I went to bed and nearly as soon as I crawled under my blankets, I was asleep, but apparently that wasn't the case for Sano, he was restless

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Ruroni Kenshin in anyway shape or form though this story is mine, and the idea came from my good friend Kobra.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: italics indicates a long memory. Just plain italics equal memories.Hope you enjoy the chapter be sure to read and review. And I apologize for the wait between the chapters writers block and up coming graduation it's hard!

CHAPTER 6 Memories

I went to bed and nearly as soon as I crawled under my blankets, I was asleep, but apparently that wasn't the case for Sano, he was restless. He tossed and turned, and couldn't sleep for the life of him, so he got up with a groan. It was going to rain again he could feel it in his bones, it was humid, and the sent of jasmine and cherry blossoms lingered in the air.

"There's no point in trying to sleep," he sighed walking though there Dojo back out to the porch.

Sano just sat there for a while, taking in the peaceful silence of the dark night. Spring was always his favorite season, the colors were brighter, the nights were warm but not to hot, and the girls, we'll there were more of them in the streets to look at.

Sano sighed, "What's wrong with me," running his hands through his hair and pulling his bandana off in the process.

"Nothing, right now," whispered a man, Sano's head snapped up, his fist clenched, and his muscles tightened.

"Who's there," Sano spat, throwing his bandana to the side, but there was nothing, only silence and the gentle breeze.

His eyes darted around waiting for the man to jump, or make the slightest move, he wasn't always the one to start the fight, but he most certainly was the one to finish it. The man watched Sano silently from the bush, then carefully moved to tree, isn't this idiot ever going to move he though shifting slightly in effort to relive the cramp growing in his leg. Sano sighed, that man was some where in the yard and he knew it. I wonder if it's truly me he wants or if it's the fox lady getting into trouble again. Then the man got restless his legs were cramped and he was getting bored, so he moved to a new position snapping twigs in the process. Sano chuckled. He knew exactly where he was and he was going to have a little fun, cracking his knuckles he stood, and acted as if he were going inside and when the man dropped to the ground, Sano's eyes flashed bright a fight always brought a fresh blaze to his eyes. It wasn't much of a fight, the man drew his sword, and Sano disarmed him with a swift crack to the arm. The man howled in pain, dropped his blade, and ran.

Sano just chuckled, picked up the blade, and resumed his position on the porch, "did I wake you."

"That you did," Kenshin yawned with a sleepy half frown half bemused look, "Sanosuke, I thought we talked about you not bringing your fights to the dojo."

"And I told you I wouldn't," he said defensively. Kenshin just looked at him waiting for an explanation, "that was some man, I took care of he was lurking on the grounds for something, probably after our little fox…"

"Megumi, Sanosuke, please treat her with respect she's not like the women you look at in town," Kenshin reprimanded.

Sano nodded and handed the sword to Kenshin, "here it's a nice blade, if you wont use it then at least add it to the display in the training hall."

"I'm going back to bed, Kaoru isn't feeling well, and has been keeping me up, goodnight Sano," and Kenshin left.

Sano sighed; he still wasn't tired if any thing the fight had made it even harder to sleep. The wind rustled the bushes. Sano watched the yard carefully, this isn't over he thought. The night was growing colder and he wasn't in the mood to catch a cold.

"Time to go inside," he said to himself as he got up and walked through the house. Just as a precaution I think ill guard the little lady's door, he thought to himself as he sat down resting his back against the door.

I sighed and rolled over, the sun hadn't come up yet but I was awake. There was no reason to get up just yet, so I thought. I hoped that my day at the clinic went better in all aspects than it had been yesterday, and I hoped that Dr. Genzai wasn't angry with me about what happened. Though somewhere in the mist of all my thoughts, I some how managed to fall back asleep, and when I woke up again there was a steady stream of light coming through the window. I stretched and thought I haven't slept this late in a while. It felt good to be rested. The dojo was silent, it seemed everyone decided to sleep late today, but I wasn't worried; I got up and took care of the few possessions I owned, put my bedding away, combed my hair, and dabbed a bit of jasmine perfume on my wrist and neck. I don't think I have ever gone a day without that perfume it was one of the few things I had to remember my father by. I held it in my hand and thought back to the day when he gave it to me. I was seven, my father had gotten a little extra money, and for my birthday gave me a grand bottle of jasmine perfume, the same bottle I have today, full to the brim with the freshest harvest of the decade. I was so enthralled that I hardly let it out of my sight; I even carried it with me in my school bag. Then not even three days after my birthday, my family was slaughtered in the war, and my father's business partner took me in and raised me along with is nephew, Kanryu. I wasn't allowed to take much, only what could fit in the one suitcase that had been brought for me, so I took with me what mattered the most, my fathers final present and our family photo. I stepped back from the mirror and wiped the tears from my eyes and gently put the bottle back on the dresser right next to my family photo and my soiled kimonos.

I picked up my bag, and went to the door with everyone sleeping so late I thought, I better make breakfast or there will be none, for everyone will be far busy with their day to day chores. I pulled open the door I almost screamed for there was a thud of a sleeping Sano falling back and hitting the floor and I couldn't help but giggle and wonder, "why are sleeping against my door?" He sat up and grumbled an inaudible something along the lines of, "the man outside…. Protecting…" before flopping back over and slumbering on. I continued to giggle as I walked down the hall to the kitchen, as weird as it was to have a man slumbering out side my door again. It was funny because not only were his intentions pure for the most part but he was the cutest sleeping man I had ever seen. Breakfast, I thought, what should I make for breakfast? In a few minutes I had made up my mind to make rice balls with my special fillings and sauces, it didn't take long and it was my specialty. I had just about finished the rice balls when finally Kenshin and Kaoru came strolling in to the kitchen through the back door hand in hand.

"Good morning, Megumi," beamed Kaoru.

"Yes, good morning Megumi-dono," yawned Kenshin.

"I thought you were all still sleeping, so I started breakfast I hope you don't mind," I said placing the last rice ball on the serving plate and sprinkled the tops of them with a light seasoning.

"Not a problem at all Megumi," said Kaoru, "but I hope you'll forgive me if I don't eat much certain foods haven't been agreeing with me."

"Are you all right," said Kenshin and I in unison.

"Yes, no need to worry I'm sure it's just the annual spring cold," she smiled.

"Well if your symptoms persist, Kaoru please let me know, I need to treat you if they do," I frowned.

"Will do," she said and then she giggled, "Megumi I was wondering why Sanosuke is sleeping outside your door."

"Your guess is as good as mine," I said with a smile grabbing the tray and moving it to the center of the dining table, "though he gave me quite a scare when I opened the door."

"He was probably just worried about the man lurking around the yard last night, and thought it best to watch over Megumi-dono for the night," he said nonchalantly.

"How sweet of him," cooed Kaoru causing my face to grow warm, then she realized what Kenshin said, "WAIT THERE WAS A MAN LURKING IN OUR YARD LAST NIGHT IS THAT WHERE THAT SWOARD CAME FROM, KENSHIN YOU NEVER TOLD ME THAT."

"ORO!" Kenshin said backing away, "I didn't want to worry you Kaoru."

Kaoru truly wasn't someone I wanted to make angry she wasn't the most pleasant person the rest of the morning. Not only was she unpleasant but she snapped at everything, and hardly spoke to Kenshin at all except to bark orders or tell him to shut up. Kenshin let out a deep sigh as we exited the dojo, it showed in his eyes that he was sorry, the look nearly broke my heart.

"I'm sure Karou will get over being angry with you soon Kenshin, please don't look so depressed," I pleaded.

"I'm sorry Megumi-dono," said Kenshin hanging his head, "But she's been like this in the morning for a few weeks now, I've been trying to give her space in the morning so she has time to adjust, she doesn't know I know, but she's been vomiting in the morning but every time I mention anything she pretends not to hear me or she changes the subject."

"Kenshin I want you when you go home, once Kaoru has calmed down, I want you to send her to the clinic, you don't have to tell her it's for an examination but she needs to come in I think I know what's wrong," Kenshin smiled as I said this.

"Thank you, Megumi, I don't know how to thank you," he said stopping in front of the clinic.

I smiled and went inside; Dr. Genzai was sitting there waiting with his bag in hand. "Good, you're right on time," he smiled gathering his things ready to leave, "I have an early appointment with a patient who has leukemia."

"You're not angry about yesterday," I asked.

"No," he smiled, "nothing was damaged, you are well, and the criminal is apprehended but if you don't feel safe I can stay here."

"No, No," I smiled, "I'm fine I can handle it."

"Ok, lock up at seven unless there are patients, and thank you Megumi you truly are a blessing."

Time went by slowly at first, there were more people with the same seasonal cold, but then mid afternoon hit and there was a big rush, three men who had been in a bar fight had come bleeding from many places and needed stitches. Then there was a woman and her child whom was having an asthma attack and another group of men from the same bar fight with fractured noses and broken hands, but nothing I couldn't handle. Around five thirty the clinic was empty and I finally had a minute to sit down and relax. I sat back in a chair to relax but just as I had done so the door opened again and I jumped to my feet. It would look unprofessional of me to be found sitting idly whit bandages and medicines askew.

"Oh hello, Kaoru-san," I smiled; I had been wondering if Kenshin was going to be able to get her to come out here.

"Hello Megumi," she smiled meekly her cheeks were flushed and her forehead was sweaty, "Kenshin suggested I come to say hello to you earlier in the day, he said you might like some company, but after my morning class I was so exhausted I had to take a nap, and I slept nearly all this time Kenshin would worry if he knew please don't tell him Megumi."

"I'll keep it quiet," I reassured.

"My lord Megumi, you must have had a lot of patients," said Kaoru looking around at the mess "would like my help cleaning up?"

"That would be great," I smiled. We cleaned together talking about this and that finally I got her on the topic about how she's been feeling lately.

"Megumi, you can't tell Kenshin any of this, he worries too much, I mean he acts like I'm going to die," she worried.

"I won't, promise," I said with a smile that must have reassured her because she rambled on.

"Megumi, I've been so tired that I feel like I can't make it through the day, I get sick every morning, and sometimes more than once, my back aches, smells make me nauseous, Megumi can you tell me what's wrong with me."

"Well Kaoru can you answer me a few questions," I said being professional.

"Sure," she beamed, obviously talking must have made here feel better.

"Well first off have you and Kenshin been intimate lately," I couldn't help but laugh as her face turned about seven different shades of red.

"Yes," she squeaked, "but what does that have to do with…"

But I cut her off, "and when was your last menstrual cycle?"
"Now that I think of it I should have gotten it by now," she responded.

I smiled, "Well Kaoru, brace yourself because you are about to become a mommy."

I'm not quite sure why, I guess it was excitement, but Kaoru fainted at hearing the news. I sighed, and moved her over to a cot and got a cool wash cloth for her head, I would have stayed and attended to her more diligently but I had a few patients show up, needing to be treated for bronchitis. It was nearly seven before Kaoru came around.

I was putting away the mop when she called me, "Megumi."

"Just one minute Kaoru, don't move I'll be right there," I called from the supply closet.

I got her up and around, she was queasy and unsure of what to do, she wanted to know how to tell Kenshin, she wanted to know what was going to happen to her all the changes that would take place, if she could continue working at the dojo. I told her to calm down take it one step at a time first worry about telling Kenshin and then we can worry about the rest.

"Just remember Kaoru I'm always around if you have questions," at that she smiled and we waited outside clinic for one of the boys to come get us.

.

Kaoru was silent, she was preoccupied with her thoughts, she had a look of panic on her flushed face when Sano finally came strolling up.

"Well, well," he smirked, "looks like I get two pretty ladies to walk me home tonight."

"Why the long face Jou-chan," Sano questioned, you could see it in his eyes that he was worried about her, "not happy to see me," he winked.

"I've got a lot on my mind Sano," Kaoru sighed, "and I'm not in the mood for your childish behavior so nock it off."

"Yes, mother," he smirked. Kaoru didn't find it funny but I sure got a chuckle out of it I though I tried to hold it back I couldn't help not to.

"Megumi thinks I'm funny," he said as we set off down the road.

"That's right I think you're funny," I smirked, "I think it's hilarious that a grown man can act like a five year in old."

Sano's smirk drew up into a bigger smile and Karou giggled, "Megumi, I wouldn't play his game if I where you don't know what you are getting into."

"Yeah, fox-lady," he smirked, "you don't know what you're getting yourself into," he laughed, and we walked the rest of the way in silence.

But this is a game that I really would like to play thought Sano as he stopped at the gate holding it open for the two women before following and latching it behind them.

"Megumi, what do I do," Kaoru whispered, pleadingly, "I don't want to tell him with everyone around."

"Don't worry," I smiled, "I'll get the boys out of the way but you have to tell Kenshin on your own."

"Thanks," she muttered.

All through supper I was thinking of a way to get the boys out of the house but I couldn't come up with a reason to have them leave. I almost jumped for joy when Sano suggested that the five of us go out for a drink.

"Sano I'm not in the mood to watch you drown yourself in sake," Koaru said, "but you are more than welcome to go alone."

"It's no fun alone, what about it Kenshin are you in," he looked at Kaoru and from the look on her face he knew what to say.

"Not tonight Sano," he smiled, "I ran the afternoon class for Kaoru."

"Fine," Sano said sounding a little dejected.

"I'll go," piped Yahiko.

"NO YOU WON'T," shouted Kaoru, "you'll just get yourself in trouble, and be hung over and won't be any help in teaching class."

"Don't worry, Koaru I'll go watch them," I winked.

"Oh ok," Koaru looked truly terrified.

I took care of the dishes while Yahiko helped, he was a truly spunky kid, and had a lot to talk about. He was ready to take on teaching at the dojo with Kaoru, it seemed everyone here had a troubled past, but came to live in the dojo and now has a better life.

"Are you almost done," Sano asked popping his head in the kitchen.

"We'd be done faster if you'd help," I spat back.

"Ok," he said picking up a rag, "what do I need to do."

We finished up what we needed to do, said good bye to Kenshin and Kaoru and set of into the setting sun for a night of drinking and fun.

We didn't stay long, no more than an hour or two, but when we returned Kenshin and Kaoru were in bed and Yahiko went strait to bed, "well I don't know about you," I smiled, "but I'm not ready for bed, so I'm going to sit here on the porch and watch the stars."

Sano didn't say any thing but he sat down at my side, closed his eyes, and sighed. I didn't know what to say to him, but luckily he spoke first.

"Well, it seems you managed to stay out of trouble today," he chuckled, "and I was quite looking forward to saving you again."

I laughed, "who ever said I needed saving?"

He said nothing but smirked, you know you enjoy it.

"So tell me about your past," he said, "I know you told the rest of the clan but id like to hear the story myself."

Is he interested in me I thought well I'd like to find out, "only if I get to hear yours, I would like to find out where all those scars came from and how you became a fighter for hire?"

"So you were looking at my body, eh?" Sano smiled, so maybe there is chance of having a little fox to play with.

I blushed about seven shades of red, thank the lord its dark. We took turns telling stories of our past, learning new things, and reliving old memories. Sano was now laying on his back staring at the sky listening to my story about my Jasmine perfume, "wow," he sighed, "I'm sorry, but that is truly sad it makes all my stories of battle and honor seem like a bunch of worthless trash."

"There is no need to dwell on the sadness of the past when you have the prosperity and bliss in the feature," I said, "my father always told me that."

"Your father sounds like a wise man," said Sano.

"He was," I said simply, "god how you can lay like this it's so uncomfortable."

"Now don't go and be all womanly and get angry," he chuckled, "but you can lay on me…. As a pillow," he added quickly and I took him up on his offer.

"Thank you," I smiled, it felt good to be this close to him, its felt safe and I liked it, "it's your turn to tell a story."

"Ok," he said taking in a deep breath, god she smells amazing, he thought, "well I guess I'll tell you the story of my bandana… it all started when I was adopted…"

By that point I was started to fall asleep, but as I fell asleep I thought of my fathers motto, There is no need to dwell on the sadness of the past when you have the prosperity and bliss in the feature my fathers motto but for many years I thought him wrong, but now as I stand back and look at my what is developing in my new life I can see that he was always wrong, and he was always right.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well I hope you enjoyed the chapter, PLEASE read and review. 3 Sano's queen (a.k.a Kaia)