HANGMAN'S TRUTH
Chapter 2
"The Beginning of the End"
Reves' note: I'd like to thank all of you who reviewed! Sanosukes in a box for all of you! *Throws armfuls of boxes to the small crowd of 5. *
Author's note: Here's a lovely huggable Inu Yasha in a box who goes to a certain friend of mine who read my story and critisised it before I even posted it. A toast to Ingrid-dono! Here's to you my friend! *raises a martini glass* Cheers!
++
11 months previous the day of the hanging:
I watched Megumi and Kaoru as they fussed over Kenshin during lunch. It was all, "Oh Kenshin let me pour you some sake!" accompanied by some eyelash batting and "I'm sure you would much rather have me do it then some angry takuni."
That angry raccoon was in fact getting angrier as she watched Megumi gracefully pour some sake in a glass and offer it to Kenshin. And she became even angrier then that when Kenshin, not knowing what else to do, drank it.
Kaoru was about to stand up and declare war when Megumi had finally decided she had had enough. She stood up, graciously thanking everyone, adjusted her kimono and prepared to leave. That was my cue.
"I'll walk you home, fox."
She looked at me as if deciding if I was worth her time. Then she sighed at little, giving me an exasperated look and replied, "Just don't let anyone see me with you rooster, it—"
"Would be bad for my reputation, right fox?" I answered with a grin.
She sighed. "If it makes you feel better." She rolled her eyes at me and proceeded to walk out the door of the Kamiya dojo. "Coming toriama? I'm on a tight schedule this afternoon and I can't afford to stand around, unlike some people I know."
"No wonder you're so uptight all the time." Seeing her open her mouth ready to deliver a soul-crushing insult, I complied. "Coming, coming."
"Are you too busy taking over the world to walk the scenic route with me?" I asked her as we left the dojo gates behind. "It's a beautiful day."
She looked at me for a minute. "Taking over the world can wait."
So we walked along the river for a while, making the daily transition from sparing partners to a little more than friends. We sat down under the shade of a cherry tree at the edge of the riverbank and started talking, our conversation punctuated by small caresses and soft-mouthed kisses. Things were going pretty smoothly until Megumi pulled away and said, "Sano...There's something I have to talk to you about."
I'd feared this moment ever since we'd first gotten together a two months ago. She was probably going to say something like, "I've enjoyed our time together Sanosuke but I don't think I want a relationship at this point of my life." Or maybe, "I just want to be friends!" Both meant you're just not good enough for me and I'm calling it quits for good. This was going to hurt.
"I've enjoyed our time together Sanosuke but—" She took a deep breath.
"Fuck," I interjected. I was right! Damn it. I was hoping she could maybe forget our social differences, but I guess that was too much to ask.
"It's ok," I continued, "you don't have to say it. I mean, I guess I understand. Shit, how do I say this...I probably should have known you'd want someone who was actually worthy of you, you know? I don't blame you I guess, I mean, I don't have any money or anything, no job and—"
*SPLASH*
I suddenly found myself in the river up to my elbows with a very angry Megumi towering over me.
"BAKA!" She screamed. "BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA!!!"
"Is that what you thought I was going to say?" She asked softly after a moment. I just stared at her in bewilderment.
She jumped into the river, kimono and all.
"Baka," she whispered as she waded towards me. "How could you think that?"
"W-well I— " I started, but was cut off as Megumi sweetly kissed me on the lips. I was incapable of any coherent thought after that.
I think we would have stayed there longer then we did, had I not sneezed. Megumi clicked her tongue disapprovingly, telling me that staying in cold water for a long period of time was not commendable for my health. I didn't bother telling her that this was her doing, and that she had also been in cold water. Our teeth were both chattering incessantly at this point, and we headed of to get warm at the clinic. We left behind us a trail of water droplets.
After taking separate baths and getting a change of clothes (I borrowed one of old man Genzai's yukatas) we warmed up to the fireplace under layers and layers of blankets.
"About earlier...What were you going to say?" I asked a little shyly.
She turned to face me and smiled.
"Sanosuke I've enjoyed our time together but..."
But...?
"I want so much more than just a fling," she continued, cupping my face in her hands. "I have to know what you want from this. I need to know if you're going to be around for a while."
Didn't she already know?
"Ashiteru, Megumi."
She closed her eyes and rested her head on my chest, and a smile drifted across her features.
"I love you too."
++
Megumi's perspective: The day of the hanging.
I couldn't wait to tell Sanosuke.
I had it all planned: When he got home we'd eat a quiet and intimate supper for two, with a bottle of sake on the side and each other for desert -^_^-. I had thought the best time to tell him was when he was drunk and disarmed. Ohohohoho! I couldn't wait to see the look on his face.
I remember how in shock he was when he heard about Kenshin and Kaoru's engagement. He acted like he didn't know it was coming, even after all those dreamy looks Kenshin and Kaoru were giving each other, not to mention all those "Kaoru dono"s. I mean the whole thing was quite obvious to anyone else; I was even beginning to think Ayame and Suzume had begun to understand. But that's my baka toriama for you! Always the last to figure things out. It's almost charming, in a way.
And when Sanosuke heard the newly wed couple was expecting a child, why you'd think he would have seen THAT one coming. But his face lit up like it was a surprise; he went around slapping Kaoru and Kenshin on the back and shaking hands until Kenshin oroed like there was no tomorrow. Even Yahiko got a hearty congratulations, and heaven forbid he had anything to do with the affair. =^-^=
When the baby finally came one late summer night I rushed to the dojo to help with the delivery. Sano and I had been in the middle of, ahem, when Yahiko started banging on our door. I have never seen a man get dressed as fast as Sano did, although his shirt was inside out. I am quite sure Yahiko suspected something by the look he gave us, but he didn't say anything. And off to the dojo we went!
I could hear Kaoru yelling blocks before we reached the dojo. Kaoru, although in some degree of pain caused by the pregnancy, was much too stubborn to let Kenshin know that she was suffering. That being said she had decided to vent all her pain and frustration in some other way besides screaming and crying.
That "other way" happened to be cussing.
Nothing that poor rurouni could have gone through during the Bakumastu could have prepared him for that moment. The love of his life, his dear sweet innocent Kaoru-dono was-
"HOLY FUCKING HELL-RAISING SON OF A-"
I think "swearing" is an understatement.
"She didn't pick that up from me," Yahiko and I heard Sano said beside us. I gave him a Look.
"Not most of it anyway," He finished, grinning sheepishly.
"Why is it that your horrible manners are so easily transmitted to others, but no one's managed to influence you yet?" I teased. "You'd think after all those hours you spend at the clinic eating free meals and getting free treatment you would start to pick up some of my class."
I think he answered, but the swearing was so loud at that point that I only saw his lips move. We entered Kaoru's room.
"Kaoru-dono please calm down," Kenshin begged. This was apparently the wrong thing to say.
"Don't you "calm down" me, Kenshin. You're the one who got me into this mess!" She snapped. "Please calm down my ass!"
I don't Kenshin quite knew how to respond to that, but he kept smiling his trademark rurouni smile and holding Kaoru's hand. I don't know how he does it, but it's very hard to stay mad at him for long.
Meanwhile Sanosuke got around to the other side Kaoru's futon and was offering his hand. "Squeeze as hard as you want," he said.
"Thank you," Kaoru managed with a small smile. "Thank you both," she said, turning to face Kenshin. "I'm sorry koishi," she whispered. "You know I didn't mean any of those things I said."
"I know Kaoru. I— "
"FUCKING SHIT!!!"
No it was not Kaoru who had sworn, but Sanosuke. As the first contraction came, Kaoru had taken advantage of Sanosuke's charity and Kenshin's availability and squeezed both their hands as hard as she could. Which was very hard indeed.
Now Kaoru was no longer yelling, but both men on either side of her were.
"MOTHER FUCKING SON OF A— " Which was accompanied by: "ORO ORO ORO ORO ORO ORO!!!"
Kaoru let go of Sano for a moment to brush her hair out of her eyes, and Sano took this opportunity to quickly switch hands. Kaoru grabbed hold once more and the whole process started all over again.
It was a long pregnancy for all of us.
-
Remembering the dawn Kenji was born brings a smile to my face. I remember the tenderness with which Sanosuke held the baby, softly cussing under his breath in amazement and wonder.
I still can't wait to tell him I'm pregnant.
But he's been missing for three days now, disappeared without a trace. At first I'd thought he'd gone to the dojo for a couple hours, and then I assumed he was at Katsu's apartment. But hours turned into 3 days and there's still no sign of him anywhere. I pray he's not in any kind of trouble.
++
3 days previous to the hanging: Sanosuke's perspective:
"Hey chicken head! Come to get a meal?"
I was greeted at the gates of the Kamiya dojo by brat whose wooden sword was as big as he was. And I told him so. While grinning at seeing his at first amused look turn into a full out glare, I moved on to another subject.
"So where is everybody?"
Yahiko resumed his practice and answered, "The whole Himura family's gone to town. Ugly wanted to get some new sheets or something, and Kenji and Kenshin came along for the ride. They won't be back 'till after sunset; they're gonna eat supper at the Akabeto."
"They left a kid like you in charge? I'm surprised."
Yahiko's shinai stopped in mid-swing. "This kid's going to learn both the Hiten Mitserugi ru and the Kamiya Kasshin style, and when he does he's gonna kick your ass."
"You got too long a way to go, kid. You still get beat by little missy. You'll never get close to beating me."
"Wanna try me?"
I laughed. "It's your funeral."
So we decided on a sudden death match, meaning first one to stay down for more then 3 seconds loses. It should be over quickly, right?
We circled one another for a full five minutes while shouting insults, each trying to force the other to make the first move. Finally my "Yahiko-chan"s got the better of my opponent and he attacked.
Well I kicked Yahiko's ass from here to Kyoto, though I must admit the runt put up a pretty good fight. In fact I was leaning over panting when the cold metal of a sword was suddenly pressed up against my neck.
"You're under arrest," a raspy voice behind me said.
A little surprised I turned around to see the entire Tokyo police force in the dojo courtyard.
Fuck!
++
Reves' other author's note! So that's my second chapter folks! Hoped you like the sano/meg goodness there! ^-^ I have a couple questions for anyone who reads this story, which is not many of you....sigh.
#1: Should I lighten up the mood of this story? Is it too depressing? #2:Have I got all the spelling right? Does anyone care? #3: Are the chapters too long? #4: What do you think this story should be rated? I rated it PG 13 because rated R is for people eighteen... And over and since I'm only fifteen that would be kinda weird...but tell me what you think!
Cough review cough cough please cough.
Chapter 2
"The Beginning of the End"
Reves' note: I'd like to thank all of you who reviewed! Sanosukes in a box for all of you! *Throws armfuls of boxes to the small crowd of 5. *
Author's note: Here's a lovely huggable Inu Yasha in a box who goes to a certain friend of mine who read my story and critisised it before I even posted it. A toast to Ingrid-dono! Here's to you my friend! *raises a martini glass* Cheers!
++
11 months previous the day of the hanging:
I watched Megumi and Kaoru as they fussed over Kenshin during lunch. It was all, "Oh Kenshin let me pour you some sake!" accompanied by some eyelash batting and "I'm sure you would much rather have me do it then some angry takuni."
That angry raccoon was in fact getting angrier as she watched Megumi gracefully pour some sake in a glass and offer it to Kenshin. And she became even angrier then that when Kenshin, not knowing what else to do, drank it.
Kaoru was about to stand up and declare war when Megumi had finally decided she had had enough. She stood up, graciously thanking everyone, adjusted her kimono and prepared to leave. That was my cue.
"I'll walk you home, fox."
She looked at me as if deciding if I was worth her time. Then she sighed at little, giving me an exasperated look and replied, "Just don't let anyone see me with you rooster, it—"
"Would be bad for my reputation, right fox?" I answered with a grin.
She sighed. "If it makes you feel better." She rolled her eyes at me and proceeded to walk out the door of the Kamiya dojo. "Coming toriama? I'm on a tight schedule this afternoon and I can't afford to stand around, unlike some people I know."
"No wonder you're so uptight all the time." Seeing her open her mouth ready to deliver a soul-crushing insult, I complied. "Coming, coming."
"Are you too busy taking over the world to walk the scenic route with me?" I asked her as we left the dojo gates behind. "It's a beautiful day."
She looked at me for a minute. "Taking over the world can wait."
So we walked along the river for a while, making the daily transition from sparing partners to a little more than friends. We sat down under the shade of a cherry tree at the edge of the riverbank and started talking, our conversation punctuated by small caresses and soft-mouthed kisses. Things were going pretty smoothly until Megumi pulled away and said, "Sano...There's something I have to talk to you about."
I'd feared this moment ever since we'd first gotten together a two months ago. She was probably going to say something like, "I've enjoyed our time together Sanosuke but I don't think I want a relationship at this point of my life." Or maybe, "I just want to be friends!" Both meant you're just not good enough for me and I'm calling it quits for good. This was going to hurt.
"I've enjoyed our time together Sanosuke but—" She took a deep breath.
"Fuck," I interjected. I was right! Damn it. I was hoping she could maybe forget our social differences, but I guess that was too much to ask.
"It's ok," I continued, "you don't have to say it. I mean, I guess I understand. Shit, how do I say this...I probably should have known you'd want someone who was actually worthy of you, you know? I don't blame you I guess, I mean, I don't have any money or anything, no job and—"
*SPLASH*
I suddenly found myself in the river up to my elbows with a very angry Megumi towering over me.
"BAKA!" She screamed. "BAKA BAKA BAKA BAKA!!!"
"Is that what you thought I was going to say?" She asked softly after a moment. I just stared at her in bewilderment.
She jumped into the river, kimono and all.
"Baka," she whispered as she waded towards me. "How could you think that?"
"W-well I— " I started, but was cut off as Megumi sweetly kissed me on the lips. I was incapable of any coherent thought after that.
I think we would have stayed there longer then we did, had I not sneezed. Megumi clicked her tongue disapprovingly, telling me that staying in cold water for a long period of time was not commendable for my health. I didn't bother telling her that this was her doing, and that she had also been in cold water. Our teeth were both chattering incessantly at this point, and we headed of to get warm at the clinic. We left behind us a trail of water droplets.
After taking separate baths and getting a change of clothes (I borrowed one of old man Genzai's yukatas) we warmed up to the fireplace under layers and layers of blankets.
"About earlier...What were you going to say?" I asked a little shyly.
She turned to face me and smiled.
"Sanosuke I've enjoyed our time together but..."
But...?
"I want so much more than just a fling," she continued, cupping my face in her hands. "I have to know what you want from this. I need to know if you're going to be around for a while."
Didn't she already know?
"Ashiteru, Megumi."
She closed her eyes and rested her head on my chest, and a smile drifted across her features.
"I love you too."
++
Megumi's perspective: The day of the hanging.
I couldn't wait to tell Sanosuke.
I had it all planned: When he got home we'd eat a quiet and intimate supper for two, with a bottle of sake on the side and each other for desert -^_^-. I had thought the best time to tell him was when he was drunk and disarmed. Ohohohoho! I couldn't wait to see the look on his face.
I remember how in shock he was when he heard about Kenshin and Kaoru's engagement. He acted like he didn't know it was coming, even after all those dreamy looks Kenshin and Kaoru were giving each other, not to mention all those "Kaoru dono"s. I mean the whole thing was quite obvious to anyone else; I was even beginning to think Ayame and Suzume had begun to understand. But that's my baka toriama for you! Always the last to figure things out. It's almost charming, in a way.
And when Sanosuke heard the newly wed couple was expecting a child, why you'd think he would have seen THAT one coming. But his face lit up like it was a surprise; he went around slapping Kaoru and Kenshin on the back and shaking hands until Kenshin oroed like there was no tomorrow. Even Yahiko got a hearty congratulations, and heaven forbid he had anything to do with the affair. =^-^=
When the baby finally came one late summer night I rushed to the dojo to help with the delivery. Sano and I had been in the middle of, ahem, when Yahiko started banging on our door. I have never seen a man get dressed as fast as Sano did, although his shirt was inside out. I am quite sure Yahiko suspected something by the look he gave us, but he didn't say anything. And off to the dojo we went!
I could hear Kaoru yelling blocks before we reached the dojo. Kaoru, although in some degree of pain caused by the pregnancy, was much too stubborn to let Kenshin know that she was suffering. That being said she had decided to vent all her pain and frustration in some other way besides screaming and crying.
That "other way" happened to be cussing.
Nothing that poor rurouni could have gone through during the Bakumastu could have prepared him for that moment. The love of his life, his dear sweet innocent Kaoru-dono was-
"HOLY FUCKING HELL-RAISING SON OF A-"
I think "swearing" is an understatement.
"She didn't pick that up from me," Yahiko and I heard Sano said beside us. I gave him a Look.
"Not most of it anyway," He finished, grinning sheepishly.
"Why is it that your horrible manners are so easily transmitted to others, but no one's managed to influence you yet?" I teased. "You'd think after all those hours you spend at the clinic eating free meals and getting free treatment you would start to pick up some of my class."
I think he answered, but the swearing was so loud at that point that I only saw his lips move. We entered Kaoru's room.
"Kaoru-dono please calm down," Kenshin begged. This was apparently the wrong thing to say.
"Don't you "calm down" me, Kenshin. You're the one who got me into this mess!" She snapped. "Please calm down my ass!"
I don't Kenshin quite knew how to respond to that, but he kept smiling his trademark rurouni smile and holding Kaoru's hand. I don't know how he does it, but it's very hard to stay mad at him for long.
Meanwhile Sanosuke got around to the other side Kaoru's futon and was offering his hand. "Squeeze as hard as you want," he said.
"Thank you," Kaoru managed with a small smile. "Thank you both," she said, turning to face Kenshin. "I'm sorry koishi," she whispered. "You know I didn't mean any of those things I said."
"I know Kaoru. I— "
"FUCKING SHIT!!!"
No it was not Kaoru who had sworn, but Sanosuke. As the first contraction came, Kaoru had taken advantage of Sanosuke's charity and Kenshin's availability and squeezed both their hands as hard as she could. Which was very hard indeed.
Now Kaoru was no longer yelling, but both men on either side of her were.
"MOTHER FUCKING SON OF A— " Which was accompanied by: "ORO ORO ORO ORO ORO ORO!!!"
Kaoru let go of Sano for a moment to brush her hair out of her eyes, and Sano took this opportunity to quickly switch hands. Kaoru grabbed hold once more and the whole process started all over again.
It was a long pregnancy for all of us.
-
Remembering the dawn Kenji was born brings a smile to my face. I remember the tenderness with which Sanosuke held the baby, softly cussing under his breath in amazement and wonder.
I still can't wait to tell him I'm pregnant.
But he's been missing for three days now, disappeared without a trace. At first I'd thought he'd gone to the dojo for a couple hours, and then I assumed he was at Katsu's apartment. But hours turned into 3 days and there's still no sign of him anywhere. I pray he's not in any kind of trouble.
++
3 days previous to the hanging: Sanosuke's perspective:
"Hey chicken head! Come to get a meal?"
I was greeted at the gates of the Kamiya dojo by brat whose wooden sword was as big as he was. And I told him so. While grinning at seeing his at first amused look turn into a full out glare, I moved on to another subject.
"So where is everybody?"
Yahiko resumed his practice and answered, "The whole Himura family's gone to town. Ugly wanted to get some new sheets or something, and Kenji and Kenshin came along for the ride. They won't be back 'till after sunset; they're gonna eat supper at the Akabeto."
"They left a kid like you in charge? I'm surprised."
Yahiko's shinai stopped in mid-swing. "This kid's going to learn both the Hiten Mitserugi ru and the Kamiya Kasshin style, and when he does he's gonna kick your ass."
"You got too long a way to go, kid. You still get beat by little missy. You'll never get close to beating me."
"Wanna try me?"
I laughed. "It's your funeral."
So we decided on a sudden death match, meaning first one to stay down for more then 3 seconds loses. It should be over quickly, right?
We circled one another for a full five minutes while shouting insults, each trying to force the other to make the first move. Finally my "Yahiko-chan"s got the better of my opponent and he attacked.
Well I kicked Yahiko's ass from here to Kyoto, though I must admit the runt put up a pretty good fight. In fact I was leaning over panting when the cold metal of a sword was suddenly pressed up against my neck.
"You're under arrest," a raspy voice behind me said.
A little surprised I turned around to see the entire Tokyo police force in the dojo courtyard.
Fuck!
++
Reves' other author's note! So that's my second chapter folks! Hoped you like the sano/meg goodness there! ^-^ I have a couple questions for anyone who reads this story, which is not many of you....sigh.
#1: Should I lighten up the mood of this story? Is it too depressing? #2:Have I got all the spelling right? Does anyone care? #3: Are the chapters too long? #4: What do you think this story should be rated? I rated it PG 13 because rated R is for people eighteen... And over and since I'm only fifteen that would be kinda weird...but tell me what you think!
Cough review cough cough please cough.
