title: Setting the scores author: kimera archive: http://www.kimerascall.lima-city.de/ contact: kimerascall@gmx.de fan fiction series: Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki Nekktarinka's challenge no. 2 (Sano's birthday) PG: 16 category: romance written: 03.02.2004 disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki, the challenge was originated by Nekktarinka. Special warning: I'm no native, so eons of mistakes, misspellings and strange choice of words, adding I have sole knowledge of the German translation of the manga series, so my view might differ. Thanks a lot to Nekktarinka for asking me to join, and to Her Majesty for keeping the spirits up ^_~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ Setting the scores His feet just found their way without connecting to his brain, so Sanosuke Sagara, one of the two surviving members of the Sekihoutai, contemplated his current situation. To be correct, he looked at his life. In two days, if he hadn't lost track of time by accident, he would become 20 years old. »Quite impressive!« He grinned. He had never expected to grow that old when signing in to the Sekihoutai, nearly a decade ago, a small but strong-minded boy, ready to fight at any cost for a better future and, indeed, he had made his way, another ten years, mostly consisting of fighting, scratching to stay alive, joining forces with gangsters, to leave them as soon as possible, disgusted and annoyed. His life had been over, just a year ago, at least it felt like it. Since the bloody and traitorous end of the Sekihoutai, the murder of his beloved taichou Souzou Sagara, he had traveled downwards the spiral, down to desperation. There was nothing left to fight for but the simple, temporary joy to combat with a strong opponent and maybe, luckily die in this effort, another mean of suicide, true, absolutely no samurai-style... He spat to the ground. Then he had met his friend Kenshin Himura, the former Battousai, a men-slayer who vowed to never kill again, one of those loathed Meiji-patriots. And this short, fragile-looking man had won him over. Kenshin knew his desperate wish to free himself, to find a new path, to fight with all his might, just once to give proof that they, the members of the Sekihoutai, would have made a difference. So he changed, quit being Zanza, the hired gangster, to become a close friend and acquaintance of the Kamiya-Doujou and they had grown to become a family, the raccoon girl, her pupil and the fox lady... In this one year he had met Katsu, his best friend, again, the other surviving member of the Sekihoutai. He had achieved a lot, fighting against the worst enemies the young Meiji-government had to conquer, Makoto Shishio in Kyoto and Enishi Yukishiro in Tokyo. Losing his Zanbatou didn't mean anything to him now because he had dueled with the strongest fist-fighters in the whole country, starting off with the jailer of the Oniwa Banshu-fortress to Anji, the enlightened monk of the Juppongatana to one of the 4 stars of Heishin Wu, Enishis second-in-command. Every time he stood his ground, even with severe injuries, to become stronger, faster, as skilled as he had wished for. Alas... alas, there was one battle yet to go, the most important one. Due to his own conviction THE BATTLE! He needed to fight Hajime Saitou to enter the new decade of his life. Why so? Because that stoic, calculating, wise-ass bastard of a fucking Meiji-cop meant more to his maturing than anyone else. Sighing, he kicked a lurking stone which grumpily turned over to dive into the ditch. He didn't like that part of the story but, as an honest nature, he could not deny what was true: without the evil enforcer of his own law, he would never have reached this point of his life. Their initial meeting should have been the fanal to alarm Sano, but, the heck!, he had never ever turned down a challenge, after all he was born to fight!! In accordance he bore the scars that were caused by his motto and the wolf. Scratching his shoulder he massaged the scar where Saitou had forced his body through the wall of the Doujou, breaking his weapon inside his muscled flesh. »But I came up again, a stupid reaction, so he pinned me down to prevent my bleeding to death.« Therefore the bastard had to pay for ripping his beloved jacket and enduring the bitching of the raccoon-girl for ruining the Doujou. Next move to have a fistfight at Katsu's backyard, and right there, he showed that self-conceited bastard that he could block his attack!! »Yeah, watch out, old wolf, even a chicken becomes a big bad rooster some day!! Well, the heck!« Saitou had just lectured him once more to learn how to defend himself, ignoring him in his cold, calculating manner to make sure that he, Sano, would stomp off angrily to brood over these insults... and he had done so. Enough time to master Anjis special technique to survive another fight at death's stake. So, he could have challenged the cricket-face at Shishio's, but no!! Like a drama-queen, Saitou disappeared, encircled by greedily sucking flames. »I must have been fucking stupid to mourn for him!!« Sano admonished himself with a sour grin. »He came from hell, why shouldn't he walk out of it untarnished?! So here we are, facing Enishi, and he just pops out of nowhere, the usual bastard habit, to cripple that monster-guy and smoke all the same! Self-conceited asshole!!« "Haaaa.... " He sighed aloud, storming all the way, lost in thought, his mighty fists clutched tightly in his pockets. Once again, there had been too much ado to settle their still remaining score. Worse, his little chit-chat with the local yakuza and patriot Tani made his picture a nice decoration at the police-posts, with an interesting reward-note. Well, high time he went, so he bid his friends goodbye, in a rather hurry, planning to check out for the New World, two strong fists going to the West but he found himself in Shanghai two months later, another very not-at-all-comfy prison cell his temporary home. Temporary like 10 years! Surprisingly, the wolf had shown up, possibly blackmailing and chain-smoking and starring till those morons let go off him and they were back home again. With his sign-up to work for Saitou as an undercover agent. »Fuck that bastard!!« Now he had to team up with the broomheaded idiot from Osaka, Chou, and the cross-dresser Kamatari, to make inquiries and travel the countryside, to raise money and prevent being left to rot in jail. »Darn that evil mantis-head!!« Summing up it had been a very long, interesting and trying year and there was only one thing left: to fight with Saitou. Therefore he had hastened all his way back from Chiba to Tokyo to battle before his anniversary. Last fight, last job... and he was free!! No fucking counseling by Saitou's wise-ass remarks or his sardonic grinning!! He had been lucky to sneak out of the last town he had made his inquiries due to a spreading disease which caused the banning of every inhabitant until further notice. Pretty darn close and he might have missed the meeting but now he would be in time and ready to strike! He knew a lot of Saitou's Gatotsu-technique, including the secret "zero-stance." He had seen Saitou fight, so he stood a chance to master the former third captain of the Shinsengumi, the infamous wolf of Mibu. Since it was getting dark already, he chose a shed close to a small forest to spend the night. He went to sleep with the anticipation to become the strongest fist-fighter in the whole of Japan. ~!~ There were birds.... Sano hissed confusedly as his eyelids didn't follow his order to open his big chocolate-colored view to the world. »What the fuck...??!!!« He groaned while trying to roll over to one side. There was pain, all over, oozing from within his bones, his muscled body tortured by small spasms. He had never ever felt that weak! While his head was throbbing, insufferable ache blocking his thoughts. »Must have been tied up... couldn't breathe properly« Something was tightening an iron belt around his lungs. Finally he managed to open his eyes, tears sizzling away due to his high temperature. »Oh no... « He gasped in agony. He had not outrun the plague... ~!~ He could not tell how much time passed since he accepted to have indeed caught the influenza. There was unconscious sleep and agonized moments of wake, desperately trying to move... failing anew. No stirring of a muscle... and no one to call for help... All he could do was outlasting the disease, simply refusing stubbornly to die from it... maybe from lack of nourishment and water... »The... wolf ... will.... be.... pissed.... if... I'm.... late...« He coughed dryly, wondering at the tears that trickled his burning cheeks. ~!~ There were indeed times when Hajime Saitou, the wolf of Mibu, had to count down to face his occupation. Like waiting with the broomheaded moron called Chou who ranted incessantly about the sword he had just found in Osaka. Saitou wished Chou would provide a reason to consider him utterly evil. He would have made him eat his sword alive but Chou remained the usual dumbass, too stupid to be evil at all. Being stupid seemed to be a punishment in itself, alas, those who suffered from it, did not just get the point. Lighting another cigarette Saitou watched out for Kamatari who made his way through the crowd to enter the tea-house they were meeting. It took some time for the crossdresser to sink to his knees, the left one being crippled after the battle in Kyoto. "No message from him yet, and his friends at the Doujou didn't know anything at all, neither! They were preparing a little party to celebrate his birthday." Kamatari's beautiful hazelnut-colored eyes turned somber. "Himura said he could always count on Sano. There must have something happened to him." "Ha! The damn rooster just lost his way, bet ya! He's a fool!!" Chou exclaimed, patting the small, elegant hand of Kamatari who drew back with a loathing hiss. "Stop that, you idiot!! Sano would never let his friends down, and he just loves to party!!" He retorted, ready to make use of his dagger. Chou's face turned pale since he did not like Kamatari to be angry with him, yet he would not leave his stand. "Com'on, Kama, ya know, he is not re-li-ab-le." He feigned generous comprehension but Kamatari glared nonetheless. "Quiet.", The wolf growled lowly, throwing two small envelopes to each man. "Read the instructions, memorize and destroy them. Now, get lost." He threatened with a sonorous voice. "But, sir, may I have permission to look for Sano?" Kamatari asked, daring to meet his amber stare of feral fury. "It's my charge. Now leave." While gazing fiercely at the disappearing features of his subordinates, the wolf smoked in thought. ~!~ No message at the Doujou but he had convinced the moronic Battousai to stay put. After all, he had to take care of the laundry, no da? Saitou frowned in disgust. He just could not stand the view of a former enemy and worthy sword-fighter to be bossed around by some daft girl, up to his elbows in soapy water. »Maybe that's his vocation.« He added sourly, pacing a steady tempo. The rooster would never miss a party, free food and lots of sake, especially a party to celebrate his birthday. »A birthday party... crap! The usual foolish attitude of this Doujou-people. It does not matter how many years your life counts. To achieve your goals is the important part.« They were just taking another opportunity to quit working and become noisy. »Twenty years...« The rooster was a complete loss, still no wife or children, no proper occupation, no style, no future... »Twenty years.... tsk tsk.« He had to be in trouble, like the foolish chickenhead he'd always been. One of the very rare good points about working with those three jerks: they were attracting the evil, the brainless and the brute, the creme de la creme of the criminal societies. No need for digging up. Just make them enter the scene, and in no time there was a lot of paperwork and busy periods for the courts. And, annoyingly, they were his responsibility, his weapon to thrill the Meiji-jerks and his beasts of burden! Fetching up the foolish rooster, he would make sure the doofus remembered his 20th anniversary in every detail, another due lesson. ~!~ Lacking light Sanosuke estimated the time being close to nightfall. He still could not stir a limb without torturing himself to unconsciousness. He was far more than weak, he was dying. Fighting to survive was his strategy to every challenge in his life but lacking the strength to sit up and get some water, there was nothing he could rely on to. Yet, he did not give up, no way!! His throat was soar, his lips split, the dried skin peeling off, no use trying to call out for help. Damn that influenza!! Somehow he felt like Shishio, consumed by flames, burning alive... Well, at last he had reconciled with his father and his family. Kenshin could start a new life with the raccoon girl. Katsu watched the Meiji. After all, he had not messed up too much... "Fool, what are you doing here?!" A low growl insistently bothered his feverish mind. Blinking meekly Sanosuke's glossy view caught two amber stars glaring down at him. »I'm already in hell.« He grinned with a feeble cough to faint again. ~!~ The skilled fighter, the last remaining captain of the Shinsengumi, slipped out of his uniform jacket to fold it neatly, sitting close to the feverish young man on a thin blanket. Even thus far off, he sensed the radiating, consuming heat, a high temperature, literally vaporizing the liquid in the suntanned body. A slow, agonizing death which he never would permit. Adjusting the damp mop of unruly dark-brown hair on his rolled jacket, he carefully inspected the condition of Sanosuke's poor health. Ah. Obviously the impudent fool had shown his usual lack of responsibility by traveling despite the danger of being infected with a high contiguous disease, taking lives in large amounts every year. Even his stamina could bear a weak spot, hidden out of sight, to cause his fall from grace and sanity. Saitou had seen friends die of various infections, choking in their own blood. Strong, skilled fighters. »Now, that's what you get for being oblivious to your body, stupid chickenbrain!« Strangely he had to suppress his eagerness to slap the delirious youngster. »Is there anything you will not mess up? You're nothing than a foolish troublemaker, brawling and bragging!« Frowning he snatched one astonishingly small wrist to count the pulse. Strong, mighty hands with repeatedly broken fingers and yet so delicate joints. The rooster was frying and since Saitou preferred his soba with vegetables, he opted for leaving the fist-fighter and getting supplies of water to cool down his fever. The darkness did not mean anything to the wolf. His amber glare worked splendidly while he purchased two buckets of water from a deserted well nearby. Checking on the quality with his feral senses of the wolf's part of his personality, Saitou consented to support Sanosuke's frail state. Alas, his subordinate stubbornly refused to regain consciousness, so the officer had to rely on his own inventiveness. A rather humiliating sketch visualized before his amber glare. With a disgusted snort of disapproval Saitou nonetheless picked up the limp body to rest in his arms, harboring the tremendously hot frame of Sanosuke at his sturdy chest. Like an oversized infant the tall man cradled the spiky-haired youngster, every now and then taking a sip of water to pass it, drop by drop, through the split lips down Sanosuke's soar throat. The laborious breathing drew his attention to the tensed and torn ring of muscles, capturing lungs and heart the same. Sanosuke was fighting. He felt the young man gathering his efforts to withstand the luring eternal slumber, so he decided, studying the attractive features of the rosy face, that he could pass his breath like the water, nourishing the usually brash and cocky rooster who rested so damn weak in his arms. Painstakingly slow Saitou assisted this fierce, internal battle, easing the pain with his cool breeze, keeping company, supervising as he had done so, secretly, during the last year. »You're a burden, Sagara, got that? I don't put up with people who can't take care of their own. If they can't make my pace, they better get lost. I don't need anyone, besides. You're absolutely no difference at all, hear me, rooster? Wonder how you managed to grow that old... twenty... unbelievable.« A weak cough interrupted Saitou's silent lecture to his favorite beast of burden, and he halted his admonishment to level his head, feeding and kissing the younger man again, soothing the low sounds of longing and agony. ~!~ The sun had already climbed the horizon, rather pale and overworked, to cast a bleak January light, when Saitou shifted carefully to soften his tensing muscles and limbs. He had watched his subordinate, resembling more a vulture than a guardian angel, grumpy for the lack of sleep and loss of time. Precious time to fight the eternal battle versus injustice and evil, stupidity, cruelty and simple ignorance. Why did that idiot have to catch the influenza?! He could be working right now, detecting another plot to shatter the Meiji government, prevent another crime from happening to the narrow-minded people, having a decent breakfast and smoking his first cigarette of a long day of duty but thanks to that damn rooster, neither of these options would occur today! And he really started missing his cigarette. Although he would never admit this to anyone: he needed the stinging smell of nicotine to clear his mind, to focus, to concentrate on being extremely perceptive, alert, keen and calculating, self-restraining. The wolf within paced anxiously, waiting for his chance to run wild and things would become very... intense... and definitely lethal. "Break's over, rise and shine!" He slapped Sanosuke briskly, down to business. There was no answer, excluding a hoarse moan, then Sanosuke started to toss slowly, like a drugged swimmer to reel and define his position in a world which seemed to change by every wink. "Get up!" The officer ordered, pouring a cup of water on the youngster's face. It might have been sizzling, even steam could have been detected, at least, Sanosuke felt like boiling, a nagging, tormenting ache twisting his poor brain. A familiar voice had been calling, rather harshly but his eyelids were still on strike, in accordance the lights were off. "Stop your sorry act and move it!" A growl hissed menacingly at his ear. Another pain mingled with his already agonized state, resulting of a strong grasp at his shoulders. Sanosuke moaned to reveal his exhausted condition. He just wanted to sleep it off, to rest somewhere comfy and cozy. "Get up right now!" A thunderous holler by his side, accompanied by heavy shaking of his aching body, causing him to wince and finally face his tormentor through half-lidded eyes. Just some rest... Saitou felt his heart skip a beat, staring deep down those glassy, bitter-chocolate-colored eyes, bearing pain and longing for ease. There was no need for explaining: the young fist-fighter could not move on his own. He released his strong grip, leveling the feverish, exhausted body to the ground again, caressing the stubbornly extruding strands of unruly dark-brown hair to soothe the agony. "Sleep." He ordered softly, being obeyed instantly. With a low growl of frustration the sword-fighter rearranged his attire, arguing quietly. There was no use in staying and watching the young man. He'd better be rushing back to Tokyo, getting help for Sanosuke while checking on his office for new means of trouble. He would not gain anything at all, resting here... but he refused to leave. >You know, he won't die because you're not guarding him constantly?< »I'm not superstitious, I just won't take any chances.« >Nice try. Do you think you can afford wasting time around here? Do you think, your country can afford this?< There was no need to brag about his value to his country. He was simply the only man who stood between the dawn of a bright future and the doom of anarchy, like a diamond originated by his time, experience and willpower, a feared man, a strong man, a spider in a vast net of informants, a beholder of dangerous secrets. No one would ever take his place. And he gave everything to make sure that there was no further need for anyone like him. Without ever expressing this. Could he act as selfishly as the ordinary citizen and stay by the side of a sick comrade in arms? »We're no friends after all.« He stated firmly since the wolf did not need friends, just the pack to follow his lead. If things would become worse, there would be no chance of medical aid at all... »Do I wish the silly rooster to survive by his own means? Risking his loss?« Saitou snorted disapprovingly, slapping his muscled thighs. Ridiculous, wasting time to brood over that idiot! »I'll leave and make sure that he's brought back to Tokyo.« >Splendid idea. Did you forget about the influenza? There's always someone talking, a rumor might be spread...< »Good point. Don't wanna face a stampede of panicky citizens...« The officer bent low to caress a rosy, hot cheek with the back of his hand, rather tenderly. "Looks like I'll spend some time with you, silly rooster." He whispered, a minute smile wrinkling his lips. ~!~ Arranging his slender limbs to a relaxed state, Saitou silently watched the dozing fist-fighter. By his observation, the young man must be bearing serious ache, as not being able to fall into deep, sound slumber. Everything about Sanosuke seemed to be tense and tight, weary from the violent spasms that reigned the fist-fighter's amiable body. Getting up, hungry due to no breakfast and facing noon right now, the officer decided to boil some soup, thus nourishing the spiky-haired youngster and sticking to his own preferred menu: soba. Busily and skilled by a long life of taking care of himself, Saitou prepared the rural meal, taking his seat by the side of the restlessly tossing young man. "Still fighting?" He teased, commenting on the constant feverish activity of his subordinate. He picked Sanosuke up like a puppy, adjusting the young man on his lap, easily resting at the wall with his back. "Hey, moron! Wake up!" A sharp order to tumble within Sanosuke's still frying brain till finally resulting in a fluttering movement of long eyelashes. »Ah, someone's home yet!« Saitou smirked, encircling the stiff torso with one arm while helping the drowsy youngster to swallow, spoon by spoon, the soup. A labor stressing enough to render Sanosuke to fall asleep on his shoulder again, nearly burning his skin by the heat the young man still radiated like a dying sun. Usually he held strong views about intimate contact. His amber glare sufficed to keep everyone away at remarkable distance. Enjoying his own share of the meal, Saitou shrugged his strange notion off. Once in a while even a wolf could tolerate a foolish rooster by his side. ~!~ Close to sundown, Saitou realized several things: 1) no cigarette during the whole day 2) he was stuck in a lazy manner for the same amount of time 3) his patience was indeed wearing thin 4) the rooster became heavy in his arms Shifting he arranged the tense body at the blanket on the ground, glaring at two large, abyss-like bitter-chocolate-colored pools of confusion. "Hn. You're finally awake? Maybe it did slip your attention but thanks to your stupidity, we're stuck in the middle of nowhere for another night." The wolf hissed testily, baring his impressive fangs. Blinking, in slow motion. The sword-fighter observed the difficult task of connecting one thought with the next one, opposing a shutdown-brain by fever. "It's... still... my.. birthday...?" Sanosuke managed to hoarsely whisper, for some seconds with an inquiring, clear look in his marvelous eyes. "So what?!" Saitou growled, staring back, intimidating, ready to fire his next sarcastic retort. A sudden grab at his shirt took him by surprise as Sanosuke forced his exhausted torso to lift, his eyes narrowed by the effort. "I wanna fight you today!" He challenged coarsely, digging his fingernails deep into the thick fabric of the cloth. "I need to!" "You got to be kidding, fool." With a brash gesture Saitou threw the fist-fighter off, keeping him down with his flat hand. "Need... to... fight... you..." Sanosuke repeated, struggling to get up again, panting while trying to reach Saitou's shoulders. "Calm down, idiot, or I'll make you." The wolf threatened glaring. "You're in no state to fuss with anything." Stubbornly Sanosuke stared into the sulfurous orbs, gritting his teeth in anger. "I can fight you." He stated huskily, his fists tight and ready to strike while his arms were trembling. "Well." Withdrawing Saitou crossed his arms, haughtily snorting. "Then come up, rooster and get your answer. Come and fight me." He taunted with an arrogant smirk. To the wolf's mild surprise, stepping back to watch his challenger stumbling and gnashing curses, Sanosuke indeed managed, by sheer willpower, to get up to his feet. Alas, the former Shinsengumi could perceive the foggy quality of Sanosuke's view, the strife to keep his fragile balance in his fighting stance. "I am waiting for your attack, rooster. Lost your vigor?" Saitou could not refrain from teasing further, smirking his evil sarcasm at the younger man. And Sanosuke stormed away.... It took just a few heartbeats before he tripped, Saitou launched forward to catch the fist-fighter, passing out in his arms. "Ah, that's your special technique, luring your opponent with that maiden attitude?" He added with malicious intent, batting his own eyelashes in a presumably tempting manner. There was a hiss, his insults hit home. Lacking everything but his fury, Sanosuke broke in a tantrum, his breath fleeing in rasped gasps his split lips, his eyes dark with rage. Nevertheless, Saitou mastered him easily, pinning the hissing, shaking man to the wall. His amber eyes sparkled in sulfurous flames as he bent down to whisper with a sultry tinge in his voice. "You're so desperately yearning to fight me, rooster? How about some futon-tackling?" A satanic smile conquered the haggard features of the wolf's lean face, relishing the blank to furious expression of the youngster. The sucking-in of air to roar serious insults met the officer, darting forward, covering Sanosuke's mouth tightly, attacking the steaming hot cavern to conquer every part greedily. As he drew back, casting a triumphant look of satisfaction at the young man's burning face, the fist-fighter slowly wiped a trace of mingled blood and saliva from the corner of his mouth. Serene and steady Sanosuke maintained eye-contact, clenching his fists, hoarsely hissing. "How dare you mock my challenge, you self-conceited bastard?! This does not go with your fucking bushido. I considered you to be the worthiest opponent I would ever meet, but I was wrong. Get lost." ~!~ This was definitely not to happen. It had never occurred to Saitou that his constant teasing and taunting might miss the thin line of humor to become humiliating. He had never felt inclined to prove someone wrong, to ask for forgiveness but right now, the urge was undeniable. The rooster had scored. He HAD indeed acted in contrary to his own code of honor. Why?! Taking a few steps back as to find another point of view at his very uncustomary behavior, the wolf eased his muscles from tip to toe. Maybe he needed his cigarettes more than he liked to admit. Maybe the youngster beheld a mysterious power to bare his true nature to the world, beneath the cold, fearsome human the cunning, untamed, hunting wolf, the beast within which craved boldly to satisfy his desire, consume his prey entirely, feast from it. »Stop it!« He ordered. »You're not some animal, don't get deluded by some minor yearning. This means nothing to you. HE means nothing to you! Remember your duty. Leave him, never look back.« >Such a waste!< A deadpan voice confirmed his emotion, reassuring the officer to take his own path to bushido. »There's too much fussing in my brain lately, because of you, rooster! This will end here, now.« Things are quite obvious, stepping back to have a closer look while Sanosuke slowly sank back to the ground, preparing to rest from disappointment and effort, Saitou casually undressed, not minding the suspicious stare of darkening chocolate-colored eyes. He rarely presented the ivory glory of his slender, alert body to spectators, having his bath in solitude, staying in single rooms, nevertheless moving graciously about the shed. A dangerous, lupine grace.... Saitou lit a small lantern to illuminate rather dimly the spot they were resting, turning to face the young fist-fighter, devouring the beautiful sight of Sanosuke in various shades of gold and bronze, a rural, untamed, ancient spirit like himself, shining through an equally trained and inviting frame. Getting on his knees the wolf drew closer, crawling with an intentional air about his approaching. He sensed the dizziness claiming Sanosuke's mind again, the struggle within to remain ready to fend him off, the enormous heat still radiating from the fever. Straddling at the narrow hips of the younger man, lacking any shame about his nude, the wolf leisurely untied the bandages Sanosuke sported around his slim waist, taking over to the baggy trousers. "What the fuck are you doing?" The spiky-haired youngster hissed, laboriously panting since he finally managed to get up to his elbows. "Undressing you." Saitou retorted with a low grunt of annoyance. »This is obvious, isn't it?!« "What for?! Fuck, you bastard, don't you dare molesting me!!" Tiny traces of fear could be heard underneath the angry shout. With a swift grip the officer snatched both wrists of his subordinate, tying them together with a bandage. Hissing and cursing Sanosuke struggled with fury, alas, slowed down by exhaustion and Saitou's weight on his slender body. The said man bent low, ruffling the surprisingly long strands of the unruly mop, searching for the knot to undo and take off the famous red bandana. "Stop that, you asshole!! Don't mess with it, this means a lot to me, you listening, bastard?!" The fist-fighter roared, yelled, tossed and buckled like a wild horse, to no effect, though. "There's a lot of time to get that excited, rooster." Saitou teased, carefully wrapping the small cloth around the tied wrists. "This will keep your greedy paws down." A device stronger than a band made of steel. Daggers darted from abysses of pure hatred, blocked by the wolf's razorsharp grin. Keeping Sanosuke's arms to frame his head and dark-brown mass of unruly strands, he inspected his subordinate closely, the amber eyes noting every single detail. Finally Saitou bent to breathe his words directly to Sanosuke's tightly pressed lips. "Now I will challenge you, mean little rooster. A fight we both can manage." "Are you fucking forcing yourself on me?!" Glaring, spitting his disgust to the calm face above him. "I don't need to." Saitou answered, taking a long, wet lick around Sanosuke's cheekbone. "Your body will lust for me in no time." "But I refuse!!! Don't touch me, you filthy pervert!" Another futile try to free himself by screaming and tossing. A mocking, sonorous chuckle trailed down the youngster's spine as the wolf hungrily bit a collarbone, licking the bruises of his teeth. "I don't care if you're too chickenhearted to meet my challenge. I'll have you, Sanosuke, tonight, and you'll enjoy it." Saitou confirmed, baring his strong fangs. No escape. For neither one of them. ~!~ It had been some time since Saitou had taken the effort to woo company for the night. He was not the kind of man to depend on simple, sexual matters. Besides, there was work to do. >And you're pretty.. intense when you're in the heat...< Well, admittedly the wolf needed to be controlled closely while enjoying the pleasures of sex, as to prevent massive 'accidents' to happen. Anyways, this sturdy, brash fist-fighter seemed to be able to take a lot. If he started off tenderly, like inspecting his feverish skin all over with his tongue, take a nip here and there, admire the beautiful sight of suntanned limbs, caressing the smooth, slender body, leaving no spot unattended, massaging the tense muscles and sinews till the young man moaned and panted. »I will go easy on you, freshman, just make sure you know exactly where I am heading to...« Combing the dark-brown hair with his fingers, he smiled bewitchingly down into the half-lidded eyes. He lifted himself off to grab the strong shoulders and turn his still gasping partner around, straddling again to dig his knuckles deep into the tight area of impressing muscles, covering the torso at Sanosuke's back. »I'll make you relax, and like that forsaken Battousai I'm not too bad a ki-reader myself, so we go on melting you like wax through my fingers. Your fever comes in conveniently. You will yearn to tame the flames within, working you heat off... and since we can't fight your usual, clumsy way, this will be another level of your education, roosterhead!« Saitou felt the younger man tensing and shivering under his weight, caused by the intended contact of his already alert erection with the low back of his lover-in-spe. Straddling, slightly moving about, he grinned wickedly at the effects he provoked. Patting the unruly mop of surprisingly long locks, he whispered. "Now you get to understand why my sword is that feared, don't you? I'll have always something in store to stab and kill." Raining wet kisses on the bony spine he added purring. "But I'll kill you softly, Sanosuke." Gasping, a desperate endeavor to lift himself up on his elbows, the fist-fighter hissed hoarsely. "Don't fucking 'Sanosuke' me, you cowardly bastard of a Shinsengumi asshole!" "Tsk tsk." The officer grabbed a handful of dark-brown strands tightly, forcing Sanosuke's head in a painful angle back to his neck, glaring in those dark, cloudy eyes. "Remember your place, moron. I may be tempted to gag you and have a go with some pointy objects up your ass." "Fine! I'm not afraid of you, you dickhead! I will survive whatever you're up to! And I'll make you pay!!" The former Sekihoutai retorted in utter rage, showing his own strong teeth. A mean gleam haunted the amber stars above him as Saitou bent to lean low to him. "So let's make a deal, won't we? I challenge you to repay me the way I'll go on you tonight. Set?" "And done!" Sanosuke exclaimed, being released in a wink. The wolf banned some black strands back, kneeling close to the younger man who tried to get up, his weak muscles trembling in the effort. "You really hate me with all your heart, don't you?" He stated casually, clicking his tongue while assisting to reel Sanosuke on his back, untying the knots to free the frail-looking wrists. "You bet!" Darts might have spiked his front, according to the venomous glare inspecting him furiously. "Just splendid." Saitou chuckled, licking his strong fangs as the wolf came closer to the surface. ~!~ An hour might have passed and he still rested on his fours like some ancient beast, kissing and licking every patch of suntanned skin he could conquer, teasing tenderly, patiently tormenting the fist-fighter underneath him who tossed dizzily around, his fingertips buried deep into the ground to permit instinctively grabbing for support on Saitou. Smiling in his malicious, cold manner, the wolf had taken the pleasing effort to clean the younger man inch by inch, followed by sucking at limbs, leaving marks with his strong canines to claim his property. He knew by now the unique taste of the rooster, his sensitive spots, every little scar, his fear to bare his back to Saitou, his desire to take part. While still hating him to the utmost possible. »So he can't not act like he wants to, suffering from his principles, fighting within the urge to surrender to his yearning.« Chuckling, the wolf licked a delicate 'hot-spot', a nipple, protruding proudly in a rather bewitching way, luring to be tended. Gasping, the rushing gallop of heartbeats, the vibrating sound strong enough to wander through his lips, echoing in his mouth. Another aspect of being a wolf: he noted everything, his senses high-receptive, in an undeniable combination with his human part which held his discipline, took his time to drive his lover beyond his limits. As stubbornly as the brash fist-fighter with his famous stamina, he could control his actions and longings. And even one wink longer to drive the rooster crazy! Grinning at his mischievous plan, his attention traveled southwards, digging the skilled tip of his tongue deep into the navel. Pressing his teeth in a perfect circle around, breathing his evil intentions on the sensitive skin thus rendering Sanosuke to suppress a low moan. »And yet, I'm not that far, little rooster....« ~!~ He knew about that damn fever! He had a definite notion of being paralyzed by that forsaken influenza, yet some parts of his body had taken over... never caring for his absolute refusal!! Since it had to be close to midnight, only a dim lantern by their side, there was no reason for bright, colorful stars and lightnings to flash behind his heavy lids!! Whenever he tried to escape the mutiny of his limbs, there was the cop from hell, bent low to shower caresses on his skin, easy-going, tenderly, but Sanosuke was not that simple to delude. He could sense the wicked grin of the evil enforcer of his own law, Mr. Aku Soku Zan who right now chewed playfully on the locks down his groin... Panting, he gnashed a curse. »This is humiliating beyond comparison! Guys shouldn't be doing that to other guys...« A hoarse moan escaped his throat, as a notoriously adventurous tongue made acquaintance with his painfully throbbing penis. »Over and out!!« He wanted to protest, to hit that fucking bastard real low and hard when a soft breeze caressed his burning skin, indicating a swift motion. Blinking, he ordered his eyelids to lift and tensed at once. Saitou had changed his position, still cowering low above him, but now something huge, radiating enormous heat, proudly flagged directly to Sanosuke's face. »...dear gods!!!« There were at least two reasons which choked Sanosuke's insulting. First, the impressing sight of Saitou's erection, second, the pretty rare occasion to have to see another man's best companion that close, third... The fist-fighter roared hoarsely, forgetting his vows, grabbing the muscled thighs of the wolf for support. The evil enforcer had started to take a serious interest in Sanosuke's scrotum, a joyride to both testicles to come back for another sightseeing at the younger man's rapidly pulsating penis. »I could... fucking... pay him back... by having some... licks...« There was meltdown in Sanosuke's brain. He had to turn his head to the side, his breath rasping his split lips. He felt his legs giving in, parting even wider to give access to whatever the damn cop felt inclined to share, his fingertips buried in the strong flesh of the sword-fighter's thighs the last contact to self-control. »That bastard will pay... somehow...« The strong hands with the sore patches of training stroke teasingly down his bent legs, over and over again, a slow counterpart to the taunting attention still directed at Sanosuke's genitalia. »I won't surrender.... no way!!« ~!~ »Courageous... or rather stubborn to stupidity....« Saitou couldn't make up his mind, blowing a sinister hot breeze down the saliva-covered scrotum, earning a shivering contortion as he had intended. Meanwhile, the claw-like grabbing of the fist-fighter's hands had ended. Gasping, sometimes slightly arching, the young man lay beneath him, the fever and his efforts taking toll. Saitou turned around, inspecting his lover. The bent arms like broken wings encircling the damp head, rosy cheeks contrasting split lips, fluttering long eyelashes dancing over dark circles of exhaustion. With the back of his hand the officer checked on the temperature, thus cooling the feverish skin momentarily. He reached out for the bottle of water, taking deep drafts, spilling some drops on purpose. Hiding away the source of his refreshment, the wolf patiently waited for the young man's numb brain to come to action, like lifting those heavy eyelids to midsection, dizzy by the disease. Slowly, Saitou's index finger entered his mouth, being covered with saliva, trailing the strong chin with luring intent. The amber stars sparkled, inspecting his prey to open his mouth in a copying mode, unconsciously craving to share the fluids. Saitou licked his lips in a determined manner, as to clean up a very indiscriminate mess, his still slick finger tipping Sanosuke's mouth, gaping in sheer desperation. Within a wink the officer's fingertip disappeared in the dry, hot cavern, greedily being sucked at, then, like drugged, realization came up and Sanosuke halted, his eyes widening. »He... had given in.... damn!!« Taking his chance in his calculating cool manner, Saitou drew his finger back. The fist-fighter held his inspecting glare, being interrupted by a hard cough, making Sanosuke cringe in spasms. As he came to an exhausted halt on his back, the Shinsengumi combed confused strands out of his unnaturally hot face, licking his finger again, then.. he winked. Sanosuke gasped in astonishment for air, blinking disbelievingly. »Did that... fucking bastard of cop... just... flirt... with him?! Well, no time to contemplate!« He snapped for the saliva-covered finger again, closing his eyes, even this minor endeavor caused him dizziness. »Thirst... « »He yearned for a cool refreshment...« »Anything... just....« »Intoxicating taste....« His head sank back to the ground, laboriously taking air in. ~!~ »This has gone far enough.« Saitou decided, towering the younger man who fainted by simply sucking at his finger. »A very intriguing emotion indeed...« Focusing on his prime motive, to challenge and make the little rooster surrender, he tilted the pointy chin with his left hand to face him. »Ah. Back to the roots again...« He lowered to caress the split lips with his newly slick fingertip, waiting for the younger man to finally open his eyes again, to smile his malicious, daring grin of feral beauty down those deep chocolate-colored abysses. There was no need to taunt anymore. The constant frown, the brash attitude were gone, leaving a stunningly attractive face in pain but still keeping his grace and dignity. »I am not the man to fall in love, rooster, but I will acknowledge your qualities.« Keeping one knee in position to spread the fist-fighter's legs, Saitou replaced his teasing fingertip with his moistened lips, breathing a butterfly kiss, another subtle torture to his lover. Sneaking his left arm under Sanosuke's neck, he waited for two gasping drafts of air before granting his lips again, accepting the hungry contact with Sanosuke's swollen tongue, to share his cool saliva. Kissing the younger man lavishly, to become serious, lusting for the combat within the fist-fighter's mouth, keeping his left hand in a strong grip around the exposed nape. It took just some desirous moments of carnal oblivion to slightly sink to the left side, Sanosuke's hands tightly grabbing his shoulders, to finally get the opportunity to make the real score by smuggling his still slick finger into the younger man's rear. The shock of the sudden tightness caused by the bold intruder, rendered both men to interrupt their greedy kissing. Saitou grinned wickedly, licking his own lips rather leisurely while the fist-fighter panted, blinking in growing panic and desperation. His hands tried to shove the officer from his tight embrace, his left darting to grab Saitou's molesting right hand. Chuckling in his arrogant manner, the sword-fighter just cringed his index finger a little, leaving the roosterheaded fighter to whimper, gnashing a curse. "Now now, you're being rude.", Feigning admonishing care, Saitou moved his head up to prevent being attacked by Sanosuke's teeth, smiling triumphantly. "Is that proper behavior, regarding my gentleness with you?" But Sanosuke didn't give up yet. He started to push and hit the elder man's back and sides, desperately trying to free himself, hissing breath through gritted teeth. The wolf, already counting on this, took his time, outlasted the tantrum till the younger man had to stop exhausted, sinking to the ground again. "That's what I keep on telling you, rooster: you're making a fuss with no result at all. Now, look at yourself, you're lying spread-angled before me, an invitation to have my ways with you. Chickenbrained fighting, such a waste!" Saitou grinned his feral grin, growling lowly to stroke with urging desire the torso of his lover, massaging the spasms away. "I... refuse..." Still laboriously breathing, said man managed to hoarsely whisper. Yet, his fists remained weak, twitching in the effort to be clenched. Smirking, the wolf straddled Sanosuke again, tickling his fingertips in the palms of the fist-fighter, playfully designing strange lines to mock the futile endeavor, pretending a grinding motion to their touching groins, reminding their attentive erections that things were nevertheless working his intentions, listening to the pitiful panting of his lover, Saitou entwined their fingers, focusing his amber stare of sulfurous gleam at the feverishly rosy face. "Sano, there's just one option." He explained calmly. "I will have you, and I will have you completely, from tip to toe, from within and without. I won't set you free until my goal is fulfilled. Your choice is whether it's going to be fast or taking the whole of the night." The answer took some time since Sanosuke had to regain some minor strength to speak without coughing. Staring at the older man bending low to inspect his weary state, he hissed. "I hate you, you bastard! I never give in." Saitou smiled savagely. »We'll see.« ~!~ Keeping their hands joint together, measuring their strength and willpower, Saitou made use of his slender, tall frame, traveling low again, teasing the exposed patches of skin he knew to be extra-sensitive. Another lick here and there, and like a magic spell out of the owner's control, Sanosuke's legs parted, his spine ached to meet the diabolic attention of the wolf, yearning to be caressed. Patience and skill worked for him, no doubt, but he enjoyed their combat nonetheless. He liked the sticky feeling of grinding their skin where his tongue had danced on the feverish body, the display of their muscles beneath, the contrast of his ivory limbs to the dark, suntanned ones of Sanosuke. As much as he took his pleasure of hunting down his prey, he relished waiting for the next step of his opponent, a fight worth his time and attention. Mockingly, he blew a kiss on the dry lips, to lick a temple, arching up to make their groins grind again. He had done so for some time, concentrating on the throbbing erection of his younger partner, stubbornly in control, but already causing pain, he guessed. "...kill me..." A mere hiss got his notice, the chocolate-colored eyes somber and bitter. "I..d... rather... die..." "Than being penetrated by another man, am I assuming correct?" Saitou finished his sentence. "Let me guess, rooster." He admonished with haughty nonchalance. "It's humiliating and against nature. Only perverts would come up with something horribly detestable like that." Dipping a kiss at the frowning forehead, the wolf smiled with bared fangs. "See, that's the simple-minded concept of a black-and-white-world. But", licking at the younger man's chin up to his lip, "we both know better, don't we? The world's shades of grey and bloody red, there's more than one truth and human living has nothing to do with the rules of nature at all. This is my final challenge to you. You can become stronger, or you can hide and stay with the morons in the slums, just another narrow-minded idiot. Your choice." More staring, glaring, studying. With a low sigh of annoyance, Sanosuke hissed. "Damn, fuck me already, my dick's going to kill me!" ~!~ The wolf leisurely took up his last occupation, their fingers still entwined, marking his sightseeing way southwards, nipping, kissing, licking, teasing. »Just the arrogant bastard he'd always be!« Sanosuke gritted his teeth, closing his eyes again. »No use hurrying that sadistic cop up.« His mind went on spinning, dizzy, harboring strange glimpses which danced before he could decipher their meaning. Well, alright, things would be better afterward... after he had given in to the challenge. Strangely the roosterheaded youngster did not fear being inferior to the almighty former Shinsengumi, one point of Saitou being mistakenly assumed. The officer would never have gone that far if he was not enjoying himself to the utmost and, as Sanosuke guessed, there was no fun/challenge to the wolf if his opponent could not make up to his demands. So, concluding, the wicked wolf pleased himself, and thus, their combat focused on the progress of their relationship and while still hating that forsaken bastard like anything else, Sanosuke yearned to stand his ground. »I can take it. I'll watch and I'll learn and I'll come back for you, fucking bastard cop, and then we'll see who's taking who!« This time when Saitou turned to dip his head in between Sanosuke's readily spread legs, there was no hesitating to open his mouth and take a lick at the erection Saitou sported, earning a low chuckle of delight. Due to his exhaustion Sanosuke could not keep up this task as long as the wolf himself, but to his own opinion it did last long enough to give the damn bastard of a sneaky cop the right impression about his skills. When he was reeled and, surprisingly careful, lifted to his knees, the slender frame of the officer casting a menacing shadow at his back, Sanosuke swallowed hard. Now, things were getting serious... A shiver hastened his spine to his legs, leaving them numb. »I can do it, I can do it!« Repeating this chorus, he forced his courage to tame his fleeing heartbeat. »No big deal, com'on, we've had worse...« The wolf covered him like another skin, as tightly as possible, his left arm encircling the marvelously chiseled torso of his younger lover, calming strokes while his right hand massaged Sanosuke' genitalia. Hot breath caressed the youngster's nape, confusing his already meddled strands, strong canines punctured his muscles. He felt the inquiring fingers enter his body, preparing to spread the opening for the real tournament. Gasping for air, Sanosuke tensed up immediately. The wolf kept his patience, kissing, teasing, playfully picking at the fist-fighter's testicles, dispersing the attention and taking another try when Sanosuke relaxed slightly. The younger man stifled a painful scream, breathing laboriously to fight both panic and ache away, alas, the image of Saitou's impressing erection came to his mind, impossible to fit his anal entrance... "Stop it, Saitou, please!" He rasped, his limbs already trembling. "You're too huge!" Convulsing spams added to his agony, tightening the muscled ring around his anus. Hissing a profanity, a rare slip of manners, Saitou outbalanced their joint weight to prevent a hard fall to the ground, whispering eagerly at the younger man's nape. "Listen, Sano, calm down. I told you, you'd like it. and I'll make sure you do. Sht, rooster, no sobbing." As a skilled man in every aspect, the officer knew how to diminish the pain, so his right hand left his own demanding erection to peck into the tense muscles of Sanosuke's inner thighs. The reward came up at once, the younger man losing his balance which Saitou took care of by stroking Sanosuke's penis rather savagely, leaving his lover to moan hoarsely, trembling in bliss. Ah, he liked that sound better than the painful sobbing! Carefully he encircled Sanosuke's torso again, slowly leaning back on his heels, adjusting the youngster on his lap, caressing Sanosuke's thighs tenderly. Deserting the fist-fighter's erection, he worked his way again to the rear part of the still feverish body. Inch by inch he straightened up, thus entering Sanosuke for the second time. The fist-fighter gasped, trying to get away, reaching out to crawl off but Saitou held him tight to his sturdy breast, humming sonorously. "It's alright, Sano", he licked a cheekbone, "give in to me, we're almost done." Still the younger man tried to escape by getting up, to prevent a further intrusion, so Saitou's arm left the trembling torso to massage Sanosuke's erection again, making the youngster moan and relax his legs. Thus taking Saitou in to his full length. Now he could do as he had intended, direct Sanosuke's arms around his nape, tilting the youngster's pointy chin to meet his hungry mouth, kissing him deeply. He sensed Sanosuke arching, moving helplessly as Saitou met his timid actions, a rocking motion, a synchronized howl leaving their throats. Saitou kept on stroking the hot torso of his lover, up to his elbows, down his sides, teasing the impatiently throbbing erection while they rolled together to hit the special point inside Sanosuke's lower body and his roosterheaded lover danced on his lap, in a sensual, luring manner, oblivious to his former fears and pain. Another tongue-entwining kiss and the officer settled his score, delighted by the orgasm of his partner, shivering through his veins and muscles, grinning greedily at the fluid in his right hand. »Be right after you, Sano.« He smiled untamed, holding tight. ~!~ The constant fight with Saitou took his toll. Sanosuke fainted exhausted, sinking to the sword-fighter who cradled him tenderly. Far from being satisfied he kept his hunger in store to reconsider his aims. The roosterheaded fool had accepted his challenge and right now... he felt enticed to go on, challenge after challenge... »Tsk tsk.« He admonished the wolf within. »It will be much more pleasant if he's in good health, as stubborn as usual... more fun to seduce...« A wicked grin bared his fangs to the night. Patience and success at hand, he scheduled his plan, so he lifted the unconscious young man up, adjusting the weight in his arms to put Sanosuke down on the thin blanket again, cover the hot frame with his own body, combing some strands out of the relaxed, rosy face. He bent low to kiss the damp forehead, smiling proudly. »Nevertheless a very good pupil... after all.« "Happy anniversary, Sano." He whispered guarding his lover protectively. ~!~ When he woke up, due to some shuffling and low voices by his side, there was no trace of the wolf at all. A flaming red ponytail drew his attention. "Kenny?" He coughed hoarsely. "Ohayou Sanosuke, my dear friend!" The notoriously innocent smile of the former Hitokiri greeted him, beaming up. "What's...?" Trying to get up, the fist-fighter had to be supported by his small, rather frail-looking friend. "Can you believe it, right this morning, an officer came to take me to a carriage, with a message from Mr. Fuijta!" Kenshin winked furiously to indicate the secretiveness of their conversation. "And they took me to bring you home to the Doujou! Now, that's really weird, isn't it?" "Weird." Sanosuke mumbled. His friend had no notion about weirdness at all. Like making love to the former third captain of the Shinsengumi, the most feared man in the whole country. "Now, can we get up and go home?" Kenshin offered his small shoulders for support, earning a serious frown. "Kenshin, don't act like that fox lady, willya? It gives me the creeps!" Staggering to get to his feet, both left the shed when Sanosuke abruptly halted. "Hey, Kenny, did ya see my bandana??" ~!~ Smirking on his way to Kyoto, Saitou let the red cloth swirl through the air, like a child designing sketches into the open sky. »Another challenge... setting the scores again... wonder when the little rooster will hunt me to claim his property back...« Birds fled the forest, as Saitou howled his amused laughter to the world. Damn, he just loved to be a wicked wolf! ~!~ The end ~!~ Thanks for enduring! kimera