Kyaa Kyaff here!!!
Disclaimer: Megumi & co aren't mine.
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'…' Kaoru thoughts
*…* Kenshin thoughts
"…" Dialogue
Fragile Balance
Chapter 7: Sano & Megumi
Kaoru awoke slowly having had a restless sleep. Getting up she felt a little sick, but the feeling passed several seconds later. Stretching she sighed. Glancing over to where Sano was she smiled. He was sitting at the counter his head in his arms. Even that did not muffle the loud snores coming from his direction. Kaoru looked over at the clock and started. It was 8:00 a.m. and she was supposed to go to the park to meet Kenshin at seven. Rushing around to get ready she woke Sano up from all the noise she was making.
"Feeling better Jou-chan?" Sano asked.
"Yeah, umm… could you do me a favor?" she asked.
"What…?" Sano asked skeptically.
"Could you jog with me to the park. I don't want to go alone. You don't have to stay. Kenshin will be there," Kaoru said.
For some reason Kaoru felt safe with Kenshin, and she really wanted to see him today. He made her feel better, when he was around. Kaoru almost wanted to laugh.
'I barely know the guy.'
"The red-head?" Sano asked.
"Yep," Kaoru replied.
Sano started to think about it, "Are you sure you'll be safe with him. I mean your ex knows where you are."
"I know. That's why you are coming with me! You can be my bodyguard!" Kaoru said brightly trying to stop the image of Enishi from coming to mind.
'I am scared, but I won't hide. I will find a way to fight back. He can't control me anymore.'
"Fine Jou-chan. After that I'll walk over to Megumi's place. So if there is any trouble that's where I will be," Sano said.
Kaoru smiled at his concern.
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Jogging to the park with Sano was thankfully uneventful. She stopped at the entrance seeing Kenshin sitting at the bench.
"Alright Jou-chan. You know where I'll be," Sano said.
"Yes, of course," Kaoru said.
Kenshin smiled standing up, "Kaoru-dono."
"Sorry I'm late. I didn't wake up at the usual time," she said.
"Sessha didn't mind waiting for you."
Without another word Kaoru began her practice. Kenshin helped her when he could. After she finished she was smiling broadly.
'What is it about you that makes me so happy? It is a different feeling from when I was with Enishi.'
"Kaoru-dono?"
Kaoru realized she had been staring at him and started with a blush.
"Would you like to go out to eat breakfast?" Kenshin asked.
Kaoru looked down at her outfit and state grimacing, "Well, I think I need to take a shower and change."
"You look fine," Kenshin replied.
"Well, I still need to drop my stuff off. And I would prefer to change," Kaoru said.
"Then sessha will drive you home," Kenshin said.
"Okay," Kaoru replied.
Walking out of the park she followed him to his car. He went over and opened the door for her. Several minutes later with Kaoru's direction they arrived at the apartment complex. Getting out of the car they went inside the building.
Kaoru walked into her apartment, "Make yourself comfortable. There isn't much and it is really messy. Gomen!"
"It is fine," Kenshin said taking a seat on the couch.
"I'll be quick," she assured.
Going into her room she grabbed a shirt and shorts before heading toward the bathroom. Taking the fastest shower possible, she got dressed and came out. Kenshin was still sitting on the couch patiently. Kaoru began looking around for her brush while trying to dry her hair.
"Argh! Where did I… Oh yeah! I'll be right back," Kaoru said going back to Sano's room and unlocking it with the spare key he had given her.
She slipped inside grabbed her brush and locked the door. She then began the struggle of unknotting her hair.
"Okay! I am ready," Kaoru exclaimed several minutes later.
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"Megitsune!!! Please let me talk to you," Sano said banging his head against her door in frustration, "I know you are in there."
Sano turned to lean against the door. Megumi lived in another nicer apartment complex not to far from his. An old woman came walking by.
"What did you do this time, Sagara-san?" she asked playfully.
"A slight misunderstanding," he replied.
The old woman smiled at him again before heading to her room. He had a bit of a reputation here. He and Megumi had their fair share of fights. For some reason he always ended up outside her room, begging like an idiot. This made him angry. Why was it always his fault, albeit sometimes it was? She would never trust him it seemed. Sure he had fooled around a bit and was a notorious heartbreaker and gambler, but with Megumi it was different. He wanted to be with her and only her. Ever since he had first seen her, but she after three years still didn't trust him. He thought after three years of faithfully being with her…but he was wrong. Sano had reached his limit.
"Fine Megumi. You can't trust me, and you never will. That's perfectly fine. I have had it. I don't need this or you anyway," Sano said angrily stomping off.
Sitting in her living room, Megumi's face collapsed. She had heard him ranting and raving out there. She almost enjoyed making him suffer like that, but she chose not to let him in. Maybe she had misunderstood the situation remembering now that Sano had pizza sauce on his face. Having only glimpsed at Kaoru, Megumi only now realized she had pizza all over her too. Sano was just being his normal self, but to admit that would mean she was wrong. Megumi was too stubborn. But her mind started to play images through her head. She remembered when she first saw Sano. She was working at the Akabeko, and he was a regular.
Gambling with his buddies he usually had some girl or another on his arm. He was a big flirt and Megumi never took any of his earlier advances seriously. He had been serious though. She remembered the night he had saved her.
Megumi was running as fast as she possibly could. Fear clenched her heart as she heard Kanryu running to catch up with her. Grabbing her arm he dragged her back into the alleyway she had almost escaped.
"Come here bitch!" he said.
"Let go!" Megumi yelled.
He dragged her further into the alley, "What, you just think I would let you leave whenever you want? No, darling. I don't think so."
"I won't make anymore of that drug," Megumi yelled.
"You don't have a choice. I am going to become a very rich man with your help."
She smacked him sharply across the face. He punched her back. She fell from the strength behind the punch.
"You'll pay for that," he said kicking her hard.
"I won't help you anymore," Megumi said trying to protect herself.
He hit her again losing control of himself.
"You. Will. Do. As. I. Say." he said punctuating each word with a kick.
Megumi cried out in pain. Leaning over he grabbed her by the hair and hit the back of her head into the pavement.
"Don't worry I won't kill you," he said softly.
Megumi tried to focus but couldn't. Everywhere hurt and she just wished she could slip into oblivion. Smiling Kanryu yanked her up by her hair. She stood weakly only to be hit down again.
"Oi! What the hell do you think you're doing?" a man asked from the opening of the alleyway.
"You want to live, you'll leave," Kanryu said pulling Megumi closer to shield himself.
"I see you are very good at beating helpless people. Why don't you try and take me on?"
"Stay away! I'm warning you." Kanryu yelled tightening his grip on Megumi.
"Pathetic," the familiar voice said in anger.
That was the last thing Megumi heard before passing out. She woke up in the hospital a few days later. Opening her eyes groggily she was greeted by the sight of a nurse checking up on her. She tried to speak, but it came out as a dry painful croak. The nurse smiled gently helping her drink a cup of water a few minutes later.
"There you go. I'll go get you're fiancée. I finally convinced him to leave to get something to eat, and you wake up. He has been watching over you these past few days. You sure are one lucky woman," the nurse rambled.
"Fiancée…?" Megumi asked confusedly.
The nurse had already turned to leave. A few minutes later Sano came rushing into the room.
"Megitsune, you alright?" he asked.
Megumi watched him warily, "What are you doing here tori-atama? And what is this business about a fiancée?"
Sano scratched his head before smiling, "Well, after I beat the crap out of that weasel guy, I took you here. But they wouldn't let me see you until I told them you were my fiancée."
"In your dreams, tori-atama," Megumi said weakly, "You saved me…?"
"Yeah, I heard some shouting, and I was scared the hell out of my mind when I saw it was you." Sano said.
Megumi didn't know how to respond to this, "…Arigato, Sano."
"No problem. Just helping out my Megitsune. Don't want your pretty face messed up."
Megumi had a strong urge to hit him, but was too tired to do so.
"You look tired. Get some sleep," he said pulling up a chair.
"What are you doing?" she asked groggily as her eyelids began to droop.
"Waiting for you to fall asleep so I can grope you," he replied.
She feebly raised her hand to hit him. He caught it in his own, and Megumi was surprised at the warmth of his hand.
"I am just going to make sure you fall asleep, okay? Then I'll leave," Sano said.
As he went to take his hand back she tightened her grip not wanting to lose the warmth of his hand. Sano smiled as she slowly began to fall asleep. Kanryu had went to prison, but he had made many enemies, and some of the men there were there because of him. He was killed by one of the inmates, who had a huge grudge against him. Sano had come to visit her often, while she was recuperating both in the hospital and at her place.
"What have I done?" Megumi said sadly.
Megumi came straight back to the present with a sudden realization. She had driven Sano away on purpose. Not consciously. She was scared to trust him and put all her confidence in him. She didn't deserve him. She had done such terrible things for Kanryu. People had died because of her. She had a hard time trusting people, but Sano was one person she should trust more than anything. Her lip trembled slightly. She had to find him, and this time she would be the one to apologize.
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"So where do you work?" Kaoru asked as she ate her toast.
"Sessha manages a pottery shop," Kenshin answered.
"Really?! That's interesting. Do you get a lot of business?" Kaoru asked.
"Yes, Shishou's creations are quite popular. Many people come for lessons," Kenshin said.
"Shishou?"
Kenshin put a hand to his face, "It's a long story."
"That's okay. Hmm…so how old are you anyway?" Kaoru asked.
"Twenty-nine," he replied.
Kaoru's mouth dropped open, "You don't look that old. Ack! I mean not that it's old, but you're ten years older then me!"
Kenshin smiled seeing her distraught, "Don't worry about it."
Kaoru decided to change the subject, "So where to next? This is my day off and I really haven't gotten to go anywhere in the city! I know, let's go to where you work. What's the name?"
"Hiko's Wares," Kenshin said reluctantly.
"You don't mind do you? We could do something else?"
"No, sessha will take you to the store," Kenshin replied.
"Great."
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Misao ran around her room looking for something to wear for tonight. She was going on a date with Aoshi! She had tried calling Kaoru, but no one answered. Megumi wasn't available either. She had called in sick for work having remembered today that she was scheduled to work. She had never before, but she wasn't going to pass up this opportunity. Work could wait.
"Argh!!!" Misao exclaimed.
She had nothing really nice to wear. Her clothes were nowhere near as sophisticated as Megumi's. She had no dresses or skirts, and her hair, what was she supposed to do with that? Misao stopped suddenly glancing at the clock. It was only twelve. She had plenty of time to go buy something nice. With that she was out the door in seconds.
She jumped into her car and started heading for the store. Halfway there she realized she had forgotten her wallet. She turned sharply almost hitting into someone, before heading back to her house. Once there she spent another twenty minutes searching for her wallet. It was nowhere to be found. Going back out to the car she opened the door. Looking in the glove department she gave an aggravated yell. It had been in there the whole time! Misao was about ready to rip her hair out. Looking at the clock she saw it was one now. Getting back into the car she sped to the store. Going straight for the clothing section she began to browse around.
"Misao, what are you doing here? Tsubame said you called out sick today," Tae said.
Misao face-faulted before getting up with a sheepish look on her face.
"Gomen ne, Tae! I made a date with Aoshi. He actually asked me out. I forgot all about work and then…"
"Don't worry about it Misao. I'll let it slip this time, since you have never called out sick before. Just don't let it happen again." Tae reprimanded with a smile.
"Of course," Misao replied her face flushing as Tae walked away, "Can this day get any worse?"
Wrong question to ask. Whenever Misao found something she liked she also discovered they didn't have it in her size. She was near tears of frustration. She just wanted to look good for Aoshi. Finally giving up she went home dejectedly. Going through her own clothes, she picked a pair of white pants with a beautiful green shirt that matched her eyes. Misao frowned as she unbraided her hair and started to brush it. Something told her she wasn't going to get much cooperation from her hair either.
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Sano look at the ring he had bought for Megumi a while back. He had saved up all his money to buy it. It was a gold band with a small diamond ring surrounded by two emerald stones. He didn't plan on asking her anything until he got a steady job. Nothing wrong with being prepared though. Megumi was working her way through college to become a doctor. She had a bit of money, but most of it was scholarship money she was running on. She was extremely intelligent. Frowning at the ring he put it back in its box. Probably wouldn't get much use now. It almost scared him at how ready he was to commit himself totally to Megumi. Sano sighed in frustration, but she still didn't even give him a chance. He snapped it shut leaving it on the counter. He flopped down on the couch feeling miserable.
"And this is why, Sanosuke, you don't get involved with one girl," he muttered to himself.
Getting up suddenly he said, "I could use some alcohol in my blood."
He opened the door only to bump right into Megumi. He backed up a bit.
"What do you want?" Sano asked a little to harshly.
"To apologize," Megumi replied softly looking down.
"For what?" he asked.
"For everything. For never trusting you. For judging you on the person you were. I never meant to push you away. I am afraid. I am afraid of losing you. That is why I pushed you away. I am not making much sense, am I?" Megumi said with a humorless laugh.
She had tears in her eyes that we just waiting to fall. She had never felt so vulnerable in her life. This was so unlike her. She prided herself on being independent, but if Sano pushed her away she didn't know how she would handle it. Instead he enveloped her in a strong hug. She leaned into him loving the feeling of having him close. She stepped inside his room after he let her go.
"I won't do it again. I'll trust you," she said.
Sano looked at her. He felt this was the right moment. He had to. All his earlier plans to wait vanished. Taking her by the hand he led her over to the counter. Taking the box in his hand he kneeled down. Megumi's eyes widened in surprise.
"Megitsune, I love you. You are the only girl I have ever truly loved. The first time I saw you I knew. I just knew I wanted to be with you."
Megumi was shocked standing there trying to take in what he was doing.
"I bought this a while back. I wanted to wait until I had something to offer you, but…Megumi, will you marry me?"
Megumi's mouth fell open in shock. She backed up a bit as her eyes went from his to the beautiful ring he presented to her.
"…I…Sano…" she felt her face scrunch up as she tried to hold back tears, "Yes."
Sano had been holding his breath, but let it out with a sigh. He took the ring out and placed it on her finger. She jumped into his arms, still trying to comprehend what had just happened. He pulled back from the hug slightly to give Megumi a tender kiss.
"Now enough with this emotional stuff. How about you and me make up some more in my room? It has a nice comfy bed," Sano said smiling slyly.
Megumi smacked him upside the head, "Baka!"
He rubbed where he had been smacked saying innocently, "It was just a suggestion."
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And that's the end of chapter 7! I hope you enjoyed it! This was also for all those SanoxMegumi fans! Hmmm… next Misao's date with Aoshi and the rest of the day with Kaoru and Kenshin!
On to the individual thanks!!!
Jason M. Lee- Yep! I made them make up. Couldn't have them stay apart! Hope you liked the new chapter! And I promise I won't grab your ears anymore *puts hands behind her back suspiciously* I promise.
Chiki- *almost feels sorry for Enishi who is covered with mallet sized bruises* But anyway! Hiya! Glad to hear from you again! Girls definitely need to learn to defend themselves, so they can put overbearing guys in their place.
Sujakata- I know there wasn't a whole lot of KxK, the focus was more on SxM, but it is coming up! Yeah Enishi is a freak in this but anyway it is nice hearing from you again!
Kame Hime- I plan on having something happen where Kaoru gets him back. Don't know what yet! Hope you liked this chapter too! Can't wait to hear what you thought!
Masika- *carefully approaches rock not wishing to be glomped to death again and revived* Not a pleasant experience you know. Here's the next chapter *laughs nervously while nudging it closer* He! He! Can't wait to hear from you again! ^o^
Marstanuki- Enjoy!!!
Vesca- I am always happy to hear from you! Glad you like this story too! Can't wait to hear what you thought!
Chibi-ken14- I know! Enishi is a jerk, well in my story *sees Enishi glaring at her from a distance* He! He! I better go now, but I'll be waiting to here what you thought!
Princezz Kaoru- KxK will be coming up! Next chapter there will be some! Enjoy!!!
Kawaii_tenshi77- Here's the next chapter! Hope to hear from you soon!
Shunu no Miko- Yep! Got to love Kenshin! I mean Enishi is awesome to (not in the story) but Kenshin is well Kenshin! But anyway I'll be waiting to hear from you!
Omochi- Yum pizza. When I had Sano order that everything else just fell into place. Pizza fight just popped into my head. But anyway I am glad you liked it!
Lina- I hope you liked this chapter as well. I will be waiting for some more motivation from you!
Kamimura Kaoru- Nice hearing from you again! Please tell me what you thought! And I will definitely be waiting for your stories as well!
Jim- *Just smiles holding up weaponless hands*
Apple- I will reveal Kaoru's father's murderer…eventually. *hands sakabatou to Apple placing Enishi near* Well, I am going to go now and let you and Enishi 'talk' ^o^
Misanagi- Yay! Makes you happy! That's great! Thanks for the motivation! I'll be waiting to hear from you again!
Alannah- No problem Alannah! No internet for two weeks! Ack! Well, it's not that bad, but still. I appreciate the review and I'm hoping to hear from you again!
And lastly I would like to recommend (if you haven't read it already) Time Changes All by Hoshi-ni-Onegai! Very good!!! (hope you don't mind me recommending it ^o^)
Okay! That's all for now!
Kyaa Kyaff saying until next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
