Toki was shaken. She shivered at the thought of Fujita-san's amber eyes. He
has never seen him drunk before and with the occurences from last night,
she knew that he was not just nasty but plain horrid.
She went to the garden hoping that he will not see sight of him. To her surprise Tokio and the children were saying their goodbye to Fujita-san as if nothing has happened. She came closer to the family and also bid her farewell to Saitou. There was something different about him as he kissed his wife on the cheek, apparently Tokio seemed to have forgotten about the last night's incident and cheerfully gave him a bento box.
After Saitou left, Toki finally mustered the strength to ask Tokio about what happened. Tokio smiled at her and replied "Remember Toki, no man is perfect. I am his wife, I know how he is.." Tokio's voiced softened, "He is a good man and it is my duty as his wife to support him, especially when it comes to his shortcomings."
Toki was still confused. She did not know what to make of Tokio. She started to protest but was cut off. "In time Toki you will understand. Now why don't you go and enjoy yourself. You haven't left the house at all since you got here. Didn't you say you had friends here in Tokyo?"
"Yes I do at the Kamiya dojo. Are you sure it's alright?", Toki asked.
"Of course. Give my regards..."
Toki was glad to leave for the day. The household seemed awfully quiet and Tokio did not look like she wanted company. "It will be alright.", Toki said to herself.
--------------------------------------
"Kaoru! Kaoru!" Yahiko hollered...
Kaoru jerked her head and said, "Nanda Yahiko?"
"Toki-san has come to visit!" an eager Yahiko was leading Toki inside. "I'm so glad you came Toki-san! It's been a while since I ate good food!"
Kaoru's face started to twitch, the young lad was at it again. "Yahiko! Baka! And WHAT do you mean by that?"
"BEH! Aside from being ugly you never were a good cook.. Alway TRYING to poison me." A wooden broom tried to strike Yahiko's head but the young lad was quick to hide behind Toki.
"Yahiko! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA!", Kauro kept saying while flailing her broomstick around.
"Oro! Toki-dono. I am glad you visited, that I am.." Toki turned her head and found the familiar red-haired man standing up to meet her. He has just finished doing the laundry. Now you don't see that nowadays in men, Toki thought.
"Konnichiwa mina! I'm so glad to be here." Toki smiled.
"What brings you here Toki-dono?" asked Kenshin.
"Actually I now live not too far from here. I am renting a place with Fujita-san and his family.", Toki smiled again. It was so nice to be in the company of friends. Although they did not know each other for long, she had always felt comfortable with them.
Suddenly a young man appeared and asked in all seriousness... "Oh? Fujita- san??? You don't mean Gorou Fujita do you?"
Toki spun around and was happy to see Sanosuke leaning lazily at the gate.
"Why yes Sanosuke-san.", Toki stiffled a giggle as she did not understand why he was serious all of a sudden. Usually he was carefree and funny. Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed that everyone was staring wide- eyed at her.
"Nani?" A puzzled look came over Toki's face.
All of a sudden Sanosuke started shaking her... "Hoi! What the hell are you doing living with them? How did you get yourself there? Why are you doing this?"
Now Toki was really surprised... Why are they all acting like this? They haven't noticed the Tuna sour soup that she has brought yet...
Kaoru interjected Sano... "Kume Toki-san, you must be tired. Let's go inside the house first."
Sanosuke let go of Toki. "Of all the things...." Sano continued to mutter to himself.
Toki and Kaoru started to prepare the table while Yahiko waited impatiently. "Geez.. It sure is taking long.."
Kaoru eyes narrowed again.. This child is hopeless she thought.. "Yahiko! Can't you behave once in a while."
"The Tuna is great Toki-dono, that it is.", Kenshin smiled warmly while asking for seconds.
Out of the corner of her eye, Toki noticed that Sanosuke wasn't as interested in food as he usually was..
"Hoi! Ojo-chan.. Why are you living with that man?", Sano asked dead seriously.
Toki assessed his question well and decided that she need to pass off as being OK. "Well I decided to leave Yokohoma. Fujita-san offered to take me in as his tenant."
"That Saitou will never go out of his way like that!" Sano said still not touching his food.
"Huh? You mean Fujita-san?" Toki titled her head slightly.
"Yes! Don't you remember in the precint? That Fujita and Saitou are the same person." Sano crossed his arms.
"Now that you mentioned it, yes I seem to recall. But Fujita-san seems to be a nice man and he has a wonderful family." Toki said, ignoring the events that happened last night.
"Eek!", everyone exclaimed, except for Kenshin.
Kenshin himself was a little puzzled by everything. Saitou was not the kind to bring strangers to his home. Plus the fact that Saitou has kept his real name from Toki kept him ill at ease. However, he made no mention of it to Toki as she did say she has been living there for quite some time now. She looked much better than the last time he saw her, so maybe his worries were out of place, he thought.
A small laughter came out from Toki's small lips. "Fujita-san is a little 'different'. I didn't like him either at first. But he seems to be a good family man as his wife and children adore him." Toki said this in all sincerity. She again remembered how highly Tokio regarded and respected her husband even with his faults. This was not the place to talk about her uncertainties about the man. After all nothing bad has happened to her in that household.
The evening wore on. Sounds of laughter emanated from the Kamiya dojo. It was always this way when they have guest but this time one person was not looking happy at all. He confined himself to one corner.. Yahiko noticed Sano and crept up to him and put his hand to his ear whispering, "Sanosuke.. Why are you so quiet? Are you shy with Toki around?" Yahiko stifled a devious laughter.
"Urusei Yahiko!" Sano retorted quietly so that Toki will not hear them.
"Don't you have a crush on Toki?" Yahiko grinned while he elbowed his lower ribbed.
Sano suddenly got up. "Damn it! I'm leaving!"
"Sano..." Toki reached out a hand to stop him, but Sano was already past her.
"What the?" Kaoru did not finish the sentence as she was surprised by Sano's actions. "Kume Toki-san. I'm not sure what's gotten into him."
"Oh he must just be losing again in dice!" Yahiko blurted out.
"Don't worry about it Kaoru. It's ok.", Toki's eyed wandered to the door, she noticed it was getting rather dark. "I better be going. I didn't notice it was getting late." Toki smiled.
"Yahiko! Please accompany Toki-san." Kaoru asked the youth. She purposely asked Yahiko as she did not want Kenshin to accidentally bump into Saitou as they might start to fight again. The frightening image of Kenshin as Battousai kept invading her mind.
Sensing Kaoru's discomfort and since she did not want Yahiko going back himself at night, Toki decided to leave on her own. "Oh that won't be necessary. Thank you for a good night." Toki bowed and left.
Toki was walking alone back to Fujita-sans household. When suddenly from the shadows came Sanosuke. "I'll walk you home."
"Arigato Sanosuke-kun.", she did not know why but she felt relieved.
"Toki-san, please be careful with Saitou. You do not know him, he is a dangerous man.", Sano continued to talk about what he is and what he might do etc. etc.
Toki stopped. Well Fujita-san or Saito-san or whatever his name really is, was not very popular she thought. Still she could not just let Sano talk badly of Fujita-san. Fujita-san did help her. Sano did not know what kind of predicament she was in. "Sanosuke, please do not talk badly of Fujita- kun."
Seeing that it really did upset her, Sano decided to keep quiet. Sano let Toki walk ahead of her. She was beautiful he thought, especially if she would let down her long black hair. How did Saito get his hand on her? The thought kept bothering his mind and he came to the decision that he'll have to keep an eye on her, just in case Saito decided to try something 'inappropriate'.
-----------------------------------
Saitou came home earlier than usual that day. He was surprised to see that Toki had gone to the Kamiya dojo. "This is good.", he smirked as he lighted up a cigarette. It was time to investigate.
Tokio saw her husband enter the outhouse. She thought it was better not to stop him. Although she disapproved of the deceitful act that was happening, she also knew her husband was not prone to whim. This was his job, it was something important to him and she had to support him, just like the other night. If only his assignments didn't occasionally require him to drink in company of politicians and henchmens, they could avoid fights just like last night.
He glanced around the room. There wasn't much to go through, two bags near the bed and some things at the alter. "What the hell! This isn't even challenging." He grunted. Irritation was coming on to him again. Kawaji that moron, if only he was not a dedicated man or rather if only he was a corrupt man he would've loved to slit his throat.
Nothing. Still nothing.. Saitou was getting impatient, he has found nothing to implicate Toki at all. It really did look like Toki did not have anything to her name, even her bags were not full of clothing he thought. I'm wasting my time... He looked at the altar the last place he hasn't examined yet. The picture of Shigure and Gentatsu plus some incense was there, nothing else. As he was looking at the picture of Gentatsu, he started musing of what could've happened if they were set face to face. Gentatsu wouldn't last five minutes against him, he thought. Suddenly he noticed, one side of the picture frame was cracked. Huh? Upon close inspection he found that there was something inside. He grinned to himself. What was this? Saitou took the piece of paper out and was surprised by what he saw a coded list. "Ishin Shishi", these words leapt up at him but the rest were undecipherable. He will have to take this to Kawaji.
Saitou heard the sound of the gate open. He quickly replaced everything back, careful not to leave any indication that he has been violating Toki's privacy. He was able to swiftly get out of the room and nonchalantly strolled over to greet Toki.
"Kombanwa Toki-san! I hope you had a good time." (As you might not have another one for a while), he thought. A smirk came to his lips. His amber eyes narrowing at Toki.
Toki was taken aback by Saitou's greeting. Again those eyes, she feared them. She always has.
END of CHAPTER V
Preview CHAPTER VI - One night will change Saitou and Toki's life forever. ('Nuff said...)
Imalefty: Thanks again for the review and encouragement. Really.... You have no idea :O)
She went to the garden hoping that he will not see sight of him. To her surprise Tokio and the children were saying their goodbye to Fujita-san as if nothing has happened. She came closer to the family and also bid her farewell to Saitou. There was something different about him as he kissed his wife on the cheek, apparently Tokio seemed to have forgotten about the last night's incident and cheerfully gave him a bento box.
After Saitou left, Toki finally mustered the strength to ask Tokio about what happened. Tokio smiled at her and replied "Remember Toki, no man is perfect. I am his wife, I know how he is.." Tokio's voiced softened, "He is a good man and it is my duty as his wife to support him, especially when it comes to his shortcomings."
Toki was still confused. She did not know what to make of Tokio. She started to protest but was cut off. "In time Toki you will understand. Now why don't you go and enjoy yourself. You haven't left the house at all since you got here. Didn't you say you had friends here in Tokyo?"
"Yes I do at the Kamiya dojo. Are you sure it's alright?", Toki asked.
"Of course. Give my regards..."
Toki was glad to leave for the day. The household seemed awfully quiet and Tokio did not look like she wanted company. "It will be alright.", Toki said to herself.
--------------------------------------
"Kaoru! Kaoru!" Yahiko hollered...
Kaoru jerked her head and said, "Nanda Yahiko?"
"Toki-san has come to visit!" an eager Yahiko was leading Toki inside. "I'm so glad you came Toki-san! It's been a while since I ate good food!"
Kaoru's face started to twitch, the young lad was at it again. "Yahiko! Baka! And WHAT do you mean by that?"
"BEH! Aside from being ugly you never were a good cook.. Alway TRYING to poison me." A wooden broom tried to strike Yahiko's head but the young lad was quick to hide behind Toki.
"Yahiko! BAKA! BAKA! BAKA!", Kauro kept saying while flailing her broomstick around.
"Oro! Toki-dono. I am glad you visited, that I am.." Toki turned her head and found the familiar red-haired man standing up to meet her. He has just finished doing the laundry. Now you don't see that nowadays in men, Toki thought.
"Konnichiwa mina! I'm so glad to be here." Toki smiled.
"What brings you here Toki-dono?" asked Kenshin.
"Actually I now live not too far from here. I am renting a place with Fujita-san and his family.", Toki smiled again. It was so nice to be in the company of friends. Although they did not know each other for long, she had always felt comfortable with them.
Suddenly a young man appeared and asked in all seriousness... "Oh? Fujita- san??? You don't mean Gorou Fujita do you?"
Toki spun around and was happy to see Sanosuke leaning lazily at the gate.
"Why yes Sanosuke-san.", Toki stiffled a giggle as she did not understand why he was serious all of a sudden. Usually he was carefree and funny. Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed that everyone was staring wide- eyed at her.
"Nani?" A puzzled look came over Toki's face.
All of a sudden Sanosuke started shaking her... "Hoi! What the hell are you doing living with them? How did you get yourself there? Why are you doing this?"
Now Toki was really surprised... Why are they all acting like this? They haven't noticed the Tuna sour soup that she has brought yet...
Kaoru interjected Sano... "Kume Toki-san, you must be tired. Let's go inside the house first."
Sanosuke let go of Toki. "Of all the things...." Sano continued to mutter to himself.
Toki and Kaoru started to prepare the table while Yahiko waited impatiently. "Geez.. It sure is taking long.."
Kaoru eyes narrowed again.. This child is hopeless she thought.. "Yahiko! Can't you behave once in a while."
"The Tuna is great Toki-dono, that it is.", Kenshin smiled warmly while asking for seconds.
Out of the corner of her eye, Toki noticed that Sanosuke wasn't as interested in food as he usually was..
"Hoi! Ojo-chan.. Why are you living with that man?", Sano asked dead seriously.
Toki assessed his question well and decided that she need to pass off as being OK. "Well I decided to leave Yokohoma. Fujita-san offered to take me in as his tenant."
"That Saitou will never go out of his way like that!" Sano said still not touching his food.
"Huh? You mean Fujita-san?" Toki titled her head slightly.
"Yes! Don't you remember in the precint? That Fujita and Saitou are the same person." Sano crossed his arms.
"Now that you mentioned it, yes I seem to recall. But Fujita-san seems to be a nice man and he has a wonderful family." Toki said, ignoring the events that happened last night.
"Eek!", everyone exclaimed, except for Kenshin.
Kenshin himself was a little puzzled by everything. Saitou was not the kind to bring strangers to his home. Plus the fact that Saitou has kept his real name from Toki kept him ill at ease. However, he made no mention of it to Toki as she did say she has been living there for quite some time now. She looked much better than the last time he saw her, so maybe his worries were out of place, he thought.
A small laughter came out from Toki's small lips. "Fujita-san is a little 'different'. I didn't like him either at first. But he seems to be a good family man as his wife and children adore him." Toki said this in all sincerity. She again remembered how highly Tokio regarded and respected her husband even with his faults. This was not the place to talk about her uncertainties about the man. After all nothing bad has happened to her in that household.
The evening wore on. Sounds of laughter emanated from the Kamiya dojo. It was always this way when they have guest but this time one person was not looking happy at all. He confined himself to one corner.. Yahiko noticed Sano and crept up to him and put his hand to his ear whispering, "Sanosuke.. Why are you so quiet? Are you shy with Toki around?" Yahiko stifled a devious laughter.
"Urusei Yahiko!" Sano retorted quietly so that Toki will not hear them.
"Don't you have a crush on Toki?" Yahiko grinned while he elbowed his lower ribbed.
Sano suddenly got up. "Damn it! I'm leaving!"
"Sano..." Toki reached out a hand to stop him, but Sano was already past her.
"What the?" Kaoru did not finish the sentence as she was surprised by Sano's actions. "Kume Toki-san. I'm not sure what's gotten into him."
"Oh he must just be losing again in dice!" Yahiko blurted out.
"Don't worry about it Kaoru. It's ok.", Toki's eyed wandered to the door, she noticed it was getting rather dark. "I better be going. I didn't notice it was getting late." Toki smiled.
"Yahiko! Please accompany Toki-san." Kaoru asked the youth. She purposely asked Yahiko as she did not want Kenshin to accidentally bump into Saitou as they might start to fight again. The frightening image of Kenshin as Battousai kept invading her mind.
Sensing Kaoru's discomfort and since she did not want Yahiko going back himself at night, Toki decided to leave on her own. "Oh that won't be necessary. Thank you for a good night." Toki bowed and left.
Toki was walking alone back to Fujita-sans household. When suddenly from the shadows came Sanosuke. "I'll walk you home."
"Arigato Sanosuke-kun.", she did not know why but she felt relieved.
"Toki-san, please be careful with Saitou. You do not know him, he is a dangerous man.", Sano continued to talk about what he is and what he might do etc. etc.
Toki stopped. Well Fujita-san or Saito-san or whatever his name really is, was not very popular she thought. Still she could not just let Sano talk badly of Fujita-san. Fujita-san did help her. Sano did not know what kind of predicament she was in. "Sanosuke, please do not talk badly of Fujita- kun."
Seeing that it really did upset her, Sano decided to keep quiet. Sano let Toki walk ahead of her. She was beautiful he thought, especially if she would let down her long black hair. How did Saito get his hand on her? The thought kept bothering his mind and he came to the decision that he'll have to keep an eye on her, just in case Saito decided to try something 'inappropriate'.
-----------------------------------
Saitou came home earlier than usual that day. He was surprised to see that Toki had gone to the Kamiya dojo. "This is good.", he smirked as he lighted up a cigarette. It was time to investigate.
Tokio saw her husband enter the outhouse. She thought it was better not to stop him. Although she disapproved of the deceitful act that was happening, she also knew her husband was not prone to whim. This was his job, it was something important to him and she had to support him, just like the other night. If only his assignments didn't occasionally require him to drink in company of politicians and henchmens, they could avoid fights just like last night.
He glanced around the room. There wasn't much to go through, two bags near the bed and some things at the alter. "What the hell! This isn't even challenging." He grunted. Irritation was coming on to him again. Kawaji that moron, if only he was not a dedicated man or rather if only he was a corrupt man he would've loved to slit his throat.
Nothing. Still nothing.. Saitou was getting impatient, he has found nothing to implicate Toki at all. It really did look like Toki did not have anything to her name, even her bags were not full of clothing he thought. I'm wasting my time... He looked at the altar the last place he hasn't examined yet. The picture of Shigure and Gentatsu plus some incense was there, nothing else. As he was looking at the picture of Gentatsu, he started musing of what could've happened if they were set face to face. Gentatsu wouldn't last five minutes against him, he thought. Suddenly he noticed, one side of the picture frame was cracked. Huh? Upon close inspection he found that there was something inside. He grinned to himself. What was this? Saitou took the piece of paper out and was surprised by what he saw a coded list. "Ishin Shishi", these words leapt up at him but the rest were undecipherable. He will have to take this to Kawaji.
Saitou heard the sound of the gate open. He quickly replaced everything back, careful not to leave any indication that he has been violating Toki's privacy. He was able to swiftly get out of the room and nonchalantly strolled over to greet Toki.
"Kombanwa Toki-san! I hope you had a good time." (As you might not have another one for a while), he thought. A smirk came to his lips. His amber eyes narrowing at Toki.
Toki was taken aback by Saitou's greeting. Again those eyes, she feared them. She always has.
END of CHAPTER V
Preview CHAPTER VI - One night will change Saitou and Toki's life forever. ('Nuff said...)
Imalefty: Thanks again for the review and encouragement. Really.... You have no idea :O)