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Sagara: Rebel in Willow Falls - Act 5

by starshifter ::: 29.Sep.2003

Sagara: Rebel in Willow Falls *Act 5.1*

Early 1942

"Sano, where did you go today?"

"The yards."

"Did you visit father?"

"No."

"Sano..."

Later that evening...

Through the cracks in the floorboards Sano could see his father pacing and his mother wringing her hands, looking on. Sano's mother was a frail fair skinned woman with curly black hair and deep brown eyes. If he hadn't seen a picture in a magazine - or been influenced by the Christmas angel ornaments hanging on the trees at Christmas- he would have sworn she was an angel. It pained him to lie, worry or even disobey her - because despite his rebellious nature, he loved her with all his heart. He would do anything for her- he would give anything for her. Sano loved his mother and her forgiving ways - especially since his father did not tolerate his behavior. Sano was tolerant of his father's abuse - because Sano had a strange threshold for pain. Sano respected his father immensely however, but he could never understand why he didn't treat Sano like a man. Sano never heard a word of praise come from the man's lips - although he gave plenty of advice. Sano felt weak and pathetic in his father's shadow. He joined a group of "hooligans" as his father called them in '42. Sometimes he didn't come home at night - and he got an earful and red hide the next morning. Sometimes, he was involved in some not so "legal" activities - but everyone looked the other way. Sano's father didn't though - and he wanted to kick him out of the house. Sano's mother held her ground against his father on this point - and always let him come back.

There were many scenes like this in Sano's teenage years.

Then Sano's father was drafted. Sano was so proud he was fit to burst. But, that all deflated when his father looked him in the eye and said, "If I hear you have given your mother more grief Sano - I will send you to the juvenile center once I return."

Sano glared at the back of the man he respected - feared and hated - and yet also loved, and made a childish wish that he wouldn't return.

He didn't.

**

Looking back that night as he drove himself and Yahiko home after work - he wondered if he could have changed himself back then - if he could have changed - could he have prevented her death? Would he have heard words of praise from his father's lips? A solitary tear trickled down his face as he parked his car - now he would never know.

** Act 5.2**

Our present. 1947.

Megumi Takani believed in her abilities. She also believed that anything her brothers - or any man for that matter- could do - she could do as well. That was why she studied hard, strove to maintain her average- and placed Kenshin Himura on a pedestal- she was determined to become everything he embodied. He was the perfect example of a successful rich American boy to her middle-class mind.

Yet, Megumi had common sense - and as much as she believed in furthering herself and turning things to her advantage - she realized the importance of having friends, preserving their dignity and privacy and stressing her loyalty and secrecy. That was why - she was suddenly at odds with herself.

Megumi had found herself in the library after her encounter with Aoshi and Sano. She asked the librarian about any events regarding a Sanosuke Sagara in the past - and was rewarded with a comment of 'such a sad affair' and after a few minutes - a copy of the Willow Times Review was placed in front of her.

On the front page - right column -was a brief description of the events of a night in the fall of 1943.

"------- evening, Mrs. L---- Sagara was found shot to death in her home. Suspects involved in her murder have been apprehended and will be kept in the Willow Falls jail until the investigation has been completed. Anyone with information regarding the shooting or the activities of the R&K Distributing Company are encouraged to come forward. Mrs. Sagara leaves behind two sons - Sanosuke 14 and Yahiko 6. Mr. S. Sagara was called into active duty and is not expected to return for the funeral. Aid in support of the family can be left in care of Dr. --- Gensai. "

Megumi's hands trembled as she had put down the article - so many questions were not answered by the brief print and she felt compelled to find the librarian and ask her questions - or to start flipping through the next issues of the paper in a flurry. However- Megumi did neither-for as much as she wanted to know - to learn the details of that night, she felt uncomfortable - like she was trespassing in a graveyard. She knew that any information she got would be spotty and the truth slightly twisted. She pushed back in her chair and returned the article to the librarian. She would sleep on it - perhaps a better and more discreet solution for finding out would come to her - like perhaps going to talk with Dr. Gensai.

As she laid her head on the pillow that night - it continued to plague her - and she wondered if she should tell Kenshin. Another matter bothering her was the strange attitude of Aoshi- she was surprised that she had grown irritated enough to step in - but it had been like watching children fighting.

In her mind's eye she saw Sano uncurling his body - would he - could he- possibly have struck or even killed Aoshi? Megumi tossed and turned in her bed. It did no good to think of it! She had to go to sleep!

*** Act 5.3**

The next day - true to his word- Sano was in front of Saitou's office at exactly 8:15. The man stuck his head outside and grunted. "Get to class" Sano meekly obeyed.

Ms. Shura had nothing to say when he walked into the classroom, so Sano decided she and Saitou had a little agreement.

He gave a grin at Kenshin - who had happened to be trying to make eye contact - and took his seat behind Megumi.

He didn't notice as Megumi seemed to let go a breath that she had been holding.

**

"So you moved back after living in Los Angeles?"

"Yeah" Sano bit into his sandwich and nodded at the same time.

"It must be nice there." sighed Kaoru.

"It was okay." Sano shrugged. "But, I missed the old house here somewhat - and I wanted to see Dr. Gensai again."

Kenshin smiled and nodded. "Dr. Gensai's a great Doctor - and a very good man."

"You don't have to tell me twice." agreed Sano.

There was a stiff silence in the air - But only Kenshin noticed that Megumi was really uncomfortable- more so in fact than the rest of them.

Sano unwrapped a piece of pie and everyone looked at it hungrily.

"Oh, did your mother make that?"

Sano's face went stony. Kaoru blushed at her rudeness and Megumi choked on her sandwich.

Kenshin looked confusedly between all three of them- and Sano was the first to speak.

Very grimly he replied- "No, I made it."

"You did!? But, it looks delicious Sanosuke!" Kaoru exclaimed.

There was a pregnant pause and then they were all astonished when Sano pushed the dessert towards her. He looked pale and sickly - and Kenshin felt rather than knew that something was very wrong.

"Kaoru, please eat it for me- I suddenly remembered I have to go see Saitou about something."

Kaoru looked hesitant.

"But, Sano.."

Sano flashed a sweet smile as he got up from his chair. "It would be a shame if it went to waste."

Kaoru nodded and with that done - Sano walked away.

Kenshin's eyes narrowed as he watched the boy round the corner of the cafeteria. He then glanced at Megumi, only to find that she was staring straight ahead solemnly and would not return his glance.

Kaoru dug into the pie with gusto, smacking her lips and eyes widening.

"It's really good. I mean it's REALLY good! Kenshin you've got to try it!"

Kenshin opened his mouth to protest, only to find a fork promptly stuffed into his mouth.

"ORO!" He cried out as Kaoru continued to force the fork and rich creamy bite down his throat.

Kaoru giggled as she withdrew the fork and jabbed at a few crumbs. "Mmm, delicious! Isn't it just marvelous? To think he has such a talent for cooking! If I were his mother, I would make him cook for me all the time!"

'I am sure you would, because you are so inept in the kitchen' Kenshin Himura thought absently as tried to regain his composure and wiped his watering eyes. He could almost swear that his mouth was bleeding as he dabbed it with a napkin.

"Why, Megumi!" Kaoru suddenly exclaimed.

Kenshin jerked his head up to see Megumi violently push her chair back, her palms pressed into the table to support herself.

Kenshin met her eyes and was surprised at the uncertainty he saw there.

"Kenshin, can I talk to you alone for a moment?

"What?" questioned Kaoru instead. But, she wasn't really paying either one of them any attention.

Megumi's face looked pained and she silently pleaded with Kenshin to get up and follow her.

He nodded and handed Kaoru one of the custards still left from his lunch. "Kaoru I can't finish this, would you mind?

Kaoru's eyes widened and she nodded eagerly as she reached for the inviting morsel.

"Of course!" "Mmmmm."

Kenshin got up and followed Megumi to a secluded corner.

"What's going on Megumi?"

"Kenshin. Megumi started hesitantly "it's about Sanosuke."

"What?"

"His mother is dead; she was shot in their home four years ago."

Kenshin's eyes widened, "No!"

"Kenshin, I didn't know if I should tell anyone.I found out by going to library."

"Does he know you found out?"

She shook her head.

Kenshin looked grim. "Then we won't bring it up, obviously he's not over it - you didn't tell anyone else?"

"No, Kenshin."

"Act like you don't know - and don't tell anyone else - come on we need to get back to Kaoru."

**

The three eventually made their way back to the classroom, only to find Sano was not there waiting for them. Kenshin couldn't recall when he had been so anxious before. It was exactly at the ring of the bell that everyone looked up to see Sano enter and stalk to his seat.

Kenshin caught a flash of red out of the corner of his eye - but when he looked again he could see nothing out of place.

It was Kaoru who leaned towards him and whispered, "Kenshin, look at his hands- they are all bloody!"

Kenshin didn't hesitate as he turned around fully in his seat to stare at Sanosuke's hands which were covered loosely in wrappings - blood soaked and dripping. Kenshin felt a slight chill run along his spine as he met Sano's eyes- because they were dark and soulless.

Ms. Shura then squeaked in alarm as she noticed the blood trail into the room - and then Sano's sloppy bandages.

Kenshin took charge instantly, assuring the teacher that he would escort Sano to the Nurses Station immediately - and so saying he promptly guided his new friend from his chair and out the door.

He watched as the nurse skillfully bandaged what Kenshin could now discern as raw and bleeding knuckles. Sano was still out of it, staring listlessly at the wall - he had not spoken since they had arrived.

Once Sano had been cleaned and bandaged, Kenshin guided him back out into the hall- but he was reluctant to go back to class. More that anything, Kenshin wanted to take his friend somewhere and talk to him about his past. But, Kenshin never got the chance because suddenly Saitou was standing over them and Sano broke from his reverie and hissed viciously. Kenshin soon found himself being directed to return to his classroom- as he watched Sano disappear into Saitou's office.

**

"What we have here is an issue of trust"

"I trust people fine."

"Sano" sighed Saitou "I am only trying to help you, I am not your enemy."

"What's with the 20 questions then?"

"They help in their way."

"Humph"

"Talking to me will help a lot more than pounding your fists into my school walls."

"I don't see how."

"You may be a man Sano, but you have a few failings that can still cost you plenty."

"Like what?"

"You tell me."

"I am NOT giving you the satisfaction!" Sano growled.

"Mr. Sagara!"

With that, Saitou had commanded Sano to shut up, and the young man slowly sat down and silently regarded the principal.

"Do not raise your voice to me. Need I remind you I am still the assistant principal and can have you expelled at a moments notice? I will not tolerate this behavior from you- because I believe you are better than this."

Sano looked startled.

"Now that I have your full attention- I will tell you the reason for my interference in your life. I said before that I served with your father - even before that, we were not strangers. I talked to him occasionally at the yards - and even then he talked to me about you."

"He loved you Sano- he said he could never be as proud of anyone as he was of you."

Sano's eyes widened.

"He gave me some of his personal effects before he was killed." "He told me to look after you guys if he didn't return home. Imagine my surprise to find out that you two had left and the reasons why!" Sano looked down at his feet as Saitou said this - he couldn't meet the other man's eyes, he didn't want to see the disappointment lurking there.

"But that's in the past and over and done." Saitou sighed.

If Sano had looked -he would have seen nothing but compassion coming from the older man.

"Sano, now that I have you and Yahiko in my sights - I am not letting you go again. I am going to make you into a fine adult - even if it kills you."

Sano jerked his head up to see Saitou smirking.

Sano frowned.

Saitou shook his head, "I don't know how you can be so stupid, hurry up and get to class - talking to you is exhausting."

Sano stood and walked for the door.

"Don't ever bang your fists on my walls again."

Sano jerked a thumb into the air and grinned. "I won't."

Kenshin looked up worriedly as he reentered the classroom, but Sano flashed him a smile and nod. He was okay- and he wasn't in trouble. Kenshin was relieved.

The next day - was the first home game of the season. Kenshin liked this- because it was the only time, his father would let him stay out later, skip stiff silent meals in favor of hamburgers and hot dogs- and the best thing - hang out with his friends and classmates.

He was slightly disappointed that Sano couldn't come because it meant leaving his job early. But, Kenshin was satisfied that he would see him after- because it also happened to be Halloween and they were all going to Dr. Gensai's for a party. Kenshin was ecstatic about this night - he had argued with his father for hours to be allowed to go. As Kenshin cheered the team on next to Megumi and Kaoru-he was completely at ease - unaware of what lay just around the corner.