Disclaimers: Rurouni Kenshin doesn't belong to me. I'm just a poor high school student, so suing me won't get you much.

A/N: I really don't like this chapter, but I couldn't think of how Tokio and Saitoh would react if they saw each other again. I tried to bring out some issues like the war and women's role and stuff. I guess this is more from Tokio's POV than Saitoh's. Since I'm a girl, it's sorta hard to do a guy perspective on these type of situations, especially if it's a guy like Saitoh. I really didn't know how to write this chapter, I had a bad writer's block. ^^

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Wolf Tears Flowing into Rushing Waters

By: fUsHiChOu

"Hai." Saitoh answered in understanding as the two men approached the garden entrance. Tokio was walking about, basking in the beauty of the simple garden. She turned around and saw Matsudaira Katomori standing beside a familiar face…

~Chapter 3~

"Chou-chan"

Both of their eyes widened in surprise. This strange twist of fate completely astonished them. A myriad of questions arose in both their minds, This can't be happening-but it is. But why? How? It can't be…can it? Is this even possible?

Matsudaira noticed the sudden change in Saitoh's manner, "I told you she was quite the beauty. Well, it be best if I left you two young people alone."

Saitoh grumbled in protest, but Matsudaira pretended not to hear him. "Che, the old man's playing with me. Well I should get this over with. Just another girl they try to set me up with, nothing more …"

Unexpectedly, Tokio made the first move, "It's good to meet you again Hajime-san. An odd twist of fate ne?" She respectfully bowed both out of routine, trying not to make him notice she was tired of bowing to "future husbands".

"Aa. It is good to see you again," Saitoh sarcastically stressed the 'again.' He stared at Tokio's powdered face. Somehow makeup didn't suit her. She was a free spirit trapped in a white mask of expected femininity.

"Why is he so different now? Even though I was practically unconscious, I can still remember his gentleness. Now he just seems like another hard-boiled swordsman…" Tokio looked at Saitoh's hardened face, indifferent, showing no emotion or interest in her whatsoever.

They stood there in silence, unsure of what to say, as if the night before had no impact on either of them. Saitoh searched his pocket and pulled out the pendant. He held it out to Tokio as he replied indifferently, "Here, you can have this back. I don't need it and I have no use for it anyway."

"He doesn't need it? He has no use for it?" Tokio's eyes narrowed in anger, "How can he say such a thing? Doesn't he know the importance of a gift?!?"

Saitoh held out his hand even more, urging her to take this "burden" off his hand. "Just keep it," She said quietly, "It's a gift." Her eyes scanned the ground, afraid to show her hurt eyes to him.

"Don't you want it, 'Chou-chan'?" He swung the butterfly pendant back and forth like a pendulum, enticing her to take it.

"Chou-chan? He's starting to insult me!" Tokio was slowly losing her temper, "Like I said before, it's a gift to show my thanks. Don't you know the importance of a gift?!" Tokio noticed her angry tone as she gritted her teeth.

When she was mad, she was really mad. She didn't want to lose her temper, not yet anyway. "He DID save my life after all," She took a deep breath to calm herself down and took a step closer to Saitoh.

Tokio took the swinging pendant and dropped it on Saitoh's palm. She placed her tiny hands around Saitoh's own. Then she calmly replied, "Please. Just keep it. I know it has no use for you, but…" Tokio slowly put her hand around his and closed them around the pendant, "Please. Do-zou…"

She stepped back, surprised by her actions; but she didn't regret them. Although she was taught to be a demure, modest Japanese girl, she always cared less about social taboos. Somehow his presence made her freer to be herself.

As she was doing this, Saitoh looked away. This was strange to him, a woman he just met suddenly being so close to him. He didn't understand why she was so persistent with this "gift." And she didn't even lose her temper in the process. Most women either get really angry with him or just plain give up and run away. This was a contemplating thought for him.

He shook his head and smirked, "Che. Stubborn girl." Saitoh lazily took the pendant and stuffed it in his pocket. "So what's with this whole butterfly pendant thing anyway?"

Tokio grumbled something under her breath. She really hated being called that name, or any other insulting name for that matter. She snapped back saucily, "Why should I tell you? Like you'd care…" She crossed her arms and pouted as her head was held high.

"Heh. Quite a sassy girl I see. So this is who you really are underneath all that makeup of yours?" Saitoh took out a cigarette and started smoking.

Tokio slumped down on the stone bench, "It doesn't surprise you?" She looked up at him with questioning eyes.

"Should it?" Saitoh blew out a puff of smoke and blatantly stated, "Young girls usually don't wander around Kyoto at night carrying tanto knives. You probably snuck out didn't you? Che." He shook his head, "Typical."

"Wow, you caught me," Tokio exclaimed sarcastically, "Can't a girl drink sake once in awhile?"

"Not if you're the daughter of an Aizu official. You might've died if it wasn't for me."

Tokio immediately stood up in protest, "I can take care of myself! I'm not just another rich man's daughter. I can fight if I wanted to. I can finally end this stupid war."

"End this war? Give me a break." Saitoh rolled his eyes, "Are you sure about that? I doubt your father would be pleased by that."

"Hmph!" Tokio slumped back down on the stone bench. "Well…Tou-san can't shelter me forever. Someday…I'll be free. Just you watch!"

"So that's what this whole 'butterfly' thing is all about Chou-chan? You want to be free like a butterfly?" He imitated a feminine voice in sarcasm. "Well if you want to live in a dream that's your choice, but dreamers usually turn out dead."

"Che, I don't need his lectures. He doesn't even know me. He has no idea what I've gone through." She rested her cheek upon her hand, "Any dream's fine as long as I forget this war. People are dying everyday for their ideals, and I'm stuck, sheltered in Tou-san's house doing nothing to help. What kind of honorable Japanese am I?"

"A normal one. A normal Japanese woman to be more precise," Saitoh quickly stated. "Women never fight no matter how strong they may be. The only thing women like you do is get married to high-ranking samurai, and bear their children. That's the only way you can give 'honor.' It's the only thing you're good for."

Suddenly Tokio was thrown back into reality. She knew all this was true, but she felt she could be different. She didn't want to regret her life like so many women before her, "That's just what men like you say, but I can be different if I try. I don't care about 'honor.' Honor's just an idea created by men who are afraid of strong women. I only make honor for myself, no one else."

"Che, she dreams too much." But Saitoh knew she was right. To him, marrying for honor was just another idiotic tradition no one could escape, not even him, "So how are you going to 'honor' yourself? Fight in the war?" Saitoh chuckled to himself.

"Maybe, hey that might just work…" A light bulb lit on Tokio's head.

Saitoh shook his head, "Don't be foolish, you don't even know how to handle a sword. You'll die on the first day, and your 'Tou-san' won't be there to protect you. Just because you're a woman doesn't mean they'll spare you."

Tokio stood up and smiled at Saitoh. "But there are other ways to help than just fight. Isn't that right Hajime-san?"

"Yes, so what are you planning to do then?" He raised his eyebrow, "Che, the girl's quite the kitsune…"

"That's for me to know. And for you to find out Hajime-san." Tokio gleamed with a cunning look on her face. Just then, Tokio saw Matsudaira standing near the entrance, "Well, I suppose I better go now. It was nice to meet you again Hajime-san." She made a playful curtsy and left.

" Heh. So how was she?" Matsudaira walked up to Saitoh.

"Should I tell you the truth?" Saitoh blew at his bangs.

Matsudaira sighed, "You know, you're not the first man to say that."

"That's not a surprise." Saitoh puffed his cigarette.

Matsudaira continued, "Tokio-chan is different from most girls. Which is why her father's concerned about her finding a husband. I thought, since both you and her are well, different, that maybe-"

Saitoh gave Matsudaira a glare, "What do you mean 'different'?"

Matsudaira sighed, "You can't see it yet? Well, you and her are some of the very few people who don't really care about tradition. I overheard your interesting conversation. You two seem like you practically hate each other, yet both of you share many of the same ideals. Its rather amusing." He took Saitoh's cigarette and took a puff.

Saitoh grinned, "Hoi old man, you're gonna kill yourself. When did you start smoking?"

"Since I started looking after Tokio-chan" Matsudaira gave a little chuckle.

"Che. How can she and I have the same ideals? She's too naïve for her own good. And to add, she's too spoiled for me. Takagi-san coddled her too much."

"She's not spoiled, just stubborn. Like you." Matsudaira looked at Saitoh. "Well, I better return her to her father. With this war, he doesn't want her to be away from home too long. Ja for now, Saitoh-san."

"Ja." Just as Saitoh stared to walk but he felt a familiar, annoying presence behind him. "What the hell do you want Harada?"

"Che, can't I even greet ya without receiving a cold shoulder? So who's the girl ne?" He nudged Saitoh's arm. Saitoh shook his head and continued walking. "Aw, c'mon Saitoh-san? How come you're always the one to be set-up with some guy's daughter? The closest I get to having a girl is at the brothels."

"Cause Saitoh-san's an honorable man." Okita popped his head up behind Harada. "Anyway, many officials personally know Saitoh-san, so it's pretty obvious why. But for normal guys like us, I guess we just have to wait for our lucky day."

"Normal guy? You? 'Yea right Mr. Child Prodigy.' Harada hit Okita on the back, "With your sword skills, you're able to get any girl you want."

Saitoh stopped and said frostily, "You two just gonna stand there and joke around? We got reports to work on."

"Hai hai" Okita and Harada ran to catch up to him.

The next day, Saitoh was diligently writing his reports as usual when he heard a knock at the shoji door. "Hai?" He looked up from his work

Okita slid the door open and smiled, "Ohayo, Saitoh-san. Kondou-san and Hijikata-san called for a meeting. All Shinsengumi are to be present."

The room was filled with fellow Shinsengumi members, curious why this sudden meeting was called. Kondou cleared his throat, "As you all know, we are keeping a close eye on the Ishin. Although we have recruited many members over the past months, the Ishin are recruiting many swordsmen as well. If we don't keep a close watch, they could quickly grow in numbers. In the past month, a number of our members have been injured by Ishin assassins. Luckily they survived, but this number is greater than it has been in the past."

Murmurs spread like wildfire around the room. "Hoi! Attention!" Hijikata yelled to stifle the whispers.

"Anyway," Kondou went on, "I know this is different from our usual ways, but I am concerned that we don't have enough people to nurse the wounded. Despite her father's reluctant consent, this young girl's spirit to help our cause intrigued me, so I introduce to Takagi Tokio. She will help us in our cause."

A/N: Hmm wasn't that interesting? Oh well. C/C appreciated. Now on to chapter 4!