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Saitou stretched his legs and arms. It has been a long ride to Osaka. He looked around, the place was certainly beautiful, although it felt a bit more "country-side" like. He wondered for a moment if Sanosuke was already here. Come to think of it, he has not seen hair nor hide of him since that night he came for a talk. It took a while for him to decide to come to Osaka. He had to sort his feelings first. Had to determine if he had a chance with Toki, eventhough he turned her away. He came here to find answers to make peace with himself. "The answer lies in her, if she's willing.", he thought to himself.
After another hour of walking he finally arrived at his destination. He was quite surprised at the number for English men that he saw. The leaflet he got several days ago struck his mind. He shook his head. He didn't know that Toki would be situated so close. He himself never approved of mail to order brides. To him it was a crime as it was usually infested by domineering men intent on satisfying their worldly needs. The government however has not took a stand against this, as most women who are drawn here were not being forced by the foreign men themselves, but by their circumstances.
He knocked on the gate and was greeted by a stout middle-aged woman. The woman narrowed her eyes and asked, "What do you want?"
"I'm here for Takatsuki Toki.", he replied, vaguely thinking that it was a good idea he didn't have his police uniform on, otherwise the woman would have probably slammed the door on his face.
"Ah.. Well, she's in the mansion right now. She won't be done with her duties till later tonight.", replied the woman.
"I'll wait.", was his curt reply. "You don't happen to be her Oba-san would you?"
"I am. Who are you?", she asked sarcastically.
"Gorou Fujita. A friend back in Tokyo." He did not like her at all. Something was amiss.
"I see. Well you can't come in here. Just come back later.", the lady shut the door.
Saitou took a new pack of cigarettes out. It was just past noon. He leaned at the wall beside the gate. "I'll have to wait.", he thought. He didn't budge from where he was. For a whole five hours he was deep in thought. Worry was the foremost thing in his mind. He needed to find out more before he can take further action. But first, what is Toki doing in that Kami-forsaken place. The sun was starting to set, when the door opened and a young lady came out.
"Saitou...", she said.
Saitou nodded in acknowledgement. "I came to see how you were doing.", he asked masking the worry from his voice.
Toki hesitated. She wanted to tell him the truth, but she'd known Saitou for too long. He abhorred women in distress.
"I'm doing fine."
"Can we have dinner? Do you know of a good soba place around here?", he asked. He needed to talk to her more. By the looks of it, he needed to draw her out of that mansion or else she'll be hurrying back in.
"Just a couple blocks east of here. I can't be gone long.", she replied.
"You won't." He started to reach out for her hand, but Toki turned and hurriedly started walking towards the restaurant.
Saitou frowned. "This is going to be tougher than I thought."
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Toki came back with some cold soba for both of them. It was a little early for dinner and she noticed that the restaurant barely had any customers. She sat the food down and procedded to sit directly in front of Saitou. An uncomfortable silence came between them. Neither one wanting to speak first, but neither one wanting to leave.
Saitou cleared his throat. Better cut to the chase he thought. "So I didn't know you were working for them.", the remark came out a little bit harsher than he intended.
Toki bit her lower lip. "What business do you have here anyway?", annoyance showing.
Saitou thought about what he'll say. So far Toki has not shown any favorable signs towards him. She hasn't seen her smile yet and she's been fidgeting since they got there. Saitou settled to finding out more about her life in Osaka. Rushing things between them might make the situation worse.
"I do periodic checks around the prefecture.", he lied. He's never been himself whenever he was around her. It was hard to be truthful and the circumstances usually prevented it. It's no wonder she's instinctively holding back. He let his focus shift to Toki's jaw, then back up to meet her eyes.
"Sou ka.", she replied. She wondered if this was true, but she dismissed it thinking that she was acting foolish again, hoping that he's actually showing affection towards her.
"Tell me.. Why are you working there? I've always thought better of you..", he smirked, trying to insinuate her so that she'll be bombarded with the truth.
Toki, met his gaze. For a moment Saitou thought she might actually start fessing up. But the glint in her eyes disappeared and she casually told him that it was just coincidence that her aunt worked and lived there.
"Hontoni?" Saitou sounded unconvinced. He needed her to say more so he decided to play cop. "As a police officer, I hear things Toki. You wouldn't think I came all the way out here just for you?" He smirked again.
Toki turned red with anger.. "Of course not! That did not even brush my mind. You unfeeling bastard!" She glared at him and slammed the chopsticks on the table.
Saitou grinned to himself. Satisfied with the sudden reaction from Toki. "So she hasn't dismissed her feelings after all. At least she still reacts strongly to me and she hasn't lost her spirit.", he thought.
"Then tell me what's going there." serious amber eyes stared back at Toki.
Saitou just needed to know how she was doing, his intentions was not to use her again. Of course Toki could not read behind his motives. This really was not her day. She had barely escaped that Mr. Welsch and she spent the whole day trying to cheer up Meiko-san, she just felt exhausted. Now Saitou comes along and he's driving her crazy. She decided to just give him what he needed so she can be at peace.
"The mansion is just there to foster the meeting of some english men trying to procure japanese women.", she thought of telling him about the offensive acts and how the mansion seemed more like a brothel, but she declined.
"Hmm... Are any of them being forced to stay?", Saitou's interest was peaking now. He smelled something fishy.
Toki did not answer. She thought about Meiko. She was being forced to stay. Toki thought about telling Saitou about her, but then remembered that Meiko could not leave the mansion because of financial difficulties.
"Well?", Saitou prodded.
"From what I see those men have not tried to forcefully keep women.", she breathed "Unfortunately, there are some women there who would like to leave but cannot because of financial circumstances or because their families what to find them foreign husbands who can be good providers." She stared out the window. It was the whole truth, maybe not in her situation, but for those women it sure was.
"I see." Saitou started lighting his cigarette. "So no one is held against their will. I can't do anything if that's the case."
He waited for Toki's reaction. He noticed she seemed to be lost in thought. There was no doubt about it, sooner or later she'll either find a husband there or be subject to harrasment by those same men. He was worried, he wanted to know more but Toki was not willing to cooperate.
Saitou kept asking her questions. She no longer responded to them. She kept her attention towards the window. She desperately wanted to tell him about Mr. Welsch, about Meiko, about her Aunt, but pride took a hold of her. She will not ask for his help. She did not want to be helpless anymore. Anyway, Saitou was just using her again. She felt dismayed, "It's not like he's concerned.", she thought.
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Saitou walked her home. It was quite late he did not intend to keep her that long, but somehow he was content that she was with him all evening. "The longer she is away from that mansion, the safer she is.", he thought to himself.
As they turned the corner, the same middle-aged woman greeted them. He frowned, upon seeing a much larger white man beside the woman.
"Toki! Mr. Welsch has been waiting for you over an hour now!", the woman hollered.
Saitou noticed Toki stiffened. Her eyes suddenly turning panicky. Saitou took a moment and said "You don't have to go you know."
Upon hearing Saitou, she snapped out of it and went ahead to greet her aunt and the man.
Saitou was disappointed. Toki was so head strong sometimes. He saw enough. He knew what was happening, so he decided to go to the local precint. The last he saw of Toki was when the man placed his arms around her shoulder and held her beside him. Saitou controlled his rage, this would not be a good time. He'll have to just keep an eye on those people from now on, to make sure Toki was safe.
Having friends in high places has served Saitou well. The chief of police in Osaka greeted him warmly and promised help if he needed it. Saitou asked the chief to make sure someone was patrolling the area at night, telling him that a fight might erupt very soon and it's better to be safe. Content that he got what he came for he decided to retire at a nearby inn.
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Two nights now he could not fall asleep. He'll have to tell her soon, but things just seem to go unfavorably and he could not find the right moment. His thoughts wandered to
Sanosuke, where was that ahou when he needed him? He should've been here by now, Saitou thought. He moved closer to the window and opened them. His thoughts once again turned to the mansion, no matter how many times he tried to convince himself that Toki will be safe that night, he couldn't help but be worried. "Stupid Sano, where are you when she needs you. All that talk about getting her back, that was just all talk right? Bastard!", he grunted and closed the windows. He decided to take a walk.
There were still lights in the mansion. Saitou guessed it was probably passed midnight already. He frowned. Most of the rooms to the mansion still had light in them. His frown got deeper after he thought about the malicious "wordly" things that were going on behind those closed doors. He noticed that there were no lights in the small house nearby where Toki stayed. "Damn it! She must still be in that wretched place.", he kicked a pebble to the road.
"Let me go. Onegai!" a squeel came from behind the gate. Suddenly a young girl came bursting out the gates and onto the streets. Three men came running after her. She tripped and fell. The men were at once all over here and started to beat her quite heavily. Saitou was about to interfere when another young lady came out and shielded the young girl from the beatings.
"Please stop. Her parents just died.. Please don't.", pleaded the young woman, through the beatings. She used her back to shield the panicked girl.
Saitou was awe-struck. That voice, it was Toki. He readied his katana to fight the men, but Toki was already on her feet making a run for it. She was half-dragging the girl behind her through the streets and Saitou followed them into the forest. Finally he heard a loud "bang!" and his heart raced at the smell of gunpowder. "Kami-sama! Toki please be alright.", his heart pleaded.
It was hard to tell where the men were but fortunately Saitou found Toki and the girl behind a large tree taking cover.
"Toki! Are you all right?", Saitou's amber eyes were full of concern.
"Yes.", she flinched. Blood was oozing out from her left leg.
"Here I'll carry you." Saitou turned his back, so that Toki could climb on it. Instead though the young woman took the girl beside her and propped her to his back.
"Take her. You can't possibly carry two people. Those men won't hurt me.", Toki gasped as she was now breathing heavily.
"You don't look alright. I can't leave you here. Now come on." He tried to tug at her.
"Make sure that Meiko is safe. At least promise me that.", Toki looked at the panick stricken face of both Saitou and Meiko. Seeing that Saitou will not budge, she settled for a lie. "Mr. Welsch, he will take care of me."
"Fine.", Saitou left half-heartedly. His thoughts were getting the girl to a doctor as quickly as he can so he can go back for Toki. He did not feel comfortable leaving Toki to Mr. Welsch's care.
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"How are you feeling?", Saitou asked the girl lying on the futon.
"Where's Toki-san?", the grey eyes inquired.
"She asked to be left behind. She said that Mr. Welsch will take care of her."
The grey eyes rounded itself. Saitou's suspicions were now confirmed. Whoever that Welsch guy was, he was not trustworthy. The girl started sobbing uncontrollably.
"Now. Don't cry. I can't have you crying right now.", he said in a stern voice. "You've got to tell me what's happening in that place and who is this Welsch?"
The girl nodded and procedded to tell him everything. Saitou felt himself being slowly choked. Toki was not safe and he had to go back for her right now if he was ever to save her.
END OF CHAPTER XIV
PREVIEW OF CHAPTER XV- Saitou seeks retribution. Toki and Meiko calls the police. The ending to my first fic! Hope whoever reads this enjoys it. :O)
Imalefty: Yey almost done. You can smell it. So can I!
Saitou stretched his legs and arms. It has been a long ride to Osaka. He looked around, the place was certainly beautiful, although it felt a bit more "country-side" like. He wondered for a moment if Sanosuke was already here. Come to think of it, he has not seen hair nor hide of him since that night he came for a talk. It took a while for him to decide to come to Osaka. He had to sort his feelings first. Had to determine if he had a chance with Toki, eventhough he turned her away. He came here to find answers to make peace with himself. "The answer lies in her, if she's willing.", he thought to himself.
After another hour of walking he finally arrived at his destination. He was quite surprised at the number for English men that he saw. The leaflet he got several days ago struck his mind. He shook his head. He didn't know that Toki would be situated so close. He himself never approved of mail to order brides. To him it was a crime as it was usually infested by domineering men intent on satisfying their worldly needs. The government however has not took a stand against this, as most women who are drawn here were not being forced by the foreign men themselves, but by their circumstances.
He knocked on the gate and was greeted by a stout middle-aged woman. The woman narrowed her eyes and asked, "What do you want?"
"I'm here for Takatsuki Toki.", he replied, vaguely thinking that it was a good idea he didn't have his police uniform on, otherwise the woman would have probably slammed the door on his face.
"Ah.. Well, she's in the mansion right now. She won't be done with her duties till later tonight.", replied the woman.
"I'll wait.", was his curt reply. "You don't happen to be her Oba-san would you?"
"I am. Who are you?", she asked sarcastically.
"Gorou Fujita. A friend back in Tokyo." He did not like her at all. Something was amiss.
"I see. Well you can't come in here. Just come back later.", the lady shut the door.
Saitou took a new pack of cigarettes out. It was just past noon. He leaned at the wall beside the gate. "I'll have to wait.", he thought. He didn't budge from where he was. For a whole five hours he was deep in thought. Worry was the foremost thing in his mind. He needed to find out more before he can take further action. But first, what is Toki doing in that Kami-forsaken place. The sun was starting to set, when the door opened and a young lady came out.
"Saitou...", she said.
Saitou nodded in acknowledgement. "I came to see how you were doing.", he asked masking the worry from his voice.
Toki hesitated. She wanted to tell him the truth, but she'd known Saitou for too long. He abhorred women in distress.
"I'm doing fine."
"Can we have dinner? Do you know of a good soba place around here?", he asked. He needed to talk to her more. By the looks of it, he needed to draw her out of that mansion or else she'll be hurrying back in.
"Just a couple blocks east of here. I can't be gone long.", she replied.
"You won't." He started to reach out for her hand, but Toki turned and hurriedly started walking towards the restaurant.
Saitou frowned. "This is going to be tougher than I thought."
-------------------------------------------
Toki came back with some cold soba for both of them. It was a little early for dinner and she noticed that the restaurant barely had any customers. She sat the food down and procedded to sit directly in front of Saitou. An uncomfortable silence came between them. Neither one wanting to speak first, but neither one wanting to leave.
Saitou cleared his throat. Better cut to the chase he thought. "So I didn't know you were working for them.", the remark came out a little bit harsher than he intended.
Toki bit her lower lip. "What business do you have here anyway?", annoyance showing.
Saitou thought about what he'll say. So far Toki has not shown any favorable signs towards him. She hasn't seen her smile yet and she's been fidgeting since they got there. Saitou settled to finding out more about her life in Osaka. Rushing things between them might make the situation worse.
"I do periodic checks around the prefecture.", he lied. He's never been himself whenever he was around her. It was hard to be truthful and the circumstances usually prevented it. It's no wonder she's instinctively holding back. He let his focus shift to Toki's jaw, then back up to meet her eyes.
"Sou ka.", she replied. She wondered if this was true, but she dismissed it thinking that she was acting foolish again, hoping that he's actually showing affection towards her.
"Tell me.. Why are you working there? I've always thought better of you..", he smirked, trying to insinuate her so that she'll be bombarded with the truth.
Toki, met his gaze. For a moment Saitou thought she might actually start fessing up. But the glint in her eyes disappeared and she casually told him that it was just coincidence that her aunt worked and lived there.
"Hontoni?" Saitou sounded unconvinced. He needed her to say more so he decided to play cop. "As a police officer, I hear things Toki. You wouldn't think I came all the way out here just for you?" He smirked again.
Toki turned red with anger.. "Of course not! That did not even brush my mind. You unfeeling bastard!" She glared at him and slammed the chopsticks on the table.
Saitou grinned to himself. Satisfied with the sudden reaction from Toki. "So she hasn't dismissed her feelings after all. At least she still reacts strongly to me and she hasn't lost her spirit.", he thought.
"Then tell me what's going there." serious amber eyes stared back at Toki.
Saitou just needed to know how she was doing, his intentions was not to use her again. Of course Toki could not read behind his motives. This really was not her day. She had barely escaped that Mr. Welsch and she spent the whole day trying to cheer up Meiko-san, she just felt exhausted. Now Saitou comes along and he's driving her crazy. She decided to just give him what he needed so she can be at peace.
"The mansion is just there to foster the meeting of some english men trying to procure japanese women.", she thought of telling him about the offensive acts and how the mansion seemed more like a brothel, but she declined.
"Hmm... Are any of them being forced to stay?", Saitou's interest was peaking now. He smelled something fishy.
Toki did not answer. She thought about Meiko. She was being forced to stay. Toki thought about telling Saitou about her, but then remembered that Meiko could not leave the mansion because of financial difficulties.
"Well?", Saitou prodded.
"From what I see those men have not tried to forcefully keep women.", she breathed "Unfortunately, there are some women there who would like to leave but cannot because of financial circumstances or because their families what to find them foreign husbands who can be good providers." She stared out the window. It was the whole truth, maybe not in her situation, but for those women it sure was.
"I see." Saitou started lighting his cigarette. "So no one is held against their will. I can't do anything if that's the case."
He waited for Toki's reaction. He noticed she seemed to be lost in thought. There was no doubt about it, sooner or later she'll either find a husband there or be subject to harrasment by those same men. He was worried, he wanted to know more but Toki was not willing to cooperate.
Saitou kept asking her questions. She no longer responded to them. She kept her attention towards the window. She desperately wanted to tell him about Mr. Welsch, about Meiko, about her Aunt, but pride took a hold of her. She will not ask for his help. She did not want to be helpless anymore. Anyway, Saitou was just using her again. She felt dismayed, "It's not like he's concerned.", she thought.
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Saitou walked her home. It was quite late he did not intend to keep her that long, but somehow he was content that she was with him all evening. "The longer she is away from that mansion, the safer she is.", he thought to himself.
As they turned the corner, the same middle-aged woman greeted them. He frowned, upon seeing a much larger white man beside the woman.
"Toki! Mr. Welsch has been waiting for you over an hour now!", the woman hollered.
Saitou noticed Toki stiffened. Her eyes suddenly turning panicky. Saitou took a moment and said "You don't have to go you know."
Upon hearing Saitou, she snapped out of it and went ahead to greet her aunt and the man.
Saitou was disappointed. Toki was so head strong sometimes. He saw enough. He knew what was happening, so he decided to go to the local precint. The last he saw of Toki was when the man placed his arms around her shoulder and held her beside him. Saitou controlled his rage, this would not be a good time. He'll have to just keep an eye on those people from now on, to make sure Toki was safe.
Having friends in high places has served Saitou well. The chief of police in Osaka greeted him warmly and promised help if he needed it. Saitou asked the chief to make sure someone was patrolling the area at night, telling him that a fight might erupt very soon and it's better to be safe. Content that he got what he came for he decided to retire at a nearby inn.
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Two nights now he could not fall asleep. He'll have to tell her soon, but things just seem to go unfavorably and he could not find the right moment. His thoughts wandered to
Sanosuke, where was that ahou when he needed him? He should've been here by now, Saitou thought. He moved closer to the window and opened them. His thoughts once again turned to the mansion, no matter how many times he tried to convince himself that Toki will be safe that night, he couldn't help but be worried. "Stupid Sano, where are you when she needs you. All that talk about getting her back, that was just all talk right? Bastard!", he grunted and closed the windows. He decided to take a walk.
There were still lights in the mansion. Saitou guessed it was probably passed midnight already. He frowned. Most of the rooms to the mansion still had light in them. His frown got deeper after he thought about the malicious "wordly" things that were going on behind those closed doors. He noticed that there were no lights in the small house nearby where Toki stayed. "Damn it! She must still be in that wretched place.", he kicked a pebble to the road.
"Let me go. Onegai!" a squeel came from behind the gate. Suddenly a young girl came bursting out the gates and onto the streets. Three men came running after her. She tripped and fell. The men were at once all over here and started to beat her quite heavily. Saitou was about to interfere when another young lady came out and shielded the young girl from the beatings.
"Please stop. Her parents just died.. Please don't.", pleaded the young woman, through the beatings. She used her back to shield the panicked girl.
Saitou was awe-struck. That voice, it was Toki. He readied his katana to fight the men, but Toki was already on her feet making a run for it. She was half-dragging the girl behind her through the streets and Saitou followed them into the forest. Finally he heard a loud "bang!" and his heart raced at the smell of gunpowder. "Kami-sama! Toki please be alright.", his heart pleaded.
It was hard to tell where the men were but fortunately Saitou found Toki and the girl behind a large tree taking cover.
"Toki! Are you all right?", Saitou's amber eyes were full of concern.
"Yes.", she flinched. Blood was oozing out from her left leg.
"Here I'll carry you." Saitou turned his back, so that Toki could climb on it. Instead though the young woman took the girl beside her and propped her to his back.
"Take her. You can't possibly carry two people. Those men won't hurt me.", Toki gasped as she was now breathing heavily.
"You don't look alright. I can't leave you here. Now come on." He tried to tug at her.
"Make sure that Meiko is safe. At least promise me that.", Toki looked at the panick stricken face of both Saitou and Meiko. Seeing that Saitou will not budge, she settled for a lie. "Mr. Welsch, he will take care of me."
"Fine.", Saitou left half-heartedly. His thoughts were getting the girl to a doctor as quickly as he can so he can go back for Toki. He did not feel comfortable leaving Toki to Mr. Welsch's care.
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"How are you feeling?", Saitou asked the girl lying on the futon.
"Where's Toki-san?", the grey eyes inquired.
"She asked to be left behind. She said that Mr. Welsch will take care of her."
The grey eyes rounded itself. Saitou's suspicions were now confirmed. Whoever that Welsch guy was, he was not trustworthy. The girl started sobbing uncontrollably.
"Now. Don't cry. I can't have you crying right now.", he said in a stern voice. "You've got to tell me what's happening in that place and who is this Welsch?"
The girl nodded and procedded to tell him everything. Saitou felt himself being slowly choked. Toki was not safe and he had to go back for her right now if he was ever to save her.
END OF CHAPTER XIV
PREVIEW OF CHAPTER XV- Saitou seeks retribution. Toki and Meiko calls the police. The ending to my first fic! Hope whoever reads this enjoys it. :O)
Imalefty: Yey almost done. You can smell it. So can I!