"Megumi?" asked Hiko when Megumi wouldn't move from her spot. "What's wrong."
She could barely hear anything around anymore, it all sounded so distant. The only thing she could do was stare when Sanosuke stood up from the bar and walked over to Hiko and herself with a strange expression of confusion and betrayal. A hush went through the whole pub as the onlookers watched with interest.
"Megumi? What the hell are you doing here?" Sano asked, his voice low. Then he glanced at Hiko standing beside her protectively. "And who the heck are you?"
Hiko turned to Megumi, ignoring the question, "Megumi, do you know this guy?"
She swallowed hard and finally looked away from Sano's face to Hiko, not daring to look into his eyes. "Yes. Hiko, this is Sagara Sanosuke," she said, trying to sound more confident then she felt. "My boyfriend."
"Yeah buddy," said Sano threateningly as he pushed Hiko, "So back off!"
But Hiko was quick to bounce back, attempting to retaliate, "Hey, you little-,"
"ENOUGH!"
Both men and all in the pub were staring wide-eyed at Megumi who was trying to remain calm inside, trying to quiet the surge of emotions raging inside her.
"Enough, your both acting like children!" she lectured.
"Megumi," said Hiko quietly. "Why did you lie to me?"
She gazed into his warm chocolate eyes wishing there was an answer simpler than the one she had. There was so much confusion within her, she was lost and didn't want to hurt him. No, that was the last thing she wanted to do.
"Yeah Megumi! Just why did you keep me a secret huh?" Sano asked loudly and accusingly. "I'm not good enough for ya? An embarrassment?"
"Shut up."
Sano looked at her like she was crazy. "What?"
"I said shut up!" spat Megumi. An uncontrollable rage was building up inside her, fuelled by every memory where Sano had let her down. The emotions were overflowing and all she wanted to do was let them spill out and finally breathe easy.
"You arrogant, selfish bastard! You think what we have is love? You think that's a relationship? Forgetting dates, coming home late, leaving alone to go party with your friends, that's all your idea of love! You don't give a shit about us!" Finally that damn Rooster would get a taste of his one medicine, and the mortified look on his face made her feel good in unusual way. Her sweet revenge. "And you know what, you are an embarrassment, and I could do so much better. I was just a catch for you, another trophy that you long forgot about. Good riddance Sagara Sanosuke!"
With that Megumi breathed in deeply to catch her breath and turned on her heel and walked out of the bar. But suddenly she felt a jerk holding her back. She looked behind her and saw Sano holding onto her coat. His eyes were trying to fight back the tears, his lips pressed tight together.
They shared a moment, looking into one another's eyes, but in a quick, impatient second Megumi set herself free from her coat and ran outside, tearing down the street to nowhere.
"Megumi!" cried Hiko as he ran after her, leaving Sano standing in a daze still holding the coat.
Megumi kept on racing, dodging the young people who were still out at this hour, vibrant neon signs lighting her way. Then she heard Hiko call after her and she quickened her pace. She couldn't stop, wouldn't. This was her only way to escape it all, forget her relationship now smashed to pieces and a humiliating confrontation with the man who gave her a taste of happiness long forgotten. Suddenly there was a crack of lightning and the sky broke open with rain, heavy and cold.
She welcomed the cleaning feeling as the droplets cascaded down her face and body. But then she didn't see it coming, a crack in the sidewalk. Her heel slid right into it causing her to fall to the ground. It was icy and unforgiving for her clumsiness as a sharp pain ran up her thigh that she fell upon. But she didn't get up and a sob escaped her, then another.
Then he came running, scooping her up in his arms than ran under the safety of a roof outside an old secondhand bookstore. He set her down on her feet in front of him.
"What are you running from?" he asked as he wiped his face, breathing heavily.
Megumi didn't answer him and only looked down at the ground. She couldn't imagine what he thought of her now. Hiko couldn't tell if those were tears streaming down her face or the rain. Then there was silence.
"I'm sorry," she whispered under her breath.
He only smiled and wiped the plastered hair from her face. "Don't be."
Megumi looked up into his eyes in surprise, not expecting this answer. Hiko gazed back her, his face kind and smiling, eyes warm with affection. With this Megumi couldn't help but smile back, his still tranquility gave her comfort. He took off his suit jacket and carefully draped over her shoulders. As he did so he also brought Megumi into an embrace. Smiling with inner radiance, she rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. Right now there was no place she'd rather be.
And what seemed a world away Sano lay on their empty bed waiting for her. Pictures of happier times on the beside night table. There was one that he like most of all. It was of Megumi and him, laughing, just laughing. It seemed so long since they'd last laughed together, and then he couldn't help but slowly see why Megumi wanted to leave him. Everything she said about him… As the hours passed he slowly started to drink away his fear of abandonment, snuggling closer to Megumi's coat still wet from the rain. It still had her scent; he wanted to hold onto so dearly, now more than ever.
A/N: Hmmm, so many possibilities on where to take this story. But I think I got the right idea. So what did you all think of it? Manners everyone and thank you all who reviewed! It means a lot. Toodles!