Konnichiwa minna! KK, I'm wrapping up BotH -sniff- I'm sad to be ending this, but it's gotta end sometime. I hope this doesn't sound desperate. If it does, I'll try to improve it. Anyway, on with the chapter!!!!

---The Next Day---

Sano took a deep breath and, clutching a small package, approached Megumi. "Ano…Megumi, can I talk to you for a second? Outside?" She looked up, surprised, and nodded.

---Outside---

Sano and Megumi stood under the sakura tree. "I…I need to tell you something. Just hear me out," he paused and took another deep breath. "I know I'm probably very annoying in your eyes, and I take up a lot of your time and patience. Gomen, for everything. I don't want to fight anymore, because that's all we ever seem to do. What I want to say is…" He pulled out the package, "I bought this for you." He gave her the package and she opened it with curious fingers.

She gasped, "It's beautiful!" It was a string of white beads, as smooth as pearls. They gleamed softly and slight tints of color appeared, like grease on water. "Demo, how did you pay for this?"

Sano puffed out his chest proudly, "I worked for ages in the Shirobecko." Megumi was impressed. "There's more. Open it," urged Sano. She ripped the package completely open, and there inside was a fat wad of yen notes. (A/N: do they use notes in Japan?)

"That's all the money I owe you. Every last yen."

Megumi was shocked, no, beyond shocked, "D-demo, doushite?"

"There's something I need to tell you…" He averted his eyes and Megumi feared the worst. "I've been meaning to tell you this for ages, demo I was afraid of what you would say. Megumi, I…"

"Hai?"

"I…"

"You what?"

"I…I…ano…"

"Hai?" she inquired, getting slightly impatient.

"Megumi, I…I care for you…"

Megumi's eyes widened, but she didn't say anything.

"What I mean to say is…Megumi, I…I know all we do is fight, and you probably hate me, demo I…" He took a deep breath and averted his eyes. "I…" He looked back at Megumi, staring deep into her eyes, "Aishiteru, Megumi."

Megumi's eyes widened, but she didn't say anything; she couldn't, her tongue seemed to have frozen. He loves me? He…loves me? Demo…demo, I thought…I thought he hated me. I thought…how can he think I hate him? I…I couldn't hate him if I tried…

Sano didn't say anymore. Suddenly, he pulled Megumi into a tight embrace and placed his lips on hers, fiercely kissing her. After a moment of shock, she kissed him back. A few minutes later, they pulled apart, both out of breath.

Megumi was silent for a moment, which completely disconcerted him. Finally, her tongue unfroze and she was able to speak again. "Sagara Sanosuke! I absolutely cannot believe you!" she cried softly, slapping him lightly on the cheek. Sano's eyes widened in a mixture of fear and regret. Megumi's eyes blazed, but Sano couldn't tell with what. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

Sano held up his hands in self-defense, "I though you hated me, so it seemed stupid to say anything."

"Fine, I guess the same goes for me." Her eyes lowered slightly, "How could you possible think I hate you? I couldn't hate you if I tried…"

It was Sano's turn to fall silent in surprise. "You…couldn't? Demo, I thought…" She shook her head and he grinned in relief.

Sano, apparently getting tired of their conversation, lowered his mouth to hers and captured her lips in yet another fierce kiss, and this time their tongues mingled. They pulled apart and Sano smirked, "Takani Megumi, will you marry me?"

Megumi smirked, "What do you think, tori-atama?"

"I think hai, ne Megitsune?"

"Of course," she scoffed.

"Will you be mine?" he asked slyly. Megumi didn't answer at first. Memories of

her encounter with Akito flooded through mind and she hesitated. She looked Sano in the eye and immediately calmed. "Hai."

Sano picked her up and carried her to her bedroom and set her down on the futon. It was then that Megumi realized that throughout their conversation, Sano had proclaimed his love for her, but she hadn't returned the favor. "Sano?"

He looked down at her curiously, "Hai?"

"Aishiteru."

Sano placed a finger on her lips, smiling tenderly, "I know." Megumi smiled.

(A/N: This story is rated PG-13, not R or NC-17 so we will leave these two lovebirds.)

-------------------------------------

Hey ya! KK, tell me what you think. Remember, I can't improve it unless you tell me what I did wrong. I'm gonna start on a new fic after this. I have ideas for a YYH (Yu Yu Hakusho), IY (Inuyasha), and FB (Fruits Basket). I have another idea for Rurouni Kenshin too, but I've just done 2 rk fics in a row and I'm gonna change for a bit. So could u guys tell me what you'd rather I wrote first: YYH, IY, or FB. I myself am leaning toward YYH or IY, but I wanna hear you guys.

KK ttyl at the next chapter!!!!!

Personal Reviews:

WhiteRabbit5 -- Really? Was it that predictable? . Oh well. Yea, I agree. DIE AKENO!! DIE AND BURN IN HELL!! I mean, Shishio is cool, so why should we burden him with his vile bstrdly presence??? -blushes- I really get into my stories…wait, that's my job…-blushes harder- hehehe Yea, good idea, I'll talk to Shishio…

Kay-San1(ShinomoriMiyu -- Hey! Thank for the long reiview!! I loved reading it!! Yea, I try to make up for my long absences. And I'm so glad that I kept you on the edge of your seat!!

Chapter 19:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: DIE AKENO!! DIE AND BURN IN HELL!! S/M Forever!

Chapter 20:

Yea, I mean for two totally ass-kicking, hot, sweet, to die for, bishounens, they sure are DUMB!! Yeah, they are similar in a lot of ways…

Chapter 21:

I know! I loved writing it! I was crying when I wrote it!! And yea, they're totally screwed up sometimes (I love them though!!) because all they're doing is slowly destroying the ones they're "protecting" and "not tainting". Well, thank you! I'm glad you think I did a great job. Personally, I think these were my best chapters I will write a bit more, but it's pretty much finished now sniff

Kenshins-babe -- Tsk, tsk. I'm disappointed. You shouldn't be bowing before me!! And you are most certainly worthy!!!!!! -gets on hands and knees and bows- Thank you sooooo much for your review! I'm not worthy!! Hehe, I updated, but it wasn't exactly soon… but I'll most certainly check our ur stories, that I will!!

kenshin's grl -- kk I updated but sry, theres gonna be on last kk chapter and then its over, sry babe!! But it looks like u like my story and im really happy!!!

DBZ Goddess -- wow!! A loyal fan!!! You make me so happy!!! Yea, teachers are awful. I mean, believe it or not, I HAVE a life… I mean, I dnt hav TIME for hw!!!! -sigh- they jus dnt understand… but im really glad ur willing to wait for my chapters!! That makes me feel so happy!! But I updated unfortunately, its got to end sometime, and I decided now was a good time. I know, I'm crying too -sniff- but its gotta be done… and ur compliments hav really made my day!!!

Deadly Diva -- yea, I felt his torment too when I wrote it. It made me cry -sob- but I love it!!! Yea, like I told some other people, the two of them are really similar. I'm so glad you love my fic!! I agree and Misao's gonna be more aggressive in the last chapter. And writing the fight scene was my favorite!! ESPECIALLY when she killed kanryuu…now all she needs to do is kill akeno…

Gaby (hyatt -- yay! You like my fic!!! Thanks for reviewing

TaintedInuShemeeko -- Wow! 3 reviews that all said "I loved it." I feel so special!! Thank you for loving it!!! yea, Sano to the rescue is a must and I hope youre not feeling as depressed now, especially since I updated

LadySword04 -- -grins- wow, thanks!! Hehe Heartbreaker…its got people wondering, but itll make sense in the end, I promise, but I won't tell you if you're right or wrong. . thanks! Im so glad ull come back, that means more reviewers and more reviews and here that next chapter is!!! Hehe I hope you liked it!! Ja, Lisa!!

RurouniMarion -- wow 3 reviews!!! Thank you!!! Haha im glad u find it funny!! but I know what you mean, and if you think rk is getting bad, look at fruits basket and g gundam!! I cant believe most of g gundam!! Its terrible!!! Haha, so im stupid now??? Hahahaha jkjk, im gonna tease u about that forever!! (in good humor of course) I know, we hav a lot in common!! Yuyu is amazing! Hav u seen the chapter black saga yet?? I think theyre gonna start playing it on cartoon network!! (YAY!) inus got new eps on adult swim (YES!!!!! Haha chek my buddy profile…) old pokemon, db, dbz (GREATEST SHOW IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE!!!!), dbgt, g gundam (yay!!) and other stuff lol. Haha I think im jus repeating everything u say and agreeing with it lol now this is an impossible long reply so ill go now haha ttyl

P.S. I hate hw!!! u, me, and DBZ Goddess should start a protest against hw…

OH AND NOTE: MY CHAPTERS MIGHT BE A LITTLE SCREWED UP NOW CUZ FF.NET WONT LET ME DO STARS AND SWIRLY THINGS...IF ANYONE KNOWS HOW TO DO THAT PLEASE TELL ME!!! I DONT LIKE THE NEW QUICKEDIT THING...