Hiko Seijuro leaned by his door frame and looked into the rain lost in thought. A light wind played with his long black hair. He deeply inhaled the fresh air, enjoying the coolness after the sticky-hot summer night.

His stupid apprentice had gotten engaged with the young woman from Tokyo, he had heard. Well, this wasn't a surprise; actually he had sooner expected the news. The girl hadn't given the impression that she would wait patiently for Kenshin or let him slip away. Surely the development didn't delight everybody...

Furthermore, Hiko had heard that Saitou Hajime was still alive and back in Kyoto. This was rather a surprise, and the person who had said the bastard wasn't killed easily had apparently been spotted.

Would this person come?

It had been a morning like this, when Hiko left him: cool, grey, wet.

+

With careful movements Hiko filled the rest of the sake into the modest porcelain cup, but left it untouched. He closed his dark-green eyes and listened to the monotone sound of the rain which was pattering against the roof of the Aoiya.

It was shortly after midnight, his time feeling told him, and every inhabitant of the restaurant was sleeping. Except Hiko. And his roommate, who had disappeared to an unknown destination after dinner. What was his name again? The young man had been introduced to him, and while Hiko's trained brains hadn't forgotten the name, it didn't seem important enough to remember.

Instead he thought of Kenshin, who had given everything in the battle against Shishio Makoto and was now lying in the next room, more dead than alive.

Hiko longed for the loneliness of his secluded shack in the mountains. Now that it was certain his stupid apprentice would recover, there wasn't any reason to stay any longer. The people of the Aoiya were friendly and everything, but their permanent trivial gossip and the efforts of the young women to attract his attention were getting on his nerves. Tomorrow Hiko would depart.

Kenshin... Shinta...

It was almost fifteen years ago since they had separated, and just a few days ago they reunited, but only as master and student, and not as --

Indignantly Hiko looked up as the shoji was opened noisily.

His roommate padded in with insecure steps, smelling of cheap sake. Obviously the young man had celebrated the victory over their adversaries till the last pub of Kyoto had closed its doors in front of his nose.

"Oi," he said as a greeting.

Hiko nodded hazily. His eyes caught sight of the sake bottle the other one was holding in his left hand. His right hand was bandaged.

The tall, slender man gazed at Hiko for a moment before he plopped down in front of him on another tatami. He pointed at the filled cup.

"How 'bout some company? Here I got enough for both of us." The deep-voiced utterance with the strong northern accent was a little slow, but the man wasn't as drunk as Hiko had first assumed.

Hiko picked up the cup and emptied it with one swig. Then he rose and seized a second cup from the board, and put it in front of his boozing mate.

The other one poured the drinks. "The quiet type, eh?"

"Wanna talk or drink?"

A shrug was the answer. Both brought the cups to their lips.

Hiko studied the young man.

He wasn't quite as tall as Hiko. The muscles suggested him to be a trained fighter, but there would be several years to pass till he -- eventually -- could measure with Hiko's mass. Some raindrops were dripping from dark-brown, tousled hair. The almond eyes had the same colour. The narrow face was attractive, but not as soft and as sweet as Shinta's... or Kenshin's face in that age. It was a manly face: hard, edgy, but still very attractive.

The person opposite him was dressed in a white jacket, which was trimmed with a black braid. His abdomen and his feet were covered with equally-white bandages. The trousers had the same colour and were soaked with rain... almost transparent. But the young man sitting before him was careless enough not to know about it, Hiko mused. What an unconcerned, naïve soul! The thin fabric revealed more than it could hide, and what was revealed to him Hiko thought was actually worth the look. For a moment he considered telling it to the young man and enjoy his embarrassment, but then changed his mind instead to be quiet and savour the view.

"Sagara Sanosuke," he finally decided to recall the name, "correct?"

Of course it was . Hiko recollected the day when Kenshin had unexpectedly arrived at his shack. Shortly thereafter his stupid apprentice was reunited with some friends, the brat and two young women. Hiko had noticed Kenshin's facial expression then: he was surprised, shocked, but also happy -- and disappointed. His eyes were searching for another person, who wasn't with the gang. A person that Kenshin wanted to see, expected to see.

Was Sanosuke this special person?

Hiko had waited with the others in front of the Aoiya till the heroes returned from the fight with Shishio: Himura Kenshin, Sagara Sanosuke, Saitou Hajime. The third one was missing; instead Shinomori Aoshi accompanied them. The brave men had lost one and saved another.

Even after all these years, Hiko had felt a light stitch seeing the unconscious Kenshin being supported carefully by Sanosuke. There had been such tenderness and affection in the gesture that Hiko didn't doubt them to be more than good friends.

"Correct," Sanosuke proved him right with some delay and filled their cups a second time. "And you are Hiko Seijuro, Kenshin's master." He gazed at Hiko, also curious.

Hiko couldn't mind Kenshin's choice. The young man really was adorable in his naturalness, his careless directness and his still boyish naivety -- not to mention his good looks.

A warm wave rose in Hiko.

"Have you celebrated the victory?" he asked.

"Something like that."

Hiko had the impression that Sanosuke was sad. For the others he might play the glorious hero, but Hiko recognized that beneath the shallow mask was a sadness which couldn't be drowned by sake but was in fact spilled by it to the surface.

For sure Sanosuke was suffering from the image of Kenshin's condition. But was this all? Actually he should be relieved, because his friend was recovering. It seemed some other things were nagging at Sanosuke. Maybe the young woman who had followed Kenshin the long way from Tokyo and was occupying him all the time?

"You know, the Government was merely using you for their dirty work," Hiko groped forward carefully.

"Yeah," Sanosuke's voice was full of bitterness.

"And that nobody will thank you for all the pain you have endured on this secret mission."

"Yeah."

"And that all of you can call yourselves lucky for not having to pay a higher prize. One dead. One severe, one lightly injured."

"What do you know." Sanosuke's words sounded unexpectedly desperate. "You weren't there." He continued fiercely: "Right, we did win. The guy who wanted to bring disaster to Japan isn't a danger anymore -- that might be a reason to celebrate. But no one celebrates when someone has died, even if the dead one was a foe. And has Shishio really been wrong about everything? I didn't understand his motives at first, some things you can only see clearly afterwards. His goals could've been ours, if his methods hadn't been wrong and perverted. Is the Meiji-government, the politicians' wheelings and dealings, that much better? And was it worth all the suffering and losses? The more I think about it the more I start to doubt it."

"Nobody knows right now," Hiko tried to calm him down. He was surprised about Sanosuke's hindsight. Behind the simple façade was a lively intellect. But was the lad actually talking about Shishio when he mentioned the dead enemy and his motives? It fitted, but Sanosuke's thoughts seemed to be on someone else. "I also do not sympathize with the government. The only thing we know is, somebody as dangerous as Shishio had to be stopped. And you have had lots of luck that some of you survived at least."

Sanosuke emptied his cup. "Exactly. Some of us, but not all. Kenshin almost died... And Saitou... he is... dead."

Kenshin and Saitou? And Saitou? There was just a nuance in Sanosuke's voice...

Interesting.

Hiko reached out and touched Sanosuke's shoulder. "The generations after us will know whether you did right or wrong. You have fought for a higher idea and did the best you could. Therefore you needn't reproach yourself."

Sanosuke clenched his fists angrily. "But --"

"It's over. You have to let go. What has happened can't be cancelled, you can only learn from it."

Sanosuke's eyes stared into Hiko's. "Why weren't you there?"

"One disciple of the Hiten-Mitsurugi-Ryu was enough. If my stupid apprentice hadn't already decided to fight Shishio it would have been my duty. You don't know yet, but one principle of the Hiten-Mitsurugi-Ryu is saving people. But we also should be above it all and not allow to be used by any political party as a pawn. This has always been Kenshin's problem."

Both remained silent, and Hiko drew back his hand which rested much longer on the youth's shoulder than necessary.

To cover his confusion, Sanosuke filled their cups anew and drank the sake in one gulp.

"The young missy is very kindly taking care of my stupid apprentice," Hiko changed the subject.

"Jou-chan, of course." A vague shadow of jealousy flitted across Sanosuke's face. "She had to suffer a lot, too. I'm glad she didn't have to experience --"

He drank again after he poured a drink only to himself this time.

Apparently he had accepted Kenshin would never be his alone. If Hiko were in the place of his stupid apprentice, he would have preferred to see the young man sitting beside his futon instead of the loud girl. Sanosuke was so passionate, honest and sensitive because of his deep emotions... Hiko just had to feel sorry for him because Kenshin was unable to see the qualities of his best friend.

"Saitou Hajime," Hiko said suddenly, "was he a friend too?"

Sanosuke's cheeks reddened vigorously. The variety of emotions reflected on his face was too complex even for Hiko to figure out the true nature of the relationship of the two men. He thought he saw everything from hate to affection.

"No," Sanosuke uttered briefly while his left hand absently slid under his jacket, fumbling for the just-healed scar along his collarbone. "But I never thought the bastard would make his exit like this. He was one of those who always survived."

Even the relationship with Saitou was more complicated than the one with Kenshin.

Sanosuke seemed to think highly of both men and was taken aback by the loss, more so than he had yet to realize. Suddenly Hiko was sure Sanosuke had neither been the lover of one nor of both men. Because of the young women or other reasons Kenshin hadn't taken him to his futon. Otherwise, Saitou would never had any chance to attract the youth's interest. And Sanosuke on the other hand had obviously never been touched by a man, or he would have known about the nature of his feelings and wouldn't feel so confused. Undoubtedly, Sanosuke, without knowing it, mourned over the two men who would never become his, because one decided for a woman and the other was dead.

Hiko's gaze fell again on the almost transparent trousers whose thin material tightened about an impressive but not-erected member. The warmth Hiko was feeling for quite a while now became heat. He imagined how it would be to initiate Sanosuke into the love between men, to become his first lover, to prepare and open him for his very first time.

Kenshin was such a fool to throw away this rare gift...

"Empty," Sanosuke suddenly said, turning the bottle upside-down. Not a single drop fell to the ground. "Do you still have a sip?"

Hiko shook his head.

"Might be better so," Sanosuke answered with a soft sigh. "I've had enough already. I think I'll take a nap now."

Hiko hurried to save the sake cups while Sanosuke rose insecurely. Two shaky steps brought him near to his futon which leaned rolled up to the wall, before he lost his balance and almost collapsed if only Hiko hadn't caught him by reflex.

Sanosuke got stuck heavily in Hiko's arms, his head resting against Hiko's shoulder. Fast and warm breath wafted across Hiko's bare chest where the fabric of his gi was open. The tight, young body exuded an almost unbelievable heat -- or was it Hiko thinking Sanosuke would burn beneath his hands?

Wet hair tickled his chin.

The youth smelled marvellous...

"Sorry," Sanosuke muttered without freeing himself from the embrace. "I stumbled."

Hiko felt his member harden. He forced himself not to tousle the boy's hair and drag him closer. Sanosuke was Kenshin's friend. Furthermore, he was drunk; it wouldn't be proper to take advantage of his condition. He would probably even jerk away disgusted if he realized how Hiko's body reacted to him.

Hiko leaned Sanosuke against the wall. "I will unroll your futon before you break your neck by trying. Can you stand for a moment?"

"I think so," Sanosuke mumbled. "Thanks, man."

Quickly Hiko prepared Sanosuke's sleeping-place. Then he helped him lie down on the futon. Because Sanosuke's clothes had yet to dry he stripped him off of his jacket first, followed by the bandages, then the pants. Sanosuke didn't realize anything anymore because he fell asleep at once.

The view of the nude youth was breathtaking... Hiko spread the thin blanket over the tanned body.

He hesitated for a moment.

Sofly he combed his fingers through Sanosuke's thick, silky hair and caressed his cheek. It was nothing more than a comforting gesture, but instinctively the sleeper reacted and turned into Hiko's direction. His hand cramped into the material of Hiko's gi.

Sanosuke needed human warmth and comfort, Hiko recognized. In spite of all his friends, Sanosuke felt lonely and abandoned with the emotions he didn't understand.

Hiko sighed. His last night in the Aoiya was going to be rather uncomfortable.

He tried not to awaken Sanosuke while he stretched out beside him and took him into his arms.

Kenshin is such a fool, he thought again. His stupid apprentice might take care of people's miseries but he was blind to the needs of his best friends.

How would it have been if Sanosuke had become Hiko's apprentice as a little boy, instead of Kenshin?

Absently, Hiko started to stroke Sanosuke while following some strange thoughts. Entangled in his reflections, he didn't realize that Sanosuke had awakened. He was caught by surprise as he turned his head and gazed into astonished-looking, almost black eyes.

Hiko could have explained that Sanosuke held onto him, but it would have been a lame excuse: He could easily free himself off of the grasp at any rate. "Are you feeling better?"

The answer was a question: "Wanna fuck me?"

For a moment Hiko remained speechless. Apparently the youth wasn't quite as innocent as he seemed to be. The direct question was worth a direct response.

"Yes. If you want it too..."

The dark eyes closed. "I've never done it with a man."

"I would never force you to do something against your will. Just say it, and I'll leave you."

"Fuck, man, have you... with Kenshin too...? I could never imagine him to be..."

"Yes."

"But he must've been just a kid --"

"He wasn't that much younger than you are now. In addition he came to me -- not the other way around, when he had his first wet dreams and wanted to be educated in these things too. It isn't unusual for a master and his student to have that kind of a relationship, especially in a remote area without women. And what proper girl would have given in to the nasty little brat he was..."

Sanosuke's body trembled because of a suppressed laughter.

"Shall I leave you?" Hiko asked earnestly.

Silence.

Then: "No."

Hiko breathed deeply. His member rose anew. "Are you sure?"

The "Yes!" was uttered without any hesitation.

"You know," Hiko said cautiously, "I'm not in love with you and this is probably the only night we'll be together."

"I'm not in love with you either," Sanosuke replied calmly, "but I want to know. And I don't want to be alone tonight."

"Alright then."

"What shall I do?" The deep voice was a little shaken by insecurity.

"Nothing. I will do everything."

For a moment Hiko didn't move and just held Sanosuke in his arms. He could feel the youth's uneasiness, his fear of things he had only heard about but never experienced...

Hiko let the fingers of his left hand glide through Sanosuke's spiky hair, touched an almost clean-shaven cheek and followed with the thumb the line of the eyebrows, the nose, the lips. It would take some time to help him overcome his inhibitions to give himself to a man, he realized.

"Does it bother you that I'm not a woman?" Hiko asked.

"I... I don't know... it's so new... I had never thought, I would... I would..." Sanosuke gulped. "And I never thought it'd be with you, of all people... I don't even know you. I really don't know..." He couldn't speak any further.

Hiko brushed his cheek against Sanosuke's. "It's alright. If you change your mind, just tell me. I won't do anything against your will."

When Sanosuke remained silent for a while, Hiko was sure the youth wanted to take back his decision, but then the light pressure of his cheek was returned. "No, I want you to fuck me. I think I'm gonna be mad, if I can't finally... Will it... hurt?"

"In the beginning." Hiko didn't want to lie. "But as soon as you get accustomed you will like it."

"Then do it!"

"Not so fast," Hiko wasn't able to suppress a thin smile at this impatience.

Undoubtedly Sanosuke was a man who faced every situation and never quit. "We have plenty of time. I want you to fondly remember your first night with a man."

He was rewarded with Sanosuke holding his breath in surprise.

Gently Hiko ran his hand down Sanosuke's neck, above a shoulder, an upper arm, the chest. He felt the scar on the collarbone. "How did you get that?"

"Saitou. He stabbed my shoulder with a sword." It didn't sound bitter, but distant, as if he was speaking about someone else instead of himself.

"He didn't want to kill you," Hiko recognized.

"No. It was just... a message for Kenshin."

So Saitou had passed his chance and ignored the feelings of the kid, too.

Idiots: Kenshin and Saitou.

When Hiko's fingertips found Sanosuke's nipples, they hardened and rose at once.

Tenderly he started to encircle them, then tugged carefully the sensitive tips and rubbed them between thumbs and forefingers. Sanosuke moaned quietly, moved his legs with little control and threw his head back.

Hiko hadn't anticipated anything like this. He was fascinated at how fast Sanosuke got used to the strange situation, how he gave in to his feelings easily and enjoyed the new pleasure. He was so sensitive that he reacted to the lightest touch. He would probably even accept to be taken by Hiko right now. But no, it wouldn't be right; even though they weren't in love with each other, the first time should be something special. He forced himself to hold back.

Slowly, Hiko's hands glided up and down Sanosuke's sides. His lips touched an ear. "May I kiss you?"

The silence proved how surprised Sanosuke felt to be asked for permission. "Yeah, why not..."

Hiko kissed his ear and bit into the smooth skin playfully. Then, letting his mouth wander above a cheek, he licked at the jaw-bone and turned towards the lips as Sanosuke tilted his head offering them himself. The first kiss was just a light brush against the hungry mouth. Then Hiko increased the pressure a little, gently nibbling at Sanosuke's upper lip and then darting his tongue into the dark cavern. Sanosuke tasted sweet after sake and himself. His tongue welcomed Hiko's, and while their tongues danced with each other with growing passion, his hand passed above Sanosuke's hips which were pressing against his body.

Heavily breathing, both men separated for a moment. Hiko rose and gazed down upon the youth, who lay beneath him on the futon with half-lidded eyes and wet lips, partly fearful, partly excited about what was to happen next.

"Uhm... don't you wanna get out of your stuff?" Sanosuke asked.

Hiko grinned. "Sure. Wanna help me?"

As an answer Sanosuke sat up. His fingers ran upon Hiko's broad shoulders, pushed beneath the thin fabric of the gi and slipped it off. Sanosuke took his time to explore the muscular upper body and play with the dark nipples in the same way Hiko stimulated his nipples a moment ago. He bent over and took one and then the second in his mouth, kissing, licking, suckling, before he took care of the sash tying the hakama. Hiko didn't miss the short hesitation -- Sanosuke had never touched a man at this intimate part before -- then the knot went loose.

Sanosuke slipped the wide trousers off of Hiko's hips and rested his hands on the firm and bare buttocks for a while as he gazed upon the erected red member.

Finally his fingers continued to explore Hiko's lower body regions, still shyly but curiously.

Hiko decided to make it easier for Sanosuke. Till now he had avoided to touch the most delicate spot between his lover's legs because he didn't want to scare him. He rolled onto his side, pulled the hakama completely down and threw it with the gi in a corner. Then he dragged Sanosuke nearer. While their lips met he pressed his body against the youth's.

Their hardened lengths touched, and Sanosuke sighed into Hiko's mouth, still more stimulated by the new feeling. Both instinctively started rubbing their groins against each other.

Suddenly Sanosuke's left hand seized both members, massaging them with fast, steady movements. His thumb encircled the sensitive tips. Hiko let him take the initiative, glad how quickly the kid realized what was a pleasure for both of them.

Sanosuke wasn't afraid of touching himself. In his imagination Hiko saw him writhing on a rumpled futon in lonely nights, one hand between the legs, the other caressing his nipples, the slender body covered with sweet-smelling and glittering drops of sweat, ecstatic moans escaping his throat...

Hiko felt the strong desire to drive his madly-pulsating member into the tiny opening at once, again and again thrusting into the virgin inside, till Sanosuke would have cried out loud in agony and passion.

When Sanosuke's skillful handwork became more violent and his oblivious-to-the-world panting signaled he would be ready soon, Hiko pulled back.

Disappointed and unnerved, Sanosuke opened his eyes. "What's the matter? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, you didn't," Hiko kissed him to calm him down, "but I don't want it to be over so quickly."

Sanosuke sighed again and flung his arms around Hiko. He buried his face in the hollow between Hiko's neck and shoulder. His body was trembling passionately.

"Don't be so impatient." Hiko rested his chin upon Sanosuke's head and inhaled deeply the masculine smell of the youth's sweaty body. Without any motion he just lay there to calm himself down, too. It urged him also, he wanted to have the kid right now, fast and wild, but the wish to play longer with his lover was stronger. Furthermore he didn't want to treat Sanosuke's virgin opening too roughly. It still wasn't prepared.

Suddenly, Sanosuke grasped at Hiko's hair.

"What are you doing?"

"I want you to wear it untied."

"Why? Do I look like a woman then and you have less problems to share the futon with me?" Hiko teased.

"Ha," Sanosuke stifled. "No, I just want to run my fingers through your hair. It's so pretty... like Kenshin's hair." He bit his lower lip. "Fuck, I shouldn't have said that..."

"I know you are thinking of him," Hiko answered, "and we are both only comforting each other because we can't get what we really want."

Sanosuke kept quiet for a moment. "I had no idea... After all these years... uhm... do you still love him? Does he know?"

"He probably isn't aware of either your or my feelings. I myself didn't know how much he meant to me till I saw him again. But this doesn't make any difference. We had our time together and it's over. The time can't be put back."

With one quick move he untied the ribbon, and long black hair floated like a cascade over his shoulders, covering both their faces. "I also don't want it. Life goes on. We're no longer the persons we used to be fifteen years ago. And I'm here... with you."

"Do you wanna fuck me because I'm Kenshin's friend or because of myself?"

"Do you wanna be fucked because I'm his master or because you feel affected?"

"Fuck."

"Don't bother. We are both honest. This is something a lot of lovers never are."

Sanosuke closed his eyes and didn't respond. Although it was dark Hiko thought he saw tears glittering between the long lashes. Suddenly he realized the kid was suffering for the fact that he was always treated as Kenshin's appendage and someone to be messed with. If Hiko had known earlier, his words would have been less bitter. Oh yes, Sanosuke belonged to Kenshin and was the next one to his stupid apprentice Hiko could get, but he would have never started this affair if he hadn't felt attracted to the young man.

He embraced Sanosuke and stroked his rich hair. When he kissed him gently on the lids Hiko tasted salt on his lips.

"Fuck me finally," Sanosuke uttered.

"Not yet. Later."

Now Sanosuke's tears flowed down silently. The many drinks, the pent-up, not understood emotions and the disappointment were showing their effect.

They held each other without a word nor continuing the erotic game. It wasn't physical get-together they needed most but the nearness and the understanding of another person.

Hiko felt the wetness against his face, turned his head till his lips found the salty tracks on Sanosuke's cheeks, and started licking the tears away. The youth relaxed against the tender gesture.

"It might sound pathetic," Sanosuke said, "but, hell... but I think I don't wanna be fucked by you just to know how it feels doing it with a man... or what you and Kenshin... You are... alright, Hiko. I don't know if what I'm babbling means anything to you... If we'd met earlier, would it have been... different?"

"Maybe," Hiko agreed. "I was just thinking about that, too. And... it means a lot to me to know that... you like me. You are very attractive, do you know that?"

"Nobody has ever told me."

"If I hadn't felt affected by you -- by your looks and your behaviour -- I wouldn't lie beside you right now, whether you are my stupid apprentice's friend or not."

"You needn't say that to comfort me. I don't want your pity."

"Do you think I would say something I don't really mean?"

"No."

Hiko laid Sanosuke onto his back and kissed the tip of his nose. "I can still leave you. But I would be glad if you want me to stay by your side."

"I'm yours." It came without hesitation.

Hiko kissed Sanosuke again, this time on the mouth. When his caressing was returned he let his lips wander lower, from Sanosuke's chin, above his neck, to the scar, the nipples, the navel. The young man lay there motionless while kisses rained on his entire body and an agile tongue left wet tracks.

Hiko lifted his head. "Shall I go on?"

"Whatever you want... I want it too."

That was all Hiko needed to hear. His mouth went even lower, finding the curly hair of Sanosuke's lumbar region. The rigid flesh of the aroused penis brushed against Hiko's chin. For the very first time he closed his hands around Sanosuke's member and rubbed it slowly, up and down. The youth moaned and parted his legs to allow Hiko better access to the scrotum. Hiko fulfilled his desire by placing his lips around the head of the pulsing erection. While his hands kneaded the testicles softly, he swallowed the rosy penis as deep as he was able to. His tongue swirled around the hard shaft and the tip where he tasted a drop of sweet wetness.

Sanosuke was ready and this time Hiko didn't want to withhold him the pleasure. He let his hands glide beneath Sanosuke's buttocks and lifted his hips closer to his face. He licked, sucked, massaged with his lips and tongue his lover's aching penis which was offered to him with the hope of release.

"Hiko," Sanosuke sighed while his hands clutched at the crumpled sheets. "Hiko... Seijuro..."

Hiko gave the throbbing member a last stroke from the base to the top with his tongue, before he released him from his mouth to bury the tip in the hollow of his hand. He felt a vague spasm, and the sticky seed splashed in a powerful flood.

For a short moment Sanosuke paused, exhausted, then seized Hiko and pulled him close.

He embraced him wordlessly, before his hands slid over his lover's body to reward him with the same pleasures.

Hiko couldn't hold back any longer -- he urged for more than kisses and stroking hands.

His member was in a state of lust and pain; he'd been suppressing his needs for too long now. The fingers, which were still wet of come, explored the area between Sanosuke's legs, searching for the wrinkled opening of his behind.

Instinctively Sanosuke stiffened and tried to escape the unaccustomed touch.

Hiko's fingers hesitated. "Did you like it?" he whispered hoarsely.

"Yeah..."

"That was just the beginning. Are you ready to go on to the next step? Will you trust me?"

Sanosuke nodded lightly.

"Then relax. It will be unpleasant only in the very first moment. As soon as you get used to it you will like it. If you can't bear it I will stop at once. Wanna give it a try?"

Again, a nod.

"I'll be careful, promise." Hiko kissed Sanosuke's cheek softly.

He noticed the kid spreading his legs wide. He feared the pain less, Hiko realized, than the first touch of the most intimate spot. Gently he licked Sanosuke's lips, suckling and nibbling, before he pushed his hand again into the cleft. He felt the tight ring of muscles which gave in reluctantly when he penetrated his slippery forefinger.

Sanosuke held his breath although he remained silent. Undoubtedly he was used to worse pain. Slowly Hiko put his finger deeper, drew it back a little, then thrust it in one more time.

He did it again and again to spread the wetness.

Sanosuke's hands played with Hiko's hair, stroking his muscular shoulders and his back.

Hiko let his lips glide above Sanosuke's neck, his shoulders, the nipples. The last he caressed with special tenderness, kissed, licked, nibbled at them. He could feel Sanosuke's member rise anew. Great!

He penetrated a second finger and stretched Sanosuke's opening with regular movements.

The young man panted heavily, enjoying the strange mixture of pain and pleasure.

Hiko bit into his throat playfully. "Wanna take me into your mouth?"

Instead of an answer Sanosuke laid Hiko flat on his back and took care of his lower body without any hesitation. He seemed to understand what Hiko was asking for and wet the member of his lover with plenty of saliva. Although it was his first time, Sanosuke used his tongue so skillfully that Hiko almost lost all his control.

He sat up and drew the young man astride his lap, both hands clinched into the firm buttocks, positioning him above his hungrily waiting, hot member. This way he allowed Sanosuke to decide how deep he wanted to take Hiko in.

The restraint of the muscles faded, and Hiko's penis glided gently into the wet and prepared opening. As the tight flesh embraced the weeping member, Hiko moaned loudly. He pressed Sanosuke against his chest violently, so the kid gasped for air, then he leaned his head on Sanosuke's shoulder. The youth returned the hug and whimpered quietly, partly because of the strange fullness inside his lower body, partly because of lust.

"Can you stand it?" Hiko whispered, concerned.

"Fuck me already," Sanosuke groaned. "Come on... I'm not made of glass."

Hiko thrust deeper and simultaneously massaged Sanosuke's penis and testicles with one hand while the other tousled his lover's dishevelled hair. Carefully, Hiko started to move his hips, and Sanosuke adapted to the rhythm.

Their hips melted.

To be stimulated at two parts of his body at one time, to feel a strange pain and an urging desire for more was completely new to the youth. He pressed his rear against the base of Hiko's member, increased the speed of their thrusts, clinging to Hiko like a drowning man and stammering incoherent words.

"Oooh... Seijuro... fuck me, hell ... harder... I want... more... harder ... yeah... Seijuro... I can't... stand it any longer... fuck... fuck meeee..."

Hiko laid him down on his back. Slender legs embraced Hiko's body while he pulled his passionately glowing member in and out violently. They were both just about to come, and Sanosuke would spill his seed a second time. The kid was wonderful, so natural, passionate, unrestrained...

Hiko embraced him lovingly. "Sanosuke..." For the very first time he called him by his first name in exactly the same moment he found release.

A short while later he felt Sanosuke's hot sperm spread over his belly.

Exhausted, both men rested for a while, Hiko on top of Sano. Only their heavy breathing could be heard besides the pattering of the rain.

Sanosuke's arms didn't set Hiko free. "Are you staying with me for the rest of the night, Seijuro? That was... nice, and I don't want to be alone right now."

Hiko hugged him back. "I would like to stay with you, Sanosuke."

He felt Sanosuke snuggle into him. Kenshin never did. His stupid apprentice always turned his back to him or crawled to his own futon after he was done. Kenshin had never thought Hiko would like to caress and be caressed afterwards or even just wanted to fall asleep beside his lover. Sanosuke instead... He would be wasted on Kenshin, Hiko thought. The youth would never get what he needed from Kenshin, but was he willing to get involved with someone else already?

"Seijuro?"

"Hm?"

"I think I have fallen in --"

Quickly Hiko closed the kid's mouth with a finger. "Ssssshh! Wait till tomorrow and take your time over it. Don't say anything you might regret later."

Sanosuke sighed and started to tenderly suck on the finger which tasted of his own sweet come.

Then: "Seijuro?"

"Hm?"

Silence.

"Oh... nothing. Just hold me."

Hiko did so and kissed Sanosuke's forehead. While the young man fell asleep, he stayed awake enjoying every minute he was allowed to be together with him.

At dawn he freed himself of the tight embrace, got dressed and turned to go. It was time to leave. If he stayed any longer he probably wouldn't be able to leave anymore. At the shoji he stopped.

"Sanosuke."

The sleeper moved and mumbled something unintelligible.

"Sanosuke, if you want to search for me the guys of the Aoiya will tell you where to find me."

Sanosuke only pulled up the blanket, and Hiko closed the shoji, knowing a big piece of his heart stayed behind, and walked out to the rain which swallowed his last words.

"I... love... you... Sanosuke."

+

"Oi, man," Sanosuke greeted Hiko. "It wasn't that easy to find you."

"Did you get lost?" Hiko asked and allowed his visitor to enter.

The young man dropped his baggage into a corner and scratched at the back of his head.

"Well... sort of..."

They gazed upon each other for a moment, both lightly embarrassed and wondering what the other might still remember and how much of the feelings of that one night had remained.

"By the way, it was crap, man, to leave me like that," Sanosuke complained. "Do you have any idea how difficult it'd been to find an excuse for the condition of the futon? And for all the hickeys you gave me?"

Hiko twisted an edge of his mouth to form a sarcastic grin. "I'm pretty sure it would have been even more difficult to explain my presence on your futon too... How are you?"

Sanosuke shrugged his shoulders and buried his fists in the pockets of his pants. "I'm fine... what fine usually means."

"And the wedding?"

"I see, that's what you meant. You believe I'm here just because I can't bear the thought of Kenshin and Jou-chan getting married? What am I supposed to say... I think, I can live with it. They belong together, plain and simple. Anyway, after... what had happened I could never..." He bit his lower lip.

"Never what?" Hiko demanded.

"Kenshin seemed to have noticed something," Sanosuke answered hesitantly. "He asked whether we got on well with each other. And then... then... but I couldn't just do it. One week later he and Jou-chan announced their engagement."

"What about Saitou?" Hiko asked, breathless. "He has survived and is back in Kyoto."

"Yeah, so? I was right, a bastard like him isn't killed easily."

Hiko thought he was dreaming. Sanosuke had rejected Kenshin and hadn't started a relationship with Saitou -- because of him? A warmth rose inside him which wasn't caused only by his aching loins. He pointed at the few pieces of baggage.

"What is this?"

"Sake."

"Can you only endure my touch when you are drunk?"

"Shit, I just thought we could have a drink together." Sanosuke came one step closer. His cheeks were blushing lightly. "Uhm... have you... thought of me sometimes?"

"Are you here for talking or fucking?"

"Both. But we can start with the latter..."

"I was often thinking of you," Hiko confessed seriously.

Sanosuke's eyes brightened up. "I missed you, Seijuro," he burst out.

The grin reached the other edge of his mouth when Hiko let his gaze concentrate on Sanosuke's body centre. "I see..." The rain let the white material become transparent, and a powerful erection was bulging under the thin fabric.

Sanosuke looked down and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Fuck! Why didn't anyone tell me my wet clothes turn transparent?"

"Because you look gorgeous when you are wet."

Hiko cupped Sanosuke's chin with his left hand and tilted his head for a passionate kiss in which he put all his feelings he usually were hiding carefully. His right hand glided above Sanosuke's bottom and pressed his slender hips against his own. Their excited members greeted each other, separated only by two thin pieces of fabric.

Sanosuke returned the embrace vigorously and forced a thigh between Hiko's legs while he madly rubbed himself against his lover with a loud moan. Suddenly he shuddered and grimaced sheepishly. "Fuck."

"What's wrong?" Hiko wondered.

"My ardent desire for you...uhm... was a little too strong," Sanosuke stammered, embarrassed. "Sorry, man, now we have to talk first and fuck in the second place after all..."

"Alright," Hiko whispered and bit Sanosuke's earlobe tenderly. "We have plenty of time, Sanosuke... First you have to get out of those wet clothes so you don't catch a cold. Let me help you... dry you... warm you. But don't expect me to wash your sticky pants."

"Hiiikooo!"

END

:: july 2002 ::

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