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"The Third Soul"
Chapter 11: A sweet interlude
Standard Disclaimers Apply.
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Thoughtfully, Saito stared at the retreating back of the Magami Elder till he disappeared from his sight. Sighing, the young man bent his head and nervously ran a hand in his hair.
"Even those without power have a price to pay at the end for their gifts. Yours will be great but it only depends on you to keep my grand-daughter at your side forever."
Keep her at my side?
The door he was leaning on slowly opened and Saito turned around to face her. His wife.
"Whom were you talking to ?" Tokio asked, a towel on the head, drying her hair. Strands of hair were falling on her shoulders. She was only wearing a yukata as the night, after the rain was warm. Her eyes were puffy and red: she had been crying in her bath. Saito frowned at her puffy eyes, without saying a word he stared at her. Blushing, Tokio held up a hand to touch her swollen eyes and sputtered: "Ano… This is the first time in my life I've cried that much."
Saito stared at her for a few minutes more, not saying anything yet. But his mind was running miles away: liar. He thought. You already have. But Saito kept silent , never taking his gaze off her face. Finally he broke eye contact before turning back and walking to the inn. "Let's get back inside."
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Saito led Tokio upstairs, gritting his teeth, the man didn't want to let her know his wound still pained him. The almost hour they had spent in the rain, sitting under the Sakura tree wasn't exactly the best medicine ever. Just as Tokio was about to climb up the flight of stairs, right behind Saito, one of Kagome's maids called Tokio, holding two food trays. The Miburo threw a glance above his shoulder and seeing only a kitchen girl, he went on, to his bedroom.
"Here" Saito heard the girl say. "Kagome-san asked me to give you this." Okita was leaning against the wall, opposite to Saito's bedroom door. Without a word, the youngest threw a new bandage roll and pushed himself off the wall, disappearing in the corridor. Saito studied the younger man's back: it was stiff and when giving Saito his roll, he hadn't loosened his teeth for a little bit. Why was he angry now? Saito shrugged, stepping in his room. I bet, Kamuro put him in his right place.
Tokio thanked the girl and went up, holding the trays carefully. Saito was waiting at the door, inside the room. He closed the door behind her as she set the trays down.
A familiar feeling floated in the air. Tokio looked around before setting her sight on Saito, asking him silently who had been there. Saito sighed and sat carefully leaning on the wall in front of her, holding his right side. Concerned, Tokio approached him on her knees. She took the bandage from his hand as he removed his yukata.
Focused on his wound, Tokio didn't even notice that she had to hug him to wrap the bandage around his ribs, but he did. Her dark head bent over him, a little frown of concentration, her mouth tight, the teasing touch of her hair on his skin like a butterfly touch, her warm hands on his wounds…
Where did I lose it? Saito thought. Where? When I first looked in her eyes? How can she hold so much importance in my life, now? I barely know her for a couple of days…, which reminds me…
Saito broke the silence:
"I didn't remain all the time at your side." He stated. Tokio looked up, a bit startled by his question.
"What?" She stopped her work, not understanding what he meant.
"Kamuro-sama asked us to remain always together for the first two days." He explained.
Tokio titled her head on her side: "I guess, since the link has gone stronger, that we needn't two days." She resumed her working. "Some people need more time, while others less. Two days is the usual standard."
"Because linking two people souls is usual." He answered, ironic, making Tokio smile.
"There, she said, I'm finished." She patted his arm slightly, gently. The moon behind her shone down on her, making her hair glow in a silver light. As usual, the wind blew around her, making a little of her hair caress his chest. She was looking up at him, smiling.
Maybe it was because he kept on staring at her without saying anything or it surely was because, on her own, she suddenly realized how close they were sitting and how half naked he was, the two of them alone with only the moonlight to light up the room, that a sudden blush made up its way to her cheeks.
Embarrassed, she hastily looked elsewhere and stood up. He followed her very movements with his steady eyes: why was he feeling disappointment when she had turned her head so abruptly? Was he expecting something else?
Tokio settled herself in front of him: she placed one of the tray in front of him and took one for her, as Saito put his yukata back.
Again, the feeling of someone close to her who had been sitting in this room teased her nerves.
"Who came?" Saito looked up from his food and studied her: hands settled in her lap, long hair falling around her glowing in the moonlight, pale skin and rosy lips, her eyes were calm but he could also see a hint of sadness, hidden in her deep black pools. She was waiting for his answer. He took a sip of his tea and answered:
"Kamuro."
"Why did he come?"
Saito remained silent. Should he or not tell her about Kamuro and his late wife? Should he be the one who explain this to her? On why did Muraki choose her 7 years ago?
"Why won't you tell me?"
"I'm not the one who should tell you this. This is not my secret but his."
Tokio looked at him, lost. She then dropped her gaze to her meal but she wasn't hungry at all. The vision Muraki had sent her still bothered her, even though Saito protected her from the usual feeling of despair and loss when he had cut the link before Muraki could actually made her feel his joy, she still felt responsible for the man death. But she only felt responsible. At this realization, Tokio stopped her musings to concentrate on this odd feeling only. When did she start of being so heartless? Three girls and a man were dead because of her!
Maybe she had taken more than Saito's protection… Then, if she had taken this from him, what had he taken from her? She wondered.
He was eating his meal in silence. Lost in his thoughts, he never actually realized what he was eating, but it was warm and the taste pleased him. That was enough to satisfy him and so his mind wandered elsewhere. To her.
Why was he so attached to that girl? What in her made her so special in his eyes? But what intrigued him more was if what he was feeling was because of him or because of the link?
His bowl was empty and his stomach full. He put it back in the tray and looked up at the girl. She had remained extremely still and that was weird, now that he thought about it.
Tokio hadn't touched her food. Eyes in the vague, she simply sat there, unmoving, frozen in her portion of time.
"Tokio."
His voice pulled her out of her musings. She went back in focus and looked at him.
"What?" Her voice was dull but steady. Her reflections on herself had led her to something she didn't quite like: she was heartless. The word played in her mind, accusing her, surrounding her… heartless, heartless, heartless…
"What's wrong?" Saito looked at her with guarded eyes: she was strange since she had stepped out of the bathroom. A man had been killed tonight, and oddly enough she hadn't actually reacted to it.
She looked at him. "Why do you ask? It's not as if you care." With this, she stood up and walked to the door. But he reached her first: he grabbed her from behind and took her left wrist in his one of his hands while the other encircled her tiny waist and being so, crushed her back against his chest.
"Now." He snarled in her ear, "What's the matter with you?"
She struggled against him but he remained still. He gritted his teeth when her elbow hit him in his injured side but he couldn't stop a moan of pain escaped his lips.
Hearing him moan in pain froze her. Indeed what was wrong with her? Leaning in Saito's embrace, Tokio detached herself from her body, analyzing her feelings and soul. What she found out scared her to death.
Suddenly, Tokio froze in his embrace. Now what? He thought dryly. Still in pain, and rather glad that she had stopped fighting him, Saito put his cheek against hers. He sighed, just content on having her in his arms. A little voice in his head stated rather dryly how soft he had become with that girl at his side.
"Help me…" the little voice sounded so in pain that it surprised him no tears were running down her face.
"Tell me how." He whispered.
"He's taking my soul over…" she whispered as quietly. "I don't know how much time I'll be able to stand up before him." Her voice was so weak and pained that it reminded him of the little girl's voice when he had promised to never leave her side.
So, Muraki is having the upper hand. Finally, the deaths of her father and Guardian wore her a final blow… He's trying to control her soul.
Saito sighed again and led her to her meal. He made her sit and settled himself behind her, legs on each side of her, leaning on the wall behind. She put her forehead in the hollow of his shoulder, seeking his warmth: she was shivering but not from the cold of the night, but from the one she felt in her soul. Not a word had been spoken.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Saito reached out for her bowl and gave it to her. She took it from his hands and looked up in his eyes as he said:
"We'll resist together, but I need you to stay alive for that."
Putting her head back against his neck, she nodded and said:
"Then, itadakimasu."
:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;
After that Saito had forced Tokio to drink her tea, and that she had taken the tray downstairs while he was changing, the two of them settled in the sleeping futon, under the window. Saito was lying on his back while Tokio was leaning against him, her head in the hollow of his shoulder, one of her hand on his chest. She likes to put her head there… Saito thought, a bit amused. His hand was playing with her long hair: she had attached them in a loose braid, but Saito, without a word had freed the hair.
"What happened?" he quietly asked.
"I think he caught me. But you were there, as you promised." She whispered against his neck. She snuggled closer to him as the wind blew on them lightly.
"Hum…" was all he could say. Maybe that could happen again, he thought, I have to find that bloody bastard really soon or I'll lose her.
"Say, what…what about the man…" She took a deep breath. "The man we saw."
"Okita is on patrol tonight, he'll tell us tomorrow." He squeezed her gently.
A flip caught his eyes: at the window still a great black bird landed. Tokio extended a hand to it and the bird shook his head in denial as if it refused her offer of comfort.
"It's Toya." She whispered to Saito. "He's in pain… He thinks he's not ready to be the Head Clan…" Her soft face saddened in the moonlight. Slowly, she kneeled in the bed and opened her arms to the bird. Again, it cried out and refused. Defeated and hurt, she dropped her arms and said to the bird:
"Onii-chan, gomen nasai." The bird flew further in the room and landed next to the futon. "But, remember your own words: if you let Fright govern your heart, you'll fall into the endless night of madness. You have to be strong to let hope and your inner strength enlighten your future. That's what you told me. Onii-chan…" her voice trailed off, tears coming to her eyes.
And the bird that was her brother took it flight again and came closer to his sister. It rubbed its head against her cheek and with a last cry, flew out of the window and disappeared in the night.
Tokio watched it go away and fell on Saito. The latter groaned at her sudden move, making her giggle. She moved again and settled herself back in her previous position, before her brother arrival. Saito looked down at her and brushed a hand across her cheek.
She took his hand in hers and said "Don' t worry, I'm done crying now. I have enough of this for the next ten years." She giggled a little and he actually smiled gently to her. A tear made its way down her cheek but he swept it away. And if she didn't notice it, it won't be he who will tell her. Saito decided, still smiling.
He put her head in the hollow of his shoulder and played once more in her hair. She started humming under her breath the song she had sang in the afternoon and this lulled Saito to sleep.
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The feeling of the sun on his face woke him up. Saito groaned in the bright light and cracked an eye open. The sun was still low on the horizon and no sound could be heard from the house. Everyone was still asleep. Saito had always been a early riser because this moment of peace and silence was his favorite moment of the day, when nobody could trouble him, when nothing could touch him. Something warm, pressed against his side groaned in disapproval when he moved to rest on his uninjured side: Tokio. Saito was now facing her, leaning on his left elbow, he studied her: her hair was shielding her from the light, falling on her face. But some hair was pestering her nose, making it itch in the most uncomfortable way. She raised a finger and rubbed her nose, trying to relieve the itch. Saito pushed her hair aside. The sunlight hit her in the face making her frown, she opened her eyes and blinked several times before remembering where she was. She looked up at him, drowsily, and a smile played on her lips.
"Ohayo." she whispered. He nodded to her and she moved closer to him, rubbing her nose against his neck. He put an arm behind her back to support her and the two fell back on the futon.
They waited until the first noises to get up. Nothing had been said but Tokio had hummed the same song for him, while he had played in her hair. He headed to the bathroom while Tokio dressed up for the day. A light purple kimono with pink flowers and a purple obi, she was combing her hair. This was how Saito found her when he walked back in their room. She smiled to him and while she tied up her hair in a high ponytail with her red string, she asked him:
"Have you change your bandage? Do you want me to do it?"
A wife. My wife. How strange… It feels natural to see her wake up, get dress, inquiring after my wounds…
"Hajime? You okay?" Tokio asked. She waved her hand in front of his face: he had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't realized she had walked closer to him. Startled, the man shook his head:
"Aa, it's alright, I've already changed it."
They exited the room and went downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs, they met Kagome-san, holding plenty of food trays.
"Ohayo, Kagome-san!" Tokio greeted cheerfully. She had taken a great like of the elder woman: she felt like having a aunt.
"Ah, ohayo, Tokio-chan, Saito-san." Kagome answered, smiling. The girl seemed to be much better than the night before. Good.
Saito merely nodded to Kagome while Tokio asked her: "Do you need some help, Kagome-san? I'd like to help you!"
Kagome threw a glance at Saito but the man, behind his wife, nodded again, and turned to the corner restricted to the Captains of the ShisenGumi Squads. Brr… That man's scary! Kagome thought, following him with her eyes. She turned her eyes back to the Miburo' s wife. How come a sweet girl like her can be married to him? The little girl was still smiling, expectant. Kagome sighed and let herself be contaminated by the girl cheerfulness.
"Alright, Tokio-chan, go to the kitchen and tell Arashi-chan you'll help her today."
"HAI!" Tokio ran to the kitchen, while Kagome shook her head at her behavior.
Arashi was more than happy to have some help. She gave Tokio 3 trays and took 3 for herself. The girls, then, headed to the restaurant and were chatting happily. Arashi led Tokio to the Captains corner as the girl put it and opened the panel. As Tokio stepped in, a heavy silence fell on the room. Uncomfortable, Tokio greeted the Captains while they all studied her. Okita waved discretely at her and she managed to smile at him. Even Arashi was feeling awkward. Harada grinned at the girls. Arashi kneeled to place the trays in front of the men and Tokio followed her, trying to copy at best her friend movements, but she couldn't help shivering under the heavy gazes she was receiving.
She sent a mental plea at Saito, but she only felt his amusement back. She felt her anger rising at the damn man and he took a sip from his tea cup to hide his smile. "So, you are Saito's woman, ne? You look sane, though." Tokio, outraged, turned to the man she had been placing a tray in front of. He was grinning madly at her. Tokio was about to sent a tea cup in the man's face when Saito's chuckle stopped her. Still kneeling, she turned around to look at him.
"Sane enough for me, yes. But, tell me Shimada, aren't you still single?" A feral smile on his lips, Saito looked defiantly at the other man.
This time, Okita laughed and Harada grinned madly at Tokio while the man, Shimada, sputtered about the amount of work or whatever. Tokio stood up, smiling and blushing. Arashi on the heels, the girls left the room to bring the rest of the trays. They laughed on their way back to the kitchen and Arashi teased Tokio all the way back.
Saito waited until the chatter in the Captains room began again. He was sitting next to Okita and Harada, accordingly to his place as the Captain of the Third Squad of the ShisenGumi. Kondo wasn't far from them.
"Say, haven't you found one of our men dead, last night?" he asked Okita.
"No. I don't think so." The younger man answered thoughtfully.
"Muraki took one of our men, last night." Saito waited a moment to let the information set in when Harada said:
"This means he can take one of the ShisenGumi looks."
The men fell silent for a moment and thought of the possible consequences of Muraki's new move. Saito broke the silence asking Okita and Harada: "What did Kamuro tell you last night?"
"To watch our own businesses." Harada bitterly answered. He was still mad at the Elder order. First he had been left behind to the Temple battle and now that!
"He forbid me and Harada to help you until midnight tonight. In fact, he told us to avoid Tokio-chan as much as possible until midnight. He said her life depended on." Okita said, completing his friend explanation.
So that's why he was mad last night, Saito thought.
"I don't see how, though." Harada almost pouted. Saito rolled his eyes at his behavior, murmuring "moron" under his breath. He couldn't insult one of the Captains in front of Kondo, after all.
"You'd better obey. Kamuro Magami isn't a man to set without thinking." Kondo stated, he glared at Harada for his foolish behavior until the young man bent his head and nodded.
Tokio and Arashi came back at this very moment and Saito watched her: if Kamuro had forbidden Okita and Harada to be around her until tonight, then it's to protect her from the sight of Muraki killing one of them in front of her. Tonight, Muraki will come out for my head… Saito smiled. At last, he's getting out of his lair. To take a so forward move… maybe he realizes that I can break his control over her. It's only a matter of time for that. He must feel cornered… The best part of a hunt…
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Hey! One chapter to go!! And it's over!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whaou! I can't believe I actually went that far!! Well, minna-san, this all thanks to you! Hey, there's a side-story planned for this fic. Just an idea that blurted out last night… Hehehehhehhehehehehe I may even write a sequel… Or maybe no… well, we'll see! I'd like to put Kenshin, Kaoru and the others in the sequel, but I don't have a clear idea of it yet… Anyway, I have to finish this one first! Thanks again for reviewing!
hey, Blacksakura, I hope I didn't make you wait too long! Gomen for last time [I mean for the huge gap between chapter 7 and 8. I had a writer block! But, everything settled now!] * grin * . BTW I tried to mail you to thank you, but your mail's box full!
Ketsuki: I hope you found my explanations about the names clear… If not, then, I'm sorry… Maybe I should put this fic under the crossover section as you put it… Oh, well, we'll see! I hope you liked the kissing scene… ^_^ I'm thinking of rewriting it, but not now, maybe later when I'll have a little more experience on writing;;; yes, this is my first fic!
Sher: Thank you!! Your reviews helped me a lot!!!!!!
And the others: Swordskill, Hajime, RM, Nekonomiko, Sabacat, J.Liha, JK, Mara and Lys003. THANK YOU A LOT!!!!!
I may be wrong, but I think Tomoe was holding 3 trays when helping at the inn, no?
Itadakimasu: I think this means "enjoy your meal" or something like that. Anyway, it's said before starting eating.
Stay tuned for the last part!!
mikim
"The Third Soul"
Chapter 11: A sweet interlude
Standard Disclaimers Apply.
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Thoughtfully, Saito stared at the retreating back of the Magami Elder till he disappeared from his sight. Sighing, the young man bent his head and nervously ran a hand in his hair.
"Even those without power have a price to pay at the end for their gifts. Yours will be great but it only depends on you to keep my grand-daughter at your side forever."
Keep her at my side?
The door he was leaning on slowly opened and Saito turned around to face her. His wife.
"Whom were you talking to ?" Tokio asked, a towel on the head, drying her hair. Strands of hair were falling on her shoulders. She was only wearing a yukata as the night, after the rain was warm. Her eyes were puffy and red: she had been crying in her bath. Saito frowned at her puffy eyes, without saying a word he stared at her. Blushing, Tokio held up a hand to touch her swollen eyes and sputtered: "Ano… This is the first time in my life I've cried that much."
Saito stared at her for a few minutes more, not saying anything yet. But his mind was running miles away: liar. He thought. You already have. But Saito kept silent , never taking his gaze off her face. Finally he broke eye contact before turning back and walking to the inn. "Let's get back inside."
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Saito led Tokio upstairs, gritting his teeth, the man didn't want to let her know his wound still pained him. The almost hour they had spent in the rain, sitting under the Sakura tree wasn't exactly the best medicine ever. Just as Tokio was about to climb up the flight of stairs, right behind Saito, one of Kagome's maids called Tokio, holding two food trays. The Miburo threw a glance above his shoulder and seeing only a kitchen girl, he went on, to his bedroom.
"Here" Saito heard the girl say. "Kagome-san asked me to give you this." Okita was leaning against the wall, opposite to Saito's bedroom door. Without a word, the youngest threw a new bandage roll and pushed himself off the wall, disappearing in the corridor. Saito studied the younger man's back: it was stiff and when giving Saito his roll, he hadn't loosened his teeth for a little bit. Why was he angry now? Saito shrugged, stepping in his room. I bet, Kamuro put him in his right place.
Tokio thanked the girl and went up, holding the trays carefully. Saito was waiting at the door, inside the room. He closed the door behind her as she set the trays down.
A familiar feeling floated in the air. Tokio looked around before setting her sight on Saito, asking him silently who had been there. Saito sighed and sat carefully leaning on the wall in front of her, holding his right side. Concerned, Tokio approached him on her knees. She took the bandage from his hand as he removed his yukata.
Focused on his wound, Tokio didn't even notice that she had to hug him to wrap the bandage around his ribs, but he did. Her dark head bent over him, a little frown of concentration, her mouth tight, the teasing touch of her hair on his skin like a butterfly touch, her warm hands on his wounds…
Where did I lose it? Saito thought. Where? When I first looked in her eyes? How can she hold so much importance in my life, now? I barely know her for a couple of days…, which reminds me…
Saito broke the silence:
"I didn't remain all the time at your side." He stated. Tokio looked up, a bit startled by his question.
"What?" She stopped her work, not understanding what he meant.
"Kamuro-sama asked us to remain always together for the first two days." He explained.
Tokio titled her head on her side: "I guess, since the link has gone stronger, that we needn't two days." She resumed her working. "Some people need more time, while others less. Two days is the usual standard."
"Because linking two people souls is usual." He answered, ironic, making Tokio smile.
"There, she said, I'm finished." She patted his arm slightly, gently. The moon behind her shone down on her, making her hair glow in a silver light. As usual, the wind blew around her, making a little of her hair caress his chest. She was looking up at him, smiling.
Maybe it was because he kept on staring at her without saying anything or it surely was because, on her own, she suddenly realized how close they were sitting and how half naked he was, the two of them alone with only the moonlight to light up the room, that a sudden blush made up its way to her cheeks.
Embarrassed, she hastily looked elsewhere and stood up. He followed her very movements with his steady eyes: why was he feeling disappointment when she had turned her head so abruptly? Was he expecting something else?
Tokio settled herself in front of him: she placed one of the tray in front of him and took one for her, as Saito put his yukata back.
Again, the feeling of someone close to her who had been sitting in this room teased her nerves.
"Who came?" Saito looked up from his food and studied her: hands settled in her lap, long hair falling around her glowing in the moonlight, pale skin and rosy lips, her eyes were calm but he could also see a hint of sadness, hidden in her deep black pools. She was waiting for his answer. He took a sip of his tea and answered:
"Kamuro."
"Why did he come?"
Saito remained silent. Should he or not tell her about Kamuro and his late wife? Should he be the one who explain this to her? On why did Muraki choose her 7 years ago?
"Why won't you tell me?"
"I'm not the one who should tell you this. This is not my secret but his."
Tokio looked at him, lost. She then dropped her gaze to her meal but she wasn't hungry at all. The vision Muraki had sent her still bothered her, even though Saito protected her from the usual feeling of despair and loss when he had cut the link before Muraki could actually made her feel his joy, she still felt responsible for the man death. But she only felt responsible. At this realization, Tokio stopped her musings to concentrate on this odd feeling only. When did she start of being so heartless? Three girls and a man were dead because of her!
Maybe she had taken more than Saito's protection… Then, if she had taken this from him, what had he taken from her? She wondered.
He was eating his meal in silence. Lost in his thoughts, he never actually realized what he was eating, but it was warm and the taste pleased him. That was enough to satisfy him and so his mind wandered elsewhere. To her.
Why was he so attached to that girl? What in her made her so special in his eyes? But what intrigued him more was if what he was feeling was because of him or because of the link?
His bowl was empty and his stomach full. He put it back in the tray and looked up at the girl. She had remained extremely still and that was weird, now that he thought about it.
Tokio hadn't touched her food. Eyes in the vague, she simply sat there, unmoving, frozen in her portion of time.
"Tokio."
His voice pulled her out of her musings. She went back in focus and looked at him.
"What?" Her voice was dull but steady. Her reflections on herself had led her to something she didn't quite like: she was heartless. The word played in her mind, accusing her, surrounding her… heartless, heartless, heartless…
"What's wrong?" Saito looked at her with guarded eyes: she was strange since she had stepped out of the bathroom. A man had been killed tonight, and oddly enough she hadn't actually reacted to it.
She looked at him. "Why do you ask? It's not as if you care." With this, she stood up and walked to the door. But he reached her first: he grabbed her from behind and took her left wrist in his one of his hands while the other encircled her tiny waist and being so, crushed her back against his chest.
"Now." He snarled in her ear, "What's the matter with you?"
She struggled against him but he remained still. He gritted his teeth when her elbow hit him in his injured side but he couldn't stop a moan of pain escaped his lips.
Hearing him moan in pain froze her. Indeed what was wrong with her? Leaning in Saito's embrace, Tokio detached herself from her body, analyzing her feelings and soul. What she found out scared her to death.
Suddenly, Tokio froze in his embrace. Now what? He thought dryly. Still in pain, and rather glad that she had stopped fighting him, Saito put his cheek against hers. He sighed, just content on having her in his arms. A little voice in his head stated rather dryly how soft he had become with that girl at his side.
"Help me…" the little voice sounded so in pain that it surprised him no tears were running down her face.
"Tell me how." He whispered.
"He's taking my soul over…" she whispered as quietly. "I don't know how much time I'll be able to stand up before him." Her voice was so weak and pained that it reminded him of the little girl's voice when he had promised to never leave her side.
So, Muraki is having the upper hand. Finally, the deaths of her father and Guardian wore her a final blow… He's trying to control her soul.
Saito sighed again and led her to her meal. He made her sit and settled himself behind her, legs on each side of her, leaning on the wall behind. She put her forehead in the hollow of his shoulder, seeking his warmth: she was shivering but not from the cold of the night, but from the one she felt in her soul. Not a word had been spoken.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Saito reached out for her bowl and gave it to her. She took it from his hands and looked up in his eyes as he said:
"We'll resist together, but I need you to stay alive for that."
Putting her head back against his neck, she nodded and said:
"Then, itadakimasu."
:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;:;
After that Saito had forced Tokio to drink her tea, and that she had taken the tray downstairs while he was changing, the two of them settled in the sleeping futon, under the window. Saito was lying on his back while Tokio was leaning against him, her head in the hollow of his shoulder, one of her hand on his chest. She likes to put her head there… Saito thought, a bit amused. His hand was playing with her long hair: she had attached them in a loose braid, but Saito, without a word had freed the hair.
"What happened?" he quietly asked.
"I think he caught me. But you were there, as you promised." She whispered against his neck. She snuggled closer to him as the wind blew on them lightly.
"Hum…" was all he could say. Maybe that could happen again, he thought, I have to find that bloody bastard really soon or I'll lose her.
"Say, what…what about the man…" She took a deep breath. "The man we saw."
"Okita is on patrol tonight, he'll tell us tomorrow." He squeezed her gently.
A flip caught his eyes: at the window still a great black bird landed. Tokio extended a hand to it and the bird shook his head in denial as if it refused her offer of comfort.
"It's Toya." She whispered to Saito. "He's in pain… He thinks he's not ready to be the Head Clan…" Her soft face saddened in the moonlight. Slowly, she kneeled in the bed and opened her arms to the bird. Again, it cried out and refused. Defeated and hurt, she dropped her arms and said to the bird:
"Onii-chan, gomen nasai." The bird flew further in the room and landed next to the futon. "But, remember your own words: if you let Fright govern your heart, you'll fall into the endless night of madness. You have to be strong to let hope and your inner strength enlighten your future. That's what you told me. Onii-chan…" her voice trailed off, tears coming to her eyes.
And the bird that was her brother took it flight again and came closer to his sister. It rubbed its head against her cheek and with a last cry, flew out of the window and disappeared in the night.
Tokio watched it go away and fell on Saito. The latter groaned at her sudden move, making her giggle. She moved again and settled herself back in her previous position, before her brother arrival. Saito looked down at her and brushed a hand across her cheek.
She took his hand in hers and said "Don' t worry, I'm done crying now. I have enough of this for the next ten years." She giggled a little and he actually smiled gently to her. A tear made its way down her cheek but he swept it away. And if she didn't notice it, it won't be he who will tell her. Saito decided, still smiling.
He put her head in the hollow of his shoulder and played once more in her hair. She started humming under her breath the song she had sang in the afternoon and this lulled Saito to sleep.
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The feeling of the sun on his face woke him up. Saito groaned in the bright light and cracked an eye open. The sun was still low on the horizon and no sound could be heard from the house. Everyone was still asleep. Saito had always been a early riser because this moment of peace and silence was his favorite moment of the day, when nobody could trouble him, when nothing could touch him. Something warm, pressed against his side groaned in disapproval when he moved to rest on his uninjured side: Tokio. Saito was now facing her, leaning on his left elbow, he studied her: her hair was shielding her from the light, falling on her face. But some hair was pestering her nose, making it itch in the most uncomfortable way. She raised a finger and rubbed her nose, trying to relieve the itch. Saito pushed her hair aside. The sunlight hit her in the face making her frown, she opened her eyes and blinked several times before remembering where she was. She looked up at him, drowsily, and a smile played on her lips.
"Ohayo." she whispered. He nodded to her and she moved closer to him, rubbing her nose against his neck. He put an arm behind her back to support her and the two fell back on the futon.
They waited until the first noises to get up. Nothing had been said but Tokio had hummed the same song for him, while he had played in her hair. He headed to the bathroom while Tokio dressed up for the day. A light purple kimono with pink flowers and a purple obi, she was combing her hair. This was how Saito found her when he walked back in their room. She smiled to him and while she tied up her hair in a high ponytail with her red string, she asked him:
"Have you change your bandage? Do you want me to do it?"
A wife. My wife. How strange… It feels natural to see her wake up, get dress, inquiring after my wounds…
"Hajime? You okay?" Tokio asked. She waved her hand in front of his face: he had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't realized she had walked closer to him. Startled, the man shook his head:
"Aa, it's alright, I've already changed it."
They exited the room and went downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs, they met Kagome-san, holding plenty of food trays.
"Ohayo, Kagome-san!" Tokio greeted cheerfully. She had taken a great like of the elder woman: she felt like having a aunt.
"Ah, ohayo, Tokio-chan, Saito-san." Kagome answered, smiling. The girl seemed to be much better than the night before. Good.
Saito merely nodded to Kagome while Tokio asked her: "Do you need some help, Kagome-san? I'd like to help you!"
Kagome threw a glance at Saito but the man, behind his wife, nodded again, and turned to the corner restricted to the Captains of the ShisenGumi Squads. Brr… That man's scary! Kagome thought, following him with her eyes. She turned her eyes back to the Miburo' s wife. How come a sweet girl like her can be married to him? The little girl was still smiling, expectant. Kagome sighed and let herself be contaminated by the girl cheerfulness.
"Alright, Tokio-chan, go to the kitchen and tell Arashi-chan you'll help her today."
"HAI!" Tokio ran to the kitchen, while Kagome shook her head at her behavior.
Arashi was more than happy to have some help. She gave Tokio 3 trays and took 3 for herself. The girls, then, headed to the restaurant and were chatting happily. Arashi led Tokio to the Captains corner as the girl put it and opened the panel. As Tokio stepped in, a heavy silence fell on the room. Uncomfortable, Tokio greeted the Captains while they all studied her. Okita waved discretely at her and she managed to smile at him. Even Arashi was feeling awkward. Harada grinned at the girls. Arashi kneeled to place the trays in front of the men and Tokio followed her, trying to copy at best her friend movements, but she couldn't help shivering under the heavy gazes she was receiving.
She sent a mental plea at Saito, but she only felt his amusement back. She felt her anger rising at the damn man and he took a sip from his tea cup to hide his smile. "So, you are Saito's woman, ne? You look sane, though." Tokio, outraged, turned to the man she had been placing a tray in front of. He was grinning madly at her. Tokio was about to sent a tea cup in the man's face when Saito's chuckle stopped her. Still kneeling, she turned around to look at him.
"Sane enough for me, yes. But, tell me Shimada, aren't you still single?" A feral smile on his lips, Saito looked defiantly at the other man.
This time, Okita laughed and Harada grinned madly at Tokio while the man, Shimada, sputtered about the amount of work or whatever. Tokio stood up, smiling and blushing. Arashi on the heels, the girls left the room to bring the rest of the trays. They laughed on their way back to the kitchen and Arashi teased Tokio all the way back.
Saito waited until the chatter in the Captains room began again. He was sitting next to Okita and Harada, accordingly to his place as the Captain of the Third Squad of the ShisenGumi. Kondo wasn't far from them.
"Say, haven't you found one of our men dead, last night?" he asked Okita.
"No. I don't think so." The younger man answered thoughtfully.
"Muraki took one of our men, last night." Saito waited a moment to let the information set in when Harada said:
"This means he can take one of the ShisenGumi looks."
The men fell silent for a moment and thought of the possible consequences of Muraki's new move. Saito broke the silence asking Okita and Harada: "What did Kamuro tell you last night?"
"To watch our own businesses." Harada bitterly answered. He was still mad at the Elder order. First he had been left behind to the Temple battle and now that!
"He forbid me and Harada to help you until midnight tonight. In fact, he told us to avoid Tokio-chan as much as possible until midnight. He said her life depended on." Okita said, completing his friend explanation.
So that's why he was mad last night, Saito thought.
"I don't see how, though." Harada almost pouted. Saito rolled his eyes at his behavior, murmuring "moron" under his breath. He couldn't insult one of the Captains in front of Kondo, after all.
"You'd better obey. Kamuro Magami isn't a man to set without thinking." Kondo stated, he glared at Harada for his foolish behavior until the young man bent his head and nodded.
Tokio and Arashi came back at this very moment and Saito watched her: if Kamuro had forbidden Okita and Harada to be around her until tonight, then it's to protect her from the sight of Muraki killing one of them in front of her. Tonight, Muraki will come out for my head… Saito smiled. At last, he's getting out of his lair. To take a so forward move… maybe he realizes that I can break his control over her. It's only a matter of time for that. He must feel cornered… The best part of a hunt…
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Hey! One chapter to go!! And it's over!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whaou! I can't believe I actually went that far!! Well, minna-san, this all thanks to you! Hey, there's a side-story planned for this fic. Just an idea that blurted out last night… Hehehehhehhehehehehe I may even write a sequel… Or maybe no… well, we'll see! I'd like to put Kenshin, Kaoru and the others in the sequel, but I don't have a clear idea of it yet… Anyway, I have to finish this one first! Thanks again for reviewing!
hey, Blacksakura, I hope I didn't make you wait too long! Gomen for last time [I mean for the huge gap between chapter 7 and 8. I had a writer block! But, everything settled now!] * grin * . BTW I tried to mail you to thank you, but your mail's box full!
Ketsuki: I hope you found my explanations about the names clear… If not, then, I'm sorry… Maybe I should put this fic under the crossover section as you put it… Oh, well, we'll see! I hope you liked the kissing scene… ^_^ I'm thinking of rewriting it, but not now, maybe later when I'll have a little more experience on writing;;; yes, this is my first fic!
Sher: Thank you!! Your reviews helped me a lot!!!!!!
And the others: Swordskill, Hajime, RM, Nekonomiko, Sabacat, J.Liha, JK, Mara and Lys003. THANK YOU A LOT!!!!!
I may be wrong, but I think Tomoe was holding 3 trays when helping at the inn, no?
Itadakimasu: I think this means "enjoy your meal" or something like that. Anyway, it's said before starting eating.
Stay tuned for the last part!!
mikim