Pechan still doesn't own any of these characters.
~ A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing ~
Chapter 2: . Sweet Confessions .
"Is something wrong, Miss Kaoru?" asked Tokio. She was dressed in another blue kimono, and she was washing the plates after this morning's breakfast. Kenshin was still no where to be seen, while Yahiko and Sano were playing Chess on a Chess set Tokio just happened to find.
"Hey, Tokio!! Does this count as a checkmate?"
Tokio crawled over, and inspected the board. "Mmm.... nope, sorry. You just have a check, see? His king can still move diagonally right forward."
"Hah!!" exclaimed Sano triumphantly. He picked up his king and moved it. "Try to trick me, will ya, creep?"
Tokio giggled, and moved Yahiko's knight forward. "There! Now you have a checkmate!"
Yahiko laughed, "Seriously!? Alright!!"
"WHAT?!! Tokio!!! Why'd you help the shrimp out!? I coulda used some pointers too!!"
"Megumi sneered, "Oh ho ho, Sano needs all the help he can get."
"Grrr, damn fox...." he growled, shaking his fist.
"Oh, he was closer to beating you than you were closer to beating him, so I thought I'd speed up the game a bit," explained Tokio.
Sano turned away, grumbling, "Still isn't fair, ya know...."
Megumi smirked, "Figures the kid would beat Sano before he realizes what color he is on the board."
Kaoru smiled, "Still, I think that's a pretty cool game you have there. We've only really played the Japanese version kind of Chess. The European kind is quite different."
"Oh yes, quite. But, it's still fun to play, even if you're just a novice like me."
"Like you?! You were able to see Sano's mistake!" exclaimed Yahiko.
"Yes, that's true, but Sano's only a few levels lower below me, so I could see his faults as clear as day."
Sano felt a rain cloud above his head. "I guess there'd be no escaping from being teased by Saito's wife..... she's almost as worse as him," he grumbled so only he could hear.
Megumi leaned to Tokio, "How did someone like you become a chess expert?"
"Oh, that's just Goro. After he beats me, he shows me how I lost. Lousy jerk, rubbing it ion my face and all." she sighed, smiling, "But, you'd think after getting beaten four hundred and seventy eight times in a row, I'd see all his battle strategies."
"FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY EIGHT TIMES?!! You keep count?!!"
Tokio gingerly held out a score card, showing Tokio never winning once. "Ahh heh heh..."
Yahiko squinted, and looked on the bottom left hand corner. "What are all those slash marks right there for?"
"Oh, those were all the times I flipped the board away before that moron could beat me" Tokio counted on her fingers. "I'd say that was eighty seven times. Those are recent though. I found out it's more satisfying for me if I never see my losing turnout."
"Sounds fun," said Kaoru, absently twisting her kimono sleeves into knots, looking out the window.
Megumi played with the tips of her hair. "You've been spacing out all morning. What's going on in that empty head of yours, Kaoru?"
"Grr Megumi... I'll have you know, nothing's wrong. I just couldn't sleep."
"Oh, so you were the one rummaging about in the house, were you?" stated Tokio.
"How did you know?"
"Well, Goro woke up and heard someone moving around earlier, so I assumed it was you."
"But Goro was already dressed when I woke up. It seemed like he was getting ready to leave."
"Oh, that. Yeah, he came home early yesterday so that he wouldn't have to work a late shift again. To make up for it, he's starting a lot earlier today."
"Oh, I see....." said Kaoru.
Yahiko stood up, looking around, "Say ummm, Miss Tokio? Do you have a bathroom in your house?"
"Sure." She pointed the way. "Don't move anything in there though!! That jerk can always tell..." Tokio sighed as Yahiko left. "Man, Goro really let me have it yesterday. But, I guess it was my fault...."
Kaoru tied back her hair in a purple ribbon. "He was really that mad?"
"Oh, Goro always has to gripe about something. He said he came home early so that we could have a nice evening together and ummmm... do something else I enjoy rather a lot."
Megumi and Kaoru gasped. Megumi asked cautiously, "Goro... is... capable of that?"
"Oh, don't worry about it," giggled Tokio. "He was probably saying that to rub it into my face how I shouldn't have let you people into my house..." Tokio sighed, "Hooo... but if he was telling the truth, ohh I'm really gonna beat myself over the head for this..."
Kaopru smiled politely, smiling, "Oh, really?"
Megumi got up. "Excuse me; I have to go throw up."
After she left Tokio smirked, "What's her problem?"
Ever since this morning, watching Saito leave, Kaoru had a question bugging her. What if this question ruined everything for this young woman's life?
"Is something wrong, Miss Kaoru? You are more quiet that usual," she sneered, "Are you sad Himura's no where to be found?"
Kaoru blushed, "Hey, it's n-nothing like that!!"
Tokio smiled, drinking her tea, "Yeah yeah, whatever... I was like that too, ya know. Till he popped the question first."
Kaoru leaned closer to her, "He asked first?"
"Yep."
"Oh. I thought you'd be the type who'd... well you know, sally forth, ah hah hah haaah..."
Tokio laughed, loudly, "You'd think so, huh? Naw, I was just like you. A blushing virgin-"
Kaoru blushed, "Maybe you shouldn't make remarks like that-"
"See? That's what I'm talking about!! I was EXACTLY like that." She sighed, and turned to the window, eyes growing distant. As did her voice, "Till I met him."
But.. there was something about Miss Tokio. It seemed she was putting on an act. And just when her real self showed up, she seemed conscious, and pulled on another act. Kaoru noticed it, all girls notice it in other girls. It seemed like everything she did... was sort of to cover up something.
Although sometimes, her actions seemed genuine.../... like...
Kaoru sighed, and finally asked, "Tokio, do you know who. who Hajime Saito is?"
Tokio folded her legs, sitting down, "Sure I do. He was... ummm..... a Shinsengumi guy, right?"
"Yes."
"So? What about him?"
Kaoru looked away, "When we me..t. you told Kenshin that you were there because you're husband was part of the Revolution."
"... yes?"
"And... how old is Goro?"
"About thirty three, thirty four I think."
"Listen lady, don't try to lie to us. We know what you said yesterday," warned Yahiko, who had just entered. Apparently, he was listening in before he stepped inside the room.
Sano stood, and leaned against the door. "Look, I can tell, you act nice and proper, I guess... but...you do know Goro Fujita is really Hajime Saito. Don't you?"
Tokio smiled slowly. "That isn't really my place to know."
"But you do."
Tokio pushed a stand of hair away from her face. "I guess..... guess I should tell you all my story, huh?" she laughed, "To be honest, I wanted to get this load off my back for quite sometime!! But, between constantly trying to fool that detective wolf of mine, and his stubborn way of keeping no guests, I was gonna explode with this secret."
"So, you really do know who he was."
"WAS, Miss Kaoru? He IS. He's still the same Miburo he claims to be behind my back. He still watches the world through the eyes of a lone wolf. And... he still returns home to me still smelling of blood." Tokio looked away. "It's like I heard him once say, a Miburo can never be tamed."
Sano's eyes had widened. "How long did you know?"
"Well... it seems I can trust you guys." Tokio got up. "But, let's take a walk. I'll go into the woods, away from the ears of this city. Everything get's reported to the police here. To Saito. He knows everything that goes on."
"That's kind of a load on his back, isn't it?" Kaoru said.
"Well, come on, if you still want to know. Maybe we can catch a bite to eat later."
~Half an hour later~
Tokio lead Megumi, Kaoru, Yahiko, and Sanosuke into the woods. There, in a clearing, there was a small ring of Buddhist statues with windmills twirling in them. Several stone benches were there too, though they looked recent and out of place. Tokio sat down in one.
"Now. where to begin.?"
Sano leaned against one of the taller statues. "Try the beginning."
Tokio nodded. "Okay.
" When I was about twelve my dad was a government official. Something about money, or taxes, I don't remember. In fact, I really couldn't remember what he looked like. All I know is..... he was big, strong, with such a gentle voice that could lull me to sleep. With that stupid Revolution war, there wasn't much peace going on in Kyoto. In fact, every night I could hear a few houses away people screaming, or metal sliding against metal. It was... rough on a child. A child is not sure what is going on, but they are panicked when their parents are. My mother was a wreck constantly jumping at every sound, claiming that 'They were coming after us too!!', ya know? But my father, Satoru, he... I.. I just felt so safe in his arms. I truly did. It felt like as long as I stayed in my father's arms, nothing could hurt me."
"So what does this have to do with Saito?" asked Yahiko.
Tokio just smiled silently. Kaoru tried speaking to her, "When did you meet?"
Tokio bent down, resting her chin on her hands. "See, as I said my father was a government official. My sweet, gentle, comforting father was ... was a corrupt official. But I never knew. All I knew is.. he was my father. My sanctuary, if you will. Well, you guys know.... what Shinsengumi does to corrupt government officials, do you?"
Kaoru and Yahiko gasped. Sano's eyes widened, and Megumi looked down.
"The Shinsengumi killed...you're father, didn't they?" she murmured.
"And my mother. And my two little sisters."
"You had sisters, Tokio?"
"Oh yes. But.... not that it matters now."
Yahiko gulped. "And Saito... is the...?"
Tokio took her time answering. "I had just turned fourteen, I think. Well, I woke up in the middle of the night when my father was pulling me into his arms. So strong yet gentle... ahhh, yes, I remember. The Shinsengumi were raiding the house."
She spoke calmly, almost pleasantly. As if she were just sitting in her living room, discussing the weather over some bean cakes. "They were going to get rid of us. We were corrupt, after all. Anyways, my mother held my littlest sister in her arm on her hip, and tugging my younger sister by her hand- if I remember, my darling little sister was complaining her feet hurt since she forgot her slippers... Well, anyways, we got cornered, of course. And what I really remember that night. .were those eyes.. those terrible eyes..."
"Eyes?" asked Kaoru.
"Those... those amber eyes. Wolf eyes, mocking my father. I can't even remember the words, I. .. I can only remember how cold that voice sounded. Branding my father as a traitor- a pathetic worm not worthy enough to crawl on the streets like a mongrel dog. Oh, he sounded like a crazy man, spouting things about beliefs and truths. And my father was stammering, and he was shaking... shaking a lot. But, I still felt... safe. Safe in his arms. My father drew his sword- I never saw him draw a sword before- and I bet ... I bet that Wolf could too. That Miburo. He could tell how my father's blade wavered constantly that his prey was going to be easy. Oh... those eyes....."
Kaoru sat next to Tokio placing her fingers on her shoulder hoping to stop her painful story. It seemed too much for her. "Tokio, we...."
But she continued anyways, with a trembling smile. "I'll admit, the Miburo was nice enough to rip me out of my father's arms before stabbing him in the neck. As I fell, I could that warm splash on my face. You know, when it's fresh it's all warm.... and... He noticed me. I was crying. I mean, how could I not? That damn...," She closed her eyes, her voice rising, "That @#!$ing wolf tore away my sanctuary!! The only comfort to me, he took it away!! But then, my mother and sisters screamed. I turned, and ran to them, screaming. Another Shinsengumi raised his blade to me. But... the wolf got to him first. Stabbed the hand holding the blade stained with my sister's blood. The Shinsengumi looked at the alpha wolf, and that wounded wolf. I believe he said something like, "We came here for the man only.' He also said only... only worthless scum slew women and children. Such a lie!! He thinks his hands aren't stained?!! He thinks his hands are clean because he only stabbed dirty blood?!!"
Tokio slammed her fist on the log, trying not to scream her heart, "He killed my father!!! My father, that..... that sweet man... the only man I had ever loved, he ripped him away from me... and he finds that... he thinks killing that man..... that terrible imperialist, he thinks that doesn't count...as a murder?!! Aku Soku Zan- if he ever followed true to those words... then he should have killed himself!!"
Tokio turned to the stunned group. "... Well? Am I wrong to feel angry?"
~Yet she certainly didn't look angry. More like.... broken.~
Sano gritted his teeth, anger return, and fists forming. "That... that damn Saito.... he did all that to you?"
Yahiko was shocked to hear all this anger coming from this woman who was so cheerful a minute ago. He muttered, "Then... then why..?"
"Why am I married to him? After the whole war was over, and the Shinsengumi were disbanded, he was still alive. Of course. My dumb luck. I also happened to be training to kill Shinsengumi soon after my father died. I worked on the same side ... on the same side the Battousai was. I never met him face to face, though... my only job was going to be to infiltrate Shinsengumi headquarters and stuff. By the time the war ended, I already had above average technique in fighting. Not enough skill to face a Shinsengumi head on, but maybe as a ninja, I could surprise him and be lucky. It was a risk worth taking. The new government offered me a job. They were going to use Saito as an underground official, a secret agent almost. I had to be... his sheathe."
Kaoru repeated. "His sheathe?"
"To keep him calm, almost. They knew I was the best one for the job, since I'm such a good actress, they said. To help him maintain his humanity. You've all seen what it can do... to certain fellows like Shishio, losing faith in you government and country..." Tokio looked up at the trees, "They also told me...if that wolf should ever arise... to step out of line.. I was given the liberty to do away with him. That was .... my job."
The group was stunned beyond words. Sano barely whispered, "So in other words... the only reason you married Saito.. was to kill him?"
Tokio sighed. "Yes. That was the only reason... the only reason I took the job.. that I assumed the role."
Megumi caught her tone had changed. "It.. it WAS your only reason. There's a new one?"
"I couldn't outright kill Saito. Doing so would be foolish. Any assassin, now matter how well trained, can be caught off guard by one..... he values above else. I just had to play the part of a wife. Of someone submitting to his will, of someone who agrees to what he believes in. To hear him out, believe in him, understand him and above all, someone who will always be there for him. So I did."
"You've been acting... all this time?" asked Yahiko.
".... Well..... the only thing that kept me from trying to risk my life and kill this man, was my anger for him," she closed her eyes, frowning. "Look at him!! Every night he comes home while his faithful wife prepares his favorite dish, starts his bath, and sleeps by his side. He doesn't have to worry about me being in danger, because no one knows that Saito is Goro Fujita. No one has to. He has that luxury of not knowing. Someone who can never wash his hands of all that blood... should never have this luxury."
There was a long silence.
"....but?" asked Sano.
Tokio sighed. "But... I noticed, one night, as I prepared his bath, when he took off his robe...his scars."
"Scars?"
"All over his body, nearly covering him. It seems... he had a rough life as well."
Sano grunted, "I still don't find that a reason to suddenly stop hating him."
Kaoru was going to hit him, when Tokio cut in. "No... it shouldn't. No one should ever be forgiven that easily. But... ya know..." Tokio raised her hands to her chin. "He... he never really asks anything of me. In a way, I was doing everything for him. Just to please him, to gain.. to gain his trust. He does not make me do things I don't want to do, and he usually asks my opinion first before anything. I'm exactly the opposite, you know? I always tell him what to do. Of course, if I told him to go naked down the street, he wouldn't do that, but......"
She sighed, closing her eyes, "I remember the night he came home, battered, bruised, and cut. Saito never get's cut. It almost made me glad to finally see him hurt. But, when he came home, he collapsed. He...he told me later, he was just running. He was too tired to say anything else. Of course, I know better, I knew where he went. His knees were slashed, he had a cross carved into his chest... And a wound burned into his right shoulder..."
Sano widened his eyes, remembering Saito's 'final battle' with Shishio. "You know who gave them those?"
She giggled, then returned somber, her eyes distant. "Ever since I could remember, I hated that damn wolf. But... sometimes.. in the middle of the night, I feel him. I would wake up, and find my... I wouldn't find the Saito I hate so much. But my Goro, with one arm slung around me, holding me tight to him as if someone were going to take me away from him in the middle of the night. And I knew, his sword wasn't too far away from his left hand. Amazing. I acted fake love. And he bought it. I .. I began to think... maybe ... maybe he never really had someone, you know? All his scars, he must have been treated worse than me."
Tokio sighed again. "I can never forgive Saito, for taking away that comforting warmth that meant so much to me... But.. but Goro has given me... that warmth back. At night, when it's silent, I sometimes cry. I'm with the man who killed my father, the same man who reeks of blood. And when I do cry, he does not implore. He simply presses his lips to my forehead head, rubs my back, and pulls me closer. He knows that I do not cry easily. And whatever I am crying for, is beyond words. He knows. He would just comfort me in the best way he could. And that... wonderful warmth... lulls me back to sleep. I found it again, that warmth I've always desired. And .. now... the only reason why I cry.. is that I can't figure out how to kill that damn...," she nearly chocked on the end of her story, "M-Murdering wolf I love so much..."
Tokio dropped to the ground, sobbing. Megumi and Kaoru rushed to her side. Kaoru was near tears herself, and held Tokio's shoulders in her arm. "Oh, Tokio, we had no idea.."
Megumi sighed, "Tokio, we didn't mean to bring you to tears, we just..."
"No, no... it's okay. I had to tell someone. I would rather fess up to you guys, than Goro, ah heh heh," Tokio rubbed her eyes chuckling, "He can be... a bit touchy... eh heh heh heh..."
Sano looked away. "I guess that jerk does have some good in him."
Yahiko grumbled, "I guess. But..."
Tokio stood up, wiping her eyes. "Oh, damn, look at the sun!! It's probably noon already. Oh, let's go get something to eat. Getting all depressed sure makes me hungry."
Tokio was still holding onto Kaoru. She giggled, "Ahh, how is that leg of yours, Kaoru?"
"Hmm? Oh, this thing? Oh, it's fine, really, it's just needs another day, then this limp will be gone, you know?"
"All thanks to my doctoring skills," scoffed Megumi.
"Skills? You slapped some boiling water on it. You didn't even boil the water yourself, fox lady-AAOOOWW!!" yelled Sano, after Megumi elbowed his stomach.
Yahiko laughed, "Hah!! You need to learn how to bite your tongue, you big dummy!!"
As they walked down the path back to Kyoto, Kenshin stepped out from behind a tree. His eyes were shimmering, and he murmured, looking at Tokio:
"Miss Tokio ... is Saito's.. sheathe..."
Tomoe...
~Back at the Fujita Residence~
Tokio slid open the door to her house. "So!! How'd you guys like the okunomiyaki?
"Well, it's no Akebeko, but, pretty good," said Sano through his teeth, chewing on a fishbone.
Megumi glared at him, "Oh, it was damn good and you know it, idiot." She smiled to Tokio. "Thank you for treating us again!"
Yahiko patted his stomach, removing his kendo stick. "Man, I'm gonna burst.."
Tokio rubbed her neck, going through into one of the halls, "Hey, don't mention it. The least I could do for guests."
Kaoru and Megumi removed their slippers, while Yahiko peeked out their door. "Where d'you guys think Kenshin went?"
Sano shrugged, kicking off his shoes. "Maybe he went to see his Master and stuff. Who knows? He'll be back."
Sano heard the two women gasp, and Tokio giggled, and say, "Well, howdy Chou!! How's the spy business?"
Sano ran to them, and Yahiko followed behind.
Sure enough, there was Chou the Sword Hunter, standing in front of a smoking Saito. Chou was holding some papers in his hands. One eye closed, and a constant smirk on his face, he said, "Well howdy to you too, Miss Fujita. I was wondering were ya'll usually were."
Tokio smiled and came up to him. "Just showing some friends around. I finally got some!"
Chou noticed Sano. "Oh, you made friends with a rooster?"
Sano growled, "Funny you should remember me, broom head, I had forgotten about you already..."
Kaoru bowed a little, "Umm, hello again, Mr. Chou. Long time no see, huh?"
"Hmph, yeah, you could say that."
Tokio removed her hair pins, turning to Goro. "What's Chou here for?"
Goro flicked his cigarette out the window. "Chou is here on some police business. I had to give him a report on the next case he was going to do."
Tokio giggled, "Sounds like fun!!" she left the room, waving, "Well, tell me if you gotta chop any heads off on this one, Chou!!"
Chou nodded, "Sure will!!"
Sano laughed, "The broom is friends with the lady? She must not get out much."
Chou smirked, "Closer to a girlfriend than you'll ever get."
Sano, "What'd you say?!!"
Megumi sighed, nodding. "How true."
Sano fell down, defeated. If he said 'oro' like Kenshin, he'd be doing it here. Megumi yawned, going into the kitchen. "Well, I guess I'll go start the rice for dinner."
Goro rolled his eyes. "Unbelievable. It's only been a day and they start walking around like they own the place."
Kaoru frowned, "If we're that much of a bother to you, you can outright say it."
"I have. It didn't change anything, did it?"
Yahiko held up his fist, "So why don't you throw us out?"
"Because I'm a nice guy. Alright?" he said, shooting a glare at Yahiko.
Yahiko looked away, "Yeah?!! Well.. I'm going to go help Megumi with the rice..."
Sano got up. "So what are you guys talking about anyways?"
Chou crossed his arms. "Police business."
"Like what?"
"Like none of your business."
Sano grumbled, "Friggin' boring house... don't know why I stay here in the first place." He opened the door, and bumped into Tokio.
Tokio blinked, "Are ya leaving?"
Sano nervously grinned, "Ahh, heh heh, no?"
"Oh, good! Didn't want you to miss out on my sushi! I make damn good sushi- "
Goro sighed, "Tokio, you were serious about them staying here?"
"Of course I was!! Now you can stop making wisecracks to my guests, or take your business elsewhere."
Chou whistled. "The Missus seems to want us to leave."
Goro headed for the door. "Then we'll leave."
Tokio watched the two men leave, and then walked behind them. "What time can I expect you to be home, Goro?"
"I'm working late tonight, so don't bother waiting up for me at dinner time."
Tokio sighed. "Okay..."
When the door closed, Tokio came back into the room. "Well, let's get cookin', shall we?"
~Somewhere in the Middle of the Forest~
"What are you doing here?"
Kenshin stood before Seijuro Hiko the 13th, in front of his hut. Hiko preferably liked his solitude, and had told Kenshin never to come back unless he really needed him. Actually, he told Kenshin never to come back again, but Kenshin interpreted it that way.
Kenshin smiled, sweating. "Ahhh, nothing Master!! I was just wondering, how much do you sell those things you make?"
Master Hiko looked at him funny. "Why would you want one?"
"It's for a friend's birthday."
Hiko smirked, turning around, letting his cape get blown in the wind, creating an awesome effect of majesty and grace. (You can so tell how much the author loves Seijuro Hiko, huh?) "Well, I guess that's not surprising. People would pay for talent like mine."
Kenshin muttered, "Still conceited as ever."
"And with reason. Well, I'd say my pieces cost about thirty ryo each."
Kenshin's jaw dropped, "ORORORORO- THIRTY RYO?!!"
Hiko crossed his arms, "Yes, but for you, I'd sell it for 300 yen."
Kenshin fell, defeated. "Ororooo.... who knew Master was a salesman too?"
"I can do anything I put my mind to! Now that that's business is done, get out of my sight. Before I beat you."
Kenshin stood, rubbing his head, since he fell on it pretty hard. He took out his wallet, and fished out 300 yen. "I'm broke after this, you know."
"Yes, but the wolf has been taking good care of you."
"Saito? How do you know Saito?"
"I know everything with my vast knowledge."
Kenshin felt a thunder could above his had. He rolled his eyes, "How did you know I was in Saito's house?"
"You smell like him. And that young woman he lives with."
"His wife?"
"If you can call her that."
"What do you mean?"
"I see her running through the woods in that crazy ninja outfit she has. She doesn't have bad moves, I should say. Caught her catching me bathing, too."
Kenshin's eyes popped. "She's seen you NAKED?!!"
Master smiled, running his fingers through his bangs, saying confidently, "What woman wouldn't die to see me in the nude?"
Kenshin tried to keep from wincing, "I can only imagine..."
"Well don't, I don't want to imagine my apprentice imagining me naked."
"Ororoorororoo."
"And stop making that noise!! I don't know where you learned it from, but you certainly didn't get it from me!"
"Yes Master."
"Now pick a pot before I change my mind."
Kenshin sighed and picked up a pot shaped like some kind of long, slinky animal wrapped around a sake jug. He felt a bead of sweat roll down his face, and he grinned to his Master. "Aaahh.. ..Master? If I'm not mistaken, is this a weasel?"
"Yes, it is. Why, is it that weasel girl's birthday?"
"Oro? You knew?"
"I can read you like a book."
Kenshin closed his eyes and sweated. "That you can Master."
~At the Police Station~
As Saito wrote some things down in his office at the police station (okay, I have idea what he does there, and I have no idea what policemen really do. Especially Meiji Era Japanese ones, so, I try to make it sound as interesting as I can) Chou was dismissing some officers, as he turned to Saito, smirking.
"I had no idea the Battousai was livin' in your house, Saito. I'm not gonna end up seeing any other arch nemesis's of yours like Shishio or anything, am I?"
"My wife dragged them into my house, I have no idea what's going on in her head."
"How long has he been there?"
"Why are you asking?"
Chou backed off, "Heh, I guess your right. Still, I think that's pretty ironic. Sleeping in a room right next to your mortal enemies. What did the Battousai say about this?"
"I wouldn't know. I don't speak to him."
"Why not? You guys sure seemed on friendlier terms when you was up against Shishio."
"Like I said before, my relationship with the Battousai ended with the fall of Shishio. I could care less if I saw him dead in a ditch now, I have no more use of him."
"That's kinda harsh, considerin' he nearly died defending the same country you're fighting for."
Saito took a long drag from his cigarette. "He should've done it faster. Considering how he's supposed to master this Hiten Mitsurugi Style, that battle should've been relatively easy. Perhaps if the Battousai finally saw to my reasoning, and used a real sword, then maybe we'd be better allies."
Chou opened both eyes. "Ya reckon?"
"Not like that will ever happen. But all men following the rule of Aku Soku Zan, is obviously someone worth my alliance to."
Chou smiled, "Guess I'm number one on your buddy list, huh?"
"I don't think anyone who uses a baby as a lure is worth my confidence."
Chou frowned, "Where'd you hear that?"
"I hear everything." Saito straitened the papers, and stood up. He crushed his cigarette in his ashtray, "Well, you ready to go apprehend that yakuza stronghold?"
Chou cracked his knuckles. "Sure am. Hey, 200 yen says I frag more yakuza than you."
Saito tugged on his hat, and slid his amber eyes to him, left hand on his hilt, "Don't bet unless you got the money to back me up, mutt."
"Hey, I may not know who my parents are, but I'm no mutt!!"
~Back at the Porch of the Fujita House~
"Kenshin!!" exclaimed Karou, running up to him, "Where were you?!"
Kenshin walked into Saito's house, stepping out of his shoes.
"Oro? Oh, I was just out getting a present for Miss Misao, that I was. You did say she would want candy."
"Oh, so early in the morning?"
"Well, I also dropped by to my former Master..."
Yahiko frowned, "That arrogant jerk?"
"Yahiko, be nice!! If it wasn't for that arrogant jerk, that giant Fuji would have killed us all!!" Kaoru frowned, "But he is a conceited man though."
"Oro... maybe you can tell him that some other time."
Sano peeked into the cloth Kenshin was carrying. "So what'd you get the weasel?" His eyes widened when he saw the weasel jar. He laughed, "Gee Kenshin, you think that's a great idea? You're gonna be walkin' away from the Aoiya with kunais in your butt."
"You think so?" he laughed, sweating.
Megumi came over, and lifted the jar in her hands. "Such beautiful work... this piece must've been a good ten ryo!!"
Kenshin's eyes popped, "You honestly think it's worth that much?"
"Oh, yes of course!! How much was it?"
Kenshin rubbed his head. "Master let me have it for 300 yen."
"Did he?!! Oh Sir Ken!! You should've gotten me one too!!"
"I didn't know Master had such fans for his pottery.." Kenshin could just hear his master's words in his head, ringing:
~Of course they would, you stupid apprentice!! Because I made it!! Mwa hah aha haha haaa..~
Kenshin sat in the corner, oroing to himself.
Tokio came in, carrying a bucket of laundry to hang in the back. "Oh? Kenshin? I had no idea you came back! Where were you?"
Sano shrugged, "He was out gift shopping." Sano opened the door, "And I'm heading out too."
"Oh? Where are you going?"
"I dunno. I just can't stay here in this house much longer?"
Tokio cocked her head, "What's' wrong with my house?"
Yahiko sneered, "Ahh, don't listen to him, Tokio. Sano's just mad because Saito beat him twice and-OWOWOWOWW!!"
When Sano was finished grinding his knuckles into Yahiko's scalp, he walked out the door. "I'll be back in a few hours."
Megumi sighed. "That idiot better not get himself lost again."
Kaoru noticed the bucket in Tokio's hands. "Oh? You're doing laundry?"
"Finished, actually. I'm just gonna hang them up."
"What else do you do?"
"Oh, I don't know. I usually walk around town until nightfall, but I guess with you guys, I can squeeze you in, heh heh heh..."
Tokio came to the back yard, tying her sleeves back. She picked up a black shirt, whipped it once, and then hung it on the stretched clothesline. Kaoru rolled up her sleeves as well. "I'll help too!"
"Thanks, Miss Kaoru."
Kaoru smiled, and picked up a pair of black pants. "Wow. Goro is really tall... I bet these would go all the way up to Kenshin's shoulders!"
"That they would, Miss Kaoru." She picked up a white buttoned shirt, "So tell me!! Is that the only thing Kenshin wears? That samurai get up...?"
Kaoru hung up a black shirt. "Well, yeah. All clothes I've washed are kimonos and things like that... Except for Sano's jacket. I never really had to wash clothes like..." she held up a white glove. "Stuff like this."
"They're pretty easy to wash." Tokio shifted the basket. "Uh oh. You better find the mate for that one. If Goro can't find his other glove, all hell breaks loose."
"What are the gloves for?"
Tokio shrugged, draping a white robe on the wire. "I dunno. Keep his hands clean? It's all just part of the uniform....."
Kaoru nodded. But she had a question bugging her ever since she saw the laundry in Tokio's hands. "Ummm... have you ever.. h-had to wash out.. ummm..."
"Blood?"
Kaoru looked at Tokio, hanging up another black shirt. "I-I'm sorry if the question bothers you, I-"
"Oh, on some occasions. But.... Saito is good at making a clean kill."
Kaoru nodded, feeling kind of bad now that the question was asked.
"How bout you?"
"Uh..?"
"You ever have to wash blood out of Kenshin's clothes?"
Kaoru picked up some black slacks, hanging them, "...O-Only his own."
"Ah. How I envy you."
Kaoru gasped, "Huh?"
Tokio picked up the basket. "Well, all done here! Thanks for helping me out." Tokio smiled.
Kaoru nodded. "Uh huh..."
Megumi poked her head out of the house, "Tokio!"
"Yes?"
Megumi dragged out Yahiko, who was fighting against Megumi's iron grip, "Hey, leggo of me!!"
Tokio came over, "What is it..." She sniffed and looked down. "Yahiko! Have you been smoking Goro's cigarettes?!!"
Yahiko sweated, "O-Only one...."
Tokio gasped.
Yahiko tried to fix things, "Only to see what it was like, ya know? I didn't know it'd-HEY!!"
Tokio picked up Yahiko, "Quick!! We gotta scrub the smoke out of him before Goro comes home and smells it!!"
Kaoru ran ahead of Tokio, "I'll start the bath!!"
Tokio nodded, "Good!! Megumi, there's a pumice stone somewhere in the kitchen I use for scouring the pans!! That oughta take out the-"
"Whoa, hey, wait a minute!!!" yelled Yahiko, eyes bulging.
Megumi nodded, smiling, "Right away!"
~ A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing ~
Chapter 2: . Sweet Confessions .
"Is something wrong, Miss Kaoru?" asked Tokio. She was dressed in another blue kimono, and she was washing the plates after this morning's breakfast. Kenshin was still no where to be seen, while Yahiko and Sano were playing Chess on a Chess set Tokio just happened to find.
"Hey, Tokio!! Does this count as a checkmate?"
Tokio crawled over, and inspected the board. "Mmm.... nope, sorry. You just have a check, see? His king can still move diagonally right forward."
"Hah!!" exclaimed Sano triumphantly. He picked up his king and moved it. "Try to trick me, will ya, creep?"
Tokio giggled, and moved Yahiko's knight forward. "There! Now you have a checkmate!"
Yahiko laughed, "Seriously!? Alright!!"
"WHAT?!! Tokio!!! Why'd you help the shrimp out!? I coulda used some pointers too!!"
"Megumi sneered, "Oh ho ho, Sano needs all the help he can get."
"Grrr, damn fox...." he growled, shaking his fist.
"Oh, he was closer to beating you than you were closer to beating him, so I thought I'd speed up the game a bit," explained Tokio.
Sano turned away, grumbling, "Still isn't fair, ya know...."
Megumi smirked, "Figures the kid would beat Sano before he realizes what color he is on the board."
Kaoru smiled, "Still, I think that's a pretty cool game you have there. We've only really played the Japanese version kind of Chess. The European kind is quite different."
"Oh yes, quite. But, it's still fun to play, even if you're just a novice like me."
"Like you?! You were able to see Sano's mistake!" exclaimed Yahiko.
"Yes, that's true, but Sano's only a few levels lower below me, so I could see his faults as clear as day."
Sano felt a rain cloud above his head. "I guess there'd be no escaping from being teased by Saito's wife..... she's almost as worse as him," he grumbled so only he could hear.
Megumi leaned to Tokio, "How did someone like you become a chess expert?"
"Oh, that's just Goro. After he beats me, he shows me how I lost. Lousy jerk, rubbing it ion my face and all." she sighed, smiling, "But, you'd think after getting beaten four hundred and seventy eight times in a row, I'd see all his battle strategies."
"FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY EIGHT TIMES?!! You keep count?!!"
Tokio gingerly held out a score card, showing Tokio never winning once. "Ahh heh heh..."
Yahiko squinted, and looked on the bottom left hand corner. "What are all those slash marks right there for?"
"Oh, those were all the times I flipped the board away before that moron could beat me" Tokio counted on her fingers. "I'd say that was eighty seven times. Those are recent though. I found out it's more satisfying for me if I never see my losing turnout."
"Sounds fun," said Kaoru, absently twisting her kimono sleeves into knots, looking out the window.
Megumi played with the tips of her hair. "You've been spacing out all morning. What's going on in that empty head of yours, Kaoru?"
"Grr Megumi... I'll have you know, nothing's wrong. I just couldn't sleep."
"Oh, so you were the one rummaging about in the house, were you?" stated Tokio.
"How did you know?"
"Well, Goro woke up and heard someone moving around earlier, so I assumed it was you."
"But Goro was already dressed when I woke up. It seemed like he was getting ready to leave."
"Oh, that. Yeah, he came home early yesterday so that he wouldn't have to work a late shift again. To make up for it, he's starting a lot earlier today."
"Oh, I see....." said Kaoru.
Yahiko stood up, looking around, "Say ummm, Miss Tokio? Do you have a bathroom in your house?"
"Sure." She pointed the way. "Don't move anything in there though!! That jerk can always tell..." Tokio sighed as Yahiko left. "Man, Goro really let me have it yesterday. But, I guess it was my fault...."
Kaoru tied back her hair in a purple ribbon. "He was really that mad?"
"Oh, Goro always has to gripe about something. He said he came home early so that we could have a nice evening together and ummmm... do something else I enjoy rather a lot."
Megumi and Kaoru gasped. Megumi asked cautiously, "Goro... is... capable of that?"
"Oh, don't worry about it," giggled Tokio. "He was probably saying that to rub it into my face how I shouldn't have let you people into my house..." Tokio sighed, "Hooo... but if he was telling the truth, ohh I'm really gonna beat myself over the head for this..."
Kaopru smiled politely, smiling, "Oh, really?"
Megumi got up. "Excuse me; I have to go throw up."
After she left Tokio smirked, "What's her problem?"
Ever since this morning, watching Saito leave, Kaoru had a question bugging her. What if this question ruined everything for this young woman's life?
"Is something wrong, Miss Kaoru? You are more quiet that usual," she sneered, "Are you sad Himura's no where to be found?"
Kaoru blushed, "Hey, it's n-nothing like that!!"
Tokio smiled, drinking her tea, "Yeah yeah, whatever... I was like that too, ya know. Till he popped the question first."
Kaoru leaned closer to her, "He asked first?"
"Yep."
"Oh. I thought you'd be the type who'd... well you know, sally forth, ah hah hah haaah..."
Tokio laughed, loudly, "You'd think so, huh? Naw, I was just like you. A blushing virgin-"
Kaoru blushed, "Maybe you shouldn't make remarks like that-"
"See? That's what I'm talking about!! I was EXACTLY like that." She sighed, and turned to the window, eyes growing distant. As did her voice, "Till I met him."
But.. there was something about Miss Tokio. It seemed she was putting on an act. And just when her real self showed up, she seemed conscious, and pulled on another act. Kaoru noticed it, all girls notice it in other girls. It seemed like everything she did... was sort of to cover up something.
Although sometimes, her actions seemed genuine.../... like...
Kaoru sighed, and finally asked, "Tokio, do you know who. who Hajime Saito is?"
Tokio folded her legs, sitting down, "Sure I do. He was... ummm..... a Shinsengumi guy, right?"
"Yes."
"So? What about him?"
Kaoru looked away, "When we me..t. you told Kenshin that you were there because you're husband was part of the Revolution."
"... yes?"
"And... how old is Goro?"
"About thirty three, thirty four I think."
"Listen lady, don't try to lie to us. We know what you said yesterday," warned Yahiko, who had just entered. Apparently, he was listening in before he stepped inside the room.
Sano stood, and leaned against the door. "Look, I can tell, you act nice and proper, I guess... but...you do know Goro Fujita is really Hajime Saito. Don't you?"
Tokio smiled slowly. "That isn't really my place to know."
"But you do."
Tokio pushed a stand of hair away from her face. "I guess..... guess I should tell you all my story, huh?" she laughed, "To be honest, I wanted to get this load off my back for quite sometime!! But, between constantly trying to fool that detective wolf of mine, and his stubborn way of keeping no guests, I was gonna explode with this secret."
"So, you really do know who he was."
"WAS, Miss Kaoru? He IS. He's still the same Miburo he claims to be behind my back. He still watches the world through the eyes of a lone wolf. And... he still returns home to me still smelling of blood." Tokio looked away. "It's like I heard him once say, a Miburo can never be tamed."
Sano's eyes had widened. "How long did you know?"
"Well... it seems I can trust you guys." Tokio got up. "But, let's take a walk. I'll go into the woods, away from the ears of this city. Everything get's reported to the police here. To Saito. He knows everything that goes on."
"That's kind of a load on his back, isn't it?" Kaoru said.
"Well, come on, if you still want to know. Maybe we can catch a bite to eat later."
~Half an hour later~
Tokio lead Megumi, Kaoru, Yahiko, and Sanosuke into the woods. There, in a clearing, there was a small ring of Buddhist statues with windmills twirling in them. Several stone benches were there too, though they looked recent and out of place. Tokio sat down in one.
"Now. where to begin.?"
Sano leaned against one of the taller statues. "Try the beginning."
Tokio nodded. "Okay.
" When I was about twelve my dad was a government official. Something about money, or taxes, I don't remember. In fact, I really couldn't remember what he looked like. All I know is..... he was big, strong, with such a gentle voice that could lull me to sleep. With that stupid Revolution war, there wasn't much peace going on in Kyoto. In fact, every night I could hear a few houses away people screaming, or metal sliding against metal. It was... rough on a child. A child is not sure what is going on, but they are panicked when their parents are. My mother was a wreck constantly jumping at every sound, claiming that 'They were coming after us too!!', ya know? But my father, Satoru, he... I.. I just felt so safe in his arms. I truly did. It felt like as long as I stayed in my father's arms, nothing could hurt me."
"So what does this have to do with Saito?" asked Yahiko.
Tokio just smiled silently. Kaoru tried speaking to her, "When did you meet?"
Tokio bent down, resting her chin on her hands. "See, as I said my father was a government official. My sweet, gentle, comforting father was ... was a corrupt official. But I never knew. All I knew is.. he was my father. My sanctuary, if you will. Well, you guys know.... what Shinsengumi does to corrupt government officials, do you?"
Kaoru and Yahiko gasped. Sano's eyes widened, and Megumi looked down.
"The Shinsengumi killed...you're father, didn't they?" she murmured.
"And my mother. And my two little sisters."
"You had sisters, Tokio?"
"Oh yes. But.... not that it matters now."
Yahiko gulped. "And Saito... is the...?"
Tokio took her time answering. "I had just turned fourteen, I think. Well, I woke up in the middle of the night when my father was pulling me into his arms. So strong yet gentle... ahhh, yes, I remember. The Shinsengumi were raiding the house."
She spoke calmly, almost pleasantly. As if she were just sitting in her living room, discussing the weather over some bean cakes. "They were going to get rid of us. We were corrupt, after all. Anyways, my mother held my littlest sister in her arm on her hip, and tugging my younger sister by her hand- if I remember, my darling little sister was complaining her feet hurt since she forgot her slippers... Well, anyways, we got cornered, of course. And what I really remember that night. .were those eyes.. those terrible eyes..."
"Eyes?" asked Kaoru.
"Those... those amber eyes. Wolf eyes, mocking my father. I can't even remember the words, I. .. I can only remember how cold that voice sounded. Branding my father as a traitor- a pathetic worm not worthy enough to crawl on the streets like a mongrel dog. Oh, he sounded like a crazy man, spouting things about beliefs and truths. And my father was stammering, and he was shaking... shaking a lot. But, I still felt... safe. Safe in his arms. My father drew his sword- I never saw him draw a sword before- and I bet ... I bet that Wolf could too. That Miburo. He could tell how my father's blade wavered constantly that his prey was going to be easy. Oh... those eyes....."
Kaoru sat next to Tokio placing her fingers on her shoulder hoping to stop her painful story. It seemed too much for her. "Tokio, we...."
But she continued anyways, with a trembling smile. "I'll admit, the Miburo was nice enough to rip me out of my father's arms before stabbing him in the neck. As I fell, I could that warm splash on my face. You know, when it's fresh it's all warm.... and... He noticed me. I was crying. I mean, how could I not? That damn...," She closed her eyes, her voice rising, "That @#!$ing wolf tore away my sanctuary!! The only comfort to me, he took it away!! But then, my mother and sisters screamed. I turned, and ran to them, screaming. Another Shinsengumi raised his blade to me. But... the wolf got to him first. Stabbed the hand holding the blade stained with my sister's blood. The Shinsengumi looked at the alpha wolf, and that wounded wolf. I believe he said something like, "We came here for the man only.' He also said only... only worthless scum slew women and children. Such a lie!! He thinks his hands aren't stained?!! He thinks his hands are clean because he only stabbed dirty blood?!!"
Tokio slammed her fist on the log, trying not to scream her heart, "He killed my father!!! My father, that..... that sweet man... the only man I had ever loved, he ripped him away from me... and he finds that... he thinks killing that man..... that terrible imperialist, he thinks that doesn't count...as a murder?!! Aku Soku Zan- if he ever followed true to those words... then he should have killed himself!!"
Tokio turned to the stunned group. "... Well? Am I wrong to feel angry?"
~Yet she certainly didn't look angry. More like.... broken.~
Sano gritted his teeth, anger return, and fists forming. "That... that damn Saito.... he did all that to you?"
Yahiko was shocked to hear all this anger coming from this woman who was so cheerful a minute ago. He muttered, "Then... then why..?"
"Why am I married to him? After the whole war was over, and the Shinsengumi were disbanded, he was still alive. Of course. My dumb luck. I also happened to be training to kill Shinsengumi soon after my father died. I worked on the same side ... on the same side the Battousai was. I never met him face to face, though... my only job was going to be to infiltrate Shinsengumi headquarters and stuff. By the time the war ended, I already had above average technique in fighting. Not enough skill to face a Shinsengumi head on, but maybe as a ninja, I could surprise him and be lucky. It was a risk worth taking. The new government offered me a job. They were going to use Saito as an underground official, a secret agent almost. I had to be... his sheathe."
Kaoru repeated. "His sheathe?"
"To keep him calm, almost. They knew I was the best one for the job, since I'm such a good actress, they said. To help him maintain his humanity. You've all seen what it can do... to certain fellows like Shishio, losing faith in you government and country..." Tokio looked up at the trees, "They also told me...if that wolf should ever arise... to step out of line.. I was given the liberty to do away with him. That was .... my job."
The group was stunned beyond words. Sano barely whispered, "So in other words... the only reason you married Saito.. was to kill him?"
Tokio sighed. "Yes. That was the only reason... the only reason I took the job.. that I assumed the role."
Megumi caught her tone had changed. "It.. it WAS your only reason. There's a new one?"
"I couldn't outright kill Saito. Doing so would be foolish. Any assassin, now matter how well trained, can be caught off guard by one..... he values above else. I just had to play the part of a wife. Of someone submitting to his will, of someone who agrees to what he believes in. To hear him out, believe in him, understand him and above all, someone who will always be there for him. So I did."
"You've been acting... all this time?" asked Yahiko.
".... Well..... the only thing that kept me from trying to risk my life and kill this man, was my anger for him," she closed her eyes, frowning. "Look at him!! Every night he comes home while his faithful wife prepares his favorite dish, starts his bath, and sleeps by his side. He doesn't have to worry about me being in danger, because no one knows that Saito is Goro Fujita. No one has to. He has that luxury of not knowing. Someone who can never wash his hands of all that blood... should never have this luxury."
There was a long silence.
"....but?" asked Sano.
Tokio sighed. "But... I noticed, one night, as I prepared his bath, when he took off his robe...his scars."
"Scars?"
"All over his body, nearly covering him. It seems... he had a rough life as well."
Sano grunted, "I still don't find that a reason to suddenly stop hating him."
Kaoru was going to hit him, when Tokio cut in. "No... it shouldn't. No one should ever be forgiven that easily. But... ya know..." Tokio raised her hands to her chin. "He... he never really asks anything of me. In a way, I was doing everything for him. Just to please him, to gain.. to gain his trust. He does not make me do things I don't want to do, and he usually asks my opinion first before anything. I'm exactly the opposite, you know? I always tell him what to do. Of course, if I told him to go naked down the street, he wouldn't do that, but......"
She sighed, closing her eyes, "I remember the night he came home, battered, bruised, and cut. Saito never get's cut. It almost made me glad to finally see him hurt. But, when he came home, he collapsed. He...he told me later, he was just running. He was too tired to say anything else. Of course, I know better, I knew where he went. His knees were slashed, he had a cross carved into his chest... And a wound burned into his right shoulder..."
Sano widened his eyes, remembering Saito's 'final battle' with Shishio. "You know who gave them those?"
She giggled, then returned somber, her eyes distant. "Ever since I could remember, I hated that damn wolf. But... sometimes.. in the middle of the night, I feel him. I would wake up, and find my... I wouldn't find the Saito I hate so much. But my Goro, with one arm slung around me, holding me tight to him as if someone were going to take me away from him in the middle of the night. And I knew, his sword wasn't too far away from his left hand. Amazing. I acted fake love. And he bought it. I .. I began to think... maybe ... maybe he never really had someone, you know? All his scars, he must have been treated worse than me."
Tokio sighed again. "I can never forgive Saito, for taking away that comforting warmth that meant so much to me... But.. but Goro has given me... that warmth back. At night, when it's silent, I sometimes cry. I'm with the man who killed my father, the same man who reeks of blood. And when I do cry, he does not implore. He simply presses his lips to my forehead head, rubs my back, and pulls me closer. He knows that I do not cry easily. And whatever I am crying for, is beyond words. He knows. He would just comfort me in the best way he could. And that... wonderful warmth... lulls me back to sleep. I found it again, that warmth I've always desired. And .. now... the only reason why I cry.. is that I can't figure out how to kill that damn...," she nearly chocked on the end of her story, "M-Murdering wolf I love so much..."
Tokio dropped to the ground, sobbing. Megumi and Kaoru rushed to her side. Kaoru was near tears herself, and held Tokio's shoulders in her arm. "Oh, Tokio, we had no idea.."
Megumi sighed, "Tokio, we didn't mean to bring you to tears, we just..."
"No, no... it's okay. I had to tell someone. I would rather fess up to you guys, than Goro, ah heh heh," Tokio rubbed her eyes chuckling, "He can be... a bit touchy... eh heh heh heh..."
Sano looked away. "I guess that jerk does have some good in him."
Yahiko grumbled, "I guess. But..."
Tokio stood up, wiping her eyes. "Oh, damn, look at the sun!! It's probably noon already. Oh, let's go get something to eat. Getting all depressed sure makes me hungry."
Tokio was still holding onto Kaoru. She giggled, "Ahh, how is that leg of yours, Kaoru?"
"Hmm? Oh, this thing? Oh, it's fine, really, it's just needs another day, then this limp will be gone, you know?"
"All thanks to my doctoring skills," scoffed Megumi.
"Skills? You slapped some boiling water on it. You didn't even boil the water yourself, fox lady-AAOOOWW!!" yelled Sano, after Megumi elbowed his stomach.
Yahiko laughed, "Hah!! You need to learn how to bite your tongue, you big dummy!!"
As they walked down the path back to Kyoto, Kenshin stepped out from behind a tree. His eyes were shimmering, and he murmured, looking at Tokio:
"Miss Tokio ... is Saito's.. sheathe..."
Tomoe...
~Back at the Fujita Residence~
Tokio slid open the door to her house. "So!! How'd you guys like the okunomiyaki?
"Well, it's no Akebeko, but, pretty good," said Sano through his teeth, chewing on a fishbone.
Megumi glared at him, "Oh, it was damn good and you know it, idiot." She smiled to Tokio. "Thank you for treating us again!"
Yahiko patted his stomach, removing his kendo stick. "Man, I'm gonna burst.."
Tokio rubbed her neck, going through into one of the halls, "Hey, don't mention it. The least I could do for guests."
Kaoru and Megumi removed their slippers, while Yahiko peeked out their door. "Where d'you guys think Kenshin went?"
Sano shrugged, kicking off his shoes. "Maybe he went to see his Master and stuff. Who knows? He'll be back."
Sano heard the two women gasp, and Tokio giggled, and say, "Well, howdy Chou!! How's the spy business?"
Sano ran to them, and Yahiko followed behind.
Sure enough, there was Chou the Sword Hunter, standing in front of a smoking Saito. Chou was holding some papers in his hands. One eye closed, and a constant smirk on his face, he said, "Well howdy to you too, Miss Fujita. I was wondering were ya'll usually were."
Tokio smiled and came up to him. "Just showing some friends around. I finally got some!"
Chou noticed Sano. "Oh, you made friends with a rooster?"
Sano growled, "Funny you should remember me, broom head, I had forgotten about you already..."
Kaoru bowed a little, "Umm, hello again, Mr. Chou. Long time no see, huh?"
"Hmph, yeah, you could say that."
Tokio removed her hair pins, turning to Goro. "What's Chou here for?"
Goro flicked his cigarette out the window. "Chou is here on some police business. I had to give him a report on the next case he was going to do."
Tokio giggled, "Sounds like fun!!" she left the room, waving, "Well, tell me if you gotta chop any heads off on this one, Chou!!"
Chou nodded, "Sure will!!"
Sano laughed, "The broom is friends with the lady? She must not get out much."
Chou smirked, "Closer to a girlfriend than you'll ever get."
Sano, "What'd you say?!!"
Megumi sighed, nodding. "How true."
Sano fell down, defeated. If he said 'oro' like Kenshin, he'd be doing it here. Megumi yawned, going into the kitchen. "Well, I guess I'll go start the rice for dinner."
Goro rolled his eyes. "Unbelievable. It's only been a day and they start walking around like they own the place."
Kaoru frowned, "If we're that much of a bother to you, you can outright say it."
"I have. It didn't change anything, did it?"
Yahiko held up his fist, "So why don't you throw us out?"
"Because I'm a nice guy. Alright?" he said, shooting a glare at Yahiko.
Yahiko looked away, "Yeah?!! Well.. I'm going to go help Megumi with the rice..."
Sano got up. "So what are you guys talking about anyways?"
Chou crossed his arms. "Police business."
"Like what?"
"Like none of your business."
Sano grumbled, "Friggin' boring house... don't know why I stay here in the first place." He opened the door, and bumped into Tokio.
Tokio blinked, "Are ya leaving?"
Sano nervously grinned, "Ahh, heh heh, no?"
"Oh, good! Didn't want you to miss out on my sushi! I make damn good sushi- "
Goro sighed, "Tokio, you were serious about them staying here?"
"Of course I was!! Now you can stop making wisecracks to my guests, or take your business elsewhere."
Chou whistled. "The Missus seems to want us to leave."
Goro headed for the door. "Then we'll leave."
Tokio watched the two men leave, and then walked behind them. "What time can I expect you to be home, Goro?"
"I'm working late tonight, so don't bother waiting up for me at dinner time."
Tokio sighed. "Okay..."
When the door closed, Tokio came back into the room. "Well, let's get cookin', shall we?"
~Somewhere in the Middle of the Forest~
"What are you doing here?"
Kenshin stood before Seijuro Hiko the 13th, in front of his hut. Hiko preferably liked his solitude, and had told Kenshin never to come back unless he really needed him. Actually, he told Kenshin never to come back again, but Kenshin interpreted it that way.
Kenshin smiled, sweating. "Ahhh, nothing Master!! I was just wondering, how much do you sell those things you make?"
Master Hiko looked at him funny. "Why would you want one?"
"It's for a friend's birthday."
Hiko smirked, turning around, letting his cape get blown in the wind, creating an awesome effect of majesty and grace. (You can so tell how much the author loves Seijuro Hiko, huh?) "Well, I guess that's not surprising. People would pay for talent like mine."
Kenshin muttered, "Still conceited as ever."
"And with reason. Well, I'd say my pieces cost about thirty ryo each."
Kenshin's jaw dropped, "ORORORORO- THIRTY RYO?!!"
Hiko crossed his arms, "Yes, but for you, I'd sell it for 300 yen."
Kenshin fell, defeated. "Ororooo.... who knew Master was a salesman too?"
"I can do anything I put my mind to! Now that that's business is done, get out of my sight. Before I beat you."
Kenshin stood, rubbing his head, since he fell on it pretty hard. He took out his wallet, and fished out 300 yen. "I'm broke after this, you know."
"Yes, but the wolf has been taking good care of you."
"Saito? How do you know Saito?"
"I know everything with my vast knowledge."
Kenshin felt a thunder could above his had. He rolled his eyes, "How did you know I was in Saito's house?"
"You smell like him. And that young woman he lives with."
"His wife?"
"If you can call her that."
"What do you mean?"
"I see her running through the woods in that crazy ninja outfit she has. She doesn't have bad moves, I should say. Caught her catching me bathing, too."
Kenshin's eyes popped. "She's seen you NAKED?!!"
Master smiled, running his fingers through his bangs, saying confidently, "What woman wouldn't die to see me in the nude?"
Kenshin tried to keep from wincing, "I can only imagine..."
"Well don't, I don't want to imagine my apprentice imagining me naked."
"Ororoorororoo."
"And stop making that noise!! I don't know where you learned it from, but you certainly didn't get it from me!"
"Yes Master."
"Now pick a pot before I change my mind."
Kenshin sighed and picked up a pot shaped like some kind of long, slinky animal wrapped around a sake jug. He felt a bead of sweat roll down his face, and he grinned to his Master. "Aaahh.. ..Master? If I'm not mistaken, is this a weasel?"
"Yes, it is. Why, is it that weasel girl's birthday?"
"Oro? You knew?"
"I can read you like a book."
Kenshin closed his eyes and sweated. "That you can Master."
~At the Police Station~
As Saito wrote some things down in his office at the police station (okay, I have idea what he does there, and I have no idea what policemen really do. Especially Meiji Era Japanese ones, so, I try to make it sound as interesting as I can) Chou was dismissing some officers, as he turned to Saito, smirking.
"I had no idea the Battousai was livin' in your house, Saito. I'm not gonna end up seeing any other arch nemesis's of yours like Shishio or anything, am I?"
"My wife dragged them into my house, I have no idea what's going on in her head."
"How long has he been there?"
"Why are you asking?"
Chou backed off, "Heh, I guess your right. Still, I think that's pretty ironic. Sleeping in a room right next to your mortal enemies. What did the Battousai say about this?"
"I wouldn't know. I don't speak to him."
"Why not? You guys sure seemed on friendlier terms when you was up against Shishio."
"Like I said before, my relationship with the Battousai ended with the fall of Shishio. I could care less if I saw him dead in a ditch now, I have no more use of him."
"That's kinda harsh, considerin' he nearly died defending the same country you're fighting for."
Saito took a long drag from his cigarette. "He should've done it faster. Considering how he's supposed to master this Hiten Mitsurugi Style, that battle should've been relatively easy. Perhaps if the Battousai finally saw to my reasoning, and used a real sword, then maybe we'd be better allies."
Chou opened both eyes. "Ya reckon?"
"Not like that will ever happen. But all men following the rule of Aku Soku Zan, is obviously someone worth my alliance to."
Chou smiled, "Guess I'm number one on your buddy list, huh?"
"I don't think anyone who uses a baby as a lure is worth my confidence."
Chou frowned, "Where'd you hear that?"
"I hear everything." Saito straitened the papers, and stood up. He crushed his cigarette in his ashtray, "Well, you ready to go apprehend that yakuza stronghold?"
Chou cracked his knuckles. "Sure am. Hey, 200 yen says I frag more yakuza than you."
Saito tugged on his hat, and slid his amber eyes to him, left hand on his hilt, "Don't bet unless you got the money to back me up, mutt."
"Hey, I may not know who my parents are, but I'm no mutt!!"
~Back at the Porch of the Fujita House~
"Kenshin!!" exclaimed Karou, running up to him, "Where were you?!"
Kenshin walked into Saito's house, stepping out of his shoes.
"Oro? Oh, I was just out getting a present for Miss Misao, that I was. You did say she would want candy."
"Oh, so early in the morning?"
"Well, I also dropped by to my former Master..."
Yahiko frowned, "That arrogant jerk?"
"Yahiko, be nice!! If it wasn't for that arrogant jerk, that giant Fuji would have killed us all!!" Kaoru frowned, "But he is a conceited man though."
"Oro... maybe you can tell him that some other time."
Sano peeked into the cloth Kenshin was carrying. "So what'd you get the weasel?" His eyes widened when he saw the weasel jar. He laughed, "Gee Kenshin, you think that's a great idea? You're gonna be walkin' away from the Aoiya with kunais in your butt."
"You think so?" he laughed, sweating.
Megumi came over, and lifted the jar in her hands. "Such beautiful work... this piece must've been a good ten ryo!!"
Kenshin's eyes popped, "You honestly think it's worth that much?"
"Oh, yes of course!! How much was it?"
Kenshin rubbed his head. "Master let me have it for 300 yen."
"Did he?!! Oh Sir Ken!! You should've gotten me one too!!"
"I didn't know Master had such fans for his pottery.." Kenshin could just hear his master's words in his head, ringing:
~Of course they would, you stupid apprentice!! Because I made it!! Mwa hah aha haha haaa..~
Kenshin sat in the corner, oroing to himself.
Tokio came in, carrying a bucket of laundry to hang in the back. "Oh? Kenshin? I had no idea you came back! Where were you?"
Sano shrugged, "He was out gift shopping." Sano opened the door, "And I'm heading out too."
"Oh? Where are you going?"
"I dunno. I just can't stay here in this house much longer?"
Tokio cocked her head, "What's' wrong with my house?"
Yahiko sneered, "Ahh, don't listen to him, Tokio. Sano's just mad because Saito beat him twice and-OWOWOWOWW!!"
When Sano was finished grinding his knuckles into Yahiko's scalp, he walked out the door. "I'll be back in a few hours."
Megumi sighed. "That idiot better not get himself lost again."
Kaoru noticed the bucket in Tokio's hands. "Oh? You're doing laundry?"
"Finished, actually. I'm just gonna hang them up."
"What else do you do?"
"Oh, I don't know. I usually walk around town until nightfall, but I guess with you guys, I can squeeze you in, heh heh heh..."
Tokio came to the back yard, tying her sleeves back. She picked up a black shirt, whipped it once, and then hung it on the stretched clothesline. Kaoru rolled up her sleeves as well. "I'll help too!"
"Thanks, Miss Kaoru."
Kaoru smiled, and picked up a pair of black pants. "Wow. Goro is really tall... I bet these would go all the way up to Kenshin's shoulders!"
"That they would, Miss Kaoru." She picked up a white buttoned shirt, "So tell me!! Is that the only thing Kenshin wears? That samurai get up...?"
Kaoru hung up a black shirt. "Well, yeah. All clothes I've washed are kimonos and things like that... Except for Sano's jacket. I never really had to wash clothes like..." she held up a white glove. "Stuff like this."
"They're pretty easy to wash." Tokio shifted the basket. "Uh oh. You better find the mate for that one. If Goro can't find his other glove, all hell breaks loose."
"What are the gloves for?"
Tokio shrugged, draping a white robe on the wire. "I dunno. Keep his hands clean? It's all just part of the uniform....."
Kaoru nodded. But she had a question bugging her ever since she saw the laundry in Tokio's hands. "Ummm... have you ever.. h-had to wash out.. ummm..."
"Blood?"
Kaoru looked at Tokio, hanging up another black shirt. "I-I'm sorry if the question bothers you, I-"
"Oh, on some occasions. But.... Saito is good at making a clean kill."
Kaoru nodded, feeling kind of bad now that the question was asked.
"How bout you?"
"Uh..?"
"You ever have to wash blood out of Kenshin's clothes?"
Kaoru picked up some black slacks, hanging them, "...O-Only his own."
"Ah. How I envy you."
Kaoru gasped, "Huh?"
Tokio picked up the basket. "Well, all done here! Thanks for helping me out." Tokio smiled.
Kaoru nodded. "Uh huh..."
Megumi poked her head out of the house, "Tokio!"
"Yes?"
Megumi dragged out Yahiko, who was fighting against Megumi's iron grip, "Hey, leggo of me!!"
Tokio came over, "What is it..." She sniffed and looked down. "Yahiko! Have you been smoking Goro's cigarettes?!!"
Yahiko sweated, "O-Only one...."
Tokio gasped.
Yahiko tried to fix things, "Only to see what it was like, ya know? I didn't know it'd-HEY!!"
Tokio picked up Yahiko, "Quick!! We gotta scrub the smoke out of him before Goro comes home and smells it!!"
Kaoru ran ahead of Tokio, "I'll start the bath!!"
Tokio nodded, "Good!! Megumi, there's a pumice stone somewhere in the kitchen I use for scouring the pans!! That oughta take out the-"
"Whoa, hey, wait a minute!!!" yelled Yahiko, eyes bulging.
Megumi nodded, smiling, "Right away!"