p id="docs-internal-guid-5e9d86c8-8d43-c92e-03a1-757887ab8306" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Chapter Two/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Bad Boy Bet/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Now that you've thoroughly had your revenge on me, why don't we make a bet between just the two o' us?" Chou gave a crooked grin, accepting the pack of ice he was offered from the official house doctor, Katsu, and holding it up to his now blackened cheek./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""How about we don't and say I won anyway?" Sanosuke smiled threateningly, twitching as gauze was tied snugly around his cut bicep. He had to remember to watch out for Chou's nails. They weren't long, but they were sharp./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Tie up those mustangs o' yours for a minute an' listen! I'm going to be 'ere all this week- an' since you 'ave such a nice place with alotta rooms, how could you possibly deny me a place to sleep?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""By saying no." To Sanosuke's irritation, Chou continued as though he hadn't heard him./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""So by earning my keep I've decided I'd make a challenge. I bet you fifty Washington's I can find you a work of art by the end of this week that's better than any you could find in the next seven or eight days."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""And the point of this would be?" Sanosuke raised an eyebrow, rubbing his arm as Saitou, the doctor's assistant, finished patching him up./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""So I have a nice place to stay." Chou leaned back in his chair, cringing from the injuries he earned from their earlier tussle./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""One more question. What makes you sure I'd accept that bet and let you stay?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Because I know you can't resist a challenge, Mr. Sagara." Chou smirked./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Fair enough." Sanosuke rolled his shoulder to work out the stiffness, "First floor, last door on the right is where you'll be sleeping."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I, heh," Chou laughed weakly at the arrangements, "I can't 'elp but notice that's on the opposite side o' the house as your room."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"So/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" perceptive." Sanosuke pulled on a clean shirt./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"A small noise from Katsu caught their attention./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Here, sit down, you shouldn't be standing on that." Katsu moved swiftly to Kenshin, who was standing on the threshold, helping him to a chair before he injured his ankle further./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Thank you." Kenshin smiled kindly as he accepted the offered seat./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Well I'll be damned," Chou's eyes nearly fell out of his sockets, "I did /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"nawt know/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" you 'ad a boyfriend, Mr. Sanosuke Sagara. Wheeew hoooo!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Chou yelped as Sanosuke kicked him in the shin, positive he'd left a bruise./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""What the hell is wrong with everyone and my personal life?" The art dealer mumbled under his breath, scowling at Chou who continued to rub his stinging shin./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Saitou gave a satisfied smirk before turning his eyes on Kenshin, who was politely asking Katsu if he could use a phone. Katsu handed him the wireless museum phone and Kenshin dialed a number from memory, putting it to his ear and catching part of the white robe he'd been borrowed as it slid off his shoulder./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Katsu bent down to whisper into Saitou's ear, "It's going to be dark before we get home at this rate." Saitou nodded in response, moving to get up./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Stay here tonight." Sanosuke spoke suddenly, "You two have work tomorrow so why bother driving several hours just to come back in the morning? After all, you two spend holidays here and have several pairs of clothing." Saitou dropped his head back to rest it on the chair and looked up at his partner./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""That would be nice." Katsu said smiling sweetly and watching wolfish eyes bow mischievously./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Should we take our normal room?" Saitou asked, his sweet smile turning into a smirk./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You mean the one on the first floor, second to last door on the right?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""That would be the one."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I can't help but noticing," Katsu continued, hugging his lover, "that our room is right next to Chou's."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Is it now?" Saitou's chuckle was a deep rumble./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""What! You have got to be kiddin' me! I'll never get /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"any/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" sleep!" Chou stomped his foot on the floor./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"While the three talked, argued, and laughed, Sanosuke slowly made his way over to a nervous looking Kenshin who was biting his thumbnail. He knelt beside the chair, listening to the yelling coming from the phone./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I can-" Kenshin's voice was a plea to let him speak, but it was soon cut off - the space then consumed by more yelling. Sanosuke watched a cornered expression turn into a helpless one. He slowly reached out and took the phone from his guest, witnessing surprise form across fine features./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You don't need this." Sanosuke smiled, clicking the phone off, "Your day has already been stressful enough. Now let's get out of here while the three stooges are occupied."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Kenshin's observed as a hand was extended to him./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Come on. I'll help you."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Slowly, Kenshin reached out, his lips moving into a smile as he placed his hand in Sanosuke's./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Last door on the right he says." Chou made a disgruntled face at Sanosuke's earlier words, "Oh he's going to pay for this one. I will get my revenge on you, Mr. Sagara."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Another loud cry accompanied the last, followed by a unique and interesting version of 'oh my god'./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Cheese and rice what is he doing to that man?" Chou pulled a pillow over his head to try and block out the sounds./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Katsu had a fine voice - one that echoed and carried well./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""They better not be stayin' here all week."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Sanosuke sighed as he straightened his tie and smoothed his white shirt before slipping into his suit jacket. He had an art show scheduled this evening and was expecting a few acclaimed artists./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Do you always wake up so early?" A quiet voice asked. Sanosuke turned and looked at the tired expression across Kenshin's face. Partially wrapped in the silk sheets, Kenshin's skinny legs showed from the knees down and were basking in the morning sun./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Actually, I slept in today." Sanosuke smiled and looked back to the mirror he was standing before, "An hour and a half in."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""The alarm went off about that long ago."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Shit," Sanosuke whispered the word, "sorry about that. I forgot to turn it off." He walked over to the bed and snatched his old-fashioned wind alarm clock from his bedstead and turned off future alarms./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You have a very comfortable bed." Kenshin inhaled as he rolled over onto his knees and lifted himself up./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You don't have to get up if you don't want to." Sanosuke was surprised when Kenshin began adjusting his tie for him. He smiled softly. Katsu had always done the same each time he walked downstairs in the morning./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You have something planned for today, or do you wear suits all the time?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I have an important show later. I can't stand suits, really. They're too professional for my taste." Sanosuke ruffled his brown hair, realizing how long it was becoming./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Later?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Starts at seven this evening."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""It's not even eight and you're already putting on your suit?" Kenshin settled once more, dangling his feet over the edge of the tall bed./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Katsu's orders. I try them on in the morning and he takes them up town to be cleaned. He brings them back an hour before I start. He always gets things done in time - Saitou and I have always been amazed at his organizational skills. Without him this museum would fall apart."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""And you live in it." Kenshin sounded amused and fond./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Strange, isn't it? But it saves on rent and artists that travel far to get here often stay in one of the rooms if they are attending more than one show. But that's enough of that. What do you do?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""What?" Kenshin blinked. He wasn't used to that question./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""A job. What do you do?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I'm," Kenshin paused, his eyes going downcast, "I'm a model."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You sound depressed."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""No one respects you or your privacy in the business. The work isn't satisfying at all and you meet a lot of men and women who are only looking for a good time. It's hard getting away from them. I suppose that's why I was so frightened when Saitou caught me. I thought it was over."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Again, I apologize. If there's anything you need, a favor, a lift, or just someone to talk to, I'll be happy to help. Come see me anytime."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Thank you," Kenshin whispered, pulling a thin leg to his chest, "you're very kind."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Alright, Mr. Sagara," Katsu walked in, "you're late for breakfast. I made strawberry pancakes and everything."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Sorry, Katsu, I slept in." Sanosuke turned as Katsu motioned for him to do so./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Oh, my God." Katsu jumped back, pulling his hands away much like a traveler would if a snake tried to bite him, "Your tie isn't crooked. Who are you?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Sanosuke smiled awkwardly./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Katsu gauged him, suspicious, and added, "Kenshin fixed it for you, didn't he?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""So maybe he did. How did you know?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You couldn't tie one correctly if your life depended on it." Katsu flipped the tie up so it flew over Sanosuke's shoulder. He twirled as he did so and walked away./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""What makes you say that, Mr. Crabby Pants?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"Please/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;", you couldn't tie your own shoelaces until you were a junior... in college." The form of Katsu's back disappeared as he turned the corner. Kenshin laughed softly at the display Katsu put on. He had purposely added a swing to his hips and 'hmph' when he flipped Sanosuke's tie./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""He's always giving me crap." Sanosuke admitted./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Those are the best kind of friends - the ones you can joke around with."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Was that lug up typing last night?" Katsu piled three generous pancakes onto the plate before Kenshin./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Uh," Kenshin eyed the pancakes before responding, "yes, I do believe he was. I think he still was when I fell asleep."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I'm going to get after him for that. He's been getting less and less sleep. He'll eventually burn out."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Please, allow me the honors," Saitou gave his lover a firm slap on the rear, "I would love to discipline the puppy dog."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I hate to think of what you'd do." Katsu rubbed his abused posterior, giving Saitou /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"the look/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Oh, I'd merely make him my slave for the night. I'll even let you help." Saitou smirked as he took a seat at the table and pulled Katsu onto his lap./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""My, aren't we generous?" He clung to Saitou, rubbing noses with him in classic Eskimo Kiss style./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You two have a very close and open relationship, don't you?" Kenshin asked, fork in hand./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Closer than two peas in the same pod," Chou butted in as he entered the room, "they don't make 'em much closer." He pulled out a chair beside Kenshin and plopped down. The wooden frame creaked in complaint but stood strong./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""That's one way of putting it," Katsu leaned back in Saitou's arm, "but I've known this hound since the day I graduated from college. We've been together ever since."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""And poor Sagara has felt so left out." Chou stabbed a pancake from the large stack in the center of the table and escorted it to his plate before being hit with a newspaper in the back of the head, "Ow!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""What do you mean I feel left out?" Sanosuke snapped open the paper./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Well you've never had a girlfriend," he paused, "or a boyfriend for that matter. Why can't you follow Katsu's example and find yourself a man - or woman?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I'm not a very interesting date, sorry." He snorted lightly and took the spot between Chou and the love birds./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""That's ridiculous," Katsu scolded, "if it hadn't been for Saitou showing up I might have gone after you. Don't forget about all those girls that practically drooled over you in college."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Don't remind me. Those weren't girls. Those were rabid squirrels." Sanosuke skimmed the headlines, pleased when he found a small column near the bottom of the front page advertising the museum's show./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Squirrels, Sagara?" Chou raised an eyebrow, "You mean vicious, foaming at the mouth with horniness grizzly bears?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Sure." Sanosuke checked the weather./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Chou scowled and pursed his lips for a moment before he spoke, "What's wrong with you?" He leaned heavily against the table, giving him a critical eye, "I met you in college and ever since I've wondered about you. Never once have I heard you utter a sound about being attracted to anyone. You definitely have issues."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I didn't have time to go looking for anyone in college and I don't have the time now. There's too much to be done."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Mr. Sagara, you are going to die a lonely death if you keep living this way." Chou shot to his feet, "In fact, how can you even call this living?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Sanosuke's eyes traveled from the black print up to Chou's angry face. He heaved another sigh./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I've lived this way all my life. I'm used to it."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Don't you get lonely?" /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""With freaks like you and Saitou around? Hm, impossible." He flipped the paper closed and folded it neatly, setting it back on the table while he rose and crossed the kitchen. He poured himself a cup of coffee before taking his seat once again./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""No." Katsu suddenly spoke up, sounding threatening as he looked to Sanosuke, "You're not getting away with it again."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Huh?" The coffee cup stopped a few centimeters from Sanosuke's lips./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Not. Just. Coffee."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Not this again." The coffee was placed on the table a good foot from the edge. Sanosuke leaned back in his chair and waited for it./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Yes, this again." Katsu began crawling onto Sanosuke's lap from Saitou's, "You're going to eat /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"every/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" bite of your /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"fucking/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" breakfast, Sanosuke Sagara." Katsu's fingers lingered ominously at the back of Sanosuke's neck as he straddled a strong pair of hips. The slightly devious look crossing Katsu's face was furthered by his wild, challenging eyes./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Or I'm going to force it down your throat. Better yet. I'll let /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"Saitou/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" feed you." Sanosuke looked at him calmly./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I'll eat."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Damn." Saitou mumbled, though his attempt to hide the word failed as Chou gave him a knowing grin./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Good boy. Now come here." Katsu jerked Sanosuke's head forward and kissed him harshly on the lips. He pulled away a moment later, an unsatisfied glower in his eyes./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Hey," Katsu said warningly, "you're not getting off the hook that easily."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Sanosuke growled in frustration, "Fine." He tilted his head up and met Katsu's lips in another kiss. It was brief, but as the secretary had wanted the gift was returned./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I love you, too, /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"mother/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"." Sanosuke, seeking revenge, bit a defined collar bone./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Katsu swatted him away, "You /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"beast/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Kenshin indulged in homemade pancakes as he observed the interactions around him. These individuals were more entertaining than going to the cinema. His mornings were typically spent alone; he never imagined it would be this much fun to share a table with four others./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Katsu, while mature and organized, was dramatic. Kenshin saw this as his way of lightening the mood. He was intrigued by the way he jumped from his normal personality to an over-the-top act./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Perhaps he would take Sanosuke up on his offer for a favor. With how easy conversation came, and how effortlessly these characters accepted him, he felt like he belonged./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"6.16.2011/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"11.15.2014br /span11.5.2017/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Bad Boy Bet/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Now that you've thoroughly had your revenge on me, why don't we make a bet between just the two o' us?" Chou gave a crooked grin, accepting the pack of ice he was offered from the official house doctor, Katsu, and holding it up to his now blackened cheek./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""How about we don't and say I won anyway?" Sanosuke smiled threateningly, twitching as gauze was tied snugly around his cut bicep. He had to remember to watch out for Chou's nails. They weren't long, but they were sharp./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Tie up those mustangs o' yours for a minute an' listen! I'm going to be 'ere all this week- an' since you 'ave such a nice place with alotta rooms, how could you possibly deny me a place to sleep?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""By saying no." To Sanosuke's irritation, Chou continued as though he hadn't heard him./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""So by earning my keep I've decided I'd make a challenge. I bet you fifty Washington's I can find you a work of art by the end of this week that's better than any you could find in the next seven or eight days."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""And the point of this would be?" Sanosuke raised an eyebrow, rubbing his arm as Saitou, the doctor's assistant, finished patching him up./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""So I have a nice place to stay." Chou leaned back in his chair, cringing from the injuries he earned from their earlier tussle./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""One more question. What makes you sure I'd accept that bet and let you stay?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Because I know you can't resist a challenge, Mr. Sagara." Chou smirked./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Fair enough." Sanosuke rolled his shoulder to work out the stiffness, "First floor, last door on the right is where you'll be sleeping."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I, heh," Chou laughed weakly at the arrangements, "I can't 'elp but notice that's on the opposite side o' the house as your room."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"So/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" perceptive." Sanosuke pulled on a clean shirt./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"A small noise from Katsu caught their attention./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Here, sit down, you shouldn't be standing on that." Katsu moved swiftly to Kenshin, who was standing on the threshold, helping him to a chair before he injured his ankle further./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Thank you." Kenshin smiled kindly as he accepted the offered seat./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Well I'll be damned," Chou's eyes nearly fell out of his sockets, "I did /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"nawt know/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" you 'ad a boyfriend, Mr. Sanosuke Sagara. Wheeew hoooo!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Chou yelped as Sanosuke kicked him in the shin, positive he'd left a bruise./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""What the hell is wrong with everyone and my personal life?" The art dealer mumbled under his breath, scowling at Chou who continued to rub his stinging shin./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Saitou gave a satisfied smirk before turning his eyes on Kenshin, who was politely asking Katsu if he could use a phone. Katsu handed him the wireless museum phone and Kenshin dialed a number from memory, putting it to his ear and catching part of the white robe he'd been borrowed as it slid off his shoulder./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Katsu bent down to whisper into Saitou's ear, "It's going to be dark before we get home at this rate." Saitou nodded in response, moving to get up./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Stay here tonight." Sanosuke spoke suddenly, "You two have work tomorrow so why bother driving several hours just to come back in the morning? After all, you two spend holidays here and have several pairs of clothing." Saitou dropped his head back to rest it on the chair and looked up at his partner./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""That would be nice." Katsu said smiling sweetly and watching wolfish eyes bow mischievously./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Should we take our normal room?" Saitou asked, his sweet smile turning into a smirk./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You mean the one on the first floor, second to last door on the right?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""That would be the one."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I can't help but noticing," Katsu continued, hugging his lover, "that our room is right next to Chou's."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Is it now?" Saitou's chuckle was a deep rumble./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""What! You have got to be kiddin' me! I'll never get /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"any/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" sleep!" Chou stomped his foot on the floor./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"While the three talked, argued, and laughed, Sanosuke slowly made his way over to a nervous looking Kenshin who was biting his thumbnail. He knelt beside the chair, listening to the yelling coming from the phone./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I can-" Kenshin's voice was a plea to let him speak, but it was soon cut off - the space then consumed by more yelling. Sanosuke watched a cornered expression turn into a helpless one. He slowly reached out and took the phone from his guest, witnessing surprise form across fine features./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You don't need this." Sanosuke smiled, clicking the phone off, "Your day has already been stressful enough. Now let's get out of here while the three stooges are occupied."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Kenshin's observed as a hand was extended to him./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Come on. I'll help you."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Slowly, Kenshin reached out, his lips moving into a smile as he placed his hand in Sanosuke's./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Last door on the right he says." Chou made a disgruntled face at Sanosuke's earlier words, "Oh he's going to pay for this one. I will get my revenge on you, Mr. Sagara."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Another loud cry accompanied the last, followed by a unique and interesting version of 'oh my god'./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Cheese and rice what is he doing to that man?" Chou pulled a pillow over his head to try and block out the sounds./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Katsu had a fine voice - one that echoed and carried well./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""They better not be stayin' here all week."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Sanosuke sighed as he straightened his tie and smoothed his white shirt before slipping into his suit jacket. He had an art show scheduled this evening and was expecting a few acclaimed artists./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Do you always wake up so early?" A quiet voice asked. Sanosuke turned and looked at the tired expression across Kenshin's face. Partially wrapped in the silk sheets, Kenshin's skinny legs showed from the knees down and were basking in the morning sun./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Actually, I slept in today." Sanosuke smiled and looked back to the mirror he was standing before, "An hour and a half in."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""The alarm went off about that long ago."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Shit," Sanosuke whispered the word, "sorry about that. I forgot to turn it off." He walked over to the bed and snatched his old-fashioned wind alarm clock from his bedstead and turned off future alarms./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You have a very comfortable bed." Kenshin inhaled as he rolled over onto his knees and lifted himself up./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You don't have to get up if you don't want to." Sanosuke was surprised when Kenshin began adjusting his tie for him. He smiled softly. Katsu had always done the same each time he walked downstairs in the morning./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You have something planned for today, or do you wear suits all the time?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I have an important show later. I can't stand suits, really. They're too professional for my taste." Sanosuke ruffled his brown hair, realizing how long it was becoming./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Later?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Starts at seven this evening."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""It's not even eight and you're already putting on your suit?" Kenshin settled once more, dangling his feet over the edge of the tall bed./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Katsu's orders. I try them on in the morning and he takes them up town to be cleaned. He brings them back an hour before I start. He always gets things done in time - Saitou and I have always been amazed at his organizational skills. Without him this museum would fall apart."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""And you live in it." Kenshin sounded amused and fond./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Strange, isn't it? But it saves on rent and artists that travel far to get here often stay in one of the rooms if they are attending more than one show. But that's enough of that. What do you do?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""What?" Kenshin blinked. He wasn't used to that question./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""A job. What do you do?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I'm," Kenshin paused, his eyes going downcast, "I'm a model."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You sound depressed."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""No one respects you or your privacy in the business. The work isn't satisfying at all and you meet a lot of men and women who are only looking for a good time. It's hard getting away from them. I suppose that's why I was so frightened when Saitou caught me. I thought it was over."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Again, I apologize. If there's anything you need, a favor, a lift, or just someone to talk to, I'll be happy to help. Come see me anytime."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Thank you," Kenshin whispered, pulling a thin leg to his chest, "you're very kind."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Alright, Mr. Sagara," Katsu walked in, "you're late for breakfast. I made strawberry pancakes and everything."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Sorry, Katsu, I slept in." Sanosuke turned as Katsu motioned for him to do so./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Oh, my God." Katsu jumped back, pulling his hands away much like a traveler would if a snake tried to bite him, "Your tie isn't crooked. Who are you?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Sanosuke smiled awkwardly./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Katsu gauged him, suspicious, and added, "Kenshin fixed it for you, didn't he?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""So maybe he did. How did you know?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You couldn't tie one correctly if your life depended on it." Katsu flipped the tie up so it flew over Sanosuke's shoulder. He twirled as he did so and walked away./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""What makes you say that, Mr. Crabby Pants?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"Please/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;", you couldn't tie your own shoelaces until you were a junior... in college." The form of Katsu's back disappeared as he turned the corner. Kenshin laughed softly at the display Katsu put on. He had purposely added a swing to his hips and 'hmph' when he flipped Sanosuke's tie./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""He's always giving me crap." Sanosuke admitted./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Those are the best kind of friends - the ones you can joke around with."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Was that lug up typing last night?" Katsu piled three generous pancakes onto the plate before Kenshin./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Uh," Kenshin eyed the pancakes before responding, "yes, I do believe he was. I think he still was when I fell asleep."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I'm going to get after him for that. He's been getting less and less sleep. He'll eventually burn out."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Please, allow me the honors," Saitou gave his lover a firm slap on the rear, "I would love to discipline the puppy dog."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I hate to think of what you'd do." Katsu rubbed his abused posterior, giving Saitou /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"the look/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Oh, I'd merely make him my slave for the night. I'll even let you help." Saitou smirked as he took a seat at the table and pulled Katsu onto his lap./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""My, aren't we generous?" He clung to Saitou, rubbing noses with him in classic Eskimo Kiss style./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""You two have a very close and open relationship, don't you?" Kenshin asked, fork in hand./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Closer than two peas in the same pod," Chou butted in as he entered the room, "they don't make 'em much closer." He pulled out a chair beside Kenshin and plopped down. The wooden frame creaked in complaint but stood strong./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""That's one way of putting it," Katsu leaned back in Saitou's arm, "but I've known this hound since the day I graduated from college. We've been together ever since."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""And poor Sagara has felt so left out." Chou stabbed a pancake from the large stack in the center of the table and escorted it to his plate before being hit with a newspaper in the back of the head, "Ow!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""What do you mean I feel left out?" Sanosuke snapped open the paper./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Well you've never had a girlfriend," he paused, "or a boyfriend for that matter. Why can't you follow Katsu's example and find yourself a man - or woman?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I'm not a very interesting date, sorry." He snorted lightly and took the spot between Chou and the love birds./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""That's ridiculous," Katsu scolded, "if it hadn't been for Saitou showing up I might have gone after you. Don't forget about all those girls that practically drooled over you in college."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Don't remind me. Those weren't girls. Those were rabid squirrels." Sanosuke skimmed the headlines, pleased when he found a small column near the bottom of the front page advertising the museum's show./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Squirrels, Sagara?" Chou raised an eyebrow, "You mean vicious, foaming at the mouth with horniness grizzly bears?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Sure." Sanosuke checked the weather./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Chou scowled and pursed his lips for a moment before he spoke, "What's wrong with you?" He leaned heavily against the table, giving him a critical eye, "I met you in college and ever since I've wondered about you. Never once have I heard you utter a sound about being attracted to anyone. You definitely have issues."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I didn't have time to go looking for anyone in college and I don't have the time now. There's too much to be done."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Mr. Sagara, you are going to die a lonely death if you keep living this way." Chou shot to his feet, "In fact, how can you even call this living?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Sanosuke's eyes traveled from the black print up to Chou's angry face. He heaved another sigh./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I've lived this way all my life. I'm used to it."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Don't you get lonely?" /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""With freaks like you and Saitou around? Hm, impossible." He flipped the paper closed and folded it neatly, setting it back on the table while he rose and crossed the kitchen. He poured himself a cup of coffee before taking his seat once again./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""No." Katsu suddenly spoke up, sounding threatening as he looked to Sanosuke, "You're not getting away with it again."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Huh?" The coffee cup stopped a few centimeters from Sanosuke's lips./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Not. Just. Coffee."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Not this again." The coffee was placed on the table a good foot from the edge. Sanosuke leaned back in his chair and waited for it./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Yes, this again." Katsu began crawling onto Sanosuke's lap from Saitou's, "You're going to eat /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"every/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" bite of your /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"fucking/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" breakfast, Sanosuke Sagara." Katsu's fingers lingered ominously at the back of Sanosuke's neck as he straddled a strong pair of hips. The slightly devious look crossing Katsu's face was furthered by his wild, challenging eyes./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Or I'm going to force it down your throat. Better yet. I'll let /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"Saitou/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;" feed you." Sanosuke looked at him calmly./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I'll eat."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Damn." Saitou mumbled, though his attempt to hide the word failed as Chou gave him a knowing grin./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Good boy. Now come here." Katsu jerked Sanosuke's head forward and kissed him harshly on the lips. He pulled away a moment later, an unsatisfied glower in his eyes./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""Hey," Katsu said warningly, "you're not getting off the hook that easily."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Sanosuke growled in frustration, "Fine." He tilted his head up and met Katsu's lips in another kiss. It was brief, but as the secretary had wanted the gift was returned./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;""I love you, too, /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"mother/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"." Sanosuke, seeking revenge, bit a defined collar bone./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Katsu swatted him away, "You /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"beast/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Kenshin indulged in homemade pancakes as he observed the interactions around him. These individuals were more entertaining than going to the cinema. His mornings were typically spent alone; he never imagined it would be this much fun to share a table with four others./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Katsu, while mature and organized, was dramatic. Kenshin saw this as his way of lightening the mood. He was intrigued by the way he jumped from his normal personality to an over-the-top act./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"Perhaps he would take Sanosuke up on his offer for a favor. With how easy conversation came, and how effortlessly these characters accepted him, he felt like he belonged./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"6.16.2011/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"11.15.2014br /span11.5.2017/p