Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck shit fuck shit fuck shit fuck shit fuck shit fuck shit damnit fuck shit damnit fuck shit damnit …

"DAMNIT FUCKING SHIT!"

Sano was very, very, very angry.  Angry that some fucking psycho bitch had taken Katsu away jus' cause she had a crush on him.  Angry that Katsu hadn't told him about her.  Angry that Katsu had told Aoshi.  Angry that he couldn't do anything besides pace in the dojo until Jou-chan kicked him out, and then pace in the courtyard and swear.  Angry that he wanted to hit something.  Angry that there was nothing to hit.

"It's good to know you are expanding your vocabulary, ahou, but don't you think looking for your friend might be a higher priority?"

And now there was something to hit.  Amazing.  Now if only it would stay still ….

Sano turned around slowly, grinding his teeth hard enough that he was vaguely surprised they hadn't cracked yet.  "What do you want, bastard?"

The cop stood there, in all his narrow-eyed, cricket-like glory, casually smoking.  He took an especially long drag as Sano watched, the smoke curling out from his mouth and nostrils making him look like nothing more than a two-legged, blue dragon.

"What I want?"  The tall man gave an appropriately wolfish grin.  "I want to arrest a rich, corrupt "businesswoman," who deals in drugs, illegal firearms, and hired thugs, and is personally responsible for almost as many assassinations as a Bakumatsu hitokiri.  She also seems to have recently added kidnapping to her list of crimes.  Unfortunately, to arrest her I need some evidence that I can reveal, so I suppose I also want to see if the Battousai and perhaps the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu would care to assist."  Saitou tapped the ash off of his cigarette, looking contemplative, before giving Sano a sardonic baring of teeth that made him want to hit something even more.  "I suppose you can come along as well, if you wish.  Ahou."

"You … you …" Sano was shaking with the effort of not attacking the cop, and so barely heard the footsteps coming up behind him.  The firm hand on his shoulder, though, he was aware of, as well as the slight pressure that could very obviously become greater if given reason to.  Sano looked aside to see Aoshi, with a strange expression on his face.  Strange, Sano realized, because it was there at all.

"Wha …" was all Sano managed to get out before the crazy ninja spoke, his voice sounding tight and … emotional?

"You have information?"  It was barely a question, skirting on an order.  Had anyone else said it, it would have been considered emotionless and distant, but coming from Aoshi it was damn near unbelievable.

Saitou took another contemplative puff on his cigarette before answering.  "I have information."

"Then we will aid."  A nod, a sharp turn, and Sano was left, stunned, in the courtyard while the other two men walked into the dojo.  He shook his head slowly, and didn't know if it was in denial, or to clear it of confusion.

"What …"  His throat caught – he cleared it, and said again, "What the hell just happened here?"

We could tell him, but that would spoil our fun, right? 

14 chapters left.