(None of these characters belong to Pechan. Pechan just likes them so
much.)
~ A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing ~
Chapter 1: One Fine day
This story takes place in Kyoto, Japan during the Meiji era. It also takes place after the battle with Shishio, about a year maybe. Kenshin and the gang were heading towards Kyoto, for a special occasion...
"Hey, Kenshin!" yelled Yahiko Myojin, "What did you get Misao for her 17th birthday?!"
Kenshin replied with a smile, "Well, you see, I'm not sure what Misao really wanted. So, I had to do a bit of guess work." Kenshin held up a box. "Do you think she'd appreciate this hard candy I got for her?"
Kaoru put a finger to her chin. "Uhh, maybe you shouldn't have done that, Kenshin."
"Why not?"
"Well, Misao's been watching her figure lately."
Sanosuke chuckled. "Still trying to get the attention of that grim guy, Aoshi?"
Kaoru glared. "Hey, I think it's sweet!!"
Megumi giggled, "Heh heh, she needs to concentrate on gaining wait on her chest than losing weight."
Sano and Yahiko burst out laughing, and were soon after silenced by a swift kick in the butt by Kaoru. She growled, "You better be on your best behavior too, dammit!!"
"Oro.." Kenshin mumbled. "We haven't even passed the Kyoto gates and we're already fighting.."
They passed a wide green field on the Kyoto Path. There, they saw a single traveler. She was wearing a large, wide brimmed hat. Kaoru smiled. "That's what I need. The sun's so bright out here; it's going to ruin my perfect skin.
Yahiko and Sano grumbled in unison, "Perfect?"
Kaoru put Yahiko in a chokehold, and kicked some dirt at Sano.
"Hey, cut it out, Missy!!"
"Leggo, Kaoru, you ugly-"
"I'll teach you cretins some manners!!!"
Megumi giggled at the spectacle, while Kenshin smiled on. He noticed then the traveler coming towards them was rather tall for a woman. Roughly a few inches shorter of Sano. Her red kimono seemed a richer color than blood, with black petals embroidered into it. Kenshin narrowed his eyes. Something smelled funny about her.
"Sir Ken? Is something wrong?"
Kenshin glanced at Megumi. "Oh, no, there isn't anything. It's just rather hot today, that it is."
Megumi smiled. "Tell me about," she tugged off her blue outer jacket, stripping down to her pink kimono. "I'm almost melting in he-"
Megumi looked up. Kenshin did also, and noticed the woman had stopped entirely. She was standing, deliberately waiting for them. Kenshin noticed she kept on hand on her hat, keeping the brim low to obscure her face. Kenshin stopped ten feet away from her. He held out his arm, so that when Kaoru bumped into it, (she didn't notice since she was busy yelling at Yahiko) she stopped. Kaoru lifted her face. "What's wrong, Ken-?"
Kenshin called out. "Excuse me Miss. Is something wrong?"
The woman lifted her brim, only allowing half her face to be seen. She had rouged lips, and emerald green eyes. She smiled. "I am sorry to bother you sir, but might you be, a swordsman from the Revolution?"
Kaoru gasped. "How do you know?"
Kenshin narrowed his eyes. The woman smiled even broader, and took off her hat. "So you are. Let's see, fiery red hair, never healing scars on his cheek.. you must be.. the Battousai?"
Kenshin answered, "Yes. Is there something that troubles you about who I am?"
She dropped her hat, which got swept in a sudden gust of heated wind, and flew across the fields. Her raven black hair was swept into an elegant knot upon her head. She closed her eyes, smiling. "You see, my husband was part of the Revolution too.."
With that, she splayed her legs, so that her kimono parted at her right knee. There, she had a katana strapped to her leg. Sano's eyes widened. "Hey, what's a lady like you doing with a sword?"
Megumi glared. "You are going to try and hurt Sir Ken?"
She calmly drew her blade anyways. "Kenshin, is it?"
"Your husband was part of the Revolution, you said?" asked Kenshin. He closed his eyes, "And now you've come for revenge."
She nodded. "Uh huh."
Kenshin held up his palms in surrender. "I am truly sorry for your loss, Miss. But, killing me will not avenge your late husband in any way."
She giggled. "Well, you see, the thing is, he's not dead."
"Huh? Went Kaoru, when suddenly a shuriken glided past her ear, and snipped off her ribbon. Her black hair glided in the wind, and Kaoru crumpled to her knees, stunned.
Kenshin shouted, "Miss Kaoru!!"
"Come forward, or else I'll swear I'll hit her right in her pretty face."
Kenshin glared at her. "Who are you?"
The woman pulled her sword to her face, and took a defensive stance. With her other hands, she held shurikens in her knuckles. She answered, "You may call me Akashi. For now."
"For now," Kenshin repeated. "Listen to me, I will not harm another person, especially if it turns out to be a woman."
"Quite the gentlemen. My husband was wrong about you."
"Who is your husband, Miss Akashi?"
She charged, shouting, "That's really none of your BUISNESS!!"
Kenshin dove forward, and caught her blade with his sheathe. "Stop this now!!"
The woman swiftly kicked his chest, flipping back. Kenshin recoiled, but was already on the defensive. Akashi turned around glancing over her shoulder. "I don't plan to finish until one of us get's hurt."
"I refuse to hurt you, or let you hurt anyone else here!"
"Not hurt the enemy? Hypocrite. How else can you stop," she turned with lighting speed, and flung three shurikens, "A murderer?!!"
Kenshin quickly flipped his blade, sweeping away two. But the third was heading strait for Sano, while he fortunately ducked in time. It sunk into the tree behind him. He growled, "Little witch..."
Akashi smiled, and cart wheeled to the left. "I told you to stay out of it. But then again, Kenshin here isn't fast enough to-"
Suddenly, she stopped speaking when suddenly Kenshin was before her, blade pointed to her face. She gasped a bit, while Kenshin calmly, but angrily, commanded, "Drop those weapons. A woman like you shouldn't use such tools for violence."
She sweated, then laughed. "Hah! What kind of woman do you think I am?!!"
She rolled between Kenshin's legs, and kicked straight up.
"OROOoooo............."
Kenshin fell to the ground, holding his groin. Akashi stood up, laughing to herself.
Yahiko and Sano both grimaced. "Low blow..."
Kaoru, "Hey, you can't kick him there!! That's not swordsmanship!! You're cheating!!!"
"Since when did I say I was?" sneered Akashi.
Megumi smiled evilly, "Poor Sir Ken. If he needs to be healed there, I will certainly do all I can to help!!"
Kaoru grumbled, "I bet you would..."
Kenshin got up. "OOROROoooo.........," he chook his head, "Now really, what did you do th-that for?"
Akashi swung her blade around, before taking a stance again. "You simply insulted me."
"How?"
"By thinking I was a mere woman. Also, you're not even fighting me." She stretched her legs, and held her blade like a dagger. "But I bet if you knew who I was, you would drop me like a fly."
Kenshin sheathed his sword. "I do not care who you are, and I doubt who you were would make any difference. I think this has gone on enough. If you excuse me, I must be getting to a friend's house, that I must..."
Akashi stared at him, then spat, "Don't you DARE turn away from your opponent!!"
And she barreled into him, first elbowing his chest. Kenshin caught her arms, and pushed her back, while she swept her legs up again, and kicked his face.
"Errgh!!" grunted Kenshin, and blocked again as she started to fist fight.
She shouted, "Come on!! Fight back!!"
Kenshin dodged, and rolled away from her, hands apart. "I said I do not wish to hurt a woman!!"
Suddenly, Kaoru stepped in, brandishing a Kendo stick. "If you have a problem taking her on, Kenshin, I will!!"
Yahiko felt his back. "Hey, she's using my Kendo stick!!"
Akashi looked at her, "Feh. What's any good beating you senseless? I came here to fight the Battousai."
"Why do you insist on picking on Kenshin?"
"Because. I'm a loving wife, doing her duties."
Kaoru charged, raising her stick. "Liar!!!"
Akashi narrowed her eyes, and cut the kendo stick before Kaoru even landed.
Kaoru gasped.
Kenshin shouted, "Miss Kaoru, get back!! She's not a-"
Akashi grinned, then shoved her aside with one hand. "I'm not a little girl, like you!!"
Kaoru growled, then lunged, "hyaaAAAA!!!!" and swung Yahiko's kendo stick down with all her might.
Akashi's hidden blade twirled threw the air, and went lost in the fields somewhere.
Yahiko cheered, "Yeah!! Finally, Kaoru did something right!!"
"Hey, shut up, brat!!" yelled Kaoru through clenched teeth.
Akashi glared, "You act as if you've won."
Kaoru stared, "You have no weapon, Miss Akashi. I don't know if you've noticed, but that makes you considerably weaker."
Akashi smiled, then laughed, "Of course how silly of me. You know, I wasn't really much of a swordsman, anyways." She bent her legs, and sunk into a strange fighting stance, (much like weird Tai Chi Quan stuff) and she narrowed her eyes, grin in place, "Besides, only a man can truly master a sword."
Kaoru sneered, beating the stick in her hand, "Oh yeah? We'll see..."
Kaoru charged to Akashi, and thrust her blade forward, in a straight stabbing motion. The rest was so quick it only happened in five seconds.
First, as Kaoru's wooden tip pushed forward, Akashi bent so low so that her hands splayed behind her, on the ground. Then, Akashi twisted her torso, sweeping up her right leg to the left, her ankle catching Kaoru's weapon and kicking out of her hands. Before Kaoru realized what was going on, Akashi landed her right foot down, twisted her body again, and kicked Kaoru in the face with her left foot.
Kaoru grunted, and fell over, the kick sending her to slide into the field's outskirts.
Megumi gasped, "What happened...?"
Akashi stood cracking her knuckles, giggling, "Come on! We're even now, right?"
"Even?! The Missy isn't a martial artist, lady!!" pointed out Sano.
But Kaoru got up, rubbing her chin. A small trickle of blood escaped the corner of her mouth.
Kenshin glared at Akashi, "Stop this right now!!"
"Or what? You'll lecture me to death about not hitting girls?"
Kaoru came up to her, and threw a punch. Akashi caught it, and just as she did, Kaoru yanked her arm, bring Akashi with it since her grip was so tight, and she hoisted her up to flip her over.
"Oh great, there's that Kamiya Kasshin style jujitsu..." remembered Yahiko.
Akashi narrowed her eyes, twisted her body again, flipping straight up into the air form Kaoru's parry, and landed on Kaoru's shoulders.
Kaoru wobbled, "HEY, what are you!-"
Akashi grinned, and lunged off her shoulders, leaving her feet pushing Kaoru into the ground.
Kenshin stepped in, "That's enough. I will not let you torment Miss Kaoru."
The mysterious Akashi crossed her arms, "Yeah? You and what army?"
Kaoru wasn't going to get faced up twice. "No Kenshin!! I swear if you don't let me kill her, I'll kill you!!" she growled.
Kenshin sweated, "Oro... if you insist Miss Kaoru. But you know, if she get's too much for you I-'
"Shut up!! I won't be beaten by some hussy!!"
Akashi glared at her, "Oh, you're pathetic. All talk and no-"
Kaoru charged at her. Akashi smiled, and dodged her punch, swayed away from her kick, and flipped over her shoulder tackle. On and on it went, Akashi dodging everything she threw, when Akashi called out, "Eventually you'll tire out more than me. And I have to make dinner in an hour, so let's shorten this!"
Akashi charged to Kaoru, fists raised...
Suddenly, two arrows whistled into the field. Akashi looked up, and backed out. Kenshin immediately struck the arrow, but another yet again escaped his blade, and sunk into Kaoru's leg.
"NnngaaAAH!!"
"Miss Kaoru!!" shouted Kenshin
Akashi glared into the distance, as Kenshin caught the falling Kaoru.
Megumi gasped. "Oh my God, what happened?"
Kenshin shook Kaoru as she went into shock. "Miss Kaoru, wake up!!"
Yahiko rushed to her side, "Damn, she's bleeding a lot..."
Sano scanned the fields, then glared at Akashi standing dumbfounded. He ran to her, and yelled, "What the hell do you think you're doing?!!"
Akashi was still staring at Karou, when Sano grabbed her arm. "Hey, are you listening?!!"
She suddenly looked up at him, and slapped him. He was jolted back by the full force of her blow, and rubbed his cheek. She placed her hands on her hips, and sighed, "I'm sorry..."
Kenshin glared at her. "NOW you're sorry?"
"No, it's isn't like that," Akashi replied. "Those arrows were meant for me."
Sano looked at her, when Yahiko shouted, "Who cares!!! Those arrows hit her pretty deep!!"
"Miss Megumi, do you have anything that might help?!!"
Megumi rummaged through her purse. "I'm sorry Sir Ken, I only have a few bandages, not enough to stop her bleeding."
"Akashi! Where is the nearest hospital?!!"
Akashi surveyed them. She saw the towering Zanza, still glaring at her with anger. The young Yahiko, who's tough exterior melted away at the sight of Karol in danger. She noticed Megumi's rivalry with Kaoru also disappeared, and Kenshin's eyes were mixed with anger and... something else. She sighed, and turned. "Follow me; I'll take care of her."
"Why should we trust you, lady?!" demanded Sano.
Akashi glared at him, and then started ahead. "The choice is yours. But I assure you, the assassins after me clean up whatever they can't fully kill. And I'm the only who knows where they are right now."
Kenshin was wrapping the small bandages around Kaoru's wound, not daring to movie the sunken arrowhead tip. He called out, "We all saw the arrows came from the west."
"But now they are regrouping for us to reach the gates. Once we get there, I'm just going to have to lose my load."
Megumi stamped her foot. "Whose a wide load, you hussy?!!"
Akashi scoffed, "Yare yare..... suit yourself. I'm just really sorry she took my place. I'm just trying to help."
"Fine!! Who needs some creepy lady like you, anyways?!!" yelled Yahiko.
"Wait! Miss Akashi," called Kenshin. He slowly lifted Kaoru. "Please, show me the way."
Everyone turned to Kenshin, wide eyed. Akashi nodded, smiling. "My pleasure."
~ In the Woods to Kyoto, Not too Far From It~
"Where exactly are we heading?" called Sano, as they sneaked into the city through a small cluster of trees.
"I don't like to use the hospitals, since they would report something like this to the police."
Sano glared at Akashi. "And why would the police interrogate an innocent lady like you, huh?"
She smiled, "I have no idea, Zanza."
Megumi tried her best to keep up with them in her skirt. "How do you know our names?"
"I know as much as any body else, does." Akashi pushed aside a pile of leaves, revealing a whole into a building. She crawled into it. "It's a tight squeeze, I'll admit, but it should be better than other things."
Sano grumbled. "I have a feeling the more we follow you, the closer we are to something really messed up."
She simply smiled, as she helped Kenshin carry Kaoru. Through there, they were in an alleyway in Kyoto, in a housing district.
She slid open a wall, and told them to hurry inside.
"What is this place?" questioned Kenshin.
"My house," she answered. She smiled, "Please make your selves at home."
There, she laid out a clean futon for Karou, which Kenshin laid her down on. Akashi left the room briefly, and returned with many rags, bandages, and more bandages.
"There is water boiling on my stove. Miss Megumi, I trust you will help me?"
Megumi rolled up her sleeves, glaring at her. "I just hope you don't try to stab us in the back as I help Kaoru."
Akashi giggled, "Please! You flatter me!! I allow no violence in my house."
"What's the deal, lady? Before you were all like, 'Kill kill kill!!!' and now you're all, well, 'Have a cookie, make yourself at home'. It's kinda odd, if ya ask me..." commented Yahiko.
Akashi removed her hair pins, letting it cascade down to her waist. "I know, but I'm the one who made the rule of keeping violence away from this house... men can do such terrible things when they're mad."
"And what of you, Red Death?"
Everyone looked at Kenshin. He repeated, "Red Death. It's what you're name implies, doesn't it? How can you say such things like that, yet you were the one drawing your blade first."
She giggled again, handing Megumi some more bandages. "Yes, it is odd. But, I have my reasons. For now, I really would like to help Miss Kaoru here."
"Why's that?" asked Sano.
"Well, she's hurt. Someone has to take that arrow out of her leg, right?"
"Yeah, but you caused it."
"Did not. She was in the way, an innocent bystander. People who hurt innocent people..." she looked down at her hands, unraveling another set of bandages. "... are just worthless ........... mongrel dogs."
"Oro..?" asked Kenshin.
She giggled again. "Listen to me!! Babbling like an idiot. The water's steaming!! I better get it so we can disinfect Miss Karou's wound."
Akashi got up, and left the room. Sano turned to Kenshin. "So, what do you think of that Akashi?"
"She seems a bit confused, that she is. But other than that, she seems perfectly harmless in her house. She doesn't carry weapons in here, and I cannot even find a hint of blood in her house. It is true, what she says. No one get's hurt in her house."
"A little bizarre if you ask me," mumbled Megumi. "Who does she think she is, anyways?! Attacking Sir Ken like that..."
Kenshin sighed. "Well, I believe she's really trying to help this time..."
Yahiko scratched his head. "Well, I think she still can't be trusted."
"Think what you want, but you're in her house right now," she called from the door way. "So be a little nicer."
She changed into a light blue kimono. Her hair was pinned up again, and she was carrying a kettle with boiling water. She handed it to Megumi, who carefully soaked a rag in it, and pressed it into Kaoru's wounds.
Kaoru instantly woke up, "YeeOOOWCH!! What the.... Megumi?"
"Welcome back," muttered Megumi sarcastically.
Sano grinned, "Hey Missy!! How are ya feelin'?"
"Why? What happened?"
"Geez, don't you remember, ugly?!! You got hit by an arrow, and you passed out."
Kaoru blinked. "That really happened?" she asked Kenshin.
Kenshin rubbed his neck. "I'm afraid so, Miss Kaoru."
"Yep, and this is what we just pulled out of your leg," grinned Akashi, holding up the bloody, extracted arrowhead.
Kaoru gasped, "You're... y-you're that..."
"Yes yes, the crazy broad. Enough of that. Now tell me, what bring you folks to Kyoto?"
Kaoru yelled, "Are you nuts?! You kicked my face!! Then kicked me in the dirt!!"
Akashi grinned, "Yeah, I know. But what a laugh it was, wasn't it?"
Kaoru bared her fangs at her.
Kenshin smiled, "There is a young lady we were hoping to meet, because her birthday is coming up in a week."
Akashi clapped her hands. "Oh, good!! You can surprise her right when her birthday comes up!!"
Kenshin sweated, "But uhh, she already made rooms for us!"
"Oh, even better!! You guys won't show up for a week, and then when her birthday comes up and she feels all down, you can jump in her surprise her!!"
"That's kinda mean, don't you think?" pointed out Sano.
"Yeah, but if you think about, feeling success after failure feels really nice after just expecting you to come and... ummmm..... ya know, I really don't know where I'm going with this. Would you guys like something to eat?"
*Now this woman was really bizarre; she turned from menacing witch to ditsy housewife.*
Sano was the first to speak up. "Do you have any fish? Like salmon? I love salmon."
Kaoru glared at him. "I thought I told you to get some manners!!"
"You said that about Misao's party, not some stranger's house. Hey, can I have a side of rice with that?"
Akashi smiled, "Sounds like you want a meal instead of a snack. Perhaps you'd like to have some dinner?"
Yahiko grinned, "Hey, you can cook?"
Akashi stood. "Of course I can. What kind of self respecting woman couldn't?"
"Yeah Kaoru, why couldn't- OWCH!!" Sano yelped after Kaoru throw her slipper at him. "I'm gonna get bruised, Missy!!"
"Oh, I'm sure she's not that bad. I hope you don't mind, it'll take a good half hour. Do you mind?"
"Oh, of course not, Miss Akashi," smiled Kenshin politely.
She bowed, and slid open the door to the hallway, "If Miss Kaoru can stand, I'd rather you all wait in the guestroom than my husband's room. He can always tell when there's been people in his room, and he can get so grouchy when that happens."
Kenshin nodded, and asked Kaoru, "Can you stand up?"
Kaoru stood, and winced. "Y-Yeah, I can."
Akashi apologized again. "I'm truly sorry; you weren't supposed to get hurt. And now you're kimono's soaked in blood. And covered in dirt. Would you ladies like to change into one of my yukatas? It might be too long for you, but it was very hot today, and you must have been sweating the whole way through."
"Oh, we don't want to cause any trouble," started Kaoru.
Akashi smiled. "Oh please!! This is fun!! I rarely get guests over at my house, since my husband, well..."
Megumi sighed, "I know. Men can be so stubborn."
"Just what is their problem, anyways?" demanded Kaoru.
"Hey, we're still here, ugly!!" shouted Yahiko.
Akashi grinned, sliding open the door. "Here, you guys wait here while we change, mmkay?"
Megumi helped Kaoru to her feet, while Akashi looped her arm through Kaoru's, and they helped her hop into another room to change.
The three women came back, with Megumi and Kaoru in white yukatas. Akashi said, "Sorry, but those are my only spare ones. I hope you don't mind."
"Oh, not at all!! It feels nice to change out of those old robes anyways!" replied Kaoru.
Sano sighed, "Are you girls done gossiping yet?!"
"Seriously!! We could hear you nitpicking us from across the house!!" grumbled Yahiko.
"Mind your own business," warned Kaoru. She turned to Akashi. "So, would you like me to help you with dinner?"
Akashi smiled politely, "Thank you, but I like being in charge of my kitchen."
"Good save there, Akashi. The Missy here would've just ruined it-HEY!!" went Sano, as he dodged Kaoru's other slipper.
Megumi settled in the middle of the room, kneeling at the table. "Such lovely furniture you have here, Akashi."
"Oh yes, it was a real find. Not that many people have mahogany, do they?" she called on her way in.
Akashi came out, carrying a tray of rice bowls filled with white rice. It steamed as she set it on the table. "Well the rice is ready!! I already had that cooking before I left for some errands. But, the fish'll take a bit longer."
Kenshin sat next to Megumi. "It smells good from here Miss Akashi, that it does!!"
She giggled, "Oh Himura, you make me blush!!"
Suddenly, there was the sound of the front door sliding, then slamming shut. Akashi suddenly gasped, "Oh no, I thought he was working a late shift today!! Ohhh, that idiot............" she grumbled.
"Who is it?" asked Kenshin.
Akashi stopped at the door, and replied, "My husband. Please stay here, okay?"
She slid the door behind her, and they heard her footprints fade to the front of the house.
Kaoru touched the walls, which were painted delicately with a picture of sakura trees and swans. "Such lovely rooms........... she must have a very wealthy husband!!"
Megumi nodded, feeling the tatami mats underneath her. "So soft, not rough and itchy at all. No wonder she's so happy at home."
Kaoru gazed about the finery in the room. There were beautiful hand painted vases which held delicate flowers in their slender necks on top on meticulously carved tables. Incense filled the room with a slight fragrance of lavender, and Kaoru noted how expensive even the floors felt, "I must admit, the wooden floors of the dojo could use some upgrading.......... maybe I'll ask her what she uses!"
Kenshin smiled, "Uhh, Miss Kaoru? I think this is some kind of expensive tatami."
They heard muffled voices and the thudding of Akashi's light footsteps, as they heard her also say, "Oh, please don't be that way, honey........."
She slid open the doors, beaming at the Kenshingumi, "Well!! How's the rice?"
Sano had already finished his bowl. "Good!! Can I have more?"
"Oh certainly!!"
"I hope you're husband wasn't angry, Miss Akashi?" implored Kenshin politely.
"Oh, about that; please stop calling me that. My husband wouldn't like it, hearing you call me by some street punk's name."
Megumi looked up from her bowl. "What should we call you then?"
Akashi opened her mouth to speak, when suddenly, a very familiar voice cut through the air:
"Tokio!!"
And everyone fell silent, as Hajime Saito, Leader of the 3rd Squad Shinsengumi, walked into the dining room, "I thought you had told me....." and he soon found his words dead.
Kaoru's heart was beating fast, since this man provoked fear in her in a way no one ever did. This man caused the Battousai to come out of Kenshin. Sano was trying his hardest not to burst out in an attempt to knock him out, his fists trembling. Megumi was glaring at him, as was Yahiko. Though, a bead of sweat ran down his cheek. Kenshin stared, not daring to show any emotion of any kind.
Saito glanced around the room, amber eyes narrowed, and then turned to his wife. "Tokio. You did not tell me we were having guests tonight."
Akashi- err, Tokio grinned, and turned away, "I'm sorry Goro, but they were weary travelers, and they really needed a place to stay."
"What's wrong with the motel down the street?" demanded Saito- umm, Goro.
Tokio glared at him, snapping her wrist in an imaginary slapping motion. "Goro!! I thought I told you to be nicer to my guests!!"
She turned back to the stunned group. "I'm sorry. I'll go get you your rice, Sanosuke."
She walked out of the room, and the first to break the silence was Sano, nearly shouting:
"YOU'RE STILL ALIVE?!!"
Saito surveyed the room once more, and took a seat at the far end of the table. "Wonderful. I have a wandering Battousai, a kid, two useless women and an idiot residing in my house."
"WHO'S an idiot?!!" demanded Sano, growling.
Saito calmly removed his gloves, "Calm yourself, moron. Not in my house."
Kenshin said, "I should've known something was odd about that woman..."
Saito turned his eyes to him without moving his head, "You're implying something wrong with my wife?"
Kenshin sweated, "Ah, no Saito!! I think she's very interesting, that she is!!"
"As in nuts," went Yahiko.
Saito glared at him, as Kaoru bonked Yahiko's head. "Don't say such things about Miss Tokio!!"
"How can I not say it?!! She-"
Tokio suddenly entered the room. She looked at everyone else's bowls. "Is there something wrong with my rice?"
Kenshin chuckled, "N-No, Miss Tokio. We were all flustered, I mean, we didn't know you're umm, husband was a policeman!"
Tokio blinked. "Why? Are you convicts?"
"Oro........."
Sano grunted. Tokio smiled at him. "Oh, I almost forgot!! Here's some more rice, Sanosuke." She knelt next to Goro, and handed him a plate of hot soba. "And here's some soba for you!"
She turned again. "I'll go get the rest of the meal for you guys, so you can chat some more!!"
Megumi suddenly got up. "I'll help you, Tokio."
"Oh no, I mean, I really don't-"
Megumi's tone turned commanding. "I insist."
"Ohh, okay............"
When they left, Sano got right up to Saito. "Cut the act!! What are you doing here?!!"
"Coming home. I should be demanding the same from you."
Yahiko piped up, "Well, we were coming to Kyoto, minding our own business, when suddenly-"
Kenshin held up his arm to stop Yahiko. "Ahh, we just happened to be passing by. And Miss Tokio here was kind enough to let us in. We had no idea she was your wife."
"Yeah, if we did know, we sure as hell wouldn't be here," grumbled Sano.
Saito glared at Kenshin, "Didn't know? Just how long were you in my house, Battousai?"
"I'd prefer you not call me that, Saito, and I'll just keep calling you Goro in return. I have a feeling you don't let your wife know who you really are. Am I right?"
Saito stared at him, eyes narrowing slightly.
Tokio poked her head back in. "I'm sorry Goro, but can you please change before you eat? I really hate having to stay late at night washing your uniform so it can be ready for tomorrow just because you spilled something on it."
He nodded to her, smiling. He stood up, his head nearly brushing the ceiling.
"Don't take anything," he warned Sano.
Sano growled at him. As soon as he left, Sano burst at Kenshin. "You're just gonna take that from him?!! Kick his @$$!!!"
Kenshin looked down, and crossed his arms. "Sano, I have a feeling Saito and Tokio both lead lives the other doesn't know about."
Kaoru looked at Kenshin. "How so, Kenshin?"
"For one thing, Tokio's bizarre behavior. She was so ........... different when we entered the house. But now I see. She had to get in character. That character is Goro Fujita's wife, an ordinary woman doing ordinary things. But, as soon as she was wearing that sword, and out stalking to hunt us, she was....... very much like a wife for Saito."
"EH?!!" went everyone.
"It's true. She never gave up on us, did she? And her feelings of someone slaying the innocent rivals that of Saito's and mine, though I'm not sure if she's ever killed anyone herself. Plus, did you see how she told us her name just as Saito came home? She obviously didn't want us to call her Red Death again. She's hiding that alternate life from Saito."
"But why?" asked Yahiko. "I mean, wouldn't it help if that crazy cop was on your side?"
Kenshin frowned. "I'm not sure. I have a hunch, but I may be wrong. In any case, as far as I know, Tokio is hiding her... other life away from Saito. And I've yet to see if Saito can see this."
"You mean Akashi?"
"I bet he already has, but I haven't seen him give me a clue to his knowing yet. There could be a chance Saito may not see it."
"Why not?"
Kaoru thought for a bit, "Maybe he's so in love with her, he doesn't even realize it!!" she giggled, "How cuuuuuute.........."
"Oh please, that guy having emotions is like saying that rock has emotions," muttered Sano.
Tokio entered, holding a tray with Megumi, and they passed out portions of beef.
"How's it taste?" asked Tokio.
"Very good!!" commented Kenshin.
Sano was already done with his food by the time she asked him.
She smiled, "I guess I'll take that as a compliment."
Megumi giggled, "You know Tokio, I thought you were tall for your size, but I can see you're just the right height for your husband!"
Tokio giggled, "Uhh, thanks Megumi!! I guess........... but, you guys shouldn't be so stiff around my Goro. He's just a big teddy bear, once you get to know him!"
Sano snorted, and burst out laughing. Yahiko laughed, and Kenshin smiled, struggling to keep a straight face. "Oh....... is he?"
"Yup!! See, when he get's all mad, all I have to do is rub up against him like so," she said, demonstrating with Kenshin, "And he turns all soft and melts like butter, hee hee heeee!!!"
Kenshin blushed, "Ororororo..."
Tokio laughed, "Yeah, like that!! Except for that, 'oro'ing sound you make." Tokio turned to Megumi, "Geez, why does he do that?"
Kaoru laughed, "Seriously!?"
Goro just then came into the room wearing a fresh white yukata, and noticed too many smiling face at him. "What...?"
Sano grinned "Oh nothing................ teddy bear."
Yahiko snorted, nearly shooting rice out of his nose.
Goro's eyes widened a fraction, before he rolled them. "Tokio, do you really have to tell that to everyone you meet?"
Tokio giggled. "But it's so true!! Now shush, before I make you melt."
Sano was now shaking with laughter, and Goro let out an exasperated sigh.
"Tokio...."
"Oh, come on now, we rarely have guests! Let's have a little fun!!"
Goro sat next to his wife. "There's a reason why I stopped accepting guests..."
Megumi had a playful grin on. "So tell me... Goro...how did you and Tokio meet?"
Goro swallowed his soba, and wiped his mouth. "What's to say? I met her, she met me. There you have it."
"Nuh uh!! It was nothing like that!!" said Tokio, as Goro looked extremely uncomfortable.
Megumi squealed, and a pair of fox ears popped out, "Oooh!! Tell me all about it!!"
Tokio smiled, "Ya see, Goro here was in a party with some other men who looked very important, and poor Goro, he can't hold his sake well, and well, I found him on my front porch, and dirty and delusional-"
"I think that's enough Tokio-"
"No, tell us more!!" boasted Sano, now turning his angry mood to ecstatic.
Tokio giggled, "Well, I was all like, 'You better get off my porch, my dad hates drunks!!' And he was saying, 'Quit yelling, woman, I'm having a hangover, alright?!'' and oh, he was so cute!!"
Kaoru blushed, "It was love at first sight?!"
"Oh God no, I always threw things at him. And punched him too, whenever I felt he said the wrong things."
"What were those things?" implored Megumi.
"Oh he called me 'idiot', 'moron', and even said I was worthless. But I showed him!!" Tokio thought, then turned to Kenshin, "Come to think of it, I think he called me those things to do his bidding."
"How so, Miss Tokio?"
"Well, he's said, 'Only weak girls can't make good soba', and stuff like that." Tokio frowned, turned, and lightly slapped his back, "You moron!! You tricked me!!!"
Sano laughed, "Ah, so that's how you got her to marry you. What'd you say, 'Only stupid girls don't marry crazy people like me'?!"
Goro glared openly at him, and Kenshin shot him a look. Kaoru also glared at him. "Sano!!!"
Tokio laughed, and looped her arms around Goro's free one. "Actually, yeah. He's such a jerk, someone had to put him in place." Tokio rubbed her head on his shoulder. "Buuut, we rarely fight a lot now." She let go, and turned to Kenshin. "So!! How did you and Kaoru meet?"
Kenshin went absolutely numb with shock. "Ororoororororoo..............."
Kaoru giggled, blushing furiously, "Oh, please!! It's nothing like that!! I- I mean, umm, w-we barely know each other!! We don't even share the same room!! Ah ha ha haa.."
Tokio grinned, "Well, it's high time you guys should, eh?" she turned to Sano, "Tell me, do you know?"
"Kaoru challenged Kenshin to a fight, and Kenshin wussed out," he answered, holding up a cup. "Do you guys have any sake?"
Tokio smiled, "Ah, I'm sorry, Sanosuke, but since my husband doesn't really approve of it, I rarely keep any in the house."
Sano grumbled to himself, "Lousy good for nothing wolf, can't even hold his own sake..."
"There's sake down the street in this store that's, oh say, AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. You can help yourself," retorted Goro, sipping his tea.
"Oh, Goro, please, he just wanted something to drink." Tokio ran her figners through her bangs. "Well, I could make some tea."
Kenshin smiled, but declined. "I'm sorry, Miss Tokio, but it is getting late."
Yahiko grinned, patting his stomach, "Yeah that tasted so good, Tokio. Can't wait to see what you can make for breakfast!!"
"Breakfast?" asked Goro in a dangerous tone. "Now why would a boy like you get the idea that you'll be here around breakfast time?"
Tokio chuckled nervously, "Ahh heh heh heh.......... uhh, because I told them they could?"
Goro narrowed his eyes, and asked calmly, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "Did you now?"
"I thought I told you on your way in!"
"You didn't," he replied, drinking from his cup.
Tokio smirked closing her eyes, "Feh. Must've slipped my mind."
Goro glared at her. "You realize you're not going to get any sleep once I'm done with you."
Tokio grinned devilishly. "Are you going to yell at me or do something else that'll occupy the whole night?"
Sano shivered, "Eww, Goro getting it on." He rubbed his arms, shuddering, "I feel dirty."
Goro drank his broth, rolling his eyes.
"What's it like, a night with a policeman?" Megumi smirked, "Kinky?"
Tokio giggled, and Sano couldn't stop laughing. Yahiko grimaced, "This conversation is getting gross.............."
Goro stood up, sighing, "If this is tonight's topic, and I can't throw you people out, I'll be going to bed. I have work tomorrow, after all."
And after soon said, Goro left the room for his. Tokio sighed. "Oh dear, I did hope he was going to be a bit more hospitable towards my guests. Ah well........." she turned to them "So!! Do you girls want separate rooms from the guys, or are we going co-ed tonight?!"
Everyone agreed to separate rooms, though Kaoru had to think about it first.
~In Tokio's and Goro's bedroom~
"I really hope this doesn't become a new hobby of yours, Tokio," warned Goro, once the others had gone to bed. He was tying his yukata, watching her prepare the beddings in their room.
"Oh, lighten up, Goro. They were tired, and stuff."
"They were heading somewhere. I have a suspicion you dragged them in here."
Tokio giggled, thinking ~You don't know the half of it...~
She rolled out the futon for her husband. "Goro..... you seemed rather more..... umm, how can I say this? Grouchier than usual. Did you know these people?"
"One of them I apprehended. So, the rest naturally had a dislike for me."
"Oh, was it the big, tall guy?"
"What gives you that idea?"
Tokio smiled, unfolding the blankets. "He seems to be the idiotic type that would make you so mad."
Goro smirked. "Suddenly my wife can read my emotions."
"Isn't that part of the job description?" She laughed, taking the pins from her hair. She fluffed it once, and sighed, "So, tell me!! Are you gonna yell at me, Goro?"
Goro rubbed his neck, lying down on his side of the futon. "Maybe later."
Tokio watched him, "You know... ever since that day you came from Tokyo, you've been rubbing that neck. Did you fall or sleep wrong, or something?"
Saito closed his eyes, remembering that 'killing blow' the Battousai had landed there. "... guess I slept on it wrong. And stop asking questions, I was rather hoping to come home to a quiet house. I'm tired right now. Busy day at work."
Tokio giggled slightly, "Ooohh, tell me about it!!" She flopped down on his free arm. "Come on; don't leave out any of the bloody details!!"
Goro sighed, "Yare yare... my wife thirsts for bloody stories. Whatever happened to the blushing bride I had?"
"Oh, she retired long ago when she found out her husband was a complete jerk."
"Excuse me?"
"Look at him! So pathetic, he can't even hold his own sake!"
Goro rolled his eyes, "I really wish you'd stop pointing that out to everyone you see..........."
Tokio grinned, "Sorry. But the truth is you're so perfect. I gotta nitpick SOMETHING."
He slid his eyes to her. "You have to?"
She giggled, "All part of the job of being a nagging wife."
"You make sounding like my wife more like a chore."
"It is considering the dangerous life you lead."
Goro's eye slightly narrowed. "What makes you say that?"
Tokio smiled, and closed her eyes, laying her head against his chest. "You better stop being such a grouch to my guests, or else I'll run away with that big, handsome, idiot Sanosuke Sagara."
"That moron?! Leaving him for me is the worst insult."
"Hmm, I dunno. It'd be more like freedom for me."
Goro sighed, and Tokio smiled, deeply. "I love you, ya know." She finally whispered after the all was quite.
"Hnh."
"...hnh?"
"What?"
"That's all you have to say?"
"You heard me say it before."
"But I wanna hear it every time I say it!!"
"Fine. I love you."
"With feeling!! I didn't marry you just so I can have the wonderful name Fujita after mine!!"
Goro smiled, really smiled, rolled over, and kissed Tokio long and hard. "Tokio, I love you more than words can ever say."
Tokio was taken away by the kiss. Her husband usually never showed such signs of affections so spontaneously. And romantically!! Her bottom lip hung open. Goro smiled pressing his forehead against hers. "What are you doing? Catching flies?"
She smiled, narrowing her eyes devilishly and snuggled closer to him. "You big jerk. One of these days you're wife will leave you for someone far more deserving of her perfect beauty and disposition."
Goro slung one arm around her. "That'll be the day..."
~Next Morning~
Kaoru woke up early in the morning. It was still dark out a bit, but the sun was already peeking through the mountains. She felt that Tokio's robe she was wearing smelled a bit odd, and her futon felt just a bit too soft. But then again, Kaoru was always bad at sleeping in any other place but home. She kicked off her blanket, and looked at Megumi.
'Look at her!! Sleeping like a log...' she thought, enviously. 'I wish I could relax like Megumi. She's been through so much more than me, but can find peace anywhere. Even...'
Kaoru narrowed her eyes '...... even in the wolf's den.'
Kaoru sighed, and stood up. For some reason, she really wanted to see Kenshin. Perhaps seeing Tokio with Saito... how they interacted. And that question Tokio brought up!! How could she suspect Kaoru and Kenshin have feelings for each other?!! Was she that obvious?!!
**Or maybe Saito told her, since he seemed to notice how I felt........... and how Kenshin felt........ for me.......**
In any case, Kaoru felt that the warm air of the summer was too thick for her, so she carefully slid open her door. It was getting a bit brighter. The dark halls were filled with a bright bluish looking light, the kind you can only get from early mornings. The setting sun only casts purple light. Kaoru opened the door to the men's room, and gasped.
Yahiko was lying down with his butt in the air, his blanket kicked off from a rough sleep, and Sano was snoring loudly in the corner. But, a folded futon and blanket were neatly stacked in the opposite corner.
Kenshin wasn't there!!
Kaoru looked around the halls, careful not to make her footsteps known. She didn't want to disturb Tokio, much less wake up Saito, so she decided to go to the kitchen. Maybe if she busied herself making breakfast, she can get this weird feeling out of her stomach. Besides, she felt she should do so. Miss Tokio, once they got in her house, treated them like honored guests. The least she could do was make them breakfast.
Kaoru entered the hall leading to the kitchen was still pitch dark since it's windows faced away from the rising sun. She felt around the walls, looking for a door, when her fingers suddenly grabbed a warm, sleeved arm.
"Are you lost, Kamiya?"
Kaoru gasped, "S-Saito?!!"
Saito opened a door, filtering some sun light into the dark hall. She noticed Saito was already fully dressed in the policeman's uniform. He was frowning. "I thought I told you, I am Goro Fujita in this house. And what are you doing wandering so early?"
Kaoru stammered, "Ahh, it was kinda stuffy in my room and uhhh, I can't find Kenshin, so I thought-"
"He'd be in the kitchen," he answered, turning away.
Kaoru sighed, defeated for excuses. "Okay okay, I was hungry. But, Kenshin really is gone, so I wasn't lying about that."
Goro shrugged, hands in his pockets going into the kitchen himself. "Just don't stuff yourself with my all food."
Kaoru grumbled, "You're very rude for a husband to someone like Tokio."
"It's funny how you people keep saying that. If you knew her, it'd be the other way around, the way she sometimes can't bite her tongue. I don't find it so hard how I could get a wife."
Kaoru smiled, trying to hide it. "Well, it is kinda amazing, if you ask me..."
Goro frowned, pulling out a cup out for himself.
Kaoru recovered, "But ummm...what are you talking about? I didn't even know you had a wife!"
Saito poured himself some water, and stopped, mid thought. "That's right; it was the Battousai and the weasel girl I accidentally told..."
"Weasel? Misao? You know Misao?"
"No. I don't plan to either."
Kaoru sighed, "Tokio was right, you need to work on your people skills."
"You need to be less nosy. I'm sure you've been told that many times."
"Do not!!"
"Don't try to lie when your eyes can't."
Kaoru rubbed her arm, slightly uncomfortable.
Saito noticed. "What is it now?"
"It's ........bizarre. I mean, you nearly ..... you nearly defeated Kenshin. We hated you, you frightened me! You were in my nightmares once..........!"
Saito slid his eyes to her, still sipping from his cup.
Kaoru continued, looking away, "It's kinda weird..... I mean, we even thought you died! All of us!! But..... here I am. Having a normal conversation with you."
"It's not hard to start a conversation with Goro," Saito smirked.
Kaoru scoffed, "Oh yeah, I forget. The infamous Hajime Saito, the Miburo who lives a double life as Goro Fujita!!" Kaoru placed her fists on her hips. "So what would a Miburo be like? Is he even nicer?"
"A Miburo like me would throw you out of the house and not give a second glance."
"So I was right. Hey, why didn't you throw us out of the house last night then?"
Goro buttoned all the buttons on his jacket, turning away.
"Why are you up so early? Is it work related?" implored Kaoru.
Goro set down his cup, and walked for the front door.
Kaoru followed after him. "How long do you plan on doing this?"
"I plan to ignore you until you leave. And I hope that is in a few hours."
Kaoru grinned evilly. "Try a week. And I was asking how long you were planning on acting like Goro Fujita, Hajime Saito."
Goro's eyes slanted into those of a wolf's. "Consider yourself lucky that I'm a generous man when it comes to being a husband." He closed his eyes, smiling, placing his police hat on his head. "Good day, Miss Kamiya. I trust that you will not mention this to Mrs. Fujita. It would give her day a bad start, don't you think?"
He opened the door, and stepped out. Kaoru tried to figure it out. Okay, it seemed like Saito didn't know about Tokio's double life. Or, he did, but he didn't say. Saito and Kenshin both observed many things at first glance, so he couldn't be this dumb to see his own wife was leading a double life as well.
Or did he?
~ A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing ~
Chapter 1: One Fine day
This story takes place in Kyoto, Japan during the Meiji era. It also takes place after the battle with Shishio, about a year maybe. Kenshin and the gang were heading towards Kyoto, for a special occasion...
"Hey, Kenshin!" yelled Yahiko Myojin, "What did you get Misao for her 17th birthday?!"
Kenshin replied with a smile, "Well, you see, I'm not sure what Misao really wanted. So, I had to do a bit of guess work." Kenshin held up a box. "Do you think she'd appreciate this hard candy I got for her?"
Kaoru put a finger to her chin. "Uhh, maybe you shouldn't have done that, Kenshin."
"Why not?"
"Well, Misao's been watching her figure lately."
Sanosuke chuckled. "Still trying to get the attention of that grim guy, Aoshi?"
Kaoru glared. "Hey, I think it's sweet!!"
Megumi giggled, "Heh heh, she needs to concentrate on gaining wait on her chest than losing weight."
Sano and Yahiko burst out laughing, and were soon after silenced by a swift kick in the butt by Kaoru. She growled, "You better be on your best behavior too, dammit!!"
"Oro.." Kenshin mumbled. "We haven't even passed the Kyoto gates and we're already fighting.."
They passed a wide green field on the Kyoto Path. There, they saw a single traveler. She was wearing a large, wide brimmed hat. Kaoru smiled. "That's what I need. The sun's so bright out here; it's going to ruin my perfect skin.
Yahiko and Sano grumbled in unison, "Perfect?"
Kaoru put Yahiko in a chokehold, and kicked some dirt at Sano.
"Hey, cut it out, Missy!!"
"Leggo, Kaoru, you ugly-"
"I'll teach you cretins some manners!!!"
Megumi giggled at the spectacle, while Kenshin smiled on. He noticed then the traveler coming towards them was rather tall for a woman. Roughly a few inches shorter of Sano. Her red kimono seemed a richer color than blood, with black petals embroidered into it. Kenshin narrowed his eyes. Something smelled funny about her.
"Sir Ken? Is something wrong?"
Kenshin glanced at Megumi. "Oh, no, there isn't anything. It's just rather hot today, that it is."
Megumi smiled. "Tell me about," she tugged off her blue outer jacket, stripping down to her pink kimono. "I'm almost melting in he-"
Megumi looked up. Kenshin did also, and noticed the woman had stopped entirely. She was standing, deliberately waiting for them. Kenshin noticed she kept on hand on her hat, keeping the brim low to obscure her face. Kenshin stopped ten feet away from her. He held out his arm, so that when Kaoru bumped into it, (she didn't notice since she was busy yelling at Yahiko) she stopped. Kaoru lifted her face. "What's wrong, Ken-?"
Kenshin called out. "Excuse me Miss. Is something wrong?"
The woman lifted her brim, only allowing half her face to be seen. She had rouged lips, and emerald green eyes. She smiled. "I am sorry to bother you sir, but might you be, a swordsman from the Revolution?"
Kaoru gasped. "How do you know?"
Kenshin narrowed his eyes. The woman smiled even broader, and took off her hat. "So you are. Let's see, fiery red hair, never healing scars on his cheek.. you must be.. the Battousai?"
Kenshin answered, "Yes. Is there something that troubles you about who I am?"
She dropped her hat, which got swept in a sudden gust of heated wind, and flew across the fields. Her raven black hair was swept into an elegant knot upon her head. She closed her eyes, smiling. "You see, my husband was part of the Revolution too.."
With that, she splayed her legs, so that her kimono parted at her right knee. There, she had a katana strapped to her leg. Sano's eyes widened. "Hey, what's a lady like you doing with a sword?"
Megumi glared. "You are going to try and hurt Sir Ken?"
She calmly drew her blade anyways. "Kenshin, is it?"
"Your husband was part of the Revolution, you said?" asked Kenshin. He closed his eyes, "And now you've come for revenge."
She nodded. "Uh huh."
Kenshin held up his palms in surrender. "I am truly sorry for your loss, Miss. But, killing me will not avenge your late husband in any way."
She giggled. "Well, you see, the thing is, he's not dead."
"Huh? Went Kaoru, when suddenly a shuriken glided past her ear, and snipped off her ribbon. Her black hair glided in the wind, and Kaoru crumpled to her knees, stunned.
Kenshin shouted, "Miss Kaoru!!"
"Come forward, or else I'll swear I'll hit her right in her pretty face."
Kenshin glared at her. "Who are you?"
The woman pulled her sword to her face, and took a defensive stance. With her other hands, she held shurikens in her knuckles. She answered, "You may call me Akashi. For now."
"For now," Kenshin repeated. "Listen to me, I will not harm another person, especially if it turns out to be a woman."
"Quite the gentlemen. My husband was wrong about you."
"Who is your husband, Miss Akashi?"
She charged, shouting, "That's really none of your BUISNESS!!"
Kenshin dove forward, and caught her blade with his sheathe. "Stop this now!!"
The woman swiftly kicked his chest, flipping back. Kenshin recoiled, but was already on the defensive. Akashi turned around glancing over her shoulder. "I don't plan to finish until one of us get's hurt."
"I refuse to hurt you, or let you hurt anyone else here!"
"Not hurt the enemy? Hypocrite. How else can you stop," she turned with lighting speed, and flung three shurikens, "A murderer?!!"
Kenshin quickly flipped his blade, sweeping away two. But the third was heading strait for Sano, while he fortunately ducked in time. It sunk into the tree behind him. He growled, "Little witch..."
Akashi smiled, and cart wheeled to the left. "I told you to stay out of it. But then again, Kenshin here isn't fast enough to-"
Suddenly, she stopped speaking when suddenly Kenshin was before her, blade pointed to her face. She gasped a bit, while Kenshin calmly, but angrily, commanded, "Drop those weapons. A woman like you shouldn't use such tools for violence."
She sweated, then laughed. "Hah! What kind of woman do you think I am?!!"
She rolled between Kenshin's legs, and kicked straight up.
"OROOoooo............."
Kenshin fell to the ground, holding his groin. Akashi stood up, laughing to herself.
Yahiko and Sano both grimaced. "Low blow..."
Kaoru, "Hey, you can't kick him there!! That's not swordsmanship!! You're cheating!!!"
"Since when did I say I was?" sneered Akashi.
Megumi smiled evilly, "Poor Sir Ken. If he needs to be healed there, I will certainly do all I can to help!!"
Kaoru grumbled, "I bet you would..."
Kenshin got up. "OOROROoooo.........," he chook his head, "Now really, what did you do th-that for?"
Akashi swung her blade around, before taking a stance again. "You simply insulted me."
"How?"
"By thinking I was a mere woman. Also, you're not even fighting me." She stretched her legs, and held her blade like a dagger. "But I bet if you knew who I was, you would drop me like a fly."
Kenshin sheathed his sword. "I do not care who you are, and I doubt who you were would make any difference. I think this has gone on enough. If you excuse me, I must be getting to a friend's house, that I must..."
Akashi stared at him, then spat, "Don't you DARE turn away from your opponent!!"
And she barreled into him, first elbowing his chest. Kenshin caught her arms, and pushed her back, while she swept her legs up again, and kicked his face.
"Errgh!!" grunted Kenshin, and blocked again as she started to fist fight.
She shouted, "Come on!! Fight back!!"
Kenshin dodged, and rolled away from her, hands apart. "I said I do not wish to hurt a woman!!"
Suddenly, Kaoru stepped in, brandishing a Kendo stick. "If you have a problem taking her on, Kenshin, I will!!"
Yahiko felt his back. "Hey, she's using my Kendo stick!!"
Akashi looked at her, "Feh. What's any good beating you senseless? I came here to fight the Battousai."
"Why do you insist on picking on Kenshin?"
"Because. I'm a loving wife, doing her duties."
Kaoru charged, raising her stick. "Liar!!!"
Akashi narrowed her eyes, and cut the kendo stick before Kaoru even landed.
Kaoru gasped.
Kenshin shouted, "Miss Kaoru, get back!! She's not a-"
Akashi grinned, then shoved her aside with one hand. "I'm not a little girl, like you!!"
Kaoru growled, then lunged, "hyaaAAAA!!!!" and swung Yahiko's kendo stick down with all her might.
Akashi's hidden blade twirled threw the air, and went lost in the fields somewhere.
Yahiko cheered, "Yeah!! Finally, Kaoru did something right!!"
"Hey, shut up, brat!!" yelled Kaoru through clenched teeth.
Akashi glared, "You act as if you've won."
Kaoru stared, "You have no weapon, Miss Akashi. I don't know if you've noticed, but that makes you considerably weaker."
Akashi smiled, then laughed, "Of course how silly of me. You know, I wasn't really much of a swordsman, anyways." She bent her legs, and sunk into a strange fighting stance, (much like weird Tai Chi Quan stuff) and she narrowed her eyes, grin in place, "Besides, only a man can truly master a sword."
Kaoru sneered, beating the stick in her hand, "Oh yeah? We'll see..."
Kaoru charged to Akashi, and thrust her blade forward, in a straight stabbing motion. The rest was so quick it only happened in five seconds.
First, as Kaoru's wooden tip pushed forward, Akashi bent so low so that her hands splayed behind her, on the ground. Then, Akashi twisted her torso, sweeping up her right leg to the left, her ankle catching Kaoru's weapon and kicking out of her hands. Before Kaoru realized what was going on, Akashi landed her right foot down, twisted her body again, and kicked Kaoru in the face with her left foot.
Kaoru grunted, and fell over, the kick sending her to slide into the field's outskirts.
Megumi gasped, "What happened...?"
Akashi stood cracking her knuckles, giggling, "Come on! We're even now, right?"
"Even?! The Missy isn't a martial artist, lady!!" pointed out Sano.
But Kaoru got up, rubbing her chin. A small trickle of blood escaped the corner of her mouth.
Kenshin glared at Akashi, "Stop this right now!!"
"Or what? You'll lecture me to death about not hitting girls?"
Kaoru came up to her, and threw a punch. Akashi caught it, and just as she did, Kaoru yanked her arm, bring Akashi with it since her grip was so tight, and she hoisted her up to flip her over.
"Oh great, there's that Kamiya Kasshin style jujitsu..." remembered Yahiko.
Akashi narrowed her eyes, twisted her body again, flipping straight up into the air form Kaoru's parry, and landed on Kaoru's shoulders.
Kaoru wobbled, "HEY, what are you!-"
Akashi grinned, and lunged off her shoulders, leaving her feet pushing Kaoru into the ground.
Kenshin stepped in, "That's enough. I will not let you torment Miss Kaoru."
The mysterious Akashi crossed her arms, "Yeah? You and what army?"
Kaoru wasn't going to get faced up twice. "No Kenshin!! I swear if you don't let me kill her, I'll kill you!!" she growled.
Kenshin sweated, "Oro... if you insist Miss Kaoru. But you know, if she get's too much for you I-'
"Shut up!! I won't be beaten by some hussy!!"
Akashi glared at her, "Oh, you're pathetic. All talk and no-"
Kaoru charged at her. Akashi smiled, and dodged her punch, swayed away from her kick, and flipped over her shoulder tackle. On and on it went, Akashi dodging everything she threw, when Akashi called out, "Eventually you'll tire out more than me. And I have to make dinner in an hour, so let's shorten this!"
Akashi charged to Kaoru, fists raised...
Suddenly, two arrows whistled into the field. Akashi looked up, and backed out. Kenshin immediately struck the arrow, but another yet again escaped his blade, and sunk into Kaoru's leg.
"NnngaaAAH!!"
"Miss Kaoru!!" shouted Kenshin
Akashi glared into the distance, as Kenshin caught the falling Kaoru.
Megumi gasped. "Oh my God, what happened?"
Kenshin shook Kaoru as she went into shock. "Miss Kaoru, wake up!!"
Yahiko rushed to her side, "Damn, she's bleeding a lot..."
Sano scanned the fields, then glared at Akashi standing dumbfounded. He ran to her, and yelled, "What the hell do you think you're doing?!!"
Akashi was still staring at Karou, when Sano grabbed her arm. "Hey, are you listening?!!"
She suddenly looked up at him, and slapped him. He was jolted back by the full force of her blow, and rubbed his cheek. She placed her hands on her hips, and sighed, "I'm sorry..."
Kenshin glared at her. "NOW you're sorry?"
"No, it's isn't like that," Akashi replied. "Those arrows were meant for me."
Sano looked at her, when Yahiko shouted, "Who cares!!! Those arrows hit her pretty deep!!"
"Miss Megumi, do you have anything that might help?!!"
Megumi rummaged through her purse. "I'm sorry Sir Ken, I only have a few bandages, not enough to stop her bleeding."
"Akashi! Where is the nearest hospital?!!"
Akashi surveyed them. She saw the towering Zanza, still glaring at her with anger. The young Yahiko, who's tough exterior melted away at the sight of Karol in danger. She noticed Megumi's rivalry with Kaoru also disappeared, and Kenshin's eyes were mixed with anger and... something else. She sighed, and turned. "Follow me; I'll take care of her."
"Why should we trust you, lady?!" demanded Sano.
Akashi glared at him, and then started ahead. "The choice is yours. But I assure you, the assassins after me clean up whatever they can't fully kill. And I'm the only who knows where they are right now."
Kenshin was wrapping the small bandages around Kaoru's wound, not daring to movie the sunken arrowhead tip. He called out, "We all saw the arrows came from the west."
"But now they are regrouping for us to reach the gates. Once we get there, I'm just going to have to lose my load."
Megumi stamped her foot. "Whose a wide load, you hussy?!!"
Akashi scoffed, "Yare yare..... suit yourself. I'm just really sorry she took my place. I'm just trying to help."
"Fine!! Who needs some creepy lady like you, anyways?!!" yelled Yahiko.
"Wait! Miss Akashi," called Kenshin. He slowly lifted Kaoru. "Please, show me the way."
Everyone turned to Kenshin, wide eyed. Akashi nodded, smiling. "My pleasure."
~ In the Woods to Kyoto, Not too Far From It~
"Where exactly are we heading?" called Sano, as they sneaked into the city through a small cluster of trees.
"I don't like to use the hospitals, since they would report something like this to the police."
Sano glared at Akashi. "And why would the police interrogate an innocent lady like you, huh?"
She smiled, "I have no idea, Zanza."
Megumi tried her best to keep up with them in her skirt. "How do you know our names?"
"I know as much as any body else, does." Akashi pushed aside a pile of leaves, revealing a whole into a building. She crawled into it. "It's a tight squeeze, I'll admit, but it should be better than other things."
Sano grumbled. "I have a feeling the more we follow you, the closer we are to something really messed up."
She simply smiled, as she helped Kenshin carry Kaoru. Through there, they were in an alleyway in Kyoto, in a housing district.
She slid open a wall, and told them to hurry inside.
"What is this place?" questioned Kenshin.
"My house," she answered. She smiled, "Please make your selves at home."
There, she laid out a clean futon for Karou, which Kenshin laid her down on. Akashi left the room briefly, and returned with many rags, bandages, and more bandages.
"There is water boiling on my stove. Miss Megumi, I trust you will help me?"
Megumi rolled up her sleeves, glaring at her. "I just hope you don't try to stab us in the back as I help Kaoru."
Akashi giggled, "Please! You flatter me!! I allow no violence in my house."
"What's the deal, lady? Before you were all like, 'Kill kill kill!!!' and now you're all, well, 'Have a cookie, make yourself at home'. It's kinda odd, if ya ask me..." commented Yahiko.
Akashi removed her hair pins, letting it cascade down to her waist. "I know, but I'm the one who made the rule of keeping violence away from this house... men can do such terrible things when they're mad."
"And what of you, Red Death?"
Everyone looked at Kenshin. He repeated, "Red Death. It's what you're name implies, doesn't it? How can you say such things like that, yet you were the one drawing your blade first."
She giggled again, handing Megumi some more bandages. "Yes, it is odd. But, I have my reasons. For now, I really would like to help Miss Kaoru here."
"Why's that?" asked Sano.
"Well, she's hurt. Someone has to take that arrow out of her leg, right?"
"Yeah, but you caused it."
"Did not. She was in the way, an innocent bystander. People who hurt innocent people..." she looked down at her hands, unraveling another set of bandages. "... are just worthless ........... mongrel dogs."
"Oro..?" asked Kenshin.
She giggled again. "Listen to me!! Babbling like an idiot. The water's steaming!! I better get it so we can disinfect Miss Karou's wound."
Akashi got up, and left the room. Sano turned to Kenshin. "So, what do you think of that Akashi?"
"She seems a bit confused, that she is. But other than that, she seems perfectly harmless in her house. She doesn't carry weapons in here, and I cannot even find a hint of blood in her house. It is true, what she says. No one get's hurt in her house."
"A little bizarre if you ask me," mumbled Megumi. "Who does she think she is, anyways?! Attacking Sir Ken like that..."
Kenshin sighed. "Well, I believe she's really trying to help this time..."
Yahiko scratched his head. "Well, I think she still can't be trusted."
"Think what you want, but you're in her house right now," she called from the door way. "So be a little nicer."
She changed into a light blue kimono. Her hair was pinned up again, and she was carrying a kettle with boiling water. She handed it to Megumi, who carefully soaked a rag in it, and pressed it into Kaoru's wounds.
Kaoru instantly woke up, "YeeOOOWCH!! What the.... Megumi?"
"Welcome back," muttered Megumi sarcastically.
Sano grinned, "Hey Missy!! How are ya feelin'?"
"Why? What happened?"
"Geez, don't you remember, ugly?!! You got hit by an arrow, and you passed out."
Kaoru blinked. "That really happened?" she asked Kenshin.
Kenshin rubbed his neck. "I'm afraid so, Miss Kaoru."
"Yep, and this is what we just pulled out of your leg," grinned Akashi, holding up the bloody, extracted arrowhead.
Kaoru gasped, "You're... y-you're that..."
"Yes yes, the crazy broad. Enough of that. Now tell me, what bring you folks to Kyoto?"
Kaoru yelled, "Are you nuts?! You kicked my face!! Then kicked me in the dirt!!"
Akashi grinned, "Yeah, I know. But what a laugh it was, wasn't it?"
Kaoru bared her fangs at her.
Kenshin smiled, "There is a young lady we were hoping to meet, because her birthday is coming up in a week."
Akashi clapped her hands. "Oh, good!! You can surprise her right when her birthday comes up!!"
Kenshin sweated, "But uhh, she already made rooms for us!"
"Oh, even better!! You guys won't show up for a week, and then when her birthday comes up and she feels all down, you can jump in her surprise her!!"
"That's kinda mean, don't you think?" pointed out Sano.
"Yeah, but if you think about, feeling success after failure feels really nice after just expecting you to come and... ummmm..... ya know, I really don't know where I'm going with this. Would you guys like something to eat?"
*Now this woman was really bizarre; she turned from menacing witch to ditsy housewife.*
Sano was the first to speak up. "Do you have any fish? Like salmon? I love salmon."
Kaoru glared at him. "I thought I told you to get some manners!!"
"You said that about Misao's party, not some stranger's house. Hey, can I have a side of rice with that?"
Akashi smiled, "Sounds like you want a meal instead of a snack. Perhaps you'd like to have some dinner?"
Yahiko grinned, "Hey, you can cook?"
Akashi stood. "Of course I can. What kind of self respecting woman couldn't?"
"Yeah Kaoru, why couldn't- OWCH!!" Sano yelped after Kaoru throw her slipper at him. "I'm gonna get bruised, Missy!!"
"Oh, I'm sure she's not that bad. I hope you don't mind, it'll take a good half hour. Do you mind?"
"Oh, of course not, Miss Akashi," smiled Kenshin politely.
She bowed, and slid open the door to the hallway, "If Miss Kaoru can stand, I'd rather you all wait in the guestroom than my husband's room. He can always tell when there's been people in his room, and he can get so grouchy when that happens."
Kenshin nodded, and asked Kaoru, "Can you stand up?"
Kaoru stood, and winced. "Y-Yeah, I can."
Akashi apologized again. "I'm truly sorry; you weren't supposed to get hurt. And now you're kimono's soaked in blood. And covered in dirt. Would you ladies like to change into one of my yukatas? It might be too long for you, but it was very hot today, and you must have been sweating the whole way through."
"Oh, we don't want to cause any trouble," started Kaoru.
Akashi smiled. "Oh please!! This is fun!! I rarely get guests over at my house, since my husband, well..."
Megumi sighed, "I know. Men can be so stubborn."
"Just what is their problem, anyways?" demanded Kaoru.
"Hey, we're still here, ugly!!" shouted Yahiko.
Akashi grinned, sliding open the door. "Here, you guys wait here while we change, mmkay?"
Megumi helped Kaoru to her feet, while Akashi looped her arm through Kaoru's, and they helped her hop into another room to change.
The three women came back, with Megumi and Kaoru in white yukatas. Akashi said, "Sorry, but those are my only spare ones. I hope you don't mind."
"Oh, not at all!! It feels nice to change out of those old robes anyways!" replied Kaoru.
Sano sighed, "Are you girls done gossiping yet?!"
"Seriously!! We could hear you nitpicking us from across the house!!" grumbled Yahiko.
"Mind your own business," warned Kaoru. She turned to Akashi. "So, would you like me to help you with dinner?"
Akashi smiled politely, "Thank you, but I like being in charge of my kitchen."
"Good save there, Akashi. The Missy here would've just ruined it-HEY!!" went Sano, as he dodged Kaoru's other slipper.
Megumi settled in the middle of the room, kneeling at the table. "Such lovely furniture you have here, Akashi."
"Oh yes, it was a real find. Not that many people have mahogany, do they?" she called on her way in.
Akashi came out, carrying a tray of rice bowls filled with white rice. It steamed as she set it on the table. "Well the rice is ready!! I already had that cooking before I left for some errands. But, the fish'll take a bit longer."
Kenshin sat next to Megumi. "It smells good from here Miss Akashi, that it does!!"
She giggled, "Oh Himura, you make me blush!!"
Suddenly, there was the sound of the front door sliding, then slamming shut. Akashi suddenly gasped, "Oh no, I thought he was working a late shift today!! Ohhh, that idiot............" she grumbled.
"Who is it?" asked Kenshin.
Akashi stopped at the door, and replied, "My husband. Please stay here, okay?"
She slid the door behind her, and they heard her footprints fade to the front of the house.
Kaoru touched the walls, which were painted delicately with a picture of sakura trees and swans. "Such lovely rooms........... she must have a very wealthy husband!!"
Megumi nodded, feeling the tatami mats underneath her. "So soft, not rough and itchy at all. No wonder she's so happy at home."
Kaoru gazed about the finery in the room. There were beautiful hand painted vases which held delicate flowers in their slender necks on top on meticulously carved tables. Incense filled the room with a slight fragrance of lavender, and Kaoru noted how expensive even the floors felt, "I must admit, the wooden floors of the dojo could use some upgrading.......... maybe I'll ask her what she uses!"
Kenshin smiled, "Uhh, Miss Kaoru? I think this is some kind of expensive tatami."
They heard muffled voices and the thudding of Akashi's light footsteps, as they heard her also say, "Oh, please don't be that way, honey........."
She slid open the doors, beaming at the Kenshingumi, "Well!! How's the rice?"
Sano had already finished his bowl. "Good!! Can I have more?"
"Oh certainly!!"
"I hope you're husband wasn't angry, Miss Akashi?" implored Kenshin politely.
"Oh, about that; please stop calling me that. My husband wouldn't like it, hearing you call me by some street punk's name."
Megumi looked up from her bowl. "What should we call you then?"
Akashi opened her mouth to speak, when suddenly, a very familiar voice cut through the air:
"Tokio!!"
And everyone fell silent, as Hajime Saito, Leader of the 3rd Squad Shinsengumi, walked into the dining room, "I thought you had told me....." and he soon found his words dead.
Kaoru's heart was beating fast, since this man provoked fear in her in a way no one ever did. This man caused the Battousai to come out of Kenshin. Sano was trying his hardest not to burst out in an attempt to knock him out, his fists trembling. Megumi was glaring at him, as was Yahiko. Though, a bead of sweat ran down his cheek. Kenshin stared, not daring to show any emotion of any kind.
Saito glanced around the room, amber eyes narrowed, and then turned to his wife. "Tokio. You did not tell me we were having guests tonight."
Akashi- err, Tokio grinned, and turned away, "I'm sorry Goro, but they were weary travelers, and they really needed a place to stay."
"What's wrong with the motel down the street?" demanded Saito- umm, Goro.
Tokio glared at him, snapping her wrist in an imaginary slapping motion. "Goro!! I thought I told you to be nicer to my guests!!"
She turned back to the stunned group. "I'm sorry. I'll go get you your rice, Sanosuke."
She walked out of the room, and the first to break the silence was Sano, nearly shouting:
"YOU'RE STILL ALIVE?!!"
Saito surveyed the room once more, and took a seat at the far end of the table. "Wonderful. I have a wandering Battousai, a kid, two useless women and an idiot residing in my house."
"WHO'S an idiot?!!" demanded Sano, growling.
Saito calmly removed his gloves, "Calm yourself, moron. Not in my house."
Kenshin said, "I should've known something was odd about that woman..."
Saito turned his eyes to him without moving his head, "You're implying something wrong with my wife?"
Kenshin sweated, "Ah, no Saito!! I think she's very interesting, that she is!!"
"As in nuts," went Yahiko.
Saito glared at him, as Kaoru bonked Yahiko's head. "Don't say such things about Miss Tokio!!"
"How can I not say it?!! She-"
Tokio suddenly entered the room. She looked at everyone else's bowls. "Is there something wrong with my rice?"
Kenshin chuckled, "N-No, Miss Tokio. We were all flustered, I mean, we didn't know you're umm, husband was a policeman!"
Tokio blinked. "Why? Are you convicts?"
"Oro........."
Sano grunted. Tokio smiled at him. "Oh, I almost forgot!! Here's some more rice, Sanosuke." She knelt next to Goro, and handed him a plate of hot soba. "And here's some soba for you!"
She turned again. "I'll go get the rest of the meal for you guys, so you can chat some more!!"
Megumi suddenly got up. "I'll help you, Tokio."
"Oh no, I mean, I really don't-"
Megumi's tone turned commanding. "I insist."
"Ohh, okay............"
When they left, Sano got right up to Saito. "Cut the act!! What are you doing here?!!"
"Coming home. I should be demanding the same from you."
Yahiko piped up, "Well, we were coming to Kyoto, minding our own business, when suddenly-"
Kenshin held up his arm to stop Yahiko. "Ahh, we just happened to be passing by. And Miss Tokio here was kind enough to let us in. We had no idea she was your wife."
"Yeah, if we did know, we sure as hell wouldn't be here," grumbled Sano.
Saito glared at Kenshin, "Didn't know? Just how long were you in my house, Battousai?"
"I'd prefer you not call me that, Saito, and I'll just keep calling you Goro in return. I have a feeling you don't let your wife know who you really are. Am I right?"
Saito stared at him, eyes narrowing slightly.
Tokio poked her head back in. "I'm sorry Goro, but can you please change before you eat? I really hate having to stay late at night washing your uniform so it can be ready for tomorrow just because you spilled something on it."
He nodded to her, smiling. He stood up, his head nearly brushing the ceiling.
"Don't take anything," he warned Sano.
Sano growled at him. As soon as he left, Sano burst at Kenshin. "You're just gonna take that from him?!! Kick his @$$!!!"
Kenshin looked down, and crossed his arms. "Sano, I have a feeling Saito and Tokio both lead lives the other doesn't know about."
Kaoru looked at Kenshin. "How so, Kenshin?"
"For one thing, Tokio's bizarre behavior. She was so ........... different when we entered the house. But now I see. She had to get in character. That character is Goro Fujita's wife, an ordinary woman doing ordinary things. But, as soon as she was wearing that sword, and out stalking to hunt us, she was....... very much like a wife for Saito."
"EH?!!" went everyone.
"It's true. She never gave up on us, did she? And her feelings of someone slaying the innocent rivals that of Saito's and mine, though I'm not sure if she's ever killed anyone herself. Plus, did you see how she told us her name just as Saito came home? She obviously didn't want us to call her Red Death again. She's hiding that alternate life from Saito."
"But why?" asked Yahiko. "I mean, wouldn't it help if that crazy cop was on your side?"
Kenshin frowned. "I'm not sure. I have a hunch, but I may be wrong. In any case, as far as I know, Tokio is hiding her... other life away from Saito. And I've yet to see if Saito can see this."
"You mean Akashi?"
"I bet he already has, but I haven't seen him give me a clue to his knowing yet. There could be a chance Saito may not see it."
"Why not?"
Kaoru thought for a bit, "Maybe he's so in love with her, he doesn't even realize it!!" she giggled, "How cuuuuuute.........."
"Oh please, that guy having emotions is like saying that rock has emotions," muttered Sano.
Tokio entered, holding a tray with Megumi, and they passed out portions of beef.
"How's it taste?" asked Tokio.
"Very good!!" commented Kenshin.
Sano was already done with his food by the time she asked him.
She smiled, "I guess I'll take that as a compliment."
Megumi giggled, "You know Tokio, I thought you were tall for your size, but I can see you're just the right height for your husband!"
Tokio giggled, "Uhh, thanks Megumi!! I guess........... but, you guys shouldn't be so stiff around my Goro. He's just a big teddy bear, once you get to know him!"
Sano snorted, and burst out laughing. Yahiko laughed, and Kenshin smiled, struggling to keep a straight face. "Oh....... is he?"
"Yup!! See, when he get's all mad, all I have to do is rub up against him like so," she said, demonstrating with Kenshin, "And he turns all soft and melts like butter, hee hee heeee!!!"
Kenshin blushed, "Ororororo..."
Tokio laughed, "Yeah, like that!! Except for that, 'oro'ing sound you make." Tokio turned to Megumi, "Geez, why does he do that?"
Kaoru laughed, "Seriously!?"
Goro just then came into the room wearing a fresh white yukata, and noticed too many smiling face at him. "What...?"
Sano grinned "Oh nothing................ teddy bear."
Yahiko snorted, nearly shooting rice out of his nose.
Goro's eyes widened a fraction, before he rolled them. "Tokio, do you really have to tell that to everyone you meet?"
Tokio giggled. "But it's so true!! Now shush, before I make you melt."
Sano was now shaking with laughter, and Goro let out an exasperated sigh.
"Tokio...."
"Oh, come on now, we rarely have guests! Let's have a little fun!!"
Goro sat next to his wife. "There's a reason why I stopped accepting guests..."
Megumi had a playful grin on. "So tell me... Goro...how did you and Tokio meet?"
Goro swallowed his soba, and wiped his mouth. "What's to say? I met her, she met me. There you have it."
"Nuh uh!! It was nothing like that!!" said Tokio, as Goro looked extremely uncomfortable.
Megumi squealed, and a pair of fox ears popped out, "Oooh!! Tell me all about it!!"
Tokio smiled, "Ya see, Goro here was in a party with some other men who looked very important, and poor Goro, he can't hold his sake well, and well, I found him on my front porch, and dirty and delusional-"
"I think that's enough Tokio-"
"No, tell us more!!" boasted Sano, now turning his angry mood to ecstatic.
Tokio giggled, "Well, I was all like, 'You better get off my porch, my dad hates drunks!!' And he was saying, 'Quit yelling, woman, I'm having a hangover, alright?!'' and oh, he was so cute!!"
Kaoru blushed, "It was love at first sight?!"
"Oh God no, I always threw things at him. And punched him too, whenever I felt he said the wrong things."
"What were those things?" implored Megumi.
"Oh he called me 'idiot', 'moron', and even said I was worthless. But I showed him!!" Tokio thought, then turned to Kenshin, "Come to think of it, I think he called me those things to do his bidding."
"How so, Miss Tokio?"
"Well, he's said, 'Only weak girls can't make good soba', and stuff like that." Tokio frowned, turned, and lightly slapped his back, "You moron!! You tricked me!!!"
Sano laughed, "Ah, so that's how you got her to marry you. What'd you say, 'Only stupid girls don't marry crazy people like me'?!"
Goro glared openly at him, and Kenshin shot him a look. Kaoru also glared at him. "Sano!!!"
Tokio laughed, and looped her arms around Goro's free one. "Actually, yeah. He's such a jerk, someone had to put him in place." Tokio rubbed her head on his shoulder. "Buuut, we rarely fight a lot now." She let go, and turned to Kenshin. "So!! How did you and Kaoru meet?"
Kenshin went absolutely numb with shock. "Ororoororororoo..............."
Kaoru giggled, blushing furiously, "Oh, please!! It's nothing like that!! I- I mean, umm, w-we barely know each other!! We don't even share the same room!! Ah ha ha haa.."
Tokio grinned, "Well, it's high time you guys should, eh?" she turned to Sano, "Tell me, do you know?"
"Kaoru challenged Kenshin to a fight, and Kenshin wussed out," he answered, holding up a cup. "Do you guys have any sake?"
Tokio smiled, "Ah, I'm sorry, Sanosuke, but since my husband doesn't really approve of it, I rarely keep any in the house."
Sano grumbled to himself, "Lousy good for nothing wolf, can't even hold his own sake..."
"There's sake down the street in this store that's, oh say, AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. You can help yourself," retorted Goro, sipping his tea.
"Oh, Goro, please, he just wanted something to drink." Tokio ran her figners through her bangs. "Well, I could make some tea."
Kenshin smiled, but declined. "I'm sorry, Miss Tokio, but it is getting late."
Yahiko grinned, patting his stomach, "Yeah that tasted so good, Tokio. Can't wait to see what you can make for breakfast!!"
"Breakfast?" asked Goro in a dangerous tone. "Now why would a boy like you get the idea that you'll be here around breakfast time?"
Tokio chuckled nervously, "Ahh heh heh heh.......... uhh, because I told them they could?"
Goro narrowed his eyes, and asked calmly, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "Did you now?"
"I thought I told you on your way in!"
"You didn't," he replied, drinking from his cup.
Tokio smirked closing her eyes, "Feh. Must've slipped my mind."
Goro glared at her. "You realize you're not going to get any sleep once I'm done with you."
Tokio grinned devilishly. "Are you going to yell at me or do something else that'll occupy the whole night?"
Sano shivered, "Eww, Goro getting it on." He rubbed his arms, shuddering, "I feel dirty."
Goro drank his broth, rolling his eyes.
"What's it like, a night with a policeman?" Megumi smirked, "Kinky?"
Tokio giggled, and Sano couldn't stop laughing. Yahiko grimaced, "This conversation is getting gross.............."
Goro stood up, sighing, "If this is tonight's topic, and I can't throw you people out, I'll be going to bed. I have work tomorrow, after all."
And after soon said, Goro left the room for his. Tokio sighed. "Oh dear, I did hope he was going to be a bit more hospitable towards my guests. Ah well........." she turned to them "So!! Do you girls want separate rooms from the guys, or are we going co-ed tonight?!"
Everyone agreed to separate rooms, though Kaoru had to think about it first.
~In Tokio's and Goro's bedroom~
"I really hope this doesn't become a new hobby of yours, Tokio," warned Goro, once the others had gone to bed. He was tying his yukata, watching her prepare the beddings in their room.
"Oh, lighten up, Goro. They were tired, and stuff."
"They were heading somewhere. I have a suspicion you dragged them in here."
Tokio giggled, thinking ~You don't know the half of it...~
She rolled out the futon for her husband. "Goro..... you seemed rather more..... umm, how can I say this? Grouchier than usual. Did you know these people?"
"One of them I apprehended. So, the rest naturally had a dislike for me."
"Oh, was it the big, tall guy?"
"What gives you that idea?"
Tokio smiled, unfolding the blankets. "He seems to be the idiotic type that would make you so mad."
Goro smirked. "Suddenly my wife can read my emotions."
"Isn't that part of the job description?" She laughed, taking the pins from her hair. She fluffed it once, and sighed, "So, tell me!! Are you gonna yell at me, Goro?"
Goro rubbed his neck, lying down on his side of the futon. "Maybe later."
Tokio watched him, "You know... ever since that day you came from Tokyo, you've been rubbing that neck. Did you fall or sleep wrong, or something?"
Saito closed his eyes, remembering that 'killing blow' the Battousai had landed there. "... guess I slept on it wrong. And stop asking questions, I was rather hoping to come home to a quiet house. I'm tired right now. Busy day at work."
Tokio giggled slightly, "Ooohh, tell me about it!!" She flopped down on his free arm. "Come on; don't leave out any of the bloody details!!"
Goro sighed, "Yare yare... my wife thirsts for bloody stories. Whatever happened to the blushing bride I had?"
"Oh, she retired long ago when she found out her husband was a complete jerk."
"Excuse me?"
"Look at him! So pathetic, he can't even hold his own sake!"
Goro rolled his eyes, "I really wish you'd stop pointing that out to everyone you see..........."
Tokio grinned, "Sorry. But the truth is you're so perfect. I gotta nitpick SOMETHING."
He slid his eyes to her. "You have to?"
She giggled, "All part of the job of being a nagging wife."
"You make sounding like my wife more like a chore."
"It is considering the dangerous life you lead."
Goro's eye slightly narrowed. "What makes you say that?"
Tokio smiled, and closed her eyes, laying her head against his chest. "You better stop being such a grouch to my guests, or else I'll run away with that big, handsome, idiot Sanosuke Sagara."
"That moron?! Leaving him for me is the worst insult."
"Hmm, I dunno. It'd be more like freedom for me."
Goro sighed, and Tokio smiled, deeply. "I love you, ya know." She finally whispered after the all was quite.
"Hnh."
"...hnh?"
"What?"
"That's all you have to say?"
"You heard me say it before."
"But I wanna hear it every time I say it!!"
"Fine. I love you."
"With feeling!! I didn't marry you just so I can have the wonderful name Fujita after mine!!"
Goro smiled, really smiled, rolled over, and kissed Tokio long and hard. "Tokio, I love you more than words can ever say."
Tokio was taken away by the kiss. Her husband usually never showed such signs of affections so spontaneously. And romantically!! Her bottom lip hung open. Goro smiled pressing his forehead against hers. "What are you doing? Catching flies?"
She smiled, narrowing her eyes devilishly and snuggled closer to him. "You big jerk. One of these days you're wife will leave you for someone far more deserving of her perfect beauty and disposition."
Goro slung one arm around her. "That'll be the day..."
~Next Morning~
Kaoru woke up early in the morning. It was still dark out a bit, but the sun was already peeking through the mountains. She felt that Tokio's robe she was wearing smelled a bit odd, and her futon felt just a bit too soft. But then again, Kaoru was always bad at sleeping in any other place but home. She kicked off her blanket, and looked at Megumi.
'Look at her!! Sleeping like a log...' she thought, enviously. 'I wish I could relax like Megumi. She's been through so much more than me, but can find peace anywhere. Even...'
Kaoru narrowed her eyes '...... even in the wolf's den.'
Kaoru sighed, and stood up. For some reason, she really wanted to see Kenshin. Perhaps seeing Tokio with Saito... how they interacted. And that question Tokio brought up!! How could she suspect Kaoru and Kenshin have feelings for each other?!! Was she that obvious?!!
**Or maybe Saito told her, since he seemed to notice how I felt........... and how Kenshin felt........ for me.......**
In any case, Kaoru felt that the warm air of the summer was too thick for her, so she carefully slid open her door. It was getting a bit brighter. The dark halls were filled with a bright bluish looking light, the kind you can only get from early mornings. The setting sun only casts purple light. Kaoru opened the door to the men's room, and gasped.
Yahiko was lying down with his butt in the air, his blanket kicked off from a rough sleep, and Sano was snoring loudly in the corner. But, a folded futon and blanket were neatly stacked in the opposite corner.
Kenshin wasn't there!!
Kaoru looked around the halls, careful not to make her footsteps known. She didn't want to disturb Tokio, much less wake up Saito, so she decided to go to the kitchen. Maybe if she busied herself making breakfast, she can get this weird feeling out of her stomach. Besides, she felt she should do so. Miss Tokio, once they got in her house, treated them like honored guests. The least she could do was make them breakfast.
Kaoru entered the hall leading to the kitchen was still pitch dark since it's windows faced away from the rising sun. She felt around the walls, looking for a door, when her fingers suddenly grabbed a warm, sleeved arm.
"Are you lost, Kamiya?"
Kaoru gasped, "S-Saito?!!"
Saito opened a door, filtering some sun light into the dark hall. She noticed Saito was already fully dressed in the policeman's uniform. He was frowning. "I thought I told you, I am Goro Fujita in this house. And what are you doing wandering so early?"
Kaoru stammered, "Ahh, it was kinda stuffy in my room and uhhh, I can't find Kenshin, so I thought-"
"He'd be in the kitchen," he answered, turning away.
Kaoru sighed, defeated for excuses. "Okay okay, I was hungry. But, Kenshin really is gone, so I wasn't lying about that."
Goro shrugged, hands in his pockets going into the kitchen himself. "Just don't stuff yourself with my all food."
Kaoru grumbled, "You're very rude for a husband to someone like Tokio."
"It's funny how you people keep saying that. If you knew her, it'd be the other way around, the way she sometimes can't bite her tongue. I don't find it so hard how I could get a wife."
Kaoru smiled, trying to hide it. "Well, it is kinda amazing, if you ask me..."
Goro frowned, pulling out a cup out for himself.
Kaoru recovered, "But ummm...what are you talking about? I didn't even know you had a wife!"
Saito poured himself some water, and stopped, mid thought. "That's right; it was the Battousai and the weasel girl I accidentally told..."
"Weasel? Misao? You know Misao?"
"No. I don't plan to either."
Kaoru sighed, "Tokio was right, you need to work on your people skills."
"You need to be less nosy. I'm sure you've been told that many times."
"Do not!!"
"Don't try to lie when your eyes can't."
Kaoru rubbed her arm, slightly uncomfortable.
Saito noticed. "What is it now?"
"It's ........bizarre. I mean, you nearly ..... you nearly defeated Kenshin. We hated you, you frightened me! You were in my nightmares once..........!"
Saito slid his eyes to her, still sipping from his cup.
Kaoru continued, looking away, "It's kinda weird..... I mean, we even thought you died! All of us!! But..... here I am. Having a normal conversation with you."
"It's not hard to start a conversation with Goro," Saito smirked.
Kaoru scoffed, "Oh yeah, I forget. The infamous Hajime Saito, the Miburo who lives a double life as Goro Fujita!!" Kaoru placed her fists on her hips. "So what would a Miburo be like? Is he even nicer?"
"A Miburo like me would throw you out of the house and not give a second glance."
"So I was right. Hey, why didn't you throw us out of the house last night then?"
Goro buttoned all the buttons on his jacket, turning away.
"Why are you up so early? Is it work related?" implored Kaoru.
Goro set down his cup, and walked for the front door.
Kaoru followed after him. "How long do you plan on doing this?"
"I plan to ignore you until you leave. And I hope that is in a few hours."
Kaoru grinned evilly. "Try a week. And I was asking how long you were planning on acting like Goro Fujita, Hajime Saito."
Goro's eyes slanted into those of a wolf's. "Consider yourself lucky that I'm a generous man when it comes to being a husband." He closed his eyes, smiling, placing his police hat on his head. "Good day, Miss Kamiya. I trust that you will not mention this to Mrs. Fujita. It would give her day a bad start, don't you think?"
He opened the door, and stepped out. Kaoru tried to figure it out. Okay, it seemed like Saito didn't know about Tokio's double life. Or, he did, but he didn't say. Saito and Kenshin both observed many things at first glance, so he couldn't be this dumb to see his own wife was leading a double life as well.
Or did he?