Tokio sniggered to herself, as she scrubbed the noodle bowl clean.
'heh heh. So I'm a like a Buddha putting up with my Hajime? Good thing someone recognizes my goddess like qualities.'
She grinned wide 'I'll have to tell Teruhime about this.'
She set down the bowl, and looked out the window to watch Eiji practice his kenjutsu in the yard, Tsutomu standing off to the side swinging a stick mimicking his new big brother.
The sun poured in from the open window warming her. She let her mind wander to the last time she and Teruhime had been able to meet face to face… Why she was still engaged to Hajime.

Tokio giggled as Teruhime stared openly in shock.
"You?" the former princess gasped "Engaged?"
Tokio nodded smiling brightly "Yes, indeed I am, milady. Your own Brother saw to it."
"Tadatoshi never spoke a word of it to me," The Aizu beauty pouted "How dare he sponsor a marriage for my precious Tokio-chan, and not consult me."
Tokio sighed pouring her former mistress some more tea "Really Teru.."
"And who is this 'Goro Fujita'? A Meiji cop!" The lady bit down on her bright red lip in frustration "My Tokio-chan, a true Aizu born woman… a Joshitai no less… married to some crooked Meiji dog!?"
Tokio cried out "Teruhime!"
The slightly older woman's large brown eyes widened in surprise "My, Tokio, what on earth… you don't want to marry this scoundrel… do you?"
Tokio blushed slightly, but she managed a cocky grin.
"You… What could possibly posses you to?"
Tokio shrugged "He's handsome, clever, serious, has no inclination to become a politician, all that on top of being Hajime Saito."
Teruhime dropped her cup "You're joking…"
Tokio's grin became wolfish
"I thought he was…"
"Divorced"
"Good heavens! Why would the Wolf of Mibu working for the Meiji government?"
Tokio shrugged "Aku Soku Zan."
Teruhime regained her composure "And he is alright with it?"
Tokio nodded "He seems to like me."
Teruhime muttered quietly "Goodness the man must be like the Buddha…"
Tokio looked up confused "Come again?"
The former Aizu princess blanched "Oh nothing, Tokio-chan, I was just… never mind."

Tokio's eyes widened "She thinks I'm insufferable!" she shouted.
"Indeed you are, wife." The haughty voice of her husband reached her ears, as he walked in to the kitchen lighting another cigarette.
"Hmph" she pouted pursing her lips.
He wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her into his steel like frame "I suppose that we're insufferable together, dear wife."
She snorted "Remind me why I put up with you, again."
Hajime quickly glanced out the window to check on the location of the children, and then smirked, a feral gleam taking over his narrow amber eyes. "very well, Tokio, the bedroom is this way." He nudged her forward towards the open shoji doors.
Tokio's eyes widened before filling with mischief. "Oh yes. That's why." She dropped her voice "lead the way, Officer."