Hearing that cough, seeing the blood, made Kenshin wince like it was his own. In a way, it was much more frightening than any of the other injuries he'd seen Sano get in their time together. Internal bleeding was something that couldn't be fixed very easily, and in their time it often meant infection and a slow, painful death, even with the ministrations of doctors like Megumi. There was no doubt in his mind now that Okita had managed to puncture Sanosuke's lung, and that made him angry...and ashamed. He hadn't been there. He'd left Sanosuke to fight a crazed captain of the Shinsengumi while he'd been dealing with insects.

It shouldn't have come to this. Sano shouldn't have been involved in this fight. This was between him and Okita. Just like the time with Saitou, the ten year grudge needed to be settled. "Don't worry, Sano," he replied flatly.

The rurouni then turned on Okita, eyes flashing. "It doesn't look like this one has a choice. He will not forgive anyone who hurts his friends."

With that, he lunged.