The sun was far down beyond the city of Kyoto. Less and less people roamed the streets now, this wasn't good. In fact for an eight-teen year old girl like me, it is a disaster. Ever since last year, I've been running around the dead of night searching for my mother. She disappeared one night when she was out for a 'short' walk around the neighborhood, the next morning her room was empty and silent. That's when I knew something was terribly wrong. I was now left to the duty of taking care of my little brother, Seiji. Still unable to get in contact with her I'm now relying on my auntie and uncle to take care of my brother while I'm out. I can't stand having him unoccupied by anyone and just the thought of having anything happening to him makes me feel uneasy. Every now and then we receive letters from my mother telling us she's okay and will return home soon . . . that was five months ago, I'm still not convinced. My attire is a light green kimono and a dark blue hakama and my father's katana and wakizashi at my belt. These are the only two weapons I keep on me at all times. My long dark hair is tied up in a ponytail, held together with a violet ribbon. I have fair skin and hazel eyes, and bright rosy cheeks.
My surroundings are now dark as I cross the Bridge. I lean on the edge of the railing and gaze at the water down below, the only thing that's kept me from pitch black darkness is the dimness of a street lamp. The dead silence of the night was broken by the sound of someone else's footsteps passing along the wooden planks. In the darkness I couldn't see who lurked in the shadows. Only a silhouette of the stranger could be seen. I knew it wasn't a woman as she wasn't wearing a kimono and has hair was tied back, leaving only a little around his face. He was tall and scary looking from what I could see. Not too eager to find out what exactly he did look like, I turned around and resumed my previous thoughts. The footsteps of the stranger stopped just behind me.
"What would a young girl like you be doing out in the street of Kyoto at this time of the evening?" I jumped at the cold yet playful tone of this stranger's voice. I was hesitant to reply to his words.
I turned to face him it was to my surprise, the man looked only two years older than me. He had light brown hair, and emerald eyes that stared into mine . . .
Realizing I was also staring I stopped and quickly looked away, hoping he wouldn't notice that I was blushing.
"What's wrong?" the young man was confused, but had a wide smirk on his face.
"Nothing… he continued to stare at me with eyes like a hawk, it was kinda creepy.
"Whats your name?" he asked placing his hand on his katana.
"My name is. . . Ayame" his smirk gradually widened.
"Well Ayame-chan what are you doing out here alone?" he asked stepping a little closer to me.
'Did he just call me Ayame -chan?' That name really annoyed me it made me feel like I wasn't being taken seriously.
"Excuse me, sorry I don't believe I ever gave you permission, to call me Ayame-chan" he laughed, and placed a hand on my head.
"Is there something wrong with it? I'm so sorry if there is how about we call you cutie pie instead?" his sarcasm irritated me. I narrowed my eyes and slapped his hand away. He seemed amused by my frustration and leaned his face closer.
"You know you're really cute when you're angry" he whispered into my ear. I pushed him away and lifted the hilt of my katana with my thumb revealing the base of the blade that gleamed in the moonlight.
"So the little girl wants to fight hmm? Well that can be arranged" he smiled wickedly towards me, and drew his katana, aiming it towards my throat.
"Souji that's enough pull back before you really do hurt someone." a voice called out from the darkness. Laughing, the emerald eyed man softened his eyes and sheathed his sword before turning to where the voice came from.
"How cruel Hajime-kun, it was just a bit of fun, besides Ayame-chan here was the one who started not me" he said turning back to me, with a wide smirk on his face. I continued to glare, not paying any attention to a new figure, which had emerged from the shadows. The man who my opponent seemed to know quite well was a little taller than me, he had long indigo hair that was tied the side and dark blue eyes that were staring at his friend. He seemed more serious than the other one.
"What's with the serious look Hajime-kun hmm? I swear I wasn't going to do anything to the girl" the one he called 'Saitou' looked at me then back at him and sighed.
"If you say so Souji I believe you" suddenly his attention turned over to me.
"You, what business do you have picking fights with the Shinsengumi first unit captain?" he asked sternly, I jerked my head away from Souji's gaze and stared at the Saitou.
"If my true intentions were to fight him, I would have done so earlier. I was merely trying to get him to take me more seriously" he nodded and turned around to leave.
"I'm sorry...Third unit captain Hajime Saitou..." without hesitation Saitou drew his sword missing my face by in inch.
"Man, this is the second time today second time! Can you point those things somewhere else besides me?" I whined directing the tip of the blade away from my face. I looked up at Saitou only to be greeted with an icy cold stare. I smiled and twirled a loose strand of hair around my finger.
"You would like to know how I knew you yes?" I asked still smiling at him. There was a silence. I took this as my cue to answer him.
"I came to know about the Shinsengumi from my uncle, he's a close friend of your commander Isami Kondou, and also I'm surprised you don't remember me Saitou-san." their eyes, widened Saitou hadn't sheathed his sword but kept himself guarded just in case, I sighed and shook my head.
"Of course… no one remembers me... Saitou-san you, along with Hijikata –san were the two that kept me out of trouble...but I guess that information doesn't matter to you anymore...good evening..."without another word I left the two of them standing there in silence. It was beginning to become very late now. The moon was high in the sky.
"I don't have time to stand around and reminisce about pointless matters... not when I have a mother to find." I mumbled to myself whilst walking down a dark alley way. After a while I could hear the sounds of footsteps following me, I spun around sharply to look at the five figures that had been following me ever since I left the bridge.