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 28 – Allegiances and Alliances
= December 25th, Keio Year 2 (January 30th 1867) =
It struck, as all catastrophes do, with no warning and devastating effect. The Emperor, heretofore in good physical health, had suddenly been stricken by disease and passed away in a matter of days. It happened less than a week before the New Year and the official word was that it was due to smallpox. The news spread throughout Kyoto and then the country like a noxious odor, and instead of the planned end-of-year festivities, people prepared to mourn. The Emperor had been a symbol that united all the disparate peoples of Japan and there was no way to quell the massive surge of anxiety that welled up in their hearts. Yet, the cycle must continue: the Emperor is dead, long live the Emperor. The hopes and fears, dreams and nightmares, ambitions and machinations of so many began to swirl and eddy around the young heir, the new Emperor Mutsuhito, and it seemed that the entire world turned its eye towards Japan, waiting, and watching the fourteen year-old youth who had not yet even come of age as a man.
"What the hell are we to do?"
Yamakawa Ookura had not ceased to curse since the news had reached the Aizu-han headquarters. Tokio had never seen him look so stressed, and for that matter, she also felt gripped by dread and uncertainty. The senior retainers had spent most of the day discussing and arguing the misfortune and she had been kept busy taking notes and sending messages, as well as making sure that they did not forget to eat. After hours of debate, they had retired for the evening, unable to come to a definite conclusion and unable to foretell the future.
"What the bloody hell are we to do?" Yamakawa repeated.
"We can only hope that the new Emperor will come to see Aizu as his fiercest champion, as his late father did, and will trust in us to continue our duty." Even as Tokio spoke, she knew this was but a platitude.
"He's only fourteen years old." Yamakawa sighed. "And he's not even of age."
It would be too much to expect him to assert his own authority, to grasp the nuances of all the political upheaval that was taking place, and what it meant in realistic terms was that now among the Imperial officials and the various regional lords, there was a mad scramble of influence jostling and peddling. A young Emperor would make a most coveted puppet and would allow one to make the most powerful plays in the game.
"Perhaps the Shogun will be able to protect him." Tokio tried to be optimistic. "Shogun Yoshinobu may be able to shield him from the worst influences and from the foreign powers." The foreign powers too would not miss this time of instability to force more concessions from Japan and try to insinuate themselves further into Japanese policy-making.
"We can only hope," Yamakawa shook his head in despair. "Yoshinobu-sama himself has been Shogun for only a few weeks. And Satsuma continues to extend its hand…" Satsuma would do its utmost to gather more power under the new reign at the expense of Aizu and the Tokugawa. "If Satsuma can ingratiate itself with the right officials, especially those who have thus far been sidelined…"
Emperor Komei's sister had been married to the previous Shogun Iemochi, in a bid to strengthen the ties between the Imperial Court and the Bakufu – now with Iemochi and the Emperor both deceased, the Bakufu had a weakened hand. Satsuma would also make the case that Emperor Komei's closeness to Aizu was a sign of unhealthy dependency that allowed Aizu too much control over imperial positions.
"I still cannot believe that he passed away so suddenly…" Tokio lowered her gaze sorrowfully.
"I've only ever heard that he was in robust condition and that he'd never even caught cold…" Yamakawa muttered and took a sip of tea.
"… And if it were smallpox…" She narrowed her eyes and murmured, "there is no problem with pox in the city as of the moment, and certainly no other cases in the vicinity of the Imperial Court."
"Sada-chan, please, don't…" Yamakawa stopped her from continuing.
In various private conversations throughout the city, the vilest of speculations and rumors were being hinted at in the quietest of whispers.
They sat in silence for a while, unable to carry on the conversation. Presently, Tokio bid good evening to Yamakawa and departed for her own quarters. The winter air seemed to pierce her bones as she made her way through the compound, though she shivered not just from the cold.
Itou laid down his brush and admired his own writing. It was an essay on the various ways in which a man might pursue the ideals of Sonnou Joui, as well as surpass the limits of his abilities.
"Here, you can read this and let me know what you think," he said to his right-hand man, Shinohara Tainoshin.
"I will," Shinohara nodded, "but Itou-sensei, do you really intend to go ahead with this plan?"
"Of course. Do you not see, every crisis brings with it opportunity for those willing to grasp it. A crisatunity, if you will!" Itou paused for effect but seeing the blank look on Shinohara's face, he shrugged dismissively. "Fine, I'll refrain from using that joke again."
"But Emperor Komei's death... it won't even be a week since his passing…" Shinohara felt uneasy. Itou looked at him out of the corner of his eye.
"All the more need to raise our spirits. Besides, it's the New Year, who would begrudge us some fun?"
"Still, it's quite a risk." Shinohara did not sound convinced.
"What will Hijikata do? Order me to commit seppuku?" Itou sounded amused. "He can't, and you know it. He wouldn't dare to tear apart the Shinsengumi like that."
In any case, he thought, this would be just be testing the waters, he had much bigger plans to bring to fruition.
A few days later on New Year's Day, Itou led a large group of men to Shimabara. Among them were Saitou and Nagakura. When Okita grumbled to Hijikata that Itou had "taken all the fun people away", Hijikata merely shook his head. He did not know then that in a few days time however, he would be shaking in fury.
When Saitou woke up in Shimabara for the third morning in a row, he had just about reached the end of his tether. They had been holed up at the Kadoya since New Year's and the thick smell of women's perfume had started to give him a headache. It was all Itou's fault, he thought irritably.
"Let's not go back tonight to the compound, it's the New Year and we're having far too much fun, we deserve to stay out all night for once!" Itou's idea had seemed like a good one at the time when they were drunk.
However, as they began to sober up and realize what it meant to break curfew, their numbers started to dwindle and men took their leave. Breaking curfew meant breaking the Shinsengumi Charter, and Hijikata was merciless in doling out punishment. Nagakura and Saitou too urged Itou to depart. Itou though had laughed it off.
"So we stake our lives to stay with our women! How marvelous!" He clapped his hands and called for more sake. "If Hijikata-san is intent on making us all commit seppuku, then we might as well drink and enjoy ourselves to the last!"
Out of a stubborn reluctance to be outdone, their sense of male competitiveness won over their common sense. And now, they were still there, three days later.
As Saitou rolled over and sat up in the futon, he met Aioi Tayu's angry glare. She had never been more insulted than when he had pushed her away and told her that he was not in the mood. He smirked, vaguely amused by the emotional reaction of this impassive woman. She was beautiful, that was true, but what attraction he might have felt for her in the past had evaporated.
"If you will not lie with me, then why do you continue to stay here?" The question had come out as a furious hiss.
"Because you don't talk much," he had answered shortly.
Now by the third morning, he was weary of waking up in her room and needed the privacy and austere comfort of his own room.
So it was that when a group of Shinsengumi members arrived at the Kadoya to escort the three back to Nishi-Honganji, Saitou let out a sigh of relief. As terrible as Hijikata's wrath might be, better the devil he knew than to stay one night longer in this den.
"Long time no see, Saitou-san!" Okita called out cheerfully as they returned.
"Okita, that hanten-" Saitou looked at him murderously and stretched out a hand to grab him.
"It's lovely isn't it?" Okita dodged Saitou's hand, waving a sleeve of the winter coat at him. "A little too big maybe but it's so warm and smells so good-" He nimbly jumped away from Saitou's second attempt to catch him. "I thought I'd take it since you weren't coming back, and Hijikata-san is going to kill you anyhow."
This time, Saitou seized the end of a sleeve but before he had a firm grasp on Okita, Okita deftly slipped out of the coat and ran away gleefully, like a lizard leaving its tail behind with a surprised predator.
"Saitou!" Hijikata's shout rang out across the courtyard. "You're coming with me, now!"
Saitou slung the coat over his shoulder and walked slowly over.
"Consider it against my better judgment that you're not being executed." Hijikata snapped at him.
Hijikata had rarely been angrier in his life. Itou had deliberately insulted his authority and in such a public manner that there was no hiding it. The compound was rife with gossip about how Hijikata was losing his touch and that Itou was not in the least bit afraid of him. Everything had gone exactly according to Itou's plan, as far as he was concerned. He had managed to bring along two of the most highly rated captains and persuaded them to break curfew with him, his partners in crime. This had undermined the unity of Hijikata's faction and plus, it established Itou's position as something Hijikata could not touch. Although most other members would undoubtedly have been forced to commit seppuku (such was the sentence for much lesser crimes), it was out of the question that the Shinsengumi lose three of its most prominent members in such a manner – it would have torn apart the organization. Itou had banked on this and Hijikata was seething. They were let off with a reprimand and a mere three days of house arrest in the executive quarters; seeing as it had been the New Year, Kondou had felt magnanimous.
What Itou had not banked on was that Saitou was placed in Hijikata's quarters for the three days. And though he brushed it off as another one of Hijikata's ways of aggravating Saitou, in truth it was one of the most in-depth reports that Saitou had ever given to the Vice Commander.
Saitou was not surprised that the day he was released from his confinement, he received an invitation to visit Sato's house. And as he had expected, when he arrived at the arranged hour, Tokio was sitting on the engawa with an inscrutable expression on her face. As he approached, he removed his jacket and tossed it to her.
"Wear that for a while."
"I am not cold…" She stoked the charcoal brazier by her side.
"It smells of Okita." He sounded mildly disgusted but when she tilted her head in question, he did not bother to elaborate.
"But you will get cold." She held it out for him to take back.
"Not like this I won't." His answer was to draw her into his arms. She blushed but did not protest. They stayed silent for a while; she obviously had something she wanted to say to him and he waited for her to say it.
"… I heard what happened over the New Year." She finally spoke.
"Nothing happened." Saitou looked at her sharply.
"… I believe you," Tokio closed her eyes and pressed her face against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"… Nothing happened." Saitou said again in a lower voice and tightened his hold on her.
She nodded, trying not to dwell on what might have transpired in the pleasure districts. Instead, she said quietly,
"I went to Fushimi Inari Shrine."
"I told you that I wouldn't go." She could feel his breath on her ear as he spoke. The truth was, he had considered it, but then Itou had dragged him to Shimabara.
"I know…. But I got you this while I was there." She pulled out an omamori from her obi. "Good blessings for the year to come. You'll need it." She laughed softly. Saitou snorted but did not seem displeased as he took it from her. "I also have this for you." She pointed to a medium sized box that was close by. He reached for it and when he opened the lid, she could tell his eyes widened slightly. It was a large bottle of the highest quality sake.
"Are you pleased?" She asked a redundant question. His answer was to press his lips to her forehead, making her smile. "Well, I guess I am good for some things."
"Indeed you are, woman." He grinned wolfishly, in the best mood he had been in since the year began.
Tokio leaned back against him.
"Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu, Hajime-sama," she said in a clear, low voice, "and happy birthday."
"….Aaah."
"You said before that this year couldn't be worse than the last."
"Unless the new Emperor dies, I fail to see how it could be."
"You shouldn't say such things, it's in bad taste," she admonished him lightly.
"And you're the one who said it'd be an improvement if we got to see each other." He tilted his head to look at her.
"Oh so you agree now, do you?" She sat up a little, still in his arms.
"… I'm here, am I not?"
She smiled and bowed her head.
It was a dry winter day and the carefully tended garden was now mostly shades of brown. Still, the green of the pine tree and camellia was bright and the few red berries left on the tree branches added a dash of color. Without those, how bleak the world would have seemed.
Time passes too quickly for those who are enjoying themselves and before they were ready, they must take their leave. Before Sato returned, Saitou filled Tokio in on a few more details about what had happened with Itou over the past week. Itou was planning to take a trip south in ten days, with the stated purpose of forging new contacts and seeking intelligence.
"And you will accompany him," she confirmed rather than asked.
"It appears that his "new contacts" will most likely be people connected to the Ishin-Shishi. He was making some stupid joke about how a crisis was also an opportunity."
"…. I see." Tokio frowned. "I don't see how he can make any intelligence contacts with the anti-Bakufu factions while he's the Military Advisor of the Shinsengumi."
"He's a pretty crafty man, I'll give him that much," Saitou said with the faintest hint of a grin.
"You seem to be enjoying this assignment," Tokio observed.
"It's a challenge for sure." Saitou shrugged.
"Not to mention, he pays for all your expenses at Shimabara." Tokio sniffed as though to express her disdain. Saitou merely fixed her with a warning glint in his eye. Changing her tone, she added, "Please, be careful, there will be increasing chaos for a while to come…"
Despite her faith in his abilities, she did not think she would ever stop worrying about him.
Just then, they heard the sound of Sato opening the front door. As Tokio stood up to go greet her, Saitou pulled her back, held her tightly for just a moment longer, before letting her go.
"Tokio-han!" Sato's voice called out.
"We're here, O-Sato-san," Tokio answered in a flustered voice.
"Well, just look at you," Sato said in a teasing voice to Saitou, "they finally let you out of Hijikata-san's room, did they? Or was it some geisha at Shimabara that had caught you?"
Saitou wordlessly took her basket of purchases and brought it into the kitchen.
"Shame on you, lazing about with another woman when Tokio-han was waiting to see you!" Sato followed him and started to unpack her groceries.
"O-Sato-san, I'm used to his cruel treatment at this stage," Tokio sighed in mock despair.
"My poor girl," Sato pretended to console her, "there are so many better men in the world for you."
Without saying a word, Saitou tossed a couple of mandarins towards the women, which bounced off their foreheads.
"Saitou-han!" Sato scolded while rubbing her head.
"I hear fruit is good for you, especially in winter," was his deadpan response.
Shortly afterwards, Saitou would leave first (after Sato offered to instruct him on how to deal with persistent geisha, "speaking as an expert", she said). Tokio saw him to the door, helping him with his jacket, handing him his sword and fleetingly brushing his cheek with her fingers. Tokio would stay until Sato's foster children returned from school and play with them while Sato prepared their supper. In the dead of winter, the world would indeed seem bleak without moments like this.
= Mid-March, Keio Year 3 (1867) =
"Saitou-san, is it true that Itou-sensei is leaving the Shinsengumi and forming his own group?" Okita asked in an unusually serious tone.
Saitou nodded while slurping his soba noodles. It was difficult to have a private conversation in peace at the Shinsengumi Headquarters these days, with so many people around and so many prying ears. Okita had enticed Saitou to lunch with the suggestion of soba. Come to think of it, Saitou couldn't remember the last time that he had talked to Okita alone.
"I don't quite understand how he's managed to convince Kondou-sensei and Hijikata-san." Okita added some wasabi to his soba. "For anyone else, it's been immediate seppuku."
"That's because you're an idiot." Saitou did not stop moving his chopsticks.
"Hey!" Okita frowned. "If you're so smart, you explain it then."
Itou had used a two-pronged strategy. First, on his recent tour of the South, he had tried to make contact with anti-Bakufu elements and regional principals who were Choushuu sympathizers. He advertised this trip in academic terms, that he wished to exchange ideas and expand the philosophy of "Sonnou Joui". He assured his fellow Shinsengumi executives that this was a good way of gathering intelligence on the Ishin-Shishi. However, the result was not a success; most of the people Itou had hoped to meet with, wary about inviting the Shinsengumi into their circle, turned him away at the gate. This illustrated the fact that now that the Shinsengumi were so well known, it was almost impossible for them to carry out covert operations and to obtain enemy information.
As his second tactic, he had previously gained the confidences of some monks that were also Imperialists (of which there were many at Nishi-Honganji); after Emperor Komei's death, these monks began to organize for the "protection of the Imperial Tomb", petitioning for a new guard unit to do so.
Now, Itou had the perfect justification that even Hijikata could not argue against; he could leave the Shinsengumi by claiming "Sonnou" to head this new group, the "Goryou-eji", and he persuaded Kondou that in doing so, this would be a golden opportunity to approach and infiltrate the extremist Imperialists (he would gain their trust by leaving the Shinsengumi and thus proving he truly revered the Emperor). "Who knows, maybe a few of them will be able to lead me to the Hitokiri Battousai," he had reasoned.
He also reassured them that even though it would appear on the surface as though they were separate, he considered this to be a sub-group of the Shinsengumi and they would continue to work together and share all information. He also promised that except for the initial few that he wanted to take with him, he would refuse to accept other Shinsengumi members who wanted to join at a later date. The argument was tidily wrapped and seemed perfectly rational and effective.
"And you'll go along with the plan?" Okita frowned. It was not in his nature to think too deeply or seriously about these political matters and it troubled him that Saitou was involved.
"Itou's asked that either me or Nagakura be allowed to join his group," Saitou picked up a pickle and it crunched in his mouth. "Ever since the debacle at the Kadoya, he's been more insistent than ever about socializing with us."
"Of course, Hijikata told him he could take you." Okita sighed.
"Naturally." Saitou would carry on his assignment at Hijikata's behest, to keep tabs on Itou.
"What is Itou-sensei really thinking? I can't get my head around it, whether he actually means what he says, or what his real motive is."
"Again, that's because you're an idiot." Okita was really too trusting when it came to his comrades, Saitou thought; he did not want to suspect them of any deceitful intentions.
" Well, what do you think?" Okita pressed him.
"Look, here's an explanation that even your bird brain should be able to understand. Leaving aside the fancy philosophies that he's constantly blathering about, what he really wants is glory and recognition. He intended to use the Shinsengumi as his instrument but he miscalculated when he thought he could easily take over the organization. So he's cutting his losses, and he's managed to slither around the seppuku clause in the Charter. We'll see what he gets up to from here. My guess is that he actually thinks that now, he has more of a chance to make a name for himself through Satsuma rather than Aizu. He'll probably begin to approach them."
"The whole thing between Aizu and Satsuma confuses me too." Okita scratched his head.
"Ahou." Saitou had finished his soba and his patience for explaining things had run out.
"So, you're really going with them?" Okita could not quite believe that Saitou would leave the Shinsengumi, even if it was under Hijikata's orders.
"I'm not that opposed to the idea, especially if the way leads to the Battousai."
"I think Toudou-san will go too." Okita said ruefully.
Toudou had originally been the one who introduced Itou to the Shinsengumi and they also came from the same school of kenjutsu. Since Itou had joined, he had drifted further and further away from his old Shieikan comrades and could often be found attending Itou's lectures.
"…. Times change. People change. Don't expect them to stay the way they are forever." Saitou could not help but reflect, however, how much simpler it had seemed when they had first arrived in Kyoto a few years ago.
"Well, you haven't changed at all…" Okita picked up his bowl and slurped the remaining soba soup, partially hiding his expression.
Even as Okita's illness had progressed, Saitou had not changed the way he interacted with him. They still sparred together, still patrolled together and constantly engaged in a game of one-upmanship. There was no need to tell Saitou that he would actually be missed. What he said instead when he put down the bowl was,
"What are you going to do about Tokio-san? Itou-sensei doesn't know about her, right?"
Saitou looked away, out the window onto the street.
"… We'll figure something out."
Come what may, if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that he was never letting her go again.
Later that month, on the 22nd of March, Itou Kashitarou officially departed the Shinsengumi to head the new "Goryo-eji", "Guards of the Imperial Tomb". He took with him fourteen members, including Shinohara Tainoshin, Toudou Heisuke and Saitou Hajime.
= Mid-June, Keio Year 3 =
Saitou ducked under the awnings of the antique store and stepped over the threshold. The master of the store greeted him enthusiastically and led him to a back room, telling him that he was expecting the delivery of a wonderful sword and that he would like to show it to Saitou later. Saitou nodded in reply and as the master turned to leave, he entered the room where Yamazaki Susumu awaited him.
"You are sure you weren't followed?" Yamazaki, ever suspicious, asked after their perfunctory greetings.
"Are you sure you weren't followed?" Saitou returned the question with a glare.
"Typical Saitou reaction," Yamazaki shook his head and laughed shortly. "It's good to see you're looking well."
These meetings were arranged with utmost care, sometimes at this shop, other times at teahouses (Sato helped arrange these through friends) – and the other members of the Goryou-eji only suspected that Saitou was "trying to fill the void after he was rejected by Aioi Tayu, by obsessing over antiques or chasing other girls".
Saitou handed Yamazaki his latest batch of coded notes, of the dates, places and people that Itou was meeting, of what they had learned about anti-Bakufu movements and so on. While officially the Shinsengumi and the Goryou-eji were unaffiliated entities, Itou still paid lip service to Kondou and met with him (Kondou also helped him with funding), but beneath the façade, Itou was scheming for the best way to make his name known to the top leaders of Satsuma and Choushuu Ishin-Shishi. Yamazaki glanced through them and after a few short questions about some details, he secured them away inside his kimono.
"How's the rest of the Shinsengumi?" Saitou asked casually.
"Aah. It's a lot more peaceful now that you're gone, although the laundry isn't as clean." Yamazaki sipped his tea.
"It's nothing to do with me if you're all filthy." Saitou snorted. Saitou had put the fear of the devil into the washerwomen and besides, he preferred to wash most of his clothes himself.
"They're beginning to settle down at the new headquarters now." Yamazaki was referring to the recent move the Shinsengumi had made from Nishi-Honganji to Fudoudou Village. "At least the monks were happy to see our backs."
"I'm sure they scrubbed down the place to get rid of all trace of the Shinsengumi," Saitou's lips curved slightly at the thought.
"And now, everyone has started training using western weaponry. We've recently received an order of rifles and Hijikata is adamant that everyone should be a crack shot. Also, old man Inoue has become quite good at using that cannon." The Shinsengumi had begun to fall in line with the rest of the Bakufu's troops and started to learn western military tactics. "Some of them are still grumbling that a samurai has no place handling guns though."
"Hmph. Good thing I got out when I did then." Saitou too would insist on living by the sword and dying by the sword.
"…. Okita-kun is not doing so badly these days. He's getting more rest." Yamazaki had the most medical knowledge among all the members. "O-Sato-san is making sure he attends his doctor's appointments. We should thank Tokio-san for the introduction." Tokio had taken it upon herself to make sure Okita received the best medical attention available in Kyoto.
"Tell him to stop overexerting himself. I heard he took out four thieves by himself last week." If Saitou were pushed to admit it, he missed sparring with Okita. There was no one in the Goryou-eji who wanted to seriously take on Saitou for a training bout.
"Also, I think you're aware of what's happening with Takeda Kanryuusai." Yamazaki sighed.
Takeda Kanryuusai, Fifth Captain of the Shinsengumi, had always been a self-important character. In the past few years, he had completely been marginalized within the group as his strategic methods were seen as antiquated in the light of western military practices, but rather than being content with his position as captain, his inflated ego had convinced him that he too could do what Itou had managed and began to look for other avenues to fame. Just a few days beforehand, he had also convinced Ibaragi Tsukasa and some other members to leave the group in protest of the recent introduction of western weapons. These men also publicly voiced concerns that instead of their original stated purpose of protecting Kyoto and the Imperial Court, the Shinsengumi had become yet another pawn in the Bakufu's arsenal. Despite the mediations of Kondou and the Aizu-han, four of them had taken the drastic step of committing seppuku at Aizu Headquarters to prove their point. Takeda, seen as an instigator, felt his position ever more in jeopardy. And recently, it had come to light that he had begun meeting with agents of Satsuma.
"He's going to make a run for it soon, and he'll probably try to turn to Itou." Takeda was hoping that Itou would facilitate his departure, by accepting him into the Goryou-eji.
"Itou doesn't want him in the group, and especially not after what happened with Ibaragi's gang." Saitou narrowed his eyes.
"I think Kondou-sensei will ask Itou to deal with Takeda when the time comes."
Saitou merely nodded in understanding. When Takeda approached Itou for help, it would probably be Saitou's role to see to his end.
"How did it come to this? It was so much easier back when we were still in Mibu." Yamazaki sighed.
"It's always easier until the politicians get involved," Saitou replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
They had started off as a band of masterless swordsmen, comrades in arms, with one aim – to protect Kyoto and the Emperor. Now, they were considered official Shogunate troops and Kondou had even received the title of "hatamoto". Back then, "Sonnou Joui" had such an appealing ring to it that all could agree on; now, it had become the trademark slogan of Ishin-Shishi extremists and the anti-Bakufu factions.
While they were sitting in silence, the store's master returned.
"Excuse me, Saitou-sensei, that sword I was telling you about has arrived," he informed from behind the door.
"Come in," Saitou replied.
When the door slid open, he bit the inside of his cheek. Holding a carefully wrapped long, narrow package was Tokio, dressed for all appearances as a young shop mistress. He took a drink of tea to hide his surprise and noticed Yamazaki grinning from ear to ear.
"I beg your pardon," Tokio bowed as she came inside, "I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Not at all, I was wondering when you'd get here." Yamazaki stood up. "Actually, I was about to leave anyhow."
"Oi-" Saitou began but Yamazaki cut him off.
"Do you have any idea how difficult it was to arrange? Just be grateful for all our consideration. See you soon, Saitou-kun. Tokio-san, good day to you."
With that, the shop master accompanied Yamazaki out of the building. Left alone with Saitou, Tokio began to unwrap her package, as calm as a Buddha statue. Having been caught unawares for the first time in a very long time, Saitou's feelings wavered between annoyance and satisfaction.
"…So, you really are delivering a sword…" Saitou laughed shortly as he saw what she had brought.
"It's a well made piece, good craftsmanship," Tokio handed it to him, his hand covering hers as she did.
He withdrew the sword from its sheathe, and then sharply inhaled as he saw the blade.
"Tokio, this can't be…" The name "Kotetsu" died on his lips.
"I do not think so, but it is at the least an excellent imitation…" Tokio smiled as he examined it closely, rarely had she seen the man so engrossed. She added, "Ookura received it in a shipment from Edo, but he wanted the master here to take a look at it."
The famed swordsmith Nagasone Okisato Kotetsu had made some of the most highly prized blades of all time some two centuries prior. However, there were many fakes and imitations circulating to the extent that it was said that "if someone tells you it's a Kotetsu, assume that it's fake". Kondou had bought one for a small fortune after the establishment of the Shinsengumi but it never left his side and he rarely let anybody else handle it. (Saitou actually had never been quite convinced that it was authentic, but still it was a very good sword.)
"My, just look at you, you can't wait to test it out," Tokio teased him as he stared at it intently.
"It's beautiful." He stated unabashedly.
"It's a sword," Tokio murmured softly.
He looked at her and he felt somewhat sobered. Tokio, as the daughter of a samurai, understood that his sword was akin to his soul. She also understood the grim reality that it was a weapon used for taking men's lives.
He resheathed it and put it down, and then took Tokio's hand. With a faint smirk, he said,
"Don't be jealous, it's just a sword." He could smell the scent of her hair but restrained himself from touching it.
"Hmmm. If Ookura doesn't want it, maybe he might pass it on to you." She laughed at the blatant longing on his face, although now the longing was more for her.
"Ahou. And what the hell were Yamazaki and you thinking? This isn't some casual teahouse to drop by for a chat." He growled in slight annoyance. Whatever about Yamazaki or Okita or even Sato, he felt a little unsettled that the master of the store was now involved.
"If you and Yamazaki-san can trust him to keep your secrets, I'm sure I have nothing to worry about regarding this conversation," she tilted her head and looked up at him, "but as you said, this is not a teahouse so please, mind your manners, no inappropriate behavior." She chuckled as his frown deepened.
It had been two months since they had last met, before Itou had formed the Goryou-eji. Despite her concerns and misgivings about the turn of events, she had kept them to herself and simply made him promise to take good care of himself. He in return had given her another kanzashi, the second one of the set, this one representing a sprig of cherry blossom, using pink mother-of-pearl for color. Since then, it had become too difficult for him to visit her at Koumyouji – with only fifteen members, going out at night on his own would immediately raise suspicion, and Sato was too well known for her Shinsengumi connections.
"You've lost weight," Saitou was still frowning. "Yamakawa is working you too hard."
"We are all working hard," she shook her head. "I'm just a little tired."
"… The whole debacle with Ibaragi upset you…" It was a statement, not a question.
"Yes, I admit it did." There was wistful look in her eye. "Sometimes I forget how high emotions can run, but to see men of the Shinsengumi take their own lives, denouncing their pro-Bakufu position was a shock."
"I take it things haven't gotten any easier for the Aizu-han." Saitou pulled her a little closer.
"Every day, we have to defend ourselves against the accusations and the petty politicking of Satsuma. They are pushing to reinstate Choushuu's status and to restore their reputation at court. And this is only two years after they tried to invade Kyoto!" She shook her head again.
'Propriety be damned,' he thought as he took her into his arms. Aloud, he said,
"What you need is a holiday." He brushed his lips against her forehead.
"Mmm. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" She leaned against him and closed her eyes. "If we could go off together to some hot spring resort by the ocean…"
"Who says that I'd go with you? I've got far better things to be doing." He caught her hand as she tried to smack him playfully.
"I heard that you were busy trying to forget your sorrows since Aioi Tayu refused you," she retorted.
His answer was to kiss her, gently, slowly and with such yearning that it took every bit of willpower in her for Tokio to pull away. He looked down at her flushed face, with just a hint of a regretful smile.
"You should leave now," he said in a low voice, "… I don't know how much longer I can restrain myself."
Tokio kissed him again slowly, lightly, before standing up and straightening her kimono.
"Please, make sure to give the sword to the master…" She gave him one last glance and smile before exiting the room. As her footsteps retreated, he stared for a long time at the door.
Some nights later, on June 22nd, Takeda Kanryuusai was murdered on his way to the Satsuma-han headquarters. The rumors were, though they were never confirmed, that Saitou Hajime and Shinohara Tainoshin had been escorting him there.
= October 15th =
It was as though a fire had been lit in the city and it spread rapidly to every quarter.
"Taiseihoukan! Taiseihoukan!"
"The Tokugawa Bakufu has restored its governing power to the Emperor!"
The shock was as unsettling as the news of Emperor Komei's death the previous winter. After more than two and a half centuries of Tokugawa rule, the regime had crumbled in less than a year since then. Despite the fact that Kyoto was by this time used to the warring factions and the unrest in the city, the citizens still had not expected this.
At the beginning of the month, the Tosa-han leaders had submitted a proposal that would entail restoring governing rights to the Emperor and then under his rule, set up a new parliamentary system that would include chosen representatives from the Imperial Court and the regions. Although the Tokugawa would be allowed to participate, it would effectively remove them from their autocratic position and therefore institute a reform the likes of which had never been seen in Japan before. It was a truly radical idea, the brainchild of one Sakamoto Ryouma who was a legend in Tosa and in Kyoto as a revolutionary thinker and underground statesman. The leaders of Tosa had thus far taken a cautious approach to the ongoing struggle between the Bakufu and anti-Bakufu factions, but seeing that Satsuma had begun to gain the upper hand at the Imperial Court, they had taken a third approach to instigate reform and prevent the outbreak of total war. However, the most surprising aspect was that Shogun Yoshinobu had agreed to this proposal and took it upon himself to submit to the Imperial Court. There, it was promptly accepted. In fact, had Yoshinobu refused the petition, there was no doubt that Satsuma would have used it as justification to declare war; since the Shogun officially received his governing powers and position from the Emperor, to refuse would mean usurping the Emperor of his divine rights. As it was, reports were that Satsuma troops, as well as Choushuu and Geishuu, were ready to march on Kyoto. By accepting, Yoshinobu had deprived the anti-Bakufu coalition of their validation. War was averted for the time being.
A few days later, a sleep-deprived Tokio visited Sato's house.
"Tokio-han, I'm so glad you could come, although I know how busy it must be for you now…" Sato ushered her in, concerned at how tired and worn her friend looked.
"Sato-san, I'm grateful for the invitation, I really needed a break in any case. Besides, there's not much that I can do at work at the moment." Tokio removed her hat and footwear. "My escort says I have an hour before we have to return."
"Are you sure he doesn't mind waiting outside?" Sato asked the question every time.
"He's so used to my strange comings and goings at this stage, he'll be fine." Tokio smiled. It was true that the man Yamakawa had assigned to guard her was reliable and discreet.
"Tokio-san! It's been too long!" Okita's cheerful voice rang out.
"Okita-san!" Tokio smiled as she sat down, though inwardly, she was quite dismayed to see that he looked wan. "Have you been looking after yourself?"
"Yes yes, and I'm taking that awfully bitter medicine too." He dismissed the question casually. "But things have been crazy for you I take it."
"You're the one we're worried about now," said Sato as she brought in the tea and sweets and joined them. "I still don't quite understand it. The Tokugawa Bakufu no longer has power, but Yoshinobu-sama is still the Shogun."
"Well, he still retains the title of the chief military commander of the country's forces, but the Imperial Court is busy setting up a new governing body, you see."
"And now, Satsuma can't declare war, right?" Okita chimed in. "We're having more trouble than ever with our own duties." Despite the uncertainty of the times, the Shinsengumi were still carrying out their daily activities to maintain order in the city. "I can only imagine the debates taking place at your place."
This was true; the Aizu-han were engaged in fierce internal discussions about their moves. They had not been removed from their posts as Kyoto Shugoshoku but the hardline conservative retainers were pushing for a petition to reinstate the Bakufu. They felt that this conspiracy on the part of Satsuma and Tosa had no legitimacy and should not be recognized. There were some who went so far as accusing Satsuma of assassinating Emperor Komei.
Tokio sighed and reached for a red-bean cake.
"As it is, the Imperial Court cannot possibly govern without relying on the Tokugawa. They have no experience of ruling a country or negotiating with the foreign powers. Yoshinobu-sama knows this and therefore hopes to hold this new regime together using his influence. Aizu will have to wait and see what shape that takes."
"So did he win against Satsuma then?" Sato asked. "It seems like he deprived them of their chance to gain power."
"He has the upper hand…for now." Tokio shook her head. "In fact, I was told to be prepared to depart for Edo at any moment. My essentials have been packed."
"Yamakawa-san is worried, huh?" Okita munched on a cake and took a gulp of tea. "I don't think Satsuma will back down that easily either, and Choushuu are still a big problem."
"If that happens and you have to leave," Sato said hesitantly, "we'll make sure that you get to say farewell to Saitou-han."
Tokio bowed her head in gratitude and smiled. She had seen only glimpses of him recently, passing him in the street or at Kiyomizu Temple. Occasionally Yamazaki would make sure to pass him a message from her. He had managed to visit her at her quarters once since the summer but could not stay long. At least she took solace in the fact that his feelings towards her had not changed.
"I wonder when he'll be able to return to the Shinsengumi…." She looked at Okita.
"Who knows, but maybe it won't be so long now, with things the way they are." Okita smiled, trying to be comforting but it was obvious that he also missed his friend. "By the way, did I tell you what Harada-san did the other day?"
Okita animatedly began to tell them a story involving Harada Sanosuke and some pigs, and soon they were all laughing with tears in their eyes. They continued to chat in the easy, comfortable manner that they were used to and to forget the troubles of the world for a while. All too soon, Tokio's hour was up. As she said her farewells, she implored Okita again,
"Please, get more rest, have more care."
"Tokio-san, don't worry, I promise I'll be around for you and Saitou-san's wedding! Which is going to be a long, long way off, hahahaha!"
Tokio thought at that moment, there was no laughter like his in the world that could be so full of joy and fun and longing.
= November 18th =
November arrived like a storm and showed no sign of abating. When the city had just started to get over the shock of Taiseihoukan, Sakamoto Ryouma was assassinated on November 15th. The fact was, as the architect of Taiseihoukan, he had made too many enemies – the pro-Bakufu factions were obvious suspects but also, he had drawn resentment from Satsuma and Choushuu for providing a political escape route for the Bakufu. However, Sakamoto was a very popular figure both in Kyoto and elsewhere and there were a spate of violent clashes between his supporters and detractors in the aftermath. Opinion was divided as to who had carried out the assassination, the Mimawarigumi being the subject of one rumor, and of course people hinted at the Shinsengumi. However, what people did not know was at that very time, the Shinsengumi had an even more pressing issue than Sakamoto's assassination on their hands.
The previous week, Saitou Hajime had passed on an urgent and disturbing message: Itou Kashitarou was planning to assassinate Kondou Isami. After a hastily arranged meeting with Hijikata, his brief but precise report was as follows; seeing how the tide had turned and that the Bakufu had practically been abolished, Itou sought his chance to make his name. He had thus far failed to do so because of his past as a member of the Shinsengumi - the prominent anti-Bakufu forces were skeptical of his motives. The most expedient way to remedy the situation, he had concluded, was to assassinate Kondou Isami and to bring the Shinsengumi under his control, then subsequently turn it over to Satsuma as a ready-made fighting force. As it turned out, Itou was scheduled to dine with Kondou on the 18th at one of their semi-regular meetings, and he thought to use the opportunity to his advantage. It was a measure of how successful an operator Saitou was that Itou trusted him completely to share this plan with him.
"Make sure that you either accompany Itou or get away from the rest of the group before the evening." That had been Hijikata's only instruction to Saitou.
On the evening of the 18th, Itou and Saitou made their way to Kondou's private residence in Kyoto. Shinohara Tainoshin had wanted to join them, but Itou had decided to leave him in charge. When they arrived, Itou was surpised to see Hijikata there also. However, he did not realize the danger he was in until he saw that Saitou had not removed his sword upon crossing the threshold.
"You! You have betrayed me!" He almost choked on his words.
"On the contrary, Itou-san, it is you who betrayed us." Saitou's face showed no expression.
"Betrayed you! I have done nothing but show you the utmost respect and courtesy! And this, this is how you repay me?"
"Respect and courtesy are unbecoming words, coming from you." Saitou's hand was on the hilt of his sword. "All you did was try to manipulate my personal feelings, whether it be against Vice-Commander Hijikata or about a woman, without bearing in mind my loyalty to the Shinsengumi."
"Itou-sensei, I truly did respect you," Kondou seemed genuinely regretful. "I wish it did not have to come to this."
"You should have listened to me!" Itou shouted, "The Shinsengumi could have been a great force for revolution!"
"Won't you draw your sword, Itou-sensei?" Hijikata's voice was as deadly as the look in his eye.
A few hours later, a messenger arrived at the Goryou-eji quarters at Koudaiji with the urgent request for them to come immediately to the crossroads of Aburanokouji and Nanajou – Itou Kashitarou had been gravely injured by unknown parties. Shocked and dismayed, they suspected that something must have gone wrong at his dinner with Kondou and although they were certain that it must be a trap, they could not abandon Itou's body. There, they indeed found the disfigured corpse of their leader but before they had time to carry it to their carriage, a shot rang out and Shinsengumi swordsmen led by Nagakura Shinpachi and Harada Sanosuke rushed them at once. It should have been an easy fight; the Shinsengumi had superior numbers, superior weaponry and had plenty of time to set up the ambush. But Nagakura and Harada, seeing that their old friend Toudou was among them hesitated just enough to give the Goryou-eji an opening. While Toudou fought, Shinohara and four others managed to escape. The Shinsengumi were left to clean up the scene, including the dead body of one of their first members, and it was almost dawn before they finally departed.
Two nights after the ambush at Aburanokouji, Saitou Hajime appeared at Tokio's door. She was still awake when he arrived – she had been having trouble sleeping for the last while.
"Hajime-sama," she smiled at him warmly, glad to see him after so long. "Please come in."
He did not move, watching her from the door.
"Please, come in and close the door," she repeated, a twinge of uncertainty entering in her voice.
"…. Do I disgust you?" Saitou asked suddenly, in a rather harsh voice.
"Disgust?" Tokio blinked in surprise.
"Do I disgust you for what I've done." She could not see his expression in the dark.
This time, she stood up and went to him. Taking him by the hand, she led him inside and then, wrapped her arms tightly around his chest.
"I love you, Hajime-sama," she whispered with passion.
"Why?" He pushed her away from him slightly and looked at her.
"You are a good man." Her eyes glistened slightly with tears in the low lamplight.
He all but fell to the floor, still holding her.
"I betrayed a man who trusted me, who had me in his confidence for over a year." His voice was steady but his grip on her arm tightened. Her answer was to kiss his cheek. "Because of that, Toudou Heisuke is dead."
"… We all have to live by our choices, and hope to die not regretting them." Tokio murmured. "Both Itou Kashitarou and Toudou Heisuke were aware of the consequences."
"And my choices, do I regret them?" Saitou closed his eyes. "What about Takeda Kanryuusai? Ibaragi? How about Yamanami-sensei? And Serizawa Kamo?"
"I believe in you, Hajime-sama. If you doubt yourself, then I will believe in you." Tokio's voice was low and sweet.
"What if I doubt the Shinsengumi? What if it's changed so much that I no longer recognize it as what I aspired to?" He opened his eyes and saw the tears rolling down her face. "Why do you cry?"
"Because you do not." Tokio wiped away the moisture with her sleeve. "So long as you are you, then the Shinsengumi will not change. You have not changed."
"And you, you don't regret." He caught her hand in his.
"No, I regret nothing. And I will always choose you, and I will live by that choice."
"Because I am a good man." He closed his eyes again.
"Because you are a good man," she smiled at him, and then added impishly, "even if you are not always a nice man."
"Well, you've always been a strange woman." He could feel some of the tension drain from his body.
"… How optimistic we were, to think that this year could not be worse than the last," she sighed ruefully.
"… Well I'm here, am I not?" He pressed his cheek to her forehead. She smiled wistfully at that.
"If the situation deteriorates, I will have to go to Edo."
"Good riddance then, I'll have too much on my plate to worry about you if the situation deteriorates." His tightening embrace belied his words.
"… I wish I could stay with you like this forever."
"Don't be ridiculous. I'd get sick of you."
"I love you." She laid her head against his shoulder.
"I know."
"I love you."
"You've already said that, and I know."
"You are a good man."
"…. I know."
= Author's Notes:
Words can't express how grateful I am to all the readers who have encouraged me and asked for an update. I've written more on my profile page but thank you, thank you and thank you. It's been a long, long couple of years but I've only got a few more chapters to go (I hope!). As always, I await your reviews and any criticisms with anticipation and anxiousness.
This chapter is extremely heavy on history, and I apologize if it was too dense or difficult to comprehend. It's one of the reasons it took me so long to write - I really didn't want to tackle it! However, it's a pivotal year for both the Shinsengumi, for Aizu and also for Saitou Hajime personally. Just a note on his character exposition; I can't help but imagine that even a man as stoic as Saitou might have had some reservations about betraying Itou (although Itou was the one doing the betraying). Also, as I've written before, when considering why Saitou was able to continue to uphold his duty as "Shinsengumi" (at least in Watsuki World) and Kenshin was not able to keep believing in the Ishin-Shishi was because Saitou had Tokio and Kenshin lost Tomoe. I guess I wanted to underscore that in the last scene - I'm sorry if it felt too ham-fisted.
I'm also dreading the next chapters because they will focus on the Boshin and Aizu Wars which will be very hard to write, but at the same time I am looking forward to bringing the story of Tokio and Hajime to its ultimate, fruitful conclusion. I really hope that I will be able to keep your interest til the end!
Now for the history and cultural notes:
1. Emperor Komei's death: From the moment that his death was announced, it was a foreshadowing of the end of the Tokugawa Bakufu. And yes, there were certainly rumors of a conspiracy and assassination which are still subject to debate even today. As I wrote, his sister Kazunomiya had wedded the 14th Shogun Iemochi, and he personally was close to Matsudaira Katamori, Daimyo of Aizu. He trusted Katamori and this favored status earned Aizu the jealousy of other regions, especially that of Satsuma.
2. Emperor Mutsuhito: Komei's son and heir, he was only 14 years old when he inherited the throne. He would become the Meiji Emperor, and a symbol of Japan's modernization and the reformation of the government. However, due to his young age, it is true that Satsuma and Imperial Official Iwakura Tomomi (I did not introduce him this time to save the story from further complication) manipulated him in various ways, which would ultimately lead to the Boshin War and the finale to the Bakumatsu.
3. Shogun Yoshinobu: I touched on this in the last chapter, but as the last Tokugawa Shogun, he cuts a lonely figure in history. Although he tried to preserve the Tokugawa's power and influence, in the end he was outmaneuvered by Satsuma's politicians.
4. Crisatunity! I'm sorry, I couldn't resist putting in this Simpsons joke. (Reference episode: Fear of Flying)
5. Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu: Official New Year's Greeting, a little more formal than Happy New Year. Directly translated, it's along the lines of "auspicious greetings on the dawning of the new year".
6. Shinsengumi Summer: A lot of things happened to the Shinsengumi in June of this year. They did indeed move their headquarters from Nishi-Honganji to Fudoudou Village. They did receive direct recognition and official ranks from the Bakufu, including Kondou's promotion to "hatamoto" (which would entitle him to a face-to-face meeting with the Shogun). Ibaragi and his cohorts really did commit suicide at Aizu headquarters. And Takeda Kanryuusai was really assassinated by them, and though unconfirmed, the most common theory was that the perpetrator was Saitou Hajime.
7. Itou's Assassination: Poor Itou. He ultimately proved to the Imperialist factions that he really was on their side, by dying at the hands of the Shinsengumi. Although it doesn't quite come across in this story, I'm rather fond of him and wished I could have done a better job in fleshing out his character. I'm sorry that he appears somewhat two dimensional for the purposes of the storyline. However, as far as I know, it is a complete fabrication on my part that Saitou was actually present at his death. According to sources, Saitou had actually absconded with 150 ryo (a large amount of money) from the Goryou-eji and was hiding out at a woman's place! At least, that's what the Goryou-eji thought - during this period he had gained a reputation as being foolish about women. And I didn't want to write Saitou like that! I hope you'll understand.
