Confessions under the Moonlight

By: dreameaterishungry

Sano trudged back home, away from the dojo, or more specifically, away from Kenshin.

"Why does love always have to be painful?" Sano asked grimly. He kicked a stone in frustration.

"I always thought that if I found someone to love, the emptiness would vanish," Sano mused, "I thought that I would never be alone anymore. I thought that once I found my special someone, I wouldn't want anything else in the world. I thought that I would always be happy. But I was wrong. Instead, love brought me pain. How could I have been so stupid?"

But Sano ignored her. "I've changed my mind," he said breezily, "just forget about our stupid bet."

He sighed. He could never stand a chance against Kaoru. But still he showed how much he truly loved Kenshin...by giving him to another.

o0o

Sano lay awake that night, unable to fall asleep. Every time he would close his eyes, an image of Kenshin would cloud his mind.

"Darn it..." Sano cursed.

"Can't sleep?" a voice that seemed to come from outside, asked.

Sano scurried out of his bed and slid open the door.

"Kenshin..." Sano thought as he saw the red-haired man standing outside his house, gazing at the moon. Sano felt a pang in his heart while he gazed at the man who had brought him happiness and meaning to his life, but at the same time, also brought grief and anguish. "Why didn't he love me instead?" Sano thought miserably, "why did it have to be Kaoru?"

Sano, busy with his thoughts, did not realize that Kenshin had turned his attention to him. And much to his surprise, Kenshin had held his chin and turned it, so that they came face to face. Without warning, Kenshin had suddenly pressed his lips to Sano's. Sano could only moan in surprise and pleasure.

"The man..." Sano thought, "the man that I had loved...the man that had rejected me...is kissing me? Why?"

Sano had his doubts, but much to his pleasure, Kenshin had deepened their kiss, his tongue demanding entrance. Sano would've gladly succumbed to this. But some part of mind was resisting. Maybe because of the fact that Kenshin wasn't his to take anymore. He was already Kaoru's. And he had no right to take away Kenshin or Kaoru's happiness away. Unhappily, Sano broke their kiss.

Kenshin looked at him questioningly.

Sano sighed. "Don't...okay, Kenshin?" Sano whispered, barely audible, "As much as I wanted it...it was wrong and unfair...Kaoru loves you very much...don't let her love go to waste..."

Sano slowly made his way back into his house, but he was stopped when arms had wound its way around his waist.

"K..Kenshin..." he managed to stutter, "what are you doing?"

Kenshin rested his head on Sano's lean back. "I'm sorry..." he apologized, "I know that was already out of the line but...I just want to thank you...for making that sacrifice...I knew...I knew it was hard for you...especially since I knew that you felt something for me...something much deeper than friendship..."

Sano's eyes opened wide.

"I knew about all those glances you always throw me," he continued, "those loving looks that you give when I get hurt...how you always seem to turn a deep shade of crimson and become anxious when I touch you...I know about all those things...I love you Sano...but only as a friend...please understand..."

Sano was dumbstruck. Silent tears flowed down his cheeks as he tried to look for the right words to say.

"I...I understand, Kenshin..." he whispered, breaking the silence, "but always remember....I'll always be here for you...waiting..."

A/N: That sucked...