Rain in The Heart of a Rogue
by: Kagayaki Ame
Chapter Two: Outfoxed!
"I totally adore him, Kaoru. He is so sweet and funny and smart and sexy and hot and nice and..." Ame practically floated around their shared classroom. Their daily classes had just been let out and they were cleaning the dojo as they always did. Kaoru grinned at her friend and collected the bokkens the boys had left all over the floor.
"This is so amazing to me. I mean, I love Sano, he's like a brother to me. But I've never seen him like this! Or you for that matter. I mean he's always hanging around now- even more than before, if that's even possible. He's so into you..." Kaoru said.
"You think so?" Ame giggled. "That would be so awesome. I mean, ever since that night we talked it's like we talk all the time. It's like a ritual now. Almost every night at midnight he comes here and we talk until dawn. I can't even sleep past midnight anymore."
"How long have you two been doing this now? It's been about two weeks right?" Ame nodded. "Come on it's so obvious that he's into you. Why would you even doubt that?"
Ame blushed. "I don't know, I mean we talk and flirt and stuff but... it's not like we've ever talked about that..."
"He's probably not sure how to approach you, that's all."
"Oh aren't we the expert on guys all of a sudden. If I'm not mistaken, it took you two years to finally get a certain redhead into your futon..." Ame teased.
Kaoru stood with a far off look. "It was his futon, actually..." she said dreamily. Ame giggled and hit her arm lightly. "But really, why won't you try telling him how you feel?"
"You know it's not that easy..."
Kenshin steadily peeled the potatoes as he listened to Sano. "She's amazing, Kenshin. She is so smart, man. Smarter than the Fox even! She's not like other girls though. She has ambition and goals and the most beautiful eyes I've ever looked into."
Kenshin smiled and looked sideways at Sano. "Is it possible that the infamous Zanza has fallen in love?"
Sano ran his hand through his hair. "Man I don't know but she's so... We talk about everything. She doesn't treat me like an idiot. She's interested in me, like when we talk, she actually listens. She makes me feel like what I'm saying actually matters to her whether I'm talking about something stupid like gambling or something serious like my past. And of course, she's so pretty,"
"Of course," Kenshin put in quietly, smiling.
Sano continued. "... and you KNOW she can cook... she's just... amazing."
"So in all of your talking have you told her any of this. What you think about her?"
Sano looked at Kenshin. "Are you insane? I wouldn't know what to say. We flirt a lot but I don't know if she likes me like that. I don't want to ruin our friendship with that mushy stuff."
Kenshin began another potato. "Speaking of pasts, has she told you about hers?"
"Yeah, well, sort of. She told me about her parents and before she went to the Kurokami School but she won't tell me about Kurokami or how he treated her... I know she's still going through a lot of grief over it... I wish she would tell me."
"Maybe," Kenshin began, "If you do get closer she'll eventually tell you. I can tell she likes you."
Sano sighed. "I don't know," he said quietly. "She's so pretty." Kenshin laughed at his friend.
"It's a treat to see you this way, Sano. I never thought a little lady like Ame would be able to crush a big, strong, rebel like you." He paused. "I also wonder at what Megumi will think of all of this?" He glanced at Sano.
Sano wrinkled his nose. "Who cares? Megumi treats me like shit, anyway. She's always talking about what a big, dumb, worthless punk I am. She'll be glad to have me out of her hair. Ame's hair is prettier anyway..." he mumbled his final comment drawing a laugh from Kenshin.
"But, Sano, Megumi isn't that bad. That's just the way she shows you she likes you..."
"It doesn't matter, Kenshin. I don't like her very much anyway."
"Hi guys," Kaoru called. They looked up to see Kaoru and Ame changed into kimonos standing over them.
"Hi, Kaoru, Ame," Kenshin said smiling at them.
"Hi, Jou-chan... Hey, Ame," Sano's eyes stayed on Ame.
Ame blushed and smiled. "Hi, Sano..."
Kaoru grinned at Kenshin and he winked at her. She broke the silence. "Looks like you need some help, Kenshin. I'll help you peel those for dinner while Ame goes to the market." She turned to Ame. "You don't mind, do you?"
Ame shook her head. "Not at all. I can handle it myself."
Kaoru turned to Sano. "Nonsense. Sano can help you. He's big and strong. You'll help her, won't you Sano?"
"Sure." He got up and grinned at Ame.
"Well you two go on and hurry back. We have a lot of cooking to do tonight. Dr. Genzai, Ayame, Suzume, Yahiko and Megumi are all eating here with us tonight."
Sano rolled his eyes. "Great, the Fox is coming. Whoo-hoo..."
Ame elbowed him lightly. "Be nice." She smiled up at him.
"Tell the Fox that," he said as they began walking away.
Kenshin and Kaoru watched them and gave each other knowing looks.
"You think he'll tell her how he feels about her?" Kaoru asked.
Kenshin nodded. "Eventually."
"Hopefully not as eventually as you did with me..." Kaoru teased. Kenshin threw a potato skin peel at her.
Kaoru laughed. "You'll pay for that one, Battousai. Just you wait."
"Are you going to punish me?" he asked impishly.
Kaoru smiled to herself. "I suppose you'll just have to wait until tonight."
Kenshin grinned and wiped his hands on a towel. He stood and took Kaoru into his arms. "You know, it has been said that if punishment is given promptly after an offense, the offender learns better not to repeat his actions."
Kaoru wiggled out of his grasp. Then she turned to him with an impish look of her own. "Then come on, you bad boy. You are in desperate need of a lesson."
"Hai, Kaoru-dono," he said letting her drag him in the direction of their bedroom.
The potatoes would just have to be peeled later.
Megumi had been watching the two for some time now. Ever since that new girl showed up, she felt uneasy with her. She refused to admit jealousy or anything like that to herself- she was above that. Besides, what was there to be jealous of? She was a young girl. What could she possibly have over her?
She discovered exactly what over the past month. The girl was smart, pretty and had this sickening hold over Sanosuke. At first she told herself that she didn't care, but eventually she told herself that she did. She would never admit it though.
On top of it all, she felt bad. She'd been treating Sano with extra harshness lately, but it was only because she didn't know how else to act with him. They always had this kind of love/hate relationship. It had been working fine until she showed up. To avoid watching him stare at her and inhale her food like a pig, she hadn't been hanging around the dojo much.
She was also avoiding having to see Kaoru hang all over her... fiancé. Oh how she hated the word. It seemed that ever since this girl showed up, everything had changed.
And she was the only one suffering.
How she hated her...
Wait, she said to herself. Hate? You don't hate her. Come on, Megumi. What's up with you?
She shook the feeling and walked over to the two, who were chatting non-stop and buying a chicken. She was surprised. She never thought Sano was capable of such in depth conversation...
"Ohayo, Ame, Sano," she said pleasantly.
"Ohayo, Megumi," Ame said smiling. Sano just stood there. Ame nudged him. He sighed.
"Hi, Fox lady."
Megumi couldn't help a snide remark. The girl looked so damn happy and Sano was being so rude. To think that he only said hello because she prompted him to do so. She smirked. "I think it must be me because when you're with Ame-chan you seem so much more talkative. I do suppose you two do have more to talk about being in the same age group and all. What are you, sixteen, seventeen, Ame dear?"
Ame held her smile but pulled back on her friendliness. She and Megumi had never quite gotten along and the more she and Sano talked and he told her about how she treated him, she began disliking her bit by bit. She looked directly at Megumi and said, "I'm nineteen, Megumi-dono."
Megumi saw Ame's hackles raise and put on her innocent act. "Oh, I meant nothing by it, of course. I'm only saying you must relate better to each other."
"We do, actually. And Ame's a lot like me. She doesn't say anything unless she has something important to say, unlike a lot of people."
Megumi reddened, looking at Sano directly. "Since when do you have anything important to say?"
Ame spoke up. "Excuse me, but we have to finish shopping. You will be joining us for dinner this evening?" Ame didn't wait for her answer and pulled Sano ahead with her.
Megumi narrowed her eyes at the girl. She did not like her one bit. She turned sharply and stalked off.
Ame and Sano walked back to the dojo in silence. She glanced at him. He was still fuming from the encounter with Megumi.
"Don't worry about what she said, San-kun," she said gently. "She only does it to get to you."
"I wish she would just keep her damn remarks to herself. I don't give a shit about her or what she thinks. Bitch," he growled.
Ame stopped and watched him sympathetically. Eventually he stopped and looked back. When he saw the look on her face he sighed. "Sorry, I just... she makes me so mad."
Ame smiled a little and walked until she was beside him. She reached up and stroked his cheek gently. "Look. Whenever she starts getting to you, just remember what I said the first night we talked. Remember? About wise men and fools?"
Sano smiled back but all he could feel was her hand at his cheek. It was so soft. Careful. And her eyes... he felt like he would drown in them. "Yeah. I remember."
"She's only being mean because she probably doesn't know how else to be, Sano. And, while I don't like how she treats you, I'm sure it's just because she likes you."
"Funny way of showing it..."
Ame's cheeks colored lightly. "People show their feelings in different ways... I don't treat people badly if I care for them."
Sano placed his hand over hers gently. "You're a great girl, Ame-neko." He paused. "That's why I like you."
Ame didn't say anything. She smiled up at him. "I like you too, Sano."
He took her hand in his and kissed her palm. When he opened his eyes, she was watching him in slight wonder. Her cheeks were rosier now.
"Come on," he said quietly. "I have to get you home. I can't wait to eat whatever you prepare." He still held her hand as they walked back to the dojo, this time is a different sort of silence.
"Okay, come on everybody! Dinner is served!" Kaoru called everyone to the large table she and Ame had set up. They spread everything they'd prepared on it.
Their friends oohed and ahhed at the delectable delights they saw. "You really made some of this, busu?" Yahiko drooled.
"Yes, baka-desshi. Keep insulting me and see if you get any." Kaoru clocked him with a wooden spoon.
Everyone took their seats. "I wonder where Megumi-dono is?" Kaoru asked.
Ame and Sano glanced at each other.
"Sorry I'm late, everybody," came a voice from the doorway. Everyone turned to see Megumi standing there in a very low cut kimono that was just a bit formfitting. Yahiko's mouth dropped open along with Kaoru's. Kenshin's eyes widened with Ame's and even Sano was surprised.
"Damn, Megumi! Where the hell did you find that thing?!" Yahiko burst.
Megumi smirked. The effect was made. Sano would find it hard to hold a conversation with miss nineteen if he couldn't concentrate. She glanced at Ame. When their eyes met, Ame's narrowed. Megumi smirked again. She stalked into the room.
Ame felt her anger rise inside. First that episode in the market and now this. Was she really so threatened by her? She watched her and smiled to herself. She had no idea how to handle herself in a dress like that. She would eventually regret this subtle declaration of war.
"Megumi you look fabulous!" Kaoru said.
Megumi smiled and found her place. "Thanks," she said before sitting. Or rather, attempting to sit. She was having a bit of trouble.
"Ahem," Ame cleared her throat getting her attention. "You'll have to pull that up to your knees before you'll ever be able to sit in it."
"Hey, Ame's right, Megumi. It took me forever to learn to maneuver in one of those at Kurokami's." Kaoru said.
"You, um, wore one of those, Kaoru?" Kenshin asked, his voice cracking.
"Sure. I still think I have it, actually. You have one, don't you, Ame?"
Ame smiled pleasantly. "Yes. I do."
Megumi glared at the two girls before attempting to pull the dress up. It wasn't working. Ame got up and stood behind Megumi. "Here, let me help you." She yanked it up about six inches and then smiled. "There you go."
"Thanks," Megumi said flatly, sitting easily now.
Dinner continued without incident, megumi not saying much. She fumed as she watched Ame gain Sano's attention easily and hold it with even less effort. She'd just have to move on to plan B.
"So, Ame, how's your little school going?"
Ame smiled politely. "Well it's not so little anymore. I have nearly thirty students and Kaoru teaches their brothers..."
Megumi cut her off. "It's too bad I don't have time to teach. It would be good for them to learn something useful like medicine..."
Ame bit her tongue. "Well I suppose the relevance of what I teach is relative. I'm only teaching them how to think for themselves so that when the time comes they'll pursue what they want and not what society perceives as acceptable. Success, after all, comes in many forms."
Megumi laughed. "How optimistic. To think you wish to teach others how to think. Couldn't you call that brainwashing?" Her jovial tone was laced with sarcasm. By now everyone at the table was listening to the two of them.
"I am only presenting them with a variety of thought processes and encouraging them to use their own to make decisions," Ame said biting off her words. "That is not brainwashing."
"Ah, the innocence of youth. Are you so self righteous that you think you can do something to change the way these little girls will turn out?"
"And are you so closed minded to think you are the only one who can overcome society and be something different. What makes you think these girls won't be like you? Don't you think they can achieve goals just as you did?" Ame asked angrily.
"Certainly," Megumi said. "I just think they need a proper education."
"Oh, I see. And a proper education consists of being a slave to a drug lord because of fear? My girls are taught to fear no one! Fear nothing! They're taught to believe so they don't get into situations like that!"
"Um, ladies, I think it's time to calm down now..." Kenshin said gently.
Megumi was enraged. She stood swiftly and pointed at Ame. "How dare you accuse me! You don't know me. You don't know what I had to go through. How dare you pass judgment?"
Ame rose as well. "And how dare you? You with your self ordained importance. You make everyone around you feel inferior so that you can feel like you're above everyone and everything. And when you meet someone like me who is your equal whether or not you wish to acknowledge it, you attack my beliefs and try to belittle my actions. And for what? What have I ever done to you? From the moment you met me you've treated me like an enemy. Are you upset because I'm just as smart as you? Or is it because with me around, Sano doesn't have to take any more of your bitchiness and bullshit?!"
Megumi gasped. "I don't know what you're talking about, little girl!..."
Ame rolled her eyes. "Oh come on! We all see how you treat Sano. He gets it worse than anyone. I haven't been here that long but I can see how you are. You're pissed that Kaoru has Kenshin, you're pissed that I'm friends with Sano, and you're pissed that because I treat him with respect, he'd rather hang around me than with you! You are such a bitch, Megumi!"
Everyone gasped except for Sanosuke who had been smiling the whole time. Megumi looked at him then back at Ame. "You will regret your words, child." With that she stalked out.
Ame scowled at sat back down roughly. Everyone was still speechless. Slowly they began eating again. Kaoru looked quizzically at her friend and made a note to talk to her about all of this later.
Sano looked at Ame who still sat wordlessly, glaring at her plate. Discreetly he took her hand in his and squeezed it reassuringly. She looked at him and smiled. No one mentioned anything for the rest of dinner.
by: Kagayaki Ame
Chapter Two: Outfoxed!
"I totally adore him, Kaoru. He is so sweet and funny and smart and sexy and hot and nice and..." Ame practically floated around their shared classroom. Their daily classes had just been let out and they were cleaning the dojo as they always did. Kaoru grinned at her friend and collected the bokkens the boys had left all over the floor.
"This is so amazing to me. I mean, I love Sano, he's like a brother to me. But I've never seen him like this! Or you for that matter. I mean he's always hanging around now- even more than before, if that's even possible. He's so into you..." Kaoru said.
"You think so?" Ame giggled. "That would be so awesome. I mean, ever since that night we talked it's like we talk all the time. It's like a ritual now. Almost every night at midnight he comes here and we talk until dawn. I can't even sleep past midnight anymore."
"How long have you two been doing this now? It's been about two weeks right?" Ame nodded. "Come on it's so obvious that he's into you. Why would you even doubt that?"
Ame blushed. "I don't know, I mean we talk and flirt and stuff but... it's not like we've ever talked about that..."
"He's probably not sure how to approach you, that's all."
"Oh aren't we the expert on guys all of a sudden. If I'm not mistaken, it took you two years to finally get a certain redhead into your futon..." Ame teased.
Kaoru stood with a far off look. "It was his futon, actually..." she said dreamily. Ame giggled and hit her arm lightly. "But really, why won't you try telling him how you feel?"
"You know it's not that easy..."
Kenshin steadily peeled the potatoes as he listened to Sano. "She's amazing, Kenshin. She is so smart, man. Smarter than the Fox even! She's not like other girls though. She has ambition and goals and the most beautiful eyes I've ever looked into."
Kenshin smiled and looked sideways at Sano. "Is it possible that the infamous Zanza has fallen in love?"
Sano ran his hand through his hair. "Man I don't know but she's so... We talk about everything. She doesn't treat me like an idiot. She's interested in me, like when we talk, she actually listens. She makes me feel like what I'm saying actually matters to her whether I'm talking about something stupid like gambling or something serious like my past. And of course, she's so pretty,"
"Of course," Kenshin put in quietly, smiling.
Sano continued. "... and you KNOW she can cook... she's just... amazing."
"So in all of your talking have you told her any of this. What you think about her?"
Sano looked at Kenshin. "Are you insane? I wouldn't know what to say. We flirt a lot but I don't know if she likes me like that. I don't want to ruin our friendship with that mushy stuff."
Kenshin began another potato. "Speaking of pasts, has she told you about hers?"
"Yeah, well, sort of. She told me about her parents and before she went to the Kurokami School but she won't tell me about Kurokami or how he treated her... I know she's still going through a lot of grief over it... I wish she would tell me."
"Maybe," Kenshin began, "If you do get closer she'll eventually tell you. I can tell she likes you."
Sano sighed. "I don't know," he said quietly. "She's so pretty." Kenshin laughed at his friend.
"It's a treat to see you this way, Sano. I never thought a little lady like Ame would be able to crush a big, strong, rebel like you." He paused. "I also wonder at what Megumi will think of all of this?" He glanced at Sano.
Sano wrinkled his nose. "Who cares? Megumi treats me like shit, anyway. She's always talking about what a big, dumb, worthless punk I am. She'll be glad to have me out of her hair. Ame's hair is prettier anyway..." he mumbled his final comment drawing a laugh from Kenshin.
"But, Sano, Megumi isn't that bad. That's just the way she shows you she likes you..."
"It doesn't matter, Kenshin. I don't like her very much anyway."
"Hi guys," Kaoru called. They looked up to see Kaoru and Ame changed into kimonos standing over them.
"Hi, Kaoru, Ame," Kenshin said smiling at them.
"Hi, Jou-chan... Hey, Ame," Sano's eyes stayed on Ame.
Ame blushed and smiled. "Hi, Sano..."
Kaoru grinned at Kenshin and he winked at her. She broke the silence. "Looks like you need some help, Kenshin. I'll help you peel those for dinner while Ame goes to the market." She turned to Ame. "You don't mind, do you?"
Ame shook her head. "Not at all. I can handle it myself."
Kaoru turned to Sano. "Nonsense. Sano can help you. He's big and strong. You'll help her, won't you Sano?"
"Sure." He got up and grinned at Ame.
"Well you two go on and hurry back. We have a lot of cooking to do tonight. Dr. Genzai, Ayame, Suzume, Yahiko and Megumi are all eating here with us tonight."
Sano rolled his eyes. "Great, the Fox is coming. Whoo-hoo..."
Ame elbowed him lightly. "Be nice." She smiled up at him.
"Tell the Fox that," he said as they began walking away.
Kenshin and Kaoru watched them and gave each other knowing looks.
"You think he'll tell her how he feels about her?" Kaoru asked.
Kenshin nodded. "Eventually."
"Hopefully not as eventually as you did with me..." Kaoru teased. Kenshin threw a potato skin peel at her.
Kaoru laughed. "You'll pay for that one, Battousai. Just you wait."
"Are you going to punish me?" he asked impishly.
Kaoru smiled to herself. "I suppose you'll just have to wait until tonight."
Kenshin grinned and wiped his hands on a towel. He stood and took Kaoru into his arms. "You know, it has been said that if punishment is given promptly after an offense, the offender learns better not to repeat his actions."
Kaoru wiggled out of his grasp. Then she turned to him with an impish look of her own. "Then come on, you bad boy. You are in desperate need of a lesson."
"Hai, Kaoru-dono," he said letting her drag him in the direction of their bedroom.
The potatoes would just have to be peeled later.
Megumi had been watching the two for some time now. Ever since that new girl showed up, she felt uneasy with her. She refused to admit jealousy or anything like that to herself- she was above that. Besides, what was there to be jealous of? She was a young girl. What could she possibly have over her?
She discovered exactly what over the past month. The girl was smart, pretty and had this sickening hold over Sanosuke. At first she told herself that she didn't care, but eventually she told herself that she did. She would never admit it though.
On top of it all, she felt bad. She'd been treating Sano with extra harshness lately, but it was only because she didn't know how else to act with him. They always had this kind of love/hate relationship. It had been working fine until she showed up. To avoid watching him stare at her and inhale her food like a pig, she hadn't been hanging around the dojo much.
She was also avoiding having to see Kaoru hang all over her... fiancé. Oh how she hated the word. It seemed that ever since this girl showed up, everything had changed.
And she was the only one suffering.
How she hated her...
Wait, she said to herself. Hate? You don't hate her. Come on, Megumi. What's up with you?
She shook the feeling and walked over to the two, who were chatting non-stop and buying a chicken. She was surprised. She never thought Sano was capable of such in depth conversation...
"Ohayo, Ame, Sano," she said pleasantly.
"Ohayo, Megumi," Ame said smiling. Sano just stood there. Ame nudged him. He sighed.
"Hi, Fox lady."
Megumi couldn't help a snide remark. The girl looked so damn happy and Sano was being so rude. To think that he only said hello because she prompted him to do so. She smirked. "I think it must be me because when you're with Ame-chan you seem so much more talkative. I do suppose you two do have more to talk about being in the same age group and all. What are you, sixteen, seventeen, Ame dear?"
Ame held her smile but pulled back on her friendliness. She and Megumi had never quite gotten along and the more she and Sano talked and he told her about how she treated him, she began disliking her bit by bit. She looked directly at Megumi and said, "I'm nineteen, Megumi-dono."
Megumi saw Ame's hackles raise and put on her innocent act. "Oh, I meant nothing by it, of course. I'm only saying you must relate better to each other."
"We do, actually. And Ame's a lot like me. She doesn't say anything unless she has something important to say, unlike a lot of people."
Megumi reddened, looking at Sano directly. "Since when do you have anything important to say?"
Ame spoke up. "Excuse me, but we have to finish shopping. You will be joining us for dinner this evening?" Ame didn't wait for her answer and pulled Sano ahead with her.
Megumi narrowed her eyes at the girl. She did not like her one bit. She turned sharply and stalked off.
Ame and Sano walked back to the dojo in silence. She glanced at him. He was still fuming from the encounter with Megumi.
"Don't worry about what she said, San-kun," she said gently. "She only does it to get to you."
"I wish she would just keep her damn remarks to herself. I don't give a shit about her or what she thinks. Bitch," he growled.
Ame stopped and watched him sympathetically. Eventually he stopped and looked back. When he saw the look on her face he sighed. "Sorry, I just... she makes me so mad."
Ame smiled a little and walked until she was beside him. She reached up and stroked his cheek gently. "Look. Whenever she starts getting to you, just remember what I said the first night we talked. Remember? About wise men and fools?"
Sano smiled back but all he could feel was her hand at his cheek. It was so soft. Careful. And her eyes... he felt like he would drown in them. "Yeah. I remember."
"She's only being mean because she probably doesn't know how else to be, Sano. And, while I don't like how she treats you, I'm sure it's just because she likes you."
"Funny way of showing it..."
Ame's cheeks colored lightly. "People show their feelings in different ways... I don't treat people badly if I care for them."
Sano placed his hand over hers gently. "You're a great girl, Ame-neko." He paused. "That's why I like you."
Ame didn't say anything. She smiled up at him. "I like you too, Sano."
He took her hand in his and kissed her palm. When he opened his eyes, she was watching him in slight wonder. Her cheeks were rosier now.
"Come on," he said quietly. "I have to get you home. I can't wait to eat whatever you prepare." He still held her hand as they walked back to the dojo, this time is a different sort of silence.
"Okay, come on everybody! Dinner is served!" Kaoru called everyone to the large table she and Ame had set up. They spread everything they'd prepared on it.
Their friends oohed and ahhed at the delectable delights they saw. "You really made some of this, busu?" Yahiko drooled.
"Yes, baka-desshi. Keep insulting me and see if you get any." Kaoru clocked him with a wooden spoon.
Everyone took their seats. "I wonder where Megumi-dono is?" Kaoru asked.
Ame and Sano glanced at each other.
"Sorry I'm late, everybody," came a voice from the doorway. Everyone turned to see Megumi standing there in a very low cut kimono that was just a bit formfitting. Yahiko's mouth dropped open along with Kaoru's. Kenshin's eyes widened with Ame's and even Sano was surprised.
"Damn, Megumi! Where the hell did you find that thing?!" Yahiko burst.
Megumi smirked. The effect was made. Sano would find it hard to hold a conversation with miss nineteen if he couldn't concentrate. She glanced at Ame. When their eyes met, Ame's narrowed. Megumi smirked again. She stalked into the room.
Ame felt her anger rise inside. First that episode in the market and now this. Was she really so threatened by her? She watched her and smiled to herself. She had no idea how to handle herself in a dress like that. She would eventually regret this subtle declaration of war.
"Megumi you look fabulous!" Kaoru said.
Megumi smiled and found her place. "Thanks," she said before sitting. Or rather, attempting to sit. She was having a bit of trouble.
"Ahem," Ame cleared her throat getting her attention. "You'll have to pull that up to your knees before you'll ever be able to sit in it."
"Hey, Ame's right, Megumi. It took me forever to learn to maneuver in one of those at Kurokami's." Kaoru said.
"You, um, wore one of those, Kaoru?" Kenshin asked, his voice cracking.
"Sure. I still think I have it, actually. You have one, don't you, Ame?"
Ame smiled pleasantly. "Yes. I do."
Megumi glared at the two girls before attempting to pull the dress up. It wasn't working. Ame got up and stood behind Megumi. "Here, let me help you." She yanked it up about six inches and then smiled. "There you go."
"Thanks," Megumi said flatly, sitting easily now.
Dinner continued without incident, megumi not saying much. She fumed as she watched Ame gain Sano's attention easily and hold it with even less effort. She'd just have to move on to plan B.
"So, Ame, how's your little school going?"
Ame smiled politely. "Well it's not so little anymore. I have nearly thirty students and Kaoru teaches their brothers..."
Megumi cut her off. "It's too bad I don't have time to teach. It would be good for them to learn something useful like medicine..."
Ame bit her tongue. "Well I suppose the relevance of what I teach is relative. I'm only teaching them how to think for themselves so that when the time comes they'll pursue what they want and not what society perceives as acceptable. Success, after all, comes in many forms."
Megumi laughed. "How optimistic. To think you wish to teach others how to think. Couldn't you call that brainwashing?" Her jovial tone was laced with sarcasm. By now everyone at the table was listening to the two of them.
"I am only presenting them with a variety of thought processes and encouraging them to use their own to make decisions," Ame said biting off her words. "That is not brainwashing."
"Ah, the innocence of youth. Are you so self righteous that you think you can do something to change the way these little girls will turn out?"
"And are you so closed minded to think you are the only one who can overcome society and be something different. What makes you think these girls won't be like you? Don't you think they can achieve goals just as you did?" Ame asked angrily.
"Certainly," Megumi said. "I just think they need a proper education."
"Oh, I see. And a proper education consists of being a slave to a drug lord because of fear? My girls are taught to fear no one! Fear nothing! They're taught to believe so they don't get into situations like that!"
"Um, ladies, I think it's time to calm down now..." Kenshin said gently.
Megumi was enraged. She stood swiftly and pointed at Ame. "How dare you accuse me! You don't know me. You don't know what I had to go through. How dare you pass judgment?"
Ame rose as well. "And how dare you? You with your self ordained importance. You make everyone around you feel inferior so that you can feel like you're above everyone and everything. And when you meet someone like me who is your equal whether or not you wish to acknowledge it, you attack my beliefs and try to belittle my actions. And for what? What have I ever done to you? From the moment you met me you've treated me like an enemy. Are you upset because I'm just as smart as you? Or is it because with me around, Sano doesn't have to take any more of your bitchiness and bullshit?!"
Megumi gasped. "I don't know what you're talking about, little girl!..."
Ame rolled her eyes. "Oh come on! We all see how you treat Sano. He gets it worse than anyone. I haven't been here that long but I can see how you are. You're pissed that Kaoru has Kenshin, you're pissed that I'm friends with Sano, and you're pissed that because I treat him with respect, he'd rather hang around me than with you! You are such a bitch, Megumi!"
Everyone gasped except for Sanosuke who had been smiling the whole time. Megumi looked at him then back at Ame. "You will regret your words, child." With that she stalked out.
Ame scowled at sat back down roughly. Everyone was still speechless. Slowly they began eating again. Kaoru looked quizzically at her friend and made a note to talk to her about all of this later.
Sano looked at Ame who still sat wordlessly, glaring at her plate. Discreetly he took her hand in his and squeezed it reassuringly. She looked at him and smiled. No one mentioned anything for the rest of dinner.