AN: I have to say, I am EXTREMLY SORRY for not updating in so long! I have been really busy, but I promise I will try my best to update! To tell you the truth, I think my writing skills have dimmed a bit. When I read my earlier chapters, they seemed a lot better than what I come up with now. It's probably from lack of updating. -_-; Gomen-asai and Please Review!

End Of Last Chapter: "This is the girl? Very well. Come with us Ayame-chan. We have a matter of business to discuss." He turned to Kenshin. "You should come too Battousai." "Alright, but if we come so should everyone else. Is that acceptable?", Ayame requested. "Whatever. Just hurry up." With that, everyone followed him to the back of the store.

Chapter Eighteen: Party Hard

Everyone went to the back of the store and sat in a room that resembled a kitchen. Saitou spoke first. "The police have gained information that the leader of a very powerful mafia in Shang Hai is coming here. They say he's on a mission to kill someone, but we don't know who. Officer Jirun was the one to inform me and suggested that you would be of some assistance." He looked at Ayame. She wasn't smiling this time. "Of course. And I assume you thought that Kenshin-sama would be helpful too, neh?" "Yes." "What do you say, Kenshin?" Ayame gave him a look that told him this was 'the one seeking revenge'. "Alright." "Agreed. We'll inform you when we get more information. You may go now." With that, everyone left. That's when Kaoru remembered. "Hey! I forgot to tell you guys! I won some money in a draw!" "How much?", Sano asked interested. "Let's just say quite a bit!" He grinned. "Then let's have a party tonight!..er..to celebrate Ayame and Misao's reunion!", he added quickly. For once Kaoru agreed. "Alright! Party tonight!"

Scene Change- The Party

Kaoru had bought a lot of food and drinks for the party. Everyone ate a lot, and Sano had challenged Kenshin to a drinking game. Of course, Sano had won. Kaoru and Misao were tipsy, Aoshi just ate, and Yahiko was continuously trying to get some sake for himself. "Sou-chan, would you pour me some sake?" Ayame held up her glass. "Sure." He poured her some, and she for him. They both sipped it, as they were both moderate drinkers and never liked getting drunk. "Excuse me for a moment." Ayame went to the back room to get her gift for Soujiro. Too bad for her, Sano was in there after slipping himself some extra drinks. "Oh, hey Sano." She smiled at him. "Hey." She proceeded to her bag to get the gift when Sano went up to her. "Hey, tell me, why did you picked a shrimp like him when you could have a real man like myself?" His words were a bit slurred, but not much, as his body was used to large amounts of alcohol. Soujiro went to the back room not knowing they were there. He stopped at the door and listened. "For one, he's not a shrimp. He's very kawaii." She gave off a big smile. "Secound, I love him very much, and third, since I love him so much, I wouldn't dare try to hurt him by being with someone else." Sano just 'pffed'. "What? Do you find something wrong with that?" Sano went close to her and said "I can be loved to, yanoe." Ayame backed away. "I'm sure you can, but not from me." He inched closer. "And why not?" "Because I would NEVER betray Soujiro like that." Sano grinned evilly and replied, "Let's just see about that." He grabbed her and put a deep kiss on her lips. She felt his hands going up her kimono. She was too stunned to do anything for a secound. Standing by the doorway, Soujiro had seen everything. His first impulse was to beat the hell out of Sano, but then her words rang in his mind. 'I would NEVER betray Soujiro like that.' He decided to see if she would stick by her words, even if the answer hurt. By now Ayame had overcome her shock and pushed Sano away from her. She tried to crawl away, but he grabbed her leg. Again, his hands started going places. That was it. She turned around and gave him a hard kick in the face that sent him flying back to the wall. She stayed where she was but looked at him in extreme disgust. "If you weren't one of the good guys, I would kill you now. That and the fact that at the moment you are incredibly horny and drunk, I won't harm you further. But if you EVER try a stunt like that again, I WILL hurt you." She pulled down her kimono and headed towards the door. That was when she saw Soujiro standing there. His face showed so many complex emotions, so she could tell he was just as shocked as she was. But something also told her he was also relieved that she handled it the way she did. She ran up to him and pushed him out of Sano's sight. "Soujiro...I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry, I..." "Sorry? You shouldn't be sorry." She looked at him in confusion. "What?" "You kept your word. You didn't betray me." He ran his fingers through her hair. She smiled a smile of relief. "I never would." They embraced each other. "But tell me if he ever tries something like that again. I'll make him regret it." Ayame gave him a worried look, but agreed. Then they went back to the party. Sano on the other hand, was sitting on the floor holding his face. Within a minute, he passed out.

End Of Chapter

AN: Hey don't worry. Like Ayame said, Sano was just very drunk and horny. He wouldn't have done that if he hadn't drank so much. So no, I'm not making Sano a bad guy, he's just a bit jealous. So again, NO I'm not making him a bad guy. Please read the next chapter to find out what Sano does when he wakes up with a really bad hangover! ^_~