The Beauty Within

 

“Chou, have you done the paperwork on the Tsukochi-case already?”

“No, boss”

“Well? Then get to it!”

“Yes, boss”

 

It was a normal day at the police station, busy as always and Saitou bitching everybody around. Chou released a heavy sigh, he always got to be the worst victim. Working for Saitou was hard and not completely justified, but what could he do about it? He should be happy they didn’t throw him in jail because of his involvement in the Juppon Gatana. Actually, it was good he’d told the police the information they needed because now Chou has a job and he doesn’t have to commit crimes anymore to survive. Besides, his passion for swords came kinda in handy. Most of the time, he was kinda happy with his work, but on days like these, it was hell. What was so different about this day? It was just Saitou, he was different today. And not only today, he had been bitchier than ever this week. Chou wondered if it had something to do with Sanosuke. The rumour had spread that they had broke up, but could that be? Saitou and Sano breaking up their relationship? Nah, Chou didn’t believe very much of it, but he’d noticed that also Sanosuke had been behaving different. He had been more silent, not that enthusiastic anymore. Maybe the rumour wasn’t just a rumour, maybe it was a cold and hard fact. Chou considered the advantages of this situation, but cleared his mind the next moment. He could grab his chance now, maybe it was only the first, but it always could be his last.

He had thought about it, but he couldn’t force himself to do it. He wasn’t like that at all, he wasn’t the man Saitou was, he just didn’t want to do it now. It might cause Sano serious regrets afterwards, and if Sano would regret it, he would probably too. Chou sighed. Sanosuke… What about the kid? How long had he been thinking about him? He didn’t even knew it anymore. At first sight, he just looked like a rude ex-gangster, but if you got to know him a bit better, you get to see that he’s a nice young man. The appearance may look a bit brutal and impulsive, but the fact that he has his heart in the right place, makes up for all his mistakes. And not to forget that he’s attractive. Chou didn’t know what it was, but the kid had just something special about him. Was it that spiky, dark brown hair? Or were it those innocent, chocolate brown orbs? He didn’t know. But the chance that Sano would ever fall for him, was almost impossible. What could he offer him? Nothing. He worked as a police agent, even lower than him, he could never offer him what he got from Saitou. Chou sighed again. Not to mention that Saitou was a handsome man and he…  well… he was just the scum that they wrapped up when Shishio had to be stopped. If he only get one chance to…

 

“Chou!”, his thoughts were rudely disturbed.

 

Chou looked up, staring straight into the furious gleaming, golden orbs of his boss.

He gulped.

 

“Yes, boss”, he managed to bring out.

“Stop dreaming, get working! I want that report on my desk within the hour! Understood?”, Saitou snarled.

“Yes, boss”, Chou softly replied.

 

Saitou left and everybody was looking at the blond haired man, sitting behind his desk with the pencil in his hand. Chou gave them all a dirty look and decided to get that paperwork done before Saitou could come back. But he just couldn’t keep his mind at the writing. His thoughts strayed off again. Maybe he should go talk to Sanosuke, a little talk wouldn’t hurt him, now would it?

 

“Officer Chou!”

 

He woke up and a now very pissed off Saitou stood in front of his desk. Chou sighed.

 

“Here we go again…”, he thought.

“Officer Chou, I’ve had enough for today! I’ll let someone else handle the paperwork. I’m giving you a new case, maybe some fresh air will clear your head. You can start right now with your partner.”

“Partner?”, Chou asked.

 

Saitou ignored the question.

 

“Ahou! Get your ass over here!”, he called out.

 

A spiky haired young man slowly turned around and came walking in their direction.

Chou just couldn’t believe it, he got to work with Sano?

 

“What is it, ‘Jime?”

 

Saitou ignored the address.

 

“You’re going on the streets. A new case.”

“What kinda case?”

“Assassin, he has already killed four woman, so you better catch him fast.”

“Have you got any files on this guy?”, Chou asked.

“Yes, I have”, Saitou answered as he gave him the paper he had been holding on his hand.

 

Chou quickly took a look at it, then passing it to Sano.

 

“So basically, we have all the information on this guy, but all we have to do is identify him and bust his ass?”

“Correct. Now go before he kills another victim. And be sure to take the ahou with you, don’t leave him alone or he’ll go drinking himself Lazarus someplace.”

 

Sano clenched his teeth and his fists, but he let it pass. Chou only nodded, he turned around, lightly touching the Roosterhead’s arm and continuing his way out. The youngster had understood the message and he followed him. Outside, Chou looked at the sky. The clouds were flocking together and it soon would begin raining. Chou sighed.

 

“Bastard”, Chou grumbled.

“What is it?”, Sano asked.

“Why do you think the bastard sends us on the street? Look at the sky”

“It’s gonna rain”, Sano dryly remarked.

“Yeah, I know. C’mon, let’s go”

“Who put you in charge?”

“Okay, I’m sorry”, Chou apologized, “I didn’t mean it that way, okay, I just…”

“Never mind”

 

Sanosuke sighed.

 

“Do you feel like working right now?”

 

Chou shook his head.

 

“Good”, Sano grinned, “C’mon, let’s go have a drink”

“Right now?”

“Yeah, right now?”

“What about Saitou?”

“He can kiss my fucking ass”, Sano grumbled.

 

Chou shrugged his shoulders and began following the kid to he didn’t know where.

Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all, he got to be with Sano and maybe he could find something out about Sano and Saitou’s break up, or not… But he wasn’t after a drunk Sano to abuse, that would be against his principles. And by the way, then he would regret it anyway. But everybody knew that Sano had a bit of a loose tongue when he had downed some saké, that was also the way how everybody had found out about Sano and Saitou’s relationship.

He’d just wait and see…

 

 

 

Deep in the night, Chou and his partner were still sitting on their chairs. They had been sitting here all afternoon and all evening now, Sano was so drunk he couldn’t even stand on his own legs anymore. But he still wasn’t loosened up, maybe there was something serious going on.

The kid had rested his head on his arms, face down. Chou gently touched Sano’s shoulder.

 

“Sano”, he softly said.

“Hm?”

 

A drunk, tired face looked up.

 

“What is it?”, he barely could bring out.

“I think we should go home, we’ll have to work a case tomorrow”

“A’right”, Sano stuttered.

 

The tall, lean man tried to stand up, but had to sit down again.

 

“I don’t think this is good”, Sano grinned.

“C’mon, Roosterhead, I’ll give you a hand”

“Don’t call me Roosterhead, Broomhead!”, Sano swayed.

 

Chou completely ignored the remark and supported him, so the drunk kid could get up.

 

“Let’s get you outside first”, Chou sighed.

 

After almost twenty minutes, they finally had stumbled outside. Chou saw a big rock on the other side of the road and dragged the kid over there. He let him sit down and squatted down in front of him.

 

“Hey Sano”, he tried to wake the half sleeping man up.

 

The kid lazily opened his eyes and squinted a couple of times.

 

“Look, Sano, do you mind to stay at my place tonight? It’s kinda far to take you all the way to your place.”

“Fine”, Sano snorted.

 

Chou nodded and supported him under the shoulder again. Chou’s house wasn’t that far away, but at this tempo, it could take a while.

 

 

 

More than one hour later, they arrived at Chou’s place. Chou shove the door open and dragged his partner inside, he laid him down on the futon and went to close the door.

 

“Hey Broomhead, where are ya gonna sleep?”, Sano lulled.

“I’ll find something, get some sleep.”

 

Sano closed his eyes and his respiration became easier.

 

“I love you, Sanosuke”, Chou whispered.

 

After a few minutes, the blond man turned around and went outside. The sky was ink black, stars sparkling brightly. He knew he wouldn’t go to sleep, he couldn’t. He just wanted to think it over. To think everything over.

Next morning, Sano woke up loudly yawning. He felt terrible from last night.

 

“Chou?”, he called out.

 

No answer. The kid shrugged his shoulders and stood up. He wondered where his partner could be, he put on his jacket and popped his head outside the door. The man stood staring at the grey sky. Sanosuke stepped outside, going to stand right behind him.

 

“Good morning”, he softly greeted.

 

Chou looked surprised over his shoulder.

 

“Good morning”, he said back, “How is your head?”

“Terrible”, Sano confessed.

“Let’s go back inside, I’ll get you a cup of tea”

“That would be nice”

 

Chou smiled at him. They got back inside and Chou offered him a cup of hot green tea as they were sitting at the kitchen table. Both men were staring in their cup, until Sano looked up.

 

“Chou”

“Yeah?”, he looked up too.

“Thanks”

“For what?”

“For taking me to your place. I’m sorry if I caused you any trouble”

“Never mind, it was no big deal.”

 

A short pause fell.

 

“Say Sano, do you remember something about last night?”, Chou hoped that he hadn’t heard those last words from last night.

“Not much, I heard you saying something right before I fell asleep. But I guess I missed it, tell me now then”

“You must be mistaken”, Chou nervously lied, “You must have dreamt that”

“Could be”, Sano wasn’t that sure anymore, “But I was sure I heard your voice”

“Sano, can I ask you a question?”, Chou changed the subject.

“Sure.”

“How are things between you and Saitou?”

“We broke up”, Sano sighed.

“I’m sorry”

“No big deal”

“Can I ask why?”

“Too much work, too lil’ time. And he wanted to see his kids and wife once a while, so…

there just wasn’t any time left for me anymore”

“You regret it?”

“I dunno… Sometimes it seems better this way, but… I dunno…”

“Shall we get to work?”

“Yeah, maybe that’ll clear my head”

“I’m pretty sure the rain will wash your problems away for the day. We have an assassin to find. Let’s go”

 

Chou stood up to leave at once, but Sano called out for him.

 

“Say Chou…”

“What?”

“You know I’m not physically attracted to you, don’t you?”

“I know and I didn’t expect that either. C’mon Sanosuke, let’s go!”

“Yeah”

 

The two men got to work. They didn’t go to the office, but they went straight on the streets.

 

“Where was that guy last seen?”, Sano asked under the walking.

“Somewhere near the Buddha-temple”

“Was he trying to pray for his victims?”, Sano grinned.

“You never know, Sano, there are many weird people around here”, Chou grinned back.

 

Soon they reached the temple.

 

“Say Chou, with what kinda weapon were those women killed?”

“The file said the victims showed burns and slashing wounds, so I have no idea which weapon could do both”

“I can”, Sano smiled.

 

Chou looked at him, clearly amazed.

 

“You can?”

“Well, I have seen it once before and you should know it too”

“What then? I don’t know…”, Chou pushed.

“Think about Shishio’s technique”, Sano revealed.

“Yeah, I heard something about that, but I was in prison thanks to you and I never got the chance to see him use it”

“You saying you never even saw him use it before?”

“Uh-uh”, Chou shook his head, “He never showed his technique to the Juppon Gatana, only to Soujiro and Ayumi of course.”

“Do you know it? Or should I explain it?”

“No, please explain”

“He used a normal katana, but the tiles in his headquarters were filled with oil, human oil. As he stroked the tiles, fire appeared. Pretty dirty technique, I couldn’t stand the smell of that liquid. It gives me the creeps when I even think about it.”

“So you’re suggesting that this particular technique could also be used in this case?”

“Well, I don’t know for sure ‘cause I haven’t seen any of the victims yet”

“That’s almost impossible, Sano, where the hell would that nutcase get human oil. It’s just not logic, and what idiot would still use the technique anyway?”, Chou pondered out loud.

“I know it sounds odd, but it’s not impossible”, Sano tried.

“Look, Sano”, Chou brought him back to reality, “we have to find this guy, if he uses this identical tecnique or not”

“You’re right”

“Do you wanna check out the temple first? Or should we go see a victim first?”

“I dunno… Maybe it’s better if…”

 

Suddenly they heard someone loudly scream, they looked behind them where the sound was coming from. Another loud scream, the two men glanced at each other and then started running in the direction the loud shouting was coming from.

 

“It comes from some place near the Buddha-temple”, Chou thought as he was trying to keep up with Sanosuke.

 

They sprinted around a corner and they stopped for a moment in a small alley. A last scream for help could be heard in a strangled voice.

 

“It’s coming from behind this door”, Sano pointed.

“Let’s go in”, Chou grumbled.

 

They opened the door and went inside. Chou was the first who saw the young woman laying on the floor. She was covered with her own blood and her wounds were still fresh. Chou kneeled down beside her, he felt her pulse. Nothing, she was dead, but the killer couldn’t be far away since the slashed were recently cut, say about five minutes ago.

Sano saw the victim too now, his eyes were filled with disgust and anger.

 

“That guy is gonna pay”, Sano grumbled as he clenched his fists.

 

Suddenly he heard a soft noise, slow moving feet, the swishing of a certain cloth. Something clearly knew the youngster had spotted him because it came from behind the corner and ran past them, Sano immediately going after it. Chou slowly stood up and decided to go give him a hand, maybe he would need some help.

 

“Stop!”, Sanosuke shouted, “Police! Stop!”

 

The two police officers were purchasing someone covered in a black cloth.

 

“Police! Stop right now!”, Chou yelled.

 

But the killer wouldn’t stop and ran around the corner. It was a dead end and he was trapped. Chou had stopped to catch his breath, he couldn’t take another step. Sanosuke went on and was now standing face to face with the killer.

 

“I’m so gonna bust your ass!”, Sano grumbled.

 

An evil cackle escaped from the assassin’s lips as he drew his katana.

 

“So you wanna fight? Fine!”, the spiky haired youngster yelled.

 

He took his stance and waited. The killer also took his stance, but also he waited for what was yet to come. Sano broke out in a loud yell when he rushed forward to strike his opponent with his Futae no Kiwami. But the kid wasn’t able to use it’s technique since his opponent stopped him by thrusting forward with his katana. Sano was able to avoid the optimal damage of the thrust by turning aside, but that didn’t mean that he avoided the entire damage. A big slash decorated the left side of his abdomen, it hurt like hell and it left Sano heavily panting. The killer released another evil cackle from his throat. Sano clenched his teeth, he took his stance and attacked again. This time, he got wounded on his right shoulder. The blade had gone right through, just above the collar bone, the blade cracked as the kid stood up again, heavily bleeding. Blood was dripping from the corner of his mouth and he had trouble to stand upon his feet.

 

“You’re not getting away with those murders”, Sano heavily breathed.

 

Another evil cackle.

 

“I know that voice”, Sano thought.

 

Sano desperately wanted to nail this guy, he just had to! He clenched his right fist again and went for another Futae no Kiwami. The opponent grabbed his fist and splintered the knuckles, Sano loudly yelped. With the other hand, the assassin pushed the broken blade further through the youngster’s shoulder. Sano was laying on the ground right now, everything was going black for his eyes, he couldn’t move anymore. The killer was standing high above him.

 

“I’m not going kill you, I’ll just leave you something to remember”, the man coolly said.

 

He unsheathed a second katana and struck a plastered wall. The metal became blood red from a bright glow. The man slashed a large X on the kid’s lean, muscular chest. After that, he sheathed his weapon and ran off. Sanosuke had lost consciousness and was laying down in the dust, heavily bleeding and rapidly panting.

Chou was sprinting all over the place, if he’d only know where they had gone to. All of a sudden, he noticed a familiar figure laying on the ground. He immediately stopped and took a good look. His eyes widened in fear, was he…???

 

“Sanosuke!”

 

 

 

 

Chou was sitting next to the futon. Sanosuke was still unconscious, he should be happy he

was still alive. Chou had taken care of the kid’s wounds and he hoped he had done the

right thing. The youngster had lost a lot of blood and that frightened the blond officer,

what if he wouldn’t make it? What should he tell the other police officers then? And most

frightening thing of all… What would he tell Saitou? He shook his head, Sanosuke wasn’t

dead yet, so he didn’t have to worry about that. And after all, the situation had gotten

better, the kid didn’t toss and turn in the futon anymore as if he were afraid of something.

But he still remained unconscious. Chou hoped that the young man would wake up soon,

else he might suffer from desiccation due to the enormous sweating. What made him so

restless anyway? Could he be having nightmares about the prick who did this? The Osaka-

fighter was exhausted, he hadn’t left the kid’s side for four days now and he was getting

scared that this wasn’t going to end well after all. Saitou had been furious because they

hadn’t caught the assassin of the women, he didn’t seem to care what had happened to

Sano.

 

“Prick”, Chou grumbled.

 

Saitou and some of his agents had come over to Chou’s place to ask why he hadn’t been at

the office for three days. He had been outraged and told them he wouldn’t come back for

as long as he had to take care of Sanosuke. The three officers seemed pretty clear with that

statement but not Saitou of course. They started arguing and Chou didn’t want to

be beaten, this was about Sanosuke for crying out loud! Saitou declared that someone else

could easily take care of him, someone like the Fox lady. But Chou didn’t want to

anybody to take care of him, he felt fucking responsible goddamit! He wasn’t there when

Sano needed help, so he should be the one to blame and to take care of him. And nobody

was going to tell him what to do right now! Not even Saitou! So Chou friendly said he

would be back when Sano had gotten better and then he gently threw them out. Saitou

had asked to see his former lover, but Chou had refused. He couldn’t take the risk that

Sano would wake up and see the man he loved, but now hates so much. Nope, better wait

until the kid gets better. That was yesterday. Today was a new day, but not different than

yesterday. He could still notice the sweat drops on the kid’s forehead, the few strands that

hung in front of his face were glued to the skin. Chou couldn’t help looking at that

innocent, handsome face. The kid looking so… attractive just laying there almost half

dead. The officer gently streaked the few strands away with his long fingers. He heavily

sighed.

 

“I’m so sorry, Sanosuke”, he whispered, “I should’ve been there’

 

Chou closed his eyes and buried his face in his hands. Just when he had said those words,

Sano moved and slowly opened his eyes. He squinted a couple of times and turned his

head to Chou’s side.

 

“Hey Chou”, he meekly said.

 

The blond officer looked up in amazement.

 

“You’re awake”, he softly said.

“Yeah, say Chou, how long have I been here like this?”

“Four days, Saitou was here yesterday.”

“What did he have to say?”

“He was bitchy because we didn’t caught the assassin and I haven’t been to work either.”

“Why not?”

“I couldn’t leave you here alone, now could I? What if you had woken up and there was no

one? I couldn’t take the risk.”

“Did he say anything about me?”

“Yeah, he wanted to check on you and your wounds, but I kinda got the impression he

didn’t really care. I’m sorry…”

“Sonuvabitch…”

“Would you like some water or something?”

“Yeah please”

“Sure”

 

Chou stood up from the chair and got a glass of water.

 

“Can you sit up straight?”

“I can try”

 

Sano started pushing himself up straight, but had to lay down again due to the enormous

gulf of immense pain rushing through his lean and tortured body.

 

“Let me help you”, Chou offered.

 

He put down the glass and gave the kid a little help.

 

“Drink it slow, Sano”

 

Sano slowly drank the water and when he had downed it all, he gave the glass back to his

partner.

 

“Thanks Chou”

“It’s okay”

“No… I mean… thanks for taking care of me… again…”

“It was nothing, Sanosuke, that’s were friends and partners are for, right?”

“Yeah, I guess so…”

 

A short pause fell.

 

“I’m sorry, Chou”

“For what then?”

“For causing you this trouble”

“You shouldn’t be sorry, I’m the one who should be sorry”

“Why?”, Sano looked at him.

“Because I wasn’t there when you needed me, if I had been there, this might’ve not

happened.”

“No then it was probably over for both of us.”

“I don’t know, Sano, a team is stronger as one man.”

“Maybe…Say, did you fix my wounds up or did the Fox do it?”

 

Sano just wanted to know what Megumi might’ve said about his dumb person being

slashed up again for getting involved in a fight without waiting for any backup.

 

“I did it”

 

Sano’s eyes widened.

 

“Did you…?”

“Yeah, I cleaned them and I wrapped you up. I’m sorry, Sano, but I don’t need any help to

take care of somebody’s wounds. But I’m afraid you will not able to use your right hand

for a very long time…”, Chou sadly shook his head.

“Whadda ya mean?”, Sano’s eyes narrowed.

“The bones of you knuckles were completely splintered, so it will take time to heal

properly. So please, don’t start using your hand right away.”

“You mean I probably won’t be able to do the Futae no Kiwami with my right hand

again?”

“Probably not”

“What do I do then? It’s the only technique I can perform decently. Fuck man!”

“I might know a solution, if you’re willing to accept it…”

“What kind of solution?”

“I can teach how to use a weapon, katana, kodachi, whatever…”

“Zanbatou?”

“I have one, but I don’t think you’ll be able to do that without the right hand”

“Right…”

“So what do you say? Whenever you’re recovered enough, I can start teaching you how”

“Yes, but what? You say I’m gonna have difficulties with my right hand… You mean I

should learn to use my left hand and or what?”

“Yeah, I can do that if you like.”

“What styles can you teach me?”

“Almost everything you want…”

“Hiten Mitsurugi? Kodachi Nitou Style?”

“Every one of them”

“Gatotsu?”, Sano hopefully asked.

 

Chou was silenced, so that what it’s all about? About learning Saitou’s technique? He

heavily sighed.

 

“Yes, I can learn you the Gatotsu”

“Great!”, Sano cheered.

“But you need to learn one thing first…”

“What is that?”

“Defence defence defence…”

“When do we start?”

“As soon as your wounds have healed”

“Deal!”, Sano immediately without any doubt agreed.

 

 

 

Silence...

Only the ticking of chop sticks. Both men were eating their dinner, only Sano seemed to have some

problems holding his sticks in his left hand. After he dropped them for the twelfth time in ten minutes, he

released a heavy sigh. He put the sticks down and closed his eyes in frustration. Also Chou put down his

pair of sticks.

 

“I’m sorry, Sano. I should’ve thought about…”

“Don’t be sorry”, Sano interrupted him, “I just feel helpless”

 

Chou could see the tears welling up in the kid’s magnificent chocolate brown orbs.

 

“I just can’t stand it anymore”, he whispered.

“Just wait”, Chou comforted him.

 

Chou took Sano’s bowl and took it into the kitchen. After a couple of minutes he came back with another

bowl, hot and steaming. Sano didn’t understand and he looked at the blond officer.

 

“This will be somewhat easier”, Chou ignored the questioning look.

 

He put the hot bowl in front of the kid, putting a spoon next to it.

 

 

“Miso soup?”

 

“You like it? I didn’t know what else to cook for you…”, Chou worriedly asked.

“Are you kiddin’? It’s my favourite!”, Sano smiled.

 

Chou answered that smile with one of his own. He loved the happy look on the kid’s face, but he could still

see the traces the break up with Saitou left. It’s a shame to see such pretty face ruined. He released a heavy

sigh when he sat down again. Deep inside, he hoped that Sanosuke would notice something about him

because he wouldn’t be able to keep it silent much longer.

 

 

 

Sano was happily eating his Miso soup. He realized how lucky he was to have Chou around now Saitou

wasn’t there for him anymore. And without knowing the advantages  and disadvantages began crossing his

mind. He knew Chou wasn’t that physically attractive as Saitou, but who cared about appearance anyway? It

actually didn’t matter at all, it was the inside that counted… indeed… the beauty within… Chou was a

normal police officer like him, well, sort of. Chou had been hired since they busted him for his

involvement in the Juppon Gatana, and he… well, his job came along with his lover’s influence… He released a heavy sigh. His past… hmm…not that easy… he had to join the Juppon Gatana to survive… if he could turn back the time, would he do it all over again? Sano didn’t think so… His past was so me what

similar to his in some way… after the death of Sagara-taicho, had been forced to travel across the country,

doing everything he could to stay alive, even if that included stealing or any other dirty business. What was

so special about the blond sword lover? He was willing to take care of him, he had already proved that.

Even learning him Saitou’s technique, which isn’t that obvious because it needs a lot of dedication, self

control and self discipline. Sano had learned that self control and discipline were not written on his

forehead and certainly not in his character, but he could learn them, right? Saitou had tried to learn him

defence once, but he had given up after two days. He just said it was hopeless and that it was easier to keep

fucking him and protecting him if something came up. Sano had accepted it then, but now…

he had to learn it for himself, he’d show the bastard what he was really worth.

He downed the rest of his soup and put the spoon then beside the bowl. Only then he realized he had been

staring at Chou’s long and slender fingers. Why did he keep staring at them? He didn’t knew, there was

something about those fingers, or not? It was liked those fingers had never touched a weapon at all. They

looked so… fine… Saitou also had long and slender fingers, but it was clearly noticeable that he had been

using his katana frequently. Saitou’s fingers were kinda rough and Sano wondered if Chou’s would feel the

same. He couldn’t keep himself from staring at them. A friendly voice woke him up from his thought.

 

“Hey Sano, is there something wrong?”

 

The Roosterhead looked up and his chocolate brown gaze met Chou’s own green one. He gulped.

 

“No, nothing wrong”, he softly answered, “I was just thinking”

“Alright, say I’m gonna clean these bowls. Why don’t you try to get some rest? If you need anything, just

call me, okay?”

 

Sano nodded. Shit, was he falling in love with him? What if he was? He slowly rose to not feel the pain

roar through his body, he walked over to the futon and laid himself down on his back. Was he really falling

in love with Chou? He couldn’t answer that question, but it kept spinning in his mind. He closed his eyes,

he was extremely tired due to the lack of movement and training. Another question rose in his mind. If he

were in love with him, could they even begin a relationship? Nah, he’d think about it later, he felt so sleepy

right now. Sanosuke sank away in a deep, restless sleep. A few minutes later, Chou came to check on him,

he was tossing and turning in his futon again. Chou sat down next to the tossing kid. He sighed and

wondered what the youngster was dreaming about.

 

 

 

Sano was roughly sent from the wall against the desk. He released a weak cry of pain. Saitou grabbed him by

his spiky, dark brown hair and pulled his head up.

 

“So you were planning on leaving me for that

 

The miburo didn’t wait for an answer and slammed his Broomhead?”, he furiously growled.head on the hard, wooden desk.

 

“S-stop man, i-it fucking hurts!”, the young man managed to bring out.

 

Blood was dripping out his nose and from the left corner of mouth. Saitou angrily pushed his face even

harder against the wood.

 

“He suits you, you fucking piece of filth, because that what you really deserve, just another lowlife like you!

You were never satisfying enough for me, you didn’t believe you were, did you? You dumb ahou! I can have

better than you, you mean nothing to me! You were only meant to satisfy my thirst.”

 

Those words loudly rang in Sano’s ears, how could he say that? HOW COULD HE FUCKIN’ SAY THAT?!?!? But he remained silent, trying to hold his tears back. He wouldn’t cry, not now! He didn’t want the bastard to make fun of him. But instead of fighting back, he just let him do whatever he wished. He had

already learned that Saitou was superior in strength and will as well, he had always been and he would

always remain…

 

“Even you are just a method to satisfy my needs, I won’t let somebody else claim you for his own, not even

let someone touch you. And the only way to keep you locked with me is to kill him…”, Saitou grumbled

into the kid’s ear.

 

Sano’s eyes widened and he began shouting.

 

“No! You fucking sonuvabitch! I won’t let you! No! No!”

 

The tall, stoic man slapped him in the face, hitting him hard, leaving him silenced. He began tying the

Roosterhead up, unsheathing his katana. The blade reflected the furious, golden gleam in the wolf’s eyes.

He banged through the door, looking for Chou… He would kill him whatever it took, nobody touches

HIS Roosterhead!

 

“No!”, Sano screamed, “Chou!”

 

 

 

Chou was worried now, the kid was sweating like he had been running for hours and was constantly

mumbling things. As the blond officer wiped the few wet strands of the kid’s face, the young man

immediately woke up in shock. The fear was clearly readable in his magnificent, chocolate brown orbs.

 

“Easy now”, Chou tried to comfort him.

 

He was clearly amazed when the spiky haired man fiercely took him in a tight embrace. Chou didn’t know

how to react at first, but he comfortingly embraced him back.

 

“It’s okay now, Sano. It was only a nightmare, it’s over now”, Chou whispered.

 

Sano’s respiration became slower again, Chou could feel the kid’s heart still rapidly beating. Sanosuke

slowly disengaged himself from the hug, not able to look his partner in the eyes. As he looked up, Chou

saw fierce look in his eyes and he wondered what it meant. But he was soon to find out as the kid pulled

him into a deep, burning, passionate kiss…

 

 

 

 

 

After a couple of minutes, Chou slowly withdrew from the kid’s sweet, supple lips. Sano’s gaze immediately dropped, Chou felt the kid’s uneasiness. He carefully placed his hand against the kid’s cheek, gently, but firmly tilted up that young face, making Sano look at him. He saw the doubt in those beautiful eyes, the same doubt as he had felt before.

 

“Sanosuke”, he whispered, “What were you doing?”

 

Silence.

 

“You owe me nothing, if that’s what this is about”, the blond officer went on.

 

Sano closed his eyes, not willing to stare at the man’s friendly face any longer, he just couldn’t…

He remained silent.

 

“This is a difficult time for you, Sanosuke, so you might want to consider it first”

 

Then Chou saw a tear coming from under those long, black lashes, making it’s way down the youngster’s cheek.

 

“Sanosuke, look at me please”

 

He opened up his eyes, his gaze aimed down at first, but looking straight into Chou’s the next moment.

Chou smiled.

 

“I’m not rejecting you”, he softly said, “but think about it first”

 

After that he stood up and left the kid alone in the room. Sanosuke was amazed, he wasn’t rejecting him? Shit, how could he have done this stupidity? He had planned to talk about it in someway, but this… shit…

Chou stood in the kitchen, shaking his head, not knowing what to think of it. What if it was just the moment? Just a spontaneous reaction to a emotional and difficult situation… yes, that was it… just a reaction… it was just a hard time for him… Nah, it would pass… But then…

 

“Chou?”, Sano called out.

“What is it?”, he replied.

“Will you get back in here for a split second please?”

“Alright”

 

Chou wondered what this was about, maybe the kid wanted to talk? Well, he’d soon find out. He slowly made his way back to the futon, Sano cross legged sat up straight upon the sheets.

 

“What is it?”, Chou asked.

“Will you please sit down?”, the kid replied with his gaze dropped to the white blankets.

 

Chou sighed and sat down.

 

“Now tell me”, Chou friendly pushed.

“I love you”, Sano softly whispered.

 

Chou fell silent. He was kinda shocked, hearing those words from the kid’s quivering lips.

 

“Sanosuke…”

“No!”, the young man shouted in tears, “no ‘Sanosuke’, okay? Listen to me here! I LOVE YOU!”

 

Chou’s mouth fell somewhat open, was he thinking right? The blond officer was left speechless.

 

“I can’t help it”, the kid sobbed, “I just love you…”

 

Chou gulped and he gently took the sobbing rooster into his arms, trying to comfort him.

 

“It’s alright, Sanosuke”, Chou whispered in the kid’s hair.

 

He felt the man trembling in his arms, would he dare to admit it? He had no choice.

He deeply inhaled the sweet smell of Sano’s spiky hair.

 

“I love you too, Sanosuke” , he whispered, “I love you too”

 

They sat there for a while, still in that tight embrace, doing nothing else than holding each other.

Sano’s sobs slowly came to an end. He lifted up his head and look Chou in the eyes. Chou could easily read the affection and the passion in it, but how badly he however would be able to give him that same gaze in return, Chou just couldn’t do it. He wanted to go very easy on this, he was afraid that Sano would expect too much of him. That he would compare him to Saitou, but he wasn’t like him at all. All Chou was looking for was a steady relationship, built on love and confidence, but especially on the last one. Confidence… trust… that’s what a relationship was all about according about him. It wasn’t about sex, sex was just an option. But would Sano feel the same way about it? He was used to something different, for him it was normal to have his brains fucked out several times a night. To Saitou sex had been something normal to do every day, but could it remain special? Probably yes, but that wasn’t just Chou’s style. Affection was more important than carnal bondage…

Chocolate brown had met light grey green and was not letting go. Chou softly cupped the kid’s face and let the inches between their lips vanish. As Sano immediately was willing to take the kiss deeper, Chou pulled away, taking his hands off that handsome face.

 

“What is it?”, Sano softly asked, “You don’t want this?”

“I don’t want THIS, Sano. Can you just do this my way please?”, Chou sighed.

 

The kid shrugged his shoulders.

 

“Sorry…”, he whispered.

 

Chou released another sigh, placing his long, slender fingers on the kid’s both jaws. Soft flesh

met soft flesh, lips parted and Chou let his tongue slither against Sano’s own. Gently, softly, easy… not rushing things… just enjoying it… Sano didn’t dare to do anything anymore, afraid that the sword lover would pull back again, he just did the same as his partner. Their tongues were not fighting a aggressive duel, they were just dancing around, caressing each other very in a very gentle way. The officer’s right hand slid further back towards the kid’s nape, this time he decided to take the kiss deeper. Sano was a bit surprised, but he just did it Chou’s way, he’d see where they’d get. He began gnawing on the blond man’s lower lip and that man was certainly not going to pull away this time. Sometimes was primary instinct much better than pure ratio. Only when Sano began tucking at the man’s shirt, he let go for a short moment.

 

“Not now, not yet”, he smirked.

 

He began slowly licking the kid’s left earlobe, his hands going under that white jacket. And when he began tracing the youngster’s jaw line with light kisses, he began slowly shoving the jacket off the kid’s shoulders. Sano wrangled his arms out of it, letting the ‘Aku’-backed thing fall behind him. His own hands began shoving that dark blue shirt up, as his partner reached his neck, Sano threw his head back and give him better access to the more sensitive places of his neck. The young man released a low moan at these actions and began tucking the shirt once more. The blond police agent interrupted his caresses for one moment and pulled the shirt over his head, tossing it somewhere in a corner of the room. With his fine hands, Chou pushed Sano down on the futon, going down on him for another sweet, wet smooch. With his tongue, he traced Sano’s collar bone, kissing the spot where Saitou had rammed his katana through so many years ago. Going down further, searching for that already hardened nipple. He gave it a slow lick and softly blew some air over it, it made Sano quiver and Chou smile. He took the hard knob in his mouth, swirling his tongue around, wetting it with hot saliva. He softly began sucking on it which drew another low moan out of the kid’s throat. While he was doing this, his long fingers were tracing the major X-shaped scar on his chest. He’d let off the bandages for two days now and it had begun to heal properly, but that was a scar that would never fade. Sano’s left fingers ran through Chou’s blond hair, his right hand caressing his lean back. Chou now traced the lines of the scar with the tip of his tongue, then kissing it’s entire size with his soft, supple lips. His hands easily loosened the knot of Sano’s pants and pulled them down to his ankles. He put himself eye to eye with Sano’s aroused, throbbing cock. Before taking the whole fabric into his mouth, he licked the whole length, one hand carefully massaging the kid’s velvety testicles. He let his tongue fool around that weeping head and took the kid’s complete member into his mouth. He let his lips slide up and down that long, rigid shaft, his teeth grazing that soft, burning flesh. His tongue swirling around the cock, sucking on it, pleasuring the kid as much as he could. Sano arched his back from the intense sensation, his hands getting a grip on the soft, white blanket of the futon. Sano felt the rush coming and clenched the blanket even harder as Chou swallowed the milky fluid without any trouble. He released Sano’s cock and looked up at the kid’s face, grinning.

A small trace of sperm dripping from the corner of his lips. Sano grinned back as Chou came crawling up to him, catching the kid’s lips in another deep, yet tender, burning kiss. Sano tasted a flavour that could only be his own and he began unbuttoning the officer’s pants, shoving it down, exposing the man’s also impatient, bobbing member. Sano placed his fingers around the soft flesh and began shoving his hand up and down, slowly intensifying the rhythm of his manual caresses, Chou felt his climax coming very soon, but Sano withdrew his wet hand. He sat up straight and positioned himself on Chou’s lap. Chou temporarily broke the kiss up, looking his younger lover in the eyes.

 

“You taking this serious?”, he heavily breathed.

 

The kid nodded.

 

“You sure you want to do this?”, he worriedly asked.

“Sure as hell I want this”, the youngster sexily whispered.

 

Sano pulled the man in for a new desirous smooch and Chou guided his member in the kid’s tight entrance. The young Roosterhead tensed for a short moment, but relaxed when Chou’s member touched that sensitive inner spot that made Sano want to scream in ecstasy, but he couldn’t because his lips were still locked in a passionate, burning kiss that seemed to last forever. Both bodies were now together rocking harder and faster. When Chou reached his climax, he let go of the kid’s lips and pulled him in an ever so tight embrace as if it seemed there would be no tomorrow. The two men sat there coiled together for some time, but soon they laid themselves down on the soft, cool blanket. Both lovers were heavily panting and sweat drops were running down their entire bodies. Sano’s head was resting on Chou’s lean chest.

 

“Tomorrow”, Chou heavily breathed, “We start the training”

 

 

 

Sano lazily opened his eyes, he felt kinda chilly and all of a sudden he remembered that he was laying completely naked on the soft white blanket of the futon. He turned his head a side and saw his lover laying with his back turned to him, Chou still seemed deep asleep. Sano smiled and wrapped his arms around the lean man’s waist, snuggling against him. He placed his head comfortable and tightened his grip a bit. A sudden gasp of breath.

 

“Say Sano”, Chou gasped, “You’re suffocating me”

 

Sano immediately loosened the grip.

 

“Sorry”

“It’s okay”, Chou softly replied as he turned himself on his other side to face the gorgeous young man.

“I thought you were still asleep”, Sano confessed.

“Actually, I have been awake for almost two hours. I was just listening to your respiration.”

“What’s wrong with me breathing?”

“Nothing, but is relaxes me to know you’re still here and I didn’t dream last night”, Chou smiled.

“I thought you we were gonna do it your way?”, Sano grinned.

“Actually, we did. Say, I haven’t said good morning yet”, Chou changed the subject.

 

The blond officer pressed his lips on the rooster’s.

 

“Good morning to you too”, Sano chuckled under the kiss.

 

Due to lack of air, both men broke the kiss up.

 

“Get dressed”, Chou wiped the saliva away from the corner of his mouth,

“You have a technique to learn.”

“Not in the mood”, Sano yawned.

“Get dressed or there will be no breakfast for you”, Chou smirked.

 

A heavy, heavy sigh.

 

“A’right a’right”, Sano gave in.

 

He slowly stood up, but Chou couldn’t resist to slap that naked, sexy, little ass, which made the kid loudly yelp in pain. He turned around and saw the amused look in Chou’s bright, sparkling eyes.

 

“Stay off the ass”, Sano quasi bitchy joked.

 

As he began to walk to go pick up some clothes from the floor, Chou swiftly sat up straight and pulled the kid on the futon again.

 

“I thought I had to get dressed”, Sano grinned.

“Hm, say about an hour or so…”, Chou chuckled.

 

And the police officer caught the kid’s lips in a deep, burning kiss.

 

 

 

Two hours later, they had finally made it to the breakfast table. Sano was still loudly yawning and had difficulty to keep his eyes open.

 

“C’mon, Sano, eat your breakfast please. I want to get back to work this week, so I like to teach you the basics of the technique as soon as possible”, Chou tried to persuade him.

“A’right”, Sano weakly gave in.

 

Both men ate in silence and Chou wondered what could be wrong with his lover. Sano was acting somewhat down since they had been sitting at the table. It wasn’t because he wanted to go back to work this week, now was it? He shook his head, he’d see how this was about to turn out.

As soon as they had finished, Chou stood up and began walking towards the door. As he had shoved the door open, he glanced over his shoulder. He smiled, and Sano smiled back. He grinningly shook his head as he followed him outside.

 

“Where are we going?”

“To get you a katana”

“Where do you keep them?”

“Around the back. Just follow me.”

 

Chou casually walked his way around his house, Sanosuke following him at close range. The blond officer opened a small door that was the entrance to a smaller shack. He lit a candle and let Sano enter. Sano’s eyes widened in amazement as he looked around the small room. All kinds of swords were laying on shelves and some larger ones were standing in the corners.

 

“Fuck man!”, Sano almost shouted, “You really got a bunch of them!”

“I know”, Chou smirked to the kid’s reaction, “Now you understand why they called me

sword-loving Chou…”

“Jeezus man!”, Sano said again, “I’m really impressed!”

“It’s just a collection as any other”, Chou shrugged, “As some people collect sake bottles, I collect swords, nothing special about that”

“Are you kiddin’ me, man?”, Sano cheered, “This is fuckin’ cool!”

“Let’s get you a katana”, Chou suggested and he walked over to the shelves on the wall on his left.

 

Sano still couldn’t believe his eyes and was still gawking around the room. The police officer was searching for the right one. Damn, it had to be here somewhere! All of a sudden, his index finger brushed over the particular sign he was looking for. He took the sheathed katana off the shelf and brushed his fingers over the kanji that was engraved in the hilt of the weapon.

 

“Aku”, Chou whispered as he kept staring at it.

 

Then he asked Sano to move closer.

 

“What is it?”, Sano asked.

“I found the katana I was looking for”, Chou simply said.

 

Chou looked Sano in the eyes, he could read in the kid’s gaze that he didn’t understand.

The blond officer sighed.

 

“It’s a very special katana”, he began.

“What’s so special about it?”, Sano asked.

“It belonged to one of the greatest swordsmen during the Shöwa period.”

“Jeesh, man, that thing is old!”

“I know…”

“Are you sure you can still use the thing?”

“Of course, I’m sure. It should be a collector’s item, but it still is in perfect shape. Watch this!”, Chou reassured his as he unsheathed the weapon.

 

Sano followed the blade with his eyes as Chou swung it in front of the candlelight.

 

“Huh? It looks blood red! How did you do that? It must be some kinda trick or something…”

“It’s no trick, Sanosuke, it was made in a special way. It even has a legend, that’s why I was so interested in this sword in the first place, for it’s legend.”

“Tell me”, Sano wanted to know.

 

Chou smiled as he saw the curiosity on the youngster’s face.

 

“It was made with fire as the usual katana’s, but as most swords are cooled in cold water, this one was not. It was left to cool down on it’s own. Not spectacular, but okay. As I mentioned before, it was handled by one of the greatest hitokiri’s during the Shöwa era, her name…”

“HER?”, Sano blurted out in amazement

“Yes, HER.”, Chou grinned at the response, “She was a young girl, barely 18 years old…”

“18 years old???”, Sano’s eyes widened again.

“Will you keep interrupting me?”, Chou chuckled.

 

Sano shook his head in confusion and amazement.

 

“As I said”, Chou went on, “barely 18 years old. She had been left by her parents because they wanted a son instead of a daughter. They couldn’t send a girl to fight battles, they thought, so they just left her at some porch when she was just a baby. The people who found her on their porch took her in and raised her. She grew up, embittered as she was, but became a rare beauty. Long raven black hair and blue eyes, maybe not that special you might think, but her eyes were pale blue and gleaming that furiously as cold ice. It was a frightening view…”, he paused for a second to check on the boy’s face.

 

Sano seemed in some kind of a trance, wordlessly begging to hear more. Chou swiftly licked his lips and then continued his story.

 

“Anyway, when she learned about her parents leaving her, she went to a dojo to learn how to fight, nobody knew why. But they assume she did it to prove herself, maybe not to her parents or to the people around her, but probably to herself, to convince herself that she wasn’t worth less than a man. She went form dojo to dojo, to learn different techniques. She was taught kenpo, Hiten Mitsurugi and also the Gatotsu technique. She trained herself in using her both hands to execute her attacks, which made her very dangerous because you never knew which hand and which technique she was going to use. She killed many people in many battles, she didn’t work for anybody, she just slaughtered people. Reasons weren’t necessary for her. Everybody was afraid of her because they knew her and always recognized her because she was always dressed in a completely black kimono and had a blood red bandana tied above her black eyebrows when she was out on a killing spree. However she was a nice and friendly girl when she wasn’t out for slaughtering. Her abilities made her almost unbeatable. Almost… she was killed when she was walking home one night. Some guy attacked her and stabbed her in the back. As usual she was carrying her katana, and although she was badly wounded, she turned around to stab her attacker right through the heart. As they both lay their dying, she swore that her spirit would always live on in her sword. That’s why the blade reflects red when you swing it in front of light, it reflects the blood that has flowed from all the people who were killed with it and it also reflects her tortured soul. That’s what the legend says.”

“What was her name?”, Sano wanted to know.

“Aya…”

“Just Aya?”

“Yes, she refused to accept a last name.”

“How did she get her hands on that sword then?”

“She received it at the first dojo, it had been a family piece for centuries, but she was the man’s last student. And since, he had no one to pass the art and the sword to, he gave it to her.”

“What’s on the hilt?”

“The ‘Aku’-kanji.”

“Like on my jacket?”

“Yes, like on your jacket.”

“Cool”, Sano cheered.

“Here, hold it”, Chou offered.

 

Sano hesitated, but then he took the sword Chou offered him. He held it carefully in his hand, he’d never had a katana in his hands before. He stared at the kanji engraved in the hilt.

 

“You never felt a sword in your hand before, have you?”

 

Sano slowly shook his head.

 

“I thought so. You can’t notice the difference with any other katana, can you?”

“What difference?”, Sano asked.

“Here, try this one”, Chou gave his own katana.

 

Sano reached for it, but he almost dropped it to the ground.

 

“Shit man, this one is heavy”

“Wrong, Sano”, the officer smirked, “Aya’s is lighter. That’s what makes it so different besides the red reflection. It’s the katana I most cherish because there was never made such one afterwards.”

 

Sano looked his lover straight in the eyes. His dearest sword? Damn! And he could practice with it? Shit!

 

“And you lending me this? Me? Who has never held a sword in his life before?”, Sano couldn’t believe it.

“Yes, it’s more convenient for you. You’re right handed, but you need to use your left now, so it the weight will make it much easier.”

 

Sano still couldn’t believe it, Chou’s most precious sword? He blinked his chocolate brown orbs.

 

“Let’s start, shall we?”, Chou grinned.

 

The kid nodded. Chou blew out the candle on the way out and blinked his eyes a couple of times against the daylight. Sano followed him on his heels. They went around the back to a small grass field.

 

“Give me the katana, Sano, you won’t need it right now”

 

Sano gave the weapon back.

 

“Gatotsu, right? Look, Sanosuke, Gatotsu is a powerful technique, but it doesn’t depend on your own strength”

“What do you mean?”

“Gatotsu is basically about the strength of your legs and your speed. The only stance that requires arm strength is the Zeroshiki, the succession technique.”

“Why only the Zeroshiki?”

“Because it’s a close range strike, you don’t have the distance to make speed.”

“Oh…”

“So, we need to test your speed first”, Chou continued, “Go stand over there”

 

And he pointed at a place some six metres away from him. Sano obeyed and waited for further instructions.

 

“Now, I want you to come running to me, try to make me eat grass. But I will try to stop you, okay?”

 

Sano nodded.

 

“Go ahead!”, Chou shouted.

 

The kid sprinted over to him, expecting to pull him on the grass immediately. The agent pushed him away with one hand against the boy’s bare chest, causing him to hit the ground. Chou walked somewhat to him, standing above him.

 

“You ain’t got enough speed, so we should work on that first…”

“Whadda ya mean?”, Sano asked as Chou reached him a hand to help him stand up.

“Get running around the field”, Chou chuckled.

“You can’t be serious?”, he grinned, “Are you?”

 

The teacher gave him a silent look. And Sano began running rounds around the grass field.

 

“We’ve got a lot of work to do…”, Chou sighed to himself.

 

 

 

The next morning, Sano woke up and noticed that the place beside him was empty. He was laying naked under the soft, white blanket. The boy sat up straight, his entire body screaming in pain. His muscles ached from yesterday’s work out. He simply ignored it and called out for his lover.

 

“Chou?”

“Yes?”, a blond haired head popped out of the kitchen.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?”

 

Chou stepped out of the kitchen.

 

“And why are you already dressed?”, Sano asked.

“I’m going back to work today”, Chou sighed.

“Oh…”, Sano’s gaze immediately dropped.

 

The blond officer slowly walked over to the futon, kneeling down beside his young lover.

He placed his gloved fingers under the kid’s chin and tilted it up until the kid was forced to look into his eyes.

 

“Sanosuke…”, Chou softly said.

 

The kid didn’t want to look into Chou’s eyes, he hated the eye contact. He felt so vulnerable when he did that.

 

“Look at me, Sanosuke”, Chou firmly said.

 

He looked up. Chocolate brown met light grey green.

 

“I have to go to work today”, Chou whispered.

“I know”, Sano softly replied, “So I better get dressed too, ne?”

“I think you better stay here for now, Sano”

“Why?”

“I don’t know if Saitou will send me on the streets or punishes me with tons of paperwork”, the blond officer sighed, “but I don’t want you to get on the streets just yet. Too dangerous.”

“I can take care of myself”, Sano bitched as he pulled his head away from Chou’s long fingers.

“I know, Sanosuke, but don’t take this wrong, okay? You’re just not ready to hit the streets yet again. I know you want to make that killer pay for what he did to those women and to you, but so do I. Okay? You can’t perform the Futae no Kiwami and I’m not letting you get hurt again. I care too much about you!”

 

Tears welled up in the boy’s eyes, he felt so useless.

 

“And what if he gets to you?”, Sano shot back.

“Don’t worry about it, okay?”, Chou tried to reassured him, wiping the tears of the youngster’s face, “I will not leave you behind, I promise”

“When will you get home?”

“Before dinner, I promise”, Chou smiled.

 

Sanosuke nodded. Chou gently kissed him on the lips before leaving for work. He didn’t like leaving Sano alone, what if the killer came to the house? He kept pondering about what might happen. And when he casually walked into the police office, his mind was clouded with worried thoughts. He walked straight to his desk like he had never missed a day. He found his desk crowded with paperwork. He smilingly sighed, sat down and started filling in the papers. Saitou probably wanted them as soon as possible.

While Chou was filling in the forms, Saitou came banging out his office. He was clearly pissed off because of something. But the former Osaka-fighter wasn’t going to interfere with the Mibu no Ookami, this was NOT a good time. Saitou strode past him, he didn’t seem to have noticed to notice him, but when the tall man suddenly realised, he turned swiftly around, giving Chou an ugly, furious golden amber glare.

Chou didn’t even look up when his superior was standing in front of his desk.

 

“Officer Chou”, Saitou hissed.

 

Chou sighed, sat back and looked up. He stared straight into the miburo’s angrily gleaming golden orbs.

 

“Yes, boss?”, Chou played dumb.

“What are you doing here?”

“Working, boss”

“Why weren’t you here the previous days?”, Saitou narrowed his eyes.

“I had someone to take care of”, the blond officer coolly shot back.

“And who might that have been?”

 

The two men’s eyes were now locked in a furious glare.

 

“Officer Sagara, boss”, he replied.

“Look here, men”, Saitou got everyone’s attention, “It seems like our Broomhead got hooked up with the Roosterhead. Well, what about that?”

 

The other against began laughing, louder and louder. This was going too far for the ex-member of the Juppon Gatana, but he knew he had to get through this, he couldn’t let Saitou win. Not him, not now… not ever. Chou decided to give him something of his own.

 

“When do you need those forms? Fucker?”, Chou slowly stood up.

 

He placed his hands on the desk and leaned somewhat forward so their faces became very close. He didn’t hesitate another minute and swiftly took the cigarette from Saitou’s lips. The blond man took a long drag and blew out the smoke as if he was a chain smoker for decades. Then, he dropped the rest of the cigarette on one of the piles of paperwork. The papers got on fire.

 

“Burn in hell”, Chou whispered with a slight smirk on his face.

 

After that, he turned around and walked out the door, straight home. In the police station, all agents were panicking and running around for buckets with water to prevent the fire from spreading. Saitou stood in the door opening, following Chou’s back until he got out of sight.

 

“I’m gonna get you for this, Broomhead, you’re gonna pay”, Saitou furiously grumbled.

 

 

 

As Chou slammed the door shut and slid off his shoes, Sano looked up, clearly amazed.

 

“You home very early”, Sano remarked.

 

Chou sat down, burying his face in his hands, softly cursing to himself.

 

“Hey, man, what’s wrong?”, Sano was worried, “Something happened at work?”

“I just made the biggest mistake of my life”, Chou mumbled, not even lifting up his head.

“What did ya do then?”

“You just don’t want to know, Sanosuke, you really don’t want to know”, Chou looked up now.

 

Sano noticed the tired look in his eyes. The kid sat down next to him, putting his arm around his lover’s shoulders.

 

“Tell me, Chou”, he softly said.

“Problems with Saitou”, he sighed.

“Shit”, Sano cursed.

“Yes, indeed”, the blond haired man continued, “I was filling in the paperwork that was laid on my desk. Saitou came walking by, stopped, started picking on me because I was here to take care of you. He just made us ridiculous in front of all the other officers.”

 

Chou paused for a second, releasing another heavy sigh.

 

“Go on”, Sano impatiently said.

“So I stood up, called him ‘fucker’ in his face, took the cigarette out of his mouth, started a fire with the forms and told him to burn in hell. After that, I walked out.”

“Jeesh man, I can’t believe you did that”, the rooster shook his head.

“I know. Shit, what am I gonna do now? I’m such an idiot!”, Chou grumbled.

“No, you’re not!”, his younger lover firmly said, “You just put him in his place.”

“I’m afraid I’m out of a job right now”, Chou sighed, “Shit, I really fucked it up this time!”

“I don’t think so”, Sano tried to comfort him, “You’re one of the best agents he has, he won’t throw you out that easily.”

“I fucking set that paperwork on fire!”

“So? By the way, they haven’t caught that assassin yet, haven’t they? Has he bluntly said you were fired?”

“No…”

“Then don’t worry, okay? You’re a fucking good cop and they need you on that case!”

“But, Sano…”

“Chou, just believe me, okay?”, Sano silenced him.

“I hope you’re right”, Chou sighed.

“Just see it as another day off, okay? Say Chou, you in the mood to give me some training?”, Sano changed the subject.

“Why do you ask?”

“I wanna start learning the basics. Just the different stances, please?”

“Alright, first the attacking stances, after that, we’ll work on the defence and the speed.”

“Chou…”

“What?”

“You’re the greatest!”, Sano grinned.

 

A smile appeared on the ex-member of the Juppon Gatana, which the kid gladly answered with a smile of his own. The boy strangled his fingers with Chou’s.

 

“C’mon then”, Sano stood up, pulling his lover’s hand.

“Impatient as we are”, the man grinned.

 

 

 

“Sanosuke, you’re not doing it right!”

“What am I doing wrong then?”, the Roosterhead asked.

“You have to aim that katana in a horizontal way, not half way down!”

“This ain’t easy, man”, Sano sighed.

“I know”, Chou sighed too, “C’mon, let’s take a break”

 

Sano sheathed the katana. Aya’s katana…

 

He sat down in the grass, next to his lover. Sweat drops were leaking down his spiky hair and were running down his neck and spine.

 

“I could never do this”, Sano complained.

“Patience, Sanosuke, patience”, Chou tried to comfort him, “The Gatotsu is not that simple”

“Saitou makes it look simple”, the kid grumbled.

“Don’t think about it, Sanosuke, you will be able to perform the technique, it just takes some time. Do you think Saitou learned it in a couple of hours?”

“But I don’t have the time! I wanna get back to work!”

“Look, Sano, your stances are okay. But you can’t hold the katana horizontally for a long time, now can you? I suppose that has something to do with your left hand, but you really need to do that first.”

“I know, Chou, I know”, the boy sighed again.

“C’mon, let’s teach you some defence first”

“Alright then”

 

The two young men stood up and began practicing again.

 

 

 

Saitou was sitting in his office, leaning back in his chair, smoking another cigarette. He was still in a bad mood, how could it be different? He hated to admit it, and he wouldn’t, but that fucking Broomhead had had the guts to put him in his place. He had fucking set those forms on fire! Not that they couldn’t be replaced, but it was about the principle! Nobody puts Saitou Hajime in his place, nobody…

 

“Boss, boss!”, a young officer came banging in the office.

“Don’t we knock first?”, Saitou snarled.

“I’m sorry, boss, but we have a serious situation here!”

“What is it?”, Saitou narrowed his eyes.

 

The superior took a good look at his agent. His uniform was covered with blood and dirt. It couldn’t be…? Could it???

 

“Four man have been killed”, the young agent heavily breathed.

“What happened?”

“That assassin got to them first before we could get to him”, he explained.

 

Saitou grumbled a furious curse and swiftly stood up, walking out of his office, the officer on his heels.

 

“Tell me exactly what happened”, he demanded.

“They got a tip that the assassin was seen at the Buddha temple, so they went over there to check it out. They heard a loud scream coming from a house nearby. Inside, we found a young woman. She was dead. All of a sudden, we were attacked by him. He was dressed a dark cape, so we couldn’t see his face. Tsubatsu, Sitatchu and Moriku were slaughtered at once. He ran, Kirachi followed him. He ran into an alley with a dead end, Kirachi attacked him, but was quickly killed. A neighbour heard it all happen and came to report it at once. I went to check on them if they were still alive, but they were all dead.”

 

Saitou took a long drag of his cigarette, before responding.

 

“Go to Chou’s place, tell him I want to see him at once. And bring that ahou too…”

 

 

 

“Officer Chou? Officer Chou?”, a voice shouted.

 

The young police officer was standing in front of the door, calling out. Chou and Sano came walking from around the back.

 

“See, I told you I heard something”, Sano softly said.

“What is it?”, Chou asked the young man.

“Officer Saitou wants to see you at once”

“Why?”, Chou’s eyes narrowed.

“He said he wanted to see you right away”

“C’mon, Chou, maybe it’s important”, Sano softly encouraged him.

“Uh-uh, if he needs me, he has to come and get me myself”, Chou coldly shot.

“Please, officer Chou, it’s very important that officer Saitou sees you at once”, the agent pushed.

“Alright then”, Chou sighed, “as long as you stop nagging about it…”

“Chou, tell me what happened when you get home!”, Sano said, giving his lover a wink.

 

A smirk appeared on the former Osaka-fighter’s face.

 

“You were asked to come too”, the agent said.

“What? Me?”, Sano blurted out.

“Yes”

 

The two lovers looked at each other and then turned back to the agent who was sent to get them.

 

“Still gotta change”, Sano sighed.

“Me too, again!”, Chou filled in.

“No problem, I’ll wait here”, the agent replied.

 

The two man went inside to change their normal clothes for their uniform. As they were inside the house, they didn’t hear the scream…

 

 

 

A couple of minutes later, they returned outside again.

 

“Where did he go?”, Sano pondered out loud as he stepped off the porch.

 

As his shoes touched the grass, he heard a noise that grass would never make. He looked down.

 

“Oh fuck!”, Sano loudly cursed, “Chou, you better get over here!”

“What is…? Oh shit!”, Chou sighed as he came to stand beside the kid.

 

In front of their house, the young police officer was laying in his own blood. The grass around it was dark red.

 

“What are we going to do with him?”, Sano almost panicked, “We can’t leave him here like this”

“Get a spare blanket from the futon, we’ll cover him with it.”

 

The rooster nodded and almost ran inside again.

 

“Poor man”, Chou shook his head.

 

They laid the white blanket over him and then they pulled him somewhat out of sight. Sano was about to go, but Chou stopped him.

 

“Hey, why are you stopping me?”, Sano snapped.

“Get your sword”, Chou coldly ordered.

 

Sano saw the hard expression in his eyes and obeyed immediately.

 

“This is getting dangerous”, the blond officer thought to himself.

 

As the kid returned with the sword, attaching it to his hip, they left for the police station.

 

 

 

As they arrived to the police station, they were immediately sent to Saitou’s office. Chou politely knocked and waited for an answer to enter.

 

“Come in”, a voice replied.

 

Both men entered. The room was clouded with cigarette smoke.

 

“Saitou must’ve been very frustrated”, Sano thought.

“Sit down”, Saitou offered.

 

The miburo was in a bad mood, Sano could see it. But he didn’t say a word, he didn’t want any trouble.

 

“You called for us, boss?”, Chou politely asked.

“Yes, I did. Where is the agent I sent to get you?”

“He… uhm… he was murdered in front of our door”, Chou softly answered.

“Are you joking? Because if you are, I don’t like this one!”, Saitou infuriated.

“It’s no joke, Saitou”, Sano defended his lover.

“Did you see the assassin?”

“No, we have not”, the blond replied, “We were changing into our uniform. And as we stepped out the house, he was dead.”

“Look, I’m not going to explain much, I think we know why you’re here”, Saitou continued as he lit another cigarette.

 

The Wolf of Mibu looked up and stared straight into Sano’s chocolate brown orbs. The kid gulped.

 

“Do you?”, Saitou asked.

“Yes, sir”, Chou answered in his place.

 

Sano looked aside and shot him a grateful glance. He wasn’t at ease here, in the same office, together with Saitou.

 

“So, you want us to take the case again?”, Chou asked.

“Yes”, Saitou took another drag, “Starting right now”

 

Chou glanced at Sano, the Roosterhead knew what he meant. “Take it or not?”

The kid nodded.

 

“Yes, boss”, Chou replied, standing up prompt.

 

The two young man were about to walk out the door as Saitou called them back.

 

“Ahou, I got paperwork if you don’t want to get slashed up again.”

“No thanks, Saitou”, Sano shot back, now almost sprinting out the office.

 

 

 

As they had stepped outside in the broad daylight, Sano sighed.

 

“What is it?”, Chou asked.

“He was making advances again”, Sano grumbled.

“What?”

“He still wants me back…”

 

Chou gulped and remained silent for a short while.

 

“What about you?”, he softly asked.

 

Sanosuke looked at him, he saw the doubt in his eyes. He couldn’t say a thing, he could only shake his head. As they were walking in the streets like that, side by side, they didn’t talk much. Silence…

The Roosterhead was thinking about the way Saitou had made advances towards him. He couldn’t use this, not now! He was just getting happily over him and now this… bastard! What would happen if he got back to him? Sanosuke could smack himself in the face for that! How could he think that? After all he had done to him… No way, he was going to forgive the guy for that! As the kid looked up and looked around, something black crossed his eyesight. He stopped, immediately turning to the direction where he had seen the figure disappear. He pulled his lover’s hand, who was a bit amazed, and began dragging him with himself. He abruptly stopped as he saw a person, completely dressed in black, entering a house. First thing Sano noticed was the sword attached to his hip. First of all, that was forbidden nowadays and it didn’t look like that was his house he was entering.

 

“C’mon, Chou!”, Sano said, “Assassin to catch!”

“Let’s go then”, Chou replied.

 

They sneaked closer to the house, as they suddenly heard someone scream. Sano stood up and sprinted inside the house, Chou right behind him. He saw the person in black threatening a young woman. It was the assassin all right.

 

“Drop the sword and step back from the lady!”, Sano ordered.

 

But instead of obeying, the killer turned to him.

 

“Chou, you take care of the girl”, Sano said.

 

Chou walked over to here, being careful that he wouldn’t be attacked by that madman.

 

“So we meet again…”, the man said, “And I see you’re wounds have properly healed and that you brought a katana. Good, let’s have a rematch… Before I kill you partner…”

 

And he pointed with the tip of his weapon at Chou’s throat. Chou didn’t seem impressed and guided the young woman out of the room.

 

“It’s your choice, kid, fight me or let your partner be killed.”

“I’ll fight you”, Sano gave in, “But I wanna know who you are…”

 

An evil cackle came from the man’s throat.

 

“Where do I know that voice from?”, Sano racked his brains in silence.

“Fool”, the killer spoke, “Haven’t you found out yet? Well, since it’s gonna be over soon,

I’ll reveal my identity to you”

 

The man pulled the dark cloth away, the move made Sano gasp in amazement.

 

“Shishio?”, the kid was able to bring out.

“No”, the man distinctly spoke, “You’re close. May I introduce myself, my name it Shoshio, the mighty Shishio was my father”

 

Sano stared at the quite young man standing in front of him, he was his father’s reflection, only not burned and not wrapped with bandages. Even the same voice and the same dirty killing technique. It filled the young officer with hate and disgust.

 

“But I thought Ayumi was killed?”

“Yes, she actually was”, Shoshio answered, “Filthy hooker! But my father had some other women around here and there. But as far as I know, I’m his only son. And now, I will get my revenge!”

“You’re insane, just like that old nutcase of yours!”, Sano furiously grumbled.

 

More evil laughter as Shishio’s son took his attacking stance.

 

“It’s now or never!”, Sano thought as he took his Ishiki-stance.

 

Sano took the first initiative and rushed forward, but his attempt was blocked. So he had to retry. It went on and on, until Chou showed up again. He had taken care of the young woman. Chou offered to interfere, but Sano furiously neglected it. This was the same guy that had slashed him up, and now he was gonna pay… Chou stood frozen to the ground, his lover just wouldn’t let him help, why the hell not? He could be fucking killed! He wasn’t able to master the Gatotsu already!

Sano performed another attack, it was blocked and an equal blow was returned. The boy could just get out of the way before he got struck with the blade. It only left him a cut at his left upper arm, this opponent came by his right side, so the rooster couldn’t hit him with his left hand. As the kid noticed it, he didn’t hesitate and used his Futae no Kiwami with his right hand. He gritted his teeth as his fist crushed the man’s cheekbone, leaving the assassin unconscious in the dust. He stood there, heavily panting from the fight. His right hand bloodied and limp, he couldn’t even lift it up anymore. Chou ran over to him.

 

“I send someone to get back up to lock him up”, Chou remarked.

“Great job”, Sano smiled.

“Why did you use your Futae no Kiwmai?”

“Because I couldn’t hit him with the Gatotsu with my left hand, so I had to come up with something”

“How is your right hand?”

“It hurts like hell. Can we please go to the Kitsune’s place if we’re done with this bastard?”, he begged.

“Sure”, Chou smiled.

 

A couple of minutes later, some other officers arrived, they picked the unconscious killer from the ground and took him into custody.

Sanosuke sighed, handing the katana over to Chou. Chou looked him in the eyes, clearly not understanding.

 

“I will never get used to one of these”, Sano shrugged, “you should put it back in the collection. I’ll use my hand to defend myself. It was childish from me to want to learn the Gatotsu, I guess I wanted to be like the bastard.”

 

Sano paused for a second, he smiled at his lover.

 

“But that’s over now”, he continued.

 

Chou smiled back at him.

 

“C’mon, Roosterhead, let’s get you to the Kitsune”, Chou chuckled.

“Don’t call me Roosterhead, Broomhead!”, Sano teased.

 

...

 

...

 

“Aaaaaaaaah!! You crazy Fox, watch out, will ya!”, Sano screamed.

“Don’t be such a cry baby, rooster, it’s your own fault. He told you not to use your hand frequently right away! And what have you done? You performed the Futae no Kiwami again! Dumb rooster!”

“It was a matter of life and death!”, Sano shot back.

“Yare yare”, the Kitsune rolled her eyes.

 

Chou was leaning against the door frame, watching the scene. It was kinda funny tho...

 

“He’s right this time, Megumi”, he friendly, but firmly said.

 

She looked back, seeking for a funny note in his eyes, but all she could find was pure defence.

 

“Sorry”, she apologized.

“No need for, Megumi”, Chou returned the gesture.

 

As Megumi was taking care of Sanosuke’s hand, a tall, lean figure came walking in. Sano looked up as he noticed the smell of cigarettes. It was Saitou... Chou had seen him too and he wasn’t too happy with it. Megumi was finsihed and stood up, she felt uncomfortable between the three bittered, silent men and she felt she had to let them handle it on their own.

 

“Call for me if you need anything!”

 

With those words she sprinted out of the room. But she couldn’t deny herself from peeping through a small hole in the wall just where Saitou was leaning against.

 

“What do you want?”, Chou shot.

“I come to claim what’s mine”, he coolly replied, looking at Sanosuke.

 

Chou said nothing. He looked at his young lover, waiting for his answer.

Sano got the message.

 

“I’m not your property, Saitou”, the rooster coolly said.

“Don’t be such an ahou, let’s go home”

 

He turned around expecting the young officer to follow him.

Sano glanced at Chou. The ex-member of the Juppon Gatana made him understand that it was his choice and not his own. The boy knew he was free to go where he wanted, but this was just too hard.

 

“No”, Sanosuke finally firmly said, “I’m not coming with you!”

 

Saitou turned around again, facing both under officers. The Roosterhead stood up, absolutely sure of his decision.

 

“I’ve made up my mind, Saitou. And after everything you did to me, I won’t consider it anymore. It’s only the beauty within that counts!”, he distinctly spoke.

 

Megumi was shocked, Sano wasn’t falling for the miburo again?

 

“C’mon, Chou, we’re going home”, the kid concluded.

 

He took Chou’s right hand in his left and they both left Megumi’s place. Saitou was left speechless. Suddenly, a dull sound of someone falling unconscious to the floor.

 

“Stupid Fox”, Saitou grumbled.

 

...

 

...

 

OWARI

 

 

Comments? Questions? Mail me at [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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