PART IV -- Megumi's Heart

    "I hope you guys don't mind waiting, but for those of you who were here earlier tonight, which looks like most of you, I think we're about to see the final stage of this real life drama.  I'd like to present, without further ado, Takani Megumi.  She has an answer for you, handsome."  For a miracle, she pronounced the young doctor's name correctly, if with a broad New York accent.  Cheers and anticipation fought for dominance in the air as a graceful hand, half shrouded by a kimono sleeve, accepted the microphone.  Her upper face hidden by her thick cascade of bangs, red lips pursed as the music began to pulse through the room.

"I hate the world today
You're so good to me
I know but I can't change
Tried to tell you
But you look at me like maybe
I'm an angel underneath
Innocent and sweet

Yesterday I cried
Must have been relieved to see
The softer side
I can understand how you'd be so confused
I don't envy you
I'm a little bit of everything
All rolled into one

I'm a bitch, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed..."

    From the controlled grace of her formal pose when she had begun the song, Megumi had changed her moves during the chorus.  Displaying more passion than Kaoru had ever believed the normally reserved doctor had possessed, the doctor put most 80s hair and metal bands to shame.  The throbbing sensuality and raw emotion in her voice had spread to her limbs.  Long raven hair glistened and flashed in the lights as she tossed her head with the words.  Every line in her body, every tightness in every muscle somehow showed clearly through the demure layers of her kimono.  The formal robe had become, without shifting on her body, the most erotic costume most guys (and a large percentage of girls) had ever seen on a woman.
    "I have GOT to learn how to do that," Tsubame murmured in awe.  Kaoru nodded in mute, envious agreement.  Two men next to each girl just goggled.  The expression on the third reflected the mingled desire, fear, hope, love, and desperation of which he was so full as to not even notice the reactions of the others.

"I'm your hell, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way!

So take me as I am
This may mean
You'll have to be a stronger man
Rest assured that
When I start to make you nervous
And I'm going to extremes
Tomorrow I will change
And today won't mean a thing

I'm a bitch, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed..
I'm your hell, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way!

Just when you think, you got me figured out
The season's already changing
I think it's cool, you do what you do
And don't try to save me

I'm a bitch, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed..
I'm your hell, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way!

I'm a bitch, I'm a tease
I'm a goddess on my knees
When you hurt, when you suffer
I'm your angel undercover
I've been numb, I'm revived
Can't say I'm not alive
You know I wouldn't want it any other way!"

    As she lay down the microphone there was a tension palpable throughout the bar...  Even closed, the room had probably never been so quiet.  Relaxing her stance once again from the deeply passionate, sexual being whose emotions were equally as powerful as the demands of her body to that of the reserved young doctor, she looked towards the table.  There was challenge in Megumi's eyes as she met Sanosuke's shellshocked gaze...  Finally she looked away, the challenge giving way to anger.  She was deeply hurt, yet outwardly she expressed only controlled rage.  After all this, all this time and energy, now he was no longer interested... 
    He couldn't move until her gaze left his.  Held captive, utterly immobile by those piercing dark eyes, he'd been afraid to breathe. Now, though, the hurt and anger that spread over her face released him more surely than the sharp kick under the table did.  As she turned from him, the paralysis left him and the tall man made for her, seized her hands, and pulled her to him.
    "I would NEVER hurt you," he whispered fiercely before kissing her determinedly, gently but definitively. 
    A long moment passed.  Finally she relaxed into his kiss, her arms sliding up under his jacket and around his back.  The room erupted into ecstatic cheers.
    "Took them long enough," Kaoru muttered as she grinned and began cheering with the rest of the crowd.
    Neither of the two found souls noticed.