~ Gray ~

Disclaimer: I don't own any RK people. However the plot and Lupo grigio (you'll see) are mine. Thank you. Summary: A wolf meets a human in the woods. Both are injured. Either well make it. But they do and are taken in by a very unlikely person. SANOSUKE/SAITOU. Rating: R for language and maybe NC-17.sooner or later.

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The gray wolf halted in its running. Golden eyes jerked around the dark forest, the wolf was surrounded in. A smell. The wolf held it's beautiful head up and sniffed. Blood. The wolf continued sniffing as his head lower to his back leg, where blood poured from a gash. No, it wasn't his blood. It was human. The wolf spun around as a rustling sound reached his ears. They perked up, he listened. A human came from the bushes. His leaned against a random tree and panted. The wolf sneered, and the human looked over. Deep chocolate brown eyes, half lidded; glazed at wolf.

"Hey boy, Whatcha' doin' way out here?" The human spoke and moved forward. The wolf backed up and bared his teeth. This human must not touch him. This human will kill him. But the human did no much thing. He sat next to the wolf and petted him.

"Your'a beautiful thing aren't ya? So beautiful....." The human trailed on. The wolf's bright gold eyes stared at the human. Blood was soaking the human's white jacket, and a slight pain was visible on the young face of this human. The wolf leaned forward and sniffed the blood-soaked cloth. The human laughed dryly.

"Yea, I'm injured. I doubt I'll make it back to Tokyo."

The wolf lightly licked the blood off the human's shoulder. The human hissed and the wolf pulled back, worried. A laugh rang through the darkness.

"You're quite the fella' boy. Enjoy the taste of blood, eh? I know some one just like you." The human spoke and smiled fondly. Golden eyes blinked confusingly at the human before the young face's smile widened.

"And this some one as the biggest bloodlust, I've ever seen. He's a wolf too." The human grinned then frowned. The wolf nudged the human's face sweetly.

"I won't make it. Nope, it's not going to happen." The human petted then scratched behind gray ears. The wolf howled then whimpered as the pain of it's hind leg increased. The human backed his head.

"Oh fuck. You're hurt too." The human lightly touched the wound and smiled. "If you lie down I can wrap it up for you."

The wolf growled. Did this human really want to help? Gold stared into brown as the wolf conceded with the human's wishes and lied down. The wolf watched as the human removed one of the many wraps he had on his person. Gingerly, he wrapped the wounded leg tightly to keep it from bleeding; then stood up.

"Well I've got to go. I can at least TRY to make it to Tokyo." The human began to walk away. The wolf sat up and watched this man's retreating form. The human turned suddenly.

The wolf glared. Maybe this human is going to kill him. No, he's to kind to do that. Then what did he want?

The human smiled. "Would you like to come with me?"

After a moment the wolf stood up and trotted up to the human. With a small pet on the head they started on their way home.

"Well...Now. What am I going to call you boy? Hmm. How about Lupo grigio[1]?" The human looked at the wolf as if inquiring his opinion. The wolf howled. "I'll take that as a 'yes'." The human smiled. "And I'm Sagara Sanosuke. Nice to met ya'!"

The wolf tilted its head at Sanosuke. For being almost dead....This human was very hyperactive.

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[1]: Lupo grigio- Italian for Gray wolf.

Author's note: This is a work in progress and most likely won't be finished. Depending on my mood in later days.