Chapter 4: Like in a Blindfold

They dragged her blindfolded to a room. She gave up struggling several hours ago when she found out it was hopeless to struggle between three men. They tied her loosely to a plush chair and she was glad at least there was something comfortable to sit on. How many days did they travel? She had no idea where she was. Only their travel on water hinted that she was no longer Tokyo.

"I'm glad you decided to join us Megumi." He sneered at her.

"Who are you?" she asked not hiding the annoyance in her voice.

"Let's just say I'm a shadow from your past and also Shinomori's."

He lowered his face to meet hers and traced the line of her chin lightly. Annoyed and unable to move Megumi did the only thing she could do, she spitted at the man. He wiped it off and took her face with his large hands "I just decided… I like you."

He turned her face up and forcefully claimed her unresponsive mouth.

"Tell me how much you know about the affair between Aoshi's group and Kanryuu."

Saitou Hajime was straightforward with the young lady in front of him. He did not like to beat around the bush even if it meant making the other party uncomfortable. Anyway, how many times had he asked her this today? He threw the cigarette butt out towards the window in frustration.

Misao shifted her feet nervously. She wished Okina was here, he knew more about it than she did and she hated to think of her departed friends. No not friends, more like family…

"Hey. I asked you a question!" Saitou snapped at Misao. Just a little more and she's going to drive me crazy.

"I TOLD you already! There's nothing else!" She took the folder and slammed it back towards the man. "You heard it already from Okina didn't you? Why put me through this?"

Misao stormed out of the room. Stupid cop! It's bad enough Aoshi-sama had to endure all those things. It's bad enough to lose people you love. I hate being around him! He's so… SO…" She sighed and locked herself upstairs.

Aoshi took the letter out again. He had no idea how many times he read it that day.

Aoshi,

I will bring you down. I left a gift, just for you.

You do remember don't you?

Megumi, I remember she had nice soft skin and beautiful long black hair. I think she will enjoy my company. Ah! I can almost smell her, a fragrant beauty. You wouldn't want to share her would you?

Come to Naha if you ever want to see her again. I will be gentle with her until you come and pay for your debt. The sum of which is your life and the Oniwabanshu.

Sincerely,

Kanryuu

He folded the letter and took out the small memento Kanryuu has left for him.

Opium… Megumi… I…

At once his heart ached at the memory of how he was so instrumental to almost ruining Megumi's life. Now it has come again, like a nightmare that wouldn't let him be at peace with his new found happiness. Little by little Aoshi's eyes lost their new found glow. The blue eyes turning to a blue grey steel as he waited for the boat to dock on the shores of Okinawa.

Misao's temporary fit was over. As she came out of her room, she took one quick look at the others who were still bed-ridden. Okina was there dutifully placing wet towels on their heads. She decided to leave them alone and went downstairs to find something to eat or drink.

She looked around the first floor of the Aoiya, making sure that the wolf was not there. As she rummaged through the kitchen, she frowned remembering that the wolf just emptied every container of food and water they had.

I guess I'll have to ask Okina for some money.

She was about to leave the kitchen when she stiffened as she felt the presence of someone behind her. Instinctively she jumped and ducked for cover behind the kitchen counter and readied to throw her kunais.

"When did you ever get so jumpy weasel?"

Kami-sama! It's just the stupid cop.

"Well it's better to be safe than sorry." She replied as she got from behind the counter. She could almost see the wolf grinning at her but she dared not look at his face for fear of another rebuttal.

"Hungry?"

She felt his grin grow wider.

"Can't you find something else to play with?" she desperately wanted to be out of there but the wolf blocked the entrance.

"Don't you have anything else to do?" She could almost hear herself on the verge to tears.

He dismissed her remark. "Here. Take some of that and share it with Okina. The soup is for the ailing people upstairs."

He waited for her to accept the package but she did not turn. Heaving a sigh, he left the food on the counter and proceeded to the guest room.

As soon as she felt his presence gone, she turned and opened the package. Dimsum, canton noodles, soba, chicken soup and some yam greeted her. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt as she divided the food and brought the rest upstairs.

She opened the door slowly to Oumine's room. "Okina. Saitou brought some food." She said as she settled the food down on the low table.

Okina smiled at his granddaughter, "Did you thank him?"

"Shimatta! NO!" she felt confused now. Was she saying NO as in she didn't want to or NO that she didn't mean to?

"He's a friend of yours right?"

"Not really…"

"This was quite throughtful, don't you think?"

"I don't know." She looked at Okina puzzled.

"Treat people as you would like them to treat you Misao. He's done his part. Maybe you should do yours." He gave her a smile that only a grandfather could and handed her the bowl of soba.

Tokio was cleaning the house again. Earlier she had put Tsutomu to sleep. She was tired and decided to sit herself on the futon. She threw the rag to the floor in frustration. How many years has it been since she has been confined in this place? How many years after that fateful day her father announced his intentions to marry her to Saitou, a respected war veteran... Saitou Hajime, she was able to stand living with him for years, even if it was just for her father. She got up, went to the room and laid herself beside her son.

Tsutomu, the only good thing that came out of my marriage to Saitou.

She sighed. She thought things would change. That she will eventually grow to love him after their marriage, but it did not happen, after all how could you love a man who was not there? She thought maybe now that she was the mother of his child, she would be able to grow to love him, wishful thinking it was, definitely. Up to now though she abhorred his touch, she did not even like calling him "Hajime". She hated living with him, her only solace was when he was out working, which was thankfully everyday and usually months on end. She hated lying to herself. She hated staying here after her father has passed only because she could not support herself. She hated most of all "him".