Part 12: Rekindling

She had been avoiding him.

It had taken him a while to catch on, but it wasn't hard to figure out. After his third phone call nearly a week and a half later asking that they spend time together and she came up with reasons to turn him down, he'd gotten the hint.

Sanosuke stared outside of his work building, tossing aside his pen with impatience, letting out a sigh of frustration.

What had happened?

He frowned, sitting back in his chair. Women usually didn't run away from him. It was a strange feeling.

His eyes turning to the clock wall, he discovered it was time for lunch. Megumi was back on a regular schedule, from what he was told. Might be a good time to drop by the hospital.

It had taken him about ten minutes to get to the hospital, about another five to park and make his way to the reception desk. The receptionist recognized him thanks to the fundraiser they did a while back, and she freely offered Megumi's office number.

As he made his way up the elevator, he couldn't help but grin at a memory. Megumi's office was the same one she had used when he first came to show her Tsunan's artwork. When he had first kissed her.

He stepped onto her floor and looked around before making his way towards her office.

"Yes, I know." He could hear her voice as he got closer to her door. She must have been on the phone. "No, don't worry. It's best to keep her cool."

He entered her office quietly, briefly surprised that she hadn't noticed him yet. She was looking out the window, her phone held against her ear. He closed the door behind him, loud enough to catch her attention.

Her head whipped around and her eyes widened at the sight of him. She cleared her throat and lowered her gaze, trying to focus on her conversation. He grinned and made his way towards her, waiting for her to finish her call.

"Yes…Yes…No, it's no trouble…All right. Goodbye." Megumi hung up before turning to look at him leaning against the edge of her desk. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd come over and say hi," he responded easily. "Surprised to see me?"

"A little."

He reached out and grasped her chin with his fingers so that her gaze could meet his. "Been real busy, haven't you, fox-lady?"

"I…yes," she said quietly, and he felt a small tremor run through her. "Work…and all that…"

"Hm. And just when I think we're starting to really get along, I don't see you for a while," he teased.

She turned her head away so he could release his hold. "I know…I should have called…or something. Especially…" Her cheeks flushed before she said, "Especially with the way things were when I last saw you."

"You sure know how to keep a guy guessing."

"See…I've been really thinking about that…" she started.

"And?"

"Well…I…think it's probably best that we just leave things the way they are – right now," she added hastily.

Did he hear her correctly? He trained his eyes on her face before moving to note her clothes. Her white V-neck blouse and gray skirt were modest enough, but there was no mistaking the curves underneath the business attire and white lab coat. She shifted to retrieve a pen on her desk, fiddling with it.

"It's just…things are busy right now for me and I'm not sure it's a good idea for me to be…seeing someone…"

Sanosuke frowned as she dropped her pen. She didn't want to see him because she was busy. Huh.

Megumi pushed her chair back and bent to retrieve her pen before straightening. "Anyway, I think it's best that…we just back away. I think it was a very upsetting night with everything else that had happened, so that must have influenced-" she blinked as he moved towards her, bracing his hands against the arm rests of her chair. "Sanosuke…what…?"

"Fox-lady, you really need to stop thinking and start feeling more."

And with that, he kissed her. She let out a cry of surprise, caught off-guard, before her lips softened against his and she began to respond. Without breaking the kiss, he pulled her out of her chair and pulled her body against him, chest to thigh.

How long had it been since he'd felt her like this?

Too damn long.

He reached down and lifted her against him, causing a gasp to escape from her mouth. He felt her shiver in his arms as he moved to kiss her jawline and throat, enjoying the soft sounds that emerged from her lips.

"I want to see you again," he murmured against the column of her throat.

He felt her swallow before she whispered, "I know…"

Sanosuke let her slide down his body before setting her on her feet, but he didn't release her.

Releasing a shaking breath, she stiffened before moving a step back…away from him. "This was a bad idea."

He reached out, gently grasping her wrist. Sanosuke could feel her pulse racing beneath his thumb. She was fighting him. Why? "Something happened, fox-lady," he said quietly. "Since the night of the fire, you convinced yourself that you should start avoiding me. But…this isn't going to go away, no matter how good you are at convincing yourself. What's wrong with seeing where it goes?"

Megumi swallowed again, looking away. "I…"

"I'm picking up where you left off," he reminded. "Even if you've been avoiding me, something tells me that you're still thinking the same way the night of the fire."

She was quiet, but the expression in her eyes told him that he spoke the truth and she wasn't going to deny it.

Megumi cleared her throat, raising wary eyes to meet his. "Even so…I…I won't be some conquest. I've said that before."

"And who says you'd be one?" he countered. "I think you'd know me better by now, fox-lady." Then he suggested lightly, "Why don't we go out this weekend?"

"Where?" she asked.

He hid a smile, noticing that she didn't exactly say no.

"I'll think of something," he responded, grinning. "Something nice."

She nodded once, but her dark eyes seem troubled.

"Are you afraid, Megumi?" he asked, dropping his hands from her.

Immediately, her eyes shot to his. "Of you? No. I just…" Shakily, she ran her fingers through her hair. "It's just…it's never been like this for me. I'm…not used to it."

"Then that makes two of us," he admitted quietly.

He had meant it. Things were different…she was different…he was different. It was a little intimidating. But nothing he couldn't handle. He'd meant what he said earlier. He wanted her, he knew she wanted him and they both seemed to get along well. What was wrong with exploring what they both wanted?

A/N: I've really missed sexy bad boy Sano. (grins evilly) But next chapter…Sano shows his romantic side. Huh. He actually has one. Who knew?