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Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. *sob*
Claimer: I own Akeno (*gag* wish I didn't.) and YAHIKO!!!!!
"talking" characters thoughts (italics) ~*~*~*~*~scene or time change~*~*~*~*~
~*~*~*~*~Akeno's House ~*~*~*~*~
"Megumi, koishii, I searched and searched for this Sanosuke Sagara. He was buying something from a food stall. I was about to approach him when this young woman walked up to him and kissed him. I was appalled. And I thought you had said you loved him!"
Megumi scowled, "He kissed her, did he? What did she look like?"
Akeno secretly smirked, "She had long black hair." He racked his brain for a woman he had seen somewhere, "And she was wearing.a yellow kimono with green bamboo shoots."
Megumi didn't even stop to consider what he had just said. "Yellow kimono with green bamboo shoots? Long black hair? I'm gonna find her, and I'll kill her!"
Akeno placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Megumi, think about it. Just forget about him. If he's willing to ignore and kiss the first girl he sees, then he's not worth it."
She smiled sadly, "I suppose you're right. But let me find that girl first, ok? When did you see her?"
"This morning-"
But she was gone.
~*~*~*~*~Four Exhausting Hours Later~*~*~*~*~
Grrr.Where could she be? She's probably gone home. But no one's seen her! They've seen girls with long black hair and girls with yellow bamboo kimonos, but no one with both. She sighed; this was getting tedious. Maybe this was his 'revenge' for what she had said this morning.
~*~*~*~*~FLASHBACK~*~*~*~*~
"Megumi," Sano began.
Megumi stared at him intensely, "Using my real name? That's a first." The sarcasm hurt.
"Dammnit, just cut the sarcasm and listen to me! That Akeno guy, he's a player, don't you get it? He's not sticking around because he likes you, he just hopes to get a good time out of it, and then he'll leave."
Megumi scowled, You think I don't know that? "And what difference does that make to you?"
Sano scowled even deeper, "It makes a hell of a difference to me! I don't want you with a guy like that."
"And why would you care?"
"Because.I do," he paused, blushing, unsure of what to say. Unfortunately, his pride wouldn't let him finish, "That's what friends do, isn't it?"
He cursed himself, not only for his cowardice, but also for the hint of.was it remorse?.in her eyes. He scowled again, "Fine, go with that guy. I don't care. Just don't come running to me when he cheats on you or something, 'cause I won't listen."
She felt a brief rush of doubt surge through her heart. But if he won't listen, that's what this whole thing is for. She shook her head to clear her mind; I'll get him to listen. No worries there. "I can take care of myself," she assured him haughtily, "So just leave me alone. I don't need your help! Let me live my own life, the way I want to live it, which means without you hanging around, got it?"
She turned around and stalked out the door without another word.
~*~*~*~*~END FLASHBACK~*~*~*~*~
I shouldn't have said that to him. But it's all for the sake of the plan. But in the back of her mind, a sense of regret began to take over.
Then, just as the frustrated doctor was about to give up and return to the Aoiya, she spotted, above the crowd, a head of spiky brown hair.
"Sanosuke!" she called, approaching him.
He turned around, "Oh it's you, Megumi. Yeah?"
Her face was slowly turning red. She raised an angry hand and slapped him, hard, across the cheek. "How could you?"
He brought a hand up to his burning cheek, a stunned expression on his face. He needed no words; his eyes voiced his question.
"Akeno told me he saw you kissing some girl! How COULD you?" Hot, angry tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
Sano opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off.
"I don't believe you!"
"But-"
"Who was she?"
"Huh?"
"He said he saw you this morning!"
"Wait-"
"Don't act dumb, you know what I'm talking about, Sagara Sanosuke!"
Finally, Sano managed to have his voice heard. "Megumi, what in the name of Kami-sama are you talking about?"
Megumi's face turned even redder, "You know what I'm talking about! Now answer me, who was she?"
"Who was who?"
"The girl!"
"What girl?"
"The one you kissed this morning!"
"I didn't kiss anyone this morning! YOU'RE the one who's been kissing people!"
Megumi flushed, "Oh really? Then why did Akeno say he saw you kissing some girl this morning?"
"So that you'd get mad at me."
"Why would he want me to get mad at you?"
Sano sighed, "So you'd get over me. That way, it'll be easier to take advantage of you."
Megumi paused, letting this sink in, "And how would you know this?"
"I don't. Call it a man's intuition."
She snorted, "There's no such thing."
Sano smirked, "There is now."
Megumi sighed exasperatedly, "So you didn't kiss a girl with long black hair and a yellow kimono with bamboo shoots this morning?"
"On my honor as a man, I swear I didn't."
Megumi sniggered, "No good. What's to swear on?"
Sano growled, "Watch it, kitsune."
She smirked, "Hai, hai, fine. I believe you. But then what about Akeno?"
Sano shook his head smugly, "He's just jealous. He thinks you love me. Ha! Like that'd ever happen." Megumi blushed and looked down. Sano realized what he had just said and blushed as well; taking note that Megumi's face was as red as his own.
Megumi's head shot up. What am I doing? I'm supposed to be making Tori- atama jealous! "I think I'll go have a talk with my Akeno-kun."
Sano wrinkled his nose slightly at the sound of the other man's name, but didn't say anything.
~*~*~*~*~At Akeno's Apartment~*~*~*~*~
"Akeno-kun?" she called, but no one answered. She tried again, "Akeno- kun?" Again, no one answered.
Suddenly, a door opened and a flustered-looking Akeno walked out. "Wha.?
Oh, Megumi-koi, what are you doing here?" His brightened.
"Oh, no reason," she shrugged (A/N:Does Megumi shrug??), "I just thought I'd drop in and visit, I've missed you all day!" She ran into his arms, sighing contentedly.
He looked down, surprised. Wonder if she found the girl.Oh no! What if Kaede sees her? I have to hide her, and fast! "Megumi-koi, come with me." He led her to the kitchen. "Wait here, I'm going to go get changed into more decent clothing. Gomen, I was taking a nap." She smiled and nodded.
With that, he hurried back to Kaede, the girl in his bedroom. "Kaede-koi," he called softly, "Come, you must leave. My mother is here, and you know how she doesn't like seeing girls in the house." She dressed quickly and let herself be guided through to the back shoji and ran off. Akeno rushed back to his room and dressed rapidly.
"Well, now that I'm clothed, was there something you wanted to tell me?"
Megumi looked up at the sound of his voice. "Uh, hai. Sano says he didn't kiss any girls this morning."
His eyes narrowed slightly, "And you believe him?"
Megumi slowly nodded her head. "Let's go take a walk."
Akeno looked at her curiously, "Sure."
They left the apartment building and walked away from the marketplace, down a deserted path with pine trees on either side. (A/N: Do they even have pine trees in Japan??) He placed a protective arm around her waist and pulled her closer. From behind a tree, a pair of jealous eyes followed them fervently.
Megumi stared ahead, saying nothing. Akeno stopped suddenly and, pulled her to face him, bent down and kissed her fiercely. They pulled apart, breathing harder, and a blush crept up to tint the doctor's cheeks. Her eyes searched his face for a reason for his actions. Akeno shrugged, "Spur of the moment." He smiled lovingly down at her. But both Megumi and the prying eyes knew otherwise. (A/N: If you haven't figured out to whom the prying eyes belong to, I suggest you re-read the this story from the beginning again!) Megumi leaned her head against his chest and sighed happily. Suddenly, Akeno's eyes widened. "Taihen! I have to meet somebody at my apartment tonight! Gomen, koishii, demo I must leave. I'll see you tomorrow, ne?" And with that, he released her and ran off, back home.
As soon as he was out of sight, Megumi turned in the direction of the eyes and smirked, "Did you follow me all the way here?"
The eyes smirked back, and stepped out, revealing their owner. (A/N: I WONDER who it is.~__^) "I don't know. Maybe this is a chance meeting."
Megumi sighed and shook her head, "It's pointless to talk to you; did you know that?"
"No, but now I do!" he grinned.
"Sanosuke Sagara, I want to look me in the eye and say, 'I solemnly swear on my honor as a man that I did not kiss any women today,' got it?"
He looked surprised by the request, but did as he was asked. Sano looked the doctor right in the eye and said, "I solemnly swear on my honor as a man that I did not kiss any women today."
Megumi narrowed her eyes at his grin, "I don't believe you."
He stared in mock hurt, "I am hurt, my good lady," he crossed his arms, "How come you don't believe me?"
"You were grinning."
"Oh, and that means I'm lying?"
"Hai."
"Fine, then I'll say it without grinning," he stared her in the eye, "I solemnly swear on my honor as a man that I did not kiss any women today."
Megumi smiled triumphantly. "You blinked. You're lying!"
He stared. "Nani?! You're making this all up. Fine. I solemnly swear on my honor as a man that I did not kiss any women today!"
"You said it too fast. When you lie, you talk faster. You're making it all up!"
Sano's eyes flashed dangerously, "I may gamble, drink, and freeload, but I never lie!"
She raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Yeah."
"Then why can't you swear an oath that you didn't kiss some woman this morning without blinking, talking quickly, or grinning? Hm?"
Sano grumbled, "Because I didn't think those things mattered. Here, lemme do again, this time I'll say without blinking, talking fast, OR grinning. I solemnly swear on my honor as a man that I did not kiss any women today. Happy?"
"No, you didn't mean it. I could hear in your voice. You're just saying it because I'm forcing you to. You're lying!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am NOT!"
"Are TOO!"
"AM NOT!"
"ARE TOO!"
"Am not!"
"Ugh! I cannot believe I'm having this conversation with you. I can't believe you would do that!"
"Nani? You're not anything special; so don't act as if you're better than me! All you do criticize me! I can't believe you would stoop so low as to falsely accuse me of being a liar!"
"Well, you are."
"No, I'm not!"
Megumi said nothing, and walked away, fuming. 'You're not anything special. All you do is criticize me!' His words rang through her mind. They hurt and stinging tears threatened to fall from her angry eyes. Is that how he sees me? As someone who just criticizes him?
Sano stalked off, muttering curses beneath his breath. Criticize, criticize, criticize. That's all she does! Can't she just leave me alone for just one minute? Why can't she see me as.something else? She probably think of me as just one of her most annoyingly frequent patient. He kicked a stone irritably. Hmph. Why's she so upset about me kissing someone anyway? She's got her 'Akeno-kun', what's it to her if I kiss someone, too? Grr, maybe I SHOULD kiss someone, just annoy her. He glared at the ground, and if looks could kill, the ground would have shriveled up already.
~*~*~*~*~The Next Day: The Aoiya~*~*~*~*~
Megumi strutted past Sano, nose in the air, paying no heed to him. Tori- atama no baka, I'll fix you up soon enough. Sano paid her the same respect. If the rest of the Aoiya noticed their strange behaviour, they didn't comment on it.
Everybody knew by now that trying to get the two to talk was useless. They would work it out sooner or later, though they were all hoping it would be sooner.
"Minna! Dinner!" called Omasu. Everybody hurried over so that their food wouldn't get cold. The two to come first were Sano and Yahiko (A/N: obviously!). They piled a mountain of food on their plates and sat, waiting impatiently for the rest to arrive. Next came Misao, bouncing in, and Megumi, who happened to be walking past when she heard Omasu. Sano stared hungrily at his plate, grinning like an idiot. Megumi sat as far away from him as possible. Sano looked up and scowled, "What, am I that repulsive?" He snickered.
Megumi sniffed disdainfully, "Who in their right mind would sit next to you?"
"Who in their right mind wouldn't?"
"Me."
"That's only 'cause you're not in your right mind." He smirked.
"Oh well, and I'm going to be. Ever."
Everybody had arrived by now, and they collectively sighed exasperatedly.
Yahiko shook his head pitifully. They're WAY too obvious.
Misao bounced over to her seat in a fit of adrenaline, and sat down. She turned to face the person who occupied the next adjacent. Yatta! Today I managed to get the seat next to Aoshi-sama! She blushed dreamily. But Megumi's voice shook her back to reality. "Itachi-chan, why are you looking at me like that? I am not Shinomori-san."
Misao blinked, and turned a bright crimson. "G-gomen, Megumi-san, I was- I didn't realize."
"Oh ho ho," fox ears appeared in her head, "Daijobou, just remember that Aoshi is a man and I am a woman, ne?"
She blushed some more, "H-hai. Demo, Megumi-san, that's Aoshi-sama's seat. You've taken his seat."
"Do you want me to move?"
"Hai, Aoshi-sama is the ex-Okashira, and that, Megumi-san, is the ex- Okashira's seat."
"You just made that up."
"No, I'm serious!"
Megumi sighed and stood up, "I won't argue with you tonight. Oh, demo the only seat left is next to Tori-atama!" She pouted. The room went silent and they all stared in her direction.
Yahiko leaned over and whispered in Tsubame's ear, "I've never seen Megumi- san pout before."
Megumi heard him and immediately froze, blushing furiously.
She sat down, putting on a disgusted face, without another word.
"Aoshi-sama, I saved your seat!" Misao called, breaking the silence, as Aoshi walked in. He silently sat down and Misao beamed.
"Tori-atama, pass the miso soup."
"Not until you say 'onegai'."
"Fine. Pass the miso soup, onegai." He passed it.
"Hey Megitsune, pass the tofu."
"Not until you say 'onegai'," she mimicked.
He grumbled, "Pass the tofu, onegai." She passed it.
The rest of the night dragged in this way, the tension mounting with each petty argument they had. Finally, not being able to take it anymore, Megumi stood up and excused herself.
~*~*~*~*~The Next Morning~*~*~*~*~
Megumi awoke, stretching. It was a beautiful morning, and she was in a beautiful mood. Changing into her blue kimono, she almost skipped to the kitchen for breakfast. Of course, grown women don't skip. As she entered, all heads turned her way. "Ohayo, Megumi-dono!" smiled Kenshin.
"Ohayo, Megumi-san!" greeted everyone else.
All heads then turned to Sano, who gruffly replied, "Ohayo, kitsune."
She smirked, "Ohayo, Tori-atama."
After breakfast, neither having said anymore to each other, the doctor excused herself, saying she was going out to look at the shops.
Sano excused himself shortly afterwards, saying he had to do something. I'll do it today. I won't let that excuse for a man take MY Megumi. My? She's not mine.yet. He smirked.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ok.I know, I know. You want to know what's happening with Kenshin and Kaoru, right? *dodges tomatoes* I'm so sorry, but I really need to finish with everybody else. Next chapter is K/K, though. I promise! I've had next to no time to write at all.and I don't get the week off, so.but due to the fact that I have strep, I had Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (today) to write, when I actually felt up to it, so that's why I've been able to do this. It took me sooo long to write this chapter, and it's so short! Most of mine are, though. But I'm better at k/k anyway, so hopefully I'll get the next one up really soon!! I'll be away for Pres break in Vermont, so I'll hopefully get a little time to write but I won't be able to update due to no internet access.I'll try though!!
EVERYBODY, I NEED HELP WITH GETTING THE ITALICS TO SHOW UP, SO IF YOU HAVE SOME ADVICE, I'D LOOOOOOOOOVE TO HEAR IT!!!!!!! try to figure out which should be italics and which shouldn't.sorry
I have 'stolen' Kitten Kisses' idea *smiles sheepishly* and have decided to start putting ficcie suggestions. They may not all be rk, though. ^^
Title :::~::: by Author Series name: Rating
Kidnapped! :::~::: by Valese RK: PG Farewell by :::~::: by Valese G Gundam: G
^_____^ sorry, just couldn't resist ^^
Personal Responses:
Inushemeeko ~ yep, I updated! Glad you loved it! ^__^ Your stories are awesome!! HEY EVERYBODY, CHECK OUT INUSHEMEEKO'S STORIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mutgaba ~ Glad you loved it ^__^ and I know, sorry to disappoint you, but next WILL be k/k, k? lol I promise!
DBZ Goddess ~ Kami-sama! You really like my story, don't you? I feel so loved!! It's kind of hard to believe anyone could like my stories this much, but THANK YOU!!!! *huggles*
Kay-san1 ~ *blushes* Thanks! Hmm.I wonder, did you like the chapter? You did? I couldn't tell. ^_______^ I'm sooooo glad you like it!!
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Sky-chan ~ thank you! I haven't written the rest, or I'd post it up WAY faster.I hope to get it done soon though! ^___^
"talking" characters thoughts (italics) ~*~*~*~*~scene or time change~*~*~*~*~
~*~*~*~*~Akeno's House ~*~*~*~*~
"Megumi, koishii, I searched and searched for this Sanosuke Sagara. He was buying something from a food stall. I was about to approach him when this young woman walked up to him and kissed him. I was appalled. And I thought you had said you loved him!"
Megumi scowled, "He kissed her, did he? What did she look like?"
Akeno secretly smirked, "She had long black hair." He racked his brain for a woman he had seen somewhere, "And she was wearing.a yellow kimono with green bamboo shoots."
Megumi didn't even stop to consider what he had just said. "Yellow kimono with green bamboo shoots? Long black hair? I'm gonna find her, and I'll kill her!"
Akeno placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Megumi, think about it. Just forget about him. If he's willing to ignore and kiss the first girl he sees, then he's not worth it."
She smiled sadly, "I suppose you're right. But let me find that girl first, ok? When did you see her?"
"This morning-"
But she was gone.
~*~*~*~*~Four Exhausting Hours Later~*~*~*~*~
Grrr.Where could she be? She's probably gone home. But no one's seen her! They've seen girls with long black hair and girls with yellow bamboo kimonos, but no one with both. She sighed; this was getting tedious. Maybe this was his 'revenge' for what she had said this morning.
~*~*~*~*~FLASHBACK~*~*~*~*~
"Megumi," Sano began.
Megumi stared at him intensely, "Using my real name? That's a first." The sarcasm hurt.
"Dammnit, just cut the sarcasm and listen to me! That Akeno guy, he's a player, don't you get it? He's not sticking around because he likes you, he just hopes to get a good time out of it, and then he'll leave."
Megumi scowled, You think I don't know that? "And what difference does that make to you?"
Sano scowled even deeper, "It makes a hell of a difference to me! I don't want you with a guy like that."
"And why would you care?"
"Because.I do," he paused, blushing, unsure of what to say. Unfortunately, his pride wouldn't let him finish, "That's what friends do, isn't it?"
He cursed himself, not only for his cowardice, but also for the hint of.was it remorse?.in her eyes. He scowled again, "Fine, go with that guy. I don't care. Just don't come running to me when he cheats on you or something, 'cause I won't listen."
She felt a brief rush of doubt surge through her heart. But if he won't listen, that's what this whole thing is for. She shook her head to clear her mind; I'll get him to listen. No worries there. "I can take care of myself," she assured him haughtily, "So just leave me alone. I don't need your help! Let me live my own life, the way I want to live it, which means without you hanging around, got it?"
She turned around and stalked out the door without another word.
~*~*~*~*~END FLASHBACK~*~*~*~*~
I shouldn't have said that to him. But it's all for the sake of the plan. But in the back of her mind, a sense of regret began to take over.
Then, just as the frustrated doctor was about to give up and return to the Aoiya, she spotted, above the crowd, a head of spiky brown hair.
"Sanosuke!" she called, approaching him.
He turned around, "Oh it's you, Megumi. Yeah?"
Her face was slowly turning red. She raised an angry hand and slapped him, hard, across the cheek. "How could you?"
He brought a hand up to his burning cheek, a stunned expression on his face. He needed no words; his eyes voiced his question.
"Akeno told me he saw you kissing some girl! How COULD you?" Hot, angry tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
Sano opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off.
"I don't believe you!"
"But-"
"Who was she?"
"Huh?"
"He said he saw you this morning!"
"Wait-"
"Don't act dumb, you know what I'm talking about, Sagara Sanosuke!"
Finally, Sano managed to have his voice heard. "Megumi, what in the name of Kami-sama are you talking about?"
Megumi's face turned even redder, "You know what I'm talking about! Now answer me, who was she?"
"Who was who?"
"The girl!"
"What girl?"
"The one you kissed this morning!"
"I didn't kiss anyone this morning! YOU'RE the one who's been kissing people!"
Megumi flushed, "Oh really? Then why did Akeno say he saw you kissing some girl this morning?"
"So that you'd get mad at me."
"Why would he want me to get mad at you?"
Sano sighed, "So you'd get over me. That way, it'll be easier to take advantage of you."
Megumi paused, letting this sink in, "And how would you know this?"
"I don't. Call it a man's intuition."
She snorted, "There's no such thing."
Sano smirked, "There is now."
Megumi sighed exasperatedly, "So you didn't kiss a girl with long black hair and a yellow kimono with bamboo shoots this morning?"
"On my honor as a man, I swear I didn't."
Megumi sniggered, "No good. What's to swear on?"
Sano growled, "Watch it, kitsune."
She smirked, "Hai, hai, fine. I believe you. But then what about Akeno?"
Sano shook his head smugly, "He's just jealous. He thinks you love me. Ha! Like that'd ever happen." Megumi blushed and looked down. Sano realized what he had just said and blushed as well; taking note that Megumi's face was as red as his own.
Megumi's head shot up. What am I doing? I'm supposed to be making Tori- atama jealous! "I think I'll go have a talk with my Akeno-kun."
Sano wrinkled his nose slightly at the sound of the other man's name, but didn't say anything.
~*~*~*~*~At Akeno's Apartment~*~*~*~*~
"Akeno-kun?" she called, but no one answered. She tried again, "Akeno- kun?" Again, no one answered.
Suddenly, a door opened and a flustered-looking Akeno walked out. "Wha.?
Oh, Megumi-koi, what are you doing here?" His brightened.
"Oh, no reason," she shrugged (A/N:Does Megumi shrug??), "I just thought I'd drop in and visit, I've missed you all day!" She ran into his arms, sighing contentedly.
He looked down, surprised. Wonder if she found the girl.Oh no! What if Kaede sees her? I have to hide her, and fast! "Megumi-koi, come with me." He led her to the kitchen. "Wait here, I'm going to go get changed into more decent clothing. Gomen, I was taking a nap." She smiled and nodded.
With that, he hurried back to Kaede, the girl in his bedroom. "Kaede-koi," he called softly, "Come, you must leave. My mother is here, and you know how she doesn't like seeing girls in the house." She dressed quickly and let herself be guided through to the back shoji and ran off. Akeno rushed back to his room and dressed rapidly.
"Well, now that I'm clothed, was there something you wanted to tell me?"
Megumi looked up at the sound of his voice. "Uh, hai. Sano says he didn't kiss any girls this morning."
His eyes narrowed slightly, "And you believe him?"
Megumi slowly nodded her head. "Let's go take a walk."
Akeno looked at her curiously, "Sure."
They left the apartment building and walked away from the marketplace, down a deserted path with pine trees on either side. (A/N: Do they even have pine trees in Japan??) He placed a protective arm around her waist and pulled her closer. From behind a tree, a pair of jealous eyes followed them fervently.
Megumi stared ahead, saying nothing. Akeno stopped suddenly and, pulled her to face him, bent down and kissed her fiercely. They pulled apart, breathing harder, and a blush crept up to tint the doctor's cheeks. Her eyes searched his face for a reason for his actions. Akeno shrugged, "Spur of the moment." He smiled lovingly down at her. But both Megumi and the prying eyes knew otherwise. (A/N: If you haven't figured out to whom the prying eyes belong to, I suggest you re-read the this story from the beginning again!) Megumi leaned her head against his chest and sighed happily. Suddenly, Akeno's eyes widened. "Taihen! I have to meet somebody at my apartment tonight! Gomen, koishii, demo I must leave. I'll see you tomorrow, ne?" And with that, he released her and ran off, back home.
As soon as he was out of sight, Megumi turned in the direction of the eyes and smirked, "Did you follow me all the way here?"
The eyes smirked back, and stepped out, revealing their owner. (A/N: I WONDER who it is.~__^) "I don't know. Maybe this is a chance meeting."
Megumi sighed and shook her head, "It's pointless to talk to you; did you know that?"
"No, but now I do!" he grinned.
"Sanosuke Sagara, I want to look me in the eye and say, 'I solemnly swear on my honor as a man that I did not kiss any women today,' got it?"
He looked surprised by the request, but did as he was asked. Sano looked the doctor right in the eye and said, "I solemnly swear on my honor as a man that I did not kiss any women today."
Megumi narrowed her eyes at his grin, "I don't believe you."
He stared in mock hurt, "I am hurt, my good lady," he crossed his arms, "How come you don't believe me?"
"You were grinning."
"Oh, and that means I'm lying?"
"Hai."
"Fine, then I'll say it without grinning," he stared her in the eye, "I solemnly swear on my honor as a man that I did not kiss any women today."
Megumi smiled triumphantly. "You blinked. You're lying!"
He stared. "Nani?! You're making this all up. Fine. I solemnly swear on my honor as a man that I did not kiss any women today!"
"You said it too fast. When you lie, you talk faster. You're making it all up!"
Sano's eyes flashed dangerously, "I may gamble, drink, and freeload, but I never lie!"
She raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Yeah."
"Then why can't you swear an oath that you didn't kiss some woman this morning without blinking, talking quickly, or grinning? Hm?"
Sano grumbled, "Because I didn't think those things mattered. Here, lemme do again, this time I'll say without blinking, talking fast, OR grinning. I solemnly swear on my honor as a man that I did not kiss any women today. Happy?"
"No, you didn't mean it. I could hear in your voice. You're just saying it because I'm forcing you to. You're lying!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am NOT!"
"Are TOO!"
"AM NOT!"
"ARE TOO!"
"Am not!"
"Ugh! I cannot believe I'm having this conversation with you. I can't believe you would do that!"
"Nani? You're not anything special; so don't act as if you're better than me! All you do criticize me! I can't believe you would stoop so low as to falsely accuse me of being a liar!"
"Well, you are."
"No, I'm not!"
Megumi said nothing, and walked away, fuming. 'You're not anything special. All you do is criticize me!' His words rang through her mind. They hurt and stinging tears threatened to fall from her angry eyes. Is that how he sees me? As someone who just criticizes him?
Sano stalked off, muttering curses beneath his breath. Criticize, criticize, criticize. That's all she does! Can't she just leave me alone for just one minute? Why can't she see me as.something else? She probably think of me as just one of her most annoyingly frequent patient. He kicked a stone irritably. Hmph. Why's she so upset about me kissing someone anyway? She's got her 'Akeno-kun', what's it to her if I kiss someone, too? Grr, maybe I SHOULD kiss someone, just annoy her. He glared at the ground, and if looks could kill, the ground would have shriveled up already.
~*~*~*~*~The Next Day: The Aoiya~*~*~*~*~
Megumi strutted past Sano, nose in the air, paying no heed to him. Tori- atama no baka, I'll fix you up soon enough. Sano paid her the same respect. If the rest of the Aoiya noticed their strange behaviour, they didn't comment on it.
Everybody knew by now that trying to get the two to talk was useless. They would work it out sooner or later, though they were all hoping it would be sooner.
"Minna! Dinner!" called Omasu. Everybody hurried over so that their food wouldn't get cold. The two to come first were Sano and Yahiko (A/N: obviously!). They piled a mountain of food on their plates and sat, waiting impatiently for the rest to arrive. Next came Misao, bouncing in, and Megumi, who happened to be walking past when she heard Omasu. Sano stared hungrily at his plate, grinning like an idiot. Megumi sat as far away from him as possible. Sano looked up and scowled, "What, am I that repulsive?" He snickered.
Megumi sniffed disdainfully, "Who in their right mind would sit next to you?"
"Who in their right mind wouldn't?"
"Me."
"That's only 'cause you're not in your right mind." He smirked.
"Oh well, and I'm going to be. Ever."
Everybody had arrived by now, and they collectively sighed exasperatedly.
Yahiko shook his head pitifully. They're WAY too obvious.
Misao bounced over to her seat in a fit of adrenaline, and sat down. She turned to face the person who occupied the next adjacent. Yatta! Today I managed to get the seat next to Aoshi-sama! She blushed dreamily. But Megumi's voice shook her back to reality. "Itachi-chan, why are you looking at me like that? I am not Shinomori-san."
Misao blinked, and turned a bright crimson. "G-gomen, Megumi-san, I was- I didn't realize."
"Oh ho ho," fox ears appeared in her head, "Daijobou, just remember that Aoshi is a man and I am a woman, ne?"
She blushed some more, "H-hai. Demo, Megumi-san, that's Aoshi-sama's seat. You've taken his seat."
"Do you want me to move?"
"Hai, Aoshi-sama is the ex-Okashira, and that, Megumi-san, is the ex- Okashira's seat."
"You just made that up."
"No, I'm serious!"
Megumi sighed and stood up, "I won't argue with you tonight. Oh, demo the only seat left is next to Tori-atama!" She pouted. The room went silent and they all stared in her direction.
Yahiko leaned over and whispered in Tsubame's ear, "I've never seen Megumi- san pout before."
Megumi heard him and immediately froze, blushing furiously.
She sat down, putting on a disgusted face, without another word.
"Aoshi-sama, I saved your seat!" Misao called, breaking the silence, as Aoshi walked in. He silently sat down and Misao beamed.
"Tori-atama, pass the miso soup."
"Not until you say 'onegai'."
"Fine. Pass the miso soup, onegai." He passed it.
"Hey Megitsune, pass the tofu."
"Not until you say 'onegai'," she mimicked.
He grumbled, "Pass the tofu, onegai." She passed it.
The rest of the night dragged in this way, the tension mounting with each petty argument they had. Finally, not being able to take it anymore, Megumi stood up and excused herself.
~*~*~*~*~The Next Morning~*~*~*~*~
Megumi awoke, stretching. It was a beautiful morning, and she was in a beautiful mood. Changing into her blue kimono, she almost skipped to the kitchen for breakfast. Of course, grown women don't skip. As she entered, all heads turned her way. "Ohayo, Megumi-dono!" smiled Kenshin.
"Ohayo, Megumi-san!" greeted everyone else.
All heads then turned to Sano, who gruffly replied, "Ohayo, kitsune."
She smirked, "Ohayo, Tori-atama."
After breakfast, neither having said anymore to each other, the doctor excused herself, saying she was going out to look at the shops.
Sano excused himself shortly afterwards, saying he had to do something. I'll do it today. I won't let that excuse for a man take MY Megumi. My? She's not mine.yet. He smirked.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ok.I know, I know. You want to know what's happening with Kenshin and Kaoru, right? *dodges tomatoes* I'm so sorry, but I really need to finish with everybody else. Next chapter is K/K, though. I promise! I've had next to no time to write at all.and I don't get the week off, so.but due to the fact that I have strep, I had Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (today) to write, when I actually felt up to it, so that's why I've been able to do this. It took me sooo long to write this chapter, and it's so short! Most of mine are, though. But I'm better at k/k anyway, so hopefully I'll get the next one up really soon!! I'll be away for Pres break in Vermont, so I'll hopefully get a little time to write but I won't be able to update due to no internet access.I'll try though!!
EVERYBODY, I NEED HELP WITH GETTING THE ITALICS TO SHOW UP, SO IF YOU HAVE SOME ADVICE, I'D LOOOOOOOOOVE TO HEAR IT!!!!!!! try to figure out which should be italics and which shouldn't.sorry
I have 'stolen' Kitten Kisses' idea *smiles sheepishly* and have decided to start putting ficcie suggestions. They may not all be rk, though. ^^
Title :::~::: by Author Series name: Rating
Kidnapped! :::~::: by Valese RK: PG Farewell by :::~::: by Valese G Gundam: G
^_____^ sorry, just couldn't resist ^^
Personal Responses:
Inushemeeko ~ yep, I updated! Glad you loved it! ^__^ Your stories are awesome!! HEY EVERYBODY, CHECK OUT INUSHEMEEKO'S STORIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mutgaba ~ Glad you loved it ^__^ and I know, sorry to disappoint you, but next WILL be k/k, k? lol I promise!
DBZ Goddess ~ Kami-sama! You really like my story, don't you? I feel so loved!! It's kind of hard to believe anyone could like my stories this much, but THANK YOU!!!! *huggles*
Kay-san1 ~ *blushes* Thanks! Hmm.I wonder, did you like the chapter? You did? I couldn't tell. ^_______^ I'm sooooo glad you like it!!
LadyHimura ~ Yay! Thank you! *bows* Every word, huh? *grins*
Assassinatorgirl ~ yay! You like my story!! I will most definitely write more, that I will! *grins*
StarGurl1128 ~ You really think it's a great story? *smiles* yay! It wasn't exactly soon.but I wrote more!!
Sky-chan ~ thank you! I haven't written the rest, or I'd post it up WAY faster.I hope to get it done soon though! ^___^