Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin = not mine = don't sue.
I forgot to say this last time, but if any of you people reading this have any ideas for what's to come in the next chapters, by all means, share! I always like to include other reader's ideas...maybe that's because if I read a fic, and I have something to add, I'll add it..and fervently hope the author uses it..Hahahhaa. But that's up to you people. Now, in this chapter, I'm going to introduce some stuff that wasn't in the anime or manga, but hey, that's why they call if FAN-FICtion. Ne?
Chapter 3: Sano's Great Plan..Well, Sort of
Kenshin had suggested they finish eating first and had moved to a sitting room to hear out Saitoh. The others all listened in stunned silence as Saitoh told his story.
"Y-you mean that the Shinsengumi are back together?" stammered Kaoru.
"Aa. Just for this operation, though," Saitoh paused. "Hand still on your sword, Kenshin? I think it's alright for you to take it off now. No danger of my wife attacking me here."
Everyone turned to stare at the wolf. Silence ensued.
Breaking the silence, Tokio began to laugh. "My husband made a joke; at my expense, but nonetheless, a joke. And you all sit there staring. *laughing* He's not going to eat you, you know!"
Embarrassed, the group smiled and looked at the floor. Kaoru looked at Saitoh. He had an actual smile on his face! She had to admit, though, that it looked a bit weird. She'd never imagined he could smile. But as quickly as it came, it also left his face, and he looked as he usually did, basically emotionless.
"Yare yare." Saitoh got up from where he was sitting, and leaned against the wall. Taking out a cigarette, he proceeded to light it.
"There were rules established in this house before you left, Hajime. One of them being no smoking inside the house. Just because you were away for four months, that doesn't mean that you are now exempt." Saitoh didn't seem to hear Tokio, as he struck the match against the matchbox.
So quick that no one could see, in fact, so quick that in that split second as Saitoh was lighting the cigarette, it appeared as if the dagger had come out of the wall. An inch from the left side of Saitoh's head was a small dagger embedded into the wall. The group looked around to see who had thrown it.
"I won't miss next time, Hajime," Tokio's voice sounded oddly cold.
Without speaking, Saitoh left the room, and went outside. The silence that followed his exit was thick with apprehension. No one could think of what to say. Tokio threw that dagger, and I didn't even see her movement! I didn't even know she had a concealed weapon! Kenshin's mind was racing. The speed and accuracy of that throw is not coincidence. There is definitely something these two aren't telling us. If *I* couldn't even see her, or predict her, she must be stronger. What does this mean?? The following minutes that passed by in complete silence seemed like hours. Actually, though, it was just enough time for Saitoh to smoke one cigarette. He returned after a short time, and sat down again.
"The mission of the Shinsengumi now is to wipe out who they feel are traitors. They feel that it gives them a bad name to have people like my wife and I still alive, who were associated with them, but who now work for the Meiji government. That makes me a target, that makes Tokio a target." Saitoh just continued on with his story as if nothing had happened. The rest of the group felt like they, too should make like nothing had happened.
"But is it just you two that they are after?" asked Sano.
"Of course, ahou. I was the only one of the Shinsengumi to turn around and work for the government that they had sought to destroy. The rest of them don't understand Aku Soku Zan. I'm merely carrying it out to my fullest."
"Saitoh. You mean to say that whoever is left of the Shinsengumi, and whoever else they have managed to round up; they all want your lives?"
"Yes, Himura. All of them." Looking as if he had something more to say, Saitoh sighed. "Himura, tell me. Have you ever heard of the Shinsengumi no Akuma?" (Akuma = devil/demon)
"Shinsengumi no Akuma? Hai. But, I thought they were just a legend."
"What's that?" Yahiko had finally managed to get his courage up to say something.
"They were legendary assassins, who used the technique of Sakurakuma (Cherry blossom Devil..does that make sense?). That technique is also said to be a legend. It is a technique where once you see an attack, you can use it and counter it. Which makes the technique unbeatable. Supposedly, there were two of the Shinsengumi no Akuma. Although I've never seen them, nor fought them myself," explained Kenshin.
"Very good, Himura. But they are far from legend. And yes, there were two of them. One of them could use the true power of the Sakurakuma. The other just used a variation of it. The reason why I mentioned them is because one of them is leading the pack." Saitoh's eyes looked over at his wife, who was expressionless.
Kenshin saw this look. He wondered what it meant. "If we have to face one of those, and a whole load of Shinsengumi, do we even have a chance?" Kenshin whispered. "I barely survived the fight with Shishio, I will admit that. And this time, there are fewer of us because Aoshi is not fighting anymore. Saitoh, have you thought this over?"
"Aa. That is why I brought us back here. There are some things that need to be revealed. But, it is getting late. We should talk tomorrow. Oh, and by the way, the particular Shinsengumi no Akuma we are up against is named Harada Koji."
Everybody nodded in assent when Saitoh mentioned turning in. None of them wanted to admit it, but they were all exhausted just talking of this new problem. It was quiet when they left the room, and they all walked into their rooms without so much as a word to each other.
* * *
"So, we're against Koji," said Tokio quietly once they were inside their room.
"Yes, Tokio."
"He was a good friend."
"He was the only one you really worked with, I know."
"When are we going to tell them?"
"Tell them what?"
"Nevermind. Let's just go to bed, Hajime."
With that, Saitoh joined his wife in bed. He brushed some stray hairs from across her face and cupped her face in his hand. "I did miss you, Tokio. And I am sorry that I was away longer than I said," he was going to stop there, but the look on his wife's face deterred that. "*And* I'm also sorry that I didn't write." Tokio smiled.
"It's alright, anata," she said, kissing him briefly on the lips. She was going to leave it at that, but Saitoh pulled her back towards him and kissed her deeply. "Well, I guess that's a better apology," teased Tokio.
"I can do better, you know."
"I know..so why don't you?" Tokio smiled a vixen smile at her husband...
* * *
The next morning, after breakfast, the scene was a bit changed from the night before. The sun was shining, and the trees around Saitoh's house were absolutely beautiful. Sano had this idea that they should all train for the whole day. So Kaoru and Yahiko were training on one side of the back yard, Sano, Kenshin and Saitoh were in the middle, and on the other side, Tokio was doing the laundry.
Motioning to Sanosuke, Saitoh said, "Your defense needs to be worked on. If you want to be a better fighter, you need to have equal defense and offense. You're not bad at the latter part, but since you have done no work on defense, it would be good to brush up."
"I told you, I don't need to listen to you, Saitoh, so you can just shove it!"
"Mah mah. Sano, maybe we should all work on our defense, ne?" smiled Kenshin, trying to avoid an argument between the wolf and the rooster-head.
"You're on *his* side!?!?!" Sano pointed at Saitoh with contempt.
As Kenshin and Sano argued about who's side who was on, Saitoh had gotten into the stance of the Gatotsu. Without warning, he sped forward. Sanosuke saw him out of the corner of his eye and dodged. Thinking he had done well, he smirked. But, Saitoh didn't stop. In fact, he wasn't aiming for Sanosuke at all. He sped past them all and was hurtled towards his wife, Tokio.
The ground rumbled, and clouds of dust stormed up from the ground. No one could see through it, but they were all worried about Tokio. Had Saitoh gone insane???!
"TOKIO!" "SAITOH!!!" came the cries.
.......When the dust settled, though. What they saw was unbelievable. Tokio, who had not seen it coming, had easily blocked her husband's fist.
"SAITOH YOU BASTARD!!! ARE YOU CRAZY!??!?! SHE'S YOUR WIFE FOR GOD'S SAKE!" Sano had his fists balled and ready to fight.
Merely smirking at him, Saitoh turned to face Tokio once more. "It's time to settle this, Tokio. It's time to settle who is the strongest between us!"
Her eyes sparkling, and a smile on her face, she cocked her head to one side. "Yare yare. At least you *seemed* faster this time...anata," she spit out that last word, all friendliness gone from her face. It seemed now she was smiling a regular Saitoh smile. One of contempt.
Rushing over to Kenshin and Sano, Kaoru and Yahiko were both voicing their concerns for Tokio.
"Oy, Kenshin. We have to stop this, or that bastard's gonna kill his wife!" shouted Sanosuke.
"Iie."
*General surprise*
"What do you mean no?!?! Kenshin!" this time, it was Kaoru.
"Look at her. She wasn't even paying attention to what we were doing. She was doing the laundry. Saitoh's Gatotsu was faster than I had ever seen it. But she blocked it. She wasn't hurt. Even last night, during the dinner, I noticed how she handled her chopsticks. It was with precision that I had never seen. And the dagger that she threw. I never felt anything from her. I should have been able to predict it. But I couldn't. She was too fast. Tokio is not the one we should be worried about. She will be fine. Saitoh, though...we should watch out for him." Kenshin's eyes were focused on the husband and wife in front of him. I wonder what her true strength is? And the Shinsengumi no Akuma...could she have been??
I forgot to say this last time, but if any of you people reading this have any ideas for what's to come in the next chapters, by all means, share! I always like to include other reader's ideas...maybe that's because if I read a fic, and I have something to add, I'll add it..and fervently hope the author uses it..Hahahhaa. But that's up to you people. Now, in this chapter, I'm going to introduce some stuff that wasn't in the anime or manga, but hey, that's why they call if FAN-FICtion. Ne?
Chapter 3: Sano's Great Plan..Well, Sort of
Kenshin had suggested they finish eating first and had moved to a sitting room to hear out Saitoh. The others all listened in stunned silence as Saitoh told his story.
"Y-you mean that the Shinsengumi are back together?" stammered Kaoru.
"Aa. Just for this operation, though," Saitoh paused. "Hand still on your sword, Kenshin? I think it's alright for you to take it off now. No danger of my wife attacking me here."
Everyone turned to stare at the wolf. Silence ensued.
Breaking the silence, Tokio began to laugh. "My husband made a joke; at my expense, but nonetheless, a joke. And you all sit there staring. *laughing* He's not going to eat you, you know!"
Embarrassed, the group smiled and looked at the floor. Kaoru looked at Saitoh. He had an actual smile on his face! She had to admit, though, that it looked a bit weird. She'd never imagined he could smile. But as quickly as it came, it also left his face, and he looked as he usually did, basically emotionless.
"Yare yare." Saitoh got up from where he was sitting, and leaned against the wall. Taking out a cigarette, he proceeded to light it.
"There were rules established in this house before you left, Hajime. One of them being no smoking inside the house. Just because you were away for four months, that doesn't mean that you are now exempt." Saitoh didn't seem to hear Tokio, as he struck the match against the matchbox.
So quick that no one could see, in fact, so quick that in that split second as Saitoh was lighting the cigarette, it appeared as if the dagger had come out of the wall. An inch from the left side of Saitoh's head was a small dagger embedded into the wall. The group looked around to see who had thrown it.
"I won't miss next time, Hajime," Tokio's voice sounded oddly cold.
Without speaking, Saitoh left the room, and went outside. The silence that followed his exit was thick with apprehension. No one could think of what to say. Tokio threw that dagger, and I didn't even see her movement! I didn't even know she had a concealed weapon! Kenshin's mind was racing. The speed and accuracy of that throw is not coincidence. There is definitely something these two aren't telling us. If *I* couldn't even see her, or predict her, she must be stronger. What does this mean?? The following minutes that passed by in complete silence seemed like hours. Actually, though, it was just enough time for Saitoh to smoke one cigarette. He returned after a short time, and sat down again.
"The mission of the Shinsengumi now is to wipe out who they feel are traitors. They feel that it gives them a bad name to have people like my wife and I still alive, who were associated with them, but who now work for the Meiji government. That makes me a target, that makes Tokio a target." Saitoh just continued on with his story as if nothing had happened. The rest of the group felt like they, too should make like nothing had happened.
"But is it just you two that they are after?" asked Sano.
"Of course, ahou. I was the only one of the Shinsengumi to turn around and work for the government that they had sought to destroy. The rest of them don't understand Aku Soku Zan. I'm merely carrying it out to my fullest."
"Saitoh. You mean to say that whoever is left of the Shinsengumi, and whoever else they have managed to round up; they all want your lives?"
"Yes, Himura. All of them." Looking as if he had something more to say, Saitoh sighed. "Himura, tell me. Have you ever heard of the Shinsengumi no Akuma?" (Akuma = devil/demon)
"Shinsengumi no Akuma? Hai. But, I thought they were just a legend."
"What's that?" Yahiko had finally managed to get his courage up to say something.
"They were legendary assassins, who used the technique of Sakurakuma (Cherry blossom Devil..does that make sense?). That technique is also said to be a legend. It is a technique where once you see an attack, you can use it and counter it. Which makes the technique unbeatable. Supposedly, there were two of the Shinsengumi no Akuma. Although I've never seen them, nor fought them myself," explained Kenshin.
"Very good, Himura. But they are far from legend. And yes, there were two of them. One of them could use the true power of the Sakurakuma. The other just used a variation of it. The reason why I mentioned them is because one of them is leading the pack." Saitoh's eyes looked over at his wife, who was expressionless.
Kenshin saw this look. He wondered what it meant. "If we have to face one of those, and a whole load of Shinsengumi, do we even have a chance?" Kenshin whispered. "I barely survived the fight with Shishio, I will admit that. And this time, there are fewer of us because Aoshi is not fighting anymore. Saitoh, have you thought this over?"
"Aa. That is why I brought us back here. There are some things that need to be revealed. But, it is getting late. We should talk tomorrow. Oh, and by the way, the particular Shinsengumi no Akuma we are up against is named Harada Koji."
Everybody nodded in assent when Saitoh mentioned turning in. None of them wanted to admit it, but they were all exhausted just talking of this new problem. It was quiet when they left the room, and they all walked into their rooms without so much as a word to each other.
* * *
"So, we're against Koji," said Tokio quietly once they were inside their room.
"Yes, Tokio."
"He was a good friend."
"He was the only one you really worked with, I know."
"When are we going to tell them?"
"Tell them what?"
"Nevermind. Let's just go to bed, Hajime."
With that, Saitoh joined his wife in bed. He brushed some stray hairs from across her face and cupped her face in his hand. "I did miss you, Tokio. And I am sorry that I was away longer than I said," he was going to stop there, but the look on his wife's face deterred that. "*And* I'm also sorry that I didn't write." Tokio smiled.
"It's alright, anata," she said, kissing him briefly on the lips. She was going to leave it at that, but Saitoh pulled her back towards him and kissed her deeply. "Well, I guess that's a better apology," teased Tokio.
"I can do better, you know."
"I know..so why don't you?" Tokio smiled a vixen smile at her husband...
* * *
The next morning, after breakfast, the scene was a bit changed from the night before. The sun was shining, and the trees around Saitoh's house were absolutely beautiful. Sano had this idea that they should all train for the whole day. So Kaoru and Yahiko were training on one side of the back yard, Sano, Kenshin and Saitoh were in the middle, and on the other side, Tokio was doing the laundry.
Motioning to Sanosuke, Saitoh said, "Your defense needs to be worked on. If you want to be a better fighter, you need to have equal defense and offense. You're not bad at the latter part, but since you have done no work on defense, it would be good to brush up."
"I told you, I don't need to listen to you, Saitoh, so you can just shove it!"
"Mah mah. Sano, maybe we should all work on our defense, ne?" smiled Kenshin, trying to avoid an argument between the wolf and the rooster-head.
"You're on *his* side!?!?!" Sano pointed at Saitoh with contempt.
As Kenshin and Sano argued about who's side who was on, Saitoh had gotten into the stance of the Gatotsu. Without warning, he sped forward. Sanosuke saw him out of the corner of his eye and dodged. Thinking he had done well, he smirked. But, Saitoh didn't stop. In fact, he wasn't aiming for Sanosuke at all. He sped past them all and was hurtled towards his wife, Tokio.
The ground rumbled, and clouds of dust stormed up from the ground. No one could see through it, but they were all worried about Tokio. Had Saitoh gone insane???!
"TOKIO!" "SAITOH!!!" came the cries.
.......When the dust settled, though. What they saw was unbelievable. Tokio, who had not seen it coming, had easily blocked her husband's fist.
"SAITOH YOU BASTARD!!! ARE YOU CRAZY!??!?! SHE'S YOUR WIFE FOR GOD'S SAKE!" Sano had his fists balled and ready to fight.
Merely smirking at him, Saitoh turned to face Tokio once more. "It's time to settle this, Tokio. It's time to settle who is the strongest between us!"
Her eyes sparkling, and a smile on her face, she cocked her head to one side. "Yare yare. At least you *seemed* faster this time...anata," she spit out that last word, all friendliness gone from her face. It seemed now she was smiling a regular Saitoh smile. One of contempt.
Rushing over to Kenshin and Sano, Kaoru and Yahiko were both voicing their concerns for Tokio.
"Oy, Kenshin. We have to stop this, or that bastard's gonna kill his wife!" shouted Sanosuke.
"Iie."
*General surprise*
"What do you mean no?!?! Kenshin!" this time, it was Kaoru.
"Look at her. She wasn't even paying attention to what we were doing. She was doing the laundry. Saitoh's Gatotsu was faster than I had ever seen it. But she blocked it. She wasn't hurt. Even last night, during the dinner, I noticed how she handled her chopsticks. It was with precision that I had never seen. And the dagger that she threw. I never felt anything from her. I should have been able to predict it. But I couldn't. She was too fast. Tokio is not the one we should be worried about. She will be fine. Saitoh, though...we should watch out for him." Kenshin's eyes were focused on the husband and wife in front of him. I wonder what her true strength is? And the Shinsengumi no Akuma...could she have been??