The three young friends gasped.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tatsujo demanded.
Togan glanced at Saitou.
"Are you accusing me?" the young man queried.
"Yes," Saitou responded without blinking.
Silence.
"Well, to begin with," Saitou drawled, "your story doesn't fit. You claim that you and Hoku-san had a late breakfast." He gestured to Makiko with a nod of his head. "But earlier, when Makiko-san asked you why no one was available to open the front gates, you told her that you had sent them away so we could inspect the area. Once Officer Togan and I inspected the house, not too long after, your maid came out with tea. Which led me to believe that she had been there for a while...especially if she was boiling enough water for five people." He smirked at the slight look of panic in Tatsujo's eyes. "While we were inspecting the house, I ran into two servants. Officer Togan?"
"Absolutely."
"They said that they tended to their duties this morning, never leaving the house," Saitou added.
"But..." Hoku spoke up tentatively. "Earlier, the house was practically empty..."
"Tomorrow is the birthday of the master of the house. The servants were gathered together, planning for tomorrow," Saitou responded. He dropped his cigarette and kicked some dirt over it. "But even before we left the police station, Tatsujo-san, something still seemed off..."
Tatsujo's eyes widened.
Togan spoke up. "You stopped by several stores to buy several items. I haven't been in the police force for long, but most people who have been robbed would want us to assess what happened right away."
"I was...distracting myself from the pain of my loss," Tatsujo stammered.
"Since that chest is fairly heavy, the perpetrator can only walk at most, ten feet with that in his arms," Saitou stated calmly. "If one were to drag that from the Tatsujo home they'd have to do it at night. After making some inquiries, I was told that Hoku-san had insomnia and spent most of the night talking with one of the servants until he slept, only to wake up to have late breakfast with you, Tatsujo-san." There was a slight mocking tone in his voice. "And since the robbery occured late this morning, early afternoon, the perpetrator would have to transport it in broad daylight on a carriage. Hoku-san does not have a carriage...He doesn't even know how to steer a horse."
Hoku flushed slightly. "How...?"
"I asked the servants," Saitou responded. "Also...Officer Togan found several loose boards in the fence..."
The police officer obligingly pulled up three boards that had been propped up.
"The street next to here is a back alley. No one in the neighborhood would notice if anyone was to come here by carriage," Togan spoke up. "You could have easily placed your items in Hoku-san's unlocked shed last night then claimed they were stolen this morning or afternoon."
Tatsujo snorted. "There's no proof..."
Saitou's eyes gleamed. "I think the foreign coins are more than enough proof..."
Everyone turned to Saitou.
"When you tried to assist the maid, you bumped into Hoku-san," Saitou remarked. "I saw you put that pouch in his jacket pocket."
Makiko gasped. "Ekaku...you...you were setting Hoku up? But...But why?"
"Let's see..." Saitou drawled. "Perhaps he wanted to make Hoku look bad? Hoku-san's engaged to the woman he wants...What better way to steal her away than frame his old friend for theft?" He paused, studying the young man. "Am I close?"
Tatsujo was so furious, his body shook. Frustration was evident in his expression.
"Is that true?" Makiko asked.
"Yes!" Tatsujo spat. Then he glared at Hoku. "Ever since we were kids, she followed you around. She loved you, she's never shown anything towards me!" Then he turned to Makiko, pleading, "I'm sorry...I know what I did looked wrong, but I love you...I would do anything for you, I-"
Saitou interjected, "That's obsession, not love."
"You don't know what you're talking about!" Tatsujo retorted.
Saitou sighed. "You can explain yourself if she decides to visit you in jail."
With that, Togan restrained him, leading him away.
"Makiko!" Tatsujo cried over his shoulder. "I love you! Visit me! I need to see you...!"
Saitou added a final comment to his notes.
"Officer Fujita," Makiko spoke up timidly. "Will he be charged heavily?"
Saitou said nothing.
"I...can't help feel sorry for him...even if what he did was wrong...it shows what lengths he would go...for me..." Makiko added.
"He's a romantic fool with no common sense," Saitou replied, shaking his head.
"Still," Hoku added, "he definitely proved he'd do whatever it takes for love...I have to admire him for that..."
Saitou arched his brow. "There's a line between being romantic and being fanatic. He crossed it."
"Have you loved someone so much that you'd do anything for them?" Hoku asked.
The policeman remained silent for a moment, then said finally, "If I had done anything remotely close to what Tatsujo did, the lady would have me thrown in jail without looking twice. I suggest seeking help if you think what he did was admireable..."
With that, he followed his partner towards the police station.
***
Tokio sighed and leaned back against one of the poles supporting the house. In the backyard, she was able to admire the serenity of the sky and trees. A gentle breeze passed by. She reached up and removed the sticks in her hair, tucking them into her kimono, letting the long black tresses cascade down her shoulders and back. The wind teased the silky strands.
She glanced down at her sketch pad and picked up a piece of charcoal. Months ago, a European ambassador who had been touring Japan came by to visit her father. He had noticed her skill with a brush, and being an artist himself, gave her several pieces of charcoal and two sketch pads for her to use as a different medium. Tokio enjoyed sketching with it, it was such an easy medium. She'd have to remember to get some more in Tokyo, her supply was going to run low in about a month or so.
Humming softly, she manipulated the charcoal over the paper, letting herself get lost in the work. When Saitou was at work, she would take care of the house. After all the cleaning was done, she would spend time eating her meals outside. This was when she was at most peace.
She was far too independent for her own good. Some of her family members had noticed that ever since she was a little girl. When Tokio informed her parents that she had chosen Saitou Hajime as her husband among the three candidates that she had been introduced to, her parents had been rendered speechless. She could easily remember their reaction...
"Tokio-chan..." her mother trailed off, stunned. "Are...Are you certain?"
"Yes, I am sure..."
"I thought you were going to choose-"
"Tokio-chan...the potential husbands that you have met are all unique...and we would never discourage your decision. But...Why have you chosen him?" her father asked. Judging by his expression, the shock had worn off, but he was interested in her reason.
While most fathers would order their daughter to marry one particular man, her father hadn't. He had been very supportive of her meeting several different potential husbands. Why select the first when there were others who were better?
"Well, quite honestly-"
"Do you have feelings for him?" her mother interjected.
Tokio's mouth formed a small O. "Mother...of course not. We only spoke for a short time..."
"But short enough for you to select him," her mother pointed out. Then she took her hand. "I don't mean to be assertive, but I am concerned..."
"I feel that we are better suited," Tokio responded. "He comes from a decent background, much like myself. After his life in the Shinsengumi, all he wishes is to live peacefully. There is very little tension between the two of us, and I would never have to worry about disappointing him."
"And why is that?"
"The other two intended to go into politics. I am unable to be an appropriate politician's wife."
"I see..." her father noted aloud.
"He is a swordsman...he has killed many people. This does not bother you?" her mother asked.
"The daimyo assured me of his character," Tokio responded.
Her father nodded. "You are certain of your decision." Then he smiled briefly. "I believe the daimyo has waited long enough for your answer..."
Tokio glanced down at her drawing, abruptly dropping the pad of paper onto the ground. She had been so caught in her musings that she hadn't been aware of what she was sketching. She took several deep breaths, peering over her knees to study what she had illustrated. Goodness....
She had sketched a portion of the house and the shrubbery in the background...but in the center, leaning against an outside wall of her home, was her husband holding a thin cigarette between his fingers, immortalized on paper and charcoal. What in the world? Tokio had sketched him perfectly, from his dark hair with several drooping bangs, angular features, casual but alert pose, like a wolf waiting for its prey. She bit her lower lip. Had she done that from memory? Tentatively, she reached out, passing her finger several hairbreadths over his lean form. Incredible...
Black boots came into her line of vision. Tokio's head shot up and she swallowed.
"Hajime-san..." she cleared her throat. "You're...You're home early..."
"The inspector sent me home after I completed two cases," he responded. His sharp eyes studied her flushed cheeks before observing that her hair was gone from its tidy bun.
Feeling his eyes on her, she reached into her kimono and quickly fixed her hair. "I...I can have dinner ready in about an hour and a half..."
"That's fine," he said absently as if distracted.
Tokio instantly remembered the sketch and groaned inwardly. Then he knelt in front of her, gingerly picking up the pad of paper, studying it for quite some time. Tokio averted her eyes, dreading what he'd say.
"There's a mistake in this," he said finally.
Her eyes widened. "What?"
"You made an error," he replied calmly.
"What are you talking about?" Tokio seemed to forget her manners. "Last I recall, art was not one of your interests...so how-"
"Calm down," Saitou interjected. "I was referring to a subject error...not a creative one..." He arched a brow, his lips turned up slightly. "You don't take criticism very well..."
Tokio sighed. "I'm sorry for my outburst..."
He moved to sit down next to her. Tokio shifted her position so that she sat more comfortably. His new wife certainly had spirit. Or perhaps she was just passionate about her work. She didn't strike him as the defiant type of woman.
Saitou held up the drawing. "What's missing?"
Tokio glanced at her drawing then at the location spot she had chosen. "Oh...There seems to be empty space around you in the drawing when there really isn't...Had you been standing there, the fence would be in the background..."
"Exactly." His eyes met hers briefly before handing her work back.
"Thank you." She tucked it away in a folder then rose to her feet. "I'll start dinner..."
A/N: Once again, thanks for reading a reviewing. I didn't know that so many Saitou/Tokio fans existed! Sorry if the process seems slow...I'm trying to build some romantic tension...
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tatsujo demanded.
Togan glanced at Saitou.
"Are you accusing me?" the young man queried.
"Yes," Saitou responded without blinking.
Silence.
"Well, to begin with," Saitou drawled, "your story doesn't fit. You claim that you and Hoku-san had a late breakfast." He gestured to Makiko with a nod of his head. "But earlier, when Makiko-san asked you why no one was available to open the front gates, you told her that you had sent them away so we could inspect the area. Once Officer Togan and I inspected the house, not too long after, your maid came out with tea. Which led me to believe that she had been there for a while...especially if she was boiling enough water for five people." He smirked at the slight look of panic in Tatsujo's eyes. "While we were inspecting the house, I ran into two servants. Officer Togan?"
"Absolutely."
"They said that they tended to their duties this morning, never leaving the house," Saitou added.
"But..." Hoku spoke up tentatively. "Earlier, the house was practically empty..."
"Tomorrow is the birthday of the master of the house. The servants were gathered together, planning for tomorrow," Saitou responded. He dropped his cigarette and kicked some dirt over it. "But even before we left the police station, Tatsujo-san, something still seemed off..."
Tatsujo's eyes widened.
Togan spoke up. "You stopped by several stores to buy several items. I haven't been in the police force for long, but most people who have been robbed would want us to assess what happened right away."
"I was...distracting myself from the pain of my loss," Tatsujo stammered.
"Since that chest is fairly heavy, the perpetrator can only walk at most, ten feet with that in his arms," Saitou stated calmly. "If one were to drag that from the Tatsujo home they'd have to do it at night. After making some inquiries, I was told that Hoku-san had insomnia and spent most of the night talking with one of the servants until he slept, only to wake up to have late breakfast with you, Tatsujo-san." There was a slight mocking tone in his voice. "And since the robbery occured late this morning, early afternoon, the perpetrator would have to transport it in broad daylight on a carriage. Hoku-san does not have a carriage...He doesn't even know how to steer a horse."
Hoku flushed slightly. "How...?"
"I asked the servants," Saitou responded. "Also...Officer Togan found several loose boards in the fence..."
The police officer obligingly pulled up three boards that had been propped up.
"The street next to here is a back alley. No one in the neighborhood would notice if anyone was to come here by carriage," Togan spoke up. "You could have easily placed your items in Hoku-san's unlocked shed last night then claimed they were stolen this morning or afternoon."
Tatsujo snorted. "There's no proof..."
Saitou's eyes gleamed. "I think the foreign coins are more than enough proof..."
Everyone turned to Saitou.
"When you tried to assist the maid, you bumped into Hoku-san," Saitou remarked. "I saw you put that pouch in his jacket pocket."
Makiko gasped. "Ekaku...you...you were setting Hoku up? But...But why?"
"Let's see..." Saitou drawled. "Perhaps he wanted to make Hoku look bad? Hoku-san's engaged to the woman he wants...What better way to steal her away than frame his old friend for theft?" He paused, studying the young man. "Am I close?"
Tatsujo was so furious, his body shook. Frustration was evident in his expression.
"Is that true?" Makiko asked.
"Yes!" Tatsujo spat. Then he glared at Hoku. "Ever since we were kids, she followed you around. She loved you, she's never shown anything towards me!" Then he turned to Makiko, pleading, "I'm sorry...I know what I did looked wrong, but I love you...I would do anything for you, I-"
Saitou interjected, "That's obsession, not love."
"You don't know what you're talking about!" Tatsujo retorted.
Saitou sighed. "You can explain yourself if she decides to visit you in jail."
With that, Togan restrained him, leading him away.
"Makiko!" Tatsujo cried over his shoulder. "I love you! Visit me! I need to see you...!"
Saitou added a final comment to his notes.
"Officer Fujita," Makiko spoke up timidly. "Will he be charged heavily?"
Saitou said nothing.
"I...can't help feel sorry for him...even if what he did was wrong...it shows what lengths he would go...for me..." Makiko added.
"He's a romantic fool with no common sense," Saitou replied, shaking his head.
"Still," Hoku added, "he definitely proved he'd do whatever it takes for love...I have to admire him for that..."
Saitou arched his brow. "There's a line between being romantic and being fanatic. He crossed it."
"Have you loved someone so much that you'd do anything for them?" Hoku asked.
The policeman remained silent for a moment, then said finally, "If I had done anything remotely close to what Tatsujo did, the lady would have me thrown in jail without looking twice. I suggest seeking help if you think what he did was admireable..."
With that, he followed his partner towards the police station.
***
Tokio sighed and leaned back against one of the poles supporting the house. In the backyard, she was able to admire the serenity of the sky and trees. A gentle breeze passed by. She reached up and removed the sticks in her hair, tucking them into her kimono, letting the long black tresses cascade down her shoulders and back. The wind teased the silky strands.
She glanced down at her sketch pad and picked up a piece of charcoal. Months ago, a European ambassador who had been touring Japan came by to visit her father. He had noticed her skill with a brush, and being an artist himself, gave her several pieces of charcoal and two sketch pads for her to use as a different medium. Tokio enjoyed sketching with it, it was such an easy medium. She'd have to remember to get some more in Tokyo, her supply was going to run low in about a month or so.
Humming softly, she manipulated the charcoal over the paper, letting herself get lost in the work. When Saitou was at work, she would take care of the house. After all the cleaning was done, she would spend time eating her meals outside. This was when she was at most peace.
She was far too independent for her own good. Some of her family members had noticed that ever since she was a little girl. When Tokio informed her parents that she had chosen Saitou Hajime as her husband among the three candidates that she had been introduced to, her parents had been rendered speechless. She could easily remember their reaction...
"Tokio-chan..." her mother trailed off, stunned. "Are...Are you certain?"
"Yes, I am sure..."
"I thought you were going to choose-"
"Tokio-chan...the potential husbands that you have met are all unique...and we would never discourage your decision. But...Why have you chosen him?" her father asked. Judging by his expression, the shock had worn off, but he was interested in her reason.
While most fathers would order their daughter to marry one particular man, her father hadn't. He had been very supportive of her meeting several different potential husbands. Why select the first when there were others who were better?
"Well, quite honestly-"
"Do you have feelings for him?" her mother interjected.
Tokio's mouth formed a small O. "Mother...of course not. We only spoke for a short time..."
"But short enough for you to select him," her mother pointed out. Then she took her hand. "I don't mean to be assertive, but I am concerned..."
"I feel that we are better suited," Tokio responded. "He comes from a decent background, much like myself. After his life in the Shinsengumi, all he wishes is to live peacefully. There is very little tension between the two of us, and I would never have to worry about disappointing him."
"And why is that?"
"The other two intended to go into politics. I am unable to be an appropriate politician's wife."
"I see..." her father noted aloud.
"He is a swordsman...he has killed many people. This does not bother you?" her mother asked.
"The daimyo assured me of his character," Tokio responded.
Her father nodded. "You are certain of your decision." Then he smiled briefly. "I believe the daimyo has waited long enough for your answer..."
Tokio glanced down at her drawing, abruptly dropping the pad of paper onto the ground. She had been so caught in her musings that she hadn't been aware of what she was sketching. She took several deep breaths, peering over her knees to study what she had illustrated. Goodness....
She had sketched a portion of the house and the shrubbery in the background...but in the center, leaning against an outside wall of her home, was her husband holding a thin cigarette between his fingers, immortalized on paper and charcoal. What in the world? Tokio had sketched him perfectly, from his dark hair with several drooping bangs, angular features, casual but alert pose, like a wolf waiting for its prey. She bit her lower lip. Had she done that from memory? Tentatively, she reached out, passing her finger several hairbreadths over his lean form. Incredible...
Black boots came into her line of vision. Tokio's head shot up and she swallowed.
"Hajime-san..." she cleared her throat. "You're...You're home early..."
"The inspector sent me home after I completed two cases," he responded. His sharp eyes studied her flushed cheeks before observing that her hair was gone from its tidy bun.
Feeling his eyes on her, she reached into her kimono and quickly fixed her hair. "I...I can have dinner ready in about an hour and a half..."
"That's fine," he said absently as if distracted.
Tokio instantly remembered the sketch and groaned inwardly. Then he knelt in front of her, gingerly picking up the pad of paper, studying it for quite some time. Tokio averted her eyes, dreading what he'd say.
"There's a mistake in this," he said finally.
Her eyes widened. "What?"
"You made an error," he replied calmly.
"What are you talking about?" Tokio seemed to forget her manners. "Last I recall, art was not one of your interests...so how-"
"Calm down," Saitou interjected. "I was referring to a subject error...not a creative one..." He arched a brow, his lips turned up slightly. "You don't take criticism very well..."
Tokio sighed. "I'm sorry for my outburst..."
He moved to sit down next to her. Tokio shifted her position so that she sat more comfortably. His new wife certainly had spirit. Or perhaps she was just passionate about her work. She didn't strike him as the defiant type of woman.
Saitou held up the drawing. "What's missing?"
Tokio glanced at her drawing then at the location spot she had chosen. "Oh...There seems to be empty space around you in the drawing when there really isn't...Had you been standing there, the fence would be in the background..."
"Exactly." His eyes met hers briefly before handing her work back.
"Thank you." She tucked it away in a folder then rose to her feet. "I'll start dinner..."
A/N: Once again, thanks for reading a reviewing. I didn't know that so many Saitou/Tokio fans existed! Sorry if the process seems slow...I'm trying to build some romantic tension...