I have to say I'm having fun writing this one. I'll most likely finish it in the next week. Yay! This is good because I sometimes get tired of stories I start but not this one. I apologize in advance for some of the language but I figured it is rated M so u guys should be already prepared. Some of your guy's predictions were pretty close. Lol. I guess the story is a little predictable but hopefully it will still be enjoyable.
Chapter 3Sano looked around him suddenly realizing the impact his announcement had had on his unsuspecting audience. He noticed Kenshin comforting Kaoru, and Aoshi talking softly to Misao but he focused on Megumi who simply sat there with a look of uncertainty and sadness across her face.
She seemed to struggle as if not knowing where to look or what to do so she simply stared at him. Her face now seemed to be void of expression and that pained him more then anything. He had no idea what she was thinking.
If only she knew what he had been thinking lately. She had no idea that partly he was leaving to see the world, but mostly it was because he was running away. Now that Kenshin and Kaoru were married they would be busy. Yahiko was growing more into a young man every day and soon he would be busy too. He noticed the way Misao looked at Aoshi and knew it couldn't be that much longer for them either.
But Megumi…. Oh Megumi. His precious fox lady, who would never know how he cared for her. They had had their differences in the past. Many in fact. But he enjoyed debating with her. He loved watching her reaction to his constant teasing. He even loved watching her blow up at him. Even when she yelled at him, he still found her beautiful and he loved her fiery temper. She was like no women he'd had ever met. Of course he would never tell her this. Their fighting and teasing was like a game. Each of them trying to be clever and outsmart the other one.
But the game went too far… I've gone and fallen for a beautiful women…one of the strongest women I know who will never love me back. She hates me too much now… Why did I fight with her so much? Sano asked himself silently, secretly hating himself for all that had happened. I have to leave. If I stay here and watch her end up with someone else I'll go crazy. That's why I must leave. It was a hard decision, but one he knew he must make, for both Megumi's and His sake.
He didn't know what to do so he simply sat down and waited for the shock to sink in for everyone. Kenshin, Kaoru and the rest of his good friends all came over to hug him, ask questions and say goodbye. They were shocked but they all wished him well. Sano hugged everyone… except Megumi. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the outline of her dark form near the exit. She turned slowly and for a second Sano hoped that she would come back and talk to him. He wanted so desperately to say goodbye. But instead all he saw was a single tear drip slowly onto her pale cheek and just like that she was gone.
As Megumi stepped outside, it started pouring outside. "Oh great" She looked up at the sky with dread. She knew he cheeks must be black from the mascara, because of the tears she had cried once she had left the room. Megumi wasn't one to cry. She was tough but she had been emotional and that's why she knew she had to get out of there. She wasn't going to face Sano like this and she damned well wasn't going to let him see her cry over him. All of her makeup was running and the rain didn't help so she sprinted quickly down the street towards her little apartment. She stumbled once or twice and she finally stopped to catch her breath about halfway. It didn't matter anymore that she was getting rained on. In fact, it matched her mood perfectly. She was going to be soaked to the bone, whether she walked or ran so Megumi took it easier and picture the nice hot bath and tea that would be waiting for her at home.
"This is all, that stupid rooster's fault" Megumi muttered under her breath.
"I wouldn't be here if he wasn't leaving. Why am I even going to miss him? We always fight? Why is this so hard for me?" Megumi asked out loud but the only reply was a small meow from a nearby tabby cat that looked up at her with big turquoise eyes.
Megumi looked down at the small cat realizing he was only a poor drenched kitten.
"You must be alone too. Looks like we're two of a kind" Megumi murmured sadly. She reached down to pat him softly on the head and the kitten simply meowed again eager for the attention.
Megumi knew she shouldn't but she couldn't help herself. She picked the little wet kitten up and put him inside her kimono to keep him warm. He was alone like her and she could use some company tonight. She'd find out who he belonged to in the morning.
Sano finished hugging everyone but he couldn't stop looking out the window at the pouring rain and wondering where Megumi went. He tried to forget about it and not worry about her but what if she got lost, or hurt? He couldn't forgive himself. I'm going to say goodbye to the fox if it's the last thing I do, and she's going to listen to me, Sano thought to himself with a new determination. He couldn't make her love him but he was going to make her listen.
He said goodbye and Kenshin and kissed Kaoru on the cheek.
"I'll drop by before the dojo before I leave. I still have presents for everyone anyways" He winked at Yahiko and said goodbye to everyone before leaving to look for Megumi.
Sano hadn't told him where he was going but Kenshin had a feeling. "I just hope it's not too late for those two" He mentioned to Kaoru. Kaoru smiled. "I hope your right but I have a feeling it's not. As long as Megumi isn't too stubborn. Oh I hope she's not. " Kaoru replied leaning her head on his shoulder. Kenshin took her hand and kissed her softly. "love… and faith. That's all you need" He replied simply. Kaoru nodded her agreement.
Sano wasted no time as he took off down the street in the rain. I just hope I'm not too late, he prayed silently. He knew there was no denying how he felt anymore. Working up the courage to tell her was going to be the hardest part. They were both so proud and stubborn. And he was leaving. How could it work? He knew she could never love him. But he knew he had to try something… before he lost her forever.