EDITED REPOST, 10/24/05. Somewhat edited anyways. Still haven't received any comments on the editing. –Sigh-
Disclaimers: Kenshin belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki-sama!
CHAPTER 25
"I don't understand why you couldn't have just taken her to a hospital, it w—"
"Just hurry up, and do it," Kenshin interrupted quickly, his eyes flashing an odd abnormal color that only added to Megumi's agitation. He clutched at his shoulder and deeply took in a breath of air. He disregarded the concerned look that Megumi was giving him. Kaoru was more important.
Everyone in the room was feeling the heat, not only just Kenshin. Megumi was already under a tremendous amount of pressure. It wasn't everyday that people walked into the university clinic, demanding immediate attention and care to their stab wounds. She shook her head, sending her long, even hair to cascade in waves about her shoulders. Of all the things in the world, of all the lectures she had attended and hours of practicum, she had yet to treat a sword wound.
Without hesitation, she poked the needle into Kaoru's arm, and casually flicked it aside onto the silver stand beside her.
The whole ill predicament came to a thunderous start when she received that call. The kind that could give a normal unsuspecting person a heart attack. Except Takani Megumi. Stubborn, hardheaded and often bossy, she felt fairly annoyed when the panic stricken retarded rooster called her. Anxiously, in a very limited amount of words he told her, not asked, to be outside the clinic in exactly ten minutes.
"It's a life and death situation," he quickly stated before hanging up without saying a quick goodbye. That match was enough to set Megumi's internal dynamite off. Who the hell was he to call her this late and force her out of her apartment? In a normal circumstance, which consisted of not being in a bathrobe, not being completely depressed with a bucket of double Dutch ice cream wedged between her knees, she would have gotten up quickly and readied herself. However this 'so called emergency' didn't leave her any time. To make it by the ten minute mark, she had to literally jump off the couch and hurry the hell up.
And let's not forget the tiny little fact that I basically flashed the damn neighbors. That idiot better have a good enough reason to make me get up at this time of the night.
When she had pulled into the parking lot and stepped across the stone pathway, cursing under her breath, she nearly screamed as someone grabbed her from behind and pressed their hand tightly against her mouth, clamping down with brute force, but as she noticed, the person did not harm her. Even the way he was restraining her was painless.
"Megumi-dono, its Kenshin. I need your help."
She managed to nod her head lightly and only then did he let her go. To her utter dismay, and much disappointment, Kenshin had Kaoru lying unconscious on one of the benches behind the main building's entrance. From what her eyes saw under the dimly lit campus lights, it could have been rum and coke that was spilt so carelessly all over Kaoru's clothing.
"Ken-san, what the hec—"
Eager to begin himself, Kenshin raised a hand, cutting her off in mid-sentence.
"Megumi-dono, you know that I would never ask for help unless I truly needed it. Right now is the time. Every second that passes by is crucial. I can explain this later, but for now, can you get us inside one of the labs?"
As he looked into her face, trying to get her to agree, he studied her puffy, red tainted eyes and gently understood that what he was asking was a lot, especially in the condition that she was in. Her best friend, who had practically been her sister, had only just died.
She stared back at him blankly, her mind slowly trying to register his words amongst the chaotic confusion that was building up inside.
What the hell was Kaoru doing here with him?
Time was ticking by much too fast to be taken for granted. Not necessarily hoping that he would have to use force, Kenshin found that that was the only conclusion to fall back onto.
"Now," he commanded, allowing a deeper undertone to penetrate his voice, one that gave off a distinct impression that Kenshin was not in the mood to take no for an answer. Unaware of it, Megumi took a step backwards. It scared her. The odd, carnal edge to his eyes, and the spooky voice that sounded much older, much more experienced with the world than just acing exams. It sounded… as if… he held blood stained hands. Ok, now you're overdoing it, Megumi. Just calm down, this is Ken-san, KENSHIN, the guy that's incredibly nice and has this insatiable instinct to do laundry, including his friend's. Does he look like a killer to you?
She was still feeling nervous, but she managed to maintain her cool exterior, and crossed her arms tightly.
So wait a minute. Let me get this right, HE got Sano to bring me over here and now he's ordering me around?
"What the hell is this all about? Sano?" She paused and tilted her head to the left to find the tall man approaching directly behind Kenshin. Looks like he was rudely awakened too, Megumi observed dryly, although I wasn't exactly sleeping, come to think of it, but I was about to damn it.
Attired in baby blue shorts, leather dress shoes that he only wore on special occasions, and a hooded orange Nike sweatshirt, Sano definitely looked like he was from another planet that had a very messed up fashion sense. Included in the list, as Megumi found her disdainful eyes traveling upwards when he came closer into view, was his bandana which was tied around backwards so that the ends were dangling down his forehead, like limp antlers. If the moment wasn't as serious, if there wasn't a dead looking Kaoru and a distraught filled Kenshin right in front of her, she would have laughed at the obscene sight, and dared to deal him a very scathing comment.
"Sano," she shouldered past Kenshin, "Can you explain what the hell is going on here? Why does he need to get inside the lab, and what in the world is wrong with… with her," Megumi spat out, resisting very much to say the name aloud. Jane Doe was what she was looking like at this particular moment, although with Kenshin looking over his shoulder at her…
Megumi froze on the spot, not a single sound coming from her parted lips.
His eyes are yellow. His eyes are glowing YELLOW. OhmyGOD!
"Megumi, NOW."
"Yeah juss get them inside willya?" Sano slurred and ended his brief sentence with a very long, drawn out yawn. He was pretty oblivious to Megumi's fearful look, and widened eyes. Itching the sleepiness out of his own, Sano failed to notice the situation that had developed right in front of his eyes.
It only took only one alarmed peep from Megumi to call forth everyone's attention.
She felt the blood dizzily drain from her head.
Whatever you do, do not move. Dontmovedontmove…
"Kenshin!" Sano yelled, his instincts kicking furiously with heart pounding adrenaline. "What the hell are you doing!"
"Get me inside," was his thin reply that was whispered into Megumi's ear. She gave a very faint compliant nod and proceeded to turn her body around slowly and walk directly for one of the many doors along the sides. Kenshin followed, his sword free from the sheath and poking menacingly into her lean back.
"Bring her," he ordered Sano, not even bothering to turn around.
As soon as she swiped the card and they all gained access inside one of the private medic labs, Megumi gestured mutely at the designated cot and Sano brought Kaoru's weightless body down to lie on top of it.
Nobody said anything. Megumi only jumped slightly when she heard the metal sword scrape against something, and when she turned, she observed Kenshin's skillful hands sheathing it while his eyes remained focus on the woman atop the white cotton sheets.
"Shut the door Sano."
He did exactly what he was instructed to.
And that is precisely how Megumi ended up at the clinic at one forty five in the morning
Around her now, Kenshin was eyeing the needle in a loathsome way, Sano was sitting on top of the small counter and she was trying to work diligently, trying to fight back the urge of smacking Kenshin with a surgical steel tray every time he stood on top of her head. Fortunately her anger wasn't about to get even with him. He did, after all, have a very real looking weapon and the way he handled it with precision, it looked as if he knew exactly how to use it.
"Do you MIND?" She finally burst out, instead of resorting to violence, spinning on the spot to give him a dirty look that even made Sano fear the wrath of the kitsune, enough to make him look away.
"I can't work when you're standing right behind me like this! I'll do the best I can, but I'm no doctor just yet. She would be better off in a hospital!"
"I can't do that," Kenshin informed her flatly, like there was no way to argue with it.
"Well then, at least give me some breathing space!"
"I'm sorry."
The automatic Megumi-like response was to bitch back again… but then she realized that Kenshin had just apologized to her. That was like he was admitting he was wrong.
Hmmph, that's right, Ken-san.
"It's fine Kenshin!" She snapped back aloud. The red head opened his mouth but closed it again and shook his head sadly.
"Oh for goodness sake. Alright, I'm sorry too," Megumi sighed. "But I'm warning you here, as soon as I finish with Kaoru I'm going to have to take a look at you, whether you like it or not." She warning him and eyed the ripped part of his shirt near the shoulder.
Sano rolled his eyes at the two of them going after one another's throat, actually Megumi going after Kenshin's throat, and then with that same breath they could become friends again.
They sound like a married couple, he wanted to snort.
A nerve inside him twinged at the thought of the mental image it gave.
Sano felt something inside of him pinch. It was, after all, a sort of figure of speech. Wasn't it?
If so, then why are you getting all worked up about it?
I'm not! He angrily shouted back to himself and huffed.
"If you have something stuck up your nose, there are tissues in the second left drawer for goodness sakes, you pig," Megumi curtly informed him, sounding like he should have known just exactly where the stupid tissues were kept.
Sano's eyebrows flew into his spiky bangs but Kenshin waved his hand downwards, a submissive sign that meant 'leave it alone'.
And now he's defending her! Jesu— what the hell's wrong with you Sagara? Why are you getting so defensive? You're acting like she's your girlfriend or something!
There. It was out.
His conscience had just bitch slapped him right in the face with some rather troublesome information. With that tumbling through his head, Sano lifelessly fell back into another one of his reclusive silent states.
Kenshin and Megumi, however, continued talking, but it was pretty blank and to the point. Both seemed to be precariously perched on the edge of their nerves. One wrong slip of the tongue could push their minds over, Kenshin being almost there, literally.
"Would you mind at least telling me how this happened?"
Taking the time to think his answer thoroughly through, Kenshin did not respond right away.
"And yes, you were right; this is infected, but not as bad as it could be."
Kenshin straightened up a bit and prompted, "So you can take care of it?"
Megumi looked over her shoulder, from the corner of her eye, and gave one clean nod.
"Thank you," Kenshin found himself whispering his gratitude rather than saying it aloud.
"But this doesn't excuse you out of any questions," she soundly added in a motherly tone. "Yes, I think I can do this, but don't get me wrong; I'm doing this for you, and no one else. Not even Tomoe, because I'm sure she wouldn't have wanted this either."
"Oy, Megumi, don't say shit like that," Sano warned, making his presence suddenly felt amongst the other two.
That was un-thoughtful of her to say that, she should know better.
Though her back was set straight, both men knew she was still suffering emotionally. Those kind of scars lasted a long time. When she gave a quick flick of her hand towards her face, Kenshin knew that it was a tear that she had wiped away so eagerly.
"Megumi-dono, Kaoru's wound was purposely inflicted by the same person that murdered Tomoe."
A profound revelation to her, Megumi felt like all the air in the room had been sucked out by a humongous, powerful black hole. It threatened to pull at her too and as a result, she dropped the gauzes soaked in antiseptic onto the dull tiled floor. She bent down to snatch them up into her trembling fingers but made no movement to stand back up again.
"What did you say…?" She trailed off.
"He's dead. I killed him. Now do you see why I couldn't just walk into a regular hospital?"
Comprehension darkened her eyes.
"So that wound that you received, it was from the fight?" Megumi trailed off again, her voice thinning out to a muffled whisper.
Behind them both, an explosion erupted in Sano.
Damn it! That idiot! Why did he do that? And why the hell is he telling the kitsune about it?
Sano felt like smacking his hand into his face but then he remembered that his fists were much more useful to use against something more solid. The loud bang that followed after he abused the cabinet startled both the other occupants in the room.
"What did you do that for!" Megumi shrieked, looking horrified.
"What?" he yelled back, sliding off of the counter to leer over her. Although she was still on the floor, less than half Sano's height, she refused to give up her ground, so she stared right back up at him intently. Her long model like legs moved to curl beneath her, and Sano tried very hard not to take notice of their slim elegance in such a heated moment.
"You… you… freaking overgrown, ugly, imbecile! I'll bet you all the security officers in this vicinity heard that! And now, as we speak, they'll probably be heading over here to investigate, and if they find me doing THIS," she jerked her arm up towards Kaoru, "Right now, I'll be in so much SHIT!" With that last dramatic swear word, she stood up and shoved Sano with all the strength she could muster inside her burning, anger loaded body. Much good that did, as he didn't even budge a millimeter. He was now staring with a mix of amusement and anger, as if she'd been a puny ant struggling to retaliate.
I don't think this dumb bird brain understands the severity of the situation.
"Let me break it down for you so that your tiny pea brain can digest this information. I am practicing, working on a patient, without the consent of the patient herself or any instructors for that matter." Her eyes turned grave as her tone became a threat, "If anything happens to me, I will personally—"
"Shut up!" Kenshin shouted over top her voice, and gestured sharply at Sano.
After an awkward silence of everyone avoiding each other's eyes, Kenshin slowly turned his head towards the door, immediately re-producing his sword in his hand. Jumping slightly, Megumi wondered just what the hell he was planning to do with it.
"Do they usually come in the rooms and check up on the students?"
"After that racket," Megumi threw Sano a much irritated look, "Yeah, they would."
"Sano," Kenshin called out, "Open up the ventilation latch on the ceiling."
"Me?" He tilted his head back.
"Wha—oh HELL no Kenshin. I ain't going up there. That probably hasn't been cleaned since… since this place first got built. There's gonna be mice trails up there."
Sano continued to glare up at the ceiling with a mix of hatred and fear.
Kuso, pleasedontmakeme, pleasedontmakeme, pleasedontmakeme…
Growling fiercely, Kenshin interrupted Sano's mantra, his eyes simmering down into threatening slits.
"The result of you not listening to me, and getting us all busted, including spoiling Megumi-dono's academic streak, will be much worse than facing stupid little mice that run away, especially if approached by a grown man such as yourself."
She was still glancing at the door, but Megumi added on almost silently, "You mean an overgrown imbecile. I can't believe this is happening."
Sano didn't need to debate it through. Kenshin has a point, and in fact, if I may add, it is one helluva sharp point, he thought soberly.
Sagara Sanosuke was not too entirely stupid to realize that he was outnumbered and outwitted. Reluctantly, he reached for the godforsaken latch and mumbled incoherently under his breath that Megumi forget to mention he was also ugly, as she earlier claimed. Wasn't much of a surprise when she ignored him and tossed her head the other way with one hand reaching up to test Kaoru's body temperature.
"She can go into the medicine cabinet, so while the baka atama is doing that, Ken-san, you come here and help me lift her into there."
"You think this'll work?" He asked while shifting his hands underneath Kaoru's back.
"It should be sufficient enough. I'll just say that I dropped something… ummm like that box of Petri dishes," she gestured with her head. Kenshin's eyes flicked away from hers and they came to a rest on Kaoru. Shallow, but even breaths were now being conceived. He supposed it was a good sign.
As soon as they got her in a sitting position against the side, Megumi carefully shut the door. That same second that she shut the door, they all heard a knock on the outside of the main one.
It was silent chaos as Sano pointed at the medicine cabinet, while Kenshin jerked his hand up towards the ceiling. Megumi's own hand signals were agilely telling them both to just hurry the hell up.
"Just a minute!" She sounded out in an almost sing-song tune. "I was working with some live cultures and they need to be treated with careful precautions before I put them back."
"You alright in there? We heard of a disturbance from one of the other students on this floor."
"Yes, everything is alright. I just accidentally dropped my text books. I'm sorry for the interruption!"
Sano looked down at Kenshin with a big smile on his face. The kitsune had made a swift comeback. Yosh, the situation has been handled.
The next reply he heard rained on his emotions and he found himself hurrying back up the ventilation shaft like there was no tomorrow, Kenshin closely following behind.
"Alright. I'll give you a couple minutes to finish up before checking your student I.D."
Megumi squeezed her eyes shut, and her lips moved as if to say, shit! In hopes of tiring the security officer, she made slight noises every so often but took her generous time. Of course, to everyone's distress, he remained determined right by the door. She could even hear his staticy walkie talkie through the wood. Meanwhile, Kenshin was waiting for Sano to lift himself fully up before following suit.
"Roger that. Miss?"
"Yesss?" Megumi drew out casually.
"It's alright…"
Kenshin drowned out the rest of the words. He had been partially up and inside, but Sano, who had obviously overheard, abruptly stopped.
Innocent and unsuspecting as he always looked, Kenshin jerked to a dead stop.
The realization that hit him next froze every word in his mind.
His head had become a rest for a warm, cotton covered butt.
Time seemed to stretch out like infinity.
"O…"
"…ro," Kenshin finished for his friend, who remained frozen in his spot, after a very befitting silence.
And Megumi could only stare like a stiff statue. Her mouth was twisted open in a way that reflected her utter disgust of the situation. There was Kenshin, with his head up and squished between Sano's sexy butt cheeks.
Sexy? Megumi scoffed.
By the feel of this, I have a great suspicion that Sano is not wearing any undergarments. It's much too… soft, and tender.
Oh… my… Kami-sama…
Instantly, with that silent, almost prayer like statement echoing in his head, Kenshin fell to the ground with a loud THUD, landing straight onto his behind.
"Miss what's going on in there?"
"Ow! Ouch!" Megumi faked a painful response. "I bumped into the cot, ouch! I hate it when that happens," she laughed with false enthusiasm.
"Ok Miss, I'm giving you ten seconds to open the door, starting now. One."
As a first reaction, she pointed up at the ceiling and smacked the latch shut so hard against Sano's ass that it bounced off the first time. Meanwhile, Kenshin was sitting on the floor and rubbing tenderly at his own.
"Two… …three."
She cringed with anger and forcefully pushed at it again. This time it closed with a promising click.
"Four…"
With one hand, she reached down and yanked Kenshin up by his red hair and literally threw him inside the medicine cabinet.
"…Five… …six… …seven…"
Satisfying, she had to admit that much. She liked changing her mental anger into a physical state, and it was all due to the two morons who'd started this shit. No way were they bringing her down because of one stupid mistake on their part. I'm annoyed, I really am but then there's Kaoru who doesn't even have a say in this. She's knocked out completely and for all I know, she might even be innocent.
"Eight…"
She scanned her surroundings for anything that looked suspicious. At first her eyes zoomed right over it, but the second time around the glint of the black lacquer made her look twice. That stupid sword, Kenshin forgot to grab it!
Megumi swiftly shifted her body weight and snatched it with both hands.
"Nine…"
Groping at the cabinet handles, she flung it open and threw it inside, not giving a shit at all if it hit Kenshin straight in the face. He'd deserve it, she fumed. What she did manage to catch a glimpse of before closing the doors caused her to stop and stare.
Big, blue dopey looking eyes were staring right back at her with a hazy, lost expression.
"You're going to be ok, I promise. Just wait here and be absolutely quiet," Megumi pleaded, hoping that her words would soothe Kaoru. Sedatives sometimes made people more anxious and depressed, giving them a bundle of emotions that they didn't know how to deal with when they woke up. Megumi had seen it in action several times. One case consisted of a girl crying because her sister had bought her a burger, her favorite one, just after the surgery, but had accidentally forgotten to manually pick out the bacon. Unbearable uproars were not Megumi's ideal situations but she knew how to calm people down, and pacifying that particular patient took up her whole lunch break.
And now, Kaoru was giving her that same expression, one that looked as if she had spat out her soother and was about to bawl her eyes out because it had landed on the icky floor.
"Kenshin, take care of her," she ordered sharply. She would leave it in his hands. Hopefully, he could handle that much. But then again, Kenshin was a man which made him 50 stupider than a woman in dire circumstances.
"Ten! Miss, open the door, right now."
"Ok! Thanks for waiting patiently," Megumi cheerfully answered back and unlocked the door.
Inside the closet, Kenshin carefully maneuvered Kaoru halfway so that she was now facing him. Concern was written all over his lovely, wisteria colored eyes.
The sight before him broke all his nerves and shattered his heart into a million pieces, which someone then treaded on, hurting him a million times more.
Quivering uneasily, her bottom lip trembled and her eyelids fluttered like a lost, innocent child's who had seen too much of life at such a young age.
Kenshin grasped her into his arms and held on tightly, wishing to god that he could just melt her worries and thoughts away with his embrace. Everything, starting from her parents death, to Enishi and his sickly twisted perversions that were demonstrated much too cruelly upon her tender, genuine soul. Kaoru had never ever deserved any of life's domestic bitterness to bite viciously at her.
"Kenshin."
She said his name and he only held on more tightly. Dampness from her wet tears soaked into his shirt. But what hurt him most was that there was nothing he could do for her. Kenshin wasn't even sure who he was himself. Battosai was near, even in the darkened cabinet, he was there looming much too close for Kenshin's liking, at the tip of his feelings. Standing there, ready to be set free at a slight moments notice.
Nothing would ever be the same again. He loved Kaoru, no doubt about that, but he had broken the ultimate sin that he had promised not to, and in the end he survived the fight. It left him feeling even more pitiful because he had to deal with what he had done and what had happened because of him. If he was dead with Tomoe, he would feel nothing.
Not even Kaoru's warmth pressing up to you, he self consciously realized.
I am… I am so ungrateful.
Kenshin's only response back to his whirlwind of emotions was a prayer to god, one that asked for forgiveness and help, to take him hand in hand down the right path. He knew and believed with all his heart that he was not worthy enough of Kami-sama's attention. There were more hurting, desperate people out there. What was Battosai to god? A deviant creation that should have never been, that should be cut out of existence to rest in an exiled hell. Even so, Kenshin prayed and begged that the great recipient would not turn his ear upon hearing his pleas of help.
"Kenshin, oh Kenshin," Kaoru whispered against his shirt, her face rubbing tenderly into the material as her nostrils breathed in his own unique scent, one that could quell all her problems with just one, deep breath. Kenshin moved his hand to place one finger across her lips. The dull blueness of her eyes seemed to understand the message and they soon closed, the heavy tiredness coming back and weighing her down. With her still up protectively against him, Kenshin focused himself back on the situation at hand that was going down just outside the cramped area that they were confined in.
"It's just an assignment I'm working on for some extra credits. Sorry about the noise though, I'll try to keep it down. I can be such a klutz," Megumi explained. C'mon, just believe me you jerk, she thought as her eyes bored into his, submitting herself fully. He looked as if he wanted to question her but at the same time seemed doubtful. He's not that bad looking either, Megumi noted. Time to inflict Action F.
"It's getting really late too," she batted her eyelids and smiled coyly. "Are you still going to be on duty for a couple more hours or so?" She placed her question innocently but she could practically hear his internal thoughts that were screaming out. Stumbling out a response, the young security officer glanced down at his arm, only to find that Megumi's warm hand was resting there.
"If so, maybe you could walk me out back to my car…?" She trailed off leaving room for his mind to deviously finish off the rest of her statement. "Since it isn't exactly safe around here anymore." Shivering seductively like she was a princess in need of being rescued, she leaned her body up against his, silkily like a sly cat. Allowing her head to tilt back, Megumi made sure that he was watching as she wet her bottom lip with her smooth, pink tongue, and trailed her hands upwards at the folds of his neckline. If both weren't totally engrossed in one another's company, they would have surely heard the dry gag that Sano gave as he peered through the iron grills of the opening. That's enough, Megumi, his emotions wanted to yell out, but he knew the severity of the moment was balancing itself out on her. She couldn't blow this one, but by the looks of it, she was thoroughly enjoying every minute of it.
At a loss for words, the security guard stumbled again.
"Just tell me this," Megumi giggled, "What's your local?"
"T…two… one…se—I mean six."
"Good boy," she patted his thigh. "I'll see you later then."
With a wink, she twisted her hips, her body's curves revealing themselves with every step, and headed back over to the counter. She did not look up from the textbook until she heard the door close quietly behind her. Then Sano came flying down out of the vent, landing perfectly on his feet. Not even getting the chance to turn around, he quickly grabbed her by the waist instead.
If his eyes could have looked any more furious, she knew she would have definitely been in trouble. But lone, angry roosters never scared her.
"What the hell was that all about?"
Megumi tried to shrug within his tight grip.
"I was trying to save you and Kenshin, you ungrateful beast."
"You…"
Sano didn't finish his words. His mind was elsewhere. He had just had a deep realization that she wasn't touching him back in any way. And there she had been, only moments ago, with her hands all over that security guard. Some young punk that she didn't even know, keh.
He stepped back away from her, and just as the conversation had started, it came to an unsettling close.
Megumi watched like a mime as he approached the cabinet and yanked open the doors. Kenshin looked awfully startled as if he had been caught eavesdropping, and Kaoru's, once again limp body fell forward into Sano's arms. She continued to observe all of this as he gently put her back down onto the cot.
I don't care. It's not bothering me, Megumi flicked her hair. But it was. Watching Sano carefully handle the bundle in his arms made small points of jealousy stab into her. I don't care! Argh!
"Move it," she ordered Sano and bumped him out of the way with a fling of her hip.
Behind her back, the two men exchanged weary glances.
"I'm going to have to use some stitches on her, Ken-san, but in the mean time, I want to know about EVERYTHING that happened. You OWE me."
His best friend, who moved to stand right beside, said in a loud, strong voice, "I harshly suggest otherwise Kenshin."
"Oh really, and what the hell do you know you stupid atama?"
"I know enough to recognize a conniving kitsune when I see one."
Kenshin quietly stepped forward between the two and kept his eyes lowered.
"Megumi-dono, you are a very kind and generous person."
She beamed at this. Halfway through, her expression changed drastically when she narrowed her eyes dangerously at Sano.
"You were Tomoe's best friend, therefore I know I can trust you. However, at the same time, you were also very close with Enishi. And that particular man has a very vile role in this all."
Coming to a slight stop, he looked up at Megumi who was readying the stitches for use, and her movements slowed. Aware that Sano was giving him a very angry, upset look, he did not bother to look back for assurance. He knew he wouldn't receive any.
"Enishi-kun. What did he do?"
"That is up to Kaoru to say. I will not trespass over and say something that she would prefer me not to."
Megumi gripped the needle tightly in her hand. The action did not go unnoticed by Kenshin. He knew what her exact question was going to be.
"Was there something going on between you and Kaoru?"
"Yes," he admitted freely without any hesitation.
Still viewing her very carefully, she continued with her ministrations as if unaffected. Kenshin stifled his surprise when she took the thoughts out of his mind and turned them into a verbal action.
"If you think I'm going to stab her with this needle, you've got it wrong. As much as I might dislike her, she is still my patient."
Kenshin smiled gently with relief. He'd passed the hard part.
Sano snorted in reply. It was much too hard to keep inside. The kitsune in front of him was far from understanding. Whatever she was saying sounded like a load of crap to him.
"Kenshin, I think that's enough talking now."
"And I know you do not trust me, Sanosuke," Megumi's still voice directed its attention over to him.
Not knowing what to say, he simply stared at her back.
"I don't have anyone left. Tomoe was my sister. Even if I tried to betray you three, what good would come of it? Besides, regarding Enishi, I've heard all the stories there are that follow that guy around like fleas."
Both men stared in awe at the newly revealed, softened Takani Megumi.
I… damn it. Now I feel bad when I shouldn't have to. Stupid women! How can they complicate situations like this? Megumi is complicating and confusing my brain all at once. How is it possible that one second she's ready to tear my head off and the next she's gloomy and upset? No you don't care Sagara, it's none of your business.
But the feelings didn't just subside by his mental words. He started to feel bad, really bad.
"Look," he began, while walking towards her. The natural, caring response inside of him lifted his arms to embrace her warm body. He could now feel the trembling sobs that shook her. "I'm sorry about before. I was being careless and that's not what I meant."
"I know," she whispered unevenly.
Forgotten, Kenshin stood off behind them, admiring the obvious love that flowed back and forth, even though at most times the two wouldn't admit it. They were like that, always, throughout high school and university. It was a love-hate relationship. But love conquers all, Kenshin smiled.
Feel free to keep convincing yourself of that, murderer.
His head spun around, looking for the culprit that had whispered such dreadful words, shocking him like icy water. The disturbing conclusion that was at hand was one that he was not ready to accept so willingly.
Surprised to see me still around? Let's just see how much longer you can keep up this charade and fight me off…
The voice trailed off with melodious, dark laughter.
Even as she continued to work, Sano kept his arms languidly wrapped around her slim waist. Both were oblivious to the mentally imbalanced rage that Kenshin was suffering. As the last stitch was cleanly sealed, Megumi gently waved something under Kaoru's nose. The still body suddenly jerked, and she swatted absently at whatever had disturbed her. She could hear a woman asking her if she was alright but when she tried to reply she ended up coughing like hell.
"Kenshin, there are cups in that first cupboard to the right, bring one down and fill it at the sink behind you."
Kenshin, Kaoru thought but was unable to say it out loud.
"No Kaoru, just wait till you have some water before trying to speak. Kenshin," she turned around and addressed him. "Give her the water and then I want you to sit in that chair. I'm going to check out your shoulder and do some minor things to it before we leave. I do want to get out of here so I'll take my supplies back to your apartment and we can finish up there."
Upon seeing his worried expression she said calmly, "And look, don't worry about Kaoru. She'll be fine as long as she gets some rest for the next couple of days."
"Alright, thank you."
Megumi reached under Kaoru's back and gently pushed on it upwards.
"Ok, first step first; let's get you to sit up."
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Tori atama- rooster head
Katana- Japanese sword
Kuso- a light swear word meaning 'shit' or 'damn'.
Baka- stupid, idiot, fool
Haha, it's the same old same old. I'm dead tired from work. My makeup is still on my face from 10 this morning and I just cannot WAIT to wash it all off. It's been one thing after another today. What else is new? All my favorite authors have not been updating. Damn them. I need reasons to remind me why life can be so great. Anyhow, this chapter originally ended up being 26 something pages long but I decided to cut it. First, I know a lot of you would love to read it all but I think it would have gotten to be a bit too much. If I get enough reviews (wink wink) I'll post it up soon! It's pretty much all ready to go except for one last editing process (which I do right before I upload it). Anyway, now onto my favorite part, the much deserved individual thank you's to the people who take the time out to respond to the story!
royal blueKitsune: Hey girl! So you don't think they will get into a fight before the end? Well I don't think things will exactly be peachy keen. Kenshin's not all himself, as you caught a glimpse in this chapter. Thanks for reviewing! You've been a great help along the way!
Mrs.Q: Aw, thanks for thinking this story is that good. I personally think the first 15 or so chapters need to be revised. I didn't actually start studying up 'how to write' until lately. It needs to be hauled back and re-edited. Thank you though for your sweet comment!
Kaoru4: Yay, so you liked the ending of the fight? Phew, I wasn't too sure on how people were going to react but if you liked it, I'll take it as if you are not the only one! I'm also very happy to hear that you like my other story. Thanks a bunch, I love thoughtful, considerate people like you! Thanks again!
Sims are awsome: I'm glad to hear that George is getting better! Yeah, sometimes if puppies have bad puppy days in the beginning it'll really effect them. At least he has a loving family now that cares about him tons. That's all that matters really! Thanks for reviewing my chapters. I really appreciate it, and I hope you like this chapter!
animeguzman: Ahhh no! Kaoru won't die! I couldn't kill her off! That would be heartless and senseless! Hehe but it would add to the story somehow but I hate tragic stories. Actually, this story is aiming towards being tragic and I hate reading stuff like that. Although happy endings are usually around the corner. Ok, I have no idea what I'm saying now. It's a problem that I'm having and it's called SLEEPINESS. Anyhow, enough babbling, and thank you for reviewing!
Tameka-tanuki-jouchan: I totally understand what you mean. You have to be in that particular mood and feeling to write and be able to get it all done properly, just the way you like it. I get that a lot too and I'll try to force myself but I'll just end up with complete crap that I absolutely hate. No worries hun, take your time! All your fans, including me, will be waiting patiently. Thanks for reviewing.
Reignashii: Did you find your notebook? You sill girl, you have excuses every single time! Thanks for reviewing!
KissKenshin7: Haha, that psshhh bit in your review reminded me of my boyfriend. We do that a lot, jokingly. I updated faster this time, I think. Hope you like this chapter, and thanks for stopping by to review Chapter 24!
TREE: Here's some more of the story for you! And I actually wrote out more than I usually do, so I hope you're happy! I also hope that you enjoy this one! Thanks for reviewing!
Jade Catseye: Oh gosh, I'm blushing, I really am. Your comments were just too sweet and I absolutely refuse to believe that you thought that highly of it. I still think I can improve LOTS. Actually, a lot of it comes from reading other fics and learning from the great writers out there. That's a great way to do it because you'll find yourself comparing your work to others and then you think what can you do better. It involves a LOT of thinking too. I didn't see that before back in my college English class but I see it now, unfortunately, 400 dollars later, lol. But thank you very much for your kind words. They really meant a lot to me! Thank you for reviewing!
PAISITA: Oh, I'm not that bad… I could be worse ; ) Thank you for reviewing : )
deadlyabyss12: Unfortunately, the end will be coming soon. And then I'm going to take a break, and then we'll see what happens after. I can't guarantee that the end will be a very happy one. No one's really in a good position at the moment, except Sano and Megumi. As for Kenshin and Kaoru, they've both got a lot to deal with emotionally and who knows what'll happen later on…. Thank you very much for reviewing!
Immortal-Blood: No, the dead guy will not be coming back. He's dead dead. But there'll be other things to deal with next. Thanks very much for reviewing! I appreciate it hon!
erica6060: Here ya go! Here's the next installment! I hope you like this chapter as well! Thanks for the reviews as always!
Ookami Otome: Hehe, that was a cute review that you left. I luff Enishi. Yeah he is made the bad guy in a lot of stories but… he's so sexy. He really is (drools). Thanks for reviewing!
Pixel-the-evil-fairy: Hahaha, no you don't always need lemons in stories to make it interesting, but I don't know if you have read Sosoru's story called 'The Devil Wears a Pinstriped Suit'. That story contains a lot of sexual tension and lemons and what not but she's done it so erotically fun. Who knows, that might not be your thing but I absolutely love it! Her Kaoru totally kicks ass. I forgive you for not reviewing the other chapter : ) You've reviewed quite a bit, so you're off the hook for this time ; ) Thanks for the review this time 'round though!
kara mcpherson: Hey Kara, yeah you know what, just go for it. Write whatever comes into your head and just post it up for the hell of it. It'd be a good experience and that's how you learn right? Thanks for reviewing, I really appreciate it : )
Phi-Dono: Haha, no worries. Everyone reads when they have the time. Oh my, when I first graduated out of high school I had all the time in the frickin world. It was great, in a pathetic way, but I loved the bum life, lol. I was worried about the last chapter because my brain was seriously fried from lack of sleep. I complain about sleep in every chapter but that time tops it all. I'm seriously blown away by your review! I still think the fight was rushed but, wow, it really pleases me to know that you were happy about it. It really helps to get this kind of feedback and that's why I love your reviews. You can always give me criticism as well you know. I'd appreciate that just as much! I think you're a great help to any author with your wonderful reviews. Lol, yes poor rooster head was left out quite a bit but in this chapter he was back in action with his stupid silliness. If I had to pick a favorite character it would be him. This might sound really sad, but I try really hard to make him amusing and funny. Not just the kind that you read through and go… man that sounded corny, but REALLY funny. It's hard but I'm going to keep working on that. Thank you once again for your marvelous review hon! I always look forward to hearing from you. It's always very nice, thank you again!
Lydia: Lol, your review definitely made me laugh. Back in the day I used to watch the live action Batman series, and the narrator would always talk like that. It's funny to look back at it now but truthfully it was an excellent series! Ok enough about Batman, lol. Thanks for your review!
Seien: Ahhh, thank you for making my reviews hit 420. I wasn't going to update really until that happened and you did it. Hurray, thanks a lot! Hehe, you gave me some motivation without even knowing it. Thanks again!
Thanks everyone. Love ya : )