ZANZA!

Return of a legend:

Sanosuke tells of his past

by Treager-sama

"Mr. Himura sir... I am sorry, but we are closing for the night..."

Tsubame bowed and blushed meekly at the group of friends.

"Yes, it's time we get home. It's very late, that it is."

Smiled a very pleasant Kenshin as he handed the young girl some yen for her trouble.

"Thank you Mr. Himura..."

She bowed again and shuffled off to help prepare the small restaurant for closing time.

"Hey, since Kaoru probably isn't in any better a mood than she was when we left, mebbe we should take a walk tonight, whatya say?"

Mused a grinning Sanosuke, nibbling absently upon his toothpick.

"Yeah! Ugly's probably at home waiting to hit us with her wooden sword again!"

Yahiko pictured a furious Kaoru chasing him around the dojo rapping him sharply over the head again and again and again...

"And b'sides, I wanna hear what happened next in your story!"

Yahiko said eagerly, leaving a little extra yen behind on the table for Tsubame, hoping the others wouldn't notice.

"A walk by the river under the moon sounds like a wonderful way to spend the evening, that it does."

Kenshin smiled sincerly, but also imagining a raging Kaoru throwing all his freshly cleaned laundry and dishes around the dojo. They left the Akabeko and strolled down the street watching all the lanterns in the various homes and businesses being blown out. They strolled leisurly down to the river, taking in the sights and smells of a summer night in Tokyo. Yahiko broke the silence, the anticipation burning in the back of his mind.

"Okay Sano, tell us if that Kyosuke guy died or not!"

Kenshins jaw flew open at Yahiko's brash childish innocence. Sano only laughed and nodded with a grin.

"Okay okay, lets take a seat over by the bridge and I will finish the story!"

Young Yahiko nearly tripped over himself to get there. Kenshin stood silently by his dearest friend and asked softly.

"It would be most understandable if you did not wish to continue your story, that it would. After all, if those memories bear you great pain, perhaps we might..."

Sano shook his head and laughed softly up at the moon.

"Kenshin you ol' softy. No need to worry about me. Telling this story reminds me of who I was, and because of you, who I am today. B'sides..."

Sanosuke closed his eyes and allowed the cool night air settle in his lungs.

"...I owe that much to ol' Kyosuke."

...

Sanosuke awoke to the sound of heavy steps upon the wooden floor of the inn. He quickly shook the bleary-eyed sleep from his eyes and looked toward the source of the noise that roused him.

"You really shouldn't go out with a shot up leg like that. You lost alot of blood."

Sano stretched and stood up slowly. He walked over to the clear cool water of the wash bowl and began to cleanse the sleepy haze from his head. Kyosuke stopped in front of the door and turned toward the young man with the flowing crimson headband.

"I really don't need the help of a whelp who lives in a dream of the past."

He paused a moment as if to reflect upon his cold words...

"I... I thank you for the treatment of my wound, but I no longer require any help"

Sanosuke's eyes gleamed for a moment and he reached out a hand to grab Kyosuke's arm.

"Who are you... and what did you mean, 'a dream of the past'?"

Kyosuke shook his head and pulled away from his grasp,

"It's nothing, forget I said anything... here is some money for the room and your care... but I must go."

Sano was used to dissapointment, but something inside him insisted that he know who this man was and why the stranger seemed to show a flicker of recognition when he looked upon him.

"I can't let you go buddy... your not well, and there could be more of those thugs out there looking for you."

Sanosuke smiled but maintained a steely gaze fixed upon the mans eyes. Somehow Kyosuke knew that one way or another he was going to be staying put.

"Alright, but I must get the Zanbatou, it's much to heavy for you so I must..."

Sano motioned toward a corner where the Zanbatou lay flat upon the floor, partially covered by a blanket. Kyosuke hobbled quickly over to the blade eagerly, as if he were being reunited with his long lost love. He carressed the steel lovingly, knowing every nick and edge of the blade intimately. He turned to Sano with questioning eyes,

"How... how is it that you have carried the Zanbatou here by yourself?"

Sano smirked and clenched his fist indignantly at him.

"I'm not some little kid ya'know. I will admit that a blade of such immense size and wieght was difficult to lug around... but it would be for you too if you had to carry an unconcious person along as well!"

Kyosuke marveled at the brash young man... for just the sheer weight of the Zanbatou alone could crush a man easily. Yet somehow this boy carried not only the tremendous weight of his sword, but him as well. He stood up with a warm smile and patted Sano on the shoulder.

"Perhaps there is something to you afterall... Sekihoutai"

...

Yahiko stared in wide eyed amazement,

"Wow, you mean he knew who you were!?!"

Sano laughed as he mussed the young boys hair with his palm.

"Yeah... I never told anyone who I was back then for fear that the Imperialists would find me and send someone like Kenshin after me!"

Kenshin's eyes popped open blankly as a soft 'Oro...?' escaped his lips.

"I... well I... I don't think..."

Sano smiled and patted his friend on the back.

"Relax Kenshin... anyway, where was I?"

Yahiko awestruck by the tale blurted out excitedly,

"Kyosuke just revealed that he knew you were part of the Sekihoutai!!!"

Sano paused for dramatic effect and grinned softly,

"Oh yeah yeah, right... now here is where it gets interesting!"

...

TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 4!!!