It has been 2 years and 10 months-ish? Ouch. Please find it in your heart to forgive me. It is November, and I was sent a personal message back in mid August from Kenshin's Soul, which I just read a few hours before posting this chapter. She was checking to make sure I was still alive. Every now and again I need that reminder to nudge me back to this story. I do miss it. My thanks to Kenshin's Soul. You are awesome.

Disclaimer: This story isn't terribly graphic, due to this website being ffnet. Maybe when it's done I can post a racier version somewhere else. I do not own Rurouni Kenshin and I make no profit whatsoever from this story. Onward!

This chapter: Kenshin sports new accessories, Sanosuke is precious, Aoshi has an unexpected run-in, and we all get to know Kel a little better thanks to Kenshin.

Chapter Nine

Branded

Sanosuke lie panting on his bed, Kenshin beside him equally as worn and breathless. He felt like weeping in joy but the tears never arrived. He was too exhausted; too mentally and physically wiped to do much more than rest and enjoy the after effects of their exercise.

Kenshin tamed his hair absently, messed as it was. His legs refused to cease quivering, and he knew they'd incur minor aches by tomorrow evening for as unused to such activities as they were. He glanced at the clock. It was after six in the morning.

One roll in the hay hadn't proven enough for either of them. Once their edge had been taken care of, the second round proved far more drawn out and enjoyable.

So much kissing. Kenshin couldn't remember being kissed so much. His mind staggered, but he felt no regret for instigating the intimacy. He was certain it hadn't been as long for him as it had for Sanosuke, but several years of a dry spell still wasn't fun.

Kenshin shifted, finding discomfort now that the act was over. He Kenshin had rarely slept with someone so much taller, as towering males tended to make him uneasy and defensive, but Sanosuke didn't invoke fear. He was a gentle giant.

Granted, Sanosuke's height mirrored what was down below. It made perfect sense for Sanosuke's privates to be in proportion with the rest of him, but it had still rattled him. In a good way, he thought.

He listened to the leveling of Sanosuke's breathing, hearing him slip away second by second. When he thought the man was gone, he heard him speak.

"Kenshin?"

"Yes?" He sounded as ravaged as he felt.

"This is a little late, because I meant to say it yesterday, but… I'd like to get to know you better."

Kenshin's exhale turned into a breathless laugh, "Likewise."

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Kenshin ran fingers over the marks dappling his neck. His reflection in the mirror revealed how thoroughly he was decorated. He couldn't hide all of them. There were too many, and they were stark against his pale skin. He hummed, brow furrowed as he tried to conjure a strategy.

There wasn't one. He'd have to face the stares all day.

Aoshi was going to be surprised.

Kenshin heard the bedroom door open and recognized Katsu's easy stride. He cracked the bathroom door right when Katsu was passing.

"Katsu."

Katsu moved back a step, clean towels in his arms, and stood beside the door but didn't look in, "Yes?"

"I don't know what to do."

Katsu's eyebrows drew together "About what?"

Kenshin opened the door and parted the collar of the robe he was wearing, revealing the marks up and down his neck and populating his upper chest.

Katsu's face went through a series of expressions. Surprise came first before a smile began to form, and finally he donned an impressed expression.

"Dear god. That's quite a collection you've got there. Looks like you were pillaged."

"I can't hide these. What am I supposed to do?"

Katsu looked as though he were containing his mirth, "Kenshin… did… did you and Sano…"

Kenshin turned scarlet, "We were a bit under the influence."

"Did you just kiss all night? Because I'd believe it with evidence like this." Katsu's hand was going to his mouth. He was shaking to contain himself.

"Katsu," Kenshin looked astonished as he spoke, "he's a kisser."

"I know." Katsu replicated his face, "Intense, isn't he?"

"An understatement."

"I don't think you'll have much to worry about if the others see these. They'll actually be quite ecstatic, and you'll be safer now."

"Safer?"

"Yeah," Katsu ran his hand over some of the marks as though rooting for a texture, "they were concocting all sorts of evil schemes to get you to stay longer, or convince you to come back."

Kenshin looked up at him, "I'll come back."

Katsu smiled.

Kenshin's blush darkened, "That is, if Sano-"

"He wants you here. He wouldn't have done all this, drunk or otherwise, if he didn't want you back."

Kenshin finally closed the robe, "This is embarrassing."

Katsu prodded at him giddily, "So did you do it? Hmmm? You can tell me. I'm good at keeping secrets."

Kenshin felt the blush spread to his ears, but nevertheless he smiled, "Yes."

Katsu took Kenshin's face in his hands and pulled him up straighter, "This is wonderful! Do you have any idea how tightly wound around your finger you have that man?"

"Not really."

"Kenshin," Katsu knelt before him, still holding his face, "with how fond he is of you he is now your puppy dog."

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Kenshin brushed his teeth and dressed after Katsu's departure and checked on Sanosuke to find he was still sleeping soundly. It brought a smile to his face. He sat on the edge of the bed and pushed back wild brunette bangs to better see Sanosuke's peaceful face. Stress seemingly washed away, he looked years younger.

Fondness swelled in Kenshin's chest. Sanosuke was one-of-a-kind. He had known it the day they met. In his past, plenty of men and women had hidden their true intentions as they attempted to get to know him better, but Sanosuke was nothing but himself. It was attractive and endearing.

While drawing, Katsu had helped Kenshin become familiar with Sanosuke by sharing their history together as friends. Those stories had only fueled the magnetism as they built on what Kenshin had intuitively known from the start.

He thought about Katsu's words in regards to Sanosuke being a, or rather his, puppy dog. He knew what it meant. It meant Sanosuke would be loyal, regardless if they were to be friends or something more.

But he would never take advantage of him. It wasn't in his nature to manipulate, and as he ran his fingers through Sanosuke's hair he decided this was a man he not only wanted to know better, but may very well need in his life to be happy.

"Sano." Kenshin rubbed his bare chest, impressed his quiet tone roused him. He felt Sanosuke's chest expand with a deep breath. The muscles stretched, quivering a bit when a yawn was initiated.

"Morning." Sanosuke's voice was rough from sleep, but his eyes appeared rested.

"Almost." Kenshin smiled.

Sanosuke looked at the clock, seeing the morning had already progressed into afternoon, "Oh, man." He rubbed his face and sat up, the sheets falling around his lap. Then he peeked at Kenshin.

"Oh shit." The words were a rushed whisper.

Kenshin tilted his chin up as Sanosuke touched the marks on his neck.

"I am so sorry. Looks like I… Wow. Those are dark." He felt guilt wash over him, accompanied by a cloak of embarrassment that heated his face.

"Red is your color." Kenshin teased, "Not so much mine." He touched the marks himself to show what he was referring to.

"Nah. I think they suit you fine. Almost like leopard print. I think I missed a spot, though." Sanosuke brushed the unmarked area with the pads of his fingers.

"Better amend that."

Sanosuke's eyes flicked up, checking to see if Kenshin was serious. The face he studied was inviting.

"You sure you want the complete set?"

Kenshin nodded.

"You asked for it."

Kenshin made a sound of delighted surprise when he was scooped up and dipped across Sanosuke's lap. He was held close, an arm supporting his neck and shoulders while another curled under his knees.

Sanosuke ensured the darkest mark of all, latching on as his fingers curled against Kenshin's sides, making him laugh and squirm.

"Sanosuke!" Kenshin pressed at broad shoulders, sides quaking beneath the fingers performing a mild torture on his ticklish zones. He was no match for the man's strength, especially while being weakened through laughter.

Sanosuke hummed into his skin, finally pulling away to place him on the bed. Kenshin let the remaining laughs work their way out of his system, a hand going to the still-warm and damp new mark on his neck.

"Okay, you smell nice and I am in need of a shower. Be back in a few minutes." Sanosuke found his pants and pulled them on as he stood, not bothering with underwear. He went to his closet and picked out clothing and a fresh towel.

After a quick shower and shave, he made his way towards his bed since Kenshin was nowhere else to be found in the room. As he rounded the corner to his sleeping nook he stopped.

Kenshin was where he had left him, lying on his back with one leg bobbing up and down from its place crossed over a knee. He was reading a book.

The sight was strange, taking him by surprise, but in a way he quite liked. Day after day he ended work by flopping onto an empty bed that often deprived him of sleep. A natural insomniac, he continually dragged himself from bed to sit at his computer and write speeches, essays, e-mails, and other work related burdens.

But this? This was something he could do with. He liked the idea of ending a day, or every day, to the scene before him. It almost hurt to think Kenshin was leaving today.

Who was he kidding? The thought did hurt. He wanted him to stay. He wanted him here for company. He wanted to tell him that.

But he was being a coward, which was rather uncalled for in his opinion, considering he didn't feel awkward about sleeping with Kenshin at all. That part had felt right, and he didn't even want to think about questioning it.

Sanosuke sat on the edge of the bed, back facing Kenshin as he ruffled his hair one last time with the towel. He pulled his shirt from his shoulder and slipped it on, unsure where to go from here. There was nothing slated for today other than kicking Chou out after they compared art pieces.

Sanosuke yawned again, shaking his head to snap himself out of any remaining grogginess. He was surprised he was free of any form of hangover, considering last night was the first time in years he had drank in such quantity.

Looking over his shoulder, he cast his eyes to Kenshin, "Hungry?"

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Kenshin descended the stairs, nervous of his revealed neck. He was wearing the clothing he originally arrived in, and now he was wishing he had worn a turtleneck. Then again, he would have needed to own a turtleneck in order to have picked it out of his wardrobe the morning he was kidnapped.

His hand slid along the wall, falling away when he reached the last step. Sanosuke brushed past him, a cool draft of air sweeping by as he made for the kitchen. Kenshin was about to follow, but one of the doors in the hallway opening collected his attention. Bobby emerged, bright and cheery, and didn't have so much as a single hair out of place. He was freshly showered and his face lit up even further upon seeing him.

"Hey, Kenshin! Did you sleep – ooohhhhhhhhhhhh…" Bobby's smile wavered for only a moment before it stretched wide across his face. Those bright, Bobby-Blue eyes glinted with something. It was half frightening and half fascinating.

"Look. At. You." Bobby approached, somehow seeming taller than he actually was as his stride took on an almost predator-like grace. He studied the markings, eyes flicking from place to place as though he were inspecting technique. Kenshin felt like he was being graded.

In another moment, Bobby's eyes returned to their normal cheer, "Please tell me this means you will be coming back and bringing Aoshi with you. At least bringing him on occasion, anyway. You're both such good company."

Kenshin laughed, knowing he was blushing again, "I don't think I can stay away even if I wanted to."

"That's a," Bobby nodded thoughtfully as he recalled the schemes Hiru had been going on about, "a good assumption."

Then a detail dawned on Kenshin; the room Bobby had come out of was not the one he had slept in the previous night. A different door, the one beside the kitchen and stairs, opened and Kel trudged out, looking like his sleep had been plagued.

"Whoa." Bobby stepped back, "K, my bro, what happened?"

Kel gave Bobby a falsely amused and irritated look, "I think you know." Then he stepped past them and into the kitchen.

"Ah," Bobby maintained his chipper demeanor despite the look, "I'm sorry if we kept you up. Or scarred you, but it's not like an opportunity like that one comes along every day!" His voice became progressively louder the farther Kel walked.

"Anyway," Bobby folded his hands, "what time do you plan on departing today?"

"I suppose that's up to Aoshi. Whenever he is ready we'll head out."

Bobby snorted then composed himself, "Sorry, sorry! It's just, ummm, it might be a few hours or more if that's the case."

Katsu came walking swiftly towards them from the other end of the hallway, "Morning boys. Going to be another lazy-day-after-Sanosuke's-birthday day from the looks of it."

Bobby mock saluted Katsu, "Sir, yes sir! The day of birthing of our Commander in Chief is always to be followed with a holiday!"

Katsu pinched Bobby's cheek as he passed, "You're cute, kid. Don't ever change." Katsu only took a few steps inside the kitchen to access the pantry and pull out a bottle of pills. When he exited, Bobby perked again.

"Saitou have a hangover?"

"Ohhhh yes. He's a grumpy big bad wolf right now. Practically threw Chou out a window earlier. It would have been defenestration at its finest moment!" Katsu was swiftly gone from sight.

"Oh, Kenshin, I have to tell you something important." Bobby leaned close, "I may have changed Aoshi forever."

As though it were a summoning, movement came from the door Bobby had emerged from earlier. Kenshin looked over to see Aoshi leaning in the doorframe, hair a tousled mess, eyes squinted so bad they were nearly shut, and clad only in a pair of jeans.

Kenshin stared. And stared. And stared.

This he could not and could completely believe at the same instant. Aoshi plus alcohol had been a combination he rarely if ever saw, and with the event unfolding before him he was starting to understand why.

Kenshin wasn't alone in the hickey department. Granted, Aoshi's were far more modest in tone and population, but he still had them. He watched Aoshi swallow heavily. He looked like he'd been through a war, his dazed and sleepy eyes not quite seeing.

"I'll get you something to drink, Ao. Be right back." Bobby disappeared into the kitchen.

Kenshin chuckled, a sound that said he had dirt on the man like he never had before. Aoshi's eyes turned to him, as if locking onto a target, but Kenshin couldn't stop his amusement. Even covering his mouth wasn't helping. There was a moment where his photographer sized him up, but the hard expression never faltered.

"You didn't." Aoshi sighed, sounding disappointed.

"You've no room to talk." Kenshin's eyes were starting to water.

Aoshi scratched the nape of his neck and attempted to smooth his untamed hair, "I suppose I don't." His legs moved, one foot crossing over the other. He looked relaxed despite everything else, and Kenshin made sure to commit the view to memory, because he may never see this side of Aoshi again – or so much of him.

Bobby reappeared and walked over, handing Aoshi a glass of water and a pair of pain killers. Kenshin watched this exchange; amused Aoshi didn't look the least bit bothered as he accepted the offered drink and pills. Of course, this was Aoshi. Any emotion out of the man would have been the real surprise. Watching them share a few words, Kenshin pretended they were a couple. It looked ridiculous. Not in a bad way by any means, but Aoshi was taller than Sanosuke, and Bobby was his height at a measly 5'2". The height difference between them was an entire foot. He tried to imagine them kissing while standing. He had to leave the hall before his thoughts went any farther.

Pivoting on a heel, he slipped into the kitchen to see Sanosuke messing with pots and pans. Jake was beside him, pointing to specific pans to show which ones he wanted as he poured oil into one he already had.

Kel waved him over to the table and pushed an empty glass his way. The table was stocked with pitchers. Water, milk, orange juice, coffee, and what looked like a mixed berry drink gave him more variety than he really needed. He settled for milk.

"They keep you up late?"

Kel looked shy, "Yeah."

"That noisy?" Kenshin hid his smile behind the glass, managing to wipe it away long enough to take a drink.

"Sounded like a pair of bears fighting at some points." Kel rubbed his temple. His eyes had dark rings under them, and Kenshin recalled they had always been there, but today they were darker and puffier.

Jake looked over his shoulder at them, "Who are we gossiping about?"

Kel sighed, exhausted, "Bobby and Aoshi."

"Really?"

Sanosuke's head snapped around, "What? No way. Stone-face had some kind of relations with another person?"

Kel nodded.

The smile returned to Kenshin's face, "They were in the hall right before I came in."

Jake and Sanosuke exchanged uncertain looks, and a moment later both abandoned the stove and made for the door. They stopped at the entryway and looked out. Apparently Aoshi and Bobby were still in sight, if the ensuing conversation was any hint.

Jake barked in laughter, "At this rate you might wanna consider turning this place into a slut house, 'Suke."

Sanosuke sounded commanding when he spoke, "Bobby you little jezebel, what did I tell you about pouncing guests?"

Bobby's tone was confident, "Famous photographers who look this good don't apply to that rule, plus he wasn't here for a showing. Well, not the normal kind of showing, but he did get one."

And then everyone was aware Hiru had arrived.

"You SLEPT with HIM?"

Kenshin knew Aoshi's hangover probably didn't appreciate the level of Hiru's voice. Bobby countered next.

"Can you blame me?" The door to the kitchen swung shut as Sanosuke and Jake finally entered the hall to act as referees. The following words were muffled and Kenshin couldn't make many of them out.

Instead, Kenshin turned back to Kel, "I imagine this behavior seems normal to you."

Kel nodded, "It doesn't bother me most of the time. I grew up an only child, so this is kinda like having brothers and sisters."

"Sanosuke told me you were raised by your grandmother."

"Yeah. She had custody of me after my parents died."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

Kel shook his head, "I was too young to really know them. My grandmother told me a drunk driver in a truck crashed into their old Subaru head-on. Both my parents and my grandfather had been there. None of them survived. Other than that, I don't know much about them except the stories she told me and the photos she shared."

"That must have been hard, growing up like that."

Kel gauged Kenshin, silent for a moment, and spoke again, "What about you, Kenshin?"

"Me?"

"Yeah. You're a very soft-spoken person. How did you grow up?"

"I was adopted."

"Ahh," Kel smiled, and Kenshin noted it may have been the first real smile he'd seen on the docile man, "that explains things. You are part Japanese, aren't you?"

That surprised Kenshin, "Yes. Most people can't tell. I'm impressed."

Kel leaned his face on a palm and tapped beside his eye, "It's in your eyes. Sanosuke and Jake have it, too. Did you ever know your parents?"

"No. Like you, I was too young when separated. The man who adopted me is the only family I've ever known."

Kel made a thoughtful noise, "I didn't think we'd have something like this in common." Looking and listening to Kel made Kenshin's thoughts patter nervously. He liked Kel. He was nice, and in a way Kenshin couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Most of the time the guy looked depressed.

"Kel, do you mind if I ask you something a little personal?"

"Feel free." The somberness behind Kel's words and expression only made Kenshin wonder more.

"I've noticed the group dynamic here. It's obvious you guys are more like a family than employees, but with everything I've seen since I arrived I've noticed you tend to shy away from socializing. Is there a reason for that?"

Kel exhaled, his smile bittersweet, "I've never really been good with people. I wouldn't even have been hired here if Sanosuke hadn't commiserated with me on that. As for the reason I'm not sure there is a single one."

It looked like there was more, so Kenshin waited a few seconds.

"You know, no one has ever asked me that before." Kel looked directly into Kenshn's eyes, "Hm. Were you ever lonely growing up?"

"Often."

Kel nodded, "Me, too."

"But you're not now."

"Impossible when you work here. More often than not I feel overwhelmed, but I'd rather be overwhelmed than lonely." Kel stood and walked over to the stove, stirring whatever Jake and Sanosuke had abandoned a few minutes prior. Kenshin watched his technique. It reminded him of how his father demonstrated martial arts. In a way, cooking and martial arts were merely skills that needed to be practiced and improved. To see Kel's hands performing such a simple act, but doing so with exceptional skill, made Kenshin wonder if he harbored other talents that had helped him through life.

"Where were you before here?" Kenshin hadn't even stopped to consider he may be prying.

Kel tapped the wooden spoon on the edge of the pan and set it down, returning to his seat, "Where? Nowhere special. I was raised in a small town. Big city life has never been my preference, and I had intended to avoid places like this for the rest of my life but that was before Sanosuke asked me to work for him. Before here I was struggling to hold a job due to my inability to handle stress or pressure. I had started submitting applications to culinary schools, even though I didn't want to attend. Honestly, looking back I realize I was doing it because I didn't know what else to do. I didn't want to deal with people there, but I also didn't want to stay home and deal with all the staring."

"Staring?"

Kel gave a curt nod, "My town was very religious, and I did meet kind people, but that was overshadowed by the judgmental ones. It wasn't just staring, but I hated that most of all. There were threats, discrimination, name-calling, shoving. Everything short of outright physical abuse, and even that would have had its day had I not left when I did."

"Why?" Kenshin asked, even though he was fairly confident he already knew the answer.

"Because I'm gay." Kel wasn't meeting his eyes now, "And that made me an outcast. I didn't have any friends growing up, but that's partially my own fault because after so many years of isolation I wouldn't let anyone in even if they were kind."

"Then how did you meet Sanosuke?"

Kel half laughed, "Completely by chance. I had been trying to get to an interview for a job, but I had never ridden a train before and was quite lost. I literally ran into Sanosuke, and while he's a brick wall I am certainly not. He didn't budge a millimeter and I bounced off of him and fell. Even though it was my fault completely, he apologized and helped me pick up my things. After that, he helped me find the right place to board my train, but it had already left. I thanked him and was about to leave, but he stopped and asked me where I had planned on going. One conversation led to another, and before I knew it he was asking me to come work for him. He paid for my plane ticket here and all my other expenses just so I could see if I wanted to work here. After investing that money in travel expenses, he told me if this place wasn't for me it was fine. Nothing harmed. In other words, he was taking a small financial risk, unsure if I'd stay or not."

Kenshin felt himself smiling, "But you're here."

"Yeah," Kel looked nervous, "this was the first place I've ever worked alongside people like me. Granted most of them are bisexual, but there's Katsu and Hiru. They're both gay."

"Not Bobby, huh?"

That made Kel smile, "We tend to classify him as an opportunist. He leans towards men, but he's been known to dabble in other areas. Regardless of Bobby's behavior, I've never felt more accepted."

Kenshin became weighted with concern again, "You look burdened."

Kel gave a humorless laugh, "Like Sanosuke, I've been single all my life, and we've related on quite a few points. However, we're single for different reasons. He chooses to be because he hasn't found anyone fitting of him. Well, until you walked in. Excuse me – until you were carried in." Now Kel was smiling shyly at him, looking up from under his eyelashes.

Kenshin returned the smile, but refocused the conversation, "And why are you single?"

"What?"

"You're handsome, and talented. You have a solid job that pays well enough. Seems to me like dozens of men should be falling for someone like you."

This seemed to instantly fluster him, "No, no, no." Kenshin couldn't help but see this reaction as cute, but he reframed from voicing such.

"Why no?"

Kel fidgeted, and as bad as Kenshin felt for stressing him, he knew he was close to understanding him.

"Because I was raised to believe it is wrong." Kel paused only a moment before he hurriedly added, "I don't judge others. I, personally, don't think homosexuality is wrong or sinful, but growing up with certain biblical lessons burned into your mind every day of your childhood… that kind of thing is hard to overcome."

Kenshin's shoulders dropped a little, and while Kel wouldn't look at him it suddenly seemed like he was staring at an abused dog. He didn't need to ask to know Kel was more than likely a virgin; walking through life afraid of affection and relationships. It was sad, and Kenshin found himself wondering what Aoshi would do had he heard this. More than anything, Aoshi hated seeing people ruled by fear and the opinions of others. Kel was exactly that, and it was an unfortunate sight.

"You know," Kel went on, "Sanosuke really likes you, and if you feel the same I hope you'll come back. I don't want to see him alone forever, and I don't think he's equipped to endure being alone all his life."

"Are you?"

Kel wasn't enjoying the conversation continually rocketing back in his court, but he felt powerless to avoid it.

"I don't know."

Kenshin looked at the rings around Kel's brown eyes. Sanosuke had been suffering similar traits when he first arrived. Less than a week and several nights of much-needed rest later he was looking healthier. But across from him was a man he was starting to see was much worse off than Sanosuke had been.

"I hope you find happiness." Kenshin didn't expect Kel to counter swiftly.

"I hope you and Sanosuke become an item."

Kenshin smiled, "Why's that?"

"Because you're perfect together. None of that early-on puppy dog syndrome. You two look relaxed and comfortable, as if you've been acquainted for years. If you two enter a relationship it'll last for a long time, if not the rest of your lives."

"You really think so?"

Kel finally met his eyes again, looking the most confident he'd ever seen him, "I'd put money on it, and I'm not a gambling man."

They fell into a comfortable silence. Kel stood and attended to the food again. As he stirred, he spoke up one more time.

"By the way, I love your temporary tattoos."

Kenshin shook his head, covering his neck with a hand and wondering if someone could die of excessive blushing.

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11.9.2014

11.23.2014

Next chapter: The cousins fight to the death (but not really), Sanosuke diffuses a warhead (really!), and Kenshin ensures Sanosuke has everything he needs to stay in touch. No excuses.