A/N: I humbly apologize for the lack of updating. I had a serious case of writer's block and didn't have the energy nor attention to finish this chapter. It wasn't going the way I wanted to for some parts, so I had to write and rewrite it and finally gave up on it for a month. BUT it's done so there!! I will try REALLY REALLY hard in the future to be more consistent with my updating.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kenshin and Co, even if I really wanted them. Stupid lawyers...

Stupid Lawyers: gasp You forgot to use an uppercase L in Stupid Lawyers. We'll have to fine you one chapter, and you must give up Enishi.

Tsunei: But I finally caught him!

Enishi: .......

Without further ado, I give you

JADE GREEN!

Chapter 4-Sanosuke

The walk into town was horrible. Not only did I not get to walk by Xan, but Kenshin and the brat kept interrogating me about my behavior. It was enough to make me want to punch someone...wait. It doesn't take that much to make me want to throw a few drunkards to the floor. Oh well. I've never been noted for being politically correct.

Xan intrigues me. I admit it. I've never been one to really notice women, but she stands out. And it's not just her figure either. It's her whole essence that lures me in. She came here, out of the blue, and she seems to fit right in. She doesn't let anything bother her, and she surprises you when you least expect it. Like that pervert comment she made about me...

It's weird, really. Xan is so different from all the women I've seen. Of course, she isn't from this country nor this time period, so that may have something to do with it, but she just seems, well, I can't describe it. Kaoru seems very tough, but in reality she is just a girl wanting protection. Megumi seemed very delicate and refined when I first met her, but she is very cunning; not afraid to fib a little to get what she wants. Xan doesn't seem to be any of these things. But then again, I'm not that great at categorizing women.

"So, Sano, where do you recommend we eat?" asked Xan, interrupting my thoughts.

I hesitated for a moment and then said, "The Akabeko. It's the best place for beef stew and gossip."

"You just want to go there because Tae lets you eat free!"

Stupid brat. "No, I'd thought we should go there so you can see your girlfriend." Yahiko's ears grew red.

"What did you say? She's not my girlfriend!" He crouched down, readying himself to launch himself at me, but Xan stepped in before either of us got hurt.

"You have a girlfriend, Yahiko?" she inquired softly.

"She's not my girlfriend!" he exclaimed.

Xan took no notice of this. "Oh, can I meet her?" she pleaded. "If she's your girlfriend, she must be really cute!"

Yahiko gritted his teeth. "Tsubame's not my girlfriend!"

At this point, I drew Xan aside. "Yahiko saved Tsubame from a bunch of bandits that were blackmailing her. She's been attached to him ever since. Been calling him 'my sweet Yahiko' and all that."

"Yeah, so what. That doesn't make her my girlfriend."

Still cooing at Yahiko, Xan started mumbling about Tsubame. "So you rescued her from a gang? How cool! You must have been really brave to take on a bunch of guys like that."

"Yeah, but Sano and Kenshin had to come save me."

"But still, you stood up to them! Most people wouldn't even be able to do that. And no wonder why she wanted to be your girlfriend!"

"I told you, she's not my girlfriend!"

Next to me, Kenshin chuckled. "She's almost as bad as you when it comes to annoying Yahiko-chan."

I shrugged. "Yeah, but she's not trying to annoy him. She's actually complimenting him." I was still trying to decide what group of women Xan fit into. She wasn't overly flirtatious, nor totally against men. She didn't behave like a traditional country wife, but she did have some home skills. My head was spinning.

"Well, we're here!" announced Kaoru. And she was right. The Akabeko stood before us, and the delicious scent of beef stew wafted our way.

"Konnichi wa, minna!" cried Tae as we walked in. She stopped when she eyed me. "Wait...you do plan on paying today, right Sano?"

"Don't worry Tae. I'm paying the bill," Kaoru said.

"Oh. Okay then. There's a table over here for you and-." She paused, spying Xan. "Who's this?"

I gulped. We couldn't tell Tae who Xan really was. But thankfully, Kaoru came through with a plausible story.

"Oh, this is Arekanderu, or Zanu. She's my cousin's mother's uncle's daughter's best friend's mother's adopted daughter. She's staying with us while her grandmother's mansion is fixed up over in America."

"Oh, so you're from America?"

"Yes."

"How did you end up here?"

"My mother was born here and moved to America, where she had me. We came here when I was five to visit some of the family, and I met Kaoru-chan. We instantly became friends, and ever since then I'd been dying to come back and visit her again. So when my grandmother decided to update the house, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to stop by and see Kaoru."

I was amazed at how fast Xan was coming up with this tale. I know I would never have been able to come up with these details."

Tae was impressed with Xan's story. "Well, for being American, you speak Japanese very fluently. How long will you be staying?"

Xan smiled. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe a week, maybe a month. It all depends on how long Kaoru will put up with me."

Tae laughed and said, "Well, then you might be here forever. Come on over here and sit down. It's the best seat in town!"

We all sat down at a large table near the picture window. Kenshin and Kaoru sat on one side, and Yahiko took the smaller end. The one edge of the table was to be used for food, so Xan and I had to sit by one another. If I didn't know any better, I would have sworn that Yahiko and Kenshin set it up this way.

Kaoru ordered the usual pot of green tea and a large order of the beef stew that sets the Akabeko apart from all other eateries. After a few minutes, Tae brought our meal out and left us to eat.

"Mmm...this smells delicious!" exclaimed Xan, pouring herself a bowl of stew. She took a sip. "And it tastes great too!"

I took a long drag of my soup. "Well, the Akabeko isn't called the best restaurant in town for nothing."

Kaoru looked over at Xan. "God, I was worried there for a moment that Tae might find out about you. How did you come up with that story so fast?"

Xan smiled brightly. "Well, I like to act a lot at school, so I'm used to ad libbing on stage." She took a drink of green tea.

Kenshin piped up. "What else do you learn at this school of yours?"

"Um, I already showed you my geometry book, so that's one thing. I also have to take this really stupid writing class, which I absolutely hate because I don't learn anything new and the kids in my class are a bunch of retards. Science is fun enough, like when we get to dissect frogs and-."

"You dissect frogs?!" shrieked Kaoru, disgusted. Several people looked up from their meals to see what the commotion was all about.

"Yeah, it's really fun too. You take your scalpel and just swish, cut right through their skin."

"Ugh, I don't want to hear about it."

Yahiko looked fairly amused by this. "Hey hag, would you like it if I threw a bunch of dissected frog guts in your bed tonight?" he said, eyeing Kaoru.

She smacked him on the head. "No I would not! And don't call me a hag, you twerp!"

I sighed. Life can get a little too predictable sometimes. Turning to Xan, I said, "Just ignore them. Continue with your story; Kenshin and I are still listening."

"Okay. History is really boring. My teacher is so stupid and he doesn't know what he's talking about at times. Most of the time my friends and I will sit in the very back and play cards and gamble for chocolate."

This caught my interest. "You gamble?"

"Oh, not real gambling. We play Euchre and Bullshit, and sometimes we play Dai Hi Min if we feel like it."

Kenshin spoke up. "Oro? I've heard of Dai Hi Min before, but what are the other two?"

Xan slurped up a long noodle from her soup. "Euchre and BS. I'll teach you guys how to play later, if you want. It's kind of hard to explain without the cards in front of me." She turned to Kaoru. "What are we doing after we're done eating?"

Smacking Yahiko one more time, Kaoru replied, "We're going shopping. You're going to need some more kimonos, as well as everyday clothes and shoes that actually fit." She looked down at Xan's feet. "I'm afraid you wear a much larger size than I do."

After everyone finished eating, we stopped at Kaoru's favorite store. I groaned. Kimeraka's Kimonos was not my favorite place to spend an afternoon. Normally I would have ditched the gang here and have gone gambling, but I wanted to see what Xan was picking out. She and Kaoru ran over to the silks and picked out several bolts of fabric in varying colors.

"Oh, this one will look great on you! The green will really bring out your eye color; they're so vivid," said Kaoru enthusiastically. "But red look good on you too. Is there a color that DOESN'T look fabulous on you?"

Xan was excited about the cloth too, but she had a few questions as well. "Um, Kaoru, am I only going to get kimonos? I wouldn't mind some pants and regular shirts as well. I hope I don't sound greedy."

"Pants? Oh, like a hakama? Yeah, we can get you some too, and a few gis. But I don't recommend making them out of silk."

Kaoru lead Xan over to the storeowner, Miazaki-san. He greeted them, saying, "Why hello Kaoru! I haven't seen you in some time. What can I do for you? And who is your new friend?"

Kaoru smiled. "This is Zanu, Miazaki-san. She's visiting me from America, and she needs some clothes. I was thinking of this silk for a few kimonos, and she'll need at least two hakamas and two gis out of your basic material."

"I see. Well, you've come to the right place, Miss Zanu. If you'll just step back here so I can take your measurements..." Miazaki trailed off, pulling out a measuring tape and motioning to the back of the store.

Kenshin, Yahiko, and I all yawned simultaneously. I just don't understand how women can have so much fun picking out fabrics and clothes. Now gambling, on the other hand, is VERY fun. Why wasn't I doing that?

After a few minutes, Miazaki put the tape measure away and said, "We're all done, Miss Zanu. If you'll stop by the shop again this afternoon, I should have everything done. I have some new assistants that really speed things up, and you're my only customer for today."

"Thank you!" waved Xan as we left the store. To us, she said, "Where to next?"

Kaoru answered, "Well, I put in an order for a pair of geta sandals for you, so that's taken care of already."

"Is there anyplace you'd like to go?" asked Kenshin politely. I could see he was hoping she wasn't going to ask to go to another clothes shop.

"Umm...well, where are all the hot spots? You know, like where you would go clubbing or dancing or something on a Saturday night," she asked.

"Hot spots?" I questioned, confused. "There's a hot springs where you can soak, but that's not that exciting."

"No, that's not what I meant. I mean, where do you go when you want to have fun?"

Ah. I got it. "Well, you can go over to the red light district if you want some real fun-." Kaoru glomped me. "Ah, what the hell are you doing?" I cried.

She spat, "You're a dirty beast. Dirty dirty dirty!"

Xan was blushing. "Uh...er...um..."

Damn, she's rather cute when she blushes. "Or there's the gambling house. That's where I always go when I want to let loose."

Kaoru glomped me again. "That's not a good place for a lady! When I went there the one time, everyone tried to feel me up, and then chased me out with pitchforks!"

I sighed. "Kaoru, that's because you went on Wacky Wednesday, when all the crazy pervs go."

She shouted, "So that's why you were there!"

We probably would have broken into an all-out fight had Xan not interrupted us by saying, "No, gambling sounds kind of fun, actually. What is the game you use?"

Kaoru stopped punching me when I answered, "It's just a dice toss. They toss it, you call it. Do you have anything to gamble with?"

She pulled out a small bag and dumped some coins into her hand. "They're American, but do you think they'd work?"

Minutes later, I led Xan and the others to the gambling house. "Kaoru, if you want, you can wait outside with Yahiko."

"No way," she sputtered, "I'm not going to let Xan be the only women in this hellhole."

Kaoru. Why does she think my gambling buddies are a bunch of rapists?

Walking inside, Xan at my heels, I greeted my fellow gamblers. "Hey guys! I hope you're ready to lose, 'cuz Sanosuke is here!" I was met by the usual rowdy challenges and brawls.

"Hey Sano! Long time, no see any cash."

"Yo, Asshole! I hope you brought some luck today!"

"Sanosuke! Have some sake! You're funnier to play against when you're drunk!"

And of course, my buddies noticed Xan right away. Kaoru, Yahiko, and Kenshin hid in the corner, watching.

"Who's the lady friend Sanosuke?"

"Wanna have some hic fun with me, pretty lady?"

"Hey Sano. Is that your girly friend? Or some hooker you picked up in the red light district?"

I looked at Xan to see how she was taking all this. "They're really okay guys when you get to know them."

She looked only slightly disgusted. "As long as none of them touch me, I'll be okay. But if they do, I will shoot them later. With an cannon."

I laughed. "Whatever Xan. Sit down, and I'll get us some drinks."

She sat, giving the finger to one man who tried to move closer to her. I went over to my friend Tsukeshi. "I need two sakes, pronto."

"Sure buddy. I haven't seen you in a while. Why weren't you here yesterday? You never miss Wacky Wednesday," said Tsukeshi while he poured two drinks.

"Yeah, well, I had some things to do yesterday."

"Do these things involve a certain lady friend you've brought?"

"Yes, but not in the way you're thinking."

"Whatever man. I know you too well to not believe that. But, why did you bring her here? What happened to "women bring bad luck to gambling"?"

I scratched my head nervously. "Um...this one's different."

Tsukeshi laughed. "Sano, I can see right through you."

Grumbling, I brought the drinks over to where Xan was sitting, Tsukeshi following behind me. The three guys that surrounded Xan backed away after I glared at them. Giving the girl her drink, I sat down next to her and introduced my buddies. "This is Tsukeshi, Riku, Biiru, and Kodochi. Guys, meet Xan."

Xan whispered to me, "Why aren't you using my pseudonym?"

I muttered back, "Because the guys here wouldn't give a damn if I said your name was Buddha." She laughed.

After a few minutes of chatting loudly and explaining the entire, proper concept of the game to Xan, we began gambling. Tsukeshi rolled the dice. "Call it!"

Xan stared at the basket. "Um...evens."

It was a 5 and a 6. Odds.

"Nobody gets it all the time," Biiru said noncommittally. Tsukeshi rolled the dice again.

"Call it."

"Odds." She was wrong again. Double threes. Evens.

"Third time lucky," I whispered as Tsukeshi rolled the dice yet another time.

"Call it!"

Xan took a long drag of sake, concentrated on the dice basket, and said, "Odds."

Much to my surprise, she was correct. And the next time. And the next. We played a total of 87 tosses, and she won 85 of them in a row. Even Amberu, the gambling house champ, had never played a game like this. I was stunned.

"How-how'd you do that?" stammered Kodochi. "You've got to be cheating, right? Right?"

Xan shook her head. "It's really just multiplying the number on the dice times the chance it will come up evens divided by the chance it will pop up odds." She must have noticed our confused faces. "In other words, it's just a bunch of lucky guesses."

"Yeah. Whateva'. I still think you're a dirty cheat, girly."

At this I stood up. "Kodochi, don't you be calling her a cheat. Why don't you call yourself a sore loser?"

Kodochi grumbled for a minute, but then apparently accepted his defeat at the dice. However, some Biiru and Riku looked more than a little peeved. It was then I decided that perhaps we had better leave the gambling house, or else face the fists of drunken gamblers. I shuddered; that was not an incident I wished to experience again.

"C'mon Xan. Let's go."

She stared at me for a minute and then agreed. "Okay. Why?"

"Because we've won enough money for today," I said aloud, then whispered, "And I think the guys are a little aggravated that a girl beat them."

"That's stupid. They were using loaded dice at the end, anyway."

I stopped. "What? How do you know?"

She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Didn't you see how the last 15 were odds? And before that they used dice that would always pop up evens. It's an old ploy, but you can watch their eyes and hands to see when they cheat."

I was stuck between impressed at how she could deduce this and stunned that my gambling buddies would resort to such measures to beat a new gambler. They didn't even do that to me when I first started calling the dice.

Kaoru walked up to us and nervously said, "Can we PLEASE go now? Some of your buddies," she spat, "are making moves on me."

Xan grimaced. "I know what you mean. And yeah, let's get out of here. I made plenty of cash," she said, holding up her winnings, "and we can go get my clothes." Saying that, she grabbed Kaoru's hand and walked out of the gambling house, flicking off one of the guys that made a comment on her butt.

Yahiko, Kenshin, and I trailed behind them. I still didn't understand Xan, and we were heading back to the dress shop. Fun fun.

Hmmm...this chapter had some parts that I felt were a little slow. What do you think? PLEASE review; I've had hardly any!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the next chapter will be in Kaoru's POV. We need a little guy bashing here...hehehehe!

Over and out-

-Tsunei