Sanosuke stared unbelievingly at his redheaded friend. "Kenshin, I can't believe you would ask me to do this."

Kenshin sighed. "This one needs your help, Sano."

"Spare me the humble "this one" speech. It's been years since you talked like that."

"Too much?" asked Kenshin wryly.

"Way too much."

"But, Sanosuke, I can't do it by myself." Kenshin implored his friend. "You've always been there for me."

"I know, but…."

"When I went to fight Shishio, I tried to handle it myself and you followed me all the way to Kyoto and told me I shouldn't have left you behind."

Sanosuke swallowed hard. "That's true, Kenshin, but that…."

Kenshin leaned forward. "And when I needed your strength to face Enishi, you gladly lent it to me."

"Yes, I did, but in that case…."

"Now I need your help again." Kenshin bowed his head. "I cannot possibly face this alone."

"Look, you know I'll always be there for you, but this is just too much." Sano hardened his heart. "I can't face this at all."

Kenshin sighed again and they sat in silence, then jumped as Kaoru came storming out of the dojo. "What is taking you two so long?"

The redhead looked at his friend and Sanosuke steeled himself. He got to his feet, ready to walk away, and Kenshin gazed up at him, his soft violet eyes filled with a silent plea. Sano rolled his own eyes. "All right. All right!" Kenshin stood up, smiling, and Sanosuke said grimly, "Just this one time I will help you give Kaoru's cat a bath."