Return to Me - Part Two
A Sanosuke and Megumi Fic By Kitsune-onna
Why hellooooo there! ^n_n^ Kitsune-chan back again! Here it is. The final part of Return to Me. Took me forever but I promised Karina-chan that I would get it done. I have to thank one person for inspiring me to finish. My very own Sano. Not just in the realm of RP but also in real life. Yes, this Megumi has finally found her Sano. Ok, I'm done gushing now. This part is dedicated to him since he's been a big inspiration all around.
Read and respond and maybe, just maybe I'll write a sequel to this one. I'm pondering it. As always, none here belong to me, so don't sue. I have more money than usual, but I have plans for that moolah! Happy reading!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several hours - and several bottles sake - later, Sano was drunk. Very drunk. He had stumbled onto gambling game and the guys had offered him a vacant seat and a lady for his arm. He had taken the seat, but declined the lady's company, explaining that it was a lady that had gotten him down in the first place. They simply laughed and made room for him at the table. For once in his life he had been on a winning streak. Maybe it was because he could finally get his mind off that damn brat of a fox. With each win, they gave him more sake. Well, even if he didn't win they still gave him more sake. The more sake he had, the more his tongue waggled. He told them of his unrequited love for Takani Megumi. Some had laughed at him, calling him a fool for falling for such a haughty bitch. Sanosuke had given them quite a beating for calling her that. Others, who didn't wish to get pounded, simply shook their heads at him. One of the more inebriated gamblers offered up her address and Sano took it without thinking twice.
So there he was, on a dark road, looking for her home. In the condition he was in, it would be a miracle if he found it. Well, miracles must exist because after several wrong tries, he finally found it.
She was standing with her back to the open window brushing her silken hair. He watched her, his eyes focusing on every stroke. What he wouldn't give to brush that hair for her, to touch each strand. He wanted to push it over her shoulder as he had seen her do so many times. He imagined what it would be like to run his fingers through each of the raven strands as she leaned above him, her pale skin lit by candlelight. He closed his eyes, his inebriated imagination running away with him.
When she was finished, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and went to stand by the window. Sano opened his eyes and sank back into the shadows to keep from being seen. He watched as she leaned on the frame, looking out into the night as if searching for something. Was she looking for him? Nah, she had been angry with him. He didn't care if she was angry. The more he watched her, the more he wanted her. Finally, he mustered up all of his courage and called out to her.
"Oi, kitsune."
~~~~~
Megumi blinked out of her thoughts at the sound of her nickname being called. For a second, she didn't recognize the voice. Then her eyes focused on the figure coming out of the shadows. She leaned forward, thinking her eyes were deceiving her. She had just been thinking.
"Sanosuke.?"
She squinted even more. Sure enough it was him. Besides, who else would be standing at her window at this hour calling her kitsune?
"What are you doing here, baka?"
She saw his shoulders rise and fall as he shrugged. "Had no where else to go. Thought maybe you'd take me in. Though I'm not really expectin' it."
Megumi scrunched up her nose and looked him over closer. His clothes were wrinkled and a bit dirty. Under the dim light, she could see a slight rosy tint to his cheeks. He was drunk. Well, that really didn't surprise her one bit. He had probably gone looking for booze the moment he had left her clinic. She shook her head disgustedly. He really hadn't changed.
Flashing that lopsided grin, he stopped just inches away from her and rested his left hand on the sill. Megumi took a step away from the stench of alcohol. So this was the man she had waited all those years for? A drunkard ex-gangster with a penchant for getting into fights. She looked down at his hand. It was no longer wrapped as it had always been long ago. It was bloody, though, and she knew he had gotten into another fight. Her mind and heart battled against her. Her mind told her to send him on his way, while her heart screamed to let him in.
She sighed and shook her head. "Come around front and I'll take a look at that hand." She turned back inside and pulled a robe over her yukatta.
//What the hell am I doing letting him in here at this hour? Am I crazy?//
Her heart was the first to respond. //Of course you are. You're crazy in love with him.//
Then her mind responded. //You're acting on your doctor's instincts. Remember, doctor first and woman second.//
So they were both against her. Figured.
For a long time, Sano stood there dumbly. With his alcohol-addled brain, he wasn't sure if he had heard her properly. With a shrug he stumbled around to the front of the house. She was already standing in the open doorway with her arms folded across her chest. She stared at him impatiently. It was almost as if she didn't want to be bothered by him, but was humoring him anyway.
Megumi shook her head and turned back inside. Sano followed, head down like a dog that knew it had done something wrong. He looked around the small living room She had lit several oil lamps around the small room, including one on a table that had her medical bag. She pulled out a chair and gestured for him to sit. Nodding slightly, Sano sank into it, happy to be off his feet.
Sighing, Megumi knelt in front of him and took his hand. She shook away the nagging feeling of history repeating itself and looked the hand over. "Baka," she said quietly, "don't you ever learn?"
Sano smiled and leaned forward a bit. "I haven't injured it in years. I mean I didn't have the Kitsune-onna to take care of me."
Megumi shook her head again and started to clean the wound. They were too close. Her heart pounded in her ears and she was sure that he could hear it. She just wanted to fix the hand and bid him goodnight.
Sano shivered a bit, feeling the gentle touch of her fingers brushing along his palm as she cleaned it up. It had been too long since he had felt that. His body reacted to the touch and he shifted a bit uncomfortably, hoping she wouldn't notice.
"Oi, sit still and keep your hand in the light," she told him irritably.
He nodded and tried to keep still.
Megumi reached for the roll of bandages and forced herself to concentrate on his hand. She had seen the reaction and was trying her best to ignore it. A slight blush rose to her cheeks and she fought to hide it. Her hair fell into her face and it proved to be a nice veil to hide the rosy hue.
Sano stared down at her, concentrating on each blue-black strand of hair. Gods, it was just like old times. All his anger slowly melted away as he watched her work. He just couldn't stay mad at her. He loved her too much.
Slowly, he reached out and brushed her hair away from her face. It was such a beautiful face even without the make up she had always worn. He placed a finger under her chin and lifted it so he could gaze into those dark eyes. Her eyes went wide and her mouth dropped a bit. Sano smiled down at her and took the opportunity to bring his lips to hers. For a moment, she seemed shocked and he thought she would pull away from him. But she didn't pull away. The roll of bandages fell from her hand and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
The kiss had taken her by surprise, but she couldn't stop it. She didn't want to stop it. She had been waiting for this moment for so long. A little voice in the back of her head yelled at her to stop, to push him away and out the door. She refused to listen to it. For once in her life, she was going to listen to her heart instead of her head. She raised herself up on her knees and held him tighter.
Not receiving the slap he had expected, Sano placed his hands on Megumi's hips and slid off the chair, laying her gently on the floor. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. He could see fear and uncertainty deep within her eyes. Just gazing upon her was driving away the effects of the alcohol. He found though that he still wanted her as badly now as he did when he was waiting outside her window. He ran his fingers down her cheek and across her lips. Smiling he bent down and placed a kiss below her ear.
"Megumi," he whispered.
A shiver coursed through Megumi's body and she gasped. She had never heard anyone say her name quite like that before. His voice had been barely a whisper and yet that one word had been the most arousing thing she had ever heard. Then it occurred to her. This was the first time he had ever said her name. She gripped his shoulders tightly, trying to calm her nerves and her racing heart. It was to no avail. She wanted to give into him, but she was afraid.
Sano lifted his head and looked down at her. He could see the fear within those dark eyes of hers. He touched her cheek gently and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Don't worry, kitsune," he told her quietly. "If you want me to stop, I will." He ran his fingers down her cheek and along her jaw line. Sano knew that Kanryuu had used Megumi for more than making opium. It made him angry just thinking about it, so he decided not to. He wanted to concentrate on Megumi and letting her know how much he loved her.
He moved his fingers down her neck to her collarbone, keeping his eyes locked with hers. He could see the fear melting under his gentle touch. She trusted him and he wasn't going to betray that by moving too quickly. He took the edge of her robe and slowly slipped it back. Megumi sat up and allowed him to push it off her shoulders. Sano sat back and looked her over. All that remained was the thin yukatta.
Megumi took a deep breath and wiped all of her memories from her mind. She knew Sano wasn't Kanryuu and she wasn't about to let that evil man affect her now. She reached forward and gripped the edges of his gi tightly. Keeping her eyes locked with his, she slowly slipped it off his shoulders. Sano shrugged out of it and carelessly tossed it aside. She ran her fingers along his bare chest, feeling the muscles beneath. His thin frame hid the strength he truly held. She loosened the white wrapping covering his abdomen and began to unwrap it. She reached around to pull it free and Sano leaned close to breathe in the scent of her hair.
"Fox." His voice was a husky whisper as he pulled away from her slightly. "If I can't have you, I don't want this to be meaningless."
Something caught in Megumi's throat. She was lost in the moment, her fingers moving up to touch his cheek, then slipped behind his neck to pull him to her. "Just kiss me."
A smirk reached Sanosuke's lips as he lowered his head, taking her lips once more. His tongue slipped out to dance with hers. Passion and warmth mingled together as they held each other. No coherent thoughts found their way into Sano's mind. He was lost in the moment and in the perfection he had finally found in Megumi's arms.
There was a crack of thunder from outside and Megumi nearly jumped out of her skin. She sat there shaking. She hated storms, hated them ever since she was a child. Sano saw the terror in her eyes and he pulled her close to him. He kissed her forehead and stroked her long black hair. He wanted to protect her, protect her from her fears, and protect her from the world. He wanted to make sure that nothing could ever harm her again.
"It's all right, Megumi-sama," he whispered into her ear. "I may not have much, but I can promise to keep you safe."
She looked up at him, searching his face. She didn't want to believe him. It almost seemed that he was too good to be true. For the past ten years she had dreamed of this and now she was afraid she was going to wake. Fingers reached up to move over his lips, down his jawline. She wanted to be sure that the dream was finally real.
Sensing what his fox was up to, Sano smirked and gave her rear a light pinch. He was rewarded with a squeak of surprise and a slap to the face. He laughed loudly, hands moving to tickle her sides. Megumi squirmed, trying to wriggle her way out from under him, laughing all the while. Soon, they both tired of this and Sano rested on his elbows, one hand stroking her cheek. "I'm real, kitsune. And I'm home."
At those words, Megumi's eyes misted over. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and held him to her. He was home. At last he was home where he belong. The two of them stayed that way the rest of the night, holding each other; whispering promises and stealing kisses in the dark. Two halves had become a whole, two hearts made into one. Two of a kind and made for each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Not an ending.but a new beginning (maybe)
A Sanosuke and Megumi Fic By Kitsune-onna
Why hellooooo there! ^n_n^ Kitsune-chan back again! Here it is. The final part of Return to Me. Took me forever but I promised Karina-chan that I would get it done. I have to thank one person for inspiring me to finish. My very own Sano. Not just in the realm of RP but also in real life. Yes, this Megumi has finally found her Sano. Ok, I'm done gushing now. This part is dedicated to him since he's been a big inspiration all around.
Read and respond and maybe, just maybe I'll write a sequel to this one. I'm pondering it. As always, none here belong to me, so don't sue. I have more money than usual, but I have plans for that moolah! Happy reading!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several hours - and several bottles sake - later, Sano was drunk. Very drunk. He had stumbled onto gambling game and the guys had offered him a vacant seat and a lady for his arm. He had taken the seat, but declined the lady's company, explaining that it was a lady that had gotten him down in the first place. They simply laughed and made room for him at the table. For once in his life he had been on a winning streak. Maybe it was because he could finally get his mind off that damn brat of a fox. With each win, they gave him more sake. Well, even if he didn't win they still gave him more sake. The more sake he had, the more his tongue waggled. He told them of his unrequited love for Takani Megumi. Some had laughed at him, calling him a fool for falling for such a haughty bitch. Sanosuke had given them quite a beating for calling her that. Others, who didn't wish to get pounded, simply shook their heads at him. One of the more inebriated gamblers offered up her address and Sano took it without thinking twice.
So there he was, on a dark road, looking for her home. In the condition he was in, it would be a miracle if he found it. Well, miracles must exist because after several wrong tries, he finally found it.
She was standing with her back to the open window brushing her silken hair. He watched her, his eyes focusing on every stroke. What he wouldn't give to brush that hair for her, to touch each strand. He wanted to push it over her shoulder as he had seen her do so many times. He imagined what it would be like to run his fingers through each of the raven strands as she leaned above him, her pale skin lit by candlelight. He closed his eyes, his inebriated imagination running away with him.
When she was finished, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and went to stand by the window. Sano opened his eyes and sank back into the shadows to keep from being seen. He watched as she leaned on the frame, looking out into the night as if searching for something. Was she looking for him? Nah, she had been angry with him. He didn't care if she was angry. The more he watched her, the more he wanted her. Finally, he mustered up all of his courage and called out to her.
"Oi, kitsune."
~~~~~
Megumi blinked out of her thoughts at the sound of her nickname being called. For a second, she didn't recognize the voice. Then her eyes focused on the figure coming out of the shadows. She leaned forward, thinking her eyes were deceiving her. She had just been thinking.
"Sanosuke.?"
She squinted even more. Sure enough it was him. Besides, who else would be standing at her window at this hour calling her kitsune?
"What are you doing here, baka?"
She saw his shoulders rise and fall as he shrugged. "Had no where else to go. Thought maybe you'd take me in. Though I'm not really expectin' it."
Megumi scrunched up her nose and looked him over closer. His clothes were wrinkled and a bit dirty. Under the dim light, she could see a slight rosy tint to his cheeks. He was drunk. Well, that really didn't surprise her one bit. He had probably gone looking for booze the moment he had left her clinic. She shook her head disgustedly. He really hadn't changed.
Flashing that lopsided grin, he stopped just inches away from her and rested his left hand on the sill. Megumi took a step away from the stench of alcohol. So this was the man she had waited all those years for? A drunkard ex-gangster with a penchant for getting into fights. She looked down at his hand. It was no longer wrapped as it had always been long ago. It was bloody, though, and she knew he had gotten into another fight. Her mind and heart battled against her. Her mind told her to send him on his way, while her heart screamed to let him in.
She sighed and shook her head. "Come around front and I'll take a look at that hand." She turned back inside and pulled a robe over her yukatta.
//What the hell am I doing letting him in here at this hour? Am I crazy?//
Her heart was the first to respond. //Of course you are. You're crazy in love with him.//
Then her mind responded. //You're acting on your doctor's instincts. Remember, doctor first and woman second.//
So they were both against her. Figured.
For a long time, Sano stood there dumbly. With his alcohol-addled brain, he wasn't sure if he had heard her properly. With a shrug he stumbled around to the front of the house. She was already standing in the open doorway with her arms folded across her chest. She stared at him impatiently. It was almost as if she didn't want to be bothered by him, but was humoring him anyway.
Megumi shook her head and turned back inside. Sano followed, head down like a dog that knew it had done something wrong. He looked around the small living room She had lit several oil lamps around the small room, including one on a table that had her medical bag. She pulled out a chair and gestured for him to sit. Nodding slightly, Sano sank into it, happy to be off his feet.
Sighing, Megumi knelt in front of him and took his hand. She shook away the nagging feeling of history repeating itself and looked the hand over. "Baka," she said quietly, "don't you ever learn?"
Sano smiled and leaned forward a bit. "I haven't injured it in years. I mean I didn't have the Kitsune-onna to take care of me."
Megumi shook her head again and started to clean the wound. They were too close. Her heart pounded in her ears and she was sure that he could hear it. She just wanted to fix the hand and bid him goodnight.
Sano shivered a bit, feeling the gentle touch of her fingers brushing along his palm as she cleaned it up. It had been too long since he had felt that. His body reacted to the touch and he shifted a bit uncomfortably, hoping she wouldn't notice.
"Oi, sit still and keep your hand in the light," she told him irritably.
He nodded and tried to keep still.
Megumi reached for the roll of bandages and forced herself to concentrate on his hand. She had seen the reaction and was trying her best to ignore it. A slight blush rose to her cheeks and she fought to hide it. Her hair fell into her face and it proved to be a nice veil to hide the rosy hue.
Sano stared down at her, concentrating on each blue-black strand of hair. Gods, it was just like old times. All his anger slowly melted away as he watched her work. He just couldn't stay mad at her. He loved her too much.
Slowly, he reached out and brushed her hair away from her face. It was such a beautiful face even without the make up she had always worn. He placed a finger under her chin and lifted it so he could gaze into those dark eyes. Her eyes went wide and her mouth dropped a bit. Sano smiled down at her and took the opportunity to bring his lips to hers. For a moment, she seemed shocked and he thought she would pull away from him. But she didn't pull away. The roll of bandages fell from her hand and she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
The kiss had taken her by surprise, but she couldn't stop it. She didn't want to stop it. She had been waiting for this moment for so long. A little voice in the back of her head yelled at her to stop, to push him away and out the door. She refused to listen to it. For once in her life, she was going to listen to her heart instead of her head. She raised herself up on her knees and held him tighter.
Not receiving the slap he had expected, Sano placed his hands on Megumi's hips and slid off the chair, laying her gently on the floor. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. He could see fear and uncertainty deep within her eyes. Just gazing upon her was driving away the effects of the alcohol. He found though that he still wanted her as badly now as he did when he was waiting outside her window. He ran his fingers down her cheek and across her lips. Smiling he bent down and placed a kiss below her ear.
"Megumi," he whispered.
A shiver coursed through Megumi's body and she gasped. She had never heard anyone say her name quite like that before. His voice had been barely a whisper and yet that one word had been the most arousing thing she had ever heard. Then it occurred to her. This was the first time he had ever said her name. She gripped his shoulders tightly, trying to calm her nerves and her racing heart. It was to no avail. She wanted to give into him, but she was afraid.
Sano lifted his head and looked down at her. He could see the fear within those dark eyes of hers. He touched her cheek gently and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Don't worry, kitsune," he told her quietly. "If you want me to stop, I will." He ran his fingers down her cheek and along her jaw line. Sano knew that Kanryuu had used Megumi for more than making opium. It made him angry just thinking about it, so he decided not to. He wanted to concentrate on Megumi and letting her know how much he loved her.
He moved his fingers down her neck to her collarbone, keeping his eyes locked with hers. He could see the fear melting under his gentle touch. She trusted him and he wasn't going to betray that by moving too quickly. He took the edge of her robe and slowly slipped it back. Megumi sat up and allowed him to push it off her shoulders. Sano sat back and looked her over. All that remained was the thin yukatta.
Megumi took a deep breath and wiped all of her memories from her mind. She knew Sano wasn't Kanryuu and she wasn't about to let that evil man affect her now. She reached forward and gripped the edges of his gi tightly. Keeping her eyes locked with his, she slowly slipped it off his shoulders. Sano shrugged out of it and carelessly tossed it aside. She ran her fingers along his bare chest, feeling the muscles beneath. His thin frame hid the strength he truly held. She loosened the white wrapping covering his abdomen and began to unwrap it. She reached around to pull it free and Sano leaned close to breathe in the scent of her hair.
"Fox." His voice was a husky whisper as he pulled away from her slightly. "If I can't have you, I don't want this to be meaningless."
Something caught in Megumi's throat. She was lost in the moment, her fingers moving up to touch his cheek, then slipped behind his neck to pull him to her. "Just kiss me."
A smirk reached Sanosuke's lips as he lowered his head, taking her lips once more. His tongue slipped out to dance with hers. Passion and warmth mingled together as they held each other. No coherent thoughts found their way into Sano's mind. He was lost in the moment and in the perfection he had finally found in Megumi's arms.
There was a crack of thunder from outside and Megumi nearly jumped out of her skin. She sat there shaking. She hated storms, hated them ever since she was a child. Sano saw the terror in her eyes and he pulled her close to him. He kissed her forehead and stroked her long black hair. He wanted to protect her, protect her from her fears, and protect her from the world. He wanted to make sure that nothing could ever harm her again.
"It's all right, Megumi-sama," he whispered into her ear. "I may not have much, but I can promise to keep you safe."
She looked up at him, searching his face. She didn't want to believe him. It almost seemed that he was too good to be true. For the past ten years she had dreamed of this and now she was afraid she was going to wake. Fingers reached up to move over his lips, down his jawline. She wanted to be sure that the dream was finally real.
Sensing what his fox was up to, Sano smirked and gave her rear a light pinch. He was rewarded with a squeak of surprise and a slap to the face. He laughed loudly, hands moving to tickle her sides. Megumi squirmed, trying to wriggle her way out from under him, laughing all the while. Soon, they both tired of this and Sano rested on his elbows, one hand stroking her cheek. "I'm real, kitsune. And I'm home."
At those words, Megumi's eyes misted over. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and held him to her. He was home. At last he was home where he belong. The two of them stayed that way the rest of the night, holding each other; whispering promises and stealing kisses in the dark. Two halves had become a whole, two hearts made into one. Two of a kind and made for each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Not an ending.but a new beginning (maybe)