##


Much later.

“Ahhh…..”

Sano had snuck out of the house to relax in the small pond on the Jamison
estate for awhile, sighing in contentment as he swam around.

*Well, that went well….*   Sano thought ruefully as he recalled the havoc at
dinner he was mostly responsible for. *Megumi really can’t handle a taste of
her own medicine, heh. Still….* His thoughts darkened. *Still not as much 
fun
as it was before….and I feel a little bad about being so mean to her to tell
the truth…* He sighed. *Maybe I should stop being a jackass about the whole
thing and just get it over with instead of acting like a bunch of kids…..*

He lazily backstroked toward the edge as he considered his plight….

…and realized he wasn’t alone.

Arain stood on the water as easily as land, smirking down at him. “Hi.”

The water practically flew as Sano torpedoed over to the far side of the 
pond.
Arain raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Gahh! Don’t do that, lady!!!”

“What are you so embarrassed about? It’s not the first time I’ve seen naked 
man
before.” Sano reddened even further at the reminder that he was skinny 
dipping,
Arain’s smile growing wicked. “Although I’ll admit you rank among the best 
I’ve
seen….”

“That makes me feel a lot better….” He grumbled, Arain chuckling. “What’s 
the
deal scaring me like that?”

“Bored.” She lied, not wanting to scare him off. Tonight’s escapade had 
rattled
her more than she cared to admit, old feelings she’d bottled up demanding
release….She shook off the thought. “And wondering if you’re as good as you
look.”

“Nani?”

“Your fighting skill. I think it speaks better for a person than words, and
I’ve never encountered someone strong enough to shatter my ice spells so you
interest me.” She smiled again. “Spar with me?” Sano blinked. “I’m not 
taking
no for an answer.” She said calmly despite the mischievous smile. “Ether 
fight
me or they can find you frozen to the pond. I bet Megumi would have a field
day.”

Sano paled. “You wouldn’t…..” Two fairies appeared over Arain and flew 
toward
him, the water briefly turning frigid just by them floating over it. 
“Alright!
Damn you have a weird idea of foreplay….And turn around.”

Arian made a show of rolling her eyes and turned around….but as soon as her
back turned her lip quivered and she had to make an effort to steel herself
further. *Even their attitudes are the same….*

“I’m ready.”

She turned and walked over to the ground where he was waiting, only wearing 
his
pants. She pretended not to notice, a wicked thought coming to mind. “Let’s
make this interesting.” He raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. “Winner 
earns
a kiss from the loser.”

Both eyebrows shot up. Arain chuckling. *Yep, I knew he would react that 
way.*
“Of course you can’t cheat by losing on purpose or holding back. I’ll break
your arm if I think you’re holding back.” Sano’s expression became amused as 
he
took up his stance. “Same to you.”

Arain just stood there for a moment, the air temperature dropping noticeably
around her as several fairies shimmered into existence around her….

Then chaos.

It was hard to keep up with the two of them by eyes alone, the two of them
going at it hammer and tongs….Sano’s expression determined while Arain’s was
amused. Her style was a stark contrast to his, more calculating and
refined….but Sano had the advantage of strength over her (Not that she was 
weak
by any stretch he amended as she landed a good one in his gut.) and a
surprise….

The fairies suddenly got in the act, frosting the ground underneath Sano and
causing him lose his footing….Arain lunging forward at that moment to grab 
him
and use her momentum to slide along the ice, Twirl and sling Sano
airborne….forming and tossing a snowball the size of a brick as she finished
her spin that slammed Sano in the gut and skipped him like a oversized rock
across the pond to the other side. Sano sucked in air long enough to swear 
the
heavens down, much to Arain’s further amusement. “I said no holding back.” 
She
replied saucily at him as she walked over the lake….

Just as Sano lunged and executed the Futae no Kiwami on the pond and 
drenched
her with a near tidal wave that swept her to the other side. He grinned at 
the
soaking wet redhead sitting on the other side looking down at herself in
dismay. “Like that? I’m not sure you can handle it!!” He started cackling
maniacally….

Which died as he saw very pissed off Arain stand up and glowing with battle
aura….what looked like a few hundred fairies now gathering around her and 
each
holding a snowball the same size as before. Arain’s face twisted into a evil
grin that rivaled Saitou’s…..An SD Sano nervously chuckled at his 
predicament
and tried a charming smile in reply.

“Then again you can…..EEP!” He ran for his life and covered his head as the 
sky
filled with a million and counting snowballs aimed at his head…..Managing to
avoid at least a couple hundred before he was almost buried alive in snow.
Arain charging at him and going hand to hand with him again….Sano really 
having
to work to kept from beaten to a pulp from her fists, feet, ice spells AND
fairies (And not doing too well he hated to admit….) as she went
beserk….getting his chance when she stepped back to hurl a series of ice 
chunks
at him….

And executed the Futae no Kiwami with his elbow, left and foot…..Shattering
them completely and managing to tackle the surprised Arain…..Forcing her 
arms
down and blocking her legs with his own just in case she got any ideas about
‘retaliating’. The two of them lay there a moment, breathing heavily, faces 
so
close their noses almost touched.

“….(Huff) Let’s….(Puff) …call it….(Huff) a draw….”

“…..(Huff)….I agree….” She managed a tired smile. “We….(Huff)…both win….”

A long silence followed….The two just looking at each other….Arain’s eyes
filled with some unreadable expression….Sano’s equally hooded….

Then he let her go and rolled over on his back, attempting to catch his 
breath
and clear his head. Arain just lay there and another uncomfortable silence
passed….

“…..You’re the weirdest chick I’ve ever met, y’know that?”

She turned her head to glare at him for a moment…..then both of them started
laughing as if it was the biggest joke in the world. “I’ll kill you later 
for
that….” She managed to get out between chuckles. “What was that stunt you 
just
did now….” He grinned. “A move I picked up a while back, the Futae no 
Kiwami,
or Double Limit break. You can shatter anything with it. Before I could only 
do
it with my right but after Kenshin left I trained until I mastered it almost 
as
well as my teacher did. Maybe I’ll show how to do it some time.”

Arain felt her cheeks grow hot. “…I’d like that….”

They got quiet again after that, Arain sitting up and hugging her knees to 
her
chest and looking up at the stars. Sano stayed sprawled out, doing the same.
Arain found herself getting more and more melancholic the longer she stayed 
in
his presence despite how much she fought it. *Stop it, Arain…* She 
admonished
herself. *Just…stop.*

“What’s a matter?” Sano asked. “You’re a lot less quieter from dinner.”

She chuckled ruefully. “I could ask the same of you. Not much of a talker 
when
the fox is around, Ne?”

Sano’s eyes darkened. “Guess I’m not.” He sighed. “And when I am I put my 
foot
in my mouth so much I might as well keep it shut. It’s just that…..”

“Afraid of commitment?”

“Oi!” he turned on her angrily. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Arain made a disgusted sound and let her hair fall in her eyes so he 
wouldn’t
see….see the disappointment in them. “You two are so obvious it’s
disgusting….Why do you insist on playing these games?”

Sano made a disgusted sound and started looking at the stars again. “Che, 
you
must got me confused with the other bum….Oof!”

Arain unburied her fist from his stomach, her voice quiet but definitely
pissed. “Don’t bullshit me, Sagara.” She warned. “One of you has got to stop
this nonsense because life’s too short to screw around like a couple of 
kids.
So grow some balls and get it over with…” She forced a smile. “Or I’ll kick
your ass again.”

Sano looked at her in stunned amazement for a moment. Then grinned. “Ohh,
scary….Thunworthy one will take your glorious advice to heart and…..” 
Sano
blocked the second punch she aimed at his gut and winked at her as he 
yawned.
“Agrato, Arain-san….”

She turned slightly so he wouldn’t see her blush. “No need to thank….” A 
loud
snore interrupted her, Arain scowling as she realized the baka had fallen
asleep on her. “….me.” She grinned ruefully, reaching over to ruffle his 
hair
fondly and then bent to kiss him lightly on the lips. “Sleep well, Sagara
Sanosuke.” Her voice was tinged with regret and longing. “Pleasant dreams of
your Fox lady….”

She laid down beside him, her back to his and just savoring the warmth of 
his
presence….asleep before she knew it.

##

Morning….

Megumi could only stare at them in mute shock.

She had been dragged out of bed by a case of guilty conscience when she 
would
rather be sleeping in late. That and a mild hangover. Her behavior at dinner
was absolutely deplorable last night, even if that Roosterheaded fool 
provoked
her. But as usual her conscience nagged her until she gave in and went to 
hunt
down Sano to apologize. Seeing he wasn’t in his room she started to get 
worried
as she looked all over the house….

And found him by the pond sleeping like a baby with a huge grin on his
face…..Arain spooned alongside his back with an arm draped over his chest 
and
also smiling contently.

When she could think again, three words popped into her head as a 
considerable
aura flared up around her.

Aku. Soku. Zan…..

Fortunately before she could find a suitably sized rock or something to
bludgeon them with, Arain opened her eyes and looked in mild shock at the 
state
she was in….immediately upgrading to panic, controlled panic, but panic
nonetheless when she noticed one very pissed off Fox standing over him.

“This isn’t what it looks like Megumi.”

“So desu ne?” Her voice dripped acid, noting the slight bit of lipstick on
Sano’s lips. “Why don’t you tell me what it looks like?”

Arain’s eyes narrowed and her voice took on the same dangerous tone as
Megumi’s. “Nothing happened. We merely fell asleep out here.”

Megumi raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly were you doing together?
Stargazing?”

“That’s none of your business, but it certainly wasn’t what you’re 
thinking.”
She replied with a half sneer as she stood up and got right in Megumi’s 
face.
“And even if we did make love, what concern is it of yours? You seem to be
more…’attached’ to Jubei….”

*Why you stuck up….* Megumi’s eyes flared. “You got a point, why should I 
care
if that fool is stupid enough to fall for a arrogant little girl like 
you…..”

She got no further.

Arain had had enough….and before Megumi could blink she had a very sharp ice
dagger pressed to her throat. To Megumi’s credit she didn’t flinch or cower,
however the look of anger in Arain’s eyes was so intense it unnerved her….

“How dare you…..” She hissed. “How dare you slander and treat him so! You 
have
no idea how lucky you are, Takani Megumi! To be able to laugh with him, 
tease
him and love him….” Angry tears filled her eyes….her voice starting to break 
as
she let the dagger fall limply to her side. “At least you still have him….”

Megumi’s eyes softened as she realized what Arain was saying. “You’ve fallen
for him, haven’t you?”

She expected Arain to angrily deny it or something like that. Instead, she
looked away, letting her hair fall girlishly to hide her eyes.

“….I don’t know. He reminds me so much of Zan it’s uncanny….” She said
mournfully. “Roughly the same appearance, half assed attitude….hell, even 
the
age is right. He could pass for my former fiancée without even trying.”

“Former fiancée?”

“He was murdered by Shannon Morgan when he stole Excailber.” Her voice grew
hard and the anger returned. “It was the night before the coronation 
ceremony
that would bestow Excailber to me. As part of the ritual I had leave the 
island
for a short while in seclusion. When I arrived back I found the temple had 
been
attacked and several of the students had been killed or mortally 
wounded…..Zan
had been the worst, practically ripped to shreds but still alive….he had 
fought
to the death to protect the sword and Shannon had left him alive and 
poisoned
as a reward….” Her fist clenched….the ice dagger starting to crack as her 
grip
tightened around it. “Poison that meant a long and painful death he didn’t
deserve so I-I…..” Arain abruptly went silent, Megumi understanding and
reaching out to hug the girl, Arain breaking down and sobbing quietly for
awhile onto her shoulder until she could regain her composure. “Feh,” She 
wiped
her eyes and tried a smile. “We got a lot in common when it comes to men, 
ne?
Zan and I would fight even more than you two, and not just with words. I 
just
wish I’d admitted how I felt a lot sooner instead of waiting till he finally
got the point, we would have had so much more time together than that
week….Don’t make that same mistake Megumi.” She said firmly. “. Just swallow
your pride and tell him, make him listen even if you have to kick his ass to 
do
it. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t, take it from
someone who knows.”

How ironic, Megumi thought ruefully, she’s telling me off like I did Karou.
“Maa, Maa…I doubt I will have to go that far….” She grinned wickedly. “Offer
the Baka free food and he’s all ears.” Both giggled at that. “Agrato, Arain. 
I
hope you find someone special as Zan was….”

She chuckled. “With this good looks of course I will.” She motioned to the
still sleeping Sano. “Would you like the honor?”

“Hai!” Megumi bowed….and proceeded to lift her kimono’s hem enough to boot 
Sano
in the rear and into the pond….

After a good morning argument and chase around the house, the trio joined 
the
others for breakfast and discussing the plans for recovering Excailber.

“It’s obvious that we can’t just walk in and take it.” Arain explained. “Not
counting the guards all over the place, Shannon’s got the place as booby
trapped like you would not believe. Even I haven’t found them all because
there’s some kind of magical interference as well that’s messing with my 
head
when I go in there.”

“That’s stating the obvious.” Alexander added. “If the man somehow got into
Avalon I wouldn’t be surprised if the guys dabblin’ in that. So does anyone
have any ideas?”

Silence. Then the last person everyone expected to have one spoke up.

“Oi,” Sano said between bites. “I’ve already worked it out….”

Everybody looked at each other.

Then went back to eating and discussing a plan.

Sano got pissed. “I’m serious! I have a way we can get in and take the sword
without him even knowing!”

“Oh, really?” Arain was interested, although it was more amusement than 
real.
“Explain….”

Sano grinned. “Well…..”

##

Much later, six o’ clock.

Shannon’s large mansion in town was alive that night….with streams of 
carriages
dropping off the cream of New York society for the grand occasion waiting
within….

And a surprise or two.

The Carriage’s footman stepped down and opened the door for let out the 
first
one, The Japanese man was very tall, dressed very smartly in a black western
style suit, white shirt, red tie and black trenchcoat like long coat that 
had
the Kanji ‘Evil’ sewn into the back that fit well on his lanky frame, much 
to
the herd of predatory manhunters disguised as rich women’s interest. A wide
brimmed fedora cocked jauntily to the same side as his playful smirk added 
to
his attractiveness as he winked at them, the women starting to swoon. He 
looked
every inch the Streetwise, Cocky Gambler, a ruse that the footman was hard
pressed to believe for some nagging reason…..

The second was a lovely young woman that made the footman wish he was a few
years younger. A raven haired, slender beauty that was so much a contrast to
the man it was startling….the red Japanese style dress she wore somehow both
modest and seductive at once to devastating effect on the males present. 
(Much
to several of their wives/girlfriends dismay and several slaps were soon
heard.) She walked with a air of confidence and bearing not unusual to an
educated woman, although her eyes glinted with fox-like sneakiness from time 
to
time at the ‘G’ whenever he was caught looking at her or firing off 
death
glares at any of the men starting her way….

The third and final one wasn’t all that special appearance wise. A small,
girlish looking Japanese boy with brown hair in a blue western suit with a 
dark
shirt and tie. The only distinguishable thing about him was that he walked 
with
the aid of an unusual walking stick almost as tall as he was and if 
inspected
closer could be taken for a saya….that and an unnerving smile….

Megumi waited until the carriage to peel out and no one was in earshot 
before
she turned and pinned him with a death glare of her own. “Don’t look so 
smug,
Baka….”

He only grinned in reply, Megumi remembering him discussing the ‘plan’
earlier…..

“Shannon’s havin’ some kinda big event tonight…, Right Arain?”

She nodded. “Every week he gathers all the rich people in town and 
entertains
them by Gambling and having the local fighters beat the hell out of each 
other
for money. Your point?”

“Simple….Me and Megumi pretend to be this big shot gambler/fighter couple 
here
because I heard about his collection, and challenge him for some of it…..”
Megumi almost choked at that. “….Doing everything we can to distract him 
while
Jubei and Shuriken sneak in and steal Excailber back. Arain will be there 
for
backup in case things go wrong, as well as Soujirou since he can pose as our
translator. Ain’t that a good plan?

Alexander looked thoughtful. “I see….The amulet will help her get around the
physical and magical traps! Brilliant!”

“Who are you and what have you done with the real Sano?” Yahiko asked
suspiciously, earning a glare from Sano. Megumi had also recovered enough to
mutter “Simple isn’t the word” under her breath.

“It is a good plan,” Arain admitted. “That pompous ass wouldn’t suspect a
thing. But what about Ashura? What if she makes a second attempt on the 
Jamison
Family for hostages?”

“Last time she caught us off guard.” Usagi said in an uncharacteristic tone.
“We’ll be ready this time.” The women and Alexander nodded, determined 
looking.

“And that’s why Kenshin and Karou’s staying behind, just in case things get
ugly. That ok?” They nodded, Sano looking smugly at Megumi. “See? I thought 
of
everything.”

She just smirked in reply. “I guess the best person to come up with a 
foolproof
plan is a fool….”

“Oi!”

Jubei chuckled. “Better to leave Battousai here anyway, he seems more
comfortable among the women anyway….”

Kenshin growled menacing as he glared at Jubei, Karou also giving him the 
evil
eye. “Care to explain that remark?” She snarled.

Jubei just smiled as he dug his own grave. “Let’s see, he cooks, cleans, his
idea of an worthy opponent is a basket of dirty laundry….I’m starting to 
wonder
who wears the Hakama in this house…..”

Everybody calmly lifted their plates as Karou dove across the table and 
tackled
Jubei with a battle cry, sitting on his chest, choking him and banging his 
head
against the floor at the same time while everybody finished eating as if
nothing happened…..

Megumi let herself go back to the present and sighed. After that, they spent
the whole morning getting prepared, getting Sano fitted for his disguise at 
the
shop. (That was an interesting adventure spent mostly trying to assure Sano
they weren’t sizing him for a coffin. Megumi even had them sew Aku on the
back.)*I hope things turn out as simple as Sano claims they will be….* She
looked at Soujirou in worry. “Soujirou, Dajoube?”

“…Huh? Hai!”

“Kuso, relax kid.” Sano said with a grin. “Shuriken will be fine with Jubei,
it’s what he’s paid for…”

He looked embarrassed. “….Hai, hai, I know. Just can’t help worrying.”

*Just like Ken-san* Megumi thought with a smile.

A flash of light from the roof caught their attention, Sano and Megumi
practically feeling some of the tension drain out of Soujirou. “Ok, they 
made
it. Let’s get going….”

The place was so impressive on the inside Sano was afraid to touch anything, 
a
far grander scale of blending several cultures into one place than the 
Jamison
household: Mayan, Japanese English…. Megumi quickly lost count. It was 
pretty
obvious that this Shannon guy was the flashy type. They were lead into the
massive dining quarters with the others, Both Sano and Soujirou tensing
slightly at the sight of several armed guards hovering around as well, Sano
reaching out and gently squeezing Megumi’s hand and pulling her close, 
Megumi
looking at him in surprise as well as blushing slightly.

At that moment, Mr. Shannon Morgan himself appeared to personally greet 
them.
Arain was alongside him, looking every inch the pampered rich girl but All
three could feel the absolute disgust she felt being near him rolling off 
her
in waves….

 Arain quickly rolled her eyes before Shannon saw it.  She bowed in Japanese Custom. 

Soujirou stepped forward and bowed. 

Shannon raised an eyebrow as he shook Sano’s hand and kissed Megumi’s.


Soujirou translated the three quietly discussing before Sano smiled at 
Shannon
and replied, Soujirou translating as he spoke. 

A slow, feral smile crossed Shannon’s face….



<300 American dollars.>



Shannon’s smile wavered a bit. 

Megumi spoke then, Soujirou smiling sarcastically.  
She
pulled out a impressive roll of money, Shannon’s eyebrow jumping in shock.


From the widening grin, they knew they had him hooked. 

They left, Arain winking at Sano as she turned….Megumi letting out a sigh of
relief. “So far so good. Nice performance, Soujirou.”

“Oi! What about me?”

“And thank you for not making an ass out yourself, Sano.” She said sweetly 
and
patted his cheek, Sano grumbling. “Lucky that Shannon is such an idiot that 
he
falls for a stack of cut up paper and a little hocus pocus.”

“Yeah, well don’t get too cocky.” He warned. “You still got that gizmo Alex
gave you.”

“Hai, Hai….” Megumi fingered the ‘bracelet’ on her right wrist, her eyes 
dark
with worry. Her role in Sano’s plan was simple but still dangerous: She was 
to
not only to stay near Shannon and ‘distract’ him, but in case things went 
bad
she would take him hostage with the poisoned blade hidden in the bracelet to
aid their escape. But that wasn’t what worried her, it was Sano’s sudden 
change
of mood….“Mou, I can handle that Shannon lout just fine, thank you.”

“I didn’t say that, Megumi….” He looked sheepish. “It just that I…well….What 
I
meant to say is….Oh hell….” He raised her hand and dropped a small bundle of
cloth in it. “Here.”

“Sano….” She unwrapped the bundle, examining the unusual contents. It was a
simple, but well made gold chain, the unusual thing was that a pair of dice
were attached like a pendant. “…..What is it?”

Sano looked indignant. “What is it?! I’ll have you know that’s my lucky 
dice.”
She raised an eyebrow, Sano already knowing what she was thinking. “I’ll 
have
you know that I had them in every fight I won, so there.” He ignored her
skeptical look and folded her hand over the necklace with his larger ones; 
his
eyes smoldering and Megumi too shocked to react. “I want you to have them 
now.
For luck and…..an apology for being such a jerk recently. It’s not much but
I….” An expression of irritation crossed his face, starting to take it back.
“Ah, forget it…..”

Megumi danced out of reach, slipping the necklace around her neck and inside
her dress in one smooth motion. “Too late, Apology accepted.” She said slyly
before sobering as she reached for his hand again, Sano stunned as she 
looked
him dead in the eye with an unreadable expression. “You better come back in 
one
piece, you hear me Roosterhead? I won’t forgive you if you don’t……”

“Megumi…..”

Shannon’s servant chose that moment to come for Sano and ruin the moment.
Megumi reluctantly letting go of his hand and watched Sano follow with a
sinking heart. He did, however, turn and look at her again over his shoulder 
to
wink at her before he was lost in the crowd, Megumi feeling a little better 
as
she pulled out the necklace to wear proudly as she and Soujirou went in 
search
of Shannon.

And silently prayed to every god she knew.