When it came to politics, Saito Hajime believed the simplest of all rules. If a leader was just and fair, it did not matter whatever system that leader was selected from, be it hereditary military rule like the Tokugawa Bakufu, democracy as in the West, or the current technocratic oligarchy that the new Japanese Government was practicing. He believed that a leader's duty was forever his or her people's welfare, and a strong leader would always strive for that as their goal.
Even as a youth, trying to find his place in the world, Saito had followed Kondou Isami. The man had designs towards being a great leader of men, although he lacked several qualities that Hijikata had obviously filled for him, and he was beloved by the Shinsen-Gumi because he asked no questions and judged no one. Kondou was a man who saw only the potential and future within all that came before him. That was why he so willingly put himself under the command of Kondou.
Now, he found himself under the command of Chizuru and as an extension of her marriage, Kazama Chikage. During the height of the Shinsen-Gumi's days, Saito had taken great interest in Chizuru's safety. Now, it was what he was sworn to. He would live as long as she would, just to fulfill his oath, so long as he stayed with her. He had loved her once, in his own way. There was a time when all his thoughts had fallen to her, although they were silent.
It was not the fact that he knew that there were other prominent suitors for her heart. It was rather, the fact that he had decided that he wanted to live a life of the sword. But now, he was able to have both lives, to watch over her, and to live by the sword, although those days were verging on technicality. He did not mind. He had always preferred the quiet life, and the one that he was living now suited him.
It did not take a fool to notice that he was content with the life given to him. Still, Kazama asked a foolish question to him one morning when they had taken Chizuru to the market in Kagoshima city, when Senka was still asleep back home on Sakurajima. "How are your days with us, Hajime?" he asked, knowing that with Saito, it was best to be direct.
"I am content, Chikage-san," Saito replied with a slight smile. Both their eyes were trained towards Chizuru as she ventured the stalls, buying the little knick-knacks that they had needed for their little family. "I had thought that my life would end at the end of the sword. You and Chizuru had presented me with a different ending."
"You are content with being only a bodyguard?" Kazama asked further. "We were enemies once, were we not?"
Saito shook his head. "We only had different allegiances, nothing more," he answered Kazama. "As for your first question, yes, I am. The people in our village are a good people, and you are a good leader. If my services are to be transferred from Chizuru to you, due to your marriage, then I would have no regrets as well."
Kazama was indeed curious. Saito had never spoken so lengthily before, nor has he given him any praise in the short years they had lived together with. "It took you this long to notice, didn't you?" he asked Saito in return, wanting to learn more about this stoic, stalwart warrior.
"Your love for your family is great, and you bear the safety of your people always on your shoulders," Saito said. "However, you are arrogant, oppressive and demeaning, hiding almost every shred of goodness you have in you. I would have still taken you for the bastard you are, if I was not forced to remain by Hana-baa."
That answer made Kazama chuckle slyly. "You are in interesting man, Hajime," he said, not knowing that Saito was now speechless, strangely dumbfounded as to how he had been so… direct. "Perhaps you should loosen that tongue of yours more."
"For… forgive me," Saito apologized quickly. "I meant no offense."
"None taken," Kazama replied. "Do not hesitate to speak freely to me, Hajime. Even a fool as stubborn as Hijikata knows this."
"I shall remember to do so," Saito added, and returned to silence. It was at this moment when Kazama realized that Saito had used his politeness and decorum as a shield to protect himself with. Despite his prowess with the sword, and his keen sight of things, he was actually a generally shy person. It would take a long while for him to warm up to anyone, just because.
That afternoon, long after they had returned to Sakurajima, Saito and Chizuru had come across Senka having a lesson in free-running with Kazama. They were both on the roof of the dojo in the Kazama manor, and Kazama was teaching the girl how to jump from rooftop to rooftop, now that her little legs were stronger and longer. Their destination would be the roof of the main building of the manor, which was nearest to the dojo. It was a small distance for an adult, but a great one for a child like Senka.
"Chikage-san loves Senka dearly," Saito commented, watching Kazama giving Senka firm instruction while the girl absorbed everything her father was telling her with undivided attention.
Chizuru smiled. "Yes, he does," she replied. With Senka's existence, Kazama's burdens had been lessened by half, but it seemed that they have increased immediately as well. Now that the strength of their clan was undeniable, Senka was what occupied their days most of the time. The child was precocious and active, ultimately a prankster as well, driving everyone in her way up the wall. But it seemed that for whatever reason, she was most well-behaved around her father. "But Senka adores you, too. She's always talking about how she likes to watch you practice kenjutsu by yourself… I hope she hasn't disturbed you, Hajime-san."
Yes, little Senka would often creep into the dojo and watch him. There was no word on whether she was to be trained to fight, but he knew that the child had some interest in the art of kenjutsu. However, her instruction would still depend on her parents. He did not want to interfere in her upbringing in any way. Besides, the age of the sword was already dying. There would be no need for warriors of any kind in this age and time of peace.
"She is a joy to have around," Saito replied. The girl was inquisitive and eager to learn, and he would tell her many tales of great warriors who boasted many great deeds. She might have been very mischievous indeed, but it was during those moments when she was as docile as a kitten, like she was now with her father.
They looked up when they heard a soft thud on the roof. Senka had done it, she made the jump. "I did it!" she exclaimed happily, hanging onto her father while she celebrated her little triumph. "'Ka-chan, Hajime Oji-chan, did you see me jump?"
"Yes, we did," Chizuru said to Senka. Together, Kazama and Saito got Senka down from the roof and the child ran towards her mother. "You did well, Senka."
"You would be able to jump greater distances if you practiced more," Saito added, giving her head a little pat. "Do not be content with such small successes alone."
Senka nodded. "That's what 'Tou-chan said!" she told Saito. At that moment, she caught Kazama and Saito giving each other quick nods, nods that somehow not only told her that they agreed with one another, but something else, something that she realized in her older days as respect and mutual understanding. "But… what if I tried a wider space, and I fell?"
"I would be there to catch you, Senka-chan," Saito replied. "Do not worry."
"Arigatou, Hajime Oji-chan!" Senka cheered, and clambered up the ladder that she used to get up to the roof on the dojo. Kazama was still on the roof, waiting for her to make another jump. Senka did the same jump again and again, her technique improving with each repetition.
It was a memory that would forever be etched into Saito's memory, one that he would treasure as deeply as those derived from his day with the Shinsen-Gumi. The prodigious, adorable girl-child with a glorious future, the dutiful leader, father and son, as well as the woman he had sworn his life to. He would protect this family, not because of what they had brought to him, because they were whom he had chosen to protect.
HAN: Hmm, with Sano and Toshi having their respective bro-mance shorts, but Saito's turned out to be a little family-fluffy than bromance-fluffy. It has a different feel, but personally I like this, just because of its inclusiveness.
Yusakuraki: As I've said, I'd rather not give the boys new loves because it takes away from the ending. The shorts are just here to show glimpses of their lives together. I don't even plan to show Senka as an adult any time soon. ^.^ I hope you understand.
Night Blooming Rose: I think the men would shudder when Senka reaches puberty and starts to ask about boys, and the birds and the bees and stuff, hah hah! I wish I could be better at Japanese too. :(
Scarlotte O'Hara: He and Shiranui would be a better match than him and Kazama, hah hah! I think if Kazama actually showed his romantic side more openly, Harada would realize that they're even more similar, huhuhu. But then again, Kazama's a scary stalker in the beginning so I don't think Harada would have noticed it at all. ^.^
Aogetsu: I think that girl would be Chizuru in his route. She's always trying to leave no matter what he tries and in the end he has to use... er... extreme measures to pin her and stop her from even thinking about it, if you know what I mean. I hope you liked this Saito one!