Author's Note: Hey! This is my first Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic!

Disclaimer: I blah, don't blah, own, blah, anything blah… but I do own Jyin and Myo

Ever wonder why Sanosuke ran away from home? Or why he insisted on joining the Sekiho Army over the other hundreds out there? Well you're about to find out!

It was a rainy, dreary day. Young Sanosuke wondered if his father would ever come back. He hoped not. His father was abusive toward him, his brothers, and his mother. He felt that it was his duty to protect his family being the oldest. Although he realised at the tender age of 8 he could do little.

It was Sano's birthday tomorrow and he hoped his father would not ruin it like last time.

Flash back 1 Year

Balloons filled the air as young Sanosuke, now 8, made his wish and blew out the candles on his chocolate cake. In the background Sano could hear faint yells coming from his father.

"I don't give a crap about his stupid birthday!" his high father screamed at his mother.

"I've got more important things to do than worry about that-that boy's birthday!"

"OOOHH!" the kids chirped in harmony at the way his father talked.

All of the kids stood and looked at Sano with blank faces. Sano, realising what his father said about him turned pale. And with that said their was a silence. His mother stood frozen with fear of what his father would do next.

He towered over and looked as if he was about to hit her. Instead he stomped through where the kids were and they all backed away. His father seemed not to care. He took his jacket and left. Sanosuke ran into his bedroom and cried tears of anger. Ever since that fateful day, Sanosuke hated his father hoped he would never return.

End Flashback

Sanosuke shook the thought away.

"SANOSUKE, JYIN, MYO! HE'S COMING!" his mother screamed. His mother was American so she pronounced their names the way they were spelled.

Sano, who was currently looking out the front window of his home, saw his father standing on the porch knocking furiously on the door. Sano's mother scooped Sanosuke up in her arms.

"Sanosuke, stay away from the windows! Go with your brothers and hide! Now!"

Sano quickly obeyed and motioned for his brothers to follow. He went throughout the house frantically looking for the perfect hiding place.

"Is this like Hide and Seek (A/N: not the movie with Charlie)?" said 4 year old Myo

"Uh, yeah. J-Just like Hide and Seek," said Sanosuke trying to sound calm. "Let's hide in here. Hurry!"

Jyin and Myo followed Sano into their small 1-room basement. In it was 3 barrels of rice. Jyin, a year behind Sano, helped Sano dump the rice out. Jyin, with nothing to do went up do the basement door and listened.

"What do you hear?" asked Jyin shakily.

"Um, a lot of yelling... Mom is screaming!"

"We gotta help her!"

"No." said Sano. "We gotta stay down here. Besides, what do you think he's gonna do when he sees us?"

Myo and Jyin glanced at him and found understanding. They each climbed under their barrel's and waited.