Oh How She Shines

[Music starts.]

Sanosuke stood waiting outside the backdoor of the Akabeko. It was late in the evening and all of the employees had already left. The door opened and Sekihara Tae stepped out. She smiled at him and they began to walk together.

[Darlin'

I have a true confession]

With a serious face, Sano began to talk. In his mind, he went over the events of the day.

[I ran into an old flame today]

Walking down the road on the way to the Kamiya Dojo, he had run into Megumi.

[You wouldn't like the way our conversation]

For a moment, neither person spoke, they had simply stared at each other.

[Turned to how we let each other slip away]

Then Megumi had asked him to walk with her. He had nodded in agreement, not really trusting his voice, and fell into step with her.

[I was reminded of a half forgotten feeling

The one I shared with her so long ago]

Sano had been nervous, not really sure of what to say to her. Then she had begun speaking.

[And since honesty is one thing we believe in]

Pausing in his narration, Sano stopped walking and turned to look at Tae.

[Let me tell you something you should know]

She had stopped along side of him and was looking down toward the ground. He could tell she was nervous by the tautness of her shoulders and the way she wrung her hands.

[Oh, how she shines]

Smiling just a little, he reached out and took her chin in his rough hand and tilted her face upward to look at his.

[Shines a light on you]

In the dim light of the street lamp, he could see the expressions flit across her face. She was nervous, unsure, afraid, though she tried to cover these feelings up and present a brave front.

[And in that light I see

Just how much you mean to me]

Sano put his arms around Tae and pulled her to him. Sighing, he thought about how right she felt in his arms.

[Oh, how she shines]

Leaning his head down, so that his cheek rested on the kerchief that still bound her hair, Sano took a deep breath and continued his story.

[There was a time when she was all that mattered

Long before I gave my heart to you]

Megumi had begun speaking. She apologized for leaving with even talking to him and for leading him on for so long.

[But standing there only inches from her

As she touched my hand, suddenly I knew]

Then, she told him that she had cared about him, very much. If she had not previously been in love with Aoshi, she would have fallen for him.

[That if there was a time I ever doubted]

Sanosuke did something slightly uncharacteristic of himself... he listened to what she said.

[What I'd do if she walked through my door]

Somehow, he was unable to summon the anger and hurt that had plagued him so sharply when Megumi had left.

[Could I turn around and leave without her]

For a moment, he was unable figure out why he was not angry. Then, he thought of the time he had spent with Tae after Megumi left.

[With all my heart now I can say for sure]

Of how much Tae had cared for him when he was hurting so badly, without ever asking for anything in return (well, other than occasionally asking when he would pay his tab...) They had grown very close over the year since Megumi left. Finally, he realized something that should have been blatantly obvious.

[Oh, how she shines]

Sano realized that he loved Tae.

[Shines a light on you]

When they reached her destination, Dr. Genzai's clinic, Sano looked at Megumi. With an expression on his face that was not quite a smile, he told her that he forgave her and wished her well.

[And in that light I see]

Finishing his story, Sano held Tae's chin and brought her face up to look at him again. She was still nervous, but also relieved and happy.

[Just how much you mean to me]

Tilting her chin back a little more, he covered her lips with his in a (regretfully) short but passionate kiss.

[Oh, how she shines]

Then, holding her at arm's length, with his cockiest grin plastered on his face, Sano asked, "So, you wanna get married now?"

[Oh ooh, how she shines]

Smiling back in that way only she could, Tae laughingly answered, "Yes." Then, she took his arm and allowed him to walk her the rest of the way home.

Owari.

Written by Doug Johnson and Pat Bunch.

Sung by John Michael Montgomery.

Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or the song... I'd be willing to trade my cat for any of them though... Please don't sue.

Author's Notes: First off... no, I'm not going to write another wedding. (That statement is meant, mostly, to fend off my 'Mouto-chan's imminent question...) This was mostly just to establish that Tae and Sano did get married in my little timeline (and to appease my sister who's been bugging me for another Sano/Tae story every time she sees me...) This is another story inspired by my little fit of insomnia a couple of days ago. Please let me know what you think! If you would like hear a sample of this song, you can get one under the album 'Kickin' It Up' at:

http://countrywavs.inet-pro.com/montgomery.htm