Author: Arashi (Arashi@kenkaya.com)
Website: www.kenkaya.com (centered around the fic)
Beta Reader: Karina Kineshi (thank you so much for your time and super helpful suggestions!!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin nor am I making any money off this story!
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Sorry about the long wait people. The last 3 weeks have been torture (as many of my fellow college students fully understand). Between finals, a small case of writers block, parties, and whatnot, it took me forever to finish this next chapter. Originally this was just supposed to be one chapter but I had to split it because it was too large to fit in one file of Adobe Pagemill. Hope you enjoy!
This double chapter is dedicated to the people who have taken the time to read and review this story. I especially want to thank Karina, M.Kasshoku, Omni82, Mir, and eri for reading, reviewing, supporting, encouraging, and/or inspiring me with your amazing works of Fanfiction. I think I've told you all how much I enjoy your fics, so let me just say "Keep up the great work! You've all thorougly entertained and excited me with your incredible stories!"
And now without further adieu...
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"Wake up rooster-head." Sano's eyes flashed open. Megumi hovered over him shaking his shoulders gently.
Damn, I must have fallen asleep. Megumi will be pissed if she finds out
"I'm not sleeping Megumi I'm just thinking about you." He propped himself up with one arm and brought her face to his with the other, kissing her lightly on her lips. It wasn't until after he pulled apart that he realized he was in one of the rooms of Kenshin and Kaoru's house.
"Oh really?" Megumi's eyes twinkled in amusement. "You must have been thinking really hard" She pulled herself away and knelt beside his futon, straightening a few strands of her long, silky hair. Sano started to open his mouth to protest but quickly realized there was nothing to say. Megumi laughed lightly at his reaction. "You were thinking about me so much that you didn't even complain when Kenshin and Aoshi carried you here, huh?"
"Kuso" Sano scratched the back of his head and smiled at her weakly. "I'm sorry Fox that wasn't very romantic of me was it?"
"Nope not romantic, but not surprising either. You did have quite a bit to drink last night." Megumi slid closer to him and took his bandaged right hand in both of hers tenderly. Her teasing facial expression was replaced by the warm, compassionate, and caring look she'd starting giving him recently. "But it doesn't really matter. The important thing is I had a wonderful time with you last night. And there's something I wanted to tell you"
Someone in the hallway cleared his throat, killing the comment Megumi was about to make before it escaped her lips. "Are you two presentable?" It was Yahiko and for once, he did not come barreling around the corner into their room.
Though his timing is still just as bad.
"Damn it Yahiko, what do you want!?" Exasperation sharpened the tone of Sanosuke's voice and its effect was not lost on the young swordsman.
"Chikusho Sanosuke, it's not my fault they keep sending me to talk to you two" Yahiko sounded appropriately penitent so Sano decided to spare his life. "Kaoru wanted me to tell you guys that Tae's here and she brought lunch from the Akabeko." They heard Yahiko stalk away muttering under his breath about never coming and telling them anything ever again. Sano couldn't help but smile to himself as Yahiko retreated but the amusement of the situation faded as he turned his attention back to Megumi. Gone was the intimate look and the hope of getting her to speak her mind disappeared with it.
And I was really curious about what Megumi wanted to tell me
"So what were you saying Megumi?" He tried to be gentle and even specifically used her real name in the hope that she would tell him what she was thinking. Instead, she smiled somewhat wistfully and got to her feet.
"It's nothing important rooster-head. Let's go eat."
"Good morning Sanosuke!" Kaoru greeted him cheerily as he followed Megumi into the dining room. Everyone was crowded around helping Tae and Tsubame distribute the lunch trays from the Akabeko.
"Look who finally crawled out of bed!"
Misao's mocking tone caused Sanosuke to scowl in her direction. "Mornin' to you too weasel girl"
"Don't call me weasel girl!" Misao fumed but quickly regained her composure after deciding to attack Sanosuke with words instead of kunai. "Besides, it's not morning anymore rooster-head! You slept right through that." Misao and Yahiko both snickered and exchanged a comment or two that Sano ignored.
"How are you feeling Sano?" Kenshin's knowing gaze seemed to penetrate straight through the taller man. Sano could sense the strength of his ken ki that had, up until this time, been somewhat concealed.
He must be mentally preparing himself for our battle tonight
"I'm fine Kenshin." Sano felt his old confident smile turn the corners of his lips. "It'll take more than a few beers to mess me up. Sleep does the body good." He heard Megumi scoff but the woman refrained from making any comments.
"Glad to hear it. We were a little worried about you last night, that we were..." More giggling emanated from Misao and Yahiko's direction as Kenshin finished speaking.
Sano put his hand on his friend's shoulder
reassuringly, ignoring the ninja girl and the young swordsman.
"Relax Kenshin." He didn't realize how appropriate
the comment was until he felt the bunched muscles of the former
rurouni through his magenta gi.
Damn, Kenshin's tense
Neither Sanosuke's touch nor the confident tone in his voice alleviated the stress he felt from the red haired man. "Chikusho Kenshin, what's up?"
"Ano There's something I want to talk to you about Sano" Kenshin gave him a nervous smile, miserably failing to hide the fact that there was something important he needed to say. "In private." The last part he added as an afterthought as he glanced around the room at everyone eating their lunches.
"You can have him when I'm through with him Ken-san." Megumi's tone was just playful enough for half the audience to take her message the wrong way. The trademark laugh and the imaginary fox ears didn't help matters either.
"Ew, not more of that stuff" Yahiko looked disgusted.
"Get your mind out of the gutter Yahiko-chan." The fox ears disappeared like they'd never been there. "When rooster-head's finished eating, that hair of his has a date with my scissors." Megumi turned her attention to Kenshin. "Then you can talk to him Ken-san."
"Hai, Megumi-dono."
"I trust you fox." Sano sat cross-legged on the floor in one of the rooms of Kenshin and Kaoru's home. His stiff back and tense voice almost negated the words that he muttered. Megumi stood behind him with an old pair of surgical scissors.
"I know you trust me. You've said that five times already."
If he says it one more time I'm going to start thinking he doesn't
"I know you know I trust you just" His voice cracked slightly. "Be careful alright?"
"Rooster-head, this is a haircut, not surgery! Nothing's going to go wrong." Frustrated, Megumi grabbed and cut. The sound of scissors shearing through a lock of his hair caused Sanosuke to dive forward out of her range. He searched the top of his head frantically and then turned in horror to see the long clump of hair lying on the floor.
"Damn it Fox! That's a lot of freakin' hair!" He felt his head and finally located the shortened section. "Chikusho you've messed it up haven't you??"
"No I have not Sanosuke! Get over here and let me finish." Megumi took a step toward him and in turn, he scooted farther away.
A loud crash alerted Kenshin to the problem. He slid the rice paper door open and watched in surprise as Megumi chased Sano around the room holding the scissors like the sharpened weapon that they were.
"Oro Is everything alright?"
Megumi paused and tried to compose herself
as Sano backed against the wall. His hair was cut in random patches.
"Yes Ken-san. Everything's fine. Rooster-head is just acting
like a child."
"Chikusho Kenshin, help me!" Sano was on his knees, begging. "She's trying to ruin my hair!" Megumi turned to Sanosuke threateningly.
"Maa Maa" Ever the calm one in situations like this, Kenshin held up his hands trying to get them to relax. "Megumi-dono, if you want I can have Kaoru come and finish up for you." This comment elicited blank stares and synchronized blinking from both Sano and Megumi.
"Kaoru?" Sano and Megumi both asked as they stared at Kenshin.
"Sure why not?" Kenshin ignored their dumbfounded expressions as he continued with his trademark rurouni smile. "She's really very talented at cutting people's hair, that she is."
"Hell no, I don't want my hair to look like yours!"
Kenshin's head jerked over in Sano's direction and then back toward Megumi as she quickly patted his shoulder, trying to distract him from Sanosuke's rude comment. "I can handle it Ken-san, but thank you for the offer."
"S sure thing Megumi-dono." Megumi turned him around and pushed him towards the sliding door. Before he knew it, Kenshin was out in the hallway with the door closed behind him.
Kenshin reached up and felt the ends of his short red hair absently. As he walked down the hall he quietly muttered to himself. "What's wrong with my hair?"
"Baka! That was rather rude." Megumi scolded Sanosuke like a child. "Kaoru and Kenshin both like his hair the way it is now."
In response, Sanosuke grinned. "Good for them. I don't like it. Kenshin's always had a pony tail, ya know?"
"Not for the last five years he hasn't! Honestly, you seem to forget that things change over time."
Sanosuke sighed and rested his arms on his knees. "Ok ok I get it. Why don't you just rub it in a little more? Didn't I already tell you I'm sorry for being gone so long?"
"I'm just giving you a hard time for being rude to Ken-san" Megumi approached Sanosuke and collected the next clump of hair to sacrifice to her scissors. "We're all just glad to have you back..." Sano winced as her scissors seared through his hair.
"Of course, now they want me to go away again..." Sano flicked the long strands of hair off his drawstring pants. Megumi continued to cut his unruly brown hair as Sano sat in silence.
"So um" The lack of conversation was starting to bother him. For an entire minute it had been nothing but the soft sound of Megumi's scissors.
And I have little enough time left to spend with Megumi before they ship me out to Hokkaido I'll be missing the sound of her voice soon enough. Kami-sama, how did I stand five years without her?
"What were you going to tell me earlier?"
Megumi paused in her rhythmic pattern of hair gathering and cutting. "Earlier?" The hand she had pulled away found his hair again and started tracing through it, gently separating it into manageable portions though she didn't actually cut it. Sano found it quite relaxing. "Hmmm I'm not sure, but when Ken-san came in here I was reminded of something I need to tell you."
"Yeah? What's that?" Sano closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of her hand running through his hair.
"It's about Ken-san." Megumi resumed her work and Sano watched as more long strands of hair fell to the floor. "Do you remember what I told you about him five years ago? Before you left?"
"You're talking about his health right?"
"Yes. Since you two are being forced to fight each other tonight, I think it's important that you understand something about him." Megumi gently pushed Sanosuke's head forward so she could start cutting the back. "He may look alright on the outside but I'm afraid Ken-san's body has suffered more strain and injury than any person I've ever treated." Sano stared at the floor, listening intently as the lady doctor explained. "His body was never designed to withstand the pressure he's placed on it. By appearance alone, someone could easily mistake him for a woman. His small bone structure and minimal muscle mass they aren't conducive to the resilience and strength his fighting style employs." Sano felt her fingers trace the back of his neck as she untangled the mass of his hair. "His injuries from Shishio and Enishi were serious and using his succession technique repeatedly also took a lot out of him I started noticing right after Shishio that his body was weakening. I made my prediction five years ago that it would be impossible for him to use Hiten Mitsurugi in a few years time"
Sano blinked as he realized he'd been staring at the floor hard enough to bore holes in it. "So does that mean?"
"I'm afraid so" Megumi's voice became even more subdued. "As Kenshin's doctor I know more about his health than anyone except, perhaps, Kenshin himself. I haven't done a formal check up on him since spring, but I'm sure it's still the same. His bones, his tendons, his muscles none of them are strong enough to withstand the superhuman techniques he used to use."
"Kuso" Only Sanosuke could swear and still manage to sound introspective at the same time.
To lighten the slightly dampened mood, Megumi ruffled his hair playfully. "So be nice to him, you hear me?"
A while later, Sanosuke marched down the hallway, bumping into Kenshin as the shorter man came around a corner.
"Oro?" Kenshin looked up and noticed that Megumi had finished her chore. Sanosuke's old hair was back and standing with just as much gravity defying audacity as ever. It was exactly the same as it was before he ever left Japan and Kenshin wondered briefly if it had been intentional or simply an accident on Megumi's part.
"Oh hey, Kenshin..." Pressed against his unshaven jaw line, Sanosuke held a small piece of medical gauze.
"Are you alright Sano?" Concern lined Kenshin's voice as he noticed the small spot of blood forming on the outside of the gauze.
Sanosuke huffed in frustration and looked back down the hallway as Megumi appeared out of nowhere and starting walking toward them. "I was fine until a certain lady doctor tried to shave my damn beard. Where the hell did you learn how to use a razor Fox?"
Megumi narrowed her eyes. "You try shaving somebody else's face sometime." She pushed right on past the two of them and continued down the hall.
"I'll just stick to my own, thank you very much." Sano turned and started marching off in the other direction to avoid following Megumi. Kenshin glanced at the two retreating backs and then made his decision to follow after Sanosuke.
Sano stopped briefly in the room he and Megumi had been in and grabbed the razor and a towel. Ignoring Kenshin, he walked outside and pulled up a bucket of fresh, cold water from their well and immediately set about shaving his beard.
"Now that we've got a minute or two Sano I need to talk to you."
Sano paused and glanced over at the former rurouni. "What's on your mind Kenshin?"
"Tonight's fight is on my mind" Sano continued shaving while he waited for Kenshin to elaborate. Whether Kenshin was aware of it or not, his hand drifted toward the sword at his belt. A click alerted Sano to the potential danger but he only had time to flinch as Kenshin drew his sword, creating a gust of wind as his blade sliced through the air.
Sano opened his eyes when he realized he'd squeezed them shut. "Geeze Kenshin. You scared me for a second there."
Ignoring the effect his actions had on the former gangster, Kenshin held the sword horizontally in front of his face. Sunlight glinted off the blade and drew Sanosuke's attention, mesmerizing him. Kenshin spoke, voice and eyes both full of confidence. "This sword was created for me by the son of the man who made my first sakabatou. Last summer, his son took lessons here at the dojo and in return he created his first and last sword and gave it to me. More so than any weapon I have ever possessed, this blade is a symbol of the peace of the era." Kenshin rotated the alignment of the sword, holding it perpendicular to the ground. "Look at it Sano, and tell me what you see." Sano stepped toward his old friend and closely inspected the blade.
"Well, it's a sakabatou." After another moment or two Sano pulled back and met the former rurouni's violet gaze. "It looks brand new Kenshin not a scratch on it."
"You're right Sano. Since becoming the owner of this weapon, I have not used it in intense combat. Yahiko possesses my old sakabatou and I've entrusted him to carry out the mission that sword was created to fulfill." Kenshin casually positioned the sword and slid it back into the sheath slowly. "Though this may be hard for you to understand My current skills are as untested as this new blade." Kenshin's voice betrayed no emotion.
Sano paused a long moment, working his jaw in silence as thoughts bubbled around in his mind. "So what do we do tonight Kenshin? You and I have to fight and we have to make it look convincing and truthfully there's a part of me that wants to fight you without holding back." His intense brown gaze burned into the equally intense violet one. "The first time we met, you shattered the illusion I'd built around myself. I thought I was invincible back then." Sanosuke smiled ironically. "You showed me twice how foolish that thought was. But it's been five years Kenshin I've seen things and done things in the course of those five years that have made me stronger. I am not the man you left behind when you went to Kyoto" Sanosuke clenched his fists and his jaw in resolution. "I want to prove to you that I'm not a weakness anymore!"
Kenshin placed a warm hand on the taller man's shoulder. "Sano no baka" His eyes twinkled with amusement and laughter. "You aren't still mad at me for leaving you behind are you? In our battle with Shishio you proved to me how foolish I was to think you couldn't handle yourself in a real fight. And since that time, you've proved again and again how reliable you are." Kenshin's grip tightened on Sano's shoulder. "I've waited five years to tell you this Sano You're the one person I've trusted with all my heart. I would trust the lives of my family and our friends to you. I know you're stronger then ever before, I've felt it since the moment you showed up in our back yard. That's why I'm not afraid to let you go do this mission for Saitoh. There's nothing you can't handle my friend."
"Kenshin" The words were like a ray of light blasting through Sano's consciousness.
He's never admitted this to me before I've felt it, but to know with a certainty that he trusts me and respects me
Overcome with emotion, Sano grabbed the shorter man and embraced him in a gigantic bear hug.
After regaining his breath, Kenshin fixed Sano with a look that solidified the truth of the words he'd just spoken. "That's why I'm leaving tonight's battle in your hands. You make the move, and I'll follow. If you want to test both of our abilities, I don't really mind because I trust you Sano."
"Where do you think you're going rooster-head?" Dressed in his white pants and gi, emblazoned with the character for evil, Sagara Sanosuke stood at the gateway to Kenshin and Kaoru's home and dojo. He paused as Megumi called out to him. "Aren't you supposed to stay put until Tokio-san shows up?"
Sano waved away the concern in Megumi's voice. "Why stick around when we don't even know for sure when they're going to show up? Besides, I've got some other people I need to visit before I hand myself over to them." Megumi walked over to him as he spoke. When he was finished she was standing next to him, inspecting his hair and shaving job with a critical eye. She ran her hand along his smooth chin and Sanosuke smiled as he read the satisfaction on her face. "The Fox is happy I see. It's not an easy chore to please you, you know?"
Megumi beamed up at him. "But that makes it more fun, doesn't it? Aren't you a man who likes a challenge?"
Sometimes, my Megumi can be so playfully irresistible.
"And you were right, you did a much better job of shaving than I would have been able to do." Megumi lured his ear closer to her mouth so she could whisper her next comment. "I wasn't going to say this before, but I was really getting tired of kissing you with that prickly beard. That was like kissing sandpaper, Sagara Sanosuke..."
Sano widened his eyes in mock horror. "That's terrible" Then his voice dropped to a rumbling purr. "Maybe we should go try without the beard for a while?"
Hand in hand, Megumi and Sano headed back to the house. They were halfway there when Sanosuke stopped in his tracks. "Chikusho! Didn't I just tell you I was going out?" He turned to Megumi like it was her fault that he'd forgotten. In a way of course, it was. "Evil, evil vixen" Sano waved his finger in her face and Megumi couldn't help but laugh. "You keep this up I'm gonna have to let you wear around the character for evil."
"Sano" Megumi was about to beg him to stay but he silenced her with his finger on her lips.
"Hold that thought Fox" With a wink, he pulled himself away. "I won't be gone long." And with a hasty wave, Sanosuke disappeared out the front gate.
Baka rooster-headhow much time does he think he's got left before tonight?
Megumi didn't realize that she'd been staring at the front gate until it began to open. Immediately thinking that it was Sanosuke returning, she rushed toward the door.
"Tokio-san" Megumi didn't bother hiding her disappointment as Tokio and Chou stepped inside.
Saitoh's wife greeted the lady doctor with an almost imperceptible bow. "Megumi-san. Are the men ready to being their briefings?"
Megumi's eyes widened.
Uh oh
"Well" Megumi started to laugh weakly but she quickly cleared her throat when Tokio and Chou both started narrowing their eyes. "Not exactly"
"Anybody home?" The familiar slums of Tokyo brought back a rush of memories for Sanosuke as he stood pounding on the wooden support beam beside the sliding door. "Damn it Katsu, open up!" A particularly powerful knock from the former gangster shook the entire frame of the longhouse. "It's me!"
The door slid open and Sanosuke couldn't help but grin as he read the surprise on the face of his old friend. "Sano? Is that you?"
Sano happily noted that his friend hadn't changed a bit. Tsukioka Katsuhiro was even wearing a green headband just like the one he'd worn the night the two of them had bombed government buildings. "Hey Katsu, its been a while."
Katsu's surprised look quickly turned into an uncharacteristically excited grin. "Five years, to be precise. Come on in and tell me where you've been, you big idiot." Katsu ushered him inside and offered him some sake.
Sano held up his hand in polite refusal. "No thanks Katsu." Katsu gave him a questioning look. It wasn't like his old friend to refuse a drink of sake. He shrugged and poured himself a cup as the ex-gangster plopped down on the floor. "So you surprised to see me?"
Katsu smiled in amusement. "Not really." He reached behind himself and tossed Sano a newspaper. "Page four, second column." Taking a sip of the sake, Katsu watched Sano intently as he flipped to the fourth page.
"Mysterious Stowaway Saves Ship and Crew." Sano read the article title and then gave his friend with an impressed look. "How'd you figure out it was me?"
Katsu shrugged comically. "Try reading the article, idiot."
"Oh." Sano looked back down and scanned the story. "'Character for evil' on his back hey? Yeah, I guess that would make it pretty easy to put two and two together." Sano grinned at his friend slyly. "Even if you are a moron."
"I half expected you to stop by earlier." Katsu sipped from his small glass of sake and fixed his friend with a pointed look.
Sano scratched the back of his neck in guilt, not missing Katsu's tone. "I would have but I've been busy running all over Japan getting my friends together."
"Oh yes. I forget how popular you are."
It was sarcasm, but it was something that Sano was used to from his old friend. Smiling, Sano decided to change the subject. "So how are things going Katsu?"
Katsu set down his sake, ready for conversation. "Well, I've been publishing my newsletter and it has become about as popular as you can expect those things to become. I do a little painting now and then to keep the money coming. It's a life I suppose" Trailing off as he realized how uninteresting the topic of his life was, Katsu decided to switch the tracks of their conversation. "But what about you Sano? How did you enjoy your world travels?" He leaned forward intently.
"The world certainly is a big place Katsu. It's amazing what you can find out there. But to tell you the truth, I'm glad to be back in Japan so things can finally make sense again."
Katsu seemed to consider his comment for a minute. "Interesting choice of words Sanosuke To tell you the truth, I don't think Japan makes much sense at all" Subdued, Katsu glanced into his sake cup as though the clear, swirling liquid held the solutions to the problems that were apparently weighing on his mind.
Not missing the change in their conversation, Sano cleared his throat quietly. "I guess that's not exactly what I meant. I'm not talking about the government or anything like that" It was a stab in the dark, but Sanosuke somehow figured Katsu's problems revolved around the Meiji government. Brightening up, Sanosuke continued. "I'm talking about everyday people and everyday things. I'm talking about taking your shoes off before you walk into a house. I'm talking about rice balls, ohagi, miso soup, and sake. I'm talking about a language that makes sense."
Katsu's smile was back on his face as Sano emphatically listed off a number of other things he liked better about Japan. "Yes, I suppose I take some of those things for granted sometimes. But still..." Katsu got up and walked over to a desk. He pulled out a stack of newspaper clippings and took them back over to Sano. "You can enjoy the simple things Sano, but none of the bigger issues should be ignored." Sano eyed the newspaper clippings questioningly. "You want to know something Sano?" Katsu didn't really need a response Sanosuke's attentive gaze was enough. "I think there is something terrible about to happen in Japan."
Sano narrowed his eyes in thought. "What do you mean?"
"You know that ship you came in on?" Even Sano couldn't forget things that quickly so he nodded, prompting Katsu to continue. "Do you have any idea what the cargo was?"
Sano shrugged. "No clue."
"Weapons. Military grade rifles, explosives, Armstrong cannons, and gatling guns."
"The military is always shipping in weapons. What about it?" Sano didn't see the seriousness of the situation that the tone in Katsu's voice seemed to be betraying.
"At least five similar shipments have been hijacked in the last year alone." Katsu handed Sano some of the newspaper clippings. They were all about ships that had gone missing. "And it gets worse. I've uncovered information that the military has 'lost track' of a few naval vessels."
"Someone has stolen navy battleships?" Sano didn't bother containing his surprise.
"That's not what the Meiji government would have us believe. In fact, they would rather we don't know a thing. I can't even afford to print anything about it in my newsletter or they'd come hunting me down for sure." Katsu's eyes flashed with emotion.
"That can't be good. You have any ideas what's going on?"
Katsu looked at Sano, his eyes dark. "It smells like another revolution to me." The ex-gangster's eyes widened and he sat up in alarm. Katsu let the idea hang in the air for a while before he handed Sano another newspaper article. "Check this out."
The ex-ganster read it over. "The guys that were trying to hijack the ship I saved?" The article listed the names of the group of men Sano had beaten to a pulp. There was very little information given. "What about them?"
"I checked the backgrounds on these guys and they all have one thing in common." Sano sat forward waiting for Katsu to continue. "Each of their last known residences was in Hokkaido." Sano's shock at the mention of the northernmost island of Japan could not be contained. "What is it Sano?" Katsu had noticed his reaction. It would have been difficult not to.
"Hokkaido?" Sano was deep in thought.
"Yes, they're all from Hokkaido. Most of them are former samurai too. Hokkaido's interesting history makes this whole thing very suspicious..."
"That's just too coincidental."
Sano muttered to himself, seemingly ignoring Katsu's comments.
"What is it? Do you know something?"
Sano looked up at his friend and tore himself away from his thoughts. "Can you keep quiet if I tell you?"
Katsu looked amused that Sano would even have to ask the question. "Do you know how much information I know that I can't print? Tell me Sano. You can trust me." For the next hour Sanosuke explained everything he knew about the situation. When he was finished, the two sat in silence.
"I can't help but wonder if a repeat of the aftermath of the Bakumatsu might happen again." Katsu was the one to break their silence. "After the Tokagawa Shogunate was overthrown a group of former samurai fled to Hokkaido and tried to set up their own government. The Ishin Shishi moved in and crushed them. I'd bet there are still those who resent that in Hokkaido." Katsu paused a moment while the both thought things over. He finally looked up at his friend and smiled. "Sano, it's good to know that someone as capable as you is looking into this whole thing. I feel a little better thinking that you'll have a hand in figuring out what's going on and hopefully putting a stop to it. If you need my help for anything, just let me know. I too love Japan, and I would hate to see our country's soil bathed in blood again." Katsu paused dramatically and clenched his fist. "Show them what former members of the Sekihoutai can really do."
The two men grinned at each other and then the ex-gangster rose to his feet. "Thanks Katsu. I'll definitely let you know what we find out when I get back. Well, I better get going." Katsu stood and with a conspiratorial smile he reached into his sleeve pockets and pulled out three small items.
"You might want these tonight when you visit that Meiji pig." Sano reached out his hand and caught a handful of pineapple bombs.
As he looked down at them, he shook his head in wonder. "You're still making these things Katsu?" Sano wasn't being condescending. The look on his face and the gleam in his eye did more than hint at his amusement.
"A guy has to have hobbies, doesn't he?" The former explosives expert of the Sekihoutai smirked and folded his arms inside his sleeves.
The look on the street fighter's face indicated that he agreed wholeheartedly. "Thanks. I'm sure these will come in handy."
They always do.
Sano paused for a moment more, looking down at the explosives. "One more thing before I go. I'm leaving some very special people here in Tokyo"
"I'll keep an eye on them Sano." Katsu smiled at his old friend.
"Thanks Katsu Alright, I'm outta here. I'll see you when I get back from Hokkaido."
"I'll be waiting. Since I'm not going to be there to keep an eye on you, you'd better take care of yourself, idiot."
Turning as he spoke, Sanosuke offered a casual backward wave in parting. "Sure thing moron."
"Where have you been Sanosuke?" Megumi grabbed him the minute he walked back in the front gate. It was a little more straightforward than he was used to but Sanosuke always prided himself on being able to take everything in stride. Her slightly flushed face, the fire dancing in her eyes, the curve of her lips when she was angry
Damn, she's beautiful
Sano grabbed Megumi tightly and pulled her close. "You're so impatient Fox."
When Megumi pushed him away he was just a little confused. "Rooster-head! Everyone has been looking everywhere for you! You've been gone for hours and Tokio-san and that broom haired psycho cop showed up five minutes after you left! I told you not to go running off. I think you're really in trouble this time."
"Chikusho" Sano darted around Megumi and trotted toward the house.
I do not want to start this whole mission out by pissing off Saitoh's wife.
The minute he stepped inside the front door something hard poked against the small of his back.
"Stop right there, Zanza."
Sano froze in his tracks. The unfamiliar voice and commanding tone could only belong to a cop. Sano wasn't entirely sure what was pressed against his back but he'd had enough experience in countries where firearms were the weapons of choice to make any stupid moves.
"You're under arrest."
What the hell??
Sanosuke's mind was screaming though his body remained calm.
Did something go terribly wrong?
Sanosuke slowly turned to catch a glimpse of his captor. "Y Yahiko?" Utter surprise quickly turned to anger. "What the hell are you doing??"
Standing behind him, Yahiko was dressed in the black uniform of the sword police. Pressed against Sanosuke's back was the handle of his sakabatou. The stupidest grin Sano had ever seen was plastered to the young swordsman's face. "Ha ha, fooled ya!"
"You scared the shit out of me you little punk!" Sanosuke grabbed Yahiko by the collar of his uniform. It was easy enough to be angry now that he realized everything was all right. "What the hell are you doing wandering around dressed up like a damn cop?"
"Practicing of course! You should have seen the look on your face rooster-head!" After spending a few moments suspended in the air Yahiko plucked Sano's hands from his collar and dropped back to the ground. He laughed, straightened up his collar, and then busied himself dusting off his shoulders and sleeves with pride. Sano watched the display with one raised eyebrow but couldn't keep himself from reacting when Yahiko cleared his throat and used his best cop imitation voice. "Nice to meet you, my name is Mounai Yuunosuke. I'm one of the elite sword police."
Sano pushed him roughly and Yahiko barely kept himself from falling off the edge of the raised porch. "Cut it out Yahiko, you're starting to scare me."
"And you were starting to scare us Sagara-san." The female voice came from behind and Sanosuke did a quick 180 to face Saitoh's wife. There was no warmth in her voice, and as a man who didn't particularly care for authority Sanosuke didn't have any trouble spotting someone who expected to being obeyed. "Leaving the dojo was not part of the deal. You were allowed to go out last night, but only in the guise of a foreign businessman." Behind Tokio stood Chou and Aoshi, who both shot him equally cold looks. The former okashira of the Oniwabanshu was dressed in the same uniform Yahiko was wearing and Sanosuke thought he looked strangely comfortable dressed as a cop. "What if someone spotted you?" Tokio continued. "You would have been arrested if the police had found you and then our mission would have been jeopardized." Sanosuke felt himself shrinking as she continued her onslaught. He wasn't sure if it was his actual physical body or simply his ego that was deflating.
She has definitely been living with Saitoh for too many years
"What could have possibly been so important that you'd risk the fate of Japan?" Tokio's eyes were full of cold fury as she finished.
Sano gulped and then gathered his courage about him. "It it was nothing Tokio-san. I just had to visit an old friend."
Tokio held her hands up to her forehead and massaged her temples as she muttered quietly. "Hajime What did I do to deserve this?"
Sensing that his competency was in question, Sanosuke spoke up to try and assuage her fears. "Hey Tokio-san, it's not a big deal really. I wasn't visiting anyone who's going to give anything away or make my story less credible. It was just my old friend Katsu."
Tokio stopped massaging her head and met Sanosuke's hopeful look. "Tsukioka Katsuhiro? Former member of the Sekihoutai?" Sano nodded and noted with some relief that a small smile was turning the corners of her mouth. "You're right. That shouldn't be a problem." Sano felt the tightened muscles in his shoulders and neck relax. "You were lucky this time Sagara please don't do anything else without our express permission."
"No problem." Sano assured her with his best confident smile. Apparently, someone in the near vicinity didn't think Sano was capable of following Tokio's order. Quiet snickering alerted Sano to Yahiko's opinion on the matter. Turning to shoot the spiky haired young man a dirty look, Sano missed Aoshi's imperceptible nod of disapproval.
"Now, it's time for your briefing Kenkaya Zanza."
The plans were simple enough that even Sanosuke understood them completely. Yahiko and Aoshi had both been given false identities as former gangsters who were forced to become cops after a failed attempt on the government. It wasn't unheard of and Chou was living proof that it happened. The former member of the Juppon Gatana had actually been the one to suggest the idea for their identities, or at least that's what he'd told them.
The two would be his special escorts all the way to Hokkaido along with Tokio and Chou. Once they reached the Hokkaido Provincial Prison, Yahiko and Aoshi would both stay there and work as prison guards. After briefly explaining Yahiko and Aoshi's situation to Sano, Tokio jumped right into his mission for the night. A basic layout of Mr. Tani's mansion was provided for him to study and Tokio offered him useful advice on how to best carry out his objectives. Sano listened, but only halfheartedly. Breaking into a house and beating down yakuza was kind of his specialty.
"After you've defeated some of the police, Kenshin will arrive and you two will put on your show. Kenshin will defeat you and then you'll be arrested. Tomorrow morning we will come and transfer you out of your temporary cell. Then it's off to the prison in Hokkaido."
"What about Tani?" Sanosuke folded his arms as he questioned the beautiful woman.
"Chou will take care of arresting him after you beat him. There will be enough incriminating evidence in his mansion to lock him away for the rest of his existence."
When the briefing had been concluded, Kaoru, Misao, Megumi and Tsubame served them all dinner. It had been pleasant, but Sanosuke found his thoughts drifting the entire time. When dinner was finished, he wandered off by himself to one of Kenshin and Kaoru's guestrooms and crashed into the futon to spend some quality time figuring out exactly what kind of a mess he'd gotten himself into.
Thoughts swarmed through Sagara Sanosuke's head as he stared up at the ceiling. Parts of the briefing had been painful as both Chou and Tokio made sure to drill into his head that he couldn't screw things up.
"Failure is not an option, Sagara-san."
Sano huffed in frustration and covered his face with his hand.
Funny how they tell me not to fail while telling me I have to lose my fight with Kenshin.
Sano felt the muscles in his face tightening into a smile. The irony of the situation was overpowering.
I never thought I'd fight Kenshin again and here I am being forced to fight him but if I fight for real I might mess up the mission and if I don't try my hardest, I'm never gonna to be able to forgive myself.
"Nobody has ever asked me to lose a fight before" Sano sighed and dropped his hand away from his face.
Kenshin said he trusted me I won't betray his trustbut then do I just let him win without any sort of fight?
Sighing forlornly, Sano barely heard the sound of the rice paper door sliding open.
"Um" A small voice practically whispered. Glancing toward the door, Sano caught sight of a young boy wearing a white gi and a red headband.
Chuckling to himself, he sat up on the futon. "What's up kid?" The look on Outa's face seemed to indicate that the young boy was having an internal struggle of his own.
"Uh SSanosuke." Outa approached him tentatively. "Are you going away somewhere?"
Sano waved him closer casually. "Yup kid. Only for a little while though."
"You're gonna go help people right?" Outa slowly sat down on the floor in front of his older brother. Sano couldn't help but smile as he looked at the mirror image of his younger self. "Tsuyoshi said that his mother and father are trying to protect Japan and he told me that you're going to be helping them."
"Yeah"
"I think I think Dad would be really proud of you. I wrote him a letter and told him you were back."
Sano raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
"Yes. I haven't heard back from him and you'll be gone by the time I do, but I'm sure he'd wish you luck." Outa paused a minute and then smiled up at Sanosuke timidly. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why did you run away from home and join the Sekihoutai?"
Sanosuke blinked, the question had caught him off guard. "Well Outa When I was about your age, I guess I got sick of farming." He grinned, hoping that the answer would suffice. While Outa did returned the smile, Sano could tell he needed to expound on his answer to truly satisfy the young boy's curiosity.
I suppose I owe him at least this much since I haven't been much of a big brother to him.
"But that wasn't all there was too it It's true I didn't want to spend my life as a farmer But when the Sekihoutai came through town I felt something I'd never felt before. They wanted to help make a better life for the common folk. They were fighting for something bigger than all of us." Sano smiled wistfully. "I saw hunger and oppression everywhere I looked in our small farming village, but Captain Sagara told me that they were fighting to rid the world of suffering and inequality. He needed men to help build the new golden age and even though I was just a boy, I felt it was my duty."
"I wish I'd been alive." Outa's voice teemed with emotion. "If I'd been around and old enough to go, I would have come with you to join the Sekihoutai." Sano felt pride welling up inside, as though the young man in front of him was his own son and not just his little brother. "My whole life I'd been afraid of everything until I met you. If you'd have been around when I was born, I know I'd have been strong like you. I bet Captain Sagara would be proud to see that you're still fighting to help people."
Sanosuke reached out and ruffled Outa's spiky hair. "You think so?"
Outa nodded assertively. "Someday I'm going to be stronger, and then I'm going to help protect people just like you and Kenshin and Yahiko and Kaoru."
"You'll be there some day Outa. The more I get to know you the more you remind me of myself when I was about your age."
Outa's face brightened. "Really? Do you mean that?"
"Yup. Except you might just be a little smarter than I was." Sanosuke winked at his little brother and in response Outa grinned. "In fact, maybe you can help me out with something."
"What's that?"
"Well, pretend for a moment that you and your best friend were" Sano paused a moment searching for the words to make Outa understand. "Practicing together but then you got into a real fight. Do you think your friend would be angry with you and not want to be your friend anymore?"
Outa shook his head emphatically, thinking back to all the times he and Tsuyoshi had gotten into arguments. "Friends like each other and understand each other completely that's what makes somebody your friend in the first place."
At Outa's urging, Sanosuke dragged himself off the futon and spent the next few hours with his friends. Even though the mood was dampened because of Sanosuke, Aoshi, and Yahiko's imminent departure, everyone managed to enjoy themselves. The girls all put on happy faces for their respective men, not wanting to get in the way of the job they were being called to perform for the sake of Japan most of the girls, anyway.
"Aoshi-sama, are you suuuuure you want to do this?"
Half the group laughed as Misao posed the question to Aoshi for about the tenth time that night. The former okashira of the Oniwabanshu nodded his head in the affirmative and took a sip from his green tea.
"Are you suuuure I can't come with you?"
"Misao" Aoshi set down his cup. "I am very serious when I say that you cannot come with us." A small smile graced his lips and his next words carried an uncharacteristic hint of teasing. "You would only serve to distract me from the mission."
More carefree hours passed away until the appointed time for Tokio and Chou's return arrived. They showed up at the dojo and quietly entered the room. "There are two last orders of business before we begin." Tokio informed everyone once she had their undivided attention. "First off" Tokio turned to Kaoru and Kenshin. "I have a favor to ask you two."
"We'll do whatever we can to help." Kaoru offered when Tokio seemed to wait for their response.
"My son and foster son are going to be left alone while I head north Is there any way?"
Kaoru cut her off before she could finish the question. "We'd be glad to have them stay here while you're gone, Tokio-san."
Tokio bowed her head respectfully. "Thank you so much, Kaoru-san." Tokio passed her gaze over the rest of the people in the room. "The last order of business is for each of you to make your farewells. We don't know how long this mission is going to take"
Kenshin cleared his throat. "Yahiko, Aoshi" Kenshin turned his violet gaze to the former gangster. "Sano I just want to wish you all luck with the mission. I wish I could be there to help you but I know that with your combined skills, everything will work out."
"We're going to miss you guys." Kaoru sat at her husband's side, holding his hand tightly. "Aoshi, I wish we'd have gotten to spend more time with you before you have to go Yahiko, I know you'll be able to handle everything because I know how hard you've been training for the day that you'd be able to really protect people. Sanosuke, life hasn't been the same here in Tokyo without you" Kaoru smiled wistfully. "So get everything taken care of and come back to us."
The others began their farewells but the tension was palpable. Tsubame, Misao, and Megumi weren't ready to say goodbye to their men. Tokio sensed the apprehension and knew that a large group farewell wouldn't satisfy the three women. "I'm going to arrange some time for the three of you to say goodbye to Aoshi-san, Yahiko-kun, and Sanosuke-san tomorrow right before they leave for Hokkaido." The three women were happy but more importantly, Yahiko, Aoshi, and Sanosuke seemed relieved.
There were some forceful hugs and a few patted heads and then the children were tucked in bed. The last order of business was complete. "Well now everything seems to be in order." Tokio smiled at the people left in the room. Yahiko, Tsubame, Kenshin, Kaoru, Aoshi, Misao, Megumi, Sanosuke and Chou all waited for her next comment. "Is it time?"
Chou pulled out a pocket watch and glanced at it. "Yup. It's time." The blonde agent turned his one eyed gaze to Sano. "Get going rooster-head or should I say Zanza?"
Sano got to his feet and looked his friends over. Smiling like an idiot he gave everyone a thumbs up. "Well I'm outta here. I've got places to go and bad guys to beat on." His false bravado seemed to fool his friends.
"Just be careful, rooster-head." Megumi's eyes held unmasked concern and Sano knew that at least she had seen through his casual behavior.
"Don't worry Fox." Sano winked at her and then turned toward Kenshin. "Try not to be late Kenshin. I'll be waiting for ya." Sano's grin faded a moment as he stood looking his friends over. Everyone could tell that there was more he wanted to say to them before he left. Not being a sentimental person, Sano settled for a roguish grin and his patented casual wave. "See ya."
A chorus of farewells and encouragements followed the ex-gangster as he exited the house. Stepping out into the night air, Sano stood and let his eyes adjust to the relative darkness. At least, that's what he told himself he was doing. A part of Sano didn't have the desire to set out on his mission and leave his friends behind.
"Sanosuke" Whirling at the sound of his name, Sano found Megumi standing in the doorway. The light from inside the house framed her body, giving her an otherworldly glow.
"Megumi" In an instant, she was in his arms.
"Sano, I know we'll get to see each other tomorrow but so many things could happen between now and then" Sanosuke silenced the train of her thought with a passionate kiss and time chose that moment to stand still.
After finally pulling apart, Sanosuke cupped his hand against her cheek. "Don't worry Megumi, I'll see you tomorrow."
Entranced by the fire dancing in his eyes, Megumi nodded meekly. "Good luck tonight Sagara Sanosuke Tomorrow can't come soon enough"
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Okay... part one has set the stage for this Kenshin/Sano rematch. Part two is up next so keep reading! You know you want to find out what's going to happen.