Happy Thanksgiving! Here, have Chapter 10 as my gift to you. :)

This 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.

Chapter Ten

Flawless Victory

Kenshin set his empty plate in the sink with the others. Kel was content loading the dishwasher and wiping down counters so Kenshin merely thanked him for an excellent meal and returned to the table that was nearly filled to capacity.

"Did you find it necessary to ravage the man for all he was worth?" Saitou was speaking to Bobby about a still somewhat disheveled Aoshi.

Aoshi didn't look amused, and the hard stare he sent Saitou's way was evidence enough.

Bobby looked mildly insulted, "So what if I did? No jury will convict me. I mean, have you seen my face?"

Aoshi took his glass of water and left the kitchen, having had enough of the conversation. Kenshin couldn't help but smile at Aoshi's 'pouting'. He figured it was good Bobby had gotten him to loosen up, even if only for a night.

After Aoshi was out of earshot, Saitou raised his hand, palm out, toward Bobby, "Nice score."

Bobby high-fived him, "Damn right."

Breakfast had been practically three courses worth of food, and by the time they'd all finished Kenshin was wondering how they stayed thin. Kel had completely taken over cooking, and without the stress of a work environment, Kenshin saw him in his element. Pans sizzled and food was tossed. He never spilt a single ingredient, and the end result put their meal at East Castle to shame.

Katsu was leaning on the table, looking very sated, "Kel, you're spoiling us."

Jake interjected, "And making me look bad."

The barest hint of a smile bowed Kel's lips.

Chou sauntered into the kitchen, looking absolutely wrecked. He didn't say a word as he pulled out a spare folding chair and plopped onto it, squeezing between Bobby and Saitou, and helped himself to the food. He was the last to eat, as was his tendency, but Kel had prepared more than enough food.

Sanosuke set the paper he'd been reading down, "Hey, broom-head, today's the day of reckoning."

"I do believe you are correct, good sir. My entry to our little contest is already in the main gallery. It was oh-so graciously tended to by our dear Bobby, and is masked in a cloth until the moment of truth. I just want you to know ya stand no chance o' winnin', Mr. Sah-noh-skay Suh-gar-uh."

Sanosuke took his dishes to the sink, "Bring it on."

"Oh, I will. Just be prepared to be crushed under the newest permanent addition to your gallery."

Sanosuke was accustomed to Chou's big talk, but something about his confidence was different this time. He made a quiet noise of interest and rinsed his dishes and tried to put them in the washer. Kel shooed him away, saying he wasn't allowed to do chores on the day of or day after his birthday.

IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI

Hiru crossed his arms over his chest, staring at his cousin who was neatly folding laundry. They were clothes that had been borrowed to Kenshin, and JJ, their janitor, had run them through the wash earlier.

Hiru's eyes narrowed, "Bobby, you are such a slut."

Bobby looked up, "Excuse me?"

"You're a slut."

That seemed to upset Bobby, "Am not."

"Oh yes you are. You're the biggest slut I know."

"That's not a very nice thing to say to your cousin."

"Somebody had to say it."

Bobby shook his head and returned to his folding, "So why am I a slut?"

"Do you have any idea how many people you've slept with since you turned 18? Because I'd be interested in having a general idea."

Bobby thought about it, and then his face turned serious, "Is this because I bedded Aoshi? Are you jealous?"

"Jealousy has nothing to do with this, but I'll admit this is partially to do with tall, dark, and stone façade."

"And what about me sleeping with him is bothering you?"

"That's exactly what's bothering me. Have you no morals? Standards? You don't even know the guy."

"No. You're right. I don't. But not even you can deny he's gorgeous."

"So you slept with him because you thought he was pretty?"

"Mmmhmm."

"And that's it?"

"I know, I'm shallow."

"Very."

"You don't understand."

"Then explain it to me."

Bobby set his last batch of folded laundry in a basket and stepped up to his cousin, "I don't have the same restraints you do. I've never been ashamed of my body the way you have, nor have I ever been particularly picky about personalities. Like Jake, I get along with most people. You don't. While I find people fascinating, you hate most of them. But there is one other reason why I sleep with so many different people."

One of Hiru's finely plucked eyebrows rose, "And that would be?"

Bobby leaned in, speaking in a hushed but emphasizing tone, "I'm really, really, really horny."

Hiru looked disturbed, "You sleep around because you're horny?"

Bobby raised his hands and shrugged, "Honestly? Yes. I'm horny. Sex makes it go away. Solution to excessive horniness is excessive sex."

"So," Hiru slowly shook his head as though decoding his cousin, "you don't sleep around for any other reason?"

"No? What else would I sleep around for?"

"Are you really that dense? People sleep around for dozens of reasons. To feel better about themselves. To manipulate someone. For money. To say they slept with a famous person. The list goes on."

"Hm," Bobby paused to consider this, "that seems silly."

Frustrated, Hiru waved his arms so Bobby was forced to step back, "You know what? It doesn't matter the reasoning. A slut is a slut, and you are definitely a slut."

Bobby glowered, "At least I'm not a jerk."

"Well I'd rather be a jerk than a slut."

"And I'd rather be a slut than a jerk." They had, at some point, starting leaning dangerously closer.

"Well," Hiru straightened, "I guess that's that, then."

"I guess so." Bobby eyed him cautiously.

Hiru turned and walked out of the room, tossing a single word over his shoulder the moment before he disappeared, "Slut."

Bobby ran out the door and tackled his cousin in a full-bodied assault. If Hiru had been taller or heavier he could have taken the hit with little effect, but being average in height, despite his ability to defend himself, meant the weight of his cousin combined with the surprise was enough to send him to the floor.

No one was exactly sure how many seconds they were scuffling before Jake and Sanosuke happened upon the fight and pulled them apart. It would have been over in an instant had Hiru actually fought his cousin, but Bobby wasn't a fighter. Hitting Bobby once would have knocked the poor kid silly, so Hiru resorted to containment, which was a far greater challenge than he expected. Bobby may not have known the first thing about a fist fight, but he certainly knew how to squirm and play dirty.

"What the hell is wrong with you two?" Sanosuke held Bobby under both the young man's arms so his dainty feet didn't quite reach the floor.

Hiru, held at bay with only a comforting hand on his shoulder from Jake, gestured to his cousin as though the entire ordeal was normal behavior, "Just a family squabble."

"Asshole!"

"Whoa!" Sanosuke's eyebrows went together, "Must be serious if you have Bobby cussing at you."

Hiru actually chuckled, "I guess so. You might need to wipe his mouth out after that, otherwise his teeth might rot – what with being unaccustomed to such language."

Bobby fumed.

Hiru straightened and smoothed his clothing and hair.

"You two head to the main gallery. Chou is leaving soon and wants everyone present for a group picture and the art pieces." Sanosuke set Bobby down, but kept both hands on his shoulders to prevent a second round between the cousins.

Jake led Hiru away, speaking quietly to him, "Maybe anger does run in your family."

Hiru slipped an arm around him, "Ohhhh yeah. It does. Family reunions are atomic bombs waiting to go off."

After both Hiru and Jake were out of eye and earshot, Sanosuke knelt before Bobby, "Don't think I've ever seen you so mad before. What's wrong?"

"Just Hiru being Hiru." Bobby didn't look him in the eyes, but instead cast his sight into the hall as though glaring after his cousin. He tugged his shirt into some semblance of decency.

Sanosuke smiled, "Yeah, we all know he's abrasive sometimes, but what did he say?"

Bobby sighed, shook his head, and banished the last of his anger before he looked at Sanosuke, "I guess he told me the truth."

"Was it that bad?"

"He called me a slut." Bobby looked like a child being scolded, "And I guess I am, given the general definition of a slut."

Sanosuke nodded, "Maybe, but you know what? I've never thought you a slut."

Bobby gauged him, "How so?"

"To me there is a difference between being a regular slut, and being a sexual addict like you."

Bobby's eyes became skeptical, "You think I'm addicted to sex?"

Sanosuke half laughed, "Oh yeah. Without a doubt."

Bobby shoved him, laughing, "Thanks for that."

"I'm being serious, Bobby." But Sanosuke was still chuckling.

"Okay," Bobby was starting to return to his usual cheer, "and what do you think I should do about it? Am I mentally unwell? Should I seek professional help? Does this mean my insurance deductable goes up?"

"Your insurance deductable!" Sanosuke laughed at that, but swiftly returned to the point, "And seeking help depends. Are you happy?"

"Of course I'm happy." Bobby seemed surprised Sanosuke even asked, "You know I'm happy."

"And is your seemingly constant search for company every night getting in the way of your life?"

"No, I'm not that weak. I control myself."

"So you're happy with your life, and you have something that can be a debilitating problem for some people under control?"

Bobby thought about it then nodded, "Yeah, I guess."

"Then if it isn't broken, don't go looking to fix it. You sound perfect to me." Sanosuke ruffled Bobby's hair affectionately. Bobby's heart felt like it had just melted. His eyes became glassy and he dove forward, hugging Sanosuke around the neck.

Sanosuke returned the embrace, wrapping Bobby up close and snug for a true bear hug. Moments like this made Sanosuke feel like an older brother. He realized he didn't mind the feeling.

Bobby thanked Sanosuke, kissing him chastely on the cheek, before he headed off to join the others.

"That was sweet."

Sanosuke looked over his shoulder to see Kenshin standing a few doors down, "How long have you been there?"

"Just since you and Jake broke up the fight."

"Long enough, then?" Sanosuke stood and turned.

Kenshin gave him a bright smile, "You really hold this place together, don't you? Katsu handles the business side while you handle the family side."

Sanosuke shrugged a bit, "Hey, you found me out. I'm the resident shrink. Keeps everything from falling apart. Or blowing up."

"What you did there was akin to disarming a warhead. Granted, I would sooner attribute that description to Hiru when we were at East Castle, but Bobby just now didn't look too far behind."

"Yeah," Sanosuke laughed nervously, "those two fight like 8-year-old brothers and sisters sometimes. No severe injuries, though. So far."

"Oh," Kenshin pulled an envelope from his pocket and held it out, "this is for you. It's my cell number that Aoshi apparently just had setup, and also my address."

"Oh!" Sanosuke broke into a smile and accepted the envelope, "Of course." He felt ridiculous for not asking for contact information earlier. How else was he to stay in touch? Telepathy? He wished.

"Katsu gave me yours already." Kenshin looked a bit perplexed before he continued, "You have three numbers? A cell, a landline, and a… fax?"

Sanosuke groaned, "Just use the cell. I always answer that if I'm around when it rings, and I don't expect you to call the landline for the museum and go through Katsu or Hiru, potentially even Saitou, just to get to me. I do have texting if you do that sort of thing, though I'm not very fast at it yet. Also, if I don't answer my phone don't be afraid to leave me a message. I'd say I don't bite, buuuuut given the circumstances…" He looked at Kenshin's neck dappled with bruises.

"I'll take the risk."

IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI

Sanosuke, arms folded in front of himself, stared at the revealed art. His eyes moved from the piece to the group of people standing behind it. Katsu looked so smug and proud. Chou was beaming with so much pride an onlooker could mistake him for the artist.

Sanosuke sighed, hiding his eyes behind his hand as he rubbed his temples.

It was unquestionably breathtaking. Katsu's ability to use colored pencils was exceptional. From a distance, the work could be mistaken for a photograph. How Katsu had accomplished this in less than a week was a mystery.

The colors blended flawlessly into one another, and the use of light basked the figure in an ethereal glow.

Rubbing his face, Sanosuke glanced to the work of art he had chosen. Amusingly enough, he had chosen a work from the recent display by an artist who signed her name JOY. It was a sweeping landscape, but it really didn't matter anymore.

Sighing again and shifting, Sanosuke finally spoke, "Chou, you're lucky we didn't make any rules, because even though we didn't this almost constitutes as cheating."

Chou laughed, "So have you come to a verdict, dear Mr. Sagara?"

Sanosuke looked from the picture to Kenshin, who was smiling at him. He couldn't believe most of his crew had been in on this and managed to keep it a secret. More than anything, he was awed that Kenshin's eyes were nearly as vibrant in the work as they were in real life. Katsu had outdone himself.

Reaching into his back pocket, Sanosuke pulled out his wallet and produced a fifty dollar bill. He held it up as proof of his surrender.

Chou broke into a whooping cheer and dashed over to tackle-hug his friend and retrieve the money.

"I swear to whatever god that may exist, Chou," Sanosuke muttered the words to him, "you are one hell of a schemer."

"Thank you, good sir. It's a natural talent 'o mine." Chou clapped him on the shoulder, "But I didn't do it alone. I had a mighty good artist to help me out, who I now owe my gratitude and any reasonable favor he needs."

Katsu approached, "Once I really thought about it, I couldn't pass up this opportunity. The look on your face, Sanosuke!"

Sanosuke shook his head, wrapping an arm around Katsu's shoulders and leading him over to the group, "You're amazing, Katsu."

"So does that mean you'll hang it in the gallery?"

"With," Sanosuke looked at Kenshin, "permission."

Katsu smiled, "What do you say, Kenshin? Do you mind if we have your portrait on display?"

Returning the smiles, Kenshin bowed his head once, "I'd be honored."

"In that case, we'll have to find the perfect spot for it."

Aoshi appeared in the room, heading toward the door and talking on his phone when he caught sight of the pair of framed works and stopped dead. He stopped talking, too. His work associate continued to yammer on, but he wasn't listening.

Kenshin watched Aoshi approach his portrait. After nearly fifteen full seconds of staring, he finally spoke.

"I'll call you back." He snapped his old flip phone shut, pocketing it as he continued to stare at the work. Katsu took this as a good sign.

Aoshi looked up at the group, "Who crafted this?"

Katsu slowly raised his hand.

Aoshi regarded him with a kind of respect Kenshin rarely saw in those eyes.

"This is astonishing. Almost photographic." Aoshi picked up the frame and studied it closer, "Did you attend an art college?"

Katsu shook his head, "No. I'm self-taught."

Aoshi placed the frame back and stepped up to Katsu, "But you did attend college, yes?"

"Of course. I went for Administrative Assistant and also took many accounting classes."

"How unusual." Aoshi dropped the subject and looked to Kenshin, "I'll be in the car. Take your time." He turned but was met with Sanosuke, who insisted on a goodbye. Aoshi stopped before he barreled into his old classmate, rolling his eyes up and closed in what may have been mild irritation. His expression softened a moment later and they shook hands firmly.

"Good to see you again." Sanosuke relinquished his hold.

"Same to you, and good luck in the future."

"Back at ya. And don't be a stranger."

"No promises."

"I mean it."

"I know you do." Aoshi left, pulling his cell phone out and dialing the man he'd hung up on earlier.

Sanosuke turned to his assembled employees. They were chatting with Kenshin, saying their goodbyes and expressing their happiness with his visit, however unexpected it had been. Bobby grabbed Kenshin in an affectionate hug, only relenting when Kel told him air was something everyone needed to survive. Jake shook Kenshin's hand, telling him he was glad he could cook for him. Katsu was another who preferred hugs and Kenshin gladly gave him one.

It was Saitou that made Sanosuke chuckle, offering his fist, knuckles-out, and receiving a fist bump from Kenshin.

Kel stepped up next, extending a hand which Kenshin accepted warmly.

"Thank you, Kenshin." Kel swallowed, "I hope we'll be seeing more of you soon." Kenshin knew Kel was thanking him for more than just the shelving incident in the kitchen, and he nodded in understanding.

Kenshin bowed, "Thank you, all of you. You've been incredible."

Finally, he turned to see Sanosuke standing by the entryway, hands in his pockets. He approached and stopped just short of the threshold.

"Been fun." Sanosuke found himself weighted with sadness, but he concealed it.

"More than I expected." Kenshin held up his hand, and when it was taken he pulled until Sanosuke understood. They embraced, hearing a few of the boys, most likely Bobby and Katsu, aww-ing behind them.

Letting go felt like severing a part of himself, but Sanosuke caught him before they fully parted and held him steady.

"It's alright." Sanosuke wiped the tiny droplet at the side of Kenshin's eye away in a manner so discrete Kenshin himself almost didn't realize what had been done.

"Yes." Kenshin agreed, his smile bittersweet.

Sanosuke's smile renewed, much warmer and brighter than his, and he cupped Kenshin's face and touched their foreheads together, "You come back whenever you want. Remember, you're family now. So this isn't goodbye, only a see you later."

Kenshin nodded, their hair brushing together. He reached out and curled his fingers in the white fabric of Sanosuke's unbuttoned dress shirt. He tipped his head up and their lips found each other as though it were second nature.

Sanosuke gentled his touches, deepening the kiss before he let Kenshin slip away slow and easy.

Kenshin whispered to him, "Thank you."

IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI

Aoshi turned off the radio in his Camaro. His headache was dulled but still had enough pressure behind it to constantly remind him it did indeed continue to exist. His current company wasn't helping the situation.

Hiru was leaning on the side of the Camaro, looking down through the driver side window at Aoshi, "You going to come back when Kenshin visits? If you run and hide I won't blame you, especially after being pounced by Bobby."

"Your cousin is a monster."

Hiru nodded, "I believe it."

There was a lull in the blonde's chattering, but Aoshi wasn't foolish enough to think the conversation was over.

"But was he good?"

Aoshi reached over and promptly began rolling up the window.

"Hey!" Hiru snapped away from the glass, "That's very rude!"

Aoshi reframed from rolling his eyes, unable to believe the guy didn't understand his question had been inherently rude.

Hiru turned his nose up and made his way toward the museum entrance. Halfway there, he met Kenshin and caught him in an unexpected hug.

"Figured I owe you one of these at the very least. Thanks for giving Sanosuke some of his sanity back." Hiru leaned away, cupping Kenshin's face in his hands, "And do come back soon, otherwise we might have to hunt you down when we start going through withdrawal."

Kenshin laughed and was released, "I'll try my best."

Hiru spoke his last words to Kenshin for the day as he walked away, "Don't be surprised if you get a lot of texts from me, Mr. Himura. I'll be keeping up with you."

"I don't doubt it." Kenshin said it to himself, but he was smiling. He knew Hiru was a planner, especially after hearing his methods of reserving them a table at East Castle. The guy would probably resort to underhanded schemes if absolutely necessary. That was an unnerving thought, but entertaining as well. In a way, it was nice to know he was so welcome and wanted here.

Opening the door to Aoshi's Camaro, Kenshin eased into the comfortable seat and pulled the door shut. The engine fired up, purring like new, and the sports car glided out of the drive.

IOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOIOI

11.27.2014

I bet you guys weren't expecting this chapter so fast, were ya? Surprise!

Next chapter: Everyone is texting Kenshin except Sanosuke? Hey, man, that's not okay.