Chapter 3
A/N: hello fellow Sano/Megumi adorers! I just love the reviews! You guys are great!
I have to say the fan girls are out and hunting down our *HOT* bishie hero ^_^
Look out Sano! Rabid fan girls on the loose! And I'm happily joining you!
To Calcifer- I totally hear you- I'm a loyal fan girl for Spike (cowboy bebop), Hige (Wolf's Rain), Sano (of course RK), and more! They are sooooo cute! I'm use to people thinking my nuts- so I'm use to it!
Anyway- don't worry all- like I said before you can count on this fic ending happy for all involved!
Now- on to the chapter!
-Disclaimer: You know this by now :) -
"Dinner's ready!" Came the loud voice of Kamiya Kaoru from the inner most rooms of the dojo.
"About time! So what are you trying to poison us with this time?" Came the sharp reply of the dojo's best student.
"What did you say?" The dark haired assistant master fumed as she gripped her bokken tighter.
"It smells delicious, that it does Kaoru-donno." Came the smiling Rurouni. Quickly taking the wooden object from Kaoru. Then in seconds he calmly defused the tense situation with expert ease.
"Thank you Kenshin. At least one of us appreciates what I go through for you guys!" Kaoru said as they sat down to the usual meal of rice.
"Hey Kenshin," Yahiko said after a short silence filled the room.
"Yes, what is it Yahiko?" Kenshin smiled warmly.
"Do you know where Sanosuke is?" Yahiko asked looking over at the empty spot prepared for the frequent stopper at the dojo.
"Yeah, where is that baka? He wasn't here for the early meal either." Kaoru pointed out.
"I wouldn't worry about Sano. He can take care of himself, that he can." Kenshin said as he set his rice bowl and chopsticks down. "It is weird he hasn't stopped by yet, but Sano isn't one to follow a schedule. I'm sure he will be here for the late meal, or bright and early for tomorrow's meals."
"Yeah, the loser probably has a hangover and is sleeping it off." Yahiko snickered.
"Alright! No more slacking. Back to training if you're done!" Kaoru yelled as the meal came to an end. "And Kenshin there's laundry out back." The dojo master smiled kindly at the red haired man.
"Oro?" The Rurouni cried as he was ushered out back with a basket full of work.
-
As night fell the usual crowd gathered at the Kamiya dojo for a shared meal.
At everyone's request, Kenshin prepared a meal with several fish he caught after finishing the laundry.
Dr. Gensai, his two small granddaughters and Ms. Megumi all settled down in their usual spots around the short table.
"Maybe you should take the day off tomorrow Megumi-chan. You haven't been yourself all day." The kindhearted old man said as the meal was served.
It was true Megumi wasn't herself the entire day. The events of last night had thrown her world upside down. The kiss… the sheer electricity she had felt as his soft lips touched hers. She had never expected Sano would have such soft lips, or a gentle caress. Nothing about his brash, harsh and lofty exterior sowed any sign of gentleness about him. She hadn't been able to sleep- she just tossed and turned. She had forced herself to stay inside her room- for fear she would end up walking over to Sano's apartment and picking up where she had stopped them… but no- that would only have made things worse. He hadn't shown up to the clinic yet… or even stopped by like usual. She never realized how much she needed his smile to brighten up her miserable days…
"We have some herbal tea Ms. Megumi." Came Kenshin's voice as he brought out the dishes and serves the meal. "It could help make you feel better, that it could." The Rurouni offered kindly.
"Oh, no thank you… I'll be fine, really." Megumi put on a fake smile as she turned back towards the group. Before Kenshin had interrupted her thoughts she had been waiting for someone…
'He's not coming.' Her heart wretched. 'You messed up your chance to be happy with him… he was on his knees for you… and you blew it.'
"Should we wait for Sano?" Kaoru asked the group gathered around her table. Even though there were still seven people in the room, it just felt empty. There was a part missing and everyone knew who it was.
"Kenshin- did you stop by his apartment before you went fishing?" Kaoru continued in a worried tone.
"Hai, but no one was there. And no one had seen him at the akebeko yet, that they did not."
"Grandpa, where's Sano-ni?"
"Yeah, Sano-ni promised horsy ride." Suzame and Ayame asked in sad little voices. Their eyes looked to be welling with crystalline tears.
"I'm sure that boy is perfectly fine. In fact, I'd bet on seeing him bright and early tomorrow when the clinic opens." The elderly man smiled at his little treasures. Averting a near teary episode with the two youngest members of the Kenshin-gumi, the meal began.
It went on uneventful, without so much as a word or appearance from Sano. Yahiko commented on the better quality of food, and Kaoru threw something his way- hitting Kenshin in the back of the head.
Kaoru apologized repeatedly to the 'oro' spouting swirly eyed Rurouni, but that was about the extent of the usually loud and laughter filled meals at the Kamiya dojo.
No matter how much they tried to forget the missing 'family' member, something always brought him back into the conversation.
-
The next morning around mid-day the Kamiya dojo had a visitor.
"It's been a long time since we've seen you last, that it has." Kenshin said as he greeted Sano's long time friend Katsu. "I take it the paper is doing well?" But the seriousness of the younger man's face stopped Kenshin's small talk attempt as they finally arrived to the main house where Kaoru was waiting with tea.
"So what brings you over to this end of Tokyo?" Kaoru asked as she handed the man a cup of tea.
"Thank you." Katsu said before he took a sip and then set the cup down. "But this is no social call. In fact, I bring some bad news… it's about Sano." he said with a sigh.
"Sano?" Kaoru asked. Concern swept over her face. Sure Sano was an annoying free loader, but he was also like an older brother to her. "Where is he? Is he hurt? Why doesn't he come over…"
Katsu just shook his head and reached into his pocket for the note Sano had left. Handing it to Kenshin he nodded.
"He wanted it to be this way. The guy had his reasons, and we have to respect them… no matter how much we dislike them."
Kenshin quickly read over the short note.
In Sano's scribbled hand writing, he simply said there was nothing in Tokyo for him anymore and that he had left to find a new motivation in life.
"So he… left?" Kaoru asked not knowing if she should be mad, sad, or glad. "No goodbyes… or reasons?" Her voice wavered and tears began to slip from her eyes. It hurt Kenshin just looking at the saddened woman.
"Katsu, you know more of this, don't you?" Kenshin questioned the impartial looking man.
"It's not my place to say… we just have to believe in him. He said he'd write as soon as he mad something out of his life."
"That… that… BAKA!" Kaoru screamed. "Leaving just like that after all the meals we gave him!" She was yelling, but her voice and face told everyone that she really didn't care about he meals or the repayment issue.
"Oh, that reminds me. Here." The other sole surviving Sekihou Tai member said reaching again into his pocket. He handed Kaoru a coin. "Sano asked me to sell his stuff and start to pay back the akebeko, the clinic and the 'little missy'."
After saying this the dark haired man stood up and turned to look at the two.
"Don't worry about that baka." he told them. "He'll be back. When we least expect it, he'll just come back. I think Sano just needs to clear his mind and figure stuff out. Well, thanks for the tea. I'll let you know if I hear anything."
As the man walked towards the dojo's doors, another figure was on her way to talk with the Rurouni.
Kenshin didn't miss the angered look on Katsu's face at the appearance of the lady doctor. That's when it clicked. Sano's departure and Megumi's seemingly quiet and aloof behavior… they had to be connected.
"Hello Megumi." Kaoru said as cheerfully as possible after learning of Sano's leaving.
"Dr. Gensai sent me home from the clinic. He said I needed to get my mind back together before I tend to patients… I didn't want to just go home and do nothing." She said trying to hide the real reason for the visit to the dojo.
Her conscience was bugging her and she needed to ask Kenshin for advice on Sano, and if they had seen him at all yet.
"What really brings you here Ms. Megumi?" Kenshin asked casually getting a start from the fox as soon as Kaoru left the room. "It's alright to be worried about Sanosuke, that it is. After all we are all worried about our friend."
"Me? Worried about the rooster? That's ridiculous." Megumi tried her best to hide the fact that Kenshin was right. But every time she heard the name of the one who loved her so much as to follow her ridiculous command, tears threatened to stream out of her dark eyes.
"Sanosuke is gone, that he is." Kenshin stated and handed her the letter.
It was just Kenshin and Megumi sitting on the steps leading into the house area of the dojo over looking the small garden out back.
Kenshin just sat there knowing Megumi would eventually tell him what had taken place between the two.
"It's all my fault, Sir Ken…" Megumi finally said breaking the silence. "Why did he finally listen to me? The dolt… he hasn't actually done anything I've told him to do before… so why now? Why start now?"
"What happened Ms. Megumi? What did you ell Sano to do?"
"We have to look for him Kenshin! If you won't help me, than I'll go and do it myself." Megumi said in an unusually distraught voice.
Kenshin reacted to her moves instantly. As Megumi rose to leave, Kenshin blocked her path.
"Ms. Megumi… what ever happened, we have to trust Sano to deal with it. That he will."
"But… but… he told me he loved me…" Megumi said as tears finally streamed over her eyelids and down her pale cheeks.
A/N: hello fellow Sano/Megumi adorers! I just love the reviews! You guys are great!
I have to say the fan girls are out and hunting down our *HOT* bishie hero ^_^
Look out Sano! Rabid fan girls on the loose! And I'm happily joining you!
To Calcifer- I totally hear you- I'm a loyal fan girl for Spike (cowboy bebop), Hige (Wolf's Rain), Sano (of course RK), and more! They are sooooo cute! I'm use to people thinking my nuts- so I'm use to it!
Anyway- don't worry all- like I said before you can count on this fic ending happy for all involved!
Now- on to the chapter!
-Disclaimer: You know this by now :) -
"Dinner's ready!" Came the loud voice of Kamiya Kaoru from the inner most rooms of the dojo.
"About time! So what are you trying to poison us with this time?" Came the sharp reply of the dojo's best student.
"What did you say?" The dark haired assistant master fumed as she gripped her bokken tighter.
"It smells delicious, that it does Kaoru-donno." Came the smiling Rurouni. Quickly taking the wooden object from Kaoru. Then in seconds he calmly defused the tense situation with expert ease.
"Thank you Kenshin. At least one of us appreciates what I go through for you guys!" Kaoru said as they sat down to the usual meal of rice.
"Hey Kenshin," Yahiko said after a short silence filled the room.
"Yes, what is it Yahiko?" Kenshin smiled warmly.
"Do you know where Sanosuke is?" Yahiko asked looking over at the empty spot prepared for the frequent stopper at the dojo.
"Yeah, where is that baka? He wasn't here for the early meal either." Kaoru pointed out.
"I wouldn't worry about Sano. He can take care of himself, that he can." Kenshin said as he set his rice bowl and chopsticks down. "It is weird he hasn't stopped by yet, but Sano isn't one to follow a schedule. I'm sure he will be here for the late meal, or bright and early for tomorrow's meals."
"Yeah, the loser probably has a hangover and is sleeping it off." Yahiko snickered.
"Alright! No more slacking. Back to training if you're done!" Kaoru yelled as the meal came to an end. "And Kenshin there's laundry out back." The dojo master smiled kindly at the red haired man.
"Oro?" The Rurouni cried as he was ushered out back with a basket full of work.
-
As night fell the usual crowd gathered at the Kamiya dojo for a shared meal.
At everyone's request, Kenshin prepared a meal with several fish he caught after finishing the laundry.
Dr. Gensai, his two small granddaughters and Ms. Megumi all settled down in their usual spots around the short table.
"Maybe you should take the day off tomorrow Megumi-chan. You haven't been yourself all day." The kindhearted old man said as the meal was served.
It was true Megumi wasn't herself the entire day. The events of last night had thrown her world upside down. The kiss… the sheer electricity she had felt as his soft lips touched hers. She had never expected Sano would have such soft lips, or a gentle caress. Nothing about his brash, harsh and lofty exterior sowed any sign of gentleness about him. She hadn't been able to sleep- she just tossed and turned. She had forced herself to stay inside her room- for fear she would end up walking over to Sano's apartment and picking up where she had stopped them… but no- that would only have made things worse. He hadn't shown up to the clinic yet… or even stopped by like usual. She never realized how much she needed his smile to brighten up her miserable days…
"We have some herbal tea Ms. Megumi." Came Kenshin's voice as he brought out the dishes and serves the meal. "It could help make you feel better, that it could." The Rurouni offered kindly.
"Oh, no thank you… I'll be fine, really." Megumi put on a fake smile as she turned back towards the group. Before Kenshin had interrupted her thoughts she had been waiting for someone…
'He's not coming.' Her heart wretched. 'You messed up your chance to be happy with him… he was on his knees for you… and you blew it.'
"Should we wait for Sano?" Kaoru asked the group gathered around her table. Even though there were still seven people in the room, it just felt empty. There was a part missing and everyone knew who it was.
"Kenshin- did you stop by his apartment before you went fishing?" Kaoru continued in a worried tone.
"Hai, but no one was there. And no one had seen him at the akebeko yet, that they did not."
"Grandpa, where's Sano-ni?"
"Yeah, Sano-ni promised horsy ride." Suzame and Ayame asked in sad little voices. Their eyes looked to be welling with crystalline tears.
"I'm sure that boy is perfectly fine. In fact, I'd bet on seeing him bright and early tomorrow when the clinic opens." The elderly man smiled at his little treasures. Averting a near teary episode with the two youngest members of the Kenshin-gumi, the meal began.
It went on uneventful, without so much as a word or appearance from Sano. Yahiko commented on the better quality of food, and Kaoru threw something his way- hitting Kenshin in the back of the head.
Kaoru apologized repeatedly to the 'oro' spouting swirly eyed Rurouni, but that was about the extent of the usually loud and laughter filled meals at the Kamiya dojo.
No matter how much they tried to forget the missing 'family' member, something always brought him back into the conversation.
-
The next morning around mid-day the Kamiya dojo had a visitor.
"It's been a long time since we've seen you last, that it has." Kenshin said as he greeted Sano's long time friend Katsu. "I take it the paper is doing well?" But the seriousness of the younger man's face stopped Kenshin's small talk attempt as they finally arrived to the main house where Kaoru was waiting with tea.
"So what brings you over to this end of Tokyo?" Kaoru asked as she handed the man a cup of tea.
"Thank you." Katsu said before he took a sip and then set the cup down. "But this is no social call. In fact, I bring some bad news… it's about Sano." he said with a sigh.
"Sano?" Kaoru asked. Concern swept over her face. Sure Sano was an annoying free loader, but he was also like an older brother to her. "Where is he? Is he hurt? Why doesn't he come over…"
Katsu just shook his head and reached into his pocket for the note Sano had left. Handing it to Kenshin he nodded.
"He wanted it to be this way. The guy had his reasons, and we have to respect them… no matter how much we dislike them."
Kenshin quickly read over the short note.
In Sano's scribbled hand writing, he simply said there was nothing in Tokyo for him anymore and that he had left to find a new motivation in life.
"So he… left?" Kaoru asked not knowing if she should be mad, sad, or glad. "No goodbyes… or reasons?" Her voice wavered and tears began to slip from her eyes. It hurt Kenshin just looking at the saddened woman.
"Katsu, you know more of this, don't you?" Kenshin questioned the impartial looking man.
"It's not my place to say… we just have to believe in him. He said he'd write as soon as he mad something out of his life."
"That… that… BAKA!" Kaoru screamed. "Leaving just like that after all the meals we gave him!" She was yelling, but her voice and face told everyone that she really didn't care about he meals or the repayment issue.
"Oh, that reminds me. Here." The other sole surviving Sekihou Tai member said reaching again into his pocket. He handed Kaoru a coin. "Sano asked me to sell his stuff and start to pay back the akebeko, the clinic and the 'little missy'."
After saying this the dark haired man stood up and turned to look at the two.
"Don't worry about that baka." he told them. "He'll be back. When we least expect it, he'll just come back. I think Sano just needs to clear his mind and figure stuff out. Well, thanks for the tea. I'll let you know if I hear anything."
As the man walked towards the dojo's doors, another figure was on her way to talk with the Rurouni.
Kenshin didn't miss the angered look on Katsu's face at the appearance of the lady doctor. That's when it clicked. Sano's departure and Megumi's seemingly quiet and aloof behavior… they had to be connected.
"Hello Megumi." Kaoru said as cheerfully as possible after learning of Sano's leaving.
"Dr. Gensai sent me home from the clinic. He said I needed to get my mind back together before I tend to patients… I didn't want to just go home and do nothing." She said trying to hide the real reason for the visit to the dojo.
Her conscience was bugging her and she needed to ask Kenshin for advice on Sano, and if they had seen him at all yet.
"What really brings you here Ms. Megumi?" Kenshin asked casually getting a start from the fox as soon as Kaoru left the room. "It's alright to be worried about Sanosuke, that it is. After all we are all worried about our friend."
"Me? Worried about the rooster? That's ridiculous." Megumi tried her best to hide the fact that Kenshin was right. But every time she heard the name of the one who loved her so much as to follow her ridiculous command, tears threatened to stream out of her dark eyes.
"Sanosuke is gone, that he is." Kenshin stated and handed her the letter.
It was just Kenshin and Megumi sitting on the steps leading into the house area of the dojo over looking the small garden out back.
Kenshin just sat there knowing Megumi would eventually tell him what had taken place between the two.
"It's all my fault, Sir Ken…" Megumi finally said breaking the silence. "Why did he finally listen to me? The dolt… he hasn't actually done anything I've told him to do before… so why now? Why start now?"
"What happened Ms. Megumi? What did you ell Sano to do?"
"We have to look for him Kenshin! If you won't help me, than I'll go and do it myself." Megumi said in an unusually distraught voice.
Kenshin reacted to her moves instantly. As Megumi rose to leave, Kenshin blocked her path.
"Ms. Megumi… what ever happened, we have to trust Sano to deal with it. That he will."
"But… but… he told me he loved me…" Megumi said as tears finally streamed over her eyelids and down her pale cheeks.