[Zen Temple, Meditation room]

Saitou: [enters with naked blade by his side] Shinomori. We are finally
        alone. I will fight you now.
Aoshi:  [eyes closed, acting serene as usual] But why, Saida-keikan? I
        have no wish to fight you.
Saitou: You will fight me, Shinomori. Now.
Aoshi:  [sighs] Very well.[rises, katana shealth in hand] If you insist.
Saitou: Aku! Soku! Zan!
Aoshi:  [dodges attack by a hair] ... ... [sees damage done on wall by
        Saitou's sword] You're serious about this, aren't you?
Saitou: Of course I'm serious, ahou! Draw your kodachis and fight,
        Shinomori!
Aoshi:  [eyes softening] What happened to Ao-kun?
Saitou: Shut up and fight! [pulls katana out of wall]
Aoshi:  Why do you hate me so, Hajime? [grabs the katana by the blade.
        Blood runs through his fingers as it cuts his hand] What have
        you got against me?
Saitou: Stop looking at me like that! Baka! I hate you! I'll fight you
        to the finish, Shinomori!
Aoshi:  But why? We used to be so close...
Saitou: Shutupshutupshutup!!!

           -----------------------------
   [Flashback: Old house in country, before Meiji]

Saitou: Tadaima, Ao-kun! How was your day?
Aoshi:  [stirring pot over fire] Welcome back, Hajime.
Saitou: [wistful smile] I've been gone for 40 days and that's all you
        can say? 'Welcome back, Hajime'. How cold can you get, Ao-kun?
Aoshi:  [looks up] You expected 'Safe Journey', perhaps? [gets warm
        wine for both]
Saitou: [sips wine] You could at least give me a hug and say you missed
        me.
Aoshi:  That simple? [looks at Saitou over cup rim] I take it then you
        won't be wanting the programme I have in mind?
Saitou: [expectant laugh] Me and my big mouth.
Aoshi:  [closes the distance between them and smiles up at him] Hai, it
        would seem so... ...

           -----------------------------
   [Zen Temple]

Saitou: [menacing low tones] That's ancient history, Shinomori. I have no
        idea what that was about.
Aoshi:  [calmly] But you do, Saitou-gumichou. But you do. Your eyes betray
        you.
Saitou: Shutup. One more word, Shinomori, and I will slit your throat!
Aoshi:  You won't, Hajime. You can't.
Saitou: [proves Aoshi right by yelling] And why not?
Aoshi:  [sad, serene smile] Because you still love me.
Saitou: DO NOT!!!
Aoshi:  Do too. Admit it, Hajime. You loved me then, you love me now.
Saitou: Let me make myself absolutely clear, Shinomori. I. HATE. YOU.
Aoshi:  But why? Love and hate are two sides of the same coin, Hajime.
        What happened?
Saitou: [spitefully] Yes, I did love you. But not anymore! Not now, not
        ever. Traitors do not deserve to be forgiven.
Aoshi:  Traitor??? What do you mean?! YOU left me!

           -----------------------------
   [Flashback: Outside the house, before Meiji]

Aoshi:  Hajime! Wait! Don't go! [sobs in confusion]
Saitou: ... ... [walks away, obviously ignoring Aoshi]
Aoshi:  [note of desperation] Hajime!

           -----------------------------
   [Zen Temple]

Saitou: Your mind has always been fickle, Shinomori. [yells] Have you
        forgotten what happened on the bridge?
Aoshi:  Of course not! It's one of my fondest memories!

           -----------------------------
   [Flashback: Bridge]

Saitou: [blushing] Aoshi... Ao-kun, I... uh... we... [pauses and takes
        a deep breath] Would you share your life with me? I can't promise
        you riches or comfort, we might not be permitted, but would you
        be mine anyway? I'm utterly lost without you!
Aoshi:  [innocent blink] I ... [smiles] Oh Hajime, do you even have to ask?

           -----------------------------
   [Zen Temple]

Aoshi:  [slightly confused] But I don't see...
Saitou: Arrrrgh! [waves flashback away from screen] NO! I meant the other
        time, you ahou!
Aoshi:  Eh? What other time?
Saitou: [low growl] The time you left me to die.
Aoshi:  Chotto! Nani???

           -----------------------------
   [Flashback: Bridge again]

Cart-
 driver: Oi! Out of the way! Coming through!
Aoshi:  Hajime-kun! Watch out!

   [Saitou and a young boy try to avoid cart and fall into river on
    different sides of the bridge]

   [Aoshi dives for the boy and him to bank, then gives him mouth-to-mouth]

Saitou: [stands dripping wet behind Aoshi] ... ...

   [The boy revives, looks bewilderedly at Aoshi, blushes and runs off]

Aoshi:  [turns to Saitou] You're all wet, Hajime. Come on, let's go home.
Saitou: ... ...

           -----------------------------
   [Zen Temple]

Saitou: [snarling] You gave me up for that kid, remember?
Aoshi:  You walked out on me for that?! By the Gods! you TAUGHT me how to
        swim! I couldn't leave that boy drowning! And you were fine! You
        broke my heart for nothing?! Kuso da! I never took you for such a
        petty man! [draws kodachis, aura blazing] All these years, Saitou,
        all those lonely nights and tears!
Saitou: [a shade guilty] I... I never thought about it that way...
Aoshi:  [bitter laugh, icy glare] You never thought about anything but
        yourself!
Saitou: I... I'm sorry, Ao-kun. [expression softens and hangs his head]
Aoshi:  [icy glare] Don't you think it's a little too late for that now?
        [advances upon Aoshi]
Saitou: [helplessly] But... but... Ao-kun...
Aoshi:  [icy, flat tone] Saitou Hajime. Prepare to die.

           -----------------------------
   [A while later]

Saitou: [declares weakly] I have died and gone to heaven.

Aoshi:  [straightens dofuku] Not quite.
Saitou: Where in the world did you learn that?
Aoshi:  That is for me to know. Next time you will wish I have not been
        quite so... merciful. [turns to leave]
Saitou: Ao-kun...? [something clicks and he gets desperate] Ao-kun! Wait!
Aoshi:  ... ... [takes no notice]
Saitou: I... You were right, Aoshi! I still love you!
Aoshi:  [stops at the door without turning around] I know. [leaves without
        a backward glance]

Comments are welcome, but leave off the shoes
and rotten veggie!
Dare you take the 2nd Part?