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 5
It was something simple but still it held a lot of memories for Sano. They had moved outside into the sunshine after their meal to try and relax a little. Sano had gone straight to his old position where he had spent many lazy afternoons in the past. He was leaning against a post on the porch, his eyes closed and his mind in a state that could be mistaken for unconsciousness. He was just enjoying the warmth of the sun, something that he hadn't had the opportunity to do for a long time. Lazily he opened his eyes to look at his silent companion.
Tokio was sitting with her back against the house. The shade from the overhang shielded her face as her body was warmed by the sunlight. She looked like she was asleep so Sano didn't bother making an attempt at conversation. He closed his eyes again and shifted his focus to what he could hear. Apart from the occasional rustle of the trees there was the constant sounds emanating from the kitchen. Kenshin and Kaoru seemed to be making idle chatter as they cleaned the dishes. There had been a flurry of activity when Kenji had entered the kitchen but Sano was too far away to hear what exactly they were saying.
From outside the dojo walls the sound of an argument could be heard. Actually only one side could be heard as if the woman was yelling at herself. As the voice got closer, Sano could recognise it and the tone she was using. Even though he couldn't hear what she was saying he knew that it was probably something about him. Who she was arguing with also became apparent as they approached the gate. He could only just make out his presence but after spending some time around him in Osaka he had started to distinguish his presence. It was something that brought a Zanza like grin to his face as the pain from his hand faded to nothing. Sure enough Megumi stepped through the gate of the dojo talking over her shoulder to Saito. He had a cigarette in his mouth and was obviously unimpressed by whatever Megumi had to say.
"This ought to be fun," Sano muttered to himself, as Kenshin appeared after sensing his old foe.
"Look, I don't care who you are or why you are here. I'm saying that until I have given you the all clear you aren't to step inside and see him." Megumi had stopped halfway and turned to face Saito blocking his path. He calmly took his cigarette from his mouth and blew smoke in her direction.
"Well it's lucky that I don't have to go inside," Saito snidely remarked as he brushed past her. Megumi turned after him ready to explode when she noticed Kenshin, Tokio and Sano on the porch watching them. Sano turned his attention to the new arrivals that were appearing behind her. Misao came first followed by Aoshi, who was carrying one end of a trunk. Sano quickly recognised it as his and Cho as he lugged the other end, something he looked less than pleased with.
"I want to know everything you saw and heard moron," Saito dropped his cigarette and crushed it under his boot. He returned his steely gaze to Sano and they stared at each other in silence for a few seconds.
"What, no hello," Saito didn't move or respond. "I mean I can understand you not greeting me but here is your wife. Last time you saw her she was lying unconscious in the street before you ran of to fight. You haven't seen each other in two days and you don't bother to ask how she is, it's almost like you don't care." Saito seemed to be unmoved by Sano's little outburst but Tokio was smiling. It faded however, as Saito didn't bother to react to anything he said.
"I have more important things to deal with, like the fate of this country. My wife and I can discuss things later when we are free from morons like yourself." Saito's cold voice did nothing to chill the rage building in Sano. He had seen first hand how aloof Saito acted around her and his insensitivity incensed him. Before Sano could reply his attention was redirected back to his trunk. Cho dumped his end on the ground as Aoshi placed his end down.
"Hey broom head, I'd respect that trunk if I were you," Cho just gave him a curious one-eyed look and then shrugged his shoulders dismissively.
"Moron, can we get back to what you know," Saito was getting frustrated by Sano's lack of urgency. Sano held Cho in his gaze momentarily and then let it pass over Saito to Aoshi who was standing off on the other side of Saito.
"Do you still have my sword?" He asked flatly. Aoshi didn't give a verbal reply as he pulled Sano's sword from his belt and tossed it to him. Sano drew the sword putting everybody on edge but he just casually threw the sword into the ground in front of him. He unwrapped a strip of fabric from the scabbard and then twisted the bottom quarter. It turned halfway before clicking, at which point Sano turned it upside down and caught the wad of paper tied with sting that fell out. A flick of his wrist sent the papers toward Saito who caught them in front of his eyes.
"Everything you want should be in there," Sano stated, as Saito wasted no time in opening it. There were several pages folded together with writing on both sides. As Saito finished the first page he handed it off to Aoshi who also studied it. Sano didn't bother paying them any attention as he replaced his sword back in its scabbard. A loud yawn made Sano look at Cho again. He had put one foot on top of the trunk and looked bored with the whole process.
"I said you should respect that trunk," Cho looked at Sano but didn't move. "The ashes of a good friend of mine are in there so I suggest you back away before you regret it." Far from discouraging Cho, Sano's words only seemed to encourage him.
"Why would I care about some dead foreign bitch you decided to drag home," Cho responded, intending to provoke a response. He kicked the trunk but before his foot could be placed back on the ground Sano was within striking distance. His speed surprised everyone as he closed the distance and the punched Cho squarely in the stomach. The blond officer rolled head over heels three times before he came to rest in a crouching position.
"You should quit while your still ahead," Sano warned in response to Cho's laughter. Sano ignored the man and picked up his trunk and started to walk back toward the porch.
"Where do you think you're going? We aren't finished yet," Cho stood up with an amused smile on his face. "We still have to finish the fight we started five years ago in that police cell in Kyoto." Cho dropped his other swords, pushing his gi off his shoulders to reveal the sword wrapped around his body.
"I'd stop now before you cut yourself in half," Sano calls over his shoulder as he places his trunk on the porch.
"What? The only one who is…" his voice died as the slightest touch on the hilt of his sword caused an unexpected reaction. Cho paled as the armour protecting him from his sword disintegrated to dust leaving his body unprotected. Everybody was surprised by this, especially Cho and even Saito smiled, slightly amused by his subordinates situation.
"That's what you get for disrespecting the dead," Sano smirked as he began to open his trunk. Behind him Cho slowly began unravelling the sword, cursing under his breath and vowing it wasn't over.
"I remember you mentioning that you brought someone back with you. You said it was a Japanese woman who saved your life but you didn't tell me much more than that." Tokio studied Sano despondent face, as he flipped open the lid to his trunk.
"I said it's a story that should be shared over a bottle of sake," Sano replied in a melancholic voice.
"That you did, so we'll have to have that drink some time. I do remember hearing you recommend the Akabeko restaurant, we should go there." Tokio tried to keep her voice upbeat as Sano looked depressed but his features started to brighten.
"Hey Tokio, are you asking me out on a date?" Tokio was slightly taken aback at first but then began to giggle.
"I guess I am Sanosuke but I might have to invite my husband along." Tokio's laughter increased as Sano pouted at her suggestion.
"Do you have to? He's boring, mean, he only eats plain noddles and he doesn't drink sake," Sano's whine didn't help Tokio's giggling fit. Looking on Kenshin was worried that Saito might take offence and Misao and Megumi were a bit surprised by their flirtatious behaviour.
"Sano it might be a good idea to act more… responsibly," Kenshin nervously suggested.
"Don't worry Battousai," Saito's voice seemed to make everyone jump in apprehension. "I had to listen to these two in Osaka and they are just playing childish games. Besides if there was anything going on the moron would already be dead," no one doubted Saito's words. In reality Saito resented Sano's rapport with his wife but while he thought it was annoying, she enjoy it so he endured his discomfort. The group fell into silence apart from Cho's occasional curse and Sano rummaging through his belongings. Misao peeked over his shoulder and saw something intriguing and tried to reach for it. Sano slapped away her hand as he withdrew what he was looking for from somewhere near the bottom of the trunk.
"Hey I just wanted to see why that package had my name on it," Misao protested rubbing her sore wrist.
"It's your present," Sano stated as he closed up the trunk, making sure the straps were securely fastened.
"If it's my present they I have a right to see what it is," Sano glanced at the excited ninja as she waited for her present.
"It is only yours when I give it to you and not before," Sano voice made it clear it wasn't a point of further discussion.
"Well when will you give it to me then?" Misao asked, frustrated at Sano withholding something from her.
"When you deserve it," Sano chuckled at the infuriated Misao as he sat down opening the bag he retrieved from his trunk. Misao tried to kick him as he did this but he just caught her foot and pushed her to the ground.
"You may look older Weasel but you still haven't grown up," Sano chuckled. An aggravated Misao decided to give up and remained on the ground watching Sano. Sano pulled two bronze coloured gauntlets from the bag and began to put the right one on. It was long enough to cover three quarters of his forearm but intricately plated so that he didn't lose any flexibility in his wrist or fingers. The leather straps that held them to his arm were also ingenious in how they were hidden beneath the armour plating when the gauntlet was secured to the arm.
"Where did you get those?" Misao asked curiously.
"From old man Yang. He was a Chinese fighter that gave them to me after we travelled around China and Mongolia together." Misao cooed in amazement, interested in Sano tale but he didn't elaborate.
"And what exactly are you going to do with them?" Megumi's condescending voice echoed around the yard. Everyone knew what he was planning on doing considering Cho had almost extricated himself from his sword. Not wanting to look at her displeased face he jerked his head in Cho's direction and finished with his right arm.
"So after I spent a whole night stitching you up, you just going to go and rip them open and injure yourself further in another pointless fight." Sano didn't respond right away feeling slightly guilty but still not willing to back down.
"Those things were just scratches and besides if you stitched me up you know I have survived worse." Megumi stood still, stunned by his eyes as he gazed at her trying to hide his desolation stemming from the memory of those scars on his body. Sano returned to putting on his left gauntlet and Megumi took a moment to regather her thoughts. She was about to unleash a verbal assault on Sano's stupidity when Tokio took hold of Sano's right arm and turned it over. She studied the symbols engraved on the gauntlet on the inside of his wrist.
"What are these?" she queried running her fingers over the engravings.
"Justice, faith, honour and pride." Sano reels off the meaning of each symbol as he points to it.
"They are good beliefs to live by," Kenshin ponders out loud getting a small chuckle from Sano. Kenshin looks inquisitively at Sano who is still fastening he gauntlet.
"They're Yang's beliefs not mine," Sano mutters, knowing that Kenshin was about to ask him why he was laughing.
"I think you follow them more than you know," Kenshin replied, smiling as Sano considers his words. Sano finished and struck his two arms together producing a flash of sparks as the metallic gauntlets clashed.
"About time you were ready, I was getting tired of waiting." Cho's head was slightly bowed but he was glaring with both eyes at Sano and had a twisted smile on his lips. Sano picked up his sword and tucked it into his belt at his back before started to walk to a better position for the fight. All the way he had a grin on his face that showed he was more than enjoying this.
"Hajime," Tokio implored, not quite hiding her anxiety at the impending duel.
"Let them settle it, I don't have time for idiots trying to show off," Saito didn't lift his eyes from the page he was reading. From where he was standing Aoshi could just make out a familiar name but as usual he said nothing. Kenshin looked around nervously. He wasn't in a position to stop Sano and he doubted that anyone else was going to try. Kaoru had taken Kenji towards the bathhouse to get him cleaned up and he hoped that this would be over before she returned. Sano stood several paces from Cho, with Cho's sword lying mostly on the ground at his feet. They both waited, sizing each other up again after five years since their last confrontation.
Cho made the first move, the casual wave of his arm acceleration his whip like sword toward Sano. Sano barely moved as the sword darted at his face. Misao cringed as she remembered Kenshin's fight with Cho and how even he found it hard to avoid the sword at the last moment. As the blade neared Sano there was a sudden crashing sound as metal hit metal. Sano caught the tip of the blade between the back of his hands, locking it in place and not allowing Cho to move the blade freely.
"It's not that easy chicken boy!" Cho yelled as he flicked the sword trying to get the blade to loop over Sano's head. Expecting the attack, Sano twisted his hands wrapping the end of the sword around his left hand and holding it firm in his ironclad fingers. He also moved his right hand so that it was gripping the sword further along. Pulling back he held the sword taut, eliminating the wave in the blade before it could have the desired effect. They paused again, both still grinning but Cho's was a little forced. Sano watched intently as Cho pulled the ribbon blade tighter trying to find a weakness in Sano's gauntlets. Sano was surprised to see that they were holding up so well after being stuck with a high quality blade.
Sano could see Cho shifting his feet and getting ready to spring forward to release the tension in the sword. Taking the initiative, Sano violently tugged on the sword causing Cho to stumble forward. Cho's head dropped as he was pulled forward. He couldn't see Sano but he immediately took advantage of the situation and ran at him. He was about to impart more power into the sword when he looked up to see Sano also advancing at him. Before he could react, Sano's right knee was imbedded in his stomach. He felt himself being lifted off the ground only to have it rush back towards him as Sano's right elbow connect forcefully with the back of his neck. Sano watched him bounce and roll away but he felt a jerk as the sword in his hands reached its limit. Despite the two heavy hits, Cho still had a firm grip on the sword as he stood up.
Cho wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes wild with rage as he stared at Sano. Sano just continued to grin menacingly. Pulling the sword yet again Sano finds that this time Cho lets it slide through his fingers. With the sword hurtling at him, Sano only just manages to dodge out of the way. Cho smiles with amusement at this but doesn't realise that Sano has control of his sword and sends the hilt flying back at him. Eyes wide with shock, Cho watches the butt of his sword smash into the middle of his forehead. As he falls back his hand falls on one of his previously discarded swords. Sano throws the ribbon sword out of the way waiting for Cho to get back to his feet.
"You should give up before you get seriously hurt," Sano offers half-heartedly knowing Cho won't back down. Cho struggles to his feet using his sword as a crutch to help him up.
"You know this isn't over until one of us doesn't get up so don't bother giving me your sympathy," Cho spits back. Blood can be seen soaking into his bandana as he finally gets enough balance back to stand on his own. Pulling the sword from its scabbard Cho gets ready to charge. Sano reaches behind his back gripping his sword with his right hand but not drawing it. They hesitate again waiting for the other to make the first move. Saito finished reading the information Sano has provided, is also watching and tosses his cigarette. As it touches the ground, Cho advances with a scream.
Sano just smirks, drawing his sword but instead of running forward, he drops himself toward the ground. As Sano sword descends toward the ground, the point of the blade appears to become two just before it strikes the ground. Confused at first Cho suddenly realises what Sano has done as the projected wave of destructive energy accelerates towards him. Before he can jump out of the way he is stuck by the projected Futae-no-Kiwami. The eruption of the earth at his feet throws Cho backwards but fails to disable him. As he prepares for a second charge he is stopped by an intervention by Saito.
"I don't have anymore time to waste with you two morons," Saito tucked Sano's notes into his pocket and walked towards his wife.
"Were just getting started," Cho barks as he prepares to attack Sano again.
"You really are a complete idiot if you can't see that you are outmatched and I have no use for complete idiots." Saito responded as he helped Tokio to her feet and started to guide her to the gate.
"Do you require any assistance?" Aoshi asked as he watched the couple leaving.
"Not at the moment but meet me in my office at midnight," Saito replied as he passed between the two combatants.
"So I take it I'm not needed anymore," Sano commented as he replaced his sword in its scabbard.
"If your notes are correct, I have a serious breach of security to deal with. Until that is done you are no required but I suggest you stay out of trouble and somewhere I can find you easily." Saito reached the gate but paused, as Tokio turned halfway round to look at Sano.
"We'll have to have that date some other time when my leg is healed," Tokio voice was light but had a serious undertone. Sano smiled back and nodded as the couple exited closely followed by Cho who had collected his swords.
"I'm glad that's over," Sano sighed only to turn around and come face to face with a furious Fox.