Disclaimer: Do the Disclaimer! I don't own Ru-rou-ni Ken-shin, I don't own Ru-rou-ni Ken-shin (Like the Hustle.) Do do do do do dodo do do.

A/N: Aha! It's just over a week since my last update, huh? You thought I couldn't do it, didn't you? –evil laugh- The chapter kind of just came out.

And, I'm putting this on my Bio soon,

The Top Three Places I Get My Fic Ideas:

Number one, and this one has been the setting of some of my most fantastic inspiration: Math Class.

Number two, while brushing my teeth.

And finally, number three which probably applies to everyone: Right before I go to sleep.

Wait, before you start reading! Kisama is a very rude way of saying "you."

And I hope you know what a kiosk is. If you don't, it's those cart thingys that are at the mall all the time and sell stuff. And are usually on wheels. But really it's just a little hut. Doesn't have to be on wheels.

Tanoshimu!


Chapter 10

Megumi: An Enemy Found

-

On her way into town, Megumi figured she'd get some errands done as well, so she didn't feel too bad about neglecting her duties for the afternoon. She stopped by an apothecary kiosk to browse. As her eyes scanned the little jars full of salve and the branches and twigs of various herbs, Megumi could feel the presence of someone looking over her shoulder. It was eerie and creepy and she did not want to turn around.

Starting to sweat a little nervously, Megumi subtly inched to the side and hunched forward a little. It was then that a hand reached out and grabbed her shoulder, causing the normally composed doctor to jump, startled.

Behind her, the shopkeeper was grinning toothily. "Can I help you, miss?" he asked.

Megumi smiled politely, partly out of relief. "No thank you. I just got a shipment of this," she motioned to the particular salve she had been concentrating on. "You have a very nice collection. I should be on my way now."

"Please come back sometime," the shopkeeper replied as Megumi turned around.

As she walked away from the kiosk, Megumi's expression darkened and she wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. She didn't know if it was paranoia or what, but Megumi had a deepening feeling of foreboding.

Her heart rate calmed and her paced slowed down somewhat, so Megumi started to feel at ease. She let her mind wander to other things, such as how Kaoru was, how Sano was doing and how long it would be before she left for Aizu. She knew it would be a while; she wanted at least another month with Sano. And there were still things to sort out…Megumi bit her lip uncertainly. It was very complicated, and a very big part of her didn't want to say goodbye, but it had been her dream. And still was.

"Megumi," a voice whispered in her ear.

Megumi furiously whirled around. In doing so, she was caught off guard and the man behind her pushed her into the alleyway, pinning her against the grimy wall. Megumi winced at the impact, fiercely struggling against her attacker who had a firm grip on her. Between him and the wall, Megumi could not move an inch.

He tightened his hold on her wrists. "How lovely it is to see you again, Megumi."

Megumi froze as she realized who it was. In the shady alleyway it was hard to see his face, but the tone was unmistakable. "Kisama," she hissed.

He moved his head so that one of his blue eyes glittered at her. "My dear, after all this time have you only rude words for me?"

Megumi's breathing was heavy and her heart raced so quickly that she feared she could not breathe. "Bastard," she spat. She knew that he was toying with her and she hated that. "Stay away from here, Enizu."

Enizu seemed to step back a little at the mention of his name. "You break my heart, fox."

Megumi's eyes burned with rage and she found that she had broken free from Enizu's hold. Without thinking, she raised her right hand and tore her nails across his face.

Before Megumi could even pause to think, Enizu slammed her back up against the wall, her wrists pinned high above her. Enizu's face loomed next to hers, snarling and enraged.

"Do you really want to be doing that?" he said in a very menacing voice. His nails dug deep into her wrists and Megumi was not sure what to say.

She remained silent, but an involuntary whimper emerged from her chapped lips. She would admit it, Enizu scared her very much. And with good reason. The day before, Sano had informed her that Enizu might be back, but she never expected to see the despicable man herself. Why her?

"I will slit your throat," Enizu growled. "And kill that damned street-punk and the Battousai as well!" His voice rose to a loud roar, but Megumi knew it would not be heard anywhere but in her own ears.

Angry tears welled up in Megumi's eyes as she whished she was anywhere but there. His touch revolted her and his stench was foul. She felt a lump form in her throat and choked. Why her? If she hadn't been so afraid, she would have laughed, bitterness taking control of her emotions.

"I will make sure they all suffer," Enizu said in a softer tone. "Even you, my dearest."

Without meaning to, Megumi cried out futilely. It was a loud sob and nothing more, but somewhere she could hear the word help emitting from her own throat.

"I'm sorry," Enizu said. "Is this reminding you of my brother, Kanryuu?"

Megumi didn't say anything. She didn't make a sound this time. But her silence let Enizu know how much he was affecting her.

"I know you didn't like him, huh?" Enizu continued in a husky tone. "But you liked me quite well, if I remember correctly."

He chuckled and ran his fingers along the milky skin of her face and neck. She didn't move, but his breath and touch made her inwardly shiver. Suddenly, Enizu pulled his hand back from her neck.

"Do you not remember?" he asked. "That little kiss we shared? Just less than a year ago. I'm sure you remember." His fingers went back to her neck.

"I remember," she spoke in a poisonous voice. "You made Naruku think she loved you. For over five damned years of her life, you made her believe that. And then I learned you'd go off and screw with any woman who comes your way. Fuck you, Enizu."

"Jealous, Megumi?" Enizu laughed, his hand tracing down the side of her arm and the contours of her body. "Mad, because I didn't want you then?" His laugh grew louder and he leaned into her ear. "I do now. Because you don't."

Megumi's eyes narrowed. "Get away from me!" she shrieked. "And stay the hell away from Ken-san and Naruku. If you come near either of them, Enizu…" she screamed it at his face. Her wrists dropped from his hold and she stumbled against the wall.

He let her go. She didn't say another word, but ran from that spot as fast as she could, Enizu's haunting laugh looming behind her.

-

Yahiko marched diligently alongside Sano as they strolled down the road into town. Sano glanced over at Yahiko's rigid face, not trying to conceal it at all.

"So, what, you ditch practice today?" Sano asked.

"I guess so," Yahiko replied shortly. "Now that Kaoru's gotten hurt, there's nothing really I can learn."

"But aren't you supposed to be helping with lessons?" Sano inquired.

Yahiko shrugged carelessly. "Kaoru's got Shinomori doing that."

"Hn," was Sano's reply. He knew he should find that amusing, ex-ninja like Aoshi helping out a kendo class of pubescent boys…but Sano was having a hard time finding anything funny. It was easy to laugh it up with Naruku, Misao or Yahiko, but none of them had seemed too cheerful lately. Sano sighed.

Yahiko sighed again. Gloomy day, despite the bright sun. Suddenly, Yahiko snapped to attention. His senses, which had grown more acute over the years, sensed someone with a quicker pace than everyone else on the road. Someone was running toward them.

Sano noticed it too, and from his height he scanned the crowd. His eyes widened when he spotted Megumi, sprinting as fast as she could down the road. He could barely see her face, but he knew that her expression was not good.

"Yahiko," Sano said, without glancing down at his younger friend.

"Yeah, Sano?" Yahiko answered.

"I'll have to catch up with you later. Take care. Don't tell Jou-chan I left you alone," Sano replied. And with that, he took off.

"Hm," Yahiko grunted after Sano was gone. "I don't see why it matters. I can take perfectly good care of myself." Realizing he was talking to the air in front of him, Yahiko shut his mouth and continued walking with no particular destination. His posture loosened up a little and he found himself half-enjoying the cruise down the road. Usually Yahiko disliked being alone, because he liked excitement and noise and chatter. But right then it was nice, knowing her didn't have to do anything for a few hours.

Yahiko's eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he caught a flash of blue that was too bright to belong amongst the commoners on the road. Following his instinct, Yahiko followed it until they were in a less congested area of the road.

It was then that Yahiko recognized him. Walking fifty meters in front of him and heading down an empty alley was Seta Soujiro.

-

Sano cursed to himself as he ran to catch up with Megumi. It didn't seem like she noticed him, for she hadn't sped up or slowed down in her pace.

"Megumi!" Sano called desperately. "'ey, Megumi!"

She turned and was temporarily distracted from her wild dash away. Sano, though, was determined and sped up to catch her. Before she could run again, Sano had his arms around her waist.

"Megumi," he whispered into her ear, now that she was safe in his arms.

"Get off me," she cried, struggling away from Sano.

Surprised, Sano released her, a deeply hurt look on his face. "Megumi, I…" His eyes darkened when he glanced at the angry marks on her wrist. "What happened?" he questioned in a fierce tone, snatching up one of her arms for closer inspection.

"Nothing," she wrenched her hand away. "Just leave, Sano."

"Not until you tell me," Sano answered evenly. "What happened? How did you get this?" he motioned to her harmed wrists.

"It's nothing, Sano, I'm really bust right now," Megumi lied, blatantly avoiding his eyes.

"So is that why you left Outa at the clinic?" Sano asked very seriously.

Megumi pulled away from him. "Just—leave me be."

"I can't Megumi, not when you're like this. What happened. Please."

Megumi shook her head as tears sprung from her eyes. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry, Sano."

-

As Soujiro made his way down the alleyway, Yahiko followed him as quietly as he could. He slunk around next to the walls. Up ahead he spotted a group of convenient barrels. His eyes brightened and once Soujiro had walked far enough, Yahiko darted out of shadows and his behind the barrels.

Yahiko felt a ready excitement pulse in his chest. He wasn't sure why. He didn't even know what he was planning to find. But the question still remained: why was Soujiro, who Yahiko hadn't seen since he turned up and then left the dojo, going down a deserted alleyway? Holding his breath, Yahiko waited for an answer.

"What a strange place to be meeting, Enizu-san," Yahiko could hear Soujiro's voice say cheerily. He had moved out of sight from where Yahiko was peeking between two barrels.

In frustration, Yahiko squatted down on his knees to look through a bigger gap between barrels. His brown eyes widened. Enizu. He was that close. Close enough to smell.

"Well I don't know how you did things with Shishio," Enizu replied good-naturedly to Soujiro's comment. "But I know we won't be heard…or seen here." A sadistic grin twisted the man's face.
"I guess you're right about that," Soujiro admitted. Yahiko could hear the slight chuckle in his voice. Yahiko's eyes narrowed and he broke out in sweat. What exactly was taking place, just a few meters in front of him?

-

What could it possibly be that's eating away at Megumi like this?

Sano furrowed his brow in thought. Megumi stood, turned away from him, her head down. She didn't move.

"Megumi, whatever it is…you know that I'll protect you," he reached out to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

She leapt away. "No!" she wailed. "Not…this time you can't." Despite her words, Megumi turned back to face him, falling into his arms and burying her face in his coat.

"Why won't you tell me, Megumi?" Sano said, stroking her hair. His voice was soft, but Megumi could hear the bite of anger in it.

"Because you'll get angry."

"I already am."

"More than that. You'll be…ohh, Sano, I don't want to think about it. I'm scared. I don't want it to have happened," Megumi sobbed. "Please say it didn't happen. Tell me my imagination is over-active. Tell me I'm paranoid and seeing things. And hearing them. And feeling them. Oh, Sano, it's so cold…"

Sano's expression darkened as Megumi continued to prattle on, her voice muffled by his chest. She closed her eyes, but when the leering face of Enizu rushed up at her, she opened her eyes. And started to cry harder. She couldn't close her eyes for a second without seeing him.

"I don't want to see him anymore," Megumi stated flatly, her voice quavering.

She could feel Sano's hands tighten on her shoulders. "Who?"

Why was he asking? He already knew.

­-

"I'd like to have you as one of my forces, Soujiro, I really would," Enizu drawled. "But let's just say I'm not very trusting…" Yahiko watched as Enizu circled the young swordsman.

"What is it you want me to prove to you?" Soujiro asked, not bothering to turn and try to meet Enizu's gaze as the older man walked around him, scrutinizing. "If it's my strength, I would gladly fight anyone you say. Loyalty? Well I'm sure you know all about Shishio-san. Is it—"

"No, no, none of that," Enizu cut in sharply. "That is not what I need. All I want to know is…how much do you hate Battousai? How far would you go to ensure his death?"

Soujiro laughed, and Yahiko winced at how light and joyous the sound was. Yahiko's fist clenched and unclenched. Watching Soujiro, Yahiko realized there was no stiffness to his posture, no catch in his voice. The Tenken was not frightened or intimidated at all.

Suddenly, though, Soujiro's eyes flashed a steely blue. His voice grew harsh and angry. "Enizu-san, those years ago when I fought Himura in Kyoto…it was all for the sake of Shishio-san. Now, it's become personal. He killed Shishio-san and Yumi-san as well. It's very personal, Enizu-san. Everything about Himura-san…frustrates me." His exterior was cool, but beneath there was a bubbling rage that even made Yahiko shiver.

Enizu smirked. "I can see that. But it would be best to keep your emotions low. I've heard many people say that this is your strength."

The heated ki that radiated from Soujiro immediately diminished. "What you heard is correct, Enizu-san."

He stopped pacing. "Speaking of your fight with Battousai, is there anything of interest you might tell me about him back then?"

Soujiro's lips thinned. "He was allied with two men. A street fighter and a cop," Soujiro recalled.

Yahiko's eyes narrowed. What was Soujiro saying?

Enizu nodded, no change in his face. "You fought him twice, didn't you?"

Soujiro nodded. "The first time there was—" his expression changed, a dark look that Yahiko could not decipher.

There was what? Yahiko wanted to scream. What was it that Soujiro was giving away to Enizu? And then Yahiko knew. Enizu was imploring about Kenshin's friends. About Yahiko's friends.

The second time Soujiro and Kenshin had fought, Sano witnessed it.

The first time, in Shingetsu village…Misao had been there.

"The first time there was just the cop watching," Soujiro finished, speaking very quickly. "Our fight ended in a draw; both of our swords broke. The second time I swore he'd die, and he won the fight. After that he…"

Yahiko turned away so he was no longer looking at the two men. His mind raced. Soujiro…working for Enizu?

"I don't care if I ever fight that man again, I just want him dead," Soujiro finished. He looked up. "Will you kill him, Enizu-san?"

Enizu's lips curved into a slow, thin smile. "Mark my words. Help my cause, and you might witness the act."

Not another word was spoken between them as they mutely walked back down the alley, right past where Yahiko crouched. Soujiro's hakama brushed against the barrel next to Yahiko's hand. He continued walking.

Yahiko jumped back and pressed himself against the wall. Once he was sure that both Enizu and Soujiro were gone, he silently crept out between the barrels, dizzy and very much confused.

­-

Later that night, Sano and Megumi laid together on the top of Sano's longhouse, the sky surrounding them in a blanket of blue velvet. Megumi stared, transfixed on one star, thinking about all the times they used to do this, before they had fought, before Sano had left for Shinshuu. Before Enizu stepped back into their lives.

Megumi shivered. Sano glanced at her, and without a word leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the lips, leaving her to wonder why, and also why not?

"Sano?" Megumi said after a few moments of just sitting.

"Yes, love?"

"Everything will be all right, won't it?" she asked, staring up at the moon.

"It will," Sano confirmed, brushing his lips across her cheek.

Megumi turned her face and caught his lips in another soft kiss. She deepened it, ever so slightly, telling him how much she needed him, and then pulled back. She stared at his brown eyes, wondering when they had gotten so deep-set, so wise…His eyes looked daunted, tired, sad…drowning. He was scared for her.

She kissed his forehead. "I hope so."


A/N: The chapter title, if you'll believe me, is actually referring to Enizu and it was only now that I realize it sounds more like it's about Soujiro. But since this is a Megumi chapter, it's about her meeting with Enizu.

By the way…please refrain from tomato or other rotten fruit throwing for that little bit with Soujiro. I know…the moment you get to see him again, he's gone psycho. Sorry.

Well, I did get the review I asked for to help me make up my mind. I know, I hate holding chapters for reviews like that, but I get really unsure when I have the chance to post a chapter early. I'll never do it again because I felt like such a jerk.

I do, however, get the feeling that people are reading and not reviewing. I'm very happy to know that more people are reading, but you guys know how it is, right? I want feedback! We all do.

Crewel: Thank me? Thank you for taking the time to review! I think this answers your question of what happened to Megumi…and also help you to see how evil Enizu really is, if you didn't know. I know how everyone was talking about him last chapter was really hyped up. He sounds a lot worse than he is, ne? (Or maybe not?) No I don't think Megumi will be headed to Aizu in this fic. It's just another hurtle in the Sano/Megumi pairing that will come into play in the next fic.

"Oro" Object: I know, and I'll be getting to them soon enough. Soujiro and Misao are very important in this fic. (Well, everyone is.) But even though I introduced them early on, they won't really come into play until a little later. But when that time comes, they'll be very important. I think this chapter may give you some reason as to why.

Zioncross: I'm glad you approve of the whole Kenshin/Naruku angle. It's difficult, for some people. (And that's just the reason we all hate Enizu so much…) I do like Outa and Megumi when they interact. Add Sano and it's just one big happy family.

Another Baka: Yeah, they sure are. The focus of this fic is going to get a little more dramatic, as you can probably tell. But there'll be plenty of fluff, too.

Genki Ninjagirl: All the RK females rock, don't they? (what do you mean you like them "too?" As well as who else?)

ShadowAoi: Wow! You don't know how surprised I was to see a review from you! I'm so sorry about your uncle, but I'm glad you had time to stop by again. You've always been one of the people who really immediately liked Naruku. I wonder why that is. I'm glad you liked everything and that you had a chance to read some of it. Thank you so much for your praise and comments! You always make me feel like I'm doing things right and that some people will actually notice some of the things I do. It makes me happy to see you pay attention to stuff like that. Don't forget to work on your own fics during the summer.

Thanks for your feedback, everyone. Chapter eleven is already underway, so the quicker updating I promised is probably going to happen. Please, don't forget to review (I know that a few people are reading but not reviewing) and I'll see you next chapter.

Important: As of now, this story is under the pairing Sano/Megumi. Next chapter, it will be Kaoru/Aoshi. Hope you won't loose track of it (and I hope that gives you a little clue as to what next chapter's about!)