Sano leaned against the wall, bored. Apparently Megumi and her little silver tongue got him out of hot water, or so he hoped. At least he was safe and sound for now. Maybe by the time Tokio caught up with him she'd have mellowed out a bit, or he would have thought up some fancy excuse. Or both. There was nothing wrong with getting off the hook entirely.
"Hey birdbrain, waiting around for your lover?"
Sano growled. With a swift turn he threw a punch and hit a brick wall millimeters away from the surprised cross-dresser's face.
"Saitoh, that bastard, is not my lover. I. Like. Woman. You can swing your own way, but don't take the rest of us straights with you." He snarled withdrawing his throbbing hand.
"Ouch, that looked like it hurt. You shouldn't go around punching walls because who knows when one might decide to retaliate and fall on you." The other, smaller man said with a mischievous smile. Still he looked the hurt hand over and gave it back with the remark, "Nothing some Neosporin and time won't fix. Unless you like visiting those old hellion bats…"
Sano shuddered at the memory of that place and those women. No thank you. He'd rather have Saitoh tend his wounds than those cantankerous bags!
"No, it'll be fine. Fuck, in a few days it will be as good as new. Happens all the time." Sano shrugged while trying not to let his thoughts show. Yeah right. He was probably one of the most expressive people in the compound. It was an equally good and bad thing sometimes.
It was probably the most likely reason Saitoh was constantly irritated with him. Well, his mouth and the drinking played a part too… and the womanizing… and well, he led a fun life. So what if it wasn't wholesome?
"Thinking again. I wouldn't if I were you. You know what happened last time." Kamatari teased. He was, for once, dressed fairly normal. A silk blouse and loose, flowing slacks. No make-up. He almost looked like a guy… for once.
"Fuck off freak. I think!" He snapped defensively and crossed his arms across his chest. Reapplying his torso to the wall he glared for all the affect that it had. Why did he get the feeling that both Saitoh and Kamatari found him irresistible to bait and tease? He wasn't that bad. Okay, so his temper got away every so often and he was very opinionated, but who wasn't? "What are you doing lurking around like a stray cat anyway?"
The smaller man smirked, but his answer wasn't exactly the one Sano expected, "I have a mission. Undercover. But actually, I want to see Saitoh's reaction to his. It's rare the Wolf is riled, and I don't want to miss it!" That was followed by a disturbing giggle, but Sano was still stuck on the few words that had sunk in. This he had to see.
As if on cue the door was flung open. Not hard enough to slam into the wall and leave an impressive dent like it could have been. Oh no, that prick wouldn't lose control and do such a thing. Then he would look weak or incapable, right? We couldn't have that, oh no. Mister Wolf had to keep his reputation intact so he could beat, belittle, intimidate, and terrify all who had the misfortune to scuttle across his shadow.
"Go well?" Kamatari purred from a "safe" distance. Actually, Sano had a hunch it wasn't quite out of reach if the man was really pissed. And he looked beyond pissed at the moment.
Saitoh stopped dead in his tracks and gave a glare with those amber eyes that was so potent Sano was surprised there wasn't lasers coming out. Kamatari's usually sunny, playful demeanor was even quenched as that glare hit him full force. Even so, the worst was yet to come. He spoke.
"What are you two morons doing here?" His voice was like two massive icebergs clashing together and doing a dance to the death in the icy waters of the salty ocean. Over dramatic? No, not at all, in Sano's humble opinion.
A shiver raced down his spine at the implied danger and he tried to back up, but he knew it was far, far too late for that. Now was a good time to start praying… or blaming. Blaming was good. And look, a handy target. The freak started it anyway. He could have left it alone, but no. He had to poke the Wolf to see if he'd bite. Now he was going to go rabid on their sorry asses.
Kamatari gulped and took a step back. Pansy-ass, he just now realized what a mistake that was? Now was a bit too late.
Sano lived to go his own way, and sometimes that meant annoying people with his mannerisms. So what? He wasn't going to change just because some hard bastard found him irritating. Calling him a moron didn't exactly dispose Sano to consider the matter either. Even he knew when not to toe the line. Otherwise he would have died on the streets long ago. Even so, he knew when he had crossed the line. Toeing usually was a good place to stop, but this was like a leap. Stupid freak, bringing down Saitoh's ire on them.
"Uh, waiting in line?" Kamatari quipped.
Not good enough, weak! Weak defense. You'd think the slippery little cross-dresser could think up something better than that. Sano, however, was also drawing a blank. It was hard to think when it seemed like you were staring at the Grim Reaper's scythe arcing down at your puny body.
"You can wait in line at the training arena then." Saitoh snarled with his amber eyes mere pits of rage. The fact that he hadn't snapped someone's head off, preferably Kamatari's, was amazing and commendable. Suddenly Sano was thinking self-control might have its merits after all.
"Yes sir." Kamatari said with a wary look in his eyes; like he was seeing his doom. "I'll just be… um, going to receive my mission first."
"Be there."
There was a short pause. Sano hoped that the cross-dresser had the sense to leave a long delay. Even that wouldn't save him, but maybe… hopefully Saitoh would have worked off some of his ire by then. Uh-huh. The chances of that were slim to freaking none. He may be almost twice their age, but Saitoh's endurance kicked theirs several times over.
"I will." Kamatari yelped and fled leaving Sano alone.
Okay, what to do with an angry man who can gut me without even blinking? Think, Sano, think. The youth coached. Not that it helped in the slightest. He was still rather terrified, but his pride wouldn't let him acknowledge that. So it left one option: bluff.
"So we working together or what? I mean, I can't image why else you'd be frothing like that. Napkin? I think I have one somewhere." Sano offered and started digging in his densely populated pockets in search of the elusive napkin. He'd just had a burger, so there had to be one somewhere.
"No." The man said shortly. He tore at his ever-present pack of cigarettes and ripped on out. Sticking it between his thin lips he dragged out a jet-black lighter. With an impatient jerk he cranked the wheel and struck a flame. The fire greedily jumped to the stick and started burning.
"Um, well…" What to say, what to say? It wasn't often that something or someone could effectively shut Sanosuke's mouth. It just seemed like the smart thing to do at the time however.
"I want to see you there too." He snarled and stalked away. Sano assumed it was to take out some hapless victims. One of whom he was to be included with. Later, much later if he planned it right. Whatever had the Wolf so disgruntled didn't seem like it was likely to wear away with time, but maybe it would dull a bit. Right.
Still, he was counting his blessings. He wasn't maimed, attacked, snubbed, or hurt… yet anyway.
Kamatari emerged shortly. There was a look of displeasure on his normally cheerful features. He was lost in thought and jumped when Sano spoke up.
"Looks like Saitoh isn't the only one who's not happy with their assignment. This must be big I'm guessing. Since they seem mighty busy delegating stuff."
"The mission will be fine, after all, I'll be in good company." The he-she said with a sweet smile and Sano felt his stomach sink downward.
Suddenly his palms were sweaty and he felt classic signs of nervousness. Before he could ask what the smaller man meant by that the man had vanished.
Pushing the wooden door open with the flat of his sticky palm, Kamatari hadn't fully closed it behind him he almost crept into the room.
Now, most people would say that Sano was feckless, loud, and irresponsible. Human nature dictated that first impressions are what mattered most. Even a whole life time working to change it wouldn't be enough if the mind decided to mount that classic, first plague up on its walls. Sano, however, was not as people would paint him.
Yes, he was too feckless sometimes. His father had always snarled at him asking if he had any fear at all, then beat him when he retorted. Which led to loud. He was loud. It was a way to be noticed. Attention was something he enjoyed, although not usually Saitoh's. Irresponsible was a matter of opinion. He was there when it counted.
He usually didn't think of himself in those terms either. In his mind he was who he was.
"Sit?"
"Naw, I'd rather stand if you don't mind… sir."
Also contrary to the usual stereotype of him as a street punk was his intelligence. Okay, so the blows to the head sure weren't helping, but he wasn't brain dead. He understood things even if it took a bit more time. Usually his problem was once again his hot nature. He constantly jumped to conclusions. Hell, sometimes he skipped the jumping and went straight to the punching.
"That is permissible. As you are aware we have a situation on our hands."
Well, Sano didn't know, but sure. He could go with it. Keeping up on current events wasn't a strong point. That meant doing things like reading the paper and watching CNN. How boring. Especially when the Simpsons were on.
"It has spiraled out of control and in order to halt it we have been forced to join with the Ishin."
That got Sano's undivided attention. It was an event that he usually reserved for food or Megumi.
"Yes. It is."
Uh-huh, direct and to the point, yet doesn't give a fucking clue. Why did people have to talk in carefully constructed riddles? How hard was it to just spit it out without playing some sucky word game? Sano was nothing if not direct.
"So what do ya want me to do?" He asked hoping for a straight answer. He was actually in luck for once. Either that or Saitoh had worn the poor man down so much that he wasn't up for any fancy sentences.
"You are to accompany Kamatari on his mission."
"Not as a boyfriend?" Sano's eyes were wide and his stomach must have been sucked into a black hole. They couldn't expect… so that's what the freak meant by in good company. The little shit could have warned him!
There was a long pause and an amused look, "No, Kamatari must be 'unattached' for this mission. You are going to be backup."
"Wonderful." Sano beamed before remembering himself. With a straight face he waited to see if there was anything else. When he was waved out the grin split his face. Until it dawned on him that backup didn't usually get much action. Well, that sucked, but he could live it with. He wondered what exactly was going on, but since it wasn't offered up he didn't care to do the work to find out. Kamatari would brief him later anyway. He would probably offer a ton of warnings and tease him too.
A/N: I have nothing to say?!! What? Oh well. I have a new story in the works that's going to be centered around Aoshi X__X After I finish BSR anyway. And my background and desktop has been changed ^^ Everything is green -__- Don't look at me like that. The background is this neat PMK one I found and liked.
Shadow's Assassin: You can't seem to have one without the other ne? *sweatdrop* Just a warning, I'm sooooo not A/Misao.
Wistful-Eyes: I was howling with laughter ^^; But I am also the person who switches sides in the middle of a battle. The kiss between Sissy and Yumi fried my sisters brain, but I just commented that at least they got some nice closure X__X I am a sick person. Yeah, Sano. Bet you didn't see that coming. But I figured I'd already tormented Kenshin enough. Plus he has a family now, no running around for him!
MissBehavin: Yup, the man is in the house... or whatever. Soujirou *grins* and Misao *sweatdrop* did a good job of getting herself into it. As for Aoshi *laughing* he's being himself... or one of himselves. Poor Hiko, I ought to be nice to him sometime. *switches over to Cat Fight* That was in Fyyrrose's version, I was too tired and lazy. Thank her...
Fyyrrose: No posting stories. I have plenty left up there. Just you wait! Misao is like Cara... imagine living with Misao with terrible aim... wait, nevermind, that's true anyway. Enter my life. Usui wouldn't do that with Soujirou standing right there X.X I like them short too. Easier to write, faster plot, less work for me, more reviews... Yes, THAT story. The one that distracted me from the chapter I was writing. It took, umm, about an hour and a half. We started right after Witch Hunter Robin. And we didn't even have to stay up until 3 am to be insane! We're getting better. Hey, writer's block is fun -__- but you and I would have written that anyway. Too good an idea to pass up! You shouldn't be allowed out in public, that's all I have to say. Ye-ah, and I'm the person laughing when you get your ass busted in a speedtrap that I saw a mile away (which I have done more times than I can count; poor speeders).
Trupana: *for Cat Fight* Yes, I agree with #1. Them fighting over Kaoru is sick, but would you rather it be Sano? Or maybe some soba ^^ No drugging, and she's the bad influence on me! #2 Would you really want Meg in the middle of that? She just didn't fit, sorry, besides she gets to lead in BSR and she's a main player in Strays. #3 *points to Fyyrrose* Not my idea. #4 That sort of slang coming out of their mouths is hilarious. Oh no you didn't! That's may fav. personally. Poor Aoshi. Not doing good things to his mental state. #5 Sano's revenge oh yes. The poor boy deserves some. Yeah, flamin' gay ^^;; doesn't quite fit but hey #6 Saitoh, you want to deal with my Momma? She'll kick your furry ass to Hell... Uh, actually that would be amusing. Mom vs. Saitoh X__X