Disclaimers: Rurouni Kenshin doesn't belong to me. Belongs to Watsuki-sama, Jump, Sony, etc. I'm a poor high school student so suing me won't get you much. %

A/N: Here's Chapter 1! I don't really know the exact details of how Saitoh and Tokio actually met, so the dates and stuff might be wrong. Oh well. Gomen nasai history! I guess this is my interpretation on how they first met. *shrugs* The rest of the story takes place in about the time of the OAV, so that's about 1863/1864ish.  Well aku, soku, zan!! ^^

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Wolf's Tears Flowing into Rushing Waters

By: fUsHiChOu

~Chapter 1~

At First Sight

August 1863…

Saitoh sat in the restarant, quietly sipping his sake. People were peering at him, it was odd to see an honorable member of the Shinsengumi drinking sake this late at night. Of course it wasn't odd for Saitoh. Sake was the only thing keeping him awake during these late-night patrols.

He scanned the restaurant, checking if there were any annoying drunks to get rid of. To his surprise, no one was totally drunk yet. "Well, one less job for me to do tonight," He smirked as he finished his drink, "Che, better get to work."

Saitoh left the restaurant and continued his late-night patrol around the streets. The streets were empty and barren. Well they seemed barren. He knew there were Ishin sneaking around, plotting their next plan, trying to overthrow the Shogun. Well, Saitoh wasn't in the mood for hunting Ishin this night. It was unusually cold for a late summer night.

Saitoh felt something was wrong. Of course there was always something wrong was happening in Kyoto's streets, people dying everyday, its citizens waking up to see a dead body lying in front of their house every morning. That was just the way life was, especially during these times.

Then he sensed an odd noise coming from nearby. It sounded as if someone was running around, following him. Saitoh turned around and gripped his hand upon the handle of his katana. His eyes peered through the eternal darkness and suddenly stopped on a beam of light, or what he thought was one. His eyes widened at the young woman running towards him. It looked like she was running from someone. It looked like she was running for her life.

Behind the woman, Saitoh saw a ghostly figure hidden beneath the shadows, ready to take its prey. "An assassin? Could it be an Ishin? Why would they try to kill an innocent woman like her?" His eyes filled with rage, someone was trying to extinguish this innocent beam of light. Somehow he felt like he wanted to protect this nameless woman. It was his job to protect the people of Kyoto, but for once, his whole body wanted to freely give its life away to save this beautiful, unknown stranger. He readied his sword, and ran towards the woman.

The shadow steadily caught up to the woman, and drew a pair of sais that glistened in the moon's light. The woman saw the deadly weapon, and grew even more frightened. Her adrenalin started to pump at tremendous speed. She ran even faster, not caring where she was going. All she wanted was to be awaken from this dreadful nightmare.

With the dark night encompassing her, she lost sight of the streets ahead of her. She stumbled on a stray rock, hidden from her sight. She woozily lifted her head and saw the shadow surrounding her.

Her eyes widened with fear, she wanted to scream, but terror numbed her every being. Immediately, she collected herself and surmounted her fears, not wanting to be succumbed into the terror of death. She unsheathed a tanto knife that was carefully concealed within the fabric of her kimono. Her eyes gleamed with unyielding courage as she held the knife up in defense. She wanted to fight. She needed to fight, for her life.

Saitoh was surprised at this, and ran closer to the scene. "Why would a woman like her carry a weapon around?" Yet, her courage fascinated him. He didn't want to interfere in the fight right away. It must have been the courageous passion burning in the woman's eyes, or the fact she was willing to face this enigmatic shadow and risk her life. But something told him she was strong.

The woman stood up with her tanto knife ready. The assassin slashed his sais, but the woman dodged them as they swept pass her neck, barely touching the young flesh.

As she dodged the attack, she took the initiative and tried to stab her attacker. She successfully stabbed her assailant in the shoulder, but she used up all her strength in the process. Saitoh saw her exhaustion and ran to defend her. Worn-out and weary from running and fighting, the woman almost collapsed into the street. But she felt a pair of arms gently catch her in the air.

With the woman in his arms, Saitoh dashed towards safety and placed the woman softly on the ground, away from danger. He then unsheathed his katana, ready to face this shadow. Saitoh ran back towards the attacker and easily slashed the assailant diagonally across the chest. Blood splattered across Saitoh's face, but he could still see the shadow that wanted to kill this angel. This unknown woman he immediately fell in love with.

"The hell? He's not even an Ishin. Who sent this assassin?" The attacker was from an unknown group, a group Saitoh didn't even know. Then Saitoh shook out the thought, he had better things to worry about. He saw the woman lying on the street, still weary from the fight.

He rushed to where the woman rested and tenderly enveloped her within his arms. Saitoh gently held the woman, afraid to break the delicate porcelain doll he held within his arms. Despite her exhaustion, she stayed conscious, but she was on the brink of fainting.

Even though it was the dark of night, the young woman glowed like an angel, lying in Saitoh's arms. For once in his life, Saitoh was breathless. He couldn't describe why. She was beautiful, but not the beautiful most men think of. He's seen his share of geishas and brothel girls with greater or equal beauty, but then her eyes caught his. Two pairs of bright, auburn stars gleamed underneath her feathery midnight-black hair. Her face was a peaceful summer's night.

Gradually, her strength worn-away, she could not stay conscious any longer. She looked up at Saitoh and smiled. His eyes widened as he grasped his breath. With a soft voice, she murmured, "Arigato gozai…mas..u…" Her eyes relaxed slowly as she fainted into his arms.

The woman was now breathing steadily, and Saitoh held her close to him. He looked at her exhausted face, now restfully sleeping. He wondered who this unknown woman was. He's never seen such beauty in all his life. "Where can such beauty come from? I've never seen her before. Where can I take her?"

He carried her in his arms and walked with nocturnal instinct, looking for any place that could take care of her. Finally, Saitoh found a nearby inn with its lights still glowing` in the darkness.

While entering, he astonished the young innkeeper, still awake in the late night hours. "Please help her Miss," Saitoh pleaded. She looked at Saitoh's uniform, and then at the unconscious woman in his arms. The innkeeper unquestioningly nodded her head in sympathy for the situation. Immediately, she showed them to a room.

Saitoh placed the woman down on the futon and softly laid a blanket upon her tired body. The innkeeper tended to the weary woman while he watched from a distance.

"She's fine. Luckily she didn't get any injuries. She just needs to rest now." She looked intently at Saitoh, "You look tired. You can rest here tonight and watch over her if you want."

Saitoh lifted his head up, "No, that's alright. You can take better care of her than I can. Do I owe you anything?"

The innkeeper smiled, "Of course not. Don't worry, I'll take care of her. With times like these, I'm willing to help as best I can." She noticed the glint in Saitoh's eyes as he stared at the fainted woman before him, "Well, maybe I should leave you two alone."

"Arigato for your help Miss." The innkeeper nodded then walked outside, and slowly closed the shoji door behind her. Now Saitoh and her were alone.

He contemplated for a moment. His part was done. He saved the damsel in distress and saved the day valiantly, like he has ever since he became a Shinsengumi. But somehow he felt guilty. By fate, this angel suddenly appeared in his life, but he doesn't even know who she is or where she's from. How can he ever see her again?

"Che, Kami-sama must be toying with me, using my destiny for his amusement." He slowly closed his eyes in regret then walked outside.

From the shoji door, he gazed at his angel one last time. He allowed one last melancholy sigh to escape from his mouth. Then he slowly slid the door closed. The room's faint light illuminated the darkened hallway. Reluctantly, Saitoh let his hand glide off the door. He turned away and left, knowing somehow his life has changed because of this woman.  Maybe, it has changed for the better.

~To Be Continued…~

A/N: Sooooo. How was it? Sorry if the "she's" and "the woman" annoyed you, but I have a reason for doing that. I tried to have it from Saitoh's POV. You'll see why in the next chapter. *nudge nudge* Saitoh seemed a bit OOC, but I did that coz he had a "love at first sight moment." ^ ^

Well anyways, reviews are appreciated. You might not be expecting the next chapter in awhile because I have finals!!!!!! *

So please be patient with me. Arigato!