How long? How long am I going to hide this? How long until I screw up, throw it all away? I know what I feel. I know How I feel. It's just . . . How do I tell him? Can I tell him?
 

**sigh**
 

Why do I do this to myself?
 

~ ~ ~
 

"Good morning Sanosuke. How are you today?" Kenshin smiled at his friend, who was chewing some fish bones rather distractedly. Kenshin had filled two buckets with water before Sanosuke even looked his way. The red-haired rurouni simply continued on with his chore, wondering if Sanosuke was upset or simply hung over. "It seems rather early for you to be up and about. Anything happening I should know about?"
 

The brunette fixed his gaze to the ground. Shook his head. Said nothing. Stretched his arms above his head, folded them, laid back on the dewy morning grass. He closed his eyes, head pillowed by his own hands. Kenshin finished gathering water, gathered the buckets, straightened, cast a final glance at his unusually sulky friend before shrugging his shoulders and turning back the way he had come. Sanosuke gave every appearance of being oblivious to the world around him.
 

Kenshin found himself thinking about his friend as he walked back to the dojo, wondering if he had reason to be worried. Kaoru would be waiting for him to return, waiting for him to cook breakfast for her and Yahiko. He would have to deal with Sanosuke later, after he finished the daily chores he set for himself. Well, not so much that he set them, but that Karou usually ended up making more for him to do at the end of the day. How the woman had ever managed on her own continued to amaze him. Make no wonder the dojo had been vacant when he had first arrived. It wasn't that she didn't try, she was simply too much for most men. Too strong, fierce, independent. Perhaps that was why he could get along with her. He could mind his own business, let her take care of her own. But what was bothering Sano? The young man was usually so vibrant. Something had obviously gotten to him. Even his worst hang-overs never left him silent. Drug out, yes. Bleary eyed, yes. Grumpy, definitely. Nothing a little sleep and a good meal couldn't fix. Kenshin shook his head as he entered the dojo, smiling to acknowledge the shouts of 'Morning!' from Yahiko.
 

~ ~ ~
 

Why did I act like that? Why couldn't I just be honest with him?
 

Why couldn't I just be honest with myself?
 

~ ~ ~
 

The rest of the day passed as normal as it ever did in the dojo. Kenshin puttered around cleaning and fussing over the state of things. Karou yelling at Yahiko. Yahiko yelling right back at her for all he was worth. Then the short calm while they returned to their training. Then the yelling again. Through it all, Kenshin's mind was not on what he was doing. In fact, he forced himself to admit that he was so fussy today because he was bothered by Sanosuke's behaviour. He was keeping himself busy to give himself time to think. Karou and Yahiko usually left him alone while he was sweeping. But he had swept the entire dojo twice today already. Karou had laughed at him for his absent-mindedness. All that was left for him to do were a few paltry items that could be classified as laundry. Kenshin gathered the items and headed to the river. The others did not notice him leave.
 

He could not think of anything that would make Sanosuke so unhappy. Unless, of course, he had said or done something very, very stupid when he was drunk. That was unlikely, however. Sano tended to be a happy drunk, which was why Kenshin figured the young man drank so often. Kenshin also thought the young man drank to hide something from himself. Kenshin reached the river and waded out ankle deep into its crisp caress. That Sanosuke, who was usually so open, so honest, could be hiding something that was obviously bothering him, pained Kenshin. He recognized that the man needed his privacy. He also recognized that even the strongest and most independent of people needed help from time to time. Sanosuke had his pride. The man may simply be too stubborn to ask for advice, for help.
 

Kenshin turned these things over and over in his head while he scrubbed at the slightly soiled items he called laundry. He picked and rubbed and scrubbed and rinsed and did it all over again.
 

"Umm, Kenshin. I think you're going to wear a hole in that kimono. That's three times I've seen you wash it. Are you ok?"
 

Kenshin looked up, startled. He had not heard anyone approach. Lost in his thoughts, he had momentarily forgotten his surroundings. Sanosuke was looking at him with an odd look on his face, puzzlement evident in his earthy brown eyes. Kenshin blinked. He dropped the kimono into his basket on the bank, placed a hand behind his head and laughed to cover his startlement. "Oh really? I hadn't noticed. Karou mentioned something similar to me after I swept the dojo twice this morning. I just have a few things on my mind. So. How are you feeling now?" Sanosuke blinked at Kenshin, then shrugged his shoulders and looked away. The brief smile left Kenshin's face. He stepped out of the river, picked up his basket, slipped on his shoes, and stood in front of Sanosuke, waiting for the man to speak again. Sanosuke simply shifted to the right, out of Kenshin's way. Kenshin waited for a few moments. The wind tickled the leaves while the water massaged the smooth stones of the river bed. Both men remained still, silent. Kenshin sighed before he started slowly down the path to home. Sanosuke silently fell into step beside him. That made Kenshin feel a bit more at ease. Evidently, Sanosuke was simply biding his time. Kenshin decided to be satisfied with that.
 

The two men walked in silence to the very entrance of the dojo. Then Sanosuke stopped, waved an absent-minded hand, turned his back on Kenshin, and walked away. Kenshin paused, watching his friend walk up the road, hands in pockets, kicking loose dust. He frowned. Karou's sharp cry brought him back to the present. He pasted a smile onto his face and went in to find things to prepare for their mid-day meal.
 

~ ~ ~
 

Why did I just let him remain silent? Why did I remain silent? What was it I couldn't bring myself to ask him. Why is this getting harder? Why is it so painful to just see him?
 

Knowing I can't touch him, perhaps. The risk perhaps, that upsets me? That I might ruin the most precious friendship I have ever had?
 

Yes.
 

All that, and so much more.
 

Things were easier before I met him. Before I came here.
 

But I can't bring myself to leave here. Or Him.
 

~ ~ ~
 

"Yahiko?"
 

"Hai Kenshin?" The young boy responded eagerly to any attention paid to him by the former Battousai.
 

"Have you seen Sanosuke lately?" Kenshin tried to keep his voice casual. Yahiko could jump to the strangest conclusions with his fertile imagination.
 

"Hai. I was talking to him this morning. He stopped by when you were gone to the river. I told him you were probably doing some more laundry or something."
 

"Ah. Does he seem," Kenshin paused, looking for the proper words. "Does he seem upset, or sad to you?"
 

Yahiko regarded the red-haired man with a gaze beyond his years. "Hai, Kenshin. He seems to be both sad and upset by something."
 

"Hmmm. I have noticed this as well. Do you . . . Do you know what is making him upset? He hasn't talked to me." Yahiko seemed to hesitate. Kenshin quickly added, "If he has told you anything in confidence, I would never expect you to betray that. I am simply concerned for our friend."
 

Yahiko shuffled his feet, gazed over the empty training area. Karou was inside, taking a bath. "He has told me something, but not strictly in confidence. However, I still am not sure I should tell you." Kenshin waited, watched the young boy as he mentally weighed the pros and cons of the situation. He respected the boys right to keep Sano's secret to himself. "He's in love, Kenshin. With someone who does not see it. It hurts him." Kenshin remained silent, stunned by Yahiko's casual revelation. He waited for him to continue. When several moments had passed, Kenshin decided he would rather not contain his curiosity any longer.
 

"Has he told you anything more?" Kenshin watched as Yahiko carefully scanned his face. Kenshin saw no reason to hide his concern. "How long has this been going on, perhaps? Especially if I am only recently noticing it. I would hate to think I am oblivious to the feelings of my friends." Kenshin waited as Yahiko twisted an errant strand of hair, picked at a non-existent piece of dirt on his gi, glanced around the immediate area, and finally returned his gaze to Kenshin's face.
 

"He told me," here, Yahiko paused, seemed uncertain. He looked directly into Kenshin's eyes and began again. "He said that he had felt his emotions changing towards this person. A friendship turned to love. He has tried to express how he feels, and has done so to the best of his ability. He has done everything except say "I love you", but hasn't gotten any reciprocation. I believe, other than total depression, he is frustrated. At himself and the other person. And," he quickly added, "Before you ask, the answer is no. He did not tell me who he loves. I thought maybe it was Saitoh," Yahiko waited for Kenshin to stop choking. When Kenshin had regained his composure, Yahiko continued in a slightly haughty tone. "I thought Sano-san was in love with Saitoh-san, but that isn't the case. I spent a few days checking that out, quietly."
 

"And just how, Yahiko-kun, did you 'check it out', as you say?" Kenshin smiled at the youth, who was obviously miffed at him.
 

"Just hung around Saitoh's and Sanosuke's. Watched the two of them for a few days. They were pleasant enough to each other when they met, maybe once or twice. But there was nothing special. So there went that theory. I can't think of anyone else. You know as much as I do now." Yahiko fixed a steady gaze on Kenshin's face again. "Maybe you could try talking to him. He has long admired and trusted you. I mean, you two are best friends, aren't you?"
 

Kenshin blinked. Stood a little taller. "Yes." he whispered. He blinked a few more times. "Yes, we are." He answered with clear authority this time, which brought a smile to Yahiko's face.
 

"Then go be his best friend, and try harder to find out what's bothering him." Yahiko's face was lit with mischief. "After all, that's what friends are for." Kenshin was sure that the boy's curiosity was eating him up inside. He found himself amused.
 

"Friends," Kenshin toned, "Also respect each other's privacy. Understand?" Yahiko's smile grew ear to ear. There was no sign of chagrin. Kenshin sighed good naturedly.
 

~ ~ ~
 

Everything I have ever read about love has some insipid fool drooling over the prospect of an untouched lover. A creature of such purity and goodness that they do not seem to be of this world. Ethereal wraiths.
 

Like I want to get in bed with that.
 

Am I the only one in the world who desires someone that has been touched. That has experience. Has known the joys of love and felt the pain of its loss. Someone that is strong enough to love again, and can recognize and appreciate a good thing when it comes along. Someone like that is so much more attractive to me than a fragile virgin that will only be dirtied by my hands. Why would I want someone that, when I touch them, I destroy the very thing that attracts people to them?
 

I want a lover who knows what they want, and isn't afraid to ask for it. Someone who can teach me about their body as well as my own. I want someone who will love me. I want someone to know how very much I love them.
 

So why the hell am I keeping it locked inside?
 

~ ~ ~
 

"Hey, Sano?" Kenshin called quietly to the young man. The brunette was sitting on the steps in front of his own run-down home. His legs stretched out before him, one arm folded over his defined stomach, the other lying loosely by his side. There was a fishbone hanging from his lips and his eyes were closed. Any passerby would have taken the young man for a sunbather that had fallen asleep in the heat of the late afternoon. Kenshin, however, knew better. He waited a few minutes. When Sanosuke did not open his eyes, Kenshin stepped onto the front entrance and stood directly in front of Sano's languid form. "Sanosuke?" he repeated, a little louder this time, trying to be polite. The brunette insisted on being stubborn, eyes loosely closed. Kenshin leaned down, paused. No reaction. Smirking, the redhead ran out of patience and yanked the fishbone out of Sanosuke's mouth. Rich chocolate eyes flew open in surprise, and Sano started a little at how close Kenshin was to his face. He blinked, ran a hand through his wild spikes of hair, making matters neither better or worse. "Wake up, Sleeping Sanosuke." Kenshin sing-songed while standing up again, smiling down at him. The younger man looked thoroughly perplexed at his friends unusual behaviour. He shook his dark head as if clearing mental cobwebs.
 

"I wasn't sleeping, Kenshin-san." Kenshin noticed Sanosuke avert his eyes to the road, rather than look at him. Kenshin lost all his polite-yet-friendly playfulness and frowned. Sanosuke didn't notice this as he absently picked at a splintered piece of wood.
 

"Then why didn't you answer me when I spoke to you then, Sagara-san?"
 

The use of his chosen last name, combined with the strange tone of Kenshin's voice brought Sanosuke's gaze and full attention to the red-haired rurouni that stood in front of him. Momentarily stunned, Sanosuke stared slack-jawed. Shaking it off, he simply shrugged his shoulders. He couldn't bring himself to meet his friends eyes as he replied. "Yeah. Well. I guess I just didn't hear you is all." Kenshin's face darkened at the obvious lie.
 

"If you don't want to speak with me, that is fine. But I would appreciate it if you wouldn't lie to my face." The anger he felt laced his words and made them harsh. He saw Sanosuke flinch. The young man became absorbed in the splintering wood once again. Kenshin nearly turned on his heels to stalk back to the dojo.
 

~ ~ ~
 

What am I trying to prove? It's past time to stop acting this way. I need to be bigger than this. He's clearly already upset. I suppose that now things can only get worse.
 

~ ~ ~
 

"What is wrong with you? Something is clearly bothering you, and yet you stubbornly refuse to talk about it. You've been mopy for a week now. Dammit Sano, you've barely spoken to me all day. And even then it's forced conversation. I understand that some things are private, but would you please give me a chance to help you? It hurts me to see you like this. I'm your friend. I wish you could trust me enough to talk to me."
 

Throughout Kenshin's speech, he watched as Sanosuke turned several shades of red, shifted uncomfortably, tore a chunk of wood off his front step, and finally sat staring intently at his knees. Rolling his eyes, Kenshin sighed and knelt down in front of his friend. He rested his hands on his knees, took a few deep breaths to calm himself. Sanosuke remained silent, but he had stopped fidgeting for the moment.
 

"Please." Kenshin asked. "Talk to me."
 

The silence stretched for several long moments. Kenshin's patience had returned now that he had gotten his little tirade of his chest. He could wait all night if he had to. Or he could wait until Sanosuke asked him to leave.
 

"I'm lonely." The words came so softly, were filled with so much sadness that Kenshin could barely believe that it was Sanosuke that had spoken. He watched as Sanosuke shifted his torso. The young man still was not looking directly at him.
 

"Do you," Kenshin paused "Do you want to go inside, Sano?" Sanosuke froze for a moment, then nodded his head. He climbed to his feet and walked inside, not pausing to see if Kenshin had followed. Kenshin, in turn, watched as Sanosuke went inside before standing to enter himself.
 

Inside Sanosuke's home was relatively clean, very lived in, and about as run-down inside as it was outside. There was no formal ceiling, but the rafters were stylized, and had been left their natural color. Every area of the house was visible from the entrance, with the exception of a shadowy door that marked the opening to Sano's bedroom. The floor had no rugs, but was clean and free of debris. The white paint on the walls was chipped and cracking, but not dirty. All in all, Kenshin thought Karou should re-evaluate her opinion of 'that freeloading-troublemaking-good-for-nothing-bad influence-drunk of a brawler', if he remembered everything correctly. He'd gotten the impression that Karou didn't like Sanosuke at that moment. He paid close attention to her behaviour around him thereafter and noticed her stiff formality, her curt answers and her cold mannerisms. And he noticed Sanosuke note each snide remark and action, yet refuse to rise to her bait. It was more of a testament to Sanosuke's good natured character than Karou's fussy one. They were both temperamental. Hot tempered, to be completely honest. Kenshin grinned, but the look on Sanosuke's face faded the whimsical smile into a look of deep concern.
 

~ ~ ~
 

Looks like it's time. Truth. No holding back. I've never backed away from a challenge before. We're alone. No interruptions. It's time to stop hiding the truth from him.
 

God help me. I don't want to lose my best friend.
 

~ ~ ~
 

"Why are you lonely, Sano-kun?" Kenshin stood three feet away from Sanosuke, who was standing back on to him, picking at a paint chip on the far wall of his home. Kenshin watched the swaying movement of Sano's red headband, the sound of his determined scratching at the wall. Kenshin couldn't hold in soft chuckle. "Make no wonder the paint is chipped in this room." He was delighted and relieved when Sanosuke chuckled as well, and turned around to face him.
 

"Another of my many bad habits I'm afraid." Sanosuke gave a half-hearted smile Kenshin knew was for his sake. Sanosuke began to pace around the far end of the room, walking from the window facing a run-wild garden, to the entrance way to the only bedroom of the house. Kenshin followed his friend with his eyes, remaining still and silent. A pause at the window, a deep inhalation of air, marked the beginning of Sanosuke's readiness to talk.
 

"I've been having a problem lately, Kenshin-san." Kenshin stiffened slightly at the more formal address his friend had given him. "I have been watching things happen around me, around the town. I have been watching how people react to me, and to others. I have found that people mostly tolerate me, as opposed to welcoming me warmly, with honest happiness. Only you and Yahiko seem to be glad when I visit. I have seen several people I know get married. I have watched the simple joys of family life. Even watching you with Karou-domo and Yahiko-kun now makes me . . ." Sanosuke trailed off for a moment. Kenshin remained silent while the young man gathered his thoughts. "It makes me sad. Knowing that I can never have a life like that."
 

"But that's foolishness, Sano!" Kenshin exclaimed. "Of course you will be able to have a family if you so desire. You are still so young, Sano-kun. I realize saying 'There's no hurry' isn't going to make you feel any better, but it is foolish to condemn yourself to depression because you think you may never find someone that "
 

"I've already found someone." Sanosuke interrupted quietly. It shut Kenshin up like a slap in the face. Sanosuke stopped pacing and faced Kenshin, staring him straight in the face for the first time in about three days. "But I cannot have him." Kenshin's heart stopped for an instant.
 

". . . Him?" He whispered.
 

"Hai. Him." Sanosuke looked him up and down. "Does that bother you, Kenshin-san?" Kenshin was speechless for a moment, unsure of what to say. He quickly cleared his throat.
 

"No. No. It doesn't bother me. I have known several people in my life that preferred the same sex. Some who liked both. It's not uncommon." Kenshin waited for Sanosuke to continue. When the young man hesitated, he decided to add a tenuous question. "Did you think it was?"
 

Sanosuke blinked. "No. Well, at first, when I was younger. But I . . . I learned over time, and through observation, that I have never been alone in my preference. It is something very, very private, however. I'm sure you understand." Kenshin nodded. "This person. This man, he . . . I'm not sure if he would be interested. He is quite private and I am unsure if my advances would be welcomed. I have been as direct as I can, considering the circumstance. What complicates matters is that I consider him a friend, and as you well know," here Sanosuke laughed nervously, "Those are few and far between for me." Sanosuke leaned back against the wall, folded his arms across his chest, hugging himself lightly. Kenshin was unsure if he should say anything. He decided to remain silent. Sanosuke probably needed time to keep his thoughts in order. "I am afraid of damaging our friendship. The worst thing that could happen would be his rejection of me, and the disillusion of our friendship." Sanosuke drew in a wavering breath. Kenshin remained where he was. "So. Now you know what has been bothering me. I know there is nothing you can do to make things any easier for me. Thank you for listening to me. I believe, it has helped a bit." Sanosuke gave a false smile, which Kenshin automatically returned.
 

The silence stretched between the two.
 

"I have to ask you something, Sano-kun. And it is possibly going to upset you." Sanosuke stiffened a bit, but nodded his head. Kenshin drew in a deep breath. "I have to know, Sano, if I know this person." He continued hurriedly. "It's not that I would ever interfere with your life or relationships, but . . . Perhaps I can watch, as you do. To see if he might be interested in you, as you are in him."
 

"That will not be necessary, Kenshin. But thank you for the offer. If I need a spy," here, he grinned. "I'll ask Yahiko to do it for me." Kenshin laughed at this, and Sanosuke gave the first true smile Kenshin had seen all night. "But to answer your question, you are quite familiar with him." Kenshin decided to make the same guess Yahiko had made earlier.
 

"Is it Saitoh-san? The two of you seem to be close. On occasion." Kenshin observed the blank expression on Sano's face, and knew Yahiko's investigation had been correct.
 

"No. It isn't Saitoh-san. I will admit I find him attractive, but I find it hard to think of spending the rest of my life with him. We would be at each other throats if we had to see each other every day. And please, there is no need to make a guessing game out of this, Kenshin-san."
 

"I see." Kenshin paused, trying to sort out his own thoughts, which were spinning around as fast as a raging whirlpool. "Although I must admit, I am quite curious now." His throat tightened and the next words came out in whisper. "And jealous."
 

~ ~ ~
 

It's out now. I've finally said it. I only hope, that this doesn't make things worse for him. Please, God. Let it be me that he loves.
 

~ ~ ~
 

". . . what . . . what did you say?" Sanosuke's eyes were wide. His body was frozen. He didn't trust what he thought he heard.
 

Kenshin forced his voice to obey him. "I said, Sano-kun, that I was jealous. Of the fact that you are in love with another. I suppose it's my own fault, for hiding what I felt for you for so long. And now, it's the inevitable case of too little, too late. But I refuse to see you unhappy. My offer to help you is still valid."
 

". . . help?" Sanosuke seemed struck dumb. Kenshin prayed he hadn't made a huge mistake. He smiled nervously.
 

"Hai, Sano-kun. I miss your smiles. I miss the sound of your laughter in the dojo. I want you to be happy, even if it isn't with me. I will always be your friend, you know that. I am always here if you need me."
 

". . . Kenshin . . ."
 

"I hope I haven't made you uncomfortable, Sano-kun. But I have been trying to work up the courage to tell you how I have felt for some time now. It was never the right time. I never knew how you felt. I didn't want to risk damaging our friendship. All the same reasons, it seems, that are holding you back from telling the one you love. Don't let these things hold you back any longer. Go to him and tell him how you feel. It's hard. Believe me." Kenshin's throat tightened on him again. "But it so much harder to confess a love that is too late."
 

"It's not too late." Now it was Kenshin's turn to distrust his ears. He fixed a wavering gaze on Sanosuke's face, full of hope and doubt. ". . . Kenshin?"
 

"S-Sano-kun, are. . ." it seemed so unbelievable, that the two of them could love each other, and yet both be too scared of ruining their friendship to be honest about their feelings. "Are you saying that, it's me that you, that you . . . love?" Kenshin's heart was pounding in his chest. His throat was tight. His ears were ringing. Every sense was heightened and on edge. He was looking directly into Sanosuke's eyes. There would be no mistaking, or denying, the answer to come.
 

"Hai, Kenshin."
 

The two men stood staring at one another. Each would look into the others eyes and quickly glance away. It was the discomfort of raw emotion laid bare for another to see. And then Kenshin began to laugh. And laugh. He doubled over as tears began to run down his face. Sanosuke stood amazed for a moment, before laughter overtook him as well. He began to laugh with, and at, Kenshin. The sound echoed off the barren walls, blended into a sound of sheer relief and pure joy. The tension and stress of the last few moments fled before it. Kenshin straightened, wiped his eyes with the back of his hand as his laughter subsided. Sanosuke stood with a radiant smile, one arm holding his stomach, tired with laughter.
 

When the laughter had subsided, Kenshin looked around him, at Sanosuke, thinking. He felt lighter, somehow, now that he had finally let go of the truth. He had not loved anyone since Tomoe, and he had never felt for her, what he did for the young man in front of him. She had taught him how to open his heart, and he silently thanked her now, for everything she had done for him. Surely she was looking down on him now, and he hoped he had her blessing.
 

"Well now." Kenshin started. "It appears we have both caused each other a certain amount of distress over the last while. Perhaps now, we can remember to be honest with each other, and with our feelings, neh?" Sanosuke chuckled.
 

"I thought you were, well . . ." He paused. Kenshin waited for Sanosuke to continue. "I thought you liked Karou-dono, is all. You seemed quite happy with her. And knowing you were married before, well. I just thought you would never be interested in me. Like that. Like you were her." Kenshin's face softened as he watched Sanosuke reveal even more of himself.
 

"I like Karou-dono quite fine, Sanosuke-kun. But not like I would a wife. More like a sister. She is someone I like to take care of, to talk to, to teach. But I have never felt for her what I felt for Tomoe." At the mention of his wife's name, Kenshin noticed Sanosuke's gaze waver for an instant. "And I have never felt for Karou what I feel for you. You bring so much happiness to my life, Sano. I feel warm and happy every time I see you. The sound of your laughter does something to me, reaches someplace deep inside. When I am with you," here Kenshin took a step closer to his friend. "I feel at peace."
 

Sanosuke gasped at the confession. That statement, that he made Kenshin feel happy, peaceful, meant more to him than anything he had heard in a long time. Only and admission of pride from Sagara-taichou had ever meant so much to him. Yet the two statements were special to him in very different ways. Sagara-taichou had meant everything to him when he was younger, like a brother, mentor, father. A hero Sanosuke worshipped with the innocence of a child. He had taught Sanosuke what it meant to be a friend, to feel joy and love, to live life to its fullest. Kenshin meant everything to him now. He wanted to do everything possible to make Kenshin happy. Finding that without even trying, he had succeeded in some small way, made him feel special. That Kenshin loved him, well, that was a painful dream come blissfully true.
 

"I don't know what to say, Kenshin-kun. I . . ." Kenshin had taken another step closer to him. All he had to do was lean forward, and their bodies would finally touch.
 

"You don't have to say anything, Sano. Just," Kenshin smiled rather brazenly, "Say that you love me, and we can leave the rest for later." Sanosuke could barely breathe. He blinked, shifted slightly, looked deeply into Kenshin's sparkling violet eyes in the glow of an burgeoning sunset. He breathed deeply, taking in the warm scent of Kenshin along with the scent of his own home. He reached out, lightly placing his hands on Kenshin's shoulders. Kenshin gazed up into his face, patient as the coming night. Slowly, almost afraid Kenshin might pull away, Sano moved a hand to cup the side of Kenshin's face, thumb tracing the scar that rurouni carried. He leaned forward, tentative, placed his lips on Kenshin's in a fragile kiss. He pulled back a little to look into his friends eyes.
 

"I love you, Kenshin."
 

Sometimes, the easiest things to feel, are the hardest to admit.
 

The smile that lit Kenshin's face made every doubt disappear from Sanosuke's heart. The redhead pulled him into a tight embrace filled with joy, strength, and love. Sanosuke felt his heart pound in his chest, overflow with happiness. His heart nearly burst when he felt Kenshin whisper into his neck, "I love you, Sagara Sanosuke. Everything. The good, the bad habits, the temper, the huge heart. You. I love you." Kenshin pulled back, looked up into Sano's face, smiled. "Fishbones and all." The two began to laugh once more, but neither released the other from his arms.
 

Kenshin stretched his neck up, caught Sanosuke's smiling lips with his own. This kiss was firmer, more self assured. The two men moved their lips together slowly, learning the texture, the taste, testing the sharpness of the teeth behind them. Kenshin pressed forward again, forcing their lips and bodies together. Sanosuke pulled Kenshin into an even firmer embrace, bent his neck down so that they could enjoy the taste of each other even more. Kenshin opened his mouth to slowly lick Sano's bottom lip without breaking the kiss. The shudder he felt run through his friend told him more than words ever could. He licked at Sano's top lip and was delighted when Sano opened his mouth for him. Kenshin licked at Sano's teeth and found them to be surprisingly sharp. He nibbled at the inside of Sano's lower lip. His tongue explored the texture of the roof of Sano's mouth, feeling the little ridges and smooth places. The taste was uniquely Sanosuke, warm and smoky. Kenshin shivered as the young man began to kiss him back.
 

Sano had never imagined that Kenshin's lips would be so soft, his taste so sweet. He was glad that Kenshin was brave enough to take the first steps. The feel of Kenshin's tongue on his lips, in his mouth, it felt strange at first. It had been so long since he had been kissed. This felt so unbelievably good. He admired Kenshin's boldness. But now, there were things he wanted to do as well. He entwined his tongue with Kenshin's, felt the shudder go through the smaller man. It made him bolder, knowing he could affect Kenshin like that. He rubbed his tongue against Kenshin's, feeling the subtle texture of the heated muscle against his own. The taste was clean and refreshing, like water. He returned the kiss, licking Kenshin's teeth before darting his tongue into Kenshin's mouth, exploring tastes and textures as Kenshin had. Sano felt he could never get tired of kissing Kenshin. An odd feeling settled on him. He couldn't quite place it, but he knew it was a good feeling, even if it chose to remain unnamed for the time being. He moaned as Kenshin ran a hand over his bare stomach, tracing the abdominal muscles with firm fingers.
 

Kenshin delighted in the moan that rose from Sano's throat, muffled only by his own lips. He continued to kiss the young man as he let his hands drift over the smooth, hard muscle of Sano's chest and stomach. He could feel the warmth of Sanosuke's body in his fingertips, on his palms, feel the slightest twitch of the hard muscle under the unbelievably smooth skin. He felt Sano lean harder and harder into their kiss, their bodies pressing more firmly together, heat radiating between them. Kenshin hadn't felt this alive in a long time. He had never been able to bring himself to have a one night stand, no matter how much his body had ached. It had been far too long since he let himself go like this. Love for Sanosuke only made it sweeter. He ran a light finger over one of Sano's nipples and smiled at the reaction he received. Sano's neck snapped back, nearly hitting the wall when Kenshin stroked his nipples. He must have noticed the devilish grin on Kenshin's face and returned it in kind. "Like that, Sano-kun?" Kenshin purred into the well tanned shoulder in front of him.
 

"Mm-hmm." Sano brought his head back down to rest his chin on top of Kenshin's head, the fiery red hair smooth as silk to his skin. "I'm not pretending innocence here, Kenshin." Kenshin turned his attention away from the spot on Sano's collarbone that he was about to exploit to the young man's face. "But no one has ever made me feel the way you do. Emotionally and," here he cut himself with a gasp as Kenshin changed his mind and nibbled on the skin next to the hollow of his throat. "Physically." he ended breathlessly. Kenshin smiled into his neck.
 

"I'm glad to hear that, Sano-kun. May I stay here tonight? I would hate to leave, thinking you might get lonely." Kenshin smiled as Sanosuke blinked a few times before the words sunk in.
 

"Of course, Kenshin-kun. But I have to tell you, I have no spare rooms." He smiled, eyes aglow with mischief. "So if you don't mind sharing my bed with me, I'll be glad to have you." Kenshin chuckled at the phrasing. Sanosuke's laugh was husky, his eyes filling with a passion equal to the love he felt for his friend.
 

"Oh, I won't mind. We should wait a while first, though." Kenshin grinned as Sanosuke raised an eyebrow at him. "It is near supper time. I wouldn't want Karou to send Yahiko looking for me. Especially as he'll know right where to come. Some things, especially what I have in mind, should remain private." he grinned as Sano blushed. "To be completely honest, I don't care who knows about us after tonight. Let them think what they want, it will not affect us. However," and here, the sheer devilment on Kenshin's face surprised Sano. "I have to admit, I'm sure Karou's reaction to Yahiko's news, if he found us, would be priceless." At the thought of the expression on Karou-domo's face, and the screech the whole town would surely hear, Sanosuke dissolved into a helpless fit of laughter, burying his face into Kenshin's neck. Kenshin smiled, knowing that there was no longer any hurry. As Sanosuke's laughter died down, Kenshin added. "If you have any food, I'll be glad to cook you dinner."
 

Sanosuke looked up at Kenshin before placing a gentle kiss on the side of his neck. "I think I may have a few things suitable for supper. And there are vegetables in the garden. Around the back."
 

"Really?" This news surprised Kenshin. He had simply assumed that the garden, which Sano had let run wild, was simply decorative. He never imagined that Sanosuke would tend to vegetables. Then again, they might be running wild as well. "Tell me Sano, are the vegetables as wild as your flowers?" The brunette smiled.
 

"Pretty much. I'll come with you, help you find them. I know right where everything is, even if it doesn't look like it." Sanosuke released the hold he had on Kenshin, albeit reluctantly. Kenshin pressed a final kiss to Sano's lips before releasing him as well. The two men walked out onto Sano's front steps just as Yahiko turned down the short path-way to his house. He waved, Kenshin smiled and waved back. Sanosuke did not miss the pointed glance that was quickly cast his way. He smiled to himself and headed to his back yard, a place few people ever saw. Most were intimidated by the overgrown and savage growth of his 'garden' that was visible from the front of his house and that kept them from poking around. Sanosuke was rarely home as it was, and he appreciated the way things grew according to their own will. The most perfect bonsai tree he had ever found was growing wild, miles away from any human dwelling. Who was he to say that a particular plant shouldn't be allowed to grow where he found it?
 

Sanosuke selected a few large vegetables to go with the rice he had in his house. There was some dried fish that they could cook up, or eat 'as is'. Sanosuke caught all his own fish. He didn't have to pay for them, and he could store them several ways. Definitely useful, especially with his erratic lifestyle. Which, he felt, may be settling down with a bit more purpose very soon. He gathered his fresh selection and headed back to the front of his house, mindfully stepping over a few exposed roots. He noticed Kenshin was still talking to Yahiko as he went inside to drop the veggies in the kitchen area. He dusted off his hands, walked out to the front door in time to see Yahiko disappear around the corner out of sight. "On his way back to tell Karou-dono that you will not be attending dinner at the dojo?" Kenshin nodded his head before turning to come inside. He slid the door shut behind him.
 

"He says that Karou was expecting me a while ago, and decided to cook dinner when I did not return at the expected time. He also says," Sanosuke noted the smile, and the sound of laughter that was growing in Kenshin's voice, "that she boiled over the rice, burnt the vegetables to a crisp, and somehow managed to sear the meat black on the outside while leaving it bleeding on the inside. Yahiko asked if I was cooking here."
 

"And, being the kind and generous man you are, I take it I should gather a few more things from the garden?" Sanosuke smiled gently and the shorter man, who was looking up at him rather sheepishly.
 

"Hai. You don't mind, do you?"
 

"Of course not Kenshin. We have all the time in the world, right?" Kenshin smiled and wrapped his arms around his friend. Sanosuke relaxed into the embrace, loving the feeling of Kenshin's arms around his waist. He rested his chin on Kenshin's head, a gesture he figured would become characteristic of their casual embraces. He didn't mind a bit.
 

"Thank you for understanding, Sano-kun."
 

"No problem, Kenshin-kun. I just hope he likes dried fish." The two men laughed as they moved to prepare a meal for three.
 

* * * * * * *
 

Everything went well. Yahiko was his usual loud-mouthed self, and actually pleasant company. Sanosuke couldn't remember when he had last had such a good time in his own home. He rarely had the chance to play host to anyone, and now here he was, with two friends at supper and a smile embedded in his heart.
 

Yahiko had mentioned Karou's being slightly upset at Kenshin's being at Sanosuke's, but said nothing further. Sanosuke had noticed Yahiko staring at Kenshin with questions in his eyes, heard the quick whispers of hushed conversation when he left the area for random host duties. He cast a raised eyebrow in Kenshin's direction upon returning from a rice-refill for them all, and got a smile in return. He'd find out about it later.
 

After tea, Yahiko decided it was time to leave. He was full, and Kenshin had answered his questions. He would return to the dojo to let Karou know Kenshin wasn't coming home tonight. And that message told Yahiko everything else he needed to know. The young boy disappeared into the night with a smile on his face, feeling happy for his mentor and his friend. And, he had to admit to himself, a smirk for the 'old hag'.
 

"Cute kid. He's really come a long way, hasn't he Kenshin." Sanosuke watched the young boy fade into the darkness before sliding the door shut. A fire was crackling lazily, dying down to embers as he watched. Kenshin was looking out the window, staring at the way the light of the waxing moon brought a whole other life to Sano's wild garden. He turned away from the window as Sanosuke moved towards him.
 

"Hai. He has. But right now, it's not Yahiko I really want to be talking about." Kenshin moved forward to rest his hands on Sanosuke's bare chest, curving his head to rest in the nape of Sano's neck. Sanosuke wrapped his arms around the smaller man's waist, head inclined. He finally placed a name to the feeling he had earlier, something he hadn't felt in a long time, contentment. Kenshin remained still for long moments, enjoying the simplicity of the moment.
 

"You don't think Karou is going to come to gather you, do you?" Kenshin lifted his gaze to Sanosuke's face. He bore a soft, yet serious expression.
 

"Not if she listens to the message Yahiko gives her." Sanosuke raised a fluid eyebrow. "I asked him to tell her that you were in no state of mind to be left alone. Which," he continued as the other eyebrow raised to join its mate. "Is perfectly true. You don't want me to leave, do you?" Kenshin cast a rather coy look from under his bangs. Sanosuke rolled his eyes to the starry heavens.
 

"Never."
 

"Then I won't. Now. I'm tired, Sano-kun. It's been a long day. I want to rest. Can we go to bed now, please?" Sanosuke smiled so widely that his eyes were forced shut. Kenshin's smile was smaller, filled with love, and longing. Sanosuke caught its meaning as he opened his eyes. His smile shifted to shadow Kenshin's.
 

"Hai, Kenshin. Let's go to bed." Kenshin cocked his head to the side, giving every appearance of coyness. Sanosuke knew better. Kenshin was thinking of the same thing he was: sex. Sano shivered a little at the thought. He released his grip on the rurouni, felt Kenshin's warm hands glide smoothly off his back. Kenshin pushed on his chest, then started towards the bedroom. Sanosuke watched Kenshin move about four steps before he fell in behind. He stood in the doorway of his own bedroom, leaned against the frame watching as Kenshin walked over to pull his shutters through, then turned, leaning against the wall, arms behind his back. Waiting. Sanosuke shifted his weight, moved forward to cross the room. Kenshin was testing him, learning him. Was he aggressive, or more passive and submissive. Did he know enough to ask for what he wanted. Sano had played these games with others to a lesser extent. The others were simply physical pleasure. This was love. He'd heard that it made sex all the sweeter. This was his first opportunity to test that theory.
 

Kenshin watched as Sanosuke slowly crossed the room, observed the lithe body, the smooth rippling of muscle under skin. Sanosuke gave every appearance of being dangerous. Kenshin knew this to be true, but right now, he planned on putting that young body to uses other than fighting. He observed enough to know that Sanosuke was no longer hesitant about asking for what he wanted. He also saw enough to know that the young man would submit to him if he asked him to. Kenshin was not a firm believer in one seme, one uke. He knew that pleasure could derived from both roles. He hoped he could teach this to Sano as well. Sano was close enough to touch now. The young man reached out a hand to touch his face.
 

"Take off your gi, Sano-kun." The hand stopped mid-air. Kenshin could feel its warmth. He watched the expressions shift on Sano's face. "Take off your gi, Sano-kun." he repeated in a slightly firmer voice. The hand dropped obediently. Sano shrugged out of the long white gi that served him as an all purpose garment. The soft worn fabric ghosted to the floor. Sanosuke looked at it, and then back at Kenshin. "Now your pants." Kenshin waited for the words to work their way around in Sanosuke's head. The brunette looked adorably confused for a moment. Then he moved. He undid the white strap of cloth that held his very loose pants up. The moment the knot was undone, Sano's pants slithered to the floor into a pool of white fabric. He kicked them to the side, next to his discarded gi. The belt draped from the fingers of his right hand. Kenshin looked him up and down, admiring the tanned skin, the smooth lines, Sanosuke's naked form. Truly an amazing sight to behold. Handsome, masculine, touched with a sudden case of shyness. The blush on Sanosuke's face highlighted his exotic cheekbones, made him all the more enticing. Kenshin lifted a hand to trace fingers lightly down Sano's chest, wringing a shuddering gasp from his soon to be lover. "Hmmmm. Sensitive." Sanosuke chuckled, an air of nervous anticipation, his brown eyes liquid, passionate.
 

Kenshin pushed himself off from the wall, his clothed chest nearly coming into contact with Sano's naked one. Bringing his hands up from his waist, Kenshin began to peel his gi open, slowly, without undoing the belt. He watched Sano's face as the young man stared openly at the pale chest being painstakingly revealed before him. Kenshin slipped a hand inside the sun-bleached red fabric, watching Sano. Watching his eyes widen. Hearing his breath hitch and increase in rate. Seeing Sano's flesh harden at the mere suggestion of Kenshin touching himself.
 

Kenshin dropped his other hand to his waist once more, over his hip, down slightly to the junction of his legs, grazing over the fabric just enough to make it whisper. Sano's eyes widened impossibly for an instant, then narrowed with lust. He noted the heave of Sano's chest. Sano's hands clutching tightly at his sides. Kenshin undid the knot that held his gi closed, feeling the fabric pull gently away, tickling his skin, sliding to the floor to entangle with Sano's lost gi. He lifted his arms, one end of his belt in each hand, and draped the narrow black fabric behind Sano's head, using it to jerk the taller man sharply against his body. Sano's cry of surprise was hot in his ears, the sudden contact intoxicating, the feel of Sano's rapidly hardening sex pressed tightly to his belly divine. Kenshin fisted his hands into the wild and untamed locks of coarse brown hair, pulled Sano's lips to his own for a passionate, bruising kiss.
 

The surprise force that Kenshin exerted had thrown Sanosuke off balance for a moment. Wrapping his arms around Kenshin's neck, his hands sought the hairband that kept Kenshin's fiery hair neatly bound. His fingers deftly loosened the band and pulled it away. Kenshin's lips never left his through the process, never lessened their pressure. Lips met teeth, tongues thrusting into each other, tastes mingling, breath harsh and uneven. Unbinding the red sash that Sano kept wrapped around his head, Kenshin pulled roughly on Sano's hair, bringing their mouths even tighter together. Sano's teeth pressed painfully into Kenshin's upper lip, and the redhead simply loved it. He then pulled his mouth away, breaking the kiss, stranding Sanosuke somewhere between rapture and delirium. He waited for Sano to take a few deep breaths before leaning in with a kiss that was as delicate as dew on a flower petal. Stark contrast to the rough passion-filled kiss they had just shared.
 

Sanosuke couldn't tell up from down. Kenshin was keeping him completely off balance. First coy, then aggressive. Rough, then gentle. The mix was as unsettling as it was intoxicating. Sano realized that he'd never had any experience similar to this before. This was new and beautiful and confusing and desirable. This was Kenshin, this was the effect Kenshin had on him. When the gentle kiss broke, Kenshin pulling away again, the redhead licked Sano's swollen lower lip. He could not hold in the moan of sheer desire that he felt. His chest was tight with emotion, his head spinning with it, his body thrumming in response to Kenshin. He almost never heard what Kenshin said next. It took a moment for the words to register.
 

"Lay down on your bed, Sano-kun." Little more than a whisper, really. It contained a promise. Sano looked down into the shimmering violet eyes that held everything for him. Unwinding his arms from around Kenshin's neck, releasing the silken strands of hair that his fingers had been worshipping, it was almost painful to let go. But he listened. He wanted to do this, do this for Kenshin, for himself. He backed away, eyes locked to Kenshin's, until he felt the soft fabric of his bed against his ankles. He paused a moment, then knelt down, placed his hands behind him, shifted back to sit, legs stretched out before him. He watched Kenshin watch him. He slid back further onto his bed. Looked to Kenshin to see what would happen next. The naked passion in Kenshin's eyes said it all.
 

Kenshin watched as Sano backed away, slid to the bed with ease, sat watching him, waiting. He drank in the sight like a man parched. He waited for the passion he felt to settle down to a more controllable level. Sanosuke's touch, his kisses, were enough to drive him to madness. He knew the young man could take anything he wanted to do tonight, and every night thereafter. But Kenshin wanted this to be as much about the love in their hearts as the fever in their blood. He breathed deeply, measuring time carefully. He watched Sanosuke as he undid his belt, loosened his hakama, let it drop to the floor in a shapeless pool to merge with Sano's white clothing. He stood still, letting Sano look at him. The brunette's jaw was slightly agape. Kenshin felt the heat of his gaze as it struggled to take in everything at once.
 

Sanosuke was breathless, looking at Kenshin, standing calmly naked in front of him. Kenshin's skin was pale, fair as he thought it would be. The body that was so deceptively fragile looking when clothed exuded raw power. Thin, pinkish lines stood out, as did the blanched white lines that decorated the former Battousai's body. Scars. Sword kisses long past. None horrible, all thin and fine. There seemed to be an odd scheme to their placement, a pattern almost. Sano knew that was foolishness, the scars were random and of varying ages. But they accentuated Kenshin's body rather than disfigured it. Years of hard living and harder training had shaped the rurouni's body into toned muscled perfection. And he thought he had a perfect stomach. The definition of the muscles under milky skin put even Sano's body to shame. His mouth went dry.
 

Kenshin began to glide towards Sano's prone form. He moved with sensual purpose. As he stood in front of the bed, Sanosuke shifted back even further, giving him ample room to lie down with ease. Kenshin knelt at Sano's feet, eyes languidly roaming up over his friends beautiful body. Their eyes met, each smiled. Kenshin reached out a hand to touch Sanosuke's ankle. He smoothed the calloused pads of his fingers in small circles. "Lie back, Sano. Relax." Sano reclined his body, left his hands lying by his sides, completely trusting. Kenshin smiled again. His other hand joined in, and Kenshin began to massage Sano's ankle, calf, thigh. He repeated the same, slow, sensual process on the other leg, ankle, calf, thigh. Sanosuke's breathing was deep and slow. He was obviously enjoying this change of pace. Kenshin doubted that Sano had ever experienced something like this before. It brought him great enjoyment that he got to be the first to pleasure the young warrior in such a way. Kenshin then leaned a hand on each thigh, stroked up and down the outsides, the tougher flesh. Looking up, he noticed Sano's eyes had closed. Grinning to himself, he continued the up and down movement for several minutes more. Despite the fact that both men had fully erect sex, neither seemed to be in a hurry. Kenshin decided that he would change things once more.
 

Kenshin's hands left the outside of Sano's thighs to begin their exploration of the soft inner skin. Sano moaned immediately at the change. Kenshin continued to move his hands firmly up and down, then in his former circular motions. He watched as Sanosuke's hips began to react, beginning that incredibly erotic undulation that nearly undid Kenshin at that very instant. Taking a deep, slow breath, Kenshin forced himself to remain calm. He brought his hands down to Sano's knees and began the circular motion back up to the juncture of Sano's thighs. This time, however, instead of working his way back down, he rested his hands on Sano's hips as he dropped his head down to take Sano's hot sex into his mouth.
 

Sanosuke's back arched so sharply that he nearly came off the bed. His eyes flew open. He cried out in surprise and intense pleasure. The movement came totally unexpected. He never suspected that Kenshin would choose to pleasure him in such as way. The massage of his legs had set ever nerve on fire even as it relaxed him. To have Kenshin licking, kissing, sucking on him, Sano thought he would die from pleasure. And then Kenshin moaned around him. Sano's eyes rolled back into his head as the vibration from Kenshin's throat massaged his sex. Sanosuke gathered his wits enough to open his eyes again, to look down at his friend, at what Kenshin was doing to him. The site of the redhead, the porcelain features, the violet eyes staring back at him, Sanosuke nearly came undone. He reached out a hand to cup the scarred side of Kenshin's face. The rurouni leaned into the gesture without stopping what he was doing.
 

Sanosuke's cries, moans, groans, became even more frequent as he watched Kenshin suck, lick, nibble. Kenshin could never remember being as incredibly turned on as he was at this moment, eyes locked to Sano's with the young man's hot sex in his mouth, hips writhing under his firm grip. He could feel his own erection begin to be painful. But he could wait a while longer. Lifting a hand from Sano's hips he cupped the man's testicles and began to massage them, rolling them gently, pressing them carefully with his thumb.
 

"AaaaAAA! Kenshin!" Sanosuke screamed, gave up any attempt at self control. His hips thrust up uncontrollably, his blood felt molten, the tightness in his chest had extended down to his loins. When he felt his lover, yes, /his/ lover, touch the skin behind his balls, something inside him broke. As Kenshin's lips teased the head of his penis, everything went black.
 

Kenshin shivered as Sanosuke screamed his name. He couldn't take all of Sano's length into his mouth, but he more than made up for that by finding and mercilessly exploiting every sensitive spot on the pulsing shaft. When he drew back to pull his lips firmly around the head of Sano's penis, the man's hips jerked forward. The brunette came violently, screaming, one hand tearing Kenshin's hair, the other clawing at the bedding. Kenshin continued to suck, swallowing the salty fluid as best he could. Some of the semen ran out of his mouth, down over the hand that continued to pull Sano's sex gently. Shudders wracked the young man's frame. His hips continued to spasm. His breath was harsh, coming in huge, shaking gulps. He stared blankly at the ceiling. When Sanosuke finally stopped shaking, Kenshin released his grip on Sano's sex, letting it slide slowly out of his mouth. Sano's eyes met his as he knelt back and began to lick the warm semen off of his hand. He sucked the semen off of his fingers, watching the raw passion play across Sanosuke's face.
 

Sano lay on his bed, damp with sweat. He felt some of his semen trickling down his thigh. His whole body was feeling random, pleasurable aftershocks. And Kenshin was hovering over him, looking for all the world like an incubus to Sano's feverish mind. His eyes could not leave the sight of Kenshin licking his semen off of his fingers, sucking and nibbling. Sano wracked his mind, could find nothing more erotic in his life than what he was seeing before him. He wanted to thank Kenshin, for making this so amazing for him, for showing him what true pleasure was. All that came from his throat was a groan.
 

Kenshin smiled appreciatively. He finished cleaning his hand with a final swipe of tongue across palm. He leaned forward again, placing his hands on Sanosuke's hips, lowering himself until his nose nearly touched Sano's. Other than his hands, no other part of Kenshin touched Sano. Kenshin revelled in the hot, moist breath that washed over his face. He felt Sano's blood pulsing beneath his hands, felt the tiny upward spasms of Sano's hips. He bent his head to kiss Sano's shoulder, whispered in his ear.
 

"I'm glad you liked that, koibito. But I'm not finished with you yet." He licked at the soft lobe before pulling it into his mouth and gently nibbling on it. Sano's breathless cry reminded him of just how unsatisfied his own body was. Kenshin was forcing himself to be patient. The time was coming. He was determined to make sure Sanosuke was completely satisfied before the night was over. And Sano was telling him unwittingly just how to go about it.
 

Kenshin pushed himself up, hands braced on Sano's hips. He shifted his weight to his knees and began a circular massage of where his hands had rested. Sanosuke reached up his hands, trying to grasp Kenshin's. Kenshin had no difficulty evading Sano. "Patience." He drew the word out into a hiss. Sanosuke groaned, allowing his arms to fall listlessly to the bed with a dull flop. Kenshin chuckled as he continued to rub Sano's hips, moving to the firm muscle of his stomach. His smile grew as he watched Sano's body awaken once more to his touch. Kenshin rapidly traced a path up to Sano's chest where he began a merciless attack on Sano's brown-sugar nipples. Sanosuke's breath came faster as Kenshin proceeded to worry the sensitive flesh, rolling them between his finger, plucking at them, quickly pinching, sharply twisting, gently massaging. Just enough to give a sharp kiss of pain, pause enough for Sano to enjoy the hot rush of relief and pleasure that followed. Kenshin lowered his head to lick Sanosuke's left nipple, his hand continuing the slow torture of the right. Kenshin felt drops of liquid seep from his own sex as Sanosuke's cries assaulted his ears. He kissed a searing trail over to Sano's other nipple, returning a hand to the neglected one. He never allowed for more than a moment's neglect of the hard nubs of flesh.
 

"Ken-Shin." Sanosuke's voice was somewhere between begging and demanding. Kenshin lifted his head and stared innocently at his friend.
 

"Hai, Sano-kun? Is something wrong?" His face the picture of innocence. His eyes the reflection of seduction. Sanosuke growled. His hands snaked out, grabbed Kenshin's hips and the rurouni allowed himself to be pulled down on top of his uke with a jolt. Both men grunted as their bodies met with sudden force. Kenshin felt the awesome heat of Sanosuke's sex caught between their bellies. His own was resting firmly next to Sano's hip, almost completely between the young man's legs. He couldn't suppress the shudder that spiralled from his loins, ran head to toe and made him groan with want.
 

"Kenshin. Please. I . . . I want you to make love to me." Sano buried his face in the nape of Kenshin's neck, pulling a handful of red hair to his lips, kissing it reverently before turning to lick at the now salty flesh of Kenshin's neck.
 

"But that's what I'm doing, Sano-kun. Loving you." Kenshin's voice hadn't changed, but the innocent look on his face had been replaced with the look of an incubus once more. Sanosuke growled, never famous for his patience. He bit Kenshin's neck, grinning devilishly at the cry Kenshin gave.
 

"Then let me be more specific. And a bit more detailed. In case you hadn't noticed, I want you to fuck me. To stick that lovely looking penis inside me. To make me come screaming your name again, this time with you inside me. I want to look in your eyes as you come in me, screaming my name, and mine alone. I want you inside me. Now." He growled again, thrusting his hips up against Kenshin's. "Is that clear enough for you, Kenshin-kun?" he asked brazenly. Now it was Kenshin's turn to growl.
 

"Clear as the morning sky in autumn, Sano-kun." he managed to reply. He kissed Sano once more, before pulling completely out of the young man's strong embrace.
 

Sanosuke smirked. "Hurry back." Kenshin laughed as he went to his discarded hakama and retrieved a small cylinder. He noticed the questioning look in Sano's eyes. Smiling, he fingered the silver vessel with care.
 

"I asked Yahiko to get this for me." Kenshin's incubus look triumphed over his grin at the look of shock that swept over Sanosuke's face. Kenshin could have sworn that the brunette's eyes went perfectly round for an instant. "I didn't tell him what to get. Only where to find it in my room. However, knowing Yahiko, I'm sure he either had a look or figured it out on his own. And you're blushing." Sanosuke blinked, his face flushed red to the roots of his hair. "A man who just asked me, and I quote, to 'Stick that lovely looking penis inside me', you turn red at the thought of Yahiko knowing exactly why I am staying here tonight? How surprising."
 

"Yeah, well." Sanosuke sat up. "Are you going to stand there all night or are you going to come back here and do what I asked?" He smiled as Kenshin laughed again, a clear, resounding sound that made him feel at ease.
 

"I think I can manage that." Kenshin palmed the cylinder, moved back to stand over Sanosuke. Lowering himself to lie next to Sanosuke, Kenshin reached out his empty hand to trace lightly over Sano's cheek. Sanosuke sighed, eyes fluttering. His warm breath wrapped itself over Kenshin's skin, intoxicating ether. Kenshin held the cylinder up for Sano to see. Brown eyes watched as Kenshin uncapped the top of the cylinder by simply twisting his fingers against the cap. Eyes locked to Sano's, Kenshin lifted his free hand to receive the offering from the cylinder. Sano's watched the sparkling liquid flow onto Kenshin's outstretched palm. His eyes locked to Kenshin's as the lubricated hand disappeared from his line of sight.
 

Kenshin lightly ran a hand over his long denied sex, coating it thoroughly, moaning at his own touch. He felt Sano's shaft twitch against his leg. He then lowered his hand to graze lightly over Sano's inner thigh. Feeling the muscle spasm, Kenshin delved his hand between the junction, seeking the place he would need to pleasure them both. His fingers pushed between the flesh of Sano's buttocks, finding what he sought. He traced the outline of the muscle ring for a few moments. When Sanosuke's hips began to move against his, Kenshin captured Sano's lips as he pushed his index finger into the tight entrance.
 

Sano moaned, reminding his body to relax. Control was not one of his strong suits. He deepened the kiss, his tongue wrestling with Kenshin's, seeking any sort of dominance that could be his this night. Kenshin seemed to be willing to play along. As Sanosuke made the kiss more aggressive, Kenshin slid his finger in and out of Sano's entrance, twirling it, using it to relax the muscle as much as he could. Sanosuke found the harder, the more aggressive he kissed, the faster Kenshin moved his finger. He had fun with this for a while, nipping Kenshin's lower lip, sucking on it, tangling his tongue into Kenshin's.
 

Rather then simply slide a second in, Kenshin withdrew his index finger entirely. At Sanosuke's cry of disappointment, he deftly slid two fingers in. The cry of loss became a shout of ecstasy as Kenshin inadvertently hit Sano's prostate. Kenshin took note of the place, but decided to avoid it for now. He continued to loosen the tight ring, doing what he could to make sure his entrance would cause Sanosuke no pain. After several more minutes of this, Sanosuke was practically crawling all over Kenshin, so he decided that now was as good a time as any, and chose not to add a third finger, as he had originally planned. Withdrawing his fingers, making sure to touch that small bundle of nerves, Kenshin rolled over to lay on top of Sanosuke holding the young man down with his weight. Shifting, making sure Sanosuke was comfortable, resting one hand on the bedding, another on Sanosuke's hip, violet eyes gazed into brown.
 

"Are you ready, Sano-kun?"
 

"H-Hai, Kenshin. I'm ready." Kenshin bent his head to place a gentle kiss on Sano's lips as he pressed forward. Slowly Kenshin moved his hips forward, gasping, sliding into Sano's heat. It felt so good. It was torturous. It was perfect and better than anything Kenshin or Sanosuke had ever imagined.
 

It felt so right.
 

Breathless, Kenshin gasped. "A-Are you alright, Sano-kun?" He could feel himself trembling, the weight of his desire pressing down hard on him. Still, he had to make sure Sanosuke was okay before he continued.
 

"Hai. Kenshin. Oh, it . . . Feels so good . . . Don't stop . . . Move. Please. Move." Sano glided his hips against the rurouni, inviting, seductive, wanting. Kenshin needed no further encouragement. Kissing Sano once more, Kenshin positioned himself, resting one arm from wrist to elbow on the bedding close to Sano's chest, one hand remained on Sano's hip. Kenshin began the slow, measured pace that would give them the most pleasure. Both of them were shuddering, bodies tense. Kenshin forced himself to relax, but the tight heat of Sano's body was driving him crazy. The young man began to thrust against him, mind lost to pleasure. "More, Kenshin. Please. H-Harder." Kenshin was finding it harder and harder to remain in control.
 

Sanosuke wrapped his arms around Kenshin's waist, fingers kneading the small of Kenshin's back, pulling the shorter man down for more contact, flesh on flesh, feeling the pressure build in his loins, body demanding release. He felt Kenshin begin to move faster, his even strokes beginning to falter. Sano no longer cared who might be walking along outside, who might hear him. He couldn't hold back his cries of joy, intense pleasure. He began to sob openly, begging Kenshin to keep going, that it felt too good, to never stop. The feeling of Kenshin moving in and out of him, the wonderful friction, the movements that rubbed against that special place inside him. There had never been anything in his life like this before. He wanted more. Desperately needed to come. Never wanted it to end.
 

Something inside Kenshin broke as Sanosuke began the cry out. He nearly froze when he saw tears, but Sano assured him, told him to keep going. The words, the feel of the young man writhing beneath him, the heat that gathered, his blood rushing, it was too much for him. Determined that Sanosuke would come before him, Kenshin moved his hand from Sanosuke's hip to stroke the man's sex that was caught between their bellies. One, two, three firm strokes and Sanosuke's hips thrust up, reaching for release. "KenSHIN!" Kenshin locked his eyes to Sanosuke's as the young man came, white heat washing over both their stomachs.
 

The warmth and scent of Sano's release. The sudden arching of his lover's body. The sensation of Sano's finger's clawing into his back, body clamping down on his sex. The connection of their eyes. Everything added to a shattering orgasm. "Aaaa! S-Sano!!" The pressure exploded out from Kenshin's centre in a rush of heat, his hips jutting with a mind of their own. He saw stars in the depths of Sano's eyes. Kenshin collapsed on top of Sanosuke, his head falling to rest on Sano's shoulder. He buried his face into the nape of Sanosuke's neck, listening to Sano's breath, feeling the gentle heave of the smooth chest.
 

Each felt the other's heartbeat resting on their chest. Gasping, wavering breaths filled the air as their bodies tried to regain their normal rhythms. Sanosuke's arms still clung around Kenshin's waist. Kenshin's hand drifted back to its place on Sano's hip. Their breath, their hearts, their souls, synched. It was one of the moments in a person's life when the world stops, and all they ever have, or ever need, is each other.
 

Kenshin groaned as he slid his flaccid sex from Sanosuke, who added his note of protest to the movement as well. He moved his weight off of Sano, lying with his head nestled on Sano's chest, one pale, slender leg wrapped over Sano's tanned one. Sanosuke remained on his back, dazed, feeling the warm presence of Kenshin next to him. He was glad that Kenshin remained close, resting comfortably. He never let others know his need for closeness after it was over. He was glad he wouldn't have to ask Kenshin to hold him. It was a source of comfort, something he cherished. And this was precious. With that thought, he began to fall into sleep. Before completely giving in, he kissed the top of Kenshin's head, whispered.
 

"Thank you, Kenshin. I love you." Kenshin couldn't open his eyes. Murmured into Sano's neck, hot breath tickling.
 

"I love you Sano-kun. Sleep well." And with that, both men rested their exhausted bodies.
 

~ ~ ~
 

Just this morning, I never would have imagined this coming true. Waking up like this, with Sanosuke sleeping beside me. It's still the middle of the night. I can hear the wind rustle the leaves outside. I can hear his heartbeat as I lie here, resting my head on his chest. Best looking pillow I'll ever have.
 

This is so amazing. I love him so much.
 

He snores like a lumber yard.
 

~ ~ ~
 

Sanosuke woke to the gentle weight of Kenshin sleeping on his chest. He looked down at the sight, Kenshin's leg wrapped possessively over his, hand resting gently on his chest. Sano felt his heart swell with joy. He bent his head to kiss the top of Kenshin's head, then placed another soft kiss to his forehead. He didn't dare move anymore than that. He didn't want to wake Kenshin. The moment was perfectly peaceful.
 

"I take it you're awake, Sano-kun." Kenshin's sleep husked voice whispered. Sano started, then smiled. He should have known the second he moved that Kenshin would wake.
 

"Hai Kenshin. Did I wake you?"
 

"Mm nm. I've been awake for a while now." Kenshin snuggled into Sano more, shifting and stretching muscles that were pleading for fresh blood and exercise. "Listening. To the wind. To your heart." Sanosuke grinned. "Do you know you snore loud enough to wake the dead?"
 

"Eh!" Kenshin giggled at Sano's indignant exclamation. He was almost disappointed when Sanosuke didn't argue with him. "I thought you said I didn't wake you."
 

Kenshin stretched his entire body, arched his back, grinning all the while. "You didn't. I heard you after I woke." Kenshin sat up, gazed down at Sano's outstretched form lazing on the bedding. "There are no words to tell you how beautiful you are to me." Sanosuke blinked in surprise. One moment Kenshin was tormenting him about his snoring, then complementing him. The switch was so fast that it nearly left Sanosuke behind. When Kenshin bent to kiss him, however, he caught up quickly. Kenshin kept the kiss brief, sitting back up. He sighed. Content as he was, the night wasn't over, and there were a few more things that he wanted to do this night. "Are you up for more fun tonight, Sano?" He smiled as Sanosuke blinked three times before the look of perplexed surprise left the brunette's face.
 

"M-More? Now?"
 

Kenshin laughed. Bent his head to lap lazily at Sano's undefended nipple. "Hai. More." He dropped a hand between Sano's legs. "Are you, up to it? Or did I wear you out already?" Kenshin gave a surprised laugh as he found himself suddenly pinned underneath Sano, the man growling seductively over him. Sanosuke leaned down to kiss him, and Kenshin opened his mouth to allow Sano easy access. The kiss ended too soon for his liking.
 

"Wear me out? Already? You have to be kidding. Now, what do you have in mind for fun this time?" Sanosuke bent his head, kissing and biting Kenshin's neck, waiting for a response other than the gasps and sighs he was getting. Although those were nice too.
 

"I think," Kenshin breathed as Sano continued to suckle at his neck, "that I want you to have as much fun with me, as I did with you." He met Sanosuke's eyes as the young man peered up from his neck, disbelieving what had been said.
 

" . . . uh . . ." Sanosuke stared at Kenshin. Kenshin wanted him to be seme this time? Not that he couldn't. Or that he wouldn't. It was just that he had never been with someone that played both roles before. Of course, after today, he knew nothing should ever surprise him about Kenshin. "Are you sure?" A gentle kiss pressed to the tip of his nose assured him.
 

"Hai, Sano-kun. I want you. If you are willing."
 

"I'm willing. I'm just . . . I'm just not used to anyone who was seme, well, be willing to be uke as well. It's . . . I just . . . I don't know what to say." Kenshin pressed a warm palm to the side of Sanosuke's face. Sano looked deeply into Kenshin's eyes. Saw no hesitation. No regrets. He gave in to his own desires.
 

"Sometimes, you don't have to say anything, Sano."
 

Sanosuke bent his head to meet Kenshin half way. Their lips pressed together in an expression of pure love. There was no haste this time. Each of them was sated, and yet they wanted to continue to learn each other. Hands roaming randomly as they continued to kiss revealed several nice surprises for the pair. Sanosuke found Kenshin's left ear was ticklish. Kenshin discovered a particularly sensitive spot on the back of Sanosuke's neck. The kiss was long, unhurried, intimate. When Sano finally pulled away, he was breathless, could feel his blood beginning to rush in his veins once more. And he could feel Kenshin's flesh responding to him. Feel the strong heartbeat increase, the muscles twitch, the sex begin to harden. All these things combined to excite Sano even more, knowing he could do this to Kenshin. Knowing he could please the rurouni pleased him. Smiling, he began to kiss Kenshin enthusiastically, tracing a wild path between Kenshin's lips, neck, chest. His hands roved all over the pale skin, fingers tracing the various white and pink scars as he encountered them. He noted that some of them seemed to be sensitive, particularly the pale ones. He lodged that piece of information away for use at a later time.
 

Sanosuke trailed his hands over Kenshin's chest, stroking his stomach, tracing his sides. Wrapping his hands underneath when Kenshin arched to his touch, Sanosuke began to massage the small of the man's back. He alternated between feather light touches and skin welting scratches. The gentleness was giving way once more to their fierce passion. It wasn't long before Kenshin was writhing beneath him, their skin rubbed together in delicious heated friction. It was enough to drive them both mad. Sanosuke could feel Kenshin's erection trapped between them. His own erection was leaking the fluid that would help ease his entrance. "Dammit, Sano. Will you stop teasing and just fuck me." The redhead hissed dangerously in his ear. When Kenshin raked his fingers down Sano's back, leaving scorching red welts in his wake, Sanosuke figured now was as good a time as any to do as the rurouni had asked.
 

His hand groping blindly, Sanosuke was clawing the bedding, looking for the silver cylinder that had been discarded earlier. When Kenshin thrust it into his hand, he broke from the embrace long enough to raise an eyebrow before kneeling back, cylinder in hand. He took a moment to appreciate the sight that lay beneath him. Kenshin lay on the bedding, his body covered in shining droplets of sweat, gasping, body arching up, longing for more contact. Sanosuke gripped the cylinder with firm hands. It was slightly slippery from having been used already this night. Uncapping the top, Sanosuke poured the crystal clear liquid into his hand. It was warm, thick, and smelled sweet. He hadn't had a chance to notice these things when it had been used on him. He lowered his hand to coat the underside of his shaft in the liquid first, not wanting to spill any as he had drained the small cylinder of its contents. Encircling his sex with his lubricated hand, Sanosuke stroked himself several times, ensuring that he was totally covered. He knelt forward, resting his weight on one hand, dropping his lubricated hand to the junction of Kenshin's thighs. He playfully walked his fingers down Kenshin's inner thighs, bringing him closer to the hot flesh, the unseen entrance. As Kenshin began to growl, thrusting his hips up fiercely, Sanosuke plunged one slick finger into Kenshin's hidden depths. Hissing for a second, Kenshin quickly bore down on Sanosuke's hand. Adding a second finger quickly, Sanosuke found himself trying to keep up with the redhead's fierce desire. The slow gentleness was gone. Need was overwhelming the two of them again. Kenshin's desire was adding to his own, driving him on faster than he had intended to go. He was all but out of his mind with desire. But he was in control here, and he had to make sure he didn't hurt his lover.
 

Forcing himself to slow down, Sanosuke pulled his fingers away from Kenshin, shuddering at the groan of protest, the arching of Kenshin's body to his. Taking several deep breaths, Sanosuke lowered himself to his elbows, his chest pressing tightly to Kenshin's. He waited several, painful, moments for Kenshin's writhing to subside. When the rurouni's eyes met his, Sanosuke pressed forward into the tight heat, eyes never leaving Kenshin's face.
 

Kenshin arched violently, head snapping back at the intrusion he felt. It was so hot, so hard. Sanosuke was the only lover he had that was so well endowed. It felt incredible. Kenshin remembered the last time he had been taken, and it was no where near as pleasurable as this. It had been hard and fast and for sheer need. That little relationship had lasted only a few weeks and had been lackluster at best. This was incredible. This was passion and love and pleasure and want. Kenshin couldn't stop himself from whimpering, gasping, groaning as Sanosuke moved in and out, pushing slowly, then thrusting quickly. The staggered rhythm kept him off balance and drunk with need. Sano's breath was hot and moist on his face, the young man's gasping cries tinder for his passion. He raked his fingers down Sanosuke's back again, hard enough to break the skin in several places. Sano's cry of pleasure/pain brought Kenshin closer to release. The sounds of his noisy lover were such an incredible turn on. Kenshin was reeling with pleasure as Sanosuke finally gave in to his need.
 

Kenshin's nails clawed a particularly sensitive spot on Sanosuke's back and drove him over the last barrier he had set. Giving in to the desperate urge to release the tight pressure that had been steadily gathering in his loins, Sanosuke began to drive mercilessly into Kenshin. The pace, the need, were fierce. Kenshin screamed as he came, hot whiteness spurting over both of them. Sanosuke continued to thrust into the clutching ring of muscle, teeth grit against the sudden pressure. As Kenshin's body began to feel lax against his, Sanosuke unwrapped his hands from Kenshin's waist, moving them to position Kenshin legs over his shoulders. The change in position shifted both Kenshin and Sanosuke. Each of Sanosuke's thrust's now hit upon the small bundle of nerves that caused Kenshin to cry out in ecstasy. In only moments, Kenshin's sex grew full and hard again. Kenshin moved a hand to his shaft, only to have it swatted away. Sanosuke growled savagely at his lover. Kenshin whimpered in need before snapping his neck forward to growl right back. Kenshin saw Sanosuke's smirk seconds before he lost sight of the young man's face. And then he felt the hot wetness surround his sex.
 

"Sano-SU-KE!! AaaaaAAAAH!"
 

Sanosuke smiled around his mouthful of Kenshin's shaft. Most people were unaware of his flexability. He could think of no better way to introduce Kenshin to one of his hidden talents. He thrust his own sex into Kenshin as he sucked hard on the older man, tracing his tongue along the throbbing vein on the underside. He felt the organ twitch seconds before it released again, Kenshin screaming his name. It was enough for him to finally reach that peak. Slipping his mouth off the still pulsing sex, Sanosuke thrust once, twice before throwing his head back in release, a mindless roar echoing around the room. Spent, exhausted, Sanosuke slipped Kenshin's legs off his shoulders, withdrew from Kenshin's body, and collapsed on the bedding next to the panting redhead.
 

"That was . . ." Sanosuke looked over as Kenshin's voice reached his ears. "That has to be the single most pleasurable thing I have ever done in my life. Thank you, Sano-kun." Sanosuke blinked lazily, smiled.
 

"Any time, Kenshin-kun." He wrapped his arms around Kenshin, pressed his forehead to Kenshin's, closed his eyes, and was asleep. Kenshin smiled, kissed Sano's forehead, wrapped his arms around Sanosuke, and passed out from exhaustion.
 

And, finally, the night was silent and still.
 

* * * * * * *
 

The morning broke lazily through the clouds. The sunrise was serpentine in its awakening, winding seductively over the mountains and hillsides, coercing creatures to wake to greet it. When it reached the ramshackle home of Sagara Sanosuke, however, no one rose to say hello. In fact, the sun was up for several hours before the inhabitants of the house even began to stir from their dreams. Twined in each others arms, neither man was in a hurry to greet the day.
 

Waking at the same time, Kenshin knew that he had overslept, and Sanosuke was relieved to find last night hadn't been the most wonderful dream he had ever had. The two men smiled, sleep still heavy on their eyes. Kenshin was the first to move, stretching his arms over his head. Sighing, he smiled brightly at Sanosuke. "Breakfast?"
 

Sanosuke chuckled. "Maybe after a bath first, Kenshin-kun."
 

* * * * * *
 

Yahiko listened as laughter sounded from within Sanosuke's house. The young boy grinned, eyes full of joy for his friends. He scampered away from the window before the men inside were able to open the shutters. He knew all he needed. Even though it wasn't any of his business, he was glad that his friends would be happy.
 

He ran to the market to get some fresh fruit for the two of them, knowing Sanosuke would have nothing suitable for breakfast at his home. He selected a few things before turning to slowly walk back to Sano's home. If they were bathing, there was no need to hurry.
 
 
 
 
 

Fin
 

Onyx Shinigami

2002
 

a_j_marks@yahoo.ca
 
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