Part Three: Pipe Dreams
Chapter Three
October 1879 - 11th year of the Meiji Era (four months later)
Saitou found him perched on the railing of the bridge into town, tossing rocks into the river. "Moron. There are easier ways to fish."
Sanosuke looked around at him, but without surprise. "Hm, you made it finally. The rumour about you comin' back has been goin' around for a few months already."
"The government can't keep any secrets from your reporter friend, then? Maybe he is slightly too nosy."
"You wouldn't go after Katsu, you both got the same agenda."
"Maybe, but I am more discreet."
Sano grimaced. "Oh yeah, real discreet. What exactly was the purpose of playin' dead?"
Saitou chuckled. "You have been thinking about me so much. I wasn't aware of this obsessive side of you."
"You always tell the cruelest jokes."
Saitou reflected for a few moments before responding. "Hn. You have grown up. I didn't think it possible."
"Yeah, well, had to happen sometime. But it didn't have nothin' to do with you, old man. I forgot about you a while back."
"You feel the need to inform me of this? Seems like you're reaching."
Sanosuke slid off the railing. "Nothin' like that. You're just so arrogant, and I changed so much, I don't want you thinkin' it had anythin' to do with you. I haven't done much good stuff all by myself lately, and I'm takin' full credit for this."
Saitou smiled, slightly. "You are more comprehensible when you don't swear every other word."
"Fuck you."
"I doubt you could manage it."
"Do you have to be an asshole?"
"I am what I am, and will always be so."
"That's cowardly." Sano's tone had an edge.
"Is it?"
"If you're hidin' behind it, yeah!"
"Am I?"
Sano threw the rest of his stones into the water. "Do you ever stop askin' questions?"
"Yes."
Sano held his peace shortly, before speaking again. "Well?"
Saitou sighed and adjusted his cap. "Allow me to explain. In a conversation between two people, traditionally, they take turns speaking to each other on the same subject. After one speaks the other responds. They alternate--"
"Dammit! I know how to talk! You're the one who threw everythin' off track with your dumb questions."
"Are you certain?"
Infuriated, Sanosuke pushed past Saitou, and headed for Kaoru's dojo.
"If you have changed so much, why is your temper still out of control?"
Sano stopped, and then turned to face Saitou, who was walking toward him. "Any man would get pissed tryin' to put up with your arrogant bullshit. Why are you even back in Tokyo anyway?"
"You really have been obsessing over me, haven't you?" Saitou stopped short of Sanosuke, and changed to his smiling face.
"Fuckin' hell! I already told you I don't give a fuck, I'm just fuckin' curious!"
Saitou stopped smiling and reverted to his normal scowl. "Calm down, idiot. You were doing better before."
"Whatever, just answer my question for once."
"There are numerous reasons. Some confidential, others personal, none of which I will share with you in any detail. Are you satisfied?"
Sano shrugged. "Sure. I don't want your whole life or nothin', just basic respect. That's not so hard, right?"
"You have not proven yourself worthy of much respect. But you say you've changed? Are you still using your head to bash things in, or do you think with it now?"
"You and your damned questions."
"I answered yours, it is polite to answer mine."
Sano clenched his fists. "You asked twice as many!"
"Fool. Most of them were rhetorical."
"Whatever."
They faced off until Saitou sighed with ironic melodrama. "Must I instruct you again in the art of conversation?"
"Dammit, shut up already, bastard."
Saitou reached out and rapped Sano on the head. "You have slipped again. Control yourself."
Sanosuke gritted his teeth, but spoke calmly. "I ain't sure how you expect me to get educated or anythin', but as for fightin'? Well, there haven't been a lot of fights to fight in lately. Things settle down more every year, so I haven't learned any new techniques. Ass-kickin' is a way of the past."
"So bitter, so young. Is there no hope?"
"Yeah, well, no one takes a street punk like me seriously if I try and join the cops, or anythin' like that. Am I supposed to spend all my time pickin' bar fights for practice?"
"Hn."
Sano shook his head. "Man, you're even sarcastic when you grunt."
Saitou laughed, mockingly. "How do you spend your time then, if not brawling and boozing?"
"Hey, I still drink, I just don't get completely plastered anymore. And I got a job." He smiled. "Told you I changed."
"Do you demolish forests for the Western industrialists with your Futae no Kiwami?"
"You're really amused by all this, aren't you?"
"Of course. Why else would I still be here? I'm waiting for you to prove your claim of reform." Saitou crossed his arms.
"You really are a bastard."
Scowling, Saitou replied, "You should be more respectful if you wish me to respect you."
"That works both ways! Stop callin' me names, and I'll do the same."
"I only insult you when you earn it."
"Yeah, well, what's the difference?"
"My insults aptly address your intelligence, you rudely question my lineage. Is your employer such a patient soul that he tolerates foul language?"
Sanosuke snorted. "My 'employer' wouldn't figure out that you insulted him even if you wrote it on his house."
"He would have to be so dense to hire a hot-tempered ruffian, I suppose."
"Hey! Shimohira-san is just flaky, he ain't stupid."
"A name, finally. What do you do for this Shimohira-san?"
"Why are you interrogatin' me, don't you have better things to do?"
Saitou shook his head. "Are you going to break off into another conversation every time I ask a question?"
"Answer mine first."
"I already explained this to you, I'm responding to your challenge that you have matured. I wish to find out if you are worth my time."
"I pull his wagon."
Saitou didn't reply right away, but smothered a laugh. "I see. . ."
"Dammit, don't sound so amused! I'm better at it then his horse was, is all."
"Really."
Sano twitched. "Screw you, stop takin' it the wrong way! I mean I literally pull his wagon. He's a farmer. I ran into him on the road a few months back. His horse had gotten loose, so he asked me for help. He was real impressed with how quick I got him into Tokyo, and hired me full time."
"Beast of burden is a unique career choice."
"Asshole."
"Hn. At least that one is more truthful."
Sanosuke blinked, then laughed. "I didn't know you could be cruel about yourself too. So? Do I pass your test?"
"Who said it was over?"
"Dammit, what else do you wanna know, you pryin' old prick?"
Saitou's eyes hardened again. "Caution."
"Calm down, I'll play nice."
"Hn."
There was silence until Saitou spoke again. "Your newfound self-control and responsibility, what caused these changes?"
Sano's face blanked. "What do you mean?"
"The last time I paid attention to you, it seemed highly unlikely you would ever mature. You were set in your ways of sloth and insolence. A weak- willed punk."
Sano's eyes sparked. "Hey! I wasn't that bad!"
"Yet you acknowledge that you've changed."
"Stuff happens, life happens." Sano became resigned again.
"You didn't have the happiest life before this time, so what caused the shadow of adulthood to appear now?"
Sano smiled, even though his eyes still contained a flicker of sadness. "Man, you're really into all this, aren't you? Was I really that stubborn, you didn't think I'd ever change?"
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm curious, not obsessed. Like yourself."
"Whatever. You really wanna know?"
Saitou raised an eyebrow. "I don't usually waste so much time on something I don't mean to pursue to the end."
"You got me there, I guess. Well, the truth is. . . It's personal."
Saitou nodded. "I accept that."
"Will wonders ever cease?"
"Now who's sarcastic?"
"Was that rhetorical?"
"Do you even know the meaning of that word?"
"Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"
"Cute."
"Thanks."
Saitou smirked and began walking. Sano called out to him, "Oi! Where you headed?"
"Kamiya dojo."
Sanosuke trotted to catch up with him. "You ain't gonna make trouble for Kenshin or nothin', right? I might be outta practice, but I'll bet I can still kick your ass."
"Still? Do you think I'm senile?"
"Hey, you are pretty damned old."
"Hn."
Sano grabbed Saitou's shoulder and forced him to stop. "I'm serious, don't mess around with Kenshin."
Saitou raised an eyebrow at Sano's forcefulness. "Calm yourself. My new position is likely permanent, so I need to make arrangements with Himura, for both our sakes. I won't harm your friends, or disturb the tranquil environment of the Kamiya school. You have my word." Saitou removed Sano's hand and continued walking.
Sano caught up with him again. "You got talkative quick. Must be because you ain't suckin' on one of those nasty cigarettes. What happened to those?"
Saitou's form stiffened. "I quit smoking."
"Really? Wow, that's somethin' I didn't expect."
"It isn't any of your business."
Saitou's terse reply ended the conversation and confused Sano.
As both men continued walking, Sanosuke realized Saitou had changed as well in the year and a half since he'd seen him. Curiosity piqued, Sano was tempted to press the topic of the cigarettes, but he'd learned well enough the importance of secrets. Also, leaving well enough alone was a habit he had become very familiar with--some things just weren't worth it.
*~*~*
Chapter Three
October 1879 - 11th year of the Meiji Era (four months later)
Saitou found him perched on the railing of the bridge into town, tossing rocks into the river. "Moron. There are easier ways to fish."
Sanosuke looked around at him, but without surprise. "Hm, you made it finally. The rumour about you comin' back has been goin' around for a few months already."
"The government can't keep any secrets from your reporter friend, then? Maybe he is slightly too nosy."
"You wouldn't go after Katsu, you both got the same agenda."
"Maybe, but I am more discreet."
Sano grimaced. "Oh yeah, real discreet. What exactly was the purpose of playin' dead?"
Saitou chuckled. "You have been thinking about me so much. I wasn't aware of this obsessive side of you."
"You always tell the cruelest jokes."
Saitou reflected for a few moments before responding. "Hn. You have grown up. I didn't think it possible."
"Yeah, well, had to happen sometime. But it didn't have nothin' to do with you, old man. I forgot about you a while back."
"You feel the need to inform me of this? Seems like you're reaching."
Sanosuke slid off the railing. "Nothin' like that. You're just so arrogant, and I changed so much, I don't want you thinkin' it had anythin' to do with you. I haven't done much good stuff all by myself lately, and I'm takin' full credit for this."
Saitou smiled, slightly. "You are more comprehensible when you don't swear every other word."
"Fuck you."
"I doubt you could manage it."
"Do you have to be an asshole?"
"I am what I am, and will always be so."
"That's cowardly." Sano's tone had an edge.
"Is it?"
"If you're hidin' behind it, yeah!"
"Am I?"
Sano threw the rest of his stones into the water. "Do you ever stop askin' questions?"
"Yes."
Sano held his peace shortly, before speaking again. "Well?"
Saitou sighed and adjusted his cap. "Allow me to explain. In a conversation between two people, traditionally, they take turns speaking to each other on the same subject. After one speaks the other responds. They alternate--"
"Dammit! I know how to talk! You're the one who threw everythin' off track with your dumb questions."
"Are you certain?"
Infuriated, Sanosuke pushed past Saitou, and headed for Kaoru's dojo.
"If you have changed so much, why is your temper still out of control?"
Sano stopped, and then turned to face Saitou, who was walking toward him. "Any man would get pissed tryin' to put up with your arrogant bullshit. Why are you even back in Tokyo anyway?"
"You really have been obsessing over me, haven't you?" Saitou stopped short of Sanosuke, and changed to his smiling face.
"Fuckin' hell! I already told you I don't give a fuck, I'm just fuckin' curious!"
Saitou stopped smiling and reverted to his normal scowl. "Calm down, idiot. You were doing better before."
"Whatever, just answer my question for once."
"There are numerous reasons. Some confidential, others personal, none of which I will share with you in any detail. Are you satisfied?"
Sano shrugged. "Sure. I don't want your whole life or nothin', just basic respect. That's not so hard, right?"
"You have not proven yourself worthy of much respect. But you say you've changed? Are you still using your head to bash things in, or do you think with it now?"
"You and your damned questions."
"I answered yours, it is polite to answer mine."
Sano clenched his fists. "You asked twice as many!"
"Fool. Most of them were rhetorical."
"Whatever."
They faced off until Saitou sighed with ironic melodrama. "Must I instruct you again in the art of conversation?"
"Dammit, shut up already, bastard."
Saitou reached out and rapped Sano on the head. "You have slipped again. Control yourself."
Sanosuke gritted his teeth, but spoke calmly. "I ain't sure how you expect me to get educated or anythin', but as for fightin'? Well, there haven't been a lot of fights to fight in lately. Things settle down more every year, so I haven't learned any new techniques. Ass-kickin' is a way of the past."
"So bitter, so young. Is there no hope?"
"Yeah, well, no one takes a street punk like me seriously if I try and join the cops, or anythin' like that. Am I supposed to spend all my time pickin' bar fights for practice?"
"Hn."
Sano shook his head. "Man, you're even sarcastic when you grunt."
Saitou laughed, mockingly. "How do you spend your time then, if not brawling and boozing?"
"Hey, I still drink, I just don't get completely plastered anymore. And I got a job." He smiled. "Told you I changed."
"Do you demolish forests for the Western industrialists with your Futae no Kiwami?"
"You're really amused by all this, aren't you?"
"Of course. Why else would I still be here? I'm waiting for you to prove your claim of reform." Saitou crossed his arms.
"You really are a bastard."
Scowling, Saitou replied, "You should be more respectful if you wish me to respect you."
"That works both ways! Stop callin' me names, and I'll do the same."
"I only insult you when you earn it."
"Yeah, well, what's the difference?"
"My insults aptly address your intelligence, you rudely question my lineage. Is your employer such a patient soul that he tolerates foul language?"
Sanosuke snorted. "My 'employer' wouldn't figure out that you insulted him even if you wrote it on his house."
"He would have to be so dense to hire a hot-tempered ruffian, I suppose."
"Hey! Shimohira-san is just flaky, he ain't stupid."
"A name, finally. What do you do for this Shimohira-san?"
"Why are you interrogatin' me, don't you have better things to do?"
Saitou shook his head. "Are you going to break off into another conversation every time I ask a question?"
"Answer mine first."
"I already explained this to you, I'm responding to your challenge that you have matured. I wish to find out if you are worth my time."
"I pull his wagon."
Saitou didn't reply right away, but smothered a laugh. "I see. . ."
"Dammit, don't sound so amused! I'm better at it then his horse was, is all."
"Really."
Sano twitched. "Screw you, stop takin' it the wrong way! I mean I literally pull his wagon. He's a farmer. I ran into him on the road a few months back. His horse had gotten loose, so he asked me for help. He was real impressed with how quick I got him into Tokyo, and hired me full time."
"Beast of burden is a unique career choice."
"Asshole."
"Hn. At least that one is more truthful."
Sanosuke blinked, then laughed. "I didn't know you could be cruel about yourself too. So? Do I pass your test?"
"Who said it was over?"
"Dammit, what else do you wanna know, you pryin' old prick?"
Saitou's eyes hardened again. "Caution."
"Calm down, I'll play nice."
"Hn."
There was silence until Saitou spoke again. "Your newfound self-control and responsibility, what caused these changes?"
Sano's face blanked. "What do you mean?"
"The last time I paid attention to you, it seemed highly unlikely you would ever mature. You were set in your ways of sloth and insolence. A weak- willed punk."
Sano's eyes sparked. "Hey! I wasn't that bad!"
"Yet you acknowledge that you've changed."
"Stuff happens, life happens." Sano became resigned again.
"You didn't have the happiest life before this time, so what caused the shadow of adulthood to appear now?"
Sano smiled, even though his eyes still contained a flicker of sadness. "Man, you're really into all this, aren't you? Was I really that stubborn, you didn't think I'd ever change?"
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm curious, not obsessed. Like yourself."
"Whatever. You really wanna know?"
Saitou raised an eyebrow. "I don't usually waste so much time on something I don't mean to pursue to the end."
"You got me there, I guess. Well, the truth is. . . It's personal."
Saitou nodded. "I accept that."
"Will wonders ever cease?"
"Now who's sarcastic?"
"Was that rhetorical?"
"Do you even know the meaning of that word?"
"Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"
"Cute."
"Thanks."
Saitou smirked and began walking. Sano called out to him, "Oi! Where you headed?"
"Kamiya dojo."
Sanosuke trotted to catch up with him. "You ain't gonna make trouble for Kenshin or nothin', right? I might be outta practice, but I'll bet I can still kick your ass."
"Still? Do you think I'm senile?"
"Hey, you are pretty damned old."
"Hn."
Sano grabbed Saitou's shoulder and forced him to stop. "I'm serious, don't mess around with Kenshin."
Saitou raised an eyebrow at Sano's forcefulness. "Calm yourself. My new position is likely permanent, so I need to make arrangements with Himura, for both our sakes. I won't harm your friends, or disturb the tranquil environment of the Kamiya school. You have my word." Saitou removed Sano's hand and continued walking.
Sano caught up with him again. "You got talkative quick. Must be because you ain't suckin' on one of those nasty cigarettes. What happened to those?"
Saitou's form stiffened. "I quit smoking."
"Really? Wow, that's somethin' I didn't expect."
"It isn't any of your business."
Saitou's terse reply ended the conversation and confused Sano.
As both men continued walking, Sanosuke realized Saitou had changed as well in the year and a half since he'd seen him. Curiosity piqued, Sano was tempted to press the topic of the cigarettes, but he'd learned well enough the importance of secrets. Also, leaving well enough alone was a habit he had become very familiar with--some things just weren't worth it.
*~*~*
