HANGMAN'S TRUTH
Chapter One
"How we came to be here"
Summary: Sanosuke is reflecting on his past as he is being brought to the gallows to be hanged. Plenty of Sano/Megumi goodness in store.
Standard disclaimer: don't you just hate those? Like we need to be reminded that we don't own Sano or any of the other Rurouni Kenshin characters...which I do not.
Author's note: Enjoy! ^_^
++
Knowing you are about to die is the most peaceful feeling in the world.
A couple paces ahead I can see the hangman's perch towering in front of me. The noose is slowly swinging from side to side to side, like a pendulum. I feel so fucking cold.
The roar of the crowd pushing up against me is only and incessant buzz. Everyone is yelling, bustling, scratching, clawing to get front row seats to the hanging. My cuffs are so tight I can't feel my fingers.
So I march, in a daze, surrounded by police officers armed to the teeth.
A half-full bottle of sake gets thrown my way, and shatters at my feet. What a waste.
I was wondering, last night in the dark pit of my cell, what I'd do, up on the platform with the noose tightening around my neck. I figured I wouldn't let the crowd see how scared shitless I was, but that's as far as I got. I never figured I'd feel this peaceful.
Fuck, I guess I finally realized that I'm about to die, and there's nothing I can do to stop it. In fact, I think I see my life flashing before my eyes.
Meg's the only one I've ever told anything about back when I was a kid. Kami, I wish I could have had a chance to explain. ++
My life started out in a little farm east side of Tokyo. I think I was born in February, but I'm not sure.
Anyhow one spring morning, one fifteen-year-old farmer's daughter struggled to give birth to a kid who was way too big for her frame.
They said I ripped mom apart at the seams.
My hands were red with another's blood by the time I first opened my eyes. Mom died almost immediately, and was buried in her best friend's backyard that same day. It was my fault. Every fucking thing was always my fault.
I didn't grow up with my mom's family; the shitfaces disowned her after she was rapped.
Instead I lived with her best friend and her two brats. They hated me. And I hated them.
Mom's best friend wasn't cruel. She gave me food, water, and a place to sleep, but she didn't love me either. She never spoke to me directly if she could help it, and didn't want me to be seen by anyone. She was trying to pretend I didn't exist, and I didn't.
I was a ghost in her house.
Even if that stuff was true, I remember having a pretty happy first couple of years. I spent most of my time in the forest a couple of houses behind the one I lived in. I didn't go to school (bastards like me were too stupid for school anyway) but I'd go see the merchant's kids a couple of blocks down when they were free. I remember telling them I'd be a soldier, and they laughed. I was real scrawny back then.
My "guardian" spent her days on the porch of the house, staring at my mom's grave with an impassive face. She'd spend hours there. I never saw her cry, 'cept one time when her son of a bitch told her that I gave him the black eye he was wearing. In the middle of supper, too.
She stood straight up and started yelling at me. I told her I had nothing to do with it, but she didn't listen. Murderers always lie. She didn't notice her two sons laughing into their miso soup; she threw the bowl she was holding straight at my head.
It caught me unaware and glanced off my shoulder. I was just sitting there, dazed and holding back tears, and she snatched me up by the ear and dragged me with ease into the back yard.
She threw me down next to ma's grave stone and just started wailing. She grabbed at her hair and scratched at her face. I was lying there, stunned. There were tears streaming down her face and she was screaming about how she was "trying so hard kami-sama but there's nothing I can do for him! He's the flesh and blood of a rapist an' a murderer and kami help us kami I can't do anything...I'm so sorry so sorry...kami I loved her so much..."And she broke down on the ground, sobbing.
It was pouring rain.
Her eldest son once told me after he spat on my face (nothing I could do about it, he was much bigger than me) that I had killed his mother's soul. So he was gonna kill me.
Looking at this shape in front of me contorting and moaning, I figured he was right. To avoid dying, I decided to leave.
I was close to eight years old when I walked out of that yard, an' I never looked back.
++
I don't know why, but I was shaking the whole time while telling this to kitsune. That was less than a year ago, and we were just sitting there, leanin' up against the wall under the covers on her futon, me stroking her hair. It was past midnight that time, and I thought she was asleep, but when she felt me shake she just turned around and gave me a hug. There she was, being strong for me.
I love her more than I do life.
++
The rest of my friends know this part of the story: my life with the Sekihoutai. The best part of my life up to then. After feeling so out of place with ma's best friend and her two sons, (hell I won't even mention their names if I can help it) I felt at home.
That was the day I finally found a father.
After stumbling out of the yard that day, I followed the stream behind my old house upward into the mountains. I didn't know where I was going, fuck I have no sense of direction, I just knew I had to get as far away as possible.
So that's what I did 'til I reached this army camp up in this valley. The Sekihoutai camp. I heard a little about them and their cause, how they traveled from town to town fighting for and spreading the word about the Meiji government. I spotted a wagon of theirs and figured that I could hitch a ride with them to the next town.
I was climbing into one of the wagons when someone grabbed me by the ankle. I whipped around with my eyes wide open in shock and saw this kid, 'bout as old as me, holding my foot with both hands and a look of excitement on his face.
"S-spy!" he yelled, "I caught a spy! I caught a s-"
His next word was cut short: I kicked him in the face with my free foot.
I think I surprised him more than anything; he let go with a yelp and fell backwards. I was about to run off into the bushes, deciding that, ok, this wasn't such a good idea, when someone grabbed me by the back of the collar.
I was lifted up into the air by an adult, guessing from how far I was from the ground, and was held there for half a minute while other Sekihoutai members came to see what was going on. I twisted around and threw punches into the air, but I couldn't get down. They started laughing.
I slowly put my clenched fists down by my sides. My voice started choking up as I said, "I'm won't run." I saw the kid I kicked grinning at me, but I scowled at him and he looked away.
I was slowly lowered to the ground. Trying not to look scared, (but not doing a very good job of it) I turned around to look at the guy who held me up like I was nothing.
He was in a captain's uniform. He had black hair and was wearing a red bandana like the rest of them. He was a lot taller than me.
"My name is Sagara Souzou," he said, bowing a little.
I was just standing there, staring at him, wondering what the hell he was up to. No one had ever bowed to me before. After a couple seconds of silence, I figured I was supposed to bow back.
"Sanosuke," I mumbled.
"And your last name, Sanosuke-san?"
"Sanosuke," I said a little louder. I glared at him so he would get the message. I didn't like this guy. He was way too nice to me.
"I see...Forgive my rudeness Sanosuke-san. Please, let me escort you to my tent where we can properly introduce ourselves and discuss the reasons behind your untimely appearance."
I didn't understand what the fuck he was saying, but he turned to leave and I guessed he wanted me to follow him, so I did.
After walking for 'bout a minute, we got inside this huge tent full of stuff: Charts, maps, swords, banners-
"Sit down Sanosuke-san," said the captain. He pointed to a chair beside him. He offered me tea: I said I wasn't thirsty. Did he think I was too stupid not to know it was probably poisoned?
"How did you come to be in our encampment, Sanosuke-san?"
I couldn't help it: I was just so pumped with fear and adrenaline and all that so I just burst and said, "Look, you're not going to get anything out of me, I haven't done anything wrong, and if you're gonna torturemejustgetitoverwith!"
++
I laughed when he told me about that. It was hard to imagine my rooster, now an impressive man at 6 foot 4, small and skittish like he was back then.
"What?" He had asked me quizzically, tilting his head to one side. I didn't answer but continued to giggle. After calming down a little I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his forehead, and he grinned down at me. It was winter that time, and the wind was whistling through the trees in perfect symphony. I hugged him around the waist: he hugged me back, and we swayed back and forth to the music for a while. I was still chuckling occasionally and tried to hide it by muffling it against his chest, but I know he knew.
I only wish I knew where he was now.
++
I remember how scared I felt while I waited an answer from the captain. I was fidgeting in my seat and sweating a little the entire time; hoping he didn't notice. He stared at me for a minute, blinked, and cleared his throat.
"Torture will not be necessary," he replied carefully. "I have much need of a man of your talents, and would like to offer you a job and a place to stay."
Now it was my turn to stare.
"I could use a brave man like you," he continued. "I cannot offer you the best of pay, and the work is hard, but will get a chance to travel and learn. I take it you know of the mission of the Sekihoutai?"
I nodded real quick.
He nodded too, in acknowledgement. "Would you like some time to think about my proposition?"
I tilted my head to one side an' frowned a little. The way I thought about it, the captain could have killed me a couple of times over if he wanted to by then, so I figured he didn't mean me any harm. He was offering me a job, and a place to stay. What more could I want?
"No," I said, shakily at first and then with a little more confidence. "I don't need anymore time. I'll take the job."
The captain, who'd been pacing back and forth all this time, stopped and turned around.
"Well then," he smiled. "Welcome to the Sekihoutai."
++
For next couple weeks I had a good time up in that valley encampment. For once in my life I was allowed to eat as much as it took to get me full, which was a lot. Captain turned out to be a nice guy, and that ankle-boy and me became good friends.
"Chicken shit!"
"Pig face!"
"Retard!"
"Warthog!"
"What's a warthog?"
"Whatever it is, its not half as ugly as you ar- ARG!"
Katsu was a good friend to have when we were going through some tough times, but in times of peace, he was an asshole. Plus he always said I started it. When he got to be too much, I just threw something at 'im.
"That hurt!"
"Not as much as it hurts to look at yo- OW!"
It always caught me off guard when he threw something back.
"What was that for?"
"Being you," he mumbled.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" I glared at him and prepared to strike.
I was raising a good, thick stick above my head behind an unsuspecting Katsu when-
"Sanosuke-san! What are you doing?"
That stern voice stopped me in mid-swing.
"Nothin' important...Captain."
By this time Katsu had gotten out of the way of my weapon. Damn it.
"Good," he said calmly. "Because I have something important to discuss with the both of you."
The Sekihoutai was preparing for another attack. Once the wagons were loaded they would march several kilometers southwest towards Kyoto to stop some of Ishin Shishi's oppressors before they could reach the capital. It was going to be rough.
Katsu and me were asked if we wanted to stay behind, but we said no. Him and I were both orphans, with no other place to stay. Where were we going to go if we couldn't stay with the Sekihoutai? We were family to one another.
During the journey the Sekihoutai were warmly greeted in any village they passed. Everyone knew that they brought news of the glory of the soon to come Meiji era. I can't believe we all believed that bullshit.
And the battle began. I remember the roar of muskets being fired and the whizzing of bullets streaming past; filling my ears. I remember the blood. I remember clearly the ring of dozens of katanas being drawn all at once as the two opposing groups crashed together. The bombs going off. I saw friends, people I knew being torn apart by war, and I heard the gasping of their final breaths as their eyes rolled back. I got really scared. Where was Captain Sagara?
So I stumbled around, trying to find him. What if he got hurt? What if I found him and he was dead?
He wasn't.
Captain stood in the middle of an array of men, and I could see his sword reflecting the light as he slashed and sliced through thick and thin. His last opponent collapsed, and Captain fell to his knees and gasped for breath.
He didn't see the armed man coming up behind him, but I did.
What happened next I don't think I could ever forget. I raced towards the man, each step seeming to take a lot longer than it should. Somehow I got my katana out of its sheathe and it rang, like a silver bell. It was heavy. I took it with both hands and drove it forwards, closing my eyes and letting out a cry. There was a thud on the other end, and then a smooth piercing of something solid. A warm liquid covered my hands. I opened my eyes.
The guy shuddered and twitched a bit, then moaned. I don't think he ever saw me coming. After what seemed like forever, he collapsed on top of me. I couldn't handle that many extra pounds so I fell. And fainted.
When I came to I was back in Captain Sagara's tent, pitched maybe a kilometer away from the battlefield. My arms were sore like hell.
Captain was sitting right next to me. After a bit he started talking to me about life and what it means to kills someone or something like that. I wasn't really paying attention, mostly because I had just realized what I had done. I killed someone. I started crying, in part from the shock. I was just past 8 years old.
Captain saw me cry and I could see he was worried.
"I apologize Sanosuke-san, for ever putting you in a situation like that."
I looked at him for a second then said, "I'm not crying because I'm hurt or anything." I took a deep breath. "I-I'm happy I could help you out."
Captain didn't say anything, just smiled a little and nodded. I don't think he knew right then, but I would have done anything to protect him. He was my father. I looked up to him and respected him. Back then I didn't know what I would do if he ever died. I still don't know.
That was the first time I killed someone. The first time I had taken a life.
But it wasn't going to be the last time...
++
Hey guys! Thanks for taking the time to read this chapter! Hope you enjoyed it! ^_^ I'm still not sure if I'm going to continue this story, so if you liked it let me know, ok? Even if you didn't, tell me why! I hope you all understand the format of this story, but just in case you don't, I'm going to explain it. ^_^ Here goes: Basically Sano reflects on his life before being hanged, and the story goes from present to past. By the way, I realize that this is not the way criminals were traditionally executed in Japan, or at least I don't think so, but it serves a purpose. You'll see! The little "++"s are to clue you in as to when the story jumps from the past to the present or vice versa. Well that pretty much sums up my ramblings, please review!
Chapter One
"How we came to be here"
Summary: Sanosuke is reflecting on his past as he is being brought to the gallows to be hanged. Plenty of Sano/Megumi goodness in store.
Standard disclaimer: don't you just hate those? Like we need to be reminded that we don't own Sano or any of the other Rurouni Kenshin characters...which I do not.
Author's note: Enjoy! ^_^
++
Knowing you are about to die is the most peaceful feeling in the world.
A couple paces ahead I can see the hangman's perch towering in front of me. The noose is slowly swinging from side to side to side, like a pendulum. I feel so fucking cold.
The roar of the crowd pushing up against me is only and incessant buzz. Everyone is yelling, bustling, scratching, clawing to get front row seats to the hanging. My cuffs are so tight I can't feel my fingers.
So I march, in a daze, surrounded by police officers armed to the teeth.
A half-full bottle of sake gets thrown my way, and shatters at my feet. What a waste.
I was wondering, last night in the dark pit of my cell, what I'd do, up on the platform with the noose tightening around my neck. I figured I wouldn't let the crowd see how scared shitless I was, but that's as far as I got. I never figured I'd feel this peaceful.
Fuck, I guess I finally realized that I'm about to die, and there's nothing I can do to stop it. In fact, I think I see my life flashing before my eyes.
Meg's the only one I've ever told anything about back when I was a kid. Kami, I wish I could have had a chance to explain. ++
My life started out in a little farm east side of Tokyo. I think I was born in February, but I'm not sure.
Anyhow one spring morning, one fifteen-year-old farmer's daughter struggled to give birth to a kid who was way too big for her frame.
They said I ripped mom apart at the seams.
My hands were red with another's blood by the time I first opened my eyes. Mom died almost immediately, and was buried in her best friend's backyard that same day. It was my fault. Every fucking thing was always my fault.
I didn't grow up with my mom's family; the shitfaces disowned her after she was rapped.
Instead I lived with her best friend and her two brats. They hated me. And I hated them.
Mom's best friend wasn't cruel. She gave me food, water, and a place to sleep, but she didn't love me either. She never spoke to me directly if she could help it, and didn't want me to be seen by anyone. She was trying to pretend I didn't exist, and I didn't.
I was a ghost in her house.
Even if that stuff was true, I remember having a pretty happy first couple of years. I spent most of my time in the forest a couple of houses behind the one I lived in. I didn't go to school (bastards like me were too stupid for school anyway) but I'd go see the merchant's kids a couple of blocks down when they were free. I remember telling them I'd be a soldier, and they laughed. I was real scrawny back then.
My "guardian" spent her days on the porch of the house, staring at my mom's grave with an impassive face. She'd spend hours there. I never saw her cry, 'cept one time when her son of a bitch told her that I gave him the black eye he was wearing. In the middle of supper, too.
She stood straight up and started yelling at me. I told her I had nothing to do with it, but she didn't listen. Murderers always lie. She didn't notice her two sons laughing into their miso soup; she threw the bowl she was holding straight at my head.
It caught me unaware and glanced off my shoulder. I was just sitting there, dazed and holding back tears, and she snatched me up by the ear and dragged me with ease into the back yard.
She threw me down next to ma's grave stone and just started wailing. She grabbed at her hair and scratched at her face. I was lying there, stunned. There were tears streaming down her face and she was screaming about how she was "trying so hard kami-sama but there's nothing I can do for him! He's the flesh and blood of a rapist an' a murderer and kami help us kami I can't do anything...I'm so sorry so sorry...kami I loved her so much..."And she broke down on the ground, sobbing.
It was pouring rain.
Her eldest son once told me after he spat on my face (nothing I could do about it, he was much bigger than me) that I had killed his mother's soul. So he was gonna kill me.
Looking at this shape in front of me contorting and moaning, I figured he was right. To avoid dying, I decided to leave.
I was close to eight years old when I walked out of that yard, an' I never looked back.
++
I don't know why, but I was shaking the whole time while telling this to kitsune. That was less than a year ago, and we were just sitting there, leanin' up against the wall under the covers on her futon, me stroking her hair. It was past midnight that time, and I thought she was asleep, but when she felt me shake she just turned around and gave me a hug. There she was, being strong for me.
I love her more than I do life.
++
The rest of my friends know this part of the story: my life with the Sekihoutai. The best part of my life up to then. After feeling so out of place with ma's best friend and her two sons, (hell I won't even mention their names if I can help it) I felt at home.
That was the day I finally found a father.
After stumbling out of the yard that day, I followed the stream behind my old house upward into the mountains. I didn't know where I was going, fuck I have no sense of direction, I just knew I had to get as far away as possible.
So that's what I did 'til I reached this army camp up in this valley. The Sekihoutai camp. I heard a little about them and their cause, how they traveled from town to town fighting for and spreading the word about the Meiji government. I spotted a wagon of theirs and figured that I could hitch a ride with them to the next town.
I was climbing into one of the wagons when someone grabbed me by the ankle. I whipped around with my eyes wide open in shock and saw this kid, 'bout as old as me, holding my foot with both hands and a look of excitement on his face.
"S-spy!" he yelled, "I caught a spy! I caught a s-"
His next word was cut short: I kicked him in the face with my free foot.
I think I surprised him more than anything; he let go with a yelp and fell backwards. I was about to run off into the bushes, deciding that, ok, this wasn't such a good idea, when someone grabbed me by the back of the collar.
I was lifted up into the air by an adult, guessing from how far I was from the ground, and was held there for half a minute while other Sekihoutai members came to see what was going on. I twisted around and threw punches into the air, but I couldn't get down. They started laughing.
I slowly put my clenched fists down by my sides. My voice started choking up as I said, "I'm won't run." I saw the kid I kicked grinning at me, but I scowled at him and he looked away.
I was slowly lowered to the ground. Trying not to look scared, (but not doing a very good job of it) I turned around to look at the guy who held me up like I was nothing.
He was in a captain's uniform. He had black hair and was wearing a red bandana like the rest of them. He was a lot taller than me.
"My name is Sagara Souzou," he said, bowing a little.
I was just standing there, staring at him, wondering what the hell he was up to. No one had ever bowed to me before. After a couple seconds of silence, I figured I was supposed to bow back.
"Sanosuke," I mumbled.
"And your last name, Sanosuke-san?"
"Sanosuke," I said a little louder. I glared at him so he would get the message. I didn't like this guy. He was way too nice to me.
"I see...Forgive my rudeness Sanosuke-san. Please, let me escort you to my tent where we can properly introduce ourselves and discuss the reasons behind your untimely appearance."
I didn't understand what the fuck he was saying, but he turned to leave and I guessed he wanted me to follow him, so I did.
After walking for 'bout a minute, we got inside this huge tent full of stuff: Charts, maps, swords, banners-
"Sit down Sanosuke-san," said the captain. He pointed to a chair beside him. He offered me tea: I said I wasn't thirsty. Did he think I was too stupid not to know it was probably poisoned?
"How did you come to be in our encampment, Sanosuke-san?"
I couldn't help it: I was just so pumped with fear and adrenaline and all that so I just burst and said, "Look, you're not going to get anything out of me, I haven't done anything wrong, and if you're gonna torturemejustgetitoverwith!"
++
I laughed when he told me about that. It was hard to imagine my rooster, now an impressive man at 6 foot 4, small and skittish like he was back then.
"What?" He had asked me quizzically, tilting his head to one side. I didn't answer but continued to giggle. After calming down a little I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his forehead, and he grinned down at me. It was winter that time, and the wind was whistling through the trees in perfect symphony. I hugged him around the waist: he hugged me back, and we swayed back and forth to the music for a while. I was still chuckling occasionally and tried to hide it by muffling it against his chest, but I know he knew.
I only wish I knew where he was now.
++
I remember how scared I felt while I waited an answer from the captain. I was fidgeting in my seat and sweating a little the entire time; hoping he didn't notice. He stared at me for a minute, blinked, and cleared his throat.
"Torture will not be necessary," he replied carefully. "I have much need of a man of your talents, and would like to offer you a job and a place to stay."
Now it was my turn to stare.
"I could use a brave man like you," he continued. "I cannot offer you the best of pay, and the work is hard, but will get a chance to travel and learn. I take it you know of the mission of the Sekihoutai?"
I nodded real quick.
He nodded too, in acknowledgement. "Would you like some time to think about my proposition?"
I tilted my head to one side an' frowned a little. The way I thought about it, the captain could have killed me a couple of times over if he wanted to by then, so I figured he didn't mean me any harm. He was offering me a job, and a place to stay. What more could I want?
"No," I said, shakily at first and then with a little more confidence. "I don't need anymore time. I'll take the job."
The captain, who'd been pacing back and forth all this time, stopped and turned around.
"Well then," he smiled. "Welcome to the Sekihoutai."
++
For next couple weeks I had a good time up in that valley encampment. For once in my life I was allowed to eat as much as it took to get me full, which was a lot. Captain turned out to be a nice guy, and that ankle-boy and me became good friends.
"Chicken shit!"
"Pig face!"
"Retard!"
"Warthog!"
"What's a warthog?"
"Whatever it is, its not half as ugly as you ar- ARG!"
Katsu was a good friend to have when we were going through some tough times, but in times of peace, he was an asshole. Plus he always said I started it. When he got to be too much, I just threw something at 'im.
"That hurt!"
"Not as much as it hurts to look at yo- OW!"
It always caught me off guard when he threw something back.
"What was that for?"
"Being you," he mumbled.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" I glared at him and prepared to strike.
I was raising a good, thick stick above my head behind an unsuspecting Katsu when-
"Sanosuke-san! What are you doing?"
That stern voice stopped me in mid-swing.
"Nothin' important...Captain."
By this time Katsu had gotten out of the way of my weapon. Damn it.
"Good," he said calmly. "Because I have something important to discuss with the both of you."
The Sekihoutai was preparing for another attack. Once the wagons were loaded they would march several kilometers southwest towards Kyoto to stop some of Ishin Shishi's oppressors before they could reach the capital. It was going to be rough.
Katsu and me were asked if we wanted to stay behind, but we said no. Him and I were both orphans, with no other place to stay. Where were we going to go if we couldn't stay with the Sekihoutai? We were family to one another.
During the journey the Sekihoutai were warmly greeted in any village they passed. Everyone knew that they brought news of the glory of the soon to come Meiji era. I can't believe we all believed that bullshit.
And the battle began. I remember the roar of muskets being fired and the whizzing of bullets streaming past; filling my ears. I remember the blood. I remember clearly the ring of dozens of katanas being drawn all at once as the two opposing groups crashed together. The bombs going off. I saw friends, people I knew being torn apart by war, and I heard the gasping of their final breaths as their eyes rolled back. I got really scared. Where was Captain Sagara?
So I stumbled around, trying to find him. What if he got hurt? What if I found him and he was dead?
He wasn't.
Captain stood in the middle of an array of men, and I could see his sword reflecting the light as he slashed and sliced through thick and thin. His last opponent collapsed, and Captain fell to his knees and gasped for breath.
He didn't see the armed man coming up behind him, but I did.
What happened next I don't think I could ever forget. I raced towards the man, each step seeming to take a lot longer than it should. Somehow I got my katana out of its sheathe and it rang, like a silver bell. It was heavy. I took it with both hands and drove it forwards, closing my eyes and letting out a cry. There was a thud on the other end, and then a smooth piercing of something solid. A warm liquid covered my hands. I opened my eyes.
The guy shuddered and twitched a bit, then moaned. I don't think he ever saw me coming. After what seemed like forever, he collapsed on top of me. I couldn't handle that many extra pounds so I fell. And fainted.
When I came to I was back in Captain Sagara's tent, pitched maybe a kilometer away from the battlefield. My arms were sore like hell.
Captain was sitting right next to me. After a bit he started talking to me about life and what it means to kills someone or something like that. I wasn't really paying attention, mostly because I had just realized what I had done. I killed someone. I started crying, in part from the shock. I was just past 8 years old.
Captain saw me cry and I could see he was worried.
"I apologize Sanosuke-san, for ever putting you in a situation like that."
I looked at him for a second then said, "I'm not crying because I'm hurt or anything." I took a deep breath. "I-I'm happy I could help you out."
Captain didn't say anything, just smiled a little and nodded. I don't think he knew right then, but I would have done anything to protect him. He was my father. I looked up to him and respected him. Back then I didn't know what I would do if he ever died. I still don't know.
That was the first time I killed someone. The first time I had taken a life.
But it wasn't going to be the last time...
++
Hey guys! Thanks for taking the time to read this chapter! Hope you enjoyed it! ^_^ I'm still not sure if I'm going to continue this story, so if you liked it let me know, ok? Even if you didn't, tell me why! I hope you all understand the format of this story, but just in case you don't, I'm going to explain it. ^_^ Here goes: Basically Sano reflects on his life before being hanged, and the story goes from present to past. By the way, I realize that this is not the way criminals were traditionally executed in Japan, or at least I don't think so, but it serves a purpose. You'll see! The little "++"s are to clue you in as to when the story jumps from the past to the present or vice versa. Well that pretty much sums up my ramblings, please review!