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Sagara: Rebel in Willow Falls - Act 2

by starshifter ::: 20.Jul.2003

Rebel in Willow Falls Act 2.1

~~Fall 1943~~

Sanosuke Sagara, fourteen-years- old sat stiffly in a chair against the wall. His brother Yahiko, barely six- had fallen asleep on a small bench across from him- his small breaths rhythmically breaking the otherwise stuffy silence. Sano had already looked around the cramped room twice- and had seen nothing interesting. He gazed back at the door opposite him. On the glass pane were words in white block print.

DISTRICT OF WILLOW FALLS, J. HORTON, JUDGE

Sanosuke was not impressed.

         ~‘You'll never know just how much I miss you~

        ~You'll never know just how much I care~

        ~And if I tried, I still couldn't hide my love for you~

        ~You ought to know, for haven't I told you so~

        ~A million or more times?’~

‘Why is Yahiko, here? Why am I here?’ He questioned.

He blinked.

They brought us here - after -

        -after-

It hit him with force then - the rush in his ears - sounding like a train when you were standing to close to the tracks. His hands flew to his face and he muffled a cry.

        -that’s right -

        -he remembered now-

They had been at a funeral this afternoon. Sano had gone through it in a stupor. He didn’t cry - he couldn’t. He had long since cut off his emotions as a defense. He’d been in and out of shock since - since that night-

        ~‘You went away and my heart went with you~

        ~I speak your name in my every prayer~

        ~If there is some other way to prove that I love you~

        ~I swear I don't know how~

        ~You'll never know if you don't know now’~

His mother was dead.

Sano choked down another muffled cry - surprised suddenly -to find that his cheeks were wet - that his hands and the sleeves of his suit were soaked. He was crying- finally.

His body shook with the force of his grief.

The door to the office swung open and Sano’s hands fell limply to his side- he couldn’t bring his eyes to meet the people standing there - he looked dimly at their feet instead.

        ~‘You went away and my heart went with you~

        ~I speak your name in my every prayer’~

“Sanosuke- we are very sorry at your loss.”

“We have come to a decision regarding you and your brother- in these most unhappy times - we feel it is best for you to go to Smithville.”

Sanosuke barely registered the words - he was concentrating on the man’s shiny black shoes.

“There is a very good boy’s center there where you can stay.” “We are going to let Yahiko stay with Dr. Gensai’s family for a time.”

Sano heard this - he struggled to understand.

‘What?!’ ‘We aren’t going to be together?’

He choked out a response - simplistic, but it was enough.

“But…”

“My…”

“My father…”

“Yes- we know - Sano - and once he returns from active duty - he will be able to pick you two up.”

“These arrangements are only temporary - you two need proper looking after - until he does return.” “This is the best solution.” “This is for the best.”

        ~‘If there is some other way to prove that I love you~

        ~I swear I don't know how’~

Sano’s hand clenched into a fist at his side. This was wrong. He wasn’t going to be with Yahiko - he was being sent to Smithville - to a juvenile center!

        ~‘You'll never know if you don't know now’~

The man had not stopped talking. Sano struggled to keep his composure and listen.

“Ms. Fuyutsuki will take you and Yahiko home- pack up what you need - and say your goodbyes - Sano - you are leaving tonight.”

        ~‘You'll never know if you don't know now.’~

* Song details are below! ^_^

Rebel in Willow Falls Act 2.2

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

(present day -1947)

Ms. Tsubasa looked up in surprise as a young man and boy walked into her office - normally she wouldn’t be- it was just that she had heard the rumors - and she knew exactly who they were.

Sano saw the look in her eyes - a mix of fear and confusion. He tried to ignore it and instructed Yahiko to sit in one of the chairs against the wall. His movements were so fluid - his hips swaying- and his feet not fighting the ground.

Tsubasa barely blinked - and before she knew it - he was towering above the partition in front of her desk.

She found herself overwhelmed by his muddy brown eyes- and was startled to find how close he actually was to her - she blinked again.

Sano pulled back and smiled.

“I am here to enroll Yahiko in grade school.”

“Huh?” She snapped back into reality.

She glanced over at the boy sitting in the chair - his legs dangling off the ground - his body slightly slouched.

“Oh, Yes - of c-course.”

She pulled some forms out of her desk and placed them on a clipboard, handing it to Sano.

“Fill this out - include all residence, birth certificate, and contact information.”

“We’ll also need proof of a physical examination that was given in the last year - and all pertinent medical information.”

“Thanks” Sano nodded and turned to return to the chairs.

He sat there - diligently filling out the paperwork - his hand and pen fusing as one- and barely making a sound as they made contact with the paper.

Tsubasa glanced over and studied Sano occasionally - today he was wearing black slacks and a white long sleeved dress shirt with a black tie and black dress shoes.

If anybody had asked her -she would have said he looked very proper - except for one thing. There was one thing she found - well - unruly about him. His hair was the normal short cropped cut in the back - like that of the military cuts of the enlisted men - and even of some the local business men. But- what drew her attention was the mop of messy brown hair in the front - a few strands falling into his eyes - the dark color of his hair framing his face. It was a hairstyle like that of a - rebellious teenager.

He stood up and handed the paperwork back to her - she looked it over and nodded.

“He can start here tomorrow - last morning bell rings at eight fifteen.”

Sano grinned and said his thanks - returning to jab Yahiko in the arm - as he headed back out the door.

Tsubasa watched them as they left the office.

Sano and Yahiko walked down the street - and headed for the center of town.

Yahiko concentrated on imitating Sano’s walk - but it seemed that no matter how hard he tried, he was always falling behind - and then running to catch up again. Sano’s gait was easy, natural and flowing.

Yahiko had yet to find his own.

Suddenly, Sano stopped and looked up and to his right-

Yahiko had to apply his brakes, to avoid colliding with his brother -

and followed Sano’s gaze.

Sano’s attention was centered on a shop- an auto repair shop and gas station -it looked to be a prosperous and maintained place of business.

Sano shifted from one leg to another - as if sizing up the place - and the extent of his desire to go inside. Yahiko waited patiently - all he really cared about was being on the move again. Eventually, Sano did decide - and he turned towards the station.

When they arrived, he glanced towards the man behind the register - and he opened his hand. Yahiko picked the coin from his palm- in the process observing- how small his hand was when compared to his older sibling.

Sano looked down at him. “Get a drink and wait out here- I’ll only be a minute.”

Yahiko gave a lazy nod as his brother went inside the auto repair garage- he bought his drink and leaned against the station wall- watching what was going on around him with a hazy kind of detachment.

Sano was only gone a few minutes - and when he returned he had a satisfied look on his face. He bought a soda for himself and leaned against the wall next to Yahiko.

“I’ll be working- evenings and weekends to start- you can stay here with me after school if you want.”

Yahiko didn’t say anything for awhile- he drained the contents of his bottle- and then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

He then turned to face his brother - his face flushing in frustration.

“I though you said that you wouldn’t work - that you’d train for your match against Shishio - you were going to train and grow stronger!!!” “A job will just keep you too busy to train!!”

Sano’s eyes sparkled and he gripped his brother’s shoulder firmly. “You aren’t going to like this, Yahiko - but I might have to enroll in the high school too - to keep up appearances - and to please Dr. Gensai.”

“No!” Yahiko struggled against the iron grip “Then you really will be outta shape - and you’ll get creamed!!” “I hate you- you are l-letting me d-down a-again!!”

Yahiko kicked his brother in the shin and dashed away.

Sano sighed wearily and brushed his bangs back from his face.

“Yahiko.”

He put his hands in his pockets and walked after his brother- he caught up with him at the corner- he was staring through the window of a café- watching the bustle with a detached look. Sano glanced at him for a second- and then leaned against the wall next to him- his gaze coming to rest at his feet.

“I am going to train Yahiko- as hard as I ever have - I promised you didn’t I?” “I promised you - we’d get Katsu and head up for the match together- I’ll keep my word.”

“You have to understand - I have to work and go to school-there’s no way around it-but I’ll train every free minute-even in my sleep!”

“Besides,” Sano crossed his arms and became serious, “I vaguely remember someone saying that they would be working out my regimen- that they had been studying the moves of the other fighters - and knew exactly what to do.” “ Is that someone now shirking the duties of manager?”

Sano looked out the corner of his eye and was satisfied. Yahiko was now flushing with embarrassment instead of anger - because Sano had reminded him - that he had been the one to say all those things. Sano patted his brother on his back - “Come on, we promised Dr. Gensai we would stop by and see him and Tsubame.” Yahiko flushed and turned around- meekly starting his old game again- struggling to keep up with the long easy strides of his brother.

It was when they reached an intersection- to turn a corner - in order to head down the main street- that something impeded their otherwise steady progress.

Standing in front of them - was a dark haired teen with a well-stocked physique and piercing black eyes.