Back at the Kamiya dojo.
"Hoi! Kaoru" a man came running dragging a beautiful lady behind him.
"Ah it's you Sano." Kaoru said flatly.
"Hoi! Hoi! You sound like you do not want to see me.", Sano stopped in front of Kaoru.
"Maybe. But I'm glad you brought Toki along." Kaoru teased.
Karou looked at Toki. "Ne? Why the sad face Toki-san?"
"Betsuni..." Toki replied not looking at Kaoru.
Karou assessed Toki. She seemed to be in the dumps. Toki sighed.. "Well come on in. Kenshin made some Tofu snacks and maybe we can talk?"
The evening passed and Sanosuke related the suspicious events that seemed to be brooding over Toki. Toki herself was oblivious to them. She did not take time to listen. She only nodded her head once in a while out of politeness. After several hours, she decided it was time to go back. There was no need to stay in the dojo.
Toki got up and left.
"Hoi! Ojo-chan! I'm walking with you tonight. It's too late to be walking by yourself.", Sano forced his presence.
---------------------------------------
Chou made sure that the bodies were cleaned and well taken cared of. He could not rely on Saitou. A concerned look passed over his face, as he assessed the boss. Not one word came out from his mouth. His jaws looked like steel and his eyes, they were glazed. "This must be the look of a lost man.", he thought to himself.
"Boss. Boss." Chou gently tapped Saitou's shoulder. "We're going." Motioning to the corpses already loaded in the caravan.
Saitou picked his head up and looked past Chou. His children and his wife. He was not able to protect them. What's worse he brought the tragedy himself. He has been careless. He won't be anymore, he will hunt those bastards down, every single one of them! He stood up. "Go. I will meet you tomorrow." Saitou's eyes burned with intensity, the glazed look no longer there. His teeth gritted and the muscles in his jaw were apparent.
"Ok Boss.", Chou said concern apparent in his voice. "I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry." was all he could think of to say, however Chou did not dare speak of it to Saitou. He knew that the thing Saitou hated most was pity.
----------------------------------------
Moments later two figures appeared on the road. Saitou was leaning on the door to the outhouse. He could see their sillouette. He lit up another cigarette. An uncontrollable rage was rising up inside him. He closed his eyes, he took a few moments to settle himself.
"Konban-wa Saitou-san." Toki greeted him. Toki kept her eyes on the ground, thus she did not notice the smoldering glare Saitou was giving her.
"Where have you been?", was his sadonistic reply.
"Over at the Kamiya." Toki was feeling oppresed again. The same as a few nights ago. But now that she knew of Saitou's background, it only made her more fearful of him.
Saitou crushed the cigarette butt under his boot. He reached into his pockets and held a piece of paper in his hand.
"What do you think of this?" shoving the paper in front of Toki.
Toki looked up at him and surprise written explicitly all over her face. She took the piece of paper and searched her memory. Finally she heaved a sigh and said, "It's something that was kept with Gentatsu. I didn't know what it was, so I left it alone."
Saitou fought another rage that shook his very soul. She did not know what it was? How could she not? Suddenly, from the back of his mind came Tokio's voice. "Toki, she..." She what!? Damn it! Saitou racked at his brain.
He grabbed the paper from Toki's hand and shoved Toki to her back. "You're coming with me."
Toki was startled. "It's... It's getting quite late and Tokio-san must be waiting for you."
Sanity left Saitou. He drew his katana and with trembling hands pushed Toki to the wall, his katana resting on her neck. Toki trembled, why did she elicit this kind of response. What has happened? Saitou has always been a complexity to her, dangling from sadonistic to agreeable but this was beyond that.
Saitou fought the desire to kill her right there. His katana had already created a small line upon her neck and his blade already had the slight tinge of blood on it. He was no murderer. He especially did not lay hands on women. He was still confused. Tokio? What was that again? "Toki... She.." She what?!!
It was at this time that someone grabbed him from behind and threw him to the corner table.
"Yarou! What are you doing???" shouted the man in front of him. By the time Saitou realized a fist was flying directly to his face it was already too late.
Saitou was hit directly in the face and as he feel his temple hit the corner of the desk. Blood was trickling down to the side of his eyes. He annoyingly wiped the blood away and shot a look to this assailant. It was Sanosuke.
"Stay out of this Ahou.", he said dryly. "Go back to bed or I'll have to make you." He positioned his Katana parallel to his body with his left hand ready to skewer Sanosuke.
"I'm not like the last time we met Saitou.", he replied ramming his fist together.
Saitou with lightening speed darted the blade into Sano's direction. Sano deflected it with his left hand and threw his futae no kiwami sending Saitou back to the wall with a loud thud.
Saitou shook his head and gained composure again. He exploded in another attack at Sanosuke grazing Sano's right shoulder with his Gatotsu, however Saitou lost his balance. Seeing this opportunity Sanosuke immediately grabbed the Katana barehandedly by his left hand. Another resounding futae no kiwami emanated from his right fist. This time sending Saitou across the room, hitting the bed post knocking him out cold.
Sanosuke was surprised. This was the first time he had knocked the damn bastards lights out. Something's wrong he thought, the wolf is not his usual self.
Toki broke from paralyzation when she saw Saitou hit the bed post heavily. She drew herself closer to him afraid that he must've broken several ribs. She tried to lift Saitou's limp body up to the bed, but was unsuccesful.
"Here let me do that.", Sano grabbed Saitou and dumped him on the bed. The sudden strain on his shoulder elicited a small cry from Sano. "Itai!" He winced in pain.
The young lady touched Sano's arm wide-eyed. "You're also wounded. Just a minute, maybe there's some bandanges inside the house."
"Hoi! I'm coming with you." Sano ran behind Toki.
Toki threw open the door. She started to vomit. Sano also felt his stomach turn. The house was utter chaos and blood decorated the walls and bed. It was almost morning.
---------------------------------
"Toki-san....Why don't you come home with me for now." Sano eyed Toki with great concern.
Toki just shook her head. Bewildered by eveything that has happened that night. The small cut in her throat reminded her that this was real. She had the same feeling when they took Shigure away. She began to feel that her presence invited misery wherever she went. First her brother, then Shigure and now Saitou's family.
"It's not a good idea to stay here." Sano insisted. "Please..."
Toki closed her eyes. Sano did not understand. She was thankful he was there and was thankful he saved her, but she was already determined not to leave. Even if it was her life that might be put to danger. Too many times people have tried to shield her from danger, too many times she could not help. The helplessness stops here. She turned to Sano, touched his arms and said, "You seem to be OK. I need to be with him right now.", glancing over to Saitou.
Daggers kept tearing at Sano. A lump formed at his throat and he did not dare say anything. He nodded and left.
On the way home, he noticed his right hand was shaking, Megumi has already told him not to use it for the Kiwami. He just couldn't leave Toki alone, even if she had already rejected him. Kisau! That Saitou better not try anything again with Toki, damn this fist. So what if they broke again?
------------------------------------
Toki has already removed Saitou's soiled uniform. It was a good thing he only had bruises on the upper part of his body and just a couple of broken ribs. It would be so inappropriate if she had to undress him completely.
She gently wrapped bandages on the upper part of his torso. He had scars all over his body. "Yes of course he does. He was a legend from the Bakumatsu after all.", Toki thought. As she was gently wrapping him in warmer clothing, images flooded her mind. She had heard a lot of stories about the Bakumatsu period, a lot of lives were lost then. Alot of people were hurt then, including her. This man in front of her endured those times, found a place in society and was actually able to raise a family. The frown in her face were now accompanied by tears. A family that I ruined, she thought. Guilt slowly chiseling away at her bones.
------------------------------------
Saitou awoke. He looked around and noticed that his underside still hurt. Reaching down to the broken ribs, he noticed it was bandaged. Being the alert person that he was, he eyes wandered the room looking for his katana. Instead he found Toki's head slumped at the foot of the bed clutching his katana and sleeping. He quietly got up, not wanting to wake up Toki, he tugged a little so he can get his katana out of her hands. Too bad, Toki awoke.
END of CHAPTER VII
Angel_Star: Sorry for the OOC. I just had this weird view of how Saitou-san is at home, as I heard he was quite the family man. I'm one of the people who dreams about his soft side. Although I really don't think he has one, at least not the one I depicted.
Sesshi-sama: Yes it's kinda sad... I'm glad though that you are sad *winks*. Sorry for killing them off like that. It seemed easier though coz I have no idea how Tokio is really like. I wish I could get a hand on those Burai manga. Till then I hope this suffices.
Imalefty: Thanks for being so faithful! *Sigh* This will probably be my last post in a while. Well at least until next year. Going on vacation, not sure if I'll have access to a computer there. This might be a good thing though, something interesting might come to mind. Who knows?
In general, I wish this fic could be written better and it probably can be in the right hands (obviously not mine). I went back to the old chapters and fixed some silly mistakes that I made. Nothing's coming to mind right now so no preview yet either. I feel that the pacing is getting slow.. What do you think? How bad is the OOC by the way? Let me know when your stomachs begin to turn... Also any constructive criticism is appreciated.
ADVANCE HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!
"Hoi! Kaoru" a man came running dragging a beautiful lady behind him.
"Ah it's you Sano." Kaoru said flatly.
"Hoi! Hoi! You sound like you do not want to see me.", Sano stopped in front of Kaoru.
"Maybe. But I'm glad you brought Toki along." Kaoru teased.
Karou looked at Toki. "Ne? Why the sad face Toki-san?"
"Betsuni..." Toki replied not looking at Kaoru.
Karou assessed Toki. She seemed to be in the dumps. Toki sighed.. "Well come on in. Kenshin made some Tofu snacks and maybe we can talk?"
The evening passed and Sanosuke related the suspicious events that seemed to be brooding over Toki. Toki herself was oblivious to them. She did not take time to listen. She only nodded her head once in a while out of politeness. After several hours, she decided it was time to go back. There was no need to stay in the dojo.
Toki got up and left.
"Hoi! Ojo-chan! I'm walking with you tonight. It's too late to be walking by yourself.", Sano forced his presence.
---------------------------------------
Chou made sure that the bodies were cleaned and well taken cared of. He could not rely on Saitou. A concerned look passed over his face, as he assessed the boss. Not one word came out from his mouth. His jaws looked like steel and his eyes, they were glazed. "This must be the look of a lost man.", he thought to himself.
"Boss. Boss." Chou gently tapped Saitou's shoulder. "We're going." Motioning to the corpses already loaded in the caravan.
Saitou picked his head up and looked past Chou. His children and his wife. He was not able to protect them. What's worse he brought the tragedy himself. He has been careless. He won't be anymore, he will hunt those bastards down, every single one of them! He stood up. "Go. I will meet you tomorrow." Saitou's eyes burned with intensity, the glazed look no longer there. His teeth gritted and the muscles in his jaw were apparent.
"Ok Boss.", Chou said concern apparent in his voice. "I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry." was all he could think of to say, however Chou did not dare speak of it to Saitou. He knew that the thing Saitou hated most was pity.
----------------------------------------
Moments later two figures appeared on the road. Saitou was leaning on the door to the outhouse. He could see their sillouette. He lit up another cigarette. An uncontrollable rage was rising up inside him. He closed his eyes, he took a few moments to settle himself.
"Konban-wa Saitou-san." Toki greeted him. Toki kept her eyes on the ground, thus she did not notice the smoldering glare Saitou was giving her.
"Where have you been?", was his sadonistic reply.
"Over at the Kamiya." Toki was feeling oppresed again. The same as a few nights ago. But now that she knew of Saitou's background, it only made her more fearful of him.
Saitou crushed the cigarette butt under his boot. He reached into his pockets and held a piece of paper in his hand.
"What do you think of this?" shoving the paper in front of Toki.
Toki looked up at him and surprise written explicitly all over her face. She took the piece of paper and searched her memory. Finally she heaved a sigh and said, "It's something that was kept with Gentatsu. I didn't know what it was, so I left it alone."
Saitou fought another rage that shook his very soul. She did not know what it was? How could she not? Suddenly, from the back of his mind came Tokio's voice. "Toki, she..." She what!? Damn it! Saitou racked at his brain.
He grabbed the paper from Toki's hand and shoved Toki to her back. "You're coming with me."
Toki was startled. "It's... It's getting quite late and Tokio-san must be waiting for you."
Sanity left Saitou. He drew his katana and with trembling hands pushed Toki to the wall, his katana resting on her neck. Toki trembled, why did she elicit this kind of response. What has happened? Saitou has always been a complexity to her, dangling from sadonistic to agreeable but this was beyond that.
Saitou fought the desire to kill her right there. His katana had already created a small line upon her neck and his blade already had the slight tinge of blood on it. He was no murderer. He especially did not lay hands on women. He was still confused. Tokio? What was that again? "Toki... She.." She what?!!
It was at this time that someone grabbed him from behind and threw him to the corner table.
"Yarou! What are you doing???" shouted the man in front of him. By the time Saitou realized a fist was flying directly to his face it was already too late.
Saitou was hit directly in the face and as he feel his temple hit the corner of the desk. Blood was trickling down to the side of his eyes. He annoyingly wiped the blood away and shot a look to this assailant. It was Sanosuke.
"Stay out of this Ahou.", he said dryly. "Go back to bed or I'll have to make you." He positioned his Katana parallel to his body with his left hand ready to skewer Sanosuke.
"I'm not like the last time we met Saitou.", he replied ramming his fist together.
Saitou with lightening speed darted the blade into Sano's direction. Sano deflected it with his left hand and threw his futae no kiwami sending Saitou back to the wall with a loud thud.
Saitou shook his head and gained composure again. He exploded in another attack at Sanosuke grazing Sano's right shoulder with his Gatotsu, however Saitou lost his balance. Seeing this opportunity Sanosuke immediately grabbed the Katana barehandedly by his left hand. Another resounding futae no kiwami emanated from his right fist. This time sending Saitou across the room, hitting the bed post knocking him out cold.
Sanosuke was surprised. This was the first time he had knocked the damn bastards lights out. Something's wrong he thought, the wolf is not his usual self.
Toki broke from paralyzation when she saw Saitou hit the bed post heavily. She drew herself closer to him afraid that he must've broken several ribs. She tried to lift Saitou's limp body up to the bed, but was unsuccesful.
"Here let me do that.", Sano grabbed Saitou and dumped him on the bed. The sudden strain on his shoulder elicited a small cry from Sano. "Itai!" He winced in pain.
The young lady touched Sano's arm wide-eyed. "You're also wounded. Just a minute, maybe there's some bandanges inside the house."
"Hoi! I'm coming with you." Sano ran behind Toki.
Toki threw open the door. She started to vomit. Sano also felt his stomach turn. The house was utter chaos and blood decorated the walls and bed. It was almost morning.
---------------------------------
"Toki-san....Why don't you come home with me for now." Sano eyed Toki with great concern.
Toki just shook her head. Bewildered by eveything that has happened that night. The small cut in her throat reminded her that this was real. She had the same feeling when they took Shigure away. She began to feel that her presence invited misery wherever she went. First her brother, then Shigure and now Saitou's family.
"It's not a good idea to stay here." Sano insisted. "Please..."
Toki closed her eyes. Sano did not understand. She was thankful he was there and was thankful he saved her, but she was already determined not to leave. Even if it was her life that might be put to danger. Too many times people have tried to shield her from danger, too many times she could not help. The helplessness stops here. She turned to Sano, touched his arms and said, "You seem to be OK. I need to be with him right now.", glancing over to Saitou.
Daggers kept tearing at Sano. A lump formed at his throat and he did not dare say anything. He nodded and left.
On the way home, he noticed his right hand was shaking, Megumi has already told him not to use it for the Kiwami. He just couldn't leave Toki alone, even if she had already rejected him. Kisau! That Saitou better not try anything again with Toki, damn this fist. So what if they broke again?
------------------------------------
Toki has already removed Saitou's soiled uniform. It was a good thing he only had bruises on the upper part of his body and just a couple of broken ribs. It would be so inappropriate if she had to undress him completely.
She gently wrapped bandages on the upper part of his torso. He had scars all over his body. "Yes of course he does. He was a legend from the Bakumatsu after all.", Toki thought. As she was gently wrapping him in warmer clothing, images flooded her mind. She had heard a lot of stories about the Bakumatsu period, a lot of lives were lost then. Alot of people were hurt then, including her. This man in front of her endured those times, found a place in society and was actually able to raise a family. The frown in her face were now accompanied by tears. A family that I ruined, she thought. Guilt slowly chiseling away at her bones.
------------------------------------
Saitou awoke. He looked around and noticed that his underside still hurt. Reaching down to the broken ribs, he noticed it was bandaged. Being the alert person that he was, he eyes wandered the room looking for his katana. Instead he found Toki's head slumped at the foot of the bed clutching his katana and sleeping. He quietly got up, not wanting to wake up Toki, he tugged a little so he can get his katana out of her hands. Too bad, Toki awoke.
END of CHAPTER VII
Angel_Star: Sorry for the OOC. I just had this weird view of how Saitou-san is at home, as I heard he was quite the family man. I'm one of the people who dreams about his soft side. Although I really don't think he has one, at least not the one I depicted.
Sesshi-sama: Yes it's kinda sad... I'm glad though that you are sad *winks*. Sorry for killing them off like that. It seemed easier though coz I have no idea how Tokio is really like. I wish I could get a hand on those Burai manga. Till then I hope this suffices.
Imalefty: Thanks for being so faithful! *Sigh* This will probably be my last post in a while. Well at least until next year. Going on vacation, not sure if I'll have access to a computer there. This might be a good thing though, something interesting might come to mind. Who knows?
In general, I wish this fic could be written better and it probably can be in the right hands (obviously not mine). I went back to the old chapters and fixed some silly mistakes that I made. Nothing's coming to mind right now so no preview yet either. I feel that the pacing is getting slow.. What do you think? How bad is the OOC by the way? Let me know when your stomachs begin to turn... Also any constructive criticism is appreciated.
ADVANCE HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!