Chapter 3: Kenshin (Written to The Burbs', I got to a hotel and it's on Comedy Central)
(OK, I did say I wasn't gay, right? Right? Good. That having been said, some of my characters may be. Please don't hate them. Tolerance is good. Tolerance is nice.
Sano: Author-kun, come back to bed!
T3h Jack: *Whispering* Shut UP, anata!
Anyway, I dunno where this is going to, but I have new Inuyasha manga, which means I may be working on a new Inu fic soonthis wasn't meant to be really long anyway. Was it? Oh well! Enjoy!)
"Oww" Chorused the hung-over friends, somewhere around four in the afternoon on the day following their Kaoru-funded binge. "My head" "No, MY head"
"Jesuswhy did we both crash at your place, Katsu? It's all kinda fuzzyI think I passed out on the door, that would explain the dent"
"Umm, I think we had decided to go and"
"OH."
"Yeah."
"I wish I could say oro', like Kenshin, but I don't go for that polite bullshit."
"Ummlet's just never speak of it again, ok?"
"Ummsure?"
Katsu gave Sano the most searching and scary glare that Sano could ever remember receiving until he agreed that they would not, indeed, ever speak of it again.
*
"Hey! Kenshin!"
The master of Battou-justu turned from his laundry. Apparently it was just his way of dealing with the deaths on his conscience. And besides, teaching Kaoru to cook was hazardous to his clothing, despite the fact that he wore the exact same thing every day of his life.
"Konnichi-wa, Sano-kun!" Sano was a little taken aback by the endearment, but considering what he was here to talk about
"Umm, I was wondering if you wanted to, umm, maybe play some dice tonight, come and have a few games over at my place."
Kenshins' eyes widened slightly. "Alone." Finished Sano, lamely.
"Sessha would like thatde gozaru"
*
Oh come on, did you really think it would be THAT easy!? Hell no!
"Oh Sanosuke!"
KUSO!! KUSOKUSOKUSO!!!! "Heya, Megumi. Umm, I'm sort of expecting company" *leer, but not to obvious because Megumi might rat on him and Kaoru was already pissed enough* "so perhaps you could come back some other time."
"Heh, sure, companybut all I wanted to say is that I'm sorry I was so cruel to you yesterday, although judging by the state of the Akebeko you've exacted revenge on Kaoru. Ummwell you may be crude and vile at times, but I still owe you for stopping me from slitting my wrists back when we first met. So thanks."
OK, so let's get this straight. After finally admitting I have feelings for Kenshin, not to mention getting shot down by my best friend, I'm now finally being hit on by the hot chick who's been making fun of me for years. Wonderful. Shall I flip a coin?
"Well, Kitsune, any particular reason you're apologizing to me now?" Either way, he decided, he was gonna make her squirm first. But I already know who I'm choosing.
She sighed, leaned forward, and kissed him full on the mouth. Chaste, but only by means of the Zanza'a iron lips.
Megumi sighed and leaned back. "Well, I guess I learned well from you. Gambled and lost." Sano grinned. "Pretty much, but you get a consolation prize. Come back tommorow and I'll introduce you to Katsuhiro"
*
Megumi was walking back along to the clinic, cursing herself in a way that would have made Sano proud.
Godammit, I can't believe it! I thought I had it worked out! That he couldn't resist! I was SO SURE that his pride was all that was holding him backand what the hell kind of reaction did I get? He said he'd introduce me to his friend Katsu. Didn't even make fun of me!
Her reflection was cut short by a massive explosion nearby. A column of smoke extended above the trees just outside of town, crimson flames enveloping the trees. She ran, hoping to find survivors to heal.
But only one man was in the blast radius, and he limped away unassisted, blue jacket scorched, sword at his hip, and golden eyes flaming with fury.
The Wolf of Mibu had finally seen convincing proof that smoking, or rather throwing away half-finished cigarettes, was very, very unhealthy. Very unhealthy indeed.
*
Sano: Author-kun, does Saitou HAVE to show up? He's obviously gonna interfere with me and my new boy toy, not to mention calling me an ahou until I wanna rip his sneering face off and make him eat it.
T3h jack: Sorry, anata, but the plot needed extending, and it's either write more or watch TV! And even though we get decent cable in this hotel room, Trigun isn't on until 2 AM because we're on western time now! Or something like thathell time zones are so complicated.
Sano: You're cute when you're angry, Jack-kun! Of course you're cute the rest of the time too
T3h jack: You know, you were NEVER this gay on the show, how did I decide to use you as a total fruit in my author's notes again?
Sano: Because I'm a sexy beast?
T3h jack: Oh yeah, thanks sexy, I forgot.
*
"Sessha hopes you are not here to ask him to Kyoto again,, Saitou-san. Ga de gorazu yo."
"Well sessha has nothing to worry about, so tell him to shut his mouth. I heard some reports about buried explosive caches around the Tokyo area, and decided to come investigate."
The former Shinsengumi squad leader's eyes glittered threateningly. "The reports were true, and someone is going to PAY for my favorite suit.
"In BLOOD."
*
"Kenshin! Finally!" Shouted Sano when his date tardily pulled open the Shoji panel, panting from the sprint.
"Sano-kunI'm sorry, but there's big trouble coming, de gozaru! Your friend Tsukioka-san is in great danger!"
"Katsu? Was he behind that big explosion a bit back!? I know we were out drinking pretty late, but I was sure that Captain Sagara never came up"
"Wellremember that joke you made about Saitou? And flicking butts into those buried explosives?" Sano nodded, dreading the sentence that he sensed was coming next.
"Let me guess. Saitou's here. And on the way he tossed one of those burning spit-drenched wads of weeds into a cache of Katsu's bombs."
Kenshin nodded, with trademarked Ruruoni smile in place. "Hai. And he is NOT happy about it. De gozaru ga. He looks about ready to Gotatsu someone to the wall. I don't want your friend to get hurt, especially after all the work I put into making sure he never committed any crimes"
"Wellwhat say we give it some time. Maybe Saitou will give it up if he cools down enough. And I should stay out of it, he'll blame me if he gets half a chance"
"Trueand I want you to get hurt even less than I want Kaoru-dono to be harmed. And you know I value her beyond life itself by a large margin." Kami-sama, please let him care for me as much as I do for him
Sitting there looking sad and forlorn and worrying his cute little ass off was about the hottest Kenshin had ever seemed to Sano. "Maybe in the morning," He said, crossing the room to where his friend sat, crimson bangs hanging haphazardly "we can solve all the problems ya want. Until then, however"
Sano lowered himself and kissed Kenshin softly on the forehead, and then the tip of his nose. "Until then, let's just have fun."
The next kiss was on the mouth, and they went lower and lower
*
Kenshin awoke, nestled under the futon's covers, one cheek resting on his lover's broad chest. Sano's broad arm looped over his bare back, the other one provided a pillow for his own head.
Kenshin's hands were other places entirely.
Sano grumbled, and opened his eyes slightly. He saw Kenshin, and was wide awake so fast he nearly flung Kenshin across the room when he sat up.
"Kami-sama! Gomen, Ken-kun, but I'm not used to having other people in bed"
The Hitokiri just laughed. "Don't worry, anata. Sessha is not used to this eithersessha should go back to the dojo before Kaoru begins hunting him, but he insists you come over for breakfast."
Sanosuke kissed him again. "Only if you're cooking, anataonly if you're cooking."
(Sano: Author-kun, thanks for Kenshin and all, but you should really go write an FOD entry or something, maybe beat another Tetris high score, because you're going downhill!
T3h jack: I know, but godammit my stupid sister wants to watch that 70s show! Can't even flip to the Friday night stand-up!
Sano: That's awful, anata! I hope she dies!
T3h jack: Me too, Sano-kunme too. Anyway, I say this sucker has about one more chapter left in it!
Sano: I concur! Next time; Saitou learns the benefits of a smoke-free life, the ladies are all up ons, the guys get nasty again, and Katsu gets his ass saved! Till then!
T3h jack: I love you, Koishii! L8r!)