CHAPTER ONE:
It was almost twelve in the midnight when Takani Megumi left a patient's dojo. It was around 10:30 pm that night, when someone came by Dr. Gensai's clinic saying that Mister Nakamura, a humble fisherman, was trembling badly due to high-fever. Not hesitating for one second, Megumi got her materials and headed towards the officer's whereabouts. It didn't matter if she was tired or not, although she spent the whole day treating patients, she knew well that there shouldn't be time wasted when a person's life was in danger. As long as she was capable of saving someone, she would do it, for it was her own way of repentance, for those who she killed by making opium. She has changed, she knows that. If she hadn't been rescued by Kenshin and the others, she would probably have continued making illegal medicine or killed herself. However, despite her change of living, she knows that her past would always be there and would always be a part of her.
The skies were dark when Megumi left. There were few stars than usual and the wind was starting to blow strong.
Fujiya: ''Are you sure you do not want me to take you home Miss Megumi? It's a bit late already. Besides, it's the least I can do for saving my father.''
Megumi: ''NO, it won't be necessary Fujiya-san. Your father needs a lot of rest, it would be better if you stayed with him, in case something happens.. Ok so I'm off. If you need anything do not hesitate to come to the clinic. I' ll come by again on Sunday. Good night!''
She bowed her head and so as the young man, and started walking afterwards. She was not really used to walking alone at that time of the night. If ever she had to, and was with Dr. Gensai's granddaughters, Ayame and Suzume, Sanosuke would always accompany them.
Megumi (thinking): ''Argg! Sanosuke! The mere thought of him gives me a headache! Now that I think of it, he still owes me a lot of money.. That jerk! Isn't he ashamed of himself? Borrowing money from everyone…''
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Meanwhile, a slightly drunk Sanosuke was heading towards his apartment. He just came from a friend's house and had a little bit more of drinking than he supposed to.
Sanosuke: ''Hachoo!! Wow, either someone's talking about me or i'm about to catch a cold..hachoo!'' , he said, wiping off his nose. '' Man, I really don't have any luck nowadays. My Akabeko bill is mounting up, I have to pay Tae soon, or she'll ban me from there. As for Jo-chan ( that's how Sanosuke calls Kauru, in case you guys do not know..), I don't even want to think the face she's gonna put if she knew I haven't got her money yet, I promised to pay her first thing tomorrow…I should have used the money I borrowed from
foxy-doc to pay her… Man, I shouldn't have used that money to bet! Sanosuke you asshole, now you've got more bills than usual…'' He said, while kicking pieces of rocks on his way home.
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The wind was getting stronger bit by bit. Megumi knew that if she took the usual road to get to Dr Gensai's clinic, it would take her too long to arrive there. She was starting to shiver already.
Megumi (thinking): "I have no choice .. I'll have to take the short way.."
As Megumi continued to walk, she reached a dark alley where a group consisting of 5 men blocked the road.
Megumi (thinking): "Great! Just what I needed! If I just continue walking, nothing will happen.
As a brave woman that Megumi is, she continued walking straight ahead, till one of the men grabbed her right wrist."
Man: ''Hey…you seem to be a lonely woman who needs some comforting tonight. Isn't that right boys?"
Group: "Yeah boss! She does seem a bit lonely…"
Man: "what do you say honey, want to play with me? I know you're dying to.." As the man continued holding Megumi by the wrist, the others started whistling.
Megumi (thinking): "This guy has to be the leader. He seems the only one who's wearing blue..."
Megumi: " I have no interest in playing with an ugly and smelly man like you. So if you don't mind, take your stinking hand off me." , she said, trying to break free from him. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried, the man seemed to be grabbing her too tight. Having no choice or whatsoever, Megumi punched the man with her left hand and tried to run. The man however, was able to catch up and caught her by putting his arms around Megumi's waist.
Megumi: " Help! Somebody! Help!'', she shouted as loud as she could. Despite her efforts, nobody seemed to have heard anything. Of course, it was already midnight, almost everyone was fast asleep during that time of night.
Man: " You shouldn't be wasting your efforts. Nobody will hear you, you know…'' the man in blue said, this time putting his face near her and rubbing it against hers. " Don't worry, I forgive you for punching me.. My boys and I feel merciful tonight.. Isn't that right boys?"
Group: " Yeah…We sure feel kind today.. You are one lucky lady.."
Megumi couldn't help it. There was nothing she could do. As much as she tried to escape, the man was holding her too tight. Tears started coming down from her. That was it, she did not know what would happen next, for nobody seemed to have heard her plead for help.
Man:" Now, now.. don't cry.. It will be over sooner than you think. Now ,aren't you a fine piece of a lady?" The man said. As he was about to kiss Megumi, something fell onto his head. It was a rock. The man turned back to see who it was. It was a man with a long jacket and spiky hair.
Man: " Who do you think you are, throwing such thing at me?! Boys, who is this guy and what's he doing here?"
As he asked, one of the group's man spoke.
Member: We dunno boss, he just appeared out of nowhere. I personally haven't seen him before.. Don't worry we'll take care of him.."
The other members of the group seemed to nod.. These guys however, didn't seem to know who this guy was, which was kind of weird, considering the fact that this guy standing over there was once known as "ZANZA, killer for hire". They might have not heard of him, but Megumi knew very well who he was.
Megumi: "Sanosuke! I'm so glad to see you!", she said.
Sanosuke: " Now that's something I don't hear everyday!" ..
Although it was dark, Megumi saw Sanosuke wink at her.
There were no more tears falling down, instead, there was a small smile which appeared on her face. Megumi knew that Sanosuke and her fight almost every time, but she also knew that he would never let anything bad happen to her.
Sanosuke: " Just like you guys, I'm feeling kind myself too. I'm giving you the chance to run away. I'll give you three seconds! One.."
Man: "HAHAHA!! Guys, have you heard that? You arrogant little fool! We are five you are one! We'll beat the hell out of you first, and then have our little fun with this fox lady!", he laughed, throwing Megumi at a side. " Boys get HIM!!!"
The group of men drew their swords, but before they could attack, Sanosuke ran by, hitting them with one blow.
Sanosuke: "so, I'm guessing that you are the leader of these guys. Let me tell you something, before you brag, make sure your boys are really putting up a fight. That was one of the most boring fights ever! No, wait, fight? That wasn't even one!"
Man: " You fool.. you'll feel sorry! Prepare to die!!", as he headed towards Sanosuke, Sanosuke punched him with a slight sway. The man fell, joining the rest of his group who were moaning because of pain.
Sanosuke: " Oh, and by the way, I'm the only one who calls her foxy lady!" , he said, blowing his right fist with satisfaction. He then headed towards Megumi, who was still on the floor. He bent himself and asked,
Sanosuke: " are you alright?"
Megumi: " I..I..I think so..no wait, the question is, are you?"
Sanosuke: " Oh please, you know me, it will take more than that for someone to defeat me and easily hurt me! Hahaha! Wh..where are you going?" . He stood up again and saw Megumi go towards those who Sanosuke beat.
Megumi: "Well, no injuries or whatsoever. No need to worry.." At that exact moment, a group of police officers came by.
Sanosuke: " wow! So much for timing…" , he said rolling his eyes
Police officer: " sorry about that, hope nothing bad happened to any of you. These guys here have been wanted for such a long time.. They have been stealing and raping several young women. Thanks for your help. There has been a reward going on for those who were able to catch them. If you come by the police station tomorrow, both of you can have them.."
Megumi: " Oh, no thanks officer. I don't really accept money for that..But I know someone who would", coughing suddenly.
Sanosuke: oh..w..wai..wait a minute..are you referring to me? Now, I..d.d.don't accept money that easily either!!!.." he shouted looking quite annoyed.
Megumi: " if I knew…" , Megumi whispered.
Sanosuke: " What was that?! Want to say that again?! I've just sav..", before Sanosuke could finish what he was saying, the police officer interrupted him.
Police officer: Anyways, if anyone of you want to claim the reward, just like I said, come by the police office tomorrow. We'll have to keep on going, we need to put these guys back to where they belong, in jail. Good evening to you both and arigato once again!".. The police officer bowed and left with the rest of the officers.There was a short pause for a while, until Sanosuke finally said something.
Sanosuke: " What the hell were you doing at this time of night?! Alone?! I already knew you were an insane foxy-lady, but I didn't actually think that your insanity would……" before he could finish once again, Megumi bowed her head and thanked him.
Megumi: " Thank you . I wouldn't know what I would have done if you hadn't showed up.." she smiled and started walking again.
Sanosuke blushed and followed her.
Sanosuke: " Where are you heading anyways?!"
Megumi: " I'm going home. There was this patient who was sick and I had to go over there at the middle of the night. I kinda finished late, and because it was starting to get windy, I decided to take the short way."
Sanosuke ( thinking) : "She cares too much for other people, she cares too much, that she doesn't think about herself.."he thought, while looking at Megumi.
Megumi: " What?"
Sanosuke jumped.
Megumi: " Why are you looking at me like that?" she said, looking straight ahead, and continued to walk.
Sanosuke: " Me?! Looking at you?! W..w..why the heck would I do that?!"
Megumi: " I don't know…maybe because you finally realized I AM beautiful and not an ugly Fox as you would say…" Megumi chuckles, putting her hand onto her mouth.
Sanosuke: " YOU?! Beautifu?!l..a..aren't you being a bit conceited." He said, " TOO conceited, I would say.." he whispered..
Megumi: " what was that? I thought I've heard something…?!" , pulling Sano's ear.
Sanosuke: " What was what?! I didn't say anything! O..ouw!! THAT HURTS!! "
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When Sanosuke and Megumi arrived at Dr. Gensai's house, the wind just kept on blowing stronger and stronger.
Sanosuke: " So, I guess I'll be seeing you.. hope you don't go around walking by yourself at night again..coz you know..people who care.." he paused for a while.." Like…umm..Jo-chan for instance! (of all people!) ", he thought and added quickly, "..might get worried…anyways, I'll be going now. Be seeing ya, night night! " As he turned back, Megumi stopped him.
Megumi: " You really are a stupid guy, aren't you?"
Sanosuke: " w..what?! what did I do now?!"
Megumi: " It's cold outside.. You'll catch a cold if you go home now. I guess it will be alright for Dr. Gensai, for you to stay a night. I don't think he would mind. You'll have to sleep at the cellar though, would that be fine?…" she said, looking pensive.
Sanosuke: "uh..uhh..that..That would be great." He said smiling, as he closed the gate.
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Well guys, hope you enjoyed chappie number one! Please read and review and remember, the more reviews,the faster the upload!