Megumi awoke to the sound of furious pounding coming from the outside.
It was so loud it had fully succeeded in not only ripping her from sleep but leaving her moer than fully awake...
...and extremely annoyed.
Who in blessed heavens could be making so much rucous so early?!
It had been a long day-and night-at the clinic and consequently, she hadn't even made it hope, collapsing on an empty bed in one of the vacant recovery rooms.
Throwing the blankets back, she stood to her feet and angrily marched out to preferably murder whoever it was who had the audacity to disturb her sleep.
Reaching the front door she threw it open. "What. In kami's name-!"
There stood Sanosuke with a hammer frozen mid-swing and four nails in his mouth, looking very bewildered at the flustered doctor who stood before him.
"Uh mornin' Megumi-I didn't know you were already here."
"I've been here all night, you birdbrain and I didn't get to sleep until far into the wee hours of the morning so I'm sure you can imagine my-great displeasure at being ripped from my precious slumber by this-this-what exactly are you doing?!"
"Oh. well uh..this actually." He stood back, gesturing to the side of the clinic and Megumi discovered two well-placed nails strategically placed as if they were there for the purpose of hanging something.
"I-I don't understand, what is this?"
Sano rummaged around in the sack over his shoulder and pulled out a long, rectangular plate that glistened when the morning sun hit it. It looked to be overlayed with some kind of metal-bronze perhaps-and it had two tiny holes in the upper left and right hand corners.
Upon closer inspection there was japanese writing on it that read:
Takani, Megumi, M.D.
The Rose of the Stitching Needle
Megumi's eyes widened.
"It's something they do out West I hear; they call it a Shingle; basically anyone whose got a self-respecting business that they run, they put these things up on the doors or in the windows of their building to let folks know that they're a legitimate business. Western doctors specifically use it a lot but the western merchant I bought it from told me that it's only the doctors who are especially skilled and have had expert training. Well I figured with all the work you've done over the last year and a half, it's high time you had a shingle of your own, afterall you are the best there is so people should-"
There were tears in Megumi's eyes when she turned back from the shingle-now hanging pristinely-to look at him.
"Uh-oh shit, Kitsune what's wrong? I-I hung it right didn't I?" He frantically inspected the shingle and nails, muttering to himself as he fiddled with it. "I was sure I'd done the measurements right this time-maybe if I-"
She grabbed his shoulder, causing him to look over at her only to throw herself in his arms, exclaiming. "Thank you, Sano it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! Thank you, thank you, thank yo-!" the last 'thank you' was cut off when she brashly landed a kiss on his lips.
Sanosuke froze.
Her red lips were suddenly pressing eagerly against his, leaving him stunned beyond belief as all the air left his lungs.
And then the next second, it was over.
It suddenly registered what she was doing and Megumi pushed back from him, wide-eyed and dumbfounded at what she had just done.
She'd just kissed Sanosuke.
Sanosuke Sagara.
Sanosuke, formerly known as Zanza, the Fighter for higher.
And this time, right on the lips.
There was no mistaking it.
What had come over her?! She'd been so overwhelmed by his sweet, beautiful gesture that suddenly, all of her sensibilities had vanished and she'd reacted purely on impulse of the heart.
Megumi never acted on impulse.
She never let her heart lead her actions.
It had always gotten her into more touble and more pain than she cared to remember so she'd always kept her heart locked away, only allowing herself to rely on her logic and reason to guide her moral compass.
Yet in this one moment, she'd recklessly let her guard down and her emotions got the best of her.
Why?
Because it was Sanosuke.
She wanted to deny it but she knew better.
This boy,
no this man had an inescapable power over her that was so intoxicating, she could feel it in her blood as it raced through her veins whenever he was near.
But now, it proved a greater problem because her secret was now no longer a secret; he knew and from the surprised yet intense look on his face, he wasn't about to let this go easily.
"Sorry, I-I didn't think-"
"Meg..."
"No really that was-wow, I'm really sorry that was-inappropriate. On my part. I don't even know what I was thinking.." She pressed her lips together, looking at the floor, embarrassed.
There was a long stretch of silence between them; each one lost in a torrent of their own thoughts, lost one what to say.
Finally, Sano managed to regain some of his composure enough to break the awkward silence. "Listen uh, Missie and Kenshin are having some kind of special dinner at the Dojo later tonight and-well I promised I'd help Kenshin get the place ready and-maybe do some shopin' for the little Missie so I'd better get going-"
Megumi managed to relax a little and a soft, skeptical laugh escaped her lips. "Wow, I never thought I'd see the day when you would offer to help with house cleaning; Karou must have you on a tight leash-or is it Kenshin?" Her eyes sparkled with mirth.
"Shadd up!" Sanosuke scowled. "As if Kenshin could ever hold me on a leash; and besides that, the Missie's got just who she wants on her leash and it definitely ain't me!"
At this, Megumi couldn't hold back the laughter and finally threw her head back, letting out peels of bell-like laughter that sent warm shivers down Sano's spine.
"Oh my, this is just too much!" She laughed into the back of her hand then looked up only to find Sanosuke staring fondly down at her, his chocolate brown eyes darkened a shade as subtle heat seeped into them.
"You know, Kitsune-onna-you could really bewitch a man's heart with that laugh of yours."
She mellowed at his words, suddenly feeling self-conscious as a shade of red tinged her porcelain cheeks.
"Well you better get going, Rooster head or Yahiko's not going to leave any food for you; much less the girls; they eat like boys half the time." She offered a tiny but radiant smile as she said this.
"Yeah well uh-maybe you could come with me or come by later?" He half stated, half-asked as if he was gauging which would be the most likely response from her; a yes? or a no?
Megumi couldn't quite place the warm fluttery feeling in the pit of her belly but she bit her lip trying to hold back another smile. Since when did Sanosuke make her smile this much?
"Maybe I will-later."
He nodded but the young man couldn't fully conceal the excitement and hopefullness in the depths of his chocolate brown eyes as he waved to the gorgeous doctor on his way back down the road.
For the first time in his life, Sanosuke Sagara had hope.
And he hoped with every fiber of his being that Megumi would come later that night.
...After that kiss...
He knew he wouldn't be able to let go of her now.
He had to see her again.
...And he'd be lying if he didn't want more.
# # # #
Little did Sanosuke know that the 'dinner' at Karou's was merely a ruse to get him to come to the dojo. Unbeknownst to him, all his friends had planned a surprise birthday party and upon his arrival, he was indeed surprised-and nearly scared out of his skin-when everyone jumped out of nowhere yelling 'surprise!' and singing happy birthday.
He scolded Karou and especially Kenshin, for leaving him unprepared but there was a deep warmth and grattitude in the young man's eyes and at length, he sincerely expressed his thanks.
He told them both that they didn't have to go through all this trouble but they brushed him off, exclaiming nothing was more important to them than there family and he was their family.
As the night wore on, many of his friends embraced him, clapped him on the back, offering him well wishes and even some brought little gifts and trinkets to commemorate this ocassion.
"You and Missie really had me fooled, Kenshin; I can't believe you actually pulled this off."
Kenshin smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Well to be honest, I'm terrible at keeping secrets, Sano that I am, but Miss Karou threatened to work me to the bone if I said anything, so..."
Sanoskue sweat dropped. Sometimes, it really baffled him how Kenshin could stand fearless in a battle against the deadliest of foes-like Shishio-without flinching and yet when it came to Karou, the poor ex-samurai would literally shake in fear.
But then again, he remembered how scary Karou could be and he shivered involuntarily.
Just then, the door to the dojo opened...
and Sano's heart stopped.
There in a perfect vision of Autumn red, Emerald and Sapphire, stood Megumi.
She was adorned in a flawless Hikizuri kimono of blended colors-Red, Sapphire and Emerald. It was Cinched snuggly around her waist-revealing her stunning hour-glass figure, with a Sapphire silken obi that was fashioned into a musubi(Knot).
The outter layer was the main base color-red with the folds beneath it that peaked through every time she took a step, a deep emerald.
Her hair was fashioned in a gorgeous nihon-gami with a simple but elegant mother-of-pearl hairpin adorning it.
She was a vision of breath-taking flawless beauty.
And Sano couldn't breathe at the sight of her.
Just then, Karou hurried past him and warmly greeted Megumi. The two women went next door to the house-most likely to bring out more food as well as to catch up.
"I've never seen Miss Megumi looking so radiant; she must be very happy in her life, resently, yes indeed."
Sanosuke hadn't moved or said a word since Megumi's arrival but at the pointed tone in his friend's voice he turned his attention back to Kenshin.
The redheaded Rurouni was eyeing him with a meaningful stare as well as a playful smile sparkling in his Amethyst eyes.
"Okay Kenshin whatever nonsense it is that you've got spinnin' around in that head of yours, you can just stop it." He rolled his eyes and shook his head as he took another swig of sake.
"Sano. I'm not mistaken in what is plainly in front of my eyes; Miss Megumi has been happier over these last several months; she smiles more than I've ever seen her, she comes around more often and she makes more time to spend doing the things that she loves-like going shopping with Miss Karou or bringing the girls over for a playdate. And I think we both know that there's more to Miss Megumi's happiness than just the simple joy of life; she's been this way since the Lover's festival."
He watched Sano's face carefully.
The younger man sighed heavily, running a hand through his wild copper locks. "I don't know, Kenshin-I mean a part of me wants to-dares to hope that maybe there's somethin between us but I..." He trailed off, turning fully towards Kenshin and staring him straight in the eye.
"You know she kissed me today."
Kenshin's eyes widened and a gasp escaped his lips.
But then his eyes sparkled and a warm smile returned to his lips. "Sanosuke, that in and of itself should be more than enough to tell you that there is something! You know how she is, that you do; we all do but you know her better than any one of us; She doesn't just do things carelessly or impulsively-"
"It seemed very impulsive to me, Kenshin."
He laid a hand on Sano's shoulder. "-Unless she has a reason; there is always something important behind everything she does. What I'm saying Sano is that she wouldn't kiss you if she didn't feel anything for you. And whatever her feelings are, they are deep and strong because I know Miss Megumi wouldn't just throw something like that to anyone whom she just had a passing fancy for."
The handsome ex-fighter crossed his arms and fell deep in thought over Kenshin's words.
He knew his best friend like the back of his own hand and Kenshin had wisdom far beyond that of any man Sano had ever known.
He knew Kenshin wouldn't say anything just to boost Sano's ego or because it was what he wanted to hear-
Kenshin would always tell him the truth.
With no strings attatched and no mincing of words.
"I think if you really desire an answer to the questions that are in your heart, the one you should go to for answers is Megumi; she will be honest with you. You know this for a fact, that you do."
Sanosuke exhaled heavily. He knew Kenshin was right but he also knew that there was a part of him that was scared.
More like terrified and it was a rather large part of him.
He'd known for a long time now that he wanted Megumi more than anything; she was the only woman that had gotten under his skin and taken ahold of his heart like this and to him, that meant something.
And it was huge.
He couldn't just let this go.
So taking a deep breath, his eyes scanned the room until they once again fell onto Megumi. She had just finished saying something to Karou as she ducked into one of the side rooms and squaring his shoulders, he followed after her.
He neared the door and could just make out Megumi's outlined sillouhette dancing against the thin rice paper walls; there was only one lantern in the room-enough for one to see but muted enough to afford sufficient privacy which is what Sano wanted. Taking one furtive look both ways, he deftly slid the shoji opened and slipped noiselessly inside.
Megumi shuffled over to the table that Karou had mentioned and laying a thin table cloth over it, she took the long rectangular box wrapped in her arms and gently laid it down.
Her back was to the door so she didn't even notice that someone else had come in-all her focus was on this cream-colored rectangular box that she'd been carrying around with her for almost a week now; working painstakingly on the masterpiece it held within.
She reached out tentative trembling fingers and lifted the cover off, pulled back the thin rice paper wrapping to reveal black silk folded neatly amongst the wrapping. She was just about to reach forward and take it out when a floor board creaked behind her and slamming the cover back over the box, she gripped it protectively in her arms and whirled around.
"Whoa. Easy there, Kitsune." Sanosuke's deep voice startled her as he held up his hands in deffense. "I wasn't tryin' to frighten you."
"Sano! For Kami's sake you nearly gave me a heart attack!" She gasped, pressing a hand over her chest where her heart was now hammering rapidly for more reasons than just being startled.
"Sorry I just-I saw you come in and I wanted to come and say hi I-" For the first time, he noticed the box she held in her arms and his chocolate brown eyes fixated on it curiously. "What's-that?"
She stared at him quizzically but then followed his eyes down to the box in her arms. She gasped, turning frantically and dispensing it on the table behind her as if to hide it, then turned back towards Sanosuke. "Oh! that was nothing." She waved it off.
But he wasn't giving up. The traitorous blush creeping into her cheeks was a dead giveaway that she was hiding something.
"Ok Kitsune, what are you up to?" His eyes squinted suspiciously and his lips slanted upwards in a skeptical smile.
"It's just-" She took one hesitant glance at the box over her shoulder, gnawing on her bottom lip nervously as she turned frightened eyes back to Sano.
Since when does me make me feel so nervous and uncertain? This is ridiculous. It's sano and it's his birthday! Just give him the gift Takani, stop being such a ninny!
She took up the box and shoved it forcefully into his hands. "Happy birthday, Sanosuke."
He stared blankly at the box.
Then back up at the beautiful doctor who was presently doing everything to avoid his gaze.
"Please just-open it." She half-pleaded, wringing her hands nervously.
Since when is she nervous?
He shrugged it off though and clumsily pulled back the lid, pulling the rice paper wrapping back.
And for the second time that night, his heart stopped.
Reaching trembling fingers he pulled out the folded black silk and held it up, letting it come unfurled.
It was a hand-made black silk gi.
Nearly identical to the white one he was wearing now, except this one was black with red trim along the collar, outter edges and cuffs of the sleeves. Not only that but as he turned it around his eyes caught sight of a symbol etched in bold red silk thread on the back.
It was the japanese symbol for 'Courage' encircled with a red stitched boarder that stood out against the black silk backdrop.
It was the most stunning piece of clothing he'd ever seen.
And she'd made it for him.
It was obvious. He'd been around Megumi for so long, seen her sew together more than her fair share of stitches-mostly on patients-but because of it, he'd learned to recognize her unique technique.
He'd memorized it.
And it was plainly etched into the threads of every inch of this gi.
He felt Megumi come to stand beside him but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the jacket just yet.
Then the rustling of rice paper and she laid more black cloth-this time thin spooled linen strips-into his hands. "I know you already have linen wrappings but I figured with the gi being black, it would only be-fitting to have the linen wrappings match."
For the first time, his chocolate brown eyes rose and fixated on her wine orbs.
"You-made this. Didn't you?"
"Well it's-it's handmade but how would you-how did you know?" She looked at him in surprise. She hadn't thought that he would've been able to tell it was her that had made it.
"The stitch." He held out the edge of the jacket for her to see. "I mean I've seen lots of stitches in my day, Fox-and I've even had a few handmade clothes from friends through the years but-this is your stitch; I'd know it anywhere."
She gasped, looked up into his dark eyes.
A hot tingling sensation was bubbling up in her belly and her cheeks were beginning to burn as she suddenly couldn't tear her eyes away from his smoldering stare.
"You-y-you know-my stitch?"
His cocky lopsided grin appeared as he leaned in close to her. "Trust me, Meg, I know much more than just your stitch."
She looked down, blushing furiously.
But Sanosuke only grinned wider. He decided he wanted to try it on so shedding his dingy white gi with the symbol 'bad' glaring off the back, he deftly removed his wraps as well and doned the fresh ones.
Megumi kept her back mostly turned, feeling embarrassed at him being half-naked in front of her-but as proprietous as she was she still couldn't help but sneak a few looks at him over her shoulder.
I mean the man had a killer body afterall, could you really blame her?
Lastly, he pulled the jacket on over his shoulders and he had to admit it felt really good having something new and fresh to wear. Not to mention that it being made by Megumi's own hand made it all the more pleasent as it slid over his back and shoulders.
It fit him perfectly.
Possibly more than his other jacket ever had, even when it used to be new once upon a time.
He turned around to find Megumi looking at him, blushing prettily with a beautiful smile. "It suits you."
He looked over his shoulder at the red blazing symbol splayed on the back.
'Courage.'
He felt so humbled and honored that Megumi saw him as someone deserving to wear the symbol and he came to stand in front of her and took her hand. "Thank you. It's really the best thing I've ever gotten-and well it means alot coming from you. Especially that." He gestured over his shoulder, indicating the symbol she'd sewn.
Megumi's smile brightened and her wine eyes began to sparkle. "Well I'm glad you like it."
Then she turned sober though her eyes still held their radiant sparkle. "Besides I couldn't stand looking at that old thing anymore; honestly Sano I wonder when was the last time you actually washed it?"
He shook his head but smiled. This was the Megumi he'd always known and loved.
Miss pieous no-nonsense, always looking for practicality.
"Well you know me, Meg; I don't really go for 'practicality' I'm more of a go-with-the-flow kinda guy."
Her hand fell on her hip and her fiery spunk began to peak through. "Oh really well what about that detestible symbol, hm? 'Bad' really? You've been wearing that for God knows how long and it's not even accurate! No wonder you attract thugs and unwanted attention from the authorities. Not to mention you scare away any self-respecting girl who could possibly settle with you, you might as well wear a blarring sign taped to your back that says 'lawless privateer and scoundrel'! I mean you-!"
Her rant was silenced when Sano pressed a sound kiss to her cheek.
He lingered for a moment and then slowly pulled back and looked at her.
He was grinning but it was that handsome dashing smile that Megumi rarely saw-the one that made her stupidly weak.
Her fingers touched the place where he'd kissed her and she was blushing like mad now. "W-what was that for?" She breathed.
"That was a 'thank you' you know for this." He gestured to his jacket. "Aaand it was also to get you to shut up." He winked at her playfully.
Her face fell and she glared at him, annoyed. "Really. you're so charming." She bit out sarcastically as she turned away.
From what it looked like, she was about to leave-but Sano wasn't about to let that happen; he hadn't finished yet.
This was it.
It was now or never.
He reached out his hand and grabbed her around the wrist.
"S-Sano what-?"
"Get back here, I'm not done." He whispered huskily as he pulled her into his arms, dipped his head low and pressed his lips fully onto hers.
Megumi inhaled sharply and squeaked in surprise when she felt his lips suddenly pressed against hers.
Her body went rigid and all she could feel was her heart hammering madly in her chest.
She couldn't even breathe.
Then his strong arm wrapped around her waist.
His other hand came up and tenderly cradled her cheek as he pressed her fully against him, deepening the kiss.
She felt his muscled chest beneath her finger tips that were consequently pressed up against his bare skin when he'd pulled her to him.
His copper skin felt so warm-no-hot beneath her fingers and without even thinking, she pressed her hands more firmly up against him.
Sanosuke hissed when he felt the pressure of her hands against him and reflexively he turned them to the side and backed Megumi up against the wall where he pinned her with his body.
His free hand trailed from her cheek up into her hair where he pulled out the hairpin, causing her thick midnight tresses to fall down around her shoulders.
He tangled his fingers into her hair and stroked it away from her face as he suddenly felt more desperate to get closer to her.
Megumi felt her hair fall in waves and then Sano's fingers began to comb through it and the young doctor couldn't surpress a moan that escaped her lips.
Hearing Megumi moan nearly had him out of control and he pressed his body up against hers more fervently.
"Meg." He whispered against her lips.
She only whimpered. It sounded like she was protesting but then her fingers laced around the back of his neck and pulled him deeper into the kiss.
Clearly she wasn't protesting.
She wanted more contact.
Sanosuke couldn't help but smile against her lips as he teased her lower lip with his tongue.
But this had the opposite affect of the one he'd intended.
Suddenly, Megumi's eyes flew open and she snapped out of it, breaking the kiss and pulling back from him.
"Sanosuke, no!" She gasped, touching her lips with trembling fingers.
"Why?"
"Because you-I-w-what are you-d-doing?!"
He was confused and only looked at her bewildered and breathless. "I-you know what I was doing and you-I'm clearly not the only one who wanted it."
"You can't just assume that!" She hissed back, trying to be as quiet as possible so as not to draw attention from the other guests.
"I'm not!" He hissed back. "Meg. You started this, you kissed me. Remember?"
She shook her head but the look in her eyes wasn't one of denial. "I-I'm sorry I was just-it was a 'thank you.'"
"Oh don't give me that; that was clearly not a 'thank you' Meg I know you, you don't kiss people to thank them. That's not you!"
Suddenly, she had nothing to say back; her mouth slammed shut and she could only stare at him.
He took a chance and stepped towards her. "Look. You know I would-never push you into something you-didn't want and I would-never ever do anything if there was even a doubt in my mind that you didn't want me to."
She was trembling now.
Sanosuke didn't realize it but he had just opened the flood gates, letting loose a torent of feelings and desires that she'd been trying to desperately to keep locked away.
But now, it was too late.
"I-I c-can't." Her voice cracked at the end and suddenly, there were tears in her eyes threatening to spill over.
Oh not this. He wouldn't see her cry.
He refused. It killed him just to see the tears in her eyes and he reached out to her.
"Hey don't, please."
She turned her face away but made no attempt to move away from him so he took that as the go-ahead and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to him.
"Come here." His voice was so soft as he pulled her back in-for yet another kiss. This time, he kept it simple; just pressing his lips fervently and comfortingly to hers as his hand brushed away the tears from her cheek at the same time.
Megumi melted into his kiss-it felt so safe being with him like this, even though there was a voice in the back of her mind screaming at her to get ahold of herself, she just ignored it and lost herself to the feel of his lips on hers and his arms as they held her close.
"Don't cry..." He whispered against her lips.
"I'm right here and I'm not gonna hurt you."
Another stray tear trickled down her cheek.
Sano caught it with his thumb, brushing it away as he pulled back to look into her eyes.
She looked terrified and excited all at the same time.
And she was blushing.
"Sano, I can't I-"
He silenced her with another more fervent kiss.
He knew it wasn't because she didn't want it.
There was no doubt she wanted this.
But she was scared.
Scared of letting go.
Of opening herself up again after years of being hurt and abused.
And she was scared of him because he was the only man that had ever gotten to her this much and pushed her this far, without even trying to.
Once again Megumi felt his tongue gently brush against her bottom lip and she whimpered.
She wanted this.
God, she wanted it so badly and more than anything but damn it, she was scared as hell.
She knew she was opening herself up to being hurt again and she wasn't so much afraid of the hurt as much as she was afraid of Sanosuke being the one to hurt her.
She didn't think she could take that. Not after letting him in like this and after everything they'd been through.
It would be too much.
But she couldn't say no either.
Here she was terrified of letting this man get any closer and yet she was powerless to stop him as her mouth fell open of its own volition and he tasted her for the first time.
Her whole body ignited with wild desire and she clung to him with every ounce of strength she had as he explored every inch of her mouth, sighing and moaning into her.
"S-Sanosuke."
God, the way she said his name had every inch of his body on fire. But he reigned himself in, pulling back and pressing his forehead against hers.
She was so flushed and her lips were one verge of being bruised...
...and she had never looked more beautiful.
"I'm-you're wearing me down, Kitsune-what are you doing to me?"
"I-w-what?"
He laughed softly as her eyes widened innocently and suddenly, she looked like a little girl who had just stolen a sweet from the market without even realizing it was wrong.
"I said what are you doing to me. I just-I can't get enough of your lips, or your eyes-god, you're so beautiful." He breathed out, cupping her cheek tenderly and bending to claim her lips once more.
"Sa-Sanosuke-" She uttered breathlessly just before his lips touched hers.
He moaned against her lips, pressing his tongue past the seem of her lips.
Just then the impassioned couple was interrupted when a voice called out. "Megumi? Miss Megumi?"
It was Karou.
She must have noticed the older woman's lengthy absence and come looking for her. The two of them were supposed to prep the evening's dessert afterall.
"That's-t-that's Karou I-"
"Mmmhmm." Sano mumbled against her lips then he began to trace his lips along her jawline down to the column of her neck where he slowly and tantalizingly dotted open-mouthed kisses down the side of her neck to her shoulder.
"I-S-sano-I was-su-pposed to help her-"
He nipped the tender spot where her neck and shoulder met and Megumi inhaled sharply and shivered.
"She can-do it herself." He whispered huskily as he placed more open-mouthed kisses along her collar bone.
"N-no I-uhn!" Finally, she managed to push back and turned away towards the door. "I have to go, now before she finds us."
He grabbed her hand, roughly pulling her back against him and kissing her once last time; the kiss was urgent and hot, leaving Megumi heady and weak with a lustful ache burning in the pit of her stomach.
She leaned away from him. "Would you cut it out, Rooster?!"
He grinned at her cheekily.
She slid open the shoji just enough to peak out into the darkened hall. The coast was clear and she carefully stepped out, smoothing her wrinkled clothes and patting down her disheveled hair.
But then she couldn't resist one last look back.
There was Sanosuke, standing just inside the doorway with his dark eyes fixed on her in a heated stare.
She went breathless from that look.
Not being able to resist, she ducked back in and pressed an eager kiss to his lips before disappearing down the hall and back out into the main room.
Sanosuke lingered in the doorway, his mind reeling from the last several moments of his and Megumi's passionate interlude.
He could scarcely believe that it had all happened.
And to him of all people, from a woman like Megumi, it was almost too good to be true.
He grinned broadly as he swaggered down the hall to join the others.
The night was still young and the handsome ex-fighter couldn't wait to see what the future would bring.