The Shinshegumi,
All right, this is an AU fic. I suppose it's a "what if Rurouni Kenshin was just completely done differently?" or something like that. The "inspiration" if you will came from me reading up a bit on the history of some of the characters and then it just kind of began to spiral from there. Anyway, as of now, I'm assuming Saitou and Sanosuke will be the main focus, along with Soujiro, Kaoru, Anji, Katsu, Misao, Aoshi, Yahiko...uh, I'm having difficulty working Kenshin into the story just yet. Anyway, this chapter is just an opening and takes place five years before the story does. Anyway, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, but how cool would it be if I did? LOL!
Chapter 1
Young, ten year old Soujiro found himself quite alone in the late hours of the night. The midnight wind was cold and uninviting and caused the young boy to shiver a bit. Hunched over, he trotted along with a large barrel of rice on his little back, hair covering his sad, lost eyes. Since early that morning, about the time the sun had risen and rippled brilliant colors of pink and purple through the dark sky, Soujiro had been trying to carry one hundred barrels of rice to the warehouse as he had been ordered to do. It was a rather long walk across the dirt path, especially with the heavy barrel as a burden. However, now, hours later, Soujiro only had half a dozen barrels left. He kept reminding himself of this as he trotted in the bitter night, struggling as he went, feeling faint and exhausted. Only a bit longer and he'd be finished. Just a bit longer…
Soujiro felt his knees grow weak first, and soon, his whole body gave, trembling under the weight of the rice barrel. Falling, his aching shoulders were finally slightly relieved of the load as he laid on his side. He had broken into a cold sweat and his breathing was now labored. In his mind, their voices rang out, vicious and cruel, yelling at him with such hatred, and the memory of every single beating he suffered at their hands stung so unbearably. But he wouldn't let himself cry or yell out in misery. No. He had to just smile, not let them bother him, and get up and continue bringing the rice to the warehouse. After all, he only had six left, not counting the one he had been carrying. Yet, Soujiro, even when he did manage a forced smile through teary eyes, could not bring himself to get up; his whole body hurt, aching all over, and no matter how much he tried to will it, it was too beaten to go on. So, he lay there, in the chilly night on the cold ground, very much alone.
Quite sulky and kicking a pebble on the ground, Sanosuke Sagara walked along the dirt road with his hands in his pockets and a toothpick in his mouth, feeling rather resentful toward the world. It was still early for him and he was completely broke, losing all he had in the first round of a poker match at the pub. He had to admit, it was stupid of him to gamble everything on one hand, but he was so sure that his hand would be the winning one. How was he supposed to know that Miyko was going to get four aces? Nobody ever gets four aces. Worst of all, he hadn't even bought himself a drink when he made his first bet, and since Katsu wasn't around, there was no one willing to lend him a few yen just so he could get himself a couple drinks - a half dozen would be the most - and, since he was still in debt to the pub, he wasn't even allowed to put it on his tab. So, while the other men indulged themselves in drink and got merry, Sanosuke was forced to remain intolerably sober and now dragged himself back home, if he could call it that, greatly embittered.
Gazing up, he admired the moon and the clear, starry sky, and for a moment, he actually was glad that he wasn't still at the pub losing all sense of himself. And, he had to admit, he wouldn't mind missing out on his usual hang-over in the morning. However, regardless of this, Sanosuke knew that he needed to get some yen together before the next late night poker game the following day. Hmm, he wondered, maybe Sait -
Before he could even finish his thought, he grew angry at himself, and thought, Yeah right! It'll be a cold day in hell before I ask that jerk for -huh? Sanosuke's gaze had fallen on a young child, lying on the dirt path a distance in front of him, looking in need of help.
Soujiro slipped back into consciousness as he suddenly heard footsteps approaching. His eyes grew wide with worry, as a dozen ideas raced through his mind. Who's coming, he asked himself, so late at night? Is it a thief…? Or maybe they're coming…
Instinctively, Soujiro mustered up all the strength he had and struggled to his feet, wobbling a bit as he hunched over. He took one large step and then stumbled forward, feeling very dizzy as he landed on one knee.
"Hey! Hey kid!" the voice of an eighteen year old man called out. Glancing up, Soujiro saw a tall, lithe man standing before him, hands in the pockets of his white pants and his matching jacket blowing softly in the wind. "What are you doing so late at night?"
"Nothing," Soujiro quickly replied, not daring to look the stranger in the eye as he began along once more, panting as he went. "I…need to get…this rice…to the warehouse…"
"Hmm?" The man rose an eyebrow, rather confused.
"I have…just six…left…" With a groan, Soujiro fell once more, looking very sick and pale.
"Hey, kid, you're going to hurt yourself!" The eighteen year old now exclaimed. To Soujiro's fright, the stranger approached him closer now and took the barrel of rice from his back.
"No, please! If they know that I -"
Now the stranger rose a quizzical eyebrow, "Who's 'they?'"
"No one…" Soujiro quietly replied, lowering his head. He then pleaded, "Please, sir, just don't take the -"
Soujiro cut himself short as he watched the man placed the barrel of rice, which he had held with such ease, down on the ground with a soft thud. Then, the stranger drew nearer, and Soujiro fell back nervously, and grinned widely in desperation, hoping the man would leave him alone. The eighteen year old smirked and said, "Well, at least you're smiling now. Here." He then extended his hand. Hesitantly, Soujiro accepted the offer, and the man helped him to his feet. "Now then," the stranger said as he went back toward the rice and carelessly flung the barrel onto his back effortlessly, "you said you need to get six of these to a warehouse, huh?"
"Six, not counting that one, sir," Soujiro answered timidly.
"All right, then. Seven. Well, six and a half. This ones almost there. All in all, not too bad. Better get started." Smiling warmly, he began walking, turning back to Soujiro and calling, "Well, come on! You've got to show me the way to this warehouse, don't you?" Soujiro nodded enthusiastically and quickly went to join the thin, strong man by his side, and they headed to the warehouse together.
If Sanosuke thought he was resentful toward the world a little less than an hour ago, he was fuming with undying animosity toward it now. Yet, despite all of this, Sanosuke forced himself to suppress his rage for the sake of the young companion at his side. The boy seemed to be fairing a bit better than when Sanosuke had first found him, but he could tell he was still very much in pain. However, even in his pain, the boy remained in good humor and spoke brightly for his company of one, as if trying to be as polite and well-mannered as possible.
"Oh, I don't mind walking with you, Mister Sanosuke sir," the boy was saying, "Not at all."
After a moment's silence, Sanosuke spoke up, "So, Soujiro, tell me; do they make you do this everyday?"
"Yes, but I don't mind. After all, they were kind enough to take me in, weren't they?"
Sanosuke scoffed at this, but soon looked at the boy with pitying eyes. "And do they hurt you everyday?"
"Well, I…" Soujiro trailed off, staring off toward the horizon as Sanosuke walked without much difficulty, fifth barrel on his back. "Oh, no, Mister Sanosuke, sir. They were kind enough to take me in."
"That doesn't mean anything, though. They have no right to push you around like that."
"But, I'm not really they're child. You see, my mother-" Soujiro paused and then said reluctantly, "She wasn't a very nice lady…"
"Did they tell you that?" Sanosuke further questioned.
"Well, yes, but I-I don't mind it very much, Mister Sanosuke, sir."
"Hmm?"
"Oh you know. I don't mind living with them all that much. It's all right with me. I mean…I can't do anything about it, right? Besides, they take care of me, so it would be wrong of me to complain. It's just the way things are and I'm okay with it. That's all right, isn't it Mister Sanosuke?"
"I, uh…" Sanosuke glanced to the ground, not know what to say. Suddenly, he cried out indignantly, "No, it's not all right! No one has the right to beat up on some defenseless kid!"
"But, Mister Sanosuke…"
"You can't let them do that to you Soujiro! It's wrong!"
"But what can I do, Mister Sanosuke?"
"I don't know. Run away!"
"But, Mister Sanosuke, where will I go? I have no where else to go! Nobody wants me…" Soujiro looked as if he was going to cry, tears ready to stream down his eyes as he turned away from the older Sanosuke. However, when he then turned back to Sanosuke, he was smiling, "You know, Mister Sanosuke, it's not really all that bad. I just have to smile and they leave me alone, see? I won't let them get to me. It's better just to smile."
"Soujiro…" Sanosuke trailed off, eyes sympathetic as the boy grinned up at him.
"Well, just one more," Sanosuke said and with a grunt, threw the last barrel on his back. "Then, we can call it a night."
Soujiro nodded and said, "Yes. Thank you, Mister Sanosuke, for your help. I don't deserve-"
"Soujiro! Where the hell are you? Aren't you finished yet, damn it!" Came a loud voice a little while away. Sanosuke could tell immediately it came from a drunk man, the words slurring together a bit. He could hear other voices shouting in approval of the drunk man.
"Oh no," Soujiro gasped quietly to himself, then he turned to Sanosuke and bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Mister Sanosuke, but I must go. Please, don't worry about the last barrel. I'll take care of it before I go to bed. Thank you for your help, though. " He then ran off toward the voices.
"But-" Sanosuke called after him, reaching out a hand as if to stop him.
"Goodbye, Mister Sanosuke!" Soujiro wished him farewell, turning his head slightly, and then he disappeared behind the corner of a building.
Soujiro keeled over in pain and curled up on the ground as the large stick was swung hard into his belly and then into his groin. Then, over and over gain, it hit him, causing Soujiro immense pain as he fought to hold back his tears and his cries. "You little bastard! You should've had gotten all the rice to the warehouse hours ago! What have you been doing all day, ingrate?"
"You know," Soujiro heard Yanosuke speak up, "I did hear voices out here…or somebody else's voice, anyway…"
"Somebody else?" Yanosuke's brother questioned. "Have you been giving our hard-earned rice to beggars, brat?"
"No, I-" Soujiro tried to say, but he ended up coughing, a trickle of blood coming from the corner of his mouth. The big brute then marched over to Soujiro and grabbed him by his collar, lifting him from the ground.
"Answer me!" Soujiro just grinned now, desperately. He was then thrown hard to the ground, where he received a swift kick in his chest. "Smiling, eh? That's not going to help you this time! You're really going to get it now!"
Suddenly, movement came from the dark shadows and a tall figure was noticeable, leaning against the wall. "I suggest you stay away from him." The man moved forward, now, the moonlight making the young, eighteen year old face of Sanosuke slightly visible. He raised a fist. "Otherwise, your going to have to deal with me."
"Who the hell are you? Stay out of my family's business," The head of the house, foam at his mouth, demanded.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. Now, back off of Soujiro."
"Oh, yeah?" Yanosuke's brother sneered, challengingly, and gave Soujiro another kick mockingly.
At this, Sanosuke narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth before he raced forward, punching the brute so he fell backwards, sprawling on the steps of the home. Sanosuke then held his ground in front of Soujiro, prepared to defend him no matter what occurred.
"But…but why?" Soujiro questioned in a soft voice, "I don't understand…"
"Because, you deserve better than this, Soujiro. And I'm not just going to let these guys beat up on you like they do. They're worthless."
"You," Yanosuke spoke up all of a sudden, as a realization dawned on him, "You're one of them, aren't you? From the Shinsengumi?"
"Maybe," Sanosuke replied with a smirk.
"I don't care where he's-"
"No, father," Yanosuke interrupted in a hushed voice, placing his hand upon the older man's shoulder, "You mustn't. He's not an ordinary man." He then turned to Sanosuke and said, "Listen, we don't want any trouble. We promise to leave Soujiro alone. We won't hurt him anymore. Now, go, won't you?"
Sanosuke glared at Yanosuke, before he relaxed from his stance. He then leaned down and picked up the wounded Soujiro and placed him on his back, Soujiro instinctively wrapping his arms around his neck. "You're right. You won't be hurting Soujiro anymore."
And then, Sanosuke turned around, leaving the family stunned, as he slowly walked away into the darkness of the night.
Saitou sat at up late writing a letter by the orange and yellow flames light. So, tell me, Saitou was writing, how have you been? It has been a while since I last saw you, after all. You are two months along now, aren't you? I'm sure you're doing fine, although I must admit I wish I was with you. I know it must be difficult. Unfortunately, at this current time, I must stay here, with the Shinsengumi. There's our duties to consider…
At a little past midnight, Saitou heard the front door creak open and his eyes warily averted toward the entranceway of the room as he lowered the letter and laid it on the table beside him. A few moments later, Sanosuke appeared there from the corridor. "You're late as usual, rooster head…" Saito scorned contemptuously. The grandfather clock struck thirty minutes after midnight. "Well, actually you're rather early by your standards…and not drunk…" Saitou now glared at him suspiciously, "Why?"
"Well, things didn't go so great at the pub. I kind of lost all I had…" Sanosuke trailed off, glancing up at the ceiling.
"You're hiding something," Saitou stated, rising from his seat and approaching Sanosuke. He then noticed a slight nervous shuffling of feet behind Sanosuke. He raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not hiding anything," Sanosuke quickly retorted, crossing his arms. "Jeez, what the heck would I be hiding, Saitou? I mean, seriously, me hiding something…" Sanosuke let out a laugh at the idea when little Soujiro crept his head from behind Sanosuke with curiosity.
"What's that?" Saitou questioned, his eyes narrowing on the boy. As soon as he was noticed by Saitou's fierce gaze, Soujiro immediately hide behind Sanosuke.
"Oh, uh-" Sanosuke's laugh now became a nervous chuckle, "That! I forgot to mention that, didn't I?"
"Why is he here?" Saitou asked now, growing impatient.
"Well, he's here, because…well, I thought he could join us…I guess…"
"That's impossible. He's only a kid. Bring him back to where you found him," Saitou instructed, and turned from him, obviously giving his last say on the matter.
"Saito, I can't-!" Sanosuke began with a loud voice, but noticing Soujiro cowering behind him, he softened his voice to a whisper and walked over to Saitou, leaving Soujiro by the entranceway. "I can't take him back, Saitou. He has nowhere else to go."
"Nowhere else to go?" Saitou repeated quizzically. He then scoffed, "That's not our concern. Just bring him back."
"He's not a dog, Saitou!"
"I never said that. But surely he came from somewhere."
"Will you listen to me! He lives with a family that beats him for fun. They're cruel people. He needs our help."
Saitou contemplated this for a moment. Finally, he responded decisively, "A lot of children suffer such abuse. We're not responsible."
"Saituo!" Sanosuke now raised his voice, losing his temper, "Don't you understand? They beat him! If we don't do something, they'll end up killing him!"
Sanosuke's glare burned into Saitou's eyes. A few moments of silence followed once more, and then Saitou's eyes, which had been equally matching Sanoo's glare, slowly averted to the small, frail ten year old looking on fearfully at the two men conversing angrily. "Come here, boy," Saitou commanded. Soujiro nodded in consent, and timidly made his way to Saitou. Saito examined the boy. "Hmm," he said, "I suppose he could make an adequate swordsman - with the proper training."
At this, Sanosuke's glower melted and he began to beam. "I guess you aren't that much off a jerk after all, Saitou!"
"Don't push it, rooster head," Saitou remarked, retiring to his chair. "Just have Kaoru tend to the boy's lessons in the morning. And get to the bed…God knows you never get any sleep…" And with that, Sanosuke escorted Soujiro from the room, leaving Saitou, once more, alone with his letter.
All right, this is an AU fic. I suppose it's a "what if Rurouni Kenshin was just completely done differently?" or something like that. The "inspiration" if you will came from me reading up a bit on the history of some of the characters and then it just kind of began to spiral from there. Anyway, as of now, I'm assuming Saitou and Sanosuke will be the main focus, along with Soujiro, Kaoru, Anji, Katsu, Misao, Aoshi, Yahiko...uh, I'm having difficulty working Kenshin into the story just yet. Anyway, this chapter is just an opening and takes place five years before the story does. Anyway, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, but how cool would it be if I did? LOL!
Chapter 1
Young, ten year old Soujiro found himself quite alone in the late hours of the night. The midnight wind was cold and uninviting and caused the young boy to shiver a bit. Hunched over, he trotted along with a large barrel of rice on his little back, hair covering his sad, lost eyes. Since early that morning, about the time the sun had risen and rippled brilliant colors of pink and purple through the dark sky, Soujiro had been trying to carry one hundred barrels of rice to the warehouse as he had been ordered to do. It was a rather long walk across the dirt path, especially with the heavy barrel as a burden. However, now, hours later, Soujiro only had half a dozen barrels left. He kept reminding himself of this as he trotted in the bitter night, struggling as he went, feeling faint and exhausted. Only a bit longer and he'd be finished. Just a bit longer…
Soujiro felt his knees grow weak first, and soon, his whole body gave, trembling under the weight of the rice barrel. Falling, his aching shoulders were finally slightly relieved of the load as he laid on his side. He had broken into a cold sweat and his breathing was now labored. In his mind, their voices rang out, vicious and cruel, yelling at him with such hatred, and the memory of every single beating he suffered at their hands stung so unbearably. But he wouldn't let himself cry or yell out in misery. No. He had to just smile, not let them bother him, and get up and continue bringing the rice to the warehouse. After all, he only had six left, not counting the one he had been carrying. Yet, Soujiro, even when he did manage a forced smile through teary eyes, could not bring himself to get up; his whole body hurt, aching all over, and no matter how much he tried to will it, it was too beaten to go on. So, he lay there, in the chilly night on the cold ground, very much alone.
Quite sulky and kicking a pebble on the ground, Sanosuke Sagara walked along the dirt road with his hands in his pockets and a toothpick in his mouth, feeling rather resentful toward the world. It was still early for him and he was completely broke, losing all he had in the first round of a poker match at the pub. He had to admit, it was stupid of him to gamble everything on one hand, but he was so sure that his hand would be the winning one. How was he supposed to know that Miyko was going to get four aces? Nobody ever gets four aces. Worst of all, he hadn't even bought himself a drink when he made his first bet, and since Katsu wasn't around, there was no one willing to lend him a few yen just so he could get himself a couple drinks - a half dozen would be the most - and, since he was still in debt to the pub, he wasn't even allowed to put it on his tab. So, while the other men indulged themselves in drink and got merry, Sanosuke was forced to remain intolerably sober and now dragged himself back home, if he could call it that, greatly embittered.
Gazing up, he admired the moon and the clear, starry sky, and for a moment, he actually was glad that he wasn't still at the pub losing all sense of himself. And, he had to admit, he wouldn't mind missing out on his usual hang-over in the morning. However, regardless of this, Sanosuke knew that he needed to get some yen together before the next late night poker game the following day. Hmm, he wondered, maybe Sait -
Before he could even finish his thought, he grew angry at himself, and thought, Yeah right! It'll be a cold day in hell before I ask that jerk for -huh? Sanosuke's gaze had fallen on a young child, lying on the dirt path a distance in front of him, looking in need of help.
Soujiro slipped back into consciousness as he suddenly heard footsteps approaching. His eyes grew wide with worry, as a dozen ideas raced through his mind. Who's coming, he asked himself, so late at night? Is it a thief…? Or maybe they're coming…
Instinctively, Soujiro mustered up all the strength he had and struggled to his feet, wobbling a bit as he hunched over. He took one large step and then stumbled forward, feeling very dizzy as he landed on one knee.
"Hey! Hey kid!" the voice of an eighteen year old man called out. Glancing up, Soujiro saw a tall, lithe man standing before him, hands in the pockets of his white pants and his matching jacket blowing softly in the wind. "What are you doing so late at night?"
"Nothing," Soujiro quickly replied, not daring to look the stranger in the eye as he began along once more, panting as he went. "I…need to get…this rice…to the warehouse…"
"Hmm?" The man rose an eyebrow, rather confused.
"I have…just six…left…" With a groan, Soujiro fell once more, looking very sick and pale.
"Hey, kid, you're going to hurt yourself!" The eighteen year old now exclaimed. To Soujiro's fright, the stranger approached him closer now and took the barrel of rice from his back.
"No, please! If they know that I -"
Now the stranger rose a quizzical eyebrow, "Who's 'they?'"
"No one…" Soujiro quietly replied, lowering his head. He then pleaded, "Please, sir, just don't take the -"
Soujiro cut himself short as he watched the man placed the barrel of rice, which he had held with such ease, down on the ground with a soft thud. Then, the stranger drew nearer, and Soujiro fell back nervously, and grinned widely in desperation, hoping the man would leave him alone. The eighteen year old smirked and said, "Well, at least you're smiling now. Here." He then extended his hand. Hesitantly, Soujiro accepted the offer, and the man helped him to his feet. "Now then," the stranger said as he went back toward the rice and carelessly flung the barrel onto his back effortlessly, "you said you need to get six of these to a warehouse, huh?"
"Six, not counting that one, sir," Soujiro answered timidly.
"All right, then. Seven. Well, six and a half. This ones almost there. All in all, not too bad. Better get started." Smiling warmly, he began walking, turning back to Soujiro and calling, "Well, come on! You've got to show me the way to this warehouse, don't you?" Soujiro nodded enthusiastically and quickly went to join the thin, strong man by his side, and they headed to the warehouse together.
If Sanosuke thought he was resentful toward the world a little less than an hour ago, he was fuming with undying animosity toward it now. Yet, despite all of this, Sanosuke forced himself to suppress his rage for the sake of the young companion at his side. The boy seemed to be fairing a bit better than when Sanosuke had first found him, but he could tell he was still very much in pain. However, even in his pain, the boy remained in good humor and spoke brightly for his company of one, as if trying to be as polite and well-mannered as possible.
"Oh, I don't mind walking with you, Mister Sanosuke sir," the boy was saying, "Not at all."
After a moment's silence, Sanosuke spoke up, "So, Soujiro, tell me; do they make you do this everyday?"
"Yes, but I don't mind. After all, they were kind enough to take me in, weren't they?"
Sanosuke scoffed at this, but soon looked at the boy with pitying eyes. "And do they hurt you everyday?"
"Well, I…" Soujiro trailed off, staring off toward the horizon as Sanosuke walked without much difficulty, fifth barrel on his back. "Oh, no, Mister Sanosuke, sir. They were kind enough to take me in."
"That doesn't mean anything, though. They have no right to push you around like that."
"But, I'm not really they're child. You see, my mother-" Soujiro paused and then said reluctantly, "She wasn't a very nice lady…"
"Did they tell you that?" Sanosuke further questioned.
"Well, yes, but I-I don't mind it very much, Mister Sanosuke, sir."
"Hmm?"
"Oh you know. I don't mind living with them all that much. It's all right with me. I mean…I can't do anything about it, right? Besides, they take care of me, so it would be wrong of me to complain. It's just the way things are and I'm okay with it. That's all right, isn't it Mister Sanosuke?"
"I, uh…" Sanosuke glanced to the ground, not know what to say. Suddenly, he cried out indignantly, "No, it's not all right! No one has the right to beat up on some defenseless kid!"
"But, Mister Sanosuke…"
"You can't let them do that to you Soujiro! It's wrong!"
"But what can I do, Mister Sanosuke?"
"I don't know. Run away!"
"But, Mister Sanosuke, where will I go? I have no where else to go! Nobody wants me…" Soujiro looked as if he was going to cry, tears ready to stream down his eyes as he turned away from the older Sanosuke. However, when he then turned back to Sanosuke, he was smiling, "You know, Mister Sanosuke, it's not really all that bad. I just have to smile and they leave me alone, see? I won't let them get to me. It's better just to smile."
"Soujiro…" Sanosuke trailed off, eyes sympathetic as the boy grinned up at him.
"Well, just one more," Sanosuke said and with a grunt, threw the last barrel on his back. "Then, we can call it a night."
Soujiro nodded and said, "Yes. Thank you, Mister Sanosuke, for your help. I don't deserve-"
"Soujiro! Where the hell are you? Aren't you finished yet, damn it!" Came a loud voice a little while away. Sanosuke could tell immediately it came from a drunk man, the words slurring together a bit. He could hear other voices shouting in approval of the drunk man.
"Oh no," Soujiro gasped quietly to himself, then he turned to Sanosuke and bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Mister Sanosuke, but I must go. Please, don't worry about the last barrel. I'll take care of it before I go to bed. Thank you for your help, though. " He then ran off toward the voices.
"But-" Sanosuke called after him, reaching out a hand as if to stop him.
"Goodbye, Mister Sanosuke!" Soujiro wished him farewell, turning his head slightly, and then he disappeared behind the corner of a building.
Soujiro keeled over in pain and curled up on the ground as the large stick was swung hard into his belly and then into his groin. Then, over and over gain, it hit him, causing Soujiro immense pain as he fought to hold back his tears and his cries. "You little bastard! You should've had gotten all the rice to the warehouse hours ago! What have you been doing all day, ingrate?"
"You know," Soujiro heard Yanosuke speak up, "I did hear voices out here…or somebody else's voice, anyway…"
"Somebody else?" Yanosuke's brother questioned. "Have you been giving our hard-earned rice to beggars, brat?"
"No, I-" Soujiro tried to say, but he ended up coughing, a trickle of blood coming from the corner of his mouth. The big brute then marched over to Soujiro and grabbed him by his collar, lifting him from the ground.
"Answer me!" Soujiro just grinned now, desperately. He was then thrown hard to the ground, where he received a swift kick in his chest. "Smiling, eh? That's not going to help you this time! You're really going to get it now!"
Suddenly, movement came from the dark shadows and a tall figure was noticeable, leaning against the wall. "I suggest you stay away from him." The man moved forward, now, the moonlight making the young, eighteen year old face of Sanosuke slightly visible. He raised a fist. "Otherwise, your going to have to deal with me."
"Who the hell are you? Stay out of my family's business," The head of the house, foam at his mouth, demanded.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. Now, back off of Soujiro."
"Oh, yeah?" Yanosuke's brother sneered, challengingly, and gave Soujiro another kick mockingly.
At this, Sanosuke narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth before he raced forward, punching the brute so he fell backwards, sprawling on the steps of the home. Sanosuke then held his ground in front of Soujiro, prepared to defend him no matter what occurred.
"But…but why?" Soujiro questioned in a soft voice, "I don't understand…"
"Because, you deserve better than this, Soujiro. And I'm not just going to let these guys beat up on you like they do. They're worthless."
"You," Yanosuke spoke up all of a sudden, as a realization dawned on him, "You're one of them, aren't you? From the Shinsengumi?"
"Maybe," Sanosuke replied with a smirk.
"I don't care where he's-"
"No, father," Yanosuke interrupted in a hushed voice, placing his hand upon the older man's shoulder, "You mustn't. He's not an ordinary man." He then turned to Sanosuke and said, "Listen, we don't want any trouble. We promise to leave Soujiro alone. We won't hurt him anymore. Now, go, won't you?"
Sanosuke glared at Yanosuke, before he relaxed from his stance. He then leaned down and picked up the wounded Soujiro and placed him on his back, Soujiro instinctively wrapping his arms around his neck. "You're right. You won't be hurting Soujiro anymore."
And then, Sanosuke turned around, leaving the family stunned, as he slowly walked away into the darkness of the night.
Saitou sat at up late writing a letter by the orange and yellow flames light. So, tell me, Saitou was writing, how have you been? It has been a while since I last saw you, after all. You are two months along now, aren't you? I'm sure you're doing fine, although I must admit I wish I was with you. I know it must be difficult. Unfortunately, at this current time, I must stay here, with the Shinsengumi. There's our duties to consider…
At a little past midnight, Saitou heard the front door creak open and his eyes warily averted toward the entranceway of the room as he lowered the letter and laid it on the table beside him. A few moments later, Sanosuke appeared there from the corridor. "You're late as usual, rooster head…" Saito scorned contemptuously. The grandfather clock struck thirty minutes after midnight. "Well, actually you're rather early by your standards…and not drunk…" Saitou now glared at him suspiciously, "Why?"
"Well, things didn't go so great at the pub. I kind of lost all I had…" Sanosuke trailed off, glancing up at the ceiling.
"You're hiding something," Saitou stated, rising from his seat and approaching Sanosuke. He then noticed a slight nervous shuffling of feet behind Sanosuke. He raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not hiding anything," Sanosuke quickly retorted, crossing his arms. "Jeez, what the heck would I be hiding, Saitou? I mean, seriously, me hiding something…" Sanosuke let out a laugh at the idea when little Soujiro crept his head from behind Sanosuke with curiosity.
"What's that?" Saitou questioned, his eyes narrowing on the boy. As soon as he was noticed by Saitou's fierce gaze, Soujiro immediately hide behind Sanosuke.
"Oh, uh-" Sanosuke's laugh now became a nervous chuckle, "That! I forgot to mention that, didn't I?"
"Why is he here?" Saitou asked now, growing impatient.
"Well, he's here, because…well, I thought he could join us…I guess…"
"That's impossible. He's only a kid. Bring him back to where you found him," Saitou instructed, and turned from him, obviously giving his last say on the matter.
"Saito, I can't-!" Sanosuke began with a loud voice, but noticing Soujiro cowering behind him, he softened his voice to a whisper and walked over to Saitou, leaving Soujiro by the entranceway. "I can't take him back, Saitou. He has nowhere else to go."
"Nowhere else to go?" Saitou repeated quizzically. He then scoffed, "That's not our concern. Just bring him back."
"He's not a dog, Saitou!"
"I never said that. But surely he came from somewhere."
"Will you listen to me! He lives with a family that beats him for fun. They're cruel people. He needs our help."
Saitou contemplated this for a moment. Finally, he responded decisively, "A lot of children suffer such abuse. We're not responsible."
"Saituo!" Sanosuke now raised his voice, losing his temper, "Don't you understand? They beat him! If we don't do something, they'll end up killing him!"
Sanosuke's glare burned into Saitou's eyes. A few moments of silence followed once more, and then Saitou's eyes, which had been equally matching Sanoo's glare, slowly averted to the small, frail ten year old looking on fearfully at the two men conversing angrily. "Come here, boy," Saitou commanded. Soujiro nodded in consent, and timidly made his way to Saitou. Saito examined the boy. "Hmm," he said, "I suppose he could make an adequate swordsman - with the proper training."
At this, Sanosuke's glower melted and he began to beam. "I guess you aren't that much off a jerk after all, Saitou!"
"Don't push it, rooster head," Saitou remarked, retiring to his chair. "Just have Kaoru tend to the boy's lessons in the morning. And get to the bed…God knows you never get any sleep…" And with that, Sanosuke escorted Soujiro from the room, leaving Saitou, once more, alone with his letter.
