I've Waited Long Enough

by Ione-Sama

This is their dance; he antagonizes her, she spits fire at him-it's their dynamic. But something's changed. The words she speaks, the things she does and the way she looks at him when she thinks he doesn't notice-it's changed him and he realizes he's no longer satisfied with just this-their playful banter. He wants more and he's waited long enough... (Rated M for later chapters!)

4. Lover's Festival

Megumi sat cross-legged on the floor in front of a looking glass, arranging her hair; she couldn't quite decide which style suited her best so she asked Karou—who was in the far corner behind a dressing screen slipping into her Kimono—what she thought. Karou appeared and seeing her friend's dilemma, she smiled sympathetically. "Honestly, Megumi, anything would be lovely on you!"

"Well of course! But I want something that's different but not too outlandish."

"Well you could always put it up in a chignon….or pile it loosely on top of your head…like this." Karou scooped up Megumi's long raven hair into one hand and piled it atop her head with a few pieces looping low towards the nape of her neck and some loose tendrils framing her face. She took the decorative hair comb from Megumi and fastened the elegant knot just so then she stood back to view her handiwork. "Well? What do you think?"

Megumi turned from one side to the other; she had never worn her hair up like this but she loved how it accentuated her neck and shoulders but how it also was soft and carefree, not so pinned up and stuffy like the traditional chignon. "Miss Karou you have outdone yourself! I absolutely love it!"

"Wonderful! Now if I could only think of what to do with my hair…huhhh." The young woman blew out a defeated breath between her lips and hung her head. "I have the inclination to leave it down but at the same time, I've never done that before! I'm frankly concerned that it will just look flat and lifeless!"

"Oh that's ridiculous! It's all in the way you leave it down. Like here; you can pull the front part of it up…like this and…pile it on your head a bit off to the center. Let these pieces just…cascade down like so. And then use this comb to fasten it and then just leave the rest!"

Karou observed herself in the mirror and decided she liked what Megumi had done. "Thank you, Miss Megumi."

Suddenly, there was a loud bang on the girl's shoji. "Hey Karou! Megumi com'on! The guests are arriving and Kenshin and Sano still aren't back yet!" Yahiko shouted from the other side of the thin wall. Both women laughed and in unison replied, "We'll be right out!"

"Don't worry, Megumi, you finish getting ready and I'll go out and help Yahiko. I really don't understand why Sano insisted on inviting half the town! It would've just been fine with us here."

"Well you know Sanouske; he loves a party and a party done right. Although I have to admit I don't think it's really too much I mean it's some of the girls from the Akabeko, a few people from the Market and some of Sano's gambling buddies. All in all we've only got about fifteen to twenty people at most!

"Yes, I suppose that is true. Well I'd better go out and direct crowd traffic!" The young woman giggled as she disappeared, sliding the shoji closed behind her.

Once alone, Megumi stepped out of her yukata and once again, unwrapped the white silk Geisha kimono. She slipped into the solid white Haneri, wrapping it snuggly around her and tying it securely. Next she took up the Kimono and slipped it over her slender shoulders. Wrapping it around her, it hugged her curves than flared out at her knees where the cloak split just enough to give a subtle yet seductive peek at her lower legs. She secured the Kimono around her waist with the Obiage, Obi and Obijime and then lastly, she knotted and tightened the Obidome and observed herself in the mirror. She had to admit, she made the kimono look stunning. Contrary to the popular belief that Megumi was an uptight, buttoned up spinster who tolerated no flexibility in her principles whatsoever, Takani Megumi was a woman of many facets. She was no-nonsense and principled but she also had a deep reservoir of spirit, fire and passion and tonight, she was determined to let just a sliver of that side of her peek through. Unlike Karou who'd fastened her kimono snuggly in every area, Megumi had only fastened the Kimono tightly around her waist, hips and upper thighs. The V neckline was loose and hung just off her shoulders, dipping low enough to reveal the slightest swell of her breast; tastefully but not shockingly alluring. Her hair was in agreement with the seductive subtleties of her Kimono, piled high atop her head with sections looping low to the nape of her neck and just barely brushing the tops of her shoulders. She'd finished her look with a touch of rosy blush in addition to her trademark Ruby red painted lips and she smiled completely satisfied at the finished product. Soft buzzing echoed from the main room of the house and she decided that now was the time to join Karou in playing perfect hostess. Slipping on her house Zori, she exited and made her way to the stairs that lead down to the first level. She spotted several friendly familiar faces milling about inside and out on the engawa and spotting Kenshin by the opened Shoji, she smiled. She suddenly wondered when her feelings for the red-headed swordsman had begun to change. She'd been so beyond enchanted with him; at times she'd even fancied herself in love! But when they'd returned from Kyoto after their victorious defeat of Makoto Shishio, something had been different and the subtle changes had been taking place ever since. Perhaps she'd resigned herself that no woman would hold Kenshin's mind and heart like Karou and she no longer wanted to fool herself into believing that things would ever change. Or perhaps she'd grown tired of the empty, one-sided flirting that had characterized her and Kenshin's relationship for so long. She couldn't quite put her finger on it but then her brown eyes caught a broad back sporting a white jacket with the symbol 'bad' splayed across it in bold black, and she couldn't ignore the slight flutter in the pit of her stomach and the strong trembling in her heart that betrayed the answer. She felt heat flushing her face but she willed this feeling back down, squared her shoulders and descended the stairs.

# # # #

"Boy, Missie you sure know how to put on a party!" Sanouske exclaimed as his eyes swept the festive activity in the Shofuso; everything was so bright and colorful with traditional decorations and the bright smiling faces of their neighbors and friends only added to the magical atmosphere of the evening.

Karou smiled gratefully at Sano's praise. "Thank you, Sano!"

"Hey Kenshin! If you keep staring at the little Missie like that you're gonna burn holes into the side of her face!" Sano chortled loudly but Kenshin didn't even appear to notice.

Karou turned to look at him but she hadn't expected such an intense amethyst gaze and her sapphire eyes dropped to the floor the moment she met his eyes.

"Miss Karou…you look very radiant tonight, that you do." He breathed softly.

Karou's cheeks reddened at his ardent admission and she could only nod and utter a soft "Mm." in response.

"So where's the Fox? Isn't it about time that she should be here?" Sano commented casually as his eyes drifted once again to the front entrance.

"Oh! Miss Megumi's been here since early evening! We both got ready for the party together."

"Oh. Well then where the hell is she?"

"I'm not sure…I left her upstairs; she still had yet to get changed—Oh, wait! There she is; Miss Megumi you look positively stunning!"

Sanouske followed Karou's gaze to the stairs but what met his eyes left his heart, mind and body completely frozen.

There stood Takani Megumi, Raven hair spilling down from the top of her head in gentle subtle swoops that brushed the tops of her alabaster shoulders and white silken kimono wrapping around the gorgeous curves of her body and falling away to the floor in beautiful cascades. For the first time in his life, Sanouske Sagra was at a complete loss for words not to mention utterly breathless. He blinked several times, thinking his eyes were playing a painfully delicious trick on him but the vision of Takani in white never blurred or faded.

"Sano, if you keep gaping at Miss Megumi like that, you're likely to catch fire flies, that you are." Kenshin whispered teasingly to his companion.

"Holy Mother of Kami himself, someone slap me please, I think I'm having an illusion." Sano breathed.

*smack*

"What the hell, Missie!"

Karou shrugged, a snide grin playing at the corners of her mouth. "Well you asked someone to slap you, Sanouske; I was only obliging!" She winked at him then turned back to where Megumi was just reaching the second to the last step.

Suddenly, Megumi's Zori caught the hem of her Kimono and she catapulted forward. "Oh, Miss Megumi!" Karou shouted.

Megumi shut her eyes tightly and clenched her fists, preparing for her painful collision with the hardwood floor.

But it never came.

She gasped as she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist and pull her safely against a solid chest. Her tiny fists pressed against firm muscle as she peeked an eye open and met the relieved faces of Karou and Kenshin.

"Whew! That was a very good save, Sano that it was!"

Megumi's eyes widened as her head turned slowly upwards to meet the dark eyes of her rescuer. "S-Sano-! I—I didn't realize you had—"

"Don't worry about it, Kitsune; just glad that I could be here to catch you when you fall."

Megumi's lips parted as she watched the expression in his eyes soften. Something told her there was more behind the meaning of his words—almost like he was making a silent promise to always be there to catch her.

"Oh! I'd almost forgotten; the lanterns outside! It's time to light them, com'on Kenshin!" Karou grabbed the former Battousai's sleeve and tugged him out after her, leaving Megumi and Sanouske mostly alone in the shofuso, save for a few of the guests that still lingered indoors.

"Well Missie and you have sure outdone yourselves, Kitsune…"

Megumi slowly steadied her footing and gently extricated herself from Sanouske's arms, giving him a small grateful smile. "Didn't know you could be such a gentleman, Rooster head." Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

Instead of his trademark lopsided grin, Sanouske felt bold and flashed Megumi a full-on brilliant smile that had the dark-haired Fox nearly buckling at the knees. "Well you know me, Fox, I'm full of surprises." He winked at her and grinned even more when he caught the rosy hue creeping into her cheeks.

Megumi could only shake her head but the tiniest of smiles graced her red lips as she touched her fingertips to her flushing cheek and turned away shyly. Goodness, what is with me?! Not even five minutes with the rooster head and he's got me blushing every five minutes! I don't understand, he's said all manner of things to me before, flirted even in his own crass, inappropriate way but nothing he's ever said before has ever shocked me or—for kami's sake—left me wordless and blushing like a ninny!

"You know I never would've pegged you for a fancy clothes kind of girl, Fox; I honestly never thought I'd see the day where you'd step out of that drab blue doctor's smock of yours."

And just like that, the old Sanouske's back. She thought morosely. "Well contrary to popular belief, Bird head, I do have the knack for letting my hair down every now and again however I'll thank you not to criticize the wardrobe of my profession; I've worked very hard for the right to wear that coat thank you very much." She was about to turn and march off when she felt warm callous fingers wrap gently around her wrist, stopping her departure.

"It was meant to be a compliment."

Megumi only stared at him skeptically.

"Com'on Meg—you know I think you look beautiful."

Megumi's cheeks flushed a bright red, catching the warmth in Sano's voice. She never believed Sanouske Sagra of all men, thought she was beautiful and—never in a million years would she have dreamed she'd actually hear him say it. She couldn't comprehend it! Suddenly, she had absolutely nothing to say and could only touch the tips of her fingers to her cheek bashfully.

"W-well I-I didn't—"

"Oh com'on Fox, no need to trip all over yourself, just say thank you."

For the first time, Megumi had no biting comeback and merely looked Sano straight in the eyes and smiled. "Thank you—Sanouske."

Sano's eyes widened, a small breath escaping his parted lips as he saw the sweet sincerity in Megumi's brown eyes.

Just then some of the musicians began playing their instruments to a traditional waltz that some of the Western foreigners had recently introduced to Japanese society. It was still fairly new but most of the guests appeared to have some level of grasp on the concept and eventually, space was cleared on the main floor and people began choosing partners and leading them out onto the dance floor.

Sano grinned to himself as he watched Kenshin lead a very shy and uncertain Karou onto the dance floor. Why don't those two just hang it up and get hitched already? He shook his head then spotted a tall, dark haired young man approaching Megumi who was over by the kitchen talking to Tsubame. Sanouske furrowed his eyebrows. "Now who the hell is that? And what does he think he's doing?" Sano walked through the crowd of dancers and made his way to the front shoji which was near enough to the kitchen that he could eavesdrop on the conversation without being noticed. Leaning his shoulder against the wall he gnawed on a piece of fishbone as he caught Megumi's laughter drifting his way. He loved the sound of her laughter; if only he had the guts to tell her.

"Oh Tsubame honestly! It's really not as difficult as it looks; all it is is—"

"Excuse me, Miss Takani?"

Megumi and Tsubame turned to see a tall, dark haired young man bowed slightly before Megumi, his hand across his chest like a gentleman. "I noticed that you don't seem to have an escort at the moment and I was wondering if perhaps you'd—"

"Sorry buddy, but this lady's already got someone 'escorting' her; I'm sure she's flattered though!" Sanouske appeared behind the young man, knocking him momentarily off balance by his sudden appearance.

"Sano?" Megumi looked astounded at the tall ex fighter as he crossed in front of the still-fumbling suitor who doubtlessly had every intention of asking her for a dance.

With an arm folded behind his back, Sanouske bowed low before Megumi, his other hand outstretched to her. "Might I have the pleasure of this waltz, Doc?"

When I look into your eyes

It's like watching the night sky

Or a beautiful sunrise

Megumi couldn't believe her eyes, much less her ears. Sanouske had just behaved like a complete ass and the most perfect gentleman, all in one sentence! What had gotten into him? She looked from his outstretched hand to his still bowed head, unsure of how to answer him. Then she felt a nudge from behind her and turned to see Karou giving her the gentlest encouraging smile. The younger woman nodded at her and for once, Takani Megumi decided to toss pride and better judgment to the wind for once in her life. After all, she was twenty-four and hadn't done anything for herself or for the sake of just wanting to, for years! It was about time things started to change. Smiling, Megumi gave Sanouske her hand and as the young man turned his head up and met her gaze, she offered a sweet smile and replied. "I would be honored, thank you."

Sanouske couldn't keep the triumphant grin off his face as he lead Megumi out onto the dance floor.

Well, there's so much they hold

And just like them old stars

I see that you've come so far

To be right where you are

How old is your soul?

"Well you certainly surprise me, Rooster head; I had no idea that you could dance, much less waltz."

Sano gave her his warm lop-sided grin. "Well to be honest, Fox I didn't think you'd actually accept my offer."

"Well it is a party isn't it? And the Lover's festival is a special occasion, I decided why the hell not?"

Well, I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

"Oh yeah of course—just because of the party, right." He winked suggestively at her and Megumi scowled.

"Really? You always have to ruin a good moment with one of your perverse comments."

"Aww so we're having a moment, huh?"

Megumi baulked at him and shook her head furiously. "No! Of course not that's—that's not at all what I mean you—Aghrr! You always twist my words around!" She tried to turn and walk away but Sanouske only tightened his arm around her waist, pulling her even closer to him.

And when you're needing your space

To do some navigating

I'll be here patiently waiting

To see what you find

"Oh com'on now Kitsune, now isn't the time to have a fit and make a scene. Besides, we're supposed to be celebrating, remember?"

"Oh shut up, you idiot; we both know you're just making fun of me now."

"Well of course! It's what I do, silly! But you've gotta admit." And he leaned in closer to her so that his breath brushed against her cheek. "Being in my arms is a pretty big plus now, isn't it?" His brilliant arrogant smile returned, only causing Megumi's cheeks to burn even more.

'Cause even the stars they burn

Some even fall to the earth

We've got a lot to learn

God knows we're worth it

No, I won't give up

"Baka! You're so self-obsessed; all you think about is your stupid ego! It's so disgusting!"

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

Sano only laughed as Megumi finally wrested herself from him and made for the door. "Oh Kitsune don't think you're getting off that easy!" And true to his nature, he took off after her out into the garden. A heated argument with Takani Megumi was a challenge just too tempting for Sanouske Sagara to pass up.