Author's Note: As an important note: this is set after The Final. I have the movie verse in mind when I wrote this. Please kindly forgive any occ-ness. Uhm, what else? I can't think of anything else right now. Feel free to let me know what you think. I am always appreciative of your kind words. Thank you so much in advance for taking the time to read this.
Ok. I figured out how to fix this mess that I have created.
First, I thought, well, I'll removed all the one-shots from "a distant part of the sky" –I didn't get much reviews from those anyway and I had really planned it as a placeholder for my plot bunnies and orphaned-might-use-later chapters. And then I'll rename "a distant part of the sky" to "An Unexpected Invitation" But I realized that the reviews will not match the chapters and my obsessive-compulsive self violently shuddered at the thought.
So. I just went with the original idea of posting it as a different story and I have to apologize in advance if you will have to read the first five parts at "a distant part of the sky"
It feels like I have led you into some wild goose chase and I feel so embarrassed for my dumbassery. I'm so sorry. But I hope this story somehow makes up for it. This picks up right where we left off.
An Unexpected Invitation
The sound of gunfire jolted him awake, his head violently banging against something hard and solid. Pain exploded inside his skull and with blurry vision, he gingerly touched the bruised flesh. What in kami's name?
It took him a whole second to realize that he was lying on the floor and staring at the disgustingly dirty underside of his table. Is that-? he tilted his head in confusion. What is that gunky looking thing? He was sure he didn't do that.
And then, again, interrupting his distracted musings on the revolting habits of some of his friends, the sound of cannons being fired, followed by a muffled voice urgently calling his name.
Groaning, he slid out from underneath his table before slowly sitting up and rotating his neck; belatedly realizing that the pounding sound ricocheting inside his room was just someone knocking on his door a little too enthusiastically.
He narrowed his eyes, wondering who it could be at this late of an hour. He had just gotten home from a night of gambling and some drinking. It was quite possible, based on experience, that it was Aoki who was trying to get him to drink some more.
A late late night invitation like this would have dire consequences in the morning. However, he still wasn't in his usual wasted state: slobbering and unable to stand up straight. He'd drank plenty enough to ensure that he'd immediately fall asleep as soon as his head hit something flat, in this case, his ever-reliable tatami mat. Futons were overrated anyway, he thought as he blinked a couple of times, trying to clear the fuzzy image of his dark room.
This was a common enough occurrence now that things have started to calm down. It had been another uneventful week in a string of uneventful weeks and his boredom had reached its peak tonight. His usual way of amusing himself was getting well, honestly? Tiresome. Not that he'd ever admit it, because this was exactly what Megumi had pointed out to him just a couple of days ago when, freshly bathed, he had gone by her clinic to annoy her.
He had missed her. Since all of his injuries had healed, he didn't have any real reason to visit her. But they were friends, weren't they? Bordering on something he was looking forward into possibly becoming more. She didn't seem to mind. Megumi actually looked pleased when he showed up, her eyebrows curling up in surprised delight. She'd been rather busy the past few days. It's the weather, she told him. Humid summer months apparently gave favorable conditions to bacteria which would then lead to food poisoning.
Sanosuke hadn't really been in the mood to listen to one of her many medical lectures, but she'd gotten that look in her eyes, all excited and happy about being able to discuss a wide array of revolting illnesses that he couldn't help but just sit there and listen to her enumerate the symptoms for food poising: high fever, stomachache, loose bowels, nausea.
It made him nauseous, but that flushed expression on Foxy's face made it worthwhile. Of course, after rhapsodizing about diseases, Megumi had shoo'd him out of her clinic. Apparently, she didn't have time for his inappropriate flirting at her workplace. He didn't think it was that improper and her only patient was practically dead to the world, having been given sedatives. It wasn't like she was treating innocent little kids and they were watching them try to seduce each other. But Megumi had rolled her eyes and told him to get a job and come back when he'd saved enough money to treat her at a nice, fancy dinner. Anywhere was acceptable, except The Akabeko.
"What's wrong with The Akabeko?" Sano asked, defending his undying love for sukiyaki. "It's where we always go!" He added, not understanding Megumi's aversion to the restaurant. Sure, he had an outstanding, unpaid tab, but Tae would always eventually let him eat there.
"Exactly." Megumi's succinct answer didn't make sense and the reminder that he and Tae already had an existing understanding regarding his unsettled bills, had only further irritated her. She had roughly push him out of her clinic, angrily cracking her knuckles. And so, to avoid unnecessary injuries, he had sauntered away, hands shoved in his pockets, annoyed at the impossibility of understanding women! Megumi in particular.
Lost in his thought, the loud banging made him jump up in surprise.
Oh! Right. Someone is at the door.
"Chotto matte," he grumbled, trying to get his bearing. The impatient thumping ceased but was replaced by a louder, more insistent sound indicating that the knocking had escalated to exasperated kicking.
He was going to kick Aoki's head in. Sano could not help the low growl as he took three quick strides to light up his room and then get to his door; a painful reminder of how small the place he was renting at the row house. "Che, relax, will you?!" He muttered darkly as he aggressively yanked on the locks, opening the door with unrestrained viciousness, nearly taking it off its hinges. True, he had wanted some excitement, but he wanted it during daytime and not when he was trying to sleep off his tipsiness. "Someone better be lying on ditch, dying!" He roared only to blink a second later at the sight of Himura Kenshin standing in front of him, a jug of sake clutched on one hand, the other resting so very casually at the hilt of his sakabatou.
"Sano." The greeting was curt and completely devoid of his embarrassingly excessive politeness. "No one is lying on a ditch, dying." This was said in a tone that suggested disappointment.
Sanosuke felt his eyebrows pulling up at the sight of his usually tranquil friend looking almost ready to stab him for simply taking too long to open the door. "Kenshin? What is going on?" He looked over his friend's shoulder, but he was alone and when he gave him a once-over, he didn't look injured or hurt. Obviously, there wasn't an emergency. The door would not have survived Kenshin's kick if a life-or-death situation was at hand. The fact that he had brought sake with him spoke of a much different state of affairs.
"Can I come in?" Kenshin asked with a tired sigh.
Wordlessly, still unsure of what was happening, he moved aside to let Kenshin in, silently watching the red head as he sat at the spot where he had been sleeping just minutes ago. His unexpected visitor placed the sake jar on the table and laid his sheathed sakabatou on the floor. Following his friend's lead, Sanosuke gracelessly plopped himself down and from underneath the table, snatched two chipped porcelain cups. Probably unwashed but hey, live dangerously, right? He placed the cups on the table.
Kenshin remained tight lipped and Sano let out a sigh. "Have you been drinking?" He finally asked, feeling his whole face scrunching up in bewilderment. He'd never seen Kenshin drunk. Pretend drunk, sure but never in this current state of actual, real drunkenness. Well maybe not totally drunk. He'd been able to walk all the way from wherever to here. That was saying a lot, considering the dark, confusing streets that lead to this Row House.
"Just a little." Kenshin admitted, head still bowed, his bangs effectively hiding his face. He pushed the jug towards Sano, ignoring the cup that was being offered to him. "I've had enough, actually. I just didn't want to be wasteful. So," he made a gesture urging Sano to drink up. Which he did. Never one to waste sake. A free one at that.
Well, a free half-filled jug, Sano thought as he poured himself a cup. Kenshin had certainly started pretty early. He could only guess what had driven Kenshin to drink. He winced, scratching at his forehead, wondering what Jou-chan had done this time. Probably accepted an invitation for dinner from one of her older students. Or from one of the merchants Tae-san had been forcing her to meet up with. Jou-chan just couldn't say no. An endearing quality if only she didn't practice it on everyone! Poor Kenshin, probably feeling jealous but unable to do anything about it. He couldn't really relate, jealousy wasn't his thing. He would've definitely raged and ranted and broke bones if anyone even looked at Megumi the wrong way. But then that would probably piss Megumi off. Women! Sighing, he tossed his head back, letting the flavor of the sake swill inside his mouth before slowly swallowing, savoring the taste. Oh! Not bad. Sano briefly wondered how and where Kenshin had gotten this sake but he'll just have to ask that later. More important things were needed to be discussed. He took another sip and wiping the corner of his mouth with his knuckles, finally asked, "So, what did Jou-chan do or didn't do?"
"O-oro!" Kenshin sputtered, sounding both embarrassed and surprised.
The expected reply made him roll his eyes. "There's only one reason for you to be all," he waved his hands in front of Kenshin, indicating his overall semi-drunken, melancholic condition. "So? What is it?"
"Kaoru-dono didn't do anything." Kenshin replied hotly, eyes glaring up at him.
Sano snickered. "So it's you then. What did you do? Or rather, didn't do?"
The glare intensified as Kenshin shook his head. "It's Saitou. And-" He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, straightening his slumped shoulder. "Enishi." He paused and then shook his head in vehemence. "And yes, you're right. Me. I – ore—" Kenshin started but stopped himself, his hands curling in a tight fist on top of his lap. "It's my fault."
Saitou. Enishi.
The names were enough to make Sano snarl. He could feel his own body tensing in anger. But Kenshin also said that it was his fault. The man blamed himself for everything, sure, but he sounded like he really meant it this time. He nodded his head, thankful that Kenshin had decided to come to him instead and of wallowing in his own guilt. Very rarely were their roles reversed and Sano was eager to help out his friend. "I know Jou-chan isn't hurt. You wouldn't be here if she was. Heck, we wouldn't be sitting down drinking if she was. So why don't you tell me everything from the start and then let me handle murdering those two bastards. After all, I don't have any vows to keep."
It was meant to be a half joke, put Kenshin in a better mood, at least in a more familiar, 'no let's not resort to violence' frame of mind, but Sano was shocked to find himself looking straight into the narrowed, glittering amber eyes of a legend. He gulped loudly and poured himself another cup, trying to shake off the sudden anxiety that swelled inside his chest. He took a quick swallow of his sake. Liquid courage. He had a feeling he'd be needing it. Whatever it was that Saitou and Enishi had done – apart from hurting Kaoru – it had truly pissed off Kenshin.
He cracked his knuckles, already feeling the all too familiar itch of wanting to punch not just something, but specifically, Yukishiro Enishi's smug face. Oh, he can't wait.
"HE WHAT?!" His voice reverberated inside his own head and Sano had to briefly use both of his hand to squeeze his temples. This was not a conversation meant for someone whose sleep had been cut short and was now already suffering from a hangover.
The emptied jug of sake was now lying useless on the floor and a part of Sano wished there was more. That he had managed to finish it off in one sitting wasn't unusual, but the speed at which he had consumed the alcohol was giving him a massive headache within a headache. He had drunk more than he had intended but when Kenshin had gotten to the part where Jou-chan had invited Yukishiro – of all the fucking people in the world! – he had lost all self-restraint. And now Kenshin had just finished telling him his conversation with the blasted Mibu Wolf. He really, really could strangle that nefarious bastard. He'd probably get all mangled up before he could get close enough, but he had a feeling that it would be all worth it.
He slammed his hand on the table. "That fucking bastard!" He couldn't help the spittle flying off into several directions, but he was so pissed off. "Insurance, my ass!" He balled up his hands in his fist. "He's counting on the fact that if something happens to Jou-chan in Shanghai, you'll – it'll –"
"Bring out the Battousai?" Kenshin finished for him, sounding dark and somber. "Finish off that abandoned fight from years ago?"
Sanosuke shook his head. He could almost taste the bitter resentment in Kenshin's voice, but that's not even it. Saitou could be a self-center pyscho killer, trying to reclaim old glories or whatever it was that he thinks he could achieve in defeating Kenshin, but that wasn't the worst-case scenario Sano was thinking of. Lowering his head, he met Kenshin's eyes. "He know you can tear Shanghai and probably the whole country apart. For Jou-chan."
Kenshin's whole face darkened. He didn't have to say anything, but Sano could already see the many terrifying scenarios that his friend was no doubt, imaging. "Che, Kenshin. This sounds like what this government is good at. Finding someone who would do the work for them. Unleashing a legendary hitokiri in a foreign country before war could even start? I wouldn't put that pass this régime." Sano's continued mistrust with the government will never really go away, in fact would probably only go deeper in time. He had been proven right time and time again.
There was only thing he was certain in this life: most men who craved power were selfish, lazy, two-faced assholes. They only care about their own agenda. Always willing to sacrifice someone else for success that they will claim for their own. And in defeat, they will easily abandon the heroes they've created, labelling them as monsters. Just like what they had done to Shishio Makoto and all the other hitokiri's they have so callously disregarded. These were the same politicians that turned on the Sekihō Army, branding them as liars and frauds to be captured and eliminated after they couldn't follow through with their own promises: tax reforms, equal rights and protection for farmers and laborers – all of those had turned out to be empty propaganda. The Sekihō Army had bled and died, so that the Meiji Era could prosper.
Kenshin clenched his jaws, his eyes narrowing in concentration at some fixed point just behind Sano's shoulder and he couldn't help but let out a shiver at the familiar intensity of Kenshi's ki. He wasn't as good as Kenshin with that energy stuff, all the more reason to be nervous of how easily he could sense this palpable strength that he was sure his friend was still trying to reign in. This life force, this fighting spirit – no wonder it was something the people in power actively sought to control. This was how the path of history was made, how the future could be shaped.
And then completely surprising Sanosuke, Kenshin let out a small, menacing smirk. "If they think they can so easily manipulate me," It was an expression that probably belonged to the hitokiri, Sano realized, but it quickly disappeared and was changed into a familiar haunted look. "I am no longer that boy."
Sano quietly watched as Kenshin shook his head and not for the first time, he wondered how a young boy had ended up with the Ishin-Shishi. He knew that this resulted in some falling out with Hiko Seijūrō but the reasons for Kenshin leaving his master had never been revealed to them. Regardless, Kenshin's shishou should have known better. He was the adult. He should have just tied up Kenshin to a tree. Not that it would have stopped an enraged, hotheaded, idealistic youth. A truly terrible combination especially if you added how gifted Kenshin had turned out to be with swords - but it would have given Hiko time to talk Kenshin out of joining the war. Perhaps it was just all meant to be. If it hadn't happened that way, they would probably be living different lives. Their paths would never have crossed. Who knows where they would be now? Whether the course of history changing will be for the better or worst was irrelevant now. This, now was the life they were living. It was all that mattered.
Sano frowned. This was why he hated getting inebriated: he always got annoyingly sentimental and philosophical. He was startled out of his reverie when Kenshin determinedly pounded his fist on the table and quietly declared that he can and will protect Jou-chan without reverting back into the feared hitokiri from years ago.
"I have found my answer in Kyoto. It is still the same, especially after Jinchuu. It has not change. I will atone for my sins under my own terms and no one else's, that I will."
Sano nodded his head in agreement, ready to believe in Kenshin. After everything that they had been through, perhaps it was true: Kenshin had already finally been able to let go of the shadows and ghosts that haunted Battousai. Wanting to be a truly supportive friend, he pumped his fist in the air. "That's right. And anyway, no one is taking our Jou-chan to Shanghai!"
Kenshin blinked up at him, the encouraged smile on his face quickly fading away. "Demo, Saitou was right, it isn't up to us, Sano. I wish it was. But – Kaoru-dono." He paused and heaved a long, frustrated sigh. "She has to give everyone a second chance. At least once." The last part was said with a visible wince. "And I admire her for that, I do. If she wasn't that kind of person –" the voice trailed off, sounding even more miserable than ever.
His friend's defeated shrug almost made Sano want to hit him in the head. He'd rather deal with an angry Kenshin than an unhappy rurouni. He vehemently shook his head. "No. No. No. Don't you fucking dare compare yourself to your insane bastard brother-in-law."
"Why not? We both have blood in our hands." At this Kenshin stared down at his own hands, palms open, as though seeing phantom bloodstains. He shifted in his seat, the guilt an almost visible thing that was dragging his shoulder down. "Enishi was just a boy when – I don't even know how he found out. Who was it that told him – the trauma he had experienced –"
Sanosuke rolled his eyes. He wasn't going to let that reprehensible boy – Yukishiro was probably a little older than him but, who cares, he definitely acted like a boy seeking vengeance and justice with his stupid deadly balloon and his gang of murdering lunatics – have that excuse. Too easy. "It is not the same. There was a war, Kenshin. You were just a victim of it, too."
Kenshin looked up at him, anguished. "So was-" his voice wavered, and Sanosuke was certain he was going to say a different name, his ex-wife's, probably, but he ended up muttering Yukishiro's name instead.
Sano wasn't convinced. He crossed his arms against his chest, practically glaring down at Kenshin. "We all experienced traumas. None of us went on a bombing spree, hurting innocent people."
And that amazingly, was the wrong thing to say as Kenshin's eyes merely widened, the almost golden glint, was completely erased now. "What I did hurt innocent people, too."
There was just no winning with Kenshin when it came to this argument. One of these days, if no one was going to do it, he was going to literally pound some hard truths into Kenshin's head. He'd make them stick so he won't have to listen to this kind of nonsense. "It's not the same!" He repeated, raising his voice, "Jou-chan has to see that."
"Kaoru-dono only sees hope."
Sano was startled at the way Kenshin's whole demeanor had suddenly changed. The poor rurouni seemed completely unaware of how his voice would soften every time he said Kaoru's name. There was just a hint of reverence to, but it's always the '-dono' that would throw Sano off. It sounded almost like an entreaty. A temporary honorific that could so easily be replaced by something as possessive as a term of endearment. It was something completely, deeply intimate that it made Sano incredibly, toe-curlingly uncomfortable. He cleared his throat, trying to get Kenshin's attention as he had apparently lost himself at the mere mention of Jou-chan's name.
Startled by the sound, Kenshin went on as though he had not suddenly stopped talking. "She recognizes the goodness in everyone. She believes in everyone's potential for it. She will not easily give up on that." The infuriatingly smitten idiot gave him another helpless shrug, "If she had, where would we all be now?"
That was true, but: "Jou-chan is kind but she isn't stupid."
"No, that she is not." Kenshin agreed rather quickly. "Which worries me even more."
Sano swore to himself that this would be the last half-drunken conversation he will ever have with Kenshin. His ability to always have a pessimistic take on everything was downright depressing. Kenshin wasn't and will never be a fun drunk. Pity that, but that's why he had a wide assortment of friends he could rely on to have stupid discussions with.
"Because if it was just kindness," the red-headed worrier continued without missing a beat, "she would probably just try to talk Saitou out of hanging Enishi as traitor. There is no way that Enishi will be pardoned for what he had done. And if Enishi was to spend the rest of his life in jail, Kaoru-dono would visit him for sure. She'd, bring him food, keep him company. Be his friend. That's kindness. But because she's smart too, she knows exactly how she can help everyone. I'm afraid she already has this all worked out inside her head. And if she wants to go with him to Shanghai, who am I to stop her?"
Sano gritted his teeth and shook his head. Absolutely not. There was no way he'd let that bastard take Jou-chan away for the second time! No. No way in hell. If he had to tie Kenshin and Jou-chan together on a tree, he'd do it. He'd even stand guard. Yahiko would be more than willing to help. He'd fucking write to Weasel-girl, even Shinomori if he had to. He'd bring the whole Oniwabanshū to Tokyo. Hiko can join them. In fact, he should. And they'll do everything just to make sure that Jou-chan won't end up going into some ill-fated government mission that she absolutely have nothing to do with. He'd - an idea suddenly formed inside his head, crystalizing, hardening like precious jewel. He felt his spine tingling at the realization that, yes, kami-sama, this could work!
Eyes snapping open, Sano reached out both of his hands to take Kenshin by the shoulder, enthusiastically shaking him. "I know what we'll do!" He exclaimed, grinning with almost overwhelming excitement. "We'll get you two married first thing in the morning!"
Kenshin's jaw slackened and his open-mouthed shocked face made Sanosuke smugly pause. See? Didn't think of that, didn't you?! It was I, Sagara Sanosuke and my brilliant mind! He opened his mouth but was interrupted by a rooster crowing. He frowned. Today's tomorrow already?! He glanced outside, watching the bruised-color sky from his opened window. He shook his head; it could still work. There was still time.
"I mean, today. Now. Just, later." The confused face of Kenshin seemed frozen in time. This was probably too much for his friend to process, but that's what he was here for. "You'll marry Jou-chan in a few hours." Sanosuke giggled, unable to hide his pleasure. "Kuso. I need to get undrunk for the ceremony." He looked around his meager possessions in a panic. "I don't know if I have some tea here." He began to rummage through the small cabinet an arm's length away from him. He didn't have to stand up, just reach over and - it was filled with, strangely, Tsunan's stuff. So many papers! He'll have to talk to Tsunan about that. The last thing he needed was to be caught with antigovernment propaganda in his possession! Groaning in frustration, Sano slammed his fist on top of the cabinet, the wood cracking and splitting on impact. "I don't think water will do that trick." He mumbled to himself and then realizing something important, he smacked his forehead, turning to Kenshin. "Do we have time for a bath?" He sniffed at himself and then at Kenshin. "You should take a bath. No one wants a stinky groom. You smell like a fucking ashtray. That's what you get for going inside Saitou's filthy office." The stern reprimand seemed to have snapped Kenshin from his stupor.
"ORO!?"
Sano angrily pointed a finger at him. "None of that 'oro-ing', Kenshin. Just marry Jou-chan already. I know you want to. I know she wants to. Everyone in Tokyo knows this. Hell, even the people in Kyoto probably knows this."
Kenshin still wide-eyed, slowly blinked at him, as though not understanding what he was saying. "That is," he began, stammering and blushing all at the same time, "Surely, not everyone knows."
Sano nodded solemnly. "Even the gambling houses are taking in bets, Kenshin."
The ex-hitokiri, feared by many, hopelessly sputtered and choked. Sano gave him a sympathetic pat on the back. Should he tell him that he was bound to win a couple of yen after they married? Probably not now. Kenshin might get some ideas about getting a share.
Kenshin shook him off. "That is not - really, Sano. I do not think that is the solution to this problem. It is not - I will never - Kaoru-dono might misinterpret -" Suddenly, Kenshin's face hardened and there was an angry jerkiness in the way he tried to move away from Sano's reach. "I will not do that to Kaoru-dono. She deserves –"
But Sanosuke has had enough. Sunlight will soon be pouring into his room like a blessing and Kenshin was just too stupid to realize that this – today – was the perfect day to get married! Two of the most important people in his life will be together, forever, happily and Kenshin wasn't going to ruin it with his usual pity party. He grabbed Kenshin's collar, shaking him. "Shut up!"
The snarled command effectively interrupted Kenshin and he stared at him, looking suddenly like a kid. Sano twisted his jaws, taking a minute to think things through. He must not mess this up. Hellfire would rain down upon him if Megumi or Misao were ever to get wind of how he had changed the course of everyone's life by giving Kenshin incredibly bad advice. He could this. All Kenshin needed was the right amount of encouragement. First, he'd would have to tell Kenshin to stop putting Jou-chan on a pedestal. Even if Kenshin was head over heels in love with her, no woman would want to be placed in that kind of position. The danger wasn't in Kenshin idealizing Kaoru too much, it was that it gave him a convenient pretext to not dare claim her as his; to touch her and want her as a man would. He took a deep breath. How to delicately phrase this? "It is perfectly alright to want – I mean, touching – the physical stuff – with Jou-chan, I mean. It's normal. Is that why – I mean, you can't have forgotten how? Do you want me to- uhm, refresh your memory?"
Kenshin had turned so pale, Sano thought he would pass out. It took Kenshin several tries, swallowing and then shaking his head and then dropping his whole face into his opened hands, moaning miserably before finally raising his eyes to him. There was a certain edge in Kenshin's voice that indicated that a speech was about to be made. "Sano, listen to me. I don't want Kaoru-dono –"
Sanosuke narrowed his eyes into tiny slits, he could barely see Kenshin. He looked like a tiny red blob but he was certain that this was a look menacing enough to get Kenshin to listen to him. "Try finishing that sentence or I swear to kami-sama, I'm going to break that jug on your head." They both let their eyes wander at the emptied sake jar. And when Kenshin turned to look at him, tilting his head, unimpressed, Sano grabbed him once more, this time out of pure exasperation. "And this table, too," he added with quick glance down. "It's a disgustingly dirty table, but it sure as hell sturdy. I have done things on top of this table."
A horrified, "Oro!"
Trying to intimidate a former hitokiri was a lot harder than Sano thought. He was starting to get cross-eyed. "Don't make me do it, Kenshin! You will regret having a blackeye on your wedding day." A thought suddenly crossed his mind and he balked a little. "Oh shit," he murmured, "do we have to take pictures? Kami-"
"You don't understand." Kenshin replied conveniently ignoring how he'd been distracted by the memory of getting his picture taken and who knows what else? His soul too, probably, but did Jou-chan care? No. All she wanted was to get the little piece of paper with their faces frozen in time and - movement caught his attention. He noticed Kenshin trying to pry his fingers from the scrunched-up collar of the infamous magenta gi.
Sano merely moved his hand, so now he had a better grip on Kenshin's neck. Easier to shake some more sense into him. "Think about it! If you get married today, Jou-chan'll be your wife and she's honor bound to do as you say. Saitou and Yukishiro can't do shit. You can order her to stay in her room, bar the doors and I don't know – make babies. No, no, no! Don't you start fainting now, Kenshin! This is an important event in your life, dammit!" His friend's face had turned into the color of parchment and he looked like he was about to start having a nose bleed.
"Cho-king. Can't - breathe. Sa-no. Stop."
Sano blinked down and realized that he'd been squeezing a little too hard. "Oh. Yeah. Sorry." He let Kenshin down, watching him warily for any sudden movement. At his current state, he would not be quick enough to grab on to his pesky friend should he decide to suddenly bolt. "Let's get you back to the dojo, get you all cleaned up." He paused and gave Kenshin a long look, eyes roaming up and down. "D'you like, have a different colored gi, or something? I know this is all rushed, but you seriously cannot get married in that. No offense meant."
Kenshin had turned serious. The slackened jaw looked relaxed, but it was all a mere ploy. His tone of voice had reverted back to being cold and sharp. "I am not going to make Kaoru-dono marry me today. Nor will I lock her in room and make – I will not order her around, that I will not. She is her own person. I will support her in whatever she wants to do."
Sano made a face, grimacing at how incredibly formal Kenshin sounded. "That's really modern, Kenshin. Not what I'd call a speech to make a woman swoon, but you should write that down so you won't forget when you propose to Jou-chan later." He reconsidered for a moment, tilting his head to the right. "Although, I guess that's exactly the kind of stuff Jou-chan wants to hear. Just quit with the -dono nonsense." Snapping his finger, he remembered something important as well. "Oh, and don't forget to promise her a lifetime of freedom from household chores."
Kenshin vigorously shook his head. "No, Sano."
Which Sano answered with the maddening nod of his own head. "Yes, Kenshin. Jou-chan will never voluntarily do the laundry. You know that. And don't you ever let her cook unless you want to file for divorce later on."
"No, Sano. That is not what…" Kenshin paused, taking a deep breath and swallowing slowly, "When I tell her, the day I ask Kaoru-dono, it will not be because of this: borne out of fear and manipulation. She will not have any doubts why – she will know that it is my choice. That it is I what I want. That I choose her. That I will always choose her. My life would have no meaning without her. That my answer – to live – it's for her. And because of that, I have no more reason to ever wander again. She is my home."
"Aw, fuck it. That's," Sano had to pause, sniffling softly, "shit. That's really romantic, Kenshin." He was a screaming mess, and he was pretty sure his next-door neighbors were already running out of their houses to report him for unruly behavior and so early in the morning too, but gods almighty, that was the speech. And he felt truly honored to have heard it first.
"Oro! Sano – are you? Are you crying?"
Sano roughly swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand. "No, I'm not. I'm drunk. Fuck you, Kenshin. Geez." He roughly wiped at his face some more as they both sat in silence for a few minutes, suddenly both feeling drained and tired.
"I think I should uhm, go home now, Sano."
Sano could not agree more. Trust Kenshin to send him into an emotional tailspin over a half-filled jug of sake! Bastard. "Sorry about the – " and he made a sweeping gesture at the chaos around them, both the physical and emotional. He really hated being an emotive drunk. He watched as Kenshin bowed low and headed towards the door. "Wait." He called out just before Kenshin stepped out. "Since you're not going to marry Jou-chan yet, still the best plan and I'm going all, 'I told you fucking so!' when Yukishiro whisks he away to Shanghai –" Kenshin visibly flinched in pain, but he deserved that, Sano thought, "who should I kill first, Saitou or Yukishiro?"
Kenshin frowned and opened his mouth to answer, but Sano calmly held up a hand, effectively stopping him. "I think – I think I'm going to be sick."
And then he projectile vomited all over his room.
End note: Well, that was crazy chaotic. HAHAHAHA. Okay, so here we are. It is happening. I would like to thank melay and amy over at for the shotgun wedding idea. Also I know I received a message about Sano suggesting this too, I just forgot who was it. I am so sorry. If it's you, let me know so I can add your name here. Your comments and suggestions are tons helpful.
Anyway, sucks we didn't see a lot of Sano in the movie. I hope he isn't too ooc.
Some translations:
Chotto matte – wait, wait a minute
Che – damn
Kuso – shit
Demo - but