OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS I AM SOOO(x3 million) SORRY!! I took way too long to
update... I promise I will never be that bad EVER AGAIN!! ( Please don't give
up on me!!
~SS
Chapter 3
The sun was her only companion as Megumi walked the quaint dirt path out of town to the dojo's back gate. For some reason, she preferred to enter here on her visits; there was something almost comforting in this peculiar habit. It was clear though, that Kaoru preferred she use the front door like everyone else.
*Kaoru will understand if I do it one more time... and if she doesn't, it's just more proof of what a silly thing she is*
Although the prospect of showing herself superior to Kaoru in Kenshin's presence was enough to warrant a visit, this morning's trip was more than a social call. Her duties as a doctor and responsibilities as a friend had once again bled together bitter-sweetly. She hated to see Kenshin in pain, but his injuries gave her opportunity she hardly dared dream of.
*I can be close... I can feel his skin and come away with gratitude, instead of rejection...*
Shameful as it was for her to admit to herself, she enjoyed the power that came with her skill.
*But... it can only last so long...*
She hadn't been born yesterday, though sometimes it felt like it. Kaoru, that scabby tomboy, held his gaze... his favor... his heart. Why did she keep throwing herself to disappointment?
One hand paused on the doorway; Megumi smiled weakly at the irony of her situation.
*Water, water everywhere... and not a drop to drink...*
***
Megumi went straight to work. Not that she had had much choice; Kaoru had been right there upon her entry.
*None too happy to leave I'm sure. He had his hand so tenderly over hers. I watched... I watched his eyes... Never has anyone looked at me like that. Except... my father...*
Kenshin's eyes remained vaguely fixed outside the window as she carefully unwound the bandages that held taut about his torso. Barely even a grunt escaped as she finally removed the gauze shielding the wound; for all she could tell, he had slipped into unconsciousness. Not one to be ignored, Megumi decided to break the silence.
"You know Sir Ken, you're very lucky..." a broad, seductive smile crossed her lips. "That bullet was dangerously close to shattering your lower rib. Not even a doctor as skilled and wise as Dr. Gensai could have saved you if a shard had found its way into your liver."
Kenshin smirked distantly before resuming his blank attitude. It was obvious there would be no more talking, her smile faded into a frown of concentration. The bullet's entry point showed no signs of further aggravation or infection; only a slight amount of bruising had appeared around it.
*Even better than I'd hoped, his faculties for healing are absolutely astounding...*
The process of swabbing and dressing was quick. As there was nothing to be gained by hanging around, Megumi bitterly packed her things and made to leave.
"Megumi-san..." Kenshin stared up at the ceiling as he addressed the doctor.
*So NOW he's ready to speak...* Megumi left her bag to kneel sweetly by his pallet, "Doushita? Are the dressings too tight?"
"Not at all..." Kenshin did not seem to notice she had moved, "I just wanted to know... when do you expect me to be healed?"
A wave of annoyance spread through Megumi like dye dripped into milk. All of her toil and what did he have to say in return?
*He wants to know when he'll be able to go fight for Okubo...*
"It's not for me to say Ken-san..."
He did not respond. Megumi reclaimed her satchel and wrenched open the shoji.
*Nothing... Not even a thank you... And just what would he do without me?*
She needed to get out... go somewhere far away. Tears were beginning to form in the corners of her eyes, making it impossible to see. Fortunately, she had been down the halls often enough to know the exit in her sleep.
* I stayed alive when I should have killed myself... I stayed alive just for him... he asked me not to do it...I... ahhh*
Something hard had blocked her path; something with strong hands that had placed themselves on her shoulders.
"Where ya goin so fast doc?" Sanosuke shook her shoulders playfully, "How's Kenshin..."
"Oh!" Megumi quickly blinked away the rising tears, "He's doing quite well, I would expect a full recovery..."
Before he could say anything else she bustled out of his grip and ran the remaining way to the open door.
~SS
Chapter 3
The sun was her only companion as Megumi walked the quaint dirt path out of town to the dojo's back gate. For some reason, she preferred to enter here on her visits; there was something almost comforting in this peculiar habit. It was clear though, that Kaoru preferred she use the front door like everyone else.
*Kaoru will understand if I do it one more time... and if she doesn't, it's just more proof of what a silly thing she is*
Although the prospect of showing herself superior to Kaoru in Kenshin's presence was enough to warrant a visit, this morning's trip was more than a social call. Her duties as a doctor and responsibilities as a friend had once again bled together bitter-sweetly. She hated to see Kenshin in pain, but his injuries gave her opportunity she hardly dared dream of.
*I can be close... I can feel his skin and come away with gratitude, instead of rejection...*
Shameful as it was for her to admit to herself, she enjoyed the power that came with her skill.
*But... it can only last so long...*
She hadn't been born yesterday, though sometimes it felt like it. Kaoru, that scabby tomboy, held his gaze... his favor... his heart. Why did she keep throwing herself to disappointment?
One hand paused on the doorway; Megumi smiled weakly at the irony of her situation.
*Water, water everywhere... and not a drop to drink...*
***
Megumi went straight to work. Not that she had had much choice; Kaoru had been right there upon her entry.
*None too happy to leave I'm sure. He had his hand so tenderly over hers. I watched... I watched his eyes... Never has anyone looked at me like that. Except... my father...*
Kenshin's eyes remained vaguely fixed outside the window as she carefully unwound the bandages that held taut about his torso. Barely even a grunt escaped as she finally removed the gauze shielding the wound; for all she could tell, he had slipped into unconsciousness. Not one to be ignored, Megumi decided to break the silence.
"You know Sir Ken, you're very lucky..." a broad, seductive smile crossed her lips. "That bullet was dangerously close to shattering your lower rib. Not even a doctor as skilled and wise as Dr. Gensai could have saved you if a shard had found its way into your liver."
Kenshin smirked distantly before resuming his blank attitude. It was obvious there would be no more talking, her smile faded into a frown of concentration. The bullet's entry point showed no signs of further aggravation or infection; only a slight amount of bruising had appeared around it.
*Even better than I'd hoped, his faculties for healing are absolutely astounding...*
The process of swabbing and dressing was quick. As there was nothing to be gained by hanging around, Megumi bitterly packed her things and made to leave.
"Megumi-san..." Kenshin stared up at the ceiling as he addressed the doctor.
*So NOW he's ready to speak...* Megumi left her bag to kneel sweetly by his pallet, "Doushita? Are the dressings too tight?"
"Not at all..." Kenshin did not seem to notice she had moved, "I just wanted to know... when do you expect me to be healed?"
A wave of annoyance spread through Megumi like dye dripped into milk. All of her toil and what did he have to say in return?
*He wants to know when he'll be able to go fight for Okubo...*
"It's not for me to say Ken-san..."
He did not respond. Megumi reclaimed her satchel and wrenched open the shoji.
*Nothing... Not even a thank you... And just what would he do without me?*
She needed to get out... go somewhere far away. Tears were beginning to form in the corners of her eyes, making it impossible to see. Fortunately, she had been down the halls often enough to know the exit in her sleep.
* I stayed alive when I should have killed myself... I stayed alive just for him... he asked me not to do it...I... ahhh*
Something hard had blocked her path; something with strong hands that had placed themselves on her shoulders.
"Where ya goin so fast doc?" Sanosuke shook her shoulders playfully, "How's Kenshin..."
"Oh!" Megumi quickly blinked away the rising tears, "He's doing quite well, I would expect a full recovery..."
Before he could say anything else she bustled out of his grip and ran the remaining way to the open door.