Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Heaven In Your Arms ❯ Black Heart ( Chapter 12 )

Chapter 12:Black Heart

 

Having finished lunch and not hanging around to try and work in the noisy lunch hall any longer, Sano had moved across campus to the library, for the first time in his life really wanting to get some work done so he'd have a free weekend with Kenshin! He didn't want to be stuck doing work when he could be having `fun' with his cute little History teacher. Still, he would need to go out shopping for clothes and stuff as he'd now lost everything, and Sano sunk in his chair at that thought. To buy stuff, you need money, and to get money, you need a job….

 

…and he was currently suspended from his.

 

Damn.

 

Leaving his work on the table for the moment, Sano wandered out of the library to a pay phone just outside. Checking his watch, thinking that Tae would probably be at the club right now doing stock checks, Sano dialled the number and waited for the answer.

 

“Hello?” came the southern voice from the other end.

 

“Err, Tae? It's Sano.”

 

“Oh.” Came the flat voice.

 

“Um, look,” Sano said awkwardly, “I'm really sorry about the other night, but I'm in a bit of financial situation right now and could really do with the money. Is it alright if I come back tonight?”

 

“It's only been two days Sano,” she said sternly, “We were lucky that man didn't press further charges!”

 

“Oh come on!” Sano pleaded, “You saw what he was doing!!”

 

“That's besides the point Sanosuke! That kinda thing always happens in clubs, gay clubs or otherwise. People have ta stand up for themselves, and besides, that's what the Bouncers are there for if things get to outta hand. You're a barman, you serve drinks, that's all!”

 

“Oh jeez, look,” Sano said rather exhaustedly, “my apartment burnt down last night, I don't have any money, and I need some clothes.” He said bluntly.

 

“That was your apartment?!?!” Tae suddenly squealed down the phone, “That was on the news this mornin'.”

 

“Yeah, that was mine, so can I please come back? I won't do that again I swear, I couldn't risk it now anyway.”

 

There was a pause on the line, before a small sigh, “Alright, ya can come back this evening, just make sure that you don't do that again because…” Sano didn't really pay attention to what Tae was saying after that. He had seen a certain man walking outside the window towards the car park, someone that he now remembered he'd asked Kenshin about last night, but fell asleep too fast to remember.

 

“Thanks Tae, I gotta go.” He said distractingly, in the middle of her sentence, before hanging up the phone. Running down a short corridor to the doors outside, Sano ran around the side of the building to catch up the man in the black suit taking his car keys out his pocket.

 

“Hey Saito!!”

 

Saito paused and turned around seeing Sano running up to him. He glared annoyed at him, “Don't you have any common courtesy in you at all?”

 

“Yeah great,” Sano said completely uninterested, “Look you don't have anything to do with my apartment burning down yesterday do you?”

 

Saito stared at him for a moment, before smirking, “To the point I see. What if I did? I told you stay away from Kenshin, and I told you that I don't give second chances.”

 

Sano was slightly surprised at that answer. It was him? He'd only asked cos he wouldn't have put it passed him, but he didn't actually expect it to be him. Sano glared back at him as the realisation sunk in. “What the hell is your problem? Was burning down my apartment supposed to be a warning?!”

 

Saito chuckled, “Idiot. You were supposed to be in the building.” He said bluntly, as Sano instinctively took a small step back at that remark.

 

The guy was really trying to kill him…… What he heck is going on?!

 

Saito walked up to him, leering down at him. He paused for a moment, eyes boring into Sano's with an equal glare to return, “I'd be careful if I were you.” He said, “You seem to be one of these people who thinks they're better than others, that they can overcome anything that stands in their way. It's people like you, who get hurt first, because they can't get through their thick heads when to quit.” Sano bit back a remark, for a part of him was starting to wonder exactly what influence this guy had. “Regardless of what I say however I know very well you'll still see Kenshin again, even though you have no idea of who he really is—“

 

“Will you stop saying that?!” Sano suddenly yelled, causing Saito to blink in surprise, “Enough with all the cryptic clues, you just like to hear yourself talk don't you?! If I don't know `the real' Kenshin then why the hell don't you tell me huh?”

 

Saito stared back at him, that smirk returning to his lips, “You really want to know? Why don't you ask Kenshin yourself? Ask him, for example, where he got that sword in his office from? Or, I believe you had a Detective Seta around to ask questions yesterday,” Sano frowned. How did he know that? “Why don't you ask him why he broke up with Kenshin?” And how did he know that?! “Ask Kenshin about where he lived before he came to live with Aoshi and Megumi? Ask him where he got his scar on his cheek from? There are so many questions. Just ask him, and see the air of awkwardness that'll follow. You want to know now, but when you find out I can guarantee you'll wish you'd kept your curious little mouth shut.”

 

Leaving that statement in the air, Saito turned around to head back to his car. Sano watched him for a moment, unnerved for the fact that those were questions he had been thinking of asking Kenshin. Not to be nosy, just find out more about him. He loved him, he wanted to know everything about him, and he now felt a slight pang of worry as to whether or not he should ask those questions. It's not that he didn't trust Kenshin, but Saito seemed so damn sure about Kenshin's past…what happened? He wanted to know, but at the same time, was worried of what he'd find out. Where exactlydid Kenshin live before? And how did he get that scar? And why did Soujirou break up with him?

Sano wished the nervousness rushing through him would go away. He didn't like this feeling, he didn't like the idea that Kenshin was hiding something, but, at the same time, Sano felt like he wouldn't care what it was. It couldn't be that bad surely, it's not like he'd gone on a mad killing spree or anything….. Sano laughed to himself at that. It made him feel slightly better, telling himself that whatever Kenshin did, whatever had happened, it wouldn't matter. He loved Kenshin, no one's perfect, everyone has their ups and downs, so if Kenshin did ever tell him, he'd stick with him, he wouldn't push him away.

 

“Saito!! Saito!!”

 

Both Saito and Sano suddenly turned around to see Kenshin run out from behind one of the buildings, searching around almost frantically, “Saito!!” he called again, before spotting him by his car. “Sai—“ but he stopped. Kenshin saw Sano standing there with him, and his momentary shocked eyes suddenly narrowed. Walking up to them with a determined stride, Kenshin ignored Sano, keeping his eyes on Saito, “Go back to class Sano.” He said, his voice seeming deeper.

 

“But—“

 

“Go back to class!!” Kenshin demanded again, snapping his head round to face him. Sano's eyes went wide at the look on Kenshin's face. His eyes were the same eyes he'd seen that first day when he bumped into Kenshin walking out of his office, narrow and unwavering, a glare that could easily stop you in your tracks.

 

“…ok.” He said, not wanting to see that look directed at him, so backed away, before turning around, glancing back once again at the two of them, and heading round the corner of the building and out of sight.

 

“You should be careful Kenshin, or he won't need me to tell him about you, he'll guess anyway.”

 

“Shut up!” Kenshin demanded, “What did you say to him?!”

 

After Saito had left his office, Kenshin had a terrible thought that he might go and find Sano. He didn't want him speaking to Sano again, so he ran out his office to try and find him, to make sure he would stay away from him. Looks like he'd been right.

 

“Why are you trying to kill him? Why did you start that fire?!” Kenshin said through a strained voice, trying to keep this conversation quiet but difficult with an anger building up inside him. “Why are you doing this? You never did this with Soujirou, you don't have a reason, that you don't!”

 

“Don't have a reason?” Saito said comically, “You just don't understand do you Kenshin?”

 

Kenshin stared up at him, now slightly confused. “Understand what? I've paid you every month since I was 11 years old, just as you asked of me, you don't need to do this. And I'm sorry I couldn't pay you this mouth, but I will, I just need a little more tim--.”

 

“You think this about the money?” Saito interrupted.

 

Kenshin looked taken a back that. He thought that perhaps trying to hurt Sano was a way at getting back at him for not paying up this month, despite what Saito had done to him anyway, but if it wasn't the money, then what…?

 

Saito took a step closer to him, placing his hand on Kenshin's cheek, tracing his scar with his thumb, “I would have thought our little evening together would have told you that something has changed.”

 

Kenshin automatically flinched at his touch, and at the memory, but stayed his ground, “You're right, I don't understand.”

 

“It's quite simple. As I said that night, you have grown into a very attractive young man over the years Kenshin, so much so in fact, that I think a little change in plan is in order.” Kenshin watched him carefully, what did he want now? “I don't just want the money anymore…” he said, leaning in closer, “…I want have you, just like that night.”

 

“What?!” Kenshin exclaimed, “No!” he said sternly, “I will not let you do that to me again, that I most certainly will not!”

 

“You don't have a choice Kenshin.”

 

“That wasn't in the letter-“

 

“The letter?” Saito laughed, “At the time I wrote that letter I needed the money, now I want something else.”

 

“It wasn't in the letter, we did not agree on this.”

 

Saito chuckled again, “You still don't understand do you? Regardless of what was in that letter, you forget that you're my little puppet on string. Just because what I want now was never in writing, if you don't do as I say, I'll go back to them, I'll tell them where you are. The reason I want Sanosuke out the picture is because your body belongs to me now-“

 

“No-“

 

“-I want him away from you. Your mine. You have to do everything I say Kenshin, it's quite simple.”

 

Kenshin stared with a lost gaze up at Saito. What was he going do? It was true, even though it's not what they agreed in the letter, even though this would mean he'd be….practically selling himself to Saito….

 

He didn't have any choice at all.

 

He didn't want to go back.

 

He didn't want Sano to get hurt.

 

Kenshin lowered his head, looking at the concrete ground beneath him before closing his eyes, a lump forming in his throat at what he was about to say.

 

“If…if I let you do this, can I at least stay with Sano?” he asked quietly, “I won't let him find out, I promise he won't get in the way. Please don't hurt him, but please let him stay.” Even if he had to give himself to Saito, if Sano was there to hold him afterwards, it could be just about bearable.

 

Saito looked at Kenshin, his long bangs of hair covering his eyes as he stood there pleading with him. He knew he was putting him through such torment, but that was half the fun. Most would call it sadistic, but to Saito, it was almost art. To control such beauty, to control its expressions and movements, Kenshin was for him, a canvas he could paint anguish and pain onto, with just a flick of his brush, just a sentence of words, he could create an artwork of suffering.

 

“Alright,” Saito said, enjoying this now knowing he was going to get what he wanted, “I'll let you stay with this boy, but every month when I come round, I want him out, understand?”

 

Kenshin nodded numbly, trying not to think about next month. As Saito turned around and headed back over to his car, Kenshin watched him go, the engine starting up and pulling out of the parking space.

Had it really come to this? He'd left that place so they couldn't tell him what to do, so they couldn't make him do that horrible thing anymore, but he was still being controlled, he still couldn't escape, he'd be under Saito's control forever.

 

There was nothing he could do.

 

-----

 

As Sano collected his books from the library and headed back to class, he couldn't but wonder if Aoshi and Megumi knew anything about Kenshin's past. Surely they must have asked him, a strange boy turning up on their doorstep with a sword one evening, they must have had loads of questions. Maybe he'd ask them if they knew anything? Even if it's just where he lived before, Kenshin must have told them something. Turning round one corner, he saw a girl standing in front of the Staff Room. Walking up to her, he tapped her on her shoulder, “Hey, you don't know where Mr Shinomori or Miss---“

 

“Aoshi?”

 

Sano stared down at the girl, her long plaited ponytail heading down her back, “Err..yeah.”

 

“My Aoshi? What do you want with my Aoshi!?” she demanded, her hands on her hips.

 

“Huh?” Sano said, confused, before a memory suddenly came to light, “Oh, wait a minute, you're not…Misao are you?” he asked, remembering Yahiko warning him about her on his first day here.

 

“Yeah I am! And as I said, what do you withmy Aoshi!?” she demanded again, taking a step towards him, making Sano step back.

 

“I just wanna ask him something, I'm not gonna kidnap him or anything.” He said, before he suddenly found a hand coming towards his face as she slapped him.

 

“Ow!! Jeez what the hell was that for?!” he said glaring back at her.

 

“How dare you even think about kidnapping him!!!” she yelled at him.

 

“I just said I wasn't you idiot!!” Sano snapped back, “Don't you listen?!”

 

“Why you…” Misao grabbed his shirt as the two of them practically growled at each other face to face, before the Staff Room door opened and out walked the very person they'd been fighting over.

 

“Oh, Mr Shinomori!” she said, dropping Sano and turning to face him, looking suddenly sweet and innocent.

 

Aoshi, seeing what had been going on, sighed, “What are you doing Misao?”

 

“Nothing, I just wanted to see you.” She smiled.

 

Aoshi looked across at Sano, who nodded over at him indicating he wanted to talk to him.

 

“Well you've seen me, please go back to your class.” He said bluntly, walking over to Sano and heading off down the corridor, Sano walking behind him.

 

“Ohhh…” Misao sighed, wanting to show him the pictures of him she'd taken while following him on his ski-ing holiday.

 

-----

 

The two of them walked out into the sunshine, Aoshi sitting on a bench just outside.

 

“You looked troubled,” Aoshi said, “Anything I can help with?”

 

Sano paused for a moment, not sure exactly how to ask his question, but sat down next to him anyway. “Err, I was just wondering if…if Kenshin has ever told you about his past, before he came to live with you?”

 

“No,” Aoshi said, watching the water from the outdoor fountain fall down into the small pool of water underneath. “And I've never asked. Would you like to know why I have never asked?”

 

Sano nodded.

 

“Because I don't need to know. No one can change their past, just as much as you can't change what you had for breakfast yesterday. Whatever may have happened in Kenshin's past, the outcome of it was the man that I now call my brother, the man that you fell in love with. Everyone has secrets, may they be big or small, secrets are secrets because the person keeping that secret does not want others to know. All I know is that Kenshin's secret eats away at him. When he was 18 he was in love with a young man named Soujirou Seta, who loved him back just as much. Kenshin thought he had found someone who would accept him no matter what he may have done in his past. He loved him, and he knew Soujirou loved him back. So he told him. He told him everything about his past. And do you know what Soujirou did?”

 

Sano shook his head, and Aoshi turned to look at him, looking directly into his eyes.

 

“He told Kenshin straight to his face that he hated him.”

 

Sano blinked in shock. No….no way. That's just cruel! Surely nothing could be bad enough to say to someone you loved that you now suddenly hated them. That bastard!! Sano found himself unconsciously clenching his fists. If he saw that Soujirou again he'd make sure he regretted hurting Kenshin, no wonder that was such an awkward atmosphere when he came round, Kenshin probably didn't know how to react!

 

“How would you feel if that happened to you?” Aoshi continued, “The one person that you loved more than anything on this planet, the one person who you truly believed would be the one to love you no matter what…how would you feel if that person said that they hated you, then turned around and never saw them again?” Sano didn't want to imagine that. Man if Kenshin did that to him….Sano shuddered. He never wanted to loose Kenshin. “Kenshin was completely heartbroken. He had put every bit of his trust in Soujirou, and he had walked away. Kenshin fell into a deep depression after that, lasted for almost a year.”

 

Sano sat back on the bench and stared up at the fountain, shock still evident on his face. How could anyone do that to Kenshin?

 

“But that's another reason I've never asked Kenshin about his past. I don't want to hate him. Whatever happened, it's over, nothing can be changed. Whatever Kenshin used to be like, he's not like that any more. There's no sense in blaming someone for something they regret and can't do anything about, it just causes more pain.”

 

Sano frowned, glancing over at him, “Wait…if you don't know what he did, how do you know he regrets it?”

 

Aoshi paused for a moment before answering, “Because no one, no matter how terrible a thing they may have done, could possibly have turned out as kind and gentle as Kenshin. No one with a black heart could be like him, so he either regrets whatever he had done, or was forced to have a black heart in the first place, managing to escape from it.”

 

Sano wasn't entirely sure what he meant by that, but it sounded better. So basically, whatever Kenshin had done made someone who was desperately in love with him say they hated him straight to his face, making Kenshin fall in depression. Sano imagined for a moment if that had been him walking away, but seeing a heart broken face on Kenshin was something Sano never wanted to see, especially if it was himself being the cause of it.

Well, he'd make sure he wouldn't do that. Whatever it was, he'd make sure he wouldn't make Soujirou's mistake. If he ever found out about Kenshin's past, he wouldn't put him through that depression again, he'd stay, and make sure he didn't feel alone. After all, that's what being in love with someone is all about, staying with them through all the tough times, accepting them for everything that's a part of them…

 

…right?

 

To Be Continued…