disclamers: some characters are mine... but you know who is not. pls don't sue me. (",)

This is supposed to be a song fic from Regine Velasquez's song How Could You Leave, but it got out of hand. So here…

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Still wilt on the shelf by the phone

she kept the roses, even though they already lost their fragrance and their colors. she placed it in a vase near her bed where she can see it everyday.

she doesn't know what it is about the flowers or the person that gave them to her, but it inspires her. in more ways than one. one thing she knows that she looks forward to waking up each day because of him. the world is a beautiful place once again.

suddenly he is everywhere she goes. he is by the clinic having his hand fixed, he is there to accompany her as she goes home, he is there to hold her close when she feels cold.

"i might get used to this" she said playfully. it was a warm summer night and he was walking her home.

"don't you want it?" he asked turning her to face him

she met his and she was lost in the intensity of his gaze. she turned her face away. "i don't want to get hurt again" she whispered

"megumi..." he started

she looked at his handsome face, a face instilled in her mind for all eternity. "but i am willing to take a chance, would you?", she smiled as she said these words

his face brightened like the sun at early dawn. he held her close, she sighed as she felt him envelop her in his warm arms. "thank you" he whispered in her ears

they stayed there for a long time. holding into each other as the countless stars glimmer above them. she felt contented wrapped in his arms, she felt safe. that is all that matters at that moment.

she found forever in his arms.

U took a part of me

one summer night he was walking her home. they had dinner at the akabeko.

"i can't believe you treated me for dinner" she teased

"i thought the dinner would be a surprise. i never thought that you will consider me paying for dinner as the bigger surprise" he said, a smile lighting his voice.

"you can say that" she smiled back at him. "i really appreciated it. thank you very much"

"anything for you" he whispered, draping an arm around her shoulders.

they continue their walk home in silence. everything is normal, they walking side by side, her head rested in his chest, his arm around her. but she can't help feeling that something is not right.

"megumi" he said turning to her

"is there something wrong" she asked, worry reflected in her pretty place

"have i ever told you that you are the most beautiful person i have seen in my life" he asked staring at her face, as if memorizing her features.

"yes you did" she smiled as a firefly flew near his face, illuminating his handsome features

"have i ever told you that you are the most wonderful thing that happen in my life?"

"sano..."

he placed a finger in her lips. "megumi... i have something to tell you?" he whispered as he slowly let go of her

"what is it? is something wrong?" she asked

"i'm leaving japan" he said turning away.

"leaving me?" she whispered, her gaze fixed on the river bathe by the light of the stars in the sky.

"i have to, megumi"

"can't i come with you" she asked softly, wrapping her arms around her. she suddenly felt the chill of the evening wind

"no... i'm doing this for your own good megumi. i have to get out of japan. too many people are hunting me down. for crimes that some i committed but most i did not." she heard him whispered in the wind. "leaving is the only way i know to protect all of you. to protect you most of all, megumi"

"i want to come with you. take me with you. please?" she begged, the river and all the stars becoming blurry

she felt his arms around her, his hot breathe on the crook of her neck. "i would love to take you with me. to be with you each and every day of my life. to hold you like this forever" he whispered in his ears.

"then why don't you? you know that i will come with you anywhere"

"it will not be safe, it will be difficult for you. you might be harmed and i would not forgive myself if i am the cause of your pain"

"but you are hurting me now" she said softly

he turned her to face her "i know but i don't know where i will be going. what will i eat. things like that. here in japan you have those things. and most importantly, you will be safe."

she lowered her head in an attempt to hide the tears that threaten to fall from her eyes.

"live your life here in japan megumi. live your dreams. help those people with your talents" he said lifting her head. "for me... please?"

she nodded her head slowly

"please" he begged her

"yes" she whispered

he smiled sadly as he draw her to his chest. she burried her face in his shirt as she let her tears flow.

"don't cry for me megumi..." he whispered as he stroked her hair

"when are you leaving" she asked, her voice muffled in his chest. an idea forming in her mind.

"tonight" he said tightening his hold

"there is still time" she whispered lifting her eyes to meet with his brown eyes

"what?...."

she silenced his words with her fingers. "let me love you, sanosuke" she said softly "just for tonight"

"are you sure?" he asked. his brown eyes searching her face

"yes" she said as she lifted her lips to his.

she felt something inside of her explode as he deepened the kiss. his tongue made its way inside her mouth and she lost herself in the kiss.

All the tears i cry 4 u

"megumi!" yahiko shouted

she sat up suddenly, the blanket falling around her waist. puzzled she stared at the her body, wondering why she doesn't have any.....

"sanosuke..." she whispered, a blush tinting her cheeks as she remember what happened. she can still feel the way her hands roamed her body, his kisses....

"megumi, are you up? i'm coming in" yahiko shouted

"no. i'm up. why?" she shouted back

"it's important and i can't just shout it here for all the world to hear" yahiko shouted impatiently

"wait. im coming out" she said as she hastily threw her yukata on.

she found yahiko impatiently taping his foot near the gate.

"what is it yahiko? what is so important that it can't wait until morning" she asked

"sanosuke is leaving tonight" he whispered. "he is waiting for us at the docks, he is asking for us"

reality hit her hard, she felt her knees weakened under her.

yahiko was suddenly at her side. "megumi, are you ok? do you want me to tell him you're not coming?" he asked, concerned written all over his face

she smiled sadly. "thanks yahiko, but i'll be fine. just let me get dressed and i'll come with you" she said softly

"are you sure?" the young samurai asked

she nodded. then without any words she entered her house. she slowly slid the shoji shut, leaning on it she felt tears streaming down her cheeks. she hastily wiped them away as she made her way to her bedroom to get dressed.

the moon was bright against the sky, its fullness reflected on the black sea below. she found them standing by the docks, talking in whispers. suddenly kaoru hit him again with a bokken.

"megumi, hurry up" yahiko shouted ahead of her

the three turned their head towards them. he smiled when he saw her.

"yahiko, hurry up!" kaoru exclaimed

"coming, coming" yahiko panted. "it's not my fault megumi took so long to wake up"

"hmp! excuses" kaoru said crossing her arms

"maa... maa" kenshin said patiently. "we're here to bid sano goodbye"

"so i guess this is it" he said spreading his arms

"goodbye sanosuke" kaoru said as she collapsed in his arms. "take care of yourself"

"bye sano" yahiko said

"sano..." kensin said clasping his hand

she stood behind them, her eyes sad as she watched him bid goodbye to their friends.

he lifted his eyes and saw her looking at him with sad eyes. she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. his long black hair blown by the evening wind, her kimono being tossed around.

she met his eyes and sadly smiled. "goodbye", she mouthed

unable to stay away, her ran towards her and enveloped her in his arms. he felt her melt against him as he burried his face in her hair. she smelled so nice, like the evening wind. "aishiteru" he whispered in her ears.

she felt him slowly drew away, the tears she struggled to control fell freely from her eyes. she lifted her face to stare at him. she would never forget the way she sees herself in his eyes. "aishiteru" she said softly. "i'll be waiting"

she felt something being pressed in her hand. she saw it was his bandana, it seemed strange to see him without it.

"take care, megumi" he said softly, tracing the lines on her face.

"take care baka" she smiled sadly, closing her eyes. she felt his lips against her in a tender kiss as he held her tight for the last time. their tears mingling as it fell down her cheeks.

she watched him jumped on the boat and slowly row towards the ship on the horizon. he turned towards them and waved. kaoru waved back shouting words of encouragement.

slowly, she felt herself falling on the ground. kaoru was at her side immediately, supporting her.

"megumi-san? daijoubu?" she asked, concerned etched all over her lovely face

"he left.... he left me" she sobbed on the shoulders of the younger girl. she felt the embrace of the girl tightened around her.

"there... there...." kaoru whispered

"he promised me forever...." she cried anguishly.

kaoru continued rocking her like a baby, whispering soothing words to her ears, listening as she pour her heart out.

"i know, i understand" kaoru said softly, meeting kenshin's gaze over her head.

kenshin stiffened, he saw for now what kaoru really felt when he left her to go to kyoto. he nodded. "kaoru-dono, it is getting late, we should head home" he said softly

"hai kenshin" kaoru answered. "megumi, why don't you stay with us for the night?" she asked turning to her.

she nodded absentmindedly, letting the younger girl guide her towards the dojo.

sleep didn't come to her that night, she cried softly till dawn. but she was never alone. kaoru stayed with her the whole while. comforting her, letting her cry.

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TBC