Shinpachi/Sanosuke 30kisses arc

Theme set list/restriction: Nu/acquisition

Summary: Made for 30kisses, list Nu/acquisition. Shinpachi and Sanosuke deal with their love, their lives and with the changing times. #01:i When your heart aches from secret love and burns with subdueddesire and the one you long for is sitting across of you with a smile on his face, there is only one thing left to do. /i

Warnings: for this one-shot it's shounen-ai, yaoi, lemon, slight SM, cursing. For the arc it's gonna be shounen-ai, yaoi and everything around it, including lemons, cursing, boshin war themes, a bit of SM, but without violence or abuse themes,- you know-it's more fun that way. At least for Sano. Even though the warnings sound dark and angsty, it's still Shinpa/Sano, that means, that if there will be any angst, it will be only because they are for once acting their age. It's set in the times of the boshin war, later meiji restoration and government (read author's note), alas I should mention it with everything that comes with it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hakuoki, or any of it's characters. The creators do. My muse owns the idea of the fic, myself the work and the time I put into writing it. Credit me at least those, ok?

Also, please read the notes. I won't be posting them in the second shot.

Notes – please read

The idea to claim Shinpa/Sano at 30kisses came as I was already writing this one-shot. I got it, as other one shots started attacking me, in a wave of inspiration (thank one abusing muse) and I thought to myself „Why not try to make it 30kisses?" So I went to look if there isn't any theme set list fitting to them. There was. I ronically, it was taken from the „Ferrengi book of acquisition" from Star Trek. Talk about historical Japan. But anyway, I claimed them and so here I am. Also, as soon as I claimed, this one shot got another wave of inspiration and gained something concrete, a theme, a purpose. I'm eternally gratefull for that.

But before you start reading, there I are a few more „introductional" things I would like to share. Please read them. They won't appear in the next posts. I will put them into a special post at my journal, made extra for this occassion, including the chronological order of the oneshots. I will tag it and add it into the links list. Keep your eyes open for it. There will be links to the 30kisses arcs, under the arc name, and under 30kisses will be the link to informations about the arcs.

1. As I already mentioned, some of the one shots will be set in the meiji era, which Shinpachi had come to see alive (historically the only one of the shinsengumi besides Saito). Depending on how season 2 developes, it might partially, but not necessarily divert from the series plot (especially concerning Harada – I have a suspicion of what will happen with him and I'm basing a few events of the one shots on it, but there's no guarantee that my suspicions get confirmed).

2. I'm studying classical archeology. It shows. I'm a neat freak in historical accuracy, so I will do my best to make everything historically as accurate as I can. However, I'm not an expert on japanese history and the majority of my informations are either from wikipedia, other animes, or my best friend (who had one semester of japanese history), so it's fairly possible that there will be inaccuracies or even huge mistakes. If you notice some, correct me. This also includes japanese clothing. In this case I'm open and listening to any lecture. If there is some expert on japanese history, or this particular era, and wants to, or is willing to offer some information, or help me out, I'll be more than happy. I would have someone concrete to turn to with possible questions. It would help me out a lot. And since there will be long time spans between my updates, the questions won't come that frequently. ...At least I suppose. You never know when my muse will start abusing me and I make me write ten fics a day.

3. Updates might take their time. The possibility is very high. I don't have much time, but I'll be able to compose an one shot here and there. I have 7 free hours one day betwene two lectures. I'm spending them at the library (like now). When there won't be any seminar to work on, I will have plenty time to write one shots. So there should be no problem with it. Also, I feel a new wave of inspiration. It feels like I'm breaking free from my chains and somehow right now I feel like I could write anything. I have even started to work on paused fics, f.e. my kyou kara maou fics. I'm actually almost at the point at returning to writing Complicated as Love. So yeah, the chances are high. /lj-cut

This one shot is set during the Shinsengumi time in Kyoto. They hadn't left for Edo and became hatamoto yet. Some time before Toba-Fushimi. Around episode 9, or 10.

Be mine

It was a starry night. A starry night making the darkness of the skies seem to be made of velvet and the shine like a billion of diamonds. He always thought that the stars in Kyoto shone brighter than in Edo. Maybe it was because they saw. They saw and knew. Knew what he didn't know. He glance to his side to take in the image presenting itself to him. A perfect face, tan skin, long hair, full lips and eyes that could match any star by their brightness. Eyes of gold, hair of ruby, skin of bronze and a light drunken flush playing on high cheekbones. The smell of sweat, musk and wind filled his senses and he couldn't but inhale deeply, wondering when it started. When did he start feeling like this? It seemed like forever. Maybe always. Only the stars could know.

But tonight he would put an end to it. He would put an end to it and let something new start. He would risk and pray that he would gain, instead of lose. Because if he gained, he would become rich, richer than the emperor himself. If he lost, he would lose everything. Everything. His life would hold no meaning anymore. And so with a wish upon the stars, he raised his cup of fine sake in a silent toast. He had treated the other out, wishing, hoping...

His companion turned to him with a wide smile on his face and they brought their cups together. Their eyes met and somehow, through some instinct, maybe intuition, or perhaps even a divine vision sent by the stars above, Nagakura Shinpachi knew, that he could only gain. There would be no loss tonight, only victory. It could have been that instinct, intuition, the divine vision, but it could have been also something in those golden eyes, that convinced him so.

-x-

As he took in the drunken flush, the glazed look in the skyblue eyes and that almost ridiculous smile from ear to ear, Harada Sanosuke couldn't but smile back gently. As Shinpachi approached him earlier the evening to ask him out for a drink or two, he was admittedly, mildly surprised. Things haven't been going well between them for some while now and at some point they stoped going out for a drink regulary. And if he was honest to himself, Sano missed it. So it had been a state of a pleasant surprise his long-time friend brought him into and he couldn't but accept. Sincerely, what threw him off more was, that Shinpachi had decided to treat him. Of course, he had done that before, not less than Sano, but something in his eyes was off.

And that was the point when Sano understood. And he continued to understand it even more as the evening went over into night and with every passing moment the night brought. He finally understood the faraway look, so unfamiliar in those blue eyes that were always wide open, cautious about reality, as if not to miss any single moment of life. He finally understood the brooding mood. And he finally understood why Shinpachi had been avoiding him. But he didn't say anything, because he just knew why he asked him out tonight and why he decided to treat him.

So he waited. He waited for his friend to bring up the topic that, as it now came to Sano, had been looming over them for so long. And he couldn't but wonder when it started.

Was it at one of their battles, when they saw their wounds and silently worried about the other? Was it at some night just like this when the stars were bright, the night long and the sake good? Or was it at that examination when Shinpachi decided it was time to show off, but wasn't allowed to?

Truth be told, Sano didn't know. And he found he didn't care the slightest. What was important was now. And that was Shinpachi sitting across of him, smiling dumbly at him, raising his cup in a silent toast, preparing himself for what probably seemed to him like the biggest step of his life.

And Sano waited.

ox*xo

Shinpachi poured his fellow another cup and sighed loudly in content.

„It has been quite a time since we went out like this, no? I've really missed it!"

Sano nodded and took a sip from his drink. „Yeah."

„I've missed being with you like this."

Sano paused. Then sipped. Then smiled. And waited.

„Sano, there is something I wanted to tell you." His tone was serious, but soft, in a way somehow like the morning breeze, that brought the new day.

„What is it Shinpachi?" It wasn't an actual question. It was more like a soothing sentence urging one forward, taking away any nervousity and doubt.

„I...I was avoiding you these past weeks."

„Yes?" Another small urge, more of a nudge. A little ‚Just go on, I'm listening, I'm here with you, I won't leave. Go on.'

„Yeah, I..." Shinpachi paused. It was a contemplating silence, searching for the right words to say, to express his innermost thoughts. This time Sano didn't say anything, silently waiting, not pushing his companion, letting him take his time to find the words coming deep from his heart. „I needed to sort a few things out."

„What things?"

„Certain feelings of mine."

„Yes, that's something you were never good at." It wasn't a sarcastic or ironic remark, neither was it teasing. It was just simple assurance and understanding, accompanied by a caseful smile.

„Anyway, I..." Shinpachi looked into Sano's eyes. Suddenly blue pools lit up with burning fire and the short-haired male exclaimed: „Ah to hell with it. You know what I mean anyway!"

And simple as that, he kissed him.

It wasn't sweet or gentle. Neither was it rough, or hard. Instead, it was desperate. It was a kiss of a desperate man who longed for only one thing in the world. Him.

Sano couldn't but grinn self-consciously from ear to ear into the kiss. He had never thought about imagining how Shinpachi would kiss, and he didn't know what he would have imagined it like and it was something he would probably never know, but after this kiss, this sheer passion pouring into him, he didn't care about dreams he never had. Here was the real thing, the opportunity, here was Shinpachi giving himself to him, and what was more, expecting him to return it.

So Sano did. He opened his mouth invitingly and not sooner he did, a wet piece of flesh needily slipped inside and devoured him with a force it almost swept him away. He vagualy thought that no one had ever kissed him like this. This demandingly, this dominantly, not letting him have a thing to say in it. He felt his hands shake and clutch at the black kataginu Shinpachi wore, his breath hitch and heart somewhere up his throat. It litterally took his breath away.

He never met anyone who could give and take something at the same time like Shinpachi did. It was as if the man was desperate for it so much that he would be able to give up anything for it. Anything. And he would do even more to get it. He was almost demanding, hungry, but also begging, reguesting, wishing.

And moved by these emotions, this devotion Sano knew the older male had, but never expierienced it on his own person, he couldn't, but return everything he recieved. Like an equal. An equal in life, an equal in pain, an equal in desire, an equal in love. He laid everything he had into the kiss, summoned all of his experience gathered through years and as he felt Shinpachi pull him near, nearer than they were ever before, he knew he did his job well.

Their tongues danced with each other, first cricling each other, then playfully teasing, and then battling a fierce battle. Sano playfully nudged Shinpachi's tongue with his own, while he moved near, so that they were hip on hip, hand casually placed on the nape of Shinpachi's neck, gently stroking the sensitive skin, earning small shudders of pleasure from the other male, smiling mischievously into the kiss, up for a bit of sensual teasing. He never expected Shinpachi do what he did next. He seized Sano's arm into a clutch that was almost painfull and would for sure leave at least a small bruise, and yanked him forward, into his lap, where he felt a bulge pressing between his cheeks.

Stunned by this sudden force and dominance he couldn't but sit there for a split moment, without moving, just with the thought, that he was caught, bound and held captive without any means of escape, flashing through his mind. But then, as he overcame his mild shock and decided that giving himself voluntarily was better than being forced to and started kissing back almost meekly, he found he wasn't sure he actually wanted to escape.

ox*xo

They stumbled into Shinpachi's room like a pair of dogs in heat, ripping the clothes from each other's body, months of awkward tension boiled up finally granted release. Sanosuke slammed his partner in crime into the thin wall, kissing him fiercely. He felt strong hands gripping his hips, bruising them. And suddenly he was the one pressed into the wall, his back aching from the impact, gasping as a calloused hand carressed his scar. Another gasp passed his lips as he felt a sneaky hand find it's way into his pants.

„Like hell I'll let you!" he ripped Shinpachi's pants down, his own hand sneaking around the wet hardness of his...what was it? Partner in crime? Friend? Lover? He didn't know, but right at the moment he couldn't have cared less.

Shinpachi gasped and through his gritted teeth chuckled wickedly. „You'll have to."

„Fight me for it!"

This caught Shinpachi by surprise and he was thrown down onto the floor with a loud thud, Sanosuke right over him. He grinned.

„Che. Afraid?"

Startled, Sano paused for a split second which Shinpachi used to flip them over and get a hold of Sano's wrists in an iron grip.

„Cheater!"

„That's why you love me so!"

They were both panting heavily, drenched in sweat and with an aching arousals.

„Besides, it's not like you were fighting fair."

Sano grinned. „Let's call it a draw."

„With me over you."

„Which reminds me: What are you going to do now?"

„Huh?"

„In order to get something done, you will have to release me."

Shinpachi gritted his teeth. „You bastard..." Suddenly he smirked. „Hmph. Then I'll release you."

And he did. Before a surprised Sano could realize what was happening, his pants were flying to the other end of the room and Shinpachi was about to pin him down again. Like hell! He bolted up and strangled the shorthaired man's hips, hands pressing the broad shoulders into the floor.

„Gotcha!"

They were both naked, two muscular bodies in all of their glory, their sweat glinting in the moonlight like luxurious body oil. Their arousals were hot, hard, thick and throbbing, their pulse flying, heartbeat racing, bodies pushed to their limits. With Sano sitting on him, Shinpachi had a wonderfull view of the man. His throat went dry at the sight of the hard length and his own arousal throbbed mercilessly under the well-shaped ass. Spasms of pleasure shot through him, unreleased need mercilessly attacking him. Sano was grinning victoriously, like a giant cat that ate the canary, and, oh, kami-sama, it just called to be wiped out. Shinpachi smirked.

„Not yet!"

He sat up abruptly, hands throwing Sanosuke backwards, hips moving simultanously, pushing the redhead backwards, legs trapped underneath him. Sano shouted an obscene curse as his head hit the ground, his vision fading to black for a split moment. Shinpachi used that moment to seize the arm of his best friend, flip him over and hold him captive by his own body. His knees on Sano's thighs, his arm pulling Sano's arm up, while his hand pressed Sano's muscular back forward, pressing him into the ground. He would have bruises, but to Shinpachi they would be only proof that the man belonged now to him. Of course, Sano could free himself, but it wouldn't be before Shinpachi buried himself deep inside of Sano, pressing into the hot tighteness...

He heard Sano's pained scream as he did that, burying himself inside with one swift move.

„Shinpachi!"

They were panting even harder than before, their chests rising rapidly, pulling Sano's back upwards, Shinpachi's chest slamming against it, pressinng him down even more. Their breaths became one, their groans of pleasure wantonly escaping from deep within their throats together.

„I win." Shinpachi breathed a grin spreading across his features.

Sano gritted his teeth. „Because you are a bastard. Now get out of me so I can teach you some manners!"

Shinpachi gave a low laugh. „Do you really want that?" And with that he thrusted forward. Sano screamed in pain, while Shinpachi arched his back in pleasure.

„Imagine that yes, I want you out of me, now!"

„Too bad for you, that I'm having no intention of getting out of you untill I get to come at least five times." And he thrusted again and earned himself another scream.

„Damn, you're so tight..."

„Trust me, I know that! It doesn't happen to me every day that I get a dick stuck up my ass!"

„I feel that...Had sex with man yet?"

„That's not the point, you ass..."

Shinpachi chuckled. „Don't worry it'll get better..." He thrusted again and Sano flinched.

„I don't see how!"

„You'll see soon enough. At least it worked with Heisuke."

„How comes Heisuke into thi-" that was as far as he came as a wave of pleasure hit Sano as suddenly as a strike of lightning and he screamed, arching his back. He didn't even notice how he freed himself from Shinpachi's grip, the force of sheer pleasure driving his body.

„What the..."

„Want me to do that again?" Shinpachi whispered huskily into his ear, hot breath tracing his damp skin like finest silk. The smell of sake filled his senses and he remembered how wonderfull Shinpachi looked with that drunken flush on his cheeks, his eyes slightly clouded, look faraway, almost melancholic...Sano wondered if he had looked similary in Shinpachi's eyes.

Then another wave of pleasure shot through him, from gut to toe and through his whole body and he stoped caring.

„Say it! Say you want me to do that again!"

Oh and how Harada Sanousuke wanted him to do that again, but there was no way in hell that he was admitting it. He bit his lip hard enough to draw blood.

„I won't!"

„Say it!"

„No!"

„Are you sure?"

„Yes!"

„Fine!"

Originally, Shinpachi wanted to stop if he didn't get Sano to beg, but suddenly he found that he simply didn't want to stop, not for a second. And to say, make Harada Sanosuke beg was not something that could be achieved within five minutes. It might need hours, days, months, maybe even years and there was no way Shinpachi was waiting for so long. He had waited just enough.

So instead of stoping he went all out, taking Sano in hard and fast thrusts, slamming the strong body into the ground. He barely heard Sano's screams of pain and groans of pleasure, lost in his own need and lust. He wanted this for so long...he wanted Sano's strong body shaking underneath him for so unbelievably long... And now he had it and he could do with it what he wanted and he was enjoying every moment of it. And he would make Sano enjoy it as well.

Shinpachi had no plans of stoping until they were both too tired to move. Subconsciously, he went even faster, his body going far beyond it's limits, only the force of pleasure driving it forward. He felt Sano's shudders underneath him, he felt the breath quicken, the moans increasing and he knew it wouldn't take too long for them to come. He griped Sano's hips and pulled him up, hand sneaking around him and taking hold of the arousal coated richly in precum. Sano screamed out in pleasure as he threw his head back, red hair flying around him like a lion's mane. The following groan was more of an animalistic growl, than any sound a human would make, even when in the midst of his pleasure. That wildness, that strength and Shinpachi had it all underneath him, bent to his will...

It made his feelings even more deep than they already were, deeper than it was possible, and he felt like he was about to burst from their overwhelming power. He sped up his strokes and thrusts and Sano's back arched to the point where Shinpachi wondered if it was even physically possible. All Shinpachi needed to do to mark him was bend forward and sink his teeth into the exposed neckline that was right there, just waiting for him to claim it. So he did just that and his reward became another growl.

He thought it was not possible for them to became hotter and harder, but he was proven wrong and it felt like the end of the world, but even then it took several more strokes, a whole eternity as it seemed, before Sano came, with an expression that was far beyond what Shinpachi had ever imagined in his wildest and rawest dreams. It was an expression of the most basic instinct a human had, one of rawest and purest nature, but all the more wild and unbound, free and completely like Sano. He tightened in his climax, squeezing Shinpachi painfully, to the point where it was more agony than pain, pure torture, driving him over his edge in the same instant. Their visions went white as they came with two loud screams.

Shinpachi was almost sure they passed out for a moment. But it couldn't have been for too long, because as he came to himself their bodies were still hot and sweat-drenched, their breath uneven and heartbeats fast, still not calmed down. Oh sweet afterglow... He wanted to stay buried in Sano forever, because it felt so good being glued to him by his own sweat, blood and cum. However that was most-likely not happening.

„Get out."

„Give me a second."

Their voices were hoarse, exhausted from intense and loud screaming and moaning. He knew Sano would be the vocal type, he simply knew it, and he was proven right. Finally Shinpachi found enough strength to pull out of his best friend and he rolled over on his back, arms spread wide. „Phew..."

He took a look at Sano and as soon as he laid eyes on him, his cock twitched. A flush was covering the handsom face, the hair was disarray, the dark strands all over the tan body glinting in the moonlight, sweat covering him like an invisible sheet. It made Shinpachi want to devour him all over again.

„How can one man alone be so alluring?"

He asked it more himself, but he still got an answer. Well, more a counter than an actuall asnwer.

„How can one man be so unsateable?"

He raised an eyebrow and followed Sano's look. „Oh." He was getting hard again. „Hmph. Like you don't."

„Most of the time, I do it only once the night."

„Liar."

„Honestly."

„Sure."

„Really."

„Like hell."

Sano sighed. „Suit yourself. But I'm not letting you do it again."

„Oh come one. Like you didn't like it..."

At Sano's gaze Shinpachi's breath hitched. It was so cold and hard, but so intense and so absolutely arousing...

„I'm not saying that I didn't like it. I'm saying that I'm too exhaused to move."

„Hmmm..." Suddenly Shinpachi grinned and sat up. „Let me make it better."

Sano looked almost worried as he saw him move towards him. „Hey, what are you..." but as soon as the hands touched his back and started rubbing circles into it, the protest faded into a content sigh. „This is more like it..."

„See? I told you I'll make it better."

„Just shut up and move lower. Oh yes, exactly there..."

Shinpachi half-expected Sano to start purring like a cat as his hands moved slowly, working out the knots of the abused back. For a little while they were silent, simply enjoying the intimate contact. Sano was slowly relaxing into the soothing touch and the features that were contorted with raw pleasure mere moments ago were now calm and content. The breath evened out and for a moment Shinpachi thought the man had fallen asleep.

That was when Sano spoked up, something occuring to him.

„Say Shinpachi..."

„Hm?"

„What did you mean with ‚at least it worked with Heisuke'?"

The movements stoped for a moment until they continued, this time a little stronger. „I and Heisuke fucked several times."

There was no surprise in that chiseled face, only a small nod, just a confirmation.

„Figured as much. Nothing more?"

„It's not that I feel something special for him... I mean, I do like him, but not like..."

„Like me?"

Hesitating silence. Then „Yeah."

„I hope you at least let him know that."

Shinpachi nodded. „Of course he knew. He knew it all along. He knew it even before I told him. He knew it before I kissed him. He knew that every time I take him, I want to see you instead of him."

Sano pulled himself up on one arm to look straight into Shinpachi's eyes, hard and unforgiveable. „I hope you told him that before you took him!"

Shinpachi looked away. „I didn't have to. He beat me to it."

His mouth slightly open, the hard look disappearing from his eyes, Sano blinked.

Shinpachi sighed. „We were out drinking. You were with some woman and I was, as he so nicely put it, moping around. As we returned...I don't know who started it, but suddenly I found myself in his room, kissing and undressing him. I don't remember much of it, only that I have been imaging it to be your lips, your body, your breath. I don't even know anymore if I actually saw Heisuke under me until he spoke up. It was right before I penetrated him."

„Shinpa-san, I don't mind you being in love with someone else while screwing me around, but I'm not going to be a substitute."

„It was then that I saw him in a whole new light. That brat knew all along. And still he let me do that to him. But it helped. It helped me get over you. Not that I ever stoped...stoped...I ever stoped, uh..."

Sano sighed heavily and rolled his eyes. „It's alright, I get it. You don't have to say it if it makes you uncomfortable."

Shinpachi nodded. „Yeah well, the point was, that even if I didn't stop...feeling for you, I stoped moping about it. I could move on, even carrying those feelings."

Sano didn't say anything, just silently lied down again, letting Shinpachi ressume the massage.

They were silent for another while while Shinpachi's hands stroked the broad back steadily. But it was his turn to ask a question, even if he originally thought about letting it skip. It was Sano's fault either way. He had asked his question, and Shinpachi answered. Now it was his turn. Fair was fair.

„Say, Sano?"

„Hm?"

„You didn't answer my question."

„What question?"

„If you had sex with a man yet."

„I had."

The strokes stoped abruptly.

„With you."

The strokes didn't resume. Sanosuke turned slightly to be able to look at Shinpachi. „Let me guess: You're wondering whether this was my first time with a man, but for some stupid reason you can't bring yourself to ask."

The look on Shinpachi's face spoke volumes. Sano sighed.

„It's not like I wasn't experimenting with men, but it's been a while. I always prefered woman. And also, most of the time, I was the one in charge. I have been in this position only once or twice and as I said, that had been a long time ago."

„Was that why you were so reluctant?" Shinpachi's voice was silent, serious and if Sano didn't know better, he would say that his partner was apologizing.

He chuckled. „I wasn't really reluctant. I just thought it was more fun that way."

The look on Shinpachi's face made him burst out laughing. „Did you really think I would let you drag me into your room and strip me if I was reluctant?"

Shinpachi gave him a look of murder. „You little slut..."

Sanosuke laughed. „Now, now. Don't get too rude. Or I really won't let you take me again."

This got Shinpachi's attention. „I thought you don't want to..."

„You really don't think Nagakura, do you? How could I not want to repeat such mindblowing sex?"

„Sano?"

„Yes?"

„I love you."

„Love you too."

ox*xo

In the morning they were the last to arrive at breakfest.

They stumbled into the room with Shinpachi slumping onto the floor and Harada limping over to his place.

„G'monin'..."

As soon as Heisuke laid eyes on them, he burst out laughing. Shinpachi groaned. Figures that Heisuke would know. He had been in the state Sano was in now several times. Of course he would realize what happened the moment he laid his eyes on them. Shinpachi stole a glance at Sano. The other man wasn't in a laughing mood.

„Good morning." Kondou greeted them politely, then frowned. „Sano, you seem to have trouble walking. Did you hurt your ankle?"

Harada smiled. „No, it's just a small muscle ache. Didn't sleep in the right position."

This resulted in another laughing fit from Heisuke.

„What's so funny?"

„Nothing, nothing." Heisuke tried to wave it off.

„Were you two drinking again?" Hijikata inquired in a strict voice.

„Nothing much really. Just a few rounds in my room." Shinpachi answered and Heisuke was rolling on the floor.

„I wonder if Okita slept at all the night." Saitou said in a serious voice and everyone looked at him. Sano choked on his food and Shinpachi's mug crashed onto the floor. They didn't realize until now, that at least their room-neigbours had to hear them. And of course, it had to happen that Shinpachi's neighbours were Saitou and Souji.

„Huh?" Kondou-san raised his head in surprise. „Souji didn't sleep?"

„The two of them were too loud. At least I had trouble falling asleep."

„Well, if Hajime-kun couldn't concentrate on falling asleep, then I wonder how Souji took it." Heisuke said in between another fit of laughter.

„Maybe I should check on Souji." Kondou-san stood up, but was stoped by Harada.

„I should go and check on him. After all it was me who couldn't keep quiet." Gods forbid that their captain checked on Souji. The brat would make for sure hints and opposite to common belief, Kondou-san was a sharp man who wouldn't take long to figure out what exactly happened in Shinpachi's room the night.

„That's really nice Sano-san, but you are hurt and I am the captain. As such it's my duty to check on my subordinates."

„That's really not-"

„It is. Don't make me order it. Now if you excuse me." And Kondou-san left to check on the sleep-deprived and wicked Okita.

As soon as he was out of sight, Heisuke chuckled. „Man...You really had to be loud..."

„I am still surprised they didn't wake the whole headquarters up." Saitou said, then turned to Harada. „If it isn't much of a trouble, keep it down next time. Sleep is important for the body and for the mind."

„Especially for the body I guess..." Heisuke added with a mischievous smirk. „Though, it's probably good for the mind either to be blown out for a while..."

„Heisuke, you are such a brat sometimes."

„Ara, Sano-san, don't you agree with me?"

„Of course he agrees." Shinpachi said with a smirk. „He knows exactly what you mean, don't you, Sano?"

„How could I not, after those ‚rounds' in your room."

„Then Nagakura-san isn't being very nice to Harada-san." Everyone turned to the smiling Chizuru as she said that. „He shouldn't be treating Harada-san like that after what he did." She admonished half-heartedly. „Can't he see how tired Harada-san is?" Everyone stared at her. How did she... Suddenly Sano, who really should've been offended, laughed. Of course she knew. Woman always knew these kind of things.

„See, Shinpachi? Even Chizuru-chan agrees with me."

„Che. That's just like you, taking aid from a girl."

„Yukimura-kun is right." Saitou said, taking a sip from his tea. „Respect is to be deserved."

Heisuke laughed. „Exactly like Hajime-kun says. You should earn yourself Sano-san's respect. Maybe make it up to him?" he winked.

„You're right." Shinpachi said. „Maybe another few ‚rounds' in my room would help? My treat."

Harada put his head into his hand with a very heavy sigh. He will never hear the end of it.

„Would any of you care to explain to me what is going on here?" the silent voice of the demon vice-captain made them all but shut up. His gaze settled on Sano, piercing through him. The redhead opened his mouth but shut it immediately after that. Then he opened it again. If it wasn't for the situation, Shinpachi would've teased him for acting like a fish.

„Well, you see Hijikata-san," he spoke slowly, searching for the right words. „Last night we shared in Shinpachi's room a few rounds as said..."

„What rounds exactly?"

Suddenly the door slid open, revealing Kondou-san, with such a serious gaze on his face, that it startled everyone in the room. Not many of them had seen their captain with such an expression, and those that did, didn't remember when was the last time.

„Nagakura. Harada. My office. Now."

Sharing a look, the two men in question slowly stood up and without any words of protest they obediently, as no one knew from them, followed their leader. They weren't away for five seconds when the demon-vice's eyes narrowed dangerously.

„I'm listening."

As if on cue everyone looked at Saitou. Resigning, Saitou started, carefully chosing his words, to break the news to their vice-captain gently, purely for the sake of the two in question. The nickname ‚demon vice' wasn't for nothing. „Hijikata-san, as you might have noticed, Nagakura-san and Harada-san have shared a few ‚rounds' in Nagakura-san's room."

„Meaning they were fucking like rabbits until the Sun rose."

Everyone's look snapped to the door, only to see green eyes sparkling with mischief.

„Souji!" Heisuke exclaimed. „Shouldn't you be resting?"

Hijikata would have been also asking that, if there wasn't for the previous statement of the auburn haired man. „What did you say?"

Okita decided to answer Heisuke's question first. „Since I couldn't fall asleep again, I thought that I might as well join the fun." Then he turned to Hijikata. „After all, having the chance to explain with every detail what those ‚strange sounds' that Sano-san made in Shinpa-san's room meant, won't occur twice in life. I'm sure next time they will be more carefull."

„Are you saying that..."

„They were doing what you refuse to do with me since I caught this cold, yes."

„Souji!"

„What? It's not like it's a capital secret..."

„I knew it! I knew it!" Heisuke exclaimed. „Yes! Shinpa-san owes me!"

Everyone turned to him with questioning gazes. Saitou chose to explain. „Toudou-kun and Nagakura-san were having a bet. It was about whether the two of you...were doing the same things they have been doing until recently."

„Hajime-kun!" Heisuke exclaimed. „That wasn't very nice of you! That was supposed to be a secret!"

„It's also not nice laughing at one's pain."

„Huh?"

„That's true Heisuke-kun." Chizuru joined the conversation. „You were laughing at Harada-san's limp earlier."

„I wish I could've seen that."

„Shut up Souji."

„Enough!" almost everyone jumped at that and they turned to the source of voice only to see one very pissed Hijikata Toushizou. „Toudou. If I understand correctly, you and Nagakura were..." he hesitated, searching for the right words.

„You might want to call it ‚being and item', Hijikata-san." Souji offered with a smirk. Hijikata shot him an annoyed look, but accepted nonetheless.

„That you and Nagakura were an item."

„While he was madly in love with Sano-san, who on the other hand-"

„We know." Saitou stoped him.

„Right. But as it seems, last night Shinpa-san decided, that it was time to stop moping and start acting."

„And Sano-san's limp is the living proof."

„Exactly like Souji says."

Hijikata eyed them for a long minute and then gave a resigned sigh. „Well, I guess that since Kondou-san is dealing with them right now, my interogation won't be necessary."

ox*xo

„I really have trouble believing this."

Silence.

Kondou-san gave an exasperated sigh.

„I thought you both were grown-up, mature adults who know how to behave responsibly, even if they show it rarely. Right now, I am tempted to believe the opposite."

„But why? You have never had a problem with Hijikata-san fucking Souj-"

„Shinpachi!" As Shinpachi fell silent under his raised voice, Sano couldn't but feel triumphant. It was good to know that, even after submitting to him like that, he still had the power to shut Shinpachi up with just one word.

„I'm not having a problem with you two being together. I don't have a problem with unit captains and officers in any kinds of relationships. If I had, we wouldn't come up to the half of our current numbers. What bothers me is, that you forgot where the boundaries of fun ended and seriousness begun, something that has never happened to you before, no matter how much havoc you wrecked. But I can't have four tired unit captains in the midst of such conflicting days as now. There is much to do and I need each of my men in their best spirit. Also, Souji is trying to get better, but with you two keeping him up all night I don't see it happening in the near future. As I said, I need each of my men in their best form. And if your relationship will be preventing it..." he trailed off, but there was no need to continue. Both of them understood where those words were heading. He had a point, Sano guessed, but he doubted that Shinpachi would be fine with it. Not after he just got what he had wanted for months, maybe even years.

True enough.

„Kondou-san! I know you are our captain and you can give us any order you want and I know you have never misused it, but if you are going to order me to break up with Sano, I'll lea-"

„Shinpachi!" Really, Sano understood how his partner felt, but what he was doing was still over-reacting. How could one man be so hot-headed? Thankfully, Kondou-san understood it as well.

„I didn't say that. I said ‚if'. I'll let it slide this time, but if this is going to happen again, and unit captains will be complaining about you two being noisy, making them unable to sleep, I will take action."

Harada nodded. „Yes, sir."

„Untill then, you have my best wishes. And now Harada-kun go and get some rest. Nagakura-kun will take over your patrol today. I doubt that with such a heavy limp you would be able to take care of any disturbance, should there one occur."

„Kondou-san, that's really no neccessary. I have been in worse conditions. I can take care of myself."

„I know that. You can take it as a punishment."

Their eyes widened and fists clenched. Taking it easy on a warrior, even if he was wounded, no, especially if he was wounded, was abasing in every way. And Sano had been in worse conditions before and it never prevented him from doing his work effectively. For his friend to be degraded in such a way only because one relocated muscle was something Shinpachi was not willing to tolerate. „Kondou-san, you-"

Before Shinpachi could say something stupid and get himself into another trouble Sano would have the honour of getting him out of, which, due to his current condition, he lacked every will to, he gritted his teeth, swallowed his pride, and bowing his head obediently, he said: „Yes, sir."

„Sano!"

Kondou-san nodded his head.

„Dismissed."

Sano stood up, and yanked the frozen Shinpachi up, ignoring the startlement in his expression, and dragged him out. „Come."

Once they were out, Shinpachi freed himself from Sano's grasp and lashed out. „How could you have said that so simply?"

„And what other choice did I have?"

And just like that, Shinpachi shut up.

„He's our captain and we have to follow his orders. And it was also my fault. I wasn't exactly stoping you from banging me through the matt and the floor to the other side of the world."

„Still, you could've protested at least this much."

„What would have been the point?"

Shinpachi didn't answer.

Sano turned around and headed to his room. He understood Shinpachi's point. Ordered to home confinement by your chief just sucked, but an order was an order, whether you liked it, or not. And a little rest, maybe an hour or two of sleep wouldn't hurt.

That was when a sharp pain shot through him and instinctively he leaned on the wall for support.

„Sano!"

He groaned.

„Fuck you Shinpachi. Next time it's payback. Where did I leave my mind when I let you do that the whole night?"

„I blew it out, remember?"

Sano had to laugh.

It was stated as a joke, but the voice was laced with something that suspiciously resembled an apology. He turned to Shinpachi.

„Don't worry about it. I'll manage. And it's not your fault. I could've stoped you at any time."

He looked directly into his partner's eyes and after several moments of hesitation, Shinpachi sighed resigninly and nodded. „Alright. Should I walk you to your room?"

„That won't be necessary. Go and finish breakfest. I'm not really hungry anymore."

„You sure?"

„Yeah."

Shinpachi nodded. „Alright."

A moment of awkward silence passed between them where neither knew what to say, or what to do? What do you say to the guy you shacked previous night into a mass of flesh, sweat and cum and told him that you loved him? What do you do when you see that he's in pain because of it, but his pride and honor as a warrior is perventing you to take action?

And what do you say to the guy who looks so lost, wanting to help you, but not being able to? What do you do to assure him you're alright?

There was only one thing both could do.

They kissed. It wasn't a rough kiss, filled with lust. Yet it was neither a gentle ghost of touch. It wasn't needy, nor fleeting. It wasn't passionate. It was just a sure press of lips against lips, giving and recieving in turn. It was there. It wasy real. It was right.

Sano was the first to break it. „'Till then."

Shinpachi nodded. „Go get some rest."

„Yeah."

With that Sano walked off, his steps sure and straight, but Shinpachi saw he was struggling for it. With a pang of guilt he swore to himself to be more considerate next time. There were other ways to have fun during sex, without needing to be rough, while not being exactly gentle either. He smirked. He was looking forward to that.

*-*xox*-* The end *-*xox*-*

There.

Hope you all liked it. ^^ I was doing my best.

R&R

Mana