Part 3: ~The ceremony~

Back at the dojo, Kenshin clutched his sakabatou, and shuffled

nervously as Megumi brushed his long red tresses down his back.

"Don't be nervous, I just know that everything will turn out fine!,"

Megumi assured.

Kenshin was dressed in a new ocean blue gi and white hakama. It was a

change from Kenshin's usual bright fuchsia colored attire, but he rather liked the way it contrasted his crimson red hair. "I really hope you like your new look dear Ken,"

Megumi said. You look so---"

"Beautiful," Sano finished breathlessly, as he gazed at his now

blushing fiancée from the door.

"Oh, Sano---!" Kenshin gasped as he rushed into Sano's arms, "I'm so

sorry for losing my temper earlier---It's just that Ms. Kaoru had me

so upset that I---please forgive me!!." Sano squeezed Kenshin

protectively and assured Kenshin that the comment he'd made was

wrong, and Kenshin had every right to get angry.

"I love you so much Kenshin....," Sano whispered, between tiny kisses

along Kenshin's forehead and cheeks. "I love you too...Sanosuke

Sagara." Just then Kenshin stood on his tip-toes and slipped his

tounge between Sano's parted lips.

"Ahem! I see you two won't possibly be able to wait for your wedding

night," Megumi snickered with Fox-ears and all.

They were so into each other, that they'd forgotten that Megumi was

still in the room. "M--M---Ms. Megumi!! Sorry we didn't mean too---

!!," Kenshin sputtered like a bad muffler, his face as red as his

hair. "No problem dear Ken, I was actually enjoying this little

show!---And....before you go out there Sano, at least run a comb

through your hair...Honestly!," Megumi scolded as she grabbed the

comb, and began to detangle Sano's spiky head with him 'ouching' the

whole time. After she turned her back, Sano quickly mused it up into

his rooster-head style, and grinned at Kenshin, who he knew liked it

that way.

Suddenly, Ayame and Suzume burst in, followed by Dr. Gensai. "Uncle

Keni!!!!! Uncle Keni!!!" Are you really getting married to

Sanosuke!?," Ayame and Suzume asked at the same

time, eyes full of curiosity.

"Yep, I am!," Kenshin smiled as he stooped down to hug them both. "We

know that the party hasn't started yet, but we just couldn't wait to

bring you our gift!," said Dr. Gensai, as he held out a large square

package wrapped in gold colored cloth.

"Whoa!!! A Present! Can we open it now Kenshin??!!?," Sano begged as

he bounced up and down like a kid. Kenshin just loved it when Sano

acted cute and child-like....(which happened to be quite a bit).

"Sano, you know it's not polite to open the gifts before all the

guests arrive!!," Kenshin warned.

Unknown to couple, all of the guests had already arrived, and were

waiting quietly outside for the two to make their appearance.

Kenshin began to wonder why Kaoru hadn't made her appearance, because

after all, this was her dojo.

"By the way Ms. Megumi, have you seen Ms. Kaoru today??," he asked,

clearly worried.

"Don't you worry dear Ken. I had a talk with that silly girl and

she's in her room trying to sort her feelings out." She's a strong

girl, and I know deep down she is happy for you dear Ken, so please

don't let this ruin your party."

"Thank you Ms. Megumi...," Kenshin smiled.

"Well," Sano interrupted "I'm, getting kinda tired of just standing

around here talkin, so lets get this celebration underway!! Yeah!!!"

As Kenshin and Sano stepped out onto the dojo's porch, they recived a

roaring applause along with whoops and hollers.

Kenshin gave a shocked "Oro!", and Sanosuke stood there nervously

laughing and scratching the back of his head as his dice buddies

cheered him on loudly.

"Allright, Allright you guys lets just calm down and let our happy

couple speak!," Ms. Tae ordered.

With that everyone hushed and happily waited for them to

speak. "Umm...Well, I'm really glad that all of you took time out of

your busy schedules, bringing us such wonderful gifts and

encouragement." I'm sure you all are aware of why we are here---I--

It's because---," Kenshin stammered, never being good at speeches in

front of crowds, but Sano took over and got down on one knee in front

of Kenshin.

"It's because soon, I'm going the marry the most beautiful man in the

world, and I'd like him to accept this ring, as a sign of our

engagement and love." The whole crowd, Kenshin-gumi, and even

Kenshin's eyes got round as saucers as Sano pulled a very expensive

looking gold engagement ring from his pocket, and slipped it on

Kenshin's delicate finger. "S--Sano!!!" Kenshin could hardly speak,

and was on the verge of passing out when Megumi quietly slipped

behind the two of them, holding Kenshin up (as his eyes went all

swirly) and queried about the ring. Sano quickly explained, that

he'd secretly gotten a job on merchant a ship with the help of Katsu,

who was sitting in the back of the crowd looking non-chalant, but

happy none the less. "SANOSUKE GOT A JOB!?!?," Everyone said at the

same time, each guest just as surprised as the other. "HEYYYY!! Just

shut up already!," Sano responded to the crowed slightly

annoyed..."I'd do anything the man I love!"

Kenshin recovered and jumped all over Sano, kissing him fully on the

lips again. "Sano...thank you." I love you so much!." Just as

Kenshin lowered himself down to rest his face on Sano's chest, he

heard a loud gurgling rumble from Sano's stomach. "Uh, heheh....I

guess all of this excitement made me hungry," Sano grinned sheepishly.

"You all heard the man, now lets eat!!!!," Ms. Tae giggled.

Ms. Tae had really outdone herself, bringing in a large buffet with

just about every Japanese dish imaginable.

She explained that after getting the invite, she started a secret

collection for the two at the Akabeko. All of the guests

and the Kenshin-gumi settled down to a lavish meal, in which even

Kaoru made an appearance deeply bowing, and apologizing to Kenshin

and Sano for her behavior. Kenshin and Sano happily accepted her

apology, and gave her a tight group hug. After all the guests had

eaten, Ms. Tae took to the porch and spoke, "I was hoping that

everyone would say a little something to the happy couple before

they proceeded in opening the gifts."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea!," said someone in the crowd.

Kenshin clasped his hands together happily,and with that Seijirou

Hiko rose to his feet, and almost everyone had to look wayyy up to

see his massive form.

*Sayaku: It's time for the Roast of Sanosuke and Kenshin guys LOL!*

Hiko Seijirou's speech: "Ahem. From the very first day I laid eyes on

my idiot apprentice, I knew in my heart that he was totally and

utterly gay," Hiko said grinning, trying his best to stifle his

laughter, though no one else in the crowd including Kenshin and Sano

held theirs. "But seriously Kenshin, I wish you and Sanosuke the best

of luck."

Megumi Takani & Dr. Gensai's speech, along with Ayame and Suzume:

Megumi stood with her hand pressed close to her chest as

she spoke, "Dear Kenshin, Sanosuke, I want to thank you both so much

for being such great friends to me and helping me find my

way down the right path when I was lost." I wish you both so much

happiness, and I'm glad to support you in the path in life that

you two have chosen." Megumi suddenly began to cry gently, and sat

back down. "I---I agreeee wif Ms. M---Megumi!," Dr. Gensai drawled

obviously having had way too much sake. "Good luck yooo two and hurry

up and bring us lots of babies!!!." Kenshin blushed like mad as the crowd laughed heartily and, Ayame and Suzume cheered, "Yay!

Uncle Keni and Sano!" Be happy together!"

Chou & Kamatari's speech: "Kamatari and I would like to thank you for inviting us folk to yall's fancy affair, even though we know we aren't really deserving of such kindness." Chou said. "Oh, and Sanosuke, You'd better take care of Himura you rooster-head, or someone else no doubt will come along and snatch him right up I reckon!," Chou grinned with on eye winked. "Just make sure you guys have lots of juicy, erotic stories to tell from your wedding night...ohhhhhh myyyyyy! I'm burning up!!!!," With that said, Kamatari falls out in a puddle of his own drool.

Aoshi, Misao & the rest of the Oniwaban group's speech: Misao jumped up and yelled, "Hey you guys!!! "Thanks for everything you did for us back in Kyoto! You are both so lucky to have found each other!" "If you ever feel the need to parttyyyyyyy! Come on down to the Aoiya! Yahoooooooooooohooohohoh!, Okina bellowed drunkedly." "Yes, will you and your friends please stop by someday? We'd love to have you as our guests again!," one of the female members said. Looking as strait faced as always, Aoshi looked to Kenshin and softly spoke, "Himura, I will never forget how you opened my eyes during the battle with Shishio, showing me how so very bitter I was. For that I am eternally grateful, and wish you both nothing but happiness."

Ms. Tae & Tsubame's speech: "Kenshin, Sanosuke, I can see that the two of you are going to live a long and happy life together!." Good luck you guys!"---And Sanosuke, now that you have a steady job you can even start to pay your growing tab at the Akabeko!," Tae beamed. On hearing this Sanosuke ducked into Kenshin's gi and groaned. Tsubame simply bowed coyly and whispered, "Good luck!"

Sano's Gambling hall buddies' speech: Genji smiles as he recalls; "I remember the very first day Sano dragged Kenshin into the gambling hall, from that moment we knew that Sano was in love with the little guy-" "Yeah! Tomo interrupted, "cause Sano can't stand losing his money in dice, yet he still let Mr. Himura predict his numbers.if that isn't love, I don't know what is!!" they all laughed as Kenshin stared guiltily up at Sanosuke who, shrugged it off and put his arm around Kenshin's shoulder.

Katsu's speech: Katsu stood leaning on the sakura tree and said, "Himura...I hate your guts. Y'know why? You go off all on your pro- government streak, and then steal Sano's heart away from me...but ya know...if you make my friend and bakayarou happy...I guess you deserve him. And all the best. Sano...you make the weirdest decisions sometimes, but I guess I gotta respect that. All I'd want is for you to be happy, and if Himura makes you happy, then so be it...best luck to both of you...."

Kaoru & Yahiko's speech: Deep down Kaoru still was not happy that Kenshin choose Sanosuke over her, but she couldn't stand the thought of the rurouni leaving forever because of her, so she sucked up her pride and begain to speak, "Kenshin, ever since you came to the dojo you have been more than a friend to me." "You've risked yourself to save me from danger and lonliness, and most of all you cared about me. I realize now, that you see me as family, and since everyone knows that a family must stick together, I'm asking that you and Sanosuke please consider staying at the dojo." Kaoru bowed to the couple, and sat back down. Yahiko, who was in the middle of eating a riceball popped up to speak, "I'm still pretty young, and I don't know much about relationships and stuff, but I guess it's pretty nice to see two of the strongest, coolest guys in Tokyo getting together!," Yahiko finished.

After everyone was allowed to say their piece, Kenshin and Sanosuke rushed over to the large red colored blanket where their gifts were waiting to be opened.

End of Part 3.

Notes & special thanks: haha!! I totally made Kenshin forget to send Katsu an invite

(he would have anyway, knowing Kenshin lol) but I made a way for him

to appear, no?! ;) I figured to leave Anji's reply out, so this whole thing wouldn't get more long-winded than it already had. Much thanks to Kawaii Dragoness for writing Katsu's speech in this fic! :D

I hope you guys are enjoying this so far! ^_^ Sorry if it's a bit sloppy ^_^;;

Review responses: RiKKu (Rikuisahottie@aol.com) : Thanks! I'll updating this fic as we speak or.as I type this reply.or.oh, you get it ;)!

Koneko: Your wish is my command ^__^!

Xzanayu: Thanks! I'm really happy for them too!! This all started out as an idea in the sanoxkenshin yahoo group (which is a great active group if you like to discuss this pairing)! We felt that Kenshin and Sano really needed to get married! :D .and yes, I made Kaoru act like a really big bitch ^_^;;; She doesn't act that bad in the end though.

Saiyan-Kitsune-Foxfire: Thank you!! Your Kenshin x Sano fic is going great as well!! Please keep writing :D