Ah, Sano. You've changed so much, and not at all. One thing hasn't changed, though – you're still stronger than I am. In combat too, yes, but anyone could tell that. You are stronger than me in your heart, Sano. You kept your smile.
I didn't.
Do you know what it's like to go ten years without laughing? Of course not. You laughed during your time as Zanza, and smiled too. Probably not a healthy laugh, and almost certainly not a sane smile, but a genuine one, however twisted. I couldn't manage that.
Sometimes I still don't think I can.
Shinomiri must be very strong, Sano, to carry you like he is doing right now. It took all my strength to support you, and make it seem like it was nothing. Dear God, but you grew up big – I remember when I was the taller one. Do you? No, you probably don't.
You're right, Sano, I do remember too much, don't I?
Ah, this must be the room – Shinomiri is stopping. He asks me if I want to share it with you, and I respond, but truthfully, Sano, I don't even know what I just said. He dumps you onto the futon, the walks to a cupboard and pulls out a second.
Ah. So I'm staying then. You don't mind, do you Sano? You shouldn't – remember how often we slept together when we were little? "Like puppies in a basket," as Sagara-taichou would always say.
I'm not mad at you for taking his name, Sano. Truly, I'm not. You needed it more, proof that you loved him and he loved you – you always did need to prove things to yourself, Sano, even when everyone else was already convinced.
Shinomiri is done now – he's leaving. I say something to him – thank you, or goodnight, nor some such. I'm not sure. I drank far too much tonight, Sano, if I can't even hear the words coming out of my own mouth. Or maybe, it was nowhere near enough, if I can still think – albeit hazily.
That man moves like a panther, Sano – Shinomiri, I mean. I'm no fighter, not like you, but I saw enough in the Sekihoutai to tell when someone else is. I do not think I would like to get on the wrong side of that man, Sano – I don't think you would, either. Have you told me about him, before? I don't remember.
He leaves the room and suddenly I don't think you did. I'd remember if you told me about someone with such a beautiful ass.
Oh, damnit, did I just think that?
Shut up, Sano – that was purely rhetorical. How would you like it if I told you what I think the real reason is as to why you're so obsessed with … *ahem* … beating that "psycho-ass-crazy-cricket-man-cop"?
Hmph.
I thought so.
Damnit, I need to get laid even more than I thought if I've stooped to fantasizing about random and most likely extremely dangerous men I've only just met. I wonder where that pretty boy who used to wander around the fish market in Tokyo went off to …
Sano, I'm only going to ask you one more time – shut up. Do I ridicule you when you walk around practically drooling down the geisha's dresses? No. No I do not.
Except when you really deserve it.
No that's not every time, baka. It's not my fault that you do subtle like a regiment does laundry.
No, not a regiment made up of little Himuras, Sano. A regiment made up of little Saitous.
What?
Why would –
Oh, fine. They can all have their little cigarettes, too.
I swear to God you're crazy Sano.
No. NononoNO! I do not want to hear it, Sano. I'm not listening to you, Sano! Lalalalalala I-can't-hear-yooooou!
Oh, just shut up, Sano.
Look, I'm going to sleep now, Sano, and I'm not going to wake up. See? Eyes closed: sleeping. Do not bother.
…
…
Yes, I love you too, Sano. You're my brother. Now go to sleep.
Baka.
****************
God I love Katsu. And um, before anyone asks, no, he wasn't actually talking to Sano. Real!Sano was passed out over Aoshi's shoulder, and later on a futon. Talking to "Sano" is just a little habit my version of Katsu picked up in the ten years between their meetings.
Yes, he's a bit crazy. We're talking about the man who wanted to BLOW UP THE ENTIRE MEJI GOVERNMENT here. Soujirou killed dozens of people while being a little human-killing-machine for Shishio, Aoshi went stark raving I'm-going-to-kill-you-all crazy after the deaths of his four friends, and Sano spent ten years BEATING UP PEOPLE FOR FUN. The male cast of RK, in case you haven't noticed, isn't among the most all-around mentally stable collection of characters.
Oh, and Lychee2 – you just made my day. Seriously. *showers with insane amount of hugs* I love reviews. Fuck it, I'm a writer – I live off reviews. Unfortunately, I'm worthless at giving them, so I can't very well ask for them without being a real hypocrite. But if anyone wants to leave one anyways, feel free to do so.
That's about as close to review-begging I can get without feeling completely worthless, so um … yeah, I'm going to stop here now.
Next update sometime tomorrow, as always. Maybe late, maybe early, but before 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time (Spring forward sucks man, but Fall back is Heaven on Earth).