DISCLAIMER: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin . I can barely grasp the meaning of Algebra, therefore do not sue.

A/N: This is my first fanfic to be published on this website...so reviews are loved This is a basic fanfic, Sano is the main character, with most of the RK cast as secondary characters, but nonetheless very important! Sano can't do this alone! Well, here goes nothing!

Summary: Sanosuke is caught thinking about his beloved captain, Sozou Sagara and confusion and anger motivate him to find his killer. Will he find him or will Sanosuke be led down a path of self-destruction? Mostly good old comedy, some romantic comedy.

Chapter 1: Haunting Memories

Sanosuke Sagara was sitting outside of the Kamiya Dojo. He absent-mindedly thumb wrestled against himself. Megumi walked up to him.

"Hey rooster-head, why so dull?"

"Oh, Fox. Hi. I don't know, just bored I guess."

"Shouldn't you be out gambling? Or drinking? Or eating?"

"Not now."

Megumi sat down next to him.

"What's wrong with you rooster-head, you're starting to sound like Aoshi Shinomori!"

"Nothings wrong. I'm just thinking."

"Since when do you think about anything ?"

Silence. Sanosuke shrugged and continued his game of thumb wrestle. (I wonder who was winning?)

"No, really rooster-head, what's wrong?"

"I was just paying remembrances to Sozou."

"Oh. You ok...Sano?"

"Fine...I guess."

"Well...if you need me...which I'm sure you won't...you know where I am."

With that, she walked off to the clinic. Sano begun to think out loud.

"Who killed Sozou anyway? If he hadn't thrown me down that river, I would've died. But who killed Sozou?! Why was it he that had to die? Why...if I ever get my hands on the creeps that killed him I'll..."

His thoughts were interrupted by a cold voice.

"You'll what?"

Aoshi Shinomori, former leader of the Oniwabanshu, stood before Sano. Sano looked up into Aoshi's eyes, but Aoshi stared him down. Sano was forced to blink.

"I'll kill 'em that's what."

Aoshi scoffed.

"I'd like to see you try. I thought Megumi would've taught you some things by now. Apparently, even for her your skull is too thick."

For the first time, Sano did not move. He did not blink. He just stared out in to open space.

"Little boy missing his father? I'm just surprised it didn't happen sooner."

"You know, you're really starting to sound like Shishio..."

"Your point being?"

Silence.

"Nothing in particular."

Cold silence. Surprisingly, Aoshi broke it.

"Anyway, there's nothing you can do about it now. Sozou is long dead. You should be honored that a man of his ranking gave up his life to save the life of a scum bag."

"What do you know about rankings? Anyone of the Sekihou Tai, including myself, would have readily gave up our lives to save the others!"

Sano's eyes were on fire. If he were Kenshin, surely his eyes would have been amber by now...

"Sanosuke, you lose your temper too quickly. Compose yourself. I know you would have given up your life for the others of the Sekihou Tai. But it didn't turn out that way did it? They gave up their lives for you. If you die trying to find out who killed them, their effort to save you would be in vain, don't you think?"

"Then I won't die."

Looking for something to do, Sano couldn't think of anything so just stuck his tongue out at Aoshi.

"Still a little boy I see. Go figure. Can't put aside the past now can we? Too bad Sanosuke. I would've hoped better from you."

"I don't do what others tell me, I follow my heart."

"Ha! You know nothing of matters of the heart." Aoshi coldly remarked.

"And neither do you."

Silence.

"I know what it feels like to be hurt. I know what its like to sacrifice. I declined the place in the government for the Oniwabanshu. I gave up a career and future for them. You should feel lucky anyone gave up their life for you."

"Yeah, but why Sozou? He didn't do anything wrong..."

"Satan chose him as his next victim. There's nothing you can do about it now. You can't fight fate, or destiny."

Sano simply nodded. Aoshi had this strange way of getting to him. Or was it just Sano was too easy to get to? Whatever the reason, Sano chucked a pebble at the air. Aoshi's words were still echoing endlessly.

Aoshi stared at Sano.

"I'll leave you to your thoughts, that is, if someone like you could ever have any decent ones."

With that, he walked out, leaving a trail of dust behind him to fog Sano's vision momentarily. His hands balled up into fists. He grabbed a stone and squeezed it so tightly it turned into dust in his hands.

"I will find the murderers of the only man who ever gave a damn about me. Even if I die trying."

He walked out, the symbol 'Aku' or evil, shining on his back more wickedly than ever before.

END OF PART 1.

A/N: Ok, short Chapter...but I thought this was a good place to stop. I have the next Chapter all ready. I had like...10 pages on Microsoft Word for the first part, but decided to split it up to avoid confusion =P REVIEWS ARE LOVED!!! Oh and, if you want to IM me (AIM), my sn is doglvr793. Neopets username is doglvr883. Or you could go to my xanga (unresolvedobscurities) Anyhow, until the next part is up and I get some reviews, bye fellow RK obsessers!

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