Standard disclaimers apply. As much as I want to, I don't own RK…
A/N: Chapter four.. Things will heat up a bit after this… and updates are slower due to my examinations… I'm still taking them so don't pressure me too much.. ok, anyway, spoiler warnings, as usual.
~~
Everybody looked at him in confusion but his vision was fixed on the girl he claimed "Uki". And the girl stared back in return.
Sano ignored everybody in the room and paced closer to the young girl, not breaking their eye contact. As if not believing himself, he asked again.
"Uki?"
This time, the girl nodded. She cocked her head slightly and seemed to be considering Sano before speaking. And what she said blew the reset out of their minds.
"Onii-sama."
All started speaking at once but Sano brushed their comments away and continued to speak to the girl.
"What are you doing here? Fetching Outa back?"
(A/N: sorry for the interruption. I haven mentioned this boy before but will. Read on.)
"No, definitely not. I needed to tell you something, that's why I'm here."
Without a word, Sano began hauling everyone out of the room. They protested but was silenced by Kenshin. He knew it wasn't a time for explanations. Later, Sano would tell them.
~~
Once the crowd was out of hearing range, Sano indicated that she should sit down and settled down himself. Suddenly, a realization dawned upon him.
"How did you know I'm your brother? He told you?"
"Yes, he told me. And he is why I came."
Uki produced an envelope from the sleeve of her kimono and passed it to Sano. The handwriting on it was barely legible, but he could just make out his name. Slipping a thin piece of paper out, Sano began to read.
"Sanosuke,
If you happen to read this, it means I'm no longer alive. And it also means Uki has safely reached you with this letter. I'm relieved.
Years passed after you left and both Uki and Outa has grown up. It took me quite long to actually decide to send Outa to the Kamiya Dojo, assuming you would be around. It had been hard for Outa to forget you, he didn't, in fact. But, in the end, I still let him go because he himself insisted he became strong, just like you. I have yet to tell him our relationship thus don't know how you coped with the problem but I trust that you haven't said it too. My last words to Uki would be informing her of you, and to find you.
All I want from you, Sano, my son, is to take care of Uki and Outa. They're the only kin you have left. Tell Outa you are his older brother too. He'll be proud to know. That's my last request."
There wasn't a sign off. With slightly trembling hands, Sano lowered the letter and looked up at Uki. Her face was impassive but Sano knew better but he left it.
"Who, how?"
"No who, just how. It was an illness. He refused to be fussed over and wrote this letter, knowing there weren't be a chance at all. Then he told me to bring this to you. I have no idea what is written inside."
"Chikuso…"
Sano crushed the paper and fought back the tears that threatened to break. He hadn't seen him for so many years and he left just like that. Sano could vaguely remember the time he returned after so long, back to the dojo, to find that Outa was a disciple there. Not to mention he was lodging in one of the spare rooms too. There had been a slight confusion when they first met again. To quiet Kaoru's and Yahiko's enquiries, he had simply explained that during his journey, he had stayed at Outa's house. Sano didn't tell them that Outa was his brother and that he had a sister, Uki.
His past had not bothered him at all. He may have a father, brother and sister, but Sano had lived his life with Captain Sagara and even took on his name. When years passed, and Sano finally met up with his family, little emotions were stirred but they were, after all, his family. Now that he had read his father's last wishes, he felt obliged to fulfil them.
Taking a few moments to brace and calm himself, he stood up. "Come on, we gotta break the news to Outa."
~~
Outside, Megumi, Yahiko and Kaoru grumbled at being left out of the conversation. Only Kenshin and Soujirou understood. It seemed as though Sano and the girl had some close relationship that was not revealed to them. Their friend would tell him when he was ready.
Just then, Sano walked out with Uki at his heels. Speaking before any others had the chance to, he demanded to know where Outa was. Their unusual meeting was puzzle enough, now this, definitely there was something Sano was hiding from them. He had always been avoiding the young boy, while Outa, always seemed to be eager to see Sano.
This time, Sano didn't stop anyone from following him when Yahiko informed him Outa was probably training. The group trailed behind Sano and Uki, who had been silent all the while. Like a group of children following the ice cream man, everyone trouped to the training hall and peered into it, as though they had never seen it before.
Yutaro was finishing up a class and looked up in confusion at the commotion. He had long gotten used to the dojo's hustle and bustle but it wasn't common to see Sano serious. He padded across the paneled floor towards the door and greeted them.
"Hey Yutaro. Do me a favour. Get Outa out here."
Nodding his head at the request, Yutaro turned and beckoned the young boy over. Outa obeyed and gasped in surprise at the sight of his sister. It had been so long, but somehow, Uki seemed different. She looked depressed, sad and tired. Nothing like her usual cheery self.
"Outa… …"
Uki called but stopped halfway. She didn't know what to say and looked at Sano for help. Surely he would want to break the news himself. She had been holding back her grief for weeks, concentrating on her trip to Kyoto. Now that she had arrived, Uki was starting to feel the pain. Words had failed her just now, while she was in the room with Sano. She was sure she wouldn't be able to relate their father's death without breaking into tears to Outa.
Coming to her rescue, Sano patted Outa's head and guided him out of the room. He led Uki and Outa back to the room and looked at Kenshin expectantly to keep the rest out. When the latter nodded reassuringly, Sano entered the room again, this time with Uki and Outa. It wouldn't be easy, but it had to be done. Outa had to know about his father's death, and their relationship.
~~
A/N: It's not much of a cliffhanger is it? I mean can guess what's gonna happen. And I promise you there'll be more action soon, but not in the next one or two months perhaps. My exams are here. Spare me… please…
To:
Kyouhi: I love reviewers so u'll definitely get attention. Thanks again..
Spas104: Of course u noe the spoilers. I go to u for info.
Fey2Kim: I know I'm on your fav's list. Thank you so much!
Kaminari: I like Soujirou too, that's why this fic exists… Thanks for reviewing…
A/N: Chapter four.. Things will heat up a bit after this… and updates are slower due to my examinations… I'm still taking them so don't pressure me too much.. ok, anyway, spoiler warnings, as usual.
~~
Everybody looked at him in confusion but his vision was fixed on the girl he claimed "Uki". And the girl stared back in return.
Sano ignored everybody in the room and paced closer to the young girl, not breaking their eye contact. As if not believing himself, he asked again.
"Uki?"
This time, the girl nodded. She cocked her head slightly and seemed to be considering Sano before speaking. And what she said blew the reset out of their minds.
"Onii-sama."
All started speaking at once but Sano brushed their comments away and continued to speak to the girl.
"What are you doing here? Fetching Outa back?"
(A/N: sorry for the interruption. I haven mentioned this boy before but will. Read on.)
"No, definitely not. I needed to tell you something, that's why I'm here."
Without a word, Sano began hauling everyone out of the room. They protested but was silenced by Kenshin. He knew it wasn't a time for explanations. Later, Sano would tell them.
~~
Once the crowd was out of hearing range, Sano indicated that she should sit down and settled down himself. Suddenly, a realization dawned upon him.
"How did you know I'm your brother? He told you?"
"Yes, he told me. And he is why I came."
Uki produced an envelope from the sleeve of her kimono and passed it to Sano. The handwriting on it was barely legible, but he could just make out his name. Slipping a thin piece of paper out, Sano began to read.
"Sanosuke,
If you happen to read this, it means I'm no longer alive. And it also means Uki has safely reached you with this letter. I'm relieved.
Years passed after you left and both Uki and Outa has grown up. It took me quite long to actually decide to send Outa to the Kamiya Dojo, assuming you would be around. It had been hard for Outa to forget you, he didn't, in fact. But, in the end, I still let him go because he himself insisted he became strong, just like you. I have yet to tell him our relationship thus don't know how you coped with the problem but I trust that you haven't said it too. My last words to Uki would be informing her of you, and to find you.
All I want from you, Sano, my son, is to take care of Uki and Outa. They're the only kin you have left. Tell Outa you are his older brother too. He'll be proud to know. That's my last request."
There wasn't a sign off. With slightly trembling hands, Sano lowered the letter and looked up at Uki. Her face was impassive but Sano knew better but he left it.
"Who, how?"
"No who, just how. It was an illness. He refused to be fussed over and wrote this letter, knowing there weren't be a chance at all. Then he told me to bring this to you. I have no idea what is written inside."
"Chikuso…"
Sano crushed the paper and fought back the tears that threatened to break. He hadn't seen him for so many years and he left just like that. Sano could vaguely remember the time he returned after so long, back to the dojo, to find that Outa was a disciple there. Not to mention he was lodging in one of the spare rooms too. There had been a slight confusion when they first met again. To quiet Kaoru's and Yahiko's enquiries, he had simply explained that during his journey, he had stayed at Outa's house. Sano didn't tell them that Outa was his brother and that he had a sister, Uki.
His past had not bothered him at all. He may have a father, brother and sister, but Sano had lived his life with Captain Sagara and even took on his name. When years passed, and Sano finally met up with his family, little emotions were stirred but they were, after all, his family. Now that he had read his father's last wishes, he felt obliged to fulfil them.
Taking a few moments to brace and calm himself, he stood up. "Come on, we gotta break the news to Outa."
~~
Outside, Megumi, Yahiko and Kaoru grumbled at being left out of the conversation. Only Kenshin and Soujirou understood. It seemed as though Sano and the girl had some close relationship that was not revealed to them. Their friend would tell him when he was ready.
Just then, Sano walked out with Uki at his heels. Speaking before any others had the chance to, he demanded to know where Outa was. Their unusual meeting was puzzle enough, now this, definitely there was something Sano was hiding from them. He had always been avoiding the young boy, while Outa, always seemed to be eager to see Sano.
This time, Sano didn't stop anyone from following him when Yahiko informed him Outa was probably training. The group trailed behind Sano and Uki, who had been silent all the while. Like a group of children following the ice cream man, everyone trouped to the training hall and peered into it, as though they had never seen it before.
Yutaro was finishing up a class and looked up in confusion at the commotion. He had long gotten used to the dojo's hustle and bustle but it wasn't common to see Sano serious. He padded across the paneled floor towards the door and greeted them.
"Hey Yutaro. Do me a favour. Get Outa out here."
Nodding his head at the request, Yutaro turned and beckoned the young boy over. Outa obeyed and gasped in surprise at the sight of his sister. It had been so long, but somehow, Uki seemed different. She looked depressed, sad and tired. Nothing like her usual cheery self.
"Outa… …"
Uki called but stopped halfway. She didn't know what to say and looked at Sano for help. Surely he would want to break the news himself. She had been holding back her grief for weeks, concentrating on her trip to Kyoto. Now that she had arrived, Uki was starting to feel the pain. Words had failed her just now, while she was in the room with Sano. She was sure she wouldn't be able to relate their father's death without breaking into tears to Outa.
Coming to her rescue, Sano patted Outa's head and guided him out of the room. He led Uki and Outa back to the room and looked at Kenshin expectantly to keep the rest out. When the latter nodded reassuringly, Sano entered the room again, this time with Uki and Outa. It wouldn't be easy, but it had to be done. Outa had to know about his father's death, and their relationship.
~~
A/N: It's not much of a cliffhanger is it? I mean can guess what's gonna happen. And I promise you there'll be more action soon, but not in the next one or two months perhaps. My exams are here. Spare me… please…
To:
Kyouhi: I love reviewers so u'll definitely get attention. Thanks again..
Spas104: Of course u noe the spoilers. I go to u for info.
Fey2Kim: I know I'm on your fav's list. Thank you so much!
Kaminari: I like Soujirou too, that's why this fic exists… Thanks for reviewing…