It was early morning in Tokyo. The streets were empty and silent, sleeping beneath the soft gray fog that drifted through the city. One small figure walked among the mists, the soft scratch of his zori further muffled by the fog. Kenshin paused outside the dojo gates, breathing in the silence, and remembered with a smile that it was on a similar morning that he had met Kaoru. He remained outside the gates for a little while, reluctant to leave the spell of the morning. He closed his eyes and he could hear her call to him. He stood, lost in memory, then with a sigh and a small smile, put his hand to the gate latch.
Inside, the house was just beginning to stir. He could hear Kenji warming up in the dojo, preparing for today's lessons. Kaori was still in the bedroom, but Kenshin could hear her moving. The simple domesticity of the moment gave him pause. Life was good now. Kenji had a small following of students, not enough to make them rich but enough to keep them comfortable. Kaori was a loving daughter-in-law who ran the house in a sweet and competent way, and there was a little one on the way. Kenshin was a little surprised to realize, though, that he still intended to go through with this meeting with Saitou.
Just then there was a nock on the gate. Before Kenshin could move to answer it, he heard Kenji leave the dojo. He finished rinsing out the tofu he'd bought and put it away. When he turned around, Kenji was standing in the kitchen door. "Well, Dad, you're popular lately," his son smiled. "Here's another message for you."
"Thank you," he said, taking it and tucking it into his sleeve.
"Aren't you going to read it?" Kenji asked, obviously curious about his father's new pen pal. Kenshin smiled what Kaoru would have recognized as the 'There are some things about myself that I must protect you from' smile.
"Later. I want to be in the right mood, and I still have to finish the laundry."
Kenji made a show of looking disappointed, then returned to the dojo. Kenshin felt the letter in his sleeve, his hand clutching it almost convulsively. Then he let go. He had a lot of chores to finish first.
Much later he sat on the back porch, fingering the letter in his sleeve. It had been several days since he had replied to Saitou's first letter. He was tense with anticipation and worry, but as he looked over the compound he relaxed. Everything was peaceful. Everyone was safe. He really wasn't sure what would come of his meeting with Saitou, but whatever the consequences were his family would be fine. Feeling calm and determined, he pulled out and opened the letter. Again, it was simple and to the point.
"I am here."-- Saitou
Kenshin smiled. In a way, it was comforting how little 'Mibu's Wolf' had changed. He picked up writing set that he had brought out with him and prepared the ink for his reply.
Hajime Saitou sat on the verand of his room in the inn, meditating for calm. Outside the sunset was painting the garden glorious colors and the muted sounds of the city settling in for the night drifted over the wall. When the maid knocked politely at the door, he didn't turn around. "Yes?" he said brusquely.
"Message for you, sir," she said, sliding the door open.
"Thank you," he said, still not turning. The maid left the letter by the door and slid the door shut once more.
Saitou didn't move immediately. He stared at the garden, savoring the anticipation for a moment before he stood and retrieved the letter. Then, seated once again on the veranda, he ripped it open and read eagerly.
"Where?"-- Kenshin.
He snorted and went to collect his writing material. It figured that the Battousai hadn't changed much. He was as slippery as ever.