MadiSano: HEEEEEYYYY! I'm back! WAHAHAHAA! (Sorry about that.) Before we get started again, I'd like to thank all of my reviewers. You have made my day for at least a month! (Though that makes no sense...) Also, I have a few responses to my reviewers:

To Sanosuke.Sagara: You were my first reviewer! Just by saying you liked my story and was looking forward to the next chapter nearly made me CRY! Thanks!

To Takami Sagara: I was shocked when I read your first review. I cried for sure. You made me so happy! Thank you! And then you reveiwed again, which told me you were a faithful reader! You have NO idea how much that means to me. (Do I sound sappy or what!)

To Onhiro: Your hyperness was awesome. God bless those five cups of strong coffee! Me and my "friend" in computer class were like, "Wow. He really liked it!" The puppy eyes had some effect, too. Thanks!

To Mackenshin: YOU EVIL LITTLE MIDGET I AM GOING TO ABSOLUTELY DICAPITATE YOU WHEN I GET TO SCHOOL TOMORROW! HOW DARE YOU REVIEW BOTH OF MY STORIES LIKE THAT, WHEN I SIT RIGHT NEXT TO YOU IN COMPUTER CLASS! YOU EVEN SAID MY STUPID REAL NAME! (Though it was kind of obvious...) And, you selfish little brat, you hinted at--at--at...IT. You procrastinator! Fiend! And now you've scared my readers about the ending! (Mackenshin saw my outline papers in the middle of class and read ahead, seeing my ideas for the ending. She cried. Majorly bawled her eyes out.) Sorry if I'm scaring other readers with my screaming, but you've no idea what my supposed "friend" has done, here! YOU'RE GONNA GET IT AT SCHOOL TOMORROW! I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE A FUTAE NO KIWAMI TO THE HEAD, YOU -----!

MadiSano: Anyways, on with Fallen Wind! Review if you want to! (I won't be as selfish anymore, I suppose...I just like getting complements, is all!) ALSO: IMPORTANT! The chapter you are about to read is VERY complicated concerning Meiji and the Bakumatsu. If you get confused don't kill me. So, unless you're familiar with Samurai X OVA and actually know something about the Revolution, you may be a wee bit lost. Sorry, folks!

Disclaimer: I would like to own Kenshin, but I don't. So, don't sue me.

CHAPTER SEVEN: SEKIHOU'S WRATH.

Zanza's feet stomped so hard on the ground as he stormed to Seiji's mansion, as though he were trying to punish it. Yami watched the Fight Merchant rage silently, only speaking to him when he was about to take a wrong turn.

As Zanza had said he would, he left the house the moment the sun rose. Yami followed him silently, not wanting to anger Zanza more than he was.

From the moment I laid I eyes on Sano-kun, I knew a hidden well of anger was locked inside of him…some hidden pain. His eyes reflect the anger, hatred, and pain he constantly suffers…why does he not show what he feels? Yami smirked inwardly. I cannot talk. I, too, have secrecy with my emotions…but it is best this way. But Sano-kun…he must exert his anger and hate into his life of battle…as some sort of consultation. How interesting.

Yami glanced at the evil kanji on Sanosuke's back. His spirit is truly…on fire. The dark samurai furrowed his brow. But…why? And for what?

"Yo," Zanza snarled at him, gesturing to a fork in the road. "Which way?"

"We go left." Yami replied, failing to react on Sanosuke's harshness. It was best not to.

Sano-kun is acting more Zanza-ish that ever, Yami thought. The time I spent with Kasumi-san and Sano-kun, I could almost see Sano-kun's true self emerging. Slowly, but surely. The happiness and friendship he was allowed to enjoy with us must have aroused his soul, letting him act freely. But now a 'patriot,' as he calls Seiji, endangers Kasumi-san…his well of rage seems to be rising in him.

Yami's lips tightened slightly in a strict smile. Sano-kun is truly a loyal friend. But Zanza is one who would endanger the lives of those Sano-kun cares for. I must make Sano-kun see this.

"Sano-kun," Yami said, daring to come to Zanza's side.

"Hn?" Zanza growled.

Yami was quiet for a second, but then said, "What are you going to do when we arrive at Seiji's?"

Zanza narrowed his eyes. "Beat the living hell out of the man and take my Zanbatou and Kasumi back to her house. She'll never leave her home alone again."

"Surely you realize Seiji is a wealthy man, and has many guards at his beck and call," Yami said gently.

"They'll all go down," Zanza snarled. "Every single one of 'em."

Yami looked up at Zanza carefully, saying, "What if your actions endanger Kasumi-san?"

Sagara was quiet for a few minutes as they walked on. When it was apparent that he didn't know what to say, Yami continued. "I think we should have you calm down before entering Seiji's estate. If you anger him, I am afraid he will kill Kasumi-san."

Alarm surfaced on Sanosuke's face. His footsteps slowed, they did so until Zanza stopped. Yami and Zanza turned to face one another, trying to decide what to do.

Finally, Zanza's heart softened again and he said, "Sorry. You're right. I just…y'know. I don't want Jou-chan to be inside that place longer than she has to."

"You are a good friend to the both of us, Sano-kun," Yami said.

Zanza grunted something doubtful, but afterwards he remained silent. Calming himself down took about ten minutes of silence and unspoken reassurance, and when he opened his dark brown eyes again, he found himself able to speak without anger in his voice.

"I'm ready," he said, and they continued walking.

Noticing the difference in Zanza's eyes and tone of voice, Yami concluded that Sanosuke had resurfaced.

A half hour later, they arrived at Seiji's estate. It was a tall, wide, towering building with high front gates made of steel. Guards were posted at the gate. The building was of brick, like the western models, and the windows had white sills. The front doors were double, and the front porch had five front steps like thin terraces curving around it, leading to the well-kept grass about the building.

Yami could have sworn Zanza's eyes turned slightly red when he growled, "Ishin Shishi 'patriot'…" But his rage soon passed as Kasumi entered his mind. He had to be careful what he did during this visit. It could mean all three of their lives if he messed up.

"Halt," the guards said as they neared, taking especial notice of their strange attire—one man in all white and the other in all black. "Who are you?"

"I'm Zanza the Fight Merchant, and this guy is Kaijin Yami. We're here to speak with Seiji." Sanosuke announced, folding his arms. How nice it would be to feel his knuckles connect with this guy's face…

The two guards glanced at each other, and nodded at them, opening the gates and letting them in.

Walking down the neat path that led to the house, Sanosuke kept his jaw set, his fists in his pockets where they could not punch anyone. Yami watched him cautiously, ready to pull him aside for another time-out if Zanza threatened to arise once more.

But Sanosuke kept himself under control as they were allowed into the house, where a butler showed them to Seiji's office. Before entering, the servant knocked.

"Seiji-sama? Zanza-san and Yami-san are here," he declared through the door.

"Ah," said a casual voice from inside. "Let them in."

The servant opened the door for them, and the two warriors entered Seiji's office. The butler shut the door behind them. Seiji's office was just as elaborate and beautiful as the rest of the place. The white walls were covered with pictures of all sorts of things, mainly from before and in the Bakumatsu. A particular picture showed Matthew Perry and the Black Ships arriving in Uruga Bay, and another portrait showed an artists' view of a Hitokiri. Looking closer, they saw it read "Hitokiri Battousai" in a caption beneath it. The x-shaped scar and flaming red hair was most unusual, not to mention the evil yellow eyes glaring out at them.

Proof that it's just an artist's image. It is probably exaggerated, thought Yami.

Red carpet bordered by a strip of gold covered the floor comfortably, and a nice big window covered a part of the wall. A balcony lay beyond a door; they could see it through the window in the entryway.

At a large oak desk, Toshiro Seiji himself sat. He was a middle-aged man of about thirty-five, with pure black hair and shiny black eyes. He wore a fancy red suit, and a confident smile covered his lips.

Kasumi sat in front of him, on the other side of the desk. She looked completely unharmed, and rather alert. But neither one was not looking at them. They were concentrating on a shogi board on his desk.

Kasumi carefully slid a piece to a selected square, and moments later; Seiji pushed a piece into play. Shock and anger surfaced on Kasumi's face, and she lifted her eyes to glare, enraged, at Seiji. "Curse you!" she howled at him. "I lost AGAIN!"

"Yes," Seiji said in his casual voice. "You lose." He looked up, taking notice of Sanosuke and Yami standing dumbstruck in the doorway.

Kasumi was playing Japanese chess with the enemy.

"What…the heck…are ya doing?" Zanza said, so calm it was frightening.

Kasumi jumped, standing up in her chair. "SANOSUKE! YAMI!" she cried, tackling the dark samurai in a hug, bursting into happy tears. "You're here! Oh my gosh, I was so scared—you haven't ate yet, have you? I'm so sorry!"

Yami patted Kasumi on the head, unsure of what to do as the girl cried into his shoulder.

"You sure weren't acting sorry just a few seconds ago," Sanosuke said in a steely voice. "Playing board games with that…that…'patriot'."

"Huh?" Kasumi removed her face from Yami's neck, and glowered at Zanza. "I wasn't playing. He said that if I could beat him in a game of shogi, he'd give you your Zanbatou unconditionally. I had nothing else to do, so I tried."

"Yes," Seiji said from across the room. "She put up a good fight at times, but she lost in every game."

Kasumi stuck her tongue out at Seiji like a little girl and went back to hugging Yami. The poor guy let out a little "Yeek!" as Kasumi wrapped her arms around him.

"Sorry you had to endure Sagara for an entire night," she said in a sympathetic voice. "It must have been awful. He can be so mean."

Ignoring the two, Seiji motioned for them to sit down. There were three chairs in front of the desk. Zanza took the middle; Yami squirmed out of Kasumi's hug, and they sat down on Sanosuke's either side.

"Well, Zanza-san…" Seiji said lazily. "We finally meet. I'm sure Yami-san has revealed my intentions to you?"

"Yeah," Zanza growled. "You want me to work for ya in exchange for Kasumi and my Zanbatou."

"Mmm," Seiji smirked. "Yes. With your help, I'll be able to maneuver better the government. With your assistance, Zanza-san, we can sway Meiji…maybe even form it into something better. With Tokyo underground in our control, we overpower the police. We could crush the government. One chess piece at a time…" Seiji held up a shogi piece in emphasis. "…and everything will fall into place." He then placed the shogi pawn on the board with a small clack.

"So you plan to destroy Meiji and rebuild from what's left," Kasumi concluded.

"Yeah," Zanza said thoughtfully. "The yakuza have connections as well, and would love to smash Meiji to bits…who knows what would happen if they rallied and revolted? Another Bakumatsu would follow, and with the flimsiness of the government, it would fall easily if the people also rose to fight."

Seiji smiled slightly, seeing that two of them saw what he did.

Yami stood up, an icy expression on his face. All eyes turned to the dark samurai as he spoke. "This is madness. I do not like it. The people will not fight…this is an era of peace, and should continue to grow. If Meiji was born weak of the unstable Bakumatsu, which was born of the strong age of Tokuguwa; then how weak will the new era be, born from Meiji? How do you think this will work? Do you expect iron to leap from silk? Meiji needs time to grow. Shattering it now would be disastrous."

There was a silence. Seiji remained in his seat, and replied. "Meiji was started the wrong way. The Ishin Shishi chose the incorrect time to begin the Bakumatsu, and now look what's in charge. A rat in charge of wolves. How long do you think Meiji would last? Sooner or later, we'll have attempts to make a new age, and I'm not going to let the wrong person become leader. If we don't act now, someone else will, at the wrong place at the wrong time. Just like during the Bakumatsu."

Yami narrowed his eyes, and the both of them glared at one another as Yami spoke again. "Meiji will grow strong. How weak were the patriots when they first began, in the face of the powerful Tokuguwa! But in the face of challenge, they grew rapidly. Even in times of doubt, they struggled to their beliefs. Meiji does the same, though it may be unjust at the moment. It has committed many crimes, but that is also how the Ishin Shishi began as well. Every patriot army had to commit acts of burglary and arson to gain their goals for equality and peace."

Zanza flinched, but Yami continued.

"Peace for the people is what matters," Yami insisted. "Let the government struggle against itself—if Meiji is wrong, and it is unworthy, then it will destroy itself. From the ash of a volcano, flowers bloom on their own. If Meiji falls, then the people will take charge in its stead. This is not the time to take action. If Meiji is to be conquered at all, Seiji, by God I will die before it is taken over by a man like you."

Yami sat down in his seat in an irritated fashion, folding his arms and continuing to glower. Sanosuke and Kasumi looked at their friend in awe. They had never heard him speak so passionately or show so much emotion before.

Seiji said with his eyes narrowed as well, his hands clasped, resting on the desk. He looked quite frightening while doing so. "I see Yami-san is unable to be swayed. But…" His scowl turned into a smooth smirk. "Zanza-san and Kasumi-san haven't a choice."

"Oh?" Zanza frowned.

"Yes," Seiji sighed, regaining his casual manner. "You get three chances. Refuse the first time to serve me, and I will have your Zanbatou crushed."

Zanza narrowed his cavernous brown eyes. If he…

"Refuse twice and Kasumi-san will die."

…Did that…

"Refuse three times, and I will kill you."

…I'll kill him.

Zanza stood up in anger. "I will kill you if you go anywhere near my friends," he hissed seriously, placing his palms on the desk and leaning over to glare Seiji in the eye. "I don't care about your damned politics, and if you so much as lay a finger on Kasumi, I'll show you why I wear the kanji of wicked. Got it!"

He then promptly sat down in his seat, fuming.

Seiji looked undeterred. "What will it accomplish if you kill me?" the man asked the Fighter-for-Hire. "It won't bring your Zanbatou or Kasumi-san back."

"No," Sagara agreed and under his breath he muttered, "But you won't dishonor Captain Sagara's spirit."

"What was that?" Seiji asked pleasantly.

Zanza shook his head—it'd take more that Kasumi's torture to tell this man about Captain Sagara and the Sekihou Army. But he didn't have to tell him everything.

"I ain't gonna help ya," Zanza said, to Seiji's displeasure. "If I did, I'd be insulting the courage and dreams of my Captain during the Bakumatsu. What would he say, if he knew that I was helping a man in the wrong destroy a time of peace? Isn't that what we worked for in the revolution? What kind of person would I be to help ya?"

"A fool if you refuse," Seiji sniffed, casting an irritated look at Yami as though it was all his fault Zanza loved his Captain. Yami looked calmly at him, recovered from his outburst.

"Then…I suppose, Zanza-san, you're Zanbatou will have to go, and so will your profession as a Fight Merchant," Seiji said, with another lazy smile appearing on his face.

Zanza's face turned white, and Seiji seemed pleased with his reaction.

"But, what after, Zanza-san?" Seiji drawled. "Lovely Kasumi-san will die, and then you will, too. There's so much…so much you're dragging down to Hell with you…."

Sanosuke scowled. "Speak for yourself."

Seiji's left eyebrow twitched, but he continued. "Then, I'll call in my servant and give word to the soldiers to destroy your weapon…"

Zanza watched Seiji's mouth open to yell, when he suddenly stood up again and said, "No! Wait!"

Seiji's mouth closed, curling into a pleased smile. "So, you'll do it?"

Yami and Kasumi looked at Sanosuke, afraid of what he was about to do. The conflict in Sagara's eyes flashed like lightening, until at last he sat and said in a defeated voice, "G…Go ahead and break it…"

"You're sure?" Seiji said.

"Y—"

Suddenly, Kasumi burst out. "Sagara, don't do it!" she yelled. He turned to look at her with surprise, and Kasumi continued. "If he destroys your Zanbatou, you won't have any hold over the underworld! What use will Seiji have for you, then? He'll kill us all, anyways! You can't let him do that! You can't give up your Zanbatou!"

Anger spread across Zanza's face, and he whirled around to Seiji. "What are ya trying to pull?" he yelled.

Seiji continued to smirk slyly. "I have no use for a gutless and sensitive man. By destroying your Zanbatou, you show me you think yourself strong enough without it. By doing that, you bring Kasumi-san closer to death, and if you let her die, it shows that you truly are the lone wolf you're heard to be. And then you put yourself in danger, showing that you truly are as dangerous as the sign on your back tells. And then, I would simply capture you because I know you're wrong, and force you under my control."

The man's sly smile turned into a haughty grin. "But now that I see you've failed the first test, I also see that you remain loyal to those you are attached to…and that you are now easily broken, softened by the few weeks of friendship with Kasumi-san and Yami-san. I can take you and reform you into the real Zanza the Fight Merchant, and release that anger and hate inside of you. You'd be even more powerful than you ever were."

Zanza sat wide-eyed, dumbstruck.

Kasumi and Yami looked at another with worry, and Kasumi said softly, "Sagara…?"

Sanosuke sighed, smiling wily, and leaning his elbows on the desk, putting his head in his hands as though he were a bored child in school. "What if I commit suicide? Then what?"

"Sanosuke!" Yami and Kasumi exclaimed in horror.

Seiji smiled wickedly. "You wouldn't. You'd leave behind Yami-san and Kasumi-san with me to chase after them."

"Yami could kick your butt, for your information," Zanza said seriously, making Kasumi giggle slightly. "And Kasumi's got that stupid frying pan. I don't think ya can get near either one." Yami's lips lifted into his smile.

Seiji rolled his eyes. "Fine, then, Sagara. We'll take you by force. I'm not going to let this country crumble because of some stupid punk."

"Well, this stupid punk ain't letting you take over this country," Zanza growled, frowning. "So gimme my Zanbatou and we'll leave for good."

Seiji said the exact thing they knew he would say. "No. If this is the case, then we shall lock you up here forever until you submit to me."

"You can try!" Zanza shouted, standing up.

"Fine," Seiji said, an without another thought, called in a sing-song voice, "Ohhhh, seeeeeecurity!"

Immediately, a host of guards burst in the door, ready for commands.

"Take this gentlemen and lady to a proper accommodation," Seiji said with a smirk that meant quite differently. He glanced at Yami. "You can leave. I have no use for you."

"I shall not leave my friends behind," Yami said firmly, standing and putting a hand on his sword.

"Then you select your fate," Seiji sniffed. "Kill him, but capture the other two." The guards moved in on Yami, and Zanza began fighting as five men tackled him, weighing down his arms and legs. Three men, who began dragging her out of the room despite her yells and struggles, seized Kasumi.

"Kamlyn Sorano Style!" Yami shouted as his blade set on the crowd of men. Seiji took cover beneath his desk, not wanting to get his suit covered in flying blood. "Sora Oni Giri!" Sky Demon Slash!

Yami charged, ducked a blade, and did a monstrous one-handed upward sweep that killed two men in front of him and one behind him. A man went to stab him through the chest, and Yami moved his other hand to the hilt and brought it downwards behind his back, stabbing the man in the stomach.

Sanosuke had managed to get one arm free, and had punched off his attackers. He set through the crowd of guards, coming to Kasumi's aid as she was dragged to the door. Punching her assaulters lights out, he grabbed her hand and kicked open the door to the balcony. Yami followed, fending off the guards.

"What'd you bring us out here for!" Kasumi screamed. "We're trapped!"

"Yami, come on!" Zanza yelled, picking Kasumi up bridal-style again and jumping onto the edge of the balcony.

"WHAT? YOU'RE GOING TO JUMP!" Kasumi shouted.

"STOP THEM!" was Seiji's command from inside.

Zanza had the biggest grin on his face when he stepped from the ledge. "BANZAI! WHOOO-HOOOOOOOOO!"

Yami turned and jumped off right behind them, with a small shout.

"Close the gates! Don't let them run!" Seiji howled, and guards began to appear all over the lawn as Sanosuke and Yami's feet touched the ground. They immediately shot off towards gate; Zanza didn't even bother to put Kasumi on her feet.

Yami unleashed his sword as they ran, holding it horizontal to the ground and pointing to his right. Slashing the way clear for Sanosuke and Kasumi, Yami got to the gate just as some soldiers were advancing behind them.

"Yaaaaah! Kamlyn Sorano Style, Sora Oni Giri!" Yami yelled, slashing through the group of soldiers, using the final sweep of the attack to break open the gates.

"Yeah! Let's go!" Zanza shouted, running from the estate with Yami on his heels.

The soldiers pursued them to the road, but no further. "Get back here! Coward!" they shouted.

"Don't you worry! You'll see me again!" Sagara yelled, smirking and sticking out his tongue at them.

They turned on their heels, and shot off into town. They had regained Kasumi, and escaped with their freedom and lives. But what of Zanza's partner?

"You can put me down now," Kasumi snapped at Zanza, who then realized he was still carrying her. He stopped walking for a minute, and put her on her feet.

"Sorry," he mumbled, suddenly quiet.

They walked back to Kasumi's house, each of them silent from that point forward. Kasumi made food, and the two boys ate like starving birds. Kasumi apologized again and again for being so irresponsible, until Zanza said that if she said it one more time he'd go crazy.

The rest of the day was fairly normal, and after Kasumi's acts of contrition, life resumed to an extent that most people would call normal. Kasumi and Sanosuke still bickered like quarrelsome children, while Yami struggled to make sure the house didn't collapse from the storms of arguments. But amid the attempts of normality, something different drenched the atmosphere in the house. And it was spouting from one person.

Zanza.

His usual disagreements with Kasumi had been heated as usual, but his heart had not been fully in them. Sagara had also been spending a lot of time in each room he could be in, inspecting the house he called home thoroughly.

Sanosuke knew that he had to do something soon that no one would like; and he was beginning to understand the difference between Zanza the Fight Merchant and Sanosuke the Fighting Fanatic.

He was going to tear down the barriers between himself and the world, and Sanosuke would meet his extinction. Zanza would be the one who survived, not he. He was not allowed to live.

Dictionary:

Hitokiri: Assassin

Shogi: Japanese Chess

Banzai: An exclamation of exhilaration, comparable to "Yeah!" or "Yee-hah!"

MadiSano: Well. Is anyone a little confused? Or, if not, alarmed? Evil Mackenshin might be hoping that Sanosuke's going to die...but...well, you'll see. If it's any relief to you guys, the rest of the story is no where near as complicated as the one you just finished reading. BE GLAD! (I am. This chapter nearly killed me!)

Also, if you haven't noticed yet, I HAVE ANOTHER FANFIC OUT! AND IT'S TOTALLY RETARDED! AND I UPDATE AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK! It's called "Dawn of the Ducks," somewhat inspired by Dawn of the Dead (how obvious), and believe me, if you want to see a small window inside my head, Dawn of the Ducks is a sure-fire. It's absolutely stupid. Random. I love it. So does evil MACKENSHIN, who sits next to me in computer class and HATES SANOSUKE'S GUTS! (I'm bringing a metal bar to school. No, not really. LOL. Or...?)

So. I'll see ya in the next chapter, peepz.