Chapter 3: A Friendly Tête-à-tête
In the Former Capital Osaka.
The blazing sun slowly sinks beneath the horizon, flaring its rays of redden yellow light above the rippled waves of the ocean, and softening its steps as it travels in and out of a small bay, where little children laugh and play in the relaxing cool waters of the autumn season's end. A group of children good-naturedly splashes in the waters, while another group stands quietly still in the more tranquil waters in an attempt to catch some dinner. Whatever it is that they are doing, all of the children feel happily safe and secure for with them they have a young dashing guardian, who currently sits at the edge of the dock watching over them through a pair of rectangular shaped glasses. The guardian looks no more then sixteen years of age and keeps two samurai swords neatly sheathed within its scabbard at the side. The children knows of the new 1876 law forbidding the samurais to carry their swords in public, yet they remain unafraid of their young guardian. A young boy tired of trying to catch fish, soon quits his endeavors, and approaches the dock to sit with the guardian, swinging his little bare feet back and forth beside the properly sandaled guardian's.
"Tired of your fishing adventure already?" The guardian turns to look at the little boy.
"Ayasaki-san, I didn't catch anything yet, but I promise you, I will catch one before the sun sets."
"Well then, you should hurry back into the waters. The sun will set very soon, and plus, you have to get home before dark."
"Yes, I understand, but can I ask you a question?"
"Oh, but you have, Kuki-san, nevertheless, you may ask another. However, whether I answer it or not will depend on how much it humors me."
"Okay...uh...are...are you afraid of anything?"
The young guardian heartwarmingly chuckles, as the pair of spectacles begins to slide its way down his nose. "Indeed I am, of numerous things, however, I believe it would be in my best interest to keep it a secret, lest you young ladies and gentleman might pull something outlandish on me." The guardian readjusts his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
"Really? You are? I thought you weren't afraid of anything, because you are so brave."
"Is that so? You must know, Kuki-san, being brave does not necessarily mean you do not have fears. Being brave sometimes means being able to face your fears with courage."
The little boy looks curiously at his guardian in sheer admiration. An enlightened smile quickly spreads across his face as happily exclaims, "I'm brave too!"
"Is that so? Then remember this, Kuki-san, 'Un wa yusha wo tasuku (Fate assists the courageous.)'.The guardian's eyes quickly shift to the side and back within an instant. Patting the little boy on the shoulder, the guardian warns, "I would hurry back into the waters soon, else you may miss your promised deadline."
"Oh, that's right. I gotta go get that fish!" The little boy leaps back into the waters and joins the other group of children, as the young guardian stands up straightening a slightly rumpled haori jacket.
"Rumors have it that you breathed your last, Saito-san," asserts the guardian patting away dust from the haori jacket.
"Do not believe all the rumors you hear, Ayasaki. Have you forgotten that I am the only member of the Shinsengumi they called immortal?" An older man with slanted eyes, wearing a police uniform, emerges from behind the foliage.
"Hai Hai, I have not forgotten, Saito-dono, even so, ghosts tend to enjoy the gift of immortality as well."
"It would seem that you are unafraid of ghosts."
"That depends on whether the ghosts have ill intentions, or virtuous ones, but since it is you after all, I would not be the least afraid; I am relatively sure Saito-san is among the humbled virtuous ones."
Saito Hajime curls his lips into a rare good-humored smile. "You sure do know how to joke around, Ayasaki."
"So I do, old chap. Now, what brings the only Shinsengumi immortal here today? A pleasant walk breathing nature's fresh scent? A benevolent visit, from the compassion of your heart, to the delightful children? Or perhaps a drop in on the special occasion that you miss terribly my ability to humor you, and I do emphasize terribly miss."
"That would be indeed terrible, if I only restrain myself to those three choices." Slipping his hands inside his pockets, Saito strolls towards Ayasaki and stands by the edge of the dock looking out towards the setting sun. "Nature's fresh scent is always around; I breathe it all the time. A visit to the children would be indeed benevolent, but I have children of my own to visit. Your terrible humor, however terrible it is, will remain terrible, and whether I miss such a terrible thing would be debatable."
"Hahah," Ayasaki light-heartedly chuckles, before turning to glance at Saito. "Come now, my humor is not that terrible, seeing that it surfaces a good-humored smile, unlike those customary others that source from your thoughts of malice."
Turning to face his companion, Saito responds, "You speak to only further confirm my prior accusation."
"Oh, is that so?" Ayasaki continues to chuckle while turning back to the horizon and reaches into his haori jacket's right side pocket. "I see your point. Hahaha..alright then, shall I assume that your appearance be a result of concern for my new assignment?"
"When will you depart?" Saito bends his head over to look at the smooth waves moving below.
"Tomorrow morning via train." Ayasaki pulls out the last of the remaining crusted bread from his pocket and begins to crumble it. "Saito-san, may I assume that you have fulfilled the objective from your last assignment?" The young guardian crouches over the seawater with an outstretched arm.
"You may assume anything you wish."
"'Tendo zen ni fuku su.' (The way of heaven brings good fortune to the good)."
"You and your literary proverbs are quite the amusement," snickers Saito sarcastically.
"Glad to be of enjoyment. From your humor, I shall assume that your fight with the former Hitokiri Battousai has been satisfying," states the guardian, releasing the bits of bread into the waters.
Saito smirks at the thought before responding, "Have you any idea on the stats of your new assignment?"
"My assignment is to assist in the capture of the remaining Juppon Gatana."
Author's Notes:
12/05/03
Hello again, I fixed up the grammar mistakes in Chapter 1 and well, the way it uploaded was wrong. There were mistakes that weren't in the original document, but it's minor. About the proverbs and Japanese phrases, I took them from a book I borrowed from the library. The author's name is Daniel Crump Buchanan; I needed to give him credit for that. How do you like the positioning of translations of the proverbs next to its Japanese equivalent? Or do you guys prefer it like a footnote?
Thank you all (DustyFall & DragonMasterOfShadows & moquera) who have reviewed my story so far. Very much appreciated all your comments. I would like to take this time to address some of your concerns:
About anonymous reviews, I don't really know what they are specifically. What I think they are is signed or non-signed reviews. Please correct me if I am wrong. Well, I accept all reviews signed & non-signed, except for non-constructive flames. Thanks.
Kiriakis