REVISED: 05 February 2019

6. The Kiss Under The Rain

-;-

Megumi took her breath - Today, she should be in her clinic, working and helping people to cure their illness. Today, she should be making some herbal medicines and sell it in the market. Today, she should be having the usual day of being the single/uncommitted woman in this wide world. But no, today; she was walking in the busy street of Kyoto with the guy she found the most idiot among the idiots, Sanosuke.

She sighs and looked around. People looked at them and whispered something she could not hear; perhaps they thought she was dating with him, for goodness sake! She could imagine rumours spreading fast like a fire, 'The well-respected doctor Takani Megumi was seen alone with the former street punk Sagara Sanosuke!'

"Hey, fox? Can you at least talk and fill this awkward silence?" Sanosuke asked.

"Well, if not for Misao, I would not go on a date... I mean walk with YOU!" she answered, loudly.

"Oh? Aren't you happy for once to spend some time with me? Today is my rest day from my stressful job…"

"Well, all jobs are stressful…" Megumi commented with a heavy sigh.

"…I know that is why we should enjoy this day! We should eat in the Shirobeko after buying a kimono. Maybe I should take you to some cool places I visited with Kenshin." He said, analytically.

The name struck her heart like a roar of thunder. Of course, she was having some fun with Sanosuke and appreciates his feelings for her. Part of her was glad that he got a decent job and they never fought like dogs and cats anymore, but if Kenshin was on her side instead of him, she would be happier.

Himura Kenshin…

The prince who saved him from the fires in her hometown Aizu, eight years ago...

She was eight and he was fourteen.

He was her former friend with a friendship that lasts for fifteen years. They spent some time together in the castle during their childhood years and became very close friends. She already met Hiko, Okon, also Aoshi that made her presence welcome in the palace - but not until Kenshin met Kaoru, not until she heard that they were already engaged, not until he rejected her and broke her heart into pieces…

Despite the sadness and intense sorrow, she became really matured about it – she moved on. If Kenshin was happy with Kaoru, so Megumi will be happy too. But the pain he caused her is already too much to torn her into pieces that made her decided not to face him ever again.

"Please come again!" the shop owner told them as they bought the kimono for Misao.

"Sorry." Sanosuke said, this time his voice was low. "For mentioning his name."

He knew her too well, her secrets, why her mood suddenly changed. "No, it's fine... I wish to go home now… I'm already tired." she lied. Somehow, she felt really bad because she made Sano worried about her unrequited love feelings.

"Want me…" he paused."…to escort you home?" He added, his voice trying to sound polite to her.

"No, you don't need to! Just go to the clinic and tell Yahiko to bring Misao…" she answered as Sanosuke turned around to leave. "Hey, rooster head…" she whispered in her usual soft voice, making him stop; he turned to look at her, "Thanks for everything."

Sanosuke just smiled in return- weakly.

-;-

It was the longest three weeks of her life. The next ball was themed as 'Wind' so most of the fans and newly designed kimonos was already purchased. This time, Yumi sent her out the day after the first ball to get all of them elegant paper fans. With the kimonos already taken care of, she hopes that the time spent until the next ball would be simple return to her old routine.

But alas, no, with the upcoming party tonight, Shishio has a very large number of visitors. From breakfast parties to late dinners, Misao was kept on her toes almost nonstop. Some days she does not have any time for herself even to fix her hair in braids. Unexpectedly, Shishio told her not to gather woods in the forest that made her disappointed because she wanted to see Aoshi today…

…if Aoshi visited the forest.

"Hey Yumi, will you please come here and help me to get dressed?" Kamatari said across the room.

"Do you really need to prepare now?" she heard Yumi replied. "It's still three weeks early!" she added.

"I just want to fit this kimono!" she commented back.

She shuddered and wished that this madness would soon end… but as she wished that Aoshi would find a bride to end all of this, she will cry with jealousy towards the unknown woman he would wed. She spent so much time sighing over this matter that Yahiko and Yutaro began advising her.

"Hey, weasel. Why make that kind of face? Oh come on, smile!" Yahiko said three days before the next party.

"I feel lazy, that's all." She lied as she stood near the laundry basket and daydreamed about the ice blue eyes prince.

"Yahiko was right, you're not like you." Yutaro added and went outside to water the plants.

Yahiko stepped closer to her, looking from side to side, his face glint like there was a fantastic secret to tell. "Are you thinking about the next ball?" He whispered, smiling at her, "Sanosuke would let you in again… if I asked."

She shook her head, "No, Yahiko. It's dangerous to cross the line again!" she sighs and began the task that remained undone so far.

"I thought you like to attend again, two princes have sought you up and danced with you, doesn't it make you happy?" he asked.

"Of course it is!" Misao yelled in frustration.

"Sanosuke said something really fishy to me." Yahiko laughed as he turned to leave. "And since you don't like to attend the next ball, this won't really matter to you anyway."

"Wait, what?" she demanded, stopping him.

"Tell me that you like to attend the ball first!" Yahiko teased.

"Aaaaghhh. Yahiko!" Misao answered in annoyance.

"You knew Kaoru? She's Kenshin's girlfriend! Sanosuke heard them talking, they were so surprised that Aoshi asked some information about you."

"And what did he ask?"

"He asked your full name and the place you were staying." He answered.

"I told Kenshin that my name is Sukunami Akari and I only travelled here! I never mentioned any specific place!" she sounded so horrified, afraid that he could find her and knew who she truly is.

"So?" he shrugged "You never blurt much of information so I think it will be safe to find him in the next ball." He smiled at her, clearly pleased with his logics.

"Bloody hell, Yahiko. No!" she answered. "Once was bad enough and I don't want to make everything worse!"

"But Sanosuke and Megumi already bought a kimono for you!"

"Oh!" Misao said, her voice surprised and was touched by the kindness of Sanosuke and Megumi. It will be shameful if she will waste their effort for her.

"With the clothes taken care of, all you need is a fan and some decent sandals."

Misao shook her head and sighed. If Aoshi will not order a death punishment for her secret acts, well… she was sure that Shishio would take care of her death for cheating Kamatari out of their royal prize.

"Your prince charming also said that you are very different…" Yahiko said, trying to convince her.

She blushed as she thought about it. Deep inside, she really wanted to see Aoshi again. Luckily, she was not caught last time but…

"What if something goes wrong?"

"So you will go?" he grinned hugely at her. "Sanosuke said he had it covered."

"Fine, fine!" she answered delightful.

"Brilliant!" Yahiko said almost jumping with joy. "I'm going to meet Sanosuke at Megumi's place! Meet me at the clinic before the ball, see you there!" he called as he took off.

-;-

When her chores were done and the sun began to set, Misao found herself inside Gensai's clinic with Sanosuke, Megumi and Yahiko.

"Where did you bought this?" Misao asked, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She was now wearing a very cheap yet beautiful kimono. It was deep sapphire blue; abstract lines were designed on its fabric. It was simple yet it looks fantastic.

"Um… he and I bought it for you." Megumi answered, hitting Sanosuke when she heard him teasing Yahiko.

"You two are dating already?" Yahiko asked, grinning. "Congratulations!"

"Shut up!" Megumi answered, blushing. "And oh, you can have my old sandals... it doesn't fit me anymore so I would like to give it to you..." She added. "…so now, all you need is a paper fan; I heard that there's a cheap store selling fans in the next town so better check it out, okay?"

Misao smiled. Suddenly the weather changed, everyone could hear the gentle pattering of the rain outside.

Knock, knock.

"Excuse me, I need to answer the door." Megumi dashed off to greet the visitor.

She slid the shoji door open and it revealed Himura Kenshin and Kamiya Kaoru.

"Hello everyone, sorry for the sudden interruption, but I've heard from one of the townsmen that Sanosuke is here, I would like to discuss him some important matters." he stated but his smile suddenly dropped from the face of surprised Megumi in front of him.

"Oh, hello dear!" Kaoru tried to sound cheerful yet her voice was horrified by Megumi's intense stare on her.

"Ken-san…" she said and ran away.

"FOX!" Sanosuke called and ran after her.

-;-

Misao followed where Megumi ran. She failed to catch up on Sanosuke either. It was dark and rainy, the streets are really empty. The thunderstorm was loud, the rain falls so hard. As her eyes scanned her surroundings, she was surprised to see two figures in the edge of the street.

It was Sanosuke and Megumi. She refrains from taking another step forward, not wanting to disturb their moment.

"Why I'm not good? I'm not young! Why?" Megumi said in a low voice and buried her face in his chest. Looking back, she realised that she was so weak in her life, so fragile. "Why it was so hard to love someone who can't love you back?"

He wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "You know, love is not all about age and looks, everything was for the feelings inside."

Megumi remained silent this time.

"Are you crying?" he asked and looked up at the sky. Sanosuke touched some strands of her hair and embraced her tightly. He never like the idea that Megumi shed so many tears for Kenshin and in a sudden; he felt a pang of jealousy ache within.

This time, her voice was shaking, "Idiot, no… I'm not weak enough to cry!" She denied.

"Then why is my chest so wet? You're such a liar, fox." He smiled and held her chin up so he can look at her beautiful face. The rain may mask the tears in her face but he knew, she was crying.

He leaned forward to reach her lips and she did not restrain it. Under the midst of the rain, Megumi realised the feelings she has for him. It may be different from the kind of love that she had for Kenshin, but she cannot bear to lose Sanosuke either…

"Sanosuke, someone might see us…" She answered, knowing what he would do next.

"I don't care." He whispered and leaned slowly to kiss her.

Misao smiled at the sight of them.

End of Chapter