The crack of the gun had set Sano’s nerves on edge, and he stared in horror as Kenshin’s ‘target’ fell to the ground, a bullet hole dotting the side of his head. That was it; the poor guy was dead. Sano was surprised that Kenshin simply stood there, his eyes fixed to the man as he died.

He had seen Kenshin stop a bullet with his sword once before. Surely he could have done it again. But there was a strange expression behind those eyes; they were an unfathomable shade. Kenshin’s face remained blank, but something in his gaze seemed to shift, and after a few seconds, he shook his head, having come to an apparent decision.

“I do not kill.”

Well good, Kenshin, at least you’ve got that bit figured out. Relief flooded through Sano as he saw a glimmer of the Kenshin he knew. He had seen his friend torn between identities before; there were times when the good-natured rurouni disappeared, consumed by this ‘other’ person.

Battousai; Kenshin’s killing persona.

Whatever had happened to him recently; the combination of memory loss and Shinzei’s meddling, had stripped away so many of the defences he must have built over the last ten years, exposing the core. The hitokiri was still there, but Kenshin kept this part of his nature tightly reined. It was a choice he had staked his life on, more than once.

Shame if it all went to shit now, just because of that ahou Shinzei.

Sano clenched his fists, the rage building inside him. He had known Shinzei when the man was nothing but a petty thief, and it irritated him that Shinzei was now seemingly in charge of a rather large yakuza outfit.

But then again, Shinzei is exactlythe kind of person who would make it in the underworld.

A liar, a thief and a backstabber. You wouldn’t trust him with your little finger. He’d find a way to chew it off, spit it out, and then make it look like you owed him. How had he managed to get Kenshin working for him? The rurouni was one of the smartest guys Sano knew, and wouldn’t have fallen for a simple trap.

But then again, he has lost a good chunk of his memory. He’d be acting on instinct, not thinking things through.

Shinzei had gotten to him, somehow. Throughout the years, it was clear the man had learnt his lessons and taken the meaning of ‘cunning’ to heart.

But how?

Whatever, Sano wasn’t intending to stick around to find out. This would end, now!

He strode forward, grinding his fist into his palm.

“Sano…” Kaoru uttered a warning, but Sano ignored her. His anger was packed inside him, pushed into a tense coil which was about to break. Sano lost sight of Kenshin; of Kaoru and the others. His gaze was trained on Shinzei, his muscles tensed.

“I am so sick and tired of this bullshit,” he snarled, reaching Shinzei. The gang boss was tall, but Sano matched him in height, and they were now eye to eye. “When are you going to stop manipulating people for your own ends, Shinzei?”

“But Sano-kun,” Shinzei purred, his features betraying no hint of nervousness. The gun hung loose in his hand. “What exactly is the problem? This situation works out well for everyone involved, does it not? The thorn in my side has gone, the girl here,” he gestured towards Kaoru, “gets to go free, and Battousai gets his end of the bargain. There’s no problem here.”

“Are you kidding?” Sano drew back his arm, ready to smash away the smug expression on Shinzei’s face. He was surprised to find himself held back; an iron grip fixing his forearm into place.

“Sanosuke.” Kenshin’s voice was low, but Sano jumped. When had he…?

“Please, Sano, Shinzei is right. I wish to keep my side of the deal.” Sano looked down and saw that Kenshin’s eyes had turned a cold blue. It was a calculating look that spared no-one and nothing. But the words didn’t match the intelligence in those eyes.

“What the hell are you saying, Kenshin? You can’t make deals with someone like Shinzei. You will always turn out the loser. He’s got no honour.”

Kenshin nodded, and dropped his hand, releasing Sano’s arm. Sano winced as the blood started to flow back into his limb. “That may be so,” he agreed, “but there is more at stake now than worrying about honour.” He turned to Shinzei; the yakuza still wore a slight smirk. Sano itched to wipe that expression into bruises and broken bones.

“Shinzei, you made a deal with me, and now I expect you to keep your promise.” Kenshin had sheathed his katana some time ago, but the tone of his voice set Sano’s hairs on end. Shinzei had no idea what he was messing with.

If he toys with Kenshin now…

Kami help him.

“Deal?” Shinzei raised his eyebrows in mock recognition. “I do remember entering into an agreement with you, Battousai. In return for killing Hayashi, I would spare the life of your pet girl.”

Sano froze. Girl? There had been no mention of a girl before. So Shinzei had a… hostage? That would explain why Kenshin was so willing to go around doing his bidding. What the hell was the man playing at?

“But in the end, I had to clean up the mess. I don’t know why you hesitated at the critical moment, but perhaps you are getting soft in your old age. The Bakumatsu was over ten years ago, after all.” Shinzei shook his head. “So really, I have no obligation to prepare the antidote, and spare the brat. You should have thought of that, when I pulled out this gun.”

Kenshin said nothing, just waited, his eyes trained on Shinzei.

“You broke the deal, Battousai, so I don’t owe you anything.” He was waving the gun around now, and Sano thought he saw a glimmer of fear in those narrow eyes.

Now why would he be scared?

Kenshin kept looking at Shinzei, his stare merciless and piercing blue. “I’ll give you one last chance,” he said, and his voice was so cold that Sano almost took a step backwards.

“That was the agreement,” blustered Shinzei, his facade beginning to crack. “You kill Hayashi, we save the girl. It hasn’t been adhered to.”

Kenshin was angry, and Sano knew it. Shinzei knew it. He raised the gun, his hand trembling. The hollow point of the muzzle was a black, wavering hole. Kenshin stared it down.

“There is no antidote, is there, Shinzei?”

“It doesn’t matter; you didn’t stick to the plan.” Shinzei took a deep breath and steadied himself. “So you don’t get to save the little girl. Big deal. Why the hell would Battousai care about some sniveling little brat anyway? You’re not the hitokiri they speak about in those rumours; you’re weak. Get out of my sight before I shoot you.”

You idiot, Shinzei. Sano dodged back as Kenshin’s arm shot out, faster than he could see. He hadn’t received any warning save for the tiniest shift in Kenshin’s eyes; there was the smallest trace of amber there.

Kenshin’s fist smashed into Shinzei’s face before the gangster realised what was happening. The tall man crashed to the ground, the gun falling from his hand. Kenshin’s other arm snaked out and he caught the weapon in his palm.

All this happened in less time than it takes to draw a single breath. Kenshin uncocked the pistol and removed the cartridge. His features revealed disgust. He threw the weapon to the ground and placed one hand on the hilt of the katana, his expression menacing.

Sano knew this glare was mostly for show. The other yakuza had gathered around them, shocked at seeing their boss fall. But behind their bravado, Sano could detect fear. They were holding onto their swords, but they were scared to draw. He suspected they had never seen Shinzei brought down, let alone this easily.

Cut the head off the snake, and the body doesn’t know what to do.

“Oi, clear out,” he growled, taking advantage of the situation. “Or Kenshin n’ me are gonna wipe the floor with you idiots.”

Two of the men advanced, their faces set in grim determination. Sano took a step forward as one of them began to draw his sword. He stopped with half the blade exposed.

“You really wanna try it?”

“You’re going down!” The gangster rushed forward, completing the draw, but with the blade already part way out of its sheath, he was slow. Sano’s fist caught him in the side of the chest, and the sword clattered to the ground. Kenshin stood behind, and Sano resisted the urge to wince as he felt the swordsman project his ki.

He didn’t even send out the full extent of his aura, but it was enough to turn a few of the men pale-faced. They weren’t trained fighters, so they had no idea what that sudden ‘feeling’ was, but it sent a wave of uncertainty through the yakuza.

“Bring the girl,” commanded Kenshin. The men hesitated. “Now!” And then two of them were running to the gate. The others did not move. The slumped form of their boss told them all they needed to know; they were without direction.

“Kenshin,” Sano was confused. “They have a hostage?”


“She’s been poisoned. We don’t have much time.” Kenshin’s eyes narrowed a fraction as one of the henchmen appeared, with a young girl in his arms. She couldn’t have been more than ten years old, and Sano saw she was pale, her black bangs matted to her forehead with sweat. The child’s gaze was half-lidded; she didn’t seem to be entirely there. It was as if she already had a foot in the next world.

That bastard Shinzei, do do this to a kid?

Behind him, he heard Kaoru gasp. Then the other kid, Ryuji, was beside the girl, taking her into his arms. He lowered her gently to the ground and placed a hand on her forehead. Then he pulled down her lower lids, examining the underside of her eyes. He checked her tongue, and felt the pulse at her wrist, and her neck.

“She… she doesn’t have much time,” stammered the doctor’s assistant. “There is a chance she might live, but she needs medical assistance, now!”

“I will take her.” Kenshin lifted the young girl, her body limp and lifeless in his arms. “Sano, please go to this location,” he fished a bloodied scrap of paper from inside his gi, “and find doctor Yoshikawa. He is safe, but there are a number of men there who may also need medical assistance. It will be quicker if you go via Nihonbashi.”

“Okay, but what are you going to do about the girl?”

“Sessha has… some experience with poisons.” Kenshin had reverted back to his normal mode of speech. “There are some things that may increase her chance of survival. Ryuji may be able to help.”

“Why don’t you take her to Megumi?” Yahiko had appeared beside them, his face etched with concern. “She knows all sorts of drugs and poisons and stuff. Remember when she cured me?”

Kenshin’s expression was blank as he turned to Yahiko. “Who is this… Megumi?”

“She’s a doctor, Kenshin.” Kaoru’s voice was gentle, and full of worry. It seemed Kenshin hadn’t regained all of his memory. Perhaps Megumi could also help with that. “She’s treated you many times.”

“Sumanai.” Kenshin softened as he turned to face Kaoru. “Sessha’s memory is still not… the best.”

“Megumi is probably the one best qualified to deal with this, Kenshin.” Sano was surprised to hear the respect evident in Kaoru’s statement. The younger girl was usually driven to irritation by Megumi’s gentle teasing.

Kenshin nodded, coming to a decision. “Sessha trusts you with this, Kaoru-dono. We will take Sasami-chan to Megumi-dono. Where is her clinic?”

“Uh…” Kaoru hesitated; Sano could tell she was afraid to find out how much Kenshin actually did remember. “Do you know where the Kamiya dojo is?”

Kenshin nodded, and Kaoru appeared relieved. “Good. Well, if you get to the dojo, and go two blocks to the east, then turn right and keep walking, you’ll come to a soba stand. Here you turn left. Megumi’s clinic should be easy to find. Just look for the sign.” Kaoru paused. “But Kenshin, we’ll go with you anyway, so…”

Kenshin held up a hand. “Sorry Kaoru-dono, but it will be faster if sessha goes alone.”

“Huh?” Kaoru’s mouth opened wide. Sano shot her a glance before she was able to protest.

Let him go, jou-chan. He knew Kenshin could reach the clinic in a third of the time it would normally take them. The man had the advantage of his god-like speed, after all. Kaoru closed her mouth and nodded, her eyes wide as she took in the girl’s state. Sasami was breathing rapidly, and her fingers appeared to have taken on a bluish tinge. That was definitely not a good sign.

“I’m going.” Kenshin turned to glare at the yakuza, who seemed to have halved in number since their boss went down. No doubt, a few of them had already slunk back to the shadows. “But don’t think I’m finished with you yet.”

“You bastard!” One of the men rushed forward, sword drawn, but Kenshin was already gone. Sano blinked and looked up, only to see his lithe form disappearing across the rooftops. He stepped aside and heard a satisfying crack as his fist connected with the yakuza’s ribs.

“Idiots,” spat Sano. “Do you never learn?”The man fell to the ground, unconscious. The rest of the gangsters did not dare to move. Sano shot them a dark glare.

Backstabbers, cheats, weaklings. You’re all so tough when you’ve got your boss doing the dirty work, but when it comes to sticking up for yourselves, you got nothing. What are you gonna do now?

They were wasting their time here. Sano motioned to his friends. “Jou-chan, Yahiko, Ryuji, let’s go.”

None of the yakuza lifted a finger as they turned the corner, leaving Shinzei slumped, lifeless, in the middle of the street.

Author’s note: Wow, I can actually log in and post stuff again. What happened there, ffnet? Anyway, thanks again to everyone who reviewed; I appreciate the kind comments and encouragement. It’s a bit weird to come back to stuff I haven’t thought about for years, but entertaining nonetheless. I hope this chapter ties things together. It’s entirely a Sano POV chapter, because he’s cool. ^^ The end is close, never fear… (whoa; I might actually finish something for once ~ woohoo!)