Author: Arashi (marenski@hotmail.com)
Website: www.kenkaya.com
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin nor am I making any money off this story! But I do own all 28 volumes of the Rurouni Kenshin manga, and this story is essentially taken from the last volume. (can you say, spoiler?) Also the titles of the story and the chapters are lyrics from Puddle of Mudd's song Blurry. I was originally going to do a songfic... but I changed my mind. Enjoy!
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Take it All Away
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't sad to see her go. She stood there, hiding her feelings behind that impenetrable mask. Of all the woman I've ever known she's probably the most complicated. Hell in the months I'd known her I don't think I'd even come close to figuring her out. And with her leaving for Aizu I doubted that I'd ever get the chance
Jou-chan, on the other hand, is as readable as the Akabeko sign. Shit, she looked like she was gonna start crying when Megumi turned to her, offered her the medicine chest, and told her to take care of us. And all this time, those two had been at each other's throats. But that's Jou-chan for ya. I knew she never really hated Megumi. None of us ever really hated the lady doctor. I was close, but dammit, even I'm smart enough to realize that the shit that happened back then wasn't her fault. I tried to reassure Jou-chan that we'd be seeing her again. Don't know why I felt the need to comfort her isn't that Kenshin's job? But damn, if there was one thing I was sure of it was the fact that we'd all be seeing Megumi again. I told Jou-chan that Aizu wasn't far away told her I could run there in a day if I wanted to. Earned a snide comment from the fox when I said it. But I didn't let that stop me from saying that we could always visit whoever we wanted, whenever we wanted: It wasn't a lifetime parting. Shit what a thing for me to say? Real ironic now that I think about it
Anyway, I guess the point is Megumi left for Aizu without looking back. She was nice enough when she said goodbye even said I was welcome in Aizu to get my hand checked out and whatnot. I was kinda touched and for once in my life I didn't have any smart-assed remarks to make. And she did seem sincere when she said it. But whatever I didn't exactly get to spend a lot of time thinking about it or her or anything before the cops showed up.
It took us a couple of minutes to realize what all the commotion was about. Jou-chan started freaking out and that's when we saw the wanted poster. It was kinda exciting seeing my picture on the thing. Not that I'd ever tell Jou-chan or Kenshin that But, ya see They weren't after Kenshin for once the trouble was looking for me, and me alone. I like attention as much as the next guy. Especially the kind that ends in a little bit of fun.
After punching out the first two cops, we saw the whole damn police force heading our way. I knew what they were after. I'd messed with a government official. Forget the fact that he's a crooked-assed-son-of-a-bitch. The cops don't care about that kinda stuff. Hell, half of them are probably on the payroll of some crooked politician or another. I wouldn't have objected to taking them all on simply because of that fact but well half of the bastards had guns and Kenshin, Yahiko, and Jou-chan were right there things coulda gotten messy. What I said about things not being a lifetime parting well, I realized then that it was a lie. I didn't want to drag Kenshin or the other two into the fight, so I did the only other thing I could have done beside surrender I ran.
Here's the thing though If I'd asked Kenshin he could have taken care of everything. He's got the connections inside the government to take care of something insignificant like my criminal record. We could have probably even gotten that bastard Tani arrested. I could have stayed in Japan. But I really didn't want Kenshin's help. If he'd of wiped the problem away simply by dropping his name and his status as the legendary manslayer, then wouldn't I be sinking to the level of the corrupt Meiji politicians? And there was no way in hell that I'd be like them. I decided when I ran that I was going to take care of things myself. And there was only one way for me to solve the problem.
I'd leave Japan. But I wasn't running not really. This was my chance To get out from under Kenshin's shadow. Don't get me wrong, Kenshin's one in a million and the best friend a guy could ask for but until I got out on my own and tried to live my life the way Kenshin had shown me how would I really know if I wasn't just borrowing his strength?
It took me a week to make my plans and get everything finalized. I'm sure they were worried about me back at the dojo. That's what friends are for, I guess and I really couldn't leave without saying goodbye. I owed them that much. So I sent one of my buddies to let them know when and where to meet me. Wasn't the smartest thing I'd ever done but sometimes ya just gotta do what feels right.
They met me there, for the last time at the harbor. I was on my little rowboat, ready to head out to the ship that I'd made my arrangements with. I'd be heading for America, secreted aboard the ocean faring ship. That dumbass Yahiko thought I was gonna try and row myself across the ocean and hell if Jou-chan didn't think so too People need to give me more credit sometimes seriously
Before I could really say goodbye we were interrupted by the police. I was ready for a fight, but that crazy chief of police decided to cover for me told his men I was off in a different direction. I didn't ask to do something like that for me but hey, if people make mistakes, what am I supposed to do about it? But really I was grateful. It gave me a chance to say goodbye to my three friends.
I told Jou-chan then that it really wouldn't be a lifetime parting. I thought about it a lot over the week while I made my plans and I realized that we really could see each other again. I said I'd be careful and told her I wanted to see her and Kenshin's kids when I came back. Damn, she blushes like crazy when she's embarrassed. I was glad to see it one more time. Kenshin and Jou-chan with kids now there's a scary thought.
I tried to tell Yahiko to move into my old place so he'd give Kenshin and Jou-chan a little privacy but hell if that kid wasn't angry with me. The way he talked, you would have thought I was committing a real crime. He said he couldn't understand what I was doing or how I could just run away without making sure the crooked politician was punished. Kid went so far as to ask me if the character of evil on my back agreed with what I was doing. He wanted me to stand up and fight Of course, he didn't understand that in an even bigger way I already was. But I could tell by the way he talked, that someday the little brat would become something great maybe greater than Kenshin even I told him that if he felt so strongly about it, that he should try shouldering the character of evil. After all, someone needed to carry on the work while I was away. I think that hit home.
And then that left me and Kenshin. Wasn't much to say between us. I think Kenshin had already figured me out. No I'm sure of it He knew what I was doing. He knew why I was really leaving and I think he may have been proud. We slapped hands and that was that. I told him I was going and he smiled.
As I rowed out to the ship, I didn't look back once even though I could feel their eyes on me. I couldn't look back and I can't go back until I've figured out who I really am. I'm going to live my own life and walk my own path. The world's a big place. I'm sure I'll find my answers out there somewhere. And it doesn't matter how long it takes cause I know my friends in Japan will be there waiting for me to return
Kenshin, Yahiko, Jou-chan Megumi I hope you realize this isn't the end. This is only the beginning. One day, I'll come back to Japan or my name isn't Sagara Sanosuke.
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Ok people, listen up! Here's the deal. I'd like to issue a challenge to all you writers out there. Kenshin has his 'wandering years' stories and I think it would be equally cool to see some Sano's world travel stories. If this challenge has already been issued by someone else, please point me in the right direction, cause I'm dying to read more stories about everyone's favorite ex-gangster running around the world.
Pick a place, pick a time, pick a historical incident, pick a historical figure, or do whatever you feel like and throw together a story about Sano and his adventures. Romance, action, drama, angst, humor! The sky's the limit! I'd like to post any stories that are written on my site at www.kenkaya.com. If I get some good responses I'll even make it a contest with cool prizes and stuff!
If you're not a writer, and you want ME to continue this story... please let me know by reviewing. If you're interested in writing, leave a review with your email or just send an email to me at webmaster@kenkaya.com. If you want to write something but can't think of anything off the top of your head, email me and I can help you come up with something. (I've already started a little research into the time period) At any rate, if you decide to take up this challenge, please let me know. Because, darn it... I want to READ everything that's written!
Coming Soon! A tale about Sano and his adventures in England. What happens when Sano meets one of the most terrifying people from history? Find out when Mkasshoku posts her story! You won't wanna miss it!
And just in case you haven't read my fic, "Run to You: Tales of Meiji 16"... does an epic story starring Sano sound interesting to you? What happens when he comes back to Japan after his five year journey? Find out!
Anyway people, I hope that some of you talented authors/Sano fans out there feel the urge to contribute some cool Sano stories to the realm of Rurouni Kenshin Fanfiction. If you think this is a good idea, please review and leave some of your comments! Thanks!
