Chapter 4
A/N: Hello again! Thanks for all the nice reviews! Gee I was worried no one would like my sugar induced story ^_^ Guess I was wrong!
This chapter is a bit angst- and it centers around Megumi more than anything… but I swear on all my anime collection that this story will end happy! I just have a few twists to get to first before they live happily ever after… (If only in the real world things would end like that….) but anyway- I think I will leave it at that! Just keep the reviews coming and I'll be more than happy to keep feeding you your addiction… I mean story :)
Standard Disclaimers Apply -
-
Even the Rurouni didn't expect that. Sure he knew of Sano's feelings towards the lady doctor, but Kenshin had never expected the younger man to act for a time yet.
"Ano, and what happened then Ms. Megumi, to make you worry so much?"
"I… I didn't think he meant it… oh Kenshin, I ripped out his heart. I told him I hated him and that he should just leave… and never return… I was so cruel." Megumi said as she sobbed. She had finally broken down. This was only the second time the red headed Rurouni had seen the strong doctor shed these kinds of tears.
"And what do you feel for Sanosuke?" Kenshin asked in an impartial tone. His eyes were searching hers for something… anything that meant she truly shared Sano's feelings for her.
"What?"
"He told you he loved you, but Ms. Megumi, what do you feel for him? You can trust me. You must know if you feel anything as strong as what Sano does for you, that you should."
"Oh, Sir Ken- I just don't know. I'm… I've never felt this before… not like this…" She took a moment and tried to gather her thoughts, but only images of Sano entered her mind. The day she ran into the gambling parlor for help and found the handsome gangster, the night he found out she was responsible for the bad opium, and yet still he came for her… he saved her then and so many more times. The many fights they had always made her smile on the inside, just getting his attention made her feel warm inside, and then there was his touch. She had felt something for him the moment she first examined his wounds, and then every time they made contact…. Strong but gentle… that was Sano… her Sanosuke.
"Yes…" She sighed with a smile. "I love him… that Baka Chicken head… I love him."
While Megumi marveled at how wonderful it felt to finally say those words out loud, Kenshin's expression became grim.
For Sano to finally come out like he did took a lot of courage. Even to the extent the ex-gangster had gone to in order to try and convince her, he had to have taken a great blow to his pride. And then to be rejected so openly and flat out…
'What are you going to do now Sano?' Kenshin asked inwardly, but got no response. It was very hard to read Sano's actions at times, and this was once such occasion.
After Megumi shared with Kenshin the details of the confession, the Rurouni became even more concerned. Sano could be so stubborn. It was that stubbornness and pride of Sano's that made up a large part of the man Kenshin had grown to love as a younger brother. However it was that very stubbornness and pride that now could create problems.
"Ms. Megumi, we must believe that he will return, that he will." Kenshin said taking Megumi's hand and squeezing it.
"But when?" Megumi asked. "Can't we go look for him? We have to do something…" She continued in a worried tone.
"Sano will return to us when he is ready… besides if Sano doesn't want to be found it will be a hard task to find him." Kenshin told her as she calmed down and dried her tears. "We just have to be patient and wait for him."
"Doomo, Sir Ken. I will. I will because I love that Baka. I would wait forever for him to return to me." She promised looking up at the sunny sky. 'Return to me Sanosuke.' She thought as she let out a sigh.
Even though Megumi had promised to wait forever for the man she loved, neither she nor the others ever expected for him to actually take so long.
After the third month after his departure three letters arrived in Tokyo among the usual bundles. Each was accompanied with a package. One went to the Akebeko, Dr. Gensai's clinic and the Kamiya dojo. All three were from the same author.
To the clinic and the Ababeko, several substantial amounts of money were found in the package with a simple not attached:
--------------------------------------
To pay for services rendered,
Sagara Sanosuke
--------------------------------------
The dojo however got a longer letter that everyone was anxious to read.
Even Dr. Gensai and his granddaughters came over to hear the letter being read aloud. Kenshin sat on the dojo's back porch overlooking the backyard and began to read the letter to all his friends.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Ohayoo.
It's me, Sano. Sorry about the hasty departure and all… but I
finally decided to do something with my life. Things were hard at
first, but I survived and all is well. I actually bumped into a nice
family here and got a job. The head of the house ahs his own
securities company in town where they guard things of value for
foreigners and all sorts of people. Who would have guessed I
could actually find a job I actually liked! The old man is like a real
father to me- we get along surprisingly well.
His wife passed on several years back, so it's only him and I that
live in this huge house, with his youngest daughter, Hikari.
You can tell the fox that my hand finally healed. You'll be amazed
what one will do when they meet a person with the combined
personalities of the doc and the little missy.
By the way- aren't you too married by now? Jeez Kenshin'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The letter was abruptly stopped by a wide-eyed Rurouni sputtering an 'Oro' or two.
"What does Sano say?" Yahiko asked with a smile.
"Yes, what's the matter Kenshin?" Kaoru asked still blushing from the last comment Sano made.
"It's nothing…" Kenshin tried to cover up, but Kaoru grabbed the paper and picked up where the Rurouni stopped.
"Jeez Kenshin, be the man and sweep missy off her feet…" Now it was Kaoru's turn to stop. But her reaction was quite different- with a sigh she smiled. How she longed for Kenshin to do just that… "Ouch!" Kaoru cried as Yahiko poked her out of her daydreams.
"Keep going!"
"Sorry!" She muttered as the begun again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'I still may be younger than you, but trust me it's better to be
honest with yourself and besides you two are both crazy for each
other. That's something I'll never know I guess. But oh well. I was
never the type to figure that whole love thing out.
I had better cut this letter short. Just wanted to let you know I'm
still alive and doing quite well. Say hi to Dr. Gensai for me… oh
and Kenshin- I owe the monkeys a horsy back ride- will you give
them one to tide them over? Thanks.
Yahiko- keep practicing. Even if Missy gets annoying at times, She
does know what she's doing… most of the times. And to the little
missy- don't let Kenshin make you wait too long! Use the old
Kamiya persuasiveness- (A/N: throw something at him ^_^ Oro!)
And Kenshin, thanks for everything. Even when I made dumb
decisions you were always a good friend…
Thanks,
Sano
------------------------------
P.S. say hi to Ms. Megumi. If she even misses me that is- and tell her
I'm sorry for everything, but I regret nothing.'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Baka,' Megumi thought to herself holding back tears.
"It looks lie Sano is actually doing well for himself." Kaoru said sadly.
"Sano could always take care of himself, that he could." Kenshin smiled, but he too was a bit saddened. With the good fortune that Sano had encountered, it was less likely of him returning to a life back in Tokyo… and to Ms. Megumi.
"Was there an address to contact him at?" Megumi tried to ask nonchalantly. But her face gave her away. The utter pain and heartache of not having Sano around was really hurting her.
"I'm sorry Ms. Megumi, but there isn't." Kaoru replied. This only added to the older woman's despondency.
The past few weeks without the man that she had thought she hated were some of the worst she had ever had ion her life. He made her smile even in the most awful of times. And now she knew that she needed him, but it was too late.
The others tried to lift her spirits and for the first few months she waited with hope. Every night she prayed he would return… but as the passage of time went on, her heart darkened to the realization he wasn't coming back because she had pushed him away…
A/N: Hello again! Thanks for all the nice reviews! Gee I was worried no one would like my sugar induced story ^_^ Guess I was wrong!
This chapter is a bit angst- and it centers around Megumi more than anything… but I swear on all my anime collection that this story will end happy! I just have a few twists to get to first before they live happily ever after… (If only in the real world things would end like that….) but anyway- I think I will leave it at that! Just keep the reviews coming and I'll be more than happy to keep feeding you your addiction… I mean story :)
Standard Disclaimers Apply -
-
Even the Rurouni didn't expect that. Sure he knew of Sano's feelings towards the lady doctor, but Kenshin had never expected the younger man to act for a time yet.
"Ano, and what happened then Ms. Megumi, to make you worry so much?"
"I… I didn't think he meant it… oh Kenshin, I ripped out his heart. I told him I hated him and that he should just leave… and never return… I was so cruel." Megumi said as she sobbed. She had finally broken down. This was only the second time the red headed Rurouni had seen the strong doctor shed these kinds of tears.
"And what do you feel for Sanosuke?" Kenshin asked in an impartial tone. His eyes were searching hers for something… anything that meant she truly shared Sano's feelings for her.
"What?"
"He told you he loved you, but Ms. Megumi, what do you feel for him? You can trust me. You must know if you feel anything as strong as what Sano does for you, that you should."
"Oh, Sir Ken- I just don't know. I'm… I've never felt this before… not like this…" She took a moment and tried to gather her thoughts, but only images of Sano entered her mind. The day she ran into the gambling parlor for help and found the handsome gangster, the night he found out she was responsible for the bad opium, and yet still he came for her… he saved her then and so many more times. The many fights they had always made her smile on the inside, just getting his attention made her feel warm inside, and then there was his touch. She had felt something for him the moment she first examined his wounds, and then every time they made contact…. Strong but gentle… that was Sano… her Sanosuke.
"Yes…" She sighed with a smile. "I love him… that Baka Chicken head… I love him."
While Megumi marveled at how wonderful it felt to finally say those words out loud, Kenshin's expression became grim.
For Sano to finally come out like he did took a lot of courage. Even to the extent the ex-gangster had gone to in order to try and convince her, he had to have taken a great blow to his pride. And then to be rejected so openly and flat out…
'What are you going to do now Sano?' Kenshin asked inwardly, but got no response. It was very hard to read Sano's actions at times, and this was once such occasion.
After Megumi shared with Kenshin the details of the confession, the Rurouni became even more concerned. Sano could be so stubborn. It was that stubbornness and pride of Sano's that made up a large part of the man Kenshin had grown to love as a younger brother. However it was that very stubbornness and pride that now could create problems.
"Ms. Megumi, we must believe that he will return, that he will." Kenshin said taking Megumi's hand and squeezing it.
"But when?" Megumi asked. "Can't we go look for him? We have to do something…" She continued in a worried tone.
"Sano will return to us when he is ready… besides if Sano doesn't want to be found it will be a hard task to find him." Kenshin told her as she calmed down and dried her tears. "We just have to be patient and wait for him."
"Doomo, Sir Ken. I will. I will because I love that Baka. I would wait forever for him to return to me." She promised looking up at the sunny sky. 'Return to me Sanosuke.' She thought as she let out a sigh.
Even though Megumi had promised to wait forever for the man she loved, neither she nor the others ever expected for him to actually take so long.
After the third month after his departure three letters arrived in Tokyo among the usual bundles. Each was accompanied with a package. One went to the Akebeko, Dr. Gensai's clinic and the Kamiya dojo. All three were from the same author.
To the clinic and the Ababeko, several substantial amounts of money were found in the package with a simple not attached:
--------------------------------------
To pay for services rendered,
Sagara Sanosuke
--------------------------------------
The dojo however got a longer letter that everyone was anxious to read.
Even Dr. Gensai and his granddaughters came over to hear the letter being read aloud. Kenshin sat on the dojo's back porch overlooking the backyard and began to read the letter to all his friends.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Ohayoo.
It's me, Sano. Sorry about the hasty departure and all… but I
finally decided to do something with my life. Things were hard at
first, but I survived and all is well. I actually bumped into a nice
family here and got a job. The head of the house ahs his own
securities company in town where they guard things of value for
foreigners and all sorts of people. Who would have guessed I
could actually find a job I actually liked! The old man is like a real
father to me- we get along surprisingly well.
His wife passed on several years back, so it's only him and I that
live in this huge house, with his youngest daughter, Hikari.
You can tell the fox that my hand finally healed. You'll be amazed
what one will do when they meet a person with the combined
personalities of the doc and the little missy.
By the way- aren't you too married by now? Jeez Kenshin'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The letter was abruptly stopped by a wide-eyed Rurouni sputtering an 'Oro' or two.
"What does Sano say?" Yahiko asked with a smile.
"Yes, what's the matter Kenshin?" Kaoru asked still blushing from the last comment Sano made.
"It's nothing…" Kenshin tried to cover up, but Kaoru grabbed the paper and picked up where the Rurouni stopped.
"Jeez Kenshin, be the man and sweep missy off her feet…" Now it was Kaoru's turn to stop. But her reaction was quite different- with a sigh she smiled. How she longed for Kenshin to do just that… "Ouch!" Kaoru cried as Yahiko poked her out of her daydreams.
"Keep going!"
"Sorry!" She muttered as the begun again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'I still may be younger than you, but trust me it's better to be
honest with yourself and besides you two are both crazy for each
other. That's something I'll never know I guess. But oh well. I was
never the type to figure that whole love thing out.
I had better cut this letter short. Just wanted to let you know I'm
still alive and doing quite well. Say hi to Dr. Gensai for me… oh
and Kenshin- I owe the monkeys a horsy back ride- will you give
them one to tide them over? Thanks.
Yahiko- keep practicing. Even if Missy gets annoying at times, She
does know what she's doing… most of the times. And to the little
missy- don't let Kenshin make you wait too long! Use the old
Kamiya persuasiveness- (A/N: throw something at him ^_^ Oro!)
And Kenshin, thanks for everything. Even when I made dumb
decisions you were always a good friend…
Thanks,
Sano
------------------------------
P.S. say hi to Ms. Megumi. If she even misses me that is- and tell her
I'm sorry for everything, but I regret nothing.'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Baka,' Megumi thought to herself holding back tears.
"It looks lie Sano is actually doing well for himself." Kaoru said sadly.
"Sano could always take care of himself, that he could." Kenshin smiled, but he too was a bit saddened. With the good fortune that Sano had encountered, it was less likely of him returning to a life back in Tokyo… and to Ms. Megumi.
"Was there an address to contact him at?" Megumi tried to ask nonchalantly. But her face gave her away. The utter pain and heartache of not having Sano around was really hurting her.
"I'm sorry Ms. Megumi, but there isn't." Kaoru replied. This only added to the older woman's despondency.
The past few weeks without the man that she had thought she hated were some of the worst she had ever had ion her life. He made her smile even in the most awful of times. And now she knew that she needed him, but it was too late.
The others tried to lift her spirits and for the first few months she waited with hope. Every night she prayed he would return… but as the passage of time went on, her heart darkened to the realization he wasn't coming back because she had pushed him away…