Disclamer: don’t own RK

It had been a great night so far for Sanosuke Sagara and seemed to be getting better and better. He had won a few rounds of dice against his friends and had an especially good meal at the Akebeko. All in all things were sure looking up for the former gangster known as Zanza, but things was about to get interesting. It was late that night and there was a half moon, as Sano headed home. Not much was on his mind except a nice saka buzz and thoughts of sleep. Jerking up his head, he threw himself to the right as a large knife flew past him and imbedded in the wall. Looking around he noticed several ruff looking guys standing a few feet ahead.

Smiling slightly Sano cocked his head to the side and said, "Well if you are looking for fight then here I am. I don’t particular like being used as target practice so I guess I will have to teach you guys a lesson."

Tossing his head slightly Sano narrowed his light brown eyes and smiled evil like. The wind blew the red tails of his bandana back and his white shirt showing the symbol for bad. The ruffians surrounded him and the fight began. Lunging to the left Sano punched, kicked, and basically stomped the men into the ground. All except one who leaned up against the wall nearby and was mostly hidden by the shadows.

"Well I guess that take cares of all the ruffians and now it just leaves you and me."

The man stepped out of the shadows and turned to face Sanosuke. He was tall and very well built, with long black hair and cold blue eyes.

"Well well Sanosuke Sagara you are an extremely good opponent but I am afraid that I will have to defeat you."

"Bold words there for someone who hid in the shadows while his buddies here got their asses kicked. Come on show me what you got!"

Threading his fingers threw his hair the man smiled and then charged Sano suddenly. Jumping back Sano missed getting punched in the face but not the foot in the gut. Sliding back a few feet Sano looked at his opponent and smiled.

"Well I see that you are a lot stronger then this here wimps are and I am going to enjoy beating you."

The fight began in earnest with both sides taking blow after blow and neither of them admitting defeat. It probably would have continued for a few more hours if a young lady had not interrupted them.

"Um excuse me, but what are you two guys doing at this time of night?"

Startled the two men stopped fighting to look at the girl and then at each other. Sheepish grins appeared on their faces and the two spokes at once.

"Oh nothing."

"We were just um wrestling."

The girl looked at them skeptically and looked at the unconscious men as well. Teardrops appeared by Sano and the other guy’s head.

"Yea whatever well see ya!"

And with that the girl strolled right on past them and into the night. The two men looked at each other and let out sighs of relief.

"Well should we continue the fight or postpone it for another day?" the man asked.

"Lets do it another day, since we might get interrupted again. Oh I don’t know your name?"

"Its Eso Hitomo."

Walking up to Sano, Eso did something that shocked him. Stepping up close Eso leaned forward and kissed Sano full on the lips.

"Until we meet again Sano-san." whispered Eso.

And with that Eso turned around and disappeared leaving behind a very shocked Sano.

"Shit! What was that for?"

And shaking his head confused like Sano headed toward the Ruffian Row and home.

Watching him leave a sinister smile appeared on Eso Hitomo’s face. Chuckling quietly he said quietly, "I will have you as mine Sanosuke Sagara."

The next day at the Kamiya Dojo Sano was telling the whole story to Kenshin, but decided to leave out the kiss. For some reason he had felt strange when Eso had done that and did not want his best friend to know this yet.

"Well Sano, I am just as puzzled as you, that I am."

"Hai, none of this makes any kind of sense at all."

Leaning up against one of the wooden beams he watched as Kenshin finished off washing the laundry. Standing up Kenshin turned and beamed one of his cheerful smiles at Sano. The sun appeared suddenly and surrounded the Rurouni in a pale yellow light. His red hair lit up like a halo around his face and seemed to be on fire. Catching his breath Sano felt his heart stop then pick up speed again. For a moment a strange feeling washed over him and it confused him slightly.

Am I attracted to Kenshin? Sano wondered. No I am just confused by that strange guy Eso for kissing me is all. It’s just my imagination that’s all, besides he has Jo-chan and I don’t think he is interested in me in that way. Hell why am I thinking theses things?

Kenshin saw the strange look that appeared on Sano’s face but could not tell what it was. Deciding to ask he said, "Is something wrong?"

Jumping slightly Sano blushed and shook his head and said, "Nothing is wrong Kenshin. I just was um thinking of something is all."

Kenshin looked at him suspiciously and was about to reply when he heard a shout. Turning the two men looked and saw Yahiko running away for Kouro.

"Yahiko come back here!" The enraged Kouro shouted. "I am going to teach you a lesson you will never for get!"

Yahiko picked up speed with Kouro right on his heels. Kenshin and Sano just looked at each other and shook their heads. It was not until much later that Kenshin remembered that Sano still had not told him why he had looked at him so weird like. Shrugging his shoulders he put that aside and began to think about the guy Eso who had attacked Sano early and for what reason.

Meanwhile Sano was sitting at the Akebeko eating or trying to at any rate. He was confused about his feelings for Kenshin and why he never noticed them before. Perhaps if Eso had never appeared and kissed him he would never have realized it.

"Shit!"

"Is something the matter Sano-san?"

Looking up he felt a blush appear as Tae looked at him weirdly.

"Oh ahem nothing is wrong and the food is delicious as usual."

Grabbing his chopsticks he began to eat ravenously, while Tae just shook her head and moved on to the next customer. Sighing in relief Sano put down his chopsticks and took a drink of saka.

"Hello Sano-san." Someone whispered.

Spitting out his saka, Sano looked up and saw Eso looking down at him. Letting out a slight gulp Sano looked up at Eso and saw something he was not sure he wanted to see.

"Uh Eso, what are you doing here?" Sano said.

"Why I have come to see if you will take a walk with me Sano-san. And to talk to you about something as well."

Shit how am I going to get out of this now? Sano thought. He was startled when Eso leaned down and grasped his hand.

"Come come Sano-san lets get going!"

Pulling Sano to his feet he hustled him out the door and into the street away from town.

"Hey wait, you forgot to pay your bill again!" yelled Tae.

But the two men did not hear her or probably ignored her since they seemed to be picking up speed when she said that.

They stopped near a small stream that was just outside of town and was deserted. The sun was setting and the sky was turning different shades of reds and oranges.

"Okay Eso why have you brought me all the way out here?"

"Why to kiss you of course Sano, away from everyone else."

"Nani..i?"

Eso embraced the shocked Sano and kissed him. Sano felt a strange emotion, but all he could think of was Kenshin. Pushing away from Eso he hunched his shoulders and turned away.

"What’s wrong Sano-san?"

"I don’t want you to kiss me anymore alright!" Sano exclaimed. "I don’t like you in that way and I don’t want to see you again."

"Nani? But why? I know you enjoyed the kiss we shared before otherwise you would not be here now."

Sano turned and looked at Eso who was smiling at him coyly. Shaking his head he began to walk away but stopped when he heard a loud click.

"If I can’t have you then neither can your bastard Rurouni either!"

"Nani?"

Turning his head Sano saw the gun pointed square at him and Eso looked dead set on killing him.

"I know you care for that bastard Rurouni for you see I have been watching you for quiet sometime Sanosuke Sagara. Ever since you quit being Zanza and starting hanging around the Kamiya Dojo and Kenshin Himura. I would have made my move sooner if I knew that you had started to feel something for Himura."

Shit! I have to figure out how to get that gun away from him but how? Sano wondered. There is away but am I prepared to do it?

Gulping down nausea Sano smiled seductive like and slowly walked over to Eso.

"Eso I don’t like Kenshin in that way to tell the truth. I like you but was afraid, because you were coming on so strong." Sano said.

"Is that true Sano?"

"Yes I would never lie to you."

Leaning forward Sano kissed Eso and when he felt him slacken slightly reached out and grabbed the gun. They began to tussle, but Sano got the gun and threw it into the stream.

"Bastard you will pay for that."

Grinning slightly Sano punched Eso in the face and then threw him into a tree. Eso fell to the ground and started to rise but Sano jumped him. After a few rounds of Sano’s fists Eso fell and did not rise again.

Hmm if I knew the bastard would be so easy to beat I would have finished our fight the other day then. Thought Sano.

Carrying him back into town Sano left Eso outside the police station with his gun and decided to go and see Kenshin.

Kenshin was sitting outside the Dojo when Sano came into the yard.

"Sano what brings you here at this time of night?"

Smiling slightly Sano walked over and stood looking down at Kenshin. Sano grabbed a fistful of Kenshin’s clothes and leaning down he kissed him. Kenshin eyes grew wide and shocked at this. Letting go of him Sano just smiled sweetly and turning around began to walk away.

"Oro?!?! S..Sano, what was that for?" stuttered Kenshin.

"Just felt like kissing you is all."

And with that Sano left the Dojo and went home. Leaving a very confused Kenshin Himura behind.

Kenshin kept thinking about what Sano had said a few days later. The rurouni was totally confused about the kiss and Sano as well. He couldn’t figure out why Sano had kissed him, but what was even more confusing was that he enjoyed it.

"Kenshin?"

"Hey Kenshin!"

"Oroo?"

Turning around he saw a very enraged Kouro looking down at him. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he pasted a cheerful grin on his face and said, "What can I do for you Kouro-dono?"

"Kenshin no baka, I have been calling you for the last few minutes. I need you to go into town and bring back some tofu."

"Gomen. Gomen. Alright Kouro-dono I will go into town and get the tofu." He said cheerfully.

Taking the wooden bucket he turned and was about to leave when Kouro asked, "Kenshin is anything the matter? You seem so lost in thought lately and it’s not like you."

"Oh nothing is the matter Kouro-dono, just thinking of ways to um beat Sano at Dice."

"Nani?!?!" shouted Kouro.

And with that Kenshin took off as an enraged Kouro shouted out some choice words about Sano and gambling.

Entering town Kenshin strolled down the street and noticed that it was getting slightly cooler theses days, especially before sunset. Summer was almost gone and autumn was coming soon. Pulling his Kimono slightly closer Kenshin continued down the road and headed towards the store. After buying some tofu, Kenshin was heading back to the dojo when two hands settled on his shoulders.

"Hey Kenshin." said a husky voice.

"Ororo." Let out a startled Kenshin and he almost dropped the tofu if Sano had not made a grab for it. Both there hands settled around the wooden bowl and Kenshin realized that Sano had his arms around him. Shock radiated through his body and a strange longing as well. Stepping quickly away he turned and looked up at Sano who he had not seen in a few days. Sano brown eyes were fixed squarely on him and he seemed to be regarding him rather intently. Looking up at him Kenshin felt a slight blush appear on his face and felt rather tense.

"Hi Sano and what have you been up too? asked a slightly cheerful Kenshin. We have not seen you at the dojo in a few days, that we have not."

"Oh nothing much Kenshin, just been busy is all. I have had a lot on my mind to think about."

Inhaling sharply at the longing he saw in Sano’s eyes Kenshin took a step back and noticed that know one else was on the road. He noticed that Sano seemed to be getting closer and he could feel his body heat.

"Uh Sano I.." he was about to say when Sano grasped Kenshin’s chin and tilted his head up. Almost drowning in the look he saw, Kenshin let out a slight gasp as Sano’s lips settled on his. The kiss was gentle and more of an exploration then passion. Kenshin felt like he was drowning and felt himself become boneless dropping the tofu on their feet in the process.

"Ororoo!"

"Ouch Kenshin!"

"Gomen. Gomen." replied a sheepish Kenshin.

Looking down at the poor soggy tofu and their very wet feet the two friends started to laugh.

"Its okay Kenshin, chuckled Sano, but um what are you going to tell Jo-chan?"

"Ororoo. Oh no she is going to kill me." replied Kenshin. "And it will be all your fault if she does."

Sano looked slightly sheepish at that and replied, "Well the only thing to do is to go back and buy some more tofu."

Sighing slightly in relief the two friends headed back into town to buy the tofu and return to the dojo. But all the while the feelings that had been stirred by their kiss still lingered in their minds.

Sano had been slightly shocked to run into Kenshin in town that evening. But what had shocked him even more was when he had kissed Kenshin and had gotten a response back. He had been avoiding going to the dojo the last few days in order to sort his feelings for Kenshin but to no avail. Sano still did not know what he felt but he knew that he truly cared for the rurouni, but was unsure of Kenshin though.

Later that night he was sitting next to Yahiko and watching poor Kenshin get fought over by the foxy-lady and Jo-chan.

"Ken-san you like me better then Kouro-chan right?"

"Nani?? Megumi-dono Kenshin likes me more don’t you?"

"Orororo?" replied poor Kenshin.

The two women had evil grins on their faces and poor Kenshin was stuck in the middle. Shaking his head slightly Sano took a drink of Saka and watched the women argue back and forth for hours. Yahiko sure didn’t help by making rude comments and got knocked out by both women for his troubles. Finally after the two women had tired themselves out from to much saka and arguing Sano decided it was time to leave. Stepping out onto of the dojo he was about to leave when he heard his name. Turning around he saw Kenshin standing in the doorway, but could not see he face because of the light behind him.

"Are you headed home then Sano?" Kenshin asked quietly.

"Yea."

The two were quiet for a moment and then Kenshin stepped out of the Dojo and stood next to Sano. Sano watched him from the corner of his eyes but said nothing. He wondered what Kenshin was going to say to him and decided to wait and see. Turning to look at him Sano eyes connected with Kenshin’s violet ones and he gasped at what he saw.

Kenshin had been slightly hesitant about following Sano outside the dojo, but he needed to know what Sano wanted from him. Turning to look up at him he was about to say something when Sano’s brown eyes connected with his. He felt slightly startled when he saw the passion there and something more, but it was masked when Sano closed his eyes. Swallowing hard Kenshin stepped up close to Sano and slid his arms around his neck. Tugging slightly he pulled a surprised Sano head down and kissed him. Passion arced between them and they both let out soft groans of pleasure. Sano’s arms slid around Kenshin’s waist and he was pulled closer.

Breaking the kiss off for air Sano gazed down at Kenshin and asked, "Why?"

"Because Sano, I wanted to kiss you again." replied Kenshin quietly.

"Then that is all I need to know for now." Replied a grinning Sano. "But ya know I just won’t settle for one kiss."

"Oro?"

And with that Sano pulled Kenshin closer to him and kissed him deeply. Luckily for them they soon broke off their kiss because Yahiko appeared. The boy had a big lump on his head and seemed to be making a fast retreat.

A few moments later a very angry Kouro and Megumi appeared and they both screamed, "Yahiko I am going to kill you!"

Sano began to laugh as Megumi and Kouro caught poor Yahiko and began to beat him to a pulp while Kenshin ran over to try and stop them. Eventually the two women turned their attention to Kenshin and Yahiko twitched feebly on the ground.

Its going to be a long night, that it is. Thought Kenshin, as he was be yelled at by Megumi and Kouro for not paying attention. He turned and looked at Sano who was poking at a still twitching Yahiko. Smiling slightly he met Sano’s warm brown eyes and felt very happy.

**