I do not own rurouni kenshin
sixteen
"Hello, S**** Hospital... how may I help you?"
"Yes, I would like to have the room number of Himura Kenshin please," Megumi said
making her voice frantic and scared.
"He is in a private room, only family can visit-... "
"I'm his fiancé," Megumi quickly supplied, "I'm on my way to the hospital right now
and I want to know what room he's in."
"Oh in that case he's on the fifth floor in room 410," the nurse said in a
sympathetic tone making Megumi feel a little bit guilty for lying to her.
"Can you please tell me his condition?"
"He's doing very well right now but is still in a comma... the doctors are not sure
when he'll wake up."
"Is he seriously hurt in any way?"
"As far as we know, none of his injuries are life-threatening, but he has a head
concussion and the doctors won't be able to tell how that is going to affect him
until he wakes up."
"Thank you so much I get there as soon as possible." Megumi said excitedly before
hanging up the phone and turned to her anxious looking cousin with a wide grin.
"How is he doing? God, did he die... " Kaoru threw the questions her way even
before she got out a word.
"If he's dead would I be smiling now?" Megumi asked then told her what the nurse
has said.
"What am I going to do now?" Kaoru groaned slumping back in her chair dejectedly.
"You are going to visit him, Miss. Himura-to-be," Megumi answered as an idea
formed in her mind.
* * *
"Megumi I can't... "
"Yes, you can... where did all your guts go?" Megumi taunted in a weak attempt to
trigger Kaoru's anger so she'll have more confidence.
"It flew out the window during the accident," Kaoru replied humorlessly looking at
Megumi before staring back at the hospital in front of them.
Megumi gave Kaoru a sympathetic smile as she placed her arm over Kaoru's
shoulder and gave her a light, encouraging squeeze. "You said you wanted to see
him, well now here's your chance."
"But do I have to dress up like some porcelain doll to do it?"
"How else are the nurses going to believe that you're his fiancé? And the make up
will make it hard for them to recognize you." Megumi reasoned pushing Kaoru
towards the door.
"What happens if Sano or his dad shows up?" Kaoru asked with a great deal of
worry in her voice as she dug her heels in to stop Megumi.
"I already told you, I'll deal with them... now do you want to see Kenshin or not?"
Megumi gave Kaoru an impatient look as she crossed her arms and tapped her shoe
on the ground.
Knowing that her cousin's patience was hanging by a thread Kaoru took a deep
breath, placed the sunglasses to cover her red-rimmed eyes on and made her way
into the hospital trying to act like the distraught girlfriend.
Kaoru made her way quickly down the hall and into the elevator, not looking right or
left afraid that the people would be able to see right through her costume and call
for security. Once the elevator doors closed she gave out a sigh of relief and
spoiled herself with a little self-satisfied smile.
"Excuse me, miss... " A voice rang out from behind Kaoru making her stop dead in
her tracks.
Kaoru felt her heart stop beating as her breathing became labored wishing she
could just ignore the voice and run the rest of the way Kenshin's room. Kaoru took a
deep breath and made a tiny prayer that they won't be so harsh on her before
turning around to face the angry expressions that she knows she will see.
Her knees almost buckled beneath her from the relief she felt when she saw that
it was only a nurse trying to open one of the doors to wheel a patient in.
"I'm sorry but I can't seem to keep the door open, would you mind holding it for
me?" The nurse asked politely with an expectant look.
"Um... sure," Kaoru said and hurried over to help her out. When the door finally
closed behind the nurse Kaoru leaned against the wall trying to stop the erratic
beating of her heart.
"And I thought going to the dentist was scary," Kaoru muttered under her breath
trying to lighten the mood as she proceeded once again to Kenshin's room.
Taking a deep breath and hoping that Kenshin would be alone, she quietly turned
the knob and let out a startled gasp when she saw Mr. Himura sitting on the couch
opposite the door.
* * *
Megumi glanced nervously towards the entrance of the hospital and looked down at
her watch even though Kaoru had hardly been gone for more than a couple of
minutes.
Megumi turned around to walk, yet again down the hospital's driveway, when a
familiar image caught her eyes.
Sano stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Megumi's figure waiting outside of
the hospital. Wondering why she didn't go in, he walked up to her managing a small
smile to appear on his face.
Megumi gasped when she saw Sano wishing there was something she could do for
him but knowing that it was out of her hands. He looked like he haven't slept at all
last night and she suddenly had the biggest urge to go up to him and give him a hug.
"Hey what are you doing out here?" Sano asked casually with an inquiring look.
"I had to talk to you," Megumi answered suddenly wishing she had given herself
more time to think more carefully about her rash plan.
"Really what about?" The suspicion on Sano's face told her that any mention of
Kaoru and he would bolt so she worded her next sentence cautiously, as to not
scare him off.
"Um... it's not good to talk here, can we go someplace else?" Megumi asked wanting
to lure him away from the hospital.
Sano looked uncertainly towards the entrance as if afraid once he leaves it will
disappear and he will never see Kenshin again.
"Please?"
Finally giving in, Sano held onto Megumi's arm and led her towards his car. "Fine,
but we go where I want to go, deal?"
"Sure." Megumi agreed happy that her plan had worked then suddenly stopped
when a thought entered her mind. "How about we go somewhere close to the
hospital?"
"I thought it was my choice?" Sano asked with an unyielding expression.
Megumi was willing to go with him to ends of the world but she was afraid that
once they leave Kenshin's father would arrive. "Yeah but-..."
"No buts either you come with me or I go in there," Sano replied pointing his head
towards the hospital and not giving Megumi much of a choice but to concede to his
wishes. "Then come on."
Before Megumi could say another word Sano hastily pulled her towards his car as if
he didn't have much time.
* * *
"Why'd you bring me here?" Megumi asked looking at her surroundings before
letting her gaze drift to Sano.
"I don't know." Sano looked at the school in front of them and let out a sigh of
tiredness. "So what do you want to tell me?" Sano focused his attention on Megumi
and silently admired her as she stared out the window.
"I-it has something to do with Kao-..."
"I don't want to talk about her."
"It doesn't matter if you want to or not because it's an issue that is going to come
up sooner or later."
"Then I choose later," Sano shot back angrily.
"What happened to Kenshin is not her fault-..."
"How can you-..."
"It was all my fault." Megumi finished not letting Sano interrupt anymore.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't you see? If I didn't lie to Kaoru to get her to come out, then none of this
would have happened." Megumi stated looking down at her hands as tears
threatened to overflow.
"If I didn't try to set her up with Kenshin, he wouldn't be in the hospital right
now."
"Megu-..."
"No, let me finish... there is something you have to understand about Kaoru, she is
not used to the kinds of attention Kenshin has been giving her lately and in the car,
I guess when he refused to tell her where he was taking her, she freaked out. If I
had only told her the truth and let her decide for herself whether or not to see
Kenshin, then she might not have overreacted like that... so when it comes down to
it, all this happened because of me."
"I know you and your cousin are really close, so naturally you would want to protect
her but not this time. She endangered both their lives and it doesn't matter what
led up to that but the fact is, if it wasn't for her Kenshin wouldn't be in the
hospital right now." Sano reasoned softly lifting Megumi's face up with his finger.
When a tear slipped from her red eyes he wiped it away with his thumb.
"Can't you at least let her see him?" Megumi pleaded but Sano firmly shook his
head. "Not even... for me?"
"Don't force me," Sano said letting go of Megumi face. "I admit I've developed
feelings for you but you should know by now I hate girls who try to manipulate me."
Shocked and hurt by his words, Megumi threw her door open and ran out of the car
wanting to get away from him and wishing he'd go to hell.
"MEGUMI!" Sano called out as he ran out of the car too to follow her. It didn't
take long before he caught up and pulled her back.
"LET GO OF ME!" Megumi yelled as she tried to pull away but Sano only held on
tighter.
When Megumi was about to yell again Sano suddenly pulled her into his arms and
used his lips to shut her up.
Megumi gasped not expecting the kiss. She raised her hands up to push him away
and yell at him some more but instead found them wrapped around his neck to help
support herself now that her legs have turned to jelly.
Feeling Megumi's response, Sano tried to slow the kiss down knowing that it was
probably her first time then gave a little chuckle when he realized she wouldn't let
him.
Using one hand he pressed it against her back until there wasn't any space left
between his body and her own and slowly stroked it. With his other hand, he gently
grabbed a fist full of her hair wanting to feel the texture of it as he slanted his
mouth over hers again and again, wanting to deepen the kiss even more each time
he came down on her.
When Megumi felt like she was going to faint from lack of oxygen, she gently
pushed him away.
Neither one spoke as they tried to regain their composures and their breathes and
yet never letting one another go.
Sano slowly stroked Megumi's back then smiling when he felt her answering
shudder. "Are you cold?" He asked jokingly.
Megumi blushed wishing she had more experience in these sorts of things and
speedily shook her head.
"Haha, I was just kidding," Sano reassured her as he hugged her wanting her to be
this innocent always.
"Sano... " Megumi wanted to stay this way with him but she knew that they had to
solve this problem.
"Hmm?"
"Give Ka-... "
"Don't ruin this," Sano interrupted quickly stepping away from Megumi. "I have
already told you, I could and would never forgive Kaoru for what she's done."
"How do you expect me to accept someone who hates my family?" Megumi asked as
tears got in her eyes.
Sano didn't say anything for a few minutes and stared at Megumi. When he finally
spoke his words were clipped and cold.
"Are you willing to give this up for Kaoru?"
"Just as you seem to be willing to give it up for Kenshin!" She answered as she
realized the truth of her statement.
Sano didn't say anything back and simply stood there to look at her as if he would
never see her again.
Then he finally turned around and went to his car and took off without a second
look. If he did, he would have seen the tears that have finally escaped and fell
down Megumi's face.
Thank you for all the replies!! I hope you guys enjoy this new chapter
~Aya~
sixteen
"Hello, S**** Hospital... how may I help you?"
"Yes, I would like to have the room number of Himura Kenshin please," Megumi said
making her voice frantic and scared.
"He is in a private room, only family can visit-... "
"I'm his fiancé," Megumi quickly supplied, "I'm on my way to the hospital right now
and I want to know what room he's in."
"Oh in that case he's on the fifth floor in room 410," the nurse said in a
sympathetic tone making Megumi feel a little bit guilty for lying to her.
"Can you please tell me his condition?"
"He's doing very well right now but is still in a comma... the doctors are not sure
when he'll wake up."
"Is he seriously hurt in any way?"
"As far as we know, none of his injuries are life-threatening, but he has a head
concussion and the doctors won't be able to tell how that is going to affect him
until he wakes up."
"Thank you so much I get there as soon as possible." Megumi said excitedly before
hanging up the phone and turned to her anxious looking cousin with a wide grin.
"How is he doing? God, did he die... " Kaoru threw the questions her way even
before she got out a word.
"If he's dead would I be smiling now?" Megumi asked then told her what the nurse
has said.
"What am I going to do now?" Kaoru groaned slumping back in her chair dejectedly.
"You are going to visit him, Miss. Himura-to-be," Megumi answered as an idea
formed in her mind.
* * *
"Megumi I can't... "
"Yes, you can... where did all your guts go?" Megumi taunted in a weak attempt to
trigger Kaoru's anger so she'll have more confidence.
"It flew out the window during the accident," Kaoru replied humorlessly looking at
Megumi before staring back at the hospital in front of them.
Megumi gave Kaoru a sympathetic smile as she placed her arm over Kaoru's
shoulder and gave her a light, encouraging squeeze. "You said you wanted to see
him, well now here's your chance."
"But do I have to dress up like some porcelain doll to do it?"
"How else are the nurses going to believe that you're his fiancé? And the make up
will make it hard for them to recognize you." Megumi reasoned pushing Kaoru
towards the door.
"What happens if Sano or his dad shows up?" Kaoru asked with a great deal of
worry in her voice as she dug her heels in to stop Megumi.
"I already told you, I'll deal with them... now do you want to see Kenshin or not?"
Megumi gave Kaoru an impatient look as she crossed her arms and tapped her shoe
on the ground.
Knowing that her cousin's patience was hanging by a thread Kaoru took a deep
breath, placed the sunglasses to cover her red-rimmed eyes on and made her way
into the hospital trying to act like the distraught girlfriend.
Kaoru made her way quickly down the hall and into the elevator, not looking right or
left afraid that the people would be able to see right through her costume and call
for security. Once the elevator doors closed she gave out a sigh of relief and
spoiled herself with a little self-satisfied smile.
"Excuse me, miss... " A voice rang out from behind Kaoru making her stop dead in
her tracks.
Kaoru felt her heart stop beating as her breathing became labored wishing she
could just ignore the voice and run the rest of the way Kenshin's room. Kaoru took a
deep breath and made a tiny prayer that they won't be so harsh on her before
turning around to face the angry expressions that she knows she will see.
Her knees almost buckled beneath her from the relief she felt when she saw that
it was only a nurse trying to open one of the doors to wheel a patient in.
"I'm sorry but I can't seem to keep the door open, would you mind holding it for
me?" The nurse asked politely with an expectant look.
"Um... sure," Kaoru said and hurried over to help her out. When the door finally
closed behind the nurse Kaoru leaned against the wall trying to stop the erratic
beating of her heart.
"And I thought going to the dentist was scary," Kaoru muttered under her breath
trying to lighten the mood as she proceeded once again to Kenshin's room.
Taking a deep breath and hoping that Kenshin would be alone, she quietly turned
the knob and let out a startled gasp when she saw Mr. Himura sitting on the couch
opposite the door.
* * *
Megumi glanced nervously towards the entrance of the hospital and looked down at
her watch even though Kaoru had hardly been gone for more than a couple of
minutes.
Megumi turned around to walk, yet again down the hospital's driveway, when a
familiar image caught her eyes.
Sano stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Megumi's figure waiting outside of
the hospital. Wondering why she didn't go in, he walked up to her managing a small
smile to appear on his face.
Megumi gasped when she saw Sano wishing there was something she could do for
him but knowing that it was out of her hands. He looked like he haven't slept at all
last night and she suddenly had the biggest urge to go up to him and give him a hug.
"Hey what are you doing out here?" Sano asked casually with an inquiring look.
"I had to talk to you," Megumi answered suddenly wishing she had given herself
more time to think more carefully about her rash plan.
"Really what about?" The suspicion on Sano's face told her that any mention of
Kaoru and he would bolt so she worded her next sentence cautiously, as to not
scare him off.
"Um... it's not good to talk here, can we go someplace else?" Megumi asked wanting
to lure him away from the hospital.
Sano looked uncertainly towards the entrance as if afraid once he leaves it will
disappear and he will never see Kenshin again.
"Please?"
Finally giving in, Sano held onto Megumi's arm and led her towards his car. "Fine,
but we go where I want to go, deal?"
"Sure." Megumi agreed happy that her plan had worked then suddenly stopped
when a thought entered her mind. "How about we go somewhere close to the
hospital?"
"I thought it was my choice?" Sano asked with an unyielding expression.
Megumi was willing to go with him to ends of the world but she was afraid that
once they leave Kenshin's father would arrive. "Yeah but-..."
"No buts either you come with me or I go in there," Sano replied pointing his head
towards the hospital and not giving Megumi much of a choice but to concede to his
wishes. "Then come on."
Before Megumi could say another word Sano hastily pulled her towards his car as if
he didn't have much time.
* * *
"Why'd you bring me here?" Megumi asked looking at her surroundings before
letting her gaze drift to Sano.
"I don't know." Sano looked at the school in front of them and let out a sigh of
tiredness. "So what do you want to tell me?" Sano focused his attention on Megumi
and silently admired her as she stared out the window.
"I-it has something to do with Kao-..."
"I don't want to talk about her."
"It doesn't matter if you want to or not because it's an issue that is going to come
up sooner or later."
"Then I choose later," Sano shot back angrily.
"What happened to Kenshin is not her fault-..."
"How can you-..."
"It was all my fault." Megumi finished not letting Sano interrupt anymore.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't you see? If I didn't lie to Kaoru to get her to come out, then none of this
would have happened." Megumi stated looking down at her hands as tears
threatened to overflow.
"If I didn't try to set her up with Kenshin, he wouldn't be in the hospital right
now."
"Megu-..."
"No, let me finish... there is something you have to understand about Kaoru, she is
not used to the kinds of attention Kenshin has been giving her lately and in the car,
I guess when he refused to tell her where he was taking her, she freaked out. If I
had only told her the truth and let her decide for herself whether or not to see
Kenshin, then she might not have overreacted like that... so when it comes down to
it, all this happened because of me."
"I know you and your cousin are really close, so naturally you would want to protect
her but not this time. She endangered both their lives and it doesn't matter what
led up to that but the fact is, if it wasn't for her Kenshin wouldn't be in the
hospital right now." Sano reasoned softly lifting Megumi's face up with his finger.
When a tear slipped from her red eyes he wiped it away with his thumb.
"Can't you at least let her see him?" Megumi pleaded but Sano firmly shook his
head. "Not even... for me?"
"Don't force me," Sano said letting go of Megumi face. "I admit I've developed
feelings for you but you should know by now I hate girls who try to manipulate me."
Shocked and hurt by his words, Megumi threw her door open and ran out of the car
wanting to get away from him and wishing he'd go to hell.
"MEGUMI!" Sano called out as he ran out of the car too to follow her. It didn't
take long before he caught up and pulled her back.
"LET GO OF ME!" Megumi yelled as she tried to pull away but Sano only held on
tighter.
When Megumi was about to yell again Sano suddenly pulled her into his arms and
used his lips to shut her up.
Megumi gasped not expecting the kiss. She raised her hands up to push him away
and yell at him some more but instead found them wrapped around his neck to help
support herself now that her legs have turned to jelly.
Feeling Megumi's response, Sano tried to slow the kiss down knowing that it was
probably her first time then gave a little chuckle when he realized she wouldn't let
him.
Using one hand he pressed it against her back until there wasn't any space left
between his body and her own and slowly stroked it. With his other hand, he gently
grabbed a fist full of her hair wanting to feel the texture of it as he slanted his
mouth over hers again and again, wanting to deepen the kiss even more each time
he came down on her.
When Megumi felt like she was going to faint from lack of oxygen, she gently
pushed him away.
Neither one spoke as they tried to regain their composures and their breathes and
yet never letting one another go.
Sano slowly stroked Megumi's back then smiling when he felt her answering
shudder. "Are you cold?" He asked jokingly.
Megumi blushed wishing she had more experience in these sorts of things and
speedily shook her head.
"Haha, I was just kidding," Sano reassured her as he hugged her wanting her to be
this innocent always.
"Sano... " Megumi wanted to stay this way with him but she knew that they had to
solve this problem.
"Hmm?"
"Give Ka-... "
"Don't ruin this," Sano interrupted quickly stepping away from Megumi. "I have
already told you, I could and would never forgive Kaoru for what she's done."
"How do you expect me to accept someone who hates my family?" Megumi asked as
tears got in her eyes.
Sano didn't say anything for a few minutes and stared at Megumi. When he finally
spoke his words were clipped and cold.
"Are you willing to give this up for Kaoru?"
"Just as you seem to be willing to give it up for Kenshin!" She answered as she
realized the truth of her statement.
Sano didn't say anything back and simply stood there to look at her as if he would
never see her again.
Then he finally turned around and went to his car and took off without a second
look. If he did, he would have seen the tears that have finally escaped and fell
down Megumi's face.
Thank you for all the replies!! I hope you guys enjoy this new chapter
~Aya~