Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Kenshin, or any of the characters though the story is completely my own. Please don't flame for spelling or grammar my computer sucks and I'm not good catching it.
It was barely dawn when I awoke the next morning, stretching I pulled back the blankets shivering as the cool morning air tickled my skin. I laid there on my futon for almost an hour thinking; somewhat wondering if the previous night had all just been an awful dream. I sighed, I knew it hadn't been a dream, I could smell by the stench of smoke and sulfur that lingered in my hair. I could hear the gentle tapping of feet on the oak wood floors, and I decided I had sat there long enough worrying about the past. I stood happy that I wasn't the only one who awoke at ungodly hours, and began to take care of my bedding.
Crossing to the dressing table I looked myself in the mirror, the sight I saw was not the person I knew. I stared at my reflection, my skin though soiled was full of color, my cheeks were flushed, and my eyes were bright. I looked and felt healthier than ever, it's amazing what a change in scenery can do. I Ran my fingers through my hair in an attempt to smooth it out a bit, and then proceeded to the door. I stopped, resting my hand gently on the handle; I closed my eyes and sighed.
"Here goes nothing," I muttered to my self as I pulled back the door. Walking through the threshold of that door felt like that first day of school, I felt scared and helpless. As I walked down the hall toward the kitchen it was just like that long tormenting walk to the class room, where you wonder how the people would treat you. Finally turning the corner to the room was the scariest part of the whole trip, but upon seeing the teacher's smiling face every worry washed away, but this time it wasn't the teacher's smile that wiped away the fear, this time it was Kenshin Himura. His smile was warm, bright, and a big relief to my troubled mind.
Hearing my entrance he turned, "good morning, Miss Megumi," he greeted.
"Good morning," I said approaching him, it amazed me, he was cooking breakfast.
"Would you like some help," I asked, watching closely as he chopped spices an herbs with neat precision.
"If you wouldn't mind, that would be wonderful," he responded, "then I could go run a few errands before everyone else gets up."
"I don't mind at all," I smiled.
"Thank you, Megumi-dono," he said, "I trust you know your way around a kitchen, you seem to be a very knowledgeable woman."
I nodded and watched him as he slipped on his sandals and left, before picking up the knife to finish cutting what Kenshin had started. I took my time preparing the rest of the breakfast, being sure to cut everything with the same precision that Kenshin was using previously. It was silent in the kitchen and every chop echoed through the room. Most people would find the lingering silence unnerving, but me I found it peaceful. I could hear every chirp of the birds, every creek of the floor, every tiny little sound that came floating through on the gentle breeze. I was just finishing putting breakfast on the serving tray and turned to put it on the dining table when I heard Kaoru's voice.
"Kenshin," she said through a yawn, "breakfast smells wonderful."
Kaoru's face turned immediately to cherry red when she rounded the corner to the kitchen and realized that it wasn't Kenshin at all.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Megumi, I thought you were Kenshin," she said with a bright smile.
"Its ok," I replied, "it originally was Kenshin, so you weren't that far off, but he said he had some errands to run, so I offered to take over I hope everyone enjoys it."
"I'm sure we will, let me go wake Yahiko," Kaoru said turning around.
"There's no need to wake the boy Kaoru," I said, "I can warm his food when he gets up."
"If he doesn't get up soon he will be late for training, and his sensei isn't fond of that," with that she turned on her heal a devious smile plastered on her face.
Twenty minutes later Kaoru, Yahiko, and I sat at the table when Kenshin returned with a short wrinkled old man at his side.
"Kenshin, you're just in time," cried Yahiko, "Miss Megumi cooked and I'm positive by the smell of it that its going to taste about a thousand times better than Kaoru's…"
It was like a flash of light watching Kaoru's hand fly down and smack Yahiko upside the head.
"Miss Megumi," said Kenshin, "this is Dr. Genzai, and he said if you can prove your self competent he is willing to take on the extra help at the clinic."
I stood in awe and bowed as I spoke, "Very nice to meet you."
"It's my pleasure, Miss Megumi," croaked the old man who was about half my height. I couldn't help but chuckle and try slight smile.
"Its ok Miss to laugh at my height most people around this place does," there was something in this old man that I admired form the start, not to mention he was about the cutest thing I had ever met.
After breakfast Kaoru and Kenshin offered to clean up while I talked with Dr. Genzai. He asked me my experiences with medicine, and had me diagnose things form the descriptions he gave me, and then he was silent.
"Dr. Genzai if you would like to see some of my physical work I could show you the stitches and dressings I did last night for Zanza," I said nervously.
"Yes," he said getting to his feet.
We wondered down the hall to the room where Zanza slept, as I opened the door you could hear the gentle peaceful breathing of a sleeping man. I smiled to my self, he really is cute isn't he, I thought as I bent down and began undressing the wound.
"You've done a good job here; Kenshin told me he got shot, yes? For being shot there is very little swelling, the wound is stitched properly with one of the most difficult forms of stitching, and there is almost no blood on the dressings. This is some of the best medical work I've seen in my entire career, I would be happy to take you on at the clinic."
"Really," my face was hot I could tell I was blushing, I had never heard such praise of my skills, "Thank you so much."
"You can start after the weekend, have Kenshin or Yahiko escort you for the first few days, and be there promptly at nine," he said with a smile, "but now I really must be going I have patients to see."
The doctor left and I redressed the wounds, but as I left he woke up and uttered one simple word that made my spirits sore, "Thanks."
Authors Note: so I know the chapter didn't have much action or anything but the next chapter will be a little more eventful I promise. Do me a favor and please, please, please review and stick around for the next chapter.