The counter beneath his fingertips was jarringly cold, and Kenshin blinked amethyst eyes owlishly down at the surface several times, struggling to wake up completely. It had become harder and harder to drag himself out of bed every morning, ever since... Well, it had been easy once. Perhaps because it had been lonely... all alone in the small room, muted colors seeming to only stretch out the silence... So he had woken early, eager to be up and around, to be doing things, to be alive and know it...
But nowadays, to wake so warm, so comfortable, with Sano lying peacefully beside him, his breathing steady, a little rough but not loud, beautiful face smoothed in slumber... It was hard to get up. He wanted to lie there, quiet, happy, cuddled against his side, listening to him breathe, with... nothing threatening on the horizon... Just peace...
But the fact remained that he had a job, and the girls had school, and Sano had-...
Sano had school...
Even now, that thought still escaped him every now and then, the recognition that he... Sano was still a boy... still in school... And yet...
Got my lunch yet, Kaoru-dono's voice demanded as the girl stuck her head into the kitchen, hanging precariously on the doorjamb by virtue of her left arm. I have to get into school early today-
Hai, hai- Kenshin interrupted distractedly, rummaging around on the counter next to him and coming up with her bagged lunch in a matter of seconds. Here, Kaoru-dono. Be careful driving de gozaru...
I will, I will, she promised. Have a good day.
You too, Kaoru-dono! he called after her with a sunny smile. He watched after his daughter for a few more moments, then returned to pondering what he had forgotten to do. It seemed there was something missing... a truly infuriating feeling, like he had lost something...
sang a cheerful voice, just before Kenshin found himself lifted off the floor in a rib-crushing embrace.
squeaked out of his lungs as the air fled, Kenshin squriming helplessly in Sano's powerful arms, flailing his free arm and kicking his feet back and forth in an effort to slip free. S-Sano! Anata ga-
Sano set him down lightly, then spun him about and placed a warm kiss on his forehead. Yahiko's ready to go, his young lover informed, gazing down into his eyes. We can leave whenever you're ready.
Kenshin nodded up at him wordlessly, still a little breathless. How Sano thought up new ways to scare him out of his skin every morning was beyond his reasoning ability, and he had long given up trying to prepare for it. If he only put that creative mind to his English essays...
Do you have your lunch de gozaru ka? Kenshin inquired, feeling a delicious rush of domesticity rush through his veins with those simple words.
Sano's lips parted, then he smiled, if a bit shyly. he whispered awkwardly, a-about that... I... I never...
Kenshin blinked up at him, taking a small step closer to rest a palm over the beat of his beloved's heart. What is it de gozaru ka? he inquired softly, worriedly, watching the little shimmer of tears beginning in the dark depths of Sano's chocolate eyes.
It's just... I dunno, no one's ever... No one's ever packed me lunch before... Sano looked away quickly with a wry chuckle. How pathetic does that sound, huh?
Kenshin smiled, heart swelling with both joyful pride and pained empathy. he murmured, reaching up to stroke his cheek gently, it can't be expressed how painful that is, both for you and for those who care for you, but... I'm glad if you are happier now de gozaru na...
I am, was his quiet affirmation, and Kenshin relaxed at his deepening smile. I'm... well, I'm a lot happier now. I'm happy now...
Then I'm glad de gozaru na. Kenshin smiled brightly up into his face. I want you to be happy, more than... More than you could ever imagine, aisuru...
Aw, stoppit! Sano's eyes twinkled with renewed cheer, lips twisting into a quick grin. You get too mushy an' sweet an' I'm not gonna be able to hold myself back!
Kenshin almost giggled, blushing bright red and casting his eyes away. S-Sano... Sano, I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about de gozaru-
Oh, don't you get all innocent on me, the dark-haired boy purred, catching his loose hand and brushing soft, quick kisses over the fingetips. Not when last night, you-
interrupted a dry voice. You'll have plenty of time to do that after you take me to school.
Kenshin blinked, then squirmed away from Sano, cheeks stained scarlet with embarassment. S-sumimasen, Y-Yahiko, just a moment de gozaru yo- Agh, ororororororo....
Sano's warm chuckle only flustered him more.

*** *** ***

Have a good day de gozaru! Kenshin called brightly after Yahiko as he made his industrious way to the front of his elementary school. He was such a good child... With his backpack full to bursting, and his homework enfolded carefully in his notebook... And that half-smirk, half-smile fixed firmly on his dark little face...
Yahiko was turning halfway to cast back an obligatory wave, smiling a little shyly, when two small arms clad in a fluffy blue jacket closed around his shoulders. A small blond boy hugged onto him firmly, a big smile on his lips, and waved cheerfully back to the car.
Who might that be de gozaru ka? Kenshin asked softly, smliing in bemusement and waving back as they pulled away from the curb.
Ah, that's Michael, Sano answered lightly. Yahiko's friend. Thinks they're gonna get married someday. Cute little thing.
Kenshin smiled faintly, then settled back into the passenger seat with a comfortable sigh. Sano grinned over at him from behind the wheel.
Kinda creepy when the kids have love lives, huh?
Depends on what you consider a child de gozaru, was his soft reply as the old car pulled up to a stoplight.
He felt Sano's eyes on him, but refused to acknowledge it, looking out the window and pretending to be raptly interested in the man mowing the grass in front of the post office.

Kenshin was silent, twisting his hands together in his lap.
Sano's voice was soft, almost... despairing... You're always like this on the way to school... C'mon, what is it? A gentle hand brushed over his cheek, and Kenshin shivered a little under his calloused fingertips. Tell me what's goin' on, koishii...
Kenshin let his gaze meet Sano's concerned eyes, and he sighed a little. Sano... it's only... Going from home, to school... I have to go between two mindsets, and so do you de gozaru. I only prefer the mindset I can have at home de gozaru yo.
Sano said nothing, but his his hand settled onto Kenshin's thigh lightly, his thumb rubbing gently against his shaking leg. Kenshin closed his eyes with a shaky gasp, the gentle touch searing through his blood, accidentally crossing the border between comforting and provocative, or perhaps... not so accidentally...
Kenshin whispered, almost pleading, warm fingertips tracing along the inside of his slim thigh, burning... The tell-tale, prickling ache growing agonizingly quickly...
The harsh blatting of car horns from behind them startled the two out of their rapture, and Sano jumped back to the wheel, hitting the gas so hard they squealed through the green light. Kenshin shuddered, folding his hands together primly.
Too much... this was too much...

*** *** ***

The office door creaked open, and Kenshin lifted his face from the desk calendar, hoping frantically that there was no pen smeared on his cheek this time. He just couldn't stay awake... The flood of students wanting to change their second semester schedule hadn't started yet, and he had... really... nothing to do... at all...
The lights were off, and had been for some time, so it took his eyes a moment to adjust to the light flooding in through the open door, and a moment longer to recognize the silhouette that stood there.
Kenshin gasped, starting up in his chair. Sano held a long finger to his tightly smiling lips, then closed the door behind him. His other hand deftly slid the lock closed.
At the resounding click, Kenshin felt his heart stop.
Sano slid forward across the carpeted floor, then knelt slowly before the swivel chair, resting his arms on Kenshin's knees. His dark eyes were considering, quiet, but a familiar flame burned in those chocolate depths.
Kenshin whispered again, acutely uncomfortable, heart pounding violently in his chest. He recognized the look in those eyes... was becoming familiar with it... so familiar... Sano, we-
The dark flame in his eyes seared him, and Kenshin trembled silently, Sano's hands resting against his knees, the dark-haired boy knelt there in considering silence.
They sat there a long while, then Sano shifted a little, twisting one leg beneath him in a position so awkward as to make Kenshin wince, then laying his head in Kenshin's lap. It was so childlike, so strangely submissive, and for some unknown reason, so painfully heartrending... Kenshin stroked his fingers through Sano's unruly hair, gazing down at his closed eyes in puzzlement.
Sano, what... what is it de gozaru ka? he whispered, heart fluttering within his thin chest in quiet anxiety. No answer came readily from his young lover, that taut, muscled, and yet achingly gaunt body curled around his legs, face buried in the rough fabric of his pants, fingers scraping along his calves...
After what seemed like hours, Sano lifted his head to peer up into Kenshin's eyes. His gaze was warm, steady, agonizingly trusting... I just wanted to come see you, the boy said softly. You were so upset, today, in the car... I wanted to see if you were feeling any better.
Kenshin closed his eyes only briefly, hurting suddenly, something clenching his heart and refusing to let go. he returned, voice barely audible, oh, Sano... I tried to explain de gozaru... It's just... It's this... His hands fell of nearly their own accord to cradle Sano's face in his palms, holding the other's gaze to his, lips smiling in some pathetic attempt to reassure him. I... We can't be like this, here... We can't be lovers here de gozaru yo. It's too much, for both of us... You have to suffer enough, and I could... I could be fired easily de gozaru. It's too dangerous for us to be the same here as we are at home. And I wish so dearly that it wasn't so de gozaru na.
Sano caught his hands, fingers twining quickly with his. His voice grated suddenly, catching deep within his throat. I can't just pretend that I don't- Kenshin-? The anger that had been building so quickly in his first few words broke into a childish plea with his name, a sudden swell of emotion tearing through the former placid calm of Sano's dark eyes. Kenshin, you- You can't really expect me to...
To lie de gozaru ka? Kenshin completed quietly, casting his gaze away in more than a little shame. Sano... there's nothing else we can do de gozaru. I... I don't see that I could ever deny... If I were asked directly, I don't believe that I could deny my love for you de gozaru yo.
Sano squeezed his hands tightly, then tugged sharply. Kenshin followed his indication without a thought, sliding to the ground with him, crawling into the teenager's willing arms and curling up silently on his lap. He didn't want this to interfere so much... It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't-
This isn't fair-! Sano whimpered into his hair softly, his arms tugging his trembling body close. Why did it have to happen this way, Kenshin...?
Kenshin closed his eyes, pressing his cheek to Sano's shirt, desperate for the steady pulse of his heart and the warm radiance of his skin, needing the touch... His beloved breathed harshly against the top of his head, rocking a little on the carpeted floor, cradling him tightly. It... it was...
Sano's lips brushed over his forehead, and Kenshin lifted his face without a thought, lips trembling and parted, willing and waiting for his kiss. Sano moved forward to meet him, and Kenshin sighed against his seeking mouth, letting his fingers tangle in the soft locks of dark hair at the back of his neck. The heat that caught in his rapidly pumping blood was one he was becoming acquainted with, one that racked his slender form in shivers of excitement and familiar anticipation...
Sano's strong fingers pushed in soothing massages along his spine, rubbing in rhythmic circles, hard enough to almost hurt. Kenshin felt a little pleased whimper escape his throat, the muscles there melting under Sano's practiced ministrations. His thighs widened around the boy's hips, thin form sliding more easily to fit against his chest, head burrowing into the hollow beneath his chin. He eased under his hands, eyelashes fluttering against his cheek, the white fabric of Sano's shirt sliding down beneath the pressure of his cheek to bare the strong chest there... The hot skin, the beating pulse of his heart... Sano...
His fingers pulled the button-down shirt from Kenshin's waistband, and the redhead shivered but did nothing to halt him... Possibly the most shameful thing about this whole affair, were it ever aired, was that... He did nothing to stop him... He wanted it too much... He liked it too much... He loved him too much...
Sano's mouth found his, urgently, ardently, desperately... And Kenshin pushed into his touch with a smothered, breathless moan, fingers tangling in the dark mess of his soft hair, rubbing against his strong chest, tightening the grip of his legs, wanting this more than he could identify and in that moment... not caring where they were...
Just this once. It wouldn't hurt anything, to break the rules, just this once... Sano deserved that much from him. They could steal the time away for themselves today... forget the world... They weren't counselor and student. They weren't adult and child. They weren't guardian and dubiously emacipated teenager. If for only right now, they were lovers and that was all...
If for just this once... what harm would it do?

*** *** ***

The snow was beginning to fall.
His eyes were half-clouded with thought as he watched the flakes fall outside his office window, spiraling gently to the ground far below. Snow... White, fresh, new... Made everything pure again, brushing away the dirty surfaces beneath. Blanketing the world.
He'd always found it to be an appropriate suname for himself.
After all... Fresh, new... unexpected...
Mr. Snow?
The voice startled him from his repose, and the young president spun about in his opulent office chair, not bothering to brush away the thin line of white powder across his otherwise-pristine desktop. It wasn't as though his recreational activities were a secret... Yes, Gary? he asked calmly.
I have those hospital reports you asked for... his associate reported crisply, laying a thin stack of papers on his desk. Is there anything else you wanted on this case, sir?
Oh, this isn't an investment matter, Eric said coolly, casting a sharp glance over the reports. Just... some personal business... in accordance with the sponsorship at that high school. Remember, the one I had you organize a few months back...?
The Key Club. Of course, sir. If that's all...
Eric waved a dismissive hand, pouring over the documents. A two day admission... for a breakdown supposedly resulting from schizophrenia. And they let this man adopt? Tsk...
Well, he would have to see about that, wouldn't he?
Eric cast a glance at himself in the full length mirror by the door. The man wouldn't even recognize him... It had been some time, after all, and he was quite a new person now.
The dye job might have had something to do with that. A head garbed in platinum blond was drastically different from one with drab black hair.
He lay the papers aside, then found a fond smile on his thin lips as his eyes caught the lone picture on his large desk. Letting his glasses slide down his nose, he traced the old, grainy photograph with one neatly manicured finger.
We'll see about that, won't we, sister? he chuckled softly.

*** *** ***

Kenshin still whimpered against his chest, softly, holding his shoulders tightly as they both struggled for breath. Sano lifted his face from the sweat-slickened shoulder, shuddering with the waves of ecstasy still breaking over him.
The voice was cracked, rough with strain. He blinked bleary eyes down into Kenshin's beautiful face, then winced at the marks on his lower lip. They... they had gotten a little rough, hadn't they...?
Sano, aisuru... Get dressed and go to class.
But I'm tired, he protested weakly, but nevertheless pulling back and pawing about for his clothing. I don't wanna leave you here...
I'll be just fine de gozaru, his lover promised with a faint smile. He sat up as well, finding his pants without much difficulty. I have a couch in here if I need to sleep de gozaru. But you have a History quiz, if I remember correctly, and you cannot afford to miss anymore of that class de gozaru yo.
But I'm tired, he repeated petulantly, struggling into his shirt.
Well, you should at least be content de gozaru na! Kenshin scowled at him, the effect quite nullified when he yawned expansively and rubbed cutely at his eyes. Go to class. I'll see you later de gozaru.
Sano pouted. Kenshin eyed him.

After a few embarassing minutes of finishing dressing and stumbling about trying to find the door, Sano waved a fond goodbye to Kenshin, who blushed faintly and sat heavily on the couch.
Don't be too happy with yourself de gozaru, he warned, amethyst eyes sparkling. I pay for your food. You need me in this job as much as I do de gozaru yo.
Yeah, yeah. Sano winked and pulled the door closed behind him, swinging his backpack onto one shoulder. Well, at least he could sleep after the quiz. If Kenshin heard about another failed test, there'd be no end to it...
Hey, it's snowing... he observed out loud, eyes caught by the fluttering white flakes. It was winter... almost the end of the first semester... almost Christmas. Break started at the end of the week, actually...
He leaned against the window, watching the snow flakes dissolve as they touched the ground. Winter... Half a year to go. Half a year before he graduated... and they wouldn't have to worry about the ethics anymore... It'd be legal in every sense, not just in a few...
You should sue him, Sanosuke.
The voice sent chills racing along his spine, limbs stiffening, eyes flying wide.
He spun about, finding cool green eyes amidst too much mascara, heart pounding in his chest, blood racing, hands shaking. he managed, voice barely working, scratching along the insides of his throat for more reasons than his swallowing of ecstasy only minutes before.
You should! the blond girl said excitedly, hands clutching her agenda tightly. That's sexual harassment! You could get him fired, or worse.
What the Hell are you talking about...? he whispered, frozen in place, wanting to throttle her, wanting to run, wanting to cry, wanting to bust another locker, wanting to... What the Hell are you talking about-?!
I heard how he was threatening you in there, Sanosuke! Her shallow emerald eyes were full to brimming with concern, her crimson lips trembling. I didn't know he was making you live with him... I mean, I knew you were... p-poor, but... Threatening to starve you if you told anyone...! That's horrible!
Told anyone what? he hissed quickly, heart beating in his throat. N-no, look, he was just joking, he... The rising panic began to choke him, throat closing up. It wasn't... We...
Everyone sees the way he looks at you... she whispered, the concerned and yet conspiratory air heavy in her voice. It's obvious, Sanosuke. And he's not supposed to do that! He's a man, for God's sake, and he works here! I know there's some kind of law about that, I just know it. If he's- if he's- Suddenly, one hand clamped onto his wrist, and the blond girl buried her face in his chest with a loud sob. He's not supposed to do that! There has to be something I can do- You shouldn't have to- ohhhhhh...
Sano stared down at the top of her head, trembling silently, lips parted but no sound willing to issue forth. She... dammit, she was really, actually worried... in her stupid little way, she really was worried.
But if he told her the truth...
It could go two ways... she could believe that he was trying to protect Kenshin out of some twisted sense of responsibility or loyalty... or she could believe that Kenshin had fooled him into thinking he loved him. Either way, she would never believe that... that they were truly in a loving, committed relationship that they simply had to hide.
No one would ever believe that.
Sano found himself putting an arm around her back, staring blankly out the window as the snow fell. It wasn't melting anymore... There was going to be an inch or so before the day was out...
No one would ever believe it.
Samantha, don't cry, he managed awkwardly as the girl burrowed her way into his shirt with a wet sniffle. Look... don't. Just don't. Forget about it.

Sano grabbed her chin, lifting her tear-stained face, a sick feeling of nausea twisting in his innards. Do you trust me? he whispered, feeling his voice rumble in his chest, his fingers tight on her chin.
O-of course I trust you, Sanosuke... The tears in her eyes were dimming, the flushed cheeks darkening further as she began to blush, her crimson lips smiling, parting, trembling.
Then let me handle it. Everything- He swallowed deeply. Everything's gonna be fine, Samantha. Don't you tell anybody anything, all right? Trust me to take care of myself. He fought hard to control his hands from shaking, his chest aching without ready explanation, heart pounding faster and faster and threatening to choke him...
He had to convince her... and if that meant lying... if that meant playing upon her ridiculous infatuation... he had to convince her. No matter what. Because if she... if she told anyone... everyone would know... and then... Kenshin... Oh, God, Kenshin...
Nothing would happen to him. He was the victim, or so they would believe... the immature teenager who became the prey of a pedophile, a poor orphan who relied on this man for a place to live and ended up compromised and threatened and abused and raped and hurt and... No one would do a thing to him. When it was him in the first place... him who insisted that they not give this up, no matter the consequences, when there had been no real consequences for him in the first place...!
Everything would fall on Kenshin.
I- Sanosuke- But I can help you-! she protested, eyes wide, her fingers digging into his arm. I can-
he interrupted, voice firm, insides trembling. I have to do this. This is something I have to do. I have to. Just me. I'll handle it. Don't say a word to anyone. Act as though everything is all the same. It'll all be fine. I promise. Just- Just go back to class. Go. I'll be fine.
A-Are you sure...?
Sano broke away from her and set off at the steadiest pace he could muster, ignoring the falling snow about him, ignoring her gaze on his back, ignoring everything except the growing guilt that screamed at him, the pain that gnawed at his chest.
He couldn't let Kenshin know. Kenshin had to go through enough, what with the adoption review coming up and his job and the girls and Saitou... he didn't need this too. He couldn't let him worry about this too. It was too much. Too much, not now, not now...
He whispered the last aloud, each word pounding to a step. Not now... too much... it was more than they could handle...
But no matter what, he had to be there by Kenshin's side. He couldn't desert him, not now, not now... Not ever. Kenshin needed him. Kenshin was lonely and Kenshin needed someone to comfort him... Kenshin needed him.
And he needed Kenshin, dammit. No matter the cost.
No matter how many lies he had to tell. No matter what he had to do.
No matter what. Whatever happened, he would be there by Kenshin's side, no matter what.
Everyone deserved that.