Part 13: Wager

Day 17: Saturday, cont.

            He wasn't sure how he could stand. He couldn't even feel his legs.

            "You…were married to my dad?" Sanosuke stared at the woman in shock.

            Sharon nodded tearfully. "He passed away not too long ago…"

            Sano's eyes turned to the elder. The action seemed to clear Sano's head. "And…you…you took me away from them…"

            His grandfather flinched.

            "Why?" Sanosuke demanded, cold fury seeping into his voice.

            "I wanted to do the right thing for my son…"

            "By taking away his only child?" Sanosuke exclaimed in disbelief. "How is that doing the right thing?!"

            "Sanosuke…" Sharon spoke up. "Please…you have every right to be angry…but please…can you not discuss this here…of all places?"

            It was then that he realized his location. With a murmur of apology to his father, Sanosuke turned to follow the other two out of the memorial park, studying them. His stepmother was in the mid-height range, and she had retained her youthful good looks. She didn't look older than forty, but he suspected she was closer to her fifties. And as for his grandfather…he saw only a little family resemblance. His grandfather had much harsher features…but the eyes were the same. They continued walking.

            Once they were a respectable distance from the park, Sano opened fire.

            "So why'd you do it? How could anyone be so…so…" He couldn't even find words for it.

            "I…I was…selfish," his grandfather admitted grudgingly. "I…wanted the best for my son…and I wanted all of his ties to…his first wife cut completely."

            "So you took me away and made it look like my mom was responsible for my disappearing act," Sanosuke filled in the rest.

            "Yes. Your…mother was going away on a vacation with her mother and sister…so it was…easy to make your father believe that she had left with you…" his grandfather continued. "Sanosuke…I've lived a long time with this secret…I…I don't need to be reminded of my mistakes. I am sorry if I ever caused-"

            "Sorry isn't enough, Grandfather," Sanosuke interrupted. "I've lived my whole life without my parents. You at least had a family. I had nothing. Nothing!"

            "You've made something of yourself, from what we were told," Sharon said gently. "You're a machinist, now, right?"

            Sanosuke's eyes rounded. "Who told you that?"

            "Lieutenant Commander Shinomori," his grandfather answered. "He came by…had several questions to ask…"

            "He went to your house?" Sanosuke couldn't believe it. I'm going to kill him. What else had the man done without telling him? 

            "I know that it's going to take time…for all of us…" Sharon suddenly said. "But I want you to know that you are always welcome in our home, Sanosuke."

            Her eyes were sincere and honest. It occurred to him then why his father remarried. She was a kind person. And with all the deception his father experienced, whether he realized it or not…he had needed someone like her at the time.

            "It's going to take me a long time, Sharon," Sanosuke admitted. "Twenty-seven years is a lot to make up for. I'm not even really sure it's possible…"

            "I understand," the woman responded, nodding. "I would probably think the same in your case."

            "Thanks for the offer, though…" Sanosuke's eyes hardened once they reached his grandfather. "And to be honest…I'm not really sure I could get over what's happened…"

            The older man looked away, clearly unable to see the anger in his grandson's eyes…and the sadness in his daughter-in-law's. It was obvious that Sharon wanted them to be a family. But it took a lot more than an apology. At least in Sano's opinion. Maybe there were just some things that couldn't be forgiven. 

            "Kenshin…what is this about?" Kaoru couldn't help but giggle nervously as she attempted to dislodge the blindfold from around her eyes.

            "No, you can't look," her husband's gentle voice reached her ears. But there was a teasing tone in it as well.

            "Kenshin…"

            "You'll like this surprise, Kaoru," he assured.

            The sound of her car side door opening prompted her to turn her head slightly. Her husband took her hand and lifted her out of the car. Automatically, her arms wound around his neck.

            "Kenshin…"

            "Just a little further…"

            She felt herself being set down onto the…pavement? Sidewalk? She wasn't sure. Kenshin's hands supported her as she tried to maintain her balance.

            "I'm going to take off the blindfold now…"

            Kaoru eagerly closed her eyes in anticipation. She wondered what in the world her wonderful husband had planned for her. When the item came off, her eyes fluttered open to see that he had driven her to a cul-de-sac in an area of Honolulu she wasn't familiar with. In front of her was a two-story home with a neatly trimmed front lawn and a palm tree that soared to the sky. The structure itself was painted a muted gray and white, with a two story garage.

            But what caught her attention the most was the 'For Sale' sign posted on the front lawn.

            Confused, she turned to her husband, who smiled at her.

            "I spoke to the realtor…they said that the owners would be ready to move out within a month once we gave them our answer. And with my veteran's money…" Kenshin shrugged.

            "A house? Of our own? Ours? Really?" Kaoru pressed.

            Kenshin laughed. "And it's only two blocks from the dojo."

            "It is??"

            "I'll show you on the drive back." Kenshin smiled. "So what do you think?"

            He got his answer when she threw her arms around his neck and left several kisses on his cheek and lips. 

Day 18: Sunday

            "You look happy," Megumi commented, settling deeper into the seat across from Kaoru at the buffet restaurant where they agreed to have brunch.

            Also sitting at the table were Aoshi, Okina, Misao, Aunties Yuki and Kyoko.

            "I am," Kaoru admitted, giggling slightly.

            Megumi glanced at Aoshi, who sat beside her and shrugged.

            "But then again…so do you two," Kaoru commented, casting a speculative glance between her two friends. "Is there something I should know…?"

            Megumi opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by Aoshi.

            "You first."

            Kaoru's eyes widened, then her smile grew. Steepling her fingers, she pressed them to her lips before saying, "Kenshin has found a house for us."

            "That's wonderful!" Kyoko responded.

            "I assume family planning will start once you settle in?" Aoshi asked.

            Kaoru nodded, barely able to contain her excitement. "It's not too far from the dojo and I've seen the floorplans and pictures of the interior…the owners have already bought their own house…they're just waiting for us so they can start packing and moving…I can't believe it! After all this time…we'll finally be in a house of our own!" Then she cleared her throat, spreading her hands on the table. "All right. Now you two."

            Megumi blinked. "I don't know what…"

            "It's been days since I've seen you guys."

            "But you just saw me yesterday," Megumi argued.

            "Together I mean," Kaoru corrected. "Something is definitely different." Her blue eyes studied them carefully. "So spill. Something has changed since Christmas…"

            "We made up," Megumi stated.

            "No kidding," Kaoru responded. "I found that out from Sanosuke. Who should be here soon, with Kenshin, by the way…"

            "Then there's nothing else," Megumi replied, noticing that Aoshi took a drink of water. "Other than Aoshi is thinking about marriage."

            Okina and Misao sharply turned to look at Aoshi.

            "For real?" Misao asked.

            "You're going to stop living like a hermit?" Okina demanded.

            Aoshi glared at them while Auntie Yuki and Kyoko looked overjoyed.

            However, Kaoru pouted, looking deflated. "But I already knew that…"

            "How's that?" Aoshi set his glass down.

            "I just did," Kaoru answered, smiling. "So when's the wedding?"

            "Not sure," Aoshi answered. "She hasn't agreed. Yet."

            All eyes turned to Megumi and she cleared her throat delicately.

            Kaoru's jaw dropped. "What? Are you crazy?" Kaoru demanded. "When the man you love asks you to marry him, you're supposed to say yes."

            "I wasn't exactly asked." Megumi shot Aoshi a look. "More like told that I would eventually marry him…"

            Kaoru laughed. "Now that sounds more like you, Aoshi."

            "Absolutely. Aoshi would never 'ask' a woman to marry him…" Okina agreed.

            "He'd tell her that it's going to happen. Regardless," Misao chimed in.

            Megumi's aunts only seemed to be more pleased.

            Kyoko turned to her niece, saying, "And why exactly haven't you agreed yet?"

            Megumi smiled sweetly. "I have my reasons. I'm going to get breakfast, let's go, Aoshi!" She snatched his hand and jumped to her feet, pulling him along with her.

            "Now? We should wait-"

            "Yes, now," Megumi insisted.

            Once they were out of hearing range, Okina shook his head. "Your niece doesn't have a chance," he said flatly.

            Kyoko and Yuki glanced at each other.

            "Once Aoshi's made up his mind, that's it," Misao agreed. "If he wants to get married…he'll find subtle ways to convince her it's the best thing to do…"

            "What's the best thing to do?" Sanosuke asked, pulling up a chair.

            Kenshin kissed his wife in greeting as everyone exchanged hellos.

            "Would you like to wager when my stubborn niece agrees to marry your supposedly persistent former ward?" Kyoko asked Okina, a wicked smile on her lips.

            "What?" Sanosuke blinked, looking around.

            "Aoshi and Megumi made up on Christmas Eve," Kaoru explained. "And it sounds like Aoshi's thinking about marriage."

            "Megumi hasn't agreed yet, but he," Kyoko gestured to Okina, "thinks she will soon enough."

            Sanosuke grinned. "So it's like that, now, huh? As in actually…legally being his wife or agreeing to be his wife?"

            "Agreeing to be his wife," Yuki answered.

            "Let's say that the losers all pay for a three course meal at Anthony's," Kaoru suggested. "With everyone here, Aoshi and Megumi attending, but they obviously don't pay for their meals…"

            Misao's eyes widened. "That place? Where you pay seventy dollars for a good steak and fifty for a good seafood dish?"

            "That's the one." Kaoru nodded.

            Kenshin smiled. "Appetizers, main course, and dessert. That should be interesting."

            "All right…" Okina narrowed his eyes in thought. "I'll say that she'll agree by June."

            "Dates, you gotta be specific." Sanosuke grinned. Apparently he was in on the gamble.

            "By June first," Okina declared.

            "I say May fifteenth," Kaoru spoke up.

            "I say by August first," Kenshin said.

            "November tenth," Yuki supplied.

            "April second," Kyoko spoke up.

            "December first," Sanosuke added.

            Misao raised her hand. "Can I bet, too? But instead of a meal…how about I do some volunteer work, for a fixed number of hours for everyone? And for Jiya and Sanosuke…you two can ask me to buy you something that you can only get from the islands?"

            "Sounds fair," Kyoko agreed. "I think two hours volunteering for Yuki, Kaoru, Kenshin, and myself, plus whatever you plan to buy Sanosuke and Nenji…as long as theirs don't go over the price of seventy dollars combined…is equal to a full course meal at Anthony's, right?" To which everyone agreed.

            Misao grinned. "Then I say February fourteenth."

            "You mean…in like a month and a half?" Sanosuke asked for clarification.

            Misao nodded. "Yup."

            "That's quite a risk, young lady," Yuki commented.

            "But it is Valentine's Day…" Kenshin shrugged.

            "It's also Aoshi and Megs' anniversary," Misao pointed out, grinning.

            "You're pretty confident…" Okina trailed off.

            "Hey, I was partially responsible for setting them up in the first place, and I say she'll agree to marry him February fourteenth," Misao declared.

            "All right, then. If you're sure…" Sanosuke shrugged.

            "Okay, so that's it?" Kaoru prompted. "No changing bets anymore? We all agree that the winner is the one closest to the date without going over?"

            "You mean if she agrees May fourteenth, you would win, but if she agrees May thirtieth, then Okina's the winner?" Kenshin asked.

            "Exactly."

            "Sounds fair," Sanosuke agreed.

            "Okay, great!" Kaoru clapped her hands. "Let me write this down and then we can go get some food!" She snatched a paper napkin and pulled a pen out of her purse. "Okay…Okina said June first…I said May…oh yeah…and I'll email this to everyone later."

            "And no cheating. It's gotta be when she agrees to marry him with no outside pressure," Sanosuke announced. "No family pressure…no outside influences like meteors striking the Earth or other natural disasters that could threaten their lives…no wars on the other side of the world and he has to be called in to help Uncle Sam…hell, if he even knocks her up and she agrees to marry him so that Daddy doesn't get pissed…that don't count."

            "Sanosuke!" Kaoru chided.

            "What?" Sanosuke retorted. "If we're making this bet, we gotta make sure our bases are covered. I ain't gonna buy the most expensive dinner in Hawaii just because one of my closest friends decides getting married is 'convenient'!"

            "Well, how do we know you'll even show up in Hawaii if you lose, anyway?" Misao asked.

            Sanosuke held up his hands and grinned. "I will. I have friends here. And if I don't…you can always take whatever I owe. Kenshin's got access to my PayOnline account that I use for internet auctions."

            "Okay, do I have everyone?" Kaoru recited the list and wagered dates. Once everyone confirmed that the dates were correct, she tucked the napkin in her purse and they all left to retrieve food from the buffet tables, leaving Kenshin and Sano watching the ladies' purses.

            "Now that's freaky. Fox-lady may be getting married…"

            "Is that all right with you?" Kenshin asked.

            Sanosuke frowned slightly. "It's definitely a surprise. So soon after…everything…you know?"

            "Apparently Aoshi realizes what he has and has no intention of letting her go…" Kenshin shrugged.

            "Unlike someone who took forever to get to it," Sanosuke pointed out. At that, Kenshin smiled. Sanosuke's frown returned for a few moments before his features relaxed.

            Aoshi and Megumi had returned with plates of food.

            Sanosuke popped a piece of bacon that he grabbed from Megumi's plate, into his mouth. Somehow he had avoided her swatting hand. "I ran into Sharon yesterday…at my father's grave."

            At the woman's name, Aoshi's eyes went on alert. "And?"

            "She was with my grandfather," Sanosuke added. "They told me that they had a visitor not too long ago…who told them what I'd been doing with my life since my grandfathers tossed me in the orphanage." His eyes narrowed. "Did you visit my mother, too, or you haven't gotten around to doing that yet?"

            Kenshin and Megumi looked at each other.

            Aoshi shook his head. "So I visited your grandfather. At the time, your stepmother knew nothing about you. For whatever reason, your family ran into you by coincidence…you know the story of what happened…and nothing can change that. Me telling you my conversation with your grandfather doesn't change anything."

            "I would have liked to know."

            "And what would that accomplish?" Aoshi asked.

            Sanosuke cursed under his breath. "Listen, Iceman, I know keeping secrets is part of your job, so you're used to that, but if you're going to be seeing one of my closest friends…who I plan to visit more often," he added, "you're gonna have to be careful about what you do…and what you don't do."

            "Is that a threat?"

            "Sano…Aoshi…" Megumi gave each of them a pointed look.

            "I'm just saying that he should be a little more honest with people," Sanosuke argued. "And if you plan on marrying her-"

            "Who told you that?" Aoshi asked.

            "Jo-chan told me that you are thinking about getting married. Even though Fox-lady isn't ready for it." Sano frowned. "Or was I not supposed to know about that, too?"

            "Oh for goodness sake…" Megumi groaned.

            "It doesn't matter who knows," Aoshi responded. "I just wanted to know where you received your information."

            "Jo-chan. You've got some work cut out for you…Fox-lady's not the type who will give in easily…" Sanosuke shrugged.

            "I'm aware of that," Aoshi answered dryly.

            "Will you two stop talking as if I'm not sitting here?" Megumi demanded. She blew out her breath. "Both of you are acting like chauvinistic, macho-"

            "Is there any wonder why you dated them?" Kyoko piped up, plonking herself down in her chair. "There's nothing like strong men arguing when it comes to your welfare, Megumi." Kyoko winked at both men. "What I wouldn't give to be several years younger…"

            Aoshi cleared his throat and Sano smiled back at the older woman. Megumi merely shook her head.  

A/N: The bet was inspired by my friends who enjoy wagering on each other's lives. Who's getting married, who's getting cable modem, who's buying the next console system first…

NEXT! Mini Sanosuke arc, with a lil more of everyone else on the side. Updates are slow because I have yet to decide what I'm going to do to resolve the issue with his mother. Should they even meet, or should Sano go back to Virginia without ever knowing about her? Things like that. And according to my calculations...the new year, 2004, in this timeline doesn't start for about another 5 days. =P