DISCLAIMER: I do not own nor will I ever own Rurouni Kenshin. I am making no profit from this and I will remove this if requested to do so for any legitimate reason.
WARNING: This story is rated R for violence, so if you do not like graphic depictions of people dying I suggest you find something else to read.
The Last Battle of the Bakumatsu
Chapter 4
He found himself looking up, bleary-eyed at the ceiling. He couldn't remember what had awoken him but he was sure that there was something that had dragged him out of his dreams. Not that he was complaining. His dreams were just repeats of his past that he would have preferred to forget. He turned his head slightly to the side to see the door open by about a foot. Outside the day was well underway, the bright, blue sky glimmering as the bright sunshine warmed the air. The warm breeze that drifted in was inviting but Sano wasn't ready to get up just yet. He turned back to stare at the ceiling, his vision clear but the view wasn't worth the effort.
A sudden blur and small slapping sound echoed around the room and Sano reopened his eyes after the small hand was removed. Turning his head to the side again, Sano could see the miniature Kenshin sitting between the door and himself. His legs were crossed and he sat looking down curiously at the stranger lying in front of him. They stared at each other for a while, Sano due to boredom and Kenji seemed to be trying figure out something. Kenji scratched his head and then raised his arm to again slap Sano's face. Sano blocked it, something for which the child seemed surprised by.
"I'm awake already, you don't need to keep hitting me," Sano voice was strained, due more to his parched throat than any weariness. Kenji looked even more puzzled, as if he had never seen any one speak before.
"So is your Dad around?" Kenji looked a little upset before shaking his head. "How about Jou-chan? Is your Mum around," the boy nodded his head vigorously. Kenji stood and motioned Sano to follow as he stepped outside. Realising that he couldn't stay in bed all day, Sano threw his blanket off and stood up. For the first time he noticed the light blue colour of his yukata, a colour he didn't find appealing. Sano walked out of the room savouring the warm outside air momentarily before looking around.
The outside was just as he remembered it, right down to the fresh laundry hanging out to dry. Looking to his left he saw Kenji standing about two steps from the door waiting for Sano. Sano could already hear the sound of practice emanating from the dojo and started to walk in that direction. Sano stopped as Kenji looked up expecting to be carried but only got a suspicious glare from Sano. The tall man manoeuvred himself around Kenji and started to walk to the dojo. An audible sniff brought Sano attention back to the small boy who was preparing to cry.
"Your parents are too soft on you," Sano sighed as he grabbed the back of the child's belt and lifted him into the air. As Sano strolled toward the dojo he looked down at Kenji. He was held in the air by his belt and swung quiet happily with a stupid smile on his face. The idiotic appearance of the boy only made him look more like his father, something Sano could only describe as a curse. He reached the dojo door and tried to slide it open only to find something was holding the door closed. Putting a little more effort into it, the door suddenly slide open and the impediment fell to the floor at Sano's feet. The boy looked up at Sano and took a single glance at the man holding the child of his master before he screamed.
"INTRUDER!" he jumped to his feet and immediately brought his shinai to an attack position. He lunged forward at Sano who dodged the first two swings before grabbing the shinai and snapping it in half. An angry glare directed at the rest of the students stopped any other attacks.
"Sano what are you doing attacking my students?" Kaoru's shout came from behind a crowd of students as she tried to push her way through. They quickly backed out of her way while Sano stood in the doorway waiting to see her before yelling at her.
"What do you mean attack your students? I walk in here and your students attacked me," Kaoru just looked around and quickly spotted the guilty face and half a shinai.
"Fine whatever, what do you want? We are trying to train," Kaoru impatiently muttered. Sano could see that at the moment she would rather train than speak to him. Remembering why he was there he smirked realising this might actually be fun.
"This is your, isn't it?" Sano held up the smiling boy and could see Kaoru's protective instincts kick in. It only took a split second for her shinai to be thrown followed by her screams.
"Idiotic rooster, what are you doing to my son?" Kaoru dashed to help Kenji, who she believed, was in danger. She didn't pay attention to the shinai that disintegrated into dust upon contact with Sano's head but her students did, gasping in amazement at the sight. Kaoru snatched her son from Sano's grasp, checking to see if he was okay while Sano leaned against the doorframe.
"You're overreacting Jou-chan and you are too soft on that kid," he scowled as she fussed over the child ignoring him.
"You wouldn't understand a parent's love, Sanosuke," Sano leaning into the room to look at the voice. Tokio was sitting in the corner and had previously been watching the practice until Sano's interruption.
"I supposed I don't Tokio," Sano mused, "But I still can't see that sort of behaviour from your husband." Tokio chuckled as the students tried to figure out what was going on.
"Well Hajime shows his affection in his own way, even if you can't see it," Tokio smiled, more to herself as she relived memories of her own children.
"Well he would never show that sort of attention in front of me, thank god. I'm still trying to figure out how a nice, gentle and kind woman like you ended up with a cold-hearted man who used to be a Wolf of Mibu. Especially when you said that the marriage wasn't prearranged," a blushing Tokio giggled amused by his sentiment but also flattered by his compliment. The effect that Sano's words had on her didn't go unnoticed by Kaoru.
"Was there anything else you wanted help with or did you just come to disturb my class?" an annoyed Kaoru announced, wanting to resume the days training.
"No thanks Jou-chan, I know where everything is, besides I don't think Kenshin would appreciate you washing my back while I took a bath." Kaoru's stunned and blushing expression gave Sano the opportunity to take his leave and head to the bathhouse. Realising she had lost the opportunity for payback Kaoru began muttering under her breath about moronic chickens flirting with married women.
"You shouldn't be so upset, Kaoru-chan. He is only joking," Tokio watched the woman with an amused smile.
"I know he is but you think that five years travelling overseas and he might have grown up," Kaoru grumbled as she place Kenji next to Tokio.
"True but still, if I was ten or fifteen years younger Hajime may have had some competition," Kaoru just looked shocked. Prompting another chuckle from Tokio, which helped Kaoru to relax.
"If that is what you think then we'll have to talk later about how you met your husband and maybe I'll fill you in on some of Sano's past." Tokio nodded her approval and Kaoru turned to her class, restarting their lesson but not filling them in on what exactly was going on.
Sano walked back towards his room feeling a lot better than before. He was clean and freshly shaved and even though he had to suffer the inconvenience of getting water on his wound, it was only a minor discomfort considering some of the pain he had suffered. Of course he had also had to endure his attempts at reapplying the bandages around his chest and even though they weren't very tight they were sufficient. He was in no doubt that if Megumi was the one who had patched him up then she would be back eventually to check on him. He strode into his room with the idea of seeking out the one piece of attire he noticed was missing. However he was unable to find his coveted headband and had to settle for the meagre amount of money in his discarded pants.
Walking out of his room, Sano heard the sounds of conversation and smelt food. As he followed the two trails he was able to tell that Kenshin had done the cooking. Thankful that his well-practiced ability to determine who had cooked in the Kamiya dojo was still intact Sano lumbered to the doorway. Tokio sat opposite the Himura family with Kenji asleep next to his mother. Sano decided to wait and observe while he wasn't noticed and watched as Kaoru fussed over Kenshin to the point where she was almost feeding him.
"It's nice to see a happily married couple, isn't it Tokio? I bet you wish your husband would be as accommodating," Sano tried to hide his smirk as he wander over to sit next to Tokio. His false sincerity had Kenshin and Kaoru just watching them slightly mystified as to why he was talking about Tokio's marriage.
"It would be nice but who needs Hajime when I have you, although I am a bit upset by you flirting with Kaoru-chan before." Tokio playfully scowled at Sano who only grinned back at her.
"Oro," Kenshin muttered looking at his flustered wife for answers but Sano continued ignoring the couple opposite him.
"Would you really feel threatened by a woman who would follow me to the bathhouse after just one suggestion?" Sano was finding it hard to contain his laughter, as Kaoru's face got redder by the second.
"You have a point there, any woman that easy isn't a threat but I don't know what you two had before you left for your journey." Sano nodded his head as if he was seriously considering her answer. Kaoru was trying to reassure Kenshin while also shooting Tokio and Sano imploring glances hoping to make them stop. The final straw for Sano was Kenshin's wide-eyed face as he looked over everyone in the room trying to make sense of the conversation. Bellowing laughter erupted from Sano while Tokio followed in a more subdued manner. Kenshin suddenly felt the anger explode from his wife but it only added to his confusion.
"I'm sorry Kaoru-chan, it's just that Sanosuke mentioned that you were fun to tease and I couldn't resist," Tokio tries to stifle her remaining laughter but has little success.
"IDIODIC CHICKEN HEAD!!" Kaoru hollers as she throws the nearest thing to her at Sano. Unfortunately the closest object is Kenji who awoke during Sano's laughter. Kenshin tries in vain to stop her but is too late as the child is hurled across the room at high speed. Sano barely blinks before catching the boy in front of his face with ease. Kaoru, realising what she has done, endeavours to get her child back but stops when she hears his joyous laughter after his impromptu flight. Sano looks slightly bewildered by the kid's attitude and throws him straight up much to the panic of his parents. Kenji laughs more after Sano safely catches him but Sano just looks at him.
"You really are an idiot just like your dad," Sano announces as he drops Kenji down on the floor in front of him. Kaoru quickly scoops him up to see if he is okay while Kenshin smiled despite the implied insult. The rumbling in Sano's stomach reminded him that now might be a good time to eat and he began to serve himself some of rice.
"You could act a little nicer Sagara Sanosuke," Sano barely acknowledged Kaoru as she began her rant. "You show up after five years, neck deep in trouble and then you insult me in front of my class. Now you sit here after insulting me and assaulting my son eating our food that Kenshin had to buy this morning because you ate everything last night." Kaoru was out of breath and everyone, including Sano, just stared at her bemused by her outburst. Kenshin wanted to try and calm things down but he stayed back as Kaoru's defiant stare focused on Sano. They held each other's gazes until Kenji struggled in Kaoru's arms forcing her to look at her son. Sano restarted chewing on the mouthful of rice and placed his chopsticks in the bowl. He fidgeted around before finding what he was looking for.
"It's not much but all I have until I see Saito again," he commented emotionlessly after he toss the pouch of money to Kaoru. She looked at it and then at Sano and felt some regret but Sano was focused entirely on his food. The group lapsed into silence again as they all resumed eating. As Sano finished his bowl he placed it on the mat and then pushed himself back against the wall. Sitting silently, staring down at his hands and not bothering to look up even though he could tell everyone was throwing him the occasional glance.
He didn't want to be there, the home he thought he returned to suddenly seemed a distant memory. It was a dream that he had always held on to during those long nights on the other side of the world. Of course now it was more like a slap in the face, the realisation that everything had changed and he had missed it. Everyone had grown up and together leaving him out and at the moment not likely to get back in. He would have walked out if it wasn't for the fact Tokio was there. Actually that was a lie. He didn't have any clothes to wear so he was stranded in the dojo. His shoulders slumped further as he started to feel mentally worn out by the constant quiet. He really needed a drink, unfortunately he knew he had no money to buy one or clothes to go out and get one.
There was a familiar twitch in his right hand little finger that precipitated a spasm in his right hand. Sano quickly covered it by clamping his left hand over it. He then pushed it under his left arm but he could tell it was too late already. He knew Kenshin was watching him and a quick glance confirmed it. He had that concerned look that showed he could read him just as well as he always had. Sano focused on the floor, the spasm had stopped but the ache that came after still lingered. He didn't know how long it had been going on, only that it always came before a fight. When the ache was gone the fight would be immanent. It had never failed him but no matter how badly Sano wanted to vent his frustration he knew now was not the time or place.
Sano was drawn out of his thoughts by a thud as Kenji plonked himself down in front of him. He had a bowl of rice in one hand and a pair of chopsticks in the other. He held them out to Sano as if offering them but Sano just shook his head. The boy took another method and clumsily moved the chopsticks from the bowl to his mouth, imitating eating but Sano shook his head again.
"I think he wants you to feed him," Tokio suggested but that made everything more difficult for Sano as all attention came back on him.
"Is that what you want?" the boy nodded happily. "Aren't you old enough to feed yourself?" Kenji looked puzzled before he comprehended the challenge in Sano's question. Placing the bowl in his lap, Kenji then attempted to figure out how to hold his chopsticks. Sano just leaned forward, tired of watching the boy struggle, and carefully positions the boy's fingers correctly. Kenji gasps in amazement, as he is now able to open and close the chopsticks. He then proceeds to eat his rice and even though it's only a few grains at a time it was obvious he saw it as his greatest achievement. Kaoru abruptly stood collecting an armful of dirty plates and leaving.
"Sorry Sano, Tokio-dono," Kenshin apologises for his wife, collecting the rest of the dirty dishes and going after her. Sano and Tokio sat quietly watching Kenji gleefully trying to satisfy his hunger, a few grains at a time.
"I should apologise as well," Tokio gingerly moved back so she was leaning against the wall as well.
"What for, it's my fault. I should have realised after hanging around Yahiko for a few weeks that things have changed. In the end I don't belong here anymore and I should just get going once I can. Kaoru doesn't want me here," Sano sighed heavily, closing his eyes and hoping to be somewhere else.
"She's just afraid that you'll drag Kenshin-san into the Shinsengumi mess. It's frightening to think that everything you have could be taken away," Sano stared at Tokio. She seemed to have lost herself somewhere else.
"It must be nice to have something that important to you, I don't think I have ever had that before. Apart from the Sekihoutai I can't really remember fighting for something like that." Tokio looked at Sano who was staring out at nothing.
"Did I tell you how I met Hajime?" Sano shook his head, bringing his attention back to the woman. "I was an only child and while my family wasn't rich we were able to manage. That was until they died. I don't know how they died. I was staying with friends in Kyoto. I started working in their restaurant to help pay my way and some of the regular customers were Shinsengumi. I didn't know who exactly they were individually, I was told to avoid them as much as possible but some of them got out of control." Sano saw her shiver at the memory and could guess why.
"So in comes the Captain of the Third Division," Tokio smiled at Sano's theatrical voice.
"Yes, he tells them that the Shinsengumi isn't to be demeaned by men like them. They didn't appreciate the sentiment and challenged him. They were no match for him but they were from the Second Division and their Captain wasn't pleased by Hajime's actions. It was the first time I saw a real battle and in the end it was a draw. Both men were injured but Hajime collapsed. I took care of his wounds but he was gone by morning. I later heard he left the Shinsengumi to fight in Aizu but I assumed he died until a policeman came to the restaurant asking for plain noodles. I still don't know why he came back." Sano watches Tokio until he realises she isn't going to continue her story so he turns back to Kenji. He has given up the chopsticks and is now shoving handfuls of rice into his mouth.
"I can see why though," Sano mused, as he smiled at Kenji's antics, Tokio just stared at him. "You have a presence that's calming and a soothing voice. It's a presence that makes you stand out, even when you stand amongst a group of beautiful women. You are something special even if your husband doesn't acknowledge it. My mother had a presence like that." Tokio was blushing not that Sano would have noticed as he continued his vacant stare.
"I don't know whether I should be flattered by the compliment since you seem to be comparing me to your mother," the comment seemed to lighten Sano's mood a bit.
"You are like her but I don't think you are as old as her. I just wish I could find someone like that," Sano let his words trail off as Tokio studied him.
"Don't worry Sanosuke you'll find what you are looking for, after all that's why you came back," she placed a hand over Sano's in comfort while Sano focused on his right hand.
"Yeah maybe, if I live that long," Sano doesn't sound hopeful as he flexes his right hand. "The pain is fading so I guess the fight is close," he mutters as Kenji looks up. His face is speckled with rice as he displays his achievement of an empty bowl.
Author's note: A few points here. Tokio in the stories I read is usually portrayed as similar to Saito in personality, that's not to say everyone does it, just the ones I read. Here she is more relaxed because she was described as a goddess and I didn't want to write her as a fighter or some scheming spy. As for Kaoru's attitude all I can say was that I was having a bad day and it was going to be a light hearted scene. Unfortunately once I started down the darker path it seemed to fit better with how I see the story going. Anyway this is the end of the first posting so if you wish to comment do it now. I'll try and make sure this gets finished but I haven't finished anything yet so don't get your hopes up.