Sunlit Horizon

"They're going to worry about us, Sano." Kenshin pointed out, flexing his fingers across copper skin.

"Let them worry, Kenshin. For once in your life take a break. Do something for yourself and not others." Sanosuke's voice was heavy with sleep.

"I do things for myself Sano."

"Liar."

"Oro?" Kenshin turned his head up, looking at the relaxed face above him.

"I mean something for only you. Not helping out others or taking care of little chores and such."

"Sano, I enjoy doing that."

"You do the same laundry every day, Kenshin, where's your variety?"

Variety? Where was his variety? He was a used-to-be-manslayer, had reformed himself completely, made many odd friends, lived an eventful life and was an expert swordsman. What did he mean 'where was his variety'?

"Kenshin, relax," Sanosuke ordered kindly, rubbing the samurai's back as they rested on the wooden floor, "Let someone else worry about you for a change, because that someone else already is."

"Oro?" Kenshin inquired near silently, placing his head back on Sanosuke's shoulder to ease his exhausted neck. Sanosuke slowly kissed a trail up the samurai's jaw until he reached an ear and whispered into it.

"You've been wound so tight, Kenshin. People need to rest without having to think about going back to anything. Just let go."

"Already did that, Sano."

"You know that's not what I meant." Sanosuke smiled, kissing Kenshin's nose playfully. There was a pause before both chuckled.

"Hai, Sano, I understand what you're saying now, that I do." Kenshin curled closer to the brunette's bare form, wrapping his arms further around the broad ribcage. He would stop worrying, at least for the moments he spent lying with Sanosuke.

He relaxed and put all his attention into the feeling of another's skin beneath his and a comforting arm around his back. For the first time in over ten years, Kenshin felt complete, comfortable, and untainted.

In those hours he spent on the floor of the shed next to the man he had known for years he forgot about his bloody past, put aside everyone else, and focused on himself and the one close to him.

I had forgotten how much he was willing to give. You'd fight to your death and more to protect those you love, Sanosuke Sagara.

IOIOIOIOIOIOI

"Kenshin," Kaoru called, sounding so distant in his mind he wasn't sure if it was real, "Kenshin, wake up!"

His arm was roughly pushed at, knocking him completely out of unconsciousness. He released a surprised oro and flopped onto his abdomen and off the bedding he had been so comfortably sleeping on.

"Kenshin, Sanosuke's leaving! You have to get up!"

Leaving? His mind raced to comprehend.

"M-Miss Kaoru?" He looked up, soon realizing he wasn't wearing any clothes. Instantly he pulled the blanket up around his waist to conceal more of his being. Sanosuke must have placed him on the mattress before he left. How had he done it without waking him?

Kenshin shook his head from his thoughts and carefully eyed the sheathed sword in Kaorus arms.

"You have to go after him, Kenshin." Her eyes pleaded.

"Sano left that here?" Kenshin asked, referring to the sword.

"He told me he wouldn't be coming back, Kenshin, he's..." She took a breath of hesitation as tears began falling from her eyes.

IOIOIOIOIOIOI

Sano... please don't be too far. Kenshin begged in his mind as he ran swiftly across the grassy land. He was given greater strength by the feel of a sword at his side, held steady by his hand as it shifted against his hakama and sash. Sanosuke's sword: the guarded blade that couldn't kill.

He continued to dash, soon approaching a tall figure standing on the side of the road. It was indeed Sanosuke, wearing his dark red clothing and looking out at the long stretch of land.

For minutes Kenshin stood there, silently watching from a distance and finding what the man was looking at.

Canyon was running in the field, dashing about freely with the wind and shaking his head as he turned in a circle. His long white mane lashed out at the air as he began a run. He was faster now that he was free of any man made equipment... amazingly fast. Such a large horse, yet its speed could match that of a pure bred racing horse that had won first place. It didn't seem natural or possible... but then again, his abilities didn't seem possible to many others.

"You look a bit ruffled."

Violet eyes darted back to the brunette as the tall man spoke, intently watching and waiting.

"The Missy wake you up?" Sanosuke asked, turning to face the man he was speaking to.

"Yes..." The wind whistled between them before either decided to continued.

"Hm," Sanosuke sighed and placed his hands in his pockets, an old habit of his, "I suppose she told you that I'm leaving then."

"Zanza..." The name was spoken steadily, but kindly.

Sanosuke looked up quickly, shock evident on his face.

"That was the first name I knew you by... and even then I knew there was much more to you than what was on the outside."

"Kenshin..." Sanosuke studied the downcast eyes hidden behind a veil of red hair and watched those soft lips move as if trying to form words.

"Sanosuke Sagara... That was the name you next gave me. Although others may call you by it... to me you're not Sanosuke Sagara... or Zanza... You're the same man to me as you have been for years..." Kenshin took a step forward. Sanosuke watched the short man struggle within himself to form his feelings.

"Or..." His voice faltered, "Was this all a game to you?"

The man dropped to the ground, legs folded carelessly beneath him and fingers touching the earth lightly. Sanosuke stood and watched him silently. The moments passed and Kenshin searched for an answer. The man wasn't speaking to him... he was silent, completely silent. No... It was true. He had... he had been used.

No! He swatted the thought away- Sanosuke wouldn't do that. He wasn't like that.

What was he thinking? What a fool! To doubt someone who had more heart than he did? Someone that was stronger than him? Sanosuke was strong - he had powerful fists. Kenshin, him, take away his sword and he couldn't fight. What good could his weak punches do against an opponent? Sanosuke...

He couldn't forgive himself for believing the youth would do that.

Fingers slipped beneath his chin, lifting his face and pulling him forward into a kiss. It was gentle...

Sanosuke pulled back and watched lilac gems plead up at him before the owner of the mesmerizing jewels fell onto his shoulder.

"Forgive me..." Kenshin inhaled shakily, fighting off a wave of depression and drawing his arms around his comforter's ribs.

Sanosuke pulled him close as they knelt on the ground.

"It's my fault, Kenshin. I should have made things clear."

"There shouldn't have been a need! I doubted you..." The samurai said, words muffled against the red fabric.

"No, I've changed... I'm not the same as I used to be."

"You still have this..." Kenshin said, placing his thin fingers over Sanosuke's broad chest, above a beating heart, "More heart than I could ever wish of having..."

"And you still have guilt, remorse, and that fake smile. I want you to be happy-"

"Then don't leave!" red hair played with the wind as Kenshin shook his head, face buried in soft material, "Why... why do you make me feel so weak? Don't leave, Sano, stay here."

"I'm afraid I don't have a choice."

Kenshin looked up at the man, eyes asking the clear question; why?

"I've left my savings to you and the Missy... I have no use for them any longer."

"What... what are you talking about?" Kenshin's fingers gripped the black collar of the red jacket, pulling desperately. He brought the young man close and kissed him fervently with growing fear of never seeing him again. Many brief kisses followed, Kenshin falling deeper against the brunette, until Sanosuke pulled away to explain his words.

"Life came back to bite me," Sanosuke inhaled deeply, cupping Kenshin's face, "I'm bound to Kyoto now. I have no choice but to follow orders. The police forces aren't that forgiving to supposed murderers. All they knew was they saw me in that ally, covered in blood." Sanosuke looked away, eyebrows knit together in regret.

"Blood?" Kenshin grabbed the tanned face and turned Sanosuke's eyes back to him, "What are you talking about?" The man quickly closed his brunette orbs and shook his head while pulling away. Sanosuke couldn't look at him.

"I had tried to help him, but he was too torn up," he shuddered out a painful breath, "It was a mess. Blood was everywhere. And the victim... It was Hideki. He was a friend of mine. I was accused of killing one of my good friends."

"Then," Kenshin's eyes became stronger as they reverted to bloody memories of his own, "This is the reason why you were gone for so long."

"Yes," Sanosuke nodded, "They have me for the rest of my life, Kenshin. I... I do their dirty work."

"But you... didn't..." Kenshin drew in a shuddering breath, unable to accept the answer, "They can't do that."

"They made their decision years ago. I was lucky to strike a deal with them. In the hours I normally would have spent in a cell they allowed me to learn and work for others. I worked and was paid for a third to half of what my services cost. So there's the true reason I was gone. And now I've repaid all my old debts here. I have to go now, that was the deal I made with them."

"You can't, Sanosuke." A voice from behind the pair spoke. Sanosuke looked up to find the form of a woman standing before him.

"Missy," He watched her eyes soften.

"We all missed you, Sanosuke. If you leave, then... then none of us will ever see Kenshin smile like he has the past few days again! Don't leave." Kaoru stepped forward, dropping to her knees and embracing the young man.

Sanosuke clenched his eyes shut, unsure of what to say. He had given them his word he would return, but he had friends and loved ones here he wanted to take care of. He wanted to protect them. He wanted to protect Kenshin from his nightmares - from his past. The pain and memories this now wandered had couldn't be held back forever.

"Sano," Kenshin's soft voice brushed his ear. He loved them all, far too much for his own health. The winds swept fine grains of sand along the road beside them as Sanosuke hesitated in his decision.

"Well now, Zanza, the fighter for hire," a new voice broke the silence, familiar and friendly, "You've once again managed to get yourself into trouble."

"K-Katsu," Sanosuke gazed up at the long haired man. Kenshin's eyes slowly moved to catch sight of the former Sekihotai member, while Kaoru's bright orbs reflected confusion.

"While speaking his goodbyes to his friends, Sanosuke Sagara was hit by an uncontrolled carriage with a wild horse. Sadly, the accident killed Mr. Sagara who had been planning on returning to Kyoto. This death was sudden and shocking; all his friends attended the burial to send their hopes with the man they held so dear to their hearts," Katsu finished and looked up at them with a cocky smile, "A little corny but it can be revised to sound more authentic."

"Katsu... you..." Sanosuke smiled, strength wavering.

"You owe me, Sanosuke Sagara," the writer laughed softly in his throat, and made his way out of the clearing without another word.

There was joy as Kaoru cried with relief and Kenshin moved closer into the 'dead' man's arms.

"I guess you won't be wandering away again without my permission, hm, Sano?" Kenshin whispered, finding his place to bring him comfort and newfound happiness.

Sanosuke recognized it. Those same words he had given to Kenshin so many years ago.

With that, Sanosuke smiled and allowed tears to roll down his cheeks. He was home with the people he loved. And it was all that mattered.

Guess you won't be wandering away again without my permission, eh Kenshin?

IOIOIOIOIOIOI Owari IOIOIOIOIOIOI

(Until our paths may cross again, sayonara.)