Disclaimer: Nothing is mine. This is just fanfiction. No money involved just plain hard work and sleepless nights. Also this is not a Saitou x Tokio fic. Alternate pairings involved! Adultery... Do not read if no likey! Rating will be changed for later chapters.

Chapter 2: New and Old

It is still dark when I awoke. A sliver of light disturbs the room where Tokio and I are sleeping. Which reminds me, Tsutomu is also with us. Standing up, I glance back at the bed watching my wife and son sleep peacefully. It has been two years since we've been married and moved here to Tokyo. I have been working a rather boring job in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department for quite some time now, waiting for a bigger assignment aside from civilian cases. Being a former Shinsengumi of course makes things a bit harder for the Meiji to completely trust a person such as myself for undercover field work. I shall have to wait patiently and be content for now...

A grin settles on my face as I watch my son. He turns and murmurs something about candy and I cannot help but wonder at how much my life has changed since he was born. Somehow my life suddenly came a bit more personal... That the things I do now as a police officer made sense. I can only thank providence that having connections in the system, at least gives me the opportunity to practice the tenet of Aku Soku Zan, even if it is admittedly, on a much smaller basis. The streets of Tokyo.

Moving quietly I close the bedroom door, stopping by the kitchen to grab a cup of tea. I had always slept lightly and perhaps as each day passes, my life seems to turn into something more 'normal'... Maybe that is what is driving me to get to work earlier each day. That and Japan's crooks never does go to sleep. Grabbing the katana and my jacket I venture out heading for the precinct.


"Ohayo Saitou-kun."

I bow stiffly to the Chief of Police Kawaji. I heard he was newly promoted, through what means, well I'd rather not know. There are too many in the force that got their position by sly means and if I am going to be working for Kawaji, then it is better not to know -too- much about him. At least till the time is ripe and I can actually get away from practicing my own brand of justice.

"You are quite early today. Keep up the good work!"

This man is too enthusiastic for my taste... Typical of those newly in power. Nodding once again, I go past him and head for a cluster of desks just behind the reception area. There are a few men already starting to gossip amongst themselves and I cannot help but let out an exasperated sigh. There are a few offices across from us and right now I am just about ready to take one for myself just to enjoy some peace and quiet while working on the multitude of papers that everyone seems to stack on my desk.

Going through them, the rather trifle cases I throw immediately to the trash. Let some other ahou take care of it, has always been my motto, if it did not spark my interest. Unfortunately today, nothing in particular leaped out at me so they all ended up in the garbage and I am left without anything to do. Propping my feet up on the table, I rest the back of my head on both of my hands and stared at the ceiling.

"You bored?"

Turning my head, I'm surprised. Once again the infernal Chief is standing in front of me. He'll probably give me more paperwork to do, so I slowly stood up and took my jacket.

"I'll go out on patrol or something."

He hands me a note once again that infernal smile. As if he knew something I didn't. That's disturbing, considering he's new here. Reading it, I can feel my eyes narrow. A new assignment. A -real- one in Kyoto.

"You better go home and pack." Kawaji said smiling.


It is once again quiet... In this house it is always quiet but right now it is quite different. Tokio has decided to sequester herself in the kitchen and my son is in another room sleeping.

"Tokio..." I call out her name, knowing she'll probably not turn and see me.

"Yes Hajime-san?"

As I've known she would not turn. She never did take it well when I left longer than necessary. However unless she tells me what's on her mind and what is bothering her, then I cannot do anything but do what's already been planned and what is -my- duty.

"I shall see you in a few weeks." I finally finish and turn to leave. This is the break I've been waiting for a long time. To actually -work- undercover and not just hold some -secret- title. Perhaps I am feeling a little guilty leaving like this... Not telling her enough and yet I cannot bring myself to divulge more information to her. If she is interested she will ask. Stopping by the other room I watch as Tsutomu sleeps. It's amazing really, being a father in this day and age. Only a few years ago, I had thought life had indeed ended. It's surprising how a child can change your outlook in life. That you actually wanted to keep on living just to see them grow, make mistakes and help correct them.

"Hajime-san..." Her soft voice calls out to me and I turn slightly surprised. "Here's a bento, the trip will be long and..."

"Domo." I bow slightly. "I shall take care."

Giving her a light peck on the cheek, I notice her skin is warm and soft. She is everything a man could possibly ask for in this day. Beautiful, from a good family and silent... Silence, I had always equated it to support and perhaps it is. A quiet comfort that lends me strength to continue. I smile at her. Yes ours is an arrange marriage but somehow it -is- working.


Alighting from the train, I am once again in Kyoto. A lot has not changed with the place, except for the excellent transportation system, there is still the air of old luxury and elegant although antiquated establishments lined the streets. Kyoto is everything that is old. Stuck in time. Somehow though I think this is not just circumstance but rather the Meiji itself has conveniently ignored developing the area, perhaps for spiteful reasons.

Maa... That did not matter anymore. I am just going to be here for a few weeks while inspecting the heads of the Kyoto Police Department. Yet this place brings back old memories... -Discomforting- ones, of bloodied streets and fallen comrades... We patrolled these streets back in the Bakumatsu. Keeping the Bakufu safe was top priority and with the help of the residents itself, we were able to keep the peace, even if it was just for a few years.

I decide not to hail a carriage for I know every nook and cranny of Kyoto, particularly Shimabara and Mibu. Ah yes... Mibu... There were some good memories there, yet they are only -that- memories. Passing the familiar streets and taking in the old air... I purposely took a wrong turn. It will not be till the afternoon I am expected... And there are -old- friends I have not seen in a while.

As I drew near to my destination, the trees are bare and it reminded me of scarecrows at night... Scarecrows and blood that was spilled many times on the grey pavements... For once I am glad that the pavements are now cracked letting the blood seep into the ground. Ah... Such thoughts always linger I suppose for a manslayer. We were demons back then, perhaps I still am now. But there was a place where we all returned to, where we were welcome as people and not as butcherers.

Knocking on the door of a decent sized estate, I wonder again what I am doing here. Ah... That's right to settle old ghosts and move on... I've conveniently avoided hearing what has happened to the Yagi's... During the time in Aizu I have heard that the lady of the house died but the rest were doing fine with their families, so I decided to leave it at that. But now I am here I should pay my respects... At least to the old man Yagi.

"Sumimasen! Is anyone home?" I call and stood by the door, suddenly aware that my clothes are not appropriate for such a meeting. I should've stopped by an inn and changed to something more formal, instead of having blue pants and a black shirt.

The door opens and at once I know that my premonition was correct. The servant looked at me up and down hesitant to let me in. Kyoto is an old city... It's people still dress in kimonos, hakamas and yukatas.

I am led to a room and I wait sitting in Seiza while another servant serves some green tea. Finally a familiar face comes into view... And I nod slightly at him, he's grown. How time flies...

"Saitou-san! Sashiburi na!" He exclaims while sitting immediately opposite of me.

"Yes Yuunosuke... It's been a while."

"What brings you here to Kyoto Saitou-san? We have not heard from you..." Suddenly looking hesistant he continues, "We thought you had died like the others."

The others... Yes... A lot of them had died... For a moment I narrow my eyes and they glow a soft amber at the mention of my comrades at arms.

"Sumanai... I have been roaming the past few years before finally settling in Tokyo. It's quite a ways from here..." I shrug , and It is uncomfortable to bring back old memories, I thought to myself. "How is Yagi-san? Tamesaburou? And Hidejiro?"

The young man's face suddenly drops a notch at the mention of his father. Of course I should've known...

"Chichi is dead... He died only a year ago of disease..."

Bowing down and bringing my hands in front I utter an apology for bringing up an inconvenient subject. At once though he pulls on my shoulder shaking his head.

"Nothing to be sorry about Saitou-san. Chichi has lived a full life... And most of us are doing well here in Kyoto.. Why Tamesaburou married a few years ago and now has two sons and a daughter... And Hide..."

I nod and slightly grin... Yes Hide... Not Hidejiro... Why did I forget that?

"Onee-san has married into a wealthy family..."

"That's good." Suddenly I am finding a dissapointed expression crossing my face. Truly... It is inappropriate to feel this way.

"Hai... Perhaps you shall want to meet them tonight. We usually have dinner together."

The young man beams happily and it is hard not to decline. So not wanting to be more obligated in anything else aside from dinner, I stood up bidding him goodbye. I still have to procure lodgings here in Kyoto.