The laughing continued as his shirt was raised once again. His chest was touched with two harsh fingers, pressing and pressing until he choked out a gasp of pain.

"Flat as a board!" The senior slapped his catch's torso.

More laughing...

"It makes me wonder..." A sick smirk framed Kenshin's vision as the student spoke, "If you've got anything down here at all..." A hand was lowered to the lining of his black sports pants. He tugged on the elastic, drawing it down slowly. The hand gripping Kenshin's throat was removed and made its way to assist the other.

Panic had long since taken over his mind and instincts formed one thought:

"Sano!" Kenshin yelled, "Sano! Sa-" The hand returned, cutting off his words and pressing against his Adam's apple. There was no air entering, and none escaping.

Kenshin watched him with pained eyes, gripping a thick forearm and watching those malice twisted orbs burn into him. This man... he was a nothing compared to Sanosuke... He was cruel, a torturer... and he was enjoying himself...

"Come on now, I'm just playing." Those teeth were spaced, jagged almost, and a bit yellow, "Jeff, you got your camera?"

"Right here-" The teen was struck to the floor before he could finish. Kenshin heard the contact of a body hitting the ground, but was incapable of deciphering the cause. He barely had time to think, his thoughts had become hazy from the lack of oxygen and it took him several moments before he realized he was on the floor himself. A loud bang had sounded a spilt second before his knees folded beneath him. Shakily looking up, he found his assaulter struggling to get up, holding his head between two palms. He knew what had happened.

"Get out of here." A dangerous voice ordered, low and angered.

"Sano..." Kenshin coughed out, feeling the pain still fresh on his neck. He pushed himself to his hands and knees, body still quivering from the encounter. If there was one move of his friend's Kenshin knew better than any other, it was the one he had demonstrated to the senior only moments earlier. He had seen it twice, but would never forget its painful and destructive nature. The motion appeared so simple, but always arrived at an unexpected point. Sanosuke had his size and strength advantage over many- he merely had to grab the side of a person's head in his bear-like paws for hands and use momentum and power to slam them into the nearest wall, or solid object. It knocked them senseless for a few minutes, staggering and tripping as they tried to escape. Unless they were stubborn, then they attempted to continue the fight, and would no doubt loose.

The sound of footsteps reached his ears; they were leaving.

Two hands, gentle hands, touched his shoulders and he slumped forward into a broad chest. He didn't know an act so small could be so frightening...

"Kenshin," Sanosuke said into a pink ear, quietly, soothingly, "Kenshin." Strong arms wrapped around him, holding his tiny form close.

"Sano," Kenshin managed, "Th-thank you..." The younger student shushed him and rubbed his back, tracing invisible circles over his trembling skin.

Kenshin was fine... he was only a bit... shaken. That was all...

*****

Sanosuke hummed in his throat, resting his chin lightly against Kenshin's red hair as he read the book before him. His roommate was out, fast asleep, exhausted, settled between his legs and leaning nestled into the crook of his neck. Sweet breaths were drawn and released as the junior dozed, undisturbed.

It was easy to calm Kenshin, but the real task was coaxing him into giving up his homework for the night. Although, once he was seated and warm, his fighting ceased and he quickly drifted away.

Sanosuke finished his chapter with a sigh and placed his book on the puny side table. It wasn't really a side table at all, merely two boxes stacked on top of one another and covered by a throw rug. He had to notice, though, the throw contained quite the interesting design. A samurai wielding a reflecting blade was dropped into a battle stance, eyes strong and piercing. His long hair was lashing out at the air, a fiery red- like Kenshin's, and his clothes were folded in inspirational patterns. The background was a mountainous terrain, waterfalls crashing and rocks jutting outward at artful angles.

Beside the medium height swordsman stood a tall fighter, no other weapon than his fists and strength to defend and fight with. Two red strips flew with the wind, trailing in the currents. It was a dark red bandana- Sanosuke knew it had a purpose, it had to. He looked closer, observing the dark brown eyes below the red strip. They carried a determined and strong-willed spirit.

Kenshin inhaled, shifting in Sanosuke arms.

"Sano..." The sleepy voice emerged, "What time is it?"

"After midnight, we should get some sleep."

"You make me sleep just so I can sleep more?" He leaned back to look up at Sanosuke with slumber burdened eyes.

"Yes," He smiled, "You need it. If all you do is study you're going to run yourself ragged before the end of the semester."

Kenshin suddenly blinked and a bright smile came to his lips. Sanosuke tipped his head to one side in curiosity.

"A 96, Sano." The words didn't seem to make sense... what was he talking about. Sanosuke bent Kenshin's head forward, feeling around for any sign of damage.

"Doesn't look like there's anything here." He concluded, blinking a few more times in thought.

"Sano!" Kenshin swatted his hands away, "You're test! You got a 96."

His test! Of course! He began laughing.

Wait...

A 96? That was great! He pulled Kenshin into a firm embrace, thanking him for all his help. He was lucky to have such a smart- and beautiful- roommate.

Kenshin laughed softly as a clump of brown hair tickled his nose. Sanosuke had a strange hair style, Kenshin thought, but it suited him well. Three wisps of long hair hung from the center of his forehead. He always did find it cute... although 'cute' was a rather strange word to use when addressing another man.

Kenshin reached out to the unruly bunch of silk, threading his fingers through it to find the length.

"Your hair is growing out again, Sano." He smiled, gripping a handful playfully and giving a tug.

"I better watch out then, ne, Kenshin?" Sanosuke smirked.

Kenshin nodded, "You might end up looking like Katsu."

"Well, he's better looking than me, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea."

Kenshin opened his mouth with a bit of shock.

"He is not." He disagreed. Although Kenshin often disagreed merely for the sake of disagreeing, this was not one of those times.

"Oh, come on, long shiny hair, soft eyes, strong and beautiful body, and a nice personality to go along with it. That's more than I have."

"Modest liar." Kenshin pushed up until he was on his knees and facing Sanosuke.

"Would you rather have me arrogant and conceited, with a dash of audacity?" Sanosuke relaxed as Kenshin placed his hands against a bared collar bone and slowly pushed him back onto the mattress.

"Mh, good word," Kenshin breathed in, close enough to rub noses with his dearest friend, "But you already have enough audacity."

"I suppose you're right." Sanosuke smirked aloofly, shifting his hands and placing them upon two firm muscles.

"Pervert..." Kenshin smiled further, not protesting the hands touching his posterior.

"I know," Sanosuke sighed, "But would you want to change me?"

"Never," He whispered.

"Good..."

Kenshin gasped as he realized Sanosuke had stolen yet another kiss from his lips. He had no chance to react- Sanosuke was already getting up. He flopped to the side and bounced lightly on the bed. It was impossible to stop the light blush that captured the pale coloring of his cheeks. Sanosuke was always doing that to him. He didn't mind, really, but it was unexpected and he never imagined he'd be kissed by another male.

What was he doing now? Kenshin watched Sanosuke turn on their stereo and fiddle with the CD changer. It was a nice machine. They had both chipped in and paid for one, and were quite happy they did. Listening to music seemed to keep their concentration and sanity intact. Some classes were rather bothersome.

Kenshin closed his eyes and smiled as he heard the beginning tune of an old hit.

"Come on, Kenshin!" Sanosuke helped him off the bed and instantly began dancing with him. Kenshin laughed freely as he was turned around and held close.

"Jeremiah was a bullfrog!" Sanosuke sang along, "Was a good friend of mine!"

"Sano!" Kenshin laughed as he was spun in another circle, listening to Sanosuke's singing, which was surprisingly good. Another reason Sanosuke was so lovable, he smothered you with fun and spoiled you with unexpected and enjoyable events. The short man faced his friend, resting his hands in Sanosuke's.

He smiled, barely able to contain the hilarity. They probably looked ridiculous!

"If I were the king of the world! I'll tell you what I'd do!"

"Sano!"

"I'd throw away the cars and the bars and the war, and make sweet love to you!" People liked being around him- no matter what you were doing, if it were with Sanosuke, you didn't feel embarrassed or, say... idiotic? He was so free spirited it was contagious. Kenshin figured he had caught the disease.