The Courtship of Lady Tokio
Disclaimer: all character rights belong to Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha etc. This is a fictionalized account based in part on historical facts.
Chapter 3 - Summer Nights and the Shinsengumi
- August 18th 1863 -
Summer in Kyoto was stiflingly hot. The air hung heavy and there was not a breath of wind as Kondou Isami, Joint Commander of the Mibu Roushi Gumi, made his way to Koumyouji Aizu-han headquarters. Leadership suited him; since the spring, he had quickly assumed the character and strength of will that was required of those who must command. His men were loyal to him and he was loyal to his men. The Mibu Roushi Gumi was beginning to establish itself and people were starting to recognise their activities. Already, they were taking steps forward, their organised patrols preventing a number of crimes. Roushi of Choushuu origins were stirring trouble and anti-shogunate sentiments, a disruption to law and order. Their duty to preserve peace had at times resulted in confrontations with these radicals, with violent consequences. Miburo - the wolves of Mibu, they had been nicknamed. He frowned as he thought about this. This was not the sort of sentiment that they wanted to arouse in the civilians. People feared them and distrusted them as outsiders. They were not welcome in Kyoto, that much was sure.
The other Joint Commander, Serizawa Kamo, was a problem. Kondou sighed in frustration. Kondou respected Serizawa, who had been a renowned samurai in Mito. But these days, he was drowning himself in alcohol, his arrogance growing daily, and he was causing more trouble than the rest of the members put together. He blackmailed the local merchants for money that he then squandered on women and drink. He would attack people randomly when he was not sober. They had tried reasoning with him but to no avail. He continued to intimidate the locals and draw their resentment to the group, and the people of Kyoto were inherently suspicious of them as it was. "The Miburo are dirty, thieving, dishonourable rabble from Edo." No, indeed, they were not welcome in Kyoto.
Whenever Kondou and Hijikata criticized him for his actions, Serizawa reacted with displeasure rather than contrition, feeling they undermined his authority. "What proper samurai would lower his head to merchants! Peasants with no sense of bushi pride!" He had snarled and spat. This was a huge insult to both Kondou and Hijikata who were originally from farming families near Edo. Things had reached a boiling point when on August 12th, Serizawa assaulted the Yamato-ya, a rich clothes merchant's store, who he claimed had ties to Choushuu. When the master of the Yamato-ya denied these claims, and refused to pay Serizawa for his "misdemeanours", Serizawa brought out the cannon that had been granted to the Roushi Gumi by Aizu. Despite the pleas and protests of the Yamato-ya, he had fired at the store, and burned it to the ground...
And today, Kondou had been summoned to the Aizu headquarters. How was he to talk his way out of this?
- Late afternoon, Mibu Headquarters -
"Everyone! Come quick! Did you hear the news?"
"Kondou-san has returned, wait 'til you hear!"
The atmosphere in the headquarters buzzed and rippled as the members hurriedly made their way to the main room. They knelt facing Kondou, as he produced a document, signed and sealed by Matsudaira-kou himself, and read it aloud.
"I, Matsudaira Katamori, entrusted with the protection of Kyoto and its people, of the imperial palace and the Emperor, hereby assign a new name to the group known as the Mibu Roushi Gumi. 'Shinsengumi: those chosen by the new era'. Honour it and it will bring you honour."
He refolded the document, and surveyed the room. All of them looked serious, but he could feel the excitement flooding the room.
"Matsudaira-kou himself thought of that name. We must not let him down. We must not fail in our duties." He paused, and then added, "We are also going to receive pay for our upkeep from the Aizu-han on a monthly basis from now. We are in the full service of the Aizu-kou now."
It took a few moments for the words to sink in. Some shook their heads in disbelief, that they, sons of peasants and farmers were now legitimate samurai, in liege to Aizu. And then, a huge cheer broke through the ranks as the members rejoiced.
"Hear that! Officially under the command of Aizu!"
"No more borrowing money from merchants!"
"We're getting paid! No more bad rice, bad food, old clothes! Now we can really look the part!"
"Celebrations! Let's go to Gion tonight!"
The members rushed towards Kondou to thank him and congratulate each other. They had never been so glad that they had joined the Mibu Roushi Gumi, henceforth the Shinsengumi. They vowed anew that they would surely follow Kondou wherever he might lead. Wherever he might lead, though, was not an easy path.
"What's on your mind, Kondou-san?"
It did not matter that Kondou tried to hide it, Hijikata could always tell when his oldest friend was worried. Kondou sighed for what must have been the hundredth time that day.
"Toshi, when I went to Aizu headquarters today, I hadn't expected this. I was expecting a reprimand of some sort for...recent disturbances." He was reluctant to broach the topic.
The compound was quiet. Most of the members had headed out to celebrate the good news. Many of them would return with considerably lighter pockets, seeing as how they were headed towards Gion.
"... Is it about Serizawa-san?" Hijikata had also been expecting some sort of warning or even a punishment. He had been just as surprised as everyone else at their promotion.
"Aah." Kondou sighed again. "After I met Matsudaira-kou, I was escorted out by Hirosawa-san, one of the retainers. He suggested that we get a handle on controlling our internal affairs. That the present state of our relations with the public and inner group rivalries was unacceptable..."
Hijikata narrowed his eyes. If that meant what he thought it meant... 'Damn Serizawa. Why does he have to cause so much trouble all the time?' He cursed silently. And with that, Kondou and Hijikata sighed in unison.
Even after the initial hubris of the first few days had receded, the Shinsengumi members were still in very high spirits. Those who weren't on duty were heading out every night. They drank, they sang, they called for geishas and dances and more drink and more food, and everybody seemed happy. Saitou was relatively happy. He was enjoying good sake for a change. And though he preferred sake to the company of most women, he did not object when a geisha called Kohana offered to pour for him.
"Saitou-sensei, is it true that you're one of the strongest men of the Shinsengumi?" Kohana smiled pleasantly. Saitou smirked slightly as he drank but did not reply.
"Kohana-san," Okita called over, "I'm the strongest member of the Shinsengumi, Saitou-san is just famous for his foul manners. Ahaha!"
Saitou glared at Okita.
"The only reason I seem to be in a foul mood is because I'm in foul company, Okita-kun."
"Kohana-san, he's saying that you and I are foul company! Me, with my bright smile and pleasant conversation, and you being so beautiful – can you believe that?"
Kohana giggled and looked from one man to the other.
"I mean, really, it's not nice! Are the girls and I really no fun?"
As Saitou continued to ignore Okita's quips and drink what Kohana poured for him, Harada remembered something that had been bothering him.
"Hey Saitou, when you went with Kondou-san to Koumyouji, did you see that scribe girl?"
Saitou didn't bother looking up.
"No." Saitou had accompanied Kondou to Koumyouji that day to arrange the particulars of their salary and provisions. Saitou drained his cup and reached for some edamame. "What does it matter?"
"But you know her, Nagakura told me so." There was a note of envy in Harada's voice.
"I am not acquainted with her. I know her father from Edo." Saitou began to sound irritated, which was not all that unusual for him.
Okita looked at him.
"Oh, he was the one who sponsored your entry from Edo, wasn't he? Hijikata-san mentioned something about that before..."
Saitou glanced at him and nodded.
"What? So you do know her, through her family! You lucky bastard! Nnnmmmm! Is there anyway you can introduce us? Is there?"
"Ahou."
"Saitou-sama, should I be jealous that you are talking about another girl when I am here by your side?" Kohana asked as sweetly as possible. She had made up her mind to gain the favours of at least two of the men here tonight and it did not bode well if they were talking about some girl who was not even present.
"None of your concern," replied Saitou coolly.
The indifference stung Kohana's pride - a geisha made her living humouring men and a man who did not yield to her charms was an alarming loss of revenue. Kohana increased her efforts to attract Saitou's attention, but to no avail. He had no illusions about the woman who sat beside him. Women of the floating world were beholden to no man but to all men, and he was no sentimental fool to ignore the realities of those relationships. Women in general were banal adornments to life, and as such, held limited interest for him.
Then, even as Harada called for more drink and dances and merriment all round, Saitou lapsed deep into thought about his past, and how he had come to be in Kyoto.
"Saitou, you coward! Come back and I'll prove that I can drink three times your weight in sake!"
Harada shouted out as Saitou made his way out of the building. He was leaving, having decided that he had spent all that he was willing to spend that night. The air was warm and muggy, the insects loud and the moon bright. He walked briskly, taking in the sounds and activities of the streets. His lantern swayed in rhythm to his swift steps as he made his way through the dark, past the men who shuffled to the edge of the road when they noticed the swords at his waist, past the painted women who were calling in patrons to their establishments, past the gates of Gion. A dog followed him for a few minutes, sniffing at his heels, and then disappearing down an alley way. The city had become quite familiar to him; the main avenues lay out like a grid and the smaller roads disobeyed that neat plan by crisscrossing in no apparent order. He walked for quite a while, his lantern throwing shadows against the wall of silent buildings.
He had no particular destination in mind but as he made his way through the streets, he was aware that he had already walked this path earlier that day. 'This is the outer wall of the Koumyouji compound...' He narrowed his eyes, as though trying to see through to the other side. 'Harada... He talks too much.' He turned around, heading towards the river now, back in the direction of Mibu. It was, he decided, a relatively agreeable night – buoyed sufficiently by the sake that he had imbibed and the fact that he was alone to enjoy his thoughts. Kyoto was good for him, it had been the right decision to come here, he acknowledged.
He rounded a corner, and the river came into view, lit up by the lamps on the bridge and the reflections the lights cast on the water. He saw that a figure walked some way ahead of him, clad in a monk's dark robes and wearing a hat, even in the dark. He narrowed his eyes as the figure looked back furtively, and upon seeing that Saitou walked behind him, seemed to walk faster. The figure had reached the bank now and he stopped underneath a tree. The person appeared to be waiting for Saitou to pass or to take the bridge and cross. Saitou did neither of these things – there was something about this character that struck him as considerably suspicious, and he was not the sort of man to walk on by in these circumstances. As Saitou approached, the monk seemed to be of two minds whether to stand his ground or leave. It seemed that he chose the latter option, turning rapidly on his heel and pulling the hat lower as he started to walk.
"You there, stop." Saitou called out. The figure stopped and turned, drawing closer to the trunk of a tree.
As Saitou came near, his eyes widened as he realised who he was looking at. Although garbed in a monk's habit and wearing her hat deep, there was absolutely no mistaking Takagi Tokio. He stood in front of her, frowning and caught wordless. It was such an unlikely turn of events that it took a few seconds for the fact to sink in.
"Saitou-sama, what a pleasant surprise." She bowed in greeting, sounding very much relieved as she recognized him.
"Pleasant? I wouldn't be so sure about that." He said in a dry manner, almost to himself. Recovering from the initial surprise, he asked, "What are you doing out of the compound at this hour of the night?"
Tokio hesitated to answer as she considered her answer. He casually adjusted the sword at his side.
"It's the Shinsengumi's duty to apprehend suspicious persons who are stealing about, especially if that stealing about happens to be done in disguise."
"I'm hardly a suspicious person, am I?" She sounded faintly amused by his comment.
"You tell me."
"I assure you that I am not." She answered calmly.
"Then I'll ask again, what are you doing out of the compound this late at night, dressed as a monk and not a single escort with you?"
"... I'm stealing about."
Saitou snorted.
"Don't try my patience." His voice dropped a few dangerous degrees. "Or should I just accompany you back to Koumyouji so that your people can explain this to me?" She shook her head quickly.
"Please don't. They do not know and there's no need to trouble them..." She drew in her breath, and then sighed resignedly. "I just thought to go for a walk."
"At this hour of the evening?" He did not sound as though he believed her, and she accepted that it was a natural reaction under the circumstances.
"I am usually not allowed outside Koumyouji at night, and sometimes I feel that perhaps a change of air might do me good... Please, Saitou-sama, I do not mean to cause any trouble..." Tokio looked up at him from under the brim of her hat; Saitou had not taken his eyes off her.
"You're putting yourself in danger for a change of air?" He was not impressed.
"…. I only intended to come as far as the river, to see the water…." She murmured softly. "It's just that... It's just that there are days when it is stifling to be cooped up inside, knowing that the city is awake around you, to never have a moment to see the night in solitary leisure... In Aizu, in the country, I was allowed to walk out but here I am confined unless I am escorted, and the men are so busy that it would not do for me to trouble them with a selfish request. ... I didn't even get to enjoy a single night of the Gion Festival..." She added a little ruefully.
"And that's worth risking your life?" He stressed his point again in a harsh voice. "This city is not the peaceful Aizu countryside."
"This is not the most dangerous part of the city, it is relatively safe - " she began to answer before he cut her off.
"You're a fool if you think that. If it had been another man that caught you…" He left the threat hanging in the air. "And you know that yourself, if your reaction to my approaching you was any indication." She had been startled and scared, she could not deny it.
Tokio lowered her gaze to the ground.
"I know, you are right-"
"I always am." He interjected with the utmost confidence. Despite herself, it made Tokio smile.
"And I will admit, I was relieved to see that it was you who followed me."
"Hmph." Saitou leaned against the tree. "You are very naïve, aren't you? A respectable young lady like you out alone at this hour. Who's to say that I'm trustworthy?"
"My father." She replied without missing a beat. "He would not have sponsored your entry to the Shinsengumi otherwise." Her eyes were smiling. "Congratulations, by the way, upon your group's promotion." She bowed her head gracefully.
"…. Do you think that by engaging me in pleasantries, you'll convince me not to haul you back to Koumyouji?" He raised an eyebrow as he observed her.
"Is it working?" She tilted her head with a little smile.
"Hardly," he replied, but he remained leaning against the tree. She looked up at him questioningly but he did not respond.
They did not speak for a while. In silence they watched the colourful cruise boats with their many lanterns navigate the river. Sounds of merrymaking reached their ears. Now and again, a fish jumped in the water. Checking to see that there was no one else nearby, she took off her hat, and sat down at the base of tree by his feet. As a warm breeze rustled through the reeds, she began to speak.
"Things will start changing rapidly for the Shinsengumi... Things should come to a head within the next few weeks." Saitou fixed her with an inquiring look, but when she held his gaze, he turned away. "Incidents such as the Yamato-ya should not be allowed to happen again"
He frowned at the mention of the Yamato-ya.
"Serizawa Kamo, I hear that at one time, he was indeed a great warrior... It is most unfortunate then..." Her voice trailed off. "Things are changing rapidly within the Shinsengumi. Please, Saitou-sama, take care of yourself."
"Hmph. I wouldn't have thought that our affairs were of any interest to a girl." He shrugged off her concern.
She bowed her head, and then rose slowly, gracefully to her feet.
"Speaking of things that are not of other people's interest, I apologise again for having troubled you tonight." She dusted off her clothes. "This 'change of air' has been very pleasant, but I think that I shall head back to Koumyouji..."
Saitou studied her for a moment, and then began walking in the direction of the Aizu headquarters. She hurried after him anxiously.
"Saitou-sama, I assure you I will be fine by myself, I will make my own way back." He did not answer. "Please Saitou-sama, you do not need to bother yourself over me."
"You bother me by telling me what to do." He retorted and she fell silent. After a pause, he added. "What face would I have to show your father if something were to happen to his eldest child, and I didn't do something about it when I could?" A chagrined look appeared on her face.
"…. I merely wished to spare you more trouble." Her cheeks flushed and his pace quickened.
"Ahou, it's too late for that." He said sharply. "I'm reporting you to the seniors at Koumyouji."
Her eyes widened in alarm.
"But please, I ask of you - they will be so angry."
"That, Takagi-san, is the point." He imagined that she would think twice about doing such a reckless thing again as a result.
"But what harm has come of it? Surely you can forgive me, I meant no harm." Her voice wavered slightly as she beseeched him. "It was only a desire for a little freedom, would you begrudge me that?"
"I'm sure your father would prefer that you sacrifice a little freedom for the sake of staying safe." He was unmoved by her pleading.
"What my father doesn't know will not hurt him…" She began but stopped as he fixed her with a piercing glare. She reluctantly put her hat back on and pulled the brim down low.
They walked on in silence, he lead and she followed, and though she seemed to have resigned herself for the inevitable rebukes, the tension and dread with which she returned was plain. She was young, and she had all the feelings of a young person who has been caught doing something that is not right but thought to get away with. They were now walking around the walls of Koumyouji; another few minutes and they would be at the main gates. She stalled as they passed a side gate. He turned his head and frowned at her.
"This is the side gate that I came out from…." She said in answer to his questioning look.
Tokio did not say, but he knew what she was implying and he did not feel inclined to give in. No matter that it would save her face and him more trouble if she slipped inside the compound from here; if she did not face the consequences of her actions, she would not learn her lesson. It was a matter of principle. However, as she met his eyes steadily, Saitou was the one who looked away first.
"But what harm has come of it," her voice echoed in his mind. She bowed her head beseechingly.
"…. If I can pretend like this night never happened…." He muttered under his breath.
"Of course, as you wish, Saitou-sama." And then, with a relieved smile she jested, "Perhaps you find my company so bothersome as to wish to not remember it."
"How well you know yourself." His eyebrow rose with the tone of his voice. "But don't try this again. Next time, someone else might catch you and drag you to the guards, and cause you and your father embarrassment, or someone else might catch you and drag you outside, and cause you both grief."
"Or perhaps, some strange man might decide that I deserve a little freedom at times?" There was a little laughter in her voice now. His glare intensified. She looked up at him gratefully.
"Don't try this again." He said more forcibly.
She bowed to him in reply.
"Thank you very much, Saitou-sama."
"Hurry up and go back inside before I change my mind about dragging you to the guards." His humour seemed to worsen.
He watched her through narrowed eyes as she undid the lock. She hesitated a moment as she stepped inside, and then lifted her hat so that she could see him better.
"Saitou-sama, thank you again, for granting me a little freedom tonight."
Her voice was quiet but very clear.
"…. As far as I'm concerned, this never happened." He said firmly.
She bowed and shut the gate as he began to walk away. Behind him, he could here the clunk of the lock being refastened from the inside. He walked away. The moon shone high in the sky, and the night air not unpleasant. It was still, he thought, a relatively agreeable night.
Author's notes:
* Actual events: Serizawa Kamo assaults the Yamatoya on August 12th; the Mibu Roushi Gumi officially recognized as the Shinsengumi on August 18th, thereafter to receive their pay and funds from the Aizu-han.
1. Serizawa Kamo: all these are historical events that served to cement the reputation of the Shinsengumi, as well as factors contributing to the fate of Serizawa. In July, the Mibu Roushi Gumi had traveled to Osaka in order to recruit and set up contacts there. While they were there, Serizawa had killed a Sumo wrestler, claiming that he had been insulted. The Sumo's clan had in turn attacked the inn they were staying at and a riot had ensued. Had Kondou not arranged a meeting with the leader and offered formal apologies on behalf of the group, there would undoubtedly have been a lot more deaths. Serizawa, of course, was thoroughly displeased by this action which he deemed had undermined his authority. He had been even more infuriated when he learned that Kondou and Hijikata had, as a gesture of peace, agreed to host a Sumo competition in Kyoto, inviting this same Osaka Sumo company. The Mibu Sumo Festival took place on the 12th August. Serizawa, as though for revenge, decided that same day to assault the Yamato-ya.
2. Geisha: not to be confused with prostitutes, these women were entertainers who were hired to entertain at parties. Of course, there were those who were payed for physical services, but usually Geisha chose their clients discriminatingly based on their wealth and power. Gion was one of the specialised wards in Kyoto for geisha and their businesses.
3. Edamame: boiled soybeans, great as a snack and with alcohol.