The characters of Rurouni Kenshin do not be belong to me. They are the property
of Nobuhiro Watsuki, Jump Comics, Sony, Media Blasters....yada yada, you
know the drill =D
Chapter 2: On Distant Shores
6 Years Later "Just make sure to keep the wound clean so that infection doesn't set in. And please don't forget to change the bandages at least once a day." Megumi skillfully knotted the thin gauze around her patient's arm and smiled at the man's wife, who was looking on anxiously. Cutting the cotton, she carefully examined her work and stepped back, her keen eyes noticing the slight slump of her patient's shoulders as he realized the stitching was finished. "Thank you," murmured the man politely as he stood up and bowed, his wife doing the same. As the two made their way out of the clinic hand in hand, Takani Megumi found herself staring after the couple with a wistful smile on her face. What would she give to have someone who cared for her that much. Someone who would worry about her welfare when she was injured, someone she could turn to after a tiring day...just someone who would be there for her through both the good and bad times. For six years she had worked to the brink of exhaustion every single day, telling herself that she would atone for her past in the only way possible -- by using using her medical skills to help those injured or in need. At first it was easy to dismiss her own loneliness, burying it deep inside her heart where she wouldn't have to face it, holding on to the belief that a successful career would be enough to sustain her. And she did a damn good job of lying to herself, too. However, time had a way of battering down one's defenses, making it harder to run from the realities of life. And the reality was that behind her confidence and efficiency, despite her success as a doctor, Takani Megumi felt very much alone. "Takani-sensei!" The shout drew Megumi away from her dark thoughts, and the doctor greatfully turned her attention to the small boy who was bounding into her clinic, waving around a folded envelope in his hand. "What is it, Nokoru-kun?" The small boy grinned, his clear blue eyes peering eagerly up at her. Reaching down, Megumi tousled his short blonde hair with affection, grinning at his never-ceasing enthusiam. "Dad told me to stop by and pick up some medicine for his cough," replied Nokoru, the words tumbling out at lightning speed. "And look! I ran into the mailman outside, and he told me to give you this letter!" Megumi reached for the envelope, choking down a sudden sense of nostalgia as she recognized the familiar handwriting staring back at her. The characters were large and loopy, as if the writer's brush couldn't quite keep up with her enthusiastic thoughts. Apparently five years of marriage hadn't dimmed Kamiya Kaoru's vibrant personality one bit, and Megumi had to swallow a laugh as she wondered how Kenshin managed to keep up with both his exuberant wife and toddler son. "Takani-sensei?" Megumi glanced up to find Nokoru looking at her expectantly, pointing to the letter in her hand. "Who is it from?" "It's a letter from some friends in Tokyo. Nokoru-kun, why don't you go visit Saori-san in the next room? She just bought some fresh pastries from the street vendor a while ago, so you can have a snack while waiting for me to prepare your Dad's medicine. Sound like a good idea?"
The boy nodded happily and raced towards the door, shouting a belated "thank
you" over his shoulder. Megumi turned back to the letter in her hands, neatly
breaking the seal on the envelope and pulling out a piece of cream-colored
parchment. Her red lips curved up slightly at the corners, forming a half-smile
as she sat down and began to read.
Dear Megumi-san, Carefully placing the letter back into its envelope, Megumi leaned back in her chair and continued to gaze thoughtfully at the missive in her hands. It had been nearly a year since she had last visited Tokyo, and despite her busy schedule she often found herself wondering how her adopted family was faring. She missed the sounds of Kaoru chasing Yahiko through the dojo, the sight of Kenshin doing laundry with Ayame and Suzume gathered around him, and her nightly chats with Genzai-sensei over a steaming cup of green tea. But most of all she missed a certain patient of hers who would always appear at the clinic during odd hours to have his hand checked...a patient whom she hadn't heard from in years. In a split second, a decision was made; and before she could begin to question the wisdom of her choice, Megumi reached into her desk to pull out a brush and some blank paper on which to write her reply. -----------------
Fuzhou, China The inn was completely packed as people flocked through the doors, taking shelter from the rain outside. Fuzhou being one of China's coastal cities, there was never a lack of travelers or traders, especially recently since the foreigners had turned their eyes on China and the potential trading possibilities the country offered. Chen Su Yun carefully tucked a strand of glossy dark hair into place, bestowing an inviting smile upon the guests seated at the nearest table. The men looked at her appreciatively, their eyes following the sway of her hips as she gracefully made her way across the room, all of them wondering who would be lucky enough to warm the lady's bed that night. Suddenly a familiar face caught Su Yun's attention, and her brown eyes sparkled as she recognized the familiar spiky hair and red bandana. "Sanosuke, ni hao ma?" she murmured huskily, settling into a chair across from the man in question, who seemed to be more engrossed in his drink than the attributes of the lovely woman before him. "Hello, Su Yun," greeted Sanosuke with a simple nod. "I'm doing pretty good." "So why is a man like you sitting all alone?" Su Yun offered a coy smile, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously. "You know, if you're not busy, I'd be glad to offer you my services for the night." Sanosuke grinned roguishly. "You ask that question every time I'm here, and my answer is always the same. I'm in no mood for a brawl with your hundreds of admirers right now." Raising an eyebrow, he gestured to the envious customers who continued to stare at the two of them. Su Yun pouted prettily, then sighed, dropping her seductive air. "I hear that you're planning to leave Fuzhou any day now. Are the rumors true?" "Yeah, the city is getting kinda boring. The problem is deciding where to go next. Ya know, if you've seen one place, you've seem them all." He put down his drink and leaned forward, a thoughtful look on his face. "Actually, I was thinking of going back to Japan." "The great traveler Sanosuke getting homesick? I never thought I'd see the day," teased Su Yun merrily. "But seriously, Sano, if you're considering going home, I'd suggest leaving as soon as possible. I hear that despite Minister Li Hongzhang's negotiation efforts, some hostile Chinese are still fighting French soldiers in the Annam area. If this keeps up, I don't doubt that the French will retaliate, and I bet the first thing they'll do is set up a naval blockade around Fuzhou." "And how do you know all this?" asked Sanosuke suspiciously. Su Yun snorted elegantly. "Not all of my customers are idiots like you." Sanosuke raised his hands in surrender, offering her a placating grin. "Okay, okay, I get it already. Maybe I will take your advice and catch the next ship to Japan." Draining the last of his drink, he stood up to leave. "Catch ya later Su Yun. And take care of yourself, okay?" The courtesan nodded regally, a sudden teasing glint appearing in her chocolate brown eyes. "Good-bye Sanosuke. And don't forget to give my regards to the lady waiting for you back home." The tall man suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned back, his mouth hanging open in shock. "What are you talking about? I don't have no woman waiting for me. Hell, everyone's probably forgotten about me already!" Su Yun's bell-like laughter rang through the inn, causing even more men to turn around and stare. "Sagara Sanosuke, you're so obvious. Trust me, if she's worth your time, she won't have forgotten about you. Anyway, I wish you good luck!" Raising a well-manicured hand, Su Yun bid her friend good-bye and watched as he weaved through the crowded inn, the character "aku" on his back swaying with every movement. After six years of wandering, it seemed like Sagara Sanosuke was finally going home. ------------------ 1. Nokoru is modeled after Imonoyama Nokoru from CLAMP. What can I say, the effects of reading too much of the X manga, I guess. I freely admit I'm a CLAMP shipper! ^_~ 2. After checking out the dates, I calculated that six years after Sano leaves Japan would coincide with the mid-1880's, during which the Chinese were preparing to fight off the French in South East Asia as well as Japanese attempts to take over Korea. China and Japan did go to war in 1894 and fighting lasted until the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed in 1895. Blech, I've been reading too much for history class, but I figured we'd want Sano home before 1894, right?
3. Ni Hao Ma? - Chinese greeting, kinda like "how are you?"
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