Samurai X: A Zanza's Love
Chapter 5: Sleepless Night
Author's notes: first time readers of this fic? Just skip this note and go to the story.
For my dear readers who are waiting for this fic to continue..I AM SOOOO SORRY. I know all of you have waited at least one year for this continuation... if u have gone to look at my user look up, at the bio section, u would have seen a notice put up to inform all of u that I took a break from writing till nov 2003 due to my exams. NOW I'M BACK MWAHAHAHA!!!! The previous chapters had some revamping, you should all check it out.
I have a SanoXMeg one-shot fluff coming up, I'll put it up after I finish this fic & my other Saiyuki fics.. thanks for all your concern and support.
Replys for reviews are at the bottom of this fic. (yes I know, finally!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai X (or though I wish I could.). I'm just one of the fans of the anime/manga.
---------------------------------------------------------------
(That night, a room in the Kamiya Dojo)
Sano sat down, looking at the full moon through the window, deep in thought. He thought of Ayako Sagara, his duty to protect her now, from the danger he was sure would come. The unknown enemy is after something Captain Sagara gave her. A letter, hidden in a secret compartment of the brown bag... which Kenshin took with him.
"Damn it! Why can't Kenshin just let me know what it said!" Sano cursed under his breath in frustration, banging his fist into the ground. There was a knock on the door just then.
"Sano? Can I come in?" came the voice of said Battosai himself. He's finally back, Sano thought.
It seems that just now while Sano was talking Aya, Kenshin had gone out, telling Kaoru that he had something important to do. Kaoru, too busy trying to stop Yahiko from running away from practice, had let Kenshin go out without asking much. Now that the Battosai is back, Sano would surely get some answers now.
Kenshin sat facing Sano, and slowly took the letter out of his sleeve. He held it out to Sano.
"Sano, after you have read this, please listen to what I have to say first, before going off to do something."
"Stupid? Yup Kenshin, that sounds just like me," Sano said, trying to act unconcerned. He read the letter. And read it again. He looked at Kenshin, wide-eyed. Kenshin nodded solemnly.
"Yes, Sano. This is the written order years ago written by the Meiji government to the Sekihotai, recognizing their authority as an unofficial army, plus all the claims that they had made to the people. You know what this means, Sano? " Kenshin asked, looking intently at Sano. Sano, still in a bit of shock, could only manage to give a small nod. Was this for real? Sano thought. He stared at the bottom corner of the letter, which bared the red Meiji government seal.
"I didn't want to let you read this letter first until I had confirmed that the seal was not fake. I didn't want to give you any false hope. It's..Sano?" Kenshin explained, noticing that Sano was still zoned out. Sano turned to look at Kenshin. The red head continued.
"I know how important it is for you, Sano. If this letter was to be made known to all, the reputation of the Sekihotai would be restored, the betrayal to them uncovered. But. "
"Such an action would discredit the Meiji government," Sano ended. He stood up slowly and started to make his way out. "I need some sake," Sano said, turning away from Kenshin.
"Aya-chan would be in danger too," Kenshin admitted, "those people who are after her...they will never stop trying to kill her to get such an useful evidence against the Meiji government. My best guess is that they want to unravel the government's past atrocities as a chance to rebel. This could lead to war and chaos at such a peaceful time like now."
Sano paused at the door, letting Kenshin's words sink in. So it came down to this; he either could use this letter to restore the Sekihotai's pride, endangering Aya-chan's and possibly everyone's life, or destroy this letter for good, continuing to bear the word 'evil' at his back for the Sekihotai. It was a difficult choice to make; the letter was critical to him, and his own decision was important. He had once said that if he could choose between his past and present life, he would choose the past.
But what about now? He had grown closer to his new family at the Kamiya Dojo. Would he step into the shadows again and fulfill the calling of the Sekihotai? Or would he let go of the past and live the contented life now?
"Follow your heart, Sano," Kenshin muttered softly, but loud enough for Sano to hear. Sano walked out and shut the door behind him. The wind began to blow gently across his features, his bandana ends swaying in the wind.
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Outside Sano's room)
Ayako hid quietly around the corner, her face filled with sadness, eyes brimming with tears. She had heard Sano and Kenshin's conversation, coming to the conclusion that this was all her fault. She knew that her father would never want to be the cause of Sano's distress. She was angry at herself for bringing such trouble for all of them. The attackers...
"If they want to get me, I'll find them and deal with them myself," Aya concluded, resolving her determination. She drew her hidden weapons from her sleeve... it was a series of small poisonous darts, which her father had given her when she was young. She had wanted to use them on the pervert she met while she went to fetch water for the Akabeko that day, when Sano saved her instead.
She sneaked into the dojo training grounds and took the katana she had seen placed on the shelf. She armed herself with it and sneaked out of the dojo.
"For the Sekihotai, for my father, for Sanosuke," she muttered, turning to see the dojo for one last time before racing off into the streets...
---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
(Megumi's room in Doctor Genzai's clinic)
Megumi Takani, for the first time in ages, could not fall asleep. The scene of Sano hugging a crying Ayako kept replaying in her head, like a haunting memory. She was more disturbed by the fact that it bothered her to see someone else in the chicken-head's arms.
'Would you rather it be you instead? Are you jealous?' A small voice inside her head said, but she quickly suppressed it.
"Oh well," Megumi muttered to herself, looking at the full moon through the window, "it looks like I won't get any sleep tonight."
---------------------------------------------------------------- ----
(In the streets)
Sano walked around the streets aimlessly, feeling even more troubled than before Kenshin came back. His usual quick decision-making habit seemed to have abandoned him at the moment, his stride long and tired. He did not even feel like drinking sake.
"Oh well," Sano muttered to himself, looking at the full moon through his long bangs, "it looks like I won't get any sleep tonight."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Author's notes: That's another chapter done. I apologize if it lacks some humor... but then again it's supposed to be sad right? ... If has any questions, just ask in your reviews. I try to reply to them... but even I myself don't know how it will end.
Up next.. The attackers, will Aya succeed? Will the misunderstanding be cleared between Megumi and Sanosuke? What about Katsu?
Gareth: *appears out of nowhere, holding a signboard which says "I WANT MORE SCREEN TIME"*
Author:*sweatdrop* Will Gareth get more screen time?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Replies for the reviews received as of 20 nov 2003
Author: Sano, help me with this
Sano: Why should I ?
Author: *holds Megumi hostage* hehehe
Sano: OoO Okay! Okay!
Author: *coughs* okay... First,
~ ~
To g3ozLizh, yeah, I noted that the sanomeg fics here are quite little, thanks for your support!!
To kitkat8, sorry to confuse u, this is sanoXmeg.... there's just some admiration on aya's part.
To neko-chan17, thanks for your support..as u can see I have continued this fic, and I'm telling myself I have to complete this or I'm letting you all and myself down.
~ ~
Author: okay next..
Sano: how many times must you say "thank you for your support" ?
Author: Urusai!
~ ~
To Crystal Snowflakes, hey, nice name ^^ thanks for reading this
To crystal of psyche, thanks a lot for reading this... I'm glad you like drama!
To Kitkat, glad u like it so far, I was afraid no one would read it. My first fic was a total disaster. I didn't get a single review! I took it down anyway.
To Emiri-chan, don't worry! I will never leave it half way, not with all the reviewer's wonderful reviews. Sano and Megumi should be together in the end.. *author looks at sano* Sano: hey hey! You're writing this!
Aya & Katsu? *looks at Sano* what do you think? Wanna matchmake? Sano: hmm, how about Gareth & Aya? Author: O.O
To huh? , uh.thanks
To kimiko, I thought the interaction was fun too, love it when they 'quarrel' in the actually show *nudges Sano* right? Sano: Hn. Author: Don't do that, it's like Ran from Weiss Kreuz
~ ~
Author: wow... ten more to go *flex fingers*
Sano: how did I help in this ?
Author: Moral support ^o^
Sano: *sweatdrop*
~ ~
To tasheka, thanks for reading... nice name. Sano: that was lame. Author: Urusai!
To TenkunoMeiou, thanks for reading! Feel free to ask any questions!
To dragon of shadows, thanks, Sano thought it was sweet too, right Sano? *still holds Megumi hostage* Sano: YEAH! Really sweet...
To DBZ Goddess, haha, since u use capital letters I guess u really like it, thanks
To Kitsune-Blue, well, here's the next chapter, if you're still around.
~ ~
Author: *pants* Just. A. Few. More.
Sano: you still have to reply for your other fics too, you know
Author: O.O Hn
~ ~
To Valese, I'm quite confused about how to continue too, but these things can't be rushed.. ideas have to come naturally to be effective.
To Klaudine, Gareth? Bait? *looks at Sano* Sano: I refuse to comment. Author: *sighs* I'll see how it goes, Sano's a bit shy. Sano: I'M WHAT???
To Squeaks-sama, hahaha, okok, I'll update! Really, I'm touched. Glad u like it so much. Hope you're still around to see this.
To Canalchuu, hehe, I intended to just have Sano laughing, but I saw the picture in the comic book 5 and I just have to mention it.
To just some reader of ur fic, well, great minds think alike! Go on and write your fic! I wanna read it!
~ ~
Author: Yay! Finished replying *collapses*
Sano: oi oi *pokes with stick*
Author: *wakes up* oh yeah *frees Megumi* there! Go get your fox lady!
Sano: *growl*
Author: Tune in for the next chapter!!
Chapter 5: Sleepless Night
Author's notes: first time readers of this fic? Just skip this note and go to the story.
For my dear readers who are waiting for this fic to continue..I AM SOOOO SORRY. I know all of you have waited at least one year for this continuation... if u have gone to look at my user look up, at the bio section, u would have seen a notice put up to inform all of u that I took a break from writing till nov 2003 due to my exams. NOW I'M BACK MWAHAHAHA!!!! The previous chapters had some revamping, you should all check it out.
I have a SanoXMeg one-shot fluff coming up, I'll put it up after I finish this fic & my other Saiyuki fics.. thanks for all your concern and support.
Replys for reviews are at the bottom of this fic. (yes I know, finally!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai X (or though I wish I could.). I'm just one of the fans of the anime/manga.
---------------------------------------------------------------
(That night, a room in the Kamiya Dojo)
Sano sat down, looking at the full moon through the window, deep in thought. He thought of Ayako Sagara, his duty to protect her now, from the danger he was sure would come. The unknown enemy is after something Captain Sagara gave her. A letter, hidden in a secret compartment of the brown bag... which Kenshin took with him.
"Damn it! Why can't Kenshin just let me know what it said!" Sano cursed under his breath in frustration, banging his fist into the ground. There was a knock on the door just then.
"Sano? Can I come in?" came the voice of said Battosai himself. He's finally back, Sano thought.
It seems that just now while Sano was talking Aya, Kenshin had gone out, telling Kaoru that he had something important to do. Kaoru, too busy trying to stop Yahiko from running away from practice, had let Kenshin go out without asking much. Now that the Battosai is back, Sano would surely get some answers now.
Kenshin sat facing Sano, and slowly took the letter out of his sleeve. He held it out to Sano.
"Sano, after you have read this, please listen to what I have to say first, before going off to do something."
"Stupid? Yup Kenshin, that sounds just like me," Sano said, trying to act unconcerned. He read the letter. And read it again. He looked at Kenshin, wide-eyed. Kenshin nodded solemnly.
"Yes, Sano. This is the written order years ago written by the Meiji government to the Sekihotai, recognizing their authority as an unofficial army, plus all the claims that they had made to the people. You know what this means, Sano? " Kenshin asked, looking intently at Sano. Sano, still in a bit of shock, could only manage to give a small nod. Was this for real? Sano thought. He stared at the bottom corner of the letter, which bared the red Meiji government seal.
"I didn't want to let you read this letter first until I had confirmed that the seal was not fake. I didn't want to give you any false hope. It's..Sano?" Kenshin explained, noticing that Sano was still zoned out. Sano turned to look at Kenshin. The red head continued.
"I know how important it is for you, Sano. If this letter was to be made known to all, the reputation of the Sekihotai would be restored, the betrayal to them uncovered. But. "
"Such an action would discredit the Meiji government," Sano ended. He stood up slowly and started to make his way out. "I need some sake," Sano said, turning away from Kenshin.
"Aya-chan would be in danger too," Kenshin admitted, "those people who are after her...they will never stop trying to kill her to get such an useful evidence against the Meiji government. My best guess is that they want to unravel the government's past atrocities as a chance to rebel. This could lead to war and chaos at such a peaceful time like now."
Sano paused at the door, letting Kenshin's words sink in. So it came down to this; he either could use this letter to restore the Sekihotai's pride, endangering Aya-chan's and possibly everyone's life, or destroy this letter for good, continuing to bear the word 'evil' at his back for the Sekihotai. It was a difficult choice to make; the letter was critical to him, and his own decision was important. He had once said that if he could choose between his past and present life, he would choose the past.
But what about now? He had grown closer to his new family at the Kamiya Dojo. Would he step into the shadows again and fulfill the calling of the Sekihotai? Or would he let go of the past and live the contented life now?
"Follow your heart, Sano," Kenshin muttered softly, but loud enough for Sano to hear. Sano walked out and shut the door behind him. The wind began to blow gently across his features, his bandana ends swaying in the wind.
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Outside Sano's room)
Ayako hid quietly around the corner, her face filled with sadness, eyes brimming with tears. She had heard Sano and Kenshin's conversation, coming to the conclusion that this was all her fault. She knew that her father would never want to be the cause of Sano's distress. She was angry at herself for bringing such trouble for all of them. The attackers...
"If they want to get me, I'll find them and deal with them myself," Aya concluded, resolving her determination. She drew her hidden weapons from her sleeve... it was a series of small poisonous darts, which her father had given her when she was young. She had wanted to use them on the pervert she met while she went to fetch water for the Akabeko that day, when Sano saved her instead.
She sneaked into the dojo training grounds and took the katana she had seen placed on the shelf. She armed herself with it and sneaked out of the dojo.
"For the Sekihotai, for my father, for Sanosuke," she muttered, turning to see the dojo for one last time before racing off into the streets...
---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
(Megumi's room in Doctor Genzai's clinic)
Megumi Takani, for the first time in ages, could not fall asleep. The scene of Sano hugging a crying Ayako kept replaying in her head, like a haunting memory. She was more disturbed by the fact that it bothered her to see someone else in the chicken-head's arms.
'Would you rather it be you instead? Are you jealous?' A small voice inside her head said, but she quickly suppressed it.
"Oh well," Megumi muttered to herself, looking at the full moon through the window, "it looks like I won't get any sleep tonight."
---------------------------------------------------------------- ----
(In the streets)
Sano walked around the streets aimlessly, feeling even more troubled than before Kenshin came back. His usual quick decision-making habit seemed to have abandoned him at the moment, his stride long and tired. He did not even feel like drinking sake.
"Oh well," Sano muttered to himself, looking at the full moon through his long bangs, "it looks like I won't get any sleep tonight."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Author's notes: That's another chapter done. I apologize if it lacks some humor... but then again it's supposed to be sad right? ... If has any questions, just ask in your reviews. I try to reply to them... but even I myself don't know how it will end.
Up next.. The attackers, will Aya succeed? Will the misunderstanding be cleared between Megumi and Sanosuke? What about Katsu?
Gareth: *appears out of nowhere, holding a signboard which says "I WANT MORE SCREEN TIME"*
Author:*sweatdrop* Will Gareth get more screen time?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Replies for the reviews received as of 20 nov 2003
Author: Sano, help me with this
Sano: Why should I ?
Author: *holds Megumi hostage* hehehe
Sano: OoO Okay! Okay!
Author: *coughs* okay... First,
~ ~
To g3ozLizh, yeah, I noted that the sanomeg fics here are quite little, thanks for your support!!
To kitkat8, sorry to confuse u, this is sanoXmeg.... there's just some admiration on aya's part.
To neko-chan17, thanks for your support..as u can see I have continued this fic, and I'm telling myself I have to complete this or I'm letting you all and myself down.
~ ~
Author: okay next..
Sano: how many times must you say "thank you for your support" ?
Author: Urusai!
~ ~
To Crystal Snowflakes, hey, nice name ^^ thanks for reading this
To crystal of psyche, thanks a lot for reading this... I'm glad you like drama!
To Kitkat, glad u like it so far, I was afraid no one would read it. My first fic was a total disaster. I didn't get a single review! I took it down anyway.
To Emiri-chan, don't worry! I will never leave it half way, not with all the reviewer's wonderful reviews. Sano and Megumi should be together in the end.. *author looks at sano* Sano: hey hey! You're writing this!
Aya & Katsu? *looks at Sano* what do you think? Wanna matchmake? Sano: hmm, how about Gareth & Aya? Author: O.O
To huh? , uh.thanks
To kimiko, I thought the interaction was fun too, love it when they 'quarrel' in the actually show *nudges Sano* right? Sano: Hn. Author: Don't do that, it's like Ran from Weiss Kreuz
~ ~
Author: wow... ten more to go *flex fingers*
Sano: how did I help in this ?
Author: Moral support ^o^
Sano: *sweatdrop*
~ ~
To tasheka, thanks for reading... nice name. Sano: that was lame. Author: Urusai!
To TenkunoMeiou, thanks for reading! Feel free to ask any questions!
To dragon of shadows, thanks, Sano thought it was sweet too, right Sano? *still holds Megumi hostage* Sano: YEAH! Really sweet...
To DBZ Goddess, haha, since u use capital letters I guess u really like it, thanks
To Kitsune-Blue, well, here's the next chapter, if you're still around.
~ ~
Author: *pants* Just. A. Few. More.
Sano: you still have to reply for your other fics too, you know
Author: O.O Hn
~ ~
To Valese, I'm quite confused about how to continue too, but these things can't be rushed.. ideas have to come naturally to be effective.
To Klaudine, Gareth? Bait? *looks at Sano* Sano: I refuse to comment. Author: *sighs* I'll see how it goes, Sano's a bit shy. Sano: I'M WHAT???
To Squeaks-sama, hahaha, okok, I'll update! Really, I'm touched. Glad u like it so much. Hope you're still around to see this.
To Canalchuu, hehe, I intended to just have Sano laughing, but I saw the picture in the comic book 5 and I just have to mention it.
To just some reader of ur fic, well, great minds think alike! Go on and write your fic! I wanna read it!
~ ~
Author: Yay! Finished replying *collapses*
Sano: oi oi *pokes with stick*
Author: *wakes up* oh yeah *frees Megumi* there! Go get your fox lady!
Sano: *growl*
Author: Tune in for the next chapter!!