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 13
Sano stood watching the sunset from the porch of the dojo. They had returned only an hour or so ago and caught Kaoru, Kenshin and Kenji as they were leaving. They were on their way to a festival in which Yamagata Arimoto was the honoured guest. Sano was presently waiting for the others to prepare but in reality he was only waiting for Megumi. Yahiko had decided to show Outa around and do a little bit of training while Megumi had a bath and changed. He could hear the two of them in the training hall as they had their first sparring session.
Sano was also a little on edge at the moment due to what Kenshin had said about Aoshi and Misao. They had been busy finding information for Saito since Sano had left but Aoshi had also started training Misao again. What made him suspicious was that Misao had returned briefly in the afternoon to retrieve the dress Sano had given her but also Aoshi's weapons. He thought it unusual for him not to have them in the first place but to have them now meant he was expecting something. It didn't take a genius to figure out that there was probably going to trouble tonight at the festival with Yamagata Arimoto the target.
Almost as confirmation of his suspicions his right hand began to spasm. He didn't try to cover it up since he believed he was alone. However a pair of porcelain white hands reached out and held his shaking right hand until it stopped. Megumi continued to hold it tenderly rather than the usual cold and clinical way she examined his hand. She was looking at his hand with concern and sadness but she hadn't looked up at his face yet. She was wearing a mahogany coloured kimono that was decorated with what looked like cherry blossoms floating in the breeze.
"Trying to impress someone Fox?" Sano's voice snapped Megumi from her thoughts and a mild blush appeared on her cheeks. She smiled faintly and then stepped back allowing Sano to watch her as she spun around in a circle. From his face Megumi could see he was taking in every detail and her smile grew into a sly grin.
"Do you like it? I really want Aoshi to notice me," Sano paled and the look on his face was priceless. It was a mixture of mortifying horror and sheer disappointment. Megumi couldn't contain her laughter and as she laughed Yahiko and Outa realised that everyone was ready to go so they joined the couple.
"What's so funny?" Yahiko asked but Megumi still couldn't stop herself from laughing and Sano was looking a little disgruntled.
"Nothing. Make sure you bring your sword," Sano voice was even and Yahiko didn't bother arguing. The comment also stopped Megumi from laughing and she could see the anxiety in his eyes but also some anticipation.
"Whenever I get a tremor in my hand it leaves an aching pain behind. When that pain is gone I end up in a fight and it hasn't been wrong yet. I'm just being prepared," Sano smiled in an attempt to reassure her but she glared at him.
"I'm sure you started half of those fights," Megumi muttered but Sano shrugged noncommittally in response.
"You don't need to bring that Round Cheeks but make sure you take care of the Fox for me," Outa nodded as he left his shinai behind. Outa then walked up to Megumi and stood by her as if he was her bodyguard. Sano had bought Outa new clothes so that he was almost a miniature version of his big brother but he couldn't duplicate Sano's gravity defying hairstyle.
"So are we going?" Yahiko announced as he exited the dojo with his sword inside a bag and hung on his back. They started to leave. Megumi walked out front with Outa right next to her and Yahiko and Sano following behind. Megumi talked to Outa about Tokyo since it was his first trip to the city while Sano and Yahiko remained silent. Sano was worried about the upcoming fight but Yahiko was worried about Kenshin. He had been saved by an over excited Kaoru who dragged her husband away but he knew eventually he was going to face him.
The streets had plenty of stands and stalls but the crowd wasn't as jam packed as it would normally have been. It made for a comfortable walk but the pace was still slow because of the extra people around. Megumi and Outa didn't seem to mind as that allowed them more time to absorb the surroundings. Sano bought several snacks to share amongst the group and Outa appreciated it the most not having this type of food in Shinsuu. The crowds thinned slightly as they approached the area where they agreed to meet the others.
It was a large open area where the main celebration was being held. To their right were the stage and a large open area for people to mingle and dance. On the left there were several food and drink stalls with tables and chairs set out in front of them for people to sit and eat. On the far side from where they stood, they could see Kenshin, Kaoru, Kenji and Misao sitting together. As they approach Misao stood up to show off the dress that Sano had given her.
"So what do you think?" Misao tried to look sultry but Sano was completely unimpressed.
"The dress is fine but it's wasted when a Weasel wears it," Sano smirked as he broke Misao's good mood.
"And what would you know?" Misao growled and tried to stare Sano down but he casually walked towards a free seat.
"Plenty considering I was in China where I saw plenty of good looking women in the same kind of dress." Sano dropped into the seat next to Kenshin and allowing Yahiko to sit on his other side.
"Don't worry about him, you look very nice Misao-chan," Megumi consoled Misao with a gentle hug and Misao immediately cheered up.
"Thank you and I should say that you don't look too bad yourself. Although I'm not sure about the Sano imitator," Misao looked down at Outa.
"This his Higashidani Outa, he's the newest student of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. Outa this is Misao, Kenshin, Kenji and the master of the dojo, Kaoru." Outa stared wide-eyed as Kaoru stood and walked towards him appraising him as she went.
"So why choose the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu dojo?" Kaoru asked as she examined him from where she stood.
"Because my brother said that you'd make me strong," Outa stated boldly but Kaoru looked confused.
"But I don't know anyone called Higashidani, who's your brother?" Kaoru's question brought a smile to Megumi's face.
"It's an interesting story Kaoru-chan but I think Higashidani Sanosuke should tell it," Megumi smiled grew as Sano froze when his name was mentioned.
"I gave up that name when I joined the Sekihoutai Fox," Sano stated as everybody looked at him.
"That explains why you are trying to look like him but I still don't understand," Misao sighed as she sat down along with Megumi, Kaoru and Outa.
"He came to town about five years ago when our dad was fighting against the yakuza. They had a corrupt politician backing them but my brother smashed them like an avalanche. He beat all two hundred of them and the politician before he left again." Everybody looked from the proud Outa to Sano who was grinning as he remembered that fight.
"That was a good old fashion brawl," Sano added as the group continued to look at him.
"You would find that interesting but it does explain the state of you hand when you showed up at the clinic after running all the way from Shinsuu." Sano was about to reply when he noticed Saito and Aoshi by the stage deploying several police officers around the area. Saito quickly realised he was being watched and looked straight at Sano. There was a brief staring contest before Saito nodded slightly, indicating that he and Yahiko should talk to him.
"Maybe we'll catch up later, come on brat," Sano's comment surprised everyone, especially Yahiko. However as they walked towards the stage everybody knew what was happening. Sano and Yahiko came to a stop near Saito as he finished detailing his orders to his subordinate.
"I take it you need us for something," Sano calmly stated as Saito briefly looked at them before lighting up a cigarette.
"We don't need you but you could prove useful," Saito coldly replied but Sano smirked at him.
"Yamagata Arimoto is going to be here in public and you're saying that the Shinsengumi would miss the chance to assassinate the head of the military. So even though we know more of their faces than you, you still don't need us," Saito's face remained unreadable as always but Aoshi started to speak.
"The internal security problem has been solved but the damage was already done. Several antigovernment groups in the north and from Hokkaido were able to avoid surveillance and are probably on their way to Tokyo or somewhere near Kyoto. The old man you captured told us the location of all the other Shinsengumi in Tokyo but they had already disappeared. They had planned to attack Yamagata since he was absent at the party where the others were kidnapped but we are unsure if they will now." Saito looked past Sano with a slight scowl as Aoshi spoke but his attention quickly retuned as Yahiko asked a question.
"So what exactly happened to the hostages?" Yahiko resisted the urge to look away from Saito's cold glare as it focused solely on him.
"That is none of your concern, you are just required to watch each entrance and inform me if you see anyone who would pose a threat. Don't get distracted otherwise you'll be answering to me," Saito abruptly turned and headed to the stage. The fact that he had let someone posing as Shinsengumi to get away with a crime was bad enough. He was not planning on letting it happen a second time and those that perpetrated the first crime would receive swift justice.
Sano's position was both a blessing and a curse. He was positioned at the entrance where he had originally entered and he was sitting at the corner of the bar. He was drinking sake but he couldn't get too drunk and so was trying to savour the taste as he watched proceedings. During the brief talk with Saito, Tokio had joined Kenshin and the others leaving Sano watching them enjoying themselves. With that in mind Aoshi had taken the entrance closest to them and left Yahiko with the entrance directly opposite the stage. All this was fine until from the entrance where Sano kept watch, Yutarou and Tsubame walked in together.
Only Aoshi and himself noticed at first but Yahiko quickly spotted them. Yutarou was dressed in a finely tailored western suit and walked confidently with Tsubame on his arm. She paid him polite attention but seemed distracted and slightly self-conscious. Yahiko was watching them intently and Sano knew that he should do something before Saito noticed. He picked up a second sake cup and deftly flicked it in Yahiko's direction. The young samurai caught the incoming projectile easily and took heed of Sano's warning stare but the sake cup was crushed in his hand. Yutarou seemed set on dancing with Tsubame but she appeared to be more interested in going to talk with Kaoru.
That was about when all hell started to break loose. Instead of stealthily sneaking in among the crowd, thirty Shinsengumi streamed down from the rooftops. The ensuing panic of people blocked Sano's view but he clearly saw that their intent hadn't been to take the stage. As the crowd escaped a small group on the dance floor had been surrounded. They stood in front of the stage where they were facing more than double their number in police. Yamagata was also there resisting his advisors advice to leave and standing firm on the stage.
"Yamagata Arimoto, surrender yourself to us or we will execute these people," a cry of consternation erupted from both the police and the group of hostages. Sano could see Yutarou trying to shield Tsubame as they stood amongst the hostages but then caught another familiar face behind them. The woman was pushing her way to the edge of the group closest to the stage. The woman smirked as Yamagata ignored those surrounding him and walked towards the hostages. Sano smirked as well as his hand gripped his sake bottle and he waited for a clear shot.
Yamagata was about halfway between the police line and the hostages when Sano got his chance at the woman who he was focused on. He hurled the bottle at her and it left a sparkling trail of sake as it soared directly at her head. Her protective instinct took over and she drew her short sword, slicing the bottle in two. She quickly realised her mistake as she stared wide-eyed through the mist of sake at a smirking Sano. The hostages quickly scattered, escaping through the stunned Shinsengumi but Tsubame was caught and a sword placed at her throat. Her captor was one of the three daughters of original Shinsengumi members who were in the hostages specifically to kill Yamagata Arimoto.
"Stay back or I'll kill her," the woman ordered as she started to retreat with Tsubame and the rest of the Shinsengumi.
"Stand your ground, I won't have an innocent girl die here," Yamagata's command stopped the police from advancing past him. While his order affected the police, Sano ignored it and walked towards them unfazed.
"That warning goes double for you," the woman who held Tsubame hissed as she noticed Sano's movement. Sano smirked and continued to advance, not ever breaking his gaze from the woman as the Shinsengumi surrounded him.
"How do you expect to save her if you don't listen to them?" Yutarou screamed at Sano as he blocked Sano's path, hoping it would appease Tsubame's captors. Sano didn't even look at him or stop and only spoke as he brushed past the astonished teenager.
"I didn't plan on saving her," Sano's cold statement surprised everyone but it was the opportunity Yahiko had been waiting for. He broke from the shadows and through the surprised Shinsengumi and headed straight at the three women. They barely had a chance to react as Yahiko drew the sakabatou and slammed the butt of the handle into the back of the first woman's head. He then fully drew the sword and slammed the blade into the back of the second woman. The third fell as Yahiko followed the sword with the scabbard and it smashed into the small of her back. All three were incapacitated but Yahiko's momentum caused him to lock swords with another Shinsengumi.
"Get her out of the way," Sano yelled as he pushed Yutarou towards the frozen Tsubame. With the two teenagers out of the way, Sano dropped to his hands and knees unleashing a powerful projected Futae-no-Kiwami. The Shinsengumi around him were knock back and off their feet as the tables and chairs around Sano disintegrated to dust. The rest of the Shinsengumi realised they had no choice but to attack and charged at the police lines. Yamagata didn't flinch as they rushed at him with several police officers falling in their wake. It looked like they would succeed until Saito stepped into the breach and mercilessly cut down any Shinsengumi that approached him.
Meanwhile Yahiko was trying to hold off two men with his sword and scabbard but was quite aware that a few men were just about to attack his unprotected back. They momentarily baulked when Aoshi appeared, standing back to back with Yahiko. The men didn't have time to regret their renewed attack as Aoshi skilfully cut them down. It gave Yahiko the incentive to finish of his own battle and he was able to overcome and render them unconscious. At the same time Sano dodged and weaved with the occasional flash of sparks as his gauntlets deflected an incoming attack. He felled each Shinsengumi soldier with only one hit and a few unlucky men didn't even get that as the flying bodies of their comrades hit them.
"That was severely disappointing, I was expecting something more than I one hit fight," Sano looked despairingly at the unconscious bodies around him. Finding nothing of interest he turned his attention to Yahiko who had a panicked expression on his face. The only other person who seemed to have noticed it was Tsubame while everybody else was paying attention to the police.
"There is blood on the sword," Kaoru pointed it out and it was what Yahiko was fixated on. Sano walked toward Yahiko and saw that the blood was his own not that of one of his opponents. The blood appeared to be flowing down his arm from underneath his clothes.
"Idiot, you ripped your wound open when you drew you sword," Sano gently flicked a finger into Yahiko's forehead to gain his attention. Yahiko's features relaxed but the haunted look in his eyes remained.
"You'd better let me look at it," Megumi insisted as she moved towards him. Sano took the sakabatou from Yahiko and cleaned the blade as Megumi took a quick look at the wound.
"It would probably be best if you took him to the clinic," Sano suggested as Yahiko stood still, showing no resistance or giving any aid to Megumi as she tried to examine the wound.
"That would be the best thing to do," Megumi concurred as she looked back at the others who were watching.
"Let's get going then," Yahiko grunted as he started to walk away. He paused briefly as Sano offered him the sakabatou but he didn't take it.
"What's wrong with him?" Megumi inquired looking straight at Sano. He shrugged his shoulders and tried to look as if he didn't know but Megumi could see that he did.
"It's probably nothing Megumi-dono but I'll accompany you. Sano, could you make sure Kaoru and Kenji get back to the dojo safely," Sano nodded and offered Kenshin the sakabatou. Kenshin hesitated but took the sword and walked with Megumi as she followed Yahiko.
"No point waiting around, let's get going Jou-chan," Sano could see Kaoru regarding him for a few moments before she stood. Kenji was asleep in her arms as she walked towards Sano with Yutarou prompting Tsubame to follow.
"Where do you think you are going?" Saito's voice stopped the group but Sano seemed unconcerned by him.
"You said I wasn't needed before so I doubt that you need me know," Sano indifferently stated.
"I don't but I would like Tokio to be escorted home, even a moron like you could do that," Sano smirked at Saito. He then looked at Tokio who was still a little shaky on her feet and decided to help her out.
"Thank you Sanosuke," Tokio whispered as Sano wrapped a supportive arm around her waist and she stretched an arm around his neck. Tokio allowed Sano to carry most of her weight and kept her injured leg from burdening any as he practically carried her away. Their pace was slow but it seemed to lengthen as the group remained in silence. The situation wasn't helped when Aoshi and Misao caught up, obviously not needed by Saito.
"Sagara-san, what was wrong with Yahiko-kun?" even in the silence Tsubame's voice seemed quiet. Sano hesitated in answering and he could tell everybody wanted to know what the answer was.
"Nothing, he's just had a couple of hard weeks, that's all," Sano could see everyone glance at him doubtfully, including Tokio.
"Don't tell me nothing is going on Sano. I know you know something and I bet Kenshin does as well. Megumi appears to suspect you but she doesn't look as if she knows. So are you going to tell me or not?" Kaoru didn't turn to face him as she spoke but her voice carried a similar edge to the one she used the last time she yelled at him.
"It's nothing you can help him with and if you want to know I suggest you wait till he tells you himself," Sano didn't look at her. She was watching him with a mixture of frustration and concern.
"I'm his master, I have a right to know what is going on. How can I help him otherwise?" Kaoru looked at Sano but his gaze never moved away from the horizon.
"Trust me Jou-chan, this is one thing you can't help him with," Sano's voice had a serious undertone that said that it was no longer a topic for discussion. Kaoru thought about asking again but decided against it after seeing Sano's grave face. Anyone who had any theories on Yahiko's problem, choose to keep them to themselves. Tsubame was more worried than she was before she had spoken up. Yahiko had glanced at her and she had seen the relief in his eyes but the there was also something akin to disenchantment. He had quickly looked away and went to sheath his sword, which was when he looked panicked by the blood on it.
That was when she realised there was a gap between them, something had happened that now separated them. There had been a bond between them even if Yahiko wouldn't admit to it. However he had drifted out of her life and it had become more pronounced after her birthday. It wasn't helped by Yutarou always being around her and he didn't seem to care when Yahiko vanished from Tokyo. She had gone to the dojo but they knew nothing and then Kenshin had escorted her as they search his usual hangouts for information. Seeing him again was pure relief for her but know she was even more disturbed than when he had vanished. She had only concerned herself with finding him and not what she would say to him. Now that was the only thing that plagued her mind as she journeyed home that night.
Author's Notes: Thanks for all the reviews and for those people who had questions about the relationships, it is a Megumi and Sano fic. It'll be slow going but they'll get there eventually but there is more of them next chapter.