Sunlit Horizon

Life had been painful when Sanosuke left. Everyone missed him even if they refused to admit it, Kenshin knew, he could read it in their eyes. No one could explain why the fighter had left, but Kenshin didn't care now. He required no explanation as to where his friend had been. All he knew was that Sano was home. Finally.

Yahiko's breath hitched as he heard that name spill from Kenshin's mouth. Had the cocky headed rooster really returned after three years?

"Sano..." Kenshin emitted the name again, eyes softening. He watched as the man dismounted his horse and moved over to stand before him.

He was as tall as ever, casting a long shadow over the ground and enveloping Kenshin in the friendly shade. It grew silent, only the rushing water and chirping of birds moved through the air to brush their ears.

With his thin hands the ruby haired man reached out and tugged at the dark cape until it fell to reveal his friend's face. His skin was tanned from his long hours of working in the sun, his hair had grown, and his trademark red bandanna had become faded and frayed.

Kenshin's right hand, sword hand, was lifted and brought to rest on a firm cheek of the tall male before him. A relieved smile brought the slightest curve to Kenshin's lips as his eyes nearly shut. He wasn't sure if he should embrace the man or cry. He refused to allow tears past his eyes, but his heart was overjoyed far past the degree of tears.

Sanosuke watched his friend as his face seemed to fight with emotions. It was amusing in a certain way. He had always seen Kenshin as the calm and in control man, and to witness him battling within himself, trying to restrain emotions, was not expected. Pain appeared to have flooded the samurai's face, but it was short lived and soon covered by an intense sense of friendship and old, but strong, trust. He allowed the shorter man to run a palm over his cheek, into his unruly dark hair and over his bandana.

"Kenshin," Sanosuke said softly as he rested his hand on the short man's thin forearm, "Sumimasen..." His voice was still deep, still strong and still radiated one word: Sano. As those thoughts passed through his mind Kenshin's skin prickled at the calloused hand that ran up his arm and around to his back. The motion was slow as Sanosuke pulled his best friend into a tight embrace. It was simple to fall into those long arms and forget about the rest of the world. He relaxed onto a broad chest. He always loved it when he was given one of those rare 'Sanosuke hugs'. He felt so much smaller, like a baby being held by its mother. Sanosuke's arms could nearly envelope him it seemed.

Sanosuke heard the samurai whisper into his chest, an arm tightening around his neck, and a free hand gripping at the dark cherry shirt he wore. Kenshin had said his name.

Sano... It meant so much. Sagara, Zanza, Sanosuke. No, to Kenshin he was Sano. It was never Sanosuke, but always Sano. That in itself was proof enough for the brunette: Kenshin had forgiven him.

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"How many people do you owe money, Sano?" Kenshin asked feebly with wide eyes as he scanned the colossal horse and located the drooping bags of yen securely tied to its saddle.

The man merely shrugged in response as he took firm hold of Canyon's reins and brought him about to face Kenshin.

"For now I plan on removing the heaviest of my debts." The fighter informed as he stroked his partner's flank assuredly. He turned his head as a small laugh reached his ears.

"What?" Sanosuke blinked with curiosity as his eyes fell upon a chuckling Kenshin.

"It's strange, that it is." The man shook his head, "You have money, Sano."

Sanosuke smiled. Kenshin was right, it was strange. Before Kenshin could continue pondering the oddity of it all he was swept up and practically thrown into the saddle atop Canyon's back. He released a quick exhale as he landed on the thick leather seat. Sanosuke had become faster. Fast enough to catch him off guard.

"S-Sano?" Kenshin blinked down at the broad creature beneath him as he spoke with bafflement.

"Hold on tight, Kenshin, wouldn't want you falling off." The younger man said as he handed the reins to his old friend.

"S-Sano?" Kenshin repeated, eyes moving over to watch Sanosuke with uncertainty.

"Go for a run, Canyon, yah!" Sanosuke gave his hoofed partner a firm smack on the hind quarters to get him started. With a sudden jerk Canyon took off.

It was quick and unexpected, but Kenshin managed to hold his position on the saddle. The Clydesdale cantered along for a few meters before his speed began to increase, his canter turning into an amazingly smooth gallop. Kenshin began to adjust, moving with Canyon and helping to ease the strides further. The horse rushed across the open grass on the edge of town, as if racing the Wind itself, and began gaining greater speed. His speed was impressive, but the samurai had seen faster steeds than this.

Canyon snorted and leaped over a fallen tree with ease. His hooves hit the ground with a thump and the dash resumed instantaneously.

It was a few more strides before Kenshin heard the clinking of coins at his side, and felt the brushing weight of bags against his thigh. The horse was weighed down. The speed Canyon was displaying was not his greatest velocity.

Looking up once more, Kenshin tensed and his lilac eyes broadened at the scene before him. A group of young boys were blocking the bridge, and, not to mention, Canyon's route to the other side of the river. It was the same wooden bridge he had been crossing earlier on his way to buy tofu. The Clydesdale continued to run, showing no signs of slowing. Surly this horse wasn't planning on running those children over, was it?

His thoughts of concern were short lived as he felt the monster sized creature beneath him change course. Canyon had his heart set on a mighty jump. He hadn't taken one in at least a few weeks and his legs desired that long stretch of muscle and catch of air.

Realization hit Kenshin like a barrel of rice: Canyon wasn't taking the bridge. He tensed and tried to steer the horse away, but his efforts were useless. He had an uneasy feeling Canyon listened to Sanosuke, and no other, which led his mind to one word.

Oro?

Kenshin's hands tightened on the leather straps in his already bone crushing grip as Canyon pushed off from the ground. Teeth clenched and jaw locked into place, Kenshin held his breath.

The wind rushed by as Canyon extended his legs to greet the nothingness of air. He was halfway across the river before he felt his passenger relax.

"This is..." Kenshin's inhale caught as his body rose up from the saddle and experienced the freedom of flight wash through him in hundreds of tiny waves.

It was over much too fast as far as the ruby haired man was concerned, and the horse didn't seem to care if he gave his passenger or himself time to recover from the spectacular act once his hooves hit solid earth again.

Kenshin leaned back down into the saddle, holding his body firm to the racer, and hoping Canyon knew where he was heading. After all, racing through town in the manner they were was not appreciated.

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Kenshin had thought about Sanosuke often. His best friend. How couldn't he think about the cocky man? Yet, he wasn't so cocky anymore. He had yearned for the loud objections, wild spirit, and the fish bones that the man always seemed to have hanging casually from his mouth. The contact even. Yes, the contact. The touch you could only get from a dear friend. Friendly hands on his shoulders, an arm around the neck pulling him into a teasing jest or welcoming annoyance, or perhaps an embrace. It didn't matter, all of it was welcomed.

Sanosuke was sleeping at the moment, chocolate eyes closed peacefully, hair brushed back toward the mat covered floor, and arms thrown carelessly out to his sides as if he hadn't slept in days. Sanosuke had arrived at the dojo with a frazzled Kenshin. His red hair displaced and knuckles white as they refused to release the reins for fear the horse would take off again. That uneasiness had swiftly departed once Sanosuke had taken hold of the bridle on the creature. Kenshin wasn't sure about the beast. Canyon didn't seem 'horse-like' to him.

He had to laugh at his thought. Many people had considered him to possess god-like speed, an attribute of the Hiten Mitsorougi Ryu, so he presumed he could be called a 'creature' or a 'beast' as well.

He did suppose that was the reason Sanosuke was so tired, having a horse like Canyon, that is. It seemed the Clydesdale was young and full of exuberance, much like Sano used to be. Used to be...

His violet orbs for eyes lowered to the floor and fell to a small hand, his own hand. Used to be... It was strange how Sanosuke changed so greatly. Only three years...

The hand his sight had been focused on rose, and he ran his thin fingers delicately into that thick mass of brown hair. Silken strands brushed along his finger pads as he played, not seeming to care if Sanosuke were to awaken and wonder why he had a samurai sitting so close. So close he could feel the heat of Sanosuke's body meet his own. That natural warmth the human system gave off, particularly when sleeping.

Even if Sanosuke had changed, Kenshin could still see it was him. Pools of dark eyes gazed at him with utter respect and fondness, silently pledging his loyalty; like they always had. In the past it nearly made him sick to his stomach to look into those depths.

Kenshin had hurt the man. It was when they first met. When they were opponents and all Sanosuke cared about was his revenge on the twisted government and the demons of men that had killed his loved Captain so ruthlessly.

With his flipped blade he had brought harm to the man, to his best friend, on more than one occasion.

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