Sure Ninja Girl, you go right ahead and think that. Sanosuke knew that Yuffie just couldn't understand, because she hadn't been there for the months Sanosuke had. She hadn't seen when Kenshin fought against Saitou, and she certainly hadn't fought against the Shinsengumi herself, or Jin-e, or any of the rest. Sanosuke had.

He just had to get her to fucking listen to him.

It didn't help that what she said wasn't exactly what Sano wanted to hear. Trying to make him feel guilty about Kenshin getting her was pretty damn low, but it didn't change the fighter's resolve. And when she tried to get to her feet, Sano used the hand on her shoulder to forcefully pull her back down. Woman or not, Sano would knock Yuffie out if he had to.

"Listen to me, Yuffie." Finally, finally Sanosuke managed to look away from the battle, finding the ninja's gaze and staring into it. "You don't think I've thought of shit like that? I'm not an idiot or a weakling. It takes a hell of a lot to get me off my feet, and Okita can do it. He did do it, and without even touching his fucking sword." In a fight that Sano should have done so much better in, because Sano's talent was brawling.

"It's not like I want Kenshin to get hurt, okay! And that's why I'm telling you--" Sanosuke's voice cut off when he heard the talk from the other two. He'd almost missed it, almost, but it was one of those things he'd been listening for. Kenshin wondered why they got such a thrill out of his oro's after Kyoto, and this was why. Because they'd heard him drop his normal style of talking, and use that particular pronoun I.

Fuck. Sanosuke didn't know it, but his hand was suddenly squeezing Yuffie's shoulder so tight, his fingers were shaking.