hovering inches from hers.
"Yes? You don't..." Sanosuke prompted, stroking the underside of her chin.
"...don't want..." She tipped her head back to meet his eyes.
"What don't you want, Megumi?" He rested his other hand on her hip, drawing her closer.
"I don't want you... to..." Her eyes dropped to his mouth again.
"To what?"
Megumi drew a shaky breath... cursed... and pulled his head to hers, kissing him hard. Sano growled low in his throat, pulling her hips up against his. She thrust against him, biting his lip, murmuring into his mouth --
"Damn you to hell, Sanosuke..." She roughly shoved his black gi off his shoulders as he lifted her up and sat her on her desk.
"Fine by me..." he replied roughly, pulling at the ties on her smock, ripping one in his haste. "Hell's a small price to pay for another taste of heaven." He bit her neck, then whispered in her ear --
"Tell me you want me, Megumi."
Megumi moaned softly as his teeth worried her earlobe.
"Tell me," Sanosuke whispered more harshly as he ripped her smock open, revealing her green kimono.
"I... n- no," Megumi gasped, pushing him away and scrambling off the desk. "This... isn't fair, Sanosuke. Taking advantage of my loneliness this way..."
Sano's eyes narrowed. "Taking advantage of you?" he said sharply. "Is that how you see it? So... what you're saying is you would've slept with anybody who'd shown you a little kindness that night. I just happened to be the lucky one."
Megumi's eyes glowed red. With a snarl, she slapped Sano's face. "How... dare... you!" she shrieked. "I never said that! That's not what I meant at all!"
"Oh, so you did want me," Sano said with a nasty grin. "Which is it, Megumi? Was it the sake or your choice? Was it because you were lonely or because you wanted to be with me?"
"I hate you," Megumi hissed. "I wish we'd never touched, you coarse, unfeeling bastard!"
"And I wish I'd never laid you, you bitch," he snarled. "You're not worth the trouble."
Megumi howled with rage, throwing herself at Sanosuke, her hands curled into claws. She tried to scratch Sano's face, but he grabbed her hands and held her at bay, laughing derisively at her.
"My, my... the kitsune shows her true colors. I'm sure the men will be beating down your door in Aizu."
Megumi bared her teeth and threw up a knee, aiming for Sano's groin. He grinned as he twisted to avoid her kick, ending up behind her, one arm wrapped around her stomach, the other pinning both her hands behind her back. She strained against his grasp, letting loose a stream of curses that made Sano's grin even wider.
"If you say you're sorry, I might let you go," he said with a chuckle.
"Fuck you," she snarled.
Sano laughed, squeezing her waist. "Is that a request?"
"Ooh... you... you..."
"You know what I like best about you, fox? Your way with words," Sano said, burying his face in her hair. "Mmm... too bad your temper's not as sweet as your perfume. I've always loved your scent, you know."
Megumi suddenly stopped fighting him and relaxed, sinking back against him, her breathing labored. He forgot his anger... his humiliation... everything as his body surged in response. He went on, lowering his voice to a smooth whisper --
"I love it when you let go like this... when you drop that prissy, bitchy front and let yourself be a woman." He let go of her hands, half expecting her to break free. She didn't. He looped his other arm around her, pulling her closer, wanting her to feel his arousal. Her breath caught as his hands wandered up to cradle her clothed bosom.
"I want you, Megumi," he said. "I'm not afraid to let you know that. But I won't let you pin this all on me. You want me too... I can feel it... and I want to hear you say it."
Her hands closed around his, coaxing him to squeeze her breasts harder. "Sanosuke..." she breathed.
"Yes..."
She guided his hands to the neckline of her kimono, nudging them under the layers of fabric. "I want you..."
He slipped his hands inside, put his lips to her ear. "Say it again," he murmured.
She moaned as he fondled her, sliding one arm up around his neck and digging her fingers into his hair. "I want you," she growled, her other hand reaching behind to stroke him. "I want this."
He turned her around to face him, whispering --
"Then let me give you want you want, lovely fox..."
.................
Afterwards, Megumi quickly rose, donning her discarded kimono. "I should be going," she said, fumbling with her obi. "I still have some packing left to do."
Sano watched her through narrowed eyes, making no move to retrieve his own clothing. "So... that's it?" he said. "That's all you have to say? 'It was nice knowing you, Sano... now I'm off to Aizu?' "
Megumi glanced back at Sano, lounging naked on the floor. "You'd better get dressed... someone might come in and see you," she said, her voice even.
"At this time of night? Not likely," Sano said, rising to his feet. "Megumi..."
She held up a hand. "Don't," she said sharply. "Just get dressed and don't say a word... not until I'm finished." She smoothed the front of her kimono and picked up her smock as she continued talking --
"Sanosuke... I know we have a certain... chemistry... together. But that's all there is between us. So when you ask me if that's it... well... that's my answer." She examined the torn ties on her smock, then folded it over her arms.
"I know what you're saying," Sano said as he tucked his gi into his hakama. "And I know we fight a lot and don't have much in common. But..."
"But what? I'm leaving for Aizu in the morning," Megumi said. "And don't say you'll come with me. It would never work. Believe me, it's better if we just leave things as they are."
"What if I don't want to?" Sano protested, his voice rising. "Megumi..."
"Please, Sanosuke... for once, just let me go peacefully," Megumi said, turning toward the door.
Sano picked his haori up off the floor and grabbed her arm. "I can't do that..."
She tensed, sighing in exasperation, and turned to face him again. "This is exactly why we could never work together!" she snapped, her eyes flashing angrily. "You have no respect or consideration for anybody else... all you care about is pleasing yourself! You're selfish... stupid... lazy... ill-mannered... ambitionless. You're the last man in the world I'd consider for a lifetime partner!"
Sano felt his face go white, then red. "Man, you don't pull your punches, do you, fox?" he said, tightening his grip on her arm.
"You never let me," she said, trying to pull away from him. "Let me go... you're hurting me..."
"No," he said in an icy, calm voice. "Not until I've had my say." His voice rose as he went on "You say I'm selfish, stupid, lazy and all that... well, I'd rather be all those things than a high-minded, snotty, nasty harpy like you! I've never seen someone with so much compassion for strangers... and so little for the people she's supposed to care about! Or someone so eager to push away anybody who shows her that he cares about her!"
"That is not true!" Megumi hissed. "Just because I'm not fawning all over you doesn't mean I wouldn't welcome the same feelings from a different man."
Sano dropped her arm. "As usual, it all comes back to Kenshin," he said, his voice dripping with disgust. "Fine. I guess you'd rather spend the rest of your life pining for someone you never stood a chance with... than take a chance on someone who's available and willing to --"
"You think you know so much about me," Megumi interrupted coldly, her eyes blazing. "You know nothing. I've accepted that Ken-san has chosen Kaoru-san. But it doesn't mean I don't still love him, and it doesn't mean I don't still want someone like him for a husband someday. Ken-san is my ideal: strong... compassionate... wise... giving. And as I watched him marry that tanuki-girl today I swore to myself that I won't settle for anyone who's less than he is."
Sanosuke could hear the blood pounding in his ears. "I suppose you mean me," he said, his face flaming.
Megumi gave Sanosuke a withering look as she went on in a scathing tone --
"Oh, yeah... you're great husband material. A foul-mouthed, freeloading, chicken-headed gambler who thinks the best things in life are sex, sake and kicking ass. You've been that way since the day I met you... and you'll be that way until the day you die. And there's no way I'm sticking around to watch you wallow in the gutter. What self-respecting woman would?"
"I don't recall asking you to, you stuck-up bitch!" Sanosuke shouted, heading for the door. "Kuso! Go to Aizu in your fancy carriage... I hope I never see you again!"
"The feeling's mutual!" Megumi retorted as he slammed out of the clinic and into the street. He shoved his hands in his pockets and began walking briskly, knowing that in his present mood, there was only one place for him to go... the worst neighborhood in Tokyo, where he was sure to find some cheap sake, a willing woman and at least a couple dozen idiots looking for trouble.
Megumi's words ran through his head, mocking him. He clenched his teeth, his eyes glinting ferally.
Guess I'm proving you right, huh, fox? Ah, hell... like it matters... to you... or anyone else...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I guess I kinda went crazy for a few days after that," Sanosuke said, staring into the distance. "I don't remember much... just lots of drinking and fighting. Kenshin and Katsu finally dragged me out of a gambling den one night and beat some sense into me... and then things went pretty much back to normal."
Sano looked over at Misao. "So... that's pretty much it," he said nervously. "You've been really quiet, Misao. Are you upset? Mad at me?"
Misao met his anxious gaze calmly. "There's one thing that doesn't make sense to me," she said.
"Nani?"
Misao leaned over and gently brushed Sano's cheek with her hand. "Why do you care so much what she thinks of you?" she said, her fingers lingering against his jawline. "You weren't in love with her, were you?"
Sano covered Misao's hand with his own. "I don't think so," he said softly. "I thought at one point that I might... I could be... but not anymore." He closed his eyes, murmuring --
"She was right about me, you know. That's what bugs me the most... that she was right about what a loser I was... and still am."
"Bullshit!" The vehemence in Misao's tone made Sano's eyes snap open in surprise. She squeezed his hand, glaring at him fiercely. "I'm not gonna sit here and listen to you say those things about yourself."
"Why not?" Sano said glumly, sinking back against the tree. "What part of what she said wasn't true? I still drink and fight a lot... I still gamble... I don't have a job... I'm always sponging meals off you guys..."
Misao turned her hands upward in a conceding gesture. "Okay, maybe all that's true," she said. "But Sano, if those things bother you, you can change them. You don't have to drink or brawl or gamble... and if you want to get a job, then get one. You know a lot of people... one of them's bound to know of a job that'll suit you."
She leaned closer to him again. "What's not true is the rest of what Megumi said," she said, her eyes lingering on his. "You're not lazy or stupid... and you're certainly not selfish. You're smart and resourceful... you're good at fixing things... you've helped a lot around the doujou... even Kenshin's said so." Her voice became softer. "And you've been such a good friend to me..."
The shame Sano's memories had stirred up within him dissipated, replaced by the breathtaking wonder he was beginning to feel more strongly each time he was with Misao. He reached out to touch her face, whispering --
"Misao... all those things... the person I've been lately... it's because of you."
Misao opened her mouth, a protesting look on her face. Sano silenced her with a finger to her lips, murmuring --
"It's true. You bring out the best in me, kirei."
"Sano..." Misao whispered as their lips met once more.
................
Aoshi walked slowly down the path leading to the old shrine, taking care to walk as silently as possible over the fallen leaves. It reminded him of the old onmitsu training game he'd used to play with Misao when she was little. She'd sit on a stump in the woods and he would try to sneak up on her. It was great practice for him, and Misao was equally delighted whether she caught him or he was successful in escaping her notice. He almost smiled, remembering her cheerful, cherubic face... her adoring voice... her frequent, unabashed hugs...
Aoshi-sama! Wai, Aoshi-sama... you did it! You're the Oniwabanshuu's best!
Hah! Aoshi-sama... I caught you! I'm a good listener, ne?
Aoshi sighed inwardly. Usually, meditation brought him a respite from memories like this... but lately, his thoughts were turning to Misao more and more frequently, especially after his morning meditations. He'd hoped the solitude of the forest near the abandoned shrine would help restore his focus... renew his zeal for the original purpose of his visit to Tokyo... but...
A faint murmuring sound caught his attention. He froze, instinctively reaching for the kodachi sheath on his back... then relaxed, realizing it was the sound of voices in the distance. So much for abandoned... I guess I'm not the only one who knows about this place after all. He approached quietly, not wanting to startle whoever it was. As he rounded a bend, two figures came into view... and as he drew closer, he recognized both of them.
Sagara and Misao... what are they doing here?
Aoshi paused behind a tree, his eyes going wide as he watched Misao raise her face to Sanosuke's... her lips meeting his in a searching, sensual kiss...
-- End of Chapter 15 --