Because I must - Disclaimer: I do not own the Rurouni Kenshin or it's characters or their likeness.

I've been bitten by the writing bug! It probably has to do with the fact that I have a lot of work to procrasinate on. That, and this little story was calling to be written down.

This came to be on March 14th, Japan's White Day, but I made it into a Valentine's Day offering. Kicker? It's late for both days! Woot! Japan celebrate Valentine's Day, but in Japan girls give their crushes (or friends or teachers) chocolate. It's usually some kind of homebaked good. Then a month later the boys respond with their own chocolat, but I noticed that it's just a response day be it from the teachers or friends.

I want to thank everyone that still reads my crazy stories and a special thanks to those that review! THANK YOU!

As ever, I hope you enjoy it. Reviews are always appreciated and treasured.

"Are you lost Takagi?"

Tokio turned to frown at the man. Saitou was leaning against the doorframe, completely at ease, with his sleeves rolled up and his tie loose. "Saitou-sensei, what can I do for you?" Tokio tried to keep her voice civil and even.

Saitou only grinned wider, "You could kindly vacate my classroom. We do have quite a bit of material to cover before the test."

At that Tokio placed her hands on her hips, tilted her head back in challenge, and said, "Your class? I am sorry but you're mistaken."

Saitou wanted to laugh. Tokio's words may have been polite but her tone, body language, and eyes spoke even louder. She did not appreciate this apparent challenge and interruption to "her class". Unfortunately for her, and for him too because he really did enjoy seeing her in action, this was not her class. And so, he said to one of his students, "Please inform Takagi what class you have right now."

The student jumped, startled to have been addressed and forced to involve himself in the discussion, ". . . social studies." He looked at Tokio apologetically.

Tokio blinked. Then blinked again, but before she could say anything Saitou had straightened and motioned that she should follow him outside. Tokio grabbed her books and with her head held high, she walked out.

Once outside, Tokio whirled around to face the tall man. "Why didn't –"

"Not here." Saitou cut her off, and took a few long strides further away from the classrooms. Once he was sure he was out of earshot, but still where he could watch his class, that currently had their noses pressed to the windows looking into the hallway, he turned around.

Tokio a little too harshly asked, "Why didn't anyone tell me we switched classes?"

The man raised an eyebrow, and looked down on Tokio, "There was a note left on your desk." Then with a smirk, ". . . am I to understand that you did not bother reading the very important office memo?"

Tokio glared and bit her lip, he was mocking her. It was only fair considering that she always gave him crap for not bothering to read the memos. "Fine, you're right," she growled out. "But you don't have to look so smug about it!"

Saitou chuckled, "As gratifying as it is to hear that, I do have a class to teach. Everything you need to know is on your desk."

"Still doesn't tell me why I wasn't told about it earlier!"

"Hm, maybe if you had arrived on time today."

"I don't see why my class should be sacrificed for yours."

"Later." With that he started to make his way back. As he walked by her he said, "By the way, you can just leave the chocolate on my desk."

"What chocolate?"

"Valentine's Day chocolate of course."

Tokio whipped around just in time to see the students scramble to their seats, and Saitou enter his classroom. She let out a sound of annoyance, and stuck her tongue out at the man's back. Deciding that it would be best to go read this memo, she headed back to the teacher's office.

She mentally abused her co-worker the whole way back. She was also sure that their little tête-à-tête would fuel the student's ridiculous notion that she and Saitou had something going on. Students really were far too interested in the romantic lives of their teachers, and Valentine's Day was just the day to let those imaginations run wild.

The man had been right, damn him. Tokio had been late to work, and instead of taking the time to notice the memo on her desk she had grabbed her books and ran to class. Which had turned out to be unnecessary. One of their co-workers had had a mental breakdown and quit, and all the remaining teachers had scrambled to take over his duties. That meant that a few classes had been moved around.

Tokio was in the middle of preparing for her next class when Okita walked into the office. In typical Okita fashion, he was dripping wet.

Okita stopped on his way to his desk and stood over Saitou's desk his wet lab coat and wet hair dripping all over the other man's desk. He didn't care though, he was too busy counting all the Valentine's Day offerings on Saitou's desk.

Okita clapped once, clearly pleased, "I still have more."

"He's going to kill you for dripping water on his desk." Tokio couldn't quite keep the amusement out of her voice, at this point she was used to her strange co-workers.

"Water never hurt anyone. Plus, he'll be in class until lunch. It'll dry up by then." Okita then took off his coat and shook his head sending water everywhere.

"Thank you for the shower," Tokio gave her co-worker a flat look. "Did you set off the sprinklers again?"

Okita grinned, "Tokio-chan where is my chocolate?"

"Don't distract me, why were you counting Saitou-san's chocolate?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?"

"Why are you avoiding them?" Tokio gave up trying to look stern there was just no way with him.

"Why do you care?" Okita winked and grabbed his towel, and began rubbing his hair dry.

"Okita-san! Did you burn down the chemistry lab again?"

Tokio whirled around in her seat to face the P.E. and class 6 homeroom teacher, Kamiya Koaru.

Okita made a show of looking wounded, "Koaru-san, I am offended! I have never burned down the lab, singed it a bit, but never burned down."

"I think it's only a matter of time," Tokio said.

Kaoru shook her head, and sat down. "I know. Nothing would be surprise me where Okita-san is concerned."

Okita sat down, "Let's forget my mishap and get down to what's important! Where is my chocolate?"

Kaoru sighed, "You're not supposed to ask for it."

"That wasn't me asking for it. But you know who is asking for it . . ." Okita wiggled his eyebrows, "Himura-san."

Tokio whacked the man on the arm, and Kaoru went bright red. "Okita-san!" Tokio scolded.

"Does everyone know?" Kaoru looked horrified. It was against regulations to date your co-workers, and she really hoped that she had been able to hide her feelings for the red head.

"Yes." Okita grinned.

"Tokio-san?!" Kaoru whirled towards the other woman. Their co-workers were such – vivid - characters that the other woman had become a source of comfort and source of sanity.

Tokio took pity on the younger woman, "Well . . . I don't think Himura-san knows." She wasn't lying, she was sure the man had not noticed.

Okita nodded, "Oh that's true. We are all taking bets on when he'll finally notice." That was also true. Okita wasn't a liar, but he did like to stretch or hide the truth. This was not one of those moments. In fact, even the principal, Kondo, had joined in on the fun. Hijikata, the vice-principal, however was opposed to everything, but as there was no relationship he could do nothing but grumble.

"Okita- san . . . did you really have to say that?"

"Tokio-chan, it is important that Kaoru-san know all the facts."

"How kind of you," Tokio's voice was full of sarcasm.

Their attention was drawn back to Kaoru, who let out a long groan, and reached into her bag, and withdrew a small box of chocolates. She slammed the box onto Okita's desk and walked out of the office.

Okita and Tokio stared at the box. "Hm. Do you think it was something I said?"

Tokio gave the man a flat look, "You did that on purpose."

Okita sighed, "I'll apologize. You think she'll be okay?"

"She's tough, but romantic feelings are tricky." Tokio reached into her own bag and pulled out a small bag of homemade brownies. She made to hand it the man, but withdrew it just as he was going to grab it. "You'll apologize?"

He gave her a winning smile, "Of course."

"And you'll stop that ridiculous betting pool?"

Okita's smile faltered, "But –"

Tokio glared, "Do you want the chocolate or not?"

"Yes, but –"

"No. I don't want any of your excuses or smiles."

Okita sighed, "I'll put an end to it."

"Good." Tokio gave him a bright smile and handed him the chocolate.

There were a several minutes of silence while both teachers worked at their desks, or in Okita's case ate chocolate and worked, before Tokio broke the silence. "Do you think she got Himura-san something special?"

Okita laughed. "I'd be disappointed if she didn't." More silence and then, "Do you think I'll get more chocolate than Saitou this year?"

At this Tokio turned to stare at the man, "Why do you care?"

"I am number one."

"You're class 1, not number one."

"Brutal."

Tokio shrugged and went back to work. She wondered what Okita meant by, "this year." Saitou was well respected and while liked, Okita was adored. In fact, Okita and Himura both had a self proclaimed fan club. She wasn't about to ask though, or she'd never get any work done.

By lunch Tokio had handed out all the brownies she had made. All except one, Saitou's. She just wasn't sure how to do it. She had considered leaving it on his desk, as he suggested, but that seemed horribly impersonal considering they sat next to each other. She was still mulling it over when the man himself sat down.

Saitou frowned, "Okita was here."

Tokio laughed, "How do you know that?"

"Idiot always moves everything."

"He was counting your chocolate." Tokio yawned and stretched her arms above her head.

"Of course he was." Saitou said in a deadpan voice as he started to move all the chocolate to one side so that he could access his laptop. "Stupid holiday."

"I don't know. It's not so bad. A chance for girls to tell their crushes their feelings?"

"Because they can't do it any other day?" Saitou turned so he was facing Tokio, and leaned back in his chair.

Tokio shrugged, "Sometimes you need an excuse." She was thinking of Kaoru and hoped that the woman would find the courage to tell Himura-san, even if the romance would be a forbidden one. What could she say? She was a secret romantic.

"It's a commercial holiday, and Japan has banked on the western holiday by adding their own twist to it all." Saitou considered the woman. They had been working together for almost a year now, but she still managed to surprise him. Not that he would ever tell her that. He respected that she did not take shit from him, and there was always the satisfying argument and talk.

"Just because it's commercial does not make it any less nice." Tokio gave her co-worker a small smile. "Didn't you enjoy it when you were in high school?"

Saitou arched an eyebrow, and he smirked, "Maybe."

Tokio rolled her eyes, and reached into her bag for the last bag of her homemade brownies. "You're impossible." She handed him her offering, "I hope you like it."

Saitou took it, and nodded his thanks.

Tokio narrowed her eyes. "You know, those are homemade. You could use your words, it doesn't take a lot to say thank you. It is literally two words."

Saitou chuckled, "I'll see how it tastes first."

"They're going to be amazing." Tokio pushed her shoulders back. She would have said something more, but at that moment a few giggling girls came to stand at the end of their row.

". . . Saitou-sensei." One whispered. Saitou stood and made his way to the students.

That hadn't been as bad as she was expecting. The man kept her on her toes, and she always felt a little nervous around him.

Saitou sat back down, added the chocolate to his pile. It wasn't the biggest pile, but it was an impressive amount of chocolate.

Tokio picked one of the little bags up and inspected the cookies. "They really go all out making these."

"A waste of time and money." Saitou watched Tokio, and wondered how much time she had put into making her own Valentine's chocolate.

"You're cynical. They don't care about that. It's the fun and excitement, and wondering if you'll get a response on White Day."

Saitou's grinned, "And you're expecting a response." He casually held up her brownies.

"Absolutely. I expect it to be homemade too. I like cookies by the way."

"Hmm. I'll take it into consideration."

Tokio laughed, "Will you now? Maybe the Home EC club can show you how."

Saitou raised an eyebrow, "I am sure." He then took his suitcase out from beside his desk and began opening it.

Tokio watched as the man took out an assortment of Valentine's Day chocolate, some homemade and others store bought. He placed them with the other chocolate on his desk, shut his briefcase, grabbed his books for his next class, and stood up.

"What is all that?" Tokio pointed at the now sizeable pile.

"Takagi, this is war." With that he walked out of the office, leaving behind a confused Tokio. Did the man really buy and make his own chocolate just to beat Okita?

Later that day, when he took the final count, Okita would find that he had lost by two. And the next day, Tokio would find all of Saitou's chocolate in her desk.

There was never a boring day at this school that was for sure.

I hope you liked it. I always have to be careful with Okita but he really takes over, but he's so much fun. Writing Saitou has reminded me that I am in fact rather snarky and sarcastic, and that's okay. So remember, be yourself.