Megumi stayed in bed until 9:00 on Saturday morning. She had fallen asleep to Sano's voice over the phone – something that she had apparently been doing frequently as he loved to remind her. From her bed she could see the gown hanging in her walk in closet. It was a beautiful, custom-made creation in rich, deep red with dark silver accents. With her pale skin, dark features and equally dark hair, she was a vision in the crimson silk.
Having been to her fair share of galas and other high-profile events, Megumi had her schedule for the event preparation down pat and she trusted the efficiency of her hired staff so she allowed herself some time to chat with Hikaru for an hour and do some leisurely reading before beginning her preparations for the gala still hours away.
She joined her parents for breakfast and fielded overly specific questions from her mother on how she and Sano were getting along. She did admit, to her mother's delight, that she liked him very much and that she was looking forward to seeing him that night. After breakfast, Megumi and her mother went out to have their nails done followed by facial treatments. Belatedly, Michiko told Megumi that they were scheduled to have tea with Mrs. Onoda and her daughter.
The Onoda's were already at the café when Takani mother and daughter arrived. Megumi had gone to elementary school with Ayako and liked the other girl well enough. They chatted as their mothers did the same.
Mrs. Onoda turned to Megumi. "Megumi-chan, your mother tells me that you and the young Sagara are getting to know each other."
"Sano and I have known each other since we were children." Megumi answered, unwilling to disclose more.
"I'm aware of that, my dear. Believe me, if you didn't have that advantage, I would have wanted him for my own dear Ayako." Mrs. Onoda laughed delicately behind her hand. "But apparently, one date was not enough to catch his attention." Ayako blushed as Megumi quickly lowered her teacup lest she spill the contents in her sudden agitation.
"Well, Sano and Megumi are quite the pair," Mrs. Takani cut in. "And when it happens, we will be sure to invite you to the wedding party." She said with finality. The ladies went on their separate ways soon after, much to Megumi's relief. Michiko patted her daughter's hand as they went back home. "There, there, my dear, no need to get upset over thoughtless words."
"I wasn't—"
"I think, you are quite in love with him already." Michiko chuckled and wouldn't hear of Megumi's protests.
~O~O~O~
Megumi finished another two chapters from her novel before checking her phone but there was no new message from Sano. The last one was still from that morning at 9:00.
Finally back home. Call you later.
Sano was frustrated when he called her on Thursday – he had once again been delayed on his already postponed departure. He caught a redeye out of Belgium that night or 1:00 AM on Friday, Japan time, opting for a two-stop flight over a one-stop since it cut a few hours from his total travel time. Sano's last call had been just before he left Brussels.
"We're getting ready for takeoff. I'm arriving in Nagoya early Saturday morning."
"Be safe." Another voice came through the phone. Sir, I need to ask you to put your phone away.
"Gotta go. Can't wait to see ya, Kitsune."
After lunch, Megumi showered and let her hair air dry while she took a nap for half an hour. The hairstylist and makeup artist arrived by 3:30. She was primped and polished until she was perfectly coiffed and styled. Her makeup was classy and sophisticated, highlighting her beautiful eyes, accented by her perfect lips without being overpowering.
A blue light blinked from her phone and Megumi picked it up. There was a missed call from Sano. She quickly dialed him back but it went straight to voicemail. She checked his voice message: Kistune, got an emergency. Nothing to worry about. I'll pick you up as scheduled. It was almost 5:00.
Michiko entered her daughter's room as Megumi stood in front of a mirror in her gown.
"Oh, sweetheart. You're beautiful." Megumi twirled.
"Thanks, Mother."
"Sano won't be able to keep his eyes off you. He's arriving any minute now, isn't he?"
Megumi nodded. "He was already on his way when he got called to do something."
"I'm sure he'll be here soon. Let me go check on your father and see how he's managing – I don't understand how we both managed to finish dressing before he did."
"We started hours before him, Mother." Megumi laughed.
At a quarter to six, Michiko suggested that Megumi just join them. "Don't you think Sano should just meet you at the gala?"
"Iiye, Mother. He said he'll pick me up. He'll be here." Megumi trusted him so she said goodbye to her parents and sat in the living room to wait for Sano. It was 6:15 and three phone call attempts later when she finally decided that it would be better for just one rather than both of them to enter the gala late. She asked for the town car to be called around then put on her wrap and grabbed her clutch. She tried calling him one more time but it once again went straight to voicemail.
Sano, I'm leaving for the gala. Just meet me there.
The car turned into a main street and hit traffic. Megumi closed her eyes. Oh no. I'm going to miss it.
"Ma'am, you might want to see this." The driver spoke through the intercom. He lowered the partition and pointed to the rearview mirror. Megumi turned in her seat to see a well-dressed young man dodging cars as he made his way down the street toward the town car. When the line of cars slowed down at a light, the man vaulted over a cab's hood and jogged up to Megumi's window. Megumi slowly lowered the tinted glass. She leveled the panting young man a gaze that would have made a lesser man tremble.
"Can I help you?" She asked disinterestedly, studying her manicured nails. The car started moving again but it was rush hour and Sano had no trouble keeping up.
"May I hitch a ride?' He tried.
"Why would I do that?"
"Because you'll be the loveliest woman at the gala and this poor, pathetic soul is requesting permission to escort you and be your slave for the entire night." He held out a large bouquet of flowers toward her. Megumi considered this for a moment, still not deigning to look at her eleventh-hour escort though it did not escape her notice that his silver cufflinks inlaid with pearl matched the exact burnished shade of her clutch.
She nodded once. "I'll allow it." She slipped farther into the car and Sano slid in next to her. His silver tuxedo and crimson cravat complemented her colors beautifully. Megumi approved very much indeed.
"Thank you." He breathed and leaned in to kiss her cheek. Megumi held up a hand.
"Servants, or slaves, rather, know their place." But her harsh words were tempered with a faint smile. Sano grinned and it was Megumi who kissed him on the cheek.
"Welcome back."
"I'm sorry I'm late. Something came up and I had to take a detour on my way here."
"Everything okay?" Megumi searched his face worriedly. Sano leaned back in the seat but kept an arm around her, tucking her in against his side.
"All good. It was a false alarm." He didn't elaborate and Megumi didn't ask farther. They rode the rest of the trip with their arms around each other. "Ready?" Sano asked as the car pulled up to the Westin Nagoya Castle. Members of the paparazzi could be seen lined up along the carpet. Megumi straightened up and patted her hair.
"How do I look?"
"Breathtaking." Sano said. The door opened to a cacophony of flashing lights.
~O~O~O~
The couple easily found their respective parents inside the elegant gold-bedecked hall. Greetings were exchanged and Sano left to grab some drinks.
"I'm glad you made it before dinner began." Michiko whispered to her daughter. Megumi nodded.
"Sano came as he promised." Megumie whispered back and Michiko beamed. An elderly lady approached the group on the arm of a handsome gentleman. "Obaasan!" Megumi hugged her grandmother. "I thought you weren't going to make it!" Shinomori Kagami threaded Megumi's arm through her own.
"How could I not when my dear brother is going to be honored tonight?" The gala was an annual fundraiser for the local children's hospital. This year, Takani Hideo, Megumi's grandfather, was to be recognized posthumously for his role on the hospital board and his many years of service as one of the hospital's foremost advocate and supporter. Akio was to accept the award on his father's behalf.
"It's good to see you, cousin." The handsome young man leaned down and kissed Megumi's cheek. Megumi tugged him back and gave him a hug.
"It's good to see you too, Aoshi." Sano returned holding two champagne glasses. Megumi held a hand out to him and drew him next to her. "Aoshi, you remember Sagara Sanosuke. He and I grew up together." Aoshi extended his hand and Megumi snagged the drink from Sano's right so he could shake Aoshi's. "Sano, you've met my cousin, Shinomori Aoshi."
"I remember losing a challenge to him, yes." Sano said good-naturedly. To Megumi's delight, her taciturn cousin chuckled.
"I think it was only because I was taller then." He shook his head at the memory.
"Is this Sanosuke-kun?" Mrs. Shinomori exclaimed, approaching. Sano recognized Megumi's grandmother from when he was a little boy and bent down to hug the elderly lady.
"You haven't aged a day, Obaasan." He said. Mrs. Shinomori beamed.
"Now, now, young man. You were born a few decades too late." She laughed as Sano made a crestfallen face. She turned to the other young man. "Aoshi-kun, take this old woman to her seat if you would." Aoshi stepped around Megumi and offered his grandmother an arm. "I'll talk to you later, my dear." Kagami said to Megumi.
The Sagaras and Takanis mingled with their friends and acquaintances until dinner was announced and they joined the Shinomoris. Throughout dinner, Megumi observed Sano interact with her family. He spoke easily with them and appeared to thoroughly enjoy their company. A feeling of completeness washed through her and she looked down at her plate lest her emotions were visible on her face. She peeked at Sano. She was in love with him and she wanted him to know.
Various awards and recognitions were conferred throughout the six-course dinner, with the main and last one given to Takani Hideo.
Waiting for the applause to die down, Akio continued his speech. "My father did all that not for recognition, not for praise. If he could have served without ever revealing his name, he would have. He did it because he believes in what we do. This is my father's legacy and it is one that I pass on to my own child." Akio smiled toward his wife and daughter. "Takani Hideo is no longer with us but he still encourages us to do our best, to take up the cause; that instead of killing and tearing down, to instead use our hands to heal and grow." Megumi wiped her eyes as everyone stood to acknowledge the legacy of a great man.
After dinner, the orchestra struck up livelier music and various couples took to the dance floor. Megumi danced with her father, cousin, and of course, Sano.
"Have I already told you how beautiful you are?"
"About an hour and a half ago."
Sano kissed Megumi's temple. "You take my breath away." Megumi smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder.
The night wound down and everyone bid their goodbyes. "Shall we?" Sano asked Megumi if she was ready to call it a night. Megumi nodded yes and he left to fetch their coats so she could say goodbye to her grandmother and Aoshi.
"Don't wait too long, my dear."
"What do you mean, Obaasan?"
"Sanosuke-kun is in love with you – I could see it every time he looks at you." Megumi's eyes widened. "Don't wait too long before starting a life with that special person who makes your every day beautiful."
Aoshi spoke up. "She's not the only one who noticed, Megumi." Megumi reddened at their observations.
~O~O~O~
Megumi made her way toward the exit to find Sano when she saw him speaking with a beautiful woman around their age. Even with his back to her, Megumi could see the tension along Sano's shoulders. She approached to hear the other woman say, "Nevertheless, thank you for keeping me company when I needed it this afternoon." This afternoon? The woman saw her and threw a saccharine smile at Sano. "Won't you introduce me to your friend, Sano?" Sano turned toward Megumi and placed a hand against her back. Megumi bristled at the other woman's overly familiar tone.
"Megumi, this is Hitachi Seiko. I know her through her boyfriend Tatsuya." Megumi didn't miss Sano's meaning. She is an acquaintance, nothing more. The woman smiled sweetly at Megumi but she could see the predatory glint in her eye. "Seiko, this is Takani Megumi—"
"His fiancée." Megumi supplied sweetly. She felt Sano's hand still against her back and she didn't miss the sudden spots of red on the other woman's cheeks nor regret her hasty departure. As soon as Seiko was gone, she stepped away from Sano and turned coldly away. She wove her way through the departing attendees, smiling politely to those she recognized until she reached the coat check. She could sense Sano just behind her. When they were free of the crowd, Sano caught her elbow and steered her to the side.
"Really?"
"Really what?" She snapped, fumbling with her wrap. Sano assisted Megumi with hers before putting on his coat. As soon as she was done, Megumi descended to the waiting limo, Sano at her heels.
"You just said that I'm your fiancé." He waved the chauffer away and opened the door for the irate woman himself. Megumi paused to level a glare at him just before she slipped into the car.
"Well aren't you?
"Of course I am! That is, if ya really want me to be." Megumi didn't respond but stared out the window. "Megumi, please." Sano pled.
"So that's why you were late? That's why you almost stood me up?"
"It's not like that."
"Then pray tell, what was it like then?" Sano sighed. "Who was that woman?" She demanded.
Sano pinched the bridge of his nose. "Seiko thinks that just because I'm longtime friends with Tatsu, she has a claim on me."
"What was the emergency this afternoon?"
"She called distraught. Tatsu is away for school and he had made me promise that I'd check in on Seiko. I felt obligated to, so I made the detour. When I got there, she was debating between two gowns." He shook his head. "She was in tears over a gown. I got angry when I found out that's all she was upset about and made to leave. She grabbed me and then started this sob story about her being worried that Tatsu was getting tired of her. I finally got away and ya know the rest."
"She played you." Sano dropped his head back against the seat. "You went to her." Her tone was between accusatory and hurt.
"Megumi."
"Katsu said you were loyal." She mused, voice quiet.
"I'm sorry."
"I can't blame you for that." She said in reference to the virtue.
Megumi was silent for a long time. She was upset that he didn't just tell her where he was going when that woman first called. Isn't that what made relationships work? Communication? Couldn't he have explained why he was late? Did he not trust her? The city passed by in a blur of light and shadows. "I might as well. You have a lot to make up for, Sagara." She finally spoke. She could see Sano's smile from the corner of her eye when he recognized her response to his earlier question. …if you really want me to be. Sano moved closer to her but didn't touch her. Megumi refused to relax her posture and resolutely ignored him. His arm crept around her waist and just as Megumi raised her hand to swat him away, he tugged her against him. "Let go." Megumi growled and elbowed him in the side. Sano let out an "umph" but didn't release her. Megumi kept her elbow sticking into his side.
"Is this how I can expect out married life to go, Kitsune?" Sano said lowly against her ear. "You're upset and I do my best to soothe you?" He spread his fingers where they rested against the bodice of her gown, radiating warmth through the silk.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Sagara. We're affianced, not yet married."
"Ahh," He brushed his lips against her bare shoulder. Megumi held her breath against the assault on her senses. "But that's what we'll be soon enough and when we are" he kissed her neck. "I will do much more than this to earn your forgiveness." With his other hand, he tilted her face toward him and kissed her. Megumi flattened her hand against his warm and solid chest in protest but found that she neither had the strength nor the desire to push him away. When she didn't resist, Sano angled her so both of her silk covered legs were draped over his – Megumi not quite but almost sitting across his lap.
Megumi leaned back against the warm leather backrest as Sano caressed and courted her lips with his. She gasped when his tongue ran across her lower lip then touched her own. A soft moan escaped her lips, her fingers creating furrows in his previously smoothly combed hair. His fingers were just as busy and her elaborate hairdo tumbled down as he drew the pins out. Megumi felt Sano draw away. When she opened her eyes, he was looking at her with banked fire in his brown eyes grown dark. "Kirei" he said in wonder as his eyes roved over her face as if to memorize every feature. Megumi blushed under the scrutiny, as if she wasn't already flushed from his kisses. Suddenly her eyes widened as Megumi remembered where they were and that she was angry at him. She shoved him hard and Sano almost fell off the seat. She slid her legs off his lap and crossed her arms across her chest, fire of a different sort in her eyes.
"I'm still angry at you." Sano had the audacity to smirk, managing to not look silly as he slid more fully back onto the seat.
"Then I guess I'll have to work harder to earn your forgiveness, ne Kitsune-onna?" He leaned back, perfectly relaxed, as if he hadn't been kissing her senseless mere minutes ago. The nerve of the man!
The car slowed to a stop and a glance outside showed that they had reached the Takani mansion. The chauffer opened the door on Sano's side but Sano made no move to exit, his eyes still on Megumi. Megumi narrowed her eyes and made to open the door on her side but before she could open it, Sano clamped a warm hand over her arm and tugged her back. "Ya might want to fix yourself first." Megumi gasped and pulled out a compact to check her appearance. Her hair was disheveled and her red lipstick was gone; instead, her lips a warm kiss-bruised pink. "You look radiant but I'm not too keen on having others besides myself see you like that." He added cheekily. Megumi glared at him and snapped the compact shut. She combed her fingers through her hair and shook the ebony tresses into loose waves down her back. With a last glare at Sano, she stepped out of the car. Sano met her on the other side and walked her to the front door. Megumi rapped on the door instead of ringing the doorbell, knowing that her faithful uba would still be waiting up for her. Sano stuck his hands in his pocket and cleared his throat. "I'm sorry." He repeated sincerely.
"For what?" Megumi faced him and raised an eyebrow. For coming late, almost standing you up, for being so attractive other women want me, for being too gorgeous for my own good that you struggle to keep your hands off me… her list was growing long.
"For disappointing you." Megumi blinked in surprise. She wasn't expecting that. Shuffling footsteps approached the door confirming Megumi's earlier supposition. "There were things I cannot control but there were factors I could have. You deserve someone who would move heaven and earth for you, not someone who shows up late to an important event because of a ploy." The locks clicked open. "I also should have told you what was going on. Believe me when I say I wasn't trying to keep it a secret. I just—" Sano struggled to express himself. "I haven't been in a relationship before, Megumi. This is new for me too." He admitted, showing a vulnerability that Megumi had never seen before.
Megumi shook her head. "I shouldn't be expecting too much."
Sano disagreed. "Ya have a right to. You were supposed to. I made a promise to you, Megumi and I almost wasn't able to keep it." Megumi could see that he was sincerely sorry. Light flooded out the front door as Megumi's nanny stood in the entryway to admit her charge.
"Thank you, Uba-san," Megumi addressed the elderly woman affectionately. "I'll be right up." The woman nodded and shuffled farther into the house. Megumi turned back to Sano then entered the house, motioning him to come in as well. "I shouldn't have overreacted so I am sorry for that." Sano shook his head. "I forgive you." Megumi said finally.
"Thank you." Sano reached for her hand and raised it to his lips. Megumi tugged her hand away but not enough to remove it from Sano's grip.
"Is that all the thanks I'm to get?" She said archly. Sano placed her hand over his heart then wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close.
"Never." He said simply then his mouth was on hers. This time Megumi responded, her touches initially hesitant and tentative but increasingly sure as Sano gently guided and silently encouraged her. His mouth was warm and he tasted sweet and just purely Sano. Megumi melted against him, her knees suddenly weak and not quite capable of keeping her upright. Sano's arm tightened around her waist, his free hand cradling the back of her head, his entire form holding her up against the wall. She felt his hand close around her hair, angling her better to receive his kisses. "Gods, Megumi." He groaned as Megumi nipped at his lower lip, her own hands buried in his hair.
Sano withdrew despite Megumi's mewl of protest. He placed soft, gentle kisses against her jaw and eyelids then brushed his lips against hers, soothing the kiss-bruised flesh, willing their labored breathing and racing hearts to calm. Megumi sighed and rested her head against his chest, hugging him tight. Sano kissed her hair then straightened up, robbing Megumi of his warmth. "I should go." He said softly, aware of the late hour. Megumi's eyes were bright in the soft orange glow of a hallway lamp, her breathing still harsh against the stillness of the night.
Sano lifted her left hand and kissed each knuckle. Something slipped over her ring finger and Megumi held up her hand to the light. A beautiful ring that winked with at least a dozen diamonds circled her slender digit. Megumi's eyes grew wide and she stared at Sano, still incapable of speech. Sano gently cradled her face in his hands and dropped a chaste kiss against her slightly parted lips. "I'll see you tomorrow." Then he was gone. Megumi drew a shaky breath and gathered herself together. She didn't know how she managed it, but she was able to say goodnight to her beloved Uba-san who reappeared after Sano left and made her way steadily her room and got ready for bed, feeling stunned. She had agreed to be Sagara Sanosuke's fiancée. The night may have started and almost ended badly, but it had finished spectacularly. Megumi slept deeply and in her dreams, was held in the arms of a brown-eyed fiancé.
I used Uba to mean nanny. According to Google, uba means "milk mother." I'm using it to signify Megumi's nanny, a family servant who's been with her since she was a baby. In some countries, the Philippines for example, it is not unusual for well-to-do families to have nannies for their children who stay on and eventually even care for the children's children.