Author's Notes: *bows repeatedly* I apologize that it's taken me so long to get out this chapter! Life always gets in the way of fic-writing. I stand by my declaration that I indeed will finish this fic... someday. *sheepish smile* I'm hoping to do another chapter in the next week or two, and I'm especially excited because it's coming up on the Kyoto arc of the story - the BEST arc! Thanks to all those who have been leaving reviews, and those who are still reading this story despite such long stretches of time between chapters.
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 13
by Fujimiya Maru
In the yard of the Kamiya dojo, Sanosuke went through the motions of his daily training. He'd spoken to Katsu early that morning, and they had decided that tonight was the night to strike. Not usually possessing a good poker face, Sano tried not to let the other Oniwaban know what his plans were. Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijou and Misao were all more or less clueless, but Sano watched himself around both Aoshi and Hannya. As for Saitou...
Saitou isn't here, is he? That teme, he brought me into this... Then he disappears! All he ever does is ignore me or call me Ahou....
Sanosuke knew that the older man would be disappointed in him, and possibly even murderously angry if he knew what the former Sekihoutai and his friend were planning. He felt a twinge of guilt; for weeks now all he wanted was Saitou's approval. Knowing that he couldn't go back now, Sano pushed those feelings aside. Revenge against the Meiji government and clearing Sagara-taichou's name meant more to him than anything. Sano concentrated on blocking Beshimi's darts, but one slipped by and nicked his earlobe.
"Ah, you're distracted today, that's no good!" snickered the diminutive ninja.
"Pay attention, Sanosuke." said Aoshi. The okashira eyed him warily, noting that Sanosuke was acting strangely. Aoshi hoped that Sano would tell him what was on his mind, but decided to wait for the roosterhead to come to him.
Sano rubbed his abused ear and focused back on the task at hand. More darts shot towards him, and he successfully sidestepped three and plucked the fourth out of the air with his bare hand.
Misao walked out of the main house to watch the training. Aoshi had insisted that she wear a kimono when she went out into the town for the sake of discretion; today she donned her usual blue ninja uniform. Standing next to her okashira, she did not see Aoshi surreptitiously looking down at her legs. Sano, however, noticed the Oniwaban leader's gaze as he picked up Beshimi's darts.
Heh... I guess Aoshi-sama isn't made of ice after all... Sanosuke grinned, since he never got a chance to tease Aoshi about anything. He froze, halfway to handing the darts back to Beshimi, as he realized he may never get the chance to tease Aoshi after all. His plans with Katsu tonight could change everything, forever.
Sanosuke resolved to keep his promise to Katsu, despite the fact that it left a hollow, aching hole in his chest to leave the dojo.
*************
Later that evening, former captain of the third squad of the Shinsengumi, Saitou Hajime, was up to his ears in paperwork at the Internal Affairs Department. He had returned from Izu earlier that day, ordered to report immediately to his superiors. The manslayer from the days of the Revolution, Raijuuta, had attempted to con the naive heir of the Tsukayama fortune into helping fund a new revolution. The fool had gotten as far as taking over the Tsukayama mansion and gathering his followers there, but Saitou had carried out his orders with the usual efficiency. Raijuuta was no longer a threat, and the Meiji government was safe for now.
While filing his mission report, he also took some time to catch up on events in Tokyo during his absence. Nothing of real importance, but he read the report on the fake Sekihoutai and its crimes twice over; it was obvious Sanosuke had gotten involved. Saitou smirked when he thought of the boy and how he must have been outraged that people were using the Sekihoutai as a scapegoat again. There was the matter, however, of who Sanosuke got to help him fight. The report stated that the fake group had been defeated by two former members of the Sekihoutai.
Who is the other one? Saitou grimly lit a cigarette and glared down at the form he'd been told to fill out. He wasn't sure why the idea of Sanosuke being with another survivor of his group bothered him; it shouldn't matter at all, as long as the roosterhead stayed out of trouble. Which, surprisingly enough, Sanosuke had managed to do since Saitou had dumped him at the door of the Kamiya dojo.
The sky darkened outside the window, and a clerk stopped by Saitou's desk to let him know that everyone else was leaving for the day. He waved him off, determined to finish his infuriating mission paperwork, even if it took him all night.
*************
"Are you sure about this, Sanosuke? Throwing away your present..." Katsu eyed his companion as they strolled down the dark street. It was the night of the new moon; the best time to slip around unnoticed.
"Don't be stupid. I'm not that sentimental." Sano lied, keeping his tone light.
"I see," replied Katsu. "You choose the Sekihoutai over whatever your life is now. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
They continued to walk silently. It had been no small task for Sanosuke to slip out of the dojo unnoticed. He'd finally gotten his chance when Shikijou and Hyottoko had invited him out for drink; once they were halfway to their destination, Sano complained that he was too tired to drink after all. He'd told them he was going straight home, but had gone to Katsu's instead.
I'm sorry, guys... I know you won't understand my reasons, but the Sekihoutai is really special to me.
He hadn't even seen Saitou again, although he knew that was for the best. The older man had an annoying way of always knowing what was going on, and would surely stop Sano and Katsu from acheiving their goal: destroying the Internal Affairs Department.
A chilly wind tore at their clothing as they approached the building - a sprawling monstrosity of Western architecture surrounded by high walls and gates. Inside were the central offices and the main headquarters for the police force. There were guards, but not a full company since no one was inside at this time of night. The two Sekihoutai survivors sprang into action, still in harmony with each other even after ten years of separation. Katsu rolled several small bombs towards the front gate, timed with different fuse lengths to confuse the guards. The explosions were noisy and did little actual damage, but drew the guard's attention away from the span of wall that Sanosuke and Katsu were climbing over.
From the top of the wall, they peered into the darkness of the expansive grounds. A small glowing dot of red materialized in front of them, revealing a blue-clad figure waiting for them, casually smoking.
Saitou had heard the first explosion and run out of the building, but unlike the witless guards had seen through the distraction. He was genuinely surprised that it was none other than the spikey-haired ahou himself that popped over the wall. Whatever Sanosuke and his... friend were up to, Saitou knew he had to stop him. He found himself annoyed that Sano was doing something so obviously stupid, despite the opportunity to better himself that Saitou and the Oniwaban had given him.
"Saitou..." Sano growled as he glared at the figure before them.
"Sano, who is this guy?" Katsu asked, not sure what to make of the policeman.
"Captain of the third squad of the Shinsengumi, Saitou Hajime. The Wolf of Mibu." replied Sano, not taking his eyes off the swordsman.
"Shinsengumi??" Katsu narrowed his eyes and leapt down from the wall. "We won't let you stand in our way!" he shouted at Saitou, pulling more small bombs out of his sleeves. "This time, the Sekihoutai will triumph!"
"Explosives?" Saitou drawled in a bored tone, "How reckless."
"That's right! I'll use these bombs to blow apart each department building, and then the Meiji government! Whoever gets in my way... even the Wolf of Mibu... will be blown to pieces!"
Both bombs were lit and airborne, and only now did Saitou drop his cigarette and reached for his sword. When they were in striking distance, he quickly executed two quick diagonal slices, effectively separating the lit fuses from the explosives.
Katsu gaped, unable to comprehend the skill needed for that sort of precision. Sano came down from his perch on the wall and pulled his friend a step back.
"It's no use, Katsu... He's not someone you have any chance against."
"But, he's just a dog of the government! He fought against the Imperialists, and now look at him, a police officer!"
"He's not a dog - he still lives by the same code as he did back in the Revolution." Sano snapped back at his friend.
Confused, Katsu put a hand on Sanosuke's shoulder. "Sano, why are you siding with this guy?"
"When I first fought Saitou," he replied, smirking at the memory, "I rushed into like you are, not even knowing who he really was. But he took me out, and I lost. It's been a strange relationship ever since..."
Saitou chuckled at that, waiting for the two young men to finish arguing.
"But... I chose the Sekihoutai over my present life... I can't go back now." Sano dropped his jacket and readied his fists. "Saitou! If you insist on getting in our way, I won't show any mercy!"
"Ahou," Saitou laughed once more, "This is the path you have chosen, despite the lesson I taught you when we first met. Do you really think you can get past me?"
With an inarticulate snarl Sanosuke sprang forward, ignoring Katsu as he told him not to face the policeman armed only with his bare hands. Saitou deftly blocked the younger man's punches with his arms, making no move to attack with his sword. Sanosuke had indeed benefited from the training Aoshi had given him; his blows were much more accurate and confident than when they first met.
"You're still a teme!" shouted Sano, pausing in his attack, "You never draw your sword until the last minute! What, afraid to hurt me again?"
"Ahou, why would I be afraid of that?" Almost too quickly for Sano to react, Saitou performed a diagonal upward thrust: Gatotsu third stance. The blade caught Sano across the stomach lightly, the bandages wound around him falling away at the contact and drawing a thin red line of blood.. Before he could regain his composure, Saitou punched him hard in the face.
Katsu tensed, bomb ready, in case his friend need help. Sanosuke staggered back to his feet and motioned for Katsu to stay back.
"That won't do any good, Katsu, don't try..."
Saitou turned to long-haired man, inspecting him critically. "Another survivor of the Sekihoutai, I see... You are aware that by using this particular method, you'll endanger the general populace as well? Do you really want their blood on the hands of your beloved Sagara Souzou?"
"You dare speak to me of blood??" raged Katsu, "The Meiji government you work for shed the blood of the Sekihoutai and Sagara-taichou to cover up your own mistakes! The goal of clearing the name of the Sekihoutai and Sagara-taichou, a dirty hypocrite like you would never understand!"
"Do you think Sagara would want you to act as terrorists? I had no idea that the Sekihoutai were so stupid." Saitou leveled his sword into the first Gatotsu stance, aimed at Katsu.
Sanosuke stepped between them, his eyes suddenly calm and weary. "Saitou... your opponent is me!"
Katsu tried to step forward to say something, but Sanosuke cut him off. "Katsu, get out of here before the police arrive... The plan, it was all wrong."
"Don't be stupid, I'm not going to leave you here... with him!"
Saitou had already lunged forward into the thrust, ready to strike the former fighter-for-hire. But instead of waiting for that familiar blade to pierce him like it did during their first fight, Sanosuke also charged. He smoothly slapped the blade of Saitou's sword to the side with his palm and managed to punch the older man sharply in the ribs.
While Saitou got the breath back that was knocked out of him, Sanosuke firmly ordered his comrade to run again. We were wrong to try this... but I won't let Saitou touch Katsu...
Saitou's eyes darkened with understanding, and struck suddenly and swiftly: Gatotsu zero stance. Using only his upper body, he thrust his sword cleanly into Sanosuke's shoulder. The force of the blow knocked the young man back several paces, the sword still embedded. Katsu ran to his fallen friend. Sanosuke was already starting to get up.
"Sano, stop, he'll kill you!"
Katsu's pleas were ignored, and Sano climbed to his feet and staggered back to the undercover policeman.
If I'm going to die, it'll be by his sword...
Saitou made no move towards him, severe golden eyes locked on the sword still in the boy's shoulder.
"What's the matter," Sano panted, "Now's the part when you slam my head into the ground."
"This time," he responded quietly, "I don't think I need to."
He reached forward and gently withdrew the sword from Sano's shoulder. Tired from exertion, lack of sleep, and the slight blood loss, Sanosuke sank down to his knees. Relief swept over him as his strength drained away.
Saitou picked up Sanosuke's discarded white jacket and pressed it to the wounds. Katsu looked on, horrified, and nearly missed Saitou's quiet words, "I'm sorry for this, Sanosuke."
Saitou slung the injured mans arm over his shoulder and hoisted him to his feet. Turning his gaze at the still gawking Katsu, he only said, "He's learned his lesson, I certainly hope you have too."
He carried Sano away into the darkness, leaving Katsu alone on the grounds of the Internal Affairs Department.
*************
He hadn't even realized that he'd fallen asleep; the next thing Sano knew, he was looking up at a somewhat familiar ceiling - Saitou's house. His shoulder stung like crazy, but it only made him feel nostalgic for the first time Saitou had "taught him a lesson". It was cleaned and bandaged now, most likely thanks to that same doctor the police keep on payroll.
I very nearly did something stupid, blinded by my desire to clear the name of Sagara-taichou... At least Saitou didn't kill me.
Thinking of the man, he shifted slightly to look around the room. The object of his thoughts was leaning against the wall. His eyes were closed but his face was far from relaxed in sleep.
"Did you have a nice nap?" he asked with his eyes still closed.
Sanosuke grinned. "Sure... Y'know, you went easy on me this time."
"There was no need for me to pummel you into unconsciousness this time seeing as you realized you were being stupid." Saitou opened his eyes while speaking, looking at Sano very seriously. Sano only stared back, realizing that Saitou had essentially just complimented him.
Laying back down, he only murmured, "... Thanks."
Saitou got up to stalk over to his desk. "So... who was your friend?"
Sanosuke tensed on the futon. "Teme! Don't you dare go after Katsu! He didn't do anything! ... Did he?"
"You friend did not carry out his plans to blow up the Internal Affairs Department, so I assume he has at least some common sense." Saitou walked back to the futon, carrying a cup of tea. He set it next to Sano's head before continuing. "And I was not asking about him as a police officer, I was just asking."
"Oh... well, Katsu and I were both kids when the Sekihoutai took us in. He's an artist now, he does portraits."
"An artist... who makes bombs?" Saitou raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, that part sort of disturbed me too." Sano grinned. "Seriously, leave him alone. I'll... talk to him, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid again."
Saitou nodded, then sat back down against the wall. Sano fidgeted uncomfortably a bit, then asked, "Hey... where were you anyway? You left without saying anything."
"I told Shinomori where I was going. You could have asked him."
"Che, like that stone statue ever tells me anything." said Sano.
"Izu." Saitou said, simply.
"Heh... did you have a nice vacation?"
"Not really."
A peaceful silence spread for a while, but Sanosuke kept fidgeting. He finally worked is way off the futon, leaning on his uninjured shoulder, so that his head rested on one of Saitou's outstretched legs.
"I'm glad you came back... when you did." Sano said, although he was certain Saitou would be annoyed that he was leaning on him like this. Instead, Saitou ran his still-gloved hand though the younger man's spiky hair, and they sat for a while longer in silence.
*************
After a bland breakfast of rice and fish, Sanosuke ran quickly to find his friend. Halfway to Katsu's cheap apartment, he found him sitting by the side of the river.
"Oi, Katsu, are you allright?" Sano asked as he descended down the hill to where the other man sat.
"Hm, I'm fine." Katsu looked up at his tall comrade. "You look well for someone who was stabbed last night."
Sanosuke grinned sheepishly. "Heh, it's not the first time it happened. Besides, I got checked out by a doctor right away."
"That's good." Katsu paused, watching the water flowing swiftly by. "Sanosuke, I disposed of all of my bombs."
He looked up, surprised. Katsu only smiled and shook his head.
"What that bastard said last night, it was true. Sagara-taichou wouldn't want us to employ terrorism on his behalf. I stewed in my anger for so long I only saw revenge."
"I was like that too, for a long time." Sano said.
"Sanosuke," Katsu looked at him, eyes wary. "What happened to you?"
"Heh," he smirked. "I tried to kick Saitou's ass, but instead he knocked some sense into me."
"But, I don't understand him. How can a former member of the Shinsengumi work for the Meiji government?"
"Well... as far as I can tell, he's still working to protect Japan, y'know? He's like an undercover cop. He gets rid of the really bad guys - even if they're politicians."
"And your connection to him?" Katsu asked almost as if he was afraid of the answer.
Sano leaned back and stared up at the clouds. "After he kicked my ass, he treated my injuries. Then he took me to a place where I could get formal training. 'Cause, he - uh, saw potential in me, or something."
"Training, I see..." Katsu said, "That explains why you were able to deflect his sword."
"Yeah, I'm getting trained by this group of ninjas, it's really cool. And someday... I dunno, I'll use my skills to do some good in this world. Protect people."
Katsu remained silent for a while, the only sound the rushing of the river in front of them. Finally, he said, "I was a fool to pull you from your present life to try to get revenge for our past demons. You've obviously found the right path in life to take; Sagara-taichou would be proud of you."
Sanosuke blushed slightly at that, but asked, "What about you, Katsu?"
"Hm? Oh, I still have the artist thing. And I'm thinking that now I'm not making bombs, I might start a newspaper. There's many ways to undermine a dirty government; letting people know the truth is one of them."
"Sounds good," Sanosuke smirked. "Just don't get carried away."
*************
Closer to lunchtime, Sano wandered back to the dojo. I wonder if they know what I tried to do last night?
He was met at the front gate by Aoshi, standing with his arms crossed and a stern expression on his face. "Since Saitou re-injured your shoulder, you're excused from training for a while. In the meantime, do the laundry." He said monotonously.
Well, that answers that question... "Sure thing, Aoshi-sama..." Sano smiled, and continued past the ninja into the front yard.
"He told me you managed to block one of his attacks," Aoshi called after him.
Sano stopped, and looked nervously over his shoulder. "Yeah... I guess I did."
A rare, small smile graced Aoshi's lips. "... Good job."
Sanosuke grinned from ear-to-ear, then started back towards his quarters. He halted again when Aoshi called out to him once more.
"Sanosuke, the next time you have doubts, or need to talk about anything at all... I'm here to listen."
Sano nodded, then continued into the house where he was fussed over and teased by his fellow Oniwaban.
More Author's Notes: I thought it was really funny when I spell-checked this, and it tried to replace "Shinsengumi" with "Singsong". ^_^;
Next chapter: Um... I don't actually know what will happen in the next chapter, but never fear! I'll figure something out!
