title: Taming of the wolf author: kimera archive: http://www.kimerascall.lima-city.de/ contact: kimerascall@gmx.de fan fiction series: Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki SaiSa Sizzle and Burn-challenge scenario no. 1, scorching hot weather PG: 16 category: drama written: 08.06.2003 disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki, the challenge was originated by the Queen Yokozuna. Special Warning: No native, so millions of mistakes, misspellings...your mind will spin and possibly detonate but you've been warned ^_^ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ ~+~ Taming of the wolf He ran. Dizzy. Nauseous. »Don't stop!« The sun glistened in tormenting brightness. His body burnt like a torch. ~+~ A last grating grunt, and the wipers came to a standstill. Their purpose to keep the windshield clear had been in vain, the sulfurous dust already tarnished the black van completely. Endless miles of corn, a dull sea of ears, trembling in waves due to the glowing wind. The narrow line of asphalt disappeared, every hot breath of nature blew another shower of grains. They said that this presented the stronghold of the country, but to him it was just another living hell. He loathed the arrogant attitude to deplete the soil with mono-agriculture. This would end in a vast desert once more but obviously nobody seemed to care for other options. »Stronghold? Ridiculous. A matter of ignorance.« Igniting a cigarette he took a deep draft. He needed to stay relaxed and civilized although the weather was definitely trying. Noticing the empty packet, he frowned. »Already? Tsk tsk.« He had to regain his usual composure, stoical and indifferent and, above all, self-control. This was important. Adjusting the cigarette close to the humming air condition, the stinging odor of nicotine spread to fill the cab. Easing his breath he checked the screen on the console, gathering the information collected in the rear by a row of high-tech equipment. The turbulence caused by the semi-sandstorm interrupted the connection to the satellites, the radio crackled statically, the constant stream of output reduced to a blinking line. »Welcome to the outback.« ~+~ His lungs ached. He lost his vision. Rubbing hard he blinked. ~You can overcome your pain~ a tender whisper in his mind. »I will. I will make them pay.« ~+~ The corn fields flooded down to a vast valley. Stopping his van he inspected the dried trees and several columns of dust. »Wind spouts? No.« His field glasses revealed the true nature of these dancing pillars: cars, sharing his camouflage of sulfurous dust, the license plates covered to conceal the identity of its owner. Amber eyes narrowed. A small column of dust came to a staggering halt, encircled, clouded. A ghost, human-shaped, stained with blood, skinny silhouette but tall. Run down by a bumper. »Six cars«, he counted, »by the pair of headlights.« Engaged in a chase. Their prey came up again, rushing straight for a bonnet, leaping, rolling and running again to the only safe place, the cliff of the hill, at its foot loads of rocks. Scanning, his thin lips wrinkled spitefully. ~+~ His breath rasped, he tasted the coppery flavor of his own blood. This time was different, he knew. »Too exhausted.« ~Go on, don't give up!~ a gentle cheering. »Yes, dad!« Cradling his left arm, he stumbled, got up, forced his tired body to endure. Clouds of dust darkened his escape but he still suffered from the immense heat. A shadow materialized, blocking his way. Hoarsely screaming he went straight. ~+~ He aimed while dusting his black attire and the scarlet rocket rushed swiftly to meet the assembly of cars turning to catch the prey. Scarlet smoke mingled with the dust clouds, a signal fire exploded in the sulfurous sky, red sparkles like tears poured down. Sinking his left arm, he stepped aside. The ghost-like prey missed him by inches, stumbling, panting and tripping, due to his extended leg. Picking the skinny body laboriously gasping for air, he disappeared while the columns of dust settled slowly. ~+~ His prey struggled wearily, encircled by a cloud of dust and grain. Everything about him was baked with a sulfurous layer, his hair like spikes in a shallow color, his torn shirt, the battered trousers, except the pair of big chocolate-colored eyes, tinted red by infection. Inspecting his 'ghost' closer, he noticed the bare feet, the protruding bones, the sandpaper-like quality of the skin, the bruises and injuries, the angle he kept his left arm... Something gnashed. He eased the tension in his jaws. The youngster, -as he considered his acquaintance to be in his teenage years-, shook his frail wrist free, clenching his right to an impressive fist. "Leggo!" He snarled, blinking to clear his vision while blood trickled down his pointy chin. Sporting indifference the hunter turned to watch his competitors but his signal shot had driven the lot of them to seek their amusement somewhere else. Still, columns of sand were singing and dancing, joining, tearing and increasing. He did not want to stay to become part of a storm. Climbing his way up the rocks to the top of the cliff, he studied the skilled advancement of the youth, even with his presumably broken left arm. Succeeding the youngster bent, gasping, coughing violently. The hunter waited patiently. "Your arm's broken. You need to see a doctor." Glaring the youth managed to stand straight, spitting to the ground. "But you cannot afford to pay a visit." The hunter flashed a wicked grin to answer this spiteful demonstration of lacking respect. His opponent growled, a hoarse, deep, hollering sound. "Now, where's the next hospital? I'll give you a ride." Adjusting the jet-black strands, the hunter scanned the horizon: corn and dust, the sky already as shallow as the soil. "I walk." A coarse retort and the youth started to move back the road the hunter had taken before. "Nonsense.", The hunter growled. The last town he had passed was about 20 miles far off, impossible to reach under the conditions. The storm would swallow the youngster. He caught up, grabbing a shoulder, spinning his prey around. "Stop acting like an imbecile, brat! My car's over there and I don't want to get toasted out here!" "Piss off!" A furious yell, a punch hit the hunter's palm with impressing vigor. The youngster blinked in astonishment while his blow was blocked with ease. "Now, that's it." Casually the hunter unfastened the handcuffs at his belt. "You're in custody." "You did not introduce yourself as a cop, so you can't take me into arrest!" The youngster backed off, fleeing, his left arm cuddled to his torso. The hunter watched his escape with minor interest. He would not run around to chase this impudent fool. The storm would outrun him. ~+~ The wind tore his already ragged shirt. Keeping the direction proved to be painful and hardly possible. A whirl of dust and grain darkened the sky, blurred the vision and his eyes were crusted. He shrank his haggard figure to reduce the target for the constant shower of dust particles, gasping for air. It felt like being beat up, invading his body, gnashing in his mouth, a machine close to standstill but he had to move. The strange cop had been right about his arm. He had carefully inspected the broken bone with his own fingertips. He could not rearrange this matter on his own. »Keep on walking.« He commanded his tired legs, his burning feet. If he made it, step by step, he would conquer once again. Just... ~+~ Checking his maps the hunter mused the latest events he had witnessed. The youngster looked like a savage, he was definitely undernourished and had been mistreated. A vagabond? Not likely, for he would never have left without collecting his possessions. And the others? Some kind of local prankster gang? They had been very determined about hitting the youth, which could be considered as attempted murder in some places. »If I have to head back, I can purchase supplies and maybe get a connection to the satellites again.« He started the engines, a low, purring sound and followed the disappearing track of asphalt. Due to the lack of any vision at all, he nearly missed the youngster who had, finally, paid his debts to his exhausted body. Covered with a blanket of dust, his slender body had collapsed close to the road. The hunter stopped, adjusted a black scarf to fend off the storm and fetched the limb form. He was used to lift and drag people, although he preferred them to move on their own but the little weight of the youth compared to his height was disturbing. How he had managed to come this far, had to be a sign of his stubbornness. Or insanity. Fastening the cross-shaped seat-belts, the hunter attached a bottle at the compartment above the windshield. A transparent tube poured water down to meet the youngster's split lips. Some instants later, the youth sucked in deep, unhurried drafts, another mark of his strong will. So, his savage acquaintance was accustomed to suffering, hunger as like as pain. Well, he would solve the mystery in due time. ~+~ Cautiously harboring every drop of soothing water, he inspected the strange car. It had been a while since his last tour and usually he avoided any vehicle. Everything was narrow, he felt cut off, the air condition stung in artificial flavors but this one was different: it purred like a big cat, low, deep vibrations, caressing his skin and bones. The interior was as black as the surface, some displays in a yellow dim, strange devices adapted to the console. The man by his side was definitely not one of the cops he had met in his lifetime. Well, to be true about it, he had not been far from his 'home'. Glancing hard at his custodian he frowned slightly. A piercing stare of amber eyes, the striking lines of his haggard face, the malicious wrinkle in the corners of thin lips. Measuring the casualness of blocking his blow and shifting him, the man had to be strong and dangerously experienced, self-possessed and at ease with his body. Stifling a yawn he pinched his broken arm to focus. He could not afford the luxury of yielding into lulling slumber, even if the seat was comfortable to his drained and battled body. The man radiated danger in huge letters and there was no guessing about his intentions. He knew about charges and there had not been a single one. He never got anything in his possession close to a weapon, to prevent "armed" assaults. Another yawn. Even the water did not help his worn out state, excluding a slight recovery of his dehydrated condition. »I must stay alert... reasonable...« A glance tingled his neck as he stared out of the window to watch the storm in the rear mirror, a gigantic wall of whirling dust and grain, pacing very fast. The van sped up, the engine roared sonorously. ~+~ Relying on maps and satellites and navigation systems would definitely cause trouble. He used his instincts, his skilled talent of observation, his common sense and his trained memory. Entering the visitors' parking lot he addressed his captive for the first time since their departure. "You're under arrest, so don't try any stunts. We're seeing the hospital over there and you will act civil, polite and reasonable. Now, what's your name?" The bloodied lips tensed to seal the mouth but instants later, the youth changed his mind, coughing and clearing his throat. "I said I can't pay.", He stated, staring fixedly straight ahead. With an impatient snarl the hunter replied. "Don't worry, the insurance will cover the debts. Now, answer my question." "I did not do anything wrong, there are no charges!" The youngster ranted on indifferently, in a singsong-manner, implying his habit to face accusations. The tall man grinned wickedly, picking up his tinted-green sunglasses. "Think again, punk. You attacked a bounty hunter on hot pursuit and interfered with his duty. Sufficient charges for you." "How was I to know you were on duty?!" The youth yelled, clenching his fists and instantly hissing in pain. "Idiot." A calm statement, no interest in insulting to provoke the youngster any further. "You..." The chocolate-colored eyes blinked, to reconsider. ".. you were on hot pursuit? One of them is your bounty-target?!" Inspecting the sudden attention the hunter adjusted his sunglasses. "Your name." A low whisper of increasing anger. The youth glared obstinately. Within the next blink of his infected eyes his throat was throttled with a simple, nevertheless effective grip. Instinctively he tried to lift the fingers but to no result at all. His vision began to blur, he started kicking and struggling desperately. One hit to his stomach and he could not even move his legs anymore. A stifled, high-pitched moan. The hunter hesitated. Despite his fighting abilities his captive obviously had no concept to flatter or beg his way out of trouble, instead, he became a savage creature again, suffocating whimpers to show his agony but no attempt to alter his mistreatment by the common ways. Releasing the limb body the hunter unfastened the seat-belts and caught the rasping youngster, supported his recovery. "Tell me your name." He advised another time, rubbing the bony chest with his knuckles to soothe the spasms. "Sa-- no--" Coughs interrupted the coarse voice, the youngster curled on his lap. Assisting the feeble attempts to sit straight the tall man went on, indifferently but determined. "Your name. Your social number." Cradling his broken arm, knees close to his pointy chin, a haggard fortress, the youth gasped, gathering his breath to pronounce distinctly. "Sanosuke Sagara. No social number." The hunter opened his door, a draft of glowing heat invaded the van. "Get out, Sano. Let's have your arm treated." Staggering Sano leaned to the door-frame, inhaling the dusted, burning breeze like ambrosia. »Finally out of that damn car...« The hunter was already by his side, gently bolting the door, leading him to the entrance of the hospital. Sano sighed inwardly. He did not like this development at all. A stubby man behind the reception desk inspected their arrival, one look to the youngster and his fleshy nose wrinkled in despise. The hunter loomed closer, staring fixedly into shallow brown eyes till the receptionist fidgeted. "Ah.... yes?" He screeched. "Call a doctor immediately. A broken arm." "Ah...ah... and, how do you.. ah.. ah... plan to... ah... ah... pay?" The man seemed to melt down the floor. "My insurance will. The bounty-hunter's. The name's Saitou. Now, make the call." He whispered darkly, baring his amber eyes over the rim of his sunglasses. Nearly tripping the receptionist literally raced to fetch the doctor. Said doctor, a skinny woman, sniffed and glared disapprovingly. "I'll have to disinfect the whole place! Come on, but don't you dare touch me! What a filth!" She muttered constantly, heading for a small room, ushering Sano to have a seat, reaching out for gloves. Saitou ignored the doctor completely. Snatching Sano's right wrist to close the handcuffs and bound his captive to a flue. "Hey?! Where are you going?!" Another yell, the doctor shouting at the hunter who simply stared to cause her flinch. "I'll be back." Turning he kept the sight of the youth in mind: his head lowered, his gaze gone to disregard his humiliation. ~+~ As he entered the hospital again, the sky had turned to a dark yellow color, there were lightnings to be seen, caused by the immense heat and the electric charging of the compressed air. The hunter had bought supplies to fill his little cabinet to the borders, checking on every compartment and shelf thoroughly. The task at hand was intriguing, a rare event. Fetching the last results of his inquiries he had headed to get the youngster who was patiently resting on an old newspaper, the air dense with the stinging odor of sterilized chemicals. In silence he unbolted the handcuffs, leaving in his usual pace. He sensed the youth's tired steps. This short break had caused his exhausted condition to sink to his last resorts of strength. Nobody seemed interested in their departure, even the reception was deserted. Saitou stopped by the rear of his van, waiting for the drowsy youngster who tried to back off in alarm, alas in vain due to the swift motions of the hunter who simply hurled his prey into the tiny confinement. "There's no Sanosuke Sagara." He stated, the amber eyes glowing like golden stars of distant suns. He shut the doors fast, bolting. He could hear the frantic banging of bare fist and feet, desperate yelling, muffled but distinctively. His savage prey was afraid of being locked up. He had noticed the restless shifting at the passenger's seat. »There are some things I have to consider thoroughly, Sano, so you will just have to endure.« With the dreadful yelling of the siren's warning he left the town. ~+~ The storm had built a huge wall, from the whirling soil to the sky, sulfurous grain flying like a gigantic swarm of insects, even sonorous humming, grinding, crunching. Columns and clouds manifested and disappeared again, an evil suction conquering the horizon and pacing closer rapidly. Saitou headed straight into the storm, following the track and his intuition. Shutting down his high-tech equipment he had to rely on his own and trust in his judgment and the sturdy qualities of his van. The hunter estimated the sandstorm to concentrate on the town, according to the history of local meteorology and he did not want to be stuck. Besides, he knew about the rules of grapevines. Fastening his seat-belt he headed straight into the massive wall. Instantly, grain crackled on the every available surface like a tremendous hailstorm, its force strong enough to shake the earth. Within seconds the world became black, interrupted by the hitting of lightnings close to the car, accompanied by the constant roll of blows. Saitou stopped the van, turned the engines down. There was no telling to up and down anymore, the little compass on the console freaked out. Nature erupted in spasms, shaking, growling, hissing. A sucking whirl caught the van, dragged it around, to no direction as nothing was to be distinguished in the void of darkness all around. The lupine hunter started calmly to count. »One.« »Two.« »Three.« ... ~+~ Close to lacking air, Saitou ceased counting at 400 beats. The sky was bright, the sun beaming, no clouds to be spotted. No sound whatsoever. Slowly, he checked the instruments again. Only the rear mirror bore witness to the recent storm. Casually he left the van and strode a few steps to release the tension which had captured his slender figure. Every breath was inhaling hellfire, the air seemed to be burning. The storm had left a vacuum, of noise, of energy, of shadow. Within minutes, Saitou felt a layer of sweat cover his body while the Adrenalin worked its way violently through his synapses. A little exercise would pacify the yearning spell to burst into action. Stretching his muscles he turned to unbolt the rear of the van, inspecting the state of his captive. The youngster had become silent, his constant banging stopped. The doors swung open, and like a jack-in-the-box, a savage youth jumped out, growling and hissing frantically. The chocolate-colored eyes were tinted crimson, the remaining fist clenched to strike, the meager body tensed to spread the impulse of close detonation. Saitou stepped back, although there was no escape. He was the only target to be attacked besides the dried grass and sand, no tree, no bush. The youngster flung at him, careless for his injuries, hitting, biting, growling, kicking, an outburst of feral frenzy. As there was no technique, no tactics, the hunter could not measure out the blows, so he had to take some minor hits. He did not intend to hurt the furious youngster, which left the only option available: to embrace the haggard figure till the last resource of strength was drained. Sano's throat was too sour to keep on growling and yelling. The narrowness inside the van and the unbearable heat had added to his already exhausted state, alas, he could not order his body to calm down. The bastard hunter had to pay for tormenting him! When he kicked right below a knee, the older man grunted, -the first hit to be commented-, and hurled the youth out of his arms. Hardly able to catch his fall, Sano rolled on the dusty soil, struggling to get on his naked feet again. The hunter glared at him, the scary amber gaze glowing, baring his strong fangs like a wolf, the jet-black strands tingling with remains of the electricity. Sano felt it, too. Scarcely air to breathe but the atmosphere statically charged. His eyes wet again due to the brightness, the glistening sand, the heat. He attacked anew. ~+~ Saitou sensed the last assault, easily picked the right wrist before it could make contact with his face while he snatched the youngster's frail waist to prevent other attempts to fight. Pinning the meager body to his sturdy own, he could feel the laborious breath, the trembling of strained muscles, the bolts of lightning flashing in between their joint unit, the electrified tickling of steaming hot skin. The youth glared at him, his lips parted to gasp for air, struggling to free himself but lacking vigor. Every blink told Saitou that his captive was about to collapse in his arms. Soft, low whimpering of anger escaped the exhausted body, the feral part of his character still wanted to fight, never to surrender at any costs. Saitou growled, those sounds stirred his determined mind, he needed to silence the youngster. Before his ratio could cut in, he covered the split lips, kissing his captive as to suffocate those enticing calls of weary rage. Gasping at the first intrusion Sano recovered in no time, taking advantage of the lavish amount of saliva in the hunter's mouth, sucking and swallowing to soothe his craving. He felt the startled hunter back off, held tighter to gather as much as possible before he would be driven away. A strange wave raced Saitou's strong body, an overwhelming impulse intoxicated his mind, breaking the seal to control an archaic hunger. Lifting the youngster with ease he turned, heading for the shadow the van cast on the ground. He flung the desiring youth down, shared his saliva anew to cover the movements of his hands, tearing the ragged clothes off the meager body, exploring his captive lustfully. As Sano started to shiver, gasping, Saitou increased the intensity of his possessive engagement, interrupting his hungry kisses to unzip his trousers. Meekly a voice in his mind commanded to stop at once, to inspect the state of the youngster, wounded, bruised, close to starving and sticky with dust and dried soil. The wolf inside didn't care. With his weight he kept the youth to the ground, his right busily massaging the throbbing erection while his left got rid of his tanga. Sand and grain scratched Sano's skin, moaning and trembling he tried to escape, to be lured by the delicious taste of the hunter mouth, the refreshing quality of saliva. Shockwaves raced his body, caused by the determined caress of his penis. Sanosuke sensed the tension. Digging his heels into the ground, he robbed slowly out of the shadow, the fingers of his right hand entangled in the jet-black strands of his hunter. Saitou did not hesitate to strain the youngster's condition. He enforced the orgasm in his skilled manner, draining the trembling body to gain the semen. Smoothing his own erection, radiating ancient lust to conquer, he grabbed the rasping youth's waist, turned the youngster on his knees and covered the bent figure closely. Staggering and shaking he ignored the incredulous yelling of his common sense to stop himself from raping his captive, especially without any precautions at all. Instinctively, Sano tried to balance on his knees, straddling to stand the additional weight on his meager body, preventing to fall and hit his already broken left arm any further. A low growl of satisfaction, and the hunter enforced his entrance into the exhausted body, swift and firm. The youngster gasped with a stifled groan, flinched to escape, bucking, digging small ditches into the soil, while trying to reach the sunny outlines of the van. Saitou was lost to his feral hunger, he became a steam engine, pulling, pushing, with all his might, keeping the meager body inseparable from his own. He did not mind the smear of blood and soil on his black-clad chest, the grinding quality of the naked torso, the filthy mop of dusted strands. Just driving them both to delirious madness. ~+~ He barely noticed the lupine howl of triumph, exhausted hitting the ground, swallowing dust. Slowly the strange thrill in his abdomen subsided, the hunter drew back, releasing his worn out body. A tickle of an impulse dragged Sanosuke to crawl clumsily into the sun. He could not walk anymore, as the unshielded heat burnt his skin, his eyes already too weak to open to the blinding desert of sulfurous dust and grain. »Home.« »need« »to« »go« »home« ~+~ Even the shadow of the van could not render the effect of sobering Saitou but the bare buttocks of the crouching youngster succeeded. He noticed the trail his semen took down the meager inner thighs, contrasting the baked layer of soil and dust. Rapidly the hunter dressed again, stood and fetched a cigarette. Inhaling deeply he swore under his breath. »Damn it!« With the stinging odor of nicotine he felt his usual stoical calmness return, along with his common sense. »What the hell is going on?!« He cursed himself. »You raped that dirty youngster! Feel like taking a risk, aren't we? Like a horny teenager, not caring for anything! And where does the imbecile think he is going to?!« Dragging another series of puffs he offed the cigarette, heading for the torching sun and the crawling youth. He caught him by the waist, ignored the whimpering, feeble attempts to flee, lifted the youngster on his arms and took him back. As he reached his van again, Sanosuke had already passed out, dead-weight to strain the hunter's strength. Hissing at the stinging pain of glowing steel the hunter opened the passenger's door, arranged the limb body with the seat-belts and tucked the small tube between the split lips. Entering the van he noticed that Sanosuke had not taken the opportunity to sip the water from the bottle above, so he fetched the tube himself, sucked to initiate the flowing and bestowed the youngster again. Hiding his amber gaze behind the sunglasses the hunter started the engine to find a deserted place with shade to recover. ~+~ Following the road, now distinguishable outlined, he passed the fields again, partly destroyed in circling motions by the storm. The landscape became steep and Saitou recognized the cliff where he had met his savage captive. Leaving the road he slowed down to make his way in a wadi, clouds of dust hiding his whereabouts to any curious spectator. After several 100 feet he found the place he had been looking for: shaded by a huge cliff there was a little pond, surrounded by trees and bushes, an oasis. Turning down the engines he glanced at his captive. The youngster was sucking water in deep drafts, the crusted eyes closed, cradling his broken arm. Saitou stepped out, went to the side to fetch a tin with fruits. »The sweet juice and the spicy bits might help to recover for a start.« He took his seat again, snatched the youth's right hand to close the fingers on a fork and set the tin on the youngster's naked lap. "Take your time." He advised, suffering another shiver as he watched the rasping breath tremble through the delicate body again. Another cigarette accompanied his escape to the bushes. Smoking with angry drafts he argued with himself, nearly gnashing the filter. »Damn it, don't act like a horny molester! He's injured and too weak to breathe straight!« >Well, he does not need to if we're proceeding like I intend to.< »Shut up right now! We already raped the boy and we did not care for condoms, thanks to you.« >Hey, who are you to blame?! Damn, look at him! Okay, he's dirty and skinny, but imagine feeding him a little, a shower! Yummyumm, don'tcha agree, chief?< »That's not the point! I have an appointment, business, if you remember the term, there's no time for fucking boys!« >Hold on, wait a minute! He's no boy, he's approximately 19 years old and you did not mind a neat little infight in the past, as I definitely remember. So, what's the real tantrum about?< Saitou cursed as he felt the stinging ache of burning his lips. To be honest: he did not like his instinctive reaction to his captive. He had never before felt enticed to care for a prey, not to mention having sex. Right now, he was about to take advantage of the youngster once again, after presumably hurting him not an hour ago with his raging lust. Baring his fangs he sighed vexed. His ex-wife had admonished him about his "beast-like" sexual appetite when set free. If he lowered his barriers of self-control, things became less amiable. He did not intend to be so intense about it but there was nothing he could do when the seals were broken. Maybe another cigarette...lots more, nicotine all over to keep him human... civilized... And there was a bunch of questions to be asked, explanations to be found. »I wanna take him down right now. Damn!« Pacing the little oasis to release his tension he forced his thoughts to remain on the subject at hand: the past of the youngster in his van. Before the sandstorm had cut off the connections to the high-tech services, he had checked on several sources. He did not like the picture he had got. Returning to his van Saitou found Sano sitting stark naked under a tree, relishing the shadow, the soft breeze, the bottle of water and the tin with fruits. Licking the sticky fingers he watched the hunter cautiously. Saitou fetched a first-aid-kit of a compartment and kneed next to the youngster. He offered his hand to examine the broken left arm. Slowly the youth followed the invitation. After his arm an inspection of his body was set, fingertips leisurely explored his bruises. With a puzzled expression he noticed the slightly strained frown of the hunter, concentrated on his task. Finally the shameful question could not be delayed any longer. As the shades grew to the evening, the amber eyes met the chocolate-colored ones fixedly. "Are you in pain because of... what I did to you?" Saitou inwardly cringed at his own term. The youngster wrinkled his brows. "I can stand it." He announced cautiously. "First time sex is supposed to be painful." He added, his body tensed to escape another fight. Saitou sensed Sano's distrust and he could not blame the youth. You could not hide your lust completely, especially to a person with a savage nature. "Actually..." The hunter stated, forcing his gaze down to accept his punishment. "It should not be that way. It's my fault." "But you don't feel that sorry." Sano replied, rubbing his eyes and yawning. Catching the youngster's wrists the hunter nodded gravely. "You're right. I am not. I would not mind ..." "Screwing me again." Struggling the youth tried to free his hands. "Stop it. I will treat your eyes. Rubbing does not help matters." Saitou rummaged in the kit. He ordered Sano to keep his head back to his nape, rinsed the infected eyes and applied a paste on the closed lids. "This needs time. Keep your paws down, brat!" He hit a sneaking hand. "Else I bound you." With a complaining grunt the youth gave in. "Now", lighting another cigarette, "I want some answers and don't try to lie or trick me in any way. You won't like MY answers." Another grunt, while the youth hugged his knees with his right arm. "There's no Sanosuke Sagara. Who are you?" A despising snort. "I am Sanosuke Sagara like I told you before." Saitou glared and the youngster who, still blind, shifted uneasily. "I suppose you know that Souzou Sagara had no children." The hunter whispered menacingly. The fist clenched, teeth bared to threat. "He did! Katsu and me! We are his sons of choice! So I can.." "... you can adopt his name." Saitou concluded calmly. He caressed the fist, trembling like the meager body in suppressed anger. "Tell me what happened." "Why?!" Sano snapped. "Why do you care?! You did not come to bring justice, to make them pay! You were lying! Your charges were a fraud to abuse me, so don't you mock me with your feigned interest!" Watching the angry youngster, so frail in his injured state and yet so furious, Saitou could not help smiling. Thankfully the youngster was still blind but maybe he sensed the amusement. "I won't stay with you!" Sanosuke declared, trying to get up, when Saitou grabbed his hips and hurled him on his lap, embracing the trembling torso tightly. "A hunter is always on duty, no matter what. So I was not lying." He pointed out, withstanding the clumsy attempts to escape. "And you knew..." He added, rocking the youngster to soothe his fury. "...that I did not pass this damn place to make arrests. There's no evidence. There has not been for 11 years. You ought to know best, don't you?" The struggling stopped. Rasping the youth leaned in the hunters arms, unintentionally luring the older man to make advances but Saitou refrained. "Will you tell me what happened, Sano? If there's a way to make them pay, I will help you." "Why?" Turning his head, still blind, the youngster adjusted to the tight embrace. "Because I am the hunter. I take evil down. I bring up charges if required." "You're faking charges?" The youth wrinkled his nose disapprovingly. A low growl. "I don't need to. Everyone is guilty of something." Saitou smiled wickedly. "And you're guilty of abusing me!" The youngster stated grimly. "As you are guilty of assaulting a hunter several times, intermingling with his duty." Silence fell down. Saitou shifted carefully as the youngster's weight caused his spine to twitch. He wondered why his captive had not claimed to be raped.... A low growl interrupted his musings. »Ah.« Slowly he released the youth, wiping the paste from his lids. "Stay here, I'll get food and water." He commanded. When Saitou returned, the night was about to swallow the secluded area and Sanosuke dozed, still hugging his knees for protection. »He does not even feel awkward without his clothes... or resting on the ground...« Storing his supplies in a rough circle the hunter patted the unruly mop of hair to wake his captive. They shared a rural meal, the youngster eating with his right hand in a very skilled manner as the hunter was aware. Sated, they took seats to face each other. "Tell me." The hunter demanded. Sanosuke sized him up and down, a very rare sensation to Saitou, for his mere charisma drove people to freeze and chatter. "You have eyes like a wolf." The inspection came to an end. "You're hunting because you love to." The hunter bared his fangs in a malicious grin. "You're bold, brat. That could inflict bad things happening to you." A genuine smile illuminated the youngster's haggard face, redeeming Saitou to devote admiration. "Like meeting you?" Sano chuckled, the eyes sparkling in merry amusement. Reeling around to rest on his back the youngster waited for the distant stars to pay their nocturnal visit. "My dad told me to stay away from the law, and if I was to face it, I should be unarmed, so they could not turn me in. He did not trust their justice, and I agree." "So you're saying you won't tell me about his death because I hunt to support their justice?" Relaxing slightly Sanosuke shrugged indifferently. "It's not like you don't know about it, don'tcha?" »I should leave it like that...« The hunter pondered. »Just make my appointment tomorrow and go on. I don't depend on anyone, I don't need to interfere in this damn district. If he wants to be killed, well, what's it to me? I've never met someone like him. I don't want to miss this opportunity. I don't want his life to waste away. I want him.« Saitou snatched the last cigarette of the packet, enlightened it and took a deep draft of toxic civilization. »This is disturbing... to the least.« >So you have to yield in, chief, but, man, watch the prize! Worth the effort, old chap, isn't it?< »Definitely true!« Saitou agreed with a bitter grin. >Well, what's taking you? You're not afraid.< »No. But there might be... casualties...« >Ah, what the heck?! You're a wolf, you can't hide your true nature all the time. There are holidays of being 'civilized', and Gorgeous over there looks like he could cope with it... after a training but, hey, he can be taught< ^_~ Another poisonous drag. "The files are pretty small. There's a short notice about some kind of 'hippie' community which was founded by a former clerk named Souzou Sagara. He gathered some dropouts on a deserted farm. The locals did not like it. There was an accident, Sagara walking drunken on the road home, hit by several cars in the dark. A raid the next morning due to drugs. And off the community went. No trouble anymore." He watched the youngster's expression closely. "My dad..." The youth spoke distinctively. "...never took any drugs or drank. He loathed alcohol as a poison to enslave the mind, as well as drugs in general. They cause addiction which leaves you to betray your loved ones and yourself." Clapping his hands the hunter grinned, lacking any trace of humor. "Nice sermon. Pathetic but nice." Glaring Sano sat up, as indifferently as usual to his state of complete nakedness. "Don't act so arrogantly, you bastard! He tried to make the world a better place to live in while you just cherish the human flaws!" Saitou smiled maliciously. "Oh, they're so much more reliable than the virtues. In addition, I do make the world a better place by getting rid of the scum." "That's not the same!" The youth yelled angrily. "Anyways, you're not to judge my dad's ideas and views at any rate! You don't know nothing about him!" "Well..." The hunter leaned closer. "...therefore I asked you to tell me what happened." Tossing a handful of sand at his opponent the youth drew back, sinking down to glare at the stars again. Saitou finished his last cigarette and waited patiently, eyeing the youngster with envy. »How can he be at ease, stark naked in the presence of someone who already forced him to endure sex?!« A sigh returned his attention to reality again. "I can't remember anything in my life before I met my dad and his friends. He had just started to rebuild the stables and sheds. They planned to keep a stock of birds and cattle, to grow millet, maybe later some experiments with solar stuff. A bunch of friends, most of them male, gathered to change their life. They came because my dad invited them to. He was charismatic and kind." A tender smile softened the haggard features of Sanosuke's face. "One day, he had a boy with him, just a little older than me. His hair was navy-black but his skin bright white. So I got a brother, Katsu. Growing up was fun. Everyone was trying his best to keep the farm running, we laughed a lot and in the evening we met to read and tell stories, to share our views and new efforts." Sano cleared his throat, frowning at his memories. "Someday, trouble started. Police cars came, raids, sabotage, threats. My dad went to the district to claim our rights and to report the damages. The locals did not like that but my dad would not give in. We did not do anything wrong, we did not bother anyone of the 'citizens'. There was no reason to hate us but they did. We were different and they did not like it. We were just not 'their kind of people'." Turning his head as to make sure that Saitou still listened, the youngster met the amber glance. They watched each other in silence till the hunter moved, to lie down close to the youngster. Resting his head on his hand, Saitou bent to focus the chocolate-colored eyes on his blank face. He started to caress the tensed muscles and sinews, to track the angular features of the youngster's face, from temple to pointy chin, from forehead to jaw, every patch of skin introducing to his fingertips. "What happened?" He mouthed, noticing the trembling lips, being pocketed like the emotions, throttling the youngster. Tears slowly traveled down the cheeks as the eyes glistened in darkness. "I was with my dad that night. He heard the cars and sent me away to hide in a ditch. They drove without lights, just the last instant, they flashed. They did not even brake. He was hit several times like a doll, ragged and ruffled..." The sobbing broke the seal to remain stoical. Sanosuke cried in terror. Saitou leaned back, carefully lifting the youngster to embrace the shaking body. "And they came back to spill some cheap alcohol. Nobody knew you were around." Patting the bony spine he inquired further on. "What did you do?" Gasping to regain his composure Sano whispered hoarsely. "After they were gone, I got out and went to see...my dad. But.. but..." Another deep draft of air. "There was nothing I could do. So I..." A sigh. "I just waited." Drawing back Saitou met the agonized stare of the youngster. "How long did you stay there? By his side?" The youth frowned, shivering in ancient terror. "There were cars... police coming... I ran off..." Closing his eyes he whispered. "And when I finally got to the farm, they were dragging everyone out, even Katsu. He screamed and fought but they beat him up till he did not move anymore. He was just a kid!" His voice trembled in utter confusion and pain. "Like you. You could not change things. Don't blame yourself." The hunter read Sanosuke's mind, caressing the tears away. Black pools of hatred flashed open. "He was just a kid! Just nine years old! How can they pass any mirror with the things they did?! And they killed my dad!" He was crying again. Rocking the youngster Saitou held him close, trying to brush off the radiating desperation. "So you lived all alone out here to find evidence to avenge your friends and your father." The hunter concluded. He had read a short notice about a boy, probably kidnapped by the 'terrorists' of the community who had not spoken a single word till his adopting to the third foster family. He had painted pictures about their life, about another boy at his side who could not be found at the raid, a boy of approximately eight years who had witnessed the murder of his foster father and disappeared to plague the locals, too fast to be caught, an avenging ghost. His testimony would not stand in court, Saitou knew. There was no evidence, they had hushed up everything. And the youngster had become a target, injured, starving. A new generation was about to kill the last witness. "You can't stay here, Sano." He cupped the smeared cheeks to focus the chocolate-colored view on his amber blaze of determination. "You're too old to play hide and seek." Anger surrendered heartache in a close fight, the youth backed off, nearly tripping to get away. "Who are you to tell me what to do?! Your dad was not killed under your eyes, your family was not torn apart by single-minded fanatics! I lack the proof to get them done but I will not give up! And if I have to play hide and seek till I succeed, then I will endure!" Getting up alike Saitou snarled haughtily. "Don't be daft! They're merely playing but now, things could change. If someone gets to know that you have been seen with a bounty hunter, your chances will be beyond zero. If they want you dead, they just have to mine your hideouts or wait till you're too weak to fight. Just look at yourself, brat! You're close to starving!" "That's none of your business! I do as I please!" The angry youth started to leave but Saitou caught a wrist and hurled Sano back into his embrace, bending his arms on his back to keep the youngster from struggling. Glaring their eyelashes whipped each other, they stared fixedly. "I am the only one who cares about you, Sano. Don't forget that." He released his grip, standing back. Rubbing his sore wrists Sanosuke kept the distance, glancing suspiciously at the tall man. Saitou did not bother to look back. He steadily walked to his van and took his seat, stripping his soiled shirt and changing the angle of the backrest to have a nap. If the stubborn youth liked to stay outside, naked and bruised, well, he could suit himself. With a grunt, the hunter dozed off. ~+~ He watched the older man incredulously. The left hand of the lupine man was not to be seen and Sano was pretty sure that it held close to a gun. He sighed and relaxed. Of course, he could flee now. His home was not that far away but he did not cherish this idea, for he felt that the hunter's prediction was too close to be comfortable. They had actually tried to run him down and his bad state of condition did not improve matters. »I will never surrender.« Yes, but a new hideout had to be found, to keep on taking his revenge. Patting his broken arm he mused. »And I need supplies.« This could be difficult as the sandstorm had caused a lot of trouble and shortcomings. He closed his eyes. He still felt the memory of another throbbing pulse in his body, strange but luring to ask for more. »I can't afford sex.« Another sigh. »It could work out as a habit and he will leave tomorrow.« Nestling to the grass the youngster patted his stomach. »At least, you're happy. Everything else will just have to wait.« ~+~ The burning sunbeams already lasered their way through the shadows the hills cast when Saitou stirred. Blinking he was awake and ready to strike in an instant, his usual attitude, his hand still holding the gun. He looked for the youngster but the place beneath the tree was deserted. Did he walk off? Taking his sunglasses the hunter left the van, stretching and inspecting his surroundings. No need to worry. A silent silhouette stood by the little pond. Coughing as he had to swallow the first draft of glowing, dry air, the hunter paced, not caring for his bare torso to be sunbathed. Beats of sweat covered his skin in no time, the scorching of his skin. Sano did not turn but kept looking at the surface of the pond. The odor was breathtaking, cadavers drifted by the shore, flies kept buzzing in swarms. "See? The pesticides are killing everything and now they have poisoned the water as well. Next will be the spring at our farm." They remained in silence till Saitou's skin started to wrinkle and tense. He snatched one wrist of the youth, ushered the youngster to accompany him back to his van. Breakfast passed by without talking and the hunter started to become angry. He just knew the stubborn brat to refuse leaving with him, and damn it, he wanted the savage youth by his side which was hilarious and frightening. The fearsome hunter Hajime Saitou craving for a meager, dirty youngster! The worst of his foes could not have ridiculed him better. He fumbled another shirt of his cabinet, dressed and glared at the youngster who silently dressed in one of Saitou's jeans. Obviously, he did not care for underwear. »Damn it, down!« He ordered his libido. "I have to meet someone. I want you to come with me. You're not safe around here." He bellowed at Sano. The youth frowned, brushing his dusty mop of unruly strands. "I won't leave and I have told you before." Staring. More staring. Saitou shut the doors with vigor. "Fine. Suit yourself." Gnashing his fangs he entered the van and started the engines, probing his high-tech equipment. He grabbed for another bottle at his side, hurling it to Sano who caught it rather skilled with his right hand, bolted his door and activated his rolling fortress. »Damn you, you stubborn brat! I don't need you.« ~+~ Close to noon he arrived at the city, just in time. »Down to business.« He tossed the empty packet of cigarettes and snatched another one. »I don't care!« He repeated. ~+~ "Oh, is that my beloved stud, the awesome hunter?" The deep voice smoothed like cream liqueur and he was sure that she had a drink in her right, elegant hand. "Salut, ma belle, tu vas bien?" The hunter enjoyed the sigh at his ear, his sonorous voice vibrating in velvety darkness, enticing, luring. "Just listening to you makes me wanna go for baises..." The hunter chuckled. "Alors, ma chere, sounds like you're as impetuous as ever. Anyone I know?" A teasing snigger. "A lady has to keep her secrets, mon cher. But you're late, Saitou. What's been keeping you?" A low grunt. "One of my secrets. I'll be down in time, don't you worry." "Worry for you?" Another chuckle. "Mais non, you're irresistible, at every task!" A flattering smile traveled the air. "Et bien, j'entends..." "I need a flat. Some supplies. And a hospital in close distance." Hesitant silence. "Pardon me for asking, mon bijou, you're not like starting a war down here? They are pretty picky about the 'alive'-option." The hunter laughed coarsely. "Ne t'inquietes pas, ma jolie, I won't cause too much trouble." A profound sigh. "I will remember that, Saitou. Alors, je t'embrasse, mon loup." "A bientot, ma belle. Et... wash your hands, Kamatari." With a wicked snigger the hunter broke off. ~+~ Close to dawn the hunter arrived at 'Proudsville, closer to God', and he knew that possibly some of its inhabitants might be by the end of this day, paying a personal visit if they had laid their hands on his. And no cigarette left. Bad news. ~+~ They laughed, aiming another time with the sandblaster in the narrow cell. There was no escaping, the sharp current of air and sand hit its target with high velocity. "What a nice item, don't you agree? Keeps everything clean and brings fun to the family." "I don't." A tall stranger materialized like a mirage, the shoulder rest of his gun swung with grace and met two necks with precision. Unlocking the door a whirl of bruised and bleeding limbs leaped at him, biting his left shoulder deep, a frantic animal, kept shut away and mistreated. He did not mind the pain but caressed the trembling, panting youth who could not let go of his flesh, growling and whimpering at the same time. Inspecting Sanosuke he felt his heart freeze. Another layer of crusted sand and blood covered the stark naked body, the bones protruding in a pitiful manner, his left arm dangling to indicate that the humerus had been forced out of its socket. Well, there was no time... He gripped arm and shoulder and forced the bone back, making the youngster scream in muffled agony. Holding tight he led Sanosuke to the rear exit where his van waited to take them away when the sheriff entered his office. The sheriff was about to aim his pistol but Saitou's gun already gaped at him. "This is armed assault, lad! Put your gun down!" The youth started hissing, still biting in Saitou's flesh and the hunter sensed horror and hatred. "Don't try anything or I will be glad to dump your rotting cadaver in the swamps, understood?" The hunter restricted his urging to avenge the trembling youngster. "You won't get far, asshole, don't..." A bullet hit the bulletproof vest, hanging in front of the wardrobe, -and went through. Idly Saitou disposed the cartridge, the amber eyes glowing to bring Armageddon about. Hitting the sheriff with the gun's butt he whispered. "Don't mess with me or what's mine, vermin." Baring his fangs. "I am the hunter, the Lord of Nightmares, your guide to hell. Keep that in mind." He felt like howling, and so he did. ~+~ They headed north, the youth hugging his knees with his right arm, rocking and growling, the chocolate-colored eyes wandering about, eerie lights flickering within the depths. Saitou left the road and followed paths through the fields of crop, the van already in camouflage of dust and soil. Entrusting his compass and his instincts he traveled south through fields and vast, desert-like plains. Suddenly, Sanosuke opened the passenger's door and leaped out, limping away, screaming and yelling at the top of his lungs. Halting the van Saitou waited patiently. »The youth was tough, jumping out and keeping the balance, enduring all these injuries...« While he watched the tantrum of feral rage, his mind's eye re-played his arrival. He had looked for the youngster. He knew about the farm and its surroundings, so he was confident to catch his prey another time. Naturally the farm was merely a ruin and remembering the story about the well he had found it as poisoned as the little pond the day before. The youngster had to get his water supply somewhere else and reading the fresh tracks of several cars, someone had waited for him. The classical ambush. Judging by the youngster's skin Sanosuke had always been dehydrated but suffering thirst could make you bold enough to take your chances and this youth did not surrender. He blinked and noticed Sano standing by his door. They stared at each other, sizing the other's condition, his state of mind, his intentions. Absentmindedly Saitou scratched the bleeding wound at his shoulder. Sanosuke probed the handle and the hunter assisted, dragging the youngster in to rest on his lap. Saitou's heart raced, he felt his breath rasping by just looking at the smeared face close to his own, the split lips, the bruises. He attacked for a kiss and Sanosuke answered in low, whimpering sounds, sucking his saliva in, as starving as he had been when they first met. Without breaking the intimate contact the hunter reached for the bottles of water he had purchased, feeding the youngster like a baby, sharing and kissing again. The Adrenalin was still working, the tension grew with every electrifying exchange of saliva and power. The hunter yearned to release the high voltage cruising his body to make his hair stand. Shutting the door he felt the youngster flinch, drawing back to gasp for air and reconsider his decision but Saitou lured with the bottle, sipping in little drafts, spilling drops on his chin and chest alike. He knew the youngster would not waste the delicious good and instantly, a skilled tongue licked away the crystalline tracks. Bestowing Sanosuke with another bottle he lifted the meager body to unzip his pants and strip, careful, not to hit anything by his rummaging at the driver's seat. As usual the youngster did not have any clothes left which was appropriate right now, as the hunter hugged Sano to straddle on his lap. There was no resistance when Saitou applied the condoms, moistened his and eased the flexing muscles to sheathe his erection. Sano kept sipping water, panting, completely consumed by his thirst. The hunter made his entree with suppressed urgency. His lover had suffered already and he wanted to please him, well, besides screwing his brains out. The driver's cabin was narrow, the youngster flinching, moaning, gasping and rocking hard... Saitou had to hold him tight while massaging the youth's erection. Still, an amazing experience. Sanosuke kept suckling water without choking. Instead, he hummed in merry, little sounds, close to purring in bliss. Saitou did not care for filth or dust anymore, he kissed and licked every available patch of his lover and sped up. ~+~ They waited for the columns of dust far at the horizon, revealing the position of their pursuer. Saitou kept caressing the pointy chin and neck of the youngster, nestling at his side, feasting on fruits and chewing bread. As the pillars danced away he started the engines again. "Show me the way south, Sano. There's a motel waiting for us." ~+~ On his way back to get Sanosuke, Saitou had checked in to get a room fitting his purposes, so there was no need to meet the receptionist again when he parked the van. He did not bother to cover the youngster's naked body, he could not sense any spectator glancing at their arrival. Quickly undressing he dragged Sanosuke to share the shower and leave another bottle of water behind. The youngster drained the fluid like a sponge. Saitou foamed their bodies and rubbed with gentle determination every layer of dust and soil off the skin, shampooed the filthy locks, ignoring the glare of chocolate-colored eyes, despising such waste. Finally soaking wet and refreshed the hunter turned the shower off and glimpsed at his companion, close to gasping in surprise. The youth was beautifully tanned besides the wounds and bruises. His skin already recovered to velvety smoothness, the dark-brown mass of hair touching his shoulders, enticing to ruffle and pet. "T'es beau!" Saitou mumbled, taken aback. "Stop ogling, wolf, I'm blushing." The brash youth scorned, in fact gaining a rosy quality to his cheeks. Turning his back he added casually. "So you came back for the sex, right?" Stepping out of the shower Saitou combed his jet-black strands. "I came back for you." He answered, feigning indifference. Truth to be told: he did not know the youngster yet but even the beast beneath his human shape did not fall for mere sex. "Now, let's nurse your wounds, you stubborn brat." The hunter snatched a wrist and ushered the youngster to sit down on the bed. "They might chase us." The chocolate-colored eyes became serious. "We're not that far away." The hunter bared his fangs in wicked amusement. "They might try but I would not advise messing with me. Definitely the wrong choice." "You're pretty sure about that." Sano frowned, wiping his mop of hair absentmindedly. "Listen!" Saitou interrupted his treatment. "I am a survivor. I know how to deal with scum and I don't hesitate to kill. You need a rest right now and you will get a rest." Sanosuke was about to deny this statement brashly when he noticed his limbs trembling. He had been tense since his capture, kept in that little cell to perish, humiliated and tortured. It had to catch up on him any time soon. Sinking on the soft mattress he yawned resigning. "Will you be here when I wake up?" He asked like a child, rubbing his eyes with his right hand. Saitou, bandaging the left arm to hinder further damage, smiled to his utter surprise tenderly. "I'll guard your sleep. Now, close your eyes and start snoring." "I don't snore." The youth pointed out, being safely tucked with a blanket, already drowsy. Grinning the hunter leaned to the headrest, his gun ready to fire while watching his companion in enchanted admiration. He knew why his friends and that foster brother never had said a single word about his whereabouts and the names of the other inhabitants of the farm. They had learned about their charismatic leader's death and the boy always sticking around his father must have been killed as well, murdered and his corpse hidden. »So why...« His fingertips caressed the lines of the beautiful sleeping form. »Why didn't your parents report your missing? How can anyone let you go?« Placing a kiss with his fingertip on the slightly parted lips he vowed. »I will never let you go. Never ever.« ~+~ Sanosuke shifted and finally stretched his limbs, greeting the late afternoon with a beaming smile. Sitting up he found the hunter hiding an amused grin. "What's up?!" First grip: bottle of water. Saitou tried to stifle the chuckle blocking his throat when he was attacked, the bold youth rolling and growling at him. Never to turn down a challenge they tackled and bared their fangs till Saitou had his companion pinned to the mattress. "Tell me!" Sanosuke cast a menacing glance. "Or I bite your nose off!" Completely covering the slender figure the hunter grinned. "I'd like to see you preform that trick." He teased, licking the youngster's nose. The youth's face became serious again and with every second passing, his breath more laborious. Carefully shifting the hunter balanced his weight, to no effect. Well, there was a certain reaction not to be hidden: he was turned on again. Inwardly sighing he smiled down. »You make me horny like a teenager and you are aware of that. If I was younger or less self-confident, I might have killed you for tempting me so impudently.« He lowered his head to caress the lips wrinkling in triumph, plunging down to kiss the youngster avidly, polishing the tanned skin with his own. Gasping for air they had to break off after a while and Saitou rolled to the side, to remove his weight from the youth's trembling body. »Well, at least I am not the only one horny around.« He smirked, ruffling the dark-brown strands. "It's about your hair." He rested his head in his hand, his elbow close to Sanosuke's head. "They're spiky despite all the smoothing and combing. You look like a rooster." "A rooster..." Sanosuke turned his gaze to the ceiling, contemplating on this statement, and Saitou wondered what kept his companion intrigued with this description. "Say, you're serious about taking me with you?" The youngster mused, focused to a stain of water above them. "Yes." "But you know that I can't leave this place. I must take revenge." Another statement, no question. "So... you want me to provide the sex... that's the deal, ain't it?" This time Saitou caught a silent bolt of lightning hitting his amber glare. Trailing the youngster's features he felt obliged to explain himself, a very rare situation. "We both know we can live on our own. We don't need to be together but I want to. I want you by my side because we're alike. We are survivors, we're strong, we won't surrender and we're different from the others. It's not like I would turn down an indecent offer to shake the earth with you but there's a lot more to us." Tipping a swift kiss he went on. "Your father's death will be avenged, I promise, but staying here and plaguing the presumed murderers like a ghost by haunting their properties won't get you any further. You need them to confess at court, that's the only option left and I have means to make them. Grant me some time and it will be done." "So you're asking me to trust you." Sanosuke caressed the flesh wound he had inflicted on the hunter's left shoulder. They gazed at each other in silence, measuring their interests and offers. At last Sano turned to rest on his stomach. "I can't leave with you at the current state of our relationship." Saitou blinked incredulously, sitting up. "What's that supposed to mean?" He whispered coarsely, his amber eyes narrowing in anger. The youngster ignored the danger at his back, his lids closed, softly whispering. "To you I am just a prey, a pretty prey you seem to like but still a prey. A little rooster to the wolf. That's no option to me." Gnashing his fangs the hunter tried to keep his composure. "Just what are you asking from me?" He succeeded by distinctively pronouncing every syllable. Rolling on his back Sanosuke looked up, defenseless with his frail and wounded body, his eyes gleaming determinedly. "I want you to trust me. Entirely." The hunter glared, he refused the hint to pass his mind. »That impudent brat did not really intend to...?!« "See? You can't even consider my proposal because you feel humiliated. Why? Do you fear I could hurt you? Because I am not skilled enough? Or are you simply afraid of opening up to me?" With a low growl of loathe Saitou stood up and turned his back. "I can endure pain, brat, and sex doesn't mean you get to know me." A smile burnt his spine, tickling and luring. "Maybe making love does..." The youngster suggested. One instant later he was pinned down by the hunter, growling at him in utter anger. "You dare challenging me?!" A low rumble, vibrating through their touching bodies. "I do." A pleasant smile. The hunter cowered menacingly. Should he proceed?! »I have never met someone like him before.« Attacking vigorously Saitou spread kisses and bites, plunged downwards, caressing and tackling the same. Sanosuke was sharing his lust, licking his neck, cuddling and smiling excitedly, rubbing his chest to the lupine man's. They were already panting in no time, intoxicating each other with every touch. As the youngster tried to sit up Saitou straddled on his hips, keeping the youth down. With a tight grin, the hunter kissed the youngster's right hand's palm, lifted to take a grip. He adjusted his seat, controlling his breath to lower down and take the youngster's throbbing erection in. Not noticing the beads of sweat to keep his concentration he startled when Sanosuke wiped his forehead, panting and smiling nonetheless. "Go easy, it's your debut." The youngster advised smugly, ruffling the jet-black strands. A low growl answered his kind counsel and Saitou started to rock carefully. He felt strange and yet... With a howl he hit a special point and gasped, as Sanosuke unexpectedly convulsed up. Resting they exchanged a careful glance. Nodding, Saitou bared his fangs, he wanted to go on. They engaged in a waving motion, a joint unit to approach the climax in fast circular movements. ~+~ Sanosuke slowly fondled with the jet-black hair while the hunter nestled to his chest, listening to the heartbeat of the youngster. "Think, we can have some supper?" He finally broke the silence, massaged the hunter's nape. "We better leave." Reluctantly Saitou rose, grinning at the roosterheaded youth. "I come to like your unruly mop of hair." He ruffled the strands. "You were serious about making them confess?" Sanosuke inquired, observing the hunter's graceful movements to dress and gather their belongings. "I told you so." Saitou stated matter-of-fact-ly, tossing a pair of jeans and a shirt to the youth. "Here, I don't think you care for underwear. Those sneakers will have to suffice for the moment." He assisted the youngster's dressing. "We'll meet a contact down south, Sano. Just show me the secret tracks to leave this forsaken county." Embracing the older man the youngster beamed. "You're eager to leave, wolf. Why's that?" A snarl. "I don't like this poisoned atmosphere. Come on, rooster, we're checking out." Taking the hunter's hand Sanosuke lead the way. ~+~ Six months later Picking in his French fries the blonde hunter sulked. That damn potato diet did not work out, his muscles were still the same meager size and his caravan full of chips and instant mash... Absentmindedly he watched a tall youngster with a tight shirt and even tighter jeans walk to the counter, a red bandana fluttering from a rooster-like hairdo. The youngster leaned over and started chatting with the waitress, a tired looking woman of late thirties. A tall man, clad in black, took the seat next to him, patting the youth's buttock in amiable habit. "Down." His companion lowered to make connection to the worn out leather, still trying to charm the waitress. She was in fact smiling. The blonde blinked, risking a two-eyed-stare. "Oi, Jime, can I have that soup, too? I feel kinda starving!" Another enticing smile beamed at the tall companion. »Just« »a« »second« »This... can't be Saitou, the worst of all bounty hunters? The wolf?! Jime?! JIME?!« Turning the said flashed an amber glare at the blonde. "Long time no see, Chou." He growled, baring his fangs. ~+~ Chou could not cease staring. There he was, the fearsome nightmare of every poor soul to cross his hunting tracks, sharing a bench, leaving space for his... partner?! "So..." Chou coughed nervously. "The rumors were true. You have a partner." A low grunt while the amber stare sized him. "Who's talking about us?" The fangs gleamed in the dim lights. Chou munched a fry. "No one. Really!" "Ah, here you are, Jime, see, I..." Another glare and the youth broke off. "Sano, meet Chou, bounty hunter. Chou, this is Sano, my partner." Both men stared at each other and spoke simultaneously. "What happened to your hair?!" "HEY! What do you mean?!" Grabbing the hem of Sanosuke's jeans Saitou urged the youngster to take his seat. Chou continued staring. Saitou entrusted that foolish roosterheaded brat to protect them, else he would never have taken the seat to the wall. Creepy! Meanwhile Sanosuke helped himself to reduce his load of food, chewing and casting blissful smiles at the hunter by his side. »Damn... it's true... they are.... « Chou choked his cola and tried desperately to think of something else. He also remembered clearly about the swamps. It was so easy to piss the wolf off... "Say, I heard about that decoration you refused... you really cooperated with the IRS?!" The amber eyes narrowed and the youngster stopped chewing. »Ouch. Wrong subject.« To Chou's surprise Sanosuke answered his question. "They killed my dad but there was no evidence, so we needed them to confess." Saitou sipped his coffee. "But... but Kenshin Himura? That's.... cruel." A malicious grin of utter evil flashed the lupine features. "That's the intention." Chou shuddered. "I've met that guy. He's a creep! Always smiling, polite and docile! He drives you nuts! He's not the usual internal revenue service special agent, that's for sure!" He stated grimly. "I agree. His wife is more fearsome. She tracks money like a bloodhound." Chou feigned a weak grin. "It's best to pay the damn taxes." "I get some coffee!" Sanosuke rose, gracefully finding his way in between the tables and chairs. "He cheers that lady up..." Chou could not refrain from probing the hunter's tolerance-limit of jealousy. "Chou." The broomheaded blonde winced as his throat was squeezed to throttle. "Listen. I don't want anyone talking about us and I want to make sure that collaborating with the IRS was an exception. Understood?" Chou coughed and nodded rapidly. "Fine." When Sano came back they kept the silence, avoiding any glance. "I guess, we better leave now, Jime. The weather-forecast says there's a sandstorm coming our way." Sulfurous lights ignited in the amber depths. "Well, see you, Chou." "Ahumm." »I better clear off right away!« The blonde hunter swallowed nervously. »There are cozy places in Alaska... that might be just far enough..« ~+~ As Saitou started the engines, ready to meet the burning heat preceding the storm, the youngster bedded his head on his lap, purring lowly. Caressing the frail neck Saitou smiled. He did not mind if his lover wanted to take a nap. When he awoke, he liked a dessert and the wolf inside howled in anticipation. "Say, where are we going, Jime?" Blinking and nestling. "To visit someone you might know." Saitou ruffled the spiky strands, shading his eyes. »A famous painter, just one year older than you are, mon beau.« ~+~ The end ~+~ Notes of production My last contribution to Queen Yokozuna's Sizzle and Burn-challenge and it took some time *sighs*. It's really heavy to write in another language while those pictures are haunting your buzzing head and you just can't get a grip.. Alas, I did succeed and now it's over ^_^ Maybe Saitou and Sano seem a little out of character, for this time, Saitou as a bounty hunter is the one who simply can't resist the savage rooster but actually I don't think so. Life's pretty boring if there's no counterpart to banter and challenge and Sano's the right kind of youngster to send the wolf howling... ^_~