Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki. This fanfic belongs to MUA. WUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Satiou: (TT) I can't believe we've got the same name…Oh well, AkuSokuZan!
MibuWolf: Orooooo…
Author's Notes: Arigato to my reviewers out there who very kindly offered me reviews of encouragement! To Sir Gawain of Camelot: yeah, I agree the whole "that she does" thing sounds a little weird, but that's the way Kenshin talks, what with the "de gozaru" and all, now that I think of it, it really is weird, so I'll change it when the time rolls around. To sanodevil: Arigato for reviewing all the chapters so far! –bows- to meant2be: thank you thank you so much for checking out my fic! It's my very first piece! –grins proudly-
Chapter Four: Pay-back time
"You've something to do?" Kaoru asked in surprise. The gentle-eyed rurouni nodded. "It's a favour I owe Sanosuke," he said by way of explanation.
"Sanosukes" the kendo teacher asked, even more confused.
Seeing that she didn't understand a word of what he said, Kenshin gently instructed her, "Kaoru-dono, I'll be a little late gettingback, so make sure you lock up."
"H-Hai," Kaoru agreed, still puzzled.
Kenshin smiled at her and went on his way.
"Kenshin!"
He turned around. "Yes, Kaoru-dono?"
"Please be careful," said the raven-haired kendo teacher.
"Hai, I'll be all right."
…
In the outskirts of town, there was a row of old, run-down houses that many would rather eat Kaoru's cooking then step into that place. Children were warned not to play near that area and many avoided that place.
One look at it and you'd know why.
That row of houses was infested with rowdy, drunken men who got into fights on a regular basis. These men, most of them unemployed and single, usually spent their hours by daylight begging and robbing people by nightfall.
These idle louts were nothing back useless sacks of wind, all of them.
Right now, they were gathered in one the little huts, in the middle of one of their gambling sessions. One of them rolled a pair of dice while the others eagerly shouted out their bets.
"I'm gonna win big! I'm gonna win big!" shouted one of them, a big, burly brute in rags. He was a little drunk from consuming some of the alcohol he had stolen earlier. And was chanting about winning non-stop until-
"Oof!" He collided with a smaller-sized figure who had just entered the doorway.
"What the-" he spun round. There stood Kenshin, smiling politely as he could at the brute.
"Gomen nasai for interrupting your little gathering, but may I speak to six of our friends here?" Kenshin said simply, somewhat oblivious of the angry glares that penetrated every corner of the hut.
"There's no "friend" here," replied the big-sized man, taking a swig of alcohol and spitting at Kenshin. Apparently he had no idea he had just spat at the greatest assassin who ever lived.
"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear," Kenshin continued, as if he hadn't spoken at all, "A week or so ago a man was badly beaten up and left to die. If I recall correctly, he was found at a place very near to where you live. I'm thinking that it took about six men to bring him down. "
"So what?" the bigger man retorted, a little more nervous now. "What makes you think it's us?"
"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to turn yourselves in to the police."
"What? No way! Not without a fight!"
He took a punch at Kenshin, but because he was so drunk, he missed. Kenshin ducked the blow and swiftly knocked him out.
"Get him!" Within seconds, the scarlet-haired swordsman was surrounded by approximately twenty of them.
"You leave me no choice then, I'm afraid."
…
Megumi finished tending to her other patient, then, as usual, rushed into Sanosuke's room to check on him. Actually, there really was no need, since he was already on the road to speedy recovery. The lady doctor simply wanted to spend as much time as she could with him. But of course she wasn't going to tell that to Dr. Gensai!
Just then, Katsu walked into the room, followed by Kenshin.
"Miss Megumi!" he cried, rushing over and gripping her hands in an excited manner. "They found them! They found them!"
"They what?" Megumi replied, feeling a wee bit confused, wondering for a fleeting moment whether Katsu, being an ardent journalist, had finally found relevant material for his latest article.
"The police! They arrested the thugs that beat up Sanosuke!" he continued.
Just then, the lady doctor noticed Kenshin at the doorway.
"Ken-san?" she asked, a little puzzled.
"Everything's all right." He replied. "They've been put behind bars for now, until they won't cause anymore trouble."
Megumi softened, relived. At least the people who were responsible for this –grime- had finally been punished.
Without thinking, her eyes turned to the "sleeping" Sanosuke. If only he knew right now. If only he knew… everything.
Even how she felt.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Author's Note: Too short… too short! Argh… I need energy pills. To boost my inspiration and my concentration…
Lots of people are wondering when Sanosuke will be waking up and whether or not Megumi will be revealing her true feelings about her dear rooster head. Patience, people, patience. This fic will end nicely, the way it should. That's all I'm gonna say.
Until the next update! mC