*** *** ***

Look! Ducks!
Kaoru called vainly, but her sister and Yahiko were already
chasing down the poor birds. They seemed to share a love of such activity...

ducks, pigeons, sparrows, none were safe. She watched them scatter the
waterfowl with a sigh, then jingled the change in her pocket. The sun was
setting, and tou-san generally wanted them home before too late. He had not

once imposed a curfew, but there was one somewhat enforced in town, and she
could just imagine the look on his face if the police had to cart them home.
I'm gonna call tou-san, and then we're going! she called after her
younger companions.


She shook her head with another sigh and headed for the pay phone. Once
meeting her destination, she set to the familiar action of depositing the
change and dialing home, waiting for the usual prompt pick-up and cheerful
greeting.
But this time the phone went unanswered through the usual two rings, and
then two more after. An unpleasant churning began in the pit of her stomach.

Tou-san was never far from the phone, when they weren't home... and even if

he was, he could run faster than anyone she'd ever seen in her life. There
was no reason he shouldn't be getting the phone, unless something was
wrong...
Then the line picked up, and she relaxed long enough to hear a deep, rough
voice answer with a muzzled, Wha'? O's this?
Kaoru blinked for a puzzled moment, then realized who it had to be.
she asked politely. Is that you? It's Kaoru.
Oh. Ey, Sanosuke sounded as though he'd just woken up,
slurring and hoarse.
Anou... Where's Kaoru checked over her shoulder, noted with
relief that Misao and Yahiko were keeping out of the water and hadn't harmed

any innocent ducks, then returned to the phone.
Sleepin'. You all comin' home now?
Hai. Is tou-san feeling all right? It's not like him to just conk out
before ten. Kaoru played absentmindedly with the volume switch on the pay
phone, for some reason not very worried. After all, if something was wrong
with tou-san, she could be sure that Sanosuke wouldn't be so off-hand about

it. It was obvious they cared for each other very much... very much... Kaoru

mused on that for a moment.
Sanosuke was silent for a moment, then finished his statement, voice
softer. He's fine, don't worry. Think he's wakin' up, too. So you'll be
home in a few minutes? There was some scuffling on the other end.
Kaoru blinked. What are you doing?
Nothin', nothin'. Another voice she recognized as her father's was
suddenly evident on Sanosuke's end, asking quite clearly who was on the
phone. It's jou-chan, Kenshin. They're gonna be home soon.
Kaoru listened to their conversation in perplexed silence.
Kenshin- Kenshin, where d'you- get back here, dammit! I'll take care of
the dishes-
There was another scuffle, the sound of Kenshin's voice saying something
unclear about having warned him of something, then Sanosuke putting down the

phone.
Kenshin- Ken', for the love of God, get back here and calm down.
Kaoru coughed hopefully, thought about hanging up, and then decided against
it. It sounded almost as if they were arguing about something... but she
couldn't imagine what they would be fighting about... Hopefully, she was
just being paranoid.
Kenshin's voice came through again, louder but less coherent. The only
phrases she could discern were put them through enough and breach of
ethics. Sanosuke's words, however, were perfectly clear, being as he was
apparently still near the forgotten receiver and speaking rather loudly,
voice rough and shaking a frightening amount.
Kenshin, I thought we had worked this out already! You know they- Kenshin,
it shouldn't matter! I swore to you that I'm not just gonna run off and
leave you. I wouldn't have before, and I'm really not gonna now! Whatever
happens-
Kaoru firmed her grasp on the phone, her mere discomfort multiplying into a
genuine fright. What... what was going on?
There was a incoherent exchange, then the distinctive sound of Sanosuke
cursing in quite vulgar English and the phone being slammed down. The line
obediently went dead.
She remained holding the receiver for a few moments, staring blindly ahead,
not understanding...

Kaoru hung up the phone and spun around, her heart thudding in her breast
and sweat slickening her palms. Misao and Yahiko stared up at her, wearing
nearly identical expressions of worry.
She stared at them, not knowing what to say or how to explain what she
herself had no hope of understanding. she began, then fell silent,
blinking at them helplessly.
Was it about tou-san and Sano-san? Misao asked softly, voice
unsettlingly serious.
Misao, I... Do you know something I don't? Kaoru stepped away from the
phone, a little frightened but caring more about her concern. Are they...?
Sanosuke's in love with Kenshin, Yahiko said quite bluntly, crossing his
arms over his little chest and eyeing them both. I dunno about your father,

but I know that much for sure.
I know that tou-chan thinks he's hot, Misao added, looking pensive, and
it's true they seem pretty close lately... but like they don't want us
t'know...
Kaoru stared at them both, stupefied, her mind babbling so many different
things at her that she had no idea what to think... In all the time she'd
been with tou-san, not once had he expressed any sort of interest in
anyone... though she'd found it difficult to ever picture him with a woman.
And what Sanosuke had said to her in the hospital... and all the things
people had said about him, those jokes they had made... They'd done the same

things when Kenshin had started working at the school, and she'd never made
the connection, that maybe they were making fun of an alike
characteristic...
she asked softly, feeling inexcusably stupid, is tou-san gay?
Misao was silent for a moment, then simply nodded.
Kaoru looked at the ground, feeling herself trembling. So... if they
are together... will it be okay?
There was a brief silence, then Yahiko patted her arm. Sanosuke may be
pretty stupid, he said roughly, and pretty uncool, but deep down he's a
good guy. He won't let anything happen to Kenshin. And he's smotheringly
affectionate. So it'll be obvious how much he loves him. I think it'll be
okay.
I don't see why anything bad should happen, Misao reasoned. I mean,
Sano-san'd be a good dad, right? We were talking bout that just at lunch
yesterday.
Kaoru shook her head silently. It's not that, she clarified. I mean...
if it was anybody else I'd be mad, but... I like Sanosuke a lot... and I
guess that's why it's okay with me... but they were fighting, I think.
Something about a breach of ethics... I think tou-san's worried about his

job.
There was a pensive silence.
'Nee-chan... You're really okay with this? Misao blinked at her, eyes
darkened with doubt. That seemed a little quick-
Why wouldn't I be okay with it? Kaoru snapped suddenly, feeling her voice
crack. Of course I am! I want tou-san to be happy as much as anybody! It
doesn't matter what-... She fell silent, staring at the ground.
Why was this bothering her?
Misao patted her awkwardly on the shoulder. Kaoru shook her
head and looked away.
All our lives, it's just been us... she said softly. For as long as I
can remember, since he adopted us, Misao. It's always just been us. And it
was fine. It's not that I dislike Sanosuke... He's a good person and I like
him around as much as anyone, and you too, Yahiko, but...why... Why is it
different now? Why aren't we enough for him anymore?
Misao blinked, taken aback, then pursed her lips and thought for a long
time. Kaoru shuddered silently, looking at the patches of bare ground
beneath the carpet of grass.
'Nee-chan... it's not that he loves us any less, I know that, but I
think... You didn't see how he was, after you were in that fight. He was
really upset, y'know... And sometimes, you gotta wonder how he feels, all
alone raising us, especially with his... well, with his problems and all...
He's always been there for us, to take care of us when we're scared or we're

sad or hurt, but there's never anybody there to take care of him. Misao's
voice was quiet, but very certain, the most serious and sure Kaoru had heard

her speak in a long while.
But why can't we take care of him, Misao? I mean, we-
Because he won't let you, a rougher voice interrupted, Yahiko moving
closer to them. He wants to take care of you and won't let you see any
weakness from himself, cause it'll worry you too much and you might feel
less safe in his company if you know there're things that scare him. After
a slight pause, the little boy looking away in apparent embarrassment at his

insight, he further clarified with a soft sigh. Sanosuke's the same way, so

I think I can understand.
Kaoru trailed off, unsure.
I think we have to stand behind tou-san and Sano-san, Misao said firmly.
They're gonna have enough trouble, if he's right, y'know.
How are you so resolved with this? Kaoru asked plaintively, blinking
down at her little sister. I mean...
Misao blinked up at her, then grinned and shrugged. I've had more time to
think it over, she pointed out smugly. You may be the honor student,
nee-chan, but it turns out I've got the better observation powers, ne? I
figured this out a loooong time ago.
Kaoru glared at her.
Misao posed with a giggle.
She sighed. Let's just go home... and hope everything's fine when we get
there.

Kenshin- Kenshin, c'mon!
The despairing tone in Sano's voice was enough to bring tears to his eyes,
but Kenshin stumbled from his bedroom that much faster, tying his bathrobe
around his waist with a vicious tug and fleeing to the relative safety of
the kitchen. Once there, he slumped against the counter, sliding down to sit

with a hard thump on the tiled floor.
Oh, Gods, what had he done? A sharp pain went through his stomach, setting
it churning, and Kenshin doubled over with a choked sob. It was over... it
was all over now, oh God, all his struggle... He'd tried so hard, so hard,
to suppress those filthy urges, and all for nothing, nothing, now... He'd
lose his job... and without a job, the apartment... the agency would take
his children away, if only because Sano was only nineteen! Nineteen! Two
years older than Kaoru-dono! His own daughter!
Kenshin buried his face in his arms and cried, unable to hold it inside
anymore. Sano... if it were only lust, it would be one thing... mere
physical yearnings he had learned to suppress in his training so long ago,
knowing he would be forced to go days, even weeks without sleep, food,
water... It had been so long ago, and those abilities had no doubt been
dulled by time, but it would have been enough... if only... if only he
didn't love him so...
He loved him so dearly, so dearly the pain in his heart was unbearable when
he thought of letting him go... But...

He went still at the unsure voice, the fear that trembled there digging at
his already-bleeding heart. Kenshin lifted his head, wiping the tears from
his eyes with an unforgiving hand, not caring how his eyes hurt. Sano,
I... he returned, hesitating. I... I'm sorry...
What're you apologizing for? Sano's dark eyes were emotionless, face
drawn tightly, lips white. Kenshin winced, suddenly hating himself all the
more bitterly for doing this to Sano, forcing the poor child to draw away
and replace the guard Kenshin had labored so earnestly to bring down, what
seemed so long ago... He'd wanted Sano to trust him, and Sano had trusted
him... and he'd only been hurt, like all the times before...
It's your decision. Sano stepped into the room, hands jammed deep in the
pockets of the jeans he'd apparently put back on after Kenshin had left the
room. I'll understand if- His voice broke, and he cast his gaze aside,
firming his jaw. If you wanna just forget this all... I'll go if you want
me to. I've probably got enough saved for a down payment on a new apartment,

so you don't have to worry.
Kenshin stared at him for a long moment. Did he really care so little? It
didn't make sense, if... He found resolve somewhere deep within him, and
struggled up to his feet.
You don't have that much money, he argued sharply. You've barely enough
to make your insurance payments de gozaru.
I'm not your responsibility, Sano refuted just as harshly, still not
meeting his eyes. I'm fine on my own. It's not a problem.
Kenshin said softly, it is. You know it is, Sano. You can't stand
being alone any more than I can. And you- He choked, tears welling again in

his aching eyes, blurring his vision. You promised you wouldn't leave de
gozaru yo!
What do you want from me, Kenshin?! Sano exploded, voice hoarse, eyes
burning with pain as he focused his gaze on Kenshin for the first time since

he'd entered the kitchen. You say you want me to trust you, then you lie to

me about yourself and how you're suffering so I won't worry. You say you
need me, then you push me away. I can't- I can't take this from you! Either
you want me, or you don't. Pick one, dammit! Stop treating me like a child!
I know what I am, Kenshin, and I know what I want, and I don't try to
convince myself of something that isn't true or possible just so other
people will like me better. I think that makes me more mature than you are.
Kenshin stared at him, overwhelmed. Sano's dark eyes flashed with a
helpless, angry frustration, hands clenched in fists at his sides, shoulders

drawn up and tensed.
If you don't accept who you are, then no one else will either, he
finished, voice much softer, but not losing the slightest bit of his
intensity.
Kenshin bit his lower lip, shaking, then gave up and took a
hesitant step forward, then another, hoping that... that it wasn't too late,

to...
Strong hands settled onto his thin shoulders, then clenched hard. Kenshin
gasped, then pushed closer and buried his face in Sano's warm, firm chest,
unable to stop shivering.
Aishiteru de gozaru yo, he whispered.
Do you want me to stay with you? Sano sounded guarded, hesitant, but the
tiniest hint of hope was shining through the masterful shields he had
erected around himself.
If you would still want to de gozaru. Kenshin closed his eyes with the
littlest of smiles. Knowing my many faults...
Sano sighed heavily, but pulled him close, arms falling tightly around his
waist. Kenshin... baka, baka baka baka... I love you. That's all fine by
me.
Kenshin cuddled against him, trying to calm his still-pounding heart.
This... this is dangerous de gozaru, he said quietly. Shikashi... I trust

you de gozaru yo.
Sano was silent, but Kenshin knew he understood, and with a sigh, he pulled
back a little and blinked up into his eyes. he said calmly, if the
children will be home soon, we should probably make an effort to put some
clothes on de gozaru.
After a pause, Sano grinned, a familiar mischievous twinkle dancing in the
depths of his chocolate brown eyes. And do something with the ripped ones,
naa?
Kenshin was baffled to hear himself laugh, but went along with it and
relaxed. Hai hai, he replied sheepishly. I'm quite sorry about your shirt

de gozaru.
We're even. Sano brushed the back of one hand across Kenshin's cheek and
squeezed him tightly with one arm before letting go. Yours is kinda in
pieces.
Their eyes met, and almost simultaneously, both began to laugh.

*** *** ***

The rest of the night had been quiet.
The girls had not asked a single question, and had seemed to be avoiding
the subject entirely. Kenshin wasn't sure yet if he was reassured by that or

not. Usually, if something was bothering either of them, he heard of it
quickly... but it wasn't like them to be searching for conversation topics
to fill every silence, either. He didn't quite know...
Kenshin blinked in consternation at the papers he held, the most prominent
being a notice of a meeting about some student he had never heard of or
seen, much less interacted with. There were three of these today... And
there had apparently been three the past two days, when he'd been out. He
could have been back the day directly after leaving the hospital, but Sano
and Kaoru-dono had insisted he stay home and rest one more day... so, of
course he had done laundry yesterday. Until Sano had distracted him.
He blushed and forced the memory of last night from his mind, both the
unexpected... interaction... with Sano, and the argument and reconciliation
afterwards. They'd not even discussed it this morning, when he'd woken... in

his arms... The blush deepened, and Kenshin flipped through the papers with
a vengeance. It was of no concern to him right now that Sano had decided to
share his bedroom late last night. Right now, he had to worry about figuring

out what on Earth he was supposed to do on School Improvement Day. What did
they do, clean the toilets?... fix the leaking stairwells? It would
certainly improve the schools...
He mused on that for a few moments, enjoying the picture of the entire
staff trying to plug up a leaking roof with the Home Ec teacher, her ranting

and raving the whole time... That woman was frightening, she truly was...-

Kenshin's heart stopped.
The voice sent a chill down his spine, and Kenshin froze in mid-step,
though every instinct screamed at him to run, to flee, to leave and never
come back again... no, he had to be hallucinating. He must have mistaken the

voice. It was silly, to think that... after all these years... no. So he
turned, prepared to calm his nerves and discover the true identity of the
man who addressed him.
A figure stood outside the stairwell, a hand braced casually against the
concrete wall. He wore a policeman's uniform, the fabric a dark blue
throughout, and a handgun prominent on one hip. Amber eyes studied him
coolly from behind stringy, dark bangs that cast shadows on a long, thin
face- a wolf, clothed in the trappings of humanity, yet not giving up his
predatory nature.
Kenshin stared, blind to the halls around him, the students who passed with
agendas in hand, only seeing that line of darkness against the light grey
wall, those nightmarish eyes not leaving his for a moment, triumphant,
smug... Ready for the kill... Like... so long ago...
he hissed, heart pounding anew in his breast, a familiar
adrenaline prickling at his veins, setting him tense and poised for
flight... or attack. Saitou Hajime...
Saitou took a long step forward, hand falling easily to the gun at his
side. Himura Kenshin, he returned in kind. Or, shall I say... Hitokiri
Battousai?
Battousai is dead de gozaru yo! Kenshin snapped, blood pounding in his
ears, that voice singing in his mind, beating at his resolve, his strength
ebbing... He could feel him, deep inside his mind, that twisted darkness
swelling, growing, fed by the threat in Saitou's amber eyes, laughing... he
wouldn't stop laughing...
Battousai is dead, and yet you live? Saitou glided closer, that same
deadly grace of old guiding him across the floor. Don't play me for a
fool.
Battousai is gone! Kenshin hissed frantically. Go home! I want nothing
to do with you de gozaru yo! Leave me be! He searched about him with
over-developed peripheral vision, and finding no one to have overheard their

conversation, was able to calm his racing heart, if only a fraction.
Do not add cowardice to your list of sins, Battousai, Saitou continued,
voice maddeningly calm and cool. No matter how far you run, justice will be

dispensed in due time. I traced you across an ocean, through a vast
continent with so many places to hide... there is nowhere you can go that I
will not find you.
Your own government tells you that justice has been given de gozaru!
Kenshin protested. Soshite- what kind of justice can be gained from taking
the life of a man on whom innocent lives depend de gozaru ka? You are many
things, Saitou, but not one who would cause innocent children undue
suffering de gozaru yo.
Saitou gazed on him silently, emotionlessly.
I have children, Kenshin pleaded, not caring for his pride at the moment.
This conflict would not involve only us any longer de gozaru.
You would beg for your life? There was a cool amusement in the tall man's
voice.
Kenshin narrowed his eyes, unable to withstand his scorn. he said
coldly. Have you forgotten me so de gozaru ka? I care nothing for myself.
Only for my family.
Saitou was silent for a long while, amber eyes considering. Kenshin waited
with cold palms, still unable to believe... This wasn't happening. It
couldn't be happening. He was dreaming, and would wake up on his desk any
minute. This had been behind him. He'd been promised...! It was all over,
they had said... He'd done his duty by them, and he could leave, he could
leave and start over, and no one would know... no one would ever know...
For the second, the other said with quiet malice, one such as you has no
place pleading for innocent lives. You lost that right when such pleas fell
on your deaf ears.
Kenshin gasped as though the air had been knocked from him, aching as much
as he had indeed been hit with a physical blow rather than an emotional
trauma reawakened. He took a step backwards.
But for the first, Saitou continued pitilessly, the government's idea of
justice is as corrupted as the government itself. I will live by my own
ideal and prosecute accordingly. He lay a hand ominously on the gunbutt of
his old-fashioned revolver, and those golden eyes glinted.
Aku. Soku. Zan.
As Kenshin watched, unable to breathe or move, the policeman vanished
through the doors of the stairwell he'd come from, silently as the wolf he
seemed to be.
He backed up, little by little, then made a break for his office, heart
pumping as though he'd just been in battle... and it wasn't far from the
truth.
Kenshin slammed the door behind him, dropping his papers onto his desk,
then collapsed into his swivel chair. It rotated a little from the sheer
force of his movement and the added help of his weight, and swung him into
view of the telephone.
He stared at it for a few seconds, then reached forward and lifted the
receiver. His fingers shook, and he took a few breaths to calm himself a
little before he dialed a room upstairs and waited for the intercom to
connect.

You look tired.
Sano replied intelligently, yawning expansively. Didn't get much
sleep last night.
Sleeping on the floor'll do that, Katsu observed, drawing a frog of some
sort on the edge of Kelsey's notebook. His significant other smacked him one

and returned to her sculpture, which also seemed to be a frog of some sort.
Everything seemed to be frogs today...
Wasn't sleepin' on the floor, Sano pointed out, then decided to leave it
at that, closing his eyes and resting his chin on his arms with a lazy
smile.
Kelsey blinked at him, and was opening her mouth to further inquire
when the intercom crackled.
Mr. Lasek?
Sano froze at the familiar husky soprano, lifting his head in surprise.
Kenshin...? An immediate, unpleasant shock tingled through his nerves. The
staticy voice had been shaking the tiniest bit... Kenshin had such a steady
voice when on business, calm and controlled... losing his cool in the
slightest wasn't like him at all.
his teacher returned, the yardstick he'd been holding tapping on the
tabletop as he relaxed his grip.
Do you have Sanosuke Sagara, that is?
The tingling shock deepened into the beginnings of a full panic, and Sano
ducked to the side to grab his backpack where he'd dropped it on the floor
at the beginning of class. No, nononono... What could've happened, in half
an hour? It had only been half an hour! It was probably just school stuff...

There was enough stuff on his record for him to be called to the guidance
office every five minutes, so maybe Kenshin was actually doing the job the
rest of them had slacked off on. That was probably it. That had to be it.
Yes, I do. The tone of Lasek's voice made it obvious he'd rather not, a
sentiment Sano couldn't blame him for.
Send him to the guidance office, please. Kenshin's voice seemed to break
a little on that last, and Sano winced. This wasn't doing his nerves any
good...
Of course. Sagara, get outta here.
Sano nodded distractedly and closed the door behind him, having been
outside before the intercom had even switched off.
It was shorter to take the second stairwell, Sano reasoned, hurtling down
the hallway towards the language and history building, more commonly known
as B. Otherwise, he'd have to go outside and go further... which was what he

usually had done, trying to spend as much time out of class as possible. But

this was a different situation... something about this just screamed major
problem, and instincts so strong had never been wrong before, in his
experience.
The door was just swinging closed as Sano reached it, and he stopped in his
tracks, staring blankly at the latch as it clunked into place. There had
been no one in the hallway coming out, or anyone there to go in... The panic

that had swelled beneath his breastbone only a few minutes before came back
to pounding, screaming life. Too weird. This was just too weird...
He bolstered his courage and pushed open the door. What a little kid he was
being! It wasn't as if he was in any danger, just because he'd neglected to
notice whoever had gone in or come out. He was in a high school, for God's
sake, not a war zone. He pushed into the stairwell, resuming his previous
pace just in time to wish he'd listened to those instincts.
He bounced off the flat chest of someone substantially taller than him, and
with a yelp of surprise, Sano cast his gaze upwards. Amber eyes stared down
at him, and Sano swallowed hard in immediate recognition, blinking up at the

police officer with dread choking him from even breathing an apology. Fujita

was silent, then something glinted in those eyes, and he stepped easily to
one side, allowing Sano to enter the stairwell.
Do you have a pass? he asked, his speech slow but not accented.
Sano glared up at him, frustrated by both this waste of time and his
unreasonable terror at the man's presence. If there was really a problem
with Kenshin, and he was just standing here trying to catch his wits...
he spat, switching easily into Nihongo and finding the courage deep
within, aided along by his natural contempt for authority, to be
characteristically impudent. I got called down to the guidance office.
By whom? Fujita did the same, amusement obvious in his wolfish eyes.
Himura Kenshin. What's it to you? Somehow, only speaking Kenshin's name
ignited daring enough to push by him and hurry to the first set of stairs,
though uncomfortably aware of the gaze that burned into his back and wishing

to get as far away as possible as quickly as he could.
The sudden hissing of a quick intake of breath past teeth was enough to
stop him in his tracks. Sano peered up at the police officer, who still
stood at the head of the stairs.
Fujita was silent for a few agonizing seconds more, then spoke, voice cool
and considering, a frighteningly focused glint of curiousity glimmering in
his eyes.
So... you are acquaintanced with Himura?
What do you want with Kenshin? Sano whispered, heart pounding hard in his
chest, hands slickening with terrified sweat by his sides. The ominous air
of those simple words was more than he could bear, and he felt the air leave

his lungs, hovering in anticipatory dread. The dark figure at the head of
the stairs stood unmoving for an eternity, then broke that terrible spell as

he turned on one boot heel to exit the stairwell.
None of your affair... ahou.
Sano snapped in surprised rage, the heat enough to stir him again
to start himself forward towards him, but not quite enough to stop him from
thinking better of it and teetering back. But it was too much of an affront
to bear silently. Ahou- Sagara yo! he snarled threateningly. Ore wa
Sagara Sanosuke yo!
As you say, ahou. The door swung closed behind him.
Sano growled in impotent fury, then, his fist clenched so hard as to dig
what little nails he had deep into his palm, punched the wall hard enough to

bruise his knuckles. With a hiss of pain, the skin already burning, he
pulled back and spurred himself back to his previous path.
He nearly tripped on the stairs, but caught himself with the rail and
stopped dead, forcing himself to breathe. Kono yarou... he snarled under
his breath, rubbing his hand, then he caught his breath and pulled the reins

in on his pounding temper. Now wasn't the time... it just wasn't the time.
Kenshin... Kenshin needed him, maybe... so he'd have to reserve the need to
beat the crap out of that arrogant bastard for later. But oh, how he would
hurt that man...
Sano finished walking down the stairs, more calmly but swiftly, contenting
the raging bloodlust with some nice, calming mental imagery... Fujita's head

on a pike... that was nice... The hallway was short, leading to the guidance

office, and he completed its length in only six strides.
Sano closed his eyes, willing his heart to stop banging at his chest like
it was going to burst out and run away any second, then knocked calmly at
the door that led to Kenshin's office. He'd only been in there once... so
long ago, it seemed...
Sano smiled distantly, remembering for a moment that day four weeks ago...
Gods, had it only been four weeks? Four weeks ago, he had never even met
Kenshin, and now... now, they were-
The door creaked open, interrupting his thoughts, and one crystalline
amethyst eye peered up at him. Sano blinked down at him, then the door swung

open and Kenshin was nowhere to be seen. He entered, casting a quick glance
about the darkened office. Battered old couch... chair... swivel chair at
the desk, all empty. The door latched, and Sano turned to face the sound,
utterly baffled. Kenshin was leaning against the door, eyes fixed firmly on
the floor, shoulders drawn up and tight, hands clenched on the doorknob. He
lifted his head slightly, long red hair still hiding his features, but his
quivering chin became evident.
he whispered, voice shaking violently.
Sano took a halting step towards him, heart aching in sympathy
for the pain so obvious in his lover's posture alone. What... What
happened, koisuru? What's wrong?
Sessha.. Oh, Sano, I can't say de gozaru yo... Kenshin's voice was soft,
bitter. He let go of the door and started forward as Sano had, then halted
abruptly, craning his neck to meet his eyes. His beautiful face was twisted,

tormented, lips drawn tightly together and white with strain.
Sano lifted a hand, then drew a fingertip gently along the horizontal ridge
of that prominent scar that fascinated him so. Kenshin trembled under his
touch, his eyes silently pleading, and Sano obeyed the need that was spoken
so plainly without words, sliding his hand to cradle Kenshin's skull and
hugging his waist with his free arm. The redhead slumped into his arms with
a shuddering sigh. he murmured worriedly into his hair. There
was no response, just the tightening of Kenshin's grip on his shirt and a
hesitant nuzzle closer.
Sano, onegai... just stay here with me for a little while de gozaru.
Kenshin's usually warm, husky tone was brittle and thin, muffled by the
fabric of his shirt. Sano sighed, knowing he probably wasn't going to get
any more information on the subject, but held him tightly and didn't
protest. He could figure this out when Kenshin felt better... whenever that
would be.
So now he only held him.

*** *** ***