Chapter 7: Golden Afternoons
There was no choice. The light blinding the guilty, his accomplice and I the damned… Rushing like muck, half blind and grabbing the detestable Todou while Fukukago was as blind as bat from the outburst of light. Todou scrapes my arm and I turn. The Kyoto Chief is squinting and I consider burying my katana at the pit of his stomach. Instead I hurl the flare gun, hitting his face. He'll be disposed off later. I need him alive as well.
Having no escape by land, I dragged us into the cold waters of the river, quickly maneuvering under the docks. Old and slimy wood bring out their own stench while seaweed and water splash against my face. Of course Todou's weight slows down our escape and from behind I can hear Fukukago barking orders left and right. A manhunt it seems will be conducted tonight, so instead of going back to Todou's house or my lodgings, I head to a small shack deep in the woods that not even Kawaji knows I found for myself.
Looking behind as I drag Todou like a rice sack, I see he's not that badly hurt. So I continue and pull him. A little dirt and some dead twigs shouldn't hurt –too-bad. Really he should be thankful he's still alive.
Once inside I deposit him to a corner and he rolls to his side.
"Tch…" I scowl at the weakling. Even Souji at his weakest point would not show such despicable display. Deciding to examine him, I forcefully pull his body against the wall and look to where he's clutching. Pulling his hand away, I see he's been cut and was bleeding. But as any expert swordsman would know the cut looks worse than it really is and did not hit any vital organs.
"You'll be fine Todou." I say and rummage through a small box looking for bandages and my cigarettes. Life-savers I call them, the cigarettes. Lighting one up I throw a piece of cloth and the bandages to him. "Put pressure on that wound. Then wrap yourself up with the gauze when the bleeding stops."
Todou looks up to me and I frown. "What?"
"I've not… had to do this. Hide always…" He looks down as my glare became harder. Well his wife is not here and I am certainly not doing him anymore favors tonight. Not that I call this a favor. I need him.
I turn and puff on my cigarette and I can hear him groaning behind me. The one bad thing about blade cuts that do not leave you dead, is that they sting enough so that you wish you were dead. Throwing him the pack of cigarettes and my matches, I say no more and consider our next plan. Who is next and how powerful is Fukukago? And the most important question is why…
"Do you have any close relatives?" I pace the floor.
"My uncle and his family lives here in Kyoto. My sister is in Fukushima."
"Does Fukukago know of them? Of any others?"
"No. Just my wife…" He tries to breathe more evenly as I watch, "We keep pretty much to ourselves."
I throw him a piece of paper, "Write down your uncle and your sister's address. If you want them to be kept alive."
Standing up, I give the idiot another scowl. He –deserved- it. After he handed the list to me, I pulled him up by the collar and pushed him roughly towards the side. His head hits the corner of the table making him grunt. "Fujita-san.. What are you?"
But he never got to finish as I gagged his mouth tightly with the same bandages from earlier. Taking out a rope, I bind his hands and his feet. He almost looked like a suckling pig. A grin dances on my lips.
"I need to get your wife. Don't even try to escape; I'll follow you to Shanghai if I have to." My hand shakes in anger, how easy it is to just take my katana and gut him right here. Reluctantly I pull away and head straight for the door. If they find them here then it's his fate to die tonight. If not then he's one lucky bastard.
It's good that Hide allowed me to accompany her the other night. Finding my way was easy enough, I surveyed the area and there were no signs yet of disturbance although I'm sure there will be. Deciding not to go knock on the front door, I scaled the walls and let myself in. The place is dark, so the attendants were probably sleeping already. Picking the lock was easy enough… The hard part would be finding where Hide was. Sliding the shoji doors one by one, I found more unoccupied rooms than I'd care for… And found another where three people were fast asleep. I move pass that since I know, Hide should be by herself alone. I scoff a bit knowing that had it been any other time, Todou would be in the same room with her… Like I was at one point.
FLASHBACK
I tuck the small package of tea under the sleeve of the kimono. I knew from watching that she loves tea. As I walk down the street feeling a bit light, I remember how each dinner we've had accompanied tea in all its flavors. Hell! Who would've known there's so much variety of tea? Since I've never been a tea connoisseur… Not once did I care for it until now. She'll be delighted I'm certain; this green tea came straight from Ito Shizuoka. Land of tea… At one point the home of one of the greatest Shogun, Ieyasu.
As I enter the compound, I caught sight of Souji going once again into Serizawa's room. I just chuckle at that. He doesn't know what he let go of. Women like Oume, should be avoided no matter how beguiling they are nor how attractive… I stop for a moment wondering what it was that Souji was doing in there and if Kondou-san knows. Most probably not, for the Kyokuchou was very protective of Souji and he would've taken measures against it… But that's not my business. My only business is… I turn and walk further down the engawa passing the dog rose and into the back end area where the whole Yagi family were pushed to live in. The Shinsengumi practically invaded the whole place, except for this.
I see her there sitting, sewing a small shawl.
"It is getting cooler." I say and leaned at the wooden column.
"Yes it is." She gets up with a smile on her face and I'm tempted to ask who the shawl is for.
"Did you like the play the other night? I know the Tale of the Genji must be boring…" I chuckle and look away. No one knows we've been going out secretly. Everyone else thinks I'm just being my dutiful self and surveying the area… No one really asks questions of me. Even Hijikata-san doesn't. I am his trusted spy after all. It was convenient for in truth the afternoons were spent with her, drinking tea that turns my stomach. Ah but it's tolerable… The past weeks have been precious to me. I've never felt more alive in those golden afternoons, even if they were spent hiding. I never did know how she managed to meet me outside… But that doesn't matter as long as she did. Were we doing something wrong? Certainly not! She and I were free and all the clandestine meetings were spent talking.. And was more for Souji's benefit, although I wonder if he'd still care. Wasn't he too busy with Oume?
She laughs slightly and I watch her from the corner of my eye. How many months has it been? And now able to finally talk…
"It was… wonderful…" she looks down for a moment and I thought a frown escaped her face, "Hajime."
Suddenly I'm confused. A frown and yet she calls me for the first time by my name. No… I am mistaken. She called me as someone familiar; -surely- she did not frown. I just grin knowing how wrong I am. They're over. It's –us- now. Her and I.
"Don't ever call me Saitou-san again." I say under my breath. "That name is good."
She looks back at me with a puzzled look on her face. "Why?"
"I like it when you call me that."
It's who I am… My real name was after all… Yamaguchi Hajime. A long forgotten one.
She smiles and starts to laugh. A hearty one that makes me believe that perhaps… I could make this young woman happy. That I –do- deserve her.
Taking out the tea from Shizuoka, I slide it towards her. I can't quite take her into my arms. Who knows who might be watching?
"Oh tea!" She almost squeals and I raise my eyebrow. "Thank you Sai.. Hajime."
I contain myself from bursting out to laughter as she puts it against her nose. If tea can be digested through the nasal area… Well she was making good work at it. My eyes settle across the garden, the dog roses where actually starting to bloom. She was right they do better in colder months… It's autumn already and it was time for a change. I never wanted to be her friend after all. I needed her. I wanted her…. And when I looked back, her little round face radiant… I decided she will be –mine-.
"Hide…"
"Yes Sai.. Err Hajime." She laughs again. "It might be a while before I get used to that."
"It's alright." It's a habit and –bad- habits are hard to break. "I'll be on patrol tonight and tomorrow late… But meet me for lunch? There's this soba place around the corner that serves an excellent serving of Kake soba…"
"Oh but I can cook!"
I chuckle, "You are an excellent cook."
"Will you bring some to my room then, before I go out tomorrow? I'll be free early in the evening."
She pauses and I can see her cheeks turn to a crimson color. It wasn't –exactly- what I had in mind but… Perhaps with this I'll know. I wait keeping my face straight, but my heart sinks at each passing second. My stomach is starting to twist and turn sending myself to spurts of agony. I close my eyes… Resigning myself. I should've known it was too early. That she wasn't ready.
"I'll be there."
Sharply I intake a breath. What a relief… She did not reject me. I turn and I'm sure there's a damnable smile on my face… A smile from ear to ear, that seems to hurt as much as it was embarrassing. I nod at her… Something to look forward to. Just like the past weeks, when I stubbornly refused to succumb to any enemy because of those short but golden afternoons. Before she can change her mind, I turn abruptly leaving her. I should go out… Take care of a few rowdy men in Mibu. Make sure the streets are safe. Or I'll be pissed if something happens between now and tomorrow. It's not just Harada who needs someone… And no, in these troubled times even when I wield a sword, I still need someone. It was her choice now. Not just my lecherous self…
END FLASHBACK
I stand in her room just watching her sleep. Her face has some lines now, betraying the passage of time. I never did get the luxury of watching her sleep. She sleeps like a child. My hand unwittingly starts to touch her face and I wince pulling it back.
What am I doing?
But old times are hard to suppress, old wants and flames are hard to deny. I swallow trying to think of Tokio and my son instead. There are things that can no longer be changed. Cross purposes… It was never meant to be. I blink a few times, trying to get myself back to the present. But so many memories of those golden afternoons, they slice and dice just like… No a bit worse I would imagine than committing seppuku… Steeling myself, I shake her slowly.
"Hide… Wake up. We need to leave this place."
"Saitou-san?" She looks up and I tear my gaze away. She shouldn't see me. If she sees me… She'll know nothing's really changed. How I want to shout at her… Never to call me by that name… Doesn't she remember?
"I need to.." I clear my throat, "You need to get out of here. Your life is in danger."
"Wait for a moment. Let me get dressed and let the others know…"
"No Hide!" I glare at her, "We don't have time. And the less they know, the safer they are."
Ignoring her protest I bring a hand to clamp her mouth. She's surprised… But I do not want anyone to wake in this household. There's enough trouble for one night.
We steal through the alleys, quickly. Running and occasionally stopping to check no one was in sight. And also so I can take a breath, I've been losing energy albeit slowly it seems.
"What are you doing Saitou-san?"
"Shh…" I motion for her not to speak as a group of men in uniform passes the main road. I look, waiting for them to disappear and then bolted to cross with her in tow.
"Saitou-san?"
We finally reach the forested area and I let go of her.
"You're wet…"
"Don't state the obvious Hide."
"I can't ask you questions and yet you do not allow me to talk. Typical…"
A growl escapes me and I spin around. "Typical? Weren't you the one who…" Clamping my mouth shut, I decide to answer her question instead of going back to what's dead already.
"Your husband was almost killed. The idiot was inv.."
"Where is he?" She grabs my arm and an almost pleading look crosses her face. "Is he safe?"
That look… I narrow my eyes and then spat to the ground, "He'll be fine." The sissy that he is…
She sighs in relief and I turn to walk again.
"The idiot was involved in firearms smuggling. Apparently your import business was…"
"No that can't be. Todou is a good businessman… A hard worker." I can hear her footsteps stop and I turn around.
"What Hide?"
"You lie."
"Still can't trust me?"
In the dim light under the moon, I can see her fidget. "He's not like that."
"People will do anything for money. Haven't you noticed he's quite an idiot in that regard?"
"No! I know he values money. He was raised that way and we went through hard times… But he's my husband and I know him best."
I spat on the ground. "Still that naïve? Even the noblest of people have their faults…" And he's a schmuck…
"No. I'm going back. You're a liar." She turns and I grab her.
"See for yourself Hide… When did I –ever- lie to you?" I never did and you know that! My grip on her tightened that she was wincing by the time I let her arm go.
"Fine…"
We walk in silence… Hard times? I wonder what kind… And how such an idiot took her loyalty.
Reaching our destination, I throw the door wide open. Todou's still on the ground gagged and bound of course. She throws me a vehement look and runs towards him. Immediately taking the cloth from his mouth and she looks at me and I sigh. Walking over, I drew my katana cutting the rope.
"Anata… Are you alright?" She asks… The –wrong- question. Why is she not asking him what the hell he was doing?
Moving out of the way, not wanting to hear any pointless drabble, I sit by the door. Sitting up straight just in case we get any unwanted visitors. I watch her as she tends to his wounds. How wonderful… She didn't even notice the now caked blood to my side. Well… Who cares? I'm not dead yet.
Typical huh? Yes typical of you as well Hide…
Notes: Nothing is mine… All copyright owned by their respective owners… Inspired by RK/NHK and a little bit of history.
Serizawa Kamo – Co-commander of the Shinsengumi
Oume – Serizawa's woman
Ieyasu – First shogun
Shizuoka prefecture – famous for green tea
Dog rose – rosa canina