MadiSano: Chapter eight (even though the little tab says nine--I don't count my notes as chapters.) of Fallen Wind! This chapter is kind of angsty...but I wouldn't really know since I'm not that great writing angst. But Sano reviews his time with the Sekhioutai and whatnot. Please read and review! Yatta!
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin does not belong to this Sanosick fan.
CHAPTER EIGHT: ZANZA THE FIGHT MERCHANT
Kasumi opened her eyes, blinking in the morning light. Rising, she dressed and made breakfast, checking on the sleeping boys in each of their rooms.
Yami lie sleeping on his side, sleeping neatly in the center of the futon. Not a hair was out of place—Yami even slept with etiquette. Kasumi smiled, shutting the door to the samurai's room. I've got to hand it to that man. He's got some style.
On the other hand, Zanza slept like a hurricane had passed over him. Lying on his back with his pillow over his head, one hand on the pillow and the other drooping over the side of the futon, his blankets were wrinkled and distorted as though Sanosuke had spent his night tossing and turning.
What could have bothered him so? Kasumi wondered as she shut the door and went back to check on the food, finding that it was ready to eat. Preparing it, she went to Yami's room to awaken him, carrying his clean clothes with her.
"Yami-saaaaaaaan," Kasumi sang, opening the door once more.
At the sound of her voice, Yami opened his bright green eyes, his pupils narrowing in the morning light. He turned to look at her sleepily, used to this morning awakening.
Kasumi smiled. "Good morning." Setting his clean and dry clothes on the edge of his bed, she retreated to the door, saying, "Breakfast is ready when you want it."
Yami nodded softly, giving her a sad, tired smile. She then shut the door, walking down the hall to Sanosuke's room.
It had always been a challenge to get Zanza to wake up. He always wanted to sleep more, whining and grumbling at her to go away. Kasumi was getting really sick of that phrase.
And today was no different.
"Sagara," she called, opening his door an again viewing the messy state of his room. He didn't reply, but let out a soft snore. Marching over to his bedside, she nudged him. "Wake up."
"Nn," was his reply.
Kasumi jerked the pillow out from beneath his arm and commanded, "Did you hear me or what? It's time to get up, Bird Head!"
"Mine," he growled, snatching back the pillow and stuffing it back over his head.
Kasumi grabbed the pillow again, earning a groan from Zanza. "Technically, this pillow is mine. And technically, it's morning. Technically, morning time is the time to get out of bed and eat breakfast.
Sagara shifted slightly, pulling the blankets at his waist over his shoulder, mumbling something under his breath.
"You baka! Get up!" Kasumi howled, jerking the blankets off him. Sanosuke winced in the cold morning air, and turned his head slightly to give Kasumi a glare. She ignored it, and snapped, "Well, at least you're awake. If you're not in the kitchen in ten minutes to eat, I'm going to hunt you down an give you a pretty footprint right across your butt."
"Hnnnnnn…" Sanosuke moaned in an irritated fashion, lifting his head a bit and sneering, snatching the pillow from her, and placing it in its rightful place on his head.
"Ten minutes," Kasumi hissed, giving him a little slap on the pillow that shielded his head. Zanza grumbled, but did not reply as she left his room.
Coming out of Sanosuke's room, she met Yami in the hallway. "That baka Bird Head won't get up, as usual," Kasumi growled, as they walked to the kitchen.
Yami was silent for a few seconds, until he said, "Kasumi-san, have you…noticed anything different about Sano-kun since yesterday?"
Kasumi thought about it for a moment. "Well, he…hasn't been quite as obnoxious as usual. And…Sagara has been exploring the house a lot lately, as though he were memorizing ever corner…ah, well. Once a weirdo, always a weirdo."
Yami nodded. "Yes, there are those factors…but…" He paused giving Kasumi a worried look. "I must speak to you of him. There is something very serious going on."
"Eh?" Kasumi said, confused.
They entered the kitchen, sitting down in front of their plates, waiting for Sanosuke to drag himself out of bed. Yami was quiet for a bit of time, before beginning.
"Who, to you, is that man?"
"Huh? Sagara?"
"Yes, Kasumi-san."
Kasumi stared confusedly at the dark samurai for a moment, before saying hesitantly. "Well…he's annoying, but a good and loyal friend…um…"
Yami shook his head, cutting the girl off. "That is not what I mean," he stated. "What I mean is, do you believe Sano-kun's true self is Zanza the Fight Merchant or Sagara Sanosuke?"
Kasumi stared into space, wondering how to answer the question. "I…I'm not sure…but, I do like Sagara better than Zanza," she said.
Yami sighed. "I will share with you what I have learned. Sano-kun used to be a member of the Sekihou Army, yes?"
Kasumi gasped. "He told you!" she cried.
"Yes, on the night we found that you were kidnapped," Yami said, continuing. "And so I realized the hate and anger he expressed towards Ishin Shishi patriots and towards the world was emanating from the death of the Sekihou Army. From that hatred, Zanza was born into Sano-kun's soul, and has taken dominance over Sano-kun. For seven years, Zanza has reigned over Sanosuke. But now that we have entered his life, we have given him happiness that he has never experienced. We gave life to Sanosuke, and only when we were in need did Zanza arise to take charge."
Kasumi blinked, trying to consume all of this as Yami continued.
"But I think Sano-kun, though currently dominate over the opposite side of his soul, is having warfare with the Fight Merchant. He wants to stay with us so badly, Kasumi-san, he wants to stay with you—but at the same time, he feels that he is putting us in danger by remaining here."
Kasumi perked up, narrowing her eyes. "What?"
"Seiji's attempts will not end here," Yami concluded. "He will not destroy Sano-kun's Zanbatou, but he will target those close to him to influence his resistance. The man was being incredibly gentle with you and Sano-kun. When Seiji strikes again, he may target you a second time. Or, though I cannot see of how, he may come after me. He may put someone or something else of value to Sano-kun in danger…you never know what he will do."
Frowning, Kasumi folded her arms. "Sagara will be under my constant protection. If Seiji dares to attack, I'll—"
"You never know what he will do," Yumi repeated, stressing his words. "That man is like a crouching tiger among the many-colored leaves of the dense and flourishing jungle, waiting for his prey to step exactly where he may lunge. Unless by some path I do not foresee, Sano-kun will eventually succumb to Seiji."
"No!" Kasumi yelled, but then Sanosuke came into the room, looking tired.
"'No'?" he repeated, looking bewildered. "Dang…you must really hate me to yell 'No!' when I only enter the room…sheesh…"
At a glance from Yami, Kasumi knew not to speak of what Yami had told her. They ate the meal with the usual obnoxious remarks from Sagara, always replied by a glare or flying speck of food from Kasumi. Yami, as always, sat amid the turmoil and quietly nibbled his food.
"By the way," Kasumi said as she collected the dishes. "I'm going to leave in a little bit to go to the market again. I'm still out of tofu, you know."
"I will accompany you," Yami volunteered.
"I'm gonna sit out on this one," Sanosuke muttered. "Stuff I gotta do."
Yami and Kasumi exchanged puzzled looks. Sagara never had errands to run—he was a first-class freeloader at Kasumi's, though she didn't seem to mind.
Yami also had little money, and had no job. Where Kasumi got her cash from was obvious—since she was and still was a Fighter-For-Hire, though she wasn't fighting much at the moment.
But Sanosuke—Sanosuke, actually having something important to do on his own…
Something was seriously wrong with the world.
"Uh…okay," Kasumi stammered, taken aback. "Well…I'll be leaving in about twenty more minutes…I've got to get my stuff around…do the dishes…" She then got up after picking up the plates and such. Yami assisted her. The two carried the dishes to the kitchen, where Kasumi began her work.
Sanosuke got to his feet after a moment, and returned to his room, where he grabbed his newly repacked bag of stuff and a piece of paper.
"Come on, Yami!" Kasumi called, galloping through the streets. "It's been over an hour since we left! Sagara's claustrophobic, you know!"
Yami tried his best to keep up, and not to drop to tower of groceries he held in both arms. "H-hai, Kasumi-san! I am coming…!"
Bursting into the house, Kasumi yelled like she always did, "Heeeeey, Sagara! We're hoooome!"
No answer.
"That idiot," Kasumi sighed, holding the door open as Yami staggered into the house. "He's fallen asleep again."
Yami suddenly froze, slowly putting the groceries on the floor. He scanned the room they were in with narrowed eyes. Until, at last, he murmured, "He is not here."
"Huh?" Kasumi said. "That's impossible. I locked everything up." She tried again. "Saaagaraaa!"
Again, there was silence.
"There is no chi other than our own in this building," Yami said in a chillingly calm voice. "Either he has left, or he is dead."
Kasumi shrieked. "DEAD?" Flying across the house, she yelled, "Help me look! There's no way he can be DEAD! The house wasn't broken into, so the only way he could be DEAD is if he—"
She stopped in mid-stride, freezing and turning her head to meet Yami's eyes. His eyes held the same fear as they remembered what Sanosuke had said to Seiji: What if I commit suicide? Then what?
They wordlessly searched the home, but nothing was found until there was only one last room to check. Kasumi and Yami met one another at Zanza's bedroom doorway. They both waited nervously for the other to turn the handle, but they were both afraid.
"O-open it, Yami-san," Kasumi stammered at last.
Yami hesitated, but silently opened the door. They both let out a sigh of relief: there was no dead body or scent of blood anywhere. There was only Sanosuke's futon, with a small note resting on the covers.
Kasumi picked it up, saying, "A letter from Sagara." She then read it aloud.
Yami and Kasumi.
You probably freaked out or somethin when you couldn't find me. Sorry. But I can't stay here any more. Seiji's not gonna stop comin after me, so I decided to leave. Don't come looking for me and stuff, I'm not comin back. Oh, and if you had any idea that I couldn't read or write, it's a stupid lie. –Sano
"He…he left," Kasumi stuttered, looking horrified. "That baka Bird Head left us."
Yami sighed. "I was afraid of this," he said. "Now Zanza will again gain control. Sano-kun cannot fight him on his own."
Kasumi held back tears, morphing them into a blood-curdling scowl. She looked at Yami. "Then…you know what we're going to do?"
Yami smirked his smile. "Hai, Kasumi-san. Yes, I do."
He sat in the darkest corner of his house, drinking without a word. Zanza's eyes were narrowed and dark, piercing orbs without so much as a trace of Sanosuke in them. The sake bottle he had longed for during the past few weeks was held tightly in his left hand.
Silence reigned in his home, hidden anger and sadness, too.
"Damned patriot," Zanza grumbled, taking another swig and running his free hand through his hair. "S'all his fault."
After a half hour or so more of grumbling and growling of what he'd like to do to Seiji and the government pigs that had killed the Sekihou Army, he fell into a deep sleep. He dreamt of the memory that often haunted him. Not a week passed when he didn't dream this memory at least once.
Captain Sagara and Sanosuke stood atop a cliff, watching the members of the Sekihou Army march down below. Soft petals of snow fell from the sky, sticking to Sanosuke's eyelashes. He was only nine at this time; his eyes were so wide and filled with happiness and hope.
The tall black-haired man spoke, still watching the men file down in the valley below. 'Remember this moment, Sanosuke. Three hundred years of Tokuguwa rule will end…and the new age will dawn. The time of the strong exploiting the weak will pass, and the time when there is now 'above' or 'below' will arrive. And we…the Sekihou Army…will lead it in.'
Sanosuke grinned, sighing. '"Our struggles will decide if it comes in one hear or ten." Yeah, yeah…even the calluses on my ears have memorized it.'
Captain Sagara sighed, giving his young comrade a soft smile. After another glance at the army below, the man turned to leave. Sanosuke ran after him, asking, 'So, Captain…if the revolution goes right, and we make the world of equality…even a farmer's son like me will be able to take a last name?'
Sagara Souzou looked back at him, smiling and nodding as he waited for Sanosuke to catch up. 'Yes,' was his reply.
Sanosuke's grin grew wide, and he cried, 'Then…how about I take the name "Sagara"!'
Captain Sagara paused, thinking about it. Then he smirked. '"Sagara Sanosuke." I don't know…it sounds goofy. Don't do it."
Sanosuke smiled.
Zanza's memories shifted, returning to another drastic point in his time as a part of the Sekihou Army.
An enraged voice tore through the night. A meeting was being held in Captain Sagara and Sanosuke's presence.
'This is preposterous! We…we…the Sekihou Army! A fraud!'
An injured soldier leaned on the table, sobbing as he made his report. 'Orders…form the commanding general to every unit of the regular army…to capture the "false army, called Sekihou.'" He raised his eyes to Captain Sagara. 'My unit, station at the Usui Cliff…was attacked by the Army from Shinshuu…and slaughtered!'
Disturbed murmurs filtered through the room, wondering as to why the other patriots would do such a thing.
Suddenly, an official spoke up as comprehension dawned upon him. 'It…it's not us!' he stammered. 'It's the tax reform they don't want! They promised they'd halve all the taxes to bring farmers in each prefecture over to their side. But…the revolutionary government is having financial problems, so they can't stand by it… So they label the Sekihou Army as frauds and punish us, so they can bury their promises!'
The man clenched his teeth in rage. 'Our army is mainly farmers and merchants, so we're safe and easy for them to destroy!'
Angered shouts broke out in the meeting room. Sanosuke looked desperately at his Captain, as did everyone else. 'Captain Sagara,' cried one man. 'What do we do!'
'Captain…!'
Souzou sighed, turning and taking his sword from Sanosuke. 'We cannot defy the commanding general…I will report to the headquarters in Shimosuwa.'
When Sanosuke made to follow him, Captain Sagara turned and shook his head. 'Sanosuke, you wait here.'
Sanosuke froze, his eyes wide in fear as his Captain walked out of the meeting room, the others his stead. 'You are a junior soldier,' the Captain said. 'I cannot take you beyond this point…'
'Captain,' Sanosuke stammered, looking even more worried. What was Sagara Souzou trying to tell him?
Captain Sagara looked back, saying softly, 'It's all right, Sanosuke…Do not worry."
Those were the last words Captain Sagara had offered to Sanosuke. Every time he thought about his Captain, they rang in his head.
A shorter memory then flashed through his dreams, the most unsettling one Zanza owned.
It was snowing again. Again, Sanosuke had been separated from Sagara Souzou…this time, forever. A pedestal was set in the middle of the lawn, fenced in so no one could near it.
Sanosuke clutched the fence so hard his hands began to bleed, as he heard the murmur of words around him. He could only faintly hear, however, as his eyes were glued to what was resting on the stand.
'Sagara Souzou, Captain of the First Unit, the fraudulent 'Sekihou Army.' He was decapitated for deceiving the people by spreading rumors of an impossible tax reduction. We might have tolerated his pretense at being a mockery of true patriots, but…building false hope in the people…'
'That…was sheer villainy.'
Tears melded with the snow on Sanosuke's cheeks, as a chill wind blew. His right fist tightened as incredible rage was built up within the traumatized nine-year-old. His heart was hammering inside his chest; it hurt his ears just to listen to it….
BAM! BAM!
Captain Sagara's head…put on display…BAM! BAM!
The Sekihou Army, destroyed…
BAM! BAM!
I hate the patriots…I hate them all…
BAM! BAM!
I'll carry on my Captain's name, but I will never again be known as—
"SAGARA SANOSUKE! OPEN THE DAMNED DOOR!"
Zanza was jerked from sleep as the banging continued, blinking sleepily. Glaring at the doorway, he decided not to answer it. Snuggling into his dark corner, he again closed his eyes, attempting to shut out the loud noise.
However, the banging continued. Until at last Zanza couldn't stand it anymore, he got to his feet, dropping the bottle.
"WHAT?" he roared, slamming open the door. It, once again, broke.
Kasumi stood upon his porch, with her hands on her hips. Her face matched Zanza's: extremely irritated. She opened her mouth to speak, when Zanza picked up his door and leant it in the frame. He then ignored her, walking back to his corner.
"Let me in!" she yelled. "Sagara!"
"Go away," he growled, folding his arms over his chest.
Kasumi pushed aside the door, storming into his house. "Sagara, come on! You didn't expect me to just let you go like that! Now get off your butt, get your stuff, and come back with me!"
He gave her a stubborn look. "No."
"Yes," Kasumi insisted.
Zanza scowled, raising an eyebrow. "You know, you're actually breaking into my house. I didn't invite ya inside. Now, get lost."
"Never," Kasumi said, equally as stubborn. Walking over to his side, she grabbed his arm and attempted to drag him to the door. Zanza wouldn't budge. "Come on! Stop being so stupid, and get up!"
Zanza scowled. "I said no," he growled, jerking his arm away. "Now, get outta my house, and don't come back. I don't ever wanna see your face again."
Kasumi withdrew as though she had been bitten, a hurt look upon her face. Zanza looked at her with no remorse, scowling forbiddingly.
"F-Fine," she stammered, clenching her fists and turning away. "I'll leave you be, you…you idiot! But this isn't over. I won't let you win, Zanza!"
She ran out of his house, sitting on his porch.
Zanza sat in his corner, confused. Win what? Why'd she call me Zanza? I've only heard her call me that before she knew my real name.
Getting up for a minute, Zanza looked out his door to find Kasumi sitting on his porch and sobbing. Guilt began to creep upon him, but in reality, it was something different.
"Sano-kun, you should apologize to Kasumi-san," Yami said, appearing behind the Fight Merchant andmaking him jump two feet into the air.
Regaining his brazen attitude, he snarled at Yami, "What're you doing in my house! Have ya all come to invade me, or what? I'm not coming back, damn it! Get out!"
Zanza grabbed Yami's collar, ready to literally throw the samurai out the door. Kasumi turned her head, terrified.
"I was not talking to you, Zanza," Yami said calmly, staring Zanza down with his chilling green eyes.
Zanza's left eyebrow twitched uncertainly. "Huh?"
"I am talking to Sagara Sanosuke," Yami said. "Zanza the Fight Merchant no longer exists."
Zanza scowled. "What in Hell are you talking about!" he growled. "I am Zanza, the Fighter-For-Hire. I am the Sekihou Army, and I don't need you or your damned riddles!"
Whirling around, Zanza threw Yami onto the porch, taking the door with him. Kasumi jumped out of the way, as Yami collided with the door and landed onto the sidewalk, sitting on the door.
Kasumi gasped. "Y-Yami-san! Are you okay?"
Ignoring her, Yami sat up and looked at Zanza, who was turning around to go back to his corner.
"Zanza the Fight Merchant does not belong to the Sekihou Army," Yami called after him.
The world went quiet. Extremely, terrifyingly quiet.
Zanza froze. This lasted for about five minutes, until he turned around with the scariest expression on his face. "You wanna repeat that?" he hissed.
"Zanza the Fight Merchant does not belong to the Sekihou Army," Yami said again, loud and clear. "The former cadet of the Sekihou Army's name is Sagara Sanosuke. He does not wield a Zanbatou, he does not make his friends cry, and he most definitely does not throw them out the door."
Zanza stared at him with the utmost hatred.
Yami continued anyways. "Without your Zanbatou, you are not Zanza the Fight Merchant, and have no right to act like him. That is hypocrisy. And, unless I am terribly mistaken, both Zanza and Sanosuke hate hypocrites, do they not?"
"I hate you, that's for sure," Zanza snarled, turning on his heel. "Back off and leave me be, and if you ever utter the name of the Sekihou Army in my presence, I will kill you."
"S-Sanosuke," Kasumi sobbed, looking after him with dying hope. "P-Please…don't go…."
Zanza did not turn around. "Get off my porch and leave."
Yami stood, brushing himself off. "Then, I suppose there is only one way to get back our Sano-kun."
"He's dead," Zanza snarled, leaving them alone and going back to his corner.
Yami appeared in the doorway. "Dead men do not cry for help," he stated, looking placidly at Zanza sitting down.
"I told you to beat it," Zanza snarled.
"Oh well," Yami said casually. "Now, I will ask you this one last time, Zanza. Get up and surrender yourself, or I will take you back home with my sword."
Zanza got to his feet in a millisecond, doubling his fists and baring his teeth. "Try it!" he shouted angrily.
"All right," Yami said, drawing his sword. "And I shall succeed, as well. You die here, Zanza, Fighter-for-Hire."
Zanza charged, lunging and then swinging his left fist at Yami's cheek, bringing the other down to his chest.
Yami disappeared, and Zanza instead smashed into the wall. He heard Kasumi yell with fright. Zanza extracted his fists, turning around just in time for Yami to slam the inside (the unsharpened side) of his sword into Zanza's stomach.
Time froze for a few seconds, before Zanza's eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he slumped into a faint.
Dictionary:
Baka—stupid, moron, or idiot
Hai—yes, okay
Shimosuwa—the last stop of the Sekihou Army, also its headquarters
MadiSano: AnGsTy...lol. I don't think it was really that bad, but whatever. I hated to make Sano and Zanza sound so much like Kenshin and Battousai...but I couldn't think of any other way to portray them. (I see Zanza and Sanosuke as two different people, obviously--just like Kenshin and Battousai.) Well! See you all in the next chapter, then! Review and make me smile! Aishiteru, nakama!