Story Three: Happy Birthday, Fox Lady!
"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday Fox Lady…Happy birthday to you!
How old are you? How old are you?
Ya look like an evil vixen,
And ya slap like one, too—OUCH!"
SMACK. Sagara Sanosuke rubbed his sore cheek anxiously as he gave Megumi a good, old fashioned glower.
"In case ya don't remember," he muttered crossly as the doctor bandaged his right hand with expertise, "you're supposed to be a doctor. And a lady, for that matter. There's a reason why I add 'lady' into 'Fox Lady.' Otherwise, I'd probably call you 'Fox Amazon' or 'the Foxy Cannibal', or maybe even the 'Barbaric, Needle-Pushing, Bitch-Slapping Kitsune!"
SMACK. "Ouch," Sano murmured again, the other cheek beginning to sting as Megumi dealt him discipline once more.
"The odd thing is," Megumi replied dryly, "in wishing me a happy birthday, you're actually supposed to try and make it happy. Last I checked, being called a cannibal and an Amazon isn't exactly flattering."
Sanosuke grinned, rubbing his face again with his free hand. "Yeah… well, the lyrics were good enough, ne?"
Megumi shook her head in disbelief. Sano prided himself in being inside of his own category of 'clever,' or at least something like it. Completing her treatment, Megumi stood simultaneously with Sanosuke. Expecting him to go off on his merry way, Megumi turned to neatly set away her medical supplies, placing each one carefully in its designed place.
She nearly jumped out of her sandals when Sanosuke spoke from close behind. "So…how old are ya, anyways?" he asked. Megumi turned her head to find him hovering over her shoulder, looking at her curiously.
Too close, Megumi thought, and edged closer to the table, hoping Sano would realize that he was uncomfortably close to Megumi, trapping her against the ridge of the desk. "I…It's rude to ask a woman's age," she muttered, attempted to give Sanosuke a scowl. It ended up a bit deformed; instead the expression came out rather nervous.
"Well, I guess I'm sorta the rude type, huh?" Sanosuke replied, taking no notice whatsoever of Megumi's discomfort.
Pretending to be exasperated, Megumi rolled her eyes and snorted. "True enough." Turning about, hoping he'd go away once she answered, Megumi continued putting away her items. "I am twenty-three years old as of today."
Sanosuke nodded, out of the corner of her eye. He hadn't moved a muscle besides that. "Ah." Cocking his head slightly, Sanosuke asked, "What do you want?"
Overtaken momentarily by surprise, Megumi turned about on her heel to give Sano a rather shocked look. "What?" she asked dumbly.
Sanosuke chuckled, amused. Everyone knew he was always short on money, freeloading and mooching as his career and source of income. It was no marvel at all that Megumi was astonished at his question. Repeating himself, Sanosuke said, "I asked, whatcha want for your birthday, Fox?"
Blinking, Megumi gathered her composure and turned about again, stammering slightly. "Ah…well, um, I don't really need anything. I don't want anything."
Momentarily disappointed, Sanosuke then pressed on. "Aw, c'mon. There's gotta be somethin' you want for your birthday! What is it?"
Why is he pestering me like this? Megumi wondered, agitated. "I really don't want anything, Rooster. Now, shoo."
Sighing, Sanosuke hesitated before backing up for the door. "Fine, Fox. I guess I'll just have to find out by myself, then!" Suddenly, Sano paused. He took on the expression as though he were considering something, and then strolled over to the door leading to the hallway.
"What are you doing?" Megumi asked, annoyed.
"Bathroom," was Sanosuke's only explanation, and he disappeared behind the door and into the hallway.
Rolling her eyes, Megumi resumed rearranging her medical ware. Just as she finished, a man with a broken leg was carried into the waiting room by two companions, begging Megumi's immediate attention. She attended to the injured one right away, forgetting completely about the Rooster's inquiring about her birthday.
-
Emerging from the lavatory, Sano strutted down the corridor with leisure. But inside, the wheels of his mind were turning, insistently focusing on the task before him. Aw, shoot. What does she want as a gift? No way in Hell I'm getting her flowers… and the damn westerners ruined the whole ring idea; besides, I'm too cheap to buy anyone that. I'll go hungry for a week.
Scratching his hair, Sanosuke continued his thoughts as he roamed the clinic, not bothering to head for the lobby or the exit. So…what do I do? There has to be something she wants! Otherwise, she wouldn't be human.
A sigh and a shy expression conquered Sanosuke's thoughtful expression, and he shuffled his feet nervously. I sure know what I want. Sano briefly thought about how close he had allowed himself to get to the Fox Doc while asking her about her birthday gift. He had almost been close enough to smell the lavender scent in her hair, and the clean smell of her clothes; the warmth of her skin…
Snapping out of his daydream, Sanosuke found himself passing the Fox's bedroom, where she often stayed the night inside the clinic. Maybe, Sanosuke thought, drawing near to the door, I'll find some clues in here. I mean, what a person values they keep, right? And that might give me an idea of what to get her…I'm not gonna be a bastard and get her nothin'…surprised I learned ahead o'time and remember her birthday, anyways…
Pushing open the door, Sano cautiously stuck his spiky head into Megumi's room. The tatami floor was as clean as the rest of the clinic, and a folded up futon and blankets were set neatly into a corner. A wooden dresser was placed against the wall, and a small painting that Sano's friend Katsu had painted for her was set against the small table near her futon.
Nothin.' Sanosuke pouted slightly, walking entirely into Megumi's bedroom. Not one stinkin' poster, just Katsu's painting. The rest of it's as clean and unsuspicious as Kenshin's laundry.
And then, an idea occurred to him. Looking over to the dresser, Sano considered searching inside there. Of course, if Megumi caught him snooping in her wardrobe, she'd probably scream something along the lines of 'PERVERT!' and smack him into seeing stars.
Oh well, thought Sano, tugging open the top drawer. It was full of documents, with nothing but medical information and boring things that didn't concern Megumi's opinion much at all.
Next, Sanosuke dug through the second drawer down, finding it brimmed with skirts and socks. Also, to Sano's utter fascination, underclothes. Slamming the drawer shut with an ashamed blush, Sanosuke resisted the idea of thoroughly searching that section; and he moved down to the last drawer.
Last chance, Sanosuke thought, opening it. The drawer was packed with kimono obi and such things that weren't indecent, along with several smocks that Megumi often wore over her kimono. Sano began to lose hope as he sadly dug through the layers of clothing, finding nothing whatsoever.
And then, his fingertip brushed against the rough edge of paper. Jumping with glee, Sanosuke burrowed furiously until his large hands retrieved a small, neat book that had been cleverly hidden beneath the many coatings of kimono accessories.
Licking his lips, Sanosuke seated himself upon the floor. Opening the paperback to the first page, Sano realized with delight that this was Megumi's diary. Who knew someone like Megumi would keep such a thing? Leafing through the neatly-written script, Sanosuke found that the first few entries were very old; back from when Megumi was still under Kanryuu's claws. Gulping, he decided not to read that part, since it was not what Sano was after, anyways.
Flipping to the most recent entries, Sanosuke found a rather interesting page.
I am utterly exasperated with Sanosuke. Despite my attempts to cover my feelings for him by flirting with Sir Ken, he still bothers me and hangs around like a bat. It's getting harder and harder to keep screaming at him angrily, or scowl at him when he has that stupidly big grin on his face.
Blushing, Sanosuke smiled and traced his lips with his hands; and to his horror he discovered that he indeed had a very large, obnoxious smirk.
Most people would be shocked to know that I have never slept with anyone. I know I act rather mature around Ken-san, but as I've said, it's only to keep Sano away. The moron boy doesn't understand that I'm not meant to…I just don't want to have to push him away. I don't want to, but I know that it can never work out, no matter how deep my feelings go. After all, he could simply be playing with me.
With an enraged gasp, Sanosuke's eyes narrowed as he furiously read on, his fingers gripping the edge of the notebook with anxiety.
I hate it when I let my mind slip off course, when I think about him. When I wrap his hand, I feel him look at me curiously and I resist the urge to look up. Sometimes he'll actually try to put up a decent conversation, but usually it comes into a sensitive topic like Kaoru and Kenshin (supposedly sensitive, anyways; he doesn't know that their relationship doesn't bother me a bit), or it turns into another argument. The boy may be an idiot, but he's not without brains. Even that cop he hates so much can tell that Sanosuke is not stupid.
Damn straight, Sano thought proudly, grinning wide.
He's also very strong. Sano is protective, too. Sanosuke has even saved my life before, if I count correctly; twice. Despite the roughness of his hands when he fights, I was shocked to find that when he prevented me from being crushed to death by Shikijou of the Oniwaban, Sanosuke has very gentle hands. He picked me up and leapt out of the way, wrapping his arms around my torso. Though gently, I remember Sanosuke…
"Guh…" Sanosuke jumped, realizing that he had nearly fallen asleep. Shaking his head to clear it, Sanosuke rubbed his nose. Girls think too much, dammit. Blinking, he skimmed the pages, flipping anxiously as he tried to find something that would assist him in his buy.
His excitement and pride grew and grew as he read of how much Megumi thought about him. About how much he really did bother her…but in a good way; he figured. Sanosuke relished of how his very presence drove Megumi crazy.
Sanosuke had near to completely forgotten about why exactly he was reading Megumi's diary in the first place, when he found it. He found it; by the grace of God, Sanosuke finally found what precisely Megumi wanted more than anything for her birthday. His face heated up, and Sanosuke shifted his weight on the floor nervously. Gulping, his Adam's apple elevated and then settled at its normal location as a bead of sweat snaked down Sanosuke's temple. "I am in big trouble."
-
It was evening time at the Kamiya Dojo, and all the inhabitants were having a tremendous time celebrating Megumi's twenty-third birthday. Sake, cuisine courtesy of the Akabeko, and an assortment of foreign candy called chocolate was brought to try at the party. Also, among the foods, was a small tray of attempted rice balls that Kaoru had made. Since no one was bound to eat them, Kenshin—out of the pure sweetness of his heart—seized the box when Kaoru's back was turned and threw them out the window, saving only one. Gathering his nerves, he ate the rice ball with pretend delight and exclaimed to Kaoru of how wonderful they were, much to the raccoon's glee.
Poor Missy, Sanosuke thought, chuckling, as he downed his sixteenth cup of sake; priding himself in only being the slightest bit woozy. Cocking his head in the other direction, panic seized him when he saw Megumi sitting with Ayame and Yahiko just a few feet away.
The lady looked up at him, and Sanosuke swiveled around in the other direction, his hands shaking as they clasped the sake bottle tightly. Megumi frowned at his odd behavior, wondering what could have come over the boy to make him act like so. "Hey, Rooster!" she yelled, making Sanosuke freeze. "What's the matter with you?"
In attempt to cover his anxiety, Sanosuke looked over his shoulder and tried to grin convincingly. Instead, he looked rather terrified and panic-stricken, and he laughed shrilly. "N-Nothin', Fox…hahaha!" Losing his nerves completely, he giggled rather shakily.
If he could have Futae-No-Kiwami'd himself in the nose at that particular moment, without any suspicion, Sanosuke would have. Everyone in the Dojo was staring at him, fearing for Sanosuke's insanity. And then, dryly, Yahiko spoke up. "Did you put happy pills in your sake, or what?"
A bottle went flying and therefore knocked Yahiko unconscious, as Sanosuke glowered in irritation at the brat. "No," he growled gruffly, internally relieved to have found his casual voice again.
"Maybe Sano has had too much sake, is that so?" Kenshin spoke up, rubbing rice ball crumbs from his chin and blinking. Sano glowered at Kenshin slightly, wishing he could kill the wanderer, or at least sew his lips shut with his stare. "Then again," Kenshin amended, smiling sweetly as he caught the raging hostility radiating from Sanosuke. "Sano can drink like a fish with a steady step and a clear eye, that he can."
Mumbling a cross agreement, Sano plopped down onto the wooden floor and got himself another cup from the sake jug nearby. Downing the thing in seconds, Sano got bored of trying to drink out of that rudely small cup, and began characteristically chugging down the large flagon with ease.
Wait a second, moron! Angel Sano cried, waving his arms desperately on Sanosuke's right shoulder. You don't want to be stinkin' drunk when you give Megumi her present!
Damn you, replied Devil Sano, perched casually on Sanosuke's right. Alcohol before women. Makes things run smoother, right?
Exasperated, Angel Sano retrieved a broken Zanbatou and therefore killed Devil Sano with one swipe, causing the lip of the sake jug to leave real Sanosuke's mouth. Stupid! yelled Angel Sano, virtually smacking the real Sano upside the head. STOP DRINKING!
Suddenly, something in Sanosuke's stomach lurched. His hand flew to his mouth, Sanosuke's eyes opening wide in horror. Oh no…I'm gonna hurl…! Twitching, Sanosuke desperately tried to swallow the puke threatening in his throat, coughing hysterically.
"Ahh!" yelled Kaoru, standing up in horror from her place next to Kenshin. "Sanosuke's choking!"
"Someone, slap his back!" cried Tae.
NO! Sanosuke screamed inside, jumping out of the way as Kenshin tried to assist his 'suffocating' friend. "Sanosuke!" Kenshin yelled, trying to get at the teenager as the boy danced stubbornly away. "Sano, let me help you!"
Oh Jesus, Sanosuke thought as his eyes dilated and his motions slowed in a trance-like fashion. Don't let me…
Gulp.
Sanosuke nearly began to throw up all over again, when he felt the gross substance slide slickly down his throat. He convulsed slightly, opening his eyes just a bit as his vision focused.
"Sano?" Kenshin was there, gripping his friends arm tightly. "Sano, are you okay?"
"Believe it," Sanosuke whispered hoarsely, taking a shuddering breath.
"YOU IDIOT!" came Kaoru's sudden yowl, as Sanosuke got a good bash on the head. "You scared me half to death! What in the world is wrong with you! Gagging like that, not letting Kenshin help you! You could have died!"
No kidding, Sanosuke thought dryly. Of embarrassment, of course. He sighed as Kaoru ranted on, hardly listening. But if I had thrown up, I wouldn't be able to…I wouldn't have been able to give her… Without really worrying of Kaoru's enraged reaction, Sanosuke turned on his heel and walked leisurely away from her shouting. He wandered out of the Dojo, announcing, "Be right back!" and left, into the moonlight of nightfall.
Minutes later, Sanosuke found himself sitting next to the well, washing his mouth and tongue in disgust, scrubbing off the penetrating smell of sake and things not civilly worth mentioning. Making sure it was gone, Sano breathed into his hand and smelled the scent redirected at him in return, relieved to find it pure. Resting his hands on the edge of the well, Sanosuke heaved a relieved sigh. He came so close to ruining everything; if Megumi had seen him throw up, she would never let him—
"Sanosuke? Are you alright?"
Feeling his heart skip a beat, Sanosuke turned to find Megumi looking at him with concern. She hadn't been there long, Sanosuke could tell; but just long enough to see him heave a sigh. "Uh…yeah," Sanosuke said, his coffee orbs darting from side to side. No one was watching. This would be a perfect time to give Megumi her present.
Megumi scowled. "You're such a moron," she growled, putting her hands on her hips in that fashion Sano was all-too-well used to. "Kaoru was right—you could have died back there if you didn't let Kenshin help you. You're lucky you forced it down."
Sanosuke smiled sheepishly, not bothering to instigate an argument. "Aa… sorry, Kitsune." Scratching the back of his head characteristically, Sano asked, "Has anyone given you your presents yet?"
"Oh," Megumi replied, looking a little surprised. Her mind revived the memory of Sano insistently questioning her about what she truly wanted, and Megumi's face reddened slightly. "Yes… Sir Ken and Kaoru-chan gave me a comb, and Genzai-sensei and his granddaughters gave me a pair of new sandals. Yahiko, Tae, and Tsubame put their wages together to buy me a tea set with dragons and chrysanthemums."
Sanosuke smirked slightly, putting his hands in his pockets. "Ah. Hope you like those, then."
He blushed, and for a moment Megumi realized he must feel awful; obviously, he hadn't been able to get her anything as a present. After all, Sano had no packages, and he had been empty-handed save for food and sake all day long. Sanosuke had been avoiding Megumi for the entire party; and why else would Sano be so red in the face at this time?
"You don't have to feel bad, Sano," Megumi said, biting her lip. Why didn't I just lie to him about what I wanted, so that he didn't have to feel guilty? Why did I insist messing with him that time, when he was being considerate?
To Megumi's confusion, Sano looked surprised. "For what?" he asked.
"W-Well…" Megumi wasn't sure what to say. "I mean…about the gift… it's okay if you couldn't find one…"
Confusing Megumi further, Sanosuke grinned. "Whatcha talkin' about?" he laughed. "I gotcha a gift, Fox."
"Y-You did?" Megumi stammered, perplexed all the more. "I… I don't…"
Smiling, Sanosuke murmured, "The best gifts don't come in boxes and ribbons, Kitsune." Tapping his nose impishly, Sano declared, "I know what you want most for your birthday!"
Her puzzlement melted into amusement. Of course, Sano had to be bluffing. "Is that so?" Megumi laughed slightly, her scarlet lips upturned in a grin.
"Yep," Sano's smile grew wider, as he took a step closer to Megumi. "Do y'want it now?"
It's probably a joke, Megumi thought, her amused smirk never wavering. He has that look in his eye, just like when we're fighting. He's up to something…he's bluffing, because the only way he'd know what I really want is if he read my diary. "I'm so sure, Rooster-Head," Megumi snickered. "But yes, give me my gift."
"Okay," Sanosuke growled with a rebellious grin, taking Megumi by the waist and pulling her against him, causing the breath to escape Megumi's lungs in a surprised gasp. His arm came around the small of her back, Sanosuke's other hand taking Megumi's jaw and tilting it upwards so that her surprised lips met his.
Sanosuke's knees grew weak as he felt Megumi's warm breath through her mouth, and as his Fox leaned against him for support. Her hands clenched the collar of his jacket, pulling him closer; to Sanosuke's joy. His hands moved slowly, making sure to rub Megumi's tense back muscles as they inched their way down to her waist, taking in the feeling of being closer than ever before to the Fox he adored.
Sanosuke's heart pounded in his ears as he pressed his lips with new, searing force to Megumi's; marking his love on her lips and making sure she'd never forget it. His hands buried themselves in the lush waters of raven locks, crushing Megumi against him in embrace before finally letting her go.
Megumi looked up in utter shock at the heavily breathing gangster, in denial that he had really kissed her like that. Gulping, and trying to regain some of her composure, Megumi tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "S-Sano… how did you…?"
"Um… well, I did a little research." Sano bowed his head in shame, knowing there was no use in lying to her. It wouldn't make things better; she'd find out soon enough, one way or another.
Megumi gasped. "You…read my diary!"
"Urk…" Sanosuke desperately tried to find a way to make the situation seem not so bad, but failed. "I didn't read anything personal…"
"That entire book is personal!" Megumi yelped, shaking her finger in Sano's face. "My feelings, my secrets, everything!"
Sano's face turned into a painting of solemn hurt. "You'd think I'd tease you about the things that matter most to you, or tell everyone of your deepest feelings? Even if I really knew them?"
Megumi fell silent, scowling. "N-No… but still…"
"I'm sorry," Sanosuke whispered, beginning to feel rather embarrassed. He itched the back of his neck, casting his eyes to the ground. His bottom lip jutted out in dismay, and Sanosuke wrinkled his nose in that familiar way Megumi found utterly heart wrenching to watch.
He didn't mean any harm, thought Megumi. She dared to lift a hand to touch his face, and gave Sanosuke a little smile. "It's okay," she whispered. "I'm not mad. And thank you for my birthday present…um, my first kiss."
Sanosuke face flushed in glee, as he leaned his cheek into Megumi's palm and smiled wide. He looked so cute that Megumi laughed, afterwards sending them into a moment of silence. Beautiful, loving silence.
And then: "It's so cute, isn't it, Kenshin!"
Both the Rooster and the Fox froze with horror to the roots of their hair. Megumi's hand flew from Sanosuke's face—nearly slapping him in the process—as she whirled around to find Kenshin, Kaoru, Tae, Yahiko, Doctor Gensai, and Tsubame peeking out at them from the porch.
Sanosuke turned scarlet, clenching his fist with rage as he barked like an enraged Chow-Chow. "Y-You spied on us! You—KENSHIN!"
Of course, Kenshin contracted the blame, and soon found a fiery-eyed Sano towering over him. "Oro," Kenshin's eyes grew wide, and everyone fled the scene with shrieks of laughter as Sanosuke attempted to pounce upon the wanderer. With God-like speed, Kenshin followed the rest; escaping the yowling Rooster and the red-faced Fox. When they had undoubtedly fled inside, Sanosuke shot the Dojo one last irritated glower.
And then, tugging his mind from his utter humiliation, he felt cold-tipped fingers settle on his forearm. Sano blinked and looked at the lady doctor, who was holding his wrist and blushing. Their eyes met, and they both looked away with shame. Then, sneaking a look at Sano once more, Megumi asked, "…should we be this embarrassed? I… I mean, unless it was just…you know, Rooster. The whole…thing." She gave him an expression in which Sano couldn't tell whether it was a meek look or a frightened one.
Amused by Megumi's poor attempt at discovering his feelings, Sanosuke chuckled and replied, "Even I, the poor, hapless mooch wouldn't be as cruel as t'toy with a woman's feelings like that. I gave you your present, and I meant everything inside of it." Sanosuke blushed, realizing just how sappy he sounded, to himself. "Heh… um, after all, you… did ya like it?" It was Sano's turn to give Megumi a desperate glance, only to find her smiling laughingly as he had been moments before. How quickly things changed.
"I loved your gift," Megumi smiled, and then her unusual sweetness took a dangerous turn: it sprouted fox ears. "In fact," she snickered, splaying her hands on Sanosuke's chest. "I think I want another one. Yes. I want another present, right now."
He grinned as Megumi looked up to give Sanosuke a stubborn look. "You're pretty selfish, ya know that?" he teased, but gladly presented her with another gift, bending down to fit his lips against hers, feeling again the soft sweetness that slipped into his mouth. Her lips reminded Sanosuke of some sort of fruit, maybe a soft apple or something with bright, soft skin that shone with dew.
"Happy birthday, Foxy," Sanosuke murmured into the embrace, sighing as they parted.
Sano's dreamy state was slaughtered when he saw the evil glint in Megumi's eyes. He blinked, about to inquire of what was up, when suddenly Megumi seized his collar and demanded, "Again."
AGAIN? Sano sweatdropped as Megumi again pressed her lips to his, seeking his secret of this particular art, exploring his lips and even coming to the idea that maybe even the inside of his mouth should be dominated, too.
Kami-sama. Sanosuke thought through the onslaught that made him weak in the knees. I've created a monster.
But he couldn't help but smile, as he held the Fox-Lady tight; who cares if Megumi was yet another year older? She sure didn't act like it.
OWARI.
MadiSano: Well. That was a change in attitude, right? LOL,sudden fluff and funnies!This story root was suggested by Animeluver4...thanks so much! So cute! Sano's a sweetie, right? Ha ha...:) This oneshot wasn't meant to be serious, "Oh-my-Gosh-I-Love-You, Marry-Me" SM fluff; it was just a cute waffy thing to make people smile and laugh. After all, what's not cute about Sano going through heck to give Megumi her most desired birthday gift: which happens to be her first kiss? I had to really think about that one before I decided just what Sano might give her.
Anyways, I'll post a short story very soon, and then I'm thinking about writing up a one-shot about Sanosuke being deathly injured and...yeah, SakuraDancer3 knows what I'm talking about! LOL! But I want to take all of the usually marked "cheesy" (as Animeluver4 described them) ideas and make them into something adorable. Also, I want to try new things, too! Requests are always accepted, so feel free to request like crazy!
Love, laughs, and see ya later!
