Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction / Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction / Twilight Of Dark Master Fan Fiction / X/1999 Fan Fiction / Magic Knight Rayearth Fan Fiction / Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ Dark Tournament ❯ First Round: Kenshin vs. Sanosuke ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Category: Yaoi, crossover, TWT
Characters: Kenshin and Sano from Rurouni Kenshin; Heero, Duo, Trowa, Quatre, Wufei and Zechs from Gundam Wing; Kamui from X; Tsunami from Twilight of the Dark Master; Van from Escaflowne; Shin, Trunks and Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z; Clef, Eagle and Lantis from Magic Knights Rayearth; Sephiroth and Vincent from FF7, Irvine and Squall from FF8, Kuja from FF9, Glenn and Serge from Chrono Cross; Albert and Lloyd from Legend of Dragoon.
Main Pairings: Pairings will change for each part, but the main pairings are: 1+2, 3+4, 6+5, Sephiroth+Vincent, Lantis+Eagle, Sano+Kenshin
Pairing: SanosukexKenshin
Warnings: slight violence, lemon, shonen ai
Author: Arigatomina
Email: arigatoumina@hotmail.com
Complete Archive: www.geocities.com/arigatomina

Dark Tournament

Part 1

First Round: Kenshin vs. Sanosuke

"As we've said, no one will be forced to watch the separate fights. I would, however, expect you to do so, if only to judge your future opponents." Shin stepped away from Tsunami, his voice reaching the people. "The first battle will take place immediately. The combatants; Kenshin Himura and Sanosuke Sagara."

Those closest to the two men stepped back when they abruptly disappeared, and Tsunami waved a hand to the large screen. "There." The three, as Shin had also gone, were small at first, then larger as their images grew focused. While not very loud, voices reached the area where the future fighters waited and everyone watched.

A dry wind rustled the rocky area, and Shin found himself standing before the two men. Kenshin and Sano were looking around at the flat terrain, and he waved a hand, directing their attention to the two weapons that lay beside him. One was a long, wide metal blade, and he nodded to Sano. "Sanosuke."

"Where did you get that?" Sano laughed, forgetting some of his unease at being chosen first. Moving forward, he knelt beside the heavy blade, his hands brushing over the wooden handle. "I gave up on this weapon," he told Shin. It was true. After being defeated by Kenshin he'd seen the weaknesses of the large unwieldy blade. His hands curled familiarly on the handle, and he lifted it, balancing the weight for a moment before glancing at Kenshin. "It's just like mine, though."

Shin nodded, his eyes glancing over the tall man. The weapon was heavy, but Sano had it balanced lightly on one shoulder, infinitely at ease with it. "You may use it or not, as you choose. But this is your weapon of choice aside from your fists, so it will be made available to you during this, and subsequent battles. It *has* been modified slightly, though, as have all of the blades used here. The metal is stronger, you do not have to fear it will be cut as your last one was."

"You hear that, Kenshin?" Sano smiled until he glanced at the red-haired man, then he frowned suddenly. "What about him?" There was a small sword sheathed at Shin's feet, and he looked at it.

Following Sano's gaze, Shin nodded again and knelt as he lifted the sword. Kenshin hadn't moved, so he went to the man, handing it to him. He was silent as the slender man unsheathed it, studying the blade.

It looked exactly the same, the weight, the coloring, but Kenshin resheathed the slender blade. He glanced at Shin, then shook his head. "I will not use this in battle."

"The fights have been fixed," Shin reminded him quietly, "so no blood will be shed. There is no reason for a reverse blade sword. This sword will cut skin no more than your own did, and it does not have the disadvantage of that weapon. You will not be forced to turn the blade according to your enemy."

Kenshin's eyes narrowed, and he pulled the blade out again, touching the sharp edge with his thumb. It was very sharp, yet his skin wasn't split when he increased the pressure and his head jerked up so he pinned Shin with a wide-eyed gaze. "How?"

"It's a combination of magic," Shin said, shaking his head. He stepped back slowly, his eyes moving from one to the other. "You may begin," he said loudly, then he disappeared.

The ones not fighting were close to the screen when Shin appeared behind them, and he remained silent. The two men were not yet fighting, but he was confident that they would do so without being forced. Instead, he let his mind roam over the crowd, listening to their thoughts as well as their comments.

"It doesn't look like a fair fight at all," Duo said softly, glancing from the screen to the other pilots. He felt as if he were watching a wrestling match or something like that, despite the odd swords the two men were wielding. "I mean, that one guy is so much bigger."

"It isn't the size," Wufei argued, "though that huge sword is a bit unfair. Even if they did *somehow* manage to fix things so no one could get cut, that blade is large enough to break a man's back."

Listening to the two boys, Serge frowned from where he stood a few steps behind them. He glanced at Glenn and caught the man's eye. "They don't even think that he might have magic," he murmured, letting his surprise show.

Glenn had spoken to Albert, the brown haired man having been friendly with most of them, and he nodded. "They don't have magic in their world." His eyes were drawn back to the figures on the screen and he blinked when Sano suddenly tossed his Zanbatto away. The man had stepped back so he was facing Kenshin, and his wry smile was visible.

"Is he going to fight him with his bare hands to even things out?" Van asked, glancing around. It had seemed unfair to him, that large weapon against the slender man's sword. But to have no weapon at all was even worse.

"You have it wrong," Sephiroth said softly, "That huge sword isn't an advantage to him." His voice was smooth, and his eyes slid to Vincent, a small smile curving his lips. "Sheer power isn't everything." The black-haired man glared and turned away sharply.

* * *

Moving away from his discarded weapon, Sano raised an eyebrow at Kenshin. "We both know how this is going to turn out, don't we."

"I do not want to fight you," Kenshin said softly, shaking his head. Despite his words, he had replaced his empty sheath with the sword. But he had no intention of drawing it.

"Ah, but it's for a good cause," Sano grinned. "And I won't lose without a fight. Come on, Kenshin. Just consider this training." His muscles tensed, and he leaned forward just a bit, his fists raised.

He didn't want to hurt him again. Kenshin knew from the man's stance that he was ready for combat, but their recent battle was set in his mind. He was having trouble believing that the sword could be used without cutting things, despite what he'd seen. The consequences would be horrifying if the lavender-skinned man was wrong. His violet eyes narrowed when Sano suddenly rushed him, and he jerked back, dodging the man's fists.

"You're faster!" Kenshin muttered, ducking away as the tall man continued to advance on him. The blows were hard to follow, Sano's speed much greater than it had been during their last fight and he jerked his sheath up, blocking the man's fist as he couldn't get back quick enough. The impact was startling, and he leapt away, his eyes wide.

Sano grinned when Kenshin drew his sword, his breath catching briefly. "That's more like it. I've improved, neh?"

"You have," Kenshin murmured, his eyes narrow. The tall man didn't advance, and he looked at him for a moment, glancing from Sano's raised fists to his bright eyes. He'd fought him twice only, but he was accustomed to the man taking the offensive, his rushes often blind and fueled by too much enthusiasm. But he was waiting now, and Kenshin wasn't sure what to make of that. He fought to defend himself, and others, but it looked like he would have to be the one to attack now. Glaring, he made up his mind to do it quickly and finish the fight before his young friend could be hurt more than was necessary.

Sano's eyes widened when Kenshin disappeared, his speed too fast to be followed, and he looked up. As he'd known, the man was above him, but he wasn't about to wait for the familiar attack and he leapt back just as the sword swept down where he'd been. Kenshin's head snapped back, and Sano had a brief moment of glory as he took in the former battousai's surprise.

Rock gave way beneath the force of his attack, and Kenshin crouched for a second before launching after the tall man. It was not the first time a person had managed to move fast enough to evade his attack, but he was shocked that Sano had done so. The man had not been exaggerating his improvements. But Kenshin still held the advantage of his speed and he caught Sano's arm with a glancing tentative blow. He'd paused to take in the fact that the sword had not cut him, and he barely managed to leap back before Sano's retaliation could strike him. But it was well worth it as he knew Shin had told him the truth, the sword was as good as his reverse blade. Halting for a split second, Kenshin turned the sword, his eyes flashing, then he attacked.

Nothing had changed. Sano knew the moment Kenshin advanced, and while he was able to dodge a few of the strikes, he simply couldn't match the man's speed. Kenshin was so much faster that he no longer had time to attempt an attack of his own as he tried to avoid the man's darting movements, so fast he could barely see them. Then the man disappeared again, a powerful blow burning against his back and throwing him forward. Crouching, Sano recovered his balance and turned, but the man was gone again. This time, he didn't move fast enough, and he raised his arms, spotting the man high above him. The blow knocked him to the ground, silence filling his ears as the dust cleared and he gasped.

It never failed to amaze him, Kenshin's technique. He couldn't pinpoint where the man had hit him, but he felt as if he'd been crushed and he faltered a bit when he pushed himself onto his knees. Then his eyes snapped open wide and he looked up, the tip of a bright blade touching his neck. Narrow violet eyes glared at him for a moment, then he pulled away slowly and collapsed onto his back, a wide grin curving his lips. "Damn."

* * *

"He's so fast," Trunks said softly, following the movements on the screen as the two men fought. A snort sounded behind him, and he knew Vegeta was thinking that a saiyan was faster. But for a human, the red-haired man had lightning speed. It was obvious that many of the men watching were unable to follow his movements.

"How can he put so much power behind such short-timed blows?" Van asked, glancing at Trunks. "Where does he get the strength?" The lavender-haired teen shook his head, and he looked back to the screen, frowning when he could barely see the two men. "How could the tall one even hope to fight him without a weapon? If they know each other, he should have known better than to fight him with his bare hands. If his sword was useless, then it's hardly a fair fight."

"Hey," Irvine objected, moving a bit closer to the short boy. "I use a gun, not a sword. Does that mean I should only fight those who use guns and magic? What happens when someone with magic and a sword," he waved to Squall, "goes up against one of them?" Van frowned at him, and he turned. He was also having trouble following the fight, and he could tell already who was going to win so he didn't feel obligated to pay close attention. "If that's the definition of fairness, making things the same, then none of these fights are going to be fair." Many of the others were looking at him, and he glanced at the screen one more time before turning away. "How many of you guys fight with a gun?" Squall raised an eyebrow at him, and he smiled, shaking his head. "You don't count, Squall, your gunblade is mostly used as a sword, anyway." The dark-haired teen nodded and Irvine looked around. "Well?" Not receiving an answer, he tilted his head a bit. "Right. And how many of you use swords?"

"We use swords," Serge said, motioning to Glenn, "and magic."

Lantis and Kamui both nodded, glancing at each other when they found themselves moving at the same time. Kamui blinked, then looked back to Irvine.

"I fight with a sword when I'm not using my guymelef," Van said slowly.

"Is that a mobile suit?" Wufei asked, frowning at the boy. Van didn't seem to know what that meant, and he looked away. "Well, I also have experience with a sword outside of my suit."

"I used to use a sword," Trunks put in, surprised at how many of them had that in common. "Though, I don't have it any more." His eyes narrowed as he thought about how useless the blade had been against the androids and he turned back to the screen.

"Wow," Irvine muttered, blinking. "I guess most of you are sword fighters."

"I am," Sephiroth said suddenly, raising his chin. "But he fights with a gun and magic." He waved a hand at Vincent who was watching the screen.

"Really?" Irvine asked, looking at the red-clothed man. Vincent glanced at him and gave a nod. "Well, I guess I'm not the only one then. But there sure are a lot of sword fighters here. I wonder why." His words trailed off and he folded his arms over his chest, not bothering to look at the screen.

Lantis had his arm curved over Eagle's shoulder, and he looked at the man, making certain he was watching the battle. "We will have to take note of his speed," he said, speaking of Kenshin. "But I wouldn't discredit the tall one so quickly. He must be fast to have lasted this long, and that sword, they wouldn't have given it to him if he couldn't use it."

"It must weigh a ton," Eagle nodded, "He'd have to be very strong."

"But they're still unevenly matched," Irvine muttered. "Power against speed, that's not a good fight."

Squall nodded sharply. "Power is useless if you can't land a punch. But he's still faster than you or I. Against someone with speed, his power doesn't help him."

Shin was still standing back, out of sight from the males, and he smirked at Squall's words. Glancing at the two saiyans, he wondered if Trunks was listening to what he'd said. Not that it mattered since the boy wouldn't remember any of it later, but he knew both he and Vegeta often focused on sheer power alone. He didn't have to look to know when the match ended, and he stepped forward suddenly. "The battle has ended. The winner, Kenshin Himura."

Everyone stirred, and Quatre stared at the two men, watching as Sano fell onto his back. Trowa was right behind him, and he blushed, glancing at him. "Are they supposed to just do it there on the battlefield?" he whispered, "in front of everyone?" The tall boy's left eye twitched and he glanced away, shifting uncomfortably.

Shin closed his eyes and Kuja smirked at him. He was ready to cast a bewitching spell if necessary, but he didn't think it would be needed. Looking at the others, Kuja's smirk widened. They did look embarrassed, but none had turned away yet, or offered to go where they couldn't see the screen.

* * *

Sano smirked when Shin's voice reached them, the announcement that Kenshin had won being old news to him. He'd known the man would win the moment they were moved onto the field. "Well, that's it." Holding out a hand, he smiled up at Kenshin. "Help me up."

Blinking in surprise, Kenshin sheathed his sword. He stepped forward and took Sano's hand, but the man abruptly tugged him down. "Sano."

With an arm wrapped around the slender man's waist, Sano kissed him, grinning when he pulled back to see a bright flush covering Kenshin's cheeks. As Shin had said earlier, his injuries were gone and he rolled them over with ease, propping himself up. "I'll top, if you don't mind," he said softly. "We have to do this, after all. Of course, I will concede if you want to assert your rights. You did win." Kenshin's face was red, and he placed a light kiss on the man's lips before straightening. He hadn't expected him to, after all, Kenshin had never taken him in the past. "Okay, then."

* * *

"If Kenshin won, doesn't this go against your rules?"

Shin's eyes opened, and he turned, taking in Kamui's raised eyebrow. "Not in this case. Neither of them has a problem with this, and he is getting what he wants from the loser."

People were dropping their eyes now, and Kuja moved in front of the screen, his stance mocking. "Prudes. Look at you, pretending you don't want to watch. Why? Are you afraid those here who know you will think badly of you?" Not everyone had looked away, and a few glanced up at him. "They won't remember this, and chances are," he smirked at Albert when the man glared at him, "they want to look as much as you do." His taunts didn't seem to rile them, and he turned back to the screen. "Besides, any one of you might be next. If I were in this, I'd want to know what I was in for if I lost to them. Or if I won." A soft snort sounded behind him, and he grinned over his shoulder when he saw Sephiroth smirking at him.

* * *

Sano's knees were to either side of Kenshin's narrow waist, and he had a wonderful view of the red-haired man's wide eyes. The area they were in may not have been real, but there was a yellow sun in the blue sky above them, and the light sparked on the faint blush tinting Kenshin's cheeks. He'd claimed dominance for their consummation of the battle, and Sano wasn't hesitating, not really. But he was thinking about the explanations earlier. They'd been interspersed with so many comments from the fighters that he'd had a difficult time following it. Still, there had been a comment about time travel that had caught his attention before, and he thought of that now as he stared at the slender man motionless beneath him. He hadn't seen Kenshin blush since the first time they'd had sex and the blush hadn't made a single appearance since they began making love instead.

The man's violet eyes were wide, trimmed with long black lashes that made him look fragile and innocent. The thought was a complete contradiction to the former battousai he knew so well, and Sanosuke smirked suddenly and lowered himself until the open edges of his white jacket touched Kenshin's chest. Sweeping his forefinger over the man's smooth brow with deliberate slowness, he curled a long strand of red hair before tugging it sharply. His smirk turned into an abrupt grin when Kenshin's eyes flashed at him and the man frowned suddenly. Obviously time hadn't changed much; Kenshin did *not* like to have his hair yanked.

"You're awfully skittish," Sano murmured slowly, knowing his eyes were warm as he could see the man relax minutely. "Those guys back there said something that makes me wonder. I'm sure you're thinking about it, too, though. You notice everything."

Kenshin frowned for a few seconds, then gave a nod. "You are different than I remember, too much time has passed. The last time I saw you, Sano, is when you grabbed my sword." He'd taken the dark-haired man's wrist as he spoke, and he raised the striped palm, brushing his fingers over the pale scar. Sano was leaning on one elbow, but for a moment Kenshin was able to forget how close the young man was to him.

Amber sparks were visible through lowered lashes, and Sano sat up quickly, tugging on Kenshin's arm as he took the older man's hand. "So...you don't know what happened the night after that fight...?" The man didn't frown the way he'd expected, and Sano blinked in surprise when Kenshin looked away. "Guess not. In that case, I can't expect too much from you." He was thinking that it had taken them weeks into months before their interludes became more than just physical. It was odd, irritating actually. When he'd seen Kenshin in that room, he'd been relieved and happy, and he hadn't understood the man's confusion. Now he wondered how he was supposed to act. He couldn't just pretend he didn't love the man, but it was too much to expect a return of feelings. "This sucks."

It was given in such a frustrated tone, Sano's expression close enough to a pout to make his lips twitch and Kenshin gave a small smile. "I understand, de gozaru." What happened next was unpredictable, and he blinked wide eyes as Sano gave him a hard but quick kiss before pulling back again. "What...?" The man's grin was reassuring to an extent, and he closed his mouth slowly.

"I love it when you're all polite like that," Sano said easily, shoving aside his former irritation. They may have come from different times, but he could honestly say that the sweet side he liked so much in Kenshin hadn't changed much. If anything, it was nice to see him without that cold determination that had ruled him the last time they'd seen each other. There was no sign of that now, and he brushed his palm along the man's cheek, tracing the long part of that cross-shaped scar with his thumb. Then he pushed his fingers into the thick hair gathered at the back of the man's neck, pulling Kenshin to him.

Sano slipped an arm around Kenshin's waist as he kissed the man, and he resisted the urge to grin as a quick thought ran through his mind; cold fish. It wasn't true since the slender man was warm enough, but he did miss the confident passion he usually received in return for his advances. A quick peak through his own thick lashes showed that Kenshin's eyes were closed, a light flush highlighting his cheeks and that was consolation. After all, he was used to being the one blushing and it was nice to be the calm one for a change; it was hard to fluster Kenshin.

Kenshin wasn't an innocent, he'd been married, and he was much older than the young man kissing him. Despite that knowledge, Kenshin felt as if he were cornered in a fight without his sword. Out of his element, that summed it up perfectly and the small part of him that was still capable of rational thought gave kudos to Sano for his technique. The young man's kiss had diverted him enough that he hadn't noticed he was being lowered onto his back until Sano propped himself up, releasing his mouth with a reluctance Kenshin shared. "One thing," Kenshin said softly, closing his eyes for a moment as he calmed that bit of him that was, indeed, feeling 'skittish.' "You came from my future. Do we do this often?" Sano stared for a second, then sputtered and Kenshin let out a small laugh, enjoying how flustered the man looked.

"Here's your chance to find out about the future, and you want to know how often we make love. Well, I guess it's nice to know what your priorities are." Kenshin was still smiling, and Sano leaned down and kissed the man's smooth right cheek. His lips curved till he could flick his tongue against Kenshin's earlobe and the man shivered when he whispered directly into his ear. "As often as we get a chance. Not too often, but I admit, it's been too long."

"Ah." It was strange, staring at a pale blue sky while Sanosuke Sagara was kissing his neck, and Kenshin couldn't think how the man was so easy. He felt calluses on his chest as a hand slipped beneath his magenta robe, and he met Sano's kiss halfway, thinking that youth made men versatile and more adaptable. Then he didn't care to think anymore as fingers caressed his nipples and he moved his tongue against Sano's, a natural reaction that probably should have surprised him. It didn't.

Sano knew the moment Kenshin got into it as a strong yet familiar hand gripped his shoulder and he moved down a few inches so he could run his lips over bare skin where the dark pink cloth parted at Kenshin's chest. The hand on his shoulder moved, sliding beneath his jacket so the black trimmed cloth hung off one shoulder. Then Kenshin's fingers were playing in his hair and he let out a long-suffering groan when the man jerked loose his headband. He still didn't see what Kenshin found so attractive about his short, thick hair. To him, Kenshin's long red locks were much more interesting; his own hair merely fell into his face without his headband. Yet it never failed and he had to give a distracted smile to think that even ignorant of their relationship, Kenshin wasn't any different.

Rubbing his forehead over Kenshin's chest, Sano pushed aside the man's robe so he could take his nipple into his mouth. It was wonderful retaliation, though that wasn't his purpose, and the man arched beneath him. There was a hand splayed against his stomach, and Sano's breathing increased as Kenshin brushed his fingertips beneath the waist of his pants. Sano was used to the fact that Kenshin was surprisingly restless during sex, and he braced himself with one hand as his other undid the sash about Kenshin's waist. He hadn't looked at the man for a reason, but he glanced up now and shivered at the rush of adrenalin that answered those gold-flecked violet eyes. Kenshin's arms curved around his neck and he pressed him against the ground, mindless of how rough it was as they kissed.

One surprising strength he had over Kenshin was that he could hold his breath longer, and Sano didn't break the kiss until the red-haired man pushed him back. He didn't feel the least big guilty and he let the pale man gasp for a second or two, enjoying his breathless flush. Then he kissed him again, his hand roaming between them and sliding into the billowy pants Kenshin wore. When they parted, Sano was a little disappointed by the clear eyes that met him as Kenshin held him at hand length, just looking at him. He had his hand resting on Kenshin's thigh, and he moved it suddenly, wrapping his long fingers around the man's erection as dark eyes narrowed in an utterly decadent gaze.

Neither had spoken of it, but Sano had wondered where the others were in relation to their position. If it hadn't been for them, he'd have undressed Kenshin long before, and it was certainly more convenient not to have clothing as a barrier. But he could imagine that *someone* had to be watching, and he had no intention of giving them a view of his lover. Having undone Kenshin's pants, he helped the shorter man remove them before crouching between his bent legs. The top of Kenshin's robe fell low enough and his own long coat practically hid the smaller man as he stretched out over him. His own careful thoughts seemed too meticulous as Kenshin pulled him close and his hands fondled the man, squeezing softly as he stroked him with a slow and steady rhythm that was at odds with the redhead's movements beneath him.

Kenshin's head tilted back as Sano tasted his neck and he could feel the sheen visible on the pale man. He couldn't remember the last time Kenshin had been aroused so easily, but he had to remind himself that for him it was the first time they'd made love. His urge was to drive the man insane, the idea so very tempting. Never before had he been the experienced one; Kenshin had as much knowledge of women as he did, if not more, and neither of them had previously held male lovers. But he knew more now, and he would have loved to take advantage of that. The reality of their situation was a niggling in the back of his mind and while he could divert his attention, he couldn't forget completely. Thus, he had a drive to hurry that countered his other preferences. The small sounds Kenshin was making in his throat didn't help his physical need any either and his hand moved faster of its own accord.

When he came, Kenshin had to remind himself that he was not a virgin and that it was not the first time he'd reached release. He felt as if it were. He felt foggy, weighed down and almost too comfortable. A groan of irritation nearly escaped his lips when Sano shifted him and he had a foreign urge to tell the man to be still and hold him. This made a soft smile curve his lips and he wondered if that was what he usually did after he and Sano were finished. As it was, they weren't finished at all, and he winced when a wet finger pressed into him. It didn't really hurt, but if felt odd, that presence within him and he was just moving to get more comfortable when it was gone just as quick. Strong hands gripped his legs and he looked at Sano's dark eyes as the man bent them close to his chest, arms bracing the underside of his knees. Kenshin's hands had been idle for the most part, but he dug them into Sano's thick hair and pulled the man's mouth down to his.

Sano closed his eyes, concentrating on the intense kiss Kenshin had initiated. This was how he remembered him, worked up and free of reservation, not shy and wary, although that side was endearing. Encouraged, he pressed against the man, angling him up as he'd undone his pants enough to remove any barriers. Then he was moving in, not pausing until Kenshin rested flush against him and he swirled his tongue against the red-haired man's, his eyes flicking open to take in Kenshin's expression. He looked uncomfortable, but not horribly so. Sano shifted back a few inches, ignoring the strong arms that tried to hold him still as he tilted Kenshin's hips before pushing in again. This time was much better and the mouth he'd been exploring jerked away as the man gave a sketchy gasp. Dark violet eyes opened to slits and stared at him for a second before he was pulled down for another kiss, Kenshin encouraging him as the man's hips moved against his.

They moved together after that, and Sano's hand drifted down to stroke the length beneath him as their movements became short and quick. It didn't take long, and he would have collapsed onto his side if he hadn't been aware of their lack of bathing facilities. Instead, he remained propped up over Kenshin, his hair brushing the older man's chest as he caught his breath. After nearly three minutes, he opened his eyes and smiled at Kenshin's obvious exhaustion and his satisfied smile. If there was one expression he loved to see, it was that small smile Kenshin wore when he was utterly content. Unfortunately, they couldn't stay there. Sano could imagine how embarrassing it would be to have Shin show up to take the back before they'd gotten dressed. With this in mind, he gave Kenshin a quick kiss before pulling him up into a sitting position. The man frowned but accepted his pants, wincing as he pulled them on.

"No bath," Sano said softly. He was looking around, again stricken by how bare the area was. There didn't seem to be anything except flat, tan rock for as far as he could see. Even the damage done by their brief fight was gone. Kenshin stood and began tying the white sash about his waist and Sano looked away, glaring as his hair fell down into his eyes. It wasn't that long, and it stood on its own for the most part, but a few strands always fell down. He was looking for the headband Kenshin had taken off earlier when the ground beneath him disappeared. There was no sense of travel, but suddenly he was staring at a shadowy white floor. He didn't have to look to know that they were back, and he touched the red band tied about his forehead, snorting as there obviously hadn't been need to look for it. No need for a bath either, as he didn't feel dirty. In fact, if he hadn't known better he'd think they never fought, let alone made love. Then he straightened his shoulders and looked around.

Kenshin was standing near him, and he noticed that the man's sheath was at his waist once more, but the sword was gone again. He'd expected people to stare at them, and he could feel his face heating as he looked at the number of people standing mere feet away. They were staring at the floor, a few with their backs to him and he glanced from the square picture on the wall behind him back to them. Pale blue eyes caught his, and he blinked at the tall white-haired man leaning against the wall. Sephiroth winked at him and he felt his face burn for a second before he glared at the man and turned away. No one spoke, and he stepped to Kenshin, putting an arm around the man's waist. Violet eyes met his for a moment, then Kenshin's back straightened and he stepped to the wall, leaning against it with a threatening glare as if daring anyone to speak. With a quick smirk, Sano moved to stand beside him.

Shin had remained in the back, not having to be present in order to move the combatants onto and back from the field. Actually, it was a joint effort involving all four of them. A few of the men looked up when he stepped forward, but not all. Kuja was glaring at them, and Shin frowned at the young man, a futile effort to reign him in. Clef was nearly hidden near the back wall, his small stature no doubt cutting his view of what had just happened on the field. It was just as well as far as Shin was concerned. The mage had no interest in that. Tsunami had stood near the view screen, and he was still there. Shin moved to him now, exchanging a long look.

"No complications," Tsunami said softly, gazing through a fall of fine white hair was he looked at Sano and Kenshin without turning his head. "Good choice. Name the next two now."

Nodding, Shin looked at the group, raising his voice when a few continued to stare at the floor. "The next battle will take place immediately. The combatants; Sephiroth and Vincent Valentine."

* * *
TBC