Disclaimer: I still do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters aside from my OCs.


"Nee-san!" Yahiko cried, running down the dirt path to greet his sister, "Where did you go yesterday?! I checked Sanosuke place and it was empty!"

"Empty?" She felt the loneliness hit her hard, "He's gone?"

"You… didn't spend the night at Sanosuke's place?" Yahiko looked completely confused.

"You know… They call some people 'Mama's boys' but you're a total 'sister's boy', Yahiko." Misao joined the two at a much slower pace, "Aoshi-sama's not here."

Kyoka didn't miss the tone in her voice that completely said 'stay away from my man' but ignored that, "I'm not here for Aoshi-sama. I'm here for Yahiko."

"Nee-san!" Yahiko tugged her tee sharply, "Where did you go if you didn't spend the night at Sanosuke's?"

"I was with Saito." She explained, "Now tell me where Zanza went."

"I don't know. His place was empty when we checked it earlier." The boy said, squinting to focus his eyes on the lone figure that was coming up behind his sister, "Sanosuke! Great timing! We were just on our way to see Kenshin again! Let's go together!"

"Give it up." He said coldly, "I'm not going back. I'm not coming back here, ever. It's a complete waste of time dealing with an empty shell."

"SANOSUKE!" Yahiko called out as the man brushed by them without looking at anyone.

"I left my place the way it was for you guys. Move in. If you stay in a place that's already finished, you'll end up a failure." He tossed a wave over his shoulder as he continued without looking back.

Kyoka watched his back as he continued without offering her any words of goodbye. Her body froze, completely torn in two with her choices. She could chase after him and ask him to stay or she could just stay here and keep her pride intact.

"Aren't you going to go after him, Kyoka-chan?" Misao cried, "Hurry! You can stop him!"

"I… He's…" She stuttered, unable to find any words to explain what kind of man Sanosuke really was, "I can't leave Yahiko or Saito…"

"Forget about Saito!" Yahiko snapped, pointing his sword at the bridge of his sister's nose, "I promise I'll take care of this somehow! I'm a man and I'll protect this place! Go after him!"

"I won't just leave you here to take care of things all alone." Kyoka said, the confidence in her voice wavering.

"I'm never alone!" He told her, "Go after him! I won't be the one holding you back anymore! From now on, I'll be the one cleaning up after you so get going!"

She gulped hard, looking back and forth between her brother and Misao.

"Well? Hurry up already! He's way down there!" Misao cried, waving her arms wildly at Sanosuke's disappearing figure.

"I…" Kyoka gulped down everything and screamed out as she took off after Sanosuke, "Misao! Look after Yahiko for me. I'm sorry! I owe you one!"

"Shut up and run faster!" Misao cheered, "I've got everything under control."

Yahiko screamed in protest, "HEY! I'll be the one taking care of her! You just make sure that the two of you come back!"

Kyoka didn't look back as she chased down Sanosuke. She was absolutely certain that if she looked back she wouldn't be able to keep chasing him. Her body protested against her running but she bit back the pain to keep running after Sano. She called out to him only when she was absolutely sure he could hear her, "Zanza!"

His footsteps faltered as her voice hit his ears but he pressed forward without looking back.

"Zanza! Don't give up on us yet!" She cried, "We'll pull Kenshin back onto his feet."

"…"

"Zanza! Give it another try. Don't go yet!"

Sanosuke spun around on his heels and marched right back to her, grabbing her shoulders and slammed her back into a tree, "Zanza this, Zanza that. It doesn't matter what you say. I'm going!"

"Please…" She pleaded, "Come back…."

"Why do you care so much anyways?! You spend more time with Saito than you spend with me anyways!" He spat, turning his passionate eyes straight onto hers, "Forget it. I'm done with this place."

"Wait! I-!" She grabbed his arm as he turned to leave, "I… I love you. Please… Don't leave me."

He turned his burning gaze right back onto her as he snatched up her wrist and pulled her along after him. He didn't tell her where they were going or why they were going there but she didn't ask or protest either. He just dragged her along, those long legs of his were taking strides that couldn't be matched by her shorter legs. Her arms and feet were aching and telling her that Sanosuke was pulling too roughly and walking way too fast for her injuries but she held it all in.

She didn't know where he was taking her or how long he expected her to walk but her legs protested against it. Just when she thought her legs wouldn't hold up, Sanosuke stopped for two seconds to scoop her into his arms and just kept walking without a word. From her place in his arms, she could see his hardened facial expression and determined eyes. Wherever they were going, it was very important to Sanosuke that they got there.

Kyoka memorized the landscape and the towns that they passed through and just when she thought they were going to walk straight off the island of Japan, Sanosuke decided he was done walking and stopped in a small post town, Shinshuu. He marched into a restaurant and ordered sake, lots of it while ignoring the words of the people around him.

"What's wrong with him? Ordering that much sake at this time of day, he must be a delinquent." Someone muttered.

"Who do you think that girl is? Someone he kidnapped? A girl who works in a brothel?" Someone else asked, "Why else would she let him keep her in his lap like that?"

"Don't talk to him. He might pull something on us." Another man mumbled.

"Zanza… I don't have any money." Kyoka warned him.

Sanosuke turned his irritated eyes onto her, "So what? Feel free to run away from me if you want to."

"I would never." She promised, eying the man who brought them the ridiculous amounts of liquor requested, "I'll pour your drinks at least."

"Hmm." He seemed pleased with the idea of that but his foul mood remained dominant.

Kyoka reached over and nervously poured him a drink and then another and then another. The noise of the outside hit her ears first and as it escalated it hit Sanosuke's ears. In his irritated state, he slammed the cup on the serving tray in front of him and barked over his shoulder, "SHUT UP!"

But the commotion continued and the former fighter-for-hire couldn't take it. He was on his feet and out the door in less than ten seconds, "I said shut up!"

Kyoka got up much more slowly and by the time she had reached the door, Sanosuke's rampage was nearly over and it seemed that he was busying himself with a boy who spent his time hiding while his sister was in trouble. He just kicked the boy over and turned to go right back to drinking.

"Zanza…" Kyoka started, pouring him another glass almost as soon as he sat down, "You shouldn't hit little kids."

"He deserved it." He growled, "And don't call me Zanza. I'll hit you too."

She didn't say anything in response, she only poured him another glass and then another and another until the bottle was empty. After going through a hefty amount of bottles, Sanosuke seemed to grow tired of drinking. He threw down his cup and pushed the trays away. Stretching out his body, he laid back, resting his head comfortably in the girl's lap without asking or warning. He had just drunk the day away and there his foul mood was still lingering. Was there really nothing that could cure his terrible mood?

"Sir, you have to pay your bills soon?" The owner of the restaurant seemed troubled by the fact that the two hadn't made any move to leave even though it was about closing time.

"Zanza." She whispered down to him, "Get up."

Sanosuke made no move to get up nor did he make any gestures to show that he had heard her. He just rested there without a care in the world.

"Zanza." She hissed sharply but he continued to ignore her.

A rather wealthy looking, fat man approached the two with his gang behind him, "No need to worry, missy. I'll take up the bill. I was looking for your man. Must be quite the drinker if he's here until this late at night."

"Well… Mr. M strikes again." Sanosuke smirked, finally sitting up, "I'll be glad to continue where we left off earlier."

"No. I told you I like you, Sanosuke-san." The man grinned.

Kyoka's nose crinkled awkwardly and her hand subconsciously reached out and fisted itself into Sanosuke's sleeve. What an odd man. Why would he suddenly say he liked Sanosuke?

"I heard that you used to be an accomplished fighter-for-hire in Tokyo. What are you doing way over here? Are you touring the area? Maybe you're traveling with your lover?" The man looked seriously amused at her reaction.

"Nah. I just moved where my feet took me and I ended up here, where I grew up." Sanosuke said simply, "What do you want from me?"

"To put it simply, I want you to pick up my fight."

"Is he good? I don't want another bore like the one from this afternoon."

"He's already beaten fifty of my men."

"Good. I guess I'll be retaking the name, Zanza." Sanosuke seemed genuinely pleased for the first time that day, "He better be good enough to relieve my stress."


Kyoka didn't know what to make of the situation. She knew that Sanosuke was stupid but she didn't realize that stupidity ran in his family. She stood in the shade of the trees as she watched Sanosuke rough-house with his father. It was a big enough surprise to find out that Sanosuke had grown up here but it was a bigger surprise to find that his family still lived here. The biggest surprise of the day was finding out that Sanosuke's father, Higashidani Kamishimoemon, was the man he was hired to take down.

Kyoka smiled to herself when the two collapsed on the floor, tired from their pointless fighting. The two seemed to be calm enough to have a serious conversation. Not wanting to eavesdrop on their conversation, Kyoka moved further away from the area. Who was she to interrupt their family bonding time? She wandered around the flat farmlands for a decent amount of time before returning to find Sanosuke alone and wearing a troubled expression.

"Damn. Even here, I hear about the damn Isshin Shishi. No matter what I do, I seem to be building stress instead of relieving it." Sanosuke grumbled, not having realized her presence quite yet.

She closed the distance between them and gave him a starting push back toward the lodging provided by Sanosuke's gracious employer for their use, "I'll relieve your stress."

"Who?... What?" He muttered, catching his balance before continuing down her directed path, "How?"

"We'll see." She said mysteriously.

Sanosuke glanced over her tense shoulders and carefully watched her expression become more and more nervous as they moved into their lodgings, "You going to fight me or something?"

"I could." She answered vaguely, closing the door behind them as they entered the small room in which they stayed.

"Normally, you wouldn't fight inside." He grumbled as she stepped forward into his chest, "Huh…? You really want to fight in he-?!"

It took Sanosuke a long minute to figure out what had happened. His words had been cut off rather roughly as she pulled him down to her height by the front of his jacket, his words blocked by a nervous kiss. His eyes were wide with surprise and he subconsciously responded to her lips but he didn't understand what had happened until she pulled away.

"You just kissed me…" He said breathlessly, his fingers running around his lips as if he were making sure it happened. He never thought she would initiate a kiss. He had to confirm that it happened several times before he finally leaned down to kiss her in return.

What was supposed to be one kiss turned into two and then a third and many more. The dead of the night was filled with quiet but pleased moans, affectionate words, and most of all evidence of love from both sides.

Kyoka was slightly disappointed to find herself alone in the morning. It was cold to say the least but the disappointment was replaced with joy when Sanosuke came through the door, a bright smile lighting up his face when he saw her sitting awake in the futon. She pulled the sheets around her body tightly as she stared up at the tray in his hands.

"Get dressed." He smirked slyly, "Or maybe you want to relieve my stress again."

She blushed madly, holding the sheets around her with one hand as the other hand came up to cover her nose, "I… My…"

Sanosuke carefully put the tray of steaming bowls off to the side as he came to sit beside her. His eyes looked her over caringly while his hands pulled her body close, "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"N-No… I…" She buried her nose into his side, unwilling to admit that her legs were too uncomfortable to move, "You should eat before your food gets cold."

"Aww come on." He whined, "We have to at least eat together. Do you want me to get out so you can get dressed or something? I've seen it al-!"

Kyoka slammed her fist into his nose, "Get out!"

He rolled around on the floor for a while, rubbing his nose, "You could ask without hitting me!"

"Get out before I hit you again!" She watched him scramble out the door before moving to get dressed.

"I don't see the point of being all shy after I've seen it already." He said through the thin doors, "I wouldn't mind if you saw me aga-!"

She was dressed faster than he thought was humanly possible. She shoved the door aside and pulled him back into the room, "Why do you talk so loudly?"

He smirked at her back, "It feels like I just won a battle that everyone thought I was going to lose. Don't I get to brag about it a little?"

"Huh?" She crinkled her nose in disgust, certain that he knew she was doing it even though he couldn't see her face, "Did you just compare me to some fight?"

"Does that offend you?" He grinned, throwing his arms around her shoulders in a warm embrace, "It shouldn't. The three best things in life are sake, fighting, and food. Or so I thought. The best thing in my life right now… is you."

Her face proceeded to turn three shades of red as her hand came up to hide it, "Don't you feel at all embarrassed when you say things like that?"

"I should be… but I'm not because you get embarrassed enough for the both of us." He snickered, letting his arms slide off her body to sit and eat.

Kyoka couldn't help but smile as he ate, slowly eating her own food between long stares.

His eyes left his empty bowl and settled on the girl in front of him, "Kyoka-chan."

"Hm?" She hummed, recognizing his serious tone of voice.

"I want to know more about you." He gave her a cheesy grin, "And I want you to learn more about me."

"… You know plenty about me." She frowned, "But I'm willing to learn about you."

He smiled, "Let's play a game."

She lifted her eyebrow slowly, "What kind of game?"

"You and I take turns asking each other questions or asking the other to do something and if you come across a question or a request that you don't want to answer or do, you have to kiss me."

"Why don't you get a penalty?"

"I'll kiss you every time I don't want to answer." He grinned, "Now let's start. Ladies first."

"… Where did you grow up?"

"I grew up here. Get up." He ordered, "I'll show you the exact spot."

Kyoka stared out at the barren wasteland in front of her, "Are you sure this was farmland?"

"That's right." Sanosuke mumbled, "This place is terrible. They won't be able to grow anything here for a long time."

She glanced up at his face without making it too obvious that she was concerned, "You alright?"

His lips turned upward into a sly smirk as he leaned down and whispered, "I'm more than alright. It's my turn. So you're going to tell me who you like more, me or Saito?"

She rolled her eyes, "That's such a petty question."

"Answer me or kiss me." He demanded, "Or both."

She blushed but she turned her head and timidly brushed her lips against his. He grunted in surprise and yet he never forgot to respond as he pressed his lips onto hers heatedly.

"HEY! Stop kissing in our fields and get out!" A shrill voice screamed.

"Mnn!" Kyoka pushed at his shoulders lightly at first but when he didn't move away, she shoved her fist into his face.

He scowled, turning his glare onto the one who interrupted them.

"Yo." Sanosuke's father stood a short distance away with his kids behind him, "It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you, too." The former fighter-for-hire said.

"I heard you helped out my daughter the other day. Come with us. I'll buy you lunch. Of course your little girlfriend can come with us too." The older man declared as he turned and continued his walk to the town.


Kyoka fidgeted uncomfortably as she sat next to Sanosuke with his siblings sitting across from them. The fighter for hire only needed a single glance to tell that sitting was a very difficult task due to the activities of the previous night. He put a hand on her thigh under the table but his eyes were completely focused on his younger sister.

"Two tempura sobas here!" The girl ordered for herself and her quiet younger brother.

"Look, forehalf." Sanosuke started.

"NO! Nothing for you! I don't care what dad says, I'm in charge of the money in this family and you can't have anything since you keep calling me forehalf!" She snapped.

The two stared each other down for a moment. Sanosuke's thoughts were completely written on his face. Was that really his sister? Boy, she had changed.

"Why are you…? Oh!" The girl blushed and handed him a menu, "Very well. You can eat."

"What?" His eyebrow twitched in irritation. "What's with her mood swings?"

Kyoka eyed the siblings one at a time but didn't say anything. They were all similarly strange in her opinion but no one asked her opinion so she kept her mouth shut this time. There was no need to look rude in front of his family. They all ate in similar ways too. To her, it was like watching starving orphans wolf down food like animals.

"That was good." Sanosuke's sister hummed, wiping her brother's mouth with a napkin, "Now Outa, when you finish eating you have to wipe your mouth and when we get back make sure to brush your teeth."

Sanosuke watched the pair with a serious expression, "You know. Yesterday was one thing but you're way too soft on the kid."

She stared at him for a minute and then screamed, "Don't tell me what to do with my family! What would you know about us?! You're just a stranger!"

Sanosuke opened his mouth to say something but an even louder voice from down the street got to the group first, "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"

"Come on." Sanosuke grabbed the former ninja and pulled her out behind him.

"Wait!" The girl protested and scrambled to pay their bill as the fighters left the building without looking back.

It seems needless to say that the same crazy fat man who had been picking on Sanosuke's family all this time was the cause of the troubles this time as well. But he was never one to take things calmly and without fighting back. Sanosuke drove the men off with his fists and harsh words.

Afterwards, Higashidani Kamishimoemon invited the pair into his home for dinner. Kyoka watched as Sanosuke and his father rolled around on the floor wrestling each other and complaining about manners and she didn't really get the gist of what was happening but either way, the entire village was gathered in the house and a rather boisterous party had begun.

Kamishimoemon threw his arm over the shoulders of the former ninja, pouring her a drink generously, "Go ahead and drink up, missy."

"I don't drink." She said quietly.

The man's eyes narrowed on the filled glass, "Seriously?"

"Is that rude?" She asked, holding the glass tightly.

"Not at all." He lowered his voice and whispered, "What's a good girl like you doing with my rebellious son?"

"Truthfully, he's the kinder one out of the two of us." She admitted, "His habits may leave something to be desired but he's a nice person on the inside."

Kamishimoemon observed her expression for a moment and grinned, "I can't believe my stupid son managed to hook a keeper like you. Have a drink. Don't be shy!"

Making a stone-cold expression of indifference, she took a single sip of the drink and then another and another until the whole glass was gone.

"That's a good girl." He chuckled and poured her another and another and another.

"Gah!" Sanosuke growled, pulling the cup from her fingers, "What do you think you're doing, you old man?! She doesn't drink!"

Kamishimoemon upturned the empty flask and stuck out his tongue, "She drank the whole bottle, idiot!"

"Y-Y-You!" Sanosuke stuttered out, "You're okay?"

Kyoka rubbed her eyes sleepily and nodded slowly, "I think so."

His eyes softened as he wrapped his arms around her, "You're a sleepy drunk."

"Not drunk." She complained, "Just tired."

"A childishly sleepy drunk." He corrected himself, allowing her to squirm closer.

She opened her mouth to say something but her eyes fell closed and the only thing that came out was a soft sigh and then the quiet breaths of a heavily sleeping individual.