Disclaimer-I do not own Rurouni Kenshin no matter how much I want to. The assorted characters belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki, not I.

Author's Note- I wrote this with the thought in mind that maybe the somewhat simple seeming nature of Sano is a façade, and maybe he isn't that happy being part of Kenshin's posse, if you will. I would be interested in any kind of feedback, especially about the representation of Sano. If you have any questions,comments, flames, reguests, I'll be happy to hear them.    

Battered Souls

Who am I? I am no one. A battered warrior lost in the pale mists of time, a relic of old, obsolete times. I've no use anymore, much like them. He with the golden eyes, pale face, steely spirit, a true warrior inside and out. It's even harder for him, forced to deal with the most repulsive of enemies. Ishin Shishi they call themselves, traitors of the highest order says I.

Hmm, I wonder what the others, especially Kaoru would say if they heard my thoughts. They would stare in disbelief, especially Kenshin. All I am to them is a loyal lap dog, and a none to smart one at that. Always I have to play the role of the dumb companion, and listen without complaint to their smartass comments.

The water under the bridge seems especially bright tonight. It shimmers, obscuring my face, turning it into that of a demon. Huh, didn't know I could be that much of a waxing poetic. You learn something new every day.

"Ahou," states his voice, dripping with condescension as always.

"Saitou," I calmly answer.

"Funny, I would have though you'd be with the idiot, Battousai, acting the part of the faithful mutt.

Funny how Saitou could be so infuriatingly perceptive, especially at the worst possible times. Oh, better answer he's starting to look impatient. Wait, I could tell? Anyway, "I have a life of my own apart from Battousai, you know."

"Well, I stand corrected ahou."

"Stop calling me that, cricket-face."

Saitou turned his back to me and began striding away, calling over his shoulder, "You've learned."

What the hell did that mean? Too late to ask now. Not that I would risk more vicious taunting anyway. That man was an infuriating asshole, I chuckled to myself. Something was off tonight. Somehow he had seemed almost as conflicted as I felt.

I'd never noticed it before, but he was kinda like that other bastard, Aoshi. Both true Samurai, warriors of a distant past. They were cool, swift, and cunning, but surprisingly fair in their judgements. There always seemed to be something going on in their minds unlike some I know, Kaoru, Yahiko, and Kenshin to name a few.

Huh, the sun was setting, must have been later than I thought when I fled the dojo. It was… beautiful. All reds, and purples, streaking like lightning across the barren sky.

I'd never taken much notice in such simple everyday things before. Always taken 'em for granted, I guess. Funny how life changes like that. I hate this, this, this, fucking prison my life's become.

"Fuuuuuuucccccccckkkkkkk!" I screamed as loud as I could, scaring the birds away and earning many furious stares.

Well, fuck them. I can scream if I want to. I'm no child, to be watched and coddled, no matter what Kenshin thinks. Who'd have thought Saitou of all people, would end up understanding me the best. I certainly didn't. I had thought my life could get any more fucked up either, so I guess my opinion doesn't count for much.

I wasn't about to go back to the dojo, yet I didn't feel like getting drunkor gambling, either so I just stood there at that bridge, stood there for hours, years, forever.   I'd stand on that bridge however long it took to get my life back. Little did I know it wouldn't be that easy.