(Sano's POV)
He knew his orders. He was a mercenary for the governor, so it didn't matter if he knew what he was doing or why, he would get paid for completing his mission and that is all he cared about. Sanosuke "Sano" Sagara had spent the last five years wondering the country doing odd jobs for those in power, he never questioned it before and he wouldn't now, no matter how beautiful the woman he was told to capture was rumored to be.
Presently, he was being sent by Governor Kanryu Takeda to seek out the gypsy healer, Megumi Takani. Sano had heard many rumors of the woman, some even calling her a witch. He didn't know why the governor needed her, but it was not his place to ask.
He kicked his horse and rode him through the countryside. At the last pub he went to he was given a strong lead as to where to find her and her tribe. "The gypsy tribe is beyond the river," said the owner known as Tae, "but please, they are a peaceful tribe, I ask you not to cause trouble for us here."
Peaceful gypsies, Sano snorted. Growing up in the city, Sano had often encountered gypsies. They were often thieves and their women whores. Some would dance on the street for change, while the children would pick pocket the crowd. Sano had little patience for them, but he would not cause harm to good townspeople who have done no harm.
Finally, crossing over the river, Sano began to see a small wagon caravan, stopped in the middle of a clearing. Riding up to the camp, he slowed and came to a stop, dismounting his horse.
The tribe stared at him, unsure yet if he was friend or foe. After several minutes, he saw two men come forward. One, a tall man with black hair, his hair idly covering his eyes, while Sano took in his gold earring and white shirt that exposed a large portion of his chest. The smaller man had a cross scar on his cheek and fiery, long red hair that hung in a low pony tail. He wore a black shirt with the top three buttons undone and a red vest. Both men had a large sword on their hip. The smaller one spoke, "Greetings traveler, you have come to our tribe with peace or with a fight?"
Sano held up his hands to show he was not about to reach for his sword and spoke, "Easy friend, I am here to seek out the healer, Megumi Takani for the governor." The tall man's face became hard and his mouth formed a tight thin line.
"What need does the governor have with such power?" asked the red head.
"That sir, I cannot say as I am not a soldier or an advisor to governor. I am a mere mercenary," said Sano as sincerely as he could. "I wish not a fight with anyone, I merely wish to help the governor with what he has tasked me to do."
"Well, come friend, rest yourself by the fire and enjoy some food while our council convenes with your request," said the red head.
Shocked at the hospitality, Sano nodded and followed. The three sat down around a fire.
"Misao!" called the larger man, speaking for the first time. "Bring our guest some ale and some food." A smaller girl with her hair in a braid, nodded to the man and ran off. He turned his attention back to Sano. "What is your name stranger?"
"I am Sanosuke Sagara, but you may call me Sano," seeming to be pleased with his answer, he continued. "I am Aoshi Shinoromi and this is our chief, Kenshin Himura."
This shocked Sano, as the chief seemed so small compared to the others. Seeing this Aoshi let out a chuckle, "Do not let his size fool you he is a deadly swordsman. Please allow us to convene with our council. My wife, Misao, will tend to your needs." With that the two men, got up and made their way to a large tent and disappeared.
The little woman returned with his food as Sano took in his surroundings. There were many tents and children around the camp. The women were busying themselves with their chores, oblivious to the outsider. Sano didn't want to stay long, but he knew he would be more successful without bloodshed, so he drank and ate as inside the large tent, tensions were high.
"The governor is not to be trusted," said Aoshi as he slammed his fist on the wooden table. "He has all but driven our kind from the city and he hunts us like animals to lock up and put on trial."
The six other men nodded in agreement, their chief remaining quiet.
"I say we send this stranger away and deny the request," said another man, Soujiro Seta.
"Once again you think like a child, Soujiro," interjected an older man, Saito Hajime. " He could lead the governor to us and then we will all be arrested. He should be killed and thrown to the dogs."
Several men now started talking over each other with ideas for the stranger, until they heard a loud bang coming from the table. They looked to see their chief had slammed his mug on the table in a loud thud.
"Enough!" he stood to address his council. "Aoshi, please bring your sister here to us. She will be able to see the truth." Aoshi nodded and left to complete the task. "These will be no violence here as long as I am chief. If we were to kill this man, then we are proving the governor correct about us. I will not put this tribe or my family at risk."
He goes to the flap of the tent calls for someone, in walks a small boy about 12. "Yakiko, please go fetch the stranger for me and bring him in. He wants to see Megumi then he shall."
The boy ran towards where the man was sitting by the fire.
(Sano POV)
A boy came to fetch his before the council. Sano didn't understand these gypsies, they had a kind of government here. They were nomadic people but, as Misao had explained to him, there were laws and rules and anyone who was to go against these rules could be put to death or banished from the tribe. Now he was summoned by the council.
He was growing tired of waiting. He wanted to be on his way by now. He walked into the tent when a pair of chocolate brown eyes stopped him in his tracks.
Holding the hand of the once called Aoshi, she stood before him. An enchantress. She was tall and had long flowing black hair that was down and covered under a silk headband. She wore a blouse that was off the shoulder showing off her sunkissed skin and ample cleavage. She wore a corset, large hooped earrings and a bright red skirt and multicolored scarves on her waist. Sano was at a lost for the woman.
"My friend, this is the healer you seek," said the chief, Kenshin. "She is Aoshi's half sister, Megumi Takani. Megumi, this is a man named Sano. He is a mercenary for the governor, whom seems to be requesting your talent."
She offered him a smile nod as she sat at the table, while he bowed. Everyone was silent as Sano sat down. She stared at him intently, and then her eyes softened. "How old was your wife when she died," she asked.
Sano was floored; he hadn't mentioned his late wife in years, "My wife? She was 20, but how did you…"
She held up a hand, encouraging him to stop. "Your aura that surronds you, tells of a deep deep sadness that only comes from the loss of love and a child." She paused, "She died giving birth to a son, didn't she?"
Sano couldn't speak. He never mentioned this to anyone who could tell her. He could only nod. Words couldn't speak. "Let me have your hand Sanosuke." He gave it to her and she read his palm. "You, Sanosuke Sagara, will marry again. You have two marriage lines here, indicating you will marry again. You will not marry for status or comfort but for love as your love line is still continuing and hasn't stopped. You will have three children. And happiness will cross your path again." She looked at him with gently eyes. "You are a good man Sanosuke as your palm tells me you have a good soul and an honest heart."
She turned to her chief and her brother. "He is telling the truth, he doesn't know what the governor wants with me, but he is only he to follow orders. I will travel with him."
"Sister no!" said her brother about to come towards her, but she stopped him. "Brother, he has a good heart. I can see he will not let harm come to me. If I can help someone with my gift then let me do good." She got up and hugged her brother. "My chief, I ask that we leave at dawn as it is very late to begin a journey."
"Very well, tonight we shall feast and pray for your safe return," the chief sent the men away, except for Aoshi and Sano.
With them alone and Aoshi glaring at Sano, Kenshin began. "My friend, we only ask that you bring our Megumi home to us. We need her here with us, with her family. It is not lost on us what you and most people probably think of us, but mark my words we are a family and it is our hope that by showing you a kindness today and tonight that you will protect her and bring her back."
Sano didn't know if it was the shock of the enchantress or the ale he had drank earlier, but he found himself promising the men and actually meaning it.