Part 2

They say that prevention is better than cure. Then does that mean that… that it was ever a mistake to fall in love? I defiantly know it was a mistake to get hurt. But how can you make sure that that will never happen…that it will never happen again. Would it be best to simply protect yourself, for always and forever? Or to take the chance, and expose yourself. One might think, 'I'll be able to tell. I'll know when it's the right someone.' That's what I said to myself. When I met him. My beauty. The one I thought was just for me that is, until he left. He left me for that bastard…For Zanza.

Sano leaned heavily on the bridge he had been on only about an hour ago; glad for the support it offered him. God, it felt like he was seriously going to heave major chunks. What the hell had just happened? Had there really just been a…"feel down" between Kenshin and Kouru? Yes. Did she confess her love? Yes. Did he tell her he loved her back? Yes. No! No no no no no! He would NOT believe that. He didn't love her. He loved him. Right? Right! How could anyone love her over him! There was no way…but hadn't he just been proven wrong in the room back there? …Yes. He loved her. He was just trying to get inside his heart, to get to his body. That was all he had ever wanted! Sex! That was all he had ever been to Kenshin! Some whore he picked up off the streets.

As Sano was mentally shouting all this, he was aware of tears beginning to peak out of his eyes. He swiped them away in the blink of an eye, and as he turned to leave the bridge, he thrust his hands in his pockets, when he felt something. He pulled it out, and for a long moment, stared at the little black velvet box in the palm of his hand. The tore open the lid, grabbed the ring, and threw it purposefully over the bridge, as far away as he could. The he ran. Ran as far as he could, off the bridge, out of Edo (KN: was it still Edo, or Tokyo?) and found himself on a dirt path. He veered off to the right, and down a hill, willing his body to go even faster, to get even more lost. That was what he wanted.

Where had Sano gone? So far, Kenshin had asked Migumi, Dr. Gensai, Miss Tai (who told him to remind Sano to pay his tab) and various shop owners and employees. Even to Sano's friends, who were just as surprised as Kenshin that Sano was missing. But he still couldn't find him. "I hope nothing is wrong." He thought to himself, as he continued to head towards the direction he had last seen Sano go.

At last, he found an elderly woman working at a flower stand, and asked her if she had seen a tall man with "Evil" on his back, in the area. She had said he threw something over the bridge, and ran off towards the northern woods. Kenshin bowed this thanks, and walked briskly across the bridge, heading north.

Sano finally stopped running, but it was only because he had reached a calm river. He couldn't go any farther, and he defiantly wasn't going back. Not yet. He slumped to the ground, and laid on his back. He looked up at the sky, and saw it was smeared with pink and red. He turned over, and saw the sun heading west. He hadn't realized it was that late. Must've come a long way. Good. He suddenly put his back to the pulchritudinous (KN: Latin for exquisite) sunset. The red reminded him too much of Kenshin. He had scarlet hair the same exact color as the sky. The clouds even seemed to be a reminder of Kenshin, each one reminding him of scenes from their pasts together. Ugh, he couldn't stay here. He got to his knees and was about to leave when he heard a distinct rustle of bushes right behind him, far too loud to be normal in this quiet little riverbank. There was a metallic click that sounded an awful lot like a sword being released. No, he was just imagining things. He had been there too long, think about things he wasn't suppose to. Time to get a drink.

He was just about to get up, when he froze. The cool blade of a katana was lightly sliding across his throat.

"What are you doing outside far from Edo, Zanza?" Aoshi said, his head right next to Sano's, so close that he could feel the heat of his speech on his ear. "N-nothing. Really." He said, as Aoshi lifted it closer to his life vein. "Were you followed?" He asked coolly, looking around suspiciously. "No. Nothing like that."

With that, it's seemed that Aoshi was satisfied for the time, and put his blade back into its sheath. He walked around Sano, so they were facing each other, Sano still on his knees. He suddenly dropped to his hands and knees, and commenced to cry. It was quiet and unnoticeable at first, but then it evolved into moderate sobs.

Aoshi shifted his feet uncomfortably. What was he supposed to do with a grown man crying at his feet?

"Do you want to talk about it?" Aoshi asked awkwardly.

Men weren't supposed to talk about feelings like this. Sano stood up wordlessly and strode over to the riverbank, staring back at his reflection as he had done just minutes before. It looked different in a way he couldn't quite express. Dreamy light filtered through the trees and glittered on the glassy surface of the river. Sano breathed in the thick, warm air of the forest. He suddenly realized that Aoshi was standing beside him, looking into the distance , squinting his sharp, piercing blue eyes against the afternoon light.

"I meant what I said"
"Did you? I doubt someone like you would care about what it is that I'm so upset about." Sano said coolly.

"Well I'll be the judge of that." Aoshi replied, his gaze still on the water.

Sano turned to look at Aoshi irritably.

"I'll be blunt then." Sano said, taking several steps into the cool water. He looked up into the sky, letting the fading sun wash over him. "Kenshin suddenly betrayed me by confessing his love for Kouru." he said quickly.

Aoshi remained silent. "You wanted to know." he said as he looked back at Aoshi. "So I told you."

Sano was surprised, however, to find a shocked look on Aoshi's handsome face. Sano looked at him curiously, and turned around, taking a few tentative steps towards him. Aoshi suddenly grabbed Sano roughly by the shoulders.

"Kenshin was with you!" he asked, raising his voice.

"…Yes…" Sano said, obviously confused as he shook off Aoshi. He'd had enough of this crap. He turned his back, ready to leave, but stopped. He suddenly heard Aoshi's chuckle behind him. Sano became enraged, all the pain from seeing his lover betray him released and he swung around, firing a punch straight as Aoshi's smooth face. How dare he laugh at him.

Aoshi caught Sano's fist and twisted it behind his back, trapping him in Aoshi's grasp. He leaned down and whispered in Sano's ear, "You misunderstand me, Zanza. I meant not to taunt you as you so interpreted."

Sano stiffened as Aoshi's warm breathe touched his neck. "I simply find it amusing how our lovely Kenshin manages to run through his lovers so quickly…you must not have been satisfying to him…but then, I must have not been either."

Sano struggled to look into Aoshi's face as he was still held captive by Aoshi's hands.

"You…" Sano gasped.

"Yes." Aoshi said, almost angrily as he shoved Sano away from him. "If you must know, I was with Kenshin for quite some time…but that changed with the start of the revolution."

Sano was stunned for a moment, but that turned soon enough to jealousy. Aoshi sighed. "Such a strong person he is, and yet…he's with Kouru now?" He laughed.

Sano was pulsing with rage. How could he be so cruel.

"Ha ha!" Aoshi looked to the darkening sky and smirked. "…that insolent whore…"

Sano's punch caught Aoshi off guard and stumbled backward. He fingered the bruise on his cheek.

"NEVER talk that way about Kenshin in front of me!" Sanosuke snarled.

"Oh, you were in deep with him, weren't you. Poor boy" Aoshi sneered. "You didn't even realize he was just in it for the sex."

Sano, overcome with rage, flung himself at Aoshi, pummeling his to the ground as he plowed him into the ground. Aoshi quickly blocked the attacks and leapt to his feet.

"You think you can beat me? Alright, I'll play." He removed his jacket and unbuckled his sheath, revealing his tan, muscled chest.

Sano, having gained some composure but still furious at Aoshi, dusted himself off and stood, watching Aoshi carefully. Suddenly Aoshi charged at Sano, and engaged in a fierce series of punches, dives, kick and dodges. Sano dodged all of Aoshi's attacks but as they danced around the river back Aoshi was driving Sano ever closer to river itself.

Aoshi suddenly did a sweeping low kick, knocking Sano off his feet and on his back landing in the shallows of the river. Sano, though momentarily stunned, stood and grabbed Aoshi, kneeing him in the stomach and bringing him down into the water.

"Bastard!" Aoshi cried. He grappled with Sanosuke, trying desperately to pin him to the ground, but only succeeding in thrashing about in the water. After several minutes they were both soaking wet,. Sano had somehow shed his over shirt. With a final punch, Sano weakened and Aoshi overpowered him kneeling (one leg on each side of Sano) and pinned his arms apart with his strong hands. Sano gasped for breath and groaned loudly, writhing under Aoshi. His head was just level with the water, although when he fought he would get some in his mouth, momentarily chocking.

"Tell me, Zanza" Aoshi whispered maliciously. "Did the Battousai cry out the first time you made love to him?" Sano looked thunderstruck. "You loved him!" He gasped in surprise. "Why are you saying these things?" Aoshi hung his head and sat lightly on Sano's waist, and chuckled.

"I'll be blunt then," he said, mocking Sanosuke. "even though I haven't been with Kenshin for years, I still love him…no…I don't love him. Not after he betrayed me and left me to become a patriot of this new 'life' …" Sano could tell Aoshi was unknowingly telling him things that were meant to be kept secret. Aoshi suddenly looked at Sano, a bitter look on his face.

"I want him" he gasped "I've been starved of pleasure since he left me. Just once more I'd like to be with him, touch him…" He ran his fingers lightly over Sano's wet, bare chest, seductively. "S-s-stop" Sano gasped. Aoshi didn't stop, but ran his fingers over his fingers lightly over Sanosuke's lips and neck.

"And now he's left you…for some woman." Aoshi said. "…its almost laughable." Sano moaned in spite of himself as Aoshi's hand caressed his chest, his arms. Only one hand still held Sano's arms back, and he could have easily freed himself from Aoshi…but even if he was freed, what would he go back to? He didn't want to go back to the dojo. Not now. That was what kept him there. That's why he didn't even try to stop him until it was too late.

"Sano." Came a firm voice from somewhere on the forest edge, right above their heads. Sano flung himself upright, pushing Aoshi who was still straddling his hips as he sat up. Sano leapt up and wheeled around to find none other than Kenshin standing before him, stepping out into the open. He had a stone hard face, although Sano knew better than to trust his face OR his eyes. (KN: Cause he uses those as a defense in swordsmanship/fighting) But he was sure that Kenshin was hurt, and above all, angry. His very body posture was something that Sano wasn't used to being directed at him; Kenshin had a hand griping his sword, and he knees were slightly bent. And even though everything he gave of was one of wrath, his voice was full of hurt and emotion as he said, "Sano, what have you been keeping from me?"

The moment these words came from Kenshin's mouth, Sano was outraged. How DARE he accuse him of that when he had just done the exact same thing!

"I should be asking you the same thing of you. I was so sure that you loved me, and then I find you confessing your affection to Kaoru. And don't you dare get that look of shock on your face." Sano said, venom in his voice. Understanding was suddenly flashed across Kenshin's face. "Sano, Kaoru said that she loved me, but that doesn't mean that--" Before he could finish, Aoshi snaked his arms around Sano's waist, and rested his head onto Sano's shoulder. He said nothing, but simply stared at Kenshin with cold piercing eyes, and that was what made Kenshin stop his words. He stared at Aoshi as if he had seen a ghost. "You…" He said, astonishment clear in his face.

Aoshi simply smiled behind Sano, and said coolly, "Me? Yes…That's good, Kenshin…you remember me, don't you?" He said, sliding a finger lightly up Sano's chest. In an instant, Kenshin was in attack mode, with knees totally bent, his right hand on his sword, and anger flashed across his face as he made direct eye contact with Aoshi, who continued to lord Sano over Kenshin. "You dirty bastard." Kenshin spat, actually scaring Sano; he looked absolutely enraged.

Sano could hear Aoshi chuckle lightly in his ear as he hugged Sano's waist with his arm. "It's not like you don't deserve it, you little faker." He nuzzled Sano's neck before continuing. "You had your chance at this beauty here. Now he's all mine." Aoshi's eyes glittered with delight as he saw the anger briefly course through his eyes. Sano meanwhile was stunned at what Aoshi was doing. He was trying to make Kenshin mad to get back at him! As Sano's eyes widened at this sudden realization, Aoshi smoothly leaned forwards and kissed Sano, in such a way that was clearly mocking Kenshin with everything he had. It happened so fast it wasn't until Sano heard the clang of metal on metal that he realized: Kenshin had attacked the moment they kissed, and at the same time Aoshi had flung his katana through the air with his foot, gripping it in the air.

Their swords clashed loudly as Aoshi and Kenshin danced about, Kenshin's speed and accuracy matched by Aoshi. They were moving all about the bank now, and as Sano watched helplessly they slowly moved towards the trees. In a single moment, they were beyond Sano's sight, and he raced after them, his heart pounding. Although he could hear their grunts and swords echoing through the forest, he wasn't sure where they were exactly. He looked about wildly, searching for some hint of where they might be. From the looks of it, they were moving fast; the dirt before him had been flung by their speed, and here and there were deep gouges on the tree trunks. He saw sparks fly as they suddenly went past him, heading back towards the river. He ran as fast as his body would allow him to, and came back just in time to see them emerge from the woods.

Kenshin came out first with a leap, his back to the river and as he did a back flip to land, Aoshi swiftly came forwards, swinging his sword fast as lightening. Kenshin was able to block it, but the force put him off balance, and that's when Aoshi got his opening: he aimed right for Kenshin's hand, although Kenshin had good enough reflexes to dodge it. But that didn't stop his hand from getting a deep gouge in it, or at least large enough so that his reverse blade fell from his hand, landing with a clink beside him. Although he tried to move quickly to regain himself, he stopped short because he knew that Aoshi's katana was right above his head. Aoshi held his katana over Kenshin' skull, a triumphant smirk sketched across his face.

Sano's hand gripped Aoshi's shoulder, tightly. "Alright Aoshi, you win. Let him up." Sano had barley said the words before Aoshi spun around, slicing Sano's beautiful stomach open. He fell forwards, cradling his abdominals, and Kenshin watched in horror as he saw blood flow freely from Sano. His face was twisted in a grimace of pain as Kenshin flew for his sword, sticking empty air as Aoshi leapt away.

"My my Kenshin, your rather disappointing. I thought you would prove to be more of a challenge…like you used to be." Aoshi took a final look at Sano, clutching his stomach and coughing up blood. Then he turned his back, and went to retrieve his clothes. He didn't even look back as he slipped into the forest, leaving Kenshin and Sano by themselves, with no doctor for miles.

Don't worry Kenshin. You'll see me again soon. I'll make sure of it.