Author: Arashi (marenski@hotmail.com)
Website: www.kenkaya.com
Beta Reader: Karina Kineshi
Disclaimer: I do own Rurouni Kenshin and I am making money off this story! (nobody reads these things, right?)
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Chou yawned and stretched casually. His rickety chair complained as he tilted it back, balancing it precariously on two legs. After he finished, he placed his hands behind his head and rested against the wall, closing his eyes as though he were about to take a nap. Tokio watched him with quiet amusement the entire time.
Chou never ceases to amaze me. He's never going to pick up the professional qualities most agents have naturally. And yet, that doesn't stop him from doing his job.
After a moment, the blonde man opened one of his eyes and stared down the long hallway, his anxiousness showing as he pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time. "Che they better get back here. We ain't got all day. And if I have to sit here any longer I'm gonna die from boredom!"
"You've been an agent for five years Chou. If you haven't died from boredom yet, I don't think it's going to kill you in the near future. And besides, all you have to look forward to is a long boring trip north."
Tokio's quiet humor elicited a broad grin from the blonde man. "I know, I know." He leaned forward, bringing the chair back to its proper position with a wooden clack. "Ya know Tokio I wish you and Saitoh would let me help you out in Hokkaido. I don't know why you're making me stay in northern Honshu."
"Yes, you do. How many times have we gone over it? We need you to keep an eye out for anything suspicious on the main island."
"Yeah it's just that work's not fun without you or Saitoh around."
The delicate curve of Tokio's eyebrow arched wryly. "I'll make sure I don't relay that message to my husband. You know you're not supposed to have fun on the job."
Chou laughed twice and grinned at the woman standing beside him. "Yeah I know the only one who gets to have fun on the job is Saitoh."
Tokio shook her head in disagreement but before she was given the chance to reply, the door at the end of the hallway opened and admitted two men dressed in the uniform of elite sword police.
Chou jumped off the chair and stood, folding his arms impatiently in front of his chest. "Took you two long enough."
Neither Yahiko nor Aoshi deigned to reply to his comment. Not responding was understandable but there was something more to their silence. Noticing a faint blush on the young swordsman's face, Tokio easily decided that Yahiko was embarrassed about something that had happened. A quick glance at Aoshi revealed a man completely lost in his own thoughts. Tokio wasn't sure if it was possible, but it seemed that the tall man was even more withdrawn than usual.
The female Keishichou agent sighed and shook her head so slightly that not even the trained ninja could have detected her movements.
This is what I get for letting them say
goodbye to their women. I should have known that the weasel girl
would try something. It seems she and the waitress have left
lasting imprints And now these two look particularly pathetic.
"How did everything go?" Tokio pretended to be clueless
to the changes in her newest agents. An extensive part of her
training involved hiding and controlling emotion, a fact she
was continually grateful for.
"Uh" Yahiko scratched the back of his head furiously and glanced toward his silent companion looking for some backup. Aoshi continued to stare straight ahead, oblivious.
"At any rate, you've said your goodbyes, correct?"
The younger man managed to nod his head but after a brief moment of quiet scrutiny from the lady agent, he became distracted by an imaginary piece of lint on his uniform.
"I'll take that for a yes." Chou dropped his hands to his sides. "Now we just get ol' rooster-head movin' and we can get out of here."
Chou and Tokio both turned toward the cell door but stopped when Yahiko made a coherent comment. "Hold on!" They both paused and glanced back at him as he continued. "If Takani-sensei is in there with him and he's actually awake you should give them a few more minutes and a proper warning before you barge in." The young man's usual spirit returned and he grinned ridiculously, seemingly unaware that his face was blushing more with each passing word. "Trust me on this one."
"Ya gonna miss me while I'm gone?" Sanosuke smiled up into Megumi's face. Getting him to rest was a difficult chore and when the lady doctor had finally convinced him to lie down, he had sprawled out haphazardly and pinned her in place by resting his head and part of his upper body on her lap. One of his legs dangled off the edge of the makeshift bed and the other was bent and propped up comfortably against the wall. Draped over his chest and arms, his white gi with the character for evil doubled nicely as a blanket.
"Maybe eventually." Megumi smirked as she played with his unruly hair. "But it will be nice to finally have some peace and quiet. It will be like a vacation living at the dojo with no work and no distractions. Ken-san and Kaoru said I could stay as long as I want."
Sanosuke scoffed. "You'll get bored and then you'll spend all your time thinking about me and moping around the place."
"Oh, I'm not so sure of that. There are plenty of things to do around the dojo and Tokyo. Especially with all us women together."
"You'll get bored"
A forceful knock on the cell door halted Megumi's comment before it had a chance to escape her lips. Sanosuke slowly sat up and his white gi slid down his chest, into his lap, revealing his heavily bandaged body. Megumi watched him carefully as he moved, but there was no strain on his face and his injuries did not impede his movement. She silently thanked his unnatural stamina and realized that her earlier fears for his health were almost unnecessary.
There's a lot you can say about Sagara Sanosuke but nobody can say that he isn't tough. Looks like my worrying has been for nothing. If he can be up and moving after a serious battle with Ken-san, there's no one he's going to run into in that prison that'll be able to stop him. Which means he'll be coming back to me safe and sound.
"Takani-sensei?" Tokio's voice sounded strangely distant through the solid metal of the door. "It's time. Are you finished?"
Megumi stood and took two quick steps toward the door. She glanced back at the man sitting on the edge of his makeshift bed, biting her bottom lip as she realized that she wasn't quite prepared to see him off. He smiled confidently for her, but the look only made her want to spend more time with him.
"Not yet." Megumi raised her voice so it would penetrate the barrier between her and the other woman. "Please give me just a few minutes to finish up."
"Alright, you have five minutes."
Megumi turned, and was startled to find Sanosuke standing a mere foot behind her.
"Looks like it's time for me to go." He stared at the cell door for a moment and then turned, locking his eye with hers. "I'm sorry about all this Megumi I really am."
"Don't be sorry" The lady doctor shook her head, trying to fight the sadness that was worming its way into her mind. "Things are out of our control. And don't apologize because I'm going to come up with some way for you to make this up to me after you return." She smiled slyly, latching onto their familiar bickering to keep her emotions in control. "I'm not letting you off with a simple apology, you got that?"
She leaned toward him menacingly and he raised both his bandaged hands, teasingly trying to calm her down. "Ok ok, I understand."
"And don't forget, Sagara Sanosuke about the promise you made me already."
"Hey, don't worry. I only forget promises I never intended to keep in the first place." Sano grinned like a rogue and shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Sano" She eyed him skeptically causing him to laugh and remove his hands from his pockets so he could put them to use.
He pulled her close, encircling her with his powerful arms. "Just kidding fox I never make promises that I don't intend to keep. And you know I meant it when I said when I return, I'm never going to leave you again."
"Never Sanosuke? No matter what?" She pressed her face into his chest, willing her body to merge with his to make their imminent separation impossible.
"No matter what hell, you won't be able to get rid of me even if you want to. You'd have to chase me away with a big stick but then I'd come back anyway." They both laughed once at the thought and then Sanosuke pulled his hand up to brush against her long flowing hair. "You're stuck with me fox"
"Well" She pulled away, smiling up into his ruggedly handsome albeit bruised and bandaged face. "I guess that will work for me."
"Oh be quiet" He silenced her for a moment with a single kiss, grinning as they finally pulled apart. "Now there's just one more little thing it's a bit of a favor I guess but I don't think you'll mind."
"What's that, Sanosuke?" Megumi watched as he turned around and casually collected his white gi from the bed.
"Take this" He extended his hand, offering her the shirt. "I know you made it for me and all but it'll be something for you to keep and look at when you're thinking about me." Sanosuke forced a smile that hinted to the lady doctor that there was something he wasn't saying.
She took it from his hand and gathered it together, holding it close. "Alright Sanosuke but do you mind explaining the rest of your reason for wanting me to take this?"
"You're too clever, Fox" He paused a moment giving her a thoughtful look before deciding to continue. "Yeah, you're right I do have a bit more reasoning behind wanting you to take the shirt. Well, ya see I'm going to be heading to Hokkaido and all and I'm going to be carted around as a prisoner everywhere we go. And well"
"You don't want to ruin your reputation?"
He nodded slowly. "Something like that. I know that shirt has the character for evil sewn on the back But it's a symbol, ya know? It's a symbol that has come to mean more good than bad in the last year that I wore it before leaving Japan. But wearing it around while I'm being hauled around as a prisoner will make people think that it really is just what it appears to be" He watched as Megumi carefully folded the white gi. "People won't understand that the man who wears it is actually doing something good for the country. I feel like I'd be dishonoring my shirt by wearing it up to Hokkaido" He paused a moment and then scratched the back of his head. "Did that make any sense at all?"
"I think so"
"Well, anyway it doesn't matter if it makes sense. Could you just keep it for me until I return?"
"Of course And Sanosuke I've got something for you as well." Reaching inside the sleeves of her smock, the lady doctor retrieved a small medicine jar painted with delicate flowers.
Sano's eyes widened with recognition. "Hey isn't that?"
"Back when everyone left for Kyoto I sent a jar like this with Kaoru and Yahiko. It was a gift for Ken-san I suppose it was a token of my love." Megumi smiled wistfully and placed the round jar into the ex-gangsters bandaged hand, closing his fingers around it with her own. "But you know I had a feeling that a certain rooster-head who always got into trouble would need the contents more than Ken-san."
A pointed look from the lady doctor caused the 'certain rooster-head' to laugh softly. "You really thought about me when you sent it? I never knew that."
"Yes, I thought about you at least a little." She smirked, causing Sano to chuckle again. After a moment, the lady doctor gently traced her finger over the smooth lid of the medicine. "I knew when you disappeared from Tokyo that you'd find Ken-san and then I knew the two of you would get yourselves into a mess. This medicine is a family secret, you know It will stop wounds from bleeding and keep them from getting infected."
"I know" Sano grinned. "I saw first hand how effective it was at Shishio's. Things would have been a lot worse for me and Kenshin if you hadn't sent it."
"And now I'm giving you your very own jar. If I can't be there to take care of you, at least I can give you this along with my love." Stepping toward him, she sunk once again into his warm embrace. "Will you look at it and think of me while you're in Hokkaido, Sanosuke?"
"Every five minutes Megumi" Closing his eyes, Sano pulled the woman closer, engulfing her with his arms. "I won't be gone long, but even so It's going to feel like an eternity."
"I'll be waiting for you Sanosuke I'd wait an eternity as long as I know you'll be coming back in the end."
"It's strange Megumi But I've never felt like I had a place to return to All my life I've moved around without a care in the world. I've never been very attached to people or places But you make me feel different. When I'm with you I feel like I belong" Pulling back so he could soak up the sight of her beautiful face, Sanosuke lifted her chin with one bandaged finger. "And you know what else I've realized?" His smile grew in intensity, shifting the tone of his voice that had been almost serious before. His eyes started twinkling with some private amusement that he was about to share. "When I'm with you lately" He brushed the ever-present stray strand of hair out of her face. "I've been saying the stupidest things If anyone overhears us they're going to think I've gone soft."
Megumi couldn't help but laugh. "Your secret is safe with me, Sanosuke. Though perhaps we should let them hear? Maybe then they'd decide they don't want you for their crazy mission."
"That's my Fox. Always thinking!" Their light laughter ignored the confines of the small prison cell.
A second later, the moment was disturbed by a few solid knocks and the voice of the female Keishichou agent. "Time's up, we're coming inside." The locking mechanism clicked and the door squealed against its hinges. Pulling away from the ex-gangster, Megumi took a step toward the door and stood waiting for it to open completely. "Come along, Takani-sensei." Tokio urged the doctor to exit the cell, but the woman stood rooted to her position.
Glancing behind, Megumi allowed her eyes to take their fill of the man standing in the cell, the man who was about to sacrifice his time and safety for the sake of Japan. Sanosuke stood with his trademark grin plastered to his face and his hands buried in his pockets.
"Get goin' Fox. Don't worry about me."
His self-confidence never ceases to amaze me but I guess that's just one more thing I find irresistible about him.
"You know" Megumi turned to face Tokio, unable to fight the upward tugging sensation at the edge of her lips. "Could you give us just one more minute?" Without waiting for a response, the lady doctor grabbed a hold of the door and pulled it shut, sealing her and the ex-gangster away from prying eyes as she rushed back into his arms to tell him 'goodbye' without saying a word.
In the hallway, Yahiko snickered as Tokio stared at the door that was only inches away from her face. She was fully aware that if she had been half a foot closer, the door would have nailed her.
"What the hell?" Chou blinked once, looking rather foolish. His dumbfounded expression disappeared to be replaced by one of sheer annoyance. "We ain't got time for this."
He reached out to grab the handle and push the door open, but Tokio caught a hold of his wrist. "Let them go Chou Another five minutes won't put us behind schedule"
"Yes, but" Aoshi overcame his bout of silence to make a thoughtful contribution to the conversation. If Misao had been present in the jail, she would have noticed the almost humorous expression on the former okashira's face. Only she could have fully understood the mindset of the generally serious man and the significance of his comment in regards to his own personal struggle. "If we really 'let them go' it's going to take more than five minutes."
Hugging the white gi to her chest as she exited the cell, Megumi brushed past Chou and Tokio as she headed into the hallway.
"Takani-sensei?"
Megumi paused as the other woman drew her attention. "Yes?"
"You have an item in your possession that I need returned." Tokio spoke carefully and the lady doctor couldn't tell if she was serious, angry, or simply indifferent.
"An item?" Glancing down, Megumi only saw one thing that didn't belong to her. "The gi?"
"Yes. It will be important to spread around word of Zanza's capture. Part of the mission hinges upon this. He needs to be recognizable."
Slowly and unwillingly, the doctor handed the article of clothing to the agent. She couldn't meet Sanosuke's gaze as the ex-gangster accepted the shirt and slid his arms into the sleeves. A rough scowl spread across his features and Megumi suddenly felt terrible.
I'm sorry Sanosuke So much for keeping your good reputation but I'm sure nothing bad will come of you keeping the shirt except that I won't have it. If you're going to be gone for a long time, it would have been nice to have that shirt around to keep me company
Megumi watched as Chou manacled the ex-gangster's wrists but the sight of Sano handcuffed and standing in a prison cell was almost too much for her. She caught his gaze, and smiled once more for him, wishing him the best of luck with all her heart. And then, the lady doctor turned and made her way down the long hallway without looking back.
I'll be waiting Sanosuke
Tokio was correct when she predicted the amount of excitement the train ride would provide the Keishichou agents. Long hours stretched by painfully slow as each member of the prison insertion team tried to find a way to pass the time. The government had secured them their own personal car, but this did not guarantee their privacy. Appearances had to be maintained, which caused Sanosuke to spend his first half hour complaining about his wooden hand cuffs.
"Nobody's going to come walking in here why the hell can't you take these damn things off?"
"Chikusho, Sanosuke! Can't you just curl up into a ball and shiver like you used to do whenever we rode a train!?" Yahiko threw down his profile sheets that he'd been attempting to study. As good as it was to see his friend up and about after his battle with Kenshin, Sanosuke's incessant pestering had finally annoyed the young swordsman. Chou and the ex-gangster had been arguing since arriving on the train and even Tokio had repeatedly asked the 'prisoner' to silence himself. Aoshi was the only one left that wasn't visibly irritated.
"I never curled up into a ball and shivered! You trying to say that I'm afraid of trains? Do I look like I'm shaking now? Huh??" Standing threateningly, the heavily bandaged man still managed to look imposing even with his hands cuffed together by a cumbersome wooden block.
Yahiko sighed and shook his head in disappointment. The ex-gangster was right; he really didn't appear to be afraid. The young swordsman found that fact strangely dissatisfying. "Just be quiet, ok? Somebody might hear us talking and figure out that you're not really a prisoner and" Yahiko paused and glanced up at the tall man expectantly. "How come you're not afraid of trains anymore?"
Sanosuke spent a moment growling and shooting imaginary daggers out of his eyes. He finally cleared his throat and stood proudly. "I've never been afraid of trains. But after spending five years traveling the world you can't help but become comfortable around them. And now I understand how they work and stuff So my confusion about trains has been cleared up." The ex-gangster stressed the word as though it would somehow erase the memories that lingered in the young swordsman's head.
Yahiko rolled his eyes and collected his papers, focusing his attention on something other than the blatant liar standing before him.
"Now that that's been cleared up" Sano held up his hands, drawing everyone's attention to the restraints on his wrists. "Is somebody going to take these off or am I going to have to do it myself?"
After half an hour of annoyance, Aoshi, Yahiko, Chou, and Tokio all decided the best way to deal with the situation was to ignore it. Frustrated, the ex-gangster marched into the small room that was doubling as a lock-up in case someone was to check in on them. Technically, he was supposed to be spending the entire ride in the small confinement. Tokio had conceded him some freedom, but she insisted that the manacles had to stay since it was harder to explain why a prisoner was unshackled.
After ten minutes of silence, Sanosuke disrupted the peaceful atmosphere again. Even in sleep the rest of the passengers were subjugated to his constant noise. His snoring distracted Yahiko from his studies and Tokio from her own reading. Aoshi and Chou seemed to be unfazed by the sound and after an hour, the blonde-haired man contributed to it. Meanwhile, Aoshi spent his time meditating.
By the sixteenth year of the Meiji, Western technology had spread through the country. A more thorough system of transportation was in place that allowed the Keishichou agents to make excellent time on their way to the northern part of Honshu, the main island of Japan. After a few brief stopovers and some time traveling by train and by carriage, the group finally reached their destination.
"This is it boys" Chou glanced out the window of the speeding carriage. "Oma, the most northern city of Honshu. It's my last stop but it's just the next step for you guys." Tokio detected a subtle hint of longing in the agent's voice.
"You're not coming up to Hokkaido with us?" Yahiko didn't really care, but he was curious. "Why come all this way just to turn back around?"
"He's not turning back around Yahiko-kun." Tokio gave the blonde-man a pointed look that indicated her words were for both him and the young swordsman. "Chou's next assignment is in Oma." The female agent refrained from voicing the fact that the Chou's mission was none of their business. Yahiko had picked up things fairly quickly and she knew he understood the importance of secrecy.
"Oh I see." Settling back into the cushioned seat, Yahiko released the curtain allowing it to drop back into its place, sealing away their view of the city. "Well I'm glad we're almost to Hokkaido. I want to take care of this problem as soon as possible so we can get back to Tokyo." A sudden grin burst onto the young swordsman's face as thoughts of Tsubame popped into his head.
Maybe we can try that kissing thing some more
"That's what I was just thinking"
Yahiko blanched as Sanosuke made his comment. It took the fifteen year old a moment to realize that the ex-gangster was referring to the thoughts he vocalized and not the ones that had been bouncing around in his head ever since his farewell visit from Tsubame. A nervous laugh from the youngest member of their team resulted in some curious looks from the other four people in the carriage.
"What's so funny?" Misinterpreting the situation, Sanosuke started glaring.
"Uh, nothing Sano" Yahiko unconsciously reached up and scratched the back of his head as he continued to laugh weakly.
Nothing indeed.
"Hmph" Sanosuke would have folded his arms in front of his chest, but his wrists were locked together by his wooden restraints. Instead, he settled for scooting low in his seat and stretching his long legs across the separation between the two bench seats that faced each other. The chains of his new leg restraints clanked against each other reminding him of his predicament. Tokio insisted that he really look the part of a dangerous criminal for their trip across the Tsugara Strait. This fact disturbed the ex-gangster to no end as his mobility was severely infringed upon. In short, after a week of traveling as a prisoner Sanosuke was ready to practice his Futae no Kiwami on the annoying devices.
He flexed the fingers of his left hand and curled them into a fist, feeling the light pull of his stitches as he did so. The injuries he'd sustained from fighting Kenshin had all started healing nicely. With his left hand he knew he would have no difficulty pulling off his powerful double punch. This realization brought a wicked grin to his face that the female Keishichou agent was quick to pick up on.
"Sanosuke-san I hope you're not considering destroying your restraints again. You know we don't have any spares lying around so breaking them is only going to create an unnecessary problem for us."
Sanosuke sighed and relaxed his hand, fully aware of the problems that would ensue if he followed through with his plans for freedom and unrestricted movement. Tokio had been sure to explain the situation every time he even looked like he was thinking about blasting his restraints into smithereens.
"We're almost to Hokkaido Please just hold out a little longer. Once we're there my husband will be filling you in on the rest of your mission."
The statement from Tokio hit the ex-gangster with a surprising amount of force. In a flash he slid back up into proper sitting posture and stared at the beautiful woman sitting across from him. "S Saitoh" Sanosuke stammered. "Oh shit We're going to be seeing him today!?"
Tokio returned the stare with the same level of disbelief. "How many times have I explained this? Hajime is waiting for us in Hakodate. Once we meet up with him he'll be in charge of the operation. I told you this every time we went over our plans Don't tell me you weren't listening to me?"
"I was listening! I just didn't think I mean I didn't realize that we'd be seeing him today."
"Then let me explain it for you once again. Once we reach Hakodate my husband is going to be meeting us. The only thing separating us from Hokkaido is ten miles of water. We'll be there soon."
A two-hour ferry ride locked in a musty room did little to improve Sanosuke's opinions about incarceration. The fact that he was left alone to his own private musings didn't help his mood either. Sanosuke wasn't sure what he was feeling, but he decided that he didn't like it.
I really don't want to have to deal with Saitoh When I left Japan I never thought I'd be seeing the bastard again But I guess Saitoh really has helped us out a lot Shishio Enishi without him we might not have been able to win. But I could never figure the guy out. Is he a friend? Or an enemy? There's only one thing I'm certain of the man hates my guts shit shit shit Why didn't I think about this BEFORE I agreed to help them out? Saitoh's just going to make a fool of me I can feel it The man doesn't need my help this is all just some twisted game he's playing to remind me how useless I am
Sanosuke realized that he was clenching his teeth just a moment before his gums started bleeding from the pressure.
"Chikusho I don't wanna see Saitoh"
"Too bad. We're here!" Yahiko opened the door and it was only then that Sanosuke realized that the ferry had stopped moving. The young man motioned for him to get up and out of the small storage room they'd used as a cell.
Grumbling, Sano pushed himself to his feet. "You shouldn't listen in on people's private conversations"
"You shouldn't be having private conversations with yourself Or at least, you should keep your private thoughts in your own head, moron."
Sanosuke flinched visibly. "Don't call me that" Left unsaid was the fact that the insult was one of Saitoh's old favorite words to describe the ex-gangster. Judging from the young swordsman's grin, Yahiko had said it on purpose just to stir up more unpleasant memories. "By the way Yahiko Has Saitoh contacted you guys at all in the last five years?"
If he's kept in touch with Kenshin and the others then maybe he's sorta become a friend
"Nope, not at all. After we defeated Enishi the man totally disappeared" Yahiko shrugged and then gave the ex-gangster a serious look. "And don't call me Yahiko. If Tokio were around she'd yell at you." He lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I'm supposed to be undercover, ya know?"
Sano nodded absently as he allowed the 'undercover' youth to escort him from the lower deck. Aoshi and Tokio met them on the main deck and without another a word, they disembarked from the ferry, taking their first step on Hokkaido's soil.
The other passengers had all been allowed to leave before the 'special police' removed their 'dangerous criminal'. It was a safety precaution for the general populace and a policy that did not bother Sanosuke in the least. There were few people left to gawk at him as his friends carted him off the dock with their hands locked firmly on his upper arms to keep him from escaping. After a week of public display, the ex-gangster was sick of the attention his appearance drew.
As he took his shuffling steps, the chains on his legs rattled against each other. He wasn't sure of their destination until he caught sight of the single carriage parked in front of their pier. A man dressed in a dark blue police uniform sat in the driver's seat, calmly resting the reins for the two horses in his lap. It was a well-built carriage of heavy construction that was probably used exclusively for prisoner transfers. The windows were nothing more than openings blocked by metal bars and covered by dark curtains.
The dark curtains covered all but one of the windows. A shadowy figure sitting inside the carriage held it open so he could see outside. Bars that hinted at the impossibility of escape did not stop the unmistakable puff of cigarette smoke from leaking out. The relative darkness of the interior made it impossible to recognize the man sitting in the carriage, but as Sanosuke stared at the figure, he could feel the person staring right back at him with cold amber eyes.
There's no doubt about it Saitoh's waiting for me in that carriage I can feel his unmistakable aura
Sanosuke came to an abrupt halt as the full realization hit. Aoshi and Yahiko hadn't predicted that he'd actually resist them and for a moment they too stopped and stood motionless. The air between the Keishichou agents and the carriage seemed to crackle as the ex-gangster engaged in a mental battle with the unseen man. The curtain dropped, concealing the figure from their sight but the former fighter for hire didn't take a single step.
Saitoh Hajime The first time we met you shoved a sword through me I wonder what you have in store for me today?
"Move it, Zanza" Tokio's quiet authoritative voice spurred him from behind.
But there's no point in waiting to find out the answerIf I stand here any longer you're going to think I'm afraid of you. I'm coming Saitoh
The short distance was cleared in a flash of shuffling steps that went unnoticed by the ex-gangster. His pulse quickened with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation as they reached the side of the armored carriage.
Has the man changed? Will he see that I've changed? Will he be able to tell that I'm not the weakling he's always accused me of being? Will he be proud of what I've become?
Sanosuke's eyes widened.
Did I just think what I thought I thought?
Shaking his head once, the ex-gangster attempted to clear away the nonsense his brain was notorious for creating.
Proud? Why the hell would I expect Saitoh to be proud of me? My current strength has nothing to do with him
He realized the thought was wrong the minute it popped into his head. The man he had always 'hated' had almost been directly responsibly for his self-improvements. Kenshin had done him a world of good, but it was Saitoh that Sanosuke had decided to surpass years ago as he kicked a rock into the tangled abyss that had once been Shishio's base.
I've always wanted to surpass you Saitoh not just in strength but in everything
Aoshi's hand slid into the latch that would open the door between Sanosuke and his rival. He suddenly dreaded the event and silently wished he could avoid confronting Saitoh indefinitely.
I haven't had enough time I haven't perfected myself yet I haven't surpassed him yet!
But the unthinkable happened. The door slowly opened. Hands on his arms and back propelled him toward the portal, forcing him inside. The man was waiting. Sitting on a hard metal bench, his legs were crossed casually and he held the stub of a cigarette between two white-gloved fingers. He watched impassively as Sanosuke hoisted himself inside, his cool amber gaze betraying nothing.
"Long time no see Rooster-head"
A single puff of smoke leapt out from the man's mouth and danced in front of the ex-gangster's face. His voice was as unreadable as his expression. In an instant, Sanosuke forced his thoughts into the back of his mind. If Saitoh figured out what he'd been thinking, Sanosuke was afraid the calculating man would find some way to use it against him.
He can't know that I actually respect him
"Did you miss me, Saitoh?" Cocky self-assurance and smart-assed remarks would suit their initial exchange much better. The grin he adopted would have been enough to assure the entire world that he was in charge of every element of his life, and not least of all, his current situation.
Its effect was powerless on the former third captain of the Shinsengumi. Saitoh did not respond at first, except to place the shortened cigarette in his mouth and inhale. As the smoke exited between his teeth, the man allowed a smirk to turn up one corner of his lips. "Not at all moron"
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*dusts off hands* That's that, chapter 18 posted! Our first taste of the wolf... but I bet you want to really sink your teeth into some Saitoh and Sano and Saitoh/Tokio interactions. Well you'll just have to wait for the next chapter, ok?
I'd like to thank the awesome people who have taken the extra moment out of their life required to leave me a review. If you're reading this and you haven't reviewed, please do leave me a quick note at least. I'd like to know everyone's who's actually reading this and hear what you have to say about it. It makes posting worthwhile to receive your comments! Really! (and if you didn't know, it makes me edit/write faster!)
By the way, it's time (once again) for the Rurouni Kenshin Reader's Choice Awards 2001. Whether you've heard of it or not go check out the details at:
http://sekihara.dreamhost.com/rkreaders/
Vote for your favorite RK fics of the year! Deadline for nominations is March 15th! (I believe)
Next Chapter: More
Saitoh, more Sano, more PLOT (get out your swampers, we're going
to be wading through all the plot!), and did I mention more Saitoh?
You won't wanna miss it!