Spap: Howdy Howdy! Changed my penname once again, I can never make up my mind! This is my third fanfic on and my first PMK fic! Obviously, PMK isn't mine, or there would be a hell of a lot more Shinpachi in it! Most of this fic came to me when I was watching the movie Saw one night and afterwards I was hungry, and the only thing edible at the time was Chinese. Enough of my rambling, on with the ficness!
Never let an enemy live. That was a strictly enforced rule of the Shinsengumi. He had done just that, killed anyone against him. Even if wounded, which he was now, he couldn't let anyone get away, and he didn't.
Leaning against the side of a closed shop, Shinpachi waited for reinforcements to arrive. His body ached and fresh blood oozed from deep wounds. Although his eyelids begged to send him into unconsciousness, he fought it off by making desultory comments to himself.
"I wonder if Sanos alright. Most likely. Maybe I should…" He stopped mid-sentence, and pushed himself off the wall onto unsteady legs. "..go see…" Shinpachi felt light-headed for a moment and almost fell forward, but managed to catch himself beforehand. He had no clue as to where Sanosuke was, and only came up with one solution to finding his companion.
"Sano!" Shinpachi yelled as best he could. He regretted it instantly, for it had only made his head hurt more.
"Yea, what?" came the simple answer. Shinpachi was lucky, Sanosuke was nearby. He knew Sanosuke would help, they were friends. He cared, right? The boy shook his head, bothered by the fact he had thought so negative.
"Sano…Clear…" His speech failed him, just as his body did. The sick taste of blood ran down his tongue, and he spat to get the fluid out of his mouth. He could see Sanosuke now, and the scarred man could see him.
"Shinpachi! What in the hell!" The taller male called as he lowered himself to almost Shinpachi's height. Shinpachi responded by collapsing.
"Hey. Hey!" Sanosuke gathered up the younger male in his arms and shook him. The other let out a groan, but never stirred. Sano took notice of the darker places on Shinpachi's outfit. Blood spots. With one hand, Sanosuke removed the clothing that covered Shinpachi's chest, and noted the damage.
"Damned miracle you lived through that." He muttered and eased Shinpachi over his right shoulder. Shinpachi's own right shoulder had been stabbed through, and various cuts decorated his arms. Worst injury had to be his ribcage, which looked as if someone had stabbed and twisted the sword. Sanosuke didn't even want to think about how painful that was.
With one arm he carried his spear, and the other, Shinpachi, he made his way back to the hall.
"Bored. Bored. Bored. Bored. Bored." Souji complained, as he hugged Saizo even closer to his chest. Two of the jokers had gone on patrol, and left him with nothing to do except wait for their return, which took much longer than usual. Needless to say, he was more than happy when he heard the sliding of the main doors. Unfortunately for Souji, his happiness was short lived.
"What happened?" were the words that first formed in his mouth. Sanosuke grunted in response and tore the rest of Shinpachi's shirt off, and threw the dirtied clothing aside. He turned and faced the curious and concerned Souji.
"I need bandages and water," Sanosuke ordered, not concerned if he was out of line. Okita stood and stared at the taller male for a moment, then ran to fetch the things that were requested. Sano's wait was not long, for in minutes Souji returned with his arms full and Hijikata following close behind.
Sanosuke snatched the supplies from Okita and worked on the wounds on Shinpachi's side. The silence that draped over the three made Sano even more stressed than he already was, so he broke it by asking Hijikata a question.
"The puppy not helping today?" His question sounded smug, as it was intended to be. Souji took it seriously, though, and gave him an answer.
"Oh, Tetsu is really sick today. Tatsu is with him and he-" The dark haired man was cut off my Hijikata.
"Chopsticks." Was what the older commander said. Sanosuke blinked a couple of times, then looked from the unconscious boy to Hijikata.
"What in the hell!"
"There is a piece of steel lodged in his side, chopsticks would be needed to get it out." Hijikata explained. Souji cringed, doing that was going to hurt. Sano lifted Shinpachi off the ground a few inches, and received a groan of protest from the younger man. He saw the slight shine of metal in one of Shinpachi's wounds, and nodded.
Two thin, wooden sticks were fetched and it was decided that Hijikata would use them while Okita and Sanosuke held Shinpachi down, in case of a struggle.
With the teen pinned against the floor, Hijikata quickly worked. Shinpachi put up as much fight as he could in his weakened state, but Sano and Souji kept a tight grip on him. In a matter of minutes, the Vice Commander held up a pair of bloodied chopsticks, and clamped tightly between the ends was the tip of someone's sword. Sanosuke quickly bandaged that wound and stood to face the other two. Hijikata made the situation lighter than it seemed.
"He'll stay in your quarters until recovered." Was all he said to Sano before he walked off and Okita followed him.
"Great…" Sano muttered under his breath and gathered up his unconscious ally. As he carried him to his quarters, he passed where Tatsunosuke and Tetsunosuke were. Sanosuke gave a small grin as he watched as the older brother stared at the sleeping younger.
"If both shortys are down, then who do we pick on?"
Spap: Well… I had intended this to be a one shot… but… I'm lazy. Shall I continue? Click the Review button and give me your opinion. Flames will be used to light joints!