The Ring
by dee zoeldyck & cienne zoeldyck

Written for special scenario Saitou and/or Sano cross-dressing of The Sizzle and Burn Fanfiction Challenge at SaiSa - A SaitoxSanosuke Yaoi Fanfiction Arcchive

Warnings: I'm warning all the Aoshi fans. If you flame us, we'll kill him off.

Summary: And give it away?!? Okay (grumble, grumble). It's not what you think it is.

 

DISCLAIMERS: Some Japanese guy owns the characters here and we're not Japanese. Also, there's a spoiler but we forgot which episode.

 

"Hajime..."

.....

.....

.....

.....

......

Aoshi panted against his lover's shoulder, the exhilaration of their joining melting away into anger. He took a moment to gather his strength and pulled himself up, leaning on his elbows to stare intently into chocolate brown ones below him.

"He's dead."

Silence as their gazes locked and held.

Sano studied the piercing blue eyes above him, looking for... something other than anger and that sated expression on his face. As he had always done whenever he realized that it had been his dead lover's name he had cried out in his completion.

Aoshi's eyes narrowed. "Half a year dead and you still can't get that bastard..."

Sano turned his face away. "I'm tired, Aoshi." he murmured, cutting him off. "Get off... it's hot." he added, one lean hand pushing him off, gently.

Aoshi shuddered as he was freed from Sano's tightness and settled beside his lover in angry silence.

Sano glanced at Aoshi, wanting to snuggle and bury his face on the broad chest but changed his mind. It'll never be the same..., he thought and rolled on his side, giving his back to Aoshi.

"Sanosuke..." Aoshi called, softly, anger gone.

He never called me that., Sano thought again and turned to face his three-week old lover. "Hmm?"

"It's been half a year..." Aoshi started and cupped the smooth, tanned cheeks. "Don't you think that's enough time to mourn him?"

Sano closed his eyes, more to escape Aoshi's probing gaze than anything. "I'm sorry."

Soft, hot lips captured his own in forgiveness and Sano couldn't help but sigh in pleasure.

This. He had missed this. Almost half a year of celibacy after... after Kenshin had defeated Shishio in the expense of... of his lover's life.

Sano had thought he would go crazy. He kept coming back to that... place hoping against all odds to see... something of his lover. And hoping he wouldn't. His heart had been firm in it's belief of Saitou's strength and refused to admit even someone who seemed superhuman like Mibu's wolf could...die...

He didn't know how it started. He just suddenly realized that Aoshi was always beside him whenever he went. Sano always thought that it'd be Kenshin that would anchor him during his pitfalls. But, not this time.

Aoshi smiling, offering sake, sitting with him.

Sano thought these unexplained hospitality will stop after they went back to Tokyo after Shogo Amakuza's defeat.

But, Aoshi had followed them... him and soon after that his intentions had been clear to Sano.

Aoshi stroking his hands, his emerald eyes lingering on his lips, offering comfort.

And gods! He needed that but had stubbornly resisted, knowing... blindly hoping that Saitou wasn't dead. That he was alive and giving in to Aoshi would be adultery in his eyes.

A week of nothing.

A month of waiting.

Still, no Saitou.

Another month passed until Aoshi took matters in his hands, deciding he couldn't wait anymore.

And Sano had given him.

No promises, no string attached and no vows of love. That was Saitou.

Aoshi had taken what he could give, shielding his own pain and hurt for he was ready to give Sano everything.

But, now...

For Aoshi, they made love.

For Sano, it was just sex.

For Aoshi, he gave Sano a home.

For Sano, it was just another apartment.

For Aoshi, he was looking forward to a future

For Sano, he held on the past for Saitou is... was his life.

 

****************************************

 

Kenshin looked up from his laundry as Aoshi entered thought the back gate and made his way to the porch to sit.

"Ohayoo..." Kenshin greeted, the ready smile melting. He left his laundry and went over to Aoshi, a worried look on his usually smiling face.

"Kenshin..." Aoshi greeted back, nodding.

The former Battousai sat down, facing him. Since Aoshi had moved to Tokyo a few months ago (much to Misao's violent protest) they had become friends and it was partly because of Kenshin that he and Sano became lovers as the redhead had been pushing each one to the other.

"Is anything the matter?" Kenshin asked, although he knew.

"Hai." Aoshi nodded. "It's Sano-chan."

The redhead, at first, had been surprised at this term of endearment coming from Aoshi. Aoshi, of all people, calling Sanosuke, Sano-chan. But, Kenshin nodded proving how used he was with Aoshi and Sanosuke's relationship. "You should understand, Aoshi." he told him for the tenth time that week. "Saitou was Sano's first lover... and Sano was very much in love with..."

"I know that." Aoshi cut-off, annoyed. "But, he is dead now. Sano is mine." he added his voice holding a possessive edge.

Silence lapsed for a while

Kenshin was at a loss. He truly wanted Aoshi and Sano to heal their heartaches together. But how is it possible if Sanosuke continued to hold on to memories of Saitou Hajime?

"If I could..." Aoshi suddenly said. "If it was allowed... I would ask his hand for marriage. I do not want to lose him."

The redhead's eyes widened in surprise. Aoshi and Sano! After a few months of digesting this, Kenshin smiled.

"Tonight, Aoshi." he said

"Tonight?" Aoshi echoed.

Kenshin nodded. He remembered one time when Sanosuke had found a ring inside a fish and Tae had made Kenshin give the ring to Kaoru. And then, came disaster as Kaoru had expected, partly disillusioned by Tae, that Kenshin had meant to marry her . "It's a tradition in western countries." he told Aoshi. "If you give a ring to a woman... then, you are bound together for marriage."

"And Sano-chan knows of this?" Aoshi asked, hope flickering in the green eyes.

Kenshin smiled. "Of course. He was conspiring with Tae."

Aoshi's emerald eyes, so sad before, now sparkled with excitement and pleasure. He smiled, finally, beaming at Kenshin. "A ring... yes, definitely."

 

****************************************

 

Sano was suspicious . Tae and Tsubame whispered and giggled as Aoshi and him had lunch at the Akabeko for free. Then, when Aoshi had left, he decided to go to the dojo but, Kenshin had shooed him out, a secret smile on his lips. Kaoru had warmly given him some pocket money. "for some sake, if you wanna pass the time". And then, Megumi had dragged him shopping "something for Aoshi since he's been so good to you." And, now Yahiko welcomed him back to the dojo, not bothering to answer back his usual "greeting" and looking like his birthday was just around the corner.

"'Sup, kid?" Sano asked as he strolled in and grinned as Dr.Gensai's grandchildren ran to him, shouting merrily.

Yahiko had slipped away and Sano was surprised to see Aoshi already there.

"Hey... where've you been all day?" he demanded.

Aoshi smiled. "I told you... I had business."

"Yeah, yeah." Sano shrugged and went to him. "What's all this fuss about?"

Kenshin was appeared from the doorway. "Sano, you're here." he greeted. "Come on in so we can eat. Megumi cooked dinner for us." he invited and helped the girls up the porch steps and went in with them.

Sano moved to follow and Aoshi touched his arm for attention. "Hunh?"

Aoshi gave him a long, lingering kiss before placing a chaste one on his forehead.

"I have a surprise for you, Sano..."

The roosterhead grinned. "Really?"

Aoshi nodded. "But, it is for later. Right now we will have dinner."

Sano nodded and bussed Aoshi on the lips before walking in. "Okay." he said.

Aoshi took a deep breath to steady his excitement. After composing himself, he followed Sano in, ignoring the burning smell in the air.

 

****************************************

 

Kenshin smiled to himself. The impromptu party was a success. Sano refrained from drinking too much sake. Megumi and Kaoru had their eyes on the male couple and there were no name-calling as the meal progressed. Aoshi had smiled and was the complete opposite of his usual stoic self and Yahiko had behaved like a trained monkey.

Overall, the mood was light and fun, comfortable and easy.

And now, there was expectant excitement in the air as Aoshi nodded at Kenshin.

Kenshin coughed in attention and Sano patted the sleeping girls' blanket before facing them., grinning widely. "'Sup, man?"

"Actually, it's Aoshi who has something to say." he said and Kaoru giggled in the background.

Sano stared at Aoshi suspiciously. "You're not gonna leave, are you?"

Aoshi shook his head, a bit confused.

Sano's grin was back. "Great, but before that. I got sumthin' for you, man." he told him and fished something from his pockets.

"Here. The vendor said it brings good luck." Sano explained and handed him a two small bell with red strings on tiny, silver chains. "You can attach it to that sword o'yours. Really cool." he blabbered on, embarrassed as he realized Aoshi was looking at him with love-filled eyes.

"Thank you." Aoshi said, simply but his eyes said more for later.

"That's okay..." Sano grinned. "Now where's my surprise?"

Aoshi nodded and stood up to kneel in front of him. "Sano-chan..."

Behind him, the paper covered door slid open.

Everybody else froze around him. Ignore it., his brain screamed at him. Sano is mine. Sano is mine.

Chocolate eyes strayed away from him and widened in shock.

"Oh, my God..." Kaoru breathed.

Sano's lower lip trembled. "'J-ji..."

Aoshi gritted his teeth. You bastard!, he wanted to lash out. He's mine! You can't just leave and take and leave and take as you please. He's mine! Mine, mine, mine!

Sano's eyes filled with tears and spilled. "Hajime!" he cried out and flung himself to the man standing by the door.

Kenshin did not know what to do. Megumi was biting her lip, her eyes travelling to and from the couple in the doorway and Aoshi's back. Kaoru had a hand covering her mouth, tears spilling from sad-happy eyes. Yahiko ogled the couple. Dr. Gensai sat there shaking his head. And, Aoshi remained kneeling there, clutching a small box in his hand, the knuckles turning white.

Sanosuke had Saitou in a rib crushing embrace. "You bastard..." he sobbed. "Asshole... psycho... I hate you... Hate you so much, man. So fucking much..."

Saitou, for the first time, reciprocated the hug in a fierce public display of affection. "Shut up, ahou..." he whispered but, his voice had a catch in it and he held Sanosuke so tight the roosterhead could feel his ribs pop.

Though, he didn't mind. He didn't care. As long as his psycho cop was back and was doing the popping.

 

****************************************

 

Saitou tucked the blanket securely under Sano's chin. "Ahou..." he whispered, his amber eyes shining in the dark. He stood up and dressed. He had taken Sanosuke back to their home right away and had ignored Kenshin's protests and had his eyes only on the roosterhead that had led him through a merry chase all over Japan.

He had decided to stay hidden because he was afraid of getting too much into his relationship with Sano which he knows wouldn't last for long. But, a few days had gone by and he keeps catching himself straying towards the dojo or the gambling house or the Akabeko. He was going crazy.

It's the sex., he had tried to convince himself. And decided to move and leave the house he had shared with Sano. Some place where nothing would remind him of chocolate-brown eyes and spiky brown hair.

It failed.

Dreams of a tanned, muscular body writhing underneath him tormented him at night. Thoughts of silky thighs and parted, pouty lips interfered with his work. A happy laugh and teasing quips made him keep looking behind him every morning.

Burning with anger, he decided to face Sanosuke and give him a heavy beating for continuing to torment him with memories. But, the dojo had been deserted and according to some friends, they had left for Kyoto.

Saitou had sagged with relief. If he had faced Sano then. He was sure they'd end up in bed... in the bathtub... on his desk. And they would not be talking.

He decided to follow the rooster head, anyway, suddenly on a burning need to know if he was safe. But, it seemed like wherever he went, Sano manages to leave ahead of him.

Sano's stupidity must've rubbed off him., he had thought with a smirk and went back to Tokyo to wait for the rooster head.

And when he did, he had somebody new. Aoshi Shinomori.

Saitou had wanted to go on a rampage. Kill, kill, kill. His ex-lover and his new lover. He could not explain the pain in his chest and the bile in his throat whenever he sees them both together.

He wanted to beat Sano, shake him until his teeth rattled, grovel and beg to love him again.

And that's when he realized what was holding him back. He loved Sano too much to want to lose him like Sano had lost him when he began believing he was dead.

Now, he did not regret being a coward. Hiding from Sano made him realize it was not the sex. Well, it was partly that but before that comes something Sano has that Saitou could never and would never find on anybody else. His loyalty, his puppy eyes, his dignity (even when sprawled on bed), his fearless heart, his lips, his wit (however miniscule it was), his faith, his love.

His love. He needed Sano's love and not even this sudden visitor in the dead of night can take it away. "No fucking way..." he muttered and walked away from the sleeping Sano.

Aoshi stood out there in the light drizzle. Face haggard but the green eyes were glinting with cold fire.

Saitou stepped out the house. "What is it, Shinomori?"

"I had him..." the words were barely spoken but echoing with rage.

"I should kill you for that." Saitou told him, amber eyes, glinting. "But, I won't... because you kept him safe while I wasn't around."

"You left him..."

"I came back, didn't I." Saitou grunted and took out a stick from the pack on his shirt and lit one. "You're wasting your time, Shinomori. He's not coming back to you. I won't let it."

Aoshi took a step forward and Saitou's eyes narrowed. Aoshi didn't stop until their faces where inches apart.

Amber and green battled for dominance.

"You should have stayed dead, Saitou Hajime." Aoshi hissed, the emerald eyes burning with hate. "Because, now... I will make sure you stay dead."

Amber eyes flared.

"Tomorrow at dusk. By the meadow. I will kill you for Sanosuke." Aoshi finished and walked away.

Saitou nodded at no one and gave a start as he heard something crash inside. With a racing heart, he ran inside. And found the closed windows opened and the bed empty.

"Shinomori..." he growled and grabbed his sword.

 

****************************************

 

"Don't do it, Saitou." Kenshin pleaded as he struggled to keep in pace with the older samurai.

"Fuck off, Battousai." Saitou hissed.

"Aoshi is blinded by love." Kenshin continued. "If you kill him. Sanosuke would never forgive you."

Saitou glared at him. "I will never forgive you for making Aoshi be with Sano in the first place."

Kenshin sighed. He shouldn't have told Saitou about all that. "We thought you were dead."

"Obviously, I'm not." he muttered.

Kenshin sighed again. No matter what he says, it'll be his fault in Saitou's eyes. They both fell silent as they reached the meadow.

Aoshi was already there, staring at the sinking sun that splashed crimson everywhere.

"Shinomori!" Saitou barked. "Where's Sanosuke?"

Aoshi took his time. Facing them before pointing at a tree behind them.

Sanosuke was tied and gagged. Flanked by Aoshi's loyal ninjas. Kuro and Shiro.

Kenshin moved towards Sano.

"Stop right there or we kill him" Kuro said and flicked out a dagger, pointing it at Sano's throat.

"Shinomori..." Saitou growled in anger and unsheathed his sword.

Aoshi took out his favorite weapon and blinked once, his face impassive. "I did tell you I was going to kill you, didn't I?"

Kenshin grabbed Saitou's arm. "Don't do this!"

"Shut up..." Saitou hissed.

"Guys, stay out of this, please." Kenshin called out.

"We do as Aoshi-sama tells us to do." Shiro snapped.

"Saitou..."

"Shut up, Himura!" Saitou growled at him, amber eyes spitting fire.

Sanosuke struggled against his binds. The chocolate eyes wide with fear, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"We'll get you free, Sano. Don't... agh!"

Kenshin fell into a crumpled heap after Saitou had given him a mean punch. "When I tell you to shut up... You. Will. Shut. Up." Saitou grounded out.

Kenshin didn't move.

Aoshi glanced at Kenshin and raised an eyebrow at Saitou. "Losing your cool, Saitou. That's very unlike you."

Saitou glared at him. "Taking what isn't yours, Shinomori. That's very like you." he snapped back but, visibly calming down.

Aoshi's blue eyes turned fierce. "After I've killed you, he'll be mine."

The Wolf of Mibu took his stance. "Try it, Shinomori."

Aoshi glanced at Sano, blinked then looked back at him. "I seemed to have forgotten something, Saitou."

The Wolf did not relax his stance.

Aoshi suddenly smiled. "If you attack me. They will kill Sano."

Saitou froze.

"But, you're not the Wolf of Mibu for nothing." Aoshi continued. "You may be able to kill me but, you wouldn't be fast enough to stop them from killing him. It's a sad night for lovers, don't you think so?"

Saitou slowly, straightened, amber eyes wide with indecision. He turned to look at Sano who shook his head, vehemently, new tears falling from wide, chocolate eyes.

Aoshi stood there, waiting.

Saitou could feel his head pound. Sano, Sano, Sano... his heart screamed. His grip tightened on his nihontou. Sano, Sano, Sano...

Aoshi slowly unsheathed his own kodachi, the blade glinting in the moonlight.

Saitou took one final look at Sanosuke, willing his face to be burned forever in his mind, and dropped his sword.

Aoshi dropped his sword's sheathe... and attacked.

 

****************************************

 

No, you can't leave me again!!!

You bastard!

You don't need to save me. I can take care of myself!

Fight back, old man! What? The years finally catching up with you?

Don't leave me again!!!

Hajime, I love you...!

Sano shut his eyes, tightly, tears seeping from beneath closed lids. He could not look at this! Cannot just stay there while his lover died for real.

There was a muffled thud and he was abruptly released. Sano fell on the ground, whimpering. When he opened his eyes, Aoshi was standing over a fallen Saitou, covered in blood.

"Ha-hajime..."

Aoshi did not move. "Say your goodbyes, Sano, before I kill him."

"You fucked up bastard..." Sano hissed, getting up on wobbly legs. He's not dead! He's still alive! I can still save him.

But, Saitou had other ideas. "Run... along, ahou." he rasped out, a trail of blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Shut u-up, motherfucker..." Sano scolded and pulled Saitou to rest on his lap. "I can f-fight, man..."

"You're wasting time. Get outta here."

Sano stifled a sob. "I c-can't..."

Suddenly, he was hauled to his feet by a pair of strong arms and pushed roughly aside. "It's time to die, Saitou." Aoshi said.

"You fucker!" Sano yelled and swung out his fists. Aoshi, easily, avoided them and Sano soon found himself being held down by Aoshi's ninjas.

"Get outta here, ahou..."

"'Jime..."

"Ah, fuck it, Sano!" Saitou barked. "I'm not dying for you. I'm dying to be rid of you. I'm sick and tired of you following me around like the ahou that you are! I'm sick of you! I'm sick of pretending I feel a measly drop of affection for you! I'd be fucking glad to die now without your snotty face..."

Sano ran.

Saitou stopped, breathing heavily and watched Sano' retreating figure with blank amber eyes.

"I should thank you for that." Aoshi said. "You've made it easier for me."

Saitou turned golden eyes at him. "He'll never love you, Shinomori. You'll never be able to make him love you."

Aoshi's body shook with rage, eyes turning to slits. "Are those your last words?" he asked, gripping his sword.

"No."

"..."

"I love you, Sanosuke."

Aoshi raised his sword and made one, swift thrust.

 

****************************************

 

Sano stumbled as he realized how stupid and gullible he was. Saitou loved him! He knew it from the moment that old, bastard cop wanted them to live together. Those words... those words were meant to make him leave!

Was it too late, now?

Was it too late to save... anything?

Sano curled on his side, sobbing fitfully. "Hajime..." he moaned. "You can't leave me again..."

A twig snapped behind him but Sano refused to move.

Silence.

The roosterhead finally sat up, rubbing aching eyes.

It was Aoshi, staring sadly at him, his clothes stained with Saitou's blood. "He's dead now, Sano..."

Sano could not move, overcome with too much grief, his body felt like lead. Saitou's left me. Saitou's left me...

Fresh tears filled his eyes. He blinked them back and the vision faded. In front of him now stood Saitou Hajime, dirty and bloody. But, he was smirking. "Ahou..."

"Fuck you!" Sano cried out and flung himself at Saitou, grabbing him hard and burying his face on the bloody chest. Oh, my god! He's real, real, real!!! He's here. He's ALIVE!!!

"Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, fuck you..." Sano ranted, sobbing until it became "Love you, love you, love you, love you..."

Saitou hugged him closer and Sano could feel a rib pop. "Ahou..." he murmured, burying his face on the soft, spiky hair.

"Hajime... don't ever leave me again, man. Or I swear I'll kill you." Sano hiccuped, calming down.

Their lips met and crushed. Meeting in hungry, almost carnal need as they devoured one another. Not one willing to breathe and lose the other again.

"W-what happened?" Sano panted when they finally gave up to breathe.

Saitou smirked. "I whooped his ass, what else?'

Sano made a face at Saitou's bloody clothes. "Yeah right, man..."

"I'm sorry." Saitou cutoff, cupping the flushed cheeks with blood stained hands.

The roosterhead bit his lip to stop the tears. "No, man. Don't say..."

Amber eyes bore through his. "I love you, Sanosuke."

Sano's eyes widened in shock then, the tears came again. He leaned up and caught Saitou's lips in a searing kiss.

"Does that mean I'm forgiven?" Saitou grinned.

Sano nodded. "I love you, Hajime. Really, really do. I swear, man."

Saitou suddenly took Sano's hand in his.

"What...?" he gasped as Saitou revealed a shining white-gold ring in front of him. The Wolf of Mibu gently slid it on his ring finger and Sano clearly saw the kanji word for 'ai' engraved on top.

"Saitou..." for the first time in their lives, Sano was speechless.

"It's Aoshi's gift... for us."

"I'm sorry, man. Aoshi... he was there and..." Sano buried his face on Saitou's shoulder.

"I understand..."

"I don't deserve..."

"You do." Saitou cut off gently and held him close, feeling their hearts beating against each other in a steady rhythm. "And you deserve someone who'll turn you into one respectable... uh, wife."

Sano snorted. "I feel like a geisha, man."

"When we move to our new house, you'll feel like a housewife."

Sano stared at him. "A new..."

"The other one's too near the dojo. You know I hate unexpected visitors."

The roosterhead laughed. "Sure. But we'd best get you patched up before you bleed all over the place. Man, look at my shirt. You've got blood on it, too, asshole."

"If you hadn't been stupid enough to get near me, that wouldn't have happened, ahou."

They stared at each other, grinning stupidly.

"I love you, Hajime."

"I love you, Sanosuke."

"You'll never leave me again, right?"

"Well, that depends..."

"What?"

"I mean, if your sexual activities don't kill me first then, the answer's a yes."

Sano's chuckle rang out into the night.

 

****************************************

 

Saitou dimly heard bells ringing as he welcomed death.

The ringing echoed in the stillness and he blinked his eyes open.

Aoshi was slumped over his sword, a few inches from Saitou's face and his body was raked with sobs. "Damn you, damn you, damn you..."

Saitou took a deep breath. "What's the matter Aoshi? Kenshin rubbing off on you...?"

"Shut up." he said, straightening suddenly tired. Saitou realized Aoshi was staring at a chain with red strings and two tiny bells attached to the hilt of his sword.

Suddenly, Aoshi stood up and threw something small at Saitou. "Make him happy." he warned. "Or else I'll come back and really finish you off."

Saitou had sat up, opening and staring confused at the box. "What's this?"

Aoshi resheathed his sword. "A gift."

"For what?"

"For not hating me."

"..."

Aoshi was ready to leave. "Keep him happy, Saitou. I'll know when he's suffering..."

"Yeah, yeah..." Saitou waved a hand.

Aoshi glared at him.

"Thanks." Saitou suddenly said, standing up.

Aoshi frowned. "For what?"

Saitou sighed. "Now I know it's true."

"What is?"

"That I can die for Sano and I wouldn't care one bit that someone else would replace me to take care of him."

"Now, you're being melodramatic."

Saitou snorted. "Aren't you, too?"

Aoshi grunted, his face impassive again. "Remember what I said, Saitou."

"Sure."

"I meant that."

"And I meant what I said, too."

Aoshi paused, thinking then glanced at the ring on Saitou's hand. "You know what's that for?"

Saitou's golden eyes flickered. "When I give this to him, I will not disappoint you."

Aoshi's shoulders sagged suddenly. "I know. Now get the hell away from me before I changed my mind."

 

****************************************

 

"Oro..."

Kenshin, groggily, got up from the ground. "W-where am I..?"

 

OWARI

090203

 

Dee: Sorry, man. Couldn't resist, nyehehe.

Cienne: This was supposed to be drama, onii-chan!

 

To Baby-C’s Page | Back to home | Mail Cienne