Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ True Honor ❯ True Honor ( One-Shot )

Title: True Honor

Scenario 3: Love Triangle

Author: sirencirce

E-mail: siren_circe@yahoo.com

Warnings: Lemon…steamy, hot sex between two men. Cussing and a tad bit of violence and references to suicide.

Summary: Sano goes to Saitou for one night of pleasure to forget about his broken heart. But when his former lover is aware of Saitou, jealousy ensues and Saitou finds himself fighting the most important battle of his life.

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Author's notes:

~*~*~*~*~ = Flashbacks

******* = Scene changes

*********

"This ends now Battousai." Saitou drew his sword.

"I couldn't agree more." Kenshin crouched down into a fighting stance.

"I do not know what brought this on, but I must say that it couldn't be more welcome." Saitou bowed respectfully to his opponent and dropped into a fighting stance as well.

"You should leave Sano alone, that you should." Kenshin's eyes flashed golden.

"So that is what this about? Are you forgetting something Himura? You are the reason he came to me."

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ahou, what the hell?" Saitou looked up from his paper work as the rooster-head burst open his office door and stumbled in drunkenly.

"He left me," Sano stated as if that phrase explained everything. Saitou supposed it did somewhat, if only he knew who the kid was talking about.

"And just who is this 'he' in which you have referred?" Saitou wasn't even aware the kid was in a relationship.

"Kenshin, you idiot! As if you didn't know." Sano's face turned red with anger, or was it already red with the flush of drunkenness? Saitou couldn't tell.

"I didn't know. I am not omniscient you moron." Saitou pulled a metal box from his desk and grabbed a cigarette from its interior.

"He was afraid that someone would find out and tell Karou. Can't hurt Karou now can we?" The older man wasn't used to hearing the bitterness in Sano's voice, and decided that it didn't suit the boy well.

"And you are telling me this because…" Saitou prompted as he placed the cigarette between his lips and took out a match. The smell of sulfur filled the room as he lit the small stick.

"I want you to fuck me," Sano said quietly and sternly, leaving no doubt of his intentions. The match, however, never quite made it to the cigarette due to the fact that it fell from Saitou's gaping mouth.

"Have you completely lost your mind?" Saitou asked in a choked voice.

"I need to forget, even if it is just for tonight." Sano looked at the man with pleading eyes, raw hurt shining through.

"Why me? You have dozens of friends who would be more than happy to…help." Saitou hated to admit it, but the kid had taken him completely by surprise.

"Because I want it to be you. I trust you. Please Saitou, this is the last time I will ever ask for your help ever again. Unless…you just can't be attracted to me." Sano's chin quivered, and Saitou clenched his jaw.

"Do you even know what you are asking? You are drunk." Saitou just sat there with a confused expression on his face. "Shit, damn it to hell!" the older man grumbled as the match burnt down to his fingers, burning him. He hurried and threw what was left of the small wooden stick in the ashtray and started to bring the finger to his mouth, but the cold fingers of the ahou grabbed it.

Saitou sat transfixed as Sano brought that hand toward his mouth as he sat on the edge of the desk. A tender kiss was placed on its reddened tip, before a warm, wet tongue slithered around the burnt digit in sensual manner. Saitou just sat there, dumbfounded, until Sano drew the digit into his mouth, suckling gently. The older man closed his eyes as tingling pleasure ran down his body and centered in his groin.

His eyes shot open at the feeling of Sano sitting on his lap, straddling his legs. The younger man rubbed his cheek against Saitou's, took in the scent of the wolf, and adjusted himself so the officer could feel his arousal straining against his pants.

"Tell me you don't want me, Saitou, and I'll leave. Don't hold back on my account. I'm used to rejection." Big brown eyes stared a hole straight through his soul, and Saitou found himself drowning in those eyes. This situation needed to stop. Everything was getting out of hand and he had no control. Saitou hated not being in control. But could he really look at the kid and tell him that he didn't desire him? He might be a cold bastard most of the time, but even Saitou Hajime felt desire. And this wasn't the first time he was aroused by the rooster on his lap.

"We can't," Saitou said softly as he pushed the boy off his lap. Sano's shoulders dropped and he blinked back some tears. "We are in the police station, ahou. Now if you are serious about this, I'm on my way home, if you would like to join me." With that, Saitou grabbed his gloves and hat and walked out of the room, Sano following on his heels, apparently not as drunk as Saitou had first presumed.

The walk to his house was silent and Saitou felt somewhat uncomfortable. He was going to allow himself to be used by some street rat, and the most disturbing thing about it was the fact that he was actually looking forward to it. Lately, he had found himself spending more time at the dojo just to see Sanosuke. He had decided to pursue the young rooster-head for some unknown reason. Actually, that wasn't entirely true. Saitou was attracted to the kid's vivaciousness, his determination, and his loyalty. Basically, he was everything Saitou never allowed himself to be, and the man was tired of being alone. So, he found himself coming up with every excuse he could muster to see the young man and act when the time was right. Now that he thought about it, Himura had been acting strangely as of late. Maybe he knew of Saitou's intentions.

They entered the garden surrounding Saitou's house after the older man opened the wooden gate. They slowed their pace, and Sano drug his feet in a lazy manner. When they reached the house, Saitou opened the door for the quiet, hurting boy and followed him into the dark house.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Sano sighed as buried himself further into the futon. His body was still tingling with the amazing pleasure that he felt the previous night in 'Jime's arms. Never before had he felt so wanted, complete. While what he and Kenshin had was nice, the redhead was depressingly submissive and there were times that Sano felt that he was forcing him to be intimate. Last night…last night he might have been the one who was taken but neither of them were excessively dominant. They moved as one, they felt as one, and they became one where there was no room for dominance or submission. Kenshin had never given in to the passion as completely as Mibu's Wolf had the previous night.

He would never forget the look in 'Jime's eyes as long as he lived. The hard, stern countenance usually associated with the stoic policeman was replaced by something that was a mix between something primal and tender. The tenderness caught him by surprise. Saitou was usually very direct and to the point, so Sano had assumed that their tryst would be methodical and quick. It turned out to be the opposite. They were still connected and straining against one another as the sun peaked over the horizon, and Sano's body still had ached for more, much like it was now. Saitou had only gotten a couple hours of sleep before he left for work a few hours ago.

Sano chuckled as he recalled the scene he made earlier as the older man was trying to leave for work. He tried to convince Saitou to stay home and spend the day with him…preferably in the bedroom, but the man refused and gave him a not-so-dark scowl. The amusing thing was the way the wolf chuckled as Sano jumped the neatly dressed officer in all his naked glory and covered his face and neck in pecking kisses. It was like they had created a bubble around themselves last night, and Sano dreaded to see it end. However, right before Saitou walked out the door, he had asked Sano to stay, that they had something to discuss. Which Sano supposed that they did. Their relationship changed substantially last night and the young man found himself wondering what it would be like to wake up with Saitou every morning and lay beside him every night.

That was where the confusion came in. He was supposed to be heartbroken over Kenshin's less than gentle dismissal, yet here he was dreaming about spending the rest of his life with another man. Maybe it was too soon for him to really judge his feelings for Saitou and was just transferring what he felt for Kenshin to the former Shensingumi captain. But that couldn't be entirely true either. Wasn't his grief for Saitou's "death" that brought him and Kenshin together in the first place? What had started out as comfort turned into a relationship that Sano had dedicated his whole heart and soul to, now that he no chance with Saitou, and he had been genuinely happy with the goofy rurouni…even was falling in love with him.

Then Saitou had shown back up, and proved to everyone that he wasn't dead. Sano hadn't felt anything for the man then. At least he didn't think he did. He had Kenshin and that was all he needed in life. Kenshin, however, started to change. The redhead tended to be not as friendly when the older man was around, and started questioning Sano about who he told about their relationship. Finally, the relationship had met its end the night before, after dinner. Kenshin said that they may find their way to each other again, but Sano had known that any relationship between them was now over and would remain that way. Sano felt used. He knew that Kenshin really didn't mean it that way, but when you make love with someone until the person you really love notices, you are using that person. Maybe he was using Kenshin all this time.

The sound of someone pounding on the door broke him from his thoughts. He got up and got dressed in a hurry, wanting to get rid of the person as fast as possible. No one was supposed to be here this time of day, 'Jime was at work. The tall youth stretch languidly as he grabbed the door handle and opened it. What he found on the other side of the door was a panting Chou with worry etched on his face.

"Hey broom-head! Saitou ain't here, he left for work a couple hours ago." Sano scratched the back of his head as he watched the man catch his breath before speaking.

"I know that rooster-head, the problem is that Battousai found out too, and now they're gonna 'settle the score,' according to the little redhead. They're fightin' by the river. He told me to tell you where he was in case he didn't make it home tonight." Chou looked worried, but why? Kenshin would never kill anybody.

"Don't worry about it. They'll probably be bruised up a little, nothin' major." He really didn't see the big deal. Kenshin and Saitou always talk about settling things between them and nothing has happened as of yet.

"I know this much kid, that redhead came stormin' into the office with his yeller eyes all crazy and shit! He's off his rocker. Ya gotta stop this rooster-head." Sano gulped at this news. Kenshin was now in Battousai mode. This couldn't be good.

"Let's go." Sano shut the door and he and Chou started running to the battleground. All that Sano could think about was never experiencing the same passion that he had felt just hours ago.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Saitou lit the oil lamp in his bedroom as Sano walked through the door. The air was heavy with anxiety, sexual tension, and apprehension. Even Saitou was uncomfortable with this situation…it was too business-like. There had to be some way to ease the tension and…what in the hell was he thinking? He shouldn't be doing this, taking advantage of the ahou's vulnerability. He turned to tell Sano that he changed his mind, but found himself staring in soulful chocolate eyes instead.

"You know, I've always wondered…" Sano's voice trailed off as he blushed.

"Wondered what?" Saitou didn't like the tone of the kid's voice.

"What kind of lover you would be. You can tell by looking at most people, but yer hard to read. You seem like you would be all business-like, but then I look in yer eyes and I burn. So, I guess there is really only one way to find out, ne?" Sano walked up to the older man and wrapped his arms around Saitou's torso, just holding the man close and getting accustomed to his scent. Saitou stiffened at first, but found himself returning the embrace and gently rubbing the firm muscles of the kid's back.

"No pressure at all, hmm?" Sano chuckled at that and pulled back to look at Saitou in the eyes. Those eyes never failed to give him chills, both of excitement and of fear. The young man's gaze drifted from the intense stare of the wolf to the firm, stern mouth. It was like a magnet was drawing him closer, for the next thing he knew, he was nibbling on Saitou's full lower lip. When he received no response, he pulled back to look at the man again. Saitou met his stare and brought a hand up to tenderly caress his cheek. Sano trembled and the color of his eyes darkened with arousal.

~*~*~*~*~*~

It was amazing how comfortable Saitou was able to make him feel. He had to admit that he was so nervous when he had burst into the man's office the night before. He hadn't actually thought the whole thing through, and just showed up at the office before he had a chance to change his mind.

He was glad that he didn't give himself time to think about it.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"I need you to relax, Sanosuke. Just enjoy me touching your body and what my touch makes you feel. Nothing exists right now but you, me, and this moment." Saitou buried his hands into the younger man's hair and tilted his head. "Now close your eyes and lick your lips." Sano did as he was told and waited patiently for the man's next move. Never had he anticipated anything so much. His whole body was tingling with arousal and the man had barely even touched him!

Warm, moist lips ghosted over his and Sano's breath caught. This was torture! He needed more and the more he wanted, the less Saitou gave. Sano whimpered like a beaten puppy. Saitou chuckled at the sound.

"What's wrong?" Sano could almost picture the smirk that he was certain was on Saitou's face.

"Kiss me damn it!" Sano tightened his embrace on the older man.

"As you wish." Saitou dropped his head and rained playful nips on the full pouting lips of the rooster. He delicately licked the seam of Sano's lips, willing the boy to participate, and Sano did not disappoint. The boy opened his mouth and slid his tongue in a wet caress along Saitou's. As soon as their tongues touched, Sano felt as though fire started to course through his blood. The kiss was long, slow, and achingly tender. It wasn't an expression of lust, much like the boy had expected, but of adoration, feeling, and compassion. It made the young brawler feel as if he could conquer the world and touch the heavens if only Saitou would continue kissing him like that.

Saitou trailed his hands down Sano's neck and slid his shirt off his strong shoulders, causing the thin material to flutter to the floor. Soon his lips followed the path of his hands, treating the boy's neck and shoulders to several soft, suctioning kisses that made Sano's knees weak. The kid still found the will to participate, began unbuttoning Saitou's uniform jacket, and pushed it off the man's lean frame.

Strong, callused hands of a warrior traveled up the smooth expanse of Sano's back, bringing him closer to the warm, hard body in front of him. Sano fisted his hands in Saitou's undershirt and pulled it from his slacks. The older man's muscles jumped and quivered at the feel of cool hands tracing their every contour, pulling the shirt up and off. As soon as Saitou was freed from his shirt, he placed a tender kiss on Sano's lips before taking him by the hand and leading him to the neatly laid out futon.

"Last chance to change your mind, kid," Saitou said softly as he lowered himself to the futon and held out his hand.

"You know Saitou, you worry too much." Sano placed his hand in Saitou's and joined him on the futon.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Swords clashed and the sun danced merrily on the water, oblivious to the two former samurai fighting like they have never fought before. This fight was different. The legendary Battousai fighting to protect as always, but to protect a future interest in a certain brawler. On the opposite side, the equally legendary Wolf of Mibu fought to keep the only person he had ever come to love completely.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hajime."

"Huh?" Sano knit his eyebrows in confusion.

"As oppose to Saitou. I thought it would be better if we were on a first name basis." The former samurai brushed back a wayward lock of Sano's hair before tracing the outline of his ear with the tip of his finger.

"I guess that makes sense." Sano chuckled, slightly embarrassed. "Now where were we?" The younger man leaned forward and placed wet kisses on Saitou's strong corded neck. "Mmm, 'Jime, you smell good," Sano groaned as he continued to kiss down the man's chest. Long, nimble fingers quickly unbuckled Saitou's belt and pulled it from his slacks.

"'Jime?" Saitou chuckled, that was definitely something Sano would say. He soon found himself pushed to his back and the fastening of his pants being undone.

"I think it suits you." The kid gave a slight wink and tugged down the blue wool incasing lean hips and long, strong legs. Saitou lifted his hips to assist his undressing. Sano bit his lip and swallowed hard as his chocolate eyes traveled the naked length of his soon to be lover's body. "Damn 'Jime, you are sexy as hell. Gods how I want you."

The husky sound of Sano's voice sent chills through the older man's body. Saitou sat back up and kissed Sano sweetly on the forehead, over his bandanna. Sano was shocked by such a gesture and looked quizzically at the older man. He started to question the officer, but Saitou placed a finger over his mouth and shook his head.

"Don't think, just feel." Saitou coaxed Sano to his back by gently stroking his body and towering over him. He just spent several minutes running his hands over the young, muscular body laid out before him, the tanned skin contrasting starkly with the white futon. His strong fingers found every contour of the body beneath him, causing Sano to arch desperately into his touch.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Sano and Chou ran faster as they could pick up the angry yells echoing through the forest. Sano had not been this scared since he watched the murder of Captain Sagara.

"Oh gods, Saitou, don't leave me again."

~*~*~*~*~*~

"You are such a tease," Sano murmured breathlessly.

"Me? If I'm not mistaken, you are the one who walks around half naked all the time." Saitou's golden eyes gleamed with amusement at Sano's throaty chuckle.

"Been checkin' me out, you old pervert?" Saitou just grinned at the accusation and leaned down to flick a hardened nipple with his tongue. Sano trembled and buried his hands in Saitou's hair. "You're still a tease," the young man murmured softly.

"And you are still an ahou, so what's your point?" Sano tried to give a scowl but his face relaxed in pleasure as Saitou took a hardened nipple into his mouth and suckled gently. Meanwhile, the older man's hands worked quickly to untie Sano pants. He continued to kiss down the strong muscular chest while he pulled the pants down. Now all he faced was those damn wrappings the kid just had to wear.

Sano almost chuckled at the exasperated look on the cop's face. Sano supposed that the wrappings would probably be annoying when you are trying to undress your lover. Lover? Now that was sudden. They hadn't even had sex the first time and Sano was already referring to Saitou as his lover? That was quite a jump, especially since Sano was just using the man for a means of escape. You can't have a lover unless you love that person, right?

With the wrappings out of the way, Saitou smirked in triumph and licked his lips. Finally, Sano was completely naked, lying on his futon, and practically begging to be taken. He had planned carefully for this moment, biding his time, and now it had paid off.

Or had it? Sano was here to forget a certain redhead, not because he wanted Saitou. The thought made the older man's chest tighten. He shouldn't continue. He couldn't lower himself to be someone's means of release…a glorified whore…could he? Sano looked at him quizzically, and Saitou started to kiss his way down the tightly corded abdomen in order to hide his doubt.

Was he that difficult to love? His wife didn't love him, Okita didn't love him, and now Sano. He was willing to open his heart for Sano and fully admit his feelings, but Sano didn't care what he felt. All the kid cared about was getting the memory of Kenshin as far away from him for as long as possible. It could be possible to convince the kid that Kenshin was a passing fancy, but could he take the chance?

~*~*~*~*~*~

It was close. One wrong move on the part of either party would mean the fight was over and someone would lose Sano forever. They were tired, they were wounded, but they were determined.

Saitou couldn't lose, he just couldn't.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"'Jime!" Sano's strangled shout echoed through the room as his hips arched completely off the bed. Saitou had almost completely swallowed Sano's erection and was swirling his tongue around its girth before pulling back and dipping his tongue in the weeping slit. Sano started to pant as a trickle of sweat slid from his temple, dampening his chestnut hair.

"Mmm, you taste so good Sanosuke." Saitou's eyes rolled back in his head as he continued to suckle the younger man.

"Oh gods 'Jime, fuck me…no more teasing." Sano clutched at Saitou's shoulders and tried to pull him to his mouth for a kiss. Saitou allowed himself to be pulled by the young man but pulled back as Sano tried to kiss him.

"I'm not going to fuck you." The older man caressed Sano's cheek as he whispered the phrase.

"Why not? Am I not good enough?" Sano tried to seem angry but Saitou could see tears forming in those chocolate eyes.

"Because I'm going to make love to you," Saitou whispered in the boy's ear before he pushed himself off the rooster to get some lubricant.

"Is there a difference?" Sano looked at Saitou with almost a loving gaze.

"Love making is an art form. Some say that it is even spiritual. You have to let yourself go completely, allow yourself things that you have never let yourself to feel before. Give in to it all, the pain, the anger…love. I won't take any less than all of you." Saitou returned to the futon.

"Yer asking a hell of a lot from me old man and not giving anything in return." Sano's face was so serious, it took all Saitou had not to laugh.

"I'll be there with you kid. I'll tell you what, I'll give you all of me and you'll give me all of you. It's time that you give everything you have to offer to someone, don't you think." Saitou gently caressed the boy's cheek.

"Every time I do, they end up leaving. First Captain Sagara, then Kenshin…I have no reason to give myself." Sano gave a heartfelt sigh.

"You set out the terms of this arrangement. You are leaving on your own terms." Saitou kissed his cheek. "Well, are you ready for that kid?"

"Yeah. I want all of you and I want to give ya all of me. Take me, 'Jime, and be one with me." Sano took the bottle of lubricant from Saitou's grasp and poured some into his hands. He gently grasped the older man's arousal in his hands and amply coated it with the thick liquid. Of course the man gasping and moaning in pleasure was a little incentive for him to continue.

"Sss-ano-suke." The name was a mix between a groan a hiss and was incredibly sexy. Which Saitou was incredibly sexy anyway, especially with his head thrown back and his eyes closed. "You better st-op." Strong abdominal muscles clenched as the torturous stroking motion continued.

"Can't you handle it old man?" Sano teased.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"'Jime," Sano whispered softly as he ran. Sure Saitou could handle many things, but how long could he and Kenshin last in an all out battle, no holds barred. What was Kenshin thinking? He gave Sano up, not the other way around. He no longer had a say in who Sano was with.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The preparation was gentle, long, but far from painless. However, it soon became incredibly arousing and pleasurable, and, before he knew it, Sano was thrusting against the fingers that were stroking him deep inside, hitting that spot that made colors dance before his eyes.

"Please 'Jime…please." Looking deep in those soulful chocolate eyes, Saitou couldn't deny him anything.

"As you wish." Saitou removed his fingers from Sano's body and the boy rolled over on his stomach. "What the hell are you doing?" Saitou asked as a fine, dark eyebrow arched.

"This is how Kenshin always wanted to be taken." Sano looked back at his partner from over his shoulder and saw the serious look on his face.

"I refuse to make love to a faceless person, turn over." Sano followed the order and was rewarded with a sweet kiss for his efforts.

The moment that Saitou's weight settled on Sano, he began to tremble. He hated to admit it, but he never feared nor anticipated something so much before. This was the moment he had waited his entire life for, only he had not been aware of it until now. This was the moment that he became complete, and it was scaring the hell out of him.

Saitou knew that the boy under him had become an important part of his life, but had not realize just how important. As their bodies united to become one, Saitou realized that he was and had been in love with the innocent boy under him. Being surrounded by tight, wet heat was stealing his sanity. If this was craziness, then by damn he was a fucking lunatic.

They moved together as one, with no beginning and no end. It was spiritual. Their souls had melded together, forming a new shape…one that was neither of them, but both of them. It was intense, it was amazing, it was beautiful.

Never before had Sano felt something so wonderful. He felt everything…pain, anger, love, fear…and he had the feeling that not all of the emotions coursing through his body were his own. His eyes met Saitou's and he lost himself in the amber fire dancing in those eyes. His body was so overwhelmed with intensity of his passion that he failed to notice the silent tears making silvery paths down his cheeks. All he was aware of was the man who was buried deep inside him. If this was a sin, then let his soul be damned because this sure as hell felt like heaven.

Saitou kissed away some of the tears and pulled back to sit on his heels, bringing Sano with him. The boy gasped in shock as Saitou slid deeper into his body. To Saitou nothing he had ever seen was this beautiful. Sano's large honey-brown eyes glistened with his tears, his mouth was swollen and his lips parted, and his dark chestnut hair was dampened with his sweat. The boy was definitely losing himself in the pleasure, at that place where boundaries and thoughts don't exist, only feeling. Yet, he held eye contact and clung to the older man like a lifeline.

Little did Saitou know that Sanosuke was admiring him in all his masculine glory as he moved deep inside him. He loved the way the muscled moved fluidly under smooth, tan skin, the way warm calloused hands traveled down his arms to entangle their fingers in an intimate manner, and the way his name was chanted over and over again as if to actually be certain he was actually there.

Their dance continued until they were close to the precipice, ready to fall. Sano's silent tears turned into soft sobs as they moved faster against one another. They were so close. And when Saitou unlaced his fingers from Sano's to grasp the boy's erection, the waves of completion crashed over them.

Saitou fought the urge to close his eyes as muscles clenched around his arousal, pulling him over the edge. He bit his lip to keep from screaming out his pleasure, but a small, vulnerable whimper made it past his defenses and seemingly echoed through the room.

Brown eyes widened as the shock at the intensity of his orgasm shook his entire body. Never…never had it been this way before. He was dying. No one could feel that much pleasure and not die. He couldn't think, he couldn't breathe, the only thing he could do was gasp out one single word…

"'Jime!"

~*~*~*~*~

"'Jime!" Sano shouted as he ran to the river bank where both men were in a dead lock, covered in blood and bruises. It was insane! Neither man could carry on much longer by the looks of things.

"Sanosuke." Saitou turned his head at the sound of his rooster-head calling his name. That's when he saw it…he saw Sano mouth Kenshin's name, and that's when he made his decision. He would rather lose his pride than to have that beautiful creature hate him.

"Boss!" Chou cried out as Kenshin slashed down on Saitou with a finishing blow, throwing the man a few feet and sending him crashing to the ground.

"'Jime!" He lost. Sano couldn't believe he lost. But he didn't even try to block that move. He could have blocked!

Kenshin walked over to his opponent and looked down at the dark-haired man laying on the ground. "You lost Saitou.

"End it Himura. At least let me have my honor since you must take my lover." Saitou spit the blood out of his mouth as he kept his head bowed.

"I cannot do that, that I can't. Besides, you don't deserve the easy way out." Kenshin's voice dripped with venom that should never be associated with the peaceful rurouni he had become. "Now leave, and never bother Sano again."

"I have one thing to ask the boy first. Surely you cannot deny me my witness." Kenshin nodded in understanding as Saitou began the painstaking task of standing. Using his sword for leverage, he pulled himself to his feet about the same time Sano and Chou rushed over to the two men.

"What the hell was this all about?" Sano yelled as he looked between the two men for answers.

"Battousai fought for your honor and won ahou. That should make you happy." Saitou couldn't even look at the younger man as he said this. Instead, he turned to Chou. "Chou, I would like for you to be my kaishakunin for the ceremony, which must be done at sunset." He then turned to Sano, "It would do me a great honor if you would be the witness in the ceremony, Sanosuke."

The man didn't wait for an answer, but walked away, trying to hide his limp. Chou, allowing the man to keep his pride, followed a few steps behind in order to catch the man in case he collapsed. Sano watched the scene with a heavy heart, hoping that this was all just a bad dream and he would wake up any moment in Saitou's arms.

"Care to explain this to me Kenshin." Sano was angry, that much was certain.

"I challenged him in order to find out which one is more worthy of you." Kenshin really wasn't expecting it, so he didn't brace himself for the punch that sent him to the ground.

"It is none of your fucking business! You didn't want me anymore! Damn it, Kenshin, I was starting to fall in love with him!" Sano clenched his fists at his sides, trying to resist the urge to hit the redhead.

"I know." Kenshin stood up. "I was just making sure he loved you too."

"What? You had better start explainin'."

"That day when he showed up at the dojo, letting us know he was alive…I saw it in your eyes Sano. You were still in love with him. I knew that was the reason you came to me, so I thought that I would offer whatever comfort I could. When he came back in the picture, I knew I was no longer needed, so I broke it off. Sano, I no more loved you than you did me. I just had to know whether Saitou felt the same for you as you felt for him." The redhead blushed at this admission.

"And, did he pass your test?" Sano couldn't help but be curious.

"Yes. He stopped fighting because he thought you were in love with me, and didn't want me to be hurt." Kenshin watched Sano carefully as the information soaked in.

"He loves me. So, what is this ceremony he is talking about?"

"Seppuku…samurai suicide. He didn't die in battle so he must save his honor." Sano's eyes widened.

"And what is kaishakunin? He wanted Chou to be that." Sano starting wringing his hands in a nervous manner.

"The kaishakunin is the individual chosen to finish the ceremony by cutting off the samurai's head at the first sign of pain. But first, Saitou must disembowel himself by making a deep cut in is abdomen. It is an honor to be a part of such a ceremony, Sano. That just shows how much he loves you." Kenshin looked so…calm, like this sort of thing happened everyday.

"You are a fucking psycho! He is going to kill himself and yer acting like it's New Years or something'. I can't let this happen." Saitou ran off into the forest, in the general direction of Saitou's house.

"That's what I figured." Kenshin grinned to himself. This had to be the most confusing love triangle that he had ever witnessed. The redhead dusted himself off and headed for Megumi's for some much needed medical attention.

*******

It was sunset when Sano finally reached Saitou's house and Chou met him at the front gate.

"It's about time rooster-head. It would be a major insult if you didn't show up." Chou grabbed Sano by the collar before he had the chance to retort and drug him into the garden. In the middle of the garden sat Saitou in a white kimono with a tray in front of him. Sano thought that he looked like an arch angel sitting there so solemn.

"Okay, Boss, it's time." Saitou just nodded as Chou pushed Sano to the ground and growled for him to sit lotus style on the ground.

The blonde officer went and sat to Saitou's right side and the older man handed him his katana. Chou laid it on the ground in front of him before picking up a bottle of sake and pouring it in the small ceremonial cup on the tray. Saitou picked up the cup and motioned to Chou and Sano in a respectful manner before drinking the sake in the two gulps that showed his planning and his restraint. He placed the small porcelain cup on the tray, picked up a pen and proceeded to write his death poem.

Sano sat there in silent wonderment. How could a ceremony with such a tragic end be so beautiful that it resembled a dance. Sweat beaded on his forehead and trailed down the bridge of his nose and his temples. He was nervous. He didn't know how this was to be carried out. He wanted to stop the man, but was too entranced to do anything.

Sano watched as Saitou pulled the top of his kimono down and revealed his tan, muscular torso. He neatly tucked the sleeves of the kimono underneath his knees and said a small prayer. He grabbed the highly polished ceremonial dagger from the tray and held it out from the left side of his body, blade pointing in. He closed his eyes, preparing himself to make the initial stabbing motion…

"NO!" Saitou and Chou both lifted their gazes to Sano who was rushing toward Saitou on his hands and knees. He grabbed the dagger from the grip of a shocked Saitou. He threw the dagger behind him and wrapped his arms around the older man.

"Sanosuke?" Saitou couldn't return the embrace.

"I don't care about your damn honor, your fucking samurai code, or any of that shit! Damn it, you can't leave me again. You died on me once and I refuse to let it happen again. I love you damn it! I don't care about anything else." By the time Sano finished, he was clinging to Saitou, crying.

"Oh gods, Sanosuke." Saitou wrapped his arms around the balling rooster-head and motioned for Chou to leave. The blonde man nodded and left the two men sitting in the garden, holding each other. As he walked out of the front gate, Chou couldn't remember a man he respected more than Saitou Hajime, a man willing to give up everything for the one he loved.

********

Laters.