I love Sano and Kenshin to bits - they're so great to abuse. ^_^

DISCLAIMER:
I don't own RK!



*Chapter 13*


Kenshin pulled himself up wearily. He had been walking around for hours, making ever widening circuits around the Kamiya dojo, in the hope of stumbling across Sano. But he was beginning to admit that it was hopeless. Tokyo in the present day was just too huge.

He drew his hand across his forehead, lifting sweaty bangs away from his face. In all his life, he had rarely experienced feelings of panic. And when he had, he was mostly able to keep them under tight control. This was starting to look like one more of those times.

He gritted his teeth in determination. He was not leaving for the Meiji without Sano, that was for sure. He could keep going back to the Kamiya dojo, in the hope that Sano would eventually come to his senses and find his way back. Kenshin's mouth twisted wryly. With Sano's famous sense of direction, that was unlikely. Megumi's arch words flittered through his mind...

If Sano set off determined to head for Sapporo, ten to one, he's bound to end up in Okinawa instead.

Still, that would be a start. Myojin-san had mentioned in their conversation earlier in the day that he was hoping to find an assistant to help him in his classes. Although he hadn't been formally trained in the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, Kenshin had seen Yahiko go through the basic moves, and had even sparred with him on occasion - he was sure he would be able to do a decent job of passing on these basics. All he needed to do was to persuade Myojin-san to take him on, and he sensed that that would not be a problem once he demonstrated his competency. That would give him reason enough to frequent the dojo.

Beyond that - he bowed his head in thought.

It was as if a light bulb had gone off in his head. Kenshin turned back towards the dojo, determined to find the photos they had taken in Yokohama...

*****

Do I know you? Miname sniffed at Kenshin when he finally returned, her hands on her hips.

He smiled as blandly as possible. He would really have to tread carefully now. He needed Miname's co-operation, and it looked like she was in a bad mood. Sumanai, Miname-dono, he murmured, heading immediately for the kitchen. He had noticed over the past weeks that food usually succeeded in appeasing Miname.

She sprawled over the kitchen counter, looking at him carefully, as if weighing him up.

Oro?! Kenshin sweatdropped internally but made no show of this as he gathered up all his ingenuity to cook the meal of a lifetime.

she said this patiently, almost sweetly. Did you have a useful day to day?

!!!! Kenshin was beyond oro-ing. Miname could be positively frightening sometimes. Not that it bothered him much... but he really needed her to be in a good mood, so she could help...

It was obvious she was looking for a particular answer, but he had no idea what she was trying to get him to admit to...So-so..? ITAI!!!!! Kenshin dropped the rice bag in agony, grabbing the back of his head. It was some time before the stars around his head subsided and he was able to see the object that had caused his distress: a thick red book which she had lobbed at the back of his head.

YOU BAKA!!! She stormed at him, grabbing the book up again and waving it threateningly in his face, What the heck do you think you're doing faffing around doing RESEARCH!!!

She slammed the book down and grabbed him by the collar, Are you a man??!!! She snarled.

Kenshin gaped at her stupidly. Sessha thought we had reached a full agreement on that question the day we first met de gozaru....

Miname was shaking him really hard now. I'm talking about this Kamiya Kaoru girl, you nuthead!

What's a nuthead? Kenshin thought confusedly as she continued swirling the insides of his brains together. Wait, did she just say Kaoru...?

She's your girlfriend right? Don't even answer that - she has to be! Miname was stamping her feet in time to her speech, How dare you - keep a poor girl worried about you - while you mooch around here. WHY AREN'T YOU BACK THERE WITH HER ALREADY YOU MORON!!!!

She let go of his collar, panting. Don't move, idiot, I'll continue when I get my breath back.

Kenshin smoothed his tee shirt back down over his washboard abs [kumo: whoo hoo - couldn't resist]. Sessha has no idea of...

No idea of what I'm talking about?? Miname glared at him, fishing up the book from the floor and turning its pages furiously, No idea of what you asked Natsumi to look up for you? You think she wouldn't tell? Here! Here!! She brandished the book in his face, stabbing angrily at the page, Can't read? Don't even bother! She snatched it away from his reaching hands. Let me tell you what it says - it says here that Kamiya Kaoru dies at the age of 36, having spent the last days of her life alone in meditation, suffering away under a wasting illness!

Kenshin asked faintly.

You know what that means don't you? She had the book under his chin, It means you never went back. It means you stayed here and left her alone!!!!

I have every intention of going back, the minute I can, Kenshin was all seriousness now, even stern. He gently moved the book away from under his chin, and pulled himself to his feet. His clear gaze met Miname's. I don't understand why the book says what it does, but believe me, as far as I am able to prevent it, that's not how Kaoru-dono's story will end.

She was a little taken aback. In all the time she had known him, he had always maintained a slightly bewildered, bumbling air. This was an entirely new side of him she was seeing. Purpose and determination were clear in his eyes.

To hide her discomfiture, she pulled herself up to her full height and stuck her chin out at him challengingly, Oh yeah? What do you mean, the minute you can? Nothing's keeping you here, as far as I can see. Not even me - I'm not going to keep you from going you know? I decided the other night.

Kenshin's gaze softened a little, as if he had been able to discern her thoughts. Arigatou, Miname-dono. Let me explain...

*****

Your friend... is here too? Miname had completely subsided now, and she was kneeling in her sofa, arms over the back, looking at Kenshin as he worked.

Kenshin heard the of the rice cooker and lifted its cover, marvelling inwardly at the efficiency. Myojin-san agreed to take me on as an assistant at the dojo, so I'll be going there daily. Hopefully he'll find his way back there, Fat chance, his inner voice slid in, But I was thinking - that funny box in your room - the one that spits out paper...

Miname's face creased in confusion

You know - and the other box that you can put your picture into... Kenshin brought the bowls of food out to the living room.

Oh. Kenshin, how many times do I have to repeat it, the first one is a printer and the second one is the scanner, and they're all linked to the CPU, and there's the keyboard and the monitor...oh, forget it. Miname gave up as Kenshin's eyes glazed over.

Anyway, I was wondering if you could do something with this... Kenshin switched off the glazed look instantly and pulled a photograph out of his pocket. It was the only one where Sano's face wasn't a blur. It wasn't a fantastic shot - Sano's expression bordered on suicidal - but it was the best he could find.

Lemme see, Miname peered at the photo, Hey, is that Kaoru?, she glanced up to see Kenshin turning purple. she snickered to herself wickedly, Oooooh hooooo. W-ell, aren't you the cute couple... When's the wedding? Can we expect babies?!!!! She grinned broadly at Kenshin.

Kenshin's face was now flaming red. Miname-dono, that's not the point...

Okay, okay, Miname put the photo down and began to eat. The tall guy right? I guess I could whip up some posters... though, Tokyo is a BIG city you know...

Kenshin blew his breath out, I know, but it's better than doing nothing.

*****

Somehow, he had ended up on a broad walk by a river. Sano pulled himself up on the embankment and regarded the bright lights on the opposite bank grouchily. He rested his chin on his knee, his arms folded tightly around himself. The wind was blowing fairly hard and it was getting chilly. This was terrible. He was totally lost, and he still had no idea where he was. I'll try asking someone tomorrow... He couldn't bring himself to ask anyone today - every contact he had had with a living person had ended disastrously .



Sano turned around. Uh-oh. It was the Aoshi-spirit. What do you want? he threw out bad temperedly. And how did you know how to find me...? he grimaced. I suppose a spirit can do anything. Somehow, he had lost his fear. After all his strange experiences - he felt like nothing else could phase him.

Daisuke, he's a complete nut case. Daisuke had dragged his three goons along for the ride. Shou, Yuuta and Atsuji stood near their friend, eyeing Sano with some apprehension.

I don't care if he's got an IQ of a pea. As long as he can smile and take good pictures, that's fine by me, Daisuke looked at Sano with consideration. Did you say I was a spirit?

Oh come on, Sano frowned at Daisuke, Look at you - you're exactly like Aoshi. Plus, you ride in a spirit-carriage. He shook his head wearily, I can't think what you could have against me, except that I used to bug Misao a little - okay, a lot. I already apologised. What more do you want from me? He made a t'cching sound with his tongue, Also, don't you think you're being really petty? Even if she was the woman you loved - though, if you don't mind me saying, most of the time you treated her like she was some kind of pet...

Shou, Yuuta and Atsuji exchanged glances with raised eyebrows.

You're right... Daisuke said carefully, stepping closer to Sano, I am Aoshi. He waved for the others to be silent. And... er what you did to Misao - that makes me so mad! He paused. But, I'm not a vengeful spirit. I don't want too much from you... just some photographs...

Sano flinched back. He bellowed. The word echoed for awhile, and everyone waited for the buzzing in their ears to subside. You evil, evil, evil... Sano searched for the word, evil person - spirit. So you want to suck my soul out? Split it to pieces and send it everywhere? Oh no - I'm sorry for what I did, but the punishment doesn't even begin to fit the crime.

Daisuke was looking utterly floored. What are you talking about - its only photos.... I mean, I'm a fair guy - I was going to give you a good salary, and if you want, even a cut of the profits. You could be a huge star. Really famous...umm. And - no, I don't want to split your soul into a million pieces. He thought hard, Don't you know? I have great powers. I can keep cameras from doing that. I promise, promise, every camera they use on you will be in soul-suck disabled mode.

Sano stuck out his lower lip and turned back to look at the skyline.

I'll get in an expert, Daisuke was inventing freely now, we'll put this label on, you see, one that says Soul-Suck Disabled

A tremendous rumble interrupted him.

What on earth was that? Shou looked around.

Sounded like an earthquake. Atsuji poked Yuuta on the shoulder, Did you feel anything?

Daisuke's head was cocked to one side, studying Sano carefully. Sano had turned a faint pink. Was that you?

sulkily. Another rumble.

Are you - hungry?

even more sulkily.

Daisuke could make out the faint silvery track easing its way out the corner of Sano's mouth. He snapped his fingers, and someone placed a cellphone in his open palm. Yes, is that the Brazilian place? Are you still doing those all night, eat-all-you-can buffets? Right, right - the one with the seven cuts of beef, chicken done three ways, pork, lamb and free flow beer? Well, you don't say - you're telling me that you've just introduced duck to the menu as well?

Something like a whimper sounded out of Sano, who had now buried his face in his knees. His shoulders shook emotionally.

Make a booking for five. Under Ogawa. We'll be there in fifteen. He shut the phone down, and looked at Sano. Meanwhile - He reached into his pocket and produced a Mars Bar. He unwrapped it and waved it under Sano's nose. What's your name by the way...

Sano's eyeballs followed the path of the Mars Bar. Sa - no, he said brokenly.

Sano, in this place, I prefer to be known as Daisuke, got it? Daisuke broke off a piece of chocolate and gave it to him. Well - we have to get going soon if we want to make it for the buffet. My car's this way.

He led a drooling Sano away.

*****



Notes:
Evil Daisuke ^_^ - I'm getting fond of him! On an unrelated note, I'm also fond of Kenshin's abs ^_^. Who knew?

About Kenshin's sporadic speech patterns (do people notice these things? but it bugs me to not explain) - I'd like to think that he's a lot less tense in the present because no one knows who he is, therefore he eases up on his rurouni facade. When he gets nervous, he reverts to it instinctively.

NightRain: Thanks for leaving so many reviews along the way - I'm so happy this has managed to make you laugh! ^_^

jay: Wow, you really seem to enjoy the Sano-abuse. Hurray! Another sadist ^_^ !!!

Bob the Almighty:
Yup, Sano's going to remain clueless for a little longer too. Poor Sano - I've made him about ten times more stupid than Watsuki-sama probably intended him to be. Mwahahaha!!

faerie-chan: Have you recovered from your anime hangover yet? ^_^ I've heard that dosing yourself with the same thing helps recovery, so you might want to watch a couple more episodes....

Akai Kitsune: Wai!!! Thanks for the review! [bows deeply] I really love your two ongoing works....!! Specially Light of the Snow Red Village... [looks ashamed] I know, I need to leave more reviews - but usually I'm too happy with the chapter to make any sensible comments. Will try! [frowns in determination]. Hee hee Sano's not going to find Kenshin just yet. Nope. I'm having too much fun making him suffer ^_^!