Sabishii Kokoro (Lonely Heart)
by Kyoko Takara
The Rurouni Kenshin lemon series continues with Sanosuke Sagara and Megumi Takani. If you haven't already read the others, please see the web page below:
http://www.mindspring.com/~kyoko/creators/fanfiction.htm
NOTE: This story picks up directly after the "Promises, Promises" story with Kenshin and Kaoru. Please read that lemon story first if you want to know what happened (same web page from above). Author's notes at the end of this work. Domo! ^_^
Utsukushii yoru na. . .What a beautiful night it was, Megumi thought, glancing up at the sky as she walked toward the town limits, with the intention of returning to the clinic. The vastness of the dark sky with its stars beaming brightly made her realize just how much her life remained in that abyss. A short distance behind her, Sanosuke walked casually, also looking up at the heavens. She glanced back at him in the corner of her eye. Perhaps he didn't even notice the uncomfortable atmosphere they were in while they were at the Dojo. Kenshin and Kaoru were getting married. Things were different now. It was a quiet reminder that her life was hollow. Although her work at the clinic was of utmost importance, even she knew that life didn't revolve around the job. But what would Sanosuke know about that. . .all he does all day is gamble, she thought sarcastically.
Sanosuke rubbed his bruised right ear, smirking slightly behind Megumi's back. Did she ALWAYS have to do that?, he thought. The fox seemed to be in a rush to return home, by the way she was walking. When they left the Dojo, he couldn't help but note the somber look on Megumi's face. What was she thinking about?, he wondered. He would have thought that she'd be happy about the news of Kenshin and Kaoru's engagement, but that didn't seem to be the case.
As they came around a turn, Sanosuke realized that Megumi intended on returning to the clinic. He scratched his head, questioning her strange actions. She hadn't said a word to him since they left, but he decided to go along with it. He heard her release a lengthy sigh, then watched as she ran both hands through her hair. Moments later, they stopped in front of the clinic. As expected, there were no lights on inside. In fact, there was no illumination of any kind throughout most of the main street. Sanosuke figured it was time to find out what she was doing.
"Megumi, what are we doing here?" he approached her, standing on her right side. "Dr. Genzai went home long time ago with the kids."
Megumi said nothing for a moment. She needed to think about what she was doing with her life. Like Ken-san told her two years previous, if she lived her life to help others, she would be atoning for all the wrong things she had done. That was what she did, day in and day out for two years. She unknowingly followed Kenshin's footsteps. Every effort he made to help others, she tried to do the same in what she was good at: medicine. But now, Kenshin was helping himself, living for himself. How could she follow that?
"I need time alone right now, Sanosuke," she said softly, clenching her fists at her side. "I'm staying here tonight."
"Megumi. . ." he put a hand on her shoulder, "you don't look like you should be alone right now. You've been quiet ever since we left the Dojo. What's going on?"
She shrugged off his hand, taking a step onto the portico. Megumi turned to face Sanosuke, eye to eye. She was surprised to see deep concern in his brown eyes, but the last thing she wanted was to talk. . .wasn't it? Megumi lowered her eyes, turning to the entrance.
"Go home, Sanosuke. Go. . ." she said, shaking her head. Megumi opened the door to the clinic, then quietly closed it behind her, leaving a stunned Sanosuke outside.
"I'm not going home just yet. . ." he muttered, determined to find out what her problem was. Disappearing around the side of the building, he watched Megumi from a distance as she lit two candles.
Megumi, too emotionally spent to think of calming her mind, slumped against one of the walls, slipping slowly to the floor. The sudden sensation of flowing tears made her realize what she was doing.
"What are you DOING?!" she muttered to herself, covering her face with her hands. "Stop feeling sorry for yourself!"
Sanosuke stood in shock at the sight of Megumi's tears. Why was she crying?, he wondered. Something inside him wavered at the fragile picture she portrayed. He had never seen her so emotionally distraught and certainly not so suddenly. Something was definitely wrong here. . .
Megumi's face lifted toward the ceiling, dried tear spots evident on her pearl-like skin. She was breathing heavily, her hand covering her heart. Love, she thought. She had no love in her life. It was so simple, yet so complicated. For as long as she'd known Kenshin and Kaoru, love had been a part of their lives. It was what kept Kenshin alive time and time again. The kind of love she had with the others was familial love, and she was happy with that. . .until now.
"Love. . . who could. . ." she muttered to herself, thinking hard of any male she'd had any interest in aside from Kenshin. Her eyes grew wide at the name that came to her mind, then at her lips. "Sanosuke. . ."
She stood slowly, in search of a glass of water for her sore throat. Dr. Genzai had left water from the well on the table in the far corner of the room. At the window, Sanosuke hid from sight as she moved.
"What'd she say. . ?" he grumbled, rubbing his chin.
Once her throat was soothed by the tepid well water, she sat in a chair near the table contemplating Sanosuke. She regretted telling Sanosuke to go home. That wasn't how she wanted to come across to him, but she just didn't want to take any questioning from him that night. She would have to apologize to him the next time she saw him. What was it about Sanosuke that she liked? Truthfully, there was so much a woman like her would DISLIKE about him. First off, he had no job. You couldn't even call him a professional gambler. Professional gamblers actually WON. Sanosuke, on the other hand. . .
Megumi often wondered what Sanosuke did all day. No one could gamble from dawn till dusk every day. It was impossible! However, she had to give Sanosuke credit for all the good things he'd done, especially whenever he and Kenshin got together. They made a great team. No one could come close to the deeds those two had done.
Sanosuke sighed. Was she going to sit in that chair all night long? Maybe it was time for him to head home, he thought, but was stopped in his tracks when Megumi stood, walking toward a small chest on the floor.
"What is it now. . .?" he asked himself curiously, and was quickly answered when she pulled out a change of clothes. She was going to change for sleep, Sanosuke thought soberly. Wait. . . .CHANGE?
He watched impatiently as she started to undress. There was something a bit wicked about what he was doing, but he didn't care. She untied her indigo-colored top from the front, slipping out of its looseness easily. What she was wearing, Sanosuke had never seen before. The long rose-colored inner kimono was perfectly made to her, tapering softly at her waist and extending down past her calves. He could easily see the curves of her body through the light-colored material, enough to bring him even closer to the window to see more clearly.
Allowing her remaining garments to fall to the floor, Megumi looked down at well-proportioned body. Her body had been through so much as she grew up, having the scars to prove it. She had a cross scar just above her left breast from when she was in Aizu. It was a constant reminder of her lost parents. She ran a fingertip over the faint scars, remembering.
Meanwhile, Sanosuke took in the opposite view, Megumi's delectable rear. He was speechless at what he was seeing, totally consumed with Megumi's visage. She was beautiful, he thought. Her straight, proud back stood tall, its smooth expanse flowing delicately toward the small of her back. Her small waist gently flared into ample hips. He couldn't keep his eyes off her buttocks, wanting to reach out and touch her himself. This was a side of Megumi he never expected to see that night. Sanosuke smiled softly, watching her don her night clothes. Obviously it wasn't the first time she'd spent the night alone at the clinic. He turned away from the window, urging his aroused body to calm.
"Megumi. . ." he whispered to himself, shaking his head. It was time to go home. Any more views like that, and he'd have to go inside and take care of Megumi himself. Sanosuke walked past the first window, returning to the main street.
As he did that, Megumi had turned around just in time to see someone passing the window. She gasped, wondering who could be watching her. It seemed like the person was gone, but who could it have been? She closed her eyes, replayed the moment in her mind.
"Sanosuke?" she slowly realized, remembering the spiky hair and bandanna. "He was. . . .watching. . . ."
The next day brought an abominable downpour of rain, leaving the streets of Tokyo at half capacity. Dr. Genzai arrived at the clinic early after dropping Ayame and Suzume off at the Dojo with Kenshin. Despite the dreary weather, he seemed in good spirits that morning, smiling broadly as he assembled his tools for the day.
"Ahh, Megumi! Good morning!" Dr. Genzai greeted the groggy Megumi. He found her still asleep on the small futon in the corner. She turned over, running a hand across her eyes.
"Oh, Dr. Genzai! Morning. . ." she said quietly, suddenly realizing where she was and what she was wearing. "Oh! Dr. Genzai. . ? I'm so sorry. . ."
Megumi jumped up from her bed, starting to roll away the futon. Dr. Genzai put a hand on her shoulder, attempting to calm her a bit.
"Don't worry. It's still early. We're not open for another hour yet," he reassured. He heard her sigh softly in relief, closing her eyes. "Did you hear the news?"
"News?" she opened her eyes, questioning silently.
"About Kaoru and Kenshin. . .." he paused. Megumi held up her hand to stop Dr. Genzai.
"I know about them already. I found out last night. I'm happy for them," she smiled slightly, but anyone could tell it was forced. "Please excuse me, Doctor."
Carrying her clothes from the night before, she entered another room, quickly putting on her clothes. She had enough time to go home, clean up, and return to the clinic before things started getting busy. Megumi had a rough night of sleep. Between her dream about breaking down at Kenshin and Kaoru's wedding and the illicit dream of her and Sanosuke, she didn't know what to think anymore. Could she just continue to do things the way she had for so long? No, it wasn't that simple anymore.
"Dr. Genzai! I'm going to head home for a little bit --" she started to say, but when she entered the room where Dr. Genzai was supposed to be, she was surprised to see Sanosuke there, leaning against the far wall. His wet clothes were completely plastered to his body. "Sanosuke. . ."
"Morning. . ."
"What are you doing here?" she asked curiously. After last night, she would have thought she wouldn't see him all day.
Sanosuke slowly approached the shocked Megumi. He couldn't get her out of his mind all night long. His dreams were filled with licentious fantasies about him and Megumi. Seeing her now put his body back into a state of perpetual arousal.
"I wanted to see how you slept last night, especially after you leaving the way you did," he stood a few paces from her, safe enough that he wouldn't pull her into his arms. The temptation was great. . .why did he even come here?, he questioned.
I'm fine, Megumi wanted to say, but for some reason, the lie wouldn't come out of her mouth.
"I. . ." she started, but stopped when she saw Dr. Genzai return. "Dr. Genzai!" She distracted herself by turning to the original message she wanted to say. "I'm going to go home for a short while. I'll be back in about an hour. Is that okay?"
The older man smiled generously at Megumi. He was obviously in such a good mood, he didn't even notice the tension in the room that was thick enough to cut.
"Ahh, Sanosuke! Morning. . " he turned to greet Sano, then turned to Megumi. "Oh, take your time, Megumi! Today should be a slow day. Besides, you worked so hard yesterday. . ."
"Thank you," she said, bowing gracefully. "I'm leaving. . "
"Wait, Megumi. . ." Sanosuke smirked, following her out the door. She stopped momentarily to cover her head from the rain, then continued walking quickly home. He kept pace with her easily. "You didn't answer my question. . ."
"And just what WAS that question, Sanosuke? I didn't hear a question," she stated matter-of-factly.
"I asked you how you slept last night," he repeated, pausing slightly before continuing. She didn't answer him. Before Sanosuke could continue talking, they stood in front of Megumi's home. She turned around, facing Sanosuke, the look on her face confused.
"Look, Sanosuke. I have a long day ahead of me. I just want to get clean and change my clothes. I don't want to talk about last night. . ." she confessed. She opened the door to the house, but gasped when Sanosuke stepped ahead of her, holding open the door.
"Inside."
The two entered the house, the door closing quickly behind them. By now, both of them were drenched, dripping on the floor. They relieved themselves of their shoes, then made a step inside. His tone of voice left no room for argument. She may not want to talk, but Sanosuke wanted to tell her how he was feeling. It made no sense to hold it inside any longer, especially after last night's events. They fought each other constantly, but there was something more to it. They both knew that.
"Well, if YOU don't want to talk, then you'll listen to what I have to say," he declared.
"What could you possibly have to tell me?" she asked curiously. Megumi continued to walk around, gathering her things, while Sanosuke stood outside her bedroom door. Before he caught cold, he took off his gi top, revealing a regularly bandaged chest.
"Will you stop a minute, woman?" Sanosuke grabbed her arm as she entered another room, turning her to face him. His touch was hot, she thought. Like he was on fire. . . "Last night. . ."
"What?"
"You were beautiful last night. . ." he said softly, releasing his strong hold on her arm.
Megumi couldn't respond to his heartfelt comment. Was he going to openly confess that he was watching her as she changed clothes last night? As if on cue, her mind began to recall the dream about herself and Sanosuke. Erotic scenes flashed before her eyes, her mind floating away from what Sanosuke was saying just then. Sano was so strong, so virile. Her dream told her that any experience with Sanosuke Sagara would be heavenly. But it was a dream. . .
"Megumi?" his fingertips held her chin up. When did Sanosuke's face get so close to hers?!
"Sanosuke!" she turned away from him, returning to her search. "Is there anything else you want to say to me? If not, then. . ." She left the comment unsaid, but he knew it was an order to go.
"Doesn't what I said mean anything to you, Megumi? I know you can be cold, but I didn't realize you were THAT cold," his voice hardening, disappointed at her reaction to his confession.
At that, she turned to look at him. She still wore her wet clothes, hesitating to take them off while Sanosuke was still in the house. Her dry things were on a nearby table, ready to be worn. What was he talking about? So, he saw her naked from behind, fine, she thought. The fact that it happened couldn't be changed. Now, he was just getting ridiculous! He almost looked like he was getting angry.
"I know you saw me last night. I saw you walking away. .. " she lowered her eyes, showing some modicum of shame for the whole event in that motion. However, she raised her eyes and boldly faced him. "Still, what's done is done. Don't make more of it than what it really is."
Sanosuke, not caring about propriety, sauntered into her room, closing the screen door behind him. She stood her ground, refusing to move.
"I'm not as unobservant as you think, Megumi." His deep voice was caring and gentle. "I saw the way you looked at Jou-chan and Kenshin last night. You want something like that too, don't you?"
Her eyes grew wide, slightly shocked. She grabbed the edges of the table she stood next to with both hands, afraid of what Sanosuke was going to say. Megumi knew what was going on in her head, but she desperately didn't want to hear it from someone else. If Sanosuke noticed it, no doubt, everyone else would soon notice it too. That her heart was lonely. . .
"I know you live for atonement. But there's more to life than that," he grabbed the table's edge, both arms locking in place around her. His eyes looked deep into hers, hoping that she would open up to him and finally understand what he had said. "There's friends. . .family. . .and there's love, Megumi."
"I don't know where you get the idea that I don't feel happy, Sanosuke," she said, closing her eyes to avoid his piercing stare. "All of you are like my family --" she began, but was hushed into silence when Sanosuke grasped her chin, boldly lowered his lips to Megumi's. Her eyes flew open, her heart pounding ferociously.
His kiss didn't force Megumi to respond. Rather, it wanted to ease away the feeling of loneliness, to make her realize that someone did care. She was in such shock that she didn't know what to do. For all the times she told Kaoru what to expect if Kenshin and she ever did anything intimate, Megumi was at a loss for guidance. There was something unduly disturbing about Sanosuke's blatantly male presence so close to her. She could feel herself relaxing as he continued to tease her lips with his. Sensing her gradual concession, Sanosuke raised his head to look at her.
"I know you're not as happy as you can be," he said adamantly, raising his hand to caress her cheek. "For as long as I've known you, you've put up fronts to hide your emotions. Sometimes you slip, but those times are few and far between." Sanosuke pulled her deep into his embrace. Megumi found her head resting against his hard chest, her hands falling loosely to the sides. "You don't have to put up a front with me, Megumi. If you want to cry, then cry. Don't hold it back. I'll be there for you. . ."
There was something about what Sanosuke said that made Megumi crack. In that moment, she felt a tear slip down her face and onto Sanosuke's bare chest.
"I'll be there for you. . . ." She heard the voice inside her head. Who had told her that so long ago? Who? Sanosuke's arms tightened around her a bit, but the embrace was still more than comfortable. He lowered his head to press a kiss on top of her head. It suddenly came to Megumi, the voice from years before. "I love you, Megumi. . "
"Father. . . ?" she whispered, so softly that Sanosuke almost didn't hear her. Almost.
Sanosuke allowed Megumi to stand on her own, taking a step back from her. He watched her face carefully, seeing how her delicate emotions were all floating to the surface. She needed to talk to someone and he was more than willing to listen. Megumi allowed her hair to shadow her face, leaving nothing but the sight of silent tears falling from her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Sanosuke," she shook her head. "I can't do this. . .please, just --"
"Just what? And let you stay here all alone again?" he lifted her chin with his fingertips, forcing her to look at Sanosuke. "You may call us your family, but you sure don't act like it! A family helps each other out, listens to each other, and all that! Inside, you still act like its the day after your father died!"
He knew he was crossing over into dangerous territory when talking about her father, but the only way that he'd be able to get through to her is to upset her. Megumi's eyes narrowed at Sanosuke's comment, slapping away his hand from her face.
"How DARE you talk about my father! He's the ONLY man that ever loved me! The only one," she screamed, pointing her finger at Sanosuke, then quickly turning her back to him. "Why are you doing this to me, Sanosuke? Why?"
The woman of such impeccable composure was breaking down, Sanosuke thought. He sighed deeply, then stood close behind her, his face draping over her right shoulder.
"Because. . ." he whispered, his warm breath causing her to shiver slightly. "I don't want you to believe that no one loves you. That's a damned lie, Megumi, because I --"
"Sanosuke, no!" Megumi turned to look at him, but was so close to his lips, to his body, she found her body molded to his, their lips brushing against each other. "Don't say --"
"I already did, Megumi. You just weren't listening to me. . . ."
"What?" she asked, shocked to her bones, and totally unprepared for what was about to come out of Sanosuke's mouth.
"I love you. . . ." he whispered, but the words were so adamant and forceful, she couldn't DARE question his feelings. No longer able to hold himself back, Sanosuke wrapped his arms around Megumi and proceeded to give her a thorough kiss.
Natural feminine instinct told her to return his embrace. So she did. His embrace loosened a bit, allowing his hands to roam freely across her back and down to her buttocks. She was so wonderfully made, he thought, mentally smiling. His unrelenting kisses rained across her face and around her neck. Her hair was damp from the rain outside, which was falling harder than before now. Sanosuke's head finally raised, satisfied in that moment with his work. Megumi's lips were full and red from being kissed, her breath shallow, and her composure flushed. Her eyes widened a moment, making Sanosuke think she was going to say something, but she quickly covered her mouth before a sneeze cleared her lips.
"That cold rain is gonna make you sick. You need to change these wet clothes, Megumi," he instructed, reaching to untie her top.
"Hey, just because you saw me last night, doesn't mean you get an encore performance, Sanosuke. Out," she pointed to the door.
A grumbling, aroused Sanosuke reluctantly left the room. He was THAT close. . . He wondered if he was able to get Megumi to talk to him, tell him what she was feeling. He was running out of time too. She had to be back at Dr. Genzai's in less than thirty minutes. What was he going to do?
Meanwhile inside the room, Megumi slipped out of her damp clothes. Oh! My bath, she remembered. That was outside in the other room! She hadn't had a bath since the day before, and she was itching to get into one. Could she coerce Sanosuke into preparing a bath for her? Considering his confession. . . . he loved her. It sounded like he was telling her the truth. What did she feel for him though? She honestly didn't know. She was telling the truth about her father though. He really was the only man that ever loved her. There was no time to fall in love with other men, and even when there was time, the men weren't "suitable for a girl like my Megumi", her father constantly said. Megumi had to admit that her father probably would have liked Sanosuke. He and her father were of the same temperament.
"Sanosuke?" she asked through the door. "Could you do me a favor please?"
The door started to open, when she held it in place before he could open it any further.
"I didn't say COME IN, Sanosuke!" she smirked. "Can you get some water for a bath for me?"
"A bath?!" he muttered something about acting like Kenshin, but did Megumi's bidding. "Fine. Where's your bath tub?"
Giving him the instructions, she heard his footsteps disappear down the hall. Megumi dressed in a yukata, then opened her door, carrying her dry clothes in one arm and the wet in the other. Her mind was overflowing with Sanosuke's words. . . "I love you. . ." in particular, playing havoc with her emotions. What was she going to do? How did she truly feel about him? She set her dry clothes on a nearby stool, turning to hang the wet clothes up in another room. The constant sound of falling rain gave Megumi a nostalgic feeling. She remembered her father's words about when she finally fell in love. . .
"You'll be surprised that you're even in love, Megumi. I guarantee you'll fall for someone you don't get along with. At least at first, then things will change. That's how I met your mother. . ."
Was that it? Was she afraid to fall in love? Afraid to succumb to all the things her father had told her about it? Some hypocrite she was when she told Kaoru about all the wonderful things about being in love. She should have taken her own advice.
"Sanosuke. . ." Megumi whispered, the darkened room invoking a misty image of Sanosuke. "I don't know. . "
Returning to the other room, Sanosuke noticed the clothing lying undisturbed on the stool. Taking it into his arms, he looked around briefly.
"Where'd she go. .?" he wondered, shrugging his shoulders.
Sanosuke's eyes caught the blurry figure of a body in the next room. It must be Megumi, he thought. He approached the door, slowly sliding it open.
"Time for that bath, Megumi. . ." he announced softly, his deep voice insinuating something more.
"Sanosuke . . ." she whispered, watching her misty image transform into the real thing.
"Come," he beckoned, holding out his free hand to her.
Should I?, Megumi asked herself. Should I let Sanosuke take care of me, if only for this small patch of time? Megumi wondered what was going through Sanosuke's mind just then. Deciding to allow herself this one bit of pleasure, she lightly rested her hand in his, allowing him to guide her down the hall to the awaiting bath.
Once inside, her fresh clothes were cast to the side. Megumi dipped a finger into the water, savoring its warmth. Her back was to him, bring back the sensation of dèja vû to Sanosuke.
"Thank you for doing this. I didn't really expect that you would," she said, smiling to herself.
"Yeah, I'm just full of surprises today, right?" he arched an eyebrow, creeping behind Megumi. His fingers slipped into the top edge of her yukata, posing the silent question.
Her head nodded forward, sighing softly. In a sudden motion, she untied the sash holding her remaining clothing closed. Both hearts were beating fiercely, trembling hands relieving them both of their clothing.
"Shall I bathe you, Megumi?" he whispered into her ear, his tongue wickedly tantalizing the skin just below her ear.
He knew her eyes slipped closed when she nodded with her approval. Sanosuke began his meticulous care of Megumi, starting from her face and extending to her toes. Not a single section of Megumi's body was left unclean or untouched. A steady blush covered her body as he approached the more intimate areas of her body, but she allowed him to do his duty. When all was done, he looked upon his work and saw that it was good. To finish, he poured clean hot water over her body, washing away the soapy residue.
"Sanosuke. . . you. . ."
A fingertip brushed her lips, ushering her to silence. The sound of her moans as he was cleaning Megumi had him completely aroused. There was something extraordinary about touching her, feeling every crevice of her body. But now, he realized what she wanted to do. Return the favor.
They switched places smoothly, preparing to reverse the tempting machinations. Megumi pulled free the red band that encircled Sanosuke's head. She could tell he didn't really need a bath, the fresh and clean scent of his masculinity, some distinct blend of sandalwood and smoke, permeated her senses. Her eyes feasted upon the musculature of his back, then slowly, hesitating, Megumi's hands floated across the surface of his skin. It was surprisingly soft and warm, she thought as the pressure of her hands grew. Her mind flew open at that very moment, releasing her from all that was keeping her under lock and key. Her emotions flew high, heart racing with liveliness. It felt like a complete rebirth. Everything suddenly became clear.
"Sanosuke. . ." she whispered, wrapping her arms around Sanosuke's waist, pressing her wet, silken skin against him.
Sanosuke's eyes closed for a moment, then reopened to find himself completely turned around, embracing Megumi tightly. This was all for her. He wanted her to realize just how much control she really did have. But, never one for major dialogue, Sanosuke had to resort to what he knew: feeling.
"Say what you're feeling, Megumi. . ." he demanded softly. "Tell me. . ."
"I don't -- " she started to say, but was quickly stopped from talking by Sanosuke's insistent lips. She was slightly confused. How could she tell him how she was feeling if he interrupted her?
"Not like that. . ." he whispered, the hand at the small of her back pressing her closer to his body.
Megumi gasped slightly, her eyes growing wide at the sensation of naked bodies against one another. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before. His skin was moist, barely clinging to her glistening flesh. She couldn't quite think straight, especially with the continuously growing throbbing between her legs. What was happening to her? How did her body respond to Sanosuke so quickly? It was almost like they were made for each other. Megumi's fingers snaked through Sanosuke's hair, finding it soft and luxuriously wild to the touch.
Sanosuke could sense the change in Megumi almost immediately.
"That's right . . ." he encouraged. This is how he wanted her to express her innermost feelings. She finally realized. Edging his way down her body, he took advantage of the opportunity to taste her copious bosom. The compelling feeling was enough to incite insanity in her body. Her eyes caught a glimpse of Sanosuke's head traveling a circuitous route down, until his mouth rested at the cleft between her legs. His hands caressed the back of her thighs, pulling her closer to his mouth. The moment his tongue grazed her nether lips, Megumi felt her whole body melt. Tears fell unwittingly from her eyes, her mouth releasing outcries of joy and passion.
"Sanosuke. . ." she begged huskily, eyes half-closed. The change in her voice was enough for him to look up at her radiance. "Tell me again . . ."
The grin that graced Sanosuke's face couldn't have said what he was feeling better. As he rose to his feet, his left leg slipped between hers, the fine hairs on his leg teasing her most sensitive of spots. Megumi gasped at the motion, nearly dropping to her knees because of her weakened legs, but Sanosuke's strong arms kept her standing, limbs and whole bodies remaining intertwined.
"Megumi. . ." he whispered, bewitching brown eyes looking deep into hers, "hold on to me. . ."
With no apparent effort, Sanosuke lifted Megumi by the waist while she instinctively wrapped her legs around his hips. The moment her legs locked around him, Sanosuke's eyes set for the nearest solid structure, which happened to be the wall. Once Megumi's back was steadied against it, with one hand holding one thigh and the other at her waist, he slowly entered her. She was so incredibly hot and wet, Sanosuke had to deeply focus to keep control of his swelling desire. Megumi was completely speechless, her only desire to hear those three words again and experience Sanosuke's persuasive length.
"Megumi," he whispered against her lips, "do you feel. . . . . that?"
Powerful muscles flexed deep inside Megumi. Her eyes opened wide in shock, gasping softly. He was completely immersed into her, buried to the hilt. Sanosuke could believe how tight she was , fitting like a glove to his erection. It was everything he dreamt of and more.
Slowly, assuredly, he began thrusting smoothly and fully. Suddenly, Sanosuke wasn't in control anymore. His speed steadily increased, enticing them both with long, tempting strokes. Megumi could hear her voice begging for completion, unable to stand the sweet torture any longer.
"Sanosuke," she breathed, gripping his waist tightly so he couldn't move, "TELL ME. . ."
Instead of telling her what she desperately wanted to hear, he tickled the spot behind her knees enough to relax her hold on him. He looked directly into her eyes, feeling her shiver with expectation. He paused, then spoke, his voice lulling.
"Itoshii. . .." he said softly, brushing his lips against hers, "I. . ."
Proceeding in a simultaneous motion, he thrust deep into her, but forced her lips to remain locked with his. Sanosuke could almost taste that quick intake of breath she made.
". . . .love. . . ." he continued methodically slow, his teeth grazing her neck. Her fingernails dug deep into his shoulder blades, leaving bloody crescent shaped marks. ". . . .you. . . ."
One last plunge into her body sent him completely over the edge. Sanosuke's eyes flew closed, indulging in the drowning feeling of orgasm. On cue, Megumi's body reacted to the vibrations from inside her. Some unknown force was taking her to another level, another dimension of ecstasy. She didn't understand how powerful those words had just become to her. They were able to make her world come alive, allow her to experience such rapturous feelings.
Sanosuke fell to his knees, taking Megumi with him, but neither cared about their position. Bodies weakened by their blissful lovemaking, they laid there for a few moments, still joined. The two lovers glanced at each other as they awoke from their temporary rest. Something about the moment deeply affected Megumi. She smiled softly, a thousand things running through her mind while she watched Sanosuke's head nod toward the cooling bath.
"I think it can hold both of us. . ." he winked, urging her to stand. Once they both rose to their feet, barely able to stand after such an earth-rocking experience, he lifted her into his arms, then slowly lowered her into the tepid water.
"Ahh. . ." Megumi sighed, waiting impatiently for Sanosuke to get in behind her. "Come. . ."
"I think I did that already. . ." he chuckled, his laughter making itself at home inside of Megumi's heart.
"Sanosuke!" she half-complained at his crass response, but wasn't offended. After all, it was Sanosuke, and he was telling the truth.
For a few minutes, they lounged in the water together, leaning against each other for warmth against the growing coldness of the water. They were silent, the only movement made was by Megumi's hand absentmindedly caressing Sanosuke's knee. Normally, Megumi would hate the silence, but this time, it was a welcome sound.
"Sanosuke?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. . . ." she smiled, realizing how comfortable she was near him, how happy she was.
He kissed the top of her head, taking her hand in his. Sanosuke never felt more at home than he did with Megumi in the confines of that tub. Most importantly, she felt the same way too.
"No, thank you. . . ." he replied cryptically.
"What for?" she asked curiously.
"Trusting me," he declared decisively, "for trusting me with your body. . .and hopefully your heart."
Yes, Megumi thought. This is only the beginning, but for now, this is where I want to be, sharing this time with someone who can banish my loneliness. . someone who . . . loves me. . .
Author's Notes:
- I know this story ran a bit long, and for that I apologize. I got a little wordier toward the end, but at least I got all the stuff in. . . I hope.
- Thanks to Yumi-san for her input on a particular subject regarding the scent of masculinity. . .that would make for a great discussion one day.
- Sanosuke's attitude toward Megumi, I hope, wasn't too OOC. If you feel so, please comment on that.
- Regarding Megumi's living conditions: I'm not exactly sure WHERE she lives, or what kind of house it is, so I'm taking a wild guess since she is a practical sort of woman. I could have done it from Sano's house, but then that'd defeat the whole purpose of Megumi's lonely heart.
- Japanese language notes: "Utsukushii yoru" means beautiful night, "Itoshii" means lovely ( I can see Sano actually saying this in that deep, sexy voice of his ^_^), and "yukata" is a thin cloth (usually cotton) kimono used for home lounging.
Thanks everyone! -O_O- You know what to do if you like this story (or didn't like it.. . .but I'll be very disappointed. . .)
~~Kyoko~~
