Author's Notes: Here's the 12th chapter! I'm writing this now because I start my temp job next week, so I don't know when I'll be able to get back to this. I appreciate all of you that have been reading this and leaving reviews, sometimes when I think of this fic I feel like I've bitten off more than I can chew. I'll finish it someday! ^__^ It's strange, I'm re-watching the episodes as I'm writing this, and it's amazing how much more stuff I'm noticing. Like, names of people and places that I didn't remember even though I'd watched all my dvds, like, 20 times.

Jeannie: To answer your questions, Sano will interact with the Oniwaban more later in the story, of course! I have plans for Yahiko to reappear during the Kyoto arc, Saitou should return in the chapter after this one (he's the hero of the story, after all), and I love Hiko too, so I'll see what I can do!
FarStrider: Thanks for the continued support, I hope you like this chapter!
Kuroiyousei: Yeah, last chapter was just sort of fluffy filler, an excuse for me to let Misao have some fun (at Aoshi's expense, teehee!)
amanda: I'm glad you liked the chapter! ^_^
benegesserit53@yahoo.com: Yes ma'am, I'll continue this fic until it's finished. I can't exactly promise it will happen quickly, but it will happen!
Chaos: Yup, no more Gohei. He was an annoying man, wasn't he? Trust Saitou to get the job done right!

Disclaimer: The characters actually belong to N. Watsuki/Shueisha, etc. I am just borrowing them to amuse myself.

Italics indicate thoughts or emphasized words.

Alternate Tale of the Meiji Era, Chapter 12

by Fujimiya Maru

It had been snowing, that night when the Imperialist rode up to Sagara Souzou. That broad-faced man calling himself Shindou Tatewaki, with orders from the central government. Orders that called for the death of the Sekihoutai.

Sanosuke dreamt of it almost every night. The smaller version of himself looking up into the worried gray eyes of his captain, then being pushed behind the line of men as the Imperialist army let their bullets fly.

Had it really been cold enough to snow that night, when the hot blood of his father-figure and comrades soaked the battlefield?

*************

"It's finally the Sekihoutai's time again..." a man laughed, dropping a piece of parchment before his men.

Drawing his sword, he stabbed the portrait of Sagara Souzou directly through the heart.

*************

Aoshi was never the kind of man to beg or cry, buy he had come close to doing both. The combination of paperwork, training Sanosuke, and looking after Misao had taken its toll on him. He asked Sano to take Misao out to eat so he could get a few moments of peace, but the mischievous youth had refused until he saw the desperation behind the composed okashira's eyes.

He looked like he was going to totally snap, thought Sano. It was pretty funny...

He'd given in to Aoshi's demands mostly because it meant that he got to eat at the Akabeko at the expense of the Oniwaban; they rarely ate out, and he had a craving for beef hot-pot. It would also give him a chance to tease the ninja girl, a past-time he enjoyed greatly. Teasing someone who lost their temper so easily would help him work off some of his annoyance at that damn psycho cop, anyway.

I can't believe he just left town like that. It's not like I expected Saitou to say good-bye to me, but he coulda said something! What a bastard... Why the hell do I care anyway! All he ever does is make fun of me...

He tried to shake the thoughts of the sharp-featured man out of his head and concentrate on his food. It had taken some convincing, but Misao had foregone her training outfit for a kimono again. She was chatting animatedly with Tae, the waitress. Sanosuke had been a fairly regular customer at the Akabeko before Saitou dumped him at the dojo with the Oniwaban group, so whenever she saw him she'd make an effort to stop and talk politely with him. Sano wondered if she ever noticed that he used to skip out on his bill.

"A-no, Sano-san?" asked Tae, turning to him with a shy blush staining her cheeks. "Could you possibly run an errand for me?"

"Huh? What sort of errand?" Sano continued to shovel rice into his mouth, stealing the piece of beef that Misao had been about to pick up.

"Could you go buy a portrait for me?" she requested.

"A portrait?" he asked, confused. Misao tried to pinch his hand with her chopsticks when he went to pick more meat.

"I can't leave work just now..." she replied, smiling good-naturedly.

"So you want me to go buy it for you?" Sano said, returning her smile.

"Yes. Could you do that, please?"

"You want this Roosterhead to do errands for you?" laughed Misao. "He'd probably forget halfway there, and you'll never hear from him again!"

"Sure." answered Sano, standing. When Misao looked up at him he continued, "I don't mind doing a few errands."

"Ha!" the petite girl snorted, "Since when are you so nice?"

Sanosuke ignored her and looked to Tae. "So, what is this portrait that you want?"

"Swordsman Date Hachiro, by Tsukioka Tsunan!" she said, clearly embarrassed. Sano smirked at her choice.

"Oh, Red-Sash Date-Hachi, the handsomest swordsman from the Revolution. You're a lot more shallow than you look!" Tae only giggled behind her hand in response. "Well, I guess I'll go run this errand!" Misao stood suddenly, looking flustered.

"What is it, Weasel-girl?" Sano asked, deciding he liked Saitou's nickname for the girl. Misao turned a bit red and stammered something about going with him.

"What, you want a portrait, too?" Smirking, he added, "You'll have to settle for one of Date Hachiro, 'cause I don't think they sell portraits of Aoshi-sama."

Misao sputtered and tried to kick him in the shin, but her kimono hampered her attack. Sanosuke handed Tae payment for the food, and made his way out of the restaurant with Misao fuming close behind.

*************

With Sanosuke and Misao eating out, and rest of the Oniwaban practicing or doing household chores, the dojo was blissfully quiet. Aoshi had cleared up his paperwork and was enjoying a nice cup of tea on the porch. His headache had dissipated, and he felt he was finally able to think properly for the first time since Misao showed up.

He had been finding it increasingly difficult being around her. Not that he didn't enjoy her company, he just didn't know how to treat her. The last time he'd seen her she'd been but a tiny little girl, clinging to his leg and asking for mochi. She was still the same little Misao-chan in some respects, but was turning into a woman, with a woman's heart and mind. Misao was of an age to be married, in fact, although Okina had not mentioned any plans in his last letter on that matter. As the granddaughter of the former okashira, she should be matched with a man of great importance.

Briefly he let the idea of Misao married to some man bother him, but shoved it aside. He should want her to be happy and well-cared for, shouldn't he? The thought still left an uncomfortable knot in his belly, however, and he tried to convince himself that she would have no interest in him as anything other than a guardian and leader.

The quiet surrounding the dojo seemed stuffy and unpleasant now, so Aoshi decided to go pick some things up at the market.

*************

The portrait stand was filled with many colorful prints, ranging from stoic warriors, to fierce-looking actors, to beautiful ladies. Misao practically drooled over some of them, but attempted to keep herself in check.

None of them are as handsome as Aoshi-sama, anyway... she thought, color rising in her cheeks.

Sano was about to talk to the man selling the prints, but Aoshi called out to them from down the street, carrying packages of food. Misao promptly turned as red as Sano's headband because of the thoughts she'd been having of the approaching man.

Aoshi hadn't planned on actually running into them, but found that he didn't mind. For some reason, Misao was a bright shade of pink, and he wondered why. Colored as she was, and wearing a delicate lavender kimono, she was a rather appealing picture. And they were shopping for... a portrait?

"What are you doing?" he asked, glancing at the numerous prints. "I didn't think this was your sort of thing, Sanosuke."

"Wha-? It's not for me! Tae, from the Akabeko, asked me to pick up a portrait for her. And I think Misao-chan here wants one too."

Aoshi looked at Misao with an eyebrow raised, but she nervously pretended that her feet were the most interesting thing in the world.

"Hey Mister, do you have two prints of Tsukioka Tsunan's Date-hachi?" Sanosuke inquired.

The old man looked around a bit, mumbling, until he came up with two prints. "Date-hachi by Tsunan, is it? Ah, you're in luck. Here are the last two. Tsunan's art is popular, so they sell out quickly." He handed the portraits of the elaborately-dressed swordsman over to Misao.

"So handsome..." she said in a near-whisper.

Aoshi narrowed his eyes. It's just a print, he probably doesn't even look like that. What does she see in him?

"Two prints, for a total of ten sen." the old man added.

"Oh, I don't have cash on me. Jou-chan, can you lend me some?" he asked Misao, who immediately frowned at him.

"You jerk. You better pay me back, okay?" She was about to dig out her purse, but Aoshi stopped her and paid for the prints himself.

Every time she looks at that portrait, she better remember I paid for it. he thought, then remembered, Crap. I thought I wasn't supposed to be jealous. I am a moron...

Oblivious to the okashira's internal dialogue, Sano continued to look at the portraits lined up on the shelf. At the end of the row, one caught his eye, and he grabbed it. "This is... Sagara-taichou!" he said, shocked.

"Oh, that?" said the old man. "That one's also Tsunan's art, but it just doesn't sell. Even so, he insists on drawing the leader of the false Imperial arm--" He was promptly cut off as Aoshi grabbed a steamed bun from his package of food and stuffed it in the old man's mouth. He had been starting to say things that would have agitated Sanosuke, who was already looking on edge.

"Where is Tsukioka?" demanded Sanosuke. He turned to the old man to find him struggling to chew and swallow a steamed bun. Aoshi stood off to the side, expressionless. Misao was trying not go giggle.

After swallowing his unexpected treat, the man said, "He's at Dobuita row house... But he hates people, so you probably won't see him, even if you go..." Even though they were paying customers, he decided these folks were definitely weird.

"I'll see him." Sano turned to walk away, his face set with a determined expression. "There's now way he would turn me away."

Aoshi frowned, wondering what the obstinate boy was thinking. Signaling to Misao with a glance and nod of his head in Sano's direction, they followed quietly.

*************

The alley that Dobuita row house occupied was narrow, crowded, and smoky. Sano had asked one of the occupants where Tsukioka lived, and they directed him to the door he was now standing in front of. Raising a fist, he rapped lightly on the frame.

"Tsukioka-san, are you there, Tsukioka-san?" he called out. He paused, and there was no sound or movement inside. He slammed his fist loudly into the side of the house, surely rattling anything and anyone inside.

"I know you're in there," he shouted, "Tsukika Katsuhiko, former assistant Sekihoutai member!"

The door slid open quickly, revealing the astounded eyes of the occupant. Sano smirked.

"Just as I thought," he said quietly, "So, it was you that drew this."

Glancing at the print briefly, Katsu looked at his long-lost friend in wonder. "Sanosuke, is that you? How did you..."

"It was obvious when I saw it. Both of us were drawn beside Sagara-taichou. Nobody else could draw this." he grinned at Katsu, who smiled in return.

The two old friends laughed and asked each other how they survived, as Aoshi and Misao looked on from the end of the alley.

"How about that," said Misao, "Tsukioka Tsunan, the artist, is also a survivor from the Sekihoutai..."

"Ah. We should go, Misao." Aoshi started to walk away.

"But, Aoshi-sama..." Misao started.

"We should leave him be to catch up with his friend. I only followed because I thought he was going to pick a fight with this artist."

"Okay..." she said, running to catch up to him. "Oh, I need to stop by the Akabeko to give Tae-san her copy of Date-hachi..."

"... I'll walk with you." said Aoshi quickly. He felt his resolve to ignore his blossoming feeling for her melt as she smiled up at him and took his arm.

*************

Sanosuke and Katsuhiko reminisced over a light dinner and a large jug of sake in the artist's small apartment. They discussed everything from how each of them escaped the slaughter to Katsu's new vocation. Ten years had passed, but both young men felt as comfortable with each other as they had when they were boys.

Being close to the same age, they had been the best of friends. During the Imperialist attack, Katsu had even knocked Sano out of the way of a bullet, taking the injury himself. As they always did, they traded insults with each other even in the middle of a battle.

Sano was so wrapped up in the memories, he didn't notice Katsuhiko suddenly getting a serious and intense look on his face. The long-haired man quickly downed the remainder of his sake and looked to his friend.

"Sano, what are you doing nowadays?"

"Huh?" Sano looked to the side, not quite certain if he should tell his friend he was indirectly working for the Meiji government. "Not much, just hanging out. Well, I'm having fun in my own way..."

"I see." said Katsu. "You're having fun... I haven't had any fun in the past ten years. I can't recall laughing at all until you came just now." He poured himself a new cup, and stared deeply into the clear liquid. "Hating those that ruined the name of the Sekihoutai and Sagara-taichou... is how I spent these ten years."

Sano said nothing for a moment, remembering what life was like before he'd met Saitou Hajime. "I was like that myself, once."

"Was?" asked Katsu. "I was thinking that Sagara-taichou made sure we were reunited today... right when all the preparations were completed."

"... Preparations?" Sano asked cautiously. "Katsu?"

"Sanosuke. Would you like to reform the Sekihoutai, just you and me? We can destroy the Imperialist government that framed the Sekihoutai and make the new era that Sagara-taichou was fighting for a reality!"

"Destroy the government? Are you..."

"My plan is foolproof. Look at this," said Katsu, opening the closet behind him. It was filled to the ceiling with small explosives. "Bombs that I've made with my knowledge of gunpowder, learned as a member of the Sekihoutai!"

Sanosuke was astonished by the sight, unable to question his friend.

"These are for the Internal Affairs Department. Then, I'll blow up all the government offices, one by one." Katsu stared at his friend with piercing blue eyes. "It will start a revolution here in Tokyo, one that will spread all over the country to everyone from samurai to farmers. It will only be a matter of time until the Meiji government will collapse."

"That's reckless!" said Sano, regaining his wits. Katsu grabbed the front of his shirt, clearly desperate.

"Sano, don't you hate the Meiji government that ruined the name of the Sekihoutai?"

Grabbing Katsu's gi in return, he replied, "Bakayarou, I hate the Meiji government just like you! But I know it's beyond our control! Just because you blow them up, doesn't mean that revolution with spread over the country! Listen, Katsu, there's no way you can overthrow the Meiji government!"

Katsu released his friend and turned his back on him. "Sano..." he said softly. "To you, the Sekihoutai is a thing of the past. I'm not interested in involving you, now that you have a happy life."

Happy? thought Sano. Since when do I have a happy life?

*************

In the darkness that night, men dressed in dark uniforms and red headbands opened the side of a house with a small bomb. Passersby tried to stop them from taking the money, but the leader of the thieves was confident and arrogant.

"We, the Sekihoutai, will take this money to fund a new era!" he smirked, drawing his blade. The innocent bystanders tried to run, only to receive fatal wounds to their backs. The thief leader laughed as he used a print of Sagara Souzou to clean his sword, leaving it as a present for the police to find.

*************

The next morning, the dojo was full of life as Misao practiced her kicks with Hannya and Shikijo. Sanosuke was absent, presumably sleeping off last night's sake. Aoshi sat serenely on the steps reading the paper, glancing up every once in a while to check Misao's kenpo form... and her long, flawlessly-skinned legs. Beshimi read the paper over his shoulder.

A headline caught the okashira's eyes. Reading the article, he became increasingly concerned.

"Seven places have been attack in the past few days," said Beshimi. "With bombs? Isn't that overkill?"

"It claims these robberies were done by former Sekihoutai members. Somehow, I don't think the police are on the right track." Aoshi said.

"The police say that Sagara Souzou's portrait is left at each scene." Beshimi provided in a bored tone. "Maybe it was that baka Sanosuke!"

Aoshi glared at his short friend. "Sanosuke may be a little rough around the edges, but this sort of thing is not his style. Besides, I know where he was last night."

"The roosterhead may be a jerk, but he's not a criminal!" added Misao, panting from her exercises. "But why a portrait of Sagara-taichou? Aoshi-sama, do you think think that artist is involved?"

"Tsukioka Tsunan?" Aoshi asked, putting the newspaper aside. "For Sanosuke's sake, I hope not."

*************

For his part, Sanosuke hadn't gotten much sleep, and had left the dojo before anyone else was up. He quickly learned of the robberies, but when he arrived at Dobuita row house to confront his friend, the apartment was completely empty. Written on one of Souzou's portraits, however, was a note to Sano saying that Katsu was glad that they had been reunited.

Please don't let it be Katsu who bombed those places... Sanosuke ran on to various places, trying to locate his friend.

"Sano-san!" someone called from behind him. Running up to him were two of his gambling buddies from his Zanza days, Tomo and Ginji.

"We heard a strange rumor, Sano-san, and thought we should come find you." said Ginji. "We thought that it might have something to do with you..."

"What's it about?" Sano asked.

"This guy has been rather generous at the west-end gambling joint," supplied Tomo, "He's been saying that it's all thanks to the Sekihoutai."

"What!" said Sanosuke, worried that the gambler could be the culprit, or worse, Katsu. "Who the hell is this guy?"

The two men thought for a minute before Tomo answered, "Red-Nosed Shinzou..."

Sano narrowed his eyes. "Red-Nosed Shinzou." he said bitterly, then started walking again.

"Is it just me," said Ginji as Sano was further away, "Or is he different from how he used to be?"

"He seems a bit more in control of himself." Tomo shrugged. "He's still cool."

*************

In the afternoon, Aoshi questioned the salesman who had sold Sano and Misao the portraits about the prints of Sagara Souzou. The old man, still wary of the strange quiet man who had randomly shoved food into his mouth yesterday, indicated that one of the stalls further down the street had sold a large quantity of the Sagara portraits. He also added that Tsukioka Tsunan had asked him the same question that very morning.

It looks like Tsukioka is not behind the attacks, thought the okashira. Whoever is behind them is using the Sekihoutai as a scapegoat.

He continued down the street to question the other picture dealer.

*************

Red-Nosed Shinzou was not hard to find; he was at the center of the run-down gambling house, laughing at his losses and throwing around money. Of course, he carelessly mentioned the Sekihoutai, so when the ugly man left the establishment Sanosuke was quick to follow.

Sano had heard of this guy before, just a measly underling for the Shiranuitou thieving ring. Confronting him was easy, for the drunk man was a pushover even when armed with a knife. It didn't take much, but Shinzou agreed to show him where the false Sekihoutai was hiding out.

It was a large, spacious house, obviously the abode of someone of high standing. He could hear people talking inside, someone was saying that they were to rob some oil dealer by the name of Shimizuya. Sano couldn't hear very well, so he tugged his captive closer to the door, trying to apply some of the stealth techniques that Hannya had shown him.

Then he heard a name: Shindou-san. Where have I heard that name before?

Listening closely, he heard what Shindou said next, "I have no intention of just being a police officer. From now on, it's the money that matters. For that, I'll have the Sekihoutai be the scapegoat."

Sanosuke saw red, and promptly tossed Red-Nosed Shinzou through the door. Shindou and his men looked up in surprise.

"To think that you became the leader of the Shiranuitou, and have been impersonating the Sekihoutai..." said Sano as he stepped up to the edge of the tatami. "The former military advisor who framed Sagara-taichou and his Sekihoutai... Shindou Tatewaki!"

Taken aback that a punk would know so much about him, Shindou growled, "Who the hell...?"

"I am Sagara Sanosuke, former assistant member of the Sekihoutai!" Sano said, his eyes barely containing his fury.

"What? ... Sagara?" gasped Shindou. The former Imperialist's broad face was etched with lines of surprise.

"How many time do you have to ridicule the Sekihoutai before you're satisfied? I won't forgive you!" the former fighter-for-hire yelled as he readied his fists.

Shindou ordered his men to kill the intruder, but they showed their incompetence with their attacks. One even got his sword stuck in the doorframe as he charged, leaving himself wide open to Sanosuke's punch.

"Hey, come out to the garden!" called Sanosuke, grinning in anticipation of the battle. "I'll play with ya!" The men followed him out into the yard, and he was surrounded.

From the top of the garden wall, shrouded by darkness, Aoshi watched Sanosuke and the Shiranuitou men carefully. This is Sanosuke's fight, I'll only interfere if he gets in over his head... The odds were currently eight-to-one, with Shindou watching, so Aoshi put his hand on the hilt of his kodachi.

He didn't need to move yet, however, as the swordsmen were so inept that Sanosuke had no problems dodging their attacks. Sano happily punched and kicked a few of them until one of the senior thieves decided to throw a bomb into the mix.

The Sekihoutai survivor shielded his eyes from the explosion near his feet, but felt no injury from it. While Sano was disoriented, the men moved to attack again. Aoshi prepared to draw his weapon, but movement off to the side stopped him.

Katsuhiko's bomb neatly knocked some of the Shiranuitou away from Sano, and gave him enough of an opening to join in the fray. They stood back-to-back in the middle of the Sekihoutai impersonators.

"I traced the guy that bought a stack of Sagara-taichou's portraits to here, back to this false Sekihoutai." Katsu said over his shoulder.

"You're late," Sanosuke grinned. "Let's show them how the real Sekihoutai fights!"

"It will be amusing..." said Katsu, producing two of his bombs from his sleeves. Using flints attacked to his index and middle fingers, he lit the fuse and tossed the weapon at one of the swordsmen.

Sano dodged an unsteady, drunken attack from Red-Nosed Shinzou, knocking him out with a brutal uppercut. Katsu finished off the last of the underlings with a second bomb, leaving only the senior officer of the false Sekihoutai and Shindou Tatewaki himself.

Again, Sanosuke dodged the sword strike, and delivered a bone-crunching punch to the man's face. "We've gotten rid of all the small fries now." Sano said to Katsu, who nodded. "All right, Shindou Tatewaki, your turn!" To his dismay, they found Shindou ready with a small handgun pointed at them.

"Having corpses of former Sekihoutai members at the burglary site will be perfect evidence," the old man said darkly, "proving that the Sekihoutai are the criminals. How nice of you to help, I thank you for it."

Infuriated, Sano started to charge. When the gun went off, Aoshi started to unsheath his weapon, but Katsu deftly knocked his friend out of the way. Katsuhiko fell to his knees, holding his injured arm.

Remembering how his friend had done this once before, Sanosuke turned to Shindou and punched him in the gut with a roar. The former Imperialist's eyes rolled back in his head as he coughed up blood, and Sano threw him over his shoulder into the garden.

"Are you all right, Katsu?" Sano asked, helping his friend up.

"I'm fine," he said, his voice laced with pain. "It's just a scratch."

"Heh, even after ten years, you're still an idiot!" Sano smiled at his friend.

"Whatever, you're still an idiot yourself!" he returned, and both chuckled. Police whistles sounded in the distance, so both of the former Sekihoutai members took off into the night, leaving the scene for the cops to clean up.

Aoshi let go of his kodachi and made his way out of the area as well, silently glad that Sanosuke and his friend had taken care of their business without his help.

He handled himself well, considering how he usually behaves... Saitou was certainly right about the kid's potential.

*************

"I'm sorry," Sano said, gazing down at the river. "When I heard that bombs were used in the crimes..."

"You thought that I did it." Katsu finished for him. "You figured I'd be angry about that?"

A half-smile curling his lips as he looked at his friend, he replied, "Nope."

"Then don't apologize. It makes me sick." Katsu said lightly. For a moment, they stood and shared the cool quiet of the night.

"Sano, remember this," the injured man said, "I want to blow the Meiji government apart! Just like we did to Shindou, and those who used Sagara-taichou and his Sekihoutai for their own benefit! I want to create an era where everyone is really equal, and clear the name of the Sekihoutai and Sagara-taichou!" Katsu started to walk away from his friend. "See you later, Sano, you idiot!"

Sanosuke thought for a moment, then called out to Katsu's retreating back. "Wait, you idiot! I won't let an idiot like you go all alone!" Katsu was clearly surprised, having expected his friend to go his separate way.

"Let me know if you decide when to strike!" he said as he turned to walk away from a bewildered Katsu. He knew he had just made a choice, and a difficult one.

Saitou, Aoshi-sama, and the rest of the Oniwaban are going to be pissed at me... he thought as he walked down the dark path. But if I'm going to deal with my past, I need to forget them...

More Author's Notes: I felt that since this episode in the series was so entirely Sano-centric, that it would have the same outcome. I hope to make major changes to the original storyline in later chapters.

I like Katsu. Doesn't he sort of look like Aoshi's younger brother? *swoon*

Next chapter: Who will stop Sanosuke from helping Katsu blow up the Internal Affairs building?